The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
Westminster Council unveils ‘retrofit first’ city plan
Westminster City Council has unveiled new draft proposals that would see it adopt a ‘retrofit first’ approach to redevelopment
RetroFirst
RetroFirst is an AJ campaign to prioritise retrofit over demolition and rebuild. Hundreds of architecture practices, organisations and individuals have declared their support for our campaign
Why we need a ‘structure first’ approach to existing buildings
To create a more regenerative built environment, it’s important not to impose new-build standards on old buildings and to use a structural engineer from the outset, argues Penny Gowler
Shell begins demolition of Brutalist Aberdeen HQ despite backlash
Oil and energy giant Shell has begun knocking down its Brutalist former HQ in Aberdeen, despite widespread opposition from architects and heritage campaigners
M&S challenges Gove’s Oxford St decision in High Court
Marks & Spencer will be at the High Court tomorrow to argue against community secretary Michael Gove’s rejection of its Pilbrow & Partners-designed demolition and rebuild of its Marble Arch store
Why is nobody talking about 1 Undershaft’s carbon footprint?
The vast environmental cost of Eric Parry’s proposed City of London skyscraper highlights the urgent need for more robust whole-life carbon assessments, writes Matt Mahony
Tory MP grills Gove’s department over climate inaction
The government’s legally binding net zero targets are in jeopardy because of delays in reforming planning rules, MPs have said
Birmingham City Council votes to demolish Ringway Centre – again
Birmingham City Council planners have controversially voted in favour of demolishing the city’s landmark Ringway Centre for a second time
Kevin McCloud: ‘Should we save Birmingham Ringway? Of course we should!’
We have a history of trying to destroy architectural gems, something councillors considering the fate of Birmingham’s Ringway Centre should consider, argues Kevin McCloud
Kevin McCloud joins bid to save Brutalist Brum landmark ahead of critical vote
Kevin McCloud has added his voice to calls to save Birmingham’s Ringway Centre ahead of a crucial planning committee vote tomorrow (1 February)
C20 Society and Historic England object to 28-storey scheme on Bristol Debenhams site
Proposals by AWW to demolish Bristol’s former Debenhams store and replace it with a 28-storey tower have come under fire