City of Subiaco unveils concept design for new civic building and gardens

Putting culture at the heart of regeneration. NRP’s Kate Tiernan FRSA recently attended ART IN THE CITY at Arnolfini for the launch of the Public Art and Cultural Activation Toolkit. The event, developed by Design West, Bristol City Council, We Made That, and Field Art Projects, featured a walk-and-talk format that brought the process to life, with insightful commentary from Theresa Bergne. Others who presented in the city tour included Jo Plimmer, Tabitha Clayson, the artist Oshii, Pete Insole, Mary-Helen Young Consulting and Michael Cowdy The toolkit is a significant step toward embedding creativity and community voice into the future of Bristol’s city centre and Frome Gateway. It provides a practical framework for developers, artists, and local groups to initiate and fund public art and cultural projects. Key highlights of the toolkit include: ✅ Project ideas at various investment levels, from quick wins to long-term ambitions. ✅Options for temporary and permanent artworks, artist-led design, and creative happenings. ✅Clear guidance to help developers, partners, artists, and communities collaborate effectively. ✅A focus on creating inclusive, vibrant, healthy, and sustainable places rooted in local voices and heritage. We believe in culture-led regeneration, and this toolkit is a powerful example of how cities can grow with creativity at their core. Credit to everyone involved in creating this valuable resource. Read more about Design West here: https://lnkd.in/g52Uhhh5 #DesignWest #Artworks #ArtistLedDesign #CulturalProjects

FINDING SPACE AND SOCIAL RETURN How to #makespace for urban growth with quality was the topic of a recent session for municipal professionals I was honoured to host. Themed '#RuimteZat!' (Sufficient Space!), based upon eleborate research by KAW architecten we dove into accomodating spatial and social improvements in the existing city weave, next to a minimum of 25% extra houses, without sealing open landscapes or nature areas in Gemeente Zaanstad. Being serious about co-authoring an urban development plan for a city comes with the responsibility to watch over it's realisation when you are a strategist or city architect. It's even more relevant when space is limited, and creating social return (#SROI) is a serious goal. In this quest we are happy as a team to invite inspiring experts that help motivate colleagues and partners within our executive training program #NieuwZaanstad. An exceptional contribution was the key note lecture of Reimar von Meding of KAW architecten earlier this week. We even had to move into a different location to fit in the growing audience, appropriately into the largest room in the city hall. The lecture is part of the excecutive training program set up by: Marc den Hertog, Lisa Schouten, Meike Westers, Hilde Bloemers, Frida Ruhulessin, Rianne Kleine Koerkamp and Lennart Graaff

How can housing be designed to stand the test of the future? At EXPO REAL, the Flexible Housing Exhibition brought together the urgent issue of affordable and sustainable living with creative solutions – from innovative construction projects and sustainable living models to transformative strategies. The need to refocus on construction and create more affordable housing was also emphasized by Federal Building Minister Verena Hubertz who highlighted that the market urgently requires innovative approaches to regain momentum and meet the growing demand. At the heart of the exhibition stood an iconic design element: the door 🚪 It symbolized that “Flexible Housing” is all about  movement, access and new perspectives. As a central element, it shaped the entire exhibition architecture and became a symbol of the potential of flexible living. The exhibition was accompanied by inspiring lectures and panel discussions on the Flexible Housing Stage, highlighting current trends and best practices. The curated #hashtags structured the content, emphasized key topics, and guided visitors through the discourse on sustainable living. #EXPOREAL #EXPOREAL2025 #realestate #flexiblehousing #tradefair

Islands of Design brings Belfast Design Week, One Bite Design Studio and Future Island-Island together to showcase creative projects and stories from the islands of Rathlin, Ireland and Hong Kong. Through the lenses of design, architecture and sustainability, they will share ideas on how islands could use design and creative thinking to innovate, collaborate and support people, places and our planet, and showcase projects from islands with populations of 150 people to those of 7.5 million people. A “pop-up design museum” of work from the Islands of Design projects will be shared in the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast and alongside this, talks by the 3 collaborators will share the stories of these islands of design. 📆 Launch: Tuesday November 18th 📆 Exhibition: Until Friday November 21st 📍Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, York Street, Belfast, BT15 1ED ⏰ 6pm - 8.30pm (launch) 🎟️ Free Design & Crafts Council Ireland Irish Design Week programme is now live: https://bit.ly/4o0wmZG belfastdesignweek.com #IrishDesignWeek2025 #IDW2025 #BelfastDesignWeek2025

KSS Architects has completed the renovation of The Newark Museum of Art’s Learning and Engagement Center, originally designed by Michael Graves in 1990. The reimagined South Wing space includes event venues, studios and classrooms that align with the museum’s broader campus revitalization plan. Spanning 6,000 square feet, the renovation opens previously hidden areas, improves vertical access and removes barriers to create a more inclusive, welcoming environment. The project supports NMOA’s ongoing mission to connect art, community and education through accessible, modern spaces. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-jgzwZP

“It’s ok to be a layer in the lasagne of history,” said Thomas Heatherwick in his talk on ‘How to be a good ancestor’ at Seoul Biennale’s Emotional City conference last month. Building something which only gets demolished a few years later produces an insane amount of carbon (the construction industry creates five times the amount of carbon than the aviation industry!), so how can we find imaginative ways to adapt existing buildings and use them for new things? Here are some great examples mentioned in the talk: 1. Fenix in Rotterdam by MAD, a museum which transforms a former dock warehouse. Image: Hufton + Crow 2. Hearst Headquarters in New York by Foster + Parters, a six storey Art Deco block which was always envisaged as the base for a tower – and now is. Image: Chuck Choi 3. The Port House in Antwerp by Zaha Hadid Architects, which repurposed, renovated and extended a derelict fire station into a new headquarters for the port. Image: Hufton + Crow 4. 378 West End Avenue in New York by COOKFOX Architects, restoring a former school and extending it inside and out into a new apartment building. Image: Chris Cooper 5. The WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth by Hassell and OMA, stitching together several older buildings to create a new cultural centre. Image: Peter Bennetts The talk is available to watch on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/efPDzX8N #adaptivereuse #demolitiondebate

The historic Hogg Memorial Auditorium at the University of Texas Austin has been renovated to meet modern safety, accessibility, and sustainability standards while preserving its original character. The project included upgraded acoustics, accessible seating, and the reintroduction of natural light, all within the building’s original footprint. This renovation achieved LEED Platinum certification by integrating energy-efficient systems and sustainable design practices. - Preservation of historic exterior and original footprint - Enhanced accessibility with ADA-compliant seating and restrooms - Installation of state-of-the-art A/V systems and sustainable mechanical upgrades This renovation sets a precedent for sustainable restoration of historic campus buildings, balancing heritage with modern needs. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dhp8sBgj #PRESWERX #TexasConstruction

Can design create places people truly belong? Few people understand the social impact of design quite like Dr. Helen Goodwin PhD. With a background in architecture and anthropology, Helen bridges design practice, planning, and policy to champion quality and equity in the built environment. Her Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) - funded research explored urban regeneration in London, examining how design processes and community engagement can foster identity, belonging, and long-term resilience in changing places. As Head of Programmes at Design South East, Helen works closely with local authorities, developers, design teams, and communities across London and the South East to support design quality through review, training, facilitation, and guidance. From complex regeneration projects to sensitive new developments, she is focused on delivering design ambition alongside genuine community benefit. Later this month, Helen joins Leanne Tritton Hon FRIBA, Simon Delahunty-Forrest, and Keith Bradley at the first RIBA West Midlands 4x4 Debate Series, proudly supported by EH Smith Architectural Solutions. Together, they’ll explore whether Birmingham is still building – and communicating – its best. Is the city’s cautious approach a sign of quiet confidence or a symptom of lost ambition? What would it take to put Birmingham back on the national stage – not just through its buildings, but through the stories they tell? 📍: EH Smith Design Centre, Birmingham, B5 6ET 📅: Thursday 30 October 2025 🕕: 6pm – 8pm 🎟️: https://bit.ly/46E4Ha0 The RIBA West Midlands 4x4 Debate Series brings together provocative thinkers from across the built environment to challenge assumptions and inspire new ideas. Come and hear from the voices shaping the next chapter of Birmingham’s story. Shauna Bradley | Rachel Webster | Matt Blakeley | Daniel Stanyard #RIBA #RIBAWestMidlands #ArchitectureDebate #BirminghamEvents #DesignQuality #UrbanDesign #BuiltEnvironment #4x4DebateSeries #Birmingham #Leadership #Architecture

Mixed-use development continues to play a key role in building more vibrant, inclusive urban communities. In Commercial Property Executive, Diana Mosher spoke with our very own Woody Hanson about current trends and how design can support more purposeful, people-centered places. 📌 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/giBp5tN9 

“The future of sports architecture is to see these assets as public, for public activities and public good.” – Hamish Lyon, Director, NH Architecture. As the home of the Australian Open, Melbourne Park shows how design can create legacy well beyond the event itself. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, NH Architecture’s transformation of this iconic precinct demonstrates that the most successful venues are those that stay open to everyone, every day of the year. 🔗 Read more of Hamish’s thoughts on reframing sports architecture for public good on our website → https://lnkd.in/gkXX86RY #NHArchitecture #MelbournePark #Brisbane2032