NEW BOOK BY CHRIS JOHNSON - MID-RISE URBAN LIVING
Former NSW Government Architect and Former CEO of Urban Taskforce, Chris Johnson has written a book during Covid that promotes the mid-rise scale of cities like Barcelona, Paris and London as a positive alternative to both low rise suburban houses or high rise residential towers.
The book explores the history of this building type and its more recent interpretation in the UK, Europe, Asia and the USA as well as Australian examples. The research found that in the UK the Princes Foundation, which was set up by the now King Charles produced a report in 2014 titled Housing London: A Mid-rise Solution.
The book includes examples that incorporate greenery like WOHA’s Kampung Admiralty in Singapore and innovative projects by Dutch architects MVRDV.
More fluid designs by Zaha Hadid and Chris Bosse of Lava highlight this interesting direction for 6 to 8 storey buildings. Australian case studies are by FJMT, ARM, Turner Studio and Fox Johnston.
Examples of urban placemaking by this building type are included as well as a chapter on pro active initiatives through planning systems to promote this building type.
The book was launched in Sydney late last year by Planning Minister Rob Stokes along with the President of AIA (NSW) Laura Cockburn.
Currently available from Booktopia www.booktopia.com.au