Dr Joe Jack Williams, Researcher at FCBStudios, will be participating in a seminar and panel discussion at the CIBSE Build 2 Perform Exhibition examining what good building performance looks like in a school.

This session will examine what building performance is in schools, framing school building design against the changing regulations, reducing budgets, and changing educational visions.

Short presentations will also be given by Helen Taylor, Director of Practice, Scott Brownrigg, Dr Matthew Bray, Commercial Director, Breathing Buildings, Esfandiar Burman, Lecturer in Building Performance, UCL and Jeremy Climas, Schools Sector Champion, Max Fordham, followed by a panel discussion, to evaluate what they see as the performance of buildings.

Dr Joe Jack Williams, Researcher, FCBStudios and Jeremy Climas, Schools Champion, Max Fordham will be presenting a joint case study on the ventilation design and performance in use of Thomas Gainsborough School at the 2018 Education Estates Conference.

Thomas Gainsborough School was completed in early 2016 and in May of 2017 FCBStudios collaborated with UCL to go back and assess how the school was performing in terms of draughts, thermal comfort and air quality.

The case study will present the aims and constraints of the design for ventilation strategy and the solution arrived at in terms of window design and cross ventilation, before going on to present the evidence of how well it worked in practice and how the reality compared to the modelling.

In 2016, FCBStudios completed a transformation of the 1960s steel and concrete Richmond Building for The University of Bristol. The Student Union Building is now a welcoming, accessible and environmentally efficient home to cultural and performance events and a teaching, study and social hub for the University.

For Bristol Open Doors, architects from FCBStudios will be leading tours of the modernist building in Clifton Conservation area on Friday 14 September.

For one weekend a year, Bristol Open Doors gives you the keys to the city. Discover heritage spaces, forgotten places and innovative design. Opening 101 fascinating buildings and uncovering their secrets through expert-led tours, the festival celebrates the city’s architecture, heritage and design. Bristol Open Doors is brought to you by the Architecture Centre.

Bristol Open Doors 2018 runs 14-16 September.

"This is high density housing at its very best… The whole scheme is about relationships: between architect and developer / contractor / client; between three very different firms of architects; and between private and public external spaces"  Stirling Prize judges, 2008

Ten years after Accordia won the Stirling Prize, the highest accolade in British Architecture, RIBA East returns to the housing scheme to consider its success and the project's impact on housing both locally and nationally.

FCBStudios Partner Mike Keys will join Richard Lavington: Maccreanor Lavington, Michael Woodford: Alison Brooks Architects Tom Foggin, RIBA East Chair and Peter Studdert, Head of Planning, in a walking tour of Accordia.

FCBStudios has pledged to join Cycle to Work Day Wednesday 15 August 2018. Alongside our regular cycle commuters, fair-weather cyclists and new converts will join together in pedalling to work. 

2018 is the sixth anniversary of the event celebrating everyday cycling. Last year 25% of the FCBStudios staff got on their bikes to get to the studio, site or meeting and we are hoping to improve on that this year. 

Cyclists at FCBStudios can look forward to a healthy breakfast on arrival at work, from 'Vitaliser Veggie Bagels' to fruity porridge, taking full advantage of the health benefits of cycling to work. 

The original ‘making’ workshop returns for 2018. The 3-day workshop explores the testing of ideas through making at 1:1 and is open to all – architects, students and any other interested participants.

This year, it is being held in the Wyre Forest, a 150 acre woodland in Worcestershire.

The workshop is organised by Invisible Studio and leaders include Peter Clegg and Akos Juhasz (FCBStudios), Kate Darby and Meredith Bowles (MOLE Architects), Je Ahn (Studio Weave), Gianni Botsford (Architecture 00), Piers Taylor (Invisible Studio) and others. 

For more details visit invisiblestudio.org/sitw

Photo by Niall McLaughlin.

Work is well underway at Bath Spa University’s new art and design campus on Locksbrook Road to convert the Grade II listed former Herman Miller furniture factory designed by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw in the 1970s. As an iconic new art school space is created, Bath Spa University have brought together a distinguished panel of architects, contractors, educators and students to reflect on best practice in art and design school architecture and its impact.

Keynote speakers include Andy Theobald, FCBStudios, Steve Ziger, Ziger/Snead Architects (USA), Ben Heath Grimshaw and Richard James, Wilmott Dixon.

Part 2: Perspectives on Buildings Designed for Art & Design Education - Educators & Students

FCBStudios Partner, Keith Bradley will be participating in the Housing Design Awards 2018 seminar ‘…and Breathe’

NHS England has tasked homebuilders to support better health outcomes. What that means, whether encouraging outdoor activity or providing communal features so those making a home in new developments avoid isolation, will be clarified in guidance later this year.

FCBStudios Partner Keith Bradley and CEG Development Director Jon Kenny will present a case study of Kirkstall Forge, a new neighbourhood on the fringe of Leeds which proposes proposes more than 1,000 new homes and 30,000 sqm of commercial spaces around a new rail link and riverside destination composed of recreation facilities. With a clear design emphasis on health and wellbeing in the brief, How does Kirkstall Forge deliver on the health agenda?

Collaborative By Nature is celebrating 20 years of collaboration with landscape architects Grant Associates, communication design studio Thomas.Matthews and architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The exhibition will showcase projects shared since 1997 when the three studios first met on The Earth Centre.

Collaborative by Nature will feature global work by all three studios, which share a common belief in collaboration, sustainability and a passion for the natural environment.

Projects featured include Singapore’s highly acclaimed Gardens by the Bay, the Stirling Prize-winning Accordia housing development in Cambridge and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The exhibition also highlights ongoing environmental campaigns. ‘Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean’ an initiative to create awareness about, and combat the negative impact of plastic marine waste. Grant Associates is meanwhile working with FCBStudios, Buro Happold and Bristol Zoological Society to help preserve the habitat of Madagascar’s threatened blue-eyed black lemur.

Collaborative by Nature runs on weekdays between 9am and 5.30pm from 4-27 July, coinciding with the London Festival of Architecture. 

Making places for education, innovation and health

New London Architecture’s latest Insight Study, Knowledge Capital, examines the transformation of London’s education and medical sector estate. As the population grows, the capital continues to pioneer new technology and ground-breaking design to deliver enhanced teaching, research and health service facilities for all Londoners.

This research investigates the current scale and nature of development in the education and health sector, focusing on universities, colleges, campuses, research centres, incubators, innovation centres, hospitals and clinics, identifying the key districts of growth in London, the East and the South East regions and the factors influencing and supporting their location.

As major landowners and placemakers in London, we look at the role these estates play in shaping the wider city and the potential they hold to help solve the housing crisis, create better places for Londoners and provide opportunities for the emergence and growth of smaller start-up industries and bodies.

How are universities, hospitals and research institutions adjusting and adapting to new technologies, changing trends in working and the increasing need for co-location of functions? What role is London’s leading built environment sector playing in the creation and regeneration of successful, sustainable and cutting-edge research, teaching and medical estates?

What lessons can London learn from international cities to maintain its position as a leading global centre of research and innovation? How can the London, Cambridge, Oxford triangle better work together to achieve the wider regional planning ambitions? What effect will Brexit have and what steps must be taken now to future-proof the sector and estate?

Included in the exhibition and publication are a number of FCBStudios projects including St Mary’s Hospital Outpatients Building, the University of Roehampton Library, Mildmay and Cambridge BioMasterplan

A display of brutalist architecture for both children and adults offers an insight into the history of brutalism and how the Southbank's  recently refurbished 1960s buildings came to be.

Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery are both notable examples of brutalist buildings. 50 years on, this style of architecture continues to excite and divide the public.

The display in the archive studio at the Royal Festival Hall showcases the creative responses made by the children from Ashmore Primary School in Lambeth alongside archive material of the buildings.

It is accompanied by an audio description by FCBStudios architect Richard Battye entitled 'What is brutalism?'

What We Do Here is a film, sponsored by FCBStudios, which explores how aspiring architects at Manchester School of Architecture approach various stages of modelmaking as they grapple with materials, methods and machines to ultimately reveal the ways in which the models inform their individual growth and understanding. In addition to this it examines the ways that staff integrate practical making into their requirements for student assignments and within their own research projects. A preview trailer can be viewed here.

The film will premiere as part of 16th International Venice Architecture Biennale Sessions at the Venice Arsenale on June 29th. The screening will be followed by presentations and a discussion on the importance of modelmaking making in design by FCBStudios Partner Simon Doody, and furniture maker Hugh Miller, and chaired by Professor Tom Jefferies Head of Manchester School of Architecture. 

The film will then take up a 5 month residence at Palazzo Bembo as part of the TIME SPACE EXISTENCE Collateral Biennale exhibition. What We Do Here will be screened on repeat during all opening hours at Palazzo Bembo near the famous Rialto Bridge.

Following on from the Discussion and Debate in February, the HEDQF conference will consider the design of universities in challenging and uncertain times with ever-changing societal, economic, political and technological changes affecting learning and research.

Based primarily in Senate House, University of London, the conference will also include events in two new projects nearby, the Paul Webley Wing at SOAS and the new Bartlett School at UCL.

There is an exciting line up of speakers, an interactive workshop, a debate with a difference, and an evening reception at the Bartlett. For the full programme click here.

The SPACES Study Day 2018 will be hosted by Mike Shaw, President of SPACES and Professor Tom Jefferies, Head of Manchester School of Architecture at the Manchester School of Architecture on Friday 15th June.

This year’s study day theme is ‘Collaboration in the Public Sector’. Throughout the day the relevance and importance of ‘Collaborative Working’ will be explored and how it enables all parties involved on a project to efficiently and effectively deliver client outcomes, including value for money. Supported by key speakers/organisations and case studies, including Joe Jack Williams, researcher at FCBStudios, the day will explore the theme from different perspectives.

Confirmed sponsors for the day are: Atkins, Bryden Wood, Faithful+Gould, IES, Mace, Pick Everard and Willmott Dixon. 

The day before there will be a tour of a local building, followed by networking and dinner at the Whitworth Gallery.

Information on the 2017 Study Day can be found here.

Our existence is enlivened every waking moment by a symphony of stimuli from people, objects, building spaces, task interest and Nature. This rich array of inputs to the mind and body generates the multi-sensory experience which can colour and enrich the environment for people to live and work in. Like in music the notes of melodies, harmonies and rhythms magically combine in a myriad ways to inspire the mind so too in multi-sensory design which weaves a tapestry and diversity of experience for people to flourish in.

This seminar reviews the research but then shows how multisensory design can be achieved in practice to achieve healthy and wellbeing spaces.

Chaired by
Prof. Derek Clements-Croome, CIBSE Intelligent Buildings Group

‘Sensory Flow – How do you feel?’
Valerie Mace, University of the Arts London

‘Sensory mapping’
Kay Pallaris, Mapping Futures Ltd.

‘Sensewalking in a heritage city: the Canterbury tales’
Carolina Vasilikou, University of Reading Architecture

‘Capturing the visual using an Interactive Space Analysis Tool'
Joe Jack Williams, FCBStudios

Image by Mena Shah, Mapping Futures

A half day conference exploring the next era of city growth, through innovative design, strong communities and 21st century connectivity.

U+I’s plans for the 24-acre Mayfield site will be used as a platform for wider debate, examining how place making and a strong sense of shared public-private purpose can deliver economic and social benefits for cities by creating a dynamic mix of occupiers for both homes and offices, with innovative workspaces, thriving leisure and retail, and well-loved public realm.

The event, set in Fairfield Social Club within the Mayfield arches, will be a provocative discussion where key players in the regeneration and design industries, including FCBStudios Partner, Sara Grohmann, will engage with entrepreneurs and policy-makers on the issues facing UK cities, with critical thinking on how to shape the next phase of city growth by using best practice from the UK and beyond.

The event will be a mix of panels, presentations, and ‘in conversation with’ interviews, from:

• Matthew Weiner, chief executive, U+I Plc
• Richard Upton, deputy chief executive, U+I Plc
• Joanne Roney, chief executive, Manchester City Council
• Stephen O’Malley, founding director, Civic Engineers
• David West, founding partner, Studio Egret West
• Catherine Dewar, planning director, Historic England
• Sara Grohmann, partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
• Tom Walker, partner, Gillespies
• Joanna Rowelle, director, city planning, Arup
• Tom Younger, head of cities, Uber
• Professor Cathy Parker, chair of the Institute of Place Management, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Steve Oliver, founder, Music Magpie
• Jonathan Downey, founder, London Union
• Dave Haslam, DJ
• Sarah James, membership development officer, Civic Voice

The event will be chaired by Jessica Middleton-Pugh, editor of Place North West.

Collaborative By Nature is celebrating 20 years of collaboration with landscape architects Grant Associates, communication design studio Thomas.Matthews and architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The exhibition will showcase projects shared since 1997 when the three studios first met on The Earth Centre.

Collaborative by Nature will feature global work by all three studios, which share a common belief in collaboration, sustainability and a passion for the natural environment.

Projects featured include Singapore’s highly acclaimed Gardens by the Bay, the Stirling Prize-winning Accordia housing development in Cambridge and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The exhibition also highlights ongoing environmental campaigns. ‘Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean’ an initiative to create awareness about, and combat the negative impact of plastic marine waste. Grant Associates is meanwhile working with FCBStudios, Buro Happold and Bristol Zoological Society to help preserve the habitat of Madagascar’s threatened blue-eyed black lemur.

Collaborative by Nature runs on weekdays between 9am and 5.30pm from 4-27 July, coinciding with the London Festival of Architecture. 

Making places for education, innovation and health

New London Architecture’s latest Insight Study, Knowledge Capital, examines the transformation of London’s education and medical sector estate. As the population grows, the capital continues to pioneer new technology and ground-breaking design to deliver enhanced teaching, research and health service facilities for all Londoners.

This research investigates the current scale and nature of development in the education and health sector, focusing on universities, colleges, campuses, research centres, incubators, innovation centres, hospitals and clinics, identifying the key districts of growth in London, the East and the South East regions and the factors influencing and supporting their location.

As major landowners and placemakers in London, we look at the role these estates play in shaping the wider city and the potential they hold to help solve the housing crisis, create better places for Londoners and provide opportunities for the emergence and growth of smaller start-up industries and bodies.

How are universities, hospitals and research institutions adjusting and adapting to new technologies, changing trends in working and the increasing need for co-location of functions? What role is London’s leading built environment sector playing in the creation and regeneration of successful, sustainable and cutting-edge research, teaching and medical estates?

What lessons can London learn from international cities to maintain its position as a leading global centre of research and innovation? How can the London, Cambridge, Oxford triangle better work together to achieve the wider regional planning ambitions? What effect will Brexit have and what steps must be taken now to future-proof the sector and estate?

Included in the exhibition and publication are a number of FCBStudios projects including St Mary’s Hospital Outpatients Building, the University of Roehampton Library, Mildmay and Cambridge BioMasterplan

A display of brutalist architecture for both children and adults offers an insight into the history of brutalism and how the Southbank's  recently refurbished 1960s buildings came to be.

Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery are both notable examples of brutalist buildings. 50 years on, this style of architecture continues to excite and divide the public.

The display in the archive studio at the Royal Festival Hall showcases the creative responses made by the children from Ashmore Primary School in Lambeth alongside archive material of the buildings.

It is accompanied by an audio description by FCBStudios architect Richard Battye entitled 'What is brutalism?'

Sara Grohmann will be presenting FCBStudios' work for St Mary’s Hospital at the Knowledge Capital Conference. This half-day conference, explores the transformation of London’s education and health estate, major campus expansions, relocations and reconfigurations. 

What does the campus of the future look like? What effect is the need for greater collaboration and mix of functions having on the design and delivery of estates across London? Where are major new districts and hubs emerging? What is driving the location of these districts, and what role do they play in the wider development and delivery of these areas in terms of housing, workspace and culture? 

Other presenters will include:
Julian Robinson, Estates Director, LSE 
Ralph Luck, Real Estate Development Director, ‎King's College London 
Jenny Hancock, Creative Director, The Howard de Walden Estate
Sarah Haywood, Chief Executive Officer, MedCity 
Dr Patricia Martin del Guayo, Architect, Shepheard Epstein Hunter
Juliette Morgan, Head of Campus, British Land
Peter Murray, Chairman, New London Architecture (Chair)
David Lewis, Partner, NBBJ 
Rob Partridge, Director, AKT II 

This event forms part of the wider Knowledge Capital programme which will launch in May 2018 with a major research publication, exhibition and series of associated events. 

Making places for education, innovation and health

New London Architecture’s latest Insight Study, Knowledge Capital, examines the transformation of London’s education and medical sector estate. As the population grows, the capital continues to pioneer new technology and ground-breaking design to deliver enhanced teaching, research and health service facilities for all Londoners.

This research investigates the current scale and nature of development in the education and health sector, focusing on universities, colleges, campuses, research centres, incubators, innovation centres, hospitals and clinics, identifying the key districts of growth in London, the East and the South East regions and the factors influencing and supporting their location.

As major landowners and placemakers in London, we look at the role these estates play in shaping the wider city and the potential they hold to help solve the housing crisis, create better places for Londoners and provide opportunities for the emergence and growth of smaller start-up industries and bodies.

How are universities, hospitals and research institutions adjusting and adapting to new technologies, changing trends in working and the increasing need for co-location of functions? What role is London’s leading built environment sector playing in the creation and regeneration of successful, sustainable and cutting-edge research, teaching and medical estates?

What lessons can London learn from international cities to maintain its position as a leading global centre of research and innovation? How can the London, Cambridge, Oxford triangle better work together to achieve the wider regional planning ambitions? What effect will Brexit have and what steps must be taken now to future-proof the sector and estate?

Included in the exhibition and publication are a number of FCBStudios projects including St Mary’s Hospital Outpatients Building, the University of Roehampton Library, Mildmay and Cambridge BioMasterplan

4x4 is a series of ‘TED-talk’ style events exploring the cities and urban places where we are increasingly choosing to build our lives. Held on four consecutive Wednesdays in May each event will feature four diverse and interesting speakers, followed by a lively audience debate.

Sponsored by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, this year 4x4 explores the city in a state of flux. Cities have always been whirlwinds of metamorphosis, evolving minute by minute in a frenzy of innovation and destruction. Are we exhilarated by the acceleration, or would we like to put the brakes on and take a more leisurely and considered route into the future? Is the direction of change ultimately positive? Who are the winners and losers in this process and what role do we all play? Are we passive citizens, standing still as the city moves and grows around us, or can we shape the city to meet our ever-changing needs? In these centres of constant change, how do we come together and make lasting connections?

A display of brutalist architecture for both children and adults offers an insight into the history of brutalism and how the Southbank's  recently refurbished 1960s buildings came to be.

Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery are both notable examples of brutalist buildings. 50 years on, this style of architecture continues to excite and divide the public.

The display in the archive studio at the Royal Festival Hall showcases the creative responses made by the children from Ashmore Primary School in Lambeth alongside archive material of the buildings.

It is accompanied by an audio description by FCBStudios architect Richard Battye entitled 'What is brutalism?'

The AJ Small Projects Awards, launched in 1996, celebrate completed projects with a contract value of £250,000 and under. It recognises smaller schemes that have been completed by a UK-based architect either in the UK or abroad.

‘From home extensions to restaurants, offices to shops, architects all over the country are busy working on projects that may not make the headlines but nevertheless give a real indication of the design talent in Britain today.'

The exhibition opens to the public on 19 April and features design boards and models of the 20 shortlisted projects, showcasing schemes which show a commitment to quality and creative design. 

A display of brutalist architecture for both children and adults offers an insight into the history of brutalism and how the Southbank's  recently refurbished 1960s buildings came to be.

Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery are both notable examples of brutalist buildings. 50 years on, this style of architecture continues to excite and divide the public.

The display in the archive studio at the Royal Festival Hall showcases the creative responses made by the children from Ashmore Primary School in Lambeth alongside archive material of the buildings.

It is accompanied by an audio description by FCBStudios architect Richard Battye entitled 'What is brutalism?'

The AJ Small Projects Awards, launched in 1996, celebrate completed projects with a contract value of £250,000 and under. It recognises smaller schemes that have been completed by a UK-based architect either in the UK or abroad.

‘From home extensions to restaurants, offices to shops, architects all over the country are busy working on projects that may not make the headlines but nevertheless give a real indication of the design talent in Britain today.'

The exhibition opens to the public on 19 April and features design boards and models of the 20 shortlisted projects, showcasing schemes which show a commitment to quality and creative design. 

Kirkstall Forge have invited The Guardian architecture critic Oliver Wainwright and FCBStudios Partner Keith Bradley to join the latest Different by Design event at Kirkstall Forge to discuss their experience of good design and the evolution of architecture and housing design.

This exclusive event will take place on Wednesday 18th April at Number One, Kirkstall Forge from 5.45pm – 8pm with drinks and refreshments served in our very own bar/restaurant Butler’s.

We will also be sharing some images of the first phase of Kirkstall Forge housing on the evening.

All ticket proceeds will go to St George's Crypt, homeless charity in Leeds.

Step into a world of care, craftsmanship and bravery, illuminating the original hopes for Southbank Centre’s 1960s buildings and the legacy that thrives today.

Concrete Dreams Exhibition celebrates the reopening of Southbank Centre’s brutalist buildings with an exclusive glimpse into the world of the performer.

Join a free backstage tour to discover the rich history and behind-the-scenes secrets of the venues through installations, audio-visual content and previously unseen archives, including FCBStudios architectural models and Architect Richard Battye’s photographs documenting the renewal of the buildings.

Entering through Queen Elizabeth Hall Artists’ Entrance, audiences follow in the footsteps of legendary artists who performed on these stages at the start of their careers in the swinging 60s, with a soundscape roll call from Pink Floyd to Cleo Laine and Daniel Barenboim.

After collecting stage passes, visitors are given rare backstage access, travelling through the working Scene Dock, visiting the Artists’ Lounge, experiencing pre-concert jitters in the dressing rooms and ending on a surprise finale.

Concrete Dreams Exhibition is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, and designed by innovative theatre company Klanghaus and design practice LYN Atelier.

Peter Clegg will be speaking at, and participating in, the 2018 Deerubbin Weekend. 

The weekend is organised by Architecture Foundation Australia and will follow the theme of DenCITY + CommUNITY. 'Good people and good architecture - all together'

+ a 'conference' about cities, how we live there, how we can create communities - looking at precedents and possibilities for better urban housing - 'density with love' ?

+ a residential weekend on the beautiful Milson Island on the Hawkesbury River north of Sydney. Speakers and participants stay at the Milson Island Sport and Recreation Centre. Accommodation and meals provided and included in the conference fee.

FCBStudios founder Peter Clegg is the guest lecturer for the 2018 Futuna Lecture Series

Peter will give three public lectures in New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington), speaking about his work using recent projects to demonstrate the philosophy and vision that underpins his architectural practice.

Wednesday 7 March: University of Auckland School of Engineering, Auckland
Thursday 8 March:     St. Andrew’s College Chapel, Christchurch  
Saturday 11 March:   Futuna Chapel in Karori, Wellington 

Futuna Chapel is generally regarded as one of the most significant New Zealand buildings of the 20th century.  It won the New Zealand Institute of Architect’s gold medal in 1968, and the 25 year award in 1986.  The Chapel’s architect, John Scott, was posthumously awarded a NZIA Gold Meal for Enduring Architecture in 1999. The Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust  conserve the Futuna Chapel and aim to make it available on a regulated basis to the public now and into the future.

The Futuna Lecture Series is the largest annual fundraising event for the Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust – and is sponsored by Dulux NZ, Metalcraft Roofing, The Warren Trust, the Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington branches of the NZIA and Plytech.

Sam Tyler, Partner at FCBStudios, will join a panel of leading architects and designers for the annual RSUA Architecture Society Design Conference. The half day conference will be a discussion and exploration into the factors that influence form at the various scales within architecture and design. They will posit the role and process of form-making in various aspects of design, including sculpture, product design and architecture at a room, building and city scale.

Also participating will be: Sebastian Conran, Sebastian Conran Associates; Jessica McGarry, McGarry-Moon Architects; Hugo Nowell, Urban Initiatives Studios; Artur Carulla, Allies and Morrison; and Gail Mahon, artist and independent cultural producer.

Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that in our homes, the impact of buildings on our health is huge.

As well as the obvious need for fresh air and daylight, the buildings in which we live, work and play also impact upon our social interactions, our access to open space, and our ability to get involved in our communities.

Through this exhibition we look at a number of projects by FCBStudios that illustrate how we help preserve healthy, social and working environments, showcasing how good design makes a difference to people’s lives.

Campus 2049 is a panel discussion organised by HEDQF exploring how technology, politics, teaching methods and new generations of students will shape the campus of the future.

Peter Clegg, Partner at FCBStudios, will join the panel for an evening of informative discussion by industry experts from a range of backgrounds looking into what will the campus of the future be? What are the students looking for when deciding on choosing their establishment? How as key industry stakeholders can we be at the forefront of change in the ever more internationally competitive market?

Following the opening of our exhibition; Architecture for Health and Wellbeing, we invite you to join us for six short provocative presentations followed by open discussion on how design influences our lives (without us noticing).

Chaired by Ian Taylor, Managing Partner, FCBStudios

Spatial cognition and navigation
Fiona Zisch, Architect, Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Innsbruck, the Bartlett School of Architecture and the University of Westminster.

Health impacts of the places in which we live, learn, and work
Dr. Marcella Ucci, Senior Lecturer in Environmental and Healthy Buildings at the UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, within The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, UCL

Breathing landscape
Chris Churchman, Founder and Director, Churchman Landscape Architects

Pushing the boundaries of Healthcare Architecture
Hester Brough, Associate, FCBStudios

Is happiness a driver for change?
Pooran Desai, OBE, Co-founder, Bioregional

Soundscape creation: towards a comfortable, happy and healthy space
Professor Jian Kang, Professor of Acoustics at UCL

Click here for full speaker biographies

Join us on the 15^th of February at 6.00pm to find out how to get involved in the London Energy Transformation Initiative in 2018 and to have your say about the Mayor’s draft London Plan.

Last year the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) formed to influence the draft London Plan and London Environment strategy, we had a hugely successful year bringing together over 170 diverse construction industry professionals to develop collaborative policy proposals for a zero-emissions London, click here for the latest report.

The LETI 2018 workstream launch will showcase what LETI has planned for 2018 and how to get involved, details will be provided on:

London plan consultation
-          Outputs from the LETI consultation workshop at City Hall
-          Consultation workshop summary report launch
-          How to have your say about the draft London plan

How to get involved with the other LETI 2018 workstreams
-          Leading by example: developing a standard LETI appendix for energy statements
-          Advancing Net Zero: Developing a Zero carbon framework with the UKGBC

LETI legacy - peer reviewing, design review role etc

Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that in our homes, the impact of buildings on our health is huge.

As well as the obvious need for fresh air and daylight, the buildings in which we live, work and play also impact upon our social interactions, our access to open space, and our ability to get involved in our communities.

Through this exhibition we look at a number of projects by FCBStudios that illustrate how we help preserve healthy, social and working environments, showcasing how good design makes a difference to people’s lives.

Built environment cultural organisations and initiatives offer Build Up members many opportunities for us to engage and collaborate with our wider sectors and the public.

Please join us at FCBStudios London for this knowledge sharing event where you will be able to hear from representatives from a number of these organisations – including London Festival of Architecture, London Design Festival and The Architecture Foundation - telling us about what is up-and-coming within their 2018 programmes. We will end with a short session with contributors considering best ways to gain communications ‘value’ through engagement with these kinds of initiatives.

The Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF) are hosting a visit to Roehampton University.

The visit will include presentations on the recent projects, the University’s Masterplan, a panel discussion on the changing role of student accommodation in university life and visits to recent projects including student residences designed by MJP Architects, Chadwick Hall designed by Henley HaleBrown, and the new Library designed by FCBStudios.

Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that in our homes, the impact of buildings on our health is huge.

As well as the obvious need for fresh air and daylight, the buildings in which we live, work and play also impact upon our social interactions, our access to open space, and our ability to get involved in our communities.

Through this exhibition we look at a number of projects by FCBStudios that illustrate how we help preserve healthy, social and working environments, showcasing how good design makes a difference to people’s lives.

Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that in our homes, the impact of buildings on our health is huge.

As well as the obvious need for fresh air and daylight, the buildings in which we live, work and play also impact upon our social interactions, our access to open space, and our ability to get involved in our communities.

Through this exhibition we look at a number of projects by FCBStudios that illustrate how we help preserve healthy, social and working environments, showcasing how good design makes a difference to people’s lives.

The Engineering Club present: The User Group.

The User Group provides a forum for those working in 3D parametric design to listen to guest speakers and share their experiences. An event for those who have undertaken the Open The Black Box course but also those with working experience of using parametric design tools who wish to extend their network of expertise.

Guest presenters will include:

Robert Aish - Visiting Professor of Design Computation at The Bartlett School, UCL
Richard Maddock - Specialist Modelling Group at Foster+Partners
Paul Jeffries - Computational Design Lead at Ramboll
Alessandro Felder - Royal Veterinary College
Cecilie Brandt-Olsen - BIG engineering

John Southall and Ian Taylor will present Spreehalle Berlin and the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka at the World Architecture Festival 2017.

Spreehalle is the regeneration of the former AEG Kabelwerk industrial buildings to create a community of live/work ateliers on the River Spree. The series of ateliers in the existing main halls retain the aesthetic of ‘raw space’ for artists, creative users and small businesses to fit out as required. The insertion of a new central courtyard between the linear halls provides a communal outdoor space, away from the more public exterior, for collaboration and enjoyment. The project has been shortlisted in the ‘New & Old – Completed Buildings’ category.

Aga Khan Academy Dhaka is a 1200 student school with residential facilities on a 20ha site in Bangladesh. The Aga Khan Academies are a new network of 18 schools across Africa, the Middle East and Central and South Asia, which focus on providing an international standard of education and strong leadership experience to talented students, regardless of socioeconomic background and supporting long-term national and regional development by nurturing future home-grown leaders. The Academy has been shortlisted in the ‘Education - Future Projects’ category.

Both projects will be presented to an international jury and world architecture community at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin, 15-17 November 2017.

Keith Bradley was a shortlisting judge and will be chairing the judging panel for the Housing category.

In 1985 the BBC Omnibus Programme devoted an hour of prime-time viewing to the planning inquiry into the demolition of the Victorian Mappin and Webb building at Bank intersection in the City of London, and its proposed replacement by a tower and plaza by Mies van der Rohe. Today, planning inquiries are less frequent and much less newsworthy: what does this tell us about changing attitudes to conservation?

A screening of the original film will be followed by a discussion between participants at the time and current conservation practitioners including Terry Farrell, Robert Thorne, Jenny Freeman and Sophie Andreae. 

The event is organised in collaboration with The Twentieth Century Society and SAVE Britain's Heritage to mark  the 30th anniversary of the Mansion House enquiry.

We are delighted to host the AJ Small Projects launch again this year and hear award-winning architects talk about how their small but powerful schemes have propelled them on to bigger things.

Speakers will be former winners Chris Dyson, who took home the award in 2014, Ruth Donnelly from Doma Architects, whose extension to a house in Harrogate shared the first prize in 2016, and David Connor, who along with Kate Darby scooped last year’s competition with their £160,000 conversion of a 17th-century cottage in rural Herefordshire.  

The Observatory, a rotating and mobile artist studio and workshop by a team from FCBStudios, won the Architects’ Journal Small Projects Readers’ Choice Award 2016.

Click here to find out more about the event and to book your place.

Ian Taylor, Partner at FCBStudios, is to take part in the World Science Forum 2017, presenting a special session entitled: 'Spaces for Scientists...thinking, research and collaboration...An architecture for Science for Peace'

The presentation and discussion will look at the functional and experiential characteristics of the working environment and its impact on the success of scientific experimentation and collaboration.  

Scientific endeavour is influenced by the quality of different types of space – to enable technical research, contemplation, collaboration, and engagement to further the positive impacts of science on society. The comfort and well-being of scientists and researchers, as well as the technical performance of facilities, are critical factors which impact on the delivery of successful science. 

In the pursuit of scientific advances which help support Peace, the consideration of individual, local and international social contexts take on an even greater relevance for scientific collaboration and the dissemination of ideas.

The World Science Forum 2017 runs from 7-10 November 2017 by the Dead Sea in Jordan and celebrates World Science Day for Peace and Development. Session themes include: energy and water, food, climate change, the alleviation of poverty and inequality, cultural understanding between peoples and the creation of wealth and opportunity within all societies. 

FCBStudios Managing Partner Geoff Rich joins Article 25 Cycle to Myanmar this November. 

Taking place over 14 days in November 2017, the expedition aims to raise £50,000 to fund the future work of Article 25 in the area. The journey includes 500 miles of cycling around the country from Yangon to Mandalay and back, passing via Yangon General Hospital, which is the site of the charity’s biggest project. 

Geoff is volunteering his time for this important trip to assist with its collaborative research, to help find sustainable design solutions, and to secure much-needed funds for Article 25's future work.

Geoff Rich said: "Riding bikes is a great way to help to understand people and places and I know how cycling with others can help to build important collaborations and working relationships. I’m hoping our experience of working in Yangon, dealing with different kinds of existing buildings, as well as our experience of working in developing countries through the work of the Richard Feilden Foundation will be helpful to the Article 25 Myanmar Cycle Expedition.”

FCBStudios is currently working on a scheme to deliver the heritage led regeneration of one of Yangon Downtown’s important historic buildings for Turquoise Mountain. Our approach includes design collaborations with local architects and builders, and provision of on-site training for students and practitioners.

Follow Geoff's journey via @Geoff Rich on Twitter, and via his blog

A special symposium investigating the legacy of British architectural pioneers Alison and Peter Smithson.

Featuring leading international architects, artists and thinkers this symposium investigates the legacy and impact of British architectural pioneers Alison and Peter Smithson across urbanism, habitation and education.

Alison and Peter Smithson saw architecture as a direct result of a way of life, responsive to the demands of contemporary living. This approach permeated their designs for the University of Bath including the University theatre (1990) in which this symposium will take place.

The event also launches a re-print of Peter Smithson’s celebrated pamphlet Bath: Walks Within the Walls from 1971.

Speakers include:
Simon Smithson
Peter Salter (2017 RIBA award winner and project architect for Alison and Peter)
Assemble
Keith Bradley (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios)
Peter Clegg (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios)
Professor M. Christine Boyer (Princeton University, author of Not Quite Architecture)
Professor David Turnbull (Cooper Union, ATOPIA Innovation)
David Casino (PhD Architect)
Juliet Bidgood (Urban Design Consultant, Curator of 70th anniversary meeting of CIAM at Bridgewater Arts Centre)
Dr Amy Frost (Bath Preservation Trust)
Jamie Eastman (Director of Arts, University of Bath)

Download the full programme here

This event is designed to appeal to audiences with a specialist or broad interest.

Image credit: 6East, University of Bath c. Smithson Family Collection

Reinterpreting Modernism for the 21st Century.

Modernism was a hugely influential movement which continues to impact our world today. But the ideas grew from a very different global context than the one we live in today. So how can the tenets of modernism be relevant now and, more specifically, what are we preserving when we refurbish and renew modernist buildings? What challenges do designers face in turning these buildings into 'modern' useful buildings? 

The exhibition introduces three important schemes:

The ambitious refurbishment of London’s Southbank Centre revitalises the existing buildings to support the Southbank Centre’s mission of hosting world-class art and culture for more people more of the time.

The refurbishment and extension of the Richmond Building for the University of Bristol exemplifies the adaptation of a significant Modern building to form a new and popular centre for University life.

The transformation of a purpose-built 10-storey modernist laboratory tower, at the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, to once again provide state of the art research facilities.

Each scheme provides an invaluable lens through which to explore the environmental, technical and philosophical challenges in Making More of Modernism for the 21st century.

The Making More of Modernism Exhibition is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017.

For this year’s Open House festival, FCBStudios will once again host an ‘Open Office’ event.

This informal ‘drop-in’ event will host an exhibition of working models, images and design drawings providing insight into the development ideas behind some of their recent projects. Refreshments will be provided along with a ‘Dream City’ building block activity for children.

Bookings open on 20 October.

Join us for a fun evening to sample the sights and sounds of Myanmar as our team of riders prepare to set off on Article 25’s first cycle expedition. 

Film I Traditional food I Bar I Burmese dance

Taking place over 14 days in November 2017, the expedition aims to raise £50,000 to fund the future work of Article 25 in the area. The journey includes 500 miles of cycling around the country from Yangon to Mandalay and back, passing via Yangon General Hospital, which is the site of the charity’s biggest project.

Sunand Prasad PPRIBA and Chairman of Article 25 will introduce the evening.

FCBStudio’s film 'The Red House' will be featured as part of the Architecture and Design Film Festival (ADFF) Short Film Walk. The film looks through the eyes of children and staff to capture both the philosophy and the everyday life of the Plymouth School of Creative Arts, a Royal Institute of British Architecture award-winning building. 

The school, located on an inner-city site and sponsored by the local Plymouth College of Art, is a place to develop the richness and individuality of human creativity, allowing 4-16 year olds to connect with a local artistic tradition going back to 1845. Through making, performing and discovering, the school pursues its core intention of ‘Creating Individuals and Making Futures’.

The Short Films Walk is a one night event in New York’s Soho Design District on October 11, 5-9 pm, which leads up to the Architecture & Design Film Festival, which this year runs Nov 1 - 5 at Cinepolis Cinema in Chelsea, New York.

The Modern House is partnering with the Twentieth Century Society to host a talk on the life and work of architect Douglas Snelling.

Born in Kent and educated in New Zealand, Snelling became one of Australia’s leading mid-century architects and an influential designer of furniture, interiors and landscapes. The talk will present some of his best-known houses and explain how Snelling interpreted the design and architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and Southern California for the Australian landscape.

Davina Jackson is the author of the first comprehensive study of Snelling’s pan-Pacific life and works. A Sydney-based author, editor and curator, she writes extensively on modernist architecture and design in Oceania and the creative applications of technology in urban contexts. She was professor of multi-disciplinary design at the University of New South Wales and an editor of Architecture Australia.

70 buildings from 70 years of Concrete Quarterly

The exhibition explores the social and architectural history of concrete architecture and engineering over the past 70 years, through a selection of images and editorial of iconic and interesting projects from the CQ archive. 

For Persistence Works, the UK’s first purpose-built fine art and crafts studio complex, FCBStudios explored the use of cast in situ concrete contrasted with lightweight, frameless glass elements. The design and method of construction being carefully researched to achieve the highest quality affordable finish. The building was completed in 2001.

The exhibition will also provide digital access to the entire Concrete Quarterly and early original editions will be on display. Each month the contemporary section of the exhibition will be replaced with a new topic of focus. These include samples and guidance related to innovative and clever forms of concrete, guidance on achieving visual concrete and concrete engineering.

For more information about the exhibition and accompanying publication click here.

Modernism was a hugely influential movement which continues to impact our world today. But the ideas grew from a very different global context than the one we live in today. So how can the tenets of modernism be relevant now and, more specifically, what are we preserving when we refurbish and renew modernist buildings? What challenges do designers face in turning these buildings into 'modern' useful buildings? 

The exhibition introduces three important schemes:

The ambitious refurbishment of London’s Southbank Centre revitalises the existing buildings to support the Southbank Centre’s mission of hosting world-class art and culture for more people more of the time.

The refurbishment and extension of the Richmond Building for the University of Bristol exemplifies the adaptation of a significant Modern building to form a new and popular centre for University life.

The transformation of a purpose-built 10-storey modernist laboratory tower, at the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, to once again provide state of the art research facilities.

Each scheme provides an invaluable lens through which to explore the environmental, technical and philosophical challenges in Making More of Modernism for the 21st century.

The Making More of Modernism Exhibition is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017.

NLA (New London Architecture) visits Haringey for an in-depth look at upcoming development across the borough, hearing from the Leader of the Council and Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development.

A conference session hearing from key stakeholders will explore the planning, development and delivery opportunities across the borough and discuss what is needed to maximise development potential. Talks will include a presentation on Alexandra Palace by project architect Matt Somerville from FCBStudios, to discuss the practice’s work on the refurbishment and repair of this listed public building.

Afternoon tours will then look at specific development areas in further detail.

For more information and to book please click here

Open House is a city-wide celebration of the buildings, places and neighbourhoods where we live, work and play. There are over 800 buildings, walks, talks and tours taking place across London over the weekend of 16-17 September.

Chelsea Academy, designed by FCBStudios, will be open on Saturday 16 September as part of Open House London. Built on a very tight urban space, the school provides identity, flexibility and an inspirational educational environment for its 800 year 7-11 pupils and 250 sixth form students. The architectural language is classical, formal and restrained.

70 buildings from 70 years of Concrete Quarterly

The exhibition explores the social and architectural history of concrete architecture and engineering over the past 70 years, through a selection of images and editorial of iconic and interesting projects from the CQ archive. 

For Persistence Works, the UK’s first purpose-built fine art and crafts studio complex, FCBStudios explored the use of cast in situ concrete contrasted with lightweight, frameless glass elements. The design and method of construction being carefully researched to achieve the highest quality affordable finish. The building was completed in 2001.

The exhibition will also provide digital access to the entire Concrete Quarterly and early original editions will be on display. Each month the contemporary section of the exhibition will be replaced with a new topic of focus. These include samples and guidance related to innovative and clever forms of concrete, guidance on achieving visual concrete and concrete engineering.

For more information about the exhibition and accompanying publication click here.

Modernism was a hugely influential movement which continues to impact our world today. But the ideas grew from a very different global context than the one we live in today. So how can the tenets of modernism be relevant now and, more specifically, what are we preserving when we refurbish and renew modernist buildings? What challenges do designers face in turning these buildings into 'modern' useful buildings? 

The exhibition introduces three important schemes:

The ambitious refurbishment of London’s Southbank Centre revitalises the existing buildings to support the Southbank Centre’s mission of hosting world-class art and culture for more people more of the time.

The refurbishment and extension of the Richmond Building for the University of Bristol exemplifies the adaptation of a significant Modern building to form a new and popular centre for University life.

The transformation of a purpose-built 10-storey modernist laboratory tower, at the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, to once again provide state of the art research facilities.

Each scheme provides an invaluable lens through which to explore the environmental, technical and philosophical challenges in Making More of Modernism for the 21st century.

The Making More of Modernism Exhibition is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017.

70 buildings from 70 years of Concrete Quarterly

The exhibition explores the social and architectural history of concrete architecture and engineering over the past 70 years, through a selection of images and editorial of iconic and interesting projects from the CQ archive. 

For Persistence Works, the UK’s first purpose-built fine art and crafts studio complex, FCBStudios explored the use of cast in situ concrete contrasted with lightweight, frameless glass elements. The design and method of construction being carefully researched to achieve the highest quality affordable finish. The building was completed in 2001.

The exhibition will also provide digital access to the entire Concrete Quarterly and early original editions will be on display. Each month the contemporary section of the exhibition will be replaced with a new topic of focus. These include samples and guidance related to innovative and clever forms of concrete, guidance on achieving visual concrete and concrete engineering.

For more information about the exhibition and accompanying publication click here.

Modernism was a hugely influential movement which continues to impact our world today. But the ideas grew from a very different global context than the one we live in today. So how can the tenets of modernism be relevant now and, more specifically, what are we preserving when we refurbish and renew modernist buildings? What challenges do designers face in turning these buildings into 'modern' useful buildings? 

The exhibition introduces three important schemes:

The ambitious refurbishment of London’s Southbank Centre revitalises the existing buildings to support the Southbank Centre’s mission of hosting world-class art and culture for more people more of the time.

The refurbishment and extension of the Richmond Building for the University of Bristol exemplifies the adaptation of a significant Modern building to form a new and popular centre for University life.

The transformation of a purpose-built 10-storey modernist laboratory tower, at the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, to once again provide state of the art research facilities.

Each scheme provides an invaluable lens through which to explore the environmental, technical and philosophical challenges in Making More of Modernism for the 21st century.

The Making More of Modernism Exhibition is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017.

FCBStudios are proud to sponsor Bath Carnival, a free party celebrating carnival arts in the centre of Bath. 

The vibrant procession transforms the streets with a colourful blend of Carnival culture. Expect South American drumming, Caribbean steel pan, Mardi Gras style brass, a range of traditional and contemporary dance choreography and crazy colourful costumes.

The return of the party in the park will see a line-up of live music spanning genres from around the world, loads of fun kids’ activities, free workshops and a tasty selection of food and drink offerings.

The party will go on into the early hours with DJs spinning beats and breaks at the official afterparty in one of Bath's favourite music venues.

Find out more

FCBStudios will be holding a breakfast seminar in Manchester on 13th July: Creative Education: Ambitions for the next generation of Manchester’s schools

CREATIVITY in DESIGN, VALUE-ENGINEERING and PEDAGOGY

In a continued climate of austerity combined with rising numbers of pupils how do we get the best value out of our limited budgets for secondary school buildings?  

We have five speakers who have very strong ideas to contribute to this debate:

Crawford Wright, Head of Design at the Educational Funding Agency: will talk about opportunities within the Free Schools budgets and programme.

Andrew Brewerton, Head of Plymouth College of Art: will describe the amazing success of the new Plymouth School of Creative Arts.

Helen Roberts, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios: will talk about learning from our recent award winning school buildings.

Professor Peter Barrett, Emeritus Professor University of Salford, Honorary Research Fellow University of Oxford: will talk about the measured link between classroom design and attainment.

Alistair Burns, Design Manager, Capital Programmes and Procurement, Manchester City Council: will talk about future opportunities for new schools in Manchester.

Come and join us for breakfast and a short debate chaired by Peter Clegg, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.

Only 20 places left and booking is essential. If you would like to attend please email events@fcbstudios.com to secure your place.

The original ‘making’ workshop returns for 2017. The 3-day workshop explores the testing of ideas through making at 1:1 and is open to all – architects, students and any other interested participants.

The workshop will begin at 4.00pm on 6th July, and finish at 3.00pm on 9th July 2017. It is being held in a 100 acre woodland 4 miles north of Bath.

The workshop is organised by Invisible Studio and leaders include Peter Clegg from FCBStudios, Meredith Bowles (MOLE Architects), Je Ahn (Studio Weave), Robert Mull (Univeristy of Brighton) and others. 

For more details visit invisiblestudio.org/sitw

The first of its kind, the Festival consists of a 4 day conference, bringing together some of the leading thinkers to share their thoughts , concerns and ideas about modern childhood, surrounded by a city-wide range of playful events and activities. As part of their commitment to becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City, the City of Bath is hosting  the event and everyone is invited to join in the fun.

FCBStudios partner, Peter Clegg and Andrew Grant, Founder of Grant Associates, will be introducing the session on Play, Movement and Creativity.

The festival is organised by Save Childhood and 5x5x5 creativity. 

Featuring a playful programme of sensory installations, artworks, outdoor theatre and participatory creative activities for visitors of all ages, Forest of Imagination is returning to Bath for its fourth year this summer.

A temporary fantastical forest and outdoor gallery will be created in Bath by a collective of local and international artists and creative professionals during a free, four-day contemporary arts event, aligned with the International Festival of Childhood.

Architects from FCBStudios have collaborated with students from the University of Bath Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering department to create four pavilion structures for artists and workshops, to be built at Bushey Norwood National Trust for Forest of Imagination 2017.

Forest of Imagination is the brainchild of a collaborative team of Bath-based businesses, including landscape architects Grant Associates, arts-based charity 5x5x5=creativity, creative consultancy Imaginnovation and FCBStudios. It aims to highlight the inherent creativity of Bath and connect people with nature by reinventing spaces in the city to inspire intuitive play, unleash imagination and encourage exploration.

Modernism was a hugely influential movement which continues to impact our world today. But the ideas grew from a very different global context than the one we live in today. So how can the tenets of modernism be relevant now and, more specifically, what are we preserving when we refurbish and renew modernist buildings? What challenges do designers face in turning these buildings into 'modern' useful buildings? 

The exhibition introduces three important schemes:

The ambitious refurbishment of London’s Southbank Centre revitalises the existing buildings to support the Southbank Centre’s mission of hosting world-class art and culture for more people more of the time.

The refurbishment and extension of the Richmond Building for the University of Bristol exemplifies the adaptation of a significant Modern building to form a new and popular centre for University life.

The transformation of a purpose-built 10-storey modernist laboratory tower, at the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, to once again provide state of the art research facilities.

Each scheme provides an invaluable lens through which to explore the environmental, technical and philosophical challenges in Making More of Modernism for the 21st century.

The Making More of Modernism Exhibition is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017.

This major new NLA Insight Study showcases work currently being carried out by London-based consultancies in global markets, including eight projects by FCBStudios, on four continents. 

London: Design Capital will uncover the global reach of London’s built environment industries. From masterplans to individual projects, the Study will celebrate the capital’s exceptional design, engineering, urban planning and consultancy skills; highlight the new skills and technologies being developed for global markets; and examine the value and future for London’s built environment industries in a post-Brexit world. The Study highlights the new skills and technologies being developed in the capital; and considers the impact that any restriction on free movement may have on the industry’s ability to continue to deliver high-quality work in volume. 

FCBStudios projects include: Turquoise Mountain, Myanmar; NUI Galway Student Housing, Ireland; University of Washington Student Housing, USA; CEIE, University of Toronto, Canada; Aga Khan Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh; National Laboratories, Amman, Jordan;  Rubengera Carpentry School, Rwanda; and HIV training clinic, Muzuzu University, Malawi. 

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication by New London Architecture.

London: Design Capital is part of London Festival of Architecture 2017.

The first of its kind, the Festival consists of a 4 day conference, bringing together some of the leading thinkers to share their thoughts , concerns and ideas about modern childhood, surrounded by a city-wide range of playful events and activities. As part of their commitment to becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City, the City of Bath is hosting  the event and everyone is invited to join in the fun.

FCBStudios partner, Peter Clegg and Andrew Grant, Founder of Grant Associates, will be introducing the session on Play, Movement and Creativity.

The festival is organised by Save Childhood and 5x5x5 creativity. 

Featuring a playful programme of sensory installations, artworks, outdoor theatre and participatory creative activities for visitors of all ages, Forest of Imagination is returning to Bath for its fourth year this summer.

A temporary fantastical forest and outdoor gallery will be created in Bath by a collective of local and international artists and creative professionals during a free, four-day contemporary arts event, aligned with the International Festival of Childhood.

Architects from FCBStudios have collaborated with students from the University of Bath Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering department to create four pavilion structures for artists and workshops, to be built at Bushey Norwood National Trust for Forest of Imagination 2017.

Forest of Imagination is the brainchild of a collaborative team of Bath-based businesses, including landscape architects Grant Associates, arts-based charity 5x5x5=creativity, creative consultancy Imaginnovation and FCBStudios. It aims to highlight the inherent creativity of Bath and connect people with nature by reinventing spaces in the city to inspire intuitive play, unleash imagination and encourage exploration.

Modernism was a hugely influential movement which continues to impact our world today. But the ideas grew from a very different global context than the one we live in today. So how can the tenets of modernism be relevant now and, more specifically, what are we preserving when we refurbish and renew modernist buildings? What challenges do designers face in turning these buildings into 'modern' useful buildings? 

The exhibition introduces three important schemes:

The ambitious refurbishment of London’s Southbank Centre revitalises the existing buildings to support the Southbank Centre’s mission of hosting world-class art and culture for more people more of the time.

The refurbishment and extension of the Richmond Building for the University of Bristol exemplifies the adaptation of a significant Modern building to form a new and popular centre for University life.

The transformation of a purpose-built 10-storey modernist laboratory tower, at the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, to once again provide state of the art research facilities.

Each scheme provides an invaluable lens through which to explore the environmental, technical and philosophical challenges in Making More of Modernism for the 21st century.

The Making More of Modernism Exhibition is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017.

Balancing design solutions with building physics.

The demand for the adaptive reuse of pre-war and post-war landmark buildings and structures is rising, and will continue to rise: particularly with a changing climate, where energy conservation has become a significant influence on refurbishment. There is a widely-held belief that upgrading, or re-imagined occupancy, must be in practical or commercial conflict with preservation; but in fact projects informed by a good understanding of the behaviour of the building envelope and the significance (or otherwise) of its components can achieve remarkable results.

Via talks, case studies, and a plenary discussion, this symposium explores building science as a means of reconciling energy conservation with the conservation of our modern architectural heritage. It looked at how deep energy retrofits can be combined with conservation treatments and techniques to develop solutions that enhance rather than destroy the fabric of our built environment, save whole-life energy costs, and produce refurbished buildings that are commercially viable, attractive, and popular with occupants.

In collaboration with:
WJE Associates, Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland.

This major new NLA Insight Study showcases work currently being carried out by London-based consultancies in global markets, including eight projects by FCBStudios, on four continents. 

London: Design Capital will uncover the global reach of London’s built environment industries. From masterplans to individual projects, the Study will celebrate the capital’s exceptional design, engineering, urban planning and consultancy skills; highlight the new skills and technologies being developed for global markets; and examine the value and future for London’s built environment industries in a post-Brexit world. The Study highlights the new skills and technologies being developed in the capital; and considers the impact that any restriction on free movement may have on the industry’s ability to continue to deliver high-quality work in volume. 

FCBStudios projects include: Turquoise Mountain, Myanmar; NUI Galway Student Housing, Ireland; University of Washington Student Housing, USA; CEIE, University of Toronto, Canada; Aga Khan Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh; National Laboratories, Amman, Jordan;  Rubengera Carpentry School, Rwanda; and HIV training clinic, Muzuzu University, Malawi. 

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication by New London Architecture.

London: Design Capital is part of London Festival of Architecture 2017.

Join UK Green Building Council and Women in Property to find out how the built environment and building design can have a positive impact on the health, wellbeing and productivity of a building's occupants.

FCBStudios' Hester Brough and Andy Macintosh will talk about their approach to designing for wellbeing in school and workplace projects. Jo Wheeler will provide an insight into UK-GBC's work on health and wellbeing across the residential and office sectors and David Johnston, Real Estate Partner from RPC, will discuss how important building design and aesthetics are to investors.

The seminar will also feature speakers from WSP on developments they have worked on and how health and wellbeing concerns have impacted on the design.

Bath is synonymous with beautiful architecture and great heritage. With a housing crisis and the ensuing need for creative living solutions, what are the options for a heritage city?

Local landscape architect Andrew Grant and architects Piers Taylor and Peter Clegg explore what the future in Bath might look like.

In partnership with the Architecture Is… Project

This major new NLA Insight Study showcases work currently being carried out by London-based consultancies in global markets, including eight projects by FCBStudios, on four continents. 

London: Design Capital will uncover the global reach of London’s built environment industries. From masterplans to individual projects, the Study will celebrate the capital’s exceptional design, engineering, urban planning and consultancy skills; highlight the new skills and technologies being developed for global markets; and examine the value and future for London’s built environment industries in a post-Brexit world. The Study highlights the new skills and technologies being developed in the capital; and considers the impact that any restriction on free movement may have on the industry’s ability to continue to deliver high-quality work in volume. 

FCBStudios projects include: Turquoise Mountain, Myanmar; NUI Galway Student Housing, Ireland; University of Washington Student Housing, USA; CEIE, University of Toronto, Canada; Aga Khan Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh; National Laboratories, Amman, Jordan;  Rubengera Carpentry School, Rwanda; and HIV training clinic, Muzuzu University, Malawi. 

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication by New London Architecture.

London: Design Capital is part of London Festival of Architecture 2017.

What do we want - and what have we come to expect - when we visit a museum? 

Discovery? History? Connection? Insight? A decent cup of coffee?

We are hosting an event at The Whitworth to explore these questions in the company of some of the north west's finest museum, theatre, poetry and design practictioners at a special evening event.  

Clare Hughes, Partner and narrative designer, FCBStudios
Jo Beggs, Development director, Manchester Museums Partnership
Elizabeth Newman, Artistic director, Bolton Octagon Theatre
Andrew Lovett, Director and chief executive, Black Country Living Museum
Peter Clegg, Architect and founding partner, FCBStudios
Clare Lilley, Director of Programme, Yorkshire Sculpture Park 
Poetic reflections curated by Poet in the City

Booking essential via events@fcbstudios.com

Belfast has development potential unlike any other UK regional city. This allows the city to reinvent itself but the reasons for its development potential also present a distinct set of problems; the models applied to foster the development of other cities may be applicable in part, but significant issues associated with transport, land values, tenure and government structure present the need to create bespoke solutions.

‘Iconic’, ‘landmark’ and ‘gateway’ projects dot the city but the background fabric of the city itself is anemic. Missing is organic residential development around historic cores and the inclusion of higher density homes in new development plans.

In January 2017 with support from Arts & Business, PLACE and FCBStudios ran an open call for artwork addressing the above themes. The successful artists were Eamon Quinn and Caroline McCusker who put forward a joint proposal to work in collaboration. Eamon Quinn’s interest in the built environment, the physicality of a development versus the history of an area or social need, combined with Caroline McCusker’s interest in breaking down the distinction between people and their domestic objects has led to the artists developing a new collaborative sculptural work.

Focusing on construction and simultaneous destruction as a conceptual theme, and using salvaged architecture and new building materials, they have produced a finished structure that is surreal and precarious.

Ian Taylor, Managing Partner at FCBStudios and leader of the design team for the repair and maintenance of the Hayward Gallery, QEH and Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre, will be talking at the NLA breakfast talk: Transforming London’s Cultural Buildings.

An in-depth showcase of London’s most important and influential cultural building projects undergoing upgrade and transformation, the event will update on activity in ‘Albertopolis’ (V&A, Exhibition Road etc.) and Southbank Centre and the National Theatre as case studies, how can redevelopment of key cultural institutions affect and enhance London’s places?”

Neave Brown and Annalie Riches each present two housing schemes; their own homes and a public sector housing development for a comparison between their two generations. Keith Bradley, Senior Partner, FCBStudios, will chair the event.

All proceeds from the ticket sales go to the five charities: Coram, Article 25, Emthonjeni Trust, Multiple System Atrophy Trust and The Tom ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust.

Belfast has development potential unlike any other UK regional city. This allows the city to reinvent itself but the reasons for its development potential also present a distinct set of problems; the models applied to foster the development of other cities may be applicable in part, but significant issues associated with transport, land values, tenure and government structure present the need to create bespoke solutions.

‘Iconic’, ‘landmark’ and ‘gateway’ projects dot the city but the background fabric of the city itself is anemic. Missing is organic residential development around historic cores and the inclusion of higher density homes in new development plans.

In January 2017 with support from Arts & Business, PLACE and FCBStudios ran an open call for artwork addressing the above themes. The successful artists were Eamon Quinn and Caroline McCusker who put forward a joint proposal to work in collaboration. Eamon Quinn’s interest in the built environment, the physicality of a development versus the history of an area or social need, combined with Caroline McCusker’s interest in breaking down the distinction between people and their domestic objects has led to the artists developing a new collaborative sculptural work.

Focusing on construction and simultaneous destruction as a conceptual theme, and using salvaged architecture and new building materials, they have produced a finished structure that is surreal and precarious.

Kellogg College Hub is nearing completion. The 334m² scheme, located within the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area provides a new café and common room that will act as a centralised hub for staff, students and visitors.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit this non-domestic scheme, aiming for the Passivhaus standard!

The AJ Small Projects Awards, launched in 1996, celebrate completed projects with a contract value of £250,000 and under. It recognises smaller schemes that have been completed by a UK-based architect either in the UK or abroad.

‘From home extensions to restaurants, offices to shops, architects all over the country are busy working on projects that may not make the headlines but nevertheless give a real indication of the design talent in Britain today.'

The exhibition opened to the public on 30 March and features design boards and models of the 20 shortlisted projects, showcasing schemes which show a commitment to quality and creative design. 

The AJ Small Projects Awards, launched in 1996, celebrate completed projects with a contract value of £250,000 and under. It recognises smaller schemes that have been completed by a UK-based architect either in the UK or abroad.

‘From home extensions to restaurants, offices to shops, architects all over the country are busy working on projects that may not make the headlines but nevertheless give a real indication of the design talent in Britain today.'

The exhibition opened to the public on 30 March and features design boards and models of the 20 shortlisted projects, showcasing schemes which show a commitment to quality and creative design. 

As part of the MK50 celebrations the MK Community Energy Conference will consider how the development of the Milton Keynes led to innovation in sustainable building design and energy efficiency and how we could rediscover this ambition through community-led energy initiatives.

Peter Clegg, founding Partner at FCBStudios will talk alongside Bill Dunster, Tim Skelton and other specialists in sustainable energy and community energy schemes. The afternoon session will focus on current Milton Keynes projects and how the city might address some of the challenges around sustainable building design and support community energy initiatives.  

FCBStudios hosts BuildUp, the second in a series of PechaKucha style events that challenge, propose and debate views on the latest trends in marketing and communications in the built environment. 

Round Two - Value?
The number of places to spend (waste) your marketing time and budget is increasing exponentially, we’re also in an increasingly noisy world with extreme competition for attention. Social media has levelled the playing field for organisations large and small but how do we make sure in this digital age that we gain the right profile – profile which enhances reputation and converts to the right work? How do we achieve, and measure, the value of our activity?

Chaired by Managing Director of ING Media, Leanne Tritton with guest speakers:
Harriett Hindmarsh Corporate Vice President Global Marketing and Communications at Aecom
Chris Bryant Partner at Alma-nac
Andrew Payne Head of Corporate Affairs at The Crown Estate

Leanne will chair an open Q&A session followed by drinks and the opportunity to share a few of your own stories.

Keith Bradley, Senior Partner at FCBStudios, and a graduate of the University of Bath will be giving a 50th Anniversary Lecture and receiving an Honorary Doctorate on Tuesday the 10th January at The Edge building in Bath.

Click here to find out more

Come and visit our newly opened Cornerhouse Gallery at our Tottenham Street studio. The inaugural exhibition features provocations and experiences from our new book: Made you look. Made you stare: inspiration from a museum road trip. How to order the book.

Explore the sensual installations which subvert the idea of the museum’s red velvet rope. We turn a symbol of necessary separation into an invitation to connect with the senses, with new ideas and to break the taboo Do Not Touch...

Copies of the book are available via our website or at the exhibition. The full cover price will be donated to the Foundling Museum. This beautiful building tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, founded by Thomas Coram in 1739, which was both the UK’s first children’s charity and its first public art gallery. 

We are delighted to host the AJ Small Projects launch and hear award-winning architects talk about how their small but powerful schemes have propelled them on to bigger things.

Well Built explores how architects, designers, academics and entrepreneurs are being influenced by contemporary research on health and wellbeing and features the award winning Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care by FCBStudios.

The exhibition showcases new ways of thinking about architecture and health that are informing both the design of therapeutic environments, as well as everyday spaces such as offices, schools,
homes, public spaces and parks. The exhibition is the result of a collaborative research project initiated by the Museum of Architecture in Autumn 2015.

The Museum of Architecture is a charity dedicated to stimulating innovation in the architecture industry.

The ambitious £250m redevelopment of Ulster University’s Belfast campus has been described as a ‘transformational project’ for Belfast City centre.

Thousands of students and staff will occupy the new buildings when fully completed in 2019. The campus has been designed to provide a modern, innovative and inspiring environment for teaching, learning and research. The first phase of the development, which was designed to attain BREEAM Excellent rating, opened in 2015.

This is an opportunity to see the new campus with architects Sam Tyler, Paul Warwick, Theo Dales and Cormac Maguire of FCBStudios. Learn about the design approach and the on-going work to deliver the largest construction project currently underway in Belfast.

Organised as part of Open House Belfast Architecture & Engineering Festival which takes place from the 21 – 23 October 2016.

Click here to book or find out more about the other tours.

FCBStudios Belfast office is delighted to host an ‘Open Office’ lunchtime talk showcasing the working practices behind the buildings we create.

The practice started small over 38 years ago and, in spite of our growth to over 200 staff, we continue to be committed to social and humanistic values in our work. We are proud to have won the RIBA Stirling Prize for Accordia, a scheme which is widely regarded as setting a new benchmark for housing in the UK. We are the top RIBA National Award winning practice of the last decade.

The Belfast office recently organised a series of events entitled ‘What’s the big idea?’ which focused on examples of how cities, neighbourhoods and business have been transformed by design focused projects.

Organised as part of Open House Belfast Architecture & Engineering Festival which takes place from the 21 – 23 October 2016.

Click here to book or find out more about the other tours.

Join Keith Bradley at the University of Bath to watch oscar nominated 'My Architect'.

A riveting tale of love, art, betrayal and forgiveness – in which the illegitimate son of a legendary architect undertakes a worldwide exploration to discover and understand his father and the personal choices he made.

This screening is part of The Edge's successful architecture series that brings together architecture students, staff, professionals and interested audiences.

Keith will lead the post-film discussion.

This is an exhibition organised by New London Architecture (NLA)  showcasing over 100 current London workplace projects and initiatives, inlcuding a new model called 'The Ark' by a team from FCBStudios that provides office space in underused churches.

The Ark could offer a unique alternative to the London office rental market, whilst supporting the finances of city churches. Church conversions are all too familiar, but their sale on the open market breaks the historic pattern of continuous, responsible ownership; and cuts ties between churches and their traditional use.

Click here to find out more

Houses form the highest proportion of all heritage assets, whether purpose designed or later adapted to incorporate residential accommodation. Balancing the changing needs of homeowners whilst protecting the architectural and historic value of historic buildings continues to present ongoing challenges to architects and conservation professionals alike.  

Join Simon Branson and James Sibson from FCBStudios who will guest speak at 'Home is where the heart is: Meeting housing need in historic buildings and areas'. A conference organised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).

Click here to find out more

A lot has happened since the Architecture Centre first opened its doors onto Narrow Quay in 1996. 'Place, Time + Architecture' is the Centre’s retrospective exhibition presenting the past, present and future state of architecture and place-making in the city and will feature projects by FCBStudios, including the new Bristol Arena.

Book your seats now for September's 'AJ Specification Live' taking place at the award-winning Manchester School of Art by FCBStudios.

Partner Tom Jarman from FCBStudios and project architect for the Manchester School of Art joins the event as guest speaker. He will present recent arts education projects the practice have undertaken and the architectural language that underpins their construction. 

The Architects’ Journal monthly supplement 'AJ Specification Live' focuses on architectural technology, design and is an essential reference to help plan project spending and benchmark suppliers’ quotes.

AJ Specification Live is an event which aims to provide attendees the opportunity to come along to listen and learn more about the topic featured in the current edition of the magazine. 

FREE event, booking essential.

Open House London will be running walks, talks and tours around a selection of the capital's buildings to celebrate it's annual festival of architecture and design.

FCBStudios project Chelsea Academy is amongst the list of London's splendid buildings open to the general public who don't otherwise have access. 

The Academy is situated on a very constrained site in Lots Road, Chelsea. Sponsored by the London Diocesan Board for Schools (LDBS) and The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, it provides world-class education for approximately 800 pupils in years 7 to 11 and 250 students in the sixth form.

The design provides identity, flexibility and an inspirational educational environment. The building design responds to the constrained nature of this urban site and the requirement for highly adaptable spaces to provide for future flexibility. 

The Pea Soup House team joins The Fitzrovia Partnership for a morning dedicated to information, discussion and action on air quality improvement in Fitzrovia London.

Deputy Mayor of London, Val Shawcross will provide an overview of how the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy "Clearing the Air" impacts business, with TfL's Surface Transport Managing Director, Leon Daniels launching TfL's "Re-thinking Deliveries Toolkit".

The morning is an opportunity to see first-hand the projects and products the partnership is delivering as its members and partners 'green' Fitzrovia's urban streetscape.

FCBStudios presents ‘Pea Soup House’, an installation on display at the RIBA Headquarters as part of London Festival of Architecture.

‘Pea Soup House’ is one of three selected works from the RIBA ‘Constructing Communities’ open call which set out to find works by large to small practices and students, responding to ideas of how architecture can influence or create communities.

The installation uses low cost, carbon neutral materials to create a high impact, transportable installation. It raises awareness of air pollution and brings together communities through food.

Each team have been awarded £5,000 to realise their structures on a true scale, which will be built and exhibited throughout the RIBA building, with the research and development exhibited in the Practice Space.

The exhibition will launch late Tuesday 21 June with a series of talks, debates and forums.

This conference includes the launch of the new Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF)/RIBA Publishing book entitled “Future Campus” edited by Ian Taylor from FCBStudios.

What will the university of the future look like? Technology, society, the aspirations of students and the needs of researchers are changing and becoming ever more demanding in the competitive world while funding and cost of tuition continues to be a challenge. Students and staff expect well-designed, technology-rich, high quality facilities that reflect the identity of the university, while universities have a renewed focus on collaboration with a wide variety of organisations - locally, national and internationally. 

The HEDQF’s Annual Conference for 2016 will examine how universities and designers are responding to these challenges. 

Click here for further details including speaker information and booking.

The RIBA’s Great British Building series is paying a visit to the RIBA South West award-winning Plymouth School of Creative Arts.

Affectionately known locally as the ‘Red House’ it was one of six projects shortlisted for the Architect Journal’s Building of the Year, and PSCA received the AJ100 Client of the Year Award.

Project Architect Andy Theobald will discuss the design process behind the school in a special talk and tour. His work on the project also earned him the 2016 RIBA South West Project Architect of the Year prize. Andy will be joined by PSCA head teacher Dave Strudwick, who will discuss the build from the client’s perspective.

The Pea Soup House Team will join an evening of presentations, powered by PechaKucha, along with a series of other social innovators to present projects which are engaging, or could engage, London’s communities in creating better places and spaces.

What does community mean in a major metropolis? With guest speakers:

Catherine Staniland, Deputy Director, New London Architecture (Chair)
Pea Soup House Team, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios 
Nevena Kovacevic, Lighting Designer, Light Follows Behaviour
Noha Nasser, Founder, MELA 
Spyros Katsaros, Associate Director, PRP 
Will Sandy, Creative Director, Edible Bus Stop 
Chris Moss, Founder, Earthenware Landscape Architects 
Holly Lewis, Co-founding Partner, We Made That 
Nick Hartwright, Director, Mill Co

Organised by the New London Architecture (NLA)
Image credit: Wild Kingdom Playspace, We Made That

Embark Bristol's historic ‘Tower Belle’ for social networking, drinks and nibbles with professional colleagues from across our sector, as we tour Bristol’s fascinating harbour by boat with a special commentary on the Bristol Arena from FCBStudios.

Ticket price includes a drink and light food. A partnership of RIBA Bristol & Bath and Forum for Tomorrow. Kindly sponsored by Marshalls and Stride Treglown.

On 3–6 June 2016 Forest of Imagination takes root in Bath for its third year.

Come and immerse yourself in a playful programme of sensory installations, artworks, outdoor theatre and participatory creative activities at this 4 day contemporary arts event.

Join us as we highlight the inherent creativity of Bath and connect people with nature by reinventing spaces in the city to inspire intuitive play, unleash imagination and encourage exploration...

FCBStudios competition entry ‘Pea Soup House’ will be exhibited at the RIBA ‘Constructing Communities’ exhibition along with 18 other long-listed project entries, as part of London Festival of Architecture 2016.

The brief set out to find works by large to small practices and students, responding to ideas of how architecture can influence or create communities.

‘Pea Soup House’ uses low cost, carbon neutral materials to create a high impact, transportable installation. It raises awareness of air pollution and brings together communities through food. The entry by a team from FCBStudios is one of three submissions awarded £5,000 to realise the structures, and the 1:1 installations will be on display at RIBA HQ from the 21^st June.

Sinan: The First Starchitect is an exhibition exploring the life and work of Mimar Sinan, architect to the sultans of the Ottoman Empire and the maestro behind the skyline of historic Istanbul.

In November 2015, Turkishceramics and the Architects' Journal took a group of British architects to Istanbul and Edirne on a research trip to study the work of Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.

The trip has resulted in a book and exhibition featuring research projects conducted by the participating architecture practices; Ian Ritchie Architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, DSDHA, Reiach and Hall Architects, Sam Jacob Studio and Bureau de Change.

This fascinating exhibition focuses on Sinan’s mastery of the art of building, from his use of ceramics to his designs of mosque complexes and urban infrastructure.

This event is for future leaders of the top architectural practices, those at associate level who are more involved with design and specification who will become the next generation of architectural heads.

Karen Cook, founding partner of PLP Architecture, will be talking about how to succeed in big firms, how to motivate people and get the best from your team - as well as what to look for in employees when they’re moving up the ranks.

Other speakers include Ben Adams, founding director of Ben Adams Architects and Carl Turner, founder of Carl Turner Architects, who will be offering insight into how to get started, approach clients and win new business – as well as their top negotiation tips.

Matthew Turner, the AJ coach, will be sharing advice to help get you to the next step in your career. 

The seminar, chaired by Christine Murray, editor-in-chief of the AJ, is open to anyone who strives to run an AJ100 practice in the future.

The Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architectural award. Since 1996 is has been presented each year to the architects of the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture.

This exhibition showcases photographs and models from the winning projects across the past two decades and includes our housing scheme Accordia.

Also featuring archive RIBA videos and a gallery based family activity inspired by the work of the artist Morag Myerscough.

Exhibition on tour from RIBA

This film shows Norman Foster’s journey from Manchester to a global practice. It talks about architecture, and why it matters, and how difficult it is to do it well.

Norman Foster’s vision and unswerving passion for excellence have created some of the most exceptional structures of our times, including 30 St Mary Axe and Wembley Stadium. Architecture comes alive.

Winner of the San Sebastián International Film Festival 2010 Best European Film. Directed by Carlos Carcas and Noberto López Amado.

"By accident or design, this movie makes his buildings look airily light: Expressions of pure thought and design" The Guardian

Peter Clegg will join the 'Post Show Talk'.

With Turner Prize winners Assemble (3/3)

This talk looks at how Assemble's work in Liverpool empowered communities to save streets of historic houses from demolition. FCBS’s Geoff Rich will discuss how historic buildings can be given a new lease on life enabling them to last for future generations.

Architecture collaborative Assemble broke the mould this year by becoming the first architectural practice to win the Turner prize. Their work re-defines how art, architecture and people can make real changes to the built environment from the ground up by developing collaborative relationships with the public.

More information

With Architecture 00 (2/3)

The world we live in has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, technology has transformed the way we communicate and share information. What are the real life applications for design in this new age?

How can the investment in one venture leave a lasting legacy that generates growth, skills and jobs?

More information

This exhibition details the best completed projects with a contract value of £250,000 and under. This year the exhibition will feature The Observatory, a rotating and mobile artist studio and workshop and winner of the Architects’ Journal Small Projects Readers’ Choice Award 2016.

The AJ Small Projects Awards, were launched in 1996 to give much-deserved recognition to the many high quality schemes with low pricetags.

With Ben Hamilton Bailie and a group of architectural students from Bath University (1/3)

Ben Hamilton Bailie, a transport and urban designer, has advocated the humanisation of our public realm over the last 20 years. 

Ben will present his work on shared spaces which will then will be followed by provocative proposals by architectural students on what it would take to make Belfast the UK’s most liveable city.

Chaired by Peter Clegg

More information

On the evening of 20^th January FCBStudios hosted the book launch of ‘Learning From Schools’ by Peter Clegg at our Front Room event space in London.

Over 100 guests joined us to discuss and debate themes around the book with guest speakers Dave Strudwick, Head teacher from Plymouth School of Creative Arts, Harry Daniels and Hau Ming Tse from the Department of Education University of Oxford and Mairi Johnson, Global Lead for Education Sector at AECOM.

To find out more about the book and to purchase a copy please click here.

Join RIBA North West for a drinks reception and tour of the RIBA Award-winning Manchester Metropolitan University Student Union.

Partner Simon Doody from FCBStudios will give a short talk and then lead the tour of the building.

Booking essential.

Join Peter Clegg at the University of Bath to watch Director Sydney Pollack’s first-feature length documentary about acclaimed architect, Frank O. Gehry. One of the towering figures of 20^th and 21^st Century architecture Pollack’s film is a mesmerizing portrait of the man and his work.

Beginning with Gehry’s own original sketches for each major project, the film explores Gehry’s process of turning these abstract drawings, first into tangible, three-dimensional models, and then into finished buildings of titanium and glass, concrete and steel, wood and stone.

The screening will be accompanied by discussion with Peter Clegg.

FCBStudios will be at MIPIM UK 2015 where we will be showcasing two projects on the AJ Architecture Tomorrow stand.

Visit us at stand B10 Olympia London between 21st-23rd October to see proposals for Ulster University Belfast Campus Development (phase 2) and Birmingham Conservatoire.

In attendance will be Partners Jason Cornish andSimon Carter. If you would like to arrange a meeting please contact us atevents@fcbstudios.com.

We hope to see you there.

FCBStudios’ submission entitled ‘Community Led Intensification’ will be exhibited at the NLA as part of the 'New ideas for Housing London' international competition.

The exhibition presents a selection of both practical and more radical ideas: from increasing self-building and co-housing, to building over infrastructure assets, infilling council estates, and densifying the suburbs and forms part of a major NLA Insight Study, backed up by independent research, examining what needs to happen in the capital to improve the speed, scale and quality of its housing supply. It is supported by a series of free talks, conferences and tours.

For further information go to the NLA website.

A huge thank you to all our friends old and new who joined us at our London office to celebrate the Richard Feilden Foundation 10 Year Anniversary.

Attended by over 100 guests, short presentations were given by Trustees, new partners and other members of the Foundation’s team that reflected on the tremendous work the RFF has carried out over the last decade. Here’s to another successful 10 years!

To find out more about the work of the RFF or to get involved go to
richardfeildenfoundation.org.uk.

FCBStudios are excited to be part of the Manchester Curious festival, a three day celebration of Manchester’s secret spaces.

The festival runs from Friday 2^nd – 4^th October 2015 and features a series of guided tours and walks designed to appeal to a wide audience, making the concept of architecture accessible to all. 

Our 2014 Stirling Prize shortlisted building, Manchester School of Art, will be one of the many buildings open to the public with the aim of increasing public engagement in architecture.  

To find out more please see the full programme of events.

With a rapidly increasing population, London is facing a crisis around the provision of school places. London Councils’ recent report suggested the capital is set to have a secondary place shortfall of 35,000 school places by 2020. Pre-election figures compiled by Labour suggested that more than 60,000 London children could miss out on a primary school place in three years’ time simply because of a lack of provision.

This NLA half-day conference will look at innovation across London’s schools and examine how primary and secondary schools are working to provide much needed additional places across the capital. 

Including guest speaker Joe Jack Williams, Researcher from FCBStudios.

On the 19th and 20th of September there will be over 700 buildings to visit as well as walks and talks as part of Open House London 2015

A RIBA Award winning project of ours, Chelsea Academy will be opening it's doors to the public during this years Open House.

To find out more about this free event please click on the link to the left. 

Join us for a ‘Sneak Preview’ guided tour of the new Ulster University building on the 18th July in conjunction with the first Open House Belfast festival.

Visit the first phase building that will house creative workshops, studios, student hubs, teaching spaces, presentation rooms and ancillary support spaces.

This is a unique opportunity to preview the new campus with architect Cormac Maguire of FCBStudios. Learn about the design approach and the ongoing work to deliver the largest construction project currently underway in Belfast.

We will be hosting a lunchtime talk at our Belfast Office as part of Open House Belfast.

The intention of ‘Open Office’ is to showcase the working practices behind the buildings. FCBStudios will host a talk, concentrating on current projects, with a particular emphasis on the concept sketch and how the scribble becomes reality.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided

Attention artists, writers and dreamers, we invite you to join us for an afternoon of thinking, drawing, model making and tea.

Drop in to our London studio between 2:00 and 4:30pm to enjoy the fun.

This event is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2015 and RIBA London Open Studios

What does the future hold for Fitzrovia?

Fitzrovia is one of central London’s most dynamic and distinctive neighbourhoods, famous through history for its bohemian character, but now undergoing extraordinary transformations.
We ask how the blurring of living, working and socialising can nurture a creative energy unique to the area. What interventions could spark a collaborative spirit between businesses? What role can public spaces play in the future of Fitzrovia?

Join FCBStudios and invited guests to explore these issues and discuss the future of Fitzrovia.

Peter Clegg from FCBStudios presents lessons learnt from a three-decade pursuit of new environmental approaches to architecture.

Part of Bristol Big Green Week 2015

#lovethefuture

City Ideas Studio Keynote Lecture: Hosted by the Architecture Centre at Arnolfini

From the 9^th June take a walk across Redcliffe Bridge in Bristol and enjoy a light installation by FCBStudios. ‘Nearly Everything’ is a site-specific installation that will be housed inside The Control Room on Redcliffe Bridge in Bristol’s docks area, and viewable as you pass over the bridge.

“If I had to show a foreigner one English city and one only, to give him a balanced idea of English architecture, I should take him to Bristol, which has developed in all directions, and where nearly everything has happened” Sir John Summerson

Celebrating the unique atmosphere of urban Bristol through an exploration of colour, light, projection, reflection and opacity the installation is a love letter to the city’s eccentric history, and an ambition for its vibrant future.

On display during Bristol's Big Green Week.

We invite you to discover the Forest of Imagination, a pop-up multi-disciplinary arts event featuring world-class architects, designers and artists. The ‘Forest’ is a place where everyone can explore their own creativity. The event will be held in Queen Square, Bath on Friday 15th to Monday 18th May 2015, presenting a playful programme of installations, artwork and workshops for all ages.

For further information go to Forest of Imagination website

Join us to discuss how the lost and unloved buildings of Bath - the industrial and postwar fabric - might be used as places of creativity and production once more. 

Meet at Avon Street Car Park to explore new possibilities for experimental and dynamic urban occupation in the city.

Flyer 

The creative industries generate £8.8M per hour for the UK economy yet are often pushed to the edges of regeneration projects.

Peter Clegg, founding partner of FCBStudios, will present some recent artspace projects and share his passion for Craneworks, a proposal to transform the Stothert & Pitt factory buildings on the Lower Bristol Road in Bath into a world-class centre for the creative industries.

FCBStudios are pleased to invite you to an evening considering Cities within Cities.

Architects from a range of UK practices will hold an informal presentation and discussion at Bath Abbey, reflecting on one of their common inspirations. As part of our Lost Places season we will consider the city as one of our most precious and enduring creations. We will present it as source of inspiration for all architecture, and at all scales.

Geoff Rich and Jason Cornish will be at MIPIM 2015.

Geoff is Managing Partner of our Bath and Manchester offices and takes a leading role in our creative re-use and regeneration projects. Geoff will be cycling to MIPIM as part of the annual Cycle to Cannes event (see http://geoffrich.blogspot.co.uk).

Jason is a Partner in our London and Belfast offices and leads our work in housing sector work. His current projects also include masterplanning and comprehensive mixed use schemes across London encompassing both new and historically sensitive sites.

The exhibition 'Art, Architecture and The Observatory: Material Research & Collaboration in Practice' currently running at our London office has been extended until 13th March 2015.

See material research in Shou Sugi Ban charring and the collaborative process between the artist and architect from the recently completed mobile artist studio The Observatory.

As budgets shrink, crowdfunding is a way to raise awareness and money for civic projects such as The Flyover project in Liverpool, Ancoats Dispensary in Manchester and the Thames Baths in London. Spacehive.com is the world’s first crowd funding platform for civic projects and since March 2012 it’s funded a total of 61 civic projects worth £1.8 million.

Margaret Cooney of Spacehive will explain the different crowd based models; why crowdfunding is a cultural and business shift; how it can help communities; what makes a popular project online, partnering with government and business, and the potential for Spacehive and similar platforms in the future.

Architect Chris Romer-Lee of Studio Octopi will talk about the Thames Baths Project, a £10m open-air swimming pool in the Thames off Victoria Embankment, why its chosen Kickstarter, and what it takes to launch a fundraising campaign in order to get a project in for planning.

Masters of Architecture students from the University of Bath come to Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to take part in a Pecha Kucha.

As part of our Lost Places season we are inviting young people to share with us their impressions of Bath, in the form of a Pecha Kucha: a presentation style showing 20 images for 20 seconds each. This is a great opportunity to listen to the thoughtful impressions of design students, whose ideas will shape the future of our cities.

Refreshments provided. Questions and answers afterwards.

Join us for a discussion and debate on material research in practice, cross-disciplinary collaboration with artists and experimental design in small architectural projects, featuring The Observatory

Peter Clegg Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Níall McLaughlin Níall McLaughlin Architects
Alex de Rijke dRMM
Charlotte Knight, Mina Gospavic, Lauren Shevills and Ross Galtress Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

FCBStudios invite you to Bristol for an evening of drawing cities, filming cities and dancing cities

The lost city gates of medieval Bristol are charged with meaning. They represent critical thresholds that define the city and determine how it has historically flowed. Join us to explore how movement and flow affect our way of experiencing the city, its people and its architecture.

with

Charles Wellingham 
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
The curation and evolution of movement in the British Country House

Matt Hynam 
University of the West of England School of Architecture
Filmic Space: An examination of urban space through filmic transitions

Nick Scott 
University of Plymouth School of Architecture
Some principles derived from dance theory and their application in Architecture

FCB Studios are pleased to invite you to various locations in and around Bath and Bristol in 2015 to go looking and asking. Topics will include:

• The River Revisited: explore the future of the river and the city in Bristol
• Creativity in Lost Spaces: join us on a bicycle for an evening in the lost city
• Cities within Cities: a forum to consider our most precious creation
• Looking at Bath: a PechaKucka
• Tales from the Void: an expert panel discusses our city's lost places

Join Moira Gemmill, Director of Design, Exhibitions & FuturePlan at the Victoria and Albert Museum for a breakfast event at FCBStudios London office organised by Archiboo.

The V&A now faces one of the biggest challenges in its 162-year history, the building of a new museum in Stratford east London, part of the Olympicopolis development announced this summer and the transition from a single to multiple venues, in central London, east London and Scotland. While the V&A’s plans will enable more of its permanent collection to be displayed, how does the museum  create differentiation between venues whilst maintaining a singular vision?

Moira will explain how she sees the future of museums in a world of rapid change, why the V&A has adopted ‘rapid response collecting’ and finally the role of architecture, and how she believes the message begins with the building.

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Futures in the Making is an annual group exhibition showcasing speculative architectural futures explored in the work of recent architecture graduates. From research-based proposals for new museum sites in Sierra Leone to visions for the design of cyber-urban space, projects will include a global range of case studies that test new ideas for architecture and design from a rising generation of architectural talent.

The AF curated exhibition will present eleven projects, showcased through drawings, models and research, by selected graduates from London architecture schools.

Join us for drinks from 6.30–8.30pm on Thursday 13 November at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Twenty Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RF.

RSVP essential via eventbrite, by 5pm Wednesday 12 November.

Image: Cities: Game-Over? 2014. Courtesy James Pockson

Join key stakeholders at The Oval Cricket Ground for a development update in the morning and afternoon walking tours focusing on central London's largest opportunity area. Nine Elms is rapidly changing shape with a number of key schemes already on the ground. The morning conference will focus on infrastructure and public realm investment, the future commercial occupier market, deliverability and viability, and how the look and feel of the area is shaping up. This will be followed by a networking lunch and afternoon walking tours of key sites led by stakeholders in the area.

Book at: NLA Online

FCBStudios tour will be at 3.20pm

Come along and hear Joel Cockhill, Lead Design Engineer at Transport for London, talk about the proposed new Cycle Super Highway.

An opportunity to hear first-hand what’s going on, ask questions, have thoughts and generally talk cycling in the city.

Link to TfL    Link to Event Flyer

RSVP fcb.studios@fcbstudios.com
by Friday 17th October

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and The Prince’s Regeneration Trust invite you to join us for an evening of enquiry and debate.

How do projects delivering the re-use of existing and historic buildings deliver meaningful regeneration? Apart from addressing the challenges of physically improving the places they concern, can they actually change people’s lives for the better?
Taking the recently completed regeneration of Middleport Pottery in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent as our key case study (the last working Victorian pottery in the UK) our speakers will look at the Middleport project from a range of perspectives, including people that live nearby and work at the Pottery.

In a debate chaired by ex-English Heritage Chair, and author of the recent report ‘Tackling poverty through culture’ for the Welsh Government Baroness Kay Andrews OBE, we will hear from:

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust
Harry Wardill, Senior Projects Adviser, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust
Jemma Baskeyfield, Burgess & Leigh Online Manager & Company Historian and Middleport resident for 33 years

Geoff Rich, Studio Leader, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

RSVP fcb.studios@fcbstudios.com
by Wednesday 8th October

Essential Repair and Maintenance Project

Southbank Centre
This is a free exhibition in the Royal Festival Hall foyer, detailing plans of urgent renewal work that must be carried out on Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery. This essential repair and maintenance work is being carried out to ensure that the Southbank Centre can keep the buildings open and continue to offer festivals, art and learning for everyone 364 days a year, long into the future.

The architects shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 come together to reveal the stories behind their buildings, the things that inspire them and what it would mean to win the most prestigious prize in architecture.

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios will present shortlisted project Manchester School of Art.

On the 20th and 21st September there will be over 800 buildings, neighbourhood walks, architects' talks, and much more taking place as part of Open House London 2014 and we have two of our buildings opening their doors to the public: Chelsea Academy and Drapers' Academy.

To find out more about these free events please click on the links to the left.

We hope to see you there!

The 4th annual FCB Office to Office bike ride will be on 13/14th September and this year we’re due to ride from London to Bath.

We invite you to drop in to the launch of the FCBStudios Corner Shop. Join us anytime between 11:00 - 16:00. Everyone welcome.

Activities for kids and adults
Design your ideal Pic 'n' Mix home
Featuring plants by Grants and Take Away Gardens
Afternoon Tea

Flyer and for further information contact holly.mansergh@fcbstudios.com 

Featuring Embassy Gardens & The Atlas.

London is about to see an explosion in the number of tall buildings, as the capital's population increases and investors pour money into London real estate. NLA have found over 230 buildings over 20 storeys high in the pipeline to be built over the next decade.

NLA is conducting an Insight Study into tall buildings in the capital, researching the major changes that are impacting the capital's skyline, analysing why this growth is taking place and looking at the response of the planning system.

From 3 April to 12 June 2014, the results of the study will form the basis of a major exhibition ‘London’s Growing Up’ on show in the NLA galleries, which will be supported by an accompanying publication and a series of NLA events, including roundtable discussions, conferences, breakfast talks, walking tours and site visits. 

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On the 27th February FCBStudios co-hosted one of our busiest 'Front Room' events to date in collaboration with NLA.

The evening included quick-fire presentations from some of London’s most dynamic architects, engineers and boroughs who presented their ‘Capital Ideas’ for London.

'Capital Ideas' are hypothetical but realistic proposals to make London a better place, ranging from a new building typology or place, a newly designed junction or pedestrianised area, right through to a new transport system or mode.

Speakers included:
Andrew Beharrell, Executive Director, Pollard Thomas Edwards architects 
Darryl Chen, Researcher, &also thinktank,HawkinsBrown
Christian Coop, Senior Associate , NBBJ Architects 
Joanna Day, Architect, Nicholas Hare Architects
Ian Givin, Architectural Assistant, Child Graddon Lewis
Robert Godbold, Associate, Ramboll
Alistair Huggett, Planning Projects Manager, LB Southwark
David Magyar, Director, John Robertson Architects
Christian Male, Associate Director, Ian Simpson Architects
Neil Manthorpe, Principal Landscape Architect,Atkins
James Pinkerton, Architectural Assistant, NBBJ Architects 

Peter Murray, Chairman, NLA (Chair)  

In the fourth of our series Think Time we will be discussing the legacy of the UK’s redundant industrial buildings. How can these monuments of yesterday’s innovation be reused to house the vibrancy of tomorrow’s communities? Do increasingly challenging economic realities mean our historic structures need to go back to work?

Join us at Buro Happold – one of Bath’s most successful reinventions of an industrial building.

with
Miriam Kelly, Architect, FCBStudios
Ben Greener, Policy Advisor, Heritage Lottery Fund
Harry Wardill, Project Manager, Prince’s Regeneration Trust
Tim Greensmith, Architect, FCBStudios

18.00 drinks, 18.30 talks/debate start

Booking essential: Contact fcb.studios@fcbstudios.com by Friday 22nd November

In the third of our Think Time events we will consider Peter Smithson’s ‘Walks within the Walls’, and be joined by architect Vicky Smith and Peter’s daughter Soraya Smithson.

Alison and Peter Smithson were among the most influential and controversial architects of the mid twentieth century. “Bath - Walks within the Walls” was written in 1966 when Bath was facing huge changes and Peter was concerned that the fragile substance of the city, and its unique character and cohesion, would be lost to the bulldozer.

Vicky Smith trained as an architect in Cambridge and runs a digital media company specialising in architectural walks around towns and cities. She was taught by Peter Smithson, and edited the Walks document when it was republished in 1980. Vicky will introduce Peter’s walks, giving a flavour of their content. Peter Clegg will then chair a discussion on their relevance and potential future plans for reissuing them.

Vicky Smith, Creative Director, Stride Design
Peter Clegg, Senior Partner, FCBStudios
Dr Amy Frost, Bath Preservation Trust
Keith Bradley, Senior Partner, FCBStudios
Soraya Smithson, Artist

FCBStudios will join in conversation with a host of creatives to discuss the impact of a second industrial revolution in architecture and design.

FCBStudios were appointed to work with Manchester Metropolitan University on this major extension of the School of Art and Design. This historic site, near the city centre; adjacent to the original School of Art, the Grosvenor Building, was built in 1880 and included LS Lowry among former students.

After the discussion a Q&A session will take place.

Go to Design Manchester for booking.

In the second of our Think Time events we will consider Remnants of the New Ancients.

All architectural theories are myths. This isn’t being derogatory; myths are stories that tell us something about ourselves. As with our ancestors our buildings hold the stories of who we are in our age. How might we stand in the narrative of our civilisation? What will our ruins say of us?

To discuss we have assembled a Panel:

Alan Keane, Architect, FCBStudios
Dr Amy Frost, Bath Preservation Trust
Gillian Darley, Author and Broadcaster
Robert Grover, Architect, James Grayley Architects
Sam Joyce, Engineer and Researcher, The AA and University of Bath
Professor Yiannis Gabriel, Chair in Organisation Studies, University of Bath

We welcome you to join in & contribute.

Booking essential: please email fcb.studios@fcbstudios.com by Friday 25th October 

FCBStudios are pleased to invite you to an evening talk in Bristol. In the first of our Think Time events we will consider TIMESCALES (5 X 5 X 5). Inspired by Eames short film: 10 X 10, and joined by architects Carmody Groarke, and Caruso St.John, we will think about buildings built for 5 weeks, 5 decades, and 5 centuries.

How do buildings respond to their own lifecycle? How does the city manage its growth and decline? What do the expanding numbers of protected buildings and conservation areas mean for our urban development?

We hope that the evening considers the poetry, as well as the pragmatics, of the building lifecycle, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Fergus Connolly, Architect, FCBStudios
Lewis Kinneir, Associate, Carmody Groarke
Sam Casswell, Architect, Caruso St John

FCBStudios are delighted to invite you to join us in collaborating with Southbank Centre’s Festival of Neighbourhood. Southbank Centre is creating a unique Living Room within Royal Festival Hall as part of this summer’s Festival of Neighbourhood with MasterCard. This social space is being designed and built by participants from all walks of life to provide a space for neighbours to get to know each other and to take part in the many events at Southbank Centre this summer.
 

Every Thursday between 18 July and 1 August (7pm to 9pm) we need your help to design the Living Room. Then from 5 to 9 August, to build it.

It’s free to take part – and you don’t need any experience to participate as you will be supported by designer Andrew Lock and architects from FCBStudios.

On the 7th May 2013 Peter Clegg chaired a debate at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre. On the panel were Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, architect Sarah Wigglesworth, Dennis Crompton of Archigram, who worked on the sixties Southbank Centre buildings and Edwin Heathcote, writer and leading architecture critic.

The Southbank has for 60 years been the locus of radical, forward looking architecture. Originally the site of the Festival of Britain in 1951, the area has continued to see radical change with the construction of the Brutalist concrete buildings of the Hayward Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Hall. With the new proposals for the Festival Wing recently announced, the panel discussed the ideas which gave life to these unusual buildings.

Dennis Crompton, one of the team of architects responsible for the design of the Hayward Gallery, spoke of the long history of the South Bank as a place for experimentation and delight with the Pleasure Gardens and entrepreneurial industries cheek by jowl. Sarah Wigglesworth talked of the importance of civic space and civic buildings and reminded us of the collaborative, social agenda of the LCC during the late 1960s which was the place to be for bright young architects. Jude Kelly described just such an agenda for the Southbank today which aims to be a place for the collective imagination to thrive. Edwin Heathcote admired the unfinished quality of the site and urged the Southbank to retain some spaces which are unprogrammed and which can enable unexpected and spontaneous things to happen in an urban environement.

FCBStudios and the Architects' Journal in association with Green Sky Thinking will host an eco-breakfast on the building performance gap, chaired by the AJ’s sustainability editor Hattie Hartman. 

Speakers will include:

Sarah Cary, British Land
Jon Ackroyd, Architype
Judit Kimpian, Aedas
Fionn Stevenson, Sheffield University School of Architecture
Ian Taylor, FCBStudios

The panel will brainstorm practical ways to move the post-occupancy agenda forward:

Monitoring techniques: what are they and who does them?
What’s the price tag and who pays?
Developing in-house expertise on simple monitoring and occupant survey techniques
How to persuade clients of the merits of monitoring
Examples of cost and energy savings achieved by monitoring
Writing monitoring into the brief from the outset

Booking now closed. 

Southbank Centre has unveiled its proposals to transform the Festival Wing – the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery complex – to create, together with the successful Royal Festival Hall refurbishment, a world-class cultural centre for the 21st century, providing more art for more people in better spaces. 

The proposals, by FCBStudios, include refurbishment and renewal of the existing 1960s buildings and the creation of major new arts spaces including a new glass pavilion, a new central foyer and a new liner building. The proposals will enable Southbank Centre to realise its vision to deliver a larger and more ambitious arts, educational and cultural programme across the site for all its visitors to enjoy.

The proposals are part of a public exhibition in the Royal Festival Hall and the exhibition is also available online at Southbank Centre’s website. The physical and online exhibition forms a key part of the public consultation of this project ahead of a planning application being submitted to Lambeth Council in late Spring. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 11pm and it will be updated as the plans develop through consultation.

On the 28th November 2012 we opened our Front Room at Twenty doors to a mix of clients, collaborators, journalists and friends of the practice to join us for early Christmas Drinks and to celebrate the launch of our new book entitled Education Architecture Urbanism: Three University Projects.

Our London office events space was transformed into a visual feast representing the locations of the three projects featured in the book: Manchester, Worcester and Leeds. 

Fun lighting, music and film filled the rooms where large scale models of each building were displayed, and we even made 1/1000th scale models of The Hive formed of delicious Belgian chocolate that were given to our guests as they left.

On the 17th October 2012 we hosted a conference in collaboration with the University of Bath and Buro Happold. Seven of the country’s top environmental engineers who have reached the top of their profession got together to explain what inspires them, what they think of the future of the profession and how they can have more influence particularly on the energy performance of buildings. We also threw in a couple of architects who graduated at the same time to help provide a context for a discussion on design team collaboration. 

Hosted by Bath Professors Peter Clegg, David Coley, Tim Ibell with speakers: Patrick Bellew Atelier Ten, Klaus Bode BDSP, Guy Battle Deloitte, Ant Wilson AECOM, Neil Billett Buro Happold, Dave Richards Arup, Andy Ford Mott MacDonald Fulcrum, Keith Bradley FCBStudios and Selçuk Avci Avci Architects. Chaired by Paul Finch Editorial Director of Architects’ Journal and Architectural Review and Deputy Chair of the Design Council.

An impressive turnout of 300 attended the conference, including practitioners, researchers, teachers, students, writers, environmentalists, clients and contractors. Footage of the event will be made available soon.

Our event at 'Twenty' on Wednesday the 19th September asked the question what would Walter Groupius do if he were setting up the Bauhaus today?

In collaboration with Green Sky Thinking we invited three expert speakers: Dan Epstein, Useful Simple Trust Paola Guzman, Capital Growth and Jason Cornish from Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to explore a holistic approach to making London a truly sustainable place to live and breathe.

On Saturday 30th June 2012 we opened our studio doors to join in the London Festival of Architecture's Playful City 2012.

To entertain our guests (general public, clients, local businesses and other architects) we had put together an impressive display of cardboard concept models which were inspired by the brief “Architects Through the Looking Glass”.

Using only cardboard, sound and light we created a series of installations that teased, challenged and inspired our visitors to think about architecture and about the city in playful and surprising ways. Interactive installations filled our event space, spilling out onto the streets; totems and colourful hand drawn chalk lines beckoned people in from around Fitzrovia and our Mad Hatter’s tea party gave hot tea and home made cakes to the festival-goers.

A few of our architects gave short presentations to a packed house to explain the concepts behind the installations and then more tea was served!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to a fantastic event. Karl Marx said he felt honoured to be included…..

On the 27th June we hosted the design community’s answer to speed-dating. A big design debate where ten exciting speakers including brand architect Adam Scott, environmental campaigner Chris Hines, Cany Ash from Ash Sakula Architects, Ed Lister from Planit and Julia Ratcliffe from Expedition Engineering each presented for 3 minutes only on the subject of “ What if Anything Could Happen?”.

The evening also offered a sneak preview of our London Festival of Architecture exhibition 'Through the Looking Glass'.