Ooooohhh...

[Apache]

GpB porn

A satin black MR2 GpB. What a paintjob for what a car!

[MattF]

Fugly.

[KERRSURF]

Kitt.

[truckarms]

Did they ever rally a group B mr2?

I remember the old celica (the brick) that was a cool car.

In fact I think all Group B cars are very cool

[Apache]

Fugly.

I dont believe engineering where form follows function (as in a GpB rally car) can ever be ugly to an engineer. However, a car 'designer' can design in ugliness (Chris Bangle designed BMWs for instance)

Therefore Matt, you are a hairdresser

[TonyN]

I dont believe engineering where form follows function (as in a GpB rally car) can ever be ugly to an engineer. However, a car 'designer' can design in ugliness (Chris Bangle designed BMWs for instance)

Therefore Matt, you are a hairdresser

I agree, it looks great, for what its supposed to do. GpB cars where dumpy, fat and quick. The ultimate stage rally cars.

[Sancho]

I quite like it actually.

I don't subscribe to this 'form following function' stuff. That's typical engineer speak. The very best designs reconcile form with function so that things look good and work well. Not required on a rally car but makes a huge difference on consumer products. I suppose the best example is an ipod, which outsells its better performing cheaper competitors by looking good and working well.

Some of the BMs aren't that bad. I like the X6 (one overtook me on my bike the other day and I was terrified) and the M3.

[Apache]

I know what you're saying, and agree (its not mutually exclusive), BUT form has to follow function in that the function should be as close to perfect BEFORE the form is designed, or the item is less than ideal. Ideally, the best form will fall naturally from the item's function.

If form can be made to compliment function, so much the better.

[AndyLala]

function following form...

or form following function...

or form with function...

furry mough....

but bringing the new X6 into the equation doesn't fit with the above arguments... it is simply wrong... saw one the other day and had to pull over I was laughing so much... jeez the multipla is more attractive than that....

[Sancho]

I think I need to be drunk before I can have a conversation at this sort of level....

A lot of my work is acting as a client/referee to get architects (form) and engineers (function) to work together to come up with the best building they can. It's a source of endless frustration that architects appear to be unable to design something simple and effective without being bullied into it, and it is equally annoying when engineers some up with 'the solution' (which is almost always a box shape) and refuse to consider whether they can make the architect's idea work.

Ideally, the two disciplines would be merged into one and take longer to qualify for. I've never understood why one person can't have a talent for making things that work and a talent for making things that look good.

[Sancho]

but bringing the new X6 into the equation doesn't fit with the above arguments... it is simply wrong... saw one the other day and had to pull over I was laughing so much... jeez the multipla is more attractive than that....

It's the bloated hatchback look I like. It's massive and totally unnecessary. Form without function. Just like Lamborghinis - an insult to logic and therefore glorious.

[AndyLala]

or pointless form without function, bet the boot/hatch in there doesn't use all that space, you probably still get a square hole...

As to the architects and engineers... thats more of a head up / head down conversation... there have been some glorious architects that have come up with fantastic designs, that although difficult to action/engineer have ended up being iconic.

The German Pavilion in Barcelona by Mies Van der Rohe


And the Barcelona chair for example...

[Sancho]

Both of those examples look like fairly simple engineering; form and function.

I'm talking more about things like the Scottish Parliament or Guggenheim which look great but are a nightmare to build.




There's no need for any of that.

[jelsplace]

You mean like the dumb idea for the new BBC music centre ................ being paid for by none other than us!!!!!



What the hell is that all about?

[Sancho]

That's not totally ridiculous (apart from why do they need it in the first place) EXCEPT...

What in God's name is that stupid sticky-up bit on the roof? If that landed on my desk it would get the red pen treatment straight away. And why is there a gap down the middle?