FAT: DO The Wrong Thing

Charles Holland of FAT or Fashion Architecture Taste will be giving a presentation on the firm and its unique approach to Architecture.

The firm, who veer away from conventional taste in their designs, embrace the art world in their work with output including master plans, furniture and fine art. Blue House (2002) has been described as ‘the most memorable new house in London’, with its cartoonish, cut-out facade which seems to mimic a child’s concept of a house. The firm have divided opinion greatly, with many people loathing their eccentric designs, while gaining a cult following which has brought them much work in the Netherlands.

FAT have also brought their ‘taste’ to Manchester, with their input in the development of New Islington. They describe their designs here as unifying ‘residents’ desire for traditional homes with the New Islington masterplan commitment to innovative and world class architecture’. Yet again they do not fail to separate themselves from the ordinary, fulfilling the plans of the founders of the New Islington regeneration scheme. But unlike much of FATs previous works in the private and public sector, where they can get away with one-off designs, how well will the community, relate to the housing that FAT has provided them in the long-term?

Regardless of opinion on FAT, this lecture cannot fail to provide an interesting insight into a still young and individual architecture firm, which is making ripples in the architectural and wider community.