Extract from Design Talks interview with Bugatti’s Design Director:

Is the C shape a styling element or even a nod to Louis Chiron’s signature, one of the original Grand Prix greats?

It may seem that way, and yes you can be very romantic and see a resemblance to the Bugatti signature line to the Type 49 Royal, or even to Louis Chiron’s signature, but no. This is a performance element – here to to get more air into the complete engine compartment and get it out of it again afterwards.

What would be performance of architecture involve? What issues (if any) are we trying to solve with our designs? Can it be measured? Can we design and build high performance buildings? Is “She’ll Be Right” sufficient these days? Should consumers be satisfied with “It Complies, Mate”? Can we afford high performance buildings?

Do we really have a choice?