Sunday, June 21, 2009

Why Not [Here] No. 4 - Architectural Institutes, Societies and Associations...


The RIBA in London's Portland Place...


What Kuwait needs is an organization with a mandate to promote and advance its architecture and built environment. There is the Kuwait Society of Engineers, but its decree seems more focused on more general issues (at the top of their web-page there is a scrolling bar with the latest KSE stock prices?!), and seems to be more of a social club than something that aims to advance the objectives of the related disciplines. There also doesn't seem, at least on the English side, to be any mention of Architecture in any of the sub-categories. Most developed nations do have an institute particular for the promotion of architecture. In the UK there's the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), which is located in a bespoke, and quite lavish, building by Portland Place in central London (there are a few images included from the RIBA above and below). Other examples would be the AIA (American Institute of Architects) in the US, the AIA (Australian Institute of Architects) in Australia, and even SAFA (Suomen Arkitehdit/ Finska Arkitekter - which the author belongs to) which promotes the practice of architecture in Finland. What they all have in common is an aim to raise more awareness and care regarding what architects do, and the value of architecture and urban design in the advancement of our built vernacular (a related submission was made a short while back by fellow Kuwait based bloggers re:Kuwait). This can be achieved by promoting and explaining to the general public (through various publications or events) what architects do and how employing an architect can substantially improve the end result of a building project. It should also act as a lobbying organization which promotes the value of an enhanced built environment amongst the political class. These organizations also provide venues for architects to advance their own know-how and keep them updated regarding more recent, discipline related, R & D projects as well as exhibiting and advocating architecture through symposiums, exhibitions and publications.


The piano nobile of the RIBA...

The RIBA Gallery, here exhibiting work by contemporary Portugese architects...

Above and below - images from the RIBA exhibition...



Another example of an organization which in its own way is advancing the causes of our built environment is the Architectural Association, more commonly known as just the AA. Usually affiliated with its architectural school (the Architectural Association School of Architecture), the oldest and perhaps most prestigious architectural school in the UK, the AA also functions as association that anyone interested in architecture can join, and which functions as a community where all its members, which includes both the students and staff of the architectural school as well as the additional collective, have a say. This not only entails the right to comment during the various events and presentations taking place at Bedford Square (where the AA is located), but also in, for example, the selection of the school's head, where all members (students, staff & other) each have a vote and a right to express their opinions or query the candidates (imagine the head of KU being selected by the students and staff of the university!?). The AA also has its own publication house, gallery, cafe/ bar, and book-store (as does the RIBA)...


The Bedford Square facade of the AA...

The front members room at the AA...

The AA Digital Prototyping Lab...

There is no reason why this type(s) of organizations couldn't exist in Kuwait. One could even argue that their type of institutions are sorely needed in Kuwait. Perhaps it's time we begin doing something about it...

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Catalytic Reminiscing...

Did some late night browsing (and scrolling) on youtube and came across some oldies, but goodies - tunes and videos - all which in one way or another have given me 'goose-bumps', and which remind me why, so called, 'creative endeavours' are the most worthwhile of activities to pursue - regardless of discipline... How these relate to the general theme of this particular blog I'm not sure, beyond perhaps that they all, at least for me, touch upon some timeless qualities in their being which should resonate on all levels, regardless of age, background or culture. They also do reflect on some of the often aforementioned hybrid aspects of all actions we take. Our decisions are mongrels of our past...

Battles - Atlas


Sugarcubes - Birthday


Paul Oxley's Unit - Terry's Inside


Grace Jones - Corporate Cannibal


Dragon Ash & Sugar Soul - Garden


Zero 7 - Home


Chris Cornell - Seasons


Lauryn Hill


Justice - DVNO

Thursday, June 4, 2009

New Blog on the Block...



There's a few Kuwaiti blogs which I inspect regularly, even daily. These include 29°20'N,47°59'E, Art for Arabs, Artvark, and Ghada Al Kandari's blog (along with some of the other web-sites listed on the 'Worthy Links' list). A more recent entry to this collective is re:kuwait, run by Barrak Al-Babtain and Jasem Nadoum. Brought to my attention initially by fellow Kuwaiti blogger of 29°20'N,47°59'E (thanks Victoria), it provides a potent dose of stimulating thoughts that has upped the ante of discourse regarding matters relating to local architecture and urban design.
As of yet there still are very few venues in Kuwait where these discussions can be had, which makes this more recent entry all the more appreciated.


Monday, June 1, 2009

Summer Fun - small(sm)Architecture Exhibiting in Athens and Florence...


We've been invited to take part in two events this summer. The first one, titled Syn_athr(0)isis}, which is a part of the Synch Festival, will take place later this month in Athens, where we'll be exhibiting a CNC milled version of the Finger Run design. Tom's also going to be giving a presentation, as well as partake in a round-table discussion with a number of illustrious colleagues (list included below), at this event on June 15th.


We've also recently submitted material for the Visions - Beyond Media International Festival for Architecture taking place in Florence this July. We were invited to this event by the London based nous Gallery, who specialize in exhibiting more polemic and experimental, usually computing based, architectural work. For images of our last year's exhibition at the nous gallery click here.


Let's encourage and aid more Kuwait based practices and thinkers to partake in these kinds of international occasions. We need to shout out and let the wider community know that there are some truly worthwhile things (catalytic ideas/ polemic proposals) originating and taking place here in Kuwait and the region that carry a unique flavour all of their own. These types of international happenings are a good medium through which to start spreading the word and laying the foundations for a revitalization of a more evolved discourse regarding related matters...

More about these, and perhaps a few other, events in future blog submissions...