The World Architecture Festival entered its fifth year this October in Singapore, a celebration of architects, architectural achievements and professionals in the area, 2012 saw nearly three hundred entries from all corners of the world. Entries fell into three categories; completed buildings, landscape and future projects. Below are ten winners from this years awards including the winner of the World Architecture Building of the year.

1.The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

The Hospital in Melbourne won an award in the health category, the Royal Children’s Hospital designed by Billard Leece Partnership and Bates Smart was inspired by the nearby surrounding park. The six storey atrium inspired building contains green spaces including an aquarium, all the rooms in the wards also provide views over the courtyard and gardens. The judges praised the design for “successfully overcoming the stigmas often attached to hospitals.”

2.Tokyo Tsutaya Bookstore

Designed by Klein Dytham Architecture the judges commended the bookstore stating it “proposes a new direction combining retail with social experiences, and integrating online retail with a tactile, physical experience.” The use of the brand logo creates an iconic building without heavily relying on signage, the lattice effect of the letter ‘T’ reflects the logo of the entertainment company Tsutaya subtly but with effect leading the firm to a win for the Best Shopping Centre.

3.Shearers Quarters, North Bruny Island, Tasmania

Set on a working sheep farm and designed by John Wardle Architects the property won the award for the best Villa, with its galvanised iron exterior and timber interior the simplicity and use of materials to sensitively interact with the environment was noted. The villa is used by farm workers and visitors.

4. Bodrum International Airport Terminal

Tabanlioglu Architects managed to lead passengers clearly through the terminal with their accessible designed airport, winning the best building in the Transport Category. The judges noting that the “complexity of the airport brief is resolved with openness and clarity.”

5. Binh Duong School, Vietnam

The building won the award for Best School, the design was undertaken by architects Vo Trong Nghia, the caged balconies allow open air access around the building whilst protecting pupils from adverse weather conditions in the area.

6. London Art and Design College, Central Saint Martins

Closer to home, the capital won the award in the Higher education and Research Category. Designed by Stanton Williams, the project was commended for “showcasing a sensitive relationship between old buildings and new volumes.”

7. Apartments in Montenegro

Designed by Indian firm Sanjay Puri Architects this stack of apartments was inspired by the nearby old town rooftop patterns, the proposed design includes two commercial floors with nine floors of apartments above.

8. Liyuan Library, Beijing, China

Clad in firewood with low level shelves and integral seating the library blends seamlessly into its environment, the locally sourced wooden sticks provide the exterior for the building and the level changes throughout the interior of the library provide innovative spaces for visitors to read. The library was designed by Chinese architects Li Xiaodong.

9. Victoria Tower, Kista, Sweden

Standing tall in Stockholm this iconic building won the award in the Leisure/Hotel Category. Clad entirely in coloured glass it stands out as a colourful prism of light in the city. The architect responsible for the hotel that doubles up as a office and conference venue is Wingardh Arkikektkontor AB, there is also a ground floor restaurant in the building.

10. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

The World Building Winner was Gardens by the Bay, the brainchild of Grant Associates and Wilkinson Eyre Architects. A substantial tropical garden dominated by tree shaped towers and large greenhouses in the shape of shells with a 30 metre man-made waterfall, Gardens by the Bay is the largest project of its kind in the world, with Singapore hoping the gardens will put the area on the map for horticulture and gardening. The design team behind the world class design are in fact British and based in Bath, the judges commended the architecture as “awe inspiring in its scale and form.”

Projects from all over the world were short-listed for the World Building 2012 title, with an influx of entries from countries in Asia this year, but the UK did not fare badly, below are note worthy buildings in England, Scotland and Wales that were also nominated for the award.

• Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama by BFLS
• The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
• Soundforms, London
• Manchester Metropolitan University, Business School and Student Hub
• Roch Castle Retreat, UK by Aedas Ltd
• Dagenham Park Church of England School by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
• South Glasgow Hospital by Nightingale Associates for Future projects.

Ever dreamed of a country break? Away from all the usual hubbub of the city: the lights, the noise and the traffic? If the answer is yes the following places could be the perfect place for your next vacation or even a more permanent move.

Thought to be the most isolated house in Britain, the stone cottage (pictured) came up for sale in December 2011,overlooking the Isle of Sky on Scotland’s Knoydart peninsula, with no road to the stone cottage and the nearest village nine miles away it would take you three hours on foot to reach civilisation. If you need to call to the shops or post office you’d have to take an hour-long boat trip to another village but on the plus side you needn’t worry about annoying the neighbours.

St Kilda, is located more than 40 miles out in the Atlantic, in the Hebrides, a remote area of the United Kingdom, the four Islands once occupied by a community of a hundred lived mainly off the puffins, seabirds and gannets that gathered here, however in 1930 the remaining 36 occupants left for mainland Scotland, their presence remembered by the abandoned houses on the main road of Hirta, the largest island. Although you cannot stay here you’ll certainly experience the sense of wildness; a place in essence that is still untouched.

If access to Twitter, Facebook, Wi-Fi, mobile reception and sky television is what you after, the following getaways should be avoided. Purton Green in Suffolk is the only building left in what was once a village, the only house still standing of the ‘lost village’ the building is not accessible by road, but a wheelbarrow is provided to ferry your belongings to the property.

Skiary, Loch Hourn in the Highlands claims to be Britain’s most remote guesthouse, again there is no road access but a boat picks up guests from the head of Lake Hourn, with no electricity, evenings of gas lamps and board games are abundant, if fish is on offer for supper it is sure to have been caught by the young couple who own the property in conjunction with their self sufficient attitude.

For something a little more extreme, that you may well need Bear Grylls survival skills for, these other properties also came to our attention:

Sudentendeutsche Hut even has its own lake.

Meteora in Greece: a group of monasteries that stand on rock pillars.

A stand-alone house Vestmannaeyjar islands in Iceland.

One thing is for certain, for all the splendours of such space; the opportunity to gaze up at the endless stars as you reside in the middle of nowhere, live by candlelit and severe all ties to the modern world, a visit to one of the above is sure to make you appreciate the little luxuries in life upon your return home.

How does an apartment in Paris for a long weekend sound or a seven-bedroom mansion in America for two weeks or maybe a fortnight in Greece would be more your thing, alongside a new years break later in the year over looking Sydney Harbour? All whilst your home is occupied, your pets looked after and you experience a real taste of life abroad in someone else’s house. The increasingly popular trend of the holiday house swap is booming, especially among the middle classes and a look on the Guardian’s reputable house swap site and it’s easy to see why.

With worldwide properties on offer from the most basic to the incredibly luxurious, those that are property rich but cash poor are finding the ideal solution for an affordable holiday. The benefits of house swapping not only include the issue of affordability but also allow you the opportunity to live like a local, immersing yourself in someone else’s life in that country.  Many of those who have taken part in a swap report the benefits of experiencing the culture of the country through house swapping.

It is easy to see why people are wary of the idea, visions of strangers rooting through personal belongings fill many with dread, the concerns often also surround safety but then home exchangers are all in the same position so are likely to experience the same anxieties about leaving their homes, which often results in added respect for one another’s properties and belongings.  Many of those who take part in holiday home exchanges arrange a friend or neighbour to pop over or overlap the holidays so they are able to meet the exchangers face to face, added to this many who exchange spend months emailing, chatting, so they feel like they know one another.

The occasional complaint is inevitable but usual is a minor quibble over house keeping standards, with reputable sites such as The Guardian offering membership to their home swap service for £35 per year, a browse through the houses on offer and it is easy to see the appeal, with houses in a variety of beautiful destinations across Europe or further a field.  A browse through properties in France and a house in Soustons, Aquitaine on the South West coast of France is pictured, a lovely family home that sleeps eight offering an exchange for somewhere in Cornwall, the family are even willing to look after your pets, it is hard to deny the convenience of such arrangements.

Ever envisioned living on a picturesque Greek island? One of the houses listed is situated in the beautiful Skopelos Town, on Skopelos Island, a maze of cobbled streets and white washed houses could be your home for six to nine months from November, some long term exchanges are offered on the website so you can really immerse yourself in another culture without worrying about the cost of a long term stay or an empty home in the UK.

It is apparent that the UK and London are the preferred destinations of many house swappers and with opportunities ranging from a long weekend in the heart of Florence, to an apartment overlooking Vancouver Harbour Beach front in Canada, it is hard to see why it may not be worth giving this economical way to travel a chance.

London is pretty big. 607 square miles big. Considering that Wikipedia-supplied piece of trivia, once you find yourself settled in a particular area of the city, it can be exhausting just to think about heading all the way across town for… any reason at all, really. Luckily, each section of the city is packed full of an incredible assortment of things to do – so many that if you don’t really want to leave East London, for example, you don’t have to leave East London. (Cue nods of approval from the lazier of us.) So in support of being lazy while being totally not lazy – i.e. getting out there and trying something new in the most convenient way possible, here’s TasterLab’s list of things to do in London by location. So you can get out of your comfort zone while not really getting out of your comfort zone. It’s a win/win.

Central London

For the ultimate in health-conscious convenience, check out pilates in Central London for free with a taster class at Shoreditch Pilates and get a full body and mind workout. Looking for something a little more intense? Take a similar experience and just add a heated room for three, half-price sessions of hot yoga in London – specifically, Convent Garden. After all of that movement and stretching and whatnot, you’ll surely be ravenous. After two hours of half-priced cooking classes with the Smart School of Cookery on Wigmore Street (W1U), you’ll be able to successfully feed yourself and whoever else always suspiciously arrives at your flat at meal times.

North London

Care for a tipple or two in Camden? Head to Shaker BarSchool’s half-priced cocktail making class and you’ll get to enjoy delicious drinks while learning some impressive bartending skills. If you’ve been debating on trying anything in the dance or martial arts genres – consider combining the two and checking out a capoeira class with Capoeira Uniao. They’ve got three North London locations, and it’s only £3.50.

South London

For those musically inclined… or at least attempting to become musically inclined, we’ve got free tasters for everything from beginner piano lessons to a private class to learn to play guitar with Cherry Pie Music on Kingston Road, SW19. For something a little more physical, outdoorsy and… interesting… try a poi spinning lesson with Perfect Circle Poi.

East London

Take on an artistic endeavor with 16 hours of painting courses in London at the London Academy of Art for half-price. That will surely leave you with at least one new piece of refrigerator décor if nothing else. If you’re interested in doing some urban exploration and getting super fit, check out a free session of outdoor gym in London with Rat Race. New activity, new friends, out in the fresh air – check, check, check.  And if you want to combine your pursuit of mental and physical fitness plus achieve the ultimate in relaxation, how about  Tai Chi classes with Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy on Bethnal Green Road.

West London

If you’ve been considering trying anything within the realm of physical fitness, here’s an all-inclusive option – a 49% discounted month of membership at a Richmond Gym – Your Gym. They’ve got spinning, Power Plates, and just about anything else you need to achieve your most fit body. If dance-y, nightlife is more your speed, you can try a salsa class with City Salsa for £4, and they’ve got locations all over South (and Central) London.

Guest post from: TasterLab!

If you walk through central London the investment in regeneration of the city is glaringly obvious since London won the bid to secure the 2012 Olympic games seven years ago. The Olympics impact is not isolated to the sporting world, host countries have long since reported a secondary economic effect, with an estimated 900,000 extra visitors expected in August on top of the 1.5 million tourists who flock to London every summer it is sure to boost the market, but what can we expect in relation to property prices in the capital city post Olympics?

Research carried out by Lloyds TSB suggests that since winning the bid in 2005, there has been a sharp increase in property prices in the East End. Between July 2005 and the end of 2011 property located in the vicinity of the Olympic village increased by an average of £60,000, an approximate £800 per month hike. Stratford saw an average rise of 30% with Dalston and Homerton experiencing a 55% increase in house prices since 2005. The 14 postal districts in closest proximity to the Olympic site reported the average house price valuation at £268,885 compared to the £206,145 2005 average. Does this suggest that the governments plan to regenerate East London making it a property hot spot has so far been a success? Or is the regeneration in infrastructure, transport and attractions in the area unlikely to attract buyers? Considering the East End has long been considered an area historically associated with high levels of poverty and inequality problems may be encountered in reaching their vision for the area.

After all even withstanding the above evidence of an increase in property prices, the East End is still the cheapest area in London, analysis by Hometrack, valuators for most major lenders, suggest that the property in Stratford, East London is still 30-35% below the rest of London, an even greater difference than the 10-20% gap reported in 2006. Interestingly data gathered by the Office of National Statistics offers an altogether different story of London property across the city than that of Lloyds TSB, reporting London housing prices to have fallen by 0.2% in the twelve months from March 2011. Given the ONS collects data from a number of lenders, compared to surveys carried out that are only reflective of the particular lenders mortgage approvals, surveys by banks such as Halifax and Nationwide for instance, maybe the ONS offers a better vantage point of the actual situation. Is this an indicator that investment in the city is on the wane pre-Olympics?

Property experts say no, predicting property prices to increase as investors flee the eurozone to London and the South East, further inflating housing prices. The increase in investment in transport, new attractions and infrastructure due to the Olympics alongside the increase in demand for properties to buy to let means the city is more attractive for investors than ever before. As the games approach short-term rentals near the Olympic park are soaring, a penthouse apartment in Stratford was rented for £4,000 per week, with estate agents reporting properties rented normally for £350 per week been advertised at £6,000.

So will the governments plan to transform East London into a hub of innovation and technology really work? In the Government’s publication ‘Plans for the legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games 2010’ they outline their vision for East London as a ‘tech city.’ Developments so far include the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre, alongside companies Lend Lease and London and Continental Railways developing offices and homes. Inter Ikea has proposed 1,200 homes and it’s reported that investors Delancey and Qatari Diar have paid £557 million to take control of the Olympic village after the games.

The Olympic Legacy committee has big plans for the Olympic Park, due to be renamed the ‘Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’ in 2013, the park will be divided into five neighbourhoods offering affordable family housing and with the global media’s attention focused on the area it is hoped the park will become an international attraction. It is impossible to ascertain whether an increase in housing prices will be directly correlated to the London games, but house prices in the long term could potentially gather momentum due to the regeneration in the area. Suren Thiru, housing economist for Lloyds TSB believes the Olympics will have a positive effect, “over the long term, house prices in the East End of London are likely to be supported by the Olympic legacy of improved infrastructure and transport links.”

Although there is little data to suggest or predict the positive effects the Olympics will have on property prices, the long standing problem of housing shortages in the city, with little room for new build, means it is likely there will not be a downturn in the market. Only when the games are over will an assessment of their long-term impact on the property market take place, it remains to be seen what will happen until then.

If you’re looking for a break but are fed up with the monotonous, soulless hotel rooms available globally, why not take your pick from one of the following hotels? We’ve compiled our top ten of the most unusual, unique and quirky hotels from all over the world.

1.If you are a dog lover ever fancied sleeping inside one? The Dog Bark Park Inn, in Idaho, USA, allows you to do just that, the 12ft beagle even includes a cosy alcove in the dog’s muzzle.

2. Looking for something a little bit magical why not stay in the Hobbit motel, in Woodlyn Park, Watamo, New Zealand, the mystical retreat is inspired by the film the Lord of the Rings.

3. For a room with a view try the Marmara, in Antalya, Turkey, a revolving hotel so guests can experience ever-changing views of the Mediterranean, the hotel floats in a tank of water so the rotation is performed smoothly.

4. If getting back to nature is more your thing the Mirrorcube, in Harads, Sweden may be the perfect get away, a 4x4x4 metre cube, this hotel is suspended around a tree trunk, accessible by a rope bridge, the cube is covered all over in one way mirrors providing a 360oC degree view, which you can also enjoy from the roof terrace.

5. If this all sounds a little too luxurious the following may be suitable, ideal for all types of traveller The Old Mount Gambier Gaol hostel in South Australia is inside an old jail and offers back to basics accommodation.

6. For a room with a spectacular view try Quinta Real Hotel, in Zacatercas, Mexico, overlooking the restored San Pedro bullfighting ring, the hotel even received an International Architectural Award due to the quality of the restoration.

7. Escape to Beckham creek cave haven in the USA, built into 530 acres of Arkansas rock, the cave hotel took four years to build, you can even get married here.

8. For an entrance with a difference then the Tianzi Hotel, in Hebei Province of China is ideal, the largest image hotel in the world it’s modelled on three Chinese gods that symbolise prosperity, longevity and fortune, you enter the 12-year-old hotel through one of the gods feet.

9. The Magic Mountain hotel in southern Chile, located to enjoy the Hulio Hulio Reserve Park is perfect for getting back to nature, the hotels features include a cascading waterfall from the rooftop of this fairytale mountain.

10. Step back in time and stay in renovated Pullman carriages, The Old Railway Station near Chichester, England has four restored Pullman carriages providing eight suites so you can enjoy a slice of this bygone age.

London2let.com has many properties avalible for ‘Short let’s‘ in the capital visit the website for a closer look: www.london2let.com

As summer appears to have deserted us this year many have fled on holiday to warmer climates in the hope of sunshine yet investors on the continent are flocking to London in the hope to safely secure their money in property, it seems the UK is proving highly desirable to investors. The Eurozone crisis is thought to have increased the interest from international investors with the cash rich flooding their money out of Europe and into the capital in the hope it’ll be a safe haven for their investment. With the threat of inflation and instability elsewhere buying property in London, a market known for its resilience and a country for its stability, is seen as a safe store for wealth.

The instability in the Eurozone appears to be having a positive impact on the  capitals property market, the well regarded estate agent Savills has reported Greek web searches for property increasing by 50% in the last six months with France, Spain and Italy following with 16%, 10% and 9% retrospectively, evidence that the weak euro in comparison to the pound does not appear to be deterring the wealthy Europeans. Properties below the £2m mark have been reported by estate agents as receiving the most attention, with flats between the £1m-£2m value seeming particular popular, conveniently avoiding the March’s budget 7% stamp duty increase.

With Greece and Spain in turmoil and the forecast one of slow economic growth and recovery it appears wise to invest in something other than that which is valued in euros, Savills research at the beginning of the year predicted this would be the case “as opposed to deeper recession across all European economies, we expect investor focus to remain on prime assets in core markets, such as London.” Investors looking for a secure, long-term income stream are buying into stability, into a solid rule of law, legal title, a stable government and a wealth of heritage and culture.

Savills research suggest that the prime rental market is a big attraction to most investor interest, not surprising considering the average asking rent for properties of four bedrooms or more in Central London, such as Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster average between £9,875 and £10,850 per month, with such good rental returns you would expect that most foreigners who purchase in London would opt to rent, however research indicates that the majority of overseas buyers, 46%, buy houses in London as their main residence, with only 1 in 7 buying to let.

London has historically been desirable to foreign investors, in 2011 before the Eurozone crisis imploded London was reported by CB Richard Willis Group Inc as the most sought after property destination in Europe, notably in 1990 the first property that sold in the city in excess of £10m, the Old Rectory in Chelsea, belonged to a Greek national.

Renowned for being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, Savills statistics indicate that 35% of London residents are born abroad, in 2011/2012, 34% of prime properties across the capital were bought by foreigners, with 59% of prime central London property being snapped up by overseas investors. An increase on 2007 when it stood at 24%, suggesting the deterioration of the Eurozone may have positively impacted the London housing market, although it is worth noting that this figure has fallen in comparison to the early 90s, suggesting its not just the adverse conditions in Europe at present that cause an influx of foreign investment, in 1993 overseas purchasers accounted for 40% of all prime property buyers.

Although there has been a rise in interest from wealthy Greek in recent months, the single largest European buyers last year were the Italians, purchasing 10% of prime properties followed by the French, the question remains whether the Spanish and Greece may overtake them this year as the rich continue to flee their shores.

But will the increased interest in London property from Europe and the uncertainty in the single currency have a negative affect closer to home too? It is suggested that the Eurozone upheaval may result in banks taking more cautious approach to lending equating to even tougher conditions for first time buyers who will require possibly a deposit of up to 20% of the household value. The substantial differential in property prices in London and the rest of the UK caused by overseas buyers may also affect those wishing to purchase in the city from other areas of Britain. Indicating the Eurozone crisis does not herald good news for everyone in relation to the property market in UK, the Council of Mortgage Lenders of the opinion that the Eurozone uncertainty is “not a particularly comforting backdrop” for UK property and the lending market at present, however it appears to represent favourable opportunities for overseas investors.

Last week saw the unveiling of Europe’s tallest building the ‘Shard’. Located at London Bridge in the Borough of Southwark the building climbs to the respectable height of 309m.

Other skyscrapers within the London area do not even come close:-

Shard:                                      309m

One Canada Square:          237m

Minerva Building:               218m (excluding Spire)

However, on a world scale, there is major competition with the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa rising to the staggering height of 828metres!

The completion of the Shard’s building envelope was celebrated by a ‘laser & light show’ which was projected from the tower itself towards some of London’s most famous landmarks.

This inappropriately named ‘laser spectacular’ was a disappointment to many, and although we did speak to a few individuals who enjoyed the event, the majority remained unimpressed by the show.  It would appear that these spectators were hoping for something much more extravagant, especially following the impressive Jubilee concert and with the London Olympic Games now in sight.

The 87 storey building consists of a hotel, offices, restaurants and some very pricey residential apartments costing in the region of £50 million each.  My concerns however, are that despite the prestige of living in this new London landmark, and the unmatched panoramic views this brings, it remains the fact that the Shard presently sits within the London Bridge area which drastically requires further regeneration.  Attracting attention from buyers may not be such an easy task. A fancy apartment yes, but perhaps not the best of immediate surroundings. After all, you can get a lot for your £50million elsewhere!

Encompassed within the Shard development is the regeneration of London Bridge station which is an undoubted improvement. We are aware also that many other ventures are proposed for the locality, so perhaps buyers will foresee the area’s long term potential.

For those of us who do not yet have the £50million asking price, an observation deck on the 72^nd floor can be accessed by the public for the somewhat hefty fee of £24.95 for adults and £18.95 for children.  Much concern has been expressed at this level of pricing, but no doubt for those of us who are keen to visit, the charges will be met if only for a one-off experience.

We spoke to some locals who had very differing opinions on the new build, some of whom were very positive about this iconic building in their neighbourhood. Others however, felt that this tower of glass clearly doesn’t belong alongside older more historic buildings, “We have feared for many years that our neighbourhood would eventually end up a skyscraper village like that of Canary Wharf, and this is just the beginning!”.

Whilst some consider this building to be out of keeping with neighbouring architecture, I believe this to be what London is about.  All over our city we see old alongside new, it is what makes London, London!

New development is needed in areas of low income.  Regeneration can only be a good thing.

It is no surprise to us all, that the majority of financing for the Shard came from abroad, in this case Qatar.  We are seeing this time and time again in the city, and although somewhat disappointing, perhaps this is the way of the new world, wherein the UK is no longer the financial giant of the past.  Nevertheless, we should be pleased that countries such as Qatar are actively investing in Britain since international relations and trade are vital in today’s world.

I am keen to see who will purchase the £50million luxury apartments and will be monitoring the effect this tower has upon local businesses, development and property prices.  Perhaps this postcode area may someday become the new Westminster , unlikely perhaps, but only time will tell.

GUEST BLOGGER :

James Cunliffe

London’s Property Blogger

e: james@london2let.com