Soane Medal awarded to Peter Barber
The recipient of this year’s Soane Medal is the architect Peter Barber. The Soane Medal continues the mission of Sir John Soane to encourage a better understanding of the central importance of architecture in people’s lives. Established in 2017, the Soane Medal recognises architects, educators and critics who have made a major contribution to their field through practice, history or theory, and in doing so have furthered and enriched the public understanding of architecture. Previous winners include Marina Tabassum, Denise Scott Brown, Kenneth Frampton, and Rafael Moneo. The winner of the Soane Medal is selected annually by a panel of distinguished architects, critics and curators, led by former Trustee of Sir John Soane’s Museum, Sir David Chipperfield. The recipient of the Medal writes and delivers a lecture at a special event at the Museum, which is streamed live around the world. The recipient also receives a replica of the original gold medal presented to Sir John Soane by the ‘Architects of England’ in 1835. As one of Britain’s most acclaimed architects, Peter’s focus on innovative, affordable housing – particularly social housing – has been widely celebrated. You can find out more about Peter’s incredible work here. On 8 November, Peter presented a fascinating lecture via a livestream, from the Library-Dining Room of Sir John Soane’s Museum, followed by an interview, led by journalist and author Alice Rawsthorn.
The six winning projects of the 2022
The six winning projects of the 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture embody an inclusive, pluralistic outlook. The Award has been a lighthouse to those who feel we can design and build differently; to those who believe we have a responsibility to build appropriately. Princess Zahra Aga Khan Architecture at its most fundamental fulfils basic needs, providing shelter from the elements, a habitable temperature, and increasingly a sanctuary from climatic extremes. But the spaces in which people spend time also have a profound effect on their quality of life. Architecture has the potential to bring individuals together, connect communities and provide cultural continuity, while reinforcing bold aspirations. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, now in its 45th year, was established to encourage such architectural excellence. The Award recognises the innovative use of local resources and appropriate technology to successfully address the physical, social and economic needs, and the cultural aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence. Above all, the Award celebrates projects that promote a spirit of pluralism: in the words of His Highness the Aga Khan, the embrace, rather than the elimination, of difference. The 15th cycle of the Award has concluded with a prize-giving ceremony in Muscat. Distinguished laureates joined officials of the Sultanate of Oman, architectural experts, the Award’s Steering Committee and members of its Master Jury, as well as dignitaries from around the world. Muscat is an apposite host for an award that emphasises architecture in Muslim contexts. The city features contemporary Islamic architecture ranging from the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to the Royal Opera House, as well as traditional adobe homes and restored forts. Guests of the Award for Architecture toured the historic sites and attended the Winners Seminar, which, over the years, has become a hallmark of the triennial Award. The seminar brought together architects with members of the Steering Committee and Master Jury to deliberate on the Jury’s selection and to discuss the social impact of architecture in the context of Oman. The Award for Architecture ceremony concluded the three-day event, which also celebrated laureates of the 2022 Aga Khan Music Awards. These laureates were featured in two gala concerts presented in the Royal Opera House Muscat’s House of Musical Arts. The evening included a performance by the Aga Khan Master Musicians with special guest Yurdal Tokcan, an eminent oud player who served on the Master Jury of the 2022 Music Awards, and the screening of a film on the 2022 Award recipients. “The Sultanate of Oman’s hosting of the ceremony of the Aga Khan Awards for Architecture and Music and its accompanying events support the objectives of Oman’s cultural strategy, which calls for an identity open to the cultures of peoples; affirms the continuous support for culture, literature and the arts; and puts the role of the Sultanate of Oman on the world map of culture as well as achieves partnership and integration with local and international institutions in the cultural fields,” said His Excellency Sayyid bin Sultan Al-Busaidi, addressing the gathering. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, representing His Highness the Aga Khan at the Awards, paid tribute to the host, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, and the Sultanate of Oman, as well as His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitam Al Said, for his presence. “Celebrating the Award here in Oman,” she said to the gathering, “reflects a deep and shared conviction that buildings can do more than simply house people and programmes, they can also reflect our deepest values.” She said that His Highness believes profoundly that architecture is not just about building but is a means of improving people’s quality of life. Princess Zahra Aga Khan’s address emphasised both the pluralistic philosophy of the Award and the need for architecture to find solutions to physical and environmental concerns. “Over the years, the Award has been a lighthouse to those who feel we can design and build differently; to those who believe we have a responsibility to build appropriately – with thought, with consideration, and with the knowledge that architecture at its best is an inherently pluralistic enterprise. It is our honour to recognise each of you for the spaces you designed in the service of humankind. Taken together, they help us better imagine an architecture for the future that will acknowledge the needs of diverse communities, respect the natural world, and enhance the quality of life,” she ended. “ Every project has a story – about how it has been conceived, built and lived – that cannot be explained simply through drawings and images. One of the preoccupations of the 2022 Master Jury was to consider the realities of the post-Covid era, alongside the environmental, economic, social, technological and aesthetic aspects of each project. Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Foreword to Inclusive Architecture (Edited by Sarah M. Whiting), 2022 Of the 463 projects from 55 countries nominated for this year’s award, the Master Jury selected 20 to visit and evaluate. Six of these projects were chosen to share the $1m prize. They come from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon and Senegal, and range equally widely in their execution. The Urban River Spaces project provides residents with access to the Nabaganga river. The six temporary community spaces of the Rohingya Refugee Response programme are responding to emergency needs, while the Banyuwangi International airport looks to the future of East Java. The Argo Contemporary Art Museum and Cultural Centre – a former brewery – that has been converted into a private museum for contemporary art, and the Niemeyer Guest House have both renovated existing structures, while the Kamanar Secondary School is an entirely new creation consisting of classroom pods around existing tree canopies. Yet each of these projects demonstrate innovation, care for the environment and a focus on the human in their creation, use and conservation of historical memory. The Master Jury explained its selection of winners. “Open, free, public spaces… have a capacity to heal and restore a sense of dignity. We looked
Park Avenue’s full-block building
Foster + Partners completes Park Avenue’s first full-block building in over 50 years. Norman Foster attended the grand opening of 425 Park Avenue, the first full-block office building on New York’s Park Avenue in over 50 years. The new building is located alongside Modernist icons such as the Seagram Building, Lever House and the CBS Building, on the world’s grand boulevard of commerce. The 47-story tower was designed in close collaboration with L&L Holding’s project team. It includes a triple-height lobby, world-class office accommodation, external green spaces, an expansive social amenity level and a 38-foot-tall penthouse floor. Built to LEED Gold standard, the building recently earned Well Core certification at Gold level, in recognition of its features which enhance the health and wellbeing of occupants. Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: “425 Park Avenue celebrates its historic context and the restrained elegance of its landmark neighbours, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of workplace design and reflecting the contemporary spirit of the city. The building’s architectural form and structural expression are inextricably linked, providing it with a distinctive identity. The floors with external terraces are the first of their kind on Park Avenue, creating a permeable and healthy working environment.” Nigel Dancey, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “It has been a great privilege to design a new building that stands alongside some of the city’s most remarkable landmarks. The tower makes a major contribution to the public realm at ground level, with its lobby, world-class restaurant and showroom space. By offsetting the core and bracing the structure, the tower also offers flexible, open floorplates on the upper levels, which anticipate the changing requirements of contemporary workspaces to futureproof the building.” The tower is divided vertically into three distinct volumes: a seven-storey base, knitted into the urban grain at street level; a recessed central section; and a slender formation of premium floors at the top. The design was established through a process of detailed analysis, involving modelling views of Central Park from the site and finding the ideal distribution of areas to achieve a balanced composition. The first set back – a characteristic feature of high-rise design in New York – corresponds with the datum of the street. The second set back develops this theme, physically and symbolically setting the upper levels apart from the rest of the city’s office towers. To maximise the Park Avenue frontage, the core is placed to the rear, where glazed elevator lobbies bring life to the eastern elevation and reveal long views towards the East River. Clearly expressing the structure, the tapered steel and concrete framed tower rises to meet three shear walls – extending from the top of the tower, these three blades will provide a marker on the skyline. The structural expression of the building allows for truly flexible, column-free floorplates on the upper levels which can accommodate a wide range of tenants. Between each of the three volumes, the office floors are intersected by double-height spaces that create the prized amenity of open space in the heart of Manhattan. The second setback features The Diagrid Club, which is open to all of the tower’s tenants. This club offers remarkable views, outdoor areas, an art installation by the Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, private rooms for transcendental meditation by the David Lynch Foundation, and number of curated amenities designed to connect the mind and body. The café and dining spaces on this level are operated by the award-winning chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The social focus of the tower continues at street level, where the building entrance is highlighted by a triple-height lobby flanked by Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s new restaurant. The 14,000-square-foot restaurant includes a main mezzanine dining level and a cocktail lounge, with a 45-foot-high ceiling and a 24-foot painting by the celebrated artist Larry Poons. James Barnes, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, added: “We are delighted to see 425 Park Avenue open in New York. Working closely with L&L, we have created a landmark building which gives priority to comfort, natural light and fresh air – in a particularly dense urban environment. The tower’s occupants have direct access to some of the city’s best new amenities and external terraces, with great views of the park and midtown Manhattan.”
Indemnity insurance guidance
ARB publishes updated guidance on professional indemnity insurance (PII), to address concerns about changes in the market that impact architects. This sets out the insurance arrangements architects need to remain compliant with the Architects Code of Conduct. The updated guidance follows a consultation earlier this year, when draft changes were developed by ARB based on feedback from architects and insurers. The changes address the issues currently faced by the UK’s architects in securing the insurance they need to protect themselves, their clients and the people who live in and use their buildings. All architects are expected to have adequate insurance arrangements in place. However, because of the challenges the built environment faces following the Grenfell Tower disaster and subsequent cladding crisis, combined with global economic factors, access to PII has become more difficult for architects. Alan Kershaw, Chair of the Architects Registration Board, said: “It was no longer tenable to require architects to hold insurance they simply could not obtain. Our updated guidance recognises that there are structural issues with the global insurance market that go beyond anything ARB can resolve on its own. But the changes we have made mean architects should find it easier to get compliant cover that still provides protection for consumers and the public.” ARB’s updated guidance has been informed by the feedback from over 300 consultation respondents. It is important that architects are aware of the updated guidance requirements and comply with them. The updated guidance means that: