20 ltd

The keener folk amongst you may have figured this lead on from the recent Matt Siber post, but for those who did not here it is. 20 Ltd sell limited edition stuff, from design to photography (including Siber). There is some amazing work on here, but it somehow feels as though there is a tiny bit too much, almost going against the 20 Ltd ethos. Anyway, highlights for me are Peter Anderson's "Set Piece" chair, Michael Wolf's micro/macro photo's, which have a circuit board feel to them, and Stanley Greenberg's, process inspired images.

Trinity Buoy Wharf

Trinity Buoy Wharf is simply brilliant. Directly opposite the millennium dome, right on the other side of the Thames, with the best view of Gormley's Quantum Cloud, architecture and studio's created out of old shipping containers, an amazing sense of history coupled with a super good contemporary/creative vibe, and for this week only, a walking boat. What more could you possibly want?

Arflex

Apologies if i have mentioned this before but have just revisited Claesson Koivisto Rune's 'Hillside' range for Arflex. From the front view the complex form is difficult enough to construct when you are aiming for this (extremely high) level of finish, but when you start playing with angles and asymmetry in plan as well it has to be admired. Also really like the light reflecting differently on the undulating facade (top), it has a kind of pantone/paint swatch tonal gradient feel to it.

Points to Note

I feel i was slightly down on Zaha Hadid's MAXXI museum in the last post and wanted to clarify. It is a very good building, i like it a lot and we need big architecture, particularly in times when arts funding is being slashed. I am sure it will have a huge impact on the city as well.
I think my frustration was the RIBA Stirling prize shortlist itself, none of the buildings could breathe. Three museums, two schools and Bateman's Row, a really interesting urban solution, but which did not stand a chance against the others. It's interesting, useful and probably right to try and pick a 'best' building, but in reality you never can. Are there any more important buildings than emergency shelters in Haiti after the earthhquake, or the flooding in Pakistan? Is there a more commendable green project than Black Architecture's Deckhouse? I there a more inspiring and boundary blurring structure than Heatherwick's Dandelion? It's impossible to pick a winner, but it creates a whole lot of buzz, which is definately a good thing.

Stirling Prize

Although i knew who won the stirling prize, i have only just managed to catch up with the programme on the i-player. I (anyone) could have told you a month ago that Zaha Hadid would win for the MAXXI museum in Rome. Unfortunately Hadid has taken a while to be accepted in this country, being a foreign national women in the male dominated british architecture clique has not helped. But, this is not reason to give her the prize alone, the buliding is not Hadid's best and not THE best either. It won the award because it is Big and Bold, that's all, the president of the MAXXI foundation admits as much.
As for..."Rome needed a building like this", what in the hell does that mean? That means, you cannot be considered a contemporary city without a hugely expensive, trophy building, a new landmark. All the other buildings have been shoe horned in, two of them are buildings within buildings, one is an extension. The only other stand alone structure is Christ's College School Guildford, the reverse of the MAXXI as it's the least successful visually, but the most successful in doing its job, as a machine.  So, where does it leave us, if you gave me about £130 million pounds to build a gallery in Rome, i reckon i could do a half decent job, but £14 million to design and build a school, which transforms the area, is a much harder brief. Guildford really.. 'needed a building like this'...in the most basic, real terms.

T.V Debut

A quick heads up, I am 99% sure that the Grand Designs featured house i recently worked on will be aired on the Channel 4 show, on 20th October. I may come across as a bit of a muppet as i found the filming quite nerve racking, so i am hoping they have edited me out and concentrated on the work, which is much more assured.

Reclaimed Rustic

Very unusual for me to be working in a farmhouse, reclaimed style, but i really enjoyed making this table. I liked the honesty of the construction, no mechanical fixings at all, just wood, joints and glue.