Collaborations: the architecture of Ahrends, Burton and Koralek (ABK) edited by Kenneth Powell

Abstract

English: This article on one of the enduring British partnerships is not a vanity publication that we are accustomed to in our profession. Edited by Kenneth Powell, it contains illuminating essays of overlapping themes. The editor provides the overview. Jeremy Melvin writes a sensitive piece on the formation of the practice. While Elain Harwood and Frank Macdonald respectively describe early works and Irish projects of the practice Paul Finch contributes an intelligent essay on collaboration. The essays are not presented in succession but in layered colour strips on the top and bottom of pages with images in the body under the thematic titles of private/public, context, light/space and process. One does have to overcome the initial irritation of this unconventional layout before realising the importance of the ABK story. Indeed the interlocking of different narratives and the images has a resonance with the character of the practice itself, with three distinct personalities of Ahrends, Burton and Koralek, each with unique but complementary interests and predilections.

Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel oor een van die langdurigste Britse vennootskappe, is nie ’n waardelose publikasie soos waaraan die professie gewoond is nie. Soos deur Kenneth Powell geredigeer, bevat dit verligte essays met oorvleulende temas. Die redigeerder verskaf ’n oorsig. Jeremy Melvin skryf ’n sensitiewe essay oor die vorming van die praktyk, terwyl Elain Harwoord en Frank Macdonald wedersyds die eerste werke en Ierse projekte van die praktyk beskryf. Paul Finch se bydrae is ’n intelligente skrywe oor samewerking. Die essayss word nie opeenvolgende aangebied nie, maar in lae gekleure stroke op die bo- en onderkant van bladsye met grafieke in die teks ingedeel onder die titels: privaat/publiek, konteks, lig/ruimte en proses. ’n Mens moet aanvanklik die irritasie rondom hierdie manier van uiteensetting oorkom om die belangrikheid van die ABK storie te besef.