SMART Town Planning Pty Ltd’s Post

In Munich, Germany, a new childcare facility on the campus of Technical University of Munich, embraces sustainability in its design and implementation. The timber frame construction building, which also boasts a timber slat facade, will be five stories, with space for 60 children. The plan is for the interior of the project, which will be all wood, will be left exposed to reduce the embodied carbon as much as possible. The top floor of the project, will be largely an outdoor play space for the children, with wooden slat walls overlooking the city. The central built structure on the top floor, will be a green roof, which, designers hope will evolve over time. The intent is that this rooftop garden, will connect with other planned rooftop gardens, in an attempt to create a meadow in the skyline. This would increase biodiversity within the city, and provide a natural cooling effect. Bringing new and innovative concepts to our urban environments, is one of the biggest challenges many cities across the world face. With urban environments expected to continue to grow throughout the world over the next few decades, it’s important now more than ever, that we begin to work on potential solutions. We’re all in this together #greencities #sustainableurbandevelopment #urbandesign #urbanplanning #cityplanning #smartcities #urbanforestry #urbangardens #sustainabledesign #sustainableconstruction #greenconstruction #timberframe #masstimber #timberconstruction #munich #germany #greenarchitecture #architecture #architecturaldesign

I'm on the road and my hotel room ended up being an accessible room for people with mobility issues. The desk clerk was apologetic about not having a "regular" room. I assured him I certainly didn't care, no harm was done to me by having wider spaces and a zero entry shower with a hand held option. I actually find it kind of pleasant. The parallels to effective poverty-informed practice are easy to see. When we build things that work for people with barriers, we make those barriers much less relevant and people without barriers aren't harmed in any way. It's universal design, and the work of poverty-informed practitioners is to make it the norm, not the exception. How often are "barriers" just design flaws? #PovertyInformed #UniversalDesign

Growing up There have been numerous studies conducted on how the aesthetic appeal and livability of urban and non-urban areas influence children as they grow up. These studies often fall within the realm of environmental psychology, urban planning, and child development. Here are some key findings and areas of research: Effects of Urban Design on Child Development: Researchers have investigated how various aspects of urban design, such as green spaces, walkability, access to amenities, and overall aesthetics, impact children’s physical activity, cognitive development, and emotional well-being. For example, studies have found that proximity to parks and green spaces is associated with higher levels of physical activity and better mental health among children. Neighborhood Safety and Social Interaction: The safety and social environment of a neighborhood significantly influence children’s development. Studies have shown that perceptions of safety, social cohesion, and community engagement are positively correlated with children’s social skills, academic performance, and overall well-being. Features such as well-maintained streets, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and vibrant public spaces contribute to a sense of safety and community among residents, including children. Quality of Housing and Environmental Stressors: The quality of housing and exposure to environmental stressors can also impact children’s health and development. Research has demonstrated the detrimental effects of substandard housing, noise pollution, air pollution, and overcrowding on children’s physical health, cognitive development, and academic achievement. Conversely, access to clean and safe housing, as well as a healthy built environment, positively influences children’s outcomes. Long-Term Impacts on Health and Well-being: Several longitudinal studies have examined the long-term impacts of neighborhood characteristics on children’s health, educational attainment, and socio-economic outcomes into adulthood. These studies highlight the importance of early environmental exposures and socio-economic contexts in shaping life trajectories. For instance, growing up in disadvantaged or environmentally hazardous neighborhoods may increase the risk of chronic diseases, educational disparities, and socio-economic disadvantage later in life. Policy Implications and Urban Planning Interventions: Insights from research on children’s environments have significant implications for urban planning, public policy, and community development initiatives. Strategies to improve aesthetic appeal and livability often involve collaborative efforts among planners, policymakers, community stakeholders, and residents. Examples include neighborhood revitalization projects, green infrastructure investments, traffic calming measures, and inclusive urban design principles that prioritize the needs of children and families.

This is not a wheelchair accessible bathroom and yet this is the bathroom in our rental apartment that I will have to contend with when I do eventually return from the hospital with my healing broken leg. Even at its tidiest—I haven’t been home in a month, hence the mess 😅—my power wheelchair takes up the entire open floor area making it difficult for me to do basic functions or for a caregiver to help me. With all the focus on new housing construction, why are we still building bathrooms like this? Or spaces that are even smaller? Why do building codes permit the construction of spaces that are almost guaranteed to be inaccessible to an aging population and their changing health needs? These are the questions I’ve been contemplating as I lay in this hospital bed both longing and dreading to go home… Read more in my latest post: https://lnkd.in/gjVeGpYD

🚨 Sterile design is failing the elderly—and it’s failing us too. Every room we design, every hallway we build—it’s not just a space. It’s a life. But what happens when those spaces don’t care? Too often, our elderly spend their final years in environments that feel more like prisons than homes. Sterile lights. Locked doors. No gardens, no fresh air. We call them "functional," but in reality, they’re stripping away dignity. Designers: What are we building? Decision-makers: Are we prioritizing efficiency over humanity? This isn’t just a challenge for architects. It’s a call for empathy. It’s time to design spaces that heal—places where joy lives in sunlight, connection thrives in open gardens, and dignity is woven into every detail. 💡 What would it look like to create spaces that care as much as we do? 🔗 Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZbkYXWV

Always nice to go to site and see the building taking shape. I like the point when you have projects start to come out of the groundwork phase and start to look like buildings. Good to see the details we drew being built on site. Boyle & Summers: Architecture and Masterplanning Beard #building #property #brick

I write this posting now several weeks after meeting the new residents of the HousingFirst Marlborough Street development. A workshop organised by HousingFirst Ltd presenting a unique opportunity for me to meet the community, now settled into their new homes. 
A chance to reflect on an experience which I believe our profession of architects needs to do more: engage with, more fundamentally, the people for which we are designing. Rather than designing purely through the matrix of our legislative apartment design manuals. 
I have benefitted from having met the real people who need a roof over their heads. To understand the safety they need to feel, the community stability they crave, the health and comfort we must offer and the cost-of-living burdens they endure. 
The benefit i have gained will be brought to the next project, then the next, as the State and Federal Governments seek to ramp up the construction of social and affordable housing. They must be delivered in the most meaningful way for these communities, so listening to the obstacles the residents face is an essential piece of the design puzzle. 
Designing and constructing empathetically and sustainably is the only way to ease the long-term cost of living woes for the residents, and create harmonious communities. Government targets are one part of this, and we must seek to exceed these where possible. However the real challenge will be meeting the initial increase of costs and this is where Government really needs to step in to support the industry. 
On a final note, I was deeply humbled by the connection between the residents and their flora and fauna. Seeing the residents bond with their pets and plants was touching. Fish, budgerigars and balconies over-flowing with flora. We must maximise opportunities for connecting our communities with biodiversity with each new social housing project! Let’s exceed our targets and create spaces that truly improve lives and foster community. #Melbourne  #HousingFirst #BaldassoCortese #CollaborateCreateConnect #AustralianArchitecture #ArchitectureAU  #CommunityHousing

Growing up There have been numerous studies conducted on how the aesthetic appeal and livability of urban and non-urban areas influence children as they grow up. These studies often fall within the realm of environmental psychology, urban planning, and child development. Here are some key findings and areas of research: Effects of Urban Design on Child Development: Researchers have investigated how various aspects of urban design, such as green spaces, walkability, access to amenities, and overall aesthetics, impact children’s physical activity, cognitive development, and emotional well-being. For example, studies have found that proximity to parks and green spaces is associated with higher levels of physical activity and better mental health among children. Neighborhood Safety and Social Interaction: The safety and social environment of a neighborhood significantly influence children’s development. Studies have shown that perceptions of safety, social cohesion, and community engagement are positively correlated with children’s social skills, academic performance, and overall well-being. Features such as well-maintained streets, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and vibrant public spaces contribute to a sense of safety and community among residents, including children. Quality of Housing and Environmental Stressors: The quality of housing and exposure to environmental stressors can also impact children’s health and development. Research has demonstrated the detrimental effects of substandard housing, noise pollution, air pollution, and overcrowding on children’s physical health, cognitive development, and academic achievement. Conversely, access to clean and safe housing, as well as a healthy built environment, positively influences children’s outcomes. Long-Term Impacts on Health and Well-being: Several longitudinal studies have examined the long-term impacts of neighborhood characteristics on children’s health, educational attainment, and socio-economic outcomes into adulthood. These studies highlight the importance of early environmental exposures and socio-economic contexts in shaping life trajectories. For instance, growing up in disadvantaged or environmentally hazardous neighborhoods may increase the risk of chronic diseases, educational disparities, and socio-economic disadvantage later in life. Policy Implications and Urban Planning Interventions: Insights from research on children’s environments have significant implications for urban planning, public policy, and community development initiatives. Strategies to improve aesthetic appeal and livability often involve collaborative efforts among planners, policymakers, community stakeholders, and residents. Examples include neighborhood revitalization projects, green infrastructure investments, traffic calming measures, and inclusive urban design principles that prioritize the needs of children and families.

As a basketball mom of two teenage boys, my weekends often lead me to various cities and towns across Ontario. The planner, urban designer and architect within me remain observing and analyzing during weekends. During our drives, I occasionally encounter nice surprises: well-designed buildings, interesting urban design interventions, and well-thought-out plannings. HOWEVER, there are more moments when I cringe, shake my head or perhaps mutter words that my teenagers are not allowed to say in my presence : ) The current conversation revolves around the pressing need for more housing. Undoubtedly, access to housing is a fundamental human right, and our province must address the issue. Yet, let us not overlook the profound and lasting impact of new buildings and communities on the physical and mental well-being of their residents and visitors. Low-quality designs, repetitive housing patterns, uninspiring street walls, inadequate and unsafe connections, and a lack of attractive community facilities and spaces will impact generations to come. If we ignore these aspects now, rectifying them later will be very challenging and costly. In our pursuit of housing, let us also champion high-quality design, fostering vibrant communities that enrich lives and stand the test of time. #housing #architecturedesign #urbandesign #urbanplanning #wellbeingbydesign #qualityoflife

DELACOMBE CHILD CARE APPROVAL | VCAT has given the green light to a 96 place child care centre in Delacombe (Ballarat). Quantum Traffic were involved throughout the process, ultimately assisting the tribunal by providing independent expert evidence to review key traffic engineering matters. The relevant elements referenced in the Tribunal’s decision were: Car Parking Reduction – The tribunal accepted a car parking reduction of 1 car space to preferentially provide a turn-around bay on the basis that ‘there is adequate space along the site’s frontage to accommodate the one space sought to be reduced’. Traffic Impact:  Vehicle access was via a court bowl rather than the higher order road (corner block). The Tribunal determined ‘whilst proportionally this is not an insignificant increase, in my view the raw numbers indicate that this will not be a significant impact, either on amenity or from a traffic perspective. The numbers are still quite low.’ Amenity – while not an area traffic engineers generally stray into, the Tribunal found that from both an acoustic and traffic perspective, amenity of the area would not be unacceptably impacted. Architect: Colab Architecture Planner:  Smart Planning and Design (TP) CS Town Planning Pty Ltd (VCAT) Client:  SP Cooperation #QuantumTraffic #ExpertEvidence #TrafficAssessment #ChildCareCentre #PositiveImpact #UrbanPlanning