Manchester Society of Architects’ Post

The idea of municipal architects in the UK generally conjures a particular era in our minds. The 1960s and 70s were a time of bold public building programmes. But, has the heyday of municipal architecture passed? Holly Lewis looks back to the future for TheMJ on her newest role as Town Architect for London Borough of Hackney where she is supporting the council’s existing in-house design teams in the delivery of an exciting range of programmes and projects. How can we re-invent the town/city architect role for the current local authority climate in 2024? 👀 https://lnkd.in/etV6R5sg #townarchitect #purpose #designchampion #London #Stadsarkitekter

Did you know that innovative architecture can significantly enhance community engagement and sustainability? Celebrated architect Deborah Berke exemplifies how thoughtful design leads to impactful results. With numerous accolades, including the 2025 AIA Gold Medal, Berke has shaped the landscape of modern architecture through: - **Sustainable Innovation**: Her projects prioritize eco-friendly materials and methods, enhancing environmental responsibility without compromising design quality. - **Adaptive Reuse**: Berke's work transforms historic buildings into functional spaces, balancing preservation with modern needs, as seen in the award-winning Richardson Olmsted Complex. - **Inclusive Education**: As dean of the Yale School of Architecture, she promotes accessibility and interdisciplinary programs, shaping the next generation of architects. The commitment to sustainability and inclusivity in architecture not only fosters community development but also increases the intrinsic value of environments we inhabit. How are you incorporating innovative design practices into your projects? Disclaimer: Images are AI-generated artistic representations of our services.

From the start of my architecture gig in 2001 (!), I went in with the belief that individual buildings tell larger stories about their cities and regions. Here, in one of my last pieces as the San Francisco Chronicle urban design critic, I use 11 structures to look at how 21st Century S.F. has changed, and some of the underlying forces at work (seismic protection, for example, and the need for affordable housing). Let me know what you think! https://lnkd.in/gW78PyCT

Wentworth Institute of Technology Professor Mark Pasnik spoke with NBC Boston about Boston City Hall gaining landmark status. In the interview, he discusses the building’s brutalist style and the controversy surrounding its design. Pasnik, an architecture professor at Wentworth and an expert in the Brutalist style, tells NBC that City Hall is the most influential building built in the United States during the era of concrete modernism. Read more and watch the interview: https://ow.ly/fWsJ50UvlrN #WentworthInstituteofTechnology #UniversityofOpportunity #Architecture

With a strong background in research and housing standards, our Georgina Revell reviews the Inclusive Housing Design Guide, a comprehensive resource on best practices in housing design that transcends the traditional concept of accessibility. Drawing on evidence from lived experiences and lessons learned from completed projects, she finds that the guide offers a compelling roadmap for designing homes and communities that work for everyone. You can read Georgie's full review in Building Design. https://lnkd.in/esx4K3AP Habinteg | RIBA Publishing | CAE - Centre for Accessible Environments #inclusive #design #accessibility #architecture #guidance

📘Read an excellent review of our Inclusive Housing Design Guide by Levitt Bernstein's Georgina Revell, published on Building Design.'s website today. ↓ The RIBA-published IHDG, commissioned by us and CAE - Centre for Accessible Environments, is expertly authored by Jacquel Runnalls and lead peer reviewed by Marney Walker. Get your copy today. → https://lnkd.in/eJJwqqA3 #IHDG #AccessibleHousing #HousingForAll

City Icons and Super Architects - perhaps useful as a teaching resource - short blog based on our article (with Amparo Tarazona Vento) on the role of super-rich architects in city remaking and urban experience, just printed over at Platform magazine: https://lnkd.in/ePVND8UR Amparo Tarazona

After years of using their previous guides, it was brilliant to be asked by Habinteg to review the new Inclusive Housing Design Guide. It’s is a valuable addition to housing guidance, and its core message is clear: inclusive design is good design for all. Jacquel Runnalls and Marney Walker have created an important document that will not only be effective but also open the door to further insight on other protected characteristics such as gender, faith, and culture. Read the review on Building Design. and buy the book from RIBA Bookshop Many thanks to Ben Flatman and Claire Carponen and Mariana Yuste 

As cities grow and evolve, developers, architects, & planners are leveraging innovative approaches to create vibrant spaces that seamlessly blend residential, commercial, & recreational uses. 🏘️ Read our latest blog to explore the latest trends shaping mixed-use developments and their impact on urban living ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h1n9xi. #advfirm #blog #MixedUseDevelopment #MixedUseDevelopmentTrends #trends #UrbanLiving

"What would happen for Australia if we actually tapped into the voices of the first peoples?" A descendant of the Dharawal and Yuin people, our keynote speaker Alison Page combines the ancient and contemporary when exploring the understanding of place. Our first speaker on the opening day (June 12) of our conference next week, her session will be a perspective shifting start to our gathering, and will be sure to put all attendees in an expansive frame of mind for the sessions and conversations that follow. "It’s an interesting idea for urban designers, landscape architects, architects to think about....what would happen if we tapped into the voices of indigenous people?" #placebrandingaustralia #placeidentity #firstnationsculture #culture #economicdevelopment #urbanplanning #architecture #communitydevelopment #placemaking