Houston Parks Board’s Post

The Tribune Tower in Chicago was voted the best building in 2024. You know what’s special about this building? It’s great Urban Design! Doug Graf talked about this in the theory of urban design class. It’s the way the building is set in the urban framework and what Michigan Avenue does to it that makes it so special. Michigan Avenue travels pretty straight through downtown Chicago - perfectly framing the Wrigley’s building on an axis. However as Michigan Avenue crosses the Chicago River, it negotiates the shift in the urban grid with a bend and opens up a spectacular avenue, perfectly framing the Tribune Building. There is a sense of awe inspiring drama and discovery to this setting, creating great urban plazas and spaces when one travels through Chicago. Why hire urban designers?   Because great Urban Design with  complimentary Architecture can create timeless masterpieces! note: Good Urban Form is not just dependent on architectural style as much as it is about great setting integrated with meticulous details and craft. The next Tribune tower could be a contemporary looking building - but without the urban framework and sighting it won’t be as cherished or celebrated for decades to come. #urbandesign  #urbandesignmakescitiesfun

Seriality Townhouses. King & Sullivan Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, completed in 2019. Design: Aldo Andreoli, circa 2016. Developer: Sanba. All rights reserved. Architect of record: Jeffrey Cole Photo by Alexander Severin www.habitat2art.com @_as__ap_ @molteniandc At Habitat to Art, to create is often to boldly reinvent.  Our design of 22 townhouses in the middle of Red Hook, was definitely one of the most interesting town-houses projects in this area of Brooklyn, New York. We designed these town homes with efficiency as our guide, aware of the context where they are constructed, but with the freedom to explore our creative inspiration. The typology of the townhouse is in large demand, because of its human scale and because it represents a very comfortable and independent way of living in the middle of the city. Red Hook urban texture provides a very interesting mixture of building typologies. What at first appear as incoherent and chaotic, reveals, after a closer look, layers of hidden beauty, to be found in the historic industrial landmarks and in the rows of town houses aligned on the side of Coffey and Pioneer Street. This diversification constituted a great opportunity to design a creative project, allowing for a freedom of expression hard to realize in other part of the city. We created five different facade models for the project, as a contemporary rendition of this spirit. The proportions of each facade was designed in order to complement each other but different enough to be immediately recognizable. Each design was, in a way or another, inspired by some architectural elements present in this area. #design #opportunity #project #art #architecture #construction #creative #italiandesign #redhookbrooklyn #inspiration #projects #building #architect #openings #beauty #structural #newyorkdesign #warehouses #windows #habitat2art #aldoandreoli #brooklynrealestate #newyorkarchitecture #brooklyn #newyorkrealestate #newyork #newyorkcity

A retrofit and extension we designed at Aylmer House, Harlow has been recommended for approval, subject to a S106 Agreement. Our newly approved design will see the height of Aylmer House increase by two storeys and the building’s second and third floors converted from commercial to residential. This will enable the creation of 29 one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as the retention of the existing ground floor public house. Our design approach sought to re-use as much of the building’s original structure as possible, while increasing the height to help meet the need for new homes in Harlow. Taking cues from the street scene, our design introduces: - A contemporary, sawtooth roof as a distinctive visual feature - Materials and a colour palette to create a positive connection with neighbouring buildings - Green roof to enable a 100% biodiversity net gain This “modern design methodology” was “welcomed and supported” within the planning officer’s report, which also states: “the proposed development is considered to significantly improve the appearance of the existing building through the use of contemporary architectural design and materials. It is also positive that it would repurpose and extend an existing building to prevent its demolition, presenting a much more sustainable solution.” Thank you to Andrew Bonner and Joe Maguire for the efforts on this one. MARTORANA PROPERTY LIMITED, Hybrid Planning & Development #retrofit #reuse #repurpose #sustainabledesign #newhomes #residentialdevelopment #commercialconversion #upwardsextension #planningpermission #regeneration #harlow #essex

A retrofit and extension we designed at Aylmer House, Harlow has been recommended for approval, subject to a S106 Agreement. Our newly approved design will see the height of Aylmer House increase by two storeys and the building’s second and third floors converted from commercial to residential. This will enable the creation of 29 one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as the retention of the existing ground floor public house. Our design approach sought to re-use as much of the building’s original structure as possible, while increasing the height to help meet the need for new homes in Harlow. Taking cues from the street scene, our design introduces: - A contemporary, sawtooth roof as a distinctive visual feature - Materials and a colour palette to create a positive connection with neighbouring buildings - Green roof to enable a 100% biodiversity net gain This “modern design methodology” was “welcomed and supported” within the planning officer’s report, which also states: “the proposed development is considered to significantly improve the appearance of the existing building through the use of contemporary architectural design and materials. It is also positive that it would repurpose and extend an existing building to prevent its demolition, presenting a much more sustainable solution.” Thank you to Andrew Bonner and Joe Maguire for the efforts on this one. MARTORANA PROPERTY LIMITED, Hybrid Planning & Development #retrofit #reuse #repurpose #sustainabledesign #newhomes #residentialdevelopment #commercialconversion #upwardsextension #planningpermission #regeneration #harlow #essex

A retrofit and extension we designed at Aylmer House, Harlow has been recommended for approval, subject to a S106 Agreement. Our newly approved design will see the height of Aylmer House increase by two storeys and the building’s second and third floors converted from commercial to residential. This will enable the creation of 29 one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as the retention of the existing ground floor public house. Our design approach sought to re-use as much of the building’s original structure as possible, while increasing the height to help meet the need for new homes in Harlow. Taking cues from the street scene, our design introduces: - A contemporary, sawtooth roof as a distinctive visual feature - Materials and a colour palette to create a positive connection with neighbouring buildings - Green roof to enable a 100% biodiversity net gain This “modern design methodology” was “welcomed and supported” within the planning officer’s report, which also states: “the proposed development is considered to significantly improve the appearance of the existing building through the use of contemporary architectural design and materials. It is also positive that it would repurpose and extend an existing building to prevent its demolition, presenting a much more sustainable solution.” Thankyou to Andrew Bonner and Joe Maguire for the efforts on this one **MARTORANA PROPERTY LIMITED Hybrid Planning & Development ** #retrofit #reuse #repurpose #sustainabledesign #newhomes #residentialdevelopment #commercialconversion #upwardsextension #planningpermission #regeneration #harlow #essex

reuse to reduce #3 BETTER THAN NEW For BioPartner5 we had been searching for re-usable interior walls for a while, but none were of the right height or sparked our enthusiasm. However, the ones we found in a government building in Haarlem were a perfect fit and of excellent quality. After fifteen years of use, new budget had become available for a new interior of their offices, the walls had become waste. Reuse was not considered by the owner, although the standardised elements are designed to be moved easily. The walls were secured just before their demolition. For BioPartner5 they were a great opportunity. They were of excellent quality, high sound insulation and the extra height would provide for more daylight. Now used in BioPartner5, one can hardly see that these walls had a previous life. Vense Projecten BioPartner Leiden Adex Groep #architecture #reuse #reusetoreduce #circularity #circularbuilding #BioPartner5 #systeemwanden #architectuur #hergebruik #circulariteit #circulairbouwen

The design depicted is another visionary architectural concept, characterized by a series of horizontally expanding layers that resemble terraced gardens. These layers are stacked in a staggered fashion, creating a sense of rhythm and movement. Each level is rich with vegetation, suggesting a vertical garden or urban park, which could serve to improve air quality and provide recreational spaces. The curved design of the building's edges softens its profile against the skyline. At its base, there is a reflective body of water, which adds to the aesthetic appeal and could potentially aid in cooling the structure. The integration of the building with the surrounding infrastructure is seamless, with the lower levels open and accessible, indicating a blend of public and private spaces. This design concept emphasizes a balance between high-density urban development and the need for green spaces, aiming to enhance urban living with natural elements.

reuse to reduce #3 BETTER THAN NEW For BioPartner5 we had been searching for re-usable interior walls for a while, but none were of the right height or sparked our enthusiasm. However, the ones we found in a government building in Haarlem were a perfect fit and of excellent quality. After fifteen years of use, new budget had become available for a new interior of their offices, the walls had become waste. Reuse was not considered by the owner, although the standardised elements are designed to be moved easily. The walls were secured just before their demolition. For BioPartner5 they were a great opportunity. They were of excellent quality, high sound insulation and the extra height would provide for more daylight. Now used in BioPartner5, one can hardly see that these walls had a previous life. Vense Projecten BioPartner Leiden Adex Groep #architecture #reuse #reusetoreduce #circularity #circularbuilding #BioPartner5 #systeemwanden #architectuur #hergebruik #circulariteit #circulairbouwen

Planning Update: Our Ascot head office is delighted to announce the successful acquisition of planning consent for two unique detached Arts and Crafts-style 4-bedroom homes with separate double garages in West Horsley, Surrey. This milestone follows a challenging planning journey, given the site's proximity to the Green Belt. Our team's meticulous approach and close collaboration with the council and our client Neil Everest (Silver Key Developments) was instrumental in achieving this high-quality development within three months of submission. Each home is designed with a distinct, elegant front elevation, showcasing individual architectural characteristics and varying finishing materials. Plot 1 features a striking projected gable as its centrepiece, clad in dark grey timber and red brick. A catslide roof elegantly merges into a subtle entrance porch. A prominent bay window on the ground floor enhances the gable's visual impact. Decorative elements like a chimney, timber gable detail, and brick corner accents add to its charm. Plot 2 is a splendid representation of Arts and Crafts architecture, distinguished by its gables and a brick entrance porch. The more prominent left gable features red tile hanging and brickwork, highlighted by a bay window. The right gable, though more subdued, maintains the harmonious aesthetic. The entrance porch, with its intricate stepped brick arch, adds elegance. The house's character is further enriched by a decorative chimney, brick headers, stone sills, and dark grey timber casement windows. The development marries style with sustainability, incorporating biodiversity, energy efficiency, water management, and sustainable construction. Features include electric vehicle charging points and solar PV panel-ready roofs. Our team is thrilled for our client and eagerly anticipates seeing this project through to completion. #architects #architecture #property #planning #planningpermission #construction

reuse to reduce #3 BETTER THAN NEW For BioPartner5 we had been searching for re-usable interior walls for a while, but none were of the right height or sparked our enthusiasm. However, the ones we found in a government building in Haarlem were a perfect fit and of excellent quality. After fifteen years of use, new budget had become available for a new interior of their offices, the walls had become waste. Reuse was not considered by the owner, although the standardised elements are designed to be moved easily. The walls were secured just before their demolition. For BioPartner5 they were a great opportunity. They were of excellent quality, high sound insulation and the extra height would provide for more daylight. Now used in BioPartner5, one can hardly see that these walls had a previous life. Vense Projecten BioPartner Leiden Adex Groep #architecture #reuse #reusetoreduce #circularity #circularbuilding #BioPartner5 #systeemwanden #architectuur #hergebruik #circulariteit #circulairbouwen