Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Minimalism extremis

Wilhelm G. and Stefan J. meet over muesli in the basement dining room between frequent forays to the smorresbord.

Wilhelm G:
The fold-down beds, the origami bathroom, recessed lights, TV hanging from the ceiling. Quite clever design.

Stefan J: The room´s OK. Bit pricey for what it is but clean. But there is another side to its minimalism. This hotel has how many rooms?

Wilhelm G: 200?

Stefan J: Two hundred and sixty-two. With only two overworked receptionists in the tiny lobby. Check-in and check-out is chaotic.

Wilhelm G: Sounds like the profitability masquerading as minimalism that's your speciality. You could have checked your email on the computer while waiting.

Stefan J: Ha! One computer in the lobby for 262 rooms? And on one of those dated-looking, slow-as-a-wet-week, lampshade Macs? Even I have to admit they were a bit heavy on form and light on content.

Wilhelm G: Ya, friend of mine used to call them air-heads. In fairness, Macs have got a bit better.

Stefan J: Oh for a hotel with at least three reception staff for fifty rooms. There are times when a robust system that can cope with load is preferable to the aesthetics and environmentalism of lean minimalism.
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2 Comments:

At September 12, 2007 at 12:03 PM , Blogger Zen said...

Incompetent design and development may lead to a lessness which is less instead of more. cf Van der Rohe's "less is more".

 
At September 12, 2007 at 4:48 PM , Blogger Barry Natusch said...

Wilhelm G. said "Let's call it XP." To which Stefan J. replied, "Ja, XP for experimetal, ha! Put it on the market and let the public find the bugs."

 

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