Reach for the Sky

The race to dominate the skyline continues apace as the tallest structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower) in Dubai is set to be eclipsed during the first half of 2013 by the 220 storey Sky City.  Built in Changsha, in the Hunan Province of China, it will top out at 838 metres, beating the Burj Khalifa by a mere 10 metres.  Peanuts!

However, the more interesting aspect of Sky City’s development is it’s method of construction.  Constructed by Broad Sustainable Building, 95% of Sky City’s fabric features prefabricated construction techniques which will allow the construction to progress at 5 storeys a day.  Developments in off site manufacturing techniques and materials development have meant that Sky City is able to boast impressive statistics for environmental, sustainability and health and safety measures.  The financial and programme savings achievable by construction the majority of a building of this size and height at ground level cannot be underestimated.  BSB are expecting to finish this building within 90 days, an astonishing achievement, which, if previous projects are any measure of potential, will be achieved.  The video link at the bottom shows the completion of a 30 storey hotel in 15 days.

The current mantra for development and construction is that the price and unavailability of land is pushing developers upwards, rather than outwards.  To meet this increasing trend, technical construction techniques require to develop ever faster to meet the demands and technical requirements.  The Chinese appear to be spearheading these developments at present, in July, Zhang Yue, Chief Executive Officer, Broad Sustainable Building, told a Reuters magazine that he plans build at a two-kilometre high, 636-floor tower.

This will be bad news for the Kingdom Holding Company, whose Chairman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said in June 2012 that the 1,000-metre high tall Kingdom Tower in Jeddah will be completed by mid-2017.  That is not all, Avesta Group an Azerbaijan company, has advanced plans to build what at the time would be the tallest tower in the world, standing at 1,050 metres, surrounded by number of artificial islands and a Formula One racetrack. This project is likely to be completed between 2020 and 2025, but will it be eclipsed before it’s even built?.

View the BSB hotel development here:

http://bit.ly/Umanuu

James Alexander Consultants eMail us on innovation@jaltd.co.uk or see our contact page for our numbers.  We look forward to speaking with you.

A modular hotel for Western Avenue

Capita Symonds announces that planning permission has been granted for a new hotel on Western Avenue.  The 6 storey 4 star hotel building will have 160 rooms and a bar, restaurant, gym and conference facilities.  Also included in the scheme is an HQ office building and a data centre.

So far so good, but the twist is that the building will be built using off-site modular construction technology.  Designed by architects ESA, part of the Capita Symonds Group, the designers have invested 5 years into the project.  Working closely with a modular construction company the company have developed a flexible solution that allows for the production process to be standardised not the design. 

The scheme which is situated on a site opposite Park Royal tube station will provide an interesting contrast to existing modular built hotels in the London region.  ESA promotes that the hotel will have a unique façade and other high quality design features and we certainly hope the new hotel will help promote the cause of off site modular construction.

It is understood that work will begin on site later in the year.

Picture of the proposed hotel design from Capita Symonds website www.capitasymonds.co.uk

Green Construction

There are numerous initiatives to improve the "green" credentials of the construction industry. James Alexander Consultants have specialist experience and expertise in the application of off-site construction methods, especially in steel frame modular applications. Sister company SystemBuild provides consulting advice on the most appropriate and effective off site manufacturing solution.



Click on this link below from the BBC's News service to see what is being developed in concrete technology. See the blackboard (yes, blackboard, not interactive whiteboard!) behind Prof Franz-Josef, he has been busy!



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13016593