working in harmony: kakadu national park

Situated in the Northern Territory of Australia it is not to be missed. Spreading 200kms north to south and 100kms east to west, its huge! It is a UNESCO world heritage site due to the abundance of Aboriginal cultural sites and aside from the magnificent scenery it is a great example of the Aboriginals and the white Australians working together in harmony.

I find it interesting coming here to Kakadu and observing how the aboriginals and the white Australians are working in harmony to secure the future of the park. Elsewhere in Australia the situation that i have witnessed has been tragic, these people have been thrown into this modern culture and essentially have not had enough time to adapt; this has meant that they have fallen into the trap of alcohol and drugs. I think it the system in Kakadu is working so well because these people are continuing what they know but yet in conjunction with the white Australians. They are the owners of the land and their peoples have settled here for up to 40 000 years; these people are keen to work together to preserve and control the land, they are doing what they understand, they know the land better than any other and so by continuing to work it they maintain their identity and their culture.

Elsewhere in the country this connection has been completely lost, take Darwin for example. These people have no link remaining with the land and so they have lost their identity. They find it difficult to live in the way we do, it is still new to them to live in a house in one place, possessions are not important, infact the idea of capitalism is a completely foreign concept and so you will very rarely find a successful aboriginal owned and run shop. I feel like these people are lost in this life, in this new world; their bodies are unable to cope with alcohol in the same way we can which has means that alcoholism in rife and so in Darwin especially, the streets are full of drunk aboriginals. It is like our two worlds have collided and one of us is here at the wrong time. So as for Kakadu? Well it is an obvious success and it really left an impression on me. The subject of the union of the Aboriginals and the white Australians is one on which everyone has a strong opinion, its such a complex issue and i can only comment on what i have directly observed. I hope that with time things will get better and with each generation the two cultures will begin to mesh more easily.

I loved every moment of Kakadu however and the landscape is beautiful and diverse. I also visited the Bowali visitor centre, which was designed by the Australian architect Glenn Murcutt. It is a modest building sitting withing the trees which is entirely appropriate in its setting.

And then a cute wee shed.

zumthor wins the pritzker prize

Think of the Nobel prize, well this is its equivalent in architecture, an award to honour the living greats.

'Peter Zumthor is a master architect admired by his colleagues around the world for work that is focused, uncompromising and exceptionally determined....... All of Peter Zumthor's buildings have a strong, timeless presence. He has a rare talent of combining clear and rigorous thought with a truly poetic dimension, resulting in works that never cease to inspire.' Quoted from the Pritzer Jury Citation.

Below: Thermal Baths at Vals Vals Graubunden, Switzerland

Below: Kolumba Art Museum, Cologne, Germany

Below: Field Chapel to St. Nikolaus von der Flue, Mechernich, Germany

Below: Kunsthaus Art Museum, Bregnez, Austria

I studied Peter Zumthor's work at university, along with that of other great architects; my friends and i admired his work hugely. A master of space and light, each project is a unique and beautifully detailed work of art, almost more sculptural than architectural. A guy in my class who was particularly obsessed by Zumthor and his work made a point of visiting his office in Switzerland and as far as i understand, it was a disaster. Basically i think he was just told to go away. Poor boy.

For more information on the Pritzker Architecture Prize and more information on Zumthor and pervious laureates please click here.

the great australian outback

I have been in Australia for quite a few months now and i still don't feel like i have seen the real thing. So far my time has been spent in Sydney which is a modern, multicultural and lively city but a city is a city as they say and as much as they all have their own identities, to a certain extent you know what to expect. I was keen to get out of there and experience the Australia that i was told about as a child, those vast expanses of flat land, the red dirt, those illusive cowboys. I set off on a month long road trip from Townsville on the east coast, through the outback of Queensland and crossing into the Northern Territory, final destination Darwin.

This trip has been unforgettable. The towns getting smaller, the cowboy hats emerging and of course the aboriginal settlements becoming more common. The roads in the outback are the straightest i have come across in my life, so straight that the end becomes a hazy mirage. The countryside is so flat with hundreds of miles between settlements and little sign of life between, its an almost haunting place. You notice the earth becoming redder and drier (and your clothes becoming dirtier!), the termite mounds get bigger and bigger, some are taller than me and litter the landscape. And the stars, oh the stars, never have i been so aware of the solar system (i must admit between the 5 of us we had some long discussions and big questions about the stars and the moon, none of which any of us had answers for so every conversation was frustrating.... note to those travelling through the outback: bring a book on astronomy, it may be the best thing you do!) The outback is a strange but fascinating place.

There is also the frightening side to the outback, the danger of bushfires is always apparent. As you drive along there are signs displaying the current risk. There is just nothing to stop the fire once it starts. We came across quite a fierce and frightening fire which is shon in the photo below.

The buildings are very interesting to me, more so than their urban cousins. They tend to be lightweight shed-like structures clad with wither tin or timber and so they sit very well within their surroundings. The great Australian architect Glenn Murcutt is a master of interpreting these buildings in a modern way.

Below: I love this picture and i love this simple camp kitchen, the simple ones are the best!

Below: some examples of Murcutt's work

bougainvillea in brisbane

One place people have been talking down ever since i have arrived in Australia has been Brisbane. Well, now that I'm here i am going to completely disagree with them and I'm glad i gave it a shot. I have been here only a few days but i really feel at home. To me the city is young and fresh in a way that it seems that its changing, there are lots of new buildings with lots of money is being invested in the city.

The south bank of the river has been developed so well. The winding walkway is semi-enclosed by a beautiful canopy which is draped in bougainvillea and winds its way through the parks and past buildings. On the weekend you will stumble across the lively markets and on a sunny day (almost always in Brisbane!) the city beach will be teaming with activity. If you follow the walkway right along it takes you to the theatre and art galleries. I loved it and so have included some of my photos below.

Below: And of course i was particularly happy because my Brisbane friend let me have a ride on the lovely 'Kenny'.