City and Urban Environment

Reading time 17 minutes

Olympia Exhibition Hall, 3D model from single photograph Circa 2000,

Innovations in Architectural Social spaces

Architect in the Scottish courts which has has a long history of social improvement, informed me "architecture had the social impact removed from the professional training", where the social impact has long been my main area of interest, hence there where no courses at the time.

The Science of Sunlight in Architectural Daylight Analysis. And triggers debate on Climate Change see Smart City Eco Friendly.

Involved in three of the largest Architectural development projects in London for the past three decades, SEGAWorld at the Troccadiro Centre the largest new social attraction in London for the 1990's, the £9bn Battersea Power Station brownfield redevelopment 2006-2009 providing Skills training, Health and Safety and employment for local residence, adopted by Barking Riverside in 2015 Creating over 10,000 new homes. and was technical researcher for leading Chartered Surveyors in the City of London in the field Right for Light..and used to design Eco friendly homes light, heating and ventilation. and Innovator member Climate Resilience Demonstrator (CReDo)

Modern and historic architecture

Modern Art steams from post WWI when returning soldiers could no longer cope with normal family life after experiencing the horrors of War and often ending up living on the streets, unable to paint pretty pictures, Expressionist movement expressed themselves through juxtaposition contrasting shapes and colours, creating a feeling of disorientation, to relate to the Artist experiences.

Example of Modern Architecture, Angles that Juxtapose and buildings Juxtaposition with historic buildings, creating visual distortion of space and light.

Architectural forensics: daylight analysis

2012 Lead Researcher in daylight analysis for leading Chartered Surveyors in the field of party wall and Rights to Light and Daylight & Sunlight in the City of London with 200 years of experience, Validating Software used to analyse the impact proposed building developments have on their surroundings. i.e if new builds or modifications impacts access to daylight, compensation can be sort through the courts, alterations to the design to minimize the impact or have taken down.

Received one to one training in Daylight and Sunlight analysis from the professor of Nuclear Physics at Oxford University, arranged by leading UK legal expert on Daylight and Sunlight BRE Building Research Establishment Guidelines. Right to Light/Daylight and sunlight is one of the most complex things, which we take for granted.

Access to Daylight Analysis Townhouse with Winter Garden ADF, DIVA now discontinued MIT Labs tutorial link Autodesk Ecotech and others validating software.

i.e analyzing the proposed redevelopment of a medium sized single story, Residential Care home to a 6 story building and the impact this has on access to Daylight for the surrounding homes throughout the year, for architects to modify the design to lesson the impact on the neighbouring properties, and if disputes arise proof to reach a settlement in Court.

Daylight Analysis is the process of analysing real world physics properties light and heat values of daylight created by an Architectural structure or building using global location (GIS) Global information systems, this is used also in calculate the the Sun's Glare when planning Solar farms on flight pathways and landing approaches for Aircraft at Airports.

Architect Rafael Viñoly Wilkie -Talkie building famously made headlines as the Death Ray damaging cars in the street from the heat created by its concave glass structure focusing the sunlight. And other cases where architecture had to be modified because of the heat generated internally.

I developed an analysis process for the impact of solar glare reflected off Architectural glass surfaces i.e. line of sight of drivers at pedestrian road crossings through the seasons blinding drivers view ect.

Example of Architectural Solar Glare, Holbon Central London

Reporting research directly to the leading UK Party Wall legal expert, I was two degrees of separation from the person that manages Masjid al-Haram also known as the Great Mosque of Mecca, and the custodians of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Hindu Temple. which on the days of equinox the setting Sun passes through its windows.

note. Hajj 2023 being after the Covid pandemic was the highest attended, many worshipers where affected by the years extreme Heat, While Global temperatures become life threatening as the World warms beyond 1.5°C in 2023 the warmest year on records.

Innovator: National Digital Twin

Met scientist involved with The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago's Adopt a River Program in Dec 2019, asked to volunteer ideas to assist the water authority through the seven years of lower than expected annual rainfall, daily temperatures of 35°C, water rationing nationwide, ideas including collecting and simple water saving methods and education projects in schools. (the root cause being ailing infer-structure)

Newlyn Tidal Observatory, Calibrated and set Sea level height zero on Ordnance Survey maps. photo credit National geographic.

2023-2024 World's first year long breach of key 1.5C warming limit according to the EU's climate service.

National Digital Twin programme (NDTp) link, created by the Centre for Digital Britain at the University of Cambridge and housed at the Connected Places Catapult. improving resilience of vital infrastructure Water, Power and communications to the extremes of climate change. Auditing the network and Plan built in tolerance, servicing PM preventative maintenance, using PLM Product Lifecycle Management.

Example of Official corporate NDA medical 3D printing for the projects I can’t show the public.see MesicalTech

The importance of a introduction of a legal data sharing framework cannot be down played, with infrastructure i.e. Water, Power and Telecommunications, industry working together,while being behind the 3D technical presentation presented to Global News channels, My work had a 5 year £10m NDA, as my first job in industry restrictive practices. Meanwhile havingpolice and press interest, steeling the office bins to discover what we where working on.

Building in Fault tolerance into vital infrastructure for i.e. rerouting power encase of a problem to avoid blackouts, Similar to EEC Error correction code memory which detect and correct errors.

Watched a report on Al Jazeera April 2014 on the water shortages in Mexico City and was reminded of a mental health online survey on burnout of managers I commented on and liked by a senior water management for Mexico. See Public health Wellbeing

Thames Barrier use and flood maps predictions of London

A free collaborative, data-sharing approach designed to improve resilience to climate change to infrastructure, supplying Hospitals, flood protection etc, Examining the impact of extreme weather on energy, water and telecom's networks, the Climate Resilience Demonstrator (CReDo) now adopted by 77 countries around the World. (see conservation)

Podcast

Met the architects involved in designing the London 2012 Olympic stadium’s, and legacy of regional regeneration Computational design research group Zaha Hadid Architects discussing Olympic projects including London 2012 Aquatics Stadium Stratford East London, and the design of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium at Google Campus, (see MedicalTech illegal drug testing) Became Google 3D Mentor for start-ups, and undertook Google social media marketing.

Had the great pleasure of attending the London 2012 Paralympics. the Mens 100m T44 Described as one of the greatest Paralympic moments of the decade, An electric night where 19 year old World Record holder Britain Jonnie Peacock beat the Blade Runner the South African Oscar Pistorius, in the T44 final with a Paralympic Record time of 10.9 seconds to win the Gold Medal. see MedicalTech Pistorius went on to spent a decade in prison after being convicted of killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door in 2013.

Building design centre Architecture centre and galleries with exhibitions related to contemporary building and design. Tottenham Court Road, Warren Street. enjoyed an exhibition at the Building design centre showcasing flagship urban redevelopment projects building new homes across London on display, included Solar panels generating household electricity and feeding excess back into the National Grid, units capturing humidity and reclaiming heat improving ventilation and reducing energy costs.

Designed for families like my own Key Workers. Low paid essential workers in education, healthcare and the emergency services, who are forced out of the capital by the high cost of living, Found my own street in the exhibition. A known area of serious concern In 2006 Local elections the far right BNP British National Party won 17% of votes seen in Channel 4’s 2010 documentary Tower Block of the Commons, and a research project for University architecture students.

Castle Green Estate, Tower Block of the Commons

“Don’t just lesson to what you want to hear, blaming others for your own problems are the tactics Hitler used" where the wise words of my grandfather a policeman called down from Scotland after WWI as Mosley's Black shirts attempted to align Britain with fascism Europe causing weekly riots in Londons East End docks. Telling children they are the future was similar to saying the Sun will rise tomorrow.

This is where my family was racially assaulted in the street after prolonged anti social behavior by people claiming to be Romanian's. who used European Far right tactics to tie up the Local authorities legally to spend their finances, into miscarriage of justice in the Courts, while we continued in improving mental health, highlighted to the Authorities issues in the support of victims of domestic violence. a Police unit from Romania was attached to local police and anti social behavior unit for the influx of criminal activity.

Archeological Surveying

A 500-kilogram WWII un-exploded ordnance (UXBs) was discovered during preparation work for the extension work to London City Airport, across the Royal Docks from UEL University of East London in the London 2012 Olympic Boroughs. Since the Second World War the discovery of un-exploded bombs has a relatively regular occurrence in towns and cities across the UK and Europe.

Identified the location on their newly developed 3D interactive archaeology CAD survey of the UK at the Hartree Centre created from planning records, and geography indicators developed to help protect archeology and help avoid unforeseen costly construction development delays.

London City Airport (left) across from East London Uni Library (right) at the Royal Docks, US Olympics team accommodation during London 2012.

Knowledge Dock technical workshops UEL University of East London, health and safety issues reporting to site safety manager and occupational health.

Fire Safety advice

Lived on a housing estate in East London named after a family who lost their lives in Islamophobic fire bomb attack, and after the tragic Grenfell Tower Block disaster in 2017, Invited Fire Service to carry out a home inspection of New build urban housing estate.

Created multiple copies of windows keys kept around the home, to clear smoke and easy exit in case of fire.. The Fire Chief said it was the smartest thing he had ever heard. (see Arch) Sadly during COVID in Trinidad a short distance away children passed away locked behind intruder protection unable to find the Burglar proof keys to escape.

Bio printing skin
Safety Advice: Staying somewhere and there appears to be only one exit find somewhere else, New build office block with car park below and what appears to be a single exit into car park.

Urban Regeneration: 10,800 new homes

Met the site Manager for BRL Barking Riverside Ltd's link (4th May 2017) as a Cultural Connector invited to the Barking Riverside development Project office, a joint venture between L&Q London leading housing association operating in the Greater London Area, Quadrant group, the Mayor of London. building 10,800 new homes on the largest brownfield development sites in Europe, encompassing 443 acres on the former site of Barking Power Station alongside 2km of south facing Thames river frontage.

Barking Riverside Ltd, 3D printed master-plan model (see Eng) SLA model 3D printed by Hobs3D in Startford East London, a short distance from the Building Crafts College.

Promoted the concept of providing local residents with skills training, Health and safety and employment on site as we delivered by Battersea Power Station, which L&Q adopted, working with local Job shops in the vicinity of schools and established training center in the local area, and met local employment services provider and discussed the delivery of the service.

Jan 2023 L&Q took ownership of the first 167 homes of which 115 units are socially rented homes.

Housing under construction, Fielders Crescent, Barking Riverside

L&Q Living care for the most vulnerable people living across a range of properties, tenures and communities.

As the principal researcher for the leading chartered surveyors in the City of London in the field for Right for Light, Members of the professional body the RICS Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have the responsibility to identify possible money laundering activity.. new legal measures where introduced following the invasion of Ukraine to prove the true identity of purchaser’s and owners, to reduce money laundering which has inflated the property market.

Foster + Partners model making workshops

Invited to Foster + Partners model making workshops, (July 2013) Animation, 3D printing at Riverside on the Thames, a short distance from the RCA Royal College of Arts Battersea, received a Thanks from Partner, Head of model making who operated the Viper Si2 at the RCA Royal College of Art, RapidFormRCA Prototyping department. (see medi) Norman Foster, Pompidou Centre exhibition 2023 link

Riverside at Foster + Partners London

Blind Architecture graduate approached me to help him start 3D printing Architectural models for the visually impaired, companies focused on profit didn't giving him time of day, he was very appreciative of the free technical support I provided, he was ahead of his time in planning for disabilities, I didn't ask his ethnicity. if you think the concept is amusing its similar to the rest of you having a creative idea and commissioning work by a skilled professional, and call yourself a designer.

Site Health and Saftey Training and Local employment

Urban Redevelopment on brownfield industrial site: Retail, New Homes and local Job creation.

One of central London’s largest new developments costing £9bn, 19 acres of public space on the South Bank of the river Thames, Battersea Powerstation and Electric Boulevard shopping and leisure destination opened in Autumn 2022.

Ran satellite training college for Lambeth College onsite between 2006-2009 providing construction skills and CITB construction Industry Training Board CSCS Construction Skills Certification Scheme training, ensuring the workforce are appropriately skilled and qualified the CSCS card plays its part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites, obtained Professional design management CSCS for Architectural design and safety planning. and trained on the Hoist lift in case of the need to evacuate site.

Battersea Powerstation, Lambeth College satellite training Centre in onsite Porto-cabins office, classrooms and workshop. Title “Another brick in the Wall”

CSCS professional Passed

Health and Safety, professionally Qualified Person i.e. ensuring everyone working onsite is adequately skilled and can Identifying and use the different types of fire extinguishers, The correct PPE personal protective equipment is provided and worn at all times, electrical equipment is handles and stored correctly, and manual handling is carried out in a safe and proper manner.

Diagram Shows reduction in work related illnesses over 10 year period since the introduction of H&S measures. largest reduction was in Musculoskeletal disorders while there was an increase in stress related conditions. See MedicalTech skeletal and mental health.

Delivering Construction Skills training and employment to local residence a requirement on the re-developer of The largest brick built building in Europe, Grade II* listed decommissioned coal-fired Power Station, Originally designed in the 1930s by the UK's renowned architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the Project was visited by the Rt. Hon Gordan Brown FRSE the UK labour Prime Minister of the day.

Construction skills to work program partnership members

  • Lambeth College
  • The Power Station Job Shop
  • Learning Skills council
  • Lambeth council
  • The Job Centre Plus
  • Treasury Holdings

Construction skills to work program event Richard from Power Station Job Shop presenting in Nine-Elms, training centre operated by three staff myself included.

(Image credit: Warner Music) the iconic Battersea power station under restoration work, see historic building conservation. featured on Pink Floyd 1977 album Animals 2018 remix artwork.

Most Considerate Site Award

Congratulations to Sir Robert McAlpine, BatterseaPhase 3A team after the project was named Most Considerate Site Award Runner Up in the £50M and over category.The judges praised the levels of innovation and community engagement on the project, hailing it as: “a shining example of devotion to continuously improve the standards within the industry.”

Public Amenities

Involved in Campaign for London public swimming pools, producing awards 2005 ceremony took place Carnerby street Grade II listed Marshall Street Leisure Centre and Spa opened in 1931.

Saving grade II listed Ladywell Baths built in 1886 from closure used as NHS Lewisham hospital swimming pool by out patients for exercise and physio during the prolonged planing and developed of the Glass Mill leisure centre 20min walk away. This triggered my interest in historic building conservation which I gained distinctions in all units. See protected Arch Heritage.

SEGAWORLD: Trocadero centre, London

Modeled the Architectural Interior of Europe's first and the World’s largest indoor theme park, SEGA's flagship venue in Europe and the first SEGA theme park outside of Japan. £45m refit of the Trocadero centre in London's Piccadilly circus, equivalent to £92m in today's money, over 7 floors with 400+ arcade machines and 25 major attractions, the Largest visitor attraction built in London that decade, It's estimated at it's height it received 4 million annual visitors.

SEGAWorld Article - CVG Computer + Video Games Magazine UK - Issue 175 June 1996

The 20th Bafta Games Awards rank Sonic the Hedgehog as the fourth most popular character of all time. April 2024

One of the first commercial Architectural 3D CAD fly through outside of IBM's Labs, SEGA Europe’s indoor VR Virtual Reality theme-park, the Trocadero centre in London's Piccadilly circus, operated as a joint-venture between Chorion, the owners of the Trocadero and SEGA. Design pitch to RTKL clients SEGA produced by myself and Bosnian award winning architect / animator Darko Predanic. The studio was ArtiWisdom, 41 Windmill Street. off Charlotte St London West1.

SEGAWORLD London token, the theme park's attraction was its selection of 400+ coin-operated arcade machines.

The interior was produced on Intel 386mhz upgraded to a 486mhz processor with 8mb ram using 3D Studio in DOS the predecessor to today's Autodesk 3DS Max, which started out as a modelling and visualization tool to work along side AEC Architectural, Engineering and Construction software tool AutoCAD, and has gone on to be used in Animation and Gaming industries for visualisations and develop the majority of PC and Console games.

Rendered animation for RTKL's presentation to SEGA Amusements group ltd

While illuminating the scene was visited by the computer scientist who developed Blinn Phong renderer which photo-realistic Real-Time Ray Tracing simulations utilise with modern GPU's. the lighting professionals that where brought in, gave me a piece of black card with a dozen coloured crayons lines on for the lighting design. see daylight analysis.

Early Render SegaWorld, Trocadero Centre for Architects RTKL side projection

Recent Guardian newspaper article on the SEGAWorld link

SEGAWorld was opened to the public in Sept 1996 followed by NAMCO opening Namco Station located on the ground to basement levels of County Hall. In Aug 1997.

C20 Society

The national charity campaigning to protect Britain's modern architectural and design heritage.

A portal to a new world': Memories in the @guardian of SegaWorld at Trocadero, a slice of 1990s neon high-tech Tokyo in London's Piccadilly Guardian newspaper article in GamesLink

Having been at the first screening of AKIRA at the ICA and invited to be on the panel of expert for MANGA on future of robotics.

International Journal Social Spaces Vol I containing SEGAWorld Trocadero Centre, available @ London's hub for the built environment, The Building Centre, Architecture, Engineering and Construction AEC, Specialist bookshop.

SEGAWORLD for architects RTKL Associates Inc, and part of SEGA Amusements group ltd Corporate Video link

SEGAWorld opened its doors in Sept 1996 when the contract ended in Sept 1999 as SEGA struggled financially with attendance and piracy with its Dreamcast console the interior transferred to the popular Funland amusement arcade and continued to operate until May 2011, after it was associated in the Media with the increase of young gangs Triad and other ethnicity organized drugs and violence.

International architectural journal Social Spaces Vol I containing The SEGAWorld Trocadiro Centre.

Today part of the Grade II listed building has planning consent for a Islamic community centre on the ground floor and the Troccadiro centre cinema is being turned into a long sort after Mosque for central London, I’m sure the correct due diligence was carried out, and I personally feel honoured that’s something I worked on is being turned into a place of worship for the Muslim community.

"While the Centre will provide an area for prayer, it is also anticipated that this development will nurture much needed interfaith dialogue," the Aziz Foundation said.

TRUST FOR URBAN ECOLOGY Registered Charity No: 278601 (wellness)