Still not quite as miserable and cold as it could be… But at least preparing us for later on!
Now well versed in tubing (after some false starts) we crack on to Davis Langdon where we are brought up to speed with the current trends in tall building in the UK and where we should be heading in the near future… Obviously repetition, standardisation and utilisation efficiency rule the skies when towers are in play. It seems apparent a certain conservatism is pushing the ‘bespoke’ into the background.
Disappointingly our visit to the Tate Modern second stage (oil tanks) is vetoed on grounds of security leading up to the new exhibition opening in June, so we head to St Pancras Hotel for a guided tour around the establishment. Taking in the grandeur (and sometimes misguided) majesty of Britannian design, we’re told ‘Illusory plaster supports’ allayed structural fears of the Victorians that used to visit!
Mostly tastefully restored, St Pancras leads on to Kings Cross where the almost typical diagrid of curvilinear forms actually melds with the original brick buildings in a somewhat tasteful manner. Note to others… London cabbies don’t seem to be keen at all on grabbing a fair unless you are at a rank. A bit of Aussie fight would pay off!
Next stop, Look mum, no hands! A
great little bike/hipster cafe that would be even more busy if in Melbourne… A respite from the pub meal mentality…
FAT, that is Fashion Architecture Taste, clearly bucking the norms and combining Dutch obscurity with a little British ham-fistedness steal the early afternoon with their fun, colourful takes on little spaces.
Up next, at the centre of architectural Mecca in London (we were told) at Bowling Green is Wilkinson Eyre, a large firm with engineering style for beautiful formal structures with a parametric bent. A visit to London University followed.
Next up, a trek to Hyde Park was in order to meet with Carmody Groarke to detail the difficult process of designing a memorial for the recent London bombings that rejected personal ties to victims. Responses to next of kin wanting ‘ownership’ of a column or the like we’re leveled to bring about discussion and perhaps dispute, and ultimately the bombers themselves were not memorialised among the other victims, in a quite democratic fashion?
Back to the Carmody Groarke office where we were enlightened in their interesting approach to art, perhaps moreso than architecture in their designs, having had many collaborations and been involved with many installations of temporary nature.
Then of course the obligatory pub bash rounds out the night in Soho with the fellas from CG followed by a stunning dinner at Busaba Eathai – highly recommended!
Another 16 hour day, another day on tour.
Post by James.
