Melbourne 1956; Historic footage of preparations for the Games

GV. Carlton Football Ground, Melbourne. LV. Football Ground and Stand (this will be the site for the new stadium). SV. Architect Frank Heath discusses drawing with Mr. Coles (Chairman, Games Committee). CU. Frank Heath. SV. Pan, new Olympic Stadium drawings. SV. Exterior of Stadium drawings. SV. Under stands of Stadium. SV. Pan main grandstand. GV. Stadium.

 

From the Film Australia Collection. Made by the National Film Board 1955. A brief description of Melbourne, venue of the 1956 Olympic Games. Shot in Cinemascope this film is one of several films made by the National Film Board promoting the coming of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the first time the games were to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. Typically the films survey Melbourne the city and the preparations for the games.

 

As the London Olympics of 2012 are in the final stages of preparation we look back 56 years to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and see how that city undertook the same task. Made by The Commonwealth Film Unit 1956.

Munich 1972; Frei Otto: Spanning the Future (Official Trailer 2016)

 

Frei Otto: Spanning The Future

This documentary profiles internationally-renowned architect and engineer, Frei Otto. Half a century ago, Otto became world famous as a pioneer in the design of tensile structures made from metal armatures and lightweight membranes. Otto’s work includes the Mannheim Multihalle, the Munich Zoo Aviary, the 1967 Montreal World Expo German Pavilion and co-design of the 1972 Munich Olympics Stadium.

For Otto, the mission of architecture is to be harmonious with nature. He believes every detail needs to be in agreement with the laws of the universe. This attempt to reconcile development with the natural world makes Frei Otto a prophet to the modern field of sustainability. Frei Otto saw as a given, that the earth has limited resources and humanity has almost unlimited needs. To efficiently solve the problem of shelter in a climate of constant shortages, Otto combined scientific experimentation with his fertile artistic imagination. Frei Otto’s true contribution to architecture and structural engineering has only been appreciated with the perspective of time. Contemporary architects including Zaha Hadid cite Frei Otto as having been a major influence on their work. They talk about Otto’s pioneering research on lightweight architecture; his early interest in the natural environment; his sense of social responsibility; and his foresight of the needs of the future. These elements—combined with Frei Otto’s compelling presence—have made him one of the most important architects of the 20th Century—and one of those whose ideas are still resonating in our own time. This trailer was produced by Simon K. Chiu, in collaboration with writer Michael Paglia, and director Joshua V. Hassel.

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© 2015 Simon K. Chiu
& Tensile Evolution North America

 

More info: www.facebook.com/FreiOttoFilm

Munich 1972; Short film ‘Olympiapark München’ by Spirit of Space

Spirit of Space is a creative agency that uses digital media to celebrate and promote a greater awareness of designed environments for the architectural profession and beyond.

Spirit of Space believes that film is the most effective tool to communicate the value of design because film transcends time, space, language, and culture. Offering professional services with those involved in the profession and education of architecture, Spirit of Space bridges professional architectural ideas with public understanding through the production of short films featuring finished works and the design process.

Source / read more: www.spiritofspace.com

Tokyo 1964; Yoyogi National Gymnasium (film)

Film by Vincent Hecht

Vimeo

First Episode of new Architecture Film Collection focus on Japanese 50 to 80’s Architecture Masterpieces.
Project : Yoyogi National Gymnasium – 1964
Architect : Kenzo Tange
Location : Yoyogi, Shibuya, Japan
Filmed & Edited by : Vincent Hecht
Music : Fern and Robin ” – Loscil
Equipments : Canon 5D MkII + 24mm TS-E f/3.5 + 50mm f/1.4 + 100mm f/2.8/+ Konova Slider

 

Yoyogi National Gymnasium facts and figures

  • Designed by: Kenzo Tange
  • Built: 1961 – 1964
  • Tokyo 1964: Swimming and diving events
  • Legacy mode: Ice hockey, futsal and basketball
  • Tokyo 2020; Handball
  • Seats: 13,291 (9,079 stand seats, 4,124 arena seats and 88 “royal box” seats)