By Olivia Graf, Designer II

Today marks the launch of my blogging column, A Little R & R (Rants and Raves). Every week I check out new projects and explore what’s going on in architecture around the world. I may spout my very opinionated opinion, but please feel free to share your own thoughts. That’s the exciting thing about architecture. It’s what gets us out of bed each morning and fired up throughout the week: our subjective likes and dislikes, design philosophies, effects on technical know-how, and collaboration!

So grab your coffee for this week’s design review and check out Coop Himmelblau’s design for the Open Parliament in Albania.

All images by Coop Himmelblau

Look a little familiar? A cross between Los Angeles USD’s High School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Oakland’s Cathedral of Christ the Light—with a little Gehry sprinkled in for added abstract flavor—Coop Himmelblau’s design for The Open Parliament of Albania is oddly enticing. Once again, I can’t decide if I love it or hate it.

Thumbs up: The ominous, solid cone and monumental staircase to the roof level with another contrasting glazed cone above is intriguing. One cone protects and the other demands a certain openness and transparency of democratic values, befitting of a concept-driven design for a Parliament building. Now that’s the theorist talking.

Thumbs down: But on a purely personal and aesthetic level, the folded metal planes, stuck over the top seems unnecessary and just doesn’t fit. My eye immediately goes to it—but not in a good way—more in a “Where’s Waldo” kind of way, i.e. can you find what doesn’t fit?

Otherwise, I like it. What a great feature for the public to be able to look down from the roof garden and witness Parliament in session. Full of symbolism and sculptural forms, the project speaks to a poetic and elegant solution for democracy in action. I think I can deal with Waldo this time around.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions!