Core Spaces’ Post

🔍 Project Spotlight: Rockridge Redevelopment Recently, I came across a few articles shedding light on the redevelopment of the former California College of the Arts campus in Rockridge. This project aims to revitalize the historic site, creating 448 homes, offices, and a community space. The development has become a focal point in Oakland's housing debate, with diverse opinions and discussions around its impact on the community. As civil engineers, you play a pivotal role in shaping the physical and environmental aspects of such projects. What are your thoughts on the challenges and opportunities presented in this type of urban redevelopment?

Innovation at its best!

Another dynamic project contributing to climate safety and affordable housing.

It is good to see this nationwide programme of school rebuilds following the RAAC crisis is underway with this contract win for BAM Construction and Ryder Architecture. Last September, Emma Greenland, our Education Sector lead, wrote a short piece highlighting the key acoustic considerations that should be given to projects requiring improvement works including:- >When replacing RAAC roofing slabs, a replacement lightweight roof needs to be checked to ensure environmental noise ingress (for schools near to airports for example), rain noise and fixed plant noise ingress is not going to be an issue, and sound insulation of walls is not compromised by transmission via the partition head. >Replacement ceilings need to include fixed or suspended sound absorption and/or acoustic wall panels in order to achieve good control of reverberation time and hence suitable listening conditions for all students, but particularly those with: - Special Hearing and Communication Needs - English as an additional Language, - younger children, - Social Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH) and AD/HD - SLCN, Language Impairment and even Dyslexia If your school is affected by the RAAC crisis, or you happen to be involved with the refurbishment of one, we can offer advice to check the potential impact of alternative facilities and upgrade schemes on acoustics and listening in schools. Read the full piece here:-https://lnkd.in/evqJy9X2 #educationestates #schools #rebuild #raac #acousticdesign #acousticconsiderations #architects #contractors

Our Mary Ward Legal Centre project was featured in 'First Look' in the Architects’ Journal last week. A disused 1970s four-storey office building in Stratford - previously known as Queensway House - has been transformed with a vertical extension of two extra storeys and a full refurbishment to cater for the expanding needs of Mary Ward Centre, a century old adult education charity. Mary Ward obtained a loan from the 'Skills for Londoners Capital Fund' to renovate Queensway House. Environmental considerations were crucial, requiring the reuse of the existing frame for funding approval. The two additional storeys are constructed using steel framing and concrete slab on metal deck. New steelwork strengthens the existing slab and columns, left exposed to highlight the interface between the new and existing structural modifications. An exposed structure suited the budget and low carbon design goals. We implemented a rigorous process of investigation, calculation, and verification to ensure we designed an efficient building and avoided the use of unnecessary materials. Working with the existing structure we aimed to minimise interventions, collaborating closely with the design team to utilise the buildings capacity where possible. This involved numerous design iterations and close collaboration. The frame was fully modelled in Revit, our technicians used the EOC ECO2 plug-in to calculate the volume of new material and the Structural Carbon Tool for CO2 amounts for individual elements. The refurbishment option demonstrated a 40% reduction in embodied carbon when compared to constructing a new building, excluding demolition of the frame, with the refurbishment and extension meeting LETI's targets. Mary Ward Centre provides services to 5,500 students every year. The opening of this building marked a significant milestone for Mary Ward and we're delighted to have been involved. Huge well done to all on the client and design teams, and to all of the stakeholders involved in some of the decision-making along the way. https://lnkd.in/e8CK7Vjw Beadmans LLP Curo Construction ltd AWW Featherstone, Project + Construction Management RBA Acoustics Ltd MLM Group Soils Limited Mike Davies Alison Wallis Alex O'Reilly Callum Nowell #structuralengineering #engineering #retrofit #retrofirst #refurbishment #verticalextension

wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm Elementary showcases what's possible for mass timber in learning environments. From cost-effectiveness and accelerated construction schedules, to biophilic design and lower embodied carbon—the future of mass timber in schools is a bright one. Learn more about wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm and its exemplary use of mass timber in this video from long-time collaborator and champion of structural innovation, Fast + Epp.

The Mountain West is one of the largest and more diverse areas of the United States. Its rich landscape is both picturesque and iconic, bringing a culture that is founded on hard work and overcoming adversity. The area, also known as the Mountain States, is one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. This growth, coupled with its unique landscape, provides the backdrop for some of the most innovative and interesting companies to flourish. PCI Mountain States represents manufacturers of precast and prestressed concrete in Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. It is an association with a unique history and an exciting future. Speaking about the main objective of the organization, Jim Schneider, LEED AP, Executive Director at PCI Mountain State said: “Basically our main objective is to grow the market share for precast in this part of the country.” For Schneider, the association’s work largely centers around developing and fostering relationships. “A lot of what we do is outreach to the design community, talking to architects, engineers, owners and contractors to educate them about the different potentials for the material and show them where it may fit. We help connect the design and construction community with our precasters and try to help facilitate those kinds of relationships that bring about projects for our members.” The association’s history is an interesting one. Founded in the 1980s, it was previously known as the Colorado Prestressers Association. Schneider explained that one man, Wally Priebus, established the association and laid the groundwork for a lot of precast work in the region. When he retired, the association went on a temporary hiatus. However, a few years later, members in the surrounding states speaking about reforming the organization in 2015. It was renamed PCI Mountain States, acknowledging the association’s broader reach, with John Dobbs stepping in as executive director. #Concrete #Precast #PrecastConcrete #ConcreteSolutions #SustainableConstruction #PrecastEngineering #OffsiteConstruction #IndustryCollaboration #DataCenters

Case Study: The University of Texas at Austin 🏗 Architect: Overland Partners #Architects 🚪 Product: 20 Won-Door FireGuard doors   In a project focused on efficiency and flexibility, 20 Won-Door FireGuard doors play an essential and welcome role. The doors used in the six-story University of Texas Austin College of Liberal Arts Building fit in seamlessly as they protect the fire stairs (and most importantly, the lives of students and staff!). The doors are out of sight, helping to create an aesthetically pleasing look while still providing the life safety function such a venture demands. #wondoors #firedoors #firesafety #studentsafety

📣 CALL FOR ENTRIES: Denver’s Single Stair Housing Challenge - An Ideas Competition to shape the future of Colorado.   Hey architects, students, and housing enthusiasts! We’re excited to invite you to participate in Denver’s Single Stair Housing Challenge. This is your chance to make a mark on Colorado's housing landscape.   Mid-rise, single stair housing, often called “Point Access Block”, is the workhorse of walkable urbanism around the globe. However, this housing typology is noticeably absent from Colorado’s dwelling options because of current building code limitations. We're excited to build on recent momentum surrounding the topic by hosting this competition, inviting participants worldwide to envision how Point Access Blocks can greatly impact the essential missing middle housing in Colorado. Our goal is to challenge the current constraints and boundaries to potentially reform these restrictive building codes.   The competition encourages thoughtful proposals for mid-rise point access blocks, up to six stories high, designed for underutilized lots where building code reform could unlock valuable housing potential within existing zoning rules.   Check out the competition website for guidelines, registration details, and prize info (with a prize pool of $20,000!). Visit the link in our bio to get started.   Big thanks to our fellow sponsors for making this competition possible – SAR+ Architects, KL&A Engineers & Builders, Group 14 Engineering, Alliance Construction Solutions, Codified Life Safety, Nookhaus, IMEG, Pennrose, Sika, Livable Cities Studio & Buildner.   Meet us in the middle. Re-Imagine the Future of Colorado Housing with Point Access Blocks.  

Do you know what the tallest accessible structure in the state of Missouri is? Nope, it's not a skyscraper in St. Louis, nor in Kansas City. It is, in fact, the Gateway Arch, a monument to the westward expansion of the country, nestled alongside the Missouri River in downtown St. Louis. Emerging amid the Great Depression, the Jefferson National Memorial Association promised to create 5,000 jobs while building a "suitable and permanent" memorial to the history of our development for generations to come. In 1935, President FDR approved the memorial himself. An architectural competition would soon follow, leading to 172 total submissions. Five finalists were chosen, including Eero Saarinen, who submitted an arched design topping out at 569 feet. The finalists were allowed modifications for their second submission, and Saarinen's team won with an updated 630 foot-tall arch concept. It took until 1951 to finalize the design, but everything seemed to be moving along. After a few years of work to move railroad tracks that were situated on the designated park site, ground was broken in 1959. Construction, however, was not straight-forward. In fact, the project manager on the job, Stan Wolf, was quoted saying just that: "In a building, everything is straight up, one thing on top of another. In this arch, everything is curved." That being said, there were no fatalities during construction of the arch. There were many delays due to safety checks, funding uncertainties and legal disputes...but no construction deaths. The arch was finally completed in 1967, and while it did not create the anticipated 5,000 jobs to boost St. Louis out of The Depression, it has become a symbol for the "Gateway to the West." Fun fact for the math fans out there...the arch is actually not a true parabola. Instead it is considered a "catenary curve" where the forces of thrust are continuously kept within the center of the legs of the arch. As always, if you enjoy these blasts from the past, be sure to hit follow to get a new one each week. #Construction is cool, tell your friends. #enablinginnovation #capitalprojects #contech #engineering Kahua