21 June 2007
AIA/UK Keynote Lecture 2007
Antoine Predock FAIA presented the AIA/UK 2007 Keynote Lecture at the RIBA Jarvis Hall on 15 May. This was held in conjunction with the United Visions exhibition, and RIBA President Jack Pringle and AIA National Secretary David Proffitt, AIA gave introductory remarks. Antoine Predock titled his lecture ‘West East’ giving a clue to his desert beginnings and current projects in the Far East.
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Predock began his academic career studying engineering and it was through a fortuitous encounter with architect Don Schlegel that Predock focused his attentions on architecture. Early projects in New Mexico led to more significant projects such as the Arizona Science Center. A sense of earth, place, and light were consistent themes of these projects.
Predock’s design process includes the use of large collages and clay models. The use of sculptural modelling is evidenced in projects such as the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts that has a commanding presence in its mountainous setting.
The AIA Gold Medallist in his later projects showed a keen appreciation for the importance of the architectural procession through and around a building. The Canadian Museum of Human Rights currently in design showed a mastery of integration between massing, place, and promenade through an uplifting series of spaces.
The National Palace Museum in Taiwan, also in design, is a phenomenal project that creates a ‘Jade Mountain’ of marble and glass to house significant cultural artefacts.
Predock showed numerous other projects during the course of his lecture, and concluded with a lively question and answer session. For those that missed the lecture, download this audiovisual recording (27.4 MB .wmv) from the AIA/UK website.
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