The shortlist for the RIBA London Regional Awards 2016 was announced at the beginning of March. It includes 68 buildings across the capital, each of which was visited by a jury who assessed it to decide if it was fit for inclusion. The chosen architectural works are extremely diverse and include new builds, extensions and renovations across a variety of sectors and settings. Continue reading →

As building space is at a premium in the capital, many developers are seeking to build upwards rather than outwards, which has led to a proliferation of skyscrapers. However, there are concerns that these kinds of buildings are having a detrimental impact when they are placed in locations where they would be incongruous with the area’s character. These concerns were in the news recently when Renzo Piano’s proposal for a new cylindrical 72-storey skyscraper in Paddington was withdrawn after protests from other architects, heritage campaigners and the public. Continue reading →

This month saw “public space intervention” protests take place in London as members of the public objected to the increasing privatisation of the capital’s public spaces. There are concerns that as more and more areas of the capital are being taken over by corporate entities, the right to roam freely is being restricted and biodiversity and character are being destroyed in favour of sterile uniformity. Continue reading →