Edge Insights: Weekly News in Architecture and Construction 📰
This week, we're shining a spotlight on the beauty of brick architecture, exploring innovations in mass timber and prescribing green spaces to your day!
Welcome back to another edition of Design Edge, your go-to source for the latest news, insights, and reports from the world of architecture.
This Week’s Top Highlights:
🧱 Building Dreams, One Brick at a Time: See the winning projects that showcase the timeless beauty and versatility of brick architecture. Read more.
🪵 Reaching New Heights with the Old Chestnut: BC Building Code changes to allow for higher mass timber buildings and more sustainable mass timber structures. Read more.
👻 Buildings Are Taking Ghosting To A New Level: Examining Project Abandonments Across the USA. Gain insights into the rising trend of project abandonments nationwide and its implications for the architectural industry. Read more.
Read Time: 7 Minutes
Prescribing Green Spaces 🌿 The vital impact of urban planning on our well-being.
Reflecting on last week's rise of sustainable architecture post, I'm reminded of the impact design can have on our communities and well-being. As designers, we hold a responsibility not only to create beautiful structures but also to prioritize the health of those who inhabit them.
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's a commitment to a greener, more equitable future.
For this week’s featured story, we dive into the intersection of medicine and architecture with insights from Stefano Capolongo, director of the Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. I’ll be specifically focusing on his latest article “When medicine meets architecture: why urban planning is key to promoting health and wellbeing”.
Capolongo focuses on 3 major key points:
The urgent need to address health issues within the context of our rapidly expanding cities.
Smarter technologies lead to happier and healthier cities.
Prioritizing inclusivity in our urban planning creates environments that support healthier, happier lives.
The Green Prescription 💊
One of the most compelling aspects of Capolongo's insights is his emphasis on the therapeutic power of green spaces. From parks and gardens to green roofs and walls, integrating nature into our cities offers a multitude of benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving air quality and encouraging physical activity.
Think about it like this: Have you ever gone somewhere close to nature or have been in an open space and immediately feel relaxed, at ease and happy? That’s what we’re aiming for ✅
As we strive to create cities that are truly livable for all, inclusivity must be at the forefront of our design considerations. Capolongo emphasizes the importance of barrier-free architecture and accessible infrastructure in ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or ability, can fully participate in urban life.
As architects and designers, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of our cities in ways that promote health, well-being, and sustainability. Capolongo's insights serve as a powerful reminder of the profound impact our work can have on the lives of millions.
Gaetano Pesce: A Visionary Architect Remembered for Bold Creativity
Gaetano Pesce passed away on April 7th, 2024, in Manhattan, USA, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
Pesce's career spanned six decades, characterized by a pursuit of innovation and a commitment to pushing boundaries. Hailing from Italy, Pesce emerged as a pivotal figure in the Radical Design movement, challenging norms and sparking dialogues within the design community.
Pioneering Works
Throughout his career, Pesce crafted a body of work that defied categorization and transcended boundaries. From furniture pieces like the UP5 chair to architectural concepts, his creations reflected an engagement with social and political issues.
A Legacy of Influence
Pesce's influence extended beyond his studio, permeating the global design landscape and inspiring practitioners with his vision. His works adorn prestigious museums worldwide, testaments to his impact on design culture.
Pesce's passing leaves a void in the world of design, but his legacy will continue to resonate, inspiring architects and designers to challenge conventions and shape a more vibrant built environment. Let us honour his memory by carrying forward the torch of creativity and imagination.