In this week's comments update, readers are discussing Dior's concept store in Bangkok, wrapped in golden facades modelled on the fashion brand's Paris headquarters.
Named Dior Gold House, the single-storey mirror-clad store is entirely surrounded by a false facades covered in one million golden tiles.
"Looks like a coffin about to be buried"
Stefanos S branded it "ugly as ugly can be". They added that "the Dior shops looks like a coffin about to be buried".
For Operacreep it was "almost a statement on the hollow nature of the world of 'luxury' – a showy, but false, gilded surface for others to gawp at".
Eve was similarly despondent. "The world needs so much help right now, imagine these funds being spent on something that really makes a difference," they reflected. "Dior, this is really poor taste".
However, Pims saw things in a different light, writing "such bad taste it actually becomes attractive".
Are you sold on Dior's concept store? Join the discussion ›
"The perfect dystopian urban nightmare"
Commenters reacted to the news that a masterplan has been approved for 6,500 kilometres of pedestrian walkways to be added to Dubai, including an elevated air-conditioned looped path.
"Just as I thought the year couldn't get any dumber, Dubai doesn't disappoint," scorned Whateverandeveramen.
Tamara Glenny agreed and suggested "that arial photo looks as if someone asked AI to design the perfect dystopian urban nightmare".
Other commenters couldn't pass up on the opportunity for irony. "Sustainable, but has '30,000 square metres of urban space!'" exclaimed The Discreet Architect. "They must be using the same sustainability consultants/spin doctors as Neom" they mocked.
However, reader Andrew Tait staunchly defended the plans, arguing "Dubai is a teenage city trying to work out what's best – it should be applauded for the ambition and trying something new".
Dystopian nightmare or new and ambitious? Join the discussion ›
"There's a refinement to the selection of materials, the layout and detailing"
Another story stirring up the debate this week was a cuboidal primary school in rural Austria designed as a "village within a village" by Bregenz studio Bernado Bader Architekten.
Some commenters weren't too keen. "Why so bleak?" asked Souji.
"We don't need architects for this," determined Joop de Gee. "Any builder can make such a design within a few minutes," they claimed.
However, The Discreet Architect chimed in to defend the project. "It may not be to everyone's tase, and it certainly isn't what I would do, but there's a refinement to the selection of materials, the layout and detailing which would never be achieved if the project was led by a builder," they said.
"So I respectfully disagree with you on this.".
Do you think the project passes the test? Join the discussion ›
Comments Update
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