Guernica Shackleton Glen Patterson MP3 player

In My View – Robert Bleakney

Robert Bleakney RIBA is an architect Glenn Patterson’s ‘Lapsed Protestant’.An practicing in Moira. Some years ago he was interesting selection of earlier writings the winner of the Ulster Architect Energy on Belfast and NI and a reminder of Efficiency House Design Competition how things have changed and at the which was sponsored by housebuilders, F.T. same time how things have remained Ferguson & Co. His winning entry was unchanged in recent years. built at Glengormley. Also reading to my younger daughter at bedtime – Mark Twain’s – ‘The What is your most prized possession? Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ (It seems It’s not my most prized possession but if I to have echoes of the ‘Horrid could only take one thing to a desert island, Henry’ books that she likes to read I would take my mp3 player. herself). The language in Tom Sawyer now seems quite archaic. Who was the greatest influence on your life? What music are you listening My mother who sadly died recently.She had to at the moment? a very strong work ethic, was very kind and Mark Knopfler – most of his very determined. albums, Ry Cooder’s– ‘Mambo • Robert Bleakney Sinuendo & Chavez Ravine’; Which architect or architectural Snow Patrol’s ‘Final Straw’ & ‘Eyes Open’, practice has influenced you most and Cold Play’s ‘X & Y’. briefly why? The first practice that I worked for - Who is your favourite living architect? •Mussenden Temple Diamond Redfern Anderson. Richard Rogers. Recently on holiday I visited their I like his earlier buildings - The Centre Castlepark Village which won an RIBA Pompidou, Lloyds Building and the more award and I still admire that scheme. I learnt recent Barajas Airport and National so much in the first few years working in Assembly for Wales. I also like the work of their office that it most certainly influenced Frank Gehry particularly the Weissman Art and shaped my architectural views. Museum.

Who is your favourite visual artist and Who is your favourite architect of all briefly why? time? It is difficult to pick one but I would choose Le Corbusier. The Villa Savoye and Notre from:- Dame du Haut are particular favourite Picasso for his inventiveness in different buildings. periods and particularly the painting "Guernica" which symbolizes the Throughout the world what is your destructive impact of all war.This painting is favourite building? in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid and Probably Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Falling • Pompidou Centre is well worth seeing. Water’ or the Chrysler Building in New Velasquez’ - "Las Meninas" - a fascinating York. My favourite interior is that of the study of perspective or Paul Henry - ’Into ‘Hill House’ by Charles Rennie Mackintosh The West’etc which perfectly captures damp which is timeless. soggy days in Ireland. In Ireland what is your favourite What is your favourite view? building? The sunrise – anywhere. A new day, a new Mussenden Temple.A simple classical design opportunity to do something interesting or with a fantastic location. worthwhile. • Sunset Where did you study architecture? What book are you reading at the Q.U.B. moment? Roland Huntford’s biography of Ernest If you won the Lottery what would Shackleton. It is interesting to see how you do with the money? much things have changed in 100 years, the As I have never bought a ticket I guess I many communication devices that are would share it with whoever bought the available to us and a reminder that polar ticket. Giving the money away or spending exploration then was as difficult and it would help me get over the surprise!! unknown almost as space exploration is • Villa savoye now; • Photograph of Robert Bleakney taken by Paul Megahey

Ulster Architect / September 2006 | page 15