Margot Roose💚’s Post

💡The "House of the Good Shepherd" in Bratislava is an excellent example of Rococo architecture.💡 In the 18th century, when this house was built, Bratislava (then still Prešporok) was a densely built-up city, especially in the area under the castle. Urban land was very expensive and limited in this area, so every bit of available space had to be used efficiently. Some cities, including Bratislava, had rules and taxes that were calculated according to the width of the facade facing the street. Therefore, houses were built as close as possible to each other and often had very narrow floor plans to fit between existing buildings. Building narrow houses was more advantageous from a tax point of view, and this kind of thinking was common in many European cities at the time. This house is interesting because it reflects the mentality and needs of people in the past. People had to be creative in how to make efficient use of limited urban land if they wanted to live in a given location. The house is a living example of how architecture can respond to the economic and practical challenges of its time, while maintaining aesthetic value and historical significance. Its importance lies mainly in its architectural value, because it is one of the best preserved Rococo buildings not only in Bratislava, but in the whole of Central Europe. However, it became significant only later, thanks to its uniqueness and preservation, which makes it a symbol of the old castle of Bratislava. And one more thing... The name "House of the Good Shepherd" was not given by chance, but thanks to the statue on its facade (shepherd carrying a sheep) that became a characteristic feature of this building. Although the house was originally called something else, the statue of the Good Shepherd symbolically "baptized" it, and it is today known by this name among locals and tourists alike. . . . . . #historicarchitecture #urbanplanning #18thcentury #europeanarchitecture #narrowhouses #preservation #heritage #history #realestate #Bratislava

Did you know about the famous Pink City of France? Toulouse is often referred to as the ‘Pink City’ due to the distinctive pinkish hue of its buildings, particularly those constructed with locally quarried pinkish terracotta bricks and tiles. The pinkish color of Toulouse's buildings is further accentuated by the warm sunlight that bathes the city. The terracotta bricks absorb and reflect sunlight, casting a rosy glow over the cityscape, especially during sunrise and sunset. The nickname ‘Pink City’ has become deeply ingrained in Toulouse's cultural identity, symbolising the city's heritage, architecture, and unique character. To know more: 🌐 www.europeincoming.com 📞 (+44) 208 9945001 ✉️ sales@europeincoming.com #travel #Europe #studenttravel #travelingindustry #B2B #travelagent #europetravel #europetrip #europeantravel #sustainabletravel #touristlife #tourmanager #tourism #europetour #france #toulose #europetourism #europeanlifetsyle

The Elusive Prosperity! Ostend, Belgium, has undergone a remarkable architectural transformation from 1899 to today, shaped by modernization and shifting urban priorities. Known in 1899 as the “Queen of the Belgian Sea-Side Resorts,” Ostend was a prominent destination for the European elite. Its Belle Époque architecture, with grand facades and intricate detailing, symbolized the prosperity and culture of the time. Opulent hotels, casinos, and promenades lined its coast, reflecting a bygone era of luxury and sophistication. Today, the contrast in architecture speaks volumes about urban evolution. As Ostend adapted to meet contemporary needs, much of its architectural heritage gave way to modern, streamlined structures. This transition illustrates a broader pattern seen worldwide: historic cities often face a complex balance between preserving their character and adapting for the future. While modernization brings functionality and efficiency, it sometimes erases the architectural heritage that once defined a place. #Ostend #Belgium #UrbanEvolution #ArchitecturalHeritage #Modernization #BelleÉpoque #HistoricalCities #Ostend #ArchitectureTransformation #CulturalShift #Cityscape #Classical #Conserve #Preserve #culture #Classicalarchitecture

The Insider (2/2) The second day of our expedition consisted of documenting the Latin Quarters, better known as 'The Fountainhas', which is a historical settlement of Portuguese buildings. It primarily consists of residential buildings, and with the town’s evolution into a tourist city, these buildings have been repurposed into upscale restaurants, backpacker hostels, public libraries, and much more. Luckily, the city’s simplistic culture has preserved this heritage to an astonishing extent, empowering it to transport visitors into a world of lively colors and creative, personalized details. Key observations in my experience include: • The Fontainhas effectively caters to contemporary housing needs while managing vehicular traffic effectively. • The vibrant facades, simplistic and creative designs, and the bustle of school-going children from its nested teaching establishments make Fontainhas a charming tourist destination. • The architecture in Fontainhas is surprising and generates a sense of wonder, pushing visitors to decipher the lifestyle and culture of the families residing there. • Most structures in The Fontainhas retain their basic character while being retrofitted to adapt to modern needs. • The streetscape is a testimony to how architecture is for, by, and of the people, and thrives beyond its expected lifetime when respected, valued, and taken good care of by its users. Head to the link to access the full article: https://lnkd.in/gjQuP289 #goa #architecture #streetscapes #cultureandarchitecture #theinsider #nasaindia #latinquartersgoa #thefontainhasgoa

Malaga Streets ++ [improving the human experience in cities] Narrow human scale streets in Malaga are appealing to humans because they create a sense of intimacy and coziness. Narrow streets create a sense of enclosure, making people feel safe and protected. Additionally, these streets often have historic architecture, quaint shops and cafes, and vibrant street life, which adds to their charm. Build Narrow Streets!

🚇 Beneath our bustling cities lies a world of remarkable ingenuity and resilience: underground cities. These hidden marvels, from ancient oases to modern urban explorations, tell stories of survival, innovation, and community. In Turkey, the ancient city of Derinkuyu showcases a vast, subterranean refuge built to protect its residents from invaders. With a network of tunnels capable of housing 20,000 people, this city exemplifies human adaptability. Similarly, Orvieto's carved labyrinths exemplify architectural skill from Etruscan times, while the Klondike's underground tunnels bear witness to the Gold Rush. Today, cities like Helsinki are transforming underground spaces into vibrant areas for shopping, recreation, and community life, presenting a vision of urban design that integrates with nature. These underground narratives remind us of our past and inspire us for the future. Dive into the fascinating world of underground cities and discover the stories waiting to be told. Read more: [https://lnkd.in/ePY3-D5t) #UndergroundCities #Architecture #UrbanExploration #History #Innovation #Resilience #Sustainability

This time last year, Kimberly, our daughter and I were in Paris visiting family. It’s wonderful to have a good excuse to visit Paris and it’s a joy to see our little one playing with her Parisian cousin (who fortunately speaks Spanish in addition to French, so the two can communicate). Hopefully our girl will learn French, herself. As a real estate development professional, visiting such places is more than a vacation. It’s an immersive, educational experience in placemaking. Paris, like all other beloved European cities, has its social life linked by a constellation of public spaces — plazas, courtyards, ample sidewalks, and parks. Whenever we visit France, we don’t really don’t do too many touristy things (although I do love the Eiffel Tower). I prefer, like Nassim Taleb, to be a flaneur, an idle man-about-town. Is there a better place to do it? In great cities, no one structure is as complex and interesting as the fabric of the built environment itself. The human scale, the balance of architectural similarity and variation, perfectly placed punctuations of public space throughout, building height and block lengths, the use of urban trees and landscaping — the list goes on. Our oldest cities are veritable encyclopedias of good design. If you aspire to have a hand in shaping our built environment, you owe it to society as much as yourself to travel to our iconic places — as a discipline. There’s much to be learned. #architecture #placemaking #urbandesign

Redesigning a historic street for pedestrians! 🇲🇹 Discover the Old Bakery Street in Malta's historic capital Valletta in our “Around the Globe” series. Imagine this historic street being transformed into a vibrant pedestrian zone. Imagine cafés, markets and inviting seating areas where you can meet, shop and relax in a car-free environment. Old Bakery Street, full of history and flanked by traditional architecture, is an ideal example of how pedestrian-friendly areas can breathe new life into town centers and improve both community cohesion and the local environment. What features would you add to make Old Bakery Street a pedestrian paradise? How could this change improve urban life in historic towns? Join the discussion and use Urban Utopia to visualize your vision for improving the pedestrian experience in urban spaces. Stay tuned as we will continue to transform iconic places into innovative and sustainable utopias around the world!

This remembrance of Fumihiko Maki, including a mention of Hillside Terrace, recalls his warmth, humility, and curiosity. Phu Hoang and Rachely Rotem had a conversation with Maki in the summer of 2018. With that project, he gave much of the credit to the owner and would not take any himself; instead, he simply described his idea as "making space for a tree and its shade." This quote and conversation were featured in MODU's book, Field Guide to Indoor Urbanism, published five years later. https://lnkd.in/gdxKg5hk

Yesterday, the Poznań City Council adopted the local area development plan for the part of the city where we are revitalizing tye Stara Rzeźnia area. We believe it is now all set out to become a hallmark of Poznan architecture. Workspaces, apartments, as well as commercial, service and cultural facilities will be arranged in the renovated historic buildings and in the newly constructed ones. In the vicinity, the city has also planned a new city park and the Wielkopolskie Uprising Museum. - Stara Rzeźnia is an area with huge potential that needed a local plan. I would like to thank the councilors for adopting it. Now this inaccessible post-industrial area will be able to gain a new quality and be opened to Poznań residents - said Jacek Jaśkowiak, mayor of Poznań. According to the assumptions of the plan, St. Wojciech Hill will be connected by a green belt with the park and green zones in Stara Rzeźnia. In the area of the former meat processing plant itself, the share of biologically active area will be at least 30% and the area of the green zone that we want to arrange there will be over 5,600 m2. The plan also includes a pedestrian connection with tall greenery, leading from the Hill through the new park to the area of Stara Rzeźnia. The plan also confirmed that there is no threat to the existing line of trees along Grochowe Łąki Street and indicates the approximate route of trees along other roads. For more information about our investment, read: https://lnkd.in/d83M7aBX #ProjectbyVastint #stararzezniapoznan #VastintPoland #Poznan In the photo - a mock up of Stara Rzeźnia - with restored monuments and beautiful greenery