Christmas Newsletter 2009
December 2009
2009 has been a difficult year for the industry as a whole and it has affected us all to one degree or another. Working across various sectors of the market, we have been fortunate in securing enough work to get through the year with our team intact. This is an indication of the good working relationships we have built up over the years and also a vote of confidence in our abilities to provide the level of service expected by our clients. We are all hoping that 2010 will see things beginning to improve.
Thank you to all our clients and professional colleagues for supporting us over the last year. Instead of sending out Christmas cards we are donating to two locally based charities.
The office will be closed from 25 Dec - 4 Jan. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Royal Museum of Scotland
The Royal Museum is currently our largest project with a construction value of c £25 million. Working with Gareth Hoskins Architects, the transformation of the old Victorian building continues apace with the basement slappings and the new street level entrances complete. The picture shows some of the temporary works that have been necessary to create the new entrances. The new 18 metre long stairwell openings are starting to be formed. This follows stabilisation temporary works to take out the horizontal vault thrusts by back propping the northern masonry vaults and creation of new concrete buttress to the south. A new concrete ring beam will be inserted around the opening to take the vault loadings in the permanent condition, prior to a new basement to ground floor stair and glazed scenic lifts being constructed in the new well. All technical staff in the Practice have been visiting the site regularly to see the works progress during the construction phase.
Station Road, South Queensferry
This grand villa on Station Road in South Queensferry has spectacular views over the Forth Bridge. Working with Zone Architects, the new addition provides a dramatic glazed kitchen with feature exposed timber roof, utility room and garage. A guest bedroom suite below the kitchen takes advantage of the change in the level across the site and a terrace forms a datum, anchoring the house to its garden and providing improved outdoor living space.
John Gray Centre, Haddington
This project involves conversion of four existing mid nineteenth century buildings into a Heritage centre with linked library, museum and local history archive store. The buildings in the centre of Haddington have most recently been used as council offices. The archive store requires construction of a new heavily loaded floor at upper level within two of the buildings. Architect Gray Marshall & Associates' design includes a striking new two-storey glazed atrium incorporating glass artwork. The project, planned to start on site in February 2010, is currently valued at approx. £4.8m.
Circus Lane, Edinburgh
Working with WT Architecture this small but complex project connects the ground floor flat into the vaulted space beneath to create a two-bedroom maisonette. The vault has been cut both lengthways and across to leave a 'hanging half arch'. A bridge over the void, glass floor wedge, glazed slots, balustrades and light chutes give light and ventilation to the lower level.
Glen Cansip Housing Project, Lochinver
The Practice has been asked to carry out a feasibility study for affordable housing in Glen Cansip for The Assynt Foundation. Located in the North West Highland Geopark, this site is in a very sensitive location. As part of a design team lead by Rural Design, we are advising on ways that the site may be developed in a sustainable way with minimum damage to the environment. This requires a sensitive 'light touch' approach working with the site rather than against it.
Lawlor House, Glasgow
Lawlor House is a new private house within the Conservation Area in Pollokshiels. Working with Gareth Hoskins Architects the dwelling involves many interesting architectural features that have presented many engineering challenges. Cantilevered timber staircases and a glazed lift maximise light in the double height reception area whilst providing access to bedroom suites. The master bedroom on the third floor which cantilevers over the driveway is one of the most striking features of the build and presented some of the most interesting structural challenges. The project is on site at present and the drainage and foundations have been partially completed. The steel frame for the building is due to go up in January which will be an exciting time as this will really allow us to see the building take shape.
Saltire Society Awards for Civil Engineering
For the past four years Andrew Brown, Director, has served as an assessor on the Adjudication Panel for The Saltire Awards for Civil Engineering. The purpose of the Saltire Awards is to recognise and encourage excellence in civil engineering in Scotland. An important aspect in judging entries is the extent to which the projects advance the art of civil engineering. The assessor's role is to visit the project and meet with the project team before compiling a report for discussion at a panel adjudication meeting held in September. At the adjudication meeting the panel will decide which projects are worthy of a Commendation and which, if any, are worthy of the coveted Saltire Award. In his term of office Andrew has had the great privilege of visiting many of Scotland's most prestigious civil engineering projects and meeting the people responsible for delivering them.
The Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine has received the prestigious Saltire Award for Civil Engineering 2009.
CEEQUAL Qualification
Project engineers, Stephen Farrar and Robbie Templeton have completed their training to become CEEQUAL assessors. CEEQUAL is the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality scheme and is applicable to any civil engineering or public realm project. It uses a rigorous points-scoring-based system to assess environmental and social aspects of a scheme such as the use of water, energy and land, impacts on ecology, landscape, neighbours, archaeology, as well as waste minimisation and management, community relations and amenity. Sponsored by industry bodies, it is hoped that the uptake of the scheme will improve the environmental performance and reputation of the construction industry. Further information can be found on www.ceequal.com.
Roses Design Awards 2009
The Roses Design Awards exist to promote excellence in both graphic and architectural design. This might be through an innovative piece of work, a new approach to design or, of course, a concept that's inspirational. The Practice was delighted to win the Bronze award for Engineering Design at the Roses Design Awards 2009 for The Gathering Space, Venice with Gareth Hoskins Architects.
