Critical Visions, 2008 RAIA National Conference, 10 April 2008
From the moment Chris Wilkinson walked on stage and then (unusually) proceeded to sit down on a lounge for his keynote address, I thought he would be an interesting speaker. It turned out, however, the reason he was sitting down was his bad back but it suited his laid-back yet confident delivery nonetheless. Established over 25 years ago in London, the firm of Wilkinson Eyre are probably best known for their iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge but there is a greater breadth to the practice “striving for the beautiful idea” as Wilkinson presented.
Wilksinson said he strives for “aesthetics, atmosphere and meaning” in projects where there is an ambiguity between art and science. And as Wilkinson noted, in order to make the art, you have to understand the science.
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Tags: Chris Wilkinson, Wilkinson Eyre, Critical Visions, CV08, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, National Waterfront Museum, Mary Rose Museum, Floral Street Bridge, Liverpool Arena & Conference Centre, RAIA Conference
Billie Tsien: Resistance
Critical Visions, 2008 RAIA National Conference, 12 April 2008
A series of evocative, slightly abstract images marked the start of Billie Tsien’s keynote address at CV08. Described by Tsien as “objects of beauty and use” in the folk art tradition, these images set the tone for the address that touched on six Tod Williams/Billie Tsien (TWBTA) projects focussing on her particular approach to each architectural problem.
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, as partners in work and love, have created a truly enviable architectural practice. Tsien spoke about their 16th floor Carnegie Hall apartment of over 30 years - apparently at the urging of Williams - is a compact, light-filled space, characterised by traditional art collected over the years. By revealing this personal space upfront, she set the tone for the projects that followed.
American Folk Art Museum (2001)
Part of New York’s famous Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) family, the American Folk Art Museum is a compact, vertical building, characterised by large stair that winds a path through the building. Tsien affectionately called it the “jewel in the belly button of MOMA”. As an infill building, the verticality of the form was generated in response to the context and site plan constraints, where the site is only 12 x 30 metres and accommodates a 2,800m2 program.
The 53rd Street facade of cast white bronze panels (American Folk Art Museum, 2001)
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Tags: American Folk Art Museum, Billie Tsien, Cranbrook Natatorium, Critical Visions, CV08, Lakeside Centre, RAIA Conference, Starr East Asian Library, Tata Consultancy Services Campus, Tod Williams, TWBTA
Going Underground*
To me, the Moscow Metro of the 1930s, the London Underground of the 1930s and the New York subway form a subterranean “public transport troika” (excuse the Russian pun) of sorts. The station architecture and infrastructure of each system is fascinating in their own right; characterised by flamboyance (Moscow), modernism (London) and just plain urban grit (New York).
Remember - a keen interest in the architecture of underground metropolitan rail systems doesn’t mean you’re a train-spotter! Let’s have a look at Moscow first.
Sumptuous Moscow Metro (Part 1)
Undergoing a bit a refurbishment phase of late, the Moscow Metro is a stunning example of architectural and engineering public infrastructure. Here’s a video introduction, for those who haven’t had the benefit of visiting Moscow yet…
Filed under: Architecture, Photography | 1 Comment
Tags: Aeroport, art deco, Elektrozavodskaya, Mayakovskaya, metro, Moscow, Moscow Metro, public transport, Russia, Strogino, underground
