Mark A Burgess

Mark Burgess Architects Macclesfield Cheshire Manchester

07748 160386.

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"Welcome to March's update. I'm an experienced RIBA architect. Specialising in spaces for living. Together we can create an architecture unique to You. As green as you want. I think you'll find I can offer the key creative spark for an affordable fee. Value design? Let's talk. Please call anytime. Or click 'Contact' to email direct to my inbox. No VAT."

Just because something can be done, should it be? Just because something can be done, should it be? What do you think about these two images?

They show a vaulted stone roof in Oxford University at the Divinity School.

Stone is naturally compressed in the ground. Usually used in buildings as a material to resist compression forces from above. It’s good at that. Forces from the wall itself, and from the roof and floor (such forces are often transferred onto the stone wall by wooden floor joists and roof rafters)...

…But here it hangs in tension. Meaning gravity is trying to pull it down. But stone is bad at resisting tension forces. It doesn’t stretch naturally! Instead it cracks. So why isn’t this stone cracking and falling?
We think there are two possible reasons. And probably both apply.

First, there’s a vertical  iron rod you can’t see. It’s embedded. And connects to wooden roof structure above. So that structure is holding up the stone via the rod. The iron rod is strong under tension forces. You could call this embedding “reinforcement”.

Second, the “stone” may be a mortar. Meaning fine grains of stone bonded by lime-cement. Which has been moulded to look like it's been cut out of a block of stone. So this could be a plasterer’s work as much as a stone mason’s. And the ideal way to stick  it to iron.

Either way we wonder if this deception is a right thing to do. Does its effect justify such contrivance? #oxford #university #architecture #design #structure #amazing #build #stone
What’s being installed at our HQ? Cembrit HD boa What’s being installed at our HQ? Cembrit HD board! Made by @cembrituk .This is a sound-resistant ceiling insulated by @rockwooluk mineral wool Roll. Thank you Omar Edge and Steph Line at Cembrit for your help. Mike Brown at Gordian Building Solutions facilitated contact with Omar and Steph. Gordian is THE cladding and facade specialist. Thank you Mike! Thanks also to Westfield Fasteners, Daniel Harris, who supplied the stainless steel hangers in image 2. John and Paul are the installers. Skilled and adaptable. Contact us on our number 07748 160286 for their details
Our design studio is also a project. It’s in a terraced house. Where a new ventilation system heats incoming fresh air with outgoing used air. So heat is retained. Meaning we can add secondary windows now that the main ones need not open for ventilation. This ceiling is part of the project. By adding insulation and sound resistance. Cembrit and Rockwool are the ideal solutions. Because Cembrit is heavy enough to stop noise, doesn’t rot, and grips screw fixings tightly. You can also paint it. Rockwool is fire proof as well as insulating thermally. And it resists sound transmission well being heavier than many insulants. #macclesfield #macclesfieldbuilders #macclesfieldbusiness #build #design
@arighibianchi is not just a leading furnisher. In @arighibianchi is not just a leading furnisher. In the UK not to mention Macclesfield. And it isn’t just located in an historic cast iron building. This shed is also @arighbianchi . Where your made to measure carpet is cut. The best carpet suppliers work from templates. I have designed optimal carpet layouts to minimise waste off-cuts. And to locate joints in the best place. So my design is drawn. Then the drawing creates a plywood template. From which the tailored carpet is cut here. #architecture #design #macclesfieldbusiness #macclesfieldarchitects #interiordesign
Morning everyone ! Here we have the final wrap of Morning everyone ! Here we have the final wrap of our 2022 fanatics! Last Thursday we had the “Thinking Pencil Christmas Party” at @dongiovannimcr. Wow! Amazing food, great company and a table full of ideas. We were joined by a special guest @sam.chadz - Sam brought many ideas to the table so stay tuned for a action packed 2023!
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Sky Frame windows in corner setting

Architectural technologist? Maybe…but here’s why you definitely need an architect!

Read why you definitely need an architect. Why you may need an architectural technologist too. And how my Creative Workshop enables you to appoint both. So what's the difference … Read More

Distorted interior view so show the view outside too. Plain light-toned ceramic floor tiles and side walls. Panoramic view of Lake Maggiore and mountains beyond. Acoustically grooved wooden ceiling in this holiday home. House plans.

Holiday Home Lake Maggiore

This house is a holiday home, Lake Maggiore. Here we talk about key parts of its architecture. These are siting, materials, acoustics and furnishing. A special thanks to Alexandre … Read More

©2020 Mark A Burgess MA RIBA Chartered Architect.
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27 Chapel Street Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 6TA.
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