Thursday 31 January 2008

Berkebile to speak at Fredericton Festival of Architecture

More than 400 architects are expected to gather in Fredericton June 25-28, 2008 and just one of the reasons will be keynote speaker Bob Berkebile, FAIA, a leading authority in sustainable design and founding chair of the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment.

“Bob was a pioneer in sustainable design and continues to be at the forefront of our profession by continuously leading with new ideas. We are particularly pleased as he was instrumental in forming the US Green Building Council. This effort was greatly admired by the RAIC and in fact emulated as we decided to incubate the Canada Green Building Council, which has since grown and continues to expand across Canada,” said Kiyoshi Matsuzaki, FRAIC, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) President. “This is personally a treat because Bob has become a guru to my partner in architectural practice and my wife, Eva and I. I hope many architects take the time to come to Fredericton to hear Bob and join us for the Architects’ Association of New Brunswick - RAIC Conference and Festival of Architecture.”

In announcing the keynote, Gaye Kaplan, MRAIC, AANB President and co-chair of the festival said, “I am delighted that Mr. Berkebile will be our keynote speaker and I look forward to hearing him speak on his view of architecture as part of a living system called earth, where neighbourhoods need to respond to their environment just as a living system does by embracing our climate, solar exposure, earth, water and landscape.”

Berkebile is a Principal with BNIM Architects and highly regarded by fellow professionals for creating beautiful environments that are restorative and pedagogical. He has conducted numerous sustainable design charrettes and workshops for the White House, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, to name just a few.

Together RAIC and AANB will be hosting the annual national Conference and Festival of Architecture June 25-28, 2008 themed Steering the Current.

The Architects’ Association of New Brunswick is a corporate self-regulating body, established in 1933, for the purpose of advancing and maintaining the standards of architecture in New Brunswick, for governing and regulating those offering architectural services and for the safeguarding of members of the general public and the profession.

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is a voluntary national association established in 1907 as the voice for architecture and its practice in Canada. Representing almost 3,700 architects, the RAIC provides the national framework for the development and recognition of architectural excellence.

www.aanb.org/raic-web.htm

Saturday 26 January 2008

Guest Curator -International Garden Festival 2009

The International Garden Festival is seeking a guest curator
for the Festival’s 10th edition in 2009


Grand-Métis, January 14, 2008 - The Fondation des Jardins de Métis is seeking a guest curator for the 10th edition of the International Garden Festival to be held at Les Jardins de Métis / Reford Gardens from June to October 2009. The guest curator will also participate in the realization of the 2008 edition of the Festival. The guest curator will develop an exciting theme for the 10th anniversary edition of the Festival that will stimulate reflection on the art of the garden and generate interest among visitors. The deadline for submitting candidacies is Friday, February 29, 2008.
>>> Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal lance son appel de commissaire invité pour la 11e édition
Initiated in 2000, the International Garden Festival is held every summer from the end of June to the beginning of October on the site of Les Jardins de Métis (also known as Reford Gardens), a national historic site located in Quebec’s Lower St. Lawrence region. The Fondation des Jardins de Métis is responsible for the organization of this ambitious event. Among the goals of the Festival is to present cutting-edge design and to contribute to the renewal of the art of gardens. The Festival also seeks to introduce contemporary design of gardens and landscapes to the general public and the horticultural industries and to encourage the use of new forms and materials. The event is a major cultural event and tourist attraction in eastern Quebec.

The first event of its kind in North America, since 2000 the International Garden Festival has exhibited 65 contemporary gardens created by designers from nine countries (Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom). The event offers visitors the unique opportunity to discover conceptual gardens and explore the gardens that traverse the boundaries of landscape architecture, the visual arts, architecture, design and the environment. Presented adjacent to the historic gardens created by Elsie Reford between 1926 and 1958, the Festival builds on the unique heritage of this horticultural pioneer.

The Festival encourages the exploration of the garden in its many facets, anchored in the sense of place and creating sensorial experiences that foster emotional and intellectual responses from visitors. The Festival seeks to use new forms and technologies without neglecting the botanical and horticultural tradition. It encourages the exploration of the garden as a multisensorial space and encourages designers to reflect upon the visitor experience, provoking interaction, participation, exchange and exploration. It promotes the exchange between disciplines and encourages designers to form multi-disciplinary teams.

Photographs of the gardens created for the first eight editions of the Festival can be viewed on the Festival’s web site, www.jardinsmetis.com/phototheque and in the recent publication Hybrids : Reshaping the Contemporary Garden in Métis, under the direction of Lesley Johnstone and published by BLUEimprint, ISBN 978-1-894965-70-5.

Summary of the tasks to be performed :
Under the supervision of the director, the guest curator will perform the following tasks :
· Manage the selection process for the designers;
· Promote the Festival and its designers;
· Contribute to the preparation of grant applications;
· Prepare texts for publications;
· Oversee the preparation of promotional and interpretive material;
· Elaborate a program of activities held in conjunction with the Festival.

The guest curator will work in close collaboration with the staff of Les Jardins de Métis and s/he will be assisted by the director and technical coordinator of the Festival. S/he will have to be available at Les Jardins de Métis/Reford Gardens for the construction period of the contemporary gardens in May and June. The proposed contract is from April 2008 to October 2009.

Candidates should :
· Have a degree in landscape architecture, architecture, art history, museum studies or a related domain;
· Have a solid understanding of the garden;
· Have at least two years of experience in project management;
· Demonstrate a high degree of independence and creativity;
· Be an excellent communicator.

Dossiers should be sent to the address listed below by Friday, February 29, 2008 and should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitæ and a selection of articles or publications realized under the candidate’s responsibility. You may submit other documents to illustrate the exhibitions or events in which you have participated or that you have organized.

Please send your dossier to : Les Jardins de Métis
Guest curator application
200, route 132, Grand-Métis (Québec) Canada G0J 1Z0
reford@refordgardens.com

Thursday 24 January 2008

Sheffield Parkway Competition - Winner Announced

Tim Norlund, a 23 year old architect from Denmark has beaten over 100 entries to gain first prize in the Sheffield Parkway footbridge competition. Norlund joined forces with Ramboll Whitby Bird, and together they will work with the client team (to be led by Rotherham Council) to take the scheme forward.

The new bridge will provide an important route over the A630 Sheffield Parkway, a busy dual carriageway which links the heart of Sheffield City Centre and parts of Rotherham, with the M1 motorway. It will also provide a vital safety route, since the existing route across the Parkway is noted as one of the top ten most dangerous crossings in the UK.

The judging panel, chaired by RIBA Adviser Nik Randall, of Space Craft Architects, included representatives from the promoters - Rotherham and Sheffield Councils, and Yorkshire Forward. The judges were looking for a design that would be a ‘pleasure to cross, that responds to the local landscape, is deliverable and beautiful to look at’.

The competition produced an exceptional international response with entries from 14 different countries. The other four teams shortlisted to stage two were :

- Arup Associates, London
- DLG Architects, London
- Satellite Architects, London with Elliott Wood Partnership
- Tony Leung, Hong Kong with Ove Arup & Partners, Sheffield

Based upon a simple ‘O’ ring design, the winning design was considered to be both inspired and inspiring : the expression of the structural simplicity was particularly liked, it was felt that the immediacy with which the form of the ‘O’ ring will be understood will provide an orienting device in the landscape, appearing different from each approach. The clean lines and form of the support ring will provide an unexpected but appropriate intrusion into the undulating green landscape, whilst the simple ‘line’ of the walkways provides a counterpoint to the ragged canopy of the trees. The incorporation of simple and effective lighting will help it to respond to the climate, the season and local events.

Nik Randall said “The quality of the concepts by the shortlisted entries was, without exception very high. All the finalists exhibited unique characteristics, and each would ultimately have provided an elegant and memorable design. However, there can only be one winner, and it was felt the design by Tim Norlund/Ramboll Whitby Bird provides a wonderful response. It will be a simple and optimistic icon for the region and we have every confidence it will become a much loved local landmark”.

On his win, Tim Norlund commented : “As a young architect at the beginning of my career, I’m very excited to get the opportunity to take this project further from a conceptual idea and all the way to completion. I’m looking forward to people using and enjoying the bridge, as much as I have enjoyed designing it”.

The winning team will now work closely with Yorkshire Forward and Rotherham MBC to progress the winning concept.

Thursday 17 January 2008

International Study Visit to ZukunftsWerkStadt Leinefelde, Germany

8th - 13th June 2008
The Building and Social Housing Foundation is organising a five-day study visit to the winner of the 2007 World Habitat Award.

What is ZukunftsWerkStadt Leinefelde?
The municipality of Leinefelde-Worbis in former East Germany has succeeded in addressing the problems faced by shrinking cities through an innovative and integrated, participatory approach to urban regeneration.

The urban living environment has been significantly upgraded, with redundant housing stock demolished and over 2,500 apartments refurbished to high environmental standards. As a result of the project, the economy has been revitalised and depopulation trends have gradually been reversed.

Purpose of the visit
The purpose of the visit is to provide an in-depth understanding of the practical techniques, training methods and project management approaches used in the project. Intensive site visits will form a major part of the study visit, providing an opportunity to study all aspects of the project and to meet those responsible for its success.

Apply online
Bursaries are provided by BSHF to help meet the travel and accommodation costs of those selected to take part in the international study visit. Please note that all applications should reach BSHF by Friday 29th February 2008.
Click here to apply online

Wednesday 16 January 2008

Drinks with a Designer: Gordon Kipping @ Issey Miyake, NYC

DESIGN IN 5, Architectural League of New York

Thursday, January 24
7:00 pm, Miyake Madison tour and discussion
8:00 pm, Drinks and conversation

Come to a tour and discussion with emerging architect, Gordon Kipping, at Miyake Madison, the fashion boutique he recently designed for the Japanese fashion designer, Issey Miyake. Following the program, you are invited to mingle with other designers and the architect at the Phoenix Park bar.

Kipping will discuss the design and construction of the store and the relationship between architect and client. Previous to Miyake Madison, Kipping and G TECTS executed the design for Miyake’s Tribeca boutique, which was designed in collaboration with Frank Gehry, who was author of the sculpture. Here’s your chance to get a rare and revealing comparison of the processes leading to these two very different designs.

Drinks with a Designer is open to all young designers five years or less out of school; whether you are a graphic, industrial, or fashion designer, an artist or architect, Design in 5 invites you to attend. Reservations are required as the group will be limited to 20 people: please email designin5@archleague.org or call 212.753.1722 x 13 to reserve and receive more information. Drinks at the Phoenix Park bar are not included with the reservation. For more information, visit:
www.archleague.org/index-dynamic.php?show=706

Drinks with a Designer is brought to you by Design in 5. Design in 5 is a new group of the Architectural League of New York, formed for designers of all disciplines 5 years or less out of school. Design in 5 responds to this youngest group of designers, providing unique opportunities and activities for exchanging ideas across disciplines, fostering camaraderie, and above all, having fun.

Tuesday 15 January 2008

AZ Architects Mentor Teens in May -Scottsdale AZ

WHAT:
Architecture Presentations & Activities at the Museum in May:
Bucky Fuller's Futuristic Principles of Design Science - May 1

Architecture Career-Day Workshop for Teens - May 3

WHERE:
Lecture: Stage 2 Theater - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 East Second Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Teen Workshop: downtown Phoenix office of SmithGroup

WHEN:
Lecture: Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 pm

Teen Workshop: Satruday, May 3 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm

TICKETS & INFORMATION:
480-994-ARTS (2787)


ARTiculations lecture: Buckminster Fuller Lives On

MAY 1 7 PM

Michael Ben-Eli will discuss Bucky Fuller's futuristic principles of Design Science and relate his visionary ideas to the challenge of sustainability today. Fuller was one of the most remarkable minds of the 20th century-an engineer, architect, mathematician, designer, poet, philosopher, motivational speaker, utopian thinker and (of course) inventor of the geodesic dome. Ben-Eli, his former student and close associate, graduated from the Architectural Association, London, and received his Ph.D. from the Institute of Cybernetics, Brunel University, London. He is founder of Sustainability Initiatives, an effort to accelerate the transition to sustainability practices. Stage 2 Theater. $5 members; $7 nonmembers. Call 480-994-ARTS for tickets.

**The play R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe, will be presented May 9, 2008 at 8 pm in the Virginia G. Piper Theater at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Call 480-994-ARTS for tickets.**



Inspiring Aspiring Architects: A Career-Day Workshop for Teens

MAY 3 1 - 4 PM

This fun design charrette is for junior and senior high-school students who are interested in architecture and want the chance to explore the field further. Accomplished architects from some of the Valley's most significant firms will lead small teams in a collaborative design assignment. Teens, with their accompanying parent or adult, will work alongside professionals to tackle collective problem solving and experience architecture in action. Participating architects include: Jack DeBartolo, Jr. and Jack DeBartolo III, DeBartolo Architects; Mark Patterson, SmithGroup; Chuck Albright, Gensler; John Kane, Architekton; Peter Koliopoulos, Circle West Architects; Kristine Woolsey, Woolsey Studio, with Donna Barry, Substance Design Consortium; Eddie Jones, Jones Studio, Inc.; Nancy Levinson, Phoenix Urban Research Lab at ASU, with Christiana Moss, Studio Ma; and Awilda Rodriguez and Paolo Sanza, digital extension [dex]. The workshop takes place at the downtown Phoenix offices of SmithGroup. Refreshments and materials provided. $20 members per teen/adult pair; $30 for nonmember pairs. Pre-registration required; space is limited. Call 480-874-4641.


ABOUT SMoCA:
Mission: The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art champions creativity, innovation and the vitality of the visual arts. We seek both to build and to educate audiences for modern and contemporary art, as well as to provide opportunities for the artistic community-locally, nationally and internationally. SMoCA provides a memorable experience of art, architecture and design by exploring new curatorial approaches and by highlighting cultural context. We interpret, exhibit, collect and preserve works in these media.

Located in the center of one of America's fastest growing and most dynamic regional economies, SMoCA contributes to its communities' vitality and provides a forum for creative dialog. The Museum is dedicated to advancing public awareness and knowledge of architecture and design, building on the proud legacy of visionary architecture in this community, epitomized by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin and Paolo Soleri's Arcosanti.

For interviews, digital photograph requests or additional information please contact:

Lesley Oliver
SMoCA Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art [SMoCA]
Phone: (480) 874-4654
Email: loliver@sccarts.org

Certificate Program in Green Building Design

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Department of Continuing Education and Public Programs

A Professional Qualification for the built environment of the 21st century.

Designed for practicing engineers, architects, real estate developers and members of allied professions, the Certificate requires 110 hours of class instruction within two years. The spring term courses are:
  • Distributed Generation and Renewable Energy
  • Daylighting
  • The Cybernetic Principle in Sustainable Design
  • Green Retrofitting
For information, go to www.cooper.edu/ce or call 212-353-4198
David Greenstein
Director of Continuing Education

Shigeru Ban Lecture in New York

Shigeru Ban
Franzen Lecture on Architecture and the Environment
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22
Architecture League of New York
The Great Hall, The Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street

The 2007-8 Franzen Lecture on Architecture and the Environment, an annual invited lecture by an international figure whose work has significant implications for understanding and reconceiving the relationship between architecture and the environment, will be delivered by Shigeru Ban. The annual lecture was created in honor of long-time League board member Ulrich Franzen.

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban’s innovative work tests the limits of structure and form. Often based on elements derived from traditional Japanese architecture, his firm’s designs are ecologically sensitive and flexibly programmed, from quickly constructed temporary paper structures to modular, reconfigurable galleries and pavilions to permanent urban structures. Recent and current work includes the Nomadic Museum; the Seikei Library; Papertainer Museum, Seoul; Nicolas G. Hayek Center, Tokyo; the Metal Shutter Houses; and the Pompidou Center – Metz.

Co-sponsored by The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture of The Cooper Union.

Admission is free for League members, $10 for non-members. League members may make reservations by emailing rsvp@archleague.org or by calling 212-980-3767. Cooper Union students, staff, and alumni with ID receive free admission; entrance is based on a first-come, first-served basis. AIA and New York State continuing education credits are available.

Tuesday 8 January 2008

You are invited to speak at Pecha Kucha Night Shanghai!

Pecha Kucha Night Shanghai Volume 9 will be held on Friday 18 January 2008 at Living Design Center and starts at 20:20.

Hereby we invite you to come and present at Pecha Kucha Night 9 and get your own 6 minutes and 40 seconds of fame!

WHAT?
The Japanese term ´Pecha Kucha´ roughly translates as chit-chat or irritating chatter. As a happy crossbreed between an elevator pitch and a slide show Pecha Kucha Night will present 12 speakers who will show 20 slides for 20 seconds each. It is also possible to present a movie, just make it exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds long ! No more boring lectures, seminars or presentations. Pecha Kucha Night offers the audience the experience of a dazzling range of speakers and images in the course of one evening. Breaks will be filled with drinks, music, images, and off course: chit-chat (so bring your business cards).

WHO?
Pecha Kucha Night is for designers, architects, photographers, interior designers, graphical designers, gamers, artists, fashion freaks, inventors, creative students or anyone else with ideas the world needs to know about. If you want to present a new building, furniture, book, add campaign, fashion line, gadgets or any other idea or design come and share it with us!

INFO?
check www.sinocities.net

WANT TO PRESENT?
If you want to present at Pecha Kucha Night send an email to info'at'far-china.net with the following information:
01) Name
02) Age
03) Male/Female
04) Profession
05) Mobile Number
06) Email Adress
07) Website Address
08) Company Name
09) Short explanation of work you want to present
10) 2 images of your work or presentation

WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER?
Pecha Kucha is non-profit, we can only survive thanks to the great help of many volunteers! mail to info'at'far-china.net

WANT TO WATCH?
there are only 500 entrance tickets available this time, so come early if you want to be in.

HOPE TO SEE YOU !
your Pecha Kucha team

Wednesday 2 January 2008

Individual Grant Opportunities for Architects & Designers

7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10
Architecture League of New York
The Urban Center, 457 Madison Avenue, NY

Representatives from the American Academy in Rome, the American Institute of Architects, the Deborah J. Norden Fund, the Design Trust for Public Space, the MacDowell Colony, the New York Foundation for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Van Alen Institute will discuss opportunities for individual grants and fellowships for architects and designers. For more information: www.archleague.org