Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects [LOHA]’s Post

This is an amazing article! Working with Theaster Gates has had a profound impact on how I currently perceive and approach community-based development. Can we, as architects, create a sustainable practice that focuses on a specific community and use our design-thinking skills to address multiple issues including; zoning, code, planning, job creation, permanent buildings, and temporary installations?

It is vital for the long-term success of the places we design to create spaces that will grow and flourish alongside the community that use them. One project that has fulfilled this ambition is Moortown Park in #Leeds, which recently won the Public Realm and Landscape category at the #Leeds Architecture Awards 2023 (#LAA2023)   This video, produced by Addictive Media, captures how the transformation of this former corporate sports field (delivered on behalf of Leeds City Council following a community campaign led by Friends of Moortown Park) into a new seven-acre community green space, has had an incredible impact on people of all ages.   Early on in the design process, we recognised that this would need to be a space that could evolve and be shaped by the people who live here. With this in mind, we strengthened the existing woodlands and meadow habitats to offered the community even more opportunities to experience nature.    The sloping site created fantastic opportunities for play, offering a place for families to come together and giving children the freedom to explore the landscape in a safe space. New dog walking paths and play areas sit alongside a deep woodland corridor, meadows and a small wetland area.   The judges said: “This is an example of a well-designed (but not over-designed) flourishing and well-used urban park, which will only get better in future years.”   For us, the most rewarding part of this project is seeing the community take ownership of the park; local people and volunteers, led by Friends of Moortown park, now have a sense of stewardship and are working together to ensure #MoortownPark is constantly evolving, just as we’d envisaged. #Landscapearchitect #landscapearchitecture #publicpark #communitygreenspace #publicrealmdesign  

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I just watched a very heartfelt and insightful documentary called “The Place Man.” It is an intimate look at the transformative history of the Project for Public Spaces (PPS). In just 19 minutes, the film beautifully unfolds the legacy of founder Fred Kent, whose journey began with the groundbreaking "Street Life Project" in the early 1970s, under the guidance of William H. Whyte. This project became the bedrock of Kent's 50-year career in placemaking, ultimately leading to the establishment of PPS in 1975. As developers, we are builders and craftsmen of our society, and I am sure this documentary will strike a chord with us and people with a passion for the subject. The key idea displayed here is of creating spaces that resonate with the human spirit. Kent’s simple yet profound statement, "If you want to seed a place with activity, you start with ice cream," encapsulates the power of joy in bringing communities together. The poetic description of placemaking as "improvisational street performance" adds an emotional layer to the pragmatic world of urban planning. Kent's belief that placemaking is a fundamental concept of people helping to make their communities and lives better is a reflection of its intrinsic humanity. The call for a "global transformation" highlights the urgency for cities and suburbs to be reborn, not just for our communities but for the very planet we call home. Placemaking, as Kent suggests, is not merely an art, it's a planet-saving endeavor. How has your experience with public spaces influenced your sense of community? #Placemaking #CommunityBuilding #UrbanDevelopment #PublicSpaces #FredKent #StreetLifeProject #WilliamHWhyte #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities

"Indigo: Where Timeless Tradition Meets Modern Innovation - Discover the Future of Community in Fort Bend County, Texas" Check out this inspiring article about Indigo, designed by JZMK Partners, where the past seamlessly merges with progress. This new 235-acre neighborhood in Fort Bend County, Texas, is set to feature approximately 750 residential homes, there will be 42 acres devoted to agriculture, a serene 25-acre lake, and over 70,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial development. "As we sculpted Indigo's vision, we wanted to create a neighborhood that would stand the test of time, not just in durability, but in spirit. Indigo isn't just about the structures we build. It's also about laying down the foundations for relationships. The village's framework acts as a canvas for community stories to unfold. By celebrating connections—to the land, to food, and most importantly, to each other—we've aimed for a design that's both aesthetically pleasing and deeply human-centric.“ - Andrew Watkins Principal, Director of Urban Design – JZMK Partners #IndigoNeighborhood #JZMKPartners #FortBendCounty #ResidentialHomes #AgriculturalHeritage #LakeViews #MixedUseDevelopment #CommunityDesign #TimelessVision #SustainableLiving #CommunitySpirit #IndigoVillage #FoundationOfConnections #HumanCentricDesign #CommunityStories #LandConnection #FoodCulture #NeighborhoodGoals #ArchitecturalInspiration #ProgressiveDesign #TexasLiving #ModernVillage #SustainableLiving #IndigoLiving #FamilyFriendly #NatureLovers #RuralCharm #ResidentialCommunity #MixedUseSpace #BuildingCommunity

It's been easy to integrate my life as a home educator and my interest in politics and public service. For my homeschooling moms out there, here are a few wonderful points that can be taught from this event. These projects work well for parents whose children are in traditional school. Summer is long; keep them busy! 😉 Research Windom Road and the barrier that separated North Brentwood and Brentwood. Research the current mayor of Brentwood. Her election was a significant milestone. Ask your scholars to find out what that milestone is! Take a trip to the Windom Road Sculpture. Have your students reimagine how they would have turned the barrier into a sculpture. Who created this art piece? Look at other examples of their work. This project was funded by many organizations, one was the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. What is their role in our County? (hint.. it's super interesting and there are decisions being made at MNCPPC now that impact us for years to come.) Interview the Mayor of Brentwood or North Brentwood and find out what it took to collaborate and bring this project to life. These are just a few exciting things that can be done to enrich your scholars this summer!

Louisiana’s Lemann Building began life in 1878 as a department store. Now it’s an early childhood center and residential lofts. Here’s how property revitalization can strengthen a neighborhood: https://lnkd.in/g7H7MReh #FM #FacilityManager #PropertyManagement #RealEstate #Architecture #CRE #BUILDINGS #BuildingsMagazine #BuildingsMedia

🏡✨ Experience the essence of community with our Neighborhood Spotlight, featuring the exemplary Tallon Hills! Please note this is strictly an illustrative example, not an actual listing. 🌟 Dive into the imagined beauty of the 76179 area, where exemplary design meets top-tier living. In this hypothetical scenario, homes would start at an average price point of $245,000, crafted by the reputable Graham Hart, ensuring quality and style. 🛠️🎨 Education is a cornerstone of this vision, with top-rated schools forming the backbone of the neighborhood—fostering learning and growth right at your doorstep. 📚✏️ Discover the potential and the lifestyle that could come with a community like Tallon Hills. Remember, this is purely an example, providing a glimpse into what could be. Dream big with us! 🏠✨ #neighborhoodspotlight #educationfirst #communityliving #realestatedreams #familyfriendly #homeinspiration #smma #marketingstrategy #socialmediamarketingagency #socialmediamarketingstrategies #socialmediaagency #BeCascade

🚧 A Glimpse into the Future of Wyoming Blvd NE 🚧 We're excited to share the progress of our latest project at 3615-3525 Wyoming Blvd NE. The renovation is well underway, and we're transforming this space into a vibrant hub for the community. 🛍️ Soon, Essential Barber Shop, No Love Lost, Sandia Computers, Sierra Blanca Barber, and Vanity Hair Salon will be welcoming you to a revitalized shopping experience. 🏗️ The construction continues, and we can't wait to unveil the new and improved space that will not only serve as a destination for our tenants but as a symbol of growth and prosperity for the entire community. . . . . . #CommunityProgress #RenovationInProgress #AlbuquerqueRealEstate #mdgstrong #mdgrealestate #ABQCommercialSpaces #NMCommercialRE #AlbuquerqueBizSpaces #ABQOfficeLeasing #LandofEnchantmentRE #NMIndustrialProperties #ABQRetailSpaces #ABQInvestmentProperties #BurqueBusinessRE

The incredible, historic Denny Mansion in the Windermere neighborhood of Seattle is set to be demolished. This building is still in great condition and could be restored with other housing developed around it thoughtfully; however, developing new housing and refurbishing an old structure is not cost beneficial for developers whose primary focus is on their bottom line. It is sad stories like this that motivate our company to continue the work we do to restore older homes and buildings, while thoughtfully developing around them. We can expand housing without destroying architectural history; it just takes more time and money, which is typically the case when you try to make thoughtful forward progress. https://lnkd.in/dCz4t4ds