44 EXTERNAL ENVELOPE
While traditional details may be at odds with the clean lines of modern building projects, there are lots of ways of achieving the same result using contemporary architectural language and design elements. Peter Barber Architects for example have mastered the art of combining a British vernacular with the demands of contemporary architecture. When it comes to positioning the windows, they should ideally be set back in the reveal – this helps to protect them further from adverse weather. The Orsi Kaneh building in Iran is a great example of how a timber building can be optimised to deal with extreme weather whilst retaining a contemporary feel.
It is advisable to try to set the windows on stone, tile or aluminium and avoid extended cills. Much of the damage that occurs to windows starts on the cills and in the bottom joints where water sits and eventually moves up the grain of the timber if they aren’t made correctly. Whilst modern engineered windows incorporate precision joints, end grain sealing and modern breathable coatings, sitting them on stone would help preserve them even further and reduce maintenance. Of course, there are
considerations around the sourcing of the right sustainable materials here too. Timber doors can prove a challenge. In order to satisfy Part M of the Building Regulations (covering accessibility), there is a tendency to create a contradiction between the need for level thresholds, and the demands of a sustainable future. Many architects have a habitual cognitive bias against timber in favour of aluminium, due to the outdated perceptions of timber. There are gains to be made environmentally by going for timber doors – which are usually more competitively priced too. While there is no perfect solution to the climate crisis, as hosts of COP26, Britain needs to be leading the way when it comes to the most sustainable building material available – timber. The creativity and vision that architects possess should enable them to overcome the connotations of old fashioned, traditional timber designs to create modern, sleek, stylish and contemporary buildings that are also kind to the environment and more pleasant to live in.
Tom Wright is managing director at George Barnsdale
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
ADF DECEMBER 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
