Dezeen Magazine

"Where are the laws that require safety codes and regulations?"

The Grenfell Tower fire returns to comments update this week as readers responded to criticism levelled at the UK's cost-cutting approach to social housing by prominent architects.

No more cuts: Dezeen readers generally agreed with architects' concerns over Britain's attitudes towards social housing regulations following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Kelvin expressed his anxiety over a lack of construction regulations in general: "It's not just public housing, how soon will we see a similar disaster in the private sector? Many new-builds and conversions are shoddy builds, cutting specification to increase profit."

Lily felt the UK should be looking across the pond when it came to setting standards: "Where are the parliamentary/local laws in place that require safety codes and regulations? America isn't the best and brightest country by any means, but London could take a page out of our books."

ArchitecturalDesigner had a solution: "I think it would be so beneficial for a panel of architects, with PROVEN experience in both design/build processes, to be appointed to monitor and regulate."

Mjtrapman argued that architects may not be best placed to make such an argument in the first place: "It is the architects that are aware of cutting cost that should have been active before the catastrophe, and not trying to put blame now, afterwards."

"Less finger-pointing and less blaming would help – less dumping your outrage on the government and walking away. More humility, more change from everyone, and more listening to the people who live in these buildings is needed," wrote a pragmatic Paris Browne.

This reader summed up the sentiment of the majority:

Do you agree that the UK government needs to do more to protect social housing tenants? Have your say in the comments section ›


Eco-luxury 1hotel by Kengo Kuma

Kengo Kong: Kengo Kuma's designs for a plant-covered Eco-Luxury Hotel in Paris left readers sceptical over their feasibility this week.

"When "eco" and "luxury" appear in the same sentence, I rather become more suspicious than excited," stated Massimo

Alex Bujorianu believed in Kuma's plans: "This project makes me think 'wow'. And not only is it cool but also livable. Having been to various big cities, I always appreciate greenery."

But She Grabs The Curtain was far from convinced: "I like the building, but I think it will be impossible to make it in real life as lush green as shown in the pictures."

"This has got to be a horticulturalists biggest nightmare. In such a multi-layered structure, how many micro-climates might there be?" added Christopher Becket

"Post-apocalyptic" declared Concerned Citizen.

The leafy design reminded this reader of a modern classic:

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Gleason US-Mexico border wall proposal

Sunnyside South: Climate change denier Donald Trump's announcement of a potential Mexican border wall covered in solar panels left many readers struggling to find the irony.

"If we are going to build 1,000 miles of solar infrastructure somewhere, the middle of nowhere probably isn't the place to do it," said Solar Melon.

Archione had their tongue firmly in cheek with this question: "But how will we put all of the coal miners back to work if we're investing in solar?"

"Also, where will the solar be manufactured? (China)," quizzed Stool 60.

One reader had to admit that the president had his priorities in order:

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Insect farms

Bush tucker diet: The majority of readers were left with a bad taste in their mouths following the news that the world's first desk-top edible insect farm had gone into production this week.

E Smith was completely opposed to the idea: "Oh hell to the no."

Deborah Lee felt the product was cruel: "As a vegan, I am appalled. Yet more exploitation of other animals, when there is no need."

But yet another reader was reminded of one of their favourite movies by the story:

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