Curo Construction ltd’s Post

Our winning submission for a major mixed-use retrofit job in the European Quarter in Brussels, Belgium, beating UK and international competition was covered in the Architects’ Journal this morning https://lnkd.in/epRG_6jD As reported, 0ur winning scheme was born out of a deeply collaborative approach and spirit with Belgian practice a2o, VELD and landscape architects TN PLUS to overhaul L’ilot 130, an office complex near the European Commission, which will transform around 100,000m2 of office space into upgraded workplaces, homes, and community facilities. Real estate fund Whitewood and developer #Cityforward said the winning scheme prioritised ‘sustainability and circularity, focusing on opening up the ground floor, adding green spaces, and improving water management, carbon footprint, and energy efficiency’. Whitewood business development director Christophe le Polain told the AJ that the winning scheme was ‘an ambitious project that aligns perfectly with our expectations, values, and those of the authorities.’ He added: 'Their ability to design a large-scale project within a short timeframe, adhering to key principles of circularity and sustainability, demonstrates both their expertise and commitment to a more responsible future. ‘This project integrates high-quality residential components essential to the neighbourhood while providing office spaces that meet current market demands with optimal energy performance. We look forward to bringing this collaboration to life and continuing our work together on the detailed design of this landmark project.’ The competition brief had called for the complex’s ground floor to be opened up while ‘greening’ the building’s interior and delivering a building with around 70 per cent offices, 25 per cent housing, and 5 per cent facilities space. Morris + Company was shortlisted along with UK firms Caruso St John Architects, in a team with Bovenbouw Architectuur and Kollektif Landscape, and Maccreanor Lavington working with Dutch firm Popma ter Steege Architecten. The other finalists included: ArtBuild Architects with 3XN and Delva; Juurlink [+] Geluk, Urbanism and Landscape Design, Geluk and V8; and OZ architect with Stijlgroep Landscape & Urban Design. Almost an entire block long, L’ilot 130 it is one of 21 European Commission buildings tipped for redevelopment as part of a masterplan by Brussels-based practice Plusoffice Architects, which includes ‘sustainable buildings’ and the introduction of housing. #Architecture #Sustainability #EuropeanQuarter #Innovation #ILOBuilding #Brussels #EcoUrban #Whitewood #EuropeanDistrict #ILOT130 #EuropeanQuarter #VilleDeBrussells

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary examples of office building conversion likely to happen in Canary Wharf. I suppose design by KPF will require converting some of the GLA into very attractive space for people which is what cities need. Looking forward to seeing this happen in #canarywharf 😀 #repositioning #officeconversion #redevelopment #london #realestate #property

Nice piece in the Architecture Today. An interview with Laura Davies from the White Arkitekter London Office about our recently completed #retrofit office space, designed to maximise the #reuse of furniture and support the #circulareconomy. Through this approach we managed to achieve 80% reuse on the CAT B fit out and saved money. When considering reuse opportunities in both CAT A and B our calculations show that this approach has the potential for significant carbon savings in the commercial fit out sector. An area of the industry that creates a lot of waste through short tenancy cycles. #sustainabledesign #retrofirst #circulareconomy

c$60M Office Tower Approved for Cremorne’s Thriving Tech Hub! The vibrant precinct of Cremorne is set to welcome a 12-storey, $56.5M A-grade office tower at 101 Cremorne Street. Approved by the state planning minister, this development will replace a three-storey building with over 10,900sqm of office space and nearly 570sqm of retail offerings, designed by LIFE Architecture and Urban Design (Formerly CHT Architects). This project will include a three-storey podium and a distinctive eight-storey recessed tower. Drawing inspiration from Cremorne's heritage as Australia’s first pleasure gardens, the building’s silhouette and perforated steel mesh facade create a light, fabric-like appearance. Additional highlights include passive design elements for energy efficiency, a rooftop clubhouse with a moonlight cinema and pickleball court, and a rooftop urban farm for tenants. With a 5.5-star NABERS Energy rating target and features like 136 bicycle bays and rainwater storage, this development aligns with modern sustainability practices. Landscape designer Jack Merlo will enhance the streetscape with trees, planter beds, and public seating. Situated 450m from Richmond Station and near Swan Street's bustling activity, the tower is set to anchor Cremorne’s continued growth as a hub for tech and creative industries. Want to know more about this addition to Melbourne’s skyline? Click below for further details. Need recruitment help? Reach out and let’s explore my construction and property connections. #BuildingTalks #MelbourneConstruction #PropertyDevelopment

Accessibility and sustainability are two sides of the same coin, and when combined, they can create truly beautiful spaces. ♿💚 This article underscores how thoughtful design can meet the needs of all users while contributing to a more sustainable future. https://ow.ly/6iNi50Tmvis ARCHITECT Magazine #InclusiveDesign #Sustainability #BeautifulSpaces

Interesting article from UNI about the renovation process of the previous Loyens & Loeff office to the new EDGE Stadium and how sustainable design was already incorporated in this building since 2001!

Transformative Revamp Planned for Edinburgh's Calton Square Office Building Plans are underway to extend and modernise the iconic Calton Square office building in Edinburgh, expanding its space from 150,000 sqft to 200,000 sqft. This ambitious retrofit project aims to significantly enhance the building’s environmental performance while maintaining respect for its historic location next to Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ardstone Capital Ltd (UK), the development manager acting on behalf of Macquarie Asset Management, has appointed the architectural firm Sheppard Robson to lead the redesign. The architects are tasked with creating a structure that seamlessly bridges Edinburgh's Old and New Towns. Sheppard Robson’s approach prioritises a fabric-first reuse strategy to address several challenges that the existing building poses for modern occupants. The current extensive glazing has led to overheating and operational inefficiencies, and the building's fragmented internal layout needs reconfiguration to improve the entrance experience, which is complicated by the site’s varied street levels and stepped primary access. A key feature of the redesign is a new dramatic triple-height atrium covered with a structural timber roof, which will repurpose an underused internal courtyard for cultural activities that benefit the local community. The new façade will feature profiled spandrels and vertical fins to maximise self-shading and improve thermal efficiency. https://lnkd.in/emdTt6Tr

c$60M Office Tower Approved for Cremorne’s Thriving Tech Hub! The vibrant precinct of Cremorne is set to welcome a 12-storey, $56.5M A-grade office tower at 101 Cremorne Street. Approved by the state planning minister, this development will replace a three-storey building with over 10,900sqm of office space and nearly 570sqm of retail offerings, designed by LIFE Architecture and Urban Design (Formerly CHT Architects). This project will include a three-storey podium and a distinctive eight-storey recessed tower. Drawing inspiration from Cremorne's heritage as Australia’s first pleasure gardens, the building’s silhouette and perforated steel mesh facade create a light, fabric-like appearance. Additional highlights include passive design elements for energy efficiency, a rooftop clubhouse with a moonlight cinema and pickleball court, and a rooftop urban farm for tenants. With a 5.5-star NABERS Energy rating target and features like 136 bicycle bays and rainwater storage, this development aligns with modern sustainability practices. Landscape designer Jack Merlo will enhance the streetscape with trees, planter beds, and public seating. Situated 450m from Richmond Station and near Swan Street's bustling activity, the tower is set to anchor Cremorne’s continued growth as a hub for tech and creative industries. Want to know more about this addition to Melbourne’s skyline? Click below for further details. Need to recruit? Message me here and access my extensive construction and property network. #BuildingTalks #MelbourneConstruction #PropertyDevelopment

The Texas Capitol Complex should be a template for how other downtown developments in fast-growing cities get built. Connecting with as many transit options as possible reduces the amount of parking necessary to fill your office spaces, and designing the ground floors to interface with the surrounding area is an important way to integrate it into the community. Too often you see these types of developments spring up on a beltway with no real benefit to the town except for those that work there. #Architecture #Development #CommercialRealEstate

In the city of Stuttgart, located in the Baden-Württemberg state of Germany, an adaptive reuse project draped in greenery adds biodiversity to the dense urban fabric. The former shopping center has been repurposed into a mixed-use residential complex with a tree-lined rooftop garden. With the goal of urban rejuvenation, architecture firm ingenhoven associates wanted to create a healthier and more appealing environment, that improves pedestrian connectivity and enriches the biophysical and societal ecosystem. The facades of the building are lined with hanging gardens, which serve as a natural filtering curtain, providing shade, cleaner air, and natural cooling. The over 40 trees planted on rooftop and site, alongside all of the vegetation in planters and balconies, are locally sourced native plants specific to the region. By using local native vegetation, the plant life grows faster, denser, and is more resilient. Native plant life requires fewer added resources to survive in their natural habitat and increase biodiversity. The transformation of this project, showcases the ability to create environmentally conscious within our cities, that work with the natural environment, rather than trying to remove it. We’re All In This Together #sustainability #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #architecture #architecturaldesign #adaptivereuse #lowimpact #historicpreservation #adaptability #urbandesign #urbanplanning #design #construction #greendesign #rooftopgardens #localnative