Loescher Meachem Architects’ Post

"What's next" is in our control! We in Respond have no doubt that the very real challenges Ireland faces to further ramp up #housing and #infrastructure can be overcome. Collectively we have faced and overcome bigger challenges such as the banking crisis, the pandemic, war in Europe, costruction cost inflation and supply chain disruption. Through action, partnership, democratic debate and a positive and a pragmatic solution focus we can address the pressing #homelessness #housing #infrastructure challenges. Beauchamps LLP Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Housing Finance Agency plc The Housing Agency Ireland Irish Council for Social Housing The Housing Alliance

While concluding my M.Sc in Housing Studies from the University of Glasgow a wee while back, I researched on 'Retrofitting the Scottish Housing Stock for Net-Zero' for my thesis. I was able to identify significant clogs-in-the-wheel where retrofitting is concerned, particularly when you factor in the age of the UK housing stock. While the race to provide safe, secure and liveable housing is on, and having lost some of our iconic traditional architecture over the years to demolition and urban renewal practices, (Scottish tenements come to mind), we must begin to look past the obvious obstacles to retrofitting and start thinking about how we can better conserve and preserve our architectural heritage. Thanks to forums like this one by ECD Architects Ltd, we can begin having these essential conversations about retrofitting regardless. The more we start speaking about this, the ripple effects will begin to materialise; we are protecting our environment, reducing carbon emissions, preserving architecture and saving history. #SocialHousing #Housing #CarbonEmmissions #Conservation #Architecture #NetZero

Looking back on #Accelerate2024, our expert speakers reflect on the key takeaways from Beauchamps Housing Conference. We were delighted to have thought-provoking discussions with people who share a deep commitment to accelerating housing delivery. https://lnkd.in/ewSCqgFG You can watch the conference highlights in the video below. #Housing #WhatsNext #beauchampslaw #ExpertSpeakers Fidelma McManus

Request your place today! Ardent is delighted to be hosting an exclusive conference in partnership with Burges Salmon LLP, aimed at delivering critical insights into new housing delivery. Joined by a panel of leading experts the event will address the key hurdles to progressing new housing and is a ‘must-attend’ for professionals committed to accelerating housing delivery and driving urban regeneration. What will this event cover? • Levelling up and Regeneration Act & Beyond – Turbo charging housing delivery and regeneration? • Assembling land - what can be learned from recent regeneration CPO decisions & how is the landscape changing? • Engagement - a box to tick or a tool to drive delivery of a great project? • Disapplying Hope Value in Compensation: Opportunities and risks for project delivery • Left in the dark: navigating complexities of rights to light and other restrictions on development. • Delivering on Ambition: Are We Truly Equipped to Deliver on Transformative Housing Targets? This conference promises to be an enlightening and essential event for anyone involved in the housing delivery and regeneration sectors. Join us to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable knowledge, and contribute to the future of housing development. To request your place, please contact comms@ardent-management.com. 

Last year Studio Inscape (NL) hosted the Landscape Makers Congress. This was one of the outcome of a long lasting design-research we are undertaking in the province of Zeeland. Together with Maarten Meijer, I wrote: "...some reflections are offered on the different concepts and strategies operationalised in the Landscape Makers Congress: its playful use of multifocality, its dramatisation of temporality and its staging of a particular experience of politics. Thus, this text offers some reflections on community engagement using design-based methodologies in the context of politicised (and the politicisation of ) environments." The Global Environment#17 issue (doi: 10.3828/whpge.63837646622485) Many thanks for the collaboration with the Watersnoodmuseum and Zuidwestelijke Delta, as well as the support of Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie

Just finished reading ‘Manchester Unspun: pop, property and power in the original modern city’ by Andrew Spinoza. I would highly recommend it. Very well written, interspersed with some great insight and anecdotes on the major characters operating in the city, many born outside the city, including the author. Excellent read for anyone interested in how the city of Manchester came from the first modern industrial city, where the Industrial Revolution was born, through the decline of the 60s and 70s and then to the renaissance of the city built on its unique musical and sporting scene and history, how some of those musical and sporting characters became major forces in property development in the city, how the city government was far sighted, at sometimes controversial, at playing the national government funding game and opening the city to the world again. The redevelopment of the city now has a life of its own, with towers and developments springing up across the city, a city which at least based on pre-pandemic figures was the fastest growing city in Europe. ‘The original modern city’ is ultimately a marketing slogan based on the ‘original modern’ design theme of Peter Saville, who designed the iconic early record sleeves of Factory Records, who were behind bands such as Joy Division and New Order, and who effectively funded the Hacienda, which some argue was the basis for the cultural and economic renaissance of the city. To quote Peter Saville from the book: ’It is not the most beautiful or has the best climate, but it has addressed the challenge of the world in the modern era and that is the essence of Manchester.’ The book even includes a page on a trade mark dispute, so I stuck to my general rule of only posting on Manchester and a very little bit of IP 😀 Buy the book below and it can be found in all good bookstores:

If you are an architect, if you are firm owner, if you find yourself dreaming of starting a firm, if you are a student and you want to learn more about how the business side of the profession is run. If you are even just curious about how you might do one thing better then you need to attend this conference. Even better than all of that is the wonderful, supportive community. You will find yourself in conversation with other architects / firm owners having coffee in the morning, or maybe a drink after the sessions are completed and you will hear about how those people overcame struggles with their practice, you can share stories and learn some new things you can try. Those people that you meet and talk to then become resources for you in the future of your firm. We are all here in this community and are accessible and want to help each other. This is not just about immediate improvements in your business, but lifelong sustained connections and growth. But if you wait to register, and it sells out and you end up kicking yourself for not taking action sooner then you have no one to blame but yourself. Stop what you are doing right now and go register. It will be the best decision you make this year.

Looking forward to adding some of these assets to our $3bn asset portfolio at Liverpool City Council ( circa 7bn by 2030 ) We have been working ahead of this asset aquisution having procured the maintenance model of Brightly to look at predictive maintenance Understanding and modelling our exposure during an aggressive growth cycle will be instrumental in understanding lifecycle costs in perpetuity (Bit like when your cousin gives you a great present but you need to buy the batteries for the toy forever) Asset renewals will progress as one of the greatest challenges for growth councils and baselining your portfolio becomes critical - for this reason alone Asset Management Systems are invaluable in quantitative analysis Leveling resources and capital investment will be stage two as we get increasingly closer to first plane / first train ( let’s hope we can get there along 15th Avenue!)

It's a new year and time for new real estate events! Join me the morning of February 14th for the 9th iteration of the UW Commercial Real Estate Symposium, hosted by the University of Washington - Michael G. Foster School of Business in partnership with the Runstad Department of Real Estate, University of Washington and the Urban Land Institute. This year's program is "Activating Change: Solutions for Downtown's Comeback." As we’re all aware, Downtown Seattle has faced significant speedbumps to recovery post-Pandemic, but what it largely boils down to is a people problem – underutilization of office has led to weakness in ground-floor retail and an under-activation of the street level in general. The absence of people has generated opportunities for an increase in crime and sidewalk encampments, which further reduce Downtown’s appeal and potential for economic growth. So how do we turn Downtown back into a place where people want to be? In this event we bring together a diverse group of individuals with their fingers on the pulse of Downtown – landlords, tenants, brokers, capital market players, downtown advocacy reps, city officials, and policy experts – to offer some perspective on what can be done in the short- to medium- term to rebuild confidence and vibrancy in the area. As always, the Symposium is free and open to the public. Please share far and wide with your network. Register at the link below. Hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/gCGy2yTB

We know every place or community within Edinburgh is different. And we know people who live in a community are passionate about how the place in which they live should develop. Now, you have your chance to influence how land within your community is used or developed. Through a Local Place Plan, you can highlight what matters in your area: - which buildings, spaces and places are important - what does and does not work well in your area - the aspirations for your community. Local Place Plans are a new type of plan introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. These new plans mean communities and the Council can truly collaborate on how Edinburgh develops in future as the Council must consider registered Local Place Plans when preparing City Plan 2040, our next local development plan. These plans must be led by any properly constituted community group or organisation. Examples of such groups are community councils, residents’ associations, Friends of Edinburgh greenspace groups or groups that represent particular people or interests like retailer or business associations. The Local Place Plan is a chance for you to shape the future of your place by creating a plan that addresses your needs or concerns. Find out more about developing a local place plan for your community. Our team will help you to start planning your community’s future https://lnkd.in/eQ-qP3MF You can also find case studies and helpful guides on www.ourplace.scot While you are here As we begin to create City Plan 2040, we want to make sure we keep you or your organisation informed and make it easier to get involved. Do you prefer in-person or online meetings? Would you drop-in to an exhibition? Are you happy to fill in surveys or consultations? What else would help you have your say? Please help us to make it easier for you to get involved in shaping your city’s future https://lnkd.in/eMBpMXcR #planning #localplaceplans #communities