SPOTLIGHT: ACME | MINORIES REDEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF LONDON

ACME is a contemporary architecture and urban planning firm, established in London of 2007. ACME's objective is to create the "pinnacle of perfection" in each of their physical "expressions." On an urban scale, ACME strives to achieve profitability, cultural mixing, and sustainability. Their urban work shapes residential, public, and commercial spaces. Several of these projects have received international recognition from architectural committees and presenters—projects have won RIBA and ArchDaily awards. 

ACME, on behalf of 4C Hotel Group, has submitted planning application for the Minories Redevelopment in the City of London. The development includes a "20,000 sqm office building, a 16,500 sqm Hampton by Hilton Hotel with 370 rooms, and an 8,000 sqm residential building." Additionally, the schematics include public green patches and urban squares. According to ACME, these design aspects are integral to the "regeneration and expansion of the core fabric of the City of London…helping to re-structure an area with a very inconsistent physical and social fabric."

A beautiful design feature of the redevelopment is the façade. It is a "curtain wall and two layers of fins that help unify and animate the large surfaces of the façade. The fins give a resonant and dynamic appearance to the office massing and also perform as a shading device. The depth of the fins varies depending on the orientation in order to enhance their performance."

ACME remarks that within its site boundary the "Minories development is a microcosm of this evolving environment." Moreover, the site’s prime positioning next to corporate hot spots, "provides the opportunity for the building to play a role in the life and image of the city." With this development, ACME aims to "resolve the specific complexities and contradictions of this key site."

 

ACME is one of the talented design firms featured in our forthcoming BOOK!

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

Visit gdnyu.com, like Global Design NYU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@gdnyu).

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http://www.acme.ac/   |||   http://www.acme.ac/projects/minories?p=text

"ACME." MINORIES. ACME, 2013. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.

SPOTLIGHT: Bjarke Ingels of BIG, "HEDONISTIC SUSTAINABILITY."

            Bjarke Ingels is the founding partner of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). This urban architecture firm is based in Copenhagen and New York. They specialize in creating a new architectural form, a kind of pragmatic utopia—where ecological mediums are harmoniously integrated with urban systems. In the end, these ideas generate projects that may be defined as biotopes.
           

 

            Bjarke Ingels, in his thoughts and constructions, hopes to clarify the concept of sustainability—he sees the "neo-protestant" notion of, "it has to hurt to be good" as highly fallacious. He wants to redefine and embrace "hedonistic sustainability." Ingels knows a sustainable lifestyle can be without sacrifices; thus, he strives to make designs that are "attractive, desirable and pleasurable," but at the same time sustainable. This methodology will result in a shift in consciousness of what it means to act sustainability.

 

BIG is one of the brilliant design firms featured in our forthcoming BOOK!

 

Stay up-to-date on international news regarding sustainable architecture!

Visit gdnyu.com, like Global Design NYU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@gdnyu).

 

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http://www.ted.com/talks/bjarke_ingels_hedonistic_sustainability.html               

GDNYU LONDON 2012 OPENS!

GDNYU London opens TODAY at 6:30 PM! Come to The Building Centre and witness these amazing designers and innovators: 

Aberrant, ACME, atmos, AWP, BIG, Biothing, BLOOM, Code: Architects / Eriksen + Skajaa, Creus and Carrasco, CUAC, David Kohn Architects, doxiadis+, Fantastic Norway, GroundLab, Haugen/Zohar, HHF, Jestico + Whiles, J. Mayer H., LAVA, Mi5, MMW, NEA Studio, New Territories, Ordinary [Magnus Larsson & Alex Kaiser], OSA_Office of Subversive Architecture, Rachel Armstrong, Raumlabor Berlin, Serie, SLA, Specht Harpman, Studio Weave, Terreform ONE, Topotek1

Check out our LONDON 2012 photo album!

Are YOU Going?

It's GO Time!

We're setting up like crazy here at the NYU Gallatin building on 1 Washington Place, NYC. If you're around, you're welcome to drop by and get in on the action! And don't forget to come MAY 25, starting at 6 p.m.! Register here and click Attend on Facebook for regular updates!

Dylan and Belinda

BMW Guggenheim Lab

Launched at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in October 2010, the BMW Guggenheim Lab is a new global initiative that will span six years of program activities, engage people in major cities around the globe, and inspire the creation of forward-looking concepts and designs for urban life. Learn more.

GD NYU Elsewhere Envisioned

GLOBAL [Global Local Open Border Architecture and Landscape] speaker series and exhibition.