David Miller Architects’ Post

Read Leif Lomo and Rutger Huiberts, AIA’s reflections on the recent NYLON event, “Reinvigorating Cities Through Active Public Spaces." In a piece published by NLA, the KPF Directors reflect on the event, which explored projects to revitalise Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue and London’s Knightsbridge, prioritizing pedestrians. “Knightsbridge and Fifth Avenue represent two of the greatest shopping streets in the world, but they are overwhelmed by their popularity and competing needs. Both initiatives address complicated questions such as who the land should serve, why, and how.” Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4ixMb8r As programme champion for NLA’s City Dialogues, KPF is dedicated to supporting cross-city conversations, to enable experts from around the world to share best practices and learn from each other to identify solutions for some of the 21st century’s most challenging problems. Rendering by Field Operations, courtesy of New York City Hall. Cannon Ivers Isabel Castilla Larisa Ortiz Madelyn Wils Alexis Taylor AIA New York | Center for Architecture #KPF #KohnPedersenFox #Placemaking #PublicSpaces #Community #NewYork #London #UrbanRegeneration

Town Square ++ [the art of building cities] The importance of the town square as a central hub of public life. The design of public buildings in relation to the town square is important for creating a sense of unity and coherence in the urban environment. The squares are usually surrounded by public buildings such as churches, government buildings, and markets, which serves as focal points for social and civic activities. This layout encourages people to come together, interact with one another, and participate in public events and celebrations.   -- The design of the square and its surrounding public buildings plays a crucial role in shaping the public life of the city.

People love tall buildings. They always have and always will. Tall buildings extend our horizons and I believe there’s something innately human about the desire to metaphorically reach towards the stars. Buildings that taper into the sky aren’t new. Throughout history, they have created a strong sense of identity and place, enabling cities to be known and loved for the striking silhouettes they trace across the sky. Co-created by their users and shaped by the community around them, tall buildings – be they brand new or old structures adapted and re-used – are an incredible way of breathing new life into the city and a beautiful way of sustaining London. However, the days of sterile, single-use tall towers will soon be a thing of the past. We should start to imagine tall buildings as ‘vertical villages’ supporting a rich mix of uses. These villages need to be punctuated with ‘village commons’ that provide spaces for interaction to promote wellbeing, as well as being centres of innovation, creativity and community. Read my comment in favour of tall buildings: https://lnkd.in/dsYdhFmH Image: Our proposal for 55 Bishopsgate. Render by Plusimgs. #afkstudios #earlearney #arneyfenderkatsalidis #tallbuildings #citycluster

I recently wrote a paper for Culture Critic about New Urbanism and children's play streets. In it, I contend that American urbanists forgot that meaningful public places are far greater than the sum of their parts amidst the frenzy of mid-century efficiency. The benefits of an energetic civic plaza do more to maximize human value than any commercial use of that land one might imagine. Of course, the United States doesn’t have millennia-old cathedral squares (like our neighbor in Europe) around which to build living, breathing spaces. Instead, we will have to relearn what good urbanism looks like. If we design streets around people and demand more beauty in the public realm, we might be surprised at the result—economic and otherwise. Read more in the link in the comments.

Imagine a city where houses hide behind tall walls, isolating residents from each other and the street's energy. This has been the reality for many urban areas. #Walls provide #security and #privacy, but they also disconnect communities. Thrilled to announce that my article, "Walls to Walkways: How Open Public Spaces Foster Connection," has been published in the proceedings of the IIA AP Chapter Apoorva: Architects Conference & Build Expo! In this article, I explore how open public spaces can bridge this gap. By designing walkways, plazas, and parks, we can create opportunities for interaction and a stronger sense of community. What are your thoughts on the role of architecture in fostering connection in our cities? #PublicSpaces #Architecture #CommunityBuilding #urbandesign #IIAAPChapter

Delving into urban design training with this sketch, highlighting the impact of well-planned spaces on community life. #UrbanDesign #ArchitectureTraining #CommunityImpact #SustainableLiving #CityPlanning #DesignEducation ٠

Tactical Urbanism ++ [revitalization activations for cities] >> Tactical urbanism refers to grassroots, temporary, and low-cost interventions in public spaces that aim to improve the livability and functionality of cities. These interventions can include pop-up parks, public art installations, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, and community events. While tactical urbanism projects may be temporary in nature, they often have long-lasting economic and social benefits for cities. Some of these benefits include: *Increased foot traffic *Enhanced community [local entrepreneurs] engagement *Reimagined public spaces *Economic revitalization Photo: Andrea-von-Bujdoss, pavement-to-plaza intervention in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 16'

Two really interesting walks with our team for London Festival of Architecture to explore key themes in our research: participatory approaches to understanding safety, and embedding cultural infrastructure. Have a wander into the link below… 🚶♀️➡️🚶🏽➡️

The success of great cities lies in their ability to integrate architecture and urbanism to support people, culture, and sustainability. London’s network of interconnected neighbourhoods exemplifies this, cultivating self-sustaining communities where individuals can live, work, and engage within a localized, yet globally impactful, urban setting. Our latest project Opus, at Bankside Yards, marks a significant milestone in London's ever-evolving skyline, standing out as the UK's first major mixed-use estate to be entirely free from fossil fuels. In this recent article by Knight Frank, we explore this burgeoning ecosystem that is now emerging as a micro-city own its own right. Over in the City, ONE BISHOPSGATE PLAZA brings a novel perspective to the traditional context of a historical plaza serving as multifunctional hub for the community. Rejuvenating a key site along Bishopsgate into a dynamic mixed-use urban development that contributes to the City’s ambition of becoming a 24-hour destination. Read the article in full here: https://lnkd.in/dzkJdxsD

The affordable housing crisis today can be solved through innovative residential and urban design. Family models have evolved, society has reframed the role of cities, and ongoing urban realities demand opportunities to create housing for all, from first-time homeowners to retirees. This book navigates the design process of new housing, like additional dwelling units, and explores ideas that can be implemented from the suburbs to cities. Through the history of urban design, zoning regulation, and with an emphasis on the human side of housing, ileana schinder, with her architecture background, highlights the role that the home plays in society today. https://amzn.to/4aSCq0u