Discussion: SUPRASTUDIO

http://www.archdaily.com/179570/suprastudio-2012-2013/

Apologies I couldn't embed the video in this post but i had trouble finding the original vimeo file. But if i can ask only one thing of you, watch this video! What a superb summing up of the design studio culture in general, and what a collaboration to work on!

I think the most important thing about the work in this studio is to stress how important it is to have an open mind when designing and considering the outcomes and manifestation of design. A studio that uses Disney (in particular their theme parks) as a case study may seem to some (high modernists beware) as studying the worst in kitsch architecture. I in no way condone this, but this studio shows superbly that when you can understand the principle behind something, that principle can be universally applied to achieve a desired outcome. The manner by which students here have interpreted the work Disney has done in creating such a real, such a finely detailed 'fantasy' world, shows that there is a whole lot to be learnt from an organisation such as Disney.

For those of you who have travelled to any Disney theme park and/or resort will know that the attention to detail, and the ability to immerse the users in a completely unique world is second to none. The hyper realism, and exaggerated interaction with surrounding environments and technology holds true for achieving a superb leisure experience, but can these same principles extend into the everyday? Is there a place for the work that we see here in this studio in built environment? I think that there is, and this studio shows how the principles of Disney can be applied to achieve a built environment that embraces place making, new technology, and a little sprinkling of magic to achieve something truly unique.

Discussion: Glenn Murcutt interview at Utzon Lecture Series

I went last night, as I am sure many others of you did, to the fantastic interview between Alan Saunders and Glenn Murcutt. What an enchanting talk Murcutt gave, covering a huge range of architectural issues and concerns, as well as his own influences and personal history. Murcutt spoke with such passion and conviction that he proved an inspiration to everyone in attendance, especially the students who were present, myself included. It is of utmost importance to reflect on what Murcutt said, and to understand the implications it has and will have for all of us as Architecture and design students!

So be sure to take in what Glenn said, and more importantly (and i will paraphrase here), take in the concept, the principles behind what he said. I think it was very interesting on what he regarded as an Australian style, or rather that he thought there is no ‘Australian’ style. I think Glenn is really hitting the point well. We should not be designing and creating with a conscious effort to do something of a style. I think Glenn and his description of his work is more a search for truth than to create an Australian architecture, even though many would say his work is distinctly ‘Australian’. He constantly reinforced that his work seeks for order, structure, harmony with nature, interaction with site, with flora, fauna, local conditions, urban context etc etc. If we are to think about the Principle behind this thinking, theoretically this approach would create a design appropriate for any context around the world. A consideration of issues far beyond just the visual, beyond the form, and to the very essence of architecture as a physical experience of the intangibles of the world around us is what Architecture is about (and feels free to disagree with me here).

Glenn said that we should strive for unison between the rational and the poetic in architecture. This statement, coupled with images of Glenn’s work, was extremely on point in what I have personally been struggling with to understand architecture. It was a real pleasure to see him talk and to be inspired and have clarification regarding the nature of his work and his influences.

I call on all of us as design students to take on Glenn’s challenge. To reject the visual and understand that behind our eyes there is a brain, and that is what the true test of architecture is. To appeal to our minds, to make us think critically, and to also teach our minds something about the physical and spiritual nature of a building and its surrounds. If we are in a crisis in architecture today, as many people have said, with ‘starchitects’ attempting to outdo eachother with quasi environmentalism and form building, it is up to us, the next generation, to try and reverse this trend and create a built environment that will stimulate us intellectually, much like Glenn did last night.

Industry Event: Sydney Architecture Festival (20th - 30th Oct)

I've got to say, I'm impressed, very impressed by the level of involvement by our faculty (the UNSW Built Environment for those of you reading this in the early hours of the morning) in the 2011 Sydney Architecture Festival. It's almost as if we as students in the Built Environment have no choice but just attend all of talks, exhibitions, & tours happening.. Particularly when you see the number of industry leaders involved (Richard Goodwin, James Stockwell), many of which are also lecturers & academics in our faculty (Glenn Murcutt, Richard Johnson, Jim Plume, Dr Paul Hogben, Dr Peter Kohane, Harry Margalit). In addition to the must attend architecture talks there are also a bunch of other architecture events happening around Sydney, like the Streetworks exhibition & installation around the city. I know it's that all too stressful submission/exam time of year again but I definitely encourage as many of my fellow students (yes, I'm talking to you) to check out as much of the Sydney Architectural Festival as they possibly can! At the end of the day our studies at university only really make up a small portion of our architectural (including interior, landscape, computing) education.. think about it!

Here are our festival picks:
Program: 2011 Sydney Architecture Festival

Exhibitions
Street Works Exhibition of Entries
Where: The Red Room, Customs House
When: 1-30 October 2011
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/events/streets-works-competition-exhibition

Open Agenda 2011
Where: Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle
When: 19-30 October 2011
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/ & http://www.utsarchitecture.net/openagenda/

Emergency Shelter Exhibition 
Where: Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle
When: 19-30 October 2011
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/

UTS Studio Warehouse Open Day
Where: UTS Architecture Warehouse
When: 30 October 2011
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/

Talks
ArchiCULTURE: Richard Johnson and Peter Mould
Where: Austral Bricks Showroo
When: 1.00pm-2.00pm 20th October
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/

Affordable Housing - The Way To The Future!
Where: Goethe-Institu
When: 6:30pm-8:00pm 20th October
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/

Post World War Architecture in Melbourne and Sydney: Issues of Place and Ornament

Where: UNSW City Campus Level 61 O'Connell Street Sydney
When: 12:30-130pm 24th October
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/


Multi-layered Learning in a Digital Collaboration Studio - Jim Plume

Where: UNSW City Campus Level 61 O'Connell Street Sydney
When: 12:30-130pm 25th October
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/

Viewing Architecture in Sydney with Dr Paul Hogben

Where: UNSW City Campus Level 61 O'Connell Street Sydney
When: 12:30-130pm 26th October
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/



Relating Energy Policy and Urban Form - Associate Professor Harry Margalit

Where: UNSW City Campus Level 61 O'Connell Street Sydney
When: 12:30-130pm 26th October
Event: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/

Discussion: OMA Exhibition

Interview: Rem Koolhaas at OMA/Progress at the Barbican from Dezeen on Vimeo.

Here is a guided tour from Rem Koolhaas around a recent exhibition of OMA and their works. Enjoy the visual feast! It is a shame that there are not more architectural exhibitions in Australia, which is why we should all make the most of the upcoming Sydney Architecture festival, the time of the year archieture takes centre stage!

INDUSTRY EVENTS: Glenn Murcutt Interview, AA Roundtable, Sydney Architecture Festival & more..

So, Week 12! It's almost the end of semester and we're all getting really busy.. essays, reports, projects, assignments, submissions & lots of sleepless nights. But lets just take a moment to remember that our built environment education isn't just about stressful university courses, its also about exposing yourself to ideas & issues effecting the built environment industry. This type of exposure is important in fuelling creativity, design thought and inspiration for everyone in the built environment industry, not just students. There are a bunch of these industry events happening throughout October that are bound to provide design inspiration & enough motivation to drive you right to Week 16 (& beyond..). I recommend you check out as many of them as you can, I know I will! Design studio & assignments can wait..


13th Oct - AA Roundtable at UTS

Where: UTS Architecture Warehouse, 50 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008
When: 6:30pm – 8:30 pm, 13th October 2011
RSVP: jessica.bryant@archmedia.com.au
Event/Source: http://www.utsarchitecture.net/index.php/featured/2011/aa-roundtable-06/


13th Oct - Artists for a low carbon economy

Where: Gadens Lawyers, Level 16, 77 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
When: 6pm, 13th October 2011
RSVP: sarmenis@nsw.gadens.com.au
Event/Source: http://britishcouncilaustralia.createsend4.com/


19th Oct - Utzon Lecture Series: Glenn Murcutt Interview

Where: Red Centre West Wing, Gallery
When: 6:15pm, 19th October 2010
RSVP: fbeevents@unsw.edu.au
Event/Source: http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/events/994/


19th - 30th Oct - Sydney Architecture Festival 
Where: Various events
When: 19th - 30th October
Event/Source: http://www.sydneyarchitecturefestival.org/

USYD Faculty of Architecture Graduate Exhibition Blog 
A blog tracking the progress of the 2011 Architecture graduation projects at the University of Sydney, check it out!

Source: http://www.amaze2011.com/

Discussion: Steven Holl speaketh the truth

AD Interviews: Steven Holl from ArchDaily on Vimeo.
I came across this article on archdaily.com, a superb little interview with Steven Holl. I highly recommend you watch it, as well as the other architect interviews contained on archdaily to get an understanding of contemporary architectural practice today, as well as more general feeling regarding architecture and some select projects. My favourite question is when 'what is architecture' is asked, as most architects tend to laugh in some sort 'hahahah i have no idea' way.

I really think what Holl says about the 'experience' of architecture is of utmost importance. What i said before about architecture being the medium by which we understand the world ties in with this experiential dimension of architecture. In the forefront of an architects mind when designing should be the very experience of being in a building, but this is often the hardest to grasp and manifest. However, the reward of being inside a building that is awe inspiring, and has a beautiful relationship of spaces through experience of volume, light, materials etc. is truly something special. This could be seen as the counter to image driven architecture of which many contemporaries are lamenting.

I remember the first time i stepped into the Opera House many years ago, or when I visited 1111 Lincoln Road (Herzog and DeMueron), i was touched in such a profound way by the experience of being inside the buildings. The variances in scale, the tactility and the overall ambiance truly transformed my understanding of what architecture should be about.

DISCUSSION: Architecture Goings Ons in the World

INCREDIBLE 3D DRAWING MACHINE from David Battistella on Vimeo.

I came across this very interesting invention/machine (whatever you wish to call it) and immediately fell in love with it, mostly because I am terrible at drawing. Many a late night would I sit trying to complete a drawing task for Architectural History and Theory 2, only to get my grade back the next week with a very generous pass grade. I always struggled to capture the buildings and spaces in 3 dimensions. My perspectives garnered strangely reflexed corners, lines that never met the horizon and shadows cast at angles different to each other. I only wish these drawings could be put on display but i think i threw the sketch pad in a puddle after the last History lesson.

I think whats most interesting about this machine is its sheer ingenuity. I am not constantly looking at the art scene but I thought to myself such a machine as this has not been invented for years. With all the advances in digital technology, it is very interesting to see a manual device that literally trains your eyes to see in such a way that you can then translate that directly to the page. It is informative to the degree that it helps you understand how the eye works as a lense and the overlapping of two images. Be sure to watch the whole video, and cross your fingers these can somehow be manufactured on a large scale and will come standard in the first year drawing pack from the quad store for $24.99.

http://www.archdaily.com/173094/video-3d-drawing-machine/