Buildings, design and specification – Page 6
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Cost model: Data centres
Data centres have become vital infrastructure, but as their importance has grown, so too have their size, security threats and carbon output
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Kingston Cycle Hub: no ordinary bike shed
Kingston council has spent £32m upgrading the borough’s cycling facilities, including a stylish storage hub beside the railway station with secure space for 400 bicycles. Could this be the direction of travel across the country?
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What are we going to do about concrete?
One of the most versatile materials on the planet, concrete is also one of the most polluting. But pressure is growing on the cement industry to come up with ways to reduce its carbon footprint
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Client profile: Emma-Jane Houghton in charge of the New Hospital Programme
The commercial director leading the government’s 40-hospital construction programme explains what she’s looking for from suppliers
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Cost model: Reinvention
Reinvention – making obsolete buildings relevant to today’s market, including by conversion to more valuable uses – is a green alternative to demolition and rebuilding. Nic di Santo, Alastair Kenyon and Rachel Coleman of Alinea balance the benefits against the risks and constraints, and detail the costs of an example ...
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Bigger and better: One Triton Square
How British Land increased the net area of a 20-year old office block by 57% but still saved 40,000 tonnes of carbon by opting for refurbishment over new build
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Museum of the Home: making visitors comfortable
After the planning hoo-ha that saw Chipperfield’s original proposals dropped, Wright Wright has delivered a major yet subtle expansion of the former Geffrye Museum – now renamed Museum of the Home – that visitors may not even notice. Richard Gatti reports
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Canary Wharf’s new chapter: Shifting focus to residential
The stepping down of Sir George Iacobescu has raised fresh questions about the future of the iconic business district. As new boss Shobi Khan hints at a fresh residential-led vision, we take a look at what the future may hold
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Cost model: Zero carbon offices
UK offices could well become the standard-bearers for innovative carbon-cutting practices – here Aecom provides a cost breakdown of a typical low carbon office scheme
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Bodmin Jail: unlocking the potential of a piece of Cornish history
Abandoned in 1927 and left to ruin for almost a century, it took a team of brave (or foolhardy?) developers to decide that Bodmin Jail had the potential to become a hotel and tourist attraction. Bats, pigeons, neighbouring builders and covid-19 ensured that realising their vision was easier said ...
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You can’t build, build, build if you don’t have the materials
A global shortage of key products means prices are rising and lead times growing, potentially putting the recovery at risk. Tom Lowe reports
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From me-space to we-space: welcome to the office of the future
If we are going to work collectively again, the places in which we do so will have to adapt. Here are some of the workplace solutions planners and consultants are offering up
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Cost model: Rural affordable homes
As people head for the countryside with the expansion of home-working, pressure on rural housing stock can only grow, including demand for affordable homes. Aecom’s Paul Houghton explains the specific challenges and opportunities of developing such provision and provides a cost breakdown of a typical scheme
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Ahead of the curve: Park Crescent rebuilt
Plans to demolish a grade I-listed crescent were never going to be uncontroversial, but PDP London has redressed a botched 1960s rebuild and restored many of the original features
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Rethinking Design: what’s in store for warehouses?
A year of lockdowns has almost doubled internet sales, and the consequent boom in warehousing is changing the way we think about retail infrastructure
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Rethinking Design: putting the fun back into the future
How will the hospitality and leisure sectors adapt to post-covid restrictions while satisfying our craving for excitement, wellbeing and social interaction? Debika Ray reports
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Cost model: Later living provision
The later living sector must grow rapidly to support the UK’s ageing population. Alex Hyams of Alinea and Assael Architecture’s Félicie Krikler and Rory O’Hagan consider how to unlock the sector’s potential from a design and location perspective and break down the costs of building a retirement community
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Barony Campus: Scotland’s new super school
It has been described as the most innovative, ambitious and inclusive learning facility in the country - Sheppard Robson tells how the client ditched the frameworks route for a bespoke design
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Arcadis’ new London HQ: What goes into a post-covid office
The hybrid work model has arrived - with fewer desks but a big focus on smart tech and wellbeing
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Tax relief: the Structures and Buildings Allowance
The Structures and Buildings Allowance extends tax relief from plant and machinery to cover other parts of a non-residential building or structure but it can be hard to adminster