Architect Projects - October Edition 2020 by Lapthorn Media

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CONTENTS Featured Projects

Featured

OMA’s Axel Springer building in Berlin 10-11

Company News 4 - 5, 52

Apfelhotel Torgglerhof: In full bloom 14-18

LATEST NEWS

STIRLIN APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Homes by Stirlin has also recently completed a six house scheme in Saxilby, named Parman Court which is receiving strong interest in the last available homes.

Tony Lawton has been appointed Managing Director of Lincolnshire-based residential and commercial developer, Stirlin.

“I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to lead the continued growth and expansion of what is already a well known and respected local commercial and residential development company. I’m very excited about the future for the company and the chance to help create more quality developments for people to live and work.

Formerly Managing Director of Lindum Homes, Tony Lawton has been involved in property development in Lincolnshire, in both public and private sectors, for more than 30 years. Founded in 2007, Stirlin constructs high specification commercial and residential properties in the Lincolnshire area. Encompassing residential developer, Homes by Stirlin, Stirlin Developments forms a major element of Stirlin Group, responsible for the organisation’s commercial and residential divisions. Stirlin’s commercial developments include Leafbridge in North Hykeham, Riverside Enterprise Park in Saxilby, Kirk’s Yard in Branston and Stirlin Place in Gainsborough. In partnership with Castle Square Developments, Stirlin is also creating a new 20 acre commercial development in Saxilby, named Enterprise West Lindsey. Construction is due to commence in 2021. Homes by Stirlin is on course to complete its largest residential scheme to date at the end of this year: Lodge Lane in Nettleham is a 44 home development of three to five bedroom homes designed by local RIBA winning architects. Upon joining Stirlin in 2019, Tony Lawton has been responsible for many of the final stages of this high quality development, where the final plot was sold in the last month.

As Managing Director of Stirlin Developments, Tony said he’s committed to building on the company’s strong local reputation for well designed, well received, well built developments:

“Stirlin has built a strong reputation over the years, which has been earned through the team’s commitment to building houses and business developments to the highest of standards. “As Managing Director of Stirlin Developments, I hope to build on this reputation as we grow our business and support the growth of businesses and communities within this thriving region. “I was raised in Lincolnshire and I’ve worked here all my life, so I take great pride in contributing, in my own small way, to making this a better place to live and work. For me, seeing neighbourhoods and business premises which I’ve helped to build being occupied and enjoyed is the best part of the job. “I’ve joined Stirlin at a very exciting point in its 14 year history; the company is expanding, we’re creating new jobs and delivering some really impressive projects. We have big plans for the future and I’m proud to be leading this important part of Stirlin Group, as we explore new opportunities for long term, sustained and managed growth. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in, making a difference and leading this modern, dynamic team.” Managing Director of parent company, Stirlin Group, James Kirby said: “Tony has done a fantastic job since he joined our residential division last year and he has a great deal of local experience in the property sector which makes him an excellent leader. Since he joined, Homes by Stirlin has grown significantly and I know he’ll bring the same qualities to his new role as MD of Stirlin Developments. We have some brilliant plans in the pipeline which will need his knowledge, expertise and his passion for quality. “With Tony taking on my role at Stirlin, I know the business is in safe hands and I’m looking forward to working with him as our organisation grows.”

Architect Projects

As part of the continued growth of Stirlin, the team is also hoping to expand in the near future, with the creation of new jobs, including a new vacancy for a qualified and experienced quantity surveyor.

THE ROOFLIGHT COMPANY IS WEST OXFORDSHIRE’S EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR The Rooflight Company is again crowned Employer of the Year at the West Oxfordshire Business Awards (WOBAs). 2020 marks the second year The Rooflight Company, the Employee Owned high spec rooflight manufacturer, has been named West Oxfordshire’s best employer, having previously won in 2016. This award brings the company’s overall WOBA count to three, having also received the Marketing Excellence Award in 2017. Steve Webber, Managing Director at The Rooflight Company, says, “I can’t say how proud we are to be recognised as one of the best places to work in the county. When our founders, Peter and Val King, stepped down in 2019, they chose to entrust the company, its culture and its legacy, to its team. Since that moment we have worked incredibly hard to build on the fantastic foundations of innovation, culture and sustainability that they put in place. Our whole employee team worked together to define the values, guiding principles and behaviour statements that act as the cornerstones of the organisation, and which have been reflected in this award win. We take great pride in the breadth of different employees we have working here and constantly strive to be and deliver the best. We take nothing for granted and always seek to improve, be it through knowledge transfer partnerships or working with Innovate UK, all of which makes it a stimulating and engaging place to work. I’ve been here for 27 years so I’ve always known The Rooflight Company is a great place to work - it’s fantastic to have this view officially validated!” The Rooflight Company, renowned for its sleek, sophisticated designs and manufactured in the UK, impressed the judges who said that: “In a very strong category of West Oxfordshire employers, The Rooflight Company stood out with a staff wide commitment and focus on the business; not only due to the employee ownership but also the approach to so many members of the team engaging and presenting to the judges. The openness of challenge and support for each individual, irrelevant of their role, and the obvious enjoyment of work is a beacon for modern business environments.”

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PROJECT

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OMA’s Axel Springer Building OPENS IN BERLIN The new Axel Springer building in Berlin was officially opened this morning during a ceremonial opening with inaugural speeches by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, architect Rem Koolhaas and Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner. Exactly four years after the start of construction, the new cube-shaped building is the latest addition to the Axel-Springer Campus, the ensemble of different premises at the media and technology company’s headquarters. Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer SE: “We wanted the new building to be a symbol and an accelerator of our own transformation. Long before the coronavirus, the mission was to find a new answer to the question of why office space is still needed at all in the digital age. Rem Koolhaas has provided a spectacular reply. Open, multifunction spaces that enable maximum flexibility of use. Avant-garde architecture as a magnet for encounters and communication. The building as a powerhouse of creativity.”

Architect Projects

Rem Koolhaas, architect and founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA): “Paradoxically, the current pandemic and concurrent digital acceleration, demonstrate the need for spaces conceived for human beings to interact. In the typical office building, a visitor enters, and then disappears.. It is far from clear what happens inside. In the new Axel Springer building, people and their interaction, are the essence. The Springer building is a tool for the further development of a company in perpetual motion. It offers its users a physical base – a wide variety of spatial conditions, intimate to monumental – in contrast to the flatness of working in virtual space.” Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany: “Axel Springer signed a bond for the future with the development of its publishing house. It paid off, thirty years ago when our country was reunited, just as it does today.

PROJECT

â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it seems to me that this new house, too, does not only interpret the times in which we live. It wants to stand for the future. This house also wants to be a symbol. A symbol of the radical transformation of a publishing house into a media company, a response to the demands and challenges of digitization.â&#x20AC;? The new Axel Springer building offers 52,000 square meters of work space for more than 3,000 employees and is characterized by its open, transparent architecture. Straddling the former border, the 45-meter high, light-flooded atrium divides the building into sections in a perpetual encounter with each other across the space. In the space between, the terraced ten stories and 13 bridges create connections between the sections and provide inspiration for physical encounters in the digital age. The new occupants have now almost all moved in and the first units have been working there since early 2020. The tenants include the shopping and comparison platform idealo, the editorial offices of WELT Print and WELT Digital, WELT TV, Media Impact and various central departments of Axel Springer. In spite of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the building was completed on time and on budget.

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PROJECT - Apfelhotel Torgglerhof: In full bloom As the age-old adage goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In South Tyrol, Saltaus, Apfelhotel’s young new generation of owners are breaking new ground while staying true to their traditional roots. noa*’s novel design and architecture evokes the vintage charm of this historical hotel while creating an oasis for the senses and shared moments. The apple, a fruit that originated in Kazakhstan and was brought to South Tyrol by the Romans, is central to the region’s cultural landscape. The Torgglerhof lies at the mouth of the Passeier Valley, its roots run deep in classic apple cultivation culture. Over time, it became a spot for people wanting to linger, connect, and soak up the scenic views. It’s here that the Apfelhotel (eng. Applehotel) was built, and it has since become both an outing destination and an insider tip for guests looking for a holiday treat and special getaway - with scrumptious architecture.

Behind the original façade of the barn, beneath the guest rooms, you’ll find Apfelhotel’s production of various delicacies from their home-grown apples as well as other local specialties. The Apfelsauna (eng. Applesauna) was completed as the first feature of a spacious wellness and relaxation landscape, which has now been expanded.

Architect Projects

AN IDEA TAKES ROOT In 2014, noa* won a design competition for expanding the hotel’s existing structure, which was implemented in several stages. In 2016, the main building with the restaurant as well as the old barn

were dismantled and stripped back for conversion.

Continued >>

PROJECT The entire Apfelhotel project reflects the nature and passion of its family-owners, whose aim is to make people feel truly at home, rather than like a hotel guest.

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In 2020, 18 new suites were built for guests and carefully designed to fit into the farmyard’s landscape structure while complementing the rural surroundings. A special emphasis was placed on preserving the characteristic of the farmhouse ensemble and maintaining its scale. As the central masterpiece of this rural development, noa* designed a wellness area with architecture and greenery that resemble a modern lush garden. A kind of “green heart” that, like the apple-shaped sauna, integrates smoothly and fully into the landscape. OVERFLOWING LOVE OF LIFE The newly opened wellness facility - the hotel’s new centrepiece - has no Northside facade; instead, it blends into a natural green slope so that the building can hardly be seen. The entrance to the new spa is a curved semi-exposed concrete shell that tucks into the landscape and is designed with a stunning portal made from old wood. Here, in the interface between the surface and subsurface, the word immersion takes on a meaning of its own. The Southside of the wellness area, on the other hand, opens up with a glass and steel façade that vanishes underneath a blanket of rooftop greenery. The steel canopy, on which fragrant jasmine flowers will climb, protrudes upwards into the open sky, reminiscent of the holding structures used in modern apple cultivation.

Architect Projects

Much of the Brunnenhaus, (eng. Water Well House), as the new wellness area is also called, is largely hidden from sight: the entire structure is covered with a layer of earth and plants, designed to blend naturally into the bottom of the hill and thus merge into the landscape. The spa boasts a central drinking fountain made from natural-stone and an open fireplace in a spacious lounge area, which leads onto the showers, changing rooms, and beauty and massage rooms.

The indoor-outdoor pool stretches out to the outdoors through the overgrown green façade and is partially framed with Lucerne metamorphic gneiss rock. The framing dissolves where the water edge meets the surrounding open space to visually connect with the landscape in an infinity edge. THE GARDEN OF EVE The upper floor is an area for adults only - it features a sauna lounge, relaxation room, and a Finnish sauna and steam bath and an adjacent terrace where guests can refresh with an outdoor shower. The Finnish sauna is a dream for the senses, with its horizontally curved wooden slats and generous glazed windows, it offers a scenic view of the outdoors and apple fields. The steam bath has a cave-like character, with droplets collected in a clay pot due to the ceiling that inclines towards the room’s centre. The relaxation room offers a spectacular view of the valley through the greenery of its facade cladding. The Apfelsauna in the garden can be reached via a curved open staircase, which is flanked by the exposed concrete shell. FLOWERING PLACES The new garden suites were constructed on the hotel’s East-facing side: three independent buildings with a total of 18 guest rooms across three floors. The saddle roofs absorb the architectural language of their surroundings and the façade blends tradition with modern aesthetics. The buildings’ outer shell has been deliberately kept dark in an ode to the traditional character of a barn house. Meanwhile, a wooden rhombus pattern - created as a

transformation of classic wooden struts - gives the three buildings an unmistakably modern flair. The suites on the ground floor blend into the topography. The entrance and adjacent bathroom are followed by a living and sleeping area which connects out onto the front terrace. Luxurious swinging hammocks with fluffy pillows, which are also seen in the wellness area, lend a relaxed, country flair. Nature and the characteristics of the region play an important role in the interior design. Wood cladding, milling, and coarse natural fibres are used throughout the entire inner decor - the materials run like a thread through all the rooms. The airy terraces are separated with an outdoor linen curtain. EVERYTHING BUT ORDINARY On the ground and the first floor, there are four spacious guest rooms and two outer laying suites, which have a separate sleeping corner for children to play and sleep in. In the suites, the large windows offer a panoramic view of the idyllic landscape and the feeling of living in and enjoying your own home. The attic gables are perfectly utilized to accommodate a sleeping gallery. An internal staircase leads from the suites up to the galleries, where step-shaped furniture also offers storage space. In every room, a unique atmosphere is created by meticulous attention to detail in design - with elements such as the metal banister purpose-built to wonderfully combine aesthetics and function. Continued >>

Architect Projects

PROJECT CONTINUATION OF HISTORY If you bypass the old barn and the impressive 40-year-old weeping willow, you’ll arrive at the hotel’s main building - the place where everything started. The hotel’s restaurant, which in recent years has gained particular popularity by guests coming from near and far, has expanded to include pavilions that roll out onto the garden. Two areas were created: closed, heated canopies, followed by open canopies with shading options grouped in clusters around a piazza of sorts. The grey-brown aluminium of the canopies is designed to harmonise with the warm grey floor tiles while contrasting with the main building’s plaster and wood.

Name:

Apfelhotel (Applehotel), Torgglerhof, Italy

Typology:

Hotel, wellness

Location:

Saltaus, St. Martin im Passeier (Italy)

Client:

Apfelhotel Torgglerhof, Family Pichler

Architecture:

noa* network of architecture

Interior design:

noa*network of architecture

Time (construction to completion)

November 2019May 2020

Restaurant extension 12000 sqm

Surface area:

2.890 sqm

Photographs:

Alex Filz

Architect Projects

Volume:

APPETITE FOR MORE The concept of the restaurant’s expansion design centres around the principle of three rooms or “cubes” with differing heights. The inner decor is based on the theme and mood of a modern winter garden: the ceiling offers a unique structure on which plants and lighting can be flexibly hung. The open space is divided by loose old-styled cupboards and floor-to-ceiling permeable shelves. These shelves function as a transparent room divider, a presentation area for the hotel’s selfmade products and as a library stocked with literature on culinary arts. These features create a cosy and inviting living room atmosphere. A natural spring water fountain allows for a refreshing drink. And as a unique highlight - there’s no classic buffet. Instead, guests are invited to tuck into treats displayed on an old planning bench, while in a séparée, a specially designed piece of furniture with fixed and mobile elements provides chilled and warm culinary delights, and can also be used for wine or food tastings. Even the tables and chairs in the light-flooded guest-rooms defy the usual stereotype, with a lively mixture of round and angular displays. The entire Apfelhotel project reflects the nature and passion of its family-owners, whose aim is to make people feel truly at home, rather than like a hotel guest. Together with noa*, the architecture was created with a great sense of integrity towards this special place, which becomes a unit with nature, ties in with its history, and maintains its own identity through applied design - where occasionally, glimpses of the apple can be seen in the surrounding nature and design.

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LONDON’S PREMIUM ADDRESS DESERVES PREMIUM FENESTRATION When it comes to views from your window, they don’t come much more prestigious than No 1 Palace Street which affords residents stunning views over the gardens of Buckingham Palace from the front of the historic listed building. With this in mind, arguably the fenestration on this project is one of the most important elements of the development as well as one of the more complex when taking into consideration the requirement to retain the facade of the building. Retained facades and the design and installation of the windows for them is not a straightforward mix and each project we come

across throws up different challenges. A fusion of styles spanning Italian Renaissance, Beaux Arts, French Renaissance, Queen Anne and today’s 21st century contemporary design and build requirements, the seamless blending of old with new at No 1 Palace Street is something George Barnsdale is increasingly becoming known for. Having worked with the developer Northacre Plc on one of their other prestigious projects The Lancasters , which is also a listed building with a retained facade, George Barnsdale was delighted to be entrusted with manufacturing and installing the timber windows and doors for this latest exclusive development beside the most famous of Royal palaces. Working directly with the contractor Balfour Beatty Plc, George Barnsdale supplied and installed 282 timber windows and 181 timber doors over a lengthy and complex project which has seen changes in contractor and architect personnel along the way.

Architect Projects

From the early stages of the project, it was evident that it would be complicated with five different buildings on the site and lots of variations in glazing types throughout which tested the depth of the team’s acoustic knowledge to the full. Led by Stephen Wright, the Barnsdale team attended numerous design meetings to overcome the challenges of the project including the design of highly bespoke doors with a high level of tested acoustic, thermal and weather performance. Commenting on the project Stephen said “We are usually able to avoid the need for additional performance testing since we have so much

of our own data already, but in the case of the doors on this project we did have to do additional testing to guarantee performance since they are unlike anything else we have manufactured.” During the planning meetings as the project progressed multiple discussions took place between the architect and the Barnsdale team to agree the best way to deliver the design intent whilst balancing the function and performance of the products. As with any projects, there is often a conflict between the architect’s vision and the practical delivery, but we worked hard to achieve the best of both. As the plans and technical specifications developed, the surveying team spent a lot of time on site measuring the old openings which were anything but standard and taking this back to the technical team to incorporate into the designs as well as the comprehensive installation details. Commenting on the project, Vic Polydore, Technical Engineer said: “There are probably only four different item types but the variations in openings meant that, even if the design was agreed and confirmed, the interface details were completely different in most areas. An example of this was the first drawings that were submitted for Buckingham Gate external facade which consisted of four individual drawings. When it came to adding the “real life” wall interfaces, we would have had to increase to about ten drawings and that is for just one facade. Instead, we have a simplified process that includes “type drawing”, interface

details and schedule, which, when read together, makes things much more straight forward.” The windows themselves are a mix of around 270 Historic sliding sash windows, 10 dormer windows (3 of which are curved in plan), 2 pivot windows, 179 inward opening tilt and turn doorsets (9 of which are curved) and two inward opening doorsets. Those windows at the front of the building had to be single glazed in order to meet the requirements of the Conservation Officer, whilst retaining high performance levels. On site, one of the biggest challenges for the Site Manager, Ian Wright was how to manually handle the windows and doors. Commenting on this, Ian said: “Usually, we would use floor cranes, but this wasn’t possible due to the uneven floors and the steel beams in the ceilings so we had to improvise and find ways to lift them manually.”

In addition to this, arranging delivery and cranes to be available in such tight spaces outside is typical of historic projects like this. Having a single supplier for timber windows and doors proved beneficial for Balfour Beatty in terms of reducing the hassle of managing multiple suppliers, the financial aspects, on-site issues and the design elements. In the past, windows and doors have been bundled into a broader joinery package, but since these joinery companies lack the technical skill to deliver fenestration on projects like this, they would use subcontractors which keeps the people with the expertise away from the design and decision making processes. Tom Wright, MD at George Barnsdale said “The fact that we were able to be involved in the design and planning meetings meant we could spot in advance any potential issues, point them out and come to an agreement with the wider team and architects on how to mitigate them.”

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This is the optimal way for us to work on complex commercial projects like this, the earlier we are involved, the better the outcome.

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A further complexity came with the amount of refurbishment work being done on the stonework by Paye Stone and Restoration which we had to work around, making our own scheduling a bit of a nightmare at times. Ian continues: “Some days we only managed to get five windows in on one floor, missed some out and had to move elsewhere which isn’t the most efficient way to schedule a job, however this is often the nature of working on historic projects like this.”

A further plus for Balfour Beatty was the financial stability of George Barnsdale because contractors can find themselves in a situation where they have to prop up suppliers when finances become troublesome. Our approach to sustainable business planning and finance is often seen as beneficial to customers on lengthy commercial projects such as this one Overall, George Barnsdale’s competence and ability to lead a project like this is very important. From measuring and designing windows for openings that are old and often all over the place, to changes in personnel resulting in potential miscommunication, it is down to the excellent project leadership, experienced design oversight and comprehensive record keeping of the team members that any glitches were overcome. Website: www.georgebarnsdale.co.uk

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Architect Projects

DOORS, WINDOWS, & FITTINGS

PLUMSTEAD LIBRARY’S NEXT CHAPTER WITH A STORY OF STEEL Plumstead Library, originally constructed in 1903 and located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, has recently undergone a dramatic renovation project. Having previously been under-used, the building is now a fully fit for purpose 21st century public library. This impressive transformation involved the creation of a community centre, a sport and gym centre and, of course, the restoration of the libraries for adults and children. A significant part of the project was the full refurbishment of all 33 windows which included an impressive 124 individual window frames. For this important and large job, Steel Window Association member ASWS were entrusted with the completion. The library is a Grade II-listed building and so the work required careful consideration, planning and unparalleled expertise. Modernisation has been carried out in a way that bridges the gap between old and new, preserving traditional charm and increasing functionality at the same time. In order to create the finished effects which can now be enjoyed, ASWS removed all windows for transportation back to their London workshops. Here the windows were blasted, repaired and decorated before being refixed and reglazed. This sizeable project involved an impressive 1326 panes of glass which were mastic-fronted in order to recreate the original putty sightlines.

ASWS’s work was not complete there as all of the building’s ironmongery was also extensively refurbished. On top of this, nine more recently replaced windows were replaced again, to improve quality and remain in keeping with the building’s original character. This challenging renovation was completed within a six-month time frame. Whilst the windows were in a state of severe disrepair

and poor condition prior to the works, a spokesperson for ASWS has commented ‘The actual refurbishment went incredibly well considering the windows were due for replacement, having protected the building for many decades. The finished product was excellent’. The standard of work from ASWS has received high praise and compliments with Plumstead library’s fenestration transformation having pleased the client, architect and the main contractor.

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PROJECT NEWS

FACING THE WAVES: STEVENS LAWSON ARCHITECTS COLLABORATE WITH DESIGNER AND SURFER DEAN POOL ON A SPECTACULAR BEACH-FRONT CABIN IN NEW ZEALAND COMPLETE WITH FISHER & PAYKEL APPLIANCES Designed in collaboration with artist, creative director and surfer Dean Poole for his own family, this efficient and deceptively simple weekend house is hidden up a zig-zag stairway in the dense, native forest of the Waitakere Ranges, which roll down to the black-sand surf beaches below.

DEVELOPERS ACQUIRE KEY NOTTINGHAM CITY CENTRE SITES DEVELOPERS Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates, the team behind the landmark Unity Square scheme in Nottingham, have acquired a number of key buildings in the heart of the city’s Southside area. The sites, which include Albion House in Greyfriar Gate, and Hanson House and Midland Scooter Centre in Collin Street, are set to play an important role in the ongoing redevelopment of this area. Once developed, the sites could accommodate some 300,000 sq ft of prime office space with an end value of £150m, bringing much-needed employment space into this part of the city centre.

Architect Projects

Managing director of Peveril Securities, Ralph Jones said: “We are delighted to complete this strategic purchase of these sites with Sladen Estates which, combined with our control of Ocean Nightclub, will allow us to play a major part in the redevelopment of this area, building upon

our recent successes in Nottingham city centre with our 275,000 sq ft pre let at Unity Square to HMRC. The sites are suitable for a range of uses and could include a mix of office and residential space that will be complementary to the neighbouring uses currently under development. Despite the current challenges facing the country, we have been encouraged by Nottingham’s resilience and believe the site is ideally placed to continue the growth the city had been experiencing prior to COVID-19.” Discussions are already underway with Nottingham City Council to determine a suitable use for the site, with consideration also given to any future plans for the redevelopment of intu Broadmarsh following its transfer to council control in recent weeks. Nick Sladen added: “Sladen and Peveril have an intimate knowledge of the local market and national development and contracting expertise so we jointly have the scale, expertise and resources to make the most of the opportunity that our latest purchase presents.” The announcement comes immediately after the partnership announced the acquisition of 34 acres of development land in Bicester, Oxfordshire to develop a £350m office park.

To perfectly complement the architecture’s intentional simplicity, Dean took on the role of designing the kitchen himself. Having worked with Fisher & Paykel over many years in his role as creative director with the Auckland-based design studio Alt Group, the New Zealand native brand’s offering of sleek and contemporary appliances were the obvious choice for this pared-back project. The plywood-lined living space is accented only with black, from the kitchen island’s worktop to the Fisher & Paykel built-in oven, providing dimension while allowing the natural woodgrain seen throughout to take centre stage. “With this space, Dean wanted the kitchen to act as a workshop, with products that facilitated the needs of everyday life and no more, exemplifying an ‘enough is enough’ design ethos,” comments Helen Haider, Head of Marketing, Fisher & Paykel UK & Ireland. “We therefore provided our most intuitive and ergonomic products. For example, our integrated DishDrawer™ is situated in one of the three freestanding timber cabinets and removes the discomfort of loading and unloading a conventional dishwasher, with the pyrolytic, self-cleaning oven found just above. The result is absolutely no fuss in the kitchen, allowing the family to enjoy their time together and let the appliances do the hard work for them.”

PROJECT NEWS

DARWIN GROUP REACHES COMPLETION OF MODULAR BUILD FOR SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL IN CAMBRIDGE Modular construction specialists, Darwin Group has delivered a new multi-use block for Gretton School in Cambridge scaling 234 sq m. The brand-new STEAM block will provide the school with two science labs, a design and technology workshop, art studio and associated services. Part of the Cavendish Education Group, Gretton is an independent specialist school in Girton for students aged 5 to 19 years old – offering a safe and secure learning environment for all. By utilising Darwin’s modern approach to design and turnkey solutions, the block was completed in three and a half months and arrived on site with fully fitted science labs, gas facilities, prep-room and desk space providing a functional space for experiential and theory lessons. After receiving expensive designs from other companies, the school began to consider that it’s grand vision may have to be compromised. Darwin Group, in conjunction with LXA Projects Ltd, were able to streamline the process and provide a more cost-effective solution for the school thanks to its skilled in-house team of education construction experts. Specially designed using modular methods, the block has been built with the future in mind with high-quality materials. As it was constructed offsite at Darwin Groups Shrewsbury-based facility, disturbance to the rest of the school was kept to a minimum. Charles Pierce, Managing Director at Darwin Group, said: “As a proud British company we are thrilled to be able to offer an innovative solution that has bought this project to fruition. Our modern techniques and unique turnkey service allows us to redefine what is realistically achievable within tight timescales and limited budgets making us the perfect fit for projects of this nature.”

majority of the construction work could be completed off-site without disturbing the school and we were amazed at how fast it was assembled. “Many of our students get lots of enjoyment from the creativity that science, technology and art provide so I think this space is going to become their favourite place to work. We aim to make our students school life structured, fun and enjoyable and the new teaching environment will allow us to enhance their learning whilst providing the secure space that they need to grow. We can’t wait to show our students when we welcome them back in September.” Richard Parton, Director of LXA Projects Ltd (Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Interior Designers), said “It was a pleasure to deliver this new academic facility in conjunction with Darwin Group. The team were flexible and responsive throughout the project and the end product is a fantastic new addition to Gretton School.’’ Darwin Group offers financial payment plans and assist with funding applications to ensure client aspirations and budget constraints align.

Ian Thorsteinsson, Principle at Gretton School, added: “Our smart new block is a fantastic addition to our school. Darwin Group were true professionals and considered the needs of our staff and students at every stage of the project, from start to finish. It was a great relief that the

Architect Projects

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHOICE

BOW The Latest Collection from CTD Architectural Tiles Inspired by the typical roofs found in Mediterranean cities, BOW is a collection of large curved tiles in a range of on-trend colourways. Measuring at 150 x 450mm, the collection stands out for its relief pattern and characteristic volume, offering a modern new take on traditional roof tile design to create standout feature walls in residential, commercial and hospitality spaces. Ideal for adding depth and interest to walls, the curved tiles reflect light and shade in a distinctive manner. Available in five glossy colourways from crimson red to minty green, and a matte finish Clay colour, the BOW range provides designers, specifiers and architects with a versatile tiling solution ideal for projects of all styles and sizes.

FINE ITALIAN DESIGN Rosso Maniglie is our exclusive range of Italian inspired designer levers. Produced using a zinc base material and manufactured to the highest standards, this range takes designer levers to the next level.

For further information on this range visit our website or call one of our friendly sales team.

Part of the Saint-Gobain family, CTD Architectural Tiles specialises in the supply of high quality ceramic tile finishes and tiling solutions across all sectors in the UK commercial specification market. With clients in a variety of sectors including the leisure, retail, hospitality industries, CTD Architectural Tiles is committed to bringing customers the latest innovations in product and in service. With unparalleled expertise and technical knowledge, the team works with industry leading, innovative manufacturers to offer a complete portfolio of ceramic and porcelain tile ranges to suit the architect, interior designer, developer and specification professional.

Created with a sleek and incomparable aesthetic appeal, our contemporary style Rosso Maniglie range has quickly become the first choice for home owners, architects and house builders throughout the UK. T : +44 (0) 1228 672 900 E : sales@zoo-hardware.co.uk W : www.zoohardware.co.uk Rosso Maniglie is part of Zoo Hardware Ltd.

www.ctdarchitecturaltiles.co.uk

Architect Projects

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0800 021 4835

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

Robin Mackenzie Partnership 50 years of providing Excellence in Acoustics Having celebrated our 50th year in 2019, RMP is one of the UK's largest acoustic consultants undertaking projects throughout the UK and overseas for a wide range of clients, working on many ﬂagship projects with leading architects and designers. To mark this milestone and as part of our celebrations we are opening a new Southeast England Oﬃce in Duxford, just 10 minutes south of the historical city of Cambridge.

RMP has the experience and knowledge to meet every architectural acoustic challenge – from the design of atria, school halls, court rooms and multipurpose spaces through to concert halls, exhibition centres and special needs schools. We achieve the very best results through a combination of experience, the latest computer modelling techniques and a full suite of on-site testing services.

We also oﬀer CPD presentations on a variety of important acoustic issues that can be tailored to your speciﬁc needs to address any particular issues.

RMP South East England Address: The Oﬃcers’ Mess, Royston Road, Duxford, Cambridgeshire CB22 4QH

Old Trafford Lodge, Manchester – image courtesy of ICA Architects

At RMP our client focus is the provision of practical and cost eﬀective solutions for each individual project and we are therefore proud to present our principal building and environmental acoustic consultant David Chapman, who will be heading our new Southeast England Oﬃce.

0345 062 0000

rmp@napier.ac.uk

www.rmp.biz

@RMPsoundtesting

REFLECTIONS ON OUR WORLD DURING COVID

BY SIMON RICHARDS, FOUNDER OF LAND STUDIO

Since we established our practice four years ago we have seen big changes in how people want to design, create and manage the landscapes they live and work in. Covid-19 has accelerated this growing demand for inspirational landscapes and the outdoors. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on leisure sector over the past few months but before the pandemic, perhaps as a result of Brexit, it was a sector that was evolving. The British staycation boom was taking off and it is not surprising that over half of tourism businesses were reporting an increase in people wanting to holiday in the UK.

Architect Projects

Fast forward to today and now that many people are reluctant to fly or travel overseas we expect there will be an even

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bigger boom in people wanting to holiday at home. What is interesting is the experience that people want to get from their holiday. Gone are the days of people settling for poor quality food and accommodation. They want spacious holiday parks with fire pits, glamping sites with private hot-tubs and great places to eat out with stunning views. We love a challenge. As a specialist landscape architecture practice, we work with our clients to help them realise the full potential of their land and its surroundings – whether they are a holiday park, a glamping site or a rural estate. We recently worked with the world-famous Halen Mon on Anglesey, whose sea salt is enjoyed around the world and is a favourite of leading chefs. They wanted an outdoor eating venue – called Tide - to tempt their visitors with a

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on leisure sector over the past few months but before the pandemic, perhaps as a result of Brexit, it was a sector that was evolving. The British staycation boom was taking off and it is not surprising that over half of tourism businesses were reporting an increase in people wanting to holiday in the UK. - Simon Richards

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The Coronavirus pandemic has not only changed the world for ever, it will have a lasting impact on the future of landscape architecture.

delicious menu of coffee and artisan dishes all made by their chef Sam Lomas, who joined them from the famous River Cottage in Devon and the tutelage of Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall. We worked with them to transform a piece of land outside their production facility into a beautiful designed seating area to accommodate their food truck and make the most of the stunning views across the Menai Straits. As part of the design, we created a canopied timber decked space, surrounded by earth mounds planted with native wildflowers, timber seating and paths using coastal gravel. And people love it. The layout, the natural planting and of course the view have all been praised on Tripadvisor and featured on Instagram. Covid or no Covid there will be an increased demand for beautiful immersive experiences like the one at Tide. As landscape architects, we have a responsibility to make sure that our designs are sensitively integrated into the landscape whilst still creating transformative, 21st Century experiences for people to enjoy. Find out more about Halen Mon and the Tide café here: https://www.halenmon.com/tide-llanw/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRFUT JjtPrU&feature=youtu.be

BEHIND THE SCENES OF 180 YEARS OF LIGHTING EXCELLENCE William Sugg & Co Ltd, founded in 1837, is a world leading heritage lighting manufacturer who design, manufacture and supply a range of interior and exterior decorative and heritage lighting. A world-class leader in its field, William Sugg work to the highest standards of manufacture, reproduction and refurbishment. Examples of William Sugg’s highly prestigious work can be seen lighting thoroughfares, parks and important buildings throughout London and the world. Mark Jones, Managing Director of William Sugg & Co Ltd, said “Our founders were the original creators of gas lighting in the UK and leading engineers of their time. We are so proud of our heritage and history. As we see new technologies coming online it’s a total pleasure to use these new technologies alongside our years of experience of hand crafting to create beautiful and functional light fittings of all sorts that are world class and of the highest quality.” William Sugg & Co Ltd are based in Horsham and serve the whole of the UK and overseas. Read about William Sugg & Co. Ltd’s recent case studies on their website: https://www. williamsugg.co.uk/about-us/ourwork/ The full list of lanterns and lampposts are available online too. For more information contact: E: marketing@williamsugg.co.uk T: +44 (0)1293 540111

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HydroPlanter ‘Plug & Play’ Raingarden Ideal for new housing developments

S D N Su TIO A EW V N O N IN

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Manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled material Highly effective filtration & flow control Provides amenity and biodiversity

ENQUIRE TODAY Architect Projects

greenblue.com 0800 018 7797

PROJECT

PROJECT: Apple Central World OPENS IN BANGKOK Apple Central World in Bangkok welcomed its first visitors. Located in one of the city’s iconic urban centers, the new store establishes a quiet sculptural presence at the heart of the bustling Central World Square on the intersection of Rama I and Ratchadamri roads. It forms a new social focus for the city and an inviting backdrop for the city’s famous New Year celebrations and numerous other annual festivities. The project is the result of the close collaboration between the team at Apple and architect Foster + Partners, through its local entity F&P (Thailand) Ltd and Architects 49 Ltd. Situated at the southern end of the Central World Square, the store addresses a generous public plaza and the famous Erawan shrine located across the road. It is connected to the BTS walkway via a new bridge at the upper level, while being overlooked by multiple vehicular and pedestrian routes surrounding the site.

Architect Projects

PROJECT © Bear and Terry

Enveloped by this dizzying urban spectacle, is an 80-foot (24.4 meter) diameter two-story glass drum with a beautifully crafted conical support with a concave vertical surface that stands on its apex. Its form has been generated by the 360-degree revolution of a Bezier curve. Clad in warm timber, the central support is formed of 1,461 European white oak profiles. The oak timber is split into individual lamellas and bonded onto a spruce core for stability. A carefully crafted edge detail on each slat allows air to be extracted out through the central structure with an absorptive acoustic backing layer. Connecting the two main sales areas on the two levels is a beautifully crafted staircase with helical turbine blades that cantilever from the central structure. Each tread is milled from solid blocks of stainless steel and is highly polished, giving them a reflective, sculptural quality. The fully glazed drum surrounding both floors provides dramatic 360-degree views, juxtaposing the intense urbanism with the quiet greenery of the new landscape.

Grounded at its center, the circular roof projects out 10 feet (3 meters) to provide shade to the glazed façade. Blurring the boundaries between the inside and the outside, the glazed façade dematerializes to reveal the calm interiors of the store. With the same quality of surface finishes on the inside and the outside, the design establishes a generous new public space for the city, surrounded by a ring of trees interspersed with external benches for people to rest and enjoy the green setting.

Architect Projects

“

Enveloped by this dizzying urban spectacle, is an 80foot (24.4 meter) diameter two-story glass drum with a beautifully crafted conical support with a concave vertical surface that stands on its apex. Its form has been generated by the 360-degree revolution of a Bezier curve.

EDITOR’S RECOMMENDATIONS

EDITOR’S

recommendations feature

Welcome to our Editor’s Recommendation Feature, where you will find carefully selected companies, chosen for their product innovations and quality. Throughout the feature you will find information on these companies. Please also visit their websites for further information and enquiries.

Design and construction teams benefit from more effective collaboration using AutoCAD and PlanGrid Autodesk Construction Cloud combines next-generation technology, a robust network of professionals and firms, and powerful predictive analytics to help businesses thrive across all phases of construction. And for almost 40 years Autodesk’s AutoCAD product has been the software of choice for Architects, engineers and construction teams building precise 2D and 3D drawings.

Corporate Membership Annual Subscription £100.00

Personal Membership Associate (AGBC), Member (MGBC) and Fellow (FGBC) Annual Subscription £100.00

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for further information call 0208 977 1100 e-mail info@thebuildersguild.co.uk visit www.thebuildersguild.co.uk or write to The Guild of Builders and Contractors Crest House, 102-104 Church Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8PY

Now PlanGrid, Autodesk’s mobile first digital collaboration platform, is making real-time effective collaboration both fast and simple for AutoCAD users. There’s no need for project teams to worry about drawings and version control. PlanGrid provides a single source of truth for everyone. AutoCAD easily integrates with PlanGrid - users can host digital versions of drawings, on a real-time platform, accessible from any device. Drawings can be directly and precisely annotated with changes, tagging and notifying design reviewers of their tasks. Once uploaded, the new design becomes the current version, eliminating the risk of using outdated plans.

Find out more at https://construction.autodesk.com/

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Linking AutoCAD to PlanGrid connects design and build teams for better collaboration and improved results

Communicating changes becomes quicker and clearer

There is a single source of truth for everyone on the project to access

Design and build teams can discuss alterations in real time, for a more collaborative dynamic

We faced a serious risk of communication errors, such as if the client used an outdated version of a file or couldn’t find what they were looking for. Now everything is synched back to the cloud, it’s really helped to speed things up and improve collaboration in the business. Richard Burke - Architectural Technologist, O’Mahony Pike Architects

Publish drawings in minutes Instantly upload and distribute drawings and documents that are automatically hyperlinked, versioned and searchable.

Access up to date information, anywhere From plans and specifications to snag lists, documents and photos, PlanGrid is your single source of truth.

Simple document management Make sure everyone is working from the most current set of drawings, docs and photos.

Assign tasks to specific drawings Create and map tasks to exact locations on drawings, tagging team members and specifying a deadline.

For further information on PlanGrid or to sign up for a 21-day free trial please email Ranjit.Simpson@autodesk.com or call 07880 440908

EDITOR’S RECOMMENDATIONS

ENGINEERED FOR LIVING DESIGNED FOR LIFE A Midlands-based family-run company, Renka offer a one stop shop for bespoke glazing solutions for architects and homeowners around the UK. Renka’s class-leading range of products includes aesthetically stunning and superbly engineered sliding, bifold, French, single and entrance doors, casement, shaped, tilt and turn and oriel windows, rooflights and bespoke structural glazing. Rather than being tied to a particular system house, Renka offer a broad range of products to meet the demands of any project, including products from Reynaers, Cortizo, Smarts, Origin and Hormann, as well as their own range of flat rooflights. Their approach is to understand the aims of a project and recommend the best combination of products to deliver those aims. Working with Renka, you and your project will benefit from: • Many years’ experience in project development, general construction, manufacturing and installation. • A responsive, experienced and informative sales team who will help guide you and your clients through your options. • An in house technical drawing team who are there to support you and your clients. • An employed team of installers who are specialists in aluminium glazing. It’s never too early to get in touch and discuss the requirements of your project. Call: 0121 333 4665

E-mail: sales@renka.co.uk

Website: www.renka.co.uk

THE GUILD OF BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS The Guild of Builders and Contractors was formed in 1992 by 14 builders. Their aim was to create a Guild consisting of reputable firms and individuals actively involved in the building industry who were experienced, knowledgeable and traded with integrity. They also wished to provide appropriate services to members and ensure that the costs of membership were, and remained, considerably less than other trade organizations. Corporate Member. Corporate membership is open to builders, specialist contractors, construction consultants, builders' merchants and building component suppliers. Corporate members may use the membership badge or logo on their stationery, sign-boards, vehicles and other promotional or advertising material. Personal Member. Personal membership is open to individuals who are actively engaged in the building industry Firms and individuals are invited to apply for membership. All applicants are required to complete an application form and provide references. References are always taken up and applicants are only granted membership where the comments made by the referee indicate knowledge, competence and integrity.

For further information call 0208 977 1100 e-mail info@thebuildersguild.co.uk visit www.thebuildersguild.co.uk The Guild of Builders and Contractors: Crest House, 102-104 Church Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8PY

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ENGINEERED FOR LIVING DESIGNED FOR LIFE

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THE JUWO EVOLVED SMARTWALL™ BUILDING SYSTEM – THIN JOINT MASONRY FOR THE FUTURE The Evolved Supplies JUWO Evolved SmartWall™ building system consists of a monolithic clay block system which gives a modern method of construction with thin joint adhesive technology. These structural blocks have been used for many years across Europe and are suitable for load bearing and non-load bearing walls, for external & internal applications making it the ideal building system for low and high rise developments as well as for the self-builder. SmartWall™ Benefits. • Excellent Thermal Performance. • Meets & Exceeds Building Regulation requirements. • Quick Construction Time. • Single solid wall construction. • Modern Method of Construction • Thin bed mortar technology • Complete Building System. • >85% less moisture in construction. • Completely Vapour permeable. • External Insulation to give that ‘tea cosy’ effect. Clay is possibly one of the most sustainable materials used in construction. It is a natural material that it easy to work with and provides a comfortable living environment.

minimising areas for complicated detailing and areas for insulation to be missed. With standard masonry systems, drying out can be problematic in the UK climate. The adhesive layer helps to reduce moisture in the building by over 85%, this, coupled with the faster build time, means that your building can be roofed and weathertight in a much shorter time. Efficiencies & Performance. The SmartWall™ building system has a superior thermal performance compared to other similar products, making it easy to achieve Building Regulation requirements without the need for additional wall insulation or increase in foundation size. The thermal performance of SmartWall™, together with the density of the blocks, provide excellent thermal mass. Too many modern homes face the risk of summer overheating. The SmartWall™ system provides warmth in Winter and comfort in Summer. Air tightness is achieved by applying a ‘parging’ coat of wet plaster to the inner face of the blocks. This is a standard method of achieving good air tightness and recommended by the Passivhaus Institute. By applying a vapour open render finish to the external surface of the blocks, coupled with the mineral plaster inner finish, SmartWall™ provides a complete vapour open system. Thermal modelling shows that interstitial condensation will not form within the construction.

SmartWall™, being a monolithic building system, means that you have just one skin for your building structure, no cavity, therefore

The SmartWall™ system provides a thermal bridge free method of construction without the need for complicated detailing.

The SmartWall™ System has been developed for anyone to use and Evolved Supplies can provide ‘on-site’ training, if requested. For more information, visit our website www.evolvedsupplies.co.uk or Call us on 01691 707100.

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SmartWall™ explained. The Smart Wall system delivers a much faster build time. The thin joint adhesive allows you to continually work without being restricted to the number of lifts in a day, on average, up 40 sqm can be achieved per person per day.

Being manufactured from clay, the SmartWall™ blocks have an inherently good fire performance and have a rating of A1 reaction to fire.

World leaders in heritage lighting Bespoke • Flambeaux • Gas • LED • Refurbishments Engineered lighting solutions of the future that preserve techniques of the past. Hand crafted and traditional design and manufacturing techniques complimented by new engineering technologies. Exceptional quality bespoke light fittings. Heritage, modern and everything in between.

William Sugg & Co Ltd Sales T: 01293 540111

E: sales@williamsugg.co.uk W: williamsugg.co.uk

PROJECT NEWS

NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL READY TO MEET DEMAND FOR PLACES IN TAMESIDE

Construction work has been completed on a new, secondary free school in Droylsden, which will eventually accommodate 1,350 pupils and ease the growing issue of limited school places in Tameside. Laurus Ryecroft is one of the newest academies from the Laurus Trust, which also runs six other schools, including the OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ ranked Cheadle Hulme High School and Didsbury High School in Greater Manchester. Laurus Ryecroft, Cheadle Hulme High School and Didsbury High have benefitted from bespoke buildings designed by Pozzoni Architecture.

LAND STUDIO WORKS WITH BARNSTON ESTATE TO DESIGN NEW NATURAL BURIAL GROUND Specialist landscape architect practice Land Studios is working with one of Cheshire’s oldest family estates to design a natural burial ground. Land Studio is working with landowner Barnston Estate, which traces its history back over many centuries, to create a new and natural burial ground on one of its fields.

Cheshire West & Chester Council has given planning permission for the project. Monument Meadow Natural Burial Ground will replace the burial ground at St Chad’s in Farndon village and will also be made available for residents of surrounding villages. Designed by Land Studio, which has offices in Chester and North Wales, the environment will be kept as natural as possible with a wildflower meadow and ornamental trees. With its timber framed pavilion, circular layout and views stretching across the Clywdian Range, it has been designed to be a peaceful and beautiful place to visit. It will also provide a safe haven for birds and wildlife enabling wild flowers and trees to thrive. The site is anchored with a Grade II* listed monument – a sandstone obelisk flanked by four stone lions - commemorating Roger Barnston, a military officer who died in 1857 of wounds sustained at the Siege of Lucknow in India.

Achieving this capacity in the footprint of the previous school, Laurus Ryecroft has been designed to maximise all available space, by employing a three-story ‘superblock’ building and adjoining sixth form and sport hall wings. The design and layout have been carefully considered to ensure that the new school fits in with its local surrounding, with a north-south orientation reducing the visual impact for residential areas to the south, while brick has been chosen as the main construction material, in line with the appearance of its surrounding buildings. A uniform light grey brick has been used for the main body of the building, with darker brick used to enhance the main pupil entrance. The school’s brand identity has been incorporated through the selective use of sage green coloured spandrel panels and greentoned cladding to highlight the three entrances. The building’s design aims to aid the natural flow of pupils around the school with the help of a ‘figure of 8’ circulation strategy. Staff areas have been strategically placed to aid wayfinding and supervision, while the stacking arrangement of classrooms has been logically split into horizontal departments of complementary subjects. The green spaces around the school have been retained and upgraded to provide outdoor areas for sports and education, as well as social areas. This includes an area with a seating wall, dining tables and natural landscape overlooking the main social space, which can be used for performances and debates as well as a spectating at sports events.

Architect Projects

Work will start on the site in September with an expected open date of Easter 2021. Types of plots available include natural burial plots, interment of ashes and scattering of ashes. Pre-purchasing of plots is now available.

Laurus Ryecroft’s new building sits on the site of a former high school, but has been designed to accommodate nearly three times as many pupils as its predecessor, with the aim of preventing Tameside running out of school places as the local population continues to grow.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

AMRON ARCHITECTURAL APPOINTS NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT Amron Architectural, the UK’s leading trusted supplier and manufacturer of metal mesh has appointed Howard Davies as its new Business Development Consultant. Howard brings with him over 40 years within in the construction industry, and for the past 20 years has dealt with business development in the aluminium and ceilings sector from specification through to design and site installation.

KEN WAI, AEDAS GLOBAL DESIGN PRINCIPAL, ELECTED AS RIBA COUNCIL MEMBER - ASIA AND AUSTRALASIA The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the results of its 2020 RIBA Council campaign on 11 August 2020. Honorary Chair of RIBA China Chapter and Aedas Global Design Principal Ken Wai has been elected as RIBA Council member - Asia and Australasia. His term starts on 1 September 2020. Composed of 49 members, 4 seats are allocated to International representatives. Each representative is responsible for collecting insight from the architects’ profession and to guide the strategic direction of the organisation.

As a leading global architecture firm, Aedas has always played an active role in social responsibility and developing young architects with a global perspective and rich local design experience to promote the future of the profession. Aedas has been a proponent of RIBA’s core values and missions in improving architecture through safeguarding the professional standards of architecture and academic discussions. Aedas looks forward to escalating the standard of architecture around the world and open up new opportunities for the architecture industry.

Amron’s Director, Jonathan Reed said: “I’m delighted to welcome Howard into the team and for him to be part of a market-leading business which has the opportunity to grow and achieve even greater things.” Amron Architectural has been providing innovative solutions for architectural and interior design applications for over a decade.

DARWIN GROUP STRENGTHENS TEAM WITH NEW SALES DIRECTOR

Bishop, who is also a former Bid and Business Development Director at Darwin Group,

re-joins the off-site expert after a spell with construction company Midas Group. He brings with him more than 30 years of industry experience across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare and residential development – three of Darwin Group’s specialist areas. Bishop returns to a team of highlyskilled, in-house designers, architects, town planners and construction professionals based at Darwin Group’s Shrewsbury headquarters in Shropshire.

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Having worked in several senior positions within industry-leading construction businesses, Bishop has acquired a unique perspective on opportunity management. In his new role, he will oversee the marketing of Darwin Group’s truly unique turnkey service to prospective clients, which covers all stages of the design, planning and construction process from start to finish.

“What the pandemic has taught us is to connect on a global level, collaborating, and not exist in silos. It is not about one country but everyone from New Zealand to ASEAN to South Asia to North Asia. Connecting Universities and students, bringing all, together to celebrate architecture and design excellence. “Showcase in learning, thought leadership, global professional standards, and ethics of the RIBA through a collective voice.” Ken Wai said.

In his new role, Howard commented “I am looking forward to building on Amron’s strong market position and working with the team to develop new markets and products”.

Modular construction specialist Darwin Group has welcomed back the firm’s former Client Director, Mark Bishop, to lead its business development division in a new role as Sales Director.

“RIBA is undergoing a massive transformation with a new governance structure. This development provides members in Asia & Australasia a once in a century opportunity to embrace this change and vote for a new frontier.

Darwin Group strives to minimise its environmental impact and Bishop is a champion of the continuous development of modern methods of construction to help deliver on recent Government pledges within education, healthcare and housing. His most recent career experience focused on how new initiatives such as ‘net zero’ can be efficiently delivered. Bishop’s knowledge of industry challenges in construction in relation to sustainability also compliment Darwin Group’s ‘Environmental Policy Statement’. Mark Bishop, Sales Director at Darwin Group, said: “Having started out in a tradebased role and gone on to work for some of the construction industry’s leading names, I have developed a passion for mentoring and developing teams and look forward to safeguarding Darwin Group’s status as a market leader in modern methods of construction. “My proudest moments are instances where I’ve been able to work with clients on best in class customer journeys, and I hold seamless project management in high-regard. “Now returning to Darwin Group, I hope my industry-wide and sector specific expertise can help us continue to deliver that.”

HIGH PERFORMANCE FLOOR INSULATION LAYING A STRONG FOUNDATION WITH 16% IMPROVED THERMAL PERFORMANCE Ravatherm XPS X from Ravago Building Solutions, Europe’s largest extruded polystyrene insulation manufacturer, offers architects and building specifiers market-leading XPS insulation for groundbearing and suspended floors in both new-build and renovation projects.

XPS X 200SB | XPS X 300SB | XPS X 500SL | XPS X 700SL

www.ravagobuildingsolutions.co.uk

For technical support and to learn more about our products please contact: technical.uk.rbs@ravago.com

PROJECT

Twelves Architects TO CREATE UNIQUE BRANDED RESIDENCE CONCEPT FOR Silverstone RACE CIRCUIT A brand new branded residence concept at Silverstone race circuit, the globally recognised home of motorsport, has launched this August 2020. The development called ‘Escapade Silverstone’, will see 60 high spec residences and a clubhouse being built that will be available for short-term rental. London based architecture firm Twelve Architects, who won the commission to design the concept will create residences with spectacular views of the track, to attract visitors with a passion for motorsports from all over the world. The masterplan for the site sees four types of residence sitting within a generous landscape. The front-row Residences (“Trackside”) all have direct views over the circuit. The articulation of their form and appearance has been inspired by the notion of ‘Slipstreaming’, where a vehicle follows closely behind another vehicle, travelling in its slipstream and awaiting an opportunity to overtake. The “Countryside” Residences provide greater privacy and an outlook across woodland and stunning landscapes, whilst the middle-row Residences (“Dual-Aspect”) offer views of both the track and rolling countryside.

Large windows to the living rooms of all residences will maximise views to the racetrack, whilst smaller windows and timber louvres to the bedrooms will aid with privacy. The terraces to the front row residences are ‘wrapped’ with an angular tensile material that provides privacy and shading whilst supporting the creation of a distinctive brand identity. Every residence has ample secure parking, so that guests can bring their own vehicles to race around the world-famous circuit. A clubhouse at the south end of the site will provide guests with a wellness centre, swimming pool, driver-focussed gym, treatment rooms, trackbriefing area, state-of-the-art simulator rooms, concierge, restaurant and bar promoting social interaction amongst neighbours. A roof terrace will sit directly above the most exciting complex of corners on the circuit. Speaking about the project, Matt Cartwright, Founding Director at Twelve Architects, said, “Escapade is an incredible opportunity for us to create something new to the UK at this iconic venue. We developed the brief with the client, enabling design freedom to push the

boundaries and innovate and in turn create a truly memorable experience for visitors”. Will Tindall, CEO Escapade Living, added “Escapade Silverstone aims to provide an authentic experience borne out of the world’s foremost racetrack and, as a finished product, fully integrated into it. The team at Twelve Architects has interpreted our brief in a way that shows real innovation. The masterplan creates a series of residences positioned carefully within the site to maximise views, whilst the design of the buildings themselves creates a distinctive identity for Escapade that will play an important role in the success of the development. The close partnership we have forged with Twelve is integral to realising our vision of redefining the guest experience for the world’s most discerning motorsports fans”. The scheme gained an outline planning consent in May 2018 as part of the wider Silverstone Circuit outline masterplan approval and in November 2019 the planning conditions were discharged to enable the project to be implemented. The design has been developed to comply with the operational requirements, set by the British Racing Drivers Club and Silverstone Circuit.

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The aim is for the project to start on site in late 2020 and will operate as a luxury branded residences from May 2022

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PROJECT NEWS

WALTERS AND COHEN ARCHITECTS COMPLETES NEW GENERAL TEACHING BUILDING AT ST PAUL’S SCHOOL In 2012, Walters & Cohen Architects won an invited competition to design a new General Teaching Building at St Paul’s School in Barnes, London, one of the best independent schools for boys in the country. The school wanted to replace 1960s CLASP buildings, which were nearing the end of their lifespan, with a new general teaching building fit for 21st century education. Their vision was for learning, discussion, and interaction to happen everywhere – not just in the classrooms and library – but they were not sure what this could look like. Walters & Cohen worked with the school community to understand their ethos, and then expanded the brief to include breakout spaces, which are peppered around the school to encourage teamwork and collaboration.

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At more than 9,000m², the building includes a library, dining hall, kitchen, administrative offices, a chapel, hall, and 56 classrooms. A

generous triple-height space known as the Atrium is designed as a magnificent heart of the school: students stop by throughout the day for independent study and to meet friends. With views across the sports fields, it also makes a wonderful events space. Connecting the site well was important. The building’s L-shape design links into buildings on either side, creating a ring of circulation on all levels, and encloses the re-landscaped central courtyard known as Founder’s Court. The building provides an attractive impression of the school from the Thames path, and the location of the library was carefully chosen so that it looks across the river, making the most of this unique site and adding to the library’s calm and inspiring atmosphere. Walters & Cohen also breathed new life into the lacklustre back-of-house north access road, transforming it into a pedestrian-priority route that provides a safer and more cheerful circulation between buildings, while allowing vehicles to meander slowly between the planters.

PROJECT NEWS The breakout spaces, along with the Atrium and Founder’s Court, have all been an instant hit with the students, and exceed the client’s vision for learning beyond the classroom. Externally, the building is clad in pre-cast concrete with warm tones to complement the surrounding buildings’ materiality. A stepped and layered façade brings visual depth and a slender verticality to the otherwise long facades that can be viewed from a great distance. Internal-facing facades are clad in aluminium, which capture reflections of the new trees and planting within the central courtyard.

The internal materials were selected to be robust, with timber panelling lining much of the circulation, and high-quality visual concrete is expressed throughout. The building is filled with light and fresh air, achieved with the use of large roof lights and voids connecting the building’s multiple levels. Large floor-to-ceiling windows provide generous views out on all sides. The project was divided into two phases: phase 1, which includes the dining hall and library, completed in 2017, while phase 2 was completed in March this year, in time for the grand opening. Mark Bailey, High Master at St Paul’s School: “Our old building defined both what we wanted and did not want from the new. We sought to replicate its functionality, space efficiency and lack of grandeur, and to lose its low light, noise and energy efficiency. We wanted an inspiring and intimate building, not an intimidating one. We wanted light, transparency, sustainability and space efficiency. We wanted a building that was sociable and informal, that encouraged pupils to interact and to communicate as if in a university, while allowing staff to supervise them informally. We wanted to restore the old chapel, but to make the space around it more flexible. Finally, an atrium was the social hub of the school, the space where everyone came to meet at break times, but we wanted to recreate this as a lighter space that also encouraged use of tranquil outdoor areas. In short, a building that reinforced and perpetuated the best elements of our culture. The building delivers on all of those wishes triumphantly. It is light and spacious, with break out places for pupils to chat and work informally. The chapel has multifaith usage and its hall can be used for various purposes. The atrium is restored as the hub of the school, and spills out onto the court and sport areas. The building promotes quiet, calm, intimacy and purpose. Yet it has presence. It is energy efficient. It feels like a university for school pupils. The excitement among staff and pupils is palpable.” Michal Cohen, Director and Co-Founder at Walters & Cohen Architects: ‘This has been a fantastic project that we – the design team and the client – have poured our heart and soul into for the past seven years. It is always a pleasure to work with ambitious clients, and we have loved engaging with the High Master, the project team and the pupils to deliver a building that represents their ethos.’

ALVISI KIRIMOTO TOGETHER WITH THE ANDREA BOCELLI FOUNDATION AND THE YOUNG HARCOME STUDIO COMPLETES THE NEW CAMERINO ACADEMY OF MUSIC Alvisi Kirimoto delivers the new Academy of Music to Camerino, completing the project initiated by the young Harcome studio, and giving the structure a significant contemporary look. Carried out in compliance with the scheduled timing of only 150 working days, the reconstruction ranks as the third post-2016 earthquake intervention in central Italy, promoted by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation to revive the area, one of the most affected by earthquake events. The project not only returns the local Academy of Music to Camerino, aimed at welcoming over 160 students and the many cultural initiatives of the community, but also gives the university city a new architectural identity:

Continued >>

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“The beauty of this project is that it is the result of a choral creative process, which saw us collaborate with the young architect Andrea Gianfelici (Harcome), the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the local community, to create a unique project. The idea that guided the design was to create a volume that amazed, not only up close, but also from afar. The skin, impalpable, is inspired by the material of the clouds, and gives a broad look towards the sky from the inside. The auditorium, on the other hand, is a perfect box, which works energetically as a music laboratory “, says architect Massimo Alvisi.

PROJECT NEWS With clean and elegant lines, the building, which is spread over two levels for a total of 700 square metres, stands out for its ethereal skin in white sheet metal panels with perforations of varying size. Inspired by the rarefaction and dynamism of clouds, the inclined volume, lying on the slope of the ground and on a glass curtain marked by grey pillars, dissolves into the context. The north façade, visible from the street and from the upper garden, presents the volume as a box, with the panels suspended a few tens of centimetres from the ground. The two side elevations, on the other hand, show the inclination and slope of the land. To the south, the skin that envelops the volume is interrupted, revealing the glazed ground floor behind which the auditorium, overlooking the historic centre of Camerino, is hidden. The dichromatism of the façade, offered by the dark grey of the external structure, the fixtures and the white of the sheet metal cladding, outlines a graceful but resolute volume, perfectly integrated into the context and at the same time iconic in the city skyline. A shady garden and the lower square constitute new open spaces available to the whole community. Inside, the building houses an auditorium of 226 square metres in its basement, while the upper floor hosts an office and nine classrooms, two of which are larger than 30 square metres, one – destined for music for children from 0 to 6 years – is 22 square meters, and the remaining classrooms are around 14 square metres. The interior design of the auditorium, aimed at enhancing the space despite its modest size, is characterized by the dynamic use of materials. On the one hand, the oak wood of the multiple surfaces and elements that make up the room, such as the suspended panels with different inclinations, circular strips, panels that emerge from the side wall, and a backdrop entirely covered with wood and the central stage with its rotating panels. On the other, concrete, which defines the main surfaces that forge the structure, from the stoneware floor, to the back wall towards the foyer, and from the exposed upper floor to the structural elements. The 180-seat stalls spread over three sectors, while in the lateral area, the artists’ path is inserted between the wooden wall panels and the full-height strips, which, like the pipes of an organ, bring rhythm to the space, alternating between full and empty. The back wall, entirely transparent, connects the auditorium directly with the foyer, expanding the perception of space. In the foyer, rectangular wooden slats stand out from the back wall to the false ceiling, which slopes towards the entrance façade, following the tension defined by the position of the volume created by the external white skin.

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To connect the building vertically, in addition to the elevator, an orange resin staircase brings great liveliness and energy to the environment. A note of vigorous colour that also expands upstairs, from the floor of the connective space, to the access doors to the classrooms and to one of the walls inside them. In the classrooms, in addition to the necessary furnishings and musical instruments, mirrors and wooden panels invite students to personalize them with scores or musical compositions. The two larger classrooms at the back house recording studios and electronic music lessons-concerts. In contrast to their counterparts, they are dark grey in colour and have special micro-perforated wooden panels on the walls that optimize their acoustic performance. In all the rooms on the upper floor, the circular windows positioned at two different heights welcome in the light that filters through the multiple perforations of the panels. Open all year round and ready to host conferences, events, study activities and workshops at the service of the community, the new architecture by Alvisi Kirimoto presents itself as an educational and innovative forge dedicated to music, capable of giving Camerino a role of reference in the cultural panorama of the Marche region and beyond.

HEATING, VENTILATION & INSULATION

UNDERFLOOR HEATING TICKS ALL THE BOXES! by Steven Rooney, Sales Director at Gaia Underfloor Heating When it comes to heating, there is no single off-the-peg solution that suits every situation and it is no longer a case of considering the individual components in isolation. Now the emphasis is on looking at the whole project design and mixing and matching various systems to achieve the most appropriate overall solution. This is being driven by the building regulations which, in turn, are taking account of the sustainability agenda, energy use and reduction of CO2 emissions in buildings. As a consequence, suppliers that provide total designed solutions rather than individual products are in a winning position. Underfloor heating (UFH) - whether wet or electric – is well placed to be part of a holistic design solution. It scores well in terms of environmental performance and is regarded as economical, ultraefficient and comfortable. Simple to install and control, UFH wastes no heat at ceiling level and frees up valuable wall space, providing complete design freedom. Wet systems circulate water at low temperatures through a series of continuous pipe loops laid within a screed, or between timber joists, beneath the floor surface. Electric systems consist either of cables laid within the screed or cable mats laid on top of existing subfloors. Importantly, UFH has the ability to tick the boxes when it comes to working with renewable energy and sustainable solutions yet it cannot do this in isolation. It must be considered in terms of the other components that make up the floor such as insulation, screed and floor coverings as well as in relation to the energy source, the overall specification of the building and level of sustainability being sought. In this market, it is increasingly important for companies to deliver a one-stop-shop, solution-driven service that ‘bolts’ together multiple products to deliver true value to the client. And value, in these terms, represents more than price and product; it is about customer service

and certainty with one point of contact, bespoke design, shortening of the build programme, ease of installation, compliance with regulations and enduser appeal, plus a warranty based on the knowledge that the company is well established and is still likely to be in existence in ten years time. Gaia offers total solutions for any sized project. Gaia’s approach is one that includes design and installation of wet and electric underfloor heating, along with comprehensive specification advice. This year as Gaia celebrated 30 years in business they launched the new Gaia Decoupling Membrane and Heating Cable system and the new Smart Thermostat with no need for a hub, ticking even more boxes!

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

AP920023 Gaia HP.indd 1

21/09/2020 09:25:05

HEATING BUILDINGS AND ACHIEVING NET ZERO markedly reduce carbon emissions. Because water flows through the system at a lower, 40-60oC flow temperature, it is ideally suited to waste heat or centralised water, air or ground source heat pumps, resulting in much lower emissions when compared to gas-powered third generation district heating options.

The recent publication of the Committee on Climate Change’s report into the UK’s net zero progress demonstrates a pressing need for project specifiers and developers to consider low-carbon heating systems.

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The CCC’s report into what still needs to be done for the UK to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – a pledge signed into law last year – highlights how gas boilers remain a key obstacle for reducing emissions. With this in mind, Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical for REHAU Building Solutions, is advising key construction stakeholders to further accelerate the decarbonisation process. “The passage of the UK’s net zero commitment into law transformed the landscape in many industries, including construction,” says Steve. “Lower carbon emissions are now vital concerns for any project, and governs key specification decisions. Additional legislation such as the Future Home Standard 2025 are a step towards this goal, but as the CCC’s report shows, there is more work to be done – especially with the current uncertainty about the future renewable heat policy landscape.” With the report urgently advocating the uptake of more eco-friendly heating technology, Steve is advising specifiers and

48AP720021- Heating Feature- HP.indd

developers to look into low-carbon solutions. “If we are to stay on track with our goal of decarbonising the economy, the construction sector must take action now, in line with the CCC report’s recommendations. It is therefore crucial that developers and specifiers evaluate the merits of more sustainable heating technologies. By doing so, they can futureproof both residential and commercial developments for years to come.” Examples of more sustainable technologies include heat pumps, which produce heating and hot water from the sources such as water, air, or the ground. Hydrogen is often highlighted as a viable renewable heating technology, but with workable solutions potentially years away, specifiers should turn to proven options to lower carbon emissions, such as heat pumps. Fourth generation district heating systems linked to low-carbon sources can also help

Steve concludes: “Developers need to consider both district heating and heat pumps if they are to decarbonise at the pace outlined in the CCC’s report and produce buildings fit for the future. The release of the Construction Leadership Council’s postpandemic ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ earlier this month, which placed net zero at the heart of any industry recovery and reinvention plan, further prioritises this course of action. “Whether used on an individual, house-byhouse basis, or as the central source for a district heating system heating a number of buildings, heat pumps and district heating represent viable options for reducing emissions in line with net zero targets as the construction sector recovers from COVID-19 disruption.” For further information on REHAU’s preinsulated pipework systems, and their use in heat pump and district heating networks, visit: www.rehau.uk/districtheating. 14/07/2020 10:22:09

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LOW CARBON ALUMINIUM WILL ENABLE THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR TO BUILD BACK BETTER BY JEROME LUCAS, MARKETING & SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR, RUSAL Introduction As we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, governments are urging businesses to participate in a “green recovery” whereby sustainability is prioritised and put at the centre of the rebuilding of global economies. There is no going back to the ways of old and instead we must ‘build back better’. Of all the industries where this much-vaunted phrase

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Jerome Lucas

applies, few rival the construction sector in terms of importance. With businesses and individuals re-assessing their attitudes to the risks faced by global threats such as climate change, there is indeed no better time to convert words into actions by building and delivering new infrastructure in a way which kickstarts and supports the low-carbon transition. According to the UN’s 2019 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, almost 40% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions come from the buildings and construction sector. Indeed, construction is the world’s largest industry in terms of resource usage and waste generation. As such, to stand a chance of limiting global temperatures rising by 1.5°C and mitigating the worse effects of climate change, this sector will need to use far less carbon intensive materials if it is to drive forward the sustainability agenda. Encouragingly, we have started to see construction companies make their own climate commitments: Barratt Developments, one of the UK’s largest property developers, recently announced that it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and

all new home designs will be net zero carbon from 2030. Mace, the international construction and consultancy company, set an ambitious target in January to achieve net zero emissions in 2020. These examples are still only a minority however and more must be done. That is where low-carbon aluminium comes in. Construction carbon specialists, Bionova, recently published a white paper, Lowcarbon Aluminium: Solution for sustainable construction and renovation , which welcomes low-carbon aluminium as an essential solution for more sustainable construction and renovation. Increasing use of aluminium in the construction sector Traditionally, sustainable construction professionals have focused on the energy efficiency of buildings. This is clearly important but doesn’t go far enough. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the manufacturing of construction materials contributes to 11% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. The development of more sustainable materials which contain lower embodied carbon (by which we mean the amount of carbon needed to produce a material) is high on the sustainability agenda and something which the construction industry needs to address.

FEATURE

Currently, less than 30% of aluminium produced globally is manufactured using renewable energy. However, a number of companies are already leading the transition with greener business models. One example is RUSAL’s usage of hydropower as part of its primary production process, that is substantially reducing the firm’s carbon footprint. Take its green aluminium Allow, that is produced using clean, hydro-powered smelters in Siberia – instead of coal fired power - which has a carbon footprint (scope 1&2) of under 4 tonnes per tonne of aluminium - well below the industry average of 12 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of aluminium produced worldwide. If the construction sector is to successfully decarbonize, now is the time for it to accelerate in its transition to low-carbon aluminium, which is cost-efficient, highly scalable and will have a significant impact on emissions. As Bionova’s recent whitepaper, Lowcarbon Aluminium: Solution for sustainable construction and renovation, shows through the use of striking real-world illustrations, the benefits of low-carbon aluminium are clear for all to see. Case study 1:

Aluminium is infinitely recyclable with a staggering 75% of the total aluminium ever produced still in use, according to the International Aluminium Institute. Already an essential material for the sector due to its low weight, ease of extrusion to any shape and durability, demand for aluminium has been growing in recent years. According to a report by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction in 2017, the world’s total building stock will double by 2060 and, according to The Circular Economy: A Powerful Force for Climate Mitigation, global aluminium production is set to double by 2050 to meet this demand.

At its essence, the low-carbon transition depends upon a move towards a circular

If the construction sector is to successfully decarbonize, now is the time for it to accelerate in its transition to low-carbon aluminium, which is cost-efficient, highly scalable and will have a significant impact on emissions.

- Jerome Lucas, Marketing & Sustainability Director, Rusal

a solution for carbon reductions but also holds a significant competitive advantage for attracting investment. Conclusion The COVID-19 crisis has brought home the importance of accompanying words with actions. The construction sector has sustainability pledges to fulfil and net-zero carbon targets to meet. Every part of the construction supply chain will need to be reassessed to ensure carbon reductions are made across the board, starting with how the material is made. Using sustainable materials is a simple and effective first step. The construction sector already recognises the environmental benefits of using recycled aluminium, but there is simply not enough of this material to cover growing demand. The answer is low-carbon aluminium. This metal is a high impact, cost-effective, highly scalable and a critical material that will allow the sector to deliver on its climate commitments and attract more investment from ESG investors.

Case study 2: Low-carbon aluminium can also be used for renovations or retrofits. For example, the renovation of a 300 sq metre office space in Helsinki, Finland, required replacing aluminium-glass partition walls, flooring and ventilation systems. The tenant achieved a 6% reduction in embodied carbon by using lowcarbon aluminium. The importance of ESG in investments The environmental benefits of low-carbon aluminium have been officially recognised by international green building certifications such as LEED and BREEAM. Buildings that use low-carbon aluminium are awarded credits for reducing embodied carbon. As well as being officially recognised, investors and consumers are increasingly prioritising sustainability in their investment or purchasing decisions. Green building certifications such as LEED and BREAM make an asset a more attractive investment proposition and are increasingly a prerequisite for investment decisions. Low-carbon aluminium is therefore not only

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Despite this, disappointingly, recycled aluminium accounts for just 30% of overall demand within the construction sector which favours the alternative, primary aluminium; this is considerably less environmentally friendly as it is made using fossil fuels. Primary aluminium, made by smelting bauxite or nepheline ore, is one of the most energyintensive raw materials. It uses approximately 14MWh of electricity per tonne of aluminium produced which accounts for roughly 4-5% of global electricity demand. Within the construction sector itself, aluminium manufacturing is the third highest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Analysis carried out by stok, a US-based real estate services firm, and Bionova revealed that a 140,000 sq ft educational building could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 23% and embodied carbon by 18% by simply replacing low-carbon aluminium with primary aluminium in its building parts. In commercial buildings with traditional structures and aluminium parts, low-carbon aluminium can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 7%.

“

economy in which metals are made with recyclable materials that are produced sustainably. With recycled aluminium currently unable to meet demand and primary aluminium remaining carbon-intensive, lowcarbon aluminium, produced using renewable energy, is the only solution for the low carbon buildings and construction sector.

Panu Pasanen

COMPANY NEWS

AUDLEY STANBRIDGE EARLS WINS PRESTIGIOUS HOUSING AWARD Audley Stanbridge Earls has been recognised at the industry leading Housing Design Awards which celebrate the very best new build design in the UK. The Romsey based luxury retirement village, which welcomed its first property owners late last year, collected a HAPPI award for the Best Project Scheme. The HAPPI (Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation) award specifically recognises innovation in housing design for the ageing population.

ROLLALONG AND MAGNA HOUSING AGREE CONTRACT FOR 50 MORE MODULAR HOMES Two Dorset businesses have strengthened their relationship by agreeing a contract to manufacture 50 more sustainable modular homes for communities in the South West. Rollalong, the largest permanent offsite manufacturer in the south of England, will manufacture the homes offsite at its factory in Wimborne for Dorchester-based Magna Housing before installing them on several sites across Dorset and Somerset.

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The new contract marks the start of a decade in which Magna will invest £400 million into new and existing homes across Dorset and Somerset. Forty-five homes have already been manufactured and earmarked for sites across Dorset. The Magna homes range by Rollalong are built off site in a factory-controlled setting and are therefore more cost-effective to maintain and quicker to construct, generate less waste and have a lower carbon footprint in use than traditional brick houses, making them a sustainable housing solution. “This is tremendously exciting and we’re delighted to continue working with Magna

Housing,” said Steve Chivers, Managing Director of Rollalong. “Our ongoing collaboration will ensure that high-quality, precision-engineered homes continue to be manufactured in the local area by local people.” Paul Read, Head of Development and Sales at Magna Housing, added: “This is great news for both our organisations, which have been working together very successfully for the past 18 months. Magna’s partnership with Rollalong and its continued commitment are securing jobs in the local area, generating social returns for the local economy and building a sustainable future in the South West.” Rollalong has a factory capacity of 2,000 homes per annum and is well placed to support an intervention from central Government and play its part in solving the current housing crisis. The new homes will be manufactured from the newly designed 2020/21 range and have been designed to fully comply with the Higher Fabric First approach in the Future Homes Standard.

Audley Stanbridge Earls is the very first retirement village with a restored period property to receive the accolade with other schemes being shortlisted over the years, but none managing to take the title. This is testament to the individual design of the village which successfully repurposes its historic assets and celebrates the heritage of the Grade II* listed Manor House which forms the heart of the village. The village sits within 32 acres of natural woodland, open meadows and ornamental lakes and will be home to 155 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and cottages as well as the Audley Club which includes a swimming pool and state-of-the-art gym. The village is open and available to view both in person and virtually. Kevin Shaw, Managing Director Development, Audley Group: “We are overwhelmed that Audley Stanbridge Earls is the very first retirement village with a restored period property to win this prestigious award. Incredible attention to detail and thought go into making our villages what they are today, and the award is testament to the hard work and innovation of the teams through the design and build process. It’s something that our property owners love as well. Living in a village that celebrates the rich heritage of the site and the local area. It’s an honour to have been recognised for this success and we look forward to welcoming new owners over the coming months.”