HASTINGS’ Post

Have you noticed the trend of bleacher stairs in new public buildings like college campuses, museums, or libraries? These broad steps doubling as amphitheater-style seating are becoming increasingly common in modern architecture. However, the design, though stylish, often poses accessibility issues and may not be as practical as intended. Check out the full article to understand why it's crucial to move away from this design. #architecturetrends #commercialfacilities https://lnkd.in/gJ34WBJQ

The announcement of the 2023 National Architecture Awards celebrated the most innovative and inspiring designs in the field. The winners showcased their creativity, vision and skill in creating spaces that enhance the quality of life, culture and environment of their communities. We asked Marshall Day Acoustics about their work on the Arts and Cultural Building at the University of Melbourne – part of the award-winning Student Precinct. What inspired your team about the project? Often the projects we work on are a discreet building, but in this instance, it was a full precinct, a ‘cultural spine’ to host not only student facilities, library and meeting spaces but also a performance core. Those performance facilities include a 400-seat proscenium arch Union Theatre, a 140-seat black box theatre a 600-patron capacity flat floor event space and an outdoor rooftop cinema. We love creating spaces for creatives, especially on a university campus where generation after generation will hone their craft. Another inspiring aspect of the project was that the Precinct recognises the University of Melbourne’s commitment to Indigenous engagement via incorporating First Nations perspectives into the design including the Billebellary Welcome Ground and a central Tanderrum (coming together) gathering space. What were the major challenges of the site or project? Certainly the overall scale of a project this size presents challenges, particularly with so many performing arts venues, which have stringent acoustic requirements. An additional layer of complexity came from the heritage-listed Frank Tate Building which required careful design interventions to achieve the acoustic requirements whilst preserving the heritage aspects. Describe some innovative solutions your team came up with The room acoustic design of the Union Theatre was particularly challenging, with the room having to serve a range of uses. Curved convex walls and overhead reflectors were developed using proprietary computer modelling software to ensure even coverage of acoustic reflection from the stage to the audience. Sequenced batten wall detailing was required to diffuse wall reflections in some areas, whilst an absorptive batten solution was developed for other surfaces. The precinct was awarded the Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design. To read more about this project, visit The University of Melbourne website: https://lnkd.in/gAcvznDM

Basking in the Beauty of Natural Light in This Project 🌞 Let's talk about something that truly makes my architect's heart skip a beat—the remarkable play of natural light in one of our projects. Picture this: expansive glass windows that do so much more than just brighten up a room. They're like portals to the outdoors, erasing the line between inside and outside. Every ray of sunlight that pours in crafts a seamless connection with nature, inviting our clients to savour breathtaking panoramas and embrace a feeling of boundless space. I believe that architecture should not just be about constructing walls but about framing experiences. These windows aren't merely glass and frames; they're storytellers.  What I cherish most is the way these windows create an immersive experience, a bridge that brings the outside world in and vice versa. It's an invitation to live a life bathed in the ever-changing beauty of the natural world, right from within the comfort of a well-designed space. So, here's to harnessing the magic of sunlight, blurring boundaries, and creating spaces that are as much about the heart as they are about bricks and beams.

Rainwater catchment | Shade | Wellness | Place-making | Blanton Museum of Art campus  When I was architectural graduate student, we were fortunate to have Snohetta come to the university and share the Bibliotheca Alexandrina https://lnkd.in/e2gGxGCc I was in awe back then and today, enchanted by the design of the rain-catching sculptures added to the Austin Museum. To propose a sustainable innovation, my role requires me to provide a simple ROI. Can the project prove a simple ROI? perhaps not? What is the NPV of this project? I do not know. Is it beautiful? Yes, a beautiful, casting diffused, dappled light and shade creating enchantment of place. Resource management? Yes, rainwater catchment and reuse. Despite the ice caps melting, we need to manage fresh water. Shelter? Yes, shade from direct sun and ever-increasing heat. Today, an architect and sustainability professional, I only have envy for such elegant solutions and for the top-down leadership, financial investment, and community support it must have taken for this installation. Celebrate! #architecture#design#sustainability#rainwater catchment#sculpture#place making https://lnkd.in/eQ5WYSUt

Art, architecture, and urban landscapes are integral parts of our lives. Feeling comfortable—and dare I say, creative—in our environments is essential for our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. We need skilled urban landscapers and talented architects who understand that they are not just constructing buildings but are engaging with the environment and creating foundational blocks for our cityscapes. For me, architectural art and sculpture in public spaces are not just a critical element of this equation; they represent both its driving force and its finishing touch. Art is a language that speaks to a person’s subconscious essence, connecting them to realms beyond words and definitions. Architectural art can make an individual feel seamlessly integrated into an urban space, a building, or even their own home, evoking not just a conscious connection to the artwork but also linking them to deeper internal energies. To those who say, “Okay, but I’m not into art,” consider this: whether you realize it or not, if you live in a well-designed city with great architecture and public art and sculpture, or work in a building with art in the lobby, you are engaging with art on an unconscious level. The role of an artist in public spaces is to enrich and deepen these spaces, enhancing the well-being of those who pass through them. In my own private art, I can afford to be a renegade, critical, or whatever I choose, because it is a personal decision for someone to engage with my work, to purchase or not. However, when I create art for public spaces, I feel a responsibility to serve the community by contributing positively to the development of these areas. As an inveterate optimist, I aim to imbue such spaces with a sense of optimism. This, I believe, is what should be achieved with public art. #ArtAndArchitecture #PublicArt #UrbanDesign #CommunityDevelopment #Sculpture #Cityscape #ArchitecturalDesign #MentalHealth #SpiritualWellness #UrbanLandscaping #CreativeSpaces #PublicSpaces #ArtInPublic #CivicArt #CulturalImpact

A remarkably forward thinking design both in its planning, organization, siting structure and unique sustainable technologies. Ahead of its time.

In SpActrum's design philosophy, modern everyday expressions are marked by discreetness, fragmentation, and conflicts. SpActrum contends that, instead of evading or lessening these conflicts, the aesthetics of fragmentation and conflicts define our era. #architonic #interiorarchitecture #modernarchitecture #exhibiotionspa ce

Back in 2015, during my first visit to the New York Guggenheim Museum, designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, I was captivated by the iconic spiral ramp. This architectural marvel serves as more than just a functional staircase; it stands as a piece of art in itself. The ramp guides visitors through the museum’s art collection along a continuous pathway, blending the experience of the exhibits with the exploration of the building’s unique design. Today, staircases are making a significant comeback in architecture and especially in #WELL buildings, not merely as means of vertical movement but as central, sculptural elements that enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of spaces. They promote social connectivity, encourage movement, and offer unique perspectives, transforming a simple ascent into an engaging journey. However, it's essential to recognize that while these architectural elements are visually and experientially enriching, they are not always inclusive. Accessibility remains a vital consideration in design. The Guggenheim’s spiral ramp is a commendable example, allowing all visitors to experience both the art and the architecture. Let's keep on creating places for everyone. Happy weekend! #architecture #accessibility #inclusivedesign #socialsustainability

Cities are not just collections of buildings; they are vibrant canvases where the strokes of public art contribute to the unique and dynamic identity of urban spaces. In this exploration, we look into the profound impact of public art on urban design, unraveling the importance of artistic expression in shaping cities into lively and engaging environments. https://lnkd.in/gJg9eAVf

Adaptive Reuse: Breathing New Life into Old Structures Adaptive reuse is a growing trend in urban development, where old buildings are repurposed for new uses. This practice not only preserves historical architecture but also promotes sustainability by reducing the need for new construction materials. Adaptive reuse projects are transforming cities worldwide. For example, the Tate Modern in London, once a power station, is now one of the world's leading art museums. This transformation not only preserved a piece of the city's industrial heritage but also revitalized the surrounding area, attracting millions of visitors annually. Incorporating adaptive reuse into urban planning offers several benefits. It reduces construction waste, conserves resources, and maintains the historical character of cities. As an architect with a focus on sustainability and visual culture, I believe that adaptive reuse is a powerful tool for creating dynamic and sustainable urban environments. References: Tate Modern, London https://lnkd.in/ejva5544 The Benefits of Adaptive Reuse