Architecture + Foam = GRANNY

Dutch newspaper de Volksrant reports that Dutch publisher PCM's new headquarters in Amsterdam is being designed by OMA. Running the article through the always-reliable Babelfish, we learn what PCM wants: "It must become a bldg. of which says people: look, there sits them, there something is going." But looking at the pile of foam below, I can't help but wonder "where something is going?"



Later in the article we learn, "It is a preliminary draft. The actual design must be still developed, in association with the project developer, political and the buurt." Certainly that's true. But what's up with the clunky, tabletop form? Further deciphering of the translation reveals the base is a two-story plinth devoted to public activities; above are the stacked, traditional functions of the PCM; then there's the cantilevered top where "those logos would be appropriate sticking out. You can present see you that you 'breaking news' on the bldg. late." In other words, Times Square in Amsterdam?

Even with a functional basis for the tripartite divisions, I can't help but think OMA either pulled in the C-team for this job or maybe the design hit the presses a bit too soon. After their Seattle Public Library design furthered the gap between Modernists and Traditionalists, OMA seems to be straddling that line. And I gotta say it doesn't work.

(via Archinect)