Rorschach test for Architects

Bob Borson is an Architect.

Well that’s what he would have us believe. But is he? Really?

Ok, sure, he wears black. He has minimal hair. And I’m pretty sure he has used the word “hierarchy” to describe his breakfast cereal.

And yes, he looks tired.

But, is this enough to claim the esteemed moniker of “Architect”? Do we really want to live in a world where ARCHITECTURE is simply defined by those that claim to define Architecture?

Well, do we?

Of course not. We need to be precise… To wit, I herein propose a simple test.

An Architectural Rorschach Test:

A visual exploration of ones true character; an exploration of the depths of ones symmetry; a definitive realization of the desolate vastness that lies within the very essence of the Architectural psyche. The paralysis of one’s dichotomy (if you will);. Thereby revealing (through a spatial and psychological analysis) one’s innate inner angst.

So, just relax. Take a few cleansing breaths. And look closely at the following images.

Tell me what you see.

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BEGIN EXAM

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TEST IMAGE #1

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Typical Architects response – “A balanced and nuanced representation of an unwavering gaze of disapproval.” Or…. “a raccoon fashioned from faceted sheets of aluminum”

Stop exam immediately if subject displays any of these Architectural indicators – “Bjarke Ingels, Brutalism, Turtleneck, Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, Sauvignon Blanc”

Subjects response – “ummm, Is it a..? wait a Transformer? no, a can opener, no, an evil can opener? No, No, wait… An evil can opener wearing a mask!”

Conclusion – Inconclusive

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TEST IMAGE #2

Typical Architects response – “The tapered corner of a Brise Soleil, probably not a Le Corbusier, probably somewhere in Brazil”

Stop exam immediately if subject displays any of these Architectural indicators – “Louis Kahn, Exeter Library, Repetition, Board-formed concrete, Cheese, desolation”

Subjects response – “ooo! a cheese grater. An enormous cheese grater.”

Conclusion – Not an Architect

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TEST IMAGE #3

Typical Architects response – “A sleeveless cable knit wool sweater with a deep V-neck with delicate scaffolding around it.””

Stop exam immediately if subject displays any of these Architectural indicators – “Gaudi, Mont Blanc fountain pens, exoskeleton, cashmere, Juliette Binoche”

Subjects response – “2 Legs in the air, tied down with cable wire, with a big arrow pointing at her crotch, all run over with a truck tire”

Conclusion – Not an Architect, possibly a pedophile – Follow up with Sergeant Williams in the morning.

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TEST IMAGE #4

Typical Architects response – “the structure of a bridge, flanked by my loneliness.”

Stop exam immediately if subject displays any of these Architectural indicators – “Peter Zumthor, Woody Allen, Lower Manhattan – or the meat-packing district, Glenlevit, Tension, The fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

Subjects response – “Looking up at the structure of a bridge, with 2 giant DNA strands on each side of me, or wait, maybe that’s smoke”

Conclusion – Possibly an Architect. Will need further testing to determine. Recommend medication.

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END EXAM

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I think you’ll agree that this is a more accurate method to determine one’s Architectural proclivities than simply taking one who claims to be an “ARCHITECT” at face value.

After all, one can’t argue with SCIENCE…

Or, aluminum raccoons.

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So, “Architect” tell me what you see? Feel free to add your “interpretation” in the comment section.

Note: Bonus points will be given to anyone who can guess the buildings used in the images.

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