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Jul 19

“Architects becoming more cautious over future workloads” – RIBA Future Trends Survey

Posted in: Dezeen Wire, Do not show on the Homepage, RIBA Future Trends Survey

Dezeen Wire: the latest RIBA Future Trends Survey has shown that the majority of architects in the UK anticipate a decline in workload over the summer, particularly in the private housing sector.

The survey reports that London practices remain the most optimistic about future workloads, but that architects in the north of England and Northern Ireland expect a downturn in the coming months.

See past RIBA Future Trends Survey results here.

Read the full report from the RIBA below:

RIBA Future Trends Survey results for June 2012

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Future Trends Workload Index for June 2012 stands at +2, significantly down from +13 in the previous month. The positive upward trend that had been recorded this year has seen a reverse this month with architects becoming more cautious over future workloads.

The outlook across the UK remains mixed, with London the most optimistic region at +19, while the North of England and Northern Ireland at -19 and -25 respectively are the most pessimistic over levels of work for the next quarter.

The key element in the reduction in overall workload confidence is the private housing sector forecast which stands at -1 for June 2012, down from +16 in May 2012.

RIBA Director of Practice, Adrian Dobson said:

“Private housing has up until now remained the most resilient sector, supported by interest rates at historic lows, so the sharp decline in confidence for June could be a cause for concern if it continues.

“Unease about the private housing sector is driving down confidence amongst small practices. It may be a reflection of greater competition for housing work as other sectors continue to remain challenging, or an early indicator that the private housing sector is set to decline. The second scenario would strengthen calls from UK Construction for a more effective Government backed fiscal stimulus plan.”

Although the 2012 RIBA / Fees Bureau Employment and Earnings survey has shown some increase in architects’ earnings, the RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index for June remains consistent at -2 and we are yet to see any recovery in overall staffing levels.

In addition to the static staffing level, June 2012 saw the percentage of respondents reporting that they had personally been underemployed rise from 20% in May 2012 to 27%.

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future workloads” – RIBA Future Trends Survey appeared first on Dezeen.

Jul 19

Sugar Hill housing by Adjaye Associates

Posted in: Dezeen Wire

Dezeen Wire: work starts today on an affordable housing development in Harlem by architects Adjaye Associates.

The twelve-storey block will contain 124 apartments, a children’s museum and a nursery, and is scheduled for completion late next year.

See more stories about David Adjaye »

Here’s some more information from Adjaye Associates:

Adjaye Associates’ Sugar Hill housing project in Harlem breaks ground

Adjaye Associates’ Sugar Hill affordable housing scheme breaks ground today at a ceremony attended by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, community representatives, benefactors, elected officials and city and state commissioners. Located near the famed Coogan’s Bluff at West 155th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue on the border of West Harlem and Washington Heights, the scheme integrates a wide urban and cultural programme within a dark slab building that crowns a 76ft glass-and-terrazzo base.

Scheduled for completion in late 2013, the complex features 124 units of affordable housing, an early education centre for 100 pre-school children and their families, and the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, which was recently named the nation’s highest-ranking recipient of 2012 ArtPlace grants, awarded to transform communities through strategic investment in the arts. Adjaye Associates worked closely with the client, Broadway Housing Communities (BHC), and the local community to ensure the design is tied to its history, practical and aesthetic requirements, while complementing its surrounding environment of Gothic revival row-houses.

The 13-storey scheme steps back at the ninth floor to create a 10ft terrace and cantilever on opposite sides. The dark cladding is achieved with rose embossed pre-cast panels, which are inexpensive while achieving a textured, ornamental effect. Saw-toothed fenestration fans across both façades, referencing bay windows that are a common feature of the area. These windows also frame views of the Hudson River and the new Yankee Stadium. Terraces are placed on the roof, third and ninth floors. At the base of the building is the Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, while the second floor houses a 12,196 square feet, light filled day care centre and offices for BHC.

David Adjaye said:
“Sugar Hill represents a new social engagement, which is at the heart of my practice. It is a symbol of regeneration for the community of Harlem that will integrate housing with a cultural and educational element – this is a real reinvention of the traditional model and I am thrilled to see the project break ground.”

Ellen Baxter, Founder and Executive Director of BHC, said:
“Sugar Hill is the culmination of Broadway Housing Communities’ 30-year commitment to create opportunities to strengthen individuals, children and families, and communities with access to affordable housing, early childhood education and cultural opportunities – three integral components of a sustainable and vibrant community.”

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Adjaye Associates appeared first on Dezeen.

Jul 19

Rainbow Staircase

Posted in: allemagne, colorful, glaesker, horst, rainbow, stair

Rainbow Staircase est une création de l’artiste allemand Horst Gläsker qui a peint plus de 110 marches de couleurs à Wuppertal en Allemagne. L’artiste, spécialisé dans les créations colorées, a rajouté des mots décrivant les relations entre les êtres humains. Plus d’images de ce projet dans la suite.

Jul 19

Screenplay by Oyler Wu Collective

Posted in: Oyler Wu, rope

Architects Oyler Wu Collaborative wound more than 13,000 metres of rope through steel frames to create this screen wall for Dwell on Design 2012 in Los Angeles (+ movie).

From some angles the wall appears to be organised in a pattern, but from other directions the surface seems distorted and irregular.