Albert Einstein once said: »Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.« As a formally recognized »educated adult« (though honestly I often question both these terms ;) I fondly remember my school years, not only because of this educational residue but also because they unintentionally taught me the learning/working habits that are almost essential in my current work. Chasing deadlines by not practically moving from your desk for three days straight, memorizing trivia, doodling something creative instead of listening to a lecture on 34 amazing facts about mitosis… All of this was frowned upon back then, of course, but I cannot begin to image finding my way through everyday's office chaos without evicting the stuff I learned to make room for my penchant for the creative. Huh, so school really does prepare you for life. Who knew?

These kinds of thoughts come back even stronger when our Trimo Urban Crash team visits schools in different countries. As you already know, we place a great emphasis on cooperation with faculties worldwide - exchanging ideas, seeking new challenges and networking with both students and professionals. So far we visited faculties in over 10 countries across Europe and will be making the number even higher once the presentations start this October.

It’s difficult to choose the highlights since all faculties offer, in the language of Monty Python, something completely different. In London’s Central Saint Martins we visited their huge workshops where students gain hands-on experience by creating projects with different materials ranging from textile to metal – and were surprised to hear they plan to move into an even bigger facility, a former industrial building offering enough space for a regular shopping mall. It was indeed something quite inconceivable for us, being used to seeing “regular” sized studios and workshops.

From heavy metal ...

... and woodwork ...

... to a more modern form of workshop.

We were excited to visit Moscow for the first time and welcoming Russian students in our competition. We can’t wait to see their ideas and design approach to a smaller-scale installation since we are used to traditionally linking Russia with tall, ambitious buildings. Their approach will undoubtedly bring an additional dimension to the competition since we’re really going worldwide this time.

Last but not least, I cannot conclude the post without mentioning the awesome TU Delft exhibition we had the privilege of seeing before its grand opening in the Delft Science Centre. Students exhibited various interactive installations that incorporated building components such as LED lights, fabric, wood and plastic, thus addressing the possibilities of a dynamic, non-standard architecture.

One of the installations

Constructing a fabric cover

Electronics and tech for another installation

Are you currently visiting a school you think we should cover and introduce our challenge to? Contact us and we’ll find a way to reach you as soon as possible. In the meantime, enjoy the remaining days of summer. October is coming sooner than you think.

As most of you already know, last year's task was designing an architectural installation that would prove itself useful to the artists and artizans of Metelkova mesto (as we like to call it, Ljubljana's most creative part of town). The winning proposal was an urban stage boasting a striking white colour that tempted the graffiti artists - regular guests of the surrounding Hall of fame wall – to transform it using their colour sprays.

And so our White Dancer became a regular Transformer.

Here it is in June 2009 in all its virginal glory.

A week later, the first shy couple of drawings appear, ranging from signatures to more expressive pieces.

Our stage in end-July 2009, already starting to merge with the background. A bunch of details made with magic markers suggest the stage can be a handy canvas for its Friday night visitors.

In September 2009, a surprise awaits: our stage has entered its goth phase, presumably to honour a more alternative performance on it. Oh, about the chair facing the other direction? We have no idea. Given the occasion it was perhaps an Alice in Chains tribute or something.

In October 2009, the installation became an extension of the wall, hosting a kind of a 3D graffiti. Nice.

And finally, just a week ago, in June 2010 the stage decided to go black again. It is not completely covered as it hosted a DJ set during the summer breakdance & graffiti jam during which the walls were re-painted.

A year has passed since the stage was introduced to its new surroundings. We are happy to see it prosper and are curious to see the art it will be doned in in 2011.

“Already?” is the most common response by anyone who hears about our active preparations for this fall’s competition. Organizing a competition is much like moving. You can only imagine how much work it really takes, how grateful you are when someone offers help and what levels of excitement you can reach when it’s over successfully. And, yeah, there is some colorful language involved when you accidentally drop something and it (metaphorically) lands on your toes.

Anyhoo, what exactly is our team doing? We are busy preparing the task, which is still officially undercover but I can promise it will be very engaging. With a lot of help from the students of the Faculty of Social Sciences we’ve made a preliminary survey among the people who will be in direct contact with the new installation to better understand their needs and listen to their proposals. The results of these interviews revealed a variety of interesting aspects the residents miss the most in their urban surrounding. But hey, let’s keep some mystery for the fall, right? ;)

Another interesting part is visiting the faculties. We’re proud to say we’ve met some great professors, lecturers and professionals on a couple of well-known faculties in different countries who helped us with the task and have agreed to include the project in their curriculum. Other forms of cooperation will also take place and you can again expect the presentations on faculties.

Then there’s the visual. Certainly a fun task for our creatives, who are eagerly brainstorming, designing, writing, re-writing, snapping photos, programming and sometimes just sitting around drinking coffee and perusing design magazines to find the latest news to put on our Facebook page. By the way, yeah, we have just launched a new Facebook page and you’re welcome to check it out. It will soon be completed with said visuals (that will be also performed as posters, leaflets and banners) and we will proudly reveal a re-designed official page as well.

Last but not least: the extra activities. Last November, the second-placed proposal in the 2007 competition was permanently realized in front of the Tivoli sports hall (Hala Tivoli). The pavilion, attracting much attention from passers-by will most likely serve as a creative information spot – and certainly a nice reference.

So, now that we got the activities covered – what’s new with you? Drop us a line or connect with us, the more people the merrier the competition ;)

Trimo team wishes you a happy and imaginative New year!

Click on the image below to view the greeting or visit this link:

Metelkova mesto celebrates her �sweet sixteen� these days, doing what she does best: organizing a wide variety of events to entertain her guests. Bright and colorful, fun and unexpected, with a unique taste in art and music; she truly is a teenager now. We raise our glasses in Metelkova's honor today and tomorrow. See you there!�

No rest for the graffiti artists on Metelkova. In one of our visits we noticed something different about our stage, but couldn't quite put our collective finger on it�

We're still trying to find out if this was a part of a performance by a band which our grandmothers would describe as �those darn hairy kids with their loud non-music� or if this colour was more suitable in the eyes of a particularly meticulous artist. I have to say it fits great in the newly painted surroundings, don't you?



I love the distraction on the hoop board. Who wouldn't start thinking of sugary goodness when concentrating on a throw? And oh, does it start blinking when cops are nearby? Kidding, sure (my own Evil Twin made me!), but seriously � kudos for making a great effort!

Today we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the start of the first moon landing mission. Neil Armstrong and Edwin �Buzz� Aldrin made the famous one small step for man on the lunar surface on July 20th 1969 while Michael Collins helmed the Columbia mother ship. The entire mission took eight days.

Now, when the gentlemen are approaching their 80th birthday (wow, already?), the rest of us are on a good track towards taking trips in space. A month ago, UK firm Foster + Partners won Virgin Galactic's international design competition therefore earning the privilege of designing world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Spaceport America will be located in New Mexico which is quite convenient since the extraterrestrials are said to be quite familiar with certain areas out there.

Photo source: Foster + Partners

Looking good! I'm already looking forward to annoying other passengers with memorable Star Trek quotes. *sits in the chair, finger pointing towards the monitor* Make it so.

Finally, the glorious summer is here (not that I could tell by looking out of the window since it's been pouring for the last three days) and with it the chance to waste our precious free time creatively. I combined this fact with the current pregnancy �trend� among my friends and colleagues, my undying love for all things geeky and decided it's time to check out some brain-teasing toys and gadgets, ready to shape our little ones into future architects, artists and builders. Or make the bigger ones grow down, whichever comes first. Below are the 5 most interesting thingamabobs I found, in no specific order.*

Possibly the greatest product out there this moment is the LEGO Architect series. In May, the Frank Lloyd Webber collection came out, enabling people of all ages to create their own Guggenheim and Fallingwater. A pretty sweet addition to the Landmark series, although it would be fine in my book if the series would also include some more non-American landmarks that aren't just Eiffel Tower and/or Tadj Mahal. Perhaps even fictional ones, similar to the totally-easy-to-build Minas Tirith that a very patient man named Patrick Acton is building from, in my estimate, about a gazillion matchsticks. A good idea for all you �matchstick men� out there who like to plan your activities for the following 3 summers :)

Another cute product is the Frank Gehry in pop-up book.� Similar to the Modern Architecture Pop-Up Book , these products offer fun times to the more lazy-oriented people who might find looking at pictures and facts more exciting than the above-mentioned activities. Frankly, I do not discriminate and oh, did I mention my birthday is coming up? *wink wink, ahem*

Then there's this Young Architect kit. The not-so-positive comments on it made me laugh hard. Even harder than the weird photoshop job they did for the cover. Also, as the commenter shared my immediate thought: if the makers decided to push the stereotype of a bespectacled architect, they should make sure the kid wears black for the photoshoot. Geez.

Ah, the kids nowadays have everything. I remember playing with cardboard boxes and introducing my dolls to their new shrubbery homes. Today's kids have modernist dollhouses! Wow! I changed my mind, I do want to grow up and be a pretty Barbie.

Finally, an idea that is not directly connected to architecture, but does involve fun and construction. Here's a guide on how to build a wooden dinosaur in your own back yard with simple ingredients like small dino model, Photoshop/projector, plywood and common household tools. You're welcome. And I hope I'm welcome too - on your dino's back. Where you will �surprise� me with one or more of these proposed gifts. Awww, thanks, you shouldn't ;)

* Please note I found the products below by pure chance and do not wish to promote anyone or make fun of their work. But if you want me to do either of that, feel free to send me the promo stuff, thanks :)

It's alive! Our stage is starting to fit in nicely with the rest of Metelkova as first couple of graffiti already appeared on it. They are pretty much scribbled around the sides and on the back but this is in my opinion the best angle:

The nights are getting warmer so I'm looking forward to seeing some colourful artwork on it soon. Volunteers?

Metelkova mesto finally has its new member - the stage now proudly stands on the platform, inviting inspired performers and graffiti artists alike.

Photo: Miran Kambi�

It was introduced during an event last Thursday in which Trimo Urban Crash and Trimo Architectural Awards were presented. The event officially introduced the biennial Trimo Architectural Days. The formal event took place in the Old Power Station in Ljubljana while the closing �afterparty� was held in Metelkova. Let's go through the pictures, shall we?

Photo: Borut Peterlin

The event was quite well-visited. Trimo representatives, nominees for Trimo Architectural Awards, architects, city representatives and Trimo Urban Crash winners - everybody mingled at the informal meeting in front of the hall.


Drummers from the group �Bobnars United� invited the guests to take their seats and performed a somewhat dramatic intro to the awards ceremony. Indeed we felt like a tribe.

Photo: Borut Peterlin

After Tatjana Fink (Trimo General Manager) and Milo� Ebner (Trimo R&D Director) welcomed the guests with their speeches, it was time to present the Trimo Urban Crash awards. The projects were presented and described and the winners received their diplomas. From the left: Milo� Ebner, Tatjana Fink, Matej Mejak, Ale� Peternel, Francesca Bellina, Chiara Agosti, Alicja Chola and Jan Ledwon.

Photo: Borut Peterlin

Now it was the grown-ups' turn. Trimo Architectural Awards were presented to architects from Denmark, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Slovenia, Serbia, Spain and Turkey who demonstrated examples of excellent architectural solutions performed with Trimo products. 114 projects from 14 countries arrived this year and 9 works were awarded.

Photo: Borut Peterlin

It were not only the architects who went home with something. Toma� Furlan, representative of Metelkova mesto received a symbolic gift - a bucket filled with spray cans. For the purposes of creating new grafitti, of course. The guy in the picture wearing TAA shirt is Goran Medjugorac, the event's MC.


After some musical numbers by Bo�tjan Gomba� and Janez Dov� the MC announced it's time for the informal part with some refreshment. The back curtain behind the projection screen opened and revealed tables with goodies, prompting many �ooohs� and �aaaahs�.


A yummy close-up. Kinda hard (and improper) to talk to so many people with your mouth full but hey, everybody was doing it :)


Before leaving for Metelkova, we admired the exhibition of the shortlisted Trimo Urban Crash proposals and Trimo Architectural Awards projects. The entire exhibition consisted of aluminium plates with the visuals printed onto them.


The last part of the event took place in Metelkova. Bo�tjan Gomba� and Janez Dov� �christened� the stage with their performance - a mix of different music styles and songs. They whistled, played the accordion, clarinet, flute, saw, you name it. The atmosphere was quite magical. I recorded some of it, the paparazzo I am, and I will upload it as soon as possible.


Chiara and Francesca posed for us during the concert. Bellissimo! ;)


When the concert was over, Alicja and Jan sprung into action. Since the whiteness of the stage is so provoking, it is bound to be covered in graffiti eventually. Naturally, the authors can have the right to spray their work first.


�They made us do it, we swear!�


Trimo Architectural Days finished the next day on Ljubljana Castle. The morning activities started with a lecture by dr. Petra �eferin who discussed affirming architecture. After a break, a round table followed, in which the architects Doc. MSc. Tadej Gla�ar, Aljo�a Dekleva, Aljo�a Kolenc, Milo� Ebner and industrial designer Nika Zupanc discussed the envelope as integral architectural component. Especially Mr Kolenc was responsible for some amusing moments with relevant opinions that went something like this: �If you don't mind, I would like to tell a joke. A ship went down in the ocean. An American, an Englishman and a Thai were the only survivors and they were stranded on a desert island. The American says: �Well, we need to get organized if we want to be saved. I am proficient in constructing radio equipment so I will build us a radio station. You, Englishman, build us a shelter. And you, Thai, take care of the supplies.� And so they started working. In two days, a decent radio was built, as well as a stable shelter. But the Thai never returned from the jungle. The American and the Englishman were worried so they went in the jungle as well, looking for him. They wandered the jungle the entire day but could not find him. So they turned around to return to their shelter. Just as they were getting out of the jungle, the Thai suddenly jumped in front of them from a nearby branch and yelled: �Supplies!!!� After the general laughter ceased, Mr Kolenc added: �Well, I don't know how exactly this is connected to the subject.�

After the round table, the afternoon activities like the tour of Ljubljana, calligraphy workshops etc. followed, but I cannot give you the inside scoop since it was high time for me to hit the old office again (where, apparently, I have been putting together this lenghty post until this very moment). But I hear the folk had quite a time despite the bad weather. All I can say is - hope the next Architectural Days are also as interesting as this year's.

On Monday the construction of the stage started on location. After the prototype passed with flying colours the hard-working Trimo men erected the stage on the Metelkova platform.

And I mean hard-working, since the entire thing was finished in three days. �Wawa-wiwa!�, as Borat would've put it so eloquently. Here's how it went down:

It's still naked, avert ye eyes!

Sparkling whiteness amidst lively colours

Men at work




Put your hands together for Cleansing Fluid & Vitamin Drink

If all goes well, we can expect the first musical performance this evening. I will keep you posted if you do me a favor and restrain your urge to do the rain dance until tomorrow.

You've seen it here first: the first glimpses of the prototype stage that is currently being constructed in the Trimo facilities.

*sniff* They grow up so fast...

The magnificent photo below is a �group portrait� of this year's silver medalists Ale� and Matej with their Trimo Trojan Horse. Of course, it's obviously photoshopped since the shadows are all wrong and I'm pretty sure there were no miniature gummibear people casually strolling around the last time I was on Metelkova.

Thanks guys, I had to share it since I fell out of the chair laughing upon seeing it! Or �FOOCL� in internet-talk, probably. NOTE: It is! =D

And because it's Towel Day (congratulations to all my fellow geeks out there!) we felt it was an opportunity to reveal a special surprise: we will not only include the short list in this year's catalogue, but also 6 extra projects. Whee! The extra projects were selected by individual jury members who noticed some creative ideas that had the potential of making the shortlist but were in the end replaced by other projects. Without further ado, the selected extra catalogue projects are:

code 09n21,
code 2elle,
code 81020,
code 85530,
code JTB84 and
code JW226.
�
Congrats to the authors! When the catalogue is finished we'll link the PDF version to the site so you'll be able to download it. Until then, excuse me, I'll be in my room eating gummibears and googling for weird internet abbreviatons. The power of self-suggestion truly is strong in this one...

Quite a few interesting events for those intrested in an academic approach to architecture are going on Ljubljana. Last week, �The next step: Project architecture� conference was held, hosting many prominent names like dr. Petra �eferin, dr. Pier Vittorio Aureli and prof. Kenneth Frampton. The theme of the conference was determining the role of architecture in today's world. Does it have to be viewed as a commodity in a capitalist-oriented marketplace, a service of a specific interest or is there a �third alternative�, an architecture as a project or simply: architecture as architecture?

At the risk of sounding hypocritical (the thought �But this architectural project is in fact sponsored by a large company so it is a part of a capitalist world! Oh dear!� may come to one's mind), I think we shouldn't consider architecture just as a service or a vessel for spreading commercial messages. Sure, the studios have to �sell� their architecture to make their name and more than sometimes adapt their projects to the client's likings, but we cannot ignore the role of architecture a science. A lot in architecture is like in web design � everybody notices when something sticks out because it's really extraordinary/ truly bad or not working with the entire concept as one would expect, but only those �in the business� are able to see remarkable works that others take for granted. We should evolve its philosophy. So yes, it is necessary to continue the project called architecture.

Feeling in the mood for discussion already? Well, get ready for this Thursday's �Big Architecture 09�, a conference that intends to explore the issues of relationship between quality design, creativity, sustainability and responsibility with discussions among selected architects, exhibitions and the final awards ceremony. Think big! And if in Ljubljana, drop us a line, m'kay?

Slovenian industrial designer Nika Zupanc cooperated with Trimo for this year's Superstudio Piu's exhibition in Milano, Italy. Her �objects gone indescrete� are featured in a striking architectural installation named The Doll house which at the same time serves as the world launch of Trimo's new innovative modular facade element: Qbiss by Trimo.�

With her exhibition I Will Buy the Flowers Myself, Nika tackles the established attributes of a socially stigmatized woman with her characteristic sincerity, which is here especially inspired by the stories of some of the most famous female literary heroines. Her display space thus opens up through a sequence of spicy comments cast in shamelessly beautiful forms.

Here's the interview on-location, featuring Nika's exciting and sophisticated creations.

If in Milano, you can visit the exhibition until April 27th. If not, feel free to browse Nika's website. Oh, just don't buy her flowers, ok? ;)