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were in the news recently when Renzo Piano’s proposal for a new cylindrical 72-storey skyscraper in Paddington was withdrawn after protests from other architects, heritage campaigners and the public.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 →

The building materials are one of the most crucial considerations for any architect, no matter what kind of project they may be involved in. The chosen materials will have an impact on the stability of the structure, the shape, the aesthetics and the green credentials. There are even cases when the choices are limited by the area and the materials that have been used to construct other properties. Continue reading →