Architect Projects - July 2023

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Featured Projects

OB Architecture on project Spa House 14-15, 16-17

First co-living development completed in Ireland by HKR Architects 20-21, 22

V&A Photography Centre Completes: Unveiling UK’s largest permanent space dedicated to photography 36-37, 38-39

Featured

Company News 04-05

People On The Move 06-07

Bricks Feature: Changing the perception of crematorium buildings with Vandersanden 10-11

Amron Architectural Limited 18-19

Interview: Bijal Mehta, Associate at Marchini Curran Associates 24-25

Schueco UK Limited 26

Interview: Harsh Lad, Associate Director at WilkinsonEyre discusses completed entrance at Bank Underground station 42-43, 44

Project News 48-49, 50

Events & Awards News 52

British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association 58-59

DM HALL ACQUIRES LONG ESTABLISHED EDINBURGH ARCHITECTURAL REPORTING BUSINESS, AWA

DM Hall, one of Scotland’s largest independent firms of Chartered Surveyors, has acquired long established Edinburgh architectural reporting business, AWA, for an undisclosed sum.

AWA offers an architectural reporting service that gives solicitors and home owners peace of mind when alterations have been carried out without consent, either confirming that no consent was needed or providing a clear path forward to resolve any potential issues.

Robert Cunningham, who has led AWA from his Slateford Road, Edinburgh office for the last thirty years said: “I am very pleased to pass on my business to the property professionals at DM Hall. I know that my several hundreds of clients and contacts will be in safe hands and will continue to be served to the highest levels of professional, quality service by them, both in Edinburgh and across the country. To ensure a smooth transfer of business I will be working in conjunction with DM Hall for the next six months.”

For over 20 years DM Hall has provided a similar reporting service which it has now reinforced as a means of maintaining this vital service to the conveyancing community.

Calum Allmond, Head of Architectural Services and an Associate at DM Hall who has overseen the acquisition, said: “AWA has a well-deserved reputation for providing clear and reliable advice where works have been carried out without consent. We are delighted to be able to continue this service to conveyancers and home owners all across Scotland. With staff across the central belt and beyond DM Hall Architectural Services will continue to provide the comprehensive service the country has come to expect from AWA and DM Hall.”

DM Hall Managing Partner, John McHugh, said: “The acquisition of a long-established and highly regarded businesses like AWA is a welcome step in the steady growth of our Architectural Services arm and marks a further advance in DM Hall’s capability to serve the widest possible range of our clients’ residential and commercial property requirements.”

HKR ARCHITECTS CONFIRMS ITS STEADY GROWTH WITH MOVE TO NEW OFFICES

Leading Architecture and Design Practice, HKR Architects, in response to client needs, has recently confirmed its move to a new London office and its intention to reopen their offices in Dublin.

The practice, which is in its 30th year has recently moved to new premises in Southwark, London, and has agreed terms on a new purpose designed building in Dublin 2, the Southside Quarter of the capital which will be completed in 2024.

Jerry Ryan, Managing Director of HKR Architects comments, “As we enter our 30th year of operation we are delighted to announce the expansion of our London Office and the re-opening of an office in Dublin, our core business locations. As with most companies during the pandemic, working practices changed with much more flexible working within our team, but with many high-profile projects in our core locations, it’s now time to resurrect the traditional workspace.”

HKR has recently worked as part of a team including Atkins to gain planning for a 100% affordable development for A2Dominion at Hounslow West, working with Transport for London’s commercial property company (TTL Properties). The 348 one, two three and four bedroom homes will be delivered across four buildings, providing a mixture of shared ownership and London Affordable Rent.

In addition to the affordable housing, the scheme will provide a new public realm with a retail store, a public square with a cafe and additional flexible community spaces. It will improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and create a new Green Link from Beavers field Park to the SINC.

Jonathan Sutherland, Development Manager Special Projects at A2Dominion said, “It has been a fantastic team effort with all parties including Atkins, HKR and TFL working in partnership to get planning for this important site, which will provide high quality affordable homes and wider public realm for the Local Community. We have a strong working relationship with the HKR team, who completely embed themselves in every project they work on, ensuring the design can be delivered on time and to budget. I would like to congratulate them on their 30th anniversary.”

Working for Niche Living, progenitor of co-living developments we have delivered a state-of-the-art facility at Eblana Avenue, Dun Laoghaire which will be the precursor of many more co-living projects. the development in South Dublin. Co-living is very appropriate for a young transient dynamic demographic and should be encouraged to form a part of the ultimate solution to the Country’s Housing need.

Niche Living offers fully serviced studios, with multiple shared facilities creating a carefully curated community. Services include a furnished private studio, concierge, superfast internet, all utilities and taxes, suite cleaning, exciting weekly events, movie theatre and gym membership.

James Cormican, Head of Development at Niche Living comments, “We worked with HKR from initial planning meetings through to delivery. By working together and utilising their great experience and understanding of quality design and the market we have delivered an extremely successful project. We look forward to working with the team on forthcoming projects.”

HARLEY HADDOW CEMENTS NORTHWEST GROWTH WITH RAFT OF PROJECT WINS AND NEW HIRES

Harley Haddow has bolstered growth in the Northwest of England following several project wins and its latest senior hires.

The engineering consultancy has gone from strength to strength since opening a base in the region last year and was appointed as part of the team to deliver the £29 million rebuild of five fire stations in Greater Manchester.

The refresh aims to provide modern facilities for firefighters whilst reducing the carbon footprint of the buildings, all

of which plays its part in the city’s 2038 carbon neutral target. Harley Haddow will be undertaking the MEP design and sustainability consultancy services for the new build fire stations – all targeting net zero carbon.

Each station is being designed with low energy consumption at the forefront. The solution will utilise air source heat pumps for heating and domestic hot water loads, natural ventilation where possible, plus large solar panel arrays and the installation of optimised battery storage. Green roofs have also been proposed to encourage biodiversity to the site. This work comes close off the back of the consultancy’s award of a North Wales Fire and Training Centre project, exploring feasibility for a new build centre for the North Wales Fire Service. The extensive project also includes a detailed appraisal of carbon released into the environment as part of training routines, and how this could be potentially offset to make it Net Zero in operation.

FROM WASTE TO WOW

Skanska, a leading construction and development company dedicated to reducing carbon emissions, partnered with TRILUX to create an eco-friendly and inspiring workplace for its UK head office. The project aimed to enhance lighting efficiency while maintaining the existing look and type of luminaires, with a focus on minimal carbon emissions.

TRILUX devised a solution that allowed for the retention of the existing fittings whenever possible. They also implemented a Take Back scheme for the old LC60 linear luminaires. The team retrieved the linear lengths of luminaires and carefully disassembled them for repurposing and recycling.

The project identified that the current linear lighting, initially designed for a call centre at 6000K, was excessively bright

and cool in appearance. TRILUX conducted tests to adjust the colour temperature by introducing an amber filter, rendering the colour temperature closer to 4000K, resulting in a warmer appearance to meet the lighting requirements.

TRILUX also took measures to reduce carbon emissions during transportation and waste management. They implemented minimal packaging, one-trip collection, proper dismantling, documentation, photography, and labelling of all components.

By refurbishing 650 meters of lights at Leavesden Park and using colour filters instead of purchasing new ones, Skanska saved approximately 17 tonnes of CO2e.

Through their commitment to circularity and sustainability, TRILUX and Skanska demonstrated their dedication to a

Other project wins for the Manchester team include an investigation and performance analysis at Saints Blocks in Chester, design for a high-end low carbon private residence in Cheshire, and ongoing roles at both St Michael’s and Ancoats Mobility Hub in the City.

More recently the team have commenced design work at several schools in and around Greater Manchester – with a view to carbon reduction and making the schools more fit for purpose.

Following on from a successful initial period, the consultancy appointed Paul Phillips as a Senior Mechanical Engineer, and Tom Barlow has also recently joined as Electrical Associate Director to bolster the team.

With a background spanning across 16 years in engineering, Paul has been an integral addition to Harley Haddow. Tom brings with him over 39 years of experience in the Built Environment, having held senior positions at two other Manchester consultants in the last 19 years.

greener future. Reece Bannister, MEP Project Manager at Skanska, praised the collaboration with TRILUX and their shared values, highlighting the positive impact it had on creating a great new office for employees.

For more information about TRILUX, please visit their website at www.trilux.com/en/.

KATE RICHARDS APPOINTED NEW CHAIR OF LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE WALES

A Chester landscape architect has been appointed as the new Chair of Landscape Institute Wales.

Kate Richards, Associate Landscape Architect at Land Studio, officially takes up her post this month.

Land Studio’s Sian Rossiter, an Assistant Landscape Architect, has also been appointed to run the organisation’s social media platforms.

The Landscape Institute was founded in 1929 and is a professional organisation which works to improve the planning and design of the urban and rural landscape. It also accredits university courses and promotes the professional development of landscape architects.

Its aim is to work with its members to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the public benefit.

It also provides a professional home for all landscape practitioners including landscape architects, scientists and planners, landscape managers and urban designers.

Kate, who lives in Mold, North Wales, and has been involved with the committee for two years, said:

“I’m delighted to be taking up this position. When it comes to the environment and its landscape, Wales is very forward thinking with its policies, so this is an exciting time to become Chair. There’s a lot we can do.”

Outgoing Chair Louise Ball said: “Kate is ideally placed for taking on the role as Chair for the Landscape Institute Wales branch. She has been at the forefront of the committee meetings with ideas and suggestions, helping to keep the momentum of the branch going during her previous role as Social Media Coordinator. Kate is enthusiastic and gets the job done. There are perfect qualities to take over as Chair to help guide the committee over the coming year.”

Land Studio is a leading landscape architecture, engineering and ecology design practice creating naturebased solutions. Based in Chester, the company specialises in historic landscape, masterplanning, public realm design and regeneration projects both in the UK and internationally.

Last year, Land Studio brought the delivery of sustainable drainage designs and water management solutions in-house with the appointment of a civil engineering team.

MARRONS ANNOUNCES PROMOTION DUO

Planning, design and architecture consultancy Marrons has announced two promotions across its planning and socio-economics teams.

Simon Macklen, socio-economics expert, based at the consultancy’s London hub, but working nationally, has taken the step up to partner.

Karen Brightman, who is based in Leicester, has been promoted to planning director after two years with the consultancy.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Simon has been member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for 18 years. His work supports clients, such as commercial developers, land owners and house builders, in the delivery of socio-economic evidence underpinning development proposals.

Projects include economic benefit and impact assessments, demographic modelling, and socio-economic statements, which provide a robust and credible evidence base to inform and support development proposals.

Since joining the Marrons team 18 months ago, Simon has developed the specialist practice area including growing the team with the appointment of economics director Dan Usher last year.

Karen, who has significant experience in the public sector, works with clients to obtain planning permission and unlock the value in their sites. She will be working on largescale housing developments, schemes and commercial developments, taking on larger and more complex projects in her new role as planning director.

Also as part of her remit, Karen will be leading and coaching team members as well as responsible for growing the practice in Leicester and beyond.

Marrons is a multi-disciplined development consultancy, delivering planning, architecture, design, heritage and socio-economic services.

Brian Mullin, head of Marrons, said: “Our client base is ever-expanding across the country and we are continuing to unlock sites nationwide, which is testament to the invaluable experience and expertise we have here at Marrons.

"With this in mind, rewarding high performance is part of our culture, so we’re thrilled to announce Simon and Karen’s promotions – both are truly deserved and reflect their significant contributions to the team as we continue to grow as a consultancy.”

TP BENNETT PROMOTES TWO DIRECTORS TO ITS MAIN BOARD

Following a period of sustained growth, tp bennett has promoted two directors to its Main Board, with Katia Polidoro as Principal Director and Valentina Vescovi as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). These promotions reinforce the practice’s commitment to high quality architecture and interior design combined with commercial acumen and a focus on creating a world class working environment for staff, together with a commitment to sustainability and social impact in the UK and beyond.

Katia Polidoro is an architect and urban designer with twenty-five years’ experience across a wide range of awardwinning projects, from architecture and interior design through to large-scale

masterplanning and regeneration schemes across the UK and EMEA.

Since joining tp bennett in 2013, Katia has led transformational mixed-use developments including High Street Quarter and Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, the Rochdale Riverside mixed-use quarter near Manchester, the reimagining of Rackhams department store (an early tp bennett building) in Birmingham, as well as the regeneration of Luton and Camberley town centres. She regularly speaks on the benefits of sustainable retrofit, town centre regeneration and the art of placemaking.

Throughout her career, Katia has consistently championed the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda.

ZOO HARDWARE SETS ITS SIGHTS ON THE FUTURE WITH SENIOR APPOINTMENT

Zoo Hardware, one of the UK’s leading designers and suppliers of architectural door hardware, has appointed a new Head of Sales to spearhead the business’ continued growth in the architectural ironmongery and specification markets.

Over the last two decades, James Lowe has managed the sales teams of industry leaders including Sony, Supermax and Pfizer, and joins Zoo Hardware from Travis Perkins, where he was National Accounts Manager for six years.

As part of his new role, Lowe will be responsible for leading Zoo Hardware’s nationwide sales team in achieving accelerated and sustainable growth, whilst ensuring the business consistently

An industry mentor herself, she been responsible for establishing and mobilising tp bennett’s successful in-house mentoring programme and supports the practice’s relationships with London Universities, the RIBA and organisations including Women in Property, Real Estate Balance and the Mentoring Circle.

As a member of the architectural NGOs Article 25 (Development & Disaster Relief) and Architecture Sans Frontières UK, Katia has been involved in community and regeneration work overseas.

Valentina Vescovi is a management professional with over 15 years’ experience in the architecture and interior design industry. Her international experience and multilingual abilities have enabled her to develop expertise in the commercial, legal and financial aspects of prominent international projects.

Since joining tp bennett in 2015, Valentina has held a position of increasing responsibility leading the commercial operations of the Interior Design division. Valentina has a strong track record of delivering ambitious business strategies for profitable growth in dynamic markets, as well as developing and leading high performing teams.

delivers first-class service and support for its extensive customer base.

Working in partnership with Zoo Hardware’s product and logistics departments, Lowe and his team will assist every customer to meet the most demanding site specifications by combining the latest innovations in door hardware with tailored technical assistance.

Speaking of his appointment, Lowe said: “2023 is a year of real opportunity for Zoo Hardware and we are committed to working in partnership with our customers to form enduring relationships that really deliver. With the backing of our parent company, Tyman UK & Ireland, we can continue to streamline and update our processes and approaches to ensure we achieve optimum agility, placing us in the best position to react to and fulfil our customers exact requirements.”

Go Beyond Colour™

with our ecological paint

CHANGING THE PERCEPTION OF CREMATORIUM BUILDINGS WITH VANDERSANDEN

A new crematorium facility for Huntingdon Town Council, Huntingdon Crematorium is a collection of buildings equipped with ceremonial spaces and the appropriate crematory functions. The specification of Vandersanden’s Perla and Morvan bricks has resulted in buildings that have made a stunning contribution to the landscape of the greenfield site while also helping to change the accepted perception of crematorium buildings.

“We were looking for a way of making the process of going to an end of life ceremony uplifting and hopeful,” explains Mark Doohan, Managing Director at Benchmark Architects. “We had the idea of creating a curved, white, brick building within which there are beautiful, light-filled and airy spaces.”

When envisioning the scheme, the team at Benchmark Architects realised that by inserting a black brick wall across the site they could create a ‘canvas’ that provided the separation between the front of the house and the working areas of the crematorium. Against this, on one side, they packed three curved white brick volumes to create the key spaces, adjusted

in height according to the hierarchy of their importance: the entrance lobby, waiting room and chapel. Out of sight, behind the wall, are the cremators, plant rooms, offices and other functional elements.

The design focuses on a central drum flooded with natural light. The main building contains a ceremonial hall for 125 people, waiting rooms and a crematory with a capacity for two cremators. A second building contains a multi-purpose function room - that can be used for wakes - and a café with associated catering facilities and administrative offices.

Having created the design vision, the choice of appropriate bricks was crucial. Good white bricks are hard to come by, often they’re tinged with yellow or beige; finding

Good white bricks are hard to come by, often they’re tinged with yellow or beige; finding black bricks that are not simply colour coated or are a dark blue is equally hard, says Doohan.

“

black bricks that are not simply colour coated or are a dark blue is equally hard, says Doohan.

“We were delighted when we were able to find the Vandersanden bricks. We genuinely love the texture and through colour quality of Vandersanden’s white Perla and black Morvan bricks. They set off our concept perfectly, with the white brick capturing the light in the way that we envisioned when first sketching out the idea.”

A double soldier course heads the windows to form a band around the building and is repeated close to the top of the main drum. There is also a recessed course 500 mm off the ground that creates a scored line at the base, bringing additional balance to the building. This is achieved by setting one course back by some 25 mm. Another advantage of the Vandersanden bricks is that they can be used in the ground below the DPC level, visually rooting the building to the landscape.

It was essential that the volumes were homogenous in feel, so a good mortar match was vital. Lime mortar was selected

and was aesthetically important due to its colour, texture and because its flexibility reduced the number of movement joints required. The lime used, NHL 3.5, was naturally white; for the black brickwork, it was pigmented.

When seen from a distance, only the overall form of the building is perceived but, on getting closer, the brick details start to stand out. Then, when really close, the contribution that the texture, pattern, shape and almost handmade quality of the individual bricks makes to the quality of the building becomes clear.

We’re always keen to specify products where we get really good technical support, notes Doohan. “Vandersanden were excellent at providing advice and technical backup whenever we had a question. Since becoming aware of Vandersanden products, they are our go-to source for brick. As architects, we’re image-based creatures so the website is incredibly helpful. It’s an excellent way of being able to see the bricks in loads of different and inspiring building types. Many brick suppliers don’t show that

connection. Most importantly, our client for Huntingdon Crematorium is delighted with the brickwork.”

To find out more about this project, and for more information on Perla, Morvan and the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden visit their website. Details on Benchmark Architects can be found here.

We were delighted when we were able to find the Vandersanden bricks.

LIME-BASED MORTARS, RENDERS AND PLASTERS – PRESERVING THE PAST

Lime has a long history of being used in the construction and repair of historic buildings. 6000 years to be precise when in 4000BC, the Egyptians used lime to plaster the Pyramids. Fast forward to 126 when the Romans used lime to build highly complicated structures such as The Pantheon. Not to be outdone, various ancient Chinese Dynasties built, re-built and extended the Great Wall of China over a period of 2000 years. And, in 1078 lime mortar was used to build The White Tower (of London); one of many English castles to be built using this versatile material.

So, it’s safe to say that lime is one of the great survivors, weathering the effects of corrosion and natural disasters for thousands of years.

Why lime? Why not?

The architects and builders of yesteryear understood the many unique benefits that lime offers, although then they perhaps didn’t appreciate the importance that many of these properties would have in today’s built environment, where sustainability and environmental issues are key agenda.

1500 million tonnes of Portland cement is manufactured worldwide each year which releases an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is widely reported that cement production contributes up to 10% of global CO2 emissions. Lime produces around 19kg of CO2 per tonne, compared with 175kg per tonne for cement-based mortar. So, with up to 50% less embodied energy, the use of lime mortars would make a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. During the carbonisation process, lime mortar will re-absorb 13kg of CO2 per tonne, compared to cement which only manages 50% of this at 6.5kg per tonne. NB. If a traditional air lime mortar is used, in its manufacture, 100% of CO2 is absorbed.

From initial production to completed project, lime-based mortar will produce 5.5kg of CO2 per tonne, compared to cement producing a huge 165kg per tonne.

Lime is highly versatile and can be used in buildings in many different ways. Mix lime putty with sand to form a lime mortar which can be used for bedding masonry, pointing, rendering and plastering. Where fine joints are present – in ashlar masonry for example – or in gauged brickwork, pure lime putty can be used. Dilute with water and you have a lime wash for both internal and external walls; and if a coloured wash is required, pigment can be added. To make mortar repairs in damaged stonework, lime putty can be mixed with certain aggregates. Lime is also valuable in specialist stone cleaning and conservation techniques.

Lime – protecting the future – the preferred choice for eco-builders

Lime offers huge environmental benefits:

• It is a natural material

• It has low embodied energy

• It re-absorbs CO2 during carbonation

• There is no efflorescence due to high presence of sulphate-resistant binders

• Is 100% recyclable after use

• Lime is the perfect partner for lowenergy, sustainable materials such as water reeds, straw, coppiced timber, earth and clay.

And breathe…………..

Buildings need to breath, and one of the key attributes of lime is that it allows a building to breathe and move. Lime allows good vapour permeability by facilitating moisture movement through the building and assisting in the drying out process.

The open pore structure of lime promotes the free flow of moisture in and out of a building, thereby preventing damp, green mould and moisture build up in the cavities.

It also allows for movement within a building – again a completely natural requirement – without the need to use expansion joints. This natural movement prevents cracking, corrosion and ultimate breakdown that would occur with manufactured materials such as cement and concrete.

When appearance matters.

The use of lime mortar in both historic and contemporary buildings adds significantly to the aesthetic; it has a highly natural, organic appearance and these aesthetic qualities are hard to equal with manufactured building materials.

In historic building and conservation projects, a time-weathered appearance is key to preserving the look and feel of the period and lime is probably unrivalled in this respect. Today in contemporary building design unusual brick colours are increasingly specified; sometimes with architectural detail requiring a matching or complementary mortar. By using modern technology, it is now possible to provide precisely colour-matched mortars, which adds an extra aesthetic dimension.

EcoRight – a leading manufacturer of lime mortar, render and plasters.

EcoRight is one of the leading experts in the use of lime and lime-based products and manufacturers a wide range of lime building materials which can be supplied direct to site in silo, bags or pallets.

RIBA-approved CPD sessions are available to Architects on request, including Lime in Construction Today, Lime Renders and Lime in Building Conservation.

Contractor ToolBox Talks can be booked to help tradespeople get the best out of lime.

Author:

Director of

Roger Shroff, Managing

is a well-known figure in the world of lime and delivers CPD sessions and ToolBox Talks throughout the UK.

W: www.ecoright.co.uk

E: info@ecoright.co.uk

T: 0845 873 3888

EcoRight

Lime is highly versatile and can be used in buildings in many different ways. Mix lime putty with sand to form a lime mortar which can be used for bedding masonry, pointing, rendering and plastering.

“

The use of lime mortar in both historic and contemporary buildings adds significantly to the aesthetic; it has a highly natural, organic appearance and these aesthetic qualities are hard to equal with manufactured building materials.

Lime. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow

PROTECTING HERITAGE, BUILDINGS, AND ENVIRONMENT

Ryder Architects chose EcoRight Coal Black hydraulic lime mortar to complement the Petersen bricks used for its £7m new build headquarters and campus for on-line gaming company Tombola. Built on the banks of the River Wear, within the Old Sunderland Riverside Conservation Area, Tombola House plays a major role in reinvigorating a historically significant part of the city.

This award-winning architectural design was developed by Brim Construction using multiple pitch roof and brick construction which reflected

the warehouses that characterise the surrounding riverside area.

EcoRight colour matched its hydraulic lime mortar to the Petersen bricks to give a stylish and contemporary aesthetic to this landmark building.

EcoRight manufactures a comprehensive range of ecologically sound lime-based renders, mortars and plasters, working with architects, developers and specialist heritage contractors throughout the UK. Delivery nationwide in dry silo, bag or IBC. For more information about using lime, ask us for RIBA CPD or on-site Toolbox Talks.

EcoRight is part of:

OB Architecture ON PROJECT Spa House

The creation of a modernist garden house and how to maximise outside space.

International architecture studio, OB Architecture, has unveiled their recently completed country house project, Spa House. The project saw the award-winning team create a holistic pool and garden pavilion in the grounds of a family home in Winchester, seamlessly connecting the new, modernist glazed structure to the existing (Victorian) period property through clever landscaping and exterior design.

Following the clients’ brief to make more of and better connect the property’s under-used garden, OB Architecture designed an adaptable living and entertaining space housed

within a contemporary, single storey pavilion with a minimalist linear form and expansive glazing, spanning across the front of the 110sqm floor plate. Built for year-round use, the garden house comprises a spa area, lounge and dining space with a builtin bar and a games area, extending out to its own terrace and boules court.

Opening up the home’s existing terraces, the new pavilion remains connected to the main home via a tranquil pool with pale Mediterranean porcelain surround, flanked by a border of delicate new planting and mature olive trees. The low, elegant eaves of the contemporary pavilion help to nestle the building within its surrounding flora and fauna, and the expansive glazing reflects and visually extends

the garden. OB Architecture worked in partnership with Guncast to provide the pool design and with 3LA on landscaping to bring together the holistic approach, giving the owners the opportunity to truly connect, enjoy and make the most of the large garden, whilst adding value to the existing property.

Olly Bray, Founder of OB Architecture, comments: ‘Many of our clients come to us wanting to maximise their gardens and outside spaces, whilst also ensuring there’s a strong connection between indoors and out.

‘In recent months, we’ve seen many more clients wanting to create external spaces that can be used year-round, rather than being dependent on good weather.

Continued >>>

‘Our starting point is considering access to the garden from the main house; we always advise grading a patio down to a terrace or pool area so it feels a seamless transition. As when designing internal spaces, we like to create different zones or destinations in a garden, especially if the homeowners enjoy entertaining. It’s important to have a large space as the main congregating or ‘hosting’

zone – for example, a recent client wanted to be able to throw alfresco parties for up to 100 guests – but then also create smaller, more intimate areas for dining or relaxing when it’s just the family or a small group.

‘At our Spa House project, we wanted to create a sleek yet impactful structure that draws the eye to the end of the garden and provides an interesting visual contrast to the main period property. The pavilion utilises extensive photovoltaic panels across the flat roof to provide sustainable electricity to help run the spa and pool year-round. It was crucial to the success of the project to

carefully plan the pool layout and the border planting, to ensure a sense of connection between the two buildings and that the garden house becomes a true extension of the home’s existing living and entertaining spaces.’

Spa House is the latest in a line of projects by OB Architecture that realise the potential of under-used garden space, often creating distinctly modern structures that sit alongside existing period properties.

At a family home in Surrey, set within a six-acre plot and sitting adjacent to an 18th-century Grade II listed watermill, OB Architecture created a contemporary addition that opens out seamlessly onto the expansive garden, adding an elegant new living space flooded with natural light. Again, a key objective was ensuring the extension was as low-maintenance and energy-efficient as possible, requiring very little heating or cooling input.

LOOK UP AND BE INSPIRED

By

There is a need for creative solutions in shared environments so when working with decorative metal, it allows designers the freedom to create spaces in an attractive yet functional way. Here, Jonathan Reed, Managing Director at Amron Architectural explains how Kriskadecor metal architectural drapery can contribute to this solution for interior design.

Architects and Designers are always looking at more inspirational approaches to the interiors of a large open-plan space. The demand for creating more inviting spaces and the inclusion of a well-considered feature can completely transform the character of a room. Amongst these approaches, we are seeing an increase in the use of metal chains both from a point of view that they are generally made from sustainable aluminum and also the style and look of them has that upcycled feel that we are all trying to be more conscious of.

It is important for spaces to create an environment that adopts creativity and innovation, so by implementing a moveable or fixed system achieves both. Metal architectural drapery offers a solution for every space, no matter what the size or shape.

All Systems Go!

Made from highly sustainable aluminium thread and then transformed into small chain links with innovative technology, the chains then go through a special anodising treatment. This is specially designed for

the chains, which gives them improved robustness and offers high colour resistance against climatic factors, wears, and rusting.

From elegant waves to parallel structures to amazing artistic figures and volumes, these aluminium chains can be developed into ceiling solutions. The solutions have limitless applications – not only are they versatile, but they also provide unparalleled design functionality. They are fully customisable to cover every space and ambient needed on a project. As well as a ceiling, you can enhance a façade, space dividers, curtains or even create a standalone piece of art. They give you the freedom to create inspiring spaces, in different colours or even with a custom image.

Product in practice

Beautiful, architect-designed renovations completed reliably from start to finish on the Swansea Arena in Wales - the exquisite design of the Arena makes a statement and injects life into the heart of Swansea.

Swansea City Council invested in a multimillion-pound complex to modernise the city and create a vibrant new neighbourhood for culture and leisure.

The Copr Bay development, which put the city on the map, features a 3,500-capacity arena, a new hotel, top-of-the-range conference facilities and a 1.1-acre coastal park.

Metal chains were specified for the ceiling feature throughout the arena. We worked closely with Buckingham Group Contracting and AFL Architects, who were appointed by ACME to assist with the design. This vast undulating ceiling creates a dramatic and eye-catching piece that will always be a talking point of the interior. We achieved the design intent by creating a bespoke curved ceiling feature, anodised in ‘Brilliant Apricot’ to give a warm feel to the building.

The possibilities are truly endless for how to utilise the chains in and around the interiors of a space. As Josep Maria Sans, Founder of Kriskadecor used to say, ’There is nothing that cannot be done; you just have to find the way!’

www.amronarchitectural.co.uk

Jonathan Reed, Managing Director at Amron Architectural

There is nothing that cannot be done; you just have to find the way!

Project: Swansea Arena, Wales

Application: Ceiling Drapery

Product: Kriskadecor

PROJECT: FIRST co-living development COMPLETED IN Ireland

The first purpose designed co-living development in Ireland, designed and delivered by HKR Architects on behalf of Niche Living, is now in full operation.

Located on Eblana Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin the development with 204 beautifully designed and fully serviced studios benefits from a broad range of on

- site facilities creating a new community in the established town centre of Dun Laoghaire. Shared amenities for residents include a stunning sky garden at roof level, while each floors benefits from a MasterChef kitchen relaxation and living spaces. There is also a laundry room, gym and fitness club, cinema, and games room together with workspace and meeting rooms.

Jerry Ryan, Director of HKR Architects says, “All major cities require a broad mix of residential typologies to meet their burgeoning housing demand. Dublin is no different. The demand for co-living has grown in popularity in recent years particularly in Dublin where there is a substantial international employment market that begs creative housing solutions.

“Co-living developments are typically targeted, but not exclusively, at young professionals who do not wish to commit to an area long term but still desire high quality accommodation in a community of their peers. Niche Living responds to this, with first class shared facilities and optimally designed private studios. We are proud to have been part of the team that delivered it.”

James Cormican, Head of Development at Niche Living comments. “We are delighted to launch our first co-living scheme in Dublin and would like to thank the team at HKR on the design and delivery of this first class offering to the Dublin residential market.

"The team brought its experience and ambition to the project, and we are delighted to have worked together on this journey to deliver an extremely successful scheme. We look forward to working together on forthcoming projects.”

Each private studio offers a high spec, flexible and functional solution. Careful consideration was given to crafting adaptable storage, and the provision of a workstation, fully equipped kitchenette, and dining space within each studio. There is also a private toilet, with a separate private shower room.

Kola Ojeyomi, Director of HKR Architects continues, “Each demographic has different needs and co-living is just one part of the housing mix which is addressing a specific part of the market which traditional residential development does not appeal

to. Equally co-living demonstrates efficient use of land accommodating 204 people on two thirds of an acre. It frees up sixty plus homes in suburbia (assuming the alternative of three or four people sharing a house) for families. It locates these key workers close to public transport, with Niche Living immediately adjacent to the DART station, reducing car usage. It brings a big addition to the local economy and social fabric of Dun Laoghaire.”

Within the shared spaces at Niche Living there are MasterChef style kitchens which are fully equipped including induction hob, oven, pots pans and much more. Each kitchen pod also has its own high speed dishwasher which has a three minute cycle for added convenience. The member lounge and living rooms provide a stylish hotel-style lobby vibe which are designed to be comfortable, beautiful and inviting spaces to relax or work. There is even a private event space which can be booked along with a full programme of guest events which are available via the Niche Living App.

Guests also have access to communal coworking spaces which have been designed to encourage collaboration with space to hold video conferencing and access to private meeting rooms. This has been carefully created to respond to the needs of post pandemic working behaviours.

The stunning roof garden offers panoramic views across the bay and has been sustainably designed to help guests feel connected to nature, whilst providing an outdoor space where people can meet in groups, attend events and relax during downtime.

For leisure time the private cinema room has a 100 inch Sony screen and immersive sound system for the ultimate movie viewing experience, which can be enjoyed from the comfortable couch seating.

For those more energetic the onsite state of the art gym and fitness suite, designed by Raw Gyms, is full equipped with Life Fitness and Cybex equipment, while the games room includes pool table, table tennis, games console and arcade machine. Raw Gyms also operate the weekly fitness and yoga classes, which are free for residents, as are the weekly Spanish and cooking classes.

For further information about Elbana Avenue please visit https://www.nicheliving.com

For details on HKR Architects please visit www.hkrarchitects.com

CAN ONE ELECTRIC CABLE TRANSFORM UNDERFLOOR HEATING INSTALLATION TO REDUCE COSTS AND BANISH CABLE DAMAGE?

Consumer preferences and budgets are changing, and architects need products to keep up with the demand. According to research commissioned by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, the average UK bathroom renovation budget has steadily increased over the last ten years, now averaging around £7,500 per project. The cost-of-living crisis, however, means that a customer’s budget is a much larger portion of their expendable income, while the increases in the cost of materials and services stretches their budgets even further.

This climate has increased the need for “done and dusted” or “fit and forget” installations. Customers’ budgets don’t go as far, project managers can’t afford to revisit jobs, and architects must recommend quality products that can be relied on. When it comes to electric underfloor heating, the way to avoid this worry is by using cables that allow for quicker, quality workmanship and remove the risk of damage to cables during installation.

Joint cutting is a common fault and risky cost to take on, so cut it out and speed up projects delivery for clients

One of the most common points of failure in an underfloor electric heating installation is the hot-to-cold joint. This is the point where the heated cable that goes under the tile or stone floor meets the non-heated

Thanks to the introduction of four new cable sizes (42, 55, 90, and 175 meters), there’s now a cable for every project and the number of multicable installations can be reduced.

cable, i.e., the “cold cable”, that runs to the thermostat in the wall. Depending on the brand, the hot-to-cold joint can be three times the size of the heating cable. This is because it is created during a secondary manufacturing process where the two cables are crimped or soldered together and wrapped in heat shrink. These bulky hot-to-cold joints prevent installers from easily making a flush surface ready for tiling and requires them to bore out cavities to accommodate their size. The method to do this requires cutting through the underfloor heating membrane mat, carving out insulation board, or even chasing out the concrete, wooden or tiled floor. Using sharp tools to install the cable can lead to damage during installation. Creating cavities under the cable and joint results in air pockets that don’t allow heat to escape properly, leading to overheating and failed cables months or years down the line.

Having to revisit underfloor heating projects due to damaged cables is costly. What’s more, it can also be a frustrating and complex process as, once an underfloor membrane is compromised or a heating cable is damaged, the product warranties are normally void, making project managers, architects and installers responsible for the fault and replacement of the materials.

To avoid the headache and costs of returning to a finished job, ThermoSphere has created a first-of-its-kind Membrane Heating Cable that drastically transforms

the electric underfloor heating installation process and effectively eliminates the risk of joint failure altogether. ThermoSphere’s Membrane Heating Cable is the first cable to use TwistedTwin construction alongside in-line joint technology, creating a cable that is one thickness end-to-end, and is significantly more robust than non-twisted cables. Getting rid of the joints and having a uniform 4mm diameter cable removes the need for installers to use grinders or Stanley blades altogether. Installers simply thumb-press the cable into the heating membrane mat, making it virtually impossible to damage during installation. This gives installers the peace of mind that the job is ‘done and dusted’, with almost zero risk of having to revisit an underfloor heating project.

Thanks to the introduction of four new cable sizes (42, 55, 90, and 175 meters), there’s now a cable for every project and the number of multi-cable installations can be reduced. And, because installation is a one-step, tool-free process, installers can press in the single cable and be done, letting them move quickly on to the rest of the job and minimise disruption to the customer’s home. What’s more, ThermoSphere’s Membrane Heating Cable fits with all decoupling membrane mats on the market, making projects easier to design for architects, and customers don’t need to pay inflated prices for specialist products.

To learn more about the ways this innovative in-line joint and TwistedTwin heating cable can transform electric underfloor heating installation, explore ThermoSphere’s Membrane Heating Cable www.thermosphere.com/ thermosphere-membrane-cable-press

BIJAL MEHTA

ARCHITECT PROJECTS SPEAKS WITH BIJAL MEHTA, ASSOCIATE AT MARCHINI CURRAN ASSOCIATES ALL ABOUT WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE AND CHANGES THAT CAN BE MADE IN WORKPLACE CULTURE WITHIN THE ARCHITECTURE INDUSTRY

What determined your passion for architecture and design? Tell us about the moment you decided this was the career for you?

Always passionate about fine art and design and whilst we did not have any architects in the family, my grandfather really wanted me to progress and get into a profession. From an early age my family supported me academically and it helped that I was a bit of a nerd too, so I beavered through my GCSE’s and when going through these I remember finding about being a designer is technology classes and Architecture just seemed a natural choice for me. To give myself options, I picked English Language, Maths, Physics & Fine Art at A-level. Whilst A-levels were more challenging, I made a friend whose father was an Architect, and was lucky enough to have my first work experience placement at Squire and Partners. This was one of the key experiences that cemented the idea of pursuing a career in Architecture in my mind. Whilst my placement was short, it was great to see life in a busy city practice, working with new and existing buildings was great and seeing the translation from drawn information and finishes panels to actual things was very exciting.

Talk us through your day to day as Associate at Marchini Curran Associates

I am currently in the process of delivering a Datacentre project in Harlow and am simultaneously working on several other commercial opportunities in the pipeline. With the Harlow project going through Stage 5 (construction) I am dealing with site queries and resolving problems with key interfaces. Reporting in this stage is to the Contractor client, so most of my dayto-day work involves communication with various subcontractors as well as closing

out submittals for Building Regulations, Fire and BREEAM. Communication with the client is sporadic, and we are invited into discussions to finalise finishes and options with the main contractor present. I am also periodically visiting site to carry out inspections and discuss issues face-to-face.

With other opportunities, I am preparing presentations and options for discussion to the main client - leading them through producing the brief ie. understanding their needs/wants in relation to other criteria such as potential revenue, site vernacular and statutory constraints, to preparing formal Planning and Building control applications.

How important is it for more women to be encouraged into the industry, what changes can be made in workplace culture to support this?

I am acutely aware that when I qualified 10 years ago there was an expectation that a woman of a certain age would have considerable gaps in their career compared to their male counterparts due to caring responsibilities. However, lockdown and the progression of flexible working has unlocked career potential in those employees (regardless of gender) who have responsibilities. Businesses have thrived across the sector by responding positively to this need for flexibility. It is just a shame that it has taken a pandemic and technological advancement for employees to recognise that support can and often is rewarded with loyalty in employees.

In addition to this, the work by Marsha Ramroop in the architectural profession looking at Cultural Intelligence and developments on Construction sites of zero tolerance work attitudes to promote inclusivity, good mental health practises and the progression of women in construction, is wonderful to see. At the same time, it is important to recognise that many of these attitudes are deeply rooted and management play an important role in setting the bar for acceptable attitudes in practice.

Do you think that there is enough being done within businesses to encourage women to apply for different roles?

The large majority of Architectural practices are small and medium businesses, so the potential for progression is tough as often

well-established practices have concerns about getting top heavy. Progressing upward can be a bit of a political game unless you happen to be there at the right time. That being said, the nature of being part of a small business is that you learn all the ropes, you get the opportunity to work on every part of the building that you design, so the potential for getting known is high. At the same time, the variation in building types allows for developing specialisms in any sector. Your ambition should not be inhibited by who you work for and if you are not inspired, do not be frightened to move on.

Build an environment where people feel comfortable working, and ensure they feel more comfortable about discussing their aspirations for themselves and the business that they work in.

Retention of knowledge and employment is very important, you cannot be expected to work somewhere for long periods

It is great being an Associate and being able to influence the trajectory of the practice.

“ “

of time if you are not inspired. And as a company when you lose employees, what most businesses do not appreciate is that filling those roles can be substantially more costly.

How do you overcome barriers/obstacles?

What comes as second nature to me is to respond with a ‘codified’ response, as I am often speaking with the client, whether this is the contractor-client, the developer-client or the end user, to give them what I think they want.

Whilst this gives the professional response that they would expect, I feel I am getting to a stage in my career where I feel much more confident in discussing alternative ideas that would have required a lot more convincing, such as sustainability ambitions. The key to doing this is talking about ideas that I have with colleagues and other consultants to sound them out. Practice makes perfect with most things!

As an Architect, whilst you are so important to the design and the process, you need to be approachable and allow yourself to be open to learning from the people around you. Every day is a school day and if it wasn’t, you wouldn’t have anything to learn!

What are your future career ambitions?

It is great being an Associate and being able to influence the trajectory of the practice. I love the balance of overseeing packages of work and rolling my sleeves up and getting on with the drafting and grafting of design work. At the moment, I feel quite content with my career progression to date, but through the current green revolution, I would like to get more involved in sustainable retrofitting projects and work to existing buildings.

What one piece of advice would you give to other women out there that want to get into the Architecture industry?

The ‘gift of the gab’ is just confidence and hard work has its own rewards - don’t be apprehensive about talking about your work, if you are passionate about it and interested it in it, it will shine through.

As an Architect, whilst you are so important to the design and the process, you need to be approachable and allow yourself to be open to learning from the people around you.

Schüco is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the AS PD 75.HI Panoramic Sliding Door, a ground-breaking product that redefines the standards for sliding door systems. This state-ofthe-art sliding door combines maximum transparency, ease of access, and an array of customisable design options that cater to the unique requirements of architects and clients alike.

The Schüco Panoramic Door is characterised by large-scale glass areas from floor to ceiling, with flush-fitted frames concealed in the walls, ceiling and floor. Only a narrow 35mm interlock section is visible. The result is virtually frameless views.

Developed in response to the needs of architects, specifiers, and clients, Schüco engaged in extensive dialogue to understand the specific requirements of the premium residential sector. The result is the Schüco AS PD 75.HI Panoramic Door which brings together multi-functionality and style in three distinct product lines:

• The Access Line offers the perfect balance between design and function, with a level threshold and easy operation.

• The completely frameless Design Line enables uninterrupted views and offers a sleek, modern look.

• The Performance Line with lift-and-slide technology and automated operation offers the highest level of technical performance combining maximum comfort with stylish design.

An extensive range of add-on features can be incorporated to offer a tailored solution for a wide range of project requirements.

Architects can emphasise a minimalist appearance with the help of features such as the integrated flush pull grip and the dynamic cover profile. The flush-fitted appearance of the door when closed, as well as its seamless integration into interior design when open, make it an ideal choice for both modern and traditional spaces.

Smart technology allows sliding units to be opened at the touch of a button via app or switch, and integration into smart home

systems. Optional lift-and-slide technology, a choice of double or triple glazing and integrated sun shading offer ultimate weather performance for year-round comfort.

A wide range of opening configurations and options such as Schüco WoodDesign for a timber look can be selected to suit the specific needs and tastes of each client.

The Schüco Panoramic Sliding Door is a testament to the company’s commitment to continually innovate and deliver exceptional products that combine form, function, and performance. Experience the future of sliding door systems with the Schüco Panoramic Sliding Door.

For more information about the Schüco AS PD 75.HI Panoramic Sliding Door, visit https://www.schueco.com/uk/specifiers/products/sliding-systems/panorama-design

INTRODUCING THE SCHÜCO PANORAMIC SLIDING DOOR: A PERFECT BLEND OF DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, AND FUNCTIONALITY

CAMBRIDGE SCIENCE PARK

When architects Scott Brownrigg were given a brief to create a new gateway to Cambridge Science Park they knew the building had to be impressive to attract the desired high tech and Research and Development companies.

The design features a colonnade sweeping across the front of the building echoing the curve of the spine road and a new public space. The column spacing guides occupants and visitors to the entrance – a GEZE Slimdrive SCR curved automatic sliding door.

The building has a BREEAM Excellent rating for its design so the Slimdrive SCR was the perfect complement. 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 automatic curved sliding door provides a light and airy all-glass lobby entrance which blends seamlessly into the façade and the large glass atrium, it combines high performance with unobtrusive operation.

Inside the operator’s deep canopy an integrated air curtain was installed to further minimise any heat loss and maintain the aesthetics of the building.

The Slimdrive SCR automatic operator also provides uninhibited access and so meets the demands of Part M, BS 8300 and EN 16005, whilst the access control system ensures security.

Recognising the outstanding design of the building, the Cambridge Science Park has been shortlisted for the 2023 British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards. The BCO’s primary objective is to define excellence in office space.

Ross Mcwatt, Associate Architect at Scott Brownrigg said ‘We have worked with GEZE several times, they have the same focus as we do in terms combining sustainability, accessibility and aesthetics.

Richard Richardson-Derry, National Specification Manager at GEZE UK added ‘This is an outstanding building, that meets many demands, we were delighted to play a part in creating an entrance and achieving the criteria of the brief.

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

40 YEARS

TOU C H IRONMONGERY LTD

www.atouchofbrass.co.uk

210 Fulham Road, Chelsea London SW10 9PJ

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

One of London’s leading Architectural Ironmongers

Originally called “A Touch of Brass”, TOUCH changed their name in 2003 in reaction to advancing market changes in architectural Ironmongery to reflect the broader range of products and finishes that they sell.

In fact today Touch supply 20 different finishes including Brass, Satin Brass, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Satin Nickel, Copper, BMA, Antique Brass, Black, Pewter, Ceramic, leather, Stainless Steel, Satin Stainless Steel, Gun Metal & 4 different shades of Bronze and the list keeps growing. Whatever finish you require, Touch can help you get the right look.

Touch occupy their recently refurbished showroom at 210 Fulham Road, Chelsea, where they stock and display a vast range of their 5,000 products. With a customer base including Architects, Interior Designers, Builders and private Individuals who are interested in the quality end of the Ironmongery market, the company also have a healthy export market to all corners of the world, namely the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Touch Ironmongery’s owner and founder, Bill Benham, has 42 years’ experience in the Ironmongery trade, as does his colleague Jim Haselup. Saleem Qureshi is the newest member of our team and has 21 years’ experience, meaning their knowledge is unrivalled in this industry.

The range of products supplied by Touch date from circa 1640 French (Louise XIV) and cover all subsequent periods (Georgian, Edwardian & Victorian), Art Deco and contemporary pieces also make up the product ranges.

Touch showcases the very best of British manufacturing; the best ranges are still produced in the Midlands by craftsmen in factories dating back 200 years or more.

Touch Ironmongery have recently become suppliers for Designer Doorware (Australia) Who have beautiful products with a cutting edge design Metal, Wood and concrete. We also have the exclusive rights to sell the Olaria (Barcelona) range in the UK.

Olaria make all our bespoke products, they have incredible levels of workmanship.

Touch also sell European manufactured goods which are considered to be of a very good quality.

With trends continuously evolving new and innovative products are constantly under development.

Touch understand that keeping up with the fashion-shifts is imperative in order to provide every customer with the best solution for their requirements.

Ironmongery can be a difficult and complicated aspect of a building project, as a result Touch aim to take this awkward aspect and make it user friendly and clear to understand by offering an on-site service where they carry out a detailed door by door, window by window, room by room Ironmongery schedule, highlighting all requirements and identifying all requirements.

Restoration is a large part of the business Touch will undertake complete Ironmongery refurbishment projects, and can restore old paint covered door furniture to their former glory, looking as good as new again at a fraction of the cost to replace.

For more information about Touch Ironmongery or to arrange a showroom visit please call 0207 351 2255 or alternatively visit www.atouchofbrass.co.uk

BRITISH & EUROPEAN MANUFACTURERS SUPPLYING THE FINEST QUALITY IRONMONGERY

Touch combine traditional skills with modern manufacturing techniques to produce the most beautiful, quality fittings, built to stand the test of time.

As well as specialist bespoke items, Touch supply over 1000 products, available in 23 different finishes to furnish high end residential and commercial properties, royal palaces, government houses, historic castles and stately homes.

Olaria, available from Touch Ironmongery www.atouchofbrass.co.uk & www.olariabarcelona.com

ALLEGION LAUNCHES NEW SET OF BRITON ‘FIRE DOOR SAFETY’ GUIDES

Allegion UK, a pioneer in fire safety hardware and manufacturer of ‘Briton’ door controls and exit hardware, has launched its new set of best practice guides, designed to provide a broader understanding of fire door safety in commercial, education and healthcare environments.

In support of fire safety practice, the three ‘Fire Door Safety in Review’ guides have been compiled using original research from commercial, education and healthcare sectors, drawing upon key insights from building managers and door hardware specialists. Allegion’s research has uncovered several findings and emphasises

a fundamental misunderstanding of fire safety responsibility and the importance of fire door hardware across all three fields.

Now available upon request, the guides are intended to provide essential and accessible information on hardware specification, installation and maintenance, helping responsible persons to improve fire safety standards in their buildings.

Pete Hancox, country manager at Allegion UK, commented: “Specification, installation and maintenance are vital components of fire door safety, and we believe it important to raise awareness and improve knowledge on these crucial subjects. The ‘Briton’ door hardware experts at Allegion UK have extensive experience in fire door safety within commercial, education and healthcare environments, and we understand that there is a clear disconnect between legislative fire safety standards and the reality on the ground in these building environments.

“Our research has revealed fire safety is often compromised in these settings. In healthcare, three in four are unsure whether their building’s fire door hardware is installed correctly and operates as it should. Similarly, in education, over 50% of our respondents were not aware of fire door

maintenance procedures in their building. And in commercial buildings, almost 40% are not up to date with the latest in fire safety regulations.

“Presently, there’s a real emphasis to raise fire door safety awareness and it’s an opportune time to support a crucial message. We hope our newly launched guides act as an invaluable resource for those tasked with improving and maintaining fire safety standards in these core sectors.”

To download a free copy of the Briton ‘Fire Door Safety in Review’ guides, visit: www.briton.co.uk/en/ tradeprofessionals/firedoorsafety. html.

To find out more about Allegion UK, visit: www.allegion.co.uk

The UK’s built environment should prioritise digital connectivity to futureproof homes and businesses around the UK, or risk lagging behind, according to a new report from strategic property consultancy and digital infrastructure expert, Cluttons.

The ‘Connecting today for tomorrow’ report warns that investment in digital infrastructure must not only keep pace with current demands but also with future advances in technology, which will require ever more data.

This comes as mobile networks embark on the Great 3G Switch-Off, some of which will start this summer. Vodafone, EE, and Three will no longer offer 3G from 2024 with the aim to accelerate the UK’s transition to a 5G network. However, around 5.5 million mobile phone customers still use 2G and 3G devices, according to Ofcom.

Similarly, whilst the pace of the roll-out of gigabit-capable broadband has gathered momentum, some 30% of homes are yet to get access to this speed of connection. Monthly broadband use in the UK has risen by 154% in 5 years from an average of 190gb per connection in 2017, to 482gb in 2022 (Ofcom).

Darren Zitren, head of infrastructure at Cluttons, said: “In recent years we’ve seen the Government push the UK’s digital connectivity up the agenda, but there is further to go. A high level of connectivity in our built environment is essential to not only meet the demands of an increasingly digitally reliant population in their homes and at work but to ensure a society that can work in lockstep to grow the UK’s economy.”

The report highlights that the digital economy has the potential to grow the UK tech sector’s annual Gross Value Added by an additional £41.5 billion by 2025, according

to the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport, which could be pivotal at a time when the UK economy remains vulnerable. Similarly, 50% of respondents in EY’s latest UK Attractiveness Survey believe gigabit connectivity will drive UK growth, up from 26% in 2019.

Darren continued: “When we talk about making buildings that are fit for the future, we’re often talking about energy. However, increasingly the conversation we’re having with both residential and commercial developers, landlords, and owners is around how to prevent obsolescence in a building’s tech infrastructure, to prevent them from having to regularly retrofit or upgrade for long-term resilience and commercial success. We know, for example, wayleaves and an approved fibre route not being in place can cause an 8-to-10-week delay in business activity.”

Cluttons has called for several areas that need to be addressed to improve digital connectivity in the future, specifically gigabit-capable broadband and 5G. These include:

1. Roll-out of digital champions: Building on the Government’s commitment to improving the UK’s broadband infrastructure with the appointment of local digital champions who can help people and businesses understand the benefits of better connectivity, create plans which ensure high-quality connections, and bring operators together to deliver it.

2. Linking connectivity to the Net Zero challenge: A greater understanding on how fast connections can support MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) Regulations and futureproof commercial buildings. This is ahead of a minimum required EPC rating of C or above that will come into force under proposed

legislation in 2025 for residential buildings, and 2027 for commercial.

3. Bottom-line benefits for businesses: Driving widespread education about the private and public benefits of fast connection, from financial to environmental, to job creation. Recent data from Moody’s shows that lease lengths for US office buildings were on average 9 months longer for wellconnected buildings confirmed by a Wiredscore certification. Wiredscore also revealed that data from 2019 showed that a certified building in London commanded 4.7% more in rent than those without.

4. Prioritising sites for infrastructure: Ensuring planning consents and acquisitions for land or built assets which could be locations for electronic communication sites are fast-tracked and dealt with collaboratively. As recognised in the Government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, “Operators’ inability to secure suitable sites is one of the biggest barriers to network deployment.”

John Gravett, managing director at Cluttons, said: “For companies to meet net-zero targets they are going to need to be able to monitor and evidence their performance and this will have huge connectivity and capacity requirements.”

“Businesses of all types need to consider future-proofing their connections, whether that is in one building or across a portfolio of real estate assets. In a practical sense, this will mean liaising with one or more broadband operators at each site and negotiating wayleaves, the legal agreement which allows operators to access buildings to install or maintain their hardware. It will also mean non-digital experts with responsibility for property assets starting to ask questions around future-proofing strategies.”

To download the full report please click here

For companies to meet net-zero targets they are going to need to be able to monitor and evidence their performance and this will have huge connectivity and capacity requirements.

NET ZERO DOESN’T WORK WITHOUT CONNECTIVITY, SAYS CLUTTONS

V&A Photography Centre COMPLETES: UNVEILING UK’S LARGEST PERMANENT SPACE DEDICATED TO PHOTOGRAPHY

The final phase of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s (V&A) Photography Centre, designed by Gibson Thornley Architects and Purcell, is now complete. Situated in some of the oldest spaces on the V&A’s Estate, four new gallery spaces and a fifth reworked gallery space provide a contemporary and inspiring setting for one of the world’s largest and most important photography collections, while honouring the building’s historic grandeur.

The Photography Centre’s new space, set across 570m², includes a series of environmentally controlled galleries, accommodating a series of large-scale contemporary commissions and thematic displays which will be updated regularly to showcase new practice. The project also features a new dedicated space

housing the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) Library and a state-of-the-art gallery charting advancements in camera technology, including a walk-in camera obscura.

The project brings the Centre to a total of seven rooms, after David Kohn Architects completed the first phase of the project in 2018. Heritage and conservation architect Purcell upgraded the historic areas, previously used for storage and teaching, to allow for Gibson Thornley’s reimagining of them as a series of state-of-the-art public galleries, complete with seamlessly integrated services. Gibson Thornley worked closely with the V&A’s curatorial team and a cohort of 16-24-year-olds to help democratise the galleries and open them up to younger generations. The scheme is the practice’s second project for

© Jim Stephenson

© Thomas Adank

the V&A following its design of the ‘Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up’ exhibition in 2018.

The Photography Centre forms part of the V&A’s FuturePlan, an ambitious development programme which sees designers work with different audiences to create contemporary new gallery spaces while revealing and restoring the beauty of the original building. Purcell’s base build works has provided additional roof space and infrastructure for this long-term project.

Visitors can enter the new spaces via the Digital Gallery, an immersive room featuring a large-scale digital projection. Adjacent is the new home for the RPS Library, offering a space for visitors to pause and

contemplate the importance of the photo book. To avoid loading to the original floors, the prestigious RPS collection lines the walls of the double-height reading room via bespoke new elements cantilevered from the gallery walls.

A new mezzanine walkway provides librarians with full access to the RPS collection. The bridges feature balustrades crafted from clasped brass rods, referencing the V&A’s own ironwork collection, while the room’s walnut burr lining echoes the V&A’s National Art Library.

The space also features a study area, comfortable seating, a handling library and librarian workspaces, while a free-standing display wall embodies cases for selected prints and books. These public and private

Architect: Gibson Thornley Architects (Fit out); Purcell (Base-build)

Client: V&A

Structural engineer: Harley Haddow

M&E consultant: Harley Haddow

QS: Currie & Brown

Lighting: Michael Grubb Studio

Project manager: Avison Young

CDM coordinator: Purcell

Approved building inspector: RBKC

Main contractor: Quinn London Ltd

Library contractor: Pavlis

areas are intertwined to create a rich and layered experience for visitors and staff.

Throughout the voluminous gallery spaces which follow, new sweeping parquet floors and carefully curated lighting complement the building’s historic shell and enhance the range of exhibits, while a sequence of archways connects the galleries and offers a range of aspects and vistas, which unfold as visitors journey through the space.

These galleries will display a selection of recent acquisitions by celebrated contemporary photographers including Liz Johnson Artur, Sammy Baloji, Vera Lutter, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Tarrah Krajnak and Vasantha Yogananthan.

© Jim Stephenson

© Jim Stephenson

© Jim Stephenson

A monumental photographic sculpture by Noémie Goudal will draw visitors through the galleries. Two major new commissions supported by the Manitou Fund will also be unveiled, with a series by leading Indian photographer Gauri Gill, and a digital commission by British media artist Jake Elwes. The breadth of subject matter explored by these international artists includes identity, race, sexuality, and climate change, together with a wide range of technical approaches.

In the camera gallery, objects charting the evolution of photography from the Talbot box camera to the iPhone hover within bespoke glass cases, where their workings can be exposed via backlighting at the touch of a button. Central to the gallery

is a contemporary camera obscura photo studio, designed with the input of British Visual Artist Richard Learoyd, which invites visitors to experience and experiment with the fundamentals of the photographic process.

Marta Weiss, V&A Senior Curator of Photography and Lead Curator of Phase

Two of the Photography Centre, said: “Photography lies at the heart of the V&A. The museum has collected photography since 1852 and continues to acquire the best of contemporary practice. As photography plays an ever-increasing role in all our lives, the expanded Photography Centre will be more relevant than ever. We look forward to welcoming visitors to explore the medium’s diverse histories and enjoy our world-leading collection.”

Matt Thornley, Co-founder of Gibson Thornley, said: “The V&A is one of the UK’s most beautiful and innovative museum sites, and so the design process became a conversation between past and present, celebrating all of the original detail, while enhancing these historic spaces with the very best modern design. We were interested in the idea of layering and depth at a variety of scales. From the experience of passing through the enfilade of rooms to the detailed consideration of separation and exposure of public and private space. The RPS Library is a pivotal point in the Centre where we hope visitors will linger. The brief for the camera gallery was developed in close collaboration with V&A staff and a steering group of young people. We hope it will help to break down

barriers and create a relevant and welcoming space that people will want to visit again and again.”

Project Lead for Purcell, Graham EpkingCrane, said: “The V&A’s FuturePlan programme presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to remodel what had previously been back-of-house areas and reinstate them to their former glory as beautiful gallery spaces to be enjoyed by the public. The building is an important and high-profile cultural landmark, and it is wonderful to see these significant spaces upgraded and modernised to give the museum renewed relevance and increased capacity to showcase the breadth of the Photography Centre’s collection.”

The Photography Centre has been made possible by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, The Kusuma Trust, The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation, Ms. Ruth Monicka Parasol and The Parasol Foundation Trust, Meta Media, Shao Zhong Art Foundation amongst other supporters.

www.gibsonthornley.com

www.purcelluk.com

www.vam.ac.uk

Central to the gallery is a contemporary camera obscura photo studio, designed with the input of British Visual Artist Richard Learoyd, which invites visitors to experience and experiment with the fundamentals of the photographic process.

“

© Jim Stephenson

© Jim Stephenson

© Thomas Adank

By James Wilkinson, Design Team Manager at flat and tapered roof insulation specialists, Gradient.

Hospital and healthcare buildings serve a vital purpose in keeping the occupants inside – many of whom will be elderly, incapacitated and vulnerable – safe and comfortable. Roofs are integral to maintaining such a performance; it’s why their installation and upkeep requires the utmost planning and execution.

Poor insulation specification as part of a build-up is a regular factor in roofing failure. When this occurs the integrity of a structure itself is compromised, which risks crucial healthcare services being disrupted. Another likely outcome is costly renovation and as would be the case with other public sector buildings such as schools, the bill would ultimately be borne by the taxpayer. Whatever the setting, insulation as part of a flat roof build-up should meet two simple, yet crucial objectives: protect a building against the elements and ensure the roof meets regulation levels of thermal performance. So, what is the secret to firsttime success in securing such an outcome?

Tapered insulation offers the best of both worlds when upgrading a flat roof which is showing signs of wear and tear. When installed as part of a flat roof’s waterproofing build-up, tapered insulation’s multifunctional design not only enhances a building’s overall thermal performance, it manages a roof’s water runoff to ensure it flows into the appropriate outlets or gutters. If water is not properly dispersed from a roof, its weight will lead to deflections forming and increase the risk of ponding. This additional weight will fast-track the waterproofing system’s wear and tear, thus increasing the likelihood of a worst-case scenario: water-based structural damage, one of the most common forms of building failure. Therefore, a well-appointed tapered insulation scheme can extend the life of the building itself, hence the importance of selecting a system, whether single-layer or multi-layer, that is specifically designed to suit a particular application.

Industry guidance

In terms of specifying an insulation system that meets industry standards by taking into account issues such as water run-off, pitch size, wind load calculation, falls and weight ratio, the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) code of practice offers excellent guidance. This is freely available online and ideal for installers and specifiers requiring insulation as part of a single-ply system. Similarly, BS: 6229: 2018, the standard that defines

best practice in flat roof design and maintenance, provides a learned reference for performance requirements across a range of applications.

Plan to succeed

Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail is a wellknown phrase that could have been tailor made for the construction industry. Hence a site survey ought to be a prerequisite when specifying tapered insulation for flat roofs. In many instances, the initial take-off drawing/specification of a project will differ from what is the ‘reality’ on-site. Therefore, it is always recommended a site visit is carried out prior to deciding on an appropriate insulation solution. This is particularly the case for modular singlelayer systems, as they offer little option for cutting and altering once delivered to site. A survey will determine a roof’s dimensions and take into account potential obstructions or openings such as rooflight and drainage outlets, which could affect the layout of a bespoke-designed insulation scheme. It can also take into account any backfalls or deflections that need to be overcome.

Single or multi-layer option?

Bonded under factory-controlled conditions, single-layer tapered insulation systems are the time and cost-effective alternative to multi-layer solutions: they are ready to install once delivered to site. The insulation within the single-layer bond will have been monitored for its minimum pull-off performance, leaving installers with the relatively straightforward task

NO ROOM FOR ERROR WHEN IT COMES TO REFURBISHMENT OF ROOFS IN PUBLIC SECTOR SETTINGS

of installing it – in one block – to the roof, followed by the waterproofing. This not only guarantees the insulation will perform as-designed, it significantly reduces application times and material waste. Therefore, whilst a multi-layer solution might appear, on paper at least, to be a more cost-effective option, the benefit is negated by the additional hours it takes to bond and install the insulation layer-bylayer; a process that is eliminated with a pre-bonded single-layer system.

Engage with an expert

From a specification point of view, quality is built-in with single-layer tapered insulation systems. Gradient, for example, provides a turnkey service as part of its bespoke manufacture of flat roof and tapered roofing insulation systems. From the initial consultation and pre-design process, to the installation and post-project stages, Gradient’s technical teams work alongside clients to ensure the successful implementation of its individually-tailored tapered insulation schemes which are produced to ISO 9001; one of the most widely adopted management standards in the world.

There are no second chances to get something right first time and in terms of flat roof insulation, ongoing maintenance to correct an errant installation can

prove extremely costly. As highlighted, in refurbishment projects involving the health sector, fiscal costs incurred by an over-running works programme could be compounded by the negative impacts it has on vulnerable occupants within the building. By engaging with a specialist such as Gradient, clients will be taking a significant step towards offsetting these issues and ensuring a roof provides the long-term warmth and weathertightness a building and its residents deserve.

PERFORATED PANELS COMBINE SAFETY, FUNCTIONALITY AND AESTHETICS

Overlooking the Manchester City Canal, a total of 500 apartments are being built in Manchester Waters. The location, quality and facilities are unique, and the selection ranges from studios to 3-bedroom apartments. The first blocks are finished and stand as a symbol of the new Manchester.

Premium waterfront living on this level must offer all amenities, including the ability to park near the residence. Therefore, car park facilities have been established on the lower level. In this connection, RMIG Solutions has supplied facade panels for covering the car park.

Challenges and wins

The facade panels presented several challenges. Aesthetically, the panels should be decorative and match the architecture. Functionally, they should have an extraordinarily large open area, as the rest of the basement is surrounded by solid walls. Finally, the panels should appear in a raw finish, directly from the mill.

The task was solved thanks to a close and trusting collaboration with the architect. Aesthetically, the choice fell on a botanical pattern with a closed surface at the top that hides the concrete deck.

An open area of 50% is difficult to achieve in this thickness (3mm), particularly in an aesthetic finish, but with precision tools, our sales and development departments managed to increase this. The architect proposed displacing some of the panels to provide extra ventilation, and this ultimately resulted in an open area of approximately 75%.

Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail is a well-known phrase that could have been tailor made for the construction industry.

“

HARSH LAD

PROJECTS SPEAKS WITH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT WILKINSONEYRE ABOUT THE RECENTLY COMPLETED ENTRANCE AT BANK UNDERGROUND STATION

Talk us through the project aims for the entrance to Bank Underground Station

WilkinsonEyre have worked on the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade project for over 10 years. The complete scheme includes the creation of a new wider southbound platform for the Northern line; the existing platform has been converted into a concourse in addition to new direct links to the Central line and DLR platforms being provided to ease congestion and provide better connectivity within the station. These areas opened last year.

This final phase sees the opening of a new station entrance at street level providing direct access to the Northern line from Cannon Street, with new lifts connecting the Northern line and DLR platforms to the new station entrance.

The orientation of the station entrance onto Cannon Street responded to commuter data, whilst allowing a future oversite development to have its address on King William Street, adding value to the office building. The upgrade significantly eliminates the existing congestion at the station and significantly reduces passenger journey times by cutting interchange distances and creating intuitive wayfinding through clear sightlines and the strategic use of colour to support the signage – thus making the commute more appealing and encouraging increased use of this sustainable transport mode.

What was the architectural design and was this inspired by/had to suit the surroundings?

The Architectural design is differentiated into two styles with the new Cannon Street entrance providing a contextually sensitive response, and the below ground areas designed with references to the wider London Underground brand, tunnelling construction methods and the interfaces with the existing station areas whilst developing and integrating the functional elements of the station into its architectural expression.

The new station elevations incorporate Portland Stone in reference to the materiality of King William Street and the wider Bank Conservation Area, with the entrance celebrated by a portal which opens directly onto Cannon Street. The internal space has a generous floor to ceiling height with a scalloped soffit which creates an undulating plane within the deep ticket hall, accentuated by the lighting design and leading customers towards the escalators and lifts down to the platform areas. The large escalator box down to an Intermediate transition level has been kept free of any structural elements, providing a dramatic volume which emphasizes the journey into the station; an angular, pleated bronze feature wall creates a focus and counterpoint within the formal ticket hall, drawing attention to the main route to the platforms. The geometry of the bronze wall transitions into the ceiling of the intermediate level, acting as a geometric connection between surface and below ground.

The tunnel areas, which includes the new interchanges, concourse and platform areas, opened last year and have been designed to be visually open by using clutter free and seamless linings, and maximising the volumes of the spaces. The various station services and infrastructure are expressed with a suspended feature boom housing the lighting, CCTV, PA and other services. Larger primary tunnels connecting the different areas of the station are clad in white, whilst platform and concourse connection tunnels are clad in a contrasting blue colour, providing clear intuitive wayfinding for passengers as they travel between spaces. The new large openings onto the existing Northern line, Central line and DLR platforms have been treated by the creation of new curved

One of the biggest challenges was to develop an Architectural design which complied with the various standards and regulations.

ARCHITECT

granite portals similar to the existing portals within the station.

What was your favourite part of the project and why?

All too often, projects are redesigned multiple times throughout their project life-cycle and a series of constraints are established, limiting the creativity and freedom for subsequent design teams to explore what may be the best option. The tender competition for Bank Station Capacity Upgrade lifted those kinds of constraints, providing WilkinsonEyre and design team a blank canvas to redesign the station and push the engineering design to produce a scheme that met and even exceeded the client’s expectations.

This level of trust that the client provided to the design team continued through the design stages, resulting in the WilkinsonEyre team having an influence on key project decisions in order to maintain the overall Architectural Design Vision. A key challenge in transport projects is to ensure that the design intent is maintained, and the spaces created and finishes used are not diminished as the project develops. WilkinsonEyre developed a station design that worked with the engineering design and geometries to create spaces which were honest and true to the engineering principles. This inherent optimisation

allowed the design to develop without the threat of value engineering and the ofteninevitable comprise of spaces and stripping out of architectural finishes.

This Architectural Vision was maintained and delivered through the construction stage, with the completed project being almost identical to the visualisations created during the design stage.

The new large openings onto the existing Northern line, Central line and DLR platforms have been treated by the creation of new curved granite portals similar to the existing portals within the station.

© GLA

Were there any design challenges for this project?

One of the biggest challenges was to develop an Architectural design which complied with the various standards and regulations. The strict rules governing material selection in relation to fire performance as well as durability, provided a series of constraints which the Architectural team had to work with. The team overcame these challenges by integrating known constraints into the overall concept and design.

We tried to push the boundaries of the restricted palette of materials in order to deliver the architectural design intent. An example of this was the use of large wide panels for the ticket hall wall cladding and to increase the width of horizontal cladding joints in order to reduce emphasis the slimmer vertical joints. This avoided having a grid of panel joints and resulted in the horizontal joints working with the curved ceiling panels to provide a form of directional wayfinding into and out of the station.

How important was collaboration whilst working on this project?

Collaboration was essential on the project to ensure that the design developed with all parties having a voice and the tight programme being met. Interfacing with the client on large infrastructure projects such as Bank Station Capacity Upgrade was critical to ensuring the design met the onerous requirements and was fit

for purpose. WilkinsonEyre worked directly alongside the client’s engineering department to overcome challenges and agree on key design decisions. The project ethos was ‘collaboration, not just co-ordination’ and this ensured that all parties had a voice when key decisions had to be made. This provided a platform for experienced specialists to deliver a design and not be overruled by a dominant factor, such as cost. Decisions were made collaboratively and all in the best interest for the project, rather than any individual or their organisation.

How was sustainability implemented within the design stages?

Traditional methods to implement sustainable design approaches found on above ground buildings are difficult to incorporate on predominantly belowground station upgrade projects. During the design process, WilkinsonEyre worked alongside the civil and tunnelling engineers to ensure that the extent of the proposed works were optimised to reduce the amount of excavation and improve the project’s sustainability credentials.

WilkinsonEyre’s proposed design of areas that integrated with existing station areas included the reuse of existing finishes which were being stripped out from other areas of the station.

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Architect Projects ROOFING & CLADDING Architect Projects

ZENTIA LAUNCHES NEW ACOUSTIC CALCULATOR

Leading UK ceilings manufacturer Zentia launches a three-step online acoustic calculator.

An online acoustic calculator that helps architects and other specifiers check ceiling product performance against acoustic standards in just three simple steps has been launched by the UK’s leading ceilings manufacturer Zentia.

While the focus of the new acoustic calculator is education, due to its particularly stringent acoustic requirements, future developments of the calculator will expand on this strong baseline.

In the first of the three steps, the new acoustic calculator automatically finds the target reverberation time of the chosen room type, so users do not even need prior knowledge of the building standard.

Step Two adds the room dimensions and apertures, and the wall, floor and ceiling construction materials, before the user selects a ceiling tile, canopy or baffle to benchmark against their chosen building standard.

The third and final step allows the users to review the information they have submitted before the result report shows if their chosen ceiling product meets their target reverberation time. The report can be downloaded or emailed directly to a colleague.

Zentia’s new acoustic calculator also allows the user to view technical details and sustainability information, order a sample, contact Zentia’s specification team for a consultation, and to add their chosen product to an NBS specification.

Carl Davison, Zentia’s commercial technical manager, said: “Our new acoustic calculator has been designed to be more inclusive and user friendly, as anyone can use it with minimal prior knowledge.”

Zentia specification manager Michael Anderson added: “An acoustic calculator of this capability has long been on the wish list of our specifier customers and we are delighted to have gone above and beyond to deliver for them.”

The launch of the acoustic calculator comes hard on the heels of another innovative Zentia design tool – Sonify 3D Studio, an online parametric configurator that allows each design of discontinuous ceiling to be visualised and exported as a Revit file to support digital workflows.

245,000 SQ FT BIOSCIENCES FACILITY APPROVED FOR NOTTINGHAM CITY CENTRE

Planning permission has been granted for an innovative new bioscience facility in Nottingham, creating more than 245,000 sq ft of laboratory, office and meeting space designed by CPMG Architects.

Forming the latest phase of work to the northern edge of The Island Quarter in the heart of Nottingham city centre – led by developer The Conygar Investment Company PLC - the two buildings of the new development will be connected at the upper levels by a glazed link.

To create a sleek and modern appearance, a materials palette of grey brickwork and off-white terracotta façade modules will be highlighted with gold metal plant screens and entrance surrounds. Meanwhile, clear glazing will be used for circulation spaces and ceramic-backed spandrels for fixed desks and laboratory benching.

CPMG Architects served as the delivery architect for Phase 1A of work for The Island Quarter, including the now-iconic building housing hospitality venues Binks Yard and

THIRD PHASE OF TEESSIDE DEVELOPMENT MOVES A

STEP CLOSER

A planning application for 204 new homes at a large regeneration site on Teesside, has been submitted by Countryside Partnerships North East (CPNE) - bringing a third phase of development one step closer to fruition.

The wider Kirkleatham Green site, near Redcar, benefits from outline planning

consent for the development of up to 654 dwellings and is split into three phases.

CPNE is already working on phase one of the project – 375 homes for sale, shared ownership, and private and affordable rent, with P+HS as the delivery architect – and phase two – a specialist residential extra care development of 75 homes for

people with a specific housing need for registered provider, Beyond Housing.

This latest application for the final phase of development would, should it be successful, see more high-quality homes of mixed tenure, designed to appeal to a range of occupants.

P+HS Architects have been working closely with CPNE on proposals for the development area for several months, providing design information in support of a successful tender submission to Homes England and subsequently, for the planning application.

The team’s approach to phase three has been based on its intricate understanding of the site and the most important aspect of the development: the people who want a choice of affordable housing in the area.

The scheme will provide a mix of two, three and four bedroomed dwellings, designed for sustainability, using a fabric first approach, and high efficiency, low emission solutions throughout.

Designed around a central linear green space, which incorporates the site’s sustainable drainage strategy, the layout provides good amenity areas, connections to nature and habitats for wildlife.

If the application is successful, it is hoped that work could start as soon as October.

Cleaver & Wake, which completed in September 2022.

Nick Gregory, director at CPMG Architects, said: “We have optimised the use of glazing influenced by the anticipated internal arrangements of the new biosciences facility, and to reflect the usage of the buildings. We have incorporated a DNA sequencing pattern into the brick detailing and on specific elevations, these sections of brickwork will also be up-lit by lighting positioned within the landscaping.

“The designs also serve to break down any divide and give a natural transition between indoor and outdoor spaces through the inclusion of bi-fold doors that enable large sections of the ground floor to open into the wider landscaped plaza.

“With the designs now approved by the city council, it takes Nottingham’s exciting overall story forward, helping to position the city as a leader in biosciences and large-scale development. It also, of course, marks another significant step in The Island Quarter’s progress and we look forward to continuing our relationship with The Conygar Investment Company PLC and the wider project delivery team to make the vision a reality.”

External landscaping has been designed by Studio Egret West to echo the vision for the overall site, incorporating rainwater gardens and medicinal planting along with an ecology-focused street linking this latest phase of work with the rest of The Island Quarter.

The planning permission was announced during a joint presentation by The Conygar Investment Company PLC and Nottingham City Council at UKREiiF, in a session that also revealed updates to the overall masterplan for the 36-acre site.

Christopher Ware, property director at The Conygar Investment Company PLC, said: “Gaining planning approval for the bioscience facility is a significant step forward for the continued regeneration of The Island Quarter.

“We are continuing to build momentum on site, and this phase will feed into the latest updates to the masterplan.”

The adjustments to the masterplan –produced by Leonard Design Architects and Studio Egret West – include additional wooded and grassland areas, along with re-imagining of the streetscape throughout the eastern side of the site to improve access to the Victoria era warehouses.

The scheme was submitted by Axis PED on behalf of The Conygar Investment Company PLC, with support from WES, Quartz Project Services, Studio Egret West, Tier Consult and Chord Consult.

Image: © CPMG Architects

One of the UK’s leading providers of extra care and retirement living developments, Housing 21, and Leeds based Brewster Bye Architects are working on three major new schemes that will create almost 200 new homes for local people over the age of 55.

Principal contractor, Esh Construction, is due to complete work in the coming weeks on a £7.5million, 60-home development on Highfield Road in Askern near Doncaster, that Housing 21 has developed in partnership with Doncaster Council and Askern Town Council.

Known as Askern Vale Court, the development offers 58, one and two bedroom, apartments within a three storey building, complete with communal facilities, landscaped gardens and dedicated parking area, as well as two bungalows. All the homes are available for affordable rent.

Work is also due to start this summer on a major new extra care scheme at Cleckheaton that will provide 80 rental apartments for over 55s, who have a connection to the local area. Housing 21 is developing the scheme is partnership with Kirklees Council.

Designed to promote independent living in a community setting, a care team will be on-site 24 hours a day to deliver planned care packages to residents if needed. Facilities will include an activity room, communal lounge and gardens. An on-site hair salon and café for residents will also be open to the public.

Earlier this year, work started on

another retirement living development consisting of 57 apartments on the site of a disused mill at Compton near Leek in Staffordshire. The part two, three, four and five-storey development will include associated ancillary spaces, gardens and parking. It is being constructed by Tricas Construction for Collaborate Living and Housing 21.

Mark Henderson, director at Brewster Bye, said: “These three developments are about creating stunning homes, in safe environments, that mean older people can enjoy their independence for longer.

“Over the past five years we have designed more than 1,000 homes for older people across the north of England and working on three large scale developments with Housing 21 is testament to our experience in this market.

“We always put residents at the heart of our designs, in order to create well thought out developments, where people will want to live, as well as carefully considering their surroundings and the requirements of local planning officials. The result is three exceptional schemes that have the potential to become landmarks and focal points within their local communities.”

Housing 21 is a leading provider of retirement and extra care living for older people of modest means. The not-forprofit organisation operates in over 240 local authority areas across England, managing over 22,800 retirement living and extra care properties and providing over 38,000 hours of social care each week.

LEADING PROVIDER OF RETIREMENT LIVING SCHEMES AND LEEDS ARCHITECT UNVEIL HAT-TRICK OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS

RICARDO BOFILL’S NEWLY COMPLETED RESIDENTIAL TOWER, IKON BY KRONOS HOMES, IS NOW THE TALLEST LANDMARK OF VALENCIA’S SKYLINE

Visionary architect Ricardo Bofill was known for his dynamic approach to redefining space and style, focused around the centrality of the human scale. After his passing in January 2022, at the age of 82, the architectural world mourned the loss of one of its contemporary greats. Yet Bofill’s work lives on, both in the buildings he created during his lifetime and the drawings he left behind such as those for Ikon in Valencia.

In 1986, Ricardo Bofill designed the Turia Garden, a large linear park that stitched together the urban fabric of the city and revolutionised its urban planning. As a result of that transformation, the Valencian capital has stood out for its innovation and creativity, to the point of being elected World Design Capital in 2022. Now, Ikon by Kronos Homes, Bofill’s latest skyscraper, closes the circle of Valencia’s modernisation

and creates a new landmark on the city’s skyline.

Ikon takes Ricardo Bofill’s personal vision, interpreting the cosmopolitan essence of the Mediterranean and translating it into architecture. Its one-to-four-bedroom apartments and ultra-luxurious penthouses provide unparalleled views of Valencia. Large windows let the sun into every home, as do the terraces with their glass railings, ensuring uninterrupted views across the cityscape from the key-ready homes. A spectacular panorama that stretches from the sea to the mountains. In addition, the 110-metre-high building also houses a stunning swimming pool with solarium, gym and gourmet social area for owners to enjoy. The design of the pool gives rise to the feeling of Ikon rising from the waters, like a lighthouse on the skyline of the modern metropolis of Valencia.

In terms of architecture, Bofill’s passion for light and shadow has long been a key feature of his work. This is certainly the case with Ikon, whose façade was inspired by the golden light that floods the city. Pure dynamism in a mixture of curves and edges that culminates in the upper levels, where the structure emerges from the whole to become a great distinguishing element. A sculpture that stands out against the city skyline and incorporates the blue of the sky as part of the building.

“I am lucky to have had the chance to work with Ricardo Bofill and make one of his last projects a reality. Ikon is not only the tallest tower in Valencia, but also one of the most iconic. Ikon is a symbol of the city’s modernity but, most importantly, the legacy of a legendary architect.”

- Saïd Hejal. Partner & CEO Kronos Real Estate Group

Bofill’s work includes some of the most impressive postmodernist projects in Europe, America and North Africa, such as Kafka Castle and Walden 7 in Catalonia, Alicante’s La Muralla Roja and Axe Majeur in Paris, as well as 77 West Wacker Drive in Chicago and Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.

Located next to Valencia’s Palacio de Congresos, Ikon’s two towers are 30 and 14 storeys tall, with 142 and 61 homes respectively.

For more information about Ikon, please visit: https://www.kronoshomes.com/en/ projects/valencia/ikon/

PREMIUM TILEMAKERS THINK DIFFERENTLY TO FIRE UP THEIR HERITAGE BRAND

Heritage tilemaker Keymer has seen a 41% increase in brand engagement in the last six months, following a multi award-winning rebrand.

The rebrand was led by Manchester based creative agency, Think, who recently picked up three awards for the project at the internationally renowned Indigo Design Awards.

Launched through a new website the new brand went live in December 2022 and the impact was almost immediate. After just one month attendee numbers at Keymer’s monthly CPD Webinars leapt five–fold.

In addition, the website’s bounce rate decreased by almost 10%, and the amount of content viewed increased by 11%.

“The new branding and website look fantastic,” said Charlotte Hockney, Lead Digital Marketing Manager. “We are seeing people staying longer on our website, booking onto our webinars, and viewing more content.”

Christine Leadbetter, Sales Manager Keymer and Heritage, added; “As a specialist maker of hand - crafted tiles, we have always

focused on a very specific traditional heritage customer. The new brand aimed to maintain that heritage connection, but also engage a more contemporary architectural audience. Every indicator we have suggests it has done exactly that. Feedback has been incredible.”

Think, an award-winning creative agency, was originally engaged in September 2021 to help reposition Keymer towards a younger, more tech-savvy demographic.

Paul Grogan, founder and creative director at Think, commented; “Keymer is an incredible brand with unrivalled heritage and an enviable reputation for quality and craftmanship. They literally produce roof tiles for royalty.

“We had to tread a careful balance on the creative, which included months of research and took three months to develop. The core

aim was to take what felt like a “craft” look and feel and deliver a “luxury” brand. The award-winning creative we developed has been implemented across the company, with everything from image usage to typography updated.”

Originally formed in 1588 and now part of Wienerberger UK, Keymer is one of the oldest established roofing brands in the UK. The company is famous for the outstanding quality and craftmanship for its roof tiles, which are used in many prestigious heritage, listed property and contemporary buildings.

Wienerberger, founded in Vienna 200 years ago and today a leading global manufacturer of bricks and other building materials, acquired Keymer in 2014.

Paul Grogan added; “We are delighted to have help helped reposition Keymer to appeal to new market segments, while maintaining their premium position in the heritage sector.”

To find out more, visit www.keymer.co.uk, and www.thinkdesignagency.co.uk

Premium roof tile maker Keymer sees engagement surge after brand and website overhaul by Manchester – based Think!

FIRST ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO EDIBLE ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION LAUNCHED BY ARCHITECT MASON KIRBY

The office of Architect Mason Kirby is proud to announce the first Bernal Heights hosted, city-wide Edible Architecture Competition in San Francisco.

The event, a celebration of creativity, sustainability, community, and the power of design to inspire joy, aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable and locally sourced food, as well as challenging architects and designers to think outside the box and approach their work in new and unconventional ways.

Inspired by a similar and innovative competition in New York City decades ago, which was limited to students at an art, architecture & engineering school, the first Edible Architecture Competition in San Francisco will be open to all imaginative entrants with an open theme comprising any form of architectural structure; house, building or topography; modern, traditional or antiquity. In keeping the brief broad and expansive, Mason Kirby Architects hope to challenge across generations, from amateur cooks and cookie-stacking fans to professional bakers and chocolate makers, artists, and designers.

There will be four competition categories: Professional (architects, designers, chefs, bakers, food services), Adult, ages up to 12, and ages 12-18.

To be eligible for entry, all structural elements of an entry must be entirely constructed of edible components, which may be homemade or store-bought. The only part of the entry permitted to be inedible is the base platform, tray, or platter.

Concept and creativity will be the key components when it comes to judging, which will be presided over by a panel that includes Burrito Justice, cartographer, and blogger; Deborah Landis, SF Planning; Vega FreemanBrady, restaurateur; Jane Willson, artist; and Karen Curtis, Red Dot Studio, amongst others.

REYNAERS NOMINATED AS ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Reynaers Aluminium UK has been nominated as ‘Aluminium Systems Company of the Year’ in the National Fenestration Awards, a testament to its commitment to product innovation, quality and service to its growing customer base.

‘Aluminium Systems Company of the Year’ is, in fact, just one of the 11 awards Reynaers has been nominated for in the industry showcase, it recognises the work that the windows, doors and facades specialist does to constantly develop products to support high-spec performance and to make installation and fabrication as easy as possible.

With dedicated product development teams in the UK and at the company’s global headquarters in Belgium, Reynaers uses in house-testing to constantly update products and develop new systems.

This enables the business to support large bespoke commercial projects as well as developing windows and doors for the trade and retail sector that have thermal efficiency ratings as low as 0.8W/mK² without compromising on slim sightlines.

By opening a new warehouse last year, the company has also taken steps to ensure products can be consistently delivered with short lead times when needed.

In the awards, which are voted for by customers and industry representatives, Reynaers has also been nominated for Best Use of Video 2023, Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year, Systems Company of the Year and Training Company of the Year.

In addition, a number of Reynaers’ employees have been recognised with Reynaers’ Technical Services Director John McComb nominated as director of the year, Digital Marketing Coordinator Amaris Grey earning two nominations for Young Person of the Year and Social Networker of the Year, Dee Benning being shortlisted for BDM Sales Executive of the Year, and both Steve Hubbard and Agata Malec earning nominations as Office Manager of the Year.

Entering its 10th year, the National Fenestration Awards aims to be ‘fair and inclusive’ in rewarding excellence in the sector and relies on a public voting system for nominations and awards. In 2022 more than 29,000 votes were cast across 33 categories.

Open to all companies within the fenestration trade, and the people that work within it, the category winners of the NFAs are decided by an open vote. Voting closes this year on Friday, September 29th with the awards ceremony taking place on Saturday, October 28th.

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BUILDING A CASE FOR FIRE SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY

By Tom Roche, Secretary

With the clock ticking on net zero, the built environment is under increasing pressure to make its buildings low carbon and more resilient. But despite investments in the energy efficiency of buildings, the UN has indicated the built environment is not on track to decarbonise by 2050, and in 2021 was responsible for 37% of the world’s CO2 output. Clearly, the sector must act now to meet its sustainable

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development goals. But as we continue on this net zero journey through the use of sustainable building materials and practices, we need to question whether these sustainable design features will lead to unexpected fire hazards or an increase in fire risk. Fire incidents are a part of the built environment and fire safety should be at the front end as a holistic part of the design process. When a building is not

designed or built to withstand potentially catastrophic risks such as fire, it can nullify the benefits gained from sustainable construction.

Green buildings have energy and environmental benefits through the use of sustainable materials, systems or features and may well be recognised and awarded by Green rating systems. However, sustainable design is relatively new and can include unconventional materials and hybrid forms of construction that have not been proven over time. This can increase risk due to the lack of comprehensive understanding of fire performance. You only have to look at the devastating consequences of a fire to realise that a building’s sustainability does not account for its immunity to fire.

You only have to look at the devastating consequences of a fire to realise that a building’s sustainability does not account for its immunity to fire.

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In January 2021, a fire that destroyed a prized motorcycle museum in Austria, one that was lauded for its green credentials, was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of buildings where safety and resilience has not matched the pursuit of sustainability. A similar structure in England, the Carbon Neutral Laboratory in Nottingham, suffered a similar fate. It too was largely complete and built with excellent sustainability credentials, but then destroyed by fire. The timber construction was lauded for its sustainability credits, but it meant the building was vulnerable to such a fire, especially as the building did not have active fire protection.

When the Carbon Neutral Laboratory in Nottingham was rebuilt in line with regulations using the same design principle and materials as before, the contractor Morgan Sindall, said it is “indistinguishable” from the previous building. There was no increase in fire resilience and no active fire protection.

The very same building went on to win the ‘Sustainability Project of the Year’ at the annual Building Awards. Organised by Building Magazine, the awards recognise the best of the industry with the rebuilt laboratory praised for its sustainability credentials and carbon savings. The original fire was consigned to history and had no bearing on the claims for the efficiency and carbon neutral credentials.

Green project destroyed

One has to question why a ‘Sustainability Project of the Year’ is a project that burnt completely to the ground and then needed to be rebuilt; a building fire that could be seen for miles; a building fire that required over 60 firefighters to tackle and use thousands of litres of water to quell; a building that required what was left of the

structure to be removed and would need to be disposed of by specialist contractors; a building that required materials to be procured again, shipped to site again and erected by scores of contractors…again.

It raises the question of how sustainable such a project can be over its life when one considers the impact of fire; how the issue of fire could be addressed and whether fire should be more of a factor in that measure of sustainability. So how can this be? It is simple. None of the metrics that define prized sustainability awards consider fire or its impact. A building that burns to the ground and needs to be rebuilt does not incur any penalty in these schemes. Fire is simply an issue that is either not covered or has minimal impact in those scoring schemes or it would seem in the judging panels for sustainability ratings and prizes.

Another fire that made headlines occurred at the Premier Inn in Bristol in 2019. Despite the efforts of 60 firefighters who fought the blaze, the unsprinklered hotel was largely destroyed. The event disrupted local roads, businesses and stretched resources. The rebuilt hotel was completed in 2021 and has a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating by achieving more than a 40 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions over and above the standards set in prior Building Regulations. There is no mention of the environmental cost or how the CO2 emissions balance the impact of the previous devastating fire event. Sadly, automatic sprinklers were not installed in the rebuilt hotel to aid with resilience to fire.

When you look at the devasting consequences of fire, you begin to realise that a building’s sustainability does not account for its immunity to fire. Fire is a likely event in the life of any building. It has an undeniable impact on sustainability as this event shows through its economic,

environmental and social impact on the community. A fire event can be designed for and limited to prevent large costly fires through a combination of strategies. It is an event in the life of a building that claims of such sustainability should anticipate.

One of the most effective methods to defend against such fires is the use of sprinkler systems which contain and control fires before the fire and rescue service arrives. Whether you are building an office or hotel, a warehouse or industrial facility, the consideration of automatic sprinklers as a key part of the fire strategy at the earliest stages of the design process will enable stakeholders to defend their asset in terms of its long-term sustainability and value.

The aspects of fire safety are noted as being covered separately by Building Regulations - the same Building Regulations which are currently under review. We expect buildings to have lifespans of 30 to 50 years – a period in which it would not be unreasonable to expect a fire event to occur. Isn’t it time that we also reviewed how we define sustainability and considered fire as part of this given such factors? If we are going to successfully green our buildings, fire safety and sustainability must go hand-in-hand.

For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org

“ “ Architect Projects

NINE IN TEN ARCHITECTS WANT THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION FOR BUILDING PRODUCTS

NBS study finds that manufacturers are not offering enough thirdparty verification on sustainability credentials (EPDs).

A study by leading specification and construction product information platform, NBS, has discovered that just under half (43%) of construction professionals say it isn’t easy to find comprehensive detail about the safety performance and sustainability of building products.

This, despite the fact that nine in ten architects said they considered thirdparty credentials to be ‘essential’ for safety-critical products, highlighting a need for manufacturers to verify technical information supplied for their products.

The findings are part of a series of revelations from NBS’ recently published ‘What Specifiers Want Report’ – a study focusing on how building product manufacturers can make the most of their product data.

Notably, NBS’ research team also found that 86% of specifiers consider Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to be an important aspect of their decision-making process.

Still more work to do on sustainability

The research shows there is still some way to go towards industry-wide adoption of carbon reduction measures. Just one in seven (14%) specifiers said they choose the most sustainable product on every specification. Similarly, nearly half (45%)

said while they try to choose the greenest option, they can be swayed by cheaper alternatives.

Somewhat encouraging is the revelation that fewer than one in ten (7%) of specifiers fail to consider sustainability at all.

These findings imply that a lack of readily available carbon information is hindering sustainable specification. To enable specifiers to identify the most sustainable building products, manufacturers need to supply comprehensive detail about their ranges. While some manufacturers are not doing this, anecdotally, those who do are reporting an increase in demand for both data requests and resulting specifications.

Ben Hancock, Managing Director of Oscar Acoustics, an architectural acoustics specialist said: “Over the past year, more architects have asked us about our environmental credentials, they’ve told us that their clients want sustainable builds and so are looking to make greener choices at every step. We’re getting direct approaches from specifiers, as well as seeing a significant increase in digital downloads from NBS Source for our sustainable and product performance certifications. Also, once architects know we have sustainable certifications, we see repeat business which I’m confident is partially due to the environmental benefits of our products.”

Harpreti Dhaliwal, Technical Advisor, EPR Architects said: “Increasingly projects require us to meet sustainable standards such as WELL or BREAM, and thus we need to be able to find and compare EPDS. While an EPD isn’t

itself a marker of meeting an environmental standard, it does allows us to directly compare data about construction products.”

She added; “Those manufacturers who provide structured data in a standardised format are making it easier for specifiers and thus increasing likelihood of specification.”

With external factors continuing to constrain construction sector activity, particularly supply chain issues and materials shortages, product substitution is commonplace so that projects can be completed on-time. According to the research, eight in ten (81%) specifiers see products substituted, resulting in plans deviating from the original specification.

Certification allows specifiers and broader project teams to quickly compare the credentials of building products, even if they are impacted by ‘specification breaking’, helping them to make informed sustainable decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Unsafe products

With increased scrutiny of architects’ design decisions on structural and fire safety, thirdparty credentials also have a role to play in ensuring the built environment improves its track record on safety.

Commenting on the research findings, Russell Haworth, CEO of NBS, said: “Architects and other specifiers have made it clear; they need to see verifiable, thirdparty credentials on technical information for building products. The manufacturers able to provide this data are leading the way from a safety and environmental perspective, and are more likely to get specified. I expect these findings will lead to further manufacturers investing in certification and this will help to ensure compliance across the construction industry, maintaining a ‘golden thread’ of data on design decisions for structural and fire safety. Architects recognise the importance of verifying safety-critical and carbon information for projects, this is a significant step in the right direction for accountability across the building supply chain.”

For those looking to find out more, the full report is available on the NBS website.

2023 sees NBS celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first specification publication, commemorating half a century of delivering connected construction information.

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SPRINKLERS – YOUR FIRST RESPONDER TO FIRE

BAFSA (The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) answers five key questions for the building and construction industry that explain why you should include sprinklers in your next build.

How do sprinkler heads work?

A sprinkler head is a temperaturecontrolled valve that opens, to release a spray of water, when the heat-sensitive element reaches a specific temperature. Most sprinkler heads installed today are of the ‘glass bulb type’. The bulb is filled with a liquid and a small bubble of vapour. As the bulb heats to its operating temperature, the liquid expands compressing the vapour, at the preset temperature, the vapour disappears, and the expanding liquid fractures the bulb. This allows the release of the water in the pipework behind the head. Under normal conditions in temperate climates, a rating of 68°C or 74°C will be suitable. However, sprinkler heads with an operating temperature range from 57°C to 230°C are available as needed.

How long should a sprinkler system last without major upgrading?

Most authorities agree that correctly specified and installed sprinkler systems will not need any major modification for at least 40 years and there is reallife evidence to show that systems installed more than 60 years ago remain in working order. It is suggested that if a building is being upgraded or modified or subject to a change of use it would be wise to test a sample of sprinkler heads in systems more than 25-30 years old. Should any of this fail to operate as designed then all the heads should be replaced. There is no need to replace sprinkler heads as a matter of routine unless they are damaged or covered in paint. Good practice endorsed by

the insurers (in the LPC Rules) is to undertake a 25-year inspection and test of sprinkler systems by submitting a percentage of heads for laboratory testing and removing sections of pipe for examination.

I want to install sprinklers in a new building but the installer I have spoken to tells me that the water supply from the local mains is inadequate. Can I still install sprinklers?

The simplest solution in this case is to install a water storage tank and the necessary pump/s. It may be however, more cost-effective to pay for a reinforced water supply.

Aren’t sprinklers expensive to maintain?

Far from it! Unlike other fire protection systems, which usually depend on electronics that may need frequent updating or replacement, sprinkler systems need only very basic maintenance. Usually, two visits each year by the installation company will suffice to keep the system in good working order. Simple weekly and monthly checks of pumps (where fitted), pressure gauges and valve settings can be carried out by suitably trained employees.

I provide a range of facilities management services for several clients who have sprinkler-protected premises. Can I undertake the maintenance of the sprinkler systems?

There is no reason (subject to insurers’ approval) why staff working for an FM company cannot be trained to undertake most routine checks on a sprinkler system. Competence is the primary requirement, and this can be achieved by a combination of training and experience. However, one of the tasks which must be undertaken every six months as part of a maintenance package is a ‘hazard review’ of the system. This is intended to ensure that the sprinkler system as installed is still fit for purpose and that the fire risks in the premises (e.g., the materials stored) have not changed.

It is BAFSA’s view that significant specialist training would be necessary to enable an employee to undertake hazard reviews. Significant liabilities could be incurred if these were not done properly including the possibility that an insurer would decline to pay out after a fire.

I have a fully sprinklered building and have been told that I no longer need to provide portable fire extinguishers, is this correct?

While sprinklers are an extremely effective way of protecting people and property, BAFSA recommends that an appropriate number and type of portable fire extinguishers should still be provided so that those who have been trained in their use can swiftly extinguish small fires before they trigger the nearest sprinkler head. Extinguishers may also be demanded by insurers and are usually require by fire safety regulations such as the Fire Safety (Regulatory Reform) Order 2005.

We want to put together a specification for maintenance of a sprinkler system to comply with LPC Rules TB 203. Are there any advice/documents you can provide to assist with this?

You only have to tell your chosen sprinkler maintenance company that their specification must comply with TB 203, they will do a survey and provide a unique and comprehensive listing of what needs servicing and when on the premises.

About BAFSA

The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) is the UK’s leading professional trade association for the fire sprinkler industry.

You can find a list of BAFSA member companies who undertake sprinkler system maintenance on the website bafsa.org.uk.

Most authorities agree that correctly specified and installed sprinkler systems will not need any major modification for at least 40 years and there is reallife evidence to show that systems installed more than 60 years ago remain in working order.

There is no need to replace sprinkler heads as a matter of routine unless they are damaged or covered in paint.