Dame Zaha Hadid, one of the most iconic figures in modern architecture, sadly passed away on the 31st of March 2016. She leaves a lasting legacy in the architectural field, both for her instantly recognisable designs and for the highly respected profile she achieved. She is the only woman to achieve the status of sole recipient of the RIBA Gold Medal after being awarded the 2016 honour. Before this, she received the Pritzker Prize in 2004, and won the Stirling Prize for two years running in 2010 and 2011. Her outstanding contribution to architecture was highlighted when she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). Continue reading →

The Scotland Festival of Architecture opened on 18th March 2016 with the Hinterland night time event at St. Peter’s Seminary in Cardross, Argyll. The ten day event was a celebration of the modernist masterpiece and marked the culmination of several years of effort to bring new life to the ruined structure. The timing was fitting, as it fell very close to the date when the seminary was opened 50 years ago. Continue reading →

Subterranean architecture is increasing in popularity around the world as architects and developers strive to overcome the challenges posed by land limitations and environmental concerns. Building structures underground can resolve space problems, unlocking a huge amount of potential additional space. It also allows the creation of buildings with minimal impact on their surroundings, thereby protecting the natural environment. Continue reading →

When it comes to designing homes, there are many important factors that architects need to consider. Openness, space and natural light are all crucial for achieving harmonious homes that are a pleasure to use, but these elements can sometimes conflict with the equally vital need for privacy and solitude. We use our homes for interaction, socialising and connecting with others, but they are also our sanctuaries where we should be able to retreat from the world when we need to. As architects, it is our job to fulfil both of these requirements as fully as possible with our work. Continue reading →

This year’s Ecobuild Conference arrives at Excel London on 8th March 2016 and will bring a larger schedule of events and talks than ever before. The three day event will cover important challenges in the UK’s construction and energy market including homes, architecture and the next generation. The event will give over 44,000 professionals from the industry the chance to network, discuss issues and create new solutions. Continue reading →

Pechakucha is a style of presentation that originated in Tokyo and enables designers to network and display their work. The format makes for presentations that move at a swift pace, which means designers need to express their ideas as concisely as possible. The system was devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein-Dytham Architecture in 2003 in an effort to attract people to their experimental space Superdeluxe. Continue reading →