Category Archives: Urbanism

Tadao Ando and his Secretive Champion.

Posted on June 12, 2011 by cosmopolitanscum

Japanese architect Tadao Ando’s second permanent project in the UK may not be much – a water feature in Mayfair – but it reveals his special relationship with a hitherto little known patron of the arts.

Posted in Architecture, Urbanism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Ballardian Shard?

Posted on May 27, 2011 by cosmopolitanscum

This is a great documentary by the film-maker Simona Piantieri, which I contributed to. I think she gets a great range of voices who actually provide an insight into the building. I think I’ve modified my views on it as … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Engineering, Urbanism | 1 Comment

Empire State of Mind

Posted on June 3, 2010 by cosmopolitanscum

I re-read JG Ballard’s Empire of the Sun recently. This was at the same time that I was getting sent beautiful shots of pavilions from the Shanghai Expo, and then writing about it in some kind of historical context. At … Continue reading →

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Beijing Bye Bye

Posted on November 27, 2009 by cosmopolitanscum
Posted in Architecture, Photography, Urbanism | 1 Comment

‘What the hell was Colin doing with a Limehouse minicab driver in Belfast? ‘

Posted on August 27, 2009 by cosmopolitanscum

A really nice bit of flaneury at Homo Ludens,  which identifies exactly what makes the former docks at Wapping in London such a profoundly dispiriting, disorientating experience.

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The Town Hall That They Had To Move

Posted on July 28, 2009 by cosmopolitanscum

The mining town of Kiruna is not a normal place. For a start its 145km north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden and for another the mine that it was built to serve is thriving. It costs about four times … Continue reading →

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I Always Feel Like…

Posted on May 20, 2009 by cosmopolitanscum

It would be foolish to deny that our public space is increasingly regulated. With Community Police and increased TV surveillance, we not only feel that we’re being watched more, we are being watched more. But in what way exactly? Derm’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Urbanism | 1 Comment