55. Louis Kahn and the Conceptual Practice of Anthony Pellecchia

“…it was my interests as an architect to step beyond the program that one is given by a client, and try to influence and express the various issues that are critical at the time…”

This week, we are joined by architect and artist, Anthony Pellecchia, as he shares with us his perspective on the profession of architecture, and his path from Hoboken, New Jersey, through the office of Louis Kahn, to a love of conceptual practice. 

Image: “Skyline”, Anthony Pellecchia

Timestamp Outline

3:49 “What are you working on?” - Discussion of Anthony’s speculative projects including, Living in the Air
4:26 Anthony describes precedent thinkers of his airborne architecture project including; City in The Air, by Arata Isozaki, Metabolism, Peter Cook founder of Archigram, and Le Corbusier (Corb-u)
5:50 Anthony describes his “Skyline” Project and the possibilities of liberating the ground plane in its current condition. 
10:47 Sympathizing with the non-human
14:50 Are these project anti-Modern? Drawing from broad, cultural and historical architectures as an escape from repetition 
18:04 Growing up in Hoboken and the struggle to retain one’s difference. 
23:15 Discussion of Anthony’s Grounded Angel Project 
27: 34 “…it was my interests as an architect to step beyond the program that one is given by a client, and try to influence and express the various issues that are critical at the time. If we only do the work that we’re given and, so much of it is commercial…”
28:30 Why is it important for practicing architects to do work like this? 
30:29 “…something that’s produced for the market, yet at the same time is publicly presented as conceptual is missing in our field.” -VP 
Previous conceptual practices of Cedric Price, Lebbeus Woods, the Smithson’s and Frank Lloyd Wright
35:40 Wright’s exploration of larger ideas about program and being in built space, the Johnson Wax Building
37:51 The relationship between the business of architecture and the academic world of architecture 
39:15 Louis Kahn and the “business” of architecture  
43:40 Note on Anthony attending a very long Buckminster Fuller lecture on moveable walls
45:51 Anthony’s time at WPA 
47:31 Drawing in Kahn’s office and Anthony’s representation ethos 
53:15 Closing thoughts, returning to Hoboken