Date: 10 July 08
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For the preview days of the Biennale (11-14 Sept) A Gathering Space acted as a dynamic events space, with a packed programme, helping to attract around 1,000 people a day to the structure. In addition to The Lighthouse debate and an official launch party (in association with Blueprint), RIBA Journal and Glasgow School of Art also chose to host their debates at A Gathering Space. With regret the Building Design Debate had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions (and they say it rains a lot in Scotland!)
Venice Highlights
RIBA Journal Debate: Off centre
Hugh Pearman, editor of RIBA Journal, moderated a discussion on New Regionalism in architecture, with Gareth Hoskins (Gareth Hoskins Architects) and Philip Follent (State Architect for Queensland). The debate examined the challenges facing architects working outside of main city centres (in this case, working away from London and Sydney).
Link to RIBA Journal Article on debate: http://www.ribajournal.com/article/view/3119076
The Glasgow School of Art: The Urban Laboratory and the City Model
The Glasgow School of Art showcased two of its major projects in Venice starting with The Urban Laboratory which aims to shape Glasgow's future development by setting a world standard in cross-disciplinary teaching and research in place making, Alan Simpson (Head of Urbanism GSA) examined how we can transform our urban landscape.
The City Model, produced by the Digital Design Studio, is an interactive 3-D, digital model which can be used by architects and the public to map out cities and also be used as a tool for historic building preservation. Douglas Pritchard (Head of Visualisation) and Margherita Cavallo (Glasgow City Council) presented the model they have been working on for the city of Glasgow as well as unveiling exciting new visualisations of Venice including A Gathering Space.
For more details on the projects at the GSA visit: www.gsa.ac.uk
The Lighthouse Debate: Architecture Beyond Building
Chaired by architectural theorist and landscape architect Charles Jencks, architects Zaha Hadid and David Page (Page\Park Architects) discussed the importance of architecture in improving our lives from schools to hospitals, housing and other public spaces.
Architecture does not simply endow society with timeless, iconic buildings, it is a galvanising force, an agent of change that makes a tangible difference to our lives. This is nowhere more clearly illustrated than in projects such as the Maggie’s Centres which has seen a series of architectural gems built in the UK and has given the first ever UK commissions to both Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid, But, more importantly, each building has been embraced by its local community and has been conceived in such a way as to support those affected by cancer.
Read The Herald’s interview with Zaha Hadid after the debate
Scotland and Venice 2008 Launch Party
In association with Blueprint Magazine, A Gathering Space hosted a lively launch night with music from Scottish bands Isosceles and Wilson Tan followed by a DJ set by Nick Peacock.
Building Futures with the RIBA Trust: Building Futures Game
The Building Futures Game is an interactive game that looks at trends in place making and the contribution architecture makes to our lives. This was a chance to bring the toolkit to an international audience and asked participants to think ‘big’ on what the future of the town might be. In this case the town was Neilston, a small town just outside Glasgow of some 5000 residents which has, like many such towns, undergone a substantial change in character in recent years. The workshop offered an alternative and complementary way to discuss the town and will feed into a wider programme of consultation with Glasgow’s Urban Lab team at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and The Lighthouse, later in 2008 and into 2009 that will give Neilston residents and others the chance to take an active role in transforming their town.
More information and a full report on the results
For more information on Neilston Development Trust visit: http://www.neilstontrust.co.uk
