Kirsty's extensive background in climate scale solutions and nuclear energy advocacy brings a fresh perspective on decarbonising the world's toughest sectors.
’ analysis of the Government estate identified the most common elements with the greatest potential to deliver the required assets – this was a precursor to the Construction Playbook’s ‘Harmonise, digitise, rationalise’ policy.One insight was that 3 structural typologies represent most of the Government estate.
These typologies were called Platforms because they embody the common features of multiple assets: structural grids, beams, columns, connectors, slabs etc.Behind these commonalities lies a common kit of components, a much smaller set of components vs bespoke, traditional construction.. A limited number of components streamlines compliance.The analysis showed that in fact 70% of the public sector estate could be delivered by one structural platform: a mid-span c.8m structural solution.
As platforms ‘lock down’ the set of component specifications that sit behind design, this reduces the set of technical variables and requirements.This immediately standardises the process and streamlines the range of technical compliance as a result.
Plus, with choices in the assembly, architectural outcomes can still be recognisably different and tailored..
At Bryden Wood, starting with productivity-led value drivers, we developed a hybrid steel and concrete mid span platform (Platform II).In the case of new build projects, our Platforms approach to design and construction will usually inform the concept design.
The principle of Platforms is to design to the commonalities between spaces both within and across sectors, with the result that construction can make use of a standard ‘kit of parts’.This brings a wide variety of benefits, not least flexibility.. By recognising that the space required for a treatment room can be the same as for an office, say, designing on that principle means that, should the need arise, it is easy to convert an office into a treatment room, or vice versa.
This is a rational, logical approach.. Our hospital for Circle Health in Birmingham was designed to a grid of four and eight metre spaces.While the reason for this rationalisation was to allow for flexibility and future expansion, a change in business planning meant we had to bring this requirement forward, and expand the hospital while construction was underway, but also while keeping the lower floors operational.. Rationalisation of the internal grid does not limit the options for the external appearance or the aesthetic design of the building.