Brad Pitt as an Architect

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Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade Course: English for Architects 3

Brad Pitt as an Architect

Professor: Dr Gordana Vuković-Nikolić Student: Tatjana Vorinski 2007/65

June 2010, Belgrade

1. Introduction
It’s getting hard these days to be impressed by some architecture or architect. The sky is no longer hard to conquer; the sea is no longer hard to control. New materials, techniques and looks are pretty usual nowadays. But one thing will certainly shock you – Brad Pitt as an architect! Not many people know that other than passion for films and humanitarian causes, Pitt has passion for architecture too! So here we’ll speak of him and his involvement in field of architecture. You will learn about his role models-the most famous architects of our times, about his never-built hotel in Dubai, about foundation Make it Right that Pitt started and TV series about sustainable design. At the end, there will be opinions from various types of people, which are very divided, but yet, everybody ask themselves the same question: is it possible these days for anybody to be an architect?

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2. Biography
2.1. Filmography

1982 - Enrolled in the University of Missouri, majoring in journalism, with a focus on advertising. 1987 - Onscreen career began, with uncredited parts in the films No Way Out, No Man's Land and Less Than Zero. 1987 - Yugoslavian–U.S. co-production The Dark Side of the Sun (1988) gave Pitt his first leading film role 1991 - Broader public recognition came for Pitt with his supporting role in the road film Thelma & Louise (His love scene with Davis has been cited as the moment that defined Pitt as a sex symbol) 1991 - Film Johnny Suede, a low-budget picture about an aspiring rock star 1992 - Film Cool World (poor reviews and box office performance) 1992 - The biographical film A River Runs through It, directed by Robert Redford (career-making performance) 1994 - starring as vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac in the feature film Interview with the Vampire, he was part of an ensemble cast that included Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, and Antonio Banderas. Despite winning two MTV Movie Awards at the 1995. Ceremony, his performance was poorly received. 1994 – Starred in Legends of the Fall, received his first Golden Globe Award nomination, in the Best Actor category. 1995 - Named Sexiest Man Alive by People 1995 – Starred alongside Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow in the crime thriller Seven 1995 – a supporting role in science-fiction film 12 Monkeys, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film and received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor 1998 - The lead role in movie Meet Joe Black 1999 - Tyler Durden, an uncompromising and charismatic individual, in Fight Club 2001 - Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy García, Julia Roberts, were cast of Ocean's Eleven 2004 - Major film role starring as Achilles in Troy 2004 – Second appearance as Rusty Ryan, in the sequel Ocean's Twelve 2005 - Action comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith, feature received reasonable reviews but was generally lauded for the chemistry between Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who played his character's wife Jane Smith 2006 - Starred in multi-narrative drama Babel, earned a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe 2007 – Starred in Ocean's Thirteen as Rusty Ryan 2008 - The leading role in film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2009 –the leading role in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds

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2.2. Love life

In the late 1980s and the 1990s Pitt was involved in successive relationships with several of his co-stars, including Robin Givens (Head of the Class), Jill Schoelen (Cutting Class), and Juliette Lewis (Too Young to Die? and Kalifornia), who, at the age of sixteen, was ten years younger when they started dating. In addition, Pitt had a much-publicized romance and engagement to Seven co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, whom he dated from 1994 to 1997. Pitt met Friends actress Jennifer Aniston in 1998 and married her on July, 2000. For years their marriage was considered a rare Hollywood success; however, in January 2005, Pitt and Aniston announced that they had decided formally to separate after seven years together. During Pitt's divorce from Aniston, his involvement with Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star Angelina Jolie attracted vigorous media attention. While Pitt denied claims of adultery, he admitted that he "fell in love" with Jolie on the set and said that production on Mr. & Mrs. Smith would continue after his separation from Aniston. During summer 2005, the two were seen together with increasing frequency, and the entertainment media dubbed the couple "Brangelina". Pitt has seven kids, three of his own (Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt and twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline) and four adopted.

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2.3. Other projects

2.3.1. Film and television work
Along with Jennifer Aniston and Brad Grey, CEO of Paramount Pictures, Pitt founded the film production company Plan B Entertainment in 2002. Although Aniston and Grey withdrew in 2005, Pitt has appeared in several television commercials: one for the U.S. market, a Heineken commercial, that aired during the 2005 Super Bowl. Other commercial appearances came in television spots designed for Asian markets, advertising such products as SoftBank and Edwin Jeans.

2.3.2. Humanitarian causes
Pitt signed autographs for troops during his 2001 visit to Incirlik Air Base. He supported the ONE Campaign, an organization aimed at combating AIDS and poverty in the developing world. In 2005, Brad narrated the PBS public television series Rx for Survival: a Global Health Challenge, which discusses current global health issue. Along with Clooney, Damon, Don Cheadle, and Jerry Weintraub, Pitt is one of the founders of "Not On Our Watch", an organization that tries to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent genocides . In September 2006, Pitt and Jolie established a charitable organization, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, to aid humanitarian causes around the world.

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3. Brad as an architect

3.1. Work with Gehry-organic architecture
Frank Gehry, whose iconoclastic designs, such include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, has been rebuilding a 1930s sports center on England’s south coast with the help from friend Brad Pitt. Gehry unveiled his plans in 2003 to bring to Hove’s seafront four towers (now two) that are supposed to resemble crumpled Victorian dresses (but described by one critic as "transvestites caught in a gale"). The development also includes a £26m sports centre and more than 700 apartments. The actor is not a qualified designer, but in interviews he has often talked about his passion for architecture and the work of leading practitioners such as Gehry and Rem Koolhaas. Pitt and 76-year old Gehry met in 2001 and have become close friends. The actor has even taken time out from the movies to study computer-aided design during “informal apprenticeship” at the Canadian-born architect’s Los Angeles offices. "Many people know about Frank Gehry as an architect and many more will know about Brad Pitt the actor. So it will bring the project and our ambitions to a wider audience." Josh Arghiros Josh Arghiros, chairman and chief executive of Karis Holdings(the company developing the Hove site), also said: "He was there at inception and will be involved all the way. Frank has asked him to take on the design of one of the restaurants and one of the penthouse flats. Brad is looking for a place to live in Britain and it may well be that he’ll take one of the flats in Brighton." So far the plan, which if accepted will be complete in 2012, has generated nothing but controversy. Gehry's inspiration for the project came from the top image of Edwardian ladies1.

Influence….

3.2. Work with GRAFT- Dubai hotel
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The Edwardian era was the last period in fashion history when the mature female figure was every man's ideal. Buxom ladies tortured their flesh to achieve anhour-glass figure. Young or old, all laced themselves so tightly that they distorted their figures into the exaggerated 'S' shape associated with the era

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Zabeel Properties, a boutique developer out of Dubai, announced plans for a five-star flagship hotel and resort. Mr. Mega Star, Brad Pitt has signed on to assist in the design process thanks to his connection with LA-based architecture firm GRAFT. According to Zabeel Properties: “Mr. Pitt's involvement in the cutting-edge design for the America-themed resort demonstrates his deepseated interest in the project. It is set to become a flagship hotel complex for Dubai and a world-leader in environmental sustainability.” At the heart of the project will be an 800-room five-star America-themed hotel, which will eventually play host to the most glamorous events and award ceremonies. Its precise location in Dubai was to be confirmed in the near future. "Our master plan and design concept will be world-leading and we're delighted to be collaborating with Brad Pitt and the team at GRAFT, which is recognized for its innovative building design. This project will display our uncompromising focus and commitment for developing high quality and environmentally-sustainable real estate in this region." Robert Norton, CEO of Zabeel Properties "Whilst acting is my career, architecture is my passion. Selecting this development as my first major construction project has been a simple decision. It will underpin not only my values for environmentallyfriendly architecture, but also embrace my career in entertainment.’’ Brad Pitt It’s too bad that this hotel has never been built. We’re all anxious to find out what is Brad’s great design!

Yet incomplete dream….

3.3. Work for Mies van der Rohe – Farnsworth house

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Brad Pitt is also fan of Mies van der Rohe, and has helped the National Trust for Historic Preservation raise money to purchase Mies’s Farnsworth House for $7.5 million in 2007. And not only that, he promoted the house by selecting it as a site for Japanese company commercial. Here is an article describing Pitt’s involvement and passion for preserving good architecture.

Preserving good architecture!

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3.4. The Pink Project – New Orleans

Raising funds

While filming on a set in New Orleans, he became seduced by the powerful image of a pink-clad CGI house within the lush Louisiana surroundings. He saw the pink structure as a metaphor, representing the future of renewed housing for those displaced by the recent disasters, thus the birth of the Pink Project. These pink shelters were temporary, the ultimate goal of the Pink Project was to gather enough momentum via art and transform it into a successful fund raising effort for the Make it Right 9 projects.

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3.5. “Making it right” foundation
Brad Pitt started the Make It Right foundation in 2007 to rebuild homes for residents in New Orleans who lost theirs to Hurricane Katrina. Make It Right is Pitt's effort to rebuild 150 homes in a flood-ruined New Orleans neighborhood. Each eye-catching design is meant to be affordable, ecologically sound, and flood safe. Fourteen single-family homes have been completed, with several others under construction. The next phase of the project includes duplexes designed by architects from all over the world:
Atelier Hitoshi Abe, Japan Bild Design, New Orleans Buildingstudio/Coleman Coker, New Orleans Elemental, ChileGehry Partners, Los Angeles Kappe Architects/Planners, Los Angeles Waggonner & Ball, New Orleans William McDonough + Partners, Charlottesville, Virginia Billes, New Orleans BNIM, Houston Constructs, Ghana Graft, Germany MVRDV, Netherlands Pugh & Scarpa, Los Angeles

The average house costs $150. Through modular building techniques, the use of smaller-scale, more efficient systems, and lowered prices for materials, the Make It Right homes have been built cheaper than most not-so-green homes. And though these may very well represent the homes of the future, they don't look like cylindrical pods or anything. No, the importance of designing and building the houses, for those who lost theirs in Katrina, is that it feels like they were returning homes.
That is why there is similarity in the overall design proposal by the 13 architects with the traditional Malay house, most of these houses raised above the ground. …This was to avoid wild animals, to be above floods, to deter thieves and for added ventilation. – Wikipedia

These houses are indeed sustainable, the raised piles allow maximum ventilation and it doubles up as a preventive measurement for all tropical storms and floods.

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Nowadays…… It looks like they've succeeded-despite having vastly improved storm prevention features like 5'-8' foot elevations and impact resistant glass, they retain the classic aesthetic of the houses that made up the neighborhood before the storm. Pitt hopes the project will inspire even more than the green building community-he hopes Make It Right can help answer the question of how to rebuild scattered home sites under any conditions: neighborhoods hit by natural disaster, foreclosed developments, and so on. But the biggest point they want to stress is this: green building is here. ‘’ We can build quality, affordable, great looking homes that conserve incredible amounts of energy. And we can do it right now.’’
Tom Darden (the CEO of Make it Right), and S. Richard Fedrizzi, the President of the US Green Building Council

Brad in action!

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3.6. Design: E2 - TV show about sustainable design
PBS Company has produced a new television series about environmentally-friendly architecture called Design: E2, which is narrated by starchitecture buff Brad Pitt. Inhabitant’s favorite Architect for Humanity, Cameron Sinclair, is also involved with the show. The series explore “the most complex issues facing our environment: from green architecture to water culture to organic farming to recycled clothes – challenging us to live smarter, greener lives.” Brad Pitt narrates e2 Transport which debuts today and delves into sustainable transportation alternatives such as: • ‘The transformation of London into a transit-efficient capital thanks to visionary mayoral leadership.’ • ‘Paris’ ambitious public-private Vélib bike initiative which encourages residents to forgo cars for bikes and public transportation.’ • ‘The potential for local food production to lessen the environmental impact of the global food market.’ • ‘The effort to reduce traffic and pollution in Seoul, Korea by restoring the Chonggyecheon Stream as a center of public life.’ • ‘Portland as a global model of transit-oriented development and urban livability.’ • ‘The unique strides being made by aerospace corporations, technology firms, and governments to make the aviation industry more efficient.’ It’s high time that someone produce a serious TV show about sustainable design. And perhaps Brad’s love for sustainable architecture will be just the thing to inspire the public to get more involved in environmental design.

Pitt as narrator in architectural TV show…

4. People’s opinions
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If you read this article, you’ll find a lot of sarcasm in it. In some lines, you can also clearly see that Ms. Marina disapprove Brad Pitt being an architect. That is the case with many journalists.

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On the other side, Luisa’s article shows us that there are people with admiration of what Pitt is doing. But reading her article I spotted what Jennifer Pearl said: “ Brad has the very best intentions. However, had he come here with the houses that looked like what had been here before, he probably could have had four times, five times as many houses by now.” So here you have a pour country, which is being helped, but in a way that is classy and modern. On the one side it is good because the cases of victims of hurricane Cathrina are heard about all the time. But on the other side, the man is right – these people need homes, not some famous architect’s name behind it. Of course, this doesn’t mean that I disapprove the project. It just means that they could be little more economic about it.

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Reading the comments for the Arch Daily post I find mixed feelings. Some people are really offended by the title of ‘architect’ given to Mr. Pitt. But as you can see some are really optimistic about his work and future plans. Here are opinions of my colleagues, future and present architects.

-Evodio What is the most ridiculous in this article that they seem to forget, that architect is NOT just a guy who makes funny sketches and then gives them to engineers, who have to suffer with them and somehow bring to life. With such point of view, SURELY, every school boy can be architect, and Brad Pitt as well, and no education is really necessary. -E.K. And then on the other side there’s… I like that he is bringing attention to architecture by using his celebrity status. Most people do not even think about buildings and he will at least make some of those people inquire. Same as Frank Gehry – he is more important for what he brings to an architectural practice than the actual buildings. -kick I would be more annoyed by Mr. Pitt if he were designing vacation homes for friends and calling himself an architect. Instead he is doing some good and has so far respected the title by not referring to himself as an Architect…..although, there are plenty of real architects who don’t deserve the title, either. -Jeromy Now I’ve never heard or read Brad refer to himself as an architect. I’m sure he knows that there is more to designing a house properly than a great idea and lots of money. But as an engineer I can see how certain people take offense to his popularity with regard to architecture, without having gone through an academic process. What does HE know about all the hours spent in studying in the library, or pulling an all-nighter to finish a project (…then finding out there was an extension)? Probably not much. At the end of the day I think it’s cool that he is actively engaging in something he loves, and that good things come of it. But he is lucky that his wealth and fame afford him such opportunities. It’s interesting to see how people react to the media and the assumption of a professional title. -AyhamW says: Why not, if he has a gift, he will discover it and make it comes true every thing start as a first step. Good luck Brad

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4. Conclusion
So, I’m asking you at the end-are you impressed?? I have to recognize that my feelings about this whole thing are mixed up. At first I was upset and mad, like some people still are, as you can see before. So what, you are rich and famous and now it’s easy for you to become what ever you want. If you have money, it’s enough to have some talent and who needs schooling and studying for years! But I have to admit, it’s not so black and white. It’s the fact that the man is doing admirable things. He’s rich-true, but he’s also using a lot of his money and time to help people. Some would say that it’s just for show off. Maybe, maybe not. If it’s all just for show, than our Brad is acting 24 hours. Is he really that good? Or is it time for us to stop being enviable. I don’t personally think that his passion for architecture is false. If you look any film on YouTube connecting Brad and architecture, you’ll see that man really looks like he loves the thing he’s talking about. And if you are questioning his talent…I don’t know, I doubt that Gehry would do projects with someone just to get publicity. I mean, Frank Gehry has enough publicity of his own. I guess time will tell if Brad Pitt is good architect, or some would say architect at all. But one thing is certain-no matter what his profession is- he knows how to make fuss about it 

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5. References:
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Pitt - http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blogs.nationaltrust.org/preservationnation/wpcontent/uploads/2007/08/farnsworth.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.nationaltrust.org/preservationnation/%3Fp%3D58&usg=__Pct8xFPE4kTcvBbuXtRV0rLbXg=&h=393&w=300&sz=27&hl=en&start=7&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=LADY5eQSPhajM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrad%2Bpitt%2Barchitect%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26tbs %3Disch:1 -http://archinect.com/features/article.php?id=68296_0_23_0_M -http://www.archdaily.com/16356/so-brad-pitt-wants-to-be-an-architect/ -http://www.archdaily.com/27966/brad-pitts-make-it-right-presents-duplex-homes-for-nola/ -http://www.archdaily.com/search/?cx=018045377813080133324:dqvn4mlyefm&cof=FORID:9&ie=UTF8&q=brad+pitt&sa=Search&siteurl=www.archdaily.com/ -http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_40/b3953401.htm -http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2066592/Brad-Pitt-turns-architect-and-designs-Dubai-hotel.html -http://dinofizz.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/brad-pitt-architect-slash-actor/ - http://blogorelli.typepad.com/b_l_o_g_o_r_e_l_l_i/2008/04/brad-pitt-archi.html -http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/arts/design/03pitt.html?_r=1 - http://www.design-e2.com/ - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/lostinshowbiz/2009/nov/27/brad-pitt-dubai-dream - http://www.okmagazine.com/2009/11/are-brad-pitts-new-orleans-houses-making-it-right/

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Table of contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 2 2. Biography...............................................................................................................3 2.1. Filmography..................................................................................................... 3 2.2. Love life............................................................................................................ 4 2.3. Other projects...................................................................................................5 3. Brad as an architect............................................................................................... 6 3.1. Work with Gehry-organic architecture..............................................................6 3.2. Work with GRAFT- Dubai hotel.........................................................................6 3.3. Work for Mies van der Rohe – Farnsworth house..............................................7 3.4. The Pink Project – New Orleans........................................................................9 ............................................................................................................................... 9 3.5. “Making it right” foundation...........................................................................10 3.6. Design: E2 - TV show about sustainable design.............................................12 PBS Company has produced a new television series about environmentallyfriendly architecture called Design: E2, which is narrated by starchitecture buff Brad Pitt. Inhabitant’s favorite Architect for Humanity, Cameron Sinclair, is also involved with the show. The series explore “the most complex issues facing our environment: from green architecture to water culture to organic farming to recycled clothes – challenging us to live smarter, greener lives.”.........................12 4. People’s opinions..................................................................................................12 4. Conclusion............................................................................................................ 16 5. References:.......................................................................................................... 17 Table of contents......................................................................................................18

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