Future Systems

Future Systems was a London-based architectural and design practice, formerly headed by Directors Jan Kaplický and Amanda Levete.

Not to be confused with the IBM Future Systems project.

Future Systems
Exterior detail of the Selfridges Building, Birmingham
Practice information
Key architectsJan Kaplický David Nixon
Amanda Levete
Founded1979 (1979)
LocationLondon, England, UK
Significant works and honors
BuildingsLord's Media Centre; Selfridges Building; Bull Ring; Malator; Ferrari Museum, Modena
ProjectsNational Library, Prague
DesignGreen Bird, London
AwardsStirling Prize (1999)

Future Systems was founded by Kaplický and David Nixon after working with Denys Lasdun, Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, and Richard Rogers in 1979. The work of Future Systems can be classified within the British high-tech architects as either bionic architecture or amorphous, organic shapes sometimes referred to as "blobitecture". "Compared to his peers, Kaplicky was the avant-garde incarnate, relentlessly pursuing the new new thing, refusing to settle into some predictable, and comfortable, architectural niche."[1]

Practice

Future Systems proposals adapted construction methods from other professions, including (most commonly) the curved monocoque shell structures found in aircraft design, car design and boat building.

In the 1990s the company moved from theoretical projects to fee-paying work with projects such as the "spacecraft-like"[2] Media Centre at Lord's Cricket Ground in London (completed 1999), and the Selfridges Building (completed 2003). For Lord's, Kaplicky received the Stirling Prize. The Selfridges department store is a prime example of the early 21st century movement referred to as "blobitecture", and has been compared to Peter Cook's Kunsthaus in Graz, Austria.

After Future Systems won the Stirling Prize, the firm received larger commissions including the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, Italy (2009)[3] and the unbuilt new Czech National Library.[4] In 2008 Kaplický and Levete split the firm. Kaplický took the firm name and some staff to the Czech republic, and Levete would take a proposed new headquarters for News Corporation in east London and a commission for a hotel and retail complex in Bangkok, Thailand, along with most of the staff – between 35 and 45 people.[5]

History

1979 Founded by Jan Kaplicky and David Nixon while working at Foster Associates.

1989 Joined by Amanda Levete who arrives from Richard Rogers & Partners to become a partner.

1994 Completed the well received Hauer-King house in Canonbury, Islington, London.

1999 Won the Stirling Prize for Lord's Cricket Ground media centre.

2003 Completed the Selfridges building at the regenerated Bull Ring shopping centre in Birmingham.

2007 Won the commission for the controversial Czech National Library.

2008 Split into two practices after Kaplicky and Levete officially separate as business partners.

2008 Submits design of London Routemaster bus.[6]

2008 Czech National Library project cancelled by Prague authorities.[7]

2009 Jan Kaplický dies on 14 January 2009 in Prague, Czech Republic.[2] A month later the final few staff working for Kaplický/Future Systems in Levete's offices were let go.[7]

References
  1. "Jan Kaplicky, a visionary, dies" Architectural Record, March 2009, p.27
  2. Booth, Robert (15 January 2009). "Radical architect Jan Kaplický dies". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  3. "Designed for the fast lane". World Architecture News. 15 January 2007. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  4. "ZUKUNFT VON GESTERN. Visionäre Entwürfe von Future Systems und Archigram | DAM Online" (in German). 6 May 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  5. Booth, Robert (17 October 2008). "From a shining future to a bitter end as 'blob' architecture pioneers part company". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  6. Staff Writer (8 January 2008). "Future Systems' London Routemaster bus". BD Online, The Architects Website. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
  7. Staff Writer (19 February 2009). "Levete confirms Kaplicky job cuts". BD Online, The Architects Website. Retrieved 20 August 2009.

Sources
  • Pawley, Martin (1993). Future Systems : The Story of Tomorrow. London: Phaidon. ISBN 0-7148-2767-3.
  • Sudjic, Deyan (2006). Future Systems. London: Phaidon. ISBN 0-7148-4469-1.

Further reading

Articles

Books
  • Field, Marcus (1999). Future Systems. London: Phaidon. ISBN 0-7148-3831-4.
  • Future Systems (2001). Unique Building (Lord's Media Centre). Chichester: Wiley Academy. ISBN 0-471-98512-0.
  • Kaplický, Jan (2002). Confessions. Chichester: Wiley-Academy. ISBN 0-471-49541-7.
  • Kaplický, Jan (1996). For Inspiration Only. Chichester: Academy Editions. ISBN 1-85490-478-7.
  • Kaplický, Jan (1999). More for Inspiration Only. Chichester: Academy Editions. ISBN 0-471-98770-0.
  • Kaplický, Jan (2001), Looking Back in Envy: 20th Century Art and Design Revisited (Architectural Design), Chichester: Wiley Academy, ISBN 0-470-84228-8
  • Pawley, Martin (1997). Hauer-King House : Future Systems. London: Phaidon. ISBN 0-7148-3630-3.
  • Tichá, Jana; Kaplický, Jan; Margolius, Ivan, eds. (2002), Future Systems, Prague: Zlatý řez, ISBN 80-901562-6-6
  • Kaplický, Jan; Margolius, Ivan (2005), Česká inspirace - Czech inspiration, Prague: Fraktály Publishers, ISBN 80-86627-09-8
  • Margolius, Ivan (2022), Jan Kaplický - For the Future and For Beauty, Stuttgart: Edition Axel Menges, ISBN 978-3-86905-025-6
  • Sturm, Philipp; Schmal, Peter Cachola (2016). Yesterday's Future: Visionary Designs by Future Systems and Archigram (in German). Prestel. ISBN 978-3-7913-5575-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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