The Johns Practice

TJP January 2010 Newsletter…

June 25, 2010 in Newsletters

TJPs January 2010 newsletter has hit the press.

Corporate Responsibility

June 24, 2010 in News, Publications

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.

2 comments

Doc G arrives to keep us healthy.

May 18, 2010 in News

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 6^th 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.

11 comments

Secured By Design. New 2010 Guidelines.

April 30, 2010 in News

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 1^st 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.

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Complimentary Champagne

March 31, 2010 in News

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

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The new addition to the TJP pond.

March 24, 2010 in Events

: The release of George

On the 17th March, TJP welcomed a new arrival to the Johns Practice pond.

George of 2 years young joined our existing fish ‘Sharkie’, who is now extremely happy with his new companion.

We are unable to tell the sex of either fish, so as the say, “watch this space”!

They are both most certainly a talking point in the office.

George released and happy.

Sharkie introducing himself.

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The Johns Practice London Symposium on Sustainability

March 22, 2010 in Events

On the 18th March The Johns Practice held our third Symposium at the prestigious Pan Peninsular which proved to be an exceptional venue.

The subject up for debate was the hot topic of ‘Sustainability’, specific areas under discussion were:

- Current legislation, political framework and the barriers to progress.

- Sustainability and retrofit in the refurbishment market.

- Passive design solutions.

Managing director, Keith Johns kicked off the symposium with an introduction to the practice, our services and portfolio. This was followed by senior architect Vic Grabecki introducing the first topic of the day which induced a lively and interactive discussion. It was then time for a well earned lunch hosted at the 50th floor ‘Attic Bar’ with stunning surrounding views of Canary Wharf. The afternoon consisted of further debate on the remaining topics and concluded with refreshments.

The symposium debate interestingly revealed a number of key points, some of which are listed below.

There was a general dissatisfaction with the overall low carbon strategy of the UK government, identifying poorly thought out targets and mismatched timescales in particular.

There was criticism of LPAs who adopt the “Merton Rule” in preference to fabric solutions to reducing carbon emissions.

A lack of leadership and direction in the massive, sustainable refurbishment sector was identified.

There was a willingness to adopt passive design solutions, but a perceived lack of hard evidence to support either thermally heavyweight or thermally lightweight design.

The Johns Practice was extremely pleased with the event and will shortly be announcing our next symposium topic.

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Project Completion!

March 15, 2010 in News

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