AKT II

Reducing carbon in construction starts from the ground up—literally. AKT II’s Technical Director, Dr. Dimitrios Selemetas, has been featured in Ground Engineering Magazine's latest article, “Cutting carbon through optimised design and foundation reuse”, where he discusses how #strategic engineering can significantly reduce embodied carbon in foundation design. Dr. Dimitrios will also be speaking at the upcoming GE Piling & Foundations Conference 2025, where he will explore best practices in foundation design that reduce material use, lower embodied carbon through integrated design, and maximise foundation re-use. 📅 Date: 22 April 2025 ⏰ Time: 1:50 PM – 2:15 PM 📍 Location: America Square Conference Centre, London Join him at the event to be part of the #conversation on the future of low-carbon construction. Click the link in comments to read this latest article👇

AKT II's projects are popular in the press this week! St Pancras Campus, a #London project with W.RE and Caruso St John Architects Llp has been featured in this week’s RIBA Journal. This mixed-use development brings together #offices and #market and affordable #residential spaces within a carefully considered urban setting, integrating public routes and a landscaped piazza to enhance the surrounding area. The fantastic feature highlights how the design respects the #historic context while delivering high-quality, #adaptable spaces. Find the full article in the comments: W.RE | Caruso St John Architects Llp | NDY | BAM UK & Ireland | exigere | B&CO | JCLA | Point 2 | Gerald Eve | London Borough of Camden #AKTII #StructuralEngineering #StPancrasCampus #RIBAJournal

Architecture Today explores the restoration of a true architectural pioneer— Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. AKT II project Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings project has been featured in Architecture Today, highlighting the #collaborative façade design by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios). Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, originally built in 1797, is recognised as the world's first iron-framed building—the ‘grandparent of skyscrapers.’ Design director Christopher Blust shares AKT II’s perspective on the project, detailing the approach taken to retain its historic #integrity while ensuring its future #resilience. Chris noted about the project design team; “Each member adopted an unwavering position, digging-in and overcoming challenges as they arose[...]This made the design team work together as partners in pursuit of success, rather than as a team of individual consultants.” This project demonstrates the value of collaboration in preserving architectural #heritage while meeting contemporary needs. Click the link in comments to read the full article in Architecture Today. 📸: Historic England Historic England | Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) | E3 Consulting Engineers | LT Studio | Croft Building & Conservation Ltd | Shropshire Council | The National Lottery Heritage Fund | Northcot Brick Limited #ArchitecturalHeritage #StructuralEngineering #HistoricRestoration #ShrewsburyFlaxmillMaltings #AKTII

We are moving forward in the next phase of the YZD Runway Design Competition run by Northcrest Developments. Our team—Team SLA —alongside Gehl - Making Cities for People, PCA-STREAM, Trophic Design Inc., AOA, Art-Public, HR&A Advisors, and Level Playing Field, , will help explore how this space can be reimagined for future public use.   “The Runway must become an extraordinary centrepiece for YZD, a magnet for the region, and a bold statement to the world. By turning the Runway’s transportation infrastructure into social infrastructure, we can help transform the Runway into a whole new form of public space encompassing all the social, ecological, historical, creative, and deeply human experiences and values of YZD,” says SLA Design Principal & Partner Rasmus Astrup.   We are proud to work alongside CCxA, Field Operations, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., and Sasaki. This next chapter will help set a new standard for public space.

How can we design buildings that withstand the increasing challenges of climate change?   Mattia Donato, associate director and Head of Bioclimatic Design and Climate Adaptation at AKT II, recently shared his insights in a RICS article exploring how #resilience can help protect people and buildings against a changing climate.   The article follows a webinar panel discussion, where Mattia spoke about the urgent need to rethink our approach to resilience. He highlights: "We’ve been designing buildings and infrastructure based on historical weather patterns. But with a changing climate, we also need a changing built environment that can adapt and be resilient to future events."   His contribution reinforces the importance of proactive, data-driven design strategies to create a more #adaptable and #sustainable built environment.   Follow the link in comments to see the full article and watch the webinar 👇 Dr Tina Thomson | Aris Papadopoulos | james kavanagh | Steven Matz #ClimateResilience #SustainableDesign #AKTII #BioclimaticDesign #ClimateAdaptation

In the February half term, AKT II welcomed students from around #London and the #SouthEast into the office. As part of the Open City Accelerate programme, the scheme is designed for students interested in exploring careers within the #builtenvironment, and allows them to build upon #design skills, understand the industry #networks and gain the #confidence to make informed career choices. During their visit, the students made collages and models of kiosk structures they've designed around the theme of 'together', exploring how the different sectors of the built environment industry integrate to produce a final structure.    Whilst tapping into their #creative capabilities, the workshops also allowed them to experience life at AKT II and the exciting work we do.   A special thank you to Lucy Staley, Ece Naz Tonguc and Antonia Haar for hosting a #memorable week! #OpenCity #Careers #NextGeneration #Future #Creativity

Can outdated city #infrastructure spark new possibilities for circular urban #development? Across the world, cities are facing the challenge of ageing infrastructure. In Europe, there are 26,523 wastewater treatment plants and Sweden alone has about 1,700 such facilities, many earmarked for demolition. Instead of treating them as liabilities, we should recognise their #potential as assets for adaptive reuse and positively influencing a more #sustainable urban future. These sites are often in prime locations, close to water, nature, and growing communities. From a structural point, they are usually very robust, well cared for and of a flexible scale. With the right approach, they could evolve into multifunctional spaces that support stormwater management, boost #biodiversity, and create new public amenities. Rather than erasing them, we can rethink them as part of a circular urban system. That’s exactly what we’ve been exploring in VERKET, a research initiative in #Ulricehamn, Sweden, where AKT II worked with Marge Arkitekter, TREDJE NATUR and Lone-Pia Bach. Over the past three months, we’ve investigated how to repurpose these sites—transforming wastewater treatment plants into stormwater purification landscapes, and technical infrastructure into places where urban life and nature intersect. This isn’t just a Swedish challenge; cities across the world are facing similar dilemmas. How we handle ageing infrastructure today will shape the cities of tomorrow. We’re excited to share the results of our research, with the report officially published as of yesterday! Huge thanks to ArkDes and Rebecka Engvall and Robin Eskilsson and all at Municipality of Ulricehamn for their support, and to everyone involved in this fantastic collaboration. Click the link in comments to learn more about this unique project.

Yesterday, AKT II co-founder Hanif Kara OBE had the privilege of attending the Commonwealth day service.    Prime Minister Keir Starmer and many leaders of the commonwealth gathered to attend the service, delivered by King Charles. This years service centred on the theme, ‘Together we Thrive,’ celebrating the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family.   Ahead of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, the King paid tribute to the "sacrifice and selflessness" of Commonwealth forces. He also said restoring the "disrupted harmony of our entire planet" is the most "important" task facing humanity.   The service was a poignant reminder of the strength and unity within the Commonwealth, highlighting the power of collaboration and shared purpose. #TogetherWeThrive #Commonwealth #RoyalAddress #Leadership

How can we #design and #construct foundations more sustainably?   At the this years GE Piling & Foundations Conference, AKT II's Dr. Dimitrios Selemetas will be speaking on the subject of 'sustainability by design – rethinking foundations'.   Dr. Dimitrios will explore best practices in foundation design that reduce material use, lower embodied carbon through integrated design, and maximise foundation re-use.    📅 Date: 22 April 2025 ⏰ Time: 1:50 PM – 2:15 PM 📍 Location: America Square Conference Centre, London   Join the #discussion to learn how sustainable design principles can drive efficiencies in geotechnical engineering.   Book your place down in the comments 👇   #GeotechnicalEngineering #Sustainability #Piling #Foundations #SustainableDesign

The public consultation for Albert Bridge House in #Manchester is now live!   This ambitious mixed-use development will transform a key riverfront site at the gateway to the city from #Salford, supporting Manchester’s target for net zero by 2038.   Designed by Studio Egret West for Oval Real Estate , the scheme is a flagship part of the #BridgeStreet area regeneration, bringing: - Two residential buildings, providing c. 800 homes in a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. - A new office building, designed to be best in class and complement the surrounding context while providing #modern, #adaptable workspaces. Expanded and enhanced public realm, maximising access to the River Irwell and enhancing connectivity in the city with new pedestrian and cycle linkages through the site.   Have your say by visiting the consultation link in the comments 👇 📸: Studio Egret West Oval Real Estate | Studio Egret West | Savills | Deloitte | Gardiner & Theobald LLP | Hoare Lea #Manchester #Community #Connectivity #HaveYourSay