tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12098681921534171302024-03-09T09:48:31.465+13:00Creative CollisionCreative Collision is a blog which brings together all things creative. Art, architecture, photography, street, fashion, travel...Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-47809664530420550442017-03-14T21:39:00.000+13:002017-03-14T21:54:17.047+13:00Bed<i>Here's a blog post talking about how I did a small project of my own - building a car bed in my Nissan Tiida hatchback for small road trips.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pro-tip: always reverse into the best view.</i></td></tr>
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Ever since going camping in my friend's <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=honda+fit&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiQ-ra5ytDSAhUHspQKHTa1COYQ_AUICCgB&biw=1404&bih=744&dpr=1.13" target="_blank">Honda Fit</a> - a relatively small hatchback - I started thinking of what I could do with my own car. My workmate also removed the back seats from his van and created a plywood haven with a kitchenette, providing inspiration. Staying in Airbnbs and motels/backpackers can get a bit samey and I've always wanted to give the character-filled camp sites a go without the drama of a tent.</div>
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The Honda Fit has the advantage of having the back seats lay down flush with the boot floor, so add a foam mattress and you're sorted. My <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/search?espv=2&biw=1404&bih=744&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=nissan+tiida+2006+hatchback&oq=nissan+tiida+2006+hatchback&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24k1.3242.4824.0.5128.10.4.0.6.6.0.203.203.2-1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.img..3.7.213.4XKZZrDc-EY" target="_blank">Nissan Tiida</a> is a different story - the seats laid down are quite a bit higher than the boot so it needs something to raise it up.<br />
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The Tiida is longer than it looks and with the front seats pushed as far forward as possible, there is <i>just </i>enough length for me lying down. Anyone shorter should be fine!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The car bed in it's set up state, mattress in. You can see the storage space underneath.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chuck bags up the front, less used items underneath, the arm rests/door pulls hold our phones. </i></td></tr>
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Putting my architect skills to good use, I measured it up and started drawing.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lying down in the car, I could get a sense of how much room I would have to sleep. Headspace is an issue, but it is passable. The simple X-shaped baffle support was the brain child of my fellow architect Han. Highlights the importance of bouncing ideas off others. One of my engineer friends thought up something far too complicated. Go architects!</i></td></tr>
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I ended up purchasing a single sheet of 1.2 x 2.4m plywood (12mm thick) and cutting them into panels. Then a few cut outs and some sanding later, it was all done!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A bit of planning before prefabrication, always best to use material as efficiently as possible. I also made sure the plywood was E0 grade which means that almost has no toxic formaldehyde emissions as we would be cooped up in the car with it.</i></td></tr>
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All it needs is a bit of set up and a thin self-inflating mattress. Unfortunately the head space isn't very much but it's alright as a sleeping platform. Feels like a capsule hotel in Japan. The upside of building it up a platform is that we get storage space inside the baffle construction.<br />
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A few details: we made 'curtains' with suction cups to stick to the inside of the windows. For the back seat windows we opened them up a crack for cross ventilation and put mosquito nets over the doors.<br />
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None of it is permanent, it's just a few plywood panels that can be removed through the side door. To drive, we just slide the panels on top of each other and slide the front seats back to driving position.<br />
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Now we can do weekend road trips easy as!<br />
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-38404132050257942042017-03-12T19:08:00.000+13:002017-03-14T21:48:14.034+13:00Backyard<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oakley Creek (Te Auaunga) is one of Auckland’s longest urban streams</td></tr>
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It's not often I haven't heard of a place in my own backyard, and the Oakley Creek Waterfall is certainly one of them being only 12 minutes drive from home. I went to investigate and was not disappointed.</div>
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It is the only natural waterfall in Central Auckland, and hidden away. It's small and peaceful, but being fairly secluded, it is recommended you go there with a walking buddy. Bring a picnic, it seems to be the way to do it.<br />
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There are multiple ways to go onto the walkway and it's all worth a bit of exploring - the signs aren't too helpful. And the typical Auckland question: where do you park?! Google Maps show the track and it depends on where you start from. There are plenty of side streets off Great North Road, some which feed directly into the walkway behind people's houses. You almost feel like you're in their backyard sometimes, for lack of a fence.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map of it's features, visit the <a href="http://oakleycreek.org.nz/" target="_blank">Friends of Oakley Creek website</a> for the full version.</td></tr>
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Oakley Creek is like the water spine of the isthmus, going from north Hillsborough near the Manukau Harbour, through Mt Roskill, Waterview (where all the motorway works are occurring) and out to the Waitemata Harbour. Locals may have experienced parts of it, such as the stream running past Mt Roskill Grammar, or the riparian areas in Unitec. Over the years a nice walking track and viewing platform has been constructed to allow better appreciation of this natural habitat, running roughly parallel to Great North Road from the motorway onramp.</div>
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Swimming is possible by reports of people jumping in, but I couldn't find any official advice to this. Common sense tells me the stream runs through the length of urban Auckland, so it would accumulate things along the way. Perhaps not swimming there a few days after the rain is advisable which is what we would do at the beaches fringing the city.<br />
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<i>The <a href="http://oakleycreek.org.nz/" target="_blank">Friends of Oakley Creek</a> (est. 2004) have taken upon themselves to "protect, enhance and restore the ecological health" of the Oakley Creek Environs. They have a map of the walkway, as well as educational events that promote its environment needs. A nice half-day adventure if you're up for it!</i>Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0Oakley Creek Waterfall 1520 Great North Rd, Waterview, Auckland 1026, New Zealand-36.882161 174.70315200000005-62.456322 133.39455800000005 -11.308000000000003 -143.98825399999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-20989657083015644872017-03-01T09:08:00.000+13:002017-03-11T22:13:27.446+13:00CageI was struck by inspiration this morning just as I was about to leave the computer for sunnier things (this just after the end of Daylight Savings after all). John Cage and his "Mushroom Book" of 1972 is a collection of drawings and poetry in a folio format. What caught my attention aside from the realistic renderings of fungi was his lithograph prints.<br />
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It's as if the mind and its ponderings fell onto a piece of paper, but as a print, these thoughts and manuscripts were purposely prepared then pressured into the paper. Sometimes there would be a map-like drawing to accompany it.<br />
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My journals have always been very text based - it's how I process things. Sure there are visual elements, but I'm keen to try this much less ordered (or ordered chaos) approach as a reflection of my own thought process - sometimes muddled, overlapping and reiterative.<br />
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For more on the exhibition in New York City, see <a href="http://hyperallergic.com/118615/john-cage-mushroom-hunter/" target="_blank">Hyperallergic</a>.Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-34008357751043998752017-02-16T18:18:00.000+13:002017-03-11T22:23:23.303+13:00Britomart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During my last year of architecture school, I used to always walk down to Britomart. It became a place of familiarity as I explored its 'new' form. In spite of the hipster/fashionista/high end vibe of the present, Britomart used to be a backend piece of the CBD. For some, it was the general vicinity of the Oriental Markets, an impression that floats in my childhood memories. For more recent visitors, back a few years Britomart was the site of a lot of carparking.<br />
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Today I won't talk so much about the range of eateries and shops around the Britomart Precinct as they have been reviewed and talked about ad infinitum. I focus on the unassuming, but bulk-consuming Westpac Building.<br />
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The building lies on the east side of Takutai Square, now a popular seating and events spot. An atrium cuts through the building from the main axis of Britomart, from the train station, through 'pop up' shops to the square.<br />
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Last year, I witnessed a transformation of this usually mediocre space into a full blown catwalk, descending from the stair case from the office blocks on either side. It was a range of shows put together for Britomart Fashion Sessions, recruiting most of the labels displayed in the precinct, such as Trelise Cooper, Juliette Hogan, Taylor and Ted Baker.<br />
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What I most enjoyed about this was that it was a publicity event that was a collaborative act: the sharing of the space and the prep areas (which no doubt belong to the large corporates that the building houses), the makeup by MAC, the group shows, the <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/authentic.html" target="_blank">City Farmer's Market</a> and bursting-to-full goodie bags. It is really a credit to the organisers for making the whole precinct buzz with their collective presence.<br />
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<b>Streetwear show - Timberland, Onitsuka Tiger, Coucou, Neuw Storeroom, Federation</b><br />
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<b>Taylor, Made and Ted Baker</b></div>
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-30631939388912530322016-10-21T17:39:00.000+13:002017-03-11T22:24:06.938+13:00Intensity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Heather Hansen is a New Orleans-based artist who creates incredible geometries using her body on pieces of paper. Part performance art, the symmetrical forms made with her movements allude to the Virtruvian Man in many iterations.<br />
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The performance of creating a piece such as this is not completely new – in the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony in China, dancers-cum-artists danced upon a sheet, creating an amazing Chinese-style calligraphy painting whilst maintaining the grace of a dance.</div>
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Hansen's work is different in its intensity. The sheer focus given to her work and the piece is reflected in the centrally weighted lines she sits in. Her pose at the end of the piece reminds me of meditation and the spell circles of fantasy novels. </div>
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She doesn't mind <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/dirt.html" target="_blank">getting her hands (or her body) dirty</a>. It's a show of the grit involved in art making, countering the usual sterility of the white, curated gallery. </div>
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-58183584710636385582013-11-30T23:28:00.000+13:002013-11-30T23:30:50.915+13:00Archery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having finished the main bit of thesis, things are winding down to a bit of a holiday period. That means more blog posts right? Not exactly. The backlash of being so focused on one endeavour for so long leaves a sense of floating in its absence – a tensely strung bow after the arrow is released. So here is a baby post to get me started again.<br />
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Recently I came across two architectural projects that had to do with archery. I've always love archery, and someday I'll get down to it and give it ago. But look how it inspired these two projects – one referencing the precision of string, air and direction, the other, a truss embodying the inherent tension of a bow. Both are inspired by archery and nothing to do with the popular culture hype that is going around at the moment (think Hunger Games and the Avengers).<br />
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<b>Archery Hall and Boxing Club by FT Architects</b><br />
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The archery hall uses the multiplicity of finely detailed timber members, a motif of fingers grasping the bowstring, ready to release. In its serenity, there is an aggressive gesture as every step falls beneath the vector of a potential arrow. </div>
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In the boxing space, the oriental layered timber language takes a heavier form. As opposed to the expansiveness of the archery hall, the boxing hall is cave-like and oppressive, like a boxer cornering his foe.</div>
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<b>Bowstring Truss House by Works Partnership Architecture</b></div>
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Although this building is named after the formalism of the truss, the design captures the airiness of the activity. Expansive light and directionality can be felt in this space as the rafters roughly focus to the inhabited space.<br />
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The depth of the roof members help to baffle the light down into the space. Penetrations draw light in, even taking a moment of a glazed box, like a shaft of light.<br />
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-32786173621950275782013-11-07T16:39:00.001+13:002013-11-07T16:39:10.033+13:00Sprint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sprint to the end is always the hardest. This is no different (or, more so) for finishing a thesis. As you can see I haven't been blogging for a while despite the many ideas that spin my way - the task at hand is a big one after all.<br />
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What I will share is my final design presentation (shown above) that just exhibited over the weekend in Parnell. The presentation went well, the design was well received (thank goodness) and the critique was spot on. How it's a matter or funneling that discussion into the written thesis document.<br />
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I'll be done in a week, and I'll be back!<br />
<br />Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-71331136575467835092013-09-29T21:57:00.000+13:002013-09-30T12:37:20.206+13:00Participation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Here's to my 300th post on <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Creative Collision</a>! Thanks for all of your readership.</i></div>
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The public streamed into the exhibition this weekend, helped by large boat show happening next door. Non-architectural people readily engaged with architectural design with a workshop that was run over two days. In fact, some kids got so into it that they begged their parents to bring them to the second day!<br />
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The participatory design system is the brainchild of Tim de Beer, a Master of Architecture (Professional) student at the University of Auckland.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 3-storey monopitch design by a 7 year old, created all by himself. Each floor is insightfully planned, too.</td></tr>
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Working with the children and parents into imagining/designing space was an incredible process. It reminds us that a hands on approach to architecture can be so engaging to both clientele and architect.</div>
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<i>And that's the end of Architecture Week 2013! For more of what happened see the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Architecture-Women-NZ/248360245223057?fref=ts" target="_blank">Architecture + Women Facebook page</a>. Look forward to it next year and for now I'll still be tweeting <a href="https://twitter.com/BobbShen" target="_blank">architectural things on Twitter</a>.</i></div>
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-33853496094407177022013-09-25T17:45:00.003+12:002013-09-25T23:55:42.655+12:00AW2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's right in the middle of <a href="http://www.architecturewomen.org.nz/auckland-architecture-week" target="_blank">Architecture Week 2013</a> and numerous events have been happening in Auckland and, I understand, across the country. The main event is the exhibition at Silo Park (open 9am to 6pm all week and weekend), and the fun opening night that went with it. Even though the weather has been Civil Defence warning worthy in some places, there was a great turnout to the lunchtime panel discussions and <a href="http://www.architecturewomen.org.nz/archives/jasmax-panel-discussion" target="_blank">last night's discussion at Jasmax</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exhibition shows a wide range of work including non-architectural work by architectural graduates. As good as Urbis Design Day.</td></tr>
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Is Architecture Week merely an inward-looking industry event? It happens every year and is open to all. Yet you don't see the public engaging with architecture and more specifically, architectural design. It doesn't get the attention that other creative industries receive - the international film festivals, art exhibitions, music events and even Taste (I learned today it involves 18 countries worldwide). What is it about Kiwi culture that seems to disregard architecture as a creative profession that is worth getting to know?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u030YS04JXs/UkJrIWNi5yI/AAAAAAAAC8A/JTDiohxGGjM/s1600/SL741473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u030YS04JXs/UkJrIWNi5yI/AAAAAAAAC8A/JTDiohxGGjM/s400/SL741473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone can say this is a pretty model of a building, but very few in the public audience could point out what's good and bad about the design.</td></tr>
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Having been to Open House in London and Dublin, I can see how great architectural design can be appreciated by the public who come in swarms to see different buildings and hear about their conception. Open House is an international programme that allows the public to visit buildings that are usually not open to the public. Our version of this? The budding AAA tours that happen on a sporadic basis. If you're not in the architecture industry, you probably didn't even know we have an <a href="http://aaa.org.nz/" target="_blank">Auckland Architecture Association</a>. Or not to mention the elusive New Zealand Institute of Architects.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Longroom at Trinity College Dublin. A huge line of people waiting to be toured around the immaculately designed educational facility. It is completely free. No such large scale event like this in New Zealand.</td></tr>
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There are many architects who believe the public do not need to understand or engage with architecture. In some way, people cannot avoid architecture so are already 'engaging', however, there is a lot more that needs to be done in terms of education and a shift in ideology toward architecture to ensure the survival of the profession and good design in our city.</div>
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<i>Architecture Week is open for all - this year it is themed Architecture + Women and touch on issues of equality and equity. Do check out their <a href="http://www.architecturewomen.org.nz/auckland-architecture-week" target="_blank">programme</a> and visit some of the events. Next weekend I will be helping with a workshop at Silo Park that lets the public get hands on with discussing housing issues. </i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I managed to get onto on of the panels through Kathy Waghorn's Fluid City project, community-engaging architectural installations.</td></tr>
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-61597985431999394752013-09-19T17:28:00.001+12:002013-09-19T17:28:42.912+12:00TastesI found an extraordinary map today. At first it just looks like the London tube map (which is in it's own right famous - even the <a href="http://www.congestionfree.co.nz/" target="_blank">Congestion Free Network</a> adapted its structure to express their plan)<br />
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What this map created by James Wannerton, who has "lexical-gustatory synaesthesia, a condition characterised by the involuntary taste testing of words; it is the conflation of senses that are normally experienced separately." So over 38 years, he has recorded the 'taste' of every place connected to the public transport network of London.<br />
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The exercise highlights the value of experiencing a place - when a place becomes so familiar that it has a special place in your psyche (or taste in this case), then there's something cognitive going on. Places are what we make of them, individually as much as collectively, their ambiance adding to the flavour of it.<br />
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For more see the <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/3016945/infographic-of-the-day/taste-the-london-underground-with-this-synesthesia-subway-map#1" target="_blank">Co.Design article</a>. Also remember that the <a href="http://www.architecturewomen.org.nz/auckland-architecture-week" target="_blank">Architecture + Women NZ</a> exhibition is on next week for Architecture Week, make sure you check it out.Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-27134719620542039712013-09-06T11:39:00.000+12:002013-09-07T00:12:16.399+12:00NZFW6Not as immersed in NZ Fashion Week as I was <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=nzfw" target="_blank">last year</a>, but I'll be off to a few NZFW 2013 shows just to keep the creative mind sharp while <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Thesis" target="_blank">writing a thesis</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ticket to the show</td></tr>
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The other night I got tickets to the <a href="http://www.stolengirlfriendsclub.com/" target="_blank">Stolen Girlfriends Club</a> show and as usual (rebelliously) they had an off-site show. It was quite different to shooting <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/nzfw3.html" target="_blank">last year's show</a> (or maybe it was because I was in the audience as opposed to the photographer's stand) but just as impressive. The style of the clothes were inspired by 'Dirty Magic' so think dark, grungy street style and some avant garde evening wear. It's great to see a mix of male and female clothing in a show, too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A giant projection on the facade of the building.</td></tr>
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<br />Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-63135246488898394482013-08-20T20:06:00.001+12:002013-08-20T20:06:07.808+12:00ImportantA message to the paparazzi by Benedict Cumberbatch, known to some of us as the 'new' Sherlock:<br />
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Benedict Cumberbatch to paparazzi: "Go photograph Egypt and show the world something important." <a href="http://t.co/l0ADTHnZOU">pic.twitter.com/l0ADTHnZOU</a><br />
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) <a href="https://twitter.com/ellievhall/statuses/368788012462657536">August 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
Some food for thought as to where our photography/journalism talent is going or not going.<br />
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-53040386467159783512013-08-08T17:49:00.000+12:002013-08-15T22:02:36.279+12:00AlignmentLoved this photo of Vulcan Lane. Reminded me that it's one of Auckland's pedestrian 'laneways'. Think <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/melbourne.html" target="_blank">Melbourne</a> style. Will have to get it in the thesis somehow. Vulcan Lane was one of my favourite spots, now overtaken by other places in the city. The subtext which is "Yay! We actually have choices now!"<br />
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Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/antsgardiner" target="_blank">@antsgardiner</a> for the inspiration.<br />
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-77601382701145931872013-08-06T23:32:00.002+12:002013-08-06T23:32:46.267+12:00BareA write up about a fascinating workshop between writers and architecture students - <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/03/writers-as-architects/?_r=0" target="_blank">Laboratory of Literary Architecture</a> - lays bare the idea of space and what implications it might have when translated from writing to architectural model making. It is not a shift in medium that is utilised but the collaboration between literary folk and architectural thinkers/makers have turned up with some brilliant results.<br />
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An example:<br />
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With this narrow path I’m conveying the progression and mind of the protagonist David Lurie in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/11/28/reviews/991128.28gorrat.html">“Disgrace,”</a> a novel by J.M. Coetzee. A South African college professor who is fired after he refuses to apologize for raping a student, Mr. Lurie endures a series of traumatic events (represented by the knifelike cuts) that produce temporary changes in his perception, but he continues to believe that women have a natural responsibility to excite and bear male passion. His path zigzags, but change is illusory because ultimately he is headed in the same direction. At the end of “Disgrace,” Mr. Lurie’s new ability to relate to women as fully human is represented by a drop-off into water.<br />— <i>Joanne Yao, SOA Nonfiction<br />Partnered with Chelsea Hyduk, M. Arch ’15</i></blockquote>
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See the <a href="http://laboratory%20of%20literary%20architecture/" target="_blank">Laboratory of Literary Architecture Facebook</a> page for more models generated by novels.Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-523001721037347632013-07-28T20:48:00.001+12:002013-07-31T12:10:10.686+12:00Melbourne<b>A visual summary of my Melbourne trip.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing street art all over the place but this is one of my favourite. Saw a few of the same artist around too - anyone know who did this? (in Stevenson Lane near Chinatown)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Federation Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a mall but had so much architectural effect to the whole thing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RMIT building by Lyons Architects</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand hall inside the National Gallery of Victoria - stunning piece of stained glass with Victorian motifs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranes were a common sight, guess Melbourne is developing around its architectural heritage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Library of Victoria with two exhibition spaces on the circular spaces wrapping around this central area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RMIT Design Hub, explored the inside of it quite thoroughly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DN2CnOlkL4s/UblMMKtiuFI/AAAAAAAACqc/2u3FFj2MecA/s1600/DSC00541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DN2CnOlkL4s/UblMMKtiuFI/AAAAAAAACqc/2u3FFj2MecA/s400/DSC00541.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many laneways that epitomises Melbourne.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nq3M5MDKagE/UblM0WbcMiI/AAAAAAAACuI/AToOK6tCpcc/s1600/DSC00993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nq3M5MDKagE/UblM0WbcMiI/AAAAAAAACuI/AToOK6tCpcc/s400/DSC00993.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Pixel Building'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCZM_mCV-yo/UblMPEVsR1I/AAAAAAAACqw/h4iDUeXUScc/s1600/DSC00577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCZM_mCV-yo/UblMPEVsR1I/AAAAAAAACqw/h4iDUeXUScc/s400/DSC00577.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old laneway converted into the lobby of a hotel. Notice the attempt at acknowledging the heritage architecture on the right by an imperfect mirroring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COCA - contemporary art, unfortunately closed when I went there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-fBRYn5D10/UblMliIYlFI/AAAAAAAACss/IMRFgMb2ywo/s1600/DSC00864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-fBRYn5D10/UblMliIYlFI/AAAAAAAACss/IMRFgMb2ywo/s400/DSC00864.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">An art installation in the main lobby of NGV, the bowls circulated the water pool and every time they bumped a clear ring of ceramic can be heard.<br />
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<i>There are also more photos on <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/118144188164463705766/albums/5888821434632044625" target="_blank">my Google+ album</a>.</i></div>
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-58976600086066006572013-07-23T21:03:00.001+12:002013-07-23T21:03:29.537+12:00CyclewayA <a href="http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/dominion-road/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">flurry of upgrades</a> are planned for Dominion Road and it really does need it. The simple 4 lane median strip road stretches almost from coast to coast (or at least the CBD) through the centre of the Auckland isthmus. It lags behind in providing transport infrastructure for future needs.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edGk4IYGjAA/Ue5F6XIw7iI/AAAAAAAAC1g/AMzbBEV0ybk/s1600/Dominion+Road_Project+Overview_2013_07_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edGk4IYGjAA/Ue5F6XIw7iI/AAAAAAAAC1g/AMzbBEV0ybk/s400/Dominion+Road_Project+Overview_2013_07_08.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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Currently the green bus lanes are supposed to be for cyclists too although countless encounters between buses and bicycles easily prove it is a terrible way to integrate cycling. Furthermore, the bus lanes are only exclusively for buses (and cycles as an afterthought) during the rush hour and, at other times, allow parked cars to disrupt even this provision. It's not pleasant at all.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-molI8VmgDMI/Ue5F1nRcxdI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/qFcSj3-ZfQg/s1600/Dominion+parallel+cycle+routes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-molI8VmgDMI/Ue5F1nRcxdI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/qFcSj3-ZfQg/s400/Dominion+parallel+cycle+routes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The strategy for providing a cycleway has taken the form of a 'parallel' cycleway - taking cycles away from the straight but busy Dominion Road and into the parallel back streets. It's a bit twisty and turny, but I've cycled all the way down a few times and its nice on a fine day. At the very least, cyclists aren't constantly breathing the fumes of buses and in danger of being hit by vehicles.<br />
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However, this strategy can also be seen as marginalising a healthy and sustainable method of transport. Perhaps if they create a really pleasant cycle infrastructure along the marked routes, people will be encouraged to give it a go instead of the car.<br />
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<b>Feedback is now being sought! One of the public days has just passed today, but there will be another 3:30pm - 7:00pm at Dominion Road Primary School on Thursday (25th July). Go and talk to the planners and give suggestions as to how this all could develop into a great cycleway. Visit the <a href="http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/dominion-road/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Auckland Transport page</a> for more information, or to <a href="https://aucklandtransport.asia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_afnGFqmsHwvEFsV" target="_blank">submit feedback online</a>.</b>Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-53875068305209110562013-07-21T14:49:00.000+12:002013-07-21T14:49:16.647+12:00Brake<b>Brake House by Ron Sang</b><br />
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Yesterday I had the rare chance to tour the famous Brake House in Titirangi thanks to the <a href="http://aaa.org.nz/" target="_blank">Auckland Architecture Association</a>. Designed by architect <a href="http://sangarchitects.co.nz/" target="_blank">Ron Sang</a>, a prominent Chinese New Zealander, the house was completed in 1976, before leaky building syndromes and building regulation reforms. The elegance of the house in Titirangi's signature wild naturesque landscape reminded many of American designs like Frank Lloyd Wright's <a href="http://www.fallingwater.org/" target="_blank">Fallingwater House</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMvOfDQjlpk/UetH-AqkGAI/AAAAAAAAC0E/No7RThiiR3I/s1600/DSC01050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMvOfDQjlpk/UetH-AqkGAI/AAAAAAAAC0E/No7RThiiR3I/s400/DSC01050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Immediately upon entering the house, you felt the sense of attention to detail that encompassed the architecture of that period. The platform leading into the house had a precarious edginess to it. Eventually we figured it out - a lack of our standardised contemporary handrails. Any such feature (your usual 1m high, grabbable railing) would have destroyed the elegance of the design entirely.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4npVngsRzw8/UetH-KVd6BI/AAAAAAAAC0A/yyqlVBqQNh4/s1600/DSC01063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4npVngsRzw8/UetH-KVd6BI/AAAAAAAAC0A/yyqlVBqQNh4/s400/DSC01063.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KuK01YL57CY/UetH-DiVjRI/AAAAAAAAC0M/XnomUB13x2g/s1600/DSC01066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KuK01YL57CY/UetH-DiVjRI/AAAAAAAAC0M/XnomUB13x2g/s400/DSC01066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Originally designed for <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/precinct.html" target="_blank">Brian Brake</a>, one of New Zealand's most famous photographers, the house includes a studio, dark room, cinema downstairs as well as plenty of glazing and platforms. As a Japanophile, Brake requested a tatami room (this is the glass box floating out into the bushes, shown above).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-kRIo81B24/UetH-8VBXEI/AAAAAAAAC0U/iXOU_Z3ZjLA/s1600/DSC01078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-kRIo81B24/UetH-8VBXEI/AAAAAAAAC0U/iXOU_Z3ZjLA/s400/DSC01078.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible reflections all throughout the house, merging nature and architecture.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrGXrBccwM4/UetH_-kzRaI/AAAAAAAAC0s/F9l8sjrsdlk/s1600/DSC01141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrGXrBccwM4/UetH_-kzRaI/AAAAAAAAC0s/F9l8sjrsdlk/s400/DSC01141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLXu4DSLTy4/UetIBZlpb9I/AAAAAAAAC1I/xYA84qDUKOI/s1600/DSC01176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brake House by Ron Sang" border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLXu4DSLTy4/UetIBZlpb9I/AAAAAAAAC1I/xYA84qDUKOI/s400/DSC01176.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGyUEp9x-hU/UetIAWb3plI/AAAAAAAAC04/5ERIftMx56M/s1600/DSC01172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGyUEp9x-hU/UetIAWb3plI/AAAAAAAAC04/5ERIftMx56M/s400/DSC01172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lIMpB9VoSo/UetIBD-SQyI/AAAAAAAAC1A/BUdPJy2lrzg/s1600/DSC01175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lIMpB9VoSo/UetIBD-SQyI/AAAAAAAAC1A/BUdPJy2lrzg/s400/DSC01175.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The architect Ron Sang came and gave us an intimate insight to the making of this house.</td></tr>
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Visiting this house is such an inspiration, but as Ron Sang said, there is no way such a house can be built as it is now because of the many regulatory constraints. Back in the 70s, this building only needed 20 A1 sheets to document it - these days you would need at least 100 sheets marking the incredible change that the architectural profession has had over the years. The fusion of Asian and American design in the woodiness of Titirangi is an incredible feat though and, for those who afford it, it is currently <a href="http://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential-property-for-sale/auction-565886419.htm" target="_blank">up for sale</a>.Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-26343266059994956752013-07-18T20:50:00.000+12:002013-07-18T20:50:18.221+12:00Diversity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-D_9zcdtFg/UeeqgdQzmEI/AAAAAAAACzs/HyPDqjV5Xmw/s1600/Trace+Drawing+2b-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-D_9zcdtFg/UeeqgdQzmEI/AAAAAAAACzs/HyPDqjV5Xmw/s400/Trace+Drawing+2b-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Providing for a range of people and their activities is a fundamental part of designing for diversity on an architectural scale. This also happens on an urban scale (around the city) - space is known to inspire diverse users as much as a diverse population for an area creates different spaces.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSk7RgIhKC0/UeeoNsHfrgI/AAAAAAAACzU/ZPVhT3LN-IE/s1600/Trace+Drawing+2a-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSk7RgIhKC0/UeeoNsHfrgI/AAAAAAAACzU/ZPVhT3LN-IE/s400/Trace+Drawing+2a-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Using a layered drawing approach, I work between scales, exploring the concept of 'diversity space'. At 1:20 (drawings above), the detail of how one looks at produce in the market spaces, or drinks their coffee in front of their laptop becomes apparent. At 1:100 (pictured below), I can see how people will inhabit the spaces en masse and test whether or not there are a variety of spaces for people to choose to use. This is similar to a blank restaurant space putting out different sizes of tables (or using one small table as a module which can be pieced together).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdXf1kTl8lI/UeeoNG2-giI/AAAAAAAACzM/Uxw6whTZeyg/s1600/Trace+Drawing+2c-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdXf1kTl8lI/UeeoNG2-giI/AAAAAAAACzM/Uxw6whTZeyg/s400/Trace+Drawing+2c-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-92229869393651743982013-07-16T21:34:00.001+12:002013-07-16T21:35:04.940+12:00Bach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YeM6Y1D1PA/UeUTPJb0a9I/AAAAAAAACy4/KmWwmir3GD8/s1600/Carr4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bach New Zealand Min Hall architecture " border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YeM6Y1D1PA/UeUTPJb0a9I/AAAAAAAACy4/KmWwmir3GD8/s400/Carr4.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Baches are a staple of New Zealand architecture and it is where NZ architects get a lot of space (in every sense of the word) to experiment and work with our natural landscape. This bach by Min Hall frames the sea element with generous glazing and large deck spaces. What I like most about this bach is how it is split up into modules to fit around the trees. It's not the only one to do that (the McCahon Artist Residence by Pete Bossley springs to mind) and you can imagine the architecture maturing as the trees grow up around it.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ndr_vQoPgQ/UeUTOVAta7I/AAAAAAAACyw/rp0Iir5E9Oc/s1600/PakawauPlan.2012.05.28.PDF-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ndr_vQoPgQ/UeUTOVAta7I/AAAAAAAACyw/rp0Iir5E9Oc/s400/PakawauPlan.2012.05.28.PDF-page-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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See <a href="http://homenewzealand.blogspot.com/2013/07/outtakes-totara-bush-getaway-by-min-hall.html?spref=bl">HOME New Zealand's article - Outtakes: A beautiful beach getaway by Min Hall</a> for more.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C19tyDSK4BU/UeUTN5vk0jI/AAAAAAAACyo/Apbwwm59VwI/s1600/Carr23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C19tyDSK4BU/UeUTN5vk0jI/AAAAAAAACyo/Apbwwm59VwI/s400/Carr23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-77267935058090651432013-07-11T22:55:00.000+12:002013-07-11T22:55:03.286+12:00Scale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QoNOH19nHc/Ud6LOOy905I/AAAAAAAACx8/-7MK3IQyD9Q/s1600/twitter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QoNOH19nHc/Ud6LOOy905I/AAAAAAAACx8/-7MK3IQyD9Q/s400/twitter.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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An interesting article on <a href="http://www.fastcolabs.com/3013969/how-twitter-keeps-its-billions-of-messages-flying-through-the-air" target="_blank">Co.LABS highlights the significance of scale with platforms like Twitter</a>. When you send one package of data off to another person, that seems like a pretty simple thing with the internet. But Twitter is a vastly upscaled version of that - 150 million active users (the most active ones probably fire off a tweet at every moment's whim). That's a lot of packages to send through.<br />
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When things fail, you end up with the 'fail whale' page and although the meme is cute, the situation of not being able to use the service definitely isn't.<br />
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Twitter is constantly upgrading its infrastructure to deal with this mass of tweets. You can imagine how many bits of data need to be sent if a big star with millions of followers drops a tweet, followed by a flurry of retweets, etc. There will always be a bottleneck and a bit of clever shifting allows the data base to cope.<br />
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In the same way, when cities become bigger (we talk of metropolises and megalopolis, with more to come, I'm sure), the infrastructure needs to change with it. How to transport, water and feed millions more people in a concentrated area is a big question with our current rate of growth. For instance, the plans for a future Auckland has sparked debate on many fronts - even a <a href="http://transportblog.co.nz/2013/07/09/auckland-transformed-the-congestion-free-network/" target="_blank">whole different scheme for our transport system</a> created by transport enthusiasts on the Auckland Transport Blog. Careful thought has to go into infrastructure alongside any future growth.<br />
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We don't want our city becoming an urban fail whale.<br />
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Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-15485356471958704982013-07-07T12:34:00.001+12:002013-07-08T13:55:02.749+12:00Eco-mobility<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What ifs: a future with eco-mobility.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Auckland, New Zealand, may be a small-scale city compared to
others around the world but it has its share of mobility issues. It certainly
isn't ‘eco-mobile’. Give us the slightest drizzle of rain and suddenly traffic
jams up. Our public transport system? A prime target for casual hate
sentiment. On a bad day it even has <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AucklandTransport&src=hash" target="_blank">its own hashtag on Twitter</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ygouNRX3000/UdgPUN3j1LI/AAAAAAAACxQ/nivGlv_m7BY/s1600/Auckland+cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ygouNRX3000/UdgPUN3j1LI/AAAAAAAACxQ/nivGlv_m7BY/s400/Auckland+cars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our lingering problem is that Auckland grew out generally
unplanned. A few centres formed then the rest was haphazard 'fill the gaps' development.
An extensive coast-to-coast tram network was removed in the modernist 1950s in
favour of <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/boom.html" target="_blank">cars, cars and more cars</a>. That unfortunate mentality remains today – it is our
symbol of freedom, a part of the Kiwi dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But now in the 21<sup>st</sup> century, we have the
knowledge and, hopefully, the drive to create more sustainable transport options for the future of our cities.
In an attempt to experience the local day-to-day of Melbourne, Australia, I chose
to travel everyday by train in from the suburbs. The transport card reminded me of similar systems I used around London and China – the hallmark of an integrated transport network. Of
course, there are the things to be expected: an occasional late train, thinking "why did I ever resort to public transport?" But all in all,
the robust infrastructure allows you to go anywhere around Melbourne without a
car.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IF7TavZS-2g/UdgONvlb2QI/AAAAAAAACxA/ciEgMsV8Loc/s1600/DSC00504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IF7TavZS-2g/UdgONvlb2QI/AAAAAAAACxA/ciEgMsV8Loc/s400/DSC00504.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is always a rivalry between New Zealand and our neighbour Australia. Auckland, like many cities
around the world, is going through some growth pains. Transport infrastructure,
such as the <a href="http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/city-rail-link/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">City Rail Link</a>, aimed at a future Auckland is being introduced, sparking <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23CityRailLink&src=hash" target="_blank">great debate</a>.
Although we may beat many Australian cities on the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10851952" target="_blank">ubiquitous liveability scales</a>, this won’t continue if Auckland grows at its current rate without
further thought and action.</div>
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<i>"We know there is still a lot of work to be done. Our transport infrastructure puts us behind other cities on the international indices, and handicaps our people and our economy."</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- Mayor Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland </span></blockquote>
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It’s just so hard for people operating in a car-centric city
like Auckland to even imagine what it would be like to be in an eco-mobile city. We don’t know what it is like to live in a cycling city <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Amsterdam" target="_blank">such as Amsterdam</a> or drive around in an eco-mobile vehicle. We don't know how it feels to be in a city without a desperate
need for cars and smelly diesel buses! Connecting with other cities with
different technologies and new ideas on eco-mobility gives us more insight to improve our city's transport.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The <a href="http://www.ecomobilityfestival.org/" target="_blank">Eco-mobility World Festival 2013</a> happening later in the year
calls upon the ‘global village’ to explore these ideas. The Korean city of Suwon takes on a
very practical challenge to prove the merits of eco-mobility. Using
technologies and approaches from across the world, the Haenggung-dong
neighbourhood is going without cars for an entire month during the festival. Is
this an incredible feat? Or will be it effortless? We shall see! This is where some people will get to experience eco-mobility in the flesh. For the rest of us who aren’t at the
festival, this knowledge will be shared over oceans to start changing our
thinking around daily transport; a different philosophy in getting from A to B. </div>
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Personally, I can’t wait to see what comes out of it!</div>
Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-76760928080785434522013-06-28T20:25:00.000+12:002013-06-28T20:25:43.135+12:00Sign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5J8BMfcY2A/UcwjKK4T2fI/AAAAAAAACwA/e1SPAT2_LJI/s1600/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5J8BMfcY2A/UcwjKK4T2fI/AAAAAAAACwA/e1SPAT2_LJI/s400/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In a block of medium rise buildings in the CBD on Anzac Avenue, I found yet another little food court snugly inside a long narrow shop space and jammed full of various cuisines and different shops. The signage marks this out on the street - they attempt to draw you in.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LpQqfwr9ASM/UcwmRw_0ghI/AAAAAAAACwQ/4RGYDueksrU/s1600/DSC00454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LpQqfwr9ASM/UcwmRw_0ghI/AAAAAAAACwQ/4RGYDueksrU/s400/DSC00454.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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In Melbourne, the Chinatown was where street signage was the most prominent. A cherry picker was there putting up a new sign. It's as if the heritage building that they were applying it to would change function with it. Such a programme is interchangable as different uses and people are injected into architecture. Same for the Imperial Building (which is talked about in this <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/connection.html" target="_blank">post about urban connectivity</a>) - the ROXY sign on Fort Lane signals the bar on the rooftop (which apparently might be closed now?), the name Roxy coming from the theatre that used to be in that old building. Architecture is constantly repurposed - churches turn into bathhouses, theatres into rock climbing walls (which is what happened to the <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/balmoral.html" target="_blank">Capitol Theatre</a>).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZd4ROJrJpM/UcwmW5NXC8I/AAAAAAAACwY/hDDmC7tBYl4/s1600/DSC00483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZd4ROJrJpM/UcwmW5NXC8I/AAAAAAAACwY/hDDmC7tBYl4/s400/DSC00483.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Signage plays a big part in pronouncing new function but also creating a connection with the street. And as we know from the Asian street, it adds to a vibrant bustling atmosphere.Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-81996020721648086142013-06-19T23:38:00.000+12:002013-06-19T23:38:20.763+12:00AuthenticA building I designed in architecture school in 2008 has proved to be useful in illustrating the points of authenticity and market space for my thesis. Revisiting this project has been quite enjoyable. Here is a brief summary of the project and the issues that it raises and the City Farmers' Market in Britomart that it challenges.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Britomart
Farmers Market project (2008)</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3JYg7F-8_QU/UcGXAnsP3YI/AAAAAAAACvQ/HtTBBHW_Aaw/s1600/Farmers+Market+for+Britomart+contrast+-+long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Challenging authenticity with urban Auckland farmers market" border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3JYg7F-8_QU/UcGXAnsP3YI/AAAAAAAACvQ/HtTBBHW_Aaw/s400/Farmers+Market+for+Britomart+contrast+-+long.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long section</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>This
project explores the notion of the ‘authentic’ for an urban farmers market in
Auckland. The site in 2008 was pre-development Britomart with the site utilized
temporarily as an open air car park with a farmers market springing up every
Saturday morning. It demonstrates the temporal dimension of urban public space
and how its sense of place evolves over time.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azxxqotVHzY/UcGTSypyB_I/AAAAAAAACvA/6P__jTXSjp8/s1600/Britomart+Site.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azxxqotVHzY/UcGTSypyB_I/AAAAAAAACvA/6P__jTXSjp8/s400/Britomart+Site.jpg" width="400" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Streetview image from 2009 - one of the perks of Google Streetview not updating Auckland for 4+ years. Of course, now the site has become the Country Club, an airy bar full of cigarette smoke and high end consumers.</i></td></tr>
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<i>The crux of
the scheme is finding an ‘authentic’ for urban Auckland instead of
transplanting the character of a historic or geographically displaced market
typology. The scheme is situated in the vacant lot on the southwestern corner
of Galway and Gore Street in the Britomart Precinct. The farmers market is
designed to bring people in via an ‘exhibitionary pathway’, utilized in retail
and museum design to slow down the pace of the viewer. The design worked with
the imprinted history of the site, specifically the imprint left by a
demolished building on an adjacent building. By bringing market-goers up via an
escalator and allowing them to cross the length of the building, the imprint of
Auckland’s past is put on display and acknowledged alongside a freely adaptable
market of current day wares and produce. In this way, the architecture brings
together past and present whilst working for a future condition that Auckland
can call its own.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CluCY-uG5k/UcGXAjMdKyI/AAAAAAAACvY/mMEi4rLu_cA/s1600/Farmers+Market+for+Britomart+contrast+-+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CluCY-uG5k/UcGXAjMdKyI/AAAAAAAACvY/mMEi4rLu_cA/s400/Farmers+Market+for+Britomart+contrast+-+cross.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross section</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>This Farmers’
Market project challenges this notion of bringing an authentic quality from
elsewhere into an urban context and character. The scheme was designed in 2008
and the site has changed dramatically by the time of writing in 2013. Some
things last, however. The City Farmers’ Market that the project drew inspiration
and created critique of still exists by popular demand. As in 2008, the website
still states that it is an ‘authentic inner-city farmers’ market at the heart
of Britomart in Auckland’s CBD’ – an oxymoronic reading between ‘authentic’ and
‘inner city’ as the source of this authenticity is uncertain. In 2008, the
market charter had a requirement that stalls provide a piece of hessian sacking
as a table cloth in an effort to create a faux ‘authentic’ aesthetic – this has
now disappeared from the charter. Although it may help bring cohesiveness to
the collection of stalls, there is the problem whereby striving for a character
which is not authentic to Auckland to the heart of the Auckland Central
Business District denies Auckland from ever building up its own farmers’ market
character. Other requirements include using wooden crates and baskets to
exhibit produce and limiting the use of plastic. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7HHGVA9Evs/UcGXBmj4TMI/AAAAAAAACvg/EhR53cpumEs/s1600/Farmers+Market+for+Britomart+contrast+-+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7HHGVA9Evs/UcGXBmj4TMI/AAAAAAAACvg/EhR53cpumEs/s400/Farmers+Market+for+Britomart+contrast+-+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>Aesthetics
aside, material is affected and relevant to the architectural expression of
this urban space and public place. </i></span><i>On one side, Britomart station’s glass louvre extension to the heritage post office building sees the 20<sup>th</sup> century engage the historic character of Auckland. </i><i>On the other side, the high end fashion shops and bars
are clad in black metallic mesh and other contemporary materials. The
controlled manner of conducting the City Farmer’s market is disjointed with the
development of Britomart.</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What are your experiences with this site and how it has evolved over the years?</span></div>
Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-69033861096326917092013-06-13T20:08:00.000+12:002013-06-13T20:08:22.081+12:00Post-it2A tweet from New York Times reporter Hiroko Tabuchi caught my eye. It was about a creative process that her husband was going through and tweeting about. Makes me want to have a post-it wall thinking process, too!<br />
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Husband planning out his screenplay on our wall. I shd do this w/ my stories RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/yuichitazawa">yuichitazawa</a> Laying out my scenes <a href="https://t.co/6bffUbio3o" title="https://twitter.com/YuichiTazawa/status/341506401618767872/photo/1">twitter.com/YuichiTazawa/s…</a><br />
— Hiroko Tabuchi (@HirokoTabuchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/HirokoTabuchi/status/344709147230609408">June 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
<i>See other posts about creative uses of post-its: one of a <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2010/05/mum.html" target="_blank">wall for Mother's Day</a> and another left by a <a href="http://creative-collision.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/post-it.html" target="_blank">creative barista</a>.</i><br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209868192153417130.post-42175063847664654222013-06-11T21:52:00.000+12:002013-11-20T16:26:15.545+13:00Transform<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week I flew over to Melbourne to attend architecture conferences run by our Australian counterparts. I attended <a href="http://www.archiparlour.org/transform/" target="_blank">Transform</a>, a fringe event to the national architecture conference <a href="http://material.architecture.com.au/" target="_blank">Material</a>. Underscored by 'Altering the Future of Architecture', it was a fitting title that reflected the day's programme.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb8JANRrHXI/Ube3P599FiI/AAAAAAAACo8/p2uoNNfiXPs/s1600/2013-05-30+10.00.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Transform architecture conference Melbourne equity" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb8JANRrHXI/Ube3P599FiI/AAAAAAAACo8/p2uoNNfiXPs/s400/2013-05-30+10.00.40.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many panel discussions.</td></tr>
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Initially the conference was pitched to me as an event about gender equality. The primary instigator was <a href="http://www.archiparlour.org/" target="_blank">Parlour</a> (women, equity, architecture), so naturally the increasingly discussed topic of women in the workplace was at the forefront of the participant's minds. On top of this important equality discussion, the event was about the profession in general and the themes discussed were applicable to all, not just women.</div>
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The crux of the workshops and talks was,<br />
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<b>"If architecture was more inclusive would it also be in a stronger position?"</b></div>
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It was a lot to think about within the space of a day, especially with the perpetual dialogue between various practitioners, academics, students and foreigners. Listening to various positions on the subject, engaging in workshop discussions and taking part in frenzied networking (also known as tea breaks) certainly gave a full bodied experience around the issue of transforming the status quo of the profession. Undoubtedly, everyone left the day with a more open mind about what 'architecture' as a profession is in the 21st century.<br />
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A formidable project taken on by the team at Parlour was to create a set of guidelines for work equity, a list of pressing issues for the workplace: pay equity, leadership, recruitment, mentorship, negotiation, long hours, part-time work, flexibility, career break and registration. The 'equity guidelines' that are at a draft stage at the moment (and are <a href="http://www.archiparlour.org/parlour-guides-call-for-feedback/" target="_blank">open to feedback</a> so do leave a comment for the Parlour team) are specifically tailored to women in architecture, but are weighty food for thought for anyone in the industry - male or female, student, graduate or established practitioner, alike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHOfQme6Mc8/Ube3QFJ928I/AAAAAAAACpE/h5KaiJtln6s/s1600/2013-05-30+13.02.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHOfQme6Mc8/Ube3QFJ928I/AAAAAAAACpE/h5KaiJtln6s/s400/2013-05-30+13.02.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round table discussion.</td></tr>
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Any industry undergoes constant change but during the last decade the architectural profession appears to be breaking the mould a bit. The diversity of the career path in architecture was elaborated on via panelists talking about their approach, whether it be by branching out to other disciplines, different funding models or reinventing architecture as we know it. It was so good to have the discussion at such a scale for Australia/New Zealand.</div>
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This discussion will come to NZ in the form of Architecture Week 2013 - <a href="http://www.architecturewomen.org.nz/" target="_blank">Architecture + Women NZ</a> (A+W NZ) is holding a similar event – A+W NZ's core team was there at the conference, seeing how a similar event could be run here. There will be keynote speakers along with an exhibition and possibly a designed pavilion erected for the week. The visibility of the architectural profession, equity issues and the role of women in architecture will be the focus of the event. I'll let you know more as it develops.</div>
Bobbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.com0