BUILD June 2017

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June 2017

Inside This Issue: Wincham International Limited / LHT Holdings Ltd / PAUATArchitects / PiLON / Cummins and Voortman Ltd / Hansen Architectural Systems, Inc. / CODE UNIQUE Architekten BDA / Kulka Construction / R P Compliance Testing Ltd / Alex D Architects Ltd / Val Interiors (Pty) Ltd / John Anthony Signs / White River Hardwoods / GREC Architects / Rhino Design Build LLC / SMK Interiors

MDD9 Design Studio

Quest Builder Group

Michela Reverberi

Blue Mantle

Fireplaces And Antiques Since 1969

The Largest Antique Fireplace Showroom g in the World Blue Mantle Fireplaces & Antiques one of the UK’s leading suppliers of antique/reproduction fireplaces and reclamation. As recipient of the Best Garden Furniture Company – London, we invited the company to tell us more about their reputation since 1969, as the largest antique fireplace showroom in the world and seller of garden furniture.

PAUATArchitects

Embellished Mouldings & Woodcarvings

Editor’s Note

, Welcome to this bumper edition of BUILD Magazine.

In this edition, we discover how Canadian home design company, Nauta Home Designs, have helped over 3000 families by offering design services unique to the industry. Since the company’s inception in 1990, Nauta Home Designs has had one mission; to help people get the home of their dreams through an enjoyable experience.

Elsewhere in this issue, with almost 50 years of experience, Blue Mantle Fireplaces & Antiques is one of the largest antique fireplace showrooms in the world. As well as being one of the UK’s leading suppliers of antique/reproduction fireplaces and reclamation, they are also recipient of the accolade ‘Best Garden Furniture Company – London’.

With a portfolio dating back to 1989, Caprioli Painting is a commercial, residential, industrial and military painting company. We invited the firm’s Lorraine Caprioli to learn more about the fully insured painting company.

I hope you enjoy reading the wide-ranging content that this special edition has to offer.

Jess Daykin, Editor Phone: +44 (0) 203 725 6842 Email: jessica.daykin@ai-globalmedia.com Website: www.corp-vis.com

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Contents

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News Buy-to-Let and how can help you purchase, own, sell & inherit property in a Tax efficient way.

10. Flying High 14. Making More with Less 16. Unique Designs for Unique People 22. Interior Motives 24. Understanding Architecture 28. The Next Revolution Pallet 30. Countless Possibilities 36. Creative Solutions to Architecture 38. Opportunities for People and Businesses 40. Committed, Passionate & Disciplined 42. Design Is Everything 48. Exceeding the Expectations of Each Client 52. A Knack for the Trade 54. The Great Outdoors 56. Excellence in Both Quality and Service 58. A Balance between Pragmatism and Spontaneity 60. The Go-to Firm for Building Standards 62. The Home of Your Dreams 64. Sensible & Honest Advice at Every Stage 66. A Wonderful Journey to Remember 70. More Than Just a Cleaning Company 72. Your Dream Home - One Chance to Get It Right!

74. The Architecture of Movement 78. The Next Generation of Long Island Construction 84. Prompt, Efficient and Accurate 88. Architecture and Property Development 90. Design for Life 92. No Compromise on Your Dreams 96. Nothing Is Impossible 98. The Interior of Your Dreams 100. Seasoned Architects, Designers & Planners 102. Inner City Revitalisation 106. Making Clients Dreams a Reality 108. Don’t Gloss over the Details 110. Around the Clock Construction Services 112. True Reflection 114. Building Blocks to Success 118. Extraordinary Attention to Detail 120. Go the Extra Mile 122. Architectural Innovators* 126. Sustainability at the Heart 128. New Ways of Urban and Architectural Organisation 130. What’s Cooking?!

132. Breaking New Ground 135. A New Standard in Design 136. Thinking ‘out of the Box’ 139. A Company of Its Word 140. Supporter of Excellence in Student Learning Environments 143. The Code of Uniqueness 144. Honest, Dependable and Exceptional 147. A One to One Service 148. Innovative Design and Planning Solutions 151. Successful and Trusted Property Professionals

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NEWS

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Construction Sector Expert Heads up New Temp Division for Peace Recruitment

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NEWS

, With a huge upsurge in demand for freelance and contract staff in the construction sector, Peace Recruitment, a leading recruitment consultancy for the built environment, is launching a temp division under the leadership of Alison Blake.

The formal launch of Peace’s new temp division is a key driver to reach its goal of 30 consultants by 2020 as it looks to realise its vision of being the recruitment agency of choice for the construction, engineering and property sectors across the UK. Alison joins from Hays in Edinburgh where she specialised in temporary/freelance recruitment in the construction sector for the past 13 years. She joined Hays after leaving Aberdeen University with a degree in French and Management Studies.

At Peace, she will be responsible for contract and freelance recruitment across the whole spectrum of the built environment for professional and technical roles within construction management, surveying, architecture, civil and structural engineering and building services.

Chris Peace, managing director, Peace Recruitment, said: “Alison brings a wealth of experience, industry knowledge and contacts from her 13 years working in construction sector recruitment. Not only is she an excellent recruiter but she has the in-depth knowledge of the sector which we insist all our consultants have. We have always handled temp assignments as an agency but now we have a dedicated person, the plan is to build a team around her to service that market. Alison is an excellent cultural fit as she is firmly aligned with our ethos of service over sales.”

“Peace Recruitment has grown from a small agency into a major force in construction and building recruitment with a team of 18 people,” said Alison. “Chris and I trained together at Hays so when

he invited me to join the company I was delighted. The temp market is very buoyant and looks likely to grow in future. With Brexit and the possibility of a second independence referendum clients have become more risk adverse.

Some employers are reluctant to add to the permanent headcount and are therefore looking for a more flexible option whilst others are looking to fill a skills gap for short-term projects or sickness cover. It often makes sense to take on temporary employee if it helps get a project done on time and on budget at a cost which is not prohibitive. Whatever the requirement we can provide a tailored cost-effective option.”

She added: “I am totally in tune with the Peace ethos of providing the highest standards of customer service to both clients and candidates. It was the first employment consultancy to join the Institute of Customer Service and this commitment shows in how the agency treats clients and candidates. Market knowledge is key; you need to have your ear to the ground and know what’s happening in the construction sector. I feel my track record in the industry will stand me in good stead to establish and grow the temp division.”

Since its creation in 2009, Peace has transformed itself from a ‘one-man-band’ into a multi-million-pound company. It now has a team of 18 specialist consultants each with an in-depth knowledge of their target markets. Peace prides itself on being different from its competitors, and prioritises service before sales. Its success has been built on providing specialist expert advice, combined with exceptional customer service. For more information about Peace Recruitment visit www.peacerecruitment.co.uk.

Redrow’s Site Managers Recognised at Pride in the Job Quality Awards Redrow has achieved a record 27 awards at the Pride in the Job Quality Awards. The accolade, established by the National House Building Council, celebrates the exceptional contribution site managers make in creating homes of outstanding quality.

The winners of the prestigious industry award are selected from a pool of 16,000 site managers across the UK. The 12-month selection and judging process identifies site managers who encapsulate skills such as leadership, technical expertise and attention to detail.

Not only has Redrow outdone its 2016 tally of 24, the company’s 2017 awards count is more than double the average in the competition, which stands at 12. The number of successful site managers at Redrow has increased every year since 2013.

The Redrow winners come from some of the housebuilder’s most crucial UK sites, including Ebbsfleet Green in Kent, Lyon Square in London, Oaklands Park in Derbyshire and The Pavilion in Lancashire. The West Country in particular has excelled. This year the region was responsible for five out of 27 awards won by Redrow.

best site managers amongst our colleagues is a reflection of the high standards we uphold across Redrow.

“It’s a rigorous judging process and only the best in the business achieve the ‘Quality’ awards.

The fact we continue to improve year-on-year demonstrates our commitment to continually improving the high build quality of our homes.”

This year’s achievement is a testament to Redrow’s unwavering commitment to the quality training and retention of its people: 5,000 training days are delivered by the Learning and Development team each year. Redrow has also been recognised as the Construction Industry Training Board’s Apprentice Employer of the Year and one of the National Apprenticeship Service’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

John Tutte, Redrow’s chief executive officer, said: “We’re very proud of all of our winning site managers, and that a record number have been recognised for the second year running. The fact we count 27 of the industry’s

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LAG17008

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Blue Mantle

Fireplaces And Antiques Since 1969

The Largest Antique Fireplace Showroom in the World Blue Mantle Fireplaces & Antiques one of the UK’s leading suppliers of antique/reproduction fireplaces and reclamation. As recipient of the Best Garden Furniture Company – London, we invited the company to tell us more about their reputation since 1969, as the largest antique fireplace showroom in the world and seller of garden furniture.

Established in 1969, Blue Mantle has the largest antique fireplace showroom in the world. With 24,000 square feet (2,200 square meters), there are always at least 500 items on display in their London showroom.

Other items include chimney pots, dog grates, bespoke and reclaimed fireplace surrounds, mirrors, stained glass, fountains, chandeliers, architectural salvage, jars, pots, boxes, bottles, bells, ironwork and garden furniture.

In 1970′s, due to increased business activity, the company extended the showroom by merging into five other neighboring shops and started serving the public. Over the years, Blue Mantle has established itself as UK leading supplier of Antique fireplaces.

In the mid 1980′s, as the antique fireplaces became scarcer, the company started offering bespoke services of replicating marble and wooden fireplace surrounds in period designs.

Currently located in the grade II listed building of the old fire station on the old Kent road, it

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took the company many years to restore the fire station to its original glory and now selling fireplaces from that location.

The company’s spokesperson reveals more in this exclusive interview.

“We have almost 50 years’ experience in supplying and restoring antique fireplaces. We are also one of the oldest and most established reclamation yards in the UK. “Blue Mantle is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Antique/ reproduction fireplaces, garden furniture, high value Antiques and architectural reclamation.

Established in 1969 Blue Mantle has the largest antique fireplace showroom in the world. With 24,000 square feet (2,200 square meters) there are always at least 1000 items on display at our London showroom.

“We have almost 50 years’ experience in supplying and restoring antique fireplaces, and garden furniture. We are also one of the oldest and most established architectural reclamation yards in the UK.”

The spokesperson adds that the company offers a broad range of services and works closely with their clients, ensuring that their specific requirements as met to their complete satisfaction.

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“The company’s services have developed over the years in response to customer needs.

We also work with clients in many different businesses and industries. Our services are developed to meet individual customer needs and we have established an excellent reputation in fireplace industry over 50 years.

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“Our friendly and skilled staff aim to exceed customer’s expectations by offering an excellent service and high quality customer care.

Our reputation for innovating and pioneering new services is well known in the industry.”

Finally, it is worth underlining that the company has assembled a rich array of services and skills over the years, some of which are listed below: • Specialism in assisting developers, architects and interior designers in supplying and installing fireplaces for listed buildings.

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• • • • •

Confidential consultancy work undertaken for private and corporate clients.

Estimates for supplying and installation of fireplace.

Valuation and consultancy of fireplaces.

Supplying traditional cast iron garden furniture, lamp post and fountains.

Bespoke gas burners.

Bespoke marble, lime stone slate, granite and wooden fireplace surrounds and hearths.

Flue lining services.

Complete restoration and polishing services.

Removal of existing fireplace.

Radiators supplied and installed and Supplying stoves and garden fireplaces.

For the home: • Kitchen floors, worktops, sink tops and shelves etc.

For the workplace: • Restaurant counter and servery tops.

• Bar tops.

• Boardroom and meeting room table tops and • Retail counter tops (e.g. delicatessens, cafes, food halls).

g The Largest Antique Fireplace Showroom in the World

Company: Blue Mantle Email: syed@bluemantle.co.uk Web Address: www.bluemantle.co.uk Address: The Old Fire Station Old Kent Road, London, SE1 5UE UK Telephone: +44 (0)207 703 7437

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Buy-to-Let and how can help you purchase, own, sell & inherit property in a Tax efficient way.

The Wincham Solution With the recent legislation changes in the UK, it is becoming far more tax efficient to own investment properties in a corporate structure.

From the 1st April 2016, landlords have had to pay the standard rates of stamp duty, plus an extra three percent when they purchase a buy-to-let property in addition to their main residence. This increase can add thousands of pounds to the stamp duty bill and applies to property purchases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This change in stamp duty charges also extends to homes abroad. For example, if you already own a home in Spain and buy an additional property in England, you will have to pay the higher rate of UK stamp duty.

The Wincham Solution Wincham International Ltd, is a legal, taxation and accountancy practise, providing professional services to owners of assets in the UK and abroad.

With offices located in the UK and Spain, our organisation has qualified professionals in both jurisdictions. Our team consist of Tax Consultants, Chartered Accountants, Economists, Lawyers and members of the Institute of Credit Management.

Our subsidiary company, which is a professional Companies House formation agent, provides

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company formation services and the future corporate management of our client companies.

Additionally, we are members of the (A.I.P.P) Association of International Property Professionals and operate to their code of conduct. Our Cases are covered by our Membership of the AIPP Disciplinary Panel and our company holds (P.I.) Professional Indemnity Insurance which covers our services & activities in the UK and Spanish operations. We also have a (MLR) Money Laundering Regulation licence approved by HMRC in the UK so clients can trust the services and solutions that we supply.

Established in 1994, Wincham have become market leaders helping clients purchase and own properties in Spain within a UK Limited Company structure.

What are the benefits?

• Possible reduction of Property Purchase Tax on buying of re-sale Spanish property.

• Spanish Inheritance and Wealth Tax Savings.

• Reductions in potential future Capital gains Tax. • No Spanish will/Spanish probate required.

• No Off-Shore Company Tax. Mark Roach, Managing Director of Wincham International elaborates about one of the benefits;

“Placing your property into a UK Limited Company structure, brings possible tax savings. Our UK Company ownership model has been a proven solution and a peace of mind for our clients with assets in Spain and can be applied to any country that has treaties with the United Kingdom.”

Wincham has now replicated our successful model and is supplying these services to the UK buy-to-let market, allowing clients to benefit from our expertise in this field.

If you own a UK Investment property in your personal name which is mortgage free, then Wincham can help you place your property into a UK Limited Company structure with minimal or no stamp duty or UK Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to pay.

Reasons to own UK investment property within a UK Limited Company • The resale of a UK Limited Company holding a property could have no stamp duty.

• £5000 Dividend tax free per shareholder.

• Inheritance Tax Planning and in many cases, zero tax to pay.

• Only 20% Corporation Tax to pay on profit, compared to 40%+ for personal income Tax bands.

• Reduction of Capital Gains Tax. • Any advances you make to your Limited Company can

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be drawn out by the way of a Directors Loan, tax free.

Mortgage interest tax allowance against company profits.

Further information can be obtained via our dedicated buy-to-let Wincham website page here - www. winchambuytolet.com For further information on purchasing Spanish property into a UK Limited Company structure please visit www. winchamukcompany.com If you have any questions regarding privately buying or selling a property, or have any legal, accounting, or taxation requirements, visit the Wincham website www.wincham. com or call one of our trained Wincham Consultants 0044 (0) 1260 299 700 (UK).

To arrange a free consultation with one of our Wincham Consultants, please visit www.winchamiht.com We will provide a free Spanish Inheritance Tax illustration demonstrating the liabilities your Beneficiaries would have when inheriting Spanish assets in their personal names. Please also visit www.winchamiht.com to watch our Wincham 4-minute online presentation about the Spanish Inheritance Tax problem and solution.

g Wincham International Ltd

Company: Wincham International Ltd Email: info@wincham.com Web Address: www.wincham.com Address: Wincham House, Greenfield Farm Trading Estate, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4TR. Telephone: +44 (0)1260 299 700

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Flying High Fentress Architects is a global design firm that passionately pursues the creation of sustainable and iconic architecture. We caught up with founder Curtis Fentress to talk about the overwhelming success that the firm has enjoyed over the last three decades.

Fentress Architects is an international design firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with studios all around the world.

Founded by Curtis Fentress in 1980, the firm passionately pursues the creation of iconic public architecture. Known for his “patient search,” Curtis Fentress, FAIA, RIBA, has designed $38 billion of architectural landmarks worldwide, visited by more than 450 million people each year.

Fentress is internationally known for innovative, awardwinning design of airports, museums, convention centers, laboratories, higher education, civic and government buildings.

Additionally, the firm designs office, mixed-use, religious and residential buildings.

The firm ranks among the Top 10 Green Design Firms in the US and has been pioneering sustainable design since the early 1990s — creating the world’s largest day lit structure and the largest LEED Gold building (which later achieved LEED EB Platinum) in its era.

The majority of the firm’s licensed architects are LEED Accredited Professionals. As a testament to the firm’s solution-driven and creative design approach, projects designed by Fentress have been honored with over 500 awards for innovation and excellence.

In 2010, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) honored Curtis with the highest award for public architecture, the Thomas Jefferson Award, recognizing

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“a portfolio of accomplishments that evidences great depth while making a significant contribution to the quality of public architecture.” He was also awarded the highest honor from the AIA Western Mountain Region, the 2010 Silver Medal for “significant contributions to the profession and the citizens of the region, and transcending local boundaries in making these contributions.” He was inducted into the AIA College of Fellows in 1996, and is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Curtis discovered a passion for design in high school, and gravitated to classes in drafting and engineering.

He went on to graduate with honors from North Carolina State University College of Design, where he was awarded an AIA-AIAF Fellowship, a Graham Foundation Fellowship, and the Alpha Rho Chi Medal – the highest honor bestowed on a designer by an architectural school. In 2010, North Carolina State University celebrated his achievements with the “Distinguished Alumni Award.”

After graduation Curtis joined the New York firm of I.M. Pei and Partners where he worked on several international projects, including the Raffles Place Center in Singapore. From there he joined the newly-established firm of Kohn Pedersen Fox of New York, where he was Project Designer for the Amoco Building in Denver, Colorado. His work on the Amoco Building earned him recognition as Building Design

and Construction Magazine’s “Young Professional of the Year,” and in January of 1980, Curtis Fentress established his own studio. Today, Fentress Architects has five international studios and a team of 150 professionals.

The firm is well- known for its iconic designs that reflect the cultures and communities surrounding them. Curtis explains how Fentress differentiates itself from competitors and marks it out as the best choice for clients.

“We listen closely to the clients to determine what they need and then design a timeless building for the common good,” he explains. “Fentress designs are each unique, with no signature look trademarking it as our own – we restrain our ego to create a space that tells the story of the community.

“Some architects have a preconceived notion of what a building should be — they design from the outside like the building is a piece of sculpture. I prefer to patiently search through extensive discovery until I find a seam somewhere, crack it open and discover the art inside.”

For every project it pursues, the firm’s overall aim is to create a building that is both timeless and memorable, and one where function meets art. Based on logic, beauty and humanism, Fentress’ Eight Touchstones of Design are the foundation of its approach to public architecture and they guide the “patient search” to discover the art inside.

“When designing the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, we used our Touchstones to design a space that represents Colorado’s political and cultural core, while also implementing award-winning Building Information Modeling (BIM) and metrics,” comments Curtis.

“The need to deliver outstanding architectural detailing on the project drove a cultural shift that elevated the use of BIM to new levels. The team collaboratively focused technology use and innovative processes to achieve key project success factors defined by the customer, and delivered an outstanding experience along the way. As a result, Fentress Architects won the American Institute of Architecture TAP Award for Virtual Design and Construction Efforts award for the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center.”

“Design for People” is the core of the Fentress philosophy and, for Curtis, this can be defined as responsible architecture – architecture that honors the client, the people who will use the building, the community and the earth as a whole.

“We believe successful design is achieved through close collaboration with our clients. On the Orlando International Airport South Terminal C project, we talked to multiple stakeholders and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority about their values when redesigning their terminal. The design goal was to create the next generation of The Orlando Experience by using large, small, and intimate gestures to create an unforgettable experience.

g Flying High

Contact: Julian Fentress Email: JFentress@fentressarchitects.com Web Address: fentressarchitects.com Company: Fentress Architects Address: 421 Broadway, Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA Telephone: 001 303 722 5000

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With a new iconic entryway, improved wayfinding, and futuristic technology, Fentress has designed a new airport terminal that advances The Orlando Experience.”

Speaking of his iconic aviation projects, Curtis goes on to tell us about one of Fentress’ biggest successes to date – the Denver International Airport project - which was internationally recognized and voted “Best Airport in North America” by Business Traveler Magazine readers for six consecutive years (2005 – 2010).

“With a deadline of only three weeks to create the terminal’s conceptual design, Fentress Architects broke the mold of traditional airport architecture by ‘turning the building upside down,’” he elaborates. “The form evokes the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado’s international signature.

Sustainably, the fabric roof provides considerable daylighting, and low heat absorption reduces build-up due to sunlight radiation. This project taught us that despite the constraints, thinking outside of the box challenges us to be inventive.”

Recently, Fentress Architects was recognized as one of the Top 50 Architects worldwide, an accolade of which Curtis and his team and immensely proud.

“We are honored to be recognized for our iconic and innovative designs,” he enthuses.

“This award is unique from others we have received, because we are being recognized not only for the designs of our buildings, but also for the impact our designs have had on the community within the A/E/C industry.”

Constant innovation to ensure iconic structures and continued success can be a challenge, but for Curtis it is simply second nature.

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“We are always looking for innovative solutions and embracing new technologies to enhance our buildings. For the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX, we wanted to leverage technology to create a futuristic space that would enhance the travel experience for travelers. Through the use of interactive screens in the Great Hall of the terminal, and updating materials and finishes throughout, Fentress created a modern and easy-to-navigate terminal.”

Indeed, the next 12 months are looking extremely busy for the team at Fentress, particularly when it comes to aviation design, an industry which is everevolving.

“Fentress is forward thinking when it comes to aviation design.

With more travelers than ever before, airports around the world have had to update and rethink the way people interact with them. Technology is advancing such that check-in lines are shorter and airplanes can hold more passengers. We are looking for ways to ease the flow and for passengers by designing spaces that are open and easy to navigate, while also remaining functional and safe.

“Fentress will continue to embrace new trends on all of our projects, and also encourage innovation in design through our Fentress Global Challenge competition. We encourage students from around the world to submit their designs for the Airport of the Future; the winner is given the opportunity to intern in our studio. The challenge represents the firm’s commitment to continuing the vision of that award—to further advance the pursuit of innovative design in public architecture.”

“Some architects have a preconceived notion of what a building should be — they design from the outside like the building is a piece of sculpture. I prefer to patiently search through extensive discovery until I find a seam somewhere, crack it open and discover the art inside.”

g Flying High

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Making More with Less World-leading metal powder manufacturer, Höganäs, was named one of the Top 50 Architects worldwide by BUILD. We speak to Alexander Sakratidis about the firm, 3D Printing and its revolutionary products.

As the world moves steadily towards more generative and flexible manufacturing methods, Höganäs is at the forefront of this development.

Höganäs is the world’s leading manufacturer of iron and metal powders continuously pioneering into new developments. Digital Metal® is Höganäs revolutionary, proprietary precision inkjet technology for additive manufacturing and 3D printing of metal components and systems.

It offers a unique capacity to rapidly and cost-effectively produce highly complex and intricate designs and features for metallic parts. Höganäs also offers an extensive range of metal powders for additive manufacturing.

Founded in 1797 as a coal mine by Count Eric Ruuth, the company also made refractory and salt glazed ceramics. Ruuth was a Swedish nobleman and the owner of Marsvinsholm Castle. He served as the Governor-General of Swedish Pomerania from 1792 to 1796.

Alexander Sakratidis is Sales Manager at Höganäs Digital Metal®.

“We always strive to improve and push the boundaries of what is possible,” he explains, regarding the firm’s aims and the strategies employed to achieve this. “Our development team is constantly investigating and developing new

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metal powders and alloys as well as refining the technology. ”By utilising the endless opportunities of our metal powders, we know that we can improve resource efficiency and lead a wave of change for the better. To achieve this, traditional ways of doing things must be challenged. We actively seek out needs not being met and then invent new solutions. Our search for how metal powder can make a real difference never ends. With people at every level of our organisation dedicated to redefining what is possible, we continue to amaze the world with new breakthroughs.”

Alexander continues in further depth, speaking of the processes undertaken when new clients for 3D metal printing come onboard. All potential new clients and/or projects are subject to a thorough assessment and the firm actively engages in dialogue with potential customers to ensure the best possible outcome.

“Many times the CAD files we receive are made for traditional manufacturing, and hence do not take into account the many benefits with 3D metal printing.

“If the client is searching for 3D metal printed components with complex design, high resolution and fine surface quality, then Höganäs’ Digital Metal® technology is a good choice,” he elaborates, talking

about what sets the firm aside from competitors in the market.

“Our high resolution of 35 µm and surface quality with an average surface roughness of Ra 6 µm makes it ideal for internal channels where polishing is not possible or very hard to perform.

Another unique feature is that we do not use any support structures when printing. This also means that multiple layers of components, different or the same, can be printed on top of each other. By doing so we can move from just prototyping into serial production with high productivity.

“At Höganäs we understand that cost efficiency is at the top of our customer’s priority list along with functionality. This is where Höganäs Digital Metal® printing comes into play. How? Our customers can optimize the components for functionality and not manufacturing methods.”

“We have several projects where we in close cooperation with the client have moved from making prototypes into serial production of up to 25,000-30,000 pieces on a yearly basis. Lesson’s learned is to always be clear on expectations and possibilities. By applying this, the client will come up with ways of improving their own design.

“We hope our presence will contribute to an even higher interest in the possibilities with 3D metal printing,” he explains.

“There are figures indicating that the 3D metal printing industry is increasing with a pace of 30% per year. We also see a lot of joint ventures and larger companies such as General Electric buying 3D printing companies.

“We always strive to improve and push the boundaries of what is possible.”

Recently, Höganäs was selected to be one of our Top 50 Architects in the world, an accolade of which Alexander and the team feel honoured to receive. He embellishes on what else we can expect from the firm in the not-too-distant future.

“We welcome more serial production. One such interesting project we are engaged in is with Swiss watch maker Montfort.

Our 3D-printing technique, Digital Metal®, allowed them the complete freedom of design they were looking for. The beautiful watches are inspired by the Swiss alpes, with dials produced

by Höganäs.”

g Making More with Less

Höganäs short facts • Established in 1797 as a coal mining company • 2,500 customers in 75 countries • More than 1,500 products, mostly customer specific, from 13 production centres • Around 700 granted patents • Turnover 2015: 7,590 MSEK • 1,800 employees • Owned by FAM and Lindéngruppen Did you know?

Höganäs’ has developed their own 3D metal printer using their proprietary technology, Höganäs Digital Metal®. The Digital Metal® technology is suitable for production of small components and provides high surface finish, tolerances and resolution. The rapid development of 3D metal printing opens the door for new possibilities with freedom of design. The Höganäs Digital Metal technology is also well suited for serial production.

Did you know?

Höganäs was the first company to successfully reduce iron ore into sponge iron and later pioneered the field of Soft Magnetic Composites (SMC).

Did you know?

Among many things, our metal powders can be used as recyclable media to remove contaminants from drinking water.

Contact: Alexander Sakratidis Email: alexander.sakratidis@hoganas.com Company: Höganäs AB, Digital Metal® Visiting address: Verkstadsgatan 12 ZIP code: SE-263 39 City: Höganäs Country: Sweden Web Address: www.hoganas.com, www.hoganas.com/3dprinting Main phone: +46 42 33 80 00

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Unique Designs for Unique People Sabrina M Haindl tells us about her firm, Uniek, the passion and flair she has for her work, and how she values her client’s input to ensure complete satisfaction each and every time.

Sabrina M Haindl is an architectural and interior designer and founder of the company uniek/ innenarchitektur. She tells us more about what she does.

“In a nutshell my services include almost everything to do with interior space,” she begins.

“More specifically: identifying a customer’s wishes, measuring the interior space, translating all of it into a unique design, coordinating the outcome in collaboration with the client and, finally, implementing it to their full satisfaction.”

Sabrina handles all projects on both a small and a large scale – from planning kitchens to redoing entire loft apartments, advising retailers or coordinating building sites. Her firm, Uniek, turns dreams into reality, acting as a one-stop shop for clients.

“What is most important to me is reliability, passion, finding individual solutions for my customers and working with the best industry experts.”

Sabrina loves to work for private clients and relishes the whole process of getting to know each other, building a relationship and learning to trust each other to achieve the best possible result.

“It is different from working in the public sphere, for instance when furnishing offices,” she explains.

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“In office buildings, there is less room for personal and playful details, because the space has to be suitable for a large group of people and cater to a multitude of tastes.

“With private clients, however, a room can, and even should, reflect the people who inhabit it.

Private rooms are the personal space people retreat to and it makes me proud that my clients trust me enough to let me into this intimate space.

“My showroom is not really conventional, either – it reveals a lot about myself. You could not exactly call it straightforward, it is full of life!”

Sabrina believes that thorough analysis of a new project is key when it comes to differentiating herself and her firm from competitors in the market.

“The principle of “form follows function”, combined with courage and an eye for detail, is what I pride myself upon. I always strive for a design that tells a story. To me, a design is excellent when I am enthralled by it and it appeals to me anew every time I see it.

“I pay attention to the small details, everyday things that clients do not pay attention to or even notice. I ask many questions and tell customers about myself. This way, I learn a lot about them. It is crucial to consider daily routines and habits when planning a design.

After all, my concepts aim to make life more comfortable and simpler. These seemingly small details in my planning often make the difference.

“I also think that my ambition to achieve the best possible results in every project, no matter how big or small, sets me apart. And finally, I always think ahead, answering my clients’ questions even before they come up, being considerate, patient, encouraging and also humorous in this process.

“My philosophy is not so much seeing the client as king or queen, but as a partner, because it is this mutual trust and fairness that gives rise to great things.”

“My philosophy is not so much seeing the client as king or queen, but as a partner, because it is this mutual trust and fairness that gives rise to great things.”

Sabrina’s strategy for success is simply to do her best to fulfil her clients’ wishes.

“I believe the best strategy is to take on every challenge that comes up, to never impose limits on yourself, and to truly believe in your concept and trust it with all your heart.

“Fortunately, whenever I finish a project, the next comes up. And then, it is really my clients and their needs that decide where my company goes. In that respect I am not really the boss, they are!

“In general, it is my personal goal to be happy in what I do in my job and be able to realise outstanding projects. And I have been so lucky, always ending up with the best clients imaginable.”

Inspiration comes easily to Sabrina and she describes herself as “a sponge” – always absorbing everything she sees and using the input as and when needed when she is working with clients.

“Often I adjust it to the individual settings, frequently in an innovative way and always creating contrasts. I don’t think you have to reinvent the wheel in every assignment. Often, you just have to combine a handful of innovative and exciting ideas and adapt them to the project at hand.

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Company: uniek/innenarchitektur Contact: Sabrina M Haindl Email: sabrina.haindl@uniek.at Web Address: www.uniek.at Address: breite gasse 2|2; 1070 wien Telephone: +43 676 979 2346

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“To get new ideas, I leaf through magazines and I like to visit the smaller fairs where many young, creative and innovative designers exhibit their work. I love to throw around ideas with like-minded colleagues and have also been known to click through Pinterest boards. I also find films and TV shows very inspiring.”

Whatever Sabrina’s strategy to success, it seems to be working well! She tells us about two particular projects which have been especially satisfying to her during her career.

“One was my very first project when I had just started my own company five years ago,” she embellishes. “What was at first “I only need a kitchen” finally turned into “Sabrina, I want you to furnish my whole apartment”.

And the client felt this way because I had been gutsy enough to stubbornly veto a solution the architect and builder were arguing for but which I knew was far from ideal for my client. He was so impressed by that he decided I should handle the whole project for him. I ended up communicating with and for him, and also acted as a mediator between him and the hired professionals. And I still assume this role in projects to this day. This first project pointed the way my company would take shape.

“The second example is an ongoing collaboration with a client for whom I have already realised interior design concepts for three apartments in the same building. It was the first time that my ideas required a crane. I suddenly discovered that really anything is possible if you work with the right partners and that the right partners will share and support you in your concerns. I have also learnt that I have to pencil some flexibility into my tight time schedules and that, regardless of the number of plans I draw, I need to be on site. It is not so rare that final decisions are made at the construction site.”

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Recently, Sabrina was chosen to receive the prestigious accolade of Innovator in Design, for her hard work, dedication and client satisfaction.

“It feels Simply amazing to receive such an award,” Sabrina enthuses. “I was, and still am, so touched and can’t really believe this great thing is happening to me. Once I have fully grasped it, I will be sure to celebrate!

“To me, the award means that my projects and I are being noticed.

It also means that the path I have chosen for my company and myself is receiving a positive response from my surroundings.

“I would particularly like to thank my customers, who trust me to realise their visions of where and how they would like to live. I don’t take this for granted, it is a great honour. And I also want to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends, without whom my company could never have developed into what it is today.”

With regards to her future aspirations, Sabrina lets us in on a few little golden nuggets as to what we can expect to see from her, and Uniek, within the next 12 months.

“Various projects I am working on leave me little time to spruce up my own company and develop all kinds of possible and impossible visions for the future. But I am working on a new website (uniek.rocks), and I am always looking for new manufacturers to collaborate with, as well as radically redesigning my showroom at the moment. In the end, however, surprises and being inspired by my customers to create individual solutions are still what I love the most.”

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YDS Architects Yoshitaka Uchino Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

technicaldetail.co.uk/

Idea + Design + Management = Happy Client We have honed the knowledge & problem solving ability that this has given us and now offer it to the public as a design and architectural management service or agency.

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Interior Motives Rosa May Sampaio tells us more about her namesake interior design company and her thoughts on the industry as a whole.

Rosa May Sampaio is founder, owner and director of her interior architecture and decoration firm, also called Rosa May Sampaio.

Although the main focus is on interior design, the company has also produced architectural projects, as well as set design for theatre and film.

With its main office in Sao Paulo and a total of nine people working there, including two architects, Rosa May Sampaio also works across Uruguay, Argentina and Rio de Janeiro with outsourced collaborators.

“I think many times interior design is relegated as something less important,” states Rosa, sharing with us her thoughts on the industry, from residential fitouts to commercial showrooms.

“Architects many times prioritize the outside but the interior is where one will spend most of its

time. That is true to every kind of space and that is why we focus on creating spaces that are both harmonious and cozy. One must feel good in their environment, whatever that is.”

Rosa has made her mark on the design world and is recognized throughout the region for her style and flair. She tells us more about what she believes makes a great designer and what sets her aside from the competition.

“Designing has much to do with living life as we create the spaces where relationships flourish, professional and personal conquests are made.

For that reason I believe curiosity, interest in life and availability are fundamental qualities any professional in this field must have.

“I believe essentially clients come after my taste. It sounds pretentious but it is what I hear

from them, and I have had clients for whom I have designed more than three different homes in a span of more than 20 years. They listen carefully to my opinion in all practical and aesthetical matters. They say that when they go into a space that I have designed they feel like they never want to leave it!”

With clients in mind, what steps and processes does Rosa undertake when taking on a new client to ensure the best possible outcome every time?

“My first approach is to listen to them first and try to find a common language, in order to understand their needs, their desires and their tastes. What kind of lifestyle do they have?

What habits? All this information is fundamental to start with. Later I try to see what their tastes are as far as art, lighting, materials, etc.

“Designing has much to do with living life as we create the spaces where relationships flourish, professional and personal conquests are made.”

22 BUILD / June 2017

“My aim is to please my clients and for that I need a lot of patience to understand their needs and tastes and try to give them the best possible interior design using my own experience and tastes.”

Rosa’s most defining project to date was an old farm in Argentina: “I had to bring light, telephone, heating and plumbing from the nearest village about 20 km away, without destroying the beautiful park!” she enthuses. “In nine months we fully renovated the house, which has more than 2,000 square meters of constructed area.”

Recently, Rosa was awarded the prestigious title of Innovator in Design for her work, something of which she is incredibly proud to receive. She says: “It is a great honour and I am very proud. An international recognition of this calibre is very important for me and my team.”

Rosa has grand aspirations for the future and shares with us a few of her current projects.

“Right now we are doing the architecture as well as the interior design of a 1000 square meter house in the countryside of São Paulo. It is a very ambitious project and we don’t usually do both the architecture and the interior design, so this has been a challenging and fun new project.

“In the near future, I would like to design a hotel and incorporate landscaping to our services.”

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Interior Motives

Name: Rosa May Sampaio Company: Rosa May Decoração de Interiores Position within company: Director Address: Rua Alemanha, 691 – Jd. Europa CEP 01448-010 – São Paulo – SP Telephone: 0055 11 3085 7100 Web Address: www.rosamaysampaio.com.br

BUILD / June 2017 23

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Understanding Architecture jürgensarchitekten is an architecture and design studio based in Munich, Germany.

Founded by Natalie Jürgens in 2007, the studio works on small scale, but high-quality, projects in various fields. We spoke to Natalie about her work, her passion and her approach to new clients and projects.

Before founding jürgensarchitekten, in 2007 Natalie had already worked in the industry for 8 years for high end trade fair exhibitions in the automobile sector, and she tells us she still loves her work!

“If you love what you do, nothing else really matters,” she exclaims. “Enthusiasm is contagious!”

An intensive, highly creative and profound work process, mostly with tight time schedules, is the firm’s speciality, and one of the most important themes for Natalie and Jürgensarchitekten, due to her previous background, is corporate architecture.

“We have been co-operating with different companies for m any years and design not only trade fair stands for them, but also showrooms, special corporate events and even working

“If you love what you do, nothing else really matters enthusiasm is contagious!”

24 BUILD / June 2017

spaces,” she explains. “As our job takes often place in the trade fair halls, we are automatically part of pulsating future trends.

“We really get to know our clients with all their facets, and this is, on the one hand absolutely necessary to make this job, and on the other hand our key to success over years.

“For our customers, we stand for creativity and trendsetting design and we pride ourselves on listening to our clients and meeting, and exceeding, their needs. We consider our clients as our most important partners looking for the best solution of our task. The product of the designing process should be the baby of all involved partners, last but not least, the client.”

Feedback from clients about Natalie and her team is very positive, and the firm has been described as being ‘easy to talk to’ regarding customer’s wishes.

She tells us how she approaches new clients to ensure success, and takes us through her design processes.

“We are not the shining stars in the architectural sky, but real individual human beings which understand human belongings regardless of which kind of client we deal with (commercial or private).

“Regarding the design approach, we work very much ‘hands-on’, meaning sketching, modelling, testing materials, collecting images, and even writing. During the process, we aim to change the perspective and try to see the project from a completely different point of view in order to increase the design experience.

“This experimentation with trial and error leads to a very free and playful design, and one that does not always conform to, or follow, current trends.”

So how does Natalie continue to come up with innovative solutions and maintain her success as an award-winning architect? She takes us through her thought processes when it comes to finding inspiration.

“This is something I often think about,” laughs Natalie. “As the head of jürgensarchitekten, I enjoy re-inventing and re-thinking my company from time to time.

“Obviously, this is a typical and necessary quality of an entrepreneur, but for me, it is an inspiring and creative process that comes naturally and keeps me (and the company) alive.

I think it is essential to remain open-minded towards other fields other than architecture.”

jürgensarchitekten has built up a large network of contemporaries, consisting of experts all over Europe in many different domains, such as specialeffects graphics, lighting, visual merchandising, arts, films and media, urban development and logistics.

“Depending on the task we are presented with, we can build up a team of experts quickly and easily, all of whom are inspiring and will push one another forward.”

Most successful project One of Natalie’s most successful projects recently was the latest trade fair design for her longterm client, Pfleiderer, which took place in January of this year. She tells us more about the project and what she and the team learnt from it.

“It was a big success, not regarding awards or publications, but concerning the harmony between client and the stand as the design perfectly represented the company’s range and the way they see themselves,” explains Natalie.

“We developed a huge 3D relief consisting of a kind of puzzle, with parts which interlock one to each other. It was like a big Tetris game for adults that had been frozen as a certain point in time.

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Understanding Architecture

Name: Natalie Jürgens Company: jürgensarchitekten Email: info@juergensarchitekten.de Web Address: www.juergensarchitekten.de Address: Thierschstraße 12, 80538 München Telephone: +49 - (0)89 - 21550 658-0

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“We had single boxes filled with the Pfleiderer products: coated and uncoated chipboards, high pressure laminates (HPL) in more than 300 different decors, chipboards for special uses like fire protection or light weight issues etc., and this huge range of products was organized in a logical and clearly arranged way through the boxes.”

The Pfleiderer team loved the stand immediately and gave jürgensarchitekten the feedback that the stand was the perfect tool to work with.

“At a glance, they could find the product they were looking for - but at the same time, and in the same space, the amazing artwork material collages intrigue those looking and they experience something new. The boxes told the Pfleiderer story like a comic strip.

“What did we learn from this?” ask Natalie. “Learning for us never ends; every project turns out with great and, sometimes, surprising experiences.”

Recently jürgensarchitekten were selected as one of the Architecture Top 50 by BUILD magazine. Natalie tells us how delighted she was to receive such an accolade and what this means for her firm.

“After 10 years of creative work, we are incredibly proud to be chosen! As Jürgensarchitekten is a small studio, it was a big surprise to be elected by a global acting magazine and we appreciate very much that BUILD considers also some ‘Davids’ and not only ‘Goliaths’ in its nominations.

“Even more for our clients than for us, this is a strong sign for the individual way of working we pursue. When we win awards or get other positive feedbacks, the client can feel proud, too, because he feels like an important part of the process and in fact also is.”

26 BUILD / June 2017

So what does the future hold for the architecture industry? And for Natalie and her dedicated team?

“I observe the trends on the trade fairs, and surprisingly, most of them endure several years.

“Still one of the strongest themes for the last few years, and probably for the next years and decades, will remain sustainability. But the way people deal with it, becomes more playful and joyful. Sustainability has become not only a lifestyle, but an omnipresent necessity, which can release power and creativity.

“I am for example fascinated by radical concepts like creating neutral spaces which can be occupied and utilised by completely different uses and users – depending on the demands of the situation.

For me, such concepts reflect the tasks we are prompted to solve in the changing world we are living. Transferring these thoughts onto my work, I love to deal with existing structures.

Even regarding trade fair design, which seems to be an enormous battle of materials, we design the stand always in terms of re-using it and in surprisingly new ways that’s the art about it!”

Corporate architecture will stay the firm’s special competence, and it is now working on widening its activities towards more permanent installations and retail design. Both fields require high end design combined with tough time schedules, which is fortunately one of Natalie’s, and her firms’, core capabilities.

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“This experimentation with trial and error leads to a very free and playful design, and one that does not always conform to, or follow, current trends.�

BUILD / June 2017 27

1703BU01

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XECUTIVE INTERVIEW

2

A palatable business

The Next Revolution Pallet LHT Holdings Limited is a leading timber pallet specialist based in Singapore and drawing on over 30 years’ experience in this ever evolving and increasingly important industry. With the help of CEO May Yap, we profile the firm and explore the secrets behind its phenomenal success.

Established in 1977, Technical Wood products. With lease their standard pallets and LHT has grown to the high technology involved, the interchangeable at the grocery be a leader in the products have the advantage of distribution centre, as May industry with an being consistent in color, texture outlines. annual turnover and high density. Wood cracks, of more than S$50,000,000 mould and insect attacks are “Think of the benefits to industry and is also one of the largest prevented through strict process as a whole if goods can leave the manufacturing company of high of treatment and drying. The manufacturer and arrive at the quality wooden pallets, boxes products are therefore ideal for retailer on the same pallet. Not and crates in Singapore. Sited furniture, building material and only does the risk of damaging on a 63,568 sq m land, LHT heavy-duty industrial usage. the goods in transit reduce has a dedicated workforce of significantly, but imagine the 180 involves in the IMAGES areas of YEW KWANG Thriving with innovation, extent to which productivity can administration, manufacturing LHT created its own unique increase with the time saved and warehousing. product known as “Innovative on labour and handling of the Process Product Convention goods. This can be transferred When it was first established, (IPPC)” pallets and crates as a cost saving to the customer.

LHT was awarded ISO 9002 using its Technical Wood.

The The fact that we’re ableupon to offer a n the fast-paced world of logistics, an industry forever drawing certification on the quality IPPC pallets and crates are locally produced, green product state-of-the-art technology such as dronesattoastreamline workflow management system on the environmental friendly and are stable price, and of a good processes,made it’s hard to believe there’s muchisdisparity surrounding manufacture, purchase and of partially or fully wastestill soquality, how we have been supply of wooden pallets, cases wood materials and lower able to grow LHT as a business.” one of the most elementary parts of the transport process: the pallet. and crates, and Technical Woods carbon footprint compared to (compressed engineered wastenatural wood pallets and crates, The firm also offers an array 16 different types pallets in the market, in wood). Later, in 2001, LHT“There was are especially adopted by of MNC with in use of services including and waste further awarded ISO 14001 good practices in their Corporate disposal, logistics support, Singapore we have 13 sizes alone!” exclaims May Yap, the CEO of LHT Holdings certification on its environment Social Response (CSR). heat treatment and industrial Limited.

It feels as though there’s already enoughpackaging. confusionMany withofthe management system that the word’s firm’s indicates its commitment towards The IPPC pallets and crates service offerings across these homonyms — not palate, as in sense of taste, or palette, as in the artist tool, environmental excellence, The were pest-free and compliance sectors highlight its pioneering but pallet, as in the wooden platform that serves as the base for bulk transport Company was also awarded the to International Standards for nature. packaging. to believeMeasures a global(ISPM) standard doesn’t already exist.

Enterprise 50 Award in 1995 andIt’s hard Phytosanitary 1996 respectively, highlighting version 15, Regulation of Wood For example, to reduce waste its consistent drive towards Packing Material at International and to protect the precious timber “Think of the benefits to industry as a whole if goods can leave the excellence and success.

Trade. resources of the earth, LHT has manufacturer and arrive at the retailer on the same pallet, May continuesfirst established”the Singapore’s Name May Yap As part of its ongoing efforts to Among the firm’s sustainability wood waste recycling plant that enthusiastically. “Not only does the risk of damaging the goods in transit reduce Company LHT reduce waste and to protect the initiatives, is its focus on creating produces high quality products Holdings Limited significantly, but imagine the extent to which productivity can increase with precious timber resources of the reusable / recycle pallets made which create Greenflo Technical Position CEO the timethe saved on labour andquality handling can be transferred earth, LHT has established from this high wood,of the goods.

Wood,This a unique concept, as Mayas HQ Singapore, Singapore Singapore’s wastes new business”development explains.

Employees ~180 first wood a cost saving to athe customer. recycling plant equipped with on standard pallet pooling highly automated system from that allows the fast moving “In providing a solution to the Germany to produce a series of consumer industry (FMCG) to waste wood disposal problem

Not content with having turned the humble shipping pallet into a multimillion-dollar business, Singapore’s LHT Holdings Limited is determined to make it as environmentally friendly as possible.

I

28 BUILD / June 2017

for other companies, LHT hopes to contribute to the industry and the society, as waste dumps are costly, especially in land-scarce Singapore. Companies need first to obtain prior approval from NEA (National Environment Agency) on the intended disposal before we can proceed with the necessary procedures to collect and process the waste wood.

“Our Recycle Team collects the waste wood, unwanted wooden cases, pallets and construction wood, and fabricates them into packaging components, building materials, and furniture component at our recycling wood waste plant.”

LHT is the only waste wood recycler in Asia that uses waste wood in manufacturing. To create green products likes pallets, crates, boxes, fire-rated door and flooring that are widely accepted by the market.

Operating in such an ever evolving market, LHT is committed to remaining at the forefront of emerging developments in technology in order to offer clients cutting edge solutions and services.

With LHT’s centralized and highly automated operations, clients can expect greater control, accuracy, efficiency and of course better quality at reasonable costs, as May is eager to emphasise.

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EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW

“At LHT, we understand that success in today’s modern world means being versatile enough to keep ahead of others in the marketplace. As such, our computerized assembly system enables us to feed our client’s specifications into a central computer, which is linked to an automated assembly line to produce pallets according to the specifications. With a fully automated system, products are precisely measured and assembled, right down to ensuring good quality construction in every joint.

Looking to the future, May’s focus is firmly on building LHT’s brand even further and growing internationally, as she proudly concludes.

“Fundamentally, here at LHT we have a very strong business and an array of environmentally friendly products that we can take to the international market. We are continually striving to create value for our shareholders and are excited for the opportunities the future will bring.”

Company: LHT Holdings Ltd Contact: May Yap Address: 27 Sungei Kadut Street 1 Singapore 729335 Phone: (65) 6269 7890 (16 lines) Fax: (65) 6367 4907 Email: enquiry@lht.com.sg Web Address: www.lht.com.sg 93

BUILD / June 2017 29

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Countless Possibilities Maurizio Bradaschia (Trieste, 1962) graduated in architecture at IUAV in 1987 with Luciano Semerani (tutor). He obtained his Ph.D. at the University “La Sapienza” of Rome; he is associate professor in Trieste, where he teaches “Architectural Design”, “Technical Architecture” and “Project Components of Building” at the Department of Engineering and Architecture.

Enabled in the first band in the competition sector 08 / C1 Design and Engineering Technology Architecture, is part of the School Committee of the Ph.D. in Architecture - Theory and design of the University of Rome, Sapienza, Department of Architecture and Design.

He has given seminars and lectures at Columbia University in New York, at the Faculty of Architecture of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at the Technische Universitat Wien, at the Faculty of Architecture of Tianjin University in China, at the Faculty of Architecture of the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife, Nigeria and in major Italian universities; researcher in the Settlement Upgrading Programme (SUP), United Nations Centre for Human Settlement (Habitat), Informal Settlement Upgrading in the city of Ibadan (Nigeria); he was a member of the Italian transnational working team in the Vision Planet (EU Interreg IIC) project for the development of the Central European, Danubian and Adriatic space.

Maurizio Bradaschia was a member of the technical TEM (Trans European Motorway ECE-UN).

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Founder and Director of the international magazine of Architecture, Art, Communication and Design “Il Progetto”. Author of over three hundred scientific publications. He has written for the magazines Domus, ab, Il Giornale dell’Architettura, Il Progetto, d’Architettura, Neoclassico, Hise, Muse Magazine, Count Down, L’ARSENALE delle idee, rivista di Economia, Politica e Cultura, Bealux, Compasses; collaborator at the Italian Encyclopedia Giovanni Treccani, where he wrote the biographical entries about Michael Graves and Gustav Peichl in the Appendix 2000 and the item “The Communication Architecture” in the work Millennium III, 2009; his projects have been published in Architécti, ab, Architekt, Area, d’A, Il Giornale dell’Architettura, Costruire, Il Progetto, Anfione e Zeto, l’Architettura, cronache e storia, World Architectural Review, Paesaggio Urbano, Architetti, Juliet, Hise, Escala, Oris, Bealux, Case & stili, Quaderni del Territorio, Edilizia & Territorio, l’ARCA, hinge, ioarch, a+d+m, The Plan.

Among the major works, the project for Lot 4 of the project Tergeste Urban PIC Italy, the expansion of the Town Hall of Sgonico, the civic center “via Pagano” for the City of Rome, the square Falloni in Monteiasi (TA), the Center of visits for the Picentini mountains in Eboli (SA), the new headquarters MIDJ in Cordovado (PN).

He has served on numerous juries of national and international competitions of architecture.

He was the Town Councillor for Territorial Planning of the City of Trieste.

He participated in the 7th international architecture exhibition of the Venice Biennale (2000) “La sperimentazione del nuovo, giovani architetti italiani: un incontro sulla condizione contemporanea”.

The sites The privileged field of investigation concerns, above all, the Italian historic city, the Italian landscape (built and non-built up), with its changes and its mutations.

He was one of the 65 invited architects to the exhibition “Dal futurismo al futuro possibile nell’architettura italiana” on the occasion of the celebrations for Italia in Giappone 2001. And was co-designer of the Master Plan for Trieste Expo 2008, the project was exposed in the 9th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, Metamorph (2004); he is among the Italian architects published in the catalog of the Italian Pavilion of the 10th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (2006), he was among the invited international architects in the Hungarian pavilion at the 12th Biennale of Architecture in Venice in 2010.

The Italian city and the Italian territory have represented stratification par excellence for a long time now. In every period sediments of contemporary buildings have followed the pre-existing structures creating richness and complexity everywhere, from North to South, from East to West.

Maurizio Bradaschia was part of the group of selectors for the gold medal for architecture in the context of the Italian Expo International Triennale of Milan (2002/2003, 2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2012/2013). He was advisor to the Prize In / ArchAnce in 2005 and 2006.

It would seem, though, that the landscape of our country, thus created, has reached a saturation point where it is no longer possible to intervene if not to restore, but certainly not to re-innovate with modern interventions contextualized in respect to too much history. This is one of the main challenges faced within the expressed planning, with care and respect to all the faceting, with an attitude intended to make the righteousness of the project as the basic condition.

Over the years I have dealt with the themes of urban and landscape planning more or less everywhere in Italy (in

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Countless Possibilities

Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Lombardia, Emilia Romagna, Toscana, Lazio, Campania, Calabria, Puglia, Abruzzo), in a scenario characterized by the coexistence of a strong trend towards internationality and an attitude attentive to pre-existence, traditionxxi, orientated to thoroughly interpret the historical consciousness, adverse to formalisms.

For the above reasons, my work may seem not to be tied to the Italian tradition and chiefly to the “Venetian” and “Roman” Schools of Architecture (place of my background) which have greatly influenced the architectural culture of the whole country.

In fact I feel more influenced by that international panorama gravitating around the Central European area, found in the different schools of Venice, but also those of Trieste, Graz, Vienna, Ljubljana and Zagreb.

The possibilities of comparison, dialogue and debate were countless. The spurs received thanks to the attendance of Graz, Ljubljana and Zagreb were always fundamental.

Contact: Maurizio Bradaschia Email: studiobradaschia@studiobradaschia.it Company: STUDIO BRADASCHIA srl via Ponchielli Amilcare, 3, Trieste, 34122, Italy Telephone: 0039 040 364510 0039 340 6967446 Web Address: www.studiobradaschia.it

BUILD / June 2017 31

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Graz and Grazer Schule, Klaus Kada, above all, work on which I have been involved for years, producing two books, for Logos and Marsilio, but also Ernst Giselbrecht, published on the pages of Il Progetto, organizer of the exhibition “Neue Italienische Architektur” by Haus der Architektur during the months of January and February 2002, and Günther Domenig, Volker Gienke, who have been also critically analysed in the magazine edited by me.

Not less important are the relationships with Miha Dešman, editor of the prestigious magazine ab (arhitektov bilten) which has been edited for decades by the Slovenian Le Corbusier Edo Ravnikar, with whom I entered the Competition for the multi-purpose centre and attached “Sarabon” car park in Ljubljana (Slovenia), in 2000, or with Maja Ivanič, editor of the magazine Hiše, and Piranesi Days Of Architecture (piranski. denevi.arhitekture), succeded by a Slovenian contemporary Master such as Vojteh Ravnikar.

With Bostjan Vuga and Jury Sadar, collaborators of Il Progetto since 1997, such as the Croatian friends Marko Dabrovic and Saša Begovic, of 3LHD and Andrija Rusan, editor of the magazine Oris and promoter of Oris Days Of Architecture (Dani Orisa), annual appointment with international architecture which takes to Zagreb a public of 2.600 architects and students at an unrivalled event in the architectural field.

heir of a historic, cultural and architectural patrimony in some ways unique; used to daily dealings with Superintendencies and Authorities, as well as with complex legislation, such as the many preservation regulations in force in Italy. But, in the complex and contradictory panorama of our time, it constitutes a moment of strong eclecticism, of “contaminated” and “hybridized” research and experimentation; a clear example of planning experimentation of what has been defined as a “generation of no masters”. I think this is an eclecticism devoid of formalisms: the multiplicity of the cultural references is used in an inclusive way as an instrument, not as a purpose, in a view which has, as aim of the architectural plan, the “construction” of spaces, environments and territories on different scales, searching with constant method to establish a conscious methodology.

It is known that emotions and expressive means comply with the ways of thinking which control time. As in the Renaissance the prevailing space ideas were finding a means in the perspective, in the contemporary ( from half of last century ) the space-time concept urges the planners, and the architects to the use of very different means.

I think that this cultural patchwork and hybridization, the comparison among similar cultures for geographical reasons and for a somehow common history, cultures however diverse, the direction of investigation, which are the inevitable result of a borderland, where various diversitiesxxii have lived together for centuries, have given and enriched my personal cultural background.

Our culture has a patchy, inclusive, democratic, globalized, disaggregated, little hierarchized structure: information is everywhere, it arrives from everywhere, characterized by our “google culture”. In our activity we always proceed with a big number of specialized disciplines, then we hybridize them, contaminate and proceed from these towards a general and coherent idea of the world.

Each responsible human act implies the possibility to choose.

The feasibility concept in itself, and its deriving responsibility, appears as the key element for every planning act.

The research and experimentation work has certainly an absolute and strong Italian connotation,

This is a difficult, sometimes unstable and complex pathway, but this is the pathway the contemporary reality imposes.

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The degree of identity achieved by the methods of thought and feelings determines the balance.

Starting from such reflections, in my investigation activity, I have had to face daily one of the most delicate and certainly one of the most current themes in the European field: the quality of architecturexxiii, not so much intended in aesthetic terms only, as much as interpreted on several levels of needs (performance, functional, aesthetic in terms of: sustainability, technologies, typological suitability, economic and possible feasibility) and result of a constant and continuous cultural updating.

The aspects tied to “sculpture”, “context”, “system”, “model” intended as the scheme, “void”, “stratification”, “narration”, “senses”, “texture” are the themes on which the projects are designed.

Sculpture constitutes the solid shaping, realized through threedimensional models or images, by which architecture, the relation among volumes, fullness and vacuum are tested. This is the starting point of successive moments of refining.

The context, not only physical, but also economic or political is where architecture must adapt itself to the environment.

The history of the territory with its stratified traditions and the better known new buildings indentified in the concept of “sprawling city” which are characterized by a substantial decline in the quality of local works, cannot impede new intellectual needs which find form in managing space.

The system constitutes the structure, the organization, the framework of each project to the different scales.

The ideas Inevitably I have tried to experiment through the continuity of action-project not in architecture only: the research widens, within a broader question of the plan, from communication to art, from technology to design; to draft and build ideas. Without ideas, Architecture is worth nothing, it becomes an empty box. I have never researched the form, a designer piece, an “artistic” aspect. I have tried to build ideas, believing that architecture is building ideas, developing concepts.

Void is part of volume, hollow, light, shadow... In (historical but also functional) stratification the programmes of the building are developed: the aspects which characterize an architectural object in the broadest sense are superimposed, interrelated, integrated and mixed. Narration confers feeling, emotions, it goes beyond the visual aspect: this is what is perceived, what is felt, what makes space vibrate, every space; it constitutes the architectural sensorial aspect.

Good architecture must also be able to destabilize or, at least, to surprise.

I have tried to work on space, on gravity, on who uses space.

Architecture is often played in the dialectical relation between man and gravity, between man and space control. Starting from the frame, from the “skeleton”.

From light, from light control, also intended as matter, as material for construction.

This is a strongly motivated research based on the universality of the culture, on the continuity in time, on the continuity in space.

The model confers form and aesthetics to architecture, it confers an expression to every building.

The texture, the structure, is one of the basic aspects, it is the hierarchy, which arranges and gives rigour to each project on the different scales.

This is a dynamic project drafting which must put together every aspect of the culture of time through an inclusive and heteronomous attitude which is characterized by a critical pluralism which is not simply a façade. That is a project drafting which believes

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that Architecture must be communicative, eloquent, but also comprehensible, able to enter into a general, democratic ... debate, readable and interpretable at different levels.

In 1997, with this perspective and purpose, I founded the international magazine Il Progetto, which is a synthesis of the planning philosophy integrated in its various forms.

The project experimentations look for multiplicity such as hybridization, as a contemporary condition intended to compare to our multi-ethnic society, to the contemporary society in continuous transformation and evolution, through a constant and radical effort of inclusion, liberation and adaptation.

From the very beginning Il Progetto was a place to discuss “design” and the emerging contemporary themes where every artistic and cultural expressive form finds its own space, its own reflection, a dialectic, even but always inclusive, heteronomous and propositional reply.

Shining Stars in the Architectural Sky

Il Progetto (the group of friends which is engaged in organizational and cultural terms) is a melting pot of organized and articulated modernity which is founded on the architectural concept that architecture is not purely the art of building, but it also becomes a key for interpreting contemporary thought which is intended, in the broadest sense, as a “beyond building” thought, as defined in the slogan by Aaron Betsky.

The heterogeneousness of the themes dealt with, the interdisciplinary hybridization express themselves through the transcultural value, with an inevitable enrichment which this produces.

BUILD / June 2017 33

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ANDREA LUPOCCHINI ARCHITETTO

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Creative Solutions to Architecture MDD9 design studio, Innovators in Design recipient, is a multidisciplinary architectural and interior design practice committed to providing creative solutions to architecture, master planning, urban planning, lighting design, interior design, landscape design and contracting.

Established in 2009 by a group of dedicated professionals who are keen to pursue design excellence and architectural enhancement by participating in different types of architectural building & construction projects ranging from new development, building revitalisation & renovation, interior design & fitting-out works, urban planning, lighting design, landscape design and stage & acoustic design, etc. All these aspects of our work reflect the dynamic outlook of our young architects and professionals in Hong Kong & the PRC. MDD9 design studio services include: • Planning and feasibility studies; • New construction; • Interior renovation; • Room to room styling; • Turn-key design and contracting; • Project administration and; • Audio & visual system contracting.

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In 2012, MDD9 expanded its representation office in London by focusing on design research as well as social projects.

Additionally, MDD9 has successfully led and completed projects both in Hong Kong and the PRC for a wide spectrum of client groups, ranging from local key developers to NGOs and church groups. Under the vision of providing excellence in design as well as customer service, MDD9 devotes most of the effort to upholding an integrated design approach by consolidating the client’s vision with the design concept and the site environment, to reach the most practical and efficient design & problem solutions.

Our quality design service and professionalism has brought us long term relationships with the Tom Tailor international group, the Hong Kong Arts Centre as well as the Evangelical Free Church of China.

In addition, MDD9 also provides consultancy services in Project Management, HK AP and RSE services, Building and Property Investment consultation in collaboration with our clients.

Some of our projects include: KORNHILL Location: Tai Koo, Hong Kong Area: 600 sq. ft.

State: Completed in October 2012

EFCC TUNG MUN CHURCH Location: Tung Mun, Hong Kong Area: 4,000 sq. ft.

State: Completed in May 2013 NEC OFFICE 1 Area: 200 sq. ft. (Office) 20,000sq. ft. (Warehouse) HONG KONG PARK RESTAURANT Location: Admiralty, Hong Kong Area: 2,500 sq. ft.

State: July 2012 HKAC ART INSTALLATION OF GOVERNMENT BUILDING Location: Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

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Creative Solutions to Architecture

Company: MDD9 DESIGN STUDIO LIMITED Name: Daniel Hui Email: info@mdd9.com.hk Web Address: www.mdd9.com.hk Address: UNIT A1, 7/F, TUNG KIN FACTORY BUILDING, 196-198 TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD, NORTH POINT, HK. Telephone: +1 (852) 2904 8090 / 2904 8131

BUILD / June 2017 37

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Opportunities for People and Businesses The 2016 BUILD Awards, Architect of the Year in Nordic Region award went to Jesper Hallstom Eriksen of AART ARCHITECTS, based in Denmark. In short, the firm creates opportunities for people and businesses. At AART architects, they are working strategically to create opportunities for people and businesses to lead the transition towards more sustainable development, with architecture as a driving force.

Architecture is all about inspiring and taking responsibility.

It’s about creating buildings and public spaces with the power to transform and improve how we all work, learn and live. For more than 15 years, AART ARCHITECTS have created opportunities across the Nordic countries – ranging from VUC Syd in Haderslev, Denmark, where the firm has created a beacon for social value creation.

The firm has also created an open and digital learning environment, to the Waterfront in Stavanger, Norway, where they have created an awardwinning benchmark for urban transformation, with one of Europe’s largest residential buildings in wood.

Sustainable lifestyle pioneer The firm’s ambition is to be at the forefront of sustainable development. Therefore, they are engaged in a wide range of research collaborations, just as they are part of the international sustainable think-tank, Sustainia.

There, the firm are one of the main partners and lifestyle pioneers in Sustainia Living – a global initiative with the objective to transform the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into tomorrow’s business opportunities.

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Award-winning projects From the world’s best residential development, to the most universally designed sports center, AART ARCHITECTS have created several interesting projects over the years. The firm’s visions have aroused interest way beyond the Nordic countries, indeed they have covered in media all over the world and exhibited in distinguished venues such as the European Parliament in Brussels, the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the International Architecture Biennale in Venice.

Finally, below you will find a detailed case study of just one of the firm’s many impressive projects.

DENMARK’S ROWING STADIUM Denmark’s Rowing Stadium at Bagsværd Lake fulfils the vision of creating a rowing stadium in an international league of its own. Beautifully situated with water and forest on all sides, it is a place that accommodates both the elite and the broader public.

Here, poised between lake and forest, the classical disciplines of rowing intersect with other forms of leisure. It is thus much more than a rowing stadium. It is a sports centre that mixes various kinds of sports with social and scenic experiences. It shows that sport – for the elite and the

public – is not just about strength and stamina, but also social wellbeing and mental health.

It is about the whole person, and that is precisely the starting point for the new national rowing stadium that, as a broadly inclusive framework in everyday life, helps to enhance the performance of the individual athlete.

This has become possible through an unfolding of the site’s potential and by entering dialogue with its different users.

The result is a national sports centre that makes a difference for the individual athlete and gives something back to the scenic surroundings. An open and welcoming rowing centre constitutes the focal point of the sports centre’s wide-ranging activities – from the activity space (Lunden) around the rowing centre and the promenade square in front of the boat hall (Brinken) to the unifying park stretch (Rostadionparken).

Instead of being dug into the landscape, the rowing centre is built up from the boat hall’s grid structure into a transparent building clad with wood.

Outwardly, it opens itself up in several places, revealing its life to the surroundings while also providing a transition between the expansive view over the lake

and the denser, recreational forest area.

The transition between the lake and the forest is drawn all the way into the rowing centre, where the sloping landscape flows through the building and opens it up internally. When moving around inside the building, one thereby has the sense of being situated in the field of tension between the lake and the forest – for example, both the foyer and the boat hall offer views into the forest and across the lake.

The varying views across storeys and spatial features give the building a distinct transparency, so you always have the sense of being part of a larger community.

Communality is characteristic of the rowing centre, where the foyer is designed to accommodate meetings before and after training. Throughout the building, there are nooks and crannies in which users can meet and engage, and throughout the centre, a close interplay has been created between the many functions: the foyer, boat hall, workshop, training room, multipurpose room, meeting rooms and administration.

As part of the new national rowing centre, a referee tower will also be constructed. Inspired by the expanse of the lake and

g Opportunities for People and Businesses

the forest’s soaring trees, the tower rises to form a sculptural wooden structure. The façade’s pattern with vertical wooden slats gives the tower an architectural affinity with the rowing centre and a vertical expression that serves as a contrast to the horizontal lines of the spectator stands.

The idea behind the tower is to create a construction that, by its materiality and simplicity, is naturally suited to the environment, but which simultaneously differs from it and constitutes a visual landmark seen from the lake. In addition, facing the forest, the tower has an integrated climbing wall and pull-up bars for outdoor training.

Together with the covered terrace, this makes the tower an ideal destination for a wide range of users.

LOCATION - Bagsværd / Denmark COMPETITION - 2017 / Winning proposal in project competition STATUS - Starting-up DEVELOPER - Fonden Danmarks Rostadion FULL-SERVICE CONSULTANT AART architects ARCHITECT - AART architects & E+E architects ENGINEER - Viggo Madsen Consulting Engineers LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT - LIW Planning

Company: AART ARCHITECTS Name: Jesper Hallstom Eriksen Email: aart@aart.dk Address: Njalsgade 17a, 5th floor 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark Telephone: +45 87 30 32 86

BUILD / June 2017 39

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Committed, Passionate & Disciplined Hansen Architectural Systems, part of the Leading Experts Awards, makes precision engineered architectural components integral to the aesthetic and practical success of your buildings. Their architectural systems are of the highest quality, designed to install easily, provide safety to building occupants and integrate into construction projects seamlessly. We spoke to President & CEO Mr. Tracy C. Hansen to discover more about the firm’s innovative and inspirational approach to their work.

Hansen products help to provide an innovative and distinct visual signature to buildings and are important to the overall success of the design. Hansen is committed to developing and executing products, solutions and services that are financially, technically and environmentally sound. President & CEO Tracy C. Hansen kicks things off by telling us precisely how Hansen is an industry leader in their field.

“Our goal is to be recognised as the nation’s most respected manufacturer of aluminium railing and related products by consistently delivering sustainable, profitable growth by our team of committed, passionate, and disciplined professionals, while maintaining high standards and a leadingedge approach to our industry.

“For residential projects, Hansen Architectural Systems is the industry leader in high quality, pre-engineered, aluminium railing systems. Our innovative, railing designs are strong, attractive, and easy to install.

We understand your need for railing products that are versatile enough to handle virtually any project condition.

“Our products offer you the very best selection of top rail choices,

40 BUILD / June 2017

railing infill options, and lots of standard, powder coat colours.

Choose from tempered glass, stainless steel cable, and vertical picket styles to suit your project requirements.”

Tracy then offers his thoughts on the firm’s seasoned team of knowledgeable and talented designers, project managers and fabricators, all of whom provide a wealth of experience that is unmatched in the industry he underlines, before going on to develop this most interesting point.

“With our team working on your project, your railing order process will move seamlessly from design through fabrication and delivery and/or installation.

We have our own in-house engineering team, allowing us to also provide complete engineering and CAD drawings for your specific project, which serve to simplify your installation process.

“We control each step of the design and manufacturing process, so you can count on consistent railing quality and reliable shipping lead times.

Every aspect of your railing order, from design, through fabrication and completion, is done in our facility, without the use of any outsourced manufacturing vendors, giving

us an even greater advantage in satisfying your expectations.”

Commercial projects An area of the firm’s work in commercial projects is the Hansen aluminium railing, which will complement any architectural style. Their innovative designs are easy to install and are virtually maintenance-free for the life of your home Tracy highlights, a point which he goes on to develop.

“The baked-on, powder coated finishes that we provide will exceed the stringent AAMA 2604 specification for salt spray resistance, and is guaranteed not to crack or blister. We offer a wide variety of top rail designs that all can be configured with tempered glass, stainless steel cable or aluminium picket infill options, so you are free to create a system that best fits the architecture of your project.

“By working closely with your design team, we can provide your project with a world-class, balcony railing system that enhances the aesthetics of your building at a price that won’t hurt your budget. Guard rails are design elements that serve to keep building occupants safe.

Hansen products provide a high level of safety while providing a unique signature to the project’s exterior. Yes, you can have both.

“We also offer custom fabricated aluminium gates, to match our railing systems, as well as low-voltage halogen and solar powered LED post lights that can be integrated into any of our railing systems. So, let us show you why Hansen has been making hundreds of happy clients all over the country for 25 years.”

As the interview ends, Tracy brings to our attention how Hansen is different from their competitors. Indeed, Hansen handles each step of the process from initial design concept through final design, engineering, shop drawings, fabrication, metal finishing, and expert field installation of our systems.

“This ‘turn-key’ approach gives our clients the best possible products, the shortest possible lead times, and the most competitive pricing” Tracy explains, before offering his thoughts on the environment that the firm truly thrives in.

“We thrive in an environment where we can collaborate with the architects, developers, and contractors for whom we join to construct truly great buildings.

Product development is in our DNA. Hansen products will always represent the current evolution of commercial railing design and technology.”

g Committed, Passionate & Disciplined

Company: Hansen Architectural Systems Name: Mr. Tracy C. Hansen, CSI, AIA – President / C.E.O. Email: tracy@aluminumrailing.com Web Address: www.aluminumrailing.com Address: 5500 SE Alexander Street Hillsboro, OR 97123 U.S.A. Telephone: +1 (800) 599 2965

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Design Is Everything Established in 2009, HTS Interiors works with businesses from large scale to small scale industries from full spectrum of interior design services to manage every process from bespoke furniture to complete turnkey interior design solutions. With years of experience, they are proud to be part of the Innovators in Design Awards, and certainly know and believe in the incredible power of design.

Unique, creative, timeless, wide ranging, elegant – this is how HTS Interiors describes their work. Their projects are just as distinguished and different as their clients. Their creative designs, along with the best quality services, make them one of the most sought interior decorators in UAE and on a global basis.

Established in 2011, HTS Interiors works with businesses from large scale to small scale industries from full spectrum of interior design services to manage every process from bespoke furniture to complete turnkey interior design solutions.

They have a unique approach ends in the satisfaction of their clients every time, more of which the firm’s Nitin Nadukandy reveals in this interview.

“With years of experience, we know and believe in the power of design. We have a unique approach that only ends in the satisfaction of our clients.

We know that only the precise execution of details combined with the highest quality will help create a list of long loyal clients as we have now. We see each space as a possibility for endless styles and we define its limits based on your desire. We would love to join hands with you to provide our impeccable style of well-established spaces anywhere.

“Our management has expert engineers, artisans and

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craftsmen set us wide apart from our competition. Their strict adherence to excellence and their commitment to exceed our client’s expectations to accumulate together in a beautifully set out environment that are graceful and timeless.”

Our philosophy In terms of the firm’s philosophy, they believe that creative space planning, interior designing and project management can change the way a building influences the lives of the people in it – so they go about creating breath-taking and lovely influences in many lives all over the world.

At HTS interiors, they firmly believe in ‘the power of design’ and that ‘design is everything’.

They specialise in contemporary cutting edge modern deigns and have lots of experience in bringing the classic traditional sights to life now. Nitin then goes on to outline how the firm builds long-term relationships with their clients, how exactly they reply on their belief in design and how memorable designs are delivered.

“We aim to build lasting relationships with our clients by impressing them with our talent.

We also collaborate with our clients on as much as matters we could to find the perfect elements that satisfy them. Our collection of drapery, wall coverings, shades, floor coverings, blinds, furniture, lighting, artwork, accessories, bedding and much more are all nothing less than the highest quality and vast in

ranges and styles for you to choose from.

“We rely on our belief in design and a passionate sense of proportion and balance with wild imagination to produce unique results. Our team is a highly passionate team of supervisors, workmen and engineers who help each other in every interior design process we follow which make the big picture come true.

“We deliver memorable designs with the help of the highest quality materials in the market.

Our interior design service is entirely based on customer input wherever possible to deliver memorable and lasting interiors.

We value our clients the most and look forward to their support and feedback for our biggest strength and translate every requirement into a productive functional and creative through innovative designs.”

Approach At HTS Interiors, they do not strive to find a single solution that fits all. They know that you are unique – so they strive for designs that are very much based on you – just unique and special. Nitin Nadukandy explains more about the crucial role of her team members, as well as project management and technology in the firm’s work.

“Our designs are as diverse as your culture, as truthful as your values and as endless as your imagination. At HTS Interiors, each of our team members draws their inspiration from you.

We believe in your individuality and your sense of style to choose the general genre of the outcome. We assist you and guide you to determine elements that will suit your place the best.

“We use planning and execution in our project management to sculpt our works on time. We have a knack for securing the help of the latest technology to help us keep ahead of time. We love techniques like the CPM and PERT in that context.

“Also, we provide you some real looking details and close-ups of the project in its planning stage with 3D Max, Photoshop and Auto CAD wherever necessary.

A risk management plan is an integral part of the project management plan and it is developed along with it. This plan defines the guidelines on how you will identify project risks and techniques to manage them.”

No project is too big or too small for HTS Interiors, indeed each of their interior and fit-out project has unique salient features and clients, with whom the firm enjoys working with.

The firm always discuss the features of the project with you to accomplish the vision of the design in an hour-long appointment, where they also then bring you various samples of materials that match the idea theme that is being outlined. In the final stage, the products are delivered with outstanding results and quality workmanship Nitin underlines.

g Design Is Everything

Company: HTS Interiors Name: Nitin Nadukandy Email: nitin@htsinteriors.com Web Address: www.htsinteriors.com Address: Dubai United Arab Emirates F38, Curve Building, Near Noor Islamic Metro, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box - 124791 Telephone: +971 (04) 3306217

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Management team At HTS Interiors, they are proud of their great team which makes unique and charming designs possible. All their contractors, engineers and workmen are chosen carefully and are a part of the HTS family Nitin explains, before telling us more about her team of seasoned experts.

“HTS Interiors team has experts from all around the globe – they enjoy and study the aspects of all the architecture styles of from the different cultures around the world. All their past work and their talents in various aspects of the interior design space planning interior fit-out & refurbishment “Our team has a vast experience in commercial and residential sectors in the field of interior design & fit-out solutions. They successfully have supervised numerous projects including many multi-stories, apartments, commercials malls, restaurants, offices and retail outlets on several occasions.

“The engineers of HTS Interiors pursue architecture as their subject of study. Their role in the company is to raise benchmarks of each project to a new high for company by bringing our innovative and pioneering solutions for all types of offices and homes. They are also very rigid in the international standard with in their work in our company.

Our engineers are always professional and teaches on sustainable design.”

The marketing aspects of the HTS Interiors are taken care of by the industry experts. The firm certainly emphasises good communication with clients. The firm’s marketing department is always open for any inquiries and the team handles many other online and offline marketing matters. Nitin then shares further insights into the work of her team and the wealth of their experience in the field.

“Our team also has a chartered accountant to take care of the finances of HTS Interiors. The chartered accountant teams

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ensure that equal value of the client’s money is paid back in terms of excellent and high quality jobs.

“The team boasts of a wealth of experience in construction and design and they back each other in all projects. The team is super comfortable with whatever project you name – ultra modern showrooms, classic interiors and super fashionable resorts.”

Sustainability Finally, it is worth mentioning that HTS Interiors is an ardent follower of sustainable interior designing practices. Nitin concludes the interview by sharing her insights into ecofriendly interior design, including the promotion of good quality air and light, plus the importance of creating the highest safety standards.

“Most of the time you spend indoors, you are surrounded by some form of interior design.

These beautiful interiors have a great influence not just on you, but also on the environment around you. We know and understand the need for ecofriendly designs. Our products and accessories eco-friendly especially because they get discarded more often than the wall or floor coverings and furniture. Recycling old furniture made of natural materials is also a good budget-saving idea.

“We promote good quality air and light wherever we design – we bring the natural elements in and blend them in your sophisticated interiors. You will be bestowed with the gift of nature in your Office and Home.

“We use formaldehyde free paints and wall finishes ensuring you a good health. We take care to reduce the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in our renovating and building processes. We also follow the highest safety standards in our creative space planning, giving you the best healthy environment.”

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BUILD / June 2017 45

warm minimal architecture andreabella.it

It also wants to become a point of encounter and comparison, for this it often opens to the public and changes in an exhibition space, exchange, training or workshops to facilitate the exchange of skills and attitudes...

unaltrostudio.it

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Exceeding the Expectations of Each Client Selected as a part of Ones to Watch, Quest Builders Group Inc was founded at the start of the new millennium. Quest’s role is as a general contractor and construction manager, servicing the New York Metropolitan area. They service the commercial and residential industries, by providing an array of construction services for all types of projects, as this revealing interview with the company’s Ann Finnerty explores.

Quest Builders Group believe that all projects, regardless of size, deserve personal attention, which comes directly from the principals from project conception to completion. As owners, they have a selection of hand-picked staff, who are teamoriented individuals and share the common goal of exceeding the expectations of each client.

The company’s Ann Finnerty begins by detailing what sets Quest Builders Group apart from the competition, and a flavour of the company’s motto and philosophy that shape the work they do.

“Quest Builders Group Inc works closely with the necessary parties to ensure your project progresses on time and within budget. Understanding the architects design intent and creating innovative solutions to complex construction projects is what sets Quest Builders Group Inc apart from our competition.

Quest Builders Group Inc is dedicated to meeting your construction needs with unparalleled commitment and service.

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“Our Motto – ‘Quality Building…

Guaranteed’, is our belief that choosing QBG Inc for your project will lead to a successful completion. Ultimately, our overall success with a project is achieved through our attention to detail and establishing project communications with the owner, architect, engineers and subcontractors. These open lines of communication and our construction knowledge are the guidelines for projects.

“In addition, Quest Builders Group has one single goal in mind and that is to build long term relationships. We recognise today’s project challenges and how our role in the industry has changed. Today’s projects include tight schedules and even tighter budgets. As such, and in addition to our basic construction services, we must therefore be innovative thinkers.

We must constantly look for creative solutions and new ways to implement them. We need to be responsive to our clients, consultants and subcontractors.

Our actions must always uphold the highest ethical standards and we must always maximise our client dollar.”

The firm has a very clear goal, which is to provide construction services to their clients more than once. With that in mind, they have established the following three points to keep the firm focused on their goal, indeed ‘repeat business means satisfied clients.’

Integrity - The firm ensures that their actions match their words. Certainly, they maintain the highest ethical standards and uphold the reputation of the company in everything they do.

Client satisfaction - Quest Builders Group takes pride in servicing its clients. The company has a clear focus on building long-term relationships, and on meeting and exceeding expectations. Creating and delivering superior value to clients is a way of life for the company.

Team work - The company are staffed by highly motivated and dedicated employees, who focus on meeting the needs of our clients.

In addition, the company’s success is directly attributable to the personal ‘hands on’ approach of the principals. Each project, no matter the size is overseen by a principal of the company. Picking up on the point about team work, there is no doubt that Quest Builders Group team is made up of many highly experienced and talented professionals.

“With meticulous attention to detail, we are certain that each project is delivered with exceptional quality. Throughout the process, our teams maintain clean, safe and orderly job sites.

QBG maintains a long standing mutually beneficial relationship with our subcontractors and vendors. The result ensures great results for the clients” Ann tells us.

“Following on from this, in terms of value engineering and cost control, it is true to say that changes are commonplace during a project. Through extensive reporting and due diligence, our clients are completely made aware of scope and overall impact. If there is a way to reduce cost or expedite completion, we will deliver it.”

g Exceeding the Expectations of Each Client

Company: Quest Builders Group Name: Ann Finnerty Email: afinnerty@QBGINC.NET Web Address: www.qbginc.net Address: 242 W 30th St #503, New York, NY 10001 Telephone: +1 (646) 473 1980 (646)

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Range of services offered In terms of the services Quest Builders Group Inc. provides, these include construction management, general contracting, pre-construction services. Taking one of these, when it comes to construction management services including site evaluation, it is worth underlining that this includes pre‐construction services, construction services, vendor management, commissioning, close‐out, and sign‐off management. Ann tells us more about this aspect of the firm’s work in her own words.

“Concerning site safety management, I would like to underline that no matter what role we play in the process, site safety is always a core focus for us. Certainly, we want everyone to safely return home at the end of the day. We enforce not only OSHA rules as well as standard building rules and regulations, but we maintain our own rigorous requirements that must be adhered to by anyone on one of our sites. Job cleanliness helps promote this concept and it is strictly enforced. We very clearly recognise that we are just a ‘guest in your home.’”

“With millions of square feet of collective experience we are uniquely poised to navigate through today’s construction challenges and make each project a successful one. We take a team approach to every project; making collaborative decisions throughout. This method of delivery is best when the design is ongoing and changes are still being made.”

Bringing this interview to a close, we do know that Quest Builders Group’s client represent a cross section of leading national corporations, developers, law firms, healthcare providers, technology and media, financial institutions and others. Following on from this, Ann concludes by offering her thoughts on what the ultimate objective of the firm is, and how the firm encourages the staff to develop and thrive.

When it comes to general contracting, Quest Builders Group Inc. provides competitive lump sum bidding, a point that Ann tells us more about before revealing to us the firm’s preconstruction and site safety management services.

“Pulling from our extensive pool of subcontractors, we possess the ability to get extremely competitive numbers for our clients. These numbers are still vetted by our seasoned estimators. When numbers are presented we are sure to qualify what items are included. We frequently provide add alternates to show other items that may not have been on the drawings but will likely be needed based on our experience. This allows our clients to make informed decisions prior to engagement.”

“Also, Quest Builders Group, Inc. can provide an extensive array of pre‐construction services ranging from site selection and feasibility analysis through pre‐purchasing, logistics evaluation estimating and scheduling.”

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“Our objective in satisfying the needs of our clients, is to deliver a high-quality project on time or ahead of schedule and within their prescribed budget. We welcome the opportunity to bring our knowledge, experience, resources and commitment of quality performance to all our projects.

“We are always looking for the industries best and brightest to join our team and take advantage of our nontraditional construction working environment. At Quest, we not only encourage collaboration, but independence and ownership as well as the opportunity to take on more responsibility as we grow.

“We are a team of dedicated likeminded individuals that all pull in the same direction to achieve our collective goals, and know how to put down a beer or two while we do it!”

Case study - Kennedy School, New York, NY SIZE: 22,000 sf.

TYPE: Complete gut renovation.

DURATION: 12 months.

ARCHITECT: Pelloverton Architecture.

SCOPE: • Complete gut renovation of a 2-floor school; • Custom millwork throughout with architectural lighting and; • Space includes new offices, classrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, physical and occupational therapy rooms.

g Exceeding the Expectations of Each Client

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A Knack for the Trade Collins Building Group strives to exceed the expectations of each individual client. Whether its bringing our creativity and experience to the project, or simply working through the details at your financial comfort level, we are involved every step of the way. Following his receipt of the CEO of the Year award, the company’s President and Owner Kevin Collins, tells us more about his own background in the construction industry as well as a flavour of what Kevin Collins, President and Owner of Collins Building Group, has worked in construction as long as he can remember. Starting at an early age, he assisted his grandfather with projects; this is where he grew to love the work. Throughout high school and college, he worked on golf courses and always ended up managing the larger projects. He remembers taking a lot of flak from older guys on the crews while he oversaw their work, but he knew he had a knack for the trade.

“After graduating from Clemson University, I wanted construction experience on a much larger scale. I considered possibilities where I could get the most experience in a short time, and was offered a position with a golf course construction company north of Atlanta, Georgia. I was

initially hired to fix the many issues they were having on a project, that was way behind schedule. During the following six months, I clearly remember thinking how ridiculous it was to be repairing things that should have never been faulty in the first place.

“Two months later, I was a fullfledged golf course construction superintendent. The owner of the company assigned me to the management of a new course for one of the largest developers in Atlanta. Not being one to sit around, I hit the ground running and completed my first official project within 12 months, almost one full year ahead of the company’s previous project.

“I believe it was the greatest experience I could have asked for. Things were going so well with my job at that time, that within a couple months I was

asked to oversee every aspect of the project, from dealing with developers, county officials, architects, OSHA, building inspectors, and others. When I started working on the project, the property was completely wooded with nothing in place; but when I left, it was fully operable. Along with my crews, we completed all the construction in-house, something that I look back as being an extremely valuable experience.”

In November of 2000, after he and his wife, Suzanne, had their first child, they decided to move back to the Clemson, SC area.

They loved the community and felt it would be a great place to raise a family and start a new business. Kevin goes on to develop this point in his own words, before telling us about the strong objectives the company stands by, which informs all they work they perform.

would like to underline that our clear objective is to construct a living environment that is designed specifically for you and your family, within your budget, at the level of craftsmanship you deserve.”

Following on from this, it is worth pointing out that Collins Building Group, Inc. was built on the following founding principles, which they stand by today as the firm continues to receive superb testimonials on the outstanding quality of their work and how they seek to look after the clients in the long-term and make them happy.

•

• •

“I have never regretted making that leap of faith, and in 2012, with my wife Suzanne, we welcomed number five to our family. So, if you’re looking to build in Upstate South Carolina or the mountains of North Carolina, me and my team at Collins Building Group, Inc. are ready to assist you.”

“Looking at the work of Collins Building Group, Inc. today, I

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•

•

They understand budgets and respect the decisions you make regarding the finances of your project.

They will work to your price point; They respect your time and schedule; They are available when you need them, even for the most minute detail; They are fully transparent, discussing every aspect of your project with you openly and honestly, all the time and; They are detailed and efficient. The cleanliness and functionality of your job site, and ultimately your home, are very important to Collins Building Group, Inc.

g A Knack for the Trade

Company: Collins Building Group, Inc. Name: Kevin Collins Email: kevin@collinsbuildinggroup.com Web Address: www.collinsbuildinggroup.com Address: 133 Thomas Green Blvd. Suite 206 B, Clemson, SC 29631 Telephone: +1 864 646 7660

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The Great Outdoors Selected as part of our Ones to Watch series, Renz Landscapes is a custom landscape design and contracting business located in Cary, NC, with over 40 years’ experience in the Triangle area. The business was founded in 1978 by Curt Renz, Bachelor of Environmental Design in Landscape Architecture NCSU 1975. We invited the founder to tell us more about the firm’s work by responding to some of the most commonly questions they get asked by potential clients.

Renz Landscapes (RL) initial work started with residential projects in North Raleigh and inside the beltline in the late 1970’s, moving to commercial projects in the Research Triangle Park in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Today, their focus is on designing and installing residential landscapes. Their projects are typically residential and range from $3,000 to $50,000 in price.

Their goal is to bring you quality, cost effective, homeowner focused design, and solid workmanship.

• In 1987, the company was award a contract to design a master plan for Praxis Biologics after competing against four local landscape architectural firms. The design eventually led to a major contracting project.

• In 1989, Renz Landscapes was awarded first place in the commercial design/build category for a $300,000 commercial project in partnership with Wachovia Real Estate Developments.

The state-wide contest was sponsored by the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Association.

• In 2012, Renz landscape was commissioned by Artsplosure and the City of Raleigh to design and landscape a setting to surround and direct the movement of visitors around a statue created by J. Seward Johnson titled ‘Time for Fun’.

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What are the scope of your services?

Our services include: landscape design and contracting, drainage, ornamental plants and lawn installation, mulching, play areas for children, patios, decks, walkways, retaining walls, steps, driveways, outdoor kitchens, outdoor chimneys and fire pits, lighting, irrigation, drip irrigation, fences, gates, arbors, water features, and site grading. If a service is not mentioned above, we can recommend a reputable professional we know and trust.

May I see landscape plans and photos of past projects?

Look for an artsy look to the plans, which is often a reflection of creativity. Ask questions about the plan layout, the intent of the design, plants specified and why they were chosen. At RL, we ask that you view our site before our first visit…get to know us. Plans or simply proposals similar to what you will be receiving, are presented at the first meeting. In some cases, a simple sketch or a ‘list of work to be completed’ is all that is needed to assure a solid understanding of what to expect.

A price for ‘a design proposal’ will be determined by the size and scope of the project.

We have a lot of community and city regulations; can you help us with these matters?

Yes. With our design background, we have worked with local landscape ordinances and regulations in the Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Chapel Hill,

Durham, Holly Springs and Wake Forest areas. If you are part of a homeowners association, you may want to ask them for a copy of any standards or regulations, and how often they meet, before our initial meeting. A survey plan of your property that you may have received at closing is a good start.

How much experience do you have in landscape design and contracting?

What are your credentials?

Curt Renz (Owner, B.S. in Landscape Architecture NCSU 1975) has 35 years’ experience in designing and installing commercial and residential landscapes in the Triangle Area.

Our landscape foreman has 10 years’ experience in landscaping and hardscape construction. He is the backbone of our business with a designer’s eye, quality craftsman’s skills, and eye for detail.

How do you determine the price for completing a landscape design?

At our first meeting, we will briefly walk your property and discuss your needs, goals, budget, and the scope of your project.

Next, we’ll get back with you presenting a written proposal or narrative describing issues and visions to be addressed in the design, and a price to prepare and present the design. Renz Landscapes realizes you want to invest in your landscape and not the design, so we keep the design time minimal, with enough written communication to avoid misunderstandings.

Companies that charge cheap design fees usually build their lost time into the installation price and surprises always pop up. There is not a charge for the initial consultation if you estimate the project to be over $3,000.00 and you plan on breaking ground soon. An estimate is what you do when you know what you want; a design is what you do to find out what you want.

If we hire you to design, are we obligated to you for the installation?

No, but we would like you to.

You own the final landscape plan and are not obligated to have us install your landscape.

At Renz Landscapes, we like to keep the design and the contracting phases as two separate financial steps. Some landscape companies don’t charge a design fee, but will add their design time into the installed project price. With this approach designers are rushed; because they are not being paid for their design time. Paying for design is an investment in a thoroughly thought out design, with phone calls and meetings obtaining your feedback, time spent locating plants that are available and preparing estimates of costs.

In return, you receive a plan of action tailored for you and you’ll know what you expect, preventing mistakes and miscommunication. Some ‘design only’ companies will low-ball their designs, receiving 5-10% kickbacks from the installers they recommend to install your project.

g The Great Outdoors

Company: Renz Landscapes Name: Curt Renz Email: curt@renzlandscapes.com Web Address: renzlandscapes.com Address: 8638 Macedonia Lake Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27518 USA Telephone: +1 919 460 6364

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THE INTERIOR DESIGN & FITOUTS SPECIALISTS htsinteriors.com/

Quality Construction. collinsbuildinggroup.com/

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A Balance between Pragmatism and Spontaneity Abramson Teiger Architects, received the Custom Residential Architecture in the USA accolade earlier this year, as part of the 2016 BUILD Awards. They strive to create a world where architecture will elevate and inspire the human soul. This interview with the firm’s Melissa Miller, provides a short introduction to their work, and two case studies of workplace and residential projects they have worked on.

Abramson Teiger Architects believes in leveraging old schools of thought, with the boldness of new. They enjoy an architectural challenge, indeed problem solving makes them better designers and allows the firm to strike a balance between pragmatism and spontaneity.

They haven’t fallen into a niche and they don’t want to, because they can to bring bold ideas to traditional development models that haven’t become routine for them. Melissa Miller tells us about the firm and their passionate team, and introduces their approach to workplace projects.

“What began as a small boutique operation has organically evolved into a robust firm of diverse professionals with an expansive range of expertise. Every member of our team is a true artisan. Our collective creative perspective includes global studies of cultural, artistic, and architectural treasures.

“We are unceasingly observing and learning universal aesthetic qualities and we bring this knowledge and passion for visual

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grandeur to every project. With continued growth, our practice remains personal and purposeful – we always bring a rare human touch to an increasingly corporate landscape.

the employee’s well-being at the forefront, the ATA design team carefully planned the space to allow for synergetic interactions between people (and their beloved pets).

“In terms of our workplace projects, we enjoy the architectural journey of seamlessly layering existing brand values into impactful design ideas. We strive to create inspiring workspaces that not only serve as a visual delight but also as a fluid space in which employee interactions can exist in the most enjoyable way.”

“The result is a casual and balanced environment where both analytics and creativity flourish. Clean white elements are juxtaposed with warm reclaimed wood to symbolically capture the essence of HUGE. Yoga mats and reading materials are readily available in staff lounge areas. A café features a communal table and a custom reclaimed wood backsplash for added interest.”

About workplace projects, one was for HUGE, a worldwide digital marketing agency, wanted to foster a unique office environment in their Los Angeles location. The aim of this project was to convey the balance between the agency’s technological sophistication and their free-spirited collaborative culture as Melissa goes on to explain.

“Having designed various HUGE offices in major cities around the world, the team here at Abramson Teiger Architects wanted to tailor this office to the Southern California lifestyle. With

Turning to residential projects, by way of background, the firm’s designs are inspired by an earnest desire to elevate the human soul, to facilitate connection, and to improve the lives of the people they serve.

Melissa then sheds light on this fascinating point and offers her thoughts on the firm’s work on the Cohen residence - a Hollywood writer’s family treehouse.

“It is true to say that we often focus on abundant natural light, sweeping views, and open

floor plans to invite the limitless possibility of the world inside.

With an established Hollywood career and a busy family, Etan Cohen looked to create a space that served both as a creative home office and as a playful refuge for his wife and kids.

Having written screenplays such as Tropic Thunder, Madagascar, and Get Hard, Cohen’s comedic and approachable personality served as inspiration for the ATA design team.

“Upon entry, one is greeted by an impressive three-story atrium, accented by steel-framed glass floors and topped with pitched roof ceilings. A living tree is stationed on the ground level, sprouting up through the multi-tier stairwell.

The space is configured as a loft-like modern treehouse with an inverted floorplan, positioning the primary living spaces on the top floor for maximum light exposure.

“On the basement level is Cohen’s home office – which embraces the more industrial aesthetic of the surrounding building materials. The space is graced with natural light that trickles down through the home’s transparent layers, something

g A Balance between Pragmatism and Spontaneity

unusual for a basement. Cohen is a collaborator and he wanted his space to support a communal and creative environment.

A separate entrance allows people to come and go without disturbing the household. The walls are adorned with posters of the movies Cohen has accomplished throughout the years. The office also features a private screening room.� “The second story sits slightly pulled back on all sides to make room for peripheral skylights, allowing natural light to permeate into the lower levels. Glass is a prominent material used throughout the residence, seen from the very top of the structure in the form of expansive skylights and layered all the way down through the various levels of walkways. Not only does this articulate volume, but it also allows the natural light to stream through all levels of the home.�

Please visit the website of Abramson Teiger Architects for more workplace and residential case studies on, plus details on their institutional, retail, interiors commercial and interiors residential work.

Company: Abramson Teiger Architects Name: Melissa Miller, Marketing Manager Email: melissa@abramsonteiger.com Web Address: abramsonteiger.com Address: 8924 Lundblade Street, Culver City, California 90232 USA Telephone: +1 310 838 8998

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The Go-to Firm for Building Standards Wilkinson Construction Consultants are multi award winning approved inspectors, providing building control services across London & South East England. They also offer associated services such as fire risk assessments and CPD training. Following their success in achieving the Construction Excellence – UK accolade, as part of the 2016 BUILD Awards, we took the opportunity to profile the firm’s vital work.

Wilkinson Construction Consultants are proud to be part of the Theo Paphitis SBS Network, support from which Managing Director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants, Geoff Wilkinson is delighted to have.

He said, “it is great to have support from Theo - because the business is a niche and most people still don’t realise that they can use the firm’s services - as an alternative to a local council for building control approvals.

Geoff goes on to develop this point in his own words.

“People often think we are just a subcontractor to a council and don’t realise we are a complete alternative, indeed we are licensed to issue the approvals, making us the actual decision makers. By using our services, you still get the same plan and site checking offered by the local authority, but without the bureaucracy associated with the public sector.

“We also find that people mistakenly think that because they don’t need planning permission, they don’t need building regulations approval either, so they end up with problems when they come to sell.

Even minor building work, such as removing a chimney, installing

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a toilet under the stairs, or putting up or taking down walls in their homes or workplaces can need approval. It’s fantastic that Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do. Together, I believe that we are the go-to firm for building standards in the UK.” As a firm, Wilkinson Construction Consultants offer these services on all types and sizes of project through London & South East England.

• Domestic extensions; • Offices; • New housing; • Shops & retail; • Barn conversions and; • Public buildings.

Building regulations in England and Wales are set by the UK’s Department for Communities and Local Government. These are standards concern the design and construction of buildings, to ensure the safety and health of the people who use them.

The standards also include requirements to ensure energy efficiency and accessibility in buildings. Geoff then shares thoughts on this much-needed aspect of the firm’s work.

“Traditionally, only inspectors from the local authority were authorised to undertake building control.

Having said that, the Building Act of 1984 opened up the market, allowing qualified companies in the private sector to fulfil this role in both England and Wales.

We at Wilkinson Construction Consultants, are one of these companies known as approved inspectors and we are licensed by the Construction Industry Council (CIC), licence number 153.

“Once appointed, we will work with you help you ensure that the building work complies with building regulations throughout the process. The procedure requires that you and the approved inspector jointly to notify your local authority of your intended building work on what is called an ‘initial notice’. Once this notice has been accepted by the local authority, the responsibility for plan checking and site inspection will be formally placed on the approved inspector.”

Finally, the firm will then take the following steps when working with you: • Advise you on how the building regulations apply to your work; • Check your plans; • Issue a plans certificate (if requested); • Inspect the work as it progresses and; • Issue a final certificate.

g The Go-to Firm for Building Standards

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS “Excellent service and communication. Extremely helpful. Would have no problem in recommending them.”

Waller Associates

“It has been a very successful project It is refreshing to work with experienced Inspectors with a pro-active & practical approach to construction.”

Cardy Construction “We’ve been pleased with the level of service offered to date & all of our clients using an approved inspector scheme for the first time, have commented that they would never use a local authority for a building regulations application again due to the efficient timescales & increased level of serviced offered.”

Selby Design “Wilkinson’s provide a rapid and professional service that enables my projects to continue without delay and without all of the bureaucracy and costs of using the Council. Wilkinson’s are also knowledgeable and reasonable and understand the fast paced and adaptable nature of the business, which helps to keep builders and clients happy.”

Urban Insights “Wilkinson Construction Consultants always provide an efficient service with a can-do attitude. They understand our business well and ensure that the service they provide second to none.”

Esquire Developments

Company: Wilkinson Construction Consultants Name: Geoff Wilkinson Email: office@thebuildinginspector.org Web Address: www.thebuildinginspector.org Address: 70 Churchill Square Business Centre Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4YU UK Telephone: +44 (0)1732 523466

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The Home of Your Dreams Inhabiture, part of the2016 US Architects Guide, is a green design company with a focus on sustainability. Their approach in this vein is to select materials, building methods and technologies that have as low an impact as possible on the environment. We caught up with the firm’s CEO, Forrest Linebarger to ascertain more.

Forrest Linebarger, CEO of Inhabiture, has spent decades committed to sustainable design and building. He has created environmentally sensitive designs which are cost competitive with conventional construction.

Forrest founded the Contractors’ Organization for Professional Standards, a non-profit trade organisation supporting integrity and professionalism in the construction industry. Additionally, he is nationally known for his design of zero energy homes, the use of green roofs and innovative means of creating healthy indoor air environments “I have served on various boards for local non-profits, including the board of directors for Innovative Housing, a provider of housing for low income residents throughout the Bay Area. I have also served on the board of directors of the Pacific Art League, a non-profit art league located in Palo Alto.

“Through my work on the Santa Clara County Planning Commission, I championed important environmental issues. I worked to ensure the environmental impact of the Permanente Quarry has minimal effect on the county’s air and water quality. I challenged the use of Santa Clara County’s land as it relates to water,

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congestion and pollution and I worked to preserve the habitats of the Dudleya & Checker Spot Butterfly in Santa Clara County.

“I firmly believe that the design of our built environment should be healthy for our families and the larger environment.

Preserving our remaining open space and native habitats, while providing jobs and housing that better connects us together, is achievable by through better land use. I strongly believe we can help improve the lives of our residents though effective and environmentally conscious land use.”

You can find the firm designing green sustainable homes and offices in the entire Bay Area: Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Los Gatos and more. Let’s take some time now to explore the firm’s approach to green design, interior design and sustainability.

Green design - let inhabiture build you the home of your dreams Inhabiture designs and creates inspired green residential and commercial buildings – indeed they design beautiful, timeless spaces that work in harmony with the environment. Forrest proceeds to detail the firm’s expertise in and approach to green design.

“We have many years of experience in sustainable design and will provide you with the expertise, vision and support to create stunning, healthy and energy efficient spaces.

Our extensive experience in sustainable design allows us to build green homes for the same cost as comparable traditional constructions.

“Our commitment to designing green sustainable homes is showcased by our awardwinning designs. Our approach to sustainability is to select materials, building methods, and technologies which have a low impact on the environment - to save the earth’s resources for the next generation.”

Interior Design The firm is very proud indeed to offer interior design services, which focus on sustainable materials and eco-friendly designs. Their seasoned interior designers create beautiful, timeless interiors which in harmony with their environment.

The firm’s design services include: • Conceptual design development & space planning; • Creating a sustainable environment with home furnishings; • Green focused living; • Colour and textile selections; • Custom furniture design; • Lighting, art and accessory selection and;

•

Residential and commercial interiors.

Sustainability Forrest brings the interview to a close by underlining how the firm takes great pride in being an industry leader in sustainable design, which he explains in his own insightful words.

“Our design team is highly educated in sustainable design.

We mange projects to provide the optimal level of quality, speed and cost control. From budgeting to scheduling, with our design team to ensure your sustainable design features what you desire in your home.

“We select eco-friendly materials, utilise green building methods and technologies which have a low impact on the environment to design the green home of your dreams.”

Finally, it is well worth nothing that the firm’s homes are designed using sustainable and eco-friendly practices, such as: • Site selection & orientation; • Passive heating & cooling; • Native ecosystems; • Green roof and walls; • Indoor ecology principals; • Alternative & sustainable building materials; • Rainwater harvesting; • Integral colour non-off gassing exterior plaster and; • Smart home technology.

g The Home of Your Dreams

Company: Inhabiture Name: Forrest Winebarger Email: Forrest@inhabiture.com Web Address: www.inhabiture.com Address: 785 Castro Street, Suite A Mountain View, CA 94041 Telephone: +1 (650) 324 0688

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Sensible & Honest Advice at Every Stage LeGrys, named Best Independent Real Estate Agency in Kent, currently have 16 seasoned property experts, who can offer you an unrivalled level of support and advice. Their highly motivated agents and support staff enjoy working together in close-knit teams, creating an upbeat ambience and family-feel in each of our offices. We invited the firm’s William (Bill) LeGrys to tell us more about their marvellous work in his own words.

LeGrys Independent Estate Agents are a multi award-winning estate agency, indeed we have successfully marketing property across Kent, Sussex and London since 2011.

We aim to be different from the norm, customer-focused and always endeavour to exceed our clients’ expectations. We embrace change and question tradition. LeGrys business is predominantly built up on referrals – with over 81% of its business coming through client referrals.

Industry figures show that over 42% of viewings take place outside normal opening hours, so the answer is simple – stay open for longer. LeGrys are just one of a handful of independent agents that keep their doors open past 6pm, as well as opening their branches fully on a Sunday, therefore maximising opportunities for our clients throughout the whole weekend.

Not only are our agents passionate about their jobs and the industry, but they also know and love the local areas that they cover. Consequently, they can offer you in-depth, first-hand knowledge and sensible, honest advice at every stage of your experience.

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Our offices are designed to make our clients feel comfortable and enable them to easily browse the latest properties that are on the market. We provide the highest quality marketing at each branch, embracing the latest technology giving clients the quickest, most efficient, tailor-made service possible.

I have extensive sales and marketing experience, spanning over thirty years. Over the last 15 years, I have been working within the property sector. I have worked for well-known high street chains as well as niche, boutique agencies. Prior to working within the estate agency sector, I worked in London, with my last role being head of marketing and client services for a large international bank. I then set-up LeGrys in 2011.

Our services LeGrys are a ‘full-service’ estate agency. We have expertise across all areas within the property arena. These include: • Selling your home.

• Renting your property.

• Block and estate management.

• Equestrian.

• New homes and; • Land.

Correctly marketing your property - ensuring maximising exposure All too often we see properties come to market that are illprepared and therefore unlikely to achieve their true market potential. Here at LeGrys, we are advocates of professional photography and floorplans when selling your home. We strongly believe that visual impact is key and arguably one of the most important tools when marketing your property. To this end we have a dedicated team of property photographers to hand, as well as floor planners who can bring to life the space and scope of your home.

Achieving the best price for your property LeGrys are renowned for achieving the best price the market is willing to pay. We pride ourselves on striking the right balance, by determining a full market price, without being unrealistic in the process. We endeavour to do everything we can to make sure your property receives an unparalleled number of viewings from the relevant, right audience. Whether you’re looking to sell or let, it is our job to make the most of your property by working out its full potential and value. Rest assured, LeGrys will give your property the time and attention it deserves to obtain the best possible price for you.

Help in finding independent mortgage advice Often funding your purchase can be a daunting task with so many rates, terms and products to choose from. We therefore strongly recommend seeking the assistance of a professional independent mortgage broker.

We work with an in-house broker that offer a comprehensive range of mortgages from across the market.

Explaining the benefits of surveys and finding the right solicitor LeGrys have built-up outstanding relationships with local solicitors and surveyors, so we can happily advise on their services.

Ethical and professional A final point is that we are fully aware that trust is an extremely important aspect of any estate agency, this we are proud of our transparent approach throughout any transaction. We want to send a clear and concise message to our clients – we are a professional company – always acting ethically. Throughout our team - there is a strict code of conduct – plus added to that we are fully complaint with The Property Ombudsman Scheme and Deposit Protection Service.

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Company: LeGrys Name: William (Bill) LeGrys Email: twells@legrys.com Web Address: www.legrys.com Address: 50-52 London Road, Southborough Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0PT UK Telephone: +44 (0)1892 529448

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A Wonderful Journey to Remember Andrea Bella Concept, part of the Architecture Top 50, designs architectural projects with a special focus to interior design issues.

They are developing projects for the recovery and renovation of apartments, lofts, offices and commercial premises, which are present to their client at every moment of the creation and construction process. We got in touch with the firm’s Chief Architect, Andrea Bella to find out more.

Andrea Bella Concept Studio, produce and supervise from the first to the final stages your project with special attention to the themes of your design. Their specialisation is the utilisation of space. They restructure old apartments, loft spaces, offices, commercial properties side by side with their clients and their dreams. They listen to what you want, then create it for you. Chief Architect, Andrea Bella starts by telling is about his vision for every project they work on, and his role as the founder and the firm’s current Chief Architect

maintain the highest levels of quality for each project – as well as an unsurpassed reputation for excellence. In managing an eclectic variety of projects, I have been able to build an impressive portfolio of work, which can be viewed at www.andreabella.it.

“Our vision is that every project to be realised will appear to the client as a wonderful journey to remember. Each project will appear to the client as a magnificent trip to remember. I founded this design studio, which focuses primarily on developing interior spaces, exterior facades, and modern furnishings.

Prior to this role, Andrea provided exceptional architecture design for CBS Architetti Associati. While there, he oversaw the design of 40 Vedior S.p.a. (currently Randstad) locations and a new headquarters building, ensuring successful completion in just two years. Andrea goes on to develop this point, before offering his thoughts on what he has learnt throughout his career, and the calibre of his qualifications.

“By demonstrating adaptability, enthusiasm, and devoted attention to all client projects, I

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“Since 2004, I’ve been the Chief Architect at Andrea Bella Concept, which produces captivating and contemporary looks for furniture, interior spaces, and building facades. My work is frequently featured in global publications, and I’ve played key design roles in major events, such as the last exposition of the Holy Shroud in Turin.”

“I also created beautiful architectural renderings for new residential buildings and the recovery of old industrial buildings, which led to a promotion from Employee Architect to Associate Architect.

“Throughout my career, I’ve earned respect for demonstrating impeccable style and an eye for the smallest detail. With a proven track record of putting the client’s needs and desires first, I am expert in providing effective space planning and interior design solutions for residential, office, and commercial projects. I am also quite skilled in implementing cost-effective elements to keep project costs under budget.

“I have the equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degreee in Architecture from the Politecnico di Torino – Facoltà di Architettura, and I’m registered in the ARB (Architects Registration Board - UK). I am always interested in connecting with colleagues or old friends, and I am delighted to travel for the right opportunity.

Feel free to reach me at info@ andreabella.it or view my portfolio at www.andreabella.it.”

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A Wonderful Journey to Remember

Company: Andrea Bella Concept Name: Andrea Bella Email: info@andreabella.it Web Address: www.andreabella.it Address: Via G. Segantini 33 10024, Moncalieri, Turin Telephone: +39 011 66 13 891

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More Than Just a Cleaning Company Cleaning Operations UK was delighted to receive the esteemed Best Construction Cleaning Company 2016 – UK award, after which we took the opportunity to interview the firm’s Luzia Holloway about their spotless body of work.

Whether its builders cleaning, after builders cleaning, specialist floor cleaning, specialist window cleaning, restoration cleaning, daily cleaning or events cleaning - Cleaning Operations UK would only be too delighted to assist you.

What to expect • They keep their word and always deliver what they promise; • They have over two decades of experience in the cleaning industry and; • If you need it doing, the answer from them is always yes!

• Cleaning Operations UK plan every step to ensure all health and safety requirements. All of their employees are CSCS, IPAF and PASMA qualified.

The firm has completed projects for prestigious clients such as: • Apple Store – Regents Park London; • Brymor – Co-Operative Freshwater Isle of Wight; • Willmott Dixon; • McLaren Construction and; • Kier Group.

Builders Cleaning When it comes to builders cleaning, imagine that you are well under way in the building process. A lot of money has already been spent and incurring unnecessary excess costs is

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something that you do not want to happen at this stage. So, what can you do? Luzia Holloway explains how the firm can help.

“From scratches on a staircase to scuffs on the floor or any issue that you have, our specialist team will be able to fix it. We don’t just clean, we transform.

Let’s says you have found damage to the brand-new floor that has only recently been laid.

Going through your mind straight away are thoughts like: how much will it cost? How long will it take to mend?; Will that put us behind schedule? For how long?

“We offer our clients the option to let us repair damages or imperfections with a selection of our proven specialist treatment methods, at an unbeatable price. That’s the peace of mind guarantee we provide. When it comes to cleaning, there is nothing for you to worry about.

The exceptional cleaning methods that our team practise mean nothing is left untouched.

The result is any damages or imperfections are detected early and fixed, without a problem arising.

“Our philosophies and work ethic is what makes us different.

Everything we do is focused around quality, excellence and care. This means that your every need is met to the highest of standards. Using high-quality cleaning techniques has made us the first port-of-call for any

specialist jobs that are required.

You’ll wonder why you didn’t come to us first!”

then explains what happened following an incident happened on Friday 15th April 2016

Luzia then explains what to expect from Cleaning Operations UK.

“The client called Cleaning Operations UK at lunchtime to inform us that a water pipe had burst on the 10th floor and help was urgently needed with the clean-up, to avoid damages to surfaces and furniture. 16 people were sent to site and arrived within one hour of the request.

They used dehumidifiers, heaters and wet vax to solve the problem.

“We have over two decades of experience in the cleaning industry, a building cleaning specialist with an impressive list of clients, including: Willmott Dixon, McLaren Construction, Kier Group, Goodman Hitchens – Victoria Secrets, Rg Group – Sainsburys Portswood, Southampton, Rg Group – Sainsburys Fareham & Eastbourne, Rg Group – Sainsburys Waterlooville & Brookwood, Woking.

“If you need it doing, the answer is always yes. Cleaning Operations UK plan every step to ensure all health and safety requirements. All our employees are CSCS, IPAF and PASMA qualified.”

RG construction company case study Luzia then offers her thoughts on one of the clients the firm worked with, and how Cleaning Operations UK provided a one hour response saved RG Construction thousands. The story begins with RG Group building an 800-bedroom student accommodation block over 24 floors. The build started in June 2015, with a full handover taking place in September 2016. Luzia

“The results were that damage to furniture and surfaces saved the company thousands of pounds. The customer said that we provided a very impressive response. This sort of commitment, from the staff of Cleaning Operations UK, has never been experienced before with other companies.

“The clean-up operation was a success and our client was extremely impressed with our work, as this had saved them many hundreds of pounds in damages. For Cleaning Operations UK, this project was very demanding in terms of deadlines, but we have an excellent relationship with the project manager who keeps an open line of communication with us.”

Specialist floor cleaning When it comes to specialist floor cleaning, Cleaning Operations

g More Than Just a Cleaning Company

UK offer proven cleaning solutions to tackle any problem.

Working with the Isle of Wight Co-operative Group Limited, the firm used their expertise to solve a discolouration problem with their terrazzo flooring, by using their Diamond Cleaning method.

The last word goes to Luzia, who shares just how Cleaning Operations UK are at the top of their game, and the peace of mind that they offer.

“Our complimentary project management system is the best in the industry, and is here to make your life easier. That’s the peace of mind guarantee we offer. You can login securely to confirm staff schedules and the number of operators that will be working on that day.

Comments and requests can also be left and shared with your team, so everyone is kept in the loop. That’s the difference, we are more than just a cleaning company.”

Company: Cleaning Operations UK Name: Luzia Holloway Email: luzia@cleaningoperationsuk.com Web Address: cleaningoperationsuk.com Address: 232-233 Temple Chambers 3 - 7 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HP UK Telephone: +44 (0)1489 588540

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Your Dream Home - One Chance to Get It Right!

We are a Canadian home design company, located in Fonthill, Ontario, Canada. We are at the heart of the Niagara Peninsula, just outside of Niagara Falls. Since our start in 1990, Nauta Home Designs has had one simple mission; to help people get the home of their dreams through an enjoyable experience. Since then - we’ve helped over 3000 families by offering design services unique to the industry – and winning the exclusive to Canada ‘Ones to Watch for 2016 Construction Award’ has been a massive boost for us.

We are talented and experienced licensed home designers, architectural technologists, CAD operators, 3D designers and artists with over 25 years’ experience. Our extensive education and expertise covers many aspects of building design such as architectural, structural engineering, civil, mechanical, electrical, interior design, building sciences, green design, building codes and surveying.

Our knowledge and understanding of building codes and building structures assures that not only are the blueprints accurately designed and complete, but that they are accepted and approved by building departments. Nauta Home Designs employs college graduates in architectural technology to ensure beautiful, well thought out designs, accurate blueprints and building code compliance.

Our Approach to Design We design with an emphasis on size, shape and scale.

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Size – What are the room sizes? What is needed for space?

Shape – How is it created or defined? Does the shape of rooms allow proper function?

Scale – Are all areas properly proportioned? Ex. “Does the scale of the kitchen work with the eating area?”

How we do it At Nauta Home Designs, our house plans focus not only on style, space, and features; but on consistency as well. We follow a rigorous process to ensure that each home design is of the same high level of quality that we have established over the past 25+ years.

We know that designing in detail helps to comply with the client’s wishes and explore the possibilities for each new home.

Because of this we make sure to consistently communicate with clients, ensuring that they have a hand in every step of the design.

Once the design is finalised, structure and building code compliance is checked throughout the design process, to ensure that the final design can be easily built.

Reform of Ontario’s building regulatory system Since 2006, Nauta Home Designs has been a licensed and insured design firm in possession of a BCIN number as prescribed by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Licensing, insurance, and a BCIN number are crucial elements when choosing your designer. If your designer does not have a BCIN number, you will not get a building permit in Ontario.

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Your Dream Home… One chance to get it right!

We want you to have the home of your dreams. From luxury mansions to starter homes and everything in between, we have designed every style and we know that we can create your dream home.

In 2005, Bill 124 came into full effect in Ontario. This bill reformed Ontario’s building regulatory system and addressed long-standing concerns from builders, municipalities, inspectors, and citizens. Goals of the reformation were to

“increase the safety and quality of building construction in Ontario, streamline the regulatory system, enhance accountability, and create a more transparent and innovation-friendly regulatory environment for the construction industry.”

Green home design for Canada At Nauta Home Designs, green design is not simply a marketing idea, we take efficient and sustainable design seriously.

Green Home Design is not just about in-floor radiant heat, or having solar panels installed.

Green home design for Canada with Nauta Home Designs is always a holistic approach to all that the occupants do within the buildings we live, work and play in. For us, green home design is about designing and implementing energy saving systems that work effectively with the rest of the building. It is about utilising energy saving systems that provide the ideal level of comfort we desire, always and in all elements.

g Your Dream Home - One Chance to Get It Right!

From geo-thermal heating systems, to in-floor radiant heat, to higher R factors of walls, basements and ceilings, to air tight door seals, thermal barriers of wall systems, and sustainable materials‌ Canadian green home design is only effective when implemented throughout the whole design. We are open to new technologies and are always interested in pursuing new products and methods to help our customers receive the best comfort in their new home or building.

We have extensive experience with the energy guide requirements for new homes, LEED design systems and the efficiency requirements in the Ontario Building Code. In addition, we have 25 years’ experience with building science and thermal design for buildings and houses.

Please feel free to call our office toll free at 1-866-474-4320 with any further questions, we are always very happy to assist you.

Company: Nauta Home Design Name: Hank Nauta Email: hankn@nautahomedesigns.com Web Address: www.nautahomedesigns.com Address: 2601 Hwy 20 E. Unit 1 Fonthill, Ontario L0S 1E6 Telephone: + 1 866 474 4320 or +1 905 892 9657

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The Architecture of Movement altro_studio, part of the Architecture Top 50, was founded in 1998 by a group of people prepared to work in an interdisciplinary environment. From the very start, altro_studio began to research movement as applied to the home, ranging from temporary housing to major urban projects. In an interview with the firm’s Anna Rita Emili, she reveals more about the firm’s work and research. altro_studio was founded in 1998 by a group of people prepared to work in an interdisciplinary environment. From the very start, altro_studio began to research movement as applied to the home, ranging from temporary housing to major urban projects.

Anna Rita Emili begins the interview by offering her thoughts on being part of the Architecture Top 50, the firm’s focus on research and what sets them apart from other companies in the industry.

“To be a part of the Architecture Top 50, I’m flattered to take a part. BUILD it a very interesting magazine. It is the place to promote innovative construction categories and innovative architectures and it is in line with our aspirations. The magazine’s focus explores the investors keen to pour their money into new projects staying ahead of the curve and keeping up with the latest, most promising real estate markets in the world. This aspect is very important for us “We mainly addressed new concepts of flexible, transformable, eco living space, to understand the new, functional and structural needs of the individual. For this and other reasons, altro_studio focused its research on new technologies (mainly linked to automated systems) and innovative

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materials, and investigated the problems of environmental sustainability.

“Our approach is based on intimate knowledge of the architecture, of new materials and technologies about sustainable architecture. We think architecture can recapture an ethics, an ability to represent based on society’s new values but, above all, I think the different architectural cultures can recover the identity and critical thought that went lost with the phenomenon of globalisation.

But that takes a lot of work.”

Anna then goes into detail about the firm’s overall aims and what strategies they employ to achieve these.

“Whereas architecture is considered a perfect synthesis between art and science, we aspire on the one hand to facts and phenomena close to the real world surrounding us (expressed by new techniques and materials) and, on the other, to interdisciplinary studies involving music, philosophy, literature and, above all, the figurative arts.

“Art has always expressed political, cultural and social thought and has always been considered as avant-garde compared to architecture.

Figurative art has always been an essential part of architecture.

This is the tool, which

distinguishes a true architect from a simple technician of architecture. Our ambitions come from closely observing the world around us and projecting it into the future.

“Additionally, our objective is to offer concrete answers to the numerous problems, which affect the real world in which we live. We are speaking of a phenomena, which involves the entire planet, such as immigration, mobility and complexity, or of natural phenomena due to climate change, such as desertification, hurricanes and the rise in water levels, or even events, such as virtual communication via the creation of networks, computerisation and the computer.

“Lastly, we aim to concentrate our observations on the transformations produced by social change in recent decades, and on new ways of living public and private, collective and individual space.”

Anna then tells us that in terms of ensuring the firm creates innovative solutions to maintain their success, understanding and studying the phenomena that is taking place around the world, regarding both positive and negative phenomena are key. She then turns her thoughts towards what the future has in store for your industry and how she sees the market changing over the next 12 months.

“It is very difficult to build for Italian architect. there’s a lot of bureaucracy a lot of general government competence.

For example, there is much constraint around urban planning that allows a city to change.

We live in a very big historical museum. In terms of our future aspirations for the company, we think that important it is important to study to enable humanity to have a good life.”

Research by altro_studio The firm’s architecture can be defined as experimental, in the sense that they analyse the perceptive and emotional aspects applied to architectural space. These intuitions, linked mainly to the phenomenological factors as Merleau Ponty understood it, take their cue from a series of events connected to contemporary identity. These events modify the architectural space, the place in which the person lives and dwells collectively and individually, by influencing the thought and behaviour of the individual Anna tells us before expanding on this most interesting research point.

“We are speaking here of phenomena concerning the metropoli. These include mobility, institutions, public spaces, or natural phenomena caused by climate change, such as desertification, floods and earthquakes, or else events which, although they interact with different

g The Architecture of Movement

Company: Altro Studio Name: Anna Rita Emili Email: altro.studio@gmail.com Web Address: www.altro-studio.it Address: Via Alessandria 40, Rome 00198, Italy Telephone: +39 06 95226453

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cultures and races, possess all the common denominators characterised by terms such as computerisation, consumerism, emigration and immigration.

“Our research sets out to be a possible response to a series of events or, in some cases, a prediction to achieve utopian solutions. All this shows we work in ‘extreme’ spaces, placed ‘outside’ traditional, architectural rules. These are spaces, in which the concept of phenomenon is contaminated by some fundamental, philosophical ideas based on the bond between environment-subject-individual, but also by mathematical or scientific rules, which have always been the tools of architecture.

“We work on spaces characterised by antinomies, which are part of the written and spoken language, such as: open-closed, inside-outside, visible-invisible, chaos-order, rational-organic, up-down. These contrasting terms (a timehonoured subject of philosophical studies) never achieve the typical equilibrium of tradition, an aspect which gave the individual emotional security (classicism searched for equilibrium between proportions, between empty and full spaces, etc.).

“On the contrary, they find a reason to exist in the most extreme conflict and contrast, by creating new, different tensions, capable of arousing rather disorientating conditions for the individual, as disorientating as the world in which we live.”

To achieve extreme spatial conditions, the firm uses movement as a tool to highlight a complex architecture, the main feature of which is not static. They have developed their research on this specific topic in two directions, more of which Anna outlines to us in her own words as the interview draws to a close.

“The first deals with the movement of the individual as he wanders around the space. It is represented by a vacuum, a smooth space, which creates the principle of visual perception, and in which the fundamental element is the

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pathway. As he crosses the territory, the individual is made aware of the space to the extent that architecture becomes an item of clothing he can wear and carry around with him and then abandon in the territory once he has used it.

“The second refers to the movement of architecture the moment it acquires subjectivity and replaces the individual.

By moving architectural parts or elements in the space (by sliding, rotating, slipping and overturning), it is possible to reach infinite spatial conditions in a brief lapse of time without any particular spatial quality prevailing over the others. For us, this represents a different way of perceiving space, in which architecture no longer expresses itself by searching for shape, which for us takes on a deductive character, but by means of a pure, simple gesture.

Only by action can we achieve ever-changing expressiveness.

“To reinforce this concept, our architecture becomes ‘poor’ so we use simple, essential shapes, supported using simple, low cost materials, but also using highly innovative technology (systems of automation). All this does not exclude the scenic, illusory aspect, which architecture produces via everyday gestures.

Sliding screen-printed windows, rotating drawn walls, lights, which by continually moving change the perception of space to create special optical effects. Each piece of architecture transforms into a theatrical work, which has no beginning and no end, and has no predetermined plot, but expresses itself freely without a script. For this and other reasons we can affirm that ours is in fact a ‘kinetic architecture’.

“Lastly, it is fundamental to realise that these structures are designed to answer the canons of biocompatibility and selfsufficiency. More specifically, the architecture of movement is characterised by natural or recycled materials, whereas architecture in movement is constructed via systems of automation, intelligent systems able to respond to technologically innovative living comfort.”

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The Next Generation of Long Island Construction Jack Kulka, the name that transformed Hauppauge’s industrial landscape. Armed with an ingenious combination of foresight, passion, and dedication, Jack Kulka is considered to be among the greatest business men of his generation on Long Island, and one of the first to recognize Hauppauge’s potential of becoming a major business center.

As development spread across what was once the small town of Hauppauge, Kulka was quick to realize the opportunities. Jack Kulka and Kulka Construction, a commercial construction firm, first started offering its Construction Management and General Contractor’s services almost 40 years ago. His hometown of Hauppauge is now the 2nd largest industrial park in the United States, houses some of the country’s largest manufacturers and Kulka Construction was responsible for almost 80 percent of the construction inside the park.

graduate of New York University College of Engineering, Jack initially wanted to be a lawyer; but as he jokingly puts it, his parents wanted him to get an ‘honest’ job. Jack describes himself as more of a people person than a planner; he prefers to interact more with people rather than with concepts on paper or abstract ideas. He quit his first engineering job after just three days and left the aerospace industry behind for the world of construction. Jack has since been hard at work. After stints with electrical contractors, Jack settled down with a general contractor and eventually struck out on his own.

What immediately set Kulka apart from other companies was the family atmosphere with which the company conducts their business. Even with a staff of highly experienced professionals, when undertaking new client, Jack and his team ensured that the client became a part of the Kulka family. Now the legacy will be passed on to the next generation of the Kulka Family, and the company’s future looks bright under the new leadership of Jack’s only son, Devin.

With the foresight of an entrepreneur that was way ahead of his time, Jack was quick to present solutions that would leave his mark on the world. And that was exactly what he did in 1978. After an energy blackout in Hauppauge that left residents and workers without power for days, Jack helped found the Hauppauge Industrial Association and Jack became the association’s first president.

Jack identified the need for a unified body to give a voice to the booming industrial economy of than small, Hauppauge Industrial Park and get leverage with the utility.

Almost forty years ago, it wasn’t Jack Kulka’s dream to get into development and construction. A

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Thirty-eight years after the founding of Kulka Construction, the torch has now been passed to Jack’s only son, Devin. As energetic and zealous as his father, Devin has become the company’s new visionary innovator and leader. While keeping many of the same values his father put into place, Devin is implements modern technology and processes into his business practices, setting Kulka Construction up with a more contemporary technological approach to construction management and for exemplary success and growth for years to come.

Beginning from scratch, Devin began work as a concrete laborer, so it is safe to say that he has been involved in almost every stage of the building process. Learning every part of the long rigorous process, he transitioned into electrical work before becoming the Assistant Superintendent on a project, building one of the largest pharmaceutical facilities in New York.

Perhaps, this is in part, due to Devin’s household values.

Growing up with a man as admirable as Jack Kulka, enabled him to learn from quite an early age, the passion,

dedication, and mental fortitude required to keep a company on the cutting edge and moving ever forward.

Since beginning his professional career, Devin has been a key figure in several large-scale projects, including the building of Lumber Earth, Perfume Center of America, Contract Pharmacal Corp, and the Hampton Inn of Rockville Centre.

Because of his pivotal role in the construction of the second largest private solar field on the east coast and the largest open loop geo-thermal system for a pharmaceutical facility, Devin was asked to be the Keynote Speaker at the 2016 PSEG Long Island Energy Efficiency Conference.

Devin is now successfully using modern technology to overhaul the organization, managing projects and streamlining the team’s processes for maximum efficiency; which, in turn, helps minimize the client’s costs and the time taken to complete a project. “The latest technology used aids in targeted networking, information sharing and business advocacy for business leaders to further explore the horizon,” Devin says.

g The Next Generation of Long Island Construction

Kulka works closely with his design teams and clients throughout every phase of the construction process, using modern communication, and tools so that everyone is always aware of the schedule and budget.

Devin’s newly adopted technology and construction management software helps keep in control various aspects of the project such as, payment orders, financial transactions and contracts. Using these tools, the client has a direct access to what is taking place on their projects and gives the clients a look ahead at any moment form anywhere in the world.

Contact: Jack Kulka Email: jkulka@kulkaconstruction.com Company: Kulka Construction Address: 175F Commerce Drive, Hauppauge, New York, 11788, USA Telephone: 001 631 231 0900 Web Address: kulkaconstruction.com

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Kulka’s key to success is the ability to constantly deliver projects on time and under budget. A large majority of the work the company gets is due to the referrals made on their behalf and repeat clients. The new technology implemented

by Devin makes communication and customer satisfaction even greater, and will aid in the company’s continued success.

The relationship’s Kulka has with their sub-contractors has been important to the success of their business as well. “The quote, “You are only as strong as your weakest link” holds true in all aspects of life,” Devin believes.

“We understand and value this, which is why we work with some of the best subcontractors in the area. If it wasn’t for the entire Kulka organization and the subcontractors that we use we would never have won the Leading Expert Award and we want to thank those people we do work with internally and externally,” he says.

Regardless of whether Kulka is building up a modern building, corporate home office, a shopping malls, motion picture theater, residential apartment units, or adding to the development of an educational institution or community center; “quality” is predominant in all periods of its operations. For this commercial construction firm, there is no compromise on standards.

“I think the biggest challenge we have faced these days is the fact that many clients are looking for the lowest possible number rather than taking into account quality. We value both cost and quality and have continued to effectively deliver quality projects at a low cost, time and time again. A challenge that many of our competitors face is keeping up with the rapidly evolving industry. We see that industry booms come in waves. For a few years, hotels may be the hot item to develop and the few years to follow may be pharmaceuticals.

Our wide expertise in all aspects of commercial development and construction allow us to keep up with the booming markets

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of that time,” Devin tells us, emphasizing on his ability to forecast future trends in order to capitalize on the opportunities.

Whether a project is to be built using the methods of Construction Management, General Contracting or DesignBuild Construction, the name Kulka is synonymous with quality construction. For almost 40 years, Kulka has been responsible for the construction of close to 20 million square feet of commercial, institutional, industrial and multi-tenant residential facilities throughout the metropolitan New York area.

In addition, Kulka Interiors has completed some of the area’s finest and most luxurious corporate spaces. Having been recently cited by Long Island Business News as Long Island’s top builder, based on square footage completed, Kulka Construction has provided numerous owners with optimum designed and constructed facilities at substantially reduced costs.

Like his father, Devin has also excelled outside the business and is an active member of The Young Presidents Organization Next Generation. He is also a founder of the Nexus Pro Group-a group that was formed to help young professionals make connections with other likeminded business people. The group strives to connect with people that will help one another grow their careers while doing fun activities in a comfortable environment.

Devin Kulka has turned out to be an excellent professional and an exemplary leader. Tactically maneuvering the company to success, implementing the use of modern technology and processes, while keeping his father’s legacy intact is a notable achievement on its own. We are sure to see a long list of accomplishments from Devin Kulka, and we can confidently say that this great Long Island Construction Firm, has a bright future ahead under his leadership.

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For When You Are Not Willing To Compromise Your Dreams marmui.co.uk/

sandvickarchitects.com Sandvick Architects is committed to assisting the revitalization of downtowns and urban neighborhoods large and small, encouraging reinvestment in our nation’s existing building stock, finding new uses for underutilized buildings, and promoting planning with preservation as a central initiative to renew and invigorate community vitality and viability.

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Prompt, Efficient and Accurate ‘R P Compliance Testing Ltd’ provides a wide range of useful services, such as building energy calculations, sound insulation testing (Part E), thermal imaging and the P.A.T testing of portable appliances. Selected as part of ‘Innovators in Sustainability’, we profiled the firm to find out more.

Director Ros Piggott DipMS set-up and ran for five and a half years, a UKAS Accredited Laboratory based in Norfolk, that provided air tightness testing (for compliance with Building Regulation Part L) and sound insulation testing (for compliance with Part E), until the end of November 2011.

At the beginning of 2012, Ros Piggott set-up ‘R P Air Testing Ltd’ to provide a value-for-money service to local developers, architects and the like within the construction industry, offering outstanding customer service and high quality certificates and test reports. The company was renamed/re-branded in November 2013 to ‘R P Compliance Testing Ltd’, which is more appropriate for the range of services offered.

Ros is an affiliate member of CIBSE & the IoA. Test engineers are trained to the very highest standards including Bpec qualified. The firm are UKAS Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 for Building Leakage & Sound Insulation testing, along with ISO 9001 for which they are certified to with BSI. They are also committed to certification for ISO 14001 Environmental Management System - also with BSI. All measuring equipment is purchased from and UKAS

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calibrated by BSRIA (certificates are always available for inspection on request) The business is run by a small team of professionals including Ros’s son, Lee O’Brien DipOCEA (pictured) who was appointed as a director and a shareholder in October 2013. Lee is also the firm’s in-house SAP/EPC energy assessor. They all strive towards the same goal - ‘to provide a prompt, efficient and accurate service that meets the exact requirements of all their clients.

All administration of the business is taken care of by Marie Adams (pictured below) who has worked with Ros since 2008.

R P Compliance is a company committed to quality, the environment, clients and local communities.

R P Compliance offer a range of services that can be delivered as a package deal, some of which are detailed in this article.

• Airtightness/building leakage testing (part’s L1 & L2); • Air leakage rating of internal structures; • Building energy calculations SAP’s, PEA’s, EPC’s (part L); • Sound insulation testing (Part E); • Thermal imaging; • Ventilation inspect, test & commission - domestic (part F) and; • P.A.T testing of portable appliances.

Thermal Imaging Thermal imaging is an extremely effective technique for immediately detecting, visualising and recording temperature differences, heat loss and anomalies. The applications are numerous and varied. It can be used to detect precise areas in the building envelope that contribute to draughts and heat loss, such as around services, through gaps, poorly fitted windows and doors, breaks in insulation, etc.

Moisture is also an efficient conductor of heat energy and wet insulation is in fact worse than having no insulation at all, and thermography can display surface temperature variations that provide information in the underlying structure.

R P Compliance Testing Ltd have the latest calibrated equipment to carry out a thermal survey of your property, which will enable identification of areas with potential for improvement that could result in considerable savings for your energy bills.

Thermal imaging is also included with the firm’s air tightness test service (this service is normally only available through the colder winter months).

Portable Appliance Testing (P.A.T.) Portable electrical appliance testing is a very important part of any Health & Safety policy. It applies to instances where they are:

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Used by employees; Used by the public in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels and shops; Supplied or hired and; Are repaired or serviced.

Whether you require P.A.T. testing to comply with your health & safety policy, insurance policy or are concerned about a faulty appliance within your facility, R P Compliance Testing has the equipment, personnel and know how to get you results.

They recognise the importance of P.A.T. testing, and have invested in staff training and the latest test equipment to ensure these services are carried out quickly to the highest standard possible.

Their services are available to everyone including those in the following sectors: • Industrial & manufacturing plants; • Business and retail parks; • Schools, colleges & educational establishments; • Commercial offices; • Superstores & shops; • Sports & leisure centres; • Hotels, guest houses & holiday lets and; • Government buildings & local authorities.

All testing performed by R P Compliance Testing is carried out strictly in accordance with the ‘Code of Practice

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Prompt, Efficient and Accurate

Company: R P Compliance Testing Ltd Name: Ros Piggott Email: ros@rp-compliance.co.uk Web Address: www.rp-compliance.co.uk Address: 9 Park Road Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 5BP UK Telephone: +44 (0)1485 580018

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for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment’.

Engineers are City & Guilds level 3 qualified.

Benefits include: • Prompt & efficient service; • Minimum disruption and; • Detailed records for compliance.

Air Leakage Rating, Internal Structures: R P Compliance Testing Ltd provides pressure testing for air leakage rating on a range of internal structures including pressure testing raised floor systems.

Where access/plenum floors voids are designed to be conditioned spaces or with acoustic properties, they should have a high level of airtightness to ensure leakage does not occur into cavities, risers, stairwells and other adjacent zones or into occupied spaces. Floor systems are designed to ensure that air supply is only discharged through diffuses or grilles and not between tiles. This is necessary so that the air is only supplied to where it is needed and maintains energy efficiency.

A poorly sealed floor system could create serious inefficiencies in terms of costs and energy use, or sound insulation performance. BSRIA guidance ‘Floor Void Airtightness’ recommends upper limits of airtightness be included within design specifications, and that floor systems are measured on site to demonstrate compliance.

They provide testing on: • Ventilation/air conditioning ducting; • Platform floors (access/ plenum); • Plenum ceilings designed to extract smoke; • Smoke/Fire shafts, escape routes; • Room integrity for clean room, fire resistant, etc.; Included in the service is: • Testing at any time of day 24/7 to minimise disruption on site; • Trained and qualified engineers;

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A wide range of testing equipment to handle all floor & void types/sizes; A personal service, working with clients to attain the desired results; Leak identification using high powered, oil based smoke machines; K41 specification testing for air tightness of raised access flooring and under floor void leakage and; Prompt turnaround of tests certificates/reports.

Energy Efficiency in the Home: With energy costs constantly rising and everyone feeling the pinch, making the best use of our money is more and more essential. As much of our money is spent on our homes, consider the following questions: • Does your home use lots of energy?

• Is it draughty and cold during the winter months?

• Do you find yourself turning the heating up just to keep warm?

• Are you finding it a struggle to pay your energy bills?

Using specially designed equipment, the firm can identify any weaknesses in your home, that cause you unnecessary waste of energy and money.

For a comparatively small investment, R P Compliance provide a full report giving guidance as to how your home can be improved based on the results of building leakage and thermal survey tests that they will carry out. The firm can also arrange for remedial work to take place, which they will then followup with a free check to gauge the improvements, which can be measured.

If you treasure your home and don’t want to waste any more money or energy, (which will also help your local environment), then please give R P Compliance Testing Ltd a call now to arrange an appointment on 01485 580 0108.

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Prompt, Efficient and Accurate

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Architecture and Property Development Alex D Architects is an experienced architectural and property development practice based in Buckinghamshire offering services throughout the UK and Portugal. We invited Alexandre Durao from Alex D Architects to tell us more, after their success in winning the High End Residential Projects – UK 2016 BUILD Award.

A chartered practice in both countries (RIBA and ARB in the UK, OA in Portugal), Alex D Architects offers a wide range of services to private clients across the sphere of architecture and property development. Alexandre explains to us the many services provided at Alex D Architects.

“We’re visionary in our work, which is always balanced by our vast experience and strong focus on maximising return on investment and achieving plans approval (planning applications and building regulation drawings).

“Our services range from small to large and complex depending on individual client needs. These include: • Property surveys; • Plans and drawings (sketch, CAD and 3D as required); • Planning applications (new buildings, extensions, loft conversions, renovations); • Feasibility studies (to investigate and evaluate the potential of a site or building); • Building regulations; • Detailing; • Building specifications and tendering and; • Investment and development consultancy.

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With more than 17 years’ experience, this company was established three years ago in the UK. Alex D Architects compare their services to other competitors and always try to provide a better, more complete type of service and that can be easily seen in our drawings and reviews. They adapt to the circumstances and market changes but always with a strong focus to the client.

When undertaking a new client or project, Alexandre details to us how they ensure the best possible outcome and what sets them apart from other companies within the industry.

“We always try to understand a clients’ requirements together with the planning policies and what is or not achievable, even before we start any drawing process. Also, we consider the best possible way to achieve planning permission.

“Our approach is very client focused, we have a very personal approach. From always being in contact to advising on how to proceed while keeping him informed about the procedures.”

It is inevitable that most businesses will run into some challenges within their respected industry. For Alex D Architects, Alexandre expresses how the difficulties they face but how the company work to overcome these challenges and strengthen the company values.

“It’s always a hard job. We are an award winning chartered practice and we believe we provide a great service for a very competitive price. Unfortunately, some people don’t understand this and still try to compare our services to other non-qualified practices. That is something frustrating but, at the same time, just make us more confident in our work. It also makes us more competent in our achievements as we only want to be compared with the best, and those are the ones that we consider and motivate us to be better and stronger.

great design solution that actually improves the surrounding area, whilst respecting it. From this I learned that requires a lot of hard work, creativity and effort to create something that has such a strong impact on people’s views and feelings.”

As for any upcoming projects that the company have lined up, Alexandre hints at some of Alex D Architects developing plans.

With an array of successful projects to choose from, Alexandre selects the ‘Stowe Apartments’ in Bourne End, Bucks.

“Constantly, we are always trying to understand how we can improve and what else we can do. Now, we are considering joint ventures with people who are interested in developing as we have a good access to opportunities. The main goal is that in two or three years we will be in a position of creating our own opportunities and developments, creating our own work. Also, we have the expertise on the Portuguese market so we are also exploring that part of the business where we can find, develop and build a dream house in Portugal, basically taking care of all the hassle from the client”

“It’s quite a contemporary approach in a part of town where there is a lack of character and I believe we managed to achieve a

As for the future of this industry, Alexandre envisions how the market will change over the next 12-months.

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“In the next 12-months, I believe there will not be a lot of changes in the UK market that we will deal with. The need for more houses and the cost of a new house supports the type of work that we do in this company. Of course, I would be happy to be more involved in bigger projects but the private clients are, at the moment, possibly 90% of our work so it naturally became part of our expertise. And so, I don’t believe that is to change also because we have clients that come back to us or recommend us to their friends.”

Looking ahead, Alexandre details how that the company will continue to strive towards great success and highlights the future aspirations for Alex D Architects.

“To grow the company, reinforce the team and making Alex D Architects better and more competitive with bigger companies, without losing the client focus. Currently we are exploring different possibilities and some of the recent awards we have are helping us to achieve those goals. Alongside this we are also committed to work together in partnership with other experienced practices.”

Company: Alex D Architects Ltd Name: Alexandre Durao Email: alex@alexdarchitects.co.uk Web Address: www.alexarchitects.co.uk Address: Milton Pools Farm, Great Milton Oxford, OX44 7JE UK Telephone: +44 (0)7447 659 327

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Design for Life Based in Basel, Tria Design is one of Switzerland’s finest architectural firms, specializing in producing personal structures geared around their client’s lifestyles. After their selection in the Architecture Top 50, we invited them to tell us more about their work in the field.

Tria Design AG Basel is a studio of architecture and design with a small team of highly motivated, welltrained and technically savvy employees. From acquisition of land, planning, constructive establishment, interior equipment, decoration and furnishing to handing over to our customers, the firm takes on complex projects, including new buildings, renovation of old buildings, quality properties and shop-fitting services.

Tria Design AG develops and projects creatively, with great attention to detail and with longterm experience of the practical and technical implementation of customer’s dreams of an attractive or exclusive residential new building.

Taking into account current requirements for economical energy consumption, the firm plans the conversion of anything from an old property renovation to a new kitchen, made in its exclusive furniture factory, and factors in client’s individual furniture, lighting and stylish accessories.

“We are always striving to offer innovative, technical and creative solutions as well as exclusive products in our entire business spectrum in order to not only to set an accent, but also to produce and hand over a tailor-made, personal product to our customers,” explains Karin Rosenbaum from Tria Design.

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“With many years of skilled craftsmanship and reliable partners, we can ensure the execution as a general contractor with all construction services from a single source. Combined with friendly and competent professional advice, detailed planning and conscientious building management, we can also meet very demanding customer requirements.”

our style imagination and our company`s aspiration, is challenging but it is our aim to satisfy.”

The staff at Tria Design are all made to feel like they have being accepted as part of a large family, combining their creative talents to ensure the very best results each and every time.

“These limits promote densification of trends to design compact and extremely high structures. Our projects of Autarca and Solara have gained a lot of special interest.

“Our motivated and creative team will future offering all customers best advice, high quality and thoughtful planning and execution and we are proud of this fact,” says Karin.

With regards to the future, Karin explains that the firm’s next projects will be focussed around energy-optimization.

“We place great value and emphasis on having personal contact with our customers.

A big part of our developing innovations in the field of energyautonomous objects is based largely on analysed customer’s wishes.”

In the area of Basel and Cantonal across Switzerland, Tria Design offers complete solutions and implementation of conceptual-planned procedures of erection of residential buildings and shops.

“We offer a complete product from a single source to the comfort and care our customers.

Understanding of our customer’s wishes, in accordance with

The market in Switzerland is very different from other places in Europe. Because of rare properties, the methods of construction change from horizontal to vertical for better utilization of building land.

“We intend to continue to produce energy- autonomous methods of construction in partnership with developers of science and industry.”

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Contact: Karin Rosenbaum Email: karin.rosenbaum@triadesign.ch Company: Steinentorstrasse 19 Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 283 17 17 Web Address: www.triadesign.ch/de

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No Compromise on Your Dreams Marmui Architecture, included in the Architecture Top 50, is a creative, award winning design-led studio for when you are not willing to compromise on your dreams. We invited creative director Mark Muir to tell us more about the firm’s work, which he perceives as an honest response to contemporary lifestyle, with a healthy desire to maximise natural light and wellbeing.

Marmui Architecture sees their work as formed by context in which we enjoy celebrating the everyday – that is making connections between inside and outside spaces, create timeless places that celebrate views, changing weather or people going about their daily business.

Creative director Mark Muir begins the interview by underlining the effect of their clients’ aspirations on the business, lessons learnt and how it feels to be a part of the Architecture Top 50 “However, as our clients’ aspirations have expanded we have developed our own ideas, tools, and working methods to encompass pressing social issues and the complex challenges of a global culture.

Our approach to working with clients has become more agile. Its scope has broadened enormously, moving from a ‘traditional’ and circumscribed intervention to a more ‘strategic’ and omnipresent one.

“Lessons from each sector now inform others and pushing the envelope back, by directly engaging specialist disciplines such as product, spatial designers and makers, help us re-think and question our intent in the places we create, and elements we make, through visionary design.

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“It is a privilege to be recognised as part of the Architecture Top 50. It reflects the hard work the Marmui team put in and the commitment to our clients and their vision.”

When undertaking a new client or project, Marmui Architecture’s approach is fundamentally about communication and understanding. Mark explains this vital point in more detail, plus what sets the firm apart in the creative work they do, including their architectural aims.

“Ultimately, we put the clients’ needs first and try to accommodate those needs wherever possible. Clear communication and honesty is key to a good relationship and we prioritise that from the very beginning. We have spent a lot of time understand the best way to help our clients’ and provide them with the highest level of service. It is through this that we have designed our Inspiration Day, a simple and unique seven step process to creating your dream home. This is an opportunity to spend one day with an architect designing a home that is truly your own.

“What sets us apart? I believe that our transdisciplinary approach offers an interaction opportunity for both ourselves and our clients to develop bespoke environments and find

that exclusive life experience.

No one project is the same, so while we don’t offer one style that fits all, we truly understand our clients’ needs and provide them with a realistic solution to their design vision. We are very environmentally focused, offering sustainable options throughout, without compromising style or aesthetic.

“Our overall aims architecturally are always to strive to employ new and relevant process and techniques, technology moves fast and there are always new ways of doing things. Having said that, tradition is not something to ignore, some things not need changing, but it’s about knowing what works and what doesn’t!

Our clients’ needs are our driving force and that’s what allows us to grow and develop.”

Additionally, Marmui Architecture strive to implement green and environmentally sound design solutions. Green technology is certainly at the forefront of our industry and it is not something that can be ignored Mark tells us, before sharing more thoughts about this.

“We work closely with some of the UK and international leading suppliers at the cutting edge of technology and pride ourselves on this. Every product and supply chain member used by us is thoroughly researched

and sampled before inclusion in our central Building Information Modelling library.

“Working across three sectors has taught us that that success in each one engenders a common value; good memories.

We, therefore, value working closely with each client and developing a relationship of trust where good memories can be added to the built form, ultimately providing not just a house but a home (living), a home from home (learning) or a unique and joyful experience to take home (leisure).

“Each project is equally important to us because they all have their own success and identity.

Whether it is a house renovation, or a large-scale hotel resort. The happiness of the respective client is of utmost importance to us, regardless of scale or budget.”

Bringing the interview to a close, Mark highlights that the next 12 months will be positive for the architecture industry.

“We understand people’s desire for exclusivity and their investment into lifestyle and wellbeing and as a company we put a lot of importance on exactly this. People want to get the best out of their home life, they truly value their personal time and space, but often don’t know how to put that into practise and

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No Compromise on Your Dreams

implement that vision into their home. That is where can help, by understanding the needs of our clients’ and feeding that into design that has longevity.

“Our future aspirations are simple, to keep doing what we do well. With two exclusive projects going onto site in a matter of weeks we are excited about continuously pushing the boundaries of design and never settling for less than the best when it comes to design and aesthetic.

“We are passionate about encouraging the development of the next generation of bright young professionals. Being in both the South west and London we can maximise our breadth of work and intake of graduates, eager to learn and drive new ideas forward.”

Company: Marmui Name: Mark Muir Email: mail@marmui.co.uk Web Address: www.marmui.co.uk Address: 3 Barnfield Crescent, Exeter, EX1 1QT UK Telephone: +44 (0)1395 875 875

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We provide service to the domestic sector with in Architecture. Planning Permissions, Building Control Applications, Feasability Studies, New build and Extensions, as well as Conversions and restoration work; are some of the services offered to clients.

Leicester LE1 3UD 07841 399124

pgnarchitects.com/

Innovative Design Solutions

PGN Architects is its 7 year of business, rapidly growing as an award winning firm, dedicated to design excellence.

We’re located directly across from historic Estern Market, in Capitol Hill. PGN is a minority owned firm with a long standing commitments to CBE firms. The size and the number of projects has increased subtantially in the last 5 years, enriching and diversifying our experience and project portfolio.

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Nothing Is Impossible John Anthony Signs Ltd, selected in Ones to Watch in Construction, are a premier UK based sign and graphics manufacturer with 49 years of industry experience both nationally and internationally. They offer a complete solution - from consultative advice and research and development - through to final installation and maintenance. We profiled the firm’s work to ascertain more about their remarkable scale and depth of expertise in signage.

John Anthony Signs work in every market sector from small to medium size projects - through to the very largest national and international rebranding programmes for the most critical of clients. As well as specialising in large national rebranding projects, the firm regularly carries out major international and global programmes. Their work has taken them to every part of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, USA and Asia Pacific.

Companies such as Accenture, Accessorize, Amtico, Bank Muscat, the Body Shop, BP, Hong Kong Airport, DFDS Seaways, Disney, EDS, Howrey, HSBC, La Senza, McLaren, Monsoon, Shoe Studio, SNR Denton, Wyeth and Xaar have all entrusted John Anthony Signs Ltd with their signage around the world and in locations as far apart as Iceland, Moscow, Cape Town, Kuwait, Virginia, Shanghai, Bucharest and the Philippines.

The firm’s scale and depth of global experience means that if your branding programme has any kind of international dimension, you can count on John Anthony Signs Ltd with confidence.

Consultation In regards to the firm’s consultation wok, it is worth asking yourself the following questions. How many people listen properly to what their clients want? How many understand all the inter-related issues? How many have the depth of experience to be able to provide the right advice on all the options – from material and size to construction, fitting and siting?

For John Anthony Signs, this is a way of life. They treat every client as an individual, and approach every new job with fresh eyes and an open mind. Best of all, their consultative advice is free.

They combine their years of successful experience and practical knowledge - with a willingness to explore and test new signage ideas - from alternative materials, adhesives and fluid polymers to imaginative options for forming and shaping.

Installation When it comes to installation, John Anthony Signs Ltd take just as much care over installing your signage as they do with its design and manufacture. Their experienced in-house crews – supported by a trusted and proven network of installation engineers covering the UK and the globe – ensures that every installation goes smoothly and

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on time, with everything looking great and fitting exactly as it was intended. Routinely working out of hours to avoid any disruption to business, the firm are seasoned professionals when it comes to critical tight deadlines.

Research Moving to the subject of research, a world leading entertainment company was once rolling out new stores across Europe. They had an idea of the look and the effect they wanted for the store fronts.

It involved an illuminated arch portal to produce a constantly changing array of colours with random sprays of fibre-optic light that created a magical effect.

This is certainly not your everyday brief – but in many ways, it is not so different from many others - in the sense that John Anthony Signs Ltd often goes to great lengths to meet the most challenging and unusual demands.

Their R&D team relish complex problems like this. They take them in their stride – finding new materials and production methods, building prototype models for close-up inspection, and coming up with results that deliver not only high impact signage but impressive savings for clients.

Manufacture John Anthony Signs Ltd produces every conceivable kind of bespoke signage and graphics, as well as painstakingly produced individual letters that can be moulded, flat cut, engraved or built up. Their starting point is that nothing is impossible – but the

firm never makes a promise that they can’t keep. They regularly take on and successfully deliver the jobs that others turn away.

The firm’s factory in Rayleigh has twenty thousand square feet of space, with all the in-house facilities that they need: acrylic department, metal working, spray shop, screen shop, digital print and router cutting. This means that they have the resources under their own control to be flexible and always able to respond fast.

Additionally, they use cutting edge technology in many parts of their manufacturing process. And yet it’s also true that the quality they insist on – for example achieving perfectly formed and bevelled individual letters that correspond exactly to the type face – often calls for traditional handcrafting skills. What matters to the firm is the result: that is beautiful, perfect and hard wearing signs that remain as good as the day they were made for many years to come.

Project management Finally, concerning the firm’s project management work, it is true to say that you want to feel that your project is in safe and reliable hands. You want to be sure that any issues get resolved quickly and effectively, without being a drain on your time. That’s where John Anthony Signs Ltd’s professional project managers come into their own. They’re there right at the start when the concept is being created, all the way through to handover when the signs are installed and looking great - on spec, on time and on budget.

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Company: John Anthony Signs Ltd Name: David Fagg Email: david.fagg@johnanthonysigns.com Web Address: www.johnanthonysigns.com Address: Claydons Lane, Rayleigh, SS6 7UU UK Telephone: +44 (0)1268 777333

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The Interior of Your Dreams White River™, selected as ‘Ones to Watch’, is the leader in the design and manufacture of embellished hardwood mouldings and hand carved woodcarvings for the millwork and kitchen and bath industries. We interview the company’s Joan Johnson to learn more.

White River Hardwoods offers over 3,000 embellished profiles including interior hardwood mouldings, corbels, onlays, cabinet parts, mantels and more. These products are in stock for prompt shipment nationally and internationally. They also offer millwork design services for residential and commercial projects, ranging from a detailed mantel to an entire room to a whole millwork package. Joan Johnson starts the interview by putting the company’s highly skilled staff under the microscope, and how they approach new clients plus their reflections on being a part of ‘Ones to Watch in 2017’ in the USA.

service to help our customers be successful in selling and specifying White River products.

“The firm’s highly skilled staff has more than 100 years of combined experience in the specification of interior millwork.

We will work with you, your architect, or your builder from initial concepts and build-ups to whole house millwork designs and estimating. White River takes pride in our ability to take your ideas and transform them into the interior of your dreams.

“What sets White River Hardwoods apart from other manufacturers and makes us the best option for clients is that we are the only company in our segment that offers millwork design services to help homeowners and specifiers achieve the interior of their dreams. You can view the breadth of our designer’s work and client testimonials at wrdesignservices. com.

“Our goal to provide the best possible outcome is to provide a premium experience when working with a new client whether that be a new account, architect, millwork specialist, designer or other trade professionals.

To achieve this result, we offer an innovative website, design services, best of class literature and results driven customer

“Trending styles such as contemporary, traditional and old world are easy to accomplish using 3000+ stock items or working, with our design service programme to develop a signature or custom product. White River works with many professional trades and specialises in historical restoration and custom products.

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“We embrace being part of the ‘Ones to Watch in 2017’ in the high-end mouldings and woodcarving segment. We feel that the firm is positioned with our current product line, innovative website and design services to maintain our leadership position in our targeted segments. This position has been validated with multiple awards for our product lines.”

Joan then details what sets the company apart from others in the industry and precisely how they create innovative solutions to maintain their success.

“Additionally, White River Hardwoods keeps a pulse on the market and react accordingly with new and innovative products and partnerships that meet the needs of the markets White River Hardwoods serves. Internally, we at the firm work in small creative groups to keep the creative juices going and we make quick decisions and are also very flexible.”

Joan then highlights the firm’s most successful project to date and what has been the most important thing they have learned from this, plus what the future has in store for the industry and the company over the next 12 months.

“Currently, the firm has six very large interior millwork jobs, where we are involved in all the aspects of design, drawings, bids etc. We have learned people continue to way undervalue the cost of millwork but not the value it brings to their vision of their home, so we ensure that what we do, they love and we stay in contact about budget etc.”

“We continue to see a revitalisation in the traditional interior market and will continue to grow our design services and develop new products. White River has national dealers and well known branding for the last 40+ years. We offer the most diverse collection of stock products, full custom capabilities & restoration work while working with dealers, attending tradeshows and driving innovation across all categories.

“We do have plans to continue to grow our business. We recently developed about 800 new products and launched two new catalogues and has added new content under ‘Style Made Easy’ on our website, under i-catalogs.”

Finally, Joan underlines that being transparent with dealers, specifiers and end customers is a goal the firm has always had. Offering their customers 24/7 access to information from their award-winning website that allows for specification, idea gathering and product sourcing is key. Joan develops this very important point in her own words.

“White River offers two websites that are new and support this philosophy. This allows the educated decision maker to gather information and allows our team to develop working relationships to move projects forward. “www.WhiteRiver.com - our new innovated website will launch shortly. This new site will have many new features to enhance search abilities, design gallery, product detail pages, downloads of CAD and PDF and resource catalogues. “www.wrdesignservice.com this site is new and live. This supports the unique service of interior millwork design and related services. We work directly with the project and the lead, both of whom bring us the details to offer design solutions and sell material in a timely manner.”

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Company: White River Hardwoods Name: Joan Johnson Email: JoanJohnson@WhiteRiver.com Web Address: www.whiteriver.com Address: 1197 S Happy Hollow Road Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA Telephone: +1 479 442 6986

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Seasoned Architects, Designers & Planners Ones to Watch in American Architecture, GREC Architects are a team of architects, designers, and planners who value collaboration, innovation, and efficient solutions. We interviewed the firm’s Mia Guajardo, a native Chicagoan, to discover more.

Mia Guajardo went to upstate New York to Skidmore College to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and Management. After four years as a department manager for a luxury retailer, Mia joined GREC to pursue her passion in marketing and business development.

She is continuously developing creative content to take our clients and partners behind the scenes of the firm’s design process and working to enhance the firm’s brand. If she isn’t on twitter, you’ll find Mia with her two dogs, one a rescue from the PAWS Chicago shelter where she is also an avid volunteer.

She begins the interview by telling us about the firm’s project with the American Marketing Association, which had an ambitious 12-week construction schedule. The story begins when the American Marketing Association relocated from traditional perimeter office space at 311 South Wacker to open, collaborative space on the 22nd floor of 1 Prudential Plaza.

“The AMA’s vision for a change in company culture inspired a design that promotes employee engagement and creativity.

The major objectives of the new design are to provide a welcoming, personal space for both employees and members, to create a connected office

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environment with a variety of meeting spaces, and to showcase the AMA’s new culture with a comfortable and playful workplace aesthetic.

“With views of both Lake Michigan and Millennium Park, the open office area features open huddle spaces that foster casual collaboration. Small conference rooms and themed huddle rooms are sprinkled throughout the plan, strategically placed to maximise their convenience. The boardroom is directly adjacent to the reception area and is suited for more formal large meetings. Perfect for impromptu conversations and all-hands gatherings, the lunch room features a cosy fireplace nook, large seating island and bleacher stair.

“In addition to these key social spaces, the use of vibrant and textural materials reinforces the AMA’s new culture.

Colourful upholstery and bright tile backsplashes energise collaboration spaces while patterned wall coverings add a touch of playfulness. The imperfect, exposed concrete floors and ceilings create a relaxed, comfortable feel. This combination of materials, careful space planning and overarching cultural vision create an office environment that aims to attract and retain top talent at the AMA.” Another one of the firm’s successful project concerns

the 6 hectares in size Abu Dhabi Art Park, an 80,000m2 structured programme with 400 guestrooms. With the introduction of several worldclass museums and institutions to the cultural landscape of Abu Dhabi (including the Louvre and Guggenheim museums), it was determined that a cultural institution should be established to nurture a local appreciation of the arts, and to foster an arts education among the children of the UAE capitol. Mia tell us the rest of the story in her own words.

“A 6-hectare site on the Grand Canal was selected in the neighbourhood of Bayn Al Jassrayn, near the Grand Mosque, for the new Abu Dhabi Art Park. The project brief includes an art school offering classes in the visual and performing arts; a state ofthe-art performance venue and large exposition hall to feature the work of international artists and festivals; and family-friendly gathering spaces, all situated in a landscaped sculpture park.

Restaurants and boutique artsoriented retail shops are located at the canal edge, with water taxi service to and from nearby attractions.

“A four-star hotel to accommodate visiting artists and dignitaries is an integral part of the project, and includes short-term guestrooms as well as serviced apartments for

extended-stay guests. A full complement of hotel amenities includes a conference centre, fitness centre, landscaped pool deck and private beachfront, as well as a signature restaurant.

“Visitor parking and services to the entire facility are configured on a level below grade. The design team was charged with implementing the project programme, designing the master plan, creating design guidelines for phased development, and providing strategies for long-term operations and maintenance.”

Finally, we learn more about the Emme project, in Chicago, Il, which features 199 residential units, 14 storeys and is 233,000 SF. Located in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop, this residential tower is designed to be a green sanctuary in a heavily urban neighbourhood.

Landscaped open spaces are provided at the building entry, the elevated amenity deck and at the rooftop pool deck. More than 5,000 SF of roof area will be dedicated to urban farming. As the interview ends, Mia provides more details about this project to us.

“At the building entry, a garden plaza serves as the backdrop for a monument commemorating the Haymarket event, which occurred at the site on May 4, 1886. The building lobby ‘living room’ fronts the plaza, providing a calm,

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Seasoned Architects, Designers & Planners

contemplative environment for residents, guests and building staff. The third-floor amenity deck features contoured landscape features with fire pits and grilling stations scattered throughout.

The rooftop ‘nest’ includes a fitness centre, yoga studio and lounge surrounding an intimatelyscaled pool deck with stunning views of Chicago’s Loop.

“Other resident amenities include a party room with demonstration kitchen, library, co-working space and conference rooms, an indoor-outdoor dog play area, and secure on-site parking.

“The project is designed for LEED Gold certification and includes high-efficiency building systems, lighting and plumbing fixtures; storm water harvesting and reuse for landscape irrigation, sustainably produced building products and materials, and extensive green roofs and landscaping palettes of native plant materials. Interior finishes include materials harvested from the heavy timber warehouse demolished for the project.

Resident-oriented programmes to promote sustainable urban living include bicycle storage and maintenance, ride-sharing, and interpretive demonstrations of building systems and energy usage.”

Company: GREC Architects Name: Mia Guajardo Email: guajardo@grecstudio.com Web Address: www.grecstudio.com Address: 645 N Michigan Ave #300, Chicago, Illinois 60611 USA Telephone: +1 312 661 1500

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Inner City Revitalisation Sandvick Architects, included in the Architecture Top 50, was formed in 1990 by Jonathan Sandvick. Today, the firm consists of a team of exceptional professionals with architectural, historic preservation, code, planning and urban design expertise. We invited the firm’s Office Manager Joyce Varlamos to write about the firm’s founder - and their clear mission of assisting the revitalisation of downtowns and inner city neighbourhoods - both large and small.

After graduating from Kent State, the firm’s founder Jonathan Sandvick began his career with the preeminent design firm of Don M. Hisaka, Architects.

Jonathan then took his talents to Planning Resources, Inc., becoming the principal heading their architectural department. In 1990, Sandvick Architects, Inc. was formed, with the mission of assisting the revitalisation of downtowns and city neighbourhoods, encouraging reinvestment in our nation’s existing building stock, finding new uses for underutilised buildings, and promoting planning with preservation as a central initiative to restore community identity and viability.

Jonathan is an expert in the architectural analysis of historic buildings, programming and feasibility studies; indeed, his efforts are distinguished by the successful use of historic rehabilitation tax credits and conservation easements to provide redevelopment financing for a wide variety of projects.

Jonathan has been an architect of record for over 40 buildings historically rehabilitated and adaptively used in Cleveland alone, and has achieved housing for nearly 5000 residents (nearing 3000 housing units) in historic preservation adaptive

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reuse projects. Jonathan and his firm have been honoured with over 40 awards for excellence, demonstrating an unyielding commitment to quality preservation practices for over twenty-five years.

Sandvick Architects is respected as a leader in historic preservation architecture, with an emphasis on adaptive use and innovative code compliance strategies. Our service often results in highest and best use solutions capitalising on the finest building fabric within the built environment.

The firm is distinctly recognised for its works in urban revitalisation, including consistent success utilising the historic tax credit process, and our familiarity with the State Historic Preservation Offices in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut, in addition to the National Park Service. The firm also designs new structures, large and small, with over 25 community and recreation centres to its credit.

Our firm enjoys a broad range of clients, including community development corporations, private developers, local governments and religious institutions. Project sizes range up to $60 million in development cost and over one million square feet in size.

We have completed a considerable number of property feasibility studies that have proceeded with finality. Our firm’s experience also includes housing, hotel, office, retail, community and recreation facilities, senior centres, convention conference facilities, city administration buildings, police and fire facilities, churches, and urban design projects.

The firm’s extensive urban design experience includes, in concert with other consultants, the development master plans.

We are nationally known for our expertise in the use of historic rehabilitation tax credit, and have completed more tax credit projects than any other firm in Ohio.

Twice, Sandvick Architects have received the most prestigious award in historic preservation from the National Trust of Historic Preservation. We are currently among the top firms in the nation in the number of tax credit projects we are completing. Additionally, we have pioneered innovative use of historic conservation easements, providing critical financing for projects while ensuring that key historic elements are preserved for perpetuity.

The firm’s residential portfolio includes:

Union Gospel Press c.1860-1940 | Cleveland, Ohio Union Gospel Press is an approximately 155,000 sq. ft. complex comprised of 13 masonry and 2 wood frame buildings in the Tremont neighbourhood just south of downtown Cleveland.

Constructed in phases over eight decades, the interconnected buildings now enclose one large courtyard and two smaller ones.

The architect remains unknown - but most the complex was constructed for the Gospel Worker’s Society as a missionary, hospital, and evangelical publishing house. The intricate and challenging interiors of the interconnected buildings were rehabilitated to house 102 units, consisting of both residential apartments and extended stay suites. The $21 million project was completed in 2009.

Services provided: architect of record; preservation consulting for federal and state historic tax credits.

Osborn Building - 1896, 1909 | Cleveland, Ohio - Lehman & Schmitt, Original Architects The Osborn Building is a 6-7 story flat-iron shaped building, at the triangular corner formed by Huron Road and Prospect Ave., in downtown Cleveland.

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Company: Sandvick Architects, Inc. Name: Joyce Varlamos Office Manager Email: JVarlamos@aol.com Web Address: www.sandvickarchitects.com Address: 1265 w. Sixth Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 Telephone: +1 216 621 8055

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The 2002 rehabilitation project included conversion of the medical office building to 67 residential apartments on floors 2-7 with retail space on the first floor. The intent was to return the exterior to its original appearance by removing the aluminium cladding, reinstating the panelled bays and painting the brick a natural color of the building material. The original building entries were uncovered and repairs were performed to reinstate the original intent of the entry designs as historically documented.

Services provided: architect of record, preservation consultant for federal & state historic tax credits.

The firm’s commercial portfolio includes: Akron Post Office & Federal Building - 19271929 | Akron, Ohio - James A. Wetmore, Original Architect The neo-classical Akron Post Office and Federal Building abandoned function as a postal facility in 1983 and was converted for offices and light manufacturing by a local sign company. The building had suffered moderate neglect – carbon covered the masonry, windows were deteriorating, the roof and skylights were beginning to fail, and the underpinning of the monumental stairs had already failed. The 67,000-sq. ft. interior was rehabilitated to house offices for SUMMA Health Care Systems in 2007. Additional efforts included restoring the front lobby was to its original configuration, rehabilitating the existing storefronts, and refurbishing the large lanterns at the terrace.

Construction cost totalled $10 million.

Services provided: preservation & exterior architect, architect of record, preservation consultant for federal & state historic tax credits.

The firm’s institutional portfolio includes: University Club StagerBeckwith Mansion - 1866 | Cleveland, Ohio - Joseph Ireland, Original Architect

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The mansion was built in 1866 for Anson Stager, general superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Company. In 1869, Stager sold the house to T. Sterling Beckwith of Beckwith, Sterling and Company a carpet and interior decorating firm. A group purchased the house in 1913 to begin the University Club of Cleveland that grew and prospered during most of the 20th century. The mansion is one of the last remaining of ‘Millionaire’s Row’.

Rehabilitation of the 66,000 sq.ft.

Italianate and Second French Empire style mansion included rehabilitating the Mansion, Annex, Carriage House and Sports Center to function as the main campus building for Myers University. The project was completed in 2004 at a total construction cost of $10 million.

Services provided: architect, interior designer, preservation consultant for federal tax credit, conservation easement.

The firm’s hospitality portfolio includes: The Arcade 1890 | Cleveland, Ohio John M. Eisenmann & George H. Smith, Original Architect - Walker and Weeks, 1939 renovation The Arcade, a National Historic Landmark, consists of a spectacular 300-foot-long, fivestory sky-lit arcade with tiers of storefront galleries, housing retail shops and hotel rooms. Despite its remarkable architectural and engineering features, the Arcade suffered three decades of physical deterioration and increasing vacancy.

Prospective developers were discouraged by the daunting scale and level of repair work needed, including restoration of historic elements, modernisation of building systems, and finding a viable new use which would be a catalyst to downtown Cleveland.

Efforts included the refurbishment of historic lanterns and the reinstatement of the lighting in the twenty-four cast iron gryphon mouths, restoring

the lustre, richness and vitality which had gradually faded over the years. The $60 million mixeduse rehabilitation project included nearly 300 hotel suites, opening in April 2001.

Services provided: architect of record, public interiors restoration, preservation consultant for federal tax credit and conservation easement.

Bedford Springs - 1806 | Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania - Solomon Filler, Original Architect The Bedford Springs Resort includes 11 historic buildings and a noted golf course set on 300 acres in the southern Allegheny Mountains. After lying vacant for decades, the mineral springs resort hotel has been rehabilitated and returned to its original use.

Despite being over 200 years old and suffering from extended neglect, the resort’s historic features were carefully restored to preserve its unique character. The $120 million project included over 330,000 sq. ft. of space and was completed in August 2007.

Services provided: historic architect; preservation consultant for federal historic tax credits; conservation easements and lost development.

The firm’s mixed-use portfolio includes: Tower Press - 1907 | Cleveland, Ohio - Robert D. Kohn, Original Architect Constructed for textile manufacturer H. Black & Company, Tower Press is recognised as the first reinforced concrete structure in Cleveland.

The large ornamented water tower exhibits the extended effort of the owner and architect to give the building both a physical and functional beauty. Rehabilitation of Tower Press included the introduction of 3 retail spaces, 80 live-work spaces, and supporting amenities. Sixteen of the first floor live-work spaces house visual artists, with the ability to function as an open gallery.

Services provided: architect of record, preservation consultant for federal & state historic tax credits.

Bingham Building - 1915 | Cleveland, Ohio - Walker and Weeks, Original Architect The Bingham Building was constructed to house the Bingham Company, one of the pioneer hardware establishments of Cleveland originally founded in 1841. The building is said to have been “the largest single unit for wholesale hardware merchandising in the world”.

With over 620,000 sq. ft. of space, the rehabilitation included complete masonry restoration, reinstatement of the north canopy and entry, and sympathetic replacement of missing fenestration and dock doors.

A penthouse was introduced at the roof to provide additional units as well as a community room and deck. In addition to the 339 residential units, the $55 million rehabilitation completed in 2004 was designed to house 350 parking spaces and nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

Services provided: architect of record, preservation consultant for federal tax credit and conservation easement.

Conservation easements Conservation easements on historic properties are a valuable tool in preserving the history and significant architecture of our communities. By providing an important economic incentive, historic properties are protected in perpetuity, often including both the building and surrounding landscape. In the past fifteen years, Sandvick Architects has designed and implemented nearly 60 historic conservation easements, generating a total of over $50 million in economic return. Notable projects include: • Mercantile Block | Hamilton, OH | 2007; • The Hat Factory | Cleveland, OH | 2007The Powerhouse | Cleveland, OH | 2010; • Tapp’s Building | Columbia, SC | 2011620-630 Broad Street | Columbus, OH | 2011; • Connelly School | Pittsburgh, PA | 2013; • Long & Front St. Buildings | Columbus, OH | 2015 and; • Keller-Kohn Building | Cleveland, OH | 2015.

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Making Clients Dreams a Reality Rhino Design Build, LLC is a ‘one stop shop’ for adding liveable square footage to your home.

We interviewed President, E. Daniel Garcia about the company’s work to deliver the most cost effective building solutions possible for homeowners that need to add more space to their home. The company is a proud recipient of the 2017 US Small Business Awards - Best Construction Business in Texas category.

Rhino Design Build is a full-service general contractor on a mission – ‘to bring customer service and satisfaction to an industry in dire need.’ They offer modern building technology and deliver the most cost effective building solutions and are a single point of contact for homeowners that need to add more space to their home.

President, E. Daniel Garcia reveals more about the company and what they can do for your home, which could be the addition of a small guest house or mother-in-law suite.

“We are a specialty construction company, which means we can’t help everyone. The project budget, scope of work and timeline will be considered before we enter a contract with our clients. It is not uncommon for us to have a waiting list due to our service, quality and reputation.

The sooner we can get your construction budget and timeline in place, the sooner we can get you on the Rhino schedule.

“Adding a room addition not only increases the overall square footage of your home, but can also increase the value of your home. If you don’t plan to move any time soon, the additional square footage allows you to configure your house to fit your changing lifestyle. You’re already comfortable with the living space,

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know the neighbours/ schools, and know your way around town, so a room addition could be a viable option. There are many options to add living space to your home.

“An increasing trend is building a small guest house or mother-inlaw suite to your existing home.

Many families are forced to move in with one another for a variety of reasons and an attached living quarters or detached living space has been a popular solution to many of our clients in San Antonio. Room additions give you the option to still be under one roof, but live in separate areas of the home and maintain a degree of privacy. Aging parents have opted to move in with their children instead of going to a nursing home. A detached father-in-law suite is an innovative solution to keep your family close, but still maintain their independence and privacy.”

In terms of how long has the company been established for in this industry, E. Daniel reveals more, before adding his thoughts on the changes he has seen over the years and how they approach a new client or project.

“This is our 13th year in business. We started out as custom home builder and when the stock market crashed in 2008, we almost went under due to a year and a half business

drought. Then we started getting calls for clients that need to add square footage to their homes because families were having to move in with one another due to job loss or home foreclosure.

Now, pretty much all we do are room additions and mother in law suites. The new trend is building a mother in law suite to your home, instead of sending mum and dad to a retirement community.

“When undertaking a new client or project, I believe that listening to the needs and wants of the client are extremely important to the design process. Before we begin any project, I take my entire team of subcontractors to the job. The clients can meet the team and ask questions pertaining to the project. The team is also able to see in person what we will be building they can ask questions as well to avoid surprises. I am also employ a project manager, Joseph Langdon, that is at every project daily to make sure our projects run as smooth as possible. He plays a vital role in the daily operations.”

E. Daniel goes on to detail what sets the company apart from other companies in the industry, what marks them out as the best option for clients and how they are ultimately helping families achieve their ‘dream home’.

“I offer personal attention my clients that larger companies can’t offer. I am the first person my clients meet and I involved every step of the way through the design process to the construction. Our vision is that we are more than just a construction company. We are a dedicated team of people having a positive effect on our community. We envision a world where we set the standard and pace for construction related services through leadership, ethical business practices, and philanthropic endeavours.”

“Our goal is to help families achieve having their ‘dream home’ without having to move.

Many of our clients love the area they live in and enjoy the neighbours and the memories they have created while living at their home. Moving means having to say goodbye to those memories. By renovating or adding square footage to the existing home, they can keep those memories and still get the home they have always wanted.”

“All our projects are special because we get to help families improve their everyday home environment. We learn from every project we build. Most of our clients send of referrals and that is ultimate pat on the back.”

E. Daniel then underlines the importance of creating innovative

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solutions to maintain success and his views on the attributing factors to this, bringing this interview to a close.

“We must evolve with our industry, otherwise we become stagnant.

Building technology is always changing, so we must keep up with all the current trends to be able to offer them our clients.

“Being dependable, honourable and accountable are characteristics we strive to achieve to be successful within the industry. The construction industry is littered with horror stories of projects gone bad. We try our best to make the projects enjoyable for all parties involved.

“Our mission at Rhino Design Build is that we are committed to building long-term relationships based on integrity, performance, value, and client satisfaction. We meet the needs of our clients by delivering high quality services and making clients dreams a reality.”

Company: Rhino Design Build, LLC Name: E. Daniel Garcia Email: danny@rhinodesignbuild.com Web Address: rhinodesignbuild.com Address: 3510 N St Marys Street San Antonio, TX 78212 Telephone: + 1 210 413 8789

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Don’t Gloss over the Details Caprioli Painting is a fully insured painting company, that has been undertaking quality commercial and residential restoration as well as new construction in New Hampshire and neighbouring states since 1989. We interviewed the firm’s Lorrianne Caprioli to learn more about their commercial, residential, industrial and military painting work.

Caprioli Painting is a commercial, residential, industrial and military painting company. Having been in business for 29 years, they offer all kinds of painting including anti-graffiti coatings.

While they are small, they do big work and are family owned.

Lorrianne Caprioli explains what sets the firm apart from other companies in the industry and the changes they have seen and how they have adapted to them.

“The most difficult changes have been in the workforce. We are family owned and I think that goes a long way, because we treat all our employees as a family. Our core crew has been with us for over seven years and between us all, we have a combined experience of over 200 years.

“I believe that the quality of our work stands out, plus the fact that the firm is small, but we take on big work. We always answer the phone; indeed, we don’t make you go to voicemail unless we are closed. We try to answer questions on the same day and provide pricing as quickly as possible. The customer always comes first. We are not the cheapest painter out there, but our prices are reasonable and we always do it right the first time.

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“After the crash in 2008, many companies got out of the trade which in some respect is good, with less competition faced. The difficulty here of course, is finding qualified help. The workers that have the most experience are close to retirement age.

The current generation is not interested in the trade and there is just no one in between now. This can be really difficult - because you hire in the spring as you start to get busy - but while we are willing to train it is hard to take on larger jobs with help when you are training on the job.”

When undertaking a new client or project, the firm has a specific approach to ensure the best possible outcome, as Lorrianne explains.

“We like to meet with new clients and give them a brief history of our company. We want them to feel comfortable and know who we are. As far as any new project is concerned, we ensure that the scope of work and the schedule is understood by both us and the client.

“We also prepare crew leaders, set expectations of what needs to be accomplished and suggest how long each task must take.

We discuss safety issues that may arise and deal with that aspect of our work, before we tackle the task concerned.”

Lorrianne then provides an overview of the wider industry, how the firm has overcome challenges that have come their way and their overall aims and strategies.

“I would have to say that our biggest challenge is the work force. I believe that recent generations don’t know what the painting trade consists of at this level. There is much more to it than merely swinging a brush.

There is more to it than just painter’s job for opportunities in this industry, especially if you work for a commercial company like Caprioli. There is estimating, safety management, accounting and project management to consider as well.

“Our overall aim is to get work!

We pick and choose the kinds of projects we want to do and who we want to work for. We go after those jobs at bid time.

Our strategies are to get the best pricing on materials, be knowledgeable about those, so we can talk about them and why we want to use them. We are clear in our scope of what we bid and we ensure we cover the bases as far as how that will work. That is important because we are the last trade out.

“We also have used a consultant in the past, for team building, helping our company as a team and to write our vision, mission to define the culture of how we

want to work together. I think this solidified our core group, so when we get new candidates applying to work for us, they think it is very cool to have a vision, mission and culture.”

Lorrianne then details the firm’s most successful project to date and what they have learnt from this.

“We have had several, but the most recent one that we are extremely proud of is the State Capitol Dome (in Concord NH).

This was a highly dangerous project, on a very tight schedule with lots of attention from the public. It came out beautifully, so we are proud to have been a part of that project team! I would say that in the circumstances of this case study, communication was the key to its success. With a schedule that was tight, this was a high visibility project that was constantly in the public eye.

There was tight security because it was the capitol of NH, so it had to be perfect!”

In terms of the future, the firm has several new projects on the horizon, indeed much of their work is currently on display at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In terms of the future of the painting industry, Lorrianne offers some honest and thought-provoking reflections on this, after which she ends the interview on a positive note.

g Don’t Gloss over the Details

“I am worried about the future of painting, without people to do the work it may become a dinosaur. We need to find a way to get the current high school age kids interested in the trade again. If home sales keep up the way they are going, I think you will see a lot of remodelling for resale, indeed we are already feeling that.

“As far as commercial work is concerned, there is a lot of military work out there to bid for right now. There construction industry is booming, so there is an opportunity there. If history repeats itself however, we may see a drop in revenues over the next few years in this industry.

Right now, there is more work available than there is people to do it.”

“Currently, we are enjoying our size and project load. We have a great crew and the firm’s clear goal is to keep them working and growing them to the next level, so that one day they can take over.”

Company: Caprioli Painting Name: Lorrianne Caprioli Email: lorrianne@capriolipainting.com Web Address: capriolipainting.com Address: 20 Beech St Extension Newmarket, New Hampshire 3857 USA Telephone: +1 603 659 2788

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Around the Clock Construction Services Oliver Wild Ltd is a well-established carpentry and joinery company located in Sheffield.

They strive to meet the demands of all construction projects and have a wealth of experience and knowledge within the industry, as this interview with the company’s director, Oliver Wild explains.

Oliver Wild Ltd specialises predominately in carpentry and joinery subcontracting, as this is where their main skills and experience lie. As a leading carpentry and joinery subcontractor in the Sheffield area, they have successfully completed various contracts, from multi-million pound projects to more modest developments.

Whilst many joinery companies specialise in either first or second fix joinery, the company have sourced the best skilled tradesmen, which gives them the capability to oversee all the carpentry involved in any construction project. They provide a comprehensive range of joinery services, including supply, manufacture and installation, tailored to meet the requirements of both residential and commercial customers.

Oliver Wild begins by detailing the company’s overall mission and the steps they take to achieve this.

“Oliver Wild Ltd’s focus as a company is the customer service that we provide to our clients. We believe in delivering the highest standard of customer care and thus we have established a loyal customer base that returns to us again and again. A lot of the company’s business comes from recommendations and referrals, something we are very proud of.

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“Oliver Wild Ltd was established in 2011 and since then the business has gone from strength to strength. We believe this is down to our experienced, skilled workforce that have achieved high quality results and in turn high customer satisfaction. Ensuring we serve our customers’ needs and expectations is paramount to us and as a company is our main goal. We pride ourselves on knowing our commitment to providing the highest level of customer service is one of the highest in the industry. That is why more than half of the company’s business comes from repeat business and customer referrals.

“As a company, we also take immense pride in our workmanship and comply with all and health and safety standards. We employ a safety manager who ensures all relevant insurances and accreditations such as CHAS and Constructionline are kept up to date. The safety manager also ensures that their policies and risk assessments are accurate for each site-specific task.”

Oliver then details the company’s latest project, which involves the installation of kitchens for the council in Queniborough. Their client required them to fit six kitchens in a day, which meant they had to resource sufficiently to meet the demands of the customer. Oliver tells us more

about this and adds his thoughts on what makes the company stand out from the crowd, which includes the vital role of their employees.

“We are particularly proud of how we have kept within the time frames and the budget set by the client and continue to receive fantastic feedback. We are also particularly proud of our Contracts Manager, Jamie Booker, who recently achieved his NVQ Level 7 in Construction Senior Management, whilst working on the project.

“Working in such a competitive industry, The Oliver Wild management team have a full understanding of what is required to run successful projects from the main contractor’s perspective. I believe that the company’s approach to safety, quality, progress and customer service is far superior to any other subcontractor that I have worked with in my 27 years in the industry. Our specialties are providing full refurbishment packages and joinery subcontracting.

“We have achieved a level of excellence in a brief period, which can be accredited to our brilliant set of employees, work ethic and high standards of quality of work and products.

We believe in delivering the best services to all our customers from around the country.”

In closing, Oliver develops the point about the role his employees play in the success of the company and the wider industry, before revealing his concluding thoughts on delivering quality work for their loyal clientele base.

“Oliver Wild Ltd has over 50 employees that have worked in the construction and joinery business for many years.

Together, their experience and expertise help us to deliver the highest standard of craftsmanship in carpentry and joinery. We have the best executives that believe in an on-hand pro-employee approach, which means that all the employees in our company are regarded as a part of the Oliver Wild family and that is why, all of them work with full commitment and dedication for the achievement of the company goal.

“We do not just provide quality in the products that we use in our carpentry and joinery services, but we also promise to deliver quality work in the stipulated amount of time for the convenience of our clients. We make sure that clients get quality services throughout, in the time that they have asked for it. No project is too big or small for us.

Since its inception, Oliver Wild Ltd has believed in providing the best services to our clients, no matter how big or small their project might be because we

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believe that quality should be synonymous with the company’s name.”

“Over the years, we have expanded Oliver Wild Ltd’s services to be available throughout the country. We have earned a loyal clientele in Sheffield, who have come to witness and vouch for our services. Their faith and trust over the past few years, have enabled us to provide our services throughout the country, around the clock. With an extensive branch of employees and experts, we have completed a multitude of projects and now we hope to do more. “

Company: Oliver Wild Ltd Name: Oliver Wild Email: ollie@oliverwild.com Web Address: www.oliverwild.com Address: Unit A4, Alison Business Centre, Sheffield S2 1AS UK Telephone: +44 (0)7921 317 375

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True Reflection SMK Interiors is an interior design office providing architecture and interior design ideas.

Recently, we invited owner of SMK Interiors, Silvina Krontira, to tell us more about the dynamic business after their undoubted success in the 2017 Architectural Innovation Awards.

SMK Interiors provides architecture and interior design ideas within a turnkey project starting from a design concept stage.

Detailed, technical drawings are then initiated with the contractors on site and any amendments are included at this stage. When

undertaking a new client, Silvina informs us of the approach they use to ensure the best possible outcome and what sets them apart from other companies within the industry.

“Here at SMK Interiors, we respect every client’s lifestyle because that is a true reflection

of who they are. Therefore, our designs evolve from and around our client’s lifestyle and what they dream about.

“One thing that we believe in is that our space is a reflection of what we are, of our soul.

Our environment can affect our moods, our everyday life and even our well-being. When designing an office, a house or a certain project in isolation, it is not done by how nice it looks. Instead, our objective is to create a way of living that has certain grace and beauty.

We blend architecture with the interior, the outside environment and the people, with a lifestyle.

It is basic for us to have the elements of elegance mixed with functionality.”

Over the years SMK Interiors have worked on many successful projects. It is not possible for them to choose only one project, but it is no secret that the company have enjoyed every single project. Silvina explains to us SMK Interiors’ overall aims and strategies and what they have learnt from their projects.

“SMK Interiors’ aim can be reflected with our favorite phrase ‘do what you love’, in this way, we give our clients the best of ourselves in every project. Our strategies include: hard work, sourcing new materials, new technologies but perhaps most importantly, communicating and listening to the client. Being unique creates a strategy of its own.

“Every day we learn from our projects. However, one distinguishing factor for us as a

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company is good communication with the client. It’s a must.”

When discussing how SMK Interiors were selected to be part of the 2017 Architectural Innovation Awards, Silvina expresses the honour both himself and the firm feel.

“To be part of the 2017 Architectural Innovation Awards is a true honour and we are very proud that our effort and inspiration is rewarded.

“As for what this means, it means that our achievements have been appreciated and this will bring recognition and encouragement to our office.”

Looking ahead at what the future has in store for the industry that SMK Interiors operates within, Silvina envisions how the market will change over the next 12-months but also highlights some of the company’s future aspirations and projects.

“There is a lot of competition in our industry and we have a lot to teach ourselves. We have built a strong goodwill around a name and our intention is to sail through these very challenging times by providing our services to few yet important projects and clients.

“Our future aspirations are to maintain the personal service that has distinguished us in the market together with the topquality work and effort that are a trademark of our company.

Eventually, we hope to create a platform to develop fully owned turnkey projects.”

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Contact Name: Silvina Macipe Email: sm@smkinteriors.com Company: SMK Interiors 5 Lagadion Str., Marousi 15125, Greece Telephone: +30 210 8171 078 Website: www.smkinteriors.com

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Building Blocks to Success As Vice President of Block Construction Services (BCS), Brad Simma currently directs a staff of six project managers, in addition to support staff, and oversees approximately 25 projects which are currently under construction or in the planning stages. We interviewed him to find out more about BCS, who was recently selected as a Leading Expert in its field.

Since joining Block Construction Services (BCS) in 2003, Vice President Brad Simma has managed construction and development projects including office, industrial, distribution, multi-family, retail, medical office buildings, and mixeduse facilities. Brad begins the interview by detailing more about his own extensive experience and introduces us to the impressive work of BCS. “I have extensive experience handling all aspects of owner representation, including site selection, entitlements, incentive negotiations, pre-construction services, contract negotiation, debt/equity, and contract administration.”

“BCS is uniquely qualified to handle an array of construction and development projects.

The vast experience BCS has acquired over the years allows us to provide an unparalleled level of expertise in facilitating the real estate development process from start to finish. BCS manages every step along the way, from site selection to construction of the base building as well as tenant finish phases.”

“BCS represents various ownership groups in the construction and development of over $3.0 billion of new projects in the industrial, office,

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medical office, and retail sectors.

Our tenant finish division also manages approximately $20 million worth of construction projects each year.”

BCS provides expertise in the following areas: • Construction management/ owners’ representation • Financial analysis • Design/entitlements/city process coordination • Scheduling/estimating/job costing • Contract administration • LEED construction • Tenant finish Brad then gives detailed background about the firm, how long they have been established, plus the changes he has seen over the years.

“BCS has been a staple of the commercial real estate development scene for over 14 years. During that time, we have built meaningful relationships with our clients by consistently exceeding owners’ expectations, making us a strong construction and owners’ representation firm.”

“Even following the 2008 recession, when BCS had no new ground-up construction, tenant finish and interior remodelling projects were at an all-time high. This speaks to BCS’s trusted reputation, even during periods of economic decline.”

“In 2011, we expanded our services in St. Louis, Missouri.

Over the past several years, BCS has managed several projects in Arkansas and we are currently in the design and planning stages for a 200-acre, mixeduse development in Omaha, Nebraska.”

Brad is keen to explain more about his own role as the firm’s Vice President, including his overall aims and the strategies that have contributed to his success and the internal culture of the firm.

“I feel my unique perspective, experience and pride in a job well done allows me to provide accurate direction to our partners, institutional and private investors, clients, and tenants. I treat every project with the same determination to provide the best services possible, whether we are undertaking a build-tosuit assignment or arranging for equity funds in today’s demanddriven real estate market.

“I believe that the hard work and the knowledge I’ve acquired working in the construction industry are my major strengths.

Attention to detail is also a key contributing factor.”

“In terms of the culture within our firm, I would like to stress that we work together as a team. I see myself as the coach of the team, making plans and assuring that

they are carried through to fruition.

Each team member plays a vital role in the success of the group and it is my job to ensure that every player has the guidance, support and encouragement they need. I stay involved on every level of each of our projects. I meet with staff regularly to discuss progress and timelines. I also make myself accessible to my staff on an asneeded basis, so that I can answer their questions and help solve any problems as they arise.”

Turning his thoughts to the wider industry, Brad reveals how he distributes his expert knowledge and experience, as well as offering his reflections on the construction industry.

“I regularly meet with executives from companies in the construction field to brainstorm and discuss development and construction activities in the Kansas City area. I value these opportunities to exchange expertise and ideas with other industry leaders.”

“Every development project presents challenges on an almost daily basis. Every site presents its own unique challenges. It could be the terrain, sub-grade rock, permitting or the US Army Corp of Engineers. Overcoming each of these challenges makes my team and me stronger, more knowledgeable and much better prepared for the future.”

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Company: Block Construction Services (BCS) Name: Brad Simma Email: bsimma@blockllc.com Web Address: www.blockllc.com Address: 700 West 47th Street, Suite 200 Kansas City, Missouri 64112 Telephone: +1 816 932 5511

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As the interview comes to an end, Brad is very keen to share his insights into what the future has in store for the industry, how he sees the market changing and his own aspirations for the firm.

“It is likely that we will continue to see significant growth in all market sectors and expect a backlog in 2018 and beyond.

BCS plans to strategically grow our staff and seek out new development opportunities, not only in Kansas City but in other markets throughout the Midwest as well. We look forward to providing accurate direction to our partners, institutional and private investors, clients and tenants.”

“BCS is leading the planning efforts of an approximate 200acre mixed-use development located at the intersection of 192nd Street and Dodge Road in Omaha, Nebraska. The project, known as Avenue One, is anticipated to generate an economic impact of over $1.28 billion for the Omaha region and Nebraska. BCS, along with the design team, has been working to provide a comprehensive master site plan that will create a dense and truly mixed-use community. The plan will focus on wellness through walking, hiking and bicycling trails as well as a superb transportation and street plan that continues the walkable community theme with crossable streets, open site lines and a landscaping plan that is second to none. Mass grading efforts are planned to be underway in 2017.

“47 Madison Avenue is another exciting project for BCS. 47 Madison is a 15-story multifamily development tower planned for the west side of the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.

Current plans include structured parking with approximately 288 units with an unprecedented amenity package for the Plaza area which will include a roof top terrace. The Plaza is known as an outdoor museum of romantic Spanish architecture and European art. Designed in 1922 as the nation’s first suburban shopping district, the Plaza’s fountains, sculptures and murals

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bring to the heart of the city the very best of the old world and the new.”

Brad Simma is keen to draw our attention to a few more of the firm’s projects including Traders on Grand, a historic redevelopment project located at 1125 Grand Boulevard, in Kansas City, Missouri. He explains more about this in his own words, plus two more fitting examples of the firm’s outstanding work.

“The 21-story property will be redeveloped and converted into market-rate residential apartment units (approximately 190-200 units). The basement will be converted to common area/tenant amenity space. The first and second floors will be rehabilitated for commercial use and common area space. The 21st floor that currently houses the building HVAC system will become a pool and amenity area.

Construction is slated to begin this year, with first occupancies taking place in mid-2018.

“The next multifamily phase of our CityPlace project, a 90acre mixed use development in Overland Park, Kansas, is The Apex at CityPlace.

Construction on The Apex is slated to commence in mid2017. The Apex is a Class A multifamily project that will include 36,623 square feet of retail and 408 multifamily units.

The development will feature two levels of structured parking, a clubhouse, two amenity area courtyards, swimming pool, spa and many more outdoor activity areas.”

“Another part of the CityPlace mixed-use development is CityPlace Parcel VII. This phase of the development will include four stand-alone retail buildings totalling approximately 30,267 square feet. Construction is slated to begin this year.”

Completed Projects

Size

Type

Teva Pharmaceutical

154,268 SF

Build-to-Suit Office Building

Nall Corporate Centre II

150,000 SF

Class A Office Building

Pinnacle Corporate Centre Campus

500,000 SF

Class A Office Building

WaterCrest at City Center

306 Units

Class A Multi-Family

EdgeWater at City Center

276 Units

Class A Multi-Family

Lenexa Logistics Centre North #1

635,000 SF

Class A Distribution

Riverside Logistics Centre

245,243 SF

Class A Distribution

Lenexa Logistics Centre #4

260,000 SF

Class A Distribution

Lenexa Logistics Centre #5

350,000 SF

Class A Distribution

Projects Under Construction

Size

Type

WaterSide Residences on Quivira

481 Units

Class A Multi-Family

The Royale at CityPlace

344 Units

Class A Multi-Family

185 Units

Class A Multi-Family

531 Grand

10,000 SF

Retail

Roe Medical Centre

75,000 SF

Class A Medical Office Building

Pine Ridge Business Park #31

58,000 SF

Build-to-Suit Office Building

Earth City Industrial

650,000 SF

Industrial

Lenexa Logistics Centre #7

400,000 SF

Industrial

202 Units

Multi-Family

11,000 SF

Retail/Commercial

Traders on Grand

Personal Awards & Certifications

Awarded by

Rising Star

Kansas City Business Magazine

40 Under Forty

Ingram’s Magazine

Certified Commercial Investment Manager (CCIM)

CCIM National Institute

Project Awards

Award Name

Awarded By

Capstone Award, Office Building

Kansas City Business Journal (KCBJ)

Home Run Award

CCIM National Institute

Design-Build Honor Award Best Commercial Project Over $10 Million

Design-Build Institute of America/Mid-America Region

College Crossing Business Park

Capstone Award, Industrial

KCBJ

Amazon MC15 Sortation Center at Lenexa Logistics Centre - Building #4

Capstone Award, Industrial

KCBJ

Lenexa Logistics Centre North - Building #1

Capstone Award, Industrial

KCBJ

The Royale at CityPlace

Capstone Award, Multifamily

KCBJ

Renner Corporate Centre I

LEED for New Construction

U.S. Green Building Council

LEED for Core & Shell

U.S. Green Building Council

Teva Pharmaceutical Headquarters

Nall Corporate Centre I

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Extraordinary Attention to Detail Founded in 2000, the firm Michela Reverberi Studio is strongly influenced by the founder’s experience in the yachting industry. The studio develops every project entirely, from the arrangement of layouts to the tiniest detail. After their inclusion in the 2017 Architectural Innovation Awards, we interviewed the firm’s founder Michela Reverberi to find out more.

Michela Reverberi believes that the capability to listen and that working on any project, from the arrangement of layouts to the tiniest detail, is what sets her firm apart from other firms in the industry. Accepting any challenge and enjoying developing the project is also key she explains, before revealing her thoughts on Michela Reverberi Studio being a part of the 2017 Architectural Innovation Awards.

“I am extremely flattered and excited. It represents a

precious acknowledgment and confirmation that the path we are running on is a good one.”

plus the style and culture of the designer, always filtered by the overcoming rules.

beauty. In this creative field, it is my view that innovative solutions only happen spontaneously.”

When undertaking a new client or project, Michela explains how the firm ensures the best possible outcome, as well as what overall aims and strategies are employed to achieve these, plus the extent to which innovative solutions contribute towards her own success as an architect.

“I am not sure we have a real strategy, but I only try to maintain and share the great enthusiasm and amusement that this job has always given to me, that is providing a serious and professional service.”

Michela is keen to tell us about her firm’s most successful project to date and what she has learnt from this.

“Every project bases its unicity on the achievement of the highest synthesis between the owner’s desire and culture,

“In terms of innovative solutions, I believe the important point here is that I only try to work hard, maintain curiosity for what surrounds me and I fill my life with interests and the quality of

“Stella Maris is probably one of the most successful projects I have ever realised. I learnt from working on this project to accept any challenge, without limits and barriers, without provocation.

Working on a project free from contamination and without prejudice, its potentiality was in my view welcome and enhanced by adopting unexpected solutions plus achieving a style balance with unique, sophisticated and innovative solutions.”

Michela is keen to provide a final comment, this time on what the future has in store for the industry and the firm, including any future projects on the horizon.

“It is required a greater awareness of the importance to adopt responsible and sustainable solutions. All the choices shall tend to a merge and integration with the environment and a much greater respect for the natural elements that the boat will cross.

“I hope to keep on working on interesting projects, enjoying them. The ones I am developing now are very stimulating projects indeed.”

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g Extraordinary Attention to Detail

Company: Michela Reverberi Studio Name: Michela Reverberi Email: info@reverberidesign.it Web Address: www.reverberidesign.it Address: Via Ridolfino Venuti, Rome 00162, Italy Telephone: +39 96 86 20 64 04

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Go the Extra Mile Val Interiors is an Interior Architecture firm founded in 2009. They provide interior design/ interior architecture and conceptualisation services, along with implementation, project management and procurement. As part of our Build’s Industry Elite series, we interviewed the firm’s the owner and director Tebogo ‘Tebby’ Modisagape to learn more.

Val Interiors has over the years provided these services to large, renowned corporations, parastatals, retailers and numerous homeowners. They have become one of the top interior architecture firms in the country, with a long list of happy customers and a second branch in the northern part of The Republic of Botswana in Francistown.

This is due to the firm’s diligence, professionalism and creativity in creating spaces that reflect and represent their clients; be they retailers, corporates or private citizens’ homes. Using their skills and resources to deliver the best results, Val Interiors creates living and working spaces which inspire a pride of ownership for all their clients and occupants.

Tebogo Modisagape reveals how long the firm has been established for in the industry and what changes the firm has seen over the years. She also explains the key factor to the firm’s success and adds her thoughts on the best way to manage their staff.

“In the built environment sector, a major shift has been a focus on green building to conserve and protect the planet. This is a cause which we have embraced.

As both the firm’s founder and director, I am also the executive council member of the newly established Botswana Green Building Council. We are shifting to incorporate green, sustainable materials and energy into our design. We have built a network

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of suppliers who prioritise being green in their production, as well as those offering products intended to limit their impact on the environment. We continually educate our clients about green matters and push them to go in this direction where possible.

“We continually strive to do better for our clients. This includes negotiating the best prices for them, keeping our own professional fees as competitive as possible and seeking out the best suppliers of the highest quality furniture possible. It includes maintaining the highest standards of design for our clients, by keeping abreast of design trends and technologies; plus, quality checking and reviewing our own work, ensuring that it exceeds expectation and provides value for money.

“Val Interiors counts its staff as our most valuable asset. We try to find out the qualities, strengths and weaknesses of each staff member, so we accommodate or nurture them in a specific way. All staff members are encouraged to be proactive problem solvers, who take initiative and make decisions independently, for the good of the firm. The main objective here is to nurture designers who think creatively and entrepreneurially, who are assets to the firm and who will contribute positively in any other professional endeavours they pursue.”

When undertaking a new client or project, Tebogo reveals the approach the firm uses to ensure the best possible outcome, plus what sets them apart from other companies in the industry.

“Customer satisfaction is the main objective for every project, so we consider their needs, tastes and preferences so we can create designs that suit them. For successful interactions with clients, we regard professionalism as the cornerstone, with emphasis on time, adequate and clear communication. We maintain a professional, yet friendly approach to interacting with all our customers, which aids the successful completion of all projects. We pride ourselves in going an extra mile to assist clients, this is due to passion that comes with our professionalism and hard work.

“We are continually innovating and improving our services, which is the foundation of our success. Offering the best possible service is what we strive to do; indeed, we have earned a reputation for doing exactly that.

This premium service is of course provided at the competitive possible cost to the client. This approach to business is what sets us apart from the competition.

“We also go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the best service to our clients. We pride ourselves on blowing our clients minds, by exposing them to designs and elements they did not know they wanted. We inspire their dreams and visions for their spaces, unlocking their full potential.”

Within the wider industry, Tebogo explains how they impart their expertise, plus adds the firm’s overall aims and the strategies they employ to achieve these.

“We remain actively involved in the growth of the built environment industry, as well as the design space, in several ways. As the owner and director of Val Interiors, I am also the current President of the Botswana Institute of Development Professions (BIDP), an executive council member of the Botswana Green Building Council (BotsGBC) and the founding member of the Botswana Interior Design Association (BIDA).

“I am also a quality services member of the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) and the Regional Director of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce, Southern Africa. These commitments involve speaking publicly at events, and sitting on committees and contributing to discussions on how to make changes in the industry.

I am also passionate about entrepreneurship, by attending the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in South Africa and other such events.

“Our overall aims are to be an enduring business that continues to provide quality service for years to come. To achieve this aim of surviving and growing, we will continually reinvest our profit in assets for the business, to build capacity and profitability. We always hire and train employees to the highest standard possible, whilst also encouraging their leadership growth so they can help grow the firm.

“We also aspire to achieve more meaningful success, by advocating for green building

g Go the Extra Mile

and design. This is an effort to help save the planet, which we are proud to pursue, because it benefits future generations.”

Tebogo then spills the beans on the firm’s most successful project to date and how their innovative solutions contribute towards their success.

“Our most successful project to date is working on the boardroom refurbishments of The Republic of Botswana’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

Our work here surpassed the client’s expectations, indeed their procurement team made it possible to ensure that we delivered the highest quality level of design possible.

Communications, transparency and quality control were the key factors that made this project a success story.

“We also attend exhibitions and keep abreast of world design trends. Every client is unique, so we design innovative solutions that stand out. I believe that helps to maintain our success in the built environment industry today.”

In closing, Tebogo enlightens us on her future aspirations for the firm.

“We are not ashamed to work with other designers, we love collaborations; they broaden our way of thinking so we grow as individuals and collectively as a firm. We are working on a consortium with other built environment professionals, in a mixed-use development project, which will take us five years to complete.

“We are young designers who are passionate and work hard towards changing the landscape of the built environment. We have a rich culture and we want to incorporate different cultures in our designs and sell it to the rest of the world.”

Company: Val Interiors (Pty) Ltd Name: Tebogo Modisagape Email: tebby@valinteriors.co Web Address: www.valinteriors.co Address: Plot 8769 Medlass House, Office A13 Bontleng, Gaborone, Botswana Telephone: +267 7163 0213

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Architectural Innovators ORTLOS Space Engineering is an immersive spaces design studio, which is developing innovative environments as a new channel for engaging with communities, reaching end-users, and build spatial experiences. Our main design competence is translating 21 century technologies into spatial systems and strategies — packing the ideas and visions into architecture.

With our strong commitment to working online, ORTLOS has focused on expanding classical architectural tasks by simulating virtual environments to be applied to future realities and by using cutting-edge computer technologies. Our work has been published and exhibited worldwide, including at the Venice Biennale.

As for organisational typology ORTLOS is more like (virtual) Andy Warhol’s ‘The Factory’, then as a classical architectural office. Concept-wise we see it as a kind of matrix, an infinite, constantly changeable field of the creative entries of those who shape it. From a certain size on, the constructs show the first signs of self-organisation. And, so it has been with ORTLOS right from the beginning. It makes you gradually sink into a world whose laws correspond to a different logic. ORTLOS is an instrument for the nomadic working methods. Because of that we offer a huge diversity and variety of products and services provided to our clients.

When undertaking a new client or project what approach do you use to ensure the best possible outcome?

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‘Form follows feedback’ is a term coined by William Mitchell. We apply it to so called ‘performative architecture’. The architecture nowadays became complex network of interconnected dependencies and the recent discussion of formal or functional issues thrives to be obsolete.

With other words, more important than functional or formal aspect is the performative one. Like in automotive industry, if you want the perfect form for your new car just bring it into the wind tunnel and change the design according to simulation results. This is of course simplified, but we need to figure out what the doing does to us, to the environment, to the planet. The prosperity, the people and the planet need to be in balance. We need to understand that our build environment has a huge impact to the sustainability of the world. So, the feedback we get from the simulations and evaluations we need to loop back into the system. The feedback feeds the design process.

The design process happens in trans-disciplinary teams.

However, this should not be mixed with concepts of participations from 70’s, where everybody does everything. We are talking here about teams of experts which of course include users but only in a specific role, as a team member. Such trans-disciplinary teams would include architects, urban planner,

environmentalists, engineers, but also philosophers, sociologists, artists, politicians, and others.

Another topic we draw from the ‘form follows feedback’ principle is so called ‘on-demand spaces’. I think that we have adapted enough ourselves to the architectural spaces and environments. The time has come that spaces adapt to ourselves - on demand - as we need them. Through modern technologies and advanced IT it is already possible to do so and in the future, will be even more.

What sets you apart from other companies in this industry? What marks you out as the best option for your clients?

Many problems today need more than one kind of knowledge to solve them. People with different training have difficulty communicating to each other and they are trying to achieve different things. The identified problem is the implementation of knowledge from different disciplines in creative process and how to enable the emergence of innovation within collaborative environment. There are insufficient implementation examples in working practice. We are working more than 17 years now on these issues. By using the cutting-edge technology, we are applying different algorithms - instruction of proceedings -

how the design process has been conceived, planned and executed. For our clients, we are delivering the optimal solutions in which we skilfully merge functional requirements, advanced technology and performative form of various spatial environments. In design process, we are introducing forms of knowledge production that embrace imagination and vision to create added value for our clients.

How does it feel to be part of the 2017 Architectural Innovation Awards?

We feel of course very honoured, but it is also a great recognition of our consequent contribution to the innovation in architecture.

The path we took 17 years ago was not always easy and very often a real struggle. However, when you receive a feedback like this, and especially a positive response by our clients, then such events create a momentum with a new and positive energy for the future endeavours and makes every effort easy and fun.

Besides the obvious promotion of our work it is a good opportunity for further discussions with new potential clients.

What are your overall aims and what strategies do you employ to achieve these?

Clearly the sensitivity to

g Architectural Innovators

Company: ORTLOS Space Engineering Name: Dr. Ivan Redi Email: ivan@ortlos.com Web Address: www.ortlos.com Address: Bergmanngasse 44 Graz 8010, Austria Telephone: +43 677 6137 4221

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sustainable development.

Additionally, the global trends affecting the construction industry show strong impact through computer and communication technologies as well.

The current society is characterised by ambiguity, contradiction and infinite complexity. And the information it produces grows every day exponentially. The big data issue is not problem only for IT world and everyday life. The architects are overwhelmed with information and data they need to process in daily practice too. Just to understand different concepts and technologies of cooling or heating systems of the building connected to the energyefficiency issue (low energy, passive and active house, etc.) developed itself to own science.

The reason why the financial crisis happened is that many experts have understood the new complicated products and procedures for themselves, but they didn’t quite understand their interconnection and how these influence each other. Compared to this situation we have similar problem in architecture. Good news is that we don’t have to understand anymore what these things mean per se (because we cannot), but we must understand how they are interconnected through their lifecycle. With other words, how everything is connected to everything. That is a moment when ‘Architecture of the networks’ comes in. It describes methods, strategies and tools how to deal with such complex issues in more productive way. So, innovation in architecture is not anymore about finding something radically new, but figuring out how the things we already have are interconnected and what is then their performance. This of course changes architectural profession and the current mind set.

How do you make sure you create innovative solutions to maintain your success as an architect?

As Libeskind said there is no space at its place. We are all in one way or another Ortlos (without place, placeless).

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We are all more nomadic then we think. This condition is not connected to our physical movement. The big deal of our living and working environment is built out of information. Information is a new brick. I believe that the future of the architecture is in dematerialisation. This is not only because we did enough (build enough) to the world and now we need to be careful about the resources which are left. But it means that architectural practice will (need to) be changed. The current way of doing architecture is simply said dried out. On the other hand, the expectations on architecture for solving problems are very high and at the same time the common sense in public about architecture as cultural or socio-political phenomena are very low. However, there is no other discipline which can be more beautifully schizophrenic in combining and orchestrating the things almost impossible to unite. So, we need to be confident that a new fields and new opportunities will open for the profession. Therefore, we need new methods, strategies and tools to cope with future requirements and development of our physical and virtual environments.

What has been your most successful project to date? What has been the most important thing you have learnt from working on this?

This question is not easy to answer, simply because I constantly change my mind. That is reflected by our architectural practice. If you would check our website www.ortlos.com you would find a huge diversity of projects presented with no emphasis on style.

A very crucial moment and the milestone happened at the beginning of our practice – our first appearance at La Biennale exhibition in Venice in 2000. It was not only the first showing of our work on the most important international stage in architecture, but it also coined our approach in architecture, the way how we conceive architecture as kind of manifesto.

What does the future have in store for your industry?

How do you see your market changing over the next 12 months?

Beyond the traditional notion of the architect as a designer of forms and functions for the buildings, the architects need to become designers of eco-systems. These systems of both ecology and economy are maintained not only by the flows of people but also by the flow of resources like information, energy, waste and matter. They also incorporate the human consumption patterns into our natural environment. We need to provide pro-active solutions in search for future developments, which are not only limiting and restrictive to the current life-style to achieve the sustainability and the human-nature equilibrium.

Another big issue would be: virtualisation through digital transformation. Especially in the automotive industry topics such: ‘smart factory’ and ‘Internet of Things’ are crucial for the new markets architects need to address.

We are looking at mathematical and computer science models for architecture and urban design, to better understand and more successfully describe the complex processes of collective behaviour in urban environments. We are facing challenges for which we need help of advanced models so we can partially predict actions of so called ‘collective intelligence’ and feed our simulations with this data. The classical tools of urban planning such master planning and zoning are happening to be insufficient and even obsolete in 21st century. Land use dynamics and fragmentation of settlements is a crucial question for urban planning. In the general framework of sustainability objectives, the policies that control a suitable process of urbanisation increasingly involve a deep knowledge of complex criteria of location chosen by the different agents. Planners realise that it is crucial to understand and provide the best possible explanation for the observed spatial distribution of urban activities.

What are your future aspirations for your company? Do you have any plans or projects you would be willing to share with us?

Currently, we are working on some very interesting projects for the car manufacturing industry, which has been in many cases the frontrunner in embracing new visions and ideas for the future.

‘Smart factory’, ‘automatisation and sensors in spaces’ and ‘future of the working space’ through augmented realities are just few of current issues. There are several strategic projects for renowned multi-national companies in the pipeline. We see big potential in Building Information Modelling technology as well.

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Building Blocks to Success

Additionally, in our upcoming book ‘The Emergence of Networked Thinking and Design’ we will try to summarise the architectural theory and production, which is increasingly being equipped to deal with the complexities of contemporary networked space, developing new forms of practice and exploring new levels of complex spatial conditions and contexts within computational and actual environments. The book should provide guidelines to better communicate what architecture can do, to significantly improve human environments in any regard. After we truly understand how the things are interconnected, the strategic planning and the energyefficiency are the next two big domains. There is much work to be done here.

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Sustainability at the Heart PAUAT Architekten is a Wels and Vienna based group of architects, designers, builders operating within the fields of architecture, urbanism, interior and product design, research, landscape design and urban development. Following their success in achieving the Sustainable Building Firm of the Year 2016 award, we invited the firm’s founder and creative CEO architect Heinz Plöderl to tell us more.

One project PAUAT Architekten has been involved with, is the ÖAMTC base in Gmunden. Described as friendly, customer-friendly and barrier-free, Josef Thurnhofer, Regional Director of ÖAMTC Oberösterreich comments: The new base will combine functionality, an open customer area and modern design in one building.”

The new base will combine functionality, an open customer area and modern design in one building. The new building is equipped with eight state-ofthe-art test facilities. Six lifting platforms enable ergonomic operation. In addition to the office and social rooms, the new building also offers its own seminar rooms for training and further education.

On a more general note, in terms of construction projects and project permits, PAUAT Architekten develops solutions tailored to the principals the firm stands by, in the context of resources and life cycle. Founder and creative CEO architect Heinz Plöderl, tell us how the firm is innovative where construction is concerned, offers his thoughts on sustainable development issues and the explains popularity of his work in the wider industry.

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“Innovation in connecting climate engineering and building constructions in our projects brought PAUAT Architekten to a position of leadership where sustainable architecture and urban design are concerned in Austria. Due to the influence of global economic flows, as well as the ending of global resources for building design and projects, I believe that the development of contemporary life today requires new ways of urban and architectural organisation.

“We believe that interesting building designs are famous for incorporating sustainable development ideas into their heart, as well as my own sociological energy efficient concepts. Additionally, I am often invited to conferences and symposia to discuss my work, as well as lectures at universities to give an overview of PAUAT Architekten sustainability principles, focussing on the process of a new social responsibility in the postpetroleum-age architecture of future urban life.”

In conclusion, PAUAT Architekten buildings are responding to local environment and climate in way that makes it habitable for human life. Sustainable development and renewable energy are very important to Heinz Plöderl, plus

the firm’s own office is famous for its energy efficient architecture over all phases of life cycle and timeless design, as well as promoting integrated urban development and city planning principles.

g Sustainability at the Heart

Company: PAUAT Architekten Name: DI.Heinz Plรถderl Email: h.ploederl@pau.at Web Address: www.pau.at Address: Bernardingasse 14 A-4600 Wels, Austria Telephone: +43 7242 79660 0

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New Ways of Urban and Architectural Organisation PAUAT Architekten is a Wels and Vienna based group of architects, designers, builders operating within the fields of architecture, urbanism, interior and product design, research, landscape design and urban development.

PAUAT Architekten is famous for its energy efficient architecture all over phases of life cycle and, timeless design as well as promoting integrated urban development and city planning.

The desire to process different constructions of project-toproject, permit us to develop singular and economically solutions to the wishes and needs of PAUAT Architekten principals comprehensively, in the context of resources and life cycle.

Innovations in connecting climate engineering and building constructions in the projects as “School of Schwanenstadt“, FAIR- and TRADECENTER Wels, ActiveEnergyTower Fronius Wels and Energyautonomous Townhouse” brought PAUAT Architekten to leadership in sustainable architecture and urban design in Austria.

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Due to the influence of global economic flows, as well as ending global resources for building design and projects, the development and contemporary life require new ways of urban and architectural organisation.

As for PAUAT architects interesting building designs, they are famous for incorporating sustainable development ideas and sociological energy efficient concepts from founder and creative CEO, architect Heinz Plöderl. Heinz is invited to conferences and symposia, as well as lectures at universities to give an overview of PAUAT Architekten sustainable works.

These lectures focus on a process of a new social responsibility in post-petroleum-age architecture of future urban life.

PAUAT Architekten buildings are responding to local environment and climate in a sort of conversation, to make it habitable for human life. Sustainable development and renewable energy are important to Heinz

Plöderl and integrated aspects of his social, cultural, economic and socio-political ambitions. PAUAT Architekten have designed case studies for new holistic residential concepts under the strict energetic criteria of zero carbon emission. Spatial quality and the production of resistant hybrids in urban development and sustainable buildings inspire and drive its body of work.

g New Ways of Urban and Architectural Organisation

Company: PAUAT Architekten Name: DI.Heinz Plรถderl Email: h.ploederl@pau.at Web Address: www.pau.at Address: Bernardingasse 14 A-4600 Wels, Austria Telephone: +43 7242 79660 0

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What’s Cooking?!

Kitchens International strives to provide the ultimate kitchen experience to customers.

Ross Craig tells us more.

As the UK’s largest independent kitchen retailer, Kitchens International offers the most extensive product portfolio available from one company. Leading luxury furniture brands such as Poggenpohl, Leicht, Stoneham and Callerton, as well as the firm’s own KI Collection, are complemented by appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf, Gaggenau, V-ZUG, Siemens and Neff.

Innovation is key to the firm’s offering and its collection of work surfaces, splashbacks and accessories demonstrate its commitment to give clients the very latest in kitchen technology.

Acknowledged as the UK’s leading luxury kitchen specialist, the Kitchens International (KI) team has some of the best people in the industry. Ross of Kitchen’s International tells us more.

“Our award-winning designers and installation experts will work with you to create your dream kitchen. Every detail is impeccably planned, designed and fitted with seamless efficiency.

“With many decades of experience in the contract, commercial and domestic kitchen market we operate a unique project management system to ensure our clients are not just satisfied but very pleased with the KI kitchen service. KI offer a complete service that is rare in this industry. We make sure that your kitchen is everything you dreamed it would be, now and for years to come. Even when it’s yours, we still treat your kitchen like it’s ours.”

Every new project undertaken by Kitchens International begins the same way – by getting to know the client and Ross explains that this is because the firm’s design are inspired by the people who will be using it.

“We start our designs by asking our clients how and who will use the kitchen and from there a design will evolve,” Ross says.

“Kitchen functionality is key. Do you like cooking lots? Do you entertain? Do you have a large family who use the kitchen for eating/cooking/socialising? How much space is there? As no two customers are the same, nor are any two kitchens, so for a personal, perfect kitchen you can’t buy one off the peg.

The more thorough the design process, the better the end result.

“At KI every single project we work on is important to us, no matter how big or small. However, the kitchen, as the hub of the home, is now extending out into other social areas, and as a result more and more of our clients now purchase dining, lounge and home office furniture from Kitchens International. It’s a trend that looks set to continue as our extensive portfolio of products grows.”

Acknowledged as the UK’s leading luxury kitchen specialist, Kitchens International is frequently asked to speak at national conferences, such as the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom and KBSA Home

Specialists Conferences to share knowledge and experience of the industry. Each year the company releases its design trends for the year ahead which are picked up and published by both industry and consumer publications.

Kitchens International aims to differentiate itself from the competition by providing an exceptional level of customer care.

“We pride ourselves on total customer care, to deliver the ultimate kitchen experience.

Creating a home environment that improves people’s lives. It is the foundation of our company and the principle that has built us an unrivalled, award winning reputation. We believe that the only way to guarantee satisfaction from concept to completion is through our team of selected professionals. From the initial design, through the co-ordination of the project to the final completion, each stage is carefully handled by our passionate team. Each member has a vital part to play and a proud sense of purpose. Getting to know you is important to us and we look forward to meeting each and every customer.”

Company: Kitchens International Name: Ross Craig Web Address: www.kitchensinternational.co.uk Address: 24 Westfield Road Murrayfield Edinburgh EH11 2QB Telephone: 0131 337 3434

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mdd9.com.hk/ MDD9 design studio is a multidisciplinary architectural and interior design practice committed to providing creative solutions to Architecture, Master Planning, Urban Planning, Lighting Design, Interior Design, Landscape design and Contracting.

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Breaking New Ground Pilon specialise in refurbishing social housing inside and out in London and the South East.

We invited CEO Florian Moldoveanu to talk us through the firm and the services it provides.

Pilon was founded in 2004, and since inception we have worked in more than 50,000 properties.

Most of these properties are with tenants in situ, thus requiring a special set of skills in order to deliver the refurbishment works with minimal impact to their wellbeing and their day to day lives.

Pilon has developed and finetuned a unique model which enables it to achieve consistent high levels of resident satisfaction.

This innovative delivery model rests on a combination of direct delivery workforce and technology. We are attracting, vetting, training and managing individual workers using state of the art technology and software that we have developed to suit our needs. We start by plating the project details into its smallest components possible and setting it up into our systems. Then the system communicates in real time with our site supervisors, our operatives, every resident, the client and management to ensure everything stays on track and that the residents are happy and looked after at all times. This combination between the vetting and inducting every operative and then operating our own system ensures absolute control on quality, health and safety and residents’ peace of mind.

In order to continue innovating and creating unique ideas such as this, we nurture a culture of innovation, which see us meet regularly as a team and in smaller groups in order to capture and discuss new ideas and actively encourage and reward innovation.

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Most innovation in a service provider is linked with technology and software. We have built our own software development capability which is able to turn most of our ideas into a practical feature in very little time. We believe that this capability backed by the culture of innovation that we have developed and nurtured is going to keep us ahead of the competition in offering the best service to our clients and their residents for years to come.

One of our most successful projects to date has been the kitchen and bathroom programme for Gateway Housing Association, a two-year project based in Tower Hamlets which we are now in the second year of.

The scope of works involves the refurbishment of kitchen, bathroom, electrical re-wires and minor gas works to occupied properties. However, since commencing works with Gateway we have subsequently been awarded additional works including specialist DDA refurbishments such as wet rooms, plus works to void properties.

One of the biggest challenges we have faced on this contract was engaging with the residents, many of whose English was not their first language. We overcame this through various approaches. Firstly, we recruited an RLO from the local community who was fluent in many of the common languages spoken in the area, secondly we used a translation service to ensure that we were communicating effectively, and lastly, this was the first contact where we rolled out our digital communication

option, the ‘Customer Portal’ which allows residents to communicate with us via smart phone, tablet or PC. The combined effect of the above strategies was very effective resulting in constantly high satisfaction scores from both Gateway and also their residents.

Looking ahead, we believe the market is going to embrace more of the SME dynamism and dedication to quality and this in turn should continue to erode further the stranglehold of the monopoly of the biggest 10-12 contractors in the sector. Some of these huge contractors will have to diversify away from this sector thus creating even more space for dynamic SMEs to grow and bring innovation and increased benefits to residents of social housing and their providers.

We are already beginning to see the effects of this in the market, and as such we are seeing more and more talent migrating away from big contractors and into SMEs. In fact, Pilon is one of the beneficiaries of this talent migration. In April 2016, two of the best executives in main contracting have joined our

business from one of the biggest contractors. Mike Brogan has joined us a Managing Director and Tony Elliott as a Divisional Director. Mike Brogan has over 20 years in management and for the past 10 years has grown one of the most successful social housing planned maintenance business units with Apollo and then Keepmoat to over £80 million annual turnover. Mike professional ethos is focus on quality of service and deliver to client needs. Mike and Tony could both see the change in the market and wanted to work in a company that is best placed to meet the future needs of our market, and we look forward to exciting developments we will encounter during this journey.

Overall, our key aim is to continue to offer our clients and their residents the best service the money can buy. We would be looking to reinvest most of our profits into developing our unique technology and our team knowledge, further enhancing the quality level and reach of our service. We believe the market is in dire need for good quality, innovative, customer focuses and dynamic contractors and we think we are firmly in this camp.

Company: PiLON Address: Ashurst Manor, Church Lane, Ascot, SL5 7DD Phone: 01344 206 800 Email: info@pilon.co.uk Website: www.pilon.co.uk

completebuildingherts.com/ Complete Building Services can offer a wide range of building work from changing taps to converting houses and offices into flats and many more.

rhinodesignbuild.com

We are a “one stop shop” for all your construction needs.

Rhino Design Build is a full-service home remodeling and custom home builder on a mission – “to bring customer service and satisfaction to an industry in dire need.”

Integrity, Honesty, Reliability and Dependability are just a few of the words that represent who we are.

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A New Standard in Design 2016 BUILD Awards Architect of the Year, UK recipient is Cummins + Voortman’s director Robert Cummins. Following the firm’s undoubted success, we took the chance to profile their impressive work as an acclaimed RIAI & RIBA sustainable ecological architecture, urban design & advanced BIM (Building Information Modelling) practice based in Ireland.

While the firm Cummins + Voortman is based in Ireland, they are involved with projects of all types throughout the UK and internationally. Cummins + Voortman was founded in 2005 to meet the changing needs of the market and to set a new standard in design and client service for projects of all scales, including both domestic and commercial clients.

The practice uses the very latest technology at all stages of the design/production process, to allow maximum focus on the most important architectural and/ or social aspects of each specific project, within an economically efficient framework.

For one off domestic reports, the firm generally limits their involvement to within 60km of their offices (Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare, Waterford, Dublin etc.), but this is of course something that can be discussed on a case by case basis.

Robert Cummins Robert Cummins himself is an experienced artist, tennis/ sports infrastructure consultant & chartered conservation architect. He initially graduated from UCD, Dublin, Ireland in 1995 with a BSc. in Architectural Science. In 1998, he further completed a Post Graduate Degree (Bachelor of Architecture) again in UCD.

Having completed his professional practice experience during 19992001, he completed the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) professional practice exams in 2001, and was elected a member of the RIAI in the same year. He was later elected a member of both RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and the ARB (UK Architects Registration Board) in 2006.

Having worked as a project architect from 1998 (for three years) and as a senior architect, thereafter he established an architectural practice in Ireland.

He then co-founded Cummins + Voortman in 2005.

Robert also has an interest and expertise in elegant sustainable & ecological design, as well as the implementation of low energy and low carbon heating systems within buildings. He has extensive experience in terms of project management and strict project cost control (through good attention to detail and knowledge of a broad range of construction systems etc.). He is not just strict in this regard in terms of the contractor and other third parties, but also with each client. This has a long-lasting benefit for almost every project he has dealt with.

He is also accredited in architectural conservation (grade III) and has worked with numerous old buildings & protected structures over the years, many of which are part heritage grant

aid funded. He is also a member of the Irish Georgian Society, the Architectural Association of Ireland and the Royal Hibernian Academy.

His general relevant experience includes the following areas: Practice & project management: He has extensive (since 1998) postgraduate experience in the architectural business environment, with in-depth knowledge of a broad range of specific project types within the architectural sphere. This has included work on over 150 such projects (of varying scales) to date.

Public funded projects: Robert has worked on a significant number of health care, educational and other state funded projects since the late 1990’s.

Sports/tennis infrastructure consultant: Robert is the top expert in Ireland in terms of tennis facilities & infrastructure and he also has significant knowledge/ experience of sports & leisure

facilities in general with many grant funded schemes of quality.

Planning consultant: Robert has extensive experience (since 1998) of the Irish planning system and the associated legal statutes. He has acted as a planning consultant on many projects. This has included extensive experience as an expert witness in significant planning enforcement procedures / statuary licensing procedures etc. He also has appropriate experience of preparation of documents for district & high court actions related to same.

Art: As a student, he won numerous awards/competitions.

Since then he has created many works of art (for over 25 years now) and has a significant insight into this area which is of benefit for clients looking for something different particularly in terms of interior design. Hi specialist area is virtual and imaginary landscapes & structures.

Company: CUMMINS + VOORTMAN (Sustainable, Ecological Architects & Urban Designers) SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE & URBAN DESIGN Name: Robert Cummins Email: robert@cvltd.ie Web Address: www.cvltd.ie Address: Block 4, Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Road, Dublin, D02 HW77 Ireland Telephone: +353 (0)1 2966507

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Thinking ‘out of the Box’ Excel Environmental Resources, Inc. (Excel), recipient of the 2016 Leadership Awards, is a privately owned and operated, full-service environmental consulting and engineering firm.

We invited the firm’s Lawra J. Dodge to tell us more about the firm’s high quality services in this short interview.

Excel is centrally located in New Jersey at 111 North Center Drive, North Brunswick, Middlesex County. Excel has been solving environmental problems and creating redevelopment opportunities since our incorporation in 1994.

They pride ourselves on the high quality and technical excellence of their services and the costeffective and creative solutions they have developed, based on years of problem-solving experience. The firm’s Lawra J. Dodge begins the interview by drawing our attention to the firm’s motto, “Let us put our expertise to work for you!”, which she goes on to develop in her own words.

“Excel’s unique team of professionals has extensive hands-on, practical experience in all aspects of environmental compliance. We have distinguished ourselves by performing and thinking ‘out of the box’ to successfully tackle complex environmental problems, while maintaining compliance with applicable NJDEP rules and regulations.

“The seasoned professionals at Excel have industrial, commercial, residential, and governmental project experience, ranging from small site assessments and tank closures to large, complex soil and

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groundwater remediation projects using innovative treatment technologies.

“Excel is experienced and highly qualified in the preparation of applications and the acquisition of environmental permits. We are also highly skilled in the preparation of high quality, userfriendly, and effective reports for all phases of environmental compliance, including Preliminary Assessment (PA), Site Investigation (SI), Remedial Investigation (RI), and Remedial Action (RA).”

“Our undoubted expertise in brownfield remediation and redevelopment is clearly evidenced by our accomplishments in returning large, complex contaminated properties to productive use, including the McGuire Gardens Housing Complex in Camden, the Former MOTBY facility (now known as The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor), the police substation in Kearny, the former Garfield warehouse and office complex in Garfield, the former APA Transport Site in North Bergen, among many others.

The firm’s professionals work closely with their clients as a team member and an invaluable resource for the resolution of environmental issues Lawra adds, before telling us about the firm’s teamwork with external parties and their undoubted expertise in brownfield remediation and redevelopment.

“With five Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs) on staff, in addition to multiple senior professionals with the expertise needed to confidently, autonomously and successfully design, implement as well as a complete remediation within the framework of ever-changing regulations.

“This teamwork includes participation in negotiations with state agencies, third-party property owners, and prospective developers; preparation for and participation in council meetings (open and closed sessions), public meetings, planning and zoning board meetings, and stakeholder meetings; and participation in outreach events associated with brownfield redevelopment projects.

Excel also provides expert services and litigation support to all of our clients, including expert third-party evaluation of issues of technical or regulatory compliance and cost reasonableness, preparation of expert reports, assistance with preparation of interrogatories and depositions and expert testimony.”

Laura then concludes by offering her thoughts on what makes the firm unique and something about the firm’s very strong reputation.

“Additionally, Excel is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). Finally, I would like to underline that Excel has a strong reputation in the environmental industry, as evidenced by the fact that most of our new business includes repeat clients and word-of-mouth referrals.”

Company: Excel Environmental Resources Name: Lawra J. Dodge Email: ldodge@excelenv.com Web Address: excelenv.com Address: 111 North Center Drive North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Telephone: +1 732 545 9525

Comissioning Excellence We at M3T Cx Authorities LLC provide comissioning excellence by developing custom-tailored, customeroriented commissioning programs with the added value of construction team building, job safety, proactive/ progressive problem solving to bring the customer the best quality ser vice.

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Designs without limits

Strongly influenced by solid experiences in the yachting industry, the projects designed by architect Michela Reverberi are expressed without limits or barriers.

They do not seek provocation or nourishment in contamination, but access freely all available natural elements and technical items, far from any prejudice.

michelareverberi.it

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A Company of Its Word By way of background to Duggins Smith Companies, it is worth mentioning that the United Companies originated in 1970 with United Realty. Since its genesis, United Realty has spun off several companies encompassing all areas of real estate and development. Selected as ‘Ones to Watch, we invited Wade Duggins to tell us more about the company and his own background.

Since 1986, United Developers/Duggins Smith Builders has been constructing and developing quality multi-family, single family and commercial developments.

United has been nationally recognised as one of the most respected builder/developers in the south-eastern United States.

United Developers has a 30+year track record in the development and construction of quality housing. Since its inception, United Developers has developed, constructed, and rehabilitated over 3000 units of affordable housing and 750 units of market-rate housing, including both rental and for-sale units.

Of the 3000+ units of affordable housing, 940 units have been constructed and rehabilitated in the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, of which 748 of these units were done

in partnership with the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

Through these partnerships and the cooperation of key city and county officials such as Marshall Pitts, Roger Stancil, Victor Sharpe, Ben Brown, Michael McNair, Dale Iman, Tony Chavonne, Kenneth Edge, Breeden Blackwell, James Martin, Juanita Pilgrim and Thanena Wilson. United Developers has built a reputation of integrity and quality in affordable housing not only in Fayetteville and Cumberland County but across North and South Carolina. United has earned this reputation by being a company of its word.

We have proposed and delivered a quality product - both on time and on budget - to the accolades of the city and county and have added to the quality

stock of affordable housing and enhanced the quality of life for its recipients. United has been successful in managing multiple projects simultaneously through its integrated construction software, which includes take off, scheduling, and accounting, not to mention its seasoned, knowledgeable and loyal staff.

Our current projects include: Coldwater Ridge • 60 units; • 5 buildings and • Clubhouse,

Cleveland Green III • (3)- three story 24 unit bldgs.; • (1)-2 storey 8-unit building and; • Clubhouse.

Millstone Landing • 88 units; • (3) 8 unit (B) buildings; • (4) 16 unit (C) buildings and; • Clubhouse.

Reidsville Ridge • 72 units • (6)- Two story 8 unit (A) buildings; • (3)- Two story 8 unit (B) buildings and; • Clubhouse.

Club Pond Green II • (1)- Two story (8) unit building; • (1)- Two story (16) unit building and; • Clubhouse addition.

In terms of my own career background, I started my career with United Developers in 2001. During my time with United Developers, I supervised the construction of over 1800 units, consisting of 30 different apartment complexes. I currently hold the title of Vice President of Operations for United Developers, United Management and Duggins Smith Builders. I am an Unlimited North Carolina General Contractor.

Company: Duggins Smith Companies Name: Wade Duggins Email: wade@dugginssmith.com Web Address: www.dugginssmith.com Address: 2939 Breezewood Avenue Suite 201, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Telephone: +1 910 485 6600

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Supporter of Excellence in Student Learning Environments The Association for Learning Environments a professional, non-profit association whose main goal is to improve the surroundings where children learn.

Established in 1921, as the National Council on Schoolhouse Construction, The Association for Learning Environments soon became the Council of Education Facility Planners International (CEFPI) in 1971. October 24, 2015, the directors of what was formerly known as the Council of Education Facility Planners International (CEFPI) unveiled the organization’s new name, The Association for Learning Environments at the LearningSCAPES 2015 conference in San Diego.

Primary advocate and resource for effective educational facilities are the associations key mission.

The dedicated workforce at The Association for Learning Environments work to serve those who equip, plan, design, construct, maintain and operate educational facilities.

The core vision for The Association for Learning Environment is the supporter for excellence in student learning locations. With close to 4500 members, the organization has embraced more professions and disciplines than they have ever done in previous years.

As for what the future holds for The Association for Learning Environment, with the recent new branding, the team are looking forward to growing their community of passionate professionals who are committed to creating and providing a better learning space everywhere.

Contact: Barbara C. Worth Email: barb@a4le.org Company: Association for Learning Environments Address: 11445 E Via Linda, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259, USA Telephone: 001 480 285 9002 Web Address: www.a4le.org

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Transdisciplinary Studio for Innovative Architecture & Interface Design

ortlos.com

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We believe that out home is the reflection of what we are, of our soul. Our enviroment can affect our moods, our everyday life and our well being. We dont design an office, a house or a certain project in insolation or by how nice it looks, but our objective is to create a way of living that has certain grace and beauty.

smkinteriors.com/index.htm

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The Code of Uniqueness CODE UNIQUE Architects was established as a two-man office in 1998. Presently it has around 60 employees. Our architectural office can provide the necessary expertise in all service phases of building construction, from initial design sketches through to site and construction management.

Our projects embrace new buildings, as well as the demanding reconstruction of protected historical buildings. We regard it as important that we do not specialise in any single field of building construction, but that our participation in architectural competitions always leads to new design approaches and building challenges.

The winning of an architectural competition and the contract resulting from it offer, as a rule, are an excellent basis for collaboration with a building client. In a well-chosen competition jury, one finds from the onset the required balance of interests of the building client, the user and the public position.

In further intensive dialogue, the initial solution is then developed more deeply. A good building is created only through constructive cooperation, which may also include controversial positions regarding specific aspects. By this, I mean that the suggestions of the building client and the user are extremely important, to arrive at the best possible result.

A good architect reveals himself not by clinging stubbornly to a solution, but by having the capacity to develop a design concept further. This requires

a flexibility which does not lose sight of the desired goal, an exacting solution. This means that a readiness for dialogue and staying power is a prerequisite.

For example, we take part in conferences concerning the development of inner cities, where we relate our experiences in the development of inner city projects. In this case the building of universities, it is an important catalyst in the role of city development. Indeed, we regularly hold lectures at a variety of academic institutions and are professional judges in architectural competitions.

In our office, we cultivate an emphasis on teamwork and communication. New ideas are just as important as experience so we thrive on intensive exchange.

Design and planning is, for us, an intensive search for a uniquely right solution for a given architectural building problem.

We develop an individual design in response to the specific requirements of the situation and location. Every location, every space, every house is not simply areas and cubic metres contained in information, but possesses a certain uniqueness.

We define this individual complexity as the code of

uniqueness, hence the company name CODE UNIQUE. We generate approximately 90% of our contracts through the successful participation in architectural competitions. We develop our individual designs very early in comparison to other architects. This establishes an individual approach to the building projects, in advance, and encourages innovative solutions.

For us, all our buildings are equally important and we try again and again to attain an optimal result. For us, success is when the building client and the user still express enthusiasm for the building, many years later.

service competence. They are, for example, at a very early stage held responsible, regardless of fault for independent costings and quality guarantees. This is particularly critical if a budget does not correspond to the scope of the desired building requirements.

At present, help only exists in the form of an intensive clarification and negotiation process. In the long term, we believe that trade associations and client representatives must reach agreement over sensible forms of contract. Our aim is simple - architecture must make one happy. We would like to continue working on our projects, with a much enthusiasm.

Architectural offices today are unfortunately faced with increased risks and responsibilities that have nothing to do with their actual area of

Company: CODE UNIQUE Architekten GmbH Name: Martin Boden-Peroche, Volker Giezek Email: contact@codeunique.de Web Address: www.codeunique.de Address: Katharinenstr. 5, 01099 Dresden, Germany Telephone: +49 351 850 743 00

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Honest, Dependable and Exceptional Heartland Acoustics & Interiors is Colorado’s largest ceiling and specialty contractor for commercial, medical, educational, and tenant finish projects. We recently invited President & CEO of Heartland Acoustics & Interiors, Jason Gordon to tell us more about the company.

Since their inception in 1997, Heartland Acoustics & Interiors has grown tremendously.

Starting a small Denver metro ceiling company, they are now the largest ceiling and specialty contractor in Colorado. Jason explains to us more about the services the company provides but also what sets them apart from their competitors, marking them as the best option for their clients.

“Our primary services include suspended acoustical ceilings, specialty metal ceilings, wood ceilings, acoustical wall panels, acoustical sound treatments, and stretch wall & ceiling systems.

“Heartland Acoustics & Interiors is committed to customer satisfaction, quality installations, and honest working relationships.

Thus, we have built a reputation for being an honest and dependable subcontractor with an exceptional team of acoustical experts.”

Over the years, the company have accumulated numerous ventures, here are some of the major projects that Heartland Acoustics & Interiors have done to date.

• 1800 Larimer Building; • Cheyenne Army Aviation; • CU – Center for Community; • Denver Justice Center; • IKEA Denver; • Johns Manville World Headquarters; • Kaiser South SMC; • Medical Center of the Rockies; • Metro State Hotel; • Palmer Ridge High School; • Ralph Carr Justice Center; • Rocky Vista University; • Signature Center Building; • Swedish Medical Center; • TriZetto Headquarters; • UCD Academic Building; • Westminster High School; • Wyoming Medical Center and; • Xcel Energy Building.

As for the knowledge and experience that both Jason and the team at Heartland Acoustics & Interiors have collected through the years, Jason details how they distribute it to the wider industry.

“One of programmes that we offer is a lunch and learn presentation, where we showcase new products for the industry that our clients may not be aware of. We teach them how the products are used and where they are best suited for an application.”

Looking ahead, Jason explains that they predict a lot of project activity for 2018 and 2019, so they expect to be very busy for the next couple of years. In terms of his future aspirations for your company, Jason says without hesitation that they will, “Continue to grow and expand.”

Company: Heartland Acoustics & Interiors Name: Jason Gordon Email: jason@heartland-acoustics.com Web Address: www.heartland-acoustics.com Address: Colorado Office 8672 Concord Center Drive Englewood, CO 80112 Telephone: +1 303 694 6611

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Developing for a Better Future info@cdlproperty.com Over 42 years, property presents those in the industry with the most unique of opportunities. From mushroom farms to football clubs, office buildings to restaurants – no opportunity is the same. The one thing that remains for CDL Property is the vision and determination to create the best possible solution for those involved, setting pure-play profit generation aside, ensuring the Coeur de Lion Property plays a pivital part in the future of property development in the UK.

Partnering with some of the worlds largest companies in designing, manufacturing and installing fitted furniture.

hello@weareworkspace.com

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A One to One Service Founded in 2010 - Gateway Architectural Design was selected as part of the Architecture Top 50 - and today provides services to the domestic sector within the field of architecture. We invited the firm’s sole proprietor to talk us through the wide range of services provided.

Gateway Architectural Design specialises in:

• • • • • •

Home extensions; New build executive homes; Flat conversions; Feasibility studies; 3D Cad animation and visual presentation and; Planning and building control applications.

Some of the services offered to clients are: planning permissions; building control applications; feasibility studies; new build and extensions; as well as conversions and restoration work.

We specialise in providing a one to one service, that compliments clients requirements, which is both sustainable and cost effective in today’s buoyant economic market.

Thank you for your interest shown and we look far ward to carrying out project work with you and building up a long-term business partnership.

Feel free to email us for further information and your service requirements by contacting us at the email address here, or via our LinkedIn page at: www.linkedin. com/company-beta/920791

Company: Gateway Architectural Design Email: info@gwad.co.uk Web Address: www.gwad.co.uk Address: Charter Street, Leicester, LE1 3UD UK Telephone: +44 (0)7841 399 124

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Innovative Design and Planning Solutions The 2016 BUILD Awards - Design Excellence in the USA award winner is Boggs & Partners Architects, a firm offering professional services in the fields of architecture, interiors and master planning. We spoke to the firm’s Joseph Boggs to discover more about the firm’s strong reputation for its innovative design and planning solutions.

Boggs & Partners Architects is a firm focused on design excellence, mobility, communications and service. Their commitment lies in offering expanded services in an increasingly competitive global marketplace - and in providing clients with the necessary resources to maximise real estate assets - by planning and designing facilities in support of organisational objectives.

government facilities. We have received international acclaim for its innovative design and planning solutions.

Headquartered in Annapolis, MD; the firm is organised to facilitate the proper and efficient execution of projects on a global scale. Joseph Boggs explains more about the firm’s renown, something of its background and what sets them apart in the wider industry.

“What makes us unique is our undoubted passion for the client’s best interests, which includes award winning design solutions.”

“Boggs & Partners Architects have been responsible for the design of commercial, corporate, healthcare, retail, residential and

“We have been in existence for 21 years now. During this time, we have seen a rapid change in design technology with computer-aided design, which allows virtually anything to be designed and constructed as well as construction materials which are constantly evolving

Joseph then turns his thoughts towards how Boggs & Partners Architects ensures the best possible outcome for each client, their overall aims and what strategies they employ to achieve this, as well as the firm’s key principles.

“It requires a good client to achieve a great design and final product, so we need to listen.

what the future holds for the wider industry and the Boggs & Partners Architects.

“We engage our clients to express what their short-term and long-term goals for the project are - we try to understand the present-day value – plus the long-term view of costs and design intent.

“The Levy Center and Jewish Chapel at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md is our most successful project to date. The most important thing we learnt from working on this, is that a designed space to spiritually move people, is a very sensitive undertaking.

“We strive to be current with all the sustainable, green and forward thinking technology methodologies that are available.”

When it comes to creating innovative solutions to maintain the firm’s success, Joseph reveals there is no proven formula; but they can certainly ‘work through the problem’ by utilising their talent and professional experience. Bringing the interview to a close, Joseph explains what the firm’s most successful project to date is and

“We believe that the future for your industry is a design-build one. In terms of how we see the market changing over the next 12 months, the firm can see that projects and funds are loosening following the US Presidential election.

“Our future aspirations as a firm are very clear and can be described in a nutshell. We aspire to be a global firm for design projects.”

Company: Boggs & Partners Architects Name: Joseph Boggs FAIA NCARB Email: jb@boggspartners.com Web Address: www.boggspartners.com Address: 410 Severn Avenue Annapolis, Maryland 21403 USA Telephone: +1 410 268 3797

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RPS Energy helps clients develop natural energy resources across the complete asset life cycle, combining our technical and commercial skill with a wide knowledge of environmental issues.

rpsgroup.com/

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Successful and Trusted Property Professionals Graham & Co has been described as the leading estate & letting agent in Andover & Whitchurch, so it is very fitting indeed that they were selected as part of the Property Management Awards. We invited the firm’s Wayne Turpin to reveal more about this successful firm of successful and trusted property professionals.

Graham & Co are a family run business, covering estate agency and lettings. We work on a high-level customer service level and have managed to build the business over many years to be the dominant agent within the area, selling three times as many properties as our nearest competitor.

The team at Graham & Co has worked hard over the years to build a reputation of being the most successful and trusted property professionals in Andover and Whitchurch. Our sales and lettings team focus heavily on providing excellent customer service and have built up a rapport with clients for repeat business.

We believe that our fantastic track record is down to our professional frank approach to property matters, plus a commitment to customer service combined with an experience and knowledge of the local area, which is second to none. Above all, we do care and love what we do, indeed finding people property for people to call home is incredibly rewarding.

Our offices are set in prime town centre locations in both Andover and Whitchurch, where a member of our team will be happy to discuss any questions regarding the sale or letting of a property, seven days a week.

Graham & Co use the latest technology - with an excellent computer package which ensures that all clients are kept fully informed if they wish by email or text - and we have a town centre office which is open seven days a week.

In addition, we still advertise heavily within the local paper and community. We have also opened a second office in Whitchurch, which has taken the town by storm and already within six months, has become the top listing agent within the area.

Reiterating an earlier point, we have a team here who have worked together for many years and can offer our clients, whether buying or selling, the highest level of service plus fantastic feedback with existing sales, buying, selling or letting. It is true to say that we are always looking at new marketing strategies, as we move into the future, to ensure that we adapt to changes in the market climate.

Company: Graham & Co Name: Wayne Turpin Email: wayne@grahamco.co.uk Web Address: www.grahamco.co.uk en-gb.facebook.com/grahamcoandover Address: 13 London Street Andover, SP10 2NU UK Telephone: +44 (0)1264 356 500

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