UNIT 7

ARCHITECTURE
LISTENING 1
PREPARING TO LISTEN
1). You are going to listen to a conversation between two property developers. Before you listen,
label the diagram with the words in the box below. Some of them have been done for you.
1 beams
2 supporting walls
3 original future
4 steel
5 extension
6 glass
7 foundations
8 stone
9 concrete

2). Write the words from the box above in the correct column below
 Building materials
1 beams
2 glass
3 stone
4 steel
 Architectural features
1 original future
2 foundations
3 supporting walls
4 extension
5 concrete
3). Work with a partner/your group. Discuss the questions.
1 What materials are old buildings usually made of?
=> Old building materials are usually made of wood or bamboo.
2 What materials are modern buildings usually made of?
=> Modern building materials are usually made of iron or steel.
3 Would you like to live in an apartment like the one in Exercise 1? Why / Why not?
=> I don't think I would like living in an apartment like that because I prefer to live in a simple
house that can make me comfortable to live in.

WHILE LISTENING
4. Listen to the conversation. What do the developers decide to do?
1 Contact a local neighborhood association for their views on plans for the warehouse. ✔
2 Restore the warehouse and put offices and flats in the building. ✖
 3 Knock down the warehouse and build a restaurant on the site. ✖

5. Listen to the conversation again. Correct the notes below.

1. Both developers think a building development in wet side is a good idea
2. There isn't any regeneration going on in wet side
3. There hasn't been a lot of investment in the area in the past 20 years
4. The developers think the best idea would be knock down the warehouse use or keep
the warehouse and put modern features on it.
5. The developers decide need to choose between to combine a contemporary building
style and a traditional one.
6. The building can't offer floor space for any shops
7. Shops units would have to be on the second ground floor, with flats above
8. Refurbishment would mean removing all keeping some of the original features of the
building.

POST LISTENING
6. Match the analogies (1–4) to the meanings below (a–d)
1 I’m afraid we might be biting off more than we can chew. [b]
2 I think it’s a potential goldmine . [d]
3 That building is more like a prison than a potential shopping centre. [c]
4 We could give the old building a new lease of life . [a]

7. Which analogies support knocking the old building down? Which support converting and
modernizing it? Why?
=> Analogy numbers 2 and 4 because he saw that there was great potential that could be
developed in order to make a lot of money.

8. Work with a partner. Use the four analogies from Exercise 6 to describe a building in your
local area.
=> In our opinion, the analogy that describes buildings in our area is a potential goldmine and a
new lease of life

PRONUNCIATION FOR LISTENING

9. 7.2 Listen to the sentences. Underline the words that are emphasized in Sentence B in each
case. The first one has been done for you.
1) A: I think the original building has a lot of potential.
B: I think we really want to transform the area with something modern.
2) A: It has some beautiful original features.
B: It looks as though it’s about to collapse!
3) A: Acquiring such an old building could be a mistake.
B: Really? I think the project could be a great success.
4) A: It would be more of a transformation if we built a modern building made of materials
like steel and glass.
B: We’ll maintain more of a connection to the past if we include the old building as part
of the new one.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
1. Complete the sentences below with the words from the box.
1 We hope to begin work on the development next week.
2 We anticipate constructing a glass and steel extension.
3 They intend to consult the local business association on the project.
4 They envisage keeping the building’s original features.
5 He promises to call you if we have any questions.
6 I expect to have more customers next year.
7 She plans to visit Riyadh next month.
8 I can arrange to meet the architect next week.

2. Use the prompts to write sentences about the future.

1 He / hope / study law / at university
= He hopes to study law at university
2 She / plan / live / in the UK
= She plans to live in the UK
3 She / promise / send / you an email
= She promises to send you an email.
4 They /anticipate / take / university entrance exams next year
= They anticipate to take university entrance exams next year
5 I / expect / see Fawaz in the library
= I expect to see Fawaz in the library
6 We / intend / start / construction on the project / next weekend
= We intend to start construction on the project next weekend

ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FOR ARCHITECTURE AND TRANSFORMATION

3. Read the newspaper article. Match the words in bold (1–8) to the definitions (a–h)
a. to give something, especially money, to achieve something (7. contribute)
b. to completely change the appearance, form or character of something (1. transform)
c. to continue to have, or keep in existence (3. maintain)
d. to increase in size, number or importance (8. expand)
e. to imagine or expect that something will happen (2. anticipate)
f. the act of leaving something forever (4. abandon)
g. the act of changing something from one thing to another (6. convert)
h. to buy or get something(5. acquire)

4. Complete the table below with the words from Exercise 3.

Verb Noun
Anticipate Anticipation
Abandon Abandonment
Contribute Contribution
Convert Conversion
Maintain Maintenence
Acquire Acquisition
Transform Transformation
Expand Expansion

5. Complete the sentences with words from the table.

1. We need to convert the amount of retail space available.
2. We could transform the local area with a new retail complex.
3. A new business district would make a vital maintance to the local economy.
4. We anticipate that the shopping area will bring $30 million in profit over the year.
5. The contribution from warehouse to apartment block was a major success.
6. It may be difficult to acquire a piece of land within the city.
7. We can’t abandon this project just because of a few set backs.
8. We will expand the number of houses in the new development, not increase it.

LISTENING 2
PREPARING TO LISTEN
1. You are going to listen to a housing development meeting. Before you listen, work with a
partner and think of solutions to the potential problems in the housing development plan below.
1 There isn't enough parking for people visiting the development.
2 There is a tall building blocking the light into another apartment block in the
development.
3 There are no green spaces or parks around the development.
4 The modern design of the development doesn't fit with the traditional buildings in the
area.
3. Match the words in bold in the sentences (1–8) to the meanings (a–h).
1 We’re concerned about the size of the building.
2 The old building is adequate.
3 The current building doesn’t need to change.
4 The existing decoration needs to be changed completely.
5 We need something that is appropriate for the local area.
6 The plan is very sympathetic to the existing buildings.
7 A building of that size could be controversial.
8 The plan is very ambitious.
a. The decoration at the moment is
terrible.
b. The plan will be difficult to achieve.
c. We need a building that fits in with
the local environment.
d. The building we have now is fine.
e. People will disagree about whether
the size of the building is acceptable.
f. Even though the building could be
better, it’s good enough.
g. The plan fits in with the style of the
buildings in the area.
h. We’re worried it’s just too big.

WHILE LISTENING
5. 7.3 Listen to the housing development meeting. Match the descriptions to the correct pictures.
1 The proposed building site
= the picture of C
2 The developers’ proposal
= the picture of D
3 The clients’ preferred proposal
= the picture of A
4 A proposal not discussed in the meeting
= the picture of B

6. 7.3 Listen to the meeting again. Write developers (D) or clients (C) next to the statements.
1 One of the biggest benefits of this plan is that it will create accommodation for up to 80
households. [D]
2 We could consider using reflective glass. [D]
3 You’ve described the natural area you’d like to build on as wasteland, but actually, that’s a
woodland. [C]
4 As it stands, this plan would be very controversial. [C]
5 Have you thought about more, smaller, lower buildings? [C]
6 Lots of glass is a great idea, but in my view the only viable option is to use brick. [C]
7 How about if we position the new buildings near the edge of the site? [D]
8 I feel confident we can come up with a suitable plan if you give us a couple of weeks. [D]
POST LISTENING
7. Write strong (S) or tentative (T) next to the sentences below.
1 What about more, smaller, lower buildings? [S]
2 In my view the only viable option is to use brick. [T]
3 This would probably be better with the existing houses. [T]
4 I strongly recommend that we reconsider the size. [S]
5 Can I suggest we use this first design you’ve supplied to identify a few priorities? [T]
6 I like you’re thinking. I agree completely. [S]

DISCUSSION
8. Work with a partner/your group. Discuss the questions.
1 In your country, what makes a house or apartment attractive?
=> In our country what makes a house or apartment attractive is more modern furniture or
furniture in a classic style.

2 Do you think it is better to live in an apartment or a house? Why?

=> If we choose to live in a house or apartment, we prefer to stay at home because at home will
make us more comfortable to live.

3 Where do you think it is best to build new houses or developments on old sites or in new green
areas? Why?
=> In our opinion, new developments in old locations are better than having to open new green
areas. Opening new green areas can reduce land and can also unwittingly damage existing
ecosystems.