Week 5: Kenneth Schwartz
by SonnyLee on Feb.17, 2012, under Weekly Guests
Favrot Professor and Dean of the Tulane School of Architecture
Kenneth Schwartz, FAIA came to Tulane University from the University of Virginia where he was a professor of architecture, former department chair and associate dean, and chair of the Faculty Senate. He has over twenty-seven years of teaching and practice experience in architecture, preservation, urban design and community planning. As a founding principal of CP+D (Community Planning + Design) and Schwartz-Kinnard, Architects, he has won four national design competitions exploring the constructive force that progressive urbanism and architecture can play in rebuilding cities. In addition to his design work, Mr. Schwartz has served as a planning commissioner and member of the Board of Architectural Review for the City of Charlottesville, focusing on design and preservation issues in the community. Mr. Schwartz served on the University of Virginia Master Planning Committee and the Art and Architecture Review Board for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is a Past President of the National Architecture Accrediting Board and recent board member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. Schwartz was awarded UVA’s Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award, the university’s highest teaching honor given to one faculty member each year. Mr. Schwartz is pleased to be continuing his work as an educator, architect, and engaged citizen at the Tulane School of Architecture.
February 22nd, 2012 on 10:29 am
Although I have always appreciated architecture as an art form, what I was not aware of are the direct influences architecture has on society. As a sociology major, I was intrigued by what Dean Schwartz told us about how much architecture helps to structure one’s life by serving as a framework under which we all work and live.
Dean Schwartz strongly emphasized the possibility of making a real difference in the community through architecture. The field of architecture is deeply connected to, and defined by culture, especially in New Orleans where the “holy trinity” of our culture is music, food, and architecture. Schwartz also discussed how architecture can be used as a tool to express new ideas which often connect real issues in a city to studying, planning, and building that allow young architecture students the opportunity to become leaders in society and make positive attributions to their communities.
Professor Mayfield has a strong relationship with the connection of architecture to the arts. He is a council member of the National Council on the Arts. The council has implemented a leadership initiative called The Mayor’s Institute on City Design–an initiative which will allow council members to advise mayors on city design that will be a positive influence on the community. Professor Mayfield asked Dean Schwartz his opinion of the Johan Wolfgang von Goethe quote, “I call architecture frozen music.” This prompted Schwartz to explain to us how good and bad architecture can affect life. According to Schwartz, great urban spaces can be life-changing. As he reminisced his first time traveling down St. Charles Avenue he discussed how architecture has the ability to speak to many emotions from cathedrals and unitarian churches to an ancient oak tree lined avenue, good architecture has uplifted spirits through time and space. However, when bad decisions in architecture happen, it can have just as heavy an influence on the community surrounding it. Schwartz mentioned the lack of culture in the American suburb where strip malls and franchise businesses line long straight streets to nowhere special.
Luckily, that is when Dean Schwartz gave us all hope in his explanation of how preservation, citizen activism and love allowed the great American city of Savannah, Georgia to restore and repurpose the integral spaces in their community. With the help of Savannah College of Art and Design, the city came from struggle to be a functioning, self-sufficient city. Much like Savannah College of Art and Design, the Tulane School of Architecture with the influence of Dean Schwartz, prepares students to contribute to the regenerative development of cities, starting with New Orleans, and expanding into communities nationally, and perhaps globally. The Masters of Sustainable Real Estate Development restore our city by re-developing areas that are no longer serving a good purpose to our community. The the school’s center for outreach projects–Tulane City Center, students collaborate with community-based and civic organizations to form research, events, design partnerships, urban agriculture initiatives, and several building projects.
I thoroughly enjoyed this particular focus group. Dean Schwartz encouraged me to consider the involvement of architecture in social change and even consider studying it for my post-graduate degree. New Orleans is a lucky place to have such an influential artist, educator and community leader as Dean Kenneth Schwartz.
February 22nd, 2012 on 11:48 pm
Kenneth Schwartz is the Dean of Tulane School of Architecture. Dean Schwartz came went to Tulane from the University of Virginia where he served as a professor and associate dean of architecture. Thomas Jefferson, his role model, who was also an architect and a great leader of our country, heavily influences Schwartz. He moved to New Orleans in 2008 in attempt to help all the moving parts of Tulane University, such as curriculum, non-profit organizations, etc. Schwartz went on to explain architecture and the way that he perceives it to be. Architecture is the structure of one’s life, or it is the range of inhabitation that we occupy. Architecture is a field that is defined by culture and defines culture. It can change the way you view the world, for example, when you walk into a beautifully designed cathedral, you can feel God, even if you are not Catholic.
Dean Schwartz knew that he was interested in architecture at a young age. He enjoys the simplest details of the field. Professor Mayfield asked Schwartz about the micro and macro elements of architecture and the significance of them. Schwartz said that the microelements of architecture change the way you see the world. The macro-elements of architecture could potentially split cities, for example, as the I-10 elevated expressway does.
Dean Schwartz started a new graduate program at Tulane University to strengthen the culture of our city. Many people with different majors can take part in this graduate program, from Liberal Arts majors to Engineering majors. Schwartz also talked about Tulane City Center, which is a non-profit outreach program for the Tulane School of Architecture. Here, Tulane students are able to be hands on and design and complete projects of architecture.
February 22nd, 2012 on 11:49 pm
Kenneth Schwartz was a very knowledgeable and interesting speaker of architecture. The most inspiring part of the lecture with Kenneth Schwartz was when he talked about his love for architecture. He was very intriguing when he spoke of things like the architecture in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is a historic city in Georgia, and the people that lived there did not want the beauty of their city to disintegrate. As a result, the people of Savannah restored buildings and monuments that were important to them. It was the citizens who listened technically and who were impassioned by the love of their city that displayed the most knowledge of great architecture. You could tell that the people of this town inspired Dean Schwartz. When asked about what he thought about strip malls and the suburbs, Schwartz said that the suburbs are the great American dream. It is everyone’s dream to have the convenience of shopping, going to school, going to the market, etc. close to home. However, Schwartz believes that strip malls and the suburbs could potentially destroy our city. He believes that we must invest in the core or basis of the city for the sake of our culture. Again, his view of our city and its beauty shows that Schwartz is a sincere and inspiring man.
March 2nd, 2012 on 5:35 pm
Dean Swartz is a professor Of Agriculture for Tulane University. He has won many awards in architect. His role model was Thomas Jefferson. In 2000 he came to New Orleans to Tulane University to help defelp and influence the area through architect. He has seen many changes in the city since Katrina, and he wants to help revive it. He currently has programs that look at current real estate sites and try to see how these can be used and improved to better the community. He showed how influential and important architect can be to a city. He even made a point of saying architect helps you structure your life. In a round about way this is true. You may not have chosen your college due to architect, but it is in a building and what you are learning is in many ways influencing your life.
March 2nd, 2012 on 5:43 pm
I did not have the privelede of actually hearing Dean Schwartz, but based on the blogs I read I feel I can make a pretty good estimation of him. He seem intelligent, knowledgable, structured, and interesting. He has a strong desire to inflluence the community through architect. He has a desire to help build the city and the lives that he influences from day to day. He shows how great the impact of architect is for an area. Take the golden great bridge or the statue of Liberty. These are very inspiring pieces of architect. Why have a city full of strip malls and building that are insignificant. Why can’t you remember an area for things in it such as Europe for some of its castles or Rome for some of its churches. What can you attribute to the New Orleans area? Maybe the wrought ironwork in the French Quarter or the St. Louis Cathedral, But why can there be something new and invigorating to help draw people to this area. This is a challenge that Dean Schwartz seems to put forward to the workmen and architects of the New Orleans area.
March 12th, 2012 on 6:57 pm
Kenneth Schwartz is the Dean of Tulane’s school of architecture. Before hearing Dean Schwartz speak to our class, I did not have much of a passion or appreciation for architecture and design. Dean Schwartz talked about architecture in such a way that it would open anyone’s eyes to come to truly appreciate the art. An art is what architecture and design is, and those are the types of words Dean Schwartz used to describe it. He began his lecture by reminding us all that the Holy Trinity of New Orleans is food, music and architecture. When asked who inspires him as a designer, Dean Schwartz surprisingly said Thomas Jefferson. He went on to say how many of the world’s best politicians are also designers and vice versa. When asked “what is architecture?” Dean Schwartz defined it as “place-making” and “A field defined by and that helps to define culture. Joy in learning through making.” When speaking on the impact of architecture, Dean Schwartz said “architecture can change your view of the world. Great architecture elevates the spirits.” The way Dean Schwartz spoke of architecture and designing buildings as works of arts like paintings or pottery was amazing to me. When he spoke there was so much passion and love in his voice that it made me become interested in something that I had pawned off in passing before.
According to Dean Schwartz, the goal of the Tulane School of Architecture is to connect students with real issues in the community. Dean Schwartz even created a brand new program in the school, the Master’s in Sustainable Arts. Of the 18 students in the program only one has a Bachelor’s in Architecture, and the other 17 are Liberal Arts students. This seemed shocking to me at first, but then made a lot of sense to me. Architecture is indeed an art and thus art students would apply to the program. Design is about visual aesthetic, and this is the specialty of many Liberal Arts majors.
March 12th, 2012 on 6:58 pm
Being from Virginia, Dean Schwartz was struck by the uniqueness and wonder of New Orleans architecture. He spoke of how different design is in New Orleans by saying “New Orleans architecture has paid attention to the climate.” This really stood out to me because it was so true. In New Orleans you see things you don’t see anywhere else because the weather and conditions here are unlike other parts of the country. Shotgun houses are conscious of sweltering summers and no air conditioners; elevated and raised homes are conscious of flooding during even the lightest of rains. All this contributes to Dean Schwartz’s statement that “every place has its own vernacular architecture.” We always hear about the vernacular language in New Orleans being like no other, so it was great to hear the same of the design. Something interesting Dean Schwartz suggested was the removal of I-10 in the downtown area because not only does in disrupt the scenery and beauty of the city, but it also creates a cultural and social divide within the city. He used the city of Milwaukee as an example. An overpass was creating a divide in the city and a political decision was made to removes it.
On March 26, 2010 Irvin Mayfield was sworn in as a member of The National Council on the Arts, the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Professor Mayfield was nominated by the President and confirmed by the US Senate to serve on the Council for a full six-year term until 2016. During an interview, Mayfield said “One of the NEA programs I’m really excited about is the Mayors’ Institute on City Design. The reason I think that’s important is I think the NEA chairman as well as the president recognize that the arts have to be at the beginning of policy, inside of it.”
March 14th, 2012 on 5:28 pm
Dean Schwartz had a cool vibe around him that seemed to say, everything will work itself out. That is a really good attitude to have that I wish I could remember all the time. Getting to the classroom knowing hardly anything about architecture, a lot of what he said were things I hadn’t really thought about. That’s one reason I like this class because it gives insights to topics that I simply hadn’t given much thought to the complexities of it. It was surprising that he said architecture is not an aesthetic, and is only made of 10-15% aesthetics, or how attractive it is to the eye. Being someone who really only looks at the beauty of architecture and maybe wonders, “how did they ever build this..,” I had just always imagined that someone would start with an image in their head and build around that idea, but clearly there is a lot of other factors that are considered first in architecture. Then the image is created from those ideas and stipulations. Dean Schwartz really put a deeper meaning to how architecture is created, viewed, and how it makes people feel. I liked how he said that architecture is defined by culture, and also helps to define culture. This helps to explain how New Orleans came to be the way it is. This is because of the people that helped to build it, who paved the way for the next generations to remember that culture through the architecture that helps to define the culture of the present and the future.
March 14th, 2012 on 5:28 pm
Although overall, Mr. Schwartz held great ideas about architecture, I disagreed with him when he said that a suburb is the American dream, although he too thought that they would destroy the city along with strip malls. I think that the only overall American dream that can be said for everyone is that people want to build their own house. The American dream certainly differs from place to place. Here in the city of New Orleans a suburb might be a dream for some, but in Vermont for instance, generally the American dream would be to have a house away from everyone else with the backyard being only trees and mountains. I think also most people would like to have a lot of land where they are free to do activities such as hunting or fishing that you can’t do on your neighbor’s property. Also cities and suburbs do not leave much room for a self-sustaining life for people that have a store right down the road. I do agree with his idea of the importance of investing in the central city in order to have a strong core for environmental reasons such as public transit for energy saving. It was a bold point that he made about how a Wal-Mart can knock out ten family businesses. I feel very strongly about this because it is the reason that my hometown is going under business-wise. When too many businesses go under, people don’t want to come to that town and it is a very bad downward spiral for a town and its community. There is definitely a big difference between investing in a central city for good reasons, and investing in corporations that smother everything out.
March 18th, 2012 on 5:09 pm
As an urban planning major, I considered Mr. Schwartz’ interview especially relevant. I enjoyed his focus on the Tulane City Center, a Tulane University project to aid non-for profits and cultural institutions plan for further development. The information distributed was very professional, and sold the new Masters program quite well. Mr. Schwartz is beyond all other things, an intellectual and designer. He speaks eloquently and has a calming and caring presence.
It seems our class is especially interested in preservation, and i have come to understand UNO’s urban planning department focuses primarily on policy, and Tulane’s programs are more on the actual implementation of urban planning inititives.
The design build programs as depicted in the professional, “green” pamphlets do, however, appear as alien starships in the middle of underserved ghettos.
Everyone’s question is “How do people in the neighborhood feel about them?”
The fact of the matter is that the buildings are out of place in parts of the city that have maintained most of their historic buildings since the flood.
However, in the lower 9th ward where blocks and blocks of houses were swept from their foundations, there exists a clean slate.
If through volunteer work and planning initiatives, a new community can form, centered on this modern architecture, it is, in my opinion, perfectly acceptable.
But the house on Saratoga in central city just seems plain out of place.
And I rode my bike all the way down Dumaine from Bourbon to Carrollton, and spotted another Tulane Design build that seemed equally unfit for the neighborhood.
March 18th, 2012 on 5:16 pm
But the Tulane City Center has done wonderful things for communities as well.
The Viet Village in Village D’lest is an urban farming development that sustains Vietnamese traditions of farming in the East. And from what I have read, Village D’Lest is the largest congregation of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam in the world.
Plus, the food out there off Chef Menteur is bomb.
Here we are back on food again.
I like Mr. Schwartz. I like his work, his drive, passion, body language, attitude.
But I also felt that some of his aspirations as a planner were a bit fantastical, such as the the “houses in the sides of mountains” types of inititives.
I try to be as real world as possible when considering what can be done to help this community, but maybe I should be more vivacious and imaginative in considering different solutions to our specific urban problems.
One more thing:
I feel that it is likely that the University of New Orleans has a better connection with the underserved citizens of New Orleans because we are a public institution with affordable tuition.
Our planning inititives from our apartment are not fantastical- they are more realistic and aim to better the community in ways feasible in the immediate future.
March 19th, 2012 on 10:07 am
Connecting Idealistic People Who Have Great Ideas with the Community
Dean Kenneth Schwartz began his lecture by asking the question, “How do you connect idealistic people who have great ideas with the community around them?” This is a resounding question he asks himself as he seeks candidates for the renowned Tulane School of Architecture, of which he is the Dean.
A great architect is not just one who can envision grandiose structures; they are rather, someone who can connect the grand plan in their mind with the heart and culture of the community. Such an architect is likely to leave a life-long impression on those who interact with their work. The more an architect’s work becomes accepted as a part of the community’s framework, the greater the legacy and impression that is left after them will be.
Dean Schwartz is actively accomplishing this connecting of architect with community through the City Center program at Tulane University. The student architects who are a part of this program are challenged to incorporate intricate details from the architecture of New Orleans architectural heritage into each of the projects they design. To date this team has finished numerous projects which reflect this vision, and as a result our city has families living in the sustainable homes they built, gardens are filling old barren industrial tracts, and community centers are springing up throughout the city.
March 20th, 2012 on 12:07 pm
Kenneth Schwartz is the Dean of the School of Architecture at Tulane University. He views architecture as a form of social art. Dean Schwartz even took it further for us to understand architecture and said that architecture is “frozen music”. Architecture is the framework under which we all exist, so it has to have some type of importance, right? It absolutely does, and architects look at the world differently for that reason. They analyze each and every aspect of the world no matter how big or how small.
What Dean Schwartz is doing at the Tulane University is taking architecture and comparing it with issues in the community to make it better. The fact that someone could do that is awesome. Architecture seems to me like a way that we can make the communities look better and the citizens that live in it feel better at the same time. Dean Schwartz mentioned during the interview that architecture is a field defined by culture and helping define culture. I don’t think there could be any better place than New Orleans that an architect can go into and find culture. I think possibilities are limitless for New Orleans Architecture.
Another good thing about Dean Schwartz is that he was nice enough to give the class a booklet about current local architectural projects. It covered projects from new housing to innovative ways to raise a garden in the city. One thing that stood out to me was the plans for a skate park in New Orleans. I’ve skated for a while now, and I could continue on and on about all the positive sides on having a skate park here. But I’ll skip that rant and just say that we need a park in the city badly. It would add another great aspect to New Orleans’ culture. Dean Schwartz has an incredible passion for what he does and the impact it has on others. Now I hope he reads this and pushes more for that skate park.
March 20th, 2012 on 6:46 pm
Dean Schwartz comes to New Orleans after spending 24 plus years as professor and Dean at the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, UVA’s architect founder and third President of the United States, influenced Schwartz. Ironically Jefferson was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase protecting the trade routes of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. Tulane and the citizens are fortunate to bring someone of his stature to the rebuilding of New Orleans. Dean Schwartz representing architecture, as one of the spokes on the wheels of recovery but more importantly is important to have a spokesman
representing the trinity of music, food and architecture as well. I have to admit before I attended this class, I had considered architecture a study of construction design engineering, and not an art form, or as Professor Mayfield stated “Frozen Music “ It is the art of place making used by architects to accentuate both artistic and spatial design taking into account acoustic performance where needed
March 20th, 2012 on 8:44 pm
According to Dean Schwartz, architecture is defined by culture and helps to define culture. It helps to structure ones life. From a door knob to a large
building, architecture is a social art that can make a difference to excite and motivate people. New Orleans is a potpourri of architecture or as they say here a mixed gumbo. Unlike any other city in the United Stated this city is filled with examples of Spanish, French style buildings. It has shotgun and Creole cottages made with bargeboards from the cargo vessels that navigated down the Mississippi river with no means of getting back upstream. Post Katrina has brought on a new era of so called sustainable green homes. I personally find them as radical as finding a raised ranch built in the 60’s sitting between two Creole cottages in the Marigny or building an interstate highway through the middle of Claiborne Ave. Dean Schwartz indicated he would like to get involved in politics, I hope he does. We need more civic-minded politicians looking to maintain the culture, diversity and architecture of this great city. We have had too many career politicians looking out for themselves in the past.
March 21st, 2012 on 11:43 am
I have always been one to appreciate architecture especially coming from Chicago and living in New Orleans the architecture here is absolutely breath taking. The culture behind these building tells a story and expressed the cities history. I have never seen a city as well diverse architecturally as I have New Orleans. They help define the culture that I fell in love with. Kenneth talked to us about how architecture is art it structures ones life, it is the framework to how we live. I totally agree that it can be a life-changing sight, it represents the dreams and desires we all have. Everyone works hard and acts a certain way to get their ideal home to raise your family in and architecture shows your ideals of the “American Dream”. Not knowing much about architecture I thought that this wouldn’t make much sense to me because all I know is what house I think is pretty or ugly but, those are based on my ideals of wanting more than I was given, so I believe architecture can represent a lot more to one person than another. It is so powerful what a structure can represent and do for you artistically.
March 21st, 2012 on 11:50 am
Kenneth Schwartz has been in architecture for over 27 years. He was a dean of the school of architecture at Tulane University. He said that his biggest inspiration was Thomas Jefferson. He said that architecture is defined by culture and helps to define our culture today. He said that connecting idealistic people with real community needs can help to enrich our lives. Kenneth was talking about how they are building modern home in not the greatest of areas to try and help rebuild the city and influence peoples ideals. He also talked greatly about the suburbs and why they develop so quickly because the suburbs represent the american dream the perfect place to raise your families with your white picket fence. You can raise your family near by, children can go out with parents feeling comfortable and safe. Everything is nearby this is a form of architecture that represents our culture in America and the desire we have. I didn’t think this was the most interesting lecture but it all made sense and helped me understand the reasons why architecture has developed the specific way that it is.
March 21st, 2012 on 4:06 pm
Up until the interview with Dean Kenneth Schwartz I never thought architecture had such an impact on society and its connection to culture. I’ve always admired architecture for it’s beauty and its relation to art, but Dean Schwartz made it clear that architecture isn’t just an art form or for practical use but much like music it can have a good or bad effect on the environment that it encompasses and characterizes the community.
March 28th, 2012 on 12:50 pm
“Architecture is frozen music” was the quote that stuck out most to me in Kenneth Schwartz lecture. I’ve never thought about that, but now that I do it makes sense. 27 years of teaching and practicing, 4 design competition awards, and being influenced by Thomas Jefferson, Kenneth Schwartz has now found himself as the Dean of the School of Architecture at Tulane University. He told us how great architecture can change the way you view the world and this is true. For example when you think about right after Hurricane Katrina before the Superdome was renovated it had this eerie feeling to it. Besides being known for where the Saints played it had no real positive effect on the way people felt about it, but when you drive past it now it has a whole new aura to it. It makes you want to Visit New Orleans and see what’s new about the whole downtown area because that’s how great architecture makes you feel. It even almost seems that the changing of that architecture drew us together as New Orleanians because we all had something visually that we could be proud of. Your perception changes based on the style of the architecture and that’s why New Orleans is so unique because it has its own clear sense of identity, as Mr. Schwartz said. Being an artistic person I’ve always had a big appreciation for nice architecture, but Kenneth Schwartz made me see past just the physical buildings and view architecture as a social art and that’s why I really enjoyed this lecture.
May 1st, 2012 on 12:07 pm
Kenneth Schwartz is the Dean of Architecture at Tulane University. He moved to New Orleans from the University of Virginia in 2008. Dean Schwartz has received many awards and accomplished a large number of things while in Virginia, but his flow did not stop when he moved to New Orleans. He started a new graduate program at Tulane University in hopes to build the culture of our city. Because of this useful program, non-architecture majors can take classes and learn more about this major. He has also greatly improved the workings of the Tulane City Center. The Tulane City Center is a non-profit organization for Tulane School of Architecture students. With this Center, Tulane students are able to be hands on and they can work together to create their own architecture designs. With over 27 years of experience, I am excited to see what else pops up around New Orleans from him and students at Tulane University. I thought Dean Schwartz was a great speaker and knew how to keep a crowd attentive. He hit you with all the facts. Being from New Orleans and having someone from Virginia come and be so amazed by New Orleans makes me feel great. He has such a great appreciation for the city and his work.
May 1st, 2012 on 12:17 pm
According to Dean Schwartz, architecture is not only the structure of buildings and monuments, but it is also the structure of one’s life. Architecture defines a certain culture, and also is defined by the culture where a certain work is inhabited. Architecture can change the way you feel about everything. When he started saying that, I thought about a specific idea and he was correct. I related to the architecture of kitchens that I have worked in. Thinking about this, even the architecture of your workplace will greatly impact how you feel about your job in the long run, and also how you feel during that shift. When going to work in one place, I am excited to get there and time flies by. In another place, I dread going to work and time goes by very slow. Dean Schwartz will make a great fit in New Orleans. He referred to architecture as “frozen music.” Architects look at things differently than non-architects. They understand that architecture is a framework that we all live by. After this lecture, I agree in that statement because like I stated earlier, the architecture around you can dramatically change your mood. Because Dean Schwartz loves architecture, it means he also loves art, so he will love this city and I cannot wait to see what new architectural designs arise from him and students at Tulane.
May 6th, 2012 on 8:51 pm
In response to Melissa’s comment the way I took it, Schwartz was referencing the stereotypical “American Dream” the dream that we all heard if you work hard you can own your own house with a white picket fence. Sure, some people desire to stay in the city but I’m pretty sure stats show that in America more people live suburbs compared to than that of cities. A big part of living in suburbs in our area is to avoid the crime takes place in the city. However, just like you said people live in rural areas to have space, people do the same in suburb, yard space and square-footage for a house is readily more available in suburbs than in the city. The point was focusing on building up our cities as the core foundation of an area. What if the Superdome all of sudden decided to move to an outlying place like Metairie, Harvey, Belle Chase, or even on the NorthShore? The city would lose out on a good bit of revenue from sporting events. That is the same concept with expanding suburbs, if we continue to build up suburbs the city is losing out on valuable assets in the community that make cities distinctive.
Also you hinted on major corporations entering the city such as the Walmart debate in MidCity. Yes, this decision might close some local businesses, but how many opportunities and jobs would it bring the community on the flip side. Some people love Walmart and might finally decide to move into the city because of the convenience. Just putting that out there…
May 6th, 2012 on 11:14 pm
Kenneth Schwartz is the current Dean of the Tulane School of Architecture. He came to Tulane from the University of Virginia, where he was a professor and associate dean. He said that he took his current job at Tulane to assist with bringing all of the part of the department together. He has had also taken one tasks like creating the Tulane City Center, which works with projects like the Hollygrove Farmers Market to establish and promote a healthy sense of community throughout the city of New Orleans. I think that it is great that he has taken the initiative to better the city of New Orleans without being from the city or a even a long-term resident. Hearing stories like his makes me excited to live in a city that inspires people to get involved in preserving its sense of community so quickly. Dean Schwartz also took part in creating a new Graduate program at Tulane to strengthen the community ties to culture in New Orleans. Again, I think that this is a great initiative and I am glad that great minds like that of Dean Kenneth Schwartz are behind restoring and preserving the culture of the great city of New Orleans.
When Dean Kenneth Schwartz was announced as our next lecturer, I was very excited to get to hear about someone in a field very close to mine. I am an Urban Planning major at UNO and I’ve always had a great interest in architecture. I loved listening to someone with a shared passion for the built environment and how it affects out lives every day, which is something often misunderstood. Many people feel that buildings are just structures, but, as anyone in planning, architecture, and related fields will tell you, a building can be a living, breathing (figuratively, of course) piece of art that in many waysshapes what we do and how we do it. I am very glad that he was a guest in class because I think that he was able to give myself and the other students a better insight into what architecture actually means. It’s not simply putting together a building. It’s an extensive process requiring specialized skills to create a beautiful masterpiece. The process of architecture is much like the process of an artist creating a painting or a musician writing a song. Dean Schwartz’s passion for his field was very apparent. He spoke from the heart about something that others might find to be stuffy and boring and honestly reminded me why I chose my major and future career and why I’ve always been so interested in architecture and design. I hope that the other students were also able to understand his passion and that Dean Schwartz was able to inspire them to be dedicated in passion in their own fields, regardless of what they plan to do with their lives.
May 7th, 2012 on 8:30 am
In this lecture I learned a lot of things that go into putting a city together. One of the main points Schwartz focused on was building up actual cities and not suburbs. He used Savannah, Georgia as an example was the city focused on changing the look for the city thorough art and design. Currently Savannah has one of the best Art and Design schools in the world SCAD. He said architecture is major to key to the “holy trinity” in New Orleans: music, food, and architecture. An interesting part he brought was how architecture can bring to together or separate. In the city of New Orleans on I-10 although convenient to some commuters it separates some of the richest culture driven neighborhoods, and erected the historical oak trees that once lined on Claiborne Avenue. Schwartz mentioned that the Tulane School of Architecture works with the community to put together projects benefiting the community and the environment in a positive way. One example was the Hollygrove Farmers Market partnering with the school to help grow plants and inform about citizens about healthy eating choices. Also the school take on building several homes in the city, a popular one is the a house that sits on Saratoga Street in Central City, although the design of the house isn’t traditionally New Orleans, its new design sparks interest of a new design culture brewing in the city. Schwartz really put in perspective how architecture is important to our city’s culture.
May 8th, 2012 on 6:44 pm
The interview of Dean Kenneth Schwartz was one I wish I took less notes on and payed more attention toward the meanings of the words he spoke. He came to New Orleans from Virginia in 2008 to become the associate dean at Tulane University. He also taught architecture. This man has accomplished so much by founding organizations and sitting on boards dealing with his field of study; however, this is not the reason that he is an important figure in New Orleans in my eyes.
Trying to describe the architecture of New Orleans as a whole is like trying to describe love or justice. We know its there and we know it when we see it, but it is extremely difficult to try to explain it to someone. New Orleans draws its architectural designs from many different cultures. You could call it a “melting pot”. This is what makes it unique and one-of-a-kind. The reason Dean Kenneth is an important member of this New Orleans society is because through all of his accomplishments he strives to preserve our Hope Diamond of a culture by preserving our architecture.
There are many impacts of architecture on a culture and he described them using two forms: micro and macro. The micro aspect changes the way you view the world. If you have ever taken a trip uptown you would have noticed the live oak trees that line the streets and the medians throughout the city. If those trees were to be gone tomorrow the city would still be the same city, but it would feel like something is just not right for lack of better words. I couldn’t imagine moving away and getting a postcard from my family with a picture of St. Charles without those grand oak trees shading the sidewalks. I wouldn’t believe they were gone. Those oak trees represent New Orleans architecture at its core. He described how architecture affected New Orleans in a macro sense with the high rise. The high rise has no architectural premise in New Orleans and it divided the community. Basically, the building of the high rise caused a spatial sense of separation between the community. I didn’t understand what he meant by this until I thought about it after class. If you grew up here you realize a different atmosphere, if you will, when you cross from one side of that high rise to another. We all share the same basic culture in New Orleans but you can tell an all-around difference when you cross from downtown to uptown or to mid-city.
I always knew architecture played a big role in New Orleans culture. but I never knew how until Dean Kenneth came speak in our class. New Orleans could use a lot more people like Dean Kenneth to preserve all aspects of our culture.
May 8th, 2012 on 8:44 pm
Dean Schwartz, FAIA moved to New Orleans in 2008 from the University of Virginia where he says he was influenced by the architectural works of Thomas Jefferson. As Dean of the School of Architecture at Tulane University he encourages his students to not only make buildings but influence the community. Mr. Schwartz also focuses on the relationships between his curriculum and non-profit organizations doing work to improve the city through architecture. He cites his early interest in architecture trough the realization that he has great creative talent and wanted to work in the arts, but he was not a very good painter or sculptor.
When asked what Johan Wolfgang von Goethe’s quote, “Architecture is frozen music” meant to him, Dean Schwartz explained the deep connection between culture and architecture. Architecture is an art form that is a permanent element of people’s day to day lives and influences over generations. It is connected to culture in the broadest sense that culture is literally played out there in tangible form. He elaborates by, “Architecture is the framework we exist in as a neighborhood and community.”
Dean Schwartz explained his art from the micro and macro scale. At the micro scale, the most obvious example can be seen in the many beautiful Cathedrals around the world, “In a well-designed Cathedral you can truly feel the presence of God.” This is interesting as this point was brought up by several speaks such as Barbara Major’s experiences with her church community and Ronald Markham’s being inspired to play music through listening to New Orleans gospel. On the macro side, we touched on the conscious decisions about the design of cities. As an example, there was a lot of mention of removing the high rise that tears through the middle of the city to beautify those downtown areas and remove the divide the high rise creates between neighborhoods.
The dean had a very prolific message about the DNA of the city. New Orleans is its own in almost every way. This city truly encompasses a unique DNA that pours from the food, music, and architecture we create. We have a very clear sense of identity. He likened it to Savannah, Georgia who has done wonders to revamp areas of their city through remodeling decrepit and blighted property while still keeping with the DNA of itself and keeping the macro aspect of conscious city wide design on the forefront of planning. Mr. Schwartz seemed confident that we too could make these changes and was optimistic in the groundwork the many institutions and boards he serves on had laid.
The connection with Architecture and the Arts was further demonstrated by the Professor Irvin Mayfield’s participation on the Tulane Board of Architecture, which Dean Schwartz admitted did not have an artist on the board before Mayfield. Also, Professor Mayfield is a council member on the National Institute of the Arts who implemented a program called the Mayor’s Institute on City Designs to help city officials with effective city wide planning and development. Dean Schwartz stresses “Sustainable Real-estate Development” to help cities become stronger places. He calls for more housing downtown and stronger public transit system which could help halt the suburban sprawl and cookie cutter strip malls. “The heart of every great society is the city,” Dean Kenneth Schwartz.
May 9th, 2012 on 8:57 am
This was hands down my favorite speaker we had all semester. Kenneth Schwartz really demonstrated to me a thought that had been bouncing around in my thoughts. Relationships are immensely important in all aspects of life.
Seeing with my own eyes how Irvin has to be one of the most sought after people in this city, i understand that he places a huge importance on relationships. And the next thing that really interested me was how Irvin approached his relationship with Mr. Schwartz: on his own territory. I remember hearing Irvin talk about a conversation between them, Irvin would tell him the little he knew about Architecture, and then asked questions with a genuine curiosity. Then the relationships in many ways became a collaboration. Im sure Kenneth would express some interest in learning more about music from Irvin. They always had common grounds to talk on, because Irvin would listen intently with a studious ear to Kenneth, then the tables turned and music came up, and Kenneth would listen with an interest. It’s a relationship.
“Architecture is like frozen music”
Architecture changes the way we live within that space! In many ways thats how music is, it is a certain way, and you enjoy it because it changes the way you hear, within its own context; be it the harmonic movement, the cultural ‘clave’, or the type of groove that lines up with your body movement and makes you dance. Architecture is frozen because it is the way it is, in frozen time. The door nob placed on the door that opens into the next room will be there, and only moves if you move it. Otherwise it’d stay there, unmoved, unchanged, yet still ready and able to affect how you move through the house. Music happens in real time, and grows and diminishes. You hear as song played, and it has a clear start and finish. I guess one could argue that it lives on recordings, but not in the same manner. Music does it’s course in real time, the verse into the chorus, into the solo that might take 5 minutes to build and really take you on a journey.
Speaking more in terms of what struck me about the things Kenneth touched on: I was really pleased to hear about their involvement in their immediate surroundings. He showed projects in the works that students from Tulane were undertaking. I also really was interested by the idea that suburbs are bad in that they take away from the ideal of great cities. In my beginner knowledge of Architecture, i was wowed by a lot of the ideas that were said, and in many ways just was stimulated to go learn more about the whole thing.
To wrap up my response, i wanted to touch on something that i took from the whole conversation that was had between Irvin and Kenneth… The presentations we have in class often vary, in that sometimes its a speaker directly talking to us (Bob Brown, Barbara Majors and Ronald Markham), and sometimes we just experience a conversation between Irvin and one of his colleagues (Kenneth Schwartz, and Al Groos). I personally enjoy just being a bystandard at least for the first part of the interview, just to really see how these two individuals talk together. Kenneth really demonstrated how articulate he and Irvin talk, and how in my opinion, they really speak. I honestly believe that we would have heard a totally different presentation if Kenneth was just speaking to us the whole time.
May 9th, 2012 on 12:57 pm
“How do you connect architects to real problems in the city?” It’s good to see that Ken Schwartz wants to do more than just make money. Too many people in our country have no other motive. More people need to care about the world they live in. But many do who are simply not organizing and communicating. It’s great that Mr. Schwartz understands this and is actually doing something. By connecting curriculum to non-profits he is cultivating a generation of architects with real idea of how to improve communities.
“a great space can be life changing” I’m not sure how many people are aware of this, but I think it is true for everyone, I think everyone is sensitive and changed by the space that they are in. America is full of lines, grids, grey concrete. Suffocating spaces in which people are supposed to live in. There is no heart in these spaces, just survival.
“it starts with love of the place” Ken spoke about the revival that took place in Savannah, GA. The citizens purchased buildings together and restored them. The community organised with professors and professionals to rebuild the city. It’s great that these people didn’t just gripe about how disappointing their city was, they actually took initiative and did something about it instead of blaming others. All cities need to do this. I would like to see America cultivate a culture of responsibility, I think we’ve been trained to depend on the government to solve our problems, this alienates us from our neighbors.
“they (suburbs) will literally destroy America” With all the money going to corporations, not the community businesses, a city cannot hope to survive. I really appreciate that Mr. Schwartz said this. He advocates that people live in cities, not just commute to them. Aside from that suburbs lakc culture/community, and are ugly/boring, just rows and rows of cookie cutter houses whose designs are uninspired, artless.
“its not just liberals that see it this way” Its not good for the economy for a few corporations to be absorbing all the wealth, its not good for communities and thus America to be segmented.
The “Master’s in Regenerative Development”, tax credits for Redevelopment, Holly Grove farmers Market, and his student projects are some more great things he is doing to improve New Orleans.
I asked him how he felt about the CBD and he thinks its great, which I agree with partly, there are a lot of beautiful buildings down there. I didn’t get a chance to ask him if he is concerned that more development like that will jeopardize the authentic New Orleans architecture. Nor did I get to ask him about what he thought about the abandoned buildings downtown, some of them are just ugly and grey. What does he think about Harah’s? I would have liked to talk with him more.
“don’t replicate the past, look to it to inform” Moving into revival New Orleans should really keep this insight in mind. Don’t lose your sense of place/history, but don’t let it keep you from growing and living in the present.
May 14th, 2012 on 9:26 am
The class with Dean Schwartz was refreshing. I’ve always been secretly obsessed with building and architecture. This class definitely sparked my curiosity. I was amazed that someone who has only spent a short time in New Orleans was so informed about the historical and cultural aspects fo the city and its architecture. He moved here in 2008 from the University of Virginia where he says he was influenced by the architectural works of Thomas Jefferson. He now works at Tulane University where he is then Dean of the School of Architecture. He took this job at Tulane to assist with bringing all parts of the department together. He has also taken on projects like creating the Tulane City Center, which works with comunity projects like the Hollygrove Farmers Market to establish and promote a healthy sense of community throughout New Orleans. Mr Schwartz has made a surprising amount of advancements in his short time here and has plans to do way more. This, believe is commendable.
I am quite interested in the new masters program being offered at Tulane. i have researched it and am now strongly considering being apart of the program.