I started this in 2011 and finished in 2012 - Here's to your success

I have written this blogpost so many times then deleted it and then edited it and then lost it and now I am starting again. I guess the brain cells have diminished over the festivities.

All of that said I am looking forward to 2012. We all leave the worries of 2011 behind us and look forward to the promises of 2012 and what will hopefully be a great year for all of us.

We are looking forward to a bumper year and hope that the Construction Industry Sector now refuses to participate in the ongoing credit shortage and certainly not to participate in a 'double dip' which we must all try and avoid.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the last day of the festive holidays before we return for the 2012 journey. We have a few existing projects which are steaming along and a few new ones just about to get kick started. We also look forward to the 5th 'property podcast' with the fatbuzz team and our regular guests. You can listen to podcast #4 by clicking here.

So here's to your success in 2012, whatever you do and wherever you may be. Let's all make this year count.

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Social Media and the Block Podcast

I just thought I would drop a quick Blogpost regarding the newest PR and marketing drive, the block podcast. It goes without saying that everyone is trying something new in order to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. I have always tried to do this through various initiatives.

Last week the block podcast No 2 was in iTunes top 200 downloads so of course I am delighted. The feedback has been immense with loads of interest in the guest speaker slots. If you are interested in coming onto the podcast please do contact us.

You can also follow the podcast on twitter with #blockpodcast.

Finally, I am happy to receive discussion topics via email Hamilton@blockarchitects.co.uk

Here's to the future success of the podcast.

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes HERE

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The Role Of The Engineer In A Self Build Project

Following our recent blog post Top Six Points To Consider Before Beginning Your Self Build Home, we were contacted on Linkedin by David Narro, Structural Engineer to suggest that perhaps we could have expanded our discussion some more on the role of the engineer during the self build project. 

Every year block architects undertake in excess of a dozen self builds for our clients all of which involve the requirements of an engineer to deliver a successful project. The extent of the role of the engineer in a self build project really depends on the engineering complexity of the design and site constraints however on a 'typical' self build there is a few issues that the engineer must advise on.

1. The Desk Top Study
At the start of each project, subject to location, then it is often worthwhile getting a desk top study done by an engineer. This traditionally would include the obtaining of historical site date from e.g. local library and would allow the engineer to form a considered opinion about the potential ground conditions i.e. whether or not the site has mining problems, potential for foundation of former structures to be unearthed, gas or contamination issues. This study including obtaining the services records for the site and surrounding area would allow the engineer to advise the architect on any potential issues related to getting out of the ground.

See additional information - Planning Information

2. The Trial Pits
Following the desk top study the engineer would then inspect trial pits on site. A trial pit is a single or multipe pits or holes dug within the location of the foundations. The engineer typically likes to be present on site as these are being excavated. This will allow the engineer to inspect soil and ground make up with a view to establishing how deep the foundations must be taken to allow for a suitable ground bearing pressure. In an ideal world we want to be down about 600mm to cast a traditional concrete strip foundation.

3. The Design & Specification of Engineering Issues
Prior to lodging the building warrant the engineer would be required to assess the architect's drawings and then advise on the structural matters. This could be anything from specifying foundation depths, lintels, steel beams and columns, advising on roof designs regarding wind and snow loadings. It's quite often the case that the engineer's drawings and specifications seem minimal relative to the quantity of information prepared by the Architect but don't underestimate the amount of calculations done behind the scenes all to prove the structural stability of the structure particularly where SER Certification is required.

4. The SER Certificate
This is a bit of a beaurocratic requirement through the building control process and many engineer's that we consult with have mixed views on this however in essence it's a certificate by which the engineer can certify that he has had his designs and calculations checked by virtue of his registration in the SER system. Alternatively building control would need to issue the engineer's design calculations and specifications to a tender process to be checked by a third party engineer appointed by the Council. Don't understimate the length of time this can add to the building control process. It's definitely a better route to get your engineer to produce the SER Certificate for your prior to or during the building warrant process.

See additinal Information - Building Control

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We like to bring you news of anything architectural or design that we think might interest you so, we're pleased to let you know about the start of the John Dick & Son annual Sale.  John Dick & Son are interior designers and retailers of fine quality furniture and, they pride themselves in the fact that unlike most furniture shops they never buy goods, bump up the price only to reduce at sale time. Everything in the showroom is in the Sale and, everything is reduced by at least 15%. In many cases, the reductions are substantially more so make sure you get in to see us as early as possible.

We are happy to recommend John Dick & Son because they do run a genuine sale with discounts on some of the best furniture on the market and, this family run business provide a level of customer service not often found in the furniture trade. If you do head along to take a look please make sure you let them know you read about the sale in the Block Architects blog.

The sales starts Monday 3rd Jaunary at John Dick & Son's showroom at

The PeelCarmunnock Bypass
Busby
Glasgow
G76 9HN
Tel: 0141 644 1115

You can get details of opening hours and directions here

You can also read the latest from John Dick & Son on their blog here

If you've found this post interesting please share it with your friends using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below, there's a good chance they will be interesting too. Although, we will understand if you want to get to the showroom yourself before you share it around!

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Don' forget to "Like" Block Architects Facebook Page here and you can "Like" the John Dick & Son Facebook Page here 

The RIBA/RIAS Must Take Building Control To Task

Are we the only Architects who feel that the Scottish Building Control Regulations are just too onerous? We have just been asked to provide a 1:5 detail of an intumescent collar in a garage roof!

We are constantly finding that the Building Control Regulations are more and more demanding with reference to the information that they can ask for. We have no issue whatsoever with issuing a full set of Construction Drawings to Building Control but this is outwith the 'Plan of Work'. Surely the RIBA and RIAS should remind the SBSA that Architects have a Stages of Work Plan (RIAS/RIBA Stages A-K). Our whole industry apparently conforms to this but not Planning & Building Control.

We think it is about high time that the RIBA/RIAS get more involved when the SBSA is writing policy or frankly the RIBA/RIAS may soon realise that it is Planning and Building Control who are calling the shots. It certainly seems close to this right now!

Interior Design Partnership - Smith And Brown Glasgow

We are delighted to announce that Block Architects, Glasgow have newly joined forces with Interior Design Practice Smith and Brown, Glasgow. Kenneth was aware that during the last few years of trading that some of his Clients were seeking a one stop shop in offering architectural and interior design services. With this in mind Kenneth has been working hard to find an Interior Design Consultancy who could meet his high expectations.

Kenneth would like to welcome Smith and Brown to his Team of Professional Consultants and is sure that this is the start of positive things to come.

Director of Smith and Brown, Donna McBeath Smith stated: "Its great to collaborate with an Architectural Consultancy who has the same Design ethics as ourselves. We are sure that this will be a fruitful Partnership and look forward to completing many projects with Block Architects."

Appointing an Architect - Tip #2

Choose an Architect with a Customer Service record... Your Architect should know, understand and most importantly inform you that construction projects can be testing for everyone involved. A truly Professional Service which is tried and tested will recognise that good communications between the whole design team and the client ensures the realisation of your vision. Choose an Architect who operates on a full communication policy who will call, email or write a letter in order to keep you and the project team informed.

Kenneth's on the new Social Media Podcast

We have just uploaded the latest episode of the Social Media Podcast to iTunes and it features an interview with Kenneth Martin.
Kenneth is in good company, the podcast also features an interview with the man who masterminded the Labour Party's 1997 General Election win and worked with them through till 2007. Alastair Campbell talks about the role of social media in polotics, especially in the run up to next year's election.

You can listen to the podcast here

"I'll Never Do Another Opera"

Podcastmatters caught up with "The King Of Architecture" Kenneth Martin at an Entrepreneurial Exchange event. In the video above Kenneth reflects on what he did before Block Architects.

The King Of Architecture

Podcastmatters caught up with "The King Of Architecture" Kenneth Martin at an Entrepreneurial Exchange event, to talk about the launch of his new blog. In the video above Kenneth talks about the new blog as well as Block Architects online social media presence. More videos with Kenneth to follow soon.

The Teachings of Sir Jackie Stewart OBE

I have just returned last night from an Entrepreneurial Exchange event with Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. It was held last night at the Norton House Hotel in Edinburgh.

Here are some of the key points made by Jackie (as scripted by me):

• Vision is more important than the Dream. Dreamers do not know how to get to the end result and complete the loop!
• When starting a new professional or business relationship always think of the longterm relationship. These always return the best results. Shorterm relationships are not beneficial to anyone.
• If you get out stay out! Don't drop your toe back in the water.
• Always surround yourself with TOP people and specialists who know more than you OR if you fly with the crows you will get shot with the crows.
• Attention to Detail is important - Always Deliver
• Find your Councel. If you don't have a good Councel then seek one out. The most successful in life in business have good Councel.
• Ask yourself 'How good am I and What are my failings.'
• If you need something done go to today's men who are doiong a good job and forget about those who have a good reputation as this is of the past.

I am sure that there was many many more key points but these were the points that stood out to me.

http://www.entrepreneurial-exchange.co.uk/

www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/hotels/Norton-House

http://www.sirjackiestewart.com/

Is the client always right?

A light hearted video for this sunny morning! View...

Architect’s Certification or Not?

Many Client’s don’t understand that when undertaking a self build that the Certification of the build by the Architect is an important and often mandatory Funding Requirement, but what are the implications of not obtaining an Architect’s Certificate when the Client is self funding?

The Certification process involves Architect’s site inspection at key stages of the build thus ensuring for the Funder (typically the Bank) that the build is true to the Planning and Warrant Approvals and in keeping with good building practice. Obviously the Architect’s Professional Indemnity Insurance would be called in should a problem occur with the house but the insurance would only pay out when it is proven that the Architect acted out with his means in signing off the stage.

When the Client is self funding the build then it’s quite common that they will avoid Architectural Certification and this may be ok in the short term until such times as the house is offered up to the market for sale. The purchaser’s solicitor would typically ask for the Architect’s Certificate on a self build and if the Vendor cannot provide this then it is extremely unlikely that the Purchaser’s Solicitor and Funder would accept the house.

In my opinion the Certification of the house is a small price to pay for piece of mind especially after such a huge investment.

Certification of the house can vary between £1500 - £2500 depending on the size of the house.

Lance Armstrong meets Frank Gerhy

Here is the tweet post sent by Lance Armstrong from the U2 Concert at Hampden Park, Glasow when he met the legendary Frank Gerhy. Kyle from Podcastmatters also managed to capture some video footage of Lance's trip to Paisley earlier in the day.

New Scottish Planning Regime

I have been asked on several occasions to write some script on the New Scottish Planning Regime. Instead I came across this interesting article by Biggart Baillie and hope that it fulfills all of your queries. Please click here.

Regards

Kenneth

I will only need one Kidney!

Yes that’s right I like most people only need one kidney so that’s why I have decided to give the other one to my dad. That’s him (Hugh) in the picture. The picture was taken on my wedding day at Auchen Castle, Moffat.

Dad has been ill for almost 10 years and despite the fact that he is extremely well and has a long life expectancy his quality of life is not what it should be. He is a youthful man all things considered. Dad now has 3 grand daughters all under the age of 2 and has a lot to look forward to.

After careful discussion with my wife, Sandra we agreed just over a year ago that I would put my name forward for a transplant. On the day that I called Dad’s nurse to enquire how to go about it, I got a tearful call from Mum. Dad was in hospital with a suspected heart attack! Granted he drove himself to the hospital! Make your own mind up about what scenario is most worrying. As it turned out Dad actually had an Angina attack but as such he was removed from the Transplant List.

I continued with the initial testing and this has been going on for just over a year. The testing included blood screening and matching and general health and well being discussions and thereafter we needed to wait for Doctors to confirm that Dad’s health was ok to go forward with the Transplant ie put him back on the list. Even although I am a live donor he still needs to be on the list. Dad and I met the Surgeon about 2 months ago and he agreed that Dad was ok to go back on the list, although associated risks would be higher.

Over the last month I have undergone a Kidney function test, assessing the efficiency of both of my kidneys and I did last week undergo an MRI scan to assess the entry and exit of the main blood vessels in and out of the Kidney. The function test went well but we still await the results of the MRI scan.

Everything going well we hope to be under the knife before Christmas.

I have decided to blog about our journey through this period because I think it may help other people in a similar situation. Likewise, I would be happy to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation and have them add their particular experience or, comment on my own story.

Keep checking for further updates.

Kenneth

The back door is open at Building Control!

I have just completed a building warrant application for a lovely family for a simple extension on the side of their house. I wasn’t their first ‘Architect’ to receive a commission but I certainly got to the task at hand and rectified the initial ‘Architect’s glaring mistakes.

You see there are many ‘designers’ out there who are not qualified architects or qualified technicians and as such they do not have to register to a professional body. These ‘designers’ often have limited skill and knowledge but profess the world to their unsuspecting clients. Here’s the story.

The Client accepts a fee proposal for £1600+VAT for the ‘designer’ to prepare planning and building warrant drawings and then pays upfront including all planning and building warrant fees. After several months the client receives a set of drawings from the designer, which of course are not to their requirements and then begin the tortuous journey of trying to get the drawings changed whilst the designer ignores the Clients calls, emails and letters. Eventually the Client receives a set of drawings which are to their satisfaction and they instruct the designer to lodge the planning application. When the designer lodges the planning application the cheque bounces, much to the frustration of the Client who has paid the planning fee upfront. The Client, out of sheer frustration, directly pays another planning fee to the Council knowing fine well that the initial fee paid to the designer is lost. The designer then lodges a building warrant application using the planning drawings i.e. there is little technical information on the drawings and thereafter building control write to the Client with over 30 comments and observations on the drawings! What a pig’s ear!!! That’s where I stepped in.

The moral of the story or the important issue for discussion is simply that building control will happily request proof of competency from a structural engineer, gas engineer or an electrician but they do not expect the designer to have any professional qualifications.

I consider that the Scottish Planning & Building Control System should be changed such that only registered Architects (ARB) or registered Technologists (CIAT) be allowed to prepare application drawings and packages. As such all application will then be produced by professionals who belong to professional bodies.

It is not acceptable that the Planning & Building Control System will accept sub standard applications from designers, draughtsmen, ex building control officers, surveyors all of whom have a little knowhow of considering the complexities of design, construction, and delivery as a homogenous whole. I do believe that there are some out there who are good and committed to service but to date the most that we have found are only interested in taking the money and running.

Will the Scottish System be reviewed to insist on qualifications for those acting as the lead designer? I think that it should.

Kenneth Martin
Block Architects

Does social media work?

You may wonder about the value of Block Architects having a blog or, the value of social media in general. Social media is comparatively new so it's natural that there may be some scepticism out there however, I just came across a story that clearly demonstrates how social media is changing the way we communicate and, how everyone now has the power of communication at there fingertips. In fact, in one week this video has been viewed over 2,500,000 on YouTube, that's impressive and should make United Airlines Customer Relations department take some notice.

A band called Sons of Maxwell have produced the first of three songs about the fact that American Airlines broke his guitar whilst he travelled with them on a tour. The band witnessed baggage handlers throwing their guitars about while they were sitting on the plane and when they retrieved the baggage a $3500 Taylor guitar was badly damaged. American Airlines didn't deny it happened but they appeared not to care about it and the Band were getting nowhere with their complaint.

Here is the post on band member Dave Carroll's blog:

"In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didn’t deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say “no” to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise."

You can watch the video here.

Not too long ago this would not have been possible, people simply didn't have this type of voice. Yes, I think social media works very well and I imagine United Airlines have similar views.

Why don’t all Planning Departments work to the same Planning Guidelines?

I love it when a project starts on site. It’s always refreshing to see the ground breaking with the first cut. Let’s face it the drawings and planning permissions and building warrants etc are all just a formality to get us to the stage that we all want to get to and that’s the start of the build. This is what the Client really wants to see. It’s like Christmas morning for the Client. The arrival of the JCB marks the first tear of wrapping paper.

I’ve attached a few images of a new bungalow build for a farmer in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. Block Architects didn’t design the house we simply negotiated a design through the Planning and Building Warrant Process. The house was supplied by a local timber kit designer/manufacturer and we were happy to assist.

The Planning Process on this house was interesting in that National Planning Policy required the Council to condition us to improve the Carbon Footprint by an increase of 10% over and above the requirements of the current building control regulations. I have been involved recently with other similar builds in other local authority areas and yet we haven’t been asked to meet the same regulations. This is no slight on South Lanarkshire Council. At the end of the day this has the overall benefit to the environment and as Architects I am wholly in support of getting Client’s to think positively of these extra ‘burdens’.

I suppose the question of reaching congruency between and within local authorities departments is difficult to answer but surely if this edict comes from high it is a no brainer that all authorities should adopt it?

Update

Hi there

Just to say, lots of posts coming soon, people coming back from holidays now so much to talk about at tomorrow's new media meeting.

Clare