Issue: 010.Date: 10.2014Woods Bagot: LondonWOODSBAGOT.COMPrinter: www.newspaperclub.com

I recently bought a fascinating book that I thought could improve the way I give presentations. ‘Talk Like Ted: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds’ by Carmine Gallo (St. Martin’s Press, 2014). This draws together key

lessons from some of the most inspirational speakers who have appeared on ‘Ted Talks’.This month sees the third

in a three-part series covering Gallo’s points providing techniques.

“Emphasise the visual:Robert Ballard’s 2008 TED

talk on his discovery of the Titanic, two-and-a-half miles beneath the surface of the Atlantic, contained 57 slides with no words. He showed pictures, images, and animation of life beneath the sea, without one word of text, and the audience loved it. Ballard was asked “Why did you deliver an entire presentation in pictures?” He replied: “Because I’m storytelling; not lecturing,”Research shows that most

of us learn better when information is presented in pictures and text instead of text alone. When ideas are delivered verbally—without pictures—the listener retains about 10% of the content. Add a picture and retention soars to 65%.(Continued on back page)

RAMBLINGS

PROJECT

City Island

Use:Mixed Used (predominantly residential)Studio ApartmentOne Bedroom ApartmentTwo Bedroom Apartment

Total Area:150m2

WB Project Team:Jonathan ClarkeSimon SaintKatie LloydHarriet Curtis

FIRST THINGS FIRSTLondon Salon is a programme to broaden design discourse in the London studio. Engaging with designers from a range of disciplines, London Salon involves Woods Bagot in the wider design community, exposing us to exciting ideas and connecting us with London outside of the architectural bubble.

Ballymore’s latest London development to be launched—is an innovative new riverside neighbourhood, a ‘micro-Manhattan’ covering a 12-acre site in London’s Docklands.

It comprises more than 1,700 apartments as well as significant office, creative industry, arts, retail and leisure space. The apartments have been designed to maximise expansive waterfront views and offer a contemporary, spacious feel that allows each resident to express an individual vision for his or her ‘City Island living’.

The design draws on the energy of East London’s historic seafaring links—in particular, the history of Leamouth—combining these details with the fundamental principles of flexible interior design.

The development is supported by a network of services and facilities—including a clubhouse, gym, spa and foodstore—to create a community focus for residents. The City Island Social Club takes the best elements of some of the coolest London members’ clubs to create an ideal environment for meeting and socialising.

OUTSTATION

The New York skyline

New York’s skyline is arguably one of the most powerful and instantly recognisable icons in the world. No other metropolis is as frequently used as a backdrop for art and pop culture than New York City. Far from being jaded by this, it’s something that has never once failed to impress me in the ten years I’ve lived here.

That said, change is inevitable, maybe more so in New York than anywhere else, and the skyline is certainly no exception. In fact, it could essentially be viewed as a visual

history of the city’s growth, loss and change over the years. For example, the 1930s witnessed a veritable race to create the tallest buildings in the world, which resulted in icons such as the Chrysler Building, 40 Wall Street and the Empire State Building. In 2001, the shattering attacks of September 11th brought the Twin Towers down and changed the identity of Manhattan’s silhouette once again.

Now (centred right around our office, in fact), a bevy of new supertall towers are puncturing the city’s skyline. One57, 11 West 57th and the

Nordstrom Tower, for instance, are reaching heights unseen here in New York and much of the world (rising to 1,005 feet, 1,250 feet, and 1,775 feet, respectively). Watching them rise, day by day, has invoked varied opinions from critics and residents alike. However, like or hate this new trend, the economic implications or the design of the individual towers themselves, it’s hard to not be impressed by the city’s audacity and ability to reach such heights. Further, they are adding a new diversity to the skyline that has not been seen for more than seven decades.

This, I think, is what excites me most about working in this profession and in this city in particular - our ability to make a tangible impact on this storeyed skyline. Further, the New York development industry is truly unparalleled. A distinct amalgamation of iconic buildings, a dynamic urban real estate community and a consortium of talented design professionals all coalesce here to create a nexus unlike anywhere else in the world. It is simultaneously fiercely competitive and enormously rewarding and exciting to be a part of.Andrea Juda

UNVEILOver the past few months I have been working around themes for Unveil. This month I am working around the theme of ‘context is relevant’. The first scheme is an interior project which transforms an existing space, adding new life by introducing a new function. The second demonstrates how architecture can respond to a barren, untouched landscape to stunning effect whilst mineralising its impact on the surrounding environment.

Fogo Natural Park VenueOn Fogo Island, at 1,800 metres, in

the crater of the volcano, there is a village with about 1200 people living on the fringes of legality, occupying lands of the state where they organise mainly agricultural activities, ensuring their survival in one of the poorest areas of Cape Verde.

The natural landscape, deeply marked by the volcano and its crater, is a unique and rare beauty, with the potential to become a world heritage site. In this context, the basic idea was to design a building so as to be part of the landscape and the landscape part of the building.

During daytime, the long walls shape the building and blend with the road creating a maze and a mix of shadows. At night, bright light is avoided, so to protect the native birds, all lighting is indirect. The challenges of shortage of local resources became an opportunity and, therefore, the building was made by the people and for the people, using local materials and techniques.www.archdaily.com

The Pool AoyamaThe Pool Aoyama in Tokyo sells

nautical clothing and accessories in a restored swimming pool located within a vintage residential building. Set in the trendy shopping area of Aoyama, it is owned by the grandfather of Harajuku fashion, Hiroshi Fujiwara. The restored building features a glass platform that references the water that once covered the pool’s floor.

The architects (Nobu Araki) opted to preserve the pool’s look and feel by making only subtle adjustments to the space. Filled with a soft natural, the store sells clothes and accessories casually displayed throughout its interiors. There’s no doubt that The Pool Aoyama provides an extraordinary shopping experience.www.the-pool-aoyama.comwww.inhabitat.com

Text selected by Neil Andrew

‘THE BASIC IdEA wAS TO dESIGN A BUILdING SO AS TO BE PART OF THE LANdSCAPE ANd THE LANdSCAPE PART OF THE BUILdING’

REVIEwS wHAT’S ONLONdON

Exhibition:The Boy Who Climbed Out Of His FaceExhibiting at: The Jetty

Harriet CurtisA couple of weeks ago I made my

first foray into performance art having gone to see The Boy Who Climbed Out of His Face. Prior to seeing it, I was excited (although, ‘experiencing’ may be a more apt term) as there were no reviews other than to say it was all highly secretive and a totally immersive sensory experience. Sited on The Jetty at Greenwich and constructed out of shipping containers, I had no idea what to expect.

Waiting on The Jetty for our number to be called, getting buffeted by the wind whilst examining the food stalls (£10 for fish and chips…), I felt distinctly arty. Our number was announced via megaphone, our phones switched off and our shoes and socks placed into boxes, which we then carried through the entire performance. Not even being able to wear socks demanded a level of trust from the outset and left you feeling rather vulnerable.

Moving through the containers the scenes only seemed linked by the masked performers acknowledging each other as they closed and opened doors. We travelled through jungle, beach and a yellow tunnel with a sloping floor which left you feeling very much like Alice in Wonderland.

Having attended a disco, been trapped in a pitch black container which sounded like it was being moved via crane onto a cargo ship (I said it was a sensory experience!) and then singled out and kept blindfolded in a room that crackled with fire (sound effects only, thankfully) I was rather relieved to emerge on the top of the shipping containers in the fresh air. This was followed by a man, taking his clothes off (he had many, many layers on), playing guitar and singing whilst standing on a shipping container, in a pond, surrounded by floating plastic baby dolls.

What each scene meant I’m not entirely sure, and why it’s called The Boy Who Climbed Out of His Face, I have no idea. It was an interesting experience, and certainly not for those who prefer to passively watch their theatre played out before them. However if you’re feeling in the mood for something weird, dark and confusing then it’s something I’d recommend.

ExHIBITIONS:

Paula Rego:The Last King of Portugal and Other StoriesMarlboroughUntil 25. October 2014Free

Bob Gruen:Rock SeenLondonewcastle Project SpaceUntil 28. October 2014Free

Pierre Huyghe:In Border deepHauser & WirthUntil 01. November 2014Free

José damasceno:PlotHolborn LibraryUntil 20. November 2014Free

Yoshitomo Nara:Greetings from a Place in My HeartDairy Art CentreUntil 07. December 2014Free

The Art of the BrickOld Truman BreweryUntil 04. January 2015£16.50

Turner Prize 2014Tate BritainUntil 04. January 2015£10

Rembrandt:The Late worksNational Gallery15. October 2014 – 18. January 2015£18

Egon Schiele:The Radical NudeCourtauld Gallery23. October 2014 – 18. January 2015£8.50

Alibis:Sigmar Polke 1963 – 2010Tate Modern09. October 2014 – 08 February 2015£14.50

The Barbican Exhibition:Chamberlin, Powell & Bon ArchitectsBarbicanUntil 22. March 2015Free

Richard Tuttle:I don’t Know. The weave of Textile LanguageTate Modern14. October 2014 – 06 April 2015Free

(Continued from front page)For your next PowerPoint

presentation, abandon the text blocks and bullet points in favour of more visually intriguing design elements. Show pictures, animations, and images that reinforce your theme. Help people remember your message.

Jonathan French