YES! Communities’ Post

Historic Preservation is a passion that flows through us here at Christman. It's so much more than saving a building. It’s about preserving the stories, the energy and the history the building holds within its walls, as well as making a positive environmental impact by reusing and revitalizing existing structures. Here’s our series, “Discovering My Passion for Preservation at Christman.” Today, hear from Tom Whitmore, our Vice President of the Historic Preservation Group. “As someone with a background in architecture and timber framing, I've always been comfortable in both fields. When I got the opportunity to join the Preservation Group at Christman in DC, I never anticipated how naturally preservation would come to me. This role has truly highlighted my love for fixing things. New construction is rational and mathematical, while preservation construction is a mental puzzle, requiring extensive research, investigation, and subjective decision-making. It demands exceptional teamwork, as misinterpreting or ignoring the real intent of a preservation project can be easy. I thrive on the challenge of diving into technical details and building teams unified towards a common goal. Seeing team members get inspired by the lessons of history and increasing their participation levels is incredibly rewarding. One memorable moment was in 2007 when I was closing up the Lincoln Cottage site for the day. I noticed a board with nails sticking out of the ceiling, posing a safety hazard. Upon closer inspection, I discovered markings on the top-facing side of the board. After consulting with the project conservator, we carefully removed it and found it was hand-painted with the name of the building’s architect, John Skirving, in Victorian script. The board, originally part of a shipping crate, had been used as a “rat-board” during the building's initial construction. It felt like finding a postcard from the past. Preservation has become more than just a career; it's a passion that drives me. The intricate blend of research, technical skill, and teamwork needed to breathe new life into old structures is both challenging and fulfilling. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to preserving our history and for the incredible journey so far.” At Christman Historic Preservation Group, we actively seek out preservation work to continue our mission. #Preservation #Teamwork #Architecture #Christman #PassionForPreservation

It's great to see this article about the approval of our plans for Derby's Friar Gate Goods Yard in Architects’ Journal. Adam McPartland, Director of Glancy Nicholls Architects, said: “We are overjoyed that the required funds can now be invested into saving these distressed 150-year-old listed buildings. Glancy Nicholls Architects has proudly brought its expertise in restoration and retrofit design to visualise the sustainable future of two of Derby city centre’s most notable historic structures.   “From the outset, the overarching brief from Wavensmere Homes was for a huge emphasis to be placed on exemplary placemaking. By having a mix of commercial uses within the two buildings – and opening the inaccessible site up to create a series of new linear parks – hundreds of people will be able to appreciate these heritage assets on a daily basis.   “The designs for the 227 two- and three-bedroom townhouses that will surround the two listed buildings are bespoke. Curved and terraced street scenes will celebrate the beauty and vista of the Bonded Warehouse, while incorporating a range of energy saving technologies and strategies. "A four-storey apartment building containing 49 apartments will also reinstate the lost streetscape of the Stafford Street frontage. The highest EPC rating of A is being targeted for the new houses, with all plots designed to be future-proofed ahead of the 2025 Future Homes Standard.” Read Anna Highfield's article here: https://lnkd.in/e4FRthwd

One of my favourite projects, and one that has rejuvenated a piece of history so it can be used and loved long into the future. Great film! AKT II #adaptivereuse #heritageengineering #architecturalengineering

Approval ✅ Project Name: Dual Occupancy Development with Underground Carpark   Location: 30 Ruby Street, Balwyn   Client: Melegant Group   The Task: The client sought to develop the land for two double-storey dwellings, and associated buildings and works in a Neighbourhood Residential Zone, containing four car parking spaces and demolition of existing dwelling.   The Outcome: The fully illustrative architectural drawings were completed by CJY Architects, and they were able to shed light on the importance of the design of the proposed development. The proposed high-quality dwellings were designed to maintain the residential amenity in the local area, which respects the existing building forms and provide a leafy front garden and generous setback along the side and rear boundaries. The development was designed to provide generous open space with well distanced setback from side and rear boundaries, to minimise off-site impacts to abutting properties. The development has enhanced the landscape and environmental values of natural areas by providing a significant amount of landscaping along the street frontage. With multiple similar developments in the same area zone, the proposal received a desirable outcome from the council and a permit was issued for the development. #townplanning #approvals #development

Approval ✅ Project Name: Dual Occupancy Development with Underground Carpark   Location: 30 Ruby Street, Balwyn   Client: Melegant Group   The Task: The client sought to develop the land for two double-storey dwellings, and associated buildings and works in a Neighbourhood Residential Zone, containing four car parking spaces and demolition of existing dwelling.   The Outcome: The fully illustrative architectural drawings were completed by CJY Architects, and they were able to shed light on the importance of the design of the proposed development. The proposed high-quality dwellings were designed to maintain the residential amenity in the local area, which respects the existing building forms and provide a leafy front garden and generous setback along the side and rear boundaries. The development was designed to provide generous open space with well distanced setback from side and rear boundaries, to minimise off-site impacts to abutting properties. The development has enhanced the landscape and environmental values of natural areas by providing a significant amount of landscaping along the street frontage. With multiple similar developments in the same area zone, the proposal received a desirable outcome from the council and a permit was issued for the development. #townplanning #approvals #development

74 The Esplanade Pty Ltd v Council of The City of Gold Coast [2023] QPEC 36 The Planning and Environment Court has allowed an appeal against the decision of Council to refuse an application for 15 Units (13 full floor luxury units with double-level sub-penthouse and penthouse, and communal and rooftop recreation areas) and Food & Drink Outlet in Main Beach. In the result, our client demonstrated that the proposed development could comply with the identified provisions of the planning scheme (the Light Rail Urban Renewal Area Overlay Code and High Density Residential Zone Code among others) and that despite the small site of 410m2, site constraints could be managed through an innovative approach and design, resulting in an attractive building that was able to be appropriately landscaped and was capable of accommodating the necessary basement level car parking while providing for an interesting street frontage without creating unacceptable amenity impacts for adjoining residents. The HWL Ebsworth Lawyers Brisbane PEG team with Peter Bittner, Nirmit S. and Jayden Mandall had the absolute pleasure in assisting our developer client Spyre Group and providing instructions to Mr Christopher Hughes KC and Mr Will Macintosh of Counsel together with our expert team listed below. Developer/Client • Spyre Group Pty Ltd (Daniel Laruccia Andrew Malouf Kent Pinel) Architecture • DKO Architecture (Joel Clish Kai Chua Jingyang Wang) Landscape • Nilesh Patel (CUSP Landscape Architecture Urban Design) Structural Engineering • Tom Gabele (Motus Consulting) Experts • Natalie Rayment (Town Planning - Wolter Consulting Group) Craig Beyers (Noise - Assured Environmental (AE)) Nathan Powell (VA and Landscaping - Larchus), Leslie Curtis (Architecture - Interplan), Stuart Holland (Traffic Engineering - HTC), Leighton Cochran (Wind - MLE), and Zac Petersen (Photomontage - Zone). *marketing renders shown. #residential #luxury #goldcoast #goldcoastrealestate #architecture #architecturedesign #landscaping

What are your thoughts on the ongoing battle to demolish the industrial buildings of Shudehill? Developers recently lost their appeal to do exactly this. They wanted to tear down buildings that have been in Manchester since the 18th and 19th centuries. These buildings represent Manchester’s industrial growth, and whether you agree with the rejection or not, I always think it’s great to see people fighting to save architecture. Having read some of the details about this particular development, I personally agree with the rejection. Long-term, however, I’m on the fence about them. In my opinion, I think it would be great to give new life to these buildings which are lying dormant. Or, if a developer were to submit a project that was iconic, desirable and brought value whilst being considerate of the area, I would most likely support a bid. What are your thoughts on the appeal? How would you like to see the site used?

The social media function of marketing is very much not my favorite... never has been. But running point on strategy and building content for EDSA, Inc. has actually become a creative outlet for me. Crazy to see the growth of our channels (and the growth of my non-hatred towards social) that has happened over the years. A lot of which can be contributed to the trust my colleagues have had in me to digitally build the brand. A big thanks to my team for believing in all my weird ideas, allowing me to verbally attack them for content (#sorrynotsorry) and for always trusting the process. From creation to execution, social media will always be a team effort. #socialmedia #teamwork #award

With the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT and Ontario Line 3 set to hugely boost the connectivity of the Flemingdon Park area of Toronto, Menkes Developments Ltd. and Forgestone Capital have resubmitted Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Site Plan Approval applications for their multi-tower project at 793 Don Mills Road. The design by Sweeny &Co Architects has increased in density with changes to its parkland and POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly-accessible Space), reported UrbanToronto.ca. "Situated just a short walk from the soon-to-open Line 5 Science Centre station at Don Mills and Eglinton, the development's location places it within three Major Transit Station Areas; in addition to Eglinton Line 5, Science Centre will become an interchange station with Ontario Line 3 in about a decade. The two lines bring two other stations within walking distance of this site; Aga Khan Park and Museum station on Eglinton Line 5 will just east of the site, while Flemingdon Park station will be just to the south on Line 3." "The site currently houses the 22-storey Foresters building, which would be retained as part of the project, along with a conference centre and parking structure that would be demolished. The project is planned in phases, with smaller towers to the east to be completed first." https://lnkd.in/dAJ74iCg #toronto #development #residential