England: The Latest Architecture and News
Quarry Theatre at St Luke's / Foster Wilson Architects
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Architects: Foster Wilson Architects
- Year: 2015
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Professionals: Ainsley & Partners, Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design, SDC Builders Ltd, Theatreplan, Price & Myers
Westlegate Tower in Norwich / 5th Studio
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Architects: 5th Studio
- Area: 3530 m²
- Year: 2013
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Manufacturers: KEIM
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Professionals: Bremner Partnership, BSD, Contact Electrical, George Sexton Associates, Graham Construction, +2
Slough Aspire / Manalo & White
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Architects: Manalo & White
- Year: 2015
Boldrewood Innovation Campus / Grimshaw
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Architects: Grimshaw
- Year: 2015
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Manufacturers: Franken-Schotter, Clark Door, James & Taylor
Semi-detached / Delvendahl Martin Architects
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Architects: Delvendahl Martin Architects
- Area: 350 m²
- Year: 2015
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Professionals: Glass UK, Sporn Construction, Price & Myers
The Cube / Hawkins\Brown
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Architects: Hawkins\Brown
- Area: 6750 m²
- Year: 2015
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Manufacturers: Ströher
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Professionals: Spencer Mayes, Engenuiti, Pringuer James Consulting Engineers, Signet Planning
OMA, Zaha Hadid and Mecanoo Among 9 Shortlisted for New Art Space in Manchester
A competitive shortlist of 9 has been released for a new high-profile art space planned in Manchester. The £110 million project, known as "The Factory" (after the city's influential Factory Records), will feature an "ultra-flexible" arts venue that can transform from a 2,200-seat theater into an open 5,000-capacity space that will accommodate a wide range of art forms and performances. It will also serve as the new home of the Manchester International Festival (MIF).
"The level of international interest reflects the city’s emerging status as an internationally-renowned city of culture. This is a landmark development that will place Manchester in the highest tier of arts worldwide," said Manchester City Council (MCC) executive member Rosa Battle.
The 9 shortlisted practices are:
Y-Cube / Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
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Architects: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
- Year: 2015
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Manufacturers: EQUITONE
Crowdfunding Campaign Begins for Homeless Shelter Pods
After winning the 6th annual Space for New Visions competition by FAKRO last month, James Furzer of Spatial Design Architects has begun a crowdfunding campaign on Indigogo for his project, “Homes for the Homeless”. The project proposes a series of modular pods which attach to existing buildings, providing a safe space for a night’s rest for the homeless. Extending beyond mere habitation, James Furzer hopes to change the way that the public sees the homeless – of which there are over 750 on any given night in London alone.
Own a Pied-à-Terre in the Heart of Middle Earth with the "Realise Minas Tirith" Campaign
Are you looking for the perfect walled city to lay down your roots? Look no further than Minas Tirith, J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional capital of Gondor, located in mountainous and remote Middle Earth. Except, if an ambitious group of British architects get their way, it might not be fictional for much longer. With their plans to construct a replica of Minas Tirith in the non-fictional hills of southern England, the Lord of the Rings-inspired community promises to be a bustling center of activity occupied by the most diehard Middle Earth supporters. This is only possible, of course, if the founders of Realise Minas Tirith are able to fundraise £1.85 Billion ($2.86bn USD) within 60 days on Indiegogo.
These Detachable Pods Aim to Provide Shelter for Britain’s Homeless
The 6th annual “Space for New Visions” competition has announced its winner: a project entitled “Homes for the Homeless,” by James Furzer of Spatial Design Architects. Hosted by FAKRO, a global manufacturer of roof windows and loft ladders, and A10 Magazine for European Architecture, the competition sought proposals that incorporated FAKRO products. With entries from around the world, projects were judged based on user comfort, environmental impact, functionality and natural light, among other things. Read about the winning entry after the break.
David Chipperfield's "Radical" English Country House Considered "World's Best"
The Architectural Review (AR) has crowned David Chipperfield's Fayland House winner of the 2015 AR House Awards, deeming it the world's best new house. Celebrating excellence and innovation in the design of a one-off house, the award highlights the Chipperfield-designed home for being a "radical new take on the English country house."
"To make a luxury home that isn’t pompous or a projection of the vanity of its inhabitants is a really difficult thing," said judge Adam Caruso of Caruso St John. "Fayland House places a very large house in a special landscape without disappearing. The domestic outdoor spaces, which have always been an issue in English country houses, are in courtyards, which is an innovation."
Shortlist Announced For 2015 RIBA South West Awards
A total of sixteen projects have been shortlisted for RIBA South West 2015 Awards, featuring buildings by Glenn Howells Architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, AHR, and Stonewood Design. All shortlisted buildings will now be assessed by a regional jury. Regional winners will then be considered for a RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, the results of which will place some projects in the running for the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize.
See the complete list of shortlisted projects after the break.
RIBA Launches Centenery Square Regeneration Competition for Birmingham
The Royal Institute of British Architects have announced an international design competition to regenerate Centenary Square, one of Birmingham's largest public spaces, and neighbor to Birmingham's International Convention Centre, the Old Rep Theatre, and the the Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo which was shortlisted for the 2014 Stirling Prize.
Five Shortlisted for Marlborough College Science Building
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Nicholas Hare Architects, Orms, Sarah Wigglesworth Architects and Tim Ronalds Architects have been shortlisted in a competition to expand and develop the Marlborough College science building in Wiltshire, England. “The current Science Block has a fascinating heritage but needs a new life to accommodate new teaching methods,” explained Malcolm Reading, the competition’s organizer. “The competition is all about finding a balance between the architectural grain of the existing eclectic campus and a confident and exciting piece of contemporary architecture.” The teams will now develop proposals. A winner will be announced in December.
Are Playable Cities the Future of Urbanism?
Who says that playing is just for kids? Bristol, in the United Kingdom, is just one of the many cities around the world experimenting with urban play, creating opportunities to eliminate urban solitude in favour of having fun. In a recent article in The Guardian, Julian Baggini dives head first into Bristol's playful new initiatives including a 300-foot water slide on the city's high street, post boxes that converse using text messaging, and city-wide zombie chases. Bristol is leading the way with urban play worldwide, hosting a conference this month entitled Making the City Playable, an opportunity for planners to convene with the creative minds behind the new form of entertainment. Find out more about urban play and the benefits it brings to cities here.
Beachfront Observation Tower Confirmed for the British City of Brighton
British practice Marks Barfield Architects, famous for designing the London Eye, are a step closer to realising their latest urban observation structure: the i360 Brighton. This week the international team who created the London landmark were reunited on Brighton beach as as loans of more than £40 million have been agreed to begin the tower's construction. Bringing together companies from the UK, France (Poma), the USA (Jacobs Enginneering) and the Netherlands (Hollandia), the project has been described as "truly unique."