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BRITAIN’S LEADING MAGAZINE FOR ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS, TECHNOLOGY AND TRENDS
November 2015 | £3.95
STARCHITECTS How do we make a starchitect?
GREAT EXPECTATIONS How the future of hospitality design is being shaped by Millenial demands
DIGITAL THEOREM Mark Ferguson, Very Own Studio, works his magic online for architecture practices Smarter, greener floors AC_OctNov15_Jade_Layout 3 27/10/2015 16:41 Page 2 AC_OctNov15_Jade_Layout 3 27/10/2015 16:41 Page 3
PUBLISHING TEAM Media One Communications Ltd 1 Accent Park, Bakewell Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 6XS Tel: 01733 385300 MANAGING EDITOR Jade Tilley 01733 385320 [email protected] PUBLISHER & CEO Robert Nisbet [email protected] COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Donna Jenkins 01733 385310 [email protected] ACCOUNT MANAGER Dawn Trowsdale 01733 385319 [email protected] PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Sheldon Colaso 01733 385305 [email protected] CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER Carole Todd 01733 385302 FROM THE EDITOR [email protected] ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER 2015 EDITION OF ARCHITECTS CHOICE Louise Stupples BRITAIN’S LEADING MAGAZINE FOR ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS, 01733 385300 [email protected] TECHNOLOGY AND TRENDS
Subscriptions and back issues ARCHITECT’S CHOICE raises a glass to Alford Hall +44 (0)1733 385300 Monaghan Morris architects, as they scooped the RIBA Email: [email protected] Stirling Prize for Architecture for 2015 with their outstanding Web: www.architectnews.co.uk Burntwood School, Wandsowrth, design. Judges this year Twitter: twitter.com/Architect_news said the building was the ‘most accomplished’ of the six
Newsstand App: shortlisted buildings, down to its shining example of how appstore.com/architectschoice architecture can help shape and mould society. We salute © 2015 Media One Communications Ltd this design that draws in natural light, connects students 2015 All rights reserved. with the building and promotes a healthy, inviting and exciting educational environment. If we could go back to No part of this publication may be school, this is where we’d want to go. Paul Monaghan, Director, Allford Hall reproduced in any way without written permission from the publisher. All views Monaghan Morris commented, “Schools can and should be more than just practical, and opinions expressed are not necessarily functional buildings – they need to elevate the aspirations of children, teachers and those of the publisher. All advertising and the wider community. Good school design makes a difference to the way students paid for entries are strictly subject to our terms and conditions, available online. value themselves and their education...” It seems apt that our Question Time question for this edition is around the use of the term ‘Starchitect’. With prizes such as the Stirling Prize, catapulting architects and their work into the public eye, it is easy to see how the name becomes synonymous with the build. If the structure has a strong command of its landscape and becomes associated and representative of a city, it makes sense that the name of the architect will follow with it. On pages 20 – 22 our panellists discuss the true meaning of the term and its significance to our industry. Rupa Ganatra, the Co-Founder of Millennial 20/20, has launched a Summit for brands and industry leaders who target the millennial generation, to come together in London next April. Here, Rupa delivers a very Jade Tilley interesting report on the subject of Millenials within MANAGING EDITOR www.onecoms.co.uk the hospitality design sector... [email protected]
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News 6 NOVEMBER NEWS All the latest design stories 23 INDUSTRY NEWS Reporting on the latest developments in the architectural world, including appointments and project completions 37 CONTRACTS + PROJECTS Top contracts awarded and projects making headway in the architecture sector Products 32 LONDON DESIGN 30 30 FESTIVAL We take a look over some of the highlights from the design season, including a review on 100% Design 42 BUILDING MATERIALS Introduced with a case study by Kebony, using Scandi design and materials for a Passive House structure 44 PLUMBING + DRAINAGE Materials for water and heat control and ways to drain away effectively Projects 10 PROJECT GALLERY 16 QUESTION TIME Our panelists discuss the subject of the rise 39 of the ‘starchitect’ and if it has real meaning in the industry 34 ARCHITECT PROFILE 10 Kenan Klico, one half of JaK Studio talks to Jade Tilley about his journey as an architect to the UK 39 MILLENIAL 18 EXPECTATIONS Rupa Ganatra, Co-Founder, Millennial 20/20, discusses how Millennials are shaping the future of hospitality 50 LAST WORD Mark Ferguson, Very Own Studio, delivers an artistic, yet mathematical solution to presenting design online
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News
ArchitectsChoice SCHOOL IS IN SESSION BURNTWOOD SCHOOL SCOOPS THE RIBA STIRLING PRIZE 2015 NEWS|BRIEF Burntwood School, a large comprehensive building, AHMM worked closely with an artist to DESIGN ONLINE girls’ school in Wandsworth, London by Allford use large, colourful murals throughout the Very Own Studio has Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) has won the buildings, cleverly combining signposting with launched a new website created exclusively for coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2015 for the UK’s modern art. leading design practice best new building. Comments from the judges: “Burntwood School Conran and Partners. is the clear winner of the 2015 RIBA Stirling Founded by Sir Terence The presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize trophy Prize. It is the most accomplished of the six Conran, Conran and to architects AHMM took place at a special shortlisted buildings because it demonstrates the Partners is a collaborative ceremony at the Royal Institute of British full range of the skills that architects can offer to design studio working across architecture, Architects in London. society. It encompasses great contemporary interiors and industrial AHMM’s transformation of Burntwood School design and clever reuse of existing buildings as design. Their team of reimagines a 1950’s modernist secondary school well as superb integration of artwork, masterplanners, campus for 2000 girls and 200 staff. The landscaping and engineering. It is a genuine architects and designers architects created six new faculty buildings and collaborative project. There was a wonderful has a world class two large cultural buildings linking original working relationship between the head teacher reputation, with a buildings by renowned 1950s/1960s architect Sir and the architect: a true partnership of equals. pedigree that spans over half a century. Very Own Leslie Martin. Every building is full of light and air Burntwood sets a standard in school design that Studio’s solution is a fresh with double height spaces at the end of each every child in Britain deserves. It is a culmination new website design that corridor to increase natural daylight and create of many years of creative toil by Allford Hall puts the work of Conran well-framed views. It offers a range of teaching Monaghan Morris in designing schools up and and Partners at it’s heart. spaces from conventional classrooms to down the country. This is their masterpiece.” interactive open spaces. Already a very sculptural Image courtesy of Timothy Soar POZZONI GETS THE GO-AHEAD Pozzoni architects announced that planning approval has been granted for their designs to overhaul and re-develop a housing site on Hesketh Road, Stafford. Pozzoni has been appointed by Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) to undertake this exciting project. Demolition of the 54 flats is now underway to make way for five new villa style apartment buildings, as designed by Pozzoni, which will create 63 generously sized, one and two bedroom rental apartments.
JOHANNA FRELIN NEW CEO OF TENGBOM Johanna Frelin has been appointed as the new CEO of Tengbom. She served most recently as CEO of Hyper Island, an international creative cutting-edge interiors for trend of yacht designers business school and ALL the limited edition town moving to land-based business innovation homes. The internationally developments. With its consulting firm. Prior to ABOARD acclaimed designers will breath-taking location and that Johanna held several Barr Al Jissah, Oman, has bring their extensive story, the synergy between management positions at announced an exclusive experience in contemporary the sea and the lifestyle at SVT, Sweden’s national partnership with superyacht yachting design to the Barr Al Jissah is clear, and it public TV broadcaster. Her designers Bannenberg & interiors of the limited is our job to weave in recruitment represents a Rowell. Bringing ‘yacht edition town homes. Dickie elements of the yachting key step in Tengbom’s Bannenberg of Bannenberg lifestyle and design long-term mission to be a living’ to Barr Al Jissah, & Rowell commented, ‘We iconography into the homes prominent and innovative Bannenberg & Rowell will are incredibly excited to be to evoke a sense of ‘yacht player within architecture draw inspiration from the involved with this project, living’ and the idea of space, and urban development. destination’s spectacular ocean setting to create spear-heading the emerging privacy and glamour.’
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News
PAVILION FOR THE COMMUNITY DIARY
25 – 26 November Scotland Build scotlandbuildexpo.com SCOTTISH EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE CENTRE, GLASGOW Taking place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Scotland’s premier venue for events, Scotland Build 2015 is the ideal opportunity for your organisation to get involved in Scotland’s booming construction industry and Architect Piers Taylor with Marc Dix of LT Studio the wider area. The wooden canopy needed to to access major developers, Landscape Architects and timber specialist be able to withstand the adverse environment of contractors and suppliers Charley Brentnall have led a team of volunteers the clifftop location. The pavilion was built in from across Scotland and in Watchet, Somerset to build a timber canopy three days, by local people of varying skills and around the world. and stage with ground modelling and planting experience, led by the team of professionals. in a three day ‘design as you build’ workshop. The structure was made from a series of dry The 50 volunteers, all local residents, built the laminated green timber hoops that were bound 1 – 2 December structure to reclaim the overgrown former together with jute rope, no mechanical fixings Architex pleasure gardens for community use. The and few tools. The ground modelling and www.architex2015.com challenge was to build a pavilion structure for reclining stage designed by LT Studio, have ST GEORGE’S HALL, the pleasure garden, on the location of the been created to complement the pavilion LIVERPOOL original site of the Victorian Pleasure Gardens structure above giving the flexibility for activities Whether you wish to exhibit at ArchitEx to sell your known as Splashpoint, as well as landscape for such as picnics or outdoor events. products and services, or establish new business contacts and relationships, GRIFFIN PARK GAINS RESERVED APPROVAL the exhibition is an opportunity to visit and meet potential suppliers and partners in the industry, networking with peers and gaining a valuable insight into the developments within the industry.
13 – 18 March 2016 Light + Building www.light- building.messefrankfurt .com FRANKFURT AM MAIN Light + Building is the leading international trade fair that delivers the collaboration of two interlinking markets; TateHindle’s plans for 75 new family homes at three, four and five bedroom townhouses. The Lighting & Building Brentford Football Club’s historic ground Griffin largest of these are situated around the landscaped Services technology. Park in Brentford have just gained reserved square and commemorative garden. A palette of Around 2,400 companies matters planning consent. Griffin Park is located in brick, metal and glass provides a contemporary, yet are expected to present and a predominantly residential area of Brentford familiar take on the local vernacular with high level launch their latest products surrounded by Victorian terrace houses. The new terraces framed in brick offering generous outdoor for the fields of lighting, homes will abound a new square that includes a space with views towards the central garden. To the electrical engineering and commemorative garden dedicated to the history of east and west, mews streets and lanes will be house and building Brentford Football Club and the Griffin Park made up of smaller two and a half storey houses automation during the six- stadium that has been located at this site since with mansard roofs that carefully respond to the day event. 1904. TateHindle’s designs will provide a mix of two, fabric of the existing community.
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News
ArchitectsChoice TEACHING SPACE WORK HAS STARTED ON SITE AT THE UNIVERSITY NEWS|BRIEF OF HUDDERSFIELD’S NEW OASTLER BUILDING ASSAEL UAE EXPANSION Assael Architecture has announced plans to open Designed by AHR, the £27.5 million Oastler The Oastler building is set to achieve BREEAM a UAE office, bringing its Building will form part of the Queensgate ‘Excellent’ and the efficiency of the building will award-winning portfolio of campus and house the University’s Law help reduce the long-term running and developments, blue-chip School and part of the School of Music, maintenance costs. A ‘living roof’ has been projects and expertise Humanities and Media. designed to help slow the rate of rainwater run- closer to clients based in off by 70 per cent, and will also help to filter air the Gulf region. While being behind a range of The six-storey building will include four 300-seat pollutants and noxious gases, improving air innovative urban design, lecture theatres, tutorial spaces, offices, quality. AHR and the University has also masterplanning and language labs and a Law Court, which have all committed to using local suppliers and architectural services, been designed to fit in a floor area of 7,500sq m. materials, wherever possible, as part of the Assael Architecture Various departments are visually and physically overall sustainability strategy for the project. boasts a portfolio of connected by an atrium space which provides The campus is located close to the south-east prestigious international projects. Assael new and dynamic social spaces for staff and heart of Huddersfield, next to the Oastler Architecture has students. The external façade will become the roundabout, which is one of the most well- considerable expansion new recognisable face of the University. The connected roads in Huddersfield. The landscape plans for the practice in curvaceous three-dimensional form of the vision for the building is to create a coherent and the UAE region. building is defined by 42 architectural fins rising high quality environment, which will connect to over the upper storeys, defining the architectural the wider campus. NAIROBI SHOWGROUND Benoy has announced its language of the new academic facilities and The building is expected to be completed and appointment as the allowing glimpses into the building. occupied by the start of 2017. Masterplanner on the Nairobi Showground in Kenya. Working with the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), the Benoy Team has been tasked with designing the Concept Masterplan for this new 131ha, sustainable destination for the people of Nairobi. This design for this scheme, set in a prime spot with close proximity to airports and landmarks, embraces the local culture of Kenya and Nairobi residents.
BENOY ONLINE Benoy has also announced the launch of its newly redesigned www.benoy.com website. The website has been redesigned in-house by Benoy’s acclaimed graphic design and motion SCHLOSS BAR graphic teams and developed by digital Millson Associates has been appointed by Mission marketing agency Avenue Mars to design the new Albert’s Schloss new bar Digital. The brief called for a visually engaging, easy and restaurant in the city’s historic Albert Hall. to use and digitally- The Grade II Listed building has in recent years enhanced presentation of become a live music venue and its new ground the firm’s portfolio and floor bar and restaurant will anchor its leisure services. Benoy’s Team offering. Millson is implementing a series of has created a website designs, which will help bring to life the client’s which celebrates the firm’s projects and ambitions of creating a food, drink and expertise through a rich entertainment venue. It aims to be bohemian in image-based and video- nature and spirit but is also inspired by Bohemia, integrated design. the former name of the Czech Republic, bordered by Bavaria. “Schloss”, which is German for castle, refers to a “noble’s house for recreation”.
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News
ZAHA HADID RESIDENTIAL DESTINATION
520 West 28th, New York, is the highly anticipated rectangular residential landscape with Hadid's SHOPPING first residential building in New York designed by unique design sensibility infused throughout the Pritzker Prize-winner Zaha Hadid. Spanning a residences of 520 West 28th. The 11-storey New Asian shopping centre substantial portion of the block from 27th to 28th development, with 21 interlaced floors, will feature helps regenerate East Streets, 520 West 28th is located in the heart of 39 distinctive residences of up to a sprawling 6,391 London’s Green Street. West Chelsea's thriving arts district, which is square feet and ceiling heights up to nearly 11 feet centered around the High Line, stretching from the high. Each of the 39 luxury condominiums at 520 Wren Architecture & newly-opened Whitney Museum at its south to the West 28th will bear its own unique number to Design has completed East, future Culture Shed at Hudson Yards at its north. reflect the limited edition nature of these works of a new shopping centre that has created a heart for Zaha Hadid's compelling design takes a sculptural art, ranging in price from $4,950,000 to $50 million Asian retail on Green approach instead of New York's traditionally for the largest penthouse. Street, East London. The scheme is on the site of a former bus depot that had been derelict for 60 years, and is an innovative example of retail-led regeneration bringing a renewed vibrancy to the Green Street area at Upton Park. The site is situated in a prominent town centre location, and had been earmarked by the London Borough of Newham. East has addressed this issue, underpinning a thriving Asian community shopping destination which is already ‘on the map’, drawing people from both the local area and the wider Asian community from further SINGAPORE SCHOOL afield. The new 3,900 sq m retail hub comprises 37 Construction has started in Singapore on an individual, two-storey retail early years International School. Bogle units along an internal Architects have developed an architectural and covered street, which educational vision that will provide a rich terminates with a ground learning environment for pupils, parents, and floor souk that has 17 staff. The design responds to the challenge of smaller units. East’s design making a very large building, of over typology was purposely 50,000sqm, feel intimate and personalised. This drawn from an analysis of is achieved by the arrangement of 'clusters', existing retail provision on Green Street, and to ensure each of which are formed on a similar scale to it meets the specific a standard ‘nursery at the end of the street’, demands of local retailers. with four classrooms in every cluster. The school is due for completion in 2017.
metal and glass create a contemporary HILTON LONDON BANKSIDE feeling, reflecting the tonality and The 20,509m2 flagship Hilton London Moren has created two adjoining forms, character of the surroundings. A lighter Bankside stands proudly in the heart of one low and one tall, each with its own tone of brick is in keeping with the Bankside’s bustling and thriving tourist identity and linked by a volumetric traditional local London stock, and a and arts district. Dexter Moren’s design glazed entrance and inner lightwells. similarly lighter bronze coloured metal for the £48 million luxury hotel The height and massing relate to its cladding, of a more engineered and combines a deep understanding of the existing and proposed neighbours, robust nature, provides an instant sense area’s past with an understated quality echoing the urban character whilst of quality. that speaks positively to the building’s creating a distinct visual reference at The layers of materials create depth and future. Combining quality and assurance the junction of Farnham Place and Great variety whilst retaining a common with an appreciation of the uniqueness Suffolk Street. material language for the two main of the site and its industrial past, Dexter The calmly layered facades of brick, building forms.
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Dominion office
PROJECT GALLERY
Architect’s Choice presents the Project Gallery, a collection of buildings, some big, some small, that have been transformed, renovated, restored and created by some of the world’s biggest architectural firms. This issue we have selected a collection of projects the deal in residential design and building for creative industries. JaK Studio has designed a sublime Villa in St Tropez, making the most of incredible views and clean architectural lines, Gustave Carlson opens up his own home for the weekend for our viewers. Set in Sonoma, California, it oozes Scandi flavour and gentle California calm. Forme UK are the interior architects in charge at Somerset House and the ‘New Wing’, the original architecture certainly plays to its strengths in the new look of the space. AHR have redesigned Oldham College, providing new campus space for students in Manchester and Zaha Hadid projects her aesthetic into the Dominion project in Moscow.
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Project gallery
DOMINION EFFECT
Located in Moscow’s Sharikopodshipnikovskaya Street, the Dominion Office Building is among the first of the new projects to be built for the growing creative and IT sectors in this primarily industrial and residential district in the southeast of the city. Zaha Hadid conceived and designed the project. Conceived as a series of vertically stacked plates off-set at each level with connecting curved elements, a central atrium rises through all levels to bring natural light into the centre of the building. Balconies at each level project into the atrium and correspond to the displacement of the outer envelope and a series of staircases interconnect through this central space. With the ground floor restaurant linking the atrium to the outdoor terrace and Sharikopodshipnikovskaya Street beyond, and coffee/snack areas and relaxation zones on the balconies, the atrium becomes a shared space over many levels that encourages interaction between the employees of the companies within the building. This integration also encourages collaboration between companies of different services and disciplines. Many IT and creative industry start-up companies regard this collective research culture as vital for progress and development, and the design of the Dominion Office Building reinforces this concept with open connectivity throughout the building. The office spaces are arranged within a system of standard rectilinear bays to offer many different possibilities for small, expanding or large companies. Located on the periphery of the atrium and housing the lifts, fire-escapes, washrooms and service shafts, the service cores provide a degree of privacy to the separate office spaces, with gaps in-between these cores giving some transparency and allowing light to penetrate the into the office areas from the central shared atrium space. This service core ring around the atrium, together with an additional bay of columns close to the outer envelope of the building, provides the structure. The off-set floor-plates are balanced between the opposite sides of the building. In some zones, columns are removed and replaced with transfer beams to increase the uninterrupted floor space for larger tenants or public programmes. www.zaha-hadid.com | Photography by Hufton + Crow
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Oldham College
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Project gallery
STUDENT-CENTRIC CAMPUS
AHR has completed the redevelopment of Oldham College in Greater Manchester, which includes three new buildings and landscaping. The new buildings lie to the North West of Oldham town centre and were built over three phases creating a student centric campus, which responds to an employment focused education curriculum. The first phase, Building A is a five storey building with teaching spaces and social breakaway spaces for students. The building works as an anchor for the College and celebrates the main approach to the campus from the town centre. The second building, Digital and Creative Centre Oldham, is a four storey building which is a combination of open plan teaching spaces and traditional classrooms. The use of light is a key aspect of the design of this building, and the creation of well-lit and airy spaces for the creative subjects the students study in are a critical outcome from AHR’s design process. Environmental performance is further enhanced by the design of the ventilation system, which exceeds the specifications set by the Department for Education Building Bulletins. Building C delivers new teaching areas over three storeys and defines a valuable green external social space placed centrally in the campus. Internal spaces are specially designed for vocational subjects along with further general teaching accommodation. AHR used graphite coloured concrete and dark brickwork to clad the buildings, complemented by metallic grey window units, chosen for their weather resistance. www.ahr-global.com
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Somerset house
OLD GLORY, NEW STORY
Interior architects, Forme UK completed the refurbishment of the ‘New Wing’ of the Somerset House estate this year. The scheme is the fourth phase of the renovation of the iconic Grade 1 listed buildings. When the Inland Revenue vacated the ground floor of the East Wing and the entire West Wing after 150 years of occupation, Forme UK and the design team were briefed to convert the spaces for new use. A cluttered layout was quickly turned into a fluid ensemble of interconnecting galleries and commercial spaces. All the lightweight partitions installed in the 1960s together with other significant structural interventions were removed and the original wall features reinstated, so that the interior could return to its old glory. This restoration unlocked the estate’s potential for a sustainable future, while also restoring its authentic quality. The process required careful and extensive repairs. New timber floors, lighting and traditional materials were used to enhance the original fabric and mirror the aesthetics of the other wings, reflecting the Grade 1 listing of the estate. Forme UK’s contribution has restored Somerset House’s natural ability to delight with exquisite visual experiences. Bespoke chandeliers attract the gaze of visitors, guiding them through the building. The climax is reached in the West Wing, where the last remaining William Chambers cantilevered stone central staircase was restored with the intention to enrich the experience of upward mobility for office users. Bespoke floating light fixtures were hung to the ceiling several floors above and the lightweight stone structure of the staircase was laid bare. The latest phase of the renovation in the ‘New’ Wing on Lancaster Place has included the restoration of two grand cantilever staircases, the creation of three floors of fully serviced office spaces, and a public area in the ground and makers spaces on the basement and mid basement floors. The ground level features a large cafeteria and two fine dining restaurants with views of the Thames. www.forme.uk.com
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Project gallery
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St Tropez villa
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Project gallery
HILLTOP HARMONY
This private residential commission, a luxury contemporary villa in St. Tropez, South of France, was designed by London architecture practice JaK Studio. The design and build for the property was commissioned by a British couple, both of whom work in the creative industries, looking to create a beautiful and tranquil retreat at this popular holiday destination. Although executed to a clean, linear and minimalist aesthetic, the villa has been constructed to complement the traditional Mediterranean rustic style properties that neighbour it. Ceramic tiles on the east side of the façade are randomly laid to produce a textured, almost handmade finish; steep brick steps that descend into the garden give a nod to the narrow streets of old Mediterranean villages, which is lined by young lemon trees. The vast expanse of deep blue sea fringed by the bay and the undulating picturesque landscape of St Tropez nestled in the distance was, however, the single influential force that shaped the style and composition of the home. The north-facing façade overlooking the sea continues this vintage cruiser theme with a crisp, linear oakwood sunscreen framing the edge of the building and casting dramatic angular shadows on the interior space no matter what time of the day. With this play on light, the villa becomes akin to a habitable sundial, with residents able to ascertain the time of the day simply from the casting of the shadows. Meanwhile, rich wooden cladding on the west side gives a nod to the rambling thick forestry next to it, creating an aesthetic dialogue with nature. The main living room space in particular really celebrates the view. Floor to ceiling double-height windows, extending up into the first storey, creates a concession of ‘frames’, each one producing a real life gallery of art using the sea view ‘canvas’ before it. Upon entering, visitors are instantly greeted by this vista, enabling them to immerse themselves in an interior space flooded by space and light. Clean lines and simple form untainted by the distraction of fussy details give a pure and unadultered view of the landscape in the distance, underscoring the message that this is a property made specially for appreciating the beauty of nature. Outside, a decked sunken kitchen fitted out with a barbeque and Jamie Oliver clay oven completes the alfresco dining offering, while the infinity pool at sunlounger level melds seamlessly into the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. www.jakstudio.co.uk
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Weekend residence
HOME FROM HOME Set in Sonoma, the heart of wine country, California, architect Gustave Carlson has designed and built his own weekend residence, a true reflection of his relaxed Californian style with a touch of nordic simplicity, paying homage to his Swedish genes. His wife Caroline is an artist and Gustave’s teenage daughter, now a freshman at U Penn, is a budding photographer. Together with a young son, the architect has created a space of simplicity and serenity, to relax and unwind, whilst still reflecting the creative nature of the sectors they work in and are passionate about. A new structure, the house stands at about 2400 sqft. The house essentially fits a big rectangular floor plan with an open kitchen. Bedrooms lead off a hallway down the house. All rooms open on to the wrap around veranda. The white structure is an adjacent art studio for Caroline, which also connects to the veranda, pool and lawn. The property is surrounded by vineyards and in the spring, wild mustard fields. While the exteriors fit with the vernacular architecture of rural Sonoma County, the interiors are light-filled, and modern. www.gustavecarlsondesign.com Photography by Laure Joliet
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Project gallery
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Question time
UESTION TIME WHAT DOES BEING A ‘STARCHITECT’ MEAN IN TODAY’S SOCIETY?
Image: The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, a museum of modern and contemporary art, designed by architect Frank Gehry
A recent article in Vanity Fair, discussed the through the commercial boundaries, with themselves becoming starchitects once they term ‘starchitect’ with regards to one of the architects creeping across the arts and are in the public eye. If they like it or not, they world’s most celebrated architects Frank designing furniture and homeware will be asked for their opinion on all sorts of Gehry. The article was published ahead of collections, making their work more known projects and do occasionally lose their the release of his biography Building Art: from a consumer point of view. patience.* The Life and Work of Frank Gehry, and What do you understand to be the meaning But is this limelight not also a chance for our captures some of the anecdotes of the of the term ‘starchitect’? Do you think it profession to shape the public image of the world-renowned architect and his life as a really exists in the industry? What can architect and highlight the importance of high prolific designer of buildings. architects do to change the perception of quality built environment? How can the Gehry seems to shun the term ‘starchitect’ ‘show buildings’ as mere decorative features professional bodies take advantage of the and its celebrity connotations and as fellow on our landscape? media interest? Sometimes I believe there architects, I’m sure you can understand why. might be some opportunities missed. It is after all, the quality and function of ones CORA KWIATKOWSKI, I personally am passionate about advocating building, its place in society and impact on STRIDE TREGLOWN good design and I believe that clients and communities for years to come, that is the developers will be able to see the long-term true test of an architect’s design prowess. Do starchitects exist or are they a myth? Like advantages when we guide them in the right Reading the article online brought about a actors or singers, they generally don’t start off way. Not a starchitect myself, I look for other number of questions about the role and as a celebrity but are architects who had the ways to get involved in improving the existing power of the architect in today’s society. It’s good fortune to work on several large environment such as being a Design Review true that architects are continuing to break successful projects. Suddenly they find Panel Member. Design Review encourages
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Starchitects
Image: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art in Manhattan. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
aspiration and ambition for good, sustainable design quality, maximises opportunities and adds value to new developments put forward- it THE EXPERTS... has become an important tool for Councils, urban designers and architects that is used Our industry experts provide a compelling more and more. It is important to promote not insight into the topical issues of the day only excellence in prestige projects but also to give detailed thought to excellence in ‘every day’ developments. People do slowly realise that the creation of well-designed public spaces, public buildings, workplaces and sustainable neighbourhoods can transform a whole area significantly. The boundaries between art and architecture have always been blurred. The importance of creating a high quality ‘object’ that is functional, based on a concept does not change. Although some architects might have become household names, does it mean that the public care more about the quality of buildings if they like an architect’s designed chair? CORA KWIATKOWSKI RICARDO ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ Architects have become furniture designers or SENIOR ASSOCIATE, CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL, ® artists in the past- or the other way round- for STRIDE TREGLOWN ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ & VILLALÓN example Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier and Mies Cora has been responsible for a range of Ricardo is an architect and an expert on van der Rohe who said ‘A chair is a very difficult high quality projects in the UK including; issues related to affordable housing, energy performance, and sustainability. object. A skyscraper is almost easier. That is offices, residential and education. Her previous working experience in Latest projects include the largest mix- why Chippendale is famous.’ Both his Germany, Sweden and Switzerland also income housing development in the skyscrapers and chairs are still famous… included urban design and transport Caribbean and a new concept Despite the continuous specialisation and projects notably an international department store in Muscat, Oman. He erosion of the traditional role of the architect in competition winning masterplan for began his career working for Robert A.M. the construction industry, architects still have Siemens in Munich and a two level, 14 Stern Architects and received his degree very diverse responsibilities and the capability track train station in Cologne. from the University of Notre Dame. to change society. The power of a good concept
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Question time
example and the emptiness of bold-faced, Image: The Gherkin Tower (30 St Mary Axe). Designed by Norman Foster and Arup Group architect-centered, self-promotion that is and erected by Skanska implied by the term starchitect. A starchitect evokes the image of a professional whose sole motive appears to the blatant celebration of his (or her) personna — above and beyond that of the work itself. In recent decades, the rise of the starchitect has helped launch a number of prominent careers, bringing about waves of media coverage, while, ironically, contributing to the general deterioration of the profession itself. The media's infatuation and adoration of the omnipotent starchitect — designer, planner, builder, social engineer, master of the universe — has created a widespread obsession with all things new and unusual. This tendency to shock, simply for the sake of being shocking, has permeated both the mass media and the halls of academia, downplaying the contribution and importance of those less visible architects who are working, quietly and seriously, day after day, creating spaces and products that respond responsibly and creatively to the needs of their own place and time. Architecture should never be about the architect. It should only be about the product and the end user. Professionally, we must return to the center of our craft: allowing the search for solutions to become our focus. We must recommit to our greatest skill and access our most important talent: instead of merely designing buildings, we need to design solutions. We must address the real problems besieging the world we live in and focus on those areas of critical necessity such as sustainability, green design, and energy efficiency, that will soon determine how the destiny of our planet enfolds. This is where the very pulse of our profession is beating and it is where our future lies. Our survival as a species depends on how we, as human beings, choose to impact the planet. Addressing these issues is both our duty and our responsibility as architects. Now is the time for us, as architects, to reassume a leadership position without egos shines through in all levels of detail, from however, a group of people do something or antagonism. As architects, we need to work urban design to homeware, and makes for a special. Very few, but for God’s sake, just leave harder than ever before in order to become successful project. One of the issues is that the us alone. We are dedicated to our work... I work centers of knowledge — not the centers of public needs to be educated by us. Over the with clients who respect the art of architecture. attention. If, with professional humility and years, they have been offered a large number Therefore, please don’t ask questions as stupid dignity, we can dedicate ourselves as a group of low quality buildings and they don’t expect as that one.” to this shared goal, we may indeed regain the anymore, or don’t know any different. Looking leadership status that will, over time, open the at the housing market, have there really been path and pave the way for the positive changes many alternatives to traditional, fairly uniform RICARDO ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ, that society is asking us to perform. homes up and down the country? ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ & VILLALÓN® Let us all strive, together, from this day The role of the architect will change further forward, to be architects, not starchitects. over the next 10 years, but we should reclaim Celebrity stature in architecture is neither new the traditional values of creating buildings and nor unique. The notion of assigning superstar spaces for future generations. status to builders of buildings can be traced to Our panel of contributors are experts in the very beginning of the architectural their field and have experience in a vast * Frank Gehry said in the press conference in profession. From the days of antiquity onward, area of architectural design including; the Vanity Fair article “In the world we live in, early architects employed their own celebrated landscape, public sector and private 98 percent of the buildings built are pure sh*t,” works to promote the education and residencies. If you would like to contribute he said. “There’s no sense of design, or respect development of the profession itself. Yet there as a panelist email: for humanity or for anything. Once in a while, is a vast difference between educating through [email protected]
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Industry news
PREFERRED BIDDER
Premier Interlink has been appointed as the preferred bidder for the construction of a modular building complex, comprising of offices and site welfare facilities, required for the proposed construction of the new EDF Nuclear power generation plant at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. This vast £40 million, 38,000 sqm, impressive range of buildings will house all the management and technical personnel required during the scheduled 10 year construction stage of this much needed new nuclear power plant. Almost 1000 steel framed modules will be constructed ‘off site’ at Premier’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in East Yorkshire, before being transported to the HPC Site for final assembly and fitting out, a process that will take only 16 months from manufacture to hand over. The proposed EDF HPC will provide reliable, low carbon electricity to meet seven per cent of UK demand. During its 60 years of operation, it will avoid around nine million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. 0800 3160888 | [email protected] | www.waco.co.uk
MIELE PROFESSIONAL CPD
Miele Professional has launched its first CPD seminar for Chartered RIBA Architects. The RIBA approved CPD material tackles the topic of how to design an efficient laundry in a care home, using Miele Professional’s decades of experience in the field. The seminar aims to give architects a deeper understanding of the implications of regulations that need to be considered in a care home; the machines and services required; and offers best practice examples of room size and layout. It also covers environmentally friendly solutions, and ideas for future proofing the laundry room, something that Miele is a particular specialist in due to developing its range of energy-efficient machines for care homes. The presentation gives background on the care home market and the very specific requirements of this area, before moving on to design considerations. The material marks the first time that Miele Professional has moved into developing CPDs and is the first in a line of seminars being created for different commercial environments. Information about Miele Professional and the seminar can be accessed through http://www.ribaproductselector.com/miele- professional/5133/overview.aspx. 01235 233491 | [email protected]
NO ORDINARY TILES
British Ceramic Tile has partnered with global lifestyle brand Ted Baker to launch ‘no ordinary’ designer tile range. The fashion forward collection of tiles brings the latest trends to the kitchen, blending British Ceramic Tile’s unique manufacturing heritage with Ted’s eye for detail and appreciation for a tile with style. With the patchwork effect taking the interior world by storm, the GeoTile combines a sleek tonal grey colour palette with Ted’s favourite geometric prints. Inspired by the Edwardian tiles that lead up the pathways of London’s iconic townhouses, the eye-catching multi-use tile is made from high specification porcelain. Bring the outdoors in with the ParqTile, offering a wood-effect floor, enabling you to recreate the same natural look without the need for any special sealing or maintenance. Textured tiles are very popular at the moment, with the TacTile collection offering a 3D teardrop effect tile in grey or classic matt white colourway, in a 298x498mm size. The structured wall tiles can be combined with multi-use plain ceramic tiles from the VersaTile range, available in a variety of colours for a match made in heaven. The ArTile collection offers a range of glass splashbacks like no other. Featuring a choice of fashion-led designs including Cotton the bulldog in nude and black, distinguished rose and vintage rose. 01626 831370 | www.projecttile.co.uk
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Spotlght
THE GREEN GATEWAY GLOUCESTER OPENS ITS GATEWAY TO MAPEI’S ECO PRODUCTS AT BRITAIN’S GREENEST SERVICES WITH A CLEVER DECORATIVE FLOOR SYSTEM
A Mapei decorative floor system has been support for nearby target communities and installed at Gloucester Services Southbound, charity partners in Gloucestershire and which is an environmentally-friendly service Stonehouse. The site includes extensive station on the edge of the Cotswolds. landscaping along with electrical vehicle charging stations and capacity to switch to The main building is constructed from local bio-fuel pumps. A farm-shop also features at stone and timber, and features an arched the site, stocked with local produce, in place grass-covered roof set to receive BREEAM of fast food outlets. excellent rating. Three individual Mapei Within the main building, around 1,800 m2 of products were specified, alongside porcelain screed containing Mapei’s Topcem fast- tiles and vinyl sheeting, throughout a drying hydraulic binder was laid over 1,324m2 area. Designed by AFL Architects, insulation and underfloor heating. The screed all floor works were carried out by Polished was then overlaid with Mapei’s Primer SN to Concrete Designs for main contractor, provide a key for Mapei’s Ultratop in Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd. anthracite, a decorative coloured flooring Gloucester Services Southbound is the system designed to give a polished concrete second phase to the Gloucester Services appearance. The petrol station was also Northbound known as ‘Britain’s greenest completed using Mapei’s Ultratop system, motorway services’. This joint project was again in Anthracite. delivered by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust Gloucester Services Southbound opened its and Westmorland Limited (Westmorland doors to the public in May 2015, is located on the Family are also behind Tebay Services in M5 Southbound - between junctions 11a and 12. Cumbria). The charity, Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, has already generated income from its Northbound service station 0121 508 6970 | [email protected] and will further generate income and www.mapei.co.uk
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Industry news
NO TIME TO SLEEP
RAK Ceramics will be showcasing new bathroom and tile collections at Sleep 2015. RAK’s stand will include a series of bathroom roomsets displaying new sanitaryware, baths and basins, storage, accessories and decorative surfaces, with design-led options to suit all environments, from international chains to upscale bouquet hotels. New bathroom ranges on show will include RAK’s Harmony collection, a luxurious, Italian-designed range of sanitaryware and basins, complemented with stylish matching furniture. New Origin 62 will also feature; a compact bathroom range, which RAK has developed to meet the huge demand for affordable, design-led suites. RAK’s multiple roomsets will feature decorative floor and wall tiles from its extensive Tile Collection. New designs for autumn 2015 will include Victoria, a glamorous, polished ceramic range with a plain ivory and matching floral motif décor tile, and contemporary- styled Tour, a chic rectangular design, in four earthy shades, with a distinct washed watercolour finish. 01730 237850 [email protected] | www.rakceramics.co.uk Visit RAK Ceramics at Sleep 2015, stand G33.
GUIDE TO ROOFING
A brand new, limited edition specification guide has been launched by Keymer, the manufacturer of handmade roof tiles. The 76-page guide, which can be ordered free-of-charge, is a compilation and celebration of Keymer’s history, products and installation techniques, utilising hand drawn images that call back to the company’s founding in 1588. The images within the guide are the same that featured in the original brochure, which was previously launched to critical acclaim. This re-release of the guide has seen the content updated to be exclusively available to architects and specifiers working on current projects, and can be requested from Wienerberger. The full range of traditional, handmade tile types currently produced by Keymer is featured in the brochure with photography of the tiles from projects such as Leeds Castle in Kent to Shakespeare’s Birth Place in Stratford upon Avon. The guide also covers fittings, traditional ornaments and finials. 01610 491 8200 | www.wienerberger.co.uk
PROVIDING SOLUTIONS
Architects and designers could be exposing their clients to risk of breaking the law if they do not include a specific type of accessible toilet in new build or refurbishment projects. Under the Equality Act, which replaced the Disability Discrimination Act, service providers are required to make reasonable changes, including to the built environment, where a disabled customer or potential customer would otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage. To help architects and facilities managers get their accessible toilets right, and meet Changing Places campaigners needs, leading disabled toilet solutions company Clos-o-Mat has developed the most comprehensive and a unique ‘one-stop shop’ solution. In-house, the company can provide design advice, then supply all the equipment, if necessary install and commission it, and subsequently service and maintain it. Full project management can also be provided. This is reinforced with support services including 2D and 3D CAD drawings, and sector-specific advisory white papers available for free on its website. www.clos-o-mat.com
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Spotlight
VISIT ARCHITEX HELD IN LIVERPOOL, ARCHITEX AIMS TO BRING THE ARCHITECTURE COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH AN ENGAGING CONFERENCE PROGRAMME AND INNOVATIONS IN THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FIELD
WHETHER YOU WISH TO EXHIBIT AT local planning authorities, town and city for people, something, which is of vital ARCHITEX TO SELL YOUR PRODUCTS AND planners; construction companies, builders importance in our over-subscribed cities and SERVICES, OR ESTABLISH NEW BUSINESS and contractors and products and services towns. Chris Blythe will offer up his thoughts CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS, THE industry suppliers. on how leadership and innovation go hand in EXHIBITION IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT hand, employing techniques and giving advise AND MEET POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS AND THE CONFERENCE on the business aspects of running successful PARTNERS IN THE INDUSTRY, NETWORKING The two-day, free to attend conference architecture studios. A fantastic new addition to WITH PEERS AND GAINING A VALUABLE programme, with 24 industry leading speakers, the conference programme is Paul Monaghan, INSIGHT INTO THE DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN will become the leading annual forum for the Director, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the THE INDUSTRY. UK architecture and building design industry. It 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize Winners for will bring delegates together with many of the Burntwood School. The entire speaker line up The conference is a chance to discuss and industry's key organisations and people, has been devised to offer a variety of insights debate the hot topics in UK architecture and including winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize for into the hottest topics in debate in the industry building design. ArchitEx 2015 offers Architecture, and will address the issues, at the moment. something for everyone. legislation and many key successes in recent, current and future planning, architecture and NETWORKING THE EXHIBITION building design projects. During ArchitEx there is a free to attend, For exhibitors, ArchitEx 2015 will provide Max Steinberg CBE, Chief Executive of complimentary two hour champagne drinks significant sales and business development Liverpool vision will open the conference reception and networking evening on Tuesday opportunities whilst also offering an programme followed by speakers such as Mick 1st December 5pm - 7pm, with hundreds of outstanding networking platform. An Goode, Chair of RIBA North West, Gavin Elliott, industry colleagues in attendance. ArchitEx anticipated 1,500 architecture and building Director of Architecture at BDP Manchester 2015 is your opportunity to join the UK’s leading design professionals will be in attendance, studio and Chris Blythe, Chief Executive of the architecture and building design event. including professionals such as; architects, Chartered Institute of Building. Max will open specifiers, building designers, technologists, the conference programme followed by Mick 1st – 2nd December | St George’s Hall, surveyors and engineers; commercial, Goode who will deliver a talk on ‘Designing the Liverpool | 0845 467 3303 | industrial and residential property Northern powerhouse’. Gavin Elliott is on hand [email protected] developers; town, city and county councils, to discuss the creation of outstanding places www.architex2015.com
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Spotlight
BUILDING BOOM SCOTLAND BUILD 2015 IS THE NEW CONSTRUCTION EXHIBITION TO FOCUS ON THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BOOM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SECC, GLASGOW
THE EVENT PLAYS HOST TO 125 EXHIBITORS, private sector construction projects within likes of the Federation of Master Builders SHOWCASING THE LATEST PRODUCTS, Scotland. (FMB), CITB, NBS and more leading industry SERVICES AND PROJECTS ACROSS THE Gordon Reid and Philip McDowell from Kier experts and consultants. WHOLE OF SCOTLAND. THESE WILL INCLUDE will discuss the Ayr Academy and Marr College The event is supported by both the Glasgow A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPLIERS AND projects, David Loudon from the NHS will City Council and the Glasgow Chamber of CONTRACTORS FEATURING THE LATEST examine the Glasgow University Hospital Commerce among many other leading industry INNOVATIONS AND HI TECH SOLUTIONS TO extension, and Michelle Rennie from Transport associations. DRIVE THE INDUSTRY’S GROWTH. Scotland will be giving an update on Scotland’s ‘Glasgow is looking forward to welcoming four major transport projects. Scotland Build for the first time at the SECC in The exhibition will include leading names from The show will also feature a VIP area with six November. We’ve emerged from some really across the industry, comprising Celotex Saint exclusive ‘Meet the Buyer’ sessions, and challenging times and there is now growing Gobain, Interserve, Balfour Beatty, Kingspan dedicated networking opportunities with confidence across the whole construction and Construction Industry Training Board government and local authority figureheads. sector. So it’s all the more important that we (CITB), Brookfield Multiplex among many Key decision makers from Scotland’s main havea place like Scotland Build where everyone others. contractors, architects, engineers and involved in the built environment can come The two day conference will host over 50 top- developers will all be in attendance. together, learn from one another and look level speakers, with headline talks by William Each session will kick off with a 10 minute forward to a profitable future!’ –Duncan McBride from Construction Scotland keynote presentation from a leading industry Booker, Sustainable Glasgow Programme Innovation Centre on the innovation and future body, followed by a panel of construction Manager, Glasgow City Council of the Scottish construction industry, and by experts, discussing the investment Scotland Build is lined up to be the most Rufus Logan from BRE, continuing the theme opportunities and forecasts across each sector important meeting of construction industry of innovation with his case study presentation and provide a unique platform for extensive figureheads, presenting countless on the afternoon of day one. The conference networking and business exchange for all opportunities for networking and business will also examine topics such as narrowing parties involved. All registered VIP attendees development. The conference sessions, down the skills shortage, how to enter the will be provided a full complimentary lunch and training workshops and exhibition are construction industry, building to enable drinks to follow each panel discussion. completely free to attend. Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions, as well Scotland Build also provides 22 hours of free 25 - 26 November, SECC, Glasgow as highlighting some of the leading public and CPD accredited training workshops from the www.scotlandbuildexpo.com
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Industry news
INSULATION FOR HOMEOWNERS
Mapei has announced the recent launch of its very own ‘Homeowners Guide’ for External Wall Insulation (EWI) Systems. This new brochure is aimed to help proprietors (Homeowners) understand how EWI Systems work and the benefits to individuals who are considering external thermal insulation for their home. The brochure explains what EWI is; the insulation options with diagrams, funding and grants as well as project case studies where various systems have been specified. External Wall Insulation can help reduce heating costs and increase the value of a property and Mapei recommends a wide range of certified systems to suit the end users’ needs, with full technical support available throughout the project from start to finish. Mapei also offer a variety of other products such as façade cleaners; repair products, protective and decorative coatings to help prevent micro-organisms (such as mildew, mould and fungi) reforming on the external façade and sealants. Mapei’s EWI and Coatings portfolio includes a wide range of thermal insulation products. 0121 508 6970 | [email protected] | www.mapei.co.uk
SCHLUTER CPD OFFERING
Schlüter-Systems offer an integrated wetroom solution, all guaranteed by one manufacturer with the added reassurance of a CE Marked guarantee. An integrated system solution, with products that are designed to work together, should be the specifier’s first choice when selecting products to use in shower areas and wetrooms. This provides the client with a single point of responsibility should any part of the system fail. Benefits of the CPD include: benefits of integrated systems for wetrooms vs. multi-manufacturer combined offerings, how point drains and linear drains can be hidden or accent the design, requirements of waterproofing and how an integrated system offers complete peace of mind, the difference between waterproof and water- resistant tile backerboards - not all are equal. Finally, a complete waterproofing solution - the installation and compatibility benefits, completes the lineup. For priority bookings please quote ACWR11 | 01530 813396 | www.schluter.co.uk
THE KARNDEAN CURRICULUM
Karndean Designflooring has released its latest RIBA approved CPD for architects and specifiers looking to consider the elderly and the vulnerable when designing new spaces. Entitled ‘Inclusive Flooring Design: Where Form and Function Meet Legislation’, the long awaited CPD is set to inform and inspire specifiers designing flooring in environments where the visually impaired, patients with dementia, and the elderly will be present. The curriculum will cover key topics such as reducing the risk of slipping, complying with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and importance of colour contrast and light reflectance values. Importantly, it will introduce guidelines for product selection, maintaining hygienic floors and environmental benefits. The new CPD joins Karndean Designflooring’s already successful RIBA accredited CPD on ‘Luxury Vinyl Floor Coverings’. 0845 605 5330 | [email protected] www.karndean.com
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Legal
UNDER COVER MARK CLINTON, PARTNER, THOMAS EGGAR LLP, ASKS ARCHITECTS WHETHER YOUR INSURANCE POLICY MEANS YOU ARE TRULY INSURED
The Architect’s Code requires that your more than 10mm. Over the following weeks, possibility that you might be responsible? practice carries adequate cover, with a settlement readings varied between 13mm and Misrepresentation minimum level set at £250,000 for each 23mm. A void was also found under a nearby In essence, misrepresentation is making a and every claim. road, although the Contractor dismissed this statement of fact that is untrue, on which the as being the result of a trial hole dug by the other party to a contract relies. Importantly, It must be remembered that you have certain local water board. During this time, the this need not be fraudulent; you may make a duties to your insurer in order that they are in Contractor’s insurance lapsed, before it took misrepresentation negligently by not diligently the best possible place to defend an action out a new policy with Brit. checking the term sheet. should one be brought. This is of particular Just eight days after obtaining cover, a freight The Contractor misrepresented to Brit on its relevance when renewing your policy, as one train travelled over the level-crossing and the risk presentation that it did not work on active specialist tunnelling contractor recently found ground sunk 200mm, causing derailment. A rail lines, which it clearly was doing at that out... In July 2015, the High Court gave large void had opened up beneath the track. time. The Contractor’s Commercial Manager judgment for an insurance company, Brit UW Brit successfully avoided indemnifying the argued that this did not reflect the information Limited (‘Brit’), allowing them to avoid a multi- Contractor by virtue of the fact that settlement the Contractor had given to their insurance million pound claim in respect of a freight train prior to taking out the policy was beyond what broker. Nevertheless, this was the second derailment flowing from an alleged negligent was expected and should have been a cause ground on which the court allowed Brit to installation of a micro-tunnel under a level for concern. The lesson here is that the test avoid the claim; it was material enough that crossing by F & V Trenchless Solutions Ltd (the applied is onerous on the insured; namely had the truth been disclosed, the premium ‘Contractor’). Avoidance was permitted by information is material enough to require would have been higher. virtue of non-disclosure and disclosure to an insurer if it ‘would influence misrepresentation. the judgment of a prudent insurer in fixing the Admitting Liability premium, or determining whether he will take Whilst not dealt with by the above case, you Non-Disclosure the risk’. Importantly, this is objective; even if should also bear in mind that if an issue does The Contractor had tendered for the work on the insured genuinely believe there is no cause arise, you should not admit liability without the basis that settlement as a result of their for concern on their part. When renewing your first consulting your insurance company. work would be 2-4mm in order to satisfy a Professional Indemnity Insurance, bear this in Doing so will likely void your insurance claim; known Network Rail. At completion, the mind: is there a potential defect at a site on since they will be paying, it is up to them Contractor was aware settlement was in fact which you have provided services with a whether or not you contest your client’s claim.
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100% Design review
100 ROOTS TO STYLE OLYMPIA, LONDON OPENED IT’S DOORS TO 100% DESIGN THIS YEAR IN FANTASTIC STYLE AND WITH PRODUCT PANACHE, SERVING UP A CONTEMPORARY SLICE OF DESIGN LIFE FOR VISITORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Internationally renowned designer Ilse including Interiors, Design & Build Gira, LG Hausys – HI-MACS®, GSI Ceramica Crawford opened the 21st edition of the UK’s (sponsored by Formica Group), Kitchens & and the Cosentino Group. largest design trade show, staged in the Bathrooms, Workplace (sponsored by 100% Design also featured a compelling dramatic Grand and West Halls of new home SketchUp) and Emerging Brands. series of specially commissioned Olympia London, showcasing over 400 UK Successes from the show included surface installations. In association with Studio and international design brands. pattern designer Kirath Ghundoo, as well as Design UK on creative development, these British designer Tom Raffield, Korea-based thought-provoking installations explored the William Knight, 100% Design’s show director, Studio EJ, Icelandic design group North central theme ‘Design in Colour’ and ranged commented: ‘We were absolutely delighted Limited, Argentinian architect designer from a multisensory Half Three Tea Café by to have Ilse Crawford open the show in our Natalia Geci, and the 100% Design New Daniel Rous of Fabrica, to a colour-inspired new home Olympia London, and together Designer Award winner, Mu Hau Kao. concept space in Interiors featuring WGSN’s celebrate such an important milestone in the Lighting continued to play a key part at the Spring/Summer 2016 colour palette, and history of 100% Design. show, with a dedicated architectural lighting selected designer furniture from Vitra, Arper, ‘It's another significant and exciting year for showcase in the Design & Build section. Artemide, Lasvit and Terence Woodgate, us, bringing our show to a new venue for the Visitors savoured the latest designs from an among others. first time in 17 years. The natural light, illuminating range of leading manufacturers The show’s renowned talks programme, intimacy and high-quality visitor experience and designers exhibiting in Interiors, from curated by Caro Communications’ Content at Olympia London, blended with the focused Original BTC and Mullan Lighting, to Director Claire Barrett, returned this year and original content of the show.’ Tramonti Art Design, Charles Lethaby with a stellar line up of headline speakers, Ilse Crawford added: ‘I was happy to be a Lighting, Designheure and Mambo Unlimited including Ilse Crawford, Yves Béhar and part of this new era for 100% Design. It’s a Ideas. Lyndon Neri. great stage for combining stimulating Other newcomers included Sé, The Wood programming with a selection of exhibitors Awards, Bette, antoniolupi, Frank Chou Design focused on the needs of the design industry.’ Studio, Steelcase and Henry Blake Hardware, www.100percentdesign.co.uk 100% Design 2015 took place across two alongside returning exhibitors, Vitra, Lozi, The Image: Auditorium by Anne Kyyro ̈ levels and featured five distinct sections Design Guildmark Awards, Isomi, BuzziSpace, Quinn_©SophieMutevelian
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London Design Festival
TWO NEW FACED
This year has been an exciting year for Urban Front, not only is it 10 years since Urban Front started on their remarkable journey making their distinctive doors, but they have just launched two new designs, the Quattro and Milano V. Continuing their #ThinkBig campaign, Urban Front's new design, Quattro, is shown here as an oversized pivot door in Iroko, 1.5m wide with a bronze handle. Urban Front says, "Large doors on pivot seem to grow in popularity eliminating the need for double doors and increasing the wow factor of entrances regardless of the design of the house". The Milano V is a vertical boarded door that has a special feature of a hidden handle, finished here in a dark urban grey on European Oak. Used internally, the Milano V has a simple design that is not only elegant, but also easy to blend into living areas. 01494 778787 | www.urbanfront.co.uk
FROM THE ABYSS
International designers Laetitia de Allegri and Matteo Fogale joined forces with leading British tile manufacturer Johnson Tiles to produce an immersive installation for the London Design Festival. Taken from the French term that means ‘placed in the abyss’, ‘Mise-en-abyme’, the piece was produced using bespoke floor tiling from Johnson Tiles, handcrafted to change in colour by three per cent from tile to tile and create a gradient effect, teamed with huge transparent acrylic shapes that visitors walk through. The resulting effect is a changing sense of perspective when travelling from one end of the bridge to the other. Darren Clanford, Creative Director at Johnson Tiles, said: “It’s very important to us to support new creative talent for the London Design Festival and our collaboration with Laetitia and Matteo was our most ambitious piece yet. We relished the opportunity to produce a new and bespoke tile design that would make their ideas a reality.” www.johnson-tiles.com
THE MIGHTY STEAM ENGINEERED FRAME
The American Hardwood Export Council presented four projects at 100% Design as part of the London Design Festival 2015. The Invisible Store of Happiness, a celebration of wood and craftsmanship in the form of a three-metre high wooden sculpture made out of American maple and cherry, was showcased alongside three pieces from The Wish List project that AHEC presented at the Victoria & Albert Museum during London Design Festival 2014. Getting Away From It All, A Stool for the Kitchen and Ve-sel were all on show. The Invisible Store of Happiness was shown at Clerkenwell Design Week 2015 and brought together two of the UK’s brightest talents, furniture designer-maker Sebastian Cox and sculptor Laura Ellen Bacon. The structure consists of a mighty steam bent frame that gives way to thinner, weave-able strips manipulated to twist and flow into a whirlpool of texture and shape. Sebastian Cox conceived the project and led by his growing passion for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), took it to AHEC as a proposal. He asked Laura Ellen Bacon, whose poetic willow sculptures he has always admired, to join him for the project. www.americanhardwood.org | Image courtesy of Petr Krejci Photography
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Architect profile
ARCHITECT PROFILE KENANKLICO JADE TILLEY RECENTLY SPOKE TO KENAN KLICO, ONE HALF OF JAK STUDIO, ABOUT FINDING AN ARCHITECT PARTNER WHO SHARES THE SAME VISION
JAK STUDIO COMPRISES A TIGHTLY KNIT extensive experience in design feasibility WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF TEAM OF HALF A DOZEN ENTHUSIASTIC studies working with RTKL. ARCHITECTURE HAVING AN IMPACT ON YOU? ARCHITECTS WORKING ON A WIDE RANGE As a particularly design conscious architect That was during the first year of my OF DESIGN WORK. with extensive experience, he has delivered Architectural course, when as a student I was projects ranging from bespoke retail outlets sitting in on a lecture about the Pompidou through to town planning master plans. All his Centre. One of the early concept sketches for JaK Studio is a design and architectural projects are united in concern for both internal this amazing building sits in a frame above my practice based in London focusing on both and external space, using architectural design desk in the studio as a daily reminder of that residential and commercial projects. High that adds value to homes and commercial initial moment of inspiration. profile projects include an innovative concept buildings alike. design for an eco house built on top of derelict His recent experience covers a variety of WHERE DID YOU STUDY ARCHITECTURE? garages in South London, and its design for the projects, including several large scale I studied at the University of Sarajevo for my BBC Radio 4’s Listening Project portable feasabilities studies for mixed developments in MA in Architecture. Since my education and speech bubble-shaped booth, which launched Russia and Georgia, and most notably the coming here to the UK I’ve been constantly earlier this year. award winning competition for the British High comparing university experiences as it’s quite Kenan Klico was responsible for setting up JaK Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. fascinating to me, the differences between my studio in 2004 together with founding partner Here Kenan talks about his journey from experience and that of the students here. I Jacob Low. He is a design architect with 20 education in Sarajevo to settling here in the think I was taught more about skills than how years experience, and has a wealth of UK, with a team that connects and uses their to come up with a concept. It’s a shame experience from senior positions in larger design skills for good, meaningful architecture because there’s such value in it. I was and architectural practices in the UK, including in the sector. continue to be really impressed by schools in
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JAK Studio
the UK as they teach you how to think about helped shape the kind of architect I am For JaK Studio, we wanted to be an architecture. I think this puts you in an because of the cultural experiences. I started architectural practice that ensured strong advantageous position when beginning your my working career in quite a big practice, concepts are at the heart of every project career and makes you more brave, unafraid to which gave me great insight into how things regardless of the scale or construction budget. test the water on ideas that you’ve had time to worked on a global scale. I then joined ECD. I do hope that JaK studio has managed to engage with and think about concepts. Practical I’ve met some really strong architects on my deliver this for all our clients. skills can become irrelevant if you don’t have career path, which has informed my own the thoughts to put them into practice. choices as an architect. I think I always had an WHO ARE YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATIONS? ambition to start up on my own. I was working The 'Bauhaus' legacy, less is more. WHAT KIND OF ARCHITECT DID with Jeremy Sprately when I met Jake (Low). YOU ASPIRE TO BE? This was 11 or 12 years ago and we’ve been WHAT DOES JAK STUDIO I had no idea. I never felt strongly about going working together since. I think we’re a REPRESENT AS A FIRM? into education, I was always more practical. I compatible design partnership and both We are not a firm, we are a family who cares really enjoyed the studio atmosphere when I capabale for recognising when the other is about its family and everyone we work with. We was working in Bosnia. Then I moved onto a right or wrong, so we get the best out of had many discussions about whether to go practice in Sudan and eventually landed here in design. I guess this does fall in line with the more commercial or keep it as we are but I the UK and stayed. I think this travelling has kind of architect I’ve always wanted to be. think it is in our nature as a practice to keep it
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Architect profile
simple. It’s not about the money, although of another world and if you open up to it in a This has therefore stamped our design brand course, we are a business that has to work. For positive way, can be really effective. We’re across a whole country! us it is always about the design and by working on branding projects as well. operating the way we do, we are able to make WHAT DOES THE FACE OF ARCHITECTURE sure we maintain the best standards known for HAVE YOU EVER WORKED OR LIVED LOOK LIKE TO YOU IN 10 YEARS TIME? at our practice. We also love having young ANYWHERE ELSE? IF SO, HOW HAS THIS I cannot be certain, but I do hope that a architects come in and spend time with us in HELPED TO SHAPE AND INFLUENCE YOUR "Concept" will continue to be the key to good the practice – it’s important to nurture new IDEAS ON DESIGN? Architecture. I think for this you have to go minds coming into the industry. I personally started my career in Sarajevo, but I back to the Bauhaus legacy. Aesthetics were a came to London 26 years ago where I gained priority and the balance between beauty and WHERE IS THE MAJORITY most of my inspiration for design. It was also functionality were perfectly matched. OF YOUR WORK BASED? here where I met various colleagues who have Technology has completely progressed Our work is divided evenly between the UK and influenced my professional life, culminating in architecture but it will never drive it completely. a variety of International locations including my meeting Jake Low, my business partner Architecture relies on beauty and form, it will France, Switzerland, India, Saudi, UAE and and kindred design spirit. always be about the aesthetic. A story concept, recently even as far flung as Australia. As well an idea, the essence of a building, this is what as our own projects, we’ve been commissioned WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST “concept” means to me. by other businesses to collaborate with them DESIGN COMMISSION TO DATE? and are waiting for a couple more big projects Our biggest commission would be the Alinma IF YOU HADN’T BECOME AN ARCHITECT to be confirmed. We also have smaller Bank stand alone branch. We were asked to WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? residential projects on the slate. design a prototype and to the best of our I can say with certainty that I would be enjoying Social media has had a massive impact on how knowledge they have built over a hundred a life in fine art. we find and our found by people. It really is branches across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. www.jakstudio.co.uk
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Contracts + projects
CUSTOM SCREENING
Following a £9 million refurbishment project, the Merrion Centre multi- storey car park, Leeds, has been dramatically revamped, including a custom screening solution from Levolux. The solution incorporates rectangular-section Fins, arranged in a ‘diagrid’ pattern and horizontal aerofoil-shaped Fins. The unusual ‘diagrid’ arrangement of rectangular- shaped aluminium Fins, each measuring 200mm wide by 100mm deep, extends to screen an area with a combined length of almost 160 metres and a height of up to 11.5 metres. The lattice work assembly of Fins is fixed between vertical steel supports at five metre centres, creating a series of bays that continue along north, east and south elevations. The Fins are illuminated at night, thanks to the incorporation of colourful LED lights that are fixed where the Fins interconnect. While the ‘diagrid’ screen is relatively open to maximise daylight levels on each floor and allow good outward visibility for occupants, an alternative screening arrangement was required to obscure unsightly entrance and exit rampways and service areas. In these areas, Levolux utilised its innovative Infiniti Fin system to incorporate 200mm wide aerofoil-shaped Fins, arranged horizontally to form a series of vertical stacks. www.levolux.com
D-FENDING THE CHAMPERS
The new Moet Pavilion and Roof Terrace at York Racecourse is not only opulently stylish for the enjoyment of race goers but with the help of Yeoman Shield’s new Mini D-Fender, the back of house areas are also keeping up appearances. The Moet Pavilion is a very popular and well-used meeting point on race days. 200 metres of Yeoman Shield’s new Mini D-fender has been fitted to protect the pavilion’s cellar and storage areas from damage which can be caused by the passage of heavy trolleys, equipment and objects through the area. Installed to the walls at mid and low level for maximum protection, by Yeoman Shield’s directly employed fixing operatives, the Mini D-fender was complemented by the addition of MD75 rubber corner protection angles to corners also vulnerable to damage. The installation of the Yeoman Shield rubber Mini D Fender and MD 75 Corner Protection Angles will contribute to keeping the busy back of house areas looking smart and damage free for some time to come with the additional benefit of being easily cleaned. 0113 279 5854 | [email protected] | www.yeomanshield.com
BALMY CLIMATES FOR BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
Bombay Sapphire recently commissioned the creation of the company's first in- house production facility at an old Victorian paper mill in Laverstoke, Hampshire, on a 20,000sqm rural property. The abandoned 18th century paper mill's original brick buildings were converted into the distillery and a pair of phenomenal curved glass greenhouses were added to house the 10 tropical and Mediterranean botanicals used to create the world famous gin. The centrepiece of the award-winning distillery is the amazing greenhouse. It is made up of two glasshouses, which extend from the distillery, using recycled air from the distillation process to maintain a warm climate within. The glasshouses take full advantage of advances in glass technology, including EnduroShield's easy clean nanotechnology. EnduroShield easy clean surface treatment for glass was applied in factory prior to installation into the swooping glasshouse structures. EnduroShield chemically bonds to the glass substrate, transforming it into a high performance hydrophobic surface, which will protect against staining, and reduce the effort and frequency of maintenance, water and contaminants bead right off. [email protected] | www.enduroshield.com
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Contracts + projects
IN AND OUT
Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems; with their approved fabricator Window & Door Solutions (WDS) completed a striking and memorable new entrance and reception area at the Ashton 6th Form College. Comar 6EFT stick build curtain walling was specified for this project. Comar 6EFT provides a capped curtain walling solution and offers architects the opportunity to maximise large glazed areas as it has the slimmest sightlines available making it the perfect choice for the quirky glazed facade of this new reception and entrance. In a busy education environment, Comar 7 doors sets are a natural choice. Not only are they available in swing, pivot, sliding, auto-sliding and sliding folding, they have been designed specifically for applications where high traffic solutions are required. For safety, the Comar 7 doors were fitted with anti-finger trap stiles, Axim soft touch panic exit devices and Axim concealed transom closers, which were hung directly from the Comar 6EFT frame and complied with the Disability & Equality Act 2010. 0208 685 9685 | www.comar-alu.co.uk
MODERN LIVING
Manchester student accommodation, Liberty Living at Sir Charles Groves Hall, has recently been refurbished to include Max-Top Quartz surfaces in all 78 flats. Auxillium Property Solutions Ltd managed the project and selected the Diamond White Sparkle worktop for all kitchen and breakfast bars in the halls due to its durability and stylish finish. Dale Cross, Managing Director of Auxillium Property Solutions Ltd, commented: “Max-Top Quartz offered a solution that was easy to install, aesthetically pleasing and above all, more durable than standard laminate worktops, a factor that is extremely important for student accommodation…It is important to consider the full life cost of any product we recommend, and the quality of Max-Top Quartz surfaces will mean that replacing the worktops every three to four years will be a thing of the past.” Max-Top Quartz, which is available in up to 10 finishes and comes with a 25 year guarantee, is a unique product in the surface market. Featuring a patented interior honeycomb structure, the product offers the aesthetic benefits of a solid stone surface, with the advantage of a deeper 40mm profile. 0161 224 0333 | www.maxtopquartz.co.uk
IN CONTROL OF QUALITY
Mapei has announced the opening of its newly extended and modernised Quality Control Laboratory. This expansion makes the Mapei UK QC Laboratory the largest of the European subsidiaries, and is testament to the group’s continued commitment to quality, testing and improvement. The Laboratory will facilitate extra equipment and new test methods to support the increase of business demand and growth. The 60m² extension (from the original 100m²) has been planned, designed and carried out over the last 18 months, and includes two new state-of-the-art conditioning units along with a complete facelift of the Laboratory including new floors, ceilings, lighting, sinks, extra benches as well as new testing equipment. The first step of the Laboratory extension involved the removal of the current central wall to incorporate the unconditioned room, adjacent to the main Laboratory, to increase the conditioned area from 100m² to 160m². The improved space will be dedicated to testing activities in an efficient way and also provide more room for additional machinery to be added. 0121 508 6970 | [email protected] | www.mapei.co.uk
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Feature
GREAT EXPECTATIONS RUPA GANATRA, CO-FOUNDER, MILLENNIAL 20/20 DISCUSSES HOW MILLENNIALS ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY THROUGH DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMY
THE MILLENNIAL 20/20 SUMMIT IS A expectations… relevance and bottom-line in the future. The WORLDWIDE GATHERING OF BRANDS, The millennial traveller, defined by age as world’s leading hotel chains have been BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY LEADERS being born between 1980 and 2000, already gearing up for some time with the emphasis WHO TARGET THE MILLENNIAL makes up over one third of the world’s hotel on launching and acquiring Millennial- GENERATION. THE INAUGURAL EVENT WILL guests, with predictions that this will reach inspired hotels, including Hilton Hotels, TAKE PLACE IN LONDON ON THE 13TH- over 50 per cent by 2020. As the travel and Starwood, Intercontinental, Marriott and Best 14TH APRIL, 2016, AT B1, VICTORIA HOUSE, hospitality industry gears up for the biggest Western Hotels. These hotels are being BLOOMSBURY IN LONDON. disruption in decades, key attributes like forced to rethink hotel and room design, design, experience, mobile and perceived guest services and experiences, ethical With four dedicated industry tracks of fashion value, are imperative for attracting the footprints and smart features to cater for the and beauty, food and beverage, travel and millennial traveller. There has never been a millennial customer that wants to be able to hospitality, and sport and fitness, Millennial demographic that is more connected, digitally discuss, organise, book and customise their 2020 will feature highly curated and savvy and demanding, wanting contemporary experiences through their mobile at their own challenging discussions across eleven pillars; design, high quality amenities, smart convenience. marketing, retail, design, mobile, payments, technology and locally inspired ambience all video, social, e-commerce, CRM, big data and wrapped into a single hotel experience. SMART TECHNOLOGY merchandising. Here, Rupa shares the ideas With boutique hotels and fast-growth start- User experience has never been more of the Summit with a focus on the hospitality ups disrupting all aspects of the industry, important for the truly connected millennial sector and how architects and designers are innovation is also coming from within some of traveller, with high expectations in discovery, raising their game to provide the ultimate the largest corporates, who are aware that payments and mobile experience prior to and experience for those with great disruption and reinvention will drive their own during their stay.
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Hospitality for Millenials
The W Hotel group lets tech-savvy guests Sheraton Frankfurt Airport hotel has even provide value for millennials, Zoku markets unlock their rooms in some of their hotels implemented WhatsApp to communicate with itself as the end of the hotel room and the with an Apple Watch or smartphone while guests. WhatsApp enquiries have included beginning of the infinite room. The hotel Scandinavian hotel group HTL Hotels enables pricing information, booking enquiries, lost rooms include neat design features such as both check-in and room access through the property enquiries, as well as travel pullout stairs, drawers and sliding doors that smartphone. Taking it a step further, Japan’s questions and the hotel has implemented a help convert the room into a variety of Henn-na Hotel is staffed with life-like robots successful five minute turnaround time to all multipurpose spaces, depending on the that greet guests, carry bags and even clean Whatsapp enquiries. needs of the guest. "In our research, we rooms once a guest leaves. The aim of the found that what young people like about a hotel is to create an all-round hi-tech THE SHARING ECONOMY hostel, for example, is that they jump out of experience, including facial recognition With Airbnb now being one of the world’s their bunk beds, go down to have a coffee, software to open doors. largest hotel groups without having to own a and chat for two hours with new people," said single hotel, hotels are increasingly having to Hans Meyer, co-founder and managing ON-DEMAND GENERATION apply Sharing Economy features to the hotel director at Zoku. Smart hotel brands are integrating the right experience. These features include on-demand services, making them seamless communities, value, trust and social MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES for guests to access and use, whether it is connections. It has never been more important to deliver quick access to prices, amenities or room Created by MIT’s Mobile Experience Lab, deeper experiences to travellers by focus on service and whether it be via their own Marriott Hotels launched Six Degrees, a inspiration, personalisation and local branded-apps or messaging tools like physical social network encouraging hotel experiences. Whatsapp. guests to engage in the physical space Marriott’s Residence Inns, for example, now For example, the Ritz-Carlton app enables through an app, digital wall projection and an hosts weekly theme nights called the Mix to guests to order extra towels or toiletries, interactive wooden table in the lobby. The help millennials connect with local culture. luggage pickup or housekeeping services system used guests’ LinkedIn accounts to This can include dessert samplings, live directly from their mobile. While the Conrad pull information on the guests, including music in the lobbies, local food trucks and Concierge app allows guests to choose their where they work and what their interests fire pit nights. The Hilton Hotel’s Canopy rooms prior to checking in and order room might be. Guests could express interest in brand provides millenials with a welcome gift service during their stay. Best Western’s new organised activities like jogging in the park to from a local bakery upon arrival and access Vib hotel chain even offers automated check- craft beer tasting, through the app. to local fitness centres and local wine and in and a virtual concierge service and Developed in the Netherlands and created to beer tastings. HTL Hotels offers guests a
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Feature
personalised concierge service to help them also focuses on convenient features such as Images: First page (overleaf) Qbic, designed by Blacksheep discover the city’s hidden gems and uncover free early check-ins, late check-outs and on the left, Virgin Hotels, the local’s favourite eating, drinking and even free last minute cancellations. Whilst designed by Rockwell Group, shopping spots in the city. And even Four hotels like Tune Hotels, offer a ‘pay as you go’ this page, Generator Hostel, Seasons has got in on the action with their system where guests pay extras for TV, Wifi, Barcelona, designed by The Design Agency branded Food-Truck tours in cities across towels and even toiletries. America. From boutique hotels to large hotel groups, the millennial traveller is most certainly HOTEL DESIGN redefining the hospitality industry’s definition Hotel design is being transformed to cater for of a hotel. the millennial traveller through the evolution of lobby design, common social spaces and the more efficient use of space in hotel rooms. London’s newest boutique hotel Laslett hotel looks to capture the rich cultural heritage and local contemporary scene of Notting Hill within the design of the hotel, making the ground floor more of a neighbourhood hangout than a traditional hotel lobby. It incorporates a curated British library, walls of art, the Henderson bar and coffee which serves an evolving menu of dishes supplied by celebrated local chef Sally Clarke and her Bakery, and a shop showcasing collaborations with designers and artists. Larger hotel chains like the Best Western have launched a new boutique brand called Vib, short for Vibrant, which include contemporary and modern design, local design elements from the location of the hotel, large creative spaces, personalised food and beverage options, green-friendly features and vending machines where customers can purchase a variety of amenities including apple headphones. “This was a natural evolution for us. We wanted to make sure there was going to be a really amazing product for the guests,” says Best Western’s Managing Director of Design Amy Hulbert. Even the traditional no-frills hostel market is getting a makeover with brands. For example Freehand Hotel, which offers tourists the opportunity to mix with locals in the lobby, plush couches with coffee and handcrafted tiles lining the walls. European hostel brand Generation Hostels has also created lavish common areas with fantastic bars, cinema rooms and areas for yoga in their 10 ‘poshtels’. “We’re trying to capture people who are curious and people who want to experience design and want to experience something local,” said Josh White, Chief Strategic Officer.
PRICE SENSITIVE Lets face it, even though millennials require all these additional features from their hotels, they are still price sensitive, wanting more for less. The future of hotels will likely see the unbundling of hotel amenities, as the airline industry has successfully done in the last few decades. The new Virgin hotel brand addresses this through money-saving initiatives like free happy hours from 6pm – 7pm and minibars that offer affordable items. The hotel group
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Trend report
SCANDINAVIAN CREDENTIALS A TRADITIONAL HOUSE HAS BENEFITED FROM A 21ST CENTURY FACELIFT WITH KONTUR ARCHITECTS AND KEBONY STEPPING UP TO PRODUCE A PASSIVE HOUSE OF THE HIGHEST SCANDI STANDARD
A traditional Scandinavian “Funkis” style requirements, wherein the energy material that has a particular visual appeal house has been modernised and refurbished consumption is minimised. and Kebony allows its use without causing in line with ‘Passive House’ standards, which The owner and architect, Lasse Haldrup environmental degradation. Working with has strict environmental credentials, Juul, first discovered Kebony at the Aarhus Kebony has transformed the character of the bringing the house into the 21st Century in school of architecture, when he became house, giving it an impressive yet neutral and terms of both design and performance. fascinated by the technology and the organic finish.” superior structural properties of the Adrian Pye, International Sales Director at Kontur Architects have designed this modified wood. The versatility of the wood Kebony said: “This Passive House is a stunningly refurbished home, which enabled the architect to make use of the fantastic example of how Kebony can be overlooks Lake Mjosa, Norway, now attaining leftovers to create sustainable starling used to transform the exterior of a house a high level of energy efficiency. The house is boxes, storage boxes for recycling and plant into a sustainable home with exceptional clad in Kebony, the sustainable alternative to boxes to hold spices and vegetables. quality design.” kebony.com tropical hardwood, which is both refined and Kebony’s superior environmental credentials hardwearing to deliver spectacular set it apart from more conventional woods Scandinavian style and passive house which would likely deteriorate over time or credentials. involve the use of environmentally-damaging The four bedroom house, which has been treatment; it requires no maintenance subject to a complete renovation, has only beyond normal cleaning and has no harmful the base walls, load bearing wooden- effects on the environment. Kebony wood structure, staircase and chimney remaining proved to be an ideal material for the from the original Funkis ‘functionalist style’ architect who required a low maintenance house, built in the 1930s. The interior of this material that would be ‘as green as possible’, house is now light and spacious with a with the ability to stand the test of time. minimalistic approach maintained Lasse Haldrup Juul, the owner and architect throughout. In addition, sustainability was of the property, commented “The feedback I fundamental to the design of this remarkable have received for the Passive House has house, which now meets the Passive House been immensely positive. Timber is a
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Building materials
COTSWOLD PROVES POPULAR
Cotswold dry walling stone is one the most popular products for wall building. Its natural colour with its subtle traditional honey characteristics has a charm and beauty that many other stones find hard to match. Today the Cotswold stone is being used for a variety of modern construction projects including, new boundary walls, Cotswold styled properties and landscaping projects, and is ideal for both exterior and interior facing/cladding. It can also be used to face gabion baskets, if you are looking for a natural walling style effect for a gabion wall. 01869 331281 [email protected] | www.smithsbletchington.co.uk
SIKA FITS THE BILL
The recent roof refurbishment works at Eden Park Primary School Academy in Devon are another example of Sika Liquid Plastics’ dedication to delivering roofing systems that suit the sensitive education environment, as well as helping academies to secure funding. Sika Liquid Plastics’ liquid waterproofing membrane, Decothane, allows for ease of application around detailing and as the product is cold applied, installation could be undertaken during term time. Stormforce Roofing and Maintenance, a Sika Liquid Plastics Quality Assured Contractor, completed the work in a matter of weeks, flawlessly overlaying the 1,500sqm roof with the new Decothane system, as well was installing new insulation and Decalite roof lights. The Sika Liquid Plastics system also allowed for a thermal upgrade, reducing both cost and work otherwise associated with stripping the original waterproofing to the deck. 0800 112 3826 | www.liquidplastics.co.uk
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Plumbing + drainage
UP THE PRESSURE
The latest generation of pressure boosting systems from pump specialist Wilo UK can be specifically tailored to your needs and equipped with two to four pumps. Wilo-SiBoost Smart Helix EXCEL is the perfect solution for secure water supply and needs-based pressure provision in residential and commercial buildings and industrial applications. Its high efficiency and powerful performance are unmatched on the market. It uses a motor that already meets the requirements of EU ErP Directive for 2017. This exceptional generation of motors already far exceeds IE4, the most stringent motor efficiency class under ErP. The other components in the pressure boosting system – the electronics and hydraulics, are designed to the same high standards as the motor. The system is VDE and CE certified and meets the KTW, KIWA, ACS and WRAS drinking water guidelines. Wilo-SiBoost Smart Helix EXCEL is driven by controlled, high efficiency EC motors. One motor is installed for each pump, with a rated power of 2.2 to 3.2 kilowatts, depending on the pump model. You can choose from models with rated flow rates of 4, 6, 10 or 16 m³/h. As the speed of the drive can also be adjusted, Wilo-SiBoost Smart Helix EXCEL meets all the volume flow requirements without resulting in oversupply or undersupply. www.wilo.co.uk
HEPWORTH FOR HARIBO
For a £92m production facility in Yorkshire which will produce 48,000 tonnes of sweets a year, there was only ever going to one choice when it came to drainage – Hepworth SuperSleve Clay pipes will ensure this landmark factory will have an underground pipe system that will stand the test of time. The new 30,700m2 Haribo factory in Castleford forms part of the UK expansion of the German confectionary company. Hepworth Clay pipes were specified for their inherent strength and low lifetime cost. Hepworth SuperSleve are easy to cut and with the benefit of being able to use recycled aggregate as bedding material, Hepworth clay pipes were the ideal choice and offered the client proven long term performance. For use in commercial or industrial construction, adoptable sewers, highways and general building works the Hepworth SuperSleve system is available in 100mm, 150mm, 225mm and 300mm diameters and consists of plain ended pipe and fittings with additional push fit flexible couplings. www.wavin.co.uk
HEATING THE ESTATE
Kirtling Towers, the remains of a Grade I 16th Century Tudor house, has recently received its first two installations of Windhager biomass heating systems. The estate made the decision to convert to biomass as an economical and more sustainable alternative to its previous oil heating system. As a result, two separate Windhager biomass district heating systems, each comprising an 180kW BioWIN Excel Kaskade system were installed by local installers, Acorn Renewable Solutions. They are currently underway with phase three of the project with an expected completion by the winter. The two Windhager 180kW biomass systems were installed by Acorn Renewable Solutions as an efficient and environmentally friendly replacement for the estate’s old oil boilers. The automatic feed and backup system of the BioWIN Excel boilers provide the estate with a constant and reliable heat source all year round, without the need for regular maintenance visits. The installation qualifies for the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which will reward the Fairhaven Estate with £35,000 per year in return payments from the scheme over 20 years. 01225 892211 | [email protected] | www.windhager.co.uk
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Product gallery
ULTIMATE USABILITY
Elmtec presents SketchUp 2015, the latest edition of the 3D modelling platform from Trimble Buildings Group. The launch features a new 3D Warehouse and some interesting integrations with BIM. Elmtec is the UK distribution partner in the UK and the dedicated team can offer advice, support, and provide you with the latest updates. SketchUp Pro is a powerful tool for exploring and presenting your ideas in 3D. SketchUp is intuitive, allowing anyone to model in 3D quickly and accurately. Part of the SketchUp Pro suite, lets you combine SketchUp models with text and 2D graphics to produce multi-page presentations, professional design documents and permit, construction and other dimensioned drawings. SketchUp Pro’s interoperability with other commonly used CAD/3D tools and data has been improved significantly with the latest version. In incorporating three new features to export and classify models, the program is making key steps into the world of integrating design. SketchUp Pro licensing is now friendlier than ever before. Every SketchUp 2015 download starts with a 30-day trial of Pro features. 2015 Pro licenses can be used on a Mac or PC. 01844 263750 | [email protected] | www.elmtec.co.uk/sketchup
TEXTURED DECORS
The EGGER Zoom range has been updated with three new synchronised decors including one brand new texture. Using advanced surface technology during production, the decors are aligned with the texture to create an even more realistic finish. The new finishes include Halifax Oak ST37 in a Natural Oak and a Tobacco Oak colour, they are deeply knotted and feature heavy cracks offering a realistic alternative to solid timber. The third addition H3342 ST28 Sepia Gladstone Oak is a dramatic yet elegant woodgrain. 0845 606 8888 www.egger.com Visit EGGER at Sleep 2015, stand G9
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Spotlight
WALNUT WOWS JAMES LATHAM HAS SUPPLIED SUPER PRIME WALNUT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RESIDENTIAL STAIRCASE, CREATING A STRIKING, BESPOKE PIECE OF JOINERY FOR A HOME IN LINCOLNSHIRE
ONE OF THE UK'S BIGGEST INDEPENDENT of Hull was appointed to focus on the Mitch Jackson, Timber Sales Representative TIMBER AND PANEL PRODUCT DISTRIBUTORS, installation of the staircase and after two at James Latham Leeds said: “This stunning JAMES LATHAM, HAS SUPPLIED 2.2M3 weeks of meticulous bespoke carpentry, staircase is a great example of how Super OF SUPER PRIME WALNUT FOR THE which demonstrated phenomenal Prime Walnut can be incorporated into a CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEGANT STAIRCASE, craftsmanship, they produced this stunning project to create a high quality luxurious finish. WHICH IS NOW THE FOCAL POINT OF A centrepiece to the home. We are delighted with the end result which LUXURY NEW BUILD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY GW Clark’s brief was to ensure that the looks amazing and we are looking forward to IN LOUTH AT THE FOOT OF THE staircase appeared to have glass seamlessly working with GW Clark on future projects.” LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS. pouring out of the Walnut, with all the joints and aluminium being completely concealed. 0116 257 3415 | [email protected] The Super Prime Walnut was specifically The result more than achieved this and they www.lathamtimber.co.uk chosen for its wonderful warm appearance to also used a lacquered finish rather than oiled complement the striking panes of glass on the as the lacquer is harder wearing and easier to staircase, which were selected to create the maintain and keep clean. sense of open space. In addition, they clad the staircase with the Lincs Design Consultancy (LDC) were same Walnut planks but decided against commissioned by the owner of the property to matching nosing as they wanted to create a design this luxury home and were briefed to rustic floating appearance. create and build a contemporary and luxurious Richard Clark, owner of GW Clark Joinery, dwelling. chose James Latham to supply the Walnut and The leading, multi-discipline Louth consultancy said: “We needed to find a company that we specialise in creating synergy between could rely on to provide high quality products architecture, planning and sustainability so and adhere to our timescales. I’ve worked with they were the perfect choice for this project. James Latham for many years and for us they A key part of the design brief, set by LDC and were the natural choice. As well as providing led by Associate, Chris Burkitt, was to the material on time they were also on hand to construct a contemporary house with offer technical support and knowledge as and outstanding joinery features. GW Clark Joinery when we required.”
November 2015 Architects Choice 47 AC_OctNov15_Jade_Layout 3 27/10/2015 16:45 Page 48
Product gallery
ON CLOUD NINE
ONELAN has revealed the latest update to the Reserva Room Booking range. To support corporate and education users, who have already migrated or plan to move their calendaring system to the cloud, Reserva now offers integration with Microsoft Office 365. This update also includes integration with Scientia timetabling systems used in Universities worldwide. Reserva has also been improved to better support enterprise customers who wish to run the Reserva Connection Manager software on Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 and VMWare platforms. By supporting deployment on virtualised hardware, Reserva can benefit from high availability, snapshotting and improved load balancing. ONELAN develops network appliances for standalone and end-to-end Digital Signage network solutions. The Net-Top-Box is a multimedia, multi-zoned solution capable of Touch Interactivity. With a browser based user interface, the system is fully multi-lingual and capable of displaying both stored media and live media e.g RSS feeds, web pages and broadcast TV or locally streamed video. Further members of the product family cater for Enterprise network management and integration with external data sources. www.onelan.com
KEEPING IT TIGHT
Multi-Tight 2K is a new, flexible, mineral based waterproofing product which has all the performance properties of older technology polymer-modified thick bitumen emulsions, whilst being “bitumen free”. Using unique rubber granulate filler technology Multi-Tight 2K has a crack-bridging capacity which is five times more effective than standard flexible mineral- based waterproofing systems. The versatility of the product allows it to be used to waterproof below ground externally and internally offering excellent resistance to ground or water pressure as well as frost and salts. It is very quick and easy to apply by trowel or spray application, has fantastic levels of adhesion to most substrates including old bitumen and dries very quickly in less than 18 hours. Multi Tight 2K is UV stable but can also be over-coated with Remmers Concrete Acrylic in any colour allowing clients to aesthetically blend in areas of waterproofing on building facades. Waterproofing your building has now been truly simplified by Multi Tight 2K. 01293 594010 | www.remmers.co.uk
A MINIMAL DIMENSION
Brio has added to its wide range of hardware for straight sliding doors with two interior Zero Clearance Glass options. Brio recognised that architects had an urgent need for an architectural hardware system that would enable glass panels to bring a new dimension to minimalism, and developed the Zero Clearance Glass system with a virtually invisible 2.5mm clearance between glazing rail and track. The clean lines achieved by the concealed hardware and low profile glazing rail allow the panel to appear as if suspended between floor and ceiling. Brio’s Single Run Zero Clearance Glass hardware makes floor to ceiling installations more streamlined and ultimately compatible with today’s uncluttered minimalist interiors. Single Run Zero Clearance Glass hardware allows an infinitesimal gap – 2.5mmm - between the glass panel and the hardware, enabling a pleasing aesthetic finish to floor to ceiling installations. The use of glass panels brings a new dimension to minimalism with the clean lines achieved by the concealed hardware and low profile glazing rail causing the panel to appear to be suspended between floors and ceiling. www.briouk.com
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Product gallery
silky and sensuous to the touch, Beige Concrete features a BEIGE CONCRETE combination of cream and neutral tones to offer a worksurface, which will deliver stunning effects when used with classical or minimalistic Beige Concrete from COMPAC is part of a unique quartz worksurface kitchen designs, in the home or workplace. The New York Collection range inspired by America’s stylish New York loft culture. Creating a from COMPAC is available in seven colours with two unique finishes, fusion between architecture, design and functionality, the New York Concrete and Glacé. Collection will change the way we think about worksurfaces. Smooth, [email protected] | www.compac.es
INTO THE SMÅLAND WOODLANDS
Kährs has introduced a new collection of ten rustic oak wood floors. Part of Kährs Supreme Range, the Småland Collection features a dynamic timber surface with a unique composition of knots, graining and cracks. Its very rustic, undulating appearance is complemented with a range of surfaces treatments, which create a multi-faceted surface. Kährs Småland Collection is suitable for contract and residential environments and features a multi- layered construction, which can be installed over underfloor heating. All floors within the new range are made in Småland, Sweden; within the Småland forest region where Kährs was founded in 1857. The designs have a one-strip ‘plank’ format enhanced by a bevelled edge along all four sides. Colour tones range from light beige/grey Oak Vista, to deep toned Tveta, which is smoked to give a brown/black hue. Surface treatments include brushing, handscraping, sawing, staining and smoking, and all designs have an oiled prefinish. The new designs are crafted from sustainable oak, sourced from the Småland woodlands, and have a multi-layered construction for optimum stability. 023 9245 3045 | [email protected] | kahrs.com
REFLECTING GOOD ROOFING
The devastating storm surge that hit the east coast two years ago damaged many properties up and down the country. Dunes Amusements in Cromer, Norfolk, was one of the businesses destroyed by the surge and worked with Norfolk Pro Build, Gray and Jarrett and Sika Sarnafil to repair the damage in order to open to the public once again. The project was one of the first in the country to use Sika Sarnafil’s new Self Adhered roofing membrane. Gray and Jarrett undertook the roofing portion of the project, firstly removing the existing strawboard decking down to the steel frame and replacing with a steel corrugated deck. Applying a Sarnavap 500E as the vapour control layer, followed by new insulation, they then installed the Sika Sarnafil Self Adhered Membrane, G410-15EL FSA in light grey. The membrane gave a smooth, sleek finish to the roof, a specification requirement of architects, Canham Consulting, as people would be looking down on the roof from the town above. 01707 394444 | [email protected] | www.sarnafil.co.uk
November 2015 Architects Choice 49 AC_OctNov15_Jade_Layout 3 27/10/2015 16:45 Page 50
Last Word
thelastword
THE DIVINE PROPORTION MARK FERGUSON, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF VERY OWN STUDIO, DELIVERS AN ARTISTIC, YET MATHEMATICAL SOLUTION TO PRESENTING ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN ONLINE
A NEW PORTFOLIO STYLE WEBSITE IS analytics, paired with emerging standards, Partners business. With their emphasis on USUALLY A SIGNIFICANT UNDERTAKING demonstrated the second core part of our collaborative working and teams working in FOR A COMPANY, SO WE FEEL IT IS USEFUL brief. It was essential for the new website to architecture, interior design and industrial FOR CLIENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE be responsive, presenting content as design, would it make better sense to set the PROCESS INVOLVED BEHIND DECEPTIVELY elegantly as possible whatever the screen three disciplines apart, or intersperse them? SIMPLE PHRASES LIKE ‘RESPONSIVE size and format it was viewed from. We Both options had strengths and weaknesses. DESIGN’ OR ‘SCALABILITY’. designed and developed the website with an Working with the client, we reached a underlying grid system based on six columns, solution that played to the strengths of the One phrase a lot of our built environment changing to four columns on smaller three disciplines and articulated their brand clients are familiar with is the golden ratio, or screens. Our system is based on the divine ethos throughout the site, through clear divine proportion. From Euclid to Corbusier, proportion and defines the layout of all navigation and filtering, well written the mathematical golden ratio can be applied elements of the site, but most crucially, positioning copy, new team photography and to art, architecture and now, web design. Conran and Partners images. a balanced mix of strong project images on For Conran and Partners new website, the To maintain the proportions across a range of the homepage. initial brief to Very Own Studio was to update browser window sizes, we built the website Our third challenge and the final point, was their previous website, which was technically with several 'break points' adhering to our creating an effective, easy to use content outdated, difficult to update and grid system. This set of rules determines the management system (CMS), behind the site. unresponsive. Our first content audit soon size of key elements on the page to help We achieved this with a CMS centred around unveiled a large archive of beautiful images maintain consistent proportions. We designed uploading images according to our golden representing their impressive back catalogue a separate mobile version of the site, to ratio grid system, giving the user full of projects. We proposed that these images ensure Conran’s images remain strong, even editorial control over how each project is should take centre stage in a completely new on a small smartphone screen. presented. website design. Another major consideration, was how to As Corbusier once said, “good design really is Evidence from Conran and Partners website present the different areas of Conran and simply intelligence made visible”.
50 Architects Choice November 2015 AC_OctNov15_Jade_Layout 3 27/10/2015 16:45 Page 51
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ECO & ENERGY SOLUTIONS PLASTERWORK & MOULDINGS RAINWATER & GUTTERING
The most efficient small circulators you can specify
Call 01283 523000 or visit www.wilo.co.uk
DIGITAL DESIGN STOVES & WOOD BURNERS
DOORS THERMAL INSULATION
t: 01865 290 890 f: 01865 290 899 [email protected] www.schoeck.co.uk
DOORS & WINDOWS Adding fine quality mouldings is the WALL AND DOOR PROTECTION easiest way to introduce a stylish new room design. Our unique range of traditional and contemporar y features are simple to fit, beautiful to look at and perfect in design. Fitted in top hotels and developments worldwide, these mouldings add a stunning effect to any room.
0208 660 2854 | [email protected] www.davuka.co.uk
LIGHTING RADIATOR VALVES WALLING
Radical energy savings from Stelrad
0844 543 6200 www.stelrad.com
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52 Architects Choice November 2015