ARCHITECTURE: November 2008

Sunday, November 30, 2008

When the contractors to build its own headquarters, the risks are very high to make the best of the building showed the skills. ISG has been revoked if they do not like the style, winner of the best of the best in the British Council Office Award for 2007 for refurbishment of an 70-office accommodation by ORMS Design Architecture.

Site is the sixth floor of a seven-storey office building at Aldgate, 200 chose to bring together staff from three sites. Site presented low-column space and plan the extraordinary depth, but enough technical obstacles.

One of the main intervention is the installation of a 150ft-long colored glass pavilion in the heart of the space to accommodate the meeting room. Developed with the Optima, has two leather for acoustical performance. In general, meeting areas and break-out areas of priority in the table space. To face the problem in depth the plan, ORMS also made four 'islands' area with trees that have illusions that the natural-lit lightwells.

Company colors used in public places, including the reception area with coffee bar, which is designed for visitors who resembles the lobby of a boutique hotel. From here a 'meeting' wide running from office, the office of social act.

Materials that concrete and glass timber, selected to represent the fundamental building material with wood sourced from sustainable sources. The result, says BCO judges, is a pleasant space to work in yet efficient and convenient

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Banking on success, Modernised Glaswegian bank welcomes back the original tenants

Designed in 1920 by James Miller, 110 St Vincent Street has long become one of Glasgow's most recognisable buildings, are marked with the neo-classical facade. But when the Bank of Scotland Media, broad changes that are needed to make them suitable for tenants contemporary requirements.

Grade A-listed facade remains with the original banking hall. But behind that, architects Holmes Partnership interior has been transformed into two very lettable space and increase circulation.

According to Chairman Harry Phillips Holmes, the key to this project, the installation of a new 700 tons of steel framework to facilitate the creation of an additional floor, plus the car entered the elevator rotates in the basement, which means that the land for parking can be added without affecting the historic banking hall at the top.

Original u-shaped arrangement of offices around the lightwell has been changed to fill in the lightwell to provide a larger open plan office space on seven levels. The building is now topped with a penthouse, which was built in the structural glass, which bring the building up to nine Storeys in height. Three new high-speed passenger elevator replaces the original 13.

Two-year project cost £ 20m and provide 90000sq feet of lettable space. The building is once again occupied by the Bank of Scotland, who choose to resign to many in-house improved.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Islington's green with a central source Blustin Heath can set a new precedent

Islington Council area have been open innovative Green Living Center, Blustin by Heath Design and exhibition designers KCA London. A walk-in center in Upper Street, in the heart of Islington, the local community to provide access to information about recycling and grants available for energy systems, and garden tips.

Center consists of an exhibition and information areas, which can be accessed by the public, and office space for council building control and planning officer. The exhibition area will also be exhibitions by members of the team, which will notify the improvement and development of environment-friendly properties in the road.

"Our concept is to re-strip-style council of the environment, and create a space that is a bridge between public space and office space," said architect Nikki Blustin.

The exhibition area of reclaimed panelled walls in wood, clay-colored spray paint to use. Tables made from recycled plastic bottles, and the floor is natural rubber. Feeling used as acoustic baffles, and the lighting level is set using the sensor day.

A raft suspended plastic water bottle is in the amount of water consumed every minute in Islington, and light features that are not normal, the second Each vial contains fiber-optic strand, so carefully in the interest of visitors seconds.

"As far as I know, Islington council is the first to open the Green Living Center as a public resource," said Blustin. "Hopefully, he will set a precedent."

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Chapman Taylor turns redeveloped St Pancras into a retail destination

Chapman Taylor has designed four new retail areas in London's St Pancras station. Retail elements of the scheme is split between the association and the undercroft of Grade I listed Barlow train shed, and a new extension to the north of the site.

Practices designed the shell of 62 units before tenants equipment, and joint-light and services essential to the tenant will not touch the listed building cloth. Open frontages, the frame and glass doors to maximize views from the original structure is also regulated by the company.

"The idea is to have a style quite polite. We do not want to compete with the building itself, so we are very transparent for the go-shop allows the field to see the original brickwork," said associate director Steve Johnson, who led the team.

The Arcade, complete-market outlets that will attract international tourists, running north-south through the site in the undercroft. This can also be accessed from the Circle Line and Metropolitan exit from the Allies & Morrison in the new underground station.

In the north end of the Arcade, there are east-west oriented to the farmer's market, selling fresh produce and wines from France and the UK retailers. Behind the shopping center is the new name for the local High Street which aims to communters.

Retail and catering outlets on the main level meetings, including 98 m long champagne bar, and a bar Brasserie Betjeman.

Chapman Taylor also create design standards for all commercial signage and retail fascias, Gore work with the Council and English Heritage.

Monday, November 24, 2008

A Project Architect with Austin-Smith: Lord

Austin-Smith: Lord active access to Manchester's John Rylands library

The John Rylands Library, part of the University of Manchester, but also open to the public, has been given a new five-storey extension and public entrance. £ spaced at 12.5 m "Opening the Rylands" is a project architect with Austin-Smith: Lord.

New extension of the abstract elements of neo-gothic 1,900 libraries in the massing and proportion. Dressed in white hand-patinated bronze and concrete panels, the building also reflects the clear expression of the original architecture Basil Champney library.

Building a new three-floor storage provides books, and read the top floor room with views of Manchester. It also provides access to panjat public accessible areas of the historic library, with a dramatic link between old and new.

This project also provides a new exhibition area, accessed through a dramatic glass bridge at least one stairwell in the building. For the conservation aspects of the project, ASL specialist advisers working with Lloyd Evans Pritchard.

Chris Pritchett, partner at Austin-Smith: Lord, said: "I am very proud of the project. He epitomises the attitude Manchester as a modern city that is genuine."

As the third largest academic library in Britain, which contains priceless Rylands Manuscripts, including the oldest living piece of the New Testament. St John Fragment date from 125 AD and discovered in Egypt. This is also for the book printed by William Caxton, and original works by the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Primary colours “learning curve” PFI primary in Barnsley

As part of the schools grouped Barnsley PFI project to build 13 new primary schools in the city of South Yorkshire, architects and housing contractor Carillion has completed the £ 3.6 million King's Oak Learning Center at Barnsley.

The brief was to integrate the nurseries, reception and one of the main facilities in the area in one place. A primary school for 360 children, Kings Oak merges two former primary schools in the region and incorporates a Children's Center.

The design creates distinct areas of play and learning, and emphasises each child’s progress through school years, with nursery and reception stages flowing into the learning areas. A coloured, curved wall traces the path of childrens’ zones, facilities and classrooms along an elongated design, while a large roof overhang offers protection from the elements and additional outdoor teaching space.

Colours and materials for each learning area have been chosen carefully to reflect child development. The nursery area welcomes younger children with a coloured drum emerging from its roof with a playfully angled roof “cap”.

The roof is built in an unusual combination of cedarboard and Falzinc, a pre-weathered zinc layer, which is intended to reduce solar gains and glare. “The environmental aspect of the design is something we’re particularly proud of,” says Alan Taylor of HLM.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Fame academy, new performing arts space for Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park, north London

Gollifer Langston updates throughout the year 1960 with new space for performing arts

Gollifer Langston Architects has completed the new two-stage music and dance center Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park, north London. The new building includes three studies of music, recording, practice rooms, the hotel, a green room. But the center is two big dance studies with movable walls and retractable seating, which can be transformed into an auditorium for public use.

Photo by James Brittain

The building is connected by a new bridge to a new locker rooms and sports facilities for the reception. The design includes a provision to allow for future expansion of the center to grow organically and possibly adopt the school has room.

The building fabric is highly insulated using Hemsec sandwich panels fixed to the concrete frame in conjunction with a breathable rain screen of Cembonit cladding.

All spaces are naturally ventilated with the option of mechanical ventilation and cooling in areas where acoustic conditions require sound isolation. Energy saving lighting sensors are installed throughout the communal areas with all spaces maximising natural light.

The music rooms are acoustically sealed from each other and the playing field. Angled acoustic ceilings, splayed walls and hard and soft finishes engineer sound performance. The spaces can also be used for recording, and have flexible desks and seating.

In the dance studio, strategically positioned curtain walling frames views to existing trees allowing the colours to permeate into the space. Black curtains and pivoting screens cover the windows to transform the space into a theatre setting. Facilities include flexible theatre lighting, and faceted walls to attenuate sound complete the experience.

Acland Burghley was designed in the 1960’s by Howell Killick Partridge & Amis and is famously the alma mater to Little Miss Dynamite.

Friday, November 21, 2008

YRM’s second project at Brunel University helps define campus identity

Part of a series of projects under the master plan for the university to improve its campus in the 1960s, Uxbridge, Middlesex, building by Michael Sterling YRM architects is also part of a framework agreement between universities and industry to the new "gateway" to improve the creation of zones of entry into the campus.

The main building offers services mainly for administrative management, design studio and teaching in the areas of the University of School of Engineering and Design, but also links with the university in the center of governance and the library. A two-story cylindrical extension of the side is the new home of the University Chancellor.

The 5000 sqm main building is designed around a multi-storey atrium. The exterior presents rendered blockwork with glazed elements, while a second street entrance is dedicated to offices for the University’s Business School.

In keeping with YRM’s first “Gateway” project for the University, the Mary Seacole Building, the design emphasises low-energy and sustainable principles, and maximises natural ventilation and daylight.

The new addition provides links via its atrium and the Chancellery breakout-space with the Wilfred Brown Building, the current “front door” to the campus and important hub for the University’s administration, so that the development creates new indoor and public spaces between older and recent structures.

“What’s been important is opening up new internal spaces for activities such as exhibitions and events, and providing a better sense of scale and drama for the governance centres of the university”, says Nigel Wooding of YRM.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Architecture PLB had designed the Brighton International School

PLB International School of Architecture of Brighton is an ecological model

PLB designed the architecture of Brighton International School, which offers students academic preparation courses in the city of New England redevelopment quarter, Aris said Minton. With ambitious environmental goals set by a city known for its progressive attitude, the goal was to create a functioning of the city and revitalize an area of the center-once again dominated by its link to the main train station.

The limitations of a site less than 40m in width and 150 meters long have been transformed into an opportunity, with the school's internal long street "linking its various international communities to provide care and communication.

In tandem with this link, Architecture PLB, Plincke Landscape and Brighton City Council’s ecologist worked to create a green thread running through the site. A series of green walls, courtyards planted with trees and green roofs provide carefully interconnected habitats, linking the nature conservation area to the north with city greening to the south.

The majority of the design is in exposed flat slab concrete, helping with energy conservation. External walls offer high insulation with a finish of ceramic tiles and white Sto render. With its large basic forms and colourful reveals to the street, the school responds to the industrial structures and locomotive works of the site’s heritage, and the bright tones of the locality’s fishing boats, huts and seascape.

The school not only strengthens the area’s natural ecology but connects the New England Quarter, the Laines and the London Road quarter, helping integrate an important part of the city.

“We wanted to apply concerns of environment, ecology and sustainability in their widest possible sense, and to build a proper urban school”, says Rupert Cook of Architecture PLB, the project’s director.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Two firms design health centre and health-promoting housing in London's Bermondsey Spa Well of inspiration

Artesian House in Bermondsey Spa regeneration of the area south of London represents a new approach to mixed-use development with a health center and apartments for two companies, Dransfield Owens de Silva and Pollard Thomas Edwards.

Under the scheme commissioned by Hyde Housing Association, Dransfield Owens de Silva was responsible for the ground floor of the project, which provides accommodation for four separate health services.

A health centre for the local Primary Care Trust features four flexible multi-use rooms at the front of the building, with consulting and treatment rooms accessed via a curved corridor.

Accommodation for a sexual health and disease management clinic is wrapped around a private interior courtyard. The clinic has its own waiting room, which overlooks an adjacent park that has also been re-landscaped. A separate podiatry clinic has its own entrance space, reception and waiting room as well as purpose designed treatment facilities. The project also includes space for a privately-run dental practice, a separate chemist’s shop, community care accommodation and offices for PCT staff.

At the core of the project were sustainability principles that led to the flats being awarded an Ecohomes ‘Excellent’ rating. The health facilities were shortlisted in the best primary and social care category in the 2007 Building Better Health Awards.

The project features a district-based heating system, rainwater collection and greywater recycling. The health centre also features its own green roof.

“The original competition set by Southwark Council invited the teams to put forward a sustainability programme. Environmental sustainability informed the project from the outset,” said Wendy de Silva, director of Dransfield Owens de Silva.

“We were also very keen to do community sustainability. As part of the competition we made a significant contribution to the park which has got running tracks and areas to encourage people to exercise, because health and exercise go hand in hand with well being. We thought that would be a very positive connection.”

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Underground forest Sky views for Ansell & Bailey’s basement radiography suite at the Royal Marsden

Four new X-ray suites were buried three levels below ground on a new extension of the famous hospital of cancer at the site of Sutton, south-west London. Emphasizing a broad beginning of a lobby with columns planted in concrete, the architect and Bailey Ansell has created a feeling of a sub-gray forest.

The new facilities are horizontally linked to the existing basement radiotherapy suites, but as the site sloped upwards, the project involved excavating 50 000 sqm of chalk. Below ground car parking facilities sit above the treatment facilities.

The focal point above ground is a striking entrance hall, linked by lift to the central atrium, which is the core of the reorganised patient space. Columns lift the eyes to a series of green-framed roof-lights offering views of the sky.

In the atrium, patients are greeted by staff then escorted to one of four treatment suites - each with a radiography room, control room and preparation room - that lead off the central atrium to minimise travel time between areas.

Picking up on the forest theme, the suites are called Cedar, Juniper, Rowan and Beech. The complex also contains consulting and interview rooms, and a children’s area. “It’s a very high-tech facility, but we also wanted to create a great patient environment,” says partner Ian Butterfield.

The practice is also working at the hospital’s west London site, ravaged by fire in January. Ansell & Bailey has worked to replace roof-mounted plant in a block of operating theatres that was otherwise undamaged, and is working with the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust on the future strategy for the site.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Ippolito Fleitz uses photos as personal and cultural reference points for care home Photographing memory lane

Stuttgart-based Ippolito took Fleitz Architects approach to the demand for care for the elderly, with its design of the installation of nursing Kreiskankenhaus Schorndorf, a hospital district, near Stuttgart, in southwestern Germany.

For the new facility of 1,200 square meters, Ippolito Fleitz the main concern was to promote the independence of its 33 residents. Built on one level, all rooms are wheelchair accessible and easily located in one of the two wings.

Residents’ control of the space around them is emphasised at every turn. Carefully positioned seating islands or “niches” introduce a level of privacy into corridor areas. Each has two arm-chairs, a table and a lamp, and is contained by a translucent curtain.

Outside each patient’s room, photographs from the resident’s past are affixed alongside names. “Residents often arrive in nursing homes with very little around them to introduce them to others, and to help independence and interaction,” says partner Peter Ippolito. “We’ve tried to create a caring and open environment.”

The facility’s main corridor features over 170 framed pictures making up an archive of individual and group memory, aiding both communication and identification. Including record covers from Beethoven to the Rolling Stones, poems, postcards and maps, the variety represents and reflects the uniqueness of each resident’s life story.

Materials and colours were chosen to create a home-like, non-institutional atmosphere. Walls are painted in differentiated colours, or decorated with wallpaper. The oak furniture conveys a sense of home, and are complemented by greyish-brown linoleum. Recreation areas are highlighted with inlaid carpet islands.

Residents’ choice is again stressed in the diversity of activities and spaces, including a restaurant, outdoor terrace, therapy areas and recreation areas.