2, The Old Stable Block, Crescent Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7GU
psbjmagazine.com 01795 515288 redhutmedia.com
Welcome to the October issue of PSBJ...
Following seven years of investigation, last month’s long-awaited release of the final 1700-page Grenfell Report identified those responsible for the safety failures that led to the 2017 disaster, which claimed 72 lives. The report calls for urgent reform in architectural education, emphasising the need for enhanced practical skills and safety knowledge and urging architects to take their responsibilities seriously.
The focus on fire safety is growing, with annual architectural events dedicated to the crucial topic, such as the Fire Safety Event and the upcoming Anticipate London (formerly known as FIREX), which we’ll be previewing in next month’s issue of PSBJ. These platforms are fostering more discussions and creating dedicated spaces for fire safety.
In this month’s issue, Dr. Karthick Govarthanam, General Manager for FIREFLY, continues his seminar presentation from this year’s Fire Safety Event, held in April at Birmingham’s NEC, exploring the challenges surrounding fire risk in roof voids. Turn to page 14 to read the full article.
Additionally, we address another building safety issue that affected public sector buildings last year: Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Commonly used in the roofs, walls and floors of schools, hospitals and offices due to its cost effectiveness and ease of installation, RAAC has been found to pose significant structural risks, including potential collapse. The widespread concerns over the safety of RAAC in public sector buildings underscore the need for careful consideration of materials and specifications, which SFS addresses on page 36 with guidance on choosing safe and sustainable flat roofing solutions.
Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor's hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Red Hut Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.
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 smartphone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com.
Delivered by Pick Everard in collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland, Bowman Academy in Shepshed, a new specialist school designed to support pupils with SEMH needs, has recently been completed. See
PSBJ is a proud supporter of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.
06 News
A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.
08 Upfront
Delivered by Pick Everard in collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland, Bowman Academy in Shepshed, a new specialist school designed to support pupils with SEMH needs, has recently been completed.
12 Housing
Mairi Murray, Head of Sustainability at BakerHicks, highlights how Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POEs) can enhance energy efficiency, boost employee satisfaction and reduce operational costs in the public sector.
14 RCI
Dr. Karthick Govarthanam from FIREFLY discusses the importance of fire safety in roof voids, sharing insights from his seminar at the Fire Safety Event.
16
Timber
Timberplay’s new climbing structure features a concrete-free foundation, showcasing a significant step towards reducing environmental impact in playground installations.
08
18 Healthcare
Lisa Ward from JELD-WEN explores how custom doorsets are enhancing patient wellbeing, staff productivity and overall efficiencies in modern hospital design.
20 Legal & Business
As the Procurement Act 2023 comes into effect from 24th February 2025, Shamayne Harris from Pagabo highlights five essential updates that will transform procurement practices.
22 Education
The RESITRIX waterproofing system from CARLISLE has been crucial in extending the life and sustainability of the iconic Edinburgh Futures Institute.
24 Interiors
Michael Simpson from GT3 Interiors explains how a people-centric, research-driven approach creates interiors that meet user needs, from concept to post-occupancy.
Futureproof bathrooms for adaptation flexibility
Tuff Form® and Showerdec wet room formers offer superior strength and rigidity which can support a bath and bather.
Installed with a Bath-to-Tray Adaptor, this provides an easy upgrade from a conventional bathroom to a wet floor showering area when needed, allowing:
+ Family bathrooms with baths to be quickly converted into wet rooms for elderly & disabled users
+ Wet rooms to be converted back to family bathrooms
+ Elimination of DFG assessment and processing
28 Leisure
Arshad Hussain from Arup highlights the need for sustainable planning, community engagement and strong public-private partnerships for major sporting events.
30
Renewable & Low-Energy Solutions
Jane Bellamy, Area Sales Manager at Whitecroft Lighting, shares how smart lighting strategies are helping schools lead the charge toward energy efficiency and sustainability.
32 Security & Building Access
Chubb Fire & Security highlights key trends like mobile access, AI and contactless biometrics shaping the future of physical access control.
34
Talking Point
Mark Isles from EnviroVent discusses how social housing providers can meet evolving ventilation standards while aiming for high energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
36
Technical Focus
Specifying safe and sustainable flat roofing solutions is essential in addressing the long-term needs of buildings, especially in education and healthcare sectors, as SFS explains.
38 Product Showcase
A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.
Each month, PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.
Three new primary schools in Staffordshire have welcomed pupils
Beaconfields Primary School and Nursery in Stafford, Dunstall Park Primary School and Garden Village Primary School, both in Tamworth, will provide much-needed school places and stateof-the-art facilities for local children. The schools have been built by Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, for Staffordshire County Council in partnership with Entrust, and were procured through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) framework. Built to meet the increase in local demand for pupil places by housing developments, the two-storey schools have welcomed their first set of pupils and will grow year on year to eventually accommodate 210 children each. The schools have a combined value of £2m, which represents a significant investment in the region’s educational infrastructure. As part of G F Tomlinson’s commitment to delivering social value, a total of £1.3m social value added was provided across all three projects, including site tours for local residents and 172 apprentice weeks with valuable on-the-job training provided.
Significant social housing site celebrates completion
The completion of nearly 100 affordable homes in Tinsley, Sheffield, was marked on 16th September, following the successful collaboration of a number of key partners, including Homes England. The delivery of the 93 homes was facilitated by EN:Able Build, a specialist in delivering affordable housing in the North of England and part of Efficiency North. Following outreach to its members in 2020, EN:Able Build strategically partnered with developer and contractor Caddick and the social landlord Together Housing Group to facilitate the land sale and construction contract. The Ferrars Road site was part financed with more than £4m from the Homes England affordable homes funding programme. Peter Denton, CEO of Homes England, and Sheffield MP Clive Betts joined representatives from EN:Able Build, Together Housing Group and Caddick at the site to celebrate its successful completion.
State-of-the-art leisure centre recognised with prestigious diversity accolade
A new vibrant leisure centre in Bearsden near Glasgow has scooped the gold ‘Diversity in the Public Sector’ award at The Herald and GenAnalytics’ 2024 Diversity Awards Scotland, which honours innovative projects promoting diversity and inclusion in Scotland. The architect firm behind the community centre’s design, Holmes Miller, has been recognised for exceeding public sector standards to fully address the needs of diverse community members. The much-admired £42.5m Allander Leisure Centre was designed by Holmes Miller in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council to replace the original Allander sports complex. Enhancing community wellbeing, the recreational hub offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool with spa facilities, a hydrotherapy pool, a gym and fitness areas, an eightcourt games hall, two squash courts, a cafe and a state-of-the-art sports dome featuring tennis courts and football pitches. The centre also provides inclusive services for adults with learning disabilities and has been praised for its positive impact, which extends across the local population, particularly benefitting individuals with learning disabilities.
J Freeley completes complex demolition for Wirral Council
J Freeley has completed a large-scale demolition for Wirral Council, paving the way for regeneration within the area around Wallasey Town Hall. Completed on time and on budget, the project saw J Freeley demolish the north and south annexes situated on either side of the town hall on Brighton Street. With homes, a leisure centre and a primary school within close proximity, the phased demolition required dust suppression and noise monitoring throughout. Part of the north annexe, which was located adjacent to occupied homes, was carefully deconstructed floor by floor using robotic excavators. From the outset, a pedestrian diversion route was also created with associated traffic management. Following the demolition, J Freeley landscaped and fenced off the site, ready for future development, which will see new homes constructed. As part of its commitment to supporting local communities, J Freeley donated to several charities while on site.
Preservation works to be undertaken on Bristol’s heritage museums
Helping preserve Bristol’s cultural heritage, two of the city’s most iconic listed museums have undergone condition surveys to identify suitable maintenance programmes. The inspections of the Grade I-Listed Red Lodge Museum and the Grade II*Listed Georgian House Museum are part of an ongoing effort to preserve and enhance the city’s heritage sites, ensuring continued public use. Appointed by Bristol City Council, Pick Everard conducted thorough inspections of the built fabric of the historic buildings, which involved recording construction types, identifying defects and recommending remedial work. Both condition surveys were visual, non-invasive and conducted while the museums remained open, with minimal disruption to staff and visitors. The condition reports conducted by Pick Everard fed into feasibility studies to improve the museum’s offering to the public, including options for bringing unused or underutilised space back into the visitor experience. The remedial works, also recommended by the firm, were sympathetic to the buildings’ traditional materials and fabric, ensuring that the city’s heritage museums will continue to educate and inspire the next generation.
Ceremony marks new Coventry school SENCO enhancement works
Grace Academy School in Coventry has celebrated the opening of its upgraded facilities in a community launch ceremony with Ireland International Football Player, Andrew Townsend, in attendance. Regional contractors joined forces to carry out ‘The BIG Build’ charitable programme of works over the summer at Grace Academy, and the event brought together members of the school and all suppliers to unveil brand-new classroom facilities and sensory spaces, which will enrich the lives of students. Attendees enjoyed a tour of the enhancement works, live music, canapes and a speech from Andrew Townsend. McLaren Construction Midlands and North division and Opus Land led the community project, which has been supported by architect firm Webb Gray, structural engineer SBK, mechanical and electrical engineer CPW and landscaper Whiting’s, which provided the landscape and raised beds works. The works have included a complete refurbishment and remodelling of existing classrooms to form larger teaching and sensory spaces, alongside access to the outside.
Jo Cox Centre is first HE building in the UK to achieve WELL ‘Platinum’ standard
The University of Huddersfield’s Jo Cox More in Common Centre has been awarded with the esteemed ‘Platinum’ level WELL certification through the International WELL Building Institute, the global authority for transforming health and wellbeing through buildings, organisations and communities. This award represents the highest level of WELL certification, recognising design and operational strategies focusing on human health and wellbeing. It also represents the first university student amenities building in the UK to achieve such an accolade and only the third Platinum-level WELLcertified campus building in the world, setting a new benchmark for the post-secondary education sector to prioritise student health and wellbeing. The Jo Cox More in Common Centre, completed in 2023, is at the heart of the university campus. The building is designed to provide a welcoming, calming environment for students and staff of all faiths or none.
Nottingham’s £2bn Broad Marsh redevelopment accelerates with ‘Green
Heart’ completion
The city of Nottingham has seen the opening of a brandnew green space, representing a key milestone for the wider £2bn Broad Marsh regeneration project – one of the largest development spaces of any core city in Europe. The ‘Green Heart’, which was officially unveiled by Nottingham City Council leaders and local schoolchildren, has been described by officials as “a place for locals to enjoy nature”, with 38 trees, 34 of which are newly planted, alongside colourful planting, a superbloom providing nectar to wildlife all year round, as well as a new marsh pond and rain garden areas. Pathways have been created from sandstone, which wind around the Green Heart and allow visitors to wander through the new public space, while the main path through the Green Heart serves as a direct route to the local train and bus stations, as well as the interconnecting city centre. Multi-disciplinary firm Pick Everard was behind the scheme, operating through Perfect Circle under the SCAPE Consultancy framework to deliver advisory, contract management, project and cost management, health and safety and civil engineering services.
WORK COMPLETES ON NEW SEND SCHOOL IN LEICESTERSHIRE
A brand-new specialist school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs has been completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire, offering facilities for students aged four to 16.
Bowman Academy, which is situated on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, located to the east of Shepshed on Loughborough Road, will see pupils benefit from a range of facilities to suit their needs. This includes classroom suites with vinyl areas to support practical learning, a sensory ‘dark room’ and practical teaching spaces, including a domestic kitchen, a library, a calming room and a main hall with a demountable stage.
The new-build SEND school, which has been designed sympathetically to the needs of SEMH learning, has space for 64 pupils, with facilities for 16 primary-aged children across two ground-floor classrooms, with the remaining 48 secondary-aged pupils split across two ground-floor classrooms, and a further four on the first floor. The first floor also has an additional three classrooms for practical use.
Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard was behind the scheme, providing architectural services for main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, which was procured by the Department for Education (DfE) under the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC1) framework.
Joe West, Associate at Pick Everard, says: “Working on SEND schools is always a privilege, with unique design applications and special consideration for the needs of a diverse range of learning.
“Creating an environment that is both functional and comfortable for pupils was central to the aims of the project, which should, in turn, aid the school in attracting and retaining students in the area.
“The construction technique employed on this project was a fully offsite solution, so thorough sequencing and planning was paramount to ensure all materials were delivered safely and successfully, as well as meeting the highest standards.
“We’re delighted to have worked alongside Bowmer + Kirkland once again to deliver this fantastic academy for pupils in the area with SEMH needs.”
Driving sustainability initiatives, Bowman Academy’s design includes a fabricfirst approach that reduces the energy requirements of the building through measures including high levels of insulation, heat recovery and airtightness.
High-efficiency boilers have been installed at the school, which will be run by the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT), as well as LED lighting with occupancy and daylight controls for resource management. The building also has glare control and sustainable natural ventilation, providing a low-energy-cost solution.
Additionally, the site includes a photovoltaic panel array, providing a 10% energy consumption offset from renewable technology.
Steve Waldron, Contracts Manager at Bowmer + Kirkland, adds: “We have been working for the DfE since 2013 and are proud of the 73 schools we have completed, but specialist schools are unique in the enormous difference they make to the pupils and their families. We are delighted to continue our relationship with Pick Everard to deliver another fantastic facility, which will improve the lives of so many young people.”
Cllr Deborah Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Leicestershire County Council, says: “It is exciting to see the school completed, and we’re looking forward to it opening and welcoming new pupils.
“The building of Bowman Academy is part of a wider programme to ensure provision is available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Leicestershire, as close to their homes as possible.
“This includes both the building of special schools and creating provision in mainstream schools.”
James Ellis, CIT’s Director of SEND education, comments: “This is a very exciting time for Bowman Academy. SEMH is a unique sector of education requiring distinctive building design to support the delivery of specialist teaching and care for pupils.
“We look forward to welcoming children in Shepshed and the surrounding area to our new setting and supporting them to develop the knowledge and skills they need to help them thrive in adult life.”
The project at Bowman Academy builds on further work from Pick Everard in Shepshed, following its key role in the £2.5m regeneration of its town centre in March.
REALISING THE POTENTIAL OF POST-OCCUPANCY EVALUATIONS
With research continuously highlighting the positive effect that an office design can have on employee satisfaction, productivity and retention, it’s no surprise that more employers are looking to enhance their office spaces, as well as making them more energy efficient, says Mair i Murray, Head of Sustainability at BakerHicks.
ut whether building a new office from scratch, or refurbishing and redesigning an existing space, how can you ensure that your building is actually working in the way you intended? How can you ensure it is ultimately delivering the efficiencies you were seeking to achieve? Is something that was meant to be ‘better’ and more economical, actually costing you money? If you don’t know the answer, then a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) could be the solution.
Post-Occupancy Evaluations are not a new concept. They were first introduced more than 40 years ago, but it wasn’t until 2007 that they started to make more of an impact on the agenda of designers and the landlords, agents and managers of the properties themselves.
The process of POE is centred around obtaining feedback and analysing a building’s performance in use after the design, construction and handover phases. In a typical POE, such as those conducted by BakerHicks, this includes collecting building data and information as well as, crucially, speaking to employees/users of the building to understand their level of satisfaction with it. It seeks to gather intelligence regarding a building’s internal environmental conditions (light, noise,
temperature, air quality etc.), operations and maintenance, energy and water consumption, and the way in which specific facilities and amenities are being used.
The ultimate aim is to identify any areas of improvement and provide solutions that, in turn, enhance a building’s energy efficiency, increase user satisfaction and reduce operating costs. In the case of an office building, it’s a win-win for both employers and employees. For design teams and project managers, POE can also add real value, enabling learning from both successful and more challenging projects, helping to shape best practice for the future.
But POE’s potential and effectiveness goes beyond office buildings; it can also be a hugely informative and effective tool for public sector sites and social housing developments, helping to ensure buildings perform as they are designed to and helping to justify and validate how the public purse is being spent.
For instance, as featured as a case study in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) report ‘Post Occupancy Evaluation: an essential tool for the built environment’, Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, used POE on three low-carbon social housing developments in the South East of England. The homes used a
mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system to help maintain heating and ventilation levels, chosen as MVHR systems can significantly reduce energy consumption at relatively low costs. The POE, which included interviews with occupants, revealed that poor installation and commissioning of the MVHR system had actually resulted in worsened performance in fresh air supply, indoor air quality and high energy consumption, which was only made worse by a poor understanding and misuse of the system among residents. This is a prime example of a POE identifying systems that are not delivering what they were designed to. It’s all well and good to deploy systems that, on paper, can help deliver greater efficiencies and reduce costs, but if the systems are not installed, commissioned or used correctly, then these efficiencies won’t be realised.
For all the benefits POE can deliver, it remains overlooked and underused, despite lobbying from organisations like RIBA for the Government to make POE a mandatory condition for all publicly funded buildings. Cost, unsurprisingly, is the most obvious and common obstacle in the way, but one that doesn’t really stack up – certainly not in the long run.
Photo by Pedro Ramos on Unsplash
The alternative option, of reactive maintenance or ‘run to failure’, and only tending to building systems when they stop working, is ultimately more expensive. It makes budget management almost impossible and fundamentally, doing the bare minimum often leads to repeated failures.
Using POE can identify and enable new systems and processes that increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and, in turn, reduce operational costs. It also helps to keep building users happy, which, in the case of an office environment, has been proven to increase productivity. The possibilities and potential value of utilising POE are endless, but until they are fully embraced, and their use becomes more widespread, there is a danger that this value will be unrealised.
Following on from his seminar presentation at this year’s Fire Safety Event, held in April at Birmingham’s NEC, Dr. Karthick Govarthanam, General Manager for FIREFLY, explores some of the issues surrounding fire risk in roof voids.
We have been assured in recent years by mainstream media that our firefighters’ main role nowadays is in educating the public as to the risks they face in their homes and installing smoke alarms. Yet, the UK fire and rescue services were called out to 627,553 incidents, of which 67,014 involved primary fires in the year ending 2022. Between 2006 and 2008, at least 10,000 of these primary fires originated from the attic occurring in pubs, care homes and schools. Under fire conditions, smoke can travel at an alarming rate of 120 to 420ft per minute. It’s no surprise, then, that 57% of all fire-related fatalities occur outside the room where the fire started, according to insurance giant Aviva.
It is crucial that building control officers and others responsible for overseeing alterations in premises, such as care homes and apartment buildings, turn their attention to roof hazards – with the most common being faulty electrical wiring, ceiling insulation, flammable roofing materials and leaky roofs. The latter could
cause electrical wirings in the ceiling or attic to malfunction. Indeed, 41% of fire-related deaths in Great Britain were caused by the victim being overcome by gas, smoke or toxic fumes – and it can take as little as 2.5 minutes for a home to be entirely engulfed in flames.
A report published by BRE identified that the four mechanisms of fire spread in roof voids were combustible materials spanning beneath the non-combustible roof covering: Absent or poor installation of cavity barriers/compartmentation, fire spread along the soffit and heat transfer through penetrations. The document goes on to point out that “not many realise that the party wall” (that’s the wall you share with your neighbour) “should be completely intact with no gaps right up to the roof tiles”.
To mitigate against these lethal risks, there are, of course, legislative requirements governed through Building Regulations, which includes Approved Document 7 for materials and workmanship, Approved Document
Part B – Volume 1 and 2 for Fire Safety and National House Building Council (NHBC) standards. These documents explain how a large property can be compartmentalised and provide guidance for minimum fire safety requirements. For example, minimum legal requirements for smoke and flame stipulate that a cavity barrier is required to prevent these products of combustion, i.e. smoke and flame, from penetrating and/or moving within a concealed space in a fire compartment for 30 minutes and are occasionally required to perform for longer periods of up to 120 minutes.
Legal requirements for insulation, meanwhile, state that a cavity barrier, when exposed on one side, should restrict the temperature rise of the unexposed face to be below 140ºC, over ambient temperatures, for 15 minutes, but are now usually fitted with a 30-minute – or greater – barrier.
These regulations state that there should be a means of warning and escape, both horizontal and vertical with details on, for example, where a cavity barrier should be sited to ensure a protected stairway enclosure remains safe –especially relevant to flats and HMOs. In fact, upgrading roof spaces within local authority and housing association properties has become a regular application for FIREFLY‘s range of passive fire protection systems. Most used
are the horizontal and vertical flexible fire barriers, installed across existing structural elements or frames assembled from steel angles, fireproof access panels and the recently launched range of ablative wall and floor batt systems.
Critical compartmentation –under roof tiles
NHBC standard’s Section 7.2.16, entitled Fire-Stopping and Cavity Barriers, advises that compartment walls should stop approximately 25mm below the top of the adjacent roof framing and a soft firestopping material should be used, to allow for movement in ceiling or roof timbers. Whereas the ADB requires that gaps between compartments should be firestopped using materials that achieve the same level of fire resistance as the compartment wall and that it should extend all the way to the underside of the roof covering.
In the wake of the Hackitt Report, construction professionals have been forced to take a more holistic approach to fire safety, both in design and execution of work, meaning we should not look at product solutions in isolation, which is why specifiers should carefully consider the ‘critical role of system components and compatible ancillaries’. Certified systems generally have a requirement for specified components to be used to maintain the integrity of the system.
Finally, it is essential to acknowledge that service penetrations present an immediate and permanent threat to the integrity of any fire barrier of compartmentation strategy and that what is installed today could be compromised by new pipework of other installations
at any time in the future, which is why FIREFLY has developed and tested its system solutions to remain fully effective as long as service penetrations are correctly made and managed.
TIMBERPLAY DEBUTS PIONEERING NEW CONCRETE-FREE FOUNDATIONS FOR CLIMBING STRUCTURE
Timberplay was delighted to debut a very special product at the recent Timber Festival earlier in July – its classic Climbing Structure, but for the first time without concrete foundations, meaning that the installation process has minimal environmental impact. This pioneering new approach has been developed specifically to lessen the damaging legacy of the installation of the product, boasting improved sustainability and presenting many opportunities for further application across the industry.
Concrete has long been a staple in construction, valued for its versatility but criticised for its significant environmental impact. Richter Spielgeräte addresses this issue head on with its new foundation process, which eliminates the need for concrete. This groundbreaking approach uses the natural soil on site combined with recycled rubble to create a durable and eco-friendly foundation. This method not only reduces environmental impact but also offers several practical benefits, including easier maintenance, longer service life and immediate usability after installation.
The Timber Festival was the venue for the debut of this new installation process. The Timber Festival is a unique weekend of celebration, debate and reflection. The entire programme explores the value of trees and wood, the importance of our relationship with nature and how we can protect and preserve our habitats. The climbing structure was installed on site for the duration of the festival and then relocated to The Patch UK Farm Park in Milton Keynes. This was the first opportunity for the theory of the installation process to be put to the test, as Mark Grimshaw, Sales Manager, elaborates: “This was the perfect chance for our experienced
installation team to get to grips with this new adaptation and it was gratifying to see how smooth the process was. Even better was the fact that it could easily be taken down and relocated after the event, and the ground on the festival site has no long-term signs of damage or impact.”
What is more remarkable is that Richter Spielgeräte, which manufactures the products for Timberplay from its Bavarian workshop, is so committed to increasing sustainability that it’s willing to share this new process with other companies.
Julian Richter from Richter Spielgeräte highlights the importance of sustainable play environments: “It is up to us to ensure that children can experience their environment through play – especially also in the world of tomorrow.”
The decision to move away from concrete is driven by several factors. Concrete production is a major source of pollution, and its high energy requirements for production and transportation significantly impact the environment. The new foundation process by Richter Spielgeräte minimises these issues, offering a more sustainable and practical solution. The prefabricated formwork rings and coarse recycled rubble used in the foundations provide stability and drainage, enhancing the longevity of the timber used in the structures. Additionally, these materials can be easily reused or replaced, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. Richter Spielgeräte is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the products and processes. Over the last decade, it has taken many steps to improve
its sustainability, including removing the use of damaging chemicals and preservatives, instead relying on engineering adaptations and careful wood species selection to ensure longevity, strength and durability. Its preferred species are Robinia and Mountain Larch. Mountain Larch is a common species in the Bavarian Alps, and mature trees have to be cut down and replaced as part of the continual avalanche prevention programme. As these trees grow in cold temperatures, they are incredibly slow growing, so they have natural inherent strength. Richter utilises the whole timber after stripping the sapwood. This is a very effective and sustainable way in which to ensure the endurance of the timber without environmentally damaging interventions.
Ben Harbottle, Sales Director for Timberplay, adds:“As an industry, we need to start taking bigger steps in lessening the impact of our play areas. We have long been advocating more natural playgrounds, and actively promote natural safety surfacing such as wood chip, sand and grass matting as opposed to synthetic materials. Play areas are, of course, fundamentally a great thing for developers, councils and attractions to be offering to enhance the world for children, but within this, we need to all look at the legacy of what we can do. It’s not just the safety of our children we need to think about, but our children’s children and the generations beyond them. This new structure demonstrates that Richter, Timberplay and the industry as a whole can all do more.”
UNLOCKING A NEW ERA OF HOSPITAL DESIGN
While once a sterile, clinical look was the standard for healthcare facilities, recent years have seen designs take an approach that is more focused on creating warm, welcoming, patient-centred spaces.
This comes as research continues to demonstrate how well-thought-out interiors can have a significant impact on treatment effectiveness, staff wellbeing and, in turn, overall efficiency.
Here, Lisa Ward, Product Line Manager UK & France at JELD-WEN, explores how the custom specification of internal doorsets can match technical functionality with impactful aesthetics, enhancing the built environment to support better patient wellbeing and recovery.
Hospital settings are synonymous with the sight of stark white walls, harsh fluorescent lighting and endless corridors. With a singular focus on function and delivering physical care, their designs rarely considered the impact on patients’ mental wellbeing.
There has been a shift in this approach over the last decade. Evidencebacked methods have influenced the design of clinical spaces, paying equal attention to their aesthetics with the intention of delivering a more considered, healing environment.
It’s easy to see why. There is mounting evidence that well-thought-out interiors can contribute to better clinical outcomes
through shorter patient stays, less demand for pain medication, reduced infection rates and fewer medical errors.
For example, a seminal 1984 study1 demonstrated how patients located near windows with the view of trees experienced significantly improved recovery time, while a more recent UCL review2 highlighted how greater exposure to natural daylight resulted in less pain and significantly shorter hospital stays.
Elsewhere, the psychology of colour suggests that brighter shades can stimulate energy, while softer, warmer palettes can instil feelings of calm. And research consistently demonstrates that exposure to real or artificial depictions of nature can reduce levels of stress in healthcare settings 3
These benefits don’t relate solely to patients; aesthetic appeal has also been found to impact employee productivity and wellbeing 4. For staff working in any hospital environment, they are often subject to demanding and stressful schedules, working long, irregular hours while coping with the emotional toll of patient suffering and loss.
If more comfortable, calming and welcoming environments can help to reduce stress and irritability, the knockon effect is that workers will be more productive and attentive to patients, thus providing a better standard of care. As the NHS experiences substantial staffing challenges, it is essential that every effort is made to promote employee wellbeing.
Harnessing the power of colour
Putting these approaches into practice, the recently completed Kolding super hospital – one of the first to be completed following the restructuring of Denmark’s health sector – was unique in that its design was influenced by the principle of ‘healing architecture’. Every aspect of the decor focused on creating an environment that fosters positivity, calmness and comfort.
This extended to the application of colour theory, taking cues from local nature. Inspired by the quiet calm of the forest, a rich shade of green brings a sense of peace into the hospital from the forecourt up to the wards. At that point, a calming blue colourway symbolises the serenity of the sky. In certain rooms and areas, a third and final golden palette affords a sense of warmth and optimism for patients and visitors.
Swedoor, part of the global JELD-WEN group, played a key role in ensuring the application of this vision remained consistent while meeting the hospital’s core requirements for optimum levels of hygiene and functionality.
Offering customisation capabilities across its high-performing doorsets, Swedoor created three bespoke shades that aligned with the wider interior concept. In total, 700 doorsets were supplied, each carrying a laminate finish to offer exceptional durability, ease of maintenance and hygiene. Where required, fire safety and noise reduction features were specified to further enhance the performance of the product.
Fusing the principles of colour theory with functionality in this way enabled the hospital to take a holistic approach to its interiors. This strategy harnesses the psychological effect of each carefully chosen hue to foster a feeling of comfort and wellbeing for the thousands of patients and staff members who pass through its doors each day.
A smarter approach to the patient experience
Historically, critical care facilities have faced challenges in creating calm, private environments due to the need for close observation and rapid intervention. This type of monitoring typically comes hand in hand with close proximity to other patients, resulting in ongoing noise, frequent disturbances and little in the way of natural light.
Fortunately, innovative solutions, such as Vistamatic products, are starting to address these challenges. This technology, in particular, features a built-in glass panel within the door frame that switches from clear to opaque at the touch of a button.
Implemented as part of the configuration for several bedside doorsets at the Kolding hospital in Denmark, this system enables patients and visitors to enjoy privacy, while enabling care providers the ability to monitor them when necessary, with minimal disruption. The daylight-filled spatial qualities of Vistamatic glass also contribute to creating a welcoming and bright ambience for inpatients.
As the correlation between calm, comfortable environments and faster recovery becomes increasingly evident, this approach is gaining recognition as the gold standard for creating healing hospital spaces. Available as part of customised Swedoor configurations, we’re seeing more healthcare architects and planners prioritise similar design elements in new facilities and retrofit projects alike.
Making hospitals more hospitable
The era of clinical, utilitarian hospital designs is shifting. These types of environments can offer a stark reminder to patients of their vulnerable state, with the potential to heighten their anxiety and hinder their healing progress. Today, healthcare architects have a unique opportunity to refocus their approach to design. By embracing new products and creative solutions, hospitals can craft environments that are not only functional but welcoming, too.
This shift towards more thoughtful, patient-centred design can have far-reaching implications. Well-conceived spaces have the power to accelerate patient recovery, boost
staff productivity and enhance operational efficiency. Ultimately, this has the potential to contribute to a more compassionate and effective healthcare system as a whole.
The clock is ticking to prepare for the new era of procurement that we will enter once the changes within the Procurement Act 2023 come into effect from 24th February 2025 – which is a new date, having originally been set to go live in late October 2024 – to allow time for a new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) to be produced. Shamayne Harris, Head of Procurement at Pagabo, highlights five key changes to understand.
Notices
There will be a noticeable shift, meaning that notices will be required throughout the full procurement and contract lifecycle instead of just the procurement process.
This starts as early as the new mandatory pipeline notice, which sets out information about a contracting authority’s public procurement pipeline where the anticipated spend is over £100m within a defined reporting period.
Contracting authorities will need to invest time into their procurement resources or engage with managing agents like Pagabo to deliver their frameworks, but increased administrative burden may be offset by the simpler system aiming to reduce duplication.
The new notices will drive transparency, increase supplier inclusion and enable greater scrutiny of procurement decisions and contract performance.
Procedures
Processes under the current regime will be streamlined down from seven to two competitive procedures – open and the new competitive, flexible procedure – aiming to create maximum flexibility for procurement solutions and reduce barriers to entry.
Contracting authorities are encouraged to utilise preliminary market engagement to determine the most appropriate route to market and ensure their internal policies and procedures align with the new mechanisms.
Suppliers should allocate the appropriate resources and time to review published opportunities and raise clarifications with the contracting authorities if documents contain ambiguities.
Exclusion and debarment
Discretionary and mandatory exclusion grounds will remain very similar, targeting non-compliance and poor performance, but the scope widens under the new act. The new act drives greater transparency with plans to launch a debarment register and a new mandatory notice detailing any unsatisfactory performance or contract breaches.
There is some nervousness around this, but there are several robust steps that will be completed prior to a supplier being placed on the debarment register.
Suppliers are encouraged to review their supply chains to ensure no organisation poses unacceptable risks. Policies and procedures should also be subject to a levelling-up exercise to ensure the correct governance is in place.
Performance
New requirements are in place for procurement performance. This includes issuing at least three mandated performance measures prior to entering into contracts with an estimated value above £5m, publishing payment compliance information and social value tender commitments, which will form a contractual commitment and KPI.
There will be increasing analysis of the entire procurement lifecycle, and suppliers will be assessed on whether things are performing as intended within bids.
Greater access to information may increase scrutiny and the volume of challenges, potentially increasing opportunity or damaging chances depending on what performance data shows.
Challenges
Provisions remain broadly the same, but there are some changes to the challenge process, including the standstill period being changed to eight working days.
Contracting authorities must now provide all bidding organisations that have been assessed with feedback in the new assessment summary format, which drives transparency and will aid industry betterment by enabling suppliers to improve bids.
These are just some of the changes to be aware of ahead of February, but there are various free Government resources available online to help those involved in public procurement prepare for a successful future.
Shamayne Harris is Head of Procurement at Pagabo
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
EXTENDING EDINBURGH’S HERITAGE AT THE EFI
Edinburgh has a rich architectural landscape, with heritage buildings and iconic buildings that delight tourists from around the world and speak to the city’s history. But it is also a living city, and, as well as being the location for the Scottish parliament and a thriving commercial centre, it is also home to the University of Edinburgh; consistently one of the top 10 universities in the UK.
The Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), a new futuresfocused space for learning, research and innovation, combines Edinburgh’s world-famous architecture with the city’s globally-renowned university. Located in the category-A listed Old Royal Infirmary, which has been transformed with a complete refurbishment along with two new-build wings –the North Extension and South Extension – and a new podium deck situated in front of the main entrance, it champions interdisciplinary collaboration.
The new additions to the heritage building complement the historic structure while bringing a contemporary twist to the development with glazed facades that both connect and reflect the heritage buildings.
For the flat roofs of these extensions it was important for the specification to offer a robust and long-lasting waterproof covering. The roofs have been completed by specialist Edinburgh-based contractor, Site Sealants, using the RESITRIX hybrid EPDM and bituminous membrane from CARLISLE. The contractor has also used RESITRIX as the waterproofing system for the podium deck, providing essential protection from water ingress for the basement accommodation below.
Specification
Due to the prestige and profile of the project, every aspect of the design and specification for the EFI development needed to be of the highest quality, with a clear focus on performance, aesthetics, longevity and sustainability. RESITRIX waterproofing system from CARLISLE answered all these requirements and was suitable as part of a warm roof specification for both the extension roofs and the podium deck.
Site Sealants has installed the RESITRIX system on several previous commercial building projects, and its team is fully trained in RESITRIX installation. Thanks to the high performance of the RESITRIX system and the reduced risk of snagging or callbacks it provides, it was the only waterproofing membrane that the contractor was willing to warranty for the EFI project.
RESITRIX is a unique waterproofing system combining the permanent elasticity and extended service life of EPDM and the durability of bitumen in a hybrid, single-ply waterproofing membrane. Alongside an extended service life, RESITRIX provides a low-maintenance specification for EFI, which aligns with the calibre of the project, whole-life cost management of the assets and the prestige of the location.
The system is ideal for use on concrete decks and was used at EFI as part of a complete roof build up from CARLISLE comprising RESITRIX FG 35 primer, ALUTRIX 600 vapour barrier membrane, insulation board, RESITRIX SKW full bond EPDM membrane, drainage layer and paving/pebble ballast. For the podium deck, an acoustic layer was added to the specification to control noise within the basement accommodation below.
Buildability
One of the key advantages of using RESITRIX for the EFI project was that the system requires no open flames, reducing health and safety risks for all personnel on site and avoiding any potential fire risk to both the new-build extensions and the adjacent heritage buildings. The system is fully bonded to the surface, with the use of a hot air gun to seal the laps and complete the details.
The project involved a substantial amount of drainage for both the flat roof areas and the podium, along with detailing for the pedestals required to mount rooftop plant. The Site Sealants team completed the field areas first, then formed the details on site, cutting the RESITRIX membrane to size and shape and completing the detail by sealing it to the field areas.
The ability to weld the RESITRIX membrane to the EPDM membrane used as part of the curtain walling installation was a key advantage agreed upon by the design team. This provided a permanent seal between two elements of the building envelope, enhancing the performance of the membrane. In addition, when welded, RESITRIX membranes are also easy to visually inspect. A good heat weld is indicated by a visible bitumen bleed out from the bottom of the top sheet being welded.
To verify that the membrane installation was being carried out according to the required quality assurance standards and manufacturer’s guidelines, site inspections were carried out at regular intervals by the Site Sealants senior team, CARLISLE’s technical team and the main contractor.
Outstanding results
In addition to exceptional waterproofing performance, RESITRIX also provided a roof covering that aligns with the sustainability criteria for the project. The system has delivered the versatility required to enable joined-up specification of both a robust warm roof build up, capable of accommodating rooftop plants, and an effective waterproofing membrane for a podium with basement accommodation below in a single product. This industryleading, first-of-a-kind waterproofing membrane has been the ideal choice for a project dedicated to innovation and a focus on the future.
THE SUCCESS SPIRAL:
R&D FORMS THE GROUNDWORK FOR
PEOPLE-LED INTERIORS
Creating inclusive and welcoming interiors is not just about developing an aesthetic; it’s about building a real understanding of how people use and interact within their spaces, both as individuals and as collectives. Bespoke engagement sessions, complemented by ongoing research and development, should form a springboard that threads a story through briefing, concept design and detailing.
ichael Simpson, Director at GT3 Interiors, discusses this approach, expanding on how learning and improving shouldn’t stop once a project is complete but continue well into post-occupancy.
For true success, an interior project needs to embed this people-orientated approach within every project stage. Our strategies rely on forming and articulating a clear understanding of our
end users and their differing needs – be they physical, cultural, psychological or simply preference – before even getting to the design stages.
Equally, post-occupancy work often reveals critical findings. Gaining feedback from real-life experience and user stories not only improves ongoing projects, but it also feeds anthropologic understanding, informing future design choices and providing a positive spiral of continuous learning.
It’s all about people
When thinking about interiors, people should always be at the centre of the conversation.
For GT3, ‘people architecture’ means placing people at the heart of every project. It refers to our company ethos and is the cornerstone of every process, design choice and R&D endeavour. This means thinking about who is using the space. And, how. What are their immediate needs, and what additional elements of their wider lives and ambitions need to be considered in the design?
As we, ultimately, spend most of our time inside buildings, not outside of them, the interior of any space is key. So, providing thoughtful, comfortable and practical interior design is a critical component of any build or refurbishment.
Getting the ball rolling
Much of our R&D is not project specific, but instead focuses on dedicated user groups and their requirements. This could be understanding more about how those with neurodiverse needs, physical differences, carers, children or older people interact, behave and feel in space. This is a crucial component of brief writing or spatial design.
PYRAN® S
For fire resistance and protection of people and property
Now available for UK manufacture
Multifunctionality in fire protection
PYRAN® S is a pre-stressed, monolithic borosilicate single pane safety glass in accordance with EN 13024-1.
As a component in fire-resistant glazing that meets the requirements of resistance classes E 30, E 60, E 90 and E 120, it has proven its outstanding optical and mechanical characteristics over the years in a wide variety of buildings.
Areas of application
PYRAN® has been internationally approved and ideally suited for:
• Facades
• Partition walls
• Skylights and rooflights
• Doors
• Roofs
• Smoke screens
• lift door glazing
• lift shaft glazing
Facts
• Higher ability to withstand temperature differentials: In comparison to soda-lime glass, tempered borosilicate glass can better withstand temperature differentials and can therefore be glazed with normal edge covers (20±2 mm).
• Higher softening temperature: Because the glass is selfsupporting for more than 30 minutes, large panes and simple frame constructions are now possible.
• Higher viscosity: The glass flow rate is low due to the high viscosity and durability of borosilicate glass, so with more edge cover, greater fire resistance times in excess of 90 minutes can be achieved.
• NiS crystals do not form: Due to the chemical composition of borosilicate glass, nickel sulphide crystals cannot form. Spontaneous glass fracture due to embedded NiS crystals cannot happen with PYRAN®.
Further information is available from our sales and technical offices or visit www.firmanglass.com
As an example, research we conducted over lockdown into caregivers of young children within public swimming pools showed how small interventions like the location of buggy stores or the size, location and facilities within family cubicles and cafe spaces, can have a huge impact on user experience. While these are modest interventions, understanding these everyday user stories allows us to appropriately size and design a leisure space from day one. It not only saves the client time and cost, but it ultimately removes barriers for people who otherwise may struggle to use or feel welcome within much-needed health, wellbeing and community spaces.
No matter the sector, teams should be encouraged to practice empathy when designing, and the first step in any project is to identify and develop a bespoke set of personas and user stories for the space.
These ‘user stories’ capture a community or workforce’s specific needs and requirements, including anecdotal feedback, live-in experiences, opinions and links to wider research and reading. They are an invaluable element of the briefing and wider design process, allowing designers to empathise with users, build an understanding of their challenges or frustrations and think about how interiors can be used to navigate and maximise opportunities. Research isn’t limited to the enduser either. Interior strategies need to factor in how the building – be it workplace, community, leisure or hospitality – will be operated. How do staff manage the facility? How is it cleaned, what maintenance is needed, how are deliveries managed and what is their reception and hospitality process? A strong interior design will make everyone’s life easier, ultimately improving the experience of those interacting within space.
Concept design and detail
Once the brief and people using the spaces have been understood, we can move into concept design, space planning and look and feel strategies – where the research continues to play a key role. Once again, to get the most out of this process it should be informed by users and key stakeholders, considering practicalities and their day to day. Encouraging users and clients to invest in the process and design creates more passion around the outcome, resulting in a space where they can enjoy the results of their own input.
Creative spatial design should not only be practical but should also make people feel happier. The use of both implicit and explicit design references is effective and creates spaces that people resonate with. Many of our own projects use cues to local architecture, landscape or features.
In this way, we build upon people’s cultural attachment to their region and create a sense of pride in the space. One example of this is the material, colonnade and colour reference we incorporated in designs for Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre to reflect the north Yorkshire market town’s vibrant history. There should also be a detailed level of consideration for colours and materials. Colour palettes are essential for achieving the desired look and feel, as well as having a profound impact on user wellbeing. Bright and bold colours are unlikely to create the feeling of calm needed for a spa setting but can be effective in operator branding or wayfinding within other buildings. Lighting and colour can also be important for supporting neurodivergent users or workers, so this is just another way to enhance user comfort and experience through design.
The success spiral
The research that is at the heart of this process doesn’t stop when the doors open. Post-occupancy evaluation is a hugely important part of the process that is often overlooked. It feeds an understanding of the success and impact of a newly designed space, as well as where further improvements are needed. The best way to effectively measure this impact is by going back to the space and seeing how users are engaging with it, helping to inform future research and create better, people-led outcomes. This feedback and analysis to take forward into future projects feed into continuous R&D, creating not a loop but a spiralling process of continuous learning and improvement that all works to create spaces that promote wellbeing, productivity and enjoyment.
BOOSTING THE CONFIDENCE AND CAPACITY OF A CITY THROUGH MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS
Hosting major sporting events provides cities with huge opportunities to invest in their communities and make a name for themselves globally. But with this opportunity comes great responsibility, particularly in delivering an event that is as sustainable as possible while also providing value for money and ensuring long-lasting benefits to the citizens of these cities and regions long after the games are gone, says Arshad Hussain, UKIMEA Host Cities Leader at Arup.
I
t is no small feat to make this happen, with a ‘team behind the team’ supporting cities and governing bodies – including Arup’s Host Cities specialists. This team is crucial in bringing the value of private sector resources and expertise to the partnership required to deliver successful events enabled by the public sector. This approach allows cities to deliver above and beyond their commitments, enhance their position globally for future events and opportunities, such as tourism and attracting business and workers and leave a powerful legacy.
The Birmingham Commonwealth Games
Two years on from its opening ceremony, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games fits this brief, exemplifying how the public and private sector can operate as one for the benefit of the millions of citizens who depend on them. The largest multi-sport event and cultural programme to be held in England since the 2012 London Olympics, the games continue to shape and benefit local communities today. Arup acted as a delivery partner, supporting Birmingham City Council from preparation and delivery through to transport and venue design.
The UK Government estimated that the games contributed £1.2bn to the UK economy1, with nearly half of that benefitting the West Midlands. Meanwhile, the games generated £79.5m in social value, including employment, training and volunteering, as well as increases in activity and wellbeing. This was achieved through cost-effective planning and ensuring facilities and infrastructure were repurposed so that they continued contributing to communities for their life after the games.
The challenge of funding major sporting events continues to be a focus now, with solutions to reduce costs and the level of adaptation required to host an event being a priority in planning. Most recently, for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the use of existing and temporary venues was a sensible cost-saving measure. Similarly, opting for temporary venues can make the most financial and environmental sense.
Prioritising lasting social engagement
Birmingham’s games demonstrate the value of prioritising social engagement, involving communities at every step of the process. The city committed to the Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility framework to identify and embed opportunities for social, environmental and local economic engagements in Birmingham.
These commitments ranged from ensuring a specific number of hours were dedicated to supporting young people in the city into work, through to a set percentage of local people being employed, donations to local community projects and careers fairs at schools. For example, an effort was made to engage the communities in the more deprived areas of the city, with children from these areas being given free tickets to the event – in the hope that it could inspire them and lift their aspirations. This system meant that communities came with the city on its journey.
Meanwhile, Paris limited and prioritised its games-related development to benefit its residents, building 400km of new cycle lanes and introducing ‘pedestrian hearts’ in each district, including a city-wide Limited Traffic Zone (LTZ) that reserves areas for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
By using many temporary buildings, they were able to showcase iconic locations – such as the Eiffel Tower backdrop –but could quickly return these areas to normality when the games were over. This ‘lighter touch’ approach could set the direction for hosting future major events.
Moving thousands of people around a city
Preparing to operate a complex sporting event covers numerous challenges, from transport through to refuse collection. Moving hundreds of thousands of people around a city, including athletes, officials and fans, while keeping the day-to-day critical operations running and enabling citizens and businesses to go about their daily lives is perhaps the biggest obstacle.
While cities such as Paris are accustomed to attracting millions of tourists over summer and can, therefore, absorb even higher numbers, transporting significant numbers of people is much more challenging in cities such as Birmingham. Safety, therefore, becomes the number one concern, with city councils becoming responsible for far larger numbers of people than they’re accustomed to. This challenge becomes even more paramount given political, business, celebrity and other delegations attracted to major sporting events – often in a high-profile manner, such as Tom Cruise abseiling from the stadium roof at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony.
And, regardless of how well-prepared cities are, the nature of attendee safety is often somewhat outside of their control; organisers need to be prepared for the unexpected, such as the Paris train lines being attacked before the games. Ultimately, spectator safety is everything; if something goes wrong in this regard, it risks tarnishing the legacy of an event.
Becoming a global city
It is critical to define at the outset what a city is trying to achieve through a major sports event, which has the potential to accelerate progress towards a city’s priorities. A key part of Arup’s role in supporting Birmingham Council was to enhance the city’s position as a leading host for global events. This was achieved through the design, planning and technical delivery of the redevelopment of the city’s stadiums, including the Alexander Stadium and the design of the Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Both of these venues not only played a pivotal role in the games but are now driving a legacy of regeneration and investment for both areas of the city. This success is shown by Birmingham being set to host the European Athletics Championship in two years, as well as being announced as hosts for the 2027 Invictus Games.
Much can still be learnt from Birmingham’s 2022 Commonwealth Games, demonstrating how the private and public sectors can collaborate to boost the confidence and capacity of a UK city for years to come. Where community engagement, citizen safety and cost efficiencies are prioritised with the support of a ‘team behind the team’, major sporting events have the potential to create legacies that truly shift the future prospects of a city.
BRIGHT FUTURES: SHEDDING LIGHT ON EDUCATIONAL ENERGY SAVINGS
School buildings present a lighting decarbonisation challenge that is unique to teaching. Here, Jane Bellamy, Area Sales Manager at Whitecroft Lighting, shares her insights on how schools can address this challenge by integrating smart lighting strategies that optimise energy use.
Energy efficiency is a paramount concern for all public sector schools and colleges. As well as reducing bills and freeing up funds, it also supports broader sustainability efforts, benefiting the environment.
However, when it comes to lighting controls, most schools are unaware of the true energy costs associated with their systems. While operational lighting accounts for approximately 1500 hours annually, the energy consumption during the remaining 7236 hours remains an accepted mystery.
Thankfully, inspiring examples are helping to move the needle on this longstanding issue, such as West Coventry Academy, one of the Department for Education’s (DoE) first Net Zero Schools (NZS).
The AC to DC advantage Tackling energy waste requires more than just flipping a switch at the end of the school day. One of the most effective ways to reduce operational electricity is by tackling lightingembodied carbon at the root cause and massively reducing daily operational carbon emissions, both now and in the future.
This was the strategy at West Coventry Academy. Inspired thinking by technology partner, Prolojik, discovered that a transition from conventional AC-powered lighting systems to a more energy-efficient DC system could deliver impressive results. By eliminating the local energy-intensive AC voltage conversion process, it was possible to reduce energy losses caused by excess heat. This approach enabled the academy to achieve a remarkable 97% conversion efficiency.
When combined with ultra-low-energy luminaires specifically designed for educational settings, the school achieved a power density of 2.5w/m², far surpassing the DfE’s benchmark of 4w/m².
Smart lanyards, smarter lighting
Another key strategy in reducing unnecessary energy use in schools involves the adoption of more personalised, technologydriven solutions.
West Coventry Academy has pioneered the use of 200 custommade Bluetooth-enabled lanyards that are assigned to different users, such as teachers, administrative, security staff and cleaners. These lanyards automatically adjust the lighting based on the needs of the specific user as they move around the school.
It’s a smart approach to saving energy. By using teaching levels of lighting only when necessary, it can reduce overall consumption.
Simplified safety checks
There are other advantages to adopting smarter infrastructure that go beyond energy and cost savings, such as streamlining safety procedures. Emergency lighting systems in schools, like all public buildings, require regular testing.
Traditionally, it’s a task handled by external facilities management teams. However, by introducing touchscreen technology, non-specialists can access emergency test data, ensuring that safety checks adhere to a strict timetable.
Touchscreens have other uses – they can provide detailed power consumption data for each individual room, providing real-time metrics. These are tools that can deliver much-needed data insights, allowing facilities to compare and analyse lighting week by week, year on year. Through greater data-driven decision making, schools can plan long-term energy strategies whilst still having the flexibility to respond on the fly.
Although West Coventry Academy was a pilot project with all the added advantages of a NZS, there’s a lot that educational institutions can learn about reducing lighting energy. Primarily, even small changes can make a big difference.
For example, the power of circular economy is a strategy that schools should adopt. By choosing lighting designs that allow for the replacement of individual components, they no longer need to buy new ones, saving them valuable resources, which can be better spent elsewhere. It’s a more considered approach but one that can really pay off in the long run.
Simpler, smarter lighting designs can also lead to significant energy and carbon savings. Establishments can cut costs by eliminating the need for safety specialists to test emergency lighting or electricians to install lighting control cables or specialist equipment. Additionally, the use of lowwattage, ultra-long-life lights can significantly reduce operational overheads, saving money and curtailing carbon footprints.
Securing futures
The Government’s push for net zero, coupled with the escalating climate crisis, underscores the urgency of reducing energy waste in buildings. Buildings contribute significantly to carbon emissions and global greenhouse gases (GHGs), making it imperative for all structures, regardless of size, to play their part. This is especially crucial for schools, which prioritise providing a safe and prosperous future for students.
While the challenges are significant, forwardthinking initiatives like those at West Coventry Academy demonstrate that even small steps can lead to big achievements. The path to a secure future may be long, but incremental progress is key – and we’re heading in the right direction.
THE STATE OF PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL
Security challenges are constantly evolving and, as such, security solution providers need to innovate to provide protection for their customers’ most important assets. Here, Andrew Collinson, Operations Director at Chubb Fire & Security, highlights the emerging trends in physical access control.
Access control is one of the cornerstones of effective building security management. For years, radio-frequency identification (RFID) access cards have allowed businesses to restrict entry to employees or approved guests and improve the protection of people, property and assets.
There are a number of key trends shaping the access control market, such as mobile access credentials, open standards, sustainability, AI and contactless biometrics.
Let’s dive into some of the key access control trends and what they mean for public sector buildings.
Mobile access and digital IDs on the rise
The transition towards mobile access solutions and digital IDs is gaining pace, driven by their enhanced convenience and ease of use. As noted in the 2024 State of Physical Access Control Report, approximately 39% of organisations are now actively using mobile identities, with significant growth anticipated in the near future. This trend highlights a move away from traditional physical credentials, such as access cards and key fobs, towards a digitalfirst approach that embraces the capabilities of smartphones and smart devices for access control.
For public sector buildings, mobile credentials can streamline access management across sprawling educational campuses or large hospitals. This is particularly useful for managing high-
traffic areas while maintaining tight security. Since people tend to be more protective of their phones than access cards, mobile credentials offer an added layer of security. Of course, people still misplace and lose their phones, but if that phone is found by unauthorised personnel, it cannot be easily accessed. With mobile credentials stored securely on smartphones, protected by PINs or biometrics, the risk of unauthorised access is significantly reduced. For building managers, digital credentials also reduce the logistical costs associated with card production and replacement while offering the flexibility of remote access management.
The role of open standards in buildings
The adoption of open standards, such as the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), is becoming more common in buildings. The integration of access control systems with building management systems through these standards is not just enhancing safety and security but playing an important role in a building’s functionality and efficiency.
For public sector buildings, particularly those with complex infrastructure, open standards help ensure interoperability across a wide range of technologies. This means that access control can seamlessly integrate with other building systems like HVAC, lighting and fire alarms.
Data can help building managers understand various building characteristics, generate insight, analyse usage patterns and make informed decisions to optimise a building’s environment and performance. Knowing occupancy rates, for example, can trigger many responses, such as switching on and off lighting, airconditioning or heating, potentially saving money and energy in unoccupied areas of the building.
Sustainability as a core consideration
Sustainability is no longer just an optional consideration but a core aspect of strategic decision making. Nearly two-thirds of respondents in the 2024 State of Physical Access Control Report acknowledged the influence of sustainability on upgrade decisions. This shift is reflected in the increasing demand for systems that support energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact, aligning with broader corporate responsibility goals.
Public sector buildings, like private sector corporations, are under increasing pressure to adopt greener, more sustainable
practices. The move to digital credentials reduces the need for physical materials like plastic for access cards, lowering both production costs and environmental impact. Additionally, the integration of access control with building management systems allows for intelligent energy use. This not only meets governmental sustainability targets but also helps public institutions to demonstrate environmental responsibility.
Leveraging AI for enhanced security and efficiency
Artificial intelligence (AI) is carving out a critical role in physical security, particularly through analytics and machine learning. Organisations are exploring AI to enhance system intelligence, automate threat detection and streamline operations. This technology not only helps in predictive maintenance but also significantly boosts the capabilities of access control systems to provide real-time insights and responses.
In public sector buildings, AI can be a game-changer for both security and operational efficiency. For example, AI-powered access control systems can identify unusual patterns of behaviour, enabling automated alerts and lockdowns in the event of a security breach. In large facilities, AI-driven analytics can help predict when systems need maintenance, reducing downtime and ensuring continuous operation. Additionally, integrating AI with IoT devices creates a connected ecosystem, enhancing overall security and operational intelligence.
The advancement of contactless biometric solutions
Contactless biometric technologies, such as facial recognition and iris scanning, ensure only authorised personnel can enter sensitive areas and access cannot be transferred by loaning a card or misplacing a fob. The accuracy and efficiency of these systems not only streamline the entry process but also significantly reduce the potential for unauthorised access.
For public sector buildings, where hygiene, efficiency and security are paramount, contactless biometrics offer a critical advantage. In healthcare facilities, for example, the reduction of physical touchpoints is particularly important in preventing the spread of infections while ensuring only authorised staff can access critical areas. In Government buildings handling sensitive information, the non-transferability of biometrics adds an extra layer of security compared to traditional access methods.
Protecting people, property and assets
The adoption of mobile technologies, smart building capabilities, sustainable practices, AI analytics and contactless biometrics is indicative of an industry that is increasingly interconnected and intelligent.
For building owners and managers in the UK’s public sector, these trends offer opportunities to enhance security, optimise operations and achieve sustainability goals. The integration of these technologies signifies a transformative period in physical access control, influenced by technological advancements and changing societal needs. As a provider of high-quality security solutions, Chubb is committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that not only secure our present but also create a more secure, efficient and sustainable tomorrow.
MEETING VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS – NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
Ruth MacEachern, Product Manager at EnviroVent, looks at how social housing providers can meet current and future ventilation requirements.
Social landlords have, over the last few years, been encouraged to build to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band A – the highest energy-efficiency rating. Meeting these increased environmental standards can protect households from high energy bills whilst lowering carbon emissions.
However, change is on the way. After an extended consultation period for the confirmation of the implementation of the interim Future Homes and Building Standard (FHBS), the new Home Energy Model (HEM) was announced, which set out an ambitious target of reducing levels of carbon in new homes by 75% by 2025. Part of this links to the revision of Approved Document F, including further emphasis on environmental conditions such as acoustics, overheating and indoor air quality.
As the specification of building fabric becomes more stringent and building envelopes become tighter, ventilation specification must also evolve. As a business, our technical specialists are working closely in line with all the relevant industry trade associations to influence and understand the compliance needs of the future.
The current housing shortage has seen the Build Social campaign calling for 90,000 social-rented homes to be built per year over the next decade in England. The campaign calls for 7700 social-rented homes a year to be built in Scotland and 4000 social-rented homes a year in Wales. Social housing providers are under increasing pressure to deliver airtight homes with good indoor air quality quickly and sustainably.
The portion of overall build relating to modern methods of construction (MMC) versus traditional build is increasing, with volumetric and timber frame-style construction preferred to ensure a quick and airtight build. Our experience in providing lowcarbon, effective ventilation systems for these modular homes is proving invaluable as this building method grows in popularity.
Passivhaus standard
In recent years, and with ever-tightening Building Regulations, it has become more important that social housing providers work more closely with ventilation manufacturers to create effective solutions to the issue of good indoor air quality.
Increasing numbers of social housing providers are choosing to build to the Passivhaus standard, which is rapidly setting a benchmark for energy-efficient buildings. Scotland has passed a bill through the Government relating to a Passivhaus or equivalent legislation with conversions ongoing in terms of implementation.
Passivhaus, obviously, presents another dimension of the need for energy-efficient ventilation systems. Achieving Passivhaus certification requires meticulous attention to detail in terms of insulation, airtightness, ventilation and overall energy performance. MVHR fits into this framework, providing a comprehensive solution that addresses the requirements of Passivhaus construction.
Social housing providers need to seek Passivhaus-compliant MVHR systems, approved by the Passive House Institute, which provide optimised ventilation with a significant improvement in indoor air quality and reduced overall energy consumption.
Ruth MacEachern is the Product Manager at EnviroVent
Innovations
Many social housing providers are looking to be able to more closely monitor the operations of their installed ventilation units to ensure they operate effectively to eliminate condensation and enhance indoor air quality. This information can then be used to make necessary adjustments or repairs to optimise the system’s efficiency. This means they are able to protect themselves against disrepair cases and reduce complaints about condensation and mould, providing clarity on running costs and energy usage.
Effective ventilation
Effective ventilation system design can go a long way towards addressing the potential challenges posed by airtightness, with the result being improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
Mechanical ventilation systems play a vital role in enabling airtight buildings to benefit from high levels of indoor air quality for the long term.
EnviroVent offers a completely free design service for social housing providers, which includes its specialist design team providing detailed technical drawings to fully comply with Passivhaus methodology, the latest Building Regulations and SAP.
This is backed up by technical and onsite support to help every customer on their journey towards greater indoor air quality.
SPECIFYING SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE FLAT ROOFING SOLUTIONS
It will be a long time before the education and healthcare sectors forget the uncertainty a year ago, which caused hundreds of buildings to be closed or required the installation of temporary propping and other safety measures, with the onerous work to inspect and, where necessary, replace RAAC roof structures likely to continue over a similar time period to that for flammable cladding. Yet, the furore over potentially fragile, reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete panels has also served to highlight the imperative to properly understand the make up of any flat or shallow pitch roof before deciding on the appropriate specification for its treatment and future maintenance.
hile the problems associated with the long-term durability of RAAC have resulted in mercifully few accidents, school buildings, NHS estates and other settings have a troubled history of shortterm thinking, which saw other materials such as wood-wool slabs and inferiorquality aluminium panels utilised for their structural decks. Inevitably, a great many of them have undergone subsequent over-roofing exercises as leaks have occurred or alterations carried out. Overall, the situation demands due diligence from the consultants, contractors and systems manufacturers
involved to ensure future risks are minimised, while long-term performance and value for money are optimised. And with the Building Safety Act shining a spotlight on design liability, new-build roofing specifications require the same thoroughness in the choice of systems despite there being far greater certainty regarding structural stability.
In most instances, the waterproofing system manufacturer or OEM will take the lead on assessing the roofscape, including taking core samples if doubts exist, but they will generally seek to involve a fixings specialist with whose
products their membranes or panels have been fully tested. And it is they who are normally asked to conduct crucial pull-out tests to determine if the existing deck provides an adequate anchorage.
It is worth pointing out here that if moisture is present in concrete decks –irrespective of their robustness – it can be something of a lottery to successfully bond down a vapour barrier or other materials using adhesives, risking serious failure of the system at a later date. And profiled metal decks, with their flats and troughs, present a similarly challenging substrate, especially in locations subject to high wind uplift. Mechanically fixing into a sound deck will, therefore, always offer greater peace of mind.
Other long-term risks can arise due to the presence of aggressive chemicals, such as phenolic foam insulation, which, when wet, can prove corrosive to carbon steel fixings over time, while abrasive materials may strip away their coating, again leaving them vulnerable to corrosion. The surest solution is to specify stainless-steel fixings, which will offer a maintenance-free working life well in excess of the installed system as a whole.
Environmental burden
Sustainability and caring for the environment are key considerations for almost all developments nowadays, not just those targeting the higher levels of BREEAM – with green roofs increasingly
being specified to maximise the use of available space to assist with the attenuation of rainwater run-off and enhance biodiversity. It is essential, however, that, as well as the structural loading implications of the additional weight carried during wet weather, the project designers also take into account all implications of the prolonged saturation conditions for the waterproofing system itself.
Another potentially problematic environmental measure is the installation of photovoltaic arrays. As the panels are expected to go on generating renewable electricity for 20 to 25 years, the roof build-up – which will be rendered partially or completely inaccessible for maintenance purposes – has to be verified as fit to enable such a significant investment to deliver in financial as well as energy-efficiency terms. In fact, having to demount an extensive PV array to install a new roof covering could potentially double the cost of the operation.
Currently, of course, the majority of roofing contracts seek the cost benefits of installing the new system over the existing build-up, rather than stripping it back, so thorough investigation and appraisal normally pays dividends. And a crucial factor to be taken into account, aside from the aggregated thermal performance of the successive existing layers, is the total depth the fixings must penetrate to achieve a secure anchorage. This calculation can be further complicated when the designer wants to create improved runoff characteristics by incorporating tapered insulation, although an innovative new product has been developed to cope with the situation.
The patented BSA system offers the choice of a 110 or 160mm-long stainless-steel fastener featuring self-drilling tips, that fit down inside insulating sleeves, ranging in length from 70 to 300mm. Offering up to 85mm adjustability, a single BSA fitting could be used across four different board heights, making it ideal for tapered schemes, while the F1-R-20 sleeve is compatible with five different stress plates, including the fusion welding Isoweld system. Ultimately, insulation thicknesses of up to 500mm can be accommodated with confidence.
Once all the parameters are clear to the project team, decisions can be taken as to the exact type of waterproofing system and the insulation required, as well as the appropriate fixing method, which is where the specialist manufacturer can offer real value by providing system choices that could potentially lead to half the number of penetrations being required across the same roof area.
Finally, the increased duty of care now incumbent on specifiers means that assessing how any roofing project can incorporate an accredited fall arrest system is the responsible route to follow. And, significantly, most of the major membrane manufacturers have approved weathering details to integrate fall protection systems’ anchorage points, which are routinely included within the scope of the warranty.
STOMIX EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION SYSTEM IMPROVES ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR RUGBY RESIDENTS
Residents in 68 homes in Rugby will benefit from more energy efficiency thanks to the installation of the Stomix external wall insulation system.
The project follows a £1m grant from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), which has been match funded by Rugby Borough Council. The local authority has joined forces with E.ON to make the improvements to homes in Long Lawford and Rokeby, where fuel poverty rates are above the national average. The properties were built in the 1950s and have low energy performance due to solid wall construction. To enhance energy efficiency and make the homes cheaper to heat, the StxTherm Robust system was specified. Part of the Stomix range, StxTherm Robust is an EPS-based external wall insulation system designed for refurbishing social housing. Ideal for low- to medium-rise housing, it prevents heat loss and eliminates thermal bridges. By insulating the outer leaf of each property, the entire structure becomes warm and dry, reducing the risk of condensation and associated mould growth. Installed by Green Homes Solutions, the system was finished with a through-coloured Stomix silicone render in cream. Replacing the existing pebbledash, the new render has enhanced
BREATHING BUILDINGS’ NVHRE WINS AT HVR AWARDS
Breathing Buildings is celebrating winning ‘Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024. The company impressed the judges with its new NVHRe (natural ventilation with heat recycling and heat recovery), which is its latest addition to its award-winning range of natural ventilation with heat recycling (NVHR) systems. Breathing Buildings scooped the award at a glittering awards ceremony on 12th September at London’s Chelsea Harbour Hotel. Marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology, the key difference between Breathing Buildings’ original NVHR range and the new innovative natural ventilation with heat recycling and heat recovery (NVHRe) is the addition of a low-resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit.
www.breathingbuildings.com 01223 450060
the exterior of each home and is designed to be weatherproof and vapour permeable, allowing the walls to breathe, and so overcoming the problems associated with conventional renders, such as interstitial condensation, which can lead to mould growth and freeze-thaw cracking. Unlike traditional sand/cement renders, which require frequent overpainting to maintain their appearance, a through-coloured Stomix render does not require overpainting to maintain its weatherproof or aesthetic qualities.
BREATHING BUILDINGS HELPS PROVIDE GOOD INDOOR AIR QUALITY TO SEN SCHOOL
www.sto.co.uk
Breathing Buildings has supplied ventilation to High Point Academy, a secondary school for students with complex learning difficulties in Wednesbury, West Midlands. The 90-pupil school features classrooms that are designed to be safe and calming for autistic pupils. It includes a range of specialist rooms that enhance the children’s experience. In addition to this specialist learning environment, the two-storey school benefits from Breathing Buildings’ NVHR (natural ventilation with heat recycling) hybrid ventilation units that help provide good indoor air quality and keep the school warm in winter and cool in summer. This boosts comfort and health, which is essential for the pupils’ learning and wellbeing.
www.breathingbuildings.com
01223 450060
VENT-AXIA LEADS THE WAY IN DOMESTIC VENTILATION INNOVATION AT THE HVR AWARDS
Vent-Axia impressed the judges at this year’s HVR Awards with its groundbreaking innovation. The Sussex-based company scooped an award for its Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq Cool-Flow within the ‘Domestic Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the HVR Awards 2024. Designed to help housebuilders manage overheating in new homes, the Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq Cool-Flow is Vent-Axia’s latest flagship mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system combined with its intelligent Econiq Cool-Flow Module. Offering powerful cooling, the Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq Cool-Flow lowers fresh air supply temperature from ambient temperatures by up to 21ºC utilising R32 refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 675, over 50% lower than R134a.
UNDERSTANDING THE UK GOVERNMENT’S TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION ROADMAP
If we are to achieve the 2050 net-zero target, timber will have a vital role to play in construction. Timber acts as a carbon sink and all trees harvested in schemes, such as FSC or PEFC, are replaced by at least two more trees. Chris Leese, Technical Director at TG Escapes Modular EcoBuildings, explores further.
The UK Government department DEFRA has published a policy document outlining its plans to increase the use of timber in construction in England, setting out a number of ambitious goals, which include:
Increasing the supply of sustainable timber with the intent to increase domestic supply by 50% by 2030. This will involve working with the forestry industry to improve productivity and efficiency, whilst developing new sources of timber.
Improving the timber building skills of the construction workforce via investment in training and apprenticeships
Addressing fire safety and durability concerns working with industry to develop new fire safety standards for timber buildings that are durable and long lasting.
The Government believes that increasing the use of timber in construction can deliver a number of benefits, including:
Reduced carbon emissions
Timber is a renewable resource that can help to reduce the carbon emissions associated with construction
Improved air quality
Timber can help to improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Support for the forestry industry
Increasing the use of timber will support the forestry industry and create jobs in rural areas
Sustainable construction
Timber is a sustainable material that can be used to build long-lasting and energyefficient buildings.
The Government’s roadmap is a positive step towards increasing the use of timber in construction. However, there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve the roadmap’s goals including:
The availability of sustainable timber
The UK currently imports most of its timber, and there is a need to develop more sustainable sources
The skills of the construction workforce
There is a shortage of skilled carpenters and joiners in the UK
Fire safety standards
There are concerns that timber buildings may not be as fire safe as traditional brick and concrete buildings
Durability
There are concerns that timber buildings may not be as durable as traditional brick and concrete buildings.
Despite these challenges, the UK Government’s roadmap is a welcome initiative that has the potential to make a significant contribution to the UK’s sustainability goals. By working with the industry to address the challenges, the Government can help to make timber a more common sight on UK building sites in the years to come.
At TG Escapes, we have always been advocates of timber and our modular solutions are able to achieve lifetime net-zero certification partly because of the volume of timber in our buildings. We welcome this roadmap but the speed of travel must be faster if the net-zero targets are to be achieved.
www.tgescapes.co.uk
0800 917 7726
info@tgescapes.co.uk
Multi-classroom timber frame building –Project of the Year at the 2023 MMC Awards
Timber frame net-zero building for SEND Work Skills Centre
FirePro® SP FireStop EN Introducing...
A cavity fire stopping solution suitable for vertical and horizontal installation.
Tested for use with steel frame substrate, composite panel and masonry applications
120 minutes integrity and insulation in cavities up to 600mm*
