On this week’s feedback replace, readers are discussing an opinion piece by Matt Shaw that displays on what went incorrect with Thomas Heatherwick’s Vessel, two years after it was closed following a sequence of suicides.

The Vessel, a 150-foot-high viewing platform in New York’s Hudson Yards improvement, has been closed since July 2021.

4 individuals died by suicide in 4 totally different incidents on the platform; the fourth dying coming simply months after the construction reopened following short-term closure and the implementation of suicide prevention measures.

“The Vessel’s demise might be traced again to its lack of public course of,” writes Shaw. “Constructed on non-public property, it by no means was subjected to, or benefitted from, any sort of design overview course of. A single consumer and single designer. This large, embarrassing failure may have simply been prevented with even an oz of neighborhood suggestions.”

“You shouldn’t count on public session to level out the well being and security dangers”

Commenters largely agreed with Shaw’s evaluation that “the Vessel offers nothing again to the town”.

“The Vessel is emblematic of what feels incorrect about the complete Hudson Yards space,” wrote Eric Schneider. “I can’t name it a neighbourhood as a result of it lacks, solely, any sense of place and simply looks as if an upscale open-air shopping center the place the wealthy can sit in visitors of their SUVs.”

Elizabeth_NYC was on the identical web page, commenting “virtually every part in Hudson Yards makes me despair. Examine it to the King’s Cross improvement in London the place they really tried”.

“In fact, additionally it is marred – and sure, I consider that to be the correct phrase – by a Heatherwick intervention. However for probably the most half, it has city goodies and folks need to be there, not solely to buy and eat,” they continued.

However commenters have been at odds over the place the accountability for well being and security lies.

“Why is it the architect’s drawback when individuals [commit] suicide?” wrote Vincent Ip.

“It’s a loopy world that everybody condemns builders for buildings that may’t forestall suicides,” added Timothy Wang. “However we do not condemn weapons producers for making weapons which are designed to kill. Undecided if it’s the accountability of builders to stop suicides.”

Commenter Natalie added:

“I fear that articles [such as Shaw’s] absolve architects from their ethical accountability to offer a constructing – or regardless of the Vessel is – that’s secure for the end-user,” they wrote.

“Whereas neighborhood session is an important a part of the architectural course of, you do not want, and shouldn’t count on, public session to level out the well being and security dangers. That is the architect’s position.”

Regardless of its unlucky historical past, some commenters have been optimistic in regards to the Vessel’s future.

“Whereas the tragic final result of the Vessel could make it not ‘practical’, I am positive some would argue that many different large-scale public artworks (some approaching this price ticket to construct) are additionally not ‘practical’,” wrote Vandra. “I am nonetheless hopeful an answer might be discovered and the steps can reopen.”

What do you make of the Vessel two years after its closure? Be a part of the dialogue ›

“Like a stadium with a swimsuit on – stylish”

Additionally rife for debate within the feedback part this week was a Colosseum-like stadium in Tub, UK, which British studio Apollodorus Structure designed in response to a proposed redevelopment put ahead by Tub Rugby.

The London studio’s different scheme would function an oval form that references Roman amphitheatres – a method it believes would merge extra organically with the context of the encompassing metropolis than the proposed rectangular constructing.

Some commenters deemed the choice design “completely charming”, whereas others thought it was too “pastiche”.

“The elliptical plan and a significant connection to the road to the east make a number of sense,” wrote Dwf. “As for the classical expression, it is fairly tough to argue in opposition to. Tub is usually neo-neo-classical or Georgian revival and has at all times been a type of theme park.”

“Appears beautiful! Finest improvement proposal within the UK since Poundbury,” declared TheManHimself. “So a lot better than a lot of the chilly and hostile trendy structure being churned out for the reason that Nineteen Fifties.”

Schrondingers Cat was additionally all in favour, saying: “it is like a stadium with a swimsuit on. Elegant. Depart it to the Decon cult to argue for an angular shardscape with shiny goo and huge projectors.”

However Ryan Peter Nolan disagreed, stating: “It is a copy-and-paste of each classical stadium and it is boring! It is giving Poundbury (which is cheesy). Why not produce a extra thought-provoking and trendy interpretation? Do some precise work and provides worth to it.”

Most commenters, although, agreed that “context is essential”.

“Very applicable for the context. Most significantly it would not scream ‘take a look at me!’, which must be the rule for 99.9 per cent of all buildings,” posited Apulia.

Copy-and-paste or charming reinterpretation? Be a part of the dialogue ›

“Elegant!”

One factor that commenters may agree on this week was the “lovely execution” of an angular management centre in Rwanda by BE_Design.

Knowledgeable by the geometric patterns of Rwandan Imigongo artwork, the Komera Management Centre is comprised of a cluster of blocks every topped by an angular, zig-zagging roof.

The centre, which BE_Design’s native workplace labored on with Rwanda Village Enterprises, offers areas for well being, training, and mentorship packages for younger ladies, in addition to neighborhood areas.

“Wonderful venture. Fantastically executed and the planning is actually well-considered,” wrote Mr Marsden.

Milos Mon known as it “a beautiful creation,” whereas Rachael Evans merely wrote “elegant!”

“Completely LOVE this! Effectively finished BE_Design,” concluded Nicole Blair.

Are you equally captivated by the Komera Management Centre? Be a part of the dialogue ›

Feedback replace

Dezeen is the world’s most commented structure and design journal, receiving hundreds of feedback every month from readers. Hold updated on the newest discussions on our feedback web page and subscribe to our weekly Debate publication, the place we function the perfect reader feedback from tales within the final seven days.