Brooks Powell, Assoc. AIA’s Post

Ever thought about the rebirth of resilience? 3 World Trade Center stands tall, not just in its physical stature but as a testament to human determination and resilience. Nestled in the heart of New York City, this skyscraper isn't merely an architectural marvel—it symbolizes the indomitable spirit of a city that chose to rise from its ashes. Imagine, a site once enveloped in tragedy, now a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and progress. 3 WTC, with its cutting-edge design, doesn't just meet the eye but also pushes the boundaries of environmental sustainability in urban constructions. It's a building that breathes, lives, and contributes to the city more than just its skyline. But here's the kicker—its open spaces, terraces, and sky gardens are redefining the very essence of office spaces. It's not just about work; it's about wellness, inspiration, and creating environments that foster creativity and growth. This story of 3 World Trade Center is a powerful reminder of our capability to overcome, innovate, and envision a future that honors the past while boldly stepping into tomorrow. Let's discuss: What other examples of resilience in architecture or business have inspired you? Share your thoughts below.

Gensler released their 2025 Design Forecast last week and the top 5 takeaways are worth a think for community creators and people involved in real estate: 1. Experience-driven lifestyle districts reignite global cities. (come back for more on this below) 2. Demand for sustainable design supercharges innovation and value. (a.k.a. Wellness is the new why, and it's more than sustainability, it's thinking right from the start about regenerative design, working with what is, and adding value in the process). 3. Deeply discounted buildings drive a conversion boom. 4. Talk turns to action on attainable housing. 5. The workplace of the future has arrived. The first has broad-reaching implications for all placemakers, designers, new urbanists, and the like trying to turn the tide from vanilla SFD land use in the suburbs to mixed use places that have more life and promise. Even at the smallest scale like what Wheeler District and Charter Homes & Neighborhoods have done, the increase in resident satisfaction is measurable, in greater absorption, higher values, and happier people. In mixed use districts, "you need to have that variety and diversity of uses, people, and experiences to give people a reason to show up" and it starts from the ground up with great design, and needs exceptional place branding - the activation and experiences that happen here to connect people with the place. It's more than the clubhouse, pool, and activity director. It's a place to walk and get a coffee, a slice of pizza, meet new friends and spend time IRL and not behind a screen. Kevin Ervin Kelley, AIA calls these "bonfire moments", and he's right. When done right these are the places people will crawl through mud to spend time and money in. #communitydesign #placebranding #community #socialwellness #mixeduse

Building Sustainable Futures Through Revitalized Spaces 🌱 As an architect and founder of Lightner Group, LLC, I've dedicated my career to transforming overlooked spaces into vibrant, sustainable environments where families can thrive. The transformation depicted in this AI-generated image represents more than a renovation—it's a rejuvenation of spirit and community. Personal Insights on Sustainable Renovation: 🎨Creativity in Construction: My journey in architectural engineering has instilled a deep appreciation for innovative design that maximizes both function and form. Each project is a canvas for creative expression that respects and revitalizes the environment. 🌍Eco-Friendly Living: Sustainability is at the heart of my approach. I prioritize eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs that not only reduce costs but also promote environmental stewardship. 🏡Accessible Housing: I am passionate about tackling the affordable housing crisis by innovatively renovating existing structures. This approach ensures that more families have access to safe and affordable homes. 🛠️Long-Term Value: By focusing on durable materials and timeless designs, I ensure that our renovations are built to last, providing families with long-term security and comfort. ⏱️Efficient Processes: My background in project management allows me to streamline renovation processes, reducing turnaround times and minimizing disruption to families. Cultivating Creativity and Imagination in the Next Generation🌟 More than just structures, we are shaping the environments where the next generation will learn and grow. The vibrant transformation of children’s spaces, like the one shown here, is designed to ignite young minds, fostering curiosity and creativity. These spaces are more than just homes; they are places where children can dream big and imagine a brighter future. Join me on this transformative journey, where we don't just build homes—we inspire futures, one space at a time. 🚀 #SustainableHousing #AffordableHousing #RenovationProjects #GreenBuilding #EcoFriendlyLiving #CommunityDevelopment #InnovativeDesign #ArchitecturalEngineering #RealEstateDevelopment #FutureLeaders #LegacySprouts

Adaptive reuse is having a moment—and for good reason. This trend is about taking underutilised spaces, like vacant offices or struggling retail sites, and transforming them into something fresh: vibrant residential communities, mixed-use hubs, or even flexible co-working spaces. This approach breathes new life into buildings and their surroundings, and creates opportunities to reimagine how we connect with urban spaces. At James & James Design, we love working on projects that bring this kind of transformation to life. Giving a building a new purpose and crafting a story that resonates with both tenants and the local community, we can help clients unlock the full potential of adaptive reuse projects. What makes these projects so exciting is the opportunity to create spaces that feel relevant and inclusive, turning what was into what could be while addressing tenant needs, supporting sustainability goals, and adding real value to the neighbourhood. 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺? 𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵: https://lnkd.in/eWaaWFFR

City Physical Design ++ [why planning matters] The physical design of a city plays a crucial role in shaping how we live, move around, and interact with our environment. The layout and design of buildings, streets, parks, public spaces, and transportation systems can have a significant impact on our behavior and well-being. For example, a city with well-connected streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes promotes walking and cycling, which can lead to improved physical health and better mood. -- The physical design of a city matters because it shapes our daily experiences, influences our behavior, and affects our overall well-being. By prioritizing pedestrian-friendly, sustainable, and inclusive design principles, cities can create environments that support healthier, more connected, and more livable communities.

Architecture can transform communities - here's how it happens: That means thoughtful design can change lives. Key projects showcasing this impact: • St. John's Park: Reimagines urban green spaces. Encourages community engagement, fostering inclusive public spaces. • ShuiFa Info Town: Blends technology with sustainable design. Creates a smart urban environment addressing social and environmental challenges. How architecture empowers communities: 1. Inclusive Public Spaces: Design spaces that everyone can enjoy, promoting social interaction and community bonding. 2. Sustainable Design: Incorporate eco-friendly materials and practices to create healthier living environments. 3. Technological Integration: Use smart technology to enhance the functionality and efficiency of urban spaces. 4. Addressing Societal Issues: Architects should focus on solving real-world problems, from housing shortages to climate change. Remember, the goal is to create spaces that are not just functional, but also foster community and address global challenges. 💾 Save this post for trend reference, ♻️ Repost to inspire your followers 👣. Follow White Space for more of this content.

🏢✨ Unlocking the Power of Adaptive Reuse Design ✨🏢 Experience the magic of history reborn through successful renovations and office conversions. At Private Label, we understand the art of adaptive reuse—balancing preservation with innovation to create spaces that resonate with their past while embracing the future. With an experienced team and strategic approach, the benefits are vast: from cost savings to sustainable construction, from preserving cultural heritage to revitalizing communities left vacant by economic shifts. We are certainly not strangers to repositioning assets, and from a design perspective, we like a good story of leaving a building better than we found it and affecting the community in a uniquely positive way. Through thoughtful design and meticulous planning, we breathe new life into old spaces, leaving a positive impact on both the building and the community. Join us as we uncover the beauty of adaptive reuse and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. 💫 https://lnkd.in/gNV9BsWs #AdaptiveReuse #OfficetoResidential #HistoricPreservation #CommunityRevival #DesignInnovation #InteriorDesign #MultiFamily #PropertyRepositioning #PrivateLabelInternational #PrivateLabelExperience

A great conversation yesterday morning at the New Towns Taskforce round table on design quality. Taskforce member Sowmya Parthasarathy invited me to speak for a few minutes at the start and I focused on the limits of design policy to create quality without other supporting mechanisms: 1. You can’t design out poor site selection. We need high quality strategic spatial planning that prioritises sustainability, quality of place and addresses inequality. (More on that this afternoon Catriona Riddell!). Every positive design decision within the site is then amplified and supported by the right location. 2. Design policy at the national and local level can then be powerful. Design codes are a useful tool to give local authorities more ammunition to defend against bad design. But they need to be proportionate- enough rules to ensure quality but not so many as to stifle creativity or deliverability. Our biggest design challenge is to create density, reduce traffic and appropriately scale green spaces (that can be barriers when too large) to create great places, while meeting the demands and realities of what the UK population wants (generally houses rather than flats and quite a lot of parking spaces) and the demands of planning policy. 3. On the delivery side, design guidance can only take you so far. Land values, the delivery model, involvement/oversight of skilled people within the local authority, stewardship etc all have an enormous impact on quality. Looking forward to more conversations and seeing the outcomes of the Taskforce’s work in the summer!

Architecture can transform communities - here's how it happens: That means thoughtful design can change lives. Key projects showcasing this impact: • St. John's Park: Reimagines urban green spaces. Encourages community engagement, fostering inclusive public spaces. • ShuiFa Info Town: Blends technology with sustainable design. Creates a smart urban environment addressing social and environmental challenges. How architecture empowers communities: 1. Inclusive Public Spaces: Design spaces that everyone can enjoy, promoting social interaction and community bonding. 2. Sustainable Design: Incorporate eco-friendly materials and practices to create healthier living environments. 3. Technological Integration: Use smart technology to enhance the functionality and efficiency of urban spaces. 4. Addressing Societal Issues: Architects should focus on solving real-world problems, from housing shortages to climate change. Remember, the goal is to create spaces that are not just functional, but also foster community and address global challenges. 💾 Save this post for trend reference, ♻️ Repost to inspire your followers 👣. Follow White Space for more of this content.

🏡 Did You Know? 🏗️ In real estate, adaptive reuse is a growing trend where old buildings are repurposed for new uses. 🏢✨ Instead of demolishing a structure, developers are transforming warehouses into trendy lofts, factories into chic hotels, and historic buildings into modern office spaces. This process often involves creative renovations while maintaining the original character of the building. 🏛️🔨 Why is adaptive reuse so important? It not only preserves a city's architectural heritage but also significantly reduces construction waste and energy use. 🌱💡 By repurposing existing buildings, developers can revitalize communities, drive economic growth, and support sustainability. It's a win-win for both cities and the environment! 🌍 At Rogers Acquisitions & Development, we’re passionate about turning vision into reality. Whether it's a historic renovation or a cutting-edge new development, our team is dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable spaces that leave a lasting impact. Ready to bring your project to life? Let's work together! 🤝 #RealEstateFacts #AdaptiveReuse #SustainableDevelopment #HistoricPreservation #UrbanRenewal #SmartGrowth #GreenBuilding #InnovativeRealEstate #RogersAcquisitions #DevelopmentTrends #RealEstateInvesting #CommunityImpact #RealEstateInnovation #EcoFriendlyDevelopment #SustainableLiving #RepurposedSpaces #RealEstateTips #LocalHistory #BuildingLegacy #PropertyDevelopment #FutureOfRealEstate #RAD #RADexperts #RogersAcquisitonsandDevelopment