Author: Lisa Wight

Business premises are brand extensions make yours special

Posted on by Lisa Wight

A commercial building is more than a place of work. To owner occupiers it is, of course, a financial asset, but what is less generally recognised is that it is a brand extension of your business or organisation.

 

Think for example of the Prudential building in Holborn, solid Victorian Gothic in all its magnificence. What more ringing endorsement of the companys stability, propriety and prosperity? Or, by way of contrast, think of the Stansted Airport terminal with its thrusting columns and striking steel and glass canopy you cant get more dynamic and futuristic than that.

 

Both buildings are purpose built in the fullest sense, which is to say that they are not only fit for purpose but buildings of character, as distinctive as the enterprises they house. In our view at SKK Design all architecture should aspire to this ideal, although it stands to reason that not all clients have the scope and resources for projects on that scale.

 

That said, it should not prevent them putting their stamp on their premises, even if the starting point is a ready-to-occupy unit in a mall, industrial estate or science park. Or, for that matter, the conversion of a former factory or farm building.

But to begin at the beginning, there are certain categories of building that by their nature must be purpose built such as schools, hospitals, hotels and laboratories. Their design will depend on a number of criteria, such as community needs, market demands, technical requirements and budgetary constraints.

 

At SKK Design we have experience in all these sectors, acting for both corporate and public service clients in everything from creative concept through to handover.

 

If youre not able to start from scratch but still want a building tailored to your needs, conversion or refurbishment of an existing building is probably the most logical and economical alternative.

 

We have plenty of relevant experience in this area too our own offices are the conversion of what was originally a flour mill and thus we are well placed to manage your office conversion or refurbishment. Even if you cant afford to suspend trading whilst its in hand we can manage it in stages whilst youre in occupation.

 

Then comes the icing on the cake. The fit out and finishing that gives your building personality and makes it an extension of your brand. This is particularly important in retail outlets or service businesses like cafes and restaurants.

Creating a theme for an eatery is all about originality, dcor, lighting and acoustics, the last details that impart that all important ambience and strike a chord with customers. Check out our blog The Tomato That Grew Into a Caf for an insight into how we helped our clients realise their vision in this area.

Conversions confer character are you ready for a makeover

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Do you remember Through the Keyhole, the TV game show? In it David Frost/Loyd Grossman hosted a guided tour of a celebritys house, after which a panel of other celebrities were invited to guess whose home it was. I just mention it to illustrate the point that a home reflects the personality of its owner. We all strive to put our stamp on our place and signal to the world the sort of person we are, or would like to be.

A Victorian cottage with its original features cast iron fireplace, stained glass fanlight and moulded plasterwork comes with built in character. All you need to do is bring it up to modern living standards.

That might involve installing central heating, double glazing, roof insulation and renewable energy sources but your overall investment would probably be no more than buying a ready to occupy modern property and you may end up with something of real distinction that will always have great kerb appeal!

Moving up the scale, especially if youre looking for a family home, you might consider a barn conversion. The scope here is enormous, although admittedly the investment will be greater and planning restrictions will be more stringent. It would involve connection to utilities and substantial structural work like the installation of a mezzanine floor.

That said, its ideal for those who like spacious open plan living and country life (great for the kids). And again, youll enjoy the distinction of original features, like exposed beams and roof trusses with the added benefit over a Victorian house of an amazing principal reception space suited to a variety of living space.

For the truly ambitious (and prosperous), there is the conversion of a former industrial or institutional property think London warehouse or deconsecrated church. Here, of course, you need the professional input of an architectural and design practice like ourselves.

Our own offices are a converted Victorian Mill, so we know of what we speak, and would be pleased to advise you on your residential project. The costs would be comparable to commissioning an original architect designed house, but it is, once again, the uniqueness of the original features, be they Victorian Gothic masonry or a spiral ironwork staircase, that makes such residences truly outstanding.

We invite you to look through the keyhole at some of our case studies – just click here to view!

Let there be light bringing the outdoors in

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Caves may have been the Stone Age equivalent of affordable housing they were, after all, ready-made but man is not by nature a cave dweller. His preferred habitat is more like the Garden of Eden light, airy, green and spacious.

During the summer months I live almost exclusively in my conservatory or the patio that overlooks my back garden. More affluent types lounge poolside or under the leafy shade of their wooded grounds. But you get the idea. Were happiest in that crossover zone between indoors and out secure in our home yet at one with nature.

All great architecture recognises and accommodates that fact. In Roman times the villas of the well-to-do were built around atria central open courtyards surrounded by enclosed rooms on all sides. Some even had a central pool anticipating Hollywood homes by centuries! although theirs were generally used to collect rainwater.

The urge to bring the outdoors in can be seen throughout the ages in the arcaded courtyards of monasteries, colleges and stately homes. Some stately homes also feature long galleries enclosed walks where ladies could take their constitutionals without getting sunburnt which back in the day was considered quite dclass!

The concept of the atrium has also been enthusiastically adopted by modern architects, often in the spacious lobbies of public buildings, which might extend upwards by two or three stories. For the trivia collectors amongst you the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai has the worlds tallest atrium at 590 feet, and the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada has the worlds largest atrium (by volume) at 29 million cu.ft..

Of course atria are just one way of bringing the outdoors in. Modern construction methods and materials specifically steel and concrete have made it possible to create glazed tower blocks with light flooded interiors (to the extent that some have to be fitted with projecting fins to deflect direct sunlight).

Historically the load bearing structure of a building was all in the outer walls. In a modern tower block the main structural element is the pre-stressed concrete core, with concrete floor plates built out from it. The external walls can therefore be light in every sense of the word.

Glazed steel matrices are another technique for bringing the outdoors in notably in structures like the canopy covering the British Museums central courtyard designed by Norman Foster, which we have mentioned before in these pages.

So, let there be light, air and space! Modern methods and materials make it possible and the architectural and design skills of SKK are at your disposal in realising your vision of bringing the outdoors in.

CONSERVATION OR DESECRATION? THE REMAKING OF LONDON LANDMARKS

Posted on by Lisa Wight

When it comes to architecture, are you a modernist or a traditionalist? Do you side with Norman Foster, creator of London’s ‘Gherkin’, the headquarters of the Swiss Re insurance company, or Prince Charles, the squire of Poundbury, the classically styled model town in Dorset?

The latest battle in the war between modernists and traditionalists is the condemnation (or commendation, depending on your point of view) of ‘Facadism’. Facadism is about keeping the facade of a (usually historic) building, demolishing everything behind it and building something else in its place.

Some of the more striking examples in London include the National Provincial Bank, Threadneedle Street, and the London Fruit and Wool Exchange, Spitalfields, both of which now look like studio flats in a Hollywood back lot.

Is this conservation or desecration? Such buildings are the very fabric of our architectural heritage and are presumably protected by a preservation order. But couldn’t the whole building have been repurposed without demolishing all but a modesty screen for an incongruously mismatched building behind it?

Isn’t this just conservational tokenism on the part of developers and planning authorities – done in the name of expediency, profit and inflated business rates? Or should we be grateful that any vestige of the original is preserved at all? When a building is demolished in entirety, it often seems that something less architecturally distinguished is erected in its place.

Is the rise of Facadism an admission of defeat? An acceptance that quality architecture is a thing of the past? We mentioned Norman Foster as a proponent of modernism, and love it or loathe it, his ‘Gherkin’ is a stunning example of his style. As one journalist said about it when it was built: If at least one scene of the next James Bond film isn’t set there, I’ll eat my hat!

But actually Norman Foster’s redesign of the British Museum and its new interior courtyard is proof that enhancement of period architecture can by handled sympathetically and well. The graceful steel and glass canopy of the courtyard both respects the classical architecture of the original building and provides a gentle counterpoint to it.

Whilst we wouldn’t necessarily put ourselves in the same class as Norman Foster, we at SKK believe that a harmonious blend of traditional and modern can be achieved in the restoration and repurposing of period buildings, a policy we have followed in refurbishing our own offices from a former Victorian flour mill.

A bluffers guide to architecture

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Every profession has its jargon, a language of its own that allows its practitioners to talk shop, often to the exclusion and annoyance of lay persons. On the other hand, without a few technical terms business of any kind would be impossible to conduct.

To illustrate, do you know that Gracie Fields song that goes Im the girl that makes the thing that drills the hole that holds the spring that drives the rod that turns the knob that makes the thing-ummy-bob as featured in recent TV advertising for Square, the credit company?

It was a war time favourite that celebrated the role of women factory workers. Amusing, yes. But can you imagine engineers specifying components without the use of such handy terms as cotter pin, sprocket wheel, flange nut, ratchet and pawl etc?

Its much the same with architecture. There comes a time when that bit that goes round the frame of a door or the upright bar that separates two adjoining windows gets a bit cumbersome and confusing, hence the terms architrave and mullion to describe each respectively.

So, to mug up your architecture (and impress your dinner party friends when discussing your new homeextension) heres a handy A-Z (or bluffers guide!) of architectural terms you can drop into conversation. Theyll also get your architect to look at you with new found respect and be wary of blinding you with science!

 

Not that we at SKK would ever do anything like that of course hence the lexicon below:

An A-Z of Architectural Terms

ARCHITRAVE
BRISE SOLEIL
CHAIR RAIL
DADO
ENFILADE
FANLIGHT
GOLDEN RATIO
HAUNCH
IONIC
JOIST
KEYSTONE
LINTEL
MULLION
NOGGING
OCULUS
PELMET
QUOIN
ROTUNDA
SASH
TRUSS
UNDERCROFT
VOUISSOIR
WING
XYST
Y NOT CHOOSE SKK DESIGN?
ZIGGURAT

 

And here’s one we made earlier: Our showcase renovation project

Posted on by Lisa Wight

At SKK we are firm believers that craftsmanship, like charity, begins at home, and as an architectural and design practice we wanted our offices to be a show case of what we can do for our clients. An important aspect of our work is the conversion or repurposing of existing premises, especially those of architectural merit or with period features worth preserving.

So, when the opportunity came to acquire Hatfield Heath Mill we were presented with our dream project. The Mill has been at the heart of local village life and history since it was built as a brewery in the mid 1800s, when it malted barley and brewed ale and served such local inns as The Stag and The Thatchers on the Heath, the Dukes Head at Broad Oak and the Crown and Queens Head at Sheering, amongst many others.

The first repurposing of the Mill came about towards the end of the 19th century when the rise of the big breweries swallowed up the smaller ones or run them out of business, as was the case with Hatfield Heath Brewery, as it was then known.

The Mill was sold by Sworders of Bishops Stortford to the Edwards family and converted to a steam corn mill, which it was to remain, under various owners, until the 1960s. An extract from the 1883 sales catalogue gives the social flavour of the times. The property was advertised as a substantial brick-built brewery together with commodious genteel freehold residence most desirably built in close proximity thereto, and five cottages with large gardens for workers placed at a convenient distance therefrom.

The Mill was sold for the princely sum of 860, a snip compared to the price paid for it by SKK in 2012, when it was placed on the market for offers in excess of 350,000. And that was just for the shell of the building, which had been gutted after several iterations including use as a warehouse, a manufacturing unit for a lighting company and an educational publishing company.

Since its last occupier left in the 1990s, the building had stood empty and was allowed to deteriorate, so the offer from SKK to acquire and renovate the Mill was warmly received by Hatfield Parish Council, especially as we undertook to preserve the historic merits of the building as listed by Essex County Councils Archaeological Department.

Brick faced and timber clad on the upper storey, the exterior of the Mill is substantially unaltered, including the distinctive overhanging lucan for the winding hoist, and the hoist itself, originally used for lifting sacks of grain to the upper storey.

The interior has been renovated from the ground up, with the central staircase repositioned to the corner of the building to better accommodate open planned architectural stations, offices and meeting rooms, reception, refreshment and toilet areas.

The objective has been to incorporate a modern design within the original structure whilst retaining such period features as oak beams, posts and roof trusses. We invite you to judge the success of the project for yourself by visiting us and taking the grand tour. And if youre in the market for a renovation project yourself, you can trust us to bring a sympathetic eye to it.

Have a look at our case study by clicking here

Buildings that went wrong and what we can learn from them

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Its been said that someone who never made a mistake never made anything. And that goes as much for designers even famous ones as it does for anyone else. If you learn from your mistakes failure can be a foundation for success. Of course its better, when you can, to learn from the mistakes of others, and as designers ourselves you can be sure weve taken the following object lessons to heart.

 

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Uniquely amongst architectural failures the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a success because it is a failure! Its wonky design makes it one of worlds best known landmarks and tourist destinations. Its famous tilt is the result of bad foundations, with ground too soft on one side to support its weight. It had been inching towards collapse since the 12th century, but was stabilised by a 20th century rescue project. Health and Safety doesnt appear to be an issue even today: the guard rails on the top viewing platform only extend half way round and guess which side theyre on? Yep, the side that tilts up!

 

Secret Intelligence Service Building

 

The SIS building is Londons spook central, HQ of M15 and M16 and the Circus of

Le Carres George Smiley. The building is structurally sound and can claim to be both impressive and distinctive some have compared it to a Mayan temple. But be that as it may, isnt it a bit ostentatious and attention seeking for a secret organisation? Its like the Masons holding an open evening or the Magic Circle giving show and tell demonstrations! An underground bunker would be more fit-for-purpose in architectural terms. But maybe its a clever double bluff?

 

Walkie Talkie Building

 

The London skyline is peppered with landmark buildings such as the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater and the Shard that are hailed as architectural triumphs or disasters depending on your point of view. Amongst these is the Walkie Talkie, so called because it looks like one. In 2015 it was awarded the Carbuncle Cup for the worst new building in the UK in the previous six months. But Health and Safety is also an issue here. The curved mirrored frontage of the building focuses sunlight on to local streets, damaging parked vehicles and scalding passersby. One journalist even highlighted the problem by frying eggs on the street!

 

Sydney Opera House

 

An unlikely candidate for a gallery of architectural failures you might think, the Sydney Opera Houses sail-like design is a subject of national pride and international acclaim. Surprisingly for a structure designed as a concert venue, a major problem turned out to be its acoustics! It was decided that the small sail part of the complex would be the opera house and the large sail part would be the concert hall. Unfortunately the concert hall was too big to fill for most events and the opera house too small for musicians to hear themselves. A multi-million dollar refit was undertaken an expense that fitness-for-purpose planning could have prevented.

 

Millennium Dome

 

The problem with Londons Millennium Dome was not so much that it was unfit for purpose than that it didnt have a purpose at all other than to mark the Millennium and be a vanity project for New Labour. It turned out to be little more than a big top for a circus with an acrobatic cast of 160. It cost nearly 800 million, attracted only half of the anticipated 12 million visitors in the first year and closed shortly afterwards. A stadium for Charlton Athletic and a high-tech business park were amongst the after uses considered for the dome before it was finally redeveloped as the O2 Arena in 2007 with a concert by the rock band Bon Jovi.

 

Houses of Parliament

 

The Houses of Parliament are not so much an architectural mistake as a disaster waiting to happen. The original Palace of Westminster, home of the Kings of England, was destroyed by fire in 1512. It was replaced by the Old Palace, which was destroyed by fire in 1834. The existing New Palace built in the Gothic Revival style by Charles Berry is now once again considered a serious fire risk and plans are afoot for both houses to vacate the building for a major refurbishment expected to take six years and cost 3.5 billion. Which goes to show that the design team must keep abreast of advancing technology and increasingly stringent building standards.

The tomato that grew into a cafe

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Picasso famously said that great artists steal, and as architectural designers we at SKK saw plenty of great ideas to steal at the No.8 Caf on the Isle of Wight, and to get you inspired about your own project, wed like to share them with you.

 

The caf owner, Jane Holman, ran the Farm Shop in the village of Bembridge for many years. One summer, following a surplus of locally grown tomatoes, Jane decided to make gazpacho soup and sell it in the shop. She couldnt make enough! The locals kept coming back for more and the idea for the caf was born.

 

The daily menu of fresh dishes is inspired by local farmers deliveries completely vegetarian dishes ranging from curries and soups to pasties and pies. Everything is cooked on the premises including home cakes and tray bakes.

 

The design concept for the caf reflects the same values as the food it serves, with Janes partner Duncan doing much of the fit-out himself and using local labour for specialist work.

 

Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim

 

Located above the Farm Shop, the Caf is reached by a custom-built, hand carved spiral staircase which, with its decorative fruit motifs, is a work of art in itself. The large serving counter and workbench are built entirely of reclaimed wood, mostly from nearby Ryde pier and railway.

 

When the modern wall and floor finishes were removed, vintage gems were revealed. The exposed brickwork is superb and the original floorboards were sanded back to their pristine state.

 

The fixtures and fittings are an eclectic mix of upcycled and donated pieces including a grand old sofa, vintage coffee tables from Hong Kong and light fittings made from repurposed Kilner jars. Every piece tells a story of a former life yet fits perfectly into its new setting.

When they realised they needed more seating for customers who come in for a quick coffee, Duncan sawed a reclaimed coffee table in half, fitted both halves to the wall and created high-bar seating with stools.

 

Embracing the local community, Jane invited several local craftsmen to help complete the project. Her passion for interior design, led by instinct, has resulted in one of the most original cafes we at SKK have discovered.

 

If youre visiting the island and fancy a cuppa, we highly recommend a visit to No.8. Children, dogs and well-behaved adults are all welcome!

Computer says yes software systems for facilities managers

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Do you say yes or no to department demands during the refit or reconstruction of a new office? As architectural designers we understand the challenges facing FMs and have worked with many to find the right balance of needs versus wants before, during and after a project (when an FMs work really begins!).

Key to the whole business is finding the best CMMS (Computer Maintenance Management System) software. Here is our guide to finding the right one for you.

  • Define your goals and create an action plan to meet them. You can then prioritise the right features and tools to choose the most suitable software.

 

  • Maintenance is a priority. Ensure your system can track all your assets and notify you when inspections, servicing and replacement needs must be met.

 

  • Get the team on board. Welcome their input. It will increase staff buy-in and highlight any issues that may arise during the procurement process.

 

  • Reporting is critical. Ensure your system reports the data you need, say to create reports for management analysis or generate procurement lists.

  • Operational ease. Intelligent software will allow you to manage workloads, staffing and costs associated with time sensitive or tightly budgeted projects.

 

  • Day to day management. Look for automated alerts and smart systems. Pop-ups and emails remind you of imminent tasks, or system failures.

 

  • Working remotely. Being able to access the system from your phone or tablet helps flag issues that may arise when youre away from the office.

Finding the right solution for your business may be off-the-shelf or tailor-made. Either way, research both internally with your team and externally with providers is critical to getting it right the first time.

Sustainable design: Six ways to grow the green pound

Posted on by Lisa Wight

From small scale renovations to major construction projects, sustainability has become a significant factor in design, specifying, refurbishment and construction methods. Thankfully, there are many green options on the market when deciding upon appropriate products and materials, and as architectural designers we at SKK are well placed to advise you on the best options for your project.

BREEAM, based in the UK, is one of the worlds leading sustainability assessment organisations.

Abuilding or development that has attained a BREEAM rating will have enhanced market value. In the same vein, designing sustainability into your property, no matter its scale, makes financial sense.

Here are six popular and value-enhancing examples of sustainable design:

 

  • Rainwater Harvesting. A straightforward and practical way to reuse natures gift. Services design enables rainwater to be stored and used for WC cisterns, washing machines, irrigation etc. Retrofitting is an option in many cases.

 

  • Harnessing Solar Energy. Simple to retrofit, the technology has advanced enormously in recent years with the introduction of smaller panels (including direct replacement for roof tiles), reducing supply and fitting costs.

 

  • Green Roofs and Walls. Bring little gardens to inner city areas, encouraging more bees, butterflies and plant growth. Benefits include reduced rain run-off, thermal and noise insulation, and improved air quality.

 

  • Intelligent Lighting Systems. Built-in or retro fitted, these offer a seamless transition from manual to automated control as and when needed. Energy saving, affordable and wireless. Can be operated from phone or tablet.

 

  • Natural Ventilation. Reduces energy consumption and creates effective ventilation through a system of openings using pressure differences between the inside and outside of the building induced by wind and air temperature.

 

  • Biofuels. Considered to be one of the most efficient sources of electricity, biofuels are fast becoming a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Increasing numbers of office buildings use biofuels to reduce costs and carbon footprint.

 

To read more about the Most Sustainable Office Buildings in the World click here.