Business applications powered by AI are revolutionizing customer experiences, accelerating the speed of business, and driving employee productivity. In fact, according to research firm Frost & Sullivans 2024 Global State of AI report, 89% of organizations believe AI and machine learning will help them grow revenue, boost operational efficiency, and improve customer experience. Take for example, Vodafone. The telecommunications company is using a suite ofAzure AI services, such as Azure OpenAI Service,to deliver real-time, hyper-personalized experiences across all of its customer touchpoints, including its digital chatbot TOBi. By leveraging AI to increase customer satisfaction, Naga Surendran, senior director of product marketing for Azure Application Services at Microsoft, says Vodafone has managed to resolve 70% of its first-stage inquiries through AI-powered digital channels. It has also boosted the productivity of support agents by providing them with access to AI capabilities that mirror those of Microsoft Copilot, an AI-powered productivity tool. The result is a 20-point increase in net promotor score, he says. These benefits are whats driving AI infusion into every business process and application. Yet realizing measurable business value from AI-powered applications requires a new game plan. Legacy application architectures simply arent capable of meeting the high demands of AI-enhanced applications. Rather, the time is now for organizations to modernize their infrastructure, processes, and application architectures using cloud native technologies to stay competitive. The time is now for modernization Todays organizations exist in an era of geopolitical shifts, growing competition, supply chain disruptions, and evolving consumer preferences. AI applications can help by supporting innovation, but only if they have the flexibility to scale when needed. Fortunately, by modernizing applications, organizations can achieve the agile development, scalability, and fast compute performance needed to support rapid innovation and accelerate the delivery of AI applications. David Harmon, director of software development for AMD says companies, really want to make sure that they can migrate their current [environment] and take advantage of all the hardware changes as much as possible. The result is not only a reduction in the overall development lifecycle of new applications but a speedy response to changing world circumstances. Beyond building and deploying intelligent apps quickly, modernizing applications, data, and infrastructure can significantly improve customer experience. Consider, for example, Coles, an Australian supermarket thatinvested in modernization andis using data and AI to deliver dynamic e-commerce experiences to its customers both online and in-store. With Azure DevOps, Coles has shifted from monthly to weekly deployments of applications while, at the same time, reducing build times by hours. Whats more, by aggregating views of customers across multiple channels, Coles has been able to deliver more personalized customer experiences. In fact, according to a 2024 CMSWire Insights report, there is a significant rise in the use of AI across the digital customer experience toolset, with 55% of organizations now using it to some degree, and more beginning their journey. But even the most carefully designed applications are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. If given the opportunity, bad actors can extract sensitive information from machine learning models or maliciously infuse AI systems with corrupt data. AI applications are now interacting with your core organizational data, says Surendran. Having the right guard rails is important to make sure the data is secure and built on a platform that enables you to do that. The good news is modern cloud based architectures can deliver robust security, data governance, and AI guardrails like content safety to protect AI applications from security threats and ensure compliance with industry standards. The answer to AI innovation New challenges, from demanding customers to ill-intentioned hackers, call for a new approach to modernizing applications. You have to have the right underlying application architecture to be able to keep up with the market and bring applications faster to market, says Surendran. Not having that foundation can slow you down. Enter cloud native architecture. As organizations increasingly adopt AI to accelerate innovation and stay competitive, there is a growing urgency to rethink how applications are built and deployed in the cloud. By adopting cloud native architectures, Linux, and open source software, organizations can better facilitate AI adoption and create a flexible platform purpose built for AI and optimized for the cloud. Harmon explains that open source software creates options, And the overall open source ecosystem just thrives on that. It allows new technologies to come into play. Application modernization also ensures optimal performance, scale, and security for AI applications. Thats because modernization goes beyond just lifting and shifting application workloads to cloud virtual machines. Rather, a cloud native architecture is inherently designed to provide developers with the following features: The flexibility to scale to meet evolving needs Better access to the data needed to drive intelligent apps Access to the right tools and services to build and deploy intelligent applications easily Security embedded into an application to protect sensitive data Together, these cloud capabilities ensure organizations derive the greatest value from their AI applications. At the end of the day, everything is about performance and security, says Harmon. Cloud is no exception. Whats more, Surendran notes that when you leverage a cloud platform for modernization, organizations can gain access to AI models faster and get to market faster with building AI-powered applications. These are the factors driving the modernization journey. Best practices in play For all the benefits of application modernization, there are steps organizations must take to ensure both technological and operational success. They are: Train employees for speed. As modern infrastructure accelerates the development and deployment of AI-powered applications, developers must be prepared to work faster and smarter than ever. For this reason, Surendran warns, Employees must be skilled in modern application development practices to support the digital business needs. This includes developing expertise in working with loosely coupled microservices to build scalable and flexible application and AI integration. Start with an assessment. Large enterprises are likely to have hundreds of applications, if not thousands, says Surendran. As a result, organizations must take the time to evaluate their application landscape before embarking on a modernization journey. Starting with an assessment is super important, continues Surendran. Understanding, taking inventory of the different applications, which team is using what, and what this application is driving from a business process perspective is critical. Focus on quick wins. Modernization is a huge, long-term transformation in how companies build, deliver, and support applications. Most businesses are still learning and developing the right strategy to support innovation. For this reason, Surendran recommends focusing on quick wins while also working on a larger application estate transformation. You have to show a return on investment for your organization and business leaders, he says. For example, modernize some apps quickly with re-platforming and then infuse them with AI capabilities. Partner up. Modernization can be daunting, says Surendran. Selecting the right strategy, process, and platform to support innovation is only the first step. Organizations must also bring on the right set of partners to help them go through change management and the execution of this complex project. Address all layers of security. Organizations must be unrelenting when it comes to protecting their data. According to Surendran, this means adopting a multi-layer approach to security that includes: security by design, in which products and services are developed from the get-go with security in mind; security by default, in which protections exist at every layer and interaction where data exists; and security by ongoing operations, which means using the right tools and dashboards to govern applications throughout their lifecycle. A look to the future Most organizations are already aware of the need for application modernization. But with the arrival of AI comes the startling revelation that modernization efforts must be done right, and that AI applications must be built and deployed for greater business impact. Adopting a cloud native architecture can help by serving as a platform for enhanced performance, scalability, security, and ongoing innovation. As soon as you modernize your infrastructure with a cloud platform, you have access to these rapid innovations in AI models, says Surendran. Its about being able to continuously innovate with AI. Read more about how toaccelerate app and data estate readiness for AI innovationwithMicrosoft AzureandAMD. ExploreLinux on Azure. This content was produced by Insights, the custom content arm of MIT Technology Review. It was not written by MIT Technology Reviews editorial staff.

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. Digital twins of human organs are here. Theyre set to transform medical treatment. Steven Niederer, a biomedical engineer at the Alan Turing Institute and Imperial College London, has a cardboard box filled with 3D-printed hearts. Each of them is modeled on the real heart of a person with heart failure, but Niederer is more interested in creating detailed replicas of peoples hearts using computers. These digital twins are the same size and shape as the real thing. They work in the same way. But they exist only virtually. Scientists can do virtual surgery on these virtual hearts, figuring out the best course of action for a patients condition.After decades of research, models like these are now entering clinical trials and starting to be used for patient care. The eventual goal is to create digital versions of our bodiescomputer copies that could help researchers and doctors figure out our risk of developing various diseases and determine which treatments might work best.But the budding technology will need to be developed very carefully. Read the full story to learn why.Jessica Hamzelou This story is from the forthcoming magazine edition of MIT Technology Review, set to go live on January 6its all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world right now. If you dont already, subscribe to receive future copies. This is where the data to build AI comes from AI is all about data. Reams and reams of data are needed to train algorithms to do what we want, and what goes into the AI models determines what comes out. But heres the problem: AI developers and researchers dont really know much about the sources of the data they are using. The Data Provenance Initiative, a group of over 50 researchers from both academia and industry, wanted to fix that. They wanted to know, very simply: Where does the data to build AI come from? Their findings, shared exclusively with MIT Technology Review, show a worrying trend: AI's data practices risk concentrating power overwhelmingly in the hands of a few dominant technology companies. Read the full story.Melissa Heikkil Three pieces of good news on climate change in 2024 The vibes in the climate world this year have largely been less than great. Global greenhouse-gas emissions hit a new high, and this year is also on track to be the warmest on record. Global climate talks fell flat, and disasters from wildfires to hurricanes are being made worse by climate change. But among all that (very real) negative news, there was some good, too: We saw progress cutting back on the most polluting fossil fuels, cheaper and better technologies for combating climate change, and a continuous global effort to address the problem. So as we near the end of 2024, lets take a moment to look back on some of the bright spots. Casey Crownhart This story is from The Spark, our weekly climate and energy newsletter. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 The US Supreme Court will hear TikToks appeal against its ban Its agreed to hear the companys arguments on January 10. (FT $)+ A ruling could follow shortly afterwards. (WP $)+ Heres how a couple of the most likely scenarios could play out. (The Information $)2 Amazons telehealth clinic is being sued Philip Tong died shortly after a virtual appointment last year. His family wants answers. (WP $)+ The legal case accuses the health provider of negligently failing to care for Tong. (LA Times $)3 The Boeing Starliner astronauts are still stuck in space Their return to Earth has been pushed back yet again, this time to March 2025. (WP $)+ Theyve been living on the ISS since June. (The Guardian)4 Dangerous disordered eating content is rife on XThe platforms content moderation has become so lax, harmful communities are thriving unchecked. (The Atlantic $)5 People are shining lasers at planes flying over New York Amid the local drone panic, pilots are struggling with the unwelcome intrusions. (404 Media)+ Dont be surprised if other similar drone panics crop up in the future. (Vox)6 How Google Street View helped to solve a missing-person caseAfter its cars captured a man hunched over a large white bag in a car trunk. (NYT $) + Google Maps is still the biggest, but these startups are fast gaining traction. (Fast Company $)7 Why you shouldnt remove fluoride from your drinking waterUnless you desperately want to jeopardize your dental health. (WSJ $) + Its not the first time concerns around fluoride have surfaced. (NYT $) 8 The old internet is slowly disappearingWhat does that mean for our collective cultural understanding? (The Verge) + How to fix the internet. (MIT Technology Review)9 Europeans just love balcony solar panelsTheyre simple to install and can help to keep electricity bills down. (The Guardian) + How to store energy for leaner times. (Knowable Magazine)+ Advanced solar panels still need to pass the test of time. (MIT Technology Review)10 You can now call ChatGPT on the phone Theres nowhere left to hide. (Bloomberg $)Quote of the day I dont think that work is suitable for human beings. James Irungu, a former Facebook content moderator, reflects on the horrific material he encountered in the job, the Guardian reports. The big story Future space food could be made from astronaut breath May 2023 The future of space food could be as simpleand weirdas a protein shake made with astronaut breath or a burger made from fungus. For decades, astronauts have relied mostly on pre-packaged food during their forays off our planet. With missions beyond Earth orbit in sight, a NASA-led competition is hoping to change all that and usher in a new era of sustainable space food. To solve the problem of feeding astronauts on long-duration missions, NASA asked companies to propose novel ways to develop sustainable foods for future missions. Around 200 rose to the challengecreating nutritious (and outlandish) culinary creations in the process. Read the full story. Jonathan O'Callaghan We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet 'em at me.) + These optical illusion bird sculptures are a sight to be seen. + Dont blame me if you end up wanting to eat this Bche de Nol in one sitting.+ Casio watches are 50 years oldand cooler than ever.+ Do you fly naked? (No, not like that..)

This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. The vibes in the climate world this year have largely been less than great. Global greenhouse-gas emissions hit a new high, reaching 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024. This year is also on track to be the warmest on record, with temperatures through September hitting 1.54 C (2.77 F) above preindustrial levels. Global climate talks fell flat, and disasters from wildfires to hurricanes are being made worse by climate change. But among all that (very real) negative news, there was some good, too: We saw progress cutting back on the most polluting fossil fuels, cheaper and better technologies for combating climate change, and a continuous global effort to address the problem. As we near the end of 2024, lets take a moment to look back on some of the bright spots. Were kicking coal to the curb One of my favorite climate moments from this year happened in the UK. The country has historically relied heavily on coal as an electricity sourceas of 1990, coal met about 65% of its electricity demand. But on September 30, 2024, the last coal plant in the nation shut down. Renewables are stepping in to fill the gap. Wind farms in the UK are on track to produce more electricity this year than coal and gas plants together. The moment was a symbolic one, and it also reflects the very real progress thats happening around the world in inching away from this polluting fossil fuel. In the US, coal made up around 50% of the electricity supply four decades ago. In 2023, that share was roughly 16%. We should see coal use plateau and potentially begin to fall by the end of the decade, according to the International Energy Agency. Progress needs to happen faster, though, and it needs to happen in countries like China, where energy demand is increasing. Theres also growing concern about what increasing energy demand from data centers, including those used to power AI, will mean for efforts to shut off old coal plants. Batteries just keep getting cheaper Lithium-ion battery packs are cheaper than ever in 2024, with prices dropping 20% this year to $115 per kilowatt-hour, according to data from BloombergNEF. Thats the biggest drop since 2017. Batteries are a central technology for addressing climate change. They power the electric vehicles were relying on to help clean up the transportation sector and play an increasingly important role for the grid, since they can store energy from inconsistently available renewables like wind and solar. Since EVs are still more expensive upfront than their gas-powered counterparts in most of the world, cheaper batteries are great news for efforts to get more people to take the leap to electric. And its hard to overstate how quickly battery prices have plummeted. Batteries were twice as expensive in 2017 as they are today. Just 10 years ago, prices were six times what they are in 2024. To be fair, theres been mixed news in the EV world this yeara slowdown in demand growth for EVs is actually one of the factors helping battery prices hit record lows. EV sales are still growing around the world, but at a slower pace than they were in 2023. China is the biggest EV market in the world by far, making up three-quarters of global registrations in 2024 as of October. Climate tech is still busy and bustling Looking back at the energy and climate stories we published this year, I cant help but feel at least a little bit optimistic about whats coming next. Some groups are looking to the natural world to address the climate crisis; this year, I covered a company working to grow microbes in massive bioreactors to help supplement our food sources, as well as researchers who are looking to plants to help mine the metals we need to fight climate change. Others hope to tweak biologymy colleague James Temple spoke with Jennifer Doudna about the potential for CRISPR, the gene-editing technology she pioneered. Companies are deploying air-conditioning systems that can act like batteries, storing up energy for when its needed. The US Department of Energy is investing in projects that aim to concentrate heat from the sun and use it to power the grid or industrial processes. I spoke to a startup looking to make hydropower technology thats safer for fish, and another building magnets using cheap, widely available materials. And in October we published our 2024 list of 15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch, which featured everything from a startup using AI to detect wildfires to a company giving supplements to cattle to help cut emissions from their burps. Climate change represents a massive challenge for the world, and were entering an especially uncertain time. Well be covering it all, the good and the bad. Thanks for being here this year, and Im looking forward to bringing you all the climate tech news you need in 2025. Now read the rest of The Spark Related reading If you need a dash of innovation and positivity in your life, might I recommend taking a gander at our list of 15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch? Whats more inspiring than young people working on the worlds most important problems? Our 2024 class of 35 Innovators Under 35 is sure to spread some cheer. If youre needing even more innovation, why not look back at our 10 Breakthrough Technologies? Exascale computers certainly help me put things in perspective. And get excited, because our 2025 list is coming very, very soon. NICO ORTEGA Another thing This year was filled with some exciting moments in technology, but there were also some failures. Here are a few of the worst technology flops of 2024. Check it out to see why voluntary carbon markets made the list and learn all about AI slop. And one more Youve almost certainly heard that energy demand from AI is huge, and only expected to explode in the coming years. A new preprint study aimed to quantify just how bad things are, and the researchers found that data centers accounted for over 4% of electricity consumption in the US between September 2023 and August 2024. And the carbon intensity of the power thats used is nearly 50% higher than the national average. Get all the details in the latest story from my colleague James ODonnell. Keeping up with climate Geothermal energy provides about 1% of global electricity today, but If things go well, the tech could meet up to 15% of global power demand growth through 2050. (Axios) Renting an EV over the holidays? This is a great guide for first-time EV drivers, including helpful tips about how to handle charging. (Bloomberg) Commonwealth Fusion Systems chose Virginia as the site for its first commercial fusion power plant. The company says the 400-megawatt plant will come online in the early 2030s. (Heatmap) I recently visited Commonwealths first demonstration site in Massachusetts. Its basically still a hole in the ground. (MIT Technology Review)The US Department of Energys Loan Programs Office just committed $15 billion to a California utility. Its the largest-ever commitment from the office. (New York Times) The US EPA will grant California the right to ban gas-powered cars by 2035. The agency has to give the state a waiver to set its own rules. (Washington Post) We can expect a legal battle, though. The incoming Trump administration is recommending major changes to cut off support for EVs and charging. (Reuters)China dominates the world of lithium-ion batteries. Some startups in the US and Europe argue that rather than playing catch-up, the rest of the world should focus on alternative chemistries like lithium-sulfur and sodium-ion batteries. (Canary Media)

Submitted by WA ContentsGiant ski resort features a 500-meter downhill slope with a pixelated multi-media faade in China China Architecture News - Dec 19, 2024 - 15:00 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Beijing and Shanghai-based architecture practice CLOU architects has designed a giant ski resort that features a 500-meter downhill slope with a pixelated multi-media faade in Wuhan, Hubei, China.Named Wuhan Ski Resort, the 178,000-square-metre structure comprises a variety of entertainment, sports, and retail facilities for groups around a central lake to form a super-large commercial complex, with architecture and facades in complementary scales of terraced three-dimensional pixels.Image Arch ExistSnow sports have gained popularity among China's younger generations as a recreational pastime thanks to the Beijing Winter Olympics, according to CLOU architects.This new kind of entertainment complex with a snow theme was created by the recently completed Wuhan Ski Resort, which combines real sports facilities with hotels, shops, theme parks, and other entertainment amenities. Professional sporting events, ski schools, and clubs are all included.Image Arch ExistWuhan Ski Resort, which is situated in the Huangpi district next to Mulan Ancient Town, is expected to become the area's new modern landmark. It consists of a large commercial complex that promotes snow sports year-round, with a central lake surrounded by a variety of entertainment, sports, and retail establishments.Wuhan Ski Resort establishes a new standard for all-inclusive entertainment with its well-balanced mix of outdoor theme park play areas, inside winter activities, and a connecting retail street.Image Arch ExistA unique super-sized complex where architecture and surfaces blend in complementary scales of terraced three-dimensional pixels, the masterplan combines carnival vibes, indoor and outdoor shopping precincts, watersports, and the abstracted vision of a mountain in an immersive experience.The complex is designed as a stage for 24-hour lakeside enjoyment. The framework of an integrative design language unifies three distinct building typologies of contrasting scale, enclosing three distinct leisure experiences.Image Arch ExistWuhan Ski Resort meets the desire for entertainment in one of China's most populated cities. Its 100-meter-high, half-kilometer-long indoor ski slope establishes a new standard for indoor winter sports. A vast outdoor carnival scene and a range of indoor and outdoor shopping options complement indoor snow fun.All of the components of a modular facade system include communal elements, which are subsequently decomposed and rearranged to produce identity in new synergies.Image Arch ExistIndoor-Outdoor urban living roomFoothills full of sports and nightlife venues spread towards the waterside, connecting plazas and retail streets with generously landscaped areas and interactive facades, below the half-kilometer long and 100-meter-high indoor ski slope with its pixelated multi-media facade.Image Arch ExistIndoor areas blend into the outdoors, revitalizing retail spaces both inside and outside with landscaping and entertainment options, and connecting to nearby transit hubs.Image Arch ExistImage Arch ExistImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioImage Shrimp StudioConcept diagramConcept diagramConcept massingConcept diagramFloor planFloor planFloor planFloor planCLOU architects completed a kindergarten with white stacked blocks that features colourful additions in their faades. In addition, architects renovated Beijing's Huijing Twin Towers with a three-dimensional and light-filled city courtyard in Beijing, China.Project factsProject name:Wuhan Ski ResortArchitects:CLOU architectsClient:Wuhan Urban Construction GroupLocation:Wuhan, Hubei, ChinaSize: 178,000m2Design Director:Jan F. ClostermannDesign team: Zhi Zhang, Sebastian Loaiza, Zihao Ding, Liang Hao, Yiqiao Zhao, Christopher Biggin, Principia Wardhani, Artur Nitribitt, Jing Shuang Zhao, Liu Liu, Yinuo Zhou, Yuan Yuan Sun, Haiwei Xie.Landscape designer:WATERLILY DESIGN STUIDIOFaade engineer:China Construction Shen Zhen Decoration Co., LTDLighting Designer: Zhe Jiang Urban Construction Planning And Design InstituteConstruction drawings: CSADITop image in the article Arch Exist.All images Arch Exist, Shrimp Studio.All drawings CLOU architects.> via CLOU architects

Joint statement highlights apprenticeships role in addressing skills shortages and meeting government growth targetsSource: ShutterstockThe RIBA has issued a joint call with the RTPI, the CIOB, and RICS, calling for built environment Level 7 apprenticeships to be exempt from proposed changes to the Growth and Skills Levy.The four institutes, collectively representing approximately 200,000 professionals across the built environment sector, argue that the funding reforms could hinder efforts to address skills shortages and undermine the Governments growth and net-zero commitments.The government announced earlier this year that Level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to a Masters degree, will recieve reduced funded through the Growth and Skills Levy. The change aims to shift funding priorities towards apprenticeships for young people and those at the start of their careers, as part of efforts to rebalance apprenticeship spending.Level 7 apprenticeships include RIBA Part 2 architectural programmes, such as the University of Cambridges Master of Studies in Architecture course. As part of the changes, employers are being encouraged to redirect funding towards apprenticeships for younger workers. This includes requiring businesses to cover more of the costs for Level 7 apprenticeships themselves.Universities have raised concerns that removing government funding could lead to their withdrawal from delivering Level 7 degree apprenticeships,exacerbatingthe skills gap across key sectors within the built environment industry.> Also read:Cambridge architecture apprenticeship produces first cohort of 16The institutes expressed concern that reduced access to levy funding would also limit employers ability to train or recruit Level 7 apprentices, potentially diminishing the sectors ability to meet the Governments stated growth objectives.In their statement, the organisations urged minister for skills, Baroness Smith of Malvern, that restricting employer access to levy funding for Level 7 apprenticeships could reduce the sectors capacity to meet increasing demand.The joint statement said:Built environment Level 7 apprentices play a key role in delivering the governments mission-led milestones of building 1.5 million homes over the course of this Parliament and the acceleration to achieving net zero. The governments recently published Plan for Change states that to deliver ambitions, it will require a rate of housebuilding and infrastructure construction not seen in over 50 years indicating an increased demand on capacity in an already under-resourced sector.As noted recently by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Plan for Change will require a cross-government approach. We strongly urge the government to deliver on that ambition by helping the built environment sector to address the skills shortage.The statement also emphasised the role of Level 7 apprenticeships in providing an additional route into built environment professions for individuals from underrepresented groups.

Historic England has spotlighted 17 of its most unusual buildings and places that were granted protection over the past year.The National Heritage List for England (NHLE) received 256 additions between November 2023 and November 2024 as well as 392 amendments to current listings.From a Brutalist church to paradise gardens, here is a handful of some of the most surprising items on the government advisors list:Broadmead Baptist Church, BristolSource: Historic England Archive1/7show captionBroadmead Baptist Church in the heart of Bristols Broadmead shopping centre is an example of post-war church architecture. Built between 1967 and 1969 to the Brutalist design of architect Ronald H Sims, it is locally referred to as the church above the shops.Retail on the ground floor provides income for the concrete-clad church facilities above, which internally features a sculptural timber screen known as the Cloud of Witnesses.The religious hub was the original base for Baptists in Bristol and the site has been used for worship since the 17th century, with the current church incorporating a collection of plaques and glass from the previous three iterations of the building.It was designated grade II-listed in August for reasons of architectural interest.The Mitre Inn, DudleySource: Historic England Archive1/5show captionThe Mitre Inn in Stourbridge was built between 1932 and 1934 to the Tudor revival design of Scott and Clarke Wednesbury, a firm responsible for many Black Country public houses during the inter-war years.The pubs exterior has black and white timber beams on the first floor and embellished glass windows. Meanwhile, the buildings interior retains its original fittings, including stained glass, bespoke fireplaces and a decorated ceiling.This style of pub became known as Brewers Tudor and marked a shift towards improved public houses that were aimed at attracting a growing middle class. This detailed design and history earned the Mitre Inn its grade II-listing in October.16 Warley Way, EssexSource: Historic England Archive1/3show captionBuilt in 1935 in the International Modern Style, Oliver Hills design focused on space and light. The detached house is compact and still has many of its original features, including curved walls, pine block floors and built-in cupboards.The open plan dwelling was the show-home of a planned seaside resort at Frinton-on-Sea that was never fully realised. Only 40 houses were completed on the 40-acre Frinton Park Estate development, which aimed to introduce modernist architecture to a wider audience. Of the 38 remaining homes, ten were designed by Oliver Hill.Alterations made to the flat-roofed house in later years such as the removal of the original metal-framed casement windows and tubular steel balcony rails were reversed in the late 20th century.Architectural and historic interest saw the property grade II-listed in March.Gardens and pleasure grounds at Brownsea Castle, DorsetSource: Historic England Archive1/6show captionThe early to mid-18th century garden was originally laid out around Brownsea Castle, a country house built on the ruins of a Tudor blockhouse on Brownsea Island. The landscape started as a small Arcadian pleasure ground and expanded in the 19th century across most of the island. Although a large part of the landscape was damaged by fire in 1934, the green spaces are now home to lakes, specimen trees, a network of walking routes and wildlife, including red squirrels.The castles walled garden is enclosed by historic brick walls and features a central sundial and a circular gazebo, while its terraced garden offers views across the open water.Brownsea Island hosted Lord Baden-Powells experimental scout camp in 1907 and is known as the birthplace of the scouting movement, as well as for its green spaces that reflect the evolution of English garden design.Wallasey Central Library, WirralSource: Historic England Archive1/4show captionThe Wallasey Central Library opened in 1911 with the support of prominent education charity the Carnegie Trust. Today, it stands out as one of the best-preserved Carnegie libraries with symmetrical facades in the country.Its Edwardian Baroque exterior is mostly terracotta-coloured, contrasting the aquamarine tiles along the lower walls and staircase. Meanwhile, the buildings original shelving, radiators and adjustable fresh-air vents are retained inside.The library became one of the earliest separate childrens libraries in 1915, marking a significant development of childrens library services in the early 20th century. It continues to serve as a childrens community library, following a remodelling to address Second World War bomb damage.Attached to the former Earlston House, which has been in use as a library since 1899, Wallasey Central Library, including Earlston House, was granted grade II-listed status in November.Former maternity ward at Princess Royal Community Hospital, HuddersfieldSource: Historic England ArchiveSource: Historic England Archive1/2show captionThe 1928 single-storey maternity ward was built in response to the 1918 Maternity and Child Welfare Act, which represented an important development in the provision of public healthcare for women.Designed in the Arts and Crafts style, well-ventilated single-occupancy rooms were chosen over traditional communal wards to raise the standards of infection control and reduce infant mortality.The ward formed part of the Huddersfield Municipal Maternity Home, established to give expectant mothers improved care. The facility also offered communal pavilion rooms and patios to enhance the wellbeing of recovering mothers post-partum and encourage socialisation.It spent 56 years as a maternity hospital until the last baby was born there in October 1984. It then became the Princess Royal Community Hospital.The former maternity ward became grade II-listed in August due to its historical significance and architectural interest, including itsrelatively unaltered exterior and interior with a good survival of original fittings and fixtures.Historic Englands 17 most remarkable heritage listings for 2024Former Maternity Ward, (Block 2), Princess Royal Community Hospital, Huddersfield (Grade II) HD1 4EWBroadmead Baptist Church, Union Street and 1 Whippington Court, Bristol, BS1 3HY (Grade II)Fingerpost at Toddington, junction of B4077 and Church Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DQ (Grade II)Tomb of Mary Ellis, 5 metres south of the south porch of the Church of St Clements, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 1AR (Grade II)Tomb of William Goodlad, in the churchyard of St Clements Church, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 1AR (Grade II)Tomb of Mary Anna Haddock, in the churchyard of St Clements Church, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 1AR (Grade II)Electricity Junction Box on Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield, HD1 5AY (Grade II)Cromford Mills, Derwent Valley World Heritage Site, Derbyshire DE4 3RQ (List amednment at Grade I)Browndown First World War Practice Trenches, Gosport (part of a wider list entry) (scheduled monument)The Mitre Inn, Lower High Street, Stourbridge, Dudley, DY8 1TS (Grade II)Gardens and pleasure grounds at Brownsea Castle, Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, BH13 7EE (Grade II park and garden)Wallasey Central Library, including former Earlston House, Earlston Road, Wallasey, CH45 5DX (Grade II)16 Warley Way, Frinton-On-Sea, Essex Co13 9pa (Grade II)Ashby Walled Garden, Heath Road, Ashby de la Launde, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 3BT (Grade II)Inglis Portable Military Bridge (light type) over the Basingstoke Canal, Hampshire GU11 2HJ (Grade II)Wonersh United Reformed Church, Wonersh Common, Wonersh, Guildford, GU5 0PJ Surrey (Grade II)Church of St Mary and lychgate, Church Lane, Crossway Green, Worcestershire, DY13 9SQ (Grade II)

Tallest building will be 42 storeysPlans to build two towers at the former Earls Court exhibition venue have been attacked by local residents, planning documents have revealed.The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC), a joint venture between Delancey, Dutch pension fund manager APG and Transport for London, lodged a 7.5 million sq ft masterplan for the 10bn scheme in west London in September.Architects working on the hybrid planning application include Maccreanor Lavington, Sheppard Robson, dRMM, Haworth Tompkins and Serie.How Sheppard Robsons 42-storey tower will lookOthers working on the development include consultants T&T, Cast, Hoare Lea, G&T and WSP.Two towers of 42 and 27 storeys, designed by Sheppard Robson and Maccreanor Lavington respectively, have been criticised as being too high, according to objections filed on Kensington & Chelseas planning portal. The other local authority determining the application, Hammersmith & Fulham, has not made comments publicly available on its site.Sheppard Robsons 42-storey tower will comprise 278 homes for open market sale as well as a lounge, workspace and gym at level one. Levels 39 and 40 would feature a double-height conservatory and private dining area with two terraces.Meanwhile, Maccreanor Lavingtons 27-storey tower will provide 202 homes and comprise a mix of studios, one to three bedroom flats and two town houses.But in a joint statement, the Kensington, Hammersmith, Fulham and Earls Court Societies and the London Forum Lillie Road Residents Association said the tallest tower is about the same height as the Walkie-Talkie building on Fenchurch Street and would dominate local views for miles around.ECDC said: We are committed to delivering beautiful, well-designed and sustainable buildings of the highest quality. Delivered in the first phase, our taller buildings will demonstrate the design excellence of the new Earls Court, putting it on the London skyline.In all, 4,000 homes are planned with the first residents expected to move in in 2030. Later phases will be built out over the following years with completion of the wider scheme scheduled for 2041.

The winner is Studio Weavewith Wright & Wright Architects, Webb Yates Engineers, Tom Massey Studio and Daisy Froud.The shortlist included Periscopewith Assemble; Publicawith Carmody Groarke; and EastArchitectureand Hayatsu Architects with Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Landscape.Collective Cultures comprising OMMX, AANF, Msoma Architects, YAA Projects with J&L Gibbons was also among the finalists.AdvertisementThis contest was only open to members of Lot 4 of the Greater London Authoritys Architecture + Urbanism Framework.The project is intended as a rapid, high-quality response to improve the museums arrival experience, which currently involves an open-air queuing system and a series of temporary tent-like structures for security screening. The central London museum receives more than 6 million visitors annually.The scheme is intended to serve as a precursor to a permanent project reconsidering the complexs relationship to its surrounding public realm. This is expected in a later phase of the museums ongoing regeneration masterplan.The shortlisted teams were asked to develop high-quality, flexible and sustainable proposals, with a clear end-of-life plan that will also account for the reuse of any structures erected on the site.The winning team will now work with the British Museum and local partners to develop the designs and prepare a planning application, with new pavilions expected to be in place by spring 2026.AdvertisementThe entrances competition sitesNicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said: As the most visited building in the UK, and one of the top three most visited museums in the world, first impressions count. With the visitor welcome pavilions were striving to create the most inspiring greeting possible for the 6.2 million people (and counting) from across the nation and around the world who come through our doors each year whether it's their first visit or fifteenth, aged five or 95.We were very impressed by Studio Weaves initial proposals. They perfectly balance athoughtful visitor experience while remaining true to the British Museums historic building. Im delighted to be working with them, and I look forward to leading the development of the designs in consultation with the London Borough of Camden and other key stakeholders to create something very special for everyone.Je Ahn,foundingdirector of Studio Weave, said: As Londoners, and long-term visitors, we are honoured to be part of this moment in the Museums history. With the entry, our team wanted to celebrate the British Museum as both a global and a local museum, and create an internationally exemplary space that will improve the experience of Great Russell Street and Montague Place for everybody.Our proposal aims to resolve complex issues on the site. The project will preserve the appearance of the historic Grade I-listed buildings, address the changing climate and look forward to the future of the institution. It will also introduce new soft landscaping and plants, dotted with engaging installations encouraging curiosity and becoming a memorable highlight of every visit.The winner announcement comes just four months after the British Museum revealed the five design teams shortlisted to overhaul more than a third of its gallery spaces and rework behind-the-scenes areas.It also coincides with initial design exercise models and images by the shortlisted teams going on display in the Museums Round Reading Room.The exercise asked each of the teams to provide visionary approaches for the project, alongside the outline design of a limited selection of museum displays, rather than to create concept designs for the scheme as a whole.That parallel contest, which launched before the welcome experience competition and has faced controversy due to financial backing from fossil fuel giant BP, focuses on the western area of the Grade I-listed museum, which currently hosts collections of Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artefacts.The job will be the museums biggest building project since the 1820s when work began on Robert Smirkes original Greek Revival-style quadrangle. The 100,000m museum has around 3,500 different rooms and features more than eight million items in its permanent collection.Three years ago, the museum named four architects on a 45 million construction consultancy services framework: Avanti Architects, Dannatt Johnson Architects, Nex Architecture and Wright & Wright Architects.Stanton Williams completed a new Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World at the British Museum in 2019. In 2014, RSHP completed the museums World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre extension.The entrances shortlistCollective Cultures (OMMX, AANF, Msoma Architects, YAA Projects) with J&L GibbonsEastArchitectureand Hayatsu Architects with Bradley-Hole Schoenaich LandscapePeriscopewith AssemblePublicawith Carmody Groarke[WINNER] Studio Weave with Wright & Wright Architects, Webb Yates Engineers, Tom Massey Studio and Daisy Froud

The winner is GPAD, POoR Collective, MRG Studio, Sutton Vane Associates, Cundall, and MDA Consulting, with their Beyond the Bridge proposal, which aims to boost community engagement, sustainability and safety while reflecting the rich cultural identity of Wandsworth.GPAD and POoR Collective said: We are delighted to be selected to design the Transformation of Falcon Road Bridge. We know the area very well, as the team have worked with local schools and co-designed installations nearby.We are super-excited to co-design another project in Wandsworth and to include local young people, residents and community groups throughout the process. This project gives opportunity for meaningful community engagement that will help shape the design to enrich the local environment for residents and visitors alike.AdvertisementWinner: GPAD, POoR Collective, MRG Studio, Sutton Vane Associates, Cundall, and MDA ConsultingThe other finalists included Adams & Sutherland with Studio ANF, make:good and Artin Light; andre kong studio with Arup and Kanda; Assemble with Samara Scott, Flock Together, Studio Dekka, Stinsensqueeze and Momentum; and Voice B4 Vision.Also shortlisted are Alvaro Barrington with Casswell Bank Architects, Aldo Rinaldi, Our Building Design, ARUP, and Stockdale; and Flanagan Lawrence with Social Space, Arup, Expedition, Light Follows Behaviour, Mo Almedia, Mark and Theo Chaudoir.Each team received an honorarium of 1,500 to further develop their designs and present them to a public audience for consultation. All seven designs were also displayed in three local locations and online with the public invited to submit feedback.The competition invited architects, landscape architects, designers and artists to draw up concepts for the poorly lit, congested and under-maintained town centre underpass, which would transform it into a new vibrant, artistic space connecting north and south Battersea.It also aims to improve safety and accessibility, create a pleasant and joyful environment for all users of the 100m-long route, and deliver a visually striking intervention that promotes sustainable travel while celebrating local heritage and diversity.AdvertisementThe winning team will now lead the fabrication and installation of their concept, to be completed by autumn 2025 to coincide with Wandsworths year as the Mayor of Londons Borough of Culture. The budget includes an indicative 12.5 per cent to cover design fees and other management costs.LFA director Rosa Rogina said: Beyond the Bridge beautifully embodies the spirit of transformation and inclusivity that is at the heart of the London Festival of Architecture. By weaving the voices and stories of Wandsworths communities into the design, this project celebrates local identity in a deeply meaningful way.We are thrilled to see such a visionary and community-focused proposal come to life, redefining Falcon Road Bridge as a landmark of connection, creativity, and pride for all who pass through it.Simon Hogg, leader of Wandsworth Council, which is backing the scheme, said: Im delighted to welcome the winning bridge design team to Wandsworth to help us make a real difference to the Clapham Junction area and involve local people in the project.As part of our Decade of Renewal, the makeover to Falcon Road Bridge will be paid for by property developers. This new bridge design will provide a better and brighter route and create a new landmark for the borough during our year as London Borough of Culture 2025.The Falcon Road Bridge covers a 100m-long stretch of road running underneath railway tracks at the eastern end of Clapham Junction station in the heart of Battersea. Source:Image by Kes EcclestonContest site: Falcon Road Bridge, BatterseaThe competition judges included artist Helen Cammock; Anthony Dewar, professional head buildings and architecture at Network Rail; Jagdip Jagpal, art curator and chair of UP Projects; and Satu Streatfield, specialist associate, night-time and lighting at Publica.The competition comes four years after an overhaul of nearby Thessaly Road railway bridge was completed by artist and designer Yinka Ilori. His Happy Street concept won an earlier LFA contest. Emerging practice Projects Office won an LFA competition to revamp a disused railway arch in Nine Elms in 2021.The Winning Design: Beyond the BridgeWinner: GPAD, POoR Collective, MRG Studio, Sutton Vane Associates, Cundall, and MDA ConsultingBeyond the Bridge transforms the underpass into a welcoming and inspiring environment, addressing key community concerns such as safety, lighting, and noise reduction. Central to the design is the concept of community ownership:Dynamic Lighting: Responsive and artistic lighting enhances visibility and celebrates local cultural events, creating a vibrant and safe space day and night.Green Gateway: A focus on air quality and biodiversity introduces pollinator-friendly plants and accessible micro-gardens.Community Wayfinding and Art: The underpass features a 'Memories of Wandsworth' wayfinding wall, co-designed with local residents, celebrating landmarks and stories through art and dynamic murals.Acoustic Comfort: Panels integrated with artistic elements reduce noise and improve comfort for all users, including neurodivergent individuals.The shortlistAdams & Sutherland with Studio ANF, make:good and Artin Lightandre kong studio with Arup and KandaAssemble, Samara Scott, Flock Together, Studio Dekka, Stinsensqueeze, MomentumAlvaro Barrington, Casswell Bank Architects, Aldo Rinaldi, Our Building Design, ARUP, and StockdaleVoice B4 VisionFlanagan Lawrence with Social Place, Expedition, ARUP, Light Follows Behaviour, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Mo Almedia, Mark and Theo Chaudoir[WINNER] GPAD, POoR Collective, MRG Studio, Sutton Vane Associates, Cundall, and MDA Consulting

The Chicago-based practice has submitted early drawings to the City of London Corporation for the redevelopment of 1 Silk Street, to replace an office building tucked into the north-east corner of Chamberlin, Powell and Bons celebrated Brutalist landmark.SOMs 100,000m proposal would demolish the existing 1980s office building on the 0.57ha site, formerly home to law firm Linklaters, to make way for a 21-storey office building comprising two towers.According to the scoping report, the proposed development would comprise a single building capable of being viewed as two separate east and west elements and capable of subdivision into separate tenancies. The existing substructure would be retained as the foundations of the new development.AdvertisementThe mixed-use scheme would include landscaped terraces, new public routes through the site and new open space and commercial space at ground level. Source:Google EarthExisting building at 1 Silk StreetSOMs early visualisations form part of a scoping opinion request for the site, submitted by developer Lipton Rogers on behalf of investor La Salle.The existing 1 Silk Street building currently dominating the site consists of two interlinked towers designed by Fitzroy Robinson Partnership the 17-storey Milton House to the east and 13-storey Shire House to the west featuring heavily glazed faades.The buildings were internally and externally refurbished to designs by Sheppard Robson between 1994 and 1996.The proposed redevelopment is to ensure that offices at 1 Silk Street align with new requirements that come into force next year for commercial buildings to have a minimum EPC rating of C.AdvertisementIn the scoping report, 1 Silk Street is described by environmental consultants Trium as a utilitarian office building that does not represent the best work by either firm of well-known architects associated with its construction and refurbishment.The consultants explain: Architecturally, the building is not distinguished, nor does it present an innovative approach to office design; rather, its current condition reflects the office requirements of the time of its refurbishment in the mid-1990s.The existing building is not considered to have any architectural merit, and it detracts from the streetscape as a result of the inactive frontages and lack of permeability.The proposed development seeks to improve the ground floor experience and introduce a building of higher architectural quality, explains the report.A full planning application is expected to be submitted next year and, pending approval, completion is scheduled for 2032.SOM and La Salle have been contacted for comment.