Latest news with #Architecture
Time Out
3 days ago
- General
- Time Out
London is getting a new museum all about brutalist architecture
The Barbican Centre, the National Theatre and Alexandra & Ainsworth Estate. The capital is absolutely brimming with brutalist icons, so it's only right that we should have an entire museum dedicated to these great geometric beasts of concrete. The UK's first ever Museum of Brutalist Architecture is to open inside the Grade II-listed assembly hall at Acland Burghley School in Camden. The assembly hall, housed inside the brutalist-designed north London school, will first undergo a big renovation, funded by the National Lottery. Acland Burghley School was chosen to host the museum as it is one of the UK's last remaining Brutalist school buildings. Its hexagonal assembly hall and nearby main school building, completed in 1968, was the only school designed by post-war architects Howell, Killick, Partridge & Amis. Although the hall was originally designed to be of wider community use, at the moment limited accessibility means this is not entirely possible. With the National Lottery's £1 million grant, the hall will have its key architecture features restored, alongside improved accessibility, new gallery facilities for heritage exhibitions, and become home to the Museum of Brutalist Architecture. The museum is being developed by Urban Learners. Harvey O'Brien, year 10 Acland Burghley student and Camden Deputy Youth MP, said: 'It's a great opportunity for both the school and the local community. It will allow us to do so much more and help so many more people.' Nicholas John, headteacher, said: 'This isn't just about renovating a building. For our neighbours, safe, accessible spaces like this Hall can be a lifeline. The Hall for All will give young people, families and community groups a place to connect, learn and belong and ensure that this treasured space remains accessible and inspiring for generations.' The timeline for the renovation and the opening of the museum hasn't yet been announced. We will update you when we have more information. The 25 best museums in London.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
US tariffs – Short-term shock, long-term opportunities for Asean real estate industry
KUALA LUMPUR: While the US reciprocal tariffs announced on April 2 have unsettled equity markets and export-driven sectors, property leaders believe the disruption could accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, sustainable construction practices and regional trade integration within Asean's real estate landscape. During a panel discussion titled 'Industry Countermeasures: Absorbing the Recent US Tariff Shockwaves' at the Asean Real Estate Conference and the Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition 2025, three prominent figures – Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) president Datuk Ho Han Sang, PropertyGuru Group's head of real estate intelligence Dr Lee Nai Jia and United Overseas Bank senior Asean economist Enrico Tanuwidjaja – said that while the new US tariffs – which are scheduled to go into effect on Aug 1 – bring short-term uncertainty, they also present potential long-term opportunities for the industry. Ho said Malaysian developers are bracing for softer demand in industrial, commercial and high-end residential segments as exporters negotiate who will absorb the higher costs. 'Profit margins will be squeezed as importers and exporters split the burden,' he told the audience. 'With higher prices, purchase volumes will drop and investors will be more cautious. Slower sales mean cash flow problems, and cash flow is reality; without it, there is no oxygen.' Ho noted that while most construction inputs are locally sourced, imported steel, aluminium and glass may see price pressure if the ringgit weakens. The first sectors to feel the pinch, he said, will be export-driven industries scaling back factory expansions, reducing office space needs, and curbing retail growth. Yet he also flagged bright spots. 'Tariffs on Chinese goods could redirect manufacturing to Asean, and a weaker ringgit may attract buyers from Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan into projects like Penang Silicon Island or the Johor‑Singapore Special Economic Zone.' Lee observed similar patterns across Asean. Using PropertyGuru's platform data, he described a three‑stage reaction: initial shock, quick normalisation and preference recalibration. 'After the announcement, views on listings in Singapore plunged, while Malaysia and Vietnam saw smaller dips,' he said. 'But people quickly remembered that housing is a long‑term need. What changed is their behaviour where buyers are gravitating towards more affordable, value‑driven homes.' He highlighted Singapore's Linton Woods project, which sold 94% of units despite tariffs, thanks to its proximity to transport and employment hubs. 'Integrated developments are resilient,' Lee said. 'The key is offering value and convenience.' He added that confidence in governance, stemming from Vietnam's policy reforms to Malaysia's interest rate cuts, continues to underpin the region's housing markets. From a macro lens, Tanuwidjaja said the tariffs underline Asean's need to boost internal trade and reduce dependence on external markets. 'Intra‑Asean trade is only 17%, compared to over 40% in the EU,' he said. 'We need to integrate, use local currency settlements, harmonise regulations and build supply chains that loop within the region.' While describing Asean as 'resilient', he warned that volatility will persist throughout the current US administration: 'Businesses must plan for turbulence, not a quick fix. The next midterm election in 2026 is the next real pivot.' He also urged governments and developers to prepare for technological disruption. 'AI will transform customer service, marketing and operations. We must retrain workers for higher‑skill roles like architecture, design thinking, project integration, because low‑skill roles are most at risk.' All three panellists stressed innovation as a pathway through the turbulence. Ho highlighted Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD), a platform that digitally unites 180 industry stakeholders to cut errors and speed approvals, as a game‑changer already deployed in Singapore. 'IDD minimises waste and aligns everyone from engineers to regulators,' he said. 'Speedier approvals, like Penang's recent 36‑day affordable housing clearance, reduce costs and help projects move despite headwinds.' Green technology also surfaced as a competitive advantage. Lee pointed to Vietnam's success in renewable energy during the first trade war. 'This is our chance to lead with climate‑sensitive design and ESG frameworks tailored to Southeast Asia's climate,' he said. Looking beyond domestic markets, Ho urged Malaysian developers to revive their overseas promotion campaigns, targeting buyers from Hong Kong, China, and Singapore. 'Our products are internationally recognised and competitively priced by Asean standards,' he said. 'With stable governance and award‑winning townships, Malaysia can stand out.' Tanuwidjaja echoed the sentiment: 'The higher tide will lift all boats but only if Asean rows together.' While uncertainties remain, the panel's tone shifted from caution to resolve. The tariffs, they argued, could catalyse Asean's next phase of growth by forcing integration, accelerating digital tools and prioritising sustainability. 'If you don't change, you'll be changed,' Ho said. 'This is the moment for our industry to reinvent and emerge stronger.'
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
AREC, ARCHIDEX Position Malaysia At Forefront Of ASEAN Real Estate
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The integration of the ASEAN Real Estate Conference (AREC) and the Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (ARCHIDEX) 2025 positions Malaysia as a regional leader in real estate and urban development within ASEAN. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the events — held simultaneously at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) — place Malaysia at the heart of regional collaboration, while showcasing ASEAN's urban development priorities to the world. He said AREC drives high-level policy dialogue and strategic insights from housing ministers, city leaders and developers, while ARCHIDEX complements it as Asia's leading exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge products, materials and solutions for architecture and the built environment. 'ARCHIDEX attracts over 56,000 visitors from over 110 countries, providing AREC with an influential international platform to elevate ASEAN's real estate and housing agenda to a global audience. 'Ultimately, our goal is to support the development and publication of practical, actionable and impactful strategies that reflect the unique social, economic and environmental context of ASEAN's housing landscape,' he said in his opening speech here today. Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, urged industry players and stakeholders to seize the opportunity during the four-day event to showcase new and emerging real estate innovations, and to foster collaboration among industry players. He said both events serve as a collaborative platform to address challenges in the housing and real estate industry, with the aim of building a resilient, inclusive and forward-looking sector. 'We believe in innovation, not as a luxury, but as a necessity for resilience and progress. From advancing green buildings and climate-adaptive design to deploying digital land systems and prop-tech (property technology) solutions, innovation must be the engine that powers our housing policies and urban strategies. 'It is how we make our cities smarter, our developments more efficient and our communities more liveable. I therefore call upon all ASEAN member states, our industry partners and international organisations to keep this momentum alive through working groups, joint research, investment facilitation and annual progress reviews,' he said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Nga spells out Malaysia's vision for Asean urban, housing transformation
KUALA LUMPUR: As Asean grapples with intensifying demand for housing and global economic volatility, Malaysia is stepping forward with a bold urban leadership agenda. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the region is now at the crossroads of three critical challenges – the intensifying housing trilemma, persistent geoeconomic shocks and a looming demographic surge. 'Within these challenges lies Asean's extraordinary opportunity. Our region is urbanising at an unprecedented pace. By 2045, 65% of Asean's population will live in cities. 'This means we must build not just homes, but entire futures – equitable, sustainable and inclusive,' he said at the Asean Real Estate Conference 2025 (Arec 2025) and the Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (Archidex), the region's largest built environment trade fair today. Nga called on stakeholders to rethink conventional development models, as Asean's property markets continue to be reshaped by currency fluctuations, volatile construction costs and rising energy prices. These forces, he said, are already leaving their mark across the region, with property sales declining 6% year-on-year. In Vietnam, luxury condominium prices have fallen by 8% due to inventory oversupply, while Singapore's rental prices recorded an 18% spike as economic uncertainty prompted younger buyers to delay homeownership. Meanwhile, the ringgit, which slumped to 4.80 against the US dollar earlier this year, has only recently begun recovering, further complicating materials procurement and project costing. 'These shocks are not transient. Just as the 2008 financial crisis permanently reshaped global banking, today's disruptions will fundamentally change how we build and finance real estate,' Nga noted. He also underscored the need to confront long-term structural shifts. Green features, once considered premium, have now become regulatory standards. At the same time, escalating land and construction costs are rendering cities increasingly unaffordable – even as urban centres remain vital economic engines. Globally, capital is being reallocated as investors recalibrate risk amid growing geopolitical fragmentation. Despite these headwinds, Nga believes Asean is well-positioned to adapt. He pointed to the region's historical resilience, noting that Asean's combined gross domestic product has grown from US$23 billion in 1967 to US$3.8 trillion in 2023. 'The question is no longer if change will come – it's about who will lead it, and how quickly. Malaysia intends to lead with innovation, inclusivity and regional collaboration,' he said. Highlighting Malaysia's rent-to-own (RTO) housing scheme as a model that balances affordability with aspiration, Nga noted that the country currently boasts a homeownership rate of 77%, with plans to increase this to 80% by 2030. Still, he acknowledged that homeownership is no longer the sole benchmark of stability for younger generations. 'There's a quiet revolution unfolding. Millennials and Gen Z across Asean are redefining what 'home' means. In Kuala Lumpur, 43% of individuals under 35 now prefer the flexibility of renting over owning a home through long-term mortgages. 'They're not rejecting stability – they're demanding mobility, access and financial headroom,' he said. Citing Vienna, Austria, where 80% of residents rent high-quality social housing, Nga emphasised the urgent need to enhance Asean's fragmented rental landscape. Malaysia's RTO model, he added, serves as a bridge between leasing and eventual ownership, delivering both affordability and upward mobility. To carry Arec's momentum forward, Nga outlined three key initiatives. First, he proposed institutionalising a Regional Housing Policy Lab to support data-driven policymaking and best practice sharing. Second, he recommended developing an Asean Urban Progress Dashboard to track affordable housing delivery and carbon reduction metrics. Finally, he called for Arec to be held annually under the rotating Asean chair to ensure continuity and foster deeper collaboration. As president of the UN-Habitat Assembly, Nga reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to fully implementing the New Urban Agenda, describing it as a blueprint for 'dignified homes for the 90 million urban citizens joining us by 2030'. He stressed that the future of housing must be anchored on three pillars – people-centred smart cities, climate-responsive design and innovative financing models. 'Let us stop quoting the New Urban Agenda and start implementing it – street by street, home by home,' he urged. 'From Jakarta to Hanoi, Bangkok to Manila, our fates are intertwined. Housing is not just about bricks and mortar. It's about dignity, stability, and building an Asean that endures,' Nga concluded. As the week-long events continue at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Malaysia is using its moment on the regional stage not only to showcase its design and infrastructure capabilities, but also to craft a forward-looking narrative centred on urban resilience, innovation and cooperation. Held under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship and in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival, the events are expected to attract more than 56,000 international visitors from 110 countries. Featuring 850 exhibitors across 36,700 square metres, this dual gathering is more than a celebration of design – it is a strategic platform positioning the region's real estate sector as a critical growth engine in an era of mounting uncertainty.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
KEAM Counselling 2025: CEE issues phase 1 seat allotment list at cee.kerala.gov.in
KEAM Counselling 2025: The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, has released the Phase 1 seat allotment result for the Kerala Engineering, Architecture, and Medical Examination (KEAM) 2025. Candidates who registered for the KEAM can view their allotment details on the official website at Those who have been allotted seats are required to pay the acceptance fee via online mode by July 25 to confirm their admission. The seat allotment list was prepared based on the preferences submitted online by candidates and includes information such as the candidate's name, roll number, allotted course and college, category of allotment, and details regarding the fee to be paid. The allotments are for admission into professional degree programmes offered across various institutions in Kerala. According to the tuition fee norms, candidates allotted seats in government engineering colleges are required to pay a caution deposit of Rs 1,000. However, those belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), the Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Other Eligible Communities (OEC) are exempted from this payment, as their option registration and token fees will be adjusted against the deposit amount. Additionally, candidates granted admission under the tuition fee waiver scheme must pay Rs 500 to confirm their seat. After making the seat acceptance payment, a student's next steps will depend on whether the candidate is satisfied with the current allotment. If they are satisfied with the seat allotted in Phase 1, it's advisable to await further instructions from the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) and the respective college concerning admission procedures and the document verification schedule. On the other hand, if a candidate is hoping for a better option in the upcoming allotment rounds, be sure to participate in the next phases of counselling as per the official timeline. As stated, regardless of the decision, for a safety perspective, store both the payment receipt and the seat allotment confirmation page, as these will be required during physical reporting and verification at the allotted college.
