Book Launch: Modelling the Metropolis: The Architectural Model in Victorian London – Dr Matthew Wells Thursday 23rd March 17.30

We’re pleased to announce the book launch event for ‘Modelling the Metropolis: The Architectural Model in Victorian London’ by Dr. Matthew Wells.

Architectural models made nineteenth-century London. As the city grew it became the global centre of finance, industrial capitalism, and the British Empire. New buildings, urban spaces, and networks of infrastructure were demanded, constructed, and rebuilt. Models were a crucial medium of communication that enabled archi­tects, politicians, and the wider public to conceive the city’s expansion of buildings and spaces.

Based on extensive research in archives, museums, and period publications, Modelling the Metropolis addresses not just architectural models but also an eclectic range of images and objects – from technical products to sculptures, diagrams to engravings, maps to photographs – that dramatize the politics and aesthetics of Victorian London. 

Dr. Wells is a member of the Manchester Architectural Research Group here at MSA.The event will comprise of a summary of the new book followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Wells.

Agenda:

17.30 – Lecture in Room G33 Humanities Bridgeford Street

18.15 – Q&A

To attend please register via eventbrite by clicking here! 

We look forward to seeing you there!

B.15:50 -Guest Lecture ‘Architectural Models: Past Present and Future of a Design Practice’

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NOW AT 18:00 IN THE CORDINGLEY LECTURE THEATRE, HUMANITIES BRIDGEFORD STREET BUILDING

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2020 will mark 50 years since the B.15 workshop was established here in what was then known as the Kantorowich Architecture and Planning Building. To celebrate the occasion we will be holding a number of events the first of which we are pleased to present to you here.

 

‘Architectural Models: Past Present and Future of a Design Practice’ will be presented by Dr Simona Valeriani on behalf of the Architectural Models Network, a research network based at the Victoria and Albert Museum. “The network was set up to bring together all those interested in the history, current practice and future of architectural model-making. Its intention is to share knowledge, to take stock of the current state of the field, and to identify productive areas for future practice and research.” (Valeriani, 2018)

Dr Valeriani will present the up to date findings of the network which began recording a range of perspectives on architectural modelmaking in early 2018.

Please join us for this free lecture at 18.00 on Tuesday 12th November in the Cordingley Lecture Theatre on the ground floor of Humanities Bridgeford Street. 

The presentation and Q & A will last no longer than 1 hour. No ticket required.

We hope to see you there, Scott, Jim & Saul

Valeriani, S. 2018. Architectural Models in context: creativity, skill and spectacle [Online Article] Available from: https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/projects/architectural-models-in-context-creativity-skill-and-spectacle Accessed 22/10/2019

Modelmaking in the Digital Age Symposium Videos: Professor Nick Dunn

Nick Dunn Slide 2

“We often, in a good way – don’t know what we’re doing. We don’t know what the possibilities may be which is why making a model can be very productive. […] They explore a journey. They tell us things that we didn’t necessarily know and we can get surprised sometimes by what’s produced. These are part of a narrative behind the design that becomes very very important.” – Professor Nick Dunn

Our first speaker at Modelmaking in the Digital Age was Professor Nick Dunn who currently works at ImaginationLancaster and was a former lecturer here at MSA. Professor Dunn opened the talks by explaining as he puts it ‘the archaeology of application’ of architectural models.

For those unsure about the origins and development of architectural models as tools Professor Dunn provides a fascinating insight here.

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Architectural Review: ‘Architects do it with Models’ Article

Happy New Year and welcome back! Here’s a quick link to get you started before the main announcements for the coming months. Hope you all had a relaxing break and we look forward to seeing you back in the workshop soon!

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Architectural Review wrote an article last year looking at the history of architectural models in 16 examples. The article shows the interesting progressive spectrum of materials, methods of construction and varied use from 4600BC to the present day.

Have a look at the article by clicking here.


Cluster-in-the-ai_635Scott and Jim