Architects Journal
September 2009

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Allies and Morrison completes Highbury residential conversion

Allies and Morrison has finished its conversion of Highbury Stadium, Arsenal Football Club’s former North London home, into a luxury residential development.
CABE at 10: is it doing too much?

Once a guerrilla operator, now to some ‘unfocused and overstretched’, the architecture commission faces doubts over its effectiveness as it celebrates its first decade
Gap House, West London, by Pitman Tozer Architects

This ultra-thin house in Bayswater by Pitman Tozer Architects has been shortlisted for this year’s (2009) Manser Medal, sponsored by The Rooflight Company
Hamiltons ace to go it alone with new firm

Robin Partington, the man who pushed Hamiltons to become the seventh largest practice in the UK, is to set up his own firm
House in Highgate Cemetery, North London, by Eldridge Smerin

This stunning house by Eldridge Smerin has been shortlisted for this year’s (2009) Manser Medal, sponsored by The Rooflight Company
Mid- Cornwall Clay Country Eco-Town architectural competition

Mid- Cornwall Clay Country Eco-Town, one of the only four approved eco-towns with commercial backers, has launched a design competition for low-carbon homes for the proposed Eco-town in Cornwall
New Practices #3: db architecture studio

The third in a series of practice profiles looking at architects who have recently decided to go it alone either through choice or redundancy
RIBA to launch Register of Conservation Architects

The RIBA has announced plans to establish a Register of Conservation Architects, despite protests from Architects Accredited in Building Conservation
$1m zero-emissions building prize launched

A competition to convert an existing concrete high-rise into a zero-emissions building has been unveiled in Barcelona by Canadian philanthropist Ron Dembo through his zerofootprint company
£12 billion military campus approved for south Wales

Scott Brownrigg, Capita and HLM report for duty as plans for a vast military academy are approved
£5m Manser maison: Recession, what recession?

Shortlisted for the Manser Award just a few weeks ago, this massive house by Eldrige Smerin with beautiful views of the, ahem, cemetery has just gone on sale at a whopping £5 million
10 Hills Place, London by Amanda Levete

[BUILDING STUDY + IMAGES + PLANS + PROJECT DATA] Amanda Levete’s 10 Hills Place demonstrates the same experimental spirit shown by her former practice, Future Systems, writes Rob Gregory. Photography by Edmund Sumner
A dose of CABE is good for you, says Tory

Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps has likened our friends at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment to bacteria drink Yakult
A new bolt-on bigboy for the National Theatre?

Astragal has been hearing rumours of a major new extension at the NT
A twist on high tea: Anatomica range from The New English

The New English dissect the Victorian ritual of high tea with their ceramic range for 100% Design London
Acharacle Primary School: Sustainable school building study

Acharacle Primary School / Argyll, Scotland / Gaia Architects / Completion date May 2009 / Predicted annual CO2emissions 8.2kg/m²
After four years, Spence and Tecniker's Wear bridge finally gets go-ahead

Spence Associates and Techniker’s Wear Bridge in Sunderland passed a major milestone last night following a key decision to take the scheme through to detailed planning .
AJ exclusive: Former RIBA president Sunand Prasad answers your questions

After officially stepping down as the RIBA’s figurehead earlier the month, Sunand Prasad answers your questions about working for free, education and diversity in the profession
AJ exclusive: Niall McLaughlin wins college chapel contest

Niall McLaughlin Architects has won the RIBA competition to design a new college chapel in Oxfordshire, seeing off an impressive shortlist including Massimiliano Fuksas and Ushida Findlay Architects
AJ Exclusive: the reasons why English Heritage backed Commonwealth Institute plans

English Heritage (EH) has claimed it ‘would have been irresponsible to turn away’ OMA’s controversial Commonwealth Institute plans
AJ Special: RIBA announces Special Awards finalists

The RIBA has today unveiled the shortlists for its special awards, which will be presented at the Stirling Prize ceremony in London on 17 October.
Alan Dunlop: Capital City Academy

Alan Dunlop of Gordon Murray + Alan Dunlop selects the Capital City Academy
'Albie' Puppy light by salvage design duo JamesPlumb

The ‘Albie’ light is created out of reclaimed wood and recycles wheels from other toys
Alex Ely: Bart’s Hospital Great Hall

Alex Ely of Mae Architects selects Bart’s Hospital Great Hall
Alison Brooks bags largest project to date with Northampton win

Striling-Prize winner Alison Brooks Architects has scooped the RIBA contest to oversee the 15- to 20-year redevelopment of The University of Northampton’s Avenue Campus
All six RIBA Client of Year 2009 finalists named joint winners

The RIBA has made the unprecedented move of presenting its Client of the Year 2009 award to all six on the shortlist
Amin Taha bags unusual Hackney quartet

Amin Taha Architects has won permission for three residential blocks and a community arts centre, all in Cor-Ten, within a stone’s throw from London Fields, East London
Andrew Mead: St Augustine’s Church

Critic Andrew Mead selects J L Pearson’s St. Augustine’s Church
Andy Martin Associates design restaurant for 100% Design

Andy Martin Associates has created three groups of giant aluminum petals as canopies for the 100% Design restaurant
Any other decision on the Commonwealth Institute would have been irresponsible

The proposal for the Commonwealth Institute sticks to the site’s original principles, says English Heritage’s Paddy Pugh
Archbishop McGrath Catholic School in Bridgend, Wales by HLM Architects

[IMAGES + PLANS + PROJECT DATA] Designs for the new Archbishop McGrath Catholic School - the result of consultations with both teachers and pupils - have been granted planning consent
Archial plunges deep into the red

First-half pre-tax losses of £4.3 million for Archial – compared with a £1.6 million profit in the same period last year
Architects urged to consider bat population

Wildlife welfare needs to be considered by architects planning a new building or altering an old one, say conservationists
Architecture meets fashion, on the stairs

Astragal’s never seen anything quite like Joshua DeMonte’s architectural jewellery
Ashmount Primary School, Islington: Sustainable school building study

Ashmount Primary School / Islington, London / Penoyre & Prasad / Completion date September 2011 / Predicted annual CO2 emissions 15.1kg/m2
Atkins sees off Gehry to land Glasgow College jackpot

A team led by the UK’s largest practice Atkins has walked off with the bumper £300 million project to design a new college supercampus in Glasgow
Augustine House, Canterbury Christ Church University by ADP

[IMAGES + PLANS + PROJECT DATA] New £30m library at Canterbury Christ Church University open for the beginning of the academic year
Battersea Power Station to get rooftop pool and tennis court

Leisure facilities now feature in the plans for the long-awaited redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, which site owners Real Estate Opportunities (REO) say will be submitted to planning officers in the coming weeks
BDP to create new landscape within ancient walled city

BDP has won a competition to design a new town square, streets and public park in the walled city of Nan Tou in Shenzhen, China
Before and After: Ashburton Court refurbishment, Winchester

[FIRST LOOK: PICTURES + VIDEO] As Ashburton Court in Winchester re-opens to the public, the AJ compares the completed scheme with the original 1960s structure
Bell Phillips + Kimble scoop King's Cross gasometer contest

Up-and-coming London-based outfit Bells Phillips + Kimble has won the competition to re-use a redundant gasholder in King’s Cross, London
Ben Adams: Royal College of Physicians

Ben Adams of Nissen Adams selects the Royal College of Physicians
Block 3, Tarling Estate Regeneration, London, by S333 in association with Stock Woolstencroft

This mainly four-storey residential block by S333 in East London is among the finalists for this year’s Manser Medal, sponsored by The Rooflight Company
Bomonti apartments, Istanbul by Swanke Hayden Connell

[FIRST LOOK] SHCA’s offices in London and Istanbul are collaborating on the design for this 92-unit apartment building in Bomonti, a residential suburb of central Istanbul
BREAKING NEWS: ARB freezes retention fee

The Architects’ Registration Board (ARB) has voted to keep its annual retention fee for 2010 at £86
British Embassy, Qatar, by Jordan + Bateman Architects

[FIRST LOOK + PROJECT DATA] These are the latest pictures of Jordan + Bateman’s £7.5 million British Embassy in Doha, Qatar
Brown hands out cash for 2,000 new council homes

A £127 million pot of government funding has been made available for English local authorities to build 2,000 new council houses, the Prime Minister has announced.
BSF: Why refurbishment should not be seen 'as too much hard work'

Ahead of tomorrow’s AJ Conference: Building Schools for the Future - The Architect’s Perspective, Roger Hawkins explains why we should be making the most of existing school buildings
Capita shows off 'Quietest building in World'

A vibration-free science ‘quiet lab’ designed by Capita Architecture is to open at Bristol University
Careyjones' victory spells end for Bradford Odeon

The much-loved Odeon cinema in Bradford will be bulldozed to make way for a controversial Careyjones office and leisure scheme
Caruso St John misses out in contest for Swedish media HQ

Danish practice Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter has beaten Caruso St John in the competition to design a new head office for media company Gota Media in Kalmar, Sweden
Cedars Hall, Wells Cathedral School by Eric Parry Architects

[IMAGES + PLANS] Eric Parry Architects’ £4.5 million new music facility for Wells Cathedral School has been granted planning permission from Mendip District Council
Centre of the Cell opens inside Alsop's Blizard Building

A children’s science education centre has opened inside a working research laboratory in London
CF Moller and Re-Format win Portsmouth Institute of Marine Sciences project

A collaboration between multi-disciplinary practice Re-Format and CF Møller Architects has landed the contract to design the first phase of the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Marine Sciences
CF Møller's Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum

[First look] The second phase of CF Møller’s Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum
Chipperfield confirms final designs for contentious Kunsthaus Zürich extension

[First look + plans] David Chipperfield Architects has unveiled its ‘definitive designs’ for its competition-winning Kunsthaus Zürich gallery extension following a series of changes
Chipperfield's Hepworth Gallery opening put back - again

David Chipperfield Architect‘s much-anticipated Hepworth Gallery will not open until Spring 2011 at the earliest - three years after first scheduled
Coffee Table by Paul Kelly

This coffee table is part of Kelly’s show for the FUMI Gallery, Dignity of Labour
Controversial BDP Edinburgh centre wins go-ahead

BDP’s contentious plans for the site next to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) have been ‘unanimously’ approved, despite a stinging attack from the city’s former design champion, Terry Farrell
Controversial Gazprom tower gets green light

Oil giant Gazprom has edged closer to winning approval from the city of St Petersburg to build its 394m-tall RMJM-designed tower
Corporate Village, Mriehel, Malta by Architecture Project

[FIRST LOOK] London and Malta-based practice Architecture Project has revealed images of a new ‘corporate village’ in Mriehel, west of the Maltese capital Valetta
Council kicks Nottingham Forest stadium plans into touch

Nottingham Forest Football Club has unveiled plans, masterminded by a design team including Benoy, for a new 45,000-seat stadium, but Nottinghamshire County Council has already slammed the proposal
Cullinan's school gatehouse wins go-ahead

Ted Cullinan’s design for a gatehouse at the entrance of the Torriano Junior School in Camden has won planning approval
CZWG replaces Assael on Southampton cultural scheme

This is the first image of CZWG’s proposed mixed-use cultural scheme for Grosvenor in Southampton
Damien Hirst, Vivienne Westwood and Amanda Levete: 52 artists design playing cards for Shelter

Fifty-two of the country’s leading artists have each designed a single playing card to create a unique deck for Shelter’s House of Cards campaign
darestudio present the Floor Tube Lamp at 100% design

darestudio will showcase the lamp and eight other new designs in furniture, lighting and upholstery at 100% design
Darling Associates wins go-ahead for 'pocket scheme' in Westminster

Specialist developer Pocket has secured planning permission for its first venture in Westminster, designed by Darling Associates
Darlington Campus Building, Teesside University by Napper Architects

[FIRST LOOK + PLANS + PROJECT DATA] Napper Architects’ five-storey higher education teaching facility has received planning permission
Dartington Primary School: Sustainable school building study

Dartington Primary School / Dartington, Devon / White Design Associates / Completion date December 2009 / Predicted annual CO2 emissions Not available
Demands for Rogers British Museum extension to be 'called in'

Camden Civic Society has called for Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners’ recently approved extension to the British Museum to be ‘called in’ by the Government
Denham refuses to call in Commonwealth Institute plans

The Secretary of State John Denham has said he does not intend to launch a public inquiry into OMA’s plans for the former Commonwealth Institute
Derby College campus by Maber Architects

[First look] Maber Architects has completed its £48 million revamp and extension of Derby College’s vocational campus
DSDHA win Clitheroe public square contract

DSDHA saw off proposals from Mitchell + Associates; Arup and KMCS; Planit IE; Graeme Massie Architects; Rankinfraser Landscape Architecture and Donald Urquhart; and Birds Portchmouth Russum
Eco-friendly Offcut stool by Tom Dixon

Scraps of wood are turned into stools by Tom Dixon at Portobello Dock
Ecophon Focus Ds XL – attractive solution for office corridors For a smooth, elegant surface

Focus Ds XL gives you a hidden grid with a symmetrical edge design in which only a discreet v-joint reveals the join between the panels. The ceiling thus gives an even, smooth impression.
Euston Arch may rise again as lost stones are recovered

The Euston Arch Trust has revealed new plans for the forgotten landmark, including a nightclub, as lost stones are raised from an East London river
Exhibition: Architectural Views at the Bicha Gallery, Southbank

An exhibition at the Bicha Gallery explores the overlap between art and architecture
Fellowship in the Built Environment, Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851

Urbanism is the subject of this year’s £30,000 Fellowship in the Built Environment
Fire destroys Wakefield's international showpiece

Aqua-scape, a sculpture by award-winning Japanese designer and architect Ryumei Fujiki has been burned down while on display at Beam, the Wakefield-based architecture centre
First look at Hundreds Tens Units products at Tent London

Hundreds Tens Units display their new products as part of this week’s London Design Festival
First look: Images of Donald Trump golf course revealed

The first images of Donald Trump’s contentious plans for a £1 billion golf resort in the north east of Scotland, designed by Gareth Hoskins, have been released.
Five things to do today: 1 October

Inhaleable Chocolate - La Vie En Rose under the stars - Human Radio Tuner - Old ads - Digital Bird Cages
Five things to do today: 11 September

Boogie Nights - Paint from your PC - Garfield lovers - Breathing Earth - Poetry in Motion
Five things to do today: 14 September

Invest in a WALBUM - Larger than life - Party with MOO.com - Get Dropped: Starter for 10MB - Doors Open Days
Five things to do today: 15 September

Yes We CAN - Wellies Wellies Wellies - Urban Bicycle - Instant Fun - Crystallise
Five things to do today: 16 September

Six Word Stories - Down with the kids - Here’s the Scoop - Glass Art - Virtual Insanity
Five things to do today: 17 September

Knitwear Footwear - Facially aware - DJ Paper -The Future’s Bright - Bus Stop Business
Five things to do today: 18 September

As London Design Festival begins: Cardboard Creations – Snap happy – iTwinge launch – Mega Chess – Kanye Do it
Five things to do today: 2 October

Make your buildings into jewellery - Pawn site - Radical Nature - Glove Love - Pimp Your Garage
Five things to do today: 21 September

Waste not want not - Simon’s Cat - Do Doodle! - Starck raving mad - Watering Can fan
Five things to do today: 22 September

Library time - Kelley at FUMI - Burn Baby Burn - Tickled Pink - Size Matters
Five things to do today: 23 September

Stay in the shade - NEWRAFAEL - Don’t Pop Art - Reminder - Banquet of Black
Five things to do today: 24 September

100% Design - Game on - Print Preview - PC PARTY - Bling Bathroom
Five things to do today: 25 September

Train Station Art - Beardy Balaclava - Solely Paper - Sunny Memories - Floating Green
Five things to do today: 28 September

Camper Bike - Sketch technology - KiosKiosk - Anish Kapoor - Recycled Fashionista
Five things to do today: 29 September

Dirty floors - Lego House - That is Mint - Crafty Toys - Sandy Animals
Five things to do today: 3 September

Light drawing - Confess - JR Photography - LSE Students’ Centre Design Competition - ‘We asked for a simple block of flats.’
Five things to do today: 30 September

Capturing the Concept - Paperwork - Rosalind Nashashibi - Stay overnight at Falling Water - Western Spaghetti
Five Things To Do Today: 4 September

ThruYou - Enjoy a hot bath - Battersea Power Station - British home design, 1935 - Remember Rossi
Five things to do today: 7 September

Virtual Dogs - More Dogs - ‘You talking to me?’ - Under starters orders… - Ditch the black roll neck
Five things to do today: 8 September

Popeye the Sailor Man! - The handlebar is back… - Full Metal Jacket - Monsieur Montpellier - Justice at last
Five things to do today: 9 September

Down the drain - Panda Art - Make a million - Green fingers - Old and Towering
Fobert and Harrap win Charleston museum contest

Julian Harrap Architects, working with Jamie Fobert Architects, has seen off 115 entries to win the contest to overhaul the Charleston museum
Follett asked to review Coventry market listing

Architecture minister Barbara Follett has been asked to review the listing of Coventry’s famous 1958 market building.
Foster + Partners sets sights on Moon

Foster + Partners has joined a consortium to investigate building technologies that could be used for future space exploration
Framework: South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive are seeking to appoint a framework for architectural sevrices to its local rail network
Frank Auerbach: London Building Sites 1952-62

A new exhibition sees a young Frank Auerbach capture the rebuilding of post-war London
Fresh talent from the Bauhaus: Hannes Grebin

Hannes Grebin presents Cozy Furniture at the Talent Zone at this week’s London Design Festival
From the Archive: Centre Point by Richard Seifert

The AJ’s review of an exhibition of Richard Seifert’s work from November 1984. The exhibition included the Centre Point Tower on New Oxford Street; this is one of the many buildings open to the public at this year’s Open House London.
From the Archive: Highpoint One by Berthold Lubetkin, 1985

A building study from the AJ, June 1985, of Highpoint One by Berthold Lubetkin. This modernist high rise tower is one of the many buildings that will be open to the public in this year’s Open House London
From the Archive: Royal College of Physicians by Denys Lasdun, 1960

The original AJ building study of the Royal College of Physicians from June 1960. This building is one of many that will be open to the public as part of this year’s Open House London
From the Archive: Royal College of Physicians by Denys Lasdun, extension 1994

In 1994 Denys Lasdun was commissioned to build an extension for the Royal College of Physicians, which he originally designed in 1960. This building is one of many that will be open to the public as part of this year’s Open House London
From the Archive: Trellick Tower by Ernö Goldfinger

In this article from the AJ in May, 1999, Paul Hyett remembers Ernö Goldfinger and his high rise building the Trellick Tower. This building is one of the many that will be open to the public in this year’s Open House London.
From the Archives: Dulwich Picture Gallery by Sir John Soane

Read the AJ’s article from 1985 on the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Originally designed by Sir John Soane it was reconstructed post World War II by Russel Vernon, who died on 3 July this year aged 92
From the archives: Rossi wins the Pritzker Prize 1990

On the anniversary of his death in 1997, The Architects’ Journal remembers Aldo Rossi and his Pritzker Prize win.
Future of Lighthouse to be decided within weeks

A decision on the future of Scotland’s centre for architecture, the Lighthouse, could be made within weeks, the AJ can reveal
G.Park Blue Planet, Staffordshire by Chetwoods Architects

[FIRST LOOK] This Chetwoods design is the first ever project to receive a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ (Design Stage) rating
Gaffes galore for Newark visitor centre contest

A number of unfortunate blunders have left hundreds of entrants taking part in a competition to design a new visitor centre for Newark, New Jersey, ‘annoyed’, bemused and ‘disappointed’
Gap House wins the Manser Medal 2009

A narrow terraced house in West London by Pitman Tozer Architects has won this year’s Manser Medal in association with the Rooflight Company
GKD - The cool elegance of the Mosque of steel

The Malaysian seat of government has a new landmark and a venerable place of prayer: the Putrajaya Mosque.
GKD - Where tradition meets innovation

With an interior installation at Golden States Henry Madden Library in Fresno, award winning Narduli Studios completed the first Mediamesh® project in North America.
Glenn Howells' £50m Elisabeth House gets green light

Glenn Howells Architects’ competition-winning scheme for One St Peter’s Square in Manchester has won approval from planning officials
Grid Chair by Jaebeom Jeong

Jaebeom Jeong’s Grid Chair at Tent London
Gurkha Temple, South Wales by Scott Brownrigg

[IMAGES + DATA] Proposals for a Gurkha Temple at the planned £700 million Defence Technical College in South Wales
Hair-raising criticism from Jonathan Meades

The first episode of Jonathan Meades: Off Kilter offered some choice cuts of criticism on forthcoming developments in Aberdeenshire
HCP, a division of SAS International

HCP, a division of SAS International, has been recognised by the Construction Products Association for its innovation in the design and manufacture of its radiant heating panels.
Health Design & Technology Institute at Coventry University by Associated Architects

[FIRST LOOK + PROJECT DATA] These are the first images of Associated Architects’ new £5.2 million health design facility for Coventry University
Herzog & de Meuron Tate Modern extension 'to start next year'

Construction of the £215 million Tate Modern extension will start next year despite a £141 million funding shortfall, according to trustees chairman Lord Browne of Madingley
HOK let go key director in further staff cull

HOK has laid off James Berry – the director who took charge of the company’s large round of redundancies earlier this year
House at Piper’s End, Hertfordshire, by Niall McLaughlin Architects

This replacement for an old farmhouse by Niall McLaughlin is among the five finalists for this year’s (2009) Manser Medal, sponsored by The Rooflight Company
House extension, Torquay, Devon, by Stan Bolt: Architect

[FIRST LOOK] Stan Bolt: Architect has completed a new extension to an Arts & Crafts style house in Torquay
Housing shortfall to reach one million

England’s housing shortage could reach the one million mark by the end of 2010 if production levels aren’t increased, according to a report published by the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA).
How to build a sustainable primary school: Four case studies

Hattie Hartman examines four primary schools developed using different low-carbon solutions
Ian Martin. Magical brutalism, modern sausages and two very happy Royals

Ian Martin bargains with RIPBA president Dame Helen
Icopal goes easy on green roofs

A new generation in green roof technology has been launched by building membranes specialist Icopal.
Icopal stretches the capabilities of liquid roofing

A new generation of cold-applied liquid roofing technology has been enhanced by building membranes specialist Icopal – and the manufacturer, and members of its Intelligent Membrane Association (IMA), are already reaping the benefits
Icopal stretches the capabilities of liquid roofing

A new generation of cold-applied liquid roofing technology has been enhanced by building membranes specialist Icopal, and the manufacturer and members of its Intelligent Membrane Association (IMA) are already reaping the benefits.
Icopal’s plan is PVC

Building membranes specialist Icopal has extended its range of singly-ply waterproofing solutions with the launch of its Monarplan PVC system for new-build and refurbished roofs.
In pictures: The luxury nuclear bunker house by SLLB Architects

SLLB Architects’ conversion of a 1950s nuclear bunker in north London into a luxury home has been completed
In Victorian pictures: Tonga, the pyramids and the West Indies

Glass slides from the late 19th and early 20th century that document the adventures of a Victorian Englishman are up for sale
'Increasing appetite for commercial sector' report reveals

Investors are beginning to show an interest in the commercial real estate market again after total property returns moved into positive territory for the first time in two years during July.
Jay Merrick: Dulwich Picture Gallery Mausoleum

Critic Jay Merrick selects the Mausoleum at the Dulwich Picture Gallery
Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich by John Lyall Architects

[FIRST LOOK] A major new centre for dance opens this week to become the ‘cultural heart’ of The Mill, a £70 million waterfront redevelopment in Ipswich
Jewellery star Einhorn heads to High Court to sue architect

A row between celebrity jewellery designer Stephen Einhorn and his architect has spilled over into the High Court
Jonathan Sergison: Garden Court Chambers

Jonathon Sergison of Sergison Bates Architects selects Inigo Jones’ Garden Court Chambers
Kawneer launches healthcare windows guide

Advice on the options available for specifiers of windows in the healthcare sector, particularly mental health, is contained in a new guide from leading architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer.
Kay Elliott to redevelop Torquay primary school

Architects Kay Elliott has been appointed by Torbay Council to work on a £2.75 million redevelopment of Ellacombe Primary School, Torquay
Keith Williams prepares for European cultural tour

Keith Williams Architects has been shortlisted for a high-profile arts projects in Austria, Norway and Germany
Kingston upon Thames education framework

Architectural services for the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames and London Borough of Croydon Education Capital Development Projects
Koen Steemers takes over at Cambridge School of Architecture

Koen Steemers will take over from Nick Bullock as head of department this month
Lakanal House disaster: Hundreds of towers still not fire checked

Thousands of tower blocks across London could pose a fire risk to residents because they have not been assessed for fire safety
Land Sec looks to re-use site of stalled Hamiltons scheme

Developer Land Securities is seeking to temporarily open up the site of its mothballed Park House project on Oxford Street
Last chance to submit for this year's AJ100 survey

The deadline looms for submissions to the UK’s most important architecture survey. Submit your practice’s data before Saturday (30 January) to take part
Learning Link, Bradford Grammar School by Halliday Clark

[FIRST LOOK + PROJECT DATA] Halliday Clark has submitted these proposals for a new extension and link bridge at Bradford Grammar School
Leeds Council cleared in 'humungous mess' planning decision case

Leeds City Council will not have to re-examine thousands of planning applications after it was vindicated by a High Court judge over the way it delegated its planning decisions
Liberal Democrats would scrap regional development agencies

The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to scrap both regional development agencies (RDA) and the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) if they win the next General Election.
Liverpool unveils pavilion for Shanghai Expo 2010

BDP and Uniform have revealed their design for the Liverpool pavilion to be constructed for World Expo 2010 opening in May next year
Loncin Petal Valley, Chongqing, China by PCKO

[IMAGES + PLANS + PROJECT DATA] PCKO has been commissioned by a Chinese developer to prepare the masterplan for a holiday village and design of a 5-star spa and a 6-star hotel
London Cityscapes by photographer Will Pearson

Some of Will Pearson’s stunning London panoramas
London Housing Design Guide launched

The London Development Agency (LDA), working together with Mae Architects, has published the new London Housing Design Guide, setting out guidelines for all new public homes in the capital
London practices hit in computer piracy swoop

Architects across London have been caught out following a two-month clampdown by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) on pirated software in the capital.
'London's suburbs could take half a million new homes', says LDA

The London Development Agency has opened the door to a potential goldmine of work for architects by claiming the capital’s suburbs have space for another 500,000 homes
LSC debacle: Colleges need £8 billion to rescue projects

Cash-strapped colleges would need to raise £8 billion to complete all their rebuilding plans, a taskforce has found
Make completes ‘shimmering’ brass-clad building behind RIBA HQ

Ken Shuttleworth’s practice Make has completed the refurbishment and extension of a 1960s apartment building behind the RIBA’s Portland Place headquarters in central London
Midsomer Norton School and Weston All Saints School, Bath by Boyes Rees Architects

[IMAGES + PROJECT DATA + PLANS] Cardiff-based Boyes Rees Architects has secured three key contracts worth over £5 million for the improvement of three schools for Bath and North East Somerset Council
Monica Pidgeon (1913 - 2009)

Peter Murray remembers Monica Pidgeon, editor of Architectural Design for 30 years, who died last week at the age of 95
Muirhead Tower, University of Birmingham by Associated Architects

[FIRST LOOK] Associated Architects has completed the £25 million overhaul of the University of Birmingham’s landmark 1970s Muirhead Tower
Network Rail headquarters, Milton Keynes by GMW

Network Rail has released the first images of its new 37,000m² base in Milton Keynes
New Exhibition: Cloud Choreography and Other Emergent Systems by Keith Tyson

Cloud Choreography and Other Emergent Systems by Keith Tyson, winner of the 2002 Turner Prize, opens to the public today at the Parasol Unit in London
New Exhibition: Lucy Orta at the Plymouth Arts Centre

Plymouth Arts Centre and Plymouth College of Art are collaborating on an exhibition and series of events with international artist Lucy Orta
New installations at Annely Juda Fine Art

Two new architectural installations open today: MF-142 by Sarah Oppenheimer and Space Space by Yuko Shiraishi
New video installation: Sleep Walk, Sleep Talk by Suki Chan

Sleep Walk, Sleep Talk by Suki Chan, the first of the Free to Air series of exhibitions, opens today (September 14) in Brixton
Night shelter for the homeless, Derby by Evans Vettori

[FIRST LOOK] Matlock-based Evans Vettori has completed this night shelter, emergency accommodation and assessment centre in Green Lane, Derby
Nightingale cast-offs set up new studio

Two former directors of Nightingale Associates have set up on their own after being let go following the closure of four of the healthcare giant’s 12 UK offices
No end in sight for Viñoly's 'Golden Banana'

A final completion date for Rafael Viñoly Architects’ ‘Golden Banana’ visual arts facility in Colchester remains undetermined today, despite the council appointing new project manager Mace to take on the troubled scheme
No signs of housing recovery as application numbers stay low

The number of planning applications for new housing developments has stabilised but is still not on the increase, according to the latest figures released by industry analyst Glenigan
Norman Foster: Party organiser extraordinaire

After hearing about eminent publisher George Weidenfeld’s 90th birthday celebrations last weekend, Astragal is wondering how he might get Norman Foster to host his birthday party too
Oaklands College goes ahead despite LSC 'debacle'

A St. Albans school hit by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funding ‘debacle’ says it will push ahead on its own and raise funds for a £100 million new build by Bond Bryan
OMI Architects win lottery funding for church pods

[FIRST LOOK + PROJECT DATA] The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is to give £3.3 million to convert Bolton’s Grade II*-listed All Souls’ Church into a new community centre
One Vision Housing framework, Liverpool. Lot 7: Landscape architecture

One Vision is looking for landscape architects for its consultant framework
Optimism faltering according to RIBA Future Trends survey

Hopes of a quick end to the recession are fading, according to the latest figures released by the RIBA
Optimism for the future at last - from Her Majesty the Queen, and Beansy

Ian Martin enters the fractal laboratory
Outrage: Gropius buildings bulldozed in Chicago

IN PICTURES: Work has begun on demolishing Chicago’s empty Michael Reese Hospital, featuring eight buildings by Bauhaus pioneer Walter Gropius
'Outspoken' Hodge back as architecture minister

Margaret Hodge is to return to her role as architecture minister, replacing Barbara Follett
Pascall+Watson to get slice of the Shard

Renzo Piano has appointed Pascall+Watson to deliver the new station concourse for the Shard at London Bridge
Phillipe Malouin's Skid Row Chair to be shown at The Dock

Philippe Malouin’s Skid Row chair was commissioned by Next Level Galerie in Paris in an edition of just 10
Planning inspector backs Keith Williams' Vauxhall Tower

[IMAGES + PLANS] Keith Williams Architects has finally been given the go-ahead for its first tower - this 24-storey office and apartment block in Black Prince Road, South London
Plug pulled on new Part G after last ditch EU intervention

The new Part G building regulations on sanitation and water efficiency have been put back by at least seven months following an 11th hour move from the EU
Populous to design another Olympic main Stadium

Populous has been selected to design the 40,000-seat main stadium for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games in Sochi, Russia
Preston social housing competition

Community Gateway Association is celebrating Preston Guild 2012 with a competition to design a social housing scheme in the city centre
Recycled furniture: The Clamp Table by Ryan Sorrell

Recycling meets classic table design in Ryan Sorrell’s Clamp Table, which is being displayed at Tent London on Old Street
Renzo Piano: 'I've been expecting you, Mr Bond'

Has the Italian starchitect accepted a commission from a Mr Blofeld of SPECTRE?
RIBA and Archaos demand minimum pay for working students

The RIBA and Archaos, the national architecture student society, is calling on the profession to introduce minimum pay and conditions for the employment of students.
RIBA freezes membership rates

The RIBA has announced it will not increase the price of its membership for 2010 year in an bid ‘to support members through the recession’
RIBA launch 'independent' review of ARB

The RIBA has launched its own review of the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to look at the ‘future of regulation and registration of the architects’ profession’
RIBA unveils its manifesto for architecture

The RIBA launches its manifesto for architecture with demands for four million homes to be retrofitted, smart energy meters in every building and more support for local authorities
Richard Rogers steps down as Boris Johnson's design advisor

Richard Rogers has announced he is to walk away from his roles as deputy chair of the Mayor of London‘s design advisory panel and Great Spaces panel
Robert Adam Highgate home set to rival Buckingham Palace

North London’s Witanhurst House – the largest private residence in London bar Buckingham Palace – could be restored to its former glory if planners give massive new proposals the go ahead
Rockpanel

Rockpanel Chameleon is a durable panel material that has been specifically developed for creating colour effects in rainscreen cladding. The direction of light causes a change of colour depending on the angle from which the panel is viewed
Rogers re-invents Oxley Woods in the City

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is to bring the prefabricated timber construction techniques used on its award-winning Oxley Woods housing scheme, Milton Keynes to inner city London
Rosewarne Village, Camborne, Cornwall by John Thompson and Partners

The scheme will deliver the central portion of Rosewarne Village, a new sustainable neighbourhood of 520 units located at the northern edge of the town, on a key regeneration site next to the A30
Rugged topography: Liz Eeuwes' at 100% Design

These lovely rugs are inspired by the topography of the areas from which they take their names and are showing at 100% Design
Sam Jacob: Underground Bunker

Sam Jacob of Fat Architecture selects the Underground Bunker
Sandal Magna School, Wakefield: Sustainable school building study

Sandal Magna School / Wakefield, West Yorkshire / Sarah Wigglesworth Architects / Completion date May 2010 / Predicted annual CO2 emissions 15kg/m²
Sandhenge, Bath by Feilden Clegg Bradley

The sandbag igloo was constructed in a field in Bath as a prototype for accommodation and housing development in Namibia
Santiago Calatrava's Venice bridge 'not fully functional'

Santiago Calatrava’s troubled Constitution Bridge has hit further controversy with the release of a damning report by the city’s office of public works, according to The Telegraph
SAS International

SAS International’s System 330 metal ceiling, was specified at the fit out of the Central Bank of Ireland’s Offices at Spencer Dock, in Dublin’s Financial Services centre. The manufacturer worked closely with architects Henry J Lyons on this project
Scottish woe: housing budget culled and Glasgow rail link killed

Architects in Scotland are facing a bleak year ahead following the announcement of severe cuts for affordable housing and regeneration in the 2010-11 draft budget
Shakespeare in Love theatre to be rebuilt in the North

The British Shakespeare Company (BSC) is to rebuild a full-size replica of the Rose Theatre, from the film Shakespeare in Love, in the north of England.
Silvertown Quays: officially dead

The £1.5 billion plan to develop the Silvertown Quays area of the Thames Gateway has been officially binned after its main backer failed to come up with the cash
Sliding House, Suffolk, by dRMM

This telescopic house by dRMM has been shortlisted for this year’s (2009) Manser Medal, sponsored by The Rooflight Company
Small architects fear Olympic squeeze as framework ditched

Small architectural practices must now compete head on with big-name firms for any remaining 2012 Olympic work, after the scrapping of a scheme intended to level the playing field
Solar slates

Government green energy tariffs planned for next April are likely to see demand for solar slates increase. Hattie Hartman compares three products
Southend Pier restoration and new train station by Saville Jones Architects

[FIRST LOOK + PLANS + PROJECT DATA] Saville Jones Architects has completed the £2.25 million revamp of Southend-on-Sea Pier – the world’s longest – after it burnt down in 2005
St Mary Magdalene Academy Roundtable: 'The Project got pretty political'

[TRANSCRIPT] The team behind St Mary Magdalene Academy discusses the making of the building and the wider issues surrounding school design
St Mary Magdalene Academy, Islington by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

[BUILDING STUDY + IMAGES + PLANS] Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios’ St Mary Magdalene Academy is specific to its location, and is all the better for it, writes Kieran Long. Photography by Hufton + Crow
Stephen Lawrence lecture: RMJM boss backs city-centre sports

Peter Morrison calls for more investment in sports facilities in Britain’s deprived inner cities at the Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture in London
Steve Parnell: Retro-eco house

Critic Steve Parnell selects Retro-eco house
Stevenage open innovation BioScience Park: Phase 1

Architectural services taking work on Stevanage’s Open Innovation BioScience Park from masterplan to RIBA stage D
Stonehenge Visitor Centre, Wiltshire, by Denton Corker Marshall

[First look] These are the first sketches of the proposed new £25 million Stonehenge visitor centre by Denton Corker Marshall (DCM).
Surprise rejection for Reiach and Hall in Glasgow

Councillors in Glasgow have gone against officer recommendations and turned down a £65 million revamp of a 1970s office block in the city’s George Square
Survey: 9 out of 10 say 'quality buildings make them happier'

Better quality buildings and public spaces improve the quality of life for nine out of ten people, according to new research
Swedes White Arkitekter scoop Southend Pier contest

[FIRST LOOK] White Arkitekter has beaten 74 other entrants to land the contest to redevelop Southend Pier in the mouth of the Thames
SX Girl leads the Vegetable Liberation Front into battle over living walls

Ian Martin initiates the hanging basket guerilla campaign
Termite mound to stay on the Southbank

The pavilion, based on a Namibian termite mound, is scheduled to stay outside the Royal Festival Hall in London for an extended period
Terry Farrell: The Glasshouse

Terry Farrell of Terry Farrell and Partners selects The Glasshouse
The Commonwealth Institute decision - a dangerous precedent

The door needs to be shut on Kensington and Chelsea’s stall before listed buildings bolt like horses, says Tim Taylor
The Forum, University of Hertfordshire, by RMJM

The Forum, designed by RMJM architects, opens at the University of Hertfordshire this weekend
The KPF 'breakaway five' unveil new practice name

Five former partners of Kohn Pedersen Fox’s (KPF) London office, who walked away following a failed management buyout, have re-emerged as PLP Architecture
The Paradise Park fallout: Are living walls worth it?

The death of London’s first living wall has led to questions about their viability – and sustainability. Merlin Fulcher investigates
Tim Ronalds reveals plans for Ironmonger Row Baths in Islington

[FIRST LOOK] Tim Ronalds Architects has unveiled his plans for the £16 million refurbishment of one of London’s oldest Turkish Baths
Together Chair by Ben Huggins

Ben Huggins’ Together Chair for New British Design at Tent London
Top names leave KPF after failed buyout

Kohn Pedersen Fox’s (KPF) London office has parted with its five partners following an unsuccessful management buyout
Total accessibility with Ecophon Access™!

Best Sound Absorption, Class ‘A’ - A lot of noise is generated in a corridor. This noise is carried along the corridor and spreads into adjacent rooms. To minimise this, it is important that the sound can be absorbed.
Trestle Table by Dan Rawlings

Dan Rawlings’ Trestle Table at Tent London
US embassy wins outline planning permission

Outline planning permission has been granted for the new US embassy at Nine Elms in south-west London
Vaizey: We will keep CABE but ARB must go

Ed Vaizey, the shadow minister for culture, has claimed he would save CABE from a Tory ‘bonfire of the quangos’ but again promised to kill off the Architects’ Registration Board (ARB).
Video - International pavilions at Shanghai Exposition 2010

Following BDP’s unveiling of the Liverpool pavilion for Shanghai, the AJ looks at other designs for the international pavilions
Video: All the Stirling Prize 2009 shortlisted buildings

See first-hand footage of the six buildings competing for this year’s prize, shot by Tony Chapman RIBA Head of Awards
Video: Australia's first carbon-neutral building

Construction began this week on the Pixel building in Melbourne by Studio 505
Video: RMJM's Gazprom Tower for St Petersburg

New footage of RMJM’s controversial design for Russian gas giant Gazprom’s headquarters in St Petersburg
Video: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners ' Bodegas Protos Winery

Take a tour of RSH+P’s Stirling-Prize shortlisted Bodegas Protos winery, in Valladolid, Spain
Video: The team behind St Mary Magdalene School

Seven members of the team behind St Mary Magdalene School discusses the making of the building and the wider issues surrounding school design
Visual and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow, Ireland by Terry Pawson Architects

[FIRST LOOK + PROJECT DATA] Terry Pawson’s recently completed contemporary arts centre and theatre in Carlow, Ireland, opens to the public this Saturday (26 September)
Wattson by DIY KYOTO

Wattson 01 monitors the amount of electricity coming into your home
Whitstable Healthcare Centre, Kent, by Astudio

[First look] Richard Hyams’ Astudio – the practice Hyams set up two and a half years ago after leaving as head of Aedas’s creative studio - has completed its first building
Wilkinson Eyre finishes Bath 'busometer'

Wilkinson Eyre has completed its controversial transport interchange in Bath
Wilkinson Eyre's Sea City Museum nears completion

These are the latest shots of Wilkinson Eyre’s £28million Sea City Museum in Southampton
Working Detail: 10 Hills Place by Amanda Levete Architects

[WORKING DETAIL 10.09.09] Facade
Working Detail: St Mary Magdalene Academy by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

[WORKING DETAIL 24.09.09] Timber rainscreen cladding
Zaha Hadid announced as Praemium Imperiale Laureate

Zaha Hadid has today (24 September) been announced as the winner of the prestigious Japan Art Association’s award for Architecture

Architects JournalSeptember 2009

Architects Journal
September 2009