BARBARALEE DIAMONSTEIN
789
today, and they're right, is the shadowing of the street, the feeling
that you are moving around in canyons and shouldn't have to.
They're trying to pass laws to alleviate that and I don't know how
it can be done.
BLDD:
In your opinion, is architecture too important to be left to
the bankers , the developers, the planning officials, and govern–
ment agencies?
Pj:
Of course.
BLDD:
But in the end, how much of a building is designed by each
of the above?
Pj:
That's an interesting question . I think the architect is gradually
gaining importance. Twenty years ago we didn't have a chance.
BLDD:
But I've heard you describe architects as the employees of
the developers. That isn't a very flattering description of the archi–
tect's role.
Pj:
A more flattering one may be "whore ." I don't think that's a very
nice word either, but it's apt. Employees-! wish we were, be–
cause we don't get paid as well as most employees. Developers
know they can get architectural work done quite cheaply, because
we're dying to build and would do it for nothing, if we could still
eat. They don't like to have us S(arve to death, but, as employees,
we're on the lower echelon.
BLDD:
You've said, however, that there are commissions that an
architect can and should refuse. What would be an example of
this from your own experience?
Pj:
My own experience is Lever House, and it's going to be redone.
They haven't used their air rights, so they can build on top of the
existing structure. But in another two months, the Landmarks
Preservation Commission will make it a landmark, and the air
rights will be gone.
BLDD:
But they could go across the street to St. Bartholomew's
Church. Now, there's a commission that you refused.
Pj:
Yes , I refused St. Bart's.
BLDD:
Why?
Pj:
Because I didn't want to hurt Bertram Goodhue's great building.
To me, great architecture is something that has to be preserved at
all costs . There are very rich people in that church, and they owe
it to New York to preserve that building because it's an open
space, and Goodhue is a great architect, unrecognized now, but
you wait five years . I wouldn't want to overshadow his building or
tear part of
i~
down. I refused still more important jobs- the
tower over Grand Central Station, for example . That was my first
