Newsletter

From the Master

March traditionally brings with it the Company's Annual Livery Banquet which took place this year in Haberdashers' Hall. This excellent modern re-working of the traditional Livery Hall, by Michael Hopkins and Partners, was the worthy recipient of the Company's New City Architecture Award in 2003, and provided an ideal venue for what is undoubtedly our most important social event of the year. I was pleased to be able to welcome, as the Company's guests, the Masters of three other City livery companies, Clothworkers (a fellow architect), Furniture Makers and Engineers, with their consorts, as well as the Master and Clerk of the York Guild of Building, with whom the Company enjoys a long standing association. In the Lord Mayor's absence, we were graced with the presence of the two Sheriffs, Alderman & Sheriff David Lewis and Sheriff Richard Regan, with their respective ladies, and my principal guest was Minister Laudemar Aguilar Neto, deputy to the Brazilian Ambassador in London and a native of Niteroi City, one of the planned ports of call on our architectural Study Tour to Brazil in July/August which will feature as one of its highlights a visit to Oscar Neimeyers Riio office and a meeting with the great man himself. The Banquet traditionally provided the opportunity to announce the winner of the New City Architecture Award for the preceding year. As judging took place on the previous day, we only just made it this year. As I mentioned in the last newsletter, this year saw a departure from our usual practice by making the award for the best publicly accessible open space created since 2000. From the eight short-listed projects, the undisputed winner was Paternoster Square which the assessors considered to have provided the City with a splendid new asset that had become both a natural route for Londoners and visitors alike, and a destination in its own right. One of the more fun events of the livery calendar this time of year is the annual pancake day race which takes place in Guildhall Yard and sees teams from more than two dozen

Issue 8 - May 2007

livery companies competing in a series of pancake tossing races organised by the Poulters' Company. Sadly, two of our team members had to withdraw at the 11th hour and last minute substitutions were needed. Nonetheless, despite lack of training, our team acquitted itself well but failed to secure the coveted trophy. Last year's winner of the costume category, Past Master Michael West, in his gold suit and VSO top hat (this was not a whim of the Past Masters - the competition rules required reference to the Voluntary Service Overseas organization), came close to making it two in a row but was sadly 'pipped at the post', as they say. Extreme Architecture was an innovative and most enjoyable event co-sponsored by the Company, The Architecture Club, The British Antarctic Survey, The City Architecture Forum, RIBA Trust and Wordsearch. It took the form of a dinner in the Painted Hall of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, said (with some justification) to be the finest dining hall in the western world. It was, however, a dinner with a difference, with each of the three courses interspersed with both entertaining and enlightening talks by Professor David Vaughan, one of the worlds leading experts on glacial retreat, High Broughton and Peter Ayres, architect and engineer winners of an international competition to design the British Antarctic Survey's Halley VI station and Dr Mike Stroud OBE who, with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, completed the first unaided walk across the Antarctic. I would like to think that the Company can become involved in further such events, on different subjects, in future years and I know that the Upper Warden is giving thought to this for his year. I look forward to seeing many of you at the coming events and am pleased to report that Stephen Bayley the principal guest at the Election Court Dinner in early July. On his website Stephen notes that someone elses description of him a the second most intelligent man in Britain is controversial and possibly untrue. What is indisputable is that he is one of the countrys best known commentators on modern culture. Tom Wolfe said of him I dont know anybody with more interesting observations about style, taste and contemporary design. Dont miss out on hearing what he has to say. Book your tickets now!
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News from the Court

The late April Court meeting is the one at which the finances and general affairs of the Company are considered and stock is taken of its possessions. In the case of the former, the auditors were able to report reasonable good health; in the case of the latter, there is thinking to be done. In the year to 30 June 2006 there was a small negative balance of income against expenditure. This had resulted from a significant shortfall in the collection of quarterage through the direct debit system during the year allied to the planned one-off costs of revamping the graphic image of the Company and its website. The logistical problems of collecting subscription (other than those caused by members changing bank accounts and not informing the Clerk) have been resolved and it was seen that events have been run well within budget. In order to meet the inexorably rising administration costs the Court reluctantly agreed it would be prudent to increase in the level of quarterage (held at its present level for a few years now) by a modest 5.00 per quarter. Without its own home the Companys possessions are held in a variety of places. While the major items - our Grant of Arms, Letters Patent, gowns, mace, etc are held in the safety of the vaults at Painters Hall, other items are spread between the Clerks overcrowded home office, those homes of those who have kindly donated paintings etc and, in the case of a pair of Wren Drawings purchased in the Mastership of Ashley Barker, with the RIBA Drawings Collection at the V&A. Further thought s being given to how and when some of these items might be displayed. Does anyone have a spare hall? The meeting also the admission of three new members. Simon Lincoln made the transition from Student to Freeman, Paul Weston was admitted as a Freeman and Lucy Pritchard was bound as a Student to her Mentor, Jaki Howes. Uniquely, another Student of the Company was, in City parlance, released from his indenture. Tom French, having acquired his Part 1 qualification a few years ago as opted to follow a parallel career path as a Chartered Surveyor. He is currently working for Grosvenor Estates. He is being encouraged to take up Affiliate membership of the RIBA and then his Freedom of the Company under the recently revised franchise rules.

The Charitable Trust Fund

Alan Downing, Clerk to the Charitable Trust writes: Under the Chairmanship of Michael West and the other Trustees, Tom Ball, Alan Downing and Ian Head the fund continues to grow. At the end of the financial year 200506 the fund stood at just over 275,000. It is the policy of the Trustees to only expend money arising from interest from investments and each year they set a budget based on the previous years interest. Some money may also be re-invested. The Charity and Education Committee then proposes a programme of disbursements for the approval of the Court. In order for the budget for disbursements to increase substantially the fund needs to grow. The Trustees have become concerned that a considerable number of members of the Livery Company do not donate to the Charitable Trust Fund. The Trustees will therefore be writing to members in the Autumn seeking Gift Aid donations or regular contributions to the Fund. The Trust Fund was able to grow in size quickly in its early days due to generous donations and covenants from Members of the Company and others. The Company is now approaching its twenty fifth anniversary and an appeal to members is therefore felt to be appropriate. In February this year Sue Best retired from her post as Clerk to the Charitable Trustees and I took over that role. Our grateful thanks are due to Sue for all the work see did during her time as Clerk.

Recent Events
The Companys major social function of the year - The Annual Livery Banquet - was held in the splendid surroundings of Haberdashers Hall on Wednesday 21 March. The City was represented by the two Sheriffs and their Ladies and a number of Masters of other Companies were also entertained by the Company.

The principal guest was Minister Laudemar Aguiar Neto - Head of the Ambassadors office at the Embassy of Brazil. In an elegant speech he welcomed the prospect of a visit by members of the Company to Rio de Janerio and Brasilia in August and, on behalf of the Ambassador, presented the Company with copies of Baroque, the Soul of Brazil and Brazils Modern Architecture. Space is being made on the Clerks book shelves. Copies of each of the books are also being presented to each of the participants in the trip. In welcoming the Sheriffs, the Master took the opportunity to present a donation to the Lord Mayors Charity and was presented in return with a splendid credit card holder and calculator embossed with the Lord Mayors coat of arms. Alderman David Lewis explained that, if the holder was mislaid the credit card would be returned to the Mansion House and possibly put to use in support of the Lord Mayors charity!

Simon Lincoln has arranged a visit to the Offices of Make Architects on Saturday 23 June. The visit has been arranged particularly for the Companys students but, subject to availability of places, others will be welcome. Numbers are limited Those attending will be expected to arrive at the 55-65 Whitfield Street offices at 11.30. Following the walk around a table has been booked at a nearby vegetarian restaurant and, for the more persistent seekers after truth and light, there are plans to view the current RIBA exhibition - Between Ownership and Belonging: transitional Space in the Post-Apartheid Metropolis. An early evening pot of tea is also on offer. Again, think of the CPD points. In view of the scarcity of places, the Clerk will not issue a calling notice on this event. Common Hall for the Election of Sheriffs and other City office holders will be held on Monday 25 June. Those liverymen who have not attended Common Hall are encouraged to do so and a form is attached to enable you to obtain your entrance passes for the hustings for both this and the Common Hall for the Election of the Lord Mayor on 1 October. June Common Hall will be followed by a three course lunch with wine at Farmers and Fletchers Hall at 45.00 per person. The number of places available are limited. The Companys Annual Service and Election Court Dinner will be held at St Lawrence Jewry and Armourers Hall on Monday 2 July. The dinner is the occasion at which we entertain 2 coxswains from the RNLI and present the Companys award for the person or organization which has made the most significant contribution to the work of the Architects Benevolent Society during the year. A calling notice is attached. As with the weekend visit to Dublin in May, the longer study trip to Brazil (27 July to 8 August) is ready for the off - a report will appear later in the year. While we are hoping for additional support from other Companies who have links to particular City churches. Stephen Wagstaffe and Patricia Stefanowicz are still looking for volunteers to help steward a church for a morning or afternoon in Open House weekend (1516 September). No prior knowledge of the churches is required - you will be given basic information in advance of the day and will have the opportunity to learn on the job from knowledgeable visitors and available literature.
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The receiverof gifts: ........................... Sheriff and Alderman David Lewis and the Master and (left) The Master with Minister Laudemar Aguiar Neto

Coming Events
The Weekend Visit to Dublin from 17 to 20 May will be reported on in the next Newsletter. The start of June sees two events in quick succession. On Friday 1 June there is to be a lunch on board SB Ardwina moored in St Katherines Dock.This will take the form of an ale and Cornish pasties meal (kindly donated by sponsors) followed by a talk to be given by Katrine Sporle, the Chief Planning Inspector on the work of the Inspectorate. Tickets for the event has been priced at a modest 25 per head with all money raised going as a donation to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. On Saturday 2 June there is to be a Centenary Visit to Hampstead Garden Suburb with Mervyn Miller. The cost of 35.00 will include morning and afternoon teas and lunch and the event will run from 10.30 until 4.00pm. A calling notice has already gone out to those on email and a copy is attached to this newsletter. Early booking is recommended.

The Installation Court Lunch will be on Monday 17 September at Trinity House. The Upper Warden is hoping for an enthusiastic start to his year and hopes to see the Library at Trinity House full to capacity. Please mark the date in your diaries. The Upper Warden Masters Reception has been set for Tuesday 20 November at the Athenaeum, Pall Mall. More details will be sent out nearer the time. Advance warning is also given of the Annual Service of Carols at St Mary-le-Bow and the Supper which follows at Furniture Makers Hall on Wednesday 12 December. More details will follow but you are warned that numbers will be limited this year in response to the overcrowding last year which led one discomforted diner to empty his dessert course onto the Clerks shoe - presumably to make a point!

Simon's future plans involve continuing his experience with Make and running his own projects. Now that he has achieved his ARB registered status he plans to begin enjoying weekends once again, until the clutches of DIY take hold! Paul Weston was born and educated in Surrey and studied Architecture at the Manchester School of Architecture. In his year out he worked for The Halpern Partnership where he met Past Master Peter Luscombe who has encouraged him to join the Company. Paul helped found his current practice - Weston Architects Limited - with his Father seven years ago. He works for a number of private developers and currently focuses on the extension and refurbishment of commercial office environments as well as community health projects. While practice is in Surrey Paul lives and relaxes in London. He is involved with All Saints, Margaret Street, the William Butterfield masterpiece and is in the process of becoming a trustee of the All Saints Foundation which is helping to fund a complete restoration of the Grade I listed church. Pauls recent travels have been focused on European and North American cities together with recurring visits to the Swiss district of Surselva, which includes the Peter Zumthor spa at Vals. He is looking forward to being part of the Company. Lucy Pritchard first came to the notice of the Company as the winner of its Prize at the City of London School for Girls. Her first three years studying architecture at Cambridge University allowed her to travel, in search of interesting sites and conditions, to San Sebastian, Bilbao, Rome and Berlin. After graduating the Part 1 she worked for 2 years for Cullum and Nightingale, in London on the British High Commission Building in Uganda, as well as on an ecotourism resort, the conversion of a Victorian Artist's Studio and a number of other projects ranging in size. I was then granted a full-tuition scholarship to attend the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York. With the (very much appreciated) help of a travel grant from the Company of Chartered Architects I spent two very fullfilling years learning Architecture the American way. The opportunity to study under Diana Agrest led me to develop a strong interest in the 4

News of Members
As noted above, the Master was pleased to welcome three new members at the recent Court Meeting. Simon Lincoln studied at Leeds Metropolitan and Kingston Universities and spent his year out was spent at Foster and Partners, where he worked on a range of interesting projects and,before graduating, he spent a summer working for Studio E Architects, London. On completing his studies, Simon returned to Foster and Partners, where he worked on the conceptual design of a major office building within the More London development. He then travelled for one year to South America, Australasia and Asia, while in Australia he worked for Crone Nation Architects, in Sydney. Simon joined Make in January 2005 and has worked on a range of projects, including a new landmark coach station for National Express in Birmingham, and the Castle House project in London. He developed the winning bid to masterplan Nottingham University's Jubilee Campus site. Simon spent six months working on Brando, a large commercial development on the Hammersmith Embankment in London. Since January 2006, he has been leading the development of a mixed mews development in Marylebone. due for completion at the end of 2007. He has been responsible for developing the practice's current website.

relationship between film and architecture, using the camera and editing to create 'filmic reading of the city'. During that time I also worked on a book by one of my tutors Kevin Bone, which was recently published and is called, 'Waterworks: The Architecture and Engineering of the New York City Water Supply'. After graduating I embarked on a short internship with Francois de Menil Architect in New York where I helped in putting together a team of consultants for an Interpretive Center for a Native American site upstate New York. Since her return to London Lucy has bee working on her portfolio, applying to architecture firms and completing her thesis. Her present ambitions include the completion of her architecture education and, in the distant future, setting up her own practice. SINGULAR HONOUR FOR SENIOR STEWARD Maurice Pickering, who has made a considerable contribution to the Company as a Senior Steward, has been made the first Life Vice President of Harrow Heritage Trust. The honour is in recognition of his many years as Founder Chairman of Harrow Nature Conservation Forum - a voluntary organisation which manages 600 hectares of London's Green Belt, part of the Borough of Harrow. Maurice said, "I am delighted that Professor Stephen Bolsover has taken up the chair of the Forum and am confident that the work we have started will continue. Despite having reached the top of the political agenda, conservation of the natural habitat is still not fully understood as being vital to continued human existence. Much therefore needs to be done in the way of education by dedicated workers in the field. It is my fervent hope that an educational facility will soon be built in Harrow's rich green-belt." Aged 80, Maurice is now wheelchair bound by motor neurone disease and has reluctantly had to give up on most of his activities, which were many and varied. However he remains heavily involved in the preparation of a ground-breaking history of Guilds, which, he reports, begins in pre-historic India! It is with sadness that we report the death of Roy Frederic Rushton FRIBA on 16 March. One of the earliest members, his contribution to the establishment of the Company was greatly valued. He died at home

in Surrey aged 85. Roy spent many year with church architects Seeley and Paget and, following his retirement in 1992, he worked on his own from home.

students, competitions &travel

While policemen and politicians get younger, it seems that students get older. With age, in their case, usually comes graduation and the ability and experience needed to satisfy that difficult bunch - Part 3 examiners - of their ability to practice as architects. Such has been the lot of many of the Companys indentured students - with others likely to be submitting their credentials to ARB in the near future. New blood is sought. Jaki Howes, in her role as Master of Students, is doing her best to encourage membership but she would welcome others nominating a student from their practice. Please tell the Clerk if you have a candidate. On the subject of students, the 2006 Student Travel Award named in memory of Stuart Murphy was won by a group of students from the Bartlett. The seven went to New York to present their major Diploma projects as part of an international crit and exchange of ideas. Like minded students and young practitioners also showed work to stimulate discussion with each other and with academics from both the UK and USA at the Parsons School of Design. It has been decided that this years award shall be made available to a student or group of students from Westminister, Southbank or Greenwich Universities in the first years of their Diploma courses. The awards are intended to assist with the cost of coursework related travel. The criteria for calling for entries for The New City Architecture Award for 2006 - 07 differed this year in that it was decided that the award should be given to the public open space created in the City since 2000 which has made the most significant contribution to the City. The judges - the Master, former Lord Mayor Alderman Sir Robert Finch (Honorary Liveryman and Chairman of the Awards Committee), the Renter Warden, Past Master Richard Saxon, Assistant Edward King and Paul Finch, editor of the Architectural Review were accompanied by the Clerk, David Cole-Adams. Their report was as follows: In a vain attempt to avoid bad weather, we conducted our City walk later in the tear than usual. Instead of rain, which usually marks our judging outing, we had biting
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wind and late in the day some snow. We visited eight public spaces in all, and also noted a wide range of work carried out by the City of London's 'Street Scene Challenge' team; in recognition of the team's overall contribution to improving public spaces in the Square Mile, not least the excellent signage now in place, we would like to award them a special commendation. Of the public spaces reviewed, the judges wished to praise three in particular. The Merrill Lynch headquarters building on Newgate Street, by Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, is an ingenious insertion of a large office building into a confined urban space, achieved with great elegance, while maintaining public routes around the building and what remains of the adjacent church. This could have been an ungainly imposition on the public realm, but has turned out to be an elegant addition. The new public stairs and route outside 10 Exchange Square at Broadgate, designed by SOM for British Land, is an excellent example of how to connect differing levels, to deploy high quality materials and to match public space to the buildings which frame it. The maintenance door at street level is a fine piece of detailing which proves that a functional element need not be a design afterthought. The winning design took a large and important part of the City of London, redesigned, re-engineered and re-imagined it, responding to history, topography and split ownerships with an overall urban vision which has produced an outstanding result. It is almost entirely hard landscaped (not to everyone's taste), and there are some quirks in the buildings which define it. However, Paternoster Square - master planned by Sir William Whitfield for Mitsubishi, was the unanimous choice of the jury. Paternoster has become a natural route for Londoners and visitors alike, and has also become a destination in its own right. The plan, which locates everything at ground level, seems obvious until you remember how many failed alternatives there were before this design was created. Overall, it has given the City of London a splendid new asset, including the return of Temple Bar, and is a worthy winner.
Victor Callister, leader of the Citys Street Scene Challenge Team receives the Special Commendation from Alderman and Sheriff David Lewis

An opportunity will be found in the next few months to present the plaque which will, to be fixed in the Square - hopefully alongside that won by one of the buildings in the Square in 2005-05.

of general interest
The City of London Festival (22 June-12 July) has much of interest to architects. There is a Gresham College Lecture by John Cole at Barnards Inn Hall on Music and Architecture on Friday 22 June and an event entitled The Buildings of London and Paris in Music and Film at St Mary-le-Bow on Monday 25 June. Additionally, there are various architect led walks. Full details are available on the festival website www.colf.org. The Company will again be participating in the Lord Mayors Show on Saturday 10 November. Those wanting to watch from the relative comfort of a stand adjacent St Pauls Cathedral can apply for tickets by post (address from the Clerk), phone (01908 300106) or from the show website: www.lordmayorsshow.org. It is likely that a post show lunch will also be available at Plaisterers Hall - details to follow nearer the time. Your attention is drawn to the Clockmakers Museum at Guildhall. It is the oldest horological museum in the world, entry is free from Monday to Saturday and it has recently been refurbished. Among other things, the history of clockmaking through the ages is covered.

Stop Press
There would be some who would be surprised, if not disappointed, if the Clerk failed to mention the availability of Company ties. A sudden rush of sales has sent stocks plummeting but there are still blue and red silk ties available so that you can be properly dressed at Company functions. Costed at 16.95 per tie or 25.00 the pair, they also make excellent hat bands etc Hurry before the last 203 go!

The Clerk: 82, Muswell Hill Road, London N10 3JR Ph / Fax: 020 8292 4893 www.architects-livery-company.org 6