Peter Cook (architect)
Encyclopedia
Professor Sir Peter Cook, founder of Archigram
http://archigram.westminster.ac.uk/, former Director the Institute of Contemporary Arts
, London and the Bartlett
School of Architecture http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/index.php at University College London
, has been a pivotal figure within the global architectural world for over half a century.
His ongoing contribution to architectural innovation was most recently recognised via the conferral of an honorary doctorate in April 2010, by Lund University
, Sweden. Peter’s achievements with radical experimentalist group Archigram have been the subject of numerous publications and public exhibitions and were recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects
in 2004, when members of the group were awarded the RIBA’s highest award, the Royal Gold Medal.
In addition to his roles at the ICA and UCL, Peter has been director of Art Net in London and curator of the British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale. He continues to curate, organise and exhibit innumerable exhibitions across the world: in Seoul, LA and Cyprus, the Centre Georges Pompidou
, Paris and Design Museum
, London as well as within more ambiguous spaces: decrepit castles, weird sheds and oily garages.
Peter was knighted in 2007 by the Queen for his services to architecture and teaching. Peter is also a Royal Academician and a Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres of the French Republic. He is a Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art
, London. Peter’s professorships include those of the Royal Academy
, University College, London and the Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste (Städelschule
) in Frankfurt-Main, Germany. Peter has from the very beginning made waves in architectural circles, however, it is in the last few years that the construction of his arts building, the Kunsthaus Graz
aka The Friendly Alien in Graz, Austria, with Colin Fournier
has brought his work to a wider public, a process set to continue with the construction of the Vienna Business and Economics University’s new law faculty.
Peter has also built in Osaka, Nagoya, Berlin, Frankfurt, Graz and Madrid. His continuing work as a lecturer of considerable renown makes him a familiar voice on campuses and within cultural institutions around the world, where many have enjoyed an opportunity to hear Peter expound (among other subjects) upon his love affair with the slithering, the swarming and the spooky. Peter has lectured in all continents.
He practices with Gavin Robotham as CRAB http://www.crabstudio.co.uk/ (Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau).
Peter Cook is married to the Israeli architect, Dr. Yael Reisner (author of ‘Architecture and Beauty’).
Archigram
Archigram was an avant-garde architectural group formed in the 1960s - based at the Architectural Association, London - that was futurist, anti-heroic and pro-consumerist, drawing inspiration from technology in order to create a new reality that was solely expressed through hypothetical projects...
http://archigram.westminster.ac.uk/, former Director the Institute of Contemporary Arts
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
, London and the Bartlett
The Bartlett
The Bartlett is the Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London. University College London created the first chair of architecture in 1841, and the school is named after the original benefactor, Sir Herbert Bartlett.-External links:*...
School of Architecture http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/index.php at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, has been a pivotal figure within the global architectural world for over half a century.
His ongoing contribution to architectural innovation was most recently recognised via the conferral of an honorary doctorate in April 2010, by Lund University
Lund University
Lund University , located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania, Sweden, is one of northern Europe's most prestigious universities and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research, frequently ranked among the world's top 100 universities...
, Sweden. Peter’s achievements with radical experimentalist group Archigram have been the subject of numerous publications and public exhibitions and were recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
in 2004, when members of the group were awarded the RIBA’s highest award, the Royal Gold Medal.
In addition to his roles at the ICA and UCL, Peter has been director of Art Net in London and curator of the British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale. He continues to curate, organise and exhibit innumerable exhibitions across the world: in Seoul, LA and Cyprus, the Centre Georges Pompidou
Centre Georges Pompidou
Centre Georges Pompidou is a complex in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil and the Marais...
, Paris and Design Museum
Design Museum
Design Museum is a museum by the River Thames near Tower Bridge in central London, England. The museum covers product, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design. It was founded in 1989 and claims to be the first museum of modern design...
, London as well as within more ambiguous spaces: decrepit castles, weird sheds and oily garages.
Peter was knighted in 2007 by the Queen for his services to architecture and teaching. Peter is also a Royal Academician and a Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres of the French Republic. He is a Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, London. Peter’s professorships include those of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, University College, London and the Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste (Städelschule
Städelschule
Städelschule, Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste, is a contemporary fine arts academy in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.- History :The Städelschule was established by a foundation set up by the Frankfurt merchant Johann Friedrich Städel in 1817...
) in Frankfurt-Main, Germany. Peter has from the very beginning made waves in architectural circles, however, it is in the last few years that the construction of his arts building, the Kunsthaus Graz
Kunsthaus Graz
The Kunsthaus Graz, Grazer Kunsthaus, or Graz Art Museum was built as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2003 and has since become an architectural landmark in Graz, Austria...
aka The Friendly Alien in Graz, Austria, with Colin Fournier
Colin Fournier
Colin Fournier is co-architect with Peter Cook of the Kunsthaus Graz in Austria. He is also professor of The Bartlett School of Architecture, a part of University College London.-References:...
has brought his work to a wider public, a process set to continue with the construction of the Vienna Business and Economics University’s new law faculty.
Peter has also built in Osaka, Nagoya, Berlin, Frankfurt, Graz and Madrid. His continuing work as a lecturer of considerable renown makes him a familiar voice on campuses and within cultural institutions around the world, where many have enjoyed an opportunity to hear Peter expound (among other subjects) upon his love affair with the slithering, the swarming and the spooky. Peter has lectured in all continents.
He practices with Gavin Robotham as CRAB http://www.crabstudio.co.uk/ (Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau).
Peter Cook is married to the Israeli architect, Dr. Yael Reisner (author of ‘Architecture and Beauty’).
Awards and honours
- 2010 - Honorary Doctorate of Technology, Lund UniversityLund UniversityLund University , located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania, Sweden, is one of northern Europe's most prestigious universities and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research, frequently ranked among the world's top 100 universities...
, Sweden - 2010 - Mario PaniMario PaniMario Pani Darqui was a Mexican architect and urbanist, one of the most active under the rule of president Miguel Alemán Valdés...
Award for Architecture, Mexico City - 2008 - Senior Fellow of the Royal College of ArtRoyal College of ArtThe Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, London - 2007 - Knighted in Queen’s Honours’ list (for services in architecture)
- 2004 - Finalist for Stirling Prize for Kunsthaus GrazKunsthaus GrazThe Kunsthaus Graz, Grazer Kunsthaus, or Graz Art Museum was built as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2003 and has since become an architectural landmark in Graz, Austria...
, with Colin Fournier - 2003 - Commandeur de l’ordre des Arts et letters of the France Republic
- 2002 - Royal Gold MedalRoyal Gold MedalThe Royal Gold Medal for architecture is awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects on behalf of the British monarch, in recognition of an individual's or group's substantial contribution to international architecture....
(with Archigram) by the Royal Institute of British ArchitectsRoyal Institute of British ArchitectsThe Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
(RIBA) - 2002 - Annie Spink Award, jointly awarded to David Greene (for contribution to architectural education) by the Royal Institute of British ArchitectsRoyal Institute of British ArchitectsThe Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
(RIBA) - 2000 - Kunsthaus GrazKunsthaus GrazThe Kunsthaus Graz, Grazer Kunsthaus, or Graz Art Museum was built as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2003 and has since become an architectural landmark in Graz, Austria...
, Austria (with Colin Fournier) - 1996 - Jean Tschumi Medal, International Union of Architects
- 1969 - Grant awarded by Graham Foundation, Chicago, for Instant City
- 1965 - Selected as one of ‘Young British Designers’ Sunday Times exhibition
- 1962 - Gas Council House Design (First Prize)
- 1961 - Piccadilly Circus Competition (Mention)
- 1960 - Henry Florence Student A.A. (Building Centre research Scholar)
Success in architectural competitions
- 2011 - Soheil Abedian School of Architecture, Bond University on the Gold Coast, Australia (with Gavin Robotham and Brit Andresen)
- 2010 - 2nd prize in the Taiwan Tower International Competition (with Gavin Robotham)
- 2009 - Faculty of Law, Vienna Business and Economics University (with Gavin Robotham)
- 2006 - New Theatre Verbania, Italy (with Gavin Robotham)
- 2000 - The Kunsthaus, Graz (with Colin FournierColin FournierColin Fournier is co-architect with Peter Cook of the Kunsthaus Graz in Austria. He is also professor of The Bartlett School of Architecture, a part of University College London.-References:...
) - 1992 - Museum of Antiquities, Austria (with Christine Hawley)
- 1990 - Solar Housing, Landstuhl, Germnay (with Christine Hawley)
- 1970 - Monte Carlo Entertainments Centre (with ArchigramArchigramArchigram was an avant-garde architectural group formed in the 1960s - based at the Architectural Association, London - that was futurist, anti-heroic and pro-consumerist, drawing inspiration from technology in order to create a new reality that was solely expressed through hypothetical projects...
)
Current appointments
- Professor Emeritus at University College LondonUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
- Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Arts
- Life Professor at the Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste (StädelschuleStädelschuleStädelschule, Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste, is a contemporary fine arts academy in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.- History :The Städelschule was established by a foundation set up by the Frankfurt merchant Johann Friedrich Städel in 1817...
) Frankfurt-Main - Senior Fellow of the Royal College of ArtRoyal College of ArtThe Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, London - Fellow of the Bournemouth Arts University
- Member of the Hessische Architektenkammer
- Member of the Royal Institute of British ArchitectsRoyal Institute of British ArchitectsThe Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
(RIBA), Architects Registration BoardArchitects Registration BoardThe Architects Registration Board is the statutory body for the registration of architects in the United Kingdom. It operates under the Architects Act 1997 as amended, a consolidating Act. It began under the Architects Act, 1931 which gave it the name the Architects' Registration Council of the...
(ARB) - Fellow of University College London
Former appointments
- Chair of Architecture of the BartlettThe BartlettThe Bartlett is the Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London. University College London created the first chair of architecture in 1841, and the school is named after the original benefactor, Sir Herbert Bartlett.-External links:*...
School, University College London. 1990-2006 - Director, Institute of the Contemporary Arts, London. 1970 - 1972
Exhibitions
- ArchigramArchigramArchigram was an avant-garde architectural group formed in the 1960s - based at the Architectural Association, London - that was futurist, anti-heroic and pro-consumerist, drawing inspiration from technology in order to create a new reality that was solely expressed through hypothetical projects...
exhibition - 1994 onwards: Vienna, Paris, New York, London, Pasadena, Chicago, Milan, Hamburg, Seoul, Mito, Taipei, Winnipeg, Zurich, Cracow, Zaragoza, Brussels, Rotterdam etc. - Curator of Venice Biennale of ArchitectureVenice Biennale of architectureMostra di Architettura di Venezia, the Architecture section of the Venice Biennale, was established in 1980, although architecture had been a part of the art biennale since 1968....
British Pavilion 2004, Cyprus Pavilion 2006 - Personal exhibitions – various dates: Los Angeles, Tokyo, Oslo, Berlin, Osaka, Frankfurt etc.
Publications
- 2008 - Drawing: The Motive Force of Architecture. Chichester: Wiley.
- 2003 - The City, Seen As A Garden Of Ideas. New York: Monacelli.
- 2001 - (with others). The Paradox of Contemporary Architecture. Chichester: Wiley-Academy.
- 2000 - Bartlett Book of Ideas. London: Bartlett School of Architecture.
- 1999 - (with Neil Spiller). The Power of Contemporary Architecture. London: Academy Editions.
- 1999 - (with John Hedjuk and Helene Binet). The House of the Book: Building, Zvi Hecker. London: Black Dog.
- 1999 - Archigram. London/New York: Princeton Architectural Press (also in Japanese, German, Chinese)
- 1996 - Primer. London: Academy Editions.
- 1993 - Six Conversations. London: Academy Editions, (Architectural Monographs Special Issue, No. 28).
- 1991 - (with Rosie Llewellyn-Jones). New Spirit in Architecture. New York: Rizzoli.
- 1989 - Peter Cook 1961-89. A+U.
- 1987 - (with Christine Hawley). Cities. London: Fisher Fine Arts, (published to accompany exhibition at the Fischer Fine Arts).
- 1985 - (editor with Olive Brown). Lebbeus Woods. London: AA Publications, 1985, (published to accompany exhibition at the Architectural Association).
- 1985 - Peter Cook - 21 Years, 21 Ideas. London: AA Publications, (foreword by Banham, Reyner and narrative by Hawley, Christine; published to accompany exhibition at the Architectural Association).
- 1983 - (with Barbara Goldstein). Los Angeles Now. London: AA Publications, (published to accompany exhibition at the Architectural Association).
- 1980 - (with Christine Hawley). Six Houses. London: AA Publications, (published to accompany exhibition at the Architectural Association).
- 1976 - Arcadia: The Search for the Perfect Suburb. London: Art Net/Peter Cook.
- 1976 - Art Net The Rally: Forty London Architects . London: Art Net/Peter Cook, (published to accompany Art Net exhibition).
- 1975 - Melting Architecture. London: Peter Cook, (published to accompany Art Net exhibition).
- 1972 - Archigram. London: Studio Vista/Reinhold, Birkhauser
- 1970 - Experimental Architecture. London/New York: Studio Vista/Universal Books.
- 1967 - Architecture: Action and Plan. London: Studio Vista.