FRAMEWORKS OF UNCERTAINTY: ARCHITECTURAL STRATEGIES OF CONTROL AND CHANGE IN THE WORK OF CEDRIC PRICE AND ARATA ISOZAKI

MARCELA ARAGUEZ

 Architect based in Zurich. 
-MArch from the University of Granada in Spain.
-PhD in Architectural History & Theory from the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London

Marcela Aragüez is a Spanish architect based in Zurich. She holds an MArch from the University of Granada in Spain and a PhD in Architectural History & Theory from the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, where she was also awarded with an MSc in Spatial Design (UCL Turner Prize for best dissertation). Marcela’s research interest lies in the understanding of uncertainty as a spatial quality in architecture, with a particular emphasis on the investigation of post-war practices from a cross-cultural perspective. She is currently coordinating the joint research project ‘The Culture of Water’ between the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland and the Kyoto Institute of Technology in Japan. A former editor of LOBBY and current editor of InForma, Marcela has lectured widely in the UK, Switzerland, Japan, France and Spain and her work has been acknowledged by grants and awards from institutions such as the Japan Foundation, Sasakawa Foundation, Canon Foundation and the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain. She is a licensed practitioner with professional experience in Spain and Switzerland.

ABSTRACT: 
This paper argues that the creation of buildings with the potential of functional and physical change over time is inextricably linked to what can be labelled as ‘frameworks of uncertainty’ – i.e. those tools of architectural theory and design that predict, enable and manage the accommodation of controlled changes. To this purpose, the differing contexts of British and Japanese post-war architecture, and more specifically the work of Cedric Price and Arata Isozaki, are investigated as instrumental in understanding this friction between fixity and freedom within architectural design.

AIA Hong Kong FAIA Leadership Series / Hello Fellow with Professor Nelson Chen, FAIA, FRIBA, FHKIA

We enjoyed an engaging, intimate 'fireside' chat with Professor Nelson Chen, FAIA, at the Gaggenau Poggenpohl Showroom in Causeway Bay. Introduced by his former student - Florence Chan, AIA, Professor Chen shared his career experiences of both practicing architecture professionally and teaching architecture in a university degree program.

The AIA Fellowship program was developed to acknowledge architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and society and achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Fellowship recognizes the architect as an individual and honors the awardee on an international level. The AIA College of Fellows seeks to stimulate a sharing of interests among Fellows and encourages them to promote the purposes of the Institute, advance the profession of architecture, mentor young architects, and be of ever increasing service to society.

We thank Professor Chen and our sponsors - Gaggenau, Poggenpohl, Kitchen Infinity, BeTrue - for making this evening possible and we look forward to continuing this series with more of our FAIA members.

Emerging Architects / Young Architects Group, ARE 5.0

Thanks to a generous AIA Fellowship Grant, the YAG has upgraded our comprehensive lending library of ARE 5.0 study guides and flash cards. These materials are available at the AIA office.

AIA Hong Kong hosts monthly ARE study groups at the Chapter Office in PMQ and, at present, Hong Kong is one of only three locations outside the U.S. where the ARE 5.0 exams are offered.

Our study sessions are led by licensed AIA members and integrate content review, study strategies, tips & tricks, and sample questions.

In addition, we are starting a peer-to-peer Bootcamp that will meet weekly, via conference call, to help keep you motivated and accountable.

Remember - Becoming a licensed architect requires a lot of time and commitment. Through weekly meetings, you will be able to both help, and learn from each other, and to keep a study schedule.

Please signup at emergingprofessionals@aiahk.org. Be sure to include your full name, affiliation and email address.

Building Tour / French International School

The French International School at Tseung Kwan O provides an open and active learning environment for kindergarten, primary and secondary level pupils. Completed in September 2018, the 19,600 m2 campus sets an outstanding example for sustainability, with its strategic use of daylight, extensive landscaping and energy saving features.

The facility was designed by Henning Larsen –practitioners of sustainable design and inclusive design strategies– and the tour was led by Henning Larsen’s Elva Tang and Claude Bøjer Godefroy, together with Jean-Charles Querette, International Associate. AIA, who served as Project Manager for the school.

Tour participants gained insights into the architect's renowned approach to daylighting design while experiencing how the school’s collaborative learning vision has been implemented while integrating many state-of-the-art sustainable design strategies.

Unassigned Members Survey Results

The International Region recently conducted a survey of its Unassigned Members in an effort to better understand how the IR might better serve these members. Unassigned members make up of approximately 500 members of the International Region who are not assigned to one of the seven international chapters.

Download the Results

Update from Korea!

With so many accomplished AIA members in Korea, positive steps are being made to bring together the community of local and international architects through educational and networking events. A full-day symposium in collaboration with the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism was offered on March 27th. Organized by with the curator of the Seoul Biennale Global Studios, Sanki Choe AIA in conjunction with directors, Jaeyoung Lee AIA and Francisco Sanin, a group of international architects discussed and debated aspects of urban collectivity. Speakers included Minsuk Cho AIA (Mass Studies), Armando Hashimoto (EL Cielo Arquitectos), Noura Al-Sayeh (Bahrain authority for culture and Antiquities), Fu Rong, and Peter Wilson (Bolles + Wilson Architects). AIA members received a total of 6.5 LU HSW units.

On April 3rd, an open talk was hosted in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Korea and SongEun Art Space. Architects Minsuk Cho AIA and Alfredo Brillembourg discussed their award winning research originally presented at the Venice Biennale. A roundtable discussion chaired by John Hong AIA followed. Attendees received 2.5 LU HSW units.

Ongoing discussions with FIKA (Federation of Institutes of Korean Architects) are in progress to plan events where both AIA members and Korean registered architects can share in educational programs and meet socially. Specifically, we are in the planning stages of offering educational credits for the many high-profile events during the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, which will open on September 7th.