UNITED KINGDOM
Ruth Reed has become the first female president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which is celebrating its 175th anniversary. Reed is the 73rd president, taking over from the two year presidency of Sunand Prasad. She is currently course director and design tutor at the Birmingham School of Architecture and partner of Green Planning Solutions. "In becoming the first female president of the RIBA, I am proud to be part of a change within the profession to recognise and encourage the skills and careers of women in the sector," she said. "The profession as a whole needs to widen its membership to include architects from all social, racial and economic backgrounds to represent the diverse nature of our society."
UNITED STATES
Chicago's Old Main Post Office was sold to International Property Developers North America for $40 million at auction last week. Located just south of Chicago's Loop, the huge structure sits astride the Eisenhower Expressway and presents a strong opportunity for development. Suggested developments include a new condominium, office, and hotel space as well as a waterpark, casino and a giant mausoleum. Despite the fact that the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, it has been a financial burden to the postal service, costing almost $2 million in upkeep each year.
EGYPT
Perkins Eastman has been commissioned by the Talaat Moustafa Group to develop the masterplan for a 106 ha urban centre. The Madinaty City Centre is divided into three major zones, the first of which, Downtown, comprises a mix of residential units, office complexes and high-end retail. A hotel anchors the southern end of Downtown and provides a point of reference for the start of the Civic Spine, which is the second major zone. Included in this zone are cobblestone streets, sleek water elements, cafes, sports fields and neighbourhood retail. The final component, Uptown, is made up of residential, retail and office buildings, town squares and galleries.
RUSSIA
St Petersburg residents have protested the development of Europe's tallest skyscraper, The Okhta Centre, filing a lawsuit to cancel a public hearing on its construction, and arguing that it would stand too close to the 18th century Smolny Cathedral. Energy organisation, Gazprom, are attempting to build the 394m tall, UK-designed skyscraper, referring to it as an 'architectural gem' that will modernise the city. The UN's educational, scientific and cultural organisation, on the other hand, believes that the building will ruin St Petersburg's historic skyline. The Okhta Centre was designed by RMJM to house the headquarters of a Gazprom subsidiary.
