Marvin Malecha Interview on Arch Daily (2009)

Current Dean of NC State's College of Design and 2008-09 President of the AIA, Marvin Malecha gives an interview for Arch Daily at the AIA Convention. The audio for the 25 minute interview is a little scratchy at times, but it is only a small bother.

The interview begins with a brief introduction of the AIA and then the interview moves into salient topics such as: selecting an architecture school, learning individually how to design, the importance of social networking in architecture, designing for a sustainable future, drastic changes ongoing in the field of architecture and the future of the AIA, just to name a few topics.

A couple of solid one-liners from the interview:

"We do not have architecture until we have people. We fail at architecture if we don't improve the lives of people."

"Design is a verb, not a noun. Great architecture is a verb and not a noun."

"Architects set the stage for life."

Enjoy!

AD Interviews: Marvin Malecha from ArchDaily on Vimeo.

Donations Needed for Wake County Recycling Center Convenience Huts

NCSU College Of Design- Wake County Partnership

Convenience Center Huts (CCH) Design-Build

Three (3) CCH for Wake County Recycling Centers

The Project:

Every week, thousands of people drop off trash and recyclables at Wake County Convenience Centers. Convenience Center Huts (CCHs) are the first thing that they see. These buildings will be a signpost for recycling, reuse, conservation, and clean energy generation. CCHs also house and protect the staff in inclement weather, they offer a small workspace, and they include a small place to prepare and eat basic meals.

The Parameters:

· Limit the finished building size (not including the foundation or the ramp) so that it fits into a box that is 8’ 6” wide, 11’ 0” tall, and 14’ 0” long. To be built off-site and moved via tele-handler.

· Limit the weight of the structure to 3,000 pounds

· Collect, store, and dispense gravity fed and dispensed rainwater for irrigation

· Use materials, form, and systems to communicate positive information about recycling, reuse, clean energy generation, water conservation, and energy conservation to center users

· Use a minimum of 50% (by weight) recycled or reused materials

· Meet all Commercial Building Codes/ ADA Universal Design parameters

Community Partnerships- Support:

The recycling centers attempt to address the waste crisis attached to our society's consumption culture. In-kind donations, scrap materials, financial resources, and other support from community organizations/ businesses act as a public display of a commitment to the reduction and recycling of waste on both the production and consumption sides. Each CCH is less than 120 sq. ft. and what might be unusable for certain companies would be a perfect reuse opportunity in our projects. In-kind donations might include TPO roofing membrane, technical assistance, electrical assistance, certified welder assistance, doors/ windows, nominal lumber, building paper, etc.

We are able to offer tax-deductions based on in-kind or material donations, as well as provide permanent signage to acknowledge business' support, inclusion in documentation website, and mention in any publicity from newspapers, etc.

Contact:

For further information or to make donations contact Christoph 443.472.6992.

Designs:

Below you will find images of the two of the three designs for the Convenience Center Huts (CCH). Projects are already through Design Development, currently in the Permitting Process, with the end of construction being the first week in August.

Site 1: 10505 Old Stage Road

Site 8: NC Highway 98

Site 9: 3401 New Hill Holleman

Urban Oasis - Raleigh Rose Garden

A recent visit to Raleigh Little Theatre and adjacent Rose Garden, caused me to realize the value of this little-known park. Located on Pogue Street in a well-established neighborhood just North of Hillsborough Street, this urban oasis offers beautifully landscaped gardens, many quite places for repose and a variety of shows and events – both indoor and outdoor.

Its neighborhood location, landscaped perimeter and sunken site make it near impossible to locate if you don’t know what you are looking for. Larger than a pocket park, (but certainly no regional park) the Rose Garden is a park unique unto itself. Moreover, the park serves as a prime example and metaphor for the beauty of the city of Raleigh. Initially there is no overwhelming reason to love the place, but over time, ones appreciation grows as the ease and tranquility of the locality becomes more apparent. A certain depth appears, which was not visible until one truly engages in the everyday life of the place. Both the garden and the city of Raleigh, have more to offer than what initially meets the eye.

The conflation between the two entities – park and theatre – go together like a horse and carriage. The unassumingly appropriate theatre bounds the park and holds the street wall on the East end of the park. (If the garden is viewed from the West stair entry from Pogue Street, the park almost sets up like a Picturesque English Garden.) Meanwhile the Rose Garden establishes an axis beginning with an outdoor amphitheatre on the South, which continues through a small pavilion, an allee (flanked by rose bushes), a small fountain and finally terminates in a colonnade.

The simple lay out of the park works well – the only evidence I have that it works is that I didn’t have to think about it was I wondered through it. It just made sense, and we weren’t busy thinking about how it should have been laid out, but we were able to enjoy the surroundings.

This unexpected encounter in the garden taught me that many of the best architectural spaces – places that bring communities together, where all are equal, and where time seems to pause for a moment - never required anyone to lift a hammer. My only regret about this park is that many of my visits I get to enjoy it all by myself.

AIA Triangle Design Award Traveling Exhibit

The AIA Triangle Design Award exhibit is traveling through the chapter's 10 counties, and will be on display in the Raleigh Urban Design Center through July 15th. For directions and the Urban Design Center's website.

From the AIA Triangle website:

AIA Triangle received 54 project entries for the 2010 Design Awards program. The submittals represented work from architectural firms throughout the Triangle region. The awards presentation was held at Design Infusion on April 17th, 2010 in Durham.

Take advantage of this opportunity to support architecture in the Triangle and go visit the Urban Design Center before the exhibit is gone.