Theo Adamstein’s Post

QUESTION: What's something you find fascinating that most people probably rarely think about? For me, it's the highway system. What is the most efficient design to create the greatest good? What does that look like on the ground? What does that look like from above? The Columbus #DowntownRampUp has been an on-going effort (construction began in 2010) to improve the freeway lattice wrapping downtown. As the city has grown, so too has the need to move about safely and efficiently while simultaneously (and literally) bridging the gap highways created between communities. One of the most impressive aspects of a project like this is not just the final outcome, but the ability to completely revamp the network of roadways while maintaining the flow of everyday traffic. From my old apartment, I watched an overpass be constructed as a temporary thoroughfare, only to be later redesigned to direct traffic in a different direction. This stuff is wild! While Columbus is far from the biggest and loudest city in the US, I think The B1M could have a field day with this project! See below for the current U/C and Proposed Phases:

Sunlit Shelter: A House Above the Car Park In Leeds, atop the urban sprawl, A house emerges, standing tall, A primitive hut, as if in a dream, With a roof to shelter, or so it may seem. Above the car park, open to the sky, Where elements dance as time flies by, A testament to Laugier's vision grand, In architectural history, where it all began. But this house, it holds a secret deep, A nod to the past, where shadows creep, For on this site, where darkness fell, Once stood the prison of a Yorkshire tale. Where Peter Sutcliffe, the Ripper grim, Was first confined, his deeds so grim, But now, above the car park's din, Stands a house with a new story to begin. For it embraces the sun's warm light, With solar cells gleaming, shining bright, Harnessing energy, a beacon of hope, In a world where sustainability we must cope. So here it stands, amidst history's tale, A house atop a car park, strong and frail, A fusion of past and future, intertwined, In Leeds, where innovation's light shall shine. #SolarHutPoetry #UrbanArchitecture #SustainableLiving #LeedsLandscape #RenewableEnergy #ClimateConscious #ArchitecturalHistory #RooftopRefuge #acmespace #victoriagateleeds

Eastern Suburbs: Skyward Bound, Community Grounded An ambitious rezoning proposal on New South Head Road aimed at redefining the amalgamted site's architectural and social landscape is in the final stages of planning, with gateway determination issued mid-2023. The site's new planning framework will facilitate a transformative mixed-use development that is visionary in scope and grounded in community benefits. In particular, the site's building height and FSR have improved to 46 metres (from 14.5 metres) and 5:1 (from 1.5:1). The existing streetscape of New South Head Road features inconsistent typologies, fragmented built scales and low pedestrian amenities. Development of the sites will provide a much-needed opportunity to enhance the consistency of built form along the northern side of New South Head Road, as well as benefit the streetscape. Find out where the project is by subscribing today to our weekly development journal here: https://lnkd.in/gaRbF-St PROPERTIED

Eastern Suburbs: Skyward Bound, Community Grounded An ambitious rezoning proposal on New South Head Road aimed at redefining the amalgamted site's architectural and social landscape is in the final stages of planning, with gateway determination issued mid-2023. The site's new planning framework will facilitate a transformative mixed-use development that is visionary in scope and grounded in community benefits. In particular, the site's building height and FSR have improved to 46 metres (from 14.5 metres) and 5:1 (from 1.5:1). The existing streetscape of New South Head Road features inconsistent typologies, fragmented built scales and low pedestrian amenities. Development of the sites will provide a much-needed opportunity to enhance the consistency of built form along the northern side of New South Head Road, as well as benefit the streetscape. Find out where the project is by subscribing today to our weekly development journal here: https://lnkd.in/gzNEX4k5

Per Tuesday's news, a blockbuster proposal for United Center-adjacent land represents a giant step toward "restoring the traditional neighborhood development pattern," in the words of Chicago planning commissioner Ciere Boatright. Fifty-five acres of surface parking lots that have long severed the Near West Side would be redeveloped with a mix of up to 5,000 housing units (20% affordable), a 6,000-seat music venue designed by Los Angeles architecture firm RIOS, and a hotel with 2.5 acres of elevated park space. Field Operations and Chicago-based site design group, ltd. and are other key members of the project design team, placing deserving emphasis on landscape and the pedestrian experience. United Center CEO Terry Savarise describes the approach as more neighborhood infill than entertainment district. It's a model one could imagine deploying for the Guaranteed Rate Field environs in Bridgeport. We agree with the Sun-Times Editorial Board that the project must be done carefully and with community participation and that it's encouraging that no public moneys are being sought initially. If tax dollars do come into the picture, we hope the primary use is for construction of a new CTA Pink Line station. The project, led by Michael Reinsdorf and Danny Wirtz, targets a 2025 start with the hotel & park component (including underground parking), and progresses through several phases toward a 2035 completion. #megadevelopment #LoopAsLab #stadiums #UnitedCenter #1901Project Link to Sun-Times column: https://lnkd.in/ghWVXcsW

🚧 Innovative Urban Design Alert: Raleigh’s Peanut-Shaped Roundabout 🚧 Raleigh is setting a new standard in urban planning with the $20 million Lake Wheeler Road Improvement Project, introducing an innovative feature that’s not just a traffic solution but a conversation starter: a peanut-shaped roundabout. This unique design is part of the city’s ambitious Complete Streets strategy, aiming to enhance safety, accessibility, and connectivity from South Saunders Street to Maywood Avenue, near the vibrant areas of Dorothea Dix Park and the State Farmers Market. Why a Peanut-Shaped Roundabout? • Improved Traffic Flow: This design slows down vehicles, allowing for safer pedestrian crossings and smoother transitions between different modes of transportation. • Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond functionality, the unusual shape adds a distinctive aesthetic to the urban landscape. • Safety Enhancements: Designed with raised intersections and dedicated bike paths, it prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety in a busy part of town. • Environmental Benefits: Accompanied by stormwater facilities and green spaces, it contributes to Raleigh’s sustainability goals. What are your thoughts on integrating such innovative designs into urban infrastructure? How do you see this impacting Raleigh’s development and community life? Share your insights, experiences with similar projects, or any questions you might have about the future of urban planning in Raleigh. Let’s get the conversation going! #InnovationInUrbanPlanning #RaleighNC #PeanutRoundabout #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEngagement https://lnkd.in/eA6B564j

"SOM Chosen by 360 Chicago for Redevelopment Project" Read the full article below..

How can you preserve the distinct character of an older home while adding modern comforts? Learn how to retain unique features while still integrating modern elements, and showcasing individual styles as we chat with Adam Szewczyk, owner of 5B Construction: https://bit.ly/RXPep12 #PrescribingProsperity #HomeRenovation #HistoricRestoration #HomeImprovement

"62% of UK waste comes from construction - mindlessly tearing down and replacing good solid buildings like Smallbrook." #DontWasteBuildings It's a shocking statistic from the take-make-waste approach of most of the property development industry. And that's before we understand the huge damage to the climate, currently tottering on the edge of an unstoppable slide into oblivion, that's endangering our lives today. Most policy makers in the UK are lagging horribly behind the curve when it comes to the climate damage caused by new build development. Some, like The Labour Party led Westminster City Council are leading the way. "Our new retrofit-first policy will prioritise the retrofit and refurbishment of existing buildings to meet future needs over unnecessary demolition and redevelopment, reducing the impact of development on climate change." Birmingham City Council can make a political choice to get on to the right side of history. Fighting in court to promote climate destruction by an offshore owned entity isn't a good look today, never mind tomorrow.