ArchWeek - Up on the Roof

[Kevin Matthews]

Discussion related to this ArchitectureWeek story, Up on the Roof:

[lekizz]

Interesting example. Way to go! I wonder what the impetus was to build in this way, rather than demolish and rebuild.

Of course, this sort of intensive inner city development is not uncommon in major European cities. Unfortunately in the UK new building attracts a tax exemption, while refurbishment of existing buildings does not.

[Kevin]

Unfortunately in the UK new building attracts a tax exemption, while refurbishment of existing buildings does not.

Wow, that sounds pretty backwards from some fairly obvious broad public policy goals.

[lekizz]

Yes, it is completely perverse! Presumably a new addition on an existing building gets the tax exemption, but I'm not sure. There is a lot of 'facadism' in UK cities, which more or less equates to completely gutting and demolishing old buildings, retaining only the front wall. But I think our historic built environment is often only retained because of strict planning conditions and/or eccentric clients...