Buro Happold Ltd.10 year book Europe.

Buro Happold
Ten Years in North Europe

Acknowledgments

This book marks ten years of practice
for Buro Happold in North Europe –
ten years that would not have been
possible without the collaboration of
our clients whom we are extremely
fortunate to have worked with over the
last decade, our working partnership
with architects, construction
professionals and contractors with
whom we have collaborated with over
this period and of course our staff
who have worked with the practice.
Without all of these contributors, none
of our success in the region would
have been possible.

02

When I joined the practice over twenty funny descriptions he would give
years ago, I was fortunate enough to of a problem recently solved, or his
work with our founder, Ted Happold, infectious enthusiasm for finding
as a graduate engineer in Bath. Working alternative solutions to other seemingly Roderick Manson
with Ted provided a perfect opportunity intractable problems. He also dealt as Partner and Regional Director
for a young engineer to learn and capably with business matters as with
B u ro H a p p o l d
develop his skills in the built environment theoretical and creative questions. Glasgow
and develop the appreciation of Edinburgh
architecture and engineering. It has been a privilege to act as Belfast
custodian of these values and to Copenhagen
Ted Happold died in 1996, but his continue the growth of the practice in
influence on the firm is enduring and the region. This book has provided an
remains core to our values and excellent opportunity to look back at
principles. Ted Happold was a Quaker, some of our great projects over the
and his deep sense of humanity and last ten years and share some of these
principles can still be found in much of experiences with our clients, friends,
the work undertaken by the firm. Ted colleagues and fellow professionals.
was a man with ideas and had an
inspiring ability to convey them and to
solve problems. It is not possible to
forget the lengthy and often incredibly

03

Foreword 06 Robin House, Balloch 62 European Patent Office 132
The First Decade 10 Children’s Hospice University of Strathclyde 134
Project Review Glenturret Distillery Centre 68 Projects

The Tannahill Centre 16 New Scottish Parliament 70 Stirling Sports Village 138

Theatre Royal 18 Glasgow Audi 72 John Wheatley College 140

St Andrews International 20 Perth Concert Hall 78 Ravenscraig Regional 142
Centre THGL Studios 84 Sports Facility

Tolbooth 22 The Aqualibrium Centre 86 Queen Margaret University 144

Tramway 24 The Wright Business Centre 92 Riverside Museum, Glasgow 146
Museum of Transport
Urban Outfitters 26 BAA Car Parks 94
The Museum of Liverpool 152
ERCO 28 Edinburgh’s Telford College 96
Dundee City Council 158
Urquhart Castle Visitor’s 34 Royal Botanic Garden 102 Headquarters
Centre 34 Edinburgh
Forth Ports Hub Masterplan 160
Pitlochry Festival Theatre 36 Alsion Campus at Syddansk 104
University Loch Lomond and the 162
Royal Lyceum Theatre 38 Trossachs Headquarters
Clydebank Re-built 110
Hopetoun House 40 Children’s Discovery Centre 164
University of Edinburgh 114
Eastgate Arts Centre 42 Wexford Council Offices 166
Projects
National Park 44 Greenock Arts Centre 168
Royal Commonwealth Pool 120
Gateway Centre
Queens University Belfast 122 Everton FC Stadium 170
Danish National 46
Projects New Gateway Centre 172
Opera House
The Calyx, Scotland’s 128 Sectors 174
Anchor Mills 52
National Garden Gateway
The Galeri Caernarfon 54 Awards 176
Hazelwood School 130

04

Foreword

The first time I met Rod Manson
he told me about his plans to make
Buro Happold’s Glasgow office the
hub for its northern European activities.
I was impressed by his ambition. It
was refreshing to talk to someone that
imagined a future in which Scotland
was at the centre of a network of
northern economies, rather than
floundering on the edge.

06

The first time I met Rod Manson he architects in Scotland and with Scottish Ten years ago architects in Scotland
told me about his plans to make architects exporting their design talents. often complained that, with a few over-
Buro Happold’s Glasgow office the Wexford Council Offices, in Ireland by subscribed exceptions, they struggled
hub for its northern European activities. Glasgow–based NORD, engineering by to find engineers that could provide
I was impressed by his ambition. It was Buro Happold, will shortly go on site. them anything but the most perfunctory
refreshing to talk to someone that imagined design solution. Since then a number
a future in which Scotland was at the The benefits of having internationally of the internationally recognised
centre of a network of northern economies, recognised engineering firms, like engineering practices, (most of which
rather than floundering on the edge. Buro Happold, operating in Scotland themselves came out of Ove Arup in
are obvious. Not only does the local the 1960s and 1970s) have set up in
In just over a decade Manson has construction industry benefit from their offices in Scotland.
moved a long way towards realising wide-ranging expertise but the local
his ambition. The Glasgow office, economy benefits from the export of Buro Happold chose precisely the right
which was set up with two staff in engineering skills. Their presence also moment to set up a North Europe office in
1996, now employs more than 150. has implications for the Scottish Glasgow. Public sector spending on public
Since the millennium Buro Happold engineering profession and for architects. buildings, schools and higher education
has opened offices in Dublin, Edinburgh In the past engineers living in Scotland colleges and hospitals and a very buoyant
and Belfast and last year it set up shop would often move abroad in pursuit of residential market has meant that the
in Copenhagen. The practice is now challenging commissions. Today, with construction sector in the UK, Scotland
working on the design of some of the the help of increasingly sophisticated and Ireland has witnessed a decade of
most significant new buildings in information technology, building growth. Between 2000-2005 Gross
Scotland, Ireland and Denmark. management systems and new air links, Added Value provided by the construction
engineers can be based in Scotland sector to the Scottish economy increased
They have been working with Danish and provide ‘hands-on’ services across by 37%. The sector currently employs
architects in the UK, Northern Irish Northern Europe and beyond. more people than manufacturing.

07

As construction has grown, building Today they are often commissioned sustainability. They have recently
services have become an increasingly to provide a full range of engineering delivered an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating
important chunk of capital expenditure. services including the structure, services, on the plans for Dundee City Council
Driven by the increasing demands for fire and sustainability performance. Their HQ by Reiach and Hall and they are
energy efficiency set out in the Building workload seems to involve increasingly exploring innovative, sustainable timber
Standards and Planning Guidance, the sophisticated building programmes, technology in both the design of the
design of services is no longer the such as Robin House, a children’s Royal Botanics visitors centre with
poor cousins to structural design. The hospice, designed by Gareth Hoskins Ted Cullinan and the Loch Lomond
environmental control of a building is and the Aqualibrium, Cambeltown by and Trossachs HQ with Page and Park.
now a central feature of the early stages PagePark. Both projects combine a At Telford College, Buro Happold
of design. In this context Buro Happold, swimming pool alongside other very worked with HOK on the design of
which is was founded on the idea of a different functions. a lightweight ETFE translucent roof,
creative partnership between engineers structural technology pioneered by
and architects, has flourished. Buro Happold’s structural engineers are founder Ted Happold.
working with Zaha Hadid, 3XN and HOK
In its early years, Buro Happold’s on the design of complex geometries. The practice remains strongly
Glasgow office tended to be At the same time working with practices committed to the approach adopted
commissioned as services engineers, that produce very restrained buildings in by Ted Happold, who is probably best
working alongside other structural which the structure and services must known for the central role that he played
designers. Working with Richard Murphy contribute to the clarity and simplicity of in the design of the Pompidou Centre
they designed the services for a number the architecture. along side Piano and Richard Rogers.
of multi-use arts projects: Stirling Tolbooth In 1971 it was, reportedly, Happold that
in 2002, the Eastgate Art Centre in Increasingly Buro Happold, like persuaded Rogers and Piano to enter
Peebles in 2004 and the award winning many multi-disciplinary engineers, is the competition.
Galeri Caernarfon in 2005. being asked by clients to focus on

08

Happold embodied the idea of 85 years on that sense of shared Penny Lewis
‘comradeship’ within the design team ambition between architect and
and was committed to the idea that engineer is still central to the creation Penny Lewis is the Editor of
Prospect, the Scottish architecture
professional practice, research and of good architecture. Today’s engineers
magazine and the website
education should all go hand-in-hand. often seem more at ease than architects www.architecturescotland.co.uk.
He set up practice with seven partners in a development industry in which the She is the Scottish correspondent
in 1976, while running Bath’s School process is often as important as the for A10 and writes on a freelance
of Engineering and Architecture. The product. At a time when architecture is basis for UK and international
publications. She is author of
business now has 20 offices and a often treated as a discrete, self-sufficient
Curious Rationalism, a mono-graph
multi-million pound turnover, but add-on in the development process, its on the work of Gordon Murray
Happold’s sense of public responsibility reassuring to meet, and work alongside, and Alan Dunlop Architects.
lives on. engineers like Buro Happold that take
architecture very seriously.
“The Engineer, inspired by the law
of Economy and governed by
mathematical calculation, puts us in
accord with universal law. He achieves
harmony,” wrote Le Corbusier in
Towards a New Architecture 1923.
“The engineering aesthetic, and
architecture, are two things that march
together and follow on one from the
other,” he added capturing the creative
tension between architect and engineer.

09

The First Decade
Care, Value and Elegance

Looking back over a decade of
Buro Happold projects in the north
of Europe, working initially in Glasgow
but more recently in Edinburgh, Belfast
and now Copenhagen, a couple of
themes become clear.

Care for the environment is a key note
ringing through all these projects.

10

Whether it is as a major feature to meet internally when the practice is delivering increasing numbers of projects in
client demands, such as in the building more than one discipline, or externally Edinburgh and Belfast led to offices
design for the Syddansk University through how our staff deal with clients, opening there in 2006. The Edinburgh
where we had to outperform Danish architects, contractors and all the other team in particular has subsequently
Building Regulations on energy use by members that make up a successful seen rapid growth, expanding from the
30%, or simply as ‘part of the package’, project team, effective collaboration initial team which established the office,
low energy buildings are always a plays a key role. This emphasis on to more than 50 in 2007.
priority for Buro Happold. Our work on communication and engagement with
the Glasgow Museum of Transport is project partners is vital both to the We moved into our Glasgow design
a good example of the latter. The success of all these projects and to studio in 2001, at Four Winds in Pacific
client’s primary demand here is for how Buro Happold does business. Quay in Glasgow. This former steam-
unobtrusive services, but our engineers powered hydraulic pumping station was
have worked hard to identify ways to The spirit of collaboration is not confined built in 1894 to power cranes unloading
incorporate low energy heating and to project work, of course, and in the ships at the adjacent Price’s Dock.
lighting systems to meet this particularly course of the decade we’ve made The building’s octagonal chimney was
challenging brief. some good friends as the business has inspired by ‘The Tower of the Winds’
grown. We began in the Glasgow office, at the Acropolis in Athens and features
Collaboration is the other thread running which opened with just two staff in 1996 eight sculptured panels representing the
through all these projects. Whether it is (and now employs more than 150), but four winds, giving the building its name.

11

The First Decade
Care, Value and Elegance

Four Winds

With the help of some advice from Consulting services are particularly Also, and perhaps more importantly,
DEGW, this new studio has created the well represented, forming a major the real achievement linking the projects
perfect workspace to allow collaboration part of what Buro Happold can offer, in this book is the use of the core values
amongst all our consultants in an open in addition to the core disciplines at the heart of every Buro Happold
plan environment. of structural and building services project – the principles of care, value
engineering. The specialist services and elegance which founder Ted
It was a logical move to establish another include: fire engineering, computer Happold set out as key to everything
office, in Denmark in 2007. Home to simulation and analysis of the internal the practice does when he set it up in
some of the architects we are working environment, infrastructure and 1976. There are many other projects
with the most at the moment, as well as environment, sustainability and we would have liked to have included
some of our most prestigious projects alternative technologies, lighting but it is hoped that the chosen selection
of the last decade, Copenhagen is a technologies and inclusive design can provide a good example of the
sensible first step onto mainland North services to ensure building accessibility type and nature of our work.
Europe – and hopefully not our last. for all. As buildings become ever more
complex, these services become When we established the Glasgow
The growth in staff numbers has been increasingly important and add greatly office some 20 years later, it was with
matched by the increasing range of to the practice’s multi-disciplinary a similarly small group of determined
disciplines Buro Happold offers in capabilities. engineers, keen to make a difference
North Europe. The practice’s Specialist to the quality of buildings going up in

12

the region. As established by Ted, In addition, the last decade has seen a
we used the ingenuity, innovation and huge opportunity to work in the global
courage to work differently and now arena from our base in the region and
we are able to push these core values this is demonstrated through the local
much further afield. delivery of our range of current projects
across Europe and the Middle East
During this period, we have worked being delivered locally.
with some of the most creative
architects in the region and indeed have The principles set out by Ted, that have
seen the general appreciation of both served us so well for the last decade,
sustainability and creative design will continue to inform and guide our
solutions become much more significant work, helping us to maintain our position
in the drive to create better projects to at the cutting edge of building design.
match our clients and users’ higher We look forward to the next decade of
expectations. As engineers, we feel Buro Happold innovation, collaboration
rewarded when we are able to influence and inspiration, in buildings and
the design of projects and work closely infrastructure right across North Europe.
with the team to provide integrated
sustainable solutions.

13

The Tannahill Centre
Paisley, UK
Completion: 1996

The Tannahill Centre in Ferguslie Park caters for the needs of both the local
community and the corporate world under one roof. The space includes a family
centre, community forum, housing association office and shops.

Buro Happold worked with the architects to create a comfortable environment in
this versatile facility integrated with the structural form and by installing under floor
heating, a natural ventilation strategy for the overall building and specially designed
lighting solutions that utilise natural light whenever possible. This people-friendly
technology ensures a contemporary and welcoming feel to the Centre, helping it
to become the hub of the local community. The Centre was awarded the Scottish
Enterprise Regeneration Award in 1996.

16

Client: Ferguslie Park Civic Centre
Architect: James Cunning Young and Partners
Disciplines: Building services engineering, structural
engineering, ground engineering, civil engineering
Value: £8m
Scottish Enterprise Regeneration Award 1997 – Winner
RIBA Award 1997 – Winner

17

Theatre Royal
Glasgow, UK
Completion: 1997

The Category A listed Theatre Royal in
Glasgow provides high quality entertainment
in a setting that combines traditional style with
contemporary sophistication.

Buro Happold provided structural and building
engineering services during the upgrade to
the 1,700-seat auditorium, which improved
audience facilities while incorporating a larger
orchestra pit and chair store.

By working with the architect to design a new
specialist lighting system, illumination levels and
energy efficiency have been vastly improved
while maintaining the period style. A new fire
detection and alarm system was also installed,
ensuring the comfort and safety of the
audience. These innovations led to recognition
in the 1998 National Lighting Awards.

18

Client: Theatre Royal Glasgow
Architect: LDN Architects
Disciplines: Building services engineering,
structural engineering
Value: £3m
National Lighting Design Awards 1998 – Commendation

19

St Andrews International Centre
St Andrews, UK
Completion: 2000

Sited opposite the 17th fairway of the world famous St Andrews golf course,
this four-storey rotunda was designed as a visitor and exhibition centre, complete
with first class members’ club services, including bars, sauna and gym facilities.

The steel-frame of the structure, which is particularly prominent at the entrance,
helps give the building a luxurious, high quality feel. Now part of the University of
St Andrews, the International Centre is home to its School of Management and is
attended by 200 Masters students. The main postgraduate research area is on the
top floor, where study takes place beneath a spectacular circular skylight, complete
with a unique mosaic detail.

20

Client: St Andrews International Ltd
Architects: Davis Duncan Partnership
structural engineering, civil engineering, ground
engineering, highway road design, waste water,
computational simulation and analysis (CoSA)
Value: £8m

21

Tolbooth
Stirling, UK
Completion: 2002

The £5m Heritage Lottery-funded
transformation of Stirling’s historic Tolbooth
into a music and arts venue was an extremely
ambitious project. The challenges included
creating ventilation techniques in order to
comply with rigorous acoustic criteria
throughout the 200-seat auditorium.

A key feature was to integrate the lighting,
sound and IT systems without compromising
the existing building fabric. The venue has
contributed significantly to the local community,
hosting a year-round programme of concerts,
while focusing on education and training for
young people.

The Tolbooth was awarded the Crown Estate
Commission’s Conservation Award at the
2002 Stirling Prize for architecture.

22

Client: Stirling Council
Architect: Richard Murphy Architects
Value: £5m
Civic Trust Awards 2003 – Winner
RIBA Crown Estate Commission Conservation
Award 2002 – Winner
Dundee by Design Award 2002 – Winner
Scottish Enterprise Dynamic Place

23

Tramway
Glasgow, UK
Completion: 2001

Work to improve the Tramway arts venue, in South Glasgow, consisted of
refurbishing the existing building to improve facilities for – and the comfort of
– both audience and performers alike. Buro Happold provided structural and
buildings services engineering design for the project, which also included
exposing the original tramlines, neatly linking the contemporary venue with
the building’s history.

Sightlines within the auditorium were dramatically improved with the removal
of internal columns. Internal conditions have been greatly improved through
ingenious use of ventilation and daylighting, linked with renewable energy
generation. The stable spaces on the first floor were also turned into a café
bar, rehearsal and workshop areas.

The Tramway won the Scottish Design Awards Best Public Building Category
in 2001 and Grand Prix 2001.

24

Client: Glasgow City Council
Architect: Zoo Architects
structural engineering, ground engineering,
Value: £4m
Scottish Design Awards 2001
Architecture Grand Prix – Winner
Scottish Design Awards 2001
Best Public Building – Winner
GIA Awards 2000 – Arts Award – Winner

25

Urban Outfitters
Glasgow and Dublin
Completion: 2002 and 2003

Buro Happold provided a variety of services for these quality retail
outlets in Dublin and Glasgow. Both branches required significant
work to maintain the Urban Outfitters identity, integrating with its
other 25 flagship stores in the United States and across Europe.

The Glasgow store fit-out took place behind the listed facade of
an old stock exchange building and saw installation of new floors,
feature staircases and platform podiums. The Dublin store has
exposed ventilation and cable ducting to create an edgy, urban
feel, exemplified in the client’s request for exposed concrete and
no suspended ceilings.

26

Client: Urban Outfitters, Glasgow
Architect: Pompei AD
structural engineering, fire engineering design and
risk assessment (FEDRA), computational simulation
and analysis (CoSA), design management (DM)
Value: £5m in total

27

ERCO – East Renfrewshire Council Offices
Barrhead, UK
Completion: 2002

From the outset, the headquarters of East Renfrewshire Council, in Barrhead
near Glasgow, was designed to be an exemplar low energy office building. With
government policy so strongly in favour of sustainability, this three storey office had
to very clearly demonstrate that good design, minimal energy consumption and
value for money, all-important on a publicly-funded project, can sit happily together.

Having been engaged to provide both structural and building heat purge overnight to reduce temperature gains made in the
services engineering, Buro Happold’s team was ideally placed day, this process can be repeated daily. The concrete’s slow
to meet the client’s aspirations. This is exemplified in the temperature change also helps heat introduced in winter
extensive use of exposed structural concrete to help moderate remain in the building.
internal temperature changes. By using as much as possible
of the thermal mass of the reinforced concrete frame, along The building services design includes mixed mode ventilation
with natural ventilation, no mechanical cooling is required to systems combining displacement ventilation and opening
maintain comfortable working conditions all year round. windows. Other energy-saving features include a link between
internal lighting and external daylight conditions so as to make
This was all verified by Buro Happold’s computational the most of natural lighting and therefore cut energy costs. 3
simulation and analysis group (CoSA), which produced a
dynamic thermal model of the building to assess the strategy.
The work illustrated the great advantage of using the concrete
as a thermal store. As concrete heats slowly, it keeps a room
cooler for longer during hot summer days. Providing there is a

28

Centrally located roof level plant space providing
fresh air intake, supply and heat recovery

Openable windows provide additional High level mechanical
seasonal fresh air intake extract ventilation

Typical perimeter
radiator heating

Typical perimeter Central high level extract Fresh air supply through floor
radiator heating to roof plant space grilles from raised floor plenum

Natural ventilation enters reception/circulation space
through main entrance doorway and is extracted
into plant space at high level

Openable windows facilitates single
sided ventilation for perimeter offices

Natural Ventilation of Perimeter
Offices and Reception

30

The building structure is based on a 6m by 7.5m grid of
reinforced concrete with flat slab floors. This maximises floor-to-
ceiling height and gives a large, open working space with only
minimal visual barriers. The unbroken run of the concrete soffits
also aids airflow throughout the building, contributing to the
natural ventilation scheme and meeting the client’s request for
a bright, healthy workspace.

Upon completion, the BREEAM assessment resulted in a
‘very good’ rating, confirming that the design had successfully
delivered the sustainable and low energy building requested by
the client.

This project was an excellent demonstration of Buro Happold’s
ability to give a holistic view of a design to meet the client’s needs.

With structural and building services teams working closely
together, and backed up by the practice’s CoSA and fire
engineering groups, the Glasgow office delivered a stylish
and functional low energy office building, at very little
additional cost.

A post Occupation Evaluation (POE) has been undertaken to
monitor user satisfaction, energy consumption and comfort.
The study has assisted in the fine tuning of the building and
assisted to further reduce energy consumption.

The building has been rated BREEAM Very Good.

32

Client: East Renfrewshire Council
Architect: Reiach and Hall
fire engineering and risk assessment (FEDRA),
computational simulation and analysis (CoSA),
BREEAM consultant (SAT)
Scottish Design Awards 2004 Best Regeneration
Project – Commendation

33

Urquhart Castle Visitor’s Centre
Near Inverness, UK
Completion: 2002

This new visitor centre at Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s largest castles and
most popular tourist attractions, was designed to have minimal impact on its
immediate environment; the beautiful banks of the Loch Ness.

Minimising its broader environmental impact was a key part of the brief for
Buro Happold, which provided the building services engineering design. The
solution includes a natural ventilation system that works in tandem with underfloor
heating to provide highly efficient heating. Daylighting panels were installed in the
open areas to maximise the use of natural light, while energy-efficient lamps have
been installed throughout.

34

Client: Historic Scotland
Value: £4m
Gold Green Tourism Business
Scheme GTBS Award – Winner
Saltire Society Awards 2002 – Commendation

35

Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Pitlochry, UK
Completion: 2002

The Pitlochry Festival Theatre project to upgrade the venue from a setting for
famous summer gatherings, to all year round opening, saw the creation of a new
restaurant and much improved auditorium.

The restaurant incorporates a structural steel frame, exposed precast slabs, full
height glazed facades and controlled natural ventilation, providing comfortable
year-round dining facilities overlooking the picturesque theatre grounds and
River Tummel.

Extensive work took place to overcome the difficulty of building an extension
at a riverside location, while improvements to the auditorium and foyer ensure
the whole theatre has a contemporary, comfortable atmosphere.

36

Client: Pitlochry Festival Theatre
structural engineering, computational simulation
and analysis (CoSA)
Value: £2m

37

Royal Lyceum Theatre
Edinburgh, UK
Completion: 1996

The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh city centre was relatively unchanged
since construction in 1883, until Buro Happold was commissioned to upgrade the
internal conditions. A fast-track design process was developed for an upgrade to
the environmental conditioning systems, as internal comfort levels were seen as a
major problem at the theatre.

The auditorium was remodelled and a new air supply delivery system introduced,
backed up by Victorian-style radiators at stalls level and high-level radiant panels
above the stage to provide additional warmth. This was combined with a new
building energy management system and refurbishment of all hydraulic and air
based systems to comply with modern design criteria.

38

Client: Royal Lyceum Theatre Company
structural engineering
Value: £2m

39

Hopetoun House
South Queensferry, UK
Completion: 2004

Hopetoun House in South Queensferry is one of the finest stately homes in the
UK. Buro Happold was commissioned in 1997 to undertake a full survey of all the
building services requirements for the restoration of the building.

Following the survey, a full feasibility and management plan for the restoration was
written in order to apply for funding. Among the issues covered were improvements
to the electrical system, installation of fire detection equipment and assessment of
the risks due to asbestos onsite.

The detailed improvement plan required great care and sympathy in order to
maintain the 17th Century architecture, funding was awarded to upgrade the north
wing and ballroom areas first.

40

Client: Hopetoun House Preservation Trust
Architect: Ian Begg Architects
Disciplines: Building services engineering
Value: £25m

41

Eastgate Arts Centre
Peebles, UK
Completion: March 2004

The project to transform this disused church in Peebles into a multi-function
art centre included an entire internal renovation. The design was developed
to create a contemporary interior within an historic exterior, complete with an
auditorium, stage and audience facilities and thereby delivering the new Eastgate
Arts Centre.

Key elements of the development were diversion of the existing utilities in order
to create space for an outside café area, and improving energy efficiency through
installation of new heating and passive cooling systems. One side of the building
was removed and substituted with a completely new entrance displaying the theatre
within – all of which took place with the main gothic facade remaining untouched.

42

Client: Borders 1996 Company Limited
Architects: Richard Murphy Architects
environmental engineering, computational
simulation and analysis (CoSA)
Value: £4m
Scottish Enterprise Dynamic Place Awards 2005
– Commendation

43

National Park Gateway Centre
Loch Lomond Bay, UK
Completion: 2001

The Gateway Centre on the banks of Loch Lomond is a key part of a sizeable but
sensitive development of the bay. The centre contains exhibition and retail spaces
as well as offices for the Park Authority, all in an attractive, single storey structure
fronted by glass walls providing spectacular views of the Loch.

Best practice in sustainability was used throughout the design, extending to the
use of recycled construction materials as well as highly efficient building services.

Ground and shore conditions on the site provided particular challenges for
Buro Happold’s geotechnical and civil engineers but the project was delivered on
time and in budget to an excellent build quality.

44

Client: Loch Lomond Park Authority
Architects: Bennetts Associates
Disciplines: Structural engineering,
ground engineering, civil engineering
Value: £2m
Civic Trust Award 2003 – Winner
Dynamic Place Award 2003 – Winner

45

Danish National Opera House
Copenhagen, Denmark
Completion: 2005

This state of the art opera house, which opened in January 2005 on an island in
Copenhagen harbour, was a true test of Buro Happold’s multi-disciplinary skills.

Structurally, the design, by renowned Danish architects tackled, with separate air handling units (AHUs) dedicated to
Henning Larsens Architects, presented many challenges, not each area. This is vital for the orchestra pit which, with 110
least the striking 35m of cantilevered roof projecting above the musicians and their individual lamps, generates an intense heat
foyer. This also plays a role in the buildings services by helping load which needs to be moderated to preserve the acoustic
limit solar gain in the fully-glazed foyer. The building contains performance of instruments affected by excessive humidity.
more than 1,000 rooms, including the main stage and
auditorium, five adjacent stages, rehearsal spaces for opera The stage AHU introduces a relatively small amount of cool
and ballet as well as offices, catering and service spaces. air to the lowest 2m of the 25m-high space, effectively
The build process, which took less than three years, made reducing the considerable temperature gains that occur
great use of pre-cast concrete panels with high quality finishes. during performances.

Air cooled by concrete mass plays a key role in maintaining Cooling for the building’s services comes from the harbour
a comfortable environment for the audience in the main water, via a system set up to be used in two ways, depending
auditorium. This is the key space in the building and on weather conditions. Water is either sent through a heat
performances within it will provide most visitors with their exchanger connected directly to the cooling system in cold
major, lasting experience – hence the extremely close weather when the harbour is around 7°C, or it is used to draw
attention paid to audience comfort. waste heat from the condensers directly, so avoiding any
efficiency drop caused by a heat exchanger.
Fresh air is pumped into a plenum beneath the auditorium
seating, having been pre-cooled on its route through the But the real test of this building has been in the quality of its
concrete structure, before being discharged through floor- performances in the main auditorium, described by its musical
mounted grilles on each of the 1,400 seats. Environmental director as ‘world class’. Proof that some well considered
conditions on the stage and in the orchestra pit were also multi-disciplinary thinking can hit all the right notes!

46

Foyer and Auditorium – Summer Environmental Strategy

Prevailing wind assists removal Motorised rooflight openings Fresh air is cooled to offset solar Fly-tower heavily
Summer sun of hot air from foyer open to promote the removal and occupancy heat gains and insulated to reduce
of air from the foyer using the enters space through air plenums solar heat gain
natural stack effect principle under seated areas using
displacement ventilation principle

Air returns via the rear of each
Summer sun balcony and at ceiling level above

Fresh air enters foyer naturally External shading provided to Fresh air is provided to cloakroom Fresh air enters space at high level
to cool and ventilate the space reduce direct solar heat gain area using wall mounted via moveable nozzles with extract
using the natural stack effect displacement ventilation removed at high level through ceiling
principle via motorised window
openings Exhaust air is removed at high level

Foyer and Auditorium – Winter Environmental Strategy
Low temperature hot water Finned tube convector at high Finned tube convector located Fresh air is heated and enters Fly-tower heavily insulated to reduce
trench convector at low level level to reduce fabric heat along edges of roof lights to space through air plenums under heat loss and minimise the generation
to offset fabric heat loss loss and prevent down drafts prevent down draughts seated areas using displacement- of down draughts
ventilation principle

Winter sun

Winter sun

Fresh air provided via tickle Tempered fresh air enters space Underfloor heating provided in High-level outlets to provide Fresh air enters space at high level Air returns via the rear of each
ventilators in facade using floor void and displacement ground floor foyer and cloakroom ventilation to upper foyer areas via moveable nozzles with extract balcony and at ceiling level above
ventilation principle removed at high level through ceiling

49

Client: A.P.Møller and Chastine
Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation
Architect: Henning Larsen Architects
Disciplines: Building services
engineering, structural engineering, fire
engineering design and risk assessment
(FEDRA), computational simulation and
analysis (CoSA)
Value: £150m
BSJ Building Services International Consultant
of the Year 2005 – Commendation
United States Institute of Theater Technology
Merit Award – 2005
Award of Merit, International Illumination
Design Awards 2007– Winner

51

Anchor Mills
Paisley, UK
Completion: 2005

Known as the Domestic Finishing Mill, this complex project saw the full restoration
of Anchor Mills, a disused textiles finishing mill in Paisley, Scotland.

The Category A listed Mill was built around 1886. Although it remained intact, it
had suffered as a result of a variety of rather crude alterations over the course of
time and was identified in 1995 as being in a serious state of disrepair. Evident
and rapid deterioration resulting from years of neglect, vandalism, theft, water
ingress and fire damage meant that the structure was considered to be seriously
at risk. There had never been a greater opportunity to turn this massive example
of inner city blight and decay into a wonderful regeneration and building
conservation proposal for the centre of Paisley than was promoted by the
collective and concentrated efforts of the Phoenix Trust.

Buro Happold’s approach to the restoration work ensured minimum intervention
to the historic fabric of the building and used traditional construction methods
where possible. Extensive testing of the building structure found that, after some
minimal repairs, it was suitable for use without major strengthening works.

The result is a building sympathetic to its original design, but now incorporating
a large atrium, naturally ventilated car park, small business units and quality
apartments.

52

Client: Phoenix Trust/Persimmon Homes
Architect: James F Stephen Architects
Disciplines: Structural engineering, building
services engineering, fire engineering design
and risk assessment (FEDRA), computational
Value: £16m
Scottish Design Awards 2007 Structural Design
Award – Commendation
Saltire Awards 2006 – Commendation
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Awards
– Highly Commended
Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2005
Development on the Ground Award
Fire Safety Engineering Award 2004 – Winner
GIA Design Award 2006 – Winner

53

The Galeri Caernarfon
Caernarfon, UK
Completion: 2005

Known as the Galeri to its many users, the Creative Enterprise Centre in
Caernarfon is a unique multi-purpose building. Incorporating a 400-seat auditorium
for cinema or theatre, an exhibition area, recording studios, conference and even
wedding facilities in one four storey structure, the Galeri is also in an exceptional
location – the Menai Straits and views of Anglesey in front, and Snowdonia behind
it is surrounded by some of the best countryside in north Wales.

It is a building intended to be used all day long, hosting a performances on stage, the auditorium has retractable
range of performances and exhibitions, from the traditional seating which means all types and sizes of shows can be
to the avant-garde, throughout its many facilities. All of which held in front of a standing audience, if required.
ensures the Galeri is buzzing for much of the night too.
Yet, partly thanks to its stunning location, it also manages This results in a highly changeable heat load, met by a
to attract corporate business, providing excellent conference responsive comfort system using displacement ventilation to
facilities for firms looking to meet up away from the office. control the temperature of the space. All the necessary air
handling units on the exterior of the building have been
Buro Happold designed the building services for this award- specified with enhanced corrosion protection, due to the
winning venue, working with Richard Murphy Architects. harsh coastal environment. 3
Versatility is key to the services strategy, which in the case
of the main auditorium, means the ability to adapt to a wide
range of uses and floor layouts. As well as straightforward

54

Other rooms present equally challenging demands, including
the Art Space gallery, small rehearsal rooms and offices, a
shop, café bar and a restaurant. As well as ventilating these
spaces, many – the main auditorium and recording studios
included – have to be acoustically insulated so no
background noise disrupts performances or recordings.

In the many smaller rooms on the building perimeter, natural
ventilation is used to provide fresh air to these spaces.

As well as being a success in its own right, Galeri has
helped boost development of the arts and creative industries
in the region and initiated the quayside redevelopment
programme currently underway in Caernarfon. Quite an
achievement for a small theatre, but testament to how good
buildings can help change communities for the better.

56

Environmental Strategy

High level exhaust from Main exhaust air removed
plant space louvres High level motorised window Fresh air is fed down central
at high level through
actuators allow natural ventilation risers from plant space and is
acoustically lined baffle
by controlling intake/expell of air ducted into below seat plenums

Fresh air inlet to roof level
plant space for ducted Central high level extract Fresh air inlet to
distribution to studios below within each studio roof level plant space

Supply Supply Extract

Studio 1 and Studio 2 Central Foyer Area Main Auditorium

Central circulation space naturally vented
and open to high level walkway between
All perimeter office space to utilise Central distribution riser carries Fresh air is cooled to offset solar and
roof plant areas
single sided ventilation by use of supply and extract to each studio occupancy heat gains and enters space
openable windows Fresh air enters foyer naturally to cool through air plenums under seated areas
and ventilate space using the natural using displacement ventilation principles
Perimeter offices and conference
stack effect principle
facilities sit in front of studio space
as shown above

58

Client: CEC Caernarfon
Architect: Richard Murphy Architects

High level exhaust from Disciplines: Building services
plant space
engineering, fire engineering design and
risk assessment (FEDRA), computational
Value: £8m
Roses Award Best Public Building Bronze
Scottish Design Awards 2006 Architecture
Grand Prix – Winner
Scottish Design Awards 2006 Best Building
for Public Use – Winner

Air returns at the rear of each
balcony and at ceiling level

59

Robin House, Balloch Children’s Hospice
Balloch, UK
Completion: 2005

Some buildings just have to deliver more than simply four walls and a roof.
The Robin House children’s hospice in Balloch, near Loch Lomond, is one such
project. Every aspect of the Robin House design is special and the Buro Happold
team – providing civil, structural and geotechnical engineering as well as building
services design – rose to the challenge to create a graceful yet sensitive building,
which opened in 2005.

Robin House is a hospice for terminally ill children, providing Consequently, most of the building is single storey with a
accommodation for youngsters and their parents as well as timber facade, but running above the main entrance area is
meeting and seminar rooms, catering and administration an undulating roof structure, also known as the ribbon roof.
facilities built around a large, central play area. The hospice This organic wave-form adds a degree of playfulness while
has to be a place where families can relax, with expert care replicating the outline of the surrounding trees and rolling
on hand, to help children make the most of each day – countryside. It is made up of four long, curved roof plates
hence the emphasis on making the building a fun place to be. which are aligned so each profile overlaps its neighbour,
creating glazed eyelets between plates that allow natural
The client, the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland light into the space below. 3
(CHAS), chose a six acre greenfield site for Robin House,
a beautiful unspoilt location within the boundaries of a
National Park. As such, careful consideration had to be
paid to the design and construction process in relation
to the site’s surroundings.

62

Each ribbon of ‘wavy roof’ formed in timber Play ‘cones’ help to support glazed
supported on pairs of curved steel beams roof to courtyard space

Main plant room
Natural ventilation Higher levels of insulation reduces
to bedrooms heating energy consumption

Sustainable materials
considered where possible

Mechanical ventilation only
to hydrotherapy pool, kitchen,
bathrooms, seminar room and
‘land-locked’ areas. Natural
ventilation elsewhere

‘Mechanically assisted’
natural ventilation to Natural ventilation
deeper plan spaces to bedrooms

Overhanging eaves reduce Natural ventilation
summer overheating on south to bedrooms
facing rooms

Bespoke ‘pool benches’ on glazed
perimeter supply air to pool hall

Roof to pool hall formed from laminated
veneered lumber using monocoque
construction spanning 12 metres

64

Environmental section through bedrooms
Mechanical extract ventilation from
Overhanging eaves Good daylighting in
toilets and bathrooms. Make-up air
to reduce solar corridors via rooflights,
via transfer grilles from corridors
gains in summer reducing energy
consumption
Corridor

Hydrotherapy plant room
Natural ventilation
to bedrooms Bedroom

Trench heating Underfloor heating LST radiators Toilet/bathroom
in bedrooms in corridors in bathrooms

Environmental section through play space
Structure of cone utilised to house extract ventilation
from cones. Make-up air from play space
Glazed roof to play space utilises solar tint/reflective
coating to avoid summer over heating, roof structure
also provides some shading Mechanical supply to play
space. Extract via corridors
and bathrooms

Frosted windows allow daylight Underfloor heating
from play space into bathrooms in play space
‘Gull wing’ column supports roof

65

Client: Children’s Hospice
Association of Scotland
Architect: Gareth Hoskins Architects
engineering, structural engineering,
ground engineering, fire engineering
design and risk assessment
(FEDRA), computational simulation
and analysis (CoSA)
Value: £8m
The Civic Trust Awards 2007 Health
and Wellbeing Award – Winner

66

CHAS also asked for an energy efficient building with low
maintenance requirements and so natural ventilation has
been adopted where possible. Underfloor heating was
installed in many of the large areas, including the central play
and dining areas, creating a warm environment without the
intrusive, bulky radiators.

This is backed up by solar shading created by overhanging
eaves introduced to the many parts of the building that have
full-height glazing.

Although a complex and challenging project to work on,
Buro Happold’s multi-disciplinary team worked together to
overcome problems with proactive solutions. The end result
is an elegant, naturally ventilated building which blends in
sensitively with its surroundings and provides a bright and
inspirational home from home for its residents.

67

Glenturret Distillery Centre
Crieff, UK
Completion: 2002

Glenturret Distillery is the most visited distillery in Scotland, and is renowned for
its Famous Grouse whisky. Buro Happold provided multi-disciplinary services to
create the House of Grouse Visitor Centre, which houses the Famous Grouse
experience. It features heritage collections, exhibition spaces, audio visual works,
a tasting bar and a programmed tour around the working distillery.

The project involved refurbishment of the distillery manager’s house, to make
the Pavilion, and design of a new structure to connect this to the distillery.
The Pavilion utilises a natural ventilation strategy for cooling while all its heating
systems were designed to have minimum impact on the space. The visitor centre
was completed from initial concept to full commission in a twenty month period,
during which full whisky production was maintained.

The project features one of the most complex multi media interactive shows in
Europe and received a BAFTA award in the multi media cinemagraphic category.

The resulting transformation allows visitors to learn about Glenturret’s long history
in a modern, comfortable setting within Scotland’s oldest distillery.

68

Client: Highland Distillers
Architect: Land Design Studio
structural engineering, ground engineering
Value: £2.5m
BAFTA award in the multi media
cinemagraphic category – Winner
Marketing Brand Design Awards 2003,
Best Brand Experience – Winner
Visit Scotland 5 star rating – Winner

69

New Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh, UK
Completion: 2005

Constructed from a mixture of steel, oak and
granite, the complex Scottish Parliament Building
has been hailed as one of the most innovative
designs in the UK.

Buro Happold provided inclusive design advice to
ensure that a fully accessible building, in keeping
with the design concept, was achieved. The
philosophy of inclusion was central to the project
design, with great importance attached not just to
adhering to regulations, but to developing a building
and culture that catered for the individual needs of
all the people who would use it.

The Scottish Parliament Building won the
prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture in 2005.

70

Client: Scottish Executive
Architect: Enric Miralles Benedetta
Tagliabue/RMJM
Discipline: Inclusive design
Stirling Prize 2005 – Winner
Scottish Design Awards 2005 Architecture
Grand Prix – Winner
Scottish Design Awards 2005 Best Publicly
Funded Building – Winner

71

Glasgow Audi
Braehead, UK
Completion: 2004

When your client proudly uses the phrase ‘innovation through technology’ as
its marketing slogan, you can be sure that it won’t settle for second best in the
design of its latest showroom. Indeed, when architects SDA were approached by
car manufacturer, Audi, they were given the task of creating ‘a statement site for
the brand’, culminating in the world’s largest Audi centre, when it opened in 2004.

The building is not just about selling cars, although it does and glass specifications required a great deal of analysis
host a large showroom, it also houses: a museum, café with by Buro Happold’s CoSA team and its fire engineers.
children’s play area, an art gallery, the 160-seater conference
and events centre and a 23-bay service and repair shop. The thermal, acoustic and solar performance of the glass
The centre is intended to be a modern way for people to chosen was all analysed using sophisticated software to
enjoy buying a car, while reflecting Audi’s heritage of being investigate comfort, visual appeal, the resulting energy
at the forefront of technology. consumption and how to keep it all condensation-free. The
virtual model took into account all heat gains and losses as
Consequently, Buro Happold’s design work, which covered well as internal air movement, including the impact of the
structural, building services and fire engineering as well as office space on the first and second floors.
computational simulation and analysis by the CoSA team, led
to a structure that goes far beyond the norm for showrooms. The building structure is based around a steel frame with the
main facade curtain being supported by cast aluminium arms
Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of the building is its projecting from the main elliptical supporting columns. 3
1,000m2 south west-facing glass facade. As well as being a
spectacular statement in itself, specifying the facade design

72

Summer Environmental Strategy
Cooling in office areas via displacement
ventilation and ceiling swirl outlets
High level ventilation extract

Cooling achieved via chilled water system served
from air cooled chiller in plant well

Natural ventilation in
Solar properties of
workshop via up and
glazing reduce solar
over doors
gains in summer

Cooling in showroom via linear whirl outlets. Occupied
space only conditioned to reduce energy consumption

Winter Environmental Strategy Due to high infiltration rates in workshop, radiant
Heating to office area heating system adopted to reduce heating costs
via perimeter radiators and energy consumption

Radiant heating in workshop via gas
fired radiant tube heaters

Extract
ventilation
Trench heating to
Showroom
full height glazed
facades to offset
High air change rate in
downdraughts
workshop via regular opening
of up and over doors

Fresh air to showroom Fresh air to office areas via
via linear whirl outlets displacement and ceiling swirl outlets

74

Lighting was another challenge for the building services
engineers, particularly in the showroom and events centre
where the ceiling height is around 10m. Using standard high
bay lighting was seen as too conventional for Audi so a row
of twin-lamp uplighters suspended unobtrusively across the
length of the ceiling was selected. This is supplemented by
metal halide spotlights on the balconies, to pick out individual
cars in the showroom.

The end result is a prestigious and unique structure for
Audi, a new landmark for the local area and a showcase of
the very best thinking in building design. Vorsprung durch
technik, indeed!

76

Client: Audi UK
Architect: SDA Architects
fire engineering design and risk assessment
analysis (CoSA)
Value: £7m

77

Perth Concert Hall
Perth, UK
Completion: 2006

Perth’s new concert hall, which opened in 2006, is a fine example of how a
versatile, well designed building can help transform a city, making a significant
contribution to its regeneration.

As well as providing world class concert facilities in the The main structure of the hall is based around the auditorium
evening, the contemporary concert hall can be transformed box, made up of 300mm thick concrete walls, poured in
into a conference venue by day, acting as a focal point for situ. This provides primary stability for the whole building and
wider efforts to develop the cultural and business activities the expanse of exposed concrete (except where it has been
in the Perth and Kinross region. acoustically lined within the auditorium) plays a part in the
building services strategy, by reducing extremes
The hall is in the historic centre of the city, on a former of temperature.
industrial site. Its design, by architects Building Design
Partnership, is egg-shaped in plan, containing a 1,200-seat Audience comfort and minimal noise levels during
concert hall at its heart, alongside a smaller room for recitals performances was another key concern for the client,
or meetings and the full complement of front- and back-of- who also stipulated a low energy design for the building
house facilities. Clever use of retractable seating and services. The resulting strategy won the Chartered Institution
moveable staging allows the main auditorium to have many of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Project of the Year
identities, from flat floor to a theatre in the round by Award in 2007. 3
transforming its layout.

78

Extensive computational fluid dynamics modelling was used
to analyse various ventilation concepts for the foyer and
auditorium. This led to a strategy combining natural ventilation
in the foyer, developed in conjunction with the architecture to
include facade shading, and displacement ventilation within
the auditorium. Use of the latter is reduced thanks to the
thermal mass of the exposed structure – a unique feature
for an auditorium – which helps keep the building cooler for
longer in summer.

As well as creating a striking new landmark for Perth, the
concert hall is delivering significant energy savings. Initial
monitoring shows that annual energy use is less than
200kWh/m2, a figure well below industry standard, helped
particularly by the use of natural ventilation.

While onstage events may provide artistic inspiration, the
auditorium itself is an inspiration in its own right providing an
inspiration of its own – proving that sustainable design can
be built into buildings of all sizes and functions.

80

Foyer and Auditorium
Summer Environmental Strategy
Fresh air is cooled
to offset solar and
occupancy heat High and low level motorised
Air returns via the rear of gains and enters the Summer sun window louvres open to promote
the stage at high level auditorium through the removal of air from the foyer
a series of nozzle and provide natural ventilation
diffusers integrated and free-cooling
with the lighting
gantries at high level

Fresh air is cooled and enters Fresh air is cooled to offset solar and Prevailing wind
the multi-purpose room via occupancy heat gains and enters the assists removal of
active chilled beams integrated auditorium through air plenums under hot air from foyer
within the ceiling seated areas using the displacement
ventilation principle

81

Client: Perth and Kinross Council
Architect: Building Design Partnership
fire engineering design and risk assessment
analysis (CoSA)
Value: £15m
BSJ Building Services Project of the Year – Winner
RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture 2006
– Shortlisted
British Construction Industry Awards 2006
– Regeneration Award Winner
Dynamic Place Awards 2006 – Commendation
Scottish Design Awards 2006 Best Building
for Public Use – Commendation
The Dundee Institute of Architects Award – Winner
Civic Trust Awards 2006 – Winner
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers/
RIBA Awards

82

THGL Studios
London, UK
Completion: 2004

Based on the site of an 18th Century hospital in Covent
Garden, THGL Studios has evolved into London’s
pre-eminent centre for creative and media communities.

The Studios houses state of the art video and recording
studios, inspirational restaurants as well as bars and office
space in a former hospital at the heart of London’s Covent
Garden. The project to renovate the building saw the
installation of up to the minute equipment to create the
very best film, video and sound recording studio facilities,
while maintaining the original facade.

The resilience of the mechanical and electrical systems
was a vital requirement for the project and enabled the
design to develop around these critical supplies. The
main plant room, installed at roof level, was pre-fabricated
off-site enabling the main systems to be assembled in
a controlled environment resulting in excellent quality
management.

84

Client: THGL
Architect: Allies and Morrison
engineering, computational simulation
and analysis (CoSA)
Value: £25m

85

The Aqualibrium Centre
Campbeltown, UK
Completion: 2006

The Aqualibrium Centre – which contains a swimming pool and community
facilities in a distinctive D-shaped building – is at the centre of a broader
regeneration project for Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute. Alongside the 25m-long
pool, with its associated changing facilities and spectator area, sits a library,
fitness centre, crèche and café with roof terrace.

Aqualibrium proves that good design isn’t the preserve of big The building structure up to the second floor level is made
corporations or experimental universities and puts valuable from reinforced concrete, with 200mm walls also poured in
community services into an award-winning, environmentally situ and left exposed internally to make use of its high levels of
responsible building, accessible to all. thermal mass. The external surfaces have a layer of insulation
covered by a rendered finish, while the exposed surfaces
The main pool and the adjacent, smaller training pool are inside have a high quality, smooth finish. The excellent
on the first floor with the library beneath. This presented the insulation provided by the concrete aids the building services
challenge of coming up with a sufficiently strong structure, strategy, which uses a woodchip-fuelled biomass boiler as
particularly given the varied quality of the ground at the site. the main provider of heat.
As soil conditions were not sufficiently stable to build a ground
bearing slab at ground level, a suspended slab was built, Moving up the building, a mix of steel and timber provides
supported by beams that span the pile caps, driven 18m the rest of the structure, which is topped by a lightweight,
below the surface. The pool itself is supported by concrete standing seam aluminium roof. 3
columns, poured in situ, above these pile caps.

86

Crisp detailing and clean lines achieved
Glulam roof rafters meet steelwork with by integration of services in internal
simple finger connection plate flange Detail A walls and soffits

Biomass boiler provides heat for
building from local sources

6 lane – 25 metre pool with
movable floor above plant room

Exposed concrete used to
dramatic effect in foyer and
throughout the building
External mound partially formed from
polystyrene moulds recycled after use
Curved walls with large openings
in concrete construction
formed in in-situ concrete

88

Client: Argyll and Bute Council
Architect: Page and Park Architects
ground engineering, civil engineering
Value: £8m
Scottish Award for Quality in Planning 2006
Scottish Design Awards 2007 Northern
Exposure – Winner
Civic Trust Award 2007

89

Detail A

Glulam beam notched to facilitate Slice plate over column to All top connections to
splice plate connection over column connect adjacent members be countersunk bolts

Column head restraint

Glulam timber beam to be
Beam end connection to torsionally restrained at column
specialist subcontractors support. Finger shims to be
details inserted to pack gaps between
beam face and column flange
6º taper

5º pitch

Bearing plate to support timber Bracing to restrain column
glulam beam notched to suit and ensure torsional restraint
bearing detail to glulam beam

Bracing member Section B

90

The use of glued laminated timber sections across the width
of the pool adds a natural feel to the space which spans 22m.
The wood was pre-cambered to resist the effect of loading
and laterally restrained to overcome compression due to wind
uplift forces which, given the exposed nature of the site, were
deemed to be significant.

Design of the library also required a large column-free
space and so spans of up to 13m are incorporated into the
structure. These spans, which incorporate 750mm deep
structural ribs, also provide support for the fitness centre and
changing areas above.

By putting design quality first, Aqualibrium illustrates that well
considered buildings can, when made available to everyone,
make a positive change to the local community.

91

The Wright Business Centre
Glasgow, UK
Completion: 2005

This new two storey managed business centre operated by Greater Easterhouse
Managed (GEM) Workspaces, has two floors of lettable office space incorporating
communal and ancillary facilities including meeting rooms, a conference suite and
a small café with seating.

The building form is divided into three main components, a glazed block centred
around a double height atrium, a brick and aluminium clad wing containing the
majority of office accommodation, and a single storey conference block clad in
vertical aluminium rainscreen panelling. The large rooflit atrium, looking onto the
café space and through to a walled garden, has been designed to foster a new
business community, and through the placement of core shared facilities
encourage interaction amongst the different users.

The environmental strategy provides natural ventilation throughout the flexible
office spaces and uses the central atrium to provide excellent daylighting and
stack exhaust ventilation.The offices have a shallow plan to maximise daylight
and make best use of single sided natural ventilation. The steel frame supports
a cantilever with the first floor overhanging the ground floor providing solar shading
to the ground level.

The building has been rated BREEAM Very Good.

92

Client: Greater Easterhouse
Managed Workspace
Architect: Elder and Cannon
civil engineering, quantity surveying, fire
engineering design and risk assessment
analysis (CoSA), acoustics
Value: £4m
Scottish Design Awards 2007 Best Commercial
Project – Shortlisted

93

BAA Car Parks
Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, UK
Completion: 2002 and 2004

Buro Happold provided multi-disciplinary engineering services for a five-storey,
2,000-space car park at Glasgow airport in 2002. The design combines
economical and functional use of materials and a reduced number of columns
in each floor, creating a more open, welcoming and safe environment.

This was achieved without having to install additional escape routes and stairwells
thanks to extensive analysis of fire hazards and evacuation procedures. This
showed that the design could safely incorporate a reduced ‘safe travel distance’
from the centre of the car park in the event of emergency.

Thanks to the success of the Glasgow project, Buro Happold was employed to
create a new car park based on the same model for Edinburgh airport.

94

Client: British Airport Authority
Architect: Reid Architects
building services engineering, traffic and
transport engineering, fire engineering
and risk assessment (FEDRA), inclusive
design (IDS)
Value: £30m total
Safer Parking Award Park Mark™ 2005
– Winner
UK Car Park of the Year 2005 – Winner
Nominee European Parking Awards 2005
– Best Design Category

95

Edinburgh’s Telford College
Edinburgh, UK
Completion: 2006

The new home for Telford College in Edinburgh, which opened in 2006, is
a building worthy of the great Scottish civil engineer after whom it is named.
Using the very latest materials and building design thinking, this £50 million
project combines the best possible educational facilities with some innovative
energy-saving features.

The 29,000m2 building incorporates four previous campus temperatures, and extensive use of natural daylight help
sites into one on a brownfield development as part of the reduce energy consumption.
regeneration scheme for Edinburgh’s Granton area, on the
outskirts of the city. The latter part of this strategy provides a feature for the main
entrance area, which is topped by a light and impressive
The Buro Happold engineering team was tasked with curved ETFE foil roof. This is supported by timber arches
providing state of the art learning facilities for up to 21,000 which, as well as having a very low embodied energy to
students and 600 staff, all engaged in a wide range of topics; help reduce the building’s carbon footprint, add a stylish
from computing to hairdressing to plumbing. and natural feature to the space.

Public and circulation areas have to be first class too, in Coming up with an effective fire safety strategy was another
terms of offering clear paths around the building as well as key task for the Buro Happold team. Great use of smoke
providing opportunities for comfortable, collaborative study modelling using computational fluid dynamics software and
and socialising. simulations of evacuation behaviour demonstrated that various
architectural features (including having atria in four locations,
The client requested the site has a low environmental impact use of open balconies and the central link bridge) would
and so natural ventilation, backed up by large amounts of permit quick exit in the event of a fire. 3
exposed structural concrete to help reduce swings in

96

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