Finally got myself to finish reading "Breaking Ground" by Daniel Libeskind. Such an inspiration for ANYONE. He is an utmost optimist, which may be due to the fact that he has a happy and harmonious family. Whether it’s working on the Berlin Jewish Museum or the underground slurry wall for the reconstruction of ground zero in New York City, his ultimate goal is always to bring new vision and spirit of hope to people.


In the face of difficulties and attacks, Libeskind expresses selfless resistance, believing in his capability to contributing to humanity, arousing both memory and hope, without a single thought of giving up. Such indomitable will is indeed admirable and praiseworthy. As he says: “… you can be a gloomy musician, a disseminated poet and create art in the subject of despair, but you cannot be an architect and a pessimist at the same time.”

Essentially architecture is an optimistic profession; every step must carry belief and hope, from sketches on paper to three dimensional habitable space.

We must not lose our confidence or abandon our dream, but seek all possibilities to pursue our goals, indispensably with wisdom, courage and resolution. Not only can an affirmative outlook bring pleasure to us as architects during the creation process, but also to the people, to the world. So... let’s say YES to architecture!

A reflection on the film ‘My Architect’





Tracing your footsteps in the hushed world,
I see your shadow casting on my face and my soul.
I hear the echoes of your voice,
The whispery sound I used to be familiar with, when I was a child.

Here, light and shadow transform along with the time,
Day after day, I see invisible presence.
A thread of warmness, a glimmer of hope
The light cast nothing else on the walls and floors
But, the feeling has been deeply engraved in the heart.
It was beautiful and unforgettable memories

Isn't this just as our life?
We come to this world in a hurry,
Running through time,
And one day we leave in a hurry.
Just as after the wind has passed,
It leaves no rustling sound among the trees;
After the geese have gone,
The pond doesn't retain their reflection.
This is the stillness of the world.
So why chasing after fame and fortune?
After all, we are the light,
Devoting ourselves into responsibilities should be enough.

Kahn's love for all things
Has been deeply embedded in his buildings.
Some people describe that
Architecture is the solidification of music.
We may say that it is also solidified love.
This love is a broad love.
Love for nature,
Love for mankind
Love for civilization,
Just like how light chooses to illuminate everything,
Empowering wind and rain to breed the land and lives.

Because of love,
We choose not to be fooled by the material world,
Not to follow superficial social trend.
Like his buildings, Kahn is strong and persistent.
Ultimately, architecture becomes a tangible expression of his love.
Even though he has gone, we are forever touched.

For those whom haven't yet watched the movie, follow this link for a sneak peek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyR_V6Li4s4&feature=related

Image: Ifrsports, (2010), Sports News, retrieved 10 March 2010, from http://ifrsports.blogspot.com/2010/01/guide-to-teams-at-south-africa-2010.html


The theme for this year’s competition is "Sport is the Opiate of the Mass"

Each city suffers from its own cycles of fatigue and renewal, crime and corruption, wealth and poverty, xenophobia and global identity. An event like such as the world cup sports or Olympic Games can be linked to a major reunion or huge celebration.

History has repeatedly shown the slump of which follows as the final whistle blows. As the heads finally clear after victory celebrations, our cities may be left with multi-coloured elephants.

The brief required to investigate the third landscape within our city. This could be to cater for the many South African who are unable to attend world cup soccer in the stadiums, those who cannot afford and those who question the validity of such an event will need breathing pace to survive. A space for watching, play, discussion, dreams and inspiration, or just a place to escape to the streets and the stadium.

The design component may either investigate an urban space or alternatively an intervention to any 2010 stadium and surroundings.
It should provide real space of comfort and safety but raise questions about the event itself, its energy, it’s draining of resources and its aftermath.