James Stephens, Managing Director of Offsite Solutions, looks at how bathroom and utility pods are helping contractors in the coronavirus pandemic.
How can protective coatings strengthen, enhance and improve the lifespan of buildings?
For the housing industry today, the problems of the ‘Third World War’ (i.e. COVID-19) mirror somewhat those of the Second World War when the aim was to come up with a quick, efficient and modern answer to a problem. In 1942, it was the bombed-out housing crisis. This was when the UK took inspiration from the USA and their very advanced and modern prefabricated houses for workers and families working on huge dam construction projects. UK prefabs were temporary homes built in the factory – they were the MMC (modern methods of construction) of their day.
Elena Galli Giallini (EGGL), a Hong Kong-based firm specialising in architectural design, renovations, and interior and industrial design, has unveiled the rejuvenated north building of the Grand Gateway 66 retail complex (GG66), located in Shanghai’s bustling commercial, cultural and historical zone of Xijiahui. Comprising two distinct buildings of contrasting configurations, EGGL was commissioned to provide the prominent complex with a brand-new image, both architecturally and functionally. The result is truly spectacular with an unusual M. C. Escher ‘Relativity’ feel.
Clement Windows Group were selected to provide the new steel windows for this former police HQ (CID) building on Bridewell Island in Central Bristol. After many years of being out of use, it has now been renovated and is the new YMCA Bristol hostel.
The new school in Westport which was installed with a 2,300m² Bauder Thermofol roof has been recognised at this year’s Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) award ceremony. The RIAI aims to recognise the quality of work carried out by RIAI members and highlight the contribution of Irish architects to the society. Scoil Phadraig under the project name of ‘New School in Town’ was nominated in the Public Choice Award for the best building in Ireland for which it was voted 2nd and was awarded Best Educational Building.
Giving the Moderne a contemporary edge while maintaining the tenets of iconic 1930s design has been realised in the redevelopment of a prestigious London building.
Andy Barrons from specialist structural refurbishment contractor, Construction Solutions, discusses the temporary works and RC requirements of the Camden Town Hall Annexe hotel project in Central London.
Students starting as the University of Salford in September 2016 are the first intake to reap the benefits of the award-winning New Adelphi Building.
Having recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, LEGO has been a family-favourite for many generations. The creativity and ingenuity boost these vividly-coloured building blocks contribute to children’s creative education is unparalleled and still stimulates the minds of youngsters today. So, just imagine the enchantment a life-size LEGO house would offer a child, and the nostalgia it would present to adults. That’s precisely what Copenhagen- and New York-based architectural firm, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), has bestowed on the residents and tourists of Billund, Denmark; an out-of-this-world structure fabricated from one of the world’s favourite educational toys; LEGO.
