FC&A May 2020 by Red Hut Media Ltd

FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT

ISSUE 123

MAY 2020

The Millboard Way. It’s ingrained. Detail. It’s in everything we do. It’s in everything we create. And it’s everything we are. In finding that elusive piece of beautiful weathered natural timber. In hand-moulding the perfect board, hand-finishing it and hand-painting it. In our mindset, our customer understanding and our reason for doing what we do. Beauty isn’t skin deep. It’s Millboard. Experience the detail, order your free sample at millboard.co.uk

Live.Life.Outside.

EDITOR’S NOTE Cross Platform Media LTD

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MAY 2020

EDITOR Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk P R I N T & D I G I TA L A D V E R T I S I N G Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Jim Moore jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Glenn Dixon glenn@crossplatformmedia.co.uk PRINT DESIGN MANAGER Jack Witcomb jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk D I G I TA L D E S I G N M A N A G E R Matt Morse matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk P R O D U C T I O N A S S I S TA N T Philip Coyle philip@crossplatformmedia.co.uk ACCOUNTS/CREDIT CONTROL Jackie Dearman jackie@crossplatformmedia.co.uk SALES SUPPORT & A D M I N I S T R AT O R Klare Porter klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

In this month’s issue, this aim of putting people first within the built environment shines brighter than ever before. Firstly, Architect Christopher Sykes reveals his opening column instalment with a piece on how sustainability and wellbeing encourage healthy town centres. Turn to page 20 to find out more about the community spirit we’re all encountering with a wellbeing-first viewpoint. Elsewhere in our May edition, we’ve interviewed Anna Broadbent, Senior Architect at Saunders Boston Architects, who has recently been appointed as Head of Sustainability. Flick to pages 08-09 to read up on Anna’s career and learn more about what Saunders Boston Architects has in store for the next year. And, last but by no means least, on page 22 we’ve talked to Jacqueline Hughes, Senior Risk Analyst at risk management consultancy, Equib, about what the construction industry could be doing to be that bit greener.

As always, our portfolio pages are brimming with inspirational projects from across the globe. This month, we’ve showcased two stunning yet vastly diverse projects. On page 12, we take a look at Greater Copenhagen’s new public transport landmark, Køge Nord Station. Designed by an architectural team from practices COBE and DISSING+WEITLING architecture, the resulting futuristic design has provided an eye-catching architectural attraction for the area. Meanwhile, on page 16, we take a look at a biophilic-inspired apartment in Amsterdam named ‘Freebooter’. Having recently won the ‘Large Apartment of the Year’ award at the Frame Awards 2020, the building’s materials were limited to wood, steel and glass. I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on FC&A’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply search www.fcamagazine.com.

Rebecca

REBECCA KEMP Editor, Future Constructor & Architect

ON THE COVER:

PUBLISHER Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Biophilic-inspired apartment Freebooter has recently won the ‘Large Apartment of the Year’ award at the Frame

Te r m s a n d C o n d i t i o n s : Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media Ltd. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non-publication of any advertisement.

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FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT MAGAZINE

s we strive to navigate through these difficult times, one essential trend is firmly manifesting in all industries – wellbeing. The breakout of the Coronavirus has locked thoughts of our health and wellbeing securely into the front of our minds. While many construction projects may temporarily be on hold, what’s certain is that when a sense of normality finally returns, both wellbeing and sustainability will be leading construction from the front.

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FC&A – MAY – 2020

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MAY CONTENTS

NEWS

INDU ST RY U PDAT E S :

ON SIT E W I T H S YK E S:

VOICE OF T HE I N DU S T RY:

BU SINE S S:

ECONOMY:

FC&A rounds up this month’s industry news, including awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

In his first instalment for 2020, Architect, Christopher Sykes takes to the pages of FC&A with his opening column on wellbeing and sustainability within the built environment.

Jacqueline Hughes, Senior Risk Analyst at Equib, discusses the importance of building in sustainability and forward planning at the design stage.

As modern attitudes shift towards prioritising eco-conscious behaviours, Actavo Direct explores how construction businesses can change tack and go green.

Alpa Bhakta, CEO of Butterfield Mortgages, discusses the changes made to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and the Government’s 2020 Spring Budget.

PORTFOLIOS

KØGE NORD S TAT I ON , C OB E AND DISSIN G + W E I T L I N G ARC H I T E C T U RE :

FREEBO OT E R, G G -LOOP:

Køge Nord Station was designed by an architectural team consisting of COBE and DISSING+WEITLING architecture.

Designed and developed by architect practice GG-loop, Freebooter – a small building located in the centre of the island of Zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam – is an expression of the studio’s signature and philosophy of responding to the design brief.

FEATURES

RCI:

DRAINAG E & L ANDS C A PI N G:

BriggsAmasco talks through its involvement in the green roof and waterproofing elements of London’s most recognisable landmark, Battersea Power Station.

Within urban regeneration schemes, pedestal systems that form unseen support to heavy paving are not given full thought. So, what do you need to consider? Julian Thurbin of Wallbarn investigates.

ACOU S T I C S & S OU N D: Sophie Weston at Geberit explores the significance of unwanted noise in the home and explains why a radical rethink of acoustic regulations in residential environments is needed.

BU ILD F OC U S : House-Building:

TECHN I C A L I NS I G HT: Timber:

As the number of new homes being built increases, how we manage water needs careful consideration. Here, Paul Winnett from Xylem Water Solutions shares key challenges and strategies house-builders should consider.

FC&A looks at the construction of Verksbyen, a new green neighbourhood in Fredrikstad, Norway, which showcases the future of sustainable living.

FC&A – MAY – 2020

INDUSTRY UPDATES

NE W S I N BR I E F: NEW YORKSHIRE OFFICE FOR EXPANDING ARCHITECT FIRM Architect firm Nicholson Nairn has opened a new Yorkshire office in a move to meet growth and demand for locally-based design and architectural services and expertise. The office in Otley is the latest phase of planned strategic growth by the architecture practice that will see its presence grow across Yorkshire and the wider region in the next few years. Led by Associate Gary Wilson, who brings extensive experience in delivering large-scale commercial and residential schemes, the new accommodation in a refurbished mill at Wharfebank Mills will offer options to more than double workspace as expansion continues in future. Nicholson Nairn, which is already involved in millions of pounds worth of residential and commercial property schemes, driving growth for the existing team of specialists, expects to recruit for additional roles in the next 12 months.

SIR ROBERT MCALPINE HELPS CONSTRUCT JERSEY NIGHTINGALE HOSPITAL Sir Robert McAlpine is helping to deliver a temporary Nightingale hospital as part of Jersey’s response to COVID-19. The Jersey Nightingale Hospital will create an additional 180 beds for coronavirus patients, who will be provided with acute, enhanced and ongoing levels of medical care, including oxygen provision but not invasive ventilation. Sir Robert McAlpine is working on the project alongside its J3 joint venture partners Garenne and FES. The hospital is under construction on Millbrook Playing Field and will be operational in the first week of May, less than a month after the decision was taken to build it. The Jersey Nightingale Hospital will provide the extra in-patient care capacity expected to be required on the island as the number of islanders needing medical support in hospital increases.

INDUSTRY U P D AT E S FC&A ROUNDS UP THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS AND UPDATES.

FOSTER + PARTNERS SHARES THE PROTOTYPE DESIGN FOR A REUSABLE FACE VISOR To aid the fight against COVID-19, Foster + Partners has designed a general-purpose prototype face visor, suitable for cleaning and reuse. It is specifically aimed at fast mass production. WWW.FOSTERANDPARTNERS.COM

oster + Partners is sharing the design templates and material specifications as an open-source design asset. This is to encourage both designers and, in particular, large-scale manufacturers to investigate the potential of digital and laser-cutting machines as an alternative to 3D printing technology. The prototype visor, designed by a team of industrial designers, model makers, architects and analysts, is made from three

components: a visor made from 0.5mm optically clear PETG, an interlocking soft PP headband and a surgical silicone rubber head strap that ties the two together. These are all cut on the practice’s digital flatbed cutter. Each visor can be cut from sheets in under 30 seconds, and the elements can be assembled in under a minute. With the firm’s single cutting machine, Foster + Partners was able to cut and assemble components for 1000 visor masks in a day,

PERSONNEL The latest appointments from the construction and architectural industries

BAKERHICKS STRENGTHENS TEAM

LEEDS-BASED FIRM BREWSTER BYE EXPANDS TEAM

BakerHicks has further strengthened its ground engineering capability with the appointment of Paul Hooton as Associate Engineer to lead the expansion of its dedicated ground engineering team. A Chartered Civil Engineer and Registered Ground Engineering Advisor, Paul brings extensive geotechnical experience and knowledge, having worked on numerous high-profile projects, including Manchester Metrolink airport line extension, Congleton Link Road and the East Coast Mainline power supply upgrade His skills have been deployed across multiple sectors, including rail, highways, utilities, commercial and local Government projects. WWW.BAKERHICKS.COM

FC&A – MAY – 2020

CPMG ARCHITECTS BOOSTS TEAM

Brewster Bye Architects has appointed three architectural assistants as part of its future talent development programme. Rebecca Hazzard joins as a RIBA Part 2 Architectural Assistant and Andrew Stanway and Ben Crayton as RIBA Part 1 Architectural Assistants. All three will work with the firm’s established teams on projects in the residential and commercial property sectors. Chris Austin, MD at Brewster Bye Architects, said: “Our latest talented trio are a welcome addition to our ever-expanding and experienced team.”

Following an exciting period of growth, CPMG Architects has announced two senior promotions within its head office team. Ruth Evans has been promoted to Associate and will head up and nurture a team of designers on the delivery of high-spec interior design schemes. Another long-serving member of the team, Jason Evans, has been promoted to Associate after initially joining the team in 2000, following his studies at the University of Derby. He has built up vast amounts of experience within CPMG, leading the delivery of work across the education, commercial, residential and transport sectors.

WWW.BREWSTERBYE.CO.UK

WWW.CPMG-ARCHITECTS.COM

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Image: ©Aaron Hargreaves/Foster + Partners

NEWS IN BR IEF: DMA WINS WEMBLEY HOTEL EXTENSION CONSENT Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) has hit the back of the net with consent for 18 additional rooms at the popular Best Western Plus Hotel, close by the landmark Wembley Stadium. In two successful simultaneous planning applications, DMA has redesigned the sub-basement car parking and added extensions to the rear of the existing hotel to increase the number of lettable rooms to 210. DMA has sensitively designed the additional volumes to avoid overpowering the hotel’s neighbours, allowing the extremely busy hotel to cater for more guests.

NHBC LAUNCHES FREE VIRTUAL TRAINING FOR HOUSE-BUILDING INDUSTRY

representing a reduction of days in the time taken to produce 3D-printed alternatives. The visors can be produced and assembled or flat-packed and distributed in large quantities in a short span of

time. An important advantage is that the visor can be easily disassembled, cleaned, sanitised and reused, addressing the growing shortage of raw materials for visor production. Foster + Partners is now

delivering these prototype visors to a number of London hospitals where they are being tested. The firm is also exploring means of getting the design approved for mass production and use by health workers. Image: ©Foster + Partners

REUSABLE FACE VISOR

SMALL VISOR

100mm Visor: 0.5mm PETG or equivalent Headband: 0.75mm Polypropylene (PP) or equivalent Strap: 1mm Silicone

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LARGE VISOR

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NHBC, the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK, has launched a series of free virtual training webinars to help support the sector during the COVID-19 outbreak. NHBC’s specialist training team will host webinars each day to help homebuilders and their supply chain keep up-to-date on a wide range of topics such as NHBC Standards, Building Regulations, Onsite good practice and Health and Safety requirements. Commenting on the new scheme, NHBC’s Head of Training and Analysis, Darryl Stewart, said: “During these uncertain times, we are pleased to be able to support the industry with a suite of virtual training, helping the sector make good use of their time whilst broadening individual skill sets. The daily webinars will be free to all NHBC customers and their supply chain. With content covering a wide spectrum of topics, we hope we have a little something for everyone.”

This design for a flat pack laser cut visor (the Design) is created and owned by Foster + Partners Limited and is licensed for non-commercial use under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International Public License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode#s2b) (“the CCL Terms”). As set out in Section 5 of the CCL Terms, no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the Design are given. By downloading and or using the Design files, you: · accept and agree to the CCL Terms. · acknowledge that: · this Design has been created by Foster + Partners in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic; · Foster + Partners has no prior expertise in the design and manufacture of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and therefore this Design has neither been made by reference to any specific regulations nor subject to any formal testing regime; · that any user of the Design shall assume all responsibility for developing the design in conformity with regulatory and testing requirements of any markets it intends to make the visor available in.

FC&A – MAY – 2020

INDUSTRY UPDATES

ARC H IT EC T I N P RO F I LE Anna Broadbent, Senior Architect at Saunders Boston Architects, trained at Kingston School of Art, the Royal College of Art and the University of Cambridge. Prior to qualifying, she worked at de Metz Forbes Knight and Carl Turner Architects. In 2008, she started her own company, focusing on high-end renovations and extensions for homes in London and conservation projects in the Home Counties. With a desire to work on larger-scale residential, mixed-use and more socially conscious regeneration projects, she joined Saunders Boston Architects in 2016. SAUNDERS BOSTON ARCHITECTS

ANNA BROADBENT is a Senior Architect at Saunders Boston Architects Mews house

Had you always wanted to pursue a career in architecture? I was an all-rounder at school with an equal passion for the arts, humanities, music and sciences; I was always designing things as a child and was naturally very creative. I had an acute sensitivity and interest in how the built environment can have an impact on the way we feel. Following a visit to the Pantheon in Rome, Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp Chapel and Chartres Cathedral as a teenager, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in architecture.

www.saundersboston.co.uk FC&A – MAY – 2020

What has been your greatest influence and source of inspiration? The beauty of nature and old European cities never cease to inspire me. As well as the world around us, the architects that have most influenced me and my work are Peter Zumthor, Glenn Murcutt, Carlo Scarpa, Alva Aalto and Frank Lloyd Wright, to name a few. I also like to draw inspiration from sculptors and artists such as James Turrell and Olafur Eliasson, who investigate the materiality of light as a medium of perception and explore the sensory experience of space, materials and time. 8

What has been your most notable project to date? For me, notable projects are ones that aim to regenerate the local area creating a sense of community and that provide a sustainable design. As such, the projects that I’ve worked on and that I’m the most proud of are the designs for 10 eco houses in the Scottish Highlands; a high-end renovation and extension to a mews house in Kensington which adopted air source heat pumps, a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system, a water filtration system and smart temperature sensors and controls, creating an energy-efficient and intelligent urban dwelling; and a 100% affordable housing scheme in Willingham, Cambridgeshire.

within the context, but most importantly how it will benefit and add value to the client, users and wider community. I am always mindful of our client’s brief and budget, but like to explore ways in which we can push projects to exceed expectations and create elements of surprise and delight within the limitations set. I like to investigate the varying possibilities of materials at the early design stages with consideration of the patina, texture, proportion, light and scale of the project creating the design aesthetic. Creating buildings is a very collaborative process; I find constant discourse and good communication with all members is key throughout all design stages.

How do you approach your projects? When approaching new projects, I always start with the brief and an analysis of the site. I like to sketch ideas out on paper and use the process of drawing to think through the possibilities and constraints of the project. At the start of any project, I undertake a lot of research and like to consider the materials, quality of light, orientation and how the proposal will be experienced

What do you think is the greatest challenge for designing in sustainability? The climate emergency is now acknowledged, and there is widespread support for an acceleration of the transition to net-zero-carbon by 2030. Knowledge and skills of how to design and deliver net-zerocarbon buildings are required; for both in operational energy and for emissions from the construction process.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

New hotel in Peterborough

Essential information on materials and products is sparse, and there needs to be a better understanding and analysis of how we use buildings, and how we can create buildings that last for centuries, not decades. It is understood that to attain a net-zero-carbon building, it currently costs more than standard construction; therefore, there is often no commercial incentive for our clients. Due to this, it is a necessity to integrate sustainable design features at early development stages and demonstrate the long-term financial gains to ensure that the building remains sustainable throughout its lifetime – this will also help highlight its worth to the client. As architects, we have a responsibility to ensure that sustainability is not seen as just a passing trend and that also social, health and wellbeing factors are considered just as much within our work. It’s important to balance sustainability, function and aesthetics in projects, and need to take a more holistic approach between design, materials and building systems. What is your favourite building and why? Peter Zumthor’s Therme Vals in Switzerland; a truly sensory experience of hot and cold, water, light, shadows, reflection, texture, raw materials and breath-taking views that connect you with the surrounding landscape. I love Zumthor’s work because he does not have a specific style

or repetitive choice of material – his buildings are always heavily rooted in the context, the history of the place and the phenomenological experience. He states that his goal is to “create emotional space”, which I think creates masterful architecture that has the power to uplift and move you.

New library project

What do you think is the greatest challenge for architects today? Addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring projects retain a strong ethical position that gives meaning by engaging to the world around us to avoid empty aesthetic rhetoric. I believe architecture needs to achieve a balance between innovation, function, beauty, quality, social and ecological sustainability and a cultural, historical connection to its place, together with the commercial realities of client requirements. We also need to ensure that our work serves not just our clients, stakeholders and users but the wider community. As architects, we have the power to tackle health and wellbeing, loneliness and we need to ensure that our designs are inclusive and adapt to the various and changing needs of the elderly, young and physically impaired.

Station Road, Willingham

also its 50th year in Cambridge. With a workforce of now approximately 60-strong, the future holds a period of growth for the company. In my recent reappointment as Head of Sustainability, we hope to take some pioneering strides

What can we expect to see from Saunders Boston Architects over the next year? This is an important year for Saunders Boston Architects, as we have celebrated not only the practice’s centenary, but 9

in sustainability, and become a leading example of how architecture can shape the future by delivering high-quality and innovative designs that reduce carbon footprints and improve the lifetime energy efficiency of projects. FC&A – MAY – 2020

COATINGS & FIXINGS

INDUSTRIAL APPEAL WITH A BRIGHT EXTERIOR Powdertech Evolution finish has been used to bring a stunning industrial, yet bright aspect to The Mayson, a new boutique hotel in Dublin’s regenerated Docklands. POWDERTECH CORBY

he building combines two protected buildings on the city’s North Wall Quay – a traditional dockers’ pub and a 19th-century timber warehouse. A critical aspect of the design was to restore and knit the two buildings together in a way that preserved their industrial legacy. The hotel is a landmark feature in the Dockland area, sitting on North Wall Quay overlooking the River Liffey, a testing marine environment for architectural metalwork, making their protection

www.powdertechcorby.co.uk FC&A – MAY – 2020

paramount. A Corten-like finish had been suggested for the exterior metal fins, to look like rusted steel. Powdertech Evolution finishes all conform to ISO 12206 and Qualicoat performance specifications and emulate metal patination without the complications of rusty water run-off or staining of surrounding materials. The client chose one of the brightest finishes – ‘Sahara’. This dynamic finish gives the impression of a changing appearance depending on the light, and shines in full

sunlight, complementing the red brick of the former dockers’ pub. Powdertech coated 2100 linear metres of box-section aluminium to form 150 vertical fins of 14m in length extending on the upper storey of the building. A marine-grade epoxy-polyester primer was applied after a high etch-rate pre-treatment and before the ‘Sahara’ coating in order to ensure excellent protection. The building retains its heritage and brings a distinctly warming glow to the entire area, even on a dull day.

pcl@powdertech.co.uk 10

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FC&A – MAY – 2020

KØGE NORD STATION, COBE AND DISSING+WEITLING ARCHITECTURE

A SLITHER OF MODERNISM In early summer 2019, the new traffic hub Køge Nord Station was officially opened – featuring a spectacular footbridge, a station and a park area that form a significant hub for green mobility as well as a unique example of Danish architecture and engineering. Køge Nord Station was designed by an architectural team consisting of COBE and DISSING+WEITLING architecture. COBE

All photographs © Rasmus Hjortøj

FC&A – MAY – 2020

KØGE NORD STATION, COBE AND DISSING+WEITLING ARCHITECTURE

øge Nord Station was officially opened by Crown Prince Frederik at an event on May 31st, 2019. The event marked the opening of the new gateway to Copenhagen, which provides access to more efficient and sustainable transport for everyone going to and from the nation’s capital.

And that is not all. For Køge and the rest of the region, the new project adds a landmark of international dimensions. The 225m-long footbridge connects the new double-track highspeed rail line between Copenhagen and the city of Ringsted with the existing commuter urban-suburban S-train line above the Køge Bugt Highway. The striking, futuristic design is apt for an area that is currently undergoing tremendous transformation, and the bridge is going to act as a catalyst for growth and development in the Køge area in coming years.

FOOTBRIDGE PLAN

Drawing © COBE and DISSING+WEITLING architecture

FC&A – MAY – 2020

KØGE NORD STATION, COBE AND DISSING+WEITLING ARCHITECTURE

KØGE NORD STATION SECTION

Drawing © COBE and DISSING+WEITLING architecture

Dan Stubbergaard, Architect and Founder of COBE, said: “Together, we have designed a landmark for the development that the city of Køge is currently undergoing. A development driven by innovation, pioneering spirit and a bold outlook that is embodied by the station bridge and the related facilities. The bridge is also a new architectural attraction for the area; a long, spectacular steel snake sinuously extending above the railway lines and offering the users a magnificent panoramic view of the cultural landscape. Moreover, Køge Nord Station is an important pillar and catalyst in the larger vision plan for Køge and the larger region, which places a high priority on attracting qualified labour and creating optimal, green and sustainable transport options in the area. “It is our hope, and our firm conviction, that Køge Nord Station will contribute to this future vision.” The station architecture and technical design promote ‘the good travel experience’, where the flow inside the covered bridge is designed to offer both an open view to the north and smaller apertures in the interior wood panels toward the south. That offers views of the outside and an intimate feel as well as a good flow and zones for pausing. “People spend many hours of their life in transit,” added Jesper B. Henriksen, Architect and Partner at DISSING+WEITLING architecture. “That’s why we sought to give the footbridge a quality that goes beyond the purely functional and practical. The interior space is covered with wooden slats that provide a warm, tactile experience in transit and waiting situations. It is, quite simply, a welcoming and inviting space, unlike what you often see in stations and transport facilities. The interior space is contrasted by the smooth, cool aluminium exterior that enters into a dialogue with the infrastructural expression of the place. Banedanmark took a bold and visionary approach, both when they announced the competition and when they picked the winning proposal. As a result, we can now enjoy an architectural beacon capable of branding the region and demonstrating the capability of Danish architects and engineers. The bridge has ‘postcard potential’, but the main point is the effect and the influence the project will have on so many people’s everyday lives.”

www.cobe.dk FC&A – MAY – 2020

KØGE NORD STATION, COBE AND DISSING+WEITLING ARCHITECTURE

KØGE NORD STATION SECTION

Drawing © COBE and DISSING+WEITLING architecture

FC&A – MAY – 2020

FREEBOOTER, GG-LOOP

Photograph © Michael Sieber

BIOPHILIA SETS SAIL IN THE NETHERLANDS Freebooter is a small building located in the centre of the island of Zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam, facing the IJ river, consisting of two duplexes of 120m2 each. GG-LOOP

FC&A – MAY – 2020

Photograph © Francisco Nogueira

Photograph © Francisco Nogueira FREEBOOTER, GG-LOOP

ensitive to Dutch history, customs and culture, the project took The Netherlands’ maritime past as its starting point. Freebooter thus becomes a modern ‘ship on land’, with many references to the wind, water and sailing. The project’s name itself is a reference to the historical figure of the ‘Freebooter,’ private freelancers who assembled teams of sailors to explore the high seas. As well as acknowledging Dutch innovation and the nations’ pioneering nature, it was the spirit of the Freebooter that Project Architect, Designer and GG-loop Founder Giacomo Garziano sought to deliver to the apartments, by bringing together a highly qualified team of craftsmen and carpenters to help him achieve his vision.

Photograph © Francisco Nogueira

Photograph © Michael Sieber

Architectural choices The main materials of the building, like a ship’s hull, were limited to wood, steel and glass. The floorplan of each apartment, referencing a ship’s layout, is organic and free-flowing with step-inclines to spaces that are designed to envelop and ‘unfold’ as the inhabitant moves through it. One of the most important features of Freebooter is its use of light. GG-loop conducted a year-round study of light conditions to create the optimal shape and positioning of the structure’s louvres. This parametric facade enabled the optimal distribution of light while simultaneously allowing for an appropriate level of privacy. The project is made of a hybrid structure of crosslaminated timber (CLT) and steel, and was prefabricated offsite, allowing for an exceptionally fast build time of three weeks for the four floors. Finishing the block took six months.

Photograph © Michael Sieber

Unique properties

Photograph © Francisco Nogueira 17

Designed and developed by GGloop, the project is an expression of the studio’s signature and philosophy of responding to the design brief with the experience and wellbeing of the end-user continuously in mind. “Our first residential building in Amsterdam represents the quality standards of our future projects, based on high energy efficiency, high-quality interior spaces and natural materials. FC&A – MAY – 2020

FREEBOOTER, GG-LOOP

Photograph © Francisco Nogueira

Photograph © Michael Sieber

FC&A – MAY – 2020

Photograph © Francisco Nogueira FREEBOOTER, GG-LOOP

“The floorplan, flow of spaces and organic lines were also created with careful consideration of daily use and the typical tasks of dwellers – in short, so the home is a healthy and productive habitat for rest and living,” says Giacomo Garziano, Architect and Founder at GG-loop.

Production Celebrating craftsmanship in contemporary design, this building of two tailor-made apartments harmonises form and function on a meticulously designed plan. With a striking exterior, it has become a central point of the district; the block opens onto a compact interior plan revealing combinations of windows, wooden interiors and high-quality finishes, with open organic curves that walk through comfortable living spaces, promoting a feeling of wellbeing and a connection to nature.

Photograph © Francisco Nogueira

Research The project is the result of in-depth research in the field of timber construction. The hybrid system in CLT and steel structure was developed throughout the design process to optimise interior space and time of construction.

Study In the initial studies, comparative tests were made between a concrete structure and the CLT structure. The latter has proven to be the most qualitative solution, thanks to its structural performance and its optimisation of construction time, and also its carbon footprint since wood naturally stores CO2. The impact on the cost of an efficient CLT structure is less than 10%, compared to a concrete solution.

Energy and environment The building’s energy consumption is close to 0. This result is the combination of 24 solar panels on the roof, high-performance wall insulation and glass walls, coupled with low-temperature underfloor heating and a mechanical and natural ventilation system. 98% of the wood used is PEFC certified. With 122.5m3 of wood used, the building stores nearly 80 tonnes of CO2, offsetting nearly 700,000 km of exhaust gas from a mid-range car and the energy consumption of 87 homes in one year. “We are part of nature in a deep and fundamental way, but in our modern lives, we’ve lost that connection,” says Giacomo Garziano. “Our studio envisions home and city design that respects both inhabitants and the environment, reconnecting both in the process. “Freebooter is a response to that; as I see biophilic design as the key to truly innovative design, balancing the technical aspects of environmentally conscious construction with the qualitative, lived-in experience of an organic and natural space.”

Photograph © Michael Sieber

www.gg-loop.com 19

FC&A – MAY – 2020

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 .

WELLBEING AND SUSTAINABILITY ENCOURAGE HEALTHY TOWN CENTRES

hat is changing is the capacity of a building to function in many different ways over its life. For example, designing a building with a modular and integrated approach to infrastructure delivery and interior systems allows it to support multiple uses and multiple futures. This is certainly true in Europe. With cities having less space to build on, new solutions have also emerged to integrate sport and movement inside the built environment itself. Good examples are running tracks in schools and gardens in hospitals. The essential characteristics of a good public environment are accessibility and flexibility, inviting and comfortable, separate zones and movement areas which are sustainable, comfortable and green. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, public buildings – such as hospitals, schools and leisure centres – must recognise and exhibit basic physical performance which is essential to their success and the appreciation of users. They have to be designed with a quality of invitational warmth and health. This is often lacking when many are built with too little insulation and breathability. In other words, their thermal mass must be used to best effect and insulating products and special measures incorporated. Not only do these reduce running costs but the comfort and health of occupants are improved. Equally, and not always appreciated, is the importance of good acoustics. With so much hard surfacing and lack of absorbent materials, such as curtains and carpets, it is vital to address the subject of sound reverberation. The degree to which sound is absorbed will vary greatly between quiet social and study leisure

Two major benefits, surprisingly, have come along in the wake of Coronavirus. These are a greater awareness of the community (the wartime spirit) and greater awareness about keeping healthy, active and interested (both personal and public). The best architects and designers have always realised that these factors are fundamental to the success and appreciation of welldesigned public buildings.

FC&A – MAY – 2020

areas to crowded shopping places racked by the noise of the masses and jubilant children. A good solution is the installation of acoustic panels on ceilings and walls, such as 100% Troldtekt natural woodwool panels. These, widely specified throughout the UK and Europe, have vital benefits which include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. Also important is natural daylight which most people love. This should be invited into public buildings to maximise diffused daylighting and thermal insulation. A good example of how this is achieved is translucent Kalwall cladding. This allows for diffused daylight to be cast deep into the interior without the irritation of shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. This product has a unique ability to distribute large amounts of usable light with relatively low levels of solar heat gain means less radiant energy transmitted. Coupled with excellent diffusion, it eliminates hot spots and glare. Importantly, energy-consuming artificial lighting and air conditioning costs are dramatically reduced. Clearly, the indoor environment has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort and productivity. Among other attributes, a sustainable building maximises daylighting, has appropriate ventilation and insulation, optimises acoustic performance and avoids the use of the wrong materials. In addition, sustainable design allows for a building to adapt to different environments and conditions. Let’s see more designers putting all these principles in practice and enjoy how town centres will adapt and change in the future.

COUNTRY COLOUR • The wood structure remains visible • All colours can be mixed with each other • Weather-resistant and robust against small damages • Resistant to saliva and perspiration, suitable for children’s toys

www.osmouk.com

FIRE DOOR HARDWARE As important as the door

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Door Stays Vision Frames Louvres Door Viewers Flush Bolts Panic & Emergency Exit Hardware

FIND OUT MORE AT: WWW.ZEROPLUS.CO.UK ZERO SEAL SYSTEMS LTD: 01785 282910

FC&A – MAY – 2020

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

MAKING THE SUSTAINABLE SWITCH With sustainability high on the corporate agenda, many construction businesses are looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint by choosing greener building materials, some even made from waste carbon dioxide. But could they be doing more? EQUIB

F JACQUELINE HUGHES I S A S E NI O R R I SK ANALY ST AT RISK M A N AG E MENT C O NS U LTANC Y, E Q UI B . S HE S PEC I AL I S ES I N ADVISIN G O RG A N I S AT I O NS O N HO W TO M A N AG E R I SK WHEN FI NANC IN G O R D E L I V ER I NG L ARG E-S C AL E I NF R A S T RU C T U R E PRO G R AM MES.

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rom start-ups turning construction waste into bricks to businesses engineering wood for optimum carbon storage, the world of sustainable building materials is growing at a rapid pace. However, for a sector used to tight operating margins, cost considerations still sometimes take priority. Many industry experts believe that fiscal incentives are needed to accelerate change in the sector, encouraging contractors to make use of the eco-friendly alternatives that now exist. While solving the issue of climate change is an inherently global problem, it’s something the UK can’t afford to ignore when considering the risks posed to large-scale

construction and infrastructure programmes. With global heating causing more intense rainfall and a continued rise in sea levels, more investment is urgently needed to ensure structures are built to last and aren’t exacerbating environmental risks. In order to ensure these risks are properly managed, project managers should have a clear understanding of what they are aiming to achieve and the fundamental requirements of the programme. Having an appreciation of what sustainability means within the context of the programme is crucial – for example, does it refer to the longevity of the building, its environmental impact or both? 22

Before deciding to prioritise sustainability, a cost-benefit analysis should be carried out at an early stage, taking account of the environmental impact of any suggested product switches. While they may have long-term benefits, eco-friendly materials are often more expensive and, in some cases, they may not provide enough benefit to justify the outlay. However, it is worth bearing in mind that landowners and clients are beginning to factor sustainability benefits into the bidding process for projects. As corporate social responsibility gains traction, developers and main contractors keen to do their bit for the environment may find themselves more likely to win work.

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

To aid decision-making, project managers must ensure that stakeholders understand the whole-life cost of each specified material, as well as any risk factors and the benefits it might bring to the environment. When setting objectives for the project, for example, each individual risk factor should be considered, including those associated with climatic uncertainties such as fluctuating temperatures. To avoid introducing materials that increase risk, project managers should take each risk into account and propose a specific mitigation strategy. By planning ahead in this way, designs can be amended at an early stage, whereas later on, the cost of any re-works or remediation further down the line could be significant, as well as disruptive. While a commitment to use sustainable materials is a positive step forward, such decisions could have far-reaching consequences, and it is important that these are considered fully at the outset. While sustainable materials such as timber are wellsuited to housing, they would not support the structural load of a skyscraper, for example. In some instances, it may make sense to specify the use of a more robust material, as opposed to something more sustainable, to improve the structure’s resilience to the effects of climate change post-completion. In other instances, it may be possible to find a compromise by choosing durable materials made from waste products. The ‘Absolute Zero’ report, published at the end of last year by researchers from a group of UK-based universities, highlighted the wastefulness of current methods of construction and the environmental impact of many commonly-used building materials. The report states that the industry uses half of all steel and cement produced globally and is responsible for 30% of its carbon emissions. If the UK is to stand a chance of achieving its target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, this will need to be addressed by the industry as a whole. Among the key changes required is a commitment to avoid over-specification and over-design, at the same time as ensuring structural optimisation and finding ways to re-use waste materials. When sourcing products, environmental impacts and risk factors associated with transporting them to site should also be taken into account. For example, it may well be more environmentally friendly to use by-products from local construction projects, quarry wastage and other industries, than to import ‘sustainable’ materials from further afield. Whilst this attitude of ‘use more; emit less’ is great in theory, the risks associated with using sustainable materials must be weighed up carefully. By prioritising environmental considerations at the design stage, project managers can effectively derisk sustainable construction projects and infrastructure programmes, while delivering benefits that stand the test of time.

www.equib.co.uk 23

FC&A – MAY – 2020

BUSINESS

CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONSTRUCTION: HOW BUSINESSES CAN PLAY THEIR PART The building and construction sectors have come under fire for their contributions to climate change, with the industry churning out 39% of the world’s carbon emissions – with operational emissions accounting for 28% and the remaining 11% from embodied or upfront carbon (from materials and construction processes), writes Sam Tracey, Regional SHEQ Advisor at Actavo Direct. ACTAVO DIRECT

s modern attitudes shift towards prioritising eco-conscious behaviours, Sam explores how businesses can change tack and go green.

Choose your materials Always look for sustainable options. Common building materials like concrete and steel are unsustainable as their production requires mining limited resources and they’re generally difficult – if not impossible – to salvage and reuse. Consider sustainable alternatives. For example, materials like bamboo, cork and ‘hempcrete’, which are increasingly being used for their abundance, rapid re-growth, sustainable sourcing and high strength-toweight ratios. Green insulation methods should also be considered. Sheep’s wool is a sustainable resource which reduces reliance on artificial heat devices. And ‘hempcrete’ is becoming more popular thanks to its moistureregulating and thermo-insulating properties.

Making a splash Reducing water waste and boosting efficiency is key to sustainability. The way we perform construction tasks is being reFC&A – MAY – 2020

evaluated after a UK industry commitment to reduce water use by 20% was announced. Leaking pipes, dust suppression systems and toilet flushing systems are among the worst offenders. Check your equipment regularly – if you notice wear and tear or leaks, it’s your responsibility to get it replaced or patched up to avoid water waste. Dust suppression systems are notoriously inefficient. Consider switching to hydraulic spinning systems that are 90% more efficient than conventional systems, saving you on cost and waste in the long-term. Toilets and urinals also contribute to waste due to their inefficient use of water. Installing modern low-flush or dual-flush toilets and motion-sensor urinals can cut water waste by 50%.

Keep it in-house Prefabrication construction techniques have hit a year-on-year growth rate of 6%, with rising demand for more efficient construction. Manufacturing parts in controlled factory conditions and transporting them to the site saves on energy and material waste and reduces noise pollution on busy sites. 24

They’re also easy to disassemble and move to a new site and can reduce energy demand by up to 82%, according to some studies. Being able to reuse panels means you save on materials on new builds too, reducing plastering, timber formwork and concrete waste by as much as 100%.

Reducing paper waste The construction industry is notoriously under-digitised. However, with investment in tech expected to rise in the next few years, physical construction and admin tasks are expected to become more efficient. Switching to data management systems and incorporating AI and BIM into your projects alleviates reliance on paper, reduces time spent on tedious admin tasks and increases productivity, with better results and a higher degree of accuracy – meaning less material waste. BIM systems include 3D planning features that allow the user to create model structures with greater accuracy, meaning fewer mistakes when it comes to building.

www.actavodirect.com

ECONOMY

GOVERNMENT CHANGES TO STAMP DUTY LAND TAX On 11th March, the recently appointed Chancellor Rishi Sunak presented the Government’s 2020 Spring Budget. The majority of the announcements focused on the short-term economic relief to those consumers and businesses affected by COVID-19. However, the Government also took the opportunity to follow through on the tax reforms it had originally touted in the lead up to the 2019 General Election. BUTTERFIELD MORTGAGES

he main tax announcement concerning property investors had to do with changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for non-UK residents. While the reform will not be coming into force until April 2021, now is an ideal time to review the impact such a change to SDLT is likely to have on property investment in both the immediate and long-term.

A reform long in the making A 3% surcharge on property purchases made by non-UK residents was originally included in the Conservative Party’s 2019 General Election manifesto. The aim of the reform is to help control house price inflation and assist UK residents to move up the housing ladder. Since the EU referendum in 2016, the value of the pound has been fluctuating. As a result, international investors have been taking advantage of the low value of the pound to purchase UK real estate at competitive prices. In the 2020 Spring Budget, the Government did indeed announce a surcharge, though it is more restrained than what was initially proposed. The

ALPA BHAKTA IS TH E C E O O F BUTTE RF IE L D M ORTG AG E S, PA RT O F TH E BUTTE RF IE L D GRO U P A N D A S UBS IDIA RY O F TH E BA NK OF N .T. BUTTE RF IE L D & S O N . BUTTE R F I E L D M O RTGAGE S IS A LO N DO N -BA S ED P R I ME P RO P E RTY M O RTGAGE P ROV IDE R WI T H A

additional SDLT surcharge for property investors is 2%, not 3%, and it will not come into force until 2021.

What will this surcharge mean for property investors? To understand the practical implications of the tax when it does eventually apply to international buyers of UK real estate, let’s consider the following example. If a non-UK resident is buying a buyto-let property valued at £800,000, the buyer would be subject to the initial 3% SDLT surcharge applicable to buy-tolet or second purchases. On top of this, they would also be liable to pay an additional £40,000 in SDLT based on the new reform. Many believe this delay in implementation, combined with ongoing currency fluctuations, will result in increased property transactions involving foreign buyers over the coming 12 months. As it stands, according to data from Hamptons Property, 55% of all prime central London (PCL) property purchases are made by international buyers. 25

PA RTIC UL A R F O C US O N TH E N E E D S OF U K A ND IN TE RN ATIO N A L H N W IN DIV IDUA L S.

Business as usual When the surcharge does become law, the Government predicts it will affect 70,000 of the UK’s 1.2 million annual property transactions and generate £105m in tax revenue between 2022 and 2023. For the moment, at least, it is very much business as usual. The bigger question is whether we are likely to see international investors looking to take advantage of new real estate opportunities prior to the new surcharge being introduced. The Government has also taken the added measure of scheduling a second budget in autumn 2020 – where we could see additional reforms to SDLT among a host of other changes to other tax frameworks. For now, investors will be eagerly watching to see how COVID-19 is affecting the UK property market and what reforms could be introduced in the 2020 Autumn Budget.

www.uk.butterfieldgroup.com FC&A – MAY – 2020

RCI

CITY REGENERATION PROJECT TRANSFORMING LIFE BENEATH BATTERSEA’S LANDMARK CHIMNEYS BriggsAmasco, a leading national commercial roofing company, is currently undertaking a complex multiple-roof installation as part of a spectacular redevelopment designed to transform one of London’s most recognisable landmarks into a highly-desirable mixed-use development. BRIGGSAMASCO

Phase one

attersea Power Station, with its towering white chimneys, has been an indomitable fixture on London’s skyline since its construction was fully completed in 1955. Located beside the Thames on the capital’s South Bank, the site has been largely derelict since the power station was decommissioned in the 1980s. A bold and imaginative plan was conceived in 2012 to convert the 39-acre site into a thriving minicity, replete with retail stores, restaurants and bars, a six-acre park, a community theatre and residential apartments. BriggsAmasco, with its proven track record for delivering a range of waterproof applications for complex, high-profile projects, was selected to install multiple roof systems for phases one and two of the eight-phase Battersea Power Station project.

FC&A – MAY – 2020

The initial phase involved the redevelopment of the site’s Circus West Village. Comprising 850 residential apartments – situated within a 12-storey residential block – retail facilities, theatre space, business studios and two levels of parking, the area is now home to more than 1000 residents. BriggsAmasco was selected by contractor, Carillion, to supply six green roofs and two lower-level roofs consisting of limestone paving for the residential blocks. This proved a logistically complex operation, due to the removal of cranes and external hoists from the site. It meant BriggsAmasco operatives had to transport project finishes including insulation, granite paving and green roofing materials to the highest point of the multi-storey buildings via a passenger lift system. 26

For the green roof installation, BriggsAmasco used a Hydrotech Monolithic hot-melt membrane, which was fully-bonded to the substrate. The system provides excellent roof protection and allows immediate access to waterproofed areas. Its membrane is designed to last a building’s lifetime, offering seamless, waterproof protection for podiums and highly-detailed water feature projects. Rigid extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS) provided the membrane’s insulation layer. Due to its compressive strength, XPS is ideal for specialist applications such as car park decks and inverted roofing. A plug plant system constituted the roof’s sustainable, green finish.

RCI

None of the green roofs, which are located between the tracks of an external Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) on every level of the complex, will be accessible to the building’s future occupiers. A glass balustrade lines the perimeter of each building level to help maintain the roofs’ inaccessibility and aesthetic appeal. Despite the logistical challenges, BriggsAmasco completed the green roof installation in April 2017, which was in accordance with the agreed timeframe.

Power station transformation Phase two of the Battersea Power Station project involves the regeneration of the Grade II Listed station itself. Its 21st-century repurposing will include approximately 100 new retail, food and drink outlets, a 2000-capacity events venue, 500,000ft 2 of new office space, and 253 new residential homes. As well as supplying multiple waterproofing systems such as green roofs, hot-melt and built-up felt to buildings throughout the revamped power station,

BriggsAmasco was requested by contractor Mace Group to re-waterproof the building’s famous white chimneys using mastic asphalt. In accordance with plans drawn up by architect firm WilkinsonEyre in consultation with Heritage England, the original chimneys were taken down and rebuilt in an identical fashion. To provide the new structures with long-term waterproof protection, BriggsAmasco applied mastic asphalt to the chimneys’ base at a thickness of 20mm, totalling 500m 2 over the four chimneys. Speaking of the chimneys’ waterproof application, Dave Maginnis, Managing Director at BriggsAmasco, said: “This element of the project was a challenge in terms of logistics, as the base of the chimneys is 18 floors above ground. It meant our installers needed to apply a high level of craftsmanship, traditional design knowledge and an understanding of the possibilities of using polymer modified mastic asphalt in order to achieve the required complex interfaces so that they last a further 60 years.”

Phase two of the Battersea Power Station project, which also includes the building of an energy centre and a six-acre public riverside park, is due for completion in late 2020. It will be open to the public in 2021, completing this historic building’s transformation from a relic to Britain’s industrial past, to a cornerstone of one of the most ambitious city 27

regenerations undertaken in the UK in modern times. The project’s long-term success will be due in part to BriggsAmasco’s waterproofing expertise, which will provide long-term protection for the site’s homes and businesses and the power station’s mighty white chimneys.

www.briggsamasco.co.uk FC&A – MAY – 2020

DRAINAGE & LANDSCAPING

GETTING UNDER THE SKIN OF PEDESTAL SUPPORTING ACTS Quality, attractive, high-performance hard landscaping is key to the successful completion of commercial and domestic projects, delivering a sense of community that adds place and value. But what lies beneath these beautifully designed areas is equally important to their performance and should not be overlooked, as Julian Thurbin, of specialist pedestal manufacturer Wallbarn, outlines. WALLBARN

rchitectural visions of how completed urban regeneration schemes will look frequently form part of public consultations and early planning applications, with computer-generated images giving life to how designers imagine the street scenes will look. Often these projects are beautiful with large areas of paving linking commercial and leisure activities with transport hubs, housing and ‘centrepiece’ attractions such as fountains or garden areas. The aesthetics and performance of these areas are integral to their success and rightly considered early in the development programme. Yet, all too often the pedestal systems that form the unseen support to what can be hundreds of square metres of expensive and heavy paving are not given full consideration. So what do you need to consider?

FC&A – MAY – 2020

Pedestals – the benefits

adjustable and heavyweight pedestal solutions. All provide a ‘floating floor’ with uniform, spirit-level flat surfaces and separate paving/decking from the base structure, improving drainage, protecting the surface beneath and avoiding the need for sand and cement.

Pedestals are used to support paving or decking at street level or on roof terraces or balconies. There are a wide variety of products on the market, from entry-level fixedheight solutions to self-levelling, 28

For many specifiers and end clients, a huge benefit of using pedestals is quick installation, the ability to cope with complex shapes and pitches and ease of maintenance – flooring elements such as slabs and decking can easily be removed for inspection or repair and services can be run in the space beneath. Selecting the correct system for a project depends upon its needs, complexity and weight of the paving. Consider if the site has differing levels, height thresholds or lightwells/roof windows/penetrations? For example, a roof deck may have blemishes or ridges where felt overlaps, or the thickness of paving slabs may differ slightly across a project. Both situations are perfect for self-levelling pedestals, which can also be used to create the required fall across a flat roof.

DRAINAGE & LANDSCAPING

Adjustable pedestals with a self-levelling headpiece would, for example, neatly complete a ground floor area required to be flush with the doorway threshold of a house or building without compromising the DPC. When in doubt, specifiers and contractors are encouraged to refer to pedestal manufacturers for assistance with product selection; leading suppliers offer design software, layout tools and other technical support for clients unsure which pedestal system best suits their needs. An easy way to spot hard landscaped areas supported by pedestals is to look for slim gaps just millimetres wide between pavers or decking strips. These gaps are formed when the slabs or decking are clicked into place on special lugs attached to headpieces. These lugs firmly hold the floor elements in position and the gaps facilitate drainage, with rainfall directed into established drainage channels beneath the hard landscaping, either at street or roof level. This system also creates an opportunity to collect the rainwater for recycling.

Pedestals are particularly popular for roof and balcony projects because they require no penetrations of roof membranes (there are no mechanical fixings), protect the roof finish, are more lightweight than bedding into mortar and are a quick and cost-effective way to transform unused and unattractive flat roof areas into attractive, usable spaces. They are also future-proof as they can be lifted to allow quick and easy access to the roof deck, should an issue arise with it.

For Wallbarn, pedestals are our core product and a market sector we have more than 40 years of experience in. We are a market leader in the UK and have supplied projects around the globe, from the Canadian Arctic Circle to Australia, Dubai to Hong Kong, USA to Zanzibar, South Africa to Iceland. We know that failures can happen when an inferior product is installed. Not only is it expensive; it poses an untenable risk to the public. A good example is a city centre project we were asked to inspect following the partial collapse of raised paving over a roof area accessible to the public; a member of the public had been injured, and there was a water leak. On site, we lifted slabs around the affected area and discovered that the architect’s specification for quality pedestals carrying independent laboratory certification had been disregarded in favour of a cheaper alternative where the injection moulded plastic pedestals included a large proportion of chemical fillers

Challenges Given that paved or decked public areas can be subject to high pedestrian traffic levels, it is really important to install a pedestal system that can withstand the required weight tolerance and elements longterm, offering suitable durability. It is a huge concern that we are seeing cheaper, inferior quality products enter the market which claim to be comparable to established, quality systems but which offer no independent testing, poor quality control, poor manufacturing provenance as well as doubtful proof of performance. 29

leading to the product becoming brittle in cold temperatures and shattering. The contractor was held liable for the claim, which included a personal injury claim and major refurbishment/ redecoration of the building. This is a stark example of what can go wrong and, while not common, demonstrates the inherent dangers in installing a cheaper product that does not offer clear evidence of proper independent product testing and certification or a track record of performance.

Conclusion Suspended pedestal systems are a quick and cost-effective method of boosting a building’s footprint by helping to repurpose unused and unattractive flat roof areas as well as providing an equally efficient and lowmaintenance support solution to large areas of urban paving. Given the investment that goes into these projects, it pays to get it right the first time.

www.wallbarn.com FC&A – MAY – 2020

ACOUSTICS & SOUND

A SOUND SOLUTION – ADDRESSING ACOUSTICS IN THE HOME

Lack of sound regulations

Increasing numbers of machines, people, buildings and technology means our world is getting noisier. And this issue isn’t just limited to the outside world, with new research by Geberit finding that unwanted noise inside the home affects more than half of us – and it’s having a direct impact on our wellbeing. Here, Sophie Weston, Channel Marketing Manager for Specification and Developer at Geberit, explores the significance of unwanted noise in the home, and why, in its new White Paper (A Sound Solution), it is calling for a radical rethink of acoustic regulations in residential environments. GEBERIT

e can all understand the enormous impact of persistent loud noises; in fact, the World Health Organisation, which has tracked noise levels for the past decade, portrays noise pollution as an ‘underestimated threat’. Yet, consider the noises we hear every day inside our homes. The ones perhaps not related to volume or pitch – a dripping tap, the whirr of an extractor fan, or even a flushing toilet. To get a great insight into the impact of these noises on our wellbeing, we surveyed more than 2000 people across the UK – and this highlighted a wider problem than we all may have first thought.

The noisy truth External noise, such as road, rail or air traffic, is something architects and specifiers are aware of the need to mitigate. Yet, FC&A – MAY – 2020

some may argue that, by combatting this external noise, increased insulation has highlighted internal noises – and even amplified them. It seems our survey reflected this, as more than a third of respondents (38%) agreed that they’re affected more by internal noises in the home than they are by the traffic outside. Further to this, more than half of respondents (51%) said this negatively impacted their wellbeing. The UK Green Building Council’s 2016 report, ‘Health and Wellbeing in Homes’, describes acoustics as a key element of designing “stress-free and restorative environments.” So, one could argue, this research might say that we’re letting homeowners down – which is no surprise considering the lack of regulations and guidance around sound-optimisation. 30

Our survey told us that bathroom sounds disrupt a quarter of us (28%) either at night or when relaxing and one in five (19%) told us that they were disturbed by noises relating to flushing toilets, taps or pipes and drains. And yet, despite bathroom elements directly touching walls and floors, we’re lacking clear regulations governing wastewater noise in new buildings. Solutions such as sound-optimised drainage and wall-hung toilets can, of course, help mitigate unwanted noise, yet UK regulations offer very little clarification around using these products. For instance, Building Regulations (2010) Approved Document E ‘Resistance to the passage of sound’, although stipulating that walls and floors should reduce sound transmission to conjoining rooms by 45 dB, doesn’t mention acoustically optimised products. Nor does it set maximum sound levels. Similarly, the only vague reference to reducing sanitary noise in BSI’s British Standard 8233:2014 ‘Guidance for Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction in Buildings’ states that water systems “are not to cause disturbance in normal use”. Meanwhile, the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission, an independent body advising Government on increasing highquality design for new homes, released a report proposing a new development and planning framework. Yet, its report didn’t once mention acoustic performance – suggesting that noise is at the bottom of both the environmental and wellbeing agenda.

ACOUSTICS & SOUND

Addressing the challenge Architects can make well-informed choices to reduce the impact of noise inside the home and, in turn, increase wellbeing. However, with a distinct lack of standards for new buildings around noise pressure from water systems, there’s no baseline figure for them to meet. Similarly, there isn’t a defined approach to testing, so no motivation for multiple suppliers working across one project to collaboratively undertake testing to ensure that they achieve the best acoustic rating, as is currently the case for heating or energy loss. Meanwhile, Germany’s DIN 410 acoustic standard outlines maximum acoustic levels in a building. It also outlines buildings’ sound insulation with requirements and verifications, as well as clear requirements on internal noise. It sets maximum requirements for sanitary noise at 30dV(A) in terms of LAFmax, n. Some leading manufacturers, of course, will work to adhere to these standards, but there is no baseline figure in UK guidelines around the sound pressure of water and drainage. Therefore, no minimum standard for architects and specifiers to meet.

Lowering the decibel So how we do overcome the issue? We’re all aware of the need to consider acoustics in buildings, and, no doubt, many of us in the industry are well aware of the necessary solutions to tackle unwanted noise in the home.

Yet, it remains a challenge for architects to specify a collaboratively tested solution throughout an entire building with a lack of recognised standards to adhere to. And the research we conducted speaks volumes – noise in the home is having a negative impact on wellbeing. 31

It’s time we revisited UK standards and outline maximum figures for sound pressures as well as fair testing – allowing architects and the wider construction industry to work collectively to ensure the best results for our end-users.

www.geberit.co.uk/acoustics FC&A – MAY – 2020

BUILD FOCUS: HOUSE-BUILDING

BUILD FOCUS:

HOUSE-BUILDING

FC&A rounds up the latest case studies, advice and stories from the industry’s leading professionals. This month’s Build Focus shines a light on the House-Building sector; with top tips on water management for house-builders working on new developments.

PAUL WINNETT HAVING WORKED IN THE BUILDING SERVICES AND INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS AT XYLEM FOR OVER 30 YEARS, PAUL WINNETT BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE CUSTOMISATION OF SOLUTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS AND DESIGNS ON THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE BUILDING SERVICES AND INDUSTRIAL MARKETS. HAVING WORKED ON A NUMBER OF LARGE-SCALE BUILDING AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS, HE HAS BUILT UP A STRONG BACKGROUND IN BEST PRACTICES AND HAS ALSO SAT ON VARIOUS BRITISH STANDARDS

MANAGING WATER ON NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS As the number of new homes being built increases, how we manage water needs careful consideration. The new houses that are being built today must be designed to be waterefficient, flood-resilient and save energy. Paul Winnett, General Manager for Building Services and Industry at Xylem Water Solutions, shares some key challenges and strategies house-builders should consider.

COMMITTEES TO HELP INITIATE SOME OF THESE BEST PRACTICES INTO THE STANDARDS THAT WE SEE TODAY.

XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS

Drainage In many situations, groundwater and rainwater must be removed to allow for construction or prevent property damage. Whether from basements, garages, driveways, runways, public spaces or construction sites, rainwater must be removed quickly and efficiently to avoid problems. Sizing pumps to remove excess water takes care of everyday rain events and can prevent flooding. Dewatering applications demand tough yet versatile pumps that can handle local conditions with lots of silt, sand and gravel that is often present in the water.

Wastewater Independent of which type of residential area it is, the wastewater needs to be collected and transported in some way. Depending on whether urban or rural areas, vacation homes or permanent residencies, different solutions are possible. They range from individual private treatment plants to different types of collection systems transporting the wastewater to a larger treatment plant. Independent of the system, the residents depend on reliable products and a sound pump system design, making sure the FC&A – MAY – 2020

wastewater is removed in a safe way, without affecting the living conditions or the environment at minimal cost to the homeowner.

Pressure sewage systems A pressure sewage system (PSS) is a smart, economical alternative for more remote housing areas. Pressure sewage systems use small pressurised (filled) discharge lines and are laid in shallow, narrow trenches that follow the natural contour of the ground. The pump’s grinding function reduces solids in size so that they can be easily transported in smaller discharge lines. The system consists of a branched, small-diameter pipe system and is based on small pump stations located near homes from which wastewater is received. Wastewater from a PPS network system is discharged into the gravity sewer or into a larger receiving pump station for subsequent transportation to a wastewater treatment plant. These systems can be applied to any scale, from a single home to a large development or an entire community. A small system may involve only a few households, while a large system can include hundreds or even thousands of pump stations.

BUILD FOCUS: HOUSE-BUILDING

HVAC The world’s growing population is demanding buildings that consume less energy and water. This is achieved through energy-efficient pumps, boosters, circulators, controls and other products and systems for building HVAC, including for premises such as data centres, manufacturing, office and apartment buildings, retail, sports complexes, central heating/chiller plants, hospitals, schools and green building projects.

Water pressure Whether you’re doing the laundry, giving the kids a bath, watering the garden or washing the car – or doing all of those at once – homeowners expect a constant, continuous flow of water. This is achieved from constant pressure systems that can handle household demand effortlessly. A constant pressure system operates with a variable frequency drive controller that automatically monitors household demand. Like the cruise control on a car, the variable frequency drive speeds up or slows down the pump depending on a household’s water requirements. The result is reliable, constant pressure where and when you need it.

Hot water systems Waiting for hot water is not only annoying; it’s one of the great water-wasting issues we face at home. Modern hot water recirculation systems provide instant hot water when the tap is opened. Systems fed by central heating or district hot water

ECOCIRC+ – THE NEW ECOCIRC FOR HEATING SYSTEMS

require hot water circulators to run efficiently. Hot water recirculation is not only about saving water; it’s also about safety. With a recirculation system, the water in the pipework will always be above 55ºC and thereby free from legionella bacteria.

Lawn and garden irrigation Sprinkler systems save time, money, aid in water conservation and help achieve a lush, green lawn. Over time, an automatic sprinkler system will pay for itself. The savings are incurred by eliminating overwatering and providing perfect, efficient coverage. Hand watering is no match for the efficiency of an irrigation system. Whatever a construction project demands, systems can be designed according to the project’s specific requirements, creating fully bespoke systems. The same scalability applies to the monitoring and control systems, from simple-to-use alarm management to advanced systems that complement pressure sewage systems.

FLYGT CONCERTOR, WASTEWATER PUMP

www.xylem.com/uk 33

FC&A – MAY – 2020

TECHNICAL FOCUS

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION AND GREEN LIVING IN NORWAY Verksbyen, a new green neighbourhood in Fredrikstad, Norway, showcases the future of sustainable living. As part of the project, construction company Arca Nova Bolig is building five, five-storey apartment buildings situated in Capjon Park area in Verskbyen. The buildings are being constructed using Metsä Wood’s Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber) products – making the construction fast, light and green. METSÄ WOOD

erksbyen will become home for 5000 people within the next 10 years. It aims to be Norway’s most innovative housing project. In the long-term, the developer, Arca Nova Bolig, has ambitious plans to change the housing market much in the same way as Tesla has changed the car industry. It is a bold claim, but it strongly believes in growing demand for sustainable building, which is the backbone of the Arca Nova’s Future Living concept. CEO of Arca Nova Bolig (part of the Arca Nova Group), Ruben D. Hansen, said: “We have managed to reduce CO 2 emissions in a variety of ways. The houses are built with timber elements according to the Passive House standard. Electricity is produced with solar energy and heating with solar thermal energy. Smart house technology with voice control adds an extra touch to all of this. As a result, the inhabitants will not only live sustainably but enjoy reduced living costs too.

Fast, light and green construction Metsä Wood has worked in close partnership with Arca Nova Bolig to assist with its technical solution for the wooden apartment buildings. The cooperation has been vital to the success in creating a new design system for the Norwegian housing market. FC&A – MAY – 2020

Using prefabricated elements has proved to be an extremely quick and efficient way to build for contractor Arca Nova Entreprenør. The buildings are rising at the pace of one floor a week, which has allowed the company to complete an entire building in just five weeks. The first of the five multi-storey buildings have already been completed, with the remaining scheduled for completion by the end of 2020. It is easy to understand why Arca Nova Bolig and Metsä Wood make such great partners. Hansen highlights the lightness and load-bearing capacity of the Kerto LVL products. Building with sustainably-sourced wood is also an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way to build now and in the future. “Constructing with prefabricated elements using Kerto LVL products enables us to reduce both building time and CO2 emissions quite substantially compared to the traditional way of building with steel and concrete. Also, the dimensional accuracy of Kerto LVL is a benefit, as the materials do not shrink during construction,” says Hansen. The wall elements for the first building were produced by Punkaharjun Puutaito in Finland, and the floor elements have been produced by a Finnish company, VVR Wood. For the next buildings, Arca Nova Entreprenør will carry out part of the element production at its own factory in Estonia. 34

Load-bearing structure The roof and floor structures in the project are based on the Kerto-Ripa system – an enhanced design system for roof and floor elements, developed by Metsä Wood. Based on Kerto LVL S-beam and Kerto LVL Q-panel load-bearing components and structural gluing, it enables the elements very long spans, up to 20m, making it possible for structural designers to remove columns and increase design flexibility. Kerto-Ripa-designed elements can be of both open and closed structure and insulated to match every unique buildings’ exact requirements. In the first three floors of the Verksbyen project, the load-bearing structure consists of wall elements, which are made with 67mm-thick Kerto LVL Q-panels. In addition, Kerto LVL S-beams have been glued and screwed on the outside of the elements to stiffen and stabilise the construction. The S-beams are also used for installing an insulation layer. In the two top floors, there is a traditional timber frame construction reinforced with CLT plates to take up the loads. “We have a stiff, yet elegant and slim structure, which transfers the heavy wind, snow and seismic loads to the foundation made of concrete,” said Hansen.

TECHNICAL FOCUS

THE INTERMEDIATE FLOOR CONSISTS OF KERTO LVL RIPA FLOOR ELEMENTS. KERTO LVL Q-PANEL IS USED AS THE TOP PANEL AND THE S-BEAMS ACT AS RIBS AND A BOTTOM FLANGE. ALL THE ELEMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE STIFFNESS OF THE FLOOR.

THE FRAME CONSISTING OF WALL ELEMENTS IS CONNECTED TO THE FLOOR ELEMENTS WITH ADJACENT STEEL PARTS AND MASSIVE BOLTS

The intermediate floor consists of elements, which form a stiff plate to transfer the loads to the end walls and the walls in between the apartments. Each element consists of Kerto LVL Q-panels on the top and Kerto LVL S-beams as ribs and bottom flange. The unique structure allows floors of up to 9m in open span.

Strong connections Various steel plates and parts, bolts, screws and glued-in rods are used together with the floor and wall elements to create a stiff, stable and massive construction. The wall elements of these multi-storey buildings are connected with bolts to steel plates on the bottom, and the beams are assembled in between the elements with strong steel angles. The frame is connected to the floor elements with adjacent steel parts and massive bolts.

Highly fire-resistant materials The multi-storey apartment buildings are built according to strict fire safety regulations, with a modern sprinkler system installed. The exterior walls are constructed as R90 walls, and the intermediate floor elements are constructed as REI60 floors. Part of the fire concept is the massive use of Kerto LVL, which provides 60 minutes of fire resistance, which is combined with gypsum boards to provide fire protection layer in the floors.

THE KERTO LVL RIPA ELEMENTS ARE JOINED TOGETHER WITH STEEL PLATES TO FORM A STIFF DIAPHRAGM

Long-term cooperation Arca Nova was keen to develop its own construction concept to build tall timber apartment buildings and was impressed with Metsä Wood’s Kerto-Ripa design system. “They have supported our learning with their help and knowledge. It was great to visit Metsä Wood’s mill and see showcase buildings in Finland. Our cooperation has been vital for our success to create a new design system for the Norwegian housing market,” concludes Hansen.

www.metsawood.com 35

FC&A – MAY – 2020

BUILDING ELEMENTS

CRITTALL JOBS SHOWCASE MANCHESTER’S 1930S HERITAGE Two prestigious refurbishment contracts in Manchester illustrate the appeal of Crittall Steel windows across different sectors. CRITTALL WINDOWS

ppleby Lodge is a residential estate and the Redfern Building an office block in a sought-after city centre location currently undergoing redevelopment. Both date from the 1930s and both are Grade II Listed. At Appleby Lodge, the threestorey blocks of 100 flats are arranged in a U-shape around a central garden. Designed in the Streamline Moderne style, they feature cantilevered balconies and curved cornices.

The estate, designed by Peter Cummings and Gunton & Gunton, featured Crittall steel windows when built between 1936 and 1939 and these have been replicated in the refurbishment by the installation of Homelight Plus, the archetypal Crittall window design. The replacement windows offer new frame sightlines that replicate the original single metal frame windows. These new windows are re-engineered to higher energysaving accreditations, offering advanced performance and enhanced security with optional multi-point locking

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

systems. Corporate W20 windows were also installed as staircase screens in the communal areas as part of the restoration and upgrade. Meanwhile, the Redfern Building dates from 1936 when it was built for the Co-operative Wholesale Society. Contractor Russells has upgraded the 60,000ft 2 , six-storey, brick-clad building, which was originally designed by WA Johnson and JW Cropper and described as being in the Dutch brick modernism style. Crittall W20 windows were specified to replace the original steel fenestration, the new windows boasting frames even more slender than what had been installed originally, thereby allowing more daylight to enter the offices and new retail units.

hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

01376 530800

ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP MASTERS THE ART OF SECURITY Door Group, a unit of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, has supplied the National Gallery of Ireland with security, ballistic and fire rated doorsets, for the refurbishment of a 150-year-old listed building. ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP

he National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin has had extensive refurbishment and modernisation of its historic wings on Merrion Square. The building also required an updated fire safety plan, from which followed the need to install new security and fire rated doorsets, complete with locking systems. The extensive refurbishment came in at close to €30m, in order to restore the building to its former glory and meet today’s high fire safety and security standards. For this prestigious project, the doorsets were specified by Henegan Peng Architects, and then ASSA ABLOY Door Group worked closely with Modubuild, a specialist trade contractor, alongside main contractor John Paul Construction to fulfil the specification.

Approximately 30 steel doorsets, including a mixture of LPS 1175 security rating and fire rated glass doorsets, were delivered to the Dargan and Milltown Wings in Merrion Square in order to maintain maximum security as well as adhere to the strictest fire safety regulations. Logistically, the delivery of the doorsets presented some challenges as the National Gallery of Ireland is in Dublin’s busy city centre. Similarly, solutions had to be carefully chosen to meet the unique demands of the listed building. However, these needs were taken into consideration at an early stage to ensure the project ran smoothly.

www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk FC&A – MAY – 2020

customerservices@assaabloy.co.uk 36

0845 070 6713

BUILDING ELEMENTS

MAGPLY BOARDS OFFER SAFE SUPPORT FOR SLATE HANGING ON SOUTH COAST TOWNHOUSES MAGPLY

A development of five townhouses in East Sussex features the traditional finish of slate hanging, fixed across Magply boards with horizontal battens, providing a substrate offering excellent weathering and fire resistance, as well as a secure fix. Oval Carpentry is installing the 9mm Magply boards across timber studwork, infilling a steel frame, ready for the battens and an underlay. Pivotal to the specification was the need to create a wall zone which can resist the passage of fire from outside the structure. This is a role to which Magply is ideally suited: frequently being specified for flat developments and buildings in very close proximity to neighbouring properties. Despite offering good adhesion for render systems where required, Magply boards are very moisture stable thanks to their modified MgO formulation that also represents an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB sheets. The production process keeps the chlorine content to just 0.01%, enhancing long-term durability.

UV-PROTECTION OIL EXTRA Perfectly protected against the sun. The first clear UV protection for the outdoors! • UV resistant factor 12 in comparison to untreated wood • For vertically structured exterior surfaces • Very water and dirt resistant • Reduces wood swelling and shrinkage • Resists the growth of algae, mildew and fungal attack • Microporous, breathable finish – doesn’t crack, peel, flake or blister • No sanding necessary for future applications

www.magply.co.uk john@magply.co.uk 01621 776252

www.osmouk.com

DESIGNER CONTRACTS AT THE READY DESIGNER CONTRACTS

Designer Contracts is preparing for a staged return to work. The company is bringing some staff out of furlough, resuming vital fitting services, pushing ahead with plans to move into a new and much bigger head office facility and opening a third unit in Scotland. The company is working with national and regional house-builders as they reopen sites around the country, accelerating its activities and replenishing stocks at its central distribution warehouse to meet the slow but steady resumption in demand. Following risk assessments, fitters will install flooring in unoccupied properties, where it is safe to do so, complying with SOP V3 and ensuring every member of the team and every fitter has a copy.

www.designercontracts.com

SUNRAY TIMBER DOOR DIVISION LAUNCHES FIRE-SECURE SUNRAY

FIRE-SECURE is a brand-new ground-breaking combined timber fire and security rated door revolutionising door safety and standards. FIRE-SECURE is a timber door which offers two unique benefits; timed protection from fire and timed protection from physical attack. Having invested a six-figure sum in the development of this range, Sunray has achieved the ability to provide a 30-minute fire rating on either face of the door – interior or exterior – as well as it having the accredited LPCB SR – Security levels 1 and 2 – certification. The timber door provides aesthetics with a range of colour or veneer finishes, vision panels and locking options.

www.sunraytimberdoors.co.uk sales@sunraytimberdoordivision.co.uk 01252 645534 37

ISO CHEMIE’S ISO-BLOCO ONE SEALANT TAPE GAINS BBA APPROVAL ISO CHEMIE

Foam sealants specialist ISO Chemie’s ISOBLOCO ONE self-adhesive weathertight tape for window frames has gained British Board of Agrément (BBA) product approval certification. The news confirms that the tape, which offers rapid sealing of windows from inside the building during the construction phase, is able to resist the passage of wind-driven rain, snow, run-off water and dust into the interior of a property. It also confirms the product’s 10year service life. ISO-BLOCO ONE provides a longer-lasting seal for window and door joints up to 30mm wide and installation compliance to BS8213-4:2016.

www.iso-chemie.co.uk info@iso-chemie.co.uk 01207 566867 FC&A – MAY – 2020

BUILDING ELEMENTS

NORDIC COPPER INSIDE AND OUT Nordic Copper from Aurubis offers an extensive range of natural surfaces and alloys to clad a wide variety of building types from concert halls to social housing. Now, the launch of Nordic Décor adds an extra dimension to the diversity of Nordic Copper, particularly for interior design, says Graeme Bell, Sales & Marketing Manager at Aurubis. AURUBIS

here is more to architectural copper than meets the eye, particularly in terms of recyclability, sustainability and long-term performance with an unrivalled lifespan and no maintenance. And, with a melting point of 1083˚C and ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions.

Unique qualities Copper’s unique visual qualities are defined by its natural patina, developing gradually in the environment – which cannot be replicated successfully using other materials with surface coatings – but the Nordic Copper range provides all these surfaces straightaway. The processes involved are generally similar to those taking place over time in the environment, utilising copper mineral compounds, not alien chemical processes.

www.nordiccopper.com FC&A – MAY – 2020

All these surfaces form an integral part of the copper, generally continuing to change over time in the environment, and are not lifeless coatings or paint. The range includes Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper offering lighter or darker shades of brown determined by the thickness of the oxide layer. The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise ranges have been developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. As well as the solid patina colours, ‘Living’ surfaces are available for each with other intensities of patina flecks revealing some of the dark oxidised background material. Copper alloys include Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass, which can also be supplied pre-weathered. And the innovative Nordic Royal is an alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc, retaining its golden colour.

Copper interiors Copper is also the metal of choice for interior design, being non-toxic and with inherent antimicrobial qualities making it ideal for touch surfaces. Nordic Décor takes interior design opportunities with copper to a new level, with eight embossings for rich surface textures and seven grindings for distinctive matt surfaces – each with its own warm natural colour tone. Nordic Décor products are well-suited to a wide range of internal applications, such as wall and ceiling cladding – including elevators – highlight surfaces, bars and counters, as well as external facades. The

g.bell@aurubis.com 38

material can be shaped, edged, milled, lasered, cut and bent. Nordic Décor Embossings are available in Nordic Brass Weathered or Nordic Royal alloys, Nordic Brown and Nordic Brown Light pre-oxidised copper, and Nordic Green pre-patinated copper. They provide regular patterns of raised or recessed forms, some abraded to reveal highlights of the base material colour for additional design effects. Nordic Décor Grindings are available in Nordic Brass Weathered or Nordic Brown. They are abraded with linear, cross-hatched or curved-swirl hairlines to give distinctive matt surfaces.

01875 812 144

BUILDING ELEMENTS

MAXIMISING DAYLIGHT AND THERMAL INSULATION

The new £15m Activity Centre at St George’s College, Weybridge, is a beautifully designed sports hall which sits perfectly in the College’s Grade II Listed park. Here, architect firm Scott Brownrigg has sympathetically created a striking building complete with Kalwall translucent cladding to maximise diffused daylighting and thermal insulation. STRUCTURA

alwall was specified for the clerestory daylighting and shaped to follow the lines of the curved roof. This allows for diffused daylight to be cast deep into the interior sports areas, thereby removing shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. The even distribution of light makes it easier for players to distinguish markings on the floor as well as spotting balls and other equipment. Kalwall is also highly resistant to impact, making

it excellent for use in this type of school gymnasium environment. Another important aspect of the specification is that Kalwall is inherently highly insulating. For example, a 70mm-thick panel can offer values up to 0.28W/ m 2K – equivalent to that of an insulated cavity wall. The unique ability to transmit

www.structura-uk.com/kalwall

large amounts of usable light with low levels of solar heat gain means less radiant energy is transmitted. With increased natural daylight, energy-consuming artificial lighting and airconditioning costs are dramatically reduced. Kalwall is a popular choice for projects where performance, long lifecycle and low maintenance are required, coupled with an aesthetic finish. The lightweight system reduces the need for supporting structures while offering the highest protection in terms of wind-borne debris and resistance to impact, abrasion and point loads.

mail@structura.co.uk

01233 501504

HUGE ARMADA SHELTERED FROM THE WEATHER BY BMI UK & IRELAND BMI UK & IRELAND

The roof of the Sainsbury’s store in Plymouth’s Armada shopping centre showcases the value that a thorough specification and 20-year guarantee from BMI UK & Ireland adds to any roofing project. The contract, to cut and seal the existing roof membrane and install a new torch on bituminous felt system on top, tendered by CBRE and valued at just over a quarter of a million pounds was won by Stormforce Roofing with a specification featuring BMI Icopal’s bitumen and hot-melt systems. The solution chosen was BMI Icopal FireSmart Profiles Solo. This consists of technically advanced low heat-reactive SBS-modified bitumen, making it faster than traditional membranes to apply. The single-layer overlay system is especially suitable for re-roofing because the reinforced bitumen membrane incorporates vapour release technology to prevent blistering. The profiled stripes on the underside of the membrane allow moisture vapour that may be trapped in the existing roofing system to escape – avoiding potential blisters.

WASH AND CARE Suitable for wooden, varnished, stone, vinyl & tiled flooring! • • • • •

Highly effective cleaning of dirt and grime Maintains protected surfaces without wear of treatment Easy to use for regular usage Moisturises the wood’s surface to maintain freshness Suitable for domestic and commercial use

www.osmouk.com

www.bmigroup.com/uk marketingukandi@bmigroup.com 39

FC&A – MAY – 2020

BUILDING ELEMENTS

INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURE HELPS KEEP PEOPLE MOVING

Social trends in sports are changing. Urban activities traditionally consigned to the urban landscape are now being embraced by the mainstream and incorporated into the interior sports environment. Sports such as parkour, street football and street basketball have been adopted by leisure companies to attract younger members and to keep people moving. TROLDTEKT

his new encouragement in sports, movement and activity, has led to a new generation of buildings offering urban activities in a raw industrial environment and which require specialist architectural innovation. For example, Troldtekt wood-wool panelling is frequently used to combat the effects of noise and reverberation around these large spaces while offering visual aesthetic appeal. This trend is examined in detail by Troldtekt in its latest theme on sports and movement, which can be found here https://bit.ly/2vR90l6. The theme includes expert articles and interviews with architects and sport science lecturers along with relevant case studies. A good example is the 23,000m2 Holbaek Sportsby in Denmark which encompasses a swimming pool, racquet sports, multi-purpose hall and mountain bike

www.troldtekt.co.uk

trails together with a modern health centre. Here, Troldtekt acoustic panels offer robustness and strength and natural breathability from the wood. The panels. with their superior acoustic properties, dramatically reduce reverberation where physical activity takes place.

01978 664255

Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural woodwool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low-cost lifecycle performance and sustainability. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.

info@troldtekt.co.uk

DISINFECT WITH DR. SCHUTZ DR. SCHUTZ

Public health environments require thorough hygiene practices to kill bacteria, fungus, algae and viruses. Suitable cleaning agents and disinfection strategies are recommended to help control or prevent the spread of these dangerous pathogens. Now more than ever, with the current global situation, people are recognising the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance in order to contain the spread of transmissible viruses. With germs able to live on floors, it’s essential that a disinfectant cleaner is used regularly, and leading floorcare specialist, Dr. Schutz, has the solution. Dr. Schutz Disinfectant Cleaner provides an easy and thorough method for protecting flooring against bacteria. The liquid concentrate meets rigorous public health requirements and shows viricidal activity against enveloped viruses as stipulated by the EN 14476: 2013 + A2 2019. As the Disinfectant Cleaner is solvent-free, the product, which is available in a 5l canister, can also be used on floors primed with polymer-dispersions to provide high-quality cleaning whilst maintaining the protective film.

INDEPENDENT ACOUSTIC VERIFICATION OF STYLE’S MOVEABLE WALL SOLUTIONS STYLE

Following the launch of the FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme, Style is proud to have 26 moveable wall products tested and approved, confirming its position as the UK market leader. The FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme was created to enable members to verify acoustic tests against an agreed criterion and a methodology to present these to market in a consistent and transparent manner. FIS teamed up with Cundall Acoustics to develop an acoustic test certificate verification scheme. The scheme takes test reports and assessments and runs a series of checks to verify the certificates are genuine. “At Style, we have always taken great pride in the acoustic integrity of our moveable wall solutions,” said Mike Fine, Style’s Director for the Midlands. “At long last, we now have independent evidence to support our acoustic ratings, with more products tested and verified than anyone else in the UK operable wall sector.”

www.drschutz.co.uk 01296 437827 FC&A – MAY – 2020

www.style-partitions.co.uk south@style-partitions.co.uk 01202 874044 40

WE HAVE NEVER OFFERED FELT...

WE HAVE NOW. INTRODUCING SIKABIT® RETHINKING FELT Previously, Sika didn’t do felt. But then we thought, if we did, it should be backed by the industry leading expertise you’d expect from Sika. So, we developed SikaBit® - the fully compliant, Safe2Torch reinforced bituminous membrane. Now what do you think about that?

THINK YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE? Visit sikabit.co.uk, email sikabit.roofing@uk.sika.com or call 0800 112 3837 41

FC&A – MAY – 2020

BUILDING ELEMENTS

MMC CHAMPION VISITS TIMBER FRAME FACILITY At the end of 2019, Mark Farmer accepted a new role as the independent champion for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). His mission, to modernise housing delivery, has seen him become a major figure in the offsite sector. THE STRUCTURAL TIMBER ASSOCIATION (STA)

s part of his drive to make the UK the global leader in housing standards, Mark Farmer was invited by the Structural Timber Association (STA) to come along to Pinewood Structures, a leading provider of timber frame homes, and take a guided tour of its manufacturing facility. Mark spent time observing the manufacturing process and learning about a new partnering approach. In a recent interview, Mark Farmer expressed a need for an “injection of fresh thinking into the sector that reflects the latest advancements in technology and is also driven by a new paradigm shift in how we approach quality, building safety and decarbonisation of built assets.” Later in the day, discussions focused around quality, safety, capacity and sustainability. The structural timber sector has the ability to upscale to help

achieve the 300,000 homes per annum requirement. As a natural sustainable resource, decarbonisation of housing can be achieved through the use of offsite-manufactured timber systems and the delivery model can be improved by a forwardthinking, collaborative approach. The meeting offered Andrew Carpenter and Mark Stevenson from the STA the opportunity to discuss in more detail, the association’s industry-leading STA Assure Membership and Quality Standards Scheme. Focusing on the levels of in-house quality procedures, management systems and product performance standards – the independently assessed STA Assure Scheme includes a bespoke Site Safe audit and a Timber Frame Competency Award Scheme, which ensures that quality and safety are an end-to-end process throughout the design, manufacture and installation process.

www.structuraltimber.co.uk FC&A – MAY – 2020

Tom Fairlie, Walker Timber; Mark Farmer, Andrew Carpenter, STA; Mark Stevenson, STA; Geoff Arnold, Pinewood Structures; David Fleming, Walker Timber Andrew Carpenter said: “We would like to thank Mark Farmer for taking the time out to visit Pinewood Structures and his valuable input. Following the Hackitt Review, the direction of travel is shifting, and construction is moving towards factorybased systems and processes rather than products and components. PreManufactured Value (PMV) is going to play a vital role in the future. As it currently stands with traditional approaches, only 40% of the build process is carried out in well-managed factory environments. The use of a closed panel timber frame

office@structuraltimber.co.uk 42

system can increase this to circa 55%, but a volumetrically pre-assembled approach using a timber-framed chassis can achieve 75-80%. So it is clear the Government’s ambition to make the housing sector more productive can be achieved through pre-manufactured building systems.” Timber industry bodies such as the STA have a major role to play in connecting the offsite sector supply chain to collectively work to demonstrate safety through robust testing and better exploitation of technology to ensure the integrity of timberbased building systems.

01259 272140

BUILDING ELEMENTS

TAILORED HEAT DELIVERS AIR SOURCE PACKAGE FOR RURAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TAILORED HEAT SUPPLIES

Tailored Heat Supplies has designed and delivered a renewables-based underfloor heating package for a development of five, high-specification detached houses in a picturesque village on the edge of the Tees Valley. Keith Leonard Installations is the contractor laying the Emmeti underfloor heating pipes in a conventional screed across all the ground floors, powered by LG R32 Therma V 12 kW air source heat pumps. With each house having a different layout and a ground floor footprint of over 120m2, Tailored Heat’s individual floorplans include multiple zones – featuring 16mm pipe runs up to 100m in length – connected up to seven, eight, nine or 11 port manifolds.

www.tailoredheat.co.uk

info@tailoredheat.co.uk

SOUTH WALES CHURCH WARMS TO CIRCOBOARD PERFORMANCE CIRCOFLO

The congregation of a church in the Vale of Glamorgan can look forward to physical and spiritual comfort during services next winter, thanks to an upgrade of the building’s heating provision, with a full underfloor heating system from Circoflo having been chosen to deliver efficient warmth. CircoBoard panels were fitted flush on the angle brackets supplied between the joists before installation of the finished floor. CircoBoard is one of six floor construction options available from CircofloPro. Its unique two-, three- or four-port ‘universally versatile’ minifolds can be installed in a variety of ways with the standard fittings supplied, and the 12mm pipe supplied in lengths of 50, 70 or 90m for the ultimate in efficiency.

0122 821 0444

TBA FIREFLY’S PASSIVE FIRE BARRIERS CPD SEMINAR AVAILABLE ONLINE TBA PROTECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Presented by sector specialist, TBA Protective Technologies, which manufactures the FIREFLY range of flexible fire barriers, has issued its latest CPD seminar on Passive Fire Protection (PFP) via its website. The introduction to the new CPD begins with an overview of PFP, citing the importance of sealing around pipework, ducts and other penetrations. The presentation then moves on to legal requirements, explaining that cavity fire barriers should offer a minimum of 30 minutes’ containment of smoke and flame with the occasional need to perform for longer periods of up to two hours.

www.tbafirefly.com

technical@tbafirefly.com

www.circoflopro.co.uk info@circoflo.co.uk 01392 360457

01706 758817

MARMOX MULTIBOARD MEASURES UP IN 17THCENTURY CONVERSION

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TOPOIL2020

MARMOX

Bringing an old building up to modern standards of performance and comfort can be extremely challenging, but when the owners of a 400-year-old property in North Wales wanted to create a total of nine en-suite bathrooms, Marmox Multiboards provided the ideal starting point for the various room conversions. The rambling three-storey structure – which features several traditional building methods, including masonry and oak framing with lath and plaster – is the subject of far-reaching renovation and alteration work by Crewe-based Pioneer Design & Build. This includes basic repairs and energy upgrades, as well as the introduction of the highspecification bathrooms and shower rooms, involving extensive use of 12mm Multiboards supplied by the Congleton branch of Jewson. Nearly 60 of the 1250 x 600mm boards, including special acoustic grade Soundboard versions, were purchased along with quantities of the special Marmox fixing washers and Marmox Multibond Sealant as well as the manufacturer’s waterproof jointing tape. The finishes being installed across the Multiboards include large- as well as small-format tiles and even natural stone pebbles.

01296 481220

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www.marmox.co.uk sales@marmox.co.uk 01634 835290

LEARN MORE: OSMOUK.COM

CALL US: 01296 481220

FC&A – MAY – 2020

Discover Discover Nordic Copper Nordic Copper for Architecture for Architecture Copper: Nordic Brown Light; Project: Branch Place, Colville Estate, London Architects: Karakusevic Carson Architects; Photo: Peter Landers Copper: Nordic Brown Light; Project: Branch Place, Colville Estate, London Architects: Karakusevic Carson Architects; Photo: Peter Landers

Architectural Copper Surfaces and Alloys Copper is a constantly evolving, natural and durable material with an indefinite design-life. With an ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1 and melting point of 1083˚C, copper is also suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions. It is fully recyclable, safe to use, and requires no maintenance.

Architectural Copper Surfaces and Alloys

CopperCopper is a constantly evolving, natural and durable material anfor indefinite design-life. WithNordic an ‘A1Standard (non-combustible fireBrown classification to ENcopper. 13501-1 and Nordic offers an impressive portfolio of surfaces andwith alloys architecture, including ‘mill finish’material)’ and Nordic pre-oxidised The meltingBlue, pointNordic of 1083˚C, copper is also Turquoise suitable forpre-patinated cladding tall buildings, using appropriate It isthe fully recyclable, safe to use, and requires maintenance. Nordic Green and Nordic ranges share properties and constructions. colours based on same brochantite mineralogy found inno natural patinas. Alongside traditional Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass alloys, the innovative Nordic Royal retains its rich golden colour over time. An extensive choice of Nordic Décor Nordic Copperapplied offers an impressive portfolio of surfaces and alloysCopper for architecture, including Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordicarchitectural Brown pre-oxidised copper. The mechanically surface treatments is also available. Nordic offers limitless possibilities for innovative contemporary and interior design. Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise pre-patinated ranges share properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas. Alongside traditional Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass alloys, the innovative Nordic Royal retains its rich golden colour over time. An extensive choice of Nordic Décor mechanically applied surface treatments is also available. Nordic Copper offers limitless possibilities for innovative contemporary architectural and interior design.

NordicCopper.com g.bell@aurubis.com

FC&A May 2020

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