PSBJ March 2023

THE CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE NHS Plus, the importance of nurturing a long-term positive vision for the UK’s healthcare estates

Can a safer public realm lead to a more vibrant economy?

Cruden Group builds for the future with Passivhaus principles

Loop examines the decade-long social value journey to date

Editor Hannah Woodger hannah@redhutmedia.com

Rebecca Kemp rebecca@redhutmedia.com

Print & Digital Advertising

Sam Ball sam@redhutmedia.com

Jim Moore jim@redhutmedia.com

Print Design Manager

Jack Witcomb jack@redhutmedia.com

Digital Design Manager

Matt Morse matt@redhutmedia.com

Accounts Rachel Pike accounts@redhutmedia.com

Sales Support & Statistics

Klare Ball klare@redhutmedia.com

Publisher Sam Ball sam@redhutmedia.com

Welcome to the March issue of PSBJ...

With the construction of more housing developments taking shape across the country, naturally there is an increased demand and opportunity for the design of well-considered public shared spaces, in a bid to attract immediate residents, passing footfall and, as a result, a range of amenities/businesses, bringing about positive economic benefits. By day, the public realm can be a hive of activity and a destination altogether. Hard landscaped areas, with seating and play provision, combined with more natural settings, such as parks and grassland, can attract a whole range of users. Yet, by night, the mood of a shared space can shift, with users avoiding these places for fear of their safety.

Recent tragedies, including the Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa cases, highlight exactly how vulnerable people can be at night, which is why safer spaces should be at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to designing public areas for the communities they serve. The power and influence of social surveillance is unprecedented in people’s perception of safety. As speculation heightened over the mysterious disappearance of Nicola Bulley – although we now know the tragic outcome – it became clear that the security of social surveillance shouldn’t just come into effect at dusk.

In response to some recent research on public realm safety, building materials specialist Marshalls has produced a whitepaper, which addresses some key design principles that can contribute to a safer space for public use. Turn to page 24 to read more about the company’s research findings and find out how change can be driven in the design process.

Elsewhere in this edition, we continue the theme of enhancing the design of the public realm by focusing on the harmonious integration of street furniture and lighting. Here, we hear from supplier All Urban, which outlines the importance of balance as we strive to connect the urban landscape with nature. To read more about how to create meaningful public spaces, whilst considering environmental impact and sustainability, head over to page 16.

Also in this issue, PSBJ is delighted to feature Medical Architecture, which considers some of the current challenges facing the NHS and questions what the next steps are for NHS capital projects. Marking 10 years of social value, Loop examines the journey to date, whilst Cruden Group discusses the feasibility of Passivhaus principles when building for the future.

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

Bob Wills, Director at Medical Architecture, considers some of the current challenges facing the NHS, including the increase in backlog maintenance and the availability of capital funding. See page 08.

06 News

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

08 Upfront

Bob Wills, Director at Medical Architecture, considers some of the current challenges facing the NHS including the increase in backlog maintenance and the availability of capital funding in the face of rising construction costs.

12 Housing

Cruden Building has acquired in-depth experience of Passivhaus principles with the completion of 15 bungalows and semidetached homes for Hanover Scotland.

14 Legal & Business

Winckworth Sherwood’s market-leading social housing team points to the seven things social housing providers will need to consider in the year ahead.

16 Leisure

All Urban explains how lighting and street furniture can frame the public realm, improving safety and traffic flow, and enhance sustainability.

08

18 Canopies & Shelters

The power of a good student council has helped to shape six new canopy-covered outdoor areas at Denton Community College, delivered by Broxap.

20 Education

Phil Griffiths from Soprema UK explains how excellent classroom acoustics can enhance teaching and learning, and help maximise occupant comfort.

22 Security & Building Access

David Jennings, CEO of UAP, discusses the benefits of electronic locks for the public sector and how new technology is meeting changing needs.

24

Town & City Regeneration

Johanna Elvidge at Marshalls reviews new research findings on the perceptions of public shared spaces and looks at how utilising design principles can help to increase their usage.

26 Healthcare

Noise pollution in healthcare environments can be damaging for both patients and staff. Here, Ben Hancock of Oscar Acoustics examines how we can tackle the issue.

28 Doors, Windows & Balustrades

Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager of the Doors Division at Stairways Midlands, reflects on 25 years in the sector banging the drum for doorsets – and going largely unheard.

30 Talking Point

Mariefi Kamizouli, Principal Economist at Loop, examines the social value journey to date – and why it’s more important than ever for all types of organisations.

32 Lighting

Whitecroft Lighting was selected by global construction business Multiplex to upgrade the lighting in Peterborough City Hospital Edith Cavell Campus.

34 Technical Focus

Robin Lancashire, Senior Timber Frame Consultant at BM TRADA, offers some key considerations when designing and installing timber frame cavity barriers.

36 ARCHITECT@WORK Preview

ARCHITECT@WORK, a two-day trade fair aimed at the British architecture and design community, will take place at the Truman Brewery in London from 22nd to 23rd March 2023.

38 Product Showcase

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

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

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

Equans lands low-carbon Lancashire school

Leading energy and regeneration specialist Equans has been appointed by Lancashire County Council to deliver a brand-new, modular primary school in Ribblesdale, Clitheroe, which is designed to achieve net-zero carbon status. The new school will provide 210 much-needed new school places for children in the area, and local disruption will be kept to a minimum since the majority of the build will take place off site. The benefits of modular construction are vast; mainly that it allows for a higher build quality, which is also more energy efficient; and means a faster build time as opposed to traditional construction methods. Equans will install a ground-source heat pump, supplying the school with a sustainable source of heat and hot water. Solar PV will also be installed on the roof, which will generate power for the school. Equans has revealed the school will benefit from the company’s School Zero product, which concurrently promises net-zero construction, as well as teaching children about the importance of sustainability. Equans has invested in high-quality curriculum materials and built a portal of useful information for teachers, which has a range of bespoke ‘free-to-all’ materials for Key Stage 1 and 2 including ‘TED’-style talks for teachers to support and grow their understanding of climate change and help them better engage pupils and local communities on the agenda.

Pagabo launches dedicated M&E solutions

National framework provider Pagabo has issued a prior information notice (PIN) for its latest framework – the brand-new Mechanical & Electrical Solutions Framework. Valued at £545m, the framework has been designed as a solutions-based offering to complement Pagabo’s existing suite of frameworks. A range of specialist M&E subcontractors will be appointed to the framework, which will run for four years after going live. Pagabo has already been engaging with M&E providers ahead of issuing this prior information notice. To allow the framework to be open to a full range of suppliers, it will be split into four valuebased lots, allowing organisations to tender for different-sized projects. The national framework will also be split into a number of UK regions. It will be open to all types of public sector bodies, including, but not limited to, blue light services, housing associations, healthcare, education, aviation, highways and infrastructure, rail and nuclear. Jonathan Parker, Head of Construction at Pagabo, said: “We’re very pleased to be bringing a new framework into our suite of services. The drive and demand for more smart buildings has created more work for companies with mechanical and electrical capabilities, especially in support of the healthcare and higher education sectors, which we’re going to help them compete for.”

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn

Primary School receives planning consent

Global design and technology firm, Arcadis IBI Group Inc., has announced planning permission has been granted for a new 270-person primary school with Meithrin in Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf. Construction is scheduled to start in April 2023 on the site of the former Chubb Factory, with an anticipated open date of 2024. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council selected Wynne Construction to lead the design team, which includes architect firm Arcadis IBI Group, landscape architect Land Studio, civil and structural engineer Curtins, MEP engineer Troup Bywater Anders and planning consultant Kew Planning. Once complete, the school is expected to replace the facilities located on Darran Terrace, creating a modern space for children to learn with a focus on sustainability and indoor and outdoor learning areas. The new facilities aim to enhance staff and pupil wellbeing and motivation alongside improved standards in academia, life skills, attendance and behaviour. Set to replace an existing Victorian-era school, the project allows for extensive external landscaping, ecological mitigation and space for future school expansion. The school’s design targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and aims to be net-zero carbon in operation, with a reduced embodied carbon target of 800kg/CO2m2 in accordance with Welsh Government targets.

Value of planned public sector construction projects keeps growing

The Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool has had its latest six month data refresh where the value of future planned Scottish public sector construction projects has increased £600m to £12.2bn and the number of businesses registered for updates has reached 900. Launched in July 2021 to provide the construction industry with greater knowledge of future public sector construction projects across Scotland, the Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool has now had its half-yearly update, with the online platform showing details of over 1700 individual projects, the value of projects in Pipeline are valued at over £12.2bn, and just under 50 public bodies are registered suppling details of projects across 18 industry sectors. Managed by infrastructure body the Scottish Futures Trust, the Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool was one of the actions coming from the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Recovery Plan, published in October 2020 to support Scotland’s construction industry recover and rebuild better. The Pipeline provides a longer-term view on planned investment up to 2028, with the majority of the forecast spending occurring before 2025. The Pipeline allows the user to simply and easily look at the data using various criteria that include the chosen procurement route, the procuring authority, contract value and sector.

framework to market

Modo Bloc supports

Oasis Community Housing to help the homeless

North East property developer Modo Bloc has announced a unique project to support and fund people experiencing homelessness across the region. The Newcastle-based developer has formed a partnership with Christian homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing to donate £2000 towards housing and supporting a homeless person for every new house or two flats it sells this year. Modo Bloc has already sold two properties ‘off plan’ at its luxury, seven design-led, four-storey townhouses development, The Ropes, at St Lawrence Road, overlooking the Ouseburn Valley and River Tyne, in Newcastle. A first donation has already been paid to the charity. George Jenkins, MD of Modo Bloc, explained: “We have a busy, exciting year ahead with new home developments across the city – especially in and around Ouseburn. These projects will set a new standard in residential development and drive regeneration in a key area of the city. As part of our wider plans to be a catalyst for regeneration, we felt it was important to do something with people struggling in the communities in which we invest. It’s important to look to the people as well as living places when trying to build better communities and attractive destinations.”

New homes created in north Plymouth for affordable rent

Work has started on 11 new affordable homes being created at two sites in the north of Plymouth. The £2.4m project is being delivered by Plymouth Community Homes, the city’s largest social housing provider, with support from Plymouth City Council and Homes England, and involves a mixture of two-bed homes and one-bed bungalows created for affordable rent by those in registered housing need in the local area. All of the new homes will be gas free, with air-source heat pumps installed, to help ensure they are more energy efficient for tenants and have a smaller environmental impact. The build has been made possible thanks to £70,000 of funding from the council’s ‘Plan for Homes’ funding pot, £378,000 from Homes England, and surplus land from Plymouth City Council transferred to PCH for a nominal fee of £1. Devon-based firm Coyde Construction is managing the building work, which got underway at both sites last month. Work is expected to complete in winter 2023. Gavin Sutton, Senior Project Manager for Development at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “It’s great to see work starting on new affordable homes for people in Plymouth to help meet the growing need for good quality social housing in the city. We are grateful for the support of our funding partners and of Plymouth City Council in enabling these two sites in the north of Plymouth to be developed.”

Morgan Sindall Construction springboards into new community and leisure centre

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver Houghton Regis’ new £25m community and leisure centre, which has been designed to help drive forward the region’s Levelling Up agenda. Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties business is set to deliver a stunning new centre, with superb leisure and community facilities. The project has been procured through the Pagabo National Framework for Major Works. Driven forward by £20m of Government Levelling Up funding, which was announced by Government at the end of October 2021, the new community and leisure centre on the Kingsland Campus will support the post-pandemic health and wellbeing of the area’s community. Residents can look forward to an eight-lane, 25m community swimming pool, which is more than double the size of the pool at the existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. To enhance the swimming experience, there will be a learner pool with a movable floor to raise or lower the depth for swimming lessons as well as a separate splash pool. A 127-station, state-of-the-art fitness suite and exercise studio will provide dedicated spaces for a range of different classes. It will also include two squash courts, a cafe, community space, a creche, a children’s outdoor play zone, an outdoor fitness trail and enjoyable public areas.

New communities’ names announced as work starts on second Passivhaus site

The names of the first two Passivhaus communities being built by City of York Council have been announced, as work gets underway on the 60% affordable homes on the second zero-carbon site. The first of the council’s sites will be known as Duncombe Square. The second, where work has now begun, will be Burnholme Green. Duncombe Square’s name celebrates the generous green space at the heart of this new community, and remembers the site’s former use as a Ministry of Defence training ground. Burnholme Green reflects the homes’ sustainability, their new private gardens, shared open space and green ginnels. This site is on the grounds of a former school, whose playing fields are now used by the community. Work to clear and level Burnholme Green began last year and work to build the foundations for the 78 new homes starts this month. The total 112 homes on both sites will be 60% affordable and Passivhaus certified. They will be zero carbon in operation, use very little energy to keep warm and comfortable and are highly sustainable with timber frames. The homes’ design began with residents inputting their ideas, which were realised by Stirling Prize-winning architect firm Mikhail Riches. The sites have won a number of awards, including the Housing Design Awards 2022 and the RTPI Planning Excellence Awards 2022.

WHERE NOW FOR NHS CAPITAL PROJECTS?

The state of healthcare across the UK is the focus of increasingly broad news and political debate. Here, Bob Wills, Director at Medical Architecture, considers some of the current challenges facing the NHS including the increase in backlog maintenance, the availability of capital funding in the face of rising construction costs and the difficult headwind facing the New Hospitals Programme.

he current cycle of attention began during the COVID-19 pandemic where the urgent response was rightly praised. Since then, the emphasis has shifted to focus on shortfalls in bed capacity, diagnostic equipment, IT systems and workforce capacity and planning. These systemic problems are illustrated by increased waiting times for treatment, delays at emergency departments, poor access to primary care and dental services, and low staff morale.

Alongside these problems, many of the hospitals and clinics used to provide services are in a poor state of repair. The level of backlog maintenance (the funds required to restore premises to an adequate state), as reported in October 2022, has risen to £10.2bn. This includes significant high-risk elements where there may be danger to life. These problems are longstanding and the consequence of years of short-term planning and underinvestment.

The United Kingdom has had historically low levels of investment in capital compared to similar countries. This has been made worse in recent years by transfers from the capital budget to the revenue budget, which pays for the day-to-day running of the NHS. Much of the data comes from NHS England, however, similar problems are found in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

With plenty of infrastructure modernisation urgently required, the Government’s room for manoeuvre is very limited. The UK public finances are in poor shape with borrowing already at the highest level for 30 years.

New Hospital Programme

The Government’s headline response has been the promise of new hospitals. This has led to the New Hospital Programme (NHP), a planning and procurement pathway for up to 48 hospitals or substantial hospital infrastructure projects. Progress has been slow with some scope shifting and several already part-completed projects corralled into the programme to provide early wins.

Some smaller hospital projects funded under the NHP are advancing well, including two recently submitted for planning for which we are leading the design, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital and a children and young people’s mental health unit in Dorset.

The challenge of ‘delivery by 2030’ for larger schemes has led to the rapid adoption of innovative approaches, which are still under development. Planned delivery is based on an ambition for speed and cost saving to be achieved through standardised ‘cookie cutter’ layouts

and modular offsite construction. The programme flagship, ‘Hospital 2.0’, is expected to be fabricated like LEGO, in factories and transported to sites for rapid assembly. Despite the many potential upsides of this approach, there is still a lot of work needed in aligning clinical procedures and pathways, standardising hospital logistical procedures and defining a common staffing model.

The UK Treasury has, not surprisingly, been reluctant to commit long-term capital to the programme and there is no procurement or risk transfer model for private-public partnership whilst the Government is still picking up the pieces from the collapse of the contractor Carillion.

Community health and primary care

An increasingly elderly population with complex needs means that the existing organisation is poorly suited to managing wellbeing. The bulk of patient interactions within the health system occurs outside acute hospital. For example, there are around one million GP appointments each working day. Innovation in primary and community care systems and infrastructure are central to improving productivity and efficiency across the NHS.

Shotley Bridge Community Hospital

An emerging class of primary and community care facilities provide local integrated care, bringing together general practice, geriatric specialities and rehabilitation therapies. These are community-based services supporting people at home and catering for individuals with multiple morbidities, diverting patients from admission to acute hospitals. Functional community health facilitates the discharge of the large number of patients that are occupying beds, but that are ready for rehabilitation and recovery.

An excellent example is the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre in Hull. A recent study, led by a team of researchers from the Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre at the University of Hull, concluded that the facility has led to fewer hospital ‘frequent flyers’, and that frail patients treated here, who could expect to go to A&E more than three times a year, are 50% less likely to need emergency treatment.

Mental healthcare

The successful transformation of mental health services from asylums to a largely community-based service over the last 50 years, masks a shortage of modern facilities for those that are very ill. Shockingly, there are still many facilities with dormitory-style bedrooms, which must be replaced, and a rising demand for specialist and forensic services. The planning and design of modern, safe and secure mental health settings has evolved as a specialised discipline.

Although the costs are comparatively lower than medical settings, the NHS Health Infrastructure Plan identifies psychiatric facilities as a priority. The next few years will see a focus on reprovision of existing mental health inpatient facilities in England, and also Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Within the wider capacity shortfall, there is a particular lack of specialist provision for children and young people, and those with eating disorders and autism. All of these need purpose-designed environments to cater for the specific needs of patients and staff. Where facilities have been built, for example Mitford Autism Unit in Northumberland, postoccupation feedback shows that these new environments are having a positive impact. We were delighted to hear from Ward Manager, Pamela McIntyre, when she reported that: “Staff are witnessing huge impacts on quality of life. Seeing a mother reacting to her son having his first incidentfree day in seven years is very rewarding.”

In these types of buildings, overall patient numbers are comparatively low, therefore, commissioning, planning and business cases are carried out on a regional basis. The emergence of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in England should work for the development of new facilities.

Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre

Dorset Eating Disorders Unit

Whitby Hospital redevelopment

Intelligent masterplanning

Redevelopment of a major new hospital may cost upwards of £3bn and require an appetite for risk to cater for economic factors and fastevolving technologies. With uncertainty over the availability of Government capital funding for major projects, health organisations are increasingly exploring how to make the best use of existing infrastructure.

There is a notable shift in sentiment away from short-term expediency where congested hospital sites have become difficult to operate and maintain. There is now recognition that a robust long-term vision is essential to enable opportunistic rapid response where the availability of delegated capital funding is uncertain. Health organisations are commissioning comprehensive plans for the evolution of existing sites, integrating with the cities they serve, mitigating risks and identifying rapid productivity gains.

Intelligent masterplanning using datarich building information modelling enables clinical activity parameters to be tested against alternative building configurations and phases in real time. Skill and experience are required to identify potential reorganisation options that achieve a better fit of function and fabric.

In the past, treasury rules and health estate reorganisation has prioritised rationalisation and disposal of unused estate. Rationalisation is still important, but the focus is now shifting to improved wholesystem performance and pooling of resources through ‘one public estate’ initiatives to deliver complementary functions.

Reuse of assets

With limited scope for major new project investment, there is now a growing appetite for re-evaluating what can be achieved with existing health infrastructure. Not all NHS facilities are appropriate for reuse, so careful appraisal is needed to select the right project. However, given the large amount of poor estate, the potential benefits are significant. There are wider sustainability benefits as this approach reduces waste and capitalises on embodied carbon in the existing fabric.

Modest interventions in unloved but functional hospital buildings can deliver a big impact. Small modifications to structure and services can improve flow and functionality, whilst improvements to lighting and finishes have a direct impact on patient and staff perceptions, improving productivity and experience.

More substantial repurposing of buildings can act as an enabler of change, providing for new models of treatment and care, where the cost and timescale required for new buildings would be prohibitive. These projects are sometimes the most challenging and rewarding. From a technical perspective, a project must meet the equivalent environmental standards of a new building; for the designer, the objective is to provide a step change in environmental quality for the public, patients and staff.

Two recent examples in North Yorkshire, with the redevelopment of Whitby Hospital and Guisborough Hospital, show what can be achieved in our regional communities with modest investment, an integrated approach to healthcare delivery and the strategic reuse of existing hospital infrastructure.

Newcastle Hospital’s Masterplan

Blossom Court at St Ann’s Hospital

Where now?

The legacy of past underinvestment tells us that continuing with managed decline is an undesirable, risky and expensive option. Despite the poor state of public finances, good custodianship of our healthcare infrastructure goes hand in hand with providing what the public expect; modern and effective health services in buildings that are safe, attractive and a great place to work.

This needs strong leadership, skill and a concerted effort to secure shortterm improvements whilst nurturing a long-term positive vision for our healthcare estates. This dual strategy entails building a pipeline of rapid, revenue driven, high-impact improvements alongside strategic plans that will underpin a robust and appealing forward vision. New NHS facilities will integrate sustainable design, modern methods of construction, logistical automation and digital technologies to ensure our healthcare infrastructure is fit for the future.

Mitford Adult Autism Unit

Newcastle Hospital’s Internal Improvement Programme

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE WITH PASSIVHAUS PRINCIPLES

Given the right level of knowledge and experience, Steven Simpson, Managing Director of the Cruden Group, demonstrates that Passivhaus standards can be achieved on sizeable developments, using its recent project as an example, but that’s not to say the Scottish Government’s timescale for minimum standard aspirations is entirely realistic.

The announcement by the Scottish Government that, from the end of 2024, Passivhaus will become the minimum standard for all new housing in Scotland, has brought about a rapid response from the construction industry, which is now questioning the speed of adoption and lack of consultation surrounding the proposal.

Developers have raised concerns that the move is being made too quickly, leaving them with little time to upskill in order to meet the complex needs of this form of building. Question marks also exist over costs and the impact on margins as well as the ability of local authorities, housing associations and individual buyers to meet the higher purchase prices that building to Passivhaus standards will require.

There is no doubting the need for warmer, greener and more fuel-efficient homes, but concerns remain over whether or not Passivhaus is the preserve of one-off builds and may be costly, time consuming and, because of the complexities involved, impossible to deliver at scale, particularly at a time when the construction industry is facing shortages of skilled workers.

Over the last two years, Cruden Building, part of the Cruden Group, has acquired indepth experience of Passivhaus principles with the completion of 15 bungalows and semi-detached homes for Hanover Scotland in the Stirlingshire village of Drymen. This is believed to be one of the very first social housing projects in Scotland to be completed to Passivhaus levels and probably the only one to have been achieved using a standard house kit and not one that has been specially commissioned for the project.

Getting here has taken fresh expertise and the development of new working methods, but it has shown that building to the exact tolerances required to meet Passivhaus standards can be achieved on sizeable developments given the right level of knowledge and experience.

The elements involved in reaching the standards required for Passivhaus certification involve orienting properties for solar gain, installing mechanical heat recovery ventilation and using triple-glazed windows to significantly reduce the need for additional heating. In fact, Passivhaus can use up to 90% less energy for heating and 70% less energy for all uses than conventional buildings.

But all of this depends upon delivering homes with an exceptional level of airtightness, and this is where things become difficult. A few, miniscule gaps is all it takes in order for a house to fail certification. The other challenge is to ensure closely managed fresh air intake and changeover to ensure high air quality through use of MVHR, which is Passivhaus certified.

At Cruden, our solution to meeting these standards has been to check airtightness levels at every step in the building process, ensuring that we meet essential requirements before moving on to the next stage of the build. We also developed a new methodology for quality control that has proved to be hugely effective and that we will be rolling out in further Passivhaus projects.

The impact of this approach has been shown by the fact that the nine bungalows at Drymen have also met the required standards, despite the bungalow being one of the most difficult of all house types to make fully fuel efficient with low CO2 and energy demands.

Passivhaus principles were developed in Germany and Sweden in the 1990s, inspired in part by what North American architects had achieved while building homes during the oil crisis of the 1970s. It is now an internationally-recognised standard for achieving a very low carbon footprint and there is a huge demand for it to be applied far more widely, especially now when we are facing a climate emergency and buildings currently account for 35% of global energy consumption.

The aim now is to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of construction by using a fabric-first approach to delivering buildings that take very little additional energy to maintain at a comfortable temperature. However, there is a world

of difference between designing a Passivhaus home and actually building one on site, so before construction began at Drymen, key members of the Cruden team undertook in-depth training in order to understand the process and to get hands-on experience. This willingness to learn and adapt has been key to replacing outdated and inefficient houses with comfortable, contemporary homes that can help reduce the burden of fuel bills for occupants at a time when energy costs are spiralling.

Achieving these results has also involved working closely with the architect and all of the suppliers and it requires a client with a long-term approach, who is willing to pay the higher upfront costs involved in this type of construction, in order to achieve something that will deliver comfortable, low-energy housing that will stand the test of time.

For Cruden, developing expertise in delivering Passivhaus-standard housing has been part of our ongoing commitment to building comfortable, contemporary homes that meet the need for low-carbon solutions. However, it is precisely because of this experience that we hold the view that converting the entire housebuilding industry

in Scotland to a similar model in just two years and without in-depth consultation is not realistic. If Passivhaus is to be made to work on a wide scale, then it is going to take considerable training, investment and time before this result can be achieved.

www.crudengroup.co.uk

WHAT WILL SOCIAL HOUSING PROVIDERS NEED TO ADDRESS IN 2023?

Challenging economic conditions and the Government’s legislative agenda will dominate much of this year, creating continued challenges for social housing providers. Here, Winckworth Sherwood’s market-leading social housing team points to the seven things social housing providers will need to consider in the year ahead.

Tenant satisfaction in the spotlight

New tenant satisfaction measures take effect from April 2023. Social housing providers that do not already have the processes in place to collect and record data on these must act now, says Senior Associate and social housing governance specialist, Matt Cowen.

“Social housing providers will, from April 2023, be required to measure 22 key tenant satisfaction metrics. This information, relating to areas such as repairs and safety checks, must then be published and submitted to the regulator for assessment.

“Most registered providers should by now have the processes in place to capture the data required by the tenant satisfaction measures. If they do not, they should act as a matter of considerable urgency.

“Registered providers can also expect to see the enhanced proactive consumer regulation regime take shape as the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill works its way

through parliament, although we don’t expect it to formally make the statute books before 2024.”

Building safety

As predicted, Michael Gove ramped up the pressure on the construction industry in 2022 and in passing the Building Safety Act 2022, the Government has changed the landscape for all those in the built environment. It remains difficult, says Charis Beverton, Construction Partner, with the evolving legislation to advise how the multiple parts of the Building Safety Act 2022 will operate.

“More secondary legislation will come into force in 2023 including the introduction of Gateways 2 and 3, still expected in October 2023. The latest draft legislation to be published is The Higher-Risk Buildings (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2023, which define what a tall building will be, subject to the additional fire and building safety legislation requirements. There were no surprises; tall buildings remain

residential buildings that have at least 18m in height or at least seven storeys and include buildings under construction.

“The regulations also define what a ‘building’ is – namely ‘a structure that is not attached to any other structure’ and include, where applicable, plant rooms. Hotels, prisons and military facilities are excluded. The definition of a building is likely to have wider implications, as will so much of the Building Safety Act, particularly for insurance where the definition of what is an insured building has often been contested.

“We anticipate conversations around the Building Safety Act will continue for some time.”

Increase in provider mergers

It is expected that the tough economic climate, together with the increased regulatory burden on social housing providers, will lead to an increase in merger activity in 2023, says Senior Associate and social housing governance specialist, Matt Cowen.

“Registered providers are feeling the pain of a challenging few years, compounded now by a cost-of-living and economic crisis. Development costs have increased dramatically at a time when RPs are also being expected to invest in their stock to meet decarbonisation and building/fire safety requirements, as well as expend resources to ensure the new proactive consumer regulatory standards are met.

“This is driving RPs to consider whether these challenges are best met in partnership with other like-minded organisations. Merger activity is expected to grow throughout 2023 and beyond.”

Cautious approach to borrowing to remain

Social housing providers will continue to take a cautious approach to borrowing in 2023, turning away from new capital market transactions and favouring shortterm revolving credit facilities, says Winckworth Sherwood Housing Finance Partner, Ruby Giblin.

“Whilst borrowing to build new homes has taken a nosedive, borrowing remains necessary with restricted income following rent caps as social housing providers need to meet and fund new legislative and climatechange requirements.

“Whereas, previously, they would turn to capital market products, that is now an expensive option, although investors are making good returns. Following the

Government’s disastrous September budget, new capital market financing seems to be on hold and is likely to remain so possibly for the first half of 2023 – there is a wait-and-see mentality. Instead, providers will continue to look to short-term, typically five years, revolving credit facilities to meet those obligations and take the time to tidy up their assets whilst waiting for the market to settle down.

“Private placements and bond financing are only temporarily on the back burner. There are already tentative signs of interest in new deals, and we expect that to gather pace in the latter half of 2023.

“The ESG agenda, largely driven by funders, will not be high on the RPs’ list of priorities and is likely to be relegated in 2023 by smaller social housing providers that have put their borrowing on hold. That would be a mistake, leaving them to play catch up when funding will be needed. Many RPs are already collecting extensive ESG data for regulatory and business and just need help in analysing that data.”

A pause in the housing market Affordability concerns and the end of Help to Buy may well prompt a short pause in the housing market, says Residential Development Partner, Ruth Barnes.

“Affordability of new homes will dominate much of 2023 as the cost-of-living crisis sees would-be buyers holding off or unable to secure mortgage products at affordable

rates. This coincides with the end of the successful Help-to-Buy scheme in March with the potential to create a perfect storm for the housing market.

“Whilst the First Homes scheme, launched last year, may take up some of the Help-toBuy slack, it is a very different product and the effect of First Homes on shared ownership sales remains to be seen. But the housing market is remarkably resilient and we would hope that if there is a pause it will be short lived, with activity picking up again in the spring and summer.”

Greater support for renters needed

Greater support for public and private sector renters is likely to materialise in 2023, says Winckworth Sherwood Partner, Charlotte Cook.

“This year will likely see renters in the political spotlight, with greater support and regulation to follow, as Government recognises that they are not being treated in the way they should.

“We have already seen social housing providers under the spotlight and that will build – they are easier to target and regulate. But attention will turn, too, to private sector landlords. Good landlords will always try to do the right thing – we see that every day –and it will be important that any political and legislative action focuses on those that bring the rental sector down.”

Social care and assisted living crisis

The crisis in social care and assisted living will deepen in 2023, says Winckworth Sherwood Partner, Charlotte Cook.

“Every year, social care and assisted living providers call for the Government to bring forward and prioritise its policy proposals, and yet we continue to wait. Surely, this year, the funding that the sector desperately needs and deserves will materialise?

“We recognise that this is costly and complex, but it is time for the Government to act. It needs to move from the ‘too difficult’ pile and into its priority list. It is simply unacceptable to kick this burning issue further down the road.”

Charis Beverton

Charlotte Cook

Matt Cowen

Ruth Barnes

Ruby Giblin

ENHANCING THE PUBLIC REALM THROUGH DESIGN

Design plays a critical role in shaping the public realm and creating functional, attractive and meaningful spaces for communities. Good design can enhance the aesthetic appeal of public areas, improve accessibility and create a sense of place, encouraging social interaction and community building. It also has the ability to solve complex challenges, such as improving safety and traffic flow, reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability. Here, All Urban explains how lighting and street furniture can frame these spaces.

By considering the needs of users and the wider community, design can contribute to creating public spaces that are not only functional, but also foster a sense of belonging, and serve as a source of pride and identity for local residents.

Our cities and spaces are being constantly transformed and we all share a common mission in their design: to reshape the contemporary urban landscape and reintroduce it to nature using welldesigned and functional elements to create a positive, social experience.

In order to achieve this, the products must not be the only focal point during the design process. Think about what surrounds them. The city, trees, buildings, shops and streets. Creating a balance between nature and urban environments

is key, everything is equally important and has a purpose. Enhancing quality of life, improving the environment, embracing nature and creating playful and beautiful spaces is what urban design is all about.

Of course, investment and collaboration are a must. Architects, landscapers, designers, councils, universities etc. need to be actively integrating street furniture and lighting solutions into their landscape design plans. There is a need for a new flexibility with these designs in transforming spaces whilst maintaining any historic heritage.

This more flexible, harmonious and people-friendly approach creates multi-use areas that blend existing trees with new lighting and furniture to create a beautiful but functional meeting, living and play space.

©Paul Upward

The hope is that pieces of intriguing and aesthetic furniture and lighting captivates people’s curiosity and imaginations, which is certainly the case with MoveArt, a Swiss company which specialises in designing and manufacturing interactive playsculptures. Fusing beauty, functionality and creativity into the public space, the playsculptures represent harmony with their surroundings. All of their special forms are derived from the double helix, the DNA chain: the symbol of the origin of life and metamorphosis. Working alongside nature’s rhythms, they revitalise urban landscapes in new ways by bringing people from different age groups together via the use of organic forms. This enlivens urban spaces and inspires human beings in a completely new way. Made from 100% ecological and sustainable Accoya, which

is fully biodegradable and is a ‘Gold’ Cradle to Cradle-certified product, this company is also hitting the mark from an eco-friendly perspective with its products and designs.

Lighting can make or break a space from a design and use aspect, it has the ability to be visually stunning, but it also has other important purposes. It can bring an area to life in darkness and give it an entirely new look and feel, allowing the space to be enjoyed for longer periods of time (especially in those winter months). Better ambient lighting makes people feel safer when spending time outdoors in their community as it creates a feeling of security.

Of course, some areas may not be suitable for lighting at night, for example, if they are too close to residential areas. Human factors are not the only thing to

consider as the impact of lighting on wildlife should also be assessed on a project-to-project basis. Urbidermis, designer and creator of urban furniture and lighting states: “We select top-quality light and control sources. We demand high-performance, energy-efficiency or low light pollution, with the idea that urban lighting should respect the lifecycles of all the people, fauna and flora in our cities.”

Leading supplier of designer street furniture and lighting, All Urban worked with Urbidermis to complete a large project at Imperial College in London, where they supplied a combination of outdoor furniture, lighting and bike racks. Creating a sense of community, social space and safety was key for this project.

Design process

In essence, the entire design process needs to consider factors such as:

Urban planning: How public spaces and buildings can be arranged to create functional and attractive environments.

Landscape design: How green spaces, paths and other outdoor areas can be enhanced.

Architecture: The design of buildings, structures and other physical elements of the built environment.

Wayfinding: Making it easy for people to find their way around an area.

Lighting: Ensuring that public spaces are well-lit, safe and visually appealing.

Materials: Selecting durable, lowmaintenance materials that are safe, accessible and aesthetically pleasing.

Technology: Incorporating technology to enhance the user experience, such as digital signage, Wi-Fi and interactive displays.

Ultimately, designing the public realm with care and attention to detail can help create communities that are vibrant, safe and inclusive and can help to build a better future for all.

©Paul Upward

STUDENTS TAKE SHELTER

Students have driven improvements at their schools and colleges, calling for the creation of flexible outdoor spaces. In response, Broxap has delivered bespoke canopy projects, breathing new life into courtyards, playgrounds and walkways.

T he power of a good student council has helped to shape six new outdoor areas at Denton Community College.

Students at the secondary school in Greater Manchester highlighted the need for sheltered outdoor spaces for recreation, dining and more comfortable journeys around the buildings.

But with just six weeks to complete six canopy installations, the complex project called for precise planning and implementation to deliver all the elements on time.

Working for Robertson Facilities Management, which looks after the school, Broxap began work on site in July 2022, as soon as Denton Community College had closed for the end of term as it was essential the works were restricted to the summer holiday period.

Prior to this, the Broxap team worked behind the scenes to ensure the design and manufacture stages were complete so the installation could go ahead without delay.

In total, two twin-conic tensile canopies, a triple-conic tensile canopy, two bespoke link walkway tensile canopies and a bespoke access tensile canopy were designed for Denton Community College.

Each installation area required excavation, foundation works, product installation and reinstatement, which meant the onsite and offsite project management team had to precisely schedule and coordinate each phase at different times to bring about a prompt and unified closure.

To add to the complexity of the project, excavation works in four areas identified unknown services requiring urgent risk management to avoid costly hold ups.

The triple-conic canopy and two walkway canopies were situated within a central courtyard, which created access challenges, from removing excavated earth to delivering products and plant to the installation site. This contributed additional time pressures, which had to be factored in from the start of the scheme.

Broxap provided onsite and offsite project management throughout the entire process. A qualified site manager supervised the multiple processes taking place at the school daily, supported by a dedicated contracts manager at head office.

Thanks to the early preparation work and strategic planning processes between all inhouse departments at Broxap, design works were completed in May and June enabling manufacturing to go ahead as scheduled. This, in turn, meant the available timeframes on site for the installation were maximised to their full potential, supported by partnership working with other contractors on site.

All six canopies were completed by the end of August, and students returned to school in September to three covered dining, study and recreation areas, as well as two covered walkways across the courtyard and a bespoke L-shaped entrance canopy over an inclusive access point to one of the buildings.

This wasn’t the first school canopy project Broxap worked on that had to come up to the scrutiny of students.

An impressive outdoor learning and socialising area was created at Hamilton Grammar School in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, after students were given the chance to decide how to spend part of their school’s budget under the Participatory Budgeting scheme.

Following meetings with the school and South Lanarkshire Council, Broxap’s design and build team came up with a bespoke solution based on its freestanding Newcastle Symmetric Canopy.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

Phil Griffiths from Soprema UK explains how excellent classroom acoustics can enhance teaching and learning, and addresses the importance of building the right acoustic performance to maximise occupant comfort and adhere to Building Regulations.

Studies have found good acoustic performance benefits both staff and students by enhancing teaching and learning, improving student behaviour and reducing the risk of vocal strain for teachers.

Traditionally, schools were never built with high-quality classroom acoustics in mind, and so architects and specifiers should be aware of the importance of correct material specification during new-build or refurbishment works within educational settings.

Noise source

Poor acoustic design can lead to excessive noise levels, which can cause distractions and make it difficult for students to hear and understand their teachers. One of the main sources of noise in schools is the sound of its occupants talking and moving around the building. This can be exacerbated by hard surfaces, such as concrete floors and walls, which can reflect sound and make it travel further.

Another important aspect of acoustic performance in schools is the design of classrooms. Learning environments that are planned with acoustics in mind can help to reduce background noise and improve speech intelligibility; making it easier for students to hear and understand their teachers. This can be achieved by using materials and design elements that absorb sound and by positioning desks and other

furniture in a way that minimises sound reflections.

In addition to improving the learning environment for students, good acoustic performance in schools can also benefit teachers. Excessive noise levels can cause fatigue and stress, which can negatively impact a teacher’s ability to effectively do their job. By providing a quiet and comfortable learning environment, teachers can work

more effectively and provide a better educational experience for students.

Reference to the UK Department for Education’s (DfE) Acoustic Design of Schools: Performance Standards Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) should be considered during design stages. This regulatory guidance describes how acoustic considerations play a key part in any school building, and sets out minimum performance standards.

The Building Regulations state that “each room or other space in a school building shall be designed and constructed in such a way that it has the acoustic conditions and the insulation against disturbance by noise appropriate to its intended use”.

Noise transmission

Noise transmission between two enclosed areas in a building can occur through three different routes, starting with direct transmission through surfaces, flanking and direct impact on the structure.

Direct transmission, also known as airborne noise, occurs when incident waves cause a construction element to vibrate, transmitting their deformation to the air in the adjacent area, creating the ‘drum’ or ‘diaphragm’ effect.

Flanking is another form of noise transmission, in which sound pressure causes not only the dividing wall to vibrate but also all adjacent surfaces, leading to noise production in the next door area.

Direct impact on a structure can also lead to noise transmission. Examples include footsteps, vibrations caused by electrical goods or even machinery, and any noise caused by direct impact with a construction element. These noises, known as impact noise, generate a series of vibrations that spread quickly throughout the entire structure, with little energy loss.

Acoustic solutions

Insulation and acoustics should be a priority when it comes to public sector building, especially during school construction. At Soprema UK, we work with specifiers and developers to help improve the quality of life for the occupiers of buildings, through ensuring better acoustic comfort.

Speaking with a trusted insulation manufacturer from the outset, such as Soprema UK – a company that offers a highlyefficient acoustic insulation materials that can soundproof buildings, as well as offering inhouse technical support – should be considered particularly for wall and roof design in schools.

Soprema’s Tecsound product, for example, is a polymerbased, bitumen-free, highdensity synthetic soundproofing membrane, suitable for public sector specifications. An ideal solution against airborne (traffic) and impact noise (rain, for example); the upper surface is provided with a non-woven polypropylene reinforcement fleece to offer more protection.

For sustainability considerations, Soprema’s Pavatex wood-fibre insulation is made of wood waste, collected from sawmills before being heated and pressurised into boards. It has excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties. Acoustically, it keeps out loud noises, which may prevent building occupants from focusing, and provides a quiet and peaceful indoor environment.

Another offering from the Pavatex range is Pavatextil P, which is a three-in-one insulation solution to protect from cold, heat and noise. As a cotton-fibre-based thermoacoustic insulation, Pavatextil P regulates humidity and retains its initial thickness and insulating power whilst offering outstanding sound-insulation properties.

In addition, Soprema’s multi-functional ISOLAIR insulation board is a two-in-one solution that offers excellent acoustic insulation for walls and roofs. This highmass product greatly contributes to airborne and impact sound resistance.

All Soprema’s insulation solutions have excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties, meeting the high demands of our built environment, and keeping building occupiers happy, healthy and warm.

Soundproofing for the future

The importance of acoustic performance in school construction cannot be overstated. By designing schools with good acoustics, we can create a more conducive learning environment for students and teachers, and improve the overall quality of education.

NEW TECH IS THE KEY TO SMARTER SECURITY

eople of all ages are now turning to smart home technology, a trend largely driven by the pandemic, which forced everyone to more actively engage with online tools. This shift in consumer behaviour has accelerated the launch of smart door locks, providing specifiers with more choice than ever before. Thanks to customer research and innovation, new electronic locks are coming onto the market offering a range of benefits for the public sector. Not only do these products have the potential to significantly improve security across residential properties, but they also ensure more convenience for tenants and social landlords.

A flexible solution

One of the latest electronic locks to launch is the IONIC. This product follows five years of research and development, ensuring it features the technology and functions required to meet the changing needs of residents and property owners.

Simple to install and easy to use, the lock can be operated using a smartphone app, a fob, push button on the inside or a thumb turn. When a resident gets to the door, they simply press the handle down and walk in.

The time it takes for the lock to activate can be adjusted to suit the resident. The app can be used to set up new users and time settings, allowing one-off access for workmen or regular access for cleaners or carers, for example.

An override key can be used in an emergency and when tenants leave a property ensuring a swifter and safer handover. This key, and the main control unit on the inside of the door, can be replaced by a social landlord in less than 10 minutes, meaning there is no need to change the whole lock or the door when a tenant vacates the building. After unscrewing the unit, the wiring loom can be simply unclipped, requiring no special skills. Any existing fob can be reprogrammed in seconds.

Advanced security

Based on the latest mechanical and car vehicle technology, the IONIC has been developed to offer the most advanced security encryption on the market. The fob codes can’t be stolen by intercepting the signal in the same way that thieves target keyless cars. This is because every fob has been manufactured with two million rolling codes, making every transmission unique. Face recognition further enhances security, and no server is needed to control the lock that holds no data.

To ensure the lock is as reliable as possible, the electronics have been developed by a specialist manufacturer in Europe. Every printed circuit board is tested multiple times before being shipped to the UK for assembly.

Setting new standards

As technology continues to evolve, electronic door locks are becoming more effective and accessible for the public sector. New designs and innovation mean that property managers and residents can be assured of more secure and flexible solutions that will meet their needs now and in the future.

David Jennings, CEO of UAP, discusses the benefits of electronic locks for the public sector and how new technology is meeting changing needs.

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ARE SAFER PUBLIC SPACES KEY TO A MORE VIBRANT ECONOMY?

ell-designed outdoor spaces are widely regarded for their health benefits, but the economic advantages and the impact they have on driving regeneration are also vital to their success.

Attractive public spaces can drive footfall to towns and cities bringing powerful benefits. As these spaces become a destination, it can lead to greater use of nearby services and businesses, enhance the desirability of an area and act as a catalyst for creating new jobs. More widely, increased footfall can also boost tourism and attract business investment.

However, to achieve these benefits, spaces need to be safe, feel welcoming and be somewhere that people feel confident visiting.

Safety in public spaces

At Marshalls, we carried out some primary research on this subject, exploring the current use of public spaces and understanding the behaviours and perceptions surrounding safety and vulnerability.

In the Creating Safer Spaces research, it was found that 77% of people think about their safety when out and about in public, at least some of the time. Additional findings showed 84% of women feel more unsafe when out alone compared with 44% of men, and gay men are twice as likely to have safety on their minds compared with heterosexual men. In addition, 43% of those with disabilities say they worry about their safety some or all of the time, compared to 27% overall.

Age also plays a critical role in feelings of personal safety, with young people considering their safety more regularly than older people; almost 70% of those under 21 consider safety all the time, compared to just 10% of those over 60.

The research also explored the impact of day versus night, finding that four out of five people feel more unsafe when it’s dark in public spaces and are 12 times more likely to avoid such areas than in daylight hours.

It also uncovered that parks and gardens were seen as the most unsafe, with 81% of respondents avoiding these spaces at night. Residential streets were considered the safest public space, yet nearly 24% of people still avoided this during the evening.

Around 30% of all participants cited feeling most unsafe on a night out. Other activities that raised safety concerns included waiting for public transport (22%), exercising outdoors (16%), walking the dog (12%) and commuting (10%).

Pillars for design

To address the research findings and support designers and planners in creating public spaces, Marshalls has produced the Creating Safer Spaces whitepaper. The paper outlines seven design pillars, which can help make public spaces safer and more widely used, both during the day and at night. The seven design pillars are: eyes on the street, vision and wayfinding, acoustics, accessibility, familiarity, technology and maintenance.

Visibility was a key concern for nearly all surveyed, with a lack of visibility one of the main reasons people feel less safe after dusk. How much people can see will often impact how safe they feel and, therefore, how much a space is used. Repetition of a distinct type or style of lighting can create familiarity and aid wayfinding, helping people to feel safe. In addition, people also feel safer when they are more visible to others, the perceptions of ‘social survellience’ helping to reduce antisocial behaviour.

Acoustics and the importance of soundscape quality form part of regulations for buildings and are usually focused on interiors. However, with the exception of road traffic noise, acoustics is often overlooked outdoors and in the public realm. Yet, there are many things designers can do to reduce unwanted noise, while also ensuring a space is not unnervingly quiet. Get this acoustic balance right in outdoor spaces, and you can help reassure people, whether it’s light or dark.

Fuelling the night-time economy

By improving the safety of shared spaces after dark, those responsible for the public realm should see financial benefits too.

The night-time economy is estimated to bring in over £60bn to the UK economy each year – a figure expected to rise as urban areas focus more on 24/7 living. However, with many public spaces designed with primarily daytime usage in mind, the opportunity to realise this economic impact is limited, especially when we consider that almost a third of respondents feel most unsafe when on a night out.

Johanna Elvidge, Head of Design at building materials specialist Marshalls, reviews new research findings on the perceptions of public shared spaces and looks at how utilising design principles can help to increase the usage of these spaces and bring positive economic benefits.

Not designing for dark also impacts commuters in winter months, as well as workers who travel to their place of work in darkness all year around. Night working is at its highest according to the Trades Union Congress, with 3.25 million night workers in the UK – approximately 11.5% of all employees. Therefore, a failure to consider the design of spaces, including transport hubs for hours after dusk, is a failure to consider the needs of those making a significant contribution to the economy.

Making spaces feel safe in the dark needs to be a design consideration at the start of a project. The issue of public safety is a multifaceted one and, as such, requires an equally multidimensional, holistic solution that drives change in the initial design process, giving due consideration to the safety concerns of all user demographics. By considering the seven design principles and giving greater thought to designing for all times of day, those responsible for the public realm can create spaces that feel and are safer for users, and improve the economic bottom line too.

www.marshalls.co.uk/saferspaces

THE KEY TO SUCCESS: WHY NOISE CONTROL IS ESSENTIAL IN OUR HEALTHCARE SPACES

Noise pollution in healthcare environments can be damaging for both patients and staff. Ben Hancock, Managing Director of Oscar Acoustics, examines the worsening issue in our hospitals, and how we can tackle it.

Hospitals are meant to be therapeutic places of healing, but unchecked noise levels can create an unpleasant, and even damaging, environment for both staff and patients.

In our emergency rooms in particular, which are already high-pressure environments for healthcare professionals and stressful ones for admitted patients, multiple noise sources combine to create sound levels that interfere with concentration and increases stress.

The last few years have only served to compound this issue. The NHS has been struggling with an unprecedented demand for services, which has led to increased patient numbers and longer waiting times. This is having a major impact on A&E departments, which are seeing rising noise levels – aggravating already-challenging working conditions.

A study published in the British Medical Journal – and carried out by researchers from King’s College London and the University of the Arts London (UAL) –has revealed that this issue has reached potentially damaging levels. Highs of 100dB have been recorded in intensive care units, the equivalent of loud music through headphones and the point at which damage to hair cells in the ear takes place. This figure is more than double the level recommended by The World Health Organisation and can lead to hearing loss if left unchecked.

An acoustic solution

Hospitals are already occupied by some of the most vulnerable, and the most important thing for those patients is recovery. However, healthcare spaces are often filled with hard surfaces, allowing sound to reverberate, creating an echo chamber of noise that can prevent sleep – hindering an in-patient’s recovery in the process.

Quality acoustic ceiling sprays present the perfect solution for regulating excessive noise levels in healthcare environments. These seamless and decorative sprays can be applied to nearly all types of surfaces, significantly reducing noise by absorbing sound energy – creating a calmer environment for uncomfortable patients and pressured staff.

Safety is paramount

When choosing an acoustic spray solution, it’s important to check that it follows stringent fire safety regulations. Third-party certification can offer assurance on this point, and we recommend that our clients only use acoustic sprays that exceed Approved Document B fire requirements (Class 0 to BS 476 and B-s1,d0 fire rating).

Holistically balanced

A premium acoustic spray will also add to several sustainable design and health certification systems, such as BREEAM, SKA and the Living Building Challenge, and can add up to 17 points to a project’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating.

With an increasing emphasis on the quality of our air, especially indoors, choosing GREENGUARD Gold-certified acoustic sprays for indoor air quality (IAQ) can certainly assist to provide the highest welfare requirement for both workers and patients.

Acoustic sprays are also an ideal retrofit solution as they can be quick and easy to install, allowing for little disruption and minimal downtime to healthcare facilities that are already stretched to capacity.

Supporting our assets

The Government’s pledge to the New Hospitals Programme – the goal of constructing 40 new hospitals by 2030, as well as the refurbishment of a number of existing ones, represents the ideal opportunity to take acoustic health seriously. By implementing acoustic solutions, we can help transform our health service and create spaces that support recovery, improve focus and safeguard the health and wellbeing of patients and staff alike.

www.oscar-acoustics.co.uk

BANGING THE DRUM FOR DOORSETS

s 2023 began, I took some time to ponder a big career milestone. Last year, I passed 25 years within the door industry, having started out at just 18. Thinking back, I recall how the industry was pushing the use of doorsets all those years ago, trying to persuade developers and builders away from the traditional style of hanging doors on site.

Incredibly, a quarter of a century on and I am still beating that same drum –and, unfortunately, it still feels as though we’ve made little progress. We are still pushing the use of doorsets, and despite all the inherent benefits with regards to ease of installation and fire safety credentials, we find many customers are still reluctant to use them. So, what’s going on? And why are otherwise-savvy construction industry professionals failing to recognise the benefits of doorsets for their developments?

So, what’s the difference?

Put simply, the traditional hanging door is just the door ‘slab’ – the doorset is the complete package.

With a traditionally-hung door, a developer will need to build a frame, architrave and door stops for every door

and take care of recessing and machining of ironmongery, install the frame and add all the other elements separately on site.

A doorset comprises a lining or frame that is already routed out for hinges, locks and other elements, and the door itself, which comes ready for installation, including ironmongery such as latches, bathroom locks and hinges.

At Stairways, for example, we ask our clients to specify everything they want ahead of time. Developers, specifiers and architects may need drop-down seals, intumescent strips, locks, deadlocks and so on – all of which can be sorted for them in the factory, so the doors arrive ready to install.

Why choose doorsets?

Doorsets are the easiest solution to ensure compliance with statutory fire door requirements. What many developers and site managers fail to appreciate is that if you don’t purchase a doorset, it will be the responsibility of the installer and site team to ensure that the door finally installed on site is compliant. That means they need to check and ensure that the frame is suitable to comply with the fire certification of the door leaf, the correct intumescent is

used, the correct ironmongery is used and so on. That is a lot of additional responsibility to fall on the shoulders of people not necessarily experienced in reading a fire certificate and who may lack the understanding of what is required for a door to be compliant.

Many people also make the mistake of thinking that just because something says it is fire rated that it will be suitable. In fact, fire door certification has stringent rules that must be followed to ensure the doorset, once created in its entirety, is compliant. Get it wrong and not only is there a compliance issue, but much more importantly there could be serious, even deadly, consequences down the line.

At Stairways, every fire doorset supplied is compliant, because all the components are tested together, so that the only thing needed on site is to ensure the doorset is fitted correctly.

Doing it the hard way?

When it comes to a larger development, residential flats, for example, there can easily be hundreds of doors representing a lot of work for the onsite team – so surely the easier you can make that process the better.

Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager of the Doors Division at Stairways Midlands, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of high-value, high-quality staircases and doorsets, reflects on 25 years in the sector banging the drum for doorsets – and going largely unheard.

Installing frames and then hanging doors on site is a far more challenging approach, requiring a couple of hours of a skilled carpenter’s time. It leaves much more room for error, with gaps around the doors being too large, for example.

It’s worth considering that data released last year by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) shows that three in four of the 100,000+ fire doors they inspected last year failed to meet the required standards.

Incredibly, almost a third of the fire doors that failed did so due to incorrect installation. The FDIS figures also show the highest number of fire door inspection failures included healthcare buildings, local authorities/housing associations and private housing.

With a doorset, so many jobs are completed during the factory production process that fewer specialist skills are needed on site, reducing both onsite costs and room for error.

And, by sourcing every component from the same supplier, you ensure compatibility and performance and avoid those nightmare moments, for example, when the doors are the wrong size for the frames...it happens!

I’ve said it before – and no doubt I’ll say it again; remember, the next time you need doors, especially fire doors, opt for doorsets. They’re easier, safer and will save you time and effort. Hopefully, I won’t still be banging this drum in another 25 years.

GETTING YOUR ACT TOGETHER ON SOCIAL VALUE

January marked a decade since the Public Services (Social Value) Act came into force, pushing those that are commissioning public services to consider the wider social, economic and environmental impacts of their choices. Since then , the profile of social value has been on the rise and is now a widely-recognised term across many industries. Mariefi Kamizouli, Principal Economist at Loop, exam ines the social value journey to date and why it’s more important than ever for all types of organisations.

irst, it’s crucial to understand just why social value is important. Social Value UK defines social value as ‘the quantification of the relative importance that people place on the change they experience in their lives’, which can include social, environmental and economic impacts – both positive and negative. Another key factor is recognising that those end results, and the way they should be captured, will vary based on the needs and context of different scenarios or individuals, so it is important to tailor the measurement as much as possible based on the available research and data.

Therefore, social value provides a way to understand and, ultimately, improve the impacts on individual and community wellbeing. Being able to robustly measure this is key and is why it is so important that measurement frameworks, such as the National Social Value Standard, are in place.

Where are we now?

Given the Social Value Act’s directive was to ‘consider’ the wider effect it could have for the good of organisations, communities and individuals, it, unfortunately, hasn’t had the transformative impact that was intended. The general consensus being that the act had somewhat of a slow start, with some social value commitments considered more of a tickbox exercise.

However, there have been a lot of positive developments over the past 10 years in this space. Among them are the Procurement Reform Act (Scotland), the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales), the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the creation of social value specialist organisations such as Loop, the Construction Playbook, the Social Value Model (and the NHS version), the HM Treasury Green Book wellbeing supplement and further Government procurement policy notes. With the mandatory scoring

of social value in procurement bought in by the Social Value Model and many local authorities having a particular impact.

Alongside a clear shift in societal attitudes post-pandemic and the climate emergency continuing to worsen, social value has built significant momentum. Indeed, Google searches for the term have continued to rise year on year, more than doubling in number in the past five years alone. This growing focus from all types of stakeholders means that organisations need new and better ways to evidence and improve what they are doing – and need to communicate it all clearly.

This can be seen across all industries. For example, the construction industry is one of the most progressive when it comes to social value and understanding its importance. But even here, there is work to be done on measurement and reporting, as well as looking beyond just job creation or local budget spend. Not all things can

Mariefi Kamizouli is Principal Economist for strategy, procurement and public engagement at Loop, where she is responsible for social value strategy, business cases and economic analysis.

be measured easily or robustly, so it’s important for organisations to engage with social value experts to make sure they can evidence the good they create.

A clear example of this was the Tigers Sport and Education Trust in Hull, which was looking to demonstrate the social value of its football programmes. The outcomes went far beyond simple job creation to also look at improved physical and mental wellbeing for the young people taking part. With many of these ‘softer’ impacts playing directly into the missions laid out in the Government’s levelling up whitepaper.

Looking ahead

The next step in encouraging further uptake of social value is not just raising awareness but encouraging a real understanding of its value. It’s an incredibly wide-ranging topic, which is, again, where specialist software and consultants,

like at the Loop team, come in to help organisations tailor their measurement to their operations and ensure things are done in a robust manner.

As is often the case, we must improve collaboration across industries. This must include all types of organisations from across the public and private sectors, encapsulating SMEs, larger businesses and non-profits to bring together the best and drive innovation.

Data and technology have previously lacked in the social value space, meaning a lot of spreadsheets and the burden of heavy admin. Plus, the associated higher risks and barriers to entry in terms of time, resource and knowledge. Software solutions, like our own at Loop, are now available to do the heavy lifting, making social value not just more appealing but accessible to more organisations, particularly SMEs and nonprofit organisations.

The use of technology and data coupled with cross-industry collaboration will naturally breed a better understanding of social value in general. While we have seen instances of people making decisions and applying rules that they don’t fully grasp, it’s easy to understand why this happens with the maturing and ever-evolving world of social value.

That understanding is not helped by the huge number of social value definitions in circulation, with differences ranging from terminology through to fundamental theory. For example, the Green Business Council’s (GBC) framework for defining social value in the built environment listed 24 wellestablished social value definitions in 2021 alone. With this not including additional definitions on overlapping areas such as sustainability, CSR or the UN Sustainable Development Goals to name a few.

This reflects how social value is continuing to evolve, with a growing number of frameworks and approaches, which has bred confusion. It has also flooded the space with buzzwords and the aforementioned broader areas of ESG, sustainability and CSR, which can be confusing without standardisation to support measurement and reporting.

We must examine commitments and accountability, which, to date, have lacked in tracking and monitoring. People expect more from organisations than ever before when it comes to the good that they do, and this will only continue to grow in the future. Whether it’s a broad social value commitment, or more specific goals that fall within the social value sphere, organisations will be expected to evidence their efforts.

But, if negative impacts are not measured along with the positive, or there is no accountability when commitments aren’t met, then these will be deemed empty promises – a cycle we have seen previously on key matters with arguments of ‘greenwashing’ or ‘impactwashing’ for example.

Standardised measurements combined with the tools – aka frameworks and software – to follow things through will be a big next step on the journey, making sure that organisations are detailing what they do and what that means for society. Crucially, these tools will allow accountability for actions and commitments, making sure that organisations are held to high standards in their actions.

People from all walks of life talk about creating a better, fairer, greener society – and social value will help us chart that direction. Loop’s mission is to help organisations understand social value, measure the good they do, continually improve and make a real difference to real people and are on hand with the expertise, consultancy and software to equip any business on their ongoing social value journey.

ILLUMINATING MENTAL HEALTHCARE

Whitecroft Lighting, a commercial lighting manufacturer that has specialised in healthcare for 40 years, was chosen by global construction business Multiplex to upgrade the lighting in Peterborough City Hospital Edith Cavell Campus for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. Here, Karen Bramman, Healthcare Sales Director at Whitecroft Lighting, who has managed over 70 projects for specialist mental health facilities, describes mental health as one of the most nuanced and complex healthcare environments.

Lighting mental health facilities is both a challenge and opportunity for Whitecroft Lighting. A challenge because of the wide range of specialist needs required by service users and staff, but also an opportunity because of the significant contribution that lighting can make to treatment and recovery.

Specialist knowledge

The challenges are influenced by several factors: some specific to the needs of mental health service users and staff, some technology related and others more pervasive to wider healthcare and industries – such as the rising cost of energy and the drive for net zero.

In 2020, the NHS pledged to become net-zero carbon by 2040 and launched a Green Plan outlining its expectations for carbon reduction and energy operational efficiency.

There is a particular focus on reducing scope one and two emissions across its entire estate by making sure companies across the supply chain embed sustainable practices into their plans and approach when considering new-build, retrofit or just small area upgrades.

There is also an increasing focus on the whole-life carbon impact of building materials, which includes embodied carbon – the emissions generated from the sourcing, manufacturing and transportation of products.

This, of course, includes emissions linked to lighting, mechanical and electrical (M&E), and something that is driving Whitecroft Lighting to reimagine its products.

All change in health and mental health

At Peterborough’s Mental Health Unit, I see the culmination of two decades of clinical research and feedback – plus the knowledge and innovation accumulated from over 70 Whitecroft mental health lighting projects across the UK.

Primarily, the health, safety and wellbeing of those who occupy, work in and visit facilities must be a priority, and lighting has its own special role to play in achieving this.

For service users, this can mean considering a broad range of conditions and associated symptoms, and then factoring in how they will shape a person’s environment.

While a portion of service users might be resident for just a few days, others may stay for months or years, so lighting must contribute to people feeling comfortable and at home, rather than just passing through a clinical environment.

This means lighting can often have a more domestic feel than in other healthcare or hospital settings, with a more homely aesthetic and warmer colour temperature.

However, although the lighting may look warm and cosy, the level of design and specification must go far beyond what you would find in the home.

Specialist expertise

Specialist light fittings must be durable enough to withstand significant and prolonged abuse, to the extent where Whitecroft will test the resilience of products with a variety of structured physical trials that includes repeated hard impacts for up to three hours.

Hardware must also be secure from tampering. At Peterborough, we installed our Horizon AntiLigature product, specifically designed for mental health in-patient applications.

The main luminaire body has an ‘anti-pick’ mastic seal to prevent any unwanted intrusion to the internal mechanism, while the robust construction and tamperproof fixing screws ensure protection from harm to any service user.

Whitecroft has a long history with Peterborough, having supplied florescent luminaires to the new hospital, including the Mental Health and Integrated Care Centre in 2009.

This latest project, as part of the unit’s natural life-cycling process, included upgrading the emergency lighting systems and completing the centre’s conversion to low-energy LED lighting.

Because we knew the space, the site and the lighting systems, we were, again, able to work with the existing infrastructure to quickly deliver LED lighting and integrating it into existing components.

We used the existing luminaire body and provided a replacement gear tray and diffuser, so the client did not have to compromise, and did so without disrupting the specialist ceiling or the service users’ bedrooms.

This created less waste by reducing the need to use new products and materials while harnessing the latest technology.

To hit its net-zero objectives, it is essential that the NHS replaces its conventional lighting with LED technology, and at Peterborough this has cut energy consumption by half.

But carbon emissions were lowered further in other ways. For example, undertaking the product conversions on site, as opposed to at the factory, reduced transportation by 50%, while using existing materials meant 35% less waste went to landfill or recycling.

Phased approach

At Peterborough, our brief was to upgrade the lighting in 200 plus rooms, but this could not all be undertaken simultaneously as it would be too

disruptive for in-patients to congregate in breakout spaces. We had to devise a phased approach.

Working with the facilities management team, we did a trial install in a small number of rooms and used this as a guide as to the time and resources required to complete the unit in batches of two to three rooms.

This allowed the staff to support a small number of service users at a time. When they returned to their rooms, the environment was complete and visually unchanged, a key factor for those that find obvious disruption to their space unsettling and disturbing, which we must avoid at all costs.

We also had to include other factors in the design specification. For example, some service users receiving support for conditions such as paranoid schizophrenia can feel threatened by LED emergency on-lights, which can be interpreted as cameras or recording devices, so this must be designed carefully in lighting products.

Whitecroft can also custom design lighting controls, and mental health service users can benefit from subtle changes to the way that lighting is turned off and on. Sudden changes from dark to full brightness and vice versa can be startling, so lighting can be programmed to fade up and down gradually, giving people time to adjust and provide a higher level of additional safety.

www.whitecroftlighting.com

KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DESIGNING AND INSTALLING TIMBER FRAME CAVITY BARRIERS

With timber frame construction expected to continue growing in popularity, it’s critical that any building made from the material is adequately protected against the spread of fire. Robin Lancashire, Senior Timber Frame Consultant at BM TRADA, explains the key role cavity barriers have here and what to consider when designing these elements.

here’s no denying that timber is growing in popularity as a building material. According to a study by MTW Research, timber frame housebuilding was expected to see a £70m increase in 2022, with demand rising rapidly across both residential and commercial building sectors.

It’s not hard to see why either. Timber is a highly sustainable material and can capture carbon better, unlike other materials, such as steel and aluminium. Alongside this, it’s fast to build with, so the commercial benefits are significant for developers.

However, while the growth of timber construction is a good sign, safety remains vital. This is where the importance of cavity barriers comes in and, in the event of a fire, they must be able to perform as intended. There are some key factors around design, specification and installation that must be considered to ensure both buildings and the people within them are protected.

Cavity barriers prevent smoke and fire tearing through

Recent fire events in various building types have highlighted the performance of cavity barriers and how they are installed in buildings. Cavities act much like a

chimney, so without a properly designed barrier, fire and smoke can quickly travel unseen through what can be an extensive network of connected spaces in a building. National Building Regulations stipulate where cavity barriers should be installed, what they should be constructed of and how they should be fitted. There are some regulatory differences between the nations that make up the UK, both in terminology and specific requirements, but the principles are all the same – limit the spread of fire in a cavity.

Balancing ventilation and fire safety

One of the first decisions to make is how to balance ventilation with fire safety. When building with timber frame, it is important to accommodate the requirement for cavity barriers while also ensuring timber elements remain dry and below the decay threshold (a moisture content of 20% or less). Timber frame construction needs a drained and vented external wall cavity behind all types of cladding. This provides a space where moisture vapour that travels through from the warm side of the wall to the cold

side can ventilate away, without forming damaging interstitial condensation.

The external wall cavity is also a line of defence from the outside. It prevents wind-driven rain or leaks through the cladding from directly wetting the timber frame structure by letting moisture drain away freely. The key challenge, therefore, is to provide cavity barriers where required, while allowing the timber frame structure to drain and vent.

For those designing and building with timber, the Timber Frame Construction (fifth edition) is the go-to publication to reference. The cladding chapter of the book provides detailed information on the various types of claddings, as well as how to close external wall cavities at required locations while still providing the necessary drainage and ventilation.

Cavity barrier choices

Knowing where to provide cavity barriers is just one part of the equation, as they must be tailored to the characteristics of timber frame buildings. There are a number of choices available, from using timber itself to mineral wool and intumescent seals.

Timber cavity barriers

It may be surprising to learn that timber is listed in the Building Regulations as a material that can be used to provide the necessary fire resistance of a cavity barrier. However, it is the material of choice for cavity barriers around window and door openings, and with cladding that is supported by the timber frame structure.

In the event of a fire, the timber slowly chars at a predictable rate so it can provide the required period of fire resistance. It can be installed in continuous lengths, is reasonably robust during construction and fulfils other roles while acting as a cavity barrier.

Mineral wool cavity barriers

Next, there is mineral wool. Typically red in colour, polythene-covered strips of mineral wool are a common sight on many timber frame buildings under construction. The material performs well as a cavity barrier if it is fitted in a continuous line and is sized to be installed under compression to fully close the cavity.

When designing with this material, it is important to bear in mind that in the event of a fire, the polythene sleeve quickly burns, providing no support to keep it in place. Precise sizing to ensure a compression fit of the mineral wool core is, therefore, critical to stopping these strips falling down the cavity and failing. They can also be easily damaged or dislodged during the construction phase.

Intumescent seal cavity barriers

Although more expensive than timber or mineral wool, intumescent cavity barriers are gaining in popularity. In the early stages of a fire or heat exposure, they are designed to swell up, closing the cavity against further fire and smoke. In their inactive state, they can contribute to good drainage and ventilation through a clear cavity. This can simplify detailing and reduce the need for what can be unsightly drainage slots.

Merging acoustics with fire safety in party walls

Cavities are not only found in external walls. The other key area where they occur is in party walls. Timber frame buildings rely on cavities to reduce acoustic transfer between areas of the same building. These cavities need closing at compartment lines to prevent fire and smoke having a direct route between them.

Hard materials cannot be used as cavity barriers here as these would provide a route for acoustic transfer, so wire-reinforced mineral wool or polythene-sleeved mineral wool cavity barriers tend to be used in these locations. It is critical that they are fixed and sized to close the cavity and remain in place at compartment lines.

While most cavity barriers are installed at edges of cavities and along compartment lines, there are other locations where they are required by national Building Regulations. The relevant statutory documents should be consulted.

Cavity barrier: Typically proprietary third-partyapproved sleeved mineral wool cavity barriers

Junction of element firestopped with plasterboard linings

Party wall

Flexible cavity barrier of wire-reinforced mineral wool or approved barrier

Sheathing with breather membrane over

SILL DETAIL

Seal

Allowance for differential movement

Wall ties as required

Collaborating with timber frame specialists

Ultimately, designing and building timber frame constructions needs appropriate due diligence to ensure that they are safe and durable. The accurate design and specification of cavity barriers is critical to this.

From the outset, it is highly recommended that designers and construction planners work with timber

Insulation

Window fixed to the timber frame

500 micron polythene DPC

frame consultants to build according to best practice. Here, using services like BM TRADA’s frameCHECK allows specialists to evaluate drawing details and visiting sites under construction to provide specific advice. By following this approach, the standards of timber frame construction can be raised, and it helps make the buildings of tomorrow safer than today’s.

www.bmtrada.com/timber-services

ARCHITECT@WORK RETURNS TO THE TRUMAN BREWERY FOR 2023

ARCHITECT@WORK, a two-day trade fair aimed at the British architecture and design community, will take place at the Truman Brewery in London from 22nd to 23rd March.

The 10th edition will see a stellar line up of talks and over 200 of the latest product innovations in surface solutions, lighting technology, as well as interior and exterior fixtures and fittings, showcased by a selection of leading architectural suppliers. All exhibitors undergo a rigorous selection process, with an external judging panel overseeing the product selection, to ensure that ARCHITECT@WORK remains one of the UK’s most highly-respected trade shows of its kind.

Other show highlights include the RIBA Bookshop and a photographic exhibition by World-Architects. With a free bar and catering throughout, visitors will be able to network in a modern, creative and loungelike atmosphere.

Talks programme

This year’s theme, Energy & Ecosystems, will allow the talks programme to explore a range of different projects, places and experiences. Talks will take place both in person and via live stream.

The keynote talk in the series will be with Amin Taha. After working for a number of architectural practices, such as Chris Wilkinson Architects (later Wilkinson Eyre)

and Zaha Hadid Architects, he founded Amin Taha Architects in 2003 in London, which later changed its name to GROUPWORK. Author Dr Ruth Lang will be in conversation with Taha about the journey to a future built on the past. It is now well established that keeping our existing building stock and repurposing it is one of the best things we can do for the environment. This retrofit revolution has not gone unnoticed. It is the cornerstone of campaigns and is being debated in parliament.

For the first time, ARCHITECT@WORK will host a Negroni Talk. Created in 2018, ‘The Negroni Talks’ – hosted by architect firm Fourthspace and sponsored by Campari – were set up to replicate the lively and provocative debates that took place in the European cafe culture of the early 20th century. This lively debate series has taken the architecture scene by storm, picking up an Archiboo Award in 2021 and spawning a host of articles and wider industry conversations. ‘Net zero – fact or fallacy?’ will question what the concept of net zero really means. With carbon offsetting taking place abroad, there is a fiery debate raging about the ethical and practical implications of net zero.

www.architect-at-work.co.uk

‘Positive About Energy Saving’ will explore how the energy our buildings consume (or operational carbon to the initiated) is one of the big challenges architects, designers and developers face. Tenants want to work in green buildings, and new regulations are shifting towards more efficient places to live and work. How do we manage this from the concept and financing through to the landscape and lighting?

Decisions about little things can have a big impact as you reach critical mass. ‘Making The Most Of Waste’ will question how we fit out our homes and workspaces with materials that make the most of waste and whether this affects aesthetics – chaired by Debika Ray, Editor of Crafts Magazine.

‘Earth Building: what can the planet provide?’, chaired by Curator and Writer Vanessa Norwood, will explore how we create a new built environment using the materials supplied by Mother Earth. Ancient buildings were made of straw, timber and stone. It looks like a brighter and more sustainable path might be tread if we return to our roots, but we will need research and clever engineering.

Historically, places and spaces have been commissioned from an extremely homogenous perspective. Creating climate equity will discuss how the key to making better environments for all is through inclusivity and diversity. We can create spaces that work better for different communities by listening to a broader spectrum of opinions.

STYLISH FITTINGS ENHANCE GLASGOW’S AWARD-WINNING VISITOR ATTRACTION

Today’s visitors expect a tourist attraction to have quality toilet and washroom facilities. Indeed, for many people, it’s a deciding factor in rating a destination. When it came to updating the facilities at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions, the specifier and installation team chose Delabie for the taps, liquid soap and paper towel dispensers.

With over one million visitors each year, Kelvingrove is the most popular free-to-enter visitor attraction in Scotland and the UK’s most-visited museum outside of London, making it to the top of tripadvisor’s bestrated art museums in 2018.

Appreciating the key role washroom facilities play in ensuring visitor satisfaction, Glasgow Life, the charitable organisation that manages Kelvingrove among many other facilities in the city, wanted the washroom refurbishment to embody the latest in technology, styling and safety.

Andy Taylor, Facilities Manager at Glasgow Life and responsible for 168 properties within its estate, explains: “The toilets were in need of some TLC and the scheme was

undertaken for tourism awareness. While quality was the main driver, our priorities were infection prevention, efficiency with water savings and user friendliness. We were also looking for a long product guarantee.

“We specify the look and the feel, the warranty, the scope of the scheme,” said Andy. “It’s then passed to capital projects. The main builder was City Build, which handles the projects for Glasgow Life. It specified products that matched the requirements from plumbers’ merchants.”

Andy adds: “The Delabie team are helpful and proactive in approach. There’s been no issues around the performance or durability of the products installed. Delabie have also been specified for the Gallery of Modern Art and Scotsun Leisure Centre.”

The washroom fittings chosen for Kelvingrove’s refurbishment were Delabie’s BINOPTIC electronic taps, coupled with PREMIX NANO thermostatic mixing valves, together with wall-mounted liquid soap dispenser and wall-mounted paper towel dispenser. All the products have Delabie’s 10-year warranty.

Winner of the German design award in 2019, BIOPTIC is a sleek and stylish electronic tap with a timeless design. Offering total hygiene, it requires no manual contact as an active infrared movement detection sensor at the end of the spout optimises detection. BINOPTIC delivers an impressive 90% water savings compared with a conventional tap. It has an independent IP65 electronic control unit.

A duty flush limits bacterial proliferation. The adjustable duty flush may be pre-set to flush from 60 seconds to every 24 hours after the last use. BINOPTIC’s spout has a smooth interior and low water volume, limiting bacterial niches. The tap has a chromeplated, solid brass body, a scale-resistant flow straightener and a flow rate pre-set at 3l/pm at 3 bar. This can be adjusted from 1.4 to 6l/pm.

To ensure user safety, the tap is teamed with a PREMIX NANO thermostatic mixing valve. Delivering a safe, stable temperature, with an automotive thermo-reactive cell, the brass-bodied PREMIX NANO has an automatic shut off if hot or cold water fails.

Delabie fittings have been specified for Glasgow’s Tripadvisor aw ard-winning Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The non-return valve and filters are easily accessible. Temperature is pre-set at 38°C and can be adjusted by the installer from 34 to 60°C. Thermal shocks are possible.

The wall-mounted liquid soap dispenser has a 1l capacity. Ergonomic with soft touch operation, it is vandal resistant and designed to ensure antiblocking, delivering a single dose per press, even if the button is pressed for prolonged periods. It has a no-waste, non-drip (waterproof) pump dispenser. Manufactured in bacteriostatic 304 stainless steel with a polished satin finish, it is easy to clean with a one-piece hinged cover for improved hygiene. The tank is easy to fill from large containers. A window allows monitoring of the soap level.

The wall-mounted paper towel dispenser holds 500 sheets, dispensing one sheet at a time. Manufactured from 304 stainless steel to reduce bacterial development, it has a polished satin finish, which is easy to clean. Both wall dispensers are vandal resistant, with a lock and Delabie key.

Commenting on Kelvingrove’s attractive washroom facility, Dean French, Delabie’s Regional Sales Manager (North), explains: “The higher the level of commitment to design and aesthetics, the lower the level of vandalism. Today’s users are more environmentally aware and more demanding, have higher aspirations and habits.

“Washrooms are now better equipped with design-led products, and are now

evaluated by the users. Attractive, highlyrated washrooms have a positive impact on the visitors’ mood. A smart, clean, quality facility all adds to giving a good customer experience.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life added: “Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is Tripadvisor users’ top-rated attraction in Glasgow and is regularly among the most visited in the UK. The experiences our visitors have at the museum are shaped by the magnificent building, the outstanding collection and its interpretation, and by their opinions of the ancillary services offered on site.

“Visitors expect modern, fresh and usable services and providing them are key to maintaining their positive impressions of visiting Kelvingrove.”

In keeping with Delabie’s energy- and water-saving credentials, Kelvingrove hosted an exclusive dinner for world leaders from across the globe to mark the opening of COP26 in 2021, as part of the ongoing United Nations Environmental Challenge.

Itself a multi-international awardwinner, Delabie is an expert in design and manufacture. A family group of four generations, exporting to 90 countries, Delabie has total control of the manufacture of its products, guaranteeing delivery times are kept to a minimum.

NEW ENERGY EDUCATION PROGRAMME LAUNCHED TO HELP SCHOOLS SAVE ON SKY-HIGH UTILITY COSTS

‘Energy in Schools’ provides energy management and educational tools that could help schools save thousands of pounds per year on energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

SMS plc, a fully integrated energy infrastructure company, and MyUtilityGenius (MUG), an energy consultancy, has launched Energy in Schools (EiS) to help schools in Britain significantly reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, and to engage pupils in learning about energy efficiency.

A recent survey by the school leaders’ union NAHT found that almost all respondents (99%) were expecting energy costs over the next 12 months to continue rising, with 16% anticipating an increase of 200% or more. More than a third of respondents predicted a budget deficit by the end of 2023, directly impacting their ability to invest in teachers and support for children.

The EiS programme will provide schools with everything required to get started on their energy-saving journey, including a smart meter, easy-to-use smart device sensors, pocket-sized programmable singleboard computers (Micro:bit), a TV display, training, support and teaching resources. The integrated solution uses the energy monitoring software to draw data from the smart meters, to monitor energy consumption, and feed it to the TV in order to display the energy dashboard clearly to school users. This enables the school to engage pupils, teachers and visitors in analysing usage and support the behaviour change required to help manage and reduce consumption.

A pilot scheme for EiS across 20 schools, found the following results were achieved:

Schools implementing EiS could achieve savings of circa 7% of on energy costs 85% of school participants reported more confidence in their knowledge across energy and climate topics with a better understanding of how much energy they used and how to reduce it 89% of schools were motivated to take action to reduce energy consumption, incentivised by the metrics provided by the EiS platform.

EiS – which is designed to help schools align with the Department for Education’s (DfE) ‘Climate Change Strategy’ and the UK Government’s wider net-zero 2050 goal – uses Microsoft coding and provides tailored lesson plans aligned to Key Stage 2 and 3, engaging pupils in STEM subjects on climate change and energy consumption. The lesson plans were developed and tested by PGCE-qualified experts at the University of Lancaster and are designed to support staff, teachers and pupils. In addition, advice, training and an optional audit of school buildings to identify energy-saving opportunities can also be provided under the scheme.

Schools can apply for the EiS programme through the website www. energyinschools.co.uk. Schools may be eligible for funding support to invest in the programme through the DfE, local councils or their energy supplier.

Tom Woolley, Smart Product and Strategy Director at SMS, and spokesperson for EiS, said: “Unprecedented energy price inflation means schools are under immense pressure to find cost savings. This means finding ways to mitigate the destructive impact of rising bills on school finances, and also reducing the education sector’s contribution to climate change more widely. Improving awareness and education of energy efficiency within schools, whilst providing easier access to technologies that can help schools and students better understand, manage and reduce their consumption is one the simplest ways of achieving this.

“Energy in Schools is designed to empower schools with technologies and learning resources that can make them role models of sustainable energy use within our local communities, whilst also providing better opportunities for young people to engage practically with the net-zero agenda. Ultimately, our goal is to help safeguard the future prospects of our school system, our children and our planet.”

David Page, Deputy Head and Computing Subject Leader at Jennett’s Park Primary School, added: “The Energy in Schools project has been fabulous. It has provided the children with a rich and meaningful context that has been truly empowering to them. They have taken responsibility to monitor the energy use across our school and make meaningful differences to energy consumption. The project has also strengthened their views of themselves as global citizens.”

To register your school’s interest, visit the below website.

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.

www.m-ar.co.uk

01482 635081 buildingrelationships@m-ar.co.uk

“NOTHING BETTER” CLAIMS FOR NEW VENTILATION WITH HEAT RECOVERY UNIT

In the drive towards reduced net zero, Gilberts Blackpool claims its new MFS-HR surpasses the performance of anything comparable on the market for commercial and public sector applications. Building on Gilberts’ pioneering MFS hybrid ventilation unit – the first of its kind to be developed in the UK – the combined hybrid unit can achieve up to 75% heat recovery. The exceptional and market-leading heat recovery performance means that, when employed as part of a sustainable strategy, including photovoltaic arrays, MFS-HR could achieve energy-negative status. As with the original MFS and other alternative hybrid ventilation systems, MFS-HR is a standalone unit installed through the facade to ventilate, cool and warm the interior. Initial tests indicate each MFS-HR will provide up to 4kw heating and 2kw cooling capacity whilst still delivering an airflow rate of up to 470l/s. It could cost as little as £10/annum/zone to operate.

www.gilbertsblackpool.com

01253 766911 info@gilbertsblackpool.co.uk

KNIGHTSBRIDGE’S NEW CATALOGUE BRINGS

CHUBB STRENGTHENS SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM IN THE UK AND IRELAND

Chubb, one of the UK’s leading fire safety and security solutions provider, has strengthened its senior leadership team with a number of significant appointments. Following the recent senior executive hires and promotions for Chubb Group globally, the UK and Ireland team welcomes three new leaders. David Dunnagan was promoted to Managing Director of Chubb UK&I, following Brendan McNulty’s promotion to the newly-created role of Vice President – Europe last summer. Gary Moffatt has been promoted to Director for Fire and Security UK, continuing his long and successful career with Chubb. A new addition to the Chubb senior leadership team is Terry Sallas, who joins as Managing Director of Major Projects.

www.chubbfs.com/uk-en

0800 321666

Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – has published the 25th anniversary edition of its catalogue. This year sees Knightsbridge celebrating its silver jubilee, having been founded in 1998, and this handy A5-sized, full-colour publication is packed from cover to cover with new range developments, impressive innovations and lots of inspiring ideas. Divided into easy-toreference sections, the catalogue provides full product details along with high-quality lifestyle and detailed product images. New high-design accessories reflect the evolving aesthetic of the home, with matte black, anthracite and smoked bronze finishes on electrical accessories and lighting now up there with more traditional items, such as white and chrome, both polished and brushed.

www.mlaccessories.co.uk/catalogue-request 01582 887760 sales@mlaccessories.co.uk

IDEAL HEATING AND ACV EXHIBIT AT SPECIFI EVENTS ACROSS THE UK

Ideal Heating – Commercial Products will once again be exhibiting at Specifi Mechanical Services events this year, alongside hot water generation and heating company ACV UK, as part of their Experts Together campaign; both companies are part of Groupe Atlantic. Aimed at specifiers in the construction sector, the Specifi events are designed for networking and professional development through the sharing of information. Ideal Heating’s experienced specification managers will be on hand to advise visitors on the latest cost-effective means of decarbonising commercial heating in light of the Part L uplift to Building Regulations for non-domestic buildings. Ideal Heating’s new ECOMOD range of commercial monobloc air-source heat pumps will also be a key focus at the Specifi events.

www.idealcommercialheating.co.uk

01482 498376

PASSIVENT DELIVERS NATURAL VENTILATION STRATEGY FOR NEW SUNDERLAND SEND SCHOOL

Leading natural and hybrid ventilation solutions manufacturer Passivent recently played its part in the creation of a specialist school located in Sunderland, providing a comprehensive range of its high-performance natural ventilation products, tailored for the SEND environment with the whole building in mind.

Passivent provided Sunningdale School with its unique thermal acoustic Aircool window ventilators, Litevent Airstract rooflight/ ventilators and Airscoop roof ventilation terminals, which were used throughout the school in classrooms, corridors and halls.

Working closely with Sunderland City Council at the early design stage, Passivent proposed the use of a natural ventilation strategy, which would not only provide effective cross ventilation in the classrooms, but one which would also reduce noise pollution during operation – a critical consideration for a SEND environment. By utilising natural ventilation, the school will also benefit from reduced energy usage without the need for mechanical fans.

Two of Passivent’s thermal acoustic window Aircool units were installed vertically in each classroom for the fresh air intake. These units allow the incoming air to be warmed via heater coils, with acoustic baffles helping to minimise the noise. The used air is then exhausted at the back of the classroom at a slightly higher level through the two standard window Aircool units installed horizontally.

A number of Litevent Airstract rooflight/ ventilators were also specified and installed along the school’s corridors, with the rooflights providing a great source of natural daylight and the Airstract terminal function in this combined unit providing controllable natural ventilation. Passivent’s Litevent system reduces the need for artificial lighting, thereby reducing further energy consumption.

Installed in both the dining and main hall are multiple Airscoop roof ventilation terminals, which ventilate the large open spaces, providing fresh air whilst displacing any stale used air. The Airscoop has an optimised segmented design that delivers maximum airflow capacity and its patented double bank louvres provide Class A 100% rain rejection so that the building can be fully ventilated regardless of weather conditions. To easily control the entire ventilation system, which is split into 21 zones, Passivent’s iC8000 Controller has been installed with seven panels in four different locations across the school. These will be used to modulate the natural ventilation system, monitoring carbon dioxide levels as well as internal and external temperatures to ensure an optimal learning environment at all times.

Sunningdale School is the only school of its kind in Sunderland, specialising in teaching children with severe and multiple learning difficulties aged between two and 11. The £13.3m new build, which was designed with specialist therapy provisions including nine sensory rooms, opened its doors in September 2022 as part of Sunderland City Council’s £45m programme to update schools that deliver life-changing facilities for young people.

YEOMAN SHIELD HIGHLIGHTING DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY WARDS

Wall and door protection specialist, Yeoman Shield has recently collaborated with a Yorkshire hospital to provide door protection for a ward refurbishment that would be in line with the dementia-friendly environment brief.

The work required the doors along the ward corridor to be protected using different coloured Yeoman Shield protection panels, which had to be compatible with a pre-accepted pallet of shades found to be conducive to wayfinding benefits for people with dementia.

Yeoman Shield was able to meet the colour brief drawing from its wide range of 59 plus colours available in the protection panel range.

The door protection panels were installed, along with matching door frame protection, by Yeoman Shield’s directly-employed fixing operatives, in Royal Blue, Aubergine, Raspberry Red, Tangerine, Lilac, Yellow and Pastel Green shades, providing an attractive, protective and hygienic surface finish.

With the ward experiencing constant, heavy footfall, the door protection panels will play an important role in guarding against detrimental impact damage caused by the movement of beds, trolleys, people and equipment. This can help to reduce the amount of time and money spent on the repair and redecoration of doors.

For more information on how the use of Yeoman Shield wall and door protection products not only protects from impact damage but can assist in wayfinding and decoration, contact the company using the details below.

www.yeomanshield.com 0113 279 5854 info@yeomanshield.com