The MA Architecture + Urbanism course is the Manchester School of Architecture's taught postgraduate course which conducts research into how global cultural and economic forces influence contemporary cities. The design, functioning and future of urban situations is explored in written, drawn and modelled work which builds on the legacy of twentieth century urban theory and is directed towards the development of sustainable cities.

Sunday 29 July 2012

Architecture + Urbanism recommends "Common Ground: 13th Venice Architecture Biennale"



29 August - 25 November 2012 Venice

          “The emphasis of the 2012 Biennale – explains Director David Chipperfield – is on what we have in common. Above all, the ambition of Common Ground is to reassert the existence of an architectural culture, made up not just of singular talents but a rich continuity of diverse ideas united in a common history, common ambitions, common predicaments and ideals. We began with a desire to emphasise shared ideas over individual authorship, and realized that this required us to initiate dialogues rather simply make a selection of individuals. We began by asking a limited group of architects to develop ideas that might lead to further invitations: everyone was asked to propose a project along with a dialogue that reacted to the theme and showed architecture in its context of influence and affinity, history and language, city and culture.
The final list of contributors demonstrates a rich culture of difference rather than a selection of edited and promoted positions. We want to emphasise the common ground that the profession shares, notwithstanding the apparent diversity of today’s architectural production. The sharing of differences is critical to the idea of an architectural culture.”
 
          “The role of the architect – clarifies Chipperfield - is at best one of critical compliance. Architects can only operate through the mechanisms that commission them and which regulate their efforts. Our ideas are dependent on and validated by the reaction of society. This relationship is not only practical but concerns the very meaning of our work. In the increasingly complex confrontation between the commercial motivations of development and our persistent desire for a humane environment there seems to be little dialogue. If architecture is to be more than the privileged, exceptional moments of our built world, we must find a more engaged collaboration of talents and resources. Common Ground invites us to consider how these shared perceptions, concerns and expectations may be better directed.”


A short film of the 2008 Biennale is available here, and a brief comment on the 2010 Biennale is available here.

Wednesday 25 July 2012

From Spade to Olympic Torch



MA A+U are delighted to see that Richard Reynolds, the Guerilla Gardener, who spoke at the inaugural MA A+U Symposium in 2010 will be carrying the Olympic Torch at 12.00 noon on Thursday 26 July from Havil Street London SE5 along Peckham Road on its journey towards the Olympic Stadium. Here is a clip of Richard speaking at the Symposium.

Thursday 19 July 2012

When Mario met Joseph



MA A+U are pleased to see that the meeting between Joseph Grima, Editor-in-Chief of Domus, and Mario Minale of Minale Maeda which took place at our CONSUMED symposium in May has resulted in this article

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Architecture + Urbanism recommends 'La Tendenza: Architectures Italiennes 1965-1985'


La Tendenza, Architectures italiennes 1965-1985 by centrepompidou

The first retrospective exhibition in France devoted to one of the founding movements of post-war architecture, from Italy, "La Tendenza, Italian Architectures, 1965-1985" presents a selection of over 250 drawings, models, photographs, paintings and films, as well as a rich documentation. The exhibition traces the highlights of the movement led by Aldo Rossi. Rejecting the notions of avant-garde and Utopia to initiate a political and critical architecture tuned into reality, La Tendenza offers a new approach to the architectural project founded on a renewal of drawing and the image.

Centre Pompidou, Paris June 20 - September 10 2012


La Tendenza, Architectures italiennes 1965-1685... by centrepompidou

Interview with the artist Arduino Cantafora (in French)

Saturday 14 July 2012

Manchester School of Architecture Year Book 2012



The Manchester School of Architecture Year Book 2012 has been published. You can download the pdf here. MA A+U features on pages 114-117, ahead of a more detailed publication planned to coincide with the MA Degree Show in September.

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Graduation

MA A+U graduates from two cohorts (2009-10 and 2010-11) featured heavily in the Manchester School of Architecture Degree Ceremony held today in the Bridgewater Hall

Kathryn Timmins (2010-11)


Emma Watson (2009-10), Preeya Vadgama (2010-11), Jack O'Reilly (2010-11) and Ed Cutler (2009-10)


Shin-Youn Kang (2009-10) and Chung Yan Grace Pang (2009-10)

All the above graduates also received their Bachelor of Architecture (RIBA Part 2) degrees at the ceremony.

The pomp and flummery of the academics' procession was observed with some amusement by the school's excellent administrative team
Gillian Ward, June Jackson and Karen Parkinson

Saturday 7 July 2012

Under Paris



MA A+U student Damien Woolliscroft has recently been conducting field research for his thesis in the Mines of Paris
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