VISION 41 — BLACK BEAUTY
How difficult was it to resolve that façade system
when you could have easily opted for a standard system?
A standard system implies that it stands alone. I attempt
to fuse systems together in a way that allows one to abet
another whilst retaining the performance required of
each system or element. I regard this as potentially more
efficient and certainly more interesting architecturally.
Building formed that way possess greater potency due
to the multi-valent idea that characterises each element
of the composition derived as it is a composite of
differing demands. In this case the atrium and stair
supports and the idea of a patterned frame defining a
super-scaled lantern-like element are all combined as a
single structural system. This system takes into account
the spanning capacity of glass no less than the deflection
limits of the steel and the performance aspects of other
components all of which have a critical inter-dependence.
And that brings us back to the level of technical advice
and assistance offered by companies like Viridian:
it’s their expertise that is invaluable when materials
are subjected to the demands of architectural expression
over and above conventional applications.
How do you know your design limitations?
You don’t until you test them rigorously and often on
a single project. Design is not just an individual exercise.
Designing and constructing buildings is a team effort and
one which increasingly is best done as an integrated
exercise. The team provides expertise across multiple
disciplines allowing designers to test their limits. it is
therefore imperative that as much expertise as possible
resides within the group of experts that collectively
create a building. A team approach rather than diluting
the architecture actually allows it to flourish to a
maximum by virtue of the problem solving capacity
of the participants. Architects should be aware that
they are usually the ones who are most demanding
in that respect and therefore should be the first
to appreciate the invaluable assistance that experts,
like Viridian, bring to the possibility of stretching
the limits of design.