Kirksey Architecture’s Post

When it comes to choosing the perfect campus hall of residence, it’s crucial to consider various elements – like your preferred social atmosphere, location, and perhaps the building’s aesthetic appeal. Here’s a comprehensive rundown of some of the halls and what you might expect from them,

🌟 Commending Excellence in Educational Design 🌟 🏆 The prestigious 2023 New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Awards took place on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.🌿 🎉 The occasion was marked by jubilation and acknowledgment, as the LEA community congregated to commend extraordinary accomplishments in educational spaces. This gathering also served as a platform to revel in cutting-edge and modern design, expressing admiration for participants across all categories. 🎊 🌱 It is noteworthy to emphasise that, in the realm of learning environment design and architectural awards, the ultimate victors are undeniably the educational facilities themselves. Beyond that, the true beneficiaries encompass a broad spectrum, including students, learners, teachers, and the educational communities to which they belong.👏 📐The far-reaching impact of these awards extends well beyond individual recognition, fostering an environment conducive to enriched educational experiences and community growth. 🔍 🎊Read all about the winners and commendations here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e_5CZnH2 #NswActChapterAwards #LENSW #LETAS #ChapterAwards #2024Amplify #GetReadytoAmplify #Conference #LeadAwards #2024LeadAwards #LEA #LearningEnvironments #LearningSpaces #SchoolDesign #EducationInnovation #ContemporaryEducation #InnovativeLearningEnvironments #AustralianArchitecture #NZArchitecture #Education #LearningSpaces

Matt Elliott's article in the Star mentions the costs of maintaining other Ontario institutions of a similar vintage to the Science Centre to make the argument that the Science Centre closure isn't really a necessity, but a choice (whether or not you agree with that choice is another question). I found this article interesting as I had not seen any others which compare the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of similarly-aged buildings (and, like Mr. Elliott, approaching the same age myself... it hits a little different to think that some people believe 50 years is a relic!) An excerpt - "Consider this: in quick succession between 1969 and 1975, Toronto saw the openings of the Science Centre (1969), Ontario Place (1971) and the Toronto Zoo (1974), and the topping off of the CN Tower (1975). It was a burst of civic investment that’s kind of hard to imagine ever happening again. Since then, the two attractions run by the province — the Science Centre and Ontario Place — have fallen into disrepair and become part of the narrative that 50 is a reasonable retirement age. But the zoo, run by city hall, and the CN Tower, owned and operated by the federal government through the Canada Lands Company, are marking their 50th birthdays not with shutdowns, demolitions and relocation plans, but with celebrations and reinvestment. Yes, all four attractions are unique and have different sets of problems to deal with, but all have faced and will face the same basic reality that buildings and structures of this vintage require some maintenance to keep going. The zoo, according to its latest capital budget, will spend $64 million over the next 10 years to address aging infrastructure and build its new welcome centre. And there’s another $105 million that will be spent to refurbish exhibits, make visitor improvements and ensure the entire zoo is accessible. The CN Tower, meanwhile, announced a $16-million renovation to fix the observation level in 2018, then a $21-million renovation in 2021 to do things like modernize the outdoor terrace level and install a new, larger, more-terrifying glass floor. These kinds of cost figures are in the same ballpark as what the Ford government’s own engineering report forecast for the cost of fixing the Science Centre’s roof panels. That report lays out a decade-long plan to replace the panels at risk of falling that could cost around $25 million. Other sections of the building could even remain open, with smaller sections closed off to complete the repairs. It’s fair to assume those costs would go up if the government pursued the repair — government projects tend to do that — but even if you double the cost estimate, you’re still within the same range as the kind of costs the government owners of the zoo and the tower have accepted as the reality of owning, and keeping, a 50-year-old asset."

Evolution of unplanned pathways: an example of how unplanned development and historical changes in key pathways and green spaces can become integral to a built environment layout over time. The Oval and Long Walk at Ohio State University were not included in the original campus design but developed organically over time. As new buildings were constructed, students began creating their own paths across the grass, which influenced the eventual layout of sidewalks, including the Long Walk. The campus was initially designed like an English manor, with pathways intersecting what is now the Oval. These features shape the mental map of the university, guiding movement and serving as key reference points. Their evolution reflects the changing needs and formalization of campus navigation. #wayfinding #navigation #mentalmap #UrbanPlanning #LandscapeArchitecture #SpatialDesign

How many times have you heard that; Ed’s and Meds will be the Engines of the Future economy? At least a dozen times I bet! And Certainly Cleveland has an abundance of both! Clear EVIDENCE for growing OPTIMISM this article shared by Baiju Shah KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR MORE in24! #optimism #cleveland #clevelandrealestate Opportunity

Our Transforming Homes consortium gathered at the University of Exeter to share progress of our #GreenTransitionEcosystem project. It has now been one year since we launched our ambitious research focussing on the transformation of 1920s-1940s council-built housing in the UK to meet the needs of present and future generations. The two-day event featured a variety of engaging activities, including: 🔹 A presentation from Abigail Fisher, Investment Manager for the Design, Commercialisation and Innovation team at Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), who shared valuable perspectives on AHRC's initiatives aimed at advancing high-quality research in the Arts and Humanities and how these efforts relate to our #GTE initiative. 🔹 Updates from our #interdisciplinary consortium, showcasing progress on various fronts. This included #designresearch cataloguing innovative solutions for interwar houses, updates on our demonstration homes in Bristol and Swansea, and strategies for stakeholder #engagement that integrate diverse expertise into #inclusive and feasible long-term solutions. 🔹 Workshops aimed at identifying potential outputs and target audiences, with feedback from industry partners Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, Mikhail Riches, WeCanMake, and Knowle West Media Centre. This sparked fruitful discussions on the project's unique aspects and the potential to transfer solutions derived from our research. As we enter the second year of this dynamic project, we look forward to continuing our #research and #codesigning innovative #housing solutions to transform the UK’s existing building stock. UK Research and Innovation Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) the Design Museum GW4 Alliance #AHRC #FutureObservatory #GTE #UKHousing #ResearchandInnovation #codesign Pete Walker Michael Lewis Andy Shea Emma Taylor Christina Demski Louise King Jo Patterson Veronica Albarran Carrillo Catherine Butler Gabriella Giannachi Eleni Toumpanaki Dominika Malkowska Melissa Mean Richard Broad Gary Newman Richard Hawkins Sanjukta Jitendhar

"As institutions aim to improve the lives of their students and the spaces they inhabit, flexible university buildings may provide an all-in-one solution." As AEC companies design and build flexible university buildings, our EVP and national higher education advisory council chair, Lew G., has seen a trend toward fewer large lecture halls and an increase in labs, multipurpose studios, flexible rooms, and maker spaces. For example, the Rubenstein Arts Center at Duke University incorporates six multipurpose studios that reflect flexibility. Each room can be adapted into an art exhibit, classroom, public program space, and more. Read more on Building Design+Construction Media: https://lnkd.in/esr2mJCD #Skanska #Construction #Development #ShapingOurFuture #HigherEducation #Universities

Great learning opportunity

Many thanks to Make for organising, sponsoring, and facilitating the event last week, and to all the speakers, and the delegates for an excellent discussion. The lively and informative discussion covered many areas including the relationship between the built environment, the digital environment, learning, teaching and social activities, the importance of flexible outdoor space (the value of which was reinforced during COVID) and the key elements of a successful 'sticky campus'. The discussion also emphasised the importance of Post Occupancy Evaluations and sharing the outcomes, the complexity of university decision-making and stakeholder engagement, and the recognition that every university will have different priorities and need different solutions. The discussion also considered links between universities and their external communities, while Make, values its role as part of the Fitzrovia community. The discussion also explored the importance of designers and university estates working close together so that new buildings and landscapes are easily and well-maintained and Zero Carbon strategies are achieved, and how flexible well-designed buildings can respond to the fast-changing world. Thanks again to Make Architects, Elliott Wood, Max Fordham LLP, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, and ZZA Responsive User Environments. For more events this year, https://ow.ly/bbTO50QKEUu

Great article on some of the thinking behind the design of the d-school and how the design supports the innovative learning experience that people can enjoy here.