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TEX-TONIC HOUSE 1 Paul McAneary Architects Ltd has announced the completion of the project Tex Tonic House 1, a doubleheight penthouse apartment located in Victoria, London. The clients brief was to design two apartments on the top floor of the existing Central London
post office and Phillips de Pury art action house in Victoria, London. The client expressed a wish for large volume ‘loft’ spaces and his desire for a contemporary design and functionality. Paul McAneary Architects’ proposal was for natural tectonics through
numerous new details, and even developing a new material type - of cast timber bronze. The overall architectural language is modest and dramatic at the same time: mixed timber tectonics have been applied with an emphasis on their texture and intrinsic beauty. The amount of ‘vertical natural light’ flooding through the large skylights, walk on glass and the horizontal curtain
walling maximise the exquisite effect of the natural grain and pattern of the timber ceiling, oak beams and floor as well as the bronze ‘timber texture’. WWW.paulmcaneary.com
Discover Britain’s Latest Hidden Gems The expanding Francis Pegler range of sanitary ware takes another exciting new turn as a host of new concealed bathroom systems are launched by taps, valves and fittings manufacturing giant Pegler Yorkshire. The big advantage of choosing a concealed system over floor standing sanitary ware soon becomes apparent in the perception of increased floor space in the bathroom and added style and sophistication; while at the same time allowing for improved hygiene and performance. No concealed system would be complete without a flush plate and as you would expect, the Francis Pegler range comes with a wide selection of designer flush plates. There is a comprehensive ten year warranty. Systems are also available for basin and bidet and while a new brochure is available which showcases the many advantages of the system. www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk
Mansfield Folkhouse Young People’s Centre £6.5m Redevelopment £6.5m restoration and extension of the Westfield Folkhouse building in Mansfield which has been used as a youth centre for most of the 20th century. The facility is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council which has contributed £1.5m towards the project with the remaining money coming from the Government’s myplace fund. Westfield Folkhouse is a Grade II listed building, formally a manor house. It was built in 1830 with late 19th century and 20th century additions. The project includes a 1,000m2 extension over two floors which replaced a smaller 1960s addition and houses rooms for multimedia gaming zones, music and dance, DJ booths, activities areas, café zones and offices. The new building has created a world-class, state-of-the-art facility offering youth clubs and targeted projects for young people seven days a week. Extensive restoration of the main building, which was in a deteriorating state, is used for office space and meetings.
lead architects were Lewis and Hickey (Nottingham office) and GF Tomlinsons was the lead construction contractor. The project team worked closely with English Heritage and the local Conservation Officers and with which it was decided that the new extension would not compromise the character and historic elements of the listing building. It was agreed that the design of the building would not be a pastiche of the old building but would complement it’s colour palette whilst having a distinct identity of its own using modern materials such as glass, and aluminium and steelwork. The extension has been designed to be set back from the original building’s frontage, meaning visitors get the full impact of the historic building on the driveway approach to the building.
Much of the stonework was degrading due the inappropriate use of cement mortar. The stonework in selected areas was lightly cleaned using the Doff system to remove surface dirt and biological growth. Where The build was project managed by old stonework was too damaged, Derbyshire Nottinghamshire County Council, the grit stones from nearby Stancliffe Quarry at
Matlock were used for replacements. Exterior stonework was repointed using lime mortar, interior walls re-plastered using lime plaster replicating their original finish and breathable Keim Ecosil paint was used on interior walls. Repairs to the Welsh blue slate roof were undertaken and the plus the installation of cast iron gutters. Reed plaster ceilings which were collapsing have been repaired and damaged cornicing was restored in situ using traditional techniques. Repair and, where necessary, replacement of sash windows were carried out using Ventrolla, a company specialising in this work. Cleaning of the internal stone staircase using the Doff system to remove paint. Relaying of entrance hall flagstones which had sunken areas. Minimal fixings were used to tie-in the new extension and the existing opening created for the former 1960s extension was used to minimise the impact to the historic fabric of the listed building. Archeologists from Nottingham Trent University surveyed the building to record any historic elements uncovered during the works for the benefit of future generations. Steel structured with a Kalzip standing seam roof. The frontage used ashlar faced stone which blends with the colour of the stonework in the old building whilst giving the extension a more modern smooth finish. Split faced stone work was introduced to the South and West elevations. Block walling with Sto render was used on the rest of the building to match the colour of the old stone. Self-cleaning glass was introduced to areas helping reduce maintenance whilst
taking advantage of natural light where installed, including roof lights and bespoke glass pods to add design interest. Curved feature acoustic rafts which allow audio to be played throughout the building have been fitted and are colour coded to define spaces and act as a design feature. Vibrant colours used throughout the building to give it a modern and interesting feel. Features include two DJ booths, a multi-media wall with TV and gaming units and a dance studio with a touch sensitive interactive wall. Toilets were designed to be large and colourful with graffiti panels on the doors in response to young people’s feedback that these areas tend to also serve as meeting areas. Large Makaton signage was used for young people with learning disabilities. Insulated adhering to BREEAM principles and using mixed-mode (natural and extract) ventilation designs. BIOMASS fuelled boilers. Rainwater harvesting, LED lighting where appropriate and timed sensors for lighting for energy efficiency. The land to the rear of the building was divided into two areas. The ‘urban’, more modern area includes graffiti walls, basketball court, ‘petanque’ ball court, an outdoor gym, walls for graffiti art, allotments, and areas for five-a-side football, volley ball, chess and boules. This area is situated behind a newly created wall made of locally sourced grit stone of a similar colour to the old building to preserve the character of the building. A calming, traditional area in the form of a sensory garden and landscaping was located adjacent to the nearby conservation area overlooking the side of the listed building.