Regent Street windows

Have you popped down to Regent Street recently? Well if you can handle the crowds you should, as this year's RIBA Window Project is currently in place.

The project includes six architecture studios working with shops along the famous road, creating unique displays in six of the most iconic stores.

Supported by RIBA and the Regent Street Association, the project is in its fourth year and runs until 6th May 2013.

Topshop has a rotating wheel of mannequins designed by George King and Mark Nixon from Neon, which will allow for different outfits to be displayed throughout the day.

The installation at Karen Millen is made of sports fabric and cable ties, and spans the 30-metre length of the window. It is the creation of Mamou-Mani.

John Tollitt and his team at Gensler drew on the emotional response one may feel driving one of their cars for their display for the flagship store of Ferrari.

The atrium of Espirit's store was transformed by naganJohnson into a beach scene, complete with a wave of chestnut paling fencing.

Carl Turner Architects referenced American artist Gordon Matta Clark's images of cut-out buildings at Jack Spade's Brewer Street store, just off Regent Street, creating fantasy New York streetscapes on the facade, in the windows and on blackboard illustrations.

Finally, interlocking panels to form freestanding screens at Moss Bros, creating a three-dimensional herringbone effect was the idea of AY Architects.

Find out more information and see more images here.

Photographs are by Agnese Sanvito.

RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist announced

This year's RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist has been announced with six buildings, including the London Olympic Stadium by Populous and two projects by OMA.

The six that will compete for the £20,000 prize for the Best Building by a British-registered architect are:

The Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire by David Chipperfield Architects (pic 1)
London Olympic Stadium by Populous (pic 2)
The Lyric Theatre, Belfast by O’Donnell + Tuomey
Maggie’s Centre, Gartnavel, Glasgow by OMA
New Court, London by OMA with Allies and Morrison
Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge by Stanton Williams (pic 3)

See more about the shortlist here.

AIA launches architecture app

If you're heading over to the States and fancy finding out more about the buildings around you then this is the essential app.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has formed a partnership with Broadcastr and created an app that provides in-depth information about the buildings around you along with exclusive interviews with architects and a vast library of narratives from local professionals that reveal the stories and facts. The app initially works in Los Angeles, New York City and Washington D.C.

“Imagine standing in front of one of the world’s great buildings and listening to the architect tell you about her inspiration,” said Andy Hunter, CEO of Broadcastr. “We are thrilled that our partnership with AIA makes that possible.”

The AIA Broadcastr is available on Apple and Android. Let us know if you make it over there and use it. Should RIBA be launching a similar app?

RIBA hunts for unique pews and perches

RIBA has launched a competition inviting architecture students, recent graduates and emerging practices from across London to come up with unique ideas for public seating in association with London’s Pleasure Gardens.

The winners of Pews & Perches will receive funding to build their designs which will be showcased around the Royal Docks in East London in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The deadline for submissions is 30 January 2012.

Click here for more details

Paper v. Digital PR - An Article for RIBA Insight

The Think Tank was recently asked to comment upon the importance of the use of paper v. digital media in PR by RIBA Insight as part of the regular advice and guidance that RIBA CPD Providers Network provides to its customers.

Liam Bateman, Director at The Think Tank, commented, “Both paper and digital are still equally important however within certain markets there is a more emphasised move towards digital.
Traditional PR, which would have included securing articles in publications and raising brand awareness through events and activities, has rapidly been expanded into the digital arena, firstly, through publishers taking their magazines online, then through e-direct marketing and latterly social media."

Click the on the link to see the full article.

Paper v. Digital Article.pdf (467 kb)

Article originally published by RIBA Insight

Terry Farrell: Postmodernism and its Legacy

“Postmodernism was all-encompassing, not a style but an era, and as a phenomenon it was about holistic connectivity, the broadening of all viewpoints.” Terry Farrell, 2011.

Coinciding with the Victoria and Albert Museum’s major Postmodernism exhibition will be a discussion at the RIBA about the legacy of postmodernism; amongst the speakers representing some of the movement’s protagonists will be architect Terry Farrell. But, has enough time lapsed since the end of the movement to assess or even appreciate its legacy? Some of its greatest examples in architecture are still considered controversial. Many postmodernist buildings – even the most well-known – are not protected, and the consequences can be currently witnessed in Camden where the Hawley Crescent façade of the former TV-am studios, designed by Farrell in the early 1980s, is being torn down. A model of its façade forms part of the V&A’s exhibition, one exhibit amongst many that together analyses the wide spectrum of material and cultural outputs of postmodernism, including: architecture, music, cinema, fashion and dance.

The upcoming talk, ‘The Legacy of Postmodernism’, will see Sir Terry Farrell, Nigel Coates, Piers Gough, Sean Griffiths, Kester Rattenbury and Jane Pavitt discuss the legacy of the movement on architecture and design in the UK. 6.30pm – 8pm, 25 October 2011.

To book tickets or to find out more visit RIBA Blogs

Photograph: Alban Gate, 125 London Wall, City of London (© Kathy de Witt / RIBA Library Photographs Collection)

Paper vs. Digital Direct Marketing

Earlier this year Liam Bateman, Director at The Think Tank, was invited to make a presentation to marketing professionals at the RIBA Insight Conference, considering the merits of Paper v's Digital Direct Marketing. The presentation was well received and discussed the pros and cons of using direct mail and electronic direct marketing to reach target audiences.
To find out more and to download the full presentation please click on the pdf below.

Paper vs Digital Direct Marketing.pdf (2220 kb)

The Think Tank contributes to RIBA North West Magazine

The Think Tank's Liam Bateman has contributed an article to RIBA North West's magazine 'A', which has recently been distributed to local practices.

The article discusses why Architectural Practices should use the services of a marketing or PR agency and the impact such a sevice can have.

View the full article by clicking on the link to the pdf.
PracticeSupport.pdf (1191 kb)