We are delighted to announce that Phase One of the Dominion Gas modernisation project is nearing completion. Having escaped much bad weather through the spring the project is scheduled to be completed on time and within budget.
Operations Director for Dominion Russell Davies commented that he is delighted with the practical solution to traffic management provided and that operations going forward should be more efficient and profitable for the company. It is hoped that Phase Two of the modernisaition will be undertaken in the not too distant future allowing the company to expand as required.
29.05.09 | Did You Know? - Important Advice for Developers – Reducing Carbon Emissions in New Developments
Planning Advice Note (PAN) 84
In Response to energy consumption targets defined in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 Renewable Energy, the Scottish Government have published the planning Advice Notice 84 "Reducing Carbon Emissions in New Developments" to communicate the targets of the policy to developers, agents and officers.
Paragraph 36 of SPP 6 states that
"All future applications proposing a development with a total cumulative area of 500sqm or greater, should incorporate on site zero and low carbon equipment contributing to at least an extra 15% reduction in Co2 emissions, beyond the 2007 building regulations carbon dioxide emissions standard".
In context, the Scottish government’s ambition is to exceed Scotland’s share of the UK’s carbon saving target by 1 million tonnes. To enable this:
"Policies should ensure that, in all instances, opportunities for incorporating these technologies are fully explored by developers as part of the planning application process". SPP 6
The impact on developers and respective projects is that further commitment to building performance is required at conception stage.
Whilst the majority of developers view this as a technical design issue for discussion further on in the design management program, the application and performance optimisation of zero and low carbon equipment directly influences a proposals design, appearance, location and materials, therefore it is critical to address this at the outset.
Tinto Architecture continues to work with specialist consultants and researches the latest technologies in order to achieve the targets set out within the policies to add value and deliver functional solutions for the built environment.
Form follows Function!
29.05.09 | Ocean Tools
Local Success Story Ocean Tools have commissioned Tinto Architecture to design and manage their new £1,000,000 HQ in the Aberdeen Science and Technology Park. Sitting immediately adjacent to the Equalizer building completed by Tinto three years ago, the new facility will provide space for the expanding operation at Ocean Tools as well as further space to be let as an investment for MD Kevin Parker.
We are delighted to publish figures on our latest customer satisfaction survey. With an average rating of 8.5 out of 10, progress in our key areas of delivery have vastly improved over the last 12 months.
One area still lagging is delivery to schedule. Managing Director Richard Tinto says "This is an industry wide problem that has been driven by the boom period that is now firmly over. As we catch up with the back log and learn from this period, future planning and delivery should lead to improvments in this area.
Overall however we are delighted with these results and the focus since the leadership rationalisation last year which has created increased consistency in customer expectations and success in delivery. A massive thank you to the team is a must as it is essentially their victory"
29.05.09 | Did You Know - Thinking about an extension… Read on, Thinking of moving… Think again
The Benefits of Extending your Home by Richard Tinto
It may sound obvious but the extra space gives you more room to live. A well designed extension can provide greater satisfaction than moving to a new house as you have the ability to create a space that works for you rather than that of a developer.
You live where you live at present for a reason - good transport links, schools, access to work and friends are all important factors in where we live. Moving house often compromises these things where an extension allows them to be retained and gives you the lifestyle required.
Investing in your existing property can be a rewarding experience. Through careful management and selection of tradesmen, the process can be relatively stress free and certainly less stressful than that of a wholesale house move.
Employing a designer who has flair and is willing to accommodate your lifestyle into proposals will be of greatest benefit. Interior designers, architectural technologists and architects can all bring this to you. More important than the qualification is the ability to get an agent that engages with you and see’s your vision through to completion.
An extension to your home is essentially an extension of you. In the same way other investments you make in your life, it says something about you, it intensifies the pleasure of time at home and it’s COST EFFECTIVE.
For a free no obligation consultation please phone Richard on 01224 821670
09.04.09 | ISO 14001 and FPAL Registration
Having fully embraced the added value to Tinto Architecture via our ISO9001 quality assurance standard we have decided to progress with an EMS to compliment the existing quality system. Having identified an opportunity to positively impact the environment with careful material selection and specification, this adds weight to the internal part of the EMS ensuring that both this and externally we are ensuring the end product and buildings involved have as little environmental impact as possible.
05.04.09 | Ocean Tools new HQ to proceed.
Subsea Tool manufacturer Ocean Tools Ltd will from early 2010 be located within purpose built facilities on the science and energy park in Bridge of Don. Managing Director Richard Tinto Explains " Having worked closely with our client and investigated various potential sites to allow this exciting expansion, securing a site on the park will ensure as much continuity of business for our client as possible. Combining various aspects of sustainable design will challenge the team."
