Hawkins\Brown’s Post

Visualising plans for 149 new homes at Byron Quarter The partnership between the London Borough of Harrow Council and Wates Group Residential, has moved forward with their regeneration of key council-owned sites in Harrow following the submission of plans for Byron Quarter. The new low-rise development will deliver 149 new quality homes – including 71 three-bedroom houses. The plans place the two and three storey houses along the boundary of the site to promote privacy and to better integrate with the character of the neighbourhood. A new generous green space with relaxing seating areas and play spaces will sit at the heart of the development with walking and cycling links to the Belmont Trail and Byron Park. Our team at WyrdTree worked closely with the architect (undisclosed at this stage) in order to provide a compelling visual of the development, communicating the relation between the different house types and the green space between. Source: MyLondon and HarrowOnline https://lnkd.in/duNcmFA8 #Atmospheric #Immersive #ArchitecturalVisualisation

We have submitted plans to Reading Borough Council on behalf of developer Elder, for the new Greyfriars House co-living scheme. Situated at 20-30 Greyfriars Road, Elder's plans propose demolishing the existing building on-site to make way for a new development. The project includes a part seven, part 13-storey structure, featuring 266 co-living units—comprising 243 standard units and 23 larger, accessible units—designed to meet the applicable co-living design standards. Elder’s co-living concept reimagines urban living by engaging its local community and maintaining strong ties to the local area. Through participation and support for events and wider programs, this project will deliver meaningful connections with the neighbourhood, enhancing quality of life and embedding the development within the local fabric. https://lnkd.in/eAzKtMRP #residentialdesign #architects #buildtorent

Why do people buy a grapefruit from Borough Market rather than their local store? How do we craft joyful, authentic architecture that creates experiences and serves people, place and community?   In this episode of Building Insights, Trevor Morriss talks to James Parker about our approach to masterplanning large complex schemes and designing experiential spaces that inspire. He reflects on his involvement in transforming London districts, a city he describes as "the DNA of who I am as a person."   Trevor shares his insights on: - Community engagement: Lessons from the exemplary community consultation process at OlympiaUK and a recent planning meeting that brought into question the way the housing crisis is being tackled - Heritage: Adopting a conservation, rather than preservation, approach to give historic buildings a modern lease of life   - Improvement vs. gentrification: Understanding the nuances between enhancing an area and gentrifying it - Joyful yet measured design: The thoughtful integration of elements needed to ensure our building stock is not all ‘vanilla’, but also features ‘raspberry ripple’ moments   Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the transformative power of architecture with the right approach and community involvement!   Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eyqZ-EmK #SPPARC #spparchitecture

Pruitt Igoe, The High Cost Of Modernism Today, we are taking on a tale about the challenges of modernist architecture in addressing urban housing needs effectively, making it the most complex example in our series. The Pruitt-Igoe Housing Project in St. Louis, Missouri, is widely regarded as an architectural failure due to a combination of poor design choices, inadequate funding, and broader socio-economic issues that plagued its existence. Some of the issues are Flawed Architectural Design: With High-Rise Configuration and Poorly Designed Common Spaces, this design did not foster community interaction but instead quickly became sites of crime rather than places for social interaction. Maintenance Issues: The project’s reliance on rent from low-income tenants made it vulnerable to financial instability and physical neglect. Crime and vandalism: Widespread opposition to public housing initiatives limited financial support and contributed to the negative perceptions surrounding projects like Pruitt-Igoe. The complex became a hotspot for criminal activity, with gangs and vandalism rampant, earning it a reputation as a dangerous and neglected area. Today, the Pruitt-Igoe site remains vacant, with plans for new development pending. The project’s complex history serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of considering broader social, economic, and political contexts when designing and implementing public housing initiatives. The Lesson: Focus on human-centered design, strong funding, and supportive policy to build safe, sustainable communities in public housing. #architecturefailures #architecture #webdesign #interiordesign #story

Green light for Oldfield Basin 🏡 We've been granted #planningconsent for a new #sustainable and #affordable neighbourhood, set to create a further 90 #Passivhaus homes in #Salford. Building on the success of nearby #Greenhaus and #Willohaus, #OldfieldBasin sits next to #IslingtonMill, one of Greater Manchester’s most important bases for artists and #creative businesses. On completion, the new homes will be acquired and managed by hashtag #DeriveRP, an independent housing provider created by Salford City Council to deliver #affordable and #socialhousing across the city. Read more: https://lnkd.in/en9A2Adm Part of #SalfordCentral with Homes England | Legal & General | Muse | Salford City Council | DeriveRP | Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) | re-form Landscape Architecture Ltd | DPP #placemaking #partnership #affordablehomes #sustainablehomes

Buildings can’t speak for themselves. (Yep, you knew that already!) So it’s rare (and special) when a building can “speak” via the Architect that shaped it. I had that opportunity on a walking tour of 4 incredible housing projects in Fitzroy designed by KTA over the years, led by the inimitable kerstin thompson herself. Kerstin generously, and with refreshing honesty, shared the successes and challenges of each project. We were also lucky to hear from Associate Principal Lynn Chew about key behind-the-scenes moments. What shone through resoundingly for me is how centered *people* were in both their stories. Clients, current & future residents, builders, neighbours, and even those who had previously lived / worked in the area. A powerful reminder that all housing is, ultimately, a container for lives. Next time you find yourself on a street corner and look up to find housing - try to avoid dwelling on just the height, materials or “style”. Don’t get bogged down by the nitty-gritty. Zoom out. It’s the big picture that matters most. 🔍Think about the neighbourhood it’s in. 🔍The layers of history that corner had / has. 🔍About the lives of those who live there. 🔍If it fosters community and/or an ecosystem. Let that guide how the building “speaks” to you. 🎦 Video below of KTA’s Kerr St residences from the Walking Tour in Fitzroy on Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country. #lookup #mediumdensity #housing #thebigpicture #openhousemelbourne2024

Mashpee Commons: A Model for Suburban Transformation Once a fading strip mall on Cape Cod, Mashpee Commons has evolved into a vibrant town center, setting a national precedent for suburban retrofits. Over the past 30 years, this innovative project has transformed a suburban municipality lacking a central identity into a thriving mixed-use community with residential neighborhoods, civic buildings, and public spaces. What began as a bold vision by Buff Chace, supported by the renowned planners of Seaside, Florida, has become a destination and economic hub for the region. With walkable streets, traditional New England architecture, and a mix of shops, housing, and entertainment, Mashpee Commons redefined the potential of suburban spaces. Though regulatory hurdles and the Great Recession slowed progress for years, recent developments are reigniting growth. The construction of 300-plus residential units, including affordable housing, marks the next phase of this decades-long transformation. Mashpee Commons is more than a revitalized shopping center—it’s a testament to the power of thoughtful planning and sustainable design, paving the way for suburban communities nationwide. Source: https://loom.ly/2Rch8Xk . . . #premiumpropertytrust #birminghamalabama #bhamal #realestateinvesting #realestate #architecture #pptreit #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestmenttrust #buildinggenerationalwealth #mixedused #newurbanism #generationalwealth #investing #reit #ppt #verticalintegration #premiumbydesign

Green light for Oldfield Basin 🏡 Working with our partners, we've been granted #planningconsent for a new #sustainable and #affordable neighbourhood, set to create a further 90 #Passivhaus homes in #Salford. Building on the success of nearby #Greenhaus and #Willohaus, #OldfieldBasin sits next to #IslingtonMill, one of Greater Manchester’s most important bases for artists and #creative businesses. On completion, the new homes will be acquired and managed by #DeriveRP, an independent housing provider created by Salford City Council to deliver #affordable and #socialhousing across the city. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ez2vuaRp Part of #SalfordCentral, an ECF project with Homes England | Legal & General | Salford City Council | DeriveRP | Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) | re-form Landscape Architecture Ltd | DPP #placemaking #partnership #affordablehomes #sustainablehomes

🏟️ Innovative Town Planning in Action: Luton Town FC's New Stadium Proposal 🏟️ Luton Town FC's recent submission of plans for a new stadium is a significant milestone in Urban and Town Planning. This project not only represents a Major Development for the football club but also highlights key considerations in modern town planning and community integration. Key aspects of the proposal include: 🌍 Strategic Urban Development: The new stadium is designed to be more than just a sports venue. It's set to become a central part of the urban landscape, with a focus on creating a vibrant, mixed-use area that benefits local businesses and residents. 🏛️ Community-Centric Design: The stadium will feature spaces for community events and local activities, reinforcing the connection between the club and the town. 🌿 Sustainable Planning: Emphasising eco-friendly practices, the design includes energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials. 🚶♂️ Enhanced Accessibility: Plans include improved transportation links and pedestrian access, addressing the need for better connectivity in growing urban areas. This project underscores the importance of thoughtful Town Planning in creating multifunctional spaces that serve both Economic and Social purposes. It will be fascinating to see how this development unfolds and its impact on the Borough's urban landscape! #TownPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #SustainableDesign #LutonTownFC #StadiumDevelopment

THIS is why cities oppose "density." THIS is why townhomes have been given a black eye. Developments like this do more harm than good in helping address the housing crisis. We need cities to see that "density" is beautiful and helps create places where people want to be! NO ONE would want to walk around and enjoy the neighborhood. On the other hand, I developments like this are hitting the mark in create places and spaces that redefine density! #design #development #density #housing #housingcrisis #housingforall https://lnkd.in/gsmPhXDD