The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects’ Post

Big step for a huge project combining restauration of monuments and the big concert hall with new construction of additional concert halls and classes.

🌏 Sydney Opera House is the world's most iconic building, right?  🤔 Or can you change our mind? We're calling all the architecture enthusiasts out there to help us decide. Do you agree or do you have another building in mind that deserves the title of "most iconic"? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's settle this debate once and for all! 🏆 Which building will come out on top? #changemymind #iconicbuilding #debate #architects #specifiers 

What does "museum design" mean to you? Do you consider the aesthetics, or maybe the logistics? Do you worry about seating or what kind of visitor engagement there is? If you are in art logistics you are probably like me and start checking out window placement and door construction when you go into a new place. No matter what, you probably have to figure out how to maneuver in some pretty unique spaces, and it can be very challenging. This edition of the APN Wire is all about the struggle of form meeting function, and how our community is working in new and existing spaces. For sculptural spaces, check out the articles section to find out more about some truly expansive spaces. From the new building and brand of the AKAG Art Museum in Buffalo, NY to the latest Centre Pompidou partnership in Saudi Arabia, there are some unique takes on how space is created. Of course, not everyone is a fan of museum architecture, and between political critics and falling visitor levels, we are all trying to figure out how to plan for the future. It will be interesting to see if the NYC model of raising prices is going to actually work. Also, planning is important but only effective if you talk to the right people. One of the biggest challenges in museum construction is making a space work that has not been built with logistics and collections in mind. Take a look at the resources section to find guides, essays, and criteria to help you plan everything from your front-facing spaces to your deep-level collections storage. The good news is there are many organizations that have tried this kind of project, and tons of information out there to investigate. No matter what, think through all the aspects of every building that is in transition. Whether you are building from the ground up or renovating an existing structure, it is important to think through the priorities and goals of a space. Every museum design is meant to have a visual impact, but if you don't take the needs of the collection, staff, and visitors into account then you will not make a positive impression on anyone. Reach out if APN can help inform your process. I do space evaluations, art path planning, and can help you figure out how to make your workflow and architecture work well together. Sometimes it just takes a fresh set of eyes and experience to find the key and I would love to add value to your process. https://lnkd.in/g8GfFAye

Disaster or Success? The Sydney Opera House is considered one of the great masterpieces of modern architecture and an iconic symbol of Australia. However, its realization was marked by numerous problems and controversies, leading to debates on whether to consider it a success or a disaster from a project standpoint. Success: Iconic Architecture: The Sydney Opera House is recognized worldwide for its innovative and bold architecture. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, its silhouette has become a symbol not just of the city of Sydney but of all of Australia. Awards: The building has received numerous international accolades for its design and engineering innovation, including the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize awarded to Utzon in 2003. Tourist Attraction: Over the years, it has become one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, contributing significantly to the local economy. Disaster: Construction Costs and Timelines: The project experienced huge cost overruns and delays in construction. Initially expected to cost 7 million Australian dollars and to be completed in four years, it ultimately exceeded 100 million dollars and took 14 years to complete (1959-1973). Conflicts and Resignations: The relationship between Jørn Utzon and the New South Wales government deteriorated due to disagreements over design and construction costs, leading to Utzon's controversial resignation in 1966 before the completion of the building. Functional Problems: Despite its extraordinary visual impact, the Opera House faced criticism for some functional and acoustic aspects of its concert halls, which have required modifications and updates over the years. Conclusion The Sydney Opera House can be seen both as a success and a disaster. Although the project faced significant financial challenges, delays, and controversies, the end result is a world-renowned architectural work that has had a profound cultural, social, and economic impact on Sydney and Australia. Its story is an example of how challenges and difficulties encountered in the realization of ambitious projects can ultimately contribute to creating works of invaluable worth. According to PMI and IPMA criteria, the Sydney Opera House presents a complex case. On one hand, the project did not meet cost management and timing criteria. On the other, it achieved exceptional success in terms of the quality of the final outcome, cultural impact, and long-term stakeholder satisfaction. Therefore, while presenting characteristics of failure in its execution, the Sydney Opera House managed to transform into a lasting success, reaffirming the importance of evaluating the success of a project not only based on the process but also on the impact and value generated over time. #SuccessBeyondObstacles  

SHARED SPACES One well-known example of shared spaces architecture is Exhibition Road in London, United Kingdom. Exhibition Road underwent a redesign that transformed it into a shared space, completed in 2012. The project aimed to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment by removing traditional traffic infrastructure and promoting a sense of shared use among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Key features of Exhibition Road's shared space design include: 🛣 Unified Surface: Exhibition Road features a single, continuous surface without curbs or delineations between pedestrian and vehicular areas. This design choice encourages users to share the space more organically. 🚶♀️ Enhanced Pedestrian Zones: Wider sidewalks and pedestrian areas were created, allowing for increased space for pedestrians to move freely. Seating and public art were also incorporated to enhance the pedestrian experience. 🚦 Reduced Traffic Signs: Traditional traffic signs and signals were minimized or eliminated to encourage a greater reliance on eye contact and communication between road users. The idea is to promote a more intuitive and collaborative approach to navigating the space. ☑ Shared Responsibility: The redesign aimed to create a sense of shared responsibility among different road users. Without the strict separation of pedestrian and vehicular zones, everyone in the space is encouraged to be more aware of their surroundings and to negotiate movement with others. 🌳 Landscaping and Greenery: Exhibition Road features landscaping elements and greenery, providing aesthetic appeal and contributing to a more pleasant and inviting atmosphere. ♿ Improved Accessibility: The redesign included improvements to accessibility, making it easier for people with disabilities to navigate the area. https://lnkd.in/gstdFiJy

A perceptive and powerful analysis of the importance of the Old Rep, the Electric Cinema, and Crown pub and of the architectural and cultural significance of Station Street. Councillors and developers take note. https://lnkd.in/ekkehRSA

I'm happy to share our latest paper published at CoDesign "The process of value setting through co-design: the case of La Borda, Barcelona". Together with Darinka Czischke and @Adrià Garcia i Mateu we assess how #values are set through #codesign and translated into a #cooperative #housing project. A new kind of #housing #cooperatives has emerged in #Catalonia in the last decade, where residents need to adjust their individual expectations and demands in order to reach a #collective set of #values to realise their #housing project. Our findings shed light on how #codesign unfolds and uncover trade-offs carried out to overcome tensions mostly between individual and collective demands and between #buildingcosts and #quality. Taylor & Francis Group https://lnkd.in/eGa7kTKn

Missed #ITEAC 2023? Don't worry; you can access over 50 recorded seminars and discussions with architects, consultants, engineers and industry specialists for just £80 plus VAT here: https://lnkd.in/errwmrvm #ITEAC #Theatre #TheatreArchitecture #TheatreDesign #Architecture #ArtsArchitecture #ArtsBuildings #TheatreBuildings

The "Building of the Year created with ALUPROF Systems" competition is is a cyclical event organised every 2 years. 🏆The 5th edition of the competition is addressed to architectural practices and freelance architects whose designs feature systems by ALUPROF SA and were, or will have been, built between 1st January 2022 and 30th June 2024 or, if they were not entered for the previous competitions, earlier. The idea of the competition is to identify the most interesting buildings of this kind and, at the same time, to promote contemporary architecture and create a forum for discussing the latest architectural designs and completed projects. 🏢🏬

The "Building of the Year created with ALUPROF Systems" competition is is a cyclical event organised every 2 years. 🏆The 5th edition of the competition is addressed to architectural practices and freelance architects whose designs feature systems by ALUPROF SA and were, or will have been, built between 1st January 2022 and 30th June 2024 or, if they were not entered for the previous competitions, earlier. The idea of the competition is to identify the most interesting buildings of this kind and, at the same time, to promote contemporary architecture and create a forum for discussing the latest architectural designs and completed projects. 🏢🏬