architecture Archives

Utilising the benefits of Matterport

Tell us about what your job entails:

As a part of the Architecture Division, my role involves collaborating with our clients in the development, management and delivery of projects. These can be for new stores, relocations or refits of existing heritage locations. Some of these involve the development of realistic renders, using Enscape and Photoshop. I have developed multiple standard detail packs, which help to ensure seamless delivery of new concepts and to elevate a brand’s ethos. Many within our company will know me as a custodian of Revit, via my training and supporting new members of the team, my creation of client specific Revit families and templates for company-wide use, alongside constant database maintenance and administration.

What made you want to learn how to use a Matterport scanner:

Through my project work, I have often had Matterport scans shared with me. These are fantastic 3D “twins” of spaces, which allow me to virtually visit locations internationally and provide immensely valuable and accurate insights into physical sites, which is useful in my role to optimise the appropriate layouts. They allow me to enhance customer experiences, by tailoring to real world obstacles that may not be evident in traditional plans and photo accompaniments. It was using these Matterport scans that drew my interest and led me to seek out how they were made and how to further harness these into generating 3D models within Revit. Terry Cowen, Associate Director of Architecture, is also our company champion for Matterport surveys, and he imparted his valuable knowledge to me on a live project site.

How easy was it to learn the skills:

The Matterport scanner, I discovered has a user-friendly interface and Terry provided me with the key principles and a simple workflow to ensure efficient capture. The 3D scanner provides a piece-by-piece amalgamation of the built environment around us in real time, with each placement, making it in turn a captivating enterprise to undertake. Once the site is fully surveyed and we are satisfied with the capture of everything, we upload it into our Matterport organisation account for processing. The next step occurs back in our offices, where we import assets from a Matterport space into a point cloud that we can then see within our Revit interface. A point cloud is a collection of data points within a 3D space, where each point is representative of a specific location. Each point can hold a wealth of additional information that can be extremely helpful in the understanding of locations. The power of this allows for detailed visualisation and analysis of the space where accurate dimensions can be taken, even when there are complex architectural elements.

How do you see this impacting work for architects in the future:

It is already influencing the sector and, in my opinion, will only get stronger and more influential. The reason for this is that it has a use in various stages of a project’s lifecycle. In feasibility and design development, it can provide accurate measurements alongside visual data, which can go on to allow for exploration and refinement to designs. In construction stages, it can allow for reduction in site visits, identification of real-life site conflicts and provide a valuable insight to key stakeholders, resulting in better collaboration on a project’s lifecycle and on completion it is a rapid way to capture an As Built survey. As a global architecture, design, cost and project management consultancy, this is an invaluable tool to provide both creative and practical solutions for built environments.

What are the benefits to our clients:

This technology has so many benefits, but ultimately it will provide our clients with an aid to saving time and money on projects, over and above traditional documentation methods. I can also see that in the marketing and sales future, we will see these 3D models being converted to 360° tours for clients and buyers alike to immerse themselves in the environment and will be a powerful tool to allow businesses to engage on a totally new and unique level with their audiences.

Benefits of feasibility studies and project appraisals

Whether a potential site for a new build project, or the conversion of an existing building, a feasibility study will provide valuable insights into whether the project is worth pursuing in the first instance and if so, to be able to plan ahead to manage budget, cost and time.

At the rpa:group, we have valuable experience when it comes to providing feasibility services and we understand the importance of making the most of whatever information is available. We ensure that we analyse the needs and requirements of our clients against any site information such as location, context, topography and any known constraints there are such as flooding, utilities, existing structures, trees, ecology and heritage. We also review the local and national policies and planning history of a site, which enables us to review the buildability of it, and to highlight any constraints and risks, that will help ensure that we can maximise all of the opportunities for our clients.

Although Feasibility surveys can be taken at any stage, such as at project briefing, site evaluation, technical assessment and risk assessment; the best time to conduct feasibility studies is at RIBA Stage 0. This is because investment early on can save money in the long term. In fact, the earlier that architects and planning consultants are engaged on the scheme, the earlier it is that opportunities can be drawn out, and any planning constraints can be highlighted. Furthermore, clarification can be obtained about what guidance and policies the proposals need to adhere too. All of this enables clients to plan investments, optimise their budget and avoid potential financial loses.

However, it is also worth noting that it is never too late to assess a project and to re-evaluate it. Often, feasibilities can offer a “health check” at different stages of a scheme. A recent example of this is when the rpa:group was appointed as Lead Architects for RIBA 4-7 for Penry Street, a new build social housing scheme in London. As part of the handover, we were asked to review the original design and we were able to re-evaluate and streamline this, omitting unnecessary details, and effectively redesigning certain elements, which reduced our client’s costs, whilst still meeting the necessary building regulations and industry standards.

What feasibility entails:

Design constraints and opportunities
Local context that includes transport links, local facilities, amenity spaces
Environmental risks
Requirements for legal and regulatory approval
Assessing the principle of development

The benefits:

Testing options and exploring opportunities before financial investment
Identify potential risks and early intervention, mitigating financial loses
Understanding any planning constraints. Architects even at this early stage will consider building control.
Enable better project management and planning

Why apprenticeships are vital

With the Government’s ambitious plan to build 1.5 million new homes, there is no doubt that architects are going to play a significant part in enabling this to happen. Yet, in September 2024, the Government announced plans to reform England’s apprenticeship system, by introducing a new Growth and Skills Levy (the Levy), which is set to exclude funding for Level 7 architecture apprenticeships from the Levy. For many talented young individuals, qualifying as an architect in the UK is by no means easy or ‘affordable’. This means that apprenticeships are vital, to allow for the development of future skills that will help achieve the Government’s growth priorities, and is especially important for those from low-income backgrounds.

There are numerous advantages to taking on Apprenticeship students, one of which is that they simultaneously learn in an office environment and at university, which brings about a deeper understanding of an architectural practice, and instils valuable skills and experience before they even graduate. For smaller practices such as ours, apprenticeships allow us to offer an opportunity that we might not otherwise be able to support financially, which in turn encourages loyalty and commitment, that when imbued with self-motivation and development, benefits us too.

rpa:group is proud of our ongoing commitment to investing in new and young talent. Over the years, we have welcomed a number of interns and work experience students, who show a strong ability and a passion for architecture. While with us, they join our own teams to work on real projects, gaining a wealth of experience that would be hard to achieve elsewhere. Not only do they enhance their practical applications such as Revit/Drawing and how the industry works, but they also gain more psychological and no less important skills such as time management, communication and confidence building. Says Emma Sharp, HR Director at rpa:group, “During their placement with us, our interns and work experience students are able to put their skills and theories into practice and we support them in gaining invaluable, hands-on experience in the field of Architecture”.

Nicola Szczepaniak, who studied at the University of Portsmouth, enjoyed a one-year placement with us and said, “In my time here, I have gained more knowledge about the industry than I could ever have hoped for. The wide range of expertise amongst my colleagues has helped me develop many skills, from learning how to use the software more efficiently, to managing myself to complete various tasks professionally, on time and to a high standard.”

Michael Pearce, who studied at the University of Brighton shares that his time at the rpa:group was extremely important in terms of progression for his career. “I was urged to begin working on live projects from my second day, so that I could get a feel for these kinds of projects. In only a few months this allowed me to become an integral part of the team producing work to a high standard”, he said.

Phoebe Goodley also spent some time with us during her second year at university at Nottingham Trent and comments, “I’ve really enjoyed the experience as whole. The people are very kind and eager to offer their time and help me with any questions I have had. I’ve gained a real insight to help guide me towards what my future will entail.”

Mark Cherrett, Director of Architecture agrees. “Interns bring with them new perspectives, fresh ideas, and skill sets. We in turn benefit from the “injection” of fresh thinking and it can ultimately help us gain valuable future employees.”

When it comes to inspiring the next generation of architects, we also welcome students from local schools such as Bishop Wand School in Sunbury on Thames, St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School in Slough and the Salesian School in Chertsey. We also recently provided work experience for a group of year 10 students from Thomas Knyvett College, during which they were able to gain valuable insights and practical exposure in the workplace. Comments Mr McPherson, the school’s Raising Aspirations Coordinator, “During their time at your company, our students were mentored and nurtured by your dedicated team, providing them with a tremendous learning experience. The skills, knowledge, and confidence they have gained will undoubtedly prove instrumental in shaping their future aspirations.”

There is no doubt that inspiring and supporting the next generation of architects will also help to augment the success of the built future of this nation. Practices such as ours will do what we can to help, but it is also up to the government to help achieve this, by continuing to offer vital apprenticeships where needed.

The Build to Rent Boom

According to research conducted by Knight Frank, one of the world’s leading independent real estate consultancies, investment in the UK’s Build to Rent (BTR) surpassed £5 billion for the first time in 2024, and is the fifth consecutive record year for investment. The full year figure stands at £5.2 billion, up 11% on 2023. What this demonstrates is the continued confidence from investors in the sector and that the UK remains an attractive market for global capital, with Knight Frank disclosing that there was a 51% year-on-year increase in cross-border spend in 2024. We look more closely at the factors contributing to this growth and any challenges to overcome.

What is driving the demand

This boom in the BTR sector has been sparked by various factors, but is being propelled largely by the changing attitudes of professionals, who now see renting as a more long-term solution to their housing needs, as affordability challenges make home ownership increasingly unattainable for many of them.

Then there is the fact that BTR projects are purpose-built for long-term renting, and are modern and energy-efficient and often feature desirable amenities such as on-site gyms, laundrettes and shared spaces for socialising. BTR developments also tend to offer on-site management and maintenance, to help provide peace of mind and a more seamless and community-driven living experience. These make them a very attractive and possibly more secure alternative to what is offered by some private landlords.

Diverse housing options

More than 22,300 new BTR homes were completed in 2024, and encompassed co-living, multi-family and single-family housing, which now stands at over 126,000 homes, and is up by 21% year-on-year. A further 57,400 homes are currently under construction and 106,500 have full planning permission granted, taking the total size of the sector to 290,000 homes.

Growth in regional markets

Importantly, the supply also continues to grow in regional markets, with 68% of completions in 2024 outside of London, and being led by Manchester and Birmingham. The North West region accounted for 16% of completions, followed by the South East and the West Midlands. Scotland accounted for 10% of delivery in 2024.

Challenges to overcome

For those not in a specific middle- and higher-income bracket, affordability is likely to be an issue, which might deter them from considering BTR living. However, an increase in options for middle- and low-income renters, such as providing more limited amenities and making the accommodation more basic could be a solution to make it more affordable.

While planning restrictions might also have been an issue in the past, the new government is looking to prioritise tackling the current housing shortage and planning reforms are underway to potentially unlock opportunities.

What the future holds

BTR is transforming the UK rental market and is redefining what renting can look like in today’s housing landscape. If the current growth trend continues, it will become an essential element of modern society in the UK, helping to respond to current housing demands and setting a foundation for future developments.

With investment potential estimated at £100 billion, BTR will expand beyond major cities to regional hubs and ‘commuter locations’ such as Milton Keynes, Bedford and others. This will maintain demand and opportunities for developers and construction service providers, as the appeal of BTR increases for a growing population in the UK.

We can also expect to see BTR developments integrate more and more sustainable practices, considered and energy-efficient designs and the incorporation of smart home technology. These are set to make them very attractive to the renters of the future.

At the rpa:group, we have been working with our retail clients to explore BTR housing above their stores or on unused land. This is an opportunity to utilise brownfield sites, by making better use of potentially dead space above stores and turning these into much needed affordable homes. Many of our clients’ sites are in prime locations with accessible transport links, reducing commuting times and reliance on cars and therefore making potential residential development attractive to professional renters from the onset. On a social and economic level, BTR not only eases the housing shortage, but would also bring people back into town and city centres, revitalising deteriorating high streets.

About the rpa:group

With over 40 years of experience in the built environment, our team of experienced Chartered Architects, CIAT Technicians, Quantity Surveyors and Specialists are best placed to help with your next BTR scheme. We will ensure that any proposal made meets stringent planning and building regulations, offering peace of mind at every stage of the project life cycle.

As a multi-disciplinary practice, we offer a range of services, including initial feasibility and viability studies, technical packages to completion, supported by our experienced Design, Architecture, Project Management team.

If you would like our help or would like to know more, please contact Christine Lee RIBA Senior Architect on c.lee@therpagroup.com.

The Road to Safety: Regulatory Changes in High-Rise Living After Grenfell

Regulatory Changes Post Grenfell

Shortly after the seven-year anniversary of the Grenfell fire tragedy, which claimed 72 lives, came the alarming news of a tower block in East London that caught fire over the August bank holiday weekend, also due to non-compliant cladding. Thankfully, no lives were lost in this incident, but homes were destroyed and cherished possessions lost. While the building was in the process of removing the unsafe cladding, we must ask: is enough being done quickly enough to address cladding safety issues?

This has led us to examine the timeline of regulatory changes aimed at preventing such tragedies. It’s important to note that cladding itself isn’t inherently dangerous. It serves as a protective layer, providing thermal insulation, weather resistance and aesthetic enhancement. However, we must ensure that materials are safe to use for these purposes.

The Tragedy of Grenfell in 2017

Several factors led to the catastrophic outcome of the fire, but three key considerations are essential for any retrofitting cladding or facade project: the choice of cladding material, the risk of fire spread and the adequacy of fire safety measures.

In the case of Grenfell Tower, the use of aluminium composite material (ACM) panels with a highly flammable polyethylene core posed a significant risk. Compounding the issue was that the cavity barriers that were designed to prevent fire spread in the ventilation gaps were either ineffective or poorly installed. Furthermore, the building was severely lacking in fire suppression systems, with no sprinklers and only a single escape route, creating a perfect storm for disaster.

Immediately Post Grenfell

In 2018, Dame Judith Hackitt urgently reviewed fire safety and building regulations, resulting in the discontinuation of desktop studies for evaluating fire protection. This left many practices in a dilemma about which products and combinations to specify. Common materials once deemed acceptable for taller buildings, such as certain cavity trays and timber decking for balconies, were no longer acceptable due to combustibility. This created a significant gap in the industry as manufacturers struggled to meet the demand for safe alternatives. Additionally, many building materials needed retesting, causing further delays in the availability of compliant products for taller structures.

The Introduction of the Building Safety Act

In July 2020, the UK Parliament enacted the Building Safety Act, which came into effect in April 2022. This legislation promised to clarify building standards and enhance the competence of those overseeing higher-risk buildings. In 2023, a “higher-risk building” was then defined as any structure of 18 meters (or seven stories) high, containing two or more residential units. This definition was updated to exclude care homes, refurbishments, hospitals, and hotels.

Additionally, the act introduced three ‘Gateways’ that must be navigated from the initial planning phase through construction and post-occupation. For a building to be registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for process through to occupation, the industry must meet specific criteria at each Gateway.

The Golden Thread

Gateway 1 – covers the design stage and has been in effect since August 2021. During this phase, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) reviews planning applications and base project information, to ensure that building designs adequately address fire safety concerns before granting planning permission.

Gateway 2 – pertains to the preconstruction stage, with a 12-week determination period that began in October 2023. No construction can commence until the BSR approves the building control application and confirms that the design complies with building regulations.

Gateway 3 – focuses on occupancy and came into effect in October 2023, featuring an 8-week determination period. A building cannot be occupied until the BSR assesses the overall construction and ensures it meets regulatory standards, culminating in the issuance of a completion certificate.

These Gateways have introduced a new role for the BSR, which now decides on building applications, replacing local building control and approved inspectors. An accountable person, such as the building owner, freeholder, or management company must continuously evaluate safety risks and provide a ‘Safe Case Report’ that outlines how these risks are managed.

The determination periods for Gateways 2 and 3 are shaping the construction industry, as the law is enforced, and companies adapt to enhance resilience and compliance.

Effects of the introduction of the BSR

As a result, there have knock-on effects on the industry. Cindy Cane, Senior Fire Safety Consultant at ORSA, an independent compliance consultancy specialising in all matters relating to health, safety, fire and the environment comments, “delays through process changes bring about cost increases and lessening interest by contractors to tender for such works, and adds to the sluggish Government response in dealing with this issue.”

These delays have been in part created from switching from Homes England to CSS (Cladding Safety Scheme) for government funded remediation projects and through lack of pre submission dialogues with the BSR, compounded by varying decisions from the BSR, which in turn have also led to delays in construction commencing.

Cindy comments that concerningly, any delays in remediation also have yet more repercussions on the building’s residents and adds that owners of units in high-risk buildings face higher insurance costs and a scarcity of insurance companies offering to cover leaseholders. They also face difficulty selling units with unsafe cladding and longer periods of increased leasehold costs, that may include interim fire safety actions such waking watch patrols and additional detection and fire alarms.

BSR Future Plans

The BSR is actively addressing noncompliant cladding, having already assessed 40% of occupied high-risk buildings. When recladding is necessary, the goal is to closely replicate the original facade design and colours to secure planning permission. Typically, improvements in thermal performance and fire protection accompany these efforts.

Performance indicators are continuously reviewed to determine any additional actions or guidance needed for stairs and ramps, emergency egress for disabled access and automatic water fire suppression systems.

The recent Autumn Budget has promised to improve ‘building safety and accelerating remediation of unsafe housing in response to Grenfell Tower fire’ with over £1 billion due to be allocated to tackle unsafe cladding.

Conclusion: A New Era for High-Rise Living

The path to safer high-rise living, shaped by the aftermath of Grenfell and recent incidents, is more vital than ever. Regulatory changes from the Building Safety Act and proactive measures by the BSR signify a crucial shift toward prioritising safety over aesthetics. While challenges remain, ongoing assessments and a commitment to compliance shine a hopeful light on the future. Ultimately, we must remember that safety is not just a guideline but should be the foundation of all our architectural aspirations.

By Sylvia Beyke BAA (Hons) ACIAT, Project Leader at rpa:group, a global architecture, design, cost ad project management consultancy, providing creative, practical solutions for built environments, with contributions from Cindy Cane, Senior Fire Safety Consultant at ORSA, an independent compliance consultancy, specialising in all matters relating to health, safety, fire and the environment.

The rise of ultra luxury hotels

Although meeting the demands of this type of traveller requires considerable preparation and investment, we are seeing an increase in ultra hotel brands because there is an opportunity for significant profits to be made. The industry has seen a 447% increase in rooms in the last half-century, and in 2023 there were about 197,000 ultra-luxury hotel rooms worldwide. However, demand continues to outstrip supply, with some predicting that a further 46,000 rooms will open in the next decade.

This increase results in a ripple effect for “standard” luxury and below – the nature and expectation of luxury changes, being driven at the very top end, which is promoting growth and an increase in NOI (Net operating income) across the entire sector.

Catering for this market is a careful commercial balance of understanding customer’s needs and the confident application of a concept. The nature of ultra-luxury is not an exponential upgrading of existing materials or location, in that creative development is a holistic consideration of all design elements and amplification of the most resonant themes, to create unique exclusivity.

Once the concept is identified, the primary operational factor is its frictionless implementation and a total seamlessness of execution that exceeds expectations – a service that appears almost pre-cognitive of the customers desires. Every part of the customer journey, as with all commercial design, needs to inspire joy and wonder to all the senses, to endure and generate loyalty.

Location

The role of location can be central to concept or be developed in response. Coastal and natural reserve hotels for example, create an extrovert connection with the ocean and landscape. Ultra-luxury expertly frames and delivers the method that customers want to interact with it. But location also extends beyond a place to sleep and a view.

Physical location and its relationship with the overarching concept are key to understanding the entire brief. A location could be an escape from attention, a place for wellbeing or the ultimate party venue irrespective of geography. Clear concept direction at the outset allows key deliverables to be defined and then exceeded in a focused and coherent way. A hosting-suite in Manhattan’s Tribeca makes absolute sense for its location, but so does a wellbeing retreat concept, complementing the area’s high social profile – the treatment of both requiring very individual requirements from the outset.

Flexibility of design is an operational must-have, but never at the expense of authentic implementation. In an atmosphere of increased expectation, nothing less than complete dedication to concept is acceptable.

The devil is in the detail

Ultra-luxury identifies itself through is polar differences. Extreme discretion and privacy can oppose high-profile appearances. Quality of finish and materials needs to be congruent and flawless but visibly striking. Overfamiliarity and forensically personalised service can undermine a sense of professionalism and the human touch.

The only solution is to ensure the element or process sits clearly within the concept that the customer is buying-in to. An expertly curated experience, consistently applied, provides a baseline from which the operator can spontaneously enhance the experience, when required to deliver additional surprise and joy.

Whether for a value-offer or for ultra luxury, fundamental human psychology is in constant play, so visibly flawed or soiled surfaces trigger immediate and amplified feelings of dissatisfaction. Loud noises are intimidating, as are crowded spaces in whichever setting, so these potential pain-points need to be skilfully resolved.

Delivering authenticity and experiences

Good commercial hotel design responds beyond outstanding operational delivery. It recognises the temporary transfer of an individual’s most intimate personal spaces to a new location and integrates human interaction, to create an experience that generates physical and metal comfort, before exponentially exceeding expectations.

Human interaction is also essential – great hotel ambassadors, from door-people to room maintenance staff, create a vital human connection that delivers both directly and indirectly.

With extensive experience in designing and delivering ultra-luxury hospitality environments, rpa:group is your ideal partner for your next project, offering a range of services that include architecture, design, cost and project management. If you need our help or would like to know more, please contact s.fraser@therpagroup.com or visit www.therpagroup.com.

A Sustainable Summer for Paris Olympics 2024 Megastore Pop-up

London 2012 Megastore

In 2012, rpa:group were pitched to create the retail environments for the London 2012 games, which included the 40,000sqft megastore in the Olympic Park in Stratford, which accommodated 65,000 customers a day. All areas of rpa:group’s expertise were set to work to design and deliver in excess of 100,000 sq. ft of retail space, which aside from the megastore also included Kiosks around the UK and the ‘Pop-up’ shop in Hyde Park, the largest pop-up store in the world at the time.

The remarkable thing about the retail environments created for the London 2012 games were that they were so sustainable, in that most materials used to construct them were able to be completely recycled after the event. It was encouraging to see that the sustainable legacy we helped create for the 2012 Olympics has been replicated in Paris.

Paris 2024 Megastore

Located right in the middle of a roundabout, but still offering lots of space to browse and located next to The Place de la Concorde, the Paris Olympic megastore has been built to accommodate thousands of tourists a day. Clad externally in wood to add texture, it has a sleek and modern appearance and features the Olympic Rings and the Paralympic Agitos alongside its unique logo, a legendary Mascot of the historic French hat The Phryge and the Eiffel Tower, the city’s iconic landmark. As part of the sustainability statement, all will now be repurposed or recycled, proving that temporary retail environments can be striking and demonstrate creativity, while still being sustainable.

With the London Paris Olympics successfully over, Los Angeles has some big shoes to fill, as the saying goes. It will be exciting to see what progress will be made in the next 4 years and how sustainable design will evolve for the 2028 LA Olympics.

Airports are becoming destinations in their own right

A surge in the middle class globally, rapid urbanisation, and a rise in disposable income has led to an increasing demand for air travel. Nowadays, more people are choosing to fly for business and leisure, and airports are experiencing an increase in passenger traffic, which is driving the need for additional services and infrastructure. Research shows that the global airport services market is expected to hit around USD 485.99 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 17.09% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032.

For millions of us, airports are as much associated with shopping as travel, with retail still the primary experience at airports, prompting one airport retailer to comment that they are quite simply “huge shopping centres with runways attached.” Such is the demand for retail space, that large airports like Heathrow have a number of applicants for every retail unit, and have become one of the most sought-after retail locations in the world. Each shopper is around for just 60 or 70 minutes on average, and despite being considered a “captive audience”, they still expect the overall retail experience to be effortless and appealing. The challenge for retailers is that the airport trading environment is nothing like the high street and they are having to work even harder to deliver to customer expectations, as the high street also continues to evolve and to create truly engaging experiences.

For designers, airport terminals can throw up a number of challenges, such as awkward spaces, negotiating brutal commercial deals, retail design management and demands for extra-ordinary concepts and short dwell-time potential. However these can in turn stimulate truly creative responses with hard-edged commercial realities.

We are also seeing a different design approach to Airport lounges, with what were previously rather mundane spaces, now being looked at by designers in the same way that a high-end hotel concept would be. They are gearing towards creating more unique and personal atmospheres, with design elements and technology that are not generally seen in commercial projects. In addition, the boundaries between leisure and retail have become blended propositions, which means that exclusiveness in retail can now filter into these ‘exclusive’ lounge spaces and deliver a VIP experience – mimicking the experiences of the finest shopping malls.

rpa:group has extensive experience in terms of designing and project managing various types of Airport experiences from First and Business class lounges to Retail, Restaurants, Airline check-in and more, which makes us the ideal partner for your next airport lounge project. We are also familiar with the process of obtaining the necessary external and internal airside passes and of navigating stringent airport approvals, managing the coordination of approved consultants and site access for a range of schemes. If you would like to know more, or need our help, please get in touch.

The Great Hotel Conversion Trend

Shopping malls were retail destinations in their own right, giving shoppers a large variety of retail offerings within one location. However, the way people shop, and the arrival of online shopping has forever changed and increasingly challenged the shopping mall, with the pandemic just speeding up the changes. With some exceptions, owners of shopping malls have come under growing pressure to maximise the potential viability of their assets again.

A ray of hope that could be set to save many shopping malls, is the post-pandemic surge of experiential travel. In the case of shopping malls, it means enhancing the retail components, by providing more restaurants and a variety of leisure facilities and experiences – and the addition of hotels. This will entice tourists and local shoppers, who will see these as leisure destinations, rather than just places to exchange cash for goods.

Shopping malls are ripe for this transformation, as many often have substantial acreage in densely populated areas that already have good access to infrastructure, which helps make them suitable for accommodation as well. This in turn can unlock land value by activating dormant space such as parking lots or as many malls have flat roofs, there is scope to consider airspace development.

Having a mixed purpose offering in one location answers the concept of the 15-minute city, which was inspired by French-Colombian scientist Carlos Moreno, highlighting that it can and should be attainable for people to have access to everything they need within a 15-minute walk or cycle of their dwellings to save time and enhance quality of life.

The idea of mixed-use development doesn’t stop with shopping malls. There is a growing trend in cities to convert redundant office buildings into hotels. This is being driven by various factors, such as changes to the office market, with an estimated 35% decrease in office rentals and an increasing demand for hotel accommodation.

The rise of hybrid and remote working has meant that traditional office space is less in demand and property owners and developers have had to look hard at alternative uses for their buildings, in order to stay lucrative. In many instances, converting them into hotels is emerging as an attractive and viable solution.

In cities such as London, where space is a premium, and being a global tourist destination, there is always a demand for hotels. With feasible space for new build hotel developments scarce, converting existing buildings such as redundant office blocks that can be viably repurposed is a no-brainer.

Office blocks lend themselves to this cause for several reasons, with a prime benefit being that so many are open plan. Partition walls and modularity can be successfully used for the construction of rooms, which can be key to commercial success. Structurally, large open office spaces tend to be solidly constructed and surround a central service core containing lifts, plumbing, ducts and risers, fire stairs, bathrooms and equipment. Wet areas located against the core can easily be connected to the building services and systems.

Most modern office buildings already have the advantage of a 3-meter floor to ceiling height and large windows to allow plenty of natural light. There is also often scope to move various exterior walls, in order to create balconies or outside leisure and hospitality spaces.

Taking into consideration that many office buildings are centrally situated, puts them in close proximity to prime tourist locations and makes them very attractive for redevelopment.

As with any large-scale conversion, it is essential to have the right team in place. A good Architect will be able to visualise and design the best use of the space within the building, to maximise its potential and ensure its adherence to the differing regulations required for the changed use of the space. An experienced Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor will be able to facilitate the planning elements, and to help ensure that the works out carried out on time and within budget.

Ultimately, whether it is a redeveloped office block or the addition of a hotel within a shopping mall, these will help to inherently improve the local urban experience and to drive profitability for the owners.

Demand sees surge in office refurbs

Hybrid working has been on the rise since the turn of the century and even prior to the pandemic JLL expected 30% of London’s office space to be ‘flexible’ by 2030, however, it is Covid that has permanently changed the way we work, resulting in a surge in demand for flexible workspace globally. This is helping to generate the largest increase in the refurbishment of office buildings since 2020, as demand from workers shifts to the highest quality and flexible spaces and embracing of new working practices.

Comments Geraint Evans, Managing Director of Office Network Global, “Changes to employee rights in the UK will only increase the migration to flexible working when the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent later this year. The Bill enables employees to request flexible working changes to their job role even before they start work, with each request having to be considered and only dismissed with good reason. Recent CIPD research shows that 6 percent of employees changed jobs last year specifically due to a lack of flexible options and 12 percent left their profession altogether due to a lack of flexibility within the sector. This represents almost 2 and 4 million workers respectively and will undoubtedly result in further alterations and refurbishments as business leaders and landlords strive to accommodate accordingly.”

The Summer 2023 London Office Crane Survey carried out by Deloitte found that the number of office refurbishments across the capital hit a record high in the period between October 2022 and March 2023.

Margaret Doyle, chief insights officer for financial services and real estate at Deloitte, has said: “Tenants’ shift toward quality over quantity has led to desire for attractive, sustainable, well-kitted out spaces, close to transport hubs and amenities.”

This is having a ripple effect with new infrastructure and expanding transport links such as the new Elizabeth Line helping to attract people to previously overlooked areas, such as mid-town and the eastern fringes of the city.

Another influencing factor is the need to bring offices up to scratch legally – especially in terms of energy efficiency – which is set to drive London’s development for the rest of the decade. The letting of commercial space with an EPC rating below E becoming soon becoming unlawful, has initiated 37 new retrofit and refurbishment schemes, providing nearly 300,000m² of workspace, the highest since Deloitte began tracking activity in 2005.

Recently released figures by Industry analyst Glenigan also show that planning approvals on detailed office schemes in the past three months were up 8 per cent on the start of the year, and 31 per cent on last year, in a clear sign that this sector is not showing any signs of slowing down.

With nearly 40 years of experience delivering construction services including PM and QS, Architecture and Design, in the commercial sector for clients such as WeWork and PVH’s UK Head Quarters , rpa:group is your ideal partner for your next office scheme.

Airport lounges are transforming – let us help you with yours

Business travel can be dreary and time-consuming and airlines, airports and other institutions are increasingly seeing the value of investing in better airport lounges to help make this experience more enjoyable, which attracts repeat business and enhances profitability.

Airline lounges have been around for a while, offering a place of respite, some light refreshment and internet access away from the hustle and bustle of the terminals, but opportunities are afoot to make these lounges destinations in their own right —think fully-stocked bars, spa services, gourmet meals, private TSA and immigration, and being chauffeur driven across the airfield to your flight.

We are also seeing a different design approach, with what were previously rather mundane spaces, now being approached by designers in the same way that a high-end residential or hotel concept would be. They are gearing towards creating more unique and personal atmospheres, with design elements that are not generally seen in commercial projects.

As travellers prefer a sense of the location they are in, consideration is increasingly being given to the design of lounges, to embody local flavours, rather than being identical around the world. As an example, last year’s winner of the Priority Pass Annual Lounge Awards was Club Kingston at Jamaica’s Kingston Norman Manley International Airport, which includes artwork and décor sourced from across the island, as well as traditional Jamaican food and drink.

Lounge buffets are also getting makeovers, with more stations manned by chefs and an increase in grab-and-go selections, or fine cuisine from a made-to-order menu. For those travellers with more time on their hands, options for distinctive dining are also on the increase.

When it comes to technology, airports have fast become some of the most technologically advanced buildings in the world, with biometric enabled self-service check-in facilities and apps that help navigate airport processes. Airport lounges are moving into the digital field too with the likes of Etihad, Emirates and Aviapartner introducing VR entertainment technology. More than a form of entertainment, these airlines anticipate that this type of technology will enable more personalised end-to-end solutions and an enhanced user-experience.

The introduction of premium lounges is not limited to airlines; and we are seeing a wave of independent lounge programmes being launched all over the world.

rpa:group has extensive experience in terms of designing and project managing various types of Airport experiences. From First and Business class lounges to Retail, Restaurants, Airline check-in and Security combs and more, we are the ideal partner for your next airport lounge project. If you would like to know more, or need our help, please get in touch.

Designing for Daylight

Increasingly, daylight is being recognised as a key component of biophilic design, forming a ‘direct experience’ of it. The term “biophilia” derives from the ancient Greek for “bio” meaning life, and “philia”, which translates to “brotherly love, friendship, or affection.” The concept examines how buildings can be designed and built in such a way as to provide a positive impact on people’s everyday lives. As part of this, good daylight design has been shown to improve health, mood, cognitive abilities, and productivity of occupants. It can create a connection between interior spaces and nature and helps to reduce the energy consumption of buildings.

Regardless of whether it be for a home, school or commercial space, design for daylight needs to be carefully considered. Low daylight levels can result in gloomy spaces, which will require additional artificial lighting. Conversely, too much daylight can cause glare and increase the solar grain in a space, which will cause visual discomfort and may require additional space cooling measures. Good design involves a complex process of balancing the available natural light with artificial light, which can be achieved by utilising architecture, responsive lighting solutions and shading devices.

Daylight modelling is one such tool that examines how daylight interacts with a building and behaves within the interior of it. When used correctly, it can identify where there is too little or too much natural light, also evaluating variables such as different times of day and weather scenarios, to create spaces that are perfectly balanced between light and dark.

In addition, building performance systems such as the WELL Building Standard ® are used to measure, assess, certify and monitor features of the built environment that will have an impact on human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.

Designers can utilise these tools and systems, whilst collaborating on projects alongside architects, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and lighting designers. If it happens to be a building project in the early stages, then building orientation can be evaluated around the schematic design phase, as this forms a critical part of the process of designing for daylight and energy efficiency.

As daylight is the ultimate light source in terms of how it renders architectural features and colours, good design focuses on the optimum use of interior surfaces to enhance a space and absorb or reflect light where needed, to create the best possible environment for all those within it .

The 15-minute city

Perhaps the only advantage we can extract from the recent global pandemic is that we have learned to be more “local”. We have worked from home, shopped in the vicinity and learned to extract the most we can from our immediate neighbourhoods – and this notion seems to have stuck as we return to some form of normality.

In my own small village, I have recently seen new wine bars, eateries and a number of artisan shops open that sell local produce. This is breathing new life into a tired little high street and is helping to create a thriving local community that answers local needs.

The notion of a thriving local hub that fulfills the needs of its community isn’t only restricted to small communities such as my village. I recently heard about the concept of the “15 minute city” and having delved deeper, have learned that entire cities can also serve their local communites within them, when they provide everything the local community requires within a 15 minute radius.

The concept “The 15-minute city” has been inspired by French-Colombian scientist Carlos Moreno. He believes that in cities both large and small, our sense of time has become warped by all the hours that we spend navigating our urban landscape. He feels that cities should in fact be responding to our needs, rather than vice versa.

His concept highlights that it can and should be attainable for people to have access to everything they need within a 15-minute walk or cycle of their dwellings. The six essential functions within this radius should provide living, working, commerce, healthcare, education and entertainment. This in turn makes neighbourhoods ‘human-sized’, accessible and easy for all who dwell within them.

The framework of his model lists the four components to consider as density, proximity, diversity and digitalisation. In regards to density, Moreno cites the work of Nikos Salingaros, a renowned mathematician known for his work on urban, architectural and complexity theory and design philosophy. Saligaros theorises that an optimal density for urban development exists, which encourages local solutions to local problems.

Proximity refers to both space and time. In an increasingly “time-poor” society, having everything we need in close proximity aids our quality of life and reduces the amount of space and time necessary for each activity. We can also consider the environmental impact. Simply put, less driving means less pollution.

Diversity refers to mixed-use development and facilitating diverse and multicultural neighbourhoods, both of which can inherently improve the urban experience and boost community participation in planning processes.

The final element is digitalisation, which is a key aspect of the 15-minute city. The mammoth enhancements in technology in what we may call the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”has given us all access to a connected and virtual world. Online communication and shopping makes everything easily accessible from our own homes.

When these four components combine on a mass scale, the results are accessible cities, which provide a higher quality of life and that are green and sustainable for all who live in them.

The department store dilemma

So, what is to become of these extinct department stores? Clearly something needs to, because space that is no longer fit for purpose has a materially adverse effect on society. Mark Burlton, MD of Cross Border Retail Ltd, a global independent retail real estate business agrees. “Even though many have heritage and are significant landmarks to which people hold an attachment, empty or abandoned buildings emit a sense of local economic distress and impact the perception of the surrounding area.”

This is when we can draw inspiration from the past. For hundreds of years, our high streets were buzzing and multi-faceted hubs, serving the local community with a thriving mix of retail, residential, services and hospitality. Over time, retail cannibalised these and the bubble has now burst.

Nigel Collett, CEO of architecture, design and cost management consultancy, the rpa:group states that what the pandemic has emphasised, is the value of community. “During lockdown, we have spent an unimaginable amount of time in our own neighbourhoods, relying far more heavily on local shops and services during this time.” He adds that this feeds into something referred to as hyper localisation, where the services providers and retailers of a community can directly understand and respond to the needs of the people living within it. “As the new normal will see many more of us working flexibly and spending more time at our homes and surrounds, it is the right time to reintroduce more community relevance and empty department stores can help,” he says.

This is because as we live a more local existence, our essential needs all need to be met and there is still a requirement for some retail, but it will be condensed. There is also opportunity for the introduction of more pop-up, adaptable event spaces, leisure and hospitality and the provision of fitness and healthcare centres. With flexible working becoming the norm, there is going to be a need for co-working spaces and “business hubs” and childcare facilities to support these, which can be accommodated by vacant department stores. “Large empty stores are usually spread over three of four floors and the space can be carefully divided up. Natural daylight is a challenge as their floor plates tend to be large, but there is scope to introduce light-wells, which make the spaces more versatile”, states Nigel.

“Structurally, many department store buildings having flat roofs, and there is opportunity to build onto these and have outdoor entertainment spaces and roof gardens or airspace hotels or residential units,” adds Nigel. Mark agrees “Airspace construction tends to be more modular and more easily supported by the existing structure of the building. Including residential will bring more people back into towns and city centres, which is what we need.”

Like anything, there are challenges that need to be overcome.

At the onset, a detailed study would need to be carried out to foresee exactly what the needs of the local community surrounding the empty store are and to prevent any replacement being a “five minute wonder”, as Mark puts it. “Staying relevant and responding to these is the most important first step, to ensure the social and economic benefits of repurposing the retail space. A local solution needs to be taken into account and this will result in diverse outcomes”, explains Mark.

As an example, the old Debenhams site that occupied 80,000 square feet in London’s Southside Shopping Mall is being transformed into London’s first active entertainment venue, which includes a Japanese E-karting area, bowling lanes and various hospitality offerings. Further afield, an old Macys store has been transformed into a secondary school. “In both of these instances, how these buildings are repurposed is in direct relation to answering a local need,” states Nigel.

Like anything, there are challenges that need to be overcome. Mark warns that landlords will need to be convinced that a change of use is in their best financial interest. “Local councils need to lend their support to help uplift the area. From a planning perspective, the recent government guidelines stating that planning permission is not needed for change of use needs to be approached with caution.” Nigel agrees and adds “Architects can help ensure that the character of the building is not lost and that the space is divided and utilised in the best way possible, with full safety and quality practices in place.“

We also cannot ignore the fact that repurposing multi-level retail stores is expensive and architecturally challenging and all the more reason why an experienced architect is essential. And yet, done properly, these present a strong opportunity to transform dead spaces into engaging and commercially viable ones that are adaptable and future proof, no matter what may lie ahead.

What will 2021 and beyond hold for Architects?

A RIBA statement in October last year, revealed that over £3.5 billion of work was scrapped, with a further £7.5 billion on hold. There is no doubt that times are tough and as a result, competition is fierce, which is bringing about a “race to the bottom” on price. It is up to the industry to retain consistency and standards without compromising on quality, which occurs when costs and corners are cut.

For architects involved in retail, there are additional challenges due to the pandemic escalating the popularity for online shopping. The customer journey is changing, and we need to respond to this across both the retail and hospitality sectors, by looking into placemaking and taking a multi-faceted approach. The role of designers should be transforming experiences and collaborating in a more community-driven environment. There are going to be opportunities for architects as spaces need to be repurposed to adapt to the rapidly changing market and make them work differently.

Post pandemic, making people feel safe is going to be an important criteria in how space is utilised. Airport lounges for example will increase in numbers and popularity, as people feel safer in less crowded spaces and will be prepared to pay for this premium.

The pandemic has highlighted the opportunity to be innovative. We will start to see the regeneration of town centres, with vacant office and retail units making way for more placemaking facilities, with spaces for people to live, work and play.

What of rural areas? There is concern over the impact that Brexit has had on these communities, which have seen funding all but disappear. Rural estates need to be optimised to work a little harder, and to look into opportunities for change of use, such as including holiday accommodation, conference, leisure and lifestyle facilities.

And what of London and the larger cities? Interestingly, certain sectors respond more slowly to change, and what is referred to as “critical impact” can take up to three years. What we will start to see more of is changes to the profiles of buildings and some environmental changes, with more and more green spaces.

Overall, there is optimism about the residential sector. The large government debt will see the need for more jobs to be created, to generate taxes to help the economy recover. This will result in more employment in the construction industry. Advancements in construction methods will be explored more than ever, prioritising the use of off-site modern methods of construction (MMC) to deliver homes at a faster pace than traditional methods. Schools can also take advantage of this form of construction to speed up the shortfall.

However, off-site needs to think very carefully about the environment and sustainability, for what is basically moving boxes of air over vast distances. A way round this is to source things as locally as possible.

There is no doubt that sustainability is going to be increasingly important regardless of sector. With government targets set to achieve net zero carbon by 2050, advancements in technology can support this initiative by utilising collaborative tools such as BIM level 2, which gives an accurate picture of initial costs and whole life costs, encouraging clients to implement sustainable solutions upfront. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) will become an increasingly important factor in architecture, being the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings.

In conclusion, there are certainly going to be challenges, but also opportunities that arise from the shifting needs for buildings and spaces and how we will use them.

transforming office blocks

As we all experience the profound impact of Covid-19 and the changes we have had to make, it has probably had some of the greatest impact on our working lives. Previously, flexible working was mostly pioneered by a few of us who had “earned our stripes” and the right to work remotely. Forced into this situation, what has undoubtedly been proven is that we can all be adaptable and productive, while working from home and that this seems here to stay. Already, a BBC study has discovered that at least 50 major UK employers have no plan to return all their staff to their offices on a full-time basis.

Of course, remote working isn’t suitable for everyone and there are circumstances when face-to-face communication is the most effective way to get things done, but this won’t be on the same scale as before. Many large companies are already dramatically saving costs on office space and associated utilities, by having most of their work force operate from home. Employees also benefit because they save on commuting costs and gain the ultimate gift of time.

As architects, we at rpa:group believe that this major shift towards working from home will have a significant impact on the built environment and begs the question; what is to become of vast office blocks, as the need for them and the demand for commercial office space declines.

We think that an obvious solution is to repurpose them into homes. According to the BBC’s Housing Briefing, it is estimated that we have built 1.2 million fewer homes than we should have, and the need for more homes is increasing. Calculations suggest that it will take at least 15 years at current building rates to close the gap and more concerningly, not enough of what is being built is affordable.

Office blocks lend themselves to this cause for several reasons, with a prime benefit being that so many are open plan. Partition walls can easily divide vast spaces into new living areas. Another key advantage is the existing health and safety standards that would have been in place when the buildings were used commercially, which surpass residential guidelines. Repurposing buildings also benefits the environment as there is less need for new materials and land to be utilised.

Structurally, large open office spaces tend to be solidly constructed and surround a central service core containing lifts, plumbing, ducts and risers, fire stairs, bathrooms and equipment. Wet areas located against the core can easily be connected to the building services and systems. Most modern office buildings already have the advantage of a 3-meter floor to ceiling height and large windows to allow plenty of natural light. There is also often scope to move various exterior walls, in order to create outside spaces.

Many office buildings accommodate ground floor shops and restaurants that rely on high levels of commuting office workers to survive and who are suffering as their trade dries up. Converting office spaces above into residential will provide a steady stream of local customers. Add to this the scope to include sports facilities, health centres, hair and beauty salons and childcare centres, among others, will result in the formation of micro-communities, breathing essential new life into the business districts of our towns and cities.

However, this all comes with a word of caution. The influx of vacant office spaces available is enticing developers to take advantage of the new Permitted development Rights (PDR). What this means is that offices can be converted into residential units via a “fast-track” process, without planning permission. As attractive as this new planning system seems to be, it comes with limitations and conditions.

Firstly, prior approval must be sought from the local authority to ensure that PDR can be allowed. Without the expertise of consultants, there are growing concerns about the increase of micro flats, lack of amenity space and little or no consideration for the needs of the local community and how this can impact negatively on them. Low-quality housing and inadequate housing standards are also on the rise and being reported with inconsistencies in the delivery of PDR developments.

We at the rpa:group strongly believe that what should never be compromised when transforming office blocks into homes, is the creation of environments that have been sensitively designed to provide a high quality of living. As architects and experts in the planning process, we can help realise projects and assist with all important prior approvals, helping to achieve a successful scheme that considers the wider community, and safeguards and maintains better housing standards for all.

educational environments: 5 key drivers of change

“Form follows function” a principle associated with 20th-century architecture, denotes that the shape of a building should relate to its intended function. Problems arise when the function no longer fits the form for which it was intended. Previous teaching methods involved a teacher needing to be seen and heard, demonstrating what was being taught via a two dimensional surface. The best way to accommodate this was rows of desks in a rectangular room, all facing the front. However, numerous factors have influenced and changed the way we teach and learn; and trying to squeeze these into traditional teaching spaces is like forcing a square peg into a round hole…

New breed of hotels & restaurants want to be one of the locals…

Airbnb’s rallying cry, “live like a local,” is now being applied by hospitality brands to both hotel and restaurant chains, with owners happily embracing the idea by developing localised design that has extra Millennial appeal. All this is changing the face of hospitality, not just in the UK but across the globe. Millennials, with their desire for something new and authentic, are demanding a new style of venue that offers homely, comfortable and interesting looks, often with a retro or vintage twist.

It may all be artfully designed, choreographed and perhaps even ‘curated’ but it certainly has the gravitational pull to attract the right audience and keep them coming back for more. The evidence is certainly there for all to see with successful ventures like the Hoxton group expanding each year.

Hoxton now has two hotels in London and one each in Amsterdam and Paris. Actually inspired by a neighbourhood, closely associated with graffiti artist Banksy and the original White Cube Gallery, the Hoxton ‘brand’ majors on the looks and ambience that intellectually, emotionally and physically engages both the laptop and latte hotel guest and locals who come to enjoy the restaurant and bar. Hoxton and other brands like Ace are taking design to a hyper-local level by using themes that closely mesh with the locality of each site.

Firmly in the vanguard of hospitality’s new radical chic they both challenge their designers to create a venue for guests and locals and above all to create something that enriches the neighbourhood itself. Like others in the new hospitality vanguard, the brand realises that it needs to imprint a strong brand on each of its venues and this is done largely through typography and a ‘look’ that is rendered, albeit with a twist, in every venue. LEON has even dedicated a page on its website to its changing faces which beautifully illustrates the point.

In conclusion, by tapping into the ‘zeitgeist’, with good interior design and excellent service, hospitality brands will be able to deliver the surprise, standout and authenticity that Millennials want, creating a unifying brand that will fit both the times and the audience.

the future of student accommodation

Overseas students currently represent 1 in 5 of the student body in the UK and have been prepared to pay more than £160 per week for accommodation where concierge services, private gyms, pools and cinemas are considered standard. Post BREXIT, has seen the numbers of foreign students falling, with 41,000 fewer wanting to study in the UK this year. Developers face the prospect of empty accommodation or slashing rental fees.

Future projects will have to adapt to a rapidly changing market. The challenges differ across the regions. Like other areas, London still suffers from fundamental levels of undersupply, with The London Plan suggesting a need for up-to 31,000 additional bedspaces by 2025. In the capital, development has been impacted significantly by high land costs and competition from other uses forcing developers to acquire secondary stock to recycle, rather than build from scratch.

rpa:group have long been involved in repurposing buildings such as redundant office blocks, as well as refurbishing existing student accommodation schemes in response to the demand for elevated student living. We are now involved in addressing a more affordable future where cluster flats of 2 bedrooms and more are proving popular, creating a communal living opportunity rather than isolated studio “boxes” and breakout spaces that reflect the needs of modern students, such as raised seating and work stations with multiple power supplies to support their technology.

As the Huffington Post recently pointed out, when they surveyed students’ expectations; “ students just want good wifi, a large bedroom and a double bed. Even a dishwasher and a tumble dryer could not crack the top 5 student accommodation desires let alone the desire to have a porter service, a gym and a nightclub on the ground floor. ”

Clearly, higher end design will still have a place in some parts of the country but going forward, a more streamlined version also needs to be considered.

If you would like our help with your next student accommodation project, please contact us on 01784 256 579 or send an email to s.cuff@therpagroup.com

the mutual benefits of taking on interns…

Not only do they enhance their practical applications such as Revit/Drawing and how the industry works, they gain more psychological and no less important skills such as time management, communication and confidence building. Says Emma Sharp, HR Director at rpa:goup, “During their placement with us, our interns are able to put their skills and theories into practice and we support them in gaining invaluable, hands-on experience in the field of Architecture”.

Nicola Szczepaniak, studying at the University of Portsmouth and coming to the end of her one year placement with us agrees. “In my time here, I have gained more knowledge about the industry than I could ever have hoped for.” She adds, “The wide range of expertise amongst my colleagues has helped me develop many skills, from learning how to use the software more efficiently, to managing myself to complete various tasks professionally, on time and to a high standard” Nicola was also able to gain practical knowledge by visiting construction sites, in order to experience how the work produced in our offices is applied on site.

Michael Pearce, studying at the University of Brighton, and also nearing the end of his one year internship says, “My time here has been extremely important in terms of progression for my career. I was urged to begin working on live projects from my second day so I could get a feel for these kinds of projects. In only a few months this allowed me to become an integral part of the team producing work to a high standard”. He emphasises that his responsibility has been no less than any other person in the team, which has been hugely important to his development and learning. As a company, we will continue to give interns the opportunity to work with us for many years to come. It is without doubt a mutually beneficial exercise. Mark Cherrett, Director of Architecture elaborates. “Interns bring with them new perspectives, fresh ideas, and skill sets. We in turn benefit from the “injection” of fresh thinking and it can ultimately help us gain valuable future employees.”

Our interns can certainly face their future with confidence, after their time with us. Says Michael “This internship has taken me to a new level and it has allowed me to feel confident about going back to finish my degree. I have no doubt that it will improve my work efficiency and my final product. Also, as I have experienced full time working life, it has prepared me for the future before I have even graduated, which feels like a head start.” Nicola agrees. “I think that working here has given me a great advantage when it comes to completing my degree and hopefully achieving the highest grade possible. I believe that it will also make me more employable after I graduate, as not many other graduates will have had a whole year of real experience in the workplace.”

We are currently recruiting replacements to continue this process. If you are an architecture student seeking an internship, please visit our contact us page for further details and contact information.

school rebuilds should be about collaboration, imagination and budgeting…

Time and time again we have found that it is entirely possible to improve older buildings, retain their intrinsic character, and even incorporate current and future trends in teaching. As a team we are no strangers to innovative repurposing of buildings to create outstanding educational spaces that deliver a ‘wow factor’ for both educationalists and students. All it takes is inventive and resourceful use of budgets and real collaboration between all stakeholders.

So, what delivers a great school and what are the ingredients that make something leap beyond the mundane and enter the territory of the inspirational? First of all, partnership is vital. Architects, consultants and designers need to work together in a truly symbiotic way and they all need to work with (and understand) those who will use the school – namely the teachers and the students. Understanding their requirements, desires and challenges will go a long way. Secondly, the team needs to both understand and embrace change. All parties should address where teaching will be in say 10-20 years time. This throws up all manner of topics such as, will we still have classrooms as we know them or will we have more flexible spaces?

Our work for King’s Maths School supports a ‘break-out’ strategy, with brightly coloured pods allowing students to work alone or in small groups. We also need to think about some real fundamentals like the use of walls in the classroom. Currently walls are a vital teaching aid that provides show-space for students work, particularly in primary schools. However, walls can be made to slide and fold so that space can be reconfigured. The question is whether this adds to or subtracts from the ameneties on offer to teachers? Overall It’s vitally important that architects and designers challenge schools to think outside the box and if they do, some great things can be done. All it takes is collaboration, imagination and a sensible budget.

launching the bim revolution

Colour coding would vary from organisation to organisation. Designers wishing to share information with contractors would have to explain their standards on each project. There would be no continuity from job to job, massive duplication of effort between parties and inevitable conflicts between designer, contractor, facilities managers and clients. Clearly such a system would be unworkable. A common standard is a must to optimise efficiencies, safety and cost effectiveness. Pity then the architects, engineers, contractors, clients, et al, who are tasked with working from shared BIM information…

Designed to avoid conflicts, optimise efficiency through materials and time savings and provide valuable data after the initial build for the operation, maintenance and modification of the buildings, the lack of standardisation (or “social BIM”) makes the full realisation of the BIM’s potential impossible. “My business was an early adopter of BIM and we have for some time been realising significant efficiencies on behalf of our clients. Nevertheless, the lack of common standards outside of our organisation can be extremely frustrating. So who is going to drive this need for standardisation?” asks Derek Pratley, director at rpa:group.

Government is capable of forcing the issue, of course, through legislation or economic imperatives. David Philip, Head of BIM implementation for The Cabinet Office, has stated that government tenders will soon require BIM. “We are developing simple guidance and templates through the first tranche of our (funded) work packages, which will be complete by Q1 2012, allowing BIM tenders to start entering the pipeline… towards full adoption by 2016”. Adam Matthews of Autodesk’s Government Affairs team and supporting the BIM Task Group, asserts that while the Government is not saying BIM is mandatory, it is specifying outcomes and deliverables that add a commercial imperative to the adoption of BIM for those wishing to work on public sector projects, and so creating impetus for change.

Matthews points out that, in a quest to meet its target of reducing the cost of constructing and running public buildings by 20% by 2016, the Government has, as part of this strategy, adopted a five point plan. The idea is to look for savings in the key areas of inter alia procurement and facilities management, something that BIM lends itself readily to the pursuit of. Accordingly the Government now requires building information to be offered in a format called COBie (Construction Operations Building information exchange). It’s a long description for something quite straightforward: the COBie file contains the information required by an owner/operator to manage a building through its operational phase. Additionally traditional drawing submittals to public clients are not going to be acceptable simply in PDF formats; going forward BIM models will be required in native file formats along with the COBie file. And in June the British Standards will publish the new PAS1192:2 standard: a guidance note for how the supply chain on public works can share information and collaborate with themselves.

But if the Government, while falling short of making BIM mandatory, is encouraging its use by the construction and FM industries, who has the influence necessary to put BIM centre stage in the private sector?

An example of large organisations making the running would be the BIM For Retail forum. Comprising Asda, Waitrose, John Lewis and 3 others, with advice from architects HOK and engineers Romboll, the forum is designed to “agree standards and processes for BIM that will improve the quality of design information, what standard to work to and how to manage it”, according to James Brown, head of model and specification for Asda. Wal Mart, owners of Asda, is of course an American company. It is worth noting that in the US the application of BIM has been more readily seized upon and the level of advancement there is now some way ahead of UK practice. There companies in the Retail, Healthcare and Education sectors have readily embraced the value realisable from BIM, in terms of the supply chain, and are much more inclined to mandate the delivery of BIM.

Another view is that contractors themselves should be responsible for agreeing common standards. Chris Gilmour of BAM Construction UK, says “contractors need to accept the responsibility of being the integrators.”

“There is no doubt that there is a swell of activity across the industry responding to the government’s BIM strategy. The clear message I hear from those already adopting it is that it’s better to start early and gain the internal efficiency and value benefits from BIM rather than trying to play catch-up”, says Adam Matthews. Whoever drives it, there needs to be a standard for BIM. There’s a convention for AutoCAD; everyone knows that. If you pick up a drawing anyone can work from it. And with an estimated 68% of firms stating that they have shared BIM information with firms outside of their own organisations, the urgent need for common standards is clear.