It’s time to say goodbye to the itchy tashes at last as Movember has finally come to an end. We’ve managed to raise over £100 with more cash to follow and if you still would like to contribute the page is still up at: http://uk.movember.com/mospace/index/search/q/designerstubble
We made it to Paris with both the Grand Tourer and I in one piece despite one scuffed elbow and three punctures! We covered over 240 miles by the time I got back to Kings Cross (a loop round the Arc de Triomph and gardens of Versailles increased the distance a bit!).
We even managed to fit in a little bit of architectural sightseeing along the way, so I’ve attached some photos for your enjoyment. Altogether we’ve raised over £350 for Cancer Research so far (you can keep track here. So thanks to everyone for your help and support! It was a lot harder than we thought, as I don’t think any of us factored in the extra weight of spares and my ridiculously heavy duty U-lock!
If z co-ordinates are giving you problems and the flatten command isn’t working or you just don’t want to use it you can try the following alternatives:
Type TREEDEPTH and set the variable to -1 This will make AutoCAD ignore all z co-ordinates so you should be able to keep that 3D topo without any problems.
Or
Enter OSNAPZ and enter 1 When snapping to objects with z co-ordinates the z axis will be ignored and substituted for the UCS elevation.
While downloading OS maps I recently discovered there’s an option to download them in dwg format. I understand that in the past we have mostly used the dxf format, but I found several advantages to the dwg file.
The dwg maps have more logical layer names and have coloured layers for areas that can be turned off and on as necessary which makes colouring drawings in photoshop a dream!
As you can guess I’d recommend using this format in future unless anyone has found a good reason to use the dxf file instead.
This development of 10 apartments for Broadacres Housing Association is now complete. The building achieves Code Level 3, was completed on time and within budget. RBA Moody Bros were the principal contractor.
Each flat meets Lifetime Homes standards, features solar water heating and charging space for a mobility scooter.
Please note that the requirements to meet Lifetime Homes were revised in July 2010.
Please see below:
http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/pages/revised-design-criteria.html
Construction has started on Porch Close (The Ardens) in Northallerton for Broadacres Housing Association. Accommodation comprises 10 apartments for rent to people over the age of 55. The project is due to be completed in February 2011.
The site is located to the rear of Porch House, the oldest house in Northallerton, and falls within the conservaton area. The building is largely traditional in appearance with some modern features such as the double height curtain walling and a glazed canopy to the entrance.
The building will achieve Level 3 under the Code for Sustainable Homes, using solar panels for water heating and high standards of thermal insulation. Each apartment has also been designed to meet Lifetime Homes, with full disabled access and storage for mobility scooters within the hall.
One of me because Steve will be disappointed if I don’t include this photo!
More updates to follow as work progresses…
Hambleton Council have recently introduced a new requirement for a Sustainable Development Statement to be submitted with any planning application for 10 or more dwellings, or developments larger than 1,000 sqm.
A number of Planning Authorities now require these statements, so it is something worth checking before any new planning application.
Here’s a link to EcoSalon’s list of 17 green roofs from around the world.
Interesting to flick through for 5 minutes and don’t worry, there’s some more modern stuff than the house shown above in there too.
Here’s a tip to help with selecting objects, I’ve found it’s very useful when using the stretch command.
Enter a command e.g. stretch, when the select objects prompt appears enter cp for crossing polygon. You can then draw a polygon around the nodes that need stretching and complete the command.
For more info and an explaination of the other selection options such as window polygon follow the link:
CAD Tutor Object Selection Tutorial
You will need to scroll down, as I’m sure everyone’s mastered window selection!
I came across this article by Hugh Pearman in The Sunday Times.
It has some information on the exhibitions and reveals that both architects had more in common than you might think at first glance.
Le Corbusier's La Tourette
Hugh Pearman’s website has a collection of writing on architecture.
Here’s a bit of a bizarre project, but worth a look – it’s like an Archigram design brought to life! The house is designed to cater for a self sufficient nomadic lifestyle.
It’d be an impressive sight travelling down the high street, but I don’t think you’d be too popular once the novelty had worn off and traffic ground to walking speed!
More info here at N55′s site
and video here via Neatorama
This has been around for a while, but in case anyone hasn’t seen it yet it’s a good use of colour and perspective to liven up and aid navigation in an otherwise dull car park.
I visited Sheffield last week and got the chance to visit the Winter Gardens and railway station. The newly renovated public spaces in Sheffield were some of the best I’ve seen and the work has been successfully carried on into the city towards Sheffield Hallam University and the Winter Gardens.
Architectural Assistant
