Tag: architects Liverpool

Grand Central - Liverpool New Street’s New Look

Recently, Grand Central, the revamped New Street Station in Liverpool opened, and it’s what everyone is raving on about.

The £750-million rejuvenation of Liverpool New Street, by Architecture firm AZPML, has been completed. Co-founder of the firm Alejandro Zaera-Polo said that the completed project ‘could have been much better.’

Grand Central is a vision of reflective stainless steel encasing the original 1960’s building, integrating a vast atrium in the middle. The steel incorporation was designed to reflect the trains pulling in and out of the station along with the surrounding cityscape while the atrium is covered in a roof made of clear ethylene tetrafluoroethylene plastic.

The new roof is perched on top of columns from the original station building to encase a public concourse and two floors of shopping, as well as an AZPML-designed John Lewis department store with a glazed facade.

However, the reopening of the station last week, Alejandro Zaera-Polo expressed that the result wasn’t as intended. There were open concerns regarding the detailing of girders and a walkway which was said to conflict with the original and recent structures.

Grand Central is just a small part of Liverpool’s Big City Plan from the late Clive Dutton. As regeneration director for the city, Clive also overlooked the development of Mecanoo’s Library of Liverpool. The public library is home to a rooftop garden, overlooking parts of the city, a sunken amphitheatre as well as its infamous large, interlocking metal rings.

What are your thoughts on the architectural redevelopment of New Street Station, Grand Central?

RIBA awards for the best British architecture 2015

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) based in London has chosen thirty-seven winners for its 2015 awards!

The winners from the awards have seen one from Wales, two from Northern Ireland, five from Scotland, and twenty-nine from England. A total of nine private houses were included in the list, alongside eight developer-led housing buildings.

RIBA President, Stephen Hodder, noted: “The UK is blighted by poor-quality new housing and dilapidated school buildings, so I am delighted that the notable trends amongst this year’s RIBA National Award winners are the volume of inspiring new housing and education projects.”

The winners of the RIBA awards can be seen below:

London

  • University of Greenwich, Stockwell Street Building by Heneghan Peng Architects
  • Burntwood School by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
  • St Mary of Eton Church, Apartments and Community Rooms by Matthew Lloyd Architects
  • The Foundry by Architecture oo
  • NEO Bankside by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
  • University Campus for Hult International Business School by Sergison Bates Architects
  • Bonhams by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
  • Ashmount Primary School by Penoyre & Prasad
  • Lerving House by Jamie Fobert Architects
  • Foyles by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
  • Kew House by Piercy&Company
  • Brentford Lock West by Duggan Morris Architects
  • Darbishire Place by Niall McLaughlin Architects
  • National Theatre (NT Future) by Haworth Tompkins

East

  • Abode, Great Kneighton, Cambridge by Proctor and Matthews Architects

East Midlands

  • Parkside, Matlock by Evans Vettori Architects Limited
  • Uppingham School Science Centre by Orms

North West

  • Lancaster University, Engineering Building by John McAslan and Partners
  • Manchester Metropolitan University Student Union by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
  • The Whitworth, Manchester by MUMA

South

  • Alfriston School, Beaconsfield by Duggan Morris Architects
  • Flint House, Waddeston by Skene Catling de la Pena
  • The Fishing Hut by Niall McLaughlin Architects

South East

  • Sussex House by Wilkinson King Architects
  • WWF-UK Headquarters Living Planet Centre, Woking by Hopkins Architects

South West

  • Myrtle Cottage Garden Studio, Bradford on Avon by Stonewood Design
  • Dundon Passivhaus, Compton Dundon by Prewett Bizley Architects

UK

  • Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent by Feilden Clegg Bradley

Yorkshire

  • Sheffield Cathedral, New Main Entrance and reordering by Thomas Ford & Partners

Wales

  • Cliff House, Southgate by Hyde + Hyde Architects

Northern Ireland

  • Old See House, Belfast by RPP Architects with Richard Murphy Architects
  • House at Maghera by McGonigle McGrath

Scotland

  • Maggies Lanarkshire by Reiach and Hall Architects
  • Arcadia Nursery, University of Edinburgh by Malcolm Fraser Architects
  • West Burn Lane, St Andrews by Noone Hussey Architects
  • Dalmunach Distillery by Archial Norr (Inverness Studio)
  • Laurieston Transformational Area, Glasgow by Elder and Cannon Architects and Page Park Architects

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What is it about modern architecture?

 

Modern architecture provides something for everybody, even if an individual prefers traditional architecture.

The foundations of modern architecture are clean and simple, following the ideal that form will follow function thus why many modern architects express themselves through simplicity, clean structural elements, clear views and dropping any design specs that aren’t necessary.

Most designs will integrate elements of glass, steel and wood so to show off the industrial structural materials.

What defines modern architecture?

Both terms modern and contemporary have been confused in the design world. The fact is, contemporary design isn’t like modern, although it also can be. In literal terms, contemporary means now, while modern relates to technological and engineering developments dating back to the turn of the twentieth century.

Sticking with simplicity, modern architecture turns its attention to industrial materials including concrete, glass, and steel. Contemporary design, however, does use the same elements although the designs would be considered as new, re-though, or forward-thinking.

Modern designs allow the structure to speak for itself through minimalistic interiors and cleans lines.

Misconceptions

Common misconceptions are often presented about modern architecture that it is too cold or cool. Although, this does not have to be true. A growing number of elements into modern designs are not seeing features of wood and stone, in neutral colours - both of which are warm and inviting materials.

Other elements that have been integrated into the design have been floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, large windows that allow natural light to flood into a room along with vaulted post and beam ceilings.

Alternatively, playing it safe by using warm colours like browns and beiges, wood and stone etc.

Mixing

It is possible for both tradition and modern styles to work together, they knit together quite well.

The design can prove to be quite and interesting one that creatures a one-of-a-kind home for an individual to live in.

Modern architecture has proven to be unique, warm, open and inviting and more with; it has also proven that it can be combined with traditional architecture to get the best of both world.

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13 reasons to hire an architect for a building project

There are a number of reasons to consider hiring an architect for a building project of any kind.

It is essentially one of the most reliable options for any housing or domestic project of any kind.

Here are thirteen ways in which an architect can help make your building project a success:

1. Architects will conceptualise and put your best ideas into a form that you can visualise so that you will have solid plans to present to your contractors and builders.

2. You will be able to utilise Contract Administration (CA); from that your architect will keep an eye on the construction and should be able to answer any of your questions and making sure the project is sticking to the original design intent.

3. They knowledge will cover everything from landscape design, sociology, law, and ergonomics, in addition to the expected areas of construction materials and techniques.

4. If a priority to your project is ‘green’, you will have the assurance of expert assistance for your project and making sure it is respectable to the surrounding environment, also make the design an environmentally conscious one.

5. Architects will serve as your liaison between the builders and contractors, subcontractors, interior designers, landscape designers, and government offices that are going to be visiting to ensure everything is going smoothly.

6. Architects will be able to anticipate any potential issues with a prospective design and prevent any mistakes that may have occurred if you opting to take on the role yourself, saving you the cost.

7. They will be able to guide you on maximising your space and budget.

8. It is possible that will suggest to you design and material options of which yourself and your builder may not have been aware of. A builder will generally follow your instructions and an architect will aid you in making the best decisions for yourself and the property.

9. Architects will most likely have connections in the industry; once they have completed their initial role, they can then help you identify the professionals to do your job.

10. They will liaise with the builders to ensure that the work is being done in accordance with the plan and the required materials are being used.

11. They will deal with the tasks of securing permits and any zoning issues.

12. Value will be added to your property if it is well designed.

13. A building that has been professionally designed will often have lower maintenance costs!

The decision of hiring an architect for your building project will be vital for its progression.
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