Architects Journal
April 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Architects wanted down under
Australian states to sponsor working visa applications from UK architects -
Growing leisure sector bucks downturn
Latest Glenigan figures show 17.5 per cent rise in contracts as recession leads to more UK holidays -
In pictures: Grimshaw in New York
Images of Grimshaw’s £134 million media centre in New York state -
Sports star faces bailiffs over unpaid bill
World-famous basketball player John Amaechi has pleaded poverty after his charitable foundation failed to pay a £43,000 architect’s bill to design a basketball centre in Bradford -
Zaha’s Dubai Opera House set to be cancelled
Two Zaha Hadid projects in the Middle East are on hold, while Foster scoops Saudi rail contract -
3DReid land approval for Glasgow hotel
3DReid has been awarded planning approval for a new £26 million hotel project in Glasgow’s West End -
5% of architects claim benefit
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) this week show that nearly 5 per cent of architects are now unemployed -
A cheeky peek at Hopkins' UCL cancer centre
Naughty Mr Astragal has stumbled across pictures of Hopkins’ Architects proposed new £110 million outpatient unit for the University College London Hospitals NHS trust -
A fifth of all social housing schemes ‘poor’
A survey by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has branded a fifth of all social housing schemes ‘poor’ and lacking distinctiveness -
A kick in the barracks from Bungalow Bill
The Chelsea saga is doing Ian Martin’s head in. Is it, he wonders, time to sack the client… -
A+DS welcome review findings
Architecture and Design Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s review findings into the future of the design body -
ACE claims Tesco forcing suppliers to cut fees by 40 per cent
Tesco has come under fire from the construction industry business association ACE, which claims the supermarket giant is forcing its construction suppliers to cut fees by up to 40 per cent -
AJ100 reveals Sustainable Practice of the Year finalists
The AJ is pleased to announce the shortlist for the coveted AJ100 Sustainable Practice of the Year -
All at sea with Foster
Well, well. It seems a nautically-minded Norman Foster can be as successful as a land-based one. -
Amanda Levete creates a lounge based on a drop of water
The concept of Amanda Levete Architects’ space is based on the pattern of ripples created when a raindrop hits the surface of water. -
Approval granted for Niall McLaughlin King's Cross project
The Niall McLaughlin Architects-designed green building at the site of the King’s Cross Central redevelopment has won the green light -
Architects go online in search of adultery
Redundancies and three-day weeks have had an unexpected effect on the profession: it seems that British architects now use the internet to commit adultery -
Architecture Foundation set for new humble home
The Architecture Foundation (AF) is to move into a new ‘pared down’ home, designed by Carmody Groarke, at the end of the month -
Art installation to kick-start Cardross
Glasgow-based environmental arts charity NVA has been given the go-ahead to commission plans for temporary and permanent artworks at St. Peter’s Seminary and Kilmahew Woodlands, Cardross -
Ask not what the private sector can do for you...
… they’ll want a 40 per cent stake, says our man with the string course and the coarse jokes, Ian Martin -
Atkins to pay £10m for 1,200 job redundancies
The giant engineering and architectural group, Atkins has announced it has spent £10 million as a result of 1,200 job cuts -
Aukett to record higher than expected loss
Aukett Fitzroy Robinson has reported its first half loss will be greater than expected, following a significant downturn in its Middle East operations -
Bartlett offshoot lands Chinese contest
London-based Metamode has won the invited competition to design a new cultural park in China -
Bennetts win 'Whitehall of the North West' project
Bennetts Associates has landed the prize project of drawing up plans for the new ‘Whitehall of the North West’, in Manchester -
Birmingham firms punished over misuse of term 'architect'
Birmingham Magistrates court has fined Masood Akhtar of the firms Masood Akhtar Associates and MHA Consultants for misusing the title ‘architect’ -
Bookies clean up after Maggie's Centre Stirling victory
Bookmaker William Hill is laughing all the way to the bank following Richard Rogers’ Stirling Prize win with his Maggie’s Centre in London -
Boris Johnson eyes further HCA bailout cash
London Mayor Boris Johnson has vowed to win more funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for a raft of ailing developments across the capital -
British Embassy, Bangkok by MJP Architects
In the heart of one of the world’s most populous cities is a hymn to a particular kind of Englishness. Rory Olcayto reports on MJP’s attempt to give the Thai British embassy a new beat -
Budget 2009: Darling to reveal £1bn emergency housing fund
State funding for more housing projects, extra council housing and extended stamp duty holiday all on the chancellor’s agenda for Wednesday’s Budget -
Budget 2009: news and reaction
£500 million announced for stalled housing projects; Stamp duty ‘holiday’ extended to end of 2009; £430 million to improve energy efficiency of buildings -
Budget 2009: RIBA coalition urge VAT cut on repairs
A coalition of construction industry big hitters, including the RIBA, has made a last ditch plea to the chancellor to cut VAT to five per cent for domestic refurbishment and renovation work -
Budget 2009: What to expect
The chancellor is to predict a 3 per cent economy shrink and a borrowing high of £175 billion -
Building a healthy outlook
The MRC’s new framework agreements are a timely step towards good value and consistency, says Adrian Gainer -
Building for the future
We can help students get the year-out experience they so urgently need, writes David Lumb -
Building Regulations - a 'snappy aide-memoire'
Austin Williams has collected his best NBS Shortcuts into two ‘at a glance guides for building designers’. Simon Allford takes a look -
CABE and London deputy mayor join Chelsea Barracks row
The controversy over Richard Rogers’ proposed redevelopment of London’s Chelsea Barracks rumbled on this week, as SAVE Britain’s Heritage and CABE became the latest organisations to wade into the classicism versus modernism debate -
CABE slates St Katharine Dock scheme for a fourth time
CABE has slated the latest redesign of Gaunt Francis Architects’ (GFA) St Katharine Dock’s scheme in East London -
CABE urges 'fundamental rethink' over Olympic Media Centre
CABE’s Olympic panel has slammed plans for London 2012’s Media Centre, labelling it ‘extremely weak’ -
Call for entries: RIBA President's Awards for Research
The RIBA is calling for entries for the 2009 President’s Awards for Research. The deadline for submissions is 15 June. -
Chelsea Barracks owner stands by Rogers' scheme
The owner of the contentious Chelsea Barracks site has issued a statement today (1 May) giving its total backing to the Richard Rogers-design scheme -
Clean lines
Sam Jacob on why dirt is so ‘real’ for rock and rollers – and architects -
Competition launched for Bournemouth beach huts
A competition has been launched to find a team to design and build beach huts in Boscombe, near Bournemouth. -
Constructive criticism
Labour mismanagement is the root cause of the Learning and Skills Council fiasco, says Kieran Long -
Daniel Libeskind's book signing of 'Counterpoint'
At a signing of his new book, ‘Counterpoint,’ at New York’s Strand Bookstore, architect Daniel Libeskind got philosophical. -
Darling announces £1 billion housing boost
Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has announced a £1 billion emergency housing package to kick-start the UK construction industry as part of yesterday’s Budget (22 April). -
David Adjaye lands new Smithsonian Museum in Washington
A team led by David Adjaye has been selected for the new $500 million Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture -
David Ward - Critic's choice
Nothing escapes the keen eye of artist David Ward, writes Andrew Mead -
Designhuis brings Europe's best young designers to Milan
For this year’s Salone Del Mobile, the Dutch group Designhuis has brought 21 young designers from 11 countries to Milan. -
Developer denies sidelining Viñoly at Battersea
Developer Treasury Holdings has denied that starchitect Rafael Viñoly has been pushed aside on the £4 billion project to redesign Battersea Power Station in South London -
Devereux to merge with Dewjo’c Architects
Devereux Architects announced today it will team up with Dewjo’c -
Ecophon Master™ Baffle
For applications where a traditional acoustic suspended ceiling are not possible or desired. Ecophon Master Baffles are the perfect solution. The units are very clean, giving a minimalist feeling allowing design freedom whilst creating the perfect acoustic environment. -
Ecophon Master™ Solo
Free-Hanging sound absorbers improve the acoustic conditions in a variety of applications. Their flexibility makes it possible to install the absorbers in direct proximity to where they are needed. As a design unit, the free-hanging sound absorbers also add considerable aesthetic value to the space. -
Education, education, education
The decision to cut the building budget for FE colleges endangers everyone’s future, writes John Hayes -
Eileen Gray - the original eminence grise
Though she waited years to receive proper recognition, says Joseph Rykwert, Eileen Gray was the designer behind one of modernism’s iconic buildings -
English Heritage criticises Wandsworth's 'core strategy'
Wandsworth Council has come under fire from English Heritage following the recent publication of its core strategy for the South London borough -
Established & Sons uses wooden stand at Milan
Established & Sons’ exhibition stand is made up from thousands of pieces of American Tulipwood -
First look: Behind the scenes at Bennetts Associates' RSC revamp
The AJ can reveal the first pictures of Bennetts Associates Architects £53 million overhaul of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in Stratford-upon-Avon -
First look: Broadway Malyan's £73 million Singapore heart centre
Broadway Malyan has landed the £73 million project to design the new National Heart Centre in Singapore -
First Look: Dubai Sports Centre
The 15,000-seat aquatics complex is due to complete early next year in time for the Fina World Short Course Swimming Championship -
First look: Edgley's thin house
Shoreditch-based Edgley Design has finished this 4m-wide house in Islington, North London -
First look: Glowacka Rennie at the V&A
Glowacka Rennie has completed this £130,000 overhaul of the ladies’ toilets off the Grand Entrance hall at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London -
First look: Hadid heads for Padua biennial
Zaha Hadid has unveiled her new art installation destined for the fourth International Biennal of Architecture in Padua, Italy -
First look: Newby's glowing sphere
These are the first pictures of the new Unity Sphere sculpture, designed by Stephen Newby -
First look: Richard Wilson's new twist for the LSE
Artist Richard Wilson has won the go-ahead for this artwork on the corner of the London School of Economics (LSE) new academic building -
First look: Shafiei shows off Madrid shop
Up-and-coming talent Sara Shafiei has unveiled images of her proposed fit out of the new RAASTA fashion boutique in Madrid, Spain -
Five things to do today - 27 April
Google Earth fonts - Elegant put downs - Rut Blees Luxembourg - The good life - Twentieth century boys -
Five things to do today - 28 April
Bacone - BCO Conference - Rolling sushi - Hussein Chalayan - Telly Savalas -
Five things to do today - 29 April
Future Scotland - Andy Gilmore - Spam Wallpaper - Conspicuous consumption - This is the news… -
Five things to do today: 15 April
Carts of darkness – scary monsters – adaptable home– grannies – ultimate business card -
Five things to do today: 16th April
Art for art’s sake – jazzy pleasure – road trip – Lost Los Angeles – art cave -
Five things to do today: 17 April
CAD can’t - Tate talks - African photographs - steam power - learn to knit -
Five things to do today: 20 April
Watercolour robots - global camera club - Australian design - Lamborbiker - Ohiogirldesign -
Five things to do today: 21 April
Less is more - Gehry’s feud - Vatican sunshine - noteworthy building - Golden Mean rules! -
Five things to do today: 22 April
Megadrive rebooted - shower hug - Sultan Lounge - cutaway vehicles - monolith church -
Five things to do today: 23 April
Milan Furniture Fair - Alberto van Stokkum - alcoholic architecture - about time - Design is the problem -
Five things to do today: 24 April
Vader re-mixed - American excess - glowing, inflatable - global warming: the shelf -
Five things to do today: 30 April
Plastic culture - I’ll be bike - Horses in wigs - David Hockney - Jamie Fobert -
Five things to do today: 5 May
Obama and Religion - Ciclotte - Fossilised - The coffee pot with the big guns - Steve in Sheffield -
Foster to design Saudi high-speed rail stations
Foster + Partners has been appointed the designer for four stations on the Haramain high-speed railway -
Foster: not as chuffing rich as he used to be
Astragal was tipped off on Friday about how Lord ‘Moneybags’ Foster had fared in the Sunday Times 2009 Rich List -
Foster's design for London's tallest residential tower approved
Tower Hamlets Council has approved the design by Foster + Partners for London’s tallest residential tower -
Foster's first yacht launches in Italy
The first yacht designed by Norman Foster, the Ocean Emerald, has been launched in La Spezia, Italy -
Foster's Heathrow hotel lands approval from London Mayor
London Mayor, Boris Johnson has approved Foster + Partners’ design for a new five-star hotel near Heathrow Airport -
Frank Gehry bench to be unveiled in Milan
A one-off aluminium bench, Tuyomyo (Spanish for ‘yours and mine’), designed by Frank Gehry for Emeco will be shown at the Salone del Mobile this week -
Frank Gehry threatens to leave Miami project
Frank Gehry is threatening to pull out of his New World Symphony project in Miami over reports of fee disputes and political inertia -
'Freedom to remix' - Roma Europa FAKE factory competition
RomaeuropaFAKEfactory is an international Videoart, Music, Literature, GIF-Art, Architecture, Design, Landscape and Law Art competition started in January 2009 -
GEZE UK
GEZE launches efficient, effective ECdrive. Attractive and reliable, a cost-effective sliding door operator has been launched by GEZE UK for areas with high footfall. The user-friendly ECdrive provides functionality, economic efficiency and meets stringent safety requirements. -
Glasgow students told ‘not to come back’ after summer break
Third-year students at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, have been told to ‘do anything, but don’t come back here’ after this year’s summer break -
Green light for FOA but no start date in sight
Foreign Office Architects has won the initial green light for its £100 million Watermark WestQuay shopping centre in Southampton -
Greenwich launch contest for new architecture school building
The University of Greenwich has launched the search for an architect to design its new £60 million school of architecture and construction building in Greenwich town centre, south London -
Ground Zero towers delayed up to 20 years, says report
Richard Rogers and Norman Foster’s towers for Ground Zero in New York may not be completed for another 20 years, according to a leaked reported by the city’s Port Authority -
Growing pains in Leeds
Astragal spent a delightful evening at the last of Leeds Metropolitan University’s 4x4 Making Places lecture series -
Hadid runs late on Burnham pavilion in Chicago
Zaha Hadid’s temporary pavilion for the centenary of Chicago’s Burnham Plan will not be ready for its scheduled opening on Friday (19 June) -
HCA establishes sustainability and design group
Tom Jestico and Nick Johnson have been appointed by The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as part of a new team providing independent strategic policy advice -
Hopkins Architects submits planning application for Greenwich Market
Plans have finally been submitted to Greenwich Council for the regeneration of Greenwich Market, three years after Hopkins were awarded the job -
How to overhaul your IT systems
Use the economic downturn to reassess your IT capabilities, says Sophia Boulton, CAD Manager at IT solutions provider Jigsaw -
Hubert de Cronin Hastings’ Neologisms in the AR - Back Issues
Hubert de Cronin Hastings’ neologisms were idealistic but ultimately futile, says Steve Parnell -
Hull theatre makes its debut
The Hull Truck Theatre Company will open the doors of its new £13.8 million Wright & Wright-designed theatre on 23 April – William Shakespeare’s 445th birthday -
Ian McChesney reveals atrium sculpture
Ian McChesney has designed this sculpture for the atrium of developer Derwent London’s Angel building in Islington, North London -
In Pictures: Florian Beigel and ARU's Saemangeum Island City
Images from the exhibition of Florian Beigel’s Architectural Research Unit proposal for Saemangeum, South Korea -
In Pictures: Swiss Poster Design to come to London
This summer Posters as Art: Swiss Design in Perspective will come to the Swiss Gallery Artifiche. -
Industry criticises Budget LSC allocation
The industry has reacted with disappointment to yesterday’s Budget (22 April), which announced just £300 million of fresh funding for the beleaguered LSC framework -
INVISTA Antron® Carpet Fibre
INVISTA’s Antron® carpet fibre is giving the striking stripe of Strepqes from Modulyss the substance to match its style. Manufactured from INVISTA’s Antron® LumenaTM carpet fibre, Strepqes is a modular carpet available in two constructions -
IT: pixels, conversions and podcasts
Jamie Gwilliam’s best of the web this month -
J G Ballard: 1930-2009
A homage to J G Ballard, the writer who saw terror and poetry in the city landscape -
Just what do designers believe in?
Sam Jacob has never been to the Milan Furniture Fair - but he suspects it’s an exhibition of glorious failures -
Last call for students: the AJ wants to hear your views
Today is the last day to complete the AJ’s online survey looking at how architecture students view both their education and their prospects -
Leeds: Shaping the city - RIBA's new book is little more than a PR push
An uncritical study of the regeneration of Leeds is peppered with unintended irony, says Richard Waite -
Legal: age discrimination
Employment lawyer, Roger Byard, looks at a recent age discrimination case heard at the Employment Appeal Tribunal and considers what the outcome means for partnerships -
Legal: construction close to a boundary
Shirley Waldron, associate partner at GIA, looks at whether you have the right to go onto your neighbour’s land during the construction process -
Less than 25 per cent understand zero-carbon challenge, says report
A new report by The Zero Carbon Hub published yesterday (29 April) has revealed that less than a quarter surveyed understood the magnitude of the challenge to deliver the government’s target that all new homes must be zero carbon from 2016 -
Lighthouse launches national debate series
Scotland’s national Architecture and Design Centre, The Lighthouse, in collaboration with The AJ, has launched a series of debates featuring some of the biggest and most opinionated personalities in architecture -
Local groups lay into Commonwealth Institute plans
Local conservation groups have expressed their anger over the recently submitted plans for the Rem Koolhaas-designed Commonwealth Institute in High St. Kensington, West London -
London Mayor seeks new London Bridge
London Mayor, Boris Johnson is to renew plans to create a new habitable bridge across the Thames, according to weekend media reports -
London's Savoy may be dumped by Saudi prince
Astragal hears all is not well in the land of Prince Al-Waleed -
Low carbon building refurbishment 'makes business sense today'
The role of buildings is absolutely crucial in moving to a low carbon economy, says the Carbon Trust -
LSC letter damns 100 projects
According to documents seen by the AJ, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) building programme for further-education colleges only intends to progress projects that will be ready to go on site within three months -
Masses go mad for the Mac
Astragal knew it would be tough to land the £50 million job of overhauling the site opposite the Mackintosh – but not this hard -
'Members will spend time with architects,' says Beatrice Fraenkel
The newly elected chair of the ARB talks to Richard Waite about her plans for the board -
Muurbloem decorates Milan streets with sand
Dutch design studio promotes its work with a temporary street-art installation -
New Commonwealth Institute plans: ‘little has changed’ claim objectors
The ‘scaled-down’ proposals for the redevelopment of the 1962 Commonwealth Institute have been met with derision from conservation groups and objectors. -
New Court, Clare College, by van Heyningen and Haward Architects
An L-shaped building completes a Cambridge masterplan begun by Giles Gilbert Scott in the early 20th century, writes Jay Merrick. Photography by Will Pryce -
Nigel Coates designs new lighting collection for Slamp
Three new collections designed by Nigel Coates for Slamp are on show at Euroluce during the Milan Furniture Fair -
Nightingale wins £150 million Edinburgh hospital design
Nightingale Associates has won a £150m contract to design a children’s hospital in Edinburgh. The practice beat BDP, Anshen & Allen, Hypostyle Architects and Keppie to land the project. -
Overhang by Tobias Putrih and MOS architects at the Baltic, Gateshead
James Pallister on a provocative show that takes viewers to the edge of collapse -
Oxford Street 'diagonals' work starts this week
Work to re-structure the pedestrian crossings at Oxford Circus to include a diagonal option starts this week as part of the Oxford Regent Bond Street (ORB) Action Plan. Read the full story -
Patrick Caulfield at Pallant House Gallery
Patrick Caulfield’s paintings trace the presence of people long gone, writes Andrew Mead -
Peter Zumthor wins Pritzker Prize
The Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has been chosen as the 2009 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize -
Populous lands major Olympic fit-out and conversion contract
Populous – formerly known as HOK Sport – has won the biggest architectural jobs remaining on the Olympic site in Stratford, estimated to worth approximately £350 million. -
Populous to design 12,500-seat Leeds arena
Populous - formerly HOK Sport - has landed the design job for a new 12,500-seat arena in Leeds -
Preserving the ruins of our heritage, reviving the ruins of our high streets
Ian Martin aims for the moon, but hedges his bets over the Richmond Palace bunfight -
Prince Charles runs rings round spoiled starchitects
The Chelsea Barracks complaint from Foster, Hadid and friends was a bit rich - and it may have backfired, says Kieran Long -
Prince Charles: 'I am an ignorant amateur'
The Prince of Wales branded himself an ‘ignorant amateur’ in a letter sent to stop the Smithfield market redevelopment, the AJ can exclusively reveal -
PRP to begin first phase of Hackney regeneration scheme
PRP has been given the green light for phase one of the Haggerston West and Kingsland regeneration scheme in the London Borough of Hackney -
Recycled illuminated furniture by Meritalia
Designer Mario Bellini’s inflatable furniture, which can serve as seating or as a source of light, is on show at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile -
Re-imagining Oxford Circus
Kaye Alexander looks at plans to redesign London’s Oxford Circus and alleviate the area’s congestion -
RIBA Future Trends Survey: underemployment and declining overseas work
The number of underemployed architects has continued to rise while international work has started to drop, according to the latest findings by RIBA. -
RIBA Gulf Chapter - Student design competition
The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Gulf Chapter is launching an architectural student competition open to students residing in the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council. -
RIBA to launch Gulf competition
RIBA has launched a new architectural competition for students living in the Middle East -
RIBA Yorkshire White Rose Awards 2009 – Call for entries
Entries are being sought for the 23rd Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Yorkshire 2009 White Rose Awards for design excellence in architecture and the built environment in the Yorkshire region. -
RMJM to open new Middle East offices
Global architecture firm RMJM has announced plans to open three international offices in the next two months: two in the Middle East, in Bahrain and Qatar, and one in Turkey -
Robert Adam reveals John O'Groats revamp
Classicist Robert Adam Architects has unveiled this masterplan for the re-development of John O’Groats, one of Scotland’s best known tourist destinations -
Rolf.fr takes his chainsaw to the streets of Milan
Architect Rolf.fr will give a live demonstration of ‘furniture transformation’ in Milan today -
Sanderson House, Bristol, by Mitchell Taylor Workshop
Mitchell Taylor Workshop’s boarding house for Badminton School is quietly ambitious, writes Kaye Alexander. Photography by Edmund Sumner -
Sarkozy reveals £31 billion Grand Paris budget
The French president Nicolas Sarkozy has unveiled a £31 billion budget for the Grand Paris project, which was announced in March. -
SAS International
A new RIBA-approved CPD presentation on Radiant Heating from SAS International provides an introduction and overview of energy efficient Radiant Heating Panels (RHPs). It includes how RHPs perform, applications, technical specifications, and design considerations when specifying. -
Secretary of State blocks Allies and Morrison's £1bn Waterloo Towers
The government has rejected the controversial £1 billion Three Sisters tower scheme on London’s South Bank -
Shigeru Ban’s 10-Unit System for Artek
Designed by Shigeru Ban, in collaboration with Finland-based Artek, the 10-Unit System is based on L-shaped units that can be combined to make a chair, a table or bench. -
Shine a light: low-energy LEDs
Hattie Hartman looks at the latest low-energy, long-life LED lighting products -
Shock as Civic Trust folds
The Civic Trust has become the latest victim of the credit crunch after plunging into administration -
Snøhetta scoops prestigious Mies prize
Snøhetta has won this year’s Mies van der Rohe Award for the best building in Europe with its Norwegian National Opera & Ballet house in Oslo -
Sod the ethics, celebrate the genius - Le Corbusier Debate at the Barbican
The Barbican’s Le Corbusier debate was less about ethics than architecture’s genius virus, says Jay Merrick -
Spending squeeze blamed for Trust’s fall
Heritage industry shocked and saddened by sudden demise of ‘father figure’ -
Studio Makkink & Bey create a chair that is also a room
The wings of the Ear Chair extend outwards to acoustically and visually insulate the user, providing personal space in a crowded room -
Surviving and thriving as a freelance architect during a downturn
Helen James, founder of networking and job site Freelance UK, gives her top tips on how to be a successful freelance architect during the recession -
The Peter principle
Pritzker Prize-winner Peter Zumthor is the antithesis of the megastar architect, says Kieran Long -
The X factor
A rather peculiar email lands in Astragal’s inbox from Cowell Consulting International -
Tom Dixon brings classic British armchair to Milan
The wingback chair is based on the classic 18th-century gentleman’s chair -
Tom Russell leaves 2012 Olympic Legacy post
Tom Russell, the head of London’s 2012 Olympic Legacy has parted company with the London Development Agency after just over a year in the post -
Top architects condemn Prince Charles meddling
A number of the world’s top architects have jointly-condemned the Prince of Wales for using ‘his privileged position’ to intervene in the design process for the Richard Rogers Chelsea Barracks scheme in London -
Tories speak out over LSC debacle
The Conservative party is urging the government not to scrap the beleaguered Learning and Skills Council (LSC) until it ‘sorts out the mess it has created’ -
Towner Gallery, Eastbourne by Rick Mather Architects
Rick Mather’s new addition to Eastbourne is like a well-trained beast, its baroque tendencies kept firmly in check, says Kester Rattenbury. Photography by Daniel Clements -
Tributes for architect killed in cycling tragedy
Colleagues remember 29-year-old architect killed by 32-tonne cement mixer lorry while cycling in London -
UK construction starts slump by 35 per cent
The number of new construction projects in the UK has fallen 35 per cent for the same period last year according to the latest figures released by the monitoring body Glenigan -
Unemployment watch: 1,490 architects now claiming benefit
The number of architects claiming jobseeker’s allowance has jumped to 1,490, according to the Office for National Statistics -
University of Dundee, appointment of design team
The University of Dundee seeks to appointment a design team for works up to the value of £11 000 000 -
V&A seeks architect-in-residence
The Victoria and Albert Museum is teaming up with RIBA to offer a UK-based chartered architect an opportunity to spend six months as the architect-in-residence at the V&A -
Valerio Olgiati at the RIBA
Valerio Olgiati’s dining habits prove a clear metaphor for his approach to building, says Nic Read -
Video: English Heritage meets Urban Splash becomes massive mess
If Astragal can recommend watching any series on televison at the moment, it’s this unexpected belter on BBC2 -
Video: Rem Koolhaas on the Prada Transformer
On the eve of its opening, Rem Koolhaas explains the concepts behind his flexible exhibition space for Seoul, South Korea -
VMZINC
Zinc puts Physics of Medicine building in the spotlight. BDP Architects’ striking design of Cambridge University’s new Centre for the Physics of Medicine research building is based heavily on use of zinc. -
Waterloo IMAX not due for 'carve up' says South Bank Employer’s Group
The South Bank Employers’ Group (SBEG) has hit back at claims by Bryan Avery, the designer of the IMAX cinema in London’s Waterloo, that its plans to revamp the cinema would ruin his original design -
What does the Budget mean for architects?
Clare Hartnell, head of the property and construction department at Grant Thornton, analyses the 2009 budget for architects -
Whitecross, Scotland's sustainable masterplan
Hattie Hartman investigates Cadell2’s green masterplan for Whitecross, Scotland -
Wimbledon unveils new Centre Court roof
Wimbledon has unveiled the soon-to-be completed Centre Court sliding roof, designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport) and Capita Symonds -
Work begins on Soho Lodge
HOK has begun work on regenerating one of Soho’s most recognisable landmarks. -
Work finally starts on RMJM's New Orleans cancer centre
Construction has finally begun on a new cancer research facility in New Orleans designed by Brits RMJM -
Work starts on Scottish anti-crime Super HQ
Construction has begun on a new £65 million anti-organised crime nerve centre in Gartcosh, Glasgow designed by local practices bmj architects and gm+ad -
Work starts on stalled Studio Egret West scheme in Clapham
Construction is about to get underway on Studio Egret West’s much-anticipated Clapham One scheme in south London -
Working Detail: Yew Tree Lodge by Duggan Morris Architects
[WORKING DETAIL AJ 02.04.09] Box bay window -
Works nears completion on Fielden Clegg Bradley's Worcester library
Construction has nearly finished on Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios’ £40 million golden library and history centre in Worcester -
World Architecture Festival - Entries Open!
The second WAF will take place in Barcelona from 4-6 November 2009 - bigger and better than ever, now with 4 awards sections, 42 categories and 100+ building types accepted -
Zaha Hadid's Seoul Series table revealed in Milan
Concept designs by Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher for the Seoul Series of furniture previewed at the Milan Furniture Fair -
Zumthor designs Devon house
Pritzker laureate’s first UK project to be made available to the public
Access over 100 years of projects
