Architect Projects - June 2021 by Lapthorn Media

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CONTENTS Featured Projects

Featured

OPPO Headquarters 12-13

Reflex-Rol 02

Ötzi Peak 3251m: Reaching the peak 50-52

Company News 04-05, 06 James Tobias Ltd 07 Latest News 08-09

Interviews

Grohe 10-11

Architect Projects Magazine speaks with Enis Karavil, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Sanayi313 Architects, about their latest commercial project, the Melis Göral showroom 20-22

Events & Awards News 16-17, 18

Prof. Danzl talks about the conservation of the Buzludzha monument 46-47

Project News 28-29, 40-41, 42

Osmo UK 23 Joseph Ash Ltd 24-25 Schöck Ltd 26-27 Edinburgh Napier University - RMP 31 Rhino UK 32-33

Every eﬀort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Architect Projects magazine however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or

GEZE 34

opinions made by advertisers, manufacturers or contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

A Touch Of Brass 36-37

George Barnsdale & Sons Limited 35 Stannah Lifts 44-45 Thermal Bridging Feature 48

COMPANY NEWS

DLA SECURES PLANNING CONSENT FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF LEEDS QUARRY HILL SITE DLA Architecture has secured planning consent, on behalf of its client Metropolitan and District Securities (MDS), to deliver a major new mixed-use scheme at Quarry Hill in Leeds city centre. St Cecilia Place is a new development on the site of the former Quarry Hill flats that were demolished over 40 years ago. The scheme will comprise 352 build-to-rent (BTR) residential apartments along with amenity spaces and commercial units. The DLA design approach includes three elegant interlinked tall buildings ranging in height of 19, 20 and 22 storeys with each connected by a pair of eight storey structures. The residential space will offer studios, one bed, two bed and three bed apartments. The ground floor public realm

includes two courtyards, communal facilities with cycle storage and a residents car park. Working alongside ID Planning, DLA secured approval from officers who acknowledged that the scheme delivers efficient use of a prime site and would make a valuable contribution to housing needs in the city as well as job creation. St Cecilia Place forms a critical part of the overall development at Quarry Hill which links Playhouse Square in the west to Quarry House in the east. Adjacent developments include the mixed use SOYO scheme, the new Leeds City College building and the redevelopment of West Yorkshire Playhouse. Sue Sparling, Director at DLA Architecture, said, “We are delighted to secure planning

BUREAU VERITAS IMPLORES FIRMS TO PRIORITISE CARBON EMISSION REDUCTIONS AS USA SETS PLAN IN MOTION As President Joe Biden unveils the USA’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions, Bureau Veritas is urging businesses to prioritise their own net zero promises and to create a clear plan to deliver on this. Just hours after being sworn in as president on 20th January, Joe Biden demonstrated his commitment to the climate crisis by reinstating the United States to the Paris Climate Agreement. He has now gone one step further by pledging to cut carbon emissions by 50-52%

below 2005 levels by 2030. This target, which was unveiled at a virtual summit of 40 global leaders on 23rd April, almost doubles the country’s previous promise. The EU Parliament has also followed suit, aiming to cut carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. These announcements not only put the onus on Governments to effect change, but individuals and businesses too. Thus, Bureau

consent for MDS to deliver St Cecilia Place. The development will form the final piece of the wider Quarry Hill masterplan, which is known as the cultural quarter of Leeds and includes Leeds Playhouse, the Northern Ballet and Leeds College of Music Auditorium. “The site itself is located on St Cecilia Street and through early consultation we established St Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and therefore, it felt appropriate the development should be known as St Cecilia Place. “Our design approach recognises the historic building fabric and characteristics of the island site whilst also complementing the more recent developments in the area. A significant level of both internal and external amenity space is incorporated with large communal roof gardens creating vibrant spaces with far reaching views of the wider city. The building forms create two south facing landscaped courtyards, along with ecological and visual enhancement of the retained landscape corridor to the north of the site which is part of the wider Leeds Habitat Network.”

Veritas, a leading sustainability authority is encouraging companies to set their own realistic carbon emissions targets, especially ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) being hosted by the UK in November. David Murray, Business Unit Manager – Sustainability at Bureau Veritas, said: “We see a lot of businesses with ambitious plans to become net zero by 2050, in line with the UK Government’s own targets to achieve this, announced in 2019. The problem with such a grandiose target, and looking so far into the future, is that businesses really aren’t sure how they are going to achieve such a feat. “The recent announcement from the USA and EU demonstrate the need to think more shortterm when it comes to tackling the climate crisis, with realistic and achievable goals to first reduce carbon emissions, before thinking about becoming completely net zero. We do see a number of businesses taking steps towards a more sustainable future, but more still needs to be done to embed sustainability into business operations. By creating a structured plan to achieve a short-term goal, businesses will truly be able to see how they can effect change.” According to Bureau Veritas, the immediate priority for businesses, that have not already done so, is to calculate their carbon footprint. From this, they can implement the necessary measures and initiatives to direct them towards that goal – utilising renewable energy sources, considering day to day processes and employee travel.

Architect Projects

David continues: “Businesses that are not clear on what steps they need to take to play their part in this international effort towards tackling climate change can turn to a sustainability expert like Bureau Veritas to make assessments of their current sustainability performance and set in motion recommendations for an effective carbon reduction plan.”

COMPANY NEWS

AMEY LAUNCHES ‘PARTNERSHIP FOR SUCCESS’ WITH BABCOCK AND ELIOR UK TO BID FOR MOD’S UK DEFENCE TRAINING ESTATE SUPPORT CONTRACT Amey, a critical supplier of facilities services to UK Defence, has announced it will bid to secure the UK MOD Training Estate Support Contract (TESC) contract supported by Babcock International Group plc and Elior UK. The contract provides industry support across a range of services across the UK MOD’s Defence Training Estate. The Defence Training Estate covers 200,000 hectares, equating to approximately 1% of the UK’s landmass, and is used for training for all three of the Armed Forces. This important contract, valued at approximately £800m, delivers industry support to training and integrated facilities management, encompassing built estate facilities management, catering, accommodation and cleaning services, rural estate management, grounds maintenance. Together, the team brings a unique blend of skills and experience and an understanding of the requirements of the MOD. Amey and Babcock bring unparalleled skills and experience of the UK’s Defence Estate and training support; Amey as the incumbent currently supporting virtually all of the MOD UK military built infrastructure and Babcock as the foremost provider of training services to the MOD. Amey and Babcock also have a proven track record of delivering successful MOD contracts both independently and through ALC, a 15-year Joint Venture. Elior UK is a leading catering and cleaning provider, delivering services throughout the UK. It has a wealth of experience in specialist Defence catering, cleaning and retail services and delivers contracts across MoD Hebrides SFM, the FMSP Portsmouth Dockyard and previously within three large Defence SMACs – Wessex, East Midlands and Kent.

The tri-party relationship will be led by Amey and managed collaboratively to incorporate best practice and world class innovation to enable transformation and optimise outcomes for the Defence training enterprise. The depth of Defence Estate knowledge and the strong, collaborative relationship that exists between Amey and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), will ensure a seamless transition of service with a focus on maximising technological developments and innovative solutions to drive continuous improvement and underpin transformation. Craig McGilvray, Managing Director for Secure Infrastructure at Amey, said: “Amey remains committed to supporting the MOD in their intent to improve the experience of the Armed Forces where they work, live and train. The unequalled capability and capacity of Babcock and Elior will allow us to draw on the vast knowledge and experience of all parties to ensure we deliver a safe, compliant, affordable and sustainable estate, remaining sensitive to social, environmental and heritage considerations, and deliver the improvement and innovation necessary to transform the Defence Training Estate to meet the expectations of Defence and other users today and tomorrow”. Sam White, Managing Director, Defence, Babcock Land Sector, commented: “This venture with Amey and Elior UK will provide the MOD and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation with an unparalleled offering. It draws together the best in class capabilities and transformational credentials of each company to deliver a step change in service delivery to the Defence Training Estate. “This approach recognises the MOD’s desire for modernisation outlined in the recent

Defence Command Paper and its aspirations for an environmental approach as detailed in the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach. Babcock is a key provider of training support to the MOD and largest provider of individual training to the Army, delivering training to over 50,000 soldiers annually, while also delivering strategic training contracts to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Such a wealth of experience gives Babcock unequalled understanding and capability to bring the best of industry practice and innovation to the Defence Training Estate to underpin training transformation ambitions across the Services.” Stewart McCulloch, Head of Sales UK at Elior UK, commented: “The partnership with Amey builds on our successful relationship delivering large-scale projects with Babcock International Group. Together we offer a compelling proposition of complementary infrastructure and facilities management expertise that will deliver huge benefits and value to the Training Estate Support Contract. “We are committed to delivering a stepchange in both the quality of nutritious food and the whole catering and cleaning experience itself. Over the last year we have demonstrated we can adapt quickly and are leading the way with regards to technological innovations. Our teams across Elior are providing leading catering, hospitality and cleaning services to over 1,400 clients all around the UK, delivering over 17 million meals annually, from those located in large cities to more remote and isolated areas.” The formal tendering process has begun, with contract award forecast for Apr 2022 and an In Service Date of September 2022.

Architect Projects

COMPANY NEWS

NIEMEN ARCHITECTS PURSUES COMMERCIAL GROWTH WITH SENIOR APPOINTMENT Leeds based architectural practice Niemen Architects has announced the new appointment of Scott Lunn as Associate Director to help respond and drive business growth in the commercial development sector. The long-established practice, best known for its work in delivering award winning projects in the residential sector, is embarking on a growth plan having secured a strong pipeline of new commercial scale development

projects. These include a multistorey mixeduse development in central Sheffield, an education and community recreation facility in Bradford as well as a number of student residential schemes. Niemen Architects Founder and Director Shayne Niemen, said, “We are pleased to have emerged from the worst of the pandemic with a healthy order book and growing team. We have committed to expanding our commercial sector portfolio and more actively showcase the expertise we have in areas including education and healthcare. “We are delighted to welcome Scott to our growing team. He is a great new asset to the business, and we are excited to pursue our drive to diversify our work with him on board.” Scott, who qualified at Leeds Beckett University, previously spent ten years with Watson Batty Architects as an Associate. He brings considerable knowledge and experience having delivered multi-million-pound education schemes for the Department for Education, Leeds City Council and York St John University. Scott also worked as a retained consultant for a major supermarket retailer gaining planning

permissions for new stores alongside mixeduse regeneration schemes. His expertise also includes large-scale commercial and mixed-use development projects having designed the masterplan for a flagship city centre expansion and regeneration project valued over £1 billion. Scott Lunn, said, “I am excited to join Niemen Architects with a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate how I can really impact key sector growth within the business and carve my own career-path in a very hands-on practice. “I look forward to working with the practice’s existing client-base and also creating new opportunities with my existing contacts in commercial sectors.” Scott is accomplished in delivering projects to required BIM standards and protocols. Alongside Oliver Bush, also Associate Director, Scott will drive his expertise into the business to improve workflow and quality of information and to help clients to visualise projects with more precise designs. Nieman Architects is an award-winning RIBA Chartered practice. Established 21 years ago in Leeds the practice employs nine architects and technicians and is currently seeking to recruit a further member of the team to manage a diverse portfolio of national projects. They have successfully delivered design solutions for residential and commercial projects from £multi-million-pound bespoke dwellings up to £150 million mixed-use developments. The team’s expertise includes work to listed buildings, heritage sites, master planning, ecclesiastical and conservation work.

VENTIVE PARTNERS WITH CIH & MTC TO DESIGN NEW PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM FOR BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE After a multi-stage application process, Ventive has been selected to partner with the Construction Innovation Hub (CIH) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to collaboratively develop a new platform construction system that can be deployed at scale, across sectors. Traditional construction methods, although still favoured by many developers, can fall short in delivery, especially in relation to energy conservation, carbon reduction and building performance (for which read cost, environment, and comfort). With numerous trades and suppliers involved, the margin for error increases throughout a build programme and post-occupancy evaluation often reveals performance levels well below the design target.

Architect Projects

Ventive has been designing and manufacturing passive ventilation solutions for over 10 years and is improving the performance of buildings, through the application of science, innovation and modern methods of construction (MMC). Internal environments are known to affect the health and wellbeing of occupants and heavily impact the energy demand of the building itself. The internal environment for both domestic and commercial properties

is under increasing scrutiny, with emphasis on ventilation to reduce the risk of viral infection. Now more than ever, we need to provide healthy spaces to live, learn and work and conserve our precious resources, including energy. Rob Morrison, Managing Director of Ventive said: “Our perennial focus on cost as an industry has historically meant the emphasis is placed on cost-effective delivery, over the solutions that improve the long-term performance of the building for the people that matter most – the end-users. Embedding the right solutions, at the design stage is critical if we are to ensure our buildings are fit for purpose now and in the future.” To enable this, Ventive has developed a range of modular, displacement ventilation systems that operate by harnessing natural forces (air buoyancy and wind speed) and recover energy either at zero cost or a fraction of the cost of mechanical solutions. Perfectly aligned to Offsite Construction and MMC, these solutions keep energy demand low, system performance high and the air quality excellent. Ventive’s most recent testing has also shown that displacement ventilation (a strategy for safely removing exhaust air and replacing it with fresh air, without recirculation or mixing) is proven

to be an effective way to mitigate virus transmission. Rob Morrison added: “As building physics specialists and a disruptive manufacturer of building services technology, Ventive is well placed to advise and assist on this project – bringing to bear our expertise in environment management, system optimisation and construction integration. We share the ambitions of the Platform Design Programme and are fully committed to developing deployment-ready, manufactured-off-site buildings that address all of the economic, societal, environmental and wellbeing needs of the end-users.”

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LATEST NEWS

Multi-disciplinary, diverse community of practice set to address major social, environmental and economic challenges Design Council has today announced its refreshed network of more than 400 built and natural environment experts who collectively embody the organisation’s commitment to make life better by design. The network, which consists of a wide range of active leaders and change makers from various professions, backgrounds and regions, is an essential part of Design Council’s role in delivering design advice and support services in the built and natural environment and beyond. Over the coming months, this new network of experts will join with Design Council’s recently refreshed group of design associates, to form a dynamic community of practice which will share ideas, insights and develop exciting opportunities to collaborate. By bringing together increasingly diverse experts, social and business innovation, service and systemic design, this community of practice is in a strong position to respond positively and even more effectively to some of society’s most pressing challenges. Today’s new appointments include 34 ambassadors, 350 associates and specialists as well more than 20 corporate partners, representing a wide variety of skills, expertise and experience in the industry across the UK, including all nine regions in England. The new structure replaces Design Council’s previous roster of built environment experts, many of whom applied for and were welcomed into the new group. Ambassadors include: • Professor Sadie Morgan OBE, founding director of DRMM architects and leading industry design advocate

share ownership for the benefit of all of their employees.

• Roger Madelin CBE, Joint Head of British Land’s 53 acre development at Canada Water • Olutayo Adebowale, an environmental scientist with over 30 years’ experience and Director of sustainability consultancy Cirkadia • Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, Disability and Gender Equity Advocate and the first visibly disabled deputy leader of a UK political party, the Women’s Equality Party • Alison Brooks of Alison Brooks Architects, Stirling Prize winner • Tim Gill from Rethinking Childhood, an independent scholar, advocate and consultant on childhood • Usman Haque, an award-winning architect and founder of Umbrellium, a design and build studio dedicated to transforming urban environments • Maria Adebowale Shwartz, CEO of Foundation for Future London and city and an urban place strategist Corporate partner organisations that share Design Council’s values will partner on projects, research and delivery. These include Beam, Black Professionals in Construction, Commonplace, Croydon Council’s Placemaking Team, Historic England, Living Streets, Migrants Bureau, Ryder and Pfizer. Associates will support on ongoing work with clients and specialists will contribute to research, policy and thought leadership. Integral to the network is its ability to offer Design Council’s clients and contacts a range of expertise, best serving their communities and wider society. Underpinning this is a passion for design

our studios, we’re hugely excited about our future smart-working approach, which will bring greater opportunities and wellbeing for everyone.”

Design Council Chief Executive, Minnie Moll, says: “The social, environmental and economic value of the built and natural environment is informed and enhanced by solutions that are inclusive and holistic. I am delighted to welcome back many of our existing experts as well as introduce new faces and bring them together with our highly acclaimed design associates to build a dynamic community of practice. In creating the new network we deliberately set out to increase the diversity in the group, reflecting under-represented groups and bringing greater breadth of perspective and expertise.” Design Council Ambassador, Professor Sadie Morgan OBE says: “I’m delighted to join Design Council’s Expert Network and look forward to exchanging knowledge, ideas and providing advice around creating positive, sustainable futures. Channelling the insight of the Council’s fellow experts and those we work with will be a really valuable opportunity.” Design Council Ambassador, Patricia Brown says:

“

Making life better for people has long been at the heart of my work and ethos, so I wholeheartedly support the Design Council’s purpose of making life better by design. In a world where the ‘only constant is change’ it is crucial to think and work collaboratively in shaping a positive future for all, and so I am thrilled to be able to bring to my knowledge, networks and passion for design to bear in achieving this.

award at the 2021 Cardiff Property Awards, being named the AJ100 Employer of the Year, and Architectural Practice of the Year in the Building Awards 2020.

In addition to its 3 Star Accreditation, HLM also made it onto three regional lists including London’s 75 Best Large Companies to Work for 2021, The North West’s 100 Best Companies to Work for 2021, and Scotland’s 40 Best Companies to Work for 2021.

Architect Projects

Karen Mosley, Managing Director, said: “Being awarded the highest standard for workplace engagement and wellbeing is a huge honour and a well-deserved accolade for our entire team. The level of connectivity and support we’ve seen displayed by everyone, at every level, every day has never been greater. The pandemic has reinforced our view that if you create an environment where everyone feels empowered and supported to achieve their best, wherever they may be, and there is an unquestionable level of trust and respect for each other; you will achieve great things together. As we plan our way back in to

• Patricia Brown, Director of Central, advising business and civic leaders on partnerships, developments and projects to create thriving places, economies and businesses

innovation and creating truly inclusive environments. Each expert has a distinct role, from architecture, public health and landscape architecture to circular economy and net zero carbon consultancy, which can shape ideas and projects from the earliest stages.

“

DESIGN COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW NETWORK OF DESIGN EXPERTS

HLM Architects is also appearing in the Top 5 Architects and Surveyors to work for 2021 List. In recent months, the practice has achieved numerous awards including the ‘Architect’

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PROJECT

OPPO Headquarters Founded in 2004, OPPO has grown over a short period of time to become China’s largest smartphone company. The setting of OPPO’s new R&D Headquarters in Hangzhou’s Future Sci-Tech City represents a commitment to the brand’s spirit of endless innovation in the pursuit of perfection. Hangzhou, colloquially known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, is not just a hub for innovation, but is also home to China’s most popular natural attractions including three of the world’s 57 UNESCO Heritage sites. The city has been shaped by a rich cultural history of technology, information exchange and trade for over 5,000 years as one of the origin sites of the Silk Road and Grand Canal. BIG began working with the leading global smart device brand at the beginning of 2019 to create an R&D Headquarters and Masterplan. The design expresses OPPO’s mission of the elevation of life through technological artistry, with an overarching vision of being a sustainable company that contributes to a better world.

Architect Projects

Prominently located in the heart of Yuhang District, Hangzhou, OPPO R&D Headquarters rests between a natural lake, an urban center, and a 10,000 square-meter park. As an anchor point along a major access road stretching east to west from Hangzhou, the OPPO R&D Headquarters Tower will be an iconic landmark and gateway to the Future Sci-Tech City and Hangzhou itself.

PROJECT PROJECT DATA Name:

OPPO HEADQUARTERS

Code:

OPPO

Date:

31/03/2021

Program:

Commercial

Status:

Idea

Size in m2:

161330

Project type:

Office, Retail and Masterplan

Client:

OPPO

Collaborators:

ZIAD (LDI), WSP (Traffic, MEP, VT Consultant), RBS (Structure Consultant), RFR (Façade Consultant) CCGT (Client project manager), BPI (Lighting designer), Savills (Programming consultant), TFP (Foodservice planner), UAD (Traffic evaluation agency)

Location:

Hangzhou, CN

PROJECT TEAM Partners-in-Charge:

Bjarke Ingels, Brian Yang

Project Leaders:

Hung Kai Liao

Project Architect:

Kekoa Charlot

Design Lead:

Ewa Bryzek

Facades Lead:

Aimee Louise Desert

Team:

Adam Busko, Agnieszka Magdalena Trzcińska, Alessandro Zanini, Alda Sol Hauksdóttir, Andra Beler, Buster Christensen, Cristina Giménez, Seongil Choo, Camille Breuil, Carlos Ramos Tendrio, Cris Liu, Daniel Ferrara Bilesky, Eddie Can, Eric Li, Filip Fot, Geetika Bhutani, Gül Ertekin, Jens Majdal Kaarsholm, Julia Gotovski, Karim Muallem, Liang Zhang, Laura Kovacevic, Malka Logo, Maria Capuozzo, Martyna Sylwia Kramarz, Mats Kolmas, Max Alexander Bonecker, Mengyuan Li, Mads Primdahl Rokkjær, Naphit Puangchan , Ombretta Colangelo, Rasam Aminzadeh, Roberto Fabbri, Stefan Plugaru, Steen Kortbæk Svendsen, Su Myat Nge Nge, Shuting Zhang, Weronika Siwak, Xiaochang Qiu, Xavier Thanki, Yusheng Huang, Zhonghan Huang

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paint, perfect for walls and ceilings where breathability is key. It’s thick and creamy with a high clay content, offering excellent coverage, no nasty paint smells and a number of eco properties. There are two methods used to objectively measure breathability - the SD value and the MVTR value. Using either method, Claypaint is proven to have extremely high levels of breathability. More information on this topic can be found in the blog on the Earthborn website. Ease of use, high covering power and lack of harmful emissions make Claypaint an ideal option to optimise breathability for any building. Earthborn’s new colour card showing all 72 colours in the classic range is now available and100% recyclable, including the adhesive and the paint chips that use real Claypaint.

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Architect Projects

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RECIRCULATION UNITS FOR KITCHENS IN HIGH DEMAND New Recirculation Unit for Commercial Kitchens, the CK ReCirc

™

he demand for these recirculation units is always growing, as more unusual and restricted spaces are being optimised by catering business owners. Recirculating will allow such kitchen professionals to take advantage of existing spaces without the high cost and practical implications that would apply to retrofitting permanent equipment like exhaust hood fans and ductwork, which filter airborne grease and smoke out into the atmosphere. CK Direct’s ReCirc™ is a self-contained kitchen ventilation unit with environmental design considerations that also eliminate major risks to the kitchen, such as ductwork fire hazards. Multiple stages of inventive filtration within the unit reduce grease, particulate, smoke and odour before reintroducing cleaner air to the kitchen – The unit therefore, needs no direct duct connection to the atmosphere.

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e sure to learn more about the recirculation unit for commercial kitchens and other new products in the range by calling a member of the CK Direct team on 01733 230378 Customers can also discuss with our experts their specific commercial kitchen requirements, whether it be for ventilation and extraction systems, fabricated stainless steel equipment or the most advanced odour control solutions available to the UK market. CK Direct are your trusted supplier, applying exceptional standards to the build of exceptional kitchens.

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EVENTS & AWARDS NEWS

GRIMSHAW WINS SHENZHEN TRANSPORT HUB COMPETITION

A design consortium led by Grimshaw, alongside Mott MacDonald, China Aviation Planning and Design Institute (AVIC CAPDI) and Beijing Urban Construction Design and Development Group (BJUCD) has been selected as the winner of an international competition for Shenzhen Airport East Integrated Transport Hub. The multidisciplinary design team also includes schlaich bergermann partner (sbp), Atelier Ten and Gross Max. Sponsored by China National Railway Corporation Limited and Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, the project is undertaken by Shenzhen Metro Corporation Limited as the tenderer. The Grimshaw team was announced as winner following an assessment by a bid evaluation committee of 13 experts in urban planning and design, architectural design, aviation, railway, urban rail, and integrated transportation.

Architect Projects

The brief called for an aspirational vision to create an integrated intermodal transport hub to act as a new urban gateway and landmark for the Greater Bay Area. It also set out the need to be safe, green, intelligent and humanistic, integrating the latest technologies to set a new benchmark for similar projects around the world.

The winning proposal will improve the journeys of thousands of daily commuters– providing effortless transfers between high speed rail and other public transport modes. The hub will also provide connections and terminal facilities for passengers travelling to and from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, making it one of the most integrated transport interchanges in the world. The transport interchange will be a catalyst for the transformation of the whole east terminal area into a vibrant, people oriented new commercial and cultural district for Shenzhen. The master plan has been designed to promote active travel through provision of intuitive routes, active frontages and enriching landscape features. Passengers will enjoy breath-taking arrival and departure experiences as they transit through the hub where the flowing architectural forms and naturally daylit spaces will help to guide people on their journeys through the interchange. The project will be an exemplar of environmental sustainability and will achieve LEED Platinum and Chinese 3 Star rating through a highly economic architectural solution that uses materials efficiently and maximises repetition of components.

The design takes its inspiration from the Mangrove, a tree that has special significance for the city of Shenzhen and is one of the planet’s most effective carbon absorbers. The team developed a strong set of design principles enabling a harmonious and unique development delivering operational, experiential and ecological excellence. The natural form of the tree’s diverse root eco-system, which thrives where waterways converge, inspired the journey passengers will take, both above and below ground, landside and airside, while its bio-diversity will be in harmony with the hub’s exciting mix of uses Jolyon Brewis, Grimshaw Partner says: “We are often inspired by the transfer of geometries and forms from nature into architecture. We have applied this approach to the master plan and interchange design at Shenzhen Bao’an Airport which is directly inspired by the mangrove tree. Not only does this have symbolic value as an important tree to Shenzhen, but it has led us to a solution for the building that is highly efficient. “It will also be a wonderful place for people to occupy and travel through. We hope it will lift the spirits of millions of Shenzhen citizens, as well as those who visit this incredible city.”

EVENTS & AWARDS NEWS

PELHAM WATERSIDE SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL HOUSING AWARD New residential housing development Pelham Waterside has been shortlisted for ‘Best Urban Development Outside London’ at the Inside Housing Development Awards 2021. The 73-home scheme, which is located near the banks of Nottingham’s River Trent within the Waterside Regeneration Zone, has been designed by CPMG Architects to embrace sustainability, community and nature, bringing new residents to the riverside location. Owned by Pelham Homes, the site is the largest residential development for the home builders in more than a decade and this month has been shortlisted alongside some of the UK’s top new-build schemes with more than 300 entrants. Allan Fisher, director at Pelham Homes said: “This is an incredible recognition for the Pelham Waterside team on a national stage. The interest in the development since its launch has been fantastic and over 80% of the homes in phase one have already been sold or reserved, with completion expected by summer 2021. Phase two has planning agreed bringing a further 12 houses and 27 apartments, starting on site later this year. “Our ethos at Pelham Homes is ‘building profit for purpose’ and our developments are dedicated to generating profits through building new homes, which are gift-aided back to Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) to help provide affordable homes and additional social value

Anne Kerr, Mott MacDonald China managing director says: “We are delighted our team has been selected to contribute to the next generation of travel within this exciting area – which is an important hub and connection in terms of people and goods. We are passionate about the development of integrated transport solutions that deliver better social outcomes through greater connectivity. By combining our global and local expertise in aviation, surface transport and the built environment, this project is a unique opportunity to create a world class, sustainable and passenger – centric hub that supports the continued development of the Greater Bay Area – and one that we are honoured to be part of.”

to the wider community. As the first scheme of this size in over 10 years, we are proud of the team’s hard work in making it such an early success.” The development has seen the regeneration of a brownfield site and has sustainability integrated into the design, incorporating thermally-efficient building fabric and the use of low-energy fittings throughout. A combination of good quality brickwork and timber cladding provide a natural feel to the buildings, which also feature generously sized windows and Juliet balconies to allow good levels of natural daylight and ventilation throughout. Steve Milan, associate and lead for the scheme at CPMG, said: “We’re delighted that Pelham Waterside has been shortlisted for a

national award. Working with Pelham Homes we have designed an environment reflecting the importance of personal wellbeing, both inside the homes and through interaction with outdoor spaces, so it’s fantastic to have been recognised for our hard work.” Pelham Waterside is a contemporary development, which provides an urban lifestyle close to the city centre, while offering wellbeing benefits of waterside living for individuals, couples and families. The project team for phase two of Pelham Waterside is Couch Perry Wilkes, mechanical and electrical consultants and Curtins, structural engineers. Winners will be announced at a ceremony event on Thursday 4 November 2021 at London’s Intercontinental Hotel.

team at Grimshaw for many years on biophilia, form and skin to ‘manage’ comfort and expectations through the manipulation of light, sun and air in the in-between spaces that transport interchanges generate. The evocation of biophilic influence through the underlying mangrove forms serves to reinforce the connection to nature in this very busy city. We look forward to developing and evolving this LEED Platinum project with Grimshaw and the rest of the team in the months ahead.”

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Dave Richards, Atelier Ten Director says: “We are thrilled to be a part of this fantastic team designing such a significant and aspirational piece of transport infrastructure for Shenzhen. This competition winning proposal builds on work that we have been doing with the

EVENTS & AWARDS NEWS

EDINBURGH BASED ARCHITECTS KETTLE COLLECTIVE LEADS IN SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION WITH SECOND QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE Edinburgh based architect, Kettle Collective, is calling for architects to be at the forefront of tackling carbon reduction, a sector which contributes up to 39% of the global carbon footprint, after being honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development. This is the second Queen’s Award for Kettle Collective, which is one of 205 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise and one of only 17 for Sustainable Development. Previously landing the award for International Trade in 2016, the firm was formed in 2012 with a focus on creating high performance and energy efficient designs. Probably best-known for designing the Falkirk Wheel, design principal Tony Kettle is one of the country’s leading architects and is

also behind the River Clyde Crossing bridge, the largest opening cable-stay road bridge in the world, as well as the concept for St Petersburg’s LEED Platinum, low energy Lakhta Centre, Europe’s tallest building. “Sustainable design is at the core of everything we do,” says Kettle’s managing director, Colin Bone. “It is a great honour to have been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen for our sustainable design. “We set up Kettle Collective to make a difference, not just to the quality of the lives of the people living and working in our projects, but most importantly on making a positive impact to the natural environment on a large scale.” Underpinned by the belief that the space we live in directly influences the quality of our

lives, Kettle was set up to create vibrant and sustainable projects. “The design phase is critical to the energy efficiency of any building and designers not only need to prioritise but to innovate if they are going to meet the considerable challenges we face. “Through regenerative building and promoting habitats and biodiversity we are actively reducing the impact on the planet.” Kettle is an international business with satellite studios in Dubai and Oman, as well as a presence in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, St Petersburg and Shenzhen. The Middle East is a key market for Kettle, a region where they have designed a number of projects from large urban developments to individual buildings all underpinned by sustainable design. Kettle designed the LEED Platinum, multi award winning Solar Innovation Centre at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park for the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority which acts as a hub to promote the sustainable energy future, showing Dubai at the forefront of thinking in sustainability. “We continually learn from different cultures and are designing new buildings and communities across the world that are not only truly sustainable in a built environment, but that celebrate the place,” says Tony Kettle. “I am delighted and hugely proud of our team. This is our second Queen’s award and it is significant to win for sustainability, which is the key issue of our time and is a commitment on every project we design. “We believe everyone has a responsibility to minimise use of the earth’s valuable resources and maximise use of renewable energy to the reduce the carbon footprint. As a studio we look to create long term value for our clients which will benefit future generations and society as a whole.” Meanwhile, The Hunter Foundation in partnership with the University of Strathclyde is currently developing the Hunter Global Leadership Centre on the banks of Loch Lomond, designed by Kettle Collective. The centre will be Scotland’s first dedicated leadership training centre, designed to be carbon neutral for energy usage and drive social benefit and economic growth. Sir Tom Hunter, philanthropist and founder of The Hunter Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic news that the Kettle Collective has won the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development as recognition of its work leading the sustainability charge.

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“I am particularly pleased at the recognition of Kettle’s impact to climate change, which is now nothing short of urgent to our planet.” Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

ROCKWOOL® EXPANDS FLAT ROOF RANGE WITH NON-COMBUSTIBLE UPSTAND BOARD In its latest step to help specifiers and contractors mitigate fire risk in the fifth façade, ROCKWOOL has launched HARDROCK UB34, an insulation solution specially designed for parapet walls and upstands on flat roofs which is non-combustible in case of fire. A robust, thermally efficient upstand insulation board, UB34 combines a dense 50mm slab of ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation bonded to a rigid 6mm fibre cement board making it impact and weather resistant. HARDROCK UB34 has been fully tested and classified as Euroclass A2-s1, d0, meaning it suitable for use on buildings over 18 metres that are affected by the ban on combustible materials.

JAMES TOBIAS INTERIOR INNOVATORS Based in the heart of Somerset, James Tobias draw on 30 years of design innovation, quality craftsmanship and UK manufacturing expertise, to produce bespoke commercial interiors. All their products are designed and manufactured in-house and distributed to a dedicated network of skilled installers, who ensure that every project is delivered, installed and completed without compromise.

HARDROCK UB34 is manufactured with a ROCKWOOL base slab which has thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK, helping to reduce thermal bridging through roof upstands. The board is compatible with a range of flat roof systems, including single-ply and inverted. www.rockwool.com/uk/flat-roof-hub

James Tobias are celebrating winning the Environmental Achievement Award at the recent Somerset Business Awards and Ryan Williams, Head of Innovation & Marketing, commented; “We’ve worked hard to make our environmental credentials a key focus of James Tobias. We recently developed a new polymer board manufactured entirely from previously unrecyclable low grade plastic waste. This industry changing material is now a core part of our manufacturing processes.” To find out more about James Tobias, their products and environmental commitments visit www.james-tobias.co.uk.

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UNDERFLOOR HEATING TICKS ALL THE BOXES! by Steven Rooney, Sales Director at Gaia Underfloor Heating When it comes to heating, there is no single off-the-peg solution that suits every situation and it is no longer a case of considering the individual components in isolation. Now the emphasis is on looking at the whole project design and mixing and matching various systems to achieve the most appropriate overall solution. This is being driven by the building regulations which, in turn, are taking account of the sustainability agenda, energy use and reduction of CO2 emissions in buildings. As a consequence, suppliers that provide total designed solutions rather than individual products are in a winning position. Underfloor heating (UFH) - whether wet or electric – is well placed to be part of a holistic design solution. It scores well in terms of environmental performance and is regarded as economical, ultraefficient and comfortable. Simple to install and control, UFH wastes no heat at ceiling level and frees up valuable wall space, providing complete design freedom. Wet systems circulate water at low temperatures through a series of continuous pipe loops laid within a screed, or between timber joists, beneath the floor surface. Electric systems consist either of cables laid within the screed or cable mats laid on top of existing subfloors.

In this market, it is increasingly important for companies to deliver a one-stop-shop, solution-driven service that ‘bolts’ together multiple products to deliver true value to the client. And value, in these terms, represents more than price and product; it is about customer service AP920023 Gaia HP.indd 1

Gaia offers total solutions for any sized project. Gaia’s approach is one that includes design and installation of wet and electric underfloor heating, along with comprehensive specification advice. Last year as Gaia celebrated 30 years in business they launched the new Gaia Decoupling Membrane and Heating Cable system and the new Smart Thermostat with no need for a hub, ticking even more boxes!

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Importantly, UFH has the ability to tick the boxes when it comes to working with renewable energy and sustainable solutions yet it cannot do this in isolation. It must be considered in terms of the other components that make up the floor such as insulation, screed and floor coverings as well as in relation to the energy source, the overall specification of the building and level of sustainability being sought.

and certainty with one point of contact, bespoke design, shortening of the build programme, ease of installation, compliance with regulations and enduser appeal, plus a warranty based on the knowledge that the company is well established and is still likely to be in existence in ten years time.

For further information contact Gaia, call 01359 242 400 email info@gaia.co.uk or visit www.gaia.co.uk.

18/09/2020 10:20:28

INTERVIEW

ARCHITECT PROJECTS MAGAZINE SPEAKS WITH ENIS KARAVIL, CO-FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF SANAYI313 ARCHITECTS, ABOUT THEIR LATEST COMMERCIAL PROJECT, THE MELIS GÖRAL SHOWROOM Talk us through the inspiration behind the design The showroom is located inside a historical building, which is one of the oldest residential buildings in the neighbourhood. It’s a rounded corner building with a unique geometry and beautiful, original architectural features which acted as the main influence for the design. The building has double-height, arched ceilings, which we wanted to highlight. With Picasso’s studio in Cannes as a design reference, we emphasised on woodworking throughout the entire showroom, from the ceilings to the marquetry flooring.

help from experienced lighting consultant Ali Bekman, we managed to achieve the optimum balance between natural and artificial light. Inside the showroom, there is a private room where the high-end pieces are displayed, and we experimented with the lighting in this room to create a different mood by making it more dramatic than the rest of the showroom. What is your favourite aspect of the design and why?

I find the symmetrical, uniform arches framed with intricate woodwork to be the unique aspect of this project. The frames bring their

proportions to stunning effect, while making them clearly zone the ‘spaces’ within the showroom. How important is it to consider the space when creating a design? The space itself is the most important aspect of a project. When you design interiors, you control and reshape the space, but the space has to own your design and you have to respect its character. Your design should integrate with the space but at the same time be present. I believe coherency of a project depends on this rhythm.

What is your design process? When Melis Göral asked us to design her new showroom, we already knew the site well and were aware of her design identity. I believe that made it a smooth and enjoyable experience for us both. Following sharing the initial moodboards, Melis Göral instantly wanted us to begin the design process. Her jewellery creations have strong art deco influences, which we wanted to highlight. So the overall result has been a combination of our design ideas combined with the designer’s art deco style. Did you face any challenges?

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The showroom, which occupies a former apartment within one of Bebek’s oldest residential buildings, has large windows along its façade which lets in plenty of daylight. Since this is a jewellery showroom, showcasing the designs in all their glory heavily depended on good lighting and that required us to control the natural light coming through the windows. The intensity of light and its warm/cool ratio were our biggest concerns. With professional

INTERVIEW

What was important about designing the furniture to complement the design? When choosing the furniture, it was important to consider that the pieces do not overshadow the jewellery displays but rather showcase them as the central element. We decorated the showroom with pieces from Mackintosh and Murano. There is a custom-made circular neon sign suspended from the ceiling in the entrance hall that says, “How long is forever?” quoting Alice in Wonderland, which refers to “Diamonds are forever”. How vital is it to ensure all the design aspects work well together? Can this be a challenge?

An architect who can design with precision within the space combined with the brand’s identity and character is a great skill. It is vital to establish the right balance between all aspects, which is only achievable with a wellexecuted design process and the right kind of research.

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How did you ensure the design worked specifically well alongside the jewellery collections?

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Working closely with the designer and her involvement in all stages of the design process helped us better understand what’s best for her brand. We designed alternating displays based on Melis’ collections, allowing customers to walk through the showroom and view the different collections in different setups in a seamless way. Talk us through the colour palette and textures used and how this adds to the overall design. We kept the colour palette simple and subtle due to the fact that Melis is an art collector and she plans to regularly rotate the artworks in the showroom. Ultimately, we wanted to put focus on the jewellery, and working with natural linens, iron and mirrored surfaces helped us achieve our goal, whilst the woodworks added an overall creative zest to the project. What three key points are always important to remember when designing for a commercial space?

Good lighting, fluidity and the right choice of materials. It’s key that every project should always have a unique element – a wow factor.

For vertically structured exterior surfaces Very water and dirt resistant Reduces wood swelling and shrinkage Resists the growth of algae, mildew & fungal attack Microporous, breathable finish No sanding necessary for future applications

THE SUSTAINABILITY OF GALVANIZED STEEL Galvanized steel is all around us. But how does its prevalence today affect the environment of the future? How sustainable is it for architectural projects? What role does it play in the circular economy? And is the galvanizing process itself environmentally friendly? Everywhere you look, you’ll see galvanized steel: frames for our buildings, safety on our roads, and support for the bridges we cross. Hence, we must never waste it, or waste the resources used to produce it, by throwing it away when its original function is no longer valid. We must repurpose galvanized steel, especially if the world wants to move away from traditional business models of ‘use-throw-

away-remake’ to a more environmentally friendly, sustainable circular economy which aims to eliminate waste and repurpose resources. What is a circular economy and how can galvanizing play a part? A circular economy encourages materials to be made, used, reused, remade and recycled. Hot dip galvanizing fits perfectly into a circular economy because it optimises the durability of steel (enabling it to be used again), facilitates the ease of reuse, and if there’s no immediate need to repurpose, it can be recycled:

• Optimising durability When steel is galvanized it is immersed into a bath of molten zinc where it alloys with the iron in the steel to form zinc/iron alloy layers. These layers form the basis of the coating, which is then overlain with free zinc, as it is withdrawn from the galvanizing bath. The result is a robust, durable and corrosion protective finish that will last between 34 and 170 years before the base steel is exposed. This means that steel can be used for the original purpose for which it was fabricated, and – once the project is dismantled – the steel is still good enough to be used elsewhere. • Facilitating ease of reuse Once a structure reaches its end of life, the steel can easily be repurposed if it has been hot dip galvanized as the coating protects it from impact and abrasion when it is disassembled and reassembled. • Recycling Finally, galvanized steel can be melted and used again and again with no loss of quality if there is no immediate need for repurposing.

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The zinc coating can also be reused. How else does the galvanizing process enhance sustainability? A hot dip galvanized finish not only gives steel a long life and durability, but it also creates a maintenance free finish, which lessens the

(Graphic provided by the European General Galvanizers Association)

carbon emissions normally associated with the upkeep of non-galvanized steel. Is the galvanizing process environmentally friendly? Galvanizing plants are self-contained, with steel going in at one end and the final product coming out at the other.

Modern galvanizing plants also use zinc very efficiently throughout the galvanizing process. For example, excess metal from the dipping process deposits back into the galvanizing bath. Zinc that oxidises on the surface is removed as ash and recycled, and dross from the bottom of the bath is routinely removed and has a high recycling value. When compared to other coating technologies galvanizing uses low volumes of water, with plants rarely discharging wastewater. Any wastewater generated can be treated and reused, with only small volumes of stable solids requiring external disposal. While not considered a particularly energyintensive sector, the galvanizing industry also has set targets for energy efficiency and improved energy management. To find out more about galvanized steel for your architectural projects please get in touch.

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www.josephash.co.uk

UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE FROM SCHÖCK MODULAR CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION Phase three of the Elephant Park regeneration project comprises Park Central (North) and East Grove. These developments provide more than 800 new homes and the thermal performance at the design detailing involving the balconies and the unitised façades needed careful consideration if thermal bridging was to be minimised

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After the widespread devastation of the Second World War, the Elephant and Castle district of London was clumsily redeveloped during the 1950s. The resulting offices, housing estates and shopping centre were impressive in their time, but at best outmoded in recent times. However, the area has remained an important part of Central London and the current £2.3 billion Elephant Park regeneration project now aims to create one of the most sustainable inner-city regeneration projects in Europe. Overall there are five phases at various stages in the masterplan, with the third currently live alongside the New Kent Road. There are eleven buildings in this phase, divided into two plots – Park Central (North) and East Grove – providing 829 homes in total. There are brick-finished midrise blocks to 11 and 12-storeys throughout and each plot also features a main tower, one at 24-storey, the other 25-storey, both part of

“

Although the Schöck product types used in phase three at Elephant Park are for steel-to-steel connectivity, the comprehensive Isokorb range also offers solutions for concreteto-steel, concrete-to-concrete – and even a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets.

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the family of tall buildings in the masterplan. Construction of the towers uses around 19,000 m2 of aluminium unitised façade panels. The façade panels for the towers, supplied by FKN and Lindner, were delivered complete with integrated sliding doors and openings ready for the connection of ventilation devices. There are also hundreds of cantilever steel balconies throughout the project. These were supplied by Sheffield based Dearneside Fabrications Ltd. and were also pre-fabricated, including flooring and glazed balustrades.

The T type S product variants

Avoidance of thermal bridging is critical With steel having such a high conductivity when compared with other construction materials the avoidance of thermal bridging is critical throughout the project. Local heat loss is a major factor, resulting in more energy being required to maintain the internal temperature of the building. Also, low internal surface temperatures in the area of any thermal bridge can cause condensation. This in turn is likely to result in structural integrity problems with absorbent materials, such as insulation products or plasterboard. Mould growth is also a possible risk, which in a residential situation can cause asthma and allergies. With both Park Central (North) and East Grove the thermal performance at the connectivity points involving the balconies and the commercial façades needed careful design consideration if heat flow was to be minimised. The Schöck Isokorb structural thermal break is universally recognised for its capability with balcony design detailing. However, it is less widely known for its ability to dramatically improve the thermal performance involving façade engineering. On this project the thermal zone sits outside of the slab zone and the Isokorb is the ideal solution. The specific product that offers so many benefits is the Schöck Isokorb T type S.

Unique and versatile The versatile Schöck Isokorb T type S structural thermal break is the ideal connectivity solution for project applications involving steel-to-steel applications. There are two variants, the T type S-N for tensile force and the T type S-V for transferring compression and shear forces. It is the only approved thermal break product for steel construction that satisfies the loadbearing and thermal insulation requirements of steel design. Also, being a modular unit, it can be adapted to all profile sizes and load bearing capacity requirements – plus it can be

used in both new construction and renovation projects. Totally verifiable performance Although the Schöck product types used in phase three at Elephant Park are for steel-tosteel connectivity, the comprehensive Isokorb range also offers solutions for concrete-tosteel, concrete-to-concrete – and even a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets. The requirement described in BRE IP1/06 and cited in Building Regulations Approved Documents Part L1 and L2 and Section 6 in Scotland, that the temperature factor used to indicate condensation risk (fRSI) must be greater than, or equal to, 0.75 for residential buildings is easily met by incorporating the Isokorb. The range also complies with the Government Standard Assessment Procedure, SAP 2012, concerning CO2 emissions from buildings and respectively heat losses through nonrepeating thermal bridges. Products meet full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations, have NHBC approval and offer LABC Registration. There is also the security of independent BBA Certification.

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Thermal breaks and end plates in position ready for the balconies to be connected

For full information on the Schöck product range; or to view the range of downloadable software, contact Schöck on 01865 290 890 or visit the website at www.schoeck.com

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PROJECT NEWS

SUSTAINABLE WILDLIFE CENTRE OPENS IN 26-MILE-LONG ESSEX COUNTRY PARK A brand-new wildlife discovery centre has opened in Essex’s River Lee Country Park – using fully recyclable materials that will reduce the building’s impact on landfill waste.

the end of its life and to be conscious and protective of local wildlife habitats.

The £700,000 development has replaced the former Bittern Information Point, which, after 30 years, had run the course of its lifespan. The new centre offers far-reaching, 360-degree views of the surrounding area from the fivemetre viewing tower, allowing bird watchers and nature lovers to take a closer look at the wildlife in the park, which is situated in the 26-mile-long Lee Valley Regional Park – stretching from the Thames to Hertfordshire.

“All materials can be dismantled, reused and recycled; the helical piles can be unscrewed and reused, all timber elements can be chipped and used for biofuel, gabion retaining walls can be reused, and the foundations can be recycled because they aren’t composed of concrete. The innovative facility demanded sustainable materials for sub-structure and super-structure elements to overcome difficult site constraints – the area is located on a remote site between two rivers with limited access – and Covid-19 restrictions.

Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle – a company jointly owned by Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM – was appointed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority through SCAPE, the leading public sector procurement authority, to provide project management, structural engineering, principal design, civil engineering and upfront QS costings to the project. The works were accelerated by SCAPE Consultancy, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings.

“The structural design, led by Pick Everard associate Jayesh Patel, incorporated off-site construction techniques – including Keller helical piles, pre-fabricated glulam beams, and spliced steel framing – to reduce manual handling risks, construction waste and improve site logistics. The construction programme also had to take into account bird migration patterns and nesting, with construction activities being monitored for noise to minimise disruption to the local wildlife, such as bird migration and nests.”

Victoria Brambini, managing director of Perfect Circle, said: “We are delighted to have worked alongside Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, architects Andris Berzins & Associates, and contractor Carmelcrest Construction for this project, which has breathed new life into River Lee Country Park.

Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “It’s clearer than ever that communities need green open spaces with facilities that enhance their quality of life. It is wonderful to see these collaborative teams are so enthusiastically embracing sustainable design and construction principles to encourage development that supports the biodiversity and wildlife within the local area. With these principles at heart, Perfect Circle and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority have delivered a community asset that sets a positive example.

“Wartime bombing, changes in industry and post-war reconstruction meant that more than 50 years ago, the area surrounding the River Lee was derelict and neglected. But over the past five decades, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has been dedicated to transforming the area into a world-class destination. “The centre – located on a remote site between two rivers – comes complete with a CCTV system and live nest boxes, which will provide undisturbed, close-up access to the area’s wildlife for visitors of all ages. The coronavirus pandemic has shown us how much people value open spaces and the ability to get close to nature, so we are expecting it to become one of the most popular areas to visit for both the local community and tourists.”

The SCAPE Consultancy framework offers direct access to the most extensive property, construction and infrastructure consultancy services available to the public sector. The procurement route brings together the strongest collaborative team with value for money, while contributing substantially to local social value.

“In addition, this project demonstrates the benefits of using a direct award framework to access the very best technical expertise to solve these kinds of complex challenges with innovation and a keen eye on high quality, sustainable delivery.”

As well as providing an area for the community and tourists to appreciate the wildlife and the Eurasian bittern bird – a Biodiversity Action Plan species – there is a fully accessible information point and a two-tier viewing area at ground level, with a separate wildlife information room. The centre is also equipped with ramps and lifts to make it accessible to all.

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Fully sustainable materials were used to construct the centre – reducing its impact on landfill waste once the building reaches the end of its design life in half a century. Hannah Hamilton, regional partner for the south east at Perfect Circle, said: “The overriding ambition for the scheme was to refrain from using any concrete so the materials can be recycled when the building reaches

PROJECT NEWS

Images: © Marc Johnson

FORME UK DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE LTD COMPLETES REDEVELOPMENT OF 25 BERKELEY SQUARE IN LONDON: ADAPTING A GRADE LL LISTED BUILDING FOR THE NEEDS OF MODERN BUSINESS Forme UK Design and Architecture Ltd recently completed the extension and redevelopment of 25 Berkeley Square, a Grade II listed building in the Mayfair conservation area of London. 25 Berkeley Square is a large office building in the north-east corner of Berkeley Square, one of the most prestigious addresses in Mayfair, with a mix of office, retail and entertainment uses. Originally constructed in 1906 as a building of luxury mansion apartments, it was converted to office use in 1954. Over the years there have been several changes to the use of the building and in 1989 the rear of the building was substantially rebuilt behind the retained facade and the front range of rooms to Berkeley Square. The main facade of the building faces south onto Berkeley Square, now part of the Grosvenor Estate. Forme UK was appointed to provide several enhancements to the building, including

creating a new roof extension with attic storeys, remodelling the interiors and designing flexible open plan office space, upgrading to comply with current building regulations, ensuring maximum natural daylight where possible and providing an interior that is fully ambulant disabled and wheelchair accessible. Mark Twigg, Managing Director at Forme UK, says, “Our approach to this project has been to re-develop the property to create modern office spaces while respecting and preserving the aspects of the buildings that are of architectural and historic significance. We wanted to greatly enhance and improve the existing interior design of the building, creating an inspiring open plan office environment offering dramatic views over London that is sensitive to the original form of the building and the surrounding architecture.” Externally and internally, alterations have only been made to the non-historic elements and all historic elements of the 1906 Verity building have been retained. The refurbishment features a new mansard roof of Westmorland green slate tile with ornate leadwork detailing, typical of the Beaux Arts architectural style, Portland stone cladding, molding and cornicing to match the building’s historic architectural character. Floors 1 – 6 now provide fully-flexible modern open plan office spaces which are adjacent to a series of grand ‘Heritage’ rooms overlooking Berkeley Square

where all the original features have been enhanced. The reception area has also been redesigned, bringing together the original detailing of fine plasterwork and the grand volume of space with classic and contemporary elements. Features include a geometric patterned marble floor, dark timber joinery with striking bespoke brass detailing, a neutral toned, leather clad desk and statement lighting that changes the ambience depending on the time of day. The existing grand staircase has been restored and at the very top of the stairwell, a large existing coloured glass lantern has been refurbished and back lit to enhance the grey and ochre tones of the space. There are bespoke bronze wall lights on the walls and floating bronze hoops which are subtly lit and appear to float. Class glass lift doors set between the existing porticos reveal views through to pale marble clad walls beyond, combining the classical ambience of the staircase with the contemporary aesthetic of the office areas. The existing timber windows to the heritage facades have been restored to their former elegance and new wrought iron balustrades have been introduced to the new elements on the South and West elevations, complimenting the heritage architectural metalwork on the principal façade facing the square. A retail presence has been introduced on the ground floor on Jones Street, a narrow pedestrian walkway that separates the building from 27 Berkeley Square. Three new Portland stoneframed bays with full-height slim-line glazing offer new retail entrances and an accessible entrance to the building. This is further enhanced by an additional glazed shopfront in similar detailing on the corner of Jones Street and Bourdon Street.

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The renovated building has an excellent BREEAM rating and now offers 55224 sq feet of beautifully refurbished office space. Lazari Investments Limited in association with The Grosvenor Estate commissioned the project.

Rushey Mead School, Leicester – image courtesy of CORSTORPHINE + WRIGHT Architects

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Old Trafford Lodge, Manchester – image courtesy of ICA Architects

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FLEXIBLE, VERSATILE & SAFE: REMOVABLE SAFETY PADDING IN MENTAL HEALTH DESIGN By Rhino UK St Andrew’s Healthcare is a specialist mental health charity providing care for those with complex mental health needs. In June 2020, they got in touch with the team at Rhino UK to help them solve their wall padding puzzle, a flexible padding solution for one of their transitional wards, where safety padding could easily be put up or removed to suit each patient’s needs quickly and effectively.

Full Project Requirements:

Rhino’s Padding Solution

A Flexible Solution: Padding to be used across a range of the ward’s different sized rooms. Removable & Secure: Padding that can be easily installed and removed by the nursing team, but not so easily removed by their patients. Anti-Ligature & Infection Control Safe: To ensure patients safety and to meet healthcare infection control guidelines.

A Flexible Solution

Purposeful Padding: Standard padding is typically made to measure, but St Andrew’s wanted their removable padding to fit a variety of different sized rooms for full flexibility on the ward – which presented a new challenge. Rhino UK used narrower pads that could be used in a mix and match style to fit each room type; for ease of use, the padding was colour coded with the wall brackets, so staff wouldn’t have a hard time configuring the room’s padding, speeding up assembly times. Conscious Convenience: Accessible cut-outs in the padding were widened to accommodate the different location of plugs and switches across the ward. This special design feature offers patients and staff access to the rooms key features without compromising safety.

Removable & Secure

Narrow Padding: Thinner and narrower safety padding was used for easy assembly and transportation by nursing staff. Measuring only 500mm in width, the special padding provides the same protection levels as thicker fixed padding.

Brackets & Magnets: The padding is safely secured to the room’s walls using a dual bracket and magnet system. Brackets along the top of the padding are kept out of the way of prying hands, strongly bolting the pads to the wall. Whilst powerful magnetic strips lining the pads’ ends stop them from being easily ripped off the walls.

Anti-Ligature & Infection Control Safe

Magnetic Wooden Beams: In keeping with the room’s aesthetic, detachable magnetic hardwood beams have been used to cover up the padding brackets, removing the risk of ligatures and ensuing patient’s safety when they’re left alone. The beams offer a similar hard-wearing strength of a fixed panel and the flexibility of a removable Velcro pad. When the padding isn’t being used, the wooden beams blend in as part of the room’s decor, creating a calming environment. Infection Control Safe: Our handmade padding is tightly stitched with hardwearing, easy to clean vinyl, perfect for shared use in infection control environments.

“The padding looks great. Its clean and fresh appearance provides non-invasion protection for our patients. We love how we don’t have to fully pad the room if it isn’t needed. Some of our ladies only need padding around their bed. Thanks, Rhino UK!” OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, ST ANDREW’S HEALTHCARE. Safety padding is one of the many sensory solutions that Rhino UK offer. Their design, installation and expertise have seen the creation of hundreds of therapeutic sensory spaces across the UK, from primary schools in the Shetland Isles to world-famous football clubs in Manchester and London.

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Get in touch with Rhino UK today to solve your next design puzzle. Call: 01270 766660 Email: sales@rhinouk.com Website: www.rhinouk.com

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BESPOKE SENSORY DESIGNS & SOLUTIONS From Rhino UK

At Rhino UK we like to make sense of senses.

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Whether that's lining walls and floors with soft safety padding in mental health facilities. Creating uplifting natural areas in clinical hospital environments. Or developing inclusive areas in schools that support wellbeing and learning.

Services: Soft Safety Padding Bespoke Sensory Wall Panels Soft Furniture Interactive Sensory Lighting

Our combined 75 years of experience helping architects, in both public and private sectors, have seen us create hundreds of bespoke therapeutic spaces for a wide array of clients.

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ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENTRANCE

GEZE’s automatic doors provided the perfect solution for a new building where environmentally friendly criteria was at the heart of its design. When CABI needed a new home to replace the old school building they had been in for 33 years and now required a high level of maintenance they turned to international design practice Scott Brownrigg.

The challenge was to design an energy efficient, purpose-built headquarters for the not-for-profit organisation that was in keeping with their values of protecting the environment and enhancing bio-diversity, provided a workplace for up to 180 members of staff and was an impressive local landmark. The new entrance had to meet this exacting vision. A GEZE Slimdrive SCR automatic curved sliding door was chosen to provide a light and airy all-glass lobby entrance which blends seamlessly into the facade.

The circular entrance features two sets of automatic bi-parting curved glass sliding doors, creating a lobby that minimises heat loss or gain and so helps to contribute to the building’s environmental credentials. In addition the Slimdrive SCR combines high performance with unobtrusive operation – the drives are just 7cm in height and very discreet. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in keeping with CABI’s values the building is topped with a living roof designed to attract insects and birds and enhance biodiversity. GEZE UK national specification manager Richard Richardson-Derry said: ‘Creating an environmentally friendly building was essential to CABI and we were delighted to work closely with Scott Brownrigg to play a part in achieving this. The Slimdrive SCR is perfect for providing an entrance that limits temperature variation‘. Said Ed Hayden from Scott Brownrigg: ‘We are extremely proud of the CABI Headquarters, it is an eye catching building yet stays true to the core values of the organisation. GEZE’s solution of a lobby entrance fitted perfectly with what we wanted to achieve‘.

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The CABI headquarters were shortlisted for the ArchDaily Building of the Year 2021 Awards.

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk

DICKENSIAN SHOPFRONTS AND CURVED GLASS – 150 BISHOPSGATE 150 Bishopsgate is located in London’s Square mile in a conservation area with some fine examples of Victorian architecture on display. The 43 storey tower rises above the nearby historic buildings and shopfronts in striking juxtaposition. Listed buildings in the middle of a site where you want to build a new multi-storey luxury hotel and residential development can be a “fly in the ointment” for architects and developers. In this case, the buildings on Devonshire row, including an original Victorian shopfront, had to be preserved and restored alongside the beautiful Devonshire House with its curved sliding sash windows and the nearby Victorian replica shopfronts. Each part of this conservation project proved to be challenging but that is precisely why George Barnsdale was chosen because of their expertise in designing, manufacturing and installing historic windows. “Initially, the project looked quite straight forward compared to the very high specification requirements of other large projects we were working on at the time,” said Hayden Darley, Technical Director. “However, the complexities of the job came to light once we started to survey the building and discuss the architect’s exacting visual requirements.” As with any old building, the openings are not square meaning that fitting the sliding sash windows into them can result in varying amounts of frame to be visible. Mitigating for this meant many months of design and re-design work, much more detailed surveying of the openings and numerous project meetings to balance what is actually possible to manufacture alongside the architect’s requirements. In terms of the new historic style shopfronts, it was originally conceived that this would

be the most straightforward part of the project, however, it soon became one of the most bespoke projects George Barnsdale has worked on in recent years. The Technical Director spent almost all of the first lockdown working on CAD drawings.

On the Eastern elevation of the building sits the listed Victorian shopfront which was entrusted to George Barnsdale to remove, take away, refurbish and replicate in places where the original had been removed previously. Painstakingly working to repair and make mouldings, hand carved fixtures and replacing individual panes of single glazed glass, the joinery experts back in Lincolnshire restored the shopfront to its former glory. Commenting, Hayden said “Some parts of the design, despite all of today’s modern machinery and CAD design tools, were highly complex. It really makes you realise how talented the original craftsmen were.” The most nerve racking part was yet to come, transporting and rebuilding the historic shopfront on site without causing damage and mitigating for the wonky profiles typical of a structure built 140 years ago. Thankfully, this went well and the Dickensian shopfront is back where it belongs complete with copper roof.

Website: wwww.georgebarnsdale.co.uk

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MAKE VISION DOORS YOUR NEW FOCAL POINT Introducing a new focal point for interiors with the Vision Door range from leading interior door manufacturer and innovator, Vicaima. A door designed to broaden horizons and at the same time maintaining a close affinity with nature.

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For those who love real veneer but are looking to move beyond the constraints of timber specie or tonal possibilities, Vision presents the blending of wood veneers with modern technology to allow it to be envisioned into warm colour palettes that will enhance interiors for tomorrow. Using a selection of environmentally friendly and FSC certified real wood veneers as their base, Vision doors incorporate the very latest in surface applications and techniques, permitting the product to take on a new persona, widening possibilities and offering new solutions. Vision brings colour to life The Vision Range offers a welcome and inventive spectrum from light to dark, for rooms and spaces where openings offer a focal point and comforting interaction with their surroundings, whether for living or working. Vision presents light and contemporary tonal signals typified by Fine Sand or Fresh Bamboo, where a pronounced warmer note is desired. Alternatively, for those seeking darker and more luxurious colour combinations, finishes such as Rich Mocha and Aged Walnut offer the perfect solution.

can also transcend beyond the door and frame assembly, with the potential to include wall panels and wardrobes for a complete package. The range offers an extensive scope including: • Optional satin, matt or high gloss sheen finish • Vertical or horizontal door designs • Glazed model options • Door only or as a complete Portaro® doorkit • Matching wardrobes and wall panels • Fire, acoustic and security performance • FSC® certified To reserve your Vision Information Pack visit VISION, alternatively request via marketing@vicaima.com or Tel: +44 (0) 1793 532333

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PROJECT NEWS

GROUND-BREAKING LONDON INSTITUTE FOR HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING ‘ECOSYSTEM’ GETS GREEN LIGHT

Lambeth Council has granted planning permission for the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), an initiative led by King’s School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences with the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. HLM Architects will deliver the multi-disciplinary building embedded within St Thomas’ campus, which will bring together King’s research excellence, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS

Foundation Trust’s leading clinical practice, and the medtech sector’s commercial innovation, power, and talent, engaging multinationals, SMEs, and start-ups simultaneously. The first of its kind in the UK, the project aims to create a seamless pipeline to develop novel medical technologies from conception to commercialisation, and in turn transform patient care by accelerating the translational pathway and enabling early NHS adoption of technology.

EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS THE GRESHAM SCAFFOLDING STARTS TO COME DOWN The refreshed exterior of Leicester’s newest aparthotel is starting to be revealed as the scaffolding is dismantled. The former Fenwick department store has been behind covers since February 2020, when developers, Aimrok Holdings started the £17 million renovation to transform the iconic Grade II listed building into a high-end 133-bed aparthotel with four prime commercial units and 12,000 square feet of state-of-the-art office accommodation and flexible meeting space. Over years, the 140-year old exterior ashlar stone had discoloured and was in need of cleaning and restoration from top to bottom, in order to preserve and brighten the beautiful old façade

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It will take around six weeks to dismantle all the scaffolding, but it is anticipated the stunning new-look building will be fully revealed by early June. Meanwhile, inside The Gresham - despite the pandemic - there also has been a considerable amount of continuous activity since renovations started 15 months ago. Much of the preliminary work involved strengthening the foundations and ensuring the old building was structurally secure before it could be worked upon.

Snizhana Yesaulenko, director at Aimrok Holdings and managing director of principal contractor, Cube Construction said, “Being such an old building we had to take each part step by step to make sure it was not only safe, but met the current building regulations – which are considerably different now from when the building was built in the 1800s. “The Gresham is one of the most complex builds that we’ve ever done due to its age, visibility, location and the fact that it has been altered so much over the years. “ There was so much that needed to be done in the initial stages from replacing brick work, rebuilding walls, levelling flooring and re-constructing lift shafts to raising staircases and lifting handrails to name but a few things!

“We did actually spend more time on restoration that we originally planned, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. We are confident that we now have a building that is safe, warm and welcoming. I can’t wait for the scaffolding to drop to see our beautifully restored building in all its full glory.” Internally, The Gresham will benefit from a new central light well running from floor to ceiling which allows natural light to flow through whole building. The main staircase has been carefully renovated; double glazing has been added throughout and an ornate stained glass panel – which was not in the original plan - has been saved and restored as a feature. Yesaulenko added, “Where possible we have tried to retain as many of the original historic characteristics as possible. All the exterior windows have been painstakingly reconditioned by hand: each glass panel has been cleaned, repaired and every frame sanded and repainted by three members of staff who have been doing this for the past 13 months. It has taken a very long time but the results will be worth it. “ The marketing show room is anticipated to be ready soon and images and viewings will be available in the very near future. The Gresham is on course to open in the early Autumn.

PROJECT NEWS

WORK BEGINS ON NEW LINEAR ACCELERATOR TREATMENT FACILITY AT NHS LOTHIAN’S WESTERN GENERAL HOSPITAL Work has begun on a new linear accelerator (LINAC) treatment facility at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital (WGH) in Edinburgh, designed by HLM Architects and being delivered by RMF Health (a Consortium of Robertson Construction and FES). The two-storey, state-of-the-art centre is part of an Oncology Enabling Works programme that will retain capacity for Oncology Services at the Western General site until a new purpose-built Edinburgh Cancer Centre is delivered. It features new radiation shielded bunkers, a cancer assessment unit and oncology administration offices.

The Institute’s initial focus will be on key clinical challenges in cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, ophthalmology, oral health and prenatal conditions, which have been selected for their high disease burden and potential for transformation through healthcare engineering. The site is situated at the southern end of the St Thomas’ campus, elevated above the Albert Embankment, opposite the Houses of Parliament, and overlooking the River Thames with many of London’s cultural landmarks visible. HLM Architects has led on all aspects of the design, which includes research, office and meeting space; teaching and learning space; LAB and testing sites; and shared public space as well as areas for events and socialising. The proposal also incorporates a landscaped roof terrace accessible via an event space and, at ground level, provides a high-quality public space and linking into the wider campus.

The project is challenging as it is being delivered in a live hospital environment and physically links to the existing Radiotherapy Department, to enable inpatients to be transferred between areas. The specialist design ensures the project can be delivered without disruption to any of NHS Lothian’s clinical services on the site, retaining ambulance access to the adjacent departments and buildings. This is being done through close liaison with key stakeholders to ensure the works are properly planned and phased to integrate with infrastructure works and other building works that are being run concurrently. One of the key design features is to remove the clinical feel of the building as much as possible while still providing a compliant healthcare facility. This helps to reduce patient anxiety while being cared for or receiving treatment within the service. The LINAC treatment rooms include a ceiling grid resembling a bright sky with trees overhead that encourages patients to mentally remove themselves during treatment. The rooms are designed with calming colours and timber accents, as well as warm tones to provide as much comfort and tranquillity as possible. The end result will feature bright, light spaces undercut by warm, natural tones and lively colours to add a human touch. Biophilia is also

a prominent feature, incorporating symbolic references to patterns, textures and colours commonly found in nature. Chris Stirling, Site Director, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian said: “We are delighted to be working with HLM Architects and RMF Health on the new LINAC treatment facility here at the Western General Hospital. At a time when patients may feel stressed or anxious, having a treatment space that is bright and welcoming is critical. The space will combine architectural and interior design specifically aimed at helping to improve people’s sense of wellbeing with our amazing, dedicated and expert teams who will deliver exceptional patient care.” Staff spaces have been designed to be bright and bold to contrast with the clinical spaces, including softer more tactile spaces to support mental health and provide a break from the clinical environment. Lorraine Robertson, Director at HLM, said: “We centred our design approach on creating a space that would support and positively influence both the psychological and physiological health of patients and other building users. We kept biophilic design at the forefront to help foster an environment that was connected to nature and to keep the mind nourished and the senses at ease.” The new facility is being delivered by Robertson Construction on behalf of RMF Health through Frameworks Scotland 3, a framework managed by Health Facilities Scotland. David Cairns, Managing Director, Robertson Construction Central East, said: “We have been working on several projects at the Western General over the last two years within the live healthcare environment and positive relationships have ensured that there has been no disruption to any services. The new LINAC facility further illustrates the commitment of NHS Lothian to provide first class facilities and services for patients, visitors and staff.”

Philip Watson, Director and Head of Design, HLM, said: “The London Institute for Healthcare Engineering will be located in a carefully crafted piece of contemporary architecture blended within an historic area. The facility will incorporate the most advanced amenities available and a design that will allow research and learning to thrive. The layout features open floor plans connected by a giant staircase to visually and physically integrate levels and encourage an interactive environment.

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“Externally, every last detail has been meticulously considered to ensure appropriateness in scale, massing, and materials in order to complement the local setting with the adjacent listed buildings. We are excited to be able to bring forward this sustainable and modern facility specifically designed to encourage collaboration, innovation, and creativity.”

PROJECT NEWS

RCC HEADQUARTERS – THE PRACTICE’S FIRST OFFICE BUILDING IN RUSSIA OPENS The RCC Headquarters in Ekaterinburg has officially opened. The practice’s first office building in Russia, the building reimagines the conventional cellular office to set new standards in quality, comfort and flexibility. The 15-storey building’s innovative modular office units are enveloped in an energy efficient enclosure, which provides a distinctive symbol for the organisation in Ekaterinburg. Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners said: “Our first completed building in Russia, the new headquarters for RCC exemplifies the practice’s commitment to innovation and marks the culmination of a long and fruitful process. Throughout the process we aimed to maintain exceptional quality of construction in the face of very challenging conditions.”

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RCC is one of the world’s leading producers of copper and the building’s triangulated elements draw inspiration from the crystal

lattice of copper. The crown of the building integrates RCC’s new logo – a rebranding which has, in turn, been inspired by the architecture. The starting point for the office floors was to reinvent the headquarters as a ‘house for staff’ – instead of the conventional large, communal workspaces, the rooms are of a more intimate, domestic scale. The practice’s workplace consultancy group analysed the client’s operations and helped to devise the innovative modular system for these rooms. This was then developed with the in-house engineering teams to enable rapid construction and ensure ideal levels of natural daylight for concentrated work. Each two-storey module comprises a pair of offices, stacked one on top of the other – this is expressed externally through the double-storey cladding module. The modules are arranged in rows on either side of a central hallway, which functions

as a breakout space, with lounge seating and views of the city through the glazed lift shaft. At level fifteen, the space is top-lit (through the glass lanterns) to create a flexible space for company-wide gatherings and events. The design targets a BREEAM Excellent rating. Responding to Ekaterinburg’s wide temperature range between seasons – often from +30°C to -30°C – the balance between solid and glazed areas is designed as a reaction to low level winter sun, while mitigating the heat of direct sunlight during the summer. Through the glass facades overlooks the city and the recently landscaped riverbank. The green area reaches the building’s facades and it flows into a private garden for the staff. The landscaping echoes the cellular internal arrangement, with a sequence of ‘external rooms’ that provide peaceful spaces for staff to relax and eat lunch. Further facilities within the building include a video conference room and boardroom, meeting spaces and an executive dining area. Jeremy Kim, Partner, Foster + Partners, added: “Together with the client, our integrated team has developed a bespoke solution for RCC’s new headquarters that is a perfect fit for the company and the very nature of their work. Everything from the building structure to the bespoke furniture was designed specifically for the company, illustrating our commitment to craftsmanship.”

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THE RISING TREND OF LIFTS IN HOMES People are moving house less often. In the last two decades, people on average moved every 20 years, in the 90s it was every nine years. This change now means people are buying and building homes to live in for many years to come. People looking for their forever home want to ensure the house is future-proofed to cover every stage of life. The rise of future-proofing and the trend for building high specification luxury homes sees developers and owners alike, including the convenience of a lift.

Luxurious design statement A lift is an ultimate statement, a lifestyle choice and practical feature. It not only boosts the price of a home but also makes it more attractive, creating a one-of-a-kind focal point.

Home-owners future-proofing for years to come Lifts provide a fantastic practical purpose, for many, continuing to live in the same house as they age is important, as is the ease of moving groceries between floors. A lift can allow them to do just that. Plus, a lift costs less than moving house!

A resurgence of the dumbwaiter Not just people-moving lifts that play their role. As the trend grows for new townhouses with several floors, service lifts (or dumbwaiters)

are regaining popularity due to their smallness and installation ease.

• Cost – put aside £15-£25k in your budget for the supply and install cost of a lift to move people or £6-7k for a dumbwaiter.

The different types of home lifts

• Professional input - if the lift is designed into your project from the start then you will limit major issues. For an existing home, get a lift survey, and for a new development, speak to the lift company to decide the perfect product. They can assist in making sure you’ve covered all of the technical requirements.

Properties come in all shapes and sizes - and so do lifts. In a new dwelling, a lift can be part of an Architect’s plans. In an existing home, there is a need to place the lift around the current house layout. The choices are endless and broadly fall into these categories: • Lifts - up to five people travel between floors with a choice of door options, finishes and configurations. • Through-floor lifts - up to two people travel between the ground and first floor, best suited to smaller spaces. • Service lifts/Dumbwaiters - transporting food, groceries and goods between floors, ideal for properties with three or more floors, or where the kitchen, garage and/or dining area are on different levels.

What to consider when choosing a lift Narrow your search and choose whether; it will take people or goods; how many floors of travel and space you have. Along with a few further considerations:

• Location - it’s always a good idea to locate a lift for people next to the stairs and in a central location. That way it will be easily accessible from every part of the home. • Size - it might seem attractive to fit in a smaller lift, but go for the largest you can. Ideally create a space that is big enough for a wheelchair and another person. That way, you will also be able to use the lift to transport furniture and other larger items between floors. • Style - choosing the style of the lift, from glass shafts, custom walls, door options, to bespoke flooring – a lift can be a sleek and stylish addition as well as a life-long practical choice. • Installation - lift installations will likely require building work, varying on the type of lift. It is advisable to consult with a specialist early on in your project. Even if you decide a lift isn’t an option for now, a home can be futureproofed by ensuring you design a space where it can be installed at a later date. Whatever your requirement, Stannah can supply all these product types. To enable an easy decision, we guide you through the complete process. With your perfect lift chosen, installation is a few days, then it is ready for use - with the reassurance of local service, nationwide.

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The possibilities of home lifts are endless, taking homeowners, family and guests, or goods, around a home.

Contact Stannah 01264 343692 www.stannahlifts.co.uk

Your expertise creates inspirational environments. Your expertisemakes createsthem Our expertise inspirational accessible. environments. Our expertise makes them accessible. With the rising trend of lifts in homes, our lifts complement your visionary buildings. Unlike a conventional lift, our home lifts do not require any space for a pit or its machinery and With the rising trend of lifts in homes, also provide added value to a home – our lifts complement your visionary both financially and aesthetically. buildings. Unlike a conventional lift, Lifts can be placed almost anywhere our home lifts do not require any in the home and we provide project space for a pit or its machinery and and ongoing product support to help also provide added value to a home – you deliver excellence. both financially and aesthetically.

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02/09/2020 12:22

INTERVIEW

PROF. DANZL TALKS ABOUT THE CONSERVATION OF THE BUZLUDZHA MONUMENT An icon of socialist architecture The huge Buzludzha monument in the Bulgarian mountains stands out. It looks like a stranded UFO that is increasingly decaying. In an interview, Professor Thomas Danzl explains how this iconic monument of post-war socialist modernism is to be preserved, why this is also about controlled decay, and why he was impressed by more than just the largest modern murals in Europe. On the remote Buzludza peak in the mountains of Bulgaria stands an unusual monument. Its domed hall was built for state functions and celebrations. It contains massive mosaics, which depict the story of Bulgaria’s development, and above everything, shines a red star-shaped window to honor and glorify Soviet Russia. However, after the fall of the government in1989, the complex was abandoned and left to vandalism. All access to the building was closed to the public three years ago. A group of scientists led by Thomas Danzl, Professor of Conservation-Restoration, Art Technology and Conservation Science at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), together with ICOMOS Germany, a sub-organization of UNESCO, and the Buzludzha Project Foundation has now begun conservation work. Prof. Danzl has recently reported on this project in an interview. Prof. Danzl, the Buzludzha Monument seems to be an unloved and controversial socialist monument. How do you deal with a monument that is no longer compatible with today’s political conditions? The Buzludzha monument was inaugurated in 1981 for the 1,300th anniversary of Bulgaria

and the 90th anniversary of the Bulgarian Communist Party. It has been state property without a function since the political upheaval of 1989/90. In recent years, it has once again attracted international attention as a still unlisted icon of post-war socialist architecture in Europe. Such buildings are also a natural part of our history and identity. And as history teaches us, erasing history is not generally beneficial. Where material memory is erased, a vacuum remains, a void that longs to be filled, and therein lies a particular danger, but also an opportunity.

Monitoring in January 2021, winter at Buzludzha monument (Photo: Dora Ivanova)

In this respect, the place, the building, and the materials all continue to speak, and I (as a conservator, restorer, and monument conservator) am the interpreter who deciphers and tells these stories. Contextualization is absolutely necessary, so I cannot simply preserve such monuments without commenting on them. Would you say that the Buzludzha monument, as testimony of a past regime, is not being restored to its original state, but rather conserved? We recognize what the ruin has become and try to bring it into a new balance between preservation and controlled decay. Conservation means using minimally invasive means to maintain the condition that has come into existence over the past 40 years. The “talking material” - including over 900 square meters of some of the largest modern murals in Europe, comprised of more than two million mosaic stones and which were worked on by 16 recognized great masters of Bulgarian art - clearly tell us about what the building was, a monument to the communist party, but beyond that, the material also tells us the story of the vandalism in the 1990s, when Bulgarians Prof. Thomas Danzl and Nadia Thalguter mapping the hollow areas of the mosaics. (Photo: Dora Ivanova)

no longer identified with the regime, as well as about a youth culture and its means of appropriation, with graffiti and the idea of rushing through the building with quads. Appropriation happens in many ways. These stories are to be read as a whole, much like a book. We don’t wish to only give answers. It is equally important to raise questions and moderate those questions. When you started the project, what condition was the building in? The building is very large and stands on a mountain top where it has extreme exposure to meteorological and geological forces. The work has been a challenge to us not only mentally but also physically. The monument has been closed to the public for three years, while previously it was very popular in dark tourism. This type of tourism (also known as lost-places tourism) involves entering abandoned buildings or grounds to take great photos. However, for the past three years, the monument has seen no further development from human intervention, while at the same time, nature has continued its work. Much of the roof is now gone and the mosaics are extremely vulnerable to water intrusion from above, which is intensified in winter by the destructive work of frost and ice.

How is the monument being conserved?

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Last year, with a grant program from the Getty Foundation, we went about the first actual preservation effort since the destruction beginning in 1990. We built a protective metal roof and an enclosure with textiles. To install the tarpaulin, we acquired helpers through social media. The results are that wind erosion is now eliminated, direct water entry is

INTERVIEW

Wild horses in front of the Buzludzha monument (Photo: Carola Möwald)

Furthermore, we want to make the Buzludzha monument attractive for the future. It should not be just a ruin and for that, we need a proper roof. Currently, we only have a protective roof. Ensuring the protection of the building will be the task of an international competition to find a clever way of using renewable energy sources to create an ecologically sustainable shell which will allow year-around use. How will the Buzludzha monument become a place of remembrance?

The beauty of nature undoubtedly includes the wild horses. Once, we came up and there was a herd of wild horses in front of the entrance with its fragmentary letters of the communist manifesto. The weather on the spot is also interesting. The weather can change sometimes every half hour and clouds pass through the building. This conveys an image of the power of natural forces.

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The wind at the Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria is so strong that the icicles on the frozen wind gauge are horizontal. (Photo: Dora Ivanova)

Architect Projects

Whenever I institutionalize memories, be it through museums or places of remembrance, I am obligated to offer as many gateways to insights as possible. As part of the process of creating a memorialization plan, the Buzludzua Project Foundation has also launched a campaign called “Buzludzha’s Unwritten Stories,” which has collected eyewitness accounts of the monument’s construction and history. The goal is to document knowledge about the monument in narratives and memories thus recording the experienced significance of the structure for contemporaries as well as to promote dialogue between generations.

You can read the anger of the Bulgarians who no longer wanted to conform to the given socialist ideals in the building. In the basement rooms, for example, the tiles were knocked down with sledgehammers. You can actually see the impact holes there. That’s what I found most impressive, along with the beauty of nature.

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completely stopped, and our latest monitoring results have shown that it is also frost-free. These measures have provided some respite for us. However, we will continue to work with professional colleagues and volunteers to secure it this summer.

What has impressed you most when you think about your work on the site so far?

THERMAL BRIDGING FEATURE

BY ELLEN HUELIN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT WHITECODE Creating more thermally efficient building envelopes is key to achieving energy efficiency and better performing buildings. Thermal bridging is a key focus point of the update to Part L of the Building Regulations; itself a stepping stone to the Future Homes Standard which aims to have new homes zero carbon ready by 2025. But with the amendments to Part L and the revision of SAP10 bringing thermal bridging into the limelight, what changes do we have to make as an industry? Even though thermal bridging is far from a new concept, the update to Part L – in which thermal bridging features prominently – will certainly change things for construction clients. Here at Whitecode we have been assessing thermal bridging separately as part of an SAP assessment for many years, working to SAP 2012 which is recognised as the government standard for measuring a dwelling’s energy rating. There are a variety of ways to understand thermal bridging, but it can be basically summarised as the heat loss that occurs when two elements join. Thermal bridging happens when a wall meets a window, where there is a break in the insulation that consequently causes a cold bridge, resulting in higher heat loss. When completing a SAP assessment, we account for all those little bridges that feature in a house’s structural layers. To

Architect Projects

A key change to the new Part L when it comes into force later on this year is the absence of accredited construction details (ACD) in the calculation of Psi values. Developed in 2002 by BRE, ACDs are a set of standardised junction details that are designed to prevent thermal bridging points in compliance with Part L. ACDs were used by many of us when completing a SAP assessment. This major revision of SAP10 – the methodology which is part of Part L – is being made as ACDs are now considered an outdated, unreliable mode. Completing ACDs was almost a tick box exercise in the SAP assessment, where nobody actually looked at the finer detail. Furthermore, as ACDs were developed nearly 20 years ago this methodology doesn’t account for all the modern methods of construction, not to mention the big changes that were made post-Grenfell. Some of the new methods of insulation can exacerbate thermal bridging including the use of metal framing. These new technologies are not listed in the ACD and don’t always perform well compared to more solid pieces of insulation.

What are the alternatives? With the absence of ACDs, a potential option is for manufacturers to create their own methodology to calculate Psi values. Many manufacturers have done so already, mostly because the incentive is there for them to create products that have good thermal bridging.

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measure the rate of heat loss we calculate a Psi value. These are then added up to create the Ψ value for the entire dwelling. Considering thermal bridges account for around 30% of heat loss in a building, it’s vitally important to cover this area as it significantly impacts a SAP assessment.

The caveat here however, is that there is little in the way of responsibility when it comes to ensuring these Psi values are delivered onsite. How do we know the SAP deliverables are actually achieved in real life? At the moment, no party is tasked with the duty of checking continuity of insulation onsite, which is worsening the performance gap. We need more than simple sign-off sheets.

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With the absence of ACDs, a potential option is for manufacturers to create their own methodology to calculate Psi values. Many manufacturers have done so already, mostly because the incentive is there for them to create products that have good thermal bridging.

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WHAT DO PART L AND SAP10 MEAN FOR THERMAL BRIDGING?

Things are changing with the advent of technology. The industry is moving towards developing another stage in calculating Psi values, where someone will request photo evidence throughout the build which shows the insulation has been installed properly. The key thing here however, is that the responsibility needs to be defined. Is it the role of the SAP assessor or site manager to take photos? To assure quality, there needs to be verification so that appropriate images are uploaded. It may be that this becomes a digitised process with a clear audit trail, where documentation can be uploaded to the cloud securely and shared easily. A camera could be mounted onto a hard hat to capture the work in real time. One of the credits in BREEAM is doing a thermographic survey on completion, where a thermal imaging camera is used to locate cold spots. Maybe we can develop this technology to quantify and measure process and quality onsite? Whitecode uses thermal modelling software to complete bespoke Psi values. This is particularly suited to the current construction method using Metsec frame which bridges the insulation layer. At Whitecode, we would encourage developers to start building up a portfolio of Psi values for their projects in anticipation of Part L 2021. It comes into force in June 2022, meaning the time to get prepared is now. These can be used across different sites and provides the opportunity to improve on these junctions where required. Thermal bridging is a real hotspot in the construction industry right now. For many years it is been an afterthought or part of a tick-box exercise when it really should have ranked higher on the agenda. But with SAP10 and Part L on the horizon – and with new UK homes needing to be zero carbon ready by 2025 – the time for accurate thermal bridging is without question, now.

PROJECT

Ötzi Peak 3251m: REACHING THE PEAK Where a raindrop begins its long journey into the sea, new perspectives appear: at the new observation deck on the Schnals Valley Glacier, and your mind is refreshed with the wideopen views. There is something sublime about this special place, right at the top of the Schnals Valley Glacier ridge, where Italy’s impressive alpine landscape soars high above the reservoir below, and Austria is around the corner. In this unique geographic location, fate decides whether a drop of glacier water will make its way towards the Mediterranean or the Black Sea.

Architect Projects

Continued >>>

PROJECT

PROJECT ONWARDS TO THE PEAK The Hotel Grawand lies at the very top of this unique alpine intersection, which at over 3,000 meters above sea level, is one of the few hotels in Europe located at such an altitude. The summit is a stone’s throw away at a distance of about 50 meters. The breathtaking landscape view of snow covered mountain peaks makes time standstill. Hikers and skiers visit the peak to experience nature at its fullest: rugged, stony, with wind and weather – pure. REAL TRAILBLAZERS In order to enable visitors planning a more extended stay, as well as day-seizing mountain nomads, to experience not only the breathtaking ride to the mountain station, but also to get to know the fascinating history of this alpine wonderland, noa* designed a unique architectural structure. A viewing platform was developed based on a light structure made of Corten steel, giving a modern touch that also blends in with the landscape. The design incorporates the preexisting summit cross, and the platform only touches the ground where there is a static necessity - creating a detached, almost floating construction which lets you become one with the mountains and breathe in the freedom. NEW PERSPECTIVES The platform follows the natural topography with a plateau grid placed on top of slender crossbeams, which are enveloped in vertical lamellas of Corten steel. The parapet-high, vertical elements trace these gentle curves in their sequence. This creates a magical effect: an opening and closing of views that follows the movement of the viewer – an invitation to discover new perspectives time and again. This unique dynamic creates a fully immersive, sensual experience in which time stands still for a moment and every other souvenir is eclipsed.

Architect Projects

A SNAPSHOT Speaking of time, a geometric funnel was cut into the undulating viewing platform to direct viewers eyes towards something timeless - the place where Ötzi was found. Only a few meters from the Austrian border, the angle of the viewing funnel takes the visitor on a carefully crafted, intellectual journey to the Iceman. The viewing funnel was designed with Corten steel, and like the slats on the railing, the steel turns dark brown, grey and black as it yields to the elements and becomes one with its surroundings. The funnel end is completed with a glass railing which gives your thoughts flight in breathtaking suspense – it seems like you are walking on air.

Project name

Ötzi Peak 3251m

Typology

Viewing platform

Location

Schnals Valley Glacier, South Tyrol (Italy)

Client

Schnalstaler Gletscherbahn AG

Architecture

noa* network of architecture

Completion

August 2020

Intervention

New construction

Surface area

80 m2

Text (DE)

Barbara JahnRösel

Translations

(EN) Marianne Lehnis

Photographs

Alex Filz

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