Happy Valentine’s Day!
Architecture is an art, and it begins with love.
This year, we asked some of our staff to share their first or most influential architectural crush.
Cathedrals, Temples, Hollywood and an Australian Beach House – there’s a lot to love.
A big thanks to our not-quite-secret admirers, Greg Ewart, Alicia Abbott, Simon Bodycoat and Tiffany Molloy.
Greg Ewart
Constructed on the site of at least five previous cathedrals, the Chartres Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres) is considered a significant example of High/Classic Gothic Architecture, in much the same way that Nick Cave is a Gothic Institution. Construction is thought to have started in the 1190s and continued for decades.
Alicia Abbott
The Kauffman House was made famous by this image, ‘Poolside Gossip’ by photographer Slim Aarons.
Designed by Richard Neutra and completed in 1964 for retail magnate Edgar Kauffman Sr, the building is often listed as a masterpiece of 20th Century Modern Architecture.
After the death of Kauffman Sr, the home has hosted a variety of owners and residents, including singer/songwriter Barry Manilow. Alicia plans to visit the property and swim in the pool in the near future. Disappointingly, she intends to do this legally.
Simon Bodycoat
In 2013, Simon travelled with Perth NGO The Mandalay Projects, which works to prevent child slavery.
“Bagan is sort of in the centre of the country and is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar, founded in about the second century CE,” Simon says. “This was my first real experience of a local architecture that is clearly of its place, people and religion rather than what we learn about in studying architecture or experience in our usual life and travels.”
Temples, Pagodas, and Stupas
Architect: Unlikely
Style: Traditional Buddhist
Completed: circa 9th century CE
Photo: Simon Bodycoat.
Tiffany Molloy
This 1960s ‘Beachcomber House’, designed by architect Nino Sydney, resonates with Tiffany Molloy.
“It’s a steel-framed love letter, both purist and populist,” she says.
“I love that it has stood the test of time as a pragmatic style, combined with a radical design sensibility that exudes calm surety and purposefulness.”
Whoever and however you love – especially if it’s a building – we hope you have a great Valentines Day.