The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations announced the jury and nine architectural firms that have been invited to participate in the second phase of the design competition for the new U.S. Embassy in London.
The jury, led by Competition Manager Donald J. Stastney and comprised of American and British leaders in the field of architecture, academics, and diplomacy, will evaluate and select the new design for the embassy. The other members of the jury include Ambassador Clyde D. Taylor, Thomas W. Hicks, Frances Halsband, Richard Rogers, Peter Rolland, Michaele Pride, Peter Palumbo, and James Carpenter.
The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) received 37 submissions in the first round of the design competition. Through a rigorous evaluation process, OBO selected nine firms to provide concepts for the new London Embassy Compound in the second round. These firms are: Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects; Kallmann McKinnell & Wood Architects; KieranTimberlake; Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates; Richard Meier & Partners, Architects; Morphosis Architects; PEI Cobb Freed & Partners; Perkins + Will; and Skidmore Owings and Merrill.
The jury will judge the presentations made by these distinguished firms and then invite four or five of the firms to submit formal designs in the third and final phase of the design competition.
According to United States law the lead designer must be an American firm with the required security clearance. During the second phase of the design competition, the nine firms will recruit and present their complete design teams, including UK partners with local expertise and international experience.
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California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, California announces that the John Spoor Broome Library has been named a winner in the California Construction magazine Best of 2008 awards program. The Library won the Award of Merit in the Outstanding Architectural Design category. An independent jury of industry experts in design and construction judged more than 140 nominated projects in a variety of categories.
The 50 winners of this year’s awards will be featured in the December 2008 issue of California Construction. This statewide competition annually recognizes construction and design excellence in Northern and Southern California.
The jury, which met in mid-September, awarded points to construction submissions based on criteria including project management, overcoming challenges of the job, overall excellence in architectural or engineering design, innovation, safety and the contribution to the community and/or the construction industry, among other criteria.
“The University is honored to receive this award honoring architectural design. The openness of the library as designed by Foster’s office has created a very accessible library, which supports the CSU mission of providing access to higher education,” said Deborah Wylie, Associate Vice President of Operations, Planning & Construction at CSU Channel Islands.
The John Spoor Broome Library is a 137,000-square foot facility on the California State University Channel Islands campus. Designed by Lord Norman Foster and completed in 2008, the Broome Library is an integration of an existing structure—Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture built in the1950s—with clean lines and the open space of glass, metal, and concrete.
The new library, with its translucent glass ceiling that provides natural lighting for much of the building and its outdoor reflecting pool, houses 75,000 bound volumes, and more than 180,000 electronic books along with CDs, DVDs, and VHS; 32,000 digital images of art history, biology, environmental science; and current and historic campus photographs. The facility has the capacity of 250,000 to 300,000 bound volumes and can accommodate more than 1,800 users at a time.
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A heart-pounding contest of slick computer tricks, quick-witted design, and high-energy showmanship, the AU Design Slam marked Cut&Paste’s first foray into 3D design.
The live event, taking place over two days at the Autodesk University 2008 conference, put the spotlight on architects and industrial designers as they created original 3D designs in trio of short, 20-minute competition rounds. The fast-paced format tested their skill, speed, and stage presence, as judges roamed the stage, hovering over their shoulders, and an audience of thousands watched closely while the competitors’ work was shown in real time on giant projection screens. Despite the pressure and the inevitable drama of a few technical snags, the competing designers kept their cool and raced to the finish, with results that proved this to be a groundbreaking event in the arena of digital architecture and industrial design.
The AU Design Slam featured the “Less Is More” architecture competition and Round One of the “Watch This” industrial design competition when it kicked off on December 3, 2008. The “Less AND More” architecture competition and Round Two of “Watch This” took center stage on December 4, 2008, at the AU Final Night Party. Winners of each competition—Craig Barbieri for “Less Is More,” David Fano for “Less AND More,” and Henry Goecke for “Watch This"—received the HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion, courtesy of HP.
Less Is More
The rigor of geometry and materials—simple and smart architectural design in Revit
CHALLENGE: In the setting of the famous replica of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona pavilion (originally created 1929 and rebuilt around 1985), design an open forum pavilion with the following purposes and constraints in mind:
Less AND More
Wild architecture on new platforms—and a home for the future
CHALLENGE: Working with a predetermined photo backdrop as reference, create a modern collective social dwelling for 500 families on the water between Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City. Points of inspiration and practical considerations include:
Watch This
A two-round industrial design challenge—creating the next big thing in time-keeping
CHALLENGE: Design a timepiece of any size, shape, or model that targets the 16–25 age group in present-day society, narrowing down the market by identifying a particular lifestyle and culture that relates to this demographic. Teams may split the design duties between its two members by having each person carry out one round of design, or they may work as a tag team, switching turns at the computer during a round.
Round One—Conceptual Sketches. Express the concept for the timepiece, creating an image board that captures the key themes, ideas behind the concept, and the proposed form factor (design intent). Communicate the target user’s lifestyle, the direction of the styling, unique functional aspects, and the design intent.
Round Two—3D Modeling. Based on conceptual sketches from Round One, create a 3D comp of the timepiece. The primary body of the time piece must be made on the spot from scratch.
All teams used AliasStudio to create their designs. Henry Goecke chose to compete solo and used SketchBook Pro for his Round One work.
Photos & Images: Cut&Paste
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The team formed by Jon Montero and Naiara Montero has recently won the International Competition for the Architectural Renovation of Tabakalera, located in the city of Donostia-San Sebastian, the capital of the Gipuzkoa territory, in the Basque Country, next to the border between Spain and France.
The Tabakalera building was a tobacco factory for 90 years, and in 2004, the City Council of San Sebastian, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the Basque Government bought the building in order to turn it into an international contemporary culture centre.
The Jury highlighted the following aspects of the winning proposal:
The winning team will be responsible for drafting and directing the Works Project. The deadline for completion is nine months from the date of the announcement of the winning proposal.
The project presented by Jon Montero and Naiara Montero is characterized by its respect for the existing building and the way in which it plans to bring out and increase its existing value, using architectural elements and resources that will enable it to become an ‘urban icon’ and a key building in the city’s landscape.
Jon Montero forms part of the TAU studio (Architecture and Town Planning Workshop), located in Barcelona, and Naiara Montero runs her own studio in A Coruña. The team brings both the wisdom of experience and the freshness of youth to all its architectural, interior design, public space and town planning projects. Jon and Naiara Montero have already won several public and private tenders, have published a number of papers and received various accolades. Both are project lecturers.(http://www.jonmontero.com).
The second prize was awarded to the VAUMM Arquitectura y Urbanismo S.L.P. studio from San Sebastián and the third prize was won by SOB Arquitectos S.L. from Barcelona.
The three consolation prizes awarded by the Jury went to nred arquitectos, from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Dietmar Leyk and Petra Wollenberg from Berlin and Carlos Manzano Arquitectos S.A. from Madrid.
Finally, the Jury also made three special mentions of the projects presented by the following teams: Langdon Reis Architects Ltd (London), Isabel de Rentería Cano (Barcelona) and Alonso, Balaguer y Arquitectos Asociados S.L. (Barcelona).
Images: Tabakalera Culture Factory
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The European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation announced the list of 340 projects competing for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2009.
Initiated in 1987, the EUR 60,000 prize is the highest award in European architecture and is awarded biennially to works completed within the previous two years. The principal objectives are to recognize and commend excellence in the field of architecture and to draw attention to the important contribution of European professionals in the development of new ideas and technologies. In addition to the Prize, there is an Emerging Architect Special Mention that consists of EUR 20,000, which is granted to young professionals starting out on their careers.
Previous winners include Mansilla +Tuñón, OMA (Rem Koolhaas, Ellen van Loon), Zaha Hadid, Dominique Perrault and Lord Foster.
Here are some of the nominated projects:
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On December 19, Australian Veterans’ Affairs Minister Alan Griffin unveiled the design for a memorial to honour Australians who have given their lives during peacekeeping operations around the world. The memorial, to be built on Canberra’s Anzac Parade, will also serve to symbolize the ongoing work of the hundreds of Australian peacekeepers currently restoring order and security to communities affected by war and civil unrest.
A national competition to design a fitting monument to peacekeeping was launched in September of last year and now Marcus Trimble from Sydney architecture and design firm Super Colossal was declared the successful entrant with his contemporary design.
The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial has two main elements. The first is a glowing passage of light that is a powerful entry for the Memorial. The passage is between two massive monoliths, raised slightly off the ground in a stone courtyard. They make up a monumental structure that is the right size for Anzac Parade. The pathway between the two polished cubes glows with an intense golden light. This light can evoke the Australian Peacekeepers’ role and their help to local populations. The Memorial with the lit interior has a striking presence on Anzac Parade both by day and night.
Passers by will see just this imposing bulk, relieved by the glow of light.
As visitors go deeper into the Memorial, they can walk through the passage of light. They may be reminded of deep canyons in the Australian outback, with towering walls but the uplifting blue sky above. They may feel the warmth and comfort of the light between the two imposing monoliths. They then will come to a courtyard, of more intimate size and feel. It is surrounded by Australian trees. Written in the pavement are words evoking the qualities and sacrifice of Australian Peacekeepers. Along the back will be a long horizontal beam recording the many peacekeeping missions in which Australians have served and an inclined plane to receive wreathes and other mementoes. This inner space will be suitable for both formal ceremonies and smaller scale commemoration. It will also be a place of quiet reflection on personal experiences and the significance of Peacekeeping.
Around the wall are bronze fixtures so that visitors may place flowers or candles to remember their relatives and loved ones.
The project will begin Design Development and Contract Documentation in January 2009.
Images: The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project, Super Colossal
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Zaha Hadid Architects have been selected as the architects of the Library and Learning Center (LLC) at the University of Economics & Business, Vienna. The new Library and Learning Center will be the centerpiece of the University’s new campus and provide a significant upgrade to the University’s services. In addition to the new library, the LLC will also provide a language laboratory, tutorial rooms, administration offices, student center, book shop, cafeteria, club rooms and event space.
The new Library and Learning Center rises as a polygonal block from the center of the new university campus. The LLC’s design takes the form of a cube with both inclined and straight edges. The straight lines of the building’s exterior separate as they move inward, becoming curvilinear and fluid, generating a free-formed interior canyon that serves as the central public plaza. All the other facilities of the LLC are housed within a single volume that also divides, becoming two separate ribbons that wind around each other to enclose this glazed gathering space.
“I am delighted to be working in Vienna as I have a close affiliation with the city. As a center of research, the Library and Learning Center is forum for the exchange of ideas. It is very exciting for us to be part of the University’s expansion.” states Zaha Hadid.
Rector of the University of Economics & Business, Christoph Badelt said “A library and learning center should be more than a mere library in the classical sense: it is a research and a service facility, a workplace and lounge, a place of communication and a traffic hub, at one and the same time. With its breathtaking architecture, the design by Zaha Hadid manages to combine all the key functions of study in a most wonderful way. It is a vision that embodies this innovative concept of a university.”
PROGRAM: The LLC comprises a “Learning Center” with workplaces, lounges and cloakrooms, library, a language laboratory, training classrooms, administration offices, study services and central supporting services, copy shop, book shop, data center, cafeteria, event area, club room and auditorium.
Images: Zaha Hadid Architects
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Newman University College, Birmingham have appointed Glenn Howells Architects to develop the campus master plan and the refurbishment of associated buildings.
A rapid program has been agreed to deliver a new building which is designed to be an inspirational public face for the University. This will comprise an entrance building, library, research center and crèche.
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The joint submission by Foster + Partners and Aston Martin has won first prize, alongside Capoco Design, in Transport for London’s competition to design a new bus for the capital. The two iconic British brands worked together to challenge preconceptions of bus design with a vehicle that is environmentally sensitive, accessible, convivial and reinvents a much-loved symbol of London for the modern era.
After an intense period of research which included canvassing opinion from passengers, drivers and conductors, the two parties worked in close collaboration to design a new bus from the inside-out. In doing so, consideration was given to a wide range of issues including layout, use of materials, motive power, passenger experience and the bus’ impact on the streetscape and the environment of the city. The bus is designed to navigate the dense and varied streets of London, employing innovative technologies to allow for greater manoeuvrability and energy conservation. Optimizing safety, the driver’s cabin provides panoramic views as well as incorporating screens to supervise CCTV images and radio communications with the on-board conductor.
Much like a car or a building, the design evolved in response to the needs of its users. The layout, lighting and wooden floors are conceived to encourage a spirit of warmth and community. The arrangement of the decks is driven by comfort and particular consideration is given to the selection of reconstituted leather upholstery to create a tactile ‘living room’ feel, especially in the saloon-like lower deck.
The new bus is zero emissions ready, accessible for all and will set new standards for sustainable public service vehicles. Passengers benefit from views from the top of the deck through a glazed roof which incorporates solar cells to generate energy and filter daylight to control the temperature inside.
The bus design re-introduces the rear open access platform that made London’s Routemaster bus so popular up until its withdrawal from general service. This is supplemented by a side door to facilitate access for the mobility impaired and families with young children.
Lord Foster said: “I am delighted that we have won joint first prize with the Aston Martin/Foster + Partners design. This project has really captured my imagination. London’s buses are so much a part of the essence of this city – functionally, symbolically and geographically. They help us draw a mental map – their destinations are London’s historic places, often green: Shepherds Bush, Islington Green, Hampstead Heath, Green Park. Our design seeks to combine contemporary innovation with timelessness. Like the original Routemaster – which was ahead of its time and consequently endured – a new bus for London should establish a whole new travel experience that espouses 21st century aspirations, while celebrating the memory and the experience of the original.”
Director of Design for Aston Martin, Marek Reichman said: “This unique project has been a great experience for the Aston Martin team and has allowed us to showcase the considerable and diverse design competence of our team, while affording us the opportunity to apply elements of our design language to entirely different concept.
We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work alongside Foster + Partners to reinvent a true British icon in the Routemaster bus and being selected to win joint first prize by the Mayor of London provides further evidence that great British creative talent remains at the cutting edge of design.”
Images: Foster & Partners
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Bjarke Ingels, Jeffrey Inaba, Yansong Ma, Minsuk Cho
Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Ansan City, Korea
Four architecture offices, BIG, INABA, MAD, and Mass Studies have proposed an urban plan for Ansan, South Korea which will be exhibited at the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art in Ansan City beginning 17 December 2008.
Organized by Hong-hee Kim, Hyun Jeung Kim, Jeffrey Inaba
The joint project by the four firms, BIG (Copenhagen), INABA (Los Angeles), MAD (Beijing), and Mass Studies (Seoul) uses versatile architectural forms that change in size and use. The principals of the four offices, Bjarke Ingels, Jeffrey Inaba, Yansong Ma, and Minsuk Cho reinterpret the term ‘economies of scale’ to mean the value of a single architectural form that functions at several scales. The works are adaptable enough so that the same form can be enlarged or shrunk and still function as a building. They have the added capacity to dramatically change in size and transform in use from building to furniture to toy.
Given today’s economic instability, the architects propose an architecture that can be sized to accommodate changes in available funding. The forms have been developed so that if a project’s investment capital decreases, it can be scaled down; alternatively, if greater financing becomes available, the same form can be scaled up. These firms believe architecture does not have to be inhabitable and in tune with the human scale at just one size; it can be conceived with greater utility in mind so that the form can be enjoyed even when reduced or increased by 40, 50, or 60 percent. In the context of the exhibition, they have taken the idea of scalability further by developing works that function even when scaled 1,000 and 10,000 percent.
At the invitation of the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art (GMoMA), the offices designed a master plan and a set of four buildings in the city where the museum is located. The plan for a riverfront area of Ansan, a city of 550,000 inhabitants located near Seoul, includes housing, commercial, retail and municipal spaces. The proposed buildings which range in height from 80 to 400 meters and in length up to 1500 meters are displayed in the museum lobby in drawings, animations and four large models.
As an experiment in the economies of scale, the models are also designed as inhabitable objects in their own right. Each model of their urban plan is a furniture piece of their lobby plan. The three-dimensional representations of the buildings function as elements of GMoMA’s interior serving as a new bookshop, a set of seats and tables, a lounge area, and a reception kiosk. As a third variation, the forms will be produced at an even smaller scale as a reading lamp, light fixture, puzzle, and toy.
Architects have throughout time promoted their work through objects that are analogous to their designs for buildings. The architectural model helps audiences to visualize and appreciate a proposed building and in turn generate excitement, anticipation and demand for the project before it is built. In that sense, architecture has always been a practice of advertising scaled versions of itself. BIG INABA MAD MASS attempts to add another level of utility and promotion to this time tested practice by having the large-scale proposal advertise the small-scale version of the same form. The show’s architectural models have been made to draw interest in the urban plan while the urban plan was made to invite visitors to experience the works displayed in the show.
BIG
Bjarke Ingels Group – BIG - is a Copenhagen based group of over 60 architects, designers, builders and thinkers operating within the fields of architecture, urbanism, research and development.
http://www.big.dk
INABA
INABA is a Los Angeles-based firm founded by Jeffrey Inaba that specializes in transforming cultural research into urban design and architecture.
http://www.inabaprojects.com
MAD
MAD is a Beijing-based architectural design studio dedicated to creating innovative projects that combine a sophisticated design philosophy with advanced technology in the areas of architectural design, landscape design and urban planning.
http://www.i-mad.com
Mass Studies
Mass Studies was founded by Minsuk Cho in Seoul as a vehicle to critically investigate architecture in the context of mass production, intensely over-populated urban conditions and other emergent cultural niches.
http://www.massstudies.com
BIG INABA MAD MASS
Four Proposals for Ansan
Bjarke Ingels, Jeffrey Inaba, Yansong Ma, Minsuk Cho
Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art
Ansan City, Korea
Exhibition Dates: 17 December 2008 to 15 February 2009
For visitor information go to: http://www.gmoma.org
Tel. +82 (0) 31 481-7000
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TRAYS hosted the Design/Build the Ideal Polling Booth competition from 4 November to 7 November 2008. “We invite you to sketch the ideal polling booth […] There are no restrictions in terms of materiality and scale – they can be pure concept. Faculty, administration, staff, and non-GSD people are invited to submit sketches as well.” We received a remarkable array of entries, with submissions from all over the United States and even one entry from China. We share with you the results, which have been determined through an opaque judging process involving distinguished GSD faculty as well as members of the TRAYS editorial board.
Many thanks to everyone who participated. Keep your eyes open for the next TRAYS competition!
Judges: Margaret Crawford, Timothy Hyde, Eric Howeler, Cara Liberatore, James Willeford, Aron Chang, and Quilian Riano.
Check the Trays website for full details
