Nick Simpson
@iamnicksimpson.bsky.social
Architecture | Sustainability | Politics | Passivhaus | Cycling | Cities | EU
Pinned
Nick Simpson
@iamnicksimpson.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Going to give this Passivhaus starter pack a bump, with so many people having joined recently.
If you know of someone who should be added, please let me know.
go.bsky.app/K4gWTBi
If you know of someone who should be added, please let me know.
go.bsky.app/K4gWTBi
This is all happening against a backdrop of a crippling housing shortage. The system is utterly broken.
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/12/c...
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/12/c...
Construction employment sinks to 24-year low
Direct employees now falling faster than self-employed as costs bite
www.constructionenquirer.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:12 PM
This is all happening against a backdrop of a crippling housing shortage. The system is utterly broken.
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/12/c...
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/12/c...
Reposted by Nick Simpson
Time to face up to this.
"Research released this month by economists at the Bank of England, the Bundesbank, King’s College London and the universities of Stanford and Nottingham underscored the economic hit from leaving the EU. Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6-8%"
on.ft.com/4p1NoHv
on.ft.com/4p1NoHv
Rachel Reeves signals she will break manifesto pledge with Budget tax rises
Chancellor hopes to win support from Labour MPs by lifting two-child benefit cap
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Time to face up to this.
Reposted by Nick Simpson
This is not good
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/04/b...
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/04/b...
Building control giant Assent ceases trading
Shockwaves to hit Building Safety Regulator approval process
www.constructionenquirer.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM
This is not good
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/04/b...
www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/11/04/b...
All while the country is in the midst of a crippling housing shortage.
The architecture industry should be drowning in profitable work.
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/number-...
The architecture industry should be drowning in profitable work.
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/number-...
Number of architectural businesses in distress up by almost 20%
There has been a significant rise in the number of architectural firms in danger of insolvency, new data shows
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
All while the country is in the midst of a crippling housing shortage.
The architecture industry should be drowning in profitable work.
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/number-...
The architecture industry should be drowning in profitable work.
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/number-...
Reposted by Nick Simpson
#sundaypixbooks my free little library which brings me SO MUCH JOY!
A wonderful neighbour made it for me after me trying and failing via ‘men’s sheds’ for about 5 years. Sometimes I hear the lovely conversations of people perusing the library. It’s wholesome. It’s joyful. Create or visit one! 📚
A wonderful neighbour made it for me after me trying and failing via ‘men’s sheds’ for about 5 years. Sometimes I hear the lovely conversations of people perusing the library. It’s wholesome. It’s joyful. Create or visit one! 📚
November 2, 2025 at 4:41 PM
#sundaypixbooks my free little library which brings me SO MUCH JOY!
A wonderful neighbour made it for me after me trying and failing via ‘men’s sheds’ for about 5 years. Sometimes I hear the lovely conversations of people perusing the library. It’s wholesome. It’s joyful. Create or visit one! 📚
A wonderful neighbour made it for me after me trying and failing via ‘men’s sheds’ for about 5 years. Sometimes I hear the lovely conversations of people perusing the library. It’s wholesome. It’s joyful. Create or visit one! 📚
Reposted by Nick Simpson
“Since [Paris Mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social took] office, Paris has planted over 200K trees with a pledge to add 170K more by 2026. Urban forests are being created near landmarks like the Hôtel de Ville, Gare de Lyon, & Opéra Garnier, with plans to cover 50% of the city with planted areas by 2030.“
Anne Hidalgo: Transforming Paris into a Green Metropolis for a Sustainable Future
Pic: Ms Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris (Source: ChatGPT)
medium.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:30 PM
“Since [Paris Mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social took] office, Paris has planted over 200K trees with a pledge to add 170K more by 2026. Urban forests are being created near landmarks like the Hôtel de Ville, Gare de Lyon, & Opéra Garnier, with plans to cover 50% of the city with planted areas by 2030.“
Reposted by Nick Simpson
When we look at this massacre and many more perpetrated by the RSF, let's be clear who funds, equips & sustains them. It's the UAE. Yes, the same UAE that might own your football club, fly you on your holidays, invests in our national infrastructure. If boycotts work, we should be boycotting now.
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Yale lab reports mass killings in Sudan, calls for student activism
The Humanitarian Research Lab was told this week that over 10,000 people in Sudan were killed within three days.
yaledailynews.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:59 PM
When we look at this massacre and many more perpetrated by the RSF, let's be clear who funds, equips & sustains them. It's the UAE. Yes, the same UAE that might own your football club, fly you on your holidays, invests in our national infrastructure. If boycotts work, we should be boycotting now.
Reposted by Nick Simpson
It is not true “England cannot effectively subsidise travel costs”. Retired people get free travel. By freezing the fuel duty escalator we are subsidising car drivers, which compounds inequality. See more here: bettertransport.org.uk/media/groups...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No free bus passes for under 22s, says goverment
The Commons Transport Committee recommended scrapping bus fares for young people in August.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 7:48 AM
It is not true “England cannot effectively subsidise travel costs”. Retired people get free travel. By freezing the fuel duty escalator we are subsidising car drivers, which compounds inequality. See more here: bettertransport.org.uk/media/groups...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nick Simpson
Jesus Christ. We go mad about one bloke we wrongly released, yet hear next to nothing about this horror? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
More than 50 child asylum seekers still missing after disappearing from Kent care
Council data obtained by the Guardian shows 345 children have gone missing in recent years, many probably taken by traffickers
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Jesus Christ. We go mad about one bloke we wrongly released, yet hear next to nothing about this horror? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
A switch to a Proportional Representation system of voting is long overdue.
The current system can’t withstand the fluidity and choice within our politics anymore. This problem isn’t going to go away.
The current system can’t withstand the fluidity and choice within our politics anymore. This problem isn’t going to go away.
So either Labour need to ask candidates to step aside for the Greens to take on Reform....
Or actually bring in a fair democratic process where everyone's votes count equally.
It's time for Proportional Representation.
www.thenational.scot/news/2558507...
Or actually bring in a fair democratic process where everyone's votes count equally.
It's time for Proportional Representation.
www.thenational.scot/news/2558507...
'Just getting started': Zack Polanski reacts as Greens SECOND in new poll
ZACK Polanski has welcomed a new poll putting his party in second place at Westminster.
www.thenational.scot
November 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A switch to a Proportional Representation system of voting is long overdue.
The current system can’t withstand the fluidity and choice within our politics anymore. This problem isn’t going to go away.
The current system can’t withstand the fluidity and choice within our politics anymore. This problem isn’t going to go away.
Reposted by Nick Simpson
After a week of faffing around the @dailymail.co.uk have agreed to apologise. Here it is. Fingers crossed for fewer lies/smears dressed up as news in future
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM
After a week of faffing around the @dailymail.co.uk have agreed to apologise. Here it is. Fingers crossed for fewer lies/smears dressed up as news in future
A 10% increase in the cost of staying an architect.
Worth every penny, right..?
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/arb-inc...
Worth every penny, right..?
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/arb-inc...
ARB increases annual fee by 10% as architect numbers shrink
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has increased its annual fee by 10 per cent to £225, blaming the rise, in part, on a drop in the number of registered architects
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:17 PM
A 10% increase in the cost of staying an architect.
Worth every penny, right..?
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/arb-inc...
Worth every penny, right..?
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/arb-inc...
Reposted by Nick Simpson
At some point it has to become clear that this tech exists is to create a more toxic society and enrich its owners. These uses are not aberrations but rather the entire purpose.
OpenAI's Sora 2 Can Generate Videos of Celebrities Appearing to Shout Racial Slurs
OpenAI's Sora 2 video generation model can be exploited to push misinformation and depict public figures behaving badly despite promised guardrails.
www.rollingstone.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
At some point it has to become clear that this tech exists is to create a more toxic society and enrich its owners. These uses are not aberrations but rather the entire purpose.
Reposted by Nick Simpson
‘Streets and other “grey” spaces, such as car parks, pavements and back alleys, have historically been the places where children predominantly played… These are also the spaces in which children choose to play, when the conditions are right.’ Brilliant article by @alisonstenning.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
‘Streets and other “grey” spaces, such as car parks, pavements and back alleys, have historically been the places where children predominantly played… These are also the spaces in which children choose to play, when the conditions are right.’ Brilliant article by @alisonstenning.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Simpson
Hadn’t, in truth, really absorbed the scale of what the Conservatives are proposing on ILR and immigration more broadly until this week’s Sunday Times interviews. Some thoughts on that in today’s note:
Tory deportation plan would upend Britain
Proposing such a radical bill with little public support is a gift to Nigel Farage
www.ft.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Hadn’t, in truth, really absorbed the scale of what the Conservatives are proposing on ILR and immigration more broadly until this week’s Sunday Times interviews. Some thoughts on that in today’s note:
Reposted by Nick Simpson
Reposted by Nick Simpson
BREAKING: “There is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long lasting” says Chancellor Rachel Reeves
It’s about time!
It’s about time!
October 15, 2025 at 6:16 AM
BREAKING: “There is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long lasting” says Chancellor Rachel Reeves
It’s about time!
It’s about time!
Another Passivhaus project breaking ground soon. Beautiful site in Scotland with an incredible view. Exciting times!
October 11, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Another Passivhaus project breaking ground soon. Beautiful site in Scotland with an incredible view. Exciting times!
Reposted by Nick Simpson
Polanski expertly dismantling the "rich people will move if we tax them" narrative, while Denham nimbly demonstrates how very patriotic such people are.
Former Head of Comms for the IEA, Annabel Denham, says the super rich will leave if we have a wealth tax.
Yes, the very same IEA that brought us Liz Truss’ disastrous mini budget. 🤦🏽♂️
Green Party leader Zack Polanski explains that their taxable assets can’t leave. #bbcqt
Yes, the very same IEA that brought us Liz Truss’ disastrous mini budget. 🤦🏽♂️
Green Party leader Zack Polanski explains that their taxable assets can’t leave. #bbcqt
October 10, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Polanski expertly dismantling the "rich people will move if we tax them" narrative, while Denham nimbly demonstrates how very patriotic such people are.
Reposted by Nick Simpson
Freedom is just another name for “a gap in the law”.
Home Secretary tells Sky News that “there is a gap in the law” when it comes to frequent, repeated protests on the same issue. Hence she will be giving police greater powers to move them to another location or time.
October 5, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Freedom is just another name for “a gap in the law”.
Reposted by Nick Simpson
"Passivhaus .. offers huge opportunities..in terms of tackling fuel poverty and achieving climate goals."
Andrew Haley, Chair, N.I. Ministerial Advisory Group, Architecture & Built Environment
Join us on 7-8 Oct at UK & Ireland Passivhaus Conference in Belfast & online: https://ukphc.org.uk/
Andrew Haley, Chair, N.I. Ministerial Advisory Group, Architecture & Built Environment
Join us on 7-8 Oct at UK & Ireland Passivhaus Conference in Belfast & online: https://ukphc.org.uk/
October 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM
"Passivhaus .. offers huge opportunities..in terms of tackling fuel poverty and achieving climate goals."
Andrew Haley, Chair, N.I. Ministerial Advisory Group, Architecture & Built Environment
Join us on 7-8 Oct at UK & Ireland Passivhaus Conference in Belfast & online: https://ukphc.org.uk/
Andrew Haley, Chair, N.I. Ministerial Advisory Group, Architecture & Built Environment
Join us on 7-8 Oct at UK & Ireland Passivhaus Conference in Belfast & online: https://ukphc.org.uk/
Reposted by Nick Simpson
Israeli quadcopters shooting children.
And our government continues to materially supporting Israel every day.
Even as Israel rejects a two state solution, votes to fully annex the West Bank, and murders more doctors, nurses, journalists, children.
And our government continues to assist it.
And our government continues to materially supporting Israel every day.
Even as Israel rejects a two state solution, votes to fully annex the West Bank, and murders more doctors, nurses, journalists, children.
And our government continues to assist it.
October 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Israeli quadcopters shooting children.
And our government continues to materially supporting Israel every day.
Even as Israel rejects a two state solution, votes to fully annex the West Bank, and murders more doctors, nurses, journalists, children.
And our government continues to assist it.
And our government continues to materially supporting Israel every day.
Even as Israel rejects a two state solution, votes to fully annex the West Bank, and murders more doctors, nurses, journalists, children.
And our government continues to assist it.
Brilliant to see thousands come out in Newcastle today to show that the far right are not welcome here.
September 27, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Brilliant to see thousands come out in Newcastle today to show that the far right are not welcome here.
Reposted by Nick Simpson
1. I've long contended that austerity doesn't save money. It merely transfers costs from one group (the very rich, who would otherwise pay more tax) to others. Last night was a powerful reminder of that. Before I go further, I should say I’m fine. Just a black eye, cuts & bruises, no serious harm. 🧵
September 26, 2025 at 9:33 AM
1. I've long contended that austerity doesn't save money. It merely transfers costs from one group (the very rich, who would otherwise pay more tax) to others. Last night was a powerful reminder of that. Before I go further, I should say I’m fine. Just a black eye, cuts & bruises, no serious harm. 🧵