here comes The Bride...

Will this be Kate Middleton tomorrow?  Yes, I know, it is silly to get all hyped up over a wedding, but how can one not love the details behind this grand Royal event.  (I am not talking about those silly commemorative plates or bubbleheads, etc...) I can't wait to see the guests' fabulous headdresses! 
And well, if Sarah Burton (...the creative force behind the Alexander McQueen label...) was chosen to design the much anticipated dress...I will be thrilled. There are rumors going around that Kate designed the dress herself. I am sorry, but that would be a huge disappointment!  We are all expecting a breathtaking gown! 


I will be tuning in at 4:00 am eastern time tomorrow...


Images: (Alexander McQueen, Paris Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2011) borrowed from here.

The Future of Architects...

Image Credits: (right) Tyler Brûlé, Dickon Robinson borrowed from Monocle's website. RIBA logo borrowed from here. (left)  Bota Bota project designed by Sid Lee, image borrowed from firm's website.


I am sorry I have been a bit absent these days.  I have been busy with projects around the house (the renovation process seems to be endless), designing an online portfolio (BIG PROJECT) and trying to come up with the right words to use in a cover letter (I haven't written one in years!).

I managed to squeeze in The Monocle Weekly this past weekend for the first time. I found it both refreshing and hysterical.  Tyler Brûlé shares the microphone with diverse professionals every Sunday morning where global affairs are discussed...try it out.  Let me know what you think . . . 
After listening to his take on the upcoming Royal nuptials, I browsed through the archives and the Edition 89 Weekly sparked my curiosity.  On the 7th of March, 2011, Brûlé chatted with Dickon Robinson, the chairman of Building Futures (in association with RIBA), about his recent report, The Future For Architects. 

The discussion revolved around British architects but the conversation points apply to the architecture profession in general, really.  Here are a few of them, paraphrased...

1. Globalization is bringing about opportunities for architects. The future requires creative solutions, BUT will architects exist in 2025?  The traditional training of an architect is not going to cut it anymore...including the title ARCHITECT...an unhelpful label?.

2. What is an architect? What does an architect do? What is the definition of architectural services?

3. Architects are trained to think spatially and this is what the future needs...BUT, Mr. Robinson discusses the fact that because of the public's misconception of what an architect does/is, [we] might be overlooked for solutions that [we] are actually qualified/trained to solve. (Misconceptions include: Architects cost money + only Starchitects get the cool jobs + contractors are doing an architects job anyway.) 

4. Solution?  Design Firms and individuals need to market themselves differently and creatively.  
5. The training of architects needs to change at the Institutional level as well.  There needs to be a re-structuring of the architectural profession.

Listen to the discussion here (From 22:35-32:00).

Fabulous, right? 

The discussion really brought up points that many of us young "trained architects" have been discussing for quite a while now. But it is even more relevant to me nowadays because I am currently job hunting and in Montréal. (Unknown territory for me).  
One of the firms I am most curious about is Sid Lee, a perfect example of creative re-structuring.  Sid Lee (founded in 1993) and the architecture firm NOMADE (founded in 1999) teamed up to create the contemporary Sid Lee in 2009. The firm is based in Montréal. It houses over 400+ employees with ateliers in Paris, Amsterdam, Toronto and in the recently unveiled studio in Austin, Texas. Their mantra is creativity drives the future. Their manifesto also includes phrases like...The consumer is the medium + allergic to the status quo.  I love it!


Their services: 
Conceiving Brand Experiences: architecture, retail, interior design, exhibition design, urban design and master planning.  
Communicating Brand Experiences: branding, advertising, interactive marketing and experiential marketing.

A few of their professional 'staff' titles...solutions architect, intermediate strategist, connection planner, strategy intern...

. . . . . .

So now my challenge is...how do I write a cover letter for this firm?...daunting but exciting...

ok...sorry for the wordy post.  I will keep you all updated...happy Monday.

Retro chandeliers...

What is old (from the 1980's) to the locals, is beautiful and inspirational to me! 
I share with you a few of shots I took this past weekend at the Snowdon metro station in Montréal. These retro jewel-like chandeliers are not graceful, but they create a welcoming ambiance, don't you think? 

But I am INSIDE officer...

A couple of days ago, I noticed that my friend, (also an influential mentor and role model) the incredibly talented artist Christina McPhee, included one of her pieces for a silent auction to benefit New York's, Storefront Art and Architecture.   I am almost embarrassed to admit that until a few days ago, I had no idea of Storefront's existence...what?  I know.  It has been around since 1982! Why am I making a big deal?  A few fast facts to give you an idea...for those of you who don't already know...
1] The mobil facade was designed by artist Vito Acconci and architect Steven Holl in 1993.
2] The Vice President of the Board of Directors is Charles Renfro.
3] The Board of Advisors list includes...Peter Cook, Elizabeth Diller, Toyo Ito, Brooke Hodge...and of course Steven Holl...among several others...
4] The facade was given a face lift in 2008...more info here.


Only in New York can this project be possible.  I can just imagine all of the bureaucratic [b.s.] involved in something like this.  Just look at that wall. The rotating partitions open onto the public sidewalk.  
In a presentation with Steven Hall and Vito Acconci, the moderator and former Storefront director, Joseph Grima, mentioned that at every vernissage, the attendees argue with the NYC police about what is considered inside and/or outside...having to do with the glass of vino in hand. . .I love it.

The photographs below are from Storefront's archives...more here.

En el fondo...

[At the bottom]

Created by Ana Benítez, recently featured in NOT-PAPER.

Saturday MILK...Call Me Red!

I stumbled upon MILK magazine (le magazine de mode enfantine) today during my routine weekend-bookstore-excursion.  It is a magazine published in France & Japan for "contemporary" mothers.  It covers furniture design, fashion, healthy culinary info etc.  I had to resist from buying it...it is a gem.  While gleefully perusing it, I came across the work of photographer/fashion designer/illustrator...Barbara Berrada.  
(Yes, a true interdisciplinary entrepreneur). The pictures below reflect her handmade (limited edition) 1930's country inspired collection: Les Zigouis: Spring/Summer 2011...more here.  
Photographs and styling by Barbara Berrada.


. . .long pause. . .I wonder if I am ready?. . .are you?  These pics are just too adorable.

Viktor & Rolf inspired makeup? Spring /Summer 2009 Collection: Behind the scenes with model, Shalom Harlow borrowed from here.

Vienna à la {Water for Elephants}

The Circus is in town...in Vienna to be exact.  The 25 hours Hotel in Wien (Vienna) opened last month...don't ask how I find these things...the circus just finds me somehow! The German team Dreimeta headed by Armin Fischer created the spectacular theme. How do the guests resist from stealing the fun props?  One top hat to go, please. If you visit, bring your own ringmaster. . .m m m!


NOTE: Images borrowed from official site.

“I no longer know what architecture is and what an architect should do...”

{Ya no sé lo que es la arquitectura ni qué debería hacer un arquitecto}
Quote by Luis Urculo Cámara from Madrid.

LUIS will be teaching a workshop, 'Beyond the paper' this August at Domaine de Boisbuchet (located in France).  If anybody wants to gift me this amazing experience, I will not refuse...
Luis Úrculo is my age (don't ask) and has been crafting an enviable profession for himself doing what he loves...merging his architectural foundation with other disciplines like design & technology. He has participated in several prestigious exhibitions, collaborated with Philippe Starck, and he was recently featured in FRAME magazine.

What am I doing wrong? Bravo Luis! Some talent is just meant to be GRAND...Visit his blog (official site is mostly in Spanish).

Image credits: Poster for Domaine de Biosbuchet workshop borrowed from here  Other images borrowed from here.


Video below with Luis in his home/studio in Spanish...(I will find time to translate a few lines soon) more videos here.





This one is fabulous...

Topic No.1: Innovative Conferences, Cosmo THIS!