We might not be heading to this year’s London Festival of Architecture, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take inspiration from this year’s theme: ‘boundaries’.
Image: London Festival of Architecture
And given the current climate, it feels like an appropriate theme.
Bergisel Ski Jump, Innsbruck – Zaha Hadid Architects
Image: Fraher & Findlay
The Etch House, London – Fraher & Findlay
Image: ArchDaily
The Antivilla, Germany – Brandlhuber+Emde, Burlon
Image: Architects’ Journal
Grenfell United – campaigning for safe homes, justice and change
High-rises like this push boundaries, but for all the wrong reasons. The second anniversary of the Grenfell Tower block has just taken place and people living in high-rises around the country don’t feel safe. To quote Natasha Elcock, chair of Grenfell United: ‘After the fire, we were promised that blocks would be made safe. Two years later we cannot wait any longer, we need action now so everyone is safe in their homes.’ [Fera]
Image: Claire Taylor
The WISE (Wales Institute for Sustainable Education) building at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth – Pat Borer & David Lea
CAT is where I studied for my diploma. Built on a former slate quarry halfway up a large and not particularly accessible hill, the design is notable for its consideration of external views and flow through spaces. There’s a central courtyard where Wales meets Japanese design, and the incorporation of an impressive 7.2m tall circular rammed earth lecture theatre in a typically rainy climate. Whilst no one material is radical by itself, the combination of low-energy materials creates a palette and series of spaces that at times can feel almost monastic. [Claire]