All articles by Gus Alexander – Page 2
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CommentSpanish flair
Madrid’s new Barajas airport takes Gus Alexander by surprise at every turn. Offering a stimulating and innovative space, he discovers that it’s more a feat in Spanish pragmatism than technicality
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CommentBusiness and pleasure
In one respect, construction is like the dairy industry, in that when the the man delivering the product meets the woman receiving it, all kinds of things can happen. Gus Alexander has some good examples …
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NewsBeijing flies into an unsustainable future
Foster's Beijing airport is a masterpiece but it doesn't bode well for the environment especially when you hear that China is planning 97 more airports over the next decade
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NewsRock at the Roundhouse
John McAlsan and Partners' refurb of the Roundhouse has created an exciting, edgy music and theatrical venue
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NewsNice stadium, shame about the football
It's hard to feel passionate about the corporate world of Premier League football, but Arsenal's Emirates Stadium goes some way to restoring faith in the beautiful game
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NewsThe loo queue
The Barbican, like so many venues, falls short when it comes to providing enough toilet facilities
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NewsA Teflon tent, ketchup dispensers and the Spice Girls
Not being a Spice Girls fan is no barrier to appreciating the The O2 Arena, which gets top marks in the first of a mini series of venue reviews
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NewsFoster's mega masterplans: works of genius or follies?
The prolific Foster + Partners released designs for three huge international schemes last year, but do they have any architectural merit?
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CommentAn element of clunk
St Pancras station is, as we know, a remarkable restoration of a Victorian masterpiece of art and engineering. But that doesn’t mean it’s a brilliant building
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NewsSt Pancras: nice station despite the hype
After watching the TV series our architect visits the station for the first time and pays tribute to its saviour
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NewsTV Show hits the buffers with arrival of St Pancras' Upper Crust
Watching contractors fitting-out a baguette food outlet failed to stir our columnist last night but at least he missed the football
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NewsDrama and conflict: The St Pancras saga continues
Last night's BBC 2 docusoap on St Pancras focused on an engineer who looks 14 and another who can't wait to resign. But who are these people and why should we care? Gus Alexander is as unmoved by the programme as he is by the project itself
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FeaturesThe Foster factor
The great man’s success is the result of a lot more than his ability to design buildings. Indeed, he has a whole repertoire of accomplishments, from uncanny persuasiveness to ruthless efficiency.
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CommentRunning the RIBA
What does it mean to be RIBA president? Do you get to do anything? Is there anything you can learn from your predecessors? Sunand Prasad is about to find out
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CommentGreen bling
Flashy, costly eco-features attached to your home might impress your friends, but they won’t help save the planet. What might is simpler and much less interesting
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CommentYes, in your backyard
If we’re ever going to get the homes we need, rural nimbys are just going to have to accept some development – maybe even a new next-door neighbour…
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FeaturesThe fall from Eden
The Blair years began with wonderful attractions and tube stations, continued through drab PFIs and ended with creeping paranoia, says Gus Alexander
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CommentAutumn fog
Gus Alexander England’s smoking ban comes into force in July, but it won’t be a problem until chilly October. And then, just you watch some bright spark invent a smokers’ pod to stick on to pubs
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CommentRealpolitik
Gus Alexander The construction industry, like the arms industry, is more concerned with doing the work than with what the work does. So how are we going to persuade it to stop following orders and think?
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CommentCritical flaws
A lack of consistent training or doctrine among council officers is hindering the development of small-scale building projects in conservation areas, regardless of how good they happen to be