Raffaele Esposito

Master of Architecture students from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment have unveiled bold proposals for the future of Peterhead, developed in collaboration with Aberdeenshire Council as part of the Local Development Plan 2029. From reimagined waterfronts to community-focused public spaces, the designs were showcased last week at Peterhead Town House, sparking fresh conversations on how the town can evolve to meet future social, cultural and environmental needs. Read more ▶️ https://bit.ly/41WJKFY Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment - Robert Gordon University | Aberdeenshire Council

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How can we facilitate more retrofit and reuse projects across London? What factors have informed the city’s best existing adaptations? Why is reuse fundamental to London's economic growth? Having recently contributed to the NLA report: 'Adaptive London: Reusing Existing Buildings', Director Ruth Oates joins a range of stakeholders from across the built environment in calling for a retro-first approach to building in London. From clarifying the many terms that have come to be associated with reuse to understanding the nuances of policy and hearing from the people designing and delivering some of London's most ambitious projects, this latest report makes a compelling case for the 'art of building reuse' in 2025. Read 'Adaptive London: Reusing Existing Buildings' here: https://loom.ly/IGJ4X6A #AdaptiveReuse #NLANetZero #ProjectManagers #ProjectManagement #London

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Twelve New Towns - what we need to do to get ready for this. We are all seeing a flurry of articles around the announcement of twelve new towns across England - some as new settlements, some urban extensions and possibly some brownfield regeneration sites in the mix. Although encouraging news for our industry, it is also a mammoth task to mobilise this mission at a time of high taxes, high costs and mass supply chain issues. As placemakers, it is imperative for us to understand how best we can shape these places for our communities, in what we know is one of the most challenging times, given we are also facing a Climate Emergency. In some news, there is also reference to following the principles of the ‘Poundbury Model’ - and this I’m sure will be worrying for many out there. We need places that can adapt, are resilient and built to demonstrate flexibility - not constrained by strict design coding which lends these places to look like another new  “toy town” in the making. Simplifying designs to create new contemporary models of living and blended buildings which can adapt to modern day living and changing needs will be essential. I would argue that the issue of density must be interrogated, if these towns are to support good public transport and not be car centric, low sprawling densities of 38-45 dph are not going to work. Pushing for higher, gentle densities and tighter grain of settlements on the edges of our towns and cities will work well to create comfortable and human centric places. This also supports local economies at a range of scales and creates thriving environments. How we build will be critical - MMC? CLT? Hemp? Are we growing materials locally to supply for this stock of new housing and development? Thinking big around energy, renewables and waste management ahead of these coming to fruition will be essential. Malmo, Freiburg and Hammarby are of their time, but nearby examples to reflect on - start with the sustainability strategy first….designs and places will need to build on these approaches, attracting a new sustainable way of living. How we engage with our communities will be key. Britain’s populations in many outer locations still believe in the “one house one plot and three cars parked in the front garden” dream. We are not privileged in any way, any more to live like this. How we embrace and adapt to higher density living, can be better understood through good co- design with local communities. Are we also on a threshold to adopt new types of tenures? Is home ownership the ultimate goal for all and should it be? As an architect and urban designer who is constantly grappling with the idea of how best to radicalise our approach to building better, and for good future growth - I’ve pinned a few of my random thoughts on an IPad sketch here. We are in a period of great flux, what we need are Bold and Big Ideas that will challenge the old norm and help us innovate…only will such ideas take us forward!

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