World Architecture Festival’s Post

In this recent article by RIBA Journal, Pamela Buxton discusses our recent ‘Retrofitting Social Housing’ panel discussion, Chaired by ECD’s Loreana Padron, in collaboration with AAB architects and Architects for Social Housing (ASH). The article outlines the pertinent discussions which took place at the panel, including the overarching theme of the benefits of retrofit as an alternative to demolition. It also summarises some of the key insights made by industry experts, including Prof. Anne Power, Guy Woodroffe, Jack Ostrofsky, Steve Groves MCIOB and Allan Dunsmore. To learn more, read the full article here:  https://lnkd.in/e4n7Us2K

As Guernsey faces a sudden onrush of ‘quick builds’, including potential prefabrication, the question has to be asked, “how do we avoid losing the unique character and cultural expression present in our built environment?” Understanding how cultural identity can be captured and expressed through architecture is an essential part of our journey. Before we roll out a carpet of mediocrity, let’s understand ourselves and what we stand for and fight to conserve and enhance our uniqueness as a place. This paper makes for good reading: https://lnkd.in/esH-DsQU

Architectural design competitions (ADCs) are among the most effective ways to achieve excellence in building and community design. Explore the ARCH-E EU Platform for Architectural Design Competitions report with an Introduction to the Austrian #ADC system and potentials of transferability 📢 #Baukultur

What are the trends in spending and building of major arts projects around the world? Where are the biggest projects? Who are the most popular architecture firms? Find out in the  latest edition of the Cultural Infrastructure Index, out now! The Index tracks major investments in capital projects in the cultural sector with budgets of US$10 million or more, that were either announced or completed in 2023. Read the full report at: https://lnkd.in/guae8WRr

I'm Glad to announce that months ago, i had participated in the UIA 2030 award, This award is an Organized biennially in six categories and aligned with the World Urban Forum, the UIA 2030 Award invited architects from around the world to submit their projects. These projects were evaluated for their design quality and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I had submitted in *Category 6: Promotion, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems* and weeks ago, I had been quite desperate that I couldn't make to the finalists which were announced and i only made it to the pre-finalists but I'm honored that at this young age i could make it to such an international competition raising the name of my country quite high and receiving an email with such an honorable comment: "Dear Aya Ezzelarab, Thank you for your interest in the 2024 edition of the UIA 2030 Award, organized by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in collaboration with UN-Habitat. Having now concluded the first stage evaluation, we regret to inform your project has not been selected to proceed to the finalists stage. This year’s award attracted over 100 high quality entries from around the 5 regions of the UIA. The finalists will now go forward to the second stage and the winners will be announced at the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum (WUF12). We hope that you will continue to participate in UIA-endorsed prizes and competitions." The competition had assessed regionally, representing the five UIA regions: Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, The Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Africa. The selected entries highlight the power of design to address complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, and showcase progress towards delivery of the SDGs through six categories. On a side note the competition is stepped into project submission, assessment for being a prefinalist, assessment as finalists and winners announcement.

I’m glad to announce that months ago, I participated in the UIA 2030 Award. Organized biennially in six categories and aligned with the World Urban Forum, this prestigious award invited architects from around the world to submit their projects. These projects were evaluated for their design quality and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I submitted in *Category 6: Promotion, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Ecosystems*. Weeks ago, I felt quite desperate not making it to the finalists, but I’m honored to have made it to the pre-finalists. At this young age, reaching such an international competition and raising the name of my country high is a significant achievement. I received an email with this honorable comment: --- "Dear Aya Ezzelarab, Thank you for your interest in the 2024 edition of the UIA 2030 Award, organized by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in collaboration with UN-Habitat. Having now concluded the first stage evaluation, we regret to inform your project has not been selected to proceed to the finalists stage. This year’s award attracted over 100 high quality entries from around the 5 regions of the UIA. The finalists will now go forward to the second stage, and the winners will be announced at the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum (WUF12) next November in Cairo, Egypt. We hope that you will continue to participate in UIA-endorsed prizes and competitions." --- The competition was assessed regionally, representing the five UIA regions: Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, The Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Africa. The selected entries highlight the power of design to address complex social, economic, and environmental challenges and showcase progress towards achieving the SDGs across six categories. On a side note, the competition involved several stages: project submission, assessment for being a pre-finalist, assessment as finalists, and winners announcement. #UIA2030 #SustainableDevelopment #Architecture #YoungArchitects #InternationalCompetition #DesignForGood

As an architect, I believe Alireza Taghaboni has accurately addressed the unique situation of contemporary Iranian architecture in his book “Contact with Effect”. He states that our situation is unique and singular, and to explain this technique, Iranian architecture must be explained within the context of its three major influences: the market, the West, and the government. These three major influences create a unique situation for Iranian architecture. Architecture in Iran cannot take shape without accompanying, negotiating with, or rejecting these three influences. Specifically, the market pushes architecture towards commodification and branding; the government demands the reproduction of dominant ideologies from architecture; and the West expects us to reproduce its perceptions of the East. In my view, this analysis clearly demonstrates how contemporary Iranian architecture is under various pressures and how it must smartly balance these influences. Iranian architects need to be able to respect these influences while also maintaining their identity and creativity. #ContemporaryIranianArchitecture #ArchitecturalInfluences #AlirezaTaghavayi #MarketWestGovernment #ArchitecturalIdentity #BalancingPressures

Published today in the 190th issue of the 'Wednesday Magazine'. This time tackling the issue of the 'unavoidable art' of architecture, for the common good. The flexibility philosophy gives us to push the boundaries of knowledge is always so exciting. My gratitude goes to the editor Dr Rahim Hassan and his team. More on: https://lnkd.in/gaJjj2U

👏 P U B L I C S T A T E M E N T: And here is the public statement from Moriyama Teshima Architects on the recent and abrupt closure of the Ontario Science Centre by the Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario The landmark 1969 building by renowned Japanese Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama was closed following an engineering report by Rimkus with the Ontario government citing that the report found “serious structural issues with the Ontario Science Centre building.” While these issues would not be expected to materialize until the winter, according to Infrastructure Ontario, the intervening months were needed “for staff to safely vacate the building.” A deep dive into the engineering report revealed a different story. It suggests that the building’s key exhibition areas could continue to operate safely for years to come—even if the Ontario government chooses not to invest in any structural roof repairs this year. #OntarioScienceCentre #SaveTheScienceCentre #architecture #heritage #historiclandmark #canadianarchitecture Elizabeth Pagliacolo Stefan Novakovic Eric Mutrie AZURE Media Canadian Architect magazine

My review of Neal Shasore’s Designs on Democracy: Architecture and the Public is now out in Journal of British Studies. 2023;62(4):1116-1117. doi:10.1017/jbr.2023.192