Here are just a few historic architectural materials still recognise today!…

Since the beginning of time, architects have been priceless in the planning and construction of the world around us. As time has marched forward, the materials, techniques and technology at our disposal have changed and advanced or become redundant – however, some of the first materials and technologies know to mankind are still used today! 

Concrete

Dating back over 8000 years, before Great Britain and Ireland were separated from Europe by rising seawater, evidence of early concrete flooring, housing and underground cisterns where be found in the regions of Syria and Jordan.

Fast forward to 600BC, Romans were the first to utilize a version of modern-day concrete for widespread structural development, using Opus Caementicium (Roman Concrete) in the majority of their construction.

Not dissimilar to today’s mixture, Roman Concrete was a strong blend of volcanic dust, lime, pieces of rock and water, packed into forms, hardened and stacked.

After more than 2,000 years, Roman concrete structures are still standing strong!

Bricks

Bricks are one of the oldest known building materials still used today!

Discovered in southern Turkey dating back to 7000 BC, the first ‘bricks’ were crude mud blocks made exclusively within regions of warm climates, formed and placed in the sun for hardening.

The greatest breakthrough in construction at the time came with the invention of fired brick, 3000 years later. From this point, bricks could be made without the sun’s heat, and soon became popular in cooler climates. 

Ancient Egyptians later developed bricks made of clay, the predecessor to the classic brick we recognise today.

Cranes

“No previous civilizations are known to have used it, and it has remained central to building construction without remarkable changes for nearly 25 centuries—because it was perfect.” 

– Alessandro Pierattini, Assistant Professor of Architecture, University of Notre Dame

The earliest crane-like machine used for heavy lifting was invented by Ancient Greeks as early as 600BC. Evidence shows this is the first use of a ‘crane-like machine’ similar to those used today, shown by distinctive holes within the stone blocks of Greek temples required for the machine to operate.

Later improved by the Romans, cranes became able to lift up to 13,000 lbs when operated by two men. This huge technological breakthrough enabled the construction of countless cathedrals and towers throughout Europe before the invention of the modern-day hydraulic crane in the 1800s.

Sin Cos Tan

Sine, Cosine and Tangent (often shortened to sin, cos and tan) are each the ratio of sides on a right-angled triangle – this branch of mathematics is called Trigonometry.

Trigonometry helps architects calculate roof slopes, ground surfaces, light angles, structural loads, and the appropriate height and width of structures for construction purposes to ensure overall safety and to calculate the materials required.

The first trigonometric table was compiled in 180 and 125 BC and is still widely used by mathematicians, engineers, astronauts and architects alike.

Architects around the world are continually searching for the latest materials and technology to create beautiful and incredible constructional masterpieces, however in some cases, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!

When most people think about architectural design, tall buildings and skyscrapers come to mind, but commercial architecture is only one type of architecture design. There are many different types of architects to suit different purposes and design briefs. 

In this article, we’ll be looking at the key differences between a residential architect and a commercial architect.

Target audience

Residential architect: Each architect caters for a specific clientele. Residential or domestic architects work with home owners and individuals to provide a complete solution including design, management and construction.

Commercial architect: The target audience for a commercial architect are usually large organisations that are building a non-residential space. Their objective is to design a structure like a shopping centre, or retail store that will entice the general public to visit.

Requirements of the structure

Residential architect: A residential space is designed for people to live in. They usually have fewer rooms and each room is designed to fulfil the needs of the resident to provide comfort, and safety. 

Commercial architect: A commercial property usually has many rooms such as a storeroom, shops, offices, conference room etc, which is why it can be quite challenging for the architect to consider the use of each room and design accordingly.

Safety

Residential architect: A residential architect needs to consider all the safety standards of a residential structure. This includes the safety of staircases, attic spaces, plumbing and electrical lines.

Commercial architect: Commercial architects need to consider the safety of a lot of people in a particular space, at any given time. The safety of all the rooms and spaces being used by the public will need to be well thought through to ensure everyone is safe at all times.

Creative freedom

Residential architect: Residential architects usually have the freedom of creativity from their clients to design something that is unique and bespoke to them.

Commercial architect: Commercial architects usually have limitations to their designs. Their designs and plans would be based on the style, budget, client requirements and also will be considering the surrounding environment and neighbouring buildings.

Whether you are interested in designing a new home or looking for commercial building opportunities, choosing the right type of architect for the job is important.

Although there are some similarities between a commercial architect and a residential architect, the key differences are what makes them specialists in their area and to be able to design a building that is fit for purpose.

Types of Architects: Choosing the right one for your project

Architects are often perceived as professionals who only design and build houses. But they can actually offer a lot more than that. Architects are skilled to bring ideas from imagination to the drawing board. They are able to consider the purpose of the build, its surroundings, and possible obstacles to create a design bespoke to your requirements. 

After the design work, architects can also assist you with the planning permission so you can move towards the building stage of the project. Which makes choosing the right type of architect for your project one of the most important decisions you will make. 

The field of architecture allows architects to specialise in different areas so that their skills are best suited for different projects. We’ve listed some of the top areas architects can specialise in.

1: Commercial Architects

Commercial architects specialise in larger architectural projects for businesses or governments. They work on building projects such as multiple housing projects, retail developments, corporate offices, public libraries, hospitality/leisure buildings and mix-use developments. Commercial architects are equipped with the right knowledge to consider environmental aspects, sustainability and to create a design that combines function with style, in order to meet corporate and commercial requirements.

2: Domestic Architects

As the name suggests, these type of architects specialises in designing homes and residential properties. They work closely with homeowners to design a bespoke house or create a design for a home improvement project, such as an extension or a loft conversion. Based on the property owners requirements, domestic architects are able to design and plan a possible layout, cost of services, material requirements and also an estimated time frame for the project completion. 

3: Restoration Architects

The main job of a restoration architect is to repair, restore and maintain historic and protective properties of the land. They have the knowledge of all the legislations required to complete the project and are also able to understand the historical background of the building, in order to preserve the structure and architecture.

4: Landscape architects

The projects of landscape architects are focused on designing and developing outdoor spaces for various uses, such as parks, garden areas, college campuses etc. Landscape architects often have a lot more to consider when designing a plan. They would need to take into account factors such as the traffic flow and the size of the area, all of which would need to be aesthetically pleasing to the end-user. 

The main objective of any architect or architectural company is to bring your dream project to life. Whether you are planning on designing a new home or would like a bespoke office space for your business to flourish, all architects have the passion to deliver a successful project with the main objective of meeting the clients brief and requirements.

As a RIBA Chartered Practice, Design Studio Architects comply with strict criteria, to ensure we offer a competent and credible service no matter what type of architect you are looking for.

Listing a building recognises its special architectural and historic interest; it also brings the building into consideration of the planning system so it is protected for future generations. With this, grade listed buildings are subject to specific regulations which protect their historical and architectural significance.

As recently we have moved into new offices that are Grade II listed, we felt it beneficial to provide more knowledge on what is involved with Grade listed buildings.

This heritage protection means that you will need consent to make alterations to the building. With around 400,000 listed buildings in England, being aware of these regulations can help you plan when buying a house or commercial building.

For a building to be qualified as listed, it needs to illustrate important aspects of the nation’s economic, cultural, historical associations with nationally important people. Many buildings built before 1700 that survive in anything like their original condition is very likely to be listed; the same goes for buildings between 1850 and 1700. However, after 1945 buildings are carefully selected, and buildings less than 30 years old are not usually considered.

Listing the building not only protects the outside structure but inside as well. This includes any structures that are attached – including modern extensions and sometimes outbuildings, statuary within the garden and the garden walls.

There are three different types of grading for buildings, which are:

Grade I

These buildings are of exceptional national, historical and architectural importance; only 2.5% of listed buildings fall into this category, including Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge.

Grade II

These buildings are split into two categories – Grade II and Grade II*. Around 5.5% of buildings are Grade II* which are particularly important, with 92% of buildings listed as Grade II and of special architectural interest. Any building built before 1948 can be listed; Most residential homes are listed within the Grade II category. In England, there are approximately 276,000 listed building entries that amount to over 500,000 listed buildings.

Examples of Grade II* listed buildings are Capel Manor House in Kent, the Coliseum Theatre in London and the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge; in England. Grade II buildings include Abbey Road Studios in London; Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London and the Broomhill Pool in Ipswich.

In Leicester, there are many listed buildings, including St Martin’s Cathedral, Town Hall, Wyggeston House and Newarke Wall.

There are many trends throughout the years within commercial architecture but some are here to stay. With the world becoming more consciously aware of the environment, many are coming up with new innovative ways to design where we live, work and spend our time. Here are 2019’s top new trends in commercial architecture.

Open-plan offices

In recent years open plan living has become extremely popular within residential buildings. This year has seen the trend integrate into commercial buildings and layouts. Open plan living has solved many issues within commercial and residential properties, including creating more space that seamlessly integrates the inside with the outside; this can be achieved through having large walls that fold away.

Environmentally-friendly design

Businesses are always looking for ways to cut costs and decreasing the damage they are doing to the environment, as well as increasing their social responsibility. Brands are now more aware than ever about how much going ‘green’ matters to their employees and their customers and incorporate this by using solar panels on roofs, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and recycling and recycling materials.

Flexible-working design

Commercial buildings have had to adapt how they function because flexible working is on the rise; many people work from home or split their working week between their home and the office. Gone are the days of having your very own desk, and it is hot-desking that is now more popular. Hot desking means that anyone can use any available desk at different periods of time. It’s easier if you have many employees that work from home and in the office.

Prioritising the experience of employees

Businesses are incorporating diverse elements from the hotel and hospitality industry to integrate experience-driven spaces into the workplace. This is all to prioritise wellness, enjoyment of the workplace and is all part of your brand. These elements speak to your company’s culture and can include things like massage therapy, rock climbing walls, game rooms, and yoga studios.

Buildings are responsible for half of the global energy use; and with 55% of the world’s population living in urban areas, it’s no wonder that we are now turning towards eco-friendly, sustainable architecture. There are many ways to create eco-friendly architecture which include: using resource-efficient materials and renewable energy sources to power buildings – and it is on the rise.

The government pledged that all homes must be zero carbon by 2020, so there are plans in place for 1.5 million new UK homes to be built by 2022, which have to comply with the new regulations: being low-carbon, low-energy and resilient to climate change.

There are many benefits to switching to green building, and they are as follows:

Low-cost building materials

The process of building should generate as little waste as possible, so materials that are used are long-lasting. If some materials have been recycled, then that allows for the use of fewer materials to be bought. Furthermore, if you use less water and energy, that can also help material efficiency and better for the environment.

Enhances the indoor environment quality

Conditions inside the building affect the quality of the environment inside. A good indoor environment is one that protects the occupant’s health, reduces stress and improves life quality. Green buildings tend to do this by installing more windows to let more light in.

Decrease environment damage and strain on resources

By using materials such as earthbags, stones, bamboo, logs, and straw as insulation can decrease the damage made to the environment; you would need to use less energy to heat the green building, therefore reducing energy bills. This will also ease the strain on the demand for energy.

Energy efficient

As mentioned above, eco-friendly buildings can help to ease the strain on energy demands in the local area. Installing solar panels will ensure that you make use of energy from the sun and reduce the use of artificial light by using natural light. These are both great ways of reducing the use of non-renewable sources. An increase in the dependency on renewable sources will impact the environment for the better.

Not only are the day-to-day living costs reduced, but the cost of building and time taken to construct the buildings reduces. Designing sustainable architecture must be strategic to reduce the dependency on non-renewable energy sources and non-recyclable building materials.

 

Working under permitted development whilst renovating your house can save you time and money because you wouldn’t need to apply for planning permission.

Here is a comprehensive guide to understanding what permitted development rights are, and if they can benefit you on your journey to transforming your home.

So, what are they?

Permitted development rights are a national grant of planning permission which allows certain building works and changes of use to occur without having to put in an application. These rights are not granted by the local authority, but by Parliament.

Whilst permitted development rights apply to most houses, they do not apply to flats and maisonettes, so planning permission would be required. In the case of commercial properties, they have different permitted development rights compared to the rights of dwellings. It is also worth noting that the rights are updated regularly and there are variations of the rules in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

It is essential to check with the local council first, but these rights should provide automatic planning permission for small extensions, single-storey and double-storey extensions, as well as the following changes of use: loft, garage and basement conversions.

Designated areas

There are some designated areas whereby permitted development rights are more restricted, and these include National Parks, World Heritage Sites and Conservation areas. In these cases, you would have to apply for planning permission.

Withdrawn permitted development rights

By issuing an “Article 4” direction, the local planning authority may have removed some of your permitted development rights. This will then mean that you have to submit a planning application for work which normally does not need one. Article 4 directions are made when the character of an acknowledged area is being threatened.

For more information on the limits and conditions of permitted development rights, and advice on your projects, contact the team at Design Studio Architects.