fabrik

This summer, we had the privilege of welcoming Eloise Hawkes to our team as an #UrbanDesign Intern. Eloise brought fresh ideas, a keen eye for detail and a deep passion for sustainable #masterplanning, with a sprinkling of laughter and fun. At fabrik, we believe it’s vital to share our knowledge with the next generation of masterplanners. Eloise’s internship was not just about learning, it was a two-way exchange of ideas that inspired all of us. She contributed to a range of projects, helping to shape visions for more livable, inclusive and sustainable communities. Eloise’s time with the team has left a lasting impact, reminding us of the importance of nurturing young talent and investing in the future of urban design. We are excited to see where her career takes her and are grateful for the energy and dedication she brought to our team this summer. Thank you, Eloise, for your hard work and enthusiasm! Here are some words from Eloise on her time with us: "I am so fortunate to have had the chance to utilise two months of my summer break as an Urban Design Intern at fabrik. It has been such an eye-opening experience and I have picked up an abundance of new skills and knowledge, which I will bring with me to my final year of University! I was able to work on live projects and never had a moment of boredom. I even went on a site visit, which was a nice refreshment from the office! The team trusted me and my creativity, which they encouraged me to hone and embrace, and has definitely built my confidence with my design ideas and software abilities. My time here has truly been unforgettable. Most of that is thanks to the team who adopted me as their own from the get go and left no questions I had – whether related to work or not – unanswered. I am more motivated than ever to pursue my career in urban design and I will continue to work extra hard to make that a reality! Invaluable experiences, knowledge, insight into the urban designer life and friendships have been gained throughout my time here. Thank you for having me on board fabrik. It has been short but sweet, til next time!"

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that the public realm is often an unamenable and, at times, dangerous space for women and girls. Historically, public space has been designed by men for men, so it is with some difficulty that we might reimagine it through the female lens. Make Space for Girls and the LLDC’s recent guidelines on 'Creating Places That Work for Women and Girls' have been significant in articulating the values, priorities and needs of females. Barriers to women and girls using and navigating public space are both physical and psychological. The physical barriers might include inadequate lighting, lack of safe access, or public spaces that are not designed with diverse needs in mind. Psychological barriers, on the other hand, stem from fear of harassment, cultural norms that restrict movement or a general sense of exclusion. As we explore spatial design as a tool to positively influence behaviour, it is important to highlight that this includes that of men and boys. The reality is that in most instances, urban and architectural design should not be gendered per se. The aim is not to be divisive; it is to ensure that diverse needs are being taken into consideration. The current undertone of hypervigilance, even fear, that forms part of the day-to-day female experience is shared by many minority groups. Arup’s report on 'Queering Public Space', for example, echoes many of the principles set out by LLDC, suggesting some of these principles may universally improve safety, useability and access for everyone. Image 1 - Whitehill and Bordon Skate Park taken by Chris Hopkinson Image 2 - Edenbrook BMX Track taken by Neil Speakman Image 3 - Hogmoor Inclosure taken by Paul Upward Image 4 - Nansledan taken by Hugh Hastings

In today's digital world, the significance of children's play areas cannot be overstated. These spaces are more than just spots for fun - they are vital for the holistic development of our children. Play areas provide children with the opportunity to engage in physical activities, which are crucial for developing strength, coordination, and overall fitness. Regular physical activity helps combat childhood obesity and promotes a healthy lifestyle from a young age.  Playgrounds are also melting pots of diverse interactions, where children learn essential social skills such as sharing, teamwork and empathy. These are the building blocks for developing strong interpersonal skills later in life. Well-designed play areas can stimulate children's creativity and problem-solving abilities. Whether it's navigating a climbing frame or figuring out the rules of a game, children enhance their cognitive abilities through play. It is also a natural stress reliever, allowing children to express their emotions, explore their imaginations and build resilience.  Play areas can offer safe spaces for children to unwind and process their experiences. They also often have dual purposes, serving as community hubs, bringing families together and fostering a sense of belonging. They can also provide a platform for parents to connect, share experiences, and build support networks. Investing in high-quality, accessible play areas is an investment in the future. By prioritising these spaces, we nurture healthier, happier and more well-rounded individuals. #ChildDevelopment #PlayAreas #Community #HealthAndWellbeing Photos: The Great Field, Poundbury

It has been an absolute pleasure welcoming Timothy Brown to our London studio for work experience as his 2023-24 academic year draws to a close. Our thanks to Clare Michael Penny, Course Leader of Landscape Architecture at the University of East London School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering for putting us in touch. It was a delight to visit the faculty last week and to see the diversity of ideas at the end of year showcase. Tim, good luck with the final part of your MA and keep in touch with us.

We are delighted to be invited to participate in the “Re-Imagine Spaces: Changing Uses, Changing Meanings, Changing Place” panel talk, hosted by Broadway Malyan at their London studio, as part of London Festival of Architecture’s Studio Lates. The discussion will focus on exploring the creation of authentic and meaningful #sharedspace through unconventional and ephemeral changes. These might be #performances, #landscape improvements, #temporaryuses or other #creativeinterventions. During this a one-hour panel session, experts from across the industry will be sharing their insights into transforming spaces, creating #socialvalue and a sense of belonging. The speakers include: Dr Ana McMillin: Director of Architecture, Broadway Malyan Denz Ibrahim: Head of Futuring and Place, L&G Bradley Hemmings: Artistic Director, Greenwich+Docklands Festival Kay Lung-Kendall: Technical Director, fabrik Ed Baker: Chairman, Broadway Malyan Joao Soeiro Goncalves: Architect, Broadway Malyan. Weather permitting, there will also be the chance to enjoy the outdoor pop-up Pimms bar. We look forward to welcoming you to a memorable and inspiring evening. Event details: 20th June at 6-9pm, Holmes House, 4 Pear Pl, London SE1 8BT Please contact Kay Lung-Kendall if you would like to attend.

Huge congratulations to Lucy Wilson on successfully passing her chartership exams today to become a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. All those that have the pleasure of working with her never had any doubt that she would do anything but pass with flying colours. Thank you to her mentor Andrew Smith for his guidance and support along the way. Enjoy celebrating and revel in all the free time you’re now going to have!

Following our recent Alton office re-shuffle, we were proud to be able to donate our old printer to HSDC Alton. It has served us well and we hope it can now be a valuable resource for the college to further showcase the success of their students. It’s wonderful to give back to our local community and a big thank you to our fabrik delivery team Nathan Onions and Andrew Smith!

We are thrilled to announce that Rotherhithe Primary School has won a RIBA London #Award. Many congratulations to the school and Southwark Council for their #visionary approach, and to the design team led by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.    The jury praised the ‘school within a garden’ concept, where the #landscape acts as an extension of Southwark Park, wrapping a planted #habitat corridor around the #school building to provide a positive green outlook and restorative #learning environment for pupils. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/ejVZhpXV 📷 HUFTON & CROW LTD

Last week Philippe Malaussene gave both fabrik studios an insightful CPD on #syntropicplanting, following his attendance at the #syntropic #agroforestry course at Joala Nursery in the Dordogne. Syntropic planting aims to create fertility and regenerate #soil life at an accelerated speed. This is achieved through dense and diverse #planting, and regular disturbance to create large quantities of organic matter. Syntropy takes a long-term approach to planting, with a succession of #plants and a #landscape that will evolve through time towards profusion. Get in touch if you would like to know more!

We are getting excited about our first trip to UKREiiF in just a few weeks' time. The event is a fantastic opportunity to connect across the industry and we’d love to catch up with as many of our clients and co-consultants as possible, as well as make some new connections.  We'd also love to know about any events or talks you recommend that we head along to. Andrew Smith and Becky Sanders will be there representing us. To set up a meeting with them, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]   We look forward to seeing you there! #UKREiiF #UKREiiF2024 #BuiltEnvironment #masterplanning #landscapeplanning #landscapedesign #landscapearchitecture #arboriculture