Biddulph Mansions is a residential project completed by Ardesia Design. The home is located in Maida Vale, London, England.
Pernilla Ohrstedt designs collaborative newsroom for Dezeen’s canalside office
London architect Pernilla Ohrstedt has designed a light-filled, collaborative work environment for Dezeen’s new canalside office in east London (+ slideshow). (more…)
What Makes A Great Leader
We all dislike our bosses sometimes, but it’s hard to see the forest for the trees unless you put yourself in their shoes sometimes. If you have been a boss then you understand the pressure associated with it – dealing with Head Office, commanding the respect of your peers, being “always-on,” and never being able to put the phone down. Bosses may seem like the bad principal from high school, but we forget that sometimes they have long days, less holiday time, are expected to have a strong attitude, and in some industries might even make less money than their workers!
We expect our bosses to uphold our company’s values even when we don’t, and expect them to be there for us at a moment’s notice. Our misconceptions of the duties of our chiefs are similar to those as when we walk into a convenience store or restaurant and see someone playing on their phone. In our snapshot perspective they might look lazy and undisciplined, working an easy job with little consequences. What we don’t see is their 5 A.M. shipment orders; late nights at the bar, fights with patrons, or bathroom cleaning duties.
1. See the snapshot for the larger picture
One thing about being a boss is that it’s hard to manage everything when you cannot see everything all the time. Employees are frustrated with their bosses when they show up and pass judgement on a snapshot of a situation. A good leader should be able to take the moment they have seen into the broader perspective and be able to use testimony of others as well as tertiary observations in order to make a conclusion. We all know what it’s like getting caught playing on our phone, knowing that what our boss didn’t see was the two hours of extra hard work we just put in!
2. Greet your employees with respect
A rather conservative manager of mine from a job long gone was noted for his rigid frame and unmoving emotional detachment to basically everything. He did his job at an OK level at best, but never used emotions or colloquialisms in his work ethic. What he did do however was greet everyone with respect. He said hello sir to our most playful colleagues and pardon me ma’am to younger women. He brought a level of respect to an otherwise playful environment that would have been complete childhood chaos had he not been present. As a whole, the entire staff was happier each day and it increased their appreciation for unearned respect. Respect your employees, and they will respect you.
3. Lead, don’t command
Another manager I once had, had me carry two very heavy boxes of things downstairs one day. While I struggled with my balance, sight and the weight of the objects, he carried some papers and a small object. I also noticed he was walking in the same direction I was going into the exact same room I was to put the boxes in. I thought, couldn’t he have carried one of these boxes? He was bigger and stronger, and we could have done it as a team. I actually quit the very next day. I knew I could not work for someone who showed such disregard for leadership. When I became a manager later in my career, I emphasized teamwork leadership and dismantled any form of physical hierarchy there might have been. And when I had to send someone downstairs with a heavy box, I made sure to help them carry one when I was going that way too.
4. Thanking your employees for little things
Our jobs seem thankless all the time. Our customers say thank you for our services but neglect to recognize the hours of behind the scenes work involved. Our bosses see us work everyday and simply expect things to get done. Don’t be one of those guys. Besides staying on top of your duties you should also stay on top of your daily appreciation for your employees. Saying thank you never goes out of style and it could change someone who is having a bad day’s day. You could make someone feel better without realizing it and increase productivity at an exponential rate. A happy family is a happy home!
5. Be diligent, and rational.
It takes a strong leader to put their foot down and make a point. It also takes a strong leader to be able to accept their advisor’s advice and reverse a decision. Decide what kind of leader you want to be – you have been chosen for your job due to your aptitude for decision making and “know what you’re doing” skills. You must be able to be firm with your professional decisions, and patient enough to realize that your ideas also have room for change when your instinct says so. It’s a big job, but someone’s gotta do it!
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lsleofskye: Kromlau, Sachsen, Germany http://ift.tt/1TW481q
Alejandro Aravena on Design, Venice and Why He Paused His Career to Open a Bar
In an exclusive half-hour interview with Alejandro Aravena, Monocle’s Josh Fehnert questions the recent Pritzker Prize-laureate on Chilean architecture and urbanism, why he considers simple design as the key to alleviating the world’s biggest woes, and the conception and ultimate result of his 15th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
Check out more episodes in Monocle’s The Big Interview series.
A Private Residence in Huentaleuquen, Chile by nüform
Casa C14 is a private home located in Huentaleuquen, Chile. It was designed by nüform in 2015. Photos by: Aryeh Kornfeld
abandoned chair by -Chad Johnson Another older image with some…
Industrial Factory in Preci / Enzo Eusebi+Partners
Courtesy of Enzo Eusebi+Partners
- Architects: Enzo Eusebi+Partners
- Location: 06047 Preci PG, Italy
- Design Team: Y.Consorti, F. Varese
- Project Year: 2015
- Photographs: Courtesy of Enzo Eusebi+Partners
- Technical Administrative Planning: S. Gentili, S. Passarini
- Engineering Advisors: G. Figliola
- Facade Consultant: Nothing Studio, Promo Spa
- Mep Engineering: G. D’ottavi Vvf Desing
- Landscape: Nothing Studio
- Visual Design: Nothing Studio
Courtesy of Enzo Eusebi+Partners
The head office of the Salpi factory has been conceived by Enzo Eusebi as a sustainable building that uses alternative energy sources and has a roof planted with vegetation. The large expanses of glass on the facade are decorated instead with hundreds of the hams produced in the factory. Below ground, to optimize the relationship with the surroundings.
Courtesy of Enzo Eusebi+Partners
Alternative, owing to its use of renewable energy sources. Sustainable, due to the choice of materials. The design tor the Salpi factory, that produces hams in the industrial zone of Preci (Perugia, Italy), was drawn up by Enzo Eusebi – Nothing Studio with a great deal of attention to the environment, understood in its broadest sense.
Plan 1
Partially underground, the block of the production facility has a root of over seven thousand square metres planted with vegetation, providing thermal insulation, a reduction In levels of water runoff and sound pollution, mitigation of the microclimate, the capture of fine particles and a saving in the cost of the roof’s renewal.
Courtesy of Enzo Eusebi+Partners
The parts above ground reflect the surrounding natural space through the use of mirror finishes. At the centre of the C-shaped complex, the management block – raised on pilotis and facing onto a pool that collects rainwater – has façades of aluminium and chestnut wood, known for its resistance to damp. On the roof, photovoltaic panels and solar collectors. The sustainability of the intervention has allowed the company to submit a request for LEED certification.
Detail
KRONA Knowledge and Cultural Centre / Mecanoo
Courtesy of Mecanoo
- Architects: Mecanoo
- Location: Kongsberg, Norway
- Area: 24000.0 sqm
- Project Year: 2015
- Photographs: Courtesy of Mecanoo
- Local Architect: Code Arkitektur, Oslo, Norway
- Structural Engineer: Rambøll Norge AS, Oslo, Norway
- Me Engineer: EM Teknikk – Energi AS, Drammen, Norway
- Fire Safety Consultant: Rambøll Norge AS, Oslo, Norway
- Main Contractor: Strøm Gundersen AS, Drammen, Norway
- Client: Kongsberg Kommune; Bolten Eiendom AS, Vestby, Norway
Courtesy of Mecanoo
Synergy
The KRONA Knowledge and Cultural Centre enhances Kongsberg’s cultural institutions and stimulates interaction between diverse communities and disciplines. Comprised of a variety of functions, KRONA houses new teaching and technical laboratory facilities for Buskerud University College and Tinius Olsen Technical Vocational College, as well as a technical university library. The complex also includes a public library, cinemas, municipal offices and a theatre auditorium. Its functions are organised around a central void with shared functions, enhancing flexibility and reducing programme redundancy. Using subtle landscape elevations and strategically locating programme access points, visitors intuitively gravitate towards the Centre. Throughout the interior spaces, strong visual connections to public functions further enhance the liveliness of the complex.
Courtesy of Mecanoo
Context
Located in one of Kongsberg’s most recognised locations alongside the oldest university building in Norway, Mecanoo’s design is sensitive to its historic context. It is shaped by the site conditions and opportunities. In addition to prefabricated elements, and use of ground source energy, the facility uses locally-sourced materials. A facade of rough slats references local architecture and contrasts with the interior of wood, concrete and subtle silver accents that reflect daylight. Facing the park, the building has a balcony for outdoor performances as well as an amphitheatre formed in the Hasebergtjerndalen park landscape below. The public and university libraries, located in the heart of the complex, appear to be cut from the building volume and continue the public space of the church square. The stone floor of the surrounding courtyards is drawn into the interior, enhancing the material continuity of the public realm.
Courtesy of Mecanoo
Situation
Courtesy of Mecanoo
Flexible
The KRONA Knowledge and Cultural Centre is highly flexible: in the evening the university canteen transforms into a café, the public library serves as a theatre foyer and the art gallery transforms into a bar for the film centre. The very concept of the building is adaptable in its components and form. Central to the shared programme is a number of large assembly rooms that accommodate a range of events including lectures, meetings, performances, receptions and concerts. The auditoria in the heart of the building are equipped for a variety of different configurations. These entertainment spaces are designed to be as open and flexible as possible, yet also create a vibrant, social atmosphere, and a connection to Kongsberg’s historical context.
Courtesy of Mecanoo
An 800-Square-Foot Home in Paris, France
Hokka is a private residence renovated by SEPTEMBRE Architecture & Urbanisme. It is located in Paris, France and was completed in 2013. Hokka by SEPTEMBRE Architecture & Urbanisme: “Renovation of a 75m² (807 ft²) apartment for a couple in the 11 th district of Paris. Like a jewelry box with multiple compartments, each room has a specific color and material which gives it its own special atmosphere. The overall coherence..
Sig Nordal 