Historic building heavyweights call for planning reform to enable sustainability
“Sustainability and heritage protection should go hand in hand” says the National Trust in a new report led by Grosvenor.
Architects report record optimism in the private housing sector
The latest RIBA Future Trends Index, for May 2021, tells of the highest level of  optimism amongst architects since 2016 – and a record high for the private housing sector.
Required Reading: Changes to the planning regime for high rise residential buildings due this summer
Developers may have to submit a fire statement alongside a planning application for relevant multi-occupied residential buildings from 1 August 2021, write Fiona Bishop &Â Rebecca Delaney of Macfarlanes.
‘There should not be a fast track for beauty’: Betts Committee reports on The Future of the Planning System in England
“The government’s aim of developing a planning system that enables buildings to be built more quickly and with greater input from local communities is welcome, but it is far from clear how the current proposals will achieve this,” explains Clive Betts, Chair of the influential Housing, Communities & Local Government Committee. “The government’s three areas proposal needs to be reconsidered.”
Government architecture chief steps down
The Government’s Head of Architecture, Andy von Bradsky, will leave the Ministry of Housing next month.
South Ken station development plans delayed
Development partners TfL and Native Land want to make “some further refinements to the designs” for their high-profile South Kensington Station scheme.
HNW property advisers diversify into design & build
Jonathan Mount & Sam McArdle’s new venture will guide clients through renovation and value-add projects.
Banda’s former design chief joins RedBook
Barak Alberro has joined Redbook as Projects Director, marking the consultancy’s third major hire in the last six months.
How to maximise the value of a resi development: An architect’s guide to space planning
In prime and super-prime locations, every inch of saleable floor space matters. Here, Simon Robinson of MSMR Architects runs us through the principles of space planning – explaining why the size, layout and positioning of units is pivotal to the success of any new development project…
In Pictures: London’s best new home extension
“A House Recast” by Studio Ben Allen has been named overall winner of this year’s Don’t Move, Improve! award for London’s best-designed new home extension.
In Pictures: Dive into Embassy Gardens’ new sky pool
The world’s first sky pool has finally opened its waters above Nine Elms.
In Pictures: Google & RIBA create a new digital architecture resource
The Royal Institute of British Architects has partnered with Google’s Arts & Culture platform to create 15Â specially-curated online “stories”, showcasing the best of the RIBA archive.