Ushida Findlay Architects

Ushida Findlay Architects is an architectural practice originating in Tokyo but now based in London. They are known for their unusual, non-rectilinear, neo-expressionist buildings, including their Soft and Hairy House in Tsukuba (1994).[1] Their starfish-shaped design for a country house at Grafton Hall Estate in Cheshire (2002)[2] was selected in competition[3] but ultimately went unrealised.[4]

The practice were architects for the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower, the UK's tallest sculpture, providing architectural design to transform it into a functional building.[5][6][7]

History

Ushida Findlay was originated in Japan, set up in 1986 by husband and wife team, Eisaku Ushida and Kathryn Findlay. They came to the UK in 1999, setting up the practice in Edinburgh.[8] However, the couple split-up and the company experienced financial difficulties, filing bankruptcy in 2004. Findlay launched her own separate practice.[8]

The practice is currently working on York Art Gallery.[9]

Notable projects

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Murphy, Dominic (18 March 2000). "Best of both worlds". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Kester Rattenbury, Robert Bevan, Kieran Long "Architects Today", Lawrence King Publishing Ltd (2004), pp. 212-213. ISBN 9781 85669 492 6.
  3. ↑ "Grafton New Hall, Chester: Invited Design Competition". RIBA. 2002. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  4. ↑ Taylor, Jerome (9 August 2008). "Starfish house' plans are left dead in the water". The Independent. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Amy Chozik, 'A Lightning Rod Masquerading as a Sculpture', The New York Times, 1 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-14. "...Ushida Findlay, a London firm that helped transform the sculpture into a structurally sound, functional building."
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Will Hurst 'Orbit becomes UK's highest sculpture: Topping out of ArcelorMittal Orbit attended by Arup and Ushida Findlay Architects..., Building Design, 31 October 2011. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  7. ↑ "ArcelorMittal Orbit tops out to create UK’s tallest sculpture". ArcelorMittal Orbit. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Steve Rose The rural renewal of Kathryn Findlay, The Guardian, 19 July 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  9. ↑ "Hidden area of York set to be opened to public for Spring 2012". York Art Gallery. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2012.

External links