Wooden Facade House - Gramazio & Kohler Architects

A theme which always attracts interest from this blog is design addressing the question of privacy. Previous articles have tended to look at architecture from Japan, addressing the problems of dense urban populations, however we are very pleased to show off Europe's own innovative answer! 

Switzerland based architects Gramazio & Kohler have designed a house which features a unique facade comprised of 315 vertical wooden slats. While the design may raise issues regarding interior light the images below illustrate how the design still provides a very habitable space whilst framing exterior views and giving an incredible degree of privacy. 

More work from Gramazio & Kohler architects can be found on their website, which contains and interesting array of projects focused on pattern and material.

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Two London Boroughs Launch Judicial Review Against Controversial Office to Residential Planning Law

The flagship Tory borough Richmond-Upon-Thames have joined Islington in legally challenging the new planning powers which allow developers to convert offices to homes without planning permission. These two boroughs have so far seen the greatest number of applications for the scheme. The action already has financial support from Tower Hamlets and it is thought that other boroughs may contribute to the challenge through a dedication of financial resources. 

James Murray, Islington Council's executive member for housing and development has commented that the permitted development plan "Is not right for Islington... We have started the legal process to try and overturn the government's changes... There's a real danger that small offices across the borough will be lost to private housing, and tower blocks will have as many flats as possible crammed into them". 

The new planning law stipulates that former office space can be converted to residential units without the need for planning permission, with no obligation to provide affordable housing, negotiate Section 106 agreements, or make provisions for transport or amenity. Replacing the process of applying for planning permission, developers must instead apply to councils for prior approval, at which stage the local authority can refuse, triggering an appeal to the Secretary of State.

The uptake by developers of the new permitted development rights have perhaps been more than expected; the Government said it expected between 85 and 175 office applications for prior approval over 2013-2014, while in reality there have been almost 130 applications just two months into the scheme.

Planning Minister Nick Boles has defended the legislation arguing: "Our planning reforms are delivering badly need new homes on brownfield sites". 

An interesting article discussing the debate over the likely success of the policy can be found at Planning Blog.

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'Places For People' Acquire 'Urban Splash' Portfolio Worth £77m

Places for People have acquired a residential portfolio of 654 apartments from Urban Splash, including properties in Bristol and Plymouth, in a £77m deal. The organisation, which last year acquired Bath-head-quartered Touchstone, have now bought the Lakeshore development in Bristol, however Urban Splash will be retained on a three-year sales and management contract for the whole portfolio.

Lakeshore is an eco development of the former home of Imperial Tobacco, a Grade II Listed building. Urban Splash worked with Ferguson Mann to develop a series of incredible apartments and well thought out, attractive landscaped grounds.

Places for People are one of the largest property management, development and regeneration companies in the UK. Group chief executive, David Cowans, comments on the purchase: "Adding these properties to our portfolio enables us to provide even greater choice and more access to homes for sale, rent and part ownership across the UK".

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+ POOL - Family and Playlab

+ POOL is an innovative strategy to provide clean swimming space within the river water of New York. In the same way that Urban Theory has engaged with the idea of piecemeal urban improvement, + POOL started from a simple idea: rather than try and clean an entire river how and why would we start by cleaning a small piece of it?

+ POOL filters river water through a layered system to removing bacteria and contaminants without the use of chemicals or additives. The system will clean up to half a million gallons of river water every single day, while at the same time providing an incredible space for swimming. An initial trial version of the project is already in development having successful reached the Kickstarter goal of $250,000, and it is hoped a 35' x 35' prototype will be launched this August. 

This is an incredible project which also shows a really progressive example of the development in the relationship between innovation and internet funding, and much more information can be found on the project's Kickstarter page.

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The Illustration of Simon Prades

Simon Prades is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer working out of Saarbrucken, Germany. Prades teaches illustration at the University of Applied Sciences in Trier, and the examples of his work below are just a small part of an incredible portfolio which is available on Behance. 

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Knowle West - Bristol's new Neighbourhood Planning Forum

Another of Bristol's communities have opted to engage with a government scheme aimed at promoting 'local planning'. Following consultation Knowle West will join Lockleaze, Redcilffe, Lawrence Weston and Old Market as Bristol's fifth designated Neighbourhood Planning Forum. 

Neighbourhood Planning Forums were bought into effect in April 2012 intended as a tool to enable communities to have a greater say in in the delivery of homes, employment and social facilities within the area. While these cannot be used to block development the intention is to facilitate in the balancing of development for an area, while allowing the community to identify the opportunities and objectives for growth.

The inability to block development has been seen by some to be a flaw of the process, given that the community plans cannot provide for less development than is laid out in the local authority's development plan. The Government response to this criticism is that the tolls are intended to allow for the shaping of development (in terms of design and location) rather than determining the levels of development. 

So what happens from here? Following qualification as a 'Neighbourhood Forum' a Neighbourhood Plan is prepared, setting out planning policies for the use of land and development in the neighbourhood. Again, these plans must be consistent with local and national planning policies. Local planning authorities are required to support neighbourhood planning, providing advice and information, and assisting in the consultation process. This whole process is further supported through allocated funding at the local level. 

More information on Neighbourhood Planning Forums can be found here and here.

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The Stirling Prize - Comment & Analysis

University of Limerick Medical School and student accommodation

Grafton Architects

"An example of how to create a vibrant public space through careful design and placement. High-quality, beautiful and dramatic buildings that punch far above their rock-bottom budget" - RIBA

Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, Northern Ireland

Henegham Peng Architects

"Breaking the mould of the traditional visitor centre, this highly imaginative and sculptural piece of 'land art' offers an experience that is physical and interactive - the perfect prologue for the main event" - RIBA

Park Hill Phase 1, Sheffield

Hawkins Brown with Studio Egret West

"Reinvention of the loved and loathed grade II* listed 1960s estate. The structure remained in place while key features were changed - interior layouts, windows, security and more. It stands as a beacon for imaginative regeneration, quality mass housing and bold reuse of a listed building" - RIBA

Newhall Be, Harlow

Alison Brooks Architects

"The radical rethinking of shape and interior of the UK house is tackled masterfully with these 84 new homes in suburban Essex that clearly illustrate that good design quality and committed developers can transform people's lives. A new model for British housing?" - RIBA

Astley Castle, Warwickshire

Witherford Watson Mann

"A contemporary Landmark Trust holiday home installed in the ruined walls of a 12th century manor. It is a prototype for a bold new attitude to restoration" - RIBA

Bishop Edward King Chapel, Oxforshire

Niall McLaughlin Architects

"An uplifting space of great potency that the client has described as 'what we dreamed of but didn't think we would get'. An incredible showcase for modern British craftsmanship" - RIBA

There are several important comments to make regarding the short list and a series of analysis can be drawn from the list. Some of the issues represent a departure from both the theory and practice of the award in previous years and perhaps represent potential schisms in architecture, planning and development in the UK: 

- The first point is that the issue of housing (a question to be vitally addressed) is obviously an important factor in this year's short list, with RIBA president Angela Brady commenting: "[These entries] shine a light on what the future of UK housing might be... [focused] on quality, affordable and desirable new homes". During the Prize's history only two housing schemes have previously been short listed. More importantly this year there are a further two entries which demonstrate a desire to tackle the issue of housing provision and design for the volume market (in contrast to prestige and high-end development in previous awards).

- In the first time in the award's seventeen year history, the short list consists of projects all outside of London signaling a move away from the architectural glitter seen in the capital. And while 'the urban' remains well represented, a couple of the projects are focused on the relationship to the countryside and the rural.

- One other important comment is that the awards (having taken similar steps last year) seem to have moved away of the grandeurs projects and big names which have been featured in previous awards in favour of projects with 'quieter qualities'. In particular the entry from Heneghan Peng (buried under eye line) demonstrates an un-obvious or showy approach. Perhaps this suggest a far more thoughtful and humble approach, which may signal how British architecture will develop over the next few years. 

Our pick of the short listed entries is Newhall Be from Alison Brooks Architects. This project represents both an imaginative response to critical issues (both in terms of architecture and economics), while providing a strong focus on the delivery of quality design. A short video about our favourite entry can be found below, while more information regarding all of the entries can be found on the RIBA website. For those of you who subscribe to BD, they have also featured an interesting article on how the bookies rate the projects.

The winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize 2013 will be announced on 26th September

Images from bdonline.co.uk

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Robin Falck - Cabin Retreat

Designed by 21 year old industrial design student, Robin Falck, this simple retreat design should appeal to anyone with an interest in escaping from the urban. While the cabin is small, the geometric shape is attractive pointing to the surroundings as both a focal point and social space. Large windows give depth, light and incredible views to mezzanine floor, while also providing privacy for sleeping.  

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