Planning consent for the design of a new high quality residential scheme in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets has been secured by FBM Architects. The new development for Gateway Housing Association will provide 32 homes across the site located near Medway Conservation Area in Bow. FBM Architects’ carefully thought
Dulux Trade received a prestigious national award for its pioneering work in the healthcare sector. The ProCure 22 awards, which recognise those approved suppliers in the NHS procurement framework providing best in class service, awarded Dulux Trade its Collaborative Working award. Announced at the IHEEM conference and exhibition in Manchester,
The construction of the 3750 ft² Lake House, a contemporary new build private residence situated on a man-made island in a flooded quarry in the Cotswolds, will be overseen by Boon Brown Architects. Having been Lead Consultant and Architect from design inception through to planning and full technical design, Boon
A residential development in Canary Wharf, London, has reached a significant milestone. With leading developer Canary Wharf group building residential apartment on the 10 Park Drive site, the building has recently been topped out, reaching its full height of 149 metres above ground level. It will offer 345 homes when
Every year seems to bring with it an even hotter summer heatwave than the year before, encouraging homeowners to find new ways to keep their families cool. With this trend showing no signs of stopping, now could be your chance to make a huge difference to your home and install
“In this day and age, programme is critical to contractors and businesses,” attests Angus Cormie, Chief Engineer at J&D Pierce, one of the UK’s leading structural steel provider. As a champion designer, supplier and installer of quality steelwork, J&D Pierce offers an end-to-end service that dramatically reduces the supply chain
This January, a positive outlook has been highlighted for architects with the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rising to +29, an increase of 14 since last December. The figures showcase improved positivity about workloads from the top to the bottom of the UK, with a specific surge in the southern
Planning consent for the design of a new high quality residential scheme in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets has been secured by FBM Architects. The new development for Gateway Housing Association will provide 32 homes across the site located near Medway Conservation Area in Bow. FBM Architects’ carefully thought out design complements the urban and historic setting, whilst providing homes for contemporary living. The new scheme, its height defined by the strong parapet line, offers a continuous three-storey frontage along Norman Grove and Saxon Road, relating to the character of the Medway Conservation Area and the locally listed Saxon Lea Court. A generous space between the two buildings on the eastern part of the development ensures a soft transition in height from three to four storeys, and creating the entrance to the new apartments. The building line is set back from the street, re-establishing a typical scale for the Victorian streets in the immediate neighbourhood, while successfully solving the issue of overlooking between the existing and proposed houses on Norman Grove. Ordered fenestration patterns with tall, generous window proportions further underpin the scheme’s connection with Victorian architectural legacy. The inclusion of arched entrances to individual dwellings introduces an intimate, human-scale character that echoes this distinctive feature of the surrounding streets which contain arched openings to windows and front doors. Full height windows and doors further reinforce the connection between the external and internal spaces. A buff/brown coloured brickwork provides a contextual, robust appearance that unifies the scheme. The ground floor apartments benefit from private terraces facing onto the central courtyard. The upper floor apartments have private amenity space in the form of deep balconies that act as an extension of the adjacent rooms. The central courtyard provides landscaped open space and includes a playground while a wide green strip of front gardens on Norman Grove and Saxon Road ties Regency Court to its neighbouring context. The scheme is fully car-free, given the excellent proximity to local transport links and supportive of local policy that encourages sustainable modes of transport. Dedicated cycle storage is provided within the courtyard that is accessible to all residents.
Dulux Trade received a prestigious national award for its pioneering work in the healthcare sector. The ProCure 22 awards, which recognise those approved suppliers in the NHS procurement framework providing best in class service, awarded Dulux Trade its Collaborative Working award. Announced at the IHEEM conference and exhibition in Manchester, the award recognises the work of Dulux Trade in developing its Colour & Design principles for use in healthcare environments. The collaboration between Dulux Trade and Tarkett (flooring) was commended for driving innovation through collaboration. “The Colour & Design principles demonstrate the transformational power of colour and are friendly even to the most vulnerable users,” said Paul Fleming, marketing manager contractor/specifier for Dulux Trade. “By pulling key learnings together into a framework based on the key NHS requirements, the benefits of good design supported by research means designers and colour consultants can make well informed and reinforced decisions. When their decisions are combined with product and life-cycle considerations, for the first time, the proposition offers tangible support for an NHS under pressure, by helping improve quality while cutting costs,” he continued. The Dulux Trade Colour & Design principles have been endorsed by the Department of Health and supported by 16 colour schemes, as they demonstrate the benefits of good design, supported by research to allow designers and colour consultants to make informed decisions. “The Healthcare Colour & Design principles for P22 was launched at the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management Conference in October 2017 and this generated advocacy from P22’s Preferred Supply Chain Partners, and the Department of Health, who endorsed our thought leadership credentials, underlining our expertise in harnessing additional value for their budgets, increasing hospital operational effectiveness and expediting development of hospitals in the UK,” explained Paul. The project was hailed by Rosemary Jensson of Architects for Health as ‘a really powerful piece of work’.
The construction of the 3750 ft² Lake House, a contemporary new build private residence situated on a man-made island in a flooded quarry in the Cotswolds, will be overseen by Boon Brown Architects. Having been Lead Consultant and Architect from design inception through to planning and full technical design, Boon Brown will continue to work with the client to administer the build contract and ensure every detail of Lake House is delivered to specification. “Right from the outset, our client demanded a bold, high specification design with a strong visual connection with the lake. We applied our experience in bespoke residential design with commercial scale architecture to explore original solutions and create the architecture and language the client sought. The form, layout and technical detailing will deliver expansive views of the lake unhindered by the distraction of structural elements, window framing or railings,” explained Craig Jones, Architectural Director at Boon Brown. The new build’s reinforced concrete frame will enable large column-free spans whilst maintaining a slim flat-slab floor construction and low storey height. Exposed concrete is largely left fair faced internally in an honest expression of the structure. The elevational design expresses a light, modular clad ground floor with a high percentage of energy performance glazing and black glass spandrel cladding, allowing the first floor to visually float above a reflective base. The upper floor directs views over the lake, with the master bedroom having a stunning 6m by 3m frameless corner-glazed floor to ceiling picture window. The upper floor cladding incorporates larch vertical strips to the main form, matching surrounding buildings and being sensitive to the woodland setting, whilst the expressive parts are sheathed in black render. Meanwhile, the minimalist interior required exceptional design coordination with building services to ensure systems are discreet and complement the interior. A VRF refrigerant comfort cooling system serves fan coil units unobtrusively built into each habitable room and coordinated with fit-out furniture. The building fabric is highly insulated, and the underfloor heating is via water source heat pump, taking advantage of the lake setting. The central ventilation system incorporates heat recovery and tempered fresh air supply. Lake House is a family home at The Lakes by Yoo, a disused quarry site that has been flooded to create sculptured island plots for individual dwellings. The accommodation is divided over three floors, with all the principal rooms enjoying the south-westerly view over the lake. In addition to five bedrooms, living, dining and media rooms, there is a roof level reading room that connects to a terrace and hydropool.
A residential development in Canary Wharf, London, has reached a significant milestone. With leading developer Canary Wharf group building residential apartment on the 10 Park Drive site, the building has recently been topped out, reaching its full height of 149 metres above ground level. It will offer 345 homes when completed in the final quarter of 2019. “This is an exciting step in the construction of 10 Park Drive, both for the area and for us at Canary Wharf Group as we top out our first residences on the Estate. The work that has gone into the development so far has been phenomenal, and we look forward to it reaching completion and for the first residents to move into Canary Wharf,” said Brian De’ath, Director of Residential Sales at Canary Wharf Group. “Some of our purchasers camped out overnight to be able to secure a home at 10 Park Drive which I strongly believe says a great deal about the quality of the offering here. The extensive calendar of events, diverse community and excellent transport links on the Estate are making it an increasingly hard location to beat within the London property market,” Brian added. 10 Park Drive has been designed by Stanton Williams Architects and it forms a key part of Canary Wharf’s new residential district, Wood Wharf, alongside neighbouring residential development, One Park Drive. It will comprise 74 studios, 115 one-bedroom apartments, 141 two-bedroom apartments and 15 three-bedroom apartments. The apartments’ design maximises the light and vistas of the surroundings at every opportunity, with interiors developed by Make Architects. Residents of 10 Park Drive will have access to a private sky terrace on the 13th floor, with bookable facilities and free use of shared spaces. The development sits adjacent to South Dock and is linked to the water by landscaped gardens and parks. Purchasers will also have access to a state-of-the-art new health and fitness club with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and fitness class studio.
Every year seems to bring with it an even hotter summer heatwave than the year before, encouraging homeowners to find new ways to keep their families cool. With this trend showing no signs of stopping, now could be your chance to make a huge difference to your home and install a Dream pool. Swimming pools are fun for the whole family. Kids of all ages are more than happy to spend their entire school holidays splashing around, while parents can enjoy a refreshing dip without having to brave the local lido or queues for the beach. If you’ve been toying with the idea of installing a pool in your garden but aren’t sure where to start, here are the five essential questions to help you work out the best pool for your family. Who is it for? The first question you have to ask yourself is simple: who will be using the pool the most? If you’re thinking about using it as a way to keep growing children throughout the summer, you should be looking at very different design features than if the pool is intended for fitness. When it comes to designing your pool (and the area around your pool), use the people who will be swimming in it the most to inform any features you might want to install for safety or convenience. For example, if you have little ones running around then a high fence and a lockable gate is a must. You will also want the pool to be in an area of the garden that can be easily supervised. On the other hand, a deep pool will be better for older children, and a pool in an adult-only residence can afford to be a little more design-led and hidden away from the rest of the building. What is it for? Similar to the first question, considering what the pool is intended for will dictate certain factors like its size, depth and leisure accessories. A pool for children should have a generous shallow end, multiple exit points and a hand or foot-hold around the edge. If you want to use your pool for entertaining, you may want to incorporate luxurious features like a tanning ledge, jacuzzi area or in-built parasols. Fitness pools will be focused towards performance – you could even opt for a lap pool, as size and depth are less of an issue. Where is it going? Choosing a location for your pool is important. Not only do you need to take into account obvious factors like its size and shape, but you will also need to think about how its sun exposure and how its position will impact the safe use of the rest of your outdoor space. Ideally, you want your pool to catch as much sun during the late morning and throughout the afternoon. This will make the water slightly warmer during use and make it a refreshing place to take a dip during the warmest parts of the day. Don’t forget to think about the dry areas you want around the pool, for lounging, dining or entertaining. Will you be building a designated pool area, where you can store accessories, toys and any drinks and snacks you might want when you’re lounging? If not, think about your route back to the house or shed and whether there’s an efficient pathway you could build. How quickly do you want it? Above-ground pools might not look as streamlined as an in-ground design, but they will be much, much quicker to install. Additionally, the larger and deeper you expect your pool to be, the longer it will take to construct, and certain materials are faster to install than others. With this in mind, think about how much you are willing to compromise in terms of build schedule, price and aesthetic in order to get your pool installed quickly. You may want to consult with a specialist firm who use the latest technology to reduce installation times, with carbon ceramic materials and fast pool builders. How much upkeep are you prepared for? The depth and size of your pool usually correlate to the amount of upkeep it’s going to require, although its construction material will be a factor, too. Vinyl pools are inexpensive and easy to keep clean, but are prone to leaks and will need replacing every 3-7 years. Concrete is a porous material so, if you leave it unfinished, your pool will need to be kept meticulously clean to prevent bacteria growth. Fibreglass is a popular option for both affordability and ease of maintenance. Pool types that require less maintenance include lap pools and natural pools. Lap pools are simply easier to manage due to their modest size, while natural pools utilise a reed-based filtration system that keeps water clean without using chemicals. If you don’t want the upkeep of a regular pool, consider these options. Building a pool is an investment and may not suit every household, particularly in the UK. However, their contribution to fun, fitness and leisure means that once you take the plunge, you’re sure to love your pool for years to come.
“In this day and age, programme is critical to contractors and businesses,” attests Angus Cormie, Chief Engineer at J&D Pierce, one of the UK’s leading structural steel provider. As a champion designer, supplier and installer of quality steelwork, J&D Pierce offers an end-to-end service that dramatically reduces the supply chain and provides clients a competitive edge in terms of both time and cost. As Cormie continues, “With an all-encompassing structural steel service, we eliminate the need for multiple parties, manage interfaces and offer guaranteed excellence, every time, for every client.” Established in 1975, J&D Pierce has retained its family-run approach while diversifying and expanding into areas beyond purely steel fabrication and is now able to provide a comprehensive service from early design right through costing, fabrication and protective treatment to erection. A specialist in design and fabrication, J&D Pierce has continued to develop further capabilities, and can effectively carry a project through from inception to completion. Although subcontracting can be an economical way of procuring specialist works, it can also give rise to various kinds of problems. Within differences of opinion, organisation and interfacing issues, it can present significant delays and programme slippages for main contractors and become a cost burden to which clients simply cannot subscribe. Attending to that concern and delivering an end-to-end service, J&D Pierce offers an alternative, financially risk-free mode of construction, as Cormie makes clear: “Because we don’t sub-contract any services out, we have complete control over a project. Main contractors like to de-risk; if they can hire a single firm to carry out all works they will because it prevents problems of coordinating works on site and allows them to concentrate on their own objectives. We allow them programme certainty; our wide range of skills and expertise more than capable of shouldering an entire contract.” J&D Pierce has established itself as a one-stop-shop in structural steelwork and boasts divisions dedicated not only to design, production, erection, roofing and cladding, but stretching right the way across transport, delivery, crane, and access. It’s with concentrated investment that the company has been able to develop its services and establish manufacture, delivery and erection processes which are each unrivalled in both speed or quality and, combined, provide significant advantages to customers. That broad spectrum of capabilities is only set to widen as the development of new facilities adjacent to J&D Pierce’s existing site gets underway. The 15-acre development beside their existing facilities will host a new steel fabrication process for the manufacture of plate girders. The company is investing millions in state-of-art tooling equipment and technology for this for external sales and with a view to gaining even greater production efficiency. Primarily though, the new facilities will enable the company to take on an even greater proportion of works, as Cormie details further, “There are some specialist products that are used, particularly in high-rise buildings, that we would ordinarily have to outsource from specialist manufacturers. The new facilities will allow us to start manufacturing those ourselves therefore affording us greater control over production, as well as the ability to shorten the lead-in times and enhance the programme we can offer our clients.” Indeed, the company’s development has long been informed by the desire to exceed clients; expectations across the board. Despite widening its catalogue of services, J&D Pierce has only further emphasised quality within their expansion, with state of the art machinery incorporating intelligent software and direct linkage with J&D Pierce’s design system, it is also highly efficient, can identify how best to to minimise wastage and produce a precise replica of the computational drawing on-screen. So esteemed in design is J&D Pierce that it regularly offers both partial and full design, as well as design advice on projects. Whether approached at the stage of conception, integration, value engineering or connection analysis, the company is able to provide critical design solutions via a number of industry standard software operated by experienced engineers. With unrivalled expertise in design at a planning, development and operational level, the company’s manufacture and erection processes are significantly enhanced and J&D Pierce has, on more than one occasion, found itself heading the pack on construction projects. During a recent contract at Bristol Sports Club, the company was tasked to redevelop the West Stand and, as an informed contractor, paved the way for others to follow, as Cormie outlines: “The aim was to tie in work with the existing stand and erect a complicated three-dimensional roof design with a main trusse spanning 108m. We carried out the interface detail and, despite having our own cladding division, worked alongside an external cladding supplier and the precast supplier sourced by the main contractor. “We had a very tight footprint in which to erect the project and immediately envisaged the difficulties that would pose to both ourselves and the cladders. We re-thought the engineers’ methodology of erection (a system of building temporary towers to build the truss on) and suggested that we could, in fact, build the entire truss from the ground and lift it into place with two large cranes. While it took intricate crane movement for final placement, it meant that we had much better safety control because the majority of work was conducting on the ground rather than at height, as well as giving us significant advantage in programme, preventing stoppages and delays in schedule.” Characterised by its ability to add value and decrease the costs associated with programme, J&D Pierce also designed bespoke hinge details on the supporting rafters; the innovative solution allowed the company to pre-erect the rafters in pairs and then swing them up to the truss and complete the structure in less than a day, As a specialist in design, manufacture and construction, the company has a key understanding of each phase of development and effectively guarantees a project’s success with quality and control endowed. Of course, those ethics and successes come as the result of focused attention on training and development. J&D Pierce has worked hard to up-skill its
This January, a positive outlook has been highlighted for architects with the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rising to +29, an increase of 14 since last December. The figures showcase improved positivity about workloads from the top to the bottom of the UK, with a specific surge in the southern England where a figure of +38 has been reported. Across the index, only Scotland, in fact highlighted any negative territory to be aware of, thus highlighting great prospects for the majority of the UK as a whole. The survey, which originally began some seven years past, has, until now, recorded steady reductions in the overall value of architecture projects being undertaken at the time. Regardless of this running history, the industry has since seen 11 quarters of persistent growth up until now, and while the speed of this growth has tapered down most recently, the figures still showcase a notable 3% increase each year. Naturally, as the figures have highlighted a slowing down in this growth, this also highlights a point at which practices should try to step up, take advantage of the positive market outlook and collaboratively try to drive the industry forward yet further. Although different practice sizes and archetypes have communicated different levels of positivity over the future workload prospects, with larger practices remaining the most positive, practices of all shapes and sizes appear to be expecting their respective workloads to expand over the coming months. As Adrian Dobson, RIBA Executive Director Members explained: “As we entered the New Year confidence seems to have been renewed somewhat, with a number of our practices reporting an increase in enquiries in that month.” Additionally, practices have reported that their employments levels are presently around 3% higher than the start of last year, and, in addition to this, only 2% of such practices expect to have less staff over the course of the next three months. This is because, unlike many sectors, architecture does not yet seem to have hit a point whereupon there are a lack of skilled individuals in the market and so, while practices do still sometimes struggle to find the right individuals to recruit, the profession remains popular enough to sustain further employment growth.
