Following Manchester United affords me the opportunity to visit some fascinating places. Most recently that was Valencia, in Spain. I was there at the historic Mestalla Stadium to witness my team just about qualify for the next round of the Champions League. But my favourite part of the trip was exploring the city and and enjoying its many and varied architectural treats. THE OLD
Valencia was first built by the Romans, and although you’ll need to visit a museum to see evidence of that, just by walking around the streets you’ll see a wealth of buildings dating back as early as the 14th century. There are many magnificent examples of the locals’ take on gothic. The obvious focal point is the cathedral, and there are many other beautiful examples too, including a basilica just metres away and a pair of 15th century towers which have protected the city as recently as the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. The central market, which has a magnificent ceiling, is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, and the nearby Silk Exchange is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Compact by design, the centre itself can be taken in within a single day – with a wide choice of galleries and museums for anybody with a little more time to spare. THE NEW Anybody who loves ingenuity and mixing form with function, as I do, will marvel at the Turia gardens. Tired of the city flooding whenever the River Turia burst its banks, the city decided to reroute the river around the population and turn the now-dry riverbed into an attraction fit for both tourists and locals. It’s now a popular home to public art, sports facilities, flower gardens and, best of all, the City of Arts and Sciences. A project costing almost one billion euros, it features extensive gardens, an IMAX cinema, an aquarium, a science museum and an opera house. But these are no ordinary buildings: architects Santiago Calatrava and Felix Candela were tasked with creating something that will live long in the memory. Photos show how original and inspiring the unique collection of buildings are, but I recommend walking among them to feel the full effect. ANTONI GAUDÍ Valencia is not far along the coast from Barcelona, a city I have written about previously in this blog. And the influence of the noted and highly unusual architect Antoni Gaudí can be found in the city, too, not least in the magnificent Colon Market. So whether you’re a fan old architecture from eras past, new and inspiring takes on public works, or you like to sip a fine wine on the beach while watching the sun set (which was also part of my trip) I can recommend Valencia as a destination rich in experiences. Follow Faris Mousa’s Profile for more updates!
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As business gradually slows down for the Christmas break and makes way for time spent with family, friends and loved ones, it’s a good time to reflect on our industry’s role in the community. The number of homeless people and rough sleepers in the UK has risen every year since 2010, and as the bitter winter nights draw in, the number of resulting deaths will climb, too.
These statistics are pretty bleak, but if there is one positive to be found here, it is the way the home building industry is trying its best to address the problem. This year’s Royal Institute of British Architects President’s Medal for Research was granted to Chris Hildrey of Hildrey Studio for his work using location data to help individuals facing homelessness to find and connect with local support services. There are many developers working on projects to house the vulnerable and the homeless, and organisations such as Commonweal Housing run competitions to help discover new ways of tackling the problem. It’s heartening to see that this often overlooked segment of our society has inspired so much drive, passion and innovation. Developers are showing a genuine desire to help those who (at least for the moment) have so little to offer in return. I’m proud to be part of an industry which takes its role in society seriously and I’d like to thank everyone who is working to address the growing problem of homelessness. It can seem that, as individuals, we can only make small contributions. But when added up, together we can make real difference. And when businesses join in too, then we have a very real chance of reversing the trend of increasing homelessness. Please also consider supporting Mustard Tree, a charity tackling poverty and homelessness in Greater Manchester. Follow Faris Mousa’s Profile for more updates! |
AuthorFaris Mousa is an entrepreneur based in Manchester who has worked on many residential and commercial projects. Faris Mousa is Director of Bluefig Investments (UK) Limited. It is a property investment and urban regeneration company. The company was incorporated on 2nd December 2014 and has registered offices located at 260 – 268 Chapel Street, Salford, Manchester, M3 5JZ Archives
July 2023
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