Chris Medland's Comments
Comment on: Debbie Flevotomou wins Battersea spiritual centre contest
congratulations Debbie, some beautiful renderings
Comment on: Housing registrations plummet 12%
Fewer ‘ugly’ new homes perhaps? The problem with the ‘ugly’ issue is not in the design, it is in the procurement, tenure and brief. With the necessary raising of sustainability standards the issues of cost, quality and time are going to become even more challenging. All the ingredients of the solution to the housing shortfall and impending crisis are being lined up reasonably well by the current government but in a drip feed fashion. A key part of the solution is build-to-let. Pension funds have billions to invest for long term returns; therefore our design briefs will inherently have whole life cycle costing embedded within them rather than a short term view that arguably spec build developers have (for valid economic reasons). This will lead to prioritising good, durable and sustainable design which will need to maximise opportunities for renewables whilst minimising energy consumption. Buildings will inherently be more future proof because it will be in the interest of the landlord for them to be so. This means that we all have to accept that home ownership, at least for now, may no longer be the norm for the most people. A change in the way we view the housing market in the UK is what is required and It will take time for people to come round to the idea. The stigma of renting rather than home ownership needs to be washed aside for the benefit of all. In this day and age is seems fitting to shed antiquated ideas of Englishmen and castles and let what you do and who you are be a measure of your success rather than where you live and if you own your home.
Comment on: MH Architects design West Sussex Passivhaus development
great work.
Comment on: Reed: Government says there are too many architects
maybe there are too many politicians?
Comment on: Shapero reveals new plans for 'cruciform' Liverpool skyscraper
Christianity is represented in all its forms in Liverpool, and with the cities obvious historic and cultural links to Ireland and Catholicism perhaps no city in the UK could claim to be any more Christian. However, is the use of such a powerful symbol suitable in anything other than a place of worship. It seems to me that the architect here just intends to shock and cause debate for the sake of it – which is of course fine – but ultimately the building is a commercial venture, not one of religion. There is nothing wrong with making money or some people having more than others, but the use of such a powerful symbol being associated with commerce is careless to say the least. If such a scheme achieved planning consent it would be a failure of the planning system and demonstrate a lack of understanding of the importance of symbolism in architecture and when it is appropriate to reference such symbols.
Comment on: Competitions: Editor's Pick, 04.10.12
Following an afternoon of about turns, sharp lefts and then 180 rotations by the organisers of the Fort Albert competition (as well as their publication of all the names of those who were set to submit entries), isn't it about time that some kind of framework for competitions was set up. Just thinking out loud, but surely the RIBA should be the body through which competitions are organised and they should organise them to absolutely minimise the completely unnecessary time wasting and abortive work which is costing the profession £100,000's and many lost evenings and weekends for very little (if any) net return. I would suggest that in most cases the only consultants that really make a profit from competitions are those that organise them and they are incentivised to retrieve as much free work and intellectual property from as many architects as possible. What other profession tolerates this on such a scale, hard times or otherwise?
Comment on: Revealed: Fletcher Priest wins High Line contest with 'low line' scheme
I still think our green roofed bus shelter/pocket parks for insects flora and fauna idea is better...http://www.one-worlddesign.co.uk/2012/09/25/high-line-competition/ Though I might be biased…
Comment on: Starchitects think journalists should toe the line
It is possible that in 4 years the UK will only be made up of 3 countries. With the planned vote north of the border, who is in line to design the Scottish Pavilion? This fractious issue in itself gives a clue as to one possible sub text to any UK pavilion.
Comment on: Wolf Prix attacks Chipperfield's Venice Biennale
What is the point of the biennale? If it is an excuse to sup kir royal whilst making architects feel like a valued part of the wider art world then fine, it can be an arty Italian version of MIPIM. However, Architecture is inherently political and architects are generally well informed fully signed up members of society so why doesn’t it serve a bigger function, giving a platform for the important and controversial debates. I am inclined to agree with Wolf Prix.
Comment on: 'Cultural masterplanner' sought for South Bank extension
This notice was published on the 22nd, the deadline was on the 24th and it is being read after a bank holiday weekend on the 28th. Great
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