Friday Link pack - 8 links to catch up on this weekend.

We're all looking forward to the weekend here in the practice after a busy few days! Have a read of the best architecture news we've found this week.

• You either love or hate Zaha Hadid's work, we have to say though these interiors for her tower in Miami are beautiful.
• The same architecture studio that tried to get a floating swimming pool built in the thames is looking to crowdfund the resurrection of a lost lido in Peckham.. click through to find out what a lido is!
• The creative director behind the Aesop brand actively seeks out different designers to make each of their stores unique, this one is no different
• This is worth a look. Design and Technology go hand in hand.
• Are you looking to develop a piece of land? The image above shows one of our housing projects, click through to see more images.
• Sign us up for this school.
• This is a great short video to watch, 'making buildings useful and beautiful, and in that order' Denise Scott Brown
• And finally some bold ideas to showcase the future heathrow, which scheme would you pick?

Have a great weekend everyone!

New Project in the works

Working on some ideas for a new project, more to follow in the coming weeks!

Friday link pack - 8 links to read in the sun this weekend!

• A very nice barn conversion to kick off this weeks link pack!
• The image above shows an early render for our Antrim project, currently on site, see more images here.
• Adding a courtyard to any dwelling is always a nice touch, some nice details in this one too.
• Adaptable office space seems to be on trend at the moment, check out Airbnb's new headquarters.
• The developer for the tower at two world trade centre in New York is still undecided on which project to go forward with, who would you go for?
• This gravity defying staircase in Belgium is definitely interesting.. not sure about the 'viewing slots' though!
• Someone has took the plunge to get this house built!
• And lastly a nice home to holiday to!

Have a nice weekend!

Friday Link Pack - 8 links to kick off the Bank Holiday Weekend!

It's a Bank Holiday Weekend! Here are some links for your reading pleasure: 

• We've had every type of weather this week in Belfast. Have a look at these snowy pics taken of the Harbin Opera House.
• This slick timber clad house in Sofia takes advantage of the stunning views both outward and inward.
• Speaking of timber clad houses... here's one just for the kids!
• The image above is from one of our completed projects. This image shows the exposed internal surfaces of the original church tower which were intentionally not painted or covered up to highlight the contrast between the crisp modern extension and the original building.  See more images of this project here.
• Have a look at this modern extension which also exposes areas of the existing fabric to highlight the contrast between old and new.
• Are you thinking of painting the spare bedroom over the long weekend but are stuck for a colour palette? Have a look at this website which shows the typical colour palettes used by famous artists. 
• Choosing paint colours does sound a lot like work... these designs for crazy golf courses do look more fun.
• If you really want to be creative this weekend... why not be inspired by what this guy builds in his garage.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend... have a great time!

Site Visit - Coláiste Feirste

Our latest site progress photographs of our current school project really highlight the sheer scale of this scheme, and these only show part of our site works!

Friday Link Pack - 8 links to start your weekend.

Another busy week in the office is over and now it's time to enjoy the weekend! Here are some links to get your weekend started.

• Have a look at this minimalist holiday house in Japan. 

• Chris Van Duijn from OMA gave a lecture this week in Belfast. Have a sneak peek at this OMA project in Quebec, which is nearing completion.

• One topic of the OMA lecture dealt with the reuse of existing buildings and how modern architecture can be integrated. The picture above is from one of our recently completed projects which integrated new architecture into a reused building. See completed images here. This project was completed using BIM (Building Information Modelling) which is not only a design tool but also a presentation tool. Have a look at one of our early presentation videos from 2012.
• Some designers and architects are utilizing the power of gaming software to bring their presentations to life. Have a look at this amazing walkaround created in the Unreal 4 gaming engine. 
• There's nothing like a nice cup of coffee to keep you going through the busy week. Here are some great designs for making coffee at home.
• Take a look at this winning scheme for the second LSE facility competition.
• All this great weather is making it feel like holiday season. Have a look at these architectural dwellings which you can actually rent out.
• This week it's nearly warm enough to blow up the inflatable swimming pool and jump in. Have a look at these indoor residential swimming pools... which may be more suitable the rest of the year. 

Have a great weekend!

Site Visit - Antrim

On site yesterday in the nice weather we're fortunate enough to be having lately. Our building is finally watertight and work is progressing well around the site with our pitches starting to look the part!

Friday Link Pack - 8 Links for your weekend reading

It has been very busy in the office this week. We are constantly developing our in-house processes to make sure we can deliver services of the highest quality. This week we were looking at how we could improve our Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) output. BIM enables architects and designers to create and examine a data rich virtual building in 3D before anything is built. Click here to find out more.

If you have also had a very busy week... here are some other links to help you unwind. 

• Although all our projects are modeled in BIM software, they all start life sketches. It is very important to us to explore and develop ideas through sketching. This interesting website lets users upload a digital sketchbook and share them on the web for others to view.
• This small project shows how texture can be added to both external and internal spaces through the creative use of brick.  
• We are always keen to explore the use of brick within our projects. The image above is of one of our completed projects which used three different types of brick and bond both externally and internally. See more images here.
• Traditional craftsmanship and materials have been used to great effect on this sharp modern hotel in Bali. 
• These small sculptures show the amount of detail which can be crafted in stone.
• Ikea has just launched this new bicycle. So if the weather is not too bad this weekend why not get out on your bike.
• If Northern Ireland weather isn't to your liking and you are about to jet off somewhere warmer...  have a look at this new design for a T-shirt which enables you to communicate without speaking the local language.

Have a great weekend!