Building Design.

Gemma Hyde’s article, published in Building Design, dives deep into the pressing need to create spaces and places where children and young people can genuinely thrive. Drawing on insights from the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and her testimony at a parliamentary select committee, Gemma discusses how the built environment can support - or hinder - the physical, emotional, and social development of young people. Gemma highlights how the absence of children from our streets and public spaces today signals a missed opportunity to make cities truly inclusive. Approaches like the Bernard van Leer Foundation’s Urban95 initiative and the TCPA’s work with Playing Out and Sport England underscore this point - designing cities from a child’s perspective often leads to environments that are better for everyone. One of Gemma’s critical observations is the lack of national policy attention. In the National Planning Policy Framework for England, children are mentioned just once, and youth not at all. This policy void, Gemma argues, results in local planning often neglecting young people’s needs, despite extensive evidence of how their environments impact their health, education, and lifelong wellbeing. Gemma’s article is an important read for those in architecture and planning who are committed to creating sustainable, resilient communities. By advocating for child-centred planning, Gemma provides a fresh perspective on inclusive urban design that could transform how we approach city planning for all ages. https://lnkd.in/eE6TpH8b #architecture #planning #youngpeople #children #play

📢 Join Us Tomorrow for Comprehensive Budget Coverage Tomorrow Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver Labour's first Budget in 14 years. Stay tuned for in-depth coverage and analysis of how these changes could impact you #architecture #news

What to look out for in the Autumn Budget 2024: Wednesday will see Rachel Reeves deliver her first Budget statement as chancellor. Daniel Gayne explains what it may have in store for construction. #architecture #news

Great piece from Avison Young's Laura Jenkinson in today's Building Design.

Chris Fogarty’s latest piece in Building Design tackles a pressing issue in contemporary architecture: the rise of what he terms “fast casual architecture” – a wave of uniform, uninspired housing developments reshaping cities across the US. Chris highlights the challenges architects face as they contend with tight budgets, building codes, and local government restrictions, all of which funnel design choices into predictable, unremarkable forms. In the article, Chris explores how the typical “4-over-1” or “5-over-2” timber-framed housing project, with its repetitive façades and limited architectural ambition, has become a standard across the US. This style, he explains, emerged from changes in building codes and zoning requirements, allowing larger wood-framed buildings to be quickly and cheaply constructed. The result? Developments that look strikingly similar regardless of region – built to satisfy budgets, not to inspire. Chris calls for architects to push back against these limitations by creating thoughtful, innovative alternatives within these constraints. His insights underscore the importance of architects’ civic role in influencing the built environment, even in the face of bureaucratic and budgetary hurdles. He encourages the profession to reimagine solutions for these project types, which account for much of today’s new multi-family housing, to deliver buildings that reflect creativity and context rather than cost-cutting alone. This article is essential reading for anyone in the industry dealing with the challenges of cost-constrained housing development. It provides a thought-provoking perspective on how architects can navigate constraints and still produce designs that inspire and elevate. https://lnkd.in/ejzcM9CB #architecture #housing Fogarty Finger

Chapman Taylor submits plans for residential towers next to Manchester United’s Old Trafford: Scheme to include blocks up to 25 storeys #architecture #news

Eleanor Jolliffe’s latest comment piece, published in Building Design, celebrates the broader role of architecture in civic impact and collaboration, exemplified by this year’s Stirling Prize winner, the Elizabeth Line. Eleanor’s piece is a reminder that architecture goes far beyond the confines of individual buildings – it's a discipline rooted in teamwork, public purpose, and a deep integration of multiple fields. Eleanor highlights the collaborative nature of large-scale projects like the Elizabeth Line and the Kings Cross masterplan, each realised through multidisciplinary efforts involving architecture, engineering, and a network of other professionals. This year’s Stirling Prize honours not just the physical infrastructure but also the collective expertise and civic-mindedness that brought it to life. Jolliffe argues that architecture’s strength lies in its diversity – historically encompassing design, engineering, and civic leadership. She notes that architecture was once synonymous with “civic and intellectual leadership,” applying knowledge to benefit society. In an era where many still view architecture narrowly, Eleanor suggests the profession should embrace its ancient roots as a multifaceted, collaborative endeavour. By acknowledging architecture as more than buildings and recognising the breadth of expertise required for transformative projects, the profession can redefine its relevance in a complex, evolving world. Her article offers a compelling vision for architecture’s future – one that embraces diversity, collective impact, and a return to the “team sport” ethos that has always defined great architecture. https://lnkd.in/eTEEvhaz #architecture #collaboration #stirlingprize

Laura Jenkinson’s article for Building Design examines the pressing questions around retrofitting London’s commercial building stock in light of the climate crisis and shifting planning priorities. Laura - principal planner at Avison Young – explores the delicate balance between retention and redevelopment, highlighting both the environmental and commercial stakes involved. At the core of the piece is a call for a nuanced, policy-driven approach that addresses the financial viability of retrofits without compromising sustainability goals. The article underscores how planners, architects, and asset managers must navigate complex priorities: from achieving EPC ratings and safeguarding against stranded assets to considering building functionality, accessibility, and potential changes of use. Laura argues that while heritage and carbon costs matter, the need for flexibility and pragmatism is equally crucial to avoid development delays and inefficiencies. With recent data showing that 85% of central London office stock risks obsolescence, the article underscores the urgency of policy interventions, suggesting that outdated buildings could cost over £5 billion to upgrade. Laura points to the City of London’s “heritage buildings retrofit toolkit” as a model for pragmatic solutions, but she highlights that more guidance is needed at the national level. Her recommendations – including tax incentives for retrofits, a national retrofit policy, and fewer committee-based planning decisions – offer a roadmap for tackling the retrofit challenge with speed and effectiveness. As London’s carbon emissions remain heavily influenced by commercial building stock, the article’s insights are timely and essential for anyone invested in sustainable urban development. By advocating for policy clarity and streamlined decision-making, Laura Jenkinson encourages the industry to look forward to a balanced and adaptable future for London’s built environment. https://lnkd.in/eraDEYhP #architecture #planning #retrofit #cityoflondon

Bristol council launches public engagement for Western Harbour regeneration: Public views on flood systems and road infrastructure will help shape a detailed project masterplan due Summer 2025 #architecture #news

Architect wanted for ‘site-wide transformation’ of London’s Wallace Collection: Six-year job to overhaul art gallery’s grade II-listed Marylebone base #architecture #news