FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT
ISSUE 167
JANUARY 2024
2025 FUTURE HOMES COMPLIANT PRODUCTS - COMING Q1 2024
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FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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EDITORIAL Rebecca Kemp rebecca@redhutmedia.com Hannah Woodger hannah@redhutmedia.com P R I N T & D I G I TA L A DV E R T I S I N G Sam Ball sam@redhutmedia.com Jim Moore jim@redhutmedia.com PRINT DESIGN MANAGER Jack Witcomb jack@redhutmedia.com D I G I TA L D E S I G N M A N AG E R Matt Morse matt@redhutmedia.com ACCOUNTS/ CREDIT CONTROL Rachel Pike accounts@redhutmedia.com PUBLISHER Sam Ball sam@redhutmedia.com Te r m s a n d C o n d i t i o n s : Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Red Hut Media Ltd. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non-publication of any advertisement.
Happy New Year to all! On behalf of the FC&A team, I'd like to extend my wishes for a prosperous 12 months ahead. As we reflect on the past year, 2023 brought about positive changes to the construction and architectural industry. However, areas do highlight the need for further improvement. For instance, the absence of regulations for installing fire doors remains a concern. This critical task demands a level of expertise that the untrained may struggle to comprehend. Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager for Doors at Stairways Midlands, aptly points out the disparity: "A gas engineer couldn't install a boiler legally unless registered with Gas Safe, with all the necessary requirements and training. Yet, any joiner can show up on site and install a fire door." The situation, given the increased emphasis on fire safety, calls for a reconsideration of regulations. On page 30, Richard articulates why it's time for fire door installation to become a regulated profession. Elsewhere, George Woollard, Technical Director at Keyline Civils Specialist, anticipates that the industry will soon align with the public sector regarding the Government's Construction Playbook. The playbook suggests a collaborative approach in the earliest stages of design and specification. Here, Woollard explains how involving all levels of the supply chain in specification can drive innovation while saving time and money and reducing stress down the line. Find the full story on page 14. Meanwhile, on page 36, we kick off the 2024 event calendar with a preview of the Surface Design Show, the industry's first event of the year. This edition features a fresh theme, the return of both new and familiar elements, an expert speaker programme and, of course, the Surface Design Awards. Make sure to mark it in your diaries. I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on FC&A’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply search www.fca-magazine.com.
RED HUT MEDIA
FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2024
fcamagazine fcamagazine fcamagazine FC& A Magazine
Rebecca
REBECCA KEMP Editor, Future Constructor & Architect
©Francisco Tirado
ON THE COVER: Danish architecture studio Cobe has announced the completion of the Opera Park in Copenhagen. SEE PAGE 18.
New Standards - NHBC 2024 - Chapter 6.1 “Changes of direction of a cavity tray or interfaces with other elements in the cavity are more complicated than simple joints and the design should be provided, and preformed cavity trays used.” Satisfy NHBC technical requirements first time, every time. 100 years of proven specialism from the longest-established company designing and manufacturing cavity trays and flashings. The Cavity Trays Helpdesk – your route to compliancy and consistency in construction 01935 474769
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Yeovil • Somerset • England • UK
5
CAVITY TRAYS specialism • experience • service
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
CONTENTS
NEWS
08 14
INDU STRY UPDATE S:
FC&A rounds up this month's industry news, including awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.
VOIC E OF THE INDUS TRY:
George Woollard, Technical Director at Keyline Civils Specialists, expands on the Construction Playbook's take on early supply chain involvement and how it can benefit architects, designers and, ultimately, entire projects.
16
LEGAL & BUSINE S S :
36
SU RFACE DE S IGN SHOW:
Learn valuable insights from Mike Knivett, MD of SEO agency Artemis Marketing, on how to turn the tide when bad reviews impact your business.
From 6 to 8th February, Islington's Business Design Centre will host the Surface Design Show, giving interior designers and architects invaluable insights into the latest trends and insights.
FEATURES
24
T EC H NOLOGY & SO FTWA R E :
26
FLOORS , WA LLS & CE ILINGS :
28 30
Stewart Little, CEO of IRT Surveys, explains how architects and construction businesses can revolutionise their approach to building sustainability with thermal imaging surveys.
IG Masonry Support reveals the strategic significance of imaginative brickwork in commercial ventures. From heritage preservation to crafting vibrant mixed-use spaces, bricks play a pivotal role.
NET-ZE RO & CA R BO N-NE UTR A L B U I LD I N GS :
Christian Mabey, MD at Optima Products, sheds light on the eco-balance between timber and aluminium.
DOOR S & WINDOWS :
Isn't it time fire door installation became a regulated profession? We ask Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager for Doors at Stairways Midlands, to set out the argument.
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BU ILD FOCUS : TE MPOR A RY & P OP -U P A RC H I TEC TU RE :
34
T EC H NICA L FO CUS:
Dive into the dynamic world of pop-up urbanism with Nicole Gordon, CEO of BID Better Bankside. Discover how vibrant, temporary structures are shaping Bankside's identity and fostering community engagement.
How can you futureproof your building specs against evolving regulations? Mark Halliday, Divisional Facade & Technical Manager at ARBO, explores the strategies for ensuring compliance, safety and sustainability throughout a building's lifecycle.
PORTFOLIOS
18
T H E O PE R A PA R K, COBE :
20
AZ ABUDA I HIL LS , HE ATHE RW I C K S TU D I O:
Transformed from an industrial island into a haven of natural beauty, the Cobe-designed Opera Park in Copenhagen is a year-round escape that offers six unique gardens and a central greenhouse.
Designed by Heatherwick Studio, Azabudai Hills emerges as a vibrant district, blending residential spaces, art galleries, schools and green landscapes across 8.1 hectares.
Compatible Compliant Protection Lintel types and styles over cavity wall openings vary in size and shape. Using a preformed Cavitray instead of conventional DPC removes the variances of onsite cutting and forming. The compliant protection is scheduled, cost-controlled and stock-controlled. Type C Cavitrays – cavity width biased – self-supporting or inner leaf integration option – ready-shaped solution. Email enquiries@cavitytrays.co.uk and request our guide delivered to your door 01935 474769
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
enquiries@cavitytrays.co.uk
www.cavitytrays.co.uk
Yeovil • Somerset • England • UK
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CAVITY TRAYS specialism • experience • service
Next Gener tion External Perimeter A-rated Membrane EPAM
Take building safety to the next level with the ARBOShield Pro Fire-Resistant Façade System. Our new EPAM self-adhesive membrane offers the same quality and performance benefits along with easier to install and time saving credentials. This 2nd generation membrane is designed to perform as well as deliver you peace of mind when specifying A-rated fire products. Scan for more information on ARBOShield Pro and to reach out to our technical team for more guidance on A-rated fire protection products. T: +44 2045 835 862
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Your accountability begins with ARBO® www.arbo.co.uk
Façade Solutions Design. Supply. Apply. 7
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
INDUSTRY UPDATES
NE WS I N B R I E F: HKR ARCHITECTS DELIVERS OFFICE-TO-RESI CONVERSION OF FORMER MOTHERCARE HQ The historic Art Deco former Mothercare headquarters in north Watford has transformed into 145 affordable homes. HKR Architects, in collaboration with BYM Residential and HGH Consulting, utilised permitted development rights, incorporating a Class AA upward extension for 22 extra units. Watford Community Housing acquired the building, focusing on local workers. The restoration has delivered 145 welldesigned, sustainable one- and two-bedroom apartments. Notable features include solar panels, increased insulation and adaptable design, with landscaping enhancing the building's Art Deco aesthetics.
DESIGN COURSE CLAIMS TOP PRIZE Architecture and design tutors at a West Midlands college have received a brand-new industry award for helping FE students kickstart their careers. Coventry College’s interior and architecture design course Tutors, David Craddock, Emma Townsend and Holly Wagstaff, have been awarded the Sixth Form and FE Prize at the inaugural Architecture into Education Awards. The awards, run by the Thornton Education Trust, have been launched to celebrate the link between education professionals and the industry and emphasise inclusivity, diversity, climate change and wellbeing in the architectural profession. David said the course prides itself on being a creative and inclusive learning programme.
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
INDUSTRY UPDATES FC&A ROUNDS UP THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS AND UPDATES. ©BoysPlayNice
CONSTRUCTION OF MASARYČKA COMPLETES With its facades now completed, the Masaryčka building in Prague is defined by circulation routes that will provide access to new civic spaces for the city. Accommodating the continued growth of the city’s corporate sector with office spaces designed to meet 21st-century working patterns, the 28,000m 2 Masaryčka office and retail development incorporates seven storeys within its eastern section and nine storeys at its western end. ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS (ZHA)
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ntegrating with Czech Railways’ modernisation of the historic Masaryk Railway Station, which is creating a new public square partially over the railway tracks, Masaryčka’s design will enhance accessibility to the railway platforms below and provide new pedestrian routes between Florence and Hybernská on either side of the station. Bordered by Masaryk Station’s railway platforms to the south, Na Florenci Street to the north and the Wilsonova elevated freeway to the east, Masaryčka has been constructed on a derelict site that has stood abandoned for several decades. To the west, Masaryčka replaces the existing car park on Havlíčkova Boulevard with a new public square with interchanges between the city’s rail, tram and bus networks, defining a welcoming gateway to the city for suburban rail passengers as well as those using the express rail link that is currently under construction to Prague’s international airport. Masaryčka’s design establishes a dialogue with the architecture and urbanism of Prague’s Old Town – known as ‘the golden city of 100 spires’. External fins within Masaryčka’s facade contribute to solar shading in the summer and transform the project’s horizontal composition to the verticality of its western facade facing the spires of the Old Town. Targeting LEED Platinum certification, Masaryčka incorporates a double-insulated facade that ensures optimal natural light in all work areas and communal spaces. A cascade of terraces divides 8
©BoysPlayNice
the two buildings, while similar terracing on the eastern facade gives every office floor direct access to generous outdoor spaces. Communal roof gardens offer panoramic views across the city.
www.zaha-hadid.com
INDUSTRY UPDATES
NEWS IN BRI EF:
©BoysPlayNice
RG+P HONOURS FOUNDER’S LEGACY
PERSONNEL The latest appointments from the construction and architectural industries.
TWO SENIOR PROMOTIONS AT BEARD
NICOLA HAMILL JOINS CONSULTANCY PICK EVERARD
CPW PROMOTES TALENTED TRIO TO DIRECTOR ROLES
Beard, the award-winning contractor, has announced two key promotions in support of its expansion plans. Director Mike Hedges has been appointed as the new Company Operations Director, overseeing all offices, including a new South Coast office. With nearly three decades of construction experience, Mike’s influence has grown since joining the business in 2015. Jamie Harwood, Swindon Director, takes on the role of Safety Director, reinforcing Beard’s commitment to safety across the company. Both promotions are effective from January. Beard, amid highprofile project completions, has also achieved Investors in People ‘Gold’ accreditation for the fourth successive time, highlighting its peoplefirst approach.
Pick Everard has enhanced its team with the appointment of Nicola Hamill as the new Director of Landscape Architecture, reinforcing the firm’s growth trajectory. With nearly three decades of expertise in urban design and regeneration, Nicola’s role spans mentoring, interdisciplinary discussions and design reviews, initially in London and Leicester. She expresses excitement about contributing to Pick Everard’s dynamic projects and diverse client base. In her leadership role, Nicola emphasises leveraging individual team skills to achieve business objectives. Her focus includes supporting the firm’s response to emerging needs, especially regarding biodiversity net-gain legislation, aligning with Pick Everard’s commitment to both excellence and sustainable development.
International building services consultancy CPW is celebrating significant growth with the promotion of three team members to director roles. Hazel Andrews, from the sustainability team, Jim Buckley, leading the public health team, and Jon Willmott, heading the acoustics team, showcase CPW’s expansion into diverse disciplines. Hazel, with 11 years at CPW, has been instrumental in growing the sustainability team. Jim, contributing for over seven years, outlines exciting plans for sustainable engineering research. Jon, establishing the acoustics team in two years, expresses pride in meeting growing demand. CPW’s promotion reflects its commitment to people and diversified services, positioning the firm as a multi-disciplinary sustainable engineering consultancy with nine specialist teams. 9
rg+p, a leading Midlands design firm, has unveiled a distinctive memorial sculpture honouring its late Founder, Richard Galey. Crafted in oak, the 3D form integrates Richard’s initials, the result of an inhouse competition won by Architectural Technologist Tsvetan Hristov. Inspired by Richard’s risk-taking and visionary spirit, Tsvetan used AI-driven image generators to explore abstract forms, settling on flame-like shapes with the initials RG. The sculpture, fabricated by local specialists, symbolises wisdom and endurance. Displayed at rg+p’s Leicester studio, it features Richard’s life dates and an inscription. A bursary scheme, the Richard Galey Memorial Bursary, offers up to £2500 annually for innovative business ideas within the team, reflecting Richard’s entrepreneurial legacy.
AITKEN TURNBULL DESIGN CREATES NEW CHURCH Aitken Turnbull has designed a modern church in Perth’s Bertha Park development, blending seamlessly into the expansive community. Initiated by Perth Presbytery, the church serves as a worship space and a community focal point in the 3000-home development. Aitken Turnbull transformed a retail space, providing a flexible, open-plan environment for various community activities. The church, a cornerstone of the community, offers meeting spaces for local ministers and hosts events like coffee mornings and study groups. The church, serving as a purpose-made community space, reflects the Church of Scotland’s active role in communities.
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
INDUSTRY UPDATES
ARCHITECT IN PROFILE
This month, we talk to Alasdair Rankin, the creative force steering Aitken Turnbull Architects. From a childhood LEGO fascination to designing spaces that defy norms, Rankin’s interview unveils the unique path he’s carved in the architectural world. Find out more about his impactful projects, including transformative work with Macmillan Cancer Support, and catch a glimpse of the lighter side – a memorable story involving a scaffold ladder and mistaken identities. AITKEN TURNBULL ARCHITECTS
Plan for a proposed new golfing-based leisure facility
ALASDAIR RANKIN IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AT AITKEN TURNBULL ARCHITECTS
Tell us about your career journey. From an early age, I was fascinated by LEGO (in fact, I still have some in my office). This developed into an interest in design and making. By the time I was deciding on university courses, I was torn between architecture and geography. However, I realised quickly that my interest in geography was predominantly in how the environment influences people and how they live and that a career involved in making and shaping the built environment was for me. Were there any pivotal moments or experiences that solidified your decision to pursue a career in architecture and design? The most important moments have been interactions with inspirational people and places. On a university open day, I met the leader for the course I went on to study. His interest in people and the impact well-designed buildings and environments can have on their lives convinced me to study architecture. In my first year out, the director I worked for specialised in healthcare work and, as a result, I was able to see the improvements in the patient experience from well-designed, patient-focused buildings. As I’ve progressed in my profession, I’ve come to enjoy sharing my knowledge and seeing younger team members progress in the industry.
www.aitken-turnbull.co.uk FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
If you hadn’t followed your passion for being an architect, what other career path would you have pursued? I like to think I would have been a chef. The combination of creativity and pressure appeals to me and the idea of motivating and inspiring a team – or in that case a brigade – to get through a service as well as actually producing something tangible that brings joy to people, and I love the instant feedback! 10
Who has been your greatest influence and source of inspiration? I’m inspired by the belief that things could be better, that the places and buildings we have could be improved and that our lives and experiences could be better. Too often we allow the quality of what we do to be dictated and limited by inadequate environments and buildings. The drive to improve this is a constant influence and guide. What’s been the most memorable project you’ve worked on? I’ve been fortunate to work on an amazing range of projects; from the conservation of listed cathedrals and the design and delivery of contemporary pipe organs in venues and concert halls around the world to award-winning boutique hotels and contemporary office fit-outs. The work I’ve done with Macmillan Cancer Support, designing and delivering bespoke environments for people living with cancer, is among the most rewarding. Some of the projects are small but the impact that a considered, highquality environment makes on the lives of those who use the building is huge. I know as an Architect that we can’t change the circumstances of the people getting a cancer diagnosis, but we can improve the environment that the news is delivered in and that treatment and support is given. Can you share a personal anecdote or experience that taught you a valuable lesson about being an architect? The one that sticks with me is a simple one about being methodical on site visits and respecting the rules on building sites. When I was training, I was fortunate enough to work on restoration works on St Giles’ Cathedral in central Edinburgh. One Friday morning I went to site to check something I’d missed the day before. I’m old enough to remember the days of printed drawings and large plastic drawing tubes that you carried them in.
INDUSTRY UPDATES
Hawick Business Centre, which sits within the town Hawick in the Scottish Borders
Queen Elizabeth House flagship UK Government building in Edinburgh I arrived to find the site was closed up and the cabins locked. Undeterred, I took the spare key, opened the heras fencing and started to climb the scaffold ladder. I was around halfway up when I hear shouts from below about ‘armed police’. I looked down and discovered it was me they were shouting at. Apparently, the large black tube strapped to my back had raised concerns as I climbed towards the cathedral roof as the then-First Minister of Scotland was about to meet the Russian Premier at the front of the cathedral and the site had been closed to prevent the roof being a security risk. Thankfully, no shots were fired and, after a fairly awkward conversation, I was allowed to leave. Explaining it to my thenboss was slightly more challenging! Could you walk us through a typical workday in your role? It sounds like a cliche, but no two days are the same. My time is split between meeting clients, working with colleagues and team members, and running the business. This can see me visiting one of our studios to spend time with the team, or review progress on a project, travelling to meet existing clients across the UK or meeting potential new ones. I’m fortunate that I love what I do, so I don’t mind that I often start early and finish late. I have a fairly short attention span so jumping between multiple different tasks really suits me. What is your favourite building and why? I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to a single building! Jean Nouvel’s Institut Monde d’Arabe is one of the most elegant; although, at the same time, so complex that I don’t think it ever really worked as it should.
Dominique Perrault's National Library of France in Paris is a simple, beautiful urban gesture that incorporates a library, a civic square and a park in a very crisp and clean grand gesture. David Chipperfield’s work at Museumsinsel in Berlin, specifically the Neues Museum, is a fantastic reimagining of the original building preserving the layers of history, including the damage from World War II and making the building an exhibit in its own right. I can’t wait to see his Procuratie Vecchie in Venice! In your opinion, who is the greatest architectural mastermind of our time? It’s difficult to narrow down, but, on balance, Norman Foster. I think his ability to maintain an inquisitive approach for so many years, to grow into a truly global practice designing everything from cities to furniture and tableware while loving what he does is difficult to beat. If you were hosting a dinner party to discuss architecture and design, and you could invite three individuals, either from the past or the present, who would you choose to join your conversation? This is probably the most difficult question. I’d love to ask Brunelleschi how he built the dome on the cathedral in Florence, and I’d really like to talk to Battista Farina of Pininfarina about how he designed some of the most beautiful cars ever made. But, ultimately, I’d want to have dinner with Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and David Chipperfield. While their architecture and approach is different, they have overlapped through their careers – with Foster and Rogers studying and working together and Chipperfield having worked for both. As well as their 11
Macmillan Support Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, Northern Ireland approach to architecture, I’m interested in their ideas on legacy and developing and inspiring future generations. I could also spend hours speaking to Chipperfield about sailing and designing yachts with Luca Brenta. Looking ahead, what projects can we anticipate from you in the coming year? We have some really exciting projects on site that will complete in the next 12 months including a 350,000ft2 fit-out in Croydon for the Government Property Agency. Our practice is growing and, as well as strengthening our existing studios, we are planning to open a new studio in Manchester. We already have a pipeline of projects in the North West and are looking to build from these to establish a strong local base that engages with the local community. We’re also expanding into new sectors, growing our offering while maintaining our current high standards and knowledge-driven approach. FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
SMART BUILDINGS
Smart Spaces app at 22 Bishopsgate
SMART SPACES WINS SANTANDER TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AT THE GROWING BUSINESS AWARDS 2023 Smart Spaces has announced that it has won the Santander Technology Business of the Year at the Growing Business Awards 2023, an annual event that honours the UK’s most outstanding entrepreneurs and high-growth SME businesses. SMART SPACES
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mart Spaces won because the judges were impressed by how much it had grown in such a short period of time. Its smart building operating system (OS) is leading the market, helping to support customers meet their ESG goals, and has subsequently established the UK as a world leader in smart building delivery. Now in its 26th year, the Growing Business Awards took place at an exclusive gala and dinner ceremony on 29th November at the Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square in London. Dan Drogman, Smart Spaces’ Chief Executive Officer, says: “Our ambition is to be the world’s leading smart building operating system for commercial real estate. We’re rapidly realising this goal, as evidenced by our recent business performance and the future pipeline of projects we’re working on. Winning the Santander Technology Business of the Year at the Growing Business Awards makes us extremely proud, given it’s a respected external third party highlighting and endorsing what we’ve achieved.”
Key success highlights: Over 65 million square feet of global office space is now managed through its software platform 30% reduction in building energy emissions achievable in the first year on average through the use of the Smart Spaces OS Operations worldwide, with projects in 26 countries, including Hong Kong, Dubai, Paris and New York A new office opened in Prague this year to target mainland Europe A strong foothold in the UK with prestigious customers including AXA, CBRE, The Crown Estate, GPE, JLL, Hines, Landsec, Lewis Silkin and Santander. Smart Spaces’ software is used in some of the most celebrated developments in London. For example, 22 Bishopsgate, Bankside Yards, Hanover Square, Paddington Square and 1 Berkeley Street – but further afield in Manchester (The Noma neighbourhood) and Leeds (Wellington Place).
www.smartspaces.app FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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Dan Drogman is Smart Spaces’ Chief Executive Officer Europe’s first Apple Wallet integration at 22 Bishopsgate in London for access control, partnering with the trusted identity provider HID. This makes it quicker and more convenient for workers to utilise the Smart Spaces app to gain access to the building – and use its facilities – as the employee badge and credential required for door entry are ‘saved’ in Apple Wallet. Leveraging HID Mobile Access, this means staff do this using their iPhones or Apple Watches. Other major new operating system developments include integration with Charge Point. This enables people to quickly find the closest EV charging stations for their cars directly from the app.
05-07 March 2024 / ExCeL, London
05 - 07 March 2024 ExCeL, London
what will you take a stand for? Driving Collaboration and Innovation for a Sustainable Built Environment at the sectors most influential, large scale exhibition and conference. Futurebuild is more than an event; it’s a call for action. It’s a platform to engage and collaborate, and a stage for debate. It’s three days of education and dissemination of knowledge, and a showcase of innovation.
Take a stand for a better built environment.
www.futurebuild.co.uk
Join us at Futurebuild 2024
VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY
IS EARLY SUPPLY CHAIN INVOLVEMENT THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION YOU HAVEN’T ASKED YET? GEORGE WOOLLARD
George Woollard, Technical Director at Keyline Civils Specialist, expands on the Construction Playbook’s take on early supply chain involvement and how it can benefit architects, designers and, ultimately, entire projects. KEYLINE CIVILS SPECIALIST
IS THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AT KEYLINE CIVILS SPECIALIST
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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nnovation, efficiency, value. That’s a snapshot of what early supply chain involvement (ESI) promises, according to the Government’s Construction Playbook. Advising that the earliest stages of design and specification should be a collaborative effort, the Playbook is effusive about the potential benefits this brings. Taking some of the weight off architects and designers, ESI brings contractors, distributors and manufacturers into the pre-construction phase to “positively inform improved design, delivery and operational outcomes”. Policies and guidance in the Playbook are, of course, for the public sector, but we’re all aware that where the Government leads, the private sector soon follows. Involving all levels of the supply chain in specification can help us innovate while saving time, money and stress down the line. ESI and the Construction Playbook answer questions architects and specifiers may not have realised they needed to ask – it’s designed to do more than make your life easier; ESI opens up opportunities for innovation that could take projects to the next level.
Heavy emphasis is placed on creating outcome-based specifications in the Construction Playbook, where clarity on the function of each aspect of design is vital. The Government points to this and engaging early with the supply chain as “critical factors in achieving timely and costeffective delivery, design input, adherence to standards, costing, risk management and overall project structuring”. Collaboration with the supply chain at the start of a project makes the entire operation more efficient, as the time and money spent on resolving issues that were missed at specification is saved. With increased pressure on architects from the Building Safety Act, it can also help with compliance. Input from suppliers is key to more effective designs – their technical advice is essential to reducing changes and costs, and results in faster delivery when construction starts. It’s not just cost effectiveness, sustainability or even performance that architects need to consider when creating a specification; it’s all outcomes. As the Construction Playbook suggests, involving the supply chain in this process early will make this a far easier undertaking.
An outcome-based approach to specification
Collaboration? First comes communication
“Projects and programmes should adopt an outcome-based approach focused on wholelife value, performance, sustainability and cost.”
Much of what is laid out in the Playbook seems almost common sense. It begs the question: why have organisations in the construction and civil
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VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY
engineering industry operated in many ways as silos when the slightest increase in communication opens so many doors? A contractor might identify a problem on the ground, and a designer has to scramble to find a solution within a short timescale – the manufacturer is bypassed and, at extra cost and a project delay, the issue is fixed with a makeshift solution. This doesn’t need to be the case. Architects and specifiers, more than anyone in the industry, know the importance of good planning. It’s a classic quote, but the construction and civil engineering industry feels it more keenly than most: by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Architects are, by the nature of the work, extremely thorough, but there will always be considerations overlooked and opportunities missed. Getting new perspectives and technical minds on a project is invaluable. If you have a wealth of expertise available to you, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it? For many architects, it’s not a lack of willingness but awareness. Everyone has a process, and it can be hard to look outside of that when you’ve done things in a certain way for so long. Though this is beginning to change, many wouldn’t even think to pick up the phone and discuss a challenge with a supplier: opening up those communication channels and establishing that easy rapport and trust is crucial to ESI. The Playbook touches on this, and it’s certainly a factor when it comes to sharing ideas and finding innovative solutions.
Opening the door to sustainable innovation Where innovative solutions are discussed, it usually doesn’t take long for sustainability to become part of the conversation. In the modern world of design, sustainability is always a consideration – but it’s often limited to existing products. You can look through the products available for a viable, sustainable alternative, but if you can’t find it, that’s the end of the line. With ESI, that isn’t necessarily the case. The Construction Playbook discusses “innovative thinking” and “inviting the market to suggest novel solutions to problems”. When manufacturers and suppliers are involved in specification, you can create product-based solutions; if a sustainable product doesn’t exist yet, there may be an opportunity to design and manufacture one. Opening discussions and regular rapport with the supply chain is critical to identifying these opportunities. Though, it must be mentioned, that even the Playbook alludes to the difficulties of weighing up a push for innovation with “commercial conditions”; balance, as always, is key. For architects, specifiers and anyone working on a construction or civil engineering project, ESI presents an opportunity – through the supply chain, you can drive innovation, cut your workload and save time and money. It just requires a little communication.
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FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
LEGAL & BUSINESS
WHAT TO DO IF NEGATIVE ONLINE REVIEWS ARE IMPACTING YOUR BUSINESS You work hard to build a reputable business, then a bad review comes along and dents it overnight. What can you do? ARTEMIS MARKETING
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oday’s customer puts heavy emphasis on online reviews, with 90% of us forming our own purchasing decisions 1 based on other people’s experiences and star ratings. Our brains also seemed to be wired to seek out the negative, with 96% of us looking specifically for negative reviews 2. That’s why it can feel debilitating if we receive a bad customer review – all that hard work undone with a few scathing words. Here, Mike Knivett, MD of SEO agency Artemis Marketing, gives his advice on what to do if you’re worried about bad reviews damaging your reputation.
Respond! Most customers will forgive a negative review if they can see you’ve responded well. Answer the review in a professional way, showing you value the customer’s feedback and are making every reasonable effort to address their issues. The worst thing you can do is ignore the review or give a rude, tit-for-tat reply.
Take it offline What you don’t want is a public slanging match, so take the conversation offline if you can by responding to the negative review with an offer to have a personal conversation around their issues. And if you do manage to solve their problem, explain the damage their review is doing to your business and ask if they’ll remove or improve it. If they’re satisfied, there’s a good chance they will. FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
Put it into perspective Your overall star rating on Google Reviews takes into consideration all your customer reviews, so if you have lots of positive reviews, one or two negative ones won’t make a significant difference to your overall score – worth keeping in mind if you find yourself in a panic.
Focus on generating positive reviews Because lots of positive reviews offset a few negative ones in terms of overall star rating, the best approach is to focus on generating more good reviews. The individual negative comments will always be visible, but they’ll be overshadowed if you have plenty of glowing customer feedback.
Your customer may have done you a favour While it could feel that one bad review blots an otherwise squeaky reputation, it could actually do you a favour. Modern customers can be cynical, believing five-star reviews across the board must be fake. Research shows that a more influential rating is between 4.2 and 4.5 stars 3. The odd negative review could, therefore, help people see you as more trustworthy!
Nurture your online presence The best way to protect yourself from the impact of a negative review is to get your website to a good place. Even 16
MIKE KNIVETT IS MD OF SEO AGENCY ARTEMIS MARKETING. IT WORKS WITH OVER 130 BUSINESSES, MANY OF THEM IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WHO BENEFIT FROM ARTEMIS’ SUPPORT IN ENSURING THEY BECOME HIGHLY VISIBLE ONLINE AND THEIR WEBSITES ALWAYS MAKE THE RIGHT IMPRESSION.
if a bad review crops up, you can still earn the trust of potential customers by achieving a high domain authority. That means having a website that ranks well on search engines, achievable through being rich in relevant content, having high-quality images, showcasing your work, keeping blogs up to date and generating links back from other reputable websites. To do this well requires know-how and time, so consider outsourcing for the best results.
www.artemis.marketing FOOTNOTES: 1
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020836/
share-of-shoppers-reading-reviews-beforepurchase/ 2
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/online-
review-statistics/329701/#close 3
https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/03/you-dont-
want-a-5-star-review/?guccounter=2
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rockwool.com/uk 17
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
THE OPERA PARK, COBE
THE OPERA PARK OPENS IN COPENHAGEN Danish architecture studio Cobe has announced the completion of the Opera Park in Copenhagen. In a time of intense construction activity throughout Copenhagen, green recreational spaces have become more and more scarce. Yet, in the heart of the dense and historic city centre, one of the inner harbour’s prime locations has not been developed but transformed into a lush, green park island, featuring six gardens and a greenhouse. Situated between the Royal Danish Opera and Cobe’s soon-to-be-completed Paper Island, the Opera Park offers a green escape from the bustling life of the city. COBE
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n 2019, following a design competition, The A.P. Møller Foundation appointed Cobe to design a new park at a former industrial island in Copenhagen’s inner harbour. Located next to the Royal Danish Opera, the site had been a modest green lawn since the completion of the opera nearly 20 years ago. Utterly transformed today, the island, which was otherwise prime for the development of new housing, is now home to a diverse and natural landscape. Named the Opera Park, this new public harbour-front park creates a green counterpoint to the otherwise densely-built inner harbour of Copenhagen. The park, with the size of three soccer fields, consists of six gardens from various parts of the world: the North American Forest, the Danish Oak Forest, the Nordic Forest, the Oriental Garden, the English Garden and the Subtropical Garden, housed within a greenhouse and atrium at its centre. The diverse gardens hold surprises such as a fountain, a water lily pond and a reflecting pool where drops of water from a mast gently strike the water’s surface in a soothing rhythm. Meandering paths and organically-shaped flowerbeds knit together the park’s elements. Dan Stubbergaard, Founder of Cobe and Professor at Harvard, explains: “The Opera Park is a place where nature comes first amidst Copenhagen’s bustling urban development. With its six gardens, winding paths and carefully-crafted viewpoints, the project seizes elements of Copenhagen’s historical, romantic gardens to tackle today’s challenges, such as a decline in biodiversity and water management. Designed for recreation, relaxation and contemplation, the park provides the city with a much-needed green oasis. As you stroll through the park, you get the feeling of having left the city and being immersed in nature, almost forgetting you are in the middle of the dense city centre.” FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
A year-round oasis, setting the stage for all kinds of life Designed to be an inviting, all-year-round public attraction, the park features no less than 628 trees, 80,000 herbaceous perennials and bushes and 40,000 bulb plants from all around the world. In total, 223 unique exotic and local species provide a vibrant and ever-changing backdrop for visitors. The vegetation’s appearance, scent, colour and density vary with the seasons. Spring blooms in a rich colour palette, summer brings various shades of green, autumn showcases red and yellow tones and winter is dominated by evergreen pine trees and frozen ponds. The wide variety of plant species and diversity of sizes provide a rich environment for birds and insects to find food and shelter. Dan Stubbergaard elaborates: “The Opera Park sets the stage for experiencing nature in the heart of Copenhagen. Like an opera stage, the park is a composed landscape with a foreground, a middle ground and a background. The 80,000 plants and 600+ trees are placed to naturally create a scenic setting facing the harbour. The terrain and trees are tallest where they create the background, and lowest in the foreground towards the harbour.”
A greenhouse at the heart In addition to the gardens, the park features a central greenhouse with a cafe, giving access to car parking underneath the park’s surface. The greenhouse is designed as an organically-shaped glass structure with a hovering roof, intended to surprise and delight visitors as they navigate the lush landscape. The greenhouse and cafe will ensure that the Opera Park remains a vibrant destination year round, even during winter when many of Copenhagen’s parks are desolate. Inside, the greenhouse terraces down to the parking levels, which accommodate 18
up to 300 cars, while its subtropic biotope also descends to vertically weave together the park with the underground levels.
A covered connection to the opera The park also features a covered connection to the adjacent Royal Danish Opera via a covered walkway atop a landscaped bridge, allowing a weatherprotected link between the parking facility and the opera. Echoing the architecture of the greenhouse, the walkway’s curved glass and floating roof evoke the landscape design in its meandering path. As one of three bridges to the island, the connection is designed as a piece of nature crossing the harbour canal, fully-integrating landscape and architecture into one.
Benefitting from rain and sun Rainwater is considered a valuable resource for the park, channelled from the roof of the Royal Danish Opera into underground water reservoirs used for greenhouse irrigation. Pathways are designed with a permeable gravel surface, and excess rainwater is collected in rain beds for infiltration and evaporation. The green roofs of the landscaped bridge and greenhouse capture and delay the release of rainwater to the site while also serving as a food source for the park’s fauna. Solar panels on the opera’s roof provide power to the underground parking facility, the park and the greenhouse. The park’s chosen materials are robust and fully recyclable, while the abundance of trees and plantings shield against strong winds coming from the harbour and the sea, reducing turbulence and increasing the level of comfort for park users. Furthermore, the elevated terrain safeguards the island from flooding during heavy rainfall and significant rises in the harbour water level.
www.cobe.dk
THE OPERA PARK, COBE
Photos: ©Francisco Tirado Drawings: ©Cobe
FACT FILE: Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Client: The Opera Park Foundation Donation: The A.P. Møller Foundation Size in total: 21,500m2 Size of greenhouse: 680m2 Engineers: Vita, Via Trafik, DBI and Lüchninger Meyer Hermansen Contractors: Hansson og Knudsen, Bauer, Redtz Glas og Façade, HSM Industri, GK Danmark, Bravida Danmark, Høyrup & Clemmesen, KONE, Phønix Tag, Jakon, Areo, Terrazzo.dk, Raadvad Maleren, Snedkerierne, OKNygaard, Palmproject Europe, Scanview Systems, Zurface, Retail Reflexions and Vector Foiltech Parking spaces: 300 Charging stations: 48 AC chargers and 1x2 DC chargers Bicycle parking spaces: 100
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FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
AZABUDAI HILLS, HEATHERWICK STUDIO
©Raquel Diniz
HEATHERWICK STUDIO DESIGNS ITS FIRST DISTRICT IN JAPAN
©Kenji Masunaga
The Prime Minister of Japan has opened a new district in the heart of Tokyo designed by Heatherwick Studio. The project, known as Azabudai Hills, is the culmination of a 30-year regeneration process steered by Mori Building Co., Japan’s leading urban landscape developer. HEATHERWICK STUDIO
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he new neighbourhood is made up of residential buildings, retail spaces, a school, two temples, art galleries, offices and restaurants, all set within 2.4 hectares of green, publicly-accessible landscape. Heatherwick Studio is the lead architect of the public realm and the podium-level architecture. The design encourages purposeful connections between commuters, residents and the public, and the 8.1-hectare district is filled with trees, flowers and water features. Meandering routes and walkable rooftop slopes invite exploration and informal gatherings. Thomas Heatherwick, Founder of Heatherwick Studio, said: “We were inspired to create a district that connects with people’s emotions in a different way. By combining cultural and social facilities with an extraordinary three-dimensional, explorable landscape, it’s been possible to offer visitors and the local community somewhere to connect with each other and enjoy open, green public spaces. This is a joyful and unique public place for Tokyo, designed to be cherished for many years.” Tokyo is a juxtaposition of old and new architecture, with large and small buildings pressed up against each other. The design celebrates this rich mixture of layers and all the variety and intensity of the city. Residents and visitors can come together and be inspired by a new landscape that includes extensive public gardens, a central square and ‘The Cloud’ event space. It is now one of Tokyo’s greenest urban areas and continues Mori Building Co.’s commitment to creating garden cities where the landscape simultaneously supports nature and people. Throughout the 30-year regeneration of this site, Mori Building Co. collaborated with over 300 residents and businesses to bring the district to life. Over 90% of the original tenants and businesses have now chosen to return to the new district. FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
©Raquel Diniz
©Kenji Masunaga
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To find out more about these products visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com 21
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024 www.firmanglass.com
AZABUDAI HILLS, HEATHERWICK STUDIO
Azabudai Hills is also on track to become one of the world’s largest sites to receive the preliminary WELL certification, the highest-level LEED Neighbourhood Development certification for mixed-use developments, and LEED’s BD+C (Building Design/Core and Shell Development) certification. As part of the development, Heatherwick Studio has designed its first school, The British School in Tokyo. At 15,000m2, this is the largest international school in the heart of the city. The design takes full advantage of the local climate with a seamless flow of outdoor learning and recreational spaces spread across eight levels, where students and teachers can enjoy working. Neil Hubbard, Partner and Group Leader at Heatherwick Studio, adds: “Over the last 10 years, we have tried to get under the skin of what makes something distinctively Tokyo whilst at the same time adding something new that’s fresh and soft to its modern built environment. We wanted to create vistas full of variety and intrigue and spaces to explore. It’s a confluence of different families of design all brought together in one place. I can’t wait to watch people explore it.” An estimated 25 to 30 million people will visit this new public district every year.
©Raquel Diniz
©Raquel Diniz
©Raquel Diniz
©Raquel Diniz
©Raquel Diniz
©Raquel Diniz
www.heatherwick.com
FACT FILE: Project name: Azabudai Hills Location: Tokyo, Japan Client: Mori Building Co. Completion date: November 2023 Size: 8.1 hectares Design Director: Thomas Heatherwick Group Leader: Neil Hubbard Project Leader: Michael Lewis Project Manager: Elisa Simonetti Technical Design Lead: Andy McConachie Project team: Adam Peacock, Adriana Cabello, Ana Diez Lopez, Alberto Dominguez, Andy McConachie, Artur Zakrzewski, Aurelie de Boissieu, Ayumi Konishi, Charlotte McCarthy, Chi Chung, Dimitrije Miletić, Elli Liverakou, Etain Ho, Etienne de Vadder, Gabriel Belli Butler, Ho-ping Hsia, Ian Atkins, Iván Linares Quero, Jacob Neal, Jorge Xavier Mendez-Caceres, Jose Marquez, Kacper Chmielewski, Kanru Liu, Kao Onishi, Katerina Joannides, Ken Sheppard, Laura Barr, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Luis Sacristan, Luke Snow, Mat Cash, Megan Burke, Michael Cheung, Nic Bornman, Nicolas Leguina, Nicolas Ombres, Nilufer Kocabas, Ondrej Tichy, Paalan Lakhani, Paul Brooke, Philipp Nedomlel, Ruby Law, Sayaka Namba, Silena Patsalidou, Silvia Rueda, Steven Ascensao, Takashi Tsurumaki, Ville Saarikoski, Wang Fung Chan and Yanny Ren.
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
22
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FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE
ADOPTING BEST PRACTICE FOR THERMAL IMAGING SURVEYS
Surveying homes more effectively When it comes to improving energy efficiency, architects and construction companies have a range of effective solutions that can be implemented. These include better insulation, triple glazing, sustainable electricity and heating solutions and eliminating leaks. Every property is different, of course, so it does not make practical or financial sense to implement all these measures in every home. Implementing best practices must be a priority, which means carrying out thermal imaging surveys of properties for energy wastage prior to carrying out a retrofit to ensure a tailored solution is put in place appropriately. Doing so will not only prevent unnecessary work from being carried out, but it will speed up the project and, more importantly, reduce the overall cost. The aim of such surveys is not just to identify the issues a home has with energy efficiency and CO 2 emissions but also to calculate the cost of fixing them. Today, this is achieved using Building Information Modelling (BIM) for building envelope thermal performance analysis and energy efficiency evaluation. Thermal imaging provides a number of key benefits. Most importantly, it clearly pinpoints a property’s energy inefficiencies so that architects and construction companies alike know precisely from where heat is escaping. Crucially, this infrared technology can detect problems that other survey methods often fail to spot, including porous brickwork, wall cavities, gaps in window fittings and waterproofing issues. By using thermal imaging, stakeholders are provided with highly-detailed information that enables them to target each home’s specific problems. As a result, effective retrofit strategies can be put in place that don’t suffer the waste of an off-the-shelf approach.
For architects and construction businesses, it is clear that improving energy efficiency and reducing CO 2 emissions remain key priorities when retrofitting the country’s housing stock. In light of this, Stewart Little, CEO of IRT Surveys, part of the Mears Group, explains why infrared thermal imaging is considered best practice when surveying properties and its value for retrofit decision making. IRT SURVEYS
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espite COP28, it is evidently clear that there is still much work to be done to reduce carbon emissions. At the same time, the recently-announced rise in the UK energy price cap, 8% for gas and 5% for electricity from January 2024, means householders will continue to struggle with the costs of running their homes. According to the UK Government, “typical bills under the January to March 2024 price cap will be almost 60% higher than in winter 2021/22 1”. If this is not challenging enough during a cost-of-living crisis, the situation for those living in homes with an EPC rating of F is even worse. They will pay over £700 more for their energy than someone living in a C-rated home 2. Properties with a poor EPC rating can, therefore, cause significant financial problems for their occupiers and be a major contributing factor to residential CO2 emissions. Indeed, the country’s housing stock is forecast to account for 95% of built environment emissions by 20503. This makes the roll out of energy-efficient, low-carbon retrofit programmes vitally urgent if the country is to quickly tackle issues like fuel poverty and climate change.
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE
Additionally, further costs and inconvenience can be avoided thanks to thermal imaging being a non-invasive surveying solution. Using infrared technology means homeowners don’t have to endure survey damage, and construction companies forgo the time and expense of repairs. Ultimately, the key beneficiaries of thermal imaging are the householders. Given the current cost-of-living crisis, such precise surveying methods ensure that their retrofit leaves them with warmer homes that are less costly to heat, and which have a reduced impact on the environment.
The value of data When implementing effective retrofit strategies, architects and construction companies need to ensure their project has the right approach and secure available funding. These challenges can be overcome by working with an experienced and well-established thermal imaging provider. Such partnerships can bring stakeholders the expertise and guidance needed to develop the most effective retrofit strategies and access available funding and grants. By deploying advanced, cloud-based software, specialist thermal imaging companies are able to unify BIM, thermal imaging and other data. This enables a housing portfolio’s energy performance to be analysed in a way that identifies the most energy-efficient retrofit strategy while, at the same time, offering up-to-the-minute information about funding availability. Furthermore, combining thermal imaging with energy-saving calculator technology provides retrofit projects with a degree of accuracy previously unachievable. This impartial, data-driven ecosystem approach delivers assured outcomes for retrofit projects, ensuring effectiveness and cost efficiency.
Thermal imaging paired with energy-saving calculator technology brings significant advantages for architects and construction companies developing retrofitting projects. A valuable element of best practice, it ensures strategies are effective and have assured outcomes while improving occupiers’ standards of living and cutting CO 2 emissions.
www.irtsurveys.co.uk 25
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS
The Vault
IMAGINATIVE BRICKWORK ENSURES BUILDING DESIGNS THAT EVOKE OUR ARCHITECTURAL PAST AND PRESENT As a building material that spans the ages, brick can be used to create buildings that reflect the past as well as represent the here and now. IG MASONRY SUPPORT
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n the context of mixed-use developments, which aim to revitalise and repurpose historically-significant areas in UK cities, imaginative brickwork plays a crucial role. These projects breathe new life into spaces,
transforming them into vibrant hubs that offer a unique visitor experience where old and new worlds collide to form an environment that is respectful of an area’s past whilst laying the foundation for its commercial future.
Associate Christian Wren of MATT Architecture stands proud of the building design
Local area exploration Evolving these areas into desirable destinations brimming with local character and filled with attractive shops, bars, restaurants, offices and multi-level living spaces takes many months and years of planning. For architects, this includes intensive research in the form of local area exploration to ensure their design reflects a location’s past and present culture. Such insight is valuable to informing the preservation of existing structures, as well as incorporating historical elements into the new design. Uncovering a development site’s back story is also crucial to drawing inspiration from architectural styles that are relevant to an area’s characteristics in respect of colours and forms. Contextual design ensures that a new structure harmonises with its surroundings and contributes positively to the local aesthetic.
Urban planning considerations Understanding the broader urban context is vital to evolving architecture that resonates with the local populace whilst being practical to its needs, particularly in densely populated areas. Engaging with urban planning considerations is key to exploring how designs fit into the larger urban fabric. It takes into account factors such as transportation, infrastructure and zoning regulations, each of which must be navigated to result in architecture that enhances the landscape and allows society to function effectively and safely. FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS
Intricate brick features utilising Welded Masonry Support and B.O.S.S. (Brick on Soffit System)
Colour and style It’s estimated that brick in its earliest mudclay composite form dates back to 7000 BC. Nearly 10,000 years later, it is still very much in vogue as a tried, trusted, durable building source. Once considered a one-size-fits-all solution, brick is now available in a variety of colours and textures. It means architects have an increasingly-wide palette to work with when it comes to sourcing a solution that is location appropriate.
Common bricks These versatile bricks are renowned for their affordability and widespread use. They are not the obvious solution when aesthetic considerations are to the fore, as they are generally covered with render or other materials and inconsistent in colour. However, their structural strength makes them ideal for building shared walls or a second internal wall layer. Most common bricks are manufactured with a simple clay mix.
Facing bricks This brick type, composed of clay or concrete, allows for diverse design possibilities. Available in a variety of colours, textures and sizes, facing bricks provide a visually-appealing facade whilst offering long-term protection against weather extremes. Their precise manufacture ensures aesthetic uniformity and contributes to energy efficiency by insulating buildings and regulating temperature. In terms of colour, shades of brick exist to suit whatever the required aesthetic for a feature wall or a housing and retail development, where style and appearance
are a headline priority. A brick’s shade is created by the materials used, but light, dark and multicoloured varieties are available. Sand, stone, buff, yellow, brindle and red are examples of lighter brick colours, with darker options available in shades including anthracite grey, brown, deep reds and near black. Bricks also come in a range of smooth and rustic textures, depending on the design intent.
Intricate brick features at the building’s central pier utilising Welded Masonry Support and B.O.S.S. (Brick on Soffit System) creating closure to the ground
Case study: Ilona Rose House Ilona Rose House, an exciting new building project in central London, offers a fine example of how brickwork can be used to ensure vivid new commercial ventures retain their heritage. A mixed-use development that bridges the Tottenham Court Road Opportunity Area and Soho Conservation Area, Ilona Rose House comprises 80,000ft2 of office space, along with retail, restaurants, an art gallery, nightclub and eight apartments. The stunning redevelopment is built on the site of the old Foyle’s Bookshop on Charing Cross Road. Spread over 13 storeys, including four below ground and 14,000ft2 of southwest-facing terraces on the upper floors, MATT Architecture’s design for the highlydecorative and cantilevered facade includes rose motifs across each floor of the building. IG Masonry Support’s Welded Masonry Support (WMS) and B.O.S.S. (Brick on Soffit Systems) were crucial to facilitating the creation of brick details that brought real kerb appeal to the Ilona Rose House development. This was particularly in relation to the building’s central pier, which demanded 27
various patterns to be incorporated within the brickwork. One such detail was a series of arches that formed a vault that extruded from the central pier to the building’s corners. To finesse the distinctive and impressive design, the arches needed to create an optical illusion of closure into the ground. For the vault area, which creates a passageway from Greek Street to the Mews area of the development, the design required a continuous hanging brick effect utilising IG’s Brick Slip Soffit Panels. The Ilona Rose House development’s challenging yet bold aesthetic was brought to life using three different brick types, each one containing a different shade. Durable, strong and capable of fulfilling a range of complex design requirements, brick covered all of the architect’s bases. It will ensure this high-profile central London building retains its stability and looks for many years, hence its completion.
www.igmasonrysupport.com FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
NET-ZERO & CARBON-NEUTRAL BUILDINGS
LOOKING BEYOND THE LABEL Last year’s COP28 brought together world leaders to make a commitment to do more in the drive to reduce the global carbon footprint. Construction, a traditionally-high emitter, was under a stark spotlight, with everyone from specifiers to contractors now expected to do all they could to cut embodied and operational CO 2, says Christian Mabey, Managing Director at Optima Products. OPTIMA PRODUCTS
W
ith this ever-increasing awareness of climate change mitigation, built environment professionals are showing an increasing preference for perceptively green product solutions, whether for structural elements or decorative purposes. Unsurprisingly, it’s led to an increasing appetite for timberbased materials due to their superficial, often assumed, green credentials. In turn, metals, such as aluminium, iron and steel, have been avoided in equal measure due to apparent carbon intensity. However, this is a simplistic approach. Analysing the true sustainable status of any material needs to go beyond measuring carbon produced from merely sourcing, manufacturing and distribution. Any evaluation must take into account the availability and renewability of the resource, whole-life embodied carbon and performance qualities, including insulation and thermal conductivity. So, let’s take timber as our first example. It’s universally known that trees act as natural carbon sinks,
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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meaning the timber produced from them has essentially locked the carbon into its matrix. By its nature, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, we must consider timber’s full lifecycle too, i.e. the embodied carbon from production through to the material’s fate at the end of life. Lesser appreciated is that the carbon stored in timber only remains locked into the wood for as long as a building remains standing or if it’s directly transferred into another one. If it rots or is burned for energy, then all this stored carbon is released. Currently, it’s estimated that half of all construction timber ends up in landfills, with 36% recycled and 14% burnt for biomass1. So, until timber’s end-of-life fate is addressed, the carbon footprint across an entire lifecycle does not necessarily intrinsically, or positively, contribute to environmental sustainability. Let us then make the comparison with, say, aluminium, a product integral to the partitions we manufacture at Optima. The first major difference between aluminium
NET-ZERO & CARBON-NEUTRAL BUILDINGS
and timber is that the latter is a renewable resource in a way the former cannot be. A finite amount of aluminium exists in the earth, whilst timber, such as that sourced for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is continually replenished with the planting of two or three trees for every tree felled. However, in turn, aluminium, despite the limits of virgin material, is infinitely recyclable, whilst retaining its inherent structural and performance properties. It’s this recyclability that places it on a more equal footing with wood. Furthermore, advancements in recycling techniques and a greater understanding of green construction mean that aluminium for buildings, fixtures and fittings is now recycled at a rate of 92 to 98% 2. Recycling or reusing aluminium not only eliminates the carbon emissions released from extracting and manufacturing virgin alternative materials but also reduces the number of materials in landfills. This minimises the energy required for the production of new aluminium because we’re reusing what already exists. In fact, an energy saving of 95% energy can be achieved from recycling aluminium when compared to the same quantity of aluminium made from virgin materials. So you see, there’s more than initially meets the eye for both materials, so it’s best not to jump to quick conclusions when specifying for sustainability. It’s important to look at the whole supply chain from gate to grave and beyond. Indeed, we should be approaching this from a more circular approach and, regardless of material, looking at ways in which to delay or prevent the release of CO 2 into the atmosphere for as long as possible. Furthermore, if the materials in question (either aluminium or timber) are manufactured or designed for reusability, their sustainable credentials are boosted even further, as the energy used for recycling is eliminated, lowering embodied carbon. Any reduction or delay in the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is a welcome move, and clever product design will make the most of any construction material used. It’s something that not only prompted us to switch to the most sustainable grade of aluminium on the market, Hydro CIRCAL, for our doors and partitions but also the launch of our Reuse Service to ensure we extend the lifecycle of our products and maximise the opportunity for reuse. Ultimately, designing in reusability as a primary consideration builds in a greater degree of sustainability. Particularly, it makes the very best use of a finite resource, making it eminently as attractive as cultivating an infinite but a questionably sustainable one.
www.optimasystems.com FOOTNOTES: 1
Arup, 2014
2
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Alfed, 2022 FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
DOORS & WINDOWS
FIRE DOORS – IS IT TIME TO MAKE FIRE DOOR INSTALLATION A REGULATED PROFESSION? Isn’t it time fire door installation became a regulated profession? We ask Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager for Doors at Stairways Midlands, an expert in his field with more than 25 years’ experience and a member of the British Woodworking Federation Council, to set out the argument. STAIRWAYS MIDLANDS
F
ire doors are a carefully-engineered fire safety device required by law in many circumstances to help safeguard life in the event of a fire. It is not enough that they are compliant in themselves – to work effectively, it is essential they are fitted correctly. Yet, there is no formal qualification required to be able to fit a fire door, and the profession remains unregulated. Richard Kowalski is among the leading figures in the sector calling for that to change.
What is the status quo? While there is no mandatory qualification needed to install a fire door, a level of expertise and competency is required: the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO/FSO) sets out that fire doors should be installed by a “competent person”, however, a question mark remains over “what competency means in this context”, explains Richard. FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
There are voluntary, third-party certification schemes for installation contractors, such FIRAS run by Q-Mark, for example, or Certifire certification. Adds Richard: “These schemes mean that the installation company has to have processes and procedures in place – they need to be ISO certificated, attending training courses, inspected both on site and within their offices and in their processes and know how a fire door works. “The trouble is each scheme is run differently. The schemes are not mandatory, and they can be very expensive to both be a member of and to manage. “There is a real mixed bag out there, with some contractors having have achieved this high standard, and others who think finding a course online makes them a competent person – especially, in my experience, when it comes to small residential developments outside of big cities. 30
“A gas engineer couldn’t install a boiler legally unless they are registered with Gas Safe, with all the requirements and training that entails. Yet any joiner can turn up on site and install a fire door. The implications for safety can be just as serious.”
Leaving the door open for mistakes While there are examples of good practice, without proper regulation, the door is left open for serious mistakes, believes Richard: “While awareness has improved, we are still turning up on sites and seeing big gaps around doors, doors in the wrong openings or the use of the wrong mastic, because the installer doesn’t know to check the fire certificate and look at the minimum and maximum gaps for that product to make sure it is compatible with that specific doorset. “With the new regulatory requirements around ongoing inspection and maintenance of fire doors, we are seeing a number of projects from the past 10 years revisited – uncovering fire doors that were never installed correctly and would never have been viable or compliant, which goes to show the extent of this problem. “We’ve even seen inspectors go in and pull off the architrave and find there was no mastic at all between the frame and the structural opening in any of the doors.
DOORS & WINDOWS
You can have the best possible fire door, which is 100% compliant – but fire will find the weakest point. In this case, they almost might as well have left it open!”
Taking responsibility New legislation also demands more from those specifying, installing and responsible for maintaining fire doors – there is a golden thread of responsibility for ensuring the door is compliant and safe. Adds Richard: “There is a misapprehension that installers don’t have a responsibility once they’re off site – but they can be held liable for up to 30 years under changes to the Defective Premises Act brought in under Building Safety Act 2022 – and that applies to all dwellings. “There is a lot for them to do, especially in the case of traditional hung doors. Installers have a responsibility for ensuring the door leaf is compliant and compatible with all the components, from the intumescent, to the ironmongery, to the closer, as well as getting the fitting right.” Unfortunately, there is “a massive education gap”, adds Richard. “Not just among joiners and installers, but also site managers, buyers and the housebuilders themselves. Everyone has the responsibility to get this right, but it
often comes down to NHBC or building control inspectors when they come on site to uncover the issues. “As manufacturers, we take our responsibility very seriously. We send out installation instructions with every order acknowledgement and at call off. Every door has a QR code that links to installation instructions, and we have luggage tags on the bottom of every door to make people aware that the undercut might need adjusting – again with a QR code linking to instructions. Our toolbox talks and training are also always available to joiners and contractors. “It’s not enough to think “I’ve been a chippy for 25 years, so I’m competent”, or “we’ve done it this way for years and never had a problem”. You might have been doing it wrong for years, unfortunately. “While this remains an unregulated profession, we are still going to see mistakes that mean fire doors fail inspection, or even worse, fail in the event of a fire and cost someone’s life. “That is why it’s so important that we resolve this issue of competency in the legislature and ensure that every fire door is fitted correctly the first time.”
www.stairways.co.uk 31
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
BUILD FOCUS: TEMPORARY & POP-UP ARCHITECTURE
BUILD FOCUS:
TEMPORARY & POP-UP ARCHITECTURE
Pop-up and temporary architecture are redefining urban environments across the UK. Here, Nicole Gordon, CEO of BID Better Bankside, shares her experience of creating vibrant, adaptable and community-enhancing structures in London’s Bankside.
UNLOCKING URBAN VIBRANCY Pop-up urbanism can amplify a neighbourhood’s brand – as long as the spirit is in keeping with an area’s authentic identity. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) BETTER BANKSIDE.
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ver the past 25 years, Bankside has undergone significant transformation, with major redevelopment projects reshaping its landscape. Work continues apace across the neighbourhood with at least 20 schemes in the pipeline, including the completion of the new Borough Yards retail destination. Amidst these commercial property schemes are cultureled art installations strategically placed around the area by Business Improvement District (BID) Better Bankside. On the face of it, these placemaking activations might seem far less influential than the work of Bankside developers, but the reality is quite different. These creative details are key to amplifying the vibrancy and eclecticism of Bankside’s ‘London’s Other Side’ identity, and this is the very thing that inspires financial investment amongst developers. Last month, in collaboration with JTRE London, we installed a ‘playable’ Urban Playground outside the Triptych building. The fluffy, blue and pink sculpture offers a pocket of vibrant surprise, which will encourage workers, Banksiders and tourists to stop, rest, meet and engage in non-prescriptive ‘play’. Its installation is deliberate and thoughtful, and just one example of the creative details we are using to maintain the distinctiveness and dynamism of Bankside. It is also a way to influence how people use and move around our neighbourhood. Triptych Bankside is an iconic building, and this pop-up will encourage people, other than those who work inside, to stop and dwell. FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
We have known for a long time that public art, strategically placed, also influences how people navigate and experience areas. An example of this is a recent commission focused on Borough High Street, an area with a medieval network of inns and yards that historically went unnoticed. Better Bankside commissioned Artist Farouk Agoro to create a mural at the gateway to Mermaid Court. This large-scale piece of public art has transformed an underused thoroughfare into a visually-engaging space. It has not only drawn attention to the historical significance of these particular streets, but it has also diverted pedestrian traffic from one of Bankside’s busiest streets to its lesserknown alleys. Over time, street art in Bankside has become layered, building a critical mass of irreverent creativity that has become synonymous with the area and its identity. Importantly, the street art tells the story of Bankside – its history and its unique brand as a destination – and this is critical when it comes to using temporary architecture in the urban realm. The key principle is that, even if temporary, decisions around art and public structures must align seamlessly with a place’s authentic heritage and narrative. It must fit with what is already material in an area. To celebrate 25 years of Shakespeare’s Globe, we organised a public art trail featuring 25 Shakespeare quotes interpreted by 25 different artists and creators, including a prominent mural by Luke Embden, which can be seen at the neighbourhood’s vibrant bar, Flat Iron Square. The Shakespeare trail was temporary, but the thinking behind it was based on Bankside’s lasting history, 32
heritage and the fact that Shakespeare’s Globe is part of our neighbourhood, and much of the art has remained in the public realm to this date. Our Bankside Urban Forest strategy, launched in 2007, is a testament to Better Bankside’s commitment to enhancing public spaces, and this has principally been delivered through temporary, pop-up architecture. This initiative goes beyond simple greening; it aims to punctuate streets and spaces with elements of interest, be it public art, seating areas or unique planters. In a maze of historic streets and places, creative details are strategically employed to encourage people to enjoy areas outside the landmark sites. Notably, the Better Air benches, designed as colourful seating areas and unusual planters, have successfully captured the attention of passersby, even when placed in unexpected locations. For Bankside, pop-up urbanism works particularly well because it plays into its distinctive identity. The uniqueness, vibrancy and lack of homogeneity in surprising and new details align with the spirit of the area. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the significance of “place” has taken on a new meaning, the ability to offer something genuinely different becomes crucial in attracting people to districts like Bankside. In this context, temporary architecture can not only amplify what already exists but also resonate with areas that have a playful and creative spirit.
www.betterbankside.co.uk
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TECHNICAL FOCUS
CAN YOU FUTUREPROOF YOUR SPEC AGAINST FUTURE REGULATION?
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he UK has a rich architectural heritage, with buildings that have stood the test of time for centuries. Much of that built environment legacy would come nowhere near passing contemporary Building Regulations, but it was built for a different time when environmental and safety considerations were not high on the agenda. The grand structures of the Victorian era were built to make a statement of permanence and prosperity and are likely to have as much time ahead as they do behind them. Contemporary construction projects face different definitions of anticipated service life and sustainability. But in a world where specifiers need to be accountable for the longevity of their projects as part of a building’s environmental credentials, anticipating future compliance, quality, safety and eco performance must form part of a best practice approach. If we consider the recent issues with RAAC concrete and combustible cladding, it’s clear that specifiers cannot rely on current compliance criteria and industry practice as reliable goals for sustainable buildings that will stand the test of time and remain fit for purpose for decades ahead. Instead, a strategy of selecting the best available solution, which anticipates future standards and thereby reduces the risk of future remediation requirements, will enable better-performing buildings with longer service life, reduced whole-life costs and improved environmental credentials.
Mark Halliday, Divisional Facade & Technical Manager at ARBO, part of Carlisle Construction Materials, asks how specifiers can be confident that the materials they choose now remain compliant throughout the lifecycle of the building and offer a fit-and-forget solution that delivers on safety, sustainability and performance. ARBO
Boosting facade safety The Grenfell tragedy was the catalyst for much higher standards of safety and performance in facade specification, resulting in more robust specification requirements and transparency on testing and certification of materials. Approved Document B, Regulation 7 states that “...Building work shall be carried out so that materials which become part of an external wall, or specified attachment, of a relevant building, are of European Classification A2-s1, d0 or Class A1…”, a stipulation that has dramatically improved the safety of apartment blocks and other buildings that fall into requirements for residential developments of 18m and above. But when those regulatory requirements became mandatory 10 years ago, they were put in place with a degree of pragmatism, enabling the exemption of certain facade products – such as membranes, gaskets and seals – because there were no products available to fit the criteria. FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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TECHNICAL FOCUS
Those exemptions were only from the need for class A2s1, d0 or Class A1 certification, however, not from the need for any fire classification at all. An obligation to specify all elements of the facade with the best possible fire resistance has remained both a moral duty and integral to the principles of Approved Document B, Regulation 7. With Class A-rated facade membranes now available, a further update to Approved Document B seems likely and necessary at some point in the future. So the question for specifiers is what’s the most appropriate strategy – to do what’s required to ensure compliance with current Building Regulations or to act in the best interests of the project, the client and future occupiers by looking beyond any exemptions to select materials with improved safety and performance?
Facade protection
Like any building material, the performance of facade membranes is reliant on the quality of the installation and, by choosing a self-adhesive EPAM membrane, specifiers can not only avoid the mess from paste associated with previous generation EPDM methods, which is better for the environment, but can also enable ease and speed of installation, for more consistent and accurate installation at critical junctions.
While it’s the cladding material that gives a building its aesthetic finish and ensures compliance with Approved Document B, Regulation 7, facade membranes play an important role in weatherproofing and protecting the building. Modern buildings are designed to breathe, which means they should be able to expel moisture and humidity generated by everyday living while retaining the warm air generated from heating. The waterproofing, airtightness and breathability performance delivered by facade membranes protect the structure from water ingress while allowing naturally-occurring moisture vapour to leave the structure, reducing the risk of interstitial condensation and improving the lifespan of the building, along with its energy efficiency. This is a critical part of the specification, which is still permitted to fall below A2-s1, d0 or Class A1 fire safety criteria. However, thanks to improvements in membrane development, facade membranes long need to fall below those stringent standards. It is now possible to specify a Class A fire-rated external envelope using a Class A fire-rated breather membrane, Class A fire-rated vapour control layer and a Class A fire-rated EPAM membrane.
Raising the bar Changes to the Building Safety Act, which came into force in October, mean that the whole construction delivery chain is now more accountable for building safety. Greater transparency is required from building owners who have to share information about the safety of their buildings and any safety measures in place, and all those responsible for building safety are more accountable, with penalties for non compliance. Hindsight taught us many things following the Grenfell disaster, one of which was that compliance should not be a tick-box exercise to meet a minimum standard but a culture of doing the right thing to deliver the standards of performance, safety and sustainability that contemporary building products allow. Investment in improving building product functionality and safety is happening all the time, giving specifiers the opportunity to make choices that improve the buildability, quality and safety of their projects, futureproofing them for when regulation catches up.
What is EPAM? Improving fire safety, building performance and buildability in a single solution, EPAM is the next generation of EPDMtype facade products, which can fully waterproof windows or structural openings with a Class A fire rating.
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FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
EVENTS
SURFACE DESIGN SHOW 6-8TH FEBRUARY 2024
SURFACE DESIGN SHOW RETURNS FOR 2024 Surface Design Show is back for 2024 with a brand-new theme, the return of new and familiar elements – such as the New Talent showcase, the Stone Knowledge Hub – the expert speaker programme and, of course, the Surface Design Awards. From 6 to 8th February, Islington’s Business Design Centre will play host to the very best in material innovation giving interior designers and architects invaluable insight into the latest trends and insights. SURFACE DESIGN SHOW
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he theme for the 2024 edition is ‘Mindful Living’ and explores the balance between design intuition and analytical thinking to achieve meaningful experiences. The idea of Mindful Living will address what role materials and their properties will play in the multi-sensory space, how the virtual and real worlds continue to merge and what technological advancements and investments in new design approaches mean for the built environment. Among the elements where the theme will feature prominently is Surface Spotlight Live, the material showcase curated by design and trend expert Sally Angharad. This is located at the heart of the show and will, once again, shine a light on cutting-edge surfaces, finishes and processes that embrace the future and harness the vital role materials play in design across all dimensions. The ever-popular Opening Night Debate will also focus on the Mindful Living theme and be hosted by Journalist and Editor Louis Wustemann. This can be found on the main stage, where, over the rest of the two and a half days, a range of debates, panels, trend forecasts and insights
into the latest material innovations will take place. The Legends Live series of fireside chats with experienced industry professionals also returns. From well-known names to those just starting out in the industry, Surface Design Show has it all. The New Talent area, curated once again by Jennifer Castoldi, Chief Creative Director at Trendease, will be a must-visit section of the show with the very best in emerging creatives displaying an inspiring range of biomaterials, natural materials, textiles, furniture and wallpaper. The Surface Design Awards are, of course, a much-anticipated part of the show, receiving global recognition and attracting an impressive number of entries from the UK, Europe and Asia. The awards celebrate and promote excellence in material innovation, and the 2024 edition is judged by an expert panel, cochaired by Charlotte McCarthy, Head of Interiors at Heatherwick Studio and Nimi Attanayake, Director and Co-Founder of NimTim Architects. This year’s Surface Design Show will see a presentation by Colour Hive entitled CMF Directions 2025. Colour
www.surfacedesignshow.com FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
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Hive, which has more than 20 years’ experience forecasting and publishing design, colour and material insight, will host live seminars featuring two diverse stories from its 2025 forecast exploring the macro drivers, colour palettes and material and finish directions in an inspiring and insightful presentation. New for 2024, Surface Design Show is partnering with an innovative charity called Furnishing Futures. It creates beautifully-designed, fully-furnished healing homes for women and children who have escaped domestic abuse and been given empty social housing, often even without flooring or white goods. Founded by Interior Stylist, Writer and Social Worker Emily Wheeler, the charity is based in Leyton, East London, and takes referrals from a number of specialist domestic abuse services and grassroots organisations. As part of the partnership, UK-based Street Artist Olivier Roubieu will create three live murals during the show, which will be auctioned with the proceeds going to Furnishing Futures. Don’t miss the 2024 Surface Design Show for a unique exploration of the latest trends in material innovation.
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www.esg.glass t: 01376 520 061 e: sales@esg.glass 37
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS
Wind wash affecting traditional stepped running flashings
UK WEATHER CHANGES: WHERE DO ‘EXPOSED AREAS’ START AND FINISH? It is always prudent to consider behaviour changes of rain that arise when it is accompanied by the wind. Directional wind will alter the water flow path and the subsequent speed of water runoff. CAVITY TRAYS
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ater will swiftly transverse a flat vertical wall under regular wind-accompanied conditions, whereas wind flow patterns into a curved wall will follow the curve, suspending the water to a greater extent. The water flow continues to defy gravity and transverses the masonry until the Coanda effect diminishes and it falls away.
This behaviour is more pronounced with high-rise buildings, where a wind speed of 25m/s can result in the upper-top areas of a high-rise building experiencing twice the horizontal rain intensities, regardless of whether the wall elevation is flat or curved. As a rule of thumb, higher wind speeds significantly affect the wetting pattern of walls.
Blue dots show the continuous DPC staircase arrangement created with Type X trays and the overlaps of the alreadyattached flashings
www.cavitytrays.co.uk FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
01935 474769 38
Directional wind will affect the performance of flashings. Water wash, when blown into a leading edge of a traditional running stepped flashing, will seep under the edge and, in so doing, will be immediately in contact with masonry that is supposed to be kept dry. The masonry is external but becomes internal below the roofline and, once under the flashing, natural gravitation will feed dampness downwardly into the now ‘inside’ wall. If dampness is visible following a storm, checking flashings should be at the top of any checklist. Flush pointing is always recommended around flashings and, unlike recessed and angled pointing, flush pointing does not support water channelling along its face. It removes the opportunity for recessed pointing to act as surface conduits, feeding rain into and under flashings. The old 4F rule should always apply: flush finished, flashed face. A proven, reliable approach is to use preformed cavity trays with ready-shaped flashings already bonded on. The individual flashings overlap, and this results in a protective second layer being in place at every step. If wind-driven rain challenges the leading edge, direct contact with masonry is prevented as the under flashing arrests the water. Consequently, this type of tray is manufactured by one of the longest-established specialists, Cavity Trays, and is known as the Type X for gable abutments. It is favoured, especially on exposed sites. With the current weather changes nationwide, who knows where exposed areas in the UK start and finish?
enquiries@cavitytrays.co.uk
FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS
ZENTIA UNVEILS NEW INNOVATIVE BIOBLOC FAMILY – PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS BIOGUARD Zentia, one of the UK’s market leaders in complete ceiling solutions, is excited to announce the successful launch of its new Biobloc family, formerly known as Bioguard. The range, launched on 29th November, offers high-quality performance in areas such as infection control and acoustics, making it the ideal solution for healthcare and various commercial settings. ZENTIA
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he Biobloc family features the Biobloc Acoustic tile and Biobloc Plain tile. The tiles have been meticulously designed for application in healthcare environments, particularly in
www.zentia.com
areas where the risk of infection varies from moderate to severe. The Biobloc tiles feature an additional coating that actively inhibits the growth of micro-organisms, contributing to enhanced hygiene and
0191 497 1000 39
safety. They are also water repellent, allowing for effective disinfection as well as fogging in alignment with established infection control protocols. The Biobloc Acoustic tile offers the same robust antibacterial qualities as the Biobloc Plain tile but with additional enhanced acoustic performance. With a Class C sound absorption rating, the Biobloc family make the ideal addition to any healthcare setting that aims to enhance patient wellbeing. As well as meeting rigorous standards for hygiene with an ISO 5 classification per ISO 14644-1:1999, the ceiling tiles have an aesthetic appeal, designed with sleek, square edges to ensure easy and seamless installation. With a high light reflectance and a uniform surface, the tiles complement the grid structure and seamlessly integrate with their surroundings, achieving a cohesive and polished aesthetic. Both tiles in the new range contain recycled content, are fully recyclable and can be recycled through Zentia’s recycling scheme for Pinnacleapproved partners. The successful launch of Zentia’s Biobloc family represents a significant leap forward, combining cuttingedge technology, sustainability and design to meet the ever-evolving demands of healthcare and commercial environments. With its aesthetic, acoustic and antibacterial features, the range offers a complete solution for organisations looking to prioritise infection control and acoustic performance without compromising on aesthetics and sustainability.
info@zentia.com FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
BUILDING ELEMENTS
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ROCKWOOL LAUNCHES WHITE PAPER TO SUPPORT FIRE SAFETY OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROOFS
A new white paper explores how to identify and mitigate fire risks for flat roofs functioning as additional social or practical spaces of a building, including for solar installations. ROCKWOOL
he role of the roof in modern building design has expanded significantly in recent years. Now, ROCKWOOL has published a white paper aimed at helping specifiers and roof contractors to consider and plan for possible fire risks arising from flat roofs being used as multifunctional spaces for a variety of social and practical applications, highlighting, for example, the increasing number of solar energy installations. ‘The Flat roofs: The functional fifth façade’ paper explores the fire safety implications of modern multifunctional roofs and discusses best practices for identifying and mitigating the risks. It also explains the role of the guidance provided in approved documents, including Approved Document B (ADB) for fire safety, and examines potential limitations of such advice for non-standard flat roof circumstances and scenarios. “While the use of flat roofs as functional spaces is not a new concept, the practice has become more and more popular in recent years, especially in increasingly crowded urban areas,” explains Lisa Stephens, Product Manager – Building Envelope at ROCKWOOL UK. “Now, flat roofs don’t just house plant and building services but energy efficiency infrastructure and social spaces, too.” With the increasing complexity of the flat roof space in mind, this white paper addresses the risks associated with social and commercial uses of flat roofs, considering implications such as greater footfall and the impact of penetrations from building services and cabling on compartmentation and fire resistance.
https://rockwool.link/ffpr
ASWS LEADING THE WAY ON LEAD ASWS
HAMWORTHY LAUNCHES NEW CIBSE-ACCREDITED HEAT PUMP CPD AND WHITE PAPER HAMWORTHY HEATING
Hamworthy Heating is pleased to announce the arrival of two new resources – ‘An Introduction to Heat Pumps’ CIBSEapproved CPD and ‘The Hamworthy Roadmap to Decarbonisation’ white paper. ‘An Introduction to Heat Pumps’ covers the main heat pump operating principles, such as energy, refrigeration, technology and efficiency, highlights the different types of commercial heat pump equipment available and explores the influencing factors that need to be considered before selection. The ‘Hamworthy Roadmap to Decarbonisation: Planning Your Journey’ white paper features an in-depth examination of decarbonisation. It discusses the challenges of implementing a roadmap to decarbonisation and how heat pumps play a pivotal role in this transition.
01202 662552 www.hamworthy-heating.com FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
Director of ASWS, Kris Bennell, commented: “There is a temptation for people to think lead paint is very much a problem of the past, but because it is tricky to remove safely, there has been a tendency in the industry to just apply new coats of paint over the top. Therefore, if lead paint is present, it is likely to be the bottom one or two coats, which means there remains the risk that if the surface is impacted by trolleys or other hard objects, then small fragments or dust can be inhaled and cause serious illness. As we did recently on a large project in London’s Dover Street, you apply a water-based alkaline paste to windows or other surfaces, which must remain for 24 to 72 hours before being scraped off. Not only is the paint retained within the ‘poultice’, but it converts any lead present into a compound that can be safely disposed of.”
www.asws.co.uk
0208 665 5335
VENT-AXIA’S SENTINEL APEX WINS SECOND AWARD VENT-AXIA
Vent-Axia impressed the judges at the inaugural ECN Awards 2023. The Sussex-based company scooped the ‘HVAC Product of the Year’ award with its Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex, the next generation of commercial heat recovery ventilation. Vent-Axia received the accolade at the glittering ECN awards ceremony on 30th November, held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry. “We are delighted our Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex won the ‘HVAC Product of the Year’ at the prestigious ECN Awards. This marks the second award for the Apex in the last month,” said Louise McHugh, C&I Product Manager.
www.vent-axia.com projectorders@vent-axia.com
0844 856 0590 40
info@asws.co.uk
BUILDING ELEMENTS
CONCEALED AUTOMATION OPENS DOORS TO ZARA CONCEPT STORE IN LONDON TORMAX
TORMAX was recently contracted by Permasteelisa (UK) to install its iMotion 1302.KI operators to the eight sets of swing doors that deliver seamless access into the new Zara concept store in the world-renowned Battersea Power Station development. With a focus on clean lines and contemporary aesthetics, the door drives are discreetly hidden within each door lintel. “TORMAX is a pioneer in the realm of invisible automation thanks to the meticulous design of our iMotion high-torque motors,” says Simon Roberts, Managing Director of TORMAX UK. “Having eliminated the parts known for wear and tear, maintenance requirements are minimised, and an extended lifespan can be expected. This technology allows us to offer two concealed automation solutions. The iMotion 1401 operator is situated within the floor below the door, whilst the 1302.KI is positioned within the lintel.” The multiple angles of the glass and metal-fronted exterior blend in with the urban plan of the complex, with the TORMAX automatic swing door operators providing welcoming access from Electric Boulevard, the pedestrianised high street outside the power station.
NEW KNAUF INSULATION SOLUTION DEBUTS ON UK’S LARGEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ARENA KNAUF INSULATION
Knauf Insulation has launched FactoryClad Roll 35, a noncombustible glass mineral wool solution for built-up metal walls and roofs with the lowest embodied carbon of any equivalent 35-lambda mineral wool product on the UK market. FactoryClad Roll 35 was specifically developed to insulate the 12,000m2 roof of the new Co-op Live arena in Manchester, one of Europe’s largest and most sustainable live entertainment arenas. FactoryClad Roll 35 is non combustible with the best Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. Because it is made of mineral wool, it also acts as a sound-absorbent lining within built-up metal roofs, so it will help control the reverberation of internal sound. It comes in five thicknesses between 60 and 220mm and is manufactured at a width of 1200mm for speed of fitting. It also has a high tear strength, which ensures its durability and ease of handling during installation. FactoryClad Roll 35 is manufactured with ECOSE Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added phenol or formaldehyde and is 70% less energy intensive to manufacture than traditional binders.
www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/factoryclad-roll-35
www.tormax.co.uk sales@tormax.co.uk
01932 238040
F. BALL LAUNCHES RAG 2024 F. BALL AND CO.
DIFFUSION’S NEW MODULAR HIGHLINE 235 FAN COIL RANGE SHORTLISTED AT THE PRESTIGIOUS CIBSE BUILDING PERFORMANCE AWARDS DIFFUSION
Diffusion is thrilled to announce that it has reached the shortlist in the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2023. The company’s new Modular Highline 235 Fan Coil range is in the final line up in the ‘Product or Innovation of the Year – Thermal Comfort’ category of the awards. The new range has been developed to create the perfect indoor environment, offering modular design, compact dimensions and advanced components that deliver low sound levels, reduced energy consumption, optimal performance and significant sustainability benefits. “Our new modular range is almost endlessly configurable and offers quiet, high performance and energy-efficient heating and cooling for the perfect indoor environment,” says Alexis Roberts, Brand Manager at Diffusion.
www.diffusion-group.com 0208 783 0033 cooling@diffusion-group.com
F. Ball and Co. has unveiled the latest edition of its industryleading Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG), which sees new adhesive recommendations for floorcoverings launched by manufacturers over the past 12 months now added to the guide. The RAG enables contractors and specifiers to quickly check the compatibility of F. Ball adhesives with over 6000 branded floorcoverings from over 200 leading international floorcovering manufacturers – offering flooring professionals the most comprehensive guide to floorcovering-adhesive compatibility available. In addition to the annually updated A5 printed book, a continuously-updated version of the guide is available on the F. Ball website and as a mobile app.
www.f-ball.com
01538 361633
mail@f-ball.co.uk
BOURNEMOUTH BUILDER HAILS BENEFITS OF WEST FRASER PANELS WEST FRASER
An experienced carpenter and builder based near Bournemouth, who has been involved in the construction of bespoke homes for two local developers, has taken to social media to demonstrate the speed and efficiency of installing West Fraser’s CaberDek, as well as the manufacturer’s SterlingOSB Zero. Amongst the properties currently under construction are two mirror-image, three-bedroom detached houses where the stick-build frames are being sheathed with 11mm SterlingOSB Zero to provide racking strength. Then at the firstfloor level, Steve and his fellow chippies are laying 22mm CaberDek across the floor joists prior to installing the wall plates.
uk.westfraser.com
01786 812921 41
FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
BUILDING ELEMENTS
Frontage of Sadler’s Wells East showing the canopy. Courtesy of Sadler’s Wells.
Deflection and natural frequency Tight deflection requirements and natural frequency had to be overcome, too, and the detailing was again calculated using Finite Element Software. The contractor and design teams provided values for both long-term deflection and dead-load deflection only, which determined the amount of pre-camber required during construction. This was a challenging section to calculate due to the additional support factor of the raked end, which sits on a rigid wall.
Expansion and contraction issues
SCHÖCK CHOREOGRAPHS BESPOKE CANOPY AT SADLER’S WELLS EAST Enhanced by the saw-tooth roof design, reflecting the industrial heritage of the site, Sadler’s Wells East will join the cultural heritage of the East Bank development at Stratford when the new dance theatre opens at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2024. The design has many distinctive features, but a major focal point is a cantilevered canopy. This runs the length of the frontage and is designed to carry a precast green roof – which presented several design and structural challenges. SCHÖCK
A bespoke solution from Schöck The canopy is 51m long with very high support loadings, carried by the end profile of the in-situ RC cantilever beams – each 500mm wide x 950mm deep, with a cantilever of 4.6m. The span between the beams is 4.2m, with 12 beams along the canopy length. In the normal permanent condition,
the moment and shear loads were 900kNm and 360kN, respectively. Due to the complexity of the loads and arrangement of the bespoke Schöck Isokorb elements required to transfer such high forces into a relatively small concrete beam section, the support rods were designed using Finite Element Software. The cantilever beams, aligned
with internal supporting beams, allow the Isokorb rods to penetrate far enough into the structure to distribute the demanding loads. In addition, it was necessary to consider bomb-blast loading, which introduced uplift forces. So, the design had to accommodate loads in both positive and negative directions for both moment and shear.
Totally verifiable performance
Isometric viewed from below (cantilever beam highlighted in red). Courtesy of architect firm: O’Donnell + Tuomey.
www.schoeck.com/en-gb/solutions FC& A – JANUARY – 2024
The length of the main canopy and the size of the rods required to transfer the main forces meant that thermal stresses would be caused by the expansion and contraction of the external concrete. Expansion joints, therefore, had to be introduced at every third beam (approximately 8.4m centres), which carry the load from one set of precast canopy sections onto the supporting beam. Here, Schöck incorporated its new heavyduty Stacon shear force doweltype SLD. This new dowel is a uniquely compact product and, as the anchoring bodies have been reduced in size, it has the advantage of enabling higher loads to be installed in thinner slabs and walls, optimising onsite reinforcement.
The dependable and fullycompliant Schöck Isokorb range helps projects meet full compliance with the necessary UK Building Regulations. There are solutions for concrete-to concrete, concrete-to-steel, steel-to-steel, renovation projects – and even a maintenance-free alternative to wrapped parapets. All products have the security of independent BBA certification, which provides NHBC approval. Also, the new Stacon dowel has been awarded UK Technical Assessment (UKTA) along with fire protection classification R 120.
01865 290890 42
design-uk@schoeck.com
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