ACME’s Post

High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd has submitted an application to Birmingham City Council to change design elements of its Curzon Street station. Outline planning permission for the terminus was granted in 2020, with a Mace-Dragados joint venture being awarded the £570M job the following year and works starting in early 2024. NCE sister title Construction News reported that application papers recently submitted to the local authority said: “The design for Birmingham Curzon Street Station celebrates the city’s engineering tradition through its simplicity and bold expression of structure. “It can be said that the station’s engineering and architecture are inseparable. The process of simplification and refinement has continued through the project’s technical stages with the involvement of Mace-Dragados.” Some 14 changes have been applied for including changing the roof cassette material from timber to aluminium and the concrete roof edge to aluminium. Others include reconfiguring five concourse areas to improve accessibility and passenger experience. Grimshaw is leading the architectural design of the scheme, while Arcadis and WSP are also involved in the project. HS2 first announced the changes in September. At the time, Grimshaw partner Neven Sidor said: “Any design for a major and complex public building needs to negotiate a journey from preliminary concept in the minds of a team of engineers and architects to a much more detailed set of technical drawings embraced by the teams of contractors that will build it. “We are therefore pleased to announce that the original design vision has not only been maintained but has also been enhanced through the detailed design process. It is more robust, more efficient to build, and just as elegant.” HS2 said redesigning the southern entrance of its eastern concourse would “strengthen the arrival experience” and provide better links with the Digbeth area. Other changes include “simplifying” facades by making them out of washable and graffiti-proof coloured ceramic tiling instead of the originally planned concrete cladding. Last month, new HS2 chief executive Mark Wild said the project was undergoing a “fundamental reset” that would involve renegotiating already awarded construction contracts in order to “bear down” on costs. He also said it would take another 18 months to develop a new baseline for the programme – with timescales and cost estimates – due to the previous errors. [NCE] #hs2 #rail #curzonstreet #birmingham #engineering

An important read to better understand the current failures in the system, which if working, would not allow for such outcomes. Is it time for a new way of thinking and doing things, underpinned by strong building reforms?

5 months since topping out, 5 months till completion…   Let's take a look at everything that makes The Fitzrovia #unique.   💡 The superstructure is comprised of 2,100 individual precast pieces that include: Hollowcore floor planks; steel Deltabeams; twin-wall panels; and solid precast concrete beam, wall and stair units.   💡Off-site fabrication has allowed a significant #acceleration of the project programme while maintaining high-quality standards. This has also achieved a reduction in waste and deliveries to site.   💡The combination of Deltabeams and Hollowcore slabs allows for a reduction in structural floor depth, #maximising floor-to-ceiling heights and #improving occupant wellbeing.   💡Throughout the process, there was also a significant focus on sustainability – steel beams were manufactured using #renewable energy and specified to contain over 90% #recycled material.   💡The slab toppings were reinforced using basalt mesh reinforcement, which can have a carbon footprint up to 40x lower than a traditional steel mesh.   Take a look at the video below to learn more about it's construction..   CO-⁠RE London | M&G Real Estate | Stiff + Trevillion Architects | Kier Construction Ltd | PCE Limited | Deconstruct (UK) Ltd | Gerald Eve | Gardiner & Theobald LLP | Avison Young | Watkins Payne | FMDC Ltd | HED | ORSA | Clarke Saunders Acoustics | Aon Fire Protection Engineering, a Jensen Hughes Company   #TheFitzrovia #London #improve #renew #recycle

Project Update | Façade Unveiling at 161 Eastern Road We have recently unwrapped the stunning façade at 161 Eastern Road, a milestone the team has worked tirelessly towards. Our client and architect have been actively involved, particularly through the sample approval process, ensuring that every detail met their vision and standards. One of the standout features of this project is the curved balcony precast. Getting the curves just right required a few prototypes, but the results speak for themselves. Thanks to our collaboration with Visibuild and our dedicated subcontractors, we’ve set a high standard throughout the project. The sequence of works played a crucial role in the successful execution of the balcony panels. Poured in with the slab, these panels had to be meticulously landed on the deck before each pour. Managing double height formwork areas and jumping the perimeter scaffold the day after the pour were essential to keep the project moving forward safely and efficiently. One key lesson we've learned is the importance of sequence, sequence, sequence! From completing inspections at supplier yards to the meticulous planning and execution on site, every step has been crucial to our progress. We couldn't be prouder of the hard work and dedication of our team at 161 Eastern Road. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress towards completion. https://lnkd.in/g7vPWNFR #Melbourne #Construction #TheKapitolWay #constructionsite #KapitolGroup #ConstructionManagement #building #civilengineering #projectmanagement #constructionlife #constructioncompany #architecture #Engineering #constructionequipment #ConstructionIndustry #constructionwork

Seán & Eddie were on site this morning for a site orientation & FOK damper reviews. We're looking forward to a busy few months ahead with our client on this development. The system has been designed with the user in mind, providing an advanced tool that simplifies installation and commissioning of dampers and peripheral devices. The Safegard V5 system is designed to protect life and property from damage caused by smoke and fire, by providing the means to: - Compartmentalise fire zones. - Reduce the spread of smoke and fire. - Keep escape routes and fire-fighting access open. - Allow complex strategies (cause and effect). Further information on the V5 System can be found at - https://lnkd.in/eWEb3dKV #Safegard #SafegardV5 #EISDampers #Safegardsystems #Construction #FireSafety #FireConsultant #Consultant #BuildingConsultant #Engineer #BuildingEngineer #FireDamper #FireSmokeDamper

Impressive facade retention engineering in downtown Vancouver

New Commentary! Addressing Building Failures in Flat Developments Why developers and professionals need to take more responsibility. The discovery, after the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in 2017, that hundreds of blocks of #flats in the UK  had been clad in flammable cladding raises serious questions about the competency of the developers of flats and the legal and regulatory environment in which they operate. Bernard Rimmer (formerly a director of engineering companies and also University of Reading) explains the conditions that allowed developers to create unsafe buildings, and proposals are made to require developers to design and construct to higher standards and to take full responsibility for the #safety, #durability and #performance of the #buildings they produce. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dZcjgk6f

The Empire State Building Realty Trust embarked on a significant renovation to enhance its iconic 102nd-floor observation deck, aiming to provide visitors with stunning 360-degree floor-to-ceiling views of Manhattan. Removing exterior walls and installing floor-to-ceiling glass panels at a height of 1,224 feet posed substantial logistics and access challenges. Plan B Engineering partnered with Skanska and Greg Beeche Logistics, LLC, to design, fabricate, and install a custom exterior enclosure and work platform known as “The Cocoon.” To install the enclosure segmentally between the hours of 2 AM-7 AM, a circular rigging bracket was first installed at level 103 to hoist sixteen modular aluminum trusses into place to form the backbone of the structure. Once braced together, this created a three-dimensional ring around the observation deck, designed to support all required construction loads and withstand 98 MPH wind gusts.  Measuring 26 feet in height and weighing 30 tons, the Cocoon provided 600 square feet of climate-controlled construction space for Skanska to demolish the old facade and install new glass panels. Clad in ballistic grade fabric, the enclosure was an early precedent that paved the way for the Engineered Enclosure System (EES) provisions now in the 2022 New York City Building Code, which has quickly become a popular strategy to minimize intrusive adjacent property protections. Plan B Engineering led the negotiation and approval process with the Department of Buildings for what was, at the time, a novel approach to access and protection at extreme heights. Of course, hanging 30 Tons of temporary steel is no easy task. PlanB worked closely with the building’s Engineer of Record, Thornton Tomasetti, to vet and optimize each connection point to the building, minimizing the reinforcement needed for the historic steel framework. This truly was a project where means & methods were as critical as any facet of the new design. Our collaborative efforts ensured the smooth removal of existing finishes, installation of new glass panels, and dismantling of “The Cocoon” from above while maintaining the operation of the 86th-floor observation deck throughout the project—an imperative for ownership. This challenging project showcases the power of collaboration and innovation, reshaping the skyline of New York City for generations to come. 🏙️🛠️  #EmpireStateBuilding #PlanBEngineering #ConstructionSolutions #EngineeringInnovation #structuralstability #safety #temporarystability #restoration #structuralengineering #temporarystructures #constructionengineering #EngineeredEnclosureSystems

🚀 Unlocking the Future of Construction with Precast Concrete in the UK 🏗️ The UK construction industry is increasingly turning to precast concrete elements for their efficiency, precision, and versatility. From commercial skyscrapers to residential buildings, precast concrete is transforming how we approach modern architecture and urban development. 🤔 Why is precast concrete gaining traction? - Efficiency: Streamline construction with off-site fabrication, reducing on-site time and labor. - Quality Control: Achieve high standards with factory-controlled conditions. - Design Flexibility: Innovate with diverse shapes, sizes, and finishes to match your architectural vision. - Sustainability: Minimize waste and optimize resource use with sustainable practices. With ongoing advancements and growing adoption, the scope for precast concrete in the UK is expanding rapidly. Whether you’re involved in a major infrastructure project or a new commercial development, the potential benefits are clear. Let’s discuss how precast concrete can elevate your next project! Feel free to connect or comment below. 👇 #PrecastConcrete #ConstructionInnovation #UKConstruction #ArchitecturalDesign #BuildingTheFuture #SustainableConstruction #ConstructionTrends #PrecastSolutions

A well-designed parking layout will keep customer/client flow running smoothly. In our November design tip, we discussed some aspects to consider when planning a parking lot. For example, angled parking spaces are ideal for a lot with a high turnover rate. They are easier to pull in and out of compared to 90 degree spaces. Signup to receive future tips in your inbox! https://lnkd.in/eQFvsXX *Always consult a licensed civil engineer for parking lot geometry before finalizing the design.* #architecture #design