The Architecture Foundation’s Post

Jerry Elengical: "Mixed-use commercial architecture is undergoing a metamorphosis whose roots can be traced back decades, to when considerations about public space, urban infrastructure and private development became increasingly intertwined. At present, these concerns are often reconciled through cross-disciplinary collaborations which aid in conceptualising multifaceted approaches to building in sensitive contexts. Recently, this approach has gained another tangible argument for its effectiveness in a project that blends mixed-use functionality and coastline protection measures in the municipality of Middelkerke, within Belgium’s West Flanders province." STIR I Gemeentebestuur Middelkerke I ZJA I Architects & Engineers I DELVA Landscape Architecture / Urbanism I OZ architect I Bureau Bouwtechniek NV I Debuild Services I Bouwbedrijf Furnibo-Democo I Cobe I VK Engineering I Beersnielsen Lichtontwerpers I Witteveen+Bos I Plantec I MINT I Sertius | Environmental and Safety Services

' 👣⚡🛠🏗🏨🌲🏙 A fully #reconfigurable #building #made from an #innovative #hybrid #timber-#steel #system has beat out more than 360 projects from across #Europe to win the prestigious EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award 'According to Iliana Ivanova, the #EU #Commissioner for #Innovation, #Research, #Culture and #Youth, “#Architecture is a #fundamental part not just of our #European #culture, but also of #sustainable #development and #people’s #wellbeing. The “New Pavillion” reflects “the #principles of the New European Bauhaus, bringing the #green #transition into #people’s #everyday #lives and #living #spaces.” #placebased #onehealth #wellbeing #design #education #safe #fairtransition #socialinnovation #resilientcommunity https://lnkd.in/gEWYCBxk

Canada’s public architecture has lost its ambition, focusing on cost over creativity. Growing up in Europe, I saw how thoughtful design can define a nation’s identity. Adopting design competitions, like in Quebec or my home continent, could revive Canada’s approach, creating spaces that inspire future generations. #Architecture #Design #Canada

Designed for disassembly, the Braunstein Taphouse by Copenhagen-based ADEPT architects, welcomes more than 15,000 yearly visitors to the nearby microbrewery while serving as an open, flexible space for the local community. With no paint, grout, or unnecessary composites, its materials remain pure, mechanically joined with with removable bolts and screws for seamless reuse. The CO₂-neutral Accoya wood façade meets the highest sustainability certifications, while large polycarbonate roof panels click together effortlessly. Every element is built to be dismantled, relocated, or repurposed, minimizing waste without compromising durability. Anchored at the harbour of Danish city Koege, the Taphouse is both a gateway and a living experiment in adaptable architecture. For the next decade, it will function as a hub for Braunstein Brewery and community initiatives, but if the city’s evolving climate strategy demands change, the entire structure can be taken apart—its components reassembled elsewhere or repurposed for new projects. Built for now, engineered for the future. Read more about bolts at tsamouris.gr/en/news. Images by ADEPT. These images are used solely for non-commercial purposes and remain the intellectual property of their owners.

What does it really #cost to make public buildings fully #inclusive? This paper offers new insights in this topic, presenting the first exploratory study conducted in Flanders, applying a "Research by Design" method to calculate the costs as realistic as possible. We compared the direct costs and benefits of renovations versus building inclusively from the start across 12 cases (secondary schools, town halls, and small retail shops). A few key findings: 🔹 Renovation costs are significantly higher than designing inclusively from scratch. 🔹 The largest expenses in renovations in the examined cases? Circulation and exterior stairs/ramps. Interestingly, these costs are considerably smaller to almost negligible in new large-scale builds. 🔹 A tailored, context-driven research approach is key to uncovering realistic cost implications. Though the methodology is time-intensive, the results provide valuable insights for architects, designers, and policymakers striving to break barriers and promote accessibility in the built environment. The full article is now available here (https://lnkd.in/eVU8Qp_c) and upon request—let’s talk! 📩 The full report is also available (in Dutch): https://lnkd.in/ekJjq6RP Authors: elke ielegems & Jan Vanrie Study commissioned by the Flemish Government and in collaboration with Inter - Toegankelijk Vlaanderen referring to this article? 👉 Ielegems, E. and Vanrie, J. (2024), "The cost of universal design for public buildings: exploring a realistic, context-dependent research approach", Archnet-IJAR, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 719-736. https://lnkd.in/exDnh2eN #UniversalDesign #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #PublicBuildings #Architecture #Research

🌿 **Passionate about Architecture that Honors Culture and Sustainability** 🌿 Hello! How's everyone doing? I wanted to share something that really inspires me. For me, architecture is more than just designing spaces; it's an opportunity to connect with history and the environment around us. Projects like *Townsville North Rail Yards* in Queensland, Australia, are a great example of how to revitalize heritage areas while respecting cultural identity and promoting sustainability. Here, old rail tracks and historic structures are seamlessly integrated with contemporary buildings, creating the perfect balance between the past and the present. This approach not only preserves the past but also respects the tropical climate of the area by incorporating local vegetation to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing landscape. The use of natural light, open spaces, and sustainable design shows how architecture can be transformative, connecting communities and promoting environmental well-being. 🌱 I'm inspired by how projects like this not only transform spaces but also positively impact the surrounding communities. Do you know of other projects making a difference? 🌍🏛️ #SustainableArchitecture #CulturalPreservation #ResponsibleDesign #Townsville [Link to the project here](https://lnkd.in/dmdiAtru)

Local Knowledge, Global Challenges: Rethinking Architectural Practices Source: MDPI The study investigates how architectural typologies influence a community's sense of belonging and relationship with their environment. It highlights a shift from traditional designs to contemporary forms driven by political and globalized construction trends. This transition has created a conflict between modern architecture and the community's historical and customary living patterns, resulting in disconnection and a subtle erosion of cultural identity and heritage. The study advocates for sustainable design approaches that integrate local construction knowledge and preserve cultural, historical, and environmental connections while meeting modern demands.

During the pandemic, we saw a rise in clients selecting architects through a (usually) poorly paid design competition. Although this process was lamented as hurting the industry, we recently read an interesting article written by Gethin Davinson which offered an intriguing counter-point. In his article “‘Beauty’ in architecture can’t be enforced – but design competitions could help architects strive for it” written for The Conversation, Davinson makes a case for the design competition. Initially drawing on precedents in the English planning system, which include ‘beauty’ as an explicit objective in an attempt to reduce NIMBY-ism – a key factor holding back crucial housing developments – Davinson suggests that design competitions could be a way to move forward. How does one design beautifully though? Who could be a fair judge of this subjective trait? In Sydney, although beauty isn’t mandated, the design process is and the pursuit to find ‘design excellence’ is highly regulated… but is it working? We think most would argue that it’s not. Davinson says: “Design competitions have a reputation for being costly and unpredictable, but they don’t need to be. The UK government wants to better enable communities to take control of their housing future. Competitions are a proven way of engaging members of the public in debate about the relative merits of different designs for a site or area. There’s no reason why those members of the public couldn’t also be part of the judging process.” Importantly, I wonder what effect this would have on architects, how can we ensure the increased time and effort are rewarded fairly? Here's a link to the article written by Gethin Davinson: https://lnkd.in/gmvPTx6e #TheArcAgencyAU #ArchitectureCommunity #NetworkingEvents #AustralianDesign #AustralianArchitecture

During the pandemic, we saw a rise in clients selecting architects through a (usually) poorly paid design competition. Although this process was lamented as hurting the industry, we recently read an interesting article written by Gethin Davinson which offered an intriguing counter-point. In his article “‘Beauty’ in architecture can’t be enforced – but design competitions could help architects strive for it” written for The Conversation, Davinson makes a case for the design competition. Initially drawing on precedents in the English planning system, which include ‘beauty’ as an explicit objective in an attempt to reduce NIMBY-ism – a key factor holding back crucial housing developments – Davinson suggests that design competitions could be a way to move forward. How does one design beautifully though? Who could be a fair judge of this subjective trait? In Sydney, although beauty isn’t mandated, the design process is and the pursuit to find ‘design excellence’ is highly regulated… but is it working? We think most would argue that it’s not. Davinson says: “Design competitions have a reputation for being costly and unpredictable, but they don’t need to be. The UK government wants to better enable communities to take control of their housing future. Competitions are a proven way of engaging members of the public in debate about the relative merits of different designs for a site or area. There’s no reason why those members of the public couldn’t also be part of the judging process.” Importantly, I wonder what effect this would have on architects, how can we ensure the increased time and effort are rewarded fairly? Here's a link to the article written by Gethin Davinson: https://lnkd.in/gzpybcCt #NetworkingEvents #TheArcAgencyAU #AustralianArchitecture #ArchitectureCommunity #AustralianDesign