COLUMN
ON SITE WITH SYKES CHRISTOPHER SYKES I S A N A R C H I T E C T W H O T R A I N E D AT T H E B A R T L E T T S C H O O L O F A R C H I T E C T U R E AT U N I V E R S I T Y C O L L E G E LO N D O N . A F T E R H E Q U A L I F I E D , H E W O R K E D I N B O T H LO N D O N A N D S W E D E N . H AV I N G W I D E N E D H I S W R I T I N G A N D J O U R N A L I S T I C S K I L L S , H E S U B S E Q U E N T LY S TA R T E D H I S O W N P U B L I S H I N G C O M PA N Y S P E C I A L I S I N G I N B U I L D I N G M A G A Z I N E S A N D E V E N T S . A S A H O B B Y, H E U S E D T O W R I T E S I T C O M F O R T H E B B C .
The modular Red House is the latest addition to the ‘Home by Urban Splash’ portfolio
The winner of Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year in 2017
SPRING FORWARD
by award-winning architect firm shedkm. It offers the boldest and most modern aesthetic to date, characterised by vibrant red cladding and oversized floor-to-ceiling windows. It comes in a choice of three sizes with the same footprint; two-storey, two-and-a-half-storey with a roof terrace and threestorey with a fantastic master suite. As with all House by Urban Splash homes, layouts can all be customised by the buyer to suit their lifestyle and taste.
The latest RIBA CPD theme focuses on the ‘bubble’ that surrounds us as we live, play and work indoors. It suggests that as the physical boundary between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building, the building envelope must keep its users safe while also addressing the practicalities of day-to-day living. Many of the manufacturers and service providers which these CPDs feature are industry leaders in providing that protection. It reminds us that many of their popular seminars are still available online. Below are a selection of other pre-spring observations.
AJ Retrofit Award This winner from a host of interesting others is a project that transformed an unloved 1970s Brutalist council office in Euston into a hotel – a scheme the judges described as “remarkable”. The building was originally designed by Camden Council’s in-house architects as an annexe to the town hall. Despite being identified as detracting from the character of the local conservation area, Orms and its client Crosstree Real Estate Partners worked to retain it, converting it into a 266-bed boutique hotel while retaining 94% of the primary structure including basement and piling. FC&A – APRIL – 2021
Interior design trends 2020 Market Recap Evidence of the impact that COVID-19 has had on homeowners and renters has come to the fore now and will likely keep shaping how we design residential spaces for years to come. Interior Design Studio Fibre’s newsletter spotlights that popularity of the home office has increased by 39% in the third quarter of 2020. Insights into several health and wellness categories also showed demand for exercise rooms and flexible spaces within homes, in addition to products for improving indoor air quality. The requirement for task lighting also rose in popularity. This has meant that more than ever, renters are aware of the importance of sound-proofing, good natural light, efficiencies in layouts and accessibility to quality outdoor space. 2021 trends will see water filtration and air purification systems, plus innovative circadian electric lighting technology to promote regenerative sleep. Community apps will enhance residents’ daily lives to assist in connecting with each other and the wider community in helping to break down the social barriers we are seeing due to restrictions. Studies are showing a large majority of people would like to continue to spend at least half of their working week from home. Given this information, there is a huge expectation that residential design will ensure these growing demands are captured in a sympathetic way. All of the above has meant that the BTR (Build to Rent) sector is more relevant than ever.
The judges commended the three-storey extension for responding to the existing building – the addition clad in stainless steel, with columns threaded down through existing waffle slabs to the first-floor transfer slab. A reinstated public garden to the south reconnects the building to the local streetscape.
Modular housing addition Modern house-builder, House by Urban Splash, has introduced a new typology. Row House is the fourth to be added to its portfolio of modern homes. Like Town House and Mansion House before, Row House is designed 18
