Outsiders

The novel and film focus on Howard Roark, who sis an individualistic young architect who chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision.  He followed his battle to produce modern Architecture, which he believes to be superior, despite a popular traditional way.  Nevertheless, this film is an icon for the triumph of individualism over the collectivism, Howard Roark won his battle to continue on his way without any other influence and with the risk of failure. The owner of the Banner newspaper Gail Wynand, who was influenced for his entire life by public opinion, killed himself after a period of atonement. The Architect became famous after satisfying public opinion, Kent Smith finished his career in a mediocre fashion as slave of the art critics.

The character of Kent Smith is the most interesting.  He chose the easiest way to be rich and famous, in fact he was one of the most important Architects in the film, all architecture critics like him and the public agrees with this.  Basically he designed what people expect from an Architect of that period, traditional and classical buildings.  Moreover, he was without a strong personality and without creativity, but this was not necessary to achieve his success.  Emblematic was the episode when Kent Smith went to Howard Roark asking for help to design an important residential centre, in this case Kent confessed to be without creativity and during his time at University he had copied all projects from Howard Roark.  In conclusion he received the help from Roark to design the complex without the signature of Roark but with the condition that the project cannot be modified from the original design.  Kent Smith obtained consent for that project, but to build it he had to change something to make it more traditional and desirable for the public.  He tried to resist this but he failed.

To sum up, I found this character very iconic and contemporary.  We can see many Kent Smiths in the Architecture world. Design to be published is the dream of every Architect, but what is its price? How many projects are the results of a process like the episode that I have mentioned? Kent Smith finished his career in a mediocre way in remorse and without respect for himself.  How many “Kent Smiths” will finish their career in the same way? How many “Kent Smiths” will never care about integrity and will live happy with their success?