Architecture
I finally got around to sorting through my photos from last year's trip to Thailand. I've been to Bangkok a number of times over the past 10 years and there are a few things that I always notice. The first of those 'things' is colour. The unashamed, in your face, bright as can be, use of colour. T-shirts, taxis, umbrellas, buildings the list goes on. The Thai love colour. So do I.
On what was one of the coldest Melbourne days of the year, I took a tour of Pritzker Architecture Prize–winning architect Glenn Murcutt and Elevli Plus's Australian Islamic Centre in Newport, a contemporary Australian mosque. The formal design draws on modernist principals with beautiful glimpses into and through the building. The entrance is open and transparent allowing outsiders a view to the inside, a feature not typical of traditional mosques and designed as such to be inclusive and respectful of people of all faiths.
Inside is a vast space, bathed in symbolic colours of Islam by roof-mounted lanterns that illuminate the room and provide a dynamic pattern across the walls and floor. The tranquil, reflective water courtyard is another beautiful feature, not to mention the external concrete staircase.
There's still work to be done at the site but I highly recommend a tour, which is led and enriched by Ali Kaddour and his nephew, Ali Abou-Zeid whose dedication and enthusiasm is infectious!
I look forward to returning (this time with my tripod!) on its completion.
I was privileged and honoured to have had an opportunity to shoot inside the Peter MacCallum Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Hospital by McBride Charles Ryan, DesignInc and SilverThomasHanley. This monolithic, organically shaped building sits poetically amongst the English Elm trees at the gateway to Parkville’s medical precinct. Inside the impressive Guggenheim esq, natural light-filled, white atrium is beautifully punctuated with colour, patterns and textures providing endless angles and opportunities for architectural and interiors photography. Here are a few highlights.
I recently came across Ville Radieuse (The Radiant City), an unrealised urban master plan by Le Corbusier, from 1924. His orderly, modernist vision for our future was standardised, symmetrical, included effective transportation, and was balanced with natural elements throughout.
The influence of this proposed urban plan can be seen throughout Melbourne, which is rich in modernist architecture. The balance with the natural element is not so evident, which led me to explore the post modern as well - in hope.
Still no words for Paris. It was autumn, the shadows were looong.
I have no words for Paris. Needless to say, there will be more than one post from Paris. Let's start with the views from Le Tour Eiffel.
Oxford. A famous university city full of elegant, honey coloured buildings and a wonderful place to wander. I was there for less than a day but I could have spent many, exploring the narrow cobbled lanes and charming, bike studded university grounds. Next time.
I can't tell you much about Trapani, except that I had an amazing bombolone alla Nutella at a bustling pasticceria on the way through. Trapani for me was about one thing. The salt flats. And they did not disappoint. Think shallow coastal waters, canals, windmills and mounds of snow-like, freshly harvested salt.
