now what ?

Learning Space Update!

2010-01-20T21:42:00.003Z

Congratulations to Laura Martin and Cormac Maguire who have been awarded top prize in the Learning Space competition. Laura and Cormac are recent graduates of Queens University Belfast and were chosen staff and students of Holy Rosary Primary School.

Runners up were St. John Walsh UCD and Sarah Williams, a recent graduate from DIT.

Learning Space workshop was kindly sponsored by Roankabin who donated E1000 in prize money. The winning pair will also be offered the position of architect in the architectural research section of Roankabin in a three month [minimum] fully salaried[pro-rata] position.

The Learning Space workshop was run by Dierdre McKenna and Emmett Scanlon. More information about the events and research which took place can be found on the Learning Space blog.

Congratulations again to all who took part in the workshop and especially to Dierdre and Emmet for running such a great workshop!

Wasteland Exhibition

2009-11-24T12:39:00.001Z

The now what ? exhibition space is pleased to announce an exhibition by Dublin School of Architecture students and staff of their work concerning the Bolton Street Area.

All are welcome to the official launch which will take place on Monday 30th November at 6.30pm in Unit 14, Block C, Smithfield Plaza. It will be opened by the minister for the environment, John Gormley.
The exhibition is entitled 'Wasteland' and will run in the exhibition space at Unit 14, Block C, Smithfield Plaza from 23rd November - 11th December. (mon-fri 6.30pm-8.30pm, sat & sun 2.00pm-6.00pm). This is a comprehensive and engaging body of work, and will be well worth a visit.

The Dublin House Competition 17.10.09

2009-10-22T10:03:00.004+01:00

DCC and now what ? hosted a one-day design competition in now what's exhibition space in Smithfield on 17.10.09...

17 teams of 3 participated.

The competition was open to all - students, graduates and practitioners....

Each team was given a site on Dominick Street, which was taken from the old georgian grain of the street.

The teams had from 10am until 4pm

To propose a new solution for housing in the city

Based on the georgian precedent, and to allow incremental development in the city.

Each team had to construct a model at 1:200 of their proposal.

The models had to be designed to sit together on the site model of the street, so each had one party wall, with one side left open to view the section.

The teams also had to produce hand drawings for presentation.

And finish up by 4pm.

When they each presented to the judges: Ali Grehan (DCC), Ciaran MacNamara (DCC), Ryan Kennihan & Denis Byrne

who then deliberated....

And chose the winners...

GKMP - Michael Pike & Grace Keeley

Jamie Conway, Cormac Nolan and Elizabeth Gaynor.

with second prize to

Gessica Cozi, Federico Scoponi and Luca Trufarelli

and special mentions to

Anna Cooke, David Healy, Ian Tracy and Lucy O'Reilley

and

Jo Flahive, Conchuir O hArgain and Ronan Murray

we'll post the winning projects on the blog tomorrow.....

(photos by Alice Clancy)

Evening Conversation #5

2009-10-18T19:40:00.000+01:00

Monday 19 October, 7pm, Unit 14 Block C, Smithfield Plaza

17.10.09 - One - Day Design Competition

2009-10-15T10:13:00.001+01:00

Saturday 17th October, 9.30am-5pm: One-Day Ideas Competition:

'the Dublin House'

Unit 14, Block C, Smithfield Plaza - 9.30-5.00

All are welcome to participate in a one day design competition in association with Dublin City Council.

It is open to architectural students, graduates, practitioners and all those interested in the design of housing in Dublin .

The competition has filled up fast, but there are a few places left - so to ensure a space, please email thedublinhouse (at) ymail.com to reserve a place and for further information.

The competition can be entered as an individual or as a group to a maximum of three members.

The competition will take place on a single day and the brief is to design ‘the Dublin house’ - a new housing typology suitable for infill sites in the historic Georgian city.

The site is on the west side of Lower Dominick Street , currently the site of a Dublin City Council social housing flat complex built in 1970.

Dublin City Council has identified the need to develop a new typology that respects the inherited grain and pattern of the city. This is a reaction to the poor design quality of many infill schemes, resulting in the loss of appropriate scale and grain where historic plots have been accumulated for development.

Lunch will be provided on the day by Dublin City Council, and now what ? will provide some wine to finish off what will hopefully be a great day!

now what? exhibition 9-20 October

2009-10-07T11:12:00.022+01:00

now what? is pleased to announce an exhibition of the work carried out over the summer.

The exhibition reflects the multi-disciplinary interests of those involved and includes 1:1 construction, photography, paintings, a fully operating 'sound-box', architectural models, maps, furniture and films plus drawings, research and books. There will also be a number of events held open to all (see below).
It will be manned on a voluntary basis by those who were involved with the initiative so be sure to drop in.

dates: 09.10.09 – 20.10.09
location: Unit 14, Block C - Smithfield Plaza.
times: Weekdays: 4pm-9pm., Weekends: 12pm – 9pm.
contact: www.nowwhatrichview.blogspot.com, nowwhatrichview@ucd.ie

exhibition events:

Monday 12th October, 7pm : Formal Opening/Evening Conversation #4

The now what ? lecture series moves into the exhibition space for a discussion with three of the workshops that dealt with construction, its techniques, meanings & ramifications for architects.

Communicative Constructs, Cohesive Construction and Sounding Boxes will present on the night.

This is also the formal opening of the exhibition, and wine will be served from 7pm.

All are welcome to join us in launching the exhibition and celebrating all of the hard work...

Tuesday 13th October, 7pm: Reading Group discussion.

Now what read will hold a reading group/discussion in the space.

The reading is "Zoom: Google Earth and Global Intimacy" by Vittoria diPalma from Intimate Metropolis which she edited with Diana Periton et al, and is proposed by Dr. Hugh Campbell.

Places are limited to 10, so contact the reading group to secure your space.

nowwhatread (at) gmail.com

Saturday 17th October, 9.30am-5pm: One-Day Ideas Competition:

'the Dublin House'

All are welcome to participate in a one day design competition in association with Dublin City Council.

It is open to architectural students, graduates, practitioners and all those interested in the design of housing in Dublin .

The competition will take place on a single day and the brief is to design ‘the Dublin house’ - a new housing typology suitable for infill sites in the historic Georgian city.

The site is on the west side of Lower Dominick Street , currently the site of a Dublin City Council social housing flat complex built in 1970.

Places are limited, so to ensure a space, please email thedublinhouse (at) ymail.com to reserve a place and for further information. Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

The competition can be entered as an individual or as a group to a maximum of three members.

Lunch will be provided on the day by Dublin City Council, and now what ? will provide some wine to finish off what will hopefully be a great day!

Monday 19th October, 7pm : Evening Conversation #5

The now what ? lecture series continues in the exhibition space.

On Hold, The Spirit of Gracious Living and Remaking the Suburbs workshops will discuss the issues they encountered in their workshops, development, its marketing, and the property market problems facing Ireland currently to common design issues within the design of the suburbs.

After this, the lectures will return to the Red Room UCD Architecture, Richivew @ 6pm every Monday.

Many thanks to:
Staff at the School of Architecture at Richview, University College Dublin who conceived and supported the initiative by providing studio space, library and building laboratory facilities over the summer months.
The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government who among others provided a welcome grant which has allowed the research and work undertaken to be publicly exhibited and disseminated.
The Irish Architecture Foundation, who were instrumental in securing the exhibition space,
Our sponsors, including Gerry Cahill Architects who helped along the way,
Dublin City Council Architect's Division who have supported and attended many of the now what events.
Sarah Breen Lovett, Antoin Doyle & Philip McGlade for helping to organise and set-up the exhibition and Nuala Flood, Micheal Lovett and Jack Murray of Media Express for helping with publicize the exhibition.

Chris Kelly of RedQuartz who donated the exhibition space

But most importantly, the initiative became a success through the hard work and dedication of all involved, and this work has had the effect of creating a positive and exciting atmosphere within the architecture and design community. We would like to thank those who got involved and brought so much energy and innovation to the workshops, public conversations & exhibition itself.

We are hopeful that the spirit of now what will engage the wider public and propose an alternative way to learn and collaborate in challenging times.

Exhibition update

2009-10-06T11:18:00.000+01:00

The exhibition is almost ready!! We will add details, events etc to the blog later today..in the meantime, here are some images of the hard work that took place over the weekend.

It started at Richview.. with a hire truck and some volunteers

who perhaps didn't realise what they were getting themselves in for...laws of physics were bent to allow the exhibition to all fit in one truck...

and the show moved on to Smithfield, where yet more volunteers unloaded..

and brought the exhibition inside to its new home at Unit 14 Block C...

where it was installed (with coffee).....

hung...

painted....

and is now waiting.......until the 9th to open

(exhibition runs from 9-20 October, 4-9pm weekdays, 12-9pm weekends, further details to follow)

Thank you so much to everyone who helped over the weekend...it was a lot of hard work, and your efforts are appreciated...

Thanks particularly to Sarah Breen Lovett, Antoin Doyle and Philip McGlade for helping organize & design the exhibition, and

Thanks especially to the Irish Architecture Foundation who were instrumental in securing the space, and last but not least,

Thank you Chris Kelly of Redquartz for donating the space to us for the exhibition!!

Evening Conversation #3

2009-09-29T23:06:00.000+01:00

Monday 05 October, 18.00pm, Red Room Richview

Next week, 3 workshops will present their work: Synthetic Landscapes, Public Space Mapping & Derive.

The three are related to mapping, landscape & public space.

Cohesive Construction - opportunities

2009-09-29T22:02:00.000+01:00

The timbrel vault is nearing completion...there are opportunities to help complete it and learn the method of construction in the process..anyone who would like to give a few hours completing this beautiful piece of work, get in contact with cohesive through their blog

evening conversation #2

2009-09-18T12:09:00.002+01:00

Monday 21 September, 6pm red room richview.

Francis Matthews and Laura Kelly from Interpretations of an Image and Stephen Tierney from The Interior Prospect will discuss their work, ideas and workshop.
Both workshops were related to the image and its creation.

Evening Conversations

2009-09-11T13:54:00.002+01:00

The now what workshops will be hosting a series of public conversations on the work undertaken over the summer.
The conversations will take place every Monday at 18.00 in the Red Room, Richview.
Each conversation will include two workshops, who will present their work, with a discussion afterwards.

The first of these will be on Monday 14 September, 18.00 in the Red Room at Richview.
First, will be an introduction to now what, and what took place over the summer, then Fab_Lab will talk about their workshop...see you all there!

Cohesive Construction

2009-09-09T10:11:00.001+01:00

Check out Cohesive Construction's progress here... laying of the dome is about to commence!

Mind the Gap

2009-09-03T10:51:00.003+01:00

Mind the Gap is initiated by Michelle Browne who is involved in the 'Ground Up' workshop. Check out details below of the project which is taking place this week as part of the Fringe Festival.

Mind The Gap is a collaborative public art project initiated by Michelle Browne to work with artists, designers, architects and planners to look at open spaces in the city and consider new uses for them. Over the course of two months the group have explored areas across Dublin city considering how we can re-imagine our civic society. Throughout Absolut Fringe we will present a range of interventions that will inform and delight. The project is based at thisisnotashop on Benburb Street Dublin 7 where you can get information and contribute to our exhibition of ideas for the city.

Mind The Gap is an Absolut Fringe Commission.

Participants: Michelle Browne, Siobhan Carroll, Carolann Courtney, Mark Durkan, John Holten, Colm Keller, Issac Lawless, Bryan O’Connell, Jeni Roddy, Naomi Ronan, Tom Walsh, Chong Wang.
SEPT 5th - 4.30pm

Utopian Bus Tour – A guided tour through
Dublin with a difference. Drawing on unrealised
proposals for the city and imagining new uses
for vacant spaces, the Utopian Bus Tour will
guide you through an alternative vision for the
city. Leaves from Smithfield Square.

SEPT 12th + 19th 8-11pm
Don’t Quote Me – Projected on the outside
of the iconic Screen cinema, Mind The Gap
looks to the silver screen to investigate
Dublin’s current dilemmas. The city, planning,
corruption, and the fall of a nation are explored
through the history of cinema.
SEPT 7th -12th

Fare Play? – Taking off in a taxi from Foster
Place, Mind The Gap will offer you a chance
to learn about NAMA while visiting the sites
of the nation’s current big question. Informed
taxi drivers will explain the workings of NAMA
and show you where it will all happen. Various
times, limited space, booking essential. Email
for details.

SEPT 11th + 18th 6pm - 6.30pm

Operetta – A lone performer looks out over the
city and sings a lament to its citizens. Mind The
Gap presents a solo operatic performance on
Foster Place of arias that highlight the current
plight of the city and its uncertain future.
SEPT 19th 12pm - 3pm

Flower Show – Following from the tradition of
competitive window box competitions in the
Smithfield area, Mind The Gap offer you the
chance to come to Smithfield Plaza and design
your own flower box display to be adjudicated
by Lord Ross of Birr Castle, Father to Lord
Oxmantown. Take this opportunity to bring plant
life to the plaza.

SEPT 20th 3pm

The Big Freeze – Goethe famously said
“architecture is frozen music.” Taking
inspiration from the architecture of Smithfield
Plaza, a brass band will perform The Ride of
The Valkyries by Wagner. This collaborative
performance highlights the
peaks and troughs of Smithfield Square
as a public space.

Ongoing
Public Seating – Mind the Gap will provide
alternative public seating in the city for
visitors and commuters over the course of
Absolut Fringe. Seating will be provided on
Aungier Street, Hawkins Street and other
city centre locations

Sunken Site – Hammond Lane – A series
of visual proposals will be presented for an
unused site on Hammond Lane and Church
Street. A collection of proposals taken from
an open call from designers and architects
explore the possibilities of the disused spaces
in the city.

Thisisnotashop – The hub of the Mind The Gap
operation, the gallery will host an exhibition of
ideas for the city. Inspired by the urban myth
that Santiago Calatrava designed the James
Joyce bridge on the back of a napkin, we invite
you, the viewer, to present your ideas for the
city of an ever-expanding array of napkins.
The gallery will also host The Smithfield
Archive presenting the history of the area and
unrealised proposals for its regeneration.

Watch out for other surprise events on our blog!

Contact us at

mindthegapdublincity@gmail.com,
www.Mindthegapdublincity.blogspot.com

Fringe Box Office
Filmbase, Curved St., Dublin 2
call: 1850 FRINGE
www.fringefest.com

Thisisnotashop
26 Benburb St, Dublin 7.
www.thisisnotashop.com

Thank you!

2009-08-29T07:51:00.003+01:00

Thanks everyone for turning out last night, it was a good party!

The work carried out over the summer went down really well...thank you all for the energy and committment that brought each workshop in its own direction and produced such thought-provoking and diverse research.
Keep sending us in images of the work in progress - nowwhatrichview(at)yahoo.co.uk

We're looking forward to bringing all of the summer's hard work into Smithfield in October...keep an eye on the blog for updates...
There will of course be another party in October!

The burning of a crane by Blathmhac O Muiri of the Monument Time Workshop added a suitably ceremonial note to the occasion.

Now What Party Tonight!!!

2009-08-28T09:44:00.000+01:00

now what ? closing night 28.08.09, Richview, UCD, 7 p.m.

come early as we have to leave before 9:30pm!

you are invited to the closing night of now what ? workshops and summer studios in Richview, UCD on 28th August 09 beginning at 7 p.m. There will be a wine reception, food, music and a chance to meet everyone who got involved this summer and see some of the work carried out

Thanks to all for the brilliant work carried out over the summer and see you there!

Soundbox Gig Tonight!!

2009-08-26T09:38:00.000+01:00

This Wednesday the 26th of August will be a great gig at 8pm at the Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey street. The line-up includes HI-JINX, NIALL COLFER, THE THIRD TWIN and members of ELECTRIC CEILI.

All proceeds of the event go towards the sounding boxes workshop which is building an installation exploring sound in architecture.

For more details see the sounding boxes blog here and you can rsvp on the facebook event page here.

See you there!

Workshop # 17 On Hold - Presentation Tonight!

2009-08-24T15:46:00.006+01:00

Wednesday 26 August, 6.00-8.00pm, Red Room, Richview

On Hold are sharing the research undertaken by them in a Red Room session.

This promises to be an interesting evening, as the group have been questioning Dublin's approach to property and development, and topics covered on the night will range from NAMA to retro-fitting. They have a blog for further information.
Each participant will present their research and take questions from the floor.

All are welcome!!

(and don't forget to come along to the soundbox gig in the twisted pepper afterwards!)

nowwhatonhold ( at ) gmail.com

The Workshop

A deflated property market along with incoherent development and planning decisions in Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area have created a patchwork of vacant, unfinished and defunct urban and suburban fragments, a city ON HOLD. The workshop promotes a multidisciplinary approach to the various challenges and opportunities of these fragments and intends to find strategies between shrinking and growing that involve the various stakeholders and positively influence and modify the future development of a city on hold.

About the Organisers:

Roland Bosbach was born in Germany in 1970. Studied at TU Dresden. Set up BSPL in Dublin in 1999 and published 'Anonmag' with Ronan Devlin. He had previously worked in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland and left in 2004 to work in China on a range of large scale commercial and housing projects. He has extensive experience in the fields of Housing, Urban design and Landscape design and won numerous awards for housing and urban design projects. Roland has also tutored at the schools of Architecture at DIT and UCD. He is currently working with Denis Byrne Architects as the Project Director on the competition winning scheme for the new Networks Services Centre for Bord Gais Networks in Finglas Dublin.

Manuel Diez Garrido is an Urbanist with a Degree in Civil Engineering, a Masters in Urban Design and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mobility Engineering with fourteen years experience in the design and development of urbanism and engineering projects within multidisciplinary groups. He has worked in Spain, South America and Ireland, set up Urban Fabric in 2008 and is currently working on the masterplan for the Town Centre Extension of Celbridge, Co. Kildare.

WORKSHOP #10 - 1989-2009 MONUMENT TIME

2009-08-17T11:10:00.003+01:00

Scale Architects in collaboration with Brian Ward & Gary Farrelly

Image by Gary Farrelly

Workshop Timetable and Public Lectures:

Monday 24th: 5.30-8.00pm: Red Room, Richview
Public lecture + Q&A by ScAle Architects and Sean Hillen.

8.00pm: introduction to the final project: creation of the country's missing monument.

Tuesday 25th: 5.30-8.00pm: Red Room Richview
Public lecture +Q&A by Gary Farrelly, Brian ward, Ide Moloney,

8.00pm: discussion on the final project.

Thursday 27th: 5.30-8.00pm: Red Room, Richview.
Presentation + crits of all the projects created by the participants and the lecturers.

Workshop Description:

This is an idea to investigate the "monumental" output of Ireland in the last twenty years.

What sort of iconic constructions / symbolic structures / landmark buildings or in one word Monuments (to the economy, communication, politic, religion, sport...) were produced from the collapse of the Eastern Block to the current Credit Crunch?

The project should be divided into three parts:

a) Survey/Analysis/Evaluation of the artefacts erected on the Republic of Ireland, which could be regarded as monuments.

b) Discussion/debate on the meaning, the value and the existence of the monuments in the ROI. Do we have them? Do we need them?

In the "transparent democratic networking era" do we still need significant physical piece of "hardware" to appear in our towns?

c) Proposals for construction/destruction/recalibration of the XXI century monument.

Should the political power invest tax-payer money for the creation of a self-referential symbol? Should the economy be reinvigorated by a Bilbao-like international attraction? Should the architect be the one who materializes the current collective imagination?...

more info to follow.

nowwhatmonument (at) gmail.com

About the Organisers:
Maurizio Scalera B.Arch, MRIAI italian architect graduated from University of Florence, Italy, in 2000. Lives and works in Dublin since 2002. He has been working with De Paor Architects, Grafton Architects, OMP Architects. Currently teaching in Design Studio, First Year, School of Architecture, DIT, Dublin. Co-founder of ScAle architects, since 2001.
Benedetta Alessi B.Arch, graduated from UCD Dublin in 2004. She has been working with Simon Walker Architects and Palmer Whelan Associates. Co-founder of ScAle architects, since 2001. Has been involved in several Art/Architecture collaborations and exhibitions in Ireland.

Brian Ward year-master, first year, School of Architecture, DIT, Dublin.
Gary Farrelly resident artist at Galerie W Eric Landau, 44 rue Lepic Paris 18.

Workshop #18 From the Ground Up

2009-08-17T09:37:00.006+01:00

Update!

The Gathering of Interest workshop have sent us some pictures of the installation they made on site on the only sunny day last week.... They attracted a lot of positive responses - well done to Anne, Matt, Michelle and all the participants.....For further information, have a look at their blog

Images by Catherine Gorman

About the Organiser:
Anne Gorman's early interest in drawing and making things has led her to study construction/technology and architecture in DIT and then UCD. She set up her own practice Agarc in 2008 where she gets to indulge her interest in the on-site process. She is a part-time studio and technology tutor in UCD's middle school.

Matt Shelton is a graduate of the School of Architecture UCD. He currently works in Dublin with Gerry Cahill Architects.

Michelle Browne is a performance artist and graduate of NCAD. She is currently organising a public space initiative ‘Mind The Gap’ project as part of the Fringe Festival. See her website here.

contact:

nowwhatgathering (at) gmail.com

WORKSHOP #6 - FLIPSIDE

2009-08-13T15:21:00.006+01:00

Update!

The Flipside crew have been hard at work making some very interesting and beautiful pieces - below are some examples of the outcome of their workshop.

Congratulations to Ciara Keohane, Nuala Flood, Roisin Ahern, Clare McEvoy, Paul Quinn and Seoidin O'Sullivan on such great work.

Workshop Description:
We are interested in the reinterpretation of a given condition. Existing objects with recognised uses are re-evaluated. Objects with disparate uses are combined and used in a new way. Focusing on the reuse /recycling of furniture and domestic objects we aim to create a workshop to develop these ideas and test them in full scale.

contact: nowwhatflipside (at) gmail.com

About the Organisers:
Nuala Flood is an architect who lives and works in Dublin.
Ciara Keohane is an architect who loves fancy dress and would much rather go to the beach than draw toilet layouts on any given day

Images by Nuala Flood and Ciara Keohane

WORKSHOP #23 - INTERACT!

2009-08-12T09:45:00.002+01:00

Orla Hegarty has organised a one-day workshop taking place on the 26th of August called: Interact!

This workshop will be given by Gordon Gibb, architect & lecturer at the Mackintosh School of Architecture in the Glasgow School of Art.

Gordon teaches presentation and communication skills to architects through an entertaining mix of powerpoint techniques and drama training.

The all-day workshop will be limited to a group of 22 participants.

If you would like to take part please email us at:

nowwhatrichview (at) ucd.ie

Learning Space Update

2009-08-11T13:42:00.003+01:00

Learning Space are delighted to announce that Roankabin have come aboard as sponsors for this stage of the workshop.

They have provided the following prizes for the workshop.

* A three month [minimum] fully salaried [pro-rata] position for an architect in their architectural research section;

* A prize fund of €1,500, a minimum of €500 of which will be given out at this stage as prizes with a maximum of €1,000 being awarded to participants to assist further development of the work during the Autumn

Check out the excellent Learning Space blog to see what they are up to.

Congratulations Deirdre and Emmett!

Public Conversation Postponed!

2009-08-10T10:50:00.003+01:00

The Public Conversation due to take place on Monday the 10th of August has been postponed.

We apologise for any inconvenience!

Details of later date to be confirmed soon.

WORKSHOP #24 - FAB_LAB

2009-08-04T12:16:00.001+01:00

James McBennett

image from Sci-Arc

Workshop Description:

FAB_LAB
Fabrication_Laboratory

"Over the past two decades, new technologies of digital fabrication emerged giving new ways of conceiving, designing and producing architecture. This short course aims to provide a brief introduction to the history of computation and its influence in the field of design and architecture. It aims to create awareness of the latest methods in digital fabrication and introduce the work of key offices that show these tools can be utilized for far more than just architectural visualisation.

The principal body of the course will introduce Rhino3D to students giving them a comprehensive knowledge of the software and continue to test 3D printing, CNC Milling and laser cutting for the production of a small piece of furniture."

Course dates:Three-day workshop from 24th-26th August.

number of participants: 10

if you would like to be a participant please send an outline of your interest together with an introduction to yourself to:

nowwhatfablab (at) gmail.com

About the Organiser:
James McBennett graduated from third year in UCD in 2007 and has since worked in London, Copenhagen and Rotterdam.

workshop # 20 - a day in the light

2009-08-04T11:51:00.008+01:00

The long day in the light has taken place, well done to all who participated. We left the people of Westport intrigued as to what we were at and came away with really great images to start work on next week.

Workshop #2 Cohesive Construction

2009-08-04T10:53:00.009+01:00

Cohesive Construction are on site, and are out of the ground...keep an eye on their blog over the next 3 weeks to watch the timbrel vault emerge!

Big thank you to Colm Moore, Andrew Clancy and Ryan Kennihan for hatching, organising and running this workshop, and to all the participants who are helping construct the vault...watch this space!

Day 1 - photo by Anne Nielsen

Day 2 - photo by Anne Nielsen

Day 3 - photo by Andrew Clancy

Day4 - photo by Rae Moore

Day 4 - photo by Rae Moore

Day 4 - photo by Rae Moore

Workshop # 15 Interpretations of an image

2009-07-30T17:43:00.011+01:00

'Interpretations of an Image' spent the last 3 days painting in Richview...some beautiful work emerging from this...here's some photographs of the process.

Thanks to Francis Matthews and Laura Kelly for organising and running this!

photos by Alice Clancy

Public Conversation no. 2 - 'Common Space'

2009-07-21T15:07:00.017+01:00

Cliften - Daniel Fishback

Wednesday 29th July
Red Room, Richview, UCD Architecture
12.45-1.15 lunch
1.15-2.30 Public Conversation

The second public conversation is called 'common space'.

We've organised a complimentary lunch for 12.45pm with the conversation due to begin at 1.15.

The topic for conversation is 'common space', and will address the ideas inherent in that name - public space, community and the civic. The conversation will be an informal 'questions and answers' type session, with participants invited to set questions for discussion to an invited panel.

Confirmed panelists:

Aidan J. Ffrench - landscape architect, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect

Ken McCue - Cultural/community activist

Seoidin O'Sullivan - Artist

Chair: Alan Mee

This event has been organised by Anne Gorman who runs the workshop 'From the Ground Up' with Matt Shelton and Michelle Browne.

If you would like to propose a question, please email us at nowwhatrichview (at) ucd.ie by Monday 27th July.

This will allow us to organise a better structure to the event.

You can rsvp via facebook if you check 'attending' here.

Hope to see you there!

Here's some recommended reading from our panellists for anyone who would like to delve further into the topic:

(see also the now what reading group now what read)

1) 'Reclaiming the Commons', David Bollier,link.

2) Life between Buildings: Using Public Space Jan Gehl

3) 'Mappings'(extract The agency of Mapping) by James Corner

4) A pattern Language:Towns, Buildings, Construction by Christopher Alexander

5) Green Space Mapping + Characterization by Green Space Scotland

6) Urban Design Manual: A Best Practice Guide

7) H.A.R.P. Framework Document, Dublin Corporation, 1996

8) Cultural Policy and Urban Regeneration - the West European Experience, Eds; Franco Bianchini, Michael Parkinson

9) Push for Urban Parkland takes Root, Haya El Nasser, USA Today - link

10) Parks for People, Conference Report, Liverpool 2005 - link

2009-07-20T12:16:00.000+01:00

Mind The Gap

Why aren't the two Luas lines linked up? Why can I never find a public toilet? Why is there no grass in Wolfe Tone Park ? Can anything be done with the dying Smithfield Square ? Due to the economic downturn do you find you have more time to see the little or big things that are missing that you might not have noticed before? Do things in the city bother you? Is there something that you could do about it? The artist Michelle Browne is looking for participants for her new project Mind the Gap which will be part of the Dublin Fringe Festival in September 09. The group are currently looking at gaps that exist in the city, focusing on issues relating to urban planning, to architecture, and to infrastructural and social concerns. We will identify services that do not exist or objects that would improve our experience of the city.We want to come up with a new vision for different parts of the city.

This year's Fringe Festival will present works which confront, embrace and defy this period of remarkable change and challenges. From celebrating the fresh re-emergence of DIY culture, looking at where we are and how we got here; as a city, nation and international community of makers, doers, seers and thinkers.

If you have a skills in the areas of architecture, design, construction, urban planning or related subjects, and would like to be part of a visual art project that creatively looks at these issues please contact Michelle for more information. The artist is particularly interested in working with those who through unemployment may have lots of ideas but nowhere to channel them. The group meets twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The work will culminate in the public presentation of our research over the 16 days of the Fringe Festival from 5-20 of September.

Email michellembrowne@gmail.com and go to www.michellebrowne.net for examples of previous work.

Pecha Kucha

2009-07-17T09:54:00.006+01:00

Thanks to everyone who came along to Pecha Kucha !

if you couldn't make it here are some pictures of the event taken by photographer Mads Bruun

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!

2009-07-16T15:55:00.000+01:00

The Workroom (atelier architecture) - a new public space

The redesign of a new office and gallery space for the Irish Architecture Foundation -

a space that reflects the ethos of the IAF and is a catalyst for the development of the foundation.

Aim

To design a space and build the physical elements to create a multifunctional workroom. To create a public exhibition space, drop in centre and an office for IAF staff.

We are going to run a competition, which involves the public having 1/3 of the vote. We will post up the submissions on our website which has had 24,000 unique visitors since February and 3,500 people on our e- mailing list.

Great exposure for the architects involved!

A space must conveys the following:

- architecture as activity

- public private connection

- visibility in a basement

- consider way-finding and signage

- to be used by a broad audience

Method

Using existing structures, limitations and furniture, re-think the space and it’s use.

Space 30sqm

€1,000 budget is available for materials & construction.

2 stage competition

Proposals submitted for selection

One winning team

Priorities for judging: achievable, budget, realistic, inspiring, small idea/big impact

Duration

Stage 1: 5 x drawings/animations by email/DVD with philosophy and method submitted 31st July to director@architecturefoundation.ie.

These images will be posted on our website for the public vote.

Panel: IAF + Guest + Public Vote (post on IAF website for 2 weeks august)

Stage 2:End of August: winning team announced deliver design + construction in September.

Launch end of September:

CALL INTO THE OFFICE TO TAKE PHOTOS AND MEASUREMENTS

CALL FIRST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN. Tel 01 6768863

About the IAF

The Irish Architecture Foundation’s role is to be a vibrant and passionate organisation that communicates the value of architecture to the general public. We are a focal point for the many people and organisations who wish to champion the power of architecture and the built environment. We produce, curate and support exhibitions, workshops and events that stimulate and empower the public.

to get involved or find out more please email:

nowwhatatelier (at) gmail.com

Cohesive Construction - Table Quiz!

2009-07-13T12:05:00.005+01:00

Tues 21st July, 4 Dame Lane. Doors 8pm, Quiz 9pm sharp, entry €10

There's a great array of prizes including:

4 tickets to castlepallooza music festival in Charleville castle for the winning table

a host of other prizes for raffle on the night, including more tickets to the festival, bike gear, vouchers, booze etc etc...

Music afterwards till late.

See you there!

Thank You!

2009-07-09T23:54:00.000+01:00

Thanks to the huge crowd who come out to Richview last night!

It was a great start to now what?

special thanks to all the workshop presenters and to:

Dr. Hugh Campbell, Professor of Architecture for the opening speech

Ciaran Cuffe T.D. for the closing remarks

Velux for sponsoring the wine

Reemo for some great music before and after the presentations.

and to Sean Hillen for taking these photographs.

Signing Up

anyone who was there will know that we created an email address for each workshop which you will find here on the blog with the workshop description.

So, whether you made it last night or not -

look up the addresses of the workshops you are interested in and drop them a line.

as of now you can use the studios - most will be going for the top floor which is where the 'rich view' is so head on up and get a desk.

now what? is on facebook - Love it or hate it - join the group if you're on it!

as always - let us know if you have any queries at nowwhatrichview (at) ucd.ie

Tara Kennedy and Joanne Butler ask 'what is the spirit of gracious living anyway?'

Ciaran Cuff makes a closing speech.

WORKSHOP # 13 - SYNTHETIC LANDSCAPES

2009-07-08T00:25:00.002+01:00

Aoibheann ni Mhearain and David Healy

image by Aoibheann Ni Mhearain

synthetic landscapes now have a blog

Workshop Description:

aims

This workshop aims to instigate a discussion on how to represent landscape, from the understanding that how we represent a landscape circumscribes our future actions on it; what we see determines how we act.

method

This study will examine 2 specific types of representation – the historical picturesque and the contemporary map - thinking critically about their production and their application – and will apply this thinking to 2 sites in Dublin's outskirts, each with different landscape qualities.

product

The end product is projected as a series of new folding maps - a cross-fertilisation of the map and the picture and a synthesis of the visual and performative aspects of landscape.

timescale

This project will take place over 4 weeks in June/July, with 1-2 days of participation per week.

“Representational techniques (ways of drawing or modeling) allied with analytical methods (ways of conceptualizing and measuring) are mutually dependent practices that condition how problems of the (landscape) are framed and sites conceived.”

- Andrea Kahn

nowwhatsynthetic (at) gmail.com

About the Organisers:
Aoibheann Ni Mhearain is an architect currently in practice in Dublin. She teaches studio in UCD and UCC, where she also lectures on landscape. Aoibheann formerly worked with Grafton Architects in Dublin and with OMA in Rotterdam. She has studied in UCD (B.Arch) and Princeton University (M.Arch)

David Healy is a recent graduate of the School of Architecture in UCD. He has worked with Grafton Architects in Dublin and has also studied at the School of Architecture in Aarhus, Denmark.

2009-07-06T22:50:00.000+01:00

now what?

opening night
06.07.09 red room, richview, ucd 7.30 pm

The now what? summer school will open on Monday 6th July at Richview, UCD architecture at 7.30 pm.

Key speakers will open the summer school and each workshop will be introduced. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to sign up for the workshops while enjoying a glass of wine.

WORKSHOP #8 REMAKING THE MODERN SUBURB

2009-07-06T10:49:00.011+01:00

James Leahy

A new non-growth dependent development model for suburbs is required:

Development has stopped but the actions required to retrofit existing suburbs for accessibility and to provide social housing all assumed that the previous level of development would continue. A new model for the redevelopment of our existing suburbs over the next ten years is needed.

Smarter Travel Policy:

The new Smarter Travel sustainable transport policy and the National Cycle Policy Framework (Department of Transport 2008, 2009) have many actions calling for suburbs to be retrofitted to make them permeable for walkers and cyclists and accessible by public transport. How will they be retrofitted to do this?

Housing:

There is still a need to build social housing, create new models of housing tenure and to increase the mix of housing in existing suburbs. There is a further need to introduce employment and services into suburbs.

Inspiration:

Can the example of how the Dublin Crisis Conference, Making the Modern Street and Group 91 Architects in the 1980-90’s led to a revolution in the planning our our city centres and a new model of development be used as an inspiration?

Retrofitting suburbs:

What will retrofitting projects look like?

How will they be planned or regulated?

Who will deliver them?

Who will pay?

How will they gain community acceptance?

Who is doing what now, in Ireland and abroad?

Scope:

The Workshops will initially limit themselves to exploring the possibilities for retro-fitting suburbs over the next 10 years.

Format:

A series of workshops with interested architects, planners and people from the environmental and community housing sector. Research for these will cover case studies of current and potential best practice in Ireland and abroad, plus research on particular actions from Smarter travel and the National Cycle Policy Framework

Outcomes:

-Proposal for a model of redevelopment of our suburbs based on retrofitting and small local interventions.

-Opportunities to partner with providers of social and community housing

-An application to the Smarter Travel project fund before 9 September 2009.

nowwhatremaking(at) gmail.com

see also the Remaking the Modern Suburb blog here

About the Organisers:
James Leahy is an engineer, one of the founders of Bike to Work, and member of An Taisce and Dublin Cycling campaign

WORKSHOP #11 - DERIVE : SUNRISE TO SUNSET

2009-07-05T11:41:00.010+01:00

Nuala Flood

Workshop Description:

The objective of this workshop is to look at Dublin in a fresh light with a view to discovering hidden treasures within the city. The exercise will take place over three days. On the first afternoon we will discuss the various practices of urban wandering including (but not limited to) the aimless wandering of the Flneur, the ready made art of the Dadaists, the strolling of the Situationists, along with the practices of various contemporary walking artists. Based on this discussion the group will devise a sets of principals or rules to guide the urban adventure. These principals should encourage drifting into uncharted territories, thus creating serendipitous occasions. For example, many urban wanderers use small generative algorithms to encourage unpredictable behaviour (like: second left, first right, second right, repeat).

On day two we will meet at sunrise to begin the magical journey. According to the Situationists a Derive is most successful when carried out in small groups of either two or three people. Through the playful act of wandering strange turns will be taken and marvellous views uncovered. Each group will make a photographic record of their trajectory. We will conclude the journey at nightfall.

On afternoon of day three we will meet again to discuss the findings our experiment. Each group will trace out the path through which they journeyed and choose 17 photographs to describe it (1 photograph to describe each hour). The photographs and maps will be complied to form an exhibition describing our view of this particular day and what magical mysteries we have uncovered through our adventuring.

Who:
Maximum of 10 participants

When:
tbc

nowwhatderive (at) gmail.com

About the organiser:
Nuala Flood is an architect and avid photographer who lives and works in Dublin. At the moment she is most interested in psychogeography, treasure hunting in the city and re-appropriating objects found through her wanderings.

WORKSHOP #7 - MULTIPLEX

2009-07-05T01:03:00.001+01:00

Alice Clancy & James Rossa O'Hare

Image by Hiroshi Sugimoto

Workshop Description:

Multiplex is aimed at investigating the potential of film to describe space. This will form ongoing experimentation until October at which point we will exhibit the results at the IAF and now what? exhibition.

We will be building on ideas and research already carried out into the representation of space which we catalog in our blogs richviewer and space framed.

Calls for expressions of interest are welcome to join a group that meets weekly for screenings and discussions leading on to the production of short films.

Meetings will be scheduled to suit organisers and participants but take place weekly over the summer.

Please contact nowwhatmultiplex (at) gmail.com to find out more and get involved.

WORKSHOP #2 - COHESIVE CONSTRUCTION

2009-07-03T23:31:00.007+01:00

Andrew Clancy, Colm Moore & Ryan Kennihan

Workshop Description:

The fragmentation of the skills of construction into disparate professions and trades and the isolation of the architect from those trades means those who design are disengaged from the reality of making. This disconnect is compounded by a building industry interested only in selling products. Over time traditions of building are abandoned and knowledge is lost to ever more standardised and systematised solutions.

This limits our understanding of what is possible, and consequently affects how we design. We believe that in this time there is opportunity for architects to re-learn some of what might have been lost.

Project Description:

This workshop will research and revive a lost construction technique – that of timbrel vaulting. We will then build a space based on this technique.

The Timbrel Vault or Catalan Arch is built up in layers using thin clay tiles and Portland cement.

The origins of this construction technique lie in ancient Egypt but proved most popular in the middle ages throughout the mediteranean. The method was studied, formalised and patented in the United States in the late 19^th century by the Catalan engineer Raphael Guastavino who coined the term ‘Cohesive Construction’. The cohesive nature of these constructions reduces the need for buttressing while eliminating the necessity of temporary supports. It also enables the creation of large spanning structures with a material thickness of 30mm using standard industrially produced clay roof tiles.

We will explore timbrel vault construction through the design and execution of a 4m x 4m domed structure. We will study the method and develop a simple proposal in collaboration with engineers and architects researching this type of vaulting in the UK and elsewhere. We intend to self-build this proposal on site in UCD.

Duration:

3 weeks from mid July for 10-12 people.

nowwhatcohesive (at) gmail.com

see also the cohesive construction blog here.

About the Organisers:

Colm Moore - Studied Architecture at UCD, graduating 2002. Established Clancy Moore Architects with Andrew Clancy in 2006. The firm is a partner in StrandStudio, a shared studio for young architects in Dublin. He is a studio tutor in 3rd year of the Dublin School of Architecture, DIT.

Andrew Clancy MRIAI - Studied Architecture at UCD, graduating 2001. Established Clancy Moore Architects with Colm Moore in 2006. The firm is a partner in StrandStudio, a shared studio for young architects in Dublin. He is a studio tutor in 3rd year of the Dublin School of Architecture, DIT.

Ryan W. Kennihan MRIAI – Studied Architecture at Cornell University, graduating in 2001. After working in Chicago and San Francisco, he emigrated to Ireland in 2002. From 2002-2005 he worked with Boyd Cody Architects and in 2007 opened Ryan W. Kennihan Architects. Ryan W. Kennihan Architects has been the recipient of multiple design awards including from the Architectural Association of Ireland, the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and the 2007 Opus Architecture and Construction Award, most recently winning the international competition for no. 16 Henrietta Street, Dublin. The firm is currently engaged in a wide variety of projects across Ireland. He is a studio tutor at the Dublin School of Architecture from 2004 – present and is currently teaching thesis studio at University College Dublin.

WORKSHOP # 20 - A DAY IN THE LIGHT

2009-07-03T15:22:00.022+01:00

Fiona Hughes and Orla Murphy

What?

This workshop aims firstly to record and secondly to map the ever changing interaction of time, light and space using an Irish town as the subject for this investigation.

Where?

Stage one of the workshop takes place in Westport, Co. Mayo where a single day, from sunrise to sunset, will be recorded through photography.
Participants will arrive in Westport the evening before recording to be introduced to and become familiar with the town. There will also be presentations and conversations on the aim of the workshop.
Stage two takes place at the studios in the School of Architecture where a single piece of work will be produced using the multiple recordings of stage one.

How?

It is proposed to use photography as the method of recording, while keeping the method of mapping open to individual participants.
Stage one - Each participant will set their particular parameters of recording, frequency of shot, duration of recording, technique, subject (detail, aperture, landscape), exposure, colour etc. to build up a dense series of images.
Stage two – Using the recordings, a single piece of work will be made which will represent the interaction of space, light and time by editing, multiplying, layering etc.

Stage one takes place the 27th, 28th and 29th of July ’09 and stage two takes place the 10th, 11th and 12th of August ‘09

a day in the light now have a blog

nowwhatday (at) gmail.com

about the organisers:

Orla Murphy is an architect in practice in Westport Co. Mayo and lecturer in UCD Architecture. Orla was awarded the Kevin Kieran Award by the Arts Council in May 2009. She is currently engaged in research into the contemporary Irish town.

Fiona Hughes is an architect and studio tutor in UCD Architecture

Image - Naoyo Hatakeyama, River series, 1993-1994

WORKSHOP #9 - ARCHITYPES

2009-07-03T12:22:00.006+01:00

Conor Nolan and David Wall

Workshop Description:

Aim
This workshop - architypes - aims to seek-out, document and instigate discussion surrounding historic and contemporary architectural typography in Dublin City. It is hoped that the results of this workshop will form part of a typographic tour of Dublin City.

Method
An introductory talk will be given, giving an overview and examples of architectural typography. Depending on numbers, participants will be split into groups of 2 or 3. Each group will photograph, sketch or take rubbings of examples of typography applied to the city’s architecture. Participants will convene for a discussion mid-workshop and on the final day (exact times to be confirmed).

Timescale
This project will take place over 2 weeks in August, with 2-3 days participation per week. (Exact dates to be confirmed)
nowwhatarchitypes (at) gmail.com

about the organisers:
Since founding a studio in 2006, the focus of Conor & David’s work has been to create thoughtful, rational, content-driven graphic design for print and screen, with a wide variety of clients. Their work has been featured in the magazines Creative Review (UK) and Candy (IRL) and in the book Type Addicted: The new trend of A to Z typo-graphics, published by Viction:ary, Hong Kong and recently Typomofo: Type morphing into forms, published by Page One, Singapore. They were among fifty leading international creatives invited to submit to the Helvetica 50 Exhibition at the Design Museum in London in summer 2007. Conor & David designed the identity, website, publication and exhibition signage for The Lives of Spaces, Ireland’s pavilion at the 11th International Architecture Biennale which opened in Venice, Italy in September 2008.

WORKSHOP #5 - TWENTY FOUR SEVEN

2009-06-25T10:40:00.006+01:00

Laura Harty & Aideen Lowery

Workshop Description:

twenty four seven aims to explore the idea of building without designing. The workshop will produce an installation/sculpture/object over a 24 hour period, creating and adding one part for every hour. The final product will be a complete object with 24 constituent parts, representing a period of construction. It is an experiment to build using only the limitations of time and material. The end result will not be pre-planned or drawn.

Engaging 24 different people and taking place over 24 distinct hours the process is intended to facilitate an individual reaction. The challenge is to appropriate a part or parts, in whatever way you see fit, but responding only to the piece created in the previous hour.

The project will be made from rescued firewood, a natural, irregular material inspiring individual treatment. The adjacent parts should fit together snugly, but not be fixed by any mechanical or chemical means. The piece will be constructed like a tapestry, knit or planted surface.

Our 24 hours will be spread over Tuesday & Thursday nights (beginning July 7th & ending July 23rd) between 6pm & 10pm.

Please email us at nowwhat.twentyfourseven (at) gmail.com and sign up for an hour!

nowwhattwentyfour(at) gmail.com

see also the twenty four (seven) blog here

About the Organisers:

Laura studied architecture in Dublin and Stockholm, graduating from UCD in 2005. She currently works with O’Donnell and Tuomey and was project architect for the Sean O’Casey Community Centre, completed September 2008.

Aideen studied architecture in Dublin and Stockholm, graduating from UCD in 2005. She has since been working with Heneghan Peng Architects in Dublin on various projects, and has just returned from travelling in South America.

WORKSHOP #1 - LEARNING SPACE

2009-06-22T23:21:00.006+01:00

Emmett Scanlon & Deirdre McKenna

image: Hertzberger - Delft Montessori School

Workshop Description:

This workshop intends to investigate the social, economic, physical and architectural issues of the contemporary primary school in Ireland. Working from a specific school in Tallaght, West Dublin, with a specific population of children of 41 differing nationalities, a real client body and an engaging local community, the workshop will aim to make highly specific proposals for a new primary school for Tallaght. The school will provide for over 550 pupils and staff. By addressing the particularities of this school and its situation, the workshop aims to extend its considerations and positions from the specific out, in order to contribute to the much wider debate on the role of architecture in the provision of Irish schools.

This debate is not currently happening. At present, a majority of schools are procured and built via economically driven systems, systems which arguably cannot accommodate the social, cultural or local. Yet, as architects we must respond to critical concerns of economy through both organisation and construction; economy of space, of structure, of material and of energy. The challenge lies in how we might reconcile these concerns with a fundamental idea of architecture, that we are indelibly marked by the quality of the spaces in which we are educated.

Architects are best placed to lead this discussion, and we ask to you lead it.

The project has been sponsored by the School and by Roankabin. Funding will be available to further develop all or some of the projects into an exhibitable format or publication. Explorative methods of communication and representation will be encouraged.

The Primary School intend to have an exhibition of the work in late 2009.

The workshop is open to all. A school brief, site plan and site information will be provided, and the project will run for 6 weeks (between Monday July 6th and Friday August 15th) with some set outcome criteria. A loose format will allow weekly guests to discuss issues around school provision in Ireland, alongside issues of social structures in schools, integration and public engagement. A series of site visits will also run in parrallel; to the School, to community facilities in Tallaght and to several notable Irish schools.

Participants are invited to work as individuals or in pairs, but this must be specified on application.

learning space now have a blog

If you would like to apply for this workshop please contact the organisers at the following email address:

learningspaceworkshop (at) gmail.com

About the organisers:

Deirdre McKenna was born Belfast and studied architecture at Queen’s University Belfast and University College Dublin. She has worked in architecture practice in London , Dublin and Belfast . Her work has been exhibited nationally and was included in Lisbon Architecture Triennale, 2007. Since 2008 she has been a studio tutor at UCD.
Emmett Scanlon founded Cast Architecture with Sarah Cremin in 2006. He is architectural advisor to the arts council and is currently managing a research project into public engagement with architecture on their behalf. He is the Irish correspondent for A10 with Sarah Cremin. He has been teaching at UCD since 1999 and was appointed lecturer in architecture in 2006

WORKSHOP #16 - ON HOLD?

2009-06-13T06:30:00.012+01:00

Roland Bosbach and Manuel Diez Garrido

Workshop Description:

Context

The unprecedented volume of construction in Dublin and the greater Dublin Area over the last decades is now facing an equally unprecedented period of negative growth. With the average vacancy rate of commercial properties reaching 20% and rising, many recent residential developments unfinished or vacant and the value of residential properties dropping by up to 40%, the oversupply of both the residential and commercial market is staggering. Incoherent development and planning decisions have created a patchwork of urban and suburban fragments, a city ON HOLD.

The implementation of NAMA, the new National Asset Management Agency, will amalgamate the vast majority of these fragments under one state authority, crossing traditional divides between the Local Authorities of the Greater Dublin Area and open up new opportunities to reconfigure, shrink, reprogram or connect.

With some developments predisposed for demolition similar to the phenomena of Shrinking Cities in Eastern Germany and Eastern Europe, other areas will be reinvigorated with both commercial and residential tenants on the move for cheaper and more central locations with proper access to infrastructure and services.

Task of the Workshop

The intention of the workshop is to find approaches to the various challenges and opportunities of these emerging dynamics. To find strategies that can help to positively influence and modify the urban fabric. The projects can range from urban studies, architectural interventions, feasibility studies for alternative uses, proposals for short term activism like “legal” squatting or marketing campaigns for threatened suburbia (get three houses for the price of one).

No. Participants

A maximum of 10-12 participants working in teams or as individuals.

Time frame and Workshop Structure

An initial introduction of the topic with a selection of short lectures by a variety of external advisors with different professional backgrounds ranging from Architecture, Urban Design to Property Valuation will be followed by a discussion to start the workshop.

Week 1 – Research and Strategies

Participants can then carry out research of their preferred context and develop strategies for a particular project and scale. The research and strategy development will be accompanied by daily reviews and discussions with the tutors and external advisers.

Week 2+3 – Project development

In the second and third week participants are asked to develop their projects further and prepare a short final presentation documenting their conclusions in an appropriate format for the scale and context of their project.

Ongoing – Dissemination and Market Testing

It will be encouraged to further develop the various strategies and find appropriate ways of communicating the ideas to the various stakeholders and the wider public with a view to test their potential for realization.

External Advisors:

Donal O’Donoghue, Valuer and Property Consultant

Pauline Byrne, Strategic Planning Officer, Treasury Holdings

Others to be confirmed

nowwhatonhold ( at ) gmail.com

About the Organisers:

WORKSHOP #19 - SOUNDING BOXES

2009-06-11T11:31:00.012+01:00

Steve Larkin and Daire Bracken

‘Sounding boxes’

Looking at the ‘sound’ of geometric configurations.

This project is examined in three parts.

1. Research

(i) boxes

Companion x, y and z space proportions are identified for study potential.

These proportions might be site specific or relate to a wider study specific.

These proportions are examined in the context of acoustic characteristics (pitch, timbre, resonance, decay etc) in order to identify and promote natural acoustic phenomenon.

These proportions form basis for architectural and musical exploration.

(ii) sound

Techniques for testing spatial acoustic characteristics are researched and considered.

This collection form the basis for the composed ‘sound ruler’ outlined below.

2. Implementation

(i) The collection of proportioned spaces are modeled (software or scaled) for testing.

(ii) A standardized ‘sound ruler’ is composed for spatial proportions and may use a synthesis of tones with consideration of (a) harmonicity and timbre in relation to proportion and (b) resonance in relation to proportion and scale.

3. Results

The proportioned space / acoustic characteristics are examined and the results form the basis for exploration.

Do comparative spatial proportions facilitate sonic phenomenon that translates to the acoustic or musical environment?

The spatial ‘sound ruler’ results form the basis for a series of miniature musical studies, which explore the potential for music composed for [based on] a space.

Can a consideration of sonic phenomenon [acoustic / musical] influence or enrich architecture or the process of making architecture?

Comparative spatial proportion and acoustic results form a basis for architectural exploration.

We would propose that the studies could be set up in a room in Richview. Spatial proportions and ‘sound ruler’ results are modeled and exploration is based on results.

Participants:

Model ‘spatial proportions’ and ‘sound ruler’ miniatures – Week 1

Results form basis for miniature architectural studies for interested participants – Week 2.

Dates:

17th – 28th August.

sounding boxes now have a blog

nowwhatsounding (at) gmail.com

About the Organisers:

Steve Larkin is a musician and architect. He studied Architecture at UCD, graduating 2002. He is a partner in StrandStudio, a shared studio for young architects in Dublin. He is a studio tutor in 5th year of the Dublin School of Architecture, DIT.

Daire Bracken - UCD B.Arch graduate 2002, musician, composer and recording engineer.

Donal Siggins is a composer from Dublin. His work in digital music has seen a particular interest in algorithmic composition including the use of multichannel sound spatialisation. His music will feature in the Dublin Electronic Arts Festival this autumn.

WORKSHOP #18 - FROM THE GROUND UP

2009-06-10T11:25:00.013+01:00

Anne Gorman and Matt Shelton + Michelle Browne

Workshop Description:

It’s about Public Space!

Community Participation

Information and Consultation

“The Council recognises that people in communities have a right to a view on the planning and development of the areas in which they live and it is Council policy to facilitate people in examining that view. It is Council policy to build on the spirit of partnership so as to ensure real social development.”

Extract from DLRCoCo Development Plan 2004-2010 Section 8

The greatest power of ‘Public Space’ could be said to be in its expression of the
communal, which, in an ideal world, would be generated by the needs of the community it
reflects and which it ultimately serves.

Why now?
• There has existed within the body of the development plan for DLRCoCo the possibility for community based groups to engage with this framework and put forward proposals for re-generation in their areas. But the conscious focus to pull together these collective desires slipped from the agenda due to the galloping pace of the tiger. Now is the time, now that we have time, time to think, plan, get together to sift out this common ground.

So What now?
• Making direct links between the wider community and architects, we will explore the potential for defining public space in the DLRCoCo area.
• To engage people and communities in new ways with the future planning of their spaces that will be driven by their needs and interests, made visual by the Architect/community link, from the ground up.

Output:
• Strategies
• Proposals
• Installations

Gathering of interest now have a blog

contact:

nowwhatgathering (at) gmail.com

About the Organiser:
Anne G's early interest in drawing and making things has led her to study construction/technology and architecture in DIT and then UCD. She set up her own practice Agarc in 2008 where she gets to indulge her interest in the on-site process. She is a part-time studio and technology tutor in UCD's middle school.

Matt Shelton is a graduate of the School of Architecture UCD. He currently works in Dublin with Gerry Cahill Architects.

WORKSHOP #12 - THE IDEA OF A BUILDING

2009-06-10T00:00:00.007+01:00

Stephen Tierney

Workshop Description:
There are very few killer images that really sell the essence of a project in one image. One slowly collects one’s impression of a scheme through plans, sections and concept models. However I would like to explore how best to create a truly rich image with layers of meaning and suggestion, using all the tools at our disposal to tell more about the fundamental ideas of a project. So expanding on Louis Kahn’s interest in the room as the starting point, this will mean concentrating on the creation of a single strong internal image.

Just as many photographers mimicked painting when the medium was first invented so it seems that much of visualisation continues to imitate architectural photography. Computer visualisation, for one, may have yet to find its own voice. The fact that most “pre-visualisation” is used to sell a project to either clients, planners or neighbours seems to have removed it from the architectural conversation that exists between designers, users, critics and architectural photographers.

We would look at 17th century Dutch interiors, photographers like Jeff Wall and Gursky, Films, Set design, Graphic design, Visualisation of the 19th Century (Joseph Gandy), Storyboarding etc.

The output would be one image in any media per person.

Examples of strong interiors
Media
Choosing a case study
Initial considerations

Light qualities
Meaning of light
Meaning of shadows
Weather, Atmosphere

Composition
Camera qualities (contrast, depth of field, key, format, focal length)
Suggestion, Narrative and Synecdoche

Colour - examples
Meaning of colour
Modelling

Material qualities
The real and the unreal
Textures

Image manipulation
Collage
Printing

nowwhatinterior (at) gmail.com

see also the Interior Prospect blog here

About the Organisers:
Stephen Tierney is a Dublin based Architect, with a background in History of Art, visualisation and furniture design. Having studies and worked in the UK, France and the US, in 2005 Stepehn established Tierney Haines architects with his partner, Nicola Haines. He is a 4th year studio tutor at UCD.

IRISH TIMES

2009-06-07T23:25:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Frank McDonald for Saturday's mention in the Irish Times - see it here.