L'hommage de la communauté des architectes du monde

Giancarlo Ius est décédé subitement le samedi 5 juillet 2008 au matin des suites d'un malaise fatal. Ce drame est survenu à Turin, où se déroulait depuis le 3 juillet l'Assemblée générale de l'Union Internationale des Architectes.

Giancarlo Ius devait y prononcer ce même jour son allocution de candidature à la présidence de l'UIA.

C'est son épouse Caterina qui s'est rendue devant les délégués du monde entier pour prononcer avec un immense courage et une absolue dignité ce discours que Giancarlo avait placé sous le signe de l'avenir, du renouveau et de la construction d'un monde en paix réconcilié avec la nature et capable d'offrir un avenir durable aux générations futures et à leurs enfants.

L'Assemblée de l'UIA toute entière s'est recueillie après cette allocution et après l'hommage du président Gaétan Siew, dans un climat de profonde émotion. Une messe a été célébrée à la fin de la journée en présence de Caterina Ius, du frère et du fils de Giancarlo Ius, des membres du Bureau et du Conseil de l'UIA et d'un grand nombre de délégués de l'Assemblée. Un ultime hommage lui a également été rendu à l'issue de l'Assemblée générale, par les quatre anciens présidents de l'UIA présents à Turin : Georgi Stoilov, Rod Hackney, Olufemi Majekodunmi et Vassilis Sgoutas.

Giancarlo Ius s'était consacré tout entier à la cause des architectes et de l'architecture dont il aimait à dire qu'elle était source d'énergie. L'énergie est l'un des terme qui le caractérisait le mieux en même temps qu'une amabilité naturelle et des qualités de coeur qui ont conquis tous ceux qui ont croisé sa route. Il se définissait lui-même comme un homme d'action mais il était aussi, proche de toutes les cultures : passionné de musique, amateur d'art et de design, proche de la nature et des paysages italiens qu'il affectionnait.

Giancarlo Ius était Vice-président de l'UIA pour l'Europe et dirigeait la commission Développement de l'UIA. Il avait été Vice-président de la Section italienne de l'UIA et avait conduit la délégation italienne au Conseil européen des architectes.

L'Union Internationale des Architectes perd l'un de ses plus ardents défenseurs, l’un de ses plus précieux amis.



Le Secrétariat général de l'UIA communiquera à tous ceux qui souhaitent lui adresser un message de condoléances les coordonnées de Caterina Ius.

Secrétariat général de l’UIA uia@uia-architectes.org

Columbia Materials Conference on Concrete - with Lafarge

Calling all architects in New York City who like concrete! From October 1st through the 3rd, Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture is organizing a series of conferences on materials. This year the conference will be focused around concrete. In an exclusive partnership with concrete company Lafarge, the conference will turn the spotlight on future developments and potential uses for this ever-surprising material, exploring the boundaries between materials science, engineering, and design. Leading architects, engineers and academics will come together around the theme of concrete to discuss environmental restrictions and the quest for aestheticism at a time of intense urbanization. Are you an architect in the tri-state area who is interested in innovations in concrete? If so, come check out this conference at Columbia University. To register for the event click here > + Solid States Conference on Concrete + Columbia Graduate School of Architecture + Lafarge

SOM’s Stunning Cathedral of Christ the Light

September 24, 2008

SOM’s Stunning Cathedral of Christ the Lightby Bridgette Steffen

Throughout time, cathedrals have signified some of the human race’s most awe-inspiring architectural endeavors. Continuing this trend, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill recently completed construction on their incredible Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland. If you have been searching for religious -or architectural- inspiration, check out their awe-inspiring cathedral. The stunning structure makes beautiful use of glass, fly ash concrete, and fsc-certified wood, but we were most impressed by its incredible use of natural light. SOM is well known for its work on many other large projects such as offices, airports, islands, museums

Craig Hartman, the lead architect for this project, says he “couldn’t imagine a more important commission than to design a cathedral.”

Cathedrals of this magnitude are not often built, so to be chosen to build one among many other qualified architects is truly an honor.

The Diocese’s main focus for the design was its use of daylighting. Hartman proposed that light would be the key “to create a contemporary design that was still evocative of the Church’s two millennium-old traditions.” To achieve this heavenly goal, Hartman consulted his retired SOM partner, Walter Netsch, who designed the 1950s Cadet Chapel at the U.S. Air Force Academy, which is also well known for its use of light

SOM’s Cathedral goes against the classical design of cathedrals and basilicas, which take the form of a cross with the altar placed at the intersection. Hartman wanted a more modern structure that embodied the community, so they placed the altar in the center surrounded by seating.

Circular motifs play and important role in the design, especially the outside structure, which funnels up 12 stories towards a glass oculus roof. The skylight focuses light onto the center altar, allows views of the sky, and is also part of the unique passive cooling system.

The system uses natural convection to cool air as it rises up through floor vents and out through openings in the oculus.

Additional sustainable features of the building include the extensive use of natural light to cut back on energy use during the day. The structure’s concrete was formed using fly ash and contributes thermal mass for heating and cooling.

Finally the beautiful woodwork provides warmth to the building and came from FSC certified Douglas Fir. The Diocese asked that the Cathedral be built to stand the test of time for at least 300 years, and it is also seismically outfitted to withstand a significant earthquake.

The site for the Catholic Cathedral is the location of the old St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, which was irreparably damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The Cathedral of Christ the Light is home to the Oakland Diocese, the Bishop and over 500,000 parishioners.

Construction began in 2005 and was just recently completed, with the Cathedral scheduled to be dedicated and consecrated on Thursday, September 25th in a private service. It will be open to the public for a special mass on Friday at 10 am, and regular weekend service will begin on Sunday.

+ Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Via World Architecture News