Leipzig, Germany

Post by Lilly Engers

Port Dickson, Malaysia

Passfields, Lewisham, London

Architect Name: Francine Houben, Mecanoo

Date Built: April 2013

Typology and Social Value: The Library of Birmingham is a public library, serving as a valuable resource by allowing anyone to borrow books for free, while additionally serving as a community centre, providing a space for cultural events, exhibitions and gatherings.

Reason for Selecting this Building: I chose the Library of Birmingham as I find interest in the concept of the library as a “public palace” or the modern counterpart of the traditional cathedral. The building is particularly interesting as it takes the typology of a community centre and brings it to its spatial extreme, while remaining true to its surroundings by referencing Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and responding to the buildings either side of it. I also think the way the patterns on the façade manipulate light inside the building is an attractive and thoughtful addition. I was not previously aware that this building had been designed by a woman, but I feel that the inclusive ideology of the building holds even more weight knowing that it has been designed by someone that has experienced being a minority voice in a demographic.

Three core issues that make this a modern building:

1. The library takes a thoughtful approach to sustainability, using natural ventilation and maximising daylight with it's transparent facade. This building received a BREEAM score of Excellent.

2. Birmingham is a diverse city, and the library aims to act as a community centre, hosting events and exhibitions for various cultures.

3. The library responds to Birmingham's history as an industrial centre, using an intricate metal patterns to represent the work of these industries, often involving delicate work.

Name of Student: Archie Worthington

Student: Xilan Shen

Name of student: Lawrence Burke

Imogen Evans

Post by Emily Barrow

Date built: 2016

Post by Haotian Gao

Arhitecture Firm: Ainsley Gommon Architets

Date Built: 2014

Typology: The Tan Y Fron building in Llandudno is a mixed-use development that combines extra care apartments, a health and social care facility, and a community centre. This typology is particularly interesting because it reflects a modern approach to addressing the needs of a diverse community, specifically catering to older persons, those requiring healthcare and the wider community.

Rationale: The building exemplifies the potential of architecture to create positive social impact. By bringing together different functions and user groups in a single development, Tan Y Fron aims to foster a sense of community and provide a range of essential services in one location.

Social Value:

Integrated Living: The inclusion of extra care apartments allows older people to maintain their independence while having access to support when needed1. This fosters a sense of security and belonging within the community.

Accessible Healthcare: The health and social care facility, with its focus on dementia care, addresses a critical need in the community by providing essential healthcare services locally. This reduces the need for residents to travel for treatment and promotes early intervention and ongoing support.

Community Hub: The refurbished and extended Ty Llewelyn Community Centre serves as a central gathering place for people of all ages, promoting social interaction, and a sense of belonging. This can help to combat loneliness and isolation, particularly amongst older residents.

The three core issues that highlight the modern design approach of the Tan Y Fron building:

Sustainability: The building's commitment to environmental responsibility through features like gas-fired combined heat and power, rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic panels, and sedum roofing demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to design. These features not only reduce the environmental impact of the building but also contribute to its long-term operational efficiency.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: While the source doesn't provide specific details, the nature of the development suggests a focus on accessibility. Features like level access, wide corridors, and adapted bathrooms are likely incorporated to cater to the needs of older residents and those with disabilities. Furthermore, the integration of the community centre encourages inclusivity by providing a welcoming space for diverse groups.

Wellbeing: Tan Y Fron demonstrates a clear focus on wellbeing through its design. The central courtyard garden offers residents a peaceful outdoor space for relaxation and social interaction. The emphasis on dementia care within the health centre highlights a commitment to meeting the specific needs of this vulnerable population.

Location: Songyang,China

Architect:Xu Tiantian

Student name:Jinduo.Sun

Manchester, England

Gosia Lebiest

student: Jingyi Wang

Meixi Lake International Culture Art Centre

Changsha,Hunan province,China

1. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design

2. Educational and Community Engagement

3. Blending Tradition with Innovation
name of student: Mina Nazari

Chosen By Rowan Daniels

- Hani Dajani Group 12

East London, queen Elizabeth Olympic park

John Coward Architects, Dearbhail Keating

Student Name:

Grace Dorling

Post by Lauren Mountain

Private House by Elisabeth Benjamin

Shenzhen Futian wedding Hall

Luke Foulder-Hughes

Name of student : Lina Mohamed

25 Swan Street, The Northern Quarter.

Architect: Zoe Reeve Jones

Built: September 2021

Architect: Sheila Sri Prakash

Year: 2014

Typology and Social Value: Commercial building - office for Sheila Sri Prakash's firm Shilpa Architects

Reason: Sheila Sri Prakash was the first woman in India to open up her own architectural firm. She founded this firm in 1979 - a time when working women and women in leadership were still being stigmatized in India. Shilpa Architects is a firm that emphasizes the importance of sustainable architecture, starting with the design of their own office in Chennai.

Three core issues: lower construction and energy maintenance costs; mostly natural lighting and improved air quality for productivity; 6% generation of power from PV panels

Student Name: Nandita Gayathri Dayanand

Architecturally designed by OPEN Architects, TANK Shanghai is located along the Huangpu River with stunning views of Shanghai's skyline, and its chic post-industrial vibe is a testament to the city's rapid growth since the 1990s.

post by Poppie Swift

Yara Nassruldeen

Project Architect: Tiantian.Xu (Founder and lead architect of DnA Architects)

Project time: 2019

Project location: Anaya Scenic spot, 364 Provincial Road, Changli County, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, China

Project Information: The building is a sculptural red concrete volume, the main spatial feature is a 360-degree circular performance space. The acoustics of the 180-degree outdoor theater will create a dialogue between architecture and nature. During summer music festivals, the building can also be used as a three-dimensional stage on the beach. The comfortable red color complements the surrounding environment and reflects the artistic and spiritual pursuits of contemporary young people.

Student: Yuzheng.Lu (201850374)

项目名称：海边剧场（海边音乐厅）

项目作者：徐甜甜（DnA建筑事务所创始人，主持建筑师）

项目时间：2019

项目地点：中国河北省秦皇岛市昌黎县364省道阿那亚景区内

项目简介：该建筑是一个雕塑般的红色混凝土体量，主要的空间特点是一个360度的圆形表演空间。180度户外剧场的音响效果将创造建筑与自然之间的对话。在夏季音乐节期间，这座建筑也可以用作海滩上的三维舞台。令人舒适的红颜色与周围环境相得益彰，体现者着当代年轻人的艺术和精神追求。

选用学生：卢禹铮（201850374）

Sheffield Winter Gardens 90 Surrey Street

Post by Emma Buckley

post by Emily Williams

Project Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects

Project time:2023

Project location: Jingyuanxi Road, Deyuan Street, Jingrong lake, Pidu District,Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China

Project Information: Located next to Jingrong Lake, the building naturally blends in with the lake view and is a multi-purpose museum. Covering an area of about 59,000 square meters, it includes an exhibition hall, multi-function hall, conference center and supporting auxiliary space. Its unique shape responds to the site, and the fluid form of its roof radiates from the inside out, responding to the building needs of the science fiction museum.

Student: Xiwen Zhang(201850398)

Architect Name: Claire Priest (Studio Brassica Architects)

Date Built: 2022

Typology and Social Value: Adaptive reuse of rural agricultural buildings. Winner of the Wales Architecture Award and RSAW Conservation Award, the Plas Hendy Stable Block is a prime example of repurposing historic rural structures. The stable block incorporates a tack room, hay loft and coach house, as it was built at a transitional time in 1906 when cars were starting to become popular, an unusual mixed typology which was the focus of the renovation. Now operating as an Airbnb, it offers social value by revitalizing local heritage and contributing to rural tourism, offering visitors a direct connection to the area's architectural history.

Reasons for Selecting this Building: Living just 10 minutes from Plas Hendy in Abergavenny, I feel a personal connection to this project. Led by Claire Priest, a female architect, the restoration of this building highlights the role of women in architecture, particularly in rural heritage preservation. The struggle I had to find a building near my home town designed by a woman further emphasised this. Its adaptive reuse as an Airbnb fosters a sustainable future for historic structures.

Three Core Issues:

136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA

Post by Oliver Schlich

Skwierzyna , Poland

Post by Tymoteusz Rutkowski

Posted by Hessah Al Bader

Tower Works, Leeds, England

Derby, England

Conwy Library, café and community space

Primary Care Centre, Clonakilty

Location - Bristol, Uk

Architect - Elizabeth Jayne O'Neill 

Date built - Begun April 2021 - Complete June 2022

Typology and Social Value - The construction of the building took just over a year, lowering the cost for construction and cost for hiring equipment and workers. The architect used a minimalist design to reduce the amount of materials used in construction and lowered the carbon footprint.

Reason for choosing/ selecting building - The building is situated close to my home. The architect has made an effort to make this building both sustainable and environmentally friendly. The architect has chosen methods of construction that increase the speed of construction and utilise the space of the building.

Three core issues that make this building modern -

1. The Old Pottery design maximises the use of space in a building to reduce the amount of clutter from day to day living.

2. The Building makes use of SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels). SIPs are a construction methods that helps erect buildings with speed and ease.

3. Building utilises the use of natural light and solar gains, this is as the building at the front is south facing.

Student - Sebastian Cross

Mossbrook school

Architect: Shahira Fahmy

Date Built: 2014

Typology and social value: A modern house extension. This project gave new life to an existing house by creating a contemporary, progressive aesthetic and improving the thermal comfort of the house through cross ventilation and fenestration

The reason behind selection: This project provides a fresh modern twist on Egyptian residential architecture while employing sustainable design strategies such as passive cooling and thermal comfort to respond to the hot humid climate. An issue that many contemporary buildings in the region struggle with.

Three core issues that make it a modern building:

Environmental Design:

Modern architecture has become increasingly aware of environmental design in recent years, and that is reflected in this building, which utilises passive cooling strategies.

Simple yet elegant construction:

The building is designed in a minimalistic fashion with a clean straight silhouette. It has glazed walls with seamless junctions between floor and ceiling allowing for a satisfying visual continuity. The design also uses fenestration to play with transparency blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor, private and public.

Independent of traditional floridity:

Unlike the traditional vernacular of the region, this project maintains sleek and sharp contours reminiscent of many modern buildings across the globe

Post by Sajidah Osman

Al Hmraa private villa

Al-Hamra'a ,Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Aisha algahtani

Salifyanji Siame

Apartheid Museum

NAME OF BUILDING: Wales Millennium Centre

LOCATION: Cardiff, Wales

Serpentine Pavilion 2018 , Kensington London, England

Xing Village, Songyang County, Zhejiang Province, China

• Completed in 2011

Shibo Park, 1 Shibo Ave, Baqiao, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Post by Enbo Guo

Area: 2500 m²

Project Year: 2019

TOWER OF LIGHT , MANCHESTER

Location (town, City, Country): Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Architect name: Tosin Oshinowo

Date Built: 2016

Typology and Social Value: This is a commercial building, featuring entertainment facilities, office space, jewelry stores, clothing stores, restaurants, pharmacy, cinemas and other retail outlets. Over years, this building becomes a community center that has encouraged both small and large businesses a substantial increase in the economic growth in Lagos State.

Reason for choosing this building: The Maryland Mail reflects ideal blend of the Modern African Design and the functionality. It combines high to Lagos advancement in becoming a grown urban and global city while persevering local cultural heritage with it modern facilities. This building draws attention to how can be useful for both economical and social impact in Nigeria.

The three core issues that makes the building modern:

1. Minimalist design/ aesthetics through the use of glass facades and clear building lines,

2. sustainability through the use of local sourced materials, efficient energy system and it concern to human comfort and architectural consciousness

3. cultural relevance, still maintaining Lagos identity designs while suiting people’s needs.

Student name: Victoria Olanipekun, 201767379

Tree House

Location - Yangon, Myanmar/Burma

Architect: Katie Duggan

Date Built: October 2021

Typology: Church Redevelopment for local community.

Reason: I clearly remember the church before, having visited several times, and remember the full construction process. Also, the community has ties to the scout group I was part of and as such I know several members of the community at the church.

3 modern aspects:

• Material choice of the extension provides a modern contrast with the original flint walls of the church. These materials also have a high thermal mass, allowing the building to keep on maintaining a more constant temperature inside and improving the comfort of the occupants.

• The function as a cafe and bookshop alters the function of the church to more of a community hub, than solely a place of worship, a feature that modernizes the use cases of the building.

• The new south-facing glass-fronted seating space acts as a means of increasing direct sunlight into the spaces of the church and will improve thermal energy gain, which will help to heat the large spaces within the church.

Jonny Ritchie

Post by Madyan Chowdhury

Madeline Ayers

designed by：Jinqiu Zhang

completed in 1991

location：Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi 'an , Shaanxi , China

Lori Cobon

Architect name: Tosin Oshinowo

Date built: December 2017

Typology and social value

The Fowóralé House is a beautiful example of modern architecture that doesn’t shy away from cultural values. This building is a private beach house, therefore provides a sense of privacy, allowing for intimate family and community gatherings, creating a separate space from the densely populated city of Lagos. As such, the house becomes a vessel through which memories and bonds can be created. This level of privacy is representative of the social status of the client.

As a private space, the building is therefore a symbol of the social status and identity of the clients. Situated in Lagos the design displays subtle motifs and traditional patterns, taking these aspects and adapting them to modern living requirements. One such example is the stepping stones across the infinity pool, to emulate rocks in a village stream. By incorporating elements that resonate with the local community, the house promotes pride in Nigerian culture.

The building demonstrates the harmonious relationship between indoors and outdoors, showcasing a core value in Nigerian culture. The structure frames the vertical and horizontal views of the calm beach environment (Which remain largely undeveloped) making use of many arches and pathways. In addition to this, the building features an open floor plan, leading into terraces and gardens, embracing the environment. By embracing the environment, the building becomes a role model for future urban development in the area.

Reason for choosing/selecting this building

I chose this house as it is a prime example for how traditional forms and Nigerian heritage can enrich contemporary architecture.  Also, by choosing this building I would be highlighting an underrepresented voice in architecture, that of a black woman. The building shows the potential for urban development in Lagos. An issue with urban development is the lack of respect for heritage and culture, and so the building ends up as a carbon copy of buildings found in western cities.

The three core issues that make this a modern building

Fowóralé House is a remarkable example of modern architecture in Nigeria. Many aspects of the building classify it as a modern building. One of which being its integration with the environment. First evident in its passive design features, like natural ventilation, and water harvesting. As well as this, the building highlights the environment framing it, using a series of arches and openings within the open plan of the building.

Another feature is the functional flexibility of the building, evident in the open floor plan, making it easy to use spaces for different functions. As well as this the building is heavily connected to outdoor spaces, blurring the boundaries between the internal and external spaces, making it easy to use for different gatherings.

Finally, the minimalist design aesthetics, utilising clean lines and hard edges. Common to modern architecture, the house utilises clean edges and finishes. This aesthetic enforces the modernist ideal of simplicity in design. To achieve this minimalist aesthetic, the building utilises modern materials, such as concrete, glass, and steel, creating a sense of solidity. The choice of these materials also enforces the modernist notion of avoiding aging of materials.

Tamunotaribo Jack

Briana Afonso

Prior setting up COLLECTIBE, Betty was Design Director at OMA Rotterdam with Pritzker Prize Laureate Rem Koolhaas, she co lead the winning proposal for the Axel Springer media Headquarters in Berlin and the 80,000 m2 Hermitage Museum Art Repository in St. Petersburg among many projects internationally.

Student: Ashley Poon Lok Yee

By Junnan Zhou

Manchester Metropolitan University Business School & Student Hub

Manchester

The Women's Library, London, England

Alice Coburn

London, United Kingdom

Post by: Melita Orekoya

Student Name: Feiyang Fang

Park Palace Ponies: Dingle, Liverpool, UK

Architect name: Jiang Ying (O-office Architects)

Date built: Original tea yard established in 1951; Renovation completed in 2020

Posted by Romeo Mlangeni

Brampton, Cumbria

Hannah Leafe

Architect name: OPEN Architecture

Date built: 2018

Typology and social value: 

The UCCA Dune Art Museum is carved into the sand, where it gently disappears. The reason why the art museum is created underneath the dunes was the reverence for nature and desire to protect the vulnerable dune ecosystem, because in light of the museum, these sand dunes will be preserved instead of leveled to make space for ocean-view real estate developments.

Reason for choosing/selecting this building:

OPEN Architecture was founded by female architect Wenjing Huang and Hu Li in 2003. Her work has always had a special style. Her design is very delicate, and she can pay attention to the society, the environment and many factors. The museum, located in a special sand dune setting, has a striking design concept and outcome.

The three core issues that make this a modern building:

1. Simplicity: The Dune Art Museum is in unique style with simple shapes and lines.

2. Open space: The internal space is continuous and airy, with introduce of natural light.

3. Environmental friendly: The design of the art museum is mainly considered of the protection of the natural habitat if sand dunes in Qinhuangdao.

Jingyan Xu

Name: The Riwaq pavilion

Location: Brighton, UK

Student: Bowen Shen

Betty Fisher

Yoko Ono Lennon centre

• Dan Sharples

Posted by Zainab Etfif

King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Architect: Amanda Levete

Date Built: 2021

Name: Jaweria Saleem

Architect Name: Alison Brooks (Alison Brooks Architects)

Date Built: 2021

Typology and social value: The Mesh house is a single-family residential dwelling. However, it differs in the design where it is more complex compared to a typical residence. This can be seen through the focus on sustainable and biophilic design principles. The house conveys how homes can embody environmental responsiveness alongside visual originality with fulfilling residential needs. The house combines contemporary design while also appreciating local architecture traditions. This can be seen from its lattice-like façade.

The Mesh house portrays a commitment to low-impact living where it supports rising awareness of how homes can blend with nature, rather than disturbing it. Passive colling and natural materials are integrated to promote sustainable living.

Reason of selecting: I have chosen this house as it is a influential example of eco-conscious design where it shows how harmony can be achieved between architecture and the environment. It also acts as an inspiration for future residential design setting a standard that will support human comfort and ecological health.

Three core issues:

1 – Aesthetics is combined with functionality in the woven façade that acts as a functional shading device

2 – Materials and forms that reflect traditional architecture are used while also implementing modern construction techniques

3 – The house incorporates biophilic design in which natural ventilation and large windows are integrated to create a connection to the nature outside.

Maryam Bashir

Date of built: 2020

Name of architect: llLab.

By Xiaoyu Zhou

Architect name: Jinqiu. Zhang

Date built: Completed on 06.20.1991

Social value: It is the first large-scale national museum with modern facilities in China. Shaanxi History Museum is a high platform and group combination building built according to the layout of the palace courtyard.

Reason for choosing: Shaanxi is of great historical significance as the ancient capital of more than 13 feudal dynasties in ancient China, and the cultural relics unearthed here are of high cultural value. Jinqiu. Zhang, as the first female academician in China, demonstrated her deep understanding of Chinese culture and Chinese architecture in such an important project.

Architect name: Wenjing Huang

Date built: 2019

Typology and social value: Art Museum, a public art space, a new cultural landmark in Shanghai

Reason for choosing/selecting this building：

1. This art museum was transformed from an abandoned aviation fuel tank. The process of transforming industrial heritage into cultural spaces reflects the participation and influence of female architects in urban renewal.

2. In the era when aviation fuel tanks were built, women could not even receive education universally. However, in the 21st century, this aviation fuel tank was transformed by a capable woman with a good educational background, highlighting the changes of the times. Women have been allowed to receive education for only a few hundred years, yet they have achieved so much.

3. Historical and Educational Value: The reuse of industrial heritage provides a case study for discussing the role of female architects in preserving history and education.

The three core issues that make this a modern building：

1. Functional innovation and spatial transformation: Tank Shanghai transforms industrial sites into cultural spaces, reflecting the innovative reuse of old structures in modern architecture.

2. Environmental Responsibility and Social Culture: The center emphasizes harmonious coexistence with the environment and serves as a platform to promote social interaction and cultural diversity, showcasing the social responsibility of modern architecture.

3. Progressiveness of technology and materials: The Oil Tank Art Center uses modern technology and materials to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the building, while providing visitors with a better experience.

Laura Wu

Casa Museo Nivola

designed by Lhc design (Glayne Price)

Student - Edward Walker

Built in 2019

Posted by Jingxing XIA

Student:Ivaylo Mitov

Architect: Rushan Hu

Date Built: 2021

Typology: Hotel

Social Value:

In the phenomenon of urban village renewal that has attracted much attention in recent years, the Youxiong Hotel in Nantou Ancient City, Shenzhen, designed by Neri & Hu, is undoubtedly a typical case. The ancient city area where the project is located reflects the collision between history and the present in the process of urban spatial change in Shenzhen, and the boutique guest house transformed by the self-built residential houses in the urban village also challenges the inherent typology of traditional hotel design from site selection to spatial organization.

Through the design of the building, the relationship of "seeing" and "being seen" between the hotel visitors and the original residents is equal and interactive: the hotel visitors become the "other" of the village life in the city, spontaneously paying attention to the panorama of life in the community; The village's indigenous people can also perceive life in the hotel's public space without obstacles and examine the changes that urbanization has brought to their own lives. As the lead architect Ruen mentioned in the interview, the most special achievement of the project is its community participation and positive impact on the daily life of the surrounding neighborhood.

Reasons:

a. Hu Rushan is my favorite designer.

Ms. Hu was selected as one of the 40 outstanding young designers under 40 in Greater China by the prestigious design magazine PERSPECTIVE Magazine.

b. This building is a good example of the coexistence of old and new.

In her book "The Future of Nostalgia," Svetlana Boym defines two types of "Nostalgia," "Reflective Nostalgia," which favors "miss" over "old," It is not a restoration of the past home and life, but a utopia with the nature of exploring the future. This discourse also provides a theoretical basis for discussing Ruen's practice in Nantou Ancient City. First, urban renewal aims to pursue higher quality of life, spatial efficiency and economy. Secondly, the community network and collective memory of urban village life should also be treated well and cherished. Therefore, Youxiong Hotel provides a phased reference for the spatial upgrading of urban villages, rather than the end of individual self-renewal. Architecture should integrate into the community with an open attitude and adjust itself according to changes in the external environment. Compared with the more static transformation of historical buildings or industrial relics, the environment of urban villages in Shenzhen is dynamic and full of tension. If the revitalization of traditional historical architecture emphasizes the transformation of "old" to "new" and "self" to "other" values, then the spatial practice of Nantou Ancient City reflects its connection with the past, present and future of the city, showing the unity of subject and object values. If we look at the temporal and spatial changes of the ancient city from a more macroscopic perspective, the effect of "self is other" is more obvious: the community is slowly changed because of the spatial activation of the individual buildings, and the individual buildings also reshape their own personality because of the integration of the community.

c. This building presents a design approach that allows outsiders and indigenous residents to communicate well.

At the base position, the public parts of the hotel sit flat to blend into the background of the urban village. However, the juxtaposition of coarse wood concrete, smooth stone and metal creates a defamiliarization of the perceptual level, which is the most skillful material strategy used by Ruen. The benches at the entrance outwards reflect the characteristics of "urban furniture" and create a space for dialogue between the visitors and the villagers through the openings and Windows. In the middle layer of the hotel, Ruen handles the space in the most controlled way, and the corrugated perforated aluminum sheet material is wrapped to bring a semi-transparent visual experience. On the top floor, a metal structure bar is added to emphasize the upward dynamic force to increase the building's visibility to the site. The open treatment of the roof helps to alleviate the cramped urban village experience. In addition, community rooftop life, which is connected with each other but with different personalities, is an important way to reconstruct the value of public space in urban villages.

Yuxin Wang

by cassia arden

Post by Weihang Li

Post by Weihang Li