黑洞社区

Refashioning life鈥檚 lexicon

鈥淧lacemaking鈥� has become an essential part of the development lexicon, referring to a holistic approach to development to enhance the social, health and cultural wellbeing of people who use it, rather than just financially enriching the backers. Scepticism abounds, however, with cynics saying the concept gets only lip service. Into this mix then comes the welcome publication of a book on the matter, Living in Wonderland: Urban development and placemaking, by Battersea Power Station Development Company head of design and (you guessed it) placemaking David Twohig. Twohig has travelled the world to document the best examples of placemaking over 200 pages. Available to order online and good for the coffee table, methinks.

Reinvesting our expertise

Property industry charity LandAid has launched a pro bono campaign to encourage property firms to commit at least 10 days of free professional advice to assist charities in managing their estates over the next 12 months. So far 16 companies - including Mace, Land Securities, LDA Design and John Robertson Architects 鈥� have signed up, equating to 1,350 hours and more than 拢120,000 worth of advice. LandAid is aiming to get a total of 40 companies offering 拢200,000 worth of advice. For more info or to sign up, visit www.landaid.org.

Reliving the pain

It was Germany vs Argentina all over again in the final of a property industry football tournament to celebrate the World Cup earlier this month, and just as in the real tournament, Germany won. The German team, made up of LaSalle Investment Management, triumphed in the charity tournament. However, in this particular grudge match, against Hermes Real Estate鈥檚 Argentina, it had to be decided on penalties. So cruel! The event, organised by chartered surveyor CS2, raised 拢400 for LandAid.

Repurposing the past

The demolition of three cooling towers at Didcot A power station in Oxfordshire last Sunday caught the imagination of local residents, who thronged the streets to watch. The towers were considered a blight on the landscape, but architecture practice ADP reminded the world they had published proposals to save the towers and convert them into a water park with 鈥渟ome of the highest flumes in the world鈥�, a large multiplex cinema and a climbing wall respectively. Sadly I note their 鈥渇ool proof鈥� plan was published on 1 April, so I suspect their sorrow was not sincere.

Rewriting the rules of tendering (and verse)

WSP鈥檚 building services division has had success on a tender by submitting a poem rather than a standard 200-word introduction. A novel approach! See what you think鈥�

There was once a team of engineers,
Who worked at WSP,
They specialised in 黑洞社区 Services,
Including energy and sustainability.
A creative, forward thinking, innovative bunch,
They鈥檒l sketch and draw and think out of the box,
Good design is valued above all.
We鈥檝e already studied the feasibility report,
And are fully aligned with your vision,
We understand the pros (and cons),
Of creating a product unlike the competition.
We鈥檇 welcome the chance to meet with you,
To discuss our proposal with you further,
An hour of your time to present our approach,
To impress with our knowledge and fervour.

Think you can write a better construction inspired poem? Email your verse to me at hansom@ubm.com.