黑洞社区

Rocky horror show

Sparkly bodysuits and giant inflatable mushrooms do not tend to go hand-in-hand with construction industry get-togethers, so a big hat tip must go to HLM architects for making this happen. Thankfully, this left field conjunction took place at Lady Gaga鈥檚 performance at London鈥檚 O2 this week, rather than the HLM boardroom. But perhaps things could have been different. Rumour has it the practice鈥檚 chair Chris Liddle (who, as anyone who has been to a Construction Rocks event will know is no stranger to the stage) has appeared in a support act not once, but twice, for veteran rockers Status Quo. I鈥檓 assuming that band鈥檚 penchant for denim makes it a better fit for architect-led back up than Lady Gaga鈥檚 sequinned attire 鈥� but never say never.

Going to the chair

Jessica Stevens鈥� credentials as a sustainability consultant were commended by 黑洞社区 in February as one of our 鈥�50 sustainability stars鈥�. Since then, Stevens鈥� career has gone from strength to strength, moving from consultant IPD to become an associate at GVA in the summer. But her professional credentials failed to impress Graham Norton. When placed on the 鈥渞ed chair鈥� at the end of his BBC chat show last week, she was asked what she did for a living. 鈥淩eal estate sustainability consultant鈥�, she replied. Cue howls of laughter from the audience - and being immediately ditched out of the back of the chair. Poor Jessica! She told 黑洞社区: 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think what I did was that boring, given the next person was a regional fundraising manager.鈥�

Frightful behaviour

Renowned architect Frank Gehry caused a stir when he collected the Prince of Asturias award in Spain this week. At the press conference, Gehry described 98% of modern architecture as 鈥減ure shit鈥�, and gave reporters the finger. The architect - who designed the Guggenheim Bilbao - was asked what he would say to people who dismiss his architecture purely as spectacle. He responded: 鈥淲e are dedicated to our work. I don鈥檛 ask for work [鈥�] I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. Therefore, please don鈥檛 ask questions as stupid as that one.鈥� He later apologised and blamed jetlag for his irritable response.

The town squares

黑洞社区 charity Article 25 has unveiled the artworks created by leading architects, designers and artists for their annual 10x10 Drawing the City London fundraising auction. The charity designs, builds and manages buildings for some of the world鈥檚 most vulnerable communities. The event takes its name from the grid of 100 squares laid over an area of the city, which this year has The Shard at its centre. Each of the participants is allocated a square of the grid and donates an original artwork inspired by the buildings within their square. Online bidding runs from 4-25 November.

Very superstitious

Want to hear something spooky? Well, apparently, moving home on Friday the 13th and the house number 13 are just some of the superstitious reasons for creeping out potential homebuyers, according to research by estate agent network Move with Us. Other concerns included not wanting to live next to a graveyard, black cats being seen during viewings or more commonly, questions about ghosts in the property. Some agents cited especially ghoulish and off-putting finds, including a coffin or dead person鈥檚 ashes in the house, taxidermy and rows of bottled specimens on shelves in a cellar. Apparently a spooky history can devalue a home by up to 20%.