Summer/Winter Nights, 2005 – 2007

The Architecture Foundation’s twice-yearly series, presented each season four emerging architectural practices from the UK and Europe. An established fixture on London’s architectural calendar and free of charge, the series provided an unrivalled platform for young, independent practices to inspire and provoke in an intimate and sociable setting.

Venue: Building Design Partnership, Clerkenwell, London

Winter Nights 2007

17 January 2007
m2r–architectures
speaker: Jörg Rostock

Founded in 2002, m2r-architecture recently completed its first large-scale and award-winning sports project, the Vogtland Arena, a spectacular ski jump in Klingenthal, Germany. m2r’s particular focus on construction is indebted to the three founding partners’ early experience in construction work.

m2r-architecutre, Ski Jump Ramp, Klingenthal © The Architect

24 January 2007
Universal Design Studio
speaker: Edward Barber

Universal Design Studio is a multidisciplinary team of architects, interior and industrial designers based in East London. The Studio takes a consistent, holistic approach to spatial design and interior architecture exploring the many interpretations and creative possibilities on any one project. Recent projects included Stella McCartney’s retail outlet and a variety of collaborations with partner design practice, Barber Osgerby.

Universal Design Studio, Lotte Store, Seoul © The Designer

31 January 2007
Gianni Botsford Architects
speaker: Gianni Botsford

Gianni Botsford Architects aim to create an architecture of “local adaptation”, which it considers to be as a direct response to climactic, environmental and cultural demands of individual briefs. A recent manifestation of this approach was the Light House in West London, which also reflected the practice’s interest in computer-generated solar form research – as originated by John Frazer’s unit at the Architectural Association in the mid-1990s – and continued to inform recent projects, such as a competition entry for the Estonian National Museum and a master plan in the South of France.

Gianni Botsford Architects, Pavilion Home, London © The Architect

07 February 2007
Carmody Groarke
speakers: Kevin Carmody and Andy Groarke

Carmody Groarke was the youngest practice of the series, having established itself earlier that year, following its competition-winning entry for the Parachute Pavilion in Coney Island, New York. The studio’s approach was to first examine the way in which projects belong to their respective contexts, and thus respond through the careful investigation and application of materiality and spatial configuration. Recent projects included houses for artists Julian Opie and Fiona Rae in London; a collaboration between New York photographer Maripol and Comme Des Garcons in London; a refurbishment of the Electric Ballroom nightclub in London; an entrance pavilion for a film studios in Australia; and an office and subterranean spa in Ireland.

Carmody Groarke, Studio East Dining © The Architect

Summer Nights 2006: The Europeans

02 August 2006
AWP, Paris
speaker: Alessandra Cianchetta

Founded in 2003 by five architects and one philosopher, AWP is a Paris-based interdisciplinary studio for architecture, landscape and design. Current projects at the time of Alessandra Cianchetta’s presentation included the urban redevelopment of Wazemmes (City of Lille).  The practice was part of the pan-European collective a-Graft, who were runners up in the AF’s new building competition.

AWP, The Lantern in the Norwegian woods, Sandes © The Architect

09 August 2006
Querkraft, Vienna
speaker: Peter Sapp and Jakob Dunkl

Founded in 1998 and since regarded as one of Austria’s most significant young practices, in 2004 Querkraft was awarded both BD Young Architect of the Year and the City of Vienna Prize for Architecture, and simultaneously represented Austria at the ninth Venice Architecture Biennale. Current projects at the time of their Summer Nights presentation included the design of the Adidas Brand Center (Germany), a restaurant project (Birmingham) and a residential project (Liverpool), both commissioned by Urban Splash. Jakob Dunkl presented the practice’s work.

Querkraft, DRA private residence, Vienna © The Architect

16 August 2006
Ullmayer/ Sylvester, London
speakers: Silvia Ullmayer and Allan Sylvester

Silvia Ullmayer (Germany) and Allan Sylvester (UK) founded their London-based practice in 2005 following the collaborative housing project ‘In-Between’ in London (winner of the 2004 AJ First Building Award). They focus on urban, civic and domestic projects, and aim to conceive high quality, beautiful products in an economically and environmentally viable context.

Ullmayer/Sylvester, Summer House, London © The Architect

23 August 2006
Teresa Sapey Architects
speaker: Teresa Sapey

Italian-born Teresa Sapey runs her practice from Madrid. Recent works at the time of her presentation included the car park at the Hotel Puerta America and stores for Custo Barcelona. In 2005 the practice was awarded the Official Prize for Architecture of the City of Madrid. Teresa lectures in Spain and Italy.

Teresa Sapey Architects, Custo Store, Barcelona © The Architect

Winter Nights 2006

11 January 2006
Softroom
speakers: Christophe Bagot and Oliver Slaway

Softroom pushes boundaries with its work in the commercial and cultural sectors, winning the Stephen Lawrence Prize and Civic Trust Award. Key projects include the Virgin Atlantic Heathrow Clubhouse, the new permanent Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art at the V&A and conceptual designs such as a private tow away island (see below).

Softroom, Kielder Belvedere, Kielder Forest National Park UK © The Architect

18 January 2006
DRDH Architects
speakers: Daniel Rosbottom and David Howarth

Runners up in the 2005 Young Architect of the Year Award, DRDH have since won an international competition to design a major housing scheme in Hamburg. Completed projects include the Khan House in north London – a house and studio created with an in-situ cast concrete element being added to an existing Georgian house.

DRDH Architects, Kulturkvartalet, Bodø Norway © The Architect

25 January 2006
Amin Taha Architects
speaker: Amin Taha

Amin Taha Architects is a diverse studio with projects including the recently completed Gazzano House on Farringdon Road – winner of the RIBA 2005 Architecture Award – and numerous residential projects in the West End. The practice was formed after the group put together winning competition entries for a large-scale urban regeneration masterplan in Manchester alongside an arts-complex in East London.

Amin Taha Architects, Gazzano House, London © The Architect

01 February 2006
Block Architecture
speakers: Graeme Williamson and Zoe Smith

The ICA bar, Modern Art Oxford and the Grand Central bar in London are just some of Block Architecture’s completed projects. The practice’s attention to detail has earned it the Blueprint Sessions’ Interior Designer of the Year award in 2005.

Block Architects, Magasin3 Gallery, Stockholm © The Architect

Summer Nights 2005

10 August 2005
Urban Salon
speakers: Diane Cochrane and Alex Mowat

Urban Salon’s ecological ethos and experimental approach are responsible for projects in extreme conditions, from the Antarctic to Mars.

Urban Salon, Peabody Social Housing, Hackney London © The Architect

17 August 2005
Foster Lomas
speakers: William Foster and Greg Lomas

Foster Lomas is a young from with a background in lighting design and metal work, focusing on residential projects, such as The Rough Hill Apartments and The Thomas House.

Foster Lomas, The Thomas House © The Architect

24 August 2005
Woolf Architects
speaker: Jonathan Woolf

Woolf Architects’ passion for brick continues to push new boundaries in the private and public sectors. Recent works include Sackville Street and Brick Leaf House.

Woolf Architects, Brick Leaf House, London © The Architect

31 August 2005
Richter Rühl Architects
speakers: Christopher Procter and Fernando Rihl

Procter Rihl is a multi-disciplinary practice responsive for the Slice House in Brazil and inspired by the disciplines of fine art and computer technologies.

Procter Rihl, Slide House, Brazil © The Architect

Documentation