P r o f i l e : P a t r i c i o P o u c h u l u A r c h i t e c t s ... Patricio Pouchulu Architect: Patricio Pouchulu received his architectural training with Peter Cook at the Bartlett School, London, United Kingdom. M.Arch./ Master in Architectural Design, UCL, University of London. British Council & Fondo Nacional de la Artes Scholarship. Graduated from FADU, UBA (Arquitecto, Universidad de Buenos Aires) Full registered architect in Argentina (Mat. CPAU) Pouchulu's projects explore innovative, futuristic spaces, dealing with a wide range of topics, themes and places: Cities and utopias: London Bridge Project. Architecture and nature: Blau Hotel, House in a Cliff. Resting and leisure: Hotel para la Sierra. Office spaces: The Lift. Museums: GEM. Theatres: Kalevala. Pouchulu is teaching in Europe and his work is published in international magazines / Qualifications: M Arch (Bartlett), UBA Dipl, CPAU / Born: Buenos Aires, 1965 / Education: The Bartlett School of Architecture, London (1997-1998) - Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Buenos Aires (1983-1989) / Practice: Pouchulu Architects (established 1999) / Directorship: Essential Spatial Project (ESP) specialised in multifunctional programmes in mega-structures and suburban organisms Study cases in Europe, Africa, Southamerica and Asia / Research: New relations between unconventional forms and nature-protected locations / Lectures: London, Munich, Buenos Aires / Assistant Professor: FHM Munich, Germany 1999-2004 / Judging: London (The Bartlett), Buenos Aires (UBA, UP, private competitions) / Publications: Argentina, Italy, Sweden, UK, United Arab Emirates / Writings: London, Buenos Aires. / Profile: Susanne Biek Architect. Susanne Biek studied with Peter Cook at the Bartlett School, London (M.Arch./ Master in Architectural Design, 1997-1998); she got her diploma at the University of Applied Sciences, Munich (1996). She runs Architektbüro Biek (Bavaria, Germany), currently developing and building new concepts for houses, hotels and service programmes. In recent years she became a curator for architectural exhibitions, writing articles for architectural magazines worldwide. / Copyright © Patricio Pouchulu Architects 2001 / Qualifications: M Arch (Bartlett), Dipl-Ing FHM / Born: Munich, 1970 / Education: The Bartlett School of Architecture, London (1997-1998) - Fachhochshule, Munich (1992-1996) / Proffesional: Architekbüro Biek, Munich, since 1992. Pouchulu Architects, associate since 1999 / Directorship: Perpetual Mobile Project, specialised service programmes in hotels, leisure and home-integrated concepts. Study cases and refurbishments in Munich (design and construction) / Curating: International German exhibitions. Buenos Aires International Biennial: 2001/2005 / Lectures: Buenos Aires / Writings: Munich, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo: / P o u c h u l u A r c h i t e c t s : t o w a r d s a M o b i l e O f f i c e: The availability of new technologies transformed the architectural practice into a global, intercontinental phenomenon. Pouchulu Architects became a "mobile office", working at the same time from different places and toward different parts of the World. Some projects are thought while travelling, crossing Europe or the Atlantic Ocean, and then designed in Buenos Aires or London. The office is currently involved in international competitions. See: Meran Bath, Italy, 1999, GEM, Great Egyptian Museum, Egypt, 2002, Guadalajara New Public Library, Mexico, 2005. / M E D U : M u n i c h E x p e r i m e n t a l D e s i g n U n i t : This Experimental Design Unit at the FHM offered an up-to-date course where students faced new ways of thinking, discussing and designing spaces for the incoming architectural world. In this course students extended their design knowledge by playing with ideas, trying to guess about the future and (eventually) to anticipate certain urban and architectural problems. It iwas oriented to last-years students or those interested into a further research and open to students from abroad.
They were encouraged to think in terms of utopias, in order to analyse hidden aspects of contemporary cities: living, working, moving, breathing... as part of a unique but complex architectural network. During last course students did a project on the Thames River; it included two trips to London: first, to walk in the site; second, to have an interim crit at the Bartlett School of Architecture Among main critics: Peter Cook, Dennis Crompton, Jonathan Hill, Stephen Gage. / A c a d e m i c : 1999-2004 Assistant Professor FHM-Munich, in charge of MEDU (Munich Experimental Design Unit). External Critic and Juries at the Bartlett: M.Arch. Peter Cook / M.Arch, Dennis Crompton's Unit / Diploma School: Philip Tabor's Unit / Master in Urban Design, Colin Fournier......1993-1996 UBA, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Architectural Design, runinng Miguel A. Roca's third year Design Unit - Lecturer in Theory of Architecture (id)......1987-1989 UBA, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Morphology, N. Monreal's Units. Currently attending juries and giving lectures in England, Germany and Argentina. / C o m m e n t s : "Pouchulu's cultural elegance and sensitivity is clearly visible in his preparatory sketches (...) carefully drawn with subtle communicative expresiveness, reveal an architect who is well aware that a project must first be dreamt up and then marked down, if something new is to brought into being."
Mario Antonio Arnaboldi from: L'Arca Italia, June 1, 2004. "Pouchulu architects love to experiment, and when they get an idea, there are no holds barred..." Clare Dowdy from: Wallpaper* UK, December 1, 2003. / "Pouchulu.com: Visions of a better, more magical world - reminded me a lot of the drawings that used to accompany the Jules Verne books I read when I was younger. Check out the sketches for the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza - beautiful." M. Schmidt from: www.k10k.net USA, December 31, 2002. / "Patricio P. Pouchulu, argentino di Buenos Aires (...) è un architetto che esplora la progettazione di spazi innovativi e futuristici, ricercando su diversi temi, situazioni, luoghi. Nel sito ampi esempi del suo lavoro, che denota un'evidente costanza negli esiti formali, indice di una geniale maturità di stile." "Minotauro" from: www.architecture.it Italy, November 2002. / "If you do nothing else today, you must visit the Pouchulu website and spend a good hour or so marvelling through this unique portfolio. If you are an architect worthy of the title you will be left charged, renewed and inspired. Pouchulu's work has that effect." Not since Peter Cook… Pedro Buccelatto from: architectafrica.com South Africa, November 2002. / R e s e a r c h : The office is being recognised for creating cutting-edge projects within innovative concepts. Each proposal is taken as a challenging opportunity to show new visions and spaces in the 21st. Century. Pouchulu architects is highly concerned about passive environmental efficiency (saving energy, water, air, light), integrating architecture in nature-protected areas. Our projects evolve and adapt according to different locations and latitudes. I n s p i r a t i o n : We think, imagine and produce highly inspiring spaces. We see reality in a positive way, creating multifunctional sensual buildings: we believe in beauty, not in chaos. We design comfortable living forms, touched by delicate details. Our ideas are a synthesis of complex analysis, practical decisions and a fresh attitude. Our architecture is based on "positive contradictions": mobility, adaptability and evolution. B u e n o s A i r e s : Buenos Aires is the original metropolis of the Southern Hemisphere: conceived and built thinking of a new idealistic world, its forms change the perception of those who go there; so our architecture becomes a projection of that beautiful attitude. Architecture should change the way we see reality... and perhaps reality will change one day. Our projects are dedicated to show that this is possible, everywhere. L o n d o n : London's spirit is made of projection and movement. So we believe architecture (like life) changes every minute, every second. We like to explore unknown worlds, undiscovered territories, constantly guessing what is happening around the World -and around us-. Our favourite question starts with two precious words: What if...? By having a positive attitude towards reality and time, we aim to achieve the most difficult task: to anticipate possible futures. I d e o l o g y : We believe Architecture must change reality in a positive way, offering creative environments, clearly integrated into a new vision of "urban naturalism": Creativity, Multifunctionality and Beauty are the pillars of our practice. Cre ativity: There are always different, new and innovative solutions for any architectonical problem...... Multifunctionality: Form and function are unnimportant, what matters is the capacity of a space for surprising and adapting to our needs. (e.g: a car can be used for travelling... or for living several hours during a long trip.)..... Beauty: Geological and biological forms are our basic inspiration source. What we know as architectural language does not longer exist. I d e o l o g y o f s p a c e : Our projects deliver fresh and rich spatial concepts, always going deeper, looking for new forms and functions. We think in terms of comfortable living ideas, clearly touched by sophisticated details. Our spaces are sensual, precious and fluid: Sensuality: Like the body of a beautiful woman, architecture has to inspire our soul. Our buildings are both strong and delicate...... Preciseness: Buildings can be designed like any other machine... but they are not one!..... Fluidity: Curved lines talk about positive, prospective, clear and optimistic futures. Curves represent freedom. I d e o l o g y o f f o r m s : Our proposals evolve following inner spatial needs and essential outer conditions (light, wind, views.) Geometry is important: it guarantees a balance between volumes and gravity. This new Architecture is: organic, flexible and highly structured. Organic: By superimposing spaces, architecture becomes less rigid: its complexity allows multiple approaches, so our chances to do different things in the same places without getting bored are much wider...... Flexible: That means spaces are rich and complex, offering diverse functions, possibilities, views...... Structured: Behind shells, roofs, bubbles, platforms and decks, there are three-dymensional structures, similar to those of ships and planes. I d e o l o g y a n d s o l u t i o n s : It does not matter in which part of the World we live, our problems are basically the same and can be resolved if we organise cities and living spaces in favor of public urban spaces, de-concentrate the outskirts and save energy: Organisation: Spaces must be re-organised thinking of macro and micro structural zones, private and public, always orientated into a dialogue between exterior needs and internal new variables...... De-concentration: In spite of tragic visions, the Earth is quite big. There is enough space for all of us. Let's de-concentrate the suburbs of big Metropolis. We urgently need new parks and simple leisure infrastructures...... Energy: Buildings should produce most of their energy by themselves through the use of new systems, innovative materials and saving concepts. I d e o l o g y a n d c o n t r a d i c t i o n s : Our ideas are a synthesis of complex analysis, practical decisions and a fresh attitude. Our vision of Architecture is based on what we call "positive contradictions" : Mobility, Adaptability and Evolution. Mobility: Every person, family and social group changes habits, places of living and even lifestiles. Public mobility is a need: Pouchulu architects aim to design new concepts for underground, ground and aerial living and transport systems, to link megastructures within cities. Cars have destroyed cities, they must be removed from inner areas...... Adaptability: Architecture must offer a reasonable range of urban, suburban and isolated solutions for every topic, site, and climate... always respecting valuable historical patrimony and nature as much as we can...... Evolution: What we consider Architecture today will change in our life-time. We understand this as a main leit-motiv. I d e o l o g y a n d p r ê t a p o r t e r : Different architectures face similar situations. We like the idea of Mutability, Casual and Prêt a porter. Mutability: Buildings (like people) get older... so we like to change colours, textures and to recycle bits of them...... Casual's elegance: Building sites and maintenance systems should be as beautiful as shipyards, showing structures and scaffoldings while growing, as part of a "natural" urban environment...... Prêt a porter: We really believe Architecture has to be ready to use... anytime. We believe Architecture must change reality in a positive way, offering creative environments, clearly integrated into a new vision of "urban naturalism": Creativity, Multifunctionality and Beauty are the pillars of our practice. Our projects deliver fresh and rich spatial concepts, always going deeper, looking for new forms and functions. We think in terms of comfortable living ideas, clearly touched by sophisticated details.Our spaces are sensual, precious and fluid. Our proposals evolve following inner spatial needs and essential outer conditions (light, wind, views.) Geometry is important: it guarantees a balance between volumes and gravity. This new Architecture is: organic, flexible and highly structured. It does not matter in which part of the World we live, our problems are basically the same and can be resolved if we organise cities and living spaces in favor of public urban spaces, de-concentrate the outskirts and save energy. Our ideas are a synthesis of complex analysis, practical decisions and a fresh attitude. Our vision of Architecture is based on what we call "positive contradictions" : Mobility, Adaptability and Evolution. Copyright © Patricio Pouchulu 2001/2006