PSBJ April 2023

STUDENTS AT THE HEART OF NEW UNIVERSITY CENTRE ADP Architecture designs state-of-the-art facility for students and staff at the University of Sussex

Sustainable construction trends to look out for in 2023

Navigating LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs when designing play areas

The human benefits of social housing decarbonisation

Editor Hannah Woodger hannah@redhutmedia.com

Rebecca Kemp rebecca@redhutmedia.com

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Sam Ball sam@redhutmedia.com

Jim Moore jim@redhutmedia.com

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Publisher Sam Ball sam@redhutmedia.com

Welcome to the April issue of PSBJ...

Futurebuild, once again, made its presence known last month with a tremendous display of groundbreaking products, innovators and start-ups, along with familiar faces and much-loved suppliers in the built environment. Underpinned by its Take a Stand campaign, the event’s conference and seminar programme tackled crucial subject matters, including the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, Future Homes Standard, the age of retrofit and, of course, climate change.

I, naturally, was drawn to the Retrofit stage on day two to learn just how the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund was making an impact since the scheme was introduced in 2020. With a rare glimpse into how the decarbonisation strategy was approached from a housing provider’s perspective, it was also enlightening to get a first-hand account into the application process itself…not for the faint-hearted, the audience soon came to find out! As Wave 2.1 applicants anxiously wait to hear whether they’ve been successful, we felt for speaker Joanne Hiscock, Head of Strategic Asset Management at Moat Homes, who was patiently waiting for news – but, remarkably, told the audience that, despite the outcome, vital upgrades to their housing stock would go ahead – with or without Government funding. A true testament to the value placed on this critically important journey to improve homes and the lives within them.

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That brings us neatly to this month’s issue, where we’re given a true understanding of the human benefits of social housing decarbonisation. Derek Horrocks – Owner of Sustainable Building Services – discusses the broader positive impact of levelling-up domestic properties, from physical health to mental wellbeing and, of course, from a financial standpoint amid the cost-of-living crisis. Turn to page 26 to learn more.

Also in this month’s edition, Timberplay discusses designing for NEAP, LEAP and LAP playgrounds, Marley outlines some of the lesser-known advantages that today’s integrated solar PV systems can provide and Wavin explains how sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are a key part of the biodiversity net gain puzzle.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on PSBJ’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com

06 News

A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

08

Upfront

Learn how the team at ADP Architecture, led by Director Dianna Fletcher, designed the state-of-the-art, environmentallyfriendly and inclusive Student Centre for the University of Sussex.

12 Healthcare

A newly-completed outpatient facility will provide King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with much-needed additional space to take care of its patients.

14 Drainage & Landscaping

Tim Wootton, Technical Services Manager at Wavin, explains how sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are a key part of the biodiversity net gain puzzle.

16 Leisure

Timberplay breaks down the characteristics of NEAP, LEAP and LAP playgrounds, which are often a cause for confusion amongst designers when specifying these areas.

08

18 Education

Delivered by G F Tomlinson, Fradley Park Primary School in Lichfield, Staffordshire, has officially opened, marking the first school to be built in the area in 40 years.

20 Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, outlines some of the lesser-known advantages that today’s integrated solar PV systems can provide.

22 Legal & Business

Layla Johnson, Regional Manager at Creditfix, explains how employers can ensure that financial concerns associated with the cost-of-living crisis don’t become a bigger problem.

24 Rooflights & Skylights

In this article, Stella Rooflight addresses the impact the new Part L Building Regulations have on the rooflight industry, in terms of U-values and thermal performance.

26 Housing

Derek Horrocks of SBS (UK) discusses why the broader positive impacts of decarbonising housing stock cannot be underestimated in our drive towards a better, more sustainable future.

28 Energy

Management

Solon Mardapittas, CEO at Powerstar, looks at one South Yorkshire hospital using modern battery energy storage to mitigate the worst aspects of the ‘trilemma’.

30 MMC

Modular construction pioneer Wernick Buildings has recently completed a new healthcare clinic located in Greater London, designed for growing outpatient services.

32 Talking Point

Sarah Kauter, Managing Director of Construction PR, shares her insight into some of the most popular ‘green construction’ trends to look out for across 2023.

34 Technical Focus

Brian G Newell MBE from Shackerley discusses the need to consider sustainability in facade specification and the environmental credentials of its SureClad engineered-stone system.

36 UKCW London Preview

A round up of the upcoming highlights of UK Construction Week London, taking place from 2nd to 4th May at London’s ExCeL.

38 Product Showcase

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Each month, PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.

Planning permission granted to retrofit Atlantic House into vibrant new junior school

Planning permission has been granted for the extensive retrofit of 21 St. Albans Grove into an exemplary new junior school for Thomas’s Day Schools within the De Vere Conservation Area in Kensington, west London. The design, by award-winning architect firm Ackroyd Lowrie, introduces sensitive, modern interventions to tie together the two historic buildings, one of which is Victorian, the other mid-20th century, and revitalise the character of St. Albans Grove with improved landscaping and boundary treatments. The firm’s Managing Director, Jon Ackroyd, comments: “This project has been another opportunity to weave Thomas’s Schools’ ambitious brief into the fabric of two wonderful historic buildings that sit within a rich, urban fabric. The challenge was to provide a modern and safe learning environment, whilst respecting the existing character, and upgrading the fabric to achieve ambitious energy targets.” Ackroyd Lowrie’s approved design will provide an exceptional, five-storey school comprising 23 teaching classrooms for pupils from reception to Year 6, soundproofed music rooms, libraries, dining halls, assembly hall, reception, head’s office, meeting/administration rooms, flexible community spaces and a planted biodiversity roof garden.

Building a Safer Future announces new assessment pathway

Building a Safer Future has announced the launch of a new assessment pathway in its Champion scheme for housing associations and the social housing sector, designed to help them explore and reduce their building safety risk profile. The new pathway is specifically designed to suit the unique responsibilities of these key organisations, and makes the building safety culture change assessment scheme accessible to a wider section of the built environment industry than ever before. The BSF Champions process gives companies detailed insight into their existing leadership and culture around building safety and equips them with actionable data and practical tools to help review, prioritise and upgrade their approach to building safety and, in doing so, help rebuild public trust. The new pathway was officially launched at the Building and Fire Safety in Housing conference hosted by National Housing Federation (NHF) on 22nd February. The NHF has advised and inputted into the creation of this new specialist pathway as part of an ongoing partnership between the two organisations with a shared aim of raising standards and shifting culture in building safety.

Former Arnold Clark garage to be transformed into new homes

Planning permission has been granted for a former Arnold Clark branch in Glasgow Southside to be transformed into 50 modern flats for social rent. Developer, AS Homes (Scotland), will deliver the homes on behalf of Southside Housing Association. Located within Glasgow’s popular Strathbungo location, the site will be redeveloped to create affordable flats and associated outdoor amenity spaces. The new development has been deemed to play an important role in providing much-needed housing in such a sustainable location. Furthering its commitment to building energy-efficient homes and to provide lower energy costs for residents, AS Homes (Scotland) will be delivering the homes to Gold Hybrid sustainability status by installing air-source heat pumps and PV panels. Lower energy lighting will also be incorporated into each home. Designed by architect practice Keppie Design, the development will comprise a mix of one-, twoand three-bedroom flats, including wheelchair-accessible homes, set across four-, five- and six-storey blocks. A selection of flats will also offer additional outdoor balcony space. Work is due to start this month with an expected completion date of April 2025.

ArtsEd shortlisted for two prestigious architectural awards

Phase one of De Matos Ryan’s redevelopment and masterplanning of ArtsEd performing arts school has been shortlisted for the 2023 AJ Retrofit Awards as well as the RIBA London Regional Awards. De Matos Ryan Director, Jose Esteves De Matos, says: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for these two prestigious architectural awards. Located in a tight and landlocked block within a largely suburban site, the redevelopment has unlocked the potential of ArtsEd’s existing footprint to create much-needed new studio, rehearsal and teaching spaces in the previouslyunused courtyard and rooftop areas. The scheme maximises every millimetre of space available to ensure that ArtsEd’s four distinct schools can now all operate from their own state-of-the-art site. The school’s facilities will now match the exceptional quality of teaching to ensure that future generations continue to leave ArtsEd as outstandingly confident and creative young performers.” Established nearly 100 years ago, ArtsEd was founded by groundbreaking educational pioneers who believed passionately in the value of combining a general academic education with a specialised training in dance, drama, music and art.

Cruden Homes set to bring 122 new homes to west Edinburgh

Cruden Homes, part of the Cruden Group, has received planning permission to build 122 new homes for sale in the heart of west Edinburgh. The development forms part of the West Craigs Masterplan – a growing new community between Barnton and The Gyle. Once completed, West Craigs will include at least 1700 new homes, a new primary school, nursery, health centre, cafe, extensive parkland and woodland and a network of cycle routes that feed into Edinburgh’s Green Corridor. West Craigs is positioned in the suburb of Maybury, on the edge of rolling countryside with excellent transport links to Edinburgh’s city centre, making it a highly sought-after location. Cruden Homes’ 4.25-acre site is ideally placed within this new community, overlooking the green open space of the newly-formed Lennie Park and within walking distance of the popular Cammo Estate. Designed by ISA Architecture & Design, the range of energy-efficient new homes features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, many with balconies, along with three- and four-bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses and townhouses, all with private gardens. The development will also provide communal electric vehicle charging points and breakout garden spaces with BBQ and seating areas for the apartments.

McLaren chosen for £30m infrastructure works at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich

McLaren Construction has been appointed on behalf of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust to deliver site-wide infrastructure works to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich. The 482-bed hospital serves the south-east London community. The circa £30m capital cost investment will bring improved estate resilience by delivering new primary high-voltage and low-voltage electricity distribution, back-up generators, a refurbished energy centre, a new vacuuminsulated evaporator compound and associated structural and building works. Ventilation improvements include replacement of the air-handling units serving the operating theatres, pathology, delivery suite, special care baby unit and ward areas. The extensive works require around 6km of armoured electrical cable including 1km of high-voltage electrical cable, 1.3km of busbars, nine new airhandling units, 19 refurbished air-handling units and three 1.5kVA generators. McLaren engaged with clinicians, the estates team, the facilities management provider and other stakeholders in the hospital to develop an 80-week programme to support the trust’s ‘business as usual’ policy. The resulting programme of works avoids intrusive structural alterations impacting clinical delivery and allows sufficient lead time to engage with departmental heads.

Sunderland City Council closer to carbon neutral with £9.1m depot

The £9.1m redevelopment of Parsons Vehicle Workshop and Depot in Parsons Road, Washington, a project that began in the summer of 2021 for Sunderland City Council (SCC), is now occupied. Over the coming years, SCC aspires to move towards electric vehicles in lieu of petrol or diesel, therefore, electric vehicle charging was a significant element of the project. The building will act as an electrical vehicle charging hub for the council’s fleet of vehicles, utilising a large array of roof-mounted solar PVs and battery storage units to obtain maximum efficiency out of the system. To make way for the brand-new, twostorey mixed-use vehicle depot building, the existing workshop was demolished to be replaced by one that houses workshop spaces and office accommodation as well as a fuel station, electric charging hub and a security gatehouse to service the entrance, which leads to parking facilities for fleet, visitors and staff. After a competitive tender, Esh Construction (Esh) was appointed as contractor in the summer of 2020. In keeping with its social value strategy to work with local firms whenever possible, Esh appointed Durham-based Howarth Litchfield as architect with shared responsibility for submitting the planning application, which was given the green light in early 2021.

economic boost

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Yorkshire operation has shared details of its far-reaching investment in Wakefield following its move to the city just over three years ago. Since the end of 2019, Morgan Sindall has been located in the heart of Wakefield town centre at Merchant Gate. In that period, the leading contractor has been appointed to a range of milestone construction jobs that are helping to shape a bright future for the city. This has seen the delivery or ongoing delivery of £27m worth of projects across Wakefield. As a result, Morgan Sindall has developed social value plans that have seen it engage with the Wakefield community around employment and skills training, conservation, volunteering and offering its support to local projects where possible. This has included £22,500 worth of community investment, six apprentice placements, 17 weeks of work experience for local people and 27 engagements with local schools. Ben Hall, Morgan Sindall’s Area Director for Yorkshire, said: “We’re proud to call Wakefield our home, and it gives us a real thrill to know that we’re playing a key role in creating a bright future for the city. Whether that’s creating outstanding facilities for the next generation to hone their craft or learn about the world around them, or giving Wakefield Trinity’s stadium the makeover needed to become the home the club deserves.”

Morgan Sindall Construction’s work in Wakefield to deliver significant social and

STUDENTS AT THE CENTRE OF NEW UNIVERSITY BUILDING

The post-pandemic life has placed us in the midst of an ever-evolving, dynamic education sector. As universities look at new ways of engaging diverse students and staff, architects are uniquely positioned in creating innovative and inclusive learning environments. Read on to learn how the team at ADP Architecture, led by Director Dianna Fletcher, designed the state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly and inclusive Student Centre for the University of Sussex.

W ith technology driving rapid change in the higher-education space, there is a noticeable shift in how students interact with the physical student campus and how they access information day to day. In designing the new Student Centre for the University of Sussex, our aim was to create a communal, digitally-enabled space that also delivers a distinctive inperson campus experience.

Located in the heart of the student residential area, within the ground and first floor of a student resident building, the university’s new Student Centre is dedicated to student support, student services and study.

Its broad range of functions include a welcome entry space, a self-service area and help desk, confidential one-to-one spaces including discreet pods and meeting spaces, and a 24-hour help desk, alongside a range of flexible study and social spaces. In addition, the centre includes a small, catered cafe, a ‘heat and eat’ area for students to heat up their own food, staff-only hotdesking areas – set apart from student and confidential areas, and additional welfare spaces – all within a 6000m2 refurbishment.

Our aim was to provide a 24/7 space on campus that embodies the spirit of the University of Sussex, fostering a sense of community for all members of the university’s diverse student body. The key project drivers were 100% the student experience. It was so important that students got an appropriate, flexible space that would nurture and support them in their academic journey, while enhancing Sussex’s attractive and evolving countryside campus.

The brief was for a building that would help Sussex’s students to study well, be well and to live well whilst they were with the university, and another priority for the project was to deliver a welcoming and inclusive hub that engendered a sense of identity and belonging. One of the initial challenges this posed was striking the right balance between creating a space that embodied the university’s core values and its vision of the culture it was seeking to create, while leaving room for students to make the centre their own.

Our shared aim was to create a home away from home for today’s students, and future student communities, and so flexibility also had to be key to our thinking, and the designs that followed. We worked closely with the university and its stakeholders to translate this vision into a series of activities and, ultimately, a schedule of accommodation.

After several field visits to eminent student centres across the country, with our key stakeholders, we weaved our research into designing a space that would provide the best student experience possible, at the same time as embodying the unique spirit of Brighton, and the University of Sussex’s distinctive brand: confident, progressive and unafraid to stand out.

Having delivered six projects for the University of Sussex over the last 15 years, including the masterplan for the entire university campus, we were able to draw from the existing and historic qualities of the existing university building in which the centre is based, while leaving room for strategic expansion in the future.

In terms of evolving the masterplan, we retained certain design elements for uniformity with the building while introducing a fresh approach. To do this, we put sustainability at the forefront of all our decision-making around the interior fit-out, while always keeping in mind our aim to create a comfortable, warm and a productive space.

Rooted in the local context, the interior design narrative also reflects the Sussex coastline, the South Downs and Brighton itself, all of which helped form a distinct design language for the centre’s finishes and features. For example, each interview room is designed with its own unique character; the ground-floor rooms are inspired by the seaside of Brighton, while on the first floor they draw from the South Downs that surround the campus. The result is a non-corporate environment for students and staff, with a combination of private, open-plan and flexible spaces with quirky and comfortable furniture throughout.

The main student space on the entrance level is reimagined as a large openplan area with different zones created by bespoke timber screens, providing character and a very human and inviting scale. Several bespoke joinery features further delineate the space, forming natural landmarks within the building, while aiding wayfinding and providing features of interest for students to engage with.

To make the space inclusive to neurodiverse students, and to put wellbeing at the heart of the design agenda, we designed discreet pods for students wanting to work in a quiet space without being isolated, while still feeling protected. Inspired by the beach huts of Brighton and the south coast, these pods allow for relaxed conversations between staff and students away from the busier areas of the centre and provide state-ofthe-art, fully-integrated IT systems.

In specifying finishes, we prioritised suppliers’ eco credentials, and used upcycled and vintage furniture in key spaces. Embracing sustainability from the very initial stages and embedding it in the design process in this way has helped the project to achieve a BREAAM ‘Excellent’ rating – putting one of the university’s guiding principles into action in a clearly demonstrable way.

The project achieved practical completion in January 2022 and recently opened to students, with a very positive reception. Earlier this year, ADP visited the site for an informal post-occupancy evaluation, and we will be carrying out a

more in-depth evaluation once the 2022 student intake are settled, and all of the centre’s wide range of functions are up and running.

So far, results show the centre to be one which cares both for the environment and everyone who uses it – making it a

welcoming and highly-inclusive asset for the students and staff at the university –and hopefully one that can evolve hand in hand with future generations of students to come.

KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL –FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION

King’s College Hospital’s new 3450m 2 , £21m outpatient services building is now complete after a fast-tracked, nine-month build programme from concept t o completion, with Premier Modular.

The building is the trust’s largest development to date and includes a four-storey building linked to the original hospital’s Normanby Building via the ground floor, enabling seamless service continuity and patient flows between the old and new buildings.

The newly-completed outpatient facility will provide King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with much-needed additional space to take care of its patients. This will help to overcome capacity constraints, as it continues to serve 700,000 people, across four London

boroughs, as well as offering specialist services for a wider catchment area.

The new building will help to reduce waiting times and improve the patient experience for emergency unit care services.

A fast-tracked solution, with minimal disruption

Constructed off site, the outpatient building was designed, delivered and installed with minimal disruption to the live hospital site. Co-ordinated cranes supported seamless installation of the 132 steel-framed modules, ensuring no disruption to the existing site’s helipad and air ambulance helicopters.

Despite the installation taking place during winter, meaning shorter days and potential weather delays, the modules were still installed at pace – with up to eight modules installed per day into the centre of London. Overall, the install was completed in just 23 days.

Meeting specialist healthcare needs

With extensive healthcare building experience, Premier Modular designed and delivered 48 purpose-built consultation rooms, alongside eight procedure rooms for both clinical and non-clinical use.

The design was developed in collaboration with clinicians and patient representatives, enabling Premier to deliver a bespoke, quality healthcare solution that met the trust’s specific needs. The external facade was also designed to be in keeping with the existing buildings on the hospital campus.

The new spaces will support a range of services, including:

Eight therapy rooms

A gymnasium

Neuro gym

Respiratory clinic

Paediatrics gym

Dermatology facilities

Procedure rooms on the ground floor.

The first floor consists of 18 neurology and neurosurgery rooms, six pain service rooms, as well as consulting, treatment and procedure rooms. On the second floor, there are 13 procedure rooms and 13 urology rooms, and on the third floor, 12 medicine rooms and 10 consulting rooms.

Modern interior design lends a fresh and contemporary atmosphere, which also supports patients’ sensory needs. A doubleheight (6.525m) entrance feature enables high levels of natural light throughout the reception and waiting areas, providing a comforting welcome for patients.

A building for patients, now and in the future

Sustainability and environmental considerations were imperative for the trust throughout the project. Exceeding targets for energy efficiency, in line with the London Plan and new SAP 10 carbon factors, the new building will see a significant

reduction of regulated carbon emissions (48.16%) using a combination of low-carbon measures and energy from renewable sources.

This includes:

High levels of quality insulation throughout to reduce heat loss and operational costs

A highly energy-efficient system for precise heating and cooling, which also features heat recovery

An efficient radiant panel system, powered by air-source heat pumps, which offers a sustainable alternative to radiator heating

The building’s hot water is provided using a bivalent system, with 65% provided from airsource heat pumps

Highly-effective LED lighting throughout the building, with daylight dimming control for rooms benefitting from natural daylight

A photovoltaic (PV) array of solar panels, which will generate approximately 45kWp of electricity output.

The new facility is also designed in compliance with BREEAM 2018 Ene01 ‘Excellent’ requirements and has areas of green roof to encourage biodiversity. Precision manufacturing, achieved through the project’s offsite delivery, has reduced the building’s heat loss, ensured fewer vehicle movements to the live hospital site throughout the build programme and supported zero waste to landfill.

Dedicated healthcare expertise

With a wide range and depth of expertise to provide the full solution, Premier Modular takes a collaborative approach to delivering future-proofed, sustainable healthcare solutions, which enable a better tomorrow for generations to come.

www.premiermodular.co.uk

HELPING TO SOLVE THE BIODIVERSITY PUZZLE WITH SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE

Improving biodiversity on projects is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s become a key focus for legislation. The Environment Act 2021 stipulates that all planning permissions granted in England will have to demonstrate a 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) from November 2023. For local authorities, this is an opportunity to lead from the front and deliver public sector projects that benefit the environment as well as communities. Here, Tim Wootton, Technical Services Manager at Wavin, explains how sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are a key part of the BNG puzzle.

The UK has lost almost half of its biodiversity since the 1970s and it is important to acknowledge that the built environment has played a major role in the habitat loss fuelling this decline. But, at the same time, the demand for public housing, infrastructure and amenities has never been higher, so slowing down construction simply isn’t a viable solution. We need to get smarter and think ‘bigger picture’.

Getting back to green

Mandatory BNG levels are an example of the collective responsibility needed to tackle the problem in a way that ensures vital public sector projects can continue to be delivered at pace. There are a range of factors within a build that influence the impact on surrounding wildlife, and a holistic approach is necessary to hit the upcoming net-gain targets. Due to its innate link with natural water cycles, water management is perhaps the single most important element to achieving BNG goals.

SuDS are designed to work with the natural water cycle by combining human-

made interventions with natural features to provide a system that returns excess rainwater to the environment, rather than just getting it out of town as fast as possible. Robust artificial solutions, such as attenuation tanks, are crucial to managing excess water (which is a sustainability issue of its own), but their natural counterparts also play a role in restoring or improving habitats lost during development.

Systems such as soakaways, swales and tree pits re-establish natural soil percolation and bio-filtration processes to provide shelter, feeding and breeding opportunities for local flora and fauna. The benefits of sustainable drainage for local authorities are clear – it boosts the biodiversity of projects, helping to meet the new regulatory requirements, while creating a community more resilient to the extreme weather caused by the climate crisis.

Crucially, SuDS also deliver a muchneeded boost to water quality in urban areas, reducing the contaminants flowing into water bodies in the form of runoff. Taking some of the pressure off the existing

water infrastructure means fewer overflow discharges from combined sewers, and a cleaner urban environment as a result.

A new normal

The push from legislators to protect and improve biodiversity comes in tandem with a recommendation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that SuDS should be mandated in new developments from 2024. For local authorities thinking about how to meet biodiversity requirements on social housing developments, a solution including SuDS will help them get ahead of the game.

The bottom line is that biodiversity and climate resilience go hand in hand, and nature-driven interventions are the best way to achieve them both. SuDS are an essential part of the toolkit for local authorities looking to design with biodiversity in mind, and create a sustainable, resilient community for everyone – human or not.

www.wavin.com/en-en/solutions/ solutions-for-rainwater

DESIGNING FOR LAPS, LEAPS AND NEAPS

Designers often have lots of questions when it comes to NEAP, L EAP and LAP playgrounds; it can often be confusing to understand the requirements, or the guidance can be interpreted in different w ays. In this article, Timberplay breaks down their characteristics.

he ambiguity surrounding NEAP, LEAP and LAP playgrounds can sometimes cause issues when designers feel the need to use certain pieces or quantities of equipment to fulfil the design brief. However, it is crucial to recognise that actually the requirements should be used for inspiration; after all, they were created to make life and play better for everyone.

The history of this stems from the lack of access to local play opportunities in many areas – this brought the concept of LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs to life – and they were introduced under ‘The Six Acre Standard’ in 1992, later reinforced in 2001’s Fields In Trust document. The overall aim is to have six acres of recreational space for every 1000 people when developing a new housing estate within a reasonable walking distance.

Informal play opportunities –Local Area for Play (LAP)

A LAP is a space that should focus primarily on the development of younger children during the first phases of their outdoor play journey. These play areas are more common, usually a one-minute walk away from houses, and the budget tends to be lower. Therefore, designs have to be carefully put together to suit the budget whilst still allowing for a play space that

will encourage skill development and social interaction.

These spaces are now also known as Doorstep Play, Play Along the Way or Playful Landscapes and do not necessarily require physical play equipment. They should be landscape led and provide informal play opportunities. This can take form in several different ways from fallen logs, stepping logs and boulders to playful pathways and routes.

When designing these spaces, it is important to place yourself in the child’s position and think about how the experiences would feel from their eye level. Activities close to the ground, or low level, can be more welcoming for young children and encourage them to explore.

Planting areas are ideal within LAPs; they encourage natural and social play between children whilst also providing sensory opportunities as children experience their feel and smell. They also promote educational development as children recognise seasonal changes that happen around them.

Independent play experiences – Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAPs)

LEAPs are local play spaces aimed at children that are beginning to play independently and unaided. These

playgrounds often feature interactive elements, such as sand and water play, and musical elements that are built to nurture children’s curiosity and creativity.

In size, LEAPs tend to be around four times larger than LAPS, allowing for sufficient space to offer plenty of play value and roaming areas. It is often mentioned that these areas should have at least five play functions – this is sometimes confused with the need for five pieces of equipment. Actually, these five functions could be spread across less equipment, but equipment that is more diverse and offers higher play value.

These spaces must also ensure some provision for younger children and supervised play opportunities. They are the perfect facility for children to test their abilities with more physically challenging equipment that will teach them how to fall and pick themselves back up again.

Specifying equipment that has the opportunity for graduated challenge and risk means that it can be multi-functional but also sociable for children who may develop at different speeds than their peers. Designing open space into a LEAP is a great opportunity to promote free play and breathing space for children to play traditional playground games together, such as tag.

Physically challenging play –Neighbourhood Equipped Areas of Play (NEAP)

NEAPs primarily focus on older children and are typically more challenging and adventurous, with larger play structures and height. However, consideration within these spaces should still be taken for the integration of younger children and parents, allowing families to play as one, no matter of age or ability.

These larger play spaces are less common than the previous two types, usually being around 15 minutes walk from the child’s home. Play in a NEAP should offer physical development and challenges for children to test their limits and boundaries. However, they can also be designed to create a great social hub for teenagers to meet with their friends, sit on swings and lay on roundabouts in a space where they are comfortable within. At around 1000m2, a NEAP should provide the opportunity for free space to play ball games, as well as to use equipment and sit and socialise.

Gender inclusivity is one design consideration that should be carefully considered. NEAPs will generally include provision for at least 465m2 of either wheeled sport, such as a skate park, or team sports, such as a multi-use games area. These are great in such spaces as they promote physical activity and social space for teens to enjoy. However, these are typically used predominantly by boys and can be unwelcoming for girls. Given this, consideration should be taken for how these spaces can be modified so that they also attract the use of girls, rather than them feeling excluded, perhaps adding extra seating, shelters or even group swings for them to use.

Within all of these spaces, it is essential to design for parents/guardians too. Children should have the chance to feel independent, whilst the adult has a spot to feel comfortable and be able to see across the play space. Accessibility should always be at the forefront of all designs. It is vital to remember that disabilities come in many forms, and there are a variety of different requirements needed, from sensory and quiet spaces for neurodivergent users to playful pathways and accessible routes for wheelchair users.

Globally, sustainability is at the forefront of conversation too, and the values of sustainability should be considered within any play design. Careful consideration of the specified materials can benefit both the environment and the child. Natural materials are tactile and create informal opportunities for children to experiment with their senses and connect to nature while being more environmentally friendly. A more natural and loose-fill safety surface, such as sand or bark, is not only more sustainable in comparison to rubber alternatives but also create play opportunities for children to throw, feel and move.

www.timberplay.com

FOOTNOTE:

This article has been written from over 20 years of Timberplay’s experience in designing play spaces; however, we would always recommend that you refer to Fields In Trust’s ‘planning and design for outdoor play’ document for further guidance.

©Paul Upward

©Paul Upward

A WELCOMING BUILD FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN AND GROW

Fradley Park Primary School in Lichfield, Staffordshire, celebrated the official opening of its £4.8m free school with the local community earlier this year.

The two-storey building, which was constructed by Midlandsbased contractor G F Tomlinson and completed in summer 2022, opened

to 210 primary pupils and 26 nursery pupils in autumn 2022 – being the first school to be built in the area in over 40 years.

The opening ceremony was attended by High Sheriff, Ben Robinson, and Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, Jonathan Price, alongside Construction Director, Kevin Dodds from G F Tomlinson, and CEO of John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, Mike Donoghue. Also in attendance were approximately 50 guests comprising school staff and governors, John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust directors and members and colleagues from the local authority and other partner and community organisations.

The occasion was marked with speeches and a presentation of the school’s journey, before the school was officially opened by High Sheriff, Ben Robinson, and County Councillor, Jonathan Price.

The school was delivered through the Staffordshire County Council Framework, and project managed by Entrust, and it is now being managed by the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust.

This is one of six educational schemes that G F Tomlinson has delivered within Staffordshire alongside Entrust, with the Derby-headquartered firm recently completing the latest scheme – Bramshall Meadows First School in Uttoxeter.

Construction methods applied to the new free school included a structural framing system (SFS), a flat roof with a single-ply membrane and external walls, which were clad in brickwork and render with a large area of curtain walling. The installation of windows and rooflights create an expanse of natural light within the building.

The building features acoustic panelling and tiles to the sports hall, a ceiling sprinkler system and toilets with vanity and integrated panel systems (IPS) units. Externally, hard and soft play areas have been created.

The project was successfully completed on time and to budget, with key project challenges effectively managed and close liaison with neighbouring properties maintained to avoid disruption.

Located within a residential environment and adjacent to a housebuilder, working in close proximity to the school, G F Tomlinson worked closely with them to achieve a collaborative approach, which included regular meetings to manage the installation of statutory services, alongside the partial completion of the housing development.

The route for a new, incoming electrical supply was redesigned in order to minimise the impact on new residents, and deliveries were carefully scheduled to avoid congestion and disruption on the surrounding roads at peak times for the local community.

G F Tomlinson also arranged the sports field construction to take place early within the programme, to ensure it could be used by the school at the earliest possible opportunity.

Material supply delays continue to be a major challenge for the industry, and in order to avoid any potential issues with supplies, G F Tomlinson placed orders in advance and stored materials on site to mitigate delays.

Kevin Dodds, Construction Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re delighted to have marked the official opening of Fradley Park Primary School, working collaboratively alongside Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, which has provided muchneeded school places for young children within the local area.

“The brand-new facilities and state-of-the-art classrooms have created enhanced environments for children to learn and grow, and the ceremony was a great opportunity to see them explore their fantastic new school.”

Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, Jonathan Price, said: “I was really pleased to officially open Fradley Park Primary, which is the latest primary school in the county to be built in response to growing demand for school places in the

area. It’s been great to see the first classes of children settling in well to their new school, which looks to be a fantastic place for them to start their education journey.”

Mike Donoghue, CEO of John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, said: “I feel an enormous sense of pride, and greatly privileged, to be alongside our partners on this special afternoon. Fradley Park Primary and Nursery School is a wonderful school, and a superb example of what can happen when a vision for a new community combines with a spirit of collaboration and the sheer hard graft of endeavour.

“Working throughout the development of the school in a spirit of collaboration, I take this opportunity to thank all our partners for their contributions in making the school the amazing place it is.

Staffordshire County Council, Entrust, the Department for Education, G F Tomlinson and a host of other organisations have been generous with their time and expertise, and flexible and accommodating in their approach. Deadlines were met, specifications achieved and budgets adhered to. I thank them all.”

www.gftomlinson.co.uk

TACKLING SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES FROM THE ROOF DOWN

Solar PV is increasing in specification popularity, particularly in light of 2022’s Part L changes. As a sustainable and costsaving solution to generate power for the home, advances in technology performance make it an ideal option for local authorities and social housing providers seeking to support their tenants. Here, Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, outlines some of the lesser-known advantages that today’s integrated solar PV systems can provide.

The increased focus on how we build homes of the future is central to achieving the 2050 net-zero target set by the Government. The built environment accounts for around 40% of UK greenhouse emissions according to The Climate Change Committee and, as such, has been highlighted as a key area for improvement for carbon reduction.

Moves are already underway with amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations, which will become mandatory from June 2023, where the design and construction of housing stock needs to ensure any newly-built developments produce 31% lower carbon emissions.

Strategy for local authorities

Against this changing landscape, local authorities looking to deliver a proactive strategy of housing refurbishment, retrofitting or building new social housing properties, need to be mindful of their new responsibilities.

As such, it is important the supply chain they use for product and system answers provides reassurance and easy access to the range of solutions needed to meet energy-efficiency, safety and long-term performance targets.

The case for solar PV

High-performing, cost-effective and renewable full-system roofing solutions can help make a real contribution when it comes to creating sustainable homes and ensure quick compliance with the obligations under the new Part L regulations.

The role of the roof space is important because improvement in energy efficiency (and lower carbon emissions) cannot be delivered by enhancing the building fabric alone.

In the short term, solar PV on the roofscape, combined with an efficient gas boiler, appears to be the easiest and most cost-effective way for local authority specifiers to meet the new mandatory Part L carbon reduction targets, partially because some of them will already have a supply chain and trusted installers in place.

Solar PV technology is tried and tested and has become more readily available in recent years. Indeed, such is the momentum behind the renewable system that Solar Energy UK predicts the Part L alterations could lead to a five-fold increase in the number of new homes specified with solar technology.

Hidden benefits of solar installation

Whilst solar PV systems offer access to potentially cheaper and more sustainable energy sources – a benefit that will have great appeal to tenants during the current cost-of-living crisis – the solution also offers hidden benefits in terms of installation efficiencies, ongoing maintenance, health and safety and design flexibility.

The ability to integrate system solutions, such as Marley SolarTile, within existing roof spaces, or as a seamless addition to new roof designs, offers both quicker installation capability for projects and impressive aesthetic appeal once the roof build or refurbishment programme is complete.

Marley SolarTile can be used alongside all commonly-specified roof tiles, including concrete and clay options, and the solar panels can simply replace a section of roof tiles as part of a fully-integrated solution. This type of solar panel can also be installed at the same time as the rest of the roof tiles, without the need to deploy a specialist contractor to help with time and resource efficiencies.

They also negate the need to specify bolt-on solar PV systems, which, in the past, have given rise to concerns around design attractiveness, as well as other practical downsides, such as the need for regular maintenance and cleaning.

The integrated solar PV system does not suffer from instances where debris, such as falling leaves, can get trapped under the frame over time, meaning a reduction in local authority maintenance resources and costs, as well as the health and safety employee benefits that come with less time spent working at height.

Another hidden benefit is the delivery of weight reduction on the overall roof. Replacing a section of roof tiles with solar panels cuts the cumulative weight of a roof and, with it, the impact on the supporting roof infrastructure.

As the range of solar panel sizes continues to expand, the renewable solution can also be specified for larger, communal-based spaces, such as halls or meeting rooms, under local authority jurisdiction. This means more local authority facilities can access a tried-and-tested technology that can power important community spaces, meet regulatory requirements around emission reduction, and help address energy cost pressures.

Single-source strategy for a changing landscape

For ultimate peace of mind as the specification and construction landscape alters to deliver safety, accountability and clean energy-efficiency benefits, local authorities should look to specify

a full roof system and one that includes solar PV solution.

The Marley full roof system includes JB Red battens, underlay, tiles or slates, fixings, accessories, Roof Defence fire barrier and SolarTile – and is backed by a 15-year warranty for additional peace of mind. To further enhance its full-system solution, Marley recently introduced ArcBox, a highly-effective solar connector enclosure that protects against the minimal potential of electrical fires.

The full-system approach ensures every roof is fully compatible with all current regulations, including fire safety, and reduces the risk of inferior product substitution that can compromise roof performance over the long term.

By taking a considered technical view about full and integrated roofing solutions, local authorities can underpin their ongoing tenant duty of care, sustainability obligations and budgetary responsibilities.

DEBT AND THE WORKPLACE –HOW TO SPOT SIGNS OF MONEY STRUGGLES IN YOUR WORKFORCE

The construction industry is one of many that has taken a more proactive approach to encouraging positive mental wellbeing at work over recent years, but as the cost of living continues to take its toll on household finances, money worries could be the next major challenge for the sector. Here, Layla Johnson, Regional Manager at Creditfix, explains how employers can ensure that financial concerns don’t become a bigger problem.

ersonal debt is something that affects thousands of people around the UK, manifesting in a variety of forms, including overdrafts, credit cards and loans. Personal insolvency provider, Creditfix, has found that, on average, those adults in the UK struggling with personal finances have just over £15,000 of unsecured personal debt.

As many construction firms are experiencing struggles with debt themselves, issues such as late payments and a lack of job security within the industry further exacerbate the individual monetary struggles employees are facing.

While debt is often confined to an individual’s personal life, these issues can easily spill over to their work and can have a massive impact on mental wellbeing and overall productivity.

From a safeguarding perspective, employers have a duty of care for their employees – going beyond the requirements of providing a safe working environment, facilities and equipment to properly carry out the job at hand. As part of constructing a solid working environment, taking an active role in helping and supporting an employee’s personal life and wellbeing is key.

According to the Money and Pension Service, 29 million UK adults feel uncomfortable talking about their financial situation despite 48% saying they regularly worry about money.

When approaching an employee, it’s important to remember that it can be incredibly difficult for people to admit problems to their boss, regardless of how much it could be impacting their work. Legally, staff aren’t required to disclose any issues with debt, however, proactive management can help create a sense of honesty and openness.

An easy way to start the conversation, and create a judgementfree environment, is to provide information and access to free debt advice in easily-accessible places – whether this is through leaflets, helplines, talks and discussion panels or online educational materials.

To help spot the tell-tale signs and behaviours that may indicate someone is struggling with money worries, employers can look out for:

Absenteeism

Employees worrying about their finances tend to use more sick leave and have unexpected absences more often

Increase in sick days

If stress persists, it can lead to poor mental health and can even trigger physical health problems, such as high blood pressure

Irritability

People who have debt issues can also become angry about their situations, and angry with themselves. They could even have misplaced anger with their employer or colleagues.

Difficulty concentrating

Distractions mean that an employee is less likely to be focusing on work and may be worried or stressed about financial issues at home

Tiredness

Those with problems with personal debt may be living in a continuous state of worry and restlessness. This could cause them to be unable to sleep and come to work appearing tired and fatigued.

Anxiety and/or depression

Constant worrying, stress and potential lack of sleep can all lead to severe mental health problems. Look out for a dip in your staff’s confidence.

Drop in productivity

It’s no surprise that all of these signs have a cumulative effect, meaning a drop in productivity and an increase in missing deadlines.

Highly motivated Head of Advice at Creditfix, Layla Johnson has earnt 10 years of experience in management support and customer advisor roles. Starting her working life as a qualified Teaching Assistant, Layla is a passionate leader, investing in the futures of her team of advisors, as well as Creditfix customers.

For more information about Creditfix, and the support employers can offer to struggling workers, visit the website below.

SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON THE REVISED PART L BUILDING REGULATIONS FOR ROOFLIGHTS AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE

A major part of the UK’s commitment to meeting its targets for carbon reduction is being driven by a tightening of the Building Regulations surrounding energy-efficiency stand ards for homes. In this article, Stella Rooflight addresses the impact on the rooflight industry, in terms of U-v alues and thermal performance.

he Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) argues that by making our buildings more energy efficient and embracing smart technologies, we can cut energy bills, reduce demand for energy and boost economic growth while meeting our targets for carbon reduction and maintaining healthy environments. As such, it has introduced ‘The Future Homes Standard’ to ensure all new homes achieve a 30% improvement in energy-efficiency standards by 2025.

The new Building Regulations aimed at achieving these targets comprise five new Approved Documents, and came into effect in June 2022.

Public sector organisations looking to install rooflights and roof windows will be most interested in uplifts to the Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power Vol 1: Dwellings.

What do the new regulations state?

For rooflights, skylights and roof windows (of which the definition is crucially important), the relevant consideration is the thermal transmittance. This is measured as a U-value in units of W/m²K, which stands for watts/meter square kelvin. The lower the U-value, the more efficient the construction is at keeping heat flow through the structure to a minimum.

The new regulations deem the worst acceptable U-values to be 2.2W/(m2K) for rooflights and 1.6 W(m2K) for roof windows.

Rooflights vs roof windows –what’s

the difference?

To correctly assess whether an element meets the new limiting U-value figure, the U-value must be calculated for the element in the appropriate plane – either horizontal or vertical. Now this makes a big difference,

as testing the same product in either a horizontal or vertical position will make a significant difference to the resulting U-value figure. With the vertical position providing a much lower (better) U-value figure.

This is where the definition of the terms and roof window prove crucial in determining how they should be tested and what the relevant U-value should be for each.

According to the Approved Document, the following definitions apply:

Rooflight: A glazed unit installed out of plane with the surface of the roof on a kerb or upstand. Also sometimes referred to as a skylight.

Roof window: A window installed in the same orientation as, and in plane with, the surrounding roof.

Therefore, while we might refer to our product as a rooflight or skylight, the official terminology for a conservation rooflight, which is designed to sit flush within a roof line, should be a roof window.

According to the Approved Document, the U-values for roof windows should be calculated based on a vertical position. For rooflights, U-values should be calculated based on a horizontal position.

Further guidance in the Building Research Establishment’s BR443 tells us that U-values for roof windows and rooflights are usually

quoted for in the vertical plane. This allows comparison of different products that could be used at different inclinations. However, for the purposes for calculating heat losses from buildings, U-values should relate to the plane of the component as installed in the building. This can be done by calculating the U-value of rooflights and roof windows, allowing for the angle of the roof in respect of both surface resistances and gas space resistances. Alternatively, the following adjustments can be made to U-values assessed for the component in the vertical plane:

figures based on the individual make up of components in the product’s construction.

Given that Stella uses only the finest-quality materials in our manufacturing process, from the highest specification glazing, to our high-quality, handmade hardwood liners, through to the best-quality rubbers and seals, we are confident in claiming that our roof windows are among the best performing on the market, with our triple-glazed, fixed product achieving a U-value of 1.1W/m 2K.

A huge caveat for conservation properties – exemptions

for historic

and traditional dwellings While it is not always the case, it stands to reason that the majority of conservation rooflights are installed in traditional properties, barn conversions and listed buildings. If your project involves such a property, you may find that there are exemptions to these new regulations.

The Approved Document states that the energy efficiency of historic and traditional dwellings should be improved only if doing so will not cause long-term deterioration of the building’s fabric or fittings.

New extensions to historical and traditional dwellings should comply fully with the energy-efficiency standards, unless there is a need to match the external appearance or character of the extension to that of the host building. In which case, the work should comply with standards in the approved document to the extent that it is reasonably practicable.

What is the best U-value that you are likely to achieve?

It is important to understand that there is much ambiguity surrounding rooflights, skylights and roof windows and the U-values quoted by various manufacturers. The much-coveted U-value figure has become a powerful sales tool for those claiming to be ‘the best-performing’ or ‘most thermally-efficient’ rooflight on the market and you will often see figures advertised that are misleading. Some companies might

even try and confuse you by quoting the centre pane figure for the glass, rather than a wholeframe U-value, which is the legal requirement. In any case, caution is advised when researching the various products available and you should always request evidence to support the thermal performance claims made.

U-value calculations for roof windows and rooflights must be undertaken by an approved UKAS-accredited product certification agency, who will calculate accurate thermal-performance

In determining whether full energy-efficiency improvements should be made, the building control body should consider the advice of the local authority’s conservation officer.

Additional guidance is available in Historic England’s Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings: Application of Part L of the Building Regulations to Historic and Traditionally Constructed Buildings.

UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN BENEFITS OF SOCIAL HOUSING DECARBONISATION

Decarbonisation of housing stock is a key step in addressing climate change. However, the wider real-life benefits are felt most acu tely within the social housing sector, and work towards creating a levelled -up country too. Derek Horrocks, owner of specialist retrofit decarbonisati on turnkey provider Sustainable Building Services (UK), discusses why thes e broader positive impacts cannot be underestimated in our drive towards a better, more sustainable future.

There are some 29 million domestic properties across the UK, with a majority requiring significant energyefficiency and microgeneration improvements. Roughly 4.5 million of these are social homes in England – a number that increased by 31,000 last year alone.

Social landlords are in many ways already leading the way on housing decarbonisation, seeking to tackle the climate emergency and ongoing energy crisis. However, we shouldn’t neglect the other benefits that can be achieved alongside these aims – all of which will help the millions of people living in social homes.

Physical health

Home upgrades don’t just lower emissions – they create a real positive impact on people and society in many ways often under considered next to net-zero goals. The health benefits are not limited to short-term avoidance of winter bugs, but longer-term too including better management of chronic conditions.

Better thermal comfort through heating and insulation upgrades keep homes warmer in the winter, but also cooler in the summer –and with climate change seeing us having to cope with hotter weather year-on-year, this reduces the risk of heat exhaustion.

Enhanced air quality in homes reduces the exposure to pollutants, creating lower risk and easier management of respiratory problems, like asthma.

Improved overall health means fewer lost school or work days, allowing people to maximise the opportunities afforded to them, while wider society and the economy benefits from higher levels of productivity. Plus, healthier people will mean lower pressure on the NHS, reducing the escalating demand on every service area.

Mental wellbeing

The mental tax of living in poor housing is evident. The first – and most obvious – point being that higher-quality homes are comfortable, feel safer and are more pleasant to inhabit, leading to happier residents.

However, social housing is often home to vulnerable and lower-income households, who are disproportionately impacted by the energy crisis and fuel poverty. Research carried out by the National Housing Federation in 2022 revealed that social renters in the most inefficient homes were having to spend 15.5% of their income on heating.

The same study reported more than half of social homes are rated at EPC A, B or C, but through upgrading those remaining, it could save residents upwards of £700m annually in heating costs – equating to a substantial 42% average household saving.

Simply put, by upgrading the energy efficiency of homes, the amount of energy required to run them is reduced, meaning lower bills for tenants. There is no question that this will promote better wellbeing, reducing the financial burden and stress.

Again, this creates a snowball effect. Improved wellbeing means less pressure on NHS resources, reducing overall waiting times for support. It also means fewer sick days taken – which, according to the Labour Force Survey, averaged at 18.6 days for stress, depression or anxiety in 2021/22. And, in turn, this means lower levels of wage loss for earners and more money back in their accounts as a result.

Maximising funding opportunities and accessing expertise

The second wave of funding through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

– valued at £800m – will see successful

registered social housing providers mobilising works as quickly as possible.

But successful or not in the Wave 2 funding, housing providers must be considering their options. This means seeking the suppliers best positioned to provide end-to-end solutions to streamline processes and budgets. For example, for those projects being funded by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, housing providers must be working with installers that are Trustmark registered and delivering work to PAS 2035:2019.

We provide full ‘turnkey’ large-scale PAS retrofit project management and installation solutions, allowing clients to reap the benefits of having a single supplier taking responsibility for all roles, alongside project management and energy efficiency and microgeneration measures installation. And – as required under PAS 2035 – our network of retrofit supply-chain partners, including assessors, designers and coordinators, provide clients with unbiased project support, following best practice and the fabric-first principles of the specification.

We are one of a small number of contractors who have delivered decarbonisation projects at scale under Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Demonstrator and Wave 1, Local Authority Delivery (LAD) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). From this experience, we can advise clients on the best approaches and blended funding options, which can also include privatelyowned households – and we know that collaboration and stakeholder engagement is central to the effective delivery of work.

All stakeholders must also know the expected outcomes and have a clear idea of how those outcomes will be achieved from the earliest possible point. This is key to ensuring that budgets are used effectively

and that the maximum number of residents benefit from the works.

Since the introduction of the new PAS standards, too often a lack of clarity from inexperienced stakeholder teams has seen an under-estimation of costs and timescales. This is because the groups involved haven’t been familiar with the demands of the process, nor how to deliver multiple measures in a timely and efficient way. This means costs can escalate, and the number of treated properties must be reduced.

Critically, the early engagement must involve residents. A ‘right-first-time’ approach is needed to minimise any disruption to people, but as the work we carry out is on their homes. We must make sure they know what will happen and when – but mostly how it will benefit them.

The final note

Local authorities and housing associations essentially have a golden opportunity. Instead of just improving the energy efficiency of their building stock, they can take the unique step of combining numerous benefits in one swoop, which work to achieve net zero, making homes safer and improving people’s quality of life.

Plus, a highly-skilled retrofit and maintenance ‘green’ workforce is needed. This is a fast-emerging sector that provides huge job creation potential through new practices, processes and innovation, along with the physical delivery of decarbonisation schemes.

The message is clear; one coordinated approach working towards solving a multitude of the UK’s biggest challenges. It’s up to specialists like us, the emerging specialist supply chain and housing providers to collaborate and make it a reality.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN THE NHS

The Energy Trilemma – affordable, secure and sustainable energy – impacts significantly on the healthcare sector, especially during the c urrent economic downturn. Budgets are strained, net-zero targets are i mminent and the NHS is in crisis. Solon Mardapittas, CEO at Powerstar, looks at one South Yorkshire hospital using modern battery energy storage to mitigate the worst aspects of the trilemma by providing reliable power, reducing carbon emissions and cutting energy bills while giving the trust a new income stream.

The impact of the current energy crisis was highlighted last year in The British Medical Journal, which found that NHS trusts were having to budget an extra £2m per month just to combat rising energy prices. Rory Deighton, Senior Acute Lead at the NHS Confederation, noted that “the gap in funding from rising inflation will either have to be made up by fewer staff being employed, longer waiting times for care, or other areas of patient care being cut back”.

As one NHS trust confirmed it would need to budget for a 200% increase in energy spend for 2022-23, the crisis in healthcare demands investment in modern technology to help ensure the long-term energy affordability that will keep our hospitals functioning. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a flexible solution designed to help meet the Energy Trilemma issues faced by NHS estates.

With the only commercial UK BESS that is currently fully HTM-06-01 compliant to provide fast-switching sitewide uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protection alongside the ability to access grid services, Powerstar have installed their patented BESS technology across multiple hospital sites.

A South Yorkshire hospital approached Powerstar, aware that in the Energy Trilemma – soaring prices, the shift to renewable energy sources and the threat to energy security brought about by unstable national energy reserves –meant that traditional uninterruptible power supply (UPS) was fast becoming an outdated solution for emergency back-up power. While a UPS protects individual pieces of equipment in an emergency until grid supply is restored or a longer-term back-up power supply comes into play, the UPS will lose around 10 to 15% capacity.

For an average NHS trust, this can add around a quarter of a million pounds to annual energy spend, creating more than 200 tonnes of unnecessary CO2 emissions. Powerstar’s recommendation for the hospital was to instead install a new 500kW/500kWh BESS, supplied as a fullycontainerised switch room with battery energy storage, fast-switching UPS and full wraparound and static bypass. Capacity losses for this technology are significantly lower than traditional UPS, at around 1%. Additionally, the whole site’s energy supply is protected, and improved efficiency with the new system is saving the hospital around £225,000 per year, eliminating about 190 tonnes of CO2e, when compared with a traditional UPS system.

While the UPS capability of a BESS is paramount for the safe running of the hospital, there are additional benefits that make it a particularly compelling asset for NHS facilities across the UK. Where estates are investing in solar PV to generate energy on site, there are issues in that renewable energy is inherently inflexible, since generation is dependent upon weather conditions. BESS technology, with renewable firming, provides an inbuilt capacity to store such energy – to be used when needed or sold to the grid. With current energy prices as they are, this storage capability also means that trusts can buy grid energy when prices are lower, to be stored and then used at peak times. And, looking at overall decarbonising strategies, BESS is a useful asset for electric vehicle (EV) charging – both for the shift to a net-zero NHS fleet and for staff and patients’ charging needs.

At the hospital in South Yorkshire, BESS technology has given the trust a new revenue stream, through demand side response (DSR) and firm frequency response (FFR) contracts to provide balancing services to the grid. For an average NHS trust, this can mean around £100,000 new revenue on top of the energy cost savings. The National Grid uses

balancing services to even out demand across the UK’s power supply and, as renewables form an increasing proportion of the country’s energy mix, balancing services play a pivotal role in helping prevent disruption to UK energy supply.

The infographic shows the main elements of DSR. As part of the shift from centralised energy dispatch to a broader, more localised, form of power generation, DSR will be increasingly important to our electricity infrastructure: currently, only about 6% of the UK’s non-domestic energy requirement is shifted from peak demand through DSR but this will need to increase to around 40%, and the role for behind-the-meter BESS looks set to help meet this capacity demand. NHS trusts engaging with DSR are working at the forefront of the move from fossilfuelled, centralised energy, to a more distributed and flexible model. Income is generated through a direct contract with the grid, the local distribution network operator (DNO), or via an aggregator service.

The potential for guaranteed income through DSR offers NHS estate and energy managers a robust case for maximising the BESS asset’s potential to recoup initial capital investment, while making a significant contribution to emission reductions. For Powerstar and the South Yorkshire hospital, the success and ongoing benefits of the BESS installation have been recognised, being shortlisted for Energy Project of the Year in the 2023 edie Awards, the world’s largest sustainable business award scheme. Seeing a project for the NHS in the award shortlist reflects the strides the organisation is making towards sustainability with resilient power, cost savings and a new income stream.

Balancing the Energy Trilemma within an organisation that accounts for more than 7% of the UK’s GDP and employs over 1.3 million staff is complex. Where NHS trusts can have an energy spend of £10m plus, the capability of BESS technology to provide more flexible, more economical and more sustainable energy is proving its case as a means to address the Energy Trilemma and help the NHS to prioritise budget spend on staff welfare and patient care – the rationale of UK healthcare.

MODULAR BUILDING PROVES PERFECT SOLUTION FOR KINGSTON HOSPITAL

Modular construction pioneer Wernick Buildings recently completed a new healthcare clinic located in Greater London.

process, assuring their specific needs and requests were met.

Clinical Director Meena Shankar remarked on the speed and usefulness of the new clinic.

“The building was ready to use very quickly and is very modern and comfortable,” said Meena. “We were excited about being involved with the design team from the beginning to get exactly what we wanted.”

D

ue to the closure of a previous three-storey building on site, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was looking for a new purpose-built unit to house its growing outpatient services for gynaecology, audiology and ear, nose and throat.

After a discussion with the Wernick Buildings team, it was decided that two separate modular healthcare buildings on site would offer the most timely and cost-effective solution to accommodate all three hospital departments.

The first building delivered by Wernick was the Gynaecology Outpatient Clinic (Willow Building).

Through a competitive tender process, Wernick Buildings presented a full turnkey solution, which included

a complete groundworks package and service connection.

Designed for outpatient use, the two-storey BREEAM-rated block offers several HTN/HBN-compliant amenities, including consultation areas, procedure and recovery rooms, staff offices, changing facilities and accessible toilets. The reception and waiting area feature an open floorplan, creating a spacious welcome area for patients.

The building comprises 30 modules and showcases sleek cladding, PV panels and a state-of-the-art plant room on the second storey.

Wernick worked closely with ADP Architecture during the design process. Clinic nurses, doctors and other staff were also consulted in the planning

The clinic features a modern interior with a cool green colour pallet. Its interior was designed to help provide a calming environment for patients who may be undergoing difficult procedures. The layout boasts a convenient one-way traffic system and a patient-sensitive discrete exit.

Wernick was also able to provide two temporary modular office buildings to house other displaced departments that were relocated from the hospital’s Roehampton Wing.

The building modules were constructed off site, which allowed for minimal disruption and noise pollution to the surrounding area.

Crews overcame several challenges when transporting and installing the modules into place on the property. The building site was landlocked by three roads and located at the front of the hospital entrance near to the emergency department. Crane operatives had to take special care to manoeuvre the modules in a dense area surrounded by other buildings.

A second clinic (Aspen Building), housing the audiology and ear, nose and throat departments, is due to be completed this spring.

Wernick Buildings has decades of experience in delivering modular solutions in the healthcare sector and is highly skilled at working around live clinical building settings. Design, manufacture and site teams are located in house, providing customers with a single point of contact for peace of mind throughout the project.

Wernick’s flexible modular systems provide cost efficiency, shorter and more reliable programmes, and improved quality and sustainability.

www.wernick.co.uk/buildings

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SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2023

Sarah Kauter, Managing Director of Construction PR, shares her insight into some of the most popular ‘green construction’ trends to look out for ac ross 2023, as well as her advice on the best way to keep on top of industry trends yourself.

022 was arguably one of the most challenging years for the construction industry within recent memory. Following on from a global pandemic, businesses were plunged into a cost-of-living crisis, seeing energy costs rise exponentially, and even the most commonly-used materials experience shortages and delays.

Despite these unforeseen strains, however, 2023 does bode positive for the construction industry as a whole, with the sector forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% between 2018 and 2023, to a value of $10.5tn by the end of the year, with sustainable construction being a significant contributor to this growth.

In line with the UK Government’s commitment to becoming a net-zero economy by 2050, the importance of sustainability within the construction industry has skyrocketed, leaving those companies who fail to sufficiently invest at a severe disadvantage. Ensuring your business is doing all it can to keep on top of the latest industry trends and developments has always been an essential determinant of success, but with what appears to be an almost endless number of ways to incorporate sustainability within your construction brand, where do you begin?

Green construction trends in 2023

Ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) and geothermal energy GSHPs extract heat energy from geothermal reservoirs located deep within the core of the earth – primarily for use in domestic heating systems, but can also be stored for the production of electricity. The upsurge in sustainable construction practices has seen both GSHPs and the use of geothermal energy within a residential setting soar in popularity in recent years, and with the 2025 ban on gas boiler installations on the horizon, this doesn’t look to slow down anytime soon. In fact, 19 million geothermally-powered boilers are expected to be installed by 2050, so if this is an area where your company operates, ensuring you are well versed in their installation and maintenance looks to prove essential for the decades to come.

Green building and net-zero design

Businesses and individuals within the construction industry have finally been given the support and reassurance they need to reinforce the UK’s transition towards becoming net zero, with an estimated £90bn to be invested across the green building sector by 2023.

Since launching in October 2021, this strategy laid out by the UK Government has already seen £26bn invested, creating 56,000 new jobs – a figure expected to reach 440,000 by the end of the decade. With a depleted labour force already identified as one of the most prominent challenges facing the industry, this is something that construction desperately needs.

Within recent years, greater pressure has been placed upon developers to incorporate sustainability across their projects, and conform to the changing demands of an increasing number of environmentallyconscious customers. From incorporating eco-friendly materials, to switching to renewable-energy sources, locally sourcing what materials you do use, and more, placing sustainability at the heart of your construction firm will be a key determinant of success going forward.

Modular building

Advancements within modular building have enabled the construction industry to shift a number of stages of the building process off site – proving to be essential in maintaining productive and operational throughout the COVID pandemic. It also plays a significant role

Sarah Kauter is the CEO and Managing Director of the Essex-based marketing and public relations agency, Construction PR.

in bringing the industry closer towards a sustainable future by reducing waste and carbon emissions that would otherwise be generated on site, with inefficient material transportation and power generation, for example, brought to a minimum. Whilst modular building isn’t exactly a new trend, the global market is expected to reach $157bn in value by the end of the year, setting it well on its way to become one of the more popular approaches within the build industry.

Living building materials

A living building material is a material made from microorganisms and used within construction to produce materials that resemble the characteristics of a living organism, enabling them to selfreplicate, heal and repair cracks, absorb emitted carbon and even reproduce when exposed to ideal conditions. Despite being a relatively new innovation, living materials are already being applied across the construction industry. Calcifying bacteria, for example, play an important role in enhancing the durability of concrete, whilst mycelium-based composites often take the place of timber, foam and plastic insulation within property development.

Advancements in living building are still in their early stages, however, and whilst they do show potential to be effective long-term and on a larger scale, further innovation is still required to not only make them more financially viable, and maximise the conditions and environments in which they can be implemented. Regardless, advancements in this area are certainly something to monitor, as living materials look to play a significant role in reaching that net-zero environment.

How can you keep on top of industry trends?

The construction sector is notorious for continuously adapting and evolving in response to industry trends, whether that’s new technology or equipment being developed, legislation changes or updated working practices or something else entirely. Regardless, ensuring your business is keeping on top of these trends is essential in maintaining competitiveness – but what steps can you take to make sure this remains the case?

Arguably, the most important way of keeping up to date with developments within the construction industry is through networking. Ensure you are keeping an eye on your competitors and any moves they are making. Whether that’s through attending industry events to observe which new materials your competition is trialling first hand, or connecting with likeminded companies and industry leaders on LinkedIn, maintaining strong communication within the industry is key when following trends.

SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS WHEN SELECTING A FACADE SYSTEM

Brian G Newell MBE from Shackerley discusses the need to consider sustainability in facade specification and the environmental credentials of the company’s SureClad engineered stone system.

Sustainability is an increasingly important element of specification across all stakeholder groups, as local and central Government set ambitious targets for carbon reduction, construction partners seek to demonstrate their sustainability credentials, and the public expects to see evidence of environmental best practice. With the climate crisis high on the news agenda and so much scrutiny of construction choices, it’s important to understand how environmental credentials vary not only from material to material but also from manufacturer to manufacturer.

The Shackerley SureClad engineered stone system is a good example of this principle. Engineered stone is a lightweight alternative to natural stone facade

materials, and is also often specified as an alternative to GRC for large-format, slab-toslab spanning panels.

Not all engineered stone systems that may appear to be like-for-like actually have the same credentials however; either for combustibility or for sustainability. While the SureClad engineered stone system is A2-s1,d0 rated non-combustible to BS EN 13501, this is not true for all engineered stone cladding systems, so it is important to check for certification.

Likewise, the environmental performance of individual engineered stone systems will depend on the composition of the material and how the facade is manufactured and handled, so verifying the sustainability of the specific system selected for a project is essential for meeting environmental goals.

Lightweight and robust

One of the key elements in reducing the environmental impact of any facade system is to consider where and how the product is manufactured because this affects the embodied carbon of the finished installation and the amount of waste involved.

For Shackerley’s SureClad engineered stone facade system, that sustainability journey begins at the quarry, where closedloop water recovery and anti-pollution production systems reduce the amount of water required and the environmental impact of the production process. The stone used to manufacture Shackerley engineered stone is a by-product of stone quarrying, which would otherwise be used as aggregate. The high flexural strength achieved enables thinner SureClad engineered stone panels

of up to 3000 x 1200mm and typically just 20mm thick, which allows facade designs with slab-to-slab spanning panels while providing lighter weight panels, weighing just 50kg per m2, and reduced embodied carbon from transportation.

The lightweight, slim panels also enable sustainability benefits across the whole build, because a lighter weight facade enables a lighter weight support structure. This can be particularly beneficial for facade specifications for rooftop extensions where the structural loading is reliant on the integrity of the existing building and foundations. It has enabled many rooftop projects to achieve the aesthetics and texture of natural stone with the SureClad engineered stone facade system, which can be specified to match virtually any legacy stone facade.

Shackerley SureClad engineered stone contains 95% natural stone and zero Portland cement, with no firing involved in the manufacturing process. This means that it offers all the aesthetic and durability qualities of natural stone, but enables a facade with fewer defects and lower maintenance, reducing the potential for waste due to fissures and flaws.

Although the resin content in Shackerley’s engineered stone is considerably lower than in most comparable facade systems, it is this component in the material that enhances flexural strength and impact resistance, avoiding the need for a supporting stone or ceramic backing, which is usually required for veneered alternatives. The resin content also reduces porosity for Shackerley engineered stone to 0.15%, which means that the finished facade has a longer, low-maintenance service life, with no requirement for the panels to be sealed and reduced absorption of airborne pollutants, which could otherwise discolour and degrade some engineered stone facades.

Genuine sustainability credentials

In addition to considering the properties of the specific facade material chosen for an installation, it is also important to

consider the environmental benefits of the system itself. As a UK manufacturer, Shackerley not only reduces the embodied carbon involved in facade supply for UK projects, but also reduces the risk of waste due to damaged panels. The system is manufactured as installation-ready panels with pre-installed undercut anchors at Shackerley’s two ISO 9001-accredited factories in Lancashire. This avoids onsite cutting and fabrication, preventing waste due to mistakes with materials on site.

The way we construct buildings and the issue of construction waste have come under scrutiny as the UK works towards its zero carbon commitments. It is up to the entire delivery chain to apply similar levels of scrutiny and select products that genuinely offer sustainability credentials.

UK

BUILT ENVIRONMENT EVENT MAKES WELCOME RETURN TO LONDON

A host of new features, famous faces, interactive demos and gro undbreaking products await visitors to one of the UK’s largest events for the built environment, UK Construction Week (UKCW), when it makes a welcome return to London’s ExCeL from 2nd to 4th May 2023. Registration is now live.

TV Architect and Education Campaigner George Clarke, BBC News Business Editor Simon Jack and BBC Presenter Victoria Derbyshire are set to chair the main stage at UK Construction Week and will join the 25,000+ visitors who will head to UKCW London, which debuted in the capital in 2022. UKCW London is co-located with Concrete Expo and The Offsite Show, as well as the UK’s premier event for the self-build sector, Grand Designs Live.

With over 10,000 products on display from over 300 exciting exhibitors, including Sika, Rointe Kingspan, Google, Sevadis, HP, Celsa UK, Houzz Pro, Hanson Plywood and many more, the multiaward-winning show attracts a wealth of overseas exhibitors from as far afield as Australia, China, India, Norway, Turkey and the UAE.

Highlights of UKCW

London 2023 include:

The ZERO feature, which will include a full-scale build by Natural Building Systems, demonstrating how combining low embodied-carbon materials with modern construction methods can transform the industry. The ZERO Playbook workshops will enable contributors to share and learn how, as an industry, we can get to net zero as fast as possible.

The Building Engineering Hub will host CPDs from The BESA, the UK’s leading trade organisation representing the interests of firms in all aspects of engineering systems and services in buildings. The themed daily topics are:

Day one: Indoor air quality and vent hygiene

Day two: Building and fire safety and competence and compliance

Day three: Installing and regulations around heat pumps, boilers and F-gas.

The Culture Change Hub will focus on improving inclusivity within the built environment, wellbeing and mental health, and professional development. Daily programmes will be delivered by The National Federation of Builders, Building People and The Women in Construction Awards.

A busy programme of high-profile, thought-leadership speakers, which includes: Mark Thurston, CEO at HS2; Sadie Morgan, Co-Founding Director of dRMM Architects, youngest and only third ever-female President of the Architectural Association, Design Chair for High Speed Two (HS2) and Founder of the Quality of Life Foundation; David Hancock, Project Director, Infrastructure Projects Authority; Bola Abisogun OBE, RICS, digital disruptor and innovator, Founder & Chairman of DiverseCity Surveyors (DCS), Digital Director at BIM Academy and Digital Twins Skills Academy.

www.ukconstructionweek.com

An expanded networking zone, allowing visitors more space and time to catch up with colleagues and contacts, with over 20 different networking events planned by partner organisations.

A new tunnel entrance and easier-tonavigate floorplan will allow delegates to pinpoint their areas of interest and plan their time efficiently.

Celebrating Culture Change in Construction, UKCW London will host three days of debate and discussion from top speakers on how the industry can move forward to tackle its biggest issues, including quality, fire safety, sustainability, offsite manufacturing, mental health and improving diversity and inclusion. Visitors will also be able to find sections dedicated to Digital Construction, Infrastructure, Offsite, Surfaces, Net Zero including Renewables, HVAC, Energy Management; Build Show including Roofing, Cladding and Insulation; Tools; Health & Safety; Fire Prevention; Future Lab and a Careers Trail.

Officially opened by Architect and Channel 4 Presenter George Clarke, UKCW London will also feature sessions and seminars led by industry experts across the show’s six stages; the show will feature an incredible 300 speakers, with over 150 hours of CPD seminars available.

• Fire Rated to A2-s1, d0 & A2fl-s1

• Aluminium construction to 6063 T6 grade

• Slip-resistant and wear-resistant

• 30-year manufacturer product warranty

ALIDECK JUNIOR BALCONY BOARD

The 20mm AliDeck Junior Board is our most popular decking board, available in ridged and flat specification. Spanning up to 600mm, the cost-effective Junior Board requires less underside support than traditional decking and is non-combustible.

ALIDECK BALCONY DRAINAGE SYSTEM

This innovative drainage solution delivers positive drainage to balconies, with our Drainage Channel between the deck boards capturing and directing water to the Drainage Gutter for controlled evacuation to a specified outlet.

To find out more about the AliDeck System, call our team today!

PENDOCK WASHROOMS –CLEAN AND GREEN

Since its launch 18 years ago, the Pendock Washroom brand has continued to evolve, with the latest developments including the introduction of a new range of solid-surface wash troughs and the company’s use of BioCarbon, zero-carbon compact laminates.

Already used in a range of public sector applications, including schools, health, leisure and transport, as well as Government offices and public buildings, Pendock Washroom includes five cubicle systems, plus IPS duct panels and wash troughs.

Durable

The new solid-surface wash troughs are bespoke manufactured from durable acrylic composite and are primarily designed for high-traffic washroom projects, such as public buildings, hospitals and healthcare, as well as shopping centres, council offices and local Government workspaces, together with public toilets.

Designed for high-traffic and wet areas, including zones with increased humidity, Robust cubicles are manufactured using 12mm-thick BioCarbon zero-carbon compact laminate (CL), with BioCarbon decorative facings to each side. They are highly durable and suitable for both general washroom applications and more demanding environments.

The Ultimate cubicle range is bespoke manufactured and allows specifiers a wide range of options including the choice of either BioCarbon compact laminate, for wet and high-traffic applications, or high-

pressure laminate (HPL), incorporating a UKTR-compliant moisture-resistant core, for medium-traffic and dry washroom environments. Ultimate cubicles can be specified with any finish or colour combination to meet the exact interior design or project requirements.

Versatile

Classic Plus cubicles are designed for use in dry washroom environments only and use tough, durable and decorative HPL surfaces bonded to a UKTR-compliant moistureresistant core, giving a nominal overall thickness of 20mm. The panel edges are finished with a 2mm PVC edging strip. Ideally suited for medium-to-high traffic applications, an exceptionally wide range of HPL finishes can be specified, including decorative laminates from leading suppliers, such as Formica; Polyrey and Abet, making Classic Plus one of the most versatile options in the range.

Economic

Pendock’s Classic range is designed primarily for use in low-traffic and dry washroom schemes where economic considerations and simplicity are key factors.

Manufactured from UKTR-compliant 18mm-thick moisture-resistant MFC

(melamine-faced chipboard) with 2mm PVC edging, a range of standard finishes and ironmongery is available, which provides a practical and economic solution for single or multiple cubicle installations. The dedicated Education range covers washrooms from nursery through to further education and can be specified in 18mm HPL, as well as 12mm BioCarbon CL. This provides specification options for high durability in both wet and dry washroom applications, while a broad palette of colours and finishes is available, including special options for early years and schools through all key stages.

Integrated

Where IPS solutions are specified, Pendock IPS duct panel systems are available in HPL or BioCarbon CL, and the range includes ‘duct panels’, capable of supporting surface-mounted sanitaryware, as well as ‘back panels’, for decorative cladding on the rear walls of cubicles.

Every aspect of the range can be specified, including core material, finish colours and graphics, as well as the panel dimensions.

M-AR TEAMS UP WITH HOMELESS CHARITY CENTREPOINT

Specialist offsite contractor

M-AR is nearing completion on an ambitious new-build project in partnership with the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint. The project’s goal was to create single-occupancy homes for young people experiencing homelessness in London – a first for the charity, which up until now has relied on refurbished accommodation. Working collaboratively with design consultant Modularize and the Centrepoint project team, M-AR manufactured 33 modular homes in its factory to create the new two-storey apartment building. The design features repeatable modular units that can easily be delivered on multiple sites –which means Centrepoint and M-AR will be able to replicate this model on future projects as the Independent Living Programme rolls out to other locations over the next five years. Each self-contained 21m 2 home has its own private access, a small functional kitchen, dining area and a bathroom as well as space to sleep and relax, making the units a comfortable home for young people to live independently.

01482 635081

www.m-ar.co.uk

buildingrelationships@m-ar.co.uk

RESPECTED FIRE DOOR SYSTEM NOW CERTIFIED

FANLIGHTS AND SIDELIGHTS

Hurst Doors has become one of just a handful of UK suppliers certified to produce a quality composite FD30s fire doorset with sidelights and fanlights. The company is now certified under the BM TRADA UKCA marking of external pedestrian fire-rated doorsets scheme. This allows Hurst Doors to supply five of its most popular door styles for settings that are open to the elements, such as external flat entrances, incorporating fanlights and/or sidelights. Subjected to rigorous third-party testing, the Neuma fds fire door system has undergone more than 30 bi-directional tests at three independent and accredited European test laboratories. In testing, the fire doors achieved an average integrity of 45 minutes (or 50% longer than the FD30s standard requires). Suitable for reactive maintenance, refurbishment projects, new-build developments and more, Hurst’s fire doors are currently being supplied to several large-scale social housing projects. The product has also been tested to the tougher EN 1634-1:2014 standard. Testing has been completed on both solid and glazed door options.

www.hurstdoors.co.uk

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GRANADA SECONDARY GLAZING PROVIDES OPTIMUM COMFORT FOR HOSPITAL PATIENTS

Granada’s secondary glazing has been used within the Hallamshire Hospital wards to provide patients with warmer and quieter rooms.

Run by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the P1 Endoscopy ward and Hallamshire Hospital Q1 are located on the top-floor building of Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Hallamshire Hospital had previously redesigned some of its wards for the patients and had used Granada’s industry-leading secondary glazing. For this project, it wanted to refurbish two additional wards and continue to use Granada’s products.

Working alongside O & P construction – in a bid to match the primary windows – Granada Glazing designed, manufactured and installed white-finished, hinged secondary glazing units with two, three and four panels in all 12 rooms.

The decision to use hinged secondary glazing was based around the multi-point locking system that ensures the glass panel locks firmly in place. Pushing the panel close to the exterior frame forms a seal that traps the heat of the space while also reducing noise by 80% and adding an additional 70% of thermal insulation. The design also allows for easy access for cleaning and maintenance.

Gary Shaw, a supervisor from O & P Construction, commented: “We opted for secondary glazing as we wanted to insulate the windows to save on heating costs, rather than removing the old windows, which would have proven incredibly costly.

“If there’s ever a need to refurb any other wards within the hospital, Granada secondary glazing will absolutely be the first priority, as it’s a long-term solution to save heat and reduce noise.”

www.gsecg.com

01909 499899 info@granadaglazing.com

The specification of StoVentec Glass rainscreen cladding for a second new building at a leading UK school has underlined the unique design possibilities offered by the system. It was specified for a new two-storey science block, which has been built at Wolverhampton Girl’s High School, following its successful use on the school’s new sixth-form building completed in 2018.

“The design of the new science block followed the vision of the first new building in 2018 by using modern materials, which complemented the architecture of the existing school premises,” explains Sto’s Head of Sales, Ashley Wainwright. “The intention was to harmonise the new science building with its surroundings by reflecting the attractive landscaping of the surrounding site, and the StoVentec Glass system was specified again due to the high degree of reflectivity it provided, coupled with its impressive durable and robust characteristics.”

As with every installation of StoVentec Glass, a bespoke sub-construction forms part of this rainscreen

cladding system, which can easily be adjusted on site to accommodate any uneven surfaces. This creates a ventilated cavity, which enables the walls of the building to breathe and allows them to dry rapidly. Sto’s tempered safety glass panels, which are factory-bonded to the company’s rugged and resilient StoVentec carrier boards are then fixed to the subconstruction on site.

The manufacturing process for the glass panels allows a wide range of both RAL and custom colours to be bonded onto the rear of the glass. This fuses the colour into the glass to create panels that will not wear,

scratch, fade or incur water damage. They are available with reflective, non-reflective or metallic finishes, and can be made in bespoke shapes and sizes to suit individual requirements. Individual logos, designs or images can also be screen printed onto the glass to enhance the design possibilities.

The StoVentec Glass system can be mounted onto virtually all substrates and has been tested against impact, smoke emission, bomb blast and a reaction to fire classification A2-s1, d0 to EN 13501-1.

www.sto.co.uk

0330 024 2666 d.newton@sto.com

STOVENTEC GLASS IS SPECIFIED FOR ANOTHER NEW BUILD AT A MIDLANDS SCHOOL

BATH ARCHWAY

In the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the city of Bath, the Roman Baths and Pump Room is a site of international historical and archaeological significance and attracts over one million visitors each year.

As part of an impressive refurbishment, Bath & North East Somerset Council appointed architect firm Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios for the new Archway Project comprising a new World Heritage Centre and Roman Baths Learning Centre. The Learning Centre features three state-of-the-art learning rooms, breakout space and a hands-on Investigation Zone set among real Roman remains.

For the learning space – created from the shell of a former warehouse – with its historic roof structure newly revealed, the architects specified Troldtekt’s acoustic wood-wool panelling in a natural finish to complement the surrounding wood, minimise the sound reverberation and dampen the noise from large groups of excited school children. Troldtekt is a perfect choice for this kind of application where its sustainable characteristics, coupled with superior acoustic qualities, provide a comfortable interior environment.

Founded on the Cradle to Cradle design concept and certified to Gold level, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently-sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings. In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low-cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades, from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Troldtekt panels with FUTURECEM absorb more CO2 than they emit during production.

M-AR SECURES ITS PLACE ON NEW CCS OFFSITE FRAMEWORK

Specialist offsite contractor M-AR has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Offsite Construction Solutions (OCS) framework. M-AR is one of 29 companies on the framework and has secured its place in all five core areas – Education (3D – Hire/purchase up to £15m), Healthcare (3D – purchase or hire), Justice and Defence (3D Turnkey Solutions) and Residential – having been put through a rigorous approvals process to give specifiers peace of mind. Paul Cunniffe, Pre-Construction Director at M-AR, said: “Securing our place on the new Crown Commercial Service offsite framework alongside 28 of our peers is a testament to the hard work of the whole team here at M-AR and I couldn’t be prouder.”

www.m-ar.co.uk

01482 635081

frameworkteam@m-ar.co.uk

A high-performance levelling compound and adhesives from F. Ball and Co. have been chosen to install floorcoverings within the Ahl Masr Hospital in New Cairo, Egypt. Flooring contractors from Tradelink began by undertaking moisture tests. Surfaces were then primed using F. Ball’s Stopgap P131 general-purpose primer. Stopgap Red Bag was then applied throughout to create a perfectly-smooth base for floorcoverings to be installed. F. Ball’s Styccobond F44 solventfree acrylic emulsion adhesive was used to install Gerflor safety flooring throughout the hospital. Finally, Tradelink used F. Ball’s Styccobond F60 contact adhesive to install skirting and capping and coving, as well as anti-bacterial PVC wall guards.

GILBERTS HELPS PROTECT GOVERNMENT

The Government is investing in a series of hubs to better deliver public services as part of its Levelling Up strategy. One of the first to become operational is Fletton Quays in Peterborough, where 1000+ staff will be kept safe by advanced smoke evacuation technology from Gilberts Blackpool. A 1.5m2 BRE natural ventilation smoke shaft rises to the full height of the building to provide effective ventilation of smoke in the event of a fire. The approach optimises natural buoyancy principles where the hot smoke rises and fresh air inlets drive the smoke upwards for extraction/exhaust. Gilberts’ innovative Series 60 smoke evacuation dampers have been chosen and installed to channel smoke into the riser.

www.gilbertsblackpool.com

01253 766911

info@gilbertsblackpool.com

F. BALL CHOSEN FOR CAIRO HOSPITAL INSTALLATION

TG ESCAPES DESIGNS BIOPHILIC SCHOOL CONCEPT USING MMC

Young people in the UK today are facing a perfect storm. The 21st century has seen technology impact natural human interaction whilst the pandemic has compounded the problems associated with reduced socialisation and global warming is a growing source of anxiety.

It is no wonder that the mental wellbeing of children and young people is falling under this huge strain, which is representing a key challenge for schools, teachers and parents. As many as 10% of children aged five to 16 have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem1. Currently, one third of people aged eight to 24 report an increase in mental health and wellbeing issues2

Exposure to nature

Whilst it is clear that there is not a single, magic solution to the problem, it is well known that a reconnection with nature can play a major role in enhancing a child’s development, mental resilience and capacity to thrive and learn. A study between Aarhus University in Denmark and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the US, showed that children who grow up in greener surroundings have up to 55% less risk of developing various mental disorders. Biophilia, or a love of the natural world, is programmed into our DNA and appropriate architectural design can serve to nurture our deep-rooted need to connect to nature.

Biophilic design

Biophilic design in classrooms has been shown to boost children’s wellbeing both physically and mentally. Noisy, open-plan classrooms can cause stress and fatigue, which can be alleviated by exposure to nature resulting in improved cognitive ability and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, adding sensory elements from the living natural environment can inspire curiosity, imagination and discovery whilst offering a significant boost to learning by way of increased attendance, improved behaviour and increased focus.

Improved educational outcomes

These benefits have been proven by a variety of scientific experiments. One study by A Sigman shows that children exposed to nature scored higher on concentration and self discipline than control group students and performed better in core curricular subjects. Another study by Human Spaces found that by optimising exposure to daylight, attendance can increase by more than three and a half days a year, whilst test scores can improve by between 5 and 14% with speed of learning

boosted by as much as 26%. A further study has shown that a timber classroom can reduce the heart rate of occupants by 8600 beats per day versus a traditional classroom, indicating stress relief.

A biophilic school

Having practised the implementation of biophilic design principles for many years, TG Escapes wanted to design an entirely biophilic primary school that is sensitive to the environment, cost effective and practical to build using modern methods of construction.

It has designed a new single-entry nursery and primary concept school. Constructed almost entirely from timber, the school will have a low embodied-carbon value, be highly sustainable and net zero in its lifetime. Furthermore, it will be more affordable to build, maintain and run than traditionally constructed buildings. In addition, renewable energy generation will be built into the design at every opportunity.

The design comprises separate pavilions for various school functions, connected by covered walkways and canopies and arranged to envelop a central landscaped, terraced area with an outdoor class at its centre. This promotes an interaction and connection with nature. It encourages sociability and play, whilst maximising the opportunity for outdoor learning, exercise and fresh air in all weathers.

Cost and carbon

The building will be cost effective to build and to operate and extremely eco friendly. As TG Escapes is utilising an existing, panelised modular system, it is able to make a whole-life carbon calculation. The total cost of the build (excluding landscaping and services, which will be site specific) will be £4m. Comparing this design to the EBDOG benchmark survey for primary, the scheme provides 7.31m2 per pupil (including circulation) versus the benchmark 5.69m2. The benchmark shows that an average cost of a net-zero school is around £2500 pm2 TG Escapes’ biophilic buildings come in at only £1823 pm2 leaving plenty of headroom for external works.

The whole-life carbon calculation exceeds the RIBA 2030 target for schools.

TG Escapes believes that our relationship with nature is a cornerstone foundation for robust mental health and a young mind’s capacity for learning. It is working with MTM Consulting to identify a suitable site to build a biophilic school that can help to provide a better future for our children and the world in which they live. The company is also happy to work with education groups should they have a project to suit this biophilic approach.

www.tgescapes.co.uk 0800 917 7726 info@tgescapes.co.uk

SOURCES:

1https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mentalhealth/statistics/children-young-people-statistics

2Barnardo’s Big Conversation 2020