In 2015, Serpentine Galleries will celebrate its 15th anniversary of the world-renowned Pavilion commission. The Serpentine Pavilion has become an international site for architectural experimentation, and it has housed temporary structures by some of the most well-known architects.

Serpentine Galleries recently announced that Spanish architects SelgasCano will design the 2015 Serpentine Pavilion, which is located on the Serpentines lawn in Londons Kensington Gardens. Founded by Jos Selgas and Luca Cano, SelgasCano is the first Spanish architecture firm to be asked to design the temporary Pavilion, which will feature a flexible, multipurpose space with a cafe that will be open throughout the summer of 2015. This will be the firms first new structure in the UK, and plans for the Pavilion will be released in February 2015.

SelgasCano are architects for our time who offer a tantalizing vision of the future, says Julia Peyton-Jones, director, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, co-director of Serpentine Galleries. Their innovative use of materials and bold application of color, informed by playfulness and a passion for nature, ensures that next summers Pavilion will be very exciting. They are the perfect choice to celebrate the Pavilions 15th anniversary.

Known for its use of synthetic materials, SelgasCanos design will follow Smiljan Radis 2014 Pavilion. Other architects who have previously designed pavilions include Sou Fujimoto, 2013; Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei, 2012; Frank Gehry, 2008; Rem Koolhaas and Cecil Balmond, with Arup, 2006; Oscar Niemeyer, 2003; Daniel Libeskind with Arup, 2001; and Zaha Hadid, 2000.

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Spanish Architects SelgasCano to Design 15th Serpentine Pavilion

Architects and Fort Morgan school district officials are in the midst of discussions that will define what the new middle school will look like.

With funds available, there is a lot to discuss and several details to go over. But as the meetings commence, we take a look at what these groups are thinking about.

Two architecture firms hired to design the new middle school, Wold Architects and Engineers and Larson Incitti Architects, accompanied the small Design Advisory Committee (DAG) on three tours of Colorado middle schools to generate ideas. Based on those tours, DAG members made notes of what they would like to see. The two most talked about elements were a "pod" school design and a "cafetorium".

Job Gutierrez with Wold said a "pod" middle school concept looks to divide classes by team, placing them in distinct parts of the building. Gutierrez said middle school classes are generally sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and each class is divided in two teams. A new pod middle school would have space to accommodate each group, Gutierrez said.

DAG members also discussed a cafetorium, space that could be utilized as a cafeteria and an auditorium. Gutierrez said the benefit of the cafetorium is that it diversifies the building, making it a place the community can use as well. Although DAG members generally liked the cafetorium concept, they discussed pros and cons of specific layouts, like whether or not there should be fixed seating. Notes also revealed DAG members thought a clear distinct stage should be in the cafetorium.

Gutierrez said the DAG took note of "unified arts" programs, which would require designated space for individualized learning experiences.

"It's a flexible classroom with small group individual learning," he said.

The space wouldn't affect the shop program, but would allow space for students to study special interests, like music production, robotics, etc.

DAG members and the architects continue having discussions of middle school designs on entryways, locker layout and much more. The school district plans to hold community meetings in the future for community members to provide feedback to the design of a new middle school.

Zachary Laux: 970-867-5651, zlaux@fmtimes.com or Twitter @FTMorganEditor

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Design committee talks middle school

Save Us Chuck - Architects of the Law
http://bluntforcetruth.com/ http://www.SaveUsChuckWoolery.com- Game show legend Chuck Woolery considers the Obama administration #39;s use of the phrase "archite...

By: Save Us Chuck Woolery

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They've broadcast from the city's architectural monuments: atop the Eureka tower, from the sparkling new recital hall in Southbank, from Federation Square. They've even broadcast live from the Venice Biennale.

On Tuesday night, after a spirited decade talking about great and not-so-great architecture, and interviewing everyone from international design stars like Rem Koolhaas to most of Australia's prominent architects to philosopher Alain de Botton, they'll call it quits.

The Architects debuted on community radio station Triple R in 2004.

Over the 441 shows that aired over a decade, it gathered a wide following among the industry, and among planners, designers and radio listeners interested in design and building.

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Almost precisely a decade after their first show, The Architects will broadcast its finale in a live outside broadcast from Riverland, a bar on the Yarra's banks beneath Federation Square.

It's fitting the show ends next to Federation Square, which kicked off Melbourne's renewed recognition as a design city.

The show's three hosts Stuart Harrison, Simon Knott and Christine Phillips are all architects. Their show was an attempt to "demystify" the profession, says Harrison, and break down the perception of architects as elitists.

It was an aim that went against the industry's usual approach to marketing, he says: "A lot of architects think the best way the profession can succeed is to keep the conversation internal."

Among the radio show's listeners and guests have been Triple R subscriber and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, who appeared twice as planning minister.

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Triple R's Architects show signs off after decade of sound design

An artist's impression of Spencer Street tower.

Developers are hiring top architects to win tricky high-rise permits, then dumping the architect and watering down their approved designs to save money, it has been claimed.

Gardens are being scrapped, extra apartments squeezed in, cheaper material used and decorative elements cast aside, city planners say.

They say this cost cutting occurs most commonly when property developers pay an inflated price for a block of land because it already has a high-rise planning permit attached.

By paying a premium price for the property, the new owners are forced to find savings elsewhere.

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"Maybe the real estate agent says to them; 'You buy this at this price, there is a good chance you will be able to add 20 storeys on top' [to the existing planning permit]," council's planning chairman Ken Ong said.

"There are buyers out there who don't understand the planning system who believe that."

A number of Melbourne councils are now making it a condition of some high-rise permits for the original architect to be kept on during construction, after becoming frustrated when hard-earned plans were tampered with later by a building or drafting company.

Adopting the new policy, Melbourne City Council recently asked the new planning minister, Richard Wynne, to make it a condition forElenberg Fraser to be kept on as the architect of an 89-storeyhotel and apartment mega-tower proposed for Spencer Street.

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Architects dumped from apartment blocks to save money

Design Group Admits Move Was 'Not Constructive'

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Published December 06, 2014.

The leading association for British architects has rescinded a previous policy to suspend its Israeli counterparts from an international architects group.

On Thursday, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) concluded that a motion to suspend the Israeli Association of United Architects (IAUA) from the International Union of Architects (UIA) was not in furtherance of the charitable objects of the RIBA and should not have been placed before RIBA Council.

In March, RIBA approved a motion calling on the UIA to suspend the Israeli Association of United Architects from membership until they refused to accept projects in the West Bank.

In a news statement RIBA President Stephen Hodder said that seeking this suspension was wrong and that it is a widely held view that the resolution passed in March did not make a constructive contribution to the current situation.

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British Architects Backtrack on Israel Boycott

The centre features a carefully 'folded' roof, which appears to float.

JAWS Architects received an architectural award from the Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) for its Discovery Centre at the Port of Echuca. Commissioned by the Shire of Campaspe, the Hobart-based practice had to liaise with a number of authorities on both sides of Murray River, in Victoria and New South Wales. "Part of the river bank is in New South Wales, which meant liaising with heritage authorities in both states," practice managing directorNeal Mackintosh said.

As well as creating a master plan for the 1000-square-metre site, JAWS Architects had to bring together a number of disparate buildings to create the new centre. On one side of their allotted footprint is a modest 1940s timber hut, used as part of a stage set for the television series All the Rivers Run. On the other side was a rudimentary steel shed, still used by local builders. So creating a discovery centre that was contemporary but still respected neighbouring buildings was a challenge. "There were numerous workshops to ensure all parties were represented," Mackintosh said.

The success of the centre's integration is partly a result of the material used: red gum, recycled timber and steel, with the latter used to "bridge" the neighbouring steel workshop. And rather than create solid timber walls, particularly at the three entrances, a series of timber batten walls create a veil and a sense of transparency into the centre. "There's a fine line in designing centres such as these. You want to ensure there's sufficient light, but restrain the light to protect the exhibits," said Mackintosh, who pointed out the artifacts and relics connected to the days of the paddle steamers as they made their way along the river. There are also wool pressers, a reminder of when the country rode on the sheep's back. "The building has been designed to reinforce interpretation themes through spatial planning, whether it's the built form, materiality or detail. The place is about revealing the port's rich collection of stories," he said.

The interior features red gum, recycled timber and steel.

One way of shedding greater light on these stories was through the introduction of the carefully "folded" roof, which appears to float. In other instances, subtle apertures have been carved into the walls.

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The central courtyard is one of the primary light sources, with an angular, shaped pond further reflecting light. JAWS Architects was also mindful of providing an audio effect with water, with timber stacks creating the sound of a paddle steamer. And although relatively modest in scale, the architects were keen to create a variety of experiences in the centre. There's a smaller and sinuous gallery a few steps below the main gallery. And the angular courtyard also creates a series of angular spaces around it. The architects also included built-in seating in the "double skin" of the centre. "People can take a rest near the water fountain and fill up their bottles," Mackintosh said.

While JAWS Architects hasn't made pastiche connections to the historic township, it has used the language of the verandah, prominent on Echuca's main street, to create this new centre. The use of timber was also paramount to the centre's success, with the rough-sawn timber forming a tough, rustic outer skin. "The entry points are marked by shady verandahs, and the light filtering through isn't dissimilar to the light filtering through the river red gums. There's always that strong connection to the land," Mackintosh said.

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Centre a voyage of discovery through the past

WASHINGTON The first major expansion of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is commencing nearly 50 years after construction began on the cultural center, with a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday led by Vice President Joe Biden.

The $100 million expansion will add space for arts education, programs, rehearsals and interaction between artists and audience members. It also will add new memorial elements in a new garden honoring the 35th president.

At the ceremony, Biden said Kennedy let people imagine what was possible and that the arts were part of Kennedy's vision for America. Biden said the expansion will reimagine what the living monument to Kennedy can be.

"I think it was Picasso who said that all children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up," Biden said. "I think that's what this is about. I think that what you're doing today will help solve that problem of keeping children artists and being able to grow up and remain artists."

Officials plan to open the new addition on May 29, 2017, the 100th anniversary of Kennedy's birth.

President Lyndon B. Johnson originally broke ground for the Kennedy Center 50 years ago this week in December 1964. There were some delays as planners considered whether to move the center to the National Mall. But it finally opened to the public in 1971.

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg, Kennedy's 26-year-old granddaughter who recently joined the center's board of trustees, said the addition will expand the Kennedy Center from a performing arts stage to a place where new things can be dreamed up, practiced and perfected.

"My grandparents both cared deeply about the arts and truly believed in their power and in honoring and respecting our nation's artists," she said. "They recognized that in order to demonstrate our full commitment to freedom, democracy and the human spirit, our nation's capital needed a world-class performing arts center."

Architect Steven Holl, who is designing the expansion, said it includes a mostly underground building that will be integrated with the landscape and a pedestrian bridge to connect with a new performance pavilion floating on the Potomac River.

The garden will include an outdoor amphitheater for simulcasts of performances, a grove of 35 gingko trees for the 35th president and a reflecting pool the length of Kennedy's PT-109 naval boat that was sunk in 1943 during World War II.

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Biden breaks ground for Kennedy Center expansion

THE United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) is staging a special weeklong sports fest dubbed as "Palarong Arkitekto" in line with the celebration of the National Architecture Week (NAW) slated December 8 to 13 2014.

This was bared by NAW 2014 Basketball League Organizer Architect Gilbert Peter Fortich, UAP, who guested along with Architect Alrey Jane Tancio of UAP during their guesting in Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the NCCC Mall Davao Food Cove Function Hall.

Fortich said that the sportsfest marks the first time that 8 UAP Chapters in District D-1 banded together in hosting this year's sportsfest.

"This sportsfest is open to all architects and suppliers," Fortich said.

The sportsfest features men's and women's basketball, badminton, darts, bowling and billiards.

"The venue for the men's and women's basketball will be at the University of Mindanao Matina-Campus while the rest of the events will be held at the Rancho Palos Verdes," Tancio said.

Fortich added that a total of four teams are expected to vie for the title in the basketball men and women.

Tancio, meanwhile, said that the badminton event will have an on-site registration for those interested players. "No cash prizes will be given to the winners in each sports events," he added.

"Our aim for this sportsfest is to form camaraderie and bonding among the architects and suppliers," Fortich added.

The basketball games are slated to begin on December 9 until 12 while the rest of the events will be on December 13.

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'Palarong Arkitekto' slated for Dec. 8-13

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. -

The battle of Blountville is a fairly well-known Civil War battle fought by soldiers in this area, but some now want tourists from all over to learn more about it.

That is why a committee formed to promote Blountville as a Civil War battlefield destination have had architects draw up plans to develop a park around the town that will highlight the different historical features of Civil War era Blountville.

Tony Shipley, the chairman of the Civil War Military Park Committee, says now that plans have been drawn, it's time to start collecting donations. "This is a rather deliberate effort stepping through it one step at a time and paying as we go. If we raise a lot of money we can do a lot. If we raise a little, we can do a little, so it's that simple." Shipley said at the presentation of the plans.

Shipley says tax dollars are not being used for the park development, so they are asking for those interested to make a tax deductible donation.

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Architects reveal plans for a Blountville Battle park