Data obtained from the Greater London Authority (GLA) by The Architects Journal shows 83 contracts worth 11.27 million were let via the 10-lot framework between its launch in February 2023 and 10 March 2025.A Karakusevic Carson Architects-led consortium is the highest earner to date from the four-year framework, netting mroe than 2 million in fees, with Hawkins\Brown and Archio each also earning more than 800,000.Just 32 of the 66 practices or consortia with places on the framework have been directly commissioned to date, although the data obtained through a Freedom of Information bid does not show which firms have worked as a subcontractor for others.AdvertisementThe framework, which succeeded the former ADUP II roster of practice, is used by the GLA and other public sector clients. The information released shows that 3.21 million (28 per cent) of fees paid was for work outside of London.Practice/consortium nameTotal fees earnedKarakusevic Carson Architects (with K Bava Architects, Office Sian, Pedder & Scampton, Sarha Hersi, & Saya Hakamata)2,131785.14Hawkins\Brown955,163.00Archio875,000.00We Made That686,519.50RCKa634,780.00Al Jawad Pike516,899.00Landolt + Brown486,914.59Studio Weave450,000.00Haworth Tompkins349,283.60LDA Design288,482.00IF_DO278,927.00Publica270,221.44DK-CM249,166.48Freehaus235,478.00Weston Williamson + Partners196,657.00Feix&Merlin184,088.00Adam Khan Architects146,486.00Muf architecture/art141,819.35JA Projects141,000.00Arup87,500.00Periscope79,898.005th Studio75,000.00Wright & Wright Architects73,000.00East Architecture60,000.00Morris+Company and Gort Scott (MCGS)49,999.00Fletcher Priest Architects40,258.00Sanchez Benton40,000.00Alison Crawshaw35,000.00MICA29,932.00GLA data shows 27 projects worth 4.66 million have been procured through the framework since the start of April 2024, when the AJ first revealed how much practices had won from the framework.Of these latest projects, 11 have been completed, 11 are in progress and five are yet to start. Three of the 11 projects have been by architecture practices led by people from under-represented backgrounds.Since the start of April 2024, London boroughs have been responsible for 44 per cent of projects let; Transport for London has been behind 22 per cent; and the GLA Group for 15 per cent.More than a third of fees paid in this period (1.76 million) were to practices or consortia procured via lot nine transport infrastructure interface: overstation/station development.AdvertisementAccording to the data, no money was paid to companies procured via lot seven small sites housing. Meanwhile just 49,000 was paid via lot 10 transport design: specialist infrastructure and 40,000 was paid via lot two sustainable cities.Analysis Russell Curtis, director at RCKaWed all welcome more work coming through the A+U framework. The estimated 40 million was always a bit of a stretch, but RCKa is on three lots and there have been slim pickings: although we won two projects through Lot 5, were only aware of a single opportunity thats been tendered through lots 3 and 7 given the considerable effort involved in getting onto the framework, its not too much to expect a few more projects to come through.Theres also a question as to why some of the London Boroughs (eg Southwark, Barking & Dagenham) have set up their own frameworks independently of A+U. What is it that A+U doesnt offer that they feel the need to go it alone?As last year, the figures need to be treated with some caution. Our own experience is that more than half the fee income weve received through A+U projects has been paid out to subcontractors. This places a considerable burden on the winning architects, as the public sector clients are increasingly offloading their responsibilities onto their supply chain. Not only does this increase the administrative burden on the lead consultant having to manage a large pool of suppliers but also artificially boosts annual turnover whilst at the same time narrowing our profit margins. A consequence of this is that were having to pay larger Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) premiums and dealing with large sums of money coming into and out of the business.Under the Construction Act we are prohibited from operating a pay when paid clause in our subcontract agreements, which can place our practices in jeopardy if client payments are not received in a timely fashion. This also makes it very difficult for smaller practices to compete as they are less likely to have the financial resilience to be able to accommodate large fees flowing through their accounts. If the GLA wants to improve accessibility to micro and fledgling businesses, this would be a very good place to start.Finally, there needs to be much more transparency over the size and proportion of subcontracting within these projects. I suspect that there are several large consultancy firms doing very well from A+U having had little involvement in the tendering process at the outset. Conversely, I suspect that there are a few smaller practices especially those from under-represented backgrounds whose names have been included within teams led by larger practices to achieve social value targets, but who have actually received very little income from the resulting project.It should be a condition of the use of the A+U framework there is transparent reporting not only of the headline consultancy fee, but also of the complete supply chain and not only for the initial award, but for subsequent changes to the scope and fees that inevitably occur post appointment.A total of 55 places on the framework representing 57 per cent of appointments across all ten lots were awarded to diverse-led enterprisesLot 1 Spatial Policy, Urban Strategies and ResearchDark Matter LaboratoriesDK-CMHAT ProjectsJas Bhalla Architects and AR UrbanismMetropolitan Workshopmuf architecture/artPublica AssociatesWe Made ThatLot 2 Sustainable CitiesGbolade Design StudioMikhail RichesOve Arup and PartnersPublic Works GroupUseful ProjectsLot 3 High Street and Town Centre Recovery and TransformationArchitecture00Hayatsu Architects in collaboration with Madeleine Kessler ArchitectureJas Bhalla Architects and AR UrbanismPublic Works GroupPublica AssociatesRCKaSanchez Benton ArchitectsJA ProjectsUrban MovementWe Made Thatwhat if: projectsLot 4 Landscape, Green Infrastructure and Public RealmEast Architecture, Landscape, Urban DesignHayatsu ArchitectsLDA Designmuf architecture/artnimtim architectsCollective Cultures (OMMX, Atelier ANF, Studio NYALI)Periscope Landscape and ArchitectsPublica AssociatesSanchez Benton ArchitectsStudio WeaveLot 5 Civic, Cultural and Social InfrastructureArchitecture00Asif KhanDK-CMFreehausHaworth TompkinsIF_DOPublic Works GroupRCKaJA ProjectsWright & Wright ArchitectsLot 6 Commercial, Workspace and IndustrialArchitecture00Elli Farrant ArchitectsFeix&MerlinFreehausHaworth TompkinsHenley HalebrownIF_DOPup ArchitectsStudio Egret West with Bell Phillips, HNNA & McCloy + MuchemwaLot 7 Small Sites HousingArchioArchitecture Doing PlaceBalaam MurphyBrisco LoranFourth Street Place Consultants (Fourth Street and Grounded)Jas Bhalla Architects and AR UrbanismNimtim ArchitectsCollective Cultures (OMMX, Atelier ANF, Studio NYALI)RCKaStudio Gil and Matthew Lloyd ArchitectsJA ProjectsLot 8 Housing and Mixed UseAdam Khan ArchitectsAl Jawad PikedRMMFarshid Moussavi ArchitectureGibson Thornley ArchitectsHaworth TompkinsHenley HalebrownKarakusevic Carson Architects with K Bava Architects, Office Sian, Pedder & Scampton, Sahra Hersi & Saya HakamataMae ArchitectsMikhail RichesMorris+Company with Gort ScottPeter Barber ArchitectsStephen Taylor ArchitectsLot 9 Transport Infrastructure Interface: Over Station/Station DevelopmentAllies and MorrisonArchioFletcher Priest ArchitectsGrimshaw ArchitectsHawkins\BrownJestico + Whiles + AssociatesKarakusevic Carson Architects with K Bava Architects, Office Sian, Pedder & Scampton, Sahra Hersi & Saya HakamataLandolt and BrownMangera Yvers ArchitectsMICA ArchitectsWeston Williamson + PartnersWilkinsonEyreLot 10 Transport Design Specialist Infrastructure5th StudioGrimshaw ArchitectsHaptic ArchitectsJohn Puttick AssociatesLandolt and BrownOve Arup and PartnersWeston Williamson + Partners

In 2022 a planning inspector dismissed an appeal for non-determination, lodged by then owner Cannon Capital Development, which would have transformed the Georgian ex-HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Lower Thames Street into a 200-room hotel.Although the City of London lost its power to decide on the plans, the Squire & Partners scheme came before the Citys planning committee authority ahead of the planning inquiry and councillors voted unanimously to refuse it, due to the potential harm to the buildings heritage significance. The application had also been opposed by SAVE Britains Heritage and the Georgian Group.Throwing out the appeal in July that year, planning inspector Paul Griffiths highlighted the injurious effect the scheme would have on the plan and layout of architect David Laings original 1817 west wing.AdvertisementCustom House was then bought in 2023 by hotel business Jastar Capital through its subsidiary, Custom House City Ltd, which brought in Orms, conservation specialists Richard Griffiths Architects and planning consultants Montagu Evans to take a fresh look at the empty building near the Tower of London.Under the new conservation-led approach, the home of HMRC until 2021 which features later elements designed by British Museum architect Robert Smirke, is now set to become a 179-bed hotel with the Kings Warehouse housing a bar and restaurant and the Long Room a new event space.The team claims it has carried out extensive consultation with the City, Historic England and amenity stakeholder groups including SAVE Britains Heritage and the Georgian Group before submitting the plans.As a result the new designs do not include pavilions on the east and west wing rooftops unlike the Squire & Partners proposals preserving the historic lightwell in the west end of the building.The plans feature a new public ground-floor route through the former Kings Warehouse which, the practice claims, will be brought to life by dynamic historic displays, a series of galleries and an exhibition space. A curated historical library is planned for within the former Tide Waiters Room.AdvertisementOutside the quayside will be re-landscaped creating two new terraces on the Central Wings southern elevation which will be connected to the quayside by ramps and steps, ensuring step-free access into the building for the first time since its construction.Squire & Partners' dismissed 2022 plans (left); and ORMS' 2025 application (right)Although retaining more of the concrete structure in the east wing than the earlier designs, the proposal will remove a number of harmful modern interventions to create a car-free development.The building will also become a fossil-fuel free, all-electric scheme without the need for gas boilers.A spokesperson for the team said: Painstaking research into the history of the building has informed the new proposals, leading to interventions that include the reinstatement of window awnings in a historically faithful style to provide passive solar shading to the faade while returning a period feature of the design.Elyse Howell-Price, Associate Director and Historic Buildings Specialist at Orms, said: Custom House is a hugely sensitive heritage asset in one of the most significant riverside sites in The City of London. Orms approach to this project has been to undertake a deep investigation of the history and construction of this remarkable building while at the same time envisioning the potential that the revitalisation of the site could achieve by improving the experience of the riverside for all Londoners. Throughout the process weve enjoyed productive dialogue with the many stakeholders invested in preserving and celebrating this building by bringing it back into use. Source:: Nigel J. Harris / Shutterstock.comCustom House in the City of London (foreground)Project team ArchitectOrms Architects & DesignersConservation architectRichard Griffiths ArchitectsPlanning consultantMontagu EvansHistoric environment and townscape consultantMontagu EvansCultural strategy and landscapePublicaViabilityMontagu EvansTransportCaneparo AssociatesM&E and sustainabilityNDYStructural engineeringElliott WoodHistorical researchProfessor David SoudenArchaeologyMills Whipp & MOLAPublic engagementConcilio & PREACHPaint and materials analysisLincoln ConservationProposed section in ORMS' plans (2025)

After five years of sleeping on the Purple Hybrid Premier 3, I know what you'll want to consider before buying one.

Night City is coming to Nintendo, with the news that Cyberpunk 2077 will be a Switch 2 launch title. Read more

Nintendo Switch 2 battery life revealedWatt's up.Image credit: Nintendo/Eurogamer News by Victoria Kennedy News Reporter Published on April 3, 2025 Nintendo has confirmed the battery life for its upcoming console, the Switch 2.After a rather choc full Direct yesterday, which gave us a look at Switch 2 games such as Drag x Drive and Mario Kart World, a few more little titbits of information have started making the rounds. This includes the console's all important battery life.Here's our Zoe with her Switch 2 reactions. Watch on YouTubeAs shared on a separate spec sheet for Switch 2, Nintendo's next console will house a Lithium ion battery, with a battery capacity of 5220 mAh. Meanwhile, its battery life is "Approx. 2 - 6.5 hours". Nintendo notes this is just an "estimate" life span, and adds "the battery life will depend on the games you play and usage conditions".While Nintendo itself doesn't go into specifics about which games it is referring to here, it is fair to assume that playing a smaller indie game on a pleasant spring afternoon with a mild breeze blowing will see the console lasting longer in its handheld mode than if you were having a full blown battle in Elden Ring during a 40C heatwave.Charging time for the console, meanwhile, is approximately three hours while in sleep mode.To compare the upcoming Switch 2's battery life to other Switch devices, here's what Nintendo's support page states:Once fully charged, the battery duration for the console varies depending on model and on the software application and functions being used.For Nintendo Switch - OLED Model with a serial number that starts with "XT", the battery life is approximately 4.5 to 9 hours.For Nintendo Switch consoles with a serial number that starts with "XK", the battery life is approximately 4.5 to 9 hours.For Nintendo Switch consoles with a serial number that starts with "XA", the battery life is approximately 2.5 to 6.5 hours.For Nintendo Switch Lite, the battery life is approximately 3 to 7 hours. Image credit: NintendoElsewhere in Nintendo Switch 2 news, it looks like Nintendo's next console will be making things a little easier for the avid screenshot sharers and gameplay clippers out there. Additionally, Nintendo quietly confirmed some physical releases on the console won't have any game data on the included game card.The Nintendo Switch 2 is due to be released on 5th June. You can catch up with all the details in our dedicated Switch 2 Nintendo Direct: Everything announced article here.

NewsCyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Includes Gyroscope Mode, Mouse Support on Switch 2Enable motion controls for combat, swipe and pinch through menus with the Joy-Con 2 or use it as a mouse for more precision.Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 03rd, Apr. 2025 Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is one of the major third-party titles available at launch for the Nintendo Switch 2. The physical version includes the base game and its expansion, Phantom Liberty, on a 64 GB game card. The digital version is the same size, though selecting additional languages could increase it. Game director Adam Badowski said, We are delighted to bring the immersive world of the dark future to Nintendo players for the first time! Thanks to the Nintendo Switch 2 system, you can transport yourself to the City of Dreams at home or on the go. CD Projekt RED is leveraging the consoles various features, offering motion controls in combat via the Joy-Con 2. You can also enable Gyroscope Mode to tap, swipe, and pinch through your inventory and other menus. And yes, the Joy-Con 2 (R) can be wielded as a mouse if you prefer a more PC-like set-up. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition launches on June 5th for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for more gameplay in the coming weeks. Its also available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, with the base game selling 30 million units and Phantom Liberty crossing eight million sales. CD Projekt RED is working on a sequel, Project Orion. A job listing indicated it wants to create the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date. Head here for more details. Tagged With: Atomfall Publisher:Rebellion Developments Developer:Rebellion Developments Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView MoreMonster Hunter Wilds Publisher:Capcom Developer:Capcom Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView MoreSouth of Midnight Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Compulsion Games Platforms:Xbox Series X, PCView More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Includes Gyroscope Mode, Mouse Support on Switch 2 Enable motion controls for combat, swipe and pinch through menus with the Joy-Con 2 or use it as a mouse for m... Street Fighter 6 Launches on June 5th for Switch 2, Calorie Contest and Gyro Battles Revealed Capcom's critically acclaimed fighter launching alongside Nintendo's next console with Tabletop Mode and Joy-C... Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Launches September 5th, First Gameplay Revealed Control a revamped Arsenal in the fight against the Axiom, salvaging mech parts and taking on Titanic foes alo... Professor Layton and the New World of Steam Will Also Launch for Nintendo Switch 2 The next game in Level-5's long-running puzzle adventure franchise is set to launch sometime this year, also f... Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 Will Launch for Switch 2, Switch, PS5, and PC on June 5 The two chapters will be paid on all platforms, unlike the first two. The full game will also serve as a launc... Hades 2 Will Launch for Switch and Switch 2 Supergiant says it has another major update planned before the game's 1.0 launch, which doesn't yet have a fir... View More

NewsStreet Fighter 6 Launches on June 5th for Switch 2, Calorie Contest and Gyro Battles RevealedCapcom's critically acclaimed fighter launching alongside Nintendo's next console with Tabletop Mode and Joy-Con 2 support.Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 03rd, Apr. 2025If Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess wasnt enough from Capcom, its also bringing Street Fighter 6 to the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch. The acclaimed fighting game supports local wireless 1v1 matches and Avatar Matches to battle against others with your World Tour character.Tabletop Mode is also supported, and players can configure different control types for the Joy-Con 2. Other notable new features include Gyro Battles, where you fight with motion controls, and Calorie Contest, where Super Arts and attacks build up the Calorie Gauge.There will also be new amiibo figures for Luke, Jamie and Kimberly, and amiibo cards with the Starter Pack featuring all Year 1 characters. Both unlock exclusive content and customization options in-game. Post-launch characters will be available later through Booster packs.Street Fighter 6 launches on June 5th for the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the console. Its also available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, and PC. Its sold over 4.4 million units and added several new characters, including Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui from Fatal Fury. Tagged With: Atomfall Publisher:Rebellion Developments Developer:Rebellion Developments Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView MoreMonster Hunter Wilds Publisher:Capcom Developer:Capcom Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView MoreSouth of Midnight Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Compulsion Games Platforms:Xbox Series X, PCView More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Includes Gyroscope Mode, Mouse Support on Switch 2 Enable motion controls for combat, swipe and pinch through menus with the Joy-Con 2 or use it as a mouse for m... Street Fighter 6 Launches on June 5th for Switch 2, Calorie Contest and Gyro Battles Revealed Capcom's critically acclaimed fighter launching alongside Nintendo's next console with Tabletop Mode and Joy-C... Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Launches September 5th, First Gameplay Revealed Control a revamped Arsenal in the fight against the Axiom, salvaging mech parts and taking on Titanic foes alo... Professor Layton and the New World of Steam Will Also Launch for Nintendo Switch 2 The next game in Level-5's long-running puzzle adventure franchise is set to launch sometime this year, also f... Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 Will Launch for Switch 2, Switch, PS5, and PC on June 5 The two chapters will be paid on all platforms, unlike the first two. The full game will also serve as a launc... Hades 2 Will Launch for Switch and Switch 2 Supergiant says it has another major update planned before the game's 1.0 launch, which doesn't yet have a fir... View More

Quentin Steinke writes: Learn how to model and sculpt the Sword in the Stone in Blender! This tutorial covers blockout, sculpting techniques (Remesh, Dyntopo, various brushes), and modeling the sword. Get the final .blend file for FREE on Ko-fi. Ask questions in the comments!Source

DUN DUN, DUNThe next "fresh" James Bond film has begun filming in London, all while the identity of Mr Bond remains a tightly held secretAnnounced at Cinemacon in Las Vegas, Amazon MGM has spilled the beans on the status of the next James Bond film.Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios News by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on April 3, 2025 Grab a martini and get ready for some good news. Amazon MGM has announced that the next James Bond movie has begun production in London, led by Amy Pascal and David Heyman who are producing the film. This was revealed at Cinemacon in Las Vegas, where one assumes at least one Casino Royale joke was made by someone in the crowd.Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll, studio executives at Amazon MGM, stated the following to attendees, "We are committed to honoring the legacy of this iconic character while bringing a fresh, exotic new chapter to audiences around the world alongside Amy and David [...] Theyre both in London getting started and couldnt be here tonight, but we wanted to thank them for what we know to make an incredible partnership."To see this content please enable targeting cookies. it was only in February when Amazon MGM took full creative control of the James Bond IP, after longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli stepped down from their positons. Broccoli, who it has been reported previously called Amazon execs "f**king idiots", has gone on to pursue other ventures. This has allowed Amazon to create James Bond movies, television, etc to its big corporate heart's content.We still know very little about this next James Bond film though, including the big question of who the next James Bond will actually be. Rumours abound, they've been circulating ever since Daniel Craig stepped aside after No Time to Die, but it seems with production beginning on the next blockbuster we should know relatively soon.Are you excited for the next James Bond film? Let us know below!

Image: NintendoRemember when Nintendo debuted its gameplay trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond during last week's Switch Direct (gosh, that feels like yonks ago, now)? Remember how it followed up with one of the most awesome-looking box art designs we've seen for a Metroid game?Okay, well we've got some bad news for those looking to pick the game up on the Switch 2. Nintendo has shared the box art for the 'Nintendo Switch 2 Edition' of Prime 4, and frankly, it's not great. While the original Switch version showcased the key art in all its glory with nothing but the title, Switch logo, and ESRB rating to get in the way, the Switch 2 version is a whole different story.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube801kWatch on YouTube For starters, we're still getting used to that massive red bar at the top which distinguishes Switch 2 games from original Switch games. We don't mind its inclusion, but it's already cutting off, what, a sixth of the page space already.But the kicker here is the ridiculous text dump at the bottom of the image, explaining that the box includes the original Nintendo Switch version of the game along with the Switch 2 upgrade pack, with the same information provided in Spanish straight after. Oh, and we've also got a QR code, because of course there's a QR code.So the result is a much less visually-arresting image when compared to the original Switch version, pushing the main logo up higher and obscuring huge chunks of the artwork at the top and bottom.Could this not have fit on the back of the box..?Images: NintendoIt's a minor gripe, all things considered, and should Nintendo price the digital game lower than the physical edition, as it's done with Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, we suspect many might opt to go digital regardless. Either way, the game itself is looking absolutely stunning and will support 4K/60FPS gameplay via Quality Mode when docked. Those who prefer even smoother gameplay can opt for 1080p/120FPS. Samus unlocked a new upgrade4K Metroid!What do you make of the Switch 2 box art when compared to the original Switch? Are you even bothered? Let us know with a comment.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Switch 2 Direct: Time, Where To Watch, What To ExpectIt's time for Switch 2Where To Pre-Order Nintendo Switch 2Pre-orders open 8th/9th AprilSwitch 2 Games Cost A Bit More Than You're Probably ExpectingYou'd better sit down for this...