by: Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP
Although you can’t take the AIA Barbie Dream House Design Competition seriously, I appreciate the overarching goal of the “I can be…” Barbie doll series — to encourage young girls to follow their career dreams. Whether it’s a veterinarian, computer engineer, preschool teacher, or now architect, Mattel seems to be answering to the generation of feminist mothers (including my own) who refused to buy the ill-proportioned dolls for fear that their daughters would have poor self-esteem.
With the ideas competition to redesign Barbie’s Malibu Dream House, the very daughters (and sons) of those feminists who have grown up to become career women (and men) in the design field jumped at the chance to relive their childhoods and imagine what it would be like to have Barbie as a client. After receiving nearly 30 submissions, jurors have selected their top five. Now, the public has until 08.02.11 to vote on a winner.
As I looked at the final designs, I enjoyed imagining Barbie trying to live a more sustainable life. The entries bring to light some of the complexities of dealing with a client such as Barbie, who aspires to lead a greener life, yet has three cars, a pet giraffe, and, of course, an enormous designer clothing collection. One team ignored the program choosing to give Barbie a scooter for transportation. None of the designs incorporate an elevator, despite the program requirement, opting instead to focus the budget on strategies like solar panels and green roofs. A couple of the entries make it a point that Architect Barbie is the actual designer of the house. And not only is she an AIA member, but she is also a LEED AP (what a role model!).
My favorite design selected color palettes based on artwork by famous women. The living room takes cue from Lee Krasner and Helen Frankethaler. A recycled glass counter mimics a Louise Bourgeois in the kitchen. Glass tiles in the bathroom were inspired by Georgia O’Keefe. In the bedroom, the rug and chair selection was inspired by none other than Totally Hair Barbie.
I look forward to seeing the results of the competition. Hopefully Mattel will take to heart some of the sustainability goals that were required of the entries.