工作室簡介

總部設(shè)在倫敦的AAM建筑工作室是建筑設(shè)計機構(gòu)，也是專業(yè)的城市策劃者和規(guī)劃師。AAM致力于設(shè)計使用壽命長并能適應(yīng)不同時代需求的優(yōu)美建筑，還致力于創(chuàng)造不朽的經(jīng)典建筑，包括全新的城市地標(biāo)以及規(guī)模不等的居住社區(qū)。他們在所有項目中注重每一處細(xì)節(jié)的創(chuàng)作，以及對每一種設(shè)計環(huán)境獨特性的尊重和贊美。

從家具設(shè)計到室內(nèi)設(shè)計，從建筑設(shè)計到景觀設(shè)計，AAM的工作涉及諸多領(lǐng)域。作為建筑環(huán)境方面的專家，他們還開展研究和咨詢業(yè)務(wù)，同時他們的團隊中還有建筑保護、室內(nèi)設(shè)計和可視化方面的專家。

AAM的作品遍及英國及世界各地，在北美、印度、中東和歐洲大陸都有他們的設(shè)計項目。除了位于倫敦的總部，AAM還在劍橋、曼徹斯特、利物浦和都柏林設(shè)有辦事處。

設(shè)計方法

AAM首先對所有的建筑成品負(fù)責(zé)，同時也充分考量到人們的福祉、城市的特征，以及地球生態(tài)環(huán)境的健康。

AAM的設(shè)計方法總是著眼長遠(yuǎn)，尊重地球的多樣性，并充分理解作為設(shè)計師的重要責(zé)任。他們設(shè)計的建筑使用壽命長、品質(zhì)優(yōu)異，能讓用戶們感到滿意和愉悅；在城市設(shè)計和規(guī)劃領(lǐng)域，他們的目標(biāo)是制定出適合當(dāng)?shù)厍闆r的獨特規(guī)劃方案，以應(yīng)對未來的經(jīng)濟、生態(tài)和社會變化。

AAM推崇簡約的、并且認(rèn)為樸實無華的、具有凝聚性的建筑，采用可持續(xù)發(fā)展和延長使用壽命的綜合設(shè)計方法為依據(jù)，更能經(jīng)得起時間的考驗。從微觀到宏觀，他們對工藝和質(zhì)量的不懈追求始終是他們保持方法技術(shù)嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)性的強大支持。

生活

充滿活力的環(huán)境是他們所做一切工作的本質(zhì)依賴。所有人在一種友好、支持、合作和創(chuàng)造性的氛圍中茁壯成長。

AAM尊重并且珍視不同觀點。立足于倫敦的全球文化多樣性特點，工作室的員工來自世界各地，并且始終以此為自豪。他們有近一半的資質(zhì)建筑師是女性，在英國各大建筑事務(wù)所中占比最高。這種多樣性豐富了他們的生活和他們最終呈現(xiàn)出來的設(shè)計作品。自1984年Bob Allies和Graham Morrison創(chuàng)立以來，對話與交流一直是他們開展工作實踐的標(biāo)志之一，這種交流包括個人之間和世代之間的對話，以及其它學(xué)科和其它行業(yè)實踐之間的對話。這也反映在他們通過制定積極的專業(yè)發(fā)展計劃、內(nèi)部培訓(xùn)和指導(dǎo)項目所體現(xiàn)的終身學(xué)習(xí)承諾之中。

作為建筑設(shè)計機構(gòu)，AAM以嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)完善的技術(shù)交付方案，以及對高質(zhì)量、嵌入式環(huán)境性能的追求而聞名。作為城市規(guī)劃師，他們以制定靈活、務(wù)實、富有啟發(fā)性，并且符合當(dāng)?shù)貧夂蚝吞攸c的規(guī)劃而聞名。在完成每一個項目的過程中，他們都會尋求采用一種量身定制的獨特方法，一種能切實理解客戶愿望、在本質(zhì)上實現(xiàn)可持續(xù)發(fā)展并根植于商業(yè)意識的解決方案。

在其它設(shè)計主題中，他們目前正在通過具體項目來探索和塑造Allies And Morrison 的以下發(fā)展熱點和專長：

打造城市特色

世界各地的大小城市都在經(jīng)歷不同階段的再發(fā)展過程或者城區(qū)擴張。在本世紀(jì)和上個世紀(jì)的最后幾十年里，這種情況最為顯著，例如在倫敦、曼徹斯特或海灣地區(qū)以及亞洲城市出現(xiàn)的新興天際線建筑群就是對這一點的有力印證。然而，在建的大部分城市建筑看起來都似乎千篇一律。在不斷發(fā)展前行的城市設(shè)計領(lǐng)域里，AAM如何避免這種雷同的建筑風(fēng)格模式？

保持與多樣性和地理環(huán)境的溝通對話將能為當(dāng)代城市的發(fā)展帶來好處。城市是多層次的不同文化歷史、興趣和民族的融合體。它是人類的棲身之處。良好的城市總體規(guī)劃可以突出不同地方的獨有特點、城市微氣候的特殊性、地質(zhì)地形的性質(zhì)，以及當(dāng)?shù)氐娜宋臍v史發(fā)展進程。

多哈是海灣地區(qū)發(fā)展最為迅速的熱點城市之一，該城市就為他們提供了很好的指南示例。其中的“多哈Msheireb市中心規(guī)劃與建筑設(shè)計”是這座城市的中心重建項目，它包括在市區(qū)中心建造一處由100多座建筑組成的居民小區(qū)。AAM的角色是在總體規(guī)劃團隊中擔(dān)當(dāng)現(xiàn)場建筑方案代言人，旨在創(chuàng)造出一種新的“卡塔爾”語言的建筑物，以便將傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代進行關(guān)聯(lián)；此外他們還擔(dān)任了多個獨立建筑的設(shè)計方。盡管在功能和形式上有很大的不同，Msheireb項目的建筑和空間在整體上體現(xiàn)了對傳統(tǒng)特色的現(xiàn)代化詮釋，例如內(nèi)部道路和庭院設(shè)計、裝飾性遮光棚以及簡單渲染和當(dāng)?shù)厥牡倪\用。在整個場地范圍內(nèi)，緊密的城市建筑布局形式與炎熱的沙漠氣候相適應(yīng)，通過設(shè)立柱廊和懸挑的屋檐為行人提供陰涼和庇護。

阿曼首都馬斯喀特位于多哈以南，其城市擴展的總體規(guī)劃方案源于其經(jīng)過深思熟慮的有關(guān)可持續(xù)發(fā)展和傳承文化遺產(chǎn)的基本國策。設(shè)計規(guī)范中提供的核心說明確保了新的建筑物和城市空間需要從當(dāng)?shù)匚幕L(fēng)俗中獲取靈感，體現(xiàn)出對阿曼文化的表達(dá)，并為民眾灌輸一種牢固、永久、獨特的城市意識。城市形態(tài)能令人想起古代阿拉伯城市緊湊的城市肌理，這是一種適應(yīng)本地氣候特征的響應(yīng)措施，城市中遍布的蔭蔽公共街道鼓勵人們徒步出行。阿曼首都擴展方案的中心項目是Wadi公園，它保留了阿拉伯半島獨有的生態(tài)系統(tǒng)——阿拉伯谷地。

大學(xué)是城市發(fā)展的催化劑

具有全球意識的大學(xué)能夠塑造所在地社區(qū)的社會和物質(zhì)結(jié)構(gòu)，成為當(dāng)?shù)匕l(fā)展的參與者和執(zhí)行者。它們可以推動并激發(fā)重要的復(fù)興過程，起到開發(fā)者、贊助者和城市居民的角色。一處有彈性的城市社區(qū)反過來可以為當(dāng)?shù)氐母叩冉逃龣C構(gòu)提供重要的城市“濃湯”，繼而滋養(yǎng)自己的人民以及自身的發(fā)展計劃。那么如何利用設(shè)計來培育高校與城市之間這種寶貴的互惠互利關(guān)系呢？首先我們需要認(rèn)識到每一個高等教育機構(gòu)的與眾不同之處。必須要很好地理解高等教育機構(gòu)的風(fēng)氣和起源、政治復(fù)雜性、組織架構(gòu)，以及導(dǎo)致所有這些的根本原因，才能制定出合格的總體規(guī)劃或建筑設(shè)計方案。例如藝術(shù)學(xué)校與科學(xué)院校相比，在公眾互動方面就有非常大的差別；或者，一個有著雄心勃勃的發(fā)展目標(biāo)的大型院校，與一個刻意縮小規(guī)模的教育機構(gòu)相比，勢必會有不同的優(yōu)先選擇事項。建筑師此時要針對院校機構(gòu)的發(fā)展理念和地位身份給出相符合的設(shè)計形式，因此必須要理解每一個教育機構(gòu)的細(xì)微差別，以及所涉及的特點，復(fù)雜性和支持方面，以便確保設(shè)計方案的有效性。從整個校園的總體規(guī)劃到單體建筑設(shè)計，AAM在英國一些全球名校的眾多設(shè)計項目中對這些主題展開了探索，包括歷史以及現(xiàn)有的大學(xué)建設(shè)項目，例如劍橋大學(xué)、牛津大學(xué)、倫敦帝國理工學(xué)院和倫敦藝術(shù)大學(xué)（UAL）。

大學(xué)的總體規(guī)劃與多種利益有關(guān)。對于倫敦帝國理工學(xué)院的西倫敦新校區(qū)，AAM的任務(wù)是開發(fā)一個新校區(qū)，而且他們在做出簡短回應(yīng)之前就廣泛征求了包括從高級領(lǐng)導(dǎo)層到學(xué)生會在內(nèi)的帝國理工學(xué)院不同群體和相關(guān)企業(yè)的意見和建議。通過這種做法能夠揭示出一種360度的全景觀點，讓他們能更好地了解到大學(xué)通過校園設(shè)計真正想要以及需要達(dá)到的目的。這一過程還幫助他們確定了幾乎所有大學(xué)的共同目標(biāo)點，那就是科學(xué)、技術(shù)和醫(yī)學(xué)研究的未來趨勢必將是多學(xué)科交叉融合，這也因此誕生了旨在促進這種跨學(xué)科交融的校園空間總體規(guī)劃綱要。

倫敦時裝學(xué)院（LCF）是倫敦藝術(shù)大學(xué)的組成院系，幾十年來該學(xué)院的不同部門和機構(gòu)一直分散在倫敦的多個地方，一般認(rèn)為這是由于其在成立之初作為商貿(mào)院校的特性所致。AAM當(dāng)前的任務(wù)是將它們第一次整合到一座專門建造的建筑中。在項目簡報階段的最開始，他們與學(xué)院領(lǐng)導(dǎo)和各部門進行了長時間的交流談話，來探討項目方案對他們產(chǎn)生的影響和意義。這一過程揭示了LCF身份中的許多矛盾之處。一方面，時裝設(shè)計的學(xué)習(xí)創(chuàng)作過程與世隔絕且十分脆弱，但另一方面，學(xué)生還必須向公眾領(lǐng)域展示自己的作品。一座建筑要如何做到這兩點呢？如何將不同位置的豐富感轉(zhuǎn)化為一個統(tǒng)一的全新獨棟建筑？要解決好這些悖論，我們需要掌握LCF新校區(qū)所秉承的DNA特征，而這就蘊含在現(xiàn)場之中。

讓城市遺產(chǎn)發(fā)揮作用

新與舊的相遇能夠碰撞出有趣的設(shè)計機會。歷史建筑和當(dāng)代建筑都應(yīng)該閃耀著各自的光芒，同時無論是在古老的街道上還是在舊建筑的旁邊建造新建筑，亦或是啟用歷史建筑以供當(dāng)代人使用，新舊建筑之間應(yīng)當(dāng)始終保持“對話”。不管是何種規(guī)模，他們將新舊建筑的特點結(jié)合在一起就能毫不費力地尋找到簡單、實用、優(yōu)美的建筑空間方案——這會讓歷史建筑場所變得更加平易近人、舒適愜意、同時也展現(xiàn)出令人震驚的效果。

有時歷史建筑需要創(chuàng)造性的改造，例如對切爾西藝術(shù)學(xué)院來說，從多個分散地點搬遷整合到同一個地點是其歷史上的一個重要時刻。這所新建學(xué)院毗鄰泰特不列顛美術(shù)館，其前身是二級皇家陸軍醫(yī)學(xué)院，如今的新校區(qū)將這里改造成了一處藝術(shù)文化氛圍濃厚的校園。前陸軍醫(yī)學(xué)院的閱兵場采用愛德華時代經(jīng)典外觀，現(xiàn)在則成為了一個嶄新的公共空間。他們舍棄了一些原有軍隊建筑內(nèi)的特殊物品設(shè)施，打造成創(chuàng)造力旺盛的、適應(yīng)性強的藝術(shù)創(chuàng)意工作室。設(shè)計方案在舊兵營建筑之外創(chuàng)造了新的空間，暴露在陽光下的工作坊依靠在巨大的軍營墻壁之上，構(gòu)成了一處不易被發(fā)現(xiàn)的獨有庭院。在兵營建筑的后側(cè)，以前是逃生樓梯和廁所窗戶，經(jīng)過重組和擴展，翻新建筑呈現(xiàn)出符合鄰近街道和建筑風(fēng)格的全新外觀。

切爾西藝術(shù)學(xué)院 Chelsea College of Arts_Dennis Gilbert

建筑物的實際壽命往往會超過它們的預(yù)期使用年限，盡管如此我們還是要能夠并且仍然應(yīng)該盡力保持老舊建筑的功能性。如今的環(huán)境倫理同樣也需要我們這樣做。阿森納的海布里球館已經(jīng)不再是專業(yè)足球場地，如果不是位列二級保護名錄，等待它的只有被拆除的命運。對于為特殊用途而建造的建筑物進行改造是極為困難和昂貴的，而且可能不具備經(jīng)濟上的可持續(xù)性。通過充分利用場所的規(guī)模和其構(gòu)造特點，AAM提出的設(shè)計理念克服了這些難點。

將一座建筑保存下來并不能維持住其一直以來的寶貴無形資產(chǎn)——球迷的歡呼聲和跌宕起伏的比賽氛圍。但是AAM發(fā)現(xiàn)了一個新的意義，來將這座建筑與其附近的倫敦住宅區(qū)域廣場空間有機結(jié)合起來。經(jīng)過重新設(shè)計，體育場的框架結(jié)構(gòu)被保留下來，能夠提供725個新的居住空間，而原先的中心足球場地則被重新定義為這些新居住空間的廣場區(qū)域。

阿爾德門 Aldgate_Stale Eriksen

高樓大廈

每幢高層建筑的條件會因其建筑形式、高度或可承受性而互不相同；其中最基本的一個條件要素是高層建筑建成后其底部空間會發(fā)生何種變化，建筑物如何著地，以及如何影響周圍街區(qū)的生活。因此高層建筑設(shè)計往往表現(xiàn)出一種超然和冷峻意味，但同時它們對周圍的城市氛圍也十分敏感。

在倫敦，AAM致力于設(shè)計高樓大廈，將古老的和新的元素融為一體。其中的主教門大街以倫敦墻最初的八大門之一命名，兩千年來一直分布坐落在Roman Ermine大街兩側(cè)，而如今Roman Ermine大街仍然是貫穿倫敦城區(qū)的一條重要南北向道路。現(xiàn)在沿著這條路線，我們可以看到一座40層的塔樓——主教門大街100號大樓（100 Bishopsgate）——已經(jīng)建成。主教門大街100號大樓擁有全倫敦面積最大的無障礙樓板，但是它占用的底部空間卻很少。該項目的設(shè)計方案創(chuàng)造出了半英畝的新公共空間，開辟了新的步行路線以保持原有老城區(qū)的風(fēng)貌。主教門大街100號大樓項目還包含一個整合到圣海倫廣場格魯吉亞風(fēng)格結(jié)構(gòu)中的石面附屬建筑體。在場地的南部邊界則是建于十四世紀(jì)的圣伊瑟堡教堂。

另外一處建筑倫敦象堡251公寓（Two Fifty One）的平面布局呈平行四邊形，這是一座41層的住宅大樓，包括依循場地內(nèi)結(jié)構(gòu)走勢建造的三角形配套辦公樓。這些建筑的底層設(shè)計能使其與毗鄰街道相連，同時在南側(cè)形成了一個全新的公共空間，成為五條不同城市路線的交匯樞紐。此外，它還為附近的倫敦南岸大學(xué)營造了一個新的入口。

象堡251 公寓 TwoFiftyOne_Nick Guttridge

通常，高層建筑有助于營造或煥活都市形態(tài)。阿爾德蓋特和懷特查佩爾自中世紀(jì)起就是倫敦城東側(cè)的入口，數(shù)百年來一直是倫敦新客的落腳之地。這里在二戰(zhàn)期間受到炸彈轟炸，并成為了城中一片特殊的空白區(qū)域。如今，這里的倫敦樹項目包含三座風(fēng)箏型的高層住宅，以及三座較低建筑，構(gòu)筑了新的對角線，并且令周邊街區(qū)的建筑線重新得以延續(xù)。

這里最終變成了一個高樓林立的城市。在多倫多等城市的天際線中，高聳的摩天大樓飛速拔地而起。AAM在漢波灣海岸的項目將建造71層高的樓群，但按照構(gòu)想，這些建筑將作為一個系列相互協(xié)調(diào)而非孤立存在。三個特征鮮明的建筑群相互毗鄰，每個建筑群在其材質(zhì)、色彩、形式和位置上都有獨到之處。但同時，這些建筑群也有共同之處——比如采用模塊化結(jié)構(gòu)，和反光樓頂。

這些高層建筑不僅將成為多倫多天際線的一個重要的城市新中心，還有著不落窠臼的外形——其一層處的空間設(shè)置更有意趣，且進而拓展了公共廣場的數(shù)量——空間為先，建筑次之。

Practice

We are architects,urbanists and planners based in London.We strive to design beautiful buildings that have long life and can adapt over the generations.We also shape enduring places whether new pieces of city or settlements at any scale.All our projects are concerned with the crafting of every detail and an appreciation for the uniqueness of each context.

We work across all scales,from furniture design to interior design,from the design of buildings to the design of landscape.As experts in the built environment,we carry out research and undertake consultation,while our team also includes specialists in building conservation,interior design and visualisation.

We work throughout the UK but also around the world,with projects in North America,India,the Middle East and mainland Europe.In addition to our London studio,we also have offices in Cambridge,Manchester,Liverpool and Dublin.

Approach

Our responsibility may begin with the building,but it also embraces the well-being of people,the character of the city and the health of our planet.

Our approach is guided by an eye on the long term,a respect for our planet's diversity,and an understanding that we have responsibilities as designers.We design buildings that have a long life,which age well and are enjoyable for their users;and in the realm of urban design and planning,we aim to shape plans that are unique to their locality and resilient in the face of future economic,ecological and social change.

We enjoy simplicity,believing that coherent and unpretentious buildings,informed by an integrated approach to sustainability and longevity,are more likely to stand the test of time.And our interest in craft and in quality underpins the technical rigour of our approach,from the micro through to the macro scales.

Life

Our vibrant studio is the essence of all we do.We thrive on a friendly,supportive,collaborative and creative atmosphere.

We value different perspectives.Grounded in the global diversity of London,we hail from around the world,and we are proud of this.Nearly half of our qualified architects are women,the highest percentage of the UK’s large practices.This diversity enriches our studio life and the very work we deliver.Since our founding in 1984 by Bob Allies and Graham Morrison,dialogue has always been a hallmark of our practice–dialogue between individuals and across generations,with other disciplines and other practices.This is reflected in our commitment to lifelong learning through an active programme of professional development,in-house training and mentoring.

碼頭區(qū)域開發(fā) Wharf site_AAM

斯特拉特福德濱水區(qū) Stratford Waterfront_AAM

斯特拉特福德濱水區(qū) Stratford Waterfront_AAM

As architects,we are known for the rigour of our technical delivery,a commitment to quality,to embedded environmental performance.As urbanists,we are known for developing plans that are flexible and pragmatic,inspirational in vision,responsive to the local climate and character.In every project we seek a tailored approach,one that understands the aspirations of our clients,is intrinsically sustainable and is grounded in a commercial awareness.

Among other topics,we are currently exploring and shaping the following interests through our projects:

Crafting urban identities

Cities around the world,both large and small,are undergoing various stages of re-development or expansion of their urban footprint.In this century and the final decades of the last,this has been often occurring at a dramatic scale,as the burgeoning skylines of London or Manchester or the cities of the Gulf and Asia can attest.Yet much of what is being built looks the same.How can we avoid this sort of generic development in the design of growing cities?

Contemporary urban development benefits when it is in dialogue with diversity and geography.The city is an amalgamation of layers,of histories,of interests,of peoples.It is habitat.Masterplanning can recognise the uniqueness of every site’s context,the particularities of a city’s microclimate,the nature of the topography underneath and the story of the place or places that preceded it.

Doha,the rapidly growing city in the Gulf region offers instruction.Msheireb Downtown Doha is a city centre regeneration project that involves the creation of an urban quarter of more than 100 buildings in the heart of the city.Our role has been to be the sitewide architectural voice within the masterplan team,crafting a new ‘Qatari’ language which bridges tradition with modernity,as well as serving as design architect for a number of individual buildings.Although very different in function and form,buildings and spaces across Msheireb include contemporary interpretations of traditional features such as internal streets and courtyards,decorative shading screens and the use of simple render and locally sourced stone.Sitewide,the tightknit urban form is appropriate for the hot desert climate,allowing opportunities for shaded walkability through colonnades and overhangs.

South of Doha lies Muscat,the capital of Oman.The masterplan for the urban extension for the Omani capital has emerged from the country’s considered policy of sustainable development and promotion of its heritage.Design codes offer a core set of instructions that ensure new buildings and spaces will draw inspiration from the local vernacular,providing expression to Omani culture,instilling a strong sense of a city that will be grounded,permanent,unique.The urban form recalls the tight urban grain of ancient Arab cities,a climate-appropriate response that allows for shaded streets,co-locates uses and encourages walkability.A Wadi Park at the heart of the scheme preserves the found riverine valley that is a distinctive ecological system native to the Arab peninsula.

Universitiesas urban catalysts

Able to shape the social and physical fabric of the communities they call home,globally minded universities are local actors too.They can power and unlock significant regeneration,taking on the roles of developer,patron and urban citizen.A resilient neighbourhood can also provide an institution with the vital urban soup that can nourish its own people and programme.So how can we use design to nurture this valuable reciprocity between institution and city?

First,is to recognise that no two institutions are the same.An institution’s ethos and origins,the complexity of its politics,how it is structured and why it is the way it is–all these must be well understood before diving into the design of a masterplan or a building.An arts schoolwill have a very different way of interacting with the public than a more science-led one;or a large institution with ambitious growth targets will have distinct priorities from a purposefully smaller one.The architect is there to give form to institutional ideas and identity,so she must understand the nuance of an institution,the characters involved,its complexities and constituencies,in order to be effective.Working from the scale of an entire campus masterplan to an individual building,we have explored these themes on a number of projects,both past and present,at Britain’s leading global universities:the University of Cambridge,University of Oxford,Imperial College London and the University of the Arts London (UAL).

Multiple interests have a stake in a university masterplan.For the new west London campus for Imperial College London,we were tasked with developing one,and before even having a brief to respond to,consulted extensively across the Imperial community and associated ventures,from senior leadership to the student union.This uncovered a 360-degree view of what the Institution really needed and wanted from the campus.The process also helped to identify a point of common endeavour shared by just about everyone–that the future of scientific,technological and medical research will be multi-disciplinary–thus giving birth to the masterplan brief for a campus of spaces that foster crosspollination.

The London College of Fashion (LCF),a constituent college of UAL,is an institution which for decades has been located in multiple sites across London,often dating back to their origins as trade schools.Our task currently is to bring them together for the first time into one purpose-built building.At the start of this briefing process,we undertook long conversations with College leaders and across departments about what this would mean for them.The process revealed many contradictions in LCF’s identity.On the one hand the creative process of learning fashion is very insular,fragile,but on the other,students have to put their work out there to shine,into the public sphere.How can one building do both? And how can the sense of richness from different locations be transubstantiated into a single new building? The navigation of these paradoxes needs to inform the DNA of the LCF’s new home,which is currently on site.

伊爾凡新城開發(fā) Madinat al Irfan_AAM

伊爾凡新城開發(fā) Madinat al Irfan_AAM

Making heritage work

The meeting of new and old offers intriguing design opportunities.Both the historic and the contemporary should shine yet there should always be a dialogue between the two,whether building in ancient streets,making new buildings next to old or adopting historic structures for contemporary use.In combining them,we can strive for simple,practical,beautiful spaces that,at whatever their scale,seem somehow effortless–making historic places work easily,comfortably,surprisingly.

Sometimes it is creative reinvention which is needed.Moving from multiple sites into one was an important moment in the history of Chelsea College of Arts,another UAL college.The College transformed the former Grade II listed Royal Army Medical College,neighbouring Tate Britain,into a thriving place for the arts.The parade ground with its formal Edwardian facades has become a new public space.Spaces within the old army buildings were cleared of ad hoc additions to make robust,adaptable creative studios.New spaces were created beyond the old barracks building,with daylit workshops against the massive penitentiary wall transforming a neglected courtyard.The backs of the barracks building,previously a collection of escape staircases and lavatory windows,were reorganised and extended to present new frontages to neighbouring streets and buildings.

Buildings often outlive their purpose,but we can and should do our best to keep them.Environmental ethics certainly now demand it.No longer needed as a football stadium,Arsenal’s Highbury stand would surely have been demolished without the protection of its Grade II listing.Converting buildings which have been built for a very specific use is difficult,expensive and potentially uneconomic.Our idea overcame these difficulties by using the scale of the place and its fabric as its character.

The preservation of the building cannot maintain the intangible assets it used to support -the roar of the crowd,the emotion of the match. But a new significance was found which links the listed building and the great space it commands that of a London residential square.The stadium’s fabric was conserved as it was reinvented to provide 725 new homes with the football pitch reimagined as its new square.

Tallish buildings

The conditions for each tall building will be different with issues of form,height or affordability to consider;and a fundamental one is what happens at their feet,how they hit the ground and impact the life of the streets around them.So often designed to be aloof,there is a place for tall buildings that are sensitive to the urbanity around them.

In London,we are designing tall buildings which negotiate both the ancient and the new.Named after one of the original eight gates in the London Wall,Bishopsgate closely follows the alignment of the Roman Ermine Street–two thousand years later,still an important north-south route through the City.Now a 40-storey tower,100 Bishopsgate,has been built along this route.While having some of the Square Mile’s largest unobstructed floorplates,it is light on its feet.Half an acre of new public spaces is created,opening new pedestrian routes in keeping with the grain of the ancient City.The project has also included a stone-faced annex embedded into the Georgian fabric of St Helen’s Place.At the southern boundary of the site lies the fourteenth century church of St Ethelburga.

The parallelogram plan of Two Fifty One,a 41-storey residential tower,and the triangular shape of its accompanying office building derive from their site.Their placement on ground level,addresses the adjacent streets and,to the south,forms a new public space that collects five separate routes.It also frames a new entrance to the neighbouring campus of London South Bank University.

Often,tall buildings can help to establish,or revive,the urban pattern.With medieval origins as an eastern gateway into the City of London,Aldgate and Whitechapel have for centuries been a place of settlement for new arrivals in London.Suffering bomb damage in the Second World War,it remained a singular gap in the city.Today as Aldgate Place,it consists of three kite-shaped residential towers,together with three lower buildings,which define a new diagonal route and re-establish the continuity of the building lines on the surrounding street pattern.

It is,ultimately,the city in which towers are participants.Cities such as Toronto are experiencing rapid development in their skylines with super-tall towers on the horizon.Our project there in Humber Bay Shores will create tall buildings as high as 71 storeys,but they have been conceived to foster a sense of identity as a family and not in isolation.Three clusters of recognisable characters sit alongside one another,each distinguishable by a different approach to materiality,colour,form and location.Yet at the same time,they will all share features such as their modular structure and their reflective tops.

The towers not only mark the presence of a significant new urban centre in the Toronto skyline,but their informal configuration shape a more interesting configuration of spaces at ground floor,resulting in an enriched sequence of public squares–spaces first,then buildings.

伊爾凡新城開發(fā) Madinat al Irfan_AAM