A.L.D.A. Architects (Belfast)

29/10/2019

27/02/2019

One that everyone has forgotten, and does need resolved by the Executive. BMAP (Belfast Met Plan) has no legal standing. So how can anyone proceed to invest, or decisions taken based on that document? There is a big difference between that document and the Belfast Urban Area Plan.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/mark-h-durkan-had-no-legal-power-to-approve-major-planning-blueprint-for-greater-belfast-judge-rules-34532025.html

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan had no legal power to approve a major new planning blueprint for greater Belfast, a High Court judge ruled today.

29/12/2018

What we should be doing.
http://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/housing-complex-in-sweden-runs-fully-on-stored-hydrogen-and-solar-power/8536620/?fbclid=IwAR0nQeW-0x_AJbzz65cjymbWUr0sMtCU04LwJOVRlcHoPOO0jhtot2eCfQE

The self-sufficient housing complex, powered by solar energy and stored hydrogen, is located in Vårgårda, Sweden and is a project resulting from a

06/12/2018

https://www.facebook.com/aol/videos/304488650153044/UzpfSTUzOTc3MjY3Mjc1MTIyMDoyMTIyMDk3ODIxMTg1MzU2/

03/12/2018

https://truththeory.com/2017/05/19/mycologist-develops-fungi-bricks-grow-stronger-concrete/?fbclid=IwAR2lCU6xKbmuBdCd67I-ssflLWAt95U9wRqScYX_a2Fa4_t5DqvammLqbzs

By Eden Marie Truth Theory This mycologists figured out how to make bricks made from growing fungi that are super-strong and water-, mold- and fire …

14/01/2018

An article worth reading.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/16/new-home-owners-gagged-over-poor-build-and-compensation-claims?CMP=share_btn_fb

NHBC forcing buyers to sign agreement preventing them from contacting media about problems with their property or discussing with neighbours

20/10/2017

Some of you may be interested in this.

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/fundamental-review-social-housing-allocations

This public consultation document sets out the Department’s proposals for changes to how social homes are allocated. The draft Equality Impact Assessment considers whether the proposals would have a differential impact and in particular, an adverse differential impact on the categories of persons li...

26/09/2017

Times Past?
https://www.boredpanda.com/building-13th-century-guedelon-castle-france/?page_numb=3&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=dmblog

If you're fascinated with the middle ages, you don't need a time machine to visit the period. Guedelon Castle in Burgundy, France is a unique project where volunteers and researchers are constructing an authentic 13th century castle, using only techniques and materials that were available at the tim...

01/05/2017

This could be useful.
https://www.facebook.com/mashable/videos/10155179065604705/

27/02/2017

Nice bit of work by a Spanish Architect.
http://www.boredpanda.com/cement-factory-renovation-la-fabrica-ricardo-bofill/

When Ricardo Bofill stumbled upon a dilapidated cement factory in 1973, he immediately saw a world of possibilities. La fábrica was born, and almost 45 years later, the structure has been completely transformed into a spectacular and unique home.

16/02/2017

This should not happen.

NHBC forcing buyers to sign agreement preventing them from contacting media about problems with their property or discussing with neighbours

10/02/2017

03/12/2016

https://www.facebook.com/futurism/videos/655602467952289/

08/11/2016

Good!! Who wants to see McDonalds beside Florence cathedral?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mcdonalds-sue-florence-city-italy-restaurant-application-refused-a7404726.html?cmpid=facebook-post

McDonald's has filed a lawsuit against the Italian city of Florence after the fast-food chain was denied a license for a new restaurant in the historic central square. The US company is seeking damages of almost $20m (about £16m) because city authorities rejected its application to open a branch in…

06/11/2016

Technology moves forward and in the near future solar panels may be a lot less noticeable.

https://www.facebook.com/verge/videos/1233654176670923/

19/10/2016

I wonder what the reaction of the Planning Service and Building Control would be to these?
http://inhabitat.com/8-inexpensive-earth-homes-almost-anyone-can-afford/

07/05/2016

In old Amsterdam.
https://www.facebook.com/archellocom/videos/1166200026745931/

13/03/2016

The future of housing.
http://money.aol.co.uk/2016/03/07/the-house-that-costs-nothing-to-heat-and-even-charges-your-car/

Imagine a flat-pack house that won't cost a penny to heat or light and that can even charge your electric car for free. A new zero-carbon show home that's been built at the BRE Innovation Park in Watford offers just that for only

18/02/2016

http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-best-new-buildings-in-the-world-2016-2?r=US&IR=T

From offices to shops, here are 14 winners of ArchDaily's Building of the Year Awards.

29/11/2015

The NI Planning Service Public Access Portal is poor and frequently down. Surely we can do better than this?

28/11/2015

I like the flint. If you had £2m and some land would you build this house?http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/house-of-the-year-2015-flint-house-wins-prestigious-riba-award-a6751711.html

A house clad in flint and set into the landscape in a series of steps has won the annual House of the Year prize. Flint House, designed by the Skene Catling De La Pena practise and led by Charlotte Skene Catling and Jaime de la Peña, won the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) a…

13/08/2015

To solve this problem you need investment and coordinated policy. First we need to prolong the life of existing housing stock. There was once excellent repair and improvement grants available, and VAT on repairs needs to be reduced to 5% or less.

There are shortages in specific sectors. We need more social housing, housing for the elderly and hostels and dormitories.

Houses are simply too expensive for many and quite a few cannot obtain loans to purchase. The country would probably benefit from a period of high inflation with wages and costs rising and the value of loans decreasing. This would wipe out negative equity.

Planning issues on where to build needs imaginative solutions and we also need proper regional policy so development is spread across the country.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33539816?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_daily_politics_and_sunday_politics&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=news_central

The UK needs to construct about 250,000 homes a year to meet rising demand, but a variety of factors mean the completion rate is less than half that figure.

15/06/2015

Hi**er had similar aspirations. Perhaps I should take up politics?

http://blog.archpaper.com/2015/06/eavesdrop-broken-dreams/

Bill Clinton at the 2015 AIA convention in Atlanta. (Carl Bower / Courtesy AIA; Montage by AN) At the 2015 AIA convention in May, former President Bill Cli

14/05/2015

Excellent piece of promotion by YKK AP. Amused me and helps to promote the wider profession in a positive and entertaining way.

03/04/2015

UK the cold man of Europe.
https://www.facebook.com/energybillrevolution/photos/pcb.742447805869252/742447749202591/?type=1&theater

21/03/2015

Why not here? Indeed every house could produce more energy than it consumed, if we so wished, and if it did perhaps we should re-examine some aspects of the building regulations. Also we need roofing systems that are based on panels, and not the type that currently sit on top of the roof.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/20/france-decrees-new-rooftops-must-be-covered-in-plants-or-solar-panels?CMP=share_btn_fb

All new buildings in commercial zones across the country must comply with new environmental legislation

26/02/2015

Houses that produce more energy than they consume.
http://inhabitat.com/australias-first-carbon-positive-prefab-house-produces-more-energy-than-it-consumes/carbon-positive-house-by-archiblox-7/?extend=1

ArchiBlox unveiled Australia’s first carbon-positive prefab home that’s packed with eco-friendly features and gorgeous to boot.

21/02/2015

Thinking of something modest?
http://www.architecturendesign.net/25-brilliant-tiny-homes-that-will-inspire-you-to-live-small/

25 Brilliant Tiny Homes That Will Inspire You To Live Small Posted By MMK on Jan 25, 2015 | 0 comments These micro houses prove that there is a certain beauty in finding a low-impact solution for you and your family. Bigger isn’t always better. Fans of the tiny home movement swear by it: when we sim…