Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners calls on architects to contribute to the public good
Richard Rogers has warned that the “erosion of public space by the private market is a really serious problem in cities.”
In an interview with CLAD at the launch of the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, where his firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners were exhibiting, he urged architects, developers and the public to “defend our public spaces.”
“Leisure space – public space – is at the very root of democracy, and architecture is about democracy,” he says. “When I studied architecture in the 1950s, 80 per cent of architects in England worked for schools, hospitals and other public buildings. Today, I gather the number is 20 per cent, which in a way reflects the need to defend the public domain.”
Rogers says that it’s the responsibility of all architects to try to help solve today’s social and environmental challenges.
“We have a responsibility, no question. We have a responsibility not only as architects, but also as citizens. Our responsibility is to defend the quality of life of the individual.”
Rogers said that architects could still work for private clients and contribute to the public good. He cited the example of RSHP’s Leadenhall office building, saying “we managed to persuade the local government and the owner to have the bottom of the building as public space.”
RSHP designed a new architectural façade for the Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge, London, adding “a touch of contemporary theatre” to the 1970s building, which incorporates restored features from the original hotel that was on Berkeley Street.
The hotel’s entrance has been extended outwards and fitted with glass, steel and carbon fibre beams to create what the hotel’s developers describe as “a unique and show-stopping canopy which will take our London landmark into the 21st century.”
The new façade is part of a wider redesign at the Berkeley which includes the lobby, the Blue Bar and the Collins Room.
Construction work also recently began on the RSHP-designed International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, due to open in 2018.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners calls on architects to contribute to the public good
Richard Rogers has warned that the “erosion of public space by the private market is a really serious problem in cities.”
In an interview with CLAD at the launch of the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, where his firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners were exhibiting, he urged architects, developers and the public to “defend our public spaces.”
“Leisure space – public space – is at the very root of democracy, and architecture is about democracy,” he says. “When I studied architecture in the 1950s, 80 per cent of architects in England worked for schools, hospitals and other public buildings. Today, I gather the number is 20 per cent, which in a way reflects the need to defend the public domain.”
Rogers says that it’s the responsibility of all architects to try to help solve today’s social and environmental challenges.
“We have a responsibility, no question. We have a responsibility not only as architects, but also as citizens. Our responsibility is to defend the quality of life of the individual.”
Rogers said that architects could still work for private clients and contribute to the public good. He cited the example of RSHP’s Leadenhall office building, saying “we managed to persuade the local government and the owner to have the bottom of the building as public space.”
RSHP designed a new architectural façade for the Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge, London, adding “a touch of contemporary theatre” to the 1970s building, which incorporates restored features from the original hotel that was on Berkeley Street.
The hotel’s entrance has been extended outwards and fitted with glass, steel and carbon fibre beams to create what the hotel’s developers describe as “a unique and show-stopping canopy which will take our London landmark into the 21st century.”
The new façade is part of a wider redesign at the Berkeley which includes the lobby, the Blue Bar and the Collins Room.
Construction work also recently began on the RSHP-designed International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, due to open in 2018.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
