An introduction to the demi monograph ‘Xefirotarch’, just published by HUST Press in Beijing. The book documents the decade-long career of the Los Angeles-based architect (and frequent AA visitor) Hernan Diaz Alonso. The essay connects the surface sensibility of Xefirotarch to the sci-fi and special effects industries that surround the architect in his home town.
—1 May, 2009
ABC, Spain ‘Norman Foster, Q&A’, An interview with Michael Oldous.
A question and answer session with the Michael Oldous of the Instituto Empresa, in Madrid, on the occasion of the Prince of Asturias award given this year to Lord Foster. Prompted to discuss Foster’s contribution beyond the iconic buildings he and his practise have been long identified with, my interest remains in the ways in […]
—30 March, 2009
‘Knowing Where the Bodies are Buried’Introduction to Denise Scott Brown: Collected Essays, 1962-2009’
An introduction to the new AA Words volume, a first-ever collection of writings by Denise Scott Brown. Denise is a modern master of the essay as a form of architectural culture, debate and discussion. In addition to being the author of some of the most influential architectural publications of the twentieth century, and her being […]
—10 November, 2008
Financial Times, London ‘Architecture in Between’
An extended interview by Linda Anderson of the FT, on the topic of the AA’s upcoming design workshop collaboration with the Instituto Empresa. The interview focuses on my interest in the contemporary convergence of architectural, business and management theories, which share similarities in their dependence upon non-linear and non-hierarchical forms of organisation; the importance of […]
—February, 2009
‘An Atlas of Fabrication’Exhibition Catalogue by Barkow Leibinger
In a new experimental format by AA Publications, this catalogue documents the exhibition of the same name opening this month at the Architectural Association. A first-ever retrospective of the materials research and fabrication projects by the Berlin-based architectural practice led by (former AA Tutors) Frank Barkow and Regina Leibinger.
—9 January, 2009
‘Reverse-engineering Architecture’Exhibition catalogue for ‘AKT at Work’, the work of Adams, Kara Taylor.
Adams Kara Taylor are the future of structural engineering. The AA’s new exhibition on the work of the firm is a first-ever solo exhibition of AKT, who are amongst the world’s most forward-looking engineering practises and who have worked on many of the most important buildings of our time. Hanif Kara and his partners are […]
—January, 2009
The Leaf Review ‘The State We’re In’
My comments regarding the current state of British architecture are included alongside statements by Will Alsop, Chris lee, Eva Jirnica, Sunand Prasad and Alain de Botton. From an interview last autumn (when the world seemed more familiar and set than it is today), I point to the challenges of the UK’s incredibly-global economy and forms […]
—December 1, 2008
Financial Times ‘All the World’s a Stage’
An article by Linda Anderson in today’s issue of London’s FT, on the topic of alternative teaching, includes extracts of an interview with Brett on the AA School’s recently-completed two-day workshop with the Instituto Empresa, in Madrid. The collaborative instincts of contemporary architectural and design cultures was the focus of the AA workshop with 400 […]
—October, 2008
Beijing ‘Learning from Networks’
A Short introduction to the pedagogical impulses and interests in the AA School today, included in the new catalogue just released for the Beijing Architecture Biennale.
—4 October, 2008
Princeton Architectural Press ‘Literary v. Literal Architecture’
My introduction to a new volume in the long-running Pamphlet Architecture Series, a special issue on the poetic infrastructural sensibility and two recent projects by the young London-based architectural practice Naja & deOstos. The publication includes an extensive documentation and accompanying short texts by myself, Peter Cook and Lebbeus Woods on Ricardo and Nanette’s most […]