The Architectural Exhibition, Bermuda Society of Arts.

The opening sentence of the Bauhaus Manifesto declares that "The ultimate aim of all creative activity is a building". It goes on to say that "decoration was once one of the noblest functions of fine arts and fine arts were indispensable to great architecture". Walter Gropius, who wrote this manifesto, continued by writing, "architects, painters and sculptors must once again come to know and comprehend the composite character of a building, both as an entity and in terms of its various parts. Then their work will be filled with that true architectonic spirit, which as "salon art, it has lost".

Certainly, with regard to the visual arts, this is true enough, although I suppose that it is absolutely true. Architecture should be the ultimate goal of all the visual arts and it is fitting that the current exhibition in the Onions Gallery at the Bermuda Society of Arts should be devoted to architecture. Indeed, given that the gallery in which this show is being exhibited, is named in honour of one of Bermuda's most respected architects and the designer of the City Hall itself, this exhibition is timely. I understand also, that this exhibition is the first of what will become a biennial exhibition of contemporary Bermuda architecture.

The Onions Gallery has only recently been redesigned and refurbished and this present exhibition, which is professionally presented, works well in these surroundings. I also like the fact also, that the windows in the gallery have been allowed to remain open. Natural light permeates the space.

As a general observation, I get the impression from this show, as well as just driving around Bermuda, that decoration appears fashionable in contemporary Bermuda architecture. This has not always been the case. Early Bermuda architecture was noted for its simplicity and lack of decoration or at most, it was only sparingly applied and even then, it often served a functional purpose as well.

It seems to me that in order for architecture to be interesting and before anything else, it must, be able to speak for its unadorned self; that is, as pure architecture, devoid of ornamentation. To create interest, the building must consist of good proportions, a thoughtful, sensible combining of rooms and wings and a sensitivity to angles, texture, shadow areas, with etc. It must function in an interesting manner. Only then should decoration be applied and with caution. Uniformity also seems to be a common element in current building practice. There is a sameness, to much that is being exhibited. This is especially true with the proliferation of condominiums. It is said that these buildings are more efficient. I am not sure, however, that efficiency always adds up to flexibility and functionality.

Given this uniformity, decoration seems to be a necessity, in order to create some variety and visual interest. I am concerned, however, about the way decoration may possibly be used. If it is employed to add interest to what, otherwise would be a monotonous design, then it is comparable to, say, a painter, who uses a very decorative frame to bring interest to an otherwise dull painting. It is difficult to redeem a monotonous work with fancy surrounding. When walking through the exhibition, the words of Malvina Reynolds' 1960s song, came to mind:

Little boxes on the hillside

Little boxes made of ticky-tacky

Little boxes, little boxes

Little boxes, all the same

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one

And there all made out of ticky-tacky

And they all look just the same

Although it is possible that environmental concern may be of greater consideration in present architectural practice, then I am aware of, only one building in the show, one, designed by Geoff Parker, claimed to be "green". I became aware of its "green-ness", however, only because the exhibit claimed it as Bermuda's first green building. It may be that other architects are designing buildings that are "green".

I might not recognise a building as such, unless I was made aware of its being so. For example, it is possible for a building to be energy efficient through advances in glass technology. From its appearance though, efficiency would not be especially obvious. Given that Bermuda's historical architecture tended to the functional, "green architecture" would be an appropriate continuation of that trend.

Perhaps I am being overly critical and unfair of our architects. It must be difficult to be an architect in Bermuda. There are many regulation imposed from above by the Department of Planning. Additionally, there are requirements of the client or developers.

It is all very well for us painters and sculptors to criticise, but truthfully, painters and sculptors also comprise, often in the name marketability. The tensions for being an artist are enormous, be they in architecture or the other fine arts. We all need to be held to a higher standard, but architects are in an especially difficult position. They are not usually in a position to completely "call the shots". It is probably wishful thinking, but a greater amount of enlightened patronage would be helpful.

But now to some highlights of the exhibition. When it comes to the design of large buildings, it is difficult to successfully apply details usually found in Bermuda house architecture and not have it look silly. Yet this is not uncommon. Butterworth Associates seem to avoid this practice, however. From what I could see from their drawing of Belvedere Place, the balance of wall to glass seemed appealing and the roof design also helps create interest. Ornamentation was conspicuously absent.

The redesigned Washington Mall by Lindberg & Simmons also avoids plastering the facade with typical Bermuda house ornamentation. Indeed, the new design is a huge improvement over what is presently there.

The rendering of what Seon Place will look like, shows a visually stimulating tower, although I wonder what overall effect it will have on the Hamilton skyline.

Sterling House by Botellowood, although of conservative design, is an attractive building that also avoids a preponderance of ornamentation. Quite different, but visually appealing are the two condominiums on Dundonald Street, both being of similar design by S.H.Y. The division of the facade by means of varying architectural elements, including variations in colour are a great part of their appeal. It was suggested 50 years ago that in order to save open space elsewhere in Bermuda, we should build high-rise apartments in Hamilton. If we had been farsighted enough then, perhaps we could have avoided some of our present problems such as traffic and parking. Although these towers are a step in the right direction, it does seem to be too little, too late.

When it comes to dwellings; the series of multi-coloured town houses by OBM are a witty take-off on Bermuda house architecture. It is a prime example of neo-mannerism. I found this development the most successful in the house department of this exhibition. The use of such elements as the Dutch gable and the Palladian and bay windows are a clever use of features that otherwise could be seen a typical architectural cliches.

To end this review, here is a quote from that renowned modern architect, Richard Rogers. He said: "a building without beauty is not architecture; it is construction."

Further on in the same article, he wrote that in the end, aesthetics is what architecture is all about.

The exhibition continues through August 29, 2007.