Exhibition curator’s tour
We were recently given a private tour of the current exhibition at the ‘RIBA, Long Life, Low Energy,’ by the curator of the show and friend of the studio, Pete Collard. It was a fantastic opportunity to understand the experience of making such a brilliant exhibition and the challenges around the curation of the work and narrative.
“Presented in three sections, with RIBA Collections material on show, the exhibition discusses the culture of demolition, presents recent examples of best practice retrofit and reuse, and gives a glimpse into the near future with research and ideas into a circular economy of architecture, where buildings would no longer be linear in terms of lifespan.” RIBA
The exhibition highlights the importance of sustainability being a first port of call when designing for our built environment, rather than an afterthought, a concept the studio is passionate about. Lots of ideas were discussed about how material choices need to be interrogated thoroughly to truly appreciate how sustainable they are. We discussed the critical difference between recycled and reused materials and how to compare them accurately.
Our favourite pieces showcased were:
The fascinating drawings on display! Original hand-drawings of Battersea Power Station pre-construction, next to Wilkinson Eyre’s digital axonometric drawings completed for its restoration. As well as Mikhail Riches architect’s plan drawings of Park Hill, Sheffield comparing its former derelict state with its proposed state which improves the internal layout while retaining key aspects of the building.
A film highlighting the process of reusing steel rather than recycling it. Read more about the process in action here.
Beautiful material samples of concrete made with oyster shell aggregate.
Photographs highlighting the tragic amount of demolition in the UK, (including the Tricorn Centre by Owen Luder and Rodney Gordon) to make way for new commercial buildings.
We especially enjoyed the fully demountable plywood exhibition design by U-build which will be reused as the exhibition moves on to Liverpool.
And of course, refreshments were provided at The Jackalope afterwards, popular with architects visiting the RIBA.
You can read more about the exhibition here and be sure to check it out before it closes on the 29th of April. Thank you so much for a fascinating talk, Pete!
