Archimarathon’s 9 Rules For Architecture Travel Planning and Why It Matters

Kevin Hui and Andrew Maynard shares 9 rules for planning a successful action packed architecture travel trip. Although this is just scratching the surface, it gives and overview of how Kevin plans his numerous architecture tours through the years.
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[@shokoladniybegemot]

Rule 10, make sure you're on the same page with your travelling companion. Express your archimarathon aspirations to them well in advance of the trip. Be prepared that they will think you are a freak, because what could be better than lying on the beach all day with a cocktail. Be prepared to part peacefully in different directions and let that person be, without, likewise, thinking poorly of them for not taking an hour out of town to see a cemetery in the scorching summer heat.

[@Archimarathon]

Haha. Not to mention the concrete cemetery is unfinished and the way to get there is walk through an industrial area. I factor that as TIME again. You don’t have to drag everyone else there but if you do have a day or even a few hours free, you could still do it. We did mention that in our conversation but again, due to trying to cut the video down to under 20mins, a lot had to be let go. There are few more points/rules that I could still think of but that will be other videos. This is just scratching the surface. P.S. People already know I am a freak.

[@fritz4345]

Excellent episode. I thought I am a good travel planner but Kevin takes it up two levels.

[@sour7lemons]

bring a sketchbook:]

[@TheToby1007]

I must be the last architect (in Melbourne) to wander into this fabo channel, Great point about the travel diary + taxation. Kevin is making his taxation claims much easier with his comprehensive travel diary. I have claimed my last three overseas trips as 'conferences' using a similar type of diary. During this Covid Time I dream of travelling again. Keep up the great informative and easy to watch content. Cheers.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Christopher. I dream of traveling too, even leaving the house and going to the pub.

[@Nynke_K]

Just when I thought this channel couldn't get any better, you sang the praises of a 40 litre backpack. 👌

[@Archimarathon]

I am trying to move to a 30L. Having said that I did that original 2 weeks Archimarathon trip to Germany/Denmark/Belgium that Andrew mentioned in a 28L.

[@Nynke_K]

I've done a number of trips with a 33 litre one but I like how it expands to 40 litres so I can carry home impulse buys (this has all been either vacation/conferences; I'm sure I could do with less if I went for strictly hardcore architecture viewing)

[@Archimarathon]

Yes, impulse buys. I like shopping

[@robertholland4897]

Just been to Klippin in July 2022. In Finland I booked to stay in Aalto's Saynatsalo Town Hall, a little over our basic accommodation cost but worth it.

[@ivanventerarchitect]

Thanks. Great advice from Kevin & Andy.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for the comment.

[@joannedalton9977]

I have to say the advice about appealing to people goodwill to get access where typically there may be none can sometime pay off. It paid off for me in France and Villa Savour and Pierre Chareau's glass house. The latter quite difficult to get into (and no photos inside!!!). A last minute email to the custodian explaining my LONG journey from Aus, the other buildings in my hit list and that GLASS house was a bucket list moment meant a very generous and VRRY french gentleman allowed me to join an already oversubscribed tour at the the last minute. Not photos so spent the entire time with my sketch book out quickly sketching details. It ALWAYS pays to ask. Great video. The reference books at the beginning were a boon.

[@Archimarathon]

Thank you and great story. I have not been to the inside of Maison de Verre. There is a great video about it as part of the Architecture video series. kzbin.info/www/bejne/epvJe6WAaZiBnZY Getting access in a larger group out of goodwill is a lot harder unfortunately. There is something I love about solo travel.

[@yoonmengloh3072]

Rule 6 is also good tax advice! Thank you Kevin! Document everything, even your holiday...

[@Archimarathon]

Always man. Everything you buy (tech, books) if it’s related to architecture.

[@paulgasparro9364]

On a planning and research note. I came across an app a available on Google Play and Apple Store. It's called Architracker. Preety extensive database of works all around the world. It's free for now, probably would help to establish a list of places and spaces to explore. Not sure if you've come a cross it yourself Kevin?

[@Archimarathon]

Sure there are a lot of these apps. The problem again is the sheer number of projects listed. Look at the listing for the city alone. As I said at the start of the video, the problem is time and its about finding truely remarkable works to look at. Sure you could cross reference to these apps for other things along the way. These apps often don’t give you anything more than an image and you are lucky to have any write up.

[@paulgasparro9364]

@@Archimarathon correct! I did a simple search in Melbourne, and it showed in excess of 50 projects! At least here I'd know what's good and what's not, but overseas it's a different story. Especially if you've never been to that city/country.

[@Fatlou_]

That’s so much more preparation that I expected !! Found this very helpful(what a tease though) Can’t wait go on my first archimarathon tour !!! 辣子糕！！！！

[@Archimarathon]

It’s just scratching the surface really. There are so many things I didn’t put in this video otherwise it’s way too long. Haha, you are in on the joke of La Zi Gao.

[@mapout.studio]

Rule 10. Let Kevin do the job. ;). Side note: The Ron Arad room (at the same hotel as the Zaha) is awesome.

[@Archimarathon]

Oh there are a few more rules but thanks for that. Really? Ron Arad is awesome? I used to also like the material and colour palette of the David Chipperfield room. Never seen it in real life.

[@mapout.studio]

@@Archimarathon Ron Arad take the room design from scratch. make the bed the headboard perpendicular to the big window. and organice the rest of the needs of the hotel room in a spine of one material. The feeling is so fresh its a great layout. The bed is round and the usual tv screen is a proyector from the headboard to a blind which also acts as proyector screen.

[@hamincox6228]

awesome stuff! been spending isolation planning some trips for after and this is definitely helpful

[@Archimarathon]

Glad you find helpful. It’s generally good for precedents studies anyway. This is only scratching the surface

[@imanimaniman1]

awesome content! looking forward to more discussions =)

[@Archimarathon]

Thank you imani

[@susanamira23]

Cute guys, great content, my kind of channel, thanks! Cheers from Ciudad de Panamá

[@Archimarathon]

Hola! Thanks for watching and commenting. Although we haven't been talking about travel since travel is almost strange concept right now. Hope that you are keeping safe in Panama.

[@pompei1009]

Rule Ultimate Zero: Don't plan anything and just enjoy getting lost and immerse yourself into the slow discovery of unexpected architecture~(only applies to people who has plenty of time~). That's how I discover Angelo's house in my neighbourhood anyway lol.

[@Archimarathon]

I am going to repeat the most important word again. TIME ;) If you have it, that’s great. Most people don’t. I know I don’t.

[@ubertothegroove]

+1 for hardcopy

[@Archimarathon]

*fistbump 🤜🤛

[@houseofwolfandlamb]

Well . . .I will say I was glad to stumble across "these two morons" talking about architecture travel planning so thanks for making this video. Very good tips! I started my channel in the Spring and one of my hopes was to start travel vlogging with a focus on architecture. My oldest daughter is studying architecture in Rome (we are in the US and are thankful she finally got to go!) and after she actually got there and got settled, I started planning my own trip to go visit her. Figured what better place to start this than there?! So this will be my first of hopefully many, many workcations. I appreciate this info to assist in my planning. :)

[@Archimarathon]

Good luck with your travels. We are still locked in our country

[@houseofwolfandlamb]

@@Archimarathon Thank you. I’m praying I do get to go and planning accordingly. I suppose if I have to cancel, I’ll already have plans for a future trip … but this Mom sure wants to take her girl out to dinner for her birthday! You guys stay safe and hope you can travel again soon.

[@acps1057]

Kev, would love to see a copy of your PDF travel list of buildings to visit---- are your travels open to non archi students ? obviously post covid

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks and yes I do take non architects. You see in the video how much effort goes into my list so there is a degree of IP work there. My usual 15 day tour usually takes me 2 weeks full time work just to locate, research and shortlist the list of buildings. Then after that I take another couple of weeks putting together the itinerary with all the train/flight connections and bookings.

[@mikeewin7544]

Where can I read El Croquis online? I live in the US and only Harvard Design Library seems to have access, but only for Harvard students.

[@Archimarathon]

They are about $20 digitally

[@hurtecho]

Rule 5. Regarding TRANSPORT. where do I even start man ?! In Latin America [certain countries] public transportation wise, it is a mission, an odyssey [most of the times not pleasant] to get to certain locations for sightseeing without the assistance or insight of a friendly local willing to help you not to get killed or run over by any form of moving vehicle or get lost or catch an unscheduled bus in a non formal designated "bus stop" and such...Kevin you're right people look at you weird and everyone gets disgruntled and annoyed...

[@Archimarathon]

Good point. So what about ride sharing such as uber?

[@hurtecho]

Archimarathon I’d say if available, it’s a wise reasonable solution to take fully advantage of...or car rentals too [could be]...

[@Archimarathon]

H. URTECHO But I hate driving, particularly in foreign countries.

[@dontbeabutt7786]

Do you guys know a great app similar to ArchiMaps? I've tried to download it but it's 'made for an older version of Android' :(

[@lucasosborn9143]

What about budgeting? Especially for young broke architecture students!!!

[@Archimarathon]

Well I would also start with the value of the projects and the lessons you are going get to think about money involved. I have everything on a spreadsheet with thinks I have booked and things I am expected to pay whilst I am there. A lot of architecture travel, the things you see are free, it’s just getting there. I would also find the balance between speed vs cost when it comes to transport. TIME cost you more than you would think

[@Archimarathon]

Another thing is, have you seen everything in your own city? Have you revisited them? Because as you learn more you will start to see new things you didn’t see before.

[@lucasosborn9143]

Archimarathon haven’t seen nearly enough of Melbourne I’m at Melbuni and even seeing that side of town has made me realised how much I don’t even know my own city!!!

[@Archimarathon]

Lucas Osborn I would highly recommend you do the same sort of research first. Look for drawings, read about the projects before embarking on a trip to see them. You might also find a few projects clustered close enough to jump between them to save time.

[@hurtecho]

I feel ya Lucas ! But it gets better once you are able to start accruing professional experience post_school times, you get to get paid by an employer or have some form of income through your work hopefully and that's when you save money and decide to allocate a budget for this educational and personal fulfillment trips, hopefully if you are passionate enough about it still; the struggle gets real in this crumbling economy though.