Election Court, Annual Service and dinner at Pewterers Hall

one of the many charters of a very old livery company

examples of fine craftsmanship

John E C Dyson is invested in the Livery by Master Wilkey

certification of the event

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The 2012 Drawing Prize

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*Vivat, vivat Cornwall!

The winners of the Jonathan and Victoria Ball* Award, the Drawing Prize for 2012 were:

RIBA Part 1 winner; Samantha Horn of London Metropolitan University

The Touqan Palace, a ruined 17th Century fortified palace in Nablus, is proposed as the public epicentre (incorporating community spaces and artists’ studios) of a network of interventions across the city. The interventions increase connectivity and facilitate existing activities at roof top level. Rooms added to existing buildings in the Old City provide a place to stay for cultural and ethical tourists, creating the possibility for cultural exchange and providing an income for local families.

and RIBA Part 1 'runner-up'; Oscar Plastow of Kingston University

56 Artillery Lane is a fine example of a Georgian East London merchant's building. It was built  around 1690 on land that was previously a weapons practice ground. Later, in the 1750's, the buildings were transformed into luxury shops in the Rococo style by Huguenot silk merchants, protestant settlers from France.

An A1 pencil drawing

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RIBA Part 2 winner; James Decent of London Metropolitan University

The drawing illustrates a proposal of a new building within the estate of Hardwick in Derbyshire. It was important that the drawing conveyed the landscape of trees and parkland. The topography staggers up a natural embankment before levelling at a flat plateau. The existing Elizabethan houses known as Old Hardwick Hall and New Hardwick Hall form a skyline on the plateau edge. The new building sits between these halls, mediating them in scale and proportion.

and RIBA Part 2 'runner-up'; Haiwei Xie of the Royal College of Art

The B.R.I.C House

The drawing shows an integration of architecture and landscape, which is the result of The B.R.I.C House proposal --- an alternative housing strategy, centred around the idea of a “public living room", for the Chelsea Barracks site in Westminster. Employing “family tree urbanism” as an organisational strategy, houses are located around an organic water-scape that is based on a rigorous analysis of the culture of the B.R.I.C nations. The intention is to create a high-quality but low-price, high-density but low-rise housing development aimed at a diverse and multi-cultural society.

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Vote for a pop-up card

TOO LATE! THE DEADLINE HAS PASSED

29 May 2012 12 noon.

click the button

so vote now

for
  YOUR 
favourite
pop-up card

from the entries to the WCCA-sponsored

QUEEN'S JUBILEE CARD COMPETITION

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The installation of new members, 26 April 2012

Accounts court held in the Guildhall Alderman's chamber

New Liveryman Grant Brooker

The Master welcomes Grant

New freeman by redemption Dargan Bullivant

The Master welcomes Dargan

Student Oliver James is bound to Liveryman Sherrin Aminossehe

The Master welcomes Oliver


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Visit to Foster and Partners

The Company was delighted to have the opportunity to pay a visit to the office of one of the newest Freemen of the Company - Grant Broker.The Master, accompanied by six other Mentors, nine students and four prospective student members (pictured below) enjoyed an enlightening visit to Foster and Partners. Andy Bow, Senior Partner, described the work of the 1300 strong office and how they engage with all levels of design from international airports to the most intricate detail. It was a privilege to hear such wise words in such stimulating surroundings. The students were surprised and encouraged by down-to-earth rather than airy-fairy academic advice:

• Draw something every day
• The most basic things in the design of public space are loos and coffee
• Where's the front door?
• Doing all-nighters is counter-productive

It is hoped that Andy Bow will be persuaded to join the Company.

More from Broadgate Award plaque unveiling

We are indebted to Tom Ball for the composite picture of the plaque unveiling at 210 Bishopsgate/ the Broadgate Tower on Friday last.

Why, one has to ask, is the Deputy Master in such reverential pose in the bottom left photograph. Answers in a plain brown envelope please.

And another Company author

In line with (recent) tradition, notice is given of a literary work by a member of the Company - in this case, Guy Booth.  The introduction on the opening page of his novel reads as follows:

The book's front and rear covers are illustrated below to give readers a flavour of the work:

                                                       

The customary prize will be given to be best review of the book posted  in response to this invitation but, remember, the Blog Master's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.