About Elias Haddad

For buildings to be more resilient in an ever changing world, I believe that buildings should be designed to satisfy three main criteria.
(1) Embrace the trending "Sharing Economy" and design buildings to be co-living and/ or co-working spaces. Given that these spaces are cheaper to rent and operate, they will encourage younger professionals to move back into city centers to either live or establish startups at cheaper costs. This will encourage people to reduce car dependency and as a result lead healthier lifestyles and reduce CO2 emissions. Socially, these shared spaces would support more social interactions that would foster better knit communities that are often lacking in our urban areas.
(2) Experiment with new 3D technologies to try and develop projects using lightweight and movable partitions. This added flexibility will make it easier for buildings to be allocated different functions based on future market needs.
(3) Involve communities living around development sites in the design process from an early stage making it an inclusive communal effort. This will not only reduce the tensions that are usually present between established communities and developers but also help transform these new projects into places that the community feels attached to.
Needless to say, architects should also be less concerned with designing signature buildings and more concerned with creating contextual buildings that incorporate passive design strategies to make the buildings more environmentally friendly and more respectful to the surrounding fabric.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.