WCMT Travel Fellowship: America

/in , /by

New York

  1. David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Centre

    New atrium to an existing building to change the perception of the building, change the approach into and around the building and form a new impression. Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects

  2. Higgins Hall, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn

    New addition to an old building. A link between two existing 19th Century red brick buildings. An ingenious piece of urban infill. Steven Holl Architects

  3. Storefront for Art & Architecture, NY

    An insertion into an existing building that changed the streetscape and perception of the building. Steven Holl Architects

  4. High Line Park, Manhattan’s West Side, NY

    A former high line historic freight railway elevated above street level as a community garden. Diller Scofido & Renfro (Architect) & James Corner Field Operations (Landscape)

  5. The Julliard School, Educational Facility, NY

    An extension and refurbishment of a fine example of brutalist architecture in USA on a prominent NYC city block. Diller Scofido & Renfro

  6. PS1 Museum, Long Island City, NY

    A former school then warehouse into a set of galleries and exhibition spaces as a part of MOMA. Frederick Fisher (Los Angeles)

  7. Gagosian Gallery

    Several gallery spaces occupying old industrial and commercial spaces dotted around NY. Chelsea Gallery, NYC: Former industrial trucking distribution facility into a exhibition space. Gluckman Mayner Architects

  8. Brewster Carriage House, Little Italy, NYC

    A former factory building has been adapted into residences and retail to the ground floor. Sympathetic approach to the existing architecture & retention of the existing character. Existing staircase is fantastic. Archi-Tectonics

  9. Schein Loft, SoHo, NYC / Greenwich Street Project, 497 Greenwich st / Spring st Soho

    A former six storey warehouse building is renovated, with a new 11 story ‘smart loft’ building wrapping up and over it. The introduction of modern architecture creates a nice contrast; its innovative folded glass curtain wall allows an amazing view over the Hudson River. Archi-Tectonics

  10. Ground zero memorial park & museum, NY

    The most awe-inspiring landscaped disaster zone of the 21st century, left as a reminder of where the twin towers once stood. Adapted from a graveyard for those killed into a memorial park standing in their memory, rather than rebuilding towers on the land. Park / memorial: Micheal Arad (Handel Architects) & Peter Walker & Partners (Landscape) – Museum: Davis Brody Bond LLP (Local architects) & Snohetta (Competition winning architect)

  11. Second stage theatre, Midtown, NYC

    A former historic bank building converted into a 296 seat theatre with lobby, etc.. Rem Koolhaas (OMA)

  12. New York Public Library South Court & Auditorium, New York Public Library, NY

    A new extension onto an historic building of extreme importance. Davis Brody Bond LLP

  13. Rose Center for Earth and Space, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West, NY

    A new extension to a historic building with a large spherical space theatre. Polschek & Todd Schliemann

  14. Korean Presbyterian Church, Sunnyside, NY

    A former laundry factory converted into a church and community centre. Greg Lynn FORM & Garofalo Architects & Michael McInturf Architects

  15. The Brasserie, base of Seagram Building, NY – 100 East 53rd Street, NY 10022

    A new restaurant / brasserie set within the base of an iconic modernist building by Philip Johnson. A new insertion and refurbishment of the space to form a new destination. Diller & Scofido

  16. Tribeca Issy Miyake store, Tribeca, NY – 119 Hudson Street

    A new flagship store set within an industrial warehouse building with the charisma of the surroundings influencing the design & details. Frank Ghery

  17. Paramount Palace Theatre, Downtown Brooklyn, 1 University Place, Brooklyn

    Former picture house as a college basketball court and arena for Long Island University. Cornelius W. Rapp, George Leslie Rapp

  18. Wyckoff Exchange, Brooklyn, NY

    Former warehouse into a market and stores with new enigmatic façade. Andre Kikoski Architects

  19. Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg waterfront, Brooklyn, NY

    Former factory building adapted into 72 room hotel. Morris Adjmi Architects

  20. Office Building, NYC – 450 West 14 street, NY

    Existing art deco building to the base with hovering steel glass ‘green’ building above. Forms a part of the high line masterplanned area sitting over the high line parkland. Morris Adjmi Architects

Other notable buildings to visit:

  • Guggenheim Museum- MOMA
  • Parrish Art Museum, Long Island, NY – Herzog & De Meuron
  • Shake Shack, Cafe in Park – SITE Architects (NYC)
  • Austrian Cultural Forum, NY – Raimund Abraham (Austrian Architect)
  • Morgan Library & Museum, NYC – Renzo Piano
  • 40 Mercer, SoHo Residences, NYC – Jean Nouvel

WCMT Travel Fellowship: Possible buildings to visit

/in , /by

I am in the process of moving onto the next stage of a travel fellowship for the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. The topic I picked is ‘Creative reinvention of industrial or heritage buildings’. This will involve a tour around North America and Canada (Part 1) and Europe (Part 2). This will last for approximately 6 weeks in total.

In order to make the most of the tour I have compiled a list of buildings that are of reference to the topic. Coupled with a few more I feel are key to allowing me to experience architecture of significant value. I would be grateful for any further suggestions, additional buildings, landscapes or structures worth visiting and exploring.

Here is the initial list:

[display-posts post_type=”news” tag=”wcmt-travel-fellowship” order=”ASC” orderby=”date” offset=”1″]

The list is my starting point to assess timescales, periods of travel and the route I will take across both North America and Europe. I would appreciate any comments people have on the list above and any additional buildings people recommend visiting.

Thanks for reviewing the long list and I will inform you all of the result.

The Waiting is over…

/in , /by

The waiting is finally over. Unfortunately, I was not shortlisted for the Architects Journal Writing Prize 2012, but congratulations to those shortlisted and of course the winner. I will try again next year definitely as I found it an interesting competition.

However, some good news – I have been selected for an interview for the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travel Fellowship. This will be interesting but intense! I am looking forward to experiencing a considerable amount of architecture and different cities across the globe. Just need to get through the interview and await the verdict.

If anyone is interested the website for the fellowship is: www.wcmt.org.uk

Fingers are crossed.

Grand Designs: harmful or helpful

/in , /by

A recent project I was involved in took an unusual turn when the main contractor went into administration. We were duty bound to give the client assistance and advice on the best course of action. Unfortunately this advice was ignored. The client’s decision was partly due to the influence of Grand Designs and the lack of clarity of the benefits of an Architect to the viewers. This includes the clients in question who took this even more common stance.

This client decided to go it alone. No design team, no contractor and no architect. However, we have had regular phone calls for advice. We gave them our opinion as a professional to try and maintain our standing with them, ensuring our professionalism. A dawn of realisation occurred with them that they needed to sort out any problems. The reality sank in of a lack of vision, programme and cost control – all of these issues created a stressful situation. A project that is over budget and late – even when dismissing the design team to save a few pennies!

The AJ Writing prize 2012 posed a question – Do Architects have a duty outside of satisfying Clients? Architects are bound by the ARB code of conduct. Set within the code are the core duties, these in principle are to satisfy the Client(s) but also ensure as professionals we achieve the highest possible standards. This is true for a small extension right up to multi million pound schemes. Each individual project should be treated with the same responsible approach.

What the portrayal on Grand Designs does is simplify the role of the Architect to completing drawings, occasionally doing a model or picking a tile. Even just wearing black. It does not do enough to highlight those duties an Architect will complete to ensure a project runs smoothly and stress free from inception to its completion. This then allows the clients the peace of mind and a degree of separation from the harsh reality. In addition, gives them the professional opinion and abilities an architect possess.

An architect would have trained for 7+ years to achieve a professional level to undertake the demands of completing a project. A set level of competence is required to allow them to practice, act as a professional and complete the duties given to us – all governed by ARB and RIBA.

A recent debate and poll undertaken in the industry highlights what ARB and RIBA should be promoting to clients – employ an architect, use an architect, and it’s always better with an architect. Our perception to clients and the protection of our identity and role are crucial for us to be a major part of the changes being pushed through by this government. Grand Designs or not, we need to ensure we as professionals are indespensable!

The waiting…

/in , /by

Two submissions – two deadlines coming up (hopefully soon):

  1. Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship:Application to do a study on a topic but must involve travel for a minimum of 4 weeks. I have chosen to do ‘creative reinvention of architectural heritage’, involving a trip to USA and Canada but also around Europe.
  2. AJ Writing prize 2012:I thought why not and I am waiting like all other applicants for news!

If it is negative then I will try again next year. All good practice and fun!

Launch of the blog page…

/in , /by

The blog page is now live…welcome and hello to all! This is where Devlin Architects Ltd will post all the latest news, any views or opinions and any images (you may not have seen!).

Things are moving along with the practice and with a few competition entries in preparation prior to submitting. Watch this space!