By Rusaila Bazlamit; originally published on Reflect Upon on July, 22, 2008
So finally I have read [The Fountainhead] a novel that I knew many people praising… Once I started reading it I couldn’t stop till I finished it…
The novel is written by Ayn Rand… in the novel Rand chose Architecture as a form of self-expression…
Gary Cooper as Howard Roark; Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
I can’t understand why during my 5 years studying architecture none of my professors recommended the book… It is such a good book and deals with architecture in a new critical way… allowing us to interpret the history of architecture and the modern practices of it in a new way…
Many of the main characters are involved in Architecture whether they are architects like the main character Howard Roark or they are critics of architecture like Ellsworth Toohey…
The Fountainhead; Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead; Ayn Rand
The novel talks about selfishness, egotism and altruism through another perspective which shakes some of the bases of how societies are led to approve or condemn actions that are defined as virtues or sins by other people for whatever agenda…
As you are reading there will be many sections which you forget you are reading a novel but you concentrate on the ideas presented… again gaining more insights about architecture and society.
I liked the way Rand has used architecture as a medium to convey her own philosophies…
The novel is definitely a must-read… especially for architects and architecture students…
The novel had been made into a movie in the 1940s but I’m always disappointed when a novel is turned into a movie… so I recommend the novel… having said that I found this video of Howard Roark’s speech toward the end of the movie… is worth seeing… [ full Howard Roark courtroom speech]
Howard Roark: A building has integrity, just like a man.
The Fountainhead; Ayn Rand
The novel also tackles some of the ideas related to Capitalism and though I’m myself an anti-capitalism to the core… I have to say that I had a new understanding of Capitalism that made me reflect more about some of own ideas related to man, freedom and wealth…
Also the concept of self, self-sacrifice, selfishness made me think about the concept of the self in my own Islamic beliefs which I’ll talk about some other time…
It is a mind opening when we understand the hidden driving forces that shape, create and re-create some of our basic cultural and societal patterns…
The Fountainhead one of my best novels of all times…
Tags: architect, architecture, art, ayn, bazlamit, blog, capitalism, fountainhead, howard, interruptions, modernism, novel, rand, review, roark, rusaila
November 24, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Ah …. and now it’s on to ‘Atlas Shrugged’ I hope ?. If so, I’m sure you’ll hear ‘Roark’ in John Galts’ address.
Ed
November 25, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Oh Khaled… you added some photos… Thanks…
November 26, 2009 at 4:04 PM
The “Howard Roark” charachter is originally based on Frank L Wright .. and his own struggle through the profession ..
unfortunately i haven’t read the novel but I’ve seen the movie ..
And it’s not to be taken lightly at all as i think ..
It’s quite critical at this times were a more awarness rises among architects about “including People in” and the talks about the arbitary sbountanious architecture of people
You find Howard Roark does not care about what people think of architecture .. But BELIEVES strongly in what he have to offer to architecture and HIS designs .. and wouldn’t compromise his buildings at all .. not for a slightest change or need of the “CROWD”/s nor the so called critics of architecture “banner-ists”
Actually I miss That image or role of a strong self depended self believed architect that Have gone with the wind of .. the development of the profession ..
I think We can’t afford to gain our position as Architects of own own thought again .. sadly
I am not a capitalists but it may have offered the chance and opportunity for architects to BUILD.
tc
November 27, 2009 at 6:33 PM
I don’t believe Roark gave much thought at all about whether he was a capitalist or not. He had an uncompromising confidence in his ability to satisfy the vision of his customer with his ability as an architect. I think the preeminent architects of today try to do that .. along with making a selfish statement that is a compromise to both himself and his customer … and in this way both visions are compromised.
Ed
November 28, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Hey ED! First off pretty nice blog you’ve got there, Centerstone- I’ll be looking into it more soon and leave some traces.
Thanks for passing by-
November 28, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Hi Khaled !
Thanks for stopping in at Centerstone. I have to admit that there may not be alot of new posts during the winter months. However, I am at present working on a new project; it hasn’t come together enough for pictures yet, but, I hope to progress enough in the next couple days to warrant a couple.
Again, thanks for stopping in !
Ed