Such collaboration leads to exciting possibilities.
Being able to create new spaces means the building will have a longer lifespan with fewer major changes.. Having the ability to add or remove services to suit internal layout changes or adapt to a changing climate will allow the building to be used for longer.Services (heating, cooling, lifts, sprinklers, plumbing, etc) have one of the shortest life expectancies of all elements of the building, due to their moving parts.
By building in easy maintenance strategies from the outset, services are likely to be better maintained and need fewer replacements over their life.. Design for disassembly (to be balanced with safe deconstruction).To facilitate truly sustainable construction, at the end of the building’s life it is important to be able to disassemble it in a safe manner.The design should accommodate reversible connections, ie things that can be undone and dismantled.
This is particularly important in the superstructure, where traditionally the easiest method of deconstructing is to crush the building..The use of bolted connections on steelwork joints is safer as hot trades such as welding are omitted.
The connections are also quick and easy for less well skilled labour..
The joints can be unbolted at the end of the building’s life, potentially with the use of temporary propping.The most advanced implementation of this approach has been for GlaxoSmithKline.
Together with Martin Wood, and John Dyson (Vice President Global Capital Projects) Steven has developed an approach, called the ‘Front End Factory’, that has been in use by GSK for about two years now to make high level strategic decisions about all their capital investments worldwide..Recently, Steven also obtained a Diploma in Advanced Architectural Studies (The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London).
This course brings together within a single theoretical and analytical framework, known as Space Syntax, the study of architecture from the scale of buildings to entire cities.The course is closely linked to the Space Syntax Laboratory, one of the world’s leading architecture research groups, which forms part of the Bartlett’s ‘Space’ research group.The discussion praises the strategy's long-term vision, focus on key sectors (advanced manufacturing, life sciences, digital), and systemic approach to economic issues.
(Editor: Basic Sofas)