Benefits for society: Local fabrication and reducing waste

Newtecnic’s designs provide a significantly reduced carbon footprint as a result of low-embodied energy local fabrication. The company’s technologies can be fabricated for large-scale applications using readily-available methods of assembly suited to most locally-based fabricators around the world. This approach is a development from high-carbon methods of fabrication and transportation used by competitors. On average per project, 10 companies local to the project location contribute as fabricators. These companies are able to participate as a result having open access to Newtecnic technologies and methods.

The fabrication of the firm’s facade and roof systems encourages a return of fabrication and manufacture to local communities who benefit directly with employment growth and the development of skills. The design approach aims to close the disconnect in society between design and manufacturing.

The reduction of waste of materials in both off-site fabrication and on-site construction is a key benefit of this approach. Design information for the project is aimed at fabrication rather than describing only how the completed building should look. The fabricator knows what to order ahead of time, adding more cost certainty to their bidding and procurement.

Newtecnic’s contribution to the global focus on energy reduction and efficiency is achieved through carbon reduction and inventories of the components used in buildings for reuse and recycling.

We believe that local manufacture is the way to achieve successful outcomes on projects, helping to build local communities through work and transfer of knowledge and skills.

Working with community stakeholders

Newtecnic has 25 years of experience as engineering designers working on major mixed-use projects where the interface between different groups in the design, management and execution of the project is a key requirement. NT is also an up-and-coming firm of architects who now work independently of concept architects, bring a design flair based on technical architecture and visual resonance.

Holland Park School, London, UK

The school’s location within a conservation area and adjacent to the borough’s largest park required a design focused on creating a sympathetic relationship with local residential buildings and accentuating the connections with the park. This was achieved, in part, through the addition of a striking facade made up of copper, brass and bronze which adds character to the building and integrates with the wooded nature of the site.

The school's exceptional facilities and environment enhance the learning experience of students and, when not in use by students, these facilities are made accessible to the wider community.

Local residents were involved during and construction with frequent consultation meetings, briefings and newsletter drops. This was particularly important during the bulk excavation of the basement, when more than 2000 truck-loads were removed. A rigid traffic management system was devised and to keep the roads clean a wheel wash facility and road sweeper were employed.

Great Ormond Street Hospital

The design brief was created in partnership with staff, patients and families, and articulated their shared aspiration to express the GOSH guiding principle: The child first and always.

Competitive dialogue process to procure the project to achieve the best outcome for stakeholders and the project. Public exhibitions and stimulated lively debates at each of the stakeholder’s engagement workshops.

The scheme was considered to offer a promising response to the challenge of placing a building of international significance within a terraced street setting. Public realm proposals linked to internal way finding, creating a welcoming active frontage and an architectural expression of the activities taking place within.