TQ and missus are leaving to Australia for good in a couple of weeks. They will be greatly missed. Good luck and best wishes to you both. Hey buddy, if you're reading this; the offer still stands - I'll offer my services for your future residence when you're ready. No expiration date.
Recently, I've been a keen observer to the exciting developments in Spanish Architecture. One such project, Casa Godo is located on the outskirts Igualada. The site is on a steep gradient slope with views of the countryside. 'Routes' is the keyword for the conceptual model because the final design for the private residence consists of complex pedestrian walkways starting from the entrance moving along the topography of the sloping site. Throughout the space, the observer will notice the extensive use of reflective stainless steel panels and punctuated by holes. As you decent its 3 levels, you are aware of the increase in the privacy within the space.
Looks like a tequila night with the boys tonight then...
Like all children, I've always been fascinated with cartoons and its characters. The stories they tell are intriguing and of course hilarious. Some are out-of-this-world bonkers. Nevertheless, we are mesmerised by them. More amazingly, they never seem to grow old. Their youthful figure, vibrant complexion, unrestricted movement and unrealistic innocence interests me. I often imagine how they would be as an older wiser version. In fact, how would they cope with all the modern day troubles and tribulations we have to endure?
Will Little Red Riding Hood realise that she has fantasies about beastiality? Will Popeye finally come out of the closet, divorces Olive Oyl and marries Brutus in California? Will Mickey Mouse come clean and admit his joyful, vulnerable and loveable character have been an illusion, meanwhile he is addicted to Prozac? Will Alvin and the Chipmunks come out of retirement and record a new album a la Boyzone? Tweety Bird, feathery, friendly, and a gifted escape artist's; who will capture her commitment phobic heart? Will Fat Albert dabble in Hip Hop and be more notorious than Biggie? How does Wile E. Coyote keep with his hectic schedule of chasing The Road Runner without using steroids? Will the older Bugs Bunny take over as CEO of Apple? Did Daffy Duck mentor Steve Carell for his role in the The Office? Was Papa Smurf and Smurfette arrested for their prostitution ring in 'le Pays maudit' (Smurfland)? Did Batman check himself into rehab facility in Pine Grove, Mississippi for 'sexual compulsion'? Will Winnie the Pooh die from long term diabetes? Is Richard Branson or Larry Ellison the love child of Yogi Bear?
Let's not forget the Disney female characters; Jessica Rabbit, Pocahontas, Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Belle, Esmeralda, Arial, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Tinkerbelle. Imagine a reality TV program called The Real Housewives of Disney. Following the success of Bravo network's The Real Housewives of Orange County, the creators focuses on the lives in the gated community of Anaheim, California, followed by the lavish and fabulous lifestyles of 11 'housewives' and families who resided within Anaheim's compound.
How scary would that be? Maybe, imagination and hope is the last frontier and to live in the modern world, these cartoons are crucial for our well-being.
Ok. Here's a thought for everyone. We are trained to appreciate true beauty. We are trained to dissect beauty to unravel substance. We spend hours studying visual stimulants. We are trained to be aware of our experiences. We are trained to see beyond beauty. We contemplate and write papers about aesthetic. We are obsessed with details. We like contradictions. We are playful with spaces, colours and materials. We are judge on presentations. We trained to be tested every day with complex design processes. We search for simplicity. We champion communication. We guide for practicality. We are trained to be persuasive. We envisage ideas. We see the bigger picture. We are expected to be understanding. We are artists. We are businesspeople. We are organisers. We are planners. We are coordinators.
So, my question to you; what do Architects prefer? Blondes or Brunettes? Betty or Veronica? Brown, Green or Blue eyes? Short or Long hair? Big or Small eyes? Light or Dark? Symmetry or Asymmetrical? Kids or No Kids? Face, Legs, Boobies or Bum? Slender or Curvaceous? Tall or Short? Cosy or Outgoing? Thick or Thin Lips? East or West? Youth or Experience? Vegetarian or Not? Waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7? Stable or Psychotic? Intelligent or Dense? Confidante or F-buddy? Sexiness or Na-da?
The Blonde Vs Brunette saga. Can they ever get along? No love triangle is complete without one of each. Remember the comic Archie? He was torn between Betty and Veronica for years. A colleague of mine once said, he LUST for many attractive women but has a PASSION for darker hair. Another explained that blonde hair is a recessive trait, disfavoured by nature. Since hair is a superfluous and primarily serves as a device for attracting mates, if she has lush hair in the recessive gene, she must have a fully-functioning immune system thus making her a good candidate for re-production! Personally, I'm not too sure with his reasoning. Perhaps genetic, subconscious, animal instinct or opposites attract are some of the reasons but I have to admit I've always been a sucker for Brunettes. Look at Monica Belucci (older), Alexis Bledel (young) and Jessica Stroup (younger) - need I say more? But that's not to say that Blondes are bad, as you would expect from an Architect who appreciates beauty, I've dated Scandinavians before. Amazing creatures, let me tell you, and you can't go any blonder than that! I guess I've always preferred brown eyes and most Blondes seldom do. Saying that, I have met those rare natural Blondes with brown eyes - I'm fond of them. But, there are those rare creatures with deep blue eyes and alluring brunette hair, they drive me wild! It is just a preference I guess.
I read a study regarding Architects choosing their future partners and not surprisingly, most of us prefer Brunettes. I can't help to smile thinking about Paolo's disapproval face when his missus told him she was going Blonde. Meanwhile, Toru prefer Orientals but I'm sure being in Europe that will soon change. Hmmm.... 'You have the most marvelous youth, and youth is the one thing worth having.…Someday when you are old and wrinkled and ugly, when thought has seared your forehead with its lines and passion branded your lips with its hideous fires, you will feel it. You will feel it terribly. Now, wherever you go you charm the world. Will it always be so? You have a wonderfully beautiful face, Mr. Gray.…And beauty is a form of genius-is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation. It is one of the great facts of the world, like sunlight or springtime or the reflection in dark waters of that silver shell we call the Moon. It cannot be questioned. It has its divine right of sovereignty. It makes princes of those who have it. You smile-ah, when you have lost it you won't smile. People say sometimes that beauty is only superficial. That may be so, but at least it is not so superficial as thought is. To me, beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible...' Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)
Come on skinny love just last the year, Pour a little salt, we were never here, My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer, I tell my love to wreck it all, Cut out all the ropes and let me fall, My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer
I told you to be patient, I told you to be fine, And I told you to be balanced, And I told you to be kind
In the morning I'll be with you, But it will be a different kind, I'll be holding all the tickets, And you'll be owning all the fines, Come on skinny love what happened here, We suckled on the hope in lite brassieres My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, Sullen load is full, so slow on the split
And I told you to be patient, And I told you to be fine, And I told you to be balanced, And I told you to be kind And now all your love is wasted
And who the hell was I?, I'm breaking at the bridges, And at the end of all your lines, Who will love you?, Who will fight?, Who will fall far behind?, Ooh, ooh
Today, I have decided to write a light-hearted post. While searching for a topic I happen to come across an illustration of mankind. I love the drawings so much that I want to share it with you readers. Without even looking closely, I can't help notice the 2 common theme; sex & war. Pleasure & pain. Yes, I know this weeks posts is rather sexual in nature. I can't help it, so shoot me! The bloody thing is on overdrive. My mind, I mean. Ha!Ha! We haven't changed much have we? Funny that. Curiously, I wonder whether there is an ounce of truth in... The Architect Myth: Are they really creative, but stable?
Characteristics of an male architect:
Over-worked - Talks in metaphors - Reasonably happy / Just enough happiness - Usually married/dating/attached to a beautiful woman -Permanently attached to his mobile - Constantly reflecting on life - Customary affairs - Tendency to rebel and disturb a blissful family life - Neurotic - Immoral - Sceptical - Overweight - Bearded - Bald - Black frame spectacles
I am sure some of you would disagree with my overly generalising comment, so I thought it would be fun to play a game called 'Find the Architect'. Perhaps you'll be able to find a fairer description of yourself from the images above. As for me, I have a preference on who I'd like to be. Correct answer wins a price, anyone for a guess? Happy hunting and have fun!
I had a chat with the Brunette (ich will Deutsch lernen, können Sie mich unterrichten? Und wir lernen Spanisch zusammen. Ok?) last night and learned what had happened. I'm sure it was more difficult for her to say it than it is for me to hear it. Anyway, I'm glad of the transparency between us.
What a day yesterday was! For the first time in 4 months, I've manage to sleep properly. I woke up on Monday after a leisurely 14 hours sleep! AMAZING! Luckily, I wasn't needed in the office and took my time. It was good to sleep but not so in terms of catching up with the day's work. Continuing my thoughts on Architectural theory, I've decided to include an excerpt from Bertrand Russell's, The Problems of Philosophy:
'Jeg er lei av å være som dette. Stadig opptatt, men i realiteten veldig mye alene. Deretter kommer noen som bryr seg om meg, push jeg henne unna. Hva er galt med meg? Er jeg redd for at jeg ikke vil ha noen nære i livet mitt? Kanskje, det er derfor jeg ikke kan være lykkelig. Sjansene kommer én gang, har dere å gripe øyeblikket, ellers vil den skli deg av og sitter du igjen med ubesvarte spørsmål. Jeg vet hun vil være å lese dette og jeg håper at hun vil forstå at jeg er et produkt av smertefulle erfaringer. Et produkt av tapte muligheter. Et produkt med konstant uro. Sist gang dette skjer, forlot jenta meg og det tok meg en stund å plukke opp bitene. Jeg tror ikke jeg kan klare det igjen. Jeg var fullstendig kaos. Hjertet er en skjør ting, og konstant arrdannelse leger ikke såret. Kanskje burde jeg bare spør og bekymring senere. Stille, jeg andre gjette meg og hvis jeg ser på meg selv nå, ville jeg ikke engang gi meg et annet blikk. Hvorfor skulle hun det? Nå that't sannheten. Jeg håper jeg blir bevist feil. Hvorfor blir jeg tiltrukket av henne? Vel, andre enn hennes fysiske attributter, er det hele uanstrengt. Jeg håper bare at hun føler det samme.'
**Translated: 'Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it? This question, which at first sight might not seem difficult, is really one of the most difficult that can be asked. When we have realized the obstacles in the way of a straightforward and confident answer, we shall be launched on the study of philosophy, for philosophy is merely the attempt to answer such ultimate questions, not carelessly and dogmatically, as we do in ordinary life and even in the sciences, but critically, after exploring all that makes such questions puzzling, and after realizing all the vagueness and confusion that inderlie our ordinary ideas. In daily life, we assume as certain many things which, on a closer scrutiny, are found to be full of apparent contradictions that only a great amount of thought enables us to know what it is that we really may believe.'
What does this all mean? Well, I'm in the process of interpreting a public space in the Spanish capital. On first glance, the site itself presents various contradictions. Urban, local, decay, homeless, elevation, disjointed, peace, religion, crusade are just some of the words that describe it. The site is complex and difficult. Compared to the other districts, its soul stems from the residence as well as the homeless - a very rare situation. My approach has change tremendously since I started, from 'tidying' to 'rearranging' and finally, not to interfere. Homelessness is often followed closely with stigma but what we don't realise is that, there is a surge in Middle-Class educated homeless people and the recent study made by London boroughs supports this. This trend is also visible cities like New York. People who never thought that they'll slide into homelessness are staring it in the face. We can't keep categorising them into boxes and place them accordingly. We can't pretend to think that we know what is best for them. We can't keep doing the same mistakes. So, the question now is, does all this urban 'tidying' and 'rearranging' is helping anyone or is it to stroke our own professional egos?
Yippee!! In my mind, I think we've made some progress but I'm not so sure if the Brunette (schauen Sie vorsichtig, und ich bin sicher, dass Sie es finden werden. nichts ist, was es scheint) thinks the same. Emotions were running high. People say don't drink-dial or drink-text but honestly, emotional texting is even worse. The wording just gets tangled up in a mess and the message becomes a battle ground. I misfired a few and got pinned down with heavy artillery fire. But unlike modern warfare, a ceasefire was reached after a peace dialogue. And like all peace talks, the continual negotiation is expected before an agreement is reached. If 1 is war and 10 is peace, I believe we are at 4. Oh no!!
'Unlike the necessity of mere building, the non-necessity of Architecture is undissociable from architectural histories, theories and other precedents. These bonds enhance pleasure. The most excessive passion is always methodical. In such moments of intense desire, organisation invades pleasure to such an extent that it is not always possible to distinguish the organising constraints from the erotic matter. For example, the Marquis de Sade's heroes enjoyed confining their victims in the strictest convents before mis-treating them according to rules carefully laid down in a precise and obsessive logic.
Similarly, the game of Architecture is an intricate play with rules that one may accept or reject. Indifferently called Systeme des Beaux-Arts or Modern Movement precepts, this pervasive network of binding laws entangles architectural design. These rules, like so many knots that cannot be untied, are generally a paralyzing constraint. When manipulated, however, they have the erotic significance of bondage. To differentiate between rules or ropes is irrelevant here. What matters is that there is no simple bondage technique: the more the numerous and sophisticated the restraints, the greather the pleasure.'Bernard Tschumi
Once upon a time, there was Guido, a wide-eyed innocent overly excited young man in search of meaning. For years, he consumes himself with ideas, concepts and books trying to relate and make sense of what he's experiencing. And, he wasn't the only one. Generations of Architects, working and studying alike, who focuses on the experience of pleasure in Architecture was considered decadent. The underlying discontent among them originates from an ethical and spiritual thinking with a strong moral agenda: structure / chaos, ornamental / purity, order / disorder, rationality / sensuality. Guido fought hard to understand and in doing so, found his own 'route'. The route has taken him to the thoughts of Marques de Sade, Bernard Tschumi, Roland Barthes, Manfredo Tafuri, Michel Foucault and Roberta Gilchrist. Finally, Guido understood it.
Architects are all voyeurs. That's the truth. That is why we are obsessed with openings, views, image, feel, suggestions and anticipation. WE ARE ALL HARDCORE VOYUERS! Some are vocal while others are more discreet about it. You might be thinking that I've gone off the rails but I'm just stating a solid fact. So, the next time you have a meeting with a client regarding their project, try to think why you wanted the apertures located where it is and not somewhere else. If you're honest with yourselves, you'll be surprised with the answer. Anyway, this is just a taster of what is coming. Next week, I'll be discussing more about writings from a book called, Sexuality & Space.
I thought of writing something about Architecture but I reckon, for this weekend I shall refrain from doing so. There is more to life than bloody Architecture! And yes, no sleep for yet another night. It was great to meet Bellucci last night after all this time. I'm surprised she still recognised me. Impressive. She looks well and great as usual. What do you expect from a French, Italian and Brazilian pedigree? The night went better than expected and she was much more relaxed than the last time I saw her. As we talked over dinner, she dropped the bombshell that she's leaving London, her home of 6 years and heading back to Paris in September. I was disappointed but was acutely aware not to show my thoughts. We reminisced and laughed at the circumstance we first met and we deliberated over her future plans. As we were picking on our sushi, she decided that we should set a date to meet again; this time, I have to choose the place. Not a problem, I thought. We both looked at our diary and the date is set. Done.
Weekends are supposed to be a relaxing time to unwind. But lately, I've noticed that a couple of friends are getting more than their share of agony. Life is too short to get involved in complications and redundant agro. I've been there and trust me; it's not worth the hassle.
As I was passing Camden tonight, I've noticed how different it has become. Not in the best way I have to say. Everything seems very clean and organised. Too clean, I think. The soul has gone. The people that frequent the area are eclectic, but not in a good way. Toru mentioned it reminded him of Portsmouth and I greatly hope someone would mention it to Camden council. Walking down Chalk Farm Road one can't help notice the disproportionate number of locals and tourists, local shops and chains, residential and commercial spaces, dense urban spaces and greenery, pedestrian walkway and roads plus police and punters. Is this what is happening to all the iconic places in London? Stereotyping of spaces? Look at Spitalfields, what a disaster! Other than making it look 'new, modern, fresh and trendy', the space lacks soul. All spaces have its own soul, what's the point in reinterpreting a space and come up with a final presentation that destroys its very essence? Every time I hear the background white chatter from the suits, my ears gets red.
Bellucci smiled. I smiled. Eyes locked. A mutual understanding was reached. That's all it needs. We said our goodbye's for now. The doors shut. I looked back and waved. She reciprocated. I turn and walked. We knew.
3 days. 8 hours sleep in total. 133 pages of documents read. 51 hours of CAD design & Photoshop (15 hours without toilet break). 48 cups of tea (29 normal & 19 green). 1 fish pie. 4 blog posts. 456 Spotify music tracks on repeat. 1 felt tip pen. 1 Caesar salad. 8 hours talking to myself. 3 A3 tracing pad. 1 paper written by Paolo. 5 hours on the mobile. 1 messy divorce. 1 letter posted. 8/10 average stress level. 17 emails sent (16 short & 1 very long). 9 webcam calls. 2 Tesco break. 3 Cadbury's Mix Fruit. 0 shaves. 2 laundries. 1 beef stroganoff. 2 boxes of Ocean Spray cranberry juice. 0 sleeping pills.
It's fucking Friday & I'm still fucking awake!! Jesus!! What the hell is going on?! Mother-fucker!! £@~%$#}*!! I am cursed, I tell you. I AM CURSED!!
To be fair, it isn't that bad. Not sleeping has been a regular occurrence since college days. I haven't been sleeping well for many years and it's a natural state now. The night is like a woman and when you spend so much time not sleeping, she becomes your friend and gets to know better. Slowly, she becomes a lover, she caresses you, her silence soothes your soul, she understands you, you feel at peace with her, your thoughts become clearer, your senses heighten and you become addicted to her. Suddenly, you're in love with her. She's intoxicating but deep down I know it's not good for me but I hate the thought of her being with someone else. So, the sleepless nights remains.
On average, our body requires 8 hours sleep a day but I've been averaging 4. Maybe my love is deeper than I thought - The Architect's Curse. Oh well, I can always catch up on my sleep when I'm 6 feet underground with Moonglow by Errol Garner (see below) in the background.
Top 10 Reasons Why To Date an Architect: 1. All night long, all night strong.
2. We are damn good with our hands. 3. If we can commit to chipboard, relationships should be easy. 4. You should see the things we erect. 5. Use to doing things over and over again. 6. Finishing early never happenes. 7. We know the true meaning of interpretation. 8. Creative positioning. 9. Work well in groups 10. Entry and passage are always exciting.
I wonder whether the Brunette or the other female folks would concur with this statement. Any thoughts ladies? Comments would be greatly appreciated. Then again, I've heard that Architects are known to be terrible at relationships with human beings...Hmmm...
I'm not a fan of Gordon Ramsay but his new cooking series, Gordon's Great Escape while hopping across the Indian subcontinent is something else. The filming was made after Gordon's scandalous revelation regarding his long term affair. And like everyone else, he took some time out, travelled but makes even more money! Now, I've seen various travelling cooking series on Good Food Channel and Food Network but nothing beats Channel 4's newest instalment. The Good Food Channel aired Gary Rhodes, Travel across India mid last year but I was annoyed watching the condescending Rhodes, who acted like a spoilt colonial Brit, second guessing every local guest chef with sarcastic remarks. Why can't he just shut up?! Looking awkward and not completely comfortable on set, I would have preferred watching his 2 sous chefs working and with him being completely out of the frame.
Thinking of India makes me remember an interesting residential project on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. The client wanted a weekend retreat away from his business as an aquarium shop owner. Apart from this, he also wanted a space for breeding fish. What Matharoo Associates came up with was a ingenious design centred around 4 fish breeding tanks and a observation room which doubles up as a living room. Due to the tight budget constraints, every aspect of the design is to shave off unwanted expense (i.e. single duct for all 3 bathrooms, using bent rods for door handles and locks, 125mm thin concrete walls with standard concrete and using GI sheets for doors and windows). That doesn't stop there, as you approach the nondescript residence, you'll noticed that the house and the whole walls around the plot is a retention structure for the breeding tanks. These are enclosed by glass windows that runs the whole length of the space and since glass is cheaper than concrete, the expenses get even lower. Bonus!
The layout of the house provides various vantage points of the water tanks; the bedroom, the living room, below the glass window sills and the sitting ledge above the tanks. Negating the need for foundations, the long concrete-box house is half-sunken into the ground, which splits the space into 2 distinct areas. One of its sides opens onto the garden and the breeding tanks. You'll notice that there are shutters on both sides of the living area. These top hung metal shutters guide the viewer eyes through the entire length of the wall. Concrete baubles are used as counterweights to hold the metal shutters open because it's the cheapest solution possible. Once in a while, you would see the baubles swing in the wind while the shutters are partially open creating an animated conversation between the house and its surrounding. The concrete frame around the windows functions as a seat from the garden, a protective barrier against rats and snakes, steps for climbing on to the garden, a jumping platform from the terrace, a weather protection and extra worktop for serving larger parties. Camouflaged by the grassy incline, the architects added 50,000 litres rain water storage, a bio-gas plant and a heat exchange tube. Lastly, the sloping field allows the viewer to walk up to its terrace and enjoy the view of the water lily petals and the 'weightless' concrete baubles.
The conversation keeps on replaying in my head. Each word dissected and examined and still I'm no closer to the answer. If I was to measure how far away are we from where we need to be, the Brunette and me; it's a long long way from where it needs to be. Somehow, I could feel that we knew this was coming. It wasn't in the plan. There wasn't a plan. And, the Brunette feels it would and wants to see if it could work.
I was delighted to hear from the brunette last night, it was short and precise but definitely what I needed - Thank You. While overcoming my state of despair and listening to Thelonius Monk with a bottle of Corbiere wine, my mobile started vibrating again. I saw the name on the display. I hesitated at first but eventually picked it up.A close friend has decided to cancel their wedding. Such is the shocking nature of the conversation that we ended up discussing the reason of the abrupt decision for the whole night (4 hours of so). The news came as a complete surprise to me. The wedding date was announced months ago, the invites have been sent, the venue booked, the flights bought and the honeymoon finalised. So what happened? Choices. It sucks but it is a common problem in big cities such as London, and I've seen its devastating effect much too often. We are living in a throw-away society. Everything has an expiry date, sell by date, consume by date including love until date. Impatience is widely encouraged, and understanding misunderstood combined with numerous feeble attraction and unsupportive partners and Voila! A great modern relationship cocktail! Shaken and stirred.
It doesn't help the fact that, the main contributing factor is greatly influenced by consumerism. The over-consumption and excessive production of disposable short term products have brainwashed modern society. With vertical integration, repairing products are more expensive than buying a new replacement. With this in mind, of course we treat relationships no different. There is a whole psychology designated to thisidea from the 1920's but popularised in the 1950's called Planned Obsolescence. I've read a book titled The Waste Makers by Vance Packard, a cultural critic in the 60's regarding the topic. According to him, there is a 'systematic attempt of business to make us wasteful, debt-ridden, permanently discontented individuals.'There are 2 types of planned obsolescence, obsolescence of desirability and obsolescence of function. The first being the attempts to wear out a product in the owners mind meanwhile the later, introducing new technology to the products thusreplacing the old.
Unfortunately, Architecture is also under consumerism attack. For decades, the lure of cheap and theoretical money has produced mass ill-thought developments. These ideal Architecture is interpreted as Architectural form, sponsored by abstract funding, were constructed in the most environmentally wasteful ways and biased sites. What's more, the booming property market masqueraded Real-Estate as Architecture while consumers blindly followed the obsolescence of desirability. As the money flowed copiously, the more excessive the Architectural form became despite the ever growing poverty due to global conflicts. We have become our worse enemy, blinded by all the 'bling' that we forget our ethics and responsibility.
Though I disagree with their actions, I can understand why. Our profession have always been overlooked and underappreciated. Many talents are left unknown without a chance of expressing their vision; any form of acknowledgement is long overdue. Like lust, intoxicated with self indulgence, we were consumed by the consumers. Deep down we desire for more adoration and obsession over exposure, we misapply our energy towards petty designs. During which we no longer have control over our logic and even less in coherent thinking. Hence, a lack of significant innovative design within Architecture. We forgot core issues such as housing, social integration and urban planning - the pedestal of modern movement. Instead, we copied and re-used earlier concepts in a banal attempt to mask our lack of innovation. We hastily launder drawings in CAD, recycle concepts, pasted new materials and present to consumers in glossy presentations. What have we become? A parasitic leech comes to mind.
All these for the sake of fuelling and sustaining the consumer's thirst for variety. Don't get me wrong, choices are needed and welcome because it promotes creativity. But the unnecessary pressure to produce meagre off-the-shelf Architecture, only adds to confusion and discontent.
I know, all these is nothing new in 2010 but remember, we are so used to these marketing ideas that it becomes second nature herein lies the problem affecting our daily lives. As for the friend, the fiancé expired, she wanted variety and the choices are available. And we wonder why we are in the doldrums. Hardly a surprise.
Well well well, what do we have here? Is that from the legendary man himself? After months of email tennis, I am humbled to be introducing yet another mixologist to Alcoholic Architect's family. He has spent several soul searching years in Japan and Germany and he's finally here in London. Unbelievable. Without further ado, let me introduce to you - Toru Watanabe. It is an honour to have a fellow comrade from the Rising Sun.
Apart from architecture, he's also a drama major and true to form, his charms are legendary. Ever the seducer, we cronies have given up asking the names of his eclectic companions. After all, there are only so many names a person can remember. We wouldn't want to confuse their names would we? That would be scandalous.
A juggling junkie that is never shy of a controversial liaison, I would highly recommend people to lock up their livestock. For those of you who are interested, just note Haruki Murakami's novel, Norwegian Wood - it is 'by no means just a love story'
I woke up emotionally and mentally tired today. The constant barrage of thoughts (i.e. used, godforsaken & dispirited) isn't helping either. So, I've decided to start rating my stress factor on a daily basis. Today: 8/10. And, it is only Monday morning goddamnit. Argh!!
At my current state of feeling abandoned, I recalled reading a book written by a Russian writer/journalist in the late 19th century, Vladimir Gilyarovsky mentioning stray dogs while observing the criminal underworld in Moscow. Stray dogs are a common sight everywhere in the world but nothing compared to its population and integration seen here. So common that there is a website dedicated to strays in the Russian capital where pictures are posted regularly. How many you say? At the moment, there are 35,000 stray dogs in Moscow. To put that into perspective, that's 84 dogs per square mile. Originally, the strays were unwanted pet dogs that were dumped by its Muscovite owners but nowadays, this isn't the case. The probability of a pet dog surviving in the streets now is near zero. It is thought that the population density of these strays are subjected to the frequency of these animals coming into contact to each other, which contributes to their psychology, behavioural pattern, physiology, stress level and environmental awareness. These strays are neither domesticated nor wild, they are an evolving breed. Moscow strays can be divided into 5 types, guard dogs, beggars, independent hustlers, wild dogs and finally metro dogs.
Guard dogs are most comfortable with humans and are quick to bond with security guards who they consider as masters. They mainly can be seen loitering around warehouses, hospitals and garages. It is a symbiotic relationship for food & security. Beggars meanwhile are strays that are able to socialise with people but do not get attached personally. These dogs are always in small packs and it is common for some to leave the pack for better opportunities elsewhere. The third group is Independent Hustlers whose interaction with humans is predominantly directed towards other strays. These hustlers live by gathering food from the street and rubbish bins. Wild dogs meanwhile are seen within wooded parks, city borders and industrial complexes. They are never seen on the streets, nocturnal and are predators. They view us as potentially dangerous and will not socialise with us. Finally, the most interesting group of all is the metro dogs. These mongrels are savvy canine commuters that live and travel in the metro. Similar to people, these strays use the public transport to commute within the city. They have good instincts about people, able to recognise stations by the pre-recorded station stop names, aware of time and of course a good sense of smell.
In Moscow, there is a vigorous debate for the future of the strays. There those who believe that extermination is needed to cap the spread of diseases and some while acknowledge the negatives, fight to forbid the killing of the stray dogs and suggest a system of sterilising them and building shelters. The city councils are definitely listening to these forums and are proactively acting in response. These Muscovite's grew up with stray dogs and considers them a positive contribution to the cityscape. The question remains, is a city just for people and other non homo sapiens not invited? Except for religious beliefs such as cows to live and roam free in India, why can't strays? Is this the true future of our cities, a concrete desert filled with consumption and eco-wannabe's with rooftop gardens and under-spec wooden slats 'green' facades?
I truly hope not because unlike what I'm feeling right now, I most unequivocally will end up being in the streets like the strays - abandoned and cold. For real.
Today, my trusted house-helper is leaving me after 3 years. You see, she's heavily pregnant and aren't able to do her chores anymore. She said she'll be back when she has given birth but I can't see it happening. It's hard to find a good, trusted & punctual helper nowadays. I'm a good & fair employer. We can talk monies in person. What I'm looking for? Well, definitely not interested in short-term thingy, no age discrimination, female preferred, comes once a week, tolerates working in close proximity with a eccentric, hyper-active & erratic person, laundry & ironing A MUST, discreet at ushering new 'friends' to leave the property, takes charge and speaks several languages. Anyone knows anyone? Interview starts Monday.
In reference to my earlier post about space/time in architecture. I've decided to include a recent project called Fujitsubo (Barnacle, in English) from a Japanese duo. From initial consultation, the clients required a space for a beauty parlour. The clever strategy of the barnacle shape creates an experimental exposition of light and time. At the top of each barnacle, there is an opening for 3 skylights to encourage transmission of light into the space. The architects made further incisions on the first floor to help illuminate the ground floor & basement. Large windows are complemented with copper sheets cladding for its facade and roof. The contrasting properties will uncover the passing of time as the weather degrades it.
I'm feeling exceptionally hungry today. Muesli, check! Banana, check! Full English breakfast, check! French omelette, check! Now, where are my waffles?! It has been a long week but luckily, it's Friday. A time to relax, unwind and probably catch up with friends over lunch, dinner and maybe a drink or two. Life is just more interesting after 2am, the liquor taste better and the woman more beautiful. There is a saying; the night belongs to the poets and the madman. Surprisingly, I haven't been drinking much this week. In fact, other than my daytime job obligations (Yes, I do build), I've been rather good and stayed at home. Oh, that reminds me, I mustn't forget to call the brunette.
Talking about food, hospitality designs is really interesting at the moment. I have seen changes since the odd bar and restaurant projects I've done in the sector. I recently noticed that some clients are not satisfied with just an architect or interior designer. A new breed of consultants has emerged, come on in, Menu Psychologist! Clap! Clap! Clap! Some even call themselves Menu Engineers or Menu Consultants. I was told there have recently been tremendous interests in this area because clients are constantly manipulating their menu to entice customers to visit their establishment during this difficult period. According to them, adding a '£' sign in front of a price is a no-no. £12.50 is bad, 12.50 is good. In fact, 13 is better. The '£' sign triggers what is known as 'the pain of paying'. Come on folks, we all know that. Doesn't need a menu engineer/consultant/surveyor/builder/decorator to tell us that!! Some would argue that the menu should not list a price until the very bottom. Other examples includes, rounding the pence into quarters .25, .50 and .75, designing the menu with a newspaper layout in mind or even putting their speciality/expensive dishes in the middle where the eyes are drawn to. But everyone agrees that no pictures should be shown. Don't you just love those touristy restaurants you get while visiting another country with their tacky flags of languages they speak and the awful food photography for its menu? Eek!!
All this gastronomic chatter gives me an idea. I wonder whether the brunette would object if I took her to Borough Market (yum yum) for some chow on Saturday. And, while we are there a visit to Southwark Cathedral wouldn't go amiss. Sounds perfect. Sin & saviour, what a great combination! This cathedral has been a place of worship for Christians for over 1000 years. It wasn't until the early 20th century that it became a cathedral. The main part is of Gothic architecture circa 1215-1420's, thus making it the first in the London. And like many old cathedral, it is laden with history. The site was surveyed in the Doomsday Book in 1086 under the reign of William the Conqueror's half brother, Bishop Odo of Bayeux. Apparently, a convent was founded here in 606 but such claims by the Cathedral have not been proven. Looking closely, you could even see Norman stonework, much of which is done during Henry I's reign. Adding to that, the infamous Thomas Beckett preached here, a stone-throw away from Cheapside where he was born, before his fatal journey to Canterbury in 1170. Even fire has threatened the church numerous occasions (1212, several times in 1390's & 1420) but it didn't stop them from prosecuting heretic actions in 1515. During the 17th century, Wencealaus Hollar drew 'The long view of London, 1638' (see image above), what would become the most important impression of that time.
Who knows what restaurant we'll end up with tomorrow? Cote de bouef - 42, I'll take it!!
What is that, a golden needle just north of Madrid? It can't be any other than Santiago Calatrava's new obelisk for the city of Madrid. Located in the financial district, the sculpture on Plaza de Castilla was a donation from Caja Madrid to the city to commemorate its 300th anniversary. The sculpture is perfectly framed in-between Philip Johnson & John Burgee's Puerta de Europa towers. As you would expect from all Mr Calatrava's work, the 493 golden bronze cladding (slats) oscillates thus creating a vertical upward movement across the whole 93 meters shaft.
Well, today I've decided to catch up my reading on Nietzsche. I have this love-hate relationship with him. We go on dates and after a couple of them, I just can't see him anymore, he just tires me out. Overall, it's a complicated relationship. Who knows, after all these reading I might just write something about morality, religion & churches. Amen.
It's snowing again! What is going on?! The garden is covered in white powder only to be disturbed by staccato of cat and wild fox footprints. Anyway, after previous retrospective posts, I would like to discuss a theoretical concept within architecture. The topic I'll be discussing this time would require a few instalments because I know I would certainly require it. That plus a large tumbler of Glenmorangie.
If there is one word we as architects used regularly, it would have to be space. We describe, talk, search & design around it, a professional obsession that has been instilled in us from our first days in architecture school. Close second would be experience, and how we experience space. Does our past experience contribute to the spaces we design? Does space reminds us of past experiences? You can see where I'm going with this, can't you? And, the list goes on and on. God forbid if our reading list doesn't include Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space.
Yes, of course it's important. Of course, it is vital in our professional work. All living entity relates closely to space, from the microscopic cells to the grandest of delphinoidea and everything in-between. Distance and volume is critical in our quest for that brilliant piece of architecture that we all strive to create so that we can be honoured with the Pritzker Prize by our adouring as well as jealous comrades.
But that isn't the whole story. The word experience conjecture duration which in effect is time. Therefore, time is also an important factor. In classical mechanics, time is treated as universal and constant being totally independent of the state in motion of the observer. However, in relativity, time cannot be separated from the 3-dimensional space because the rate in which time passes is calculated closely on an object's velocity relative to the speed of light. My interest lies in this space/time relationship. Have I lost you with all this serious talk yet? If not, let's continue.
Now, we describe space in 3 spatial dimensions - width, length & height. These dimensions are independent to locate a specific point in space. Meanwhile, we describe time in a temporal dimension that most consider linear. Up until early 20th century, we separate spatial dimension and temporal dimension. It was only until the study of quantum mechanics that a fourth dimension was considered (i.e. 3 + 1 dimension). I, follow the notion that space and time are combined into a single continuum (4th Dimension), more so now after stumbling across a concept the Incas believed while I was researching their civilisation. In Aymara language, pacha is considered a single entity of space & time, a concept that all master builders follow.
What relevance has this got to do with bricks and mortar? Absolutely everything! Imagine only being able to work with black & white and suddenly, you're given a full spectrum of Pantone colours. A completely new image will occur. A building / structure are only static to the naked eye except in relation to time, which it is constantly moving. What is more, its position relative to other neighbouring structures affects its position in space/time. Adding to this, we have other external forces playing a part (i.e. traffic, weather, seasons, etc). You might be thinking, Guido, that's call environmental factors. But, I assure you, that explanation is not enough in its entirety. Adding a fourth dimension will create a completely different sensorial experience for the observer. So, what about Organic architecture, Zaha and followers? Pfffff!!! Mutton dressed as lamb.
Mental note to myself, I need another bottle of Glenmorangie. Part II coming soon folks.
Decided to write another post, I'm feeling a bit generous today. Mmm... What shall I write? A retrospective on a city, philosophy or wines? I can't decide, maybe a story. I recently visited an old friend in Hanoi, Vietnam. He moved there several years ago after a mixture of a failed marriage & disillusionment. We were working in the same studio at one point and we dated the same girl although thankfully not at the same time. I met Mia while I was studying, she majored in German & French and we hit it off. Amazing as it was, the reality of our romance hit a major setback. She had to move to Germany for her studies meanwhile, I'll be stuck in Blighty for mine. We didn't discuss much about it but looking into her eyes, we both knew the long distance romance will fade. We promised each other to write but in reality, there is only so much you can expect from young love. The calls & writing stopped after a few months except for the odd platonic Christmas and birthday cards. And I thought that was that, I was wrong.
I met Tim a couple of years later, while working in a exciting medium sized studio. We were partnered to propose a multi-development project in East London. The times were good. Projects were abundant, clients were flexible and work was coming in hard and fast. One night, the whole studio was invited by a big client to a soiree they were hosting and we were encouraged to bring our partners along. I had none, so I decided to bring a prop which consists of a woman's coat plus purse borrowed from my helpful neighbour. Until now for the life of me, I still don't know what went through my mind back then. Mad cow, I guess. It was a great night and that was when I met up with Mia again but this time, she was dating Tim. The coincidence was bizarre, we talked and laughed about everything and there wasn't awkwardness from Tim at all. Anyway, a year on they got married and was happy as ever. On the surface, nothing was off but near the end of the marriage, the stress of a young family and the pressure of architecture work put a strain on their marriage. We consoled each other but Tim's hectic work schedule in Europe inevitably ends up with him having an affair. To make it short, they divorced. He left the practice and moved to Asia.
So here I am in Hanoi with torrents of motorbikes largely ignoring the traffic lights or any road signs whatsoever; everyone in the city honking their horns. I'm surrounded in chaos only to stop in awe admiring the city and its architecture. Most of the traditional communal houses have courtyards around them. They looked squeezed in between taller brick and plaster buildings that's reminiscent with parisi-enne buildings. Adding to this mixture, you'll see Buddhist, Taoist temples and Christian churches. The city is painted primarily in white, brown and mustard yellow hues. The white taller structures jut up like asparagus shoots in random clusters. There is nothing here that one could describe sleek, everything is worn down either by hands, weather, pollution and car scrapes. If that's not enough, water stains jostles with peeled plasters for dominance in its facade. Everything here is done on the streets from bathing babies, cleaning the motorbikes, serving Pho to waiting customers, locals enjoying locally brewed beers served extremely cold, shopkeeper selling anything and everything and finally to local artists painting portraits of Barrack Obama. This city is the epitome of pandemonium.
I met Tim at the Press Club for drinks and we talked. It was good to see him again. He's still alone but at least he's happier here. His practice is running well, focusing more on local materials for modern living. We touched the subject about Mia; it seems they have a mutual understanding - their child together. He sees his kid regularly in Hanoi and London. As the conversation went deeper, we switch from beers to wine, white Rioja and others, which includes Allende (Spanish), Beronia (Spanish), Mas de la Devèze (French) and Clot de I'Oum (French). On reflection, I'm unable to ascertain his real feelings about the whole situation. Sometimes during our conversation, I could detect some regret in his chosen words and voice. We didn't leave till late that day and for the next 4 nights, I explored the city further trying to discover the essence of what is Hanoi, the city amid the waters. Before I left, we met up again briefly to say our farewells and extend an invitation in London when he's around.
Hanoi still feels like a village although it is a bustling and flourishing city. Hanoi is where the Vietnamese adversarial relationship with China helped forge the characters of its citizens against the invading French & Americans. And Hanoi, with its crumbling buildings and chaotic appearance evokes a deep feeling of romanticism, something that Tim might be searching for after he had lost it years ago.
Divorce: To sum up: When there are no children, divorce should be obtainable at the request of either party. Where there are children, the usual ground should be mutual consent; other grounds should be insanity, grave crime, habitual drunkenness, and certain other diseases. Adultery per se should not be a ground.
I'm not in the right mind today, so apologies for a sombre mood. A close dear family member has just gone through surgery for colon cancer. I'm glad the surgery went well & I'm particularly relieved to hear from him as well. My thoughts are with you & your family. It's hard to hear bad news, no matter how many times I've heard it before. Cancer has been particularly rough to me, my parents & extended family. I've lost relatives, nearly lost my beloved father & found some growth but at a very early stages in me as well. And since my own experience, I'm humbled with life each day as it comes. I know many of you can relate to this. I once heard someone said, '...Almost dying doesn't change anything, dying changes everything.' I beg to differ. It certainly does change everything regardless the final outcome. Somehow, I believe everyone has a 'Reset' button and sometimes the button is pressed and thus reboots the system. Much similar to computers, rebooting doesn't necessary mean that you forget everything and start completely afresh, certain traces of information is left in the body as history. Obviously, new processes will gain momentum and hopefully avoids the humps & bumps it encountered before. Of course, not every person is the same. But that doesn't stop the fighting spirit is each one of us. I'll leave you with this:
'If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we all can learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up or you Fight Like Hell.' ...Lance Armstrong
Good Monday morning to y'all! Hope that everyone has had enough rest because I would have preferred more of it myself. And I thought my week was busy, the weekend was hectic, and I was rushing around getting things that I've procrastinated done. I decided to brave the weekend army of people in IKEA to purchase a mirror but I didn't expect how busy IKEA can be. It was a sight! I often wondered why we don't have 3 day weekend. Fine, I understand that Sundays are for prayers but why can't Fridays be another day off because with the same reasoning, it is also a religious day for some. Perhaps I should petition a survey for a 3 day weekend.
Anyway, while rushing around I've had time to reflect over the weekend and new interesting question has arisen from it - How do we classify identity in architecture, especially in countries that have successions of turbulent history? Since the fall of the Soviet-bloc, these 122,000 sq miles of land have gone through enormous political & economic transformation. And like all 'new' countries, the changes have been drastic, rapid and constant. These tremendous developments have made Poland the leading figure among the other Eastern European countries but its paying at a huge cost. In Poland, national identity is a great debate because as it grasps the idea of a 'new' state, inevitably the discussion of national pride emerges. A discussion of such triggers its past history linking it with the Soviet, an idea it's trying to distance itself. Donald Tusk gave a forceful speech regarding it during an international memorial service in Gdansk, 'to remember who started the war, who the culprit was, who the executioner was in the war, and who the victim was of this aggression'. Where I am sitting, topics about the modernism and Socialist architecture has moved on but in Poland, these discussions are at its infancy.
For architects, these questions are vital because how would one manifest these identities to the world when they are judged in a determined global platform? Could they follow the framework of other multi-national countries or should they look at inter-racial states? More interestingly, local architects are not only attached to their country but also the region and city they are from. As a result, they have had little exposure to building large infrastructural/cultural projects. But this is not their fault entirely especially when there was a lack of public projects in the past. Identity also involves local regions and its apparent with the younger generations of its architects. I know, I know, a lot of question going through my head at the moment. These questions regarding identity are the same ones that have troubled me personally and architecturally. In the end, I guess the future of identities is rapidly merging into a single global identity. Whether it's good or not, that's a discussion for another day.
As you know, it has been snowing recently and the weather is cold but for some reason I've not felt it. In between my mirror purchasing and clothes shopping, a customary drink was in order. So, here I was sitting by the bar (of course), when my fellow drinking neighbour tap me on the shoulder and said 'Wow! You are hot'. No! it's not the kind of you're gorgeous, now let's get a room kind but more like my body was radiating lots of heat. So much so, that she could feel it sitting next to me. How does one respond to a comment like that? I replied a sub-conscious 'I know'. She smiled. Several drinks later, I got home safely, positioned my new IKEA mirror and noticed on the reflection the retro Goofy t-shirt among other things I had purchased. Well, I guess my body temperature isn't 37 but 40. Which begs the question, does it mean I'm slowly sauteing my brain? Oh no!
Maybe its just me, sitting here unsuccessfully attempting to transform the world on a platform which once represented a desk but now seems to be an homage to dead trees, but sometimes I wonder, has architecture become the talent show of the talentless, viewed by those who really don't care, appreciated by none, and dictated by those with gleaming smiles and lack of charisma. And yes, before you ask, I do have a Negroni by my side with the clock closing in on 10pm on a Saturday night, so forgive my ramblings.
Recession should be a time where the strong and talented survive while the weak and meager do not. It is a time where those least concerned about power and money and those more focused on a ideal shine through But what has happened to Architecture? All that seems to be gracing my e-mails on a daily basis is 'Foster and Rogers compete for [insert project name here]', 'Foster wins commission for [insert project name here] ahead of Rogers', 'Rogers wins commission ahead of Foster for [insert project name here].' Now, if an alien were to land and ask for a review on 'iconic' architecture of the last couple of years, he/she/it could be forgiven in believing that the whole human race is governed a few mere mortals, Rogers and Foster with a dash of Hadid and a sprinkling of Chipperfield.
'Hold up!!!', one might say. We are also graced by many architects who offer sometimes a valid or not so valid contribution to this world of money or lack of it and design. But lets think about it. Architecture has become a marketing exercise. A jostling of power. The majority of power handed down to a few individuals (taking a well deserved sip of my pleasant Negroni i should let you know).
On the left we have the Louis Walsh of architecture, Richard Rogers. To the observer he has a nice heart, (Barajas Airport and Welsh Assembly) but there is something there that just does not appeal to the masses (However much we in the 'industry' love it, Lloyds building by some in the south of the river can be considered an eyesore). But to the right, we have the gleaming, high waste line trousered Simon Cowell, or should we say, Norman Foster. Like Cowell who has made a fortune on publicising both his image and those of talentless wannabes, the mere mention of the Lord Mayor's building in London sends shudders down my spine (nearly spilt my Negroni there!!). But of course there are instances where he manages to produce something warrant of the term 'beauty' (Milau Bridge).
So, what's your fucking point Paolo!?! Well, I don't have one. That's the beauty of life. Do things for the benefit of everyone and not to satisfy the needs of the few. Architects have become so bothered in emulating the powerful few that buildings all end up looking the same. The soul has gone (and so has my Negroni at this point).
Maybe Prince Charles is right, we have to maintain a closer link to the designs of Wren and Hawksmore. But if that's the case, we would never adapt and change and we would end up being a society of infidels, die before were 40 and throw buckets of piss out of our Wren design windows into the streets.
No, all we need to do is all sit down, pick up our pens and paper or perhaps open up AutoCAD (if windows doesn't stop you) and sip on a glass of Primitivo and express ourselves. Lets stop doing 'green architecture' for the sake of doing it, otherwise Walsh and Cowell will live on for ever, and in 30 years time, spoty faced teenagers will be picking up a new edition of Sir Banister Fletcher's History of Architecture and wowing at the merits of soulless mass architecture over the merits of individualist heart-felt architecture.
Alcoholic Architect : All the photographs herein, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by the photographer/s. No part of this site, or any of the content contained herein, may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without express permission of the copyright holder(s). The opinions expressed here are mine and selected contributors and ours alone and should not be considered representative of the opinions of our previous, current & future employers or our other fellow professional hommies. Any professional opinions, layouts, theories, concepts, details & designs are seen through my sober-ish eyes therefore should be taken in conjunction with other professional reviewer/s. At certain instances names and identifying details have been changed to protect the innocent and of course the guilty as well.
TQ and missus are leaving to Australia for good in a couple of weeks. They will be greatly missed. Good luck and best wishes to you both. Hey buddy, if you're reading this; the offer still stands - I'll offer my services for your future residence when you're ready. No expiration date.
