Showing posts with label starchitects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label starchitects. Show all posts
26.3.12
Crown Hall
Today Google is celebrating Mies van der Rohe's would-be-126th birthday. I thought I would celebrate it by posting some photos from my recent visit to Crown Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology, also pictured in Google's doodle above. It was great to see this building bustling with activity, although I also wondered if these were all architecture students staying back late for a crit, or to work in studio on their models and drawings. Then again, who wouldn't want to hang out after hours in a Mies building... It was all very strangely familiar and yet I couldn't bring myself to step inside
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| Crown Hall is visible from the elevated train line, those lucky Chicago people |
11.10.11
Point of Submission
It's called submission for a reason.
It begins with one's head starting to go numb from thinking to hard about everything all at once.
It ends at an indeterminate point in the middle of the night where good intentions stop hurting and the mind and body just gives in.
It's at this point of giving up that the good ideas begin to flow - free from preconceived expectation - unconscious trains of thought begin to choo choo along like bird calls starting up in the dark.
***
Unfortunately this train's already a wreck and the only 'good thought' was to waste more time photoshopping Mies falling out of his chair...
But it's not to late for you.
(Good luck to all the thesis students out there)
30.5.11
Sir John Soane's House Museum
John Soane had an amazing personal collection of antiquities, books and drawings, and intended to 'allow free access for students and the public to "consult, inspect and benefit" from the collections', so much so that he negotiated an Act of Parliament so that upon his death, the house and its collection would be preserved and still accessible to the public. The museum also includes his own various sketchbooks, drawings and models (including experiments in his own ceilings). The result is a fascinating look into this man's mind - I came away with a sense of awe and fear, that he must have either been a genius or a madman, or both.
Seeing as I keep going on about this house museum to various people, but don't have any images of the interior/wasn't allowed to take any, I have been doing some internet scouring in attempt to find something to show!
Seeing as I keep going on about this house museum to various people, but don't have any images of the interior/wasn't allowed to take any, I have been doing some internet scouring in attempt to find something to show!
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| the (jam-packed) Sepulchral Chamber |
1.5.11
A debate between Christopher Alexander and Peter Eisenman
http://www.katarxis3.com/Alexander_Eisenman_Debate.htm
I thought this debate was interesting and funny enough to make my first post. Christopher Alexander and Peter Eisenman in 1982 debating over architecture of ideas vs architecture of feeling. It's a bit wordy, but it is quite funny. Over-intellectualizing at its most absurd (Eisenman). Or maybe you disagree with me...
2.4.11
AAAA 2011 and the State Theatre Centre
I have to admit I did not find the awards ceremony particularly inspiring, but I think this was largely because I was mostly unfamiliar with the people being awarded prizes.
The winners that I was most excited by were:
Janet Holmes à Court, who received the National President's Prize. Originally an organic chemist, nowadays she contributes in many ways to Australian culture and society, including being the commissioner for the Venice Architecture Biennale (in 2010, and to be in 2012).
Graeme Gunn, who received the 2011 Gold Medal. A youthful old man, he has created a ploy to make us follow him! Each talk he gives around Australia will be on a different area of his work. In Perth, the theme was 'courtyards'. I was fondly reminded of Beijing, where he too was inspired by the siheyuan (courtyard houses).
The ceremony itself was excellently put together. I was amused by the pre-movie-like-adverts, but the background digital displays were flawless, and this is such a rare thing to occur that I greatly admire whichever technician was in charge of this! Simon Pendal was the Master of Ceremonies.
The State Theatre Centre was also a wonderful venue, and I think perhaps in many cases, half the reason we wanted to go to the awards!
The winners that I was most excited by were:
Janet Holmes à Court, who received the National President's Prize. Originally an organic chemist, nowadays she contributes in many ways to Australian culture and society, including being the commissioner for the Venice Architecture Biennale (in 2010, and to be in 2012).
Graeme Gunn, who received the 2011 Gold Medal. A youthful old man, he has created a ploy to make us follow him! Each talk he gives around Australia will be on a different area of his work. In Perth, the theme was 'courtyards'. I was fondly reminded of Beijing, where he too was inspired by the siheyuan (courtyard houses).
The ceremony itself was excellently put together. I was amused by the pre-movie-like-adverts, but the background digital displays were flawless, and this is such a rare thing to occur that I greatly admire whichever technician was in charge of this! Simon Pendal was the Master of Ceremonies.
The State Theatre Centre was also a wonderful venue, and I think perhaps in many cases, half the reason we wanted to go to the awards!
18.3.11
R.I.P. Esplanade
It hadn't really occurred to me until I saw this post on AHiP that ARM's waterfront proposal was really going ahead. I thought it was just another one of the hundreds of waterfront proposals but no, construction is starting next year!
This raises a number of questions for me:
Why is 'the most significant thing happening in our capital city, certainly within the last 100 years' (Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi) not going to a Perth architect? What is it about ARM that has allowed them to win both the Waterfront and the Arena?
What about the last 130 years? Scaffidi's statement diverts attention away from this site's history. The Esplanade Reserve was the first piece of land to be reclaimed for public recreation in 1880, the rest of the landing strip/doormat followed later. I know it is a bit of a peculiarity but it has long acted as a site for temporary shows - where will these now go?
Is reclaiming reclaimed land moving forwards, or backwards? If we are going to be returning what was 'historically' river to its original state, then what about Mounts Bay and the freeway interchange?
Is bringing the river to the city really going to make Perth a 'vibrant waterfront city'? Why can't the city come to the river?
How much consideration was given to this place's permanent position on the State Register of Heritage Places and how will this affect what is to be built? Is the aesthetic, historic, scientific and social value of this site to be rendered meaningless? See here for HCWA's register document and assessment document.
What will happen to all the beautiful Moreton Bay figs?
What do you think?
See also:
Funding in 2011-2012 Budget - note in particular “The Indigenous Cultural Centre will be situated over the water at the southern end of William Street and is planned to be a nationally significant centre for indigenous culture, art and learning. The timing and budget for this will be set as the major construction of the waterfront nears completion.' i.e. the Indigenous Cultural Centre is not part of the major construction?
Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendment 1203/41
Environmental Assessment Report
Both the MRSA 1203/41 and EAR are open for public comment, submissions must be received by 27 May. Anyone with me?
This raises a number of questions for me:
Why is 'the most significant thing happening in our capital city, certainly within the last 100 years' (Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi) not going to a Perth architect? What is it about ARM that has allowed them to win both the Waterfront and the Arena?
What about the last 130 years? Scaffidi's statement diverts attention away from this site's history. The Esplanade Reserve was the first piece of land to be reclaimed for public recreation in 1880, the rest of the landing strip/doormat followed later. I know it is a bit of a peculiarity but it has long acted as a site for temporary shows - where will these now go?
Is reclaiming reclaimed land moving forwards, or backwards? If we are going to be returning what was 'historically' river to its original state, then what about Mounts Bay and the freeway interchange?
Is bringing the river to the city really going to make Perth a 'vibrant waterfront city'? Why can't the city come to the river?
How much consideration was given to this place's permanent position on the State Register of Heritage Places and how will this affect what is to be built? Is the aesthetic, historic, scientific and social value of this site to be rendered meaningless? See here for HCWA's register document and assessment document.
What will happen to all the beautiful Moreton Bay figs?
What do you think?
See also:
Funding in 2011-2012 Budget - note in particular “The Indigenous Cultural Centre will be situated over the water at the southern end of William Street and is planned to be a nationally significant centre for indigenous culture, art and learning. The timing and budget for this will be set as the major construction of the waterfront nears completion.' i.e. the Indigenous Cultural Centre is not part of the major construction?
Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendment 1203/41
Environmental Assessment Report
Both the MRSA 1203/41 and EAR are open for public comment, submissions must be received by 27 May. Anyone with me?
30.12.10
Edinburgh
We went up two sets of stairs, stepped out of the station and onto Princes Street. We turned to the right, and I caught my first glimpse of a monument on a hill, and was surprised how close it seemed. We started walking. We passed a lavish hotel, The Balmoral. We turned the corner again and the view caught me by surprise. There was North Bridge, leading me towards a ridge which had buildings running all along it, with the famed castle at one end. Beyond that was the hills - they were just so stunning and naturally majestic. As I started to cross North Bridge I realised the railway lines were running below us in a valley through the middle of the town. I had a strange feeling...it just felt right, like it was meant to be. What a place.
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© Hannah Gosling, 2010 |
17.12.10
AIA International Speaker Series: Thom Mayne
Thom Mayne, a founding member of Morphosis gave three talks in Australia as a guest of the Australian Institute of Architects. The 2010 International Speaker series was extended to Perth (after lots of hard work from the local chapter). The WA architectural community showed up in force, filling a large lecture theatre at UWA to the brim - there was a great, enthusiastic atmosphere. Geoff Warn introduced, noting that Thom Mayne, who is part of an exclusive group of architects, the 38 Pritzker Prizewinners, is now a member of a far more exclusive set: those radical architects of great stature and international importance who have visited Perth - Buckminster Fuller in 1966, Wolf Prix (Co-op Himmenblau) and Peter Cook (Archigram) in the 1980's.
There was a lot of anticipation and fanfare, and with a mighty roar of applause in welcome, Thom Mayne himself, post-modern radical turned jet-setting starchitect rose to the stage.
There was a lot of anticipation and fanfare, and with a mighty roar of applause in welcome, Thom Mayne himself, post-modern radical turned jet-setting starchitect rose to the stage.
2.12.10
AIA International Speaker Series: Thom Mayne
Thom Mayne (Morphosis) is coming to speak in Perth!
6.00pm Thursday 16 December
University of Western Australia, Social Sciences Lecture Theatre
Crawley Campus, Hackett Drive
I won't be around in the country at the time but you guys have to go and tell me how it is!
More details here.
6.00pm Thursday 16 December
University of Western Australia, Social Sciences Lecture Theatre
Crawley Campus, Hackett Drive
I won't be around in the country at the time but you guys have to go and tell me how it is!
More details here.
21.11.10
Iwanoff House
Welcome to Iwan Iwanoff's own house and studio in Floreat
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| © Hannah Gosling, 2010 |
This was a rare opportunity to visit the interior of one of Iwan Iwanoff's buildings - there was a home open as this house is going on auction soon. I was pretty happy to get the 'Stephen Neille tour' of this building, apparently he studied and visited it some years ago and knows it pretty well! Unfortunately it is not yet heritage listed, though the AIA has it on its list of 'nationally significant 20th-century architecture'. Thank you to the estate agents who allowed us to take photos, and who put up with all the visiting architects and architecture students.
6.11.10
Barcelona Modernist Blues
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| © Amanda Hendry, 2010. |
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| © Amanda Hendry, 2010. |
Two unfinished creatures opposing each other over the pedestrian promenade.
One creature, eager for a view up Avenida Diagonal,
hulking on the corner,
a black form,
legs tensed holding up the mass of the body,
a shimmering belly, the reminder of its sea side position,
its internal organs being rearranged,
its tough skin ready for attack by its seemingly disarming neighbour.
Does the skin with a few contortions for the catchment and flow of light
reveal a creature unsure of itself, so very young in this city of elders.
The neighbour so arrogantly self-assured,
as white and pure in appearance to equal the dirty, black night of its own exterior.
A contrast of mass,
sure of its placement on the site,
immoveable,
tall,
lazily gazing out over the water
and yet to the avenue and that of the squat form of its inferior neighbour.
Both a little unsure of the nature of their first conversation,
both unexpected modern familiars,
both aliens waiting for time to make them accepted residents of the city.
(In a strange mood to wax lyrical about a building that looked sad, written on site 25/9/2010, by far the least impressive modernist architecture seen on our travels.)
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| © Amanda Hendry, 2010. |
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| © Amanda Hendry, 2010. |
(Barcelona Forum Building by Herzog and de Meuron, Diagonal 00 Tower by Enric Massip- Bosch)
27.7.10
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