Finally McAslan reveal a little about the N17 Studio and their work

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on January 6, 2015 at 20:50

Anarchist.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Pike on January 6, 2015 at 21:45

The offer of apprenticeships is an excellent opportunity for youngsters on their career path, even if they then choose to work in another profession other than architecture. They have a year in a professional office engaging in local and international projects and all the aspects of the job that that entails - not just drawing and design. At the start of my career I would have jumped at the chance to work in practice before study commenced. 

I like the sound of engaging at secondary school level in order to generate ideas and teach skills. Young people nowadays have a lot of skills with I.T. and so being introduced to a software like SketchUp is an easy way to quickly visualise ideas. It is an excellent tool when paired with active imaginations and I am keen to see the results. Martin you should try it and see what you can come up with. 

From my point of view it would seem bad PR if McAslan walked away after a year of this project and that would indeed paint the profession in a bad light and let down the Borough. I would hope that this could grow into a sustainable proposition that teaches students good business skills and not just how to have a jolly at the expense of public subsidy. 

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on January 7, 2015 at 13:16

Robert, I don't think anyone is criticising apprenticeships for younger people in Tottenham. Or "a year in a professional office engaging in local and international projects and all the aspects of the job that that entails - not just drawing and design." 

If that is what this is.

If you haven't already done so, I'd welcome your asking some questions about the project and your view of what it offers the handful of people who've been taken on. Are they getting this experience at the studio in High Road Tottenham now that it's "open for business". Or so the McAslan website claims. Why don't you pop down there unannounced. (In other words don't let them put on a show for you.) 

But please look at the context. Perhaps you'll know how many firms of architects have been provided at public expense with a shop to run such such schemes?  In an area where McAslan have been given at least one contract we know about by the Council - Hornsey Town Hall. With strong indications that they are involved in another - Apex House.  Is that normal practice?

Because I assumed that a large successful private practice would normally rent its own premises rather than rely on a handout from the Council.  You're in the same business. Does Haringey pay for your office?  Did you get a launch party with booze and nibbles with the Leader and her minions to welcome you?

Not that John McAslan hung around the launch party for long.  As it's a short walk from my home I got there just as it was starting. I wasn't invited, of course. But I was let in when I asked to speak to Mr McAslan. I wanted to ask him questions some of us are publicly raising. He was friendly and courteous; shook my hand; and explained that he had to leave because he was attending a concert. Then off he went into his waiting taxi.

He did though direct me to a colleague who kindly looked up what I'd posted on Building Design Magazine and told me it was factually incorrect.  I assured him that I was always prepared to issue a correction if I got something wrong. Apologising if necessary.

I haven't heard from them.

Is the cost of the project value for money? How many apprentices would you expect from a scheme costing £181,548 ?  (Source: Reply to a Freedom of information Act enquiry by Catherine McArthur). Do you know if any other professional businesses in Tottenham are getting a public subsidy on this scale? Or any Council subsidy at all?  If so, why some businesses and not others?

Then please consider the wider context: Haringey Council's budget cuts.

If you missed it, here's one example, which BBC Radio London (94.9 covered on Eddie Nestor's Drive Time yesterday (6 January). Here's the link   The item begins at 13:35 and is features Haringey families horrified by cuts proposed on services for their family members.

Not only are the Koberites planning to close key frontline services, they are absurdly claiming this will "make Haringey an even better place to live" and "Building Stronger". (Source: Kober's introduction to the Draft Corporate Plan.) If this wasn't a tragedy for some of the most vulnerable residents in the borough, our incompetent councillor clowns would be hilarious.

Oh, and how was McAslan selected as a recipient of Haringey's largesse? According to the Chief Executive: “Boris invited Claire to lunch and she met John [McAslan]. She came back and said: ‘I’ve met this bloke, I think he’s an architect.’” (Source Haringey Independent)

So it seems that's how things work in Kober's joke Banana Republic. The Dear Leader rewards her loyal poodles with "cabinet" positions and extra allowances. While tossing public money at starchitects and consultants. And although the sums involved would not cover the budget gap, they could help just a little in the worst cases. While not rubbing salt in the wounds of the deep cuts they pretend are "savings" and  "Building Stronger".

(Political Declaration on my profile page.)

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