FAQ

FAQ

This site ceased updating in 2014, and is now maintained as an archive.

• Who the hell is Dr Garry?
• What is Architectural Blatherations?
• What is architectural sociology?
• Does Architectural Blatherations provide architectural services?
• Is Dr Garry an architect?
• How do I distinguish the serious stuff from the satirical?
• How do I know you're not just another Web nutcase?
• Where is Architectural Blatherations located?
• Why is the spelling funny?
• How objective is Architectural Blatherations?
• Why is so much stuff here critical of the architectural profession?
• Is Architectural Blatherations associated with a university or government body?
• Is Architectural Blatherations associated with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects?
• Where's the rest of your stuff?

Who the hell is Dr Garry?

He's Garry Stevens, PhD. In the 1990s Garry was an architectural academic in Australia and the United States. During those years he wrote three important books on computers in architecture, mathematics and sociology; translated into several languages. Then he died and moved into the private sector.

Does Architectural Blatherations provide architectural services?

No. Architectural Blatherations was in the business of studying architects, not practising architecture.

What is architectural sociology?

This is the sociological study of the field of architecture. By field we mean the whole social universe in which architects live and work. Apart from architects it includes all the other occupations they interact with, as well as critics, historians and educators. The sorts of questions posed are: What are the social functions of the architect? What are the social functions of building design? What sort of person becomes an architect? What is happening to the occupation? How does its education system work? Are there any patterns in architectural history that illuminate the occupation's social role?

What was Architectural Blatherations?

Well, really, it was just Dr Garry , but he likes to refer to himself in the plural and the third person. He's that sort of guy.

The site was also dedicated to a satirical and light-hearted take on architectural sociology. The material presented varied from the deadly serious to the polemical and satirical, and sometimes the downright catty!

Is Dr Garry an architect?

Dr Garry is not registered as an architect in any jurisdiction, although he does have a bachelors and a PhD in architecture. You can find his qualifications here. He earns his living in the IT industry.

How do I distinguish the serious stuff from the satirical?

They are one and the same. All satire has an element of truth, otherwise it wouldn't be satirical. And sociology is a windy discipline that could do with some lightening up.

How do I know you're not just another Web nutcase?

Because we have published material that other people – eminent people who are not related to us, even – have said is valuable and interesting. Check out Garry's list of books, all published by established American publishers: McGraw-Hill, the MIT Press. We're not talking lightweights here, guys! You could always buy a copy of his book The Favored Circle to find out more.

Where is Architectural Blatherations located?

In cyberspace. If you want to be pedantic, the page you are viewing is located on a computer somewhere in the United States. Could be Kashmir, who knows.

Why is the spelling funny?

Because we're Australian, and that's how we do things.

How objective is the research of Architectural Blatherations?

A fundamental principle of our brand of sociology (called structural constructivism, if you really want to know) is that there is no such thing as an objective social researcher. To pretend otherwise is arrogant. How can you possibly be objective about the social world you are embedded in? So: no, of course this site is not objective. We're so biased, even we offend ourselves!

Why was so much stuff critical of the architectural profession?

We admit that quite a bit of our research had architects gagging over their cornflakes. However, we think that architects are a particularly sensitive and self-righteous lot, who aren't used to anyone casting a critical eye over how they work. They could do with some serious examination of their role in society: one that does not take their own assessment of their importance at face value.

Was Architectural Blatherations associated with a university or government body?

Good heavens, no. That would compromise our independence.

Was Architectural Blatherations associated with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)?

No. They would not even return our calls. We do, however, get on very well with the Building Designers Association of Australia. We don't take any money from them, though.

Where's the rest of your stuff?

Right here.