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Jeremy Casson: Architectural Styles of Europe

Having developed a passion for fine art at an early age, Jeremy Casson attended one of the UK’s top art conservation courses while studying at university. Today, he runs his own practice mentoring other conservators.

Beautiful street in Greece with balconies and trees.

From the Greek and Roman classic era to post-modern architecture, this article will explore a selection of European architectural styles, providing an overview of their background and key features.

Greek and Roman

Classical Greek and Roman architecture is characterised by stone posts and beam-bearing columns, with a heavy emphasis on geometry and symmetry. However, while the Greeks favoured the more rudimentary Doric column, the Romans opted to incorporate intricate decorative flourishes and ornate archways.

Running from 900 BC to the 1st century and 590 BC to the 4th century respectively, the ancient Greek and Roman architectural eras overlapped considerably, with their classic influences re-emerging time and time again in subsequent architectural styles.

Greek architecture Roman ruins and columns in Greece.

Byzantine

Adding to the Romans’ use of columns and arches with impressive domed ceilings and basilica structures, the Byzantine architectural phase continued for a thousand years, running from the 4th century to the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453.

Originating from the imperial capital of Constantinople, this architectural style emphasised interior decoration over exteriors, frequently incorporating gold detailing and tile mosaics.

Byzantine architecture in Europe.

Neoclassical

As the name would suggest, neoclassical architecture harks back to Greek and Roman architectural styles, with many 18th century structures somewhat resembling ancient Greek and Roman temples. With a focus on free-standing columns, elegant lines and an uncluttered appearance, buildings from this era tend to be vast, with prime examples including the White House in Washington D.C. and the Bank of England Building in Liverpool.

Neoclassical architecture in Europe, extravagant moldings on balcony.

Victorian

Constructed during the reign of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, this architectural style is not limited to a particular design and incorporates elements of the Tudor, Romanesque and Gothic eras.

Millions of Victorian buildings still survive throughout the UK today, with the style having been adopted in the construction of residential homes throughout the industrial revolution. Victorian houses are characterised by a typical ‘dolls house’ appearance, incorporating vivid colours, elaborate trims and asymmetrical designs.

Victorian architecture in England.

Modern

Popular with many architects in the first half of the 20th century, this minimalist style prioritises the simplicity of form, with a clean structure, focus on functionality and distinct lack of ornamentation. The modern style took advantage of advancements in steel, concrete and glass and was embraced by some of the world’s best-known architects, including Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Modern architecture concrete office building.

Post-Modern

Launched in the 1960s, the post-modern design movement bucked the trend of rigidity and austerity promoted throughout the modern era, incorporating decorative embellishments and artistic elements. Post-modernism drew inspiration from a mix of architectural eras, culminating in a new generation of whimsical, hybrid creations.

Prime examples of the post-modern architectural era include the Dancing House in Prague and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.

Post modern architecture, the dancing house in Prague.

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COSTERION – Support for Builders and Developers

If you plan to build your home or start a new investment, remember that it is an opportunity to customize and create a space however you see fit!

COSTERION.com offers designs of unique and modern houses. If you are a company that needs assistance in the process of construction and brand building, Costerion offers many services to cater to your needs. Keep reading to find out more!

Planning to build a house, make it your home and take advantage of the opportunity to  customize a space that is ideally suited to everyone’s needs. After all, NEW HOME is the place to bond with those you love and entertain new friends. The house you build should be a perfect  match to the land you decide to live on. Additionally, a designed home needs to be environmentally friendly so that it meets the latest standards. Although it will cost more to implement these environmental systems at first, you will save on maintenance fees down the road.

Ready Made or Original Design 

When you commit to building a home, you will have a lot of choices, and one of the  most important selections will be to choose between a Prefabricated home or a custom  home that is special and unique to you. For each choice, you get to check out designs,  photos of the construction process, and the final product. Get some expert opinions from people who have purchased a new home, both from original designs and pre designed homes. Check discussion boards and forums for advice, tips, and  information that can help you decide on the type of home to buy. Some advantages of a predesigned home are shorter investment times, a sense of security knowing that these  homes have been tested and optimized for lower costs during construction, and that these designs have been looked over many times. Pre Designed homes have many advantages, however choosing the Original Design option has its own attractive aspects such as being able to customize your home to your needs. Before you make the choice between the two, take advantage of the project consultancy services to determine which solutions are most optimal for you.

If you are looking for an Original design, we can help! We can research and gather  the specific requirements in terms of space, planning, and the appearance of the  house tailored to your specifications. Your original design may require a plot of  land with an unusual shape or size and we are happy to accommodate you in this  venture. You will need an architect who understands your needs and listens to  every creative detail in order to develop your dream house. While an original design  can cost more than a prebuilt design, your house will be original and a space you  can really relax and entertain in, and best of all – call home.

Another more advanced solution to your new home is the adapted project.

When there are many possibilities like partitioning walls, doors, and window locations along with smaller elements, customers have the option of deciding to introduce these small changes” – says Marcin Kostka, owner of the Costerion company.

Just because you choose the predesigned option, it does not mean that you can’t change it! When selecting a premade project, always ask questions as to what extent the project can be modified. A great architect will always have the answers. To see exceptional example of both methods, you can go https://costerion.com/plans where you can purchase a plan of your future house.

Understanding Your Own Unique Needs 

The first step in designing a home is to create a checklist of ideas and decide on  what you want most. This applies to making modifications to a premade design and  to a custom home. If you are working with an architect, do not be afraid to  communicate your ideas so that you can talk about it with him and get feedback.  The size of the home can vary depending on how many people you plan to live in it  with. You don’t want to spend money on space that you don’t need. As for the  space you want, that is up to you! If you like working from home, then you can add  an executive study room to cut business expenses while creating a quiet space.  Plan on having friends and family over for long luxurious weekends? Consider  adding guest rooms to accommodate them comfortably. Utility rooms like the  laundry, pantry, and basements or sunrooms for extra entertaining space are also  necessities to consider. Remember to add a recreation room to explore your  creative pursuits. You ultimately want and need an original design that will allow for  unlimited possibilities. If you want a more simplistic approach, then a premade  design just might be the answer for you. Check out www.costerion.com/3d for more information.

Planning Your Space 

When planning your space, there are some basic principles to consider. The living  room and dining room should ideally be looked towards the south and southwest side to get a lot of natural light from the sun. When you eat your meals or spend time with friends and family it is always nice to do it in the warmth of the sun. To make sure you take advantage of the sun you would also want bigger windows, a staple of modern design, along these rooms. Another way to use the sun is to align  your solar panels towards the sun to get as much solar energy as possible. This will  save you money and help the environment.

Other factors to consider would be to divide your house into smaller zones. The day  zone consists of room like the living room, dining room, kitchen, office, guest  rooms, and bathrooms. It would be best to choose to have these rooms have  access to natural lighting. The other zone is the night zone which consists of master  bedrooms, adjoining baths, walk-in closets, kids’ room, and play areas. These rooms  do not need as much sunlight, but they need more privacy, away from activity of  potential guests. Finally, there is the communication zone that consists of rooms  that everyone in the household can be in to feel connected to each other while  enjoying the space.

We can tell you all about how to properly organize spaces, but it’s hard to visualize  how these spaces look like in the proper place. Words can only do so much to show  you the potential of your future house. To help you visualize your future house,  Costerion offers services like virtual walk throughs of the house to let you have a  visual experience with the future space. If the planning becomes too complicated,  then we can guide you through the process. For more information you can check  out https://costerion.com/3d. As a company or as an individual, Costerion is able to supply the technology and supplies to bring the building from thought to reality.

Getting the Right Materials 

One of the most crucial aspects of building a home is to use the right materials. You  want a house to last for decades, to be sturdy, and of well-built construction.  Whether or not you are looking to build a home or a company trying to get  materials for a house, it is always important to have access to the materials you  need right away. Think about the various possibilities available when choosing  construction technology. You have choices between ceramics, concrete, wood  (including wooden beams to accentuate the home), or the most expensive  materials, or use a majority of prefabricated elements which can save you money and time. The right building materials are also key to achieving optimal energy  efficiency.

An environmentally efficient home will save you money time and time again. A well  built, environmentally friendly home requires less energy to heat and cool resulting  in affordable energy bills and fewer headaches. Insulation materials can range from  mineral wool, foamed polystyrene, or polyurethane foam. The amount of material  used and the selection of the most effective in a given category is important.

All of this leads to the question of where do you find these materials? This can be a  very stressful part of the process and it can seem overly complicated, however if  you go to https://costerion.com/supplies you can buy/find building materials  dedicated to your projects all in one place.

From planning, to designing, and to construction, the whole process can seem very  convoluted with all of the different people that need to be involved. However, with  our partnership with other companies, we can make this  process very seamless and efficient for you. If you are a company looking to have a  lot of these steps done efficiently, or an individual trying to build their dream home,  then Costerion is for you.

Smart Home Technology 

Lighting adds a special touch and a sense of warmth to any home. Effectively,  illuminated elements of the house bring out the beauty and charm of the  architecture, creating an atmosphere to be desired. Lighting adds a special  ambiance in a garden, allowing you to admire and enjoy the landscaping in the  evening. It also has a special significance in keeping your home safe with lighted  driveways and garages.

When designed a modern house, there are options to add smart home elements  (IBMS or IIBMS). Modern building management systems can help to optimize  energy consumption in the home by controlling the central heating system, air  conditioning, heating elements in the floors, sprinklers, blinds, and even lighting  and alarm systems. These amazing technological wonders can allow you to manage  your home remotely to give a sense of added security and a feeling that you are  home – even when you’re away. There are very simple changes that can be done  that makes the old ways seem primitive. Examples of said changes can be smart  lighting and automation that will help with the way of living. As you enter the house,  the lights can turn on automatically or when you leave a room, the lights turn off  which can also help you save energy and money.

Building Supplies 

Aside from the materials used to construct the building, there are other aspects of the  building that are needed to give it that aesthetic finish and completion. These can be  windows, doors, and garage doors. Windows and doors are things you always go and look  in and out of, so when you go in and out you want to see beauty. With Costerion, you will  be able to handpick whatever kind of window or door you would like to add to your house.  To help you with that we also offer all of these essentials in the three-dimensional space.  We can, as said before, create rendering, visualizations, plans, and virtual tours to make  sure that your house is exactly how you want it to look.

Brand and Marketing 

If you are a company looking to build a house to sell, marketing is always important.  Costerion cooperates with a professional marketing agency that can build your company  with a marketing strategy plan from the logo to the website with online shops and social  media campaigns. If you want to check it out you can visit https://costerion.com/marketing

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Things Architects Should Keep in Mind When Designing A Hotel

The hotel is an area where people can stay and enjoy their experience at a place. It will also allow its guests to learn about the culture of the site he is visiting while relaxing!


Photos By: Unsplash

That is why it is essential to think deeply about a hotel’s design to ensure that your visitors will enjoy their stay. Aside from aesthetics and functionality, there are other aspects that you should consider for your overall plan. This article will talk about the things that every architect should consider when designing a hotel.

You should have a dynamic hotel concept

The art of architecture is continuously changing and developing s time passes to answer its guests’ new trends and needs. When designing, you should be able to come up with a concept that can perfectly convey a story you want to tell. It will become the cornerstone of the building as it will shape and analyze every detail of the hotel. The forms, functionality, and materials to their overall combination will act as the hotel’s plot.

Connect the hotel’s design with its location

You don’t have to think far about the design of your hotel. The best way to complete your guests’ experience is to let them experience the area’s ambiance and culture with your hotel. Think about the climate conditions of the palace to determine the hotel’s outdoor environment. You should be able to connect them with your interior correctly. Moreover, the building’s orientation and the sun’s motion around it can be your inspiration when designing the hotel. It can affect the functions, zones, textures, materials, and colors that you will use for the building.

Give your hotel an excellent first impression

The first impression of your guests to your hotel is essential. When designing the entrance of the hotel should be inviting and enjoyable to hook your guests. It will serve as a cover for a book of the story you want to convey. The first seven seconds of the guest’s contact with something new and exciting will shape their impression of a place.

The entrance should connect with the design concept of the whole hotel and activate the guests’ senses. It should also be functional enough and serve as a smooth passage for everyone. With the right design, you can find more guests noticing and taking an interest in your hotel just because of your entrance’s exciting concept.

Prioritize every detail of the hotel’s rooms

The hotel room is where your guests will spend most of their time for their entire stay. If your overall concept and entrance are doing great, the rooms should also not disappoint your guests. It should be able to capture all the elements with proper divisions that will not stress the travelers. Everything should come in place, starting from comfortable beds and enough storage space for luggage and clothes to relaxing bathrooms. It is also best to keep things simple and ensure that room is flawless and neat throughout. If you need convenient access for building components without affecting the interior, you can buy access doors to blend with its surroundings.

Conclusion

The hotel’s concept and design are essential for the welfare of the business. You should be able to keep your guests’ interests and satisfaction to let them consider staying at your hotel in the future. Moreover, the design should also be functional, and the building systems should be easy to access. Ensure that you will only get materials from reliable companies with excellent access doors and panel reviews like Access Doors and Panels.

Contact us at 1-800-609-2917, and we will be happy to answer your inquiries about our products!

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Finding the Ideal Commercial Foundation Contractor

Are you running a small construction company? Finding the right foundation contractor is an important part of it. Here’ how!

 

All Photos By: Upsplash

Running your own small commercial construction company can be very rewarding, but you also have to be very organized. There are many things you have to organize with this type of business such as project management and budgets, deadlines and schedules, and finding the right contractors to work with you on your projects. This includes finding the right commercial foundation contracting service, which forms a vital part of the construction project.

It is, of course, vital that you find the right provider for this crucial aspect of the construction project. This means taking a range of key factors into consideration to help you make the right choice. By doing this, you can benefit from being able to make a more informed decision, and this can have a huge impact on the success of the project, your ability to stick to deadlines and budgets, and your business reputation. In this article, we will look at what you should consider when it comes to finding the ideal commercial foundation contractor.

What You Should Consider

You need to take a few major factors into consideration if you want to ensure you find the ideal commercial foundation contractor for your project and your business. Some of these are:

Consider the Costs

One of the things you must do is consider the costs involved, as it is vital to stay within budget with your commercial construction projects. So, you need to ensure the provider offers competitive rates but will also work to high standards. Make sure you do not base your decision on cost alone, as this could end up working out more expensive in the long run if they do not do a good job.

Look at Availability

You must try to stay on schedule with commercial construction projects, and this means that you need to check the availability of the provider. It is vital that they can work on the days and at the time you need them in order to stay on track with the project, so make sure they are available and will definitely be available on all the dates required.

Determine Reputation and Reliability

Reputation and reliability are vital when it comes to this type of contractor, as the commercial foundation contractor plays a pivotal role in the project. You should take some time to look at reviews from other construction businesses that have used the same contractor, as this will give you a better idea about reputation and reliability. You can then enjoy greater peace of mind and make your choice with greater confidence.

Consider Experience and Credentials

You also need to look at the experience levels and the credentials of the provider to ensure you have someone who knows exactly what they are doing. You cannot afford to take chances with those who do not have the necessary experience and qualifications with something as important as commercial foundation work.

Looking at these factors can help you to find the ideal professional for your project.

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Is Britain’s Infrastructure Ready for Extreme Weather?

The mild, if slightly cold, weather that Britain is famed for is beginning to feel like a thing of the past. After the intensity of the Beast from the East in 2018, followed by one of the hottest summers on record, it’s hard to know what to expect next!

Photo By: Rachel Laxer Interiors Ltd

According to the long-range weather forecast produced by scientists at UCL, the UK is in for yet another extreme winter. The average temperature is predicted to dip 0.5 degrees below previous, frosty years. Some claim that this will be one of the coldest winters in decades. As we attempt our commutes through blizzards and black ice, it will become ever-more difficult to ignore the extremities that climate change is bringing. It isn’t just snow that is becoming a nightmare for British infrastructure: floods and heatwaves do their fair share of damage too. Is our infrastructure prepared for the inevitable difficulties? Or have we failed to think far enough ahead?

Snow

Considering the frosty predictions for winter 2019/20, we need to ready our infrastructure. During the harsh winters of recent years, the UK transport system has faced extreme difficulties. From icy roads to exposed direct current indicators and flashover faults, the cold weather can cause severe damage.

In response to this, a cold weather plan was established in order to outline what to expect and how best to prepare over the increasingly cold winters. Local authorities are now better equipped than ever to grit roads and prevent black ice as a result of this. For the transport sector, forward planning is key. Transport planning advice plays a major part in ensuring that infrastructure schemes take into account all environmental considerations at the design stage to help to mitigate risks.

Photo By: REES Architects

Heatwaves

Hot summers have been so rare over the years, that a mere glimpse of sunshine has Brits outside in shorts and t-shirts. But in recent years, the temperature has been on the rise and these pockets of sun seem more common. Although we love the opportunity to get outside, the hot and dry weather actually has a damaging effect on our infrastructure.

Dry weather is a major contributor to cracks and potholes in roads, which can cause serious problems for drivers. In addition, heatwaves can cause railway systems to overheat, as the temperature of steel rails can reach 20 degrees higher than the air around them. Therefore, consistent temperatures of 30 or even 40 degrees could lead to extreme over-heating of rail tracks. As a result, the metal on the tracks will expand, which puts them at risk of buckling. In extreme circumstances, this could derail trains.

Another issue caused by hot weather is the expanding and sagging of electrical lines. This is yet another factor that could cause serious disruptions to train services, and the lines might even be pulled down. The only way that the rail systems can combat these dangers is to impose more severe speed restrictions. Although this may cause delays over hot periods, it is the safest way for the transport system to operate.

Photo By: Karen Rogers at KR Garden Design

Floods

As has been proven time and time again in recent years, there are many areas in the UK that are not well equipped to cope with flooding. Another direct result of global warming, floods are becoming more and more common in the UK, and the Environmental Agency has told flood planners to “prepare for the worst”. In a recent consultation on flood strategy, the agency claimed that “for every person who suffers flooding, about 16 more are affected by loss of services such as power, transport and telecommunications.” Evidently, the UK’s infrastructure needs to keep improving, as floods are only going to worsen in the future.

In relation to this, the Environmental Agency advised that all public infrastructures need to be made flood-resilient by 2050. We also need to start considering the long-term rather than the immediate future. As part of this advice, they encouraged people to start considering potential flooding while building new homes, rather than just reacting to the damage when it occurs. When constructing something new, whether in the public or private sector, a flood risk assessment should always be carried out by the building services engineering company. These assessments identify flood mitigation measures and provide advice on what actions should be taken in the event of a flood.