Enduring architecture

Photo by Anne: Havre des Pas, Jersey, 29th August 2019

Standing the test of time by the sea

One of the pleasures of my job is that when a project is completed, I know that the building I see before me could be there for decades or longer. Some of the buildings that I work on have been around for centuries. But what makes a building withstand the tests of time?

On holiday over the summer, I was inspired by a building originally constructed in 1895. It is a lido, built as a fashionable addition to a seaside resort in the late Victorian era, yet it feels modern and relevant to today’s holidaymakers and local residents alike.

I asked myself what characteristics contribute to its enduring effectiveness:

1. Flexibility and function

The lido’s function is very specific: it forms a skeleton for activities that don’t differ so much today from over a century ago. Watching the sea, changing for swimming, having a drink, sitting around to observe the swimmers. The main body of the building has stayed the same, but it’s been updated with modern showers, toilets, a bar and café. All these things fit within the framework of the original building.

2. Design

The quirkiness of the building is playful and reflects the joy of a sandy beach and a swim in the sea. Round windows give the impression of a ship’s hull. The walls surrounding the area are made to look like a sandcastle. Its shape and form are simple – a characteristic which unites most successful buildings. I’ve often observed that when a design becomes complex and tortuous on the drawing board, it’s often not successful in reality.

3. Maintenance

If a building is looked after, well decorated and clean, it feels more relevant and current. This lido has to withstand the extra pressure of a marine environment, yet it seems fresh and new because it’s properly maintained.

Good architecture will inspire and engage its users for generations. It provides a canvas for the functions it supports.

Swimming in this lovely old lido was one of the highlights of my summer. I hope that the buildings I leave behind will be as cherished and appreciated into the next century.

Comments

Recent changes to the Building Regulations and how they might affect your extension

Roles and requirements under the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 I am sure that you are all aware of the horrific scenes at Grenfell Tower and discussions about building safety that were prompted by the aftermath. The main result of this investigation has been a new Act of Parliament, called the Building Safety Act, which came into force on 1 st October. This has sought to ensure the process that we use to create and construct buildings is properly managed, monitored and complies with Regulations in a clearer way. In practice, if all those involved in the building process are competent and communicate properly, this may not make any difference to the thinking, building and process that we currently undertake. However, it will require us to be able to demonstrate that this is happening. It applies to every size of building project that falls within the Building Regulations approval requirements, from skyscrapers to garage conversions. The Act has defined some roles and responsibilit

How much will my building project cost?

Why your architect can't give you a simple answer "How much will it cost?" It's literally the million dollar question - though my clients are usually hoping for an answer that doesn't run to seven figures in sterling or dollars. Architects are not costing professionals, though they'll have an idea of typical costs in your area, based on experience. They'll have asked broad questions about your budget before getting to work on designs. But it's difficult to establish costs accurately at the outset of a project, in a variable market with many factors that can affect cost considerations. If you want to get an accurate costing for a project, you could employ a quantity surveyor - a building cost specialist. Some quantity surveyors will give you a broad-brush estimate for the build cost that you can use as a benchmark for comparison with tenders. If you want very accurate prices, they can also do a more detailed assessment, but this can cost a lot. Your a

Seven tips to find your ideal builder

I'm often asked if I can recommend a good builder. I always answer with another question. That’s because a recommendation for a good builder relates to all sorts of factors that are individual to you. Here are seven things that you should think about before you start looking for your perfect builder: 1. Is time or cost your top priority? A small builder might be cheaper than a larger company because they don’t have the overheads of a big firm, but they’ll probably take longer. That’s because they will rely more on subcontractors who might not be available at exactly the right time, and they don’t have the same influence over suppliers of materials. This can affect your building programme and slow down progress. There may be a knock-on effect – if you’re moving out of your house during the works, for example, the rent you pay adds to the overall cost. The longer you spend in temporary accommodation, the more it mounts up. A bigger contractor will often be able to respond

Anne's blog: From the architect's notebook

Search This Blog