IF_DO

How can bio-based materials be enhanced with digital tools? What does it mean to design with modular systems? Join IF_DO founding director Al Scott for a webinar on the challenges and opportunities of industrialised building systems in industry and education. From Nature to Technology: Unlocking the Potential of Bio-Based Materials with Digital Tools 28 November 2024 14:00 - 16:00 Link here: https://lnkd.in/en9g8sfE

Still pinching myself after being invited onto the AJ Climate Champions podcast... and an absolute joy to chat with the incredible Hattie Hartman HonFRIBA and Rachael Owens This episode focuses in on our work at the Observer Building with Hastings Commons - a project which has been a labour of love for our team at IF_DO over the past six years - and so being able to share this story and its impact on the podcast felt really special. In our conversation, we discuss how our team has breathed new life into this magnificent 1924 building - transforming it from three decades of neglect into a thriving community space. Through a 'pod' (phased organic development) approach and the power of community land trusts, we discuss how design can create lasting, affordable spaces that truly belong to local people. It's a project that perfectly captures our belief that good design isn't just about buildings - it's about building community. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ejFJ_Zat #Architecture #CommunityDevelopment #Sustainability #UrbanRegeneration #SocialImpact #HastingsCommons"

🎙️ Delighted to share my recent appearance on Monocle Radio's "The Urbanist" from the 2024 Utopian Hours Festival in Turin. https://lnkd.in/esbzgWB9 Speaking with Ed Stocker, I had the opportunity to discuss IF_DO’s philosophy on engagement and creating spaces that foster belonging. The conversation explored how we're working to democratise city-making through meaningful collaboration, particularly highlighting our work with meanwhile spaces as valuable testing grounds for future permanent uses. One of our core beliefs at IF_DO is that successful urban development must have communities at its heart. Through projects like the Observer Building in Hastings (Hastings Commons), we've seen how sustained community engagement over time leads to more meaningful and impactful outcomes. As fellow speaker Nicolas Détrie beautifully expressed: "We need to invent a new future... what we witness is that feeling of happiness when we flourish in connection and in taking part to produce something together." Amazing to be featured alongside other urban innovators including Matt Grunbaum (Field Operations), Nicolas Détrie (YesWeCamp), Janis Irvine (JUS) (Telliskivi Creative City / Telliskivi Loomelinnak), and others, all sharing visions for more sustainable and inclusive urban development. Thank you to Monocle Radio (Ed Stocker) and Utopian Hours (Stratosferica Luca Ballarini Giacomo Biraghi) #UrbanDesign #Architecture #CommunityEngagement #Placemaking #SustainableDesign

📣 Announcement 📣   We're excited to announce that next summer the #Lewisham transformation could begin, as we are proposing to create an open air street food market, bar and outdoor space. A civic square alive with music, culture and food to celebrate Lewisham's independent scene. A new place, with all the community and spirit of Lewisham, designed by London based architects, IF_DO. Jon Watson, our Development Director leading the Lewisham Town Centre transformation said: “We heard loud and clear from our engagement with the community that people wanted to experience the benefit of a new town centre, now. So, we’re bringing forward a smaller planning application to speed up the delivery of the southern square – a dynamic new public space dedicated to food and music.   This comes in the run up to the submission of our wider masterplan in the coming weeks, which will lay out the complete transformation of the centre. The development plans bring new energy and purpose to the shopping centre with a meadow on the roof, bigger than a football pitch, a new pedestrian high street focussed on food and drink and 1,700 homes.”   Keep checking back for more!  #MoreThanAPlace

The North West’s largest padel centre is coming to Manchester in 2025! 🎾 Following a successful planning application, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re partnering with Social Sports Society to open a 10-court venue in Manchester’s Victoria North regeneration area, designed by IF_DO. As one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, padel is central to Social Sports Society’s mission to create community-first spaces in underused urban areas. 🏙️ We can't wait to welcome you to the courts! #Padel #SportsVenue #Manchester #Community #SocialSports