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zinc workers who arrived with two containers, one which they used as their dwelling, the other as a store for the tools and materials of their trade. During the two months that the architects were on site, Skilton learned about the behaviour of zinc and how to design the material to maximise its special characteristics. Prefabricated zinc panels are


more likely to be the standard today, but in any ArchitecturePLB project they will be prefabricated and detailed, according to the architects’ specifications, rather than following a manufacturer’s generalised solution. Unlike many, the practice is comfortable with the idea of learning as much as it can from specialist sub-contractors, craftsmen, tradesmen and builders. It likes to reinforce that with on-site experience for its architects. Luckily, in an era of design-build,


when the architect is often dispensed with after achieving planning permission, the practice sees about 80 per cent of its projects right the way through to completion. This means that young architects, of whom there are about 14 students at any one time, have to go on site, where they have the chance to see


the real-life implications of the drawings they have done in the office. They often discover that the sub-millimetre accuracy of their computer drawings is not necessarily reflected in on-site tolerances. This practical approach has


outstanding results. In the 40 years of ArchitecturePLB’s existence, every single one of its RIBA Part 2 students have been involved with the practice’s support programme and gained RIBA Part 3 accreditation. So it is no great surprise to learn that ArchitecturePLB has consistently won awards for being a good employer over recent years. There is nothing casual about the


practice’s support programme. There are bi-annual practice days where the two offices get together formally to brainstorm current materials and detailing issues. And there are ad hoc surgeries on, for example, how to deal with blow-holes at the edges of concrete, and why local sand isn’t such a good choice for render coats in Jersey. There are also the continuing professional development (CPD) programmes mandated by their professional body, the RIBA. These sessions often involve talking with the construction consultants, with


whom they are likely to collaborate – and the specialist trade bodies such as TRADA and the Concrete Society. What does the future hold?


ArchitecturePLB reckons that it is happening now. Over the last decade, the practice has made a substantial investment in acquiring an understanding of modern package procurement, which is heavily dependent on the separation of construction specialisms into neat contract packages. The trick lies in managing the physical and contractual junctions between the specialisms. The practice is not exactly complacent about it because the opening up of Europe has had an additional impact on the way that it works. As the architects have discovered


at the University of Lleida near Barcelona, non-British contractors do things differently, use different materials and techniques, and procure labour differently. However, that opens up new ways of thinking about materials and encourages flexibility in the way in which they are used. They conclude: ‘Now there are real opportunities to get the best out of the procurement of materials and making fine architecture.’


ArchitecturePLB / 1971–2011 / Essays 033


COURTESY ARCHITECTUREPLB


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