A model of the 'Kamaishi box'. Photos courtesy of the Japan Foundation, Manila

"3/11" refers to the magnitude-9 earthquake that hit off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. The quake and the resulting tsunami devastated the northeastern region of the country and killed at least 15,880 people. The disaster also caused meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, some 53,000 temporary shelters were built for many of the survivors.

According to a release from the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM), this exhibit will feature visual and text panels, as well as models and video presentations, that showcase the vision of architects, builders and engineers who have been involved in projects that seek working solutions that will allow them to build beyond tragedy.

The exhibit will also include furniture and cardboard shelters used by evacuees after the earthquake.

A temporary housing facility in Japan

Emergency response: Projects intended as emergency measures for the lost and those whose homes were rendered unliveable or could not be used as shelter immediately after the quake or tsunami.

Temporary housing: Projects built to become evacuation shelters for the displaced, injured, and in need of protection from the elements. Playgrounds, parks, and any kind of vacant land in an elevated area are usually turned into temporary dwellings with suitable facilities for medical succour.

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Architects response to 3/11 quake, tsunami to be seen at UP Asian Center

27 May 2014

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Announcing the formation of DAA - Aucklands newest architectural firm

In recognition of the appointment of Sam Atcheson as a co-director of the company, Dorrington Architects and Associates has rebranded. The new name of the business is DAA, the acronym for Dorrington Atcheson Architects.

The architectural studio based in Newton, Auckland employs a team of six and together, the directors have 30 years experience in the industry.

The pair met at the University of Auckland in the late 90s and originally worked together at Fearon Hay Architects. In 2007, Atcheson joined Dorrington Architects and the first project they teamed forces on a house in the central North Island was recognised in the Residential category of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Awards.

While Dorrington will take the lead in the design direction of DAA, Atcheson will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the practice.

The DAA vision is of architecture with a reduced aesthetic. As Dorrington explains, Details are pared back to a minimum so reading the componentry of the building is as clear as possible. Atcheson: Each element is distinctive: were striving for an honesty of structure and material, and buildings that are carefully composed.

The duo has already scooped awards for houses in Auckland, and holiday homes in Taupo and Raglan. In the retail sector, the team worked with design studio Veneer on Shoebox, a store for shoe designer Kathryn Wilson which was a Best Design Awards finalist. Similarly, their collaboration on Britomarts Tyler Street Garage was recognised both by the NZIA and the Best Design Awards.

DAA recently turned their reduced aesthetic philosophy to the renovation of a 70s house in Herne Bay. The layout of this multi-gabled home was proving impractical for a family with three children. They retained the roof and many existing materials, but simplified the internal planning to create spaces that were open-plan, light and a lot more workable.

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DAA - Aucklands newest architectural firm

KUALA LUMPUR: Ken Wong Architect was the biggest winner at the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) Awards 2014. The architecture firm took home two gold awards and two silver awards during the awards ceremony on Saturday. The PAM Awards is the premier award for architecture in Malaysia and is held annually.

This year, out of the 11 gold medals available, five were awarded and all five were won by three architectural firms, said Wee Hii Min of Design Network Architects Sdn Bhd during the award ceremony. Wee was the convener of the jury panel.

Ken Wong Architect won the gold in the Multiple Residential Low-Rise category for Casaman, a mass housing development located in Desa Park City; as well as in the Interior Design category for a private library in a house of which the location was not disclosed. The firm also won the silver award for a private library in the Single Residential Category and took home another silver award in the Interior Design category for their work on the YTL Sales Gallery. All its winning projects were a collaboration with Unit One Design Sdn Bhd.

Gold medals were also awarded to WHCB Architects and Ar Mastor Surat. WHCB won in the Single Residential category for their work on Chempenai House at Jalan Chempenai, and in the Special Category for communal bath and toilets in Kampung Pian, Kuala Krau in Pahang. Ar Mastor Surat, in collaboration with ZLG Sdn Bhd, was awarded gold in the Commercial High-Rise Category for Menara Obyu (Point 92) in Damansara Perdana.

The 11 categories were Single Residential, Multiple Residential Low Rise, Multiple Residential High Rise, Industrial, Adaptive Re-Use, Commercial Low Rise, Commercial High Rise, Commercial Mixed Development & Hospitality, Interior Design and Special Category.

This year PAM added an additional category, Building of the Year, which was to be selected from the gold award winners. However, there was no winner for this category.

This year there is no winner for Building of the Year. If you feel that the judging is stringent, it is really stringent. We are benchmarking ourselves regionally. Thats why there were several categories without a gold award, said Wee.

The jury panel comprised PAM president Chan Seong Aun, head of department of architecture at University Putra Malaysia Meor Mohammad Fared, Mike Boon Chee Khian of Arkitek JFN Sdn Bhd, president-elect of the Architects Regional Council of Asia Sathirut Nui Tandanand and editor-in-chief of Singapore Architect Kelley Cheng. Of the 115 entries received by PAM, 38 were shortlisted for final judging.

While I congratulate the winners for their success, it would have been more meaningful if there were a greater number and diversity of entries. After all, this is an excellent way to archive significant architecture in our country and I would have liked to see more government projects submitted. This is the national architecture awards and what better way to reflect the nations confidence and culture than by showcasing good architecture commissioned by the state, said Wee.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on May 26, 2014.

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Ken Wong Architect is biggest winner at PAM Awards 2014

Architects and Engineers Respond to CNN #39;s Jake Tapper Slander of 9/11 Truth
In this video Luke Rudkowski interview AE 9/11 Truth founder Richard Gage. Architects Engineers for 9/11 Truth (AE911Truth) is an American non-profit organization of architects, engineers,...

By: WeAreChange

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Architects and Engineers Respond to CNN's Jake Tapper Slander of 9/11 Truth - Video

Architects Broken cross live at backbooth

By: Luke Hanna

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Architects Broken cross live at backbooth - Video

Dark Companion - Vampire Architects Series
Official Trailer of "Dark Companion" - Book One of the Vampire Architects Series by Maya DeLeina. Warwick, an Elite member of the Vampire Architects, was chosen as Isla Joseph #39;s Protector...

By: Maya DeLeina

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Dark Companion - Vampire Architects Series - Video

MUMBAI: With increasing cases of building collapses and illegal structures, an RTI query on whether responsibility is fixed on architects apart from builders and other officials has revealed that no year-wise record is maintained of defaulting architects.

Also, the Council of Architecture (COA) does not have record of names and dates of complaints, as per a reply to a query filed by Mumbai-based RTI activist Anil Galgali.

In response to a query on the list of number of architects accused of professional misconduct, Public Information Officer R K Oberoi informed that, "No such year wise list of defaulting architects is maintained by the Council."

"The complaints for violation of the provisions of the Act are dealt with as per procedure given under Section 39 of the Architects Act. The Council has not maintained any list/record containing the names and dates of complaints, i.e. in the form sought by you," Oberoi said.

However, he said that currently two complaints for alleged professional misconduct against architects have been received and these are being dealt with as per Council of Architecture Rules, 1973.

Recently, a police complaint was registered against an architect and a Thane Municipal official by a consumer, after the latter was allotted a smaller area of residential property than what was actually shown in the agreement. This brought the role of the architect concerned under scrutiny.

"Architects can ensure fairness in their projects if they abide by the rules and regulations set. But unfortunately, a lot of architects today not only advice the builder to violate law, but also point out the loopholes in the system to maximise profits," Galgali alleged while talking to PTI.

No action can be taken against defaulting architects, if the Council does not maintain a detailed list, he said.

"There are so many illegal structures sprouting in our city. Campa Cola building is one such example. The builder is usually held responsible for illegal structures without action being taken against the architect. It is the residents who have to ultimately suffer. If the council itself has no list, how will architects be made accountable for the sufferings of the common man," he said.

The RTI query also revealed that 62,369 persons across India are registered with the COA as architects, as on January 31, 2014.

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Council of Architecture lacks data on architects' professional conduct: RTI query

With increasing cases of building collapses and illegal structures, an RTI query on whether responsibility is fixed on architects apart from builders and other officials has revealed that no year-wise record is maintained of defaulting architects.

Also, the Council of Architecture (COA) does not have record of names and dates of complaints, as per a reply to a query filed by Mumbai-based RTI activist Anil Galgali.

In response to a query on the list of number of architects accused of professional misconduct, Public Information Officer R K Oberoi informed that, "No such year wise list of defaulting architects is maintained by the Council."

"The complaints for violation of the provisions of the Act are dealt with as per procedure given under Section 39 of the Architects Act. The Council has not maintained any list/record containing the names and dates of complaints, i.e. in the form sought by you," Oberoi said.

However, he said that currently two complaints for alleged professional misconduct against architects have been received and these are being dealt with as per Council of Architecture Rules, 1973.

Recently, a police complaint was registered against an architect and a Thane Municipal official by a consumer, after the latter was allotted a smaller area of residential property than what was actually shown in the agreement. This brought the role of the architect concerned under scrutiny.

"Architects can ensure fairness in their projects if they abide by the rules and regulations set. But unfortunately, a lot of architects today not only advice the builder to violate law, but also point out the loopholes in the system to maximise profits," Galgali alleged while talking to PTI.

No action can be taken against defaulting architects, if the Council does not maintain a detailed list, he said.

"There are so many illegal structures sprouting in our city. Campa Cola building is one such example. The builder is usually held responsible for illegal structures without action being taken against the architect. It is the residents who have to ultimately suffer. If the council itself has no list, how will architects be made accountable for the sufferings of the common man," he said.

The RTI query also revealed that 62,369 persons across India are registered with the COA as architects, as on January 31, 2014.

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COA lacks data on architects' professional conduct: RTI query

ARCHITECTS // C.A.N.C.E.R (Cover)
Learned this from watching Tom Searle play it. Fairly intricate song, but loads of fun to play!

By: Blackriff99

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ARCHITECTS // C.A.N.C.E.R (Cover) - Video

Now your architecture in London by arcHITects
Now your new architecture in London, ask us. http://www.hit-architects.com song "Subimago" by minusbaby.

By: Tomaso Piantini

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Now your architecture in London by arcHITects - Video