The Bold and the Botched
When it comes to pushing tradition aside to experiment with design, few masters
have landed in revelatory new turf without some fundamental screw-ups. From the reworked to the lost causes, these noble but problematic attempts at
innovation are united only in what can be learned from their processes.
Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright (1937)
A modernist weekend home built over a waterfall in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Fallingwater was defined by three floors cantilevered from a central stone . What's the problem? After its completion in 1937, humidity and sun exposure led to mould and cracks. Yet the greatest challenges revolved around the cantilevers. By 2001, the landmark was on the verge of collapse, with the topmost beam bearing down on the floor below. Frank Lloyd Wright's unprecedented masterpiece led to breakthroughs that would influence far more complex structures in the future. Since the home was entrusted to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in the early 1960s, more than five million visitors have toured it. What's it worth? Priceless. But when adjusted for inflation, the total US$155,000 cost of the house is eauivalent to US$2.78 million in 2019.
Hot Bertaa kettle by Philippe Starck (1987)
A postmodern sculpture for the stovetop, the kettle was comprised of a bullet-shaped cast-aluminium body with a tapering polyamide tube that functioned as spout, steam outlet and handle. When offered the chance to collaborate with Italian manufacturer Alessi, Philippe Starck said he felt pressured to be "extraordinary, to show all my talent". What's the problem? A train wreck of form over function, it offered no way of gauging the water level. Plus, the handle positioned fingers dangerously close to the hot kettle while jetting hot steam toward the user. Alberto Alessi has described the kettle, which took five years to develop, as "our most beautiful fiasco". What's it worth? If you can find it online, the Hot Bertaa tends to sell for US$300 to US$500.
Lamborghini Countach by Marcello Gandini (1974)
Taking its name from the word contacc, meaning amazement, the two-seat coupe with an ultra-wide body and flat, trapezoidal surfaces was futuristic. Ir addition to scissor-style doors, the Countach situated the passengers farther up, in a 'cab forward' design, so the engine could be rear-mounted. What's the problem? Forget about trying to effectively park one of these beauties. Rear visibility was terrible and often required drivers to open the door to gauge the backing-up process. There was also virtually no interior space, and at speed, the front end lifted like a cruise missile. Though the car has been labelled by some as The Best Worst Car Ever Made, the Countach helped establish Lamborghini as a luxury sportscar leader in the 1970s and 80s. What's it worth? A good early LP400 Persicopio can top US$1 million.
Guangzhou Opera Center by Zaha Hadid (2010)
Conceived as two rocks washed away by the Pearl River, Zaha Hadid's 1,800-seat main performance hall in China's Guangdong province is made from freestanding concrete set within a glass-clad steel frame, which uses fluid form to evoke a feeling of openness and possibility. The ambitious complex took five years to complete. Hadid's design principles matched China's focus on modernisation. What's the problem? Large cracks appeared in the walls, rain seeped in and glass panels fell from the windows - the fault of the architect or the construction company - but ultimately, it isn't Hadid's most highly regarded creation. What's it worth? The construction tab was approximately US$200 million.
Apple iPhone 4 by Steve Jobs (2010)
Touted as the world's thinnest smartphone, the US$599 16GB device from Apple had a stainless-steel frame with a longer antenna threaded through the phone. It also introduced software innovations such as FaceTime and the first front-facing camera on an iPhone. What's the problem? The antenna was placed where a person's fingers naturally fall, so the location of a user's hand could cause major reception issues. Steve Jobs' initial response - telling customers not to hold the phone a certain way or to buy a case that would prevent the problem - sparked outrage. Moving forward, the 4S featured upgraded dual antennae that remedied the flaw. What's it worth? They are floating around eBay for up to US$170, used.