urban explorer

Currently on exhibit at the V+A are the 6 competition finalists for the British Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, including Zaha Hadid Architects, Heatherwick Studio, Marks Barfield Architects, Avery Associates, Draw Architects and Eight (illustrated below). Eight is a collaboration between Wordsearch, Arup, John McAslan + Partners, Carmody Groarke, Brisac Gonzalez, Project Orange, Nord Architecture + Surface Architects (i was involved in this entry). Eight’s concept is based on a Ribbon of Culture, it takes a metaphorical slice through Britain, then literally wraps this slice around a spiral which becomes the pavilion. The ribbon winds its way slowly to a height of 20m before spiraling back down to the ground. The scale of the project in terms of shear numbers is astounding, the Shanghai World Expo is expecting 70 million people between May and September in 2010. The British Pavilion is expecting up to 50,000 visitors a day. To see some more images of the other entrants head over to dezeen where you will might also find some interesting debate on the entries underway.

on a recent trip france i had the fortune to visit mont saint michel. one of the seven forgotten wonders of the medieval world ?!? the island has been inhabited for around 1500 years, its residents are known as montois. mont saint michel is situated in the Gaul region (for all you asterix fans) right on the border between normandy and brittany. following the exit of the romans in 460 AD the island became a monastery whose beginnings are colourfully described by this wikipedia quote:
“Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called Mont Tombe. According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel’s instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop’s skull with his finger.” cool. to see some more if my pictures click here.

some of the beautiful leadlight windows throughout the monastery, each with different patterns

the beautifully dynamic plan of the island and monastery by the late eugene emmanuel viollet-le-duc