Offering an eye-opening account of the socio-economic drivers of his new home in Calgary, Oxfordshire Architect, Jonathan Steel writes is third letter home; telling stories of helicopter rides and IBI Group’s ‘Smart Cities’ initiative.
Suncor Plant
LETTERS HOME: TWO
As Oxfordshire Architect, Jonathan Steel settles into working for IBI Group in Calgary, his second letter home recounts some interesting insights into his recent North American lifestyle changes.
Banff
GARDEN CITIES: BACK IN FASHION?
With political priorities moving away from inner city regeneration, and house builders reluctant to develop brownfield sites, IBI Group is well placed to contribute to this Government’s ‘Garden City Agenda’. Masterplanning and Urban Design Lead at IBI Taylor Young, Marcus Wilshere explores the issues and opportunities.
![shutterstock_96585244 [Converted]](http://blog.ibi-nightingale.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/shutterstock_96585244-Converted-w400.jpg)
Ten years ago we probably thought the concept of Garden Cities was dead and buried (and the TCPA with it). Ebenezer Howard’s vision was distinctly at odds with ‘urban renaissance’ and the few completed garden city prototypes were deemed too low density to support viable public transport and too suburban and monocultural for urban lifestyles. With the change of government, however, the political priorities have moved away from inner city regeneration and at the same time, house builders have shied away from brownfield sites and the complexities of partnerships with the public sector.
Letters Home
Oxfordshire Architect, Jonathan Steel has recently relocated to Canada to join IBI Group’s Calgary office. Find out how the transition from rural barn to city office block is going in his letter home.
Jonathan Steel – IBI Group Architects Engineers
Wanted: 1 properly educated, fully licensed, thermally robust, British architect with smattering of healthcare experience for posting to Calgary office in business development and project delivery role.
Requirements: Willing partner (if ‘in a relationship’ – official facebook status will be referenced), ability to adapt to cultural variation (stetson, boots and belt buckle will be issued upon arrival), enjoyment of sunshine and chilly temperatures (sunniest big city in Canada, goes down to minus thirty in winter).
Engaging with the sciences through design
Science Sector Lead for the North, Chris Brightman-White discusses the value of public and private sector collaboration, and how it is changing laboratory design for the future.
The public can interact with science in the H.F. DeLuca Forum, a multi-use central space in the Town Centre.
Image courtesy of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Architecture is about engagement: It concerns itself with our relationship with buildings and spaces and how they influence our interactions with one another. In the design of laboratory buildings, we consider how architecture can excite, inspire and stimulate scientific creativity and how it can bring people together to share and explore ideas.
The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery has been named Laboratory of the Year 2012. This annual international competition recognises the highest standards in architecture, laboratory design and innovative concepts in science buildings. So what is so special about this facility?
An adaptable and flexible future
The continuing study of future adaptability and flexibility is a major THiNK priority
By Mike Nightingale
Adaptability and flexibility are such fundamental issues in our design work that we need an ongoing live debate to make sure we are making the most of our existing experience and new ideas.
It is about creating a coherent story – demonstrating our enthusiasm and expertise in this crucial area of design, and being able to access data to support design solutions to improve outcomes for our clients.
Why have an Arts Strategy?
Art in hospitals has always been a contentious issue. In a time of recession, when budgets are subject to such intensive scrutiny, art can be seen as an expensive way to fill empty, sterile corridors. But when used to its full potential, art can literally change the character of a building and directly impact the way patients perceive the hospital and the care available to them.
Collaborating for Change
IBI Nightingale team up with Loughborough University to develop ‘Adaptable Futures’ toolkit
As one of our THiNK Sustainability initiatives, to improve the adaptability and flexibility of our buildings, IBI Nightingale has signed a collaboration agreement with Loughborough University to help develop an Adaptable Futures Toolkit for use in design.
Understanding space through the senses
A sensory approach to primary school design
Children learn best when all their senses are engaged. THiNK is exploring this philosophy and working directly with schools to improve their environments through the implementation of our sensory research.
Holidays for Health
The growth of Medical Tourism in Asia
The medical tourism industry is booming despite a global recession. People from all over the world are choosing to travel to other countries to fulfil their healthcare needs, particularly in Asia. But what is the appeal of hospitalisation on holiday? And what is Nightingale Associate’s contribution to the phenomenon?
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