Urbanism
Environment
Design

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We were pleased to find out that Home Improvements Knowledge Exchange project has been nominated for the RIBA President's Award for Outstanding University-located Research.

Home Improvements, an AHRC-funded Knowledge Exchange programme, aims to improve the quality and value of new housing by enhancing communication and knowledge exchange between volume housing builders and architectural practices. The project is a collaboration between the Universities of Sheffield (lead partner), Edinburgh and Kingston, in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA),housing industry stakeholders, including Taylor Wimpey, Design for Homes and Radian as well as 3 practice partners.

As one of the practice partners on the project URBED in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and Design for Homes prepared the Space to Park study. This tests assumptions about parking provision in residential developments using data collected on more than 400 new house schemes in Kent, six case studies, residents’ survey and focus groups.

Space to Park has resulted in a web-based, user-generated resource of best practice for those seeking parking solutions in new build residential developments.

Space to Park website

Its final report and findings were presented at a parliamentary launch in Westminster on 12th February 2014 by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Awards for Research promote and champion high-quality research and encourage its dissemination to the profession; they raise the profile of both architects and academics engaged in research, and highlight the need for research across the profession to foster innovation and strategic thinking.

Chair of the Judging Panel, Ruth Morrow, of Queen’s University Belfast, said:

"This year’s shortlist was drawn from the second highest number of entries in the history of the Awards and displays a remarkably diverse range of work.  The panel now have some excellent reading to do over the summer and the difficult but pleasurable task of allocating the awards in September."

The winners will be announced in October and will receive their awards on the 3rd December 2014 at the RIBA Presidents Medals ceremony in London.