Solidspace is part of The London School of Architecture practice network and this year, our director Petra Marko is teaching the Design Cities module and co-leading the Design Think Tank on the theme 'Generational Shift'. We believe there is a role for architect-developers and engaging with architecture education from client perspective. Expanding practice beyond the role of architect is vital for the profession to stay relevant and we look forward to support the students in their research and design investigating how to unlock opportunities in the city.  The LSA is England's first independent school of architecture since the Architectural Association opened in 1847. Described internationally as ‘possibly the most ambitious’ of alternative educational models, the LSA has been said to show how ‘innovation and high standards are perfectly compatible’ and how ‘beneficial change can be achieved within existing institutional frameworks’. The London School of Architecture in their own words… www.the-lsa.org/

Intermittently, we have been in discussion with the Open University, investigating the qualitative benefits of living in a home that has been designed volumetrically. Whilst homes in England have been typically designed in response to a prescriptive regulatory framework we wish to challenge this by working from an understanding of how the home is actually used. Research staff from the Open University’s design group visited Stapleton Hall Road and invited volunteers interested in Solidspace to walk around the homes wearing eye tracking glasses to gather data about what people look at when they experience a Solidspace home, so that we can better understand the benefits of the additional space in the split-level layout. The gathered data has not yet been analysed. More on the Open University can be found here… www.open.ac.uk  

We are collaborating with Loughborough University on Moden Methods of Construction for Solidspace split-level units. Solidspace units are formed from in-situ concrete, which is a material that provides thermal mass, fire and sound insulation and an engineering solution that responds to the infill sites where Solidspace developments are located. Solidspace has been a sponsor and joint venture partner with Loughborough University’s Civil and Building Engineering Department for over three years, supporting an Engineering Doctorate project on innovation of concrete structures for housing on infill sites. This work uses prefabricated formwork, which is re-usable up to 100 times and hand lifted. This research has directly influenced our Solidspace Connect designs. The image above shows the first prototype testing an innovative concrete pouring technique that allows us to pour both horizontally and vertically at the same time to create large bespoke slabs as shown. Loughborough University, in their own words… www.lboro.ac.uk/