In this module, we compare and contrast the architecture of Frank Gehry and Samuel Mockbee.

1. A r t 1 0 0
U n d e r s t a n d i n g V i s u a l C u l t u r e
module 12.2
two visions of architecture

2. agenda
the work of Frank Gehry: how does he see the architect's
responsibility?
the work of Sam Mockbee and the Rural Studio
Sam Mockbee would seem to answer this question
somewhat differently
how does his practice of architecture differ from Gehry's?

3. exterior view
Frank GEHRY
Dancing House
Prague, Czech Republic
1996

4. “Fred and Ginger”
Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
in Top Hat (1935)

5. exterior detail, fenestration

6. exterior detail,
glass “corset”

7. Walt Disney Concert Hall
Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Completed 2003

8. the building in context,
downtown Los Angeles

9. View from street level

10. View from plaza level

11. details of exterior cladding

12. polished stainless cladding

13. contrasting
sections of
cladding

14. lobby pillar detail

15. lobby mezzanine

16. concert hall

17. organ

18. detail with organist in concert

19. Mormon Tabernacle Choir in concert

20. SAM MOCKBEE
(1944-2001)
On receiving a Macarthur
“Genius” Award: “I’m no
genius, but I’m smart enough
to take the money.”

21. 4 examples
• Bryant House (Haybale House), Mason’s Bend, AL, 1994
• Harris House (Butterfly House), Mason’s Bend, AL, 1996
• Lucy's House, Mason's Bend, AL, 1997
• Mason’s Bend Community Center, Mason’s Bend, AL,
2000

22. Mockbee's philosophy
"Critical thought requires looking beyond architecture
towards an enhanced understanding of the whole to which it
belongs. Accordingly, the role of architecture should be
placed in relation to other issues of education, healthcare,
transportation, recreation, law enforcement, employment, the
environment, the collective community that impacts on the
lives of both the rich and the poor."
—Samuel Mockbee, "The Rural Studio," 1998

23. Mockbee/Coker, The Roger Cook House, Memphis, TN 1994

24. Roger Cook House,
interior

25. Mockbee’s evolution
from larger to smaller jobs
from wealthier to poorer clients
from metropolitan to rural areas

26. Bryant House (Hay Bale House)
Mason’s Bend, AL, 1995

27. The Bryants told Mockbee and the students that they wanted
mainly two things in a house: a room big enough for a bed and
desk for each grandchild and a front porch to entertain neighbors
and family.

28. Bryant House
rear elevation

29. 3 culverts adapted and mounted on concrete block to make the 3 small
bedrooms

30. "Architecture has to be greater than just architecture. It has to
address social values, as well as technical and aesthetic values."

31. Harris House (Butterfly House),
Mason’s Bend, AL, 1996

32. Samuel Mockbee, Harris House (The Butterfly House), 1996

33. interior, showing screened and closed living areas and sleeping porch

34. "Everyone, rich or poor, deserves a shelter for
the soul."

35. Lucy's House, 1997
three main elements
• a single-story living space,
• a screened-in porch, and
• tower that doubled as a master bedroom upstairs and
tornado shelter/family room downstairs.

36. what material are
these walls made of?
can you tell?

37. 72,000 individually stacked carpet tiles,
donated for this house
closeup
view of carpet
tiles

38. The finished house has a living space, screened porch, and bedroom.

40. Sam Mockbee and the Rural Studio, Mason’s Bend Community Center, 2000

41. This building features another surprising recycled material. Can you tell what it is?

42. Detail, interior

43. interior, during construction

44. Community Center, illuminated at night

46. The Rural Studio, Mason’s Bend Community Center, 1997-2001

47. Richard MEIER
Jubilee Church
Rome, Italy
1996 - 2003
How would you compare Meier's church with Mockbee's aesthetically, technically,
spiritually?