AIA Hong Kong

CES #347 The Design and Construction of Cultural Buildings – A Conversation with renowned Spanish Architect: Fernando Menis

Guest architect, Fernando Menis, presented his lecture “On the Design and Construction of Cultural Buildings” before a standing room only crowd at the K11 Art Foundation Gallery in Central on September 3, 2013. The renowned Spanish architect, whose practice is based in the Canary Islands, spoke to his process and guiding philosophy, Reason and Emotion, for crafting such visionary and award-winning designs as the MAGMA Artes y Congressos, Plaza de Adeje, and the Jordanek Concert Hall. Attendees were treated to an in-depth view into his creative process, including his exhaustive and masterful exploration of concrete, the material for which he is perhaps most famous.

Providing a whirlwind tour through his most accomplished projects in Spain, Poland, India, the Crimea and Taiwan, Fernando Menis illustrated the unique response elicited by the site, topography, and local culture, showing the adaptation of form and material expression to varying contextual cues.

Following the lecture, an engaging Q&A provided an even deeper insight into the artist’s process, as he shared his thoughts and advice for both emerging and established architects. Special thanks to K11 Art Foundation and New World Development Company for their sponsorship in proving so exceptional and intimate a venue for the event.

AIA members attending this seminar earned 1.5 LU / HSW units toward their mandatory annual AIA Continuing Education requirements.

 

Contributor: Andrew King, AIA