Woody Evans a librarian living on the south side of Dubai., recently interviewed Sophia Vyzoviti an assistant professor of architectural design methodology at the Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly Greece, about Building Between Dimensions.

They discussed augmented reality, touching stuff, and the aesthetics of smart textures. Sophia is quoted therein saying "Material computing is a recent discipline specific term that describes the analogue form-finding processes complementing the new digital design tools". The two also explored the possible implications of applying the phrase uncanny valley from robotics to the development of biomimetic architecture. There is also this mouthful of a passage, used to describe Sophia’s book Soft Shells, "The work is primarily analogue, conducted in a low-tech, high-concept fashion, but operates as a digital morphogenesis propedia, exercises algorithmic thinking and suggests alternative and cross-over fabrication methods".

News

Chinese architect Wang Shu was this week named the 2012 Pritzker Prize winner. Will Galloway commented "unexpected but very coolio.  i met wang shu last year at conference held by my uni her in tokyo.  nice guy and very impressive presentation.  love his work and his approach. i like that pritzker is not going after the usual suspects, personally."

Meanwhile Christopher Hawthorne had the chance to ask Wang Shu a pointed question regarding the choice "There is one lingering question about this year’s award: What about Wang’s wife and design partner, Lu Wenyu? In 1991 the Pritzker jury blundered by giving the award to Robert Venturi without honoring Denise Scott Brown, his wife and collaborator. Over lunch I asked Wang if history was repeating itself. Particularly given his interest in collaboration, should his wife be sharing the Pritzker Prize with him? 'Yes,' he said. 'Every time when I finish the first sketch of a building, she is the first one to see it. And if she doesn’t like it, I go back and draw it again'."

As a followup Clifford A Pearson in an article for Architectural Record reported on the response from Martha Thorne, executive director of the Pritzker jury "The prize goes to a person or people (not a firm). The jury carefully evaluates all aspects of the professionals nominated for the prize. When it is a team effort (as most of architecture is), this is especially challenging. In the case of this year's winner, the jury looked at his contributions to the built work, teaching, theory, etc., and felt that he was exceptional and worthy of the prize."

Mr. Pearson went on to note however that "The prize has been given to two pairs in the past: Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron in 2001 and Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa in 2010".

Following the tornados which touched down in southern Illinois this past week Architecture for Humanity reported "It looks like Harrisburg dodged more severe weather last night. This means their recovery can proceed undeterred (for now - storm season in the Midwest is just beginning, and set to break records). Relief efforts are underway. We've enlisted volunteers from our closest chapters to report from Harrisburg. We'll soon be ready to step in for long-term recovery. We've seen an impressive response to yesterday's appeal for volunteer and fundraising support, and have launched the Midwest Tornadoes Recovery campaign".

For more information on how you can help visit their website here

jk3hl thought the news post on Euthanasia Coaster a hypothetic euthanasia machine designed by Julijonas Urbonas in bad taste and argued, "The idea of euthanasia is abhorrent by itself--but the added layer of an architect or artist designing a machine/structure that kills, with some aesthetic veneer , is just gross. How is this any different than a design project on contemporary guillotines, or electric chairs? Even though this was conceived in a hypothetical 'studio' context, I'm disgusted that its designer apparently tolerates euthanasia enough to indulge in the drawing of an 'elegant' killing device. Why is Archinect giving this crap more exposure than it deserves?"

U.S. News continued to pimp the profession, finding that architecture is one of the best jobs of 2012. Especially, since the profession should see significant growth over the next decade. geezertect opined "Apurimac has it right.  When the boomers move (most really won't) their existing houses come on the market, soaking up demand that might go into new houses.  And in 20 years or so, boomers will be dying off in high numbers, adding to the inventory of empty houses...USNews has no credibility with this kind of reporting.  Sad that some high school kid may read this article and be lulled into thinking architecture is a viable career choice".

Schools/School Blogs
Jia Gu one of our school bloggers, live blogged Pritzker winner Wang Shu’s lecture at UCLA. Jia noted that Wang Shu started the lecture stating "I wanted to take two years off my work, because my son is ten. But then I won the Pritzker Prize. and now I dont think I can stop. But you know I do believe I should stop, and enjoy my life. Architecture is not more important to me than life. I dont believe you can be a good architect if you don't have a good life. “ Wang went on to say “My work is with my wife. This Pritzker Prize is not just for me, but with my wife, my assistants, the President. Its my design but its not my design. Even until now I couldnt believe, did I really design this building? Is it really my work?"

Additionally, Lian at Harvard’s GSD covered the keynote lecture by Saskia Sassen and  Homi Bhabha for the conference, Ethics of the Urban: the City and the Spaces of the Political.
 

JNBouchard at the Université Laval started blogging. The first post ft a laser cut curved wood lamp design.

Reflecting on Doomsday Preppers a show which started this month of Nat Geo channel, Mohammed wondered if architects could "sell a sustainable way of living as a matter of security." while Ayax Abreu posted images from an interactive exhibition of work by first year students showcasing dynamic-smart materials at Städelschule Architecture Class.

Work Updates/Firm Updates/Blogs
Have you ever dreamt of working for OMA? They currently have openings for the positions of Architect, Senior Architect, Researcher, Designer and Project Leader for all offices.

Did you know, 3xn architects, designed the interior for the food lab of the fabled NOMA Restaurant?

HYLA Architects, residential project 22 Capricorn Drive consists of a bold new extension cantilevered over an 8-metre slope at the back of a corner terrace site and Copenhagen based MAST-studio has proposed a lightweight and light permeable façade for their project Fundecor HQ.

Discussion Threads

domestico is "Curious to read any thoughts" on Canada's new architecture school at Laurentian University Sudbury. BenC opined "Personally, I'm a little hesitant about the amount of 'inspiraton' one might find in Sudbury. However, the opportunity to start in the first wave of a brand new school would be pretty interesting. It could also address a great niche in architecture for the Canadian North" m... for their part wrote "My main point should be, though, that the school will open before the permanent space is complete. I've been told that an ephemeral campus will be held downtown for the first year. This concerns me because the space in question is not at all adequate."

WhatsOnTheARE asked if there is any value to be had a firm reusing construction details? EKE responded that "An architect's detail library represents wisdom accumulated, sometimes over many, many years.  Why would you not want to tap into this wisdom?" However Rusty Shackleford cautioned "Problem arises when crappy details become de-facto office standards. See it all the time. Biggest offender is when residential theories on thermal and moisture protection end up in a commercial product...Every office should periodically do an audit of their standard details."

Dani Zoe questioned the decision making process of the Pritzker Prize committee, "Don't get me wrong, Wang Shu is an excellent choice for the Pritzker and his architecture is absolutely exceptional. However, last year and this year's decisions make me question the process and metrics used to choose a Pritzker prize winner. Last year, Kazuyo Sejima won, I believe the second woman to ever win the award, and the committee also gave the award to her husband and partner Ryue Nishizawa. Yet this year, they did not give the award to Wang Shu's wife and co-partner Lu Wenyu." Gregory Walker  completely agreed noting "it's lunacy that they only recognize 'an individual'. obviously, they couldn't separate jacques and pierre from each other (and i'm sure nothing in their history would give them that opportunity) but it's really baffling how they seemingly couldn't separate sejima and nishizawa, even though each maintains a separate practice apart from their work together (and i'm not sure they're married btw.)"