This month, FC&A talks to Andy Parsons, Managing Director at Yelo Architects, about his career journey as an architect and discovers what drove him to open his very own practice 10 years ago.

RMJM Shanghai was recently appointed by Hengyan authorities to design the Xiangjiang Gate. It is the culmination of an international design competition set to bring a monument to the city of Hengyang located in the province of Hunan in China. The confluence of the Xiang, Zheng and Lishui rivers will be home to the gate.

Competitive sports has a history that is practically as old as human civilisation. Born from humanity being faced with the great unknown, brought on by physical nature, it became a means for one to reflect on their own existence and cognition of function, proving their physical capabilities and striving to explore and further push one’s limits. To some extent, the competitive spirit it represents catalysed modern society – between people, between enterprises, between cities and between countries – becoming a catalyst for progress and positive growth, but it has also brought on some disadvantages.

In early summer 2019, the new traffic hub Køge Nord Station was officially opened – featuring a spectacular footbridge, a station and a park area that form a significant hub for green mobility as well as a unique example of Danish architecture and engineering. Køge Nord Station was designed by an architectural team consisting of COBE and DISSING+WEITLING architecture.

Ted Szuman, Head of Innovation at AkzoNobel UK, discusses the hot topic of future-proofing design that caters to its occupants.

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has been selected by the jury of the International Design Competition to build the new Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

FDS Consult has provided its expert fire strategy services to the landmark Capital Towers development in East London. The fire engineering specialist was appointed to develop a strategy for its two interconnected, high rise buildings that would ensure the safety of residents while maximising space and reducing costs.

Rockpanel and ROCKWOOL have come together to present the latest research and thinking on how best to design out risk and ensure fire safety when it comes to specifying exterior cladding systems, with particular focus on high rise structures.

Kährs unveiled two ultra-matt wood flooring collections at Clerkenwell Design Week this year, Lux and Lumen. Recently winning Gold for 'Best Flooring' at the 2017 House Beautiful Awards, Kährs' Lux collection includes nine one-strip plank format designs in an array of natural colours, which are mirrored in Lumen's three-strip and two-strip designs.

Kährs' newly launched French Pattern wood flooring design has been shortlisted in the 2018 'International Design & Architecture Awards', within the 'Hard Flooring' category. The awards, held by 'design et al' magazine, celebrate some of the best design schemes, product launches and innovation from throughout the world.