The Moses Bridge

Designed by Dutch architects Ro&Ad this sunken bridge illustrates how good design is the simple combination of innovation, aesthetic quality, and utility. This project (and Finalist in the Dutch Design Award 2011) brings these elements together to deliver an elegant solution to a simple problem. 

More information at: http://www.ro-ad.org/index.htm 

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Behind the Walls: The Battle for LA's Murals

Directed by Oliver Riley-Smith, this short documentary explores the conflict between graffiti taggers and mural artists in LA. Despite the huge sums the state spends on graffiti removal, the absence of funding to restore damaged murals places the artists' work at constant threat. 

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'Unique and Unconventional Bookcase Designs'

A regular source of inspiration (The aptly named InspirationFeed.com) has recently published a list of their top 50 inspirational bookcase concepts and designs. Here is a collection of some of the favourites:

The full list is available here:

http://inspirationfeed.com/inspiration/industrial-inspiration/50-unique-and-unconventional-bookcase-designs/

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Paul Menard: The Triplette Chair

Originating from France and inspired by the design of Venetian blinds, Paul Menard's 'Triplette Chair' is my pick of the designs highlighted in NY Mag's feature 'The Futurist's Apartment'.

NY Mag's full feature is available here:

http://nymag.com/homedesign/urbanliving/2011/futuristic-decor/

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Learning From Nature: Self-healing materials

The concept of self-healing building materials has been a focus of research for some time now, with engineers looking to harness lessons from nature to serve the built environment. One of the focuses of this research has been the integration of biological processes to create concrete structures with the ability to heal themselves. The degradation of concrete under tension, and the subsequent weakening as a result of water exposure is major and time-consuming problem in the construction industry and having spent many summers myself patching up mortar cracks on Welsh farm buildings this is one breakthrough I am particularly looking forward to.

The breakthrough is hoped to be achieved through the integration of dormant bacteria within the cement, which becomes active when exposed to water. At this point the bacteria converts calcium lactate into limestone, sealing the surface of the concrete. Although researchers at Delft University in the Netherlands continue to work on improving this process, at present the integration of the high-volume materials and components required come at the expense of structural integrity. 

Similar research continues throughout Europe and Northern America. University of Manchester and University of Leeds researchers have recently been asking how sea-shells can help us build more resilient and stronger buildings, while several German universities continue to examine how synthetic processes may lead to self-healing metal structures.   

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Planning Reform: Breaking down a barrier to development?

Once again the planning system has been vilified by critics as a significant barrier to infrastructure development. A new report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), published mid-week suggests that 98% of respondents are concerned over the impact of the planning system on the delivery of infrastructure, citing delay in decision making and increased costs as significant barriers to development. Such surveys are frequently used to highlight a perceived need to reform the planning system to facilitate both large scale development and infrastructure projects. 

Similarly, earlier this week, the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) issues a forecast suggesting that as a result of proposed reforms to the planning system the annual supply of new houses is set to rise from last year's level of 95,000 to 300,000 by 2015, resulting in a increase in GDP by £75bn and the creation of more than 200,000 permanent jobs in the construction industry. 

The impact of the proposed reform is clearly a complicated subject and despite the production of such reports as discussed above, there remains highly-vocal opposition to the Government's reforms. One of the strongest arguments against such reforms follows the lines that frequent changes to the planning system and shifts in policy will inevitably undermine the confidence of key developers. Forecast of job creation and of increases in housing supply are based on long-term projections which are frequently incompatible with the short-term ambitions of governments (which tend to revolve around the election cycle). To condemn the planning system as a barrier to development overlooks the way in which a coherent and constant system delivers infrastructure-developers and house-builders with a degree of certainty and confidence in their strategic ambitions. Many developers may perceive the current system as cumbersome, but it is important to remember better the devil you know.

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Ocean Blue with Envy

Rintala Eggertsson Architects is a Scandinavian based studio with a strong and original portfolio of international projects often threaded together by concepts of individuality and isolation. Included in this diverse range of development is the Floating Sauna anchored in Rosendal, Norway; located in the middle of a fjord the sauna is accessible only by swim or boat.

This finished concept (no pun intended) has emerged from a long design process which includes a prototype exhibited at the Festival of Landscape Objects held in Russia in 2008, images of which are below and more information can be found at 

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/5498/rintala-eggertsson-architects-kaluga-floating-sauna.html

Rintala Eggertsson Architects extensive portfolio can be viewed on their website:

http://www.rintalaeggertsson.com/

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Behance's Best Architectural Renderings

The good people of Graphicswing.com have been exploring the deep and dark depths of Behance galleries to bring you their favourite examples of 'Digital Conceptual Architecture'. Having emerged from a long and complex process (as anyone who has undertaken architectural rendering projects will know) these finished products are not just attractive as examples of pure aesthetics, but are essential as tools for architects to communicate their ideas to clients, planners, and builders. 

Below is a selection of some personal favourites.

  

Via Graphicswing.com

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A Vintage Taste

To promote the second season of the highly regarded 'Broadwalk Empire' the MTA in collaboration with HBO is bringing a touch of 1920's New York prohibition style back to the subway system. Over a series of weekends in September, original trains will be brought back into circulation having received a touch of appropriate advertising and artwork based around the award winning drama. If you are lucky enough to be in New York this month I urge you to fill up your hip flask and soak up the atmosphere.

Alternatively, if you are stuck in sunny old Bristol but want a taste of the speak-easy style you should visit the chic and underground Hyde & Co (if you can find it!).

http://www.hydeandcobristol.net/

Via  Gothamist.com

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Blurring the distinction between indoors and out

Loft 24-7 is a residential development in Sao Paulo (Brazil) by architect Fernanda Marques. The ambition of the project is to create a residence whereby the distinction between indoors and outdoors is blurred to the point of non-existence. This experience is based around elements of minimal and simplistic design combined with an intelligent use of material; the focus has been to use 'outdoor' elements and materials in the interior, and to transport those materials associated as 'indoors' to the exterior. 

While the finished project is clearly stunning and attractive in design and simplicity, the focus on breaking down the distinction between indoors and out has resulted in creation of a house, rather than a home; the extensive use of glass leads to issues of privacy, while the palette of interior materials breeds a certain 'coldness' normally associated with commercial architecture. 

The architect's website contains a diverse and extensive portfolio and is well worth a visit if you can struggle through the Portuguese!

http://www.fernandamarques.com.br/home.asp   

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412 Hotwells Road

In May, Bristol City Council received a planning application for a a new private dwelling on a parcel of land at the rear of 412 Hotwells Road. Within a Conservation Area, in close proximity of a listed building, and spitting distance from one of the South West's most iconic monuments, the response has been a clever design to camouflage the building into the existing landscape and promote the use of latest materials to minimise the visual impact of the development. Since submission, the application has been the subject of a variety of debate; as well as having been discussed by the Bristol Urban Design Forum, details of the application have been forwarded to my class by our university professor, and the development received attention in the blog of my current employer (http://www.moondesignandbuild.co.uk/news)!

Clearly there are many factors to consider in weighing up the application including: the (ever-present) question of the appropriateness of innovative architecture in protected areas; the impact of the design on the character of the surrounding area and listed buildings; and issues of architectural quality. However both myself and my employers have submitted supporting comments for the application. Architectural innovation of this quality of design and material is exactly the sort of ideas Bristol should be promoting as a city, especially on a site within the shadow of Brunel's most celebrated project, itself a ground-breaking design.  

Among the documents submitted with the application are precedent studies including work from Mastenbroek and Mulle, as well as a series of photo mock-ups illustrating the potential impact of the design. I encourage you to take a few minutes to look over this particularly interesting application for yourself.

The application reference is 11/01883/F, and details can be found here:

http://e2eweb.bristol.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LKXIZADNK8000       

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How the Cookie Crumbles...

While in terms of architecture, engineering and manufacturing Japan has long established itself as an international hard hitter, clearly the country must be considered the undisputed champion of food packaging design!

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The Impact of Localism on the Disenfranchised

The Government's Localism Agenda in planning is built around the principle that 'local' communities have both the resources and desire to invest in a long term development strategy for the area in which they live. The main argument for such reform focuses on the argument that local residents not only have the greatest understanding of the issues affecting them, but that they also have the greatest stake in the long-term future of their community. Such a scheme implicitly assumes that such groups have both the motivation AND resources to get involved.

For a minority of (mostly Conservative) communities such reform may represent a genuine opportunity to develop new local plans and focus development to address key local issues, however such opportunity only exists for those with the resources and time to engage with the new system. On the flip-side, we must question the ability of the majority of other groups to become involved in the new processes, especially those residents working 10-hour days, looking after families full-time, or with limited free hours. And especially among the widespread cuts to independent advisory planning-bodies as part of austerity measures! 

One suggestion of who may have the capacity to fill this advisory position, is the greater inclusion of developers in community planning and the writing of neighbourhood development plans. This could put disenfranchised communities in a dangerous position; while wealthy communities may be in a strong position to refuse certain types of development, other (poorer) communities will be more susceptible to developer's use of financial incentives to accept development without a full and independent understanding of the impact of such work, which could lead to a concentration of 'undesirable developement' in already poor or disenfranchised communities. This will be particularly key when developers ask local groups to sacrifice local amenities tying into what Harvey (1995) describes as the 'intriguing paradox' whereby "the poor who are least able to sustain the loss are likely to sacrifice it for a trifling sum" [Harvey 1995:67-68]. 

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Often Imitated, Never Duplicated

Call it what you want 'inspiration', 'parody', or 'pastiche', the history of art is often regarded as an on-going process of mimicry and replication. This applies equally to architecture, with the continued transplantation or ideas and even actual landmarks.

Without a doubt the most prolific of this practice is the Chinese. As well as hosting a variety of crude reproductions of some of the most globally recognisable architectural works (including versions of their very own Great Wall), throughout China's cities are a series of parks which seek to emulate the styles, character, and heritage from countries around the world. Now a new venture is being planned: China's very own replica of the Austrian leisure town of Hallstatt, which is being planned based on a series of covert re-con missions akin to Cold War legend. 

So what does such blatant imitation mean for Chinese architecture? The argument that such practice reflects a lack of imagination and confidence in China's own architectural style is undermined by a rich artistic history and pioneering modern projects such as the iconic Bird's Nest National Stadium and, a personal favourite, the Songjiang Shimao Hotel (Below). Related and equally unconvincing, is the argument this could be interpreted as a confused struggle for original style and authentic culture. Instead, we should interpret this process as an obvious response to the continued boom in building and economic growth, which has led to a rapid integration of architectural styles in a country where intellectual property rights are routinely flouted and counterfeiting is an integral part of the informal national economy.

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Re-designing Festivals

As festival season approaches, many big organisers are looking for way to both differentiate their event from others and improve the festival-goer's experience, with an eye on reputation and long-term profits. In response to some of these question Roskilde Festival and the Danish Architecture Centre launched a design competition earlier in the year.

The winning entry, 'Why Don't We Do It On The Stairs', seeks to provide a variety of spaces and host multitude of activity, within two large sets of stairs. This provides space not only to see the festival stage, but to relax, refresh, and regroup. 

Each 'box' built into the stairs will host a different activity. And by organising the space into highly visible and distinctive landmarks, the problems of finding your lost mates among a sea of people is solved, while the elevation means the camping area is also visible, allowing you to plan your late night stumble back to the tent. Moreover by cutting out the underside of the stairs a versatile spaces is created beneath the structure, which can be used as shade from the sun, shelter from the rain, or an additional 'stage'. 

The design is very much user-focused and addresses some key issues to significantly enhance the festival experience. We hope to see these ideas come into practice in the near future!

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'The Cube' - A portable restaurant

Earlier this year, Italian architecture practice Park Associati released renderings of their concept restaurant, 'The Cube'. With a light-weight laser cut aluminium skin, the intention was to create a moveable module, which could be set up in some of Europe's premier and most breath-taking locations. As you would expect the quality of the food matches that of the concept, with the kitchen headed by Michelin starred chefs Bart de Pooter and Sang Hoon Degeimbre. 
'The Cube' has now been completed and has been premièred in Brussels. The tour is intended to continue through Italy, Russia, Switzerland, and Sweden. 


A portfolio of Park Associati's projects can be found on their website: http://www.parkassociati.com/

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'Building the Seed Cathedral' - Thomas Heatherwick

Last month TED posted a lecture by British architect Thomas Heatherwick on the integration of nature and design, with the main discussion focusing on bio-inspired architecture. This fifteen minute presentation covered important topics of scale, intricacy, and efficiency in design, as Heatherwick guided us through a series of projects undertaken by his practice. The review of the design, social implications, and imaginative multi-functional use of a new energy infrastructure project (top), was perhaps the real strongest and most engaging aspect of the talk, while the exploration of new design in apartments was a close second, with a series of both imaginative concepts and graphics (bottom).  

The talk is available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_heatherwick.html

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The Great Estate: The Rise & Fall of the Council House

Last night BBC4 hosted a programme documenting the rise and fall of social housing within the UK, focusing on the wide-scale development of Council Houses and Estates. In this programme, journalist and author, Michael Collins explored the history of "one of Britain's greatest social revolutions"- from its infancy as a project to appease a disgruntled social underclass, to its peak where social housing provided accommodation for over a third of the British population, and to its rapid decline 80 years on. 

The programme focuses on a grand tour round the country, recounting the personal experiences of many of the estate's first residents. While such an account provides an emotive and engaging watch, it would perhaps have been interesting to see more attention given to the political and economic reasons behind the changes in the council estate's fortune, with such analysis coming second to the nostalgic focus of the documentary.   

The programme is available on BBC iPlayer until 10:59PM Tuesday, 21st June 2011.

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The case of 301 Hotwells Road

A recent project we completed was an analysis of the issues around a proposed planning application in the Hotwells area of Bristol. Set within the back-waters of the Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area, this application for two mews houses in the rear yard an imposing, listed building had previously been rejected. The brief of the project was to critically analyse the application and related refusal reasons, and to present an argument either for or against the development in the form of a proof of evidence for a planning appeal.   

The proposed development is on a street which at present is unattractive and illegible; filled with blank frontages, poor quality street lighting, and dominated by concrete this 'backwater' really needs sensitive development to make this important pedestrian route more obvious and attractive:

To explore this issue, I drew up a series of SketchUp models to illustrate the visual impact of the proposed development. Two of the refusal reasons focused on the aesthetic quality of the development which was argued to be "incongruous" to the setting, and detrimental to the character of the area. However I think the models here are important in illustrating that these suggestions are poorly founded:

Ultimately, whatever the aesthetics of the proposed development, the application will always be severely limited by highway issues, with the issue of parking in this high density area, a fatal stumbling block. Despite this, the case illustrates important issues of how planning applications are often submitted without the necessary information for officers to properly assess the visual impact of the development.

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About Me

As a recent Masters graduate in Town and Country Planning (and with an interest in issues of Urban Development and Design) the intention of this blog is to examine and explore issues related to architecture, planning and design. The content focus on a variety of topics engaging with global issues in architecture, design trends, and local planning matters pertinent to Bristol. 

This is intended to be an aid for students (through the provision and exploration of new ideas), a layman explanation of national planning issues (such as the emerging 'Localism Agenda'), as well as a showcase of my own skills, concepts, and interests. 


While my online portfolio of planning and design projects can be found through Behance.

A more in depth profile of me can be found through LinkedIn.

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