M & M
Coincidentally, it is the month of May but that’s not the reason I plucked the Design and Architecture of the following.
Memphis
The Italian, Ettore Sottsass formed the Memphis design and architecture group. This collective led the exploration into furniture, ceramics, fabrics, glass and metal objects from 1981-1987
Challenging our perception of form, proportion, juxtaposition of colour and materials. The objects successfully reflect the pop sensibilities of the decade.
Morphosis
American architect Thom Mayne co founded Morphosis in 1972. He is the principle designer and received the Pritzker Prize Laureate in 2005.
New Cooper Union Building, NYC
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
Caltrans District 7 Headquarters, LA
Sadly in London we are yet to see the likes of dynamic modern architecture such as this. The V&A lost the chance to really change the landscape of modern architecture in the city when the extension designed by Daniel Libeskind never had a chance to get off the page. Will London ever see a monumental Morphosis, Libeskind or Zaha Hadid? It’s a shame for it is everywhere else in the world - Spain, Italy, Germany, UAE, Asia…everywhere except the UK.
The annual Serpentine Pavilion champions progressive architects for a few short months. I want more…much much more! London is a great city but looking at world modern architecture from such distances of the internet, the city is much poorer for not fully embracing what modern dynamic architecture is capable of! Poor old Blighty.
