Tom Lowe’s Post

Following last week’s #heritagetreasures post, we are sharing a micro case study on one of our smaller, but just as important heritage projects; Foley House in Great Malvern. The project was managed by Associate Director of Architecture, Sandy Fishpool. Objective: To return the Grade II listed Foley House to residential use through a sensitive conversion to apartments, working to a tight budget whilst ensuring a restoration that would meet planning requirements. It was discovered that the building was in a dilapidated state which required prompt action and the project was expanded to include major repair works. Approach: We took an interdisciplinary approach, involving planning, listed building consents, design and onsite project management. The local community asked for the retention of the historical plaque on the building façade and we worked hard to ensure this and other important heritage features were retained. Outcome: Success. Planning permission and listed building consent were achieved and the building’s new life as residential apartments began in 2023 when the new occupants of this heritage building moved in. #Heritage #CaseStudy #ResidentialDevelopment #ListedBuilding #PlanningPermission #RuralDevelopment #WeAreRural #ADifferentView

An interesting take on 8 Bishopsgate in the Architectural Record article linked below. I contributed some engineering tidbits that help explain how the building balances beautiful architecture with intelligent engineering. Want to find out more? Give it a read, it's worth it. ⬇

📣 Check out my latest blog post on converting commercial properties into residential units! 🏢🏠 As the demand for housing continues to rise, property owners are exploring this intriguing possibility. But it's not as simple as it seems! In this blog, we explore the legal considerations, challenges, and financial implications involved in this conversion process. 💰 Discover the steps to take, potential benefits, and obstacles to overcome in transforming commercial spaces into cosy residential havens. 🏢➡️🏠 Read the full article here: https://shorturl.at/dsBKW #RealEstate #PropertyConversion #ResidentialLiving #CommercialToResidential #HousingDemand #Architecture #PropertyDevelopment

***ARCHITECT'S DIARY*** PROGRESS SITE VIEW OF Three projects side by side, from left to right Grand plaza, ARE core living, CDR tower #tasawuralfarid #ArchitecturalMarvel #DesignWithPurpose #ArchitecturalEvolution #ConstructionInProgress #ArchitecturalShowcase

Highbridge, a new residential tower in the Bronx set to begin construction in 2024 and open in 2027, is an all-electric, passive house design by Magnusson Architecture and Planning PC. When complete, the project will far exceed market norms for quality and amenities while drastically reducing emissions compared to baseline code compliance—all while providing affordable homes for hundreds of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Highbridge is among the standout projects recognized by NYSERDA's #BuildingsofExcellence Competition, which seeks to jump-start a major shift toward climate-friendly construction in the state by supporting the development of architecturally significant, low-carbon multifamily residential buildings. Keep reading about the project in the article by The Architectural League of New York: https://bit.ly/3GUc40G

A complex and challenging ongoing project, located on the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan Swan River, surrounding an active racecourse and accessed from a primary regional road... Understanding the precinct holistically has been key to shifting the various planning levers at the right time to unlock the next step in project delivery without delay. Project challenges and opportunities are interrelated have required a full appreciation of the site and its constraints, stakeholder values and future (and concurrent) sub-projects to maintain the overall precinct planning vision.

This Appeal decision overturning all 16 reasons for refusal by Lambeth Council to re-develop this brownfield site with 24 new apartments and houses in the middle of an urban block on Brixton Hill, Lambeth, London was one of the highlights of last year. I am especially pleased by this result because by the time of the enquiry 6 reasons remained unresolved which were all design related such as character, massing, living conditions and impact on neighbours. The Inspector found the design to be satisfactory in all matters and confirmed that we managed to optimise the capacity of this brownfield site with a high-quality design-led approach. “It (the proposal) therefore complies with Policy Q5 of the L-LP which requires local distinctiveness to be sustained and reinforced and Policy Q7 of the L-LP which requires high quality design. It also complies with Policy D3 of the LP which requires a design-led approach to optimise site capacity and high quality design.” – Inspector appointed by the Sectretary of State #residentialdesign #regeneration #brownfield #brixton #london #contemporaryhome #contemporaryarchitecture #rohacsarchitects #rohacs

Adaptive reuse, the process of repurposing old buildings for new uses, is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development, marrying the past with the present in a functional, vibrant manner. This approach is particularly relevant in New York City, where historic structures dot the landscape amidst skyscrapers and bustling streets. For architects, property managers, real estate managers, and store/facilities developers, adaptive reuse presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities, especially within the commercial architecture sector of NYC. #AdaptiveReuse #Highline #NYC #architecture

📣 Check out my latest blog post on converting commercial properties into residential units! 🏢🏠 As the demand for housing continues to rise, property owners are exploring this intriguing possibility. But it's not as simple as it seems! In this blog, we explore the legal considerations, challenges, and financial implications involved in this conversion process. 💰 Discover the steps to take, potential benefits, and obstacles to overcome in transforming commercial spaces into cosy residential havens. 🏢➡️🏠 Read the full article here: https://shorturl.at/dsBKW #RealEstate #PropertyConversion #ResidentialLiving #CommercialToResidential #HousingDemand #Architecture #PropertyDevelopment

Located in midtown Manhattan, the 1,428-foot-high skyscraper is the second-tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere.