Archinect - News

Shenzhen's Design Society to feature V&A gallery for its October 2017 opening

2017-01-12T13:38:00-05:00

As brand-new collaborations go, the Shenzhen Design Society's choice to feature London's V&A gallery as part of its cultural hub opening this October isn't too shocking, unless you consider that galleries of Chinese art and photography aren't necessarily a common feature of the global art world circuit. The inclusion of the gallery is partly a tribute to the V&A's numerous exhibitions that showcased Chinese culture in Europe, including one of the first exhibitions on contemporary Chinese film and photography in 2005 (!). According to Lonely Planet, the hub's goal is to "focus on the history of groundbreaking design, with the aim of opening a dialogue on how design can be a catalyst for social change."

RIBA appoints Alan Vallance as new Chief Executive

2016-09-20T01:12:00-04:00

Alan Vallance has been chosen as the new Chief Executive of the RIBA unanimously by the interview panel. He has been Interim Chief Executive at the institute since February this year and prior to that Interim Director of Finance. Previous to working at the RIBA he has worked in finance, consulting, strategic planning and general management in Europe and Australasia.

Regarding his appointment Alan Vallance said:

“Architects are creative, visionary and collaborative professionals who ensure that our built environment serves and strengthens communities now and in the future. It is a privilege to have been appointed to the role of Chief Executive of the RIBA. I look forward to working with the Board and Council, the staff team and members in the UK and globally to deliver the RIBA’s five year strategic plan and to further strengthen the RIBA’s offer to current and future members.”

Read more news relating to the Royal Institute of British Architects here:

UK Architects’ Workloads Expected t...

Archinect's top picks for the London Design Festival

2016-09-10T01:07:00-04:00

London Design Festival is always a highlight of the city's cultural landscape, and this year is no exception, with a number of new events added as well as many returning exhibitions.

Here are Archinect's top picks for London Design Festival 2016:

London Design Biennale at Somerset House:

7-27 September. Open daily from 11AM. Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA Tickets on sale via Ticketmaster

The heavily anticipated London Design Biennale is launching this year for its inaugural exhibition. During its three-week takeover, the Biennale will showcase installations, artworks, prototypes, and designs from over 37 different countries and territories, all exploring the Biennale's 2016 theme: "Utopia by Design".

Highlights from the Biennale include:

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby's 14-metre, kinetic sculpture that highlights wind energy usage in the UK.

Lebanon's Annabel Karim Kassar's Beirut street scene. The work explores social interactions and use of space, through a s...

V&A's main shop to be remodelled by Friend and Company Architects, with Millimetre and RA Projects

2016-08-12T12:32:00-04:00

The main shop in the V&A is being redesigned to create a more lively and flexible retail space at the centre of the gallery.

Friend and Company Architects, with Milimetre and RA Projects were selected from a shortlist of six practices, which included Ab Rogers Design, Brinkworth, Edge, Jamie Fobert Architects and Mark Pinney Architects.

David Bickle (Director of FuturePlan, Design, Estates and Exhibitions) from the selection panel said: “There has been a huge shift in the way that we engage with retail, and the role it plays in the wider cultural landscape. Friend and Company’s design reimagines the site of our current shop, offering a new framework for display that is bespoke, finely crafted, and eminently flexible. Their use of high quality materials and carefully detailed finishes perfectly aligns with the values of the V&A as the world's leading museum of art and design.”

Read more recent project updates and news in London here:

Nex-Architecture get approval for new restaurant on C...

'Adopt an Object' campaign announced by London's Design Museum

2016-08-08T13:37:00-04:00

In an attempt to help raise the final £1 million needed to cover construction costs of their new Kensington High Street home, the Design Museum in London have launched a fundraising campaign, Adopt an Object.

For £5, each adopter will receive a personalised thank you film showing an iconic object from the Design Museum's permanent collection making it's way from Shad Thames to the new site in Kensington. Twelve films have been commissioned for the project including a pair of Louboutin heels riding a tube and a Dyson Vacuum crossing the road.

The new museum is due to open on 24 November and will include a free permanent collection as well as two temporary spaces.

Terence Conran, founder of the Design Museum commented: 'We are about to move from Shad Thames to new, bigger premises in Kensington, where all our dreams and ambitions to create the best and most important design museum in the world will become a step closer to reality. It will make my long lifetime in design absolutely wo...