New Chapter Members

Please welcome the following new members who joined the AIA UK since last June.

AIA RIBA Keynote Lecture 2017

The 2017 Keynote lecture featuring Steven Holl was held on Tuesday, 12th December to a standing room only audience of nearly 500 people.  The lecture was a joint-venture between the RIBA and the AIA, and was held at the RIBA’s headquarters on Portland Place.

Holl discussed a number of his recent projects, in particular, his just-completed Maggie’s Centre at St. Bartholomew Hospital in London.  Holl referred to the building's mediaeval heritage and employed ‘neumes’ which he explained were the mediaeval method of writing music.  He further noted that the outer layer glass is organised in horizontal bands like a musical staff while the concrete structure branches like the hand.

Welcoming addresses were given by Ben Derbyshire, RIBA President, and Fatos Peja, AIA UK President.  Charles Jencks, noted architectural writer and the person responsible for establishing the Maggie’s Centres, introduced Steven Holl.

The evening concluded with a drinks and canape reception in the Florence Hall that featured an exhibition of Steven Holl’s concept drawings for the Maggie’s Centre.

The event was sponsored in part by Erbay Aluminium (a preferred Schueco partner) and by Kuraray Trofisol.  Please consider them for your next project.

Mark your calendars for 2018 Keynote Lecture!

Written by: Lester Korzilius, FAIA

Image Credits: Barima Owusu Nyantekyi (https://www.barima.co)

Please click here to see more photos of the event.

Prague 20/20 | International Conference on Architecture and Urbanism

5-8 October 2017

In conjunction with the International Region, the AIA Continental Europe chapter hosted Prague 20/20, an International Conference on Architecture and Urbanism. The conference was attended by members from all seven International Region chapters and a number of members from across the United States. The conference was attended by AIA UK members Lester Korzilius FAIA, Etain Fitzpatrick AIA, and Alex Miller AIA.

The opening session in the art nouveaux splendour of the Municipal House (Obecni Dum) featured opening remarks from the AIA 2017 President Thomas Vonier FAIA.

The three primary days of the conference featured lectures & seminars in the Czech Senate Building, Waldstein Palace. Historic overviews gave way to presentations about current urban development and onwards to the psychology of architecture. Prof Ing Arch Ladislav Labus, Hon FAIA, gave presentation on his work, having presented at the first AIA Continental Europe conference twenty years ago.

At the Saturday night gala dinner held in Lobokowicz Palace, Prague Castle, in grand formal rooms overlooking the city, the conference attendees celebrated the participants of the AIA International Region Design Awards. John McAslan + Partners received the Merit Award in Open International Architecture for the Bolshevik Factory; Moscow, Russia.

The conference attendees also welcomed the President of the newest chapter in the International Region, AIA Canada, Som Bose AIA. Thomas Vonier presented the AIA Canada charter.

All of the partipants greatly thanked both the numerous sponsors of the event, and the organizing efforts of Vincent Marani AIA in orchestrating the conference and sharing his wealth of experience in the city with everyone.

Walking tours including building tours on both Saturday & Sunday provided insight into the innovation and rich architectural experience of recently constructed projects in addition to the city’s historic grandeur.

Vincent Marani AIA, member of the European chapter since 1995, led tours of his own projects including The Park in Prague, a 190,000 m2 project, and Quadrio, a city center office project over the metro and tram station at Národní třída .

We visited an office building under construction designed by Ing. Arch. Stanislav Fiala who led the tour. Most of the attendees were highly impressed by the detailing and spatial considerations, the landscape design of the roof garden, and the arrangement on a complicated and historically sensitive infill site.

The closing party was held in the recording studio and blues club Doupe, dovetailing with the album launch of the Czech-American blues-rock band 333. The entire assemblage of participants from California, Texas, The Middle East, and across Europe were duly impressed and thoroughly appreciated the hospitality and the live music! The venue itself, a neighbourhood garage converted into an acoustically-sealed venue was itself an accomplishment. More than one architect was also impressed by the acoustic pass through beer fridge which enabled fresh Czech beer to be served inside from the nearby bar without causing acoustic disturbance to the neighborhood. The scale of the venue meant that everyone was in close proximity to the stage, with some members of the balcony seated with their feet dangling over. Throughout the weekend, at the various coffee breaks, meals, and events all of the participants had numerous opportunities to exchange ideas, spend time with old friends, and make new acquaintances.

Written by: Alex Miller, AIA
 

Reconsidering Payment and Adjudication: Consultation on the 2011 Changes to the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (the “Construction Act”)

The UK government is currently consulting (until 19 January 2018) on the impact of the 2011 changes to the Construction Act and whether these changes have met their objectives.

In this article, Andrew Croft and Laura Lintott highlight industry concerns in relation to the Construction Act and its impact on late payment. They also consider the aim of the current consultation, the areas that the consultation will cover and provide information on how to get involved in the consultation.

To read the full article, please click here.

Written by: Andrew Croft and Laura Lintott of Beale&Company

Movie Night - Within Formal Cities

2017 was a very successful year for attendance of the AIA UK movie series, and we are most grateful to our membership & non-members for the support. We wound up tour 2017 series with the screening of 'Within Formal Cities,' by Brian Gaudio & Abe Drechsler.

The two young directors have architecture & urban planning experience in the USA, South America and Europe. They are both 2014 graduates of North Carolina State University, USA, and upon graduating, they received a grant to travel to 5 cities in South America. The cities studied were Lima, Santiago, São Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, and Bogotá, and they studied how architects & designers were trying to solve the housing crisis.

Their documentary covered the role of design in addressing the global housing crisis – no small ambition. "By 2050," the directors argued, "one fourth of the global population will live in informal settlements. Many people will lack adequate housing and infrastructure.”

Many thanks to all who attended this final screening, and we look forward to welcoming all of you back to the BFI in 2018 for more screenings & debates!

Written by: Chris Musangi, AIA

AIA UK Co-Sponsors Large Firm Roundtable

In association with chapter sponsor, Beale & Company, a meeting of representatives from a number of large firms took place on Friday, the 2nd of November.   Beale hosted the event at their offices in the City.  The purpose of the Roundtable was to facilitate discussion on subjects of common interest to large firms practicing in the UK.  The attendance was very good with 26 people participating.  Among the firms represented were; AHMM, Rafael Vinoly, Zaha Hadid, Calison RTKL, Jestico & Whiles, and Gensler.  The AIA UK was represented by President Fatos Peja, Deborah Bartlett, and Michael Lischer.  James Hutchinson from Beale chaired the discussion and kept the pace lively.

The agenda items included;  getting paid, the trend for contracts to put more liability on the architect, professional indemnity issues post Grenfell Tower, succession planning, and Brexit.   These topics generated some very interesting discussion and was an opportunity for participants to share their experiences in an open and congenial setting.  After the formal roundtable, most participants reconvened at a nearby pub where Beale provided drinks and nibbles.

The Roundtable was very productive and the feedback from the participants has all been very positive.  One attendee stated, "it's nice to know we are not alone"!  Thanks to Beale & Co. for their hospitality and organization of the event! 

Written by: Michael Lischer, FAIA