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Construction & Engineering Awards 2015
Dead Cert Jason Clemmit, Certass Limited Managing Director talks through the company’s vital work and provides us with an intriguing insight into what the future holds for Certass Limited.
Building aWe speak Better Future to Sankey Prasad, Synergy Property Development Services Private Limited Chairman and Managing Director, on how the firm is revolutionising the Project Management industry in India.
Sustaining Success
We speak to Judi Schweitzer, Schweitzer + Associates Founder and President, about how the firm’s vision for sustainable communities has driven them to success, both as an industry leader and the winner of two prestigious accolades.
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Welcome to the 2015 Construction & Engineering Awards The construction industry has seen a number of changes over the past months, as BIM technologies and new regulations from global Governments and regulatory bodies force greater collaboration across the various sectors and integration of systems that has never been seen before. Additionally, international skills shortages are causing challenges across the industry, and funding cuts for projects have left many firms having to do more with less. However, overcoming these challenges has become a badge of honour in the construction industry and many firms have continued to thrive, producing stunning buildings which enhance the lives of everyone who encounters them. It is these projects and the people who made them possible that the 2015 Construction & Engineering Awards is celebrating. From managers to subcontractors, supply chain professionals to finance experts, we’re bringing to the fore the unsung heroes of the construction industry and shedding some light on some of the most innovative and successful projects carried out around the world over the past 12 months.
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3 4. Schweitzer + Associates Inc Best Green Real Estate Development Consultancy & Recognised Leaders in Eco-Value Engineering 10. Certass Limited Best for Certification Services 14. Synergy Property Development Services Pvt. Ltd Best Large & Complex Project Management Firm: India 18. AKW Most Innovative Bathroom Product: iCare & Award for Excellence in Kitchen Solutions 20. Great Lakes Waterproofing Inc Best for Commercial & Residential Basement Waterproofing 22. Maco Construction Best for Church Design and Construction: Texas 24. Aspray Ltd Property Insurance Firm of the Year 25. Bugler Developments Ltd Best for Affordable Housing Construction: London 26. DCM Electrical Installations Ltd Best Electrical Installation Provider 27. DeSimone Consulting Engineers , PLLC Most Innovative Residential Project: New York (220 Central Park South) 28. di Salvo Interiors Best for Ground Up Residential Construction: New York 29. Direct Lift Company Best for Lift Service and Maintenance 30. Fence Protector Most Innovative Construction Product: Fence Protector 31. Flowscreed Ltd Best Underfloor Heating Specialists 32. Hammerhead Contracting, Inc. General Contractors of the Year: Charlotte 33. Hester Architects Ltd Best for BIM Services 34. IBB Polish Building Wholesale Most Cost Effective Building Merchant: UK 35. J. Brandon Davis, AECOM Recognised Leader in Energy & Natural Resources EPC 36. Launch Construction Best for Custom Home Design & Construction: British Columbia 37. LEDVISTA Lighting Limited Best for Energy Saving Lighting Solutions: Ireland 38. London Repointing and Restoration Ltd Best for Repointing Services 39. Miracle Dynamic Solutions Most Innovative Payroll and HR Solutions 40. Neilcott Construction Limited Award for Excellence in New Build Services 43. Partners For Architecture Best Municipal Architect: New York 44. Naim Development LLC Best for Custom Residential Construction: Florida 45. Scott Edwards Architecture Best Commercial Architect: Oregon 46. Sip Build UK Best for Structural Insulated Panel Solutions 47. Sweeny &Co Architects Inc. Best Architecture and Design Consultancy: Canada 48. Synseal Best Window & Conservatory Systems Manufacturer 2015 49. Wilkinson Construction Consultants Ltd Best for Approved Inspectors 2015 Build Construction & Engineering Awards 2015
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Best Green Real Estate Development Consultancy & Recognised Leaders in Eco-Value Engineering
Schweitzer + Associates Inc Schweitzer + Associates is a dedicated sustainable property firm specialising in creating properties which enhance and support the environment which they occupy. We speak to Judi Schweitzer, the firm’s Founder and President, about how the firm’s vision for sustainable communities has driven them to success, both as an industry leader and the winner of these two prestigious accolades.
chweitzer + Associates (S+A) is a firm founded upon a commitment to promote economically, ecologically and socially responsible land use which will enhance its surroundings well into the future. The sustainability of an environment and society depends on sustainable economics and, balancing short- and long-term costs and benefits, and harmonizing the built and natural environments. Our firm is dedicated to creating this balance in every project.
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Our clients include community developers, builders, universities, cities and organizations that are looking for innovative ideas and guidance to add value to their properties, portfolios and programs. S+A assists organizations in identifying and realizing their vision and navigate the entitlement and regulatory process to bring this vision into reality in ways that are cost effective, and market ready. We work collaboratively with our strategic partners and university research centres and are uniquely positioned to bring this added value into the wider market. Since our client base is diverse, our approach is customized to each situation, and therefore it is vital for our business to be flexible. S+A has a unique vantage point as real estate development professionals with decades of technical underwriting experience for institutional lenders. Our team of scientists, economists, and designers work as a “think and do tank”, adept at innovating up and down the
supply chain in real estate development at the community-scale. This position allows our company to assist organizations in creating healthy, durable, cost-effective, and beautiful places where people want to gather. Our Inside Business interview with Fred Thompson, which aired on CNN and Fox Business News, provides a video1 overview of how we approach our work, and work with our clients. The construction industry is vast and contains a number of competitors offering routine services discounted prices. In an industry such as this it can be easy to follow the crowd, but at S+A we are not followers, we are leaders - dedicated to taking a creative approach to encouraging integrated design and collaboration throughout our team of expert real estate development professionals. S+A’s team of designers, scientists and economists are paving the path of innovation in California and around the globe. This ensures that we are always working at the intersection of design excellence, policy, codes and real estate development standards; so we are able to help our clients keep ahead of the latest trends.
We are keen collaborators, working closely alongside our clients and their teams to craft mutually beneficial solutions where the public, private and NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) sector stakeholders all win. We avoid win-lose scenarios and focus on prioritized needs of our clients and their stakeholder groups while balancing business plan goals and project timelines. Whilst this is not the easiest approach, it is the most beneficial for everyone involved - which is our ultimate goal. This collaborative approach is crucial to our business, as we view our clients as our partners and develop long-term relationships with them, often working with them on
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Company: SCHWEITZER + ASSOCIATES, INC. Name: Judi G. Schweitzer Email: Judi@schweitzer-associates.com Web Address: www.schweitzer-associates.com Address: 25422 Trabuco Road, Suite 105-190, Lake Forest, CA 92630 Telephone: (949) 735-5537
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numerous projects. By providing our clients with honest, expert advice we are able to secure their long-term support, business and friendship, which makes our work both rewarding and enjoyable. However, the collaborative nature of our role works both ways. At S+A, listening is just as important to us as being creative thinkers. We have found that collaborative solutions produce the best outcomes for all stakeholders. While we like to be involved from the onset of a project, we are often brought into the process later so being good team players is vital to our work. Giving back to the industry is also an important aspect of our collaborative approach, and as such I desire to utilise the experience I have gained from working in the design and development industry for over 25 years to enhance the collective industry knowledge in the responsible use of land. I designed and taught the inaugural Sustainable Real Estate Development Course through the Master of Real Estate Development Program at the University of Southern California (USC), and designed the capstone course of a new Sustainability Certificate program for Truman State University2 for Boeing Corporation. In addition, I was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Office to serve as one of nine appointed members on California’s Green Building Code Advisory Committee since its inception, and reappointed in 2015 by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. for a third three year term. This committee was established by statute and serves as the “technical advisor” to the California Building Standards Commission on all green building provisions being considered for adoption by the
State of California, we must review all proposed green building measures being considered by a host of state agencies as well as public comments and testimony related to these green building measures. On occasion, public testimony, debate and consensus building is required. This post is a great honour and highlights our firm’s strong position within our industry. I am also a sought after lecturer and speaker on Sustainable Real Estate Development3 and Sustainable Economics4, and have published a variety of articles on the subject; and co-author and major contributor to Urban Land Institute’s bestselling book; Developing Sustainable Planning Communities. As well as working to enhance the knowledge within the industry, we also work to increase public knowledge on sustainable community development. As a firm we have developed “Sustainability Toolkits” as educational tools to help our clients address the dynamic, rapidly changing and increasingly complex and sometimes confusing world of sustainable development. These Sustainability Toolkits are designed to help our clients increase their knowledge and recognise the value of embracing sustainability in their businesses, projects, and portfolios. Our strong collaborative ethic is inextricably linked to our firm’s eco-friendly ethos. We understand that we do not own the earth, that we are simply global citizens and owe it to our children, grandchildren and their grandchildren to treat this planet responsibly.
As such S+A’s “Eco-Value Engineering” strategies enhance the economic, ecological and social health of our client’s projects and portfolios. We believe that in order to benefit both the client and the environment, every project needs to be based on a community’s bioregional climate, market conditions, and regulatory context. Our company strives to ensure that we support our clients’ goals by addressing these conditions on every assignment we undertake.
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These strategies play a key part in our work, as we understand that the construction and engineering industry plays a significant role in the design and development of our communities which can have long-term effects. Therefore we need to be leaders in not only being responsible global citizens, but also in how we treat each other in the corporate world. Walking the walk and talking the talk is a prerequisite of advising others. We are all in this together and need to work collaboratively and honour the dignity of all lives as we advance best practices for health and wellness, implementing cleaner energy solutions and carbon-neutral market transformation which will ultimately stimulate the economy and make our world a better place for everyone.
creative part of our equation. Optimizing value, and balancing short- and long-term costs and benefits involves utilizing both science and art, which is part of our unique process and approach to maximizing benefits for our clients. In addition to this, we have also established a specialty in developing community-scale zero net energy solutions and strategies. This applies not just for buildings, but across the entire community, and we have to creatively navigate policy barriers in order to achieve this.
These zero net energy solutions are particularly vital because as a race we are learning, sometimes the hard way, that battling nature is an expensive and ultimately futile effort. Nature is a complex set of systems, each with its own integrity and life cycle. Respecting these natural systems and creating structures and communities in concert with them is the foundation of sustainable development. Incorporating green elements successfully and cost effectively into any project is an art that requires a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach as well as a long-term view of value. It also requires at least one powerful stakeholder who makes going green a requirement of the project.
In order to achieve sustainable construction solutions which are also aesthetically pleasing, we combine creative thinking and design excellence with proven best practices and advanced technologies. The science aspect of our work is quantitative, measurable and tangible whereas the art is the
A key advantage we have had in this is that I have been involved in developing the nation’s first green building code, the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). Since its inception, I have served as a Governor appointed board member, which has helped to give us insight into future codes and requirements which is of great value to our clients as we help them to “future proof “ their projects.
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One such project is the Liberty Community in West Sacramento, California, an approximate 450 acre master planned community, currently seeking its land use entitlements. We are acting as their “sustainability expert” on the team and are responsible for their Sustainable Community Development Program which is an integral part of the Project’s Specific Plan. We also serve as the project’s liaison with key stakeholders, including the utility company (PG&E) and University of California Davis Research Centers (such as their Energy Efficiency Center, Water Energy Efficiency Center, and California Lighting Technologies Center), for the Advanced Energy Liberty Initiative. We are utilizing lessons learned and best practices from West Village (the largest zero net energy (ZNE) project in the United States) and the Honda House, a ZNE, circadian sensitive lighting designed home and vehicle-to-grid demonstration home both on the UC Davis campus and applying them to a market rate master planned community. Working with our strategic partner, Davis Energy Group, we have utilized a unique approach to community-scale energy balance study that disaggregates energy loads based on end users. This approach was developed because of current existing policy barriers to achieve zero net energy at the community-scale in California. This regulatory climate is dynamic and changing, and strategic approaches in the future will need to adapt to changing policy parameters.
Net Energy Communities: and Adaptive Control Strategies for Indoor and Outdoor Applications with UC Davis California Lighting Technology Centre. The Liberty Sustainable Lighting Initiative: LED Lighting Guidelines is a guide for Liberty, but can also serve as a guide for other communities aspiring to be zero net energy with healthy advanced lighting solutions. Included are lighting design directives and advanced lighting strategies and guidelines for outdoor lighting infrastructure, as well as homes, private community clubhouses, K-8 schools, neighbourhood retail, office and sports park land uses. Another innovative project we are working is the Nishi Gateway Innovation District also in Davis California. This innovative project is a joint venture between the City of Davis, Yolo County, University of California at Davis and the Developer. This 45acre proposed walkable/bikeable mixeduse district includes a university-related research park development complemented by high density urban housing which is integrated into the UC Davis campus and Downtown. This project also aspires to be ZNE at the community-scale, and as part of a larger team, S+A and Davis Energy Group collaborated on its Sustainability Implementation Plan, which is currently being considered for approval by the City and community.
As part of the Project, we have also co-authored the first ever 2015 LED Lighting Guidelines for Zero
At Nishi, the denser site presented physical limitations for locating enough renewable energy on the site to achieve ZNE at the community scale, while balancing the desire for other sustainable features such as growing local food onsite. This is another example of S+A applying both science + art in different type of real estate development, and helping to guide and navigate the process for optimizing both value and sustainability strategies and solutions. An additional advantage our firm has is that, we are based in California, which is leading the way in the United States in terms of sustainability in construction. It is extremely valuable to us and our clients, that we are a part of the policy making in the state.
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Being based in California also holds some challenges, namely the policy, codes and standards are moving faster than the market, and as such developers and builders are having a hard time keeping up. However, being at the forefront of these emerging regulatory developments means we are able to stay ahead of the constantly changing requirements, and therefore we are well ahead of our competitors. One issue our firm is having with regard to these developments in policy is that mainstream builders are behind these emerging requirements, and some are not yet seeing the true benefits, and value, of incorporating eco-friendly building methods into their construction projects, but this will change in the future and our firm believes it is highly beneficial to stay ahead of the game. This is particularly vital as the State of California has established the ambitious goal that by 2020, all new residential homes will meet ZNE targets and
produce at least as much energy as they consume. This means that all new homes must operate more efficiently than existing homes, and include energy generation capability such as solar photovoltaics (PV). Our firm will be instrumental in helping the State to achieve its goals, and therefore being ahead of many other firms in this area will be a considerable advantage for our clients. Resilience is a key aspect of our working methods, as we have overcome many challenges over the years, such as the 2008 financial crisis, which was very challenging for the entire real estate industry. We survived this difficult time through our strong professional relationships with clients and strategic alliances though integrity, and keeping a positive attitude. From this we evolved the mantra “never give up”, which still applies to our work efforts today. With this in mind, we feel honoured and privileged to receive these two prestigious accolades, we feel they are an acknowledgement of our decades of vision, passion, leadership, and tenacity to advance sustainable economic development throughout the real estate development industry over the long-term. Our success is based on our strong collaborative work ethic and our dedication to improving the built environment for the benefit of those who inhabit it now and in the future. Therefore as we look ahead to 2016 and beyond we are committed to keep evolving striving to future proof Schweitzer + Associates as we ride this positive economic wave into the future. Expanding geographically and strategically with our alliances is helping us grow, and we are also tapping into our design roots and expanding into product development. As a firm we are dedicated to consistently generating new and creative solutions to integrate sustainability into mainstream design and development and constantly learning along the way. With leadership positions nationally and locally in the public sector and within Urban land Institute’s Sustainable Development Council, this gives our company a unique window into future trends, solutions and regulations, which helps us to stay “ahead of the curve” and our competition. Collaborating with our strategic partners and clients, we are able to advance and enhance our collective learning along the way and further and increase ours and our clients’ competitive advantage.
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https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=1a5zYX7wEYw 2 “Finding a Focus: An introduction to economics nearly 20 years touched off a quest to help balance social, environmental, and economic objectives.” Truman Review, Winter 2009, Vol. 12, No. 3. 3 Schweitzer, Judi. Making Green Pay. Urban Land Magazine, May 2006. 4 Schweitzer, Judi. True-Cost Pricing for Sustainable Development: Finding the real bottom-line in sustainability. Sustainable Land Development Today, April 2009. 1
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Best for Certification Services
Certass Limited Certass Limited is a UKAS approved Certification Body for the operation of a Competent Person Scheme for a variety of construction firms. Jason Clemmit, Certass Managing Director talks through the company’s vital work and provides us with an intriguing insight into what the future holds for Certass Limited.
n 2012 the DCLG, Government Department in charge of Competent Person Schemes, launched a new Competent Person Scheme operator’s license. Amongst other things, a major new license requirement was for site operatives employed by companies to be fully assessed by the Certification Body for their individual technical competence.
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Site operatives could meet this new DCLG license requirement by either having a recognised National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or by completing a Minimum Technical Competence (MTC) assessment carried out by the approved Certification Body. The MTC assessment is based on National Occupational Standards as is the same with an NVQ. A large proportion of the Certass membership base is within the glazing sector. This industry sector did not have a high take-up of recognised qualifications, so it was an extreme challenge to establish a framework, write the assessment guidance, find and train an adequate number of suitably qualified assessors and to carry out the required on-site assessments within the Government set timeframes. Not only did we manage to develop a framework that has been recognised as both robust and practical thus avoiding any heavy, unnecessary admin burden being felt by the industry, Certass has been instrumental in turning around an industry sector that did not have a recognised qualified workforce
to one of the most recognised in a very short time span. Certass site operatives can now readily prove their competence with a Certass provided photo ID skills card showing their qualifications. The MTC qualification is not a one-off and forget qualification, the site operative must be able to demonstrate their on-going competence and be re-assessed every few years. Certass is a Certification Body that provides a quality assurance mark to its member companies, the member company can then use this mark to demonstrate its competence to its customers. We operate in the Renovation, Maintenance, Improvement (RMI) construction sector for both installers and product manufacturers. We operate schemes we have created under our own mark such as our Company Vetted scheme or schemes that operate under a Government licence such as Competent Person, PAS2030 and TrustMark. Competent Person Schemes are self-certification schemes which were established by Government in 2002, that allow certified contractors to self-certify that their works meet current Building Regulations rather than using Local Authority Building Control. Certass obtained a license to operate a glazing Competent Person Scheme in 2006 to provide much needed competition to this industry sector.
In 2010 Certass launched the Thermal Rating Register, a product certification scheme for the thermal performance of windows and doors. The scheme again brought competition to the glazing fabrication sector providing cost effective window energy rating to companies. In the same year Certass obtained a license to operate the TrustMark certification scheme which is a Government endorsed scheme for consumer protection.
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Company: Certass Limited Name: Jason Clemmit Email: info@certass.co.uk Web Address: www.certass.co.uk
In 2012 Certass obtained a license to operate a PAS2030 scheme for the Government’s Green Deal measures. At the same time Certass expanded its scope of certification to include building fabric insulation. Through our scheme Certass currently has several thousand installer and manufacturer companies certified covering most contractor trades through one of our schemes. Our customers range from sole trader single operative companies to UK national installers and manufacturers. We deliver the same high standard of customer service to all our member companies no matter what their size is. In addition to operating our schemes under our own Certass branding, we also operate a number of partnership white-label schemes for a number of national and international manufacturers wanting to operate their own quality assurance schemes for installers fitting their products. It is easy for Certass to provide a friendly and supportive service to our customers because that’s just who the team of people that work at Certass are. When recruiting new people into the Certass team, it becomes evident pretty quickly who has the right disposition to complement our team. We ask for on-going feedback, both formally and informally, from both our customers and our customers, customers (the consumer) asking about their experience of our service and what they would like to see us do. With regard to cost effective services, our certification services do not return a dividend to shareholders, any profits are reinvested in the business to deliver a better service to industry. Working within the RMI sector provides us with a number of challenges, particularly green technologies, which are subject to Government policy and influence. Therefore the biggest challenge to come is what will Government policy be following the collapse of the Green Deal scheme and the likely changes to ECO.
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Currently the Government has commissioned an independent review - the Bonfield Review to look at standards, consumer protection and enforcement of energy efficiency schemes. Certass is actively engaged in this review to try and adequately represent industry. Whatever the review’s outcome, Certass will as always, create products that meet industry needs. There are many established Certification Bodies some much larger than us competing in the same sector. What sets Certass apart from its competitors is its entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to always look at different ways to deliver an innovative quality service to our customers. Simply put, we are an enthusiastic bunch of decent people that really do take pride in offering a good service at a really great value price. I believe that a key to our success is that key people within the Certass certification process are drawn from industry and therefore, they understand what our customers want. It is this grounding at Certass that lends its common sense approach so well to all the things we do at Certass. Because we are a client led business that develops common sense solutions in the dry tick box world of certification, our clients see our unique business ethos and are drawn to the way we work. We have an innovative culture but it is all underpinned by the people within our company being genuine people that really do want to deliver a great service. I personally believe the reasons for our success begin with the team of truly great people that I lead. We are a close-knit relatively small team of people where everyone wants to deliver a great service to our customers. We blend that friendly and supportive team of people with investment in IT platforms, technical knowledge and a big chunk of common sense to both deliver products to our customers that help their business and lead the way. Looking to the future, we have the next three years’ product development program mapped out already. In general terms we intend to keep listening to industry and developing our services and products around their needs. One key area we wish to develop more is strategic partnerships with manufacturers that want a certification service for their installer networks. We are able to dovetail into their marketing efforts and provide the quality framework for their offering. Providing our expertise in auditing and IT platforms to further their key differentiators. We intend to keep our investment in staff, both ensuring adequate numbers and quality training to service our customers. We are currently fully rebuilding our IT platforms to provide a more modern user friendly interface. Being nominated for this award conveys to our industry sector audience that at Certass we are doing something very right for our customers, we have made some very significant in-roads within our industry and are continually looking to improve what we offer to our members but above all our service excellence. We are all very proud and honoured to have our efforts to date recognised in this way.
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Best Large & Complex Project Management Firm: India
Synergy Property Development Services Pvt. Ltd Synergy Property Development Services Private Limited offers project management services which are focused on delivering quality and innovation. We speak to Sankey Prasad, the firm’s Chairman and Managing Director, on how the firm is revolutionising the Project Management industry in India.
n 2003 a visionary group of talented professionals, led by Mr. Sankey Prasad, joined hands to create a dream that has evolved into a brand that is synonymous with quality, innovation and process. Starting with Project Management Consultancy business, Synergy diversified into Design Services and Design & Build solutions. Such has been the dynamic power of the organization that over the past few years, Synergy has evolved into a company which has pioneered in providing Project Management Consultancy and Design & Build Solutions in the various asset classes such as IT/SEZ/Business Parks, Hotels, Multi-specialty Hospitals, High-end residential, Industrial Parks, Data Centres and retail mixed-use developments.
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Headquartered at Bangalore (India), Synergy follows the philosophy of ‘maximize returns’ for the client by working together, a process which imparts benefits by improving time-to-deliver projects, quality and optimizing costs. So far Synergy has delivered more than 100 million sq ft of high quality built-up spaces to global clients across Commercial, Retail, Health care, Hospitality, Residential and Industrial verticals. Team Synergy today, is a network of over 900 professionals from over 7 nationalities and have operations and offices across India, Middle East , Far East, Europe and Africa.
The Indian economy has grown considerably over recent years, allowing firms such as Synergy greater opportunities for expansion and greater market penetration. Sankey talks us through how the firm has branched out to include new markets in recent years. “Synergy has a regional office based in Dubai and caters to the Middle East, Africa and Southern Europe regions. We manage projects in Montenegro, Serbia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Dubai. We anticipate growth opportunities in the emerging markets in the region and we are in the process of setting up our operations in Qatar. The market in South East Asia, also being promising, we are expanding from Malaysia and Philippines with soon to be open offices in Indonesia and Vietnam. Closer to home, we are covering neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka. As of now we will pursue to offer our core Project Management Services and diversify into other services as the market matures for us.
“The Indian Construction Industry is quite different from the International Construction Industry. India is quite resistant to change but this is not the case with the international market where leveraging technology and automation is a norm. Synergy is working hard to bring in technology, in order to help the Indian construction Industry and also to be relevant in the International markets. Technology is our differentiation. The technology we have, in our systems and procedures will play a vital role in the implementation. “Synergy is enthusiastically pursuing to fill the technological gaps existing in the country by creating awareness and embracing new technologies. Synergy uses unique collaborative software, A-Site which aids in the management of projects. We are implementing this software across all the teams to bring more discipline to the project; the benefits of which are passed on to the client.
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Company: Synergy Property Development Services Private Limited Name: Sankey Prasad, Chairman & Managing Director Email: sankey@synergyind.com For Business Queries: Name: Nishanth Kumar, Head- Business Development Email: nishanth@synergyind.com Address: Synergy Property Development Services, Pine Valley, Embassy Golf Links Business Park, Domlur, Bangalore 560 071 INDIA Web Address: www.synergyind.com Telephone: +91 80 4288 6000
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“’Innovate to excel’ is our mission. Being a forward looking organization, Synergy is keen to harbour innovation within the organization and thus has set up a special cell known as I2E, which stands for ‘Innovate to Excel’. The I2E team is responsible for collating and conducting research on the challenges faced by the on-site teams and general industry trends. The cell researches and forms a central repository of information which is required to understand the industry better and to identify more efficient processes.” Being a service provider, the onus is therefore on Synergy to help Stakeholders achieve their business goals through delivery of their real estate within cost and schedule. Sankey explains that Synergy understands the ever changing requirements of the various sectors and embraces stringent processes along with innovation to ensure that delivery meets the requirements of the customer.
“We have a very systematic and unified approach to any project. We focus on First to Last Approach by being involved from the very beginning of the project until the closeout. Further, to ensure effective Project Co-ordination on Design and Execution, Synergy acts as Single Point Contact between Consultant / Contractor and Client. “We have clearly identified teams to focus on the various stages of the project. We have a dedicated pre-construction team which handles Design Management, Procurement and Value Engineering. “The construction team comprising of engineers like civil, mechanical, electrical, etc. play a vital role in any project spearheaded by senior management who are the Project Leads/Directors. The role and responsibilities of each team is well defined. This is the team involved in construction management.
“The offsite Head Office – develops strategies, processes and procedures for a smooth execution of any project. Regular audits are conducted to ensure timely action.”
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Most Innovative Bathroom Product: iCare & Award for Excellence in Kitchen Solutions
AKW AKW are a top design and manufacturing firm of quality bathroom and kitchen products. James Dadd, UK Marketing Director, talks us through the firm’s work and how they reached the success of winning this coveted award.
KW are the leading designers and manufacturers of stylish accessible bathroom and kitchen products having supplied this market for over 27 years. With over one million satisfied customers worldwide we supply the majority of social landlords, local authorities, housing associations and care and nursing home groups in the UK as well as customers internationally.
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AKW have entered into the domestic mainstream market, launching successful product ranges including our innovative iShowers and wet rooms. We have seen growth from the new build sector for our domestic showering and wet room products but also for our inclusive living range of products due to the ageing population, multi-generational households and growth in retirement village construction.
With this in mind we take a very customer focused approach to our work. At the beginning of any project we start by assessing our market place and not just from our desks but by going out there and meeting users and specifiers of our products, we get to the heart of what’s required. The flip side to this though is the understanding that what we have produced meets the market brief. Our iCare shower for example was installed in user’s homes, independently tested and reviewed by the RNIB and BEAB Care, shown to focus groups and from this we gathered feedback to make further improvements before we launched. Knowing what you need to do and who you need to do it for whilst measuring success are the three key ingredients to successful project delivery.
For any business, listening to the voice of your customer is an imperative, particularly working in an ever changing industry such as ours. Taking this voice and fusing it with in-house expertise, for us, is keeping us ahead of the curve and in many instances defining the future as with our iCare shower which can be controlled via a mobile device. We also work with industry bodies such as the BMA (supporting the new water label), CIPHE and APHC who help to inform companies in the kitchen and bathroom industry like ourselves.
In order to be innovative in an industry such as ours it’s not enough to have over 4,500 kitchen and bathroom products. Great products need to be backed by great service and support. At AKW we pride ourselves on being the best in the business. Our nationwide team of over 60 sales and surveying experts makes sure our customers are our top priority, from beginning to end. Our Technical Support team is staffed by installers with decades of experience. Significant investment in our Digital Transformation programme is making it easier than ever to do business with us, seamlessly integrating our customer, e-commerce and telephone sales services. We also operate our own fleet of over 40 delivery vehicles nationwide because we believe no one will take as much care to deliver our orders undamaged and on time as we will. Our firm’s customers are vitally important to us, so we always strive to ensure that they are well catered for. Ultimately what we do makes a positive and lasting difference for end users, these could be small children through to someone’s grandparent. If we fail in what we do it has a major effect on these people, we just can’t let that happen, therefore excellence matters to us. Excellence is the reason why we setup our own dedicated delivery network, why we have skilled tradespeople who work on our support desk and why our surveyors take over 170 measurements to get things right. We maintain high-levels of quality and excellence through our ISO certification and audits and through independent customer satisfaction research which identified over 94% of our customers would recommend us.
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Company Name: AKW Address: Pointon Way | Hampton Lovett | Droitwich Spa | WR9 0LR Telephone: +44 01905 823298 Website: www.akw-ltd.co.uk
AKW are based in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire. Transport links in the area have proved invaluable in allowing us to operate our dedicated delivery service and certainly has allowed us to achieve a 99% on-time in-full service over the last two years. We also have great links with other local organisations, recently partnering with Droitwich High School and accommodating several students on work experience through to providing kitchen equipment for Chadsgrove School who provide specialist care for children with disabilities. Worcestershire is a great county as a base for a business and we look forward to continuing our history here.
Looking to the future, the need for our products and services is only set to increase so we will be hitting the ground running to ensure we meet this demand. There is little doubt that in the UK, we have what can be described as a ‘demographic time-bomb’. According to projections in 20 years’ time, our population will have an extra 2.8 million people aged 60-74 and an extra 3.6 million people aged 75 and over. This will undoubtedly put a strain on our health and social care resources whilst increasing demand for refurbishing homes for the multi-generational household and the development of inclusively designed new-build homes and retirement villages. AKW are the leading supplier of products to these sectors and we will continue to design stylish kitchens and bathrooms suitable for everyone and any home.
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Best for Commercial & Residential Basement Waterproofing
Great Lakes Waterproofing Inc Great Lakes Waterproofing uses a no digging Bentonite Clay injection system to seal-off water pathways and ensure their client’s basement areas are permanently dry. We profile the firm and explore how they have come to win this highly coveted award.
reat Lakes uses a revolutionary Bentonite Clay injection system which works by blocking water before it hits the wall, which will increase the longevity of the foundation of a building, and keep water from flooding your footing- the base the entire construction is built on.This method requires homeowners to maintain their grading, gutters, and downspouts.
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The West Michigan basement-waterproofing company explains how the technology works and how can help their clients. “We use an exterior injection method with Bentonite clay to stop wet foundation walls and leaky wall cracks. Bentonite is recommended by engineers internationally when it comes to preventing water intrusion, but many don’t recognize the term because most people in the industry call it “MUD”. Bentonite was used to contain the BP Oil spill, it’s the material used when the Hoover Dam springs a leak, and it is the waterproof liner around every under-water tunnel system to date e.g. the tunnel from Michigan to Canada. Engineers love it because it doesn’t disintegrate or crystalize – so as a foundation shifts and settles, the clay shifts and settles with it. The government likes it because it’s completely natural so it won’t damage plants or animals.
“How It Works: When building a manmade lake, construction workers will spread a thin layer of Bentonite clay at the bottom. The clay will absorb as much water as it can handle, then reject the rest – sealing the lake and preventing water from escaping into the ground. We use these same principals, only rather than holding water in a lake, we block water from touching the foundation. We do this by coating the exterior wall using a “No Digging” injection process. “By injecting material with low pressure grout pumps, we are able to displace loose soil around the foundation and replace it with Bentonite clay. This creates a water tight membrane barrier that prevents water from hitting the wall on the OUTSIDE of the building, rather than allowing water to compromise the concrete walls through penetration, then divert into an interior drain tile system. Although this process happens out of site, is still compromises the home’s structure. By preventing moisture from getting to the concrete, it will increase the longevity of the wall.” This engineer recommended application is used by the company in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
Great Lakes Waterproofing President Donald Joyner explains the firm’s reaction to winning this prestigious award. ““It’s an incredible honor. No other company in the region has captured this recognition before.” Joyner has been running the company since 1978. It originated in the Chicago and Kalamazoo areas, and has spread throughout the Midwest. Joyner says the company’s patented outside basement-waterproofing process - volclay injection with no digging has been a major factor in Great Lakes’ success. That, and state-of-the-art drain-tile, sump pump and foundation-stabilization processes.
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Company: Great Lakes Waterproofing Web Address: www.greatlakeswaterproofing.com Tel: +1 888-448-2351
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Best for Church Design and Construction: Texas
Maco Construction MACO Construction offers a range of construction services, with their main focus in recent years being churches, which has helped them to attain a vast experience in this sector. Duane Cannon, the firm’s President and Co-Owner, explains how the company utilises this experience to create stunning, timeless churches.
ACO Construction is a Design and Construction Management firm founded in 1984 that has successfully completed over one hundred and fifty churches. Although churches are our main focus, MACO Construction has an extensive list of commercial clients as well, such as Fire & EMS stations, pipe coating plants, pipe yards, crane building, manufacturing facilities, tenant space build-outs, home design centers, trucking companies, bus barns and private schools.
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We assist our customers in making all the right decisions; developing the master site plan, and providing the architectural design and construction expertise that our customers need to complete a project that they will be proud of. Our system provides our customers with the best possible method of realizing their vision at the very lowest cost possible. This is our goal at MACO, to assist local churches in seeing their vision become a reality. We become an extension of their ministry, always working for the benefit and welfare of their church.
Through our vast experience working on church building and in the construction industry as a whole we have learned that communication and teamwork are key to ensure the success of each project. To begin with, we are very protective of the professionals that we choose to associate ourselves with; from the architect to the MEP and structural engineers, we only select the highest quality individuals to partner our projects with. We become a part of the customers’ team leading them and guiding them through the process as if we were training them for future employment. This provides a level of transparency and understanding of the process that assists all involved in making the right decisions at the right time. The reason we are so successful in church building is simply that we are dedicated to helping local churches; that is what drives us here at MACO Construction. When you do what you do for a higher purpose, it drives you to go the extra mile and above and beyond the call of duty. We guard our project during the design phase to ensure that the budget is kept in mind during the design phase so that our customers do not find themselves in a position of having a set of architectural documents that they cannot afford to build. We have found that many churches have building committees that are made up of professionals that are not familiar with the construction industry and are charged with a task that is outside of their realm of expertise, so we perform consultation services at no charge to the church to assist them in knowing how to move a project forward from concept to completion.
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Company: MACO Construction Name: Duane Cannon, President & Co-Owner Email: D.Cannon@MacoConstruction.com Name: Cee Freeman, Vice President & Co-Owner Email: C.Freeman@MacoConstruction.com Web Address: www.MacoConstruction.com Address: 1718 Humble Place Drive, Humble, Texas 77338 Telephone: (713) 453-1234
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Company: Aspray Ltd Email: info@aspray.com Web Address: http://aspray.com/ Address: 9 Dalton Court, Commercial Road Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0DG Tel: +44 0800-077-6705
Property Insurance Firm of the Year Aspray Ltd is a property insurance claims management firm which specialises in managing claims for natural disasters including fire, storm and flood damage.
Aspray Ltd
Aspray are dedicated to loss assessment and managing property repairs, ensuring that as little lasting damage is done as possible. One of the specific areas the firm operate in is that of domestic claims. Fire, flood, water, storms, impact or criminal damage can threaten the safety and security that people feel in their property, and therefore it is of vital importance that any issues are resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. Aspray understands this and are dedicated to ensuring all customers receive the best possible standard of care as quickly as possible should any damage occur to their home. If the worst happens, and a client’s home is damaged and the assistance of a builder, plumber or roofer is required, Aspray can help their clients achieve a fair settlement from the client’s insurer and ensure the
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property returns back to normal as quickly as possible. The firm’s efficient and professional service is free of charge to the policy holder as they invoice the insurer directly for all property reinstatement and repairs. Additionally, Aspray endeavour to save their clients time and hassle and ensure their home is repaired to the highest possible standard, because they understand how distressing it can be when their home is damaged, so they can help take the stress out of those situations and their domestic claims. As well as domestic claims the firm also provides assistance with commercial property claims, communicating with insurance firm’s to provide their clients with the best possible service as quickly as possible, ensuring that the physical damage does as little damage as possible to the business it affects.
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Web Address: www.bugler.co.uk/developments Address: Bugler House, 1 Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1JY Telephone: 01923 777988
With more than 30 years of experience in constructBest for Affordable Housing Construction: ing high quality affordable housing in London and the London South East, Bugler Developments has built long term relationships with many affordable housing providers in our area of operation. Having spoken to the company, they had this to say about winning this award and their place within their industry.
Bugler Developments Ltd
Winning this award is down to the hard work and determination of a team whose aim is to deliver a sustainable, high quality development which enhances the neighbourhood and delivers positive benefits to the surrounding community. We have an extensive land finding network and many of the schemes we have carried out are on land we have sourced for our clients who include Network, Notting Hill, A2Dominion, Affinity Sutton, One Housing, Barnet Homes, Tower Hamlets Homes, Hyde, Wandle, Genesis, Southern, ASRA, Shepherds Bush, Thames Valley Family Mosaic. We also act as contractor for our sister company Bugler Homes. We keep our repeat business with clients through the delivery of quality built products delivered to specification and budget time and again. Keeping actively abreast of policy and regulation changes in our sector and engaging with client bodies and organisations such as NHBC, BSRIA and LABC, Housing Forum, as well as through regular CPD sessions held in house and reviews at the end of each scheme, ensure best practice is always shared. Our board of directors is responsible for shaping company strategy with regards government, GLA and HCA policy, whilst our Head of Pre-Construction takes the lead on ensuring that appropriate training and advice is sought for dealing with regulation changes. Early involvement in a project is essential. We believe that a design based approach to quality is the most effective way of preventing defects. This ethos continues from design to on-site where we carry out regular checks
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during the construction and through to quality inspection. These inspections are carried out by our management team in conjunction with Building Control, NHBC and our client’s Clerk of Works. The flat management structure we engage in delivers continuity of involvement for BDL decision makers and our clients have access to senior staff which sets us apart from the “silo working” style of larger Contractors, allows us to stand out from our competitors. Teamwork both within the company and with the clients is our ethos; we are a family run company with a top down approach and a non-adversarial working and investing in staff and communities we work and live in. High land values, changing regime for our clients, lack of qualified workforce both on site and in the supporting areas are challenges which regularly present themselves but our philosophy and ethos, not just based on employment of marketing people, but the high calibre of staff allows for the successful completion of projects. We are well known throughout the London RSL sector as ‘good people to do business with’. Our future plans are centred around growth and to continue working with our partner clients and source sites for them to strengthen and maintain our long term relationships whilst building new.
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Company Name: DCM Electrical Installations Ltd Tel: +44 161 926 8100 Fax: + 44 161 928 3301 Email: info@dcmelectrical.co.uk
Best Electrical Installation Provider DCM Electrical Installations Ltd is a dedicated electrical installations provider working across a range of projects. We speak to David Morse, the firm’s Managing Director, about the firm’s diverse work.
DCM Electrical Installations Ltd
With over 50 years combined experience at Director and Senior Management level and an average of 10 years’ experience for each in house team member, you can be assured that your project is in the right hands. Our expertise and resources, combined with our partnership approach, has enabled us to meet clients’ requirements while maintaining a cost effective, quality service from feasibility through to successful contract completion. We pride ourselves on our ability to make things happen, to innovate and to solve problems. Above all we have built a reputation for successfully delivering projects on time, within budget and to client satisfaction.
As we operate in a broad range of sectors and we are able to draw on the wide experience gained from being successful in the varying disciplines within our industry. Through this experience we have developed a diverse range of special design and installation capabilities. This enables DCM Electrical Installations to offer a complete solution for clients requiring electrical engineering expertise. We have worked in all major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, also Main Line Railway Stations, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Street Station London. This expertise has taught us the importance of working within secure and restricted areas. Additionally we are also developed and established microgeneration systems installations who can provide value to any project installation. Our design team can work with our clients to look at available product and importantly provide payback Tariffs. The company’s services encompass all aspects of design installation and commissioning of electrical systems within the Retail, IT Facilities, Commercial, Industrial and Domestic, along with solutions to associated issues such as procurement, CDM regulations, testing and commissioning. In both the public and private sectors and on projects large and small, the firm prides itself on providing the highest quality of service along with outstanding professional standards.
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Company Name: DeSimone Consulting Engineers, PLLC Email Address: info@de-simone.com Address: 18 West 18th Street, 10th Floor New York, NY 10011 Telephone: 212.532.2211 Fax: 212.481.6108
Most Innovative Residential Project: New York (220 Central Park South) DeSimone Consulting Engineers, PLLC is dedicated to producing high quality projects which showcase their remarkable talent and carefully honed experience.
DeSimone Consulting Engineers , PLLC
Founded in New York City in 1969, DeSimone Consulting Engineers provides high-quality, creative structural engineering services to architects, owners and developers. DeSimone performs structural analysis and design for all types of buildings at all project phases. Known for the highest quality of service, the firm provides each client with personal, dedicated and inspiring engineering. With locations worldwide, DeSimone’s offices are organized to support clients in the US and worldwide. To date, DeSimone has designed projects in 40 states and 18 countries, with each of these projects demonstrating the firm’s dedication to pursuing and developing superlative structures. The firm is listed on Engineering News Record’s Top 500 Design Firms, highlighting their recognised position at the top of the sector. The firm’s approach is process driven, utilizing an open office and collaborative design environment. Communication and responsiveness are key strengths that facilitate the firm’s commitment to exceptional service and engender the creation of a better-built environment. DeSimone’s distinctive engineering comes from the firm’s strive for exceptional and high performance structures. The company believes that to be truly effective they needs to practice with special emphasis on meeting client’s distinctive and individual needs, their sensitivity to architectural design, provide effective communication and foster relationships, while promising functionality and connection to each project.
Dedicated to the successful execution of program design concepts and the optimization of structural systems, DeSimone has designed some of the world’s most recognizable structures. However, the firm are always interested in new challenges and industry advancement, thus they seek out opportunities that extend their capabilities and distinguish them from their competitors. The vast array of services offered by the company demonstrates their ongoing commitment to superlative performance-based design. As a consulting engineers, DeSimone are able to perform a full-range of structural engineering services for all types of building projects including structural design work, repairs, peer reviews and risk assessments. The firm works on a variety of projects in a number of sectors, but one of the most prominent recent projects, for which the company has won this prestigious accolade, is Vornado Realty Trust’s 950-foot building at 220 Central Park South, designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects and SLCE Architects, with interiors by the Office of Thierry W. Despont. This sumptuous 430,000 square foot project is due for completion next year, but is already coming to the attention of the construction industry because of its stunning design and high quality finish. The 950 ft residential tower is situated in Manhattan and offers unobstructed views to Central Park. Luxury is everything with this project and in order to accommodate all of the expected amenities within this supertall structure, DeSimone Engineers along with Stern Architects and SLCE Architects faced unique
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challenges. These include working against the extreme height the building is positioned at and working with a small footprint, but the firm is never adverse to embracing challenges and has worked hard to ensure the construction aspect of the building is of the highest possible quality. In the changing construction market, competition is fiercer than ever, and as such the firm is keen to showcase revolutionary projects such as this which could only be completed by innovative engineers such as themselves to bring the unique designs to fruition. With impressive details in design, each building offers a distinct style, and with it, special engineering challenges which the firm is more than able to achieve. Looking to the future, the firm is keen to continue to push the boundaries of engineering and work on increasingly innovative projects to increase their experience and enhance their portfolio.
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Company: di Salvo Interiors Web: www.disalvointeriors.com Email: info@disalviointeriors.com Address: 241 Rushmore Ave Carle Place NY 1154 Telephone: 212 465 3230
Building and renovating a home is a complex undertakBest for Ground Up Residential ing, and diSalvo Interiors strongly believes that the inteConstruction: New York rior of your home should reflect your tastes and lifestyle. We develop a set of detailed CAD drawings outlining the space plan, custom millwork, tile selections, built-ins, lighting, flooring and furnishings.
di Salvo Interiors
We assist our clients in their appliance selections, their kitchen and bath details, as well as their closet layouts. Working in conjunction with architects, contractors, and builders, we are constantly on site to manage all custom elements.
When working on a project, our team of artisans and experts fuss over each detail. Sofas, area rugs, window coverings and all furnishings are made to our specifications through a group of highly specialised workrooms throughout the U.S. and Europe. The end result is a beautiful home, professionally and cohesively designed that reflect a very high taste level. For interior decoration, we select background materials such as paint and wall coverings to compliment the custom furnishings. In order to showcase the home and its best features, we may add moldings, built-ins, coffered ceilings and raised panels. Our upholstery is custom made to fit each of our unique rooms, and our window covering are hand sewn by highly trained artisans to bring out the beauty of each view. Furthermore, our turnkey installation and delivery team makes our clients’ redesign both a fun and thrilling experience. Through our process, their home or apartment reflects fundamental classical design principles while specifically meeting their lifestyle needs. As for immediate interiors, the beauty of our service is that it is unlike our custom services, and we focus on affordable designs with immediate results, perhaps best suited to for New York apartments. Our trained design team work with their clients to determine the most effective and creative way while stylishly showing it to its best advantage. Clients provide us with a budget and we provide them with two design choices that include layout furniture lighting and carpets as well as artwork and accessories form our stock in resources.
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Company: Direct Lift Company Name: Dave Embling MD Email: dave@directliftco.co.uk Web Address: www.directliftco.co.uk Address: Unit 1a Grange Farm Road Whitehall Industrial Estate Colchester Essex CO2 8JW Telephone: 01206 861686
Direct Lift Co are one of the most recommended firms Best for Lift Service and Maintenance of lift engineers, offering lift maintenance, repair and installation services, covering Essex and East Anglia. We speak to their Managing Director Dave Embling who talks us through how the firm came to win this impressive award.
Direct Lift Co offer a personal service to which all customers are treated the same across its range of clients. This is part of the company’s structure across its range of staff from the Engineers, Sales, Administration, Manager, Director up to the MD. We believe this why the company has been very successful, built on reputation and recommendations. Our client portfolio consists of Universities, NHS, councils, facility management, entertainment and care homes all within the public and private sectors. The company
were awarded in 2011 Growing Business of the Year Award and are also accredited with ISO:9001 ISO:14001, OHSAS:18001 and members of LEIA (Lift and Escalator Industry Association) Direct Lift Co offer a full personalised and Professional Package with IT Real Time information at the touch of a button. Our company approach to working on a project consists of ensuring professionalism at all times, as well as communication, as these are both vital factors in our work. Our approach to solving problems is to ensure all clients are treated as equals because ultimately ‘without customers there is no company’ With this in mind, we view each of our clients as equal to another and they are therefore handled on a personal service basis. This enables us to distinguish ourselves from our competitors because we ensure each client is happy with our service and to listen to each individual requirement, as every client is unique regardless of size. Additionally, as the company is family run and all staff are part of the family ethos, we ensure that everyone enjoys what they do and enjoy the job they do, which we feel reflects on how we treat each client. Moving forward, the future holds more success in the coming years as we expand controllably and look to open satellite offices throughout parts of the country, thus ensuring clients receive the same professional and personal service operated by local people and the ethos maintained within the company. This will ensure our success and further advance and innovate our services.
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Company: Fence Protector Name: Mark Wheatley Email: mark@fenceprotector.co.uk Web Address: www.fenceprotector.co.uk Tel: +44 07706410354
Fence Protector is a unique, specially designed product Most Innovative Construction Product: which speeds up and takes the hassle out of the proFence Protector cess of fence panel painting, spraying and preserving. We speak to inventor and entrepreneur Mark Wheatley about his unique product and his exciting future plans.
Fence Protector
Mark has had a difficult year, battling the repercussions of major injuries, but winning this award for his unique product, Fence Protector has provided a timely morale boost. Fence Protector is a UPVC masking aid which will fit a variety of concrete post sizes, designed to avoid accidental splashes whilst painting, spraying or preserving. The product is convenient, reusable but above all is time and labour saving and simply wipes clean once used. Mark, who describes himself as “an inventor who is learning to be a businessman”
explains how he came up with the idea for the product. “I came up with the idea a few years ago, whilst my mother-in-law was visiting. I had just had a new fence installed and had planned to preserve it when time allowed. Whilst I was out my mother-in-law decided to help and started preserving the fence, in the process she got it everywhere. I realised that there must be an easier way to go about this, so I turned my hand to the problem and came up with Fence Protector.” Since having his patent application for the product approved four years ago Mark has steadily grown the business, with the product now having over 2800 sales and an endorsement from professional painter and decorator Wayne de Wet. At present the main market for the product is private clients looking to use the product for DIY jobs, but the business has started to expand into professional sector. The product is currently sold exclusively online, but Mark has a number of exciting ideas for the future, which include moving into new markets. “I have a number of ideas for the business; possibly working with tool hire companies to lease the fence protector. This option will allow customers to experience the benefits of using the product, “Try before You Buy “ “Additionally, I am looking into expanding our product range with other time and labour saving innovative ideas.”
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Company: Flowscreed Ltd Name: Hugh Doggett Email: flowscreed.ltd@gmail.com Web Address: www.flow-screed.com Address: 62 Gorefield Road, Leverington, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 5AT Telephone: 01945 232111
Flowscreed are premier Installers of underfloor heating, Best Underfloor Heating Specialists flowing liquid screed and a free flowing floor screeding specialists, providing an innovative, quality heated flooring solution. We spoke to them to find out more about how they consistently deliver for their customers.
Flowscreed Ltd
Our client base range from main contractors, medium size builders, and self-build. We provide a complete package, installing damp proof membranes, insulation, underfloor heating and flowing liquid screed. We work closely with our clients and involve them with every aspect of our process, which ensures that our clients are happy with our finished product. We believe in being open and transparent to all our clients, as well as providing a first class service. Across the
board, we are a company with an unrelenting focus on customer service. Our ethos is based on 100% client satisfaction. We always display each stage of our work through our media on our website and social media. This has always received excellent comments, right from clients through to our manufactures. Furthermore, this has also gained us some new recommendations and contracts. What keeps us informed with any changes in our industry is that we are always involved with manufactures such as Celotex insulation, Gyvlon, and Tarmac. This means that we always know about any new products that are coming into the market. We also have just completed a case study with Celotex, who asked us to be involved. This project involved us providing our thoughts on their new products and how to improve. Perhaps our unique selling point is that we a specialist company, and provide a complete package including DPM, insulation, underfloor heating and flowing liquid screeds. Furthermore, this allows our clients to have a quick turn around on their projects. We cover the East of England, and our key challenge going forward is to progress the business and recruit more staff to expand our business with intelligent leads. As for the award, it is absolutely fabulous to be awarded. This means so much to us as this our very first award, but hopefully the first of many more.
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Company: Hammerhead Contracting, Inc. Name: Scott and April Minish Email: Scott@hammerheadcontracting.com April@hammerheadcontracting.com Web Address: www.hammerheadcontracting.com Address: Charlotte, North Carolina (USA) Telephone: (704) 814-0347
General Contractors of the Year: Charlotte Hammerhead Contracting, Inc. are a full service Licensed General Contractor serving both commercial and residential clients. We speak to April Minish who talks us through the firm’s work and how they came to win this coveted title.
As such we have a diverse and well-rounded background with various project types. These include custom residential homes; commercial and corporate environments; retail; healthcare; education; trade-show exhibits; museums; horse barns and riding arenas, among others. We offer a wide range of pre-construction and on-site services to suit the needs of our clients. These services include pre-project consultation and concept development as well as space planning and design services which can be provided in a range of drawing styles, including hand drawings, autoCAD drawings and 3-D renderings. Once the project is underway we offer everything from new construction services through to renovations, additions, repairs and restorations. In addition we also offer project leadership which provides direction and over-sight with the big picture in mind. With our own inhouse design team, we enjoy collaborating on design concepts and helping our clients set up a plan of action.
Hammerhead contracting, Inc. is a licensed general contracting company established in 2001 in Charlotte, North Carolina (USA). We are a family owned and operated business, run as a husband and wife team, my husband Scott and myself. Together, we have over 20 years’ experience in the construction & design industry.
This is because planning, along with design and implementation, is a key aspect to the success of a project. As such we ensure that we plan the project accordingly, we design thoroughly and thoughtfully, and lead our construction crew to a successful build. When it comes to client service we offer a simple service revolving around our honesty and integrity. There was a quote that was shared with me years ago which I have always tried to adopt when dealing with clients: “a person with integrity lets time prove them right”.
Build Construction & Engineering Awards 2015
It does have to be said that we never like giving bad news, but sometimes events out of our control mean that we have to in order to ensure our clients have all of the facts. However we have always found that our clients are usually glad that we were straight with them, and we always endeavour them the full facts and offer a solution. This ensures that any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently and that our clients are usually happy. We felt very honoured to have won this prestigious title. We attribute our success to being a good listener, as we believe that the success of a project is our ability to listen and understand our client’s goals. We pride ourselves on attention to detail through to the last item on the punch list. We care about our clients and we enjoy what we do! As a business we are constantly evolving and we always seek new knowledge. Our experience is highly valuable to us as we have learned from our mistakes and triumphs to build a successful company which clients can trust. Because of this we are constantly very busy with word-of-mouth referrals from past clients, as well as past clients coming back to plan for future projects. In order to adapt to this growing demand we are growing at a steady pace, and we hope to bring on new team members in the future and teach them our trade. Scott and I both had fantastic mentors throughout our life, and we hope that we can make a positive impact on those that are around us in the future.
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Company: Hester Architects Ltd Address: 2 Drayton House Court, Dorchester Road, Drayton St Leonard Oxfordshire, OX10 7BG Phone: +44 (0) 1865 893900 Email: mail@hesterarchitects.co.uk
Founded in 1998, Hester Architects Ltd is a modern, dynamic, client focused practice at the forefront Best for BIM Services of technological advances in both the way buildings are designed and constructed. We work across many sectors which include large scale housing projects for national developers, affordable housing, regeneration projects, care homes and care villages, hotels, leisure complexes, and commercial buildings.
Hester Architects Ltd
We specialise in master planning, which involves working in areas such as high density mixed use urban design, multi storey buildings, prefabricated construction, as well as energy efficient and sustainable design. In our work, we have built a reputation for maximizing site values. Our company structure ensures that we can deliver and maintain the best service for our clients on all aspects of the project. We are continually taking steps to expand into the realms of computerised interactive environments and have championed Building Information Modelling (BIM) for well over a fifteen years.
Build Construction & Engineering Awards 2015
We have worked on a number of exciting projects including Hicks Bolton Bond in South Kilburn, Kings Road in Reading, and Hope Street in Liverpool, to name a few. At Hester Architects we have the ability to adapt to a fast changing world. We are always investigating new ways of presenting our designs, our buildings and the environment they influence and function within.
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Company: IBB Polish Building Wholesale Name: Jacek Ambrozy Email: ja@ibb.pl Web Address: www.IBBestimator.co.uk Address: 18 Gorst Road, Park Royal, London NW10 6LE Telephone: 02089657972
Most Cost Effective Building Merchant: UK When we first started, IBB Polish Building Wholesale was originally solely dedicated to Polish clients because we were importing mostly Polish products.
IBB Polish Building Wholesale
However, after few years this changed as the company grew to serve a wider range of building products. We now have more than 10k customers all nationalities. When we first started we had a lot of competition, which is why we decided to diversify into new markets.
Additionally, we feel we are different from our competitors as we are builders, not only marketing guys, that means we know the construction market and the expectations of our customers. By understanding our clients we are able to ensure that our service exactly meets their needs. In order to keep our service up to date we always take advice and send our staff to a lot of courses. This ensures that when we launch new products and technologies in the construction sector we know they are fully compatible with regulations. We will continue to develop and evolve alongside the industry, aiming at selling more products and developing innovative new IT solutions for construction sector. As an example - we’ve been developing our own estimation tool which is now available to public and known as IBBestimator. You can download it either from App Store or Google Play and test it free of charge. If you like it you’ve got 7 days or 1 year subscription options available. The subscription not only saves your time and effort but also your money - having a yearly subscription you’re awarded with maximum discount for purchasing available - 40% off RRP. You’ll also benefit from having access our database with hundreds of builders across the UK plus you can order building materials with just few taps on your phone or tablet.
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Name: J. Brandon Davis Email: j.brandon.davis@aecom.com Telephone: 216-523-5640
Recognised Leader in Energy J. Brandon Davis, AECOM provides environmental, en& Natural Resources EPC gineering, construction and maintenance to a multitude of industries, including for energy & natural resource development related assets. J. Brandon Davis talks us through his firm and why winning this award was so important to them.
J. Brandon Davis, AECOM
Our firm works in the EPC business includes everything from wellpad development, to rig hauling, to equipment fabrication, to development and maintenance of process plants; truly the whole spectrum of what is needed to support plant and property assets. It is a very exciting and rewarding professional that I am blessed to be involved with. It is our job to develop all the infrastructure necessary for our world to work, and to do it in a way that build a better world for us all and solves complex challenges. It is really an honour to receive this award. The energy industry is important to our world, to the USA and especially to where I live, which is close to the United States’ Appalachian Basin region. It is humbling to receive such recognition when I know there are so many great folks out there in the industry doing really amazing things. I have tried to be a supporter of the industry, of careful and thoughtful development of the industry and our natural resources, and have really enjoyed the opportunities I have had to work in and around the industry and the amazing and hardworking people in the industry that are driving our economy and our national security. I think perhaps it is those activities that have led to the presentation of this recognition, I am very humbled to receive it and I do so really on behalf of so many others that I work with and around that are driving the EPC and the Energy industries. Our firm operates in a unique space in our industry for a variety of reasons. From a personal standpoint it is hard to quantify what makes you unique in the marketplace, all I can share
Build Construction & Engineering Awards 2015
is that I have a true passion for excellence, and a dedication to the success of all those in my circle of family, friends and business partners. I treat the projects and businesses of project owners I am blessed to work with as if they were my own. The principles of always thinking about how can I help others be successful before myself, and how I can make my own little positive impact on the world have been what has guided me for most of my adult life; through that I have been able to form some very good and long-term business partnerships with folks and together we have been able to be part of some pretty amazing teams that accomplished some pretty great things. As a company I am blessed to get to work at a place like AECOM, where innovative thought is encouraged and where we have a true in-house full capabilities solution, from dream to reality and maintenance, we have experts in house across every function of the full lifecycle of any part of the built world. It is really pretty amazing and the benefits of being able to leverage all this expertise throughout the project lifecycle brings huge value, and the value of being integrated into one firm makes it seamless and easy to leverage that expertise.
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Company: Launch Construction Ltd. Name: Brad Long Email: launchltd@telus.net Web Address: www.launchcontruction.com Address: 2154 Eagle Bay RD. Blind Bay BC, V0E 1H1 Telephone: 250-833-6680
Launch Construction Ltd offer services such as new Best for Custom Home Design custom home builds, home improvements and renova& Construction: British Columbia tions, quality finishing as well as commercial projects. They employ cutting edge technology to enhance their commitment to impeccable customer service, detailed job costing and tight scheduling. We spoke to Brad Long, Owner and Manager of Launch Construction, to find out more about their company how they provide for their diverse set of clients.
We offer a variety of services to cover all of our clients’ needs, and this is demonstrated by our lasting relationships with satisfied customers. When working on a project, our primary focus is on listening to the client, communicating with them and giving a truly
high level of attention to detail. Furthermore, we need to always be on top of things, which we achieve through persistent quality control and good communication with employees. From our perspective, we believe our unique selling point is that we have the ability to be flexible in order to meet our clients’ needs. We distinguish ourselves by the ability to adapt to every scheduling or design obstacle in a timely fashion. In terms of our ethos, we ensure that we deliver a service with integrity, good work ethics and the constant desire to be proud of our accomplishments. In doing so, I ensure regular communication with employees and a hands-on approach. In order to stay ahead in our highly competitive industry, we take upgrading courses offered by Home Owner Protection Office and use the assistance Canadian Federation of Independent Business and National Home Warranty seminars. Our region of The Shuswap is a vacation resort area, which includes a large retirement community as well as a lot of young families. Working with such a diverse community and clientele presents a number of challenges and opportunities, and we are able thrive in this area though the level of flexibility we deliver through our services. Looking further ahead, my future goals are to continually grow my business by expanding our services and keeping us up to date with any emerging trends and technological advances.
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Company Name: LEDVISTA Lighting Limited Name: Peter English, Managing Director Telephone: +353 1 9011 789 Website: www.ledvista.ie Address: Block B, The Crescent Building, Northwood, Santry, Dublin 9, IRELAND
Best for Energy Saving Lighting Solutions: LEDVISTA Limited is an enterprise dedicated to the Ireland supply of world class LED lighting to business and consumer markets. We speak to Peter English about the firm’s work and the exciting future that lies ahead for the firm.
LEDVISTA Lighting Limited
Established seven years ago, LEDVISTA Lighting Limited specialises in high quality LED lighting, with a focus on servicing sectors such as hospitality, retail, office & commercial, industrial, and municipal projects. The LEDVISTA website (www.ledvista.ie) is rapidly expanding with the aim to provide expert advice on the latest LED lighting technology available as well as providing a comprehensive on-line shop to the consumer market for home lighting. My own background is in the semiconductor industry, which I apply frequently to my work within the company as LED lighting is a semiconductor technology (Light Emitting Diodes). Alongside our technical expertise and knowledge of the LED lighting industry, the firm has formed strong bonds with global market leading LED lighting manufacturers, coupled with a growing a considerable and diverse client base, which have helped us to grow and reach the success of winning this prestigious title. We are particularly proud and encouraged to have won this title, as it is great to be recognised by an independent source. LEDVISTA Lighting has won awards in the past but this title is particularly prestigious and the recognition means a lot to us. Our firm has an exciting future ahead, with many emerging LED lighting technology developments in the industry set to provide us with a number of opportunities for growth and expansion.
Build Construction & Engineering Awards 2015
Technology is evolving in all markets and lighting is no exception. LEDVISTA Lighting Limited is fortunate to be well positioned at the forefront of major technological developments thanks to our strong ties within the industry and our attendance to a number of events such as major lighting shows, which showcase the latest technology in the sector. A major upcoming trend which is set to bring in Intelligent (Smart) Lighting is the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), which will enable users to control their lighting wirelessly and remotely, using portable devices such as their smartphones and also bring about a host of new ways to utilise LED lights. We are embracing this change and preparing the necessary resources to offer the benefits coming from the new IoT era with respect to lighting systems. It is not just the lighting industry that is developing and growing strongly. The Irish economy is finally in full recovery following the economic and banking sector melt-down of 2008, and as such construction activity is increasing rapidly with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and green technology, providing us with the opportunity to grow further with this significant upturn.
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Company: London Repointing and Restoration Ltd Email: info@londonrepointingandrestorationltd.co.uk Address: Unit 29, 29 Grasdene Road, Plumstead, Kent. SE18 2AS Tel: 07830 911177
Best for Repointing Services London Repointing & Restoration Ltd are an established
building contractor that specialises in the restoration of vernacular brick and stone facades to their former glory. We specialise in Brick cleaning, Lime mortar repointing, Paint removal, Pebbledash removal, and stone restoration, We cover London and surrounding areas. We are friendly family business who take pride in every project we undertake We pride ourselves on our professional, reliable, affordable service and our outstanding customer service and workmanship. Our work is fully insured and guaranteed. For your free quote please contact us at www.Londonrepointingandrestorationltd.co.uk Or call 07830 911 177, 0208 306 8233
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Company: Miracle Dynamic Solutions Name: Alan Frost Email: alan.frost@miracle-dynamics.com Web Address: www.miracle-dynamics.com Address: Miracle Dynamic Solutions Ltd, Miracle House, 12 Miller Court, Severn Drive, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8DN Tel: 0845 634 5015 | Fax: 01684 291 464 | Helpdesk: 0845 634 2946 Payroll Bureau: 0844 801 9717 | Service Delivery: 01684 440 328 Email: sales@miracle-dynamics.com | info@miracle-dynamics.com
Most Innovative Payroll and HR Solutions Miracle Dynamic Solutions have implemented a number of new payroll and HR schemes which ensure the satisfaction of both their employees and customers. Alan Frost talks us through these new initiatives and the effect they have on the business.
Miracle Dynamic Solutions
The MiracleHRM product set provides a comprehensive and functionality–rich suite of applications that will meet the needs of most HR functions. The MiracleHRM set is a truly world-class offering that is a ‘must’ for every Dynamics NAV installation. It is however a product set that is being constantly developed with the addition of further functionality and new HR related modules. We have a detailed road-map which documents the planned developments. In order to ensure that our work is always meeting our high standards employ a full time analyst that reviews legislative changes in payroll and employment law, we constantly review forums and collect information from various Government organisations and focus groups. We also rely on feedback and constant communication with our customers to ensure we are providing them with the best possible service. The impact of implementing a new payroll, a time & attendance system or an HR management system such as MiraclePay, MiracleTime or MiraclePeople can be far-reaching. Miracle Dynamics has developed a five step implementation methodology to help customers maximise their return on investment in the application and achieve project success. The approach – called MiracleImpact – encompasses the planning, design, deployment and review phases necessary for the successful implementation of the Miracle product set. It also covers implementation of any additional software components – such as MiracleFleet
– and, where required, customisation and integration with other business systems. The approach addresses both the business, operational and technical implications of implementing Miracle Dynamics applications within the organisation. It is practical, thorough and clearly defined, with customers receiving a pre-determined set of deliverables at the end of each stage in the process. The purpose of MiracleImpact is to address the implementation of Miracle Dynamics applications in a structured, phased manner to ensure that the solution meets business objectives, achieves rapid payback and ROI. Our firm is unique as we endeavour to have fun in our work. To achieve this we give away thousands of toy ducks, we have Miracle ice cream and a sweetshop, we have great conferences etc. From a more serious perspective we provide both a great product and excellent service. This has put us in a position where we dominant the HRM market for Microsoft Dynamics NAV users. We have a structured management methodology called ‘The Miracle Way’, which gives our staff the security of knowing that there is an upward path in their career, as well as providing 90% of company information is available to all staff through web-based information systems, which makes it easier for them to access. Overall we have worked hard to invest in our people, as we know ultimately this will ensure our customers will receive the best possible service.
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Our main challenge is the rapid and continuous change in payroll and HR legislation in association with the technology changes that everyone else experiences in the IT industry. It is very exciting to win this award as we have over 300 customers in the construction industry including some very significant organisations. It is testimony to the time and effort we have put into the product design and the attention given to meeting customer requirements. Ultimately our success is based on the fact that we care about our customers – we want them to be delighted by our technology and service levels. In future we are keen to improve on what we already have, with more fun, more business, more happy customers.
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Company: Neilcott Construction Limited Name: Denize Halton Email: dhalton@neilcott.co.uk Website: www.neilcott.co.uk Address: Excel House, Cray Avenue, Orpington, Kent BR5 3ST Telephone: 01689 832199
Award for Excellence in New Build Services Neilcott Construction Limited provide a variety of building consultancy services, particularly in the new build sector. Denize Halton talks us through the firm’s work and how they have managed to carve out a niche for themselves in a competitive market.
Neilcot is delighted to have been awarded the “Excellence in New Build Services”. Our Clients welcome the straight forward and uncomplicated style in which we deliver our projects; always collaborative, proactive and able to respond promptly to changing circumstances - never constrained by unnecessary procedural issues. This flexibility is derived from our status as a privately owned regional contractor who is able to take all decisions locally, free of the regimentation which is frequently enshrined in larger national operators. Neilcott was established in 1967 to provide building contracting services from its base in Orpington, Kent. We specialise in the design, construction, refurbishment and maintenance of properties within the public and private sectors. Our approach succeeds through strong and effective teamwork both within the business and externally with clients, consultants, sub-contractors and suppliers.
We are a regional contractor, primarily operating in the South East, South and South Midlands, with offices in Orpington, Kent and Farnborough, Hampshire. Opportunities within our region remain extremely buoyant and we are well placed to deliver services to our clients. The challenge is to stand out amongst our competitors in what is a highly competitive area with numerous players. Neilcott’s in-house technical resource, allows innovative approaches to be adopted in respect of design solutions. This expertise, particularly in respect of new and emerging technologies, is supported by close relationships with an established specialist supply chain. Neilcott utilise this valuable resource to bring innovative solutions into play at the earliest opportunity with a view to reducing cost, programme or cost in use. We have a great team with real family values which combined with our professional yet friendly approach, we believe provides the right blend for both our stakeholders and ourselves to win. With our forward thinking approach to everything that we do, we have an enviable track record of successfully meeting the key requirements of every construction project that we undertake, such requirements include: • Timely delivery • Safe delivery • Delivery within budget • Delivery to specification • Environmental responsibility • Delivery in a manner which reflects positively upon our clients
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We adopt a life-cycle approach to the delivery of services essential to the development, creation and care of the built environment We operate in a range of market sectors, including: • Commercial • Residential • Mixed use • Retail • Fit-out • Education • Health One of our particular strengths is of course our people. That our managers are all highly skilled is a prerequisite. The Neilcott team however can offer the additional benefits of accessibility and stability throughout the Company. Our directors and senior managers are not “figureheads” to be wheeled out for interviews and the like; they are actively involved upon all projects and are always available to clients and their advisors, their day to day involvement allowing them to engage equally effectively in matters of both detail and strategy. Our team is both consistent and stable at Neilcott we are proud of our unique staff retention rate. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons that clients come back to Neilcott time and time again is our reputation for undertaking technically and logistically demanding projects extremely successfully. Deadlines are often absolute with no room for accommodating delay, irrespective of the cause. Projects are often fast track with designs only emerging
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in parallel with construction. Such challenges are embraced with relish by Neilcott’s management, adopting a “can do” approach and always willing to “go the extra mile” and it is Neilcott’s proven reliability in meeting challenges such as these, which others may seek to avoid, which sets the Company apart. From inception the Neilcott team have successfully delivered a vast number of projects varying in value from £100,000 to in excess of £20m. Through sharing experience in respect of procurement and delivery and understanding our clients’ corporate ambitions and constraints, a procurement process has been developed which truly reflects the principles of best practice construction. This process, which is based upon collaborative working within contractual frameworks, has embraced lean procurement and modern methods of construction, adopting innovative solutions as and when appropriate.
Such an outstanding record can only be achieved by teams who have a wealth of customer focus and experience. The values that drive our business forward have been agreed with full input of our employees to ensure that we focus on complete customer satisfaction through the delivery of the required outcomes. These drivers are embedded deeply into the Neilcott culture and because they were devised by the people who will deliver them they are delivered with enthusiasm and belief. Resource management within Neilcott also includes succession planning and each of our key management personnel are required to appoint a mentor and develop their successors. All vacancies are advertised internally to encourage career development. We also invest in excellent recruitment campaigns and advertising to attract the best candidates. Any manpower planning which highlights skills gaps trigger recruitment and/or training initiatives as indicated above.
The key to ensuring that capacity is never reached is forward planning and programming. Neilcott are a planning driven organisation, believing that sound planning from the earliest stages, based upon the specific details of each project, creates a secure basis from which all the projects key drivers can be realised. Detailed planning creates achievable programmes and organises the supply chain such that the project’s time constraints are met. Detailed planning ensures works are undertaken efficiently such that waste of all kinds is eliminated, supporting profitable working.
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Name: Daniel Naim Company: Naim Development LLC Email: info@naim.us Web Address: www.naim.us Address: 1111 Kane Concourse Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 33154 United States Telephone: +1 (786) 228-6246
Best for Custom Residential Construction: Naim Development is a leading South Florida developFlorida ment and construction firm. The founder, Daniel Naim is passionate about perfection. This ensures that clients receive the results of their dreams. Perfection and client results are at the core of the firm’s ethos and are the reason for Naim Developments success.
Naim Development’s mission is turning dreams into reality. Naim’s team has significant experience in all types of projects. No project is too small. The firm has successfully tackled home renovations of all sizes, as well as complex and ground up constructions. Over the last ten years the Firm has developed a particular specialty in high-end residential and commercial projects. A key part of the firm’s culture is its commitment to work closely with its clients and suppliers in order to make the entire development process as stress free and efficient as possible for each and every client. Naim prides himself on personally guiding his clients through every phase of construction. Naim Development is also focused on the financial success of the project. By utilizing a high level of preparation throughout the process, Naim is able to consistently deliver projects on time and on budget. As a result of the firm’s dedication to perfection, client service, and results, Daniel Naim and his remarkable team are able to exceed theirs client’s expectations. Naim is proud to be known as a partner who helps turn dreams into realities. Naim Development is honored and humbled to win this award; which Naim views as an acknowledgement of its hard work and dedication to the South Florida market. Naim Development is proud of its past accomplishments, but is excited for an even brighter future literally helping build and shape the South Florida skyline.
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Company: Partners For Architecture Email: studio@pfarch.net Web Address: www.pfarch.net Address: 48 Union Street Stamford, CT 06906 Telephone: +1 (203) 708-0047
Best Municipal Architect: New York Partners For Architecture is an architecture firm providing a range of services in a number of sectors including residential, commercial, hospitality, education and municipal construction.
Partners For Architecture
Partners For Architecture was inaugurated in 2000 with the dedication to establish an architectural firm that provides comprehensive and environmentally sensitive architectural services. We believe our success stems directly from our work philosophy; both partners of the firm, Rainer Schrom, AIA and Stephen Grasso, RA, are directly involved in every project. Our staff works in a collaborative studio environment and we approach projects holistically, with great care in our selection of materials, processes and cost effectiveness. We often use off-site/pre-fabricated elements in our projects in order to streamline construction timeframes as well as reduce the amount of embodied energy produced from a traditional building path. We are based in Stamford, CT but provide services in New York City and across the Tri-State area and even internationally. Our
architects are licensed in many states in the US. Though a small business, our firm has garnered an excellent reputation as a cosmopolitan firm, recognized and respected for projects from new school buildings in New York City to pro-bono work for UNICEF, providing designs for schools in West Africa. Partners For Architecture also provides planning services for many international clients such as AKDO, XAL, Douglas Cosmetics and the German International School of New York. Some of the key opportunities for our firm have come from our experience in the design and construction of school buildings. We have had much success in the past several years with our role in several new Charter Schools opening in the South Bronx and Yonkers, NY. We take particular pride in the South Bronx Charter School for International Culture and the Arts, a building for which we won the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Education Award of 2014. A key example of the firm’s innovative projects is the Basis Independent School in Brooklyn, New York. This project is a 90,000 SF new K-12 School facility; it is located in a flood zone and a brown site. The client approached us in July, 2013 for an opening in September, 2014. Beyond being able to expedite the NYC DOB process, Partners for Architecture utilized off-site construction to run, in effect, two construction sites, one in the field and the second in Pennsylvania, where 75% of the building was constructed off-site, at risk, even before BSA approval and permits were granted. We enjoy, and strive for excellence in what we do every day. Our mission is to be a firm “united with others in a sphere of common interest, designing buildings and environments in consideration of aesthetics, function and the environment”.
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Company: Scott Edwards Architecture Name: James Lee, Marketing Director Email: jlee@seallp.com Web Address: www.seallp.com Address: 2525 E. Burnside St., Portland, Oregon, USA 97212 Telephone: +1 1-503-226-3617
Best Commercial Architect: Oregon Scott Edwards Architecture are dedicated to elevating their client’s quality of life through thoughtful planning and design. The firm’s Marketing Director James Lee talks us through the firm’s customer focused ethos and this has ultimately driven their success.
Scott Edwards Architecture
Scott Edwards Architecture is a Portland, Oregon, USA-based architectural firm established in l998. Today the firm has over 50 employees at its offices in Oregon and Hawaii. Scott Edwards maintains a diverse project portfolio serving public and private clients throughout the United States. Markets served by our firm include non-profit organizations, civic, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, multi-family housing and private residences.
Our practice is rooted in community and design. Our projects aspire to engender pride in the communities in which they are placed, the people that live and work there, the owner, and the design team. Our mantra is: “People first. Design forward.” With this in mind, our approach is to provide our clients with the best customer service and the best value. Great customer service starts with open and honest communication, and timely feedback. Great value comes from delivering the best architectural solution for the project. Whether it’s reusing an existing structure to keep on budget, researching new techniques to strengthen a building’s foundation, or meeting regularly with community members to address concerns, we aim to deliver a project that exceeds expectations. This unique approach is what drives customers to our firm. At S|EA we believe no one will be more excited about a client’s project than we will. We love what we do and it shows. From the first kick-off meeting through to the final punch list, we are there with our clients every step of the way. We enjoy “rolling up our sleeves” and really digging into a project. We listen and we work together to develop a project that go beyond what the client thought was possible. The future for our firm looks bright. Recently our firm has begun pursuing more work nationally, culminating with the opening of our first satellite office in Hawaii. This expansion will allow S|EA to continue to diversify, adding more experience and opportunities for the firm. This diversity is a driver for our success and innovation.
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Company: SIP Build UK Name: Chris Duckworth Email: info@sipbuilduk.co.uk Web address: www.sipbuilduk.co.uk Address: Unit 4 Tuscany Court, Express Way, Normanton, West Yorkshire WF6 2AE Phone: 01977 520902
SIP Build UK is the leading provider of Structural InsuBest for Structural Insulated lated Panels within the UK, utilising their many years of Panel Solutions experience within the industry to deliver insulated panel solutions which are second to none. We speak to Chris Duckworth about the firm’s work and how they came to win this prestigious award.
Sip Build UK
SIP Build UK are very pleased to have been awarded the Best for Structural Insulated Panel Solutions in the Construction & Engineering Awards 2015. It highlights all the hard work the team have put in this year as the company goes from strength to strength. We started trading in 2012 and since then we have built a business that is growing more than 50% year on year. Having moved to a larger building in April 2014, SIP Build UK
have employed more staff and subcontractors to keep up with the ever growing demand in SIP structures. Signing an exclusivity deal with Kingspan Tek® in the early part of 2015 has seen our sales rise and our diversity of projects increase. Recently, we have won projects for John Warner School in Hoddesdon and the Victorian Quarter in Birmingham. What we’ve learnt on our journey has enabled us to innovate our propositions. We use timber floors with concrete screed to give our school buildings the solid feel of a traditional building. The use of modern, pre-fabricated methods of construction speeds the build process on site whilst allowing new builds to reach stringent levels of thermal efficiency and air tightness. The strategy of growth for SIP Build UK has been to work hard, exhibit at shows, engage with stakeholders to explain the benefits of SIPs as a modern, quick and environmentally sound method of construction and take advice from friends and other professionals. Based just off the M62 in West Yorkshire, we are ideally placed for any project nationwide. We are less than 3 hours travel time to many major cities within the UK. Our staff are very dedicated and hardworking and this is realised through our growth year on year and the reputation we are building within the SIP industry. Having a niche product in a growing market, enables our company ethos and personality to come through and lead the market by the hand.
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Company: Sweeny&Co Architects Inc. Name: Dermot J. Sweeny Email: dermot@andco.com Web Address: http://www.sweenyandco.com/ Address: 134 Peter Street, Suite 1601 Toronto, ON M5V 2H2 Telephone: 416.971.6252
Best Architecture and Design Sweeny&Co Architects Inc is a multi-disciplinary arConsultancy: Canada chitectural firm focus on creating high quality projects which combine functionally with aesthetics. Dermot J. Sweeny provides us with a unique insight into the firm’s work and what drives them to provide such innovative designs.
Sweeny &Co Architects Inc.
Established by Dermot Sweeny in 1988, Sweeny &Co Architects Inc. is a multidisciplinary practice whose work centres on driving demand through the creation and execution of highly desirable developments. Over the years, we have aimed to deliver exceptional design ideas that address human needs and environmental stewardship while creating long-term value for our clients and all who experience the city. We provide urban design, architecture, interior design as well as development consulting services to a wide range of clients for a broad based of building types. Our industry is constantly evolving which means that we have to work hard to keep up with developments. We believe that great architecture and design require extraordinary collaboration, research, vision, passion and ultimately clarity of purpose, which drives us to conduct extensive research and make sure we remain informed about latest innovation not only in our industry, but also in other fields. Moreover, to affect positive change, we collaborate and engage with all projects’ stakeholders. Together, for each project, we define meaningful goals and apply all that our entire team is capable of with an aligned and defined purpose to exceed expectations. Every client as unique, so we employ an individual approach to each project we work on. We partner with our clients to solidify their success. Through rigorous research and innovative design solutions, we collaborate to reinvent the way that they work, live and operate. Our projects aim to break down internal barriers, foster collaboration, and increase productivity in measurably better environments.
In order to ensure each client receives a top quality service from us we have created a “family” of experts who truly care about our clients’ visions and needs. Since 1988 we have attracted and embraced many great professionals that share our vision and our purpose both internally and externally. We collaborate like no other team, driving positive change in mixed-use developments, retail, housing, education, true sustainability, and urban design. We, all, stay connected through our passion for architecture and design at micro and macro scales; and thus, we conduct research, share finds and lend our knowledge to the betterment of our projects. Our experience has taught us that architectural projects are most successful when they combine economic viability and profitability with design excellence. With this in mind we pursue integrated urban economics, true sustainability and visionary city building to ensure that our clients receive the highest value proposition in all aspects. We have consistently created maximum value for owner, developers, landlords, tenants and occupants. This principle is and continues to be the very foundation of our firm. With nearly 30 years of experience, Sweeny&Co is known for insightful, strategic advice in urban development. Our professional consulting services include value assessments, valuation modelling (based on current and future market conditions), and best use analysis of the existing sites with respect for and appreciation of local conditions and cultural diversities. We also provide consultation for creative and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings, and existing buildings or sites. Our project development
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strategies incorporate programming, phasing and integration of existing and new building components. Moreover, we contribute to the realization of a project’s full potential by conducting pro-forma and net present value studies and reports, as well as preparing supporting documentation for financing and presentation. In the future we are focusing on Mixed-use development, combining our residential, commercial, retail and hospitality experience to develop sustainable, comprehensive communities. Mixed-use developments, we believe, must focus on tenant needs because their objective is to offer comfortable, sustainable, and attractive environments that could attract and retain tenants and occupants for a long period of time. We continue to strengthen our team through continuous research and explorations. We have recently moved our studio into a brand new space in one of the Workplace projects we have designed: Queen Richmond Centre West. This new move marks a new chapter in the growth of our practice, and we are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities this chapter brings.
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Company: Synseal Name: Mark Schlotel Email: mark.schlotel@synseal.com Web Address: www.synseal.com Address: Common Road, Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire NG17 6AD Telephone: 01623 446207
Best Window & Conservatory Systems Manufacturer 2015 Synseal is the UK’s fastest growing and most dynamic window and conservatory systems manufacturer. Mark Schlotel talks us through this innovative company and the work they do.
Delivering topline sales growth and operating profit in excess of 10% each year while operating in a highly competitive market is a major achievement for this highly focussed home improvement systems technology provider. Synseal is predominantly successful because all key operations are completely managed under the company’s control, from processing of the raw materials that are mixed to formulate the extruded PVC-U profiles which form the core of the business to the fleet of 40 logistics vehicles that now deliver an ever-expanding range of innovative products to their fabricator business partners – all of which offer margin-rich opportunities and impressive “affordable style” benefits along the entire
value chain: from fabricators to professional installers and ultimately the purchasing UK homeowners. Core Synseal products include three 70mm PVC-U window suites: Legend, Shield and SynerJy, an Evolve range of specialist fabricated and CE marked products which includes vertical sliding sash, patio doors and bi-fold doors, and market-leading conservatory roof systems in both PVC-U and aluminium including the best-selling Global roof which for sizeable wide-spanning projects can be supported by SkySpace portal frames. Synseal has evolved through a progressive sequence of business development initiatives, which include the acquisition in 2011 of a large regional insulated glass unit (IGU) producer to create Global Glass and further extend customer choice, in addition to joint-developing glass and frame solutions to optimise energy efficiency and performance. Global Glass Huthwaite now specialises in production of high quality sealed units for windows and doors. Then in May 2012 Synseal added again to its brand portfolio with the acquisition of K2 Conservatories including Celsius performance glass. Global Glass Blackburn was subsequently established as a centre of excellence for roof glass sealed unit manufacture. In April 2013 Synseal Registered Installer (SRI) business support was launched in association with sponsoring fabricators to assist verified installers to retail Synseal products to UK homeowners.
Build Construction & Engineering Awards 2015
Another of the firm’s top business schemes occurred in July 2014 when they acquired the business and assets of Prospect Inc. Ltd, trading as Systems Glass, to create Global Glass Wigan and add a third IGU manufacturing facility to expand and strengthen glass supply operations serving northern regions of the UK. Later that year Synseal also acquired the trade and operating assets of the Litchfield Group’s UK window & trade extrusion and door businesses, formerly known as LB Plastics Ltd and Manse Masterdor Ltd, and established the renamed Sheerframe Ltd and Masterdor Ltd as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Synseal. At the same time the firm also launched WarmCore aluminium folding sliding doors, featuring innovative “warm aluminium” framing technology, which signals an exciting new chapter in the company’s dynamic 35-year history. In April 2015 Synseal launched Celsius solid roof, ideal for both retro-fit or new applications to create modern and thermally-efficient building extensions that can be used 24/7, 365 days a year. Most recently Synseal launched a range of Masterdor Benchmark GRP composite residential doors in June of this year, designed to appeal to UK homeowners and be easy for Trade retailers to sell and install with confidence. In the future the firm are looking to expand upon this vast suite of products and services in order to provide greater choice for their growing customer base.
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Company: Wilkinson Construction Consultants Ltd Name: Geoff Wilkinson, Managing Director Email: office@thebuildinginspector.org Web Address: www.thebuildinginspector.org Address: Suite 7, 70 Churchill Square Business Centre Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4YU Tel: 01732 523466
Best for Approved Inspectors 2015
Wilkinson Construction Consultants Ltd
Wilkinson Construction Consultants Ltd is a specialist firm providing private building inspection services. We profile the firm and explore the vital work they do in the construction industry.
Traditionally, only inspectors from the local authority were authorised to undertake building control, creating a bureaucratic monopoly. But the Building Act 1984 opened up the market, allowing qualified companies in the private sector to fulfil this role instead of Local Authorities in England and Wales. Wilkinson Construction Consultants are one of these companies, known as Approved Inspectors and licensed by the Construction Industry Council (licence number 153). To become an Approved Inspector applicants have to prove that they are qualified and experienced to the necessary level before they can practice. This typically means that they hold RICS or equivalent qualifications, have five years post qualification experience; have complaints procedures and insurance in place in case anything went wrong; undertake continuous training of staff, and sign up to performance standards. The licenses are reviewed every five years there are sanctions that can be taken against Approved
Inspectors that fail to perform. Interestingly there are no such requirements for Council Building Inspectors and the Government are now encouraging councils to apply to become Approved Inspectors. As building regulations approval is required on almost every building project (including those that are permitted development under the planning system), and even for internal alterations to homes or offices, services from firm’s such as Wilkinson Construction Consultants are in demand. The firm’s expertise is available for all types of development in South East England, though we tend to specialise in residential, offices, and retail stores. The service itself is essentially the same as the councils - the Approved Inspector will check and approve the plans, and then come out and inspect the works being carried out at various stages. However, the Approved Inspector system is a faster more cost effective alternative to the Council service, its important to understand that the Approved Inspector is the actual decision maker, not just a subcontractor for the council. Founder Geoff Wilkinson explains how he feels about receiving this prestigious award. “As far as I am aware the Construction & Engineering Awards are the first such Awards to recognise Approved Inspectors as a separate category in its own right. In the past Architects Engineers, contractors have all picked up awards, so to be the inaugural winner in this category is a great honour for us. We are small family run business which means that we can tailor our service to fit our customers’ needs rather than offering a one size fits all service, this has resulted in great customer feedback from our clients.”
Build Construction & Engineering Awards 2015