Recreating the fabric of architecture

Fabric Formwork gives concrete a flexible appearance, RIBA reward research


At the RIBA President’s Awards for Research 2008 on 3rd December, Remo Pedreschi of Edinburgh University and Alan Chandler from the University of East London will be presented with the award for University-located Research for their work on Fabric Formwork. In collaboration with the Centre for Architectural and Structural Technology at the University of Manitoba, they are looking to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with concrete.

Fabric formwork provides the potential to produce forms that are both structurally efficient and architecturally compelling in a relatively inexpensive and practical manner. By careful shaping of the fabric it is possible to produce complex shapes that would otherwise be too costly to create using traditional formwork.

Chandler describes the work as “a research programme that seeks to establish techniques that address complex issues of technical production, risk management and advanced passive energy control, but also accept the legitimate responsibility to be comprehensible and relevant to everyday construction and everyday use. The use of fluid responsive formwork is a technique of constructing which allows the behaviour of material to engage with and influence the building process itself.”

During the research, some outcomes were surprising as different fabrics used produce varying textures and finishes on the concrete, some rough, some smooth and everything in-between. Others leave patterns on the concrete that can be reproduced time and time again. The versatility of this formwork is staggering.

Pedreschi cites that “Physically and chemically the concrete studied in this work is almost identical to conventional concrete. Some fabrics with loosely woven yarns would leave traces on the concrete. Some dyed fabrics would leave colour traces on the concrete. Non-woven fabrics such as felts do not work so well and can be difficult to strip.”

Fabric Formwork also gives a comparatively inexpensive and better quality of concrete produced as Pedreschi explains, “traditional formwork, using wood or metal to contain the concrete is more expensive as the structure in essence has to be made twice, and once the concrete has set the formwork is thrown away. Whereas fabric formwork can be re-used and as the fabric is permeable any excess water seeps out thus producing better, stronger concrete” resulting in practical yet produce beautiful designs which are sustainable in the long run.
In comparison with other methods of sculpture which Chandler says, “have to be pre-ordained and thought out beforehand, Fabric Formwork gives an adaptability and beauty, which coupled with a fabric that is strong and flexible it does all the work for you.”

In having come to a set of restraints Chandler is starting to work with London College of Fashion to look at “smart fabrics” that are woven according to specifications. These would combine rigid and flexible parts to allow for tailoring of the fabric to be responsive to your design desires.

Hoping the award can raise awareness of Fabric formwork, Chandler remark’s of the research, “it is about developing it and sharing it.” Concluding he said that he and Pedreschi are, “setting out a different agenda for architectural research, as most papers that win awards are history books, whereas we explored architecture to open minds and encourage research.”

With the RIBA award under their belt Remo Pedreschi and Alan Chandler will be looking to develop the concept and technology with commercial partners, developing ways to create individual fabric manipulations to meet the needs of their clients.

‘Haymarket’ breathes new life into Capital’s Gateway

Derelict quarter given £200 Million makeover 

Tiger Developments in conjunction with Richard Murphy Architects have begun work on a £200 million plan to build two new hotels, a continental-style boulevard including retail and office space at a derelict site in Edinburgh city centre. Richard Murphy, CDA and Sutherland Hussey have drawn up designs for the project, to be known as ‘The Haymarket.” With construction beginning on site before the year is out, completion is hoped for 2012.

The most significant component of the entire enterprise is the construction of a monument-like 192 bed, five star hotel, The 17 storey, leaf-shaped building has been designed to stand near Haymarket Station, orientated to create a gateway of blade-like sharpness in the form of a tower, with an attached lower rise building and shared atrium running between it.

The hotel will take its place as Edinburgh’s third railway hotel alongside the established landmarks of the Balmoral and the Caledonian hotels. As with these hotels, this new fabrication will, deliberately, be markedly higher than its surroundings and will contribute to the evolving skyline of the city, but without blocking any significant views of either the Castle or nearby St Mary’s Cathedral

Richard Murphy said, “The five-star hotel will re-define Haymarket in the same way The Balmoral transformed the Waverley Valley and the Caledonian Hotel enhanced the West End of Edinburgh.”

Most of the social functions of the hotel are placed at the top of the building, acting as a beacon at night and functioning as a gateway building marking entry into the World Heritage Site when approaching from the west.

This enhancement is expected to breathe new life into an area that is in much need of rejuvenation, enabling it to play a major role in the future economic and social life of the city.

Jumeirah Group plans Glasgow Hotel

New development brings a touch of the Middle-East to Scotland

The Jumeirah Group, responsible for the sail-like Burj Al Arab in Dubai, is planning to build a £125million six-star hotel in Glasgow city centre. The Jumeirah Glasgow Hotel, scheduled to open in 2011 is designed by Ian Simpson Architects in partnership with Progress Property Developments and will be conveniently situated in Glasgow’s financial services district, with close proximity to the high-end shopping district.

Guy Crawford, CEO of Jumeirah Group reinforced the sentiment: “We are delighted to announce this exciting development for Jumeirah in the city of Glasgow. Located in the heart of such a dynamic city, Jumeirah Glasgow Hotel will be the perfect addition to our portfolio.”

With an appetite for luxury and a keen expansion plan, the Jumeirah Group have come-up with an impressive proposition, the completely glass base surrounds the sumptuous front entrance giving life to a peerless structure.

The 25-storey development will comprise 160 guest rooms and suites and 85 serviced apartments to cater for guests planning an extended visit. Facilities including an infinity pool, Jumeirah’s Talise Wellness spa, a gym, rooftop cocktail lounge and several restaurants and bars. Extensive business and conference amenities will be supplemented by a 630-seat ballroom and a dedicated club lounge.

Charles Price, CEO of Progress Property Developments, commented: “We are very pleased to have Jumeirah join us as a partner in this exciting development. We have already worked closely with Jumeirah over the last few months on the details of our proposed development and we are confident that their involvement will help further ensure the success of this exciting project.”

The extravagance of Dubai has reached the tenacious streets of Glasgow.

Showpiece stadium for Glasgow 2014 unveiled

Twin function venue for Commonwealth Games brings sport to the masses

Located in the east end of Glasgow, the centrepiece of the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be the new National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome. In a unique project, the venue provides two distinctly separate arenas under one roof. Designed by sports venue specialists, Sport Concepts, with 3DReid as delivery architects at a cost of £24 million, the project will regenerate the previously neglected east end of the city and provide modern sports facilities for the local community and elite athletes.

Michael Lischer of Sport Concepts said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to create an inclusive landmark sports facility for athletes and the community alike, the project will kick start the regeneration of an urban brown field site in a deprived suburb of Glasgow.”

The stadium is comprised of a 200m athletics track with room for 6,000 spectators and 250m velodrome track seating 2,000 spectators, expandable to 5,000 during the games. The distinctive glass structure gives an open plan feel allowing light to reverberate throughout the arena. The distinguished venue will provide a focal point for the surrounding sports facilities and a focus for spectator’s attention. The arena and velodrome are linked by a 34m x 80m wholly glass interconnecting thoroughfare, which includes circulation spaces, as wells as offices for the National Sport Federation.

Contemporary features include a state of the art hydraulic track that lies flat on the arena floor when not in use. Telescopic seating can be positioned in a variety of ways to allow good spectator sightlines for each sport. These will be a mix of clustered and open plan. Also provided are conferencing facilities, function spaces and control rooms for the arenas.

Due to be completed in 2011, a new era of sport in Scotland is fast approaching.

Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residential Tower, Chicago, United States

Twisting development offers new symbol for the Chicago’s skyline

A city of skyscrapers and host to the world’s tallest building for 24 years, The Sears Tower, until Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers stole that crown in 1998, Chicago is a city that strives for vertical elegance in design. And in 2009 this battle will endure with the groundbreaking of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and Residential Tower.

The tower, designed by DeStefano & Partners, is contrived to compliment and not overshadow the Chicago skyline. Despite reaching 1,100ft high with over 100 floors when complete, the tower will take second standing to the mighty Sears Towers, respectfully holding back and allowing the Chicago landmark its stature.

The design itself presents a simple structure of glass and steel, which will taper smoothly into the sky asymmetrically, creating the illusion of a twisting figure. The shaft of the tower will rise from the slender base to what appears to be a wider scalpel shaped summit, giving the construction a winding, rotating impression, as if it has drilled itself graciously into Chicago’s landscape. The building was designed to adhere to the current trend in Chicagoan architecture where taller thinner buildings are favoured to shorter buildings providing the same square footage, because the slender fabrications block fewer views.

Included in the €450million tower will be 325 hotel rooms, 367 condominium residences and an 11,000 sq ft ballroom accompanied by a variety of smaller conference suites. The base of the building will also contain a variety of banquet facilities, meeting rooms, and restaurants, along with a private car parking garage capable of holding 772 vehicles, all of which will be located underground to maximize open space at the foot of the tower for the local population. The tower is set to take three years to construct with completion in 2012.

 

David Schiavone with Niki May Young