Tom

Architecture and construction news reporter @BDonline @BuildingNews @housing_today

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

Need a better way to build elevator shafts?

Here's @schindlergroup's R.I.S.E in action, drilling holes for brackets at @BentallGreenOak and @SkanskaUKplc's 105 Victoria Street development in central London.

There are only five R.I.S.E units in the world. This one is called Emma

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

Big news for Wimbledon fans - proposals to treble the size of the tournament's grounds have been approved by City Hall after spending almost a year in planning limbo.

Story here: https://t.co/IHixtV1UJj

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

This is a dramatic revamp of Canary Wharf's HSBC tower. Big parts of the building would be carved out to create terraces and outdoor spaces, exactly what top tier office occupiers are looking for these days.

https://t.co/yUPBZ9eBGD

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

Compliance issues with City climate policy have hiked the cost of work to fix leaking issues at the Barbican from £12.5m to £20m, an increase of 60%.

https://t.co/WlqVKHe5Cn

[The Victorian Society @thevicsoc]

After we all made 1000s of objections Sellar say they are altering their plans. The substantial demolition of parts of the station and the construction of a tall building supported through and cantilevered over a listed building remain non-negotiables for us.

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

.@FosterPartners are working on plans to refurbish the #Gherkin, @BuildingNews and @BDonline can reveal. The scheme will upgrade the Stirling Prize-winning City tower to bring its energy performance up to modern standards.

https://t.co/SgCb0wVvs6

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

Rather than specialising in one field, it is always searching for new markets and opportunities as existing ones - in this case, commercial newbuilds - look less certain.

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

ICYMI: Last week we published two interviews with senior leaders at Gensler, the biggest architect in the world by revenue and headcount.

Despite a rocky few years, @gensler_design has increased its turnover every year since the pandemic, raking in $1.84bn (£1.46bn) in 2023.

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

This theme continued in my second interview with new co-chief executive Julia Simet and Europe co-managing principal Duncan Swinhoe. The practice has sensed a major new market in the UK, transforming vacant office space in city centre into housing.
https://t.co/y8uHoqyD66

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

Rebuilding the #CrookedHouse pub will require “masons where this is the last big job of their career. People who 100% know what they’re doing and who are at the peak of their craft," @InsallArch's @MattAVaughan says.

Is it worth it?

https://t.co/pLvrVRtcv8

[Carl Brown @carlbrownE17]

"Is it old fashioned 20th century thinking to think we have a disposable built heritage that we can knock down at will?"
Fascinating debate here about retrofit first vs retrofit-only 👇Report by @TomLoweBuilding #construction #retrofit
https://t.co/JGcxvziKDi

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

The Notre Dame of Himley #CrookedHouse

[Tilly Terrier, Lou and Fido 🌈 the wonder dog @PoochManor]

@MattAVaughan @TomLoweBuilding @BDonline Ideally more money for all historic buildings but this is to be cherished. Its demise has elevated it to national treasure and the story of rebuilding the Notre Dame of Himley will be compulsory on all conservation courses for ever more. Hope you get a chance to work on it

[Matt Vaughan @MattAVaughan]

I spoke to @TomLoweBuilding of @BDonline about the technical and more importantly ethical challenges of reconstructing this historic building

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

What will happen to @marksandspencer's Oxford Street plans now?

The retailer can't swing the wrecking ball yet. The government will need to revisit the decision and could still refuse planning for a second time.

My analysis here: https://t.co/7T2PByv3j8

[Building Design @BDonline]

“We come up with a vast list of excuses that people give themselves for not trying harder with projects.”

Thomas Heatherwick explains why he thinks the built environment has become "soulless and depressing".

Full interview here: https://t.co/FW5E1WUsVb

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

Architectural education is a seven-year process of "indoctrination", according to Thomas Heatherwick, which is partly why cities have become "engulfed by soulless and depressing buildings".

"We all know it. But no one’s talking about it."

https://t.co/KIExHWud8W

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

A new restaurant with a dramatic retractable roof will replace the existing lounge bar, providing sweeping views over the West End.

Space currently occupied by water chillers will become a triple-aspect luxury penthouse suite with views over Hyde Park.

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

Westminster council is set to approve plans for a roof extension at the @TheDorchester hotel in Mayfair.

Designs by @RS_Architecture would see large parts of the grade II-listed building's top floor demolished and rebuilt.

https://t.co/4HBp0681xx

[Tom @TomArchitecture]

"There’s always room for improvement within any organisation," says new @RIBA president @Muyiwa_Oki.

What does that mean for the institute? Read @BDonline's full interview here:

https://t.co/ZUJ6GLhjwj