Ibrahim Ibrahim

Interesting discussion at Imperial College London this afternoon with Dan Phillips during the Exhibition Road Festival on what London could look like in 2040-2050 and beyond. Dan brought his experience as a designer at the Royal College of Art to imagine the future of cities, focusing on mobility systems and how to work with communities. Dan quoted examples from Europe: Amsterdam in the 1960s, with its community strength to prevent big roads from being built in the city center; Barcelona more recently after the launch of the Eixample district in 2020 promoting Green Axes, turning one out of every three streets across the city into a green zone; and Paris with its strong political leadership to completely revamp historical places like the Champs-Élysées and push for strong green policies. These examples show that a strong “green” policy push always comes from the communities or strong political and sometimes radical leadership. It was great to start visualising what London could be like in 25 years and to realise that we need to listen to each other and imagine cities not only "for" people but "with" people (perhaps my main takeaway). I was also quite amazed by an event where attendees could send their answers to three simple questions through a QR code. AI, with a bit of help from Dan's students, then generated almost live images of the future of London based on these responses. 1. What does London mean to you and how does it make you feel? 2. What do you worry about when you think about your future life in London? 3. You’re London Mayor! Think about a future London in 2040! What does a flourishing London mean to you? And you, how would you answer these three questions and what would make a flourishing London?   Margot Bloch #GreatExhibitionRoadFestival #LondonMayor #London #Architecture #UrbanDesign #2050

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🌍 Generation Alpha: Shaping the Future of Experiences 🌟 By 2024, Generation Alpha (born after 2010) will reach 2.2 billion. Their influence is growing, and designing experiences that captivate both small kids and big kids is key. Sophie Rhodes 🔮 from the Lumsden team shares how we can create memorable, exciting environments for this new generation. Check out her insights below! 👇 #GenerationAlpha #ExperienceDesign #Lumsden #CustomerExperience

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The location is ideal, situated between Paddington and Marylebone, two of London's most desirable areas, and providing easy access to some of the capital's most iconic landmarks and attractions. Regent's Park and Hyde Park are just a short walk away, as well as the world-renowned shopping destinations of Oxford Street and Bond Street. London's most prestigious schools and universities, such as UCL, Regent's University, and London Business School, are all within easy reach. The location is ideal, situated between Paddington and Marylebone, two of London's most desirable areas, and providing easy access to some of the capital's most iconic landmarks and attractions. Regent's Park and Hyde Park are just a short walk away, as well as the world-renowned shopping destinations of Oxford Street and Bond Street. London's most prestigious schools and universities, such as UCL, Regent's University, and London Business School, are all within easy reach. 🔗 More information: https://.qinvestments.london/ #international #investment #love #home#interiordesign #property #photooftheday #realestate propertyforsale

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Is AI eroding the design process? After 147 years, Wimbledon have opted to swap line judges for 'electronic line calling'. Whilst I can understand the desire for a perfect call, I can't help but wonder if it will impact on the viewing pleasure of the sport. AI is increasingly being used to accelerate the design process. But just as sport loses some of it's humanity to tech, I wonder if the design process could lose some of it's integrity, pleasure and creativity to AI...

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Join the conversation to redefine ‘well made’ for the 21st century Pearson Lloyd is curating a new exhibition at Yorkton Workshops during London Design Festival 2024, which will bring together a diverse array of people and practices to explore ‘well made’ through new forms of production and materiality that respond to the demands of a more ecological future. We are seeking contributions to this dialogue, highlighting the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and quality. The act of making has driven human and cultural evolution for millennia, elevating our existence and surroundings through ingenuity and innovation. However, in recent history, this creative process has been monetised, industrialised and globalised, resulting in rapid social, economic and environmental change. In our collective effort to respond to these challenges, there is a need to redefine our cultural understanding of what it means to be ‘well made.’ Please submit your contribution via this link before July 15th 2024. https://lnkd.in/dWxAEKEZ

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At Marble we've been fascinated for a long time by the concept of community building and how, in a city like London which 8 million of us call home, it could be voted the loneliest place in the UK to live. We've spent a long time considering what it takes to enfranchise communities and how to bring people together. It sounds obvious, but one thing we know to be fact, is that it doesn't happen when we don't physically come together to experience things - enjoy them, converse about them, challenge them, and, well, live them. Barnet Council council and Related Argent approached us to make this happen in North London for Brent Cross Town. Like us, they recognise that games, being outdoors and having fun all contribute to people feeling connected to where they live and that connected communities contribute to a much bigger picture when we think about the role that wellbeing and happiness play in a positive economy. That sometimes it's simple things - just like we all observed last year at the Battersea Power Station Summer of Games - which spark joy and ignite in us the enthusiasm to leave the house and get involved. Our CCO Patrick Keogh shares his reflections on The Maze - our recently launched artist-led activation for Brent Cross Town, and his thoughts on the role of creatives in community building. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ehpEdTrU #CommunityBuilding #Placemaking #PropertyMarketing #B2BExperiential #B2BMarketing #BrentCrossTown

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🥘 🥔 🥑 Brixton Market… Cultural protection and appreciation of interior spaces. With the sad news of Brixton Market being put up for sale the conversation around cultural protection and appreciation of spaces seems very poignant. Once upon a time Brixton Market was a celebration of the diverse community, it was an inspiring place of interest that was influenced by colour, community and culture - a testament to the varied demographic in the UK. There are still some independent stores there that are carrying that baton, but it feels like its lost some of its heart compared to its heyday and is straying from its original vision and purpose. With gentrification never too far around the corner, inflated store costs and this economy – Brixton Market’s originality and spirit I fear is teetering on the edge. Hopefully with a new buyer comes fresh ideas and opportunities – I think it’s time for a shake up, a reinvention of sorts to deliver something truly unique and respectful. An ode to what was, that made it such a vibrant, bustling and buzzy place. A new buyer should spark excitement in people, but by the responses I’ve read people seem to be on tenterhooks because we’ve all seen this story unfold one too many times, so know the probable outcome. The ideal situation would be for some innovation and investment into the area to redevelop, whilst maintaining its authentic roots and character. Worst case scenario, and my fear is that the new buyer will welcomes stores that aren’t sensitive or aligned with the original vision and purpose of the scheme, because they won’t see the cultural significance. Or the approach taken on the freehold land is this copy and paste concept that isn’t appreciative or takes into account architecturally the buildings nearby - oh please not another soulless building with an overpriced coffee shop in the retail space. The sale of Brixton Market illustrates that without collaboration, compassion & innovation things can disappear. The high street is slowly fading away, a similar thing recently happened to the Manchester Markets. I’m all about embracing the future, but something that doesn’t sit right is pushing SME’s out to make money. Money clearly makes the world go round, but what about priceless experiences, education, culture and preservation? Fingers crossed the future developers don’t bulldoze these ideas and spare a thought or the world will certainly be less diversely rich. #brixton #brixtonmarket #culture #diversity #retail

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Time Horizon; visiting the sculptures of Anthony Gormley in Norfolk. It wasn’t immediately apparent but all 100 sculptures are located along the same horizontal datum within the grounds of the estate. It’s just the landscape levels that change, giving the impression that the sculptures are raised above or sunk into the earth. So it is with the design of Interiors : the reasoning behind the setting out of the internal architecture, fixtures and fittings is not always clear but is so important to the success of a project. https://lnkd.in/edPiKnEt

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How good is your memory? Across the month of June, AKT II worked with Urban Radicals and millimetre to set up 4 assembles across the City of London as part of the London Festival of Architecture. How many of the below do you remember seeing? 🎭 Public Assembly: Designed as a street auditorium, it hosts debates, performances, and community #gatherings, encouraging public #discourse and cultural #engagement. 👥 Roundtable: This intervention creates a #welcoming space for communal meals and discussions, fostering a sense of #community and shared experiences. 📚 Speakers’ Plinths: These platforms allow individuals to share their reflections, stories, and insights, promoting #diverse voices and perspectives. 🎙️ Voicing Pod: A dedicated podcast space that captures and broadcasts conversations, highlighting the rich cultural exchanges within London. If you came across any of these on your travels around London, let us know in the comments! Urban Radicals | millimetre | London Festival of Architecture #London #architecture #design #community #engagement

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Jam-packed session from the Green Alliance team this morning - including Shaun Spiers, Holly Brazier Tope and Libby Peake - who have been doing amazing #policy work to support the UK's #greentransition. Great to see that amidst the ongoing #sustainability and #climate challenges, and the uncertainty that the new Gov presents, there is lots of hope that the next 5 years will bring forth positive change. Also pleased to hear how valuable action regards increasing #repair, #reuse and #remanufacturing is to growing #circulareconomy infrastructures. Plus how we might collectively engender better pathways for #energy #decarbonisation and supporting #nature and #biodiversity to flourish. #reimagininggrowth #infrastructuralreset #climatepolitics

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Today's post is not only a stunning piece of art of one of Birmingham's beautiful historic buildings, but also to raise awareness of a petition to help save The Electric Cinema and surrounding area. The petition is... Designate Birmingham's Station Street a Historic, Cultural and Civic Asset There are now 21,972 signatures, and the next goal is 25,000. Please click link below to add your name to this campaign. https://chng.it/gf2WVcV4Y6 Reuben Colley - The Electric Cinema Oil on canvas 51 x 41 cm Painting - https://lnkd.in/gbAgJWMD Signed edition of 25 copies - https://lnkd.in/g5dizFAj The Electric Cinema closed on 29th Feb 2024. The UK's oldest working cinema, housed on Station Street, outside New St. Station, is a site of historical value. Now it emerges there are proposals to destroy Station Street entirely for a 50 floor tower. More than just The Electric; Station St needs to be designated a site of Civic pride, Cultural value and Historic asset by the West Midland's Mayor and Birmingham's civic leadership and members of Parliament. Any applicable listings for historical, architectural and cultural importance should be pursued in order to ensure no demolition of a vibrant and clearly viable street takes place. At risk are the following: The Electric. An Art-Deco masterpiece and at 115yrs old is the oldest working cinema in the UK. RECENTLY SAVED - The Crown is Birmingham's Cavern Club. Black Sabbath's first gig was here and it's the birthplace of Heavy Metal. It should be restored from it's current delict state. Given life as a small music venue, music education centre and bar for experimental and interesting music to thrive. SAVED YESTERDAY - The Old Rep. A Grade II listed theatre and Britain's Oldest Rep Theatre. Ideally Station Street should be pedestrianised and turned into Birmingham's small venues cultural offer and the beating heart of a city proud of its heritage, cutting edge in it's arts outlook and bold in its vision. Complimented by the recent John Bright Street regeneration. Birmingham has been down this path before. Destroying historic and beautiful architecture of nationally cultural significance only to regret it shortly after. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Birmingham needs apartments but there are huge supplies of land in Birmingham city centre more suitable than this. A city with no culture or history is a just a block of flats and a train station taking people elsewhere in the long run. Birmingham calls on its leaders to stop the destruction of Station Street now before it is too late. #cinema #culture #help Lyle Bignon Andy Street Sindy Campbell Ian Francis Stacey Barnfield

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We are thrilled to announce that The Quiet Enchanting — our installation along the Strand originally only on view until Spring 2024 — has been extended well into the autumn. So if you are planning on heading into central London this summer, we’d urge you to go spend some time exploring the characters and questions that emerge from our myth. The Quiet Enchanting is situated at the heart of the now pedestrianised Strand Aldwych; once one of London’s most congested and polluted streets, it is now home to a ‘creative thinking quarter’ for the King's College London community and the wider public. So when Beatrice Pembroke, Executive Director of King’s Culture, suggested the possibility of showcasing some of our findings from our research residency Cascade Inquiry in the form of a public installation along the Strand… well, we were delighted. Even more delighted to also share an accompanying film edit of the work, with a specially commissioned score by our long term collaborator David Vélez. Designed as a poetic accompaniment to the work, our short film showcases the work throughout the seasons, the many people who have wandered by, wondered what could be different, imagined other ways to be. On our website we also share a little more of the inspirations behind and research underpinning our worldbuilding: https://lnkd.in/ghUtrvzh If we had to pick a single statement to encapsulate The Quiet Enchanting it would be, well, not a statement at all, but a question: "How can we rewild ourselves?" A rewilding of the spirit is perhaps the most urgent transformation we need, and then, maybe only then, can we effectively rewild, and transform, the world around us. #rewilding #imagination #publicinstallation

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Why Yellow Sub AI AI gives retail and investors the edge on footfall data, giving precise insights into customer behaviours without compromising privacy regulations. Now available on #GCloud14 in partnership with Nexus Planning #AI #Footfall #Data #GCloud #GDPR #Privacy

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More on the agenda for today!

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Thrilled to have been shortlisted for SETsquared Partnership #Bristol Enterprising Women 4.0 programme. I'm working to accelerate circular and regenerative practice in the built environment and seeking support to launch #FactoryX - a multi-stakeholder industry initiative and city-centre hub and platform for circular materials enterprise, low carbon construction - consultants, suppliers, installers and training providers and event hosts. Starting in Bristol.. 📌 we need to collaborate, openly discuss, share and experiment across the built environment sectors. 📌 we need to urgently scale back new build that does not prioritise carbon and impact reduction, and scale up reuse and retrofit. 📌 we need to provide spaces for storage and processing 📌 where pilots and one-off efforts can be scaled, we need the business models and mechanisms to enable architects, contractors and developers to do so. As a community of active and ambitious low-carbon built environment specialists, FactoryX will be key to delivering true #regeneration. #circularconstruction #regenerativedesign #lowcarbon #builtenvironments #purposedriven #socialenterprise #community #collaboration https://factoryx.site/ https://lnkd.in/evph9PGG

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Leading by Design: The Executive Design Leaders Path to Innovation and Impact. We will be holding our first in person London event on the 25th June based in Shoreditch. We are keen to bring a wider perspective to the event so we would like to extend an invite to exective leaders based in London/UK who aren’t yet a member of the community. It is important that you are responsible for the overall strategy and direction for design within your organisation. We have 25 places available. If you are interested, please message Rob Magowan for more details. The event will consist of networking, a Panel discussion / Q&A with Ralf Gehrig Chief Experience Officer (Wongdoody) with Roger Rohatgi VP, Global Head of Design (BP), Ellie Runcie Chief Design Officer (BBC) and Heather Winkle Chief Design Officer (Former McAfee, Capital One, Apple). Following the panel discussion, we will be holding a round table session. Topic - "Integrating Design Thinking into the Organisational Strategy: Challenges and Opportunities" We will pick one or two to discuss Best Practices: Sharing methods that have successfully integrated design thinking into strategic levels of various organisations. Challenges: Addressing common and unique challenges faced by leaders when promoting design thinking in environments that may traditionally focus on other approaches. Collaboration Across Departments: Exploring how we can work with other departments (like marketing, engineering, product, and customer service) to foster a cohesive strategy. Metrics for Success: Defining and debating how to measure the impact of design thinking on organisational success. Leadership Development: Considering the skills and training current and future leaders need to effectively lead design-centric teams. It will be a great chance to learn, share and network with peers within exec design leadership. Thanks, Rob

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Proud to see two projects we have been involved in ...At Sloane and Raffles London at The OWO feature in Signature Luxury Travel & Style, in their list of the worlds best luxury design hotels.↴ In the realm of hospitality, our considerations often gravitate towards the visible elements of luxury and comfort. However, the flow of air and the quality of ventilation within these spaces are equally vital components; playing a key role in guests wellbeing and ensuring a comfortable environment. You can read more about HVAC trends in hospitality, in a report we produced here:https://lnkd.in/eKb8Fmpi The research demonstrates the significant influence of air conditioning and ventilation on top-tier hospitality experiences, with a third of people switching hotel rooms due to 'bad air'. . . .  #MAPUK #bespokeventilation #luxuryinteriors #airquality #hvac #ventilationsolutions #interiordesign #ventilation

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Every building has a story, and signs often play the crucial role of storyteller, helping to weave that narrative into the visitor's experience. Our recent work for the Kimpton Fitzroy London, a stunning 19th-century landmark in Bloomsbury, is a perfect example. Known for its fantastic architecture and renowned ornate terracotta exterior, this building has long been an iconic part of London’s heritage. But how do you design signs that respect such history while adding modern functionality? Our solution was to create a sign system that honored the building's character by choosing materials and styles that matched the detailed terracotta exterior. This helped the signs blend naturally with the architecture, adding to the experience without taking away from the building's beauty. Good signs do more than guide—they tell a story. PS: How are your signs contributing to your building’s story? #rivermeade #architecturalstorytelling #kimptonfitzroy #designharmony

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