Grosvenor’s Post

Proposals to transform and restore the Grade II*-listed Birmingham Botanical Gardens have been approved by Birmingham City Council today. We have been collaborating with Howells on The National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported 'Growing our Green Heritage' project to enable a low-carbon, sympathetic reinterpretation of the site for a sustainable future. Sandeep Shambi, partner at Howells, says of the scheme: "We are delighted to have received the go ahead for the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is one of the last independent botanical gardens in the UK and so it’s vitally important that this important heritage asset is conserved but also given space to develop." Matthew Vaughan, practice director and our #Birmingham studio lead, adds: "Conservation of the glasshouses to respond to the particular heritage considerations will be a key challenge, protecting the historic fabric while enhancing their performance for the needs of the collection within." Read more on Building Design.: https://lnkd.in/dtg4Jakz

As we approach the completion of the £3.3 million transformation at Itchen Valley Country Park, we are delighted to share this aerial footage showing the key improvements across the site. Sustainable Car Park – The newly completed 4,500 square metre car park includes rainwater surface run-off systems and is designed to support increased visitor capacity while preserving the natural environment. Central Events Space – Situated between Highwood Barn and Kingfisher Barn, this versatile area features both permanent and temporary structures, creating a welcoming hub for events and gatherings. Improved Footpath Network – Enhanced pedestrian access is now available with a network of paths connecting visitors seamlessly across the park. Biodiversity Initiatives – Extensive soft landscaping and ecological enhancements have been implemented throughout to support local biodiversity and enrich the park’s landscape. These exciting new features will enhance the park’s appeal as a much-loved family destination for recreation, relaxation, and events. Eastleigh Borough Council | RHP Group | Julian Church and Associates Ltd - BCorp - conscious spaces built better | Lizard Landscape Design and Ecology Ltd #itchenvalley #itchenvalleycountrypark #southampton #park #parks #softlandscaping #biodiversity #ecologicalenhancements #regeneration #parkregeneration #sustainable #landscaping #hardlandscaping #softlandscaping #civilengineering #eventspace #events #footpaths #footpath #sustainablecarpark #sustainablecarparks #SuDS

Perth's Riverfront Master Plan, which spans over 2km along the banks of the Derbal Yerrigan / Swan River in Western Australia, will transform the city's waterfront into a dynamic, interconnected, biodiverse urban landscape. Enhancing the appeal of the capital, the design will create an exciting and vibrant destination for residents and visitors.   The City of Perth Council recently gave the green light for the master plan to move to public consultation.   "We are thrilled to be engaged by the City to develop this Riverfront Master Plan which marks the beginning of a major transformational, city-shaping project, providing a framework for re-connecting people and the city with the river," says Hassell Principal Anthony Brookfield.   "There is a clear opportunity to develop a substantial shift in how this important city space works within its environment, benefiting the local community, visitors and native wildlife."   A highlight of the master plan is the river walk, a 1.7 km water's edge journey showcasing Whadjuk Noongar culture and stories through public art, interpretive design, and a 330-metre-long arbour.   The master plan includes bio-engineered features such as rock headlands, stone terracing, boardwalks, and beaches to enhance the river's edge, and extensive sedge (grass-like) planting. Two significant wetlands will improve water quality and biodiversity, and over 500,000 native plants and 3,000 trees are proposed alongside these wetlands to boost river health and support local ecosystems. 🔗 Explore more of our award-winning nature positive design: https://lnkd.in/gWCq-pHs 🖼 Image by WAX Architectural Visualization #UrbanDesign #PublicRealm #PlacesPeopleLove #PerthRiverFront #CityofPerth #BioDiversity #Regenerative

💡A short article reflecting on the impact of tactical urban interventions at the heart of Tallinn and their potential for improving quality of life and supporting adaptation capacity based on a 6-month empirical study by my team including Shimin 诗敏 Huang 黄, Brigita Tool and Kelli Marie Jaama commissioned by Tallinn Strategic Management Office.

🌿 Celebrating Ebenezer Howard: The Visionary Behind the Garden City Movement 🌿 On this day in 1850, Ebenezer Howard, one of the most influential figures in urban planning, was born. His Garden City Movement sought to balance the benefits of urban living with the tranquility of nature—an idea that remains more relevant than ever. In Garden Cities of To-Morrow (1898), Howard envisioned self-contained, walkable communities surrounded by green belts, with designated areas for homes, industry, and agriculture. This revolutionary approach led to the creation of Letchworth (1903) and Welwyn Garden City (1920)—pioneering models of sustainable and livable urban design. Howard’s ideas tackled overcrowding, pollution, and social inequities, inspiring movements like New Urbanism and influencing modern green infrastructure and eco-cities. His vision continues to shape how we think about resilient, people-centered urban spaces today. 🏙️🌱 As cities grow and climate challenges intensify, how can we further integrate Howard’s principles into 21st-century urban planning? #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #GardenCity #EbenezerHoward #GreenInfrastructure #Placemaking #NewUrbanism

One of Stoke Newington's most fascinating property stories involves the old Castle Climbing Centre 🏰, originally built as the New River Waterworks in the mid-19th century. Located just off Green Lanes, this Gothic-style castle was never intended to be a fortress or royal residence it was actually a pumping station designed to bring clean water to Londoners 💧. The building was constructed in 1852 by the New River Company to house engines that would pump water from reservoirs to the city, but its design was far more elaborate than most industrial buildings. The architects chose to give it a medieval, fortress-like appearance 🏯, complete with turrets and crenellations, making it stand out dramatically in the local Stoke Newington landscape 🌳. As London's water systems modernized, the building was decommissioned in the 20th century and stood empty for years, its grand architecture falling into disrepair 😕. But in the 1990s, the site found new life when it was transformed into The Castle Climbing Centre 🧗♂️, one of the most well-known climbing gyms in the country. This transformation of a Victorian water pumping station into a thriving sports facility is a unique example of adaptive reuse, preserving a piece of Stoke Newington’s industrial heritage while giving it a new purpose 🎯. What makes this story even more remarkable is how the climbing center has embraced sustainability 🌱. The Castle Climbing Centre is now an eco-friendly site, complete with a rooftop garden 🪴, renewable energy systems ⚡, and sustainable urban farming projects 🌾. This building, once essential to providing water for the city, now fosters a community dedicated to fitness and environmental consciousness—a perfect reflection of Stoke Newington’s unique blend of history, creativity, and forward-thinking development 🌍. #StokeNewington 🏘 #CastleClimbingCentre 🧗♀️ #LondonHistory 📜 #SustainableLiving 🌱 #AdaptiveReuse 🏰

Aussie Theme Park Plans Epic Water Park Expansion! Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast has unveiled plans for a massive new addition: a $60 million water park! This exciting development promises to be a game-changer for the region's entertainment scene, attracting families and visitors of all ages. Here's a glimpse of what's to come: ✨16 epic waterslides: Catering to thrill-seekers of all heights and preferences. ✨Interactive water play areas: Perfect for younger kids and families to splash around. ✨Function areas: Ideal for birthday parties and group events. ✨Food, drink & retail outlets: Keeping you fueled up for all the fun. Designed with sustainability in mind: The water park, designed by Aspect Architects, will seamlessly blend into the existing landscape. Look forward to: ✨Generous native landscaping ✨Feature trellises ✨Terraced rockwork ✨Passive solar design Celebrating Aussie culture: The water park's architecture will reflect a classic Australiana theme, featuring: ✨Corrugated iron roofs and cladding ✨Natural timber elements ✨Native animal names and theming Boosting the local economy: This project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the Sunshine Coast, creating jobs and attracting new visitors. First Nations Experience (separate development): Plans have also been submitted for a separate "First Nations experience" at the park, offering visitors a chance to learn about the Sunshine Coast's indigenous culture. Want to dive deeper? Head over to the article for all the details on the water park's design, construction timeline, and potential impact on the region. Link in the comments section. #BuildingTalks #SunshineCoast #WaterParks

🎄 I’m thrilled to share some of the chapters from our latest book, delving into the many layers and complexities of placemaking. Just in time for the holidays! 🎄 This collection brings together a wide range of perspectives and critical discussions around the making of places, sustainability, and the evolving role of space in our lives. In celebration, we are offering a free sample chapter for those interested in exploring these topics further: https://lnkd.in/eHsUn75v Here’s a sneak peek at some of the chapters featured in the book: 🌿 Critical Discussions on Placemaking & Sustainability: An exploration of the intersections between sustainability and the creation of spaces, authored by Claudia Carter 🏛 Placemaking, Conservation & Heritage International case studies that address the delicate balance between development, heritage preservation, and conservation, authored by Peter Larkham, Emma Love, and Miguel Hincapié. 🏙 Creative Placemaking in London A deep dive into the transformation of a formerly squatted square into a vibrant, informal urban space, authored by Heidi Seetzen and Dr Silvia Gullino ⚖️ The Politics of Placemaking Examining the power structures behind who decides what a place becomes, and who gets to shape our environments, authored by Débora Picorelli Zukeran, Claudia Carter and Miguel Hincapié 🌍 The Making of the West Midlands National Park A fascinating look at large-scale regional planning, sustainability, and placemaking, authored by Kathryn Moore and Alex Albans If these themes resonate with you or you want to explore the complexities of placemaking further, more can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eYFcG7cw #PropertyPlanningPolicies #urbanplanning #smartplacemaking #digital #smartspaces #futureliving #digitaltransformations #rics #rtpi #birmingham #birminghamcityuniversity #creativeplacemaking #informalpractices #sustainability #communityledplacemaking #righttothecity #conservation #heritage

How Placemaking Can Take Conservation and Historic Preservation to the Next Level: The Case of Woodstock, Vermont https://lnkd.in/e76wc_fB by Fred Kent, #KathyMadden and Tayana Panova, PhD "Place is the missing link to land conservation and historic preservation. By starting with the public spaces – streets, sidewalks, open space and architecture – social and economic life in small towns can be revitalized. So many of our beloved small towns have been deeply damaged by the transportation industries that have reshaped them around cars and traffic. To get back to the beloved village dynamic that many small towns across the US have lost for this reason, we need to put place at the center, and let this idea radiate out into the ways that we approach historic preservation and conservation. The character of our neighborhoods need to be defined by the people who live there, not the cars that pass through. To that end, focusing on the ways our sidewalks, intersections, and other shared spaces work is at the core of how we continuously create and sustain a feeling of welcome." #PlacemakingVermont #PlacemakingUS #Placemaking #Preservation #Conservation

Placemaking is becoming a more prominent part of the urban planning landscape, but what does good placemaking actually look like, and what forms does it take? Let's take a look 👀 #placemaking #placemakingaustralia #urbandesign