3Di’s Post

It is a delight to see 124 Theobalds Road out in the public domain. The modest external amendments don’t reveal the surgical incisions that we have developed with Orms, to open up the floors and create modern workspace whilst retaining as much of the building fabric as possible. The building has a complex history, having been built in the 1950’s using the emerging concrete technology and innovation at the time, but then heavily altered in the 1990’s. However, with some great record information we have been able to develop a scheme that maximises the opportunities: relocating the stability system without introducing major temporary works, pushing the 'lean' 1950s concrete design further to maximise new services distribution and even utilising an old crane base as the foundation for a new extension. #StructuralEngineering #Construction #ConcreteTechnology #LondonStructuresLab

Framework Friday / Cambridge Science Park Good morning @LinkedIn! Architect: Project: https://lnkd.in/drjuGHk Contractor: MTW Architectural Ltd Put the chocolate down because his #FrameworkFriday, we're diving into the revolutionary project at the Cambridge Science Park, where innovation meets sustainable design. Tasked with creating a landmark for the county’s premier technology estate, the vision was to attract leading high-tech and Research & Development companies, thereby crafting a new beacon for innovation in Cambridge. The approach: A two-building concept that redefines flexibility, catering to both single and multi-tenant occupancy. The design draws inspiration from the natural flow of the surrounding environment, featuring a sweeping colonnade that echoes the curve of the main spine road. This isn't just a design choice; it's a navigational guide. The spacing between columns widens as one approaches the main entrance, creating a welcoming gesture, while denser columns near the office areas provide a sense of protection and privacy. The beauty of this project lies in its seamless integration with nature and its surroundings, they're all in conversation with each other. Highly glazed façades ensure that the boundary between the indoor working environment and the lush landscaped setting is almost imperceptible. Daylight doesn't just enter these spaces; it floods them, thanks to the strategic placement of the entrance colonnade fins. Laid flat against the side elevations, these fins break the building mass into rhythmic smaller segments, enhancing the sense of openness and connectivity. The design achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, not only for its environmental performance but also for its contribution to the public realm. By creating a new space between the two buildings, they've not only given transparency to the architectural form but also underscored a commitment to sustainability. This design principle extends to the choice of the GEZE Slimdrive SCR curved automatic sliding door at the main entrance. Beyond its elegant aesthetics, this door system contributes to the building's thermal efficiency, minimizing energy loss and ensuring a comfortable transition from the bustling outside world into the serene, productive spaces within. This gateway to the Cambridge Science Park stands as a testament to what can be achieved when architectural ingenuity aligns with a sustainable ethos. It's a project that not only meets the immediate needs of its occupants but also sets a precedent for future developments within the park and beyond. #FrameworkFriday #ArchitecturalGlazing #StructuralGlazing #Glass #Glazing #Facades #Facade #FacadeEngineering #Sustainability #Geze #Schuco

Framework Friday / Cambridge Science Park Architect: Scott Brownrigg Project: https://lnkd.in/e8SSwXnr Contractor: MTW ARCHITECTURAL LIMITED Good morning LinkedIn Put the chocolate down because this #FrameworkFriday, we're diving into the revolutionary project at the Cambridge Science Park, where innovation meets sustainable design. Tasked with creating a landmark for the county’s premier technology estate, the vision was to attract leading high-tech and Research & Development companies, thereby crafting a new beacon for innovation in Cambridge. The approach: A two-building concept that redefines flexibility, catering to both single and multi-tenant occupancy. The design draws inspiration from the natural flow of the surrounding environment, featuring a sweeping colonnade that echoes the curve of the main spine road. This isn't just a design choice; it's a navigational guide. The spacing between columns widens as one approaches the main entrance, creating a welcoming gesture, while denser columns near the office areas provide a sense of protection and privacy. The beauty of this project lies in its seamless integration with nature and its surroundings, they're all in conversation with each other. Highly glazed façades ensure that the boundary between the indoor working environment and the lush landscaped setting is almost imperceptible. Daylight doesn't just enter these spaces; it floods them, thanks to the strategic placement of the entrance colonnade fins. Laid flat against the side elevations, these fins break the building mass into rhythmic smaller segments, enhancing the sense of openness and connectivity. The design achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, not only for its environmental performance but also for its contribution to the public realm. By creating a new space between the two buildings, they've not only given transparency to the architectural form but also underscored a commitment to sustainability. This design principle extends to the choice of the GEZE UK Slimdrive SCR curved automatic sliding door at the main entrance. Beyond its elegant aesthetics, this door system contributes to the building's thermal efficiency, minimizing energy loss and ensuring a comfortable transition from the bustling outside world into the serene, productive spaces within. This gateway to the Cambridge Science Park stands as a testament to what can be achieved when architectural ingenuity aligns with a sustainable ethos. It's a project that not only meets the immediate needs of its occupants but also sets a precedent for future developments within the park and beyond. #FrameworkFriday #ArchitecturalGlazing #StructuralGlazing #Glass #Glazing #Facades #Facade #FacadeEngineering #Sustainability #Geze #Schuco

What’s old is new again. The repurposing of old buildings can add new experiences for those who inhabit them. https://lnkd.in/dDC6_kFk #repurposing #oldbuildings #preservinghistory #carbonfootprint #google #gensler #architecture #officedesign #flexibleworkspace #refurbishment #hq

Brief Critique of "Why Gensler is One of the Most Innovative Companies of 2024" by Patrick Sisson, Fast Company (This is not a critique of the author.) The article highlights Gensler's innovation by developing an algorithm to streamline the office-to-residential conversion process. This solution addresses a timely issue in real estate, demonstrating Gensler's proactive response to market demands during the pandemic. The narrative is compelling, detailing the algorithm's impact with specific examples and quotes from architect Steven Paynter. However, the article could benefit from more critically examining potential challenges or limitations associated with such conversions. While the piece is informative, a balanced perspective would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the innovation's implications. https://buff.ly/3A9Dpfb #architecture, #interiordesign, #sustainablebuilding, #LEEDcertification, #AutoCAD, #Revit, #projectmanagement, #architectcareers, #designjobs, #urbanplanning, #commercialarchitecture, #residentialdesign, #corporateinteriors, #highriseconstruction, #retaildesign #Gensler, #InnovativeCompanies, #AlgorithmDevelopment, #OfficeToResidential, #RealEstateInnovation, #PandemicResponse, #ArchitecturalDesign, #StevenPaynter, #UrbanDevelopment, #CommercialRealEstate, #SustainableArchitecture, #BuildingConversion, #InnovationInDesign, #AdaptiveReuse, #SmartArchitecture

Brief Critique of "Why Gensler is One of the Most Innovative Companies of 2024" by Patrick Sisson, Fast Company (This is not a critique of the author.) The article highlights Gensler's innovation by developing an algorithm to streamline the office-to-residential conversion process. This solution addresses a timely issue in real estate, demonstrating Gensler's proactive response to market demands during the pandemic. The narrative is compelling, detailing the algorithm's impact with specific examples and quotes from architect Steven Paynter. However, the article could benefit from more critically examining potential challenges or limitations associated with such conversions. While the piece is informative, a balanced perspective would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the innovation's implications. https://buff.ly/4dtED37 #architecture, #interiordesign, #sustainablebuilding, #LEEDcertification, #AutoCAD, #Revit, #projectmanagement, #architectcareers, #designjobs, #urbanplanning, #commercialarchitecture, #residentialdesign, #corporateinteriors, #highriseconstruction, #retaildesign #Gensler, #InnovativeCompanies, #AlgorithmDevelopment, #OfficeToResidential, #RealEstateInnovation, #PandemicResponse, #ArchitecturalDesign, #StevenPaynter, #UrbanDevelopment, #CommercialRealEstate, #SustainableArchitecture, #BuildingConversion, #InnovationInDesign, #AdaptiveReuse, #SmartArchitecture

Our winning submission for a major mixed-use retrofit job in the European Quarter in Brussels, Belgium, beating UK and international competition was covered in the Architects’ Journal this morning https://lnkd.in/epRG_6jD As reported, 0ur winning scheme was born out of a deeply collaborative approach and spirit with Belgian practice a2o, VELD and landscape architects TN PLUS to overhaul L’ilot 130, an office complex near the European Commission, which will transform around 100,000m2 of office space into upgraded workplaces, homes, and community facilities. Real estate fund Whitewood and developer #Cityforward said the winning scheme prioritised ‘sustainability and circularity, focusing on opening up the ground floor, adding green spaces, and improving water management, carbon footprint, and energy efficiency’. Whitewood business development director Christophe le Polain told the AJ that the winning scheme was ‘an ambitious project that aligns perfectly with our expectations, values, and those of the authorities.’ He added: 'Their ability to design a large-scale project within a short timeframe, adhering to key principles of circularity and sustainability, demonstrates both their expertise and commitment to a more responsible future. ‘This project integrates high-quality residential components essential to the neighbourhood while providing office spaces that meet current market demands with optimal energy performance. We look forward to bringing this collaboration to life and continuing our work together on the detailed design of this landmark project.’ The competition brief had called for the complex’s ground floor to be opened up while ‘greening’ the building’s interior and delivering a building with around 70 per cent offices, 25 per cent housing, and 5 per cent facilities space. Morris + Company was shortlisted along with UK firms Caruso St John Architects, in a team with Bovenbouw Architectuur and Kollektif Landscape, and Maccreanor Lavington working with Dutch firm Popma ter Steege Architecten. The other finalists included: ArtBuild Architects with 3XN and Delva; Juurlink [+] Geluk, Urbanism and Landscape Design, Geluk and V8; and OZ architect with Stijlgroep Landscape & Urban Design. Almost an entire block long, L’ilot 130 it is one of 21 European Commission buildings tipped for redevelopment as part of a masterplan by Brussels-based practice Plusoffice Architects, which includes ‘sustainable buildings’ and the introduction of housing. #Architecture #Sustainability #EuropeanQuarter #Innovation #ILOBuilding #Brussels #EcoUrban #Whitewood #EuropeanDistrict #ILOT130 #EuropeanQuarter #VilleDeBrussells

You know skyscrapers - but do you know groundscapers? 🌁 These are very extensive, yet relatively low buildings. A perfect example is Google's headquarters in London. The project has only 11 floors but stretches for an impressive 300 meters! 🏙️ This solution has many advantages. It doesn’t ruin the city skyline, offers vast space for employees, helps fight for a better climate, and is more cost - effective 💡 Groundscapers are also an excellent way to decentralize cities. Because of this, their history is longer than one might expect. They first gained popularity around a hundred years ago! If you want to see examples of this low, futuristic architecture, check out the linked article. #architecture #design #skyscraper #groundscraper #art #city

You know skyscrapers - but do you know groundscapers? 🌁 These are very extensive, yet relatively low buildings. A perfect example is Google's headquarters in London. The project has only 11 floors but stretches for an impressive 300 meters! 🏙️ This solution has many advantages. It doesn’t ruin the city skyline, offers vast space for employees, helps fight for a better climate, and is more cost - effective 💡 Groundscapers are also an excellent way to decentralize cities. Because of this, their history is longer than one might expect. They first gained popularity around a hundred years ago! If you want to see examples of this low, futuristic architecture, check out the linked article. #architecture #design #skyscraper #groundscraper #art #city