The Architecture Foundation
Founded in 1991, The Architecture Foundation is Britain's oldest independent architecture centre.[1] It examines contemporary issues in architectural theory and practice, through a public programme that has involved exhibitions,[2] competitions,[3] publications, lectures, films and debates.[4]
History
The organisation was established in 1991 under the direction of Ricky Burdett and initially operated from a gallery in Alison and Peter Smithson's buildings for the Economist magazine.
Under Rowan Moore's subsequent tenure as director, the organisation ran the Yard Gallery in Clerkenwell as a temporary space experimenting in different ways of exhibiting and communicating architecture before moving to Carmody Groarke-designed headquarters in Southwark.[5] Under the direction of Sarah Ichioka[6] it gave itself a greater international remit, manifesting itself in 2009 through a series of exchange programmes.[7] The Southwark headquarters also operated a project space, again hosting a variety of exhibitions, installations and talks.
The Architecture Foundation left the Southwark space in 2014 due to financial problems following the withdrawal of Arts Council funding to all architecture programmes throughout England and Wales.[8] In 2015 it co-located with the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design at London Metropolitan University's Central House in Aldwych. In 2015, it appointed director Ellis Woodman to restructure the organisation on the basis of a private funding model.[9] The following year saw the launch of Architecture on Stage, an ongoing series of talks and debates curated by the Architecture Foundation in partnership with the Barbican Centre, which has included lectures by prominent architects.
Following London Metropolitan University's sale of Central House in 2016, the Architecture Foundation relocated to The Royal College of Art in Kensington. Since 2020, the charity has operated from the offices of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.
At the start of the 2020 Covid19 pandemic, the Architecture Foundation established an online series called the 100 Day Studio, which delivered up to three free daily lectures over the course of 100 days. The series was recognised by The Guardian as one of the cultural highlights of the year.[10]
People
Directors
- Ricky Burdett (1991-1997)
- Lucy Musgrave (1997-2002)
- Rowan Moore(2002-2008)
- Sarah Ichioka (2008-2014)
- Ellis Woodman (2015-present)
Chair of board of trustees
- Richard Rogers
- Will Alsop
- Brian Clarke
- Simon Allford
- Cindy Walters
- Jamie Fobert (December 2023 - present)
References
- ^ Tom Dyckhoff. Noisy, messy, polluted... and we love it.[dead link] 19 June 2007. timesonline.co.uk
- ^ Neutral at Architecture Foundation Gallery. 27 August 2007. dezeen.com
- ^ Masterplan architects shortlist selected. 21 April 2008. lords.org
- ^ Great debate on the future of London. Debate London 22-25 June 2007 The Architecture Foundation at Tate Modern. Archived 12 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine standard.co.uk
- ^ Richard Waite. Architecture Foundation set for new humble home. 12 May 2009. architectsjournal.co.uk
- ^ Richard Vaughan. Sarah Ichioka is new director of the Architecture Foundation. 19 August 2008. architectsjournal.co.uk
- ^ Pamela Buxton. New HQ, old foundation. 26 June 2009. bdonline.co.uk
- ^ "Architecture Foundation set for relaunch with new HQ and director". Architects Journal. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
- ^ "The Architecture Foundation appoints a new Director | Architecture Foundation". www.architecturefoundation.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
- ^ O’Hagan, Sean; Wainwright, Oliver (2020-12-26). "The best photography and architecture of 2020: high camp to Dungeness". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
