Our View 2012

What a difference a year makes... It is just over a year since redevelopment of the site opposite our office began. During 2011 not just one, but 2 development projects have taken shape on the site opposite us, with another 2 projects a little way further down this stretch of canal and a couple more in the pipe line. 

Back in January 2011

 Summer 2011

 January 2012

It has been fascinating (and pretty noisy). We look forward to waving to our new neighbours later in 2012...

Workshops for 2012

It is a big year for London and the Olympics are creeping closer and closer! Our new package of Olympic Spirit workshops proved very popular last term and we are filling up fast for this term and next.

In October we worked with students from Berger Primary School in Hackney in our 'On your Marks' workshop down on the Greenway. Pupils got to grips with the geography and sustainability of the park and looked at the architecture and engineering of the fantastic new buildings.

In November students from Wellington Primary in Bow took part in our 'Mapping Spaces, Shaping Spaces: The Olympic Park' workshop, where they explored our collection of maps and photos and learnt about the history of the Olympic Park site and how the 2012 Games is affecting the East End.

If you would be interested in booking an Olympic Spirit workshop for your school, please give us a call on 020 7729 2011.

Merry Christmas!

Honorary membership of the RIBA for TBE Chief Exec Nicole Crockett

The Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) Council this week approved 14 new RIBA Honorary Fellowships tor 2012.

We are delighted that our Chief Executive Nicole Crockett is to be awarded this honour at a ceremony in February.

RIBA Honorary Fellowships are awarded annually to people who have made a particular contribution to architecture – in the broadest sense. This includes its promotion, administration and outreach; and its role in building more sustainable communities and in the education of future generations.

Speaking earlier this week, RIBA President Angela Brady said:

'Each of this year's Honorary Fellows has made an enormous contribution to architecture, whether as a practitioner, designer, curator, writer or policy maker. The RIBA values everything that they have brought – in their very different ways – to the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the world of architecture. I look forward to presenting them with their Honorary Fellowships in February.' 

Other recipients for 2012 include artists Ai Weiwei and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

For more information please visit the RIBA website.

Additional Funding from Arts Council England

The Building Exploratory has been awarded a £5,000 grant from the Arts Council to further develop creative arts practice with older people. The grant will allow us to create a pool of artists who are trained to work with older people with reduced mobility, hearing or visual impairments and mental health issues. 



During this project we will commission the artists to develop and deliver creative activities to enable these more vulnerable older people to explore and engage with buildings and public spaces. The project will act as a test bed for developing stimulating and multi-sensory creative experiences which will allow older people who may otherwise face difficulties in participating, to take part and engage creatively with architecture.

We are currently looking for artists to get involved in the programme. For more information please email karen@buildingexploratory.org.uk

Research Volunteers Needed

Investigate the History and Development of High Street 2012

The Building Exploratory is offering a fantastic research training and development opportunity for new volunteers as part of our new Peoples Panorama Project.

The Peoples Panorama Project aims to work with a group of committed volunteers to discover the history and hidden stories of the buildings along High Street 2012 – the 6km road that links the City of London to Stratford and the Olympic Park.

Volunteers will use a range of resources as well as their experiences of visiting ‘High Street 2012’, to compile a detailed history of the development of this important high street, from its Roman origins to the present day. This research will be combined with a photographic panorama of the entire road, to form a major online resource.

Volunteers will receive comprehensive training in the skills they need to undertake their tasks, as well as full support and regular meetings from the Building Exploratory’s learning team.

If you would like to volunteer for the Peoples Panorama Project, please email Lizzie Edwards at projects@buildingexploratory.org.uk, for an application form and more details about the project.  

Architecture workshops: OMA at the Barbican

'This autumn Barbican Art Gallery is transformed by an exhibition on OMA, one of the most influential architecture practices working today. Celebrated as much for their daring and unconventional ideas as their inventive buildings, the work of OMA and its think tank AMO anticipates the architectural, engineering and cultural ideas transforming our material world.'

Take part in this practical workshop led by the Building Exploratory. Learn about the creative processes behind architecture and design and gain a better understanding of the buildings and spaces that surround us.

Saturday 29 October, 12 November, 3 December and 18 February

2-4pm

Tickets Tickets include same day entry to the exhibition

£12 if booked on-line through http://www.barbican.org.uk

Tickets on the door £14, subject to availability

This event takes place in Barbican Art Gallery Events Space.