KSR Architects & Interior Designers’ Post

🏙 Not all future homes have to be made entirely of glass and metal. We are excited by the idea that we have a role to play in shaping the new designs and retrofitting of houses, workplaces, community spaces, and heritage buildings to better align with the environment and our lifestyles. This will look different for each of us, and we find that prospect immensely intriguing. 🌲Here's one example of a home that is styled to work with, not against, nature. 🦋 📍 Far End, residential 📐 Peter Feeny Architects 📷 Rafael Debreu and Ondrej Mundl. #ecoconstruction #homesofthefuture #ecoarchitecture

How do architects tackle London's unique housing challenges, balancing space efficiency with comfort, incorporating green spaces in urban settings, and preserving historical elements while embracing modern living standards? Check out Architizer's latest review of London residential projects that includes our Old Dairy scheme:

Brisbane development update for Kangaroo Point Verso Developments has revised its plans for the Shafston Estate increasing the project to 25 storeys proposing 48 apartments and two low-level river homes.  The site located on Castlebar Street, is a riverfront location that will reuse the historic Shafston House, built between 1851 and 1904, repurposing it as function rooms and health and wellness spaces for residents. Additionally, the development aims to expand the riverwalk, linking to Mowbray Park. #architects #interiordesigners #townplanners #brisbane #greenbridge #architecture #brisbanedevelopment Proposed perspective for 23 Castlebar Street in Kangaroo Point (Photo credit: KHA/ Brisbane PD Online)

Southwark Council has given the go ahead for the redevelopment of a former gasworks site on Salter Road, Rotherhithe. We have designed 151 new homes which includes a significant amount of public realm including a new central garden and play area designed by HTA Design LLP. The scheme provides a mix of terraced houses and robust apartment blocks, that respond to the low-rise suburban character of the area while delivering much needed new homes for Southwark. "The buildings and the public spaces work together to form a coherent new neighbourhood with a strong sense of identity. The architecture of both the townhouses and the apartment blocks take their cues from the former terraces of dock worker’s cottages and larger Victorian warehouses that used to populate the area, while remaining true to the time in which they are being built.'" Gavin Finnan  Read here in Architects’ Journal https://lnkd.in/edn4fMJd #architects #urbanists

Beautifully restored Union Terrace Gardens, #Aberdeen’s central green space, is a RIBA Journal cover star 📷 The story makes for a great read, setting the scene before LDA Design was commissioned to bring life back to the Gardens. As LDA Design Director Rory Wilson explains, our brief from Aberdeen City Council was to reimagine the park but respect its historic nature, as well as create a green heart for the city and open it up as a venue for public events. Our first move? To get the people of Aberdeen involved, to find out their hopes and concerns and to help them to fall in love with the space all over again, and to believe in its potential. There's interesting detail here which reveals some of the complexities of making UTG more welcoming and accessible. Key moves included better connecting the park to street level, creating a public plaza that acts as a new gateway, and making the grand staircase into the Gardens – 69 steps over six flights that were steep and difficult to use – more accessible. Our proposal allowed for the steps to be re-laid using the original stones on the same axis but over a deeper area to reduce the incline, making a much more leisurely and comfortable experience. A new embankment-height accessible route now weaves between, providing a gentle route to the lawns. There are details too about the three new pavilions by architects Stallan-Brand which are inspired by the city’s trams and are designed to draw people to the Gardens from day through to evening. Engineering and lighting design by Arup. In short, “The project hits every necessary aspect of the brief and recreates Union Terrace Gardens for the better and the long term.” Here, here! 👏 Have a read of May's issue (subscription): https://lnkd.in/dZGZdqw Rory Wilson Kirstin Taylor Joanne Walker RIBA #landscapedesign #parks #landscapearchitecture #architecture #greeninfrastructure #placemaking #poweroflandscape #wellbeing #community

Project Spotlight: Via Verde, Bronx, NYC (2012) One of our first major projects in New York City, Via Verde, remains a milestone in sustainable urban housing. Completed in 2012 in the Bronx, this LEED Gold-certified development was designed by Dattner Architects and Grimshaw, with landscape architecture by Lee Weintraub. Black Locust Lumber supplied handrails and site furnishings, contributing to the project’s commitment to sustainability and functionality. Built by Lettire Construction, Via Verde has earned numerous prestigious awards, including: 🌿AIA Housing Award 🌿AIA HUD Secretary’s Award 🌿AIA NY Andrew J. Thomas Housing Award 🌿Urban Land Institute Global Award for Excellence, and more. Via Verde showcases how green design can improve urban living while setting new standards for affordable housing.

In a rapidly evolving urban landscape, the importance of community-centric housing design cannot be overstated. As architects, we are responsible for creating spaces that foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging. Designing housing beyond individual units to incorporate shared spaces, such as gardens, courtyards, and communal areas, is critical to nurturing vibrant communities. These spaces become the heart of urban neighbourhoods, where residents can interact, collaborate, and build lasting relationships. By integrating thoughtful planning, pedestrian-friendly zones, and versatile recreational areas, we can transform housing developments into dynamic ecosystems that prioritise human experiences, where people can feel connected and engaged. This approach is essential for creating thriving urban communities — where everyone feels a sense of belonging. #UrbanDesign #CommunityLiving #HousingDevelopment #Architecture #UrbanPlanning #GPMArchitects

Landscape architecture practice Grant Associates is set to work alongside architecture firm Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) on the redevelopment of the western end of historic Bath Press site after being appointed by heritage developer City & Country. Having worked with FCBStudios and Grant Associates in the past, City & Country was keen to work with them again as both their imagination and reputation will deliver a design fitting for this main route into #Bath. Keith French, Director of Grant Associates, comments: “Grant Associates is thrilled to be working with City & County and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to reimagine the former Bath Press west site. This is a site layered in history, offering an important gateway into our home city and an amazing opportunity to bring it back to life. We’re excited at the prospect of working collaboratively and engaging with residents, and to bring our placemaking and landscape led residential experience to this important piece of the city.” Full story: https://lnkd.in/e7wZ2iBf #landscapearchitecture #landscapes #placemaking #architecture

I am currently visiting Haarlem, the Netherlands. One of my favourite buildings is this beautiful cottage, located in the Vijfhoek neighbourhood. It was built ~350 years ago, seems to be a functional dwelling, and with ongoing maintenance, it should last for centuries more. My question is, do you find this home beautiful? And, would you live there? For me it's yes and yes! When Vitruvius, the Roman military architect, wrote De Architectura, he said that buildings must have Firmitas (built to last), Utilitas (must be useful), and Venustas (must be beautiful). These simple principles (in my view) were definitely applied to this charming home. I find that many modern buildings forget these basic Vitruvian principles, I.E. the design lacking a mindset to last graciously and usefully for say 500+ years. It's understandable. The current demands for seemingly endless code and regulatory compliance, building for right now's utilisation and technology, cost minimisation, short-term profit maximisation, and to maximum allowable volumes/ areas seems to often result in today's buildings that won't always be useful, won't last and lack enduring beauty. It would be hard to argue that this 350 year old building isn't/ wasn't built sustainably. This building will have needed ongoing maintenance, periodic rejuvenation and occasional renovation to adapt over the centuries. However, it stands the test of time. My call out is: If you really want to show off your "green" kahunas, build buildings that last and will still be loved in 500 years. Thank you for your time. #sustainability #architecture #green #building #500years #Haarlem #Vitruvius

Something for the weekend: Having just messaged a friend who missed out on her shortlisted bid to design the next Australian architecture pavilion at Venice, I’m reminded of the shortlisted bid I made with Graham Bizley for the 2014 British Pavilion - that was ultimately won by those tasteful dudes - Sam Jacob, Sean Griffiths and Charles Holland with A Clockwork Jerusalem. As Graham had already made the move from hectic Hackney to his own rural idyll in Somerton he very much led our bid, and it’s interesting to re-read via the tab below his recollections and some of the questions we set out to address at Venice: – How has the identify of the British landscape changed between 1914-2014? – What is the appeal of functional buildings? – Why are traditional features in the rural landscape more valued than modern equivalents, and - Does a conflict exist between those seeking to protect their notion of a rural idyll and those embracing modernity? Ten years on, as Tash and I tentatively dip our city toes into the beautiful waters of 1920s Bossington, while it is clear that the cosy and decorative rooms we are recreating are vastly different to the starkly modern and unadorned spaces we inhabit in Bristol - (https://lnkd.in/ee5KX-pZ that may simply be a down to my aging taste?) - what is most profound is just how different life actually feels between the two places. I’ll enjoyed pondering this difference for the next decade, but for now I’ll just state the obvious by highlighting the impact that spaces and places have on our soul - and vise versa. Read Graham’s blog here: https://lnkd.in/eSNTYE7u