London 2009 / I (architecture ...) 
immersion workshop in London under the Andalusian, or, rather, the European Union. Departing from Malaga somewhat chaotic. Arrival even more chaotic and dilated to London. We cater late and wrong in
McLaren House, the residence hall where we stay during the fortnight-long "immersion."
After the early dinner (to which I shall get used), shower and night out to explore the surroundings with a group of young people who just met and as part of the Andalucian expedition plunger. Up at a pub near the residence where decanted a pint of beer while we chatted, and we get to know, sitting on the outside for the night is warm to what is expected in London (then I end up missing a short-sleeved shirts ...).
next day training sessions and evaluation of our knowledge of English in a large classroom (sort of Aula Magna or Auditorium) from Southbank University
. When we finished the lunch (12-12:30 pm). Then quick nap to regain some strength after the trip and its changes, and exit to and around the City
and Southbank.
One day later (Tuesday, 30 June) they start classes. In the group assigned to me most teachers are Andalusians. Young as four Lugo Galicia and two Slovenians. We all fall very well, are polite and friendly. This day if I join the tour's official: the Cathedral of St. Paul. We crossed over the footbridge
Foster and climb up as allowed high dome (false dome) of St. Paul
. They watch the new London architecture, especially towards the City, is being built much, numerous cranes, giant cranes that seem to harbor, bristling with the London sky, lots of iron and glass, lots of glass, I think, seem to be based architectural techniques in the assembly of metal plates, beams and windows. I see no concrete mixers, brick, or stones. In terms of forms, diversity, building vertical, horizontal, straight, curved, with its cornices auctions or repetitive, straight, cu ... recognize how fast and practical construction of these systems, and aesthetically "modern" the outcome, but I do not know their costs in maintaining the internal temperature (although I know the techniques of Foster, but in those warm days had to distribute water to users in the Metro, whose galleries are reached 45 º) ... Another day, close to the McLaren, I thought I saw a skyscraper (or a very tall building) with wind turbines ...
Anyway London I found an excellent
compendium of modern architecture (ie , current), but do not know what is happening in New York or elsewhere as
Dubai, where I know bold rise buildings in the hot money of petrodollars, but it seems to me that it can be like the architecture of Las Vegas
: buildings, display, facade, mache, only useful for tourists, people in passing, soulless places . But not in London, where he built in the center of the city, in places where people live and work, where life bustles and where next to a skyscraper has a two-storey house which houses a pub, or a street houses. And this mixture if it is surprising and strident. Thus London is not far from reaching the harmonic beauty of Paris
. Also, unlike the French capital, the banks of Thames are not fully integrated into urban life as are those of the Seine. Often the buildings come right up to the riverbank, with no such beautiful boulevards that allow us to enjoy the banks of the Seine, while the width of the Thames seems to me much higher and its importance as a historic economic artery marked personality London, based on being a very well-protected harbor, which today
Docks recover business center. London
So I found this time a great city, diverse, a cocktail in a single urban agglomeration exciting vitality. It offers many possibilities but which, however, lacks something like the "Peripheral" Paris to the M-40 Madrid ring allowing its rapid, or what is the same, leaving the city with some agility (saving size comparisons). Therefore, for any trip our bus crossed over neighborhoods and neighborhoods to come outside after about an hour. Hence it is not surprising that
or Oxford Canterbury tardásemos almost two hours in the departure or return.
remains to be talking about many things: the cafes in the cathedrals, jazz, beautiful parks and video surveillance that is spreading .... But those are other stories.
More photos on Flickr .
