Features
Andrew Mitton from building services engineering contractor, Proline, discusses the issue of overheating in contemporary residential developments and reveals the cooling solution developed by Proline for a new residential tower currently on site in Manchester.
An emerging form of ground source heat pump system (GSHP) known as ‘shared ground loop arrays’ is making a big impact on climate change and air pollution at the same time as providing low-cost heat for households and a return for investors in the technology. Here Dr Matthew Trewhella, Contracts Director at the Kensa Group, explores the GSHP industry’s latest newcomer.
Illias Igoumenidis from Ecological Building Systems discusses the transformation of a derelict cottage into a desirable holiday retreat.
A roaring fire is the beating heart of any period renovation, but the effects of ageing combined with character considerations mean that bringing a chimney back to life is not always a simple matter. David Wright, Residential Sales & Marketing Manager for Schiedel Chimney Systems, explains the issues that can arise and the modern chimney and flue solutions that are bringing old systems into the 21st century.
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.
Fire safety remains top of the agenda following the Dame Judith Hackitt Review and the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster. Whilst much of the debate has centred around the use of combustible cladding and the need to improve fire safety management systems, there are strong calls from the industry to tighten the law on the installation of fire suppression methods too. Antony Corbett, Product Manager for Geberit Piping Systems, examines the case for mandatory sprinkler installations into existing properties.
Richard Besant, Sales Director at Powdertech (Corby), discusses colour and powder coatings as a key element of building design. Trends are towards naturally weathered metals and Powdertech has responded with its powder coating collection ‘Evolution™’.
John Dunnington, Head of Marketing at architectural cladding specialist Booth Muirie, provides insight into the fire performance of rainscreen cladding systems on buildings over 18m, following the most extensive fire testing the cladding industry has witnessed.
Margot Krasojevic Architects’ Harmonic Turbine Tidal Hotel harnesses tidal energy to generate electricity. The idea was to redefine the hotel typology by embracing renewable energy to create a sustainable environment. This is the last of three tidal projects using the project brief to further underline the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue between architecture, engineering, renewable energy and industrial design.
The imposing heights and traditional industrial aesthetic of King’s Cross’ reborn Gasholders grant me with a heart-warming sense of nostalgia as I work through this month’s issue of FC&A. I distinctly recall passing these once obsolete grand edifices on frequent occasions as a young child – their shells intimidating and ungracious in my architecturally-fresh eyes. Today, however, I can appreciate the city’s intrinsic connection to its industrial heritage and the golden age of craft – and interpret these ‘eyesores’ in a modified, more graceful light. The restoration of our historical architecture is vitally important, and re-purposing old period structures for new employment has never been more vital – particularly in the wake of the UK’s largely-documented housing shortage. WilkinsonEyre’s salvation and transformation of King’s Cross’ industrial landmark has done just that; sensitively amalgamated the historical architecture I recall from back in the ‘90s whilst coinciding with Britain’s housing crisis.
