Conductor or Soloist?

摘要

Is the architect more like the conductor of the orchestra or the soloist in the front row? This metaphor has been debated over the years by theorists and practitioners alike. I would advocate that the best answer is "both." If we keep to music metaphors, my answer is that we are the lead musician in a jazz band or, in the rock genre, a "jam" band: We know where to take the tune and allow others ample opportunity to play their parts, but we are also the conductor, responsible for pulling the whole ensemble together.