Comment from leading voices in British architecture on news, practice and discourse
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 2 Views
Astragal’s old home of Clerkenwell is often described as an architectural ghetto. Statistics show that in London you are never more than 10m away from a rat; in EC1 you are never more than 10m away from a Paul Smith-clad, Brompton-riding, silly glasses-wearing designer. And this can definitely have a…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 2 Views
Someone in Iran must be keeping an eye on the ramblings of Astragal. Shortly after his little vignette about Cezary Bednarski and the Persian rug appeared (Astragal 24.08.07), Amin Taha, shortlisted for the same Iranian bridge competition, was the recipient of a large and heavy package. A quick scan of…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 18 Views
It’s Health and Safety gone mad. Astragal was flabbergasted to learn that a life-sized woolly house, created by knitting enthusiast Alison Murray, from Bideford, Devon, will have to be taken down, because it has been deemed a fire hazard. Astragal would suggest that, in the current climate of namby-pambyism, everything…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 0 Views
If you thought that the relationship between classical music and architecture began and ended with Greek architect/composer Iannis Xenakis, then you’d be wrong. To prove that the two disciplines are perfectly in tune, Chinese architects have orchestrated this exhibition centre in Huinan city, Anhui province. The centre takes the form…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 2 Views
Astragal has little time for television what with his drink-sodden social life, but he is aware of the delights of former-Superman belle, and now Desperate Housewife, Teri Hatcher. And so too, it seems, is architecture’s favourite diva Zaha Hadid. In fact, rumour has it that during a visit to Istanbul,…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 3 Views
It’s not just our own Norman Foster who can take on bizarre projects in the former Soviet Union. Oh no. Sleek-haired Dutchman Erick van Egeraat contacted Astragal with the details of a scheme he has jumped on board – the creation of a huge Russian Federation-shaped Island in the Black…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 8 Views
The bubbly for engineer Jane Wernick’s party – planned for last Thursday – has been put on ice and the dancing girls have been sent home until poor Jane recovers from a nasty tumble that resulted in a broken leg. The accident happened while Jane was on holiday in Italy.…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 2 Views
Amusing accents, cycling, 'liberal laws' and a good line in confectionary; its easy to see why Holland never fails to delight. Another reason has now been added to the list; sensible working hours. Dropping a quick phone call to Wiel Arets’ office, one of Astragal's colleagues was told by a…
By AJ Contributor 27 September 2007 4 Views
Last week’s Building with Wood conference at Exeter University was a great occasion, but one speaker suffered some disappointment. Having travelled all the way from Switzerland, he was hoping to include a visit to Louis Kahn’s Exeter library. That would be Exeter, New Hampshire, he was gently told – not…
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