British Council Thailand is delighted to participate in ‘Foster + Partners: The Art of Architecture’ touring exhibition, kicked off in Bangkok from 4 April and will be running at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) until 29 June 2014. The exhibition is the first time Foster + Partners has showcased its work in Thailand, follows critically acclaimed shows in China and Malaysia.
Foster + Partners, one of the most innovative architectural and integrated design practices in the world today, led by Founder and Chairman Norman Foster, is based in London with project offices worldwide. Over the past four decades the practice has pioneered a sustainable approach to architecture and ecology through a strikingly wide range of work, from urban masterplans, public infrastructure, airports, civic and cultural buildings, offices and workplaces to private houses and product design.
The exhibition highlights the practice’s work from around the world around the themes of infrastructure, high-rise, urban design, history and culture – all within the context of a sustainable agenda. It also provides an opportunity for visitors to learn more about projects from the Millau Viaduct in France, one of the world’s tallest road bridges and London’s ecological skyscraper, 30 St Mary Axe, the so-called ‘Gherkin’, to Beijing International Airport, one of the world’s largest buildings.
A series of accompanying education programmes have been planned during the exhibition period, organised by Foster + Partners and Magnolia in association with the BACC, British Council Thailand and Architecture Schools from various universities, These include a special lecture by David Nelson, Senior Partner and Head of Design at Foster + Partners and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, who will share his insights on ‘Integrated Design’, a lecture by Toby Blunt, an architect and partner at Foster + Partners, who will speak on ‘Sustainable Design’. There will be film screenings and children’s workshops.
Education Programme
The main elements of the programme are as follows:
Film Screenings:
How Much Does Your Building Weigh Mr. Foster? is a film made by Spanish production company, Art Commissioners in 2010. It traces the rise of one of the world’s premier architects, Norman Foster and his unending quest to improve the quality of life through design. Portrayed are Foster’s origins and how his dreams and influences inspired the design of emblematic projects such as the largest building in the world Beijing Airport, the Reichstag, the Hearst Building in New York and works such as the one of the tallest bridges ever in Millau France. In the very near future, the majority of mankind will abandon the countryside and live entirely in cities. Foster offers some striking solutions to the problems that this historic event will create. It is written and narrated by journalist and Director of London’s Design Museum, Deyan Sudjic.
Duration: 74 mins
- Date: 8 May, 18:30 | 18 May, 14:30 | 31 May, 14:30
Venue: BACC – Gallery, 7th Fl. and Auditorium, 5th Fl. - Date: 15 June, 14:00 | 28 June, 11:00
Venue: BACC - Auditorium, 5th Fl. and Room 401, 4th Fl.
Lectures:
Foster + Partners will present a series of lectures by architects from the practice offering a variety of technical and philosophical insights into the way the practice designs for our urban environment with particular reference to their work in South East Asia. Speakers include:
David Nelson, senior partner and head of design, has worked alongside Norman Foster for almost 40 years on projects such as the Hongkong Bank in Hong Kong, the Reichstag in Berlin, the Petronas University in Malaysia, the eco-city Masdar in Abu Dhabi and many diverse projects around the world. Trained as an industrial and environmental designer, he brings insightful analysis to the project brief pushing technology and a collaborative method of working to ensure highly innovative solutions.
Toby Blunt joined Foster + Partners in 1995 and became a partner in 2006. For five years he was based in Berlin, Singapore and Malaysia, working closely with teams on site for a wide range of projects including the Reichstag in Berlin and the University of Petronas campus in Malaysia. More recently he has led teams for a number of Middle East projects including The Index Dubai, and the Zayed National Museum.
Sunphol Sorakhul joined Foster and Partners in 2001 and in 2003 went on to gain a Masters in Architecture at the University of Michigan graduating with distinction. He has worked on several projects in the UAE including The Index, an 80-storey mixed use tower in Dubai, Reem Island Residentails Towers and the Central Markets Souk in Abu Dhabi. He is currently working in Shanghai on the major project for the Bund financial Centre.
Emily Phang is partner in charge of Foster + Partners Shanghai office. Her first project on joining the practice in 2001 was the Singapore Supreme Court. She has been leading teams on a diverse range of large-scale civic, hotel and cultural projects in Asia and the UAE. Most recently she was team leader for two hotel schemes including the 58-storey tower within the Central Market development and the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi.
Integrated Design
Lecture by David Nelson
Date: 3 May 2014, 11:00
Venue: BACC Multi-Purpose Room, 1st Fl.
Architecture in Tropical Climate
Lecture by Toby Blunt about sustainable design and mixed use in tropical context
Date: 31 May 2014, 11:00
Venue: BACC Multi-Purpose Room, 1st Fl.
Smart Facades
Lecture by Sunphol Sorakhul in collaboration with Permasteelisa
Date: 20 May 2014, 18:30
Venue: BACC Gallery 7th Fl.
Language of Light
Lecture by Emily Phang in collaboration with ERCO
Date: 24 June 2014, 18:30
Venue: BACC Gallery 7th Fl.
Exhibition Tours
Tours of the exhibition will be conducted by Foster + Partners’ architects to offer an in-depth explanation of the themes of the exhibition as well as helping the audience to understand the way the practice works in order to stay ahead of its competitors and innovate at the highest level.
Date: 2, 21 & 30 May 2014 / 12, 27 & 28 June 2014, 14:30 & 18:30 (45 mins per tour)
Venue: BACC Gallery, 7th Fl.
Children’s Workshop
A workshop will be held for children to build their own skyscraper in the exhibition space and get inspired by the exciting array of architectural models on display. At the end of the session prizes will be awarded to the children judged by Foster + Partners’ architects.
Date: 10 May, 7 & 21 June 2014, 11:00 – 12:30
Venue: BACC Activity zone, Room 501, 5th Fl.
For additional information, please visit the exhibition website at http://www.artofarchitecture.org/
For enquiries, please contact BACC Exhibition Department
Tel. 02 214 6630 – 8 / email: exhibition@bacc.or.th