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18 November 2020 Unpublished

Petra Marko Leading Shifting Gear Think Tank at The London School of Architecture

Petra Marko with Steven Smith (Urban Narrative) are leading this year’s think tank at The London School of Architecture exploring the physical, social, political, cultural and economic dimensions of cycling. The pandemic has challenged many notions of co-habitation in cities and opened up opportunities to think differently about planning for the future. This summer the UK government announced a £2bn package to realise a travel revolution in England’s streets. Central to our approach will be to look at cycling and walking infrastructure as a ‘place’ – the journey as enjoyable part of people’s day-to-day lives. Members of the GLA Good Growth team will act as a sounding board for the think tank. Photo: A group of early female cyclists in 1899 (photo public via The Guardian).
3 September 2020 Unpublished

First Phase of Sky Park in Bratislava Opens

Phase one of the Sky Park development has been completed and is now open to the public. Marko&Placemakers developed an external spaces brief and landscape strategy for this 5ha development designed by Zaha Hadid Architects comprising 800 new homes and 50,000 square meters of offices, which forms a new extension of the city centre joining up the historic centre and a modern emerging 'downtown'.

17 June 2020 Unpublished

YIT Mlynské Nivy Masterplan Competition Win

Marko&Placemakers with Sadovsky&Architects have been selected as the winning team for the revitalisation of one of the largest brownfield sites in Bratislava, Slovakia. The invited competition run by the client, YIT Slovakia, sought the best urban concept that will transform this 6.5ha former industrial area into a modern and diverse city quarter with a mix of housing, services and quality public realm. Mitigation of climate change impact was a key consideration for the client. The jury commended our proposal for excellent public realm and environmental concept which seeks to restore local biodiversity and enhance people’s wellbeing. You can read the full press release here.

10 June 2020 Unpublished

VeloCity Selected to Develop a Green Vision for Blenheim Estate

VeloCity, an interdisciplinary collaboration including Petra Marko (Marko&Placemakers), Annalie Riches (Mikhail Riches), Sarah Featherstone (Featherstone Young), Kay Hughes (Khaa), Judith Sykes (Expedition Engineering) and Jennifer Ross (Tibbalds) have been commissioned to develop a green vision for Blenheim Estate. The vision for the 810ha estate surrounding the Grade I-listed Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire addresses the most critical issues facing rural communities today, including social and health inequality, lack of connectivity and declining community facilities such as schools, shops and pubs. The place-based vision proposes incremental change over three decades and will seek to support the estate’s ambition to become the UK’s first carbon-negative land manager. You can find out more about VeloCity principles here.

11 May 2020 Unpublished

Marko&Placemakers Selected for Architecture Foundation's Publication

We are delighted Marko&Placemakers have been selected for inclusion in New Architects 4 - the upcoming Architecture Foundation publication surveying the best British architectural practices established in the past 10 years. The book, which is the fourth in a highly influential series, will feature practices working across architecture, urban design, public space and related areas.

11 May 2020 Unpublished

Third Prize Senezh Campus Masterplan Competition, Moscow

Being connected to nature enhances productivity and improves our wellbeing. We are delighted to have won third prize in the invited international competition for Senezh Management LAB Campus on the outskirts of Moscow in collaboration with Chybik + Kristof Architects. Our proposal is a conceptual prototype of a new education model - one that puts the environment at the heart of learning. You can find out more about the project here.

12 March 2020 Unpublished

Modern Day Picturesque and Velocity Manifesto Published Online

Modern Day Picturesque, a VeloCity report co-authored by Petra Marko and Sarah Featherstone on the radical changes needed to secure the future of the countryside is now available online. You can read the Modern Day Picturesque report here. The report was launch at the RIBA London on 10th March as part of the Perspectives on Architecture Series followed by a panel discussion where Petra and Sarah were joined by Meredith Bowles (Mole Architects) and Hana Loftus (HAT Projects), chaired by Alicia Pivaro. Alongside this report, the VeloCity manifesto - Growing Villages Differetly, which was launched at the Oslo Architecture Triennale in September 2019, has now been published digitally - you can read the VeloCity manifesto here. VeloCity is a strategic approach to growth and placemaking centered on the re-imagining of the village for the 21st Century, co-authored by Kay Hughes, Sarah Featherstone, Petra Marko, Annalie Riches, Jennifer Ross and Judith Sykes.

23 February 2020 Unpublished

New VeloCity research at RIBA Perspectives on Architecture

Petra Marko and Sarah Featherstone will introduce the evidence–based research report, The Modern Day Picturesque at the RIBA Perspectives on Architecture series on 10th March. The research builds on VeloCity – a strategic vision developed by a team of industry experts that re-invigorates rural communities and looks at how we can grow villages differently by disincentivising car-use and making radical change to planning policies. Following an introduction to their research, Petra and Sarah will join a panel discussion with Meredith Bowles, Principal of Mole Architects and Hana Loftus, Director of HAT Projects. The panel will be chaired by Alicia Pivaro, a cultural practitioner and community activist. Find out more and book tickets here.

11 February 2020 Unpublished

Petra Marko at Creative Change Makers

Petra Marko spoke at Creative Change Makers about motivation and shifting role of architects responding to critical challenges of today. Run by Creative Conscience - a movement that promotes socially valuable and human centred design - the conference showcased positive effects of creative initiatives. Petra spoke on a panel alongside Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture, Design and Fashion at the British Council and Oliver Heath, an expert on biophilic desing.
9 December 2019 Unpublished

Museum of Architecture Transport Innovators

Petra Marko and Igor Marko are featured amongst 'transport innovators' at this year's Museum of Architecture Gingerbread City exhibition at Somerset House. Over 100 architects, engineers and designers using their design expertise have created this year's city exploring imaginative new ways of moving around our densely populated urban neighbourhoods.

23 September 2019 Unpublished

VeloCity at Oslo Architecture Triennale

VeloCity, our collaborative vision addressing the future of the countryside is exhibited at the Oslo Architecture Triennale, the Nordic region’s biggest architecture festival, and one of the world’s prominent arenas for dissemination and discussion of architectural and urban challenges.

2 September 2019 Unpublished

Petra Marko Judging Future Place RIBA Competition

Petra was on the jury panel for RIBA Future Place competition alongside RIBA President Ben Derbyshire and National Infrastructure Commissioner and Director of dRMM Sadie Morgan. The Future Place programme is about supporting five local authorities across England to develop visions to improve quality of life and the environment. You can find out more about the programme and winners here.  

 

18 July 2019 Unpublished

Petra Marko Chairing #infracafe on Circular Economy

Petra Marko chaired the #infracafe on Circular Economy at Kings Cross Skip Garden as part of her National Infrastrcuture Commission (NIC) Young Professionals Panel role. With speakers Joseph Henry from the Greater London Authority, Anna Webster from Interrobang and Rick Wright, policy lead on Nationala Infrastrcuture Commission waste recommendations, the discussion unpicked how strategic policies combined with bottom up enthusiasm can shape a regenerative approach to our planet where we make most of our resources and minimise waste. The event was organised with support of the National Infrastructure Commission and Central St Martins Spatial Practices.

21 June 2019 Unpublished

Igor Marko Keynote on Participatory Placemaking at City Forum Bratislava

Great atmosphere and lots of inspiration at this week's inaugural City FÓRUM Bratislava conference hosted in partnership with the Mayor of Bratislava. Igor Marko gave a keynote on participatory placemaking, Kristian Villandsen from Gehl Architects spoke about people-oriented design approach and Matus Vallo, Mayor of Bratislava talked about trust as a fundamental condition for a well functioning city. Photo courtesy of City Forum Bratislava
4 June 2019 Unpublished

Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency

Marko&Placemakers joins a growing group of UK architects in declaring Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, pledging to make a commitment to positive action to push for a paradigm shift in behaviour needed to reverse the devastating impacts on our natural environment. Find out more about the initiative here and about our approach to green pacemaking here.