Wednesday 16 April 2008

Milo Lecture

The 2008 Peter Milo Memorial Lecture was given this year by British architect David Nixon a co-founder of the London office of Future Systems and currently the principal of Altus Associates in Los Angeles. He has been involved in the space field since 1984 and his office has carried out space and ground projects for clients such as NASA, the European Space Agency, McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace. It is no surprise that the topic of his excellently illustrated lecture was 'An Architect's Guide to the International Space Station'. This gave a very clear view of the design and technical issues which had to be resolved in the setting up of the space station and presented some truly amazing statistics.

In a radical shift away from the format of previous Milo lectures and, it must be said, the majority of Livery Company lectures, the lecture was given in Drapers' Hall and was the precursor to a wider event billed as Extreme Architecture II - A Space Odyssey. Spread through the duration of a 3 course black tie dinner were further illustrated talks by David Nixon on Britain's role in space exploration and Jonathan Firth of Virgin Galactic whose topic was Space for Everyone.In this he drew heavily on the proposals prepared (as a winning competition entry) by Foster and Partners for the inter-galactic space station in the USA. He also dealt with the visionary plans from the Virgin Group to make space travel (in Sir Richard Branson's words, 'the final frontier') a realistic possibility
for anyone with an adequate bank balance in the near future.

There was to have been a third speaker - Australian Oceanographer and astronaut Dr Paul Scully-Power. Sadly, he was prevented from travelling as a result of a family bereavement. He did, none the less, allow the use of many of the photographs he took on his Challenger voyage and asked that a prepared statement be read to the assembled guests.

The evening was set up and compered by William Murray in great style.

New Blood


At the April Court Meeting held in Drapers' Hall yesterday the Master and Wardens were pleased to welcome the new Junior Liveryman - William Murray. William, a director of Wordsearch, was seen in action shortly after at the Company's Peter Milo Memorial Lecture which he organized and at which he acted as the Master of Ceremonies.

It is a fact that many of the indentured students of the Company have progressed through their respective undergraduate and post-graduate studies with seemingly uncomplicated ease. Further they have persuaded their Part 3 examiners that they are fit and proper persons to be admitted to the ranks of registered architects. This has left the Company will all too few student members. It was, therefore, a source of satisfaction to the Court to see two new students being, in the colourful terminology of the City, 'bound to their mentors for the remaining term of their studentships'.

The Master acceded to requests from Past Master Brian Waters and Assistant Dorian Crone that they allowed to introduce Dan Slavinsky and Daniel Malinki to the Company as indentured students. Both are currently working at CZWG having completed their part 1 courses at Nottingham and Kent Universities respectively.

Pictured below (from left to right) are Dorian Crone, William Murray, Daniel Malinki, Dan Slavinsky and Brian Waters under the watchful gaze (you'll have to believe me on this one) of the Duke of Wellington.

Friday 11 April 2008

Coming Events

Friday 16 May to Monday 19 May
Master's Weekend Trip to Isles of Scilly

An interesting programme of events has been arranged including much local colour in the form of gig racing (strictly as a spectator sport), pub supper and singing as well as sightseeing on both St Mary's and Tresco where we will be shown round the famous Abbey Gardens and the recently opened Flying Boat Club with its collection of modern art. There will be a group dinner in St Mary's Hall Hotel and, weather permitting, a chance of a ride in an RNLI lifeboat.

Further details are available from the Clerk.

Friday 13 June - Lunch on SB Ardwina in St Katherine's Dock


The funds raised from this lunch will be given as a donation to the RNLI - it is hoped that Janet Kelly the Chief Officer of the Tower Lifeboat Station will, as our guest speaker, tell us something of the work done by what is the UK's busiest lifeboat station.

Monday 23 June - Committee Meetings at 77 Portland Place

Tuesday 24 June - Common Hall and Lunch at Farmers' & Fletchers' Hall

Sunday 29 June - Visit to North Weald Airfield Museum

This moderately priced visit which will be of interest to families will include a look around the airfiled and a bufet lunch in the Flying Club (formerly the Officers' Mess). Transport will be provided to get people fro Epping Station to the Museum. Further details are available from the Clerk.

Tuesday 8 July - Election Court Meeting, Annual Service and Election Court Dinner

The annual service will again be held at St Lawernce Jewry with the Dinner following at Carpenters' Hall. The Master has secured the services of David Higgins - the Chief Operating Officer of the Olympic Delivery Authority as his principal guest. As is customary, the Company will entertain two coxswains from its 'link regiment' - the RNLI at the dinner. On this occasion they will both come, happily, from the South West region. The Company's Fund Riasing Award for the Architects Benevolent Society will also be presented at the Dinner. Further details are available from the Clerk.

Monday 8 September - Committee Meetings

Tuesday 16 September - Installation Court and Lunch

The Meeting and lunch will, this year, be held at Salters' Hall. Further details are to follow.

Saturday 20, Sunday 21 September - Open House Weekend

Monday 29 September Common Hall for the Election of the Lord Mayor and Lunch

Details to follow

Saturday 8 November - Lord Mayor's Show

Wednesday 10 December - Annual Carol Service & Supper

We will once again join with the Furniture Makers' Company for thios popular and enjoyable occasion.

Thursday 10 April 2008

Space architecture - the Milo Lecture on Tuesday next




By way of advertising the next Milo lecture that is to be given on Tuesday next week, we offer three recent NASA images which tell how far the urbanism of space has progressed!  Contact William Murray for tickets to the dinner and talk - cheap at £99.00.
Eat your heart out, 'Bladerunner'!

For more space pictures click here.

William Murray
Wordsearch
85 Clerkenwell Road
London
EC1R 5AR

TL: +44 (0)20 7269 0060
DD: +44 (0)20 7269 0070
FX: +44 (0)20 7831 2116
MO: +44 (0)771 245 4646