Free lecture: host cities and Olympic games

(Left) Olympic Memorial Tower, Metropolitan Komazawa Olympic Park at Setagaya, Japan. Photo by jumbo185usa from www.flickr.com. Used under a Creative Commons License.

(Right) The Arcelor Mittal Orbit. Photo by Andy Wilkes from www.flickr.com. Used under a Creative Commons License.


Not the winning but the taking part: what do the host city experiences of London and Tokyo signal for the future of the Olympic Games?



Date: 15th June 2012

Time: From 6:30 pm


Venue: JETRO London, Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London


As London readies itself to host the 2012 Olympic Games amidst extensive discussion of what the legacy of the event will be, there is also a great deal of interest in similar topics in Tokyo as it prepares its bid to host the Games in 2020. The Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games were a key part of the development of Japan in the context of its post-war recovery and had an important role in how the city came to be as it is today.


This historical story will be addressed by Prof Yasushi Aoyama, Professor at the Graduate School of Governance Studies of Meiji University, Tokyo, and former Vice-Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Prof Aoyama will also provide a Japanese perspective on the London 2012 Games as part of considering what the role of the Olympic Games can and should be in the future, considering the Olympic movement’s interaction with problems facing cities around the world.


His presentation will be responded to by Prof John Gold of Oxford Brookes University, who is the co-author of Olympic Cities City Agendas, Planning, and the World’s Games, 1896 to 2016 and an international authority on the history of urban festivals. Therefore this event will provide an intriguing range of perspectives on the impact of the Olympic Games in terms of politics, development and how cities evolve over time, whilst looking forward to see what positive role the Games can play in the future.


This event is free but booking is essential. To reserve a place, please contact event@jpf.org.uk with your name, details and those of any guests before Wednesday 13th June.


The Japan Foundation, Russell Square House, 10-12 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5EH

Emerging architecture

The RIBA emerging architecture lecture series 2011 kicks off next month with talks from winning and commended architects from the twelth Architectural Review awards:

Tuesday 8th February - 6.30pm
Architects Atelier Ryo Abe + Samdeep Padora & Associates

Tuesday 15th February - 6.30pm
Carmody Groarke + Arquitecturia

Tuesday 22nd February - 6.30pm
NHDRO + Suriya Umpansiriratana

www.architecture.com/emerging

Marylebone Library also subscribes to the Journal Architectural Review and it can be located on the ground floor of the Library shelved on the back wall opposite the counter area.

Open House London

The architectural showcase that is Open House London will open doors to hundreds of building across London on the 18th and 19th of September.

It is FREE and provides the opportunity to explore not only the buildings but also the issues relating to buildings such as climate change, role of architects and design of homes to name a few.

You can order the listings guide from their website and also browse a summary list of bookable buildngs.

Blueprint Big Breakfasts

Photograph courtesy of Suat Eman


As part of the London Festival of Architecture, Blueprint the journal are hosting a week of big breakfast events commencing tomorrow with Ken Livingstone as the key speaker. The breakfast's themselves promise to be "hearty" and hosted at Smith's of Smithfields or the Luxe.

More details can be found here

Whitechapel built environment talks

There will be a series of talks/events planned later on this summer at the Whitechapel Gallery, which are related to aspects of the built environment:

Sunday 30th May, 3pm - Screening: Goudvis Robbrecht en Daem (free)

Thursday June 3rd, 7pm - William Mann on Robbrecht and Daem: pacing through architecture (free)

Thursday 10th June, 7pm - Panel discussion: restless cities (£7/£5 con)

Saturday 19th June, 3pm - Chris Dyson & Ed McKeon on architecture & music (free)

Monday 21st June, 7pm - Urban projects: Paul Robbrecht

London Festival of Architecture

The London Festival of Architecture will take place from the 19th June-4th July and its 2010 theme is to celebrate the city and its architecture.

Events include installations and exhibitions showcasing international architecture student's work, alongside exhibits exploring the architectural landscape looking forwards to 2012 and Olympic developments.

Via infoLinX why not use the Avery Index to Architectural periodicals to research developments in the architectural landscape for example enhancing public spaces in London, particularly with the regeneration of Battersea/Nine Elms in preparation for the Olympics 2012.

RIBA events, talks and exhibitions in February

Keep up to date with a series of events, talks and exhibitions this month at the RIBA.

Highlights include the 'Emerging Architecture' exhibition and accompanying talk with Jose Maria Sanchez Garcia, Estudio de Architecture & Matharoo Associates - bookings are accepted by members and non members of RIBA.