Thierry Somers’ Post

Alastair Swayn AO, knew the quality of the built environment was critical to influencing people’s values and behaviour. Supporting a competition that invites students in the various design disciplines and the arts to consider issues pertaining to a contemporary urban design project is important to expanding on Alastair’s legacy. This is because the competition fosters experimentation but more significantly challenges students to address how their work will affect community identity and expectations. How does it respond to people and place to bring ‘light, colour and humanity’? Open to students in the second year (or equivalent) of their studies in the School of Design and the Built Environment, University of Canberra and any student enrolled in the School of Art and Design, The Australian National University, the calibre of entries was impressive. Winning entries were exhibited at an award event in late 2023. The overall winner was: 'Warrambul Hall' by Aupan Kar and Connor Harris (Architecture), Ashliya Castro (Landscape Architecture) and Christian Humphries (Industrial Design). All the winners and commendations can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gjZRrvkH #alastairswayn #alastairswaynfoundation #architecture #australianarchitecture #architectureeducation #landscapearchitecture #industrialdesign #workplacedesign #sustainability #sustainabledesign #design #australiandesign #accesibledesign #climatedesign #womeninarchitecture #celebratingarchitecture #celebratingdesign #researchgrants #strategicgrants

The Future of Architecture 🚀 Dive into the fascinating intersection of architecture and technology with an article from Forbes Global Properties. Explore how theodolites and terra cotta are redefining urban construction standards, influencing both sustainability and aesthetics. Read the article : https://lnkd.in/ekkeEupb #ModernArchitecture #Technology #ForbesGlobalProperties #FGPSwissAndAlps

An insightful article with historical overview stressing the need to reawaken #MeskelSquare, written by Rahel Shawl, is now published in The Architectural Review in the #Revisit section. "It is crucial that free and equal access to this #urbanspace is not hindered in any way, to bring back much‑needed vibrancy, life and colour. In a city in dire need of freely accessible #publicspace, #MeskelSquare should not sit silently but be activated so it can continue to be the dynamic space it has historically been in the heart of #AddisAbeba, the capital of #Africa." https://lnkd.in/e2yvUuSd

Some interesting history regarding the relationship between architecture and artisanship over time.

https://lnkd.in/dfQpJ3zN <<PLEA is now launching the call for abstracts for the 37th PLEA Conference for Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design (25-28 June 2024 Wrocław) in the following research tracks: Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design – together for climate resilience Architecture for human resilience and well-being (including e.g., biophilic design, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation strategies for buildings and spaces) Analysis and methods for resilience and sustainability (e.g., new design and simulation tools, evaluation methods) Re-thinking resilience through renovations and adaptations of buildings and spaces (including cultural and natural heritage retrofitting, methods to improve performance of existing buildings and spaces) Building resilience with innovation and technology (e.g., innovative materials and sustainable technologies) Together we can – think, learn, teach and take the leadership (e.g., education and training, environmental activism)>> #sustainablearchitecture #heritatge #resilience #performance #culture #leadership #culture #ESG #innovation #ESG #spaces #research #papers

In the exploration of London's architectural marvels, did you know that some of the best buildings incorporate sustainable design principles? The article highlighted how innovative architecture not only focuses on aesthetics but also considers the environmental impact. With over 30% of the world's energy consumption attributed to buildings, these designs play a crucial role in reducing carbon footprints. Understanding the implications of this shift can guide future architectural practices and inspire new developments that blend functionality with sustainability. What are your thoughts on the balance between design and environmental responsibility in architecture? https://lnkd.in/guMT-AeE

*Spiritual Sustainability and Inclusive Architecture* In the interconnected world of architectural dialogue, we often find ourselves grappling with lofty ideals and intricate terminologies. Yet amidst this complexity, do we sometimes overlook the essence of our architectural pursuits? It's with this understanding that we at WIE Design approach it important to delve deeper into the spiritual underpinnings that guide our endeavor, not just as a practice, but as a dialogue with society. A recent interaction with Arch. Dong Kong, the founder and principal architect of Vector Architects 直向建筑 at YACademy special lectures, brought forth the term 'Spiritual Sustainability,' a concept that resonates with our ethos. It's about creating spaces that not only stand the test of time but also nourish the human spirit. We owe a debt of gratitude to YACademy for the chance to get in touch with the leading firms, and special thanks to Arch. RAUL PANTALEO from TAMassociati for his invaluable insights that have enriched our perspective. His guidance has been instrumental in exploring the depths of 'Universal Design' and 'Ethical Architecture.' Our latest blog is a reflection of these shared ideas. It's an invitation to explore how architecture can be adaptable, ethical, universally inclusive, and spiritually sustainable. We're not just talking to architects and designers; we're reaching out to everyone who believes in the power of well-conceived spaces. We encourage you to join this conversation by participating in the survey "Architecture for Inclusion." Your input is crucial as we strive to shape environments that embrace diversity and foster community. 🔗 Engage with our thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/dqZQfrug Let's embark on this journey together, crafting a future where architecture transcends mere construction and becomes a catalyst for unity and well-being. #UniversalDesign #EthicalArchitecture #AdaptiveDesign #SpiritualSustainability #ArchitecturalDialogue

RIBApix presents a series of features exploring the Architectural Review's radical assessment of the built environment at the end of the 1960s, MANPLAN. Looking forward to the new decade ahead in the autumn of 1969 The Architectural Review (AR) paused to examine and evaluate state of the nation through its architecture and planning. This was by way of the publication of ‘Manplan’, a number of special editions of the AR focusing on topics ranging from housing to religion and how well these functioned within society. Manplan was not only a radical, sometimes brutal assessment of the built environment of the day, but today forms a poignant reminder of British life at the end of the sixties. Its stated intention was to take “as its yardstick real needs rather than minimum standards. Hence the title MANPLAN. A plan for human beings with a destiny rather than figures in a table of statistics.” (The Architectural Review, September 1969) The first edition, Manplan 1, was published in September 1969 with the series ending a year later with Manplan 8. The intended Manplan 9 focusing on Leisure was never published, however the RIBA holds some of the photographer Patrick Ward’s contact sheets

Amos Rapoport’s 1969 book “House Form and Culture" proved groundbreaking in understanding the important influence of cultural factors in shaping the built environments in different communities around the world. Architecture professors Nisha A. Fernando and Kapila D. Silva – who both studied for their doctorates with Rapoport at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – have co-written and co-edited a new book, “Theorizing Built Form and Culture: The Legacy of Amos Rapoport” (Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group), which explicates his theories and celebrates his impact. Rapoport is a pioneer of the field of “environment-behavior studies,” or EBS, which focuses on the study of the mutual interaction between people and their environments and human-centered environmental design. “It could be called doing architecture in a human-centered way," Silva said. “Rather than the architect designing something formally beautiful, they should be thinking, ‘How am I going to design it for the people?’ And that means you have to understand how people relate themselves to buildings, how they live in the buildings, how they use buildings, what are the factors and mechanisms that connect the physical environment to a human being?” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcWGb_8q #architecture #design #urbandesign #urbandplanning #vernaculararchitecture #humancentereddesign