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Getting Real
For some the recession has been a trial for 18 months or more. For others it has become a way of life and who live in expectation that things will soon return to how they were. For those who are perhaps a little more realistic, we are no longer in a recession and this is how we can expect life to be for many years to come.
This is not a pessimistic view borne out of desperation but a view which should be embraced and viewed with a great deal of optimism. It is a time for change and attempting to improve the way our service is provided in both existing and new markets.
Architecture and the way that architects carry out our work also have to change. This change is desperately needed if the proffession has any chance of surviving in any recognised form.
To do this it is perhaps better to look to the past history of architecture and discover all over again how buildings used to be procured and in doing so discover the key words of architect as ‘master builder’, service and quality of design and technical ability.
I realised this many years ago and set out the Johns Practice stall on the basis of good service, quality of both design and technical ability, and a flexible ‘can do’ approach.
This ethos has served us well for many years and I fully expect it to continue doing so for as long as I am at the helm of this practice with the fantastic team I have in place.
CPD’s held at TJP this summer…
-The Verifiable Planning Process By DesignHive Tuesday 11th May 2010
-Building Regulations & Fire Safety By MLM Wednesday 5th May 2010
-Plants in Buildings By Ambius Tuesday 25th May 2010
-Permeable Paving as a Storm Water Source By Hanson FormPave Tuesday 11th June 2010
-Changes to Part G Building Regulations By Alchallis Wednesday 23rd June 2010
-Arboriculture, Ecology & Landscape By Landscape Planning Tuesday 6th July 2010
-Air Leakage By Manthorpe Wednesday 21st July 2010
-Roofing Sustainability By Garland Friday 6th August 2010
-Energy Efficient Ventilation By Itho UK LTD Tuesday 10th August
-Health and Safety By Crossroad Health & Safety Systems Tuesday 7th September 2010
-Active Fire and Smoke Curtain Barriers By Coopers Fire Ltd Tuesday 28th Sepotember 2010
Lifetime Homes Revised Design Criteria has been published.
To meet the future requirements of our ageing population, In 2008 the Government published ‘Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing society’. It established the Government’s clear objective of making Lifetime Homes the norm for all newly built housing by 2013. The strategy gave a commitment to ensure that all new publicly funded housing is built to the Lifetime Homes Standard by 2011.
The revisions to the Lifetime Homes criteria published on 5 July 2010 have been introduced to achieve a higher level of practicability for volume developers in meeting the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The revisions will also facilitate the adoption of Lifetime Homes design as a requirement for all future publicly funded housing developments.
The revisions are the result of work by the Lifetime Homes Technical Advisory Group representing a cross-section of practitioners involved in housing design, housing development, access consultancy and provision of adaptations.
Developments proceeding within the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) should continue to use the 16 Design Criteria (for Code purposes) employed in the 2009 section of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
This is because the technical guidance within the CSH has yet to be updated to reflect the revisions to the Lifetime Hones Standards.
Schemes proceeding independently of the CSH and submitted for planning approval after 5 July 2010 should incorporate the 16 Design Criteria from 5 July 2010 (REVISED).
For more information visit www.lifetimehomes.org.uk
Corporate Responsibility
The objective of our Corporate Responsibility approach is to fulfil our social responsibility and obligations without compromising our values in the activities that we do.
Our governing principles are at the heart of everything we do and being socially responsible is, therefore, about living those values.
We are committed to ensuring that this responsibility is embedded in the way we do business and should be part of our natural thinking processes.
We aim to create a balance between the development of opportunities with our clients; stimulating and rewarding our staff; working with and supporting our local communities; and sustaining the environment in which we operate.
We are consistent in providing a reliable service which enables the client to put their trust in us, resulting in a positive, long term and long lasting client relationship.
We set out to always be truthful in what we do and the ways in which we carry out our work ensuring that overall quality of service is maintained and constantly being improved upon. All staff are kept fully informed by regular staff meetings weekly and we operate a rigorous QA system.
All staff are repeatedly trained and monitored on the importance of client relationships and are actively involved with many of the in house campaigns such as charity events and golf days
We aim to create, develop and lead highly motivated teams who have up to date competencies and skills and live by The Johns Practice values.
Doc G arrives to keep us healthy.
Ongoing planned amendments to the Building Regulations continue to drive us toward the last government’s target of a zero carbon standard for all new homes by 2016.
This is part of the carbon strategy of the UK government which was conceived as a response to climate change, making new homes more energy efficient, air tight and properly ventilated, as well as more water efficient. The revised Part G of the Building Regulations, which came into force on 6th April 2010, has introduced minimum water efficiency standards, has extended safety provisions to all types of hot water systems, and requires thermostatic mixing valves to be fitted to baths in all new homes.
One element of the revised document is to limit potential consumption of wholesome water to 125 litres per person per day. While water supplies can be categorised as being sourced from a well or borehole, from rainwater harvesting, or from reclaimed greywater as well as from an approved supplier, it is most likely that the majority of water used in new homes will still be so called wholesome water suitable for drinking, washing and food preparation. By limiting users to a designed “load” of 125 litres per day the result may not be exactly as hoped for.
The new regulations require a washbasin in addition to a bath or shower in a bathroom, a sink with hot and cold water supply in food preparation areas, and the installation of water efficient fittings. This is likely to result in additional water consumption not less, and reduced flush toilets are notorious for the user’s “double flush”. Additionally, can anyone predict the impact of less water flowing though our existing foul sewage systems? Will new developments be designed to handle only the reduced design volumes of waste water, and what will happen if householders don’t realise there is a limit on what they should be using or flushing away?
Our collective challenge is to design to the new standards, utilise harvesting and reclamation technology to the max and, above all, to make sure that end users understand how to use the buildings they are buying or renting.
Secured By Design. New 2010 Guidelines.
In February 2010 Secured by Design published the revised SBD New Homes 2010 and SBD Schools 2010 design guides which intend to provide improved security standards developed to address emerging criminal methods whilst also complimenting the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The 2010 New Homes guide is also now cross- referenced with the SBD refurbishment guidelines, indeed the ‘design’ ‘layout’ and ‘physical security’ sections of the 2010 edition can be applied to both new and refurbished homes.
Below is a concise breakdown of the new 2010 New Homes Guide and its implications for the construction industry.
Implications for the Architect:
- Greater emphasis on pre-planning consultation and registration of a scheme whilst the design is still ‘fluid’.
- Section 10.7 (Side & Rear Boundaries) has been expanded to cover a number of new specification requirements for external boundary fencing. These requirements can however be changed provided alternative measures are agreed with the LPA and ACPO.
- The BM Trada Q Mark certification scheme for locking cylinders is now recognised for use on SBD Developments.
- With effect from January 1st 2011 all laminated glass must be certified to BS EN 356 2000 rating P2A, or alternatively certified to LPS 1175 (minimum security rating 1).
- Loft hatches located in communal areas (communal flats etc.) must be locked to prevent access into a dwelling via the loft space.
Implications for the Client:
- All grant funded schemes are required to achieve the maximum available points for security in addition to achieving minimum Code level 3.
- SBD are still exploring new test standards for letter plates and letter boxes in order to meet increased risk of arson attacks.
- The BM Trada Q Mark certification scheme for locking cylinders is now recognised for use on SBD Developments.
Implications for the Contractor:
- Greater involvement through increased on-site monitoring of works and specifications by the ACPO.
- Section 10.7 has been expanded to cover a number of new specification requirements for the installation of boundary fencing.
- Further clarification is given on front entrance door requirements in particular letter plate apertures and letter boxes.
- Robust Detail E-WT-2 is now specifically referred to as a means of achieving sufficient security through studwork walls between dwellings.
Newmarket Architects sponsor charity race at the Rowley Mile racecourse
On Sunday 30th May, The Johns Practice and 12 personally invited guests will be attending the world famous Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket.
The day entails a fabulous three course lunch and afternoon tea in the opulent Champions Gallery Restaurant.
It is our pleasure to sponsor a race in the Handicap Stakes for the ‘Polio Plus Charity’, which will allow us all entry into the Saddling Enclosure before the race, and to judge the ‘Best Turned Out Horse’.
After watching the race from the ‘Royal Box’ we will then venture into the Winners Enclosure, where we will be presenting the winner’s trophy.
View the day’s racing on Channel 4, starting at 2:20 pm.
The Day promises to be a wonderful unique event raising lots of money for a well deserved course.
Complimentary Champagne
As part of The Johns Practice continuing CRM system to deliver customer service at the highest standard, our marketing team have decided to present our clients with a Bottle of TJP Champagne on Job completion with thanks.
Please take a look at our Website for further details. http://www.johnspractice.co.uk/news_article.php?id=34
Project Completion!
The Johns Practice have completed two projects this month. One at Upware and the other one in Cambridge. Find out more by looking at the Portfolio Section on our website: www.johnspractice.co.uk/portfolio.php
Private House, UpwarePrivate House, Cambridge
Sponsorship of local football team
Local Architects in Newmarket and London, The Johns Practice Sponsor a newly formed football team ‘Eastbury Eagles’ who play in the fourth division of the Bury & District Sunday Football League (www.framesconservatoriesdirectsundayleague.co.uk).
The team was formed and is jointly managed by Paul Brockwell, an employee of The Johns Practice and two of his good friends.
Currently Eastbury Eagles are positioned mid table in league and top of the league cup group B.
The main target for the season is to finish mid to top of the league and reach the league cup final.
Please visit the team website www.eastburyeaglesfc.co.uk
Eastbury Eagles
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Recent Posts
- TJP August 2010 Newsletter
- Getting Real
- CPD’s held at TJP this summer…
- TJP July 2010 Newsletter
- Lifetime Homes Revised Design Criteria has been published.
- TJP June 2010 Newsletter…
- TJP May 2010 Newsletter…
- TJP April 2010 Newsletter…
- TJP March 2010 Newsletter…
- TJP February Newsletter 2010…
- TJP January 2010 Newsletter…
- Corporate Responsibility
- Doc G arrives to keep us healthy.
- Secured By Design. New 2010 Guidelines.
- Newmarket Architects sponsor charity race at the Rowley Mile racecourse