With its one- to three-room, highly-flexible apartments, flats, gallery lofts and rooftop flats, UNStudio and developer Bauwerk‘s recently-completed Van B residential project in Munich not only caters to changing demographics and multiple family constellations, but it also offers indoor-outdoor living, communal spaces, shared facilities and a new highly-flexible plug-in system that can make a 40m2 apartment feel like a 60m2 loft.
Despite repeated failings, the UK Government continues to back modular construction efforts with millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money. Jenny Smith-Andrews, Head of Marketing at H+H UK, questions if this support is misplaced.
Phil Cooper, Founder of Hope Architects, has had an inspiring career journey marked by passion and innovation. From his early days in his mother’s engineering office to founding Hope Architects in 2019, he has continually pushed design boundaries. In this Q&A, FC&A explores the milestones and motivations that shaped his career, his commitment to creating homes that foster cherished memories and the exciting projects on the horizon for his firm.
Architectural ironmongery might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of building design, but it is highly significant. With safety, security, accessibility and aesthetics to consider, specification can be complex and multifaceted. In this article, we speak with Tom Planck, Managing Director of leading architectural ironmongery firm John Planck, about the key factors to consider during hardware specification.
Benedetta Rogers, Director at ARTEFACT, shares insights into her architectural career journey, highlighting pivotal experiences and influences. From her diverse education to impactful projects like the Common Rooms for Clapton Commons, she discusses her passion for community-driven design, reflects on personal anecdotes that shaped her approach to architecture and offers a glimpse into her day to day.
A new care home complex in Southampton, that has been designed by a sector specialist architectural practice to fulfil the needs of those with dementia or different neurological conditions, has made use of IPP’s A1 non-combustible Cemgold boards to create Memory Boxes that will help patients find their rooms and orientate themselves by storing photographs or other memorabilia.
Jon Ackroyd is this month’s exclusive Q&A profile. Jon is an Architect, retrofit champion, Carpenter and Founder of Ackroyd Lowrie, an award-winning, east London-based practice. Here, Jon discusses his inspiration, how he learnt to harness the power of dyslexic thinking to forge a successful career, his advice for aspiring architects and how Ackroyd Lowrie is supporting future generations.
The new safety regime introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022 came into force on 1 October 2023 putting residents at the heart of a new system of building safety. It makes all players in the construction industry more accountable for keeping buildings, and their occupants, safe. A leading architect and safety manufacturer each offer their thoughts on what the implications of this new act will be for architects.
With the clock ticking down to net zero, timber’s low-carbon credentials have placed it at the top of the construction agenda. Recently, the Government set out a forward-thinking plan to increase the use of timber in construction, as Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, explains.
Battersea Power Station has unveiled the first images of 50 Electric Boulevard, a new 200,000ft2 prime workplace designed by Foster + Partners.