Day 5 – Berlin

With renewed energy from the night

before (thanks to a hearty serving of German brew, pork knuckles and sausages) we were all revved up and raring to go on the much anticipated city bike tour! What better way to commence our Berlin leg than with a 4-hour architecture induction around the city on the ubiquitous 2-wheel urban steeds!

Out the hotel door we went at 8am to be greeted by Georg Dux, our tour-guide for the morning (and arguably Kevin McCloud’s German doppleganger)! His brief introduction about Berlin’s urban fabric gave us an insight into the main districts our bike route would take us. As we threw caution to the wind and navigated the city streets without helmets (oh the horror) we learned about the historic Baroque city centre, its urban typology and pre/post war urban conditions and tendencies. We dodged traffic along narrow streets, soaking in the city’s charming courtyard houses as we went. Green walls and equally green gardens offered a much welcomed relief to the concrete-and-glass jungle we witnessed in the Middle East. The urban fabric slowly unveiled itself the further we rode. A quick zip around Museum Island left us salivating and wanting more. Georg completed our crash-course education of the city at Historische Zentrum which houses impressively detailed scaled models of inner city Berlin. German precision at its finest.

Still buzzing from our bike ride, we scoffed down lunch and headed for our practice visit with Realities United. Jan Elder’s quirky yet insightful presentation surmised an interesting body of work where collaborations with other international architectural practices birth creative outcomes that enhance and strengthen original ideas. A broad range of concepts are rigorously tested in this office, invariably pushing the envelope between physical space and data space resulting in what Jan terms “augmented realities”.

We experienced first hand Berlin’s hospitality and eagerness-to-please with an extraordinary taxi ride to our next destination… Graft Lab! Hidden amongst a grungy industrial estate we tirelessly scaled to the top floor office (not our first time today!) decked with bespoke joinery… a preview of Graft’s experimental nature. Lars Krueckeberg takes us around the activity filled office swiftly before unleashing a thought-provoking presentation in which his office challenges the status quo by pushing Graft’s vision of sustainability, hybridization and social contribution.

Next stop, site visit to KU64 Dental Clinic, an earlier project of Graft’s. An unassuming 150 year-old heritage building belies an ultra-modern, ultra-chic dental clinic on the inside. A cacophony of curvaceous forms, colour and creativity throws all pre-conceived impressions of a dental clinic out their German double-glazed full-height windows. The clinic’s Communications rep, Petros Prontis, generously gave us an intimate tour of the space. Drawing inspiration from sand-dunes and the pleasant experience it wished to invoke, the clinic blurred the lines between floor, walls and joinery… every corner a new surprise. We leave the clinic with contemplations of returning for a dental check-up.

Feet aching, minds blown, camera batteries exhausted, we head for a well-deserved dinner of pizza, alcohol and conversation of the day well spent.

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Day 4 – Thoughts on Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from the urban refuge of Berlin

With Sydney grappling with the Barangaroo development and Darling Harbour redevelopment, large scale ( by Sydney or normal standards ) city projects, still fresh in memory, landing in Dubai and sister emirate Abu Dhabi , with it’s total recasting of city scape completely distorts mine, and I would dare say, everyone’s perception of scale. A scale you have to immerse yourself in the understand.

A few practice visits reinforces that perception. Shaun Killa of ATKINS tour de force of the redesign of the Middle East and Asia is heady stuff. Like a boxer on the architectural ropes, he hits us with a mega tower and follows up with New City upper cut. Then repeats the combination for an hour at least never stopping for self reflection. here is a man at the top of his game but also lost in the game played in this town.

The discussion of scale could be fleshed out PhD style, but not for a blog. I personally am still struggling with the scale and how it fits into my understanding, and what the next or remedial phase will be. Roads then buildings with no street life is not a way to make city. But that’s what has been done.

It’s extraordinary that building on this scale can be almost devoid of a considered urban plan. The street is only a surface for conveyance between islands they call buildings. Here one suspects the way the place is developing is a reflection of the Emirates’. Yes it can get bloody hot and humid, but is that any reason to disregard the street? A Souk Market long ago setup the idea, the model of what an urban environment could be, but it is disregarded as urban model in the quest to completely and totally project an image of Dubai and to a slightly lesser extent Abu Dhabi, to the world.

Which poses the question: Because you can should you? The answer one suspects is yet to be defined. It’s an experiment that has a lot riding on it. If the oil runs out, Dubai and Abu Dhabi will rely on whatever they have built to survive.

Being an optimist, I think there is a next phase after all this mega scale madness. It’s making sense of what they have done. It will require an intervention on a scale that Haussmann could only dream of, but this scale is not foreign to this area.

Wrapping up, for me there is a special mention for Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. This is a utopian city idea that is actually being built, or as my 7 year old daughter would say, in real life. Here Norman Foster rejects gimmickry for substance and while lost in a built utopian reality, designs the best urban scheme seen in the UAE. Unfortunately it sits atop of a carpark and has a big brother, 1984 type automatic driverless car that takes you where you should be, but perhaps not she you want to be. Foster’s student housing is outstanding. Screened balconies interpret the local vernacular, and curvilinear form that sits atop one another but out of phase to form a beautiful rolling facade. This atop a collanade and close packed with adjacent buildings forming a cool shadow space perfect for street activity in a hot climate. Apparently Zaha Hadid beat this project for an internationally prestigious award, which surprises me. Awards are always subjective, but it would have to be socially inclusive and outstanding to knock

this one off, which I am yet to see from Hadid.

If there is a runners up prize, this also goes to Foster for Souk , Central market, Abu Dhabi…..noir shopping in dim light with rich timber screens and tall narrow voids. Clearly Foster’s crew had done their homework, and designed a contemporary version of a Souk that is a worthy addition to this place that desperately needs it.

Day 3 – Abu Dhabi

Rest is for the weak! Out of the hotel before 7am and itching to go, the group eagerly heads out for another day unbeknownst to what lies ahead…
We head to the ADIC headquarters where Peter Chipchase from Arup walks us down from the top floor explaining the rigor of the architectural, structural, logistical and financial management that is still going ahead for our first construction site visit. Hard hats, vests, gloves and glasses all required, with the level of site safety surpassing all of our expectations… 55 million man hours have been clocked up on the site, a scale of work I don’t think any of us could comprehend.
Next up, the Central Markets by Foster & Partners, with the Souk showing a much appreciated alternate take on the retail experience. Low rise calm and control, filtered light and operable ceiling lights are standouts.
Ashley Lane, originally from Perth takes us across the road where 94 storeys of Foster tower (x2) jut out of the ground like headless columns. Of course we venture right up to the top on the mesh hoist which hangs off the side of the building, causing more than a little difficulty for the squeamish. The height is extraordinary, with barely a barrier to the drop. Definitely not for the faint of heart!
Capital gate beckons us away and in the searing heat we land at the worlds most leant tower, at 18 degrees and 33m of overhang… Max Wilschefski and Grant leisurely give us unprecedented access to the virtually complete and already operating Hyatt hotel – trying to impress us after the Burj al Arab presidential suite is quite the task but they give it a crack! Most awesome however was getting up to the absolute top of the tower – the helipad… 360 degree views completely unobstructed, and no barriers to speak of. The second time mettle was greatly tested for the look down over the edge today!
Thankfully back on ground we settled into Masdar City – a working prototype of the future city, complete with driverless magnetically guided cars and stratified living/working/amenity and outdoor space. A truly amazing experience that Michael Bories again from Foster was only too proud to guide us through. This experiment of sorts completely blew everyone away, and was clearly akin to Minority Report. A real glimpse of what a truly unified society design can bring about!
Then came the ubiquitous Ferrari World – sleek, red, massive and oh so fast…! Mike Lewis of Benoy quickly got us up to speed on the incredible curvilinear design before literally blasting us to 240kmh in 4.9 seconds… The final test to a day full of scares. Point proved, pants soiled and grins pushed back to our ears from g-forces, we headed to the F1 track on Yas Island.
Enter the Yas Viceroy Hotel, and our gracious host Lama Hamad. Clearly inspired by speeding cars, raceline motifs cover the interior and round out our most completely contemporary building visit to date. Literally placed on the track, suites in the building enjoy marina views and unparalleled ultra-modern chic. Zaha eat your heart out! We crashed an exhibition opening of graffiti art by Banksy, Shepard Fairey and Mr

Brainwash, et al while passing through, but not before being assumed that we were media reps! Well maybe our penchant for opportunistically snatching of drinks and canapés may have had something to do with that… Then again, that’s what a good art opening is for!
Mission complete, shenanigans finished and feet destroyed, a late dinner rounds out a 14 hour day of architectural wonder… What does tomorrow bring??

Post by James

Berlin.

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Day 2 – Dubai to Abu Dhabi

An early wake-up call… No, it wasn’t all some crazy shisha-induced dream; We are in Dubai!! It is day 2 of the Dulux Study Tour and we have an epic day ahead….

Firstly, a meeting at Woods Bagot where Duncan, Julie and Karim chat with us about their practice and what it means to be a contemporary Western firm working in the Middle East. Sounds like the biggest challenge is to improve Dubai’s vast and desolate urban realm.

Next it is onwards to Atkins where Shaun Killa gives us an overview of their incredible folio of work; twisted towers, molecular structures, gravity-defying cantilevers… Our minds are seriously blown!! Afterwards, Simon Crispe shows us around the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel- externally a magnificent glass and steel structure, internally a rainbow-gold-leaf wonderland! A sneak-peak into an exclusive

suite gives an insight into the extravagant world of the ridiculously wealthy.

Back in the mini-bus and streaming along the freeway at a crazy 140km/hr (which apparently is normal) we’re on our way to the Grand Mosque. Firstly a quick stop at the Zayad Bridge by Zaha Hadid; the white concrete structure dives in and out of the river like the loch ness monster. Arriving at the Grand Mosque, the DST ladies don the traditional black robe and headscarf and we are led barefoot through the expansive courtyard and into the giant holy spaces decorated with floral patterns to resemble heaven (which is said to be a garden). The sun sets and the Call to Prayer echoes from the luminous mosque, across Abu Dhabi and into the night sky.

Posted by: Emily

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Day 1 – DUBAI!!

In Dubai we were greeted by heat and cooled by fresh apple juice. We explored Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa observation deck. We searched for signs of life in an otherwise empty, immaculate city and found security guards on Segways resting under frangipanis. We are all first timers in Dubai, we are jet lagged and excited, slowly getting to know each other. We are not familiar with the monumental scale that dominates here – the nation building formality and formalism. This evening we were bundled into 4wheel drives and set off for the desert – we

can identify each other now by squeals and shrieks – having raced and slid and thundered down sand dunes. Falcons flew for us and demonstrated their hunting skills, oryx pranced and camels would have carried us if we had drunk less and moved more quickly – rather than plonking on pillows under the wide sky to smoke and chat. Tomorrow we start to peek inside practices – we must dress appropriately and rise early. Today is the beginning, full of hope, good will, endless optimism and belly dancing.

Post by: Anna

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It’s the final countdown…

With only one sleep to go it certainly feels a bit like Christmas Eve. Everyone is giddy with excitement and just about ready to go!

First stop is Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As Australia’s temperatures are starting to drop we’re all looking forward to some higher temperatures, even if it’s just for a few days.

Over the last two weeks we’ve been lucky enough to confirm visits in the UAE including ADIC Headquarters by Arup Associates; The Central Markets by Foster and Partners; Masdar City; Capital Gate (aka the leaning tower of the UAE) by RMJM and

few devine meals at both Emirates Palace and the Burj Al Arab.

After the UAE comes historically rich Berlin. We’re looking forward to exploring city by bike to see a range of its mix of contemporary and historical architecture. We can’t wait to meet some of Berlins exciting architects!

Last but certainly not least is London. We get to kick things off by meeting the fabulous Kevin McLeod and Peter Maddison at Grand Designs Live in London followed by a jam packed few days starting with a breakfast with Davis Langdon who will then take us to see the spectacular and exciting project of the Oil Tank Spaces at Tate Modern.

Over the two days we’re grateful and excited to have the audience of FAT, Wilkinson Eyre, Carmody Groarke, Foster and Partners, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, and Arup associates.

We’ll be visiting the 7 July Memorial in Hyde Park (thanks to Carmody Groarke), two London University buildings (thanks to Wilkinson Eyre), the Maggie Centre by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners and Macquarie Bank at Ropemaker Place (thanks to Arup Associates).

Just when you think we can’t possibly squeeze anything else in we’ll be finishing up in style with cocktail party hosted by the Royal Institute of British Architects before ending the tour the next day with Kens walking tour!

So I’ll remind you once again who the lucky and talented people who have been awarded with this once in a lifetime experience.

Shaun Carter, Carterwilliamson, Sydney
James Coombe, Architects EAT, Melbourne
Anna Maskiell, S2F, Melbourne
Emily Ouston, Terroir, Hobart
Weian Lim, Matt Gibson Architecture + Design, Melbourne

Below is their first (of many) pics together as the 2012 Dulux Study Tour winners, taken at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards held in Adelaide in March.

Berlin

So much to do and see in the incredible city of Berlin!

Berlin boasts modern and contemporary architecture as well as the few historic buildings that were left in tact after World War II. The city is filled with new and exciting architecture and we’re lucky enough to have a few days to experience as much as we can fit in.  

What better way to kick start our time in Berlin than by riding around on an Architectural tour with the wonderful Thomas Kruger from Ticket B Architectural Tours. Departing from our home away from home, Casa Camper Design Boutique Hotel situated in the vibrant and historical heart of the city, Mitte, we’ll be visiting Hackesche Höfe, Sophie-Gips-Höfe, Auguststr.aße, Urbane Living (Abcarius Burns), Hamburger Höfe (nps- Tschoban), Apartment Houses (Grüntuch & Ernst), Museums Island, Gallery at Kupfergraben, Deutsches, Hisatorisches Museum (i.M.Pei), Foreign Ministery (Müller Reimann), Town Houses Friedrichswerder, City Modell, via Karl-Marx-Allee, Cafe Moskau, and Alexanderplatz. All of that is

before lunch on our first morning!  

Over the next two days we have the great privilege of visiting the inspiring practices of Realities United, David Chipperfield, Graft Lab followed by a visit to their funky KU64 Dental Clinic, Deadline Architects where we’ll also see their award winning Minilofts. We also get the pleasure of seeing a Juergen H Mayer project that is yet to be finished.  

We’ll be visiting the famous Neues Museum with the company of an architect from David Chipperfield, the history filled Jewish museum, and the Berlinische Galerie.

The countdown is on!

With less than four weeks to go the itinerary is being preened and polished more and more every day, as each detail is confirmed the reality sinks in. Very soon five of Australia’s most talented emerging architects will set off on the adventure of a lifetime to explore, to experience, and to be utterly inspired.

The United Arab Emirates is new territory for the Dulux Study Tour and we have BIG plans for Abu Dhabi and Dubai, famous for their lavish lifestyle and rapid expansion. Record breaking UAE is home to the worlds tallest building, most luxurious hotel, furthest leaning tower, largest shopping centre, tallest residential tower.. Just to name a few.   

We’re excited to get an inside look into the practices that contribute to the wonderland of the UAE and we’re very fortunate to have an audience with the following practices so far:

–          Woods Bagot

–          Atkins

A visit wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the famous and extravagant architecture that makes Dubai and Abu Dhabi just so extravagant. The

Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Ski Dubai, the Dubai Fountain, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Etihad Towers, Ferrari World, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Viceroy Hotel.. Don’t mind if we do!