Devices of Design
A collaboration between the CCA and the Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science, and Technology, Devices of Design was initiated in response to the increasingly widespread use of digital media and software technologies in architectural design and construction. A colloquium and a subsequent roundtable discussion address both the consequences that this shift implies for(...)
Paul-Desmarais Theatre
18 November 2004 to 19 November 2004
Devices of Design
Actions:
Description:
A collaboration between the CCA and the Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science, and Technology, Devices of Design was initiated in response to the increasingly widespread use of digital media and software technologies in architectural design and construction. A colloquium and a subsequent roundtable discussion address both the consequences that this shift implies for(...)
Paul-Desmarais Theatre
Project
AP148.S1.1970.PR02
Description:
The project series documents Poli's work on the Interplanetary Architecture project, which was also made into a film by Superstudio directed by Alessandro Poli (the film is not included in the fonds). The project reflects Poli's deep fascination with the moon landing in 1969. Poli uses this major media event as a catalyst for thinking about a new approach to architecture and tools for design, including the idea that film and the movie camera should become part of the toolset. The project also seems to be in some way a response to Epoch magazine's challenge for a "Primo concorso di architettura nello spazio" (the first architectural competition in space), and includes much imagery and textual references to a new road or architectural links between the earth and other planets, including an earth moon highway. In his storyboard, Poli also makes reference to his earlier Piper project, and some imagery features wheels and an amusement park. The Interplanetary Architecture project was exhibited by Superstudio in Rome in 1972 and featured in "Casabella" magazine in April 1972 (no. 364). The project was also featured in the 2010 CCA exhibition "Other Space Odysseys". In the accompanying CCA publication, Poli describes this project as "a voyage off earthbound routes in quest of architecture unfettered by the urban nightmare, by induced needs or by planning as the only tool for regulating and solving the world's problems" (Poli quoted in Borasi and Zardini, 2010, 110). Poli's work on this project is deeply tied to the Zeno project, which was also featured in this exhibition and is included in this fonds (see AP148.S1.1972.PR01). For the Zeno project, Poli envisioned a dialogue between astronaut Buzz Aldrin and an Italian peasant, Zeno of Riparbella. Poli felt that these two shared a similarity in that both their homes were isolated capsules, one that provided a lens from which to see the rest of the world and understand their place in it. The material in the series includes numerous photomontages and collages of astronauts in space, as well as drawings of plantery shapes and structures. There are also texts, some of which include calculations of distances and diameters of planets, as well as notebooks and sketchbooks, many of which Poli included in a folder he entitled "Storyboard." The series also includes an unsent letter from Poli to Adolfo Natalini which describes how, after the moon landing, everything - the planet, the moon, the stars - is architecture, and that this will necessitate the need for new design tools, such as the movie camera. Some works are signed Alessandro Poli-Superstudio. Source cited: Giovanna Borasi and Mirko Zardini, eds., Other Space Odysseys, Montreal and Baden: Canadian Centre for Architecture/Lars Müller Publishers, 2010.
1969-1971
Architettura Interplanetaria [Interplanetary Architecture] (1970-1971)
Actions:
AP148.S1.1970.PR02
Description:
The project series documents Poli's work on the Interplanetary Architecture project, which was also made into a film by Superstudio directed by Alessandro Poli (the film is not included in the fonds). The project reflects Poli's deep fascination with the moon landing in 1969. Poli uses this major media event as a catalyst for thinking about a new approach to architecture and tools for design, including the idea that film and the movie camera should become part of the toolset. The project also seems to be in some way a response to Epoch magazine's challenge for a "Primo concorso di architettura nello spazio" (the first architectural competition in space), and includes much imagery and textual references to a new road or architectural links between the earth and other planets, including an earth moon highway. In his storyboard, Poli also makes reference to his earlier Piper project, and some imagery features wheels and an amusement park. The Interplanetary Architecture project was exhibited by Superstudio in Rome in 1972 and featured in "Casabella" magazine in April 1972 (no. 364). The project was also featured in the 2010 CCA exhibition "Other Space Odysseys". In the accompanying CCA publication, Poli describes this project as "a voyage off earthbound routes in quest of architecture unfettered by the urban nightmare, by induced needs or by planning as the only tool for regulating and solving the world's problems" (Poli quoted in Borasi and Zardini, 2010, 110). Poli's work on this project is deeply tied to the Zeno project, which was also featured in this exhibition and is included in this fonds (see AP148.S1.1972.PR01). For the Zeno project, Poli envisioned a dialogue between astronaut Buzz Aldrin and an Italian peasant, Zeno of Riparbella. Poli felt that these two shared a similarity in that both their homes were isolated capsules, one that provided a lens from which to see the rest of the world and understand their place in it. The material in the series includes numerous photomontages and collages of astronauts in space, as well as drawings of plantery shapes and structures. There are also texts, some of which include calculations of distances and diameters of planets, as well as notebooks and sketchbooks, many of which Poli included in a folder he entitled "Storyboard." The series also includes an unsent letter from Poli to Adolfo Natalini which describes how, after the moon landing, everything - the planet, the moon, the stars - is architecture, and that this will necessitate the need for new design tools, such as the movie camera. Some works are signed Alessandro Poli-Superstudio. Source cited: Giovanna Borasi and Mirko Zardini, eds., Other Space Odysseys, Montreal and Baden: Canadian Centre for Architecture/Lars Müller Publishers, 2010.
Project
1969-1971
Talking Pictures
Sophie Dars and Carlo Menon, Stefano Graziani, and Yasufumi Nakamori present strategies for reimagining and employing visual formats such as the photo essay, the photo novel, and the photo exhibition. The event takes place in the framework of an ongoing CCA research project on the relationship between architecture and photography funded by The Andrew W. Mellon(...)
13 October 2016, 6pm
Talking Pictures
Actions:
Description:
Sophie Dars and Carlo Menon, Stefano Graziani, and Yasufumi Nakamori present strategies for reimagining and employing visual formats such as the photo essay, the photo novel, and the photo exhibition. The event takes place in the framework of an ongoing CCA research project on the relationship between architecture and photography funded by The Andrew W. Mellon(...)
Learning from... Rome
Filmmaker and photographer Armin Linke reveals the societal changes, cultural complexities, and beauty of contemporary Rome through two short films and architectural photographs from his archives. The first film focuses on a moment of natural choreography as some 100,000 starlings fly against the backdrop of the city of Rome. Linke presents a selection of photographs,(...)
Paul Desmarais Theatre
5 March 2009
Learning from... Rome
Actions:
Description:
Filmmaker and photographer Armin Linke reveals the societal changes, cultural complexities, and beauty of contemporary Rome through two short films and architectural photographs from his archives. The first film focuses on a moment of natural choreography as some 100,000 starlings fly against the backdrop of the city of Rome. Linke presents a selection of photographs,(...)
Paul Desmarais Theatre
Project
Inter-Action Centre
AP144.S2.D82
Description:
File documents Inter-Action Centre, a completed project for a community centre commissioned by Ed Berman and the Inter-Action Trust, for a disused site at Talacre Public Open Space in Kentish Town, Camden, London. The construction was divided into two phases. Foundations, steel frame and trusses were constructed first and could be used for open-air community events while funds were being raised for the second phase. Phase II included cladding, fittings, finishes, services prefabricated units, and log cabins. The building was intended as a flexible short life-span building in which the interior spaces would be independent of the roof and exterior walls. Functional areas suggested by Cedric Price include: assembly halls, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, studios, areas for performance, media resources, lounging and dining, and a gym and a nursery. Cedric Price had been engaged by the concepts of flexible architecture, indeterminacy, impermanence, and the fusion of information technology, entertainment, and educational activities in earlier unrealized projects such as Fun Palace (AP144.S2.D46) and Oxford Corner House (AP144.S2.D59). Existing conditions drawings include photographs of the site; reprographic copies of electrical and drainage systems; ordinance surveys of Kentish Town; and landscape and playground layout. Conceptual drawings include sketches of overall massing; diagrammatic plans; drawings and diagrams of site conditions; notes for the structural framework; rendered interior elevations; plans showing impact of site context on building design; diagrammatic sketches of relationship between functional requirements and structural form. Schematic drawings include diagrammatic plans; sections of structural system and exterior wall; cladding details; and axonometric views of supports. Design development drawings and working drawings include plans, elevations, sections, details and axonometric views. Presentation drawings include watercolours and other renderings; reprographic copies, possibly for publication; and perspectives drawings. Some material from this file was published in "Inter-action Centre." 'RIBA Journal'. (November 1977), 458-465; "Intervista A Cedric Price: London Interaction Centre." 'Domus'. (April 1978), 17-21; "Kentish Town West Amalgam, London." 'Architectural Record'. (January 1973), 19; Lyall, Sutherland. 'The State of British Architecture'. (London: Architectural Press, 1980), 107-109; 130 and 'Cedric Price-Works II' (London: Architectural Press, 1984), 54, 62-63. Material in this file was produced between 1964 and 1992, but predominantly between 1970 and 1981. File contains technical drawings that are attributed to the following consultants, contractors, and manufacturers: Coseley Buildings Ltd; H.G. Deacon Ltd; Kayanson Engineers; H.J. Knights & Co. Ltd; Woodcemair; Metal Sections Ltd; Spaceway; Gascoigne, Gush & Dent (Engineering Ltd); UBM Engineering; J. Murphy & Sons Ltd; Maurice Pickering Associates, Architects & Landscape Consultants; David Lee Architect & Landscape Architect; J. Starkie Gardner Ltd; Dibben Structural Engineers; Zisman, Bowyer & Partners; Felix J. Samuely and Partners; Ruberoid Contracts Ltd; Whitbread London Limited; and Portakabin. Paul Hyett and Will Alsop were Cedric Price's main assistants for this project. 'Inter-Action Trust Limited', 'Inter-Action Centre', and 'Talacre Centre Limited' appear as the client(s) at various stages of this project. File contains cartographic materials, conceptual drawings, consultant drawings, design development drawings, models, panels, photographic materials, presentation drawings, an illustration, textual records, and working drawings.
1964-1992, predominant 1970-1981
Inter-Action Centre
Actions:
AP144.S2.D82
Description:
File documents Inter-Action Centre, a completed project for a community centre commissioned by Ed Berman and the Inter-Action Trust, for a disused site at Talacre Public Open Space in Kentish Town, Camden, London. The construction was divided into two phases. Foundations, steel frame and trusses were constructed first and could be used for open-air community events while funds were being raised for the second phase. Phase II included cladding, fittings, finishes, services prefabricated units, and log cabins. The building was intended as a flexible short life-span building in which the interior spaces would be independent of the roof and exterior walls. Functional areas suggested by Cedric Price include: assembly halls, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, studios, areas for performance, media resources, lounging and dining, and a gym and a nursery. Cedric Price had been engaged by the concepts of flexible architecture, indeterminacy, impermanence, and the fusion of information technology, entertainment, and educational activities in earlier unrealized projects such as Fun Palace (AP144.S2.D46) and Oxford Corner House (AP144.S2.D59). Existing conditions drawings include photographs of the site; reprographic copies of electrical and drainage systems; ordinance surveys of Kentish Town; and landscape and playground layout. Conceptual drawings include sketches of overall massing; diagrammatic plans; drawings and diagrams of site conditions; notes for the structural framework; rendered interior elevations; plans showing impact of site context on building design; diagrammatic sketches of relationship between functional requirements and structural form. Schematic drawings include diagrammatic plans; sections of structural system and exterior wall; cladding details; and axonometric views of supports. Design development drawings and working drawings include plans, elevations, sections, details and axonometric views. Presentation drawings include watercolours and other renderings; reprographic copies, possibly for publication; and perspectives drawings. Some material from this file was published in "Inter-action Centre." 'RIBA Journal'. (November 1977), 458-465; "Intervista A Cedric Price: London Interaction Centre." 'Domus'. (April 1978), 17-21; "Kentish Town West Amalgam, London." 'Architectural Record'. (January 1973), 19; Lyall, Sutherland. 'The State of British Architecture'. (London: Architectural Press, 1980), 107-109; 130 and 'Cedric Price-Works II' (London: Architectural Press, 1984), 54, 62-63. Material in this file was produced between 1964 and 1992, but predominantly between 1970 and 1981. File contains technical drawings that are attributed to the following consultants, contractors, and manufacturers: Coseley Buildings Ltd; H.G. Deacon Ltd; Kayanson Engineers; H.J. Knights & Co. Ltd; Woodcemair; Metal Sections Ltd; Spaceway; Gascoigne, Gush & Dent (Engineering Ltd); UBM Engineering; J. Murphy & Sons Ltd; Maurice Pickering Associates, Architects & Landscape Consultants; David Lee Architect & Landscape Architect; J. Starkie Gardner Ltd; Dibben Structural Engineers; Zisman, Bowyer & Partners; Felix J. Samuely and Partners; Ruberoid Contracts Ltd; Whitbread London Limited; and Portakabin. Paul Hyett and Will Alsop were Cedric Price's main assistants for this project. 'Inter-Action Trust Limited', 'Inter-Action Centre', and 'Talacre Centre Limited' appear as the client(s) at various stages of this project. File contains cartographic materials, conceptual drawings, consultant drawings, design development drawings, models, panels, photographic materials, presentation drawings, an illustration, textual records, and working drawings.
File 82
1964-1992, predominant 1970-1981
archives
Level of archival description:
Fonds
AP190
Synopsis:
The Preston Scott Cohen Eyebeam project records, 2001-2016, consist of 281 digital files that document the architect’s competition entry for the Eyebeam Atelier Museum in New York City, developed in 2001. The archive includes 154 digital models in Rhinoceros, 30 digital models in STL, approximately 90 digital images, one video, and a number of Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, and Microsoft Word files.
2001-2016
Preston Scott Cohen Eyebeam project records
Actions:
AP190
Synopsis:
The Preston Scott Cohen Eyebeam project records, 2001-2016, consist of 281 digital files that document the architect’s competition entry for the Eyebeam Atelier Museum in New York City, developed in 2001. The archive includes 154 digital models in Rhinoceros, 30 digital models in STL, approximately 90 digital images, one video, and a number of Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, and Microsoft Word files.
archives
Level of archival description:
Fonds
2001-2016
Series
AP168.S1
Description:
The Project records from Neil Denari series, 1994 – 2004, consists of records produced by Denari for his show “Interrupted Projections” at Gallery MA in Tokyo, Japan. It documents the development and final design for the principal architectural installation built on the third level of the gallery, as well as related materials displayed on the gallery’s fourth floor. The series also contains photographic and video documentation of the exhibit, the show catalogue, and promotional materials. The series includes 4003 digital files (1 GB), 53 slides, 21 transparencies, seven drawings and/or reprographic copies, two VHS video cassettes, one exhibition catalogue, and a small amount of promotional material comprising one large and two small posters, one postcard, and one t-shirt. The majority of records date from 1994-1996. Denari used a combination of physical drawings and digital modelling to draft the design for Interrupted Projections. The series contains one ink drawing and one transfer print with plans and sections of the third floor gallery space, two reprographic copies of drawings with elevations and plans of existing conditions of the third and fourth floors at Gallery MA, and three graphite hand drawings of the installation. Digital files in the series include two original Softimage databases containing full and partial 3D models of the installation, as well as one forward-migrated database containing models compiled from the two original databases. The original models were created in Softimage ’95 on Windows NT and will not open in contemporary versions of Autodesk Softimage. The forward-migrated model database was created by members of Autodesk’s Montreal office for the Archaeology of the Digital exhibition Complexity and Convention and will open in Softimage 2014. Each Softimage model database is made up of several directories that contain information necessary to render all models and their animation into a “scene” (such as textures, lighting, camera movements, etc.). When the Interrupted Projections models were migrated, the information from all directories in both original databases was compiled into the Scenes directory of a single database. These updated scene files (SCN) contain all the elements needed to render the models without the need for additional directories. Each scene file has a corresponding scene TOC file (scene table of content), which can be used to further modify the information in the scene. Scene files in the migrated database contain full and partial models for Interrupted Projections, including one animated scene that follows a camera path through the interior and exterior of the final model. These files document the various stages of design work for the project, as well as Denari’s use of animation features in Softimage to visualize and study the spatial character of his drawings. Project collaborator Duks Koschitz created additional animations of the model that were edited and shown on the fourth floor of the exhibition. A compilation of his work is included on a VHS tape in the archive. The video, which spans one minute 16 seconds, contains four animations that move around the 3D gallery space. Koschitz attempted to reflect the concerns of the project in the movements of the camera, focusing on details such as the fictional company logos or curvatures in the surface of the model. The majority of photographic materials in the series are digital renderings of the model, comprising 38 slides, 14 diapositives, and seven digital images. Photographic materials also include images of the completed show, including seven diapositives that document the built work from various views on the third floor of Gallery MA, as well as the exhibition of materials on the fourth floor. A small number of slides document the exhibit open to the public, and include images of visitors interacting with the Sony Navicam. Most of the diapositive photographs and a small number of slides were taken by Fujitsuka Mitsumasa, a photographer of architecture based in Tokyo. A second VHS tape in the archive provides in-depth documentation of the Interrupted Projections exhibition, containing 45 minutes of raw video footage that explores Gallery MA and surrounding areas of Tokyo. The Interrupted Projections book contains in print the text and images from the installation and website. It was written by Denari and designed by Michiharu Shimoda, a graphic designer and underground trip-hop artist who was also responsible for the design of the fictional logos used in the exhibit. The book acts as an extension of the content of the show, as well as exhibition catalogue, and covers Denari’s other projects represented in the show. The series also contains a small amount of promotional media for Interrupted Projections, including one large and two small posters, a postcard, and a t-shirt.
1994 - 2004
Project records from Neil Denari
Actions:
AP168.S1
Description:
The Project records from Neil Denari series, 1994 – 2004, consists of records produced by Denari for his show “Interrupted Projections” at Gallery MA in Tokyo, Japan. It documents the development and final design for the principal architectural installation built on the third level of the gallery, as well as related materials displayed on the gallery’s fourth floor. The series also contains photographic and video documentation of the exhibit, the show catalogue, and promotional materials. The series includes 4003 digital files (1 GB), 53 slides, 21 transparencies, seven drawings and/or reprographic copies, two VHS video cassettes, one exhibition catalogue, and a small amount of promotional material comprising one large and two small posters, one postcard, and one t-shirt. The majority of records date from 1994-1996. Denari used a combination of physical drawings and digital modelling to draft the design for Interrupted Projections. The series contains one ink drawing and one transfer print with plans and sections of the third floor gallery space, two reprographic copies of drawings with elevations and plans of existing conditions of the third and fourth floors at Gallery MA, and three graphite hand drawings of the installation. Digital files in the series include two original Softimage databases containing full and partial 3D models of the installation, as well as one forward-migrated database containing models compiled from the two original databases. The original models were created in Softimage ’95 on Windows NT and will not open in contemporary versions of Autodesk Softimage. The forward-migrated model database was created by members of Autodesk’s Montreal office for the Archaeology of the Digital exhibition Complexity and Convention and will open in Softimage 2014. Each Softimage model database is made up of several directories that contain information necessary to render all models and their animation into a “scene” (such as textures, lighting, camera movements, etc.). When the Interrupted Projections models were migrated, the information from all directories in both original databases was compiled into the Scenes directory of a single database. These updated scene files (SCN) contain all the elements needed to render the models without the need for additional directories. Each scene file has a corresponding scene TOC file (scene table of content), which can be used to further modify the information in the scene. Scene files in the migrated database contain full and partial models for Interrupted Projections, including one animated scene that follows a camera path through the interior and exterior of the final model. These files document the various stages of design work for the project, as well as Denari’s use of animation features in Softimage to visualize and study the spatial character of his drawings. Project collaborator Duks Koschitz created additional animations of the model that were edited and shown on the fourth floor of the exhibition. A compilation of his work is included on a VHS tape in the archive. The video, which spans one minute 16 seconds, contains four animations that move around the 3D gallery space. Koschitz attempted to reflect the concerns of the project in the movements of the camera, focusing on details such as the fictional company logos or curvatures in the surface of the model. The majority of photographic materials in the series are digital renderings of the model, comprising 38 slides, 14 diapositives, and seven digital images. Photographic materials also include images of the completed show, including seven diapositives that document the built work from various views on the third floor of Gallery MA, as well as the exhibition of materials on the fourth floor. A small number of slides document the exhibit open to the public, and include images of visitors interacting with the Sony Navicam. Most of the diapositive photographs and a small number of slides were taken by Fujitsuka Mitsumasa, a photographer of architecture based in Tokyo. A second VHS tape in the archive provides in-depth documentation of the Interrupted Projections exhibition, containing 45 minutes of raw video footage that explores Gallery MA and surrounding areas of Tokyo. The Interrupted Projections book contains in print the text and images from the installation and website. It was written by Denari and designed by Michiharu Shimoda, a graphic designer and underground trip-hop artist who was also responsible for the design of the fictional logos used in the exhibit. The book acts as an extension of the content of the show, as well as exhibition catalogue, and covers Denari’s other projects represented in the show. The series also contains a small amount of promotional media for Interrupted Projections, including one large and two small posters, a postcard, and a t-shirt.
Series
1994 - 2004
Series
Promotion de l'événement
AP095.S4
Description:
La série nous renseigne sur l'appel de candidature au concours, sur l'exposition qui s'est tenue à Venise et la campagne de promotion entourant la tenue de l'événement. La série contient deux exemplaires du document diffusé pour inviter les jeunes architectes canadiens à participer au concours d'idées lancé en 1995, un exemplaire de la publication Réciprocité, Patkau +16, produite par le CCA en 1996, présentant les lauréats exposés et l'agence Patkau Architects, et enfin 321 documents photographiques (portraits de Phyllis Lambert, de John et Patrcicia Patkau et de Michael Cunnignam, et des panneaux exposés) produits dans le but notamment d'être distribuées aux médias dans le cadre d'une campagne de promotion de l'événement.
1995-1996
Promotion de l'événement
Actions:
AP095.S4
Description:
La série nous renseigne sur l'appel de candidature au concours, sur l'exposition qui s'est tenue à Venise et la campagne de promotion entourant la tenue de l'événement. La série contient deux exemplaires du document diffusé pour inviter les jeunes architectes canadiens à participer au concours d'idées lancé en 1995, un exemplaire de la publication Réciprocité, Patkau +16, produite par le CCA en 1996, présentant les lauréats exposés et l'agence Patkau Architects, et enfin 321 documents photographiques (portraits de Phyllis Lambert, de John et Patrcicia Patkau et de Michael Cunnignam, et des panneaux exposés) produits dans le but notamment d'être distribuées aux médias dans le cadre d'une campagne de promotion de l'événement.
Série 4
1995-1996
archives
Level of archival description:
Fonds
CP138
Synopsis:
The Gordon Matta-Clark collection documents the personal and professional activities of Gordon Matta-Clark through his correspondence, texts, library, artwork and films, created predominantly between 1969 and 1978. Additionally the collection contains correspondence and photographs collected by Anne Alpert, Matta-Clark's mother, and documentation on his work collected by his widow Jane Crawford following his death.
1914-2008
Gordon Matta-Clark collection
Actions:
CP138
Synopsis:
The Gordon Matta-Clark collection documents the personal and professional activities of Gordon Matta-Clark through his correspondence, texts, library, artwork and films, created predominantly between 1969 and 1978. Additionally the collection contains correspondence and photographs collected by Anne Alpert, Matta-Clark's mother, and documentation on his work collected by his widow Jane Crawford following his death.
archives
Level of archival description:
Collection
1914-2008
archives
Level of archival description:
Fonds
AP177
Synopsis:
The RUR Architecture Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library project records, circa 1996, document the New York based firm’s competition entry for the Kansai Science City branch of Japan’s National Diet Library. Records show integration of landscape in the building’s design, exploration of the relationship between structure and surface, and a multimedia approach to building design. Records include 169 digital files, mostly CAD models and images; 42 drawings and printed renderings; and 5 models and casts.
1996-2015
RUR Architecture Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library project records
Actions:
AP177
Synopsis:
The RUR Architecture Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library project records, circa 1996, document the New York based firm’s competition entry for the Kansai Science City branch of Japan’s National Diet Library. Records show integration of landscape in the building’s design, exploration of the relationship between structure and surface, and a multimedia approach to building design. Records include 169 digital files, mostly CAD models and images; 42 drawings and printed renderings; and 5 models and casts.
archives
Level of archival description:
Fonds
1996-2015