WilkinsonEyre

The Hong Kong SAR government’s ambitious Climate Action Plan 2050 laid out four major strategies to tackle carbon emissions with the goal of a 50% reduction compared to 2005. For our sector, the ‘energy saving and green buildings’ strategy lays out ways we can all contribute to slowing and stopping climate change. With that in mind, we are delighted to be working with Swire Properties to help realise the vision set out in its SD2030 strategy, designing buildings that meet its ambitious targets for embodied carbon, as places that contribute to citizens well-being and reducing operational energy requirements. In particular, we are working on a project which has a goal of reducing energy in use by 30% compared to a typical LEED Platinum / BEAM Plus Platinum building. This will mean the new development has significantly better environmental credentials than even the most advanced buildings in the region. This has required a creative approach to the design as well as the techniques and systems we’re employing. With our climate in Hong Kong, it should come as no surprise that around 60% of a buildings operational energy usage is in cooling (i.e. a/c). Consequently, our number one goal has been to explore how we can push the limits of façade design, greatly improving the passive envelope performance in solar gains and insulation, while still creating a world-class experience and views for users. We’re also exploring alternative, low-energy approaches to both cooling and ventilation, as well as targeting ways to deliver improved comfort and well-being. These will not only create energy savings but also mean that the Artic-like conditions in many offices could be a thing of the past. There is no doubt that some of what we’re trying is a challenge for all stakeholders. It is challenging us to think differently about EUI; it challenges the operational models of property developers and operators; and challenges tenants’ evolving ESG and property usage patterns. Watch this space for more details as plans develop but for now, we are delighted to be working on a project which aims to become a benchmark for both environmental and building design in Asia. #architecture #netzero #hongkong Credit: Produced by Swire Properties and reproduced with its kind permission.

"As an architect, it gave me a lot to think about for the future in terms of how to create poetic architecture and atmosphere by reusing and harnessing the amazing potential that any city has. In French we say: l’Art de tricoter avec le patrimoine existant pour créer la magie, which roughly translates as: the art of knitting with existing heritage to create magic." Sebastien Ricard for the Architects’ Journal: Paris 2024 Olympics diary, week two: ‘The reuse story is obvious everywhere’ Full article available here: https://lnkd.in/eiYDY9rC #Olympics2024 #ArchitectsJournal #WilkinsonEyre #Paris

We've started steelwork prefabrication for the Old Oak Common concourse and platform areas, where the Great Western Main Line, Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line trains will run. The steelwork will be a visible architectural feature of the station, and installation is set to start early next year. We've started with the Y columns that will support the platform canopies, and will soon move onto other steelwork elements such as the end of platform bridges and scenic lifts. As part of the design process and performance testing, mock ups were built at the VINCI Technology Centre UK Ltd – you can see images of them below. Senior Package Manager, Martin Kilbane, had the following to say: “reaching this point is the result of great effort and collaboration between HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture, Martifer Group, WSP and WilkinsonEyre. Producing the visual mock ups really brings the structure to life and is a great way to get a feel for the scale of what we're building.” Old Oak Common Station will be a new transport superhub in West London offering quick, reliable, and comfortable journeys to the Midlands, the North and Scotland. It will also be the 42nd stop on London’s new Elizabeth line enabling passengers to get to the West End in 10 minutes, Liverpool Street Station in 20 minutes and Heathrow, via either the Elizabeth line or the Heathrow Express, also in 10 minutes. This once industrial area is being transformed into a thriving super-connected neighbourhood and building a legacy for generations to come. 

Wishing everyone in Singapore a very happy National Day! #togetherasone #singapore #singaporenationalday #gbtb

"You are in the middle of this historic city in thoughtful temporary structures, bringing major events alongside beautiful, listed buildings in central Paris, rather than trying to impress with latest technology in an out-of-town venue in an ‘Olympic Park’. Here the games invite you to discover Paris." Sebastien Ricard for the Architects’ Journal: Paris 2024 Olympic diary, week one: ‘The games invite you to discover the city’ Full article available here: https://lnkd.in/eG55Zafy #Olympics2024 #ArchitectsJournal #WilkinsonEyre

I had the great pleasure of showing the Pet Shop Boys around our Bridge of Aspirations which links the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden. 40 years ago, Chris Lowe was working as an architect when he met Neil Tennant…, and the rest is history as it were… The PSB boys were great company, and very interested to hear how the geometric twisting design came about due to a whole series of site and technical constraints. PSB have been playing at the Royal Opera House this week and my friend Thom is Tour Manager on their ‘Dreamland’ World Tour. Thank you Thom for joining up the dots… The Bridge which recently had its 20 year birthday is currently shortlisted for an Architecture Today ‘buildings that stand the test of time’ Award. Architecture meets pop royalty…! #wilkinsoneyre #royaloperahouse #royalballetschool #petshopboys

It has been announced that Elizabeth Line Crossrail, and its 10 new city stations, is one of six entries shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2024. The Elizabeth Line runs east to west connecting London Heathrow and Reading to Shenfield and Abbey Wood. The RIBA describes the Crossrail project as a tour de force. The scheme was created to provide 200 million passengers per year with as coherent an experience as possible, maintaining a consistent design and detailing between all stations. One of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in London of the 21st Century, WilkinsonEyre has been involved with the development of the Crossrail station at Liverpool Street since the mid 1990's. We are proud to stand alongside all involved in bringing this project to success and the RIBA's recognition. Congratulations to the teams involved Mott MacDonald, Grimshaw, Maynard , Atkins, Equation, John McAslan + Partners, Weston Williamson + Partners, Hawkins\Brown, Aedas, Adamson Associates Architects, Allies and Morrison, and Fereday Pollard 📸 HUFTON & CROW LTD #wilkinsoneyre #elizabethline #transportdesign

"Not all buildings are worthy of preservation, however, embodied carbon considerations mean that all extant fabric should be assessed for retention whether of special historic interest or not. Whole lifecycle carbon needs to be considered as a major driver in response to the climate emergency." The Quest for Net Zero with Nuno Correia and Chris Davies for FX Magazine (pp.99 - 107) Full article available here: https://lnkd.in/eSpd_GYh

Congratulations to the project team including Battersea Power Station, Mace, Buro Happold, chapmanbdsp, LDA Design, Speirs Major Light Architecture and MICHAELIS BOYD ASSOCIATES LIMITED. #WilkinsonEyre #BatterseaPowerStation #Battersea #London #londonlandmark #architecture #landmark #ribanationalawards #ribaawards #transformation

Constructed in 2003, The Bridge of Aspiration has been shortlisted for an Architecture Today Award. Celebrating 'buildings that stand the test of time', these awards show elegant, timeless and truly sustainable architecture in action. Twisting high above Floral Street in Covent Garden, the Bridge of Aspiration provides the dancers of the Royal Ballet School with a direct link to the Grade I listed Royal Ballet and Opera.