ICE News and Comment Archives - Page 2 of 7

Why do I need a Principal Designer when I’ve got an Architect?

If a project has more than one contractor, then it’s a legal requirement to appoint a Principal Designer.

So, what is a Principal Designer?

The Principal Designer is in charge of the Health and Safety aspects of the project. Under the CDM (Construction Design and Management) Regulations 2015 the Principal Designer must establish the framework of health and safety practices to be used throughout the project and is key to ensuring that the build is compliant with national standards when complete.

Contractors must ensure the project follows the practices and meets the defined health and safety standards. Often the Principal Designer is retained to liaise with the contractors through the build phase.

Isn’t health and safety an aspect of the Architect’s role?

Up to a point, yes.

However, health and safety management of a project with multiple contractors is clearly more complex than a project where there is a single contractor. Risk management, procedure definition, monitoring and control are significantly more demanding.

A Principal Designer must be someone with the right skills, knowledge and experience in health and safety management.

Many architects have these attributes. So, very often, in a multi-contractor project, your Architect may also be the Principal Designer, and will factor-in to the fee-bid their work on devising procedures and overseeing health and safety.

If the project has particular challenges or risks that make it necessary to appoint a specialist, just as there may be other specialists such as a quantity surveyor, structural engineer, arborist, etc. Your architect will help you appoint one.

Going Green – Biodiversity Net Gain is the law

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a requirement for major development projects and also become mandatory for minor sites on 2^nd April 2024.

But what does BNG mean?

Plant and animal life in the site and surroundings of the project must be at least 10% greater at the end of the project than they were before it started.

So, what do we have to do?

Step 1. Baseline: Assess the existing diversity of the site. BNG relates to grassland, hedgerows, lakes, woodland, watercourses (such as streams and rivers). Your assessment should consider size, type, condition and strategic significance. There’s an official metric for calculating the biodiversity value.

Step 2. Proposal: Devise a development that minimises harm to existing biodiversity. This determines how much enhancement is needed.

Step 3. Enhancement: Incorporate features like wildlife-friendly landscaping, habitat restoration – maybe a ‘green’ roof. Your plan should consider conditions that might impact on your BNG plans: climate; geology and topography; agricultural land status; soils and substrates; contaminated land; hydrology and drainage; flood risk zones; landscape character and designations; biosecurity; invasive plant species.

Step 4. Monitor and maintain: Make sure the outcomes are achieved and maintained over time (30 years).

If you find that you can exceed 10% BNG then you can sell the surplus to developers who are struggling to meet their target.

If there aren’t sufficient feasible biodiversity gains on site, the developer may seek gains that are off site, and, as a last resort, buy BNG credits.

There are some exemptions from BNG, including:

A householder application for a small project such as a home extension, conservatory or loft conversion
A development below the threshold (i.e. it does not impact on ‘priority habitat’ and it impacts on less than 25m² of on-site habitat and less than 5m of linear habitat such as a hedgerow)
A development consisting of no more than 9 dwellings on a site that has an area no larger than 0.5 hectares and consists exclusively of dwellings that are self-build or custom house-building.

Your project might not immediately be affected by BNG, however, implementing biodiversity net gain in your residential project can contribute positively to local ecosystems and biodiversity while potentially enhancing the quality of life for residents by creating more natural and green spaces.

Alison of ICE Arch Limited will be happy to discuss this with you: email alison@ice-arch.co.uk

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-biodiversity-net-gain

Inspired by Mid-Century Modern

Can we utilise the mid-century modern style in the UK?

This amazing architecture, with its emphasis on functionality and form, creates a timeless aesthetic. The combination of thoughtful design, natural materials, and a connection to nature contributes to the overall allure and beauty.

This time last year I was fortunate to go travelling in California. It’s a state I’ve visited and loved for over 24 years, but in all that time I hadn’t visited Palm Springs. On this trip the cooler winter temperature made it feasible (i.e. bearable) to get up close to the amazing architecture of Richard Neutra and William Krisel

While mid century modern is strongly associated with Palm Springs and the American West, many of the concepts can be transported to a UK setting.

The clean lines and minimalist design capture a sense of simplicity and elegance that works at least as well in the UK.

Part of the beauty of Palm Springs architecture lies in its harmonious integration with the surrounding desert landscape. . Large glass windows frame stunning desert views, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. At the same time, interiors are insulated from external heat. That connection with nature can be translated to UK landscapes and climate.

If you think these concepts might suit your local context, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.

Blending old and new

Typical of its period, this house was traditional and elegant. Typical of its period, it did not capitalise on the amazing outlook, and it’s lounge was a throroughfare between hall and kitchen. ICE Arch enjoyed the challenge, carefully considered the options, and chose to go for a modern extension to re-orientate the rooms, and create cosy spaces that enjoy the views over Cheshire

How much will my extension cost?

At ICE Arch Ltd we will be happy to discuss your preferences and the cost implications, and we work with several quantity surveyor who will cost specific proposals, but before contacting us you may wish to do some research.

Many factors are easily understood – size and shape, the build quality, first-floor as compared with ground-floor, basement and roof-space, demolishing or knocking-through, fittings for kitchen and bathrooms, etc.

Others are less visible – relocating drains and other services, tricky trees, the size and number of doors and windows (they are expensive), party walls, steelwork, and so on.

Homebuilding and Renovating is aimed at self builders but it has useful information for the wider audience and includes the cost calculator at https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/extension-cost-calculator.

Be sure to take note of their ‘Terms of Use’ and check the publication date because labour and material costs are going up all the time.

To see more photos of the extension featured in the image, visit https://ice-arch.co.uk/kitts-moss/

Factors affecting an extension’s cost

The major factors that affect the cost of an extension include:
– How many floors?
– Rear, side, or wrap around?
– Conservatory of orangery?
– Basement?
– Roof-space or extra floor?
– Method of construction?
– Cladding?
– Personal involvement?
– VAT?

At ICE Arch Ltd we will be happy to discuss the choices and implications, and we work with a number of quantity surveyors who will cost specific proposals, but before contacting us you may wish to do you own research.

Homebuilding and Renovating is aimed at self builders but it has useful information for the wider audience including the article at https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/how-much-does-an-extension-cost

To see more photos of the extension featured in the image, visit ICE Project at Chapel Road

Are you ready for the changes?

New building regulations come into effect from 15^th June 2022. They are set-out in new and changed ‘Approved Documents’.

How will they affect new homes?

Limit the amount of glazing in new residential buildings. Approved Document O is a new Building Regulation set up to mitigate the risk of overheating.
Measure energy efficiency. New homes will need to adopt the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standards as defined in Part L (Fuel and Power)
Heating systems. There will be a maximum flow temperature requirement of 55°C for new and replacement heating systems
Heat pumps. Good practice is provided for a home built with a heat pump

What about existing homes?

Minimum standards of fabric efficiency, plus a new efficiency metric for the whole house when adding an extension defined in Part F (Ventilation)
Low-carbon readiness. New and replacement heating system designs must accept low-carbon energy sources in the future, and integrate the latest eco-design appliance benchmarks

Got an electric car?

Technical guidance in relation to the installation of electric car charge points for our homes. (Part S)

What do I do now?

If you have submitted a full planning application, or an initial notice, before 15^th June 2022 or your development is subject to a Building Notice, then provided the work is started on site before 15^th June 2023 then the building is assessed under the previous versions of the regulations.

Otherwise, the new regulations apply to you. Ask Alison for advice.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents
[23 Apr 2022]

Includes what are known as the 2021 editions of:

Approved Document F Volume 1. Ventilation: Dwellings
Approved Document F Volume 2: Ventilation: Buildings other than dwellings
Approved Document L Volume 1. Conservation of fuel and power: Dwellings
Approved Document L Volume 2. Conservation of fuel and power: Buildings other than dwellings
Approved Document O. Overheating
Approved Document S. Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles

Wilmslow

This dormer bungalow had very limited space and insufficient accommodation for the growing family, but the client liked the location of the property and privacy of the garden.

ICE Arch Ltd was able to double the size of the property

There are wonderful family areas. The polished-concrete ground floor is an oustanding feature.

The master suite is amazing

There is a secluded first floor sun deck

Cheadle Hulme

The client wants a more contemporary look, and, while ground floor space is great, there is a need for additional bedroms and a master suite.

The time is right to do the remodelling and extension because the property needs remedial work – new roof, windows, etc.

It is an ideal opportunity to improve the ‘green credentials’. All new walls, and the roof and windows will be highly insulated. The ‘airtightness’ of the property will be improved. Heating will be by air-source heat pumps. There will be rainwater harvesting.

Bramhall

The client wants substantial remodelling and extension, together with greater energy efficiency

The thermal values will be much improved by enveloping the house with insulated render and bringing windows up to the latest standards.