featured news
‘The Pioneers of Cross-Laminated Timber Construction’ The Smile
The Smile was the cover feature and first project to be explored in Archdaily’s article covering the ‘Meteoric Rise of Cross-Laminated Timber’.
The Smile was the cover feature and first project to be explored in Archdaily’s article covering the ‘Meteoric Rise of Cross-Laminated Timber’.
The article referenced the landmark fully timber project made in collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Arup, and the London Design Festival. Showcasing the structural and spatial potential of cross-laminated American tulipwood The Smile uses CLT’s structural capacity to cantilever visitors in its 34m-long curve, up to three meters above the ground, without additional support.
Read the full Archdaily article here.
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Unity Place Shortlisted for RIBA London Award Unity Place Ely Court Kilburn Quarter
Unity Place has been shortlisted by the RIBA London Jury for a prestigious London Award.
Unity Place has been shortlisted by the RIBA London Jury for a prestigious London Award.
Working with Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Gort Scott as a large collaborative project, Unity Place is the latest phase of Brent Council’s twenty-year South Kilburn Regeneration in North West London. Alison Brooks Architects have designed a cluster of three modern mansion blocks to replace two derelict 1960’s towers. The scheme re-integrates the site and its communities into the wider South Kilburn neighbourhood. Three buildings provide exceptionally high quality, bright and spacious units.
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Practical Completion in Tottenham Hale One Ashley Road
We are thrilled to announce the end of the construction period of One Ashley Road in North London.
We are thrilled to announce the end of the construction period of One Ashley Road in North London.
Our scheme’s hexagonal plan geometry, colour and patterning are inspired by Tottenham’s historic local context. The Eagle Pencil Co, later taken over by Berol, operated a factory in the Hale from 1907 to 1992. With a rich orange brick outer skin and a faceted metal courtyard façade, our design employs the graphic colours and hexagonal forms of the iconic Berol Eagle Pencil. These have been translated formally as abstract surface patterns within the architecture of the building, gathering and reflecting light into its heart.
A secluded residents podium garden and resident’s co-work space at third floor level is sheltered from street noise; at 7th floor level, a south-facing communal roof garden is visible from afar. With a double-height colonnade offering a civic frontage to Tottenham Hale, this building will bring identity, character, human scale and joy to its new and existing communities.
Visualization shows the view of the building directly after exiting Tottenham Hale station
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Winter Newsletter
Happy New Year from Alison Brooks Architects!
View our winter newsletter containing some of our 2022 highlights here: Season’s Greetings from Alison Brooks Architects (mailchi.mp)
Happy New Year from Alison Brooks Architects!
View our winter newsletter containing some of our 2022 highlights here: Season’s Greetings from Alison Brooks Architects (mailchi.mp)
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Toronto Quayside Development Agreement
Waterfront Toronto and Quayside Impact confirmed an agreement to develop the Quayside site this December.
Waterfront Toronto and Quayside Impact confirmed an agreement to develop the Quayside site this December.
This announcement follows the competition success of Quayside Impact’s team earlier this year featuring Adjaye Associates, Henning Larsen and Alison Brooks Architects.
Co-leading a talented international team, we hope to transform the area into a vibrant new ecologically minded community. Our Western Curve Tower is the cornerstone to the masterplan’s design, featuring innovative balconies that will promote extensive planting.
The development will offer:
- 800+ Units of affordable housing
- 3.5 Acres of connective green public space
- Low carbon design; mass timber structures
Read Waterfront Toronto’s full announcement here.
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Madame Architect Interview
This December Alison Brooks was interviewed by Julia Gamolina, the founder of Madame Architect.
This December Alison Brooks was interviewed by Julia Gamolina, the founder of Madame Architect.
“We need more women creating the built environment, creating the cities in which we live. We need to inspire more young girls and women to be the makers of our world.”
To read the full interview, click here.
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IE University Guest Lecture
In November, Alison Brooks travelled to IE university to present her works to graduate students, placing an emphasis on sustainable, context-driven design.
In November, Alison Brooks travelled to IE university to present her works to graduate students, placing an emphasis on sustainable, context-driven design.
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Siza Talks 2022
16.11.2022—18.11.2022, Porto, Portugal
Alison Brooks Features at the Monterey Design Conference
Headlining alongside an impressive list of international design talents, Alison Brooks featured as a keynote speaker in Monterey, California for CAIA’s famed Monterey Design Conference.
Headlining alongside an impressive list of international design talents, Alison Brooks featured as a keynote speaker in Monterey, California for CAIA’s famed Monterey Design Conference.
Learn more about the event and speakers by clicking here.
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Opening Keynote Speech ‘Transformations’ Cadence Exeter College Cohen Quad
30.09.2022—2.10.2022, Samsung KX
Alison Brooks spoke for the American Institute of Architects, kicking off a 3-day conference focused on London, King’s Cross and its transformations since the last AIA London Conference in 2014.
Alison Brooks spoke for the American Institute of Architects, kicking off a 3-day conference focused on London, King’s Cross and its transformations since the last AIA London Conference in 2014.
Alison Brooks presented her work with a talk entitled ‘Context in Architecture.’ Cadence, Cohen Quad and the LSE Global Hub design proposal were all covered as case studies.
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“A Genuine Evolution of the Collegiate Tradition.” Exeter College Cohen Quad
Ben Flatman of BD praised the Exeter College Cohen Quad in his recent building study, stating that, “(the) Cohen Quad is a living manifestation of what the contemporary, inclusive, Oxford college has become.”
To read the full commendatory article, click here.
Ben Flatman of BD praised the Exeter College Cohen Quad in his recent building study, stating that, “(the) Cohen Quad is a living manifestation of what the contemporary, inclusive, Oxford college has become.”
To read the full commendatory article, click here.
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Shortlisted London School of Economics Design Proposal Revealed London School of Economics Global Hub
We are pleased to reveal our design for the LSE Firoz Lalji Global Hub and Institute for Africa. Collaborating with Nigerian practice Studio Contra, Alison Brooks Architects were one of six finalists chosen to prepare designs from 190 international submissions.
We are pleased to reveal our design for the LSE Firoz Lalji Global Hub and Institute for Africa. Collaborating with Nigerian practice Studio Contra, Alison Brooks Architects were one of six finalists chosen to prepare designs from 190 international submissions.
Our proposal aims to express the cultural, economic and environmental significance of Africa on one of London’s most prominent civic stages, Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
These readings underpin our primary urban approach: subtly curved symmetrical facades that embrace their context, sculpted terra cotta cladding that echoes clay-based architectural traditions, and stepped massing, emphasizing rootedness and heft.
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Mass Timber Planning Permission Success Homerton College
Planning permission has been granted for our net zero carbon Homerton College, Cambridge Entrance Building.
Planning permission has been granted for our net zero carbon Homerton College, Cambridge Entrance Building.
Alison Brooks Architects’ scheme is inspired by the Homerton College campus, its architectural eclecticism and its Arts & Crafts legacy. In the tradition of the Arts & Crafts house, a sheltering and protective Verandah makes a clear gesture of welcome toward the Hills Road approach.
Key to our design is an expressed timber frame and its inherent sequestered carbon. Timber proved appropriate for this pavilion-like entrance building; limited beam spans lead to a very rational structural grid and a pure overall form. Glulam columns, beams and ribbed CLT floorplates will create an environment of primarily warm, natural materials that will enhance this building’s acoustic, tactile and olfactory qualities.
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