CORE Builders’ Post

One of the things I like best about this playground is how effective the simple customisations are - the run-way markings and control tower facade make the aviation theme obvious without having to spell it out or compromising the play value of the structure.

Continue to talk about the #microdistrict project in Blagoveshchensk. Here are some #urbansolutions aimed at developing the #city #environment. The area was developed on the basic principles of a comfortable urban environment. Within the territory there are minimum intersections of transport and pedestrian flows, and in the children's area (school, playgrounds and kindergarten) passages are given the exclusive priority of pedestrians. Also, special attention is paid to the #embankment of the Zeya River, the accessibility of the water zone and pedestrian “magnets”. The #architecture of the district was created based on an analysis of the #historical and modern architecture of Blagoveshchensk. The building #facades were inspired by the expressive means of the “old” city. #urbandesign #urbanplanning

The #architecturaldesign of this #building stays true to the surrounding landscape.

The #architecturaldesign of this #building stays true to the surrounding landscape.

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One of the key challenges facing heritage buildings in the UK is finding the balance between preservation and modern functionality. Historic England and Cadw stress the significance of safeguarding the historical integrity of these structures. However, incorporating modern amenities like heating, insulation, and accessibility can sometimes create a conflict between heritage values and practical requirements. Architects and conservationists are increasingly challenged to find solutions that honor both history and current needs. A completely vapour permeable approach is considered optimal in addressing these challenges. Properties constructed towards the late 19th Century often utilised cementitious materials, making the application of materials like lime render in renovations more intricate compared to buildings constructed with natural materials initially. This iconic Victorian half-timbered town centre building in the UK illustrated below, features large overhanging roofs that have effectively protected the external wall fabric over time. The primary issues we uncovered stemmed from blocked gutters and inadequate maintenance by previous owners. #HeritageBuildings #Preservation #Architects #Conservationists #HistoricIntegrity #ModernAmenities

Elephants! Elephants everywhere! A colleague, recounting a tale of his past, happened to mention a building (that was sort-of central to the story) that I’d never come across. Perhaps you have, but if not, let me introduce the Coventry Central Baths & Elephant. Yes. “…& Elephant.” I mean, you can see why. The planning department in Coventry must’ve been quite a place to work in the early 1960’s (not just for this remarkable thing. I happened across a review on here of a Ladybird edition dedicated to the city’s architectural vision, produced contemporaneously. Such vision. If a little flawed, human-scale-wise.) We still talk of ‘elephants in the room’ a lot. In fact, can’t think if a project that wasn’t shadowed by the elephantLurker. But can you imagine the conversations around the development in the home of Lady Godiva? Amazingly, the Coventry Central Baths & Elephant still stands, i.e. it hasn’t gone on fire. Yet. Tricky when the hulking thing is Grade II listed… but not impossible. Unlike many of its contemporary white elephants - which, as an aside, I also never knew the origin of, so accordingly I looked it up. Is an n old Thai custom of “gifting rare, expensive-to-keep (very, very pale) elephants to the reigning monarch.” Quite how the idea was transposed to buildings as a burdensome asset is less clear. UNTIL YOU SEE COVENTRY’S ELEPHANT, maybe? Seems quite obvious with hindsight. Anyway, the sad news is that no-one can see a use for the aging pachydermBuilding. Or rather, no-one appears to have the where-with-all to fund what really needs to happen- (imo) to re-open it as a sports hall. Hope someone can step in, before another amazing piece of the city-scape ends up in the elephants graveyard. Hat-tip to @MaxTuttle for the lovely story that kicked this off. #architecture #coventry #listedbuildings #elephants #sixtiesUK #planning #renovation #projects

My latest article on The Nature of Cities explores how biophilia – the love for living things – may transform the sterile nature of brutalist housing schemes... as discussed in my book What if Women Designed the City? 'Concrete-built Brutalism has left its mark in our urban environments. Biophilic design as informed by women can foster healthier and more beautiful places and holds the potential to rectify the negative impacts that brutalist architecture descending from modernist planning has codified in sterile and unsociable housing schemes. By reweaving broken links, fostering local food systems, and coevolving lively green arteries coursing through brutalist settlements, women may place biophilia at the heart of 21st-century urbanism...' https://lnkd.in/djE-rMfE

Interesting read. Weirdly, I’m a fan of brutalist architecture (sometimes … in appropriately measured doses) but I do think there is a lot lacking in the cold feel of 20th century concrete blocks. They need balance. I find that I’m inspired by the contemporary architectural design style incorporating the practicality and sharp edges of brutalist design, with the more organic elements of movements like Art & Crafts (associated with craftsman style houses for example). I like balance in design. I like that this article asks, what if women (or just not the status quo option) was designing urban landscapes… where would we be? (Or… where would we go??)

#tuesdayquotes "The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built." - Frank Lloyd Wright #arcop #arcopdesigns #quotesonarchitecture #architecturequotes #architectquotes #quotesforyou #residentialdesign #goodbuilidingforgoodpeople