Date: 08 January 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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Part of the ACCESS to Architecture programme supported by the Scottish Government
The Lighthouse, Gallery 5, Level 5
7 January 2009
An inspiring Symposium featuring speakers from Scotland, Europe and Canada, marked a new year for the Access to Architecture programme, in what turned out to be a key cultural event. The Symposium was held in conjunction with the latest Architecture in Scotland biennial exhibition 'Building Biographies' which presents recent Scottish projects alongside European examples from the region of Vorarlberg in Austria, Graubunden in Switzerland and Norway - placing the Scottish buildings and their biographies within an international perspective. The Symposium addressed issues such as the culture of place and regional identity in the age of globalisation through the work of each practice.
The Symposium was chaired by: Gordon Murray of Gordon Murray + Alan Dunlop Architects
Professor Gordon Murray. PPRIAS, RIBA, RIAI, MCIArb. is a principal in gordon murray + alan dunlop architects. The Glasgow based practice's work has been exhibited widely in the UK including The Lighthouse in Glasgow and internationally in Rotterdam, Barcelona and Marseilles - as well as Landforms at the 2004 Venice Biennale.
Appointed Head of School and Professor in Architecture and Urban Design at University of Strathclyde in April 2007, Murray has taught in Schools of Architecture in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast where he is also External Examiner at the University of Ulster. He is Past-President of The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (2003-05) and a Trustee of The Lighthouse.
To read Gordon Murray's Introduction to the Symposium click on the following link
Speakers were:
Andreas Cukrowicz of Cukrowicz Nachbaur (Austria)
Andreas Cukrowicz has been practicing architecture since 1989. In 1992 he began collaborating with Anton Nachbaur-Sturm, and they subsequently set up Cukrowicz Nachbar in 1996. Since 2005 Cukrowicz has been President of the Architects Association Austria Federation Vorarlberg. Based in Bregenz, Cukrowicz Nachbaur are seen as one of the most successful 90’s third generation architecture practices from Voralberg.
The practice have received many awards including Staatspreis Architektur (2008) and the Best Architects Award (2008), Neues Bauen in den Alpen Architekturpreis Mention (2006), tdc award (2005), Vorarlberg Client´s Prize (2005), Vorarlberg Timber Construction Prize Mention (2005).
Cukrowicz discussed a range of Cukrowicz Nachbaur projects including the Housing Am Pfänderhang Lochau at Bregenz (2009); Elementary School in Doren; the Sports Hall Meckenbeuren (2010); Fire Station and Cultural Centre and Carpenter House in Vorarlberg. Cukrowicz described in detail the Mountain Chapel in Andelsbuch, which features in the Building Biographies Exhibition.
To read the Andreas Cukrowicz lecture in full click on the follwing link
To read more about Cukrowicz Nachbaur visit the practice website: www.cn-arch.at
Timon Reichle of Gion A. Caminada Architecture Studio (Switzerland)
Timon Reichle has been a collaborator at the studio of Gion A. Caminada (established in 1990) since 2003, following a stint working in the City of Zurich Department of Urban Planning. The practice has carried out intensive research on the traditional 'knitted-construction' (Strickbau) of the Graubunden region. In addition to planning and long-term strategies for regional projects, teaching and research have always been closely connected to the practice. The studio is now building all over Switzerland.
Working extensively within the village of Vrin the Studio has completed a number of built projects including dwelling houses, stables, school buildings and a mortuary. Reichle also described in detail the Mountain Hostel in Greina, which features in the Building Biographies Exhibition; as well as the reconstruction of the Hotel Alpina, Vals and construction of the Unterhaus, a girls' monastic boarding school in Disentis.
To read a summary of Timon Reichle's presentation click on the following link
Talbot Sweetapple of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple (Canada)
MacKay Lyons Sweetapple Architects Limited has built an international reputation for design excellence confirmed by over 80 awards, including five Governor General’s Medals and the American Institute of Architects Honor Award. In addition, the firm’s work has been featured internationally in over 200 publications and 80 exhibitions.
Projects designed in Atlantic Canada have made the firm a leading proponent of critical regionalist architecture worldwide. This recognition has led to a transition in the practice toward increased public and international commissions. The practice is one of the very few Canadian firms to consistently receive international critical acclaim.
Both Brian MacKay Lyons and Talbot Sweetapple have been active in architectural education in the Maritimes, Brian as a full professor at Dalhousie University for over 25 years, and Talbot as a sessional instructor since his graduation. Together, they have held 12 endowed academic chairs and visiting professorships at leading universities, including the Peter Behrens School of Architecture in Düsseldorf, Syracuse University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Harvard University.
Talbot Sweetapple presented a range of practice projects exploring themes such as: local v unversal; tradition v modernity; material culture and climate; craft and fabrication;and fabric v object. Read our Talbot Sweetapple interview to find out more.
Visit the practice website: www.mlsarchitects.ca
Neil Gillespie of Reiach & Hall (Scotland)
Reiach and Hall Architects were founded in 1965 and the practice is now in the fourth generation of principals. Based in Edinburgh the practice has built a number of projects across Scotland and the north of England. Reiach and Hall have a broad portfolio with current projects including Stobhill ACAD Hospital; Aberdeen Regional Sports Centre; St Andrews University Medical School; Dundee Council Offices; and a bothy for the artist Roger Ackling.
Neil Gillespie is currently Design Director of the practice and a tutor at the Architecture Department of Edinburgh College of Art. Gillespie presented an analysis of Scottish regional identity vis a vis a range of Reiach and Hall projects such as The Pier Arts Centre, Stromness - winner of the 2007 RIAS Doolan Building of the Year Scotland Award; the competition design for Dunfermline Museum and Art Gallery; and the recently completed Beatson Institute, Unversity of Glasgow.
To read more about Reiach and Hall visit the practice website: www.reiachandhall.co.uk
Børre Skodvin of Jensen & Skodvin (Norway)
Jensen & Skodvin was established in 1995 by Jan Olav Jensen and Børre Skodvin. Over the past 13 years the practice has grown to nine architects, and has completed a variety of projects, for public as well as private clients. Projects range from furniture to urban planning and are located in a variety of sites and situations.
The practice regards basic tectonic knowledge as a major part of their architectural language. Above all, their work is concerned with all areas of the building process: how the machines operate, how the materials behave, what the craftsmen are capable of doing, etc., and believe that all these elements inform the final architectural expression.
Skodvin discussed a variety of Jensen & Skodvin projects, with particular focus on the Gudbrandsjuvet Viewing Platform; Liasanden Mountain road project; and Videseter Railings Mountain road project
To read more about Jensen and Skodvin visit the practice website: www.jsa.no
An announcement regarding the Building Biographies Exhibition Tour will be announced on this page shortly.
