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The Beetle and the Fly: Gaia International at its Best

Howard Liddell tells the story of the Gaia International Architects performing a turmoil on Declan's 60th Birthday

I really can't remember when we first met - it might have been in Scotland in the seventies - although unlikely - but my abiding memory is at Lista in Norway on the occasion of the Regenbuåsen Gaia project for Bergen - I think around 1992.

I remember him and Margrit getting very animated about Peter Schmid using a technique established by an ex Nazi (Conrad Wachsmann) - and eventually Peter retired to his bunker and peace broke out, as ever.

Another abiding memory was on the occasion of Declan's 60th Birthday - so it must have been 1994 - When we decided to do a theatrical piece on behalf of Gaia International "The Beetle and the Fly". I seem to have been persuaded to dress up as the beetle (make-up artist was Barbara Eble) and was supposed to dance with a (Swedish) fly (Maria Block) - the dress rehearsal went very well - but the actual performance was a disaster, when I missed my cue by about half a minute. The end result was Declan and Margrit in almost terminal laughter mode. - Fortunately there are no photographs. I seem to remember them saying it was refreshing to see all these normally highly professional people being so very incompetent. Thanks Declan!
We worked together as part of the Gaia International group and then met at a couple of conferences (one in Hohnstein and one in Hamm - where my unique style of German speaking seemed to be an asset (albeit in the second of these it turned out to be a liability). We did some very good competition entries over the years.

I also made a private visit to Steyerberg - as a house guest - probably early 90's I remember falling asleep on the Russian stove seat... and I learned Greek dancing!

Today our contact is less frequent than it shoud be - although we are in fairly regular email exchange. Gaia International and Gaia University still connect us - plus we have been undertaking the master plan for Findhorn together with Joachim Eble and therefore have an indirect connection through that.

What I find important about Declan: He smiles a lot and that has become a rare thing.
I am about to move on in my life from front line architecture/planning to a more tangential role and I would like to think that my so-called retirement path will be similar to his (ie non-retirement - just shifting mode.)

I wish him for his birthday...
... at least 75 presents on the day plus a cake with 75 candles - it will be seen for miles !!
... and to have the circumstances that keep him smiling - and good health (I assume there is a link)

Howard Liddell

Architect

... and her's the whole story with pictures!