LSA 220 Introduction to Landscape Architecture

Paul Preissner Architecture and Humor

Ligiana Fonseca
November 4, 2014
Paul Preissner is an American architect, writer, and teacher graduated from the University of
Illinois-Champain who has won many awards in design competitions since he started his office
Paul Preissner Architects in 2006. He also got a master degree from Columbia University.
What makes him different from others in his profession is his point of view about architecture.
Although he has conceived big projects for participation in competitions, whose main
characteristic are the volumetrics and the contrast between areas well illuminated and
shadows, Preissner is very careful with details in his works. He likes to highlight elements that
seem not important in architecture and make them become what makes the project special.
One example is the withe at the window in a houses project, which he pulls out of the door
(which is at the same plan as the walls) in order to call attention to that single element. His
point of view about architecture is that it does not necessarily need to be sophisticated. A
project can be simple and fun, and architects should be less serious and play with things that
seem minor but can make an environment much happier. At this point, the projects that the
architect presented, which he thinks that are humorous, contrast with the projects that he
designed for competitions. The complex forms used by Preissner to participate in these
organizations do not present the simplicity and humor that he pointed in his housing designs,
making the listener wonder if there is space in competitions for personal principles and points
of view in the profession.