The Royal Institute of British Architects is offering a fantastic opportunity to access the incredible architectural heritage of London via a website displaying thousands of images. Earlier this year, there was an exhibition titled Unlock London: A City in Pictures displayed at the Terrace Grill & Bar at Le Meridien Piccadilly. The images on display came from the RIBA collection, which is one of the world’s most extensive and diverse visual archives devoted to architecture. Continue reading →

2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the first exploration of the last major peaks in the Alps including the Matterhorn. This winter there will be various events throughout the Alps to commemorate the feats, the region and the culture of the area. The anniversary is also commemorating the impact that the Alps has had on modern architecture. There is evidence to suggest that modern attitudes to design originated in the region when German architect Bruno Taut sketched “Alpine Architecture” in 1917. His idea of castles and palaces made of glass nestled on snow covered mountains was inspirational in terms of looking at how buildings can blend with nature. Continue reading →

Chicago holds a major place in architectural history as it was the home of the world’s first skyscraper. The Home Insurance Building was the idea of architect William Le Baron Jenney, and construction was completed in 1885. It was the first tall building to feature structural steel in its framework and proved that the skeletal design could work. It was originally ten storeys tall, but had two additional floors added in 1890. It was demolished in 1931, but a plaque in the lobby of the Bank of America property now on the site commemorates this important example of commercial architecture. Continue reading →

Architecture has experienced a major shift towards green building in recent years with property designers taking more time to consider the environmental impacts of structures. This has helped promote the use of sustainable materials and systems to generate clean energy. The move has had a huge impact on both residential and commercial architecture. Continue reading →

The commercial architecture sector is in a constant state of changes due to the evolving needs of businesses and their clients. Typically a project will strive to combine function and style to create spaces that look good and serve their purpose to the best of their ability. This idea is still crucial but many architects have moved a step further to research-led design. Continue reading →

The Design Museum recently shortlisted a collection of diverse London based designs for inclusion in a new book. Museum director Deyan Sidjuc focused on iconic images and architectural structures that perfectly define London’s traditional and contemporary landscape. Included in the list was Tower Bridge. Constructed over an 8 year period between 1886 and 1894, this is a tangible representation of London in the late 19th century and represents the way architecture reflects its surroundings. Continue reading →