Journal Posts - Page 2 of 29 - Jamie Fobert Architects

One final post about my recent @scaffold_podcast , episode 98 @blndrfld Matthew Blunderfield took me right back to my student days to discuss my final University of Toronto project which was a reworking of St James Town. This cluster of poorly built 1960’s modernist towers were by 1986 already being considered for demolition. With Delirious New York in hand, I proposed to remove two towers to create a central park and build three more to form a strong periphery (image 3) Stripping the substandard cladding away and working with the existing concrete structure, long before 'Adaptive reuse' was coined. This strategy allowed the project to focus on the freeing the ground plain (image 4) and imbedding public functions into the unified underground floors; a school, a sports centre, cinemas, even rehousing the existing police station and a subterranean club modeled loosely on the baths of Diocletian (bottom right) (image 5) I used (very rough) photo montage to explore conceptual ideas. The first was about the complexes original aspiration of swinging 60's Toronto (image 1), and the final photo montage was a critique of the Miesian dream of the modern nuclear family, even the tea pot and stereo are Mies towers. If you look closely Mies is on the telly. All the drawings were hand drawn (there were no computers then) in ink on mylar, a plastic paper with a fine opaque surface. Working on one sheet for weeks at a time, building it up slowly, was one of the benefits of pre-computer architectural practice. Image 6, is a 3d drawings, a view of the lobby, drawn in red and green in two overlapping perspectives. When viewed with 3d glasses the two images merge and create the illusion of depth. This, rather mad, idea lead to me being given the graduating drawing prize of $1,000 which I set aside to pay for my flight and accommodation to come to London the following year. #architecture #modernism #toronto #stjamestown #drawing #architecturaldrawing #handdrawing #towers #miesvanderrohe #delerious #distopia

Scaffold is a podcast series featuring interviews with architects, artists and designers. Hosted by Matthew Blunderfield and produced by the Architecture Foundation, it is available on Apple Pocasts, Spotify, and most major podcast streaming platforms.

In Episode 98, Matthew interviews Jamie, who reflects on the arc of his career to date with a focus on the art that most inspires his architectural practice, including works by Giorgio Morandi and Vilhelm Hammershøi, as well as the links between work and selfhood, aesthetics and identity.

“The artist working alone in their studio is the antithesis of what we do every day as architects […] and yet one hopes that the work you produce might have the same resonance.” – Jamie Fobert

Find out more and listen here.

Episode 98 @scaffold_podcast Vilhelm Hammershøi, Danish artist, b.1886, d.1916 Matthew had indicated that we might begin our conversation discussing images that I had often used at the beginning of lectures, but I was surprised the extent that the conversation came back numerous times to these artists, there work, and later, their lives. We spoke at length about this particular painting that had been used in an article I wrote (with @bennaschellhorn ) about the Hammershøi exhibition at the RA in 2008 (so long ago). So I thought I’d share it here, and two details we discuss. As well as two of the endless set of paintings he made of his courtyard windows. I loved the way the light interacts with material: polished wood, plush fabric. The light is a “quiet visitor” in the room. He captures the atmosphere itself. #hammershøi #danish #painter #art #painting #atmosphere #light

“Sowing Doubt: Clues about Indigenous Representations in Colombia” After visiting museums showing indigenous artefacts it was wonderful, if at times confusing, to visit this powerful exhibition “looking at the role of indigenous cultural production within the context of Colombian art history. Touching on concepts such as identity, modernity, and the sacred, Sembrar La Duda offers a unique perspective on the evolution of indigenous culture as both expression and visual storytelling.” (From the catalogue) I was particularly taken by two artists: Eduardo Pradilla 1 - Anaconda, 1991 2 - Jaguar, 1991 Carlos Jacanamijoy 3 - Agua azul, 1994 4 - A la hora hacker los instruments, 1994 Powerful and evocative works. #art #contemporaryart #gallery #exhibition #painting #indigenous #culture #bogota #colombia🇨🇴 #painting #powerful

In his fifth collaboration with Jamie Fobert Architects, filmmaker Tapio Snellman (@tapiolito)has created a wonderful new film that takes us on a tour of the recently transformed National Portrait Gallery in London. The film begins with the public forecourt both before and after the transformation, capturing the bustle of Charing Cross Road. It then moves in through the newly cut entrance doors, which feature 45 portraits in bronze by artist Tracey Emin. Arriving into the generous entry hall, we go on to tour the galleries on the upper floors, which have not only undergone complete refurbishment but also a comprehensive re-display and reinterpretation of the world’s largest collection of portraits. We also pay a visit to the new Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre and its courtyard. Link to film in bio @tapiolito @nationalportraitgallery @nicholascullinan @traceyeminstudio @purcell.architecture @priceandmyers @maxfordhamllp @nissenrichardsstudio @alexcochranearchitects #london #architecture #art #portrait #gallery #artgallery #transformation #westminster #public #publicspace

In his fifth collaboration with Jamie Fobert Architects, filmmaker Tapio Snellman has created a wonderful new film that takes us on a tour of the recently transformed National Portrait Gallery in London.

The film journeys from the new public forecourt on bustling Charing Cross Road and in through the new entrance doors, which feature 45 portraits in bronze by artist Tracey Emin. Arriving into the generous entry hall, we go on to tour the galleries on the upper floors, which have not only undergone complete refurbishment but also a comprehensive re-display and reinterpretation of the world’s largest collection of portraits. We also pay a visit to the new Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre and its courtyard.

In September, Jamie visited students at the London Design & Engineering University Technical College in Royal Docks, E16, as part of the Speakers for Schools programme.

Jamie was pleased to meet with all the Key Stage 5 Built Envinronment students. He spoke about his own journey to becoming an architect and described some of the challenges and the highly collaborative nature of our recent project for the National Portrait Gallery. Jamie went on to work with a smaller group of students who presented their very first Architecture Crit.

Speakers for Schools aims to level the playing field for young people from state schools and colleges and empower them to reach their potential by providing them with life-changing opportunities that they would otherwise struggle to access.

Heading up the FT’s compilation of “The best museum gift shops in the world” is our very own shop for Kettle’s Yard, which was completed alongside the new galleries and learning centre in 2018.

The FT writes, “This small, light-filled extension echoes the simple beauty of the original 19th-century
cottages-turned-museum created by collector Jim Ede.”

The retail team at Kettle’s Yard has filled the shop with imaginative and beautiful products and reproductions of objects from the house, allowing every visitor to bring a piece of this magical place home with them, if they wish. Our design for the shop began by adapting the ‘homemade’ joinery of Jim Ede’s cupboards and shelves into a simple set of units, all made in tulip wood and hand-painted on site. Even Jim’s beloved corner China cabinet is recreated, though simplified.

On 18th October, the Architecture Foundation is hosting a very special event to celebrate the presentation of the 2023 Pritzker Prize to Sir David Chipperfield. The evening will feature an onstage interview with Sir David conducted by Jamie, who worked for David Chipperfield Architects for 8 years before setting up his own practice.

Catering will be provided by the award-winning kitchen at Rochelle Canteen. Space is strictly limited to 70 places. Find out more and book your tickets here.

On Thursday 17th August, Jamie will lead a tour of the recently reopened National Portrait Gallery for The Architecture Foundation.

The tour will take place between 4pm – 5:45pm and will offer ‘an in-depth look at a range of architectural interventions, from a new public forecourt, which leads to a generous entry hall, to the creation of a dynamic new learning centre. The project has also revealed areas inside the building that have been hidden for decades’.

You can find more information and book your tickets here.

We are currently looking to recruit an architectural assistant with outstanding 3D image-making skills to join our London studio to work on a range of cultural, residential and retail projects.

We are keen to meet candidates with: high proficiency working in Rhino and 3D rendering software, V-Ray or similar; an intuitive understanding of 3D space; a keen interest in materiality; self-motivation, enthusiasm and an ability to work well as part of a team; excellent CAD skills, which ideally will include knowledge of MicroStation.

To apply for this opportunity, please send by Monday 28 August 2023: a cover letter introducing yourself, outlining your motivation and highlighting relevant experience; a CV, detailing your education, work experience, software skills and languages; a concise illustrated portfolio.

All enquiries and applications to: recruitment@jamiefobertarchitects.com

The National Portait Gallery reopened its doors on 22 June, following the most extensive transformation of its building since 1896.

Led by Jamie Fobert Architects, alongside heritage architects Purcell and a highly skilled design team, there has been a complete refurbishment and reconsideration of the building. The architectural interventions can be understood as a number of parallel projects, from a new public forecourt, which leads to a generous entry hall, to the creation of a dynamic new learning centre. The project has opened up windows, doors and areas that have been hidden for decades. By creating a new accessible entrance into the historic façade, the building has been reorientated to face the city, presenting a generous welcome and connecting the Gallery with the vibrant area of London on its doorstep.

You can book your tickets here.

Photographs © Olivier Hess (1 and 2) and © Jim Stephenson (3,4 and 5)

This year the RIBA Summer Exhibition will feature a dual-screen film installation titled ‘The Architect has Left the Building”. An innovative installation presenting the work of photographer and filmmaker Jim Stephenson, which has been edited and sequenced with photographic artist Sofia Kathryn Smith. Our gallery at Tate St Ives will be one of the featured projects showing the lesser documented ways people use the space.

“The films engage at different scales to quietly disrupt the traditionally ‘neat’ visions of these perhaps already familiar buildings, as usually presented to the public”.

You can find more information here.

3 June 2023 – 12 August 2023

The Telegraph’s chief art critic Alastair Sooke has had exclusive access to the National Portrait Gallery throughout its three-year-long transformation.

In this film, Alastair visits the site while construction is in progress and speaks with Jamie and the Gallery’s Director, Nicholas Cullinan, about how the project makes the most of every part of this handsome historic building, making it beautiful and welcoming and very much part of the city.

The AR Museums Issue arrives just in time to share a wonderful peek at the National Portrait Gallery as it prepares to reopen on 22 June after the biggest redevelopment in its 127-year history.

With the final touches to the building still being made, writer Ellie Duffy took a walk around with Jamie: “Part placemaking, part architecture, in the architects’ hands ‘obvious’ becomes effortless … ensuring that what could have been mere gesture in fact reverberates deeply throughout every corner of the gallery.”

Read the piece in full here.

Jamie will be speaking at the National Portrait Gallery on the 30th of June with gallery director Dr Nicholas Cullinan, to discuss the redevelopment of the historical building, creating more public space with our new forecourt and uncovered original architectural details.

You may find more information and book your tickets here.

30 June 2023, 19:00-20:00

The Ondaatje Wing Lecture Theatre, National Portrait Gallery