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Alison Brooks Architects wins Cambridge College competition

Alison Brooks Architects has been commissioned by Homerton College, Cambridge to design their new main Entrance Building and Children’s Literature Resource Centre, after winning a two-stage design competition.

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Alison Brooks Architects has been commissioned by Homerton College, Cambridge to design their new main Entrance Building and Children’s Literature Resource Centre, after winning a two-stage design competition.

The design brief asked for a new entrance appropriate to the size and ambition of the College; including a new Porters’ Lodge which both welcomes first-time visitors and meets the needs of resident students; and to expand the College Library, allowing it to host exhibitions as well as provide study space.

Alison Brooks Architects’ scheme is inspired by the Homerton College campus, its architectural eclecticism and its Arts & Crafts legacy. Our proposed building form is a three storey ‘cube’ with a wide single storey base that extends outward in four directions.

“We’re delighted with this opportunity to design Homerton College’s new Entrance Building and Children’s Literature Resource Centre as a welcoming ‘lantern’ and multi-purpose hub for the College’s communities. We’re very much inspired by Homerton’s campus, its arts and crafts legacy and we look forward to producing its first net zero mass timber building.” — Alison Brooks

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Building London | BBC Radio 3

For the ‘Building London’ episode, Alison Brooks joined Eric Parry (Eric Parry Architects) and presenter Laurence Scott to discuss the development of London, as part of the London Festival of Architecture.

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For the ‘Building London’ episode, Alison Brooks joined Eric Parry (Eric Parry Architects) and presenter Laurence Scott to discuss the development of London, as part of the London Festival of Architecture.

Follow the link to revisit the episode → https://bbc.in/3xM70oF

Joana Polonia [less..]

Architecture and Inequity: New Practices of Care

from Alison Brooks Architects joined the London Festival of Architecture & Royal Academy of Arts‘ ‘Architecture and Inequity: New Practices of Care’ symposium.

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from Alison Brooks Architects joined the London Festival of Architecture & Royal Academy of Arts‘ ‘Architecture and Inequity: New Practices of Care’ symposium.

Bringing together original research that considers the systemic inequalities in our cities and proposes positive approaches that explore the built environment from a critical perspective, the panel discussed inclusive design strategies and explored how architecture can accept difference.

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The Martin Centre | University of Cambridge

For this lecture at The Martin Centre, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, Alison Brooks elaborated on ’19th C London: A 21st C Model for Embedded Productivity, Mixity and Hyper-locality’.

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For this lecture at The Martin Centre, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, Alison Brooks elaborated on ’19th C London: A 21st C Model for Embedded Productivity, Mixity and Hyper-locality’.

 

Follow the link for a chance to revisit the seminar.

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Future Assembly | The Umbrella Islands

In addition to ‘Home Ground’, we have also contributed to Future Assembly, an exhibition in the Giardini’s Central Pavilion as part of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition. Curated by Olafur Eliasson’s Studio Other Spaces, the work explores the value system of the United Nations and imagines new futures for how we can collaboratively come together.

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In addition to ‘Home Ground’, we have also contributed to Future Assembly, an exhibition in the Giardini’s Central Pavilion as part of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition. Curated by Olafur Eliasson’s Studio Other Spaces, the work explores the value system of the United Nations and imagines new futures for how we can collaboratively come together.

Today, as humankind faces a devastating pandemic and a triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss and severe degradation of air, land and water – we need to end our war on nature and begin to act more holistically to secure the health of the species, ecosystems and resources with which we coexist and on which our survival depends.

This ‘Future Assembly’ exhibition calls on all of us to re-imagine new pathways for our global governance architecture and to strengthen multilateralism so that it is more networked and inclusive. At this pivotal moment for people and planet, the United Nations is determined to work with all partners to uphold our shared values, navigate common challenges and seize the opportunities of the century ahead.’

– António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

 

The installation ‘The Umbrella Islands’ is inspired by Alison Brooks’ annual pilgrimage to the Umbrella Islands of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. Part of the Canadian Shield, it is a four billion-year-old landscape and the largest area of Archean Era rock that is still visible at the Earth’s surface. The installation consists of four 63.5mm diameter core samples from this ancient rock formation, set in timber trays to offer a sensory sampling of the Shield, embodied by the Umbrella Islands. To accompany this are geological maps of the islands and a selection of Alison Brooks’ personal photographs that reveal the haunting beauty of the islands. It is the direct connection to an Archaean Era environment and the incomprehensibly long timeframe that the rocks have witnessed that makes the experience of visiting the Umbrella Islands so powerful.

Installation photo: Gerdastudio

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Adapt As An Architect: A Mid-Career Companion

Alison Brooks is pleased to be featured in Randy Deutsch’s new book “Adapt As An Architect: A Mid-Career Companion” (RIBA Publishing, 2021).

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Alison Brooks is pleased to be featured in Randy Deutsch’s new book “Adapt As An Architect: A Mid-Career Companion” (RIBA Publishing, 2021).

Drawing insights from various international practices, the publication aims to support the growth of architects in the developing stages of their careers. bit.ly/3y633w2

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Whole Architect – Podcast Episode with Alison Brooks

Join Emma Bowers (Stanford University) in conversation with Alison Brooks, as they explore the importance of discovery, the evolution of education and the profession, and how loving our mistakes helps us grow.

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Join Emma Bowers (Stanford University) in conversation with Alison Brooks, as they explore the importance of discovery, the evolution of education and the profession, and how loving our mistakes helps us grow.

Listen to the episode → https://spoti.fi/3hegFPz

“Every new project is a new place, it’s a new community, it’s a new context, a new piece of city that needs help and work… tons of inspiration and excitement comes from discovering that new place, falling in love with it and seeing it with fresh eyes.” —  Alison Brooks

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ABA on winning masterplan team for Thamesmead Waterfront

ABA is absolutely delighted to be part of the Prior + Partners / Arup winning masterplan team for Thamesmead Waterfront.

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ABA is absolutely delighted to be part of the Prior + Partners / Arup winning masterplan team for Thamesmead Waterfront.

Looking forward to getting started with LendleasePeabody, Thamesmead’s communities and our inspirational colleagues: Turner.WorksMarc Koehler ArchitectsSchulze+GrassovWest 8SoundingsThe Place BureauSage Culture Art Gallery & Projects, JA Projects.

Follow the link to learn more → https://bit.ly/3vxg7rR

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Yinka Ilori MBE unveils brand new artwork for Heart of Hale

Delighted to see Yinka Ilori‘s brand new artwork animating Tottenham Hale’s newest creative neighbourhood and ABA’s 1 Ashley Road project, currently on site.

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Delighted to see Yinka Ilori‘s brand new artwork animating Tottenham Hale’s newest creative neighbourhood and ABA’s 1 Ashley Road project, currently on site.

Titled “As you pass me by, know that it is nothing but love from me”, the public installation is part of Yinka’s role as the official Artist in Residence for Argent Related ‘s landmark scheme, Heart of Hale, in Tottenham Hale’s regeneration area. Learn more about the collaboration bit.ly/3nrV07y

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Alison Brooks named a High Commendation at 2021 Female Frontier Awards

Alison Brooks is delighted to have been named a High Commendation at the Female Frontier Awards: Powered by WAN 2021, in the Architect of the Year category.

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Alison Brooks is delighted to have been named a High Commendation at the Female Frontier Awards: Powered by WAN 2021, in the Architect of the Year category.

“I’m honoured to be in the company of every architect recognized by this award, in particular Francine Houben (Mecanoo). Francine is a leading light for women in the profession and also a personal friend. There’s much work to be done for women architects to have the same visibility and access to opportunities our male colleagues enjoy. The Female Frontier Awards make an important contribution to this cause.” — Alison Brooks

Follow the link to learn more. → https://bit.ly/3sL8lc8

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Alison Brooks joins Design Council’s Experts Directory

The Design Council has unveiled its refreshed network of experts, which embodies a commitment to making life better by design. Alison Brooks is delighted to be part of this diverse, multidisciplinary list of 34 ambassadors.

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The Design Council has unveiled its refreshed network of experts, which embodies a commitment to making life better by design. Alison Brooks is delighted to be part of this diverse, multidisciplinary list of 34 ambassadors.

Over the coming months, the experts will join with Design Council’s design associates to form a dynamic community of practice which will develop exciting opportunities to collaborate. Read more here

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Cadence, King’s Cross | NLA 2021 Tall Building Survey

ABA is delighted to have Cadence, King’s Cross featured in ‘s annual Tall Buildings Survey. Published in April 2021, the report presents new data and reflects on the impact of the pandemic on London’s tall buildings pipeline.

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ABA is delighted to have Cadence, King’s Cross featured in ‘s annual Tall Buildings Survey. Published in April 2021, the report presents new data and reflects on the impact of the pandemic on London’s tall buildings pipeline.

Explore the full report

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NLA London Tall Buildings Survey 2021 | Cadence

Delighted to have Cadence, King’s Cross featured in NLA London‘s annual Tall Buildings Survey. Released today, the report presents new data and reflects on the impact of the pandemic on London’s tall buildings pipeline. Explore the full report  

Delighted to have Cadence, King’s Cross featured in NLA London‘s annual Tall Buildings Survey. Released today, the report presents new data and reflects on the impact of the pandemic on London’s tall buildings pipeline. Explore the full report  

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Accelerate 2021 | Open City’s Programme

Alison Brooks Architects is delighted to be supporting Accelerate on a journey towards a more diverse, open and inclusive industry.

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Alison Brooks Architects is delighted to be supporting Accelerate on a journey towards a more diverse, open and inclusive industry.

Providing 30 sixth form students from across London with a series of skills workshops in a university environment, Open City’s Accelerate Programme offers one-to-one mentoring at an architecture practice, as well as in-depth bespoke guidance on university applications. As part of the Mentor Partners, we look forward to inviting the students to cultivate a critical questioning of the built environment. Learn more about the programme

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Your Brent Magazine | Durham & Gloucester Court

Spring 2021’s edition of ‘Your Brent’ magazine features an article with some new residents of ABA’s Durham & Gloucester Court, part of the South Kilburn Estate Regeneration.

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Spring 2021’s edition of ‘Your Brent’ magazine features an article with some new residents of ABA’s Durham & Gloucester Court, part of the South Kilburn Estate Regeneration.

When asked whether they still supported the award-winning regeneration of the estate at the residents’ ballot, the community overwhelmingly backed the council’s plans to continue rebuilding the neighbourhood – with 84% voting yes. We are honoured to be part of this journey and contribute to a real sense of place and belonging. Explore the story

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Alison Brooks Shortlisted for Female Frontier’s 2021 Architect of the Year Award

Alison Brooks is delighted to be shortlisted in the Architect of the Year category in the Female Frontier Awards: Powered by WAN 2021, alongside 6 influential and esteemed colleagues from around the world.

Alison Brooks is delighted to be shortlisted in the Architect of the Year category in the Female Frontier Awards: Powered by WAN 2021, alongside 6 influential and esteemed colleagues from around the world.

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Cohen Quad Exeter College, Oxford is a Civic Trust Awards Winner 2021 Fitzhugh Auditorium

Alison Brooks Architects is delighted that the Cohen Quad, Exeter College, Oxford has won a 2021 Civic Trust Award at the 5 March ceremony.

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Alison Brooks Architects is delighted that the Cohen Quad, Exeter College, Oxford has won a 2021 Civic Trust Award at the 5 March ceremony.

Thank you Civic Trust Awards and congratulations to all award winners. Delve into the announcement and explore the winning projects.

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People, Place, Planet #3 | Lecture by Alison Brooks

For this lecture at RIBA Somerset, Alison Brooks talked through some of her recent award winning and exemplar works and explained how they are borne out of contemporary constraints.

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For this lecture at RIBA Somerset, Alison Brooks talked through some of her recent award winning and exemplar works and explained how they are borne out of contemporary constraints.

“People, Place, Planet #3” explored the power of context and how it refreshes and invigorates her work, becoming the story behind her designs. There was a particular focus on the local context and story of the Taunton Maggie’s Centres.

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Raising the Roof | Agata Toromanoff

Agata Toromanoff‘s new book “Raising the Roof – Women Architects Who Broke Through the Glass Ceiling” celebrates the achievements of women architects in every corner of the world. Alison Brooks is delighted to be in the company of such inspirational professionals.

Agata Toromanoff‘s new book “Raising the Roof – Women Architects Who Broke Through the Glass Ceiling” celebrates the achievements of women architects in every corner of the world. Alison Brooks is delighted to be in the company of such inspirational professionals.

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Alison Brooks | Telegraph Luxury Magazine

This week’s Telegraph Luxury Magazine features Alison talking to Caroline Roux alongside other ground breaking female architects –  Farshid Moussavi, Eva Jiricna, Stephanie Macdonald, Jee Liu and Sadie Morgan.

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This week’s Telegraph Luxury Magazine features Alison talking to Caroline Roux alongside other ground breaking female architects –  Farshid Moussavi, Eva Jiricna, Stephanie Macdonald, Jee Liu and Sadie Morgan.

“Last year Alison Brooks completed one of the UK’s most stunning private houses, in the Wye Valley. She added a black-clad extension to an 18th-century farmhouse, and inside has created the ideal setting for her client’s huge collection of tribal artefacts. ‘It’s been a 10-year project,’ she says. ‘It’s amazing to work so closely with a client, because you are telling their story. But I bring the same care to social housing. I’d never design anything I didn’t want to live in myself.’

Brooks has built theatres, galleries, and was the first woman to design a major addition to an Oxford college. The Cohen Quad at Exeter College, completed in 2019, is an extraordinary S-shaped building with internal cloisters composed of spruce fins.”…

Photographs by Tereza CERVENOVA Styling by Tara GREVILLE

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4 Feb 2021, 5pm (GMT) Alison Brooks is presenting at the Chamber of Architects Milan

Join us live for a virtual visit to #Milano 4 Feb 5pm (GMT), 6PM (CET). Alison Brooks is presenting s part of a series entitled “The Contribution of Women in Contemporary Architecture: The British Example”.[more..]

Join us live for a virtual visit to #Milano 4 Feb 5pm (GMT), 6PM (CET). Alison Brooks is presenting s part of a series entitled “The Contribution of Women in Contemporary Architecture: The British Example”.

For more details visit the hosts website Chamber of Architects of the Province of Milan‘ .

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Thamesmead Waterfront Development Competition

Alison Brooks Architects are pleased to have been selected for the Thamesmead Waterfront Development longlist as part of an inspirational and multifaceted team led by Prior + Partners with Arup, West 8, The Place Bureau, Turner.Works, Marc Koehler Architects, JA projects, Schulze+Grassov, Soundings, and Sage Culture.[more..]

Alison Brooks Architects are pleased to have been selected for the Thamesmead Waterfront Development longlist as part of an inspirational and multifaceted team led by Prior + Partners with Arup, West 8, The Place Bureau, Turner.Works, Marc Koehler Architects, JA projects, Schulze+Grassov, Soundings, and Sage Culture.

The ‘Town of Tomorrow’ competition, organised by Colander Associates Limited, will select a visionary and strategic masterplanner to work with the housing association Peabody and its joint venture partner Lendlease on the 100ha scheme. More than 70 applications were received.

More details can be found on AJ’s website

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26 Jan 2021, 11am | Festival of Higher Education

On the 26th January Alison Brooks and Professor Sir Richard Trainor, Rector (Head) of Exeter College will present to the Festival of Higher Education.

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On the 26th January Alison Brooks and Professor Sir Richard Trainor, Rector (Head) of Exeter College will present to the Festival of Higher Education.

Alison will talk about the Exeter College Cohen Quadrangle, Oxford, her aspirations in creating a scholarly home and how the building offers uplifting environments in which to work, think and co-exist.

Sir Richard will talk about how the collegiate quad has proved a resilient academic model, not least during the pandemic, paying special attention to the innovative impact of the building’s Learning Commons on the student and staff experience.

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Cohen Quad – Winner in the 2021 Civic Trust Awards

Delighted that our Cohen Quad, Exeter College, Oxford has been selected as a winner in the 2021 Civic Trust Awards. One of only 40 successful National / International projects.[more..]

Delighted that our Cohen Quad, Exeter College, Oxford has been selected as a winner in the 2021 Civic Trust Awards. One of only 40 successful National / International projects.

The design for the Cohen Quad is based on three key architectural strategies: the journey, places of gathering, and the qualities of home.

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Alison Brooks juror for the Camden Highline

Alison Brooks is a juror for the international Camden Highline Competition. The 5 shortlisted teams are being interviewed 19th January 2021! There will be a new park and linear walk linking London’s Camden Town to King’s Cross on a still-active railway viaduct. Entries were received from across the globe to address the “creative tensions that exist between an urban environment and the natural world”.

Alison Brooks is a juror for the international Camden Highline Competition. The 5 shortlisted teams are being interviewed 19th January 2021! There will be a new park and linear walk linking London’s Camden Town to King’s Cross on a still-active railway viaduct. Entries were received from across the globe to address the “creative tensions that exist between an urban environment and the natural world”.

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20 Jan 2021 | Lecture to the Cross-border Canada ― USA Visual Arts and Built Environment Program

6pm EST, 11pm GMT

You have the chance to join students from VABE at Alison Brooks’ lecture by registering, free of charge on VABE’s website

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6pm EST, 11pm GMT

You have the chance to join students from VABE at Alison Brooks’ lecture by registering, free of charge on VABE’s website

Visual Arts and the Built Environment [VABE] is a unique combined, and cross-border program, between the School of Creative Arts [SoCA] at the University of Windsor (Windsor, Ontario) and the School of Architecture at the University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, Michigan). The program offers undergraduate students a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a general BA in Visual Arts with 4 years of combined study at two university institutions

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4 Feb 2021 | Webinar Conference on Women British Architects

Alison Brooks is a keynote speaker at the next Webinar Conference on Women British Architects organised by Milan Foundation of the Chamber of Architects in collaboration with the Media Partner Editorial Group Design Diffusion World. Tune in on February 4, 2021, at 4:30 pm. 

Alison Brooks is a keynote speaker at the next Webinar Conference on Women British Architects organised by Milan Foundation of the Chamber of Architects in collaboration with the Media Partner Editorial Group Design Diffusion World. Tune in on February 4, 2021, at 4:30 pm. 

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Alison Brooks Architects Named as One of Britain’s Top Ten Architects in this Month’s Avontuura

Alison Brooks Architects named as one of Britain’s top 10 architects in this month’s Avontuura alongside Adjaye Associates, Foster + Partners, Heatherwick, Zaha Hadid, and others.

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Alison Brooks Architects named as one of Britain’s top 10 architects in this month’s Avontuura alongside Adjaye Associates, Foster + Partners, Heatherwick, Zaha Hadid, and others.

“There’s a timelessness to Alison Brooks Architect’s work that I find quite interesting. First and foremost, their designs are beautiful; but the creativity and research-driven aspect of their practice are what I find most interesting. Their buildings are sensitive to their place while speaking concurrently to their future, and each project has a sculptural quality to it that isn’t lost in detailing. Some of their more well-known work includes the Quarterhouse in Folkestone and Exeter College Cohen Quad in Oxford (pictured).”

[Read the full article]

Source
Avontuura
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Ceri Edmunds Judging The Photographers Network Award

Our Associate Ceri Edmunds is one of the judge’s in this year’s  Photographers Network Award.[more..]

Our Associate Ceri Edmunds is one of the judge’s in this year’s  Photographers Network Award.

This award has launched three categories of competition, each with a unique theme and unified goal to find the best architectural photography being created around the world.

For more information and to enter the competitions, please visit The Photographers Network’s website.

Source
The Photographers Network
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Wood Awards 2020: A Treasured Wooden Object

In celebration of the 2020 Wood Awards, Alison Brooks shared ‘A Treasured Wooden Object’ with Disegno Works.

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In celebration of the 2020 Wood Awards, Alison Brooks shared ‘A Treasured Wooden Object’ with Disegno Works.

“These carved maple wood scrolls, each about 30cm long, hang as a pair on a wall in my living room. They formed part of my mother’s collection of 18th- and 19th-century “Canadiana”, which is the unassuming name for the art of Canada’s early settlers.”

Read the full article at the Wood Awards website.

Source
Wood Awards 2020
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Atoll Spa Hotel at the BauNetz magazine

Alison Brooks Architect’s Atoll Spa Hotel has been selected by design magazine BauNetz as one of the Best Hotels and Restaurants in the World from the last 20 years.
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Alison Brooks Architect’s Atoll Spa Hotel has been selected by design magazine BauNetz as one of the Best Hotels and Restaurants in the World from the last 20 years.

The Helgoland hotel is featured alongside ten other magnificent places to add to the post lockdown to-do-list, including Philippe Starck’s Sanderson Hotel in London; ‘Under’, Snøhetta’s underwater restaurant; and Hotel Puerta America, Madrid, where each floor was designed by luminaries such as Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, David Chipperfield or Ron Arad.

Source
BauNetz
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Exeter College Cohen Quad is a Civic Trust Awards Regional Finalist 2021

We are very proud to see Exeter College Cohen Quad as a Civic Trust Awards Regional Finalist 2021. Congratulations to our fellow finalists and best of luck!

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We are very proud to see Exeter College Cohen Quad as a Civic Trust Awards Regional Finalist 2021. Congratulations to our fellow finalists and best of luck!

Cohen Quadrangle is Oxford University’s first fully inclusive and barrier free quad. A reinvention of the ‘collegiate quadrangle’, the new Cohen Quad expands Exeter College’s 700-year-old campus with undergraduate and graduate living accommodation for 90 students, seminar rooms, auditorium, special collections archive, café, JCR and Learning Commons.

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Read Alison Brooks’ Interview with the University of Waterloo Magazine

University of Waterloo magazine has published an interview with Alison Brooks where she talks about her book ”Ideals then Ideas” and how the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored and reinforced her studio’s ultimate purpose, which is ”improving the quality of life for everybody.”

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University of Waterloo magazine has published an interview with Alison Brooks where she talks about her book ”Ideals then Ideas” and how the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored and reinforced her studio’s ultimate purpose, which is ”improving the quality of life for everybody.”

”At the end of the day, it’s about trying to make the world a better place. In architecture, we are physically forming the places where people will live, work and play, and so there is a responsibility in that. You must bring joy, bring your ideals and bring that magic to solving problems that impact a lot of people.”

[Read full article]

Source
University of Waterloo Magazine
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17 Nov 2020 | CTBUH Live-Streaming Three City Conference

On November 17Alison Brooks will be presenting alongside esteemed colleagues from around the world, including Lord Norman FosterMun Summ Wong, and Patrik Schumacher, to discuss what the future of cities could look like post-COVID.

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On November 17Alison Brooks will be presenting alongside esteemed colleagues from around the world, including Lord Norman FosterMun Summ Wong, and Patrik Schumacher, to discuss what the future of cities could look like post-COVID.

Could we emerge from this pandemic committed to creating more sustainable and resilient urban environments? View the program and join this great event on the link.

In the second quarter of 2020, much of the world’s office workforce transitioned to working from home. But many homes were never intended to double as workspaces; childcare takes on entirely new, daunting dimensions; and the lack of traffic into central business districts is severely damaging local economies. A panel of leading experts discusses how they’ve dealt with the work-from-home surge in their own lives and companies, and how we’ll work next.

Source
CTBUH
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Windward House Shortlisted at AR House Awards

We’re delighted to have our project Windward House recognised on the AR House Awards shortlist among other 14 fantastic private houses from around the world.

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We’re delighted to have our project Windward House recognised on the AR House Awards shortlist among other 14 fantastic private houses from around the world.

The winner and commended projects will be announced online at the end of November and published in the December 2020/January 2021 issue of The Architectural Review.

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Alison Brooks Architects ― Housing Architect of the Year

We are thrilled to win our second BD Housing Architect of the Year Award in the company of great competition. Congratulations to our partners, Argent, Hill Group, Rize Alliance, patrons and residents.

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We are thrilled to win our second BD Housing Architect of the Year Award in the company of great competition. Congratulations to our partners, Argent, Hill Group, Rize Alliance, patrons and residents.

Our winning submission included Cadence, a mixed-use scheme in King’s Cross about to start on site, The Passages, a residential development at the heart of the emerging Surrey City Centre in Vancouver, Athena, a Cambridge Universit’s exceptionally ambitious North West Cambridge Development where we designed 143 new homes as a part of, and Durham & Gloucester Court, a regeneration scheme in the South Kilburn Estate that establishes a consistent urban character.

We’re also happy to receive an AYA High Commendation in Individual House Architect category for our projects Mesh House and Windward House, with thanks to our exceptional clients.

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Athena nominated for BHA Sustainability Award

Athena Phase 1, part of the University of Cambridge’ ambitious new Eddington city quarter, a benchmark in urban sustainability, has been nominated for the Best Sustainable Development at the British Homes Awards. We have designed this project with Pollard Thomas Edwards and Aecom for Hill Group.

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Athena Phase 1, part of the University of Cambridge’ ambitious new Eddington city quarter, a benchmark in urban sustainability, has been nominated for the Best Sustainable Development at the British Homes Awards. We have designed this project with Pollard Thomas Edwards and Aecom for Hill Group.

https://www.britishhomesawards.co.uk/shortlist/

Unique measures are integrated into every aspect of our developments at Athena to encourage residents and visitors to lead more sustainable lives. This means using resources in a safe and efficient way, minimising carbon emissions and pollution to help the environment now and in the future. In addition, the design process ensures wildlife and biodiversity are encouraged across the development, as well as extensive travel planning and advice to minimise the use of personal motor vehicles. We have engaged thirteen sustainable design principles, based on the internationally recognised “One Planet Living” criteria, which have been used to guide the design and development of the scheme, which prioritises passive energy, as well as the social and cultural implications of collective sustainable living.

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BD Architect of the Year nominations

ABA continue to develop a very strong portfolio of housing projects, which has been recognised in the shortlist for AYA2020 in the Housing category. Featured here is Athena in Eddington, a highly sustainable new town extension in Cambridge. We have also been nominated in the Individual House category. We completed two houses in the past year for private clients, Mesh House, and Windward House, and currently have another house in North London in for planning. More on this project soon.[more..]

ABA continue to develop a very strong portfolio of housing projects, which has been recognised in the shortlist for AYA2020 in the Housing category. Featured here is Athena in Eddington, a highly sustainable new town extension in Cambridge. We have also been nominated in the Individual House category. We completed two houses in the past year for private clients, Mesh House, and Windward House, and currently have another house in North London in for planning. More on this project soon.

https://awards.bdonline.co.uk/2020-shortlist/

ABA has a long track record of producing award-winning architecture for housing, and this past year has seen a variety of projects, of different typologies and tenure, reach key stages of development and completion. Our housing projects are variations of classic typologies: the palazzo, the mansion block, the skyscraper, the courtyard block, but we also strive to present them in contemporary and inventive ways.

Cadence is a pivotal building in the final stages of the development of the King’s Cross Masterplan for which we are currently developing detailed designs after being novated last year. Gloucester & Durham continues our work for the estate regeneration of South Kilburn. ABA has also seen the first stage of its work at Eddington in North West Cambridge reach completion at Athena, which represents a continuation of the very high-quality housing that this significant town extension for the University of Cambridge is becoming known for. The Passages, our largest housing project to date and our first in Canada, gained City permits in December. In addition, we have also seen the first phases of Mosaics, a mixed tenure green-field development on the outskirts of Oxford reach completion, and we have developed detailed designs for S3, another key site in the Eddington masterplan. 1 Ashley Road East, the first element of Argent Related’s regeneration project for Tottenham Hale is now on site, and we were successful at winning new work through international design competition, including a major high-rise landmark building at the International Quarter Stratford, and another estate regeneration project for Hackney at Lincoln Court.

A house project is like an essay – in a very succinct way, you can test ideas. At the scale of a house, a thesis or concept can be realised in a way that large more complex projects have difficulties achieving. The two projects that we have presented for this year’s award are the culmination of a long process of design development, conversation, and innovative construction. We have been lucky enough to have worked with two sets of private clients who’s interest and passion for architecture has metamorphosed into a close, supportive working relationship, resulting in two new houses of individual character; one in the Wye Value, and one in Belsize Park.

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Open City – Common Cause

Alison Brooks is a Trustee of Open City, a charity dedicated to the idea that architecture and urban design must make our built environment more accessible and inclusive to everyone. In this article, she discusses the post-covid 19 period with optimism.

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Alison Brooks is a Trustee of Open City, a charity dedicated to the idea that architecture and urban design must make our built environment more accessible and inclusive to everyone. In this article, she discusses the post-covid 19 period with optimism.

https://open-city.org.uk/blog/common-cause

The reset button being pushed by the pandemic is a chance for human culture to change for the better. “Times of crisis can bring out the best in people. Inevitably, they make us see the world through a new lens. This coronavirus pandemic is perhaps the first time humanity is seeing the world through a common lens. Suddenly we’re all on the same side, acutely conscious of our interdependence.”

In an interview with Dezeen published last month, Alison Brooks also states that coronavirus is forcing architects to reconsider the importance of amenities like balconies and terraces, as well as space in general. “Whether or not there’s a pandemic, it’s really important to have those outdoor spaces,” she told Dezeen’s Marcus Fairs. “I think there’s going to be a value shift.”

Publisher
Open City
Source
Open City - Common Cause
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