But I don’t understand. Why do you want me to think that…
““But I don’t understand. Why do you want me to think that this is great architecture? He pointed to the picture of the Parthenon. That, said the Dean, is the Parthenon. - So it is. - I haven’t the time to waste on silly questions. - All right, then. - Roark got up, he took a long ruler from the desk, he walked to the picture. - Shall I tell you what’s rotten about it? - It’s the Parthenon! - said the Dean. - Yes, God damn it, the Parthenon! The ruler struck the glass over the picture. - Look,- said Roark. - The famous flutings on the famous columns – what are they there for? To hide the joints in wood – when columns were made of wood, only these aren’t, they’re marble. The triglyphs, what are they? Wood. Wooden beams, the way they had to be laid when people began to build wooden shacks. Your Greeks took marble and they made copies of their wooden structures out of it, because others had done it that way. Then your masters of the Renaissance came along and made copies in plaster of copies in marble of copies in wood. Now here we are, making copies in steel and concrete of copies in plaster of copies in marble of copies in wood. Why?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Explains that modern architecture copies past forms without understanding original purpose, leading to meaningless replication.
In simple terms: Copying old designs without purpose.
Key Takeaway
Seek original function, not just form.
Themes
architecture
history
authenticity
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- building design
- restoration projects
- educational curricula
- creative innovation
Key Concepts
form vs function
cultural continuity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we replicate past designs?
- How can we honor tradition while innovating?
A Different Perspective
May undervalue evolution of style and new materials.