Architecture: Doubt, Delight, and Change
• Facsimile of Cedric Price Works 1952–2003: A Forward-minded Retrospective. [1]
[edit] FOREWORD
In order to establish architecture as an effective means of progressing the commons the author has selected from the Cedric Price fonds a collection of projects which enable the possible development of subsequent collections. They are presented in reverse chronological order.
According to the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA):—
- "The (Projects) series also contains self-financed research and client-less projects, which form a significant part of Cedric Price's practice. Undertaken in anticipation of future clients or new planning needs, they include research into air structures and lightweight enclosures as well as integrated construction and transportation solutions (Trucksafe Air Portable Dock Ahoy), and housing research. South Bank, Magnet, and Duck Land represent a few of the client-less projects." [2]
[edit] 1999/244 IFPRI
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"The site chosen for the first IFCCA competition is ideal for such a crucial working, living test. The timing is critical—the opportunity is unique and will occur once only. A strategy for cities will be established." [3]
[edit] 1995/220 Magnet
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"Magnets are located in and around Central London and invest city movement not only with convenience and interest but also Delight. Similar sites were shared, in planning, with Toyko." [4]
[edit] 1989/196 Ducklands (Duck land)
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"Price and his team proposed to turn the area into a large nature reserve for migratory waterfowl, and included a design for a self-powered floating walkway called the "mud-mobile." [5]
[edit] 1982/159 South Bank
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"The South Bank on Central London Thamesde was required by the City Authority to be revitalised improving access, communications and accommodation for an ever changing world clientele." [6]
[edit] 1973/116 DockAhoy/Trucksafe/AirPortable (Trucksafe Air Portable Dock Ahoy)
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"The projects are concerned with finding flexible solutions to problems which occur when conditions change within a transportation network [...] the projects should be a further physical recognition of the value of short term toys." [7]
[edit] 1973/114 DOE Air Structure
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"Work undertaken by the Lightweight Enclosures Unit (LEU) for the Department of the Environment (DOE), to produce a Draft for Development Code of Practice for Air Supported Structures (DD50) for general use by industry." [8]
[edit] 1971/099 Lightweight Enclosures Unit
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"The work of LEU included research and design into the social, economic and structural development of lightweight enclosures. The LEU published a bibliography for the industry on air structures in 1972 titled 'Air Structures Bibliography, B0001-0069 and B0070-0119." [9]
[edit] 1967/089 Atom
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"Teams were given a hypothetical location and program for a new town along with its educational needs and asked to create an 'educationally integrated' community. The results were published by Rice University in 'New Schools for New Towns'. " [10]
[edit] 1967/081 Housing Research
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"Housing Research on flexible, pre-fabricated, short-life housing in the United Kingdom. [...] The published research examines housing's "life patterning" potential within broader social, economic, and historical contexts." [11]
[edit] 1965/072 Air Structures Report
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"The report was completed in 1969 by Cedric Price in collaboration with Frank Newby and Robert H. Suan of Felix J. Samuely and Partners, Consulting Engineers, and published in 1971 by HMSO (Her Majesty's Stationery Office)." [12]
[edit] 1964/064 Potteries Thinkbelt
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"Change occurs constantly in learning requiring an alternative to university, employing various means of exchange in the industrial U.K. Midlands in the form of a Potteries Thinkbelt." [13]
[edit] 1961/051 Fun Palace
|
|
|
|
COMMENT
"The Fun Palace, London, which provided a short-life public urban skill and delight 'toy' for random usage by all on a disused riverside site. A similar, 20 year life, was built in a densely populated area of London for a Trust creating a range of activities." [14]
[edit] References
- Canadian Centre for Architecture (2016) Cedric Price Works 1952–2003: A Forward-Minded Retrospective, Canadian Centre for Architecture/Architectural Association. CCA
- Canadian Centre for Architecture (2008) Cedric Price fonds, Series: Projects. CCA.
- Cedric Price (1999) A Lung for Manhattan, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Cedric Price (1999) FAX, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Canadian Centre for Architecture (2008) Duck Land, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Cedric Price (1999) FAX, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Cedric Price (1995) Trucksafe Air Portable Dock Ahoy, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Cedric Price (1973) DOE Air Structure, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- CCA (2008) Lightweight Enclosures Unit, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- CCA (2008) Lightweight Enclosures Unit, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- CCA (2008) Lightweight Enclosures Unit, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Cedric Price (2008) Air Structures Research, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Cedric Price (1999) FAX, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
- Cedric Price (1999) FAX, Canadian Centre for Architecture. CCA
[edit] Appendix
==
1961/051 Fun Palace ==
|
|
|
|
|
text
|
|
|
|
|
text
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.