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 Aleš 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 Èeferin, 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?