View of the south facade of the Library of Utrecht. Wiel Arets, 2004. The image that started this project
Exactly one year ago today we started this communication platform on architecture in Spanish. It is an occasion to celebrate and think about what made. Thus, want to reflect with you, our readers, about the events and ideas we have for the future.
Inner court of Utrecht Library. Wiel Arets, 2004. Image: Jan Bitter, ArchDaily
Our first publication was a blog network we call UPPA. A digital space wanted to present works planning, landscaping and architecture, by way of file, with information sheets that were very accessible and had several criteria for easy location and orderly. It was an exciting project that started after a trip to Holland (travel always things I can think to do). Hence, the first tab that was published on the Utretch library, a magnificent building of Wiel Arets I had opportunity to visit.
This effort began with great enthusiasm and peer pressure that then we integrated office Planning Consultants, Landscape and Architecture, Jorge Mosquera, Ralf Veyras, Pilar Diaz and myself. For several months we were adding new tabs very simple daily works and documents are significant thought to these disciplines. It was a turning point for us in the professional work of architecture was almost gone in our environment (Today there is virtually no). In Spain, the task that engaged the architects and, general, the construction sector has declined substantially. Moreover in our place of residence is the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, a small Spanish archipelago located in the Atlantic off the coast of West Africa. Our living space is an isolated point of three continents geographically located allowing us to observe what happens to a distance. Spain and Europe have always been our immediate cultural anchor. After, see South America, a continent with which we have a close relationship from these islands; due, inter alia, the language and historical emigration continued canaries over there. And Africa, thirdly, close geographical territory, of that know almost nothing and we are beginning to approach.
Hence, we wanted to direct our effort to the generation of information in the network as a way to remain active and able to communicate fully with the closest global world. That which opens almost like a new continent to discover through the vast oceans of information the Internet provides.
The first blog header UPPA on an abstract background
Eventually, consider that a file was insufficient for our purpose communication. And there was born the concept of ARQUISCOPIO, an information space to include data, Professional news and reflection, Yet somehow related to the world of architecture. Thereby, transform UPPA en File Arquiscopio, a platform that continues the effort to provide all stakeholders with a reference database of architectural works, urban and landscape (recently, we have expanded to include some engineering jobs) where we have integrated over 150 project sheets. File locations we have organized, authors and topics, whereby the data are very easily accessible. We believe it is a very useful reference for those who are dedicated to these issues, both students and professionals.
Parallel, also, we have extended the effort with two other new spaces, Magazine and Thought. Arquiscopio Magazine wanted to join that large group of blogs and platforms that offer information in Spanish about what happens in the international. Here we present issues that we consider of interest, adding our critical and briefly explain our opinion on the facts related to architecture, art and urbanism that seem relevant. It is an extraordinary effort to make a high frequency due to vast amount of information that constantly arises.
Last, in Thought Arquiscopio we have opened a space to reflect longer range. There, texts have been incorporated several friends and acquaintances who have invited personally and give us a deeper insight into the circumstances surrounding the world of education and architecture critic, planning theory, dissemination of contemporary art and, even, political reflection on the current circumstances of economic system development tease us. A space for the exhibition of ideas and discussion, unfortunately, by now has had some debate. I think it's a problem of format that invites expose how little participation. For the time being, a way, which is published in the traditional way where only offered for reading texts.
The two logos that have been used so far.
Our image has evolved over time to achieve this design you scrutinize the inquisitive eyes. A few have expressed their displeasure with that logo. However, believe that has become familiar to us and clearly identifies. Arquiscopio intended as a mechanism to look at what is done in architecture and contemporary art; a fusion display apparatus and Support, oriented discussion and subjective analysis.
Over time new people have been added and others have been going. For the time being, we have all worked here in an unselfish way, without pay in exchange. It's mostly a hobby and a hobby: provide an effort on something we like greatly, knowledge related to architecture. These criteria lead us and get what appears to us from the infinite overwhelmingly supports and media including Internet.
Thus, I express my sincere thanks to all, a Ralf y a Jorge, first and already detached. And thanks also to those who have joined in a sporadic, a Oscar Tenreiro and Jose Javier Alayón from Caracas; Ricardo Ruiz, Joaquín Casariego, David Cohn, Rodrigo Vargas, Simona Rota and Alicia Guerrero from different parts of our country. And, especially, Sergio Sosa and Pilar Diaz who have maintained a closer relationship with me. Today only keep this space Sergio, Pilar and I thus invite all those who want to lend a hand to indicate it as we would be happy to have new aid, disinterested for now.
House Tahiche. César Manrique, 1969. The first picture in the magazine section Arquiscopio 09/04/2012
And we are planning to expand the effort in the near future and thus, transform into something more complex and acquire almost entrepreneurial. We believe that, not to abandon the objective of informing and medium-term survival, must obtain resources that exceed the amateur stage and to act more professionally. Hence, we have started to include ads sharing space with what we publish. We know they are a nuisance but that is becoming a necessity for us. Because in addition to working, these things that are done on the Internet have someone to cover costs. The idea that that everything is free and nothing costs is an Internet myth.
We ensure that we incorporate the relevant advertising, non-intrusive and consistent with the content we added. Generally, concerns editorial and publications related to information architecture present, schools, libraries and topics of professional interest. Recently, we have adhered well to program Google Adsense, an incredible tool that analyzes the profile of the reader and places ads directly targeted to your specific interests. Each time you click on these advertising pieces we direct economic aid to the maintenance of this space. Thus, the small favor we ask that you do continuously when we read or visits. Thank you for your understanding.
In the near future, our purpose is to generate a small publishing and online bookstore Store. But these are projects that I will tell another time. What if we would like you to follow us greatly is devoting a small part of your valuable time and, it can be, you to give us a review of what we do. Our greatest desire is to know what are the things that really interest you.
Dear reader, if you get here is that you are interested in what we do. We can but thank you for your interest and hope you continue there, the other side of the screen, by reading, helping and if you fancy joining us on this adventure communicative expect to be prolonged and grow over time.
Villa Mercure, Dakar. Senegal. Koffi &Diabaté, 2003. The figure who led the first article in the section Thinking : The architecture of the African elites 24/09/2012
