All Debate articles – Page 9
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OpinionWill east London get the Olympic legacy it deserves?
Yes, it will bring a vibrant regeneration to the area, says Olympic Legacy Company’s Duncan Innes; while Deepa Naik argues that the concept of legacy is slippery and meaningless
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OpinionShould Passivhaus become the UK’s industry standard?
Yes, says Chris Herring, Passivhaus gives us a much-needed chance to tighten lax regulations; but Bill Dunster feels we have the capacity to lead, rather than follow, the global energy drive
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OpinionCan building in the desert ever be sustainable?
Arup’s Mike Beaven is optimistic about the potential for zero-carbon development in arid landscapes, while Rab Bennetts says such efforts are absurd
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OpinionIs bespoke school design a good investment?
Yes, says Jonathan Ellis-Miller, bespoke design can improve attainment without breaking the bank; but Toby Young finds more evidence for investing in teachers than buildings
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OpinionHas minimalism had its day?
Yes, says Sean Griffiths, it is about fake spirituality; while Seth Stein argues that it is a force for calm in a complex world
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OpinionHas Cabe got the teeth to tackle poor design?
No, says Rowan Moore, the watchdog is too close to the professionals it assesses; but Richard Simmons feels Cabe goes as far as it can without statutory powers.
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OpinionDo architects have a problem with beauty?
Yael Reisner thinks architecture has only briefly engaged with aesthetics, while Piers Gough says all design involves the pursuit of beauty
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OpinionShould ministers become involved with street design?
Daniel Moylan thinks Eric Pickles has made a useful intervention, but Richard Kemp argues that he is meddling in local matters
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OpinionDo we need national design standards for housing?
Ewan Willars thinks standards will provide the challenge to produce innovative design, while Andrew Whitaker thinks there is no place for them in private housing
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OpinionAre we heading for a double-dip recession?
Maribel Mantecon says that, given our consumerist lifestyles, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. But John Bushell believes there is still cause for optimism
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OpinionIs there anything we can learn from housing expos?
Nick Ebbs says yes, public response can galvanise new ideas, but Peter Wilson believes they are essentially one-off affairs
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OpinionShould buildings up for listing be given interim protection?
Catherine Croft says yes, otherwise important buildings will be lost, but Richard Coleman says no further powers are needed
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OpinionIs working in China the key to success for UK practices?
Graham Cartledge says there are now openings for talented architects to lead the way in new markets, but Stephen Hodder feels success can also be built on a sense of localism
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OpinionWill the localism agenda create better architecture?
Yes says Robert Adam, it will put the focus on communities’ needs; but Roger Zogolovitch fears nimbyism will stifle innovation
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OpinionDo RIBA’s measures do enough to tackle low pay?
RIBA president Ruth Reed says the institute will define reasonable pay levels, but Keith Tomlinson argues the profession needs to fight harder for fair wages
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OpinionIs the government rushing the definition of zero carbon?
Yes, says Ben Derbyshire, we should be taking time to develop simple, lasting solutions; but John Alker claims there is enough unity among key stakeholders to see the task through
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OpinionIs the government right to relax density targets?
Yes, says Liz Peace, it should be a local decision; but Alex Ely says good design is the key
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OpinionHas money been wasted on school design work?
Yes, says Katharine Quarmby, the programme is wasteful and overcomplicated; but John Waldron argues that BSF has done well in the face of a massive maintenance backlog.
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OpinionCan supermarket buildings ever be good architecture?
Alex Lifschutz of Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands says supermarkets are well-designed when they improve neighbourhoods but Mitchell Taylor Workshop’s Piers Taylor believes the design is just building as hoarding
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OpinionIs losing Vaizey as architecture minister a blow to heritage?
Catherine Croft is disappointed by the surprise reshuffle that saw John Penrose take over from Ed Vaizey, but Ben Stafford says give Penrose a chance