Snow-capped mountain to replace airport in Berlin, architects push for action on climate change and an up-and-coming UK practice to manage abandoned Cheesegrater site.
GERMANY
Jacob Tigges has proposed replacing the former Tempelhof airport with a 900m snow-capped artificial mountain, known as The Berg. The architect hopes the Berlin landmark will create an ideal location for skiing and believes that the project might encourage other cities in Germany to follow suit. The local media are supporting the idea, and it is expected that local residents, environmentalist and ecologists will also approve.
DENMARK
Architects will travel to Copenhagen next month to reinforce the building sector's untapped role in managing climate change. The RIBA and UK Green Building Council will both send representatives to the UN's Climate Change Conference (COP15). While no specific targets have been set for COP15, the EU is calling for a 30 per cent reduction in 1990 C02 levels by 2020. Cabe has also launched a report called Grey to Green which argues that switching public spending from "grey" projects like road building to "green" projects like parks and green roofs could help address climate change.
UNITED KINGDOM
Mitchell Taylor Workshop, an up-and-coming practice, is the favourite to design a temporary landscape on the site of the stalled Cheesegrater skyscraper. The firm overtook 12 other emerging companies to land the scheme with its city farm proposals. The scheme has been encouraged by the City of London's planning authority, which wants to open up the abandoned site, which may be left dormant for up to five years.
SWEDEN
A pressure group promoting urbanism, YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) is supporting a new development expected to be twice as tall as Stockholm's average, and with a 25-storey tower block. Despite the Stockholm Waterfront development being criticised by conservationists, YIMBY is optimistic about the city's extensive urban makeover and projected population boom. "We're positive about the city growing - we're happy to have new neighbours and more bars and restaurants and plazas," co-founder of YIMBY, Anders Gardebring told The Christian Science Monitor.
UNITED STATES
Miro Rivera Architects has received an honorable mention at the International Biennial Architecture Prize Competition for its unisex toilet. Made with a coil of 49 oxidised steel plates, the toilet sits on the north side of the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail. It has also won the American Architecture Award, and the firm describes the award as "the highest and most prestigious distinguished building award in the US." The restroom is apparently receiving rave reviews from its target audience.
