Surface World June 2019 Surface World June 2019 | Page 36

THE GALVANIZERS ASSOCIATION
SUSTAINABLE AWARD WINNER
Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre
Brightblue Studio - Northumberland
The four clear aims and achievements of
the wider Dynamic Druridge project were
to inspire and engage people about nature,
to build a new Sustainable Wildlife Discovery
Centre and to recreate and reconnect habitats
to increase biodiversity. Located on the North
East Coast, the site is on the Hauxley Nature
Reserve which was an old open cast mine.
As with many elements of the project, an
important objective was that of demonstrating
the possibilities of using a non skilled
workforce, using widely accessible and
affordable components yet still producing
high quality building of architectural interest.
The project also made use of galvanized
gabions as a primary structural component
for the first time in the UK. The structural
engineer utilised the experience of Haiti
post the 2010 earthquake.
Galvanized gabions were chosen as the key
foundation link structure for the project as
they were ‘fillable’ by the volunteer workforce
– the central corridor is a tour-de-force –
and moveable by a single person. They also
accommodate movement as the whole
strategy of the structural design was one
of adaption to the complex brownfield site.
The galvanized solution in this location provides
a cost-efficient solution, that was both humble,
easy to transport to site, suitable for the location
for the longevity of the building, and easily
adjustable to suit the changing site conditions.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cadix Housing
Stephen Taylor Architects - Antwerp, Belgium
Cadix Housing is a new residential building
over six levels and comprises a mix of 27
triplex, duplex, and single level homes,
commissioned by the housing association
Woonhaven Antwerpen. The brief was for an
apartment building in the area surrounding
Antwerp’s old docks as part of the urbanism
strategy set out for their redevelopment.
Sitting within the rugged industrial context of
the old docks, the new brick building needed
to be a robust addition to the neighbourhood
that could hold its own against the sturdiness
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JUNE 2019
of its historic neighbours. Its masonry volume
is softened by the refined detailing of its
architectural metalwork, ranging from windows
and doors to gates and balustrades, which
present a finer character to the parts of the
building that residents come into contact with.
There were several strands to the thought
process that resulted in galvanizing being
specified for the important communal design
features in the building.
Foremost amongst these was the direct and
unpretentious nature of the finish, together
with its attractive material qualities. Combined
with the relative cost of galvanizing compared
with other materials and finishes that can
work within the same constraints of budget,
longevity, material strength, and aesthetic
appeal, it offered unparalleled value for this
100% affordable housing project. Seen up
close the understated variegations in patina
provide an attractive depth of expression,
which complements the equally rich
surrounding materials of brickwork and
cast stone. As these are the parts of the
building that will be touched and experienced
through the act of living here, the fact
that the galvanized finishes will dull or polish
dependent on use and wear, will add a further
layer of refinement to this appearance as the
building ages.
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