For the Monaco Smart Marinas, we opened our pitch by discussing the beauty and efficiency of sailing, tapping into the setting of the event hosted at Monaco’s Royal Yacht Club.
At its simplest, a piece of canvas can stretch using a simple mast and rigging. This canvas then becomes a sail, and this sail can propel a simple vessel across an ocean. It is efficient, clean, sustainable, and the journey is exhilarating. It does not require a huge spend, but the effect is substantial. So, for the competition, we decided to go for a refurbishment over a new build. We asked our team: ‘Can we preserve the building and instead of spending circa £25m on a new building – could we enhance its purpose and yet give it a radically different feel with a budget closer to £2.5 million? And could the design be fun and memorable?’
PRESERVE, REPURPOSE, REUSE
The repurposing of the existing concrete structure into our boat club represents a harmonious fusion of sustainability and innovation. The existing building is orthogonal and utilitarian. Much is good and functional and can be repurposed. Our approach has been to open the corner and provide clarity and legibility to the entrance and reception area. Changing rooms and dry-stack are to be refurbished and upgraded. A new café is to be added, a lightweight structure to the existing roof.
The most striking feature is the new ultra-marine blue façade that stands proud of the existing structure - Echoes of French Artist Yves Klein’s blue-sky work. The sculptural form signals the location entrance and organizes the activities that sit behind. From the ocean or the land, the building acts as a lighthouse, port, and sanctuary.
For the people who run the country and the people who keep the country running:
Chaired by the former Home Secretary and Education Secretary, Lord Blunkett, The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland brings together the most influential figures from across the country. It celebrates the hard work and achievements of the nation’s unsung leaders while laying the groundwork for the next generation.
From the CEO of a multinational bank to the founder of an innovative new start-up, these are the people who take risks, create jobs, and empower their colleagues.
As Leaders Council members, they are committed to sharing knowledge with others.
BACA Director Richard Coutts expresses his gratitude to Lord Blunkett and his team for inviting him to join the Leaders Council at Westminster last week. King Charles III’s Coronation carriage welcomed guests at Parliament.
“It was humbling to join NHS leaders, headteachers, sports club leaders, and innovators in tech and building materials. I particularly enjoyed meeting up with the team from BioHouse – although they made me feel quite old! Also, thanks to our long-term client, Mr. Joshua Church of Blythe Holdings, who joined us from the Isle of Man for the evening.” said Richard.
Hopefully, these new connections will help with our lobbying for modest changes to the building regulations to enable resilient measures linked to flood zoning to come forward.
According to Flood Re, a partnership between the insurance industry and the UK Government, there are 2 million people across the UK exposed to 'frequent flooding.' They have a greater than 10% chance of being flooded in the next decade. Climate change and increased flooding are sadly two sides of the same coin.
When our practice first started research in the flood sector, the average cost of repairing a flooded home was £22k. This has now risen to £32k. Some good news: 266,000 Flood Re policies were taken up in 2022. If flooded, Flood Re will provide up to £10K in addition to the repair costs to 'Build-back-better,' making homes more secure and more flood-resilient to what will inevitably come.
BACA Director Richard Coutts was invited to the Launch of Flood Re's Transition Plan 2023 at the top of the Gherkin last week. Not only for the event but also as an architect, level 40 (building by Fosters & Partners) provides some of the best views of the City of London. It also affords a wonderful view of Lloyds of London by Richard Rogers.
Laura Tobin, Meteorologist, and Weather Presenter provided a great introduction to the event and some sobering statistics on climate change. She rallied the audience to keep the global temperature within 1.5 degrees Celsius. At 1.5°C, summer maximum rainfall could increase by 4%. At 3°C, summer maximum rainfall could increase by 7%. Interspersed with dryer spells, the consequences of surface water runoff will be significant.
For those considering buying a house soon, please enter your postcode into the EA’s searches. It will give you an instant indication of the risk from both river and surface water flooding. Avoidance is key.
If you can't avoid it, then utilize the government’s flood insurance.
Link: https://www.floodre.co.uk
BACA are collaborating with ‘TopTracer’ to bring a new golfing and entertainment experience to the UK. Toptracer Golf combines pro golf with a gaming experience that can enliven any existing golf range or create a destination experience that appeals to a broad demographic.
Located near Farnborough, it will offer a unique and interactive golfing experience for players of all skill levels. Instead of traditional golf courses, TopTracer features a multi-level driving range with various targets and electronic tracking systems.
Here's a description of what you might expect to find at a Topgolf facility:
Overall, Topgolf offers a modern, technology-driven approach to golf that combines entertainment, food, drinks, and a social atmosphere. It has gained popularity worldwide as a recreational destination for golf enthusiasts and casual players alike.
Plans will be submitted to the LPA in Q4 2023.
Many thanks to @robsaunders for all his guidance.
In an exciting turn of events, the team at BACA architects welcomed Wells International to London for an intensive design workshop. The collaboration was nothing short of extraordinary as both teams delved into cutting-edge design work with a focus on international competitions.
The workshop explored diverse themes, from gigadevelopment to ultraluxury, showcasing the versatility and depth of the collaboration. With a shared vision for the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, we are poised to shape the future of international design.
A special thank you to Wells International for making the journey to London and contributing to this exciting chapter of collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates as Wells International and BACA architects continue to push the boundaries of design innovation together!
Our CEO, Richard Coutts, is participating in MIPIMWorld, the largest annual global property event. He will be part of a panel discussing the crucial issue of water in the context of property development.
Panelists:
Jean-Christophe Taret
Alexandra Notay
Richard Coutts
Harold Spies
Currently, 30 cities in France are facing water shortages even before winter ends, and special measures for water usage will be announced soon. Water sobriety is now the new buzzword in Europe as the continent copes with the effects of extreme weather conditions. Stay tuned for more updates as there are insightful solutions in South Africa.
