The ‘green energy champions’ initiative, announced 9th May, will see staff across more than 400 historic sites monitor energy consumption and work on energy efficiency improvements, at some of the UK’s most important English heritage sites. Priva UK, a leading supplier of building control systems and advocate for future-proofing the
News that the heritage brigade are objecting to tall buildings in the City of London because of their impact on the Tower of London prompted memories of what happened when Renzo Piano’s Shard design was under discussion. A group of Cabe commissioners, led by Stuart Lipton, did a walking tour
In recent building news, it has been announced that Ney & Partners has successfully won an enviable position to design the new £4m Tintagel Castle footbridge, Cornwall, for English Heritage. The winning team, based out of Brussels, saw the team, alongside William Matthews Associates, an up and coming architectural practice,
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The ‘green energy champions’ initiative, announced 9th May, will see staff across more than 400 historic sites monitor energy consumption and work on energy efficiency improvements, at some of the UK’s most important English heritage sites. Priva UK, a leading supplier of building control systems and advocate for future-proofing the UK’s historic buildings, has welcomed the news. Gavin Holvey, UK & Ireland Sales Manager: “In the last year we have been calling for joined-up thinking to support the preservation of the UK’s unique architectural heritage. It is gratifying to see that English Heritage, in its partnership with Ecotricity on this project, has taken up the challenge. “Priva UK is on a mission to help conservators and heritage organisations conserve and optimise the internal environments of their unique spaces, without impacting on the fabric of the building, by using the same control-based technologies found in modern structures. “Priva’s technology, which is in use at sites such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel, is delivering significant energy savings, improved indoor climate conditions, increased visitor comfort and easier monitoring of energy use. “There is no doubt about the vital role our heritage buildings play in UK life. Protecting the fabric of historic and listed buildings is of great importance to local communities. This news that local ‘green energy’ champions will be enlisted, will further reinforce that connection. Inspiring and enabling behaviour change among English Heritage members, staff and volunteers is crucial to helping preserve our heritage and to put it on a more sustainable footing.” Priva’s book ‘Future-proofing Britain’s Historic Buildings’ is packed with information explaining how their technology has transformed the visitor experience at some of the UK’s most important heritage sites. For a copy, call +44 (0)1923 813 480 or contact.priva@priva.co.uk
News that the heritage brigade are objecting to tall buildings in the City of London because of their impact on the Tower of London prompted memories of what happened when Renzo Piano’s Shard design was under discussion. A group of Cabe commissioners, led by Stuart Lipton, did a walking tour of the Tower environs to get a feeling for how the Shard might affect things, even though it was on the other side of the river, and some way from the best place to view the Tower, which is along the riverbank close to City Hall. We couldn’t see that there would be much harm done, but we wanted to hear from the people for whom the Tower is home: the Beefeaters. We spoke to a couple and their view was quite clear: just because you would be able to see a tall building from within the Tower grounds didn’t mean the Tower itself was being diminished. “The Tower of London Beefeaters were not concerned about the development” At the ensuing public inquiry, I gave evidence in favour of the Shard on behalf of Cabe – or at least in support of the architecture and the proposed height, though we had concerns about the ground plane and the relationship with a neighbouring tower and transport facilities. Curiously, because we were not 100 per cent endorsers of the project, we were categorised by the Planning Inspectorate as objectors, even though there is nothing in law to say this is what should happen. As a result of this, having been cross-examined by the English Heritage QC in respect of our general support for the project, I then received another grilling from developer Irvine Sellar’s QC over our reservations about some aspects of the proposal. The only comfort I could draw was the opportunity, when questioned, to reference our Cabe commissioner conversation with senior Beefeaters, and the fact that they were not concerned about the development. ‘What conclusions did you draw from this conversation?’ asked the QC. I replied: ‘Since they were Beefeaters, we regarded them as serious stakeholders.’ Pun intended. I think it is reasonable to say that the room rocked with laughter, no doubt taking a lead from the inspector himself. It was probably the only light relief during the entire inquiry.
In recent building news, it has been announced that Ney & Partners has successfully won an enviable position to design the new £4m Tintagel Castle footbridge, Cornwall, for English Heritage. The winning team, based out of Brussels, saw the team, alongside William Matthews Associates, an up and coming architectural practice, prove their talents and come head and shoulders above the rest. Beating off 136 other keen industry competitors in the multiple stage competition, the judges for the competition came to a majority decision on selection the team, thus granting them the enviable engineering and architectural commission. As for the reasoning behind their selection, the judges commented that the design concept was for the elegance, structural ingenuity and delicate profile of the presented design which allowed it to stand apart from the others presented. Kate Mavor, Chief Executive of English Heritage provided her thoughts on the winning design, stating: “The winning team’s concept is daring and very exciting. It is not the final design but instead a brilliant indication of the team’s talent and imagination.” Inspiration for the solution presented has been stated to have come from Celtic history and how the Tintagel Castle drawbridge was originally arranged and designed. In accordance with this, the design proposal has included the usage of local slate for the decking and a mixture of both non and weathered steel so that contrast can be provided – this, in effect will be most notable when hit by sunlight, allowing it to provide a striking visage at the backdrop of the coastal scenery. As a result of the win, Ney & Partners will now begin developing their final designs, with consent applications set for a later date in the year, and a predicted completion date set as 2019. Set to entirely change the experience gusts will have when visiting the castle, the 28m high bridge is a must-watch to see how the final designs are developed and put into action.
