The business of architecture
Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.[1] Thomas Edison said this in an era when inventions of the mechanical, electrical and medical varieties were constantly rewriting the script of modern life. Anyone can have an idea, he suggested, indeed good ideas are floating around all the time and all over the place. But success, and the... Continue Reading →
Last week a recent architecture graduate from the University of Melbourne, Graham Bennett, asked via Twitter what his social network thought about working for free. The barrage of responses from architects and commentators, myself included, was rapid and a little outraged: It’s illegal. Claire Hosking It’s both illegal and illogical: if a practice needs you... Continue Reading →
A typical Carlton North green median strip We consider ourselves very lucky to live in Carlton North. Walkscore ranks its walkability in the top 20 of Melbourne's 346 suburbs, awarding it 88 out of 100 total points. The Walkscore summary states that "most errands can be accomplished on foot" while residents "can walk to an... Continue Reading →
Sir Thomas Gresham by Anthonis Mor van Dashorst (1565) What is it? A paraphrasing of Gresham's Law, an economic principle proposed in the 16th Century by adviser to Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Thomas Gresham. The law, bad money drives out good, described the devaluation of the precious metal content in circulating coins. When new, low... Continue Reading →
What was it? The first in the new Agenda series of lectures and discussions courtesy of the University of Melbourne's faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. Keynote speaker at the first event held last Thursday was Alexandra Lange, freelance architectural critic and blogger for Design Observer, Architectural Record and The New York Times among others. Joining... Continue Reading →
What is it? Previously known as Melbourne Architecture Week, Melbourne Architecture Annual (MAA) is a festival that has taken place the past two years in the last week of October. Its aim is to engage the broader community with both architects and architecture. Festival activities therefore tend towards content with wide-ranging appeal, including ask an architect... Continue Reading →