Architexture 11: February 2006
Welcome to issue 11 of Architexture, a monthly newsletter from the Architecture Centre Network (ACN) - the independent body representing architecture and built environment centres in the UK.
ACN News
New Member of the ACN
New London Architecture, the capital's centre for what's new in architecture, planning and development has been formally admitted as a full member of ACN at a recent meeting of the Executive Committee [more].
Architecture Centre Impact Study
In 2004 the ACN commissioned a pioneering study into the impact of Architecture Centres. Through extensive collaboration with the Network, a comprehensive mapping exercise of centres' activities, referenced against national policy was conducted (a summary document of its findings is available for download from the ACN website).
The Network is now undertaking the second phase of this study with the aim of refining the toolkit and collecting quantitative information for 2004-6. A parallel exercise will also record operational data from the centres. Furthermore, later this Spring we aim to extend the Impact Study with a major project that will seek to identify the qualitative outcomes of the Network and for which we shall be seeking research partners.
Together, this research aims to provide the ACN with a robust methodology to collect relevant, accurate and up-to-date data across what is one of the largest networks of architecture centres in Europe.
ACN 5th Education Forum
Picture credit: Catherine Williamson
Fifteen representatives from eleven architecture centres across the UK attended the 5th ACN Education forum in Glasgow on February 9th & 10th, developed in partnership with, and kindly hosted by the Lighthouse. The focus was on evaluation and how it can be used to both review and develop practice as well as address an organisation’s strategic development [more].
Member News
Kent Architecture Centre
Suburbs for the Future is a one-day conference organised jointly by the Kent Architecture Centre and RIBA South East with the support of CABE, featuring a range of international speakers who will examine how our suburbs could be developed in the future. 30th March, Crawley [link].
Architecture Foundation
For four nights from 6-9th March, Architecture Foundation presents This is Architecture - four seminars that examine the ways people become informed about architecture through communication, exhibition, education and participation [more]. Free admission and a range of excellent speakers. Booking is required email
Architecture Centre, Bristol
2006 sees the 200th anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of England's greatest engineers. Bristol, the city with which he had perhaps his closest connection, is marking the occasion with a year-long celebration 'Brunel 200'. The Architecture Centre is playing its part by hosting 'Ideas for Bristol' a public call for ideas to shape Bristol in the 21st century [more].
Solent
Paul Grover, the director of Solent Centre for Architecture & Design (SCA+D) has accepted the Chair of the new Sustainable Communities Special Interest Group of the ACN.
CUBE
Following the departure of its Director in 2005, CUBE has undergone a number of managerial and operational changes to take account of changing circumstances both in Manchester and the North West. CUBE has subsequently been rebranded as the Centre for the Urban Built Environment, under a new team headed by CCI (the Centre for Construction Innovation).
CUBE continues to deliver a portfolio of activity both from its Portland Street gallery and across the region through its pioneering CUBE Education programme. Currently showing is Future Landscapes, an exhibition exploring the most exciting architectural projects currently taking place in Manchester and the North West [link].
Northern Architecture
Northern Architecture has recently published 'Design Know-How' a characterisation study of Fish Quay, North Shields produced in collaboration with the North of England Civic Trust, local people, planning officials and designers. The A3 broadsheet explores key design principles and opportunities for how developers, the Council and local people should approach development opportunities in the area [more].
Opun
Dialogues 2006 on the 15th March is a one-day conference in the East Midlands to explore and identify how the delivery of regeneration in town centres can be achieved in a sustainable way [link].
Concourse
Details of the annual 4X4 lecture series in Leeds this March have been announced. Supported by Yorkshire Forward, Concourse, CABE, Arts Council England, Leeds Initiative, English Heritage, and many other organisations - 4X4 is a unique and highly popular forum and the theme for 2006 International Green is to be an exploration of placemaking in the context of climate change [more].
Other News
English Heritage
February has seen the publication of Heritage Works, a collaborative document funded and advised by English Heritage, the British Property Federation and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and researched and written by Drivers Jonas. Heritage Works is an excellent reference document for those engaged with regeneration in the historic environment, and may be downloaded from the English Heritage website [link].
Architecture Week 2006
2006 sees the tenth anniversary of Architecture Week. This year's theme between the 16-25th June is 'the Power of Ten' and a call for entries is being made to ensure inclusion of your event in the regional printed guides. From walks, talks, picnics etc simply register your idea on the Architecture Week website and your regional co-ordinator will contact you [link].
Urbanism Awards 2006
The Academy of Urbanism has announced a call for entries for its Urbanism Awards 2006 [link]. Deadline for nominations
is the 28th April.
David Adjaye
In 2003 CUBE commissioned Adjaye to design a pavilion for its Manchester gallery. His response The Asymmetric Chamber was an intruiging essay in materials, light and sound described by Adjaye as 'a two-way conversation between me and the visitor' [more]. In 2006 Adjaye now has his first solo show at the Whitechapel gallery London Making Public Buildings [link].
Call for Entries
The Prime Minister's Better Public Buildings Award is now in its sixth year. March 1st sees the launch of the 2006 competition and a call for entries for building projects within the public sector which demonstrate excellence in design quality and procurement [link].
Under Scan
The East Midlands is playing host to a major touring public art work by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, currently showing in Derby until the 5th March. Under Scan is a remarkable video installation featuring the world’s brightest projector [more].
Designed with Care
CABE has this month launched a campaign demonstrating the positive impact of high quality design on local healthcare facilities. Designed with care: design and neighbourhood healthcare buildings is the accompanying publication illustrated with 15 case studies of pioneering healthcare buildings [link].
Architecture Centres International
NAi
Newer Orleans: A Shared Space currently showing at the Netherlands Architecture Institute explores the fascinating response from a number of Dutch and US architectural practices to the challenges of rebuilding flood-damaged New Orleans [link]. Exhibition closes March 12th.
Boston Museum of the City
An ambitious project by the citizens of Boston to build an $89m centre for the exploration of their city and and its people [link]. The capital campaign is now underway and in April this year the city will benefit from the first conference of CAMOC - the International Committee for the Collections and Activities of Museums of Cities [link].
Arkitekturmuseet
Currently showing at the Swedish Museum of Architecture is the first solo exhibition for more than 70 years dedicated to the work of early modernist furniture designer and architect Bruno Mathsson (1907-1988) [link].
The European Prize for Urban Public Space
The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, the Museum of Finnish Architecture (Helsinki), the Institut Français d’Architecture (Paris), the Nederlands Architectuurinstituut (Rotterdam), the Architekturzentrum Wien (Vienna) and Architecture Foundation (London), have announced the Fourth European Prize for Urban Public Space, which is to be awarded in July 2006 in Barcelona [more].
Next Edition: March 2006
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