Gordon Pask

Cedric Price
Address - Cedric Price Architects, 38, Alfred Place, London WClE 7DP, UK
Its simple, just throw these wooden curtain rings as quickly as possible into the
numbered box - which I shall call out. Then do it backwards with a mirror, than
blindfolded. He took my arm and led me into Jordans Yard. I could see that he
was not to be trifled with. That is how I first met Gordon at Cambridge in the early
fifties. Later I was to learn of his own equations between possibilities and the
probable-and so much more. I even visited his thousand mustard tins and water
computer-the operation of which heralded his front door with an apron of water
across the pavement.
When I was appointed architect for Joan Littlewoods Fun Palace in 1960, I thought
of Gordon and Joan did too. He immediately accepted the post-unpaid as I
remember-as cybernetician to the Fun Palace Trust. It was his first contact with
architects and he was extremely patient. He immediately formed a cybernetic
working party and attracted those he wanted to join it too. The meetings became
notorious-and Trust Members attended. I was also teaching part-time at the
Architectural Association and was delighted when Gordon agreed to sit on my
architectural juries. It was about this time that I noticed his note pad was covered
with impish little men with pointed hats.

I had years earlier marvelled at his perfect cones of cigarette and pipe ash that he
appeared to preserve in every available ash tray.
A book, rather than minutes, was produced after every single meeting he held-I
have them still. Everything was recorded, no chance remark too slight to avoid
inclusion. His personal contribution to the design of the Fun Palace was invaluable.
For example, it was Gordon, who decided quickly-after weeks of indecision, to
employ one single high level gantry crane across the whole length of the Fun
Palace-rather
than two, each covering half the area. A key decision which
determined the optimum size of the whole project. Dont use two cranes-rather
build a separate, second Fun Palace. Simple? only after Gordon had told me.
His patience is remarkable-then and now. It is this particular quality that is just
one sign of the immense interest he has in other peoples efforts and aspirations. He
Systems Research Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 165-166. 1993
ISSN 0731-7239

Thesis Publishers
0 1993 International Federation for Systems Research

dispenses the ultimate courtesy, that of being prepared to wait, to all with whom he
has contact.
He is however acutely timely in making his opinions known. The combination of
these two qualities means that he is constantly sought after by those of all ages and
experience.
He always has had the modesty of great mind-the capacity to learn a little bit
more. Thus he is a superb teacher and also a magnificent co-operator.

I experience this in our joint submission for the Japanese Kawasaki competition.
The design ranged from static units and their contained transportation and
information network to the local outlet or terminal. Gordon took it further than I
had dared to think of: The house became a component of the total plan but lost
nothing of its serenity, warmth and domestic individuality in so doing. A splendid
submission with Gordons inspired doodles an added delight.
His presence and inventions within life of the A.A. school are both legendary and
of day to day relevance.
His enjoyment of friends and conversation is a splendid thing to observe and an
honour to be a part of.
Happy Birthday Gordon. Your appetite to extend your horizon gives all of us an
ever changing opportunity to widen our own.
Oh, the curtain rings,-why Gordon was working on predictions enlistment numbers
to the R.A.F. for the year 2000-What else!

166

Cedric Price