Tag Archive: Architecture

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Architecture Work

On not taking LinkedIn too seriously

I’ve posted before about how ridiculous LinkedIn is sometimes. The most ridiculous thing is the endorsements feature. I mean, I’m an Architect and I’ve been working in the profession since I was 16 and qualified since 2009, but somehow I still need to be endorsed for Architecture. The question is posed to others “Does Andy know about Architecture?” – of course he fucking does he’s a qualified Architect. If you can’t see from my CV that I can do Architecture then something has gone wrong.

So I started playing with it a little. Endorsing people for ridiculous things like, waking up, Microsoft Word, Turning a computer on, Herding cats and the like. And others similarly played with it such as Peter Guthrie who endorsed me for Laughter Yoga – ha ha ha ha hahahahahhhaaaha. Seriously search YouTube for it, it’s hilarious. Emma also endorsed me for dogs and making coffee.

What I hadn’t realised is that all these skills I’ve added, or had added for me get emailed round in a newsletter to others. So a few days ago Daisy Froud sent me this image. Hilarious. I hope everyone sees the funny side. You can’t take these things too seriously now!

Linkedin

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Architecture Family & friends

Taking Emma up the Shard

Yesterday was Emma’s Birthday. Whilst I’m rubbish at buying presents except from the pre-prepared list she gives me, I did want to have one small element of surprise. So I booked a couple of tickets for the viewing platform at the Shard and got out of work early. Of course as soon as I said “Meet me at London Bridge” she knew what was going on.

Surprisingly good.

We both used to work at London Bridge and got a bit of a shock without that dark old roof in place. Lots of light, lots of construction work still ongoing but still on its way to being completely transformed. I’ve taken loads of pictures of the Shard from Peckham so it was nice to go and see it up close and personal. Having been up the Empire State in New York and had a hellish time we were both pleasantly surprised about how nice the experience of going up there was.

Observation deck
Birthday girl

There was plenty of space, you could get to see the view easily and it was nicely detailed for the inspecting architect to visit. I was actually really impressed with it all. You arrive into a large enclosed space and then are able to go one level up to a more open section. At that point you’re actually right up against some of the shardy bits which is pretty amazing.

At the actual shardy bit
Colourful people

It’s amazing seeing the city beneath you, especially when you’re able to see deep into the street pattern of areas you’ve walked and cycled around for years and years. The way the railway cuts through the city is also quite incredible.

Transport connections
Glazing

Following that we wandered into Borough Market to have a few drinks at The Rake. It’s been a while since we drank there and again Borough Market has changed so much. Still the beer and company was good and I managed to get this wonderful photo of Emma.

Will you stop taking my fucking picture

That was then followed by birthday dinner at the Dragon Castle at Elephant and Castle. Happy Birthday Emma!

Canopy & Shard

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Architecture Photography

Studio in the woods 2013

Architectural photographers tend to work alone generally, there are exceptions but we’re a funny bunch and don’t generally collaborate with other photographers. So for this recent project it was a real pleasure to work and collaborate with my good friend Jim Stephenson (or Brighton Jim as I call him) to shoot a series stills and record some video footage of series of temporary pavilions or installations set in a beautiful landscape. This was part of Studio in the woods summer event, which is now in its seventh year. It was originally started by Piers Taylor of Invisible Studio who I worked with back in 2001 in Bath. This year it was run by Studio Weave and they were able to secure some public land to use in Stanton Park just outside of Swindon for the first time. Rather than try and describe it myself here’s the description from the project website.

Now in its seventh year, Studio in the Woods is a five-day outdoor summer workshop led by a group of award-winning architects and engineers aimed at architectural students, practicing architects and a wider audience with an interest in sculpture, landscape and the direct experience of making and building with materials to hand.

Studio in the Woods is an ongoing educational programme promoting the exchange of architectural knowledge and skills through experimentation and direct experience.

The practices leading the workshops were Studio Weave; Invisible Studio; Gianni Botsford Architects; Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios and Erect Architecture.

Jim and I were able to record the series of five completed installations around the forest on a beautiful scorching hot summers day. We shared the tasks of shooting stills and video, each coming up with ideas and critiquing the proposed shots. We quickly picked up a method of working and by the end of the day had the collaboration down to a fine art. The collaboration continued into the editing of the video and stills and I feel we both got a huge amount out of the day. It’s great to work with someone else creative and would love to do it again. More people should try it!

All content in this post is © Andy Matthews and Jim Stephenson.

And here’s a few of my favourite shots from the day which I’m really pleased with.

Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013
Studio in the woods 2013

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Architecture Video

The ‘Cheesegrater’ timelapse

Or rather the The Leadenhall Building as it’s properly know as. This timelapse stood out to me due to the variety of techniques used and obviously the amount of time that went into shooting and editing it. Some of the shots are rather unusual and they’ve used a mixture of viewpoints to show it at its best. Hopefully there’s more footage to come.

Via Dezeen

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Architecture

Sir Colin Stansfield-Smith

I was saddened to hear of Colin’s passing last night. I have very fond memories of working with him and John Pardey in my final degree year at Portsmouth School of Architecture in 2001. There’s a fantastic image of the two of them together over at Building Magazine, although I’m unable to find a larger copy of it. I really enjoyed both of their contributions and it was my most successful time at the University. He was a great tutor and professor and I loved his insight and wisdom, his comments were often leftfield but always made you reconsider what you were working on. He was a larger than life character and a real presence in the school that was well balanced by Wendy Potts the then Head. He made a massive contribution to the school and he, and the building, were the reasons I initially chose Portsmouth.

I will always remember his effusive introductions to guest lecturers who came down to speak, usually on a train from London. The names he managed to bring down were incredible and he always described their work in such a wonderful way that the speaker was almost dumbstruck, they then had the task of trying to live up to it with their presentation they had brought. I will also always remember his towering presence and large handshake that was intimidating at first but he was always interested in what I had been doing and had advice for my project and also what I should be doing with my career. And who could forget his blue Williams Renault Cleo with the gold alloy wheels! He would arrive in this pimped up sports car which was completely incongruous for his status as Professor, but if you love fast cars then why not.

John wrote a thoughtful and touching obituary in the AJ which is well worth reading. There’s also some familiar names commenting on a BD article including Wendy who had this to say:

Colin and I became friends when we worked together at the University of Portsmouth from 1993 to 2006. I was a young unknown female Head of School and he became a loyal and supportive Professor of Design. He designed us a very special school in which to teach Architecture and together with my late husband, Jay Potts, we worked together to create new ‘shapes’ of architectural education that would enhance the teaching of Architecture in a climate of economic change. (What is new?)

The special thing that Colin contributed was optimism, fun and happiness. He made a special contribution to architectural education, partly by a building but also because he listened and responded with great thought to every (sometimes crazy) opinion a student put forward. He could transport himself to when he was their age and would treat any opinion with respect. It takes a humble and great man to do that. I know all students at Portsmouth School of Architecture will always carry that with them, as will I and my family. We will all miss his loyalty, support and passion.

He was also a successful cricketer back in the 50s and according to the Wikipedia page also had some success with a brief acting career. His work at Hampshire County Council Architects was legendary and was doing fantastic schools work before it was fashionable. I’d love to go back and revisit some of his work in the context of more modern school design. I’ve no doubt it’s stood the test of time.

And here’s a final quote from Colin himself in 1985.

Architects are the rightful custodians of the public estate because they have the capacity to introduce joy, imagination and wit into our environments.

I think that sums it up quite nicely. Rest in peace Colin.

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Architecture Photography

I wish I’d shot this one too

Another great shot that captured the scrum of photographers at the opening of the Serpentine Pavillion this year. This time by Jim Stephenson.

Scrum of photographers

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Architecture Photography

I wish I’d shot that

I get that feeling quite often but this one really did jump out at me. A shot by Clement Guillaume on Flickr. Love that exposed concrete of a structural frame in progress.

Le Caire, Egypte.

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Architecture Photography

Street clutter

There’s an awful lot of crap on our streets. This and the fact that they’re dug up all the time and not repaired drives me mad. Superb series of images from Dave Morris highlighting quite neatly how it impacts on a street.

Clutter
More clutter
More clutter

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Architecture Work

Rick

Last week was probably the toughest I’ve been through in a long time, if not ever. I want to write more shortly but have a lot more thoughts to process before I do and collate a bigger post.

I got to work on Monday and was greeted with the news that Rick had passed away over the weekend. I was, and still am, completely devastated by this and most of last week was a complete daze. A number of things stand out which made me smile though. The incredible messages of condolences, the friends and colleagues sharing ‘Rickisms’ and memories of working for him as well as this Hellman cartoon which eschews his normal acerbic wit for a touching tribute to Rick.

hellmanrick

I also found this portrait on the server whilst doing some image research for other images of Rick. Such a great portrait which was shot by James Bolton.

Rick C JamesBolton copy

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Architecture Photography

Balthazar Korab shooting a model

A fantastic image from the back page of a book I caught sight of recently; Balthazar Korab: Architect of Photography. Think this book might be on the pay day trip to Amazon tomorrow.

I love the generous size of the studio and the patchwork like background that has been assembled around the model. Would love a set of continuous lights to work with rather than flashes, oh and a big studio too.

Balthazar Korab