Prior + Partners’ Post

No demolition, no compromise: Civic Square’s radical approach to the future of urbanism... In Birmingham’s Ladywood, Civic Square is championing a radical, community-led approach to urbanism, echoing the ideals of William Morris and a tradition of progressive planning and architecture. Joe Holyoak examines how this bold vision addresses the challenges of regeneration and sustainability – and whether pragmatic compromises may be needed as the organisation moves towards implementation #architecture CIVIC SQUARE

BPTW has been appointed to design Phases 4 & 5 of the award-winning Rochester Riverside regeneration, with the reserved matters planning application recently submitted for approval. This appointment underscores our continued involvement in transforming this significant waterfront site, in collaboration with Vistry Group and The Hyde Group. This project is a lasting legacy to Chris Bath, who sadly passed away last month. He worked on this major regeneration project from its inception. His passion and enthusiasm for creating great places to live is evident and will continue with his talented team led by Caroline Dommett and Peter Sofoluke. Medway Council's flagship masterplan will provide over 1,400 new homes alongside commercial and community spaces in a landscaped public space network that connects the biodiverse riverside to the historic centre. Central to this vision is the commitment to placemaking which strengthens the local identity and creates a vibrant, cohesive community. The latest phases will introduce 353 new homes, comprising 115 houses and 238 apartments, built by Vistry under its Countryside Homes brand. 79 of the apartments will be provided as affordable homes. In addition, there will be ample car and cycle parking, and innovative public spaces, including an extension to the new river walk and green spaces that enhance connectivity with the historic Rochester High Street. Building upon the scheme’s established design principles, Phases 4 & 5 will further develop distinct designs that respond to the area’s industrial heritage. Phases 4 & 5 will utilise Vistry’s off-site manufactured timber frame structure for the houses, developed by BPTW, featuring standardised components that improve production efficiency and reduce carbon emissions during construction. A striking new entrance gateway at Eventide Park will feature strong frontage with a number of commercial spaces providing valuable amenities for residents. Public realm improvements are central to the scheme enhancing the river walk as a safe and inviting space for community interaction, while also supporting biodiversity. A temporary dock at Limehouse Wharf has been proposed by Medway Council offering the opportunity for river boat access including the Waverley Steamer, the world's last sea going paddle steamer. The project is set to progress through public consultation in the autumn, with a determination by Medway Council expected by winter. If approved, construction on Phases 4 and 5 is anticipated to commence in spring of 2025. Looking ahead, the masterplan will continue to evolve with the subsequent Phase 6, which will complete the regeneration of Rochester Riverside. CGI by Dean Wells #planningsubmission #architecture #regeneration #medway

Over the past few months, we've explored a few of the innovative ways governments and organisations are addressing Australia's housing crisis. A recent development in NSW, one of our most affected states, is the NSW Housing Pattern Book. Pattern books have been around for centuries, but this is the first time an Australian state government has put one into circulation. They contain pre-approved designs that can be brought to life immediately by construction firms and property developers. They can help speed up the journey from design to build to occupancy, and make additional housing options accessible sooner by streamlining approvals. The NSW Housing Pattern Book is being created to support the construction of: terrace houses dual occupancy homes low-rise apartments up to 2 storeys mid-rise apartments from 3 to 6 storeys Alongside the pattern book itself, the NSW Government are funding and running the international NSW Pattern Book Design Competition, which invites architectural firms to enter their designs and, if chosen, see them executed across five nominated sites in Sydney. Read more about the initiative here: https://lnkd.in/d8cn4ZNB What are your thoughts on pattern book architecture – do you see this as a good thing or a bad thing for the architecture and design industries? Some food for thought... 👉 Victoria has trialled a similar project, but uptake has been limited because a lot of the designs aren't site responsive and can't readily be adapted to suit different contexts. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dCdbAAd9 👉 At the same time, NSW is contemplating relaxing their apartment design standards - with much debate already occurring potential concessions on natural light access. What's in store for the pattern book? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dmc4dBJX Let's discuss this in the comments – I'm keen to hear thoughts from various perspectives. #NSWPatternBook #Architecture #ArchitectureAustralia

This is about vision. Too many cities compare themselves to other cities in the same country. The ambition should be to compare with other cities across the world. A team of international placemaking experts has been appointed to help set out the future vision for developing Liverpool's world-famous waterfront. Urban design and landscape architecture firm, West 8, together with BDP, have been chosen by Liverpool City Council to work on creating a plan for Liverpool’s iconic waterfront over the next 25 years. The multidisciplinary companies bring experience of helping to design and develop major waterfront regeneration projects in New York, Toronto, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Hamburg and Rotterdam. West 8 is an international office for urban design and landscape architecture headquartered in the port city of Rotterdam and has worked on waterfront projects around the world. BDP is a practice of architects, engineers, urban designers, planners, acousticians, lighting designers and landscape architects.  Founded in 1961, BDP has significant track record in Liverpool designing and delivering the Liverpool ONE masterplan, the redevelopment of Aintree Racecourse, the new Alder Hey Hospital and Everton FC's new stadium.  Liverpool’s waterfront has been transformed over the past 20 years enabling it to host major international events from European Capital of Culture in 2008 to Eurovision last May, and now draws in millions of new visitors to the city every year.  More major regeneration projects are due to come to fruition, including a potential significant housing scheme at Festival Gardens to the south of the city and Everton’s new football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, to the north. Liverpool City Council is also close to finalising the design and delivery strategy for Kings Dock’s further development, National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool are currently leading on regeneration projects at their Royal Albert Dock buildings, including the historic Canning Dock, and major redevelopment will be coming forward as part of the Liverpool Waters scheme. A key task for West 8 and BDP will be to ensure the plan for Liverpool waterfront knits all of these schemes together within a coherent approach for the future. 

UK-based architecture firm Foster + Partners has unveiled a masterplan for a new sustainable city spanning 3.5km of beachfront on Bahrain’s southwest coast. The Bilaj Al Jayazer Beach project involves the construction of a walkable mixed-use district containing new homes, hotels, and retail, alongside public green spaces. https://lnkd.in/gB5wmMRK #gweccc2025

The history of the skyscraper is an ever-evolving testament to architectural innovation and urban evolution. Emerging in the late 19th century, skyscrapers revolutionised city landscapes, driven by advancements in engineering, materials, and a need for efficient land use. The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, completed in 1885, is often considered the first skyscraper. It featured a new wave of construction innovation -- a steel frame, allowing for unprecedented height and stability. Architects like Louis Sullivan and Daniel Burnham pioneered this new vertical architecture. Sullivan's designs emphasised form following function, integrating ornamentation with a celebration of structure, while Burnham’s planning of cities like Chicago laid the groundwork for modern skylines. The early 20th century saw rapid advancements, with New York’s skyline dominated by the Woolworth and Chrysler buildings. The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, held the title of the world’s tallest building for 40 years and still stands as a symbol of human ambition and the technological advances of its time. In Australia, skyscraper development began in the mid-20th century, with the construction of the 25-story AMP Building in Sydney in 1962 marking the start of our high-rise boom. This era shifted towards modernism and urban consolidation, reflecting global trends elsewhere. Now, it seems to be a race to the top. With technology leading the way, developers keep going higher and higher with their skyscraper ambitions. But how much is design compromised in this process, which ultimately is a feat of engineering? What’s your favourite skyscraper? Pictured, Newspaper clipping of the proposed AMP Building in Sydney

The history of the skyscraper is an ever-evolving testament to architectural innovation and urban evolution. Emerging in the late 19th century, skyscrapers revolutionised city landscapes, driven by advancements in engineering, materials, and a need for efficient land use. The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, completed in 1885, is often considered the first skyscraper. It featured a new wave of construction innovation -- a steel frame, allowing for unprecedented height and stability. Architects like Louis Sullivan and Daniel Burnham pioneered this new vertical architecture. Sullivan's designs emphasised form following function, integrating ornamentation with a celebration of structure, while Burnham’s planning of cities like Chicago laid the groundwork for modern skylines. The early 20th century saw rapid advancements, with New York’s skyline dominated by the Woolworth and Chrysler buildings. The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, held the title of the world’s tallest building for 40 years and still stands as a symbol of human ambition and the technological advances of its time. In Australia, skyscraper development began in the mid-20th century, with the construction of the 25-story AMP Building in Sydney in 1962 marking the start of our high-rise boom. This era shifted towards modernism and urban consolidation, reflecting global trends elsewhere. Now, it seems to be a race to the top. With technology leading the way, developers keep going higher and higher with their skyscraper ambitions. But how much is design compromised in this process, which ultimately is a feat of engineering? What’s your favourite skyscraper? Pictured, Newspaper clipping of the proposed AMP Building in Sydney

Boyer's London office has secured planning permission at appeal on behalf of Ganco Assets for 55 Built to Rent (BTR) units on Hounslow High Street. The site at 147-161 Hounslow High Street was formerly occupied by M&S, but had since been subdivided into three retail units at ground floor, with the upper floors remaining vacant. The proposals will regenerate the site through the partial demolition of the existing building, retention of the three retail units at ground floor and redevelopment above to create a building rising to 6 storeys. This will provide 55 flats comprising a mix of 5 x studios, 26 x 1 beds, 16 x 2 beds and 8 x 3 beds, of which 5% will be affordable. There will be generous amenity spaces provided on site including private balconies for all units, as well as two courtyards, playspace, and two roof terraces. The appeal was predicated on viability and mix. During the course of the appeal the viability element was resolved with the Council, leaving the suitability of the mix to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate. Whilst the mix did not align with the Council’s requirements due to the higher proportion of smaller units, the Inspector determined that the sustainable location of the site within the town centre and the nature of the BTR development meant that the Council’s mix requirements could be applied flexibility. The considerable benefits of the scheme, including the regeneration of the site through the high-quality design, the delivery of homes including affordable housing, and the use of previously developed land, all weighed in favour of approving the development. Alice Moore, Associate Director in Boyer’s London office said, “We are delighted to have achieved planning consent for this scheme, which will maintain retail use on Hounslow High Street while also providing much-needed housing and benefiting the vibrancy of the local area.” In achieving planning success, Boyer worked alongside Formation Architects (architecture), ULL Property (viability consultants), Lustre (air quality, drainage and noise), Heritage Collective (archaeology), Landscape Partnership (landscape), SJA Trees (arboriculture), Avison Young (daylight and sunlight), Odyssey (transport), CPW (energy), Thorncliffe (PR), Fire Risk Solutions (fire) and Constructive Evaluation Limited (contamination).  Images: Haze

Building Magazine reports on the huge pipeline of #highrise #buildings planned of the #London skyline. Worth a read 👌🏼 RIBA RICS Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) The Institution of Structural Engineers Institution of Mechanical Engineers CIBSE Construction CABE UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Association for Project Management BREEAM 🌿 #architecture #construction #realestate #consulting #property #planning 🌿 Real Estate Architecture Construction Property Management Urban Planning

I had a really interesting conversation with a developer this morning who had toured this rather stunning project in #Copenhagen by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects. The developer, who builds large 5 over 1s in the US, was absolutely floored by this project. But couldn't put a handle on how wildly different it is from anything that he builds. This project with 259 homes, in buildings from 3-6 stories, features 16 (!) point access blocks (single stair conditions). The unit to elevator ratio is 16:1, we easily incorporate 2-4 times as many units per elevator in the US. The project incorporates a broad variety of unit sizes, 1-bedroom homes to 4-bedroom. There are no windowless bedrooms. Nearly all units can cross ventilate. Many homes have daylight and views on three sides. You don't find multifamily housing in the US with anywhere near the high #qualityoflife. On top of this, the thin point access blocks allow for abundant open space - these homes offer substantially more privacy than found in most US cities. This means more space for #community, for #gardens, playgrounds, #bluegreeninfrastructure. This project would be 100% illegal to build everywhere in the US. I wonder when we'll start to really tackle how bad the quality of life in our multifamily housing is, because of our poor building and planning codes. It's worth asking why we can't build #livable, #climateadaptive, daylit family-sized homes like this in the US... #citiesforpeople #stadtplanung #climateforward #development #housing https://lnkd.in/gEhmWTWp