BTR News’ Post

“I think this kind of longing to be close to nature and immersed in nature is at the root of my work.”   This thought-provoking article sheds light on why Alison Brooks Architects is one of the most highly acclaimed practices in the UK and globally. I urge you to follow the links to take a look and get ready to be inspired. #leadershipdevelopment #leaders #leaderscreateleaders #builtenvironment #changemaker  #enabler #enablingchange #buildsuccess #declare #visionary #visionaryleader #projectlead #projectleadership #supportleaders #emergingleaders #leadtheway #leadthechange #architectsofchange #architecturedesign #courageousleadership #womeninarchitecture #architects

Local Housing: The Eternal Dilemma In South Africa, housing remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges. As our Constitution clearly states, every citizen has the right to access dignified housing, an essential component of social equity and well-being. However, as rural residents increasingly move to urban centers, searching for employment and better services, the pressure on city infrastructure has skyrocketed, and our housing demand is only intensifying. As architects, we are uniquely positioned to contribute to housing solutions that reflect both the urgency of the need and the richness of our local context. Our role goes beyond merely designing buildings; we are facilitators in the creation of resilient, inclusive communities that can sustain diverse populations. Learning from Global Initiatives There’s much we can learn from housing strategies around the world. For instance, countries like Singapore and Brazil have implemented large-scale public housing projects with a focus on high-density, community-centered design. Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) stands out for its public housing model that combines accessibility with affordability, achieving high standards in urban living and economic integration. Another example is Germany’s Baugruppen model, where residents collectively fund and participate in the design of their homes, ensuring affordability and customization in a shared community. This model also builds a sense of ownership and engagement within communities, which could be particularly powerful in our South African context, where fostering local ownership is key to the long-term sustainability of housing solutions. Adapting Concepts for South Africa While these examples provide inspiration, adaptation is essential. South African cities are marked by unique spatial challenges, economic disparities, and social dynamics. Therefore, an effective adaptation could involve a mix of incremental housing and mixed-use development, leveraging what we already have in informal settlements and upgrading those to sustainable, serviced communities over time. By integrating transit-oriented development and maintaining cultural ties to rural areas, we can create environments where residents can build lives without needing to migrate. Moreover, to address both the housing backlog and the economic upliftment of our communities, housing initiatives can incorporate local employment and skills training. Architects can play a role in designing housing that accommodates live-work units, cooperative business spaces, and communal facilities, supporting community resilience. Our commitment to collaboration, learning, and adaptation can help create dignified, affordable, and resilient housing for all South Africans

Melbourne developer BEULAH has submitted plans for a new mixed-use project in Fitzroy, partnering with renowned sustainable architecture firm BREATHE ARCHITECTURE LIMITED.

Framework Friday / 69 Park Lane Architects: Aros Architects Glazing Specialists: Structura Have at you LinkedIn, This #FrameworkFriday, we’re celebrating a remarkable transformation in the heart of Croydon, London at 69 Park Lane. Join me in admiring a project that epitomizes the essence of architectural renaissance through glazing innovations. The Vision: 69 Park Lane isn't just a refurbished building; it's a blueprint for future retrofit projects. Aros Architects, Patrick Ryan Associates and Structura have masterfully re-envisioned this landmark building, enhancing its aesthetic appeal while significantly boosting its environmental credentials. Eco-Innovative Design: The project has seen a dramatic improvement in thermal performance, with façade insulation upgraded from 2.25W/m²K to an impressive 1.4W/m²K. This leap in efficiency represents not only a reduction in energy consumption but also an overarching commitment to sustainable building practices. Carbon Conscious Construction: By choosing to retrofit rather than rebuild, the project has saved over 1,400 tonnes of CO2 in embodied carbon. This decision underscores a growing trend in our industry towards responsible construction methods that prioritize the planet. Smart Technology Integration: The introduction of natural ventilation through vertical louvres has enabled mechanical and electrical engineers to specify a more streamlined HVAC system, equipped with localized smart controls and metering. This innovation ensures that the building's climate control is both effective and energy-efficient. Minimal Disruption, Maximum Communication: Undertaking such an extensive refurbishment while the building remained occupied was a formidable challenge. However, thanks to meticulous planning and exceptional communication with tenants and residents, the transition was as seamless as it was successful. The Outcome: Today, 69 Park Lane stands not merely as a structure but as a statement—a testament to the potential of thoughtful retrofitting. It demonstrates how urban spaces can be revitalized to meet contemporary needs while respecting their historical significance and reducing environmental impact. 69 Park Lane—a project where tradition meets innovation to redefine the skyline and green standards of tomorrow. #FrameworkFriday #ArchitecturalGlazing #RetrofitRevolution #SustainableBuilding #GlazingInnovation #Glass #EnvironmentalDesign #UrbanRevival #Facades #FacadeEngineering #Glazing #Architecture #InnovationInGlass #BespokeGlazing

In a growing trend, architects and designers are turning to timber as a key element in creating functional and engaging public spaces.

BLOG // What are the most exciting Architectural projects in Australia right now? We've popped together a blog, to name a few. From record-breaking skyscrapers to sustainable game-changers, Australia’s architecture scene is hotter than ever. And it is set to get hotter with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics in the not-to-distant future. Here’s a sneak peek of some of those exciting projects redefining our skylines: → Powerhouse Parramatta – MOREAU KUSUNOKI + Genton → Kangaroo Point Green Bridge – Arup + Cox Architecture → Southbank by Beulah (Melbourne’s tallest tower!) – UNStudio + Cox → Western Sydney Airport – Zaha Hadid Architects + Cox → Boola Bardip Museum – Hassell + OMA These projects showcase a dazzling mix of innovation, sustainability, and cultural storytelling. Curious to see what’s next for Aussie architecture? Read all about it. Click on the link.👇 And tell us what your favourite project is below.👇 Or tell us what we missed. #vividrecruitment #clearandsimple #architecture #planning #design #australianarchitecture

Dublin's Taskforce Report launched last week. https://lnkd.in/erBmsJCR There was no mention of architecture, or architects, in the report's text. Is this connected to DCC's current patronage culture for architecture? Accepted best procurement practice of an open ideas competition has been non-existent in DCC for many years. Architects are, despite historic success, sidelined or dropped from DCC public projects: both buildings and open spaces. And despite the hugely positive housing competitions in 4 regional councils last year, DCC did not take part with a single site. Architectural services for public buildings are procured through ideas competitions for ALL public buildings in France*. This contrasts with DCC's procurement culture which favours the historic experience of an architect's office, or those with the lowest fee. DCC's current culture of procurement also contradicts our architectural history, where the best building of any type was completed by someone who had never done that type before**. Such opportunities are essential for a culture to survive into the next generation. I fear current practices are killing the culture of architecture. A final argument for an ideas competition is in the inherent public engagement that can come with democratic participation in the selection of a winner, and the subsequent public support necessary for its successful implementation: engagement not evident in many recent DCC high-profile public projects. *A RIBA 2012 report (Ladders of Opportunity) called for 30% of public projects to be design competitions. In the UK 57% of competition winners end up with RIBA Awards. It's 0% in Ireland in the last decade.  ** Examples of the best building of each type in Ireland designed by architects who never designed that type before, with most under 30 years old: Thomas Cooley's City Hall Desmond Fitzgerald's Airport Tom de Paor's Palás Paul Koralek's Trinity Library Lovett Pearse's Houses of Parliament Grainne Hassett's Youth Community Centre de Blacam & Meagher's Firhouse Parish Church de Blacam & Meagher's Trinity Dining Hall - architects at the time with zero previous Conservation experience! ODonnell+Tuomey's Ranelagh School (photograph by Matthew Thompson - a unique part of the Taskforce report with a good eye to culture and aesthetics)

Check out how the twisted look for these skyscrapers differs from building to building. #coolbuilding #architecture

Studios WORKac and Ignacio Urquiza Architects have completed a green-tinted concrete building as part of the PILARES programme, which works to build supportive public facilities in vulnerable and impoverished areas across Mexico City.

What can be done about the uninspiring designs of new UK homes?  What do you think when you drive past a new-build housing estate? Are you admiring the iconic designs of the new abodes or, more likely, are you thinking about how bland it all looks? https://lnkd.in/eubyHGG5 #architecture #buildingdesign #structuralengineering