en un concurso restringido OMA ha ganado la opcion de remodelar unajoya del modernismo ingles, el Commonwealth institute,
en lo que será su tercer intervención en la capital inglesa.
batiendo a Moneo, Viñoly, Caruso St. John entre otros.
OMA to Redevelop Modernist London Icon
(Rotterdam, March 19 2008): The Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) has been selected to redevelop the iconic Commonwealth Institute in Kensington and Chelsea, London, by Chelsfield, one of the United Kingdom’s major property development groups, and their partner Ilchester Estate. The project includes the addition of a major residential scheme alongside the rejuvenation of the 1960’s structure at the edge of Holland Park.
In December 2007, alongside 5 other competitors, OMA were invited by Chelsfield deputy chairman Sir Stuart Lipton, to consider the potential of the Commonwealth Institute site.
Two years ago the grade II* listed building, one of the highest protection ratings possible in the UK, was threatened with demolition following a UK government proposal to delist it. This collaboration seeks to save the building by re-injecting life into the modernist monument whilst retaining its distinctive copper roof and parabolic form. New residential accommodation will integrate into the existing fabric, regenerating that end of Kensington High Street.
Asked to comment, Reinier de Graaf, OMA’s partner in charge of the project, said OMA was excited by the prospect of this collaboration and intended to take a respectful approach to redeveloping the sixties icon: “OMA will explore a number of uses appropriate to the existing design, capitalizing on the building’s dynamic interior spaces. Careful consideration will be given to the relationship with Holland Park, possibly extending the park condition across the site connecting to the street. Any new residential development should serve to complement the qualities of the existing building.”
The greatest challenge facing the project will be acknowledging the architectural quality of the Commonwealth Institute whilst simultaneously creating a distinct and contemporary project.
“The site is complex: to the north it is separated by a wall from Holland Park and to the south it causes a disruption in the continuous frontage of Kensington High Street. The project will have to find inventive solutions to address these conditions.”
The Commonwealth Institute redevelopment is OMA’s 3rd project in London. OMA is also working on a new headquarters for Rothschild on St Swithin’s Lane in the City. Furthermore, OMA are developing a masterplan for White City in west London.
OMA was selected by the site owners from a shortlist of six international architects which included Rafael Moneo, Rafael Viñoly Architects, Eric Parry Associates, Caruso St John, and Make Architects.
The original building by Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners, completed in 1962 marks the transition from British Empire to Commonwealth and is regarded by English Heritage, the UK government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, as an important modern building.
The Commonwealth Institute project is led by Reinier de Graaf who also leads the masterplan for White City, the Riga Contemporary Art Museum, the new Waterfront City in Dubai and the Gateway City project in Ras al Khaimah (UAE).
David
Sólo una puntualización:
En castellano, "modernismo" no es la traducción directa del inglés "modernism". Con el primero nos podemos referir a la arquitectura abigarrada de Víctor Horta, Gaudí y similares, pero con "modernism" estamos haciendo referencia a la arquitectura propuesta por y a rebufo del movimiento moderno, que es totalmente distinta. De hecho, cuando un angloparlante se refiere a lo primero, utiliza el término francés "modernisme" o habla de Art Nouveau, a secas.
Y ya.
nena mounstro
Hola Edgar…no se como me direcciono el google a tu mail y justo cai en el post donde hablas de Love the los Beatles. Si te puedo decir q no existe tal video en DVD de Love , acabo de verlo en las Vegas y queria traermelo en video, ni ese ni O ni Zumanity ni ninguno de los shows del circo q se presentan tienen el video , es por obvias razones de marketing. Estos espectaculos no hay otra manera de verlos mas q asi, en vivo no tienen nada q ver con los otros DVD´s de elos otros circos . Lo q si tienen es el cd con la musica y cuesta 32 usd. Tambien te puedo decir es q si de verdad te gustan los Beatles , no tienes mas q ahorrar para ir exclusivamente a ver ese show, vale mucho mas de lo q puedas pagar por el, la piel se te enchina y no dejan de escurrirte las lagrimas en todas las 2 horas aprox q dura. No importa sino te gustan tanto…vale 100000 la pena.
saludos