Construction Manager September 2019

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2019 | WWW.CONSTRUCTIONMANAGERMAGAZINE.COM

SEPTEMBER 2019 For members of the CIOB

constructionmanagermagazine.com

CAROLINE GUMBLE INTERVIEW

‘MEMBERS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD’ THE CIOB’S NEW CEO CAROLINE GUMBLE TALKS TO CM

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING SPECIAL | ISG’S BREWERY REBUILD | PRODUCTIVITY SURVEY 01.CMSept19.Cover.indd 1

20/08/2019 15:38

Automated, not Antiquated.

Away with out-of-date software or manual ways of working.

Structural engineering calculations are automated with extreme speed and accuracy using Tekla Tedds. Over 15,000 unique users rely on Tedds software every month to quickly and easily perform structural calculations and produce professionally documented workings and results. It’s time to Automate. It’s time for Tedds.

Don’t just take our word for it. Try Tekla Tedds for yourself today with our 45 day FREE trial at: http://bit.ly/Tekla-Tedds-CM0819

www.tekla.com/uk/products/tekla-tedds TRANSFORMING THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS

CONTENTS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

09/19

Contents News 04 News in pictures 06 Data: Demographic timebomb 10 CIOB joins Northern Powerhouse 11 Call for detail on safety regulator 12 Caroline Gumble interview Opinion 16 Alexandra Bolton on CDBB week 18 Mike Foy on MMC’s tipping point 20 Feedback: Readers’ views

Technical 24 ISG’s built environment school

Transforming a Midlands brewery

Offsite Manufacturing 30 New names in the MMC mix

Entrants to a changing market 34 McAvoy Group’s offsite journey

From supplier to contractor 38 Common standards for offsite

BSI report sets out the benefits 40 Precast plug-in drives DfMA

Using CADS RC3D for Revit

BIM & Digital 42 PlanGrid productivity survey

Using digital to boost productivity 46 UK Construction Week

What’s on at October’s show

CPD 50 Daylighting and EN 17037

The changing role of glazing

Legal 56 Practical completion

Justine Brazil on Mears v Costplan

Community 58 Global Student Challenge winner 59 Over 200 attend Inspire Summit 60 Manchester high-rise visit 61 Hub tour of Rampion Wind Farm 64 Meet a member: Middle East 65 Benefit from R&D tax relief

Training & Recruitment 66 Battersea Power Station

Working for Turner & Townsend

24

50

64

34

Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7490 5595 Editor: Will Mann, 020 3865 1032 will.m@atompublishing.co.uk Associate editor: Neil Gerrard, 020 3865 1031 neil@atompublishing.co.uk Production editor: Sarah Cutforth Art editor: Heather Rugeley Community editor: Nicky Roger Advertising manager: Dave Smith 0203 865 1029 Key account manager: Tom Peardon 0203 865 1030 Credit control: Eva Rugeley Managing director: Stephen Quirke Circulation: Net average 30,999 Audit period: July 2018 to June 2019 Subscriptions: To subscribe or for enquiries, please contact:

Subscription team: Tel: 01293 312160 Or go online at: http://constructionmanager. imbmsubscriptions.com Or write to us at the address below: Construction Manager Published for the Chartered Institute of Building by Atom Publishing, 3 Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, London EC1N 2SW Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 5595

Construction Manager is published monthly

by Atom Publishing. The contents of this magazine are copyright. Reproduction in part or in full is forbidden without permission of the editor. The opinions expressed by writers of signed articles (even with pseudonyms) and letters appearing in the magazine are those of their respective authors, and neither the CIOB, Atom Publishing nor Construction Manager is responsible for these opinions or statements.

The editor will give careful consideration to material submitted – articles, photographs, drawings and so on – but does not undertake responsibility for damage or their safe return.

Printed by The Wyndeham Group. All rights in the magazine, including copyright, content and design, are owned by CIOB and/or Atom Publishing. ISSN 1360 3566

firstname@atompublishing.co.uk Editorial advisory board Mark Beard FCIOB, Ann Bentley, Ian Eggers, Peter Caplehorn, Harvey Francis, Professor Jacqui Glass FCIOB, Paul Morrell, James Pellatt, Nick Raynsford, Richard Saxon, Andy von Bradsky, Phil Wade

constructionmanagermagazine.com | 3

03.CMSept19.Contents_sc.indd 3

19/08/2019 13:02

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

News

Kier helps secure crumbling Whaley Bridge dam A total of 55 Kier employees were involved in work to secure the Whaley Bridge Dam in Derbyshire, after it threatened to break and flood villages below it. The Kier workers were deployed to activate an emergency drawdown plan at Toddbrook Reservoir on behalf of its client, the Canal & River Trust. They worked alongside the Trust, emergency services, Royal Air Force (RAF) and supply chain to reduce water levels to the point where the situation could be declared safe. Kier has also installed a total of 11 12-inch (30.5cm) submersible pumps over a kilometre of associated piping and removed three weirs, providing 700 tonnes of stone for the RAF to drop using Chinook helicopters, and 400 tonnes of grouting.

Spencer Group’s wearable tech lets workers monitor mood Engineering firm Spencer Group has adopted new wearable technology made by health tech company Moodbeam that helps its staff to monitor their mental health wellbeing. Connected to a mobile app and online platform, the free devices are being trialled by four people in different roles, including managing director Gary Thornton.

The device collects data as users touch a blue button when they feel anxious, or a yellow button when they feel calm. The gadget also records its wearer’s activity and sleep patterns to see how these affect their wellbeing.

n+

Plans submitted for Birmingham’s tallest tower Glancy Nicholls Architects has submitted plans for Birmingham’s tallest tower, a “super slim” profile, 61-storey luxury residential building, offering 500 luxury and residential apartments. At 193m high, the new tower would overtake Birmingham’s BT Tower, which has stood as the city’s highest building since 1966.

4 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

04_05.CMSept19.newsopener.indd 4

19/08/2019 16:57

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

News story for CM? Email neil@atompublishing.co.uk

The Art of Building limited edition book: order now A limited edition book showcasing a stunning collection of photographs submitted to the CIOB’s annual Art of Building competition will be out soon.

To reserve your copy, go to: https://artofbuilding.org/book

HS2 Euston ‘sugar cube’ gets green light The “sugar cube” – the first major structure to be built at London Euston as part of HS2 – has been given design approval. The new London Underground vent shaft and substation will be covered with more than 13,000 glazed ivorywhite faience tiles, drawing its design inspiration from London Tube stations like the nearby Great Portland Street.

Balfour Beatty builds cycle lane from plastic bags Balfour Beatty has built a cycle lane through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park using waste plastic asphalt that has saved over a million plastic bags from going to landfill, in what the contractor claimed was a UK first. Working in partnership with Thames Water, Balfour Beatty used material provided by plastic asphalt developed by MacRebur. The manufacturer claims its new material is more flexible and adaptable under temperature changes and can also be recycled again at the end of its life.

Modular construction specialist Go Modular has craned prefabricated homes into a former Bristol nightclub, in what is thought to be a UK first.

Over three nights, from 11 August to 13 August, nine prefabricated apartments were lifted into the site through the open roof into the cleared shell of the 1950s building.

Unusually, the modular units were created in bespoke shapes and sizes to fit into the shell of 50 Park Street.

The homes, developed

by Urban Creation, will be let to the student market.

GO MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (UK)

Modular homes craned into former Bristol nightclub

News in quotes “An inclusive workplace is where we feel our individuality is cherished” Wates’ new head of diversity and inclusion, Nikunj Upadhyay, as Wates announced plans to increase the number of women in the business to 40% by 2025.

“Insurmountable” How administrator Grant Thornton described the challenges facing family-owned construction business Pochin’s, which collapsed in August.

“Organisations remain unwilling to share best practice” The Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG), set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and chaired

by Dame Judith Hackitt, has warned that some parts of construction are still too slow in making progress on building and fire safety.

“I regard this role as a privilege” Caroline Gumble has praised the CIOB as an “amazing organisation” as she took over her role as chief executive and set out her plans for the future in her first official blog post, in which she also called on members who aren’t actively involved to engage.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 5

04_05.CMSept19.newsopener.indd 5

20/08/2019 16:32

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

70%

The percentage increase in the cost of running the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity Club’s free helpline in 2018, as it spent nearly £1.5m helping construction workers during the year.

Construction’s demographic timebomb

Data

Build UK members now five days quicker to pay Build UK has revealed that its members have now improved the average amount of time they take to pay invoices by five days. The news follows its latest update on payment performance.

The figures show a drop in average percentage of invoices paid late, from 34% to 25%. For the first time, Build UK has included a measure of invoices paid within 60 days, to reflect common use of that metric across industry.

The construction industry faces a potential labour shortage timebomb, with 500,000 UK-born workers expected to retire within the next 10-15 years. That’s according to figures from the Office for National Statistics’ Labour Force Survey Q4 2018, presented in graph form by the Construction Products Association (CPA).

UK BORN

EU

NON-EU

300,000

60,000 Over 500,000 UK-born construction workers expected to retire during the next 10-15 years

250,000

50,000

200,000

40,000

150,000

30,000

100,000

20,000

50,000

10,000

Average time Percentage of taken to pay invoices paid invoices (days) within 60 days

British Land

14

99

SSE Contracting

17

100

Landsec

19

87

Heathrow

23

98

Overbury

24

96

Novus Property Solutions

29

95

Berkeley Homes

30

90

Willmott Dixon Interiors

30

98

Vinci

30

91

Mace

30

93

UK BORN

Company name

0

0 16-19

NON-UK BORN

The 10 quickest payers were:

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70+ SOURCE: LABOUR FORCE SURVEY 2018/CPA

SOURCE: BUILD UK

News in numbers

100%

The proportion of timber fire doors which passed government fire safety tests. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) ordered furnace tests of 25 types of timber doors after 75% of GRP fire doors failed an earlier round of tests.

£17.8m

The amount of money the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is investing in training up to 18,000 site-ready construction workers through 20 new hubs across England, Scotland and Wales.

4

The number of contractors to become the latest to be suspended from the Prompt Payment Code.

Alun Griffiths, Galliford Try, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) and Severfield were all found to have failed to pay suppliers on time. Costain has been reinstated.

£428m

The total loss before tax made by Amey for the year to December 2018 as it continued to feel the ill effects of its troublesome Birmingham PFI contract. Revenue rose 5.7% to £2.32bn.

6 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

06.CM Sept19.data_sc.indd 6

20/08/2019 09:58

When you carry out more than a million inspections every year

You know build quality when you see it

Leading the way since 1936 www.nhbc.co.uk NHBC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. NHBC is registered in England & Wales under company number 00320784. NHBC’s registered address is NHBC House, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK5 8FP. P281 05/19

P281 - 1 million reasons advert for Construction Manager_Final Print.indd 1

30/05/2019 11:58

Fully SfA8 compliant and BBA approved for trafficked and non-trafficked applications

70% open floor space for unobstructed inspection and cleaning

FOR SOMETHING THAT’S 96% NOTHING IT HAS EVERYTHING

Fully configurable lateral and vertical access points

Non-handed, lightweight, easy and safe to handle and construct

Our free online configurator tool, video demos and a scale model kit are just a click away…

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 8 07617_002_WAV_Q-Bic Plus Campaign_Ticks Ad D_CM_255x416_AW.indd 1

19/08/2019 15:48

Design tanks around irregular site shapes or where there is restricted access

Change configuration on-site to work around unforeseen obstacles

Walkable top deck Smart connection requires no pegs, clips, caps or tools for 2 x faster installation

Market-leading BIM Revit packages

Inspect it closer qbic.wavin.co.uk

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 9

19/08/2019 01/04/2019 15:49 10:16

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

6,000 The CIOB has over 6,000 accredited members based in the north

“Construction activity in the north is booming”: Manchester’s Deansgate Square by Renaker Build

Construction ‘crucial’ to Northern Powerhouse

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has become a member of the government’s Northern Powerhouse Partner Programme.

The CIOB has over 6,000 accredited members based in the north and is helping to provide the skills and expertise to transform the built environment across the region. This includes the development of high-profile healthcare facilities, transportation systems and educational establishments.

Eddie Tuttle, the CIOB’s director of policy, research and public affairs, said: “The

THE CIOB HAS JOINED THE PARTNER PROGRAMME, REPORTS NEIL GERRARD

importance of construction in developing the Northern Powerhouse cannot be ignored.

And the quality of our buildings has a lasting impact on the wellbeing of individuals and communities across the region.

“The Northern Powerhouse brings together many of the companies and organisations with the expertise to continue developing the region and driving forward not just growth but improvements in quality, sustainability and career prospects in the construction sector and the wider economy.”

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse Jake Berry said: “I’m thrilled to welcome the Chartered Institute of Building as our latest Northern Powerhouse Partner and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Barbara Entwistle, chair of the CIOB’s Lancashire and Cumbria Hub, said: “We need to make the most of the skills we have in construction, utilise our knowledge and help drive improvements in transportation, investments in science and a push towards economic growth.” l Prime minister Boris Johnson’s government has confirmed the appointment of Nadhim Zahawi as construction minister. Zahawi’s role is officially parliamentary under secretary of state, minister for business and industry, within the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. He will cover a number of areas including: industrial strategy delivery; sector deals; supply chains; local growth; better regulation and regulatory reform. ●

Corporate plan to offer ‘moral compass’ to construction The CIOB is playing its part in acting as a “moral compass” for the construction industry through the publication of a new corporate plan.

The CIOB’s 2020-2023 plan, developed by its board of trustees in conjunction with contributors from its global membership community, is set to be released soon.

Ahead of its publication, CIOB director of policy, research and public affairs Eddie Tuttle told the Members’ Forum in Edinburgh: “It is something that links perfectly with the quality agenda – we lead the new corporate plan with the theme of the moral compass of the construction industry. We see our

role as the leading professional organisation in construction management, as being an important point on that moral compass.”

CIOB president Professor Charles Egbu explained that the closed Members’ Forum meeting provided a chance for a dialogue between delegates, the board of trustees

and the CIOB executive committee.

The plan was discussed, including a workshop on how delegates can support it in their regions.

“Our regional representatives also shared their activities, and achievements, while inputting into the future direction of the organisation,” he explained.

10 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

10_11.CMSept19.news_sc.indd 10

20/08/2019 10:05

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

2019 Construction Manager of the Year Awards finalists announced

‘More detail’ needed on regulator THE CIOB CALLS FOR INFORMATION ON THE NEW BUILDING SAFETY REGULATOR. BY NEIL GERRARD The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has called on the government to provide more information on how the new Building Safety Regulator will work, as part of its response to a consultation on a new building and fire safety regulatory regime.

Last month, the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published proposals for a “radically new” system. Now the CIOB has released details of its response to the proposals as part of a consultation exercise, which has since closed.

The CIOB said it is “broadly supportive” of the 53 recommendations to establish a new regulatory framework and drive a culture change to create and maintain safe buildings.

It has been involved in supporting the reforms, participating in the Industry Response Group (IRG), the Competency Steering Group (CSG) as well as several working groups.

Alongside involvement in government initiatives, the CIOB has a Construction Quality Commission, led by a group of CIOB

past presidents, and working with members and other industry organisations, to identify the main issues either promoting or preventing the delivery of quality in construction.

So far, the commission’s work has resulted in the launch of a course in Construction Quality Management, the publication of a new Code of Quality Management and the development of a massive open online course (MOOC) on quality, which will go live later this year Eddie Tuttle, CIOB director of policy, research and public affairs, said: “The success of the new regime is heavily dependent on how the new Building Safety Regulator is constituted and how it operates. The consultation document contains few details on this.

“The CIOB would like to see more information on the plans and to have the opportunity to contribute to the development of a model which provides a robust regime in the future. CIOB members across the industry, including project managers, site supervisors and those who work in public and private sector building control, will all be affected by this and must be consulted on the operation of the regulator.”

Meanwhile, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has also welcomed the consultation and called for tough new legislative measures as part of its response.

B ESA s a i d i t w a s c r u c i a l t h a t t h e government did not miss this opportunity to “embed a new culture and reshape the whole process for delivering both new build and refurbishment work”. ●

Last year’s winning V&A extension The shortlist for the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Construction Manager of the Year Awards 2019 has been revealed.

The awards, which will be held at the Grosvenor House hotel in London on 18 September, celebrate individuals who go above and beyond to deliver buildings that make a positive impact on the lives of the people who use them.

A total of 80 of the very best construction managers in the UK have been named in the shortlists for 11 categories.

The finalists will be whittled down to one winner in each category. There will also be an overall Construction Manager of the Year, awarded the prestigious title and trophy at the black-tie event.

Announcement of the finalists for each category follows a rigorous assessment process which saw the CMYA judges assessing paper applications, as well as conducting site visits and panel interviews.

To book tickets to the event, and to view the full list of finalists, go to www.cmya.co.uk.

CIOB plans key party political conference events The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) will be at the Conservative and Labour party conferences this year to talk about the need for a focus on quality in the industry and how skills development in construction should be higher up the agenda.

The institute has four events planned:

Labour Party Conference, Brighton l Breaking Down Barriers in the Built Environment: How can we ensure the UK has a diverse pool of talent to tackle the housing crisis?

Monday 23 September 2019, evening event Note that this is the only event open for members to attend – contact the CIOB Policy team to register:

policy@ciob.org.uk. For all the other events, members will need a party conference ticket to attend. l Breaking the Silence: The Building Blocks on Mental Wellbeing Tuesday 24 September 2019, mid-morning event

Conservative Party Conference, Manchester l The Built Environment Pushing for the Powerhouse Sunday 29 September 2019, 5.30-6.30pm l Building Better: Improving Quality in the Built Environment Monday 30 September 2019, afternoon event

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 11

10_11.CMSept19.news_sc.indd 11

20/08/2019 10:05

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Interview

‘STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS’

It may only be her fourth day in the office, but when CM meets new CIOB CEO Caroline Gumble, she has quickly become aware of the organisation’s heritage, values and sense of purpose.

“The past presidents, the trustees, officers and staff have laid down amazing foundations here,” she says. “All the work on the chartered and fellowship programmes, on policy areas such as quality, ethics and modern slavery – everyone involved deserves tremendous credit and thanks.

PHOTOS BY MORLEY VON STERNBERG

CAROLINE GUMBLE BECAME THE CIOB’S NEW CEO LAST MONTH. SHE TELLS WILL MANN WHY THE INSTITUTE IS ON SUCH FIRM FOUNDATIONS – AND HOW SHE PLANS TO BUILD ON THEM

12 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

12_14.CMSept19.interview caroline_sc.indd 12

20/08/2019 10:23

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Caroline Gumble CV l 2014-2019:

Chief operating officer, Make UK

“It’s no exaggeration to say that I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. My job now is to build on their work.”

Gumble started in her new role in August, after five years as chief operating officer of manufacturing employers’ organisation Make UK. Top of her priorities at the CIOB is engaging with members, through the hubs and Novus, which she describes as the “lifeblood” of the institute.

“One thing to stress is how impressed I am with the rigour of the membership process; to become chartered or a fellow is a very challenging process – particularly compared to other institutes where you just fill in a form and write a cheque,” she says.

“The effort members put in to become chartered, on top of doing their day jobs, shows real commitment – and I want us to repay that with an institute they can be proud of and that is relevant to them.

“I also want members to feel the institute is open and welcoming, supporting them in their work, and by that I also mean making use of our facilities and resources – members are welcome to book our London office on Kingsway if they need meeting space in the capital, for instance.

“The CIOB is not just about what happens at our head office, it’s about what happens in our member communities. We will use many methodologies to engage with them, including social media, as well as meeting face to face. And it won’t just be me engaging, because the organisation is about more than one person.”

Professional but accessible In a busy first week for Gumble, she has been active on Twitter and posted two blogs, one in praise of the CIOB Benevolent Fund and another encouraging members to get involved.

“We should be where our members are; people like the face-to-face aspect of CIOB communities, but younger members in Novus will be used to engaging through social

l 2003-2014:

Executive director, Engineering Employers’ Federation (previous name of Make UK)

l 1997-2003:

International HR director, Ransomes

l 1990-1997:

HR manager, Lucas Diesel Systems

media,” she says. “Everything is immediate these days and people are time poor, so it makes sense for us to be out there on social media. We must be professional but also accessible.”

Gumble is keen to see “closer alignment of the Novus community to bring them into the CIOB fold”.

“They are the future, and we must tap into that emerging talent,” she says. “Although a separate identity and brand, Novus has many intelligent and forward-thinking people who we need to engage with, so they stay with us and help shape the CIOB.”

Gumble on… ...Quality “It’s sad that it took Grenfell to bring the quality issue to the attention of the wider industry and public – while CIOB was already focused on the issue with its quality commission.

Sadly, it was too late for too many.” ...The skills shortage “We will attract more people to the industry if we are better at demonstrating our collective expertise, if sites are safer, if staff are treated well, if we provide more support for those living with mental illness.” ...Diversity “Diversity is an issue for construction – but we shouldn’t just try to make the industry better for women and minority groups, it should be better for everyone.”

Global and local interest She also wants to “re-energise the hubs” and encourage them to have “their own local personality”.

“We should have consistency in processes across all the hubs, but it is important they have their regional identities and engage with themes that are meaningful and topical to them: for example, the priorities of elected mayors and the Northern Powerhouse – which CIOB is now an official partner of,” she explains.

“Some issues will have global interest, such as quality, which has become an issue in Australia and Malaysia.”

Quality has been one of the key CIOB policy areas in the last three-and-a-half years – since the Oxgangs School collapse in Edinburgh and the setting up of the institute’s Construction Quality Commission – and that will remain the case, Gumble says.

“Quality is central to the sector’s future, because it feeds into everything else,” she reasons. “It is not just about a specific failing on a particular building – the quality ethos also relates to issues such as health and safety, mental health, fair payment, ethics. And if we want to attract more young people into the industry, we must show that we can deliver a quality product, within a quality environment.

“Quality should be at the core of what the institute focuses on.”

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 13

12_14.CMSept19.interview caroline_sc.indd 13

20/08/2019 10:23

NEWS

constructionmanagermagazine.com

The CIOB, which last month responded to the government consultation on a new building and fire safety regulatory system, will submit its response on the competency review shortly.

M e a nw h i l e t h e i n s t i t u te ’s q u a l i t y commission has published a new code of quality management, the CIOB Academy has launched a course on construction quality management and a massive open online course (MOOC) on quality is set to go live later this year.

“The government is asking challenging questions of the industry, and it is up to us to make sure our quality commission’s work provides the answers,” Gumble says. “This is at the heart of the CIOB’s corporate plan.

“But we must also collaborate with all relevant stakeholders on these really important issues – there is no choice in that.

Other organisations have important roles to play in their own areas and I’m looking forward to meeting their CEOs.” Celebrating “great work’’ Besides quality, Gumble says other policy areas such as mental health – an issue that the president Charles Egbu is leading on – modern slavery and ethics will remain a focus for the CIOB, though she does not want to be “too scattergun”.

She also feels that the institute and its members should not “talk down” the industry so much, as “we actually have so much to be proud of”.

“We have rightly called out some bad practices, but there is so much great work being delivered, as we will see at the Construction Manager of the Year Awards this month, and we should celebrate that,” she says.

“And not only the construction managers, there are other heroes in the industry, and we should recognise their achievements too. So Charles [Egbu], during his presidency, will be looking at how we could expand the awards.

...Training and development “I see the CIOB Academy, our CPDs, all our education offerings as a vital part of what the institute does and a big opportunity for us. I would also like to engender a learning culture within CIOB.” ...Her leadership style “I will be straightforward to deal with; what you see is what you get.

But I’m open and collaborative, always keen to learn, and a sense of humour is a must – it will get you through the difficult days.”

“Because part of what I’d hope to achieve, is put some real pride into the sector.”

Gumble adds that construction is moving through an exciting, transformational period of digital innovation, which has the power to change perceptions of the industry.

“Construction skills requirements in the future will be different and will attract different people,” she says. “And the CIOB has put itself at the heart of this through the work of our digital technologies and asset management special interest group.”

Another hot topic of innovation in construction is offsite manufacturing, a part of the industry more familiar to Gumble because of her time at Make UK. “Some issues in manufacturing and engineering are the same as in construction: skills shortages, a lack of diversity, the health and safety culture – but what they’re probably better at is productivity,” she explains. “And that has been enabled through focusing on quality.

“So in construction, offsite manufacturing can improve productivity; it can help address housing shortages, deliver fast-track projects and challenge current ways of working. It will also create the environment for automation and robotics because of the repeatability involved in the factory processes – which doesn’t happen when every construction project is built differently from the last one.”

Members’ generosity Gumble is keen to highlight “the generosity of CIOB members with their time – since I started it has been tremendous,” she says. “The chairs of the hubs, the trustees, all the members I have met – it has been overwhelming how warm the welcome has been and how keen they are to support their institute.

“And I want to work with them too – through working together, we can achieve more, and build on the strong foundations already at the CIOB.” ●

14 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

12_14.CMSept19.interview caroline_sc.indd 14

20/08/2019 10:23

4587-ConstructionManagerAdvert.indd 1

14/08/2019 15:54

OPINION

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Opinion Alexandra Bolton CDBB

Are you digital ready?

AHEAD OF THE CENTRE FOR DIGITAL BUILT BRITAIN’S CDBB WEEK (9-13 SEPTEMBER), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA BOLTON CALLS FOR CONSTRUCTION TO ENGAGE WITH THE LATEST DIGITAL DEVELOPMENTS

Digital technology is rapidly changing the world in which we live. The Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) is a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the University of Cambridge. We are driving a programme of change that is transforming the way we plan, build, maintain and use our social and economic infrastructure, strengthening commercial competitiveness and increasing productivity to improve economic and social outcomes in the UK. We bring together organisations and people from industry, academia and government. As an open programme, we encourage collaboration across disciplines and sectors – ours is much more than a technical programme.

Our inaugural CDBB Week comprises virtual and in-person events showcasing activities from all the CDBB workstreams. It is an opportunity to experience and engage with the latest developments from the dynamic world of the digital built environment – and leave with actionable insights.

Day one, Monday 9 September, presents CDBB’s Digital Framework Task Group (DFTG) National Digital Twin Day. This is a chance to hear more about the progress of CDBB’s DFTG and to engage with the work emerging from the Digital Twin (DT) Hub, the collaborative learning community for those who own, or are developing, digital twins in the built environment.

Exploring digital twin development Shining a light on how digital twin thinking can optimise value from data, improve infrastructure performance and deliver better societal outcomes, this event features innovators and influencers. The afternoon gives an opportunity to mix with digital twin owners and suppliers, and to explore the practicalities of digital twin development with interactive workshops and panel sessions.

Our Transforming Construction Challenge Day will take place on Tuesday 10 September and sees the launch of a new blog highlighting the work of the Construction Innovation Hub

and our Transforming Construction Challenge colleagues, including N+ and Active Building Centre, with which we are working to deliver the Construction Sector Deal as part of government’s Industrial Strategy.

On Wednesday 11 September we will launch our online training programme to support international governments with the creation of their national BIM strategies.

This training supports partner countries to implement a national digitalisation strategy.

At a garden party celebration later in the day at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, we will celebrate outputs and key findings from our series of BIM round tables delivered in partnership with the CIOB. These covered academia and training, constructors, consultants, manufacturers, SMEs, asset and facilities management and technology companies, to help understand how BIM is being adopted and inform future work.

CDBB’s Summer Research Showcase, on Thursday 12 September, features a keynote presentation from Paul Clarke, chief technology officer at Ocado, who will explore “Where Physical and Digital Worlds Collide”. There will be further presentations from CDBB’s leadership and quick-fire visual presentations including key findings from CDBB-supported projects.

O u r f i n a l D i g i ta l D ay o n Fr i d ay 1 3 September will be hosted on our website, Twitter and LinkedIn channels – follow #CDBBWeek2019 to connect with articles, videos, event summaries and news from CDBB Week and beyond.

I hope you will connect with us by attending or engaging with CDBB Week. Digital transformation is happening now. Join us in building a shared vision of the future, using data to improve our natural and built environment to deliver better outcomes for everyone. ● Alexandra Bolton is executive director of the Centre for Digital Built Britain.

For full details and bookings go to www. cdbb.cam.ac.uk/events/2019CDBBWeek

16 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

16.CM Sept19.opinionCBDD_sc.indd 16

20/08/2019 10:39

WELCOME TO LYNDON SGB

At Work For You™

BIGGER... BETTER! Lyndon Scaffolding & SGB are combining to become Lyndon SGB.

+ + + + +

More Products More Services More Locations Improved Solutions Greater Expertise

› › › › ›

Scaffolding Mechanical Access Access Towers, Site & Safety Temporary Roofing & Shelters Expert Advice & Guidance

Find out more about us at www.lyndon-sgb.co.uk Social icon

Rounded square Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

OPINION

constructionmanagermagazine.com

New players and established names in CM’s Offsite Manufacturing section, p30

Mike Foy CIOB vice president

Are we finally reaching the tipping point on MMC?

Much has been written in the last few years about progress to speed up the introduction of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

So are we reaching the tipping point or are we revisiting the same old cycle of identifying a problem, then setting targets for a solution, only to see it drift, as we’ve seen over the years with both the Latham Report in 1994 and the Egan Report in 1998? Both these

Government attention to MMC We keep reminding ourselves of what needs changing but the cycle of enthusiasm followed by ambition ends up being watered down to business as usual until the next report is commissioned (which sometimes follows a crisis) and we start the cycle all over again.

The CIOB submitted written evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technical Committee on offsite construction last year and the government’s most recent call for evidence by the Housing Communities and Local Government Committee on Modern Methods of Construction – due to report later this year – is another indication of the attention currently being given to MMC. It’s worth remembering that this is not new, revolutionary thinking (and this is the frustration for me): MMC in its various forms has been carried out for years. For example, the Empire State Building (1931) was constructed in 13 months of a standardised steel frame with standardised detailing – and this was all before BIM. Of course, much has changed in the intervening years and we now have tools and techniques which support the current emphasis towards MMC. The opportunity is there to be taken if we open our minds to a new way of thinking.

GO MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (UK)

COULD MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION FINALLY BE ON THE CUSP OF MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE TO THE WAY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OPERATES, ASKS MIKE FOY

reports saw the potential for greater standardisation of components and design details for offsite construction.

More recently, Mark Farmer reinforced all the previous messages, and added others, in his aptly titled report Modernise or Die. He clearly identified the issues of poor performance that we need to deal with: low productivity; low predictability; structural and leadership fragmentation; low margins; adversarial pricing models and financial fragility.

Manufacturing and standardisation is leading to higher quality and reduced costs

The positive change I am observing in some areas is the thinking around manufacturing and standardisation leading to higher quality and reduced costs without necessarily impacting on customer choice and a degree of flexibility. It’s about changing the years of ingrained belief that “this is the way we do things, so why change”. Some clients and building users are as guilty of this as the supply side.

Which leads me to the non-technical but very big challenge of perception where many building users of all types still hold on to the belief that the days of post-war prefab are back – which they aren’t.

All of us involved have a major responsibility to get the facts right and communicate them in a way which is understood by all. Importantly, they need to be trusted as not just today’s good idea but something which can bring a better product and improve our current industry record in areas like productivity.

Response to quality issues It’s regrettable that some of the quality issues which are around us at present are of the industry’s own making, and the CIOB Quality Commission is undertaking a key piece of work to help us both understand and respond to the issues around how quality is managed.

MMC is not the answer to everything so are we at the tipping point? I think we are, but we have a lot of work ahead to convince all those involved in the industry, contractors, clients, suppliers and users of our buildings, that there is a better way for some projects.

We have tried many times before – let’s make it stick this time. ● Mike Foy is regional head, Department for Education and vice president of the CIOB.

18 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

18.CM Sept19.opinion_sc.indd 18

20/08/2019 11:12

BUILDING CAREERS Risk Management Surveyor required [Salary dependant on experience]

As a leading structural warranty provider, Premier Guarantee holds one of the largest surveyor networks in the UK. We are looking to recruit a range of experienced surveyors to join our ever growing team.

As a Risk Management Surveyor you will be required to provide site inspection and technical building and construction expertise relating to the risk management of registered construction sites.

AREAS: London, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham

Major Projects Surveyor required

If you are someone who is looking for a challenging, rewarding and lasting surveying career in construction, then Premier Guarantee could be for you. What is more, we will provide the training and funding required to achieve Chartered status. There is an on-going formal programme of technical, legislation, management and soft skills training provided to support business needs at all levels.

[Salary dependant on experience]

Are you dynamic and experienced in providing site inspection and technical building / construction expertise relating to the risk management of large and higher risk construction sites? This is your chance to work on some of the most prestigious projects in and around London and be involved in Building Regulation, warranty and quality control processes.

AREA: London

IMPRESSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE Roles are all home based so an attractive car allowance is provided, plus regional allowance for London and the South East if applicable, along with an impressive range of company benefits available following successful probationary sign off: • Income Protection and LifeWorks employee assistance • Bupa Healthcare • Death in service (3 x annual salary) • Annual performance related pay review and bonus • Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay (conditions apply) • E mployee recruitment referral bonus scheme and length of service awards

ABOUT US Established for over 20 years, Premier Guarantee has 400 employees and has covered over £57 billion of commercial and residential properties across the UK, Ireland and Europe. It is part of the MDIS Group with over 30% market share, and multiple offices across England and in Europe.

This includes a number of major projects shaping the London cityscape and other major cities.

www.premierguarantee.com

@PG_Live

premier-guarantee

HOW DO I APPLY? To express an interest in joining the Premier Guarantee team, please email your CV to recruitment@mdinsurance.co.uk.

MDIS are an equal opportunities employer.

2 Shore Lines Building, Shore Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 1AU

MD Insurance Services Ltd is the Scheme Administrator for the Premier Guarantee range of structural warranties.

MD Insurance Services Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

08.19_PG CIOB job Ad Aug 2019.indd 1

19/08/2019 12:28

OPINION

constructionmanagermagazine.com

BIM & Digital: How digital working can shrink the productivity gap, p42

Feedback Kier installed submersible pumps at Toddbrook Reservoir to take the pressure off the Whaley Bridge dam

A selection of readers’ comments about news and issues in the industry from www.constructionmanagermagazine.com CM 08/08 Kier helps secure Whaley Bridge dam Gary Falkingham

Having retired from Kier and seeing the bad press lately, it’s good to see that they can be relied on.

S Brown

Absolutely brilliant teamwork. You should all get a medal. The progress was amazing. All of England was watching you all and you didn’t put a foot wrong.

Sandy Sweetin

And so they should. Kier have been paid millions to maintain that very same dam!

Howard Davies

Well done to Kier for this great effort.

Peter Norman

Brilliant company that needs a little breathing space to regain its place back in the market.

Denis Barry

Well done to you all.

Great job done.

David Lambert

A great example of technical, logistical and collaborative working coming together.

Once again Kier have demonstrated their expertise, ability and value.

Denis Lawler

This is the good press Kier needs, not all the negative press they received over the last few months. A big thanks to all Kier lads on site. Well done.

CM 25/07 James Brokenshire ousted Max Muncaster

Massive mistake by new PM Boris Johnson not to keep James Brokenshire in post.

The turnover of ministers responsible for this department, which includes responsibility for housing and responsibility for Building Regulations, has already been inexcusably high since 2015.

They just don’t get it. Legislation affecting construction matters to investment and efficiency in the economy and to the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone individually and planetwide living and working in the built environment.

At last with James Brokenshire we had someone who was really getting his teeth into the job at this critical time with the consultation deadline at the end of this month.

I think he was good.

Chris Pateman

Brokenshire was simply the latest minister to force ill-considered and illogical practice on to the industry in pursuit of political ends.

Though he went further than most by using the same conference speech to change the fundamental nature of Approved Document B in mandating a ban on certain thermally efficient, lightweight, space-saving materials above 18m, and simultaneously declaring we could build “up, not out”. Will the next one be any better?

CM 08/08 Balfour Beatty’s plastic cycle lane Steve

Repeat recycling, hopefully with relatively low energy input needs, sounds like an attractive proposition.

Is it established that wear and tear on the surface doesn’t yield micro beads of plastic that get washed into the surface water drainage and wind up in water courses?

Henry

As someone who has seen how plastic bags disintegrate into tiny pieces, especially when disturbed, I wonder how the plastic would eventually be recycled after being part of the footway out in the sun for a few decades.

With sun exposure and wear, it could be tiny plastic pieces that get washed off; not just the microbeads Steve mentions. I like to hope I am wrong about all these potential problems.

Angela

This is so impressive. Well done to the company for leading the way in the use of recycling.

Let’s hope more companies follow suit.

There is a long way to go in the methods of recycling, but this is really a great way in using plastic bags. The fact that the material can be reused is absolutely brilliant.

CM 01/08 Build UK payment performance Mark Beard

It’s very pleasing to see Build UK focusing on their own members’ payment record, in such a transparent way; I am very encouraged to see average payment times coming down five days since last reported.

Also, well done to Construction Manager for highlighting this issue which is central to the wellbeing of the many small organisations that are the lifeblood of our industry.

Provide your own feedback on latest industry issues by posting comments online at www.constructionmanagermagazine.com or by emailing the editor at construction-manager@atompublishing.co.uk

20 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

20.CMSept19.feedback_sc.indd 20

20/08/2019 11:24

BUILDING TECH

BUILD BUILD Sponsored by

CIVILS

ENERGY & HVAC

SURFACE & MATERIALS

TIMBER

GRAND CONCRETE DESIGNS LIVE EXPO 8-9 OCT

9 -10 OCT

8 -10 OCTOBER | NEC | BIRMINGHAM

FREE TO ATTEND

The UK’s largest built environment event 10,000 PRODUCTS

Modern Methods of Construction

CPD PROGRAMME

Digital / BIM

of 7.Digital Modern Methods of Construction nMethods 11.

Digital / BIM IM 11.Construction / BIM

Fire Prevention

NETWORKING & ENTERTAINMENT

Health & Safety

11. Digital / BIM

Innovation Zone

ukconstructionweek.com #UKCW2019 SPONSORS

|

@UK_CW–––--

viega.co.uk/About-us

SIX CENTURIES OF A And a piping system to secure its future.

During the course of the expansion of the National Gallery in London, heating pipework was replaced. But to ensure that normal opening hours could be maintained while the work was carried out, the design professionals required a system that could be constructed particularly quickly and quietly. Viega Megapress fulfilled these requirements. The cold pressing technique also eliminated the need for any hot-works and cool-down time.

Viega. Connected in quality.

National Gallery, London, United Kingdom

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 22 190805DU_Image_London_Gallery_UK_416x255_Construction_Manager.indd Alle Seiten

19/08/2019 15:58

F ART HISTORY.

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 23

19/08/2019 15:59 19.08.19 11:15

TECHNICAL

constructionmanagermagazine.com

IMAGES COURTESY OF ISG

Technical

The clocktower will have four new faces installed this summer

ISG BUILDS ON MIDLANDS BREWING HERITAGE THE TRANSFORMATION OF A DERELICT BREWERY INTO A BUILT ENVIRONMENT SCHOOL IS AN EMOTIVE PROJECT FOR MANY WOLVERHAMPTON PEOPLE, NOT LEAST THE ISG PROJECT MANAGER. KRISTINA SMITH VISITED SITE TO FIND OUT WHY

It’s not surprising that the QSs enjoy taking the mickey out of Liam Davies.

The ISG project manager overseeing the construction of the new School of Architecture and the Built Environment for the University of Wolverhampton waxes lyrical as he explains his connections to the project.

A local boy, now living back in Wolverhampton, Davies studied construction management at the university – some

24 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

24_28.CMSept19.wolves_sc.indd 24

20/08/2019 11:36

TECHNICAL

constructionmanagermagazine.com

£100m

Technical story for CM? Email will.m@atompublishing.co.uk

“It was really sad to see a once iconic part of the city sitting derelict. Using it really fitted with our agenda because we are focusing on brownfield” David Heesom, University of Wolverhampton

of his lecturers still teach there – and is passionate about creating a facility for future generations of constructors.

One of them may even be his eldest son, now 10 years old, he says.

“I have worked on projects all around the world,” says Davies. “It’s taken me nearly 25 years to come full circle, to be back in Wolverhampton, doing a job that means the most to me.”

Davies joined ISG as a senior project manager to tender for this project.

He believes his personal connections and story contributed to ISG winning the £26m contract, which will see the restoration and repurposing of a Grade II-listed brewery building along with a new three-storey building.

B e yo n d h i s co m m i t m e n t a n d motivation, Davies brings with him some very practical advantages.

Having worked on the renovation of the Grade II-listed Royal Hospital in the town prior to this one, he has a good handle on risk and – vitally – good relationships with local specialists.

Davies recalls a visit to site when ISG was considering bidding. “We drove down Grimstone Street, had a look at the building and had a talk about it.

I said: ‘We don’t need to be afraid of it if we use the right people’.”

The university had previously appointed Wates as the preferred bidder on the project in 2016, when

The university is planning a £100m built environment campus, the biggest in Europe

the cost was announced at £20m. That deal broke down in late 2017, with the two-stage process throwing up changes that increased the scheme’s budget and requiring the university to retender under EU procurement rules.

In 2018 ISG was awarded the contract under the Pagabo framework and started on site in October 2018. By summer 2019 when CM visited site, even with the new build only partially completed, there was that “wow” feeling, standing in the full-height atrium space with the brick of the old building and the distinctive clock tower in front of us.

The 7,900 sq m (85,000 sq ft) new building will be home to a lecture theatre, specialist laboratories, workshops, ICT suites, offices, workspaces, meeting rooms and a cafe. With its saw-tooth roof, it echoes industrial buildings around

Wolverhampton. Externally, there will be a piazza and courtyard.

The School of Architecture and the Built Environment is part of an ambitious £100m vision to create Europe’s biggest built environment campus on the 4.5ha Springfield Brewery site. The West Midlands University Technical College, for 14-to-29-year olds, and the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills are already built and open.

The choice of site makes an important statement for the university. “One of the underpinning areas that we are starting to look towards in the school, and an area where we are conducting a lot of research, is brownfield regeneration,” says David Heesom, a reader in BIM at the university, who has also been able to use the project as a teaching and research tool (see box p26). “It was really sad to see a once-iconic part of

University of Wolverhampton, School of Architecture and the Built Environment Procurement: Pagabo framework, design and build Value: £26m Programme: October 2018 – May 2020 Client: University of Wolverhampton Main contractor: ISG Architect: Associated Architects Engineer: Atkins Restoration architect: Rodney Melville and Partners Piling: Van Elle Groundworks: Hannafin Contractors Steel frame: MJ Robinson Roofing and cladding: Britannia Site Services Precast concrete cladding: FP McCann Curtain walling: Kawneer by Dudley’s Aluminium Ceilings and partitions: Taylor Hart Brickwork restoration: Midland Conservation Cast iron windows: Barr and Grosvenor

The new building will sit alongside original Victorian structures CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 25

24_28.CMSept19.wolves_sc.indd 25

20/08/2019 11:36

TECHNICAL

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Original brickwork is cleaned and damage repaired

“The scope of works is specific in saying we must retain the scars of the building. We want to see the char marks from the fire” Liam Davies, ISG

the city sitting derelict. Using it really fitted with our agenda because we are focusing on brownfield.”

The city-centre brewery was built

by William Butler, opening its doors in 1874, and employing 900 people and producing 1,500 barrels at peak.

It stopped operation in 1990. Since then, there have been several attempts to reinvent the site, not helped by a huge fire in 2004 which caused significant damage.

By the time the university purchased the site, most of the brewery buildings could not be saved. However, the redevelopment will encompass the iconic clock tower. The listed, steel-arched entrance gate to the site and a pump house have also been restored earlier.

Part of ISG’s remit is to make sure the story of the brewery building remains visible. “The scope of works is specific in saying we must retain the scars of the building,” says Davies. “We want to see the char marks from the fire, and where steelwork inside the building is cut out, the ends must be seen.”

The le cture t h e at re, s l igh t l y sunken, is taking shape. At one corner of the ground floor is a 1.1mthick concrete slab sitting on deeper piles and isolated from the rest of the building. Heavy-duty experiments will take place here, without the risk of vibrating the whole building.

Meanwhile in the historic building, it is a case of gently does it with the building works. The walls were being steam-cleaned when we visited site, with the pressure carefully limited to avoid moving important markings. Steel columns were to be cleaned using wire brushes and elbow grease. Bricks that have blown must be carefully knocked out and replaced.

In a corner of the site, workers are cleaning up old bricks retrieved from the demolition of parts of the building.

“Some of the bricks needed are hard

Old meets new The new and old elements of this build show such a contrast of scale and speed. The new-build section moves at pace with piles installed, steel frame erected, concrete floors poured and the roofing under way.

The tower seen from inside the brewery building

to come by,” explains Davies. Rope bricks – which have a rope pattern on their corners – must be sourced through specialist reclamation yards. To date, around 12 different mortar mixes have been designed and approved, with the help of a mortar specialist, to match the many colours and compositions used over the years.

An important milestone in the restoration will be the renewal of the clock tower. By the end of July, four new clock faces will be visible from various parts of the city. The whole scheme was due to be watertight by August this year.

Designer Associated Architects is not skimping on cladding materials. The roof will be clad in a random mixture of copper, iron and brass tiles which will tarnish over time.

“We are told the way it is being used is the first time in Britain,” says Davies.

Producing the tiles is time-consuming, he adds, with the material shipped from Germany to roofing company Britannia Site Solutions in Worcester, which shapes the tiles by hand.

External columns to the east face of the building will also be clad in the metal patchwork. The ground floor and end of the building will feature precast elements made with white Portland cement, which incorporate a design made to echo the pattern on the listed metal arch at the site’s entrance.

But what about the risk?

The way to mitigate the risks involved in the heritage element of this project has been to assemble a supply chain with the right competencies and connections, says Davies: “It was all about us getting the right people together.”

The restoration contract is worth around £1.2m and the restoration

26 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

24_28.CMSept19.wolves_sc.indd 26

20/08/2019 11:39

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 27

Su rfa ce wa te r an man d ag an e op me W ew po nt rtu br or k ni ing th i ty s n ee pa fo un t o nv c p rt r i iqu nn e iro ar ro ne ov ch nm ing vid rsh at al e i en for re p ive le t a w si a ls id nge W n t ea s o e e w l r u s W kno hi to tio c W h en ns w we ha W the liv nc .A ea e CO diffe nd re .C n wo O. UK ce it rk /A ma SK ke A s

askACO Communicate | Support | Care

CO

CO A k as

19/08/2019 16:29

TECHNICAL

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Left: The saw-tooth roof of the new building is rising fast Below: Local boy Liam Davies studied at the university

contractor had to be able to accept the risk attached to its works. “It is a lump sum package so all the risk is with the subcontractor because he has the knowledge of where it could go wrong or what could go wrong,” says Davies.

Midland Conservation, which was appointed, had provided expert input to ISG during the tender process, also conducting drone surveys of the site.

The other key player is restoration a rc h i te c t R o d n e y M e l v i l l e a n d Partners. The practice has a close relationship with the council’s planning and conservation teams, keeping them informed and involving them in decisions.

But there are always surprises along the way. In one of the large brewery rooms, a sizeable crack in one of the supporting columns was

uncovered when brickwork around the column was removed. This resulted in a modification to the design, with additional columns and beams needed.

This was the client’s risk, however, says Davies.

By summer the renovation works to the outside of the old building were largely complete, with the main risk remaining being the sourcing of materials such as the rope bricks.

Davies is “very confident” that the project will meet its completion date of May 2020, ready for an intake of students in September 2020.

With the eyes of the university, his neighbours and even his brother – who also works in the local construction industry – on him, there are plenty of reasons why he remains ultra-focused on doing an outstanding job. ●

A living laboratory For academics and students at the School of Architecture and the Built Environment, the site and its digital records are a live research source

Laser scan of the structural steelwork For students at the School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Wolverhampton University, the construction of their new home has added an extra dimension to learning – and will do so for future students.

Academic staff have taken every opportunity to create digital records of the works – from drone surveys during demolition to ISG’s BIM model and laser scanning.

“It’s been great to be able to bring the students to site so that they can make a connection between the digital world and the physical world on site,” says David Heesom, reader in BIM. “Capturing the data and storing it in various BIM formats means the building will remain a live learning laboratory for the next 10 years. We will be able to sit in a classroom and virtually peel back the layers of the

building to allow students to see how it’s put together.”

Both the 3D model and site have proved useful marketing tools when showing potential students around.

“Even when there was nothing here, we were able to show applicants virtual tours of the building because we had all the digital data,” he says. “As the project has gone on, we can bring students down here and walk them around.

“Feedback has been really positive. All the staff are very positive too. It’s starting to really gain momentum.”

Heesom and his colleagues have also used the project as a research tool.

They have been comparing three different forms of data capture – Matterport, simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) and laser scanning – to see which is most time-efficient.

28 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

24_28.CMSept19.wolves_sc.indd 28

20/08/2019 11:39

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 12

17/06/2019 14:45

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Offsite Manufacturing

NEW NAMES IN THE MMC MIX WITH GOVERNMENT BACKING AND GROWING INVESTOR INTEREST IN THE OFFSITE SECTOR, NEW PLAYERS ARE FLOODING INTO THE MARKET. DENISE CHEVIN TALKS TO SOME OF THE NEWCOMERS ABOUT THEIR STRATEGIES

The march of modern methods of co n s t r u c t i o n co n t i n u e s a p a ce.

Government policy, the need for more homes of improved quality, and growing confidence in factory-made systems have led to some headline-making deals.

These tie-ups – most significantly, between Homes England, Urban Splash and the Japanese housing giant Sekisui – have boosted the view that offsite is a force to be reckoned with.

Yet as MMC gains real momentum, there are questions over whether these ventures are sustainable? Is this another false dawn and will MMC again end up being sunk by unpredictable demand and lack of pipeline? And what strategies are there to manage this risk?

“There are a lot of competing and conflicting signals, but I would say it’s different this time around – it feels as if it will stick. But that said, it will end

in tears for some,” says Mark Farmer, CEO of consultancy Cast.

Jeff Maxted, technical director of consultancy with BLP, which provides the BOPAS accreditation for modern methods of construction, attests to the boosted market activity. He says that 40 schemes have been BOPAS accredited, and that he expects this number to rise to 100 by the end of the year. The majority are modular of one form or another and UK based.

“We are well past the tipping point,” he says. “I would expect offsite in all its different forms to take 20% of the house building market in the next five years.”

For Farmer, the fundamental challenge of a visible pipeline is still there, but this is reduced, he says, because some of the new entrants are vertically integrated. By this he means that they manufacture for their own development

30 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

30_32.CM Sept19.offsite opener_sc.indd 30

20/08/2019 13:05

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

ModPods offer solution for Brum’s tricky sites Just Solutions’ steel modules are craned in where access is a problem pipelines. Alternatively, they are partnering with housing associations or councils, which either have land or funding, or both.

And it helps to have institutional investors with deep pockets, again an emerging trend. Developer and manufacturer TopHat, for example, revealed in May it had secured a £75m investment from Goldman Sachs.

Meanwhile, Ilke Homes announced in June that it was partnering with Places for People, one of Britain’s biggest housing associations. In a pioneering £100m joint venture, Places for People will purchase 750 units from Ilke Homes, including 500 for sites it already owns.

Elsewhere, affordable developer BoKlok, which is co-owned by Ikea and Skanska, has signed a deal with Worthing council in West Sussex to build 162 apartments on land it owns (see box).

Farmer says the most significant Stelling Properties’ development is the arrival of Sekisui, modules arrive on site fully fitted out Japan’s biggest housebuilder. In a deal announced in May, £55m will be invested into regeneration company Urban Splash’s offsite development business. Sekisui is investing £22m, with £30m of equity and debt funding coming from the government’s Home Building Fund, administered through Homes England.

Stelling Properties pioneers DfMA Hampshire developer’s high-tech factory can manufacture 600 beds a year

One of the newest vertically integrated developers is Stelling Properties in Hampshire, which was born out of student accommodation management company Unilife.

Set up at the start of 2018, Stelling opened a factory six months later in Micheldever and installed the first modules in May 2019 for student housing for the University of Winchester. The project of 92 studio dwellings over four storeys (above) is to complete this month.

Construction has just started on 82 studios for students at nearby Surrey University in Guildford and there are plans for a 97-bedroom hotel in Southampton.

Managing director Tom Eshelby, who is also chair of the residential hub at Buildoffsite, says the original plan was to contract with a modular supplier, but that as the quality and level of service was “poor”, they decided to do it themselves.

Stelling invested in a high-tech factory, which can be scaled up to manufacture 600 beds a year, for hotels, student accommodation or private residential. It will buy the land or partner with local authorities, which he says is key.

Modules, manufactured with hot-rolled steel frame, arrive on

site fully fitted out. Stelling uses a construction management company to oversee the process and package up specialist activities like groundworks. The modules are designed in BIM which is then used as a template for the manufacture.

“Offsite construction lends itself to digitalisation,” says Eshelby.

“I do think we’ve overcome that cottage industry perception. Homes England is positively encouraging MMC, and traditional housebuilders are finally getting to grips with it.

Slowly but surely it is slipping into the mainstream.

“The political will is there.

What’s waiting to happen is the making of a supply chain. Certainly, in terms of DfMA, architects need to catch up.”

The Coventry-based general building firm Just Solutions has set up a new modular housing operation, which has developed a product for Birmingham Mutual Housing Trust (BMHT), the housebuilding company owned by Birmingham City Council.

The city got its first “ModPod” (pictured) in June this year when the insulated lightweight steel modules, complete with furniture, were craned into to place in an hour and the tenant moved in the same afternoon.

The two-bedroom two-storey house was built for £100,000 – 40% cheaper than traditional means, says Andy Cornaby, director of business development at Just Solutions.

One of its benefits is that the BOPAS-accredited housing units can be erected on problematic brownfield sites, where access can be a problem.

Birmingham has over 1,000 such sites and needs to harness their potential to help build a planned 84,000 new homes in 20 years.

BMHT has council approval to build a further 57 ModPods across six sites during the next 12 months, and then has a procurement programme for 500 units a year after that up to 2025. Cornaby says it is looking for a large factory in the Midlands to step up production, should it secure the larger rollout contract.

He says that the firm is also in talks with a plethora of other affordable housing providers – and also private housebuilders – and if similar deals are struck it plans pop‑up manufacturing hubs to get local people into the workplace.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 31

30_32.CM Sept19.offsite opener_sc.indd 31

20/08/2019 13:05

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Swedish expertise comes to the UK

Housing specialist owned by Ikea and Skanska plans to adapt its model for the UK market “I wouldn’t underestimate the deal: it brings world-leading technology,” Farmer says. He expects other Japanese firms to follow, attracted because government has made it clear it wants to use offsite to help solve the housing crisis.

“UK modular companies have got to fight for the market – they need a good idea and good quality,” he adds – and that means advanced manufacture rather than simply building traditionally in a shed.

But even with money to invest in stateof-the-art factories, launching a modular housebuilding business is not easy. L&G’s £55m modular homes factory near Leeds, with a capacity to build 3,500 homes a year, has so far seen a trickle of homes coming off the production line since its 2016 launch. L&G says it is taking a considered approach.

There are also ongoing issues around warranties and mortgage providers. A government-backed task force chaired

by Farmer to get the leading companies to agree a standard approach to certification of offsite systems is currently in the doldrums. The fallout from Grenfell, which has left some warranty lenders exposed, has led to increased nervousness.

“I’m conscious people are waiting for an update, but I can’t report any progress at the moment,” says Farmer. ●

Global ambitions for Project Etopia Disruptor is aiming high

“UK modular companies have got to fight for the market – they need a good idea and good quality” Mark Farmer, Cast

BoKlok, the modular housing specialist jointly owned by Ikea and Skanska, has been building homes since the mid1990s. In that time it has built 11,000 in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark – now averaging around 1,200 a year.

It is now bringing its formula for low-cost home ownership to the UK and is targeting its development at the key worker market – typically building two-bedroom 70 sq m apartments that will be affordable for couples with a joint income of around £53,000 a year.

The plan is to develop on sites in the area around Bristol and Cheltenham and also between Southampton and Brighton – where the model is viable for low-density housing on leafy sites.

Graeme Culliton, UK managing director of BoKlok, who is based at Skanska’s head office in Hertfordshire, says that the system is currently going through the BOPAS accreditation process, which it expects to complete by the end of the year, with the first homes for sale in early 2021.

Culliton says that, as well as delivering to a high quality of design and construction, what will mark out BoKlok is the level of service that will come as part of the buying process. It intends to harness social media to sell homes and involve purchasers in the construction process.

The timber-framed units are 99% completed when they arrive on site and a number of homes can be built in a day. Initially the homes will be manufactured at BoKlok’s fully

One of the new breed of entrepreneurs hoping to disrupt the housing market is Joseph Daniels, CEO at Project Etopia.

He is backed by hedge fund boss and former Conservative party treasurer Lord Fink, who has made a multi-million-pound investment.

It takes Project Etopia four weeks to construct a home using its novel panel-building system.

It has also completed a turnkey smart school system using its

automated factory in the Baltic – to a design that has been adapted to the UK market. Once demand has increased, the company may look to manufacture under licence in the UK. It is aiming for each development to have between 40 and 150 homes.

Culliton won’t put a figure on output for the UK market.

“It will be dictated by the availability of land, and there are two routes to that – local authorities and the public sector. Homes England have been really supportive in match making, and we’re bidding in the open market at well,” he says.

Another USP that BoKlok brings to the market is that it will discuss with local authorities about their housing needs and adopt its development programme to suit. Lower developers’ profit and fees is another attraction.

“A number of local authorities have really embraced what we’re trying to achieve,” Culliton says, though he doesn’t want to comment on the company’s widely reported deal with Worthing (pictured above) until it has been signed.

Coming with the Ikea name attached, Culliton is keen to emphasise that BoKlok is not selling to the public, or acting as a contractor. It is a vertically integrated developer, aiming to bring new ideas to the market.

“If we are going to meet the levels of demand in the UK, we have to be inventive and create different routes,” Culliton adds.

highly insulated panels with Mitie at Brightlingsea in Essex (pictured).

It has two factories: one in Tiverton, Devon, which can expand to 400 homes a year, and a new one in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, with capacity for 2,000 – “although we have ambitions to grow capacity to 6,000 homes a year,” says Daniels.

Project Etopia claims to be the only modular homes specialist in Britain which can create turnkey properties that combine passive

design, affordability, renewable energy generation, intelligent heating and cooling systems, and smart home technology.

A demonstration house is being built at BRE’s Watford Innovation Park and it recently completed the first eco-houses on a 47-home modular commuter village in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Daniels has global ambitions, and is in talks to sell his product in India, Pakistan, Namibia, UK and California.

32 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

30_32.CM Sept19.offsite opener_sc.indd 32

20/08/2019 13:06

Boost your year round rewards

£40

€45 £40

Get £5-25 rewards with every VELUX white painted roof window this SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER Claim your VELUX Rewards at

velux.co.uk/rewards Claim by 13.12.2019. Terms & conditions apply.

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

£150m McAvoy Group’s turnover has doubled to £70m in the last five years, with plans to grow to £150m over the next five

‘THIS IS OFFSITE’S THIRD COMING’

PICTURES BY PAUL LINDSAY

MCAVOY GROUP HAS EMERGED AS ONE OF THE LEADING OFFSITE SPECIALISTS, AS CLIENTS WARM TO ITS MANUFACTURER-CONTRACTOR BUSINESS MODEL. CEO EUGENE LYNCH AND MANAGING DIRECTOR MARK LOWRY EXPLAIN THEIR STRATEGY TO WILL MANN

Eugene Lynch (left) and Mark Lowry: new factory will double capacity by 2023

“Double digits certainly.” That’s the answer from McAvoy Group CEO Eugene Lynch and managing director Mark Lowry, when asked what margin is reasonable for a modular manufacturer which also acts as a principal contractor.

“We’ve invested in our product, in the R&D, and we have to carry sign if ican t ove rhe ad , with t h e factory, so certainly that margin is our ambition,” adds Lowry. “But we

have to be competitive and prove the benefits of our products.”

McAvoy has been on a “journey” over the past eight years, as Lynch puts it, from being a modular supplier, to now acting as principal contractor on around 95% of its work. Its product has advanced and client uptake increased, fuelled in part by digital technology. At a time when leading industry figures like Mark Farmer are forecasting disruption to

the traditional tier 1 contracting model, McAvoy looks well placed to capitalise.

The Northern Ireland based group, which dates back to 1972, has the ambition. Turnover has doubled to £70m in the last five years, with plans to grow to £150m over the next five.

“This is the third coming of offsite; the first was the post-war era, the second was at the turn of the millennium,” Lynch says. “Now, construction has major challenges with capacity and productivity. The government, to their credit, has encouraged offsite, with a presumption in favour. The Department for Education (DfE) has taken a lead, with offsite-only frameworks.”

Cost, time and quality certainty Clients are warming to the cost, time and quality certainty that offsite offers, says Lynch. McAvoy’s Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy in Slough, an 8,759 sq m project, was delivered 17 weeks ahead of programme in 53 weeks, using 146 modules. At Dublin Airport, the firm delivered a 2,200 sq m passenger boarding area in just 16 days, craning in 77 steel-framed modules with an impressive 19m span.

Digital technology is giving clients more confidence, Lynch continues.

“It is a big challenge to engage with customers,” he explains. “To manufacture a building, the design must be committed to up front, not through a progressive series of design decisions, as with traditional construction. So we had to figure out how to make clients comfortable with this early decision.

And this is where BIM and virtual reality (VR) have come in to play.” (see box) McAvoy works in the health, education, residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors, and on frameworks for the DfE, NHS and Crown Commercial Service.

34 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

34_36.CMSept19.McAvoy_sc.indd 34

20/08/2019 14:15

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

How digital drives McAvoy’s strategy The group uses BIM and VR to ensure projects meet client requirements before manufacturing Lynch made the switch from supplier to principal contractor after concluding that tier 1s “wanted a project return that didn’t reflect the value we brought to the project”. Acting as manufacturer and contractor means dovetailing two different mindsets, which is where Lowry comes in. He joined McAvoy in April, after seven years at construction product giant CRH, and was previously managing director of main contractor Farrans.

“Every site has different challenges – utilities, environmental, multiple stakeholders – and the skill sets of traditional construction are well set up to manage them,” Lowry notes.

“Those skills are not in someone from a manufacturer background. But they do understand we’re delivering a product for the customer or end user, not simply a building.

“So we have to marry the two. We tend to employ people who have been principal contractors but can understand both sides of the business. They must understand the financial model of the business; once we reach site, the building has to go up very quickly while maintaining quality and safety protocols.

“People with flexible or agile minds fit well. But some from a traditional contracting background tend to regard our factory as a subcontractor. They are used to working through long programmes and passing risk down the supply chain. Understanding they have responsibility for the factory too is essential.”

Lowry will become a fellow of the CIOB by November and recognises that it’s a “valuable recognition of skills such as programme and project management”. But he feels construction qualifications at professional and university level could “do more” to acknowledge the role of modular.

“The design must be committed to up front… We had to figure out how to make clients comfortable with this, which is where BIM and VR come in” Eugene Lynch, McAvoy Group

Using the VR headset enables end users to compare different interior finishes McAvoy became BIM Level 2 accredited in 2016 and digital adoption has been key to winning over clients.

Increasingly, use of virtual reality (VR) engages customers with the asset and reassures them about its compatibility with end user requirements, says manufacturing director David Clark.

“On our Dublin Airport project, the client was concerned about the ceiling being too low in the passenger boarding area, even after viewing 3D flythroughs,” he explains. “So then we gave them the VR demonstration using our headsets, and their concerns disappeared.

“VR also helped them with the spatial layout, and allowed them to make design changes, such as the position of the seating.”

McAvoy’s VR capability is demonstrated by Lorraine McMorrow, BIM and digital construction manager and a qualified architect, on a modular office block McAvoy is building for Homes England in Northstowe, Cambridgeshire.

“We are using a federated model, which brings together the steelwork, services, architectural and civil engineering models, which are all open file formats with common standards – this is a key requirement of our BIM strategy,” she explains. “I brought all those models into one federated model in 15 minutes.”

“We run clash detection and coordination, and look at any asset information, such as the maintainable M&E assets – the DfE are very keen on that.”

Then the model is used to show clients around. “We can zoom down to

the foundations and into the plumbing and services, but these are only 3D screenshots – VR offers something else again.”

Wearing the VR headset, it is possible to look at all the different models within the federated model, for instance, viewing the structure only.

“That’s really useful for our construction managers,” says McMorrow.

End users can view different interior finishing options, and the lighting at different times of day. “Teachers like to know where the sun will be during lessons, for example,” says McMorrow.

“The aim is to build everything digitally and review virtually before we go to the manufacturing stage,” says Clark. “The output will be 2D drawings and data which we give to our supply chain. We work closely with them to ensure we’re giving them the right information. With our steel provider BW Industries, for instance, we can pass them data from our BIM model that goes straight into their CNC machines for steel fabrication.”

Lynch says McAvoy is meeting with robotics manufacturers to bring automation into the factory but needs greater standardisation and volume to make it economical. “We’re talking years rather than months, but the technology is moving very quickly,” he says.

To date, McAvoy has only delivered one fully BIM Level 2 compliant project, but that reflects the industry’s slow progress, says Clark: “These projects have to be delivered using COBie data, but the issue is that the client is not always asking for it.”

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 35

34_36.CMSept19.McAvoy_sc.indd 35

20/08/2019 14:18

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Steel-framed modules take shape in the factory

regime gives confidence, because of repeatable execution of tasks by the same people on multiple projects,” he says.

“If we can increase that standardisation, and if the offsite market grows, then there are huge efficiencies and productivity gains,” says Lynch. “Rather than us using hundreds of the same component we are talking tens of thousands.”

Not least because the product itself is becoming far more sophisticated.

“Compared to a decade ago, when it was essentially a shell, the value of the module is now four times greater, as we do more work in the factory,” says Lynch.

Modules now typically come with doors, windows, ironmongery, internal walls, plumbing, electrics and joinery. Smart sensors will be next, he adds.

The drive is to increase standardisation.

McAvoy has collaborated with modular rival Elliott on the Innovate UK-backed consortium Seismic which also involves architect Bryden Wood. This has reduced the number of parts per module by up to 30%, to around 1,900 components.

“The initiative also addresses a customer concern that if one manufacturer goes bust, how do they finish a project,” says Lynch. “It’s never happened in our sector, but clients are worried since Carillion’s collapse. So, with Seismic, we have a universal connection solution and a standardised structural frame for school buildings built offsite which both Elliott and McAvoy understand.”

Seismic also launched an open source app to streamline the preconstruction phase, allowing architect, manufacturer, client and end user to input into the design of a primary school building in full compliance with DfE requirements.

With standardisation come quality and safety improvements, says Lynch. “The

Above: Fitting out one of McAvoy’s residential modules Below right: Modules come with joinery and electrics fitted

Focus on standardisation McAvoy will remain chiefly a modular business, says Lynch, though it will be involved in “hybrid” projects.

“Our Slough school project was an in-situ concrete core and steel superstructure, where we employed the frame subcontractors, with the modules comprising 65% of the project,” he says.

“If the client wants a sport hall, we can manufacture the panels, which leaves the roof as the main challenge. It’s up to our structural engineers to work that out and we currently have one in design stage.”

“But it has to be what’s right for the business,” adds Lowry. “And actually, we should be focusing on volume and standardisation, because only with high repeatability will we achieve the returns we want.”

McAvoy uses the Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS), which Lynch says addresses any perceived concerns and risks for purchasers.

“Compared to a decade ago, when it was essentially a shell, the value of the module is now four times greater, as we do more work in the factory” Eugene Lynch, McAvoy Group

“With many new entrants to the market, we worry that others could damage the sector’s reputation,” he adds.

The company also works with trade body Build Offsite to promote the sector. Residential is a growth area and McAvoy unveiled a prototype house, BOPAS-certified, last November.

The 95 sq m home is constructed in four steel-framed modules and two pre-tiled roof units.

McAvoy is also planning a new factory in England – in addition to its two plants in Dungannon and Lisburn – capable of delivering 1,000 new homes a year by 2023, which will double manufacturing capacity overall to 300,000 sq ft (27,871 sq m).

“Offsite is only five to 10% of the industry – and it won’t be the answer for all buildings – but if we can grow the cake even a few percentage points, that means big opportunities,” Lynch says. ●

36 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

34_36.CMSept19.McAvoy_sc.indd 36

20/08/2019 14:16

Strength in partnership.

It’s in our DNA. At Layher, we believe that strong bonds between manufacturer, scaffolding and main contractor are central to on-time, on-budget results. By creating ’strategic partnerships’ that have common, agreed goals from the outset, strength comes from far more than our globally proven scaffolding, access and protection systems.

In-house technical services In-house CISRS-approved training centre In-house financial support solutions On-site product support services Unmatched stock support with fast, off-the-shelf availability Depot network, nationwide Original product innovation Quality engineered products Original permanent advanced guardrail option Strategic customer partnership

Layher UK info@layher.co.uk Layher Ireland info@layher.ie

www.layher.co.uk www.layher.ie

The past, present & future of system scaffolding

FS 554413

Approved Training Provider

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 27 5088 Layher Grip CM 205x255 FP Ad SDAW.indd 1

Z-8.22.64 and Z-8-22-64.1

07 P

VGS-L 10

19/08/2019 16:42 15/08/2019 18:11

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

NEW STANDARDS CAN BOOST OFFSITE UPTAKE USING COMMON STANDARDS ACROSS ALL OFFSITE PRODUCTS CAN HELP THE SECTOR THRIVE, ARGUE THE AUTHORS OF A NEW BSI REPORT, CHRIS GOODIER, NIGEL FRASER, CLARE PRICE AND ANNA FRICKER

Adoption of offsite manufacturing could be increased through purpose-designed standards, along with a more collaborative approach across the construction industry.

Those are the findings of The Role of Standards in Offsite Construction, a report by the British Standards Institution (BSI), undertaken by Loughborough University.

The study follows last year’s House of Lords inquiry into offsite’s potential benefits and challenges, which concluded that “the government should promote the adoption of recognised standards for offsite manufactured components by working with bodies such as BSI”.

The research, which sought to assess the relevance, usability, completeness and level of consensus across current offsite standards, involved interviews and workshops across the main material sectors of precast concrete, steel and timber, including supply, design and construction communities.

The research identified several common challenges, including that contractors and

suppliers were often working to different tolerances in offsite construction.

In some instances these tolerances were out of date and at other times manufacturers, contractors and installers were developing, but not necessarily communicating, their own tolerances. As a result, challenges were often encountered during installation and assembly.

New standards could help alleviate these challenges by ensuring all parties work to the same or suitable tolerances. BIM could facilitate this type of collaboration by making early contractor involvement easier.

The connections between offsite elements and interfaces could also benefit from increased standardisation. Currently, common materials sourced from different suppliers do not necessarily share common connections, with structural interfaces also posing similar connection challenges. Standardising connections for materials and interfaces has the potential to reduce challenges at the construction and installation stage, particularly if a holistic approach is taken.

This would involve standardisation across manufacturers, interfaces and connections between different materials, for example steel to timber, and could be facilitated by prototyping.

By taking a pan-sector approach, offsite’s benefits could extend across a wide range of construction projects, beyond housing. For example, a single floor interface specification in a bathroom pod could apply equally to student accommodation, a hospital or an airport. This “platform” approach is gaining significant traction, with the Infrastructure & Projects Authority running a call for evidence which closed in February.

By creating common standards across tolerances and interfaces, knowledge may be better shared across the offsite sector, leading to improved build quality and fewer assembly challenges.

The challenge remains that far more information is expected from offsite suppliers than for most other sectors in construction. This deters transparency, to protect intellectual property, and needs to be addressed so the potential benefits of knowledge-sharing can be realised.

But there are movements towards shared definitions, including BuildOffsite’s glossary for terminology and the government’s definition framework.

A major task ahead is creating robust and user-friendly standards that are specific to, or suitably address, offsite products.

The Role of Standards in Offsite Construction highlights the opportunities for standardisation.

The offsite sector can take great steps forward if it supports and engages with BSI in the development of new and existing standards, ensuring they are fit for purpose, user-friendly and help the sector expand and develop. ● Chris Goodier is director at Loughborough University’s Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Construction Engineering.

Nigel Fraser is director at West One Management Consulting. Clare Price is market development manager, and Anna Fricker is programme manager, at BSI.

38 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

38.CMSept19.BSi_sc.indd 38

20/08/2019 14:20

E X C E L L O N D O N 16 - 17 OC T 2019

E X C E L L O N D O N 16 - 17 OC T 2019

THE UK’S LEADING EXHIBITION FOR INNOVATION IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE

www.digitalconstructionweek.com HEADLINE PARTNERS

GOLD SPONSORS

@DigiConWeek Digital Construction Week @DigiConWeek

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

constructionmanagermagazine.com

In association with

The push towards offsite manufacturing is driving increasing digital innovation, with time-saving software plug-ins, smooth interfaces with factory machinery, and a steady shift towards automation in the manufacturing process.

One firm at the heart of this is CADS. Specialising in structural engineering design, analysis and detailing software, its applications are used worldwide by the construction industry, particularly for steelwork, timber frames, concrete and rebar fabrication. It also provides its own design and detailing service.

Recently, a big growth driver for the software house has been its investment in developing a new “plug-in” product called CADS RC3D for Revit, which it has adapted to support many typical precast concrete elements, says CADS product specialist Jason Colcombe.

“Precast is being used more widely than ever, particularly in sectors that lend themselves to offsite manufacturing, such as social housing and student accommodation, with a high level of repeatability,” he explains.

H i s t o r i c a l l y, 2 D d e s i g n h a s dominated, but that is changing as the market wakes up to the benefits of working in a 3D environment, says Colcombe. With many of its clients already transitioning to Revit, CADS developed the entirely new CADS RC3D as a logical replacement for its popular 2D software CADS RC, which historically runs on AutoCAD. “Twin walls combine the dimensional accuracy and quality control of precast walls with the flexibility of in-situ concrete,” Colcombe says. “The twin wall arrives on site as two leaves tied together with a steel lattice girder and is then filled with in-situ concrete on site. The final wall is a solid concrete

ADAPTING SOFTWARE TO DRIVE DFMA SOFTWARE DEVELOPER CADS’ NEW PRECAST REVIT PLUG-IN IS BRINGING HUGE EFFICIENCY SAVINGS TO OFFSITE MANUFACTURING. WILL MANN EXPLAINS

wall with a high-quality paint-ready finish on both sides.

“On one project, there were just four wall types – front walls, rear walls, side walls, internal walls – and each of the 36 units had four wall elements. Other projects such as a major new hospital required many more.

“Using our extension to Revit, we could create one panel with adjustable parameters and then, using the dialogue

Designs executed in the CADS Revit extension can be forwarded to the project BIM model for construction coordination on site

box, make adjustments to the different panel types within these parameters,” he continues. “This meant we could add in details such as sockets, services channels, soil vents and light switch boxes – often quite specific client requirements – very quickly. This detailing could be automated, using scheduling within Revit, so we didn’t have to repeat the drawings for all 36 units.”

The CADS extension also allows interfacing with machinery in the precast factory. “Once the detailing is complete, this can be supplied in the specialist Unitechnik file format that is the precast industry leader, as well as XML and BVBS formats supported by rebar fabrication machines,” Colcombe explains. “The machinery knows where to place the reinforcement, including around any detailing like sockets.”

The design can also be forwarded to the project BIM model, so it can be used for onsite construction coordination, working in the BIM 360 platform, he adds.

“All project stakeholders can inspect, review, comment and compare changes.

The installer can open up the panel, inspect it, zoom in on specific details such as special fixing requirements.

Any issues can be reported back to us through that same BIM platform.”

Demand for precast concrete solutions is growing, says Colcombe, with clients increasingly preferring an offsite-manufactured product which can be delivered to site as a whole. “We receive lots of enquiries for staircases, for example,” he says. “These are often complex shapes, which it makes more sense to precast in the factory rather than use formwork on site.

“As offsite manufacturing grows, we’ll see more and more automation, helped by increasing sophistication in the software and machinery.” ●

40 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

40.CM Sept19.offsite CADS_sc.indd 40

20/08/2019 14:23

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 27

20/08/2019 16:42

BIM & DIGITAL

constructionmanagermagazine.com

BIM & Digital

USING DIGITAL TO CLOSE THE PRODUCTIVITY GAP

1. What do you believe are the biggest factors affecting productivity in your business?

Version control Unforeseen events (eg weather) Uncertainty due to Brexit

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REMAINS AT THE HEART OF THE UK ECONOMY. BUT PRODUCTIVITY IN THE SECTOR HAS STAGNATED, PARTICULARLY COMPARED TO OTHER INDUSTRIES, ACCORDING TO RESEARCH BY CM AND CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTIVITY SOLUTION PLANGRID. ROB ELVIDGE, HEAD OF SALES, EMEA, PLANGRID, AN AUTODESK COMPANY, EXPLAINS

Other Lack of resources (eg equipment, materials) Competing objectives among project stakeholders Coordination/scheduling errors Too much focus on administrative tasks Changes from clients Lack of required data/information to make confident decisions Talent shortages Lack of skills among employees (%) 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Technology can help to improve construction firms’ efficiency, reduce rework and ultimately increase profitability. But these firms are balancing transformation with shortterm uncertainty, and challenges like access to talent, falling client demand and supply chain disruption.

Digital technology is set to transform the construction industry on a worldwide scale in the next few years. So one year on from our last survey, have the productivity challenges facing UK firms changed – and how are they faring with technology adoption? In May and June we surveyed over 250 construction professionals to understand how far they have come with their digital groundwork.

2. Which of the following take up most unnecessary time with building projects?

Other

Project management Problems transferring information between systems Jobsite logistics/ coordination Scheduling communication/ meetings with other project stakeholders Conflict resolution

Dealing with mistakes/rework Inefficient processes

(%) 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Talent troubles Considering the biggest influences on their productivity [1], construction professionals point to the same barriers as one year ago: people and processes.

Talent shortages are continuing to have a significant impact on construction firms’ productivity, with respondents highlighting a lack of skills among employees (40%) and talent shortages (39%) as barriers to their productivity.

Employee engagement also presents a challenge, as one in 10 firms say that staff absenteeism is an “ongoing management headache”. This reflects the results in 2018, when a lack of resources – including labour – was the most popular response.

Poor processes With talent scarce, it’s more important than ever that firms can get the most from the people they have. But businesses admit being held back by poor processes, with teams struggling to get the information they need, when they need it [2].

Professionals say that inefficient processes take up the most unnecessary time on projects (55%). Meanwhile, a quarter admit their productivity

42 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

42_44.CM Sept19.plangrid_sc.indd 42

20/08/2019 14:29

GEBERIT DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

QUIETLY GETTING ON WITH BEING SUPER EFFICIENT

If its new drainage innovation you’re looking for, Geberit Silent-PP is the perfect solution. An excellent way to maximise noise insulation performance whilst minimising installation time and therefore reducing costs. This push fit system is perfect wherever rapid, economical and sound optimised drainage installations are required.

Discover more at geberit.co.uk/silent-pp

43.ads.CMSept19.indd 27

20/08/2019 09:51

BIM & DIGITAL

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Digital story for CM or BIMplus?

Email denise.chevin@atompublishing.co.uk

is most impacted by lacking the information to make confident decisions (28%), and correcting mistakes is a significant time drain for half of firms.

Poor information sharing is also causing challenges with collaboration – leading to time lost on conflict resolution (33%) and scheduling communications with other stakeholders (29%).

Slow progress on paperless The use of technology to address these challenges is gradually growing. Threequarters of firms (74%) now report using file-sharing tools to share and access drawings, compared to 52% in 2018.

But there are signs that using disparate technology platforms, that aren’t wellconnected, is actually wasting firms’ time. Problems transferring information between systems are a significant time drain in a quarter of businesses (23%).

Only 7% of respondents use technology to manage the whole process [3].

When it comes to paperless technology – such as using tablets and smartphones to access documentation on the jobsite – businesses have made slow progress.

Most firms still rely on paper for the majority of their projects. In fact, a fifth say that all of their projects are entirely paper-based (19%) [4] – a figure that has barely fallen since 2018, when it was 22%.

budget at the start of the year or quarter (20%) – or monitor software developments until they find a solution that meets their needs (20%).

Only half of construction firms say that improving digital skills will be a focus over the next three years (50%).

Perhaps as a result, a third of businesses are concerned about their ability to keep up with new technologies (37%).

Looking ahead Unsurprisingly, construction firms see challenges in the year ahead [5] – with squeezed access to labour still weighing most on businesses’ minds (45%).

Although only 12% point directly to Brexit as a blocker on their productivity, firms are concerned about related factors such as reduced client spending (42%) and the cost of imports (24%).

In this context, it’s no surprise that technology adoption is sometimes slow.

But in challenging times, productivity improvements can be critical. There are signs that the firms implementing new technology today – and benefiting from productivity improvements – could leave others behind, whether that’s in the UK or internationally. It’s vital then that UK businesses continue to lay the digital groundwork, to close the productivity gap and secure a strong future. ●

A digital divide?

There appears to be a growing digital divide between businesses focusing on making strategic technology investments and those simply purchasing new technology on the fly. When it comes to purchasing new technology, a quarter admit to not having a strategy at all (26%), while most businesses simply buy it ad hoc to improve processes (36%).

By contrast, at other firms the leadership team might set a defined

4. What percentage of your building projects do you currently run with paperless technology? n 0 - All our projects are entirely paper based n <25% n 25-50% n 50-75% n >75%

In association with

3. What technology has your company implemented to improve digital efficiency with teams across projects?

SaaS construction software to manage the full process Other We have minimal/no technology in our projects Collision detection software Drone technology BIM technology for 3D modelling Estimation software Scheduling software Web conferencing for meetings Using file-sharing tools (eg Box, Dropbox) to share and access drawings (%) 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

5. What challenges do you see for the UK construction industry in the next 12 months?

None Difficulties collaborating with firms overseas Pressure from overseas competition Other More stringent regulatory requirements for building safety Pressure to build with more environmentally friendly materials or methods Shortage of materials The instability/collapse of tier 1 contractors Reduced government spending on building projects Increases in cost of imported materials Increasing wage demands Reduced client spending due to economic uncertainty Squeezed access to labour (%) 0

10

20

30

40

50

44 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

42_44.CM Sept19.plangrid_sc.indd 44

20/08/2019 14:30

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 27

19/08/2019 16:37

UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Now in its fifth year, UK Construction Week (UKCW) is the biggest construction event on the calendar and will be held at Birmingham’s NEC on 8-10 October.

In addition to a packed programme of panel debates, seminars and CPDs, there will be more than 600 exhibitors and more than 10,000 products on show and available for demonstrations.

UKCW Innovation Zone New this year is the UKCW Innovation Zone, created in partnership with the Construction Innovation Hub (the Hub).

The Innovation Zone is a non-sales environment where visitors can explore new ideas, learn and be inspired. Key innovation themes throughout the show include Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), sustainability, the digital revolution and diversity in the workforce and how they impact risk management, productivity and skills.

At the Hub’s stand at UKCW, visitors can find out more about its platform design initiative – a project to stimulate the design, manufacture, test and assembly of buildings using MMC. The winner of UKCW’s new Innovation Award will also be announced on the second day of the show.

Join the debate Hear from tier 1 contractors, globally renowned architects, leading housebuilders, government ministers, developers, local authorities and major infrastructure project leaders as they take to the stage to lead the debate on how construction can capitalise on the growth in technology.

Artificial intelligence, digital twins, digital roads and smart cities are just a few of the digital streams that will revolutionise the way that the UK’s infrastructure operates. The “Dragging the Industry into the 21st Century” seminar will hear from infrastructure experts on how to integrate new technologies while balancing benefits and risks.

Lorna Stimpson, deputy chief executive of Local Authority Building Control, will talk on “Delivering High Standards in Building Control” while the main stage debate will tackle the question “Building Safe Homes: When is the Fundamental Reform?”, where you can hear from the members of the working groups set up to take forward the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt.

There are also opportunities to look ahead with “Brexit Boom or Bust?

Industry Economic Forecast 2020”, as well as tips on how to bid for big contracts in “Seven Must-do Things when Bidding for Large Contracts”.

INNOVATION AND REFORM: THE CHANGING FACE OF CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION, CHANGE AND REFORM ARE THE BIG THEMES TAKING CENTRE STAGE AT THIS YEAR’S UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK (UKCW), WITH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION (MMC) AND SUSTAINABILITY TOPPING THE AGENDA

The MMC Hub The MMC Hub will tell the story of how offsite construction components and techniques are increasingly being used beyond housing, into healthcare, education, leisure and retail. MMC-built structures at the show range from a modular care annexe to a structural insulated panel (SIP) residential building, and a factory-finished modular bathroom pod for the high-end hotel sector.

In addition, a large number of product manufacturers and exhibitors will be on hand to discuss their MMC solutions.

Building technology to the fore Building Tech showcases the latest advancements in automation, lighting, security and communication technology, and shows how these can be integrated into the built environment.

Key exhibitors include Google Nest, which is focusing on creating a helpful home that takes care of the people

46 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

46_48.CMSept19.UKCW_sc.indd 46

20/08/2019 14:37

Build a better business Safety and health is the foundation of a successful future Two world-class construction courses from IOSH will cut accident rates and sickness levels on your site and embed a sustainable culture of safety that will drive more efficient ways of working.

Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Site Managers Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers Developed in consultation with global business leaders, these brand new courses will deliver the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of safety and health in a course that’s tailored to meet your needs exactly.

At IOSH we’re all about results. It’s why we’re the number one choice for ambitious businesses.

To find out more visit www.iosh.com/cmcc BS0473/190819/CM

UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Careers Centre and Role Models New this year is the UKCW Careers Centre. Workshops will offer advice on career progression, apprenticeships, staff retention, diversity, career changers and attracting new talent.

And, for the second year running, the UKCW Role Models initiative will showcase talent from across the industry and aim to inspire others to join. inside it. Meanwhile Pinnacle Infotech is on hand to provide a range of BIM and CAD solutions.

The Aurora Lighting Group will showcase its AOne Smart Lighting system, which is compatible with SmartThings and Alexa and can be controlled from anywhere in the world.

Toolboxit is returning with its cloud-based construction toolbox app, which allows you to send professional documents direct to customers from your phone. Meanwhile Security Technique will showcase its mobile CCTV unit powered by the sun, designed for sites without a permanent power supply.

Also within Building Tech is the Digital Construction Hub, which offers you the chance to hear from digital pioneers on topics including best practice in digital strategy, business transformation through digitalisation, digital innovation, BIM, cloud-based solutions, blockchain and big data.

The rise of timber Architectural timber structures and award-winning designs will be on display at UKCW, including a number of full-scale buildings. Hear from leading international architects, developers and contractors who are pioneering the use of CLT, glulam and other forms of structural timber in landmark projects at TRADA’s Timber Focus Theatre.

There will be more than 600 exhibitors and 10,000 products on show this year

150 hours of CPD content This year there will be more than 150 hours of free CPD content, with a different theme for each day of the show – tackling fire safety, health and wellbeing and sustainability. There are mini-theatres covering regeneration, MMC, digital construction, energy and HVAC, surfaces and materials, timber and the workplace. And you can test out the latest tools at the power tools workshop demo area.

“The Digital Construction Hub offers the chance to hear from digital pioneers on topics including best practice in digital strategy, blockchain and big data”

Top five things not to miss 1. Main Stage: Capitalising on Innovation and Disruptive Change On day one of the show, don’t miss “Are you being left behind? Capitalising on Innovation and Disruptive Change”, hosted by George Clarke. Hear from industry experts on the solutions that will transform the way we build, helping to deliver projects faster without compromising on quality.

2. Join the celebrations Take time to relax with colleagues, customers and suppliers at the Fischer bar in Hall 11 and the Rawlplug bar in Hall 12. Don’t forget the Beer Festival and “Rockaoke” on Wednesday night.

3. Discover the future in the Innovation Zone The Innovation Zone, in partnership with industry, is planning to promote

Network with colleagues and peers Th i s ye a r, a n ew b u s i n e ss a n d networking lounge has been added, with wifi for all attendees. And if there is a business you want to connect with, you can contact them through the exhibitors’ portal in advance.

The new Building Trades Awards with Fix Radio and the new UKCW Construction Awards will take place.

Plus, to encourage young people into construction, the iBuiltThis competition is back.

UKCW is one event with many sections, including Build (sponsored by Easy-Trim), Building Tech, Civils, Energy and HVAC, Surface and Materials, and Timber. It also features Concrete Expo (8-9 October only) and Grand Designs Live (9-10 October only). ● Single registration gives access to all areas. For further information visit www.ukconstructionweek.com.

new ideas of relevance to many markets. It is encouraging the whole construction supply chain to find fresh thinking and new technical solutions.

4. Experience live demos at the MMC Hub At the Modern Methods of Construction Hub, you can see how MMC works through a range of full-scale builds and live demos, including assembling a house, BIM modelling demonstrations and simulations.

5. Run your own building site The Coventry University site simulator is hailed as one of the most powerful experiences of any construction show.

If you’re feeling brave you can take on the role of the site manager and have real actors approach you as colleagues and members of the public.

48 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

46_48.CMSept19.UKCW_sc.indd 48

20/08/2019 14:37

ad.CMApr18.Solibri.indd 14

16/03/2018 10:35

CPD

constructionmanagermagazine.com

CPD

To see past CPD articles visit www.constructionmanagermagazine. com/cpd-articles

A new European Standard for daylighting in buildings is helping change the focus of building design, and the role of glazing in those designs, to improve occupant comfort and overall energy efficiency. The need to provide glazed openings and well-distributed daylight to interior spaces, while reducing artificial lighting use, has to be considered alongside the balance between heat loss and solar gains.

EN 17037 covers four areas of daylighting: daylight provision, assessment of the view out of windows, access to sunlight, and the prevention of glare. Although written for new buildings, its provisions can also be applied to works to existing buildings.

Designing buildings to provide healthy, comfortable living and working spaces is more critical than ever. The provision of daylight is one such area where design can be improved.

UNDERSTANDING DAYLIGHTING AND EN 17037

THE ROLE OF GLAZING IN BUILDING DESIGN IS CHANGING THANKS TO A NEW EUROPEAN STANDARD FOR DAYLIGHTING. THIS CPD, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VELUX COMMERCIAL, LOOKS AT WHAT EN 17037 IS, WHY IT MATTERS AND HOW MODULAR SKYLIGHT SOLUTIONS CAN BE USED TO MEET THE STANDARD

What is EN 17037?

Published at the end of 2018, EN 17037 is the first Europe-wide standard to deal exclusively with the design for, and provision of, daylight in buildings.

It replaces a patchwork of standards across different European countries.

The UK had BS 8206-2:2008, the code of practice for daylighting, giving recommendations for daylight design in buildings – including electric lighting design when used in conjunction with daylight. By contrast, EN 17037 deals exclusively with daylight. It includes methods of calculation for design parameters that do not feature in BS 8206-2.

Some existing European Standards include daylight as a factor – for example, EN 12464-1 and EN 15193.

However, both of these also look at it in the context of electric lighting

50 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

50_54.CM Sept19.CPD Velux_sc.indd 50

20/08/2019 15:16

CPD

constructionmanagermagazine.com

In association with

provision, and so EN 17037 is unique in focusing on the quantity and quality of daylight for building users.

The exact date of adoption for EN 17037 depends on when it is incorporated into national standard frameworks. Stan d ard s bod ie s in each country must produce a national annex (NA), detailing local information that helps with applying the recommendations of the standard in the specific country.

In the UK, the full BS EN 17037 is now effective. Those parts of BS 8206-2 that conflict with EN 17037 are expected to be withdrawn.

What does the standard cover?

To achieve its multiple aims in respect of daylighting and occupant comfort, EN 17037 covers four different areas: l Daylight provision Daylight provision, or illuminance levels, allow users to carry out tasks and play a part in determining the likelihood of artificial lighting being switched on. Assessment can be via either climate-based modelling or daylight factor calculations. l Assessment of window views Building users should have a large, clear view of the outside. EN 17037 considers the width and outside distance of the

view, as well as landscape “layers” (sky, landscape and ground). The view should be perceived to be clear, undistorted and neutrally coloured. l Access to sunlight Calculating access – or exposure – to sunlight is a comfort and health factor for users of dwellings, nurseries and hospital wards. Daily sunlight exposure can be established through detailed calculation or table values. l Prevention of glare Prevention of glare is concerned with removing the probability of glare for building users, especially those who do not choose where they sit. It uses a detailed calculation of daylight glare probability (DGP), or a standard table of values for sun-screening materials.

What performance levels does the standard set?

EN 17037 sets a minimum level of performance that must be achieved for each of these four areas. On top of that, there are two further performance levels: medium and high.

Users of the standard are free to select the performance level that best relates to the building design and proposed building use. A simplified and detailed method is available with which to assess each design area.

“Some existing European Standards used include daylight as a factor, but EN 17037 is unique in focusing on the quantity and quality of daylight for building users” How are local conditions accounted for?

As a standard covering all of Europe, the potential differences between one site and another are considerable.

Daylight hours and angle of the sun vary for two sites within the same country, so calculation results for any of the four aspects of daylighting will be unique on every project.

The standard provides common methods of calculation for evaluating daylight. Those calculations, however, take into account national and local conditions through climate-based modelling so solutions are appropriate and specific to each project.

Roof windows deliver at least twice as much daylight as facade windows of the same size

Daylight’s impact on building performance While daylighting is undoubtedly a complex subject – especially when accounting for four different areas of daylight design, as covered in EN 17037 – seeking advice at an early stage and getting the benefit of daylight modelling calculations will smooth the process considerably.

Getting it right at the start improves certainty. Glazing products can be specified to the right dimensions and performance level and priced accordingly. The alternative is to avoid the cost of calculations and modelling exercises, because it seems like a CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 51

50_54.CM Sept19.CPD Velux_sc.indd 51

20/08/2019 15:16

CPD

constructionmanagermagazine.com

20-60%

Glazing design is central to occupant comfort

“The thermal performance of glazed openings, their size and orientation, and any shading, are key metrics in Passivhaus Planning Package assessments” saving. But if late changes have to be made to a design the knock-on effects can prove even more expensive.

Daylight design for building performance Good building design requires a balance to ensure all functions can be met together and to a reasonable standard.

In terms of glazing and energy efficiency, that balance means complementing thermally efficient, airtight building fabric with the right area of glazed openings. The result is reduced electric lighting use and avoiding excessive solar gains – as well as giving occupants a connection to the outside.

This holistic approach is supported b y w h o l e - b u i l d i n g a ss e ss m e n t methods like the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM), and the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP).

All take into account glazing area and orientation as part of predicting the energy use of buildings.

SAP and SBEM form the basis for calculations in national building regulations. They are intended to be a reasonable approximation of building performance. PHPP is the foundation for the Passivhaus standard (which, contrary to the name, can be used to assess all types of buildings; a number of schools have been built to the Passivhaus standard with good results).

Since maximising solar gains in winter, while avoiding summer overheating, is a key tenet of Passivhaus methodology, it should come as no surprise that the thermal performance of glazed openings, their size and orientation, and any shading, are key metrics in PHPP assessments.

When it comes to well-designed glazing, roof windows deliver at least twice as much daylight as facade (vertical) windows of the same size, so can help achieve required illuminance levels with a smaller total area of glazing.

Using daylight modelling to help refine the client’s brief means the balance of facade windows and roof windows can be part of initial design concepts, addressing any overheating concerns and keeping electric lighting demand to a minimum.

Using daylight in office buildings has demonstrated energy savings of 20 to 60%

Assessment methods take into account glazing area and orientation

Using daylight to cut electricity demand Using daylight to its full potential can reduce, or even eliminate, the electricity demand for artificial lighting during the day, Velux has found after investigating the effect of daylight on energy use.

A scenario was modelled where a house had no windows and light levels had to be

achieved with electric lighting only. Using electric lighting influences heating and cooling demand, so the energy use for lighting, cooling and heating was evaluated together.

The results showed that relying on electric lighting to provide lux levels equivalent

to daylight resulted in an energy demand some five times greater than an equivalent house with well-designed glazing and no electric lighting.

Studies of office buildings have demonstrated similarly positive results, with energy savings of 20 to 60%.

52 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

50_54.CM Sept19.CPD Velux_sc.indd 52

20/08/2019 15:17

ACHIEVE MCIOB STATUS What sets Construction Management Training apart from its competitors?

With 30 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in the industry, our enthusiasm to share our expertise is boundless and we deliver a service tailored to each student. We believe in building and nurturing good relationships with students, which is evident from the repeat custom we receive. Most of our courses are classroom based with one to one interaction.

We also provide our own Student Handbooks, notes and constant guidance. Our excellent exam success rate speaks for itself.

l Classroom or distance learning Chartered Membership Programme starting October 2019. l We also deliver classroom based CIOB Certificate & Diploma in Site Management starting September 2019.

l Expand your knowledge online l Stay up to date with the latest techniques and technology l 100s of free CPD articles available

Bringing learning to life wherever you are in the world Construction Management Training Ltd Contact: Dawn Parias FCIOB Tel 01908 218366 Mobile 07718320453

www.constructionmanagermagazine.com/cpd-articles

Web: www.constructionmanagementtraining.co.uk Email: info@constructionmanagementtraining.co.uk

ManageTrainad.SEPT19.indd 1

19/08/2019 15:07

Hundreds of the best jobs in construction.

Recruitment news and insight.

Employers seeking CIOB members. www.constructionmanagerjobs.co.uk

53.ads.CMSept19.indd 53

20/08/2019 09:40

CPD

constructionmanagermagazine.com

A natural view to the outside can impact positively on a building user’s wellbeing

CPD questions 1. When is BS EN 17037 expected to become effective? a) The end of 2020 b) The beginning of 2021 c) The end of 2019 d) It is already effective

“The positive impact of daylight on building occupants is recognised by assessment methodologies like the Well Standard and BREEAM” Daylight design for occupant health and comfort Many aspects of human health, including the length and quality of our sleep, are linked to the light signals we receive during the day. We perceive spaces with a high level of daylight to be “better”; they enhance our mood and morale, as well as reducing fatigue.

There is no measurable universal target for the “right” light dose – but it is clear people need a greater level of interior light than is prescribed in standards for electric lighting. Daylight varies in intensity, colour and direction, and is more stimulating than artificial lighting.

In terms of a view to the outside – one of the four measures covered by EN 17037 – a number of generalisations can be made: a natural view can impact positively on a building user’s wellbeing; a wide, distant view is superior to a narrow, near view; and a diverse, dynamic view is

2. What is the universal target for the right daily light dose in humans? a) 8 hours b) 9 hours c) 10 hours d) There is no measurable universal target 3. Which existing European Standards include daylight as a factor? a) EN 12464-1 and EN 15193 b) EN 12464-3 and EN 15194 c) EN 12568-1 and EN 16183 d) None of the above

more interesting than a monotonous view. The positive impact of daylight on building occupants is recognised by assessment methodologies like the WELL Standard and BREEAM. Light transmittance is a key measure for glazing, but how that light is distributed is a key measure of comfort.

A space is better illuminated by diffused light, whereas occupants are more likely to experience discomfort from direct light, which causes glare. ●

Spaces with a high level of daylight enhance mood and morale, as well as reducing fatigue

The benefits of modular skylights Larger projects require more than a series of well-placed individual rooflights. That is where modular skylights come in.

Ideally factored into the design at an early stage, Velux Modular Skylights can be linked

together in combinations to suit the building shape and roof design. They are factory-made, to tight tolerances, meaning they offer consistent, repeatable and dependable performance.

All accessories, such as blinds and actuators, are installed in the factory too, so the units are delivered to site ready to be fitted.

There is no limit to the number of skylights that can be installed next to each other in a row or run – the only constraint is the building structure itself, and the effect of any movement or expansion joints. Modules of different widths are easily accommodated, though the length must be consistent in a run.

4. Which four areas of daylighting does EN 17037 cover? a) Daylight provision, reduction of electricity demand for artificial lighting, prevention of glare, glazing area b) Daylight provision, assessment of the view out of windows, access to sunlight, the prevention of glare c) Glazing area, assessment of the view out of windows, access to sunlight, light transmittance d) Light transmittance, reduction of electricity demand, prevention of glare, access to sunlight 5. What performance levels does the EN 17037 standard set? a) Minimum, medium, high b) Low, medium, high c) Adequate, good, excellent d) Acceptable, good, outstanding To test yourself on the questions above and to see past CPD articles visit www. constructionmanagermagazine. com/cpd-articles.

54 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

50_54.CM Sept19.CPD Velux_sc.indd 54

20/08/2019 15:17

55.ads.CMSept19.Nasc.indd 12

19/08/2019 12:44

LEGAL

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Legal For the first time in 50 years, the Court of Appeal was recently asked to consider the meaning of practical completion in the context of a building contract.

The case centred on two student accommodation blocks in Plymouth.

Mears, as provider of managed student accommodation, entered an agreement for lease (AFL) with developer Plymouth (Notte Street) Limited (PNSL), which engaged JR Pickstock to design and build the two blocks. Costplan was the employer’s agent, named in both building contract and AFL. As prospective tenant but not a party to the building contract, the AFL prohibited PNSL from making any variations to the building works which materially affected the size – defined as a reduction of 3% – layout or appearance of the room.

PNSL was required to carry out the landlord’s works which included the employer’s requirements (annexed to the AFL and also a key component of the building contract). The AFL contained provisions setting out practical completion requirements for the landlord’s works and that, five days after practical completion certification, Mears would execute a lease in terms set out in the AFL. Further, the AFL provided that the issue or non-issue of the practical completion certificate was in the “sole professional discretion” of Costplan.

The AFL defined the certificate as “issued by the employer’s agent to the effect that practical completion of the landlord’s works has been achieved in accordance with the building contract”.

The practical completion issue arose because Mears issued defects notices under the AFL alleging that many of the rooms had been constructed more than 3% smaller than required. Despite this, Costplan indicated it intended to issue the certificate of practical completion.

Justine Brazil Spencer West

Practical completion: Mears v Costplan A RARE JUDGEMENT ON PRACTICAL COMPLETION WAS HANDED DOWN IN THE RECENT MEARS V COSTPLAN CASE. JUSTINE BRAZIL CONSIDERS THE IMPLICATIONS

“The judgement by Coulson highlights the problems with contractual drafting and differing interpretations” In August 2018, Mears was granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Costplan from issuing the certificate and an expedited trial was ordered. Mears agreed not to terminate the AFL until after the Technology & Construction Court (TCC) judgement.

Mears sought a declaration at trial that any variation to the works which breached the room size clause would also be a breach of the AFL and prevent

practical completion. Judge Waksman disagreed, stating this interpretation meant that one material deviation in one room would entitle Mears to terminate.

He deemed this “commercially absurd”.

The case went to the Court of Appeal, where Lord Justice Coulson agreed Mears’s interpretation of the AFL was wrong; though 56 completed rooms had sizes below the 3% tolerance specified, it was not a material breach of contract.

He reasoned: “If the parties agreed that any failure to meet the 3% tolerance, no matter how trivial, amounted to a material breach of contract, it would lead to a very uncommercial result. It would mean that every room would be the subject of minute measurement, and one trivial failure… allowed Mears to determine the AFL. In my view, clear words would be necessary for such a draconian result and there are no such words in the clause.”

The judgement by Coulson, who also provided a succinct review of practical completion (see box), highlights the problems with contractual drafting and differing interpretations. The parties to a construction contract can agree that a particular clause amounts to a material and substantial breach of contract – but the drafting needs to be clear. ● Justine Brazil is a partner at Spencer West.

What is practical completion? Lord Justice Coulson’s explanation 1. It is easier to recognise than define.

2. Latent defects can’t prevent practical completion from being achieved since nobody knows about them.

3. For patent defects, there is no difference between work items yet to be completed and defective work requiring

remedy. Snagging lists can and will usually identify both types.

4. Practical completion can only be achieved where works have been completed, free from patent defects, other than those considered “trifling”.

5. Whether an item is “trifling” depends on whether the

works could be used as intended. In the Mears case, the fact that the rooms were 3% smaller than required did not prevent them being used for their intended purpose: student accommodation.

6. A defect being irremediable does not preclude practical completion.

56 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

56.CMSept19.legal_sc.indd 56

20/08/2019 15:22

C.M - specifier half page.pdf

1

16/08/2019

09:59

Supporting your business journey to

Project Success C

When choosing an electrical or electrotechnical contractor, minimise your risk by selecting an ECA Member.

M

Y

CM

MY

ECA members:

CY

Are thoroughly assessed for technical capability

CMY

K

Are supported by the ECA Warranty & Bond Have access to industry-leading technical support Have access to industry-leading health, safety and other business & CSR support Have access to extensive industry information, advice and updates Have access to eRAMS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; task/project-specific risk assessment and method statement software

Join us online at Terms & conditions apply may be subject to change Registered in England: Company Number 143669. Covering England, Wales & NI.

www.eca.co.uk/client

CIOB COMMUNITY

constructionmanagermagazine.com

CIOB Community Education

Universitas Indonesia team wins this year’s CIOB Global Student Challenge KANIGARA BANU TOPS INTERNATIONAL LINE-UP

WHYLER PHOTOS

Professor Charles Egbu presents prizes to members of Kanigara Banu at his inaugural dinner in Edinburgh

The winning team receives £2,000 in prize money, along with access to a unique mentoring programme with industry leaders offering guidance to support their professional development.

Teams from universities all over the world entered the 2019 competition, with the six scoring the most in the early rounds invited to the finals in Edinburgh as part of the CIOB’s annual Members’ Forum.

A team from Indonesia has been announced as the winner of the sixth annual Global Student Challenge c o m p e t i t i o n , f a c i n g a f i e rc e l y competitive international field.

Kanigara Banu from Universitas Indonesia is the first Indonesian team to make the finals. They collected their award from CIOB president P ro f e s s o r C h a r l e s E g b u a t h i s inaugural dinner in June.

Awards

FIRM SCOOPS PRIZE AT CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

KAREN HATCH

Baxall is regional SME of the Year

Along with Kanigara Banu, this year’s finalists were: l KLMN Construction Group, George Brown College, Canada; l Toomer Oaks Construction, Auburn University, USA; l Hotpot Crew, Chongqing University, China; and l Design & CurStruct, Curtin University, Australia.

Four of the final six teams came from institutions that have made the finals before.

Professor Egbu said: “The CIOB’s Global Student Challenge has been very impressive this year, with a truly global line up of finalists. I understand that it was very competitive and that the last week of the competition was very close.

Therefore, many congratulations to our winners. I wish them all the best in their construction careers.”

The competition, which takes place in stages over a number of months, is open to full-time students. A real test of construction industry knowhow, it provides a realistic simulation where teams act as a board of directors running their own company. ●

“The CIOB’s Global Student Challenge has been very impressive this year, with a truly global line-up of finalists” Entry for the 2020 challenge Professor Charles Egbu, CIOB president

Baxall Construction scooped SME of the Year award at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2019. The awards were sponsored by the CIOB, and CIOB employer engagement manager Helen Patel (pictured) was on the judging panel.

The awards seek to identify the best people, organisations and projects in the south-east region, which covers London Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle Of Wight,

will open later this year. To find out more about Global Student Challenge, visit: http://gsc.ciob.org.

Kent, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex and the East of England. Finalists are selected through written submissions and Dragons’ Den-style interviews.

Baxall, a CIOB Training Partner, will go forward to the Constructing Excellence national awards, which are judged alongside the other regions over the summer. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in November at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel.

58 | SEPTEMBER 2019 CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

CM Community Sept 2019_sc.indd 58

19/08/2019 12:23

CIOB COMMUNITY

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Story for Community? Email Nicky Roger nicky@atompublishing.co.uk

Conference

Inspire Summit enourages debate over diversity MORE THAN 200 ATTEND DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CONFERENCE AND AWARDS Over 200 construction professionals gathered at the Hilton, Deansgate, Manchester for this summer’s Inspire Summit – an event which acts as a platform for encouraging debate around diversity and inclusion in the construction sector.

The CIOB supported the summit, which included a conference and the Inspire Awards. Celebrating diversity

in UK construction, engineering and housing, the awards comprise 16 categories including: most inspiring building project; most inspiring mental wellbeing initiative; most inspiring housing provider; and most inspiring diversity champion 2019.

Rebecca Thompson, CIOB past president 2017/18, gave the keynote speech at the conference and experts and industry leaders debated a wide range of topics from tackling unconscious bias and implementing inclusive recruitment strategies, to attracting a more diverse workforce for the future and building the business case for diversity.

Campaigner and fundraiser Claire Lomas MBE, who became paraplegic as a result of a riding accident in 2007, gave a motivational and inspiring speech at the awards ceremony.

Guests included Chris Keast, chair of CIOB’s Diversity & Inclusion SIG; Christine Gausden, CIOB Trustee; Hazel Yorke, DM CIOB Northern; Katrina Percival, MSEC CIOB North West; Tom Francis, chair Manchester Hub; Steve Dunn, chair Novus Liverpool; Nicola Hodson, vice chair Novus Manchester; Freya Woodward from Novus Manchester; and Bella Platts, chair Novus East Midlands. ●

Winners of this year’s Inspire Awards with their trophies

Graduation

New FCIOB and MCIOB conferment ceremony CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW FELLOWS AND MEMBERS WHO WERE CONFERRED AT A CEREMONY IN JUNE WITH PAST PRESIDENT ALAN CRANE New fellows Mark Hennessey; Philip Jessop; Zak McCombie; Tina Papadopoulou; Colin Ratcliffe.

New members Anisa Allie; Muhamed Aregbe; Elisabeth Bowran; Gary Carroll; Andrew Carter; Paul Clarke; Nick Coles;

Damian Conway; Dean Crumbie; Gary Cutting; Gavin Fieldsend; Brian George; Hadley Hands; Timothy Holloway; Robert Linnell; Michael Loizias; Chiyamo Prosper Majongwe; Paul Edward Mansell; Arron McCombie; Michael Mee;

Kevin Milne; Stephen Moran; Matthew Oxley; Cain Peters; Conrad Poggenpoel; Andrew Robertson; Eric Samuel; Simon Saunders; Thomas Weeden; Mark Whytock; Gemma Writer.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 59

CM Community Sept 2019_sc.indd 59

19/08/2019 12:24

CIOB COMMUNITY

constructionmanagermagazine.com

High-end living: a visualisation of the development at St Martin’s Place

Site visit

Birmingham

Manchester members get high

Offsite system delivers a luxury lifestyle in Brum

HUB VISIT TO THE CITY’S SKYSCRAPER BUILDS

MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT THE FAST-TRACK CROSSWALL BUILD SYSTEM AT ST MARTIN’S PLACE

The Manchester Hub recently visited one of the largest sites in the city – Deansgate Square, developed and constructed by Renaker Build.

The project comprises four high-rise towers of 64, 50, 44 and 37 storeys and 183,000 sq m floor area. The 64-storey South Tower rises to 201m – making it the tallest tower in Manchester and fifth tallest in the UK. The hub was delighted to visit the top of the South Tower to savour amazing views across the north west.

The scheme features a 20m pool, indoor tennis court, gymnasium and riverside plaza. It is in the Great Jackson Street Development Framework, which earmarks the area west of the city centre for up to 25 new high-rise towers.

M a n c h e s te r i s u n d e rgo i n g a construction boom and this scheme is one of many high-rise developments changing the city-centre skyline. ●

Poor weather didn’t dampen a visit to Colmore Tang’s Birmingham head office to hear about the Creagh Rapidres system implemented on the high-end St Martin’s Place project at Five Ways.

The system from Creagh delivers traditional-style construction with the speed of a modular build for programme savings.

After a presentation the attendees were taken on a site tour.

St Martin’s Place, next to Park Regis Hotel, will be home to the city’s first luxury apartments with full VIP hotel service. The 228 apartments will enjoy residents’ amenities including a private gym, cinema, cafe and 24-hour concierge.

Nicola Markall, compliance manager at Colmore Tang and Birmingham Hub vice chair, said: “The St Martin’s Place Project is a fantastic example of using innovative solutions to build safely, smartly and collaboratively. ” ●

Taxing times for building

NORTH-WEST EVENT TACKLES MAJOR VAT CHANGES

Hub members (left) visit the 64th storey of the South Tower (above) – the UK’s fifth tallest tower

From 1 October 2019 the way VAT is accounted for in the construction industry is due to change dramatically.

To help members learn more, the Preston, Liverpool and Manchester Hub held an event this summer with talks from Victoria Delafaille, managing director of Exchequer Accountancy and a qualified chartered tax advisor, and Emily Lightfoot, the firm’s SME consultant.

From October it will be the responsibility of the recipient of specified construction services to account for the VAT, rather than the supplier.

The measure is being introduced to combat “missing trader fraud” which poses a significant risk to the government in unpaid VAT. This measure will impact on up to 150,000 businesses in the construction and building sector.

HMRC says the biggest impact is to the cashflow of small businesses which use the VAT charged as working capital before paying it over on their quarterly VAT return.

Another event is planned in Warrington in October.

For details of the changes visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/vatdomestic-reverse-charge-forbuilding-and-construction-services.

60 | SEPTEMBER 2019 CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

CM Community Sept 2019_sc.indd 60

19/08/2019 12:30

CIOB COMMUNITY

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Below: Rampion Wind Farm’s offshore substation took two years to build

Wind in their sails

Crashes, clashes and competition at Kent karting cup challenge

DORKING MEMBERS TAKE A BOAT TRIP TO RAMPION OFFSHORE WIND FARM

MAIDSTONE NOVUS ANNUAL EVENT DELIVERS YET AGAIN This summer 13 members from Dorking Hub boarded a catamaran from Brighton Marina to head into the channel to visit the £1bn Rampion Wind Farm.

Around 13km – or seven nautical miles – from Brighton Marina, the wind farm is clearly visible from shore, but the sheer size and scale of the metal giants is only really to be appreciated from a close encounter.

E.ON was awarded rights to develop the zone off the Sussex coast as part of the Crown Estate’s third licensing round in 2010, planning consent was finally granted in July 2014 and onshore construction commenced with a 27km cable route. First making landfall off the coast at Worthing and buried underground, it goes through farms, fields and crosses roads, before terminating at a large electrical substation near Henfield. The cable routing is visible on satellite imaging.

There are 116 wind turbine generators installed in the array, each one standing around 140m high. The length of each blade is around 55m long, with the turbine hubs around 80m above sea level.

Each turbine sits on top of single steel monopiles weighing between 550 and 830 tonnes each, with lengths between 60 to 85m – each one designed and produced to individual specifications, with the size dependent on the water

depth and the conditions of the seabed at its specific location.

The monopiles were designed by Bristol-based LIC Energy and were fabricated by SIF in the Netherlands.

Some 144 km of array cables join 10 turbines each on the seabed. These feed into an offshore substation, where the electricity generated by the turbines is transformed from 33kV up to 150kV. The substation is the most complex single component of the wind farm, weighing around 3,000 tonnes and taking almost two years to build at Babcock International Group’s facility at Rosyth in Scotland. Two parallel cables transmit the power back to shore.

The wind farm , which was completed in 2018 and is now fully operational, produces 1,400GWh – supplying the equivalent of 350,000 homes with electricity each year. ●

DEFECTS DRAW A CROWD The Hemel Hempstead Hub hosted and filmed a well-attended CPD session on defects in modern buildings, presented by Joe Malone from Malone Associates.

The webinar of the event can be found by logging on to the CIOB Academy at www. ciobacademy.org/ course/modernbuildings.

The event will be taking place again in Nottingham on 14 November.

Register at www. events.ciob.org.

The annual Maidstone Novus Karting Cup in June saw 16 teams vying to be crowned the 2019 champions.

Teams from construction-based companies across Kent came together at Bayford Meadows in Sittingbourne for this 90-minute endurance competition, now in its seventh year.

From starters’ orders it was apparent that competition was fierce – with six teams initially alternating at the top of the leader board after each lap, but soon it was clear there was a team to beat – Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS).

The race for second and third place was where the competition was hotting up. CA Drillers, Invvu, BAM, London and South East Building Control (LSE) and Kent Design Studio all shared the positions at some point. The final three laps were the deciding ones, with KFRS the clear winner, retaining their 2018 title. LSE was runner-up and the CA Drillers team 2 took third place. Fastest Lap trophy went to KFRS’ Oliver Crow.

There were some spectacular crashes, but none could beat the one between Faithful+Gould’s Tim Dashwood and CIOB Maidstone Hub vice chairman Oma Megbele. Slowest lap honour went to one of Invvu’s team who managed to take nearly two minutes to navigate the track on one round – at least 30 seconds slower than anyone else.

Bayford Meadows gave a special mention to one team who “excelled in receiving the most warnings we have ever given in the CIOB competition”.

Quigg Golden need to brush up their karting skills for the 2020 competition!

Teampol sponsored the event for the third year.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 61

CM Community Sept 2019_sc.indd 61

19/08/2019 12:30

THE FINALISTS RESIDENTIAL UNDER 7 STOREYS

WHO WILL BE THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOP CONSTRUCTION MANAGER? After four months of rigorous judging across the country, the 2019 finalists have been announced. The judges have decided who will contest the silver and gold medals over the eleven categories at the Gala Awards dinner on 18th September. Who, from the eleven gold medal winners will win the 2019 Construction Manager of the Year?

To find out and celebrate with the very best in the industry, reserve your place now! Demand for tickets at the dinner is always high, with space limited.

Visit our website www.cmya.co.uk for more details and to book your tickets.

Carl Brierley John Sisk & Son Smith's Yard, Manchester James Howlett ICIOB Telford Homes Pavillions, London Ryan McShane McAleer and Rushe Isambard Court & Durham Wharf Drive, Brentford Daren Milne McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd Augustus House, Virginia Water Rori Williams WRW Gaer, Newport RESIDENTIAL OVER 7 STOREYS Anthony Blackledge MCIOB Mace Victory Plaza, Stratford Richard Ingram Watkins-Jones Exchange, Cardiff Paul McGibbon Telford Homes Legacy Tower, Stratford Gerald Ward Bennett FiftySeven East Kingsland, London Mark Wolverson MCIOB Willmott Dixon Gateshead Heights, Harlow Green RESTORATION

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2019 WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 THE GREAT ROOM, JW MARRIOTT GROSVENOR

HOUSE HOTEL, 86-90 PARK LANE, LONDON

With thanks to our Sponsors:

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 62

Jon Allworth Willmott Dixon St Albans Museum and Gallery Michael Beeching Brymor Construction Marlborough College Memorial Hall Simon Copping Greendale Shire Hall Historic Court House Museum, Dorchester

Anthony Dowling Willmott Dixon Alexandra Palace Theatre, London Jason Hartnell Kier Middlesbrough Town Hall Wil Huisman MCIOB PML E-New Court, St John's College, Cambridge Patrick Johnson MCIOB Morgan Sindall Ballater Station, Aberdeenshire Adrian O' Shaughnessy Francis New Visitor Entrance, Eton College Graham Tuthill MCIOB Baxall Hastings Central Library REFURBISHMENT & FITOUT Rob Brown Willmott Dixon Imperial College Library, London Joe Hacke Rise Management Consulting Royal Opera House, London Graham Leigh Willmott Dixon Bolton Central Library and Museum Ronan McGrath MCIOB mac-group River House, Belfast Joseph McNeil Sir Robert McAlpine 120 Oxford Road, London Alex Mastroddi ISG Moss Side Leisure Centre and Library, Manchester Philip O'Brien MCIOB Willmott Dixon Interiors Fit Out To East Stand Twickenham Stadium David Packham MCIOB BAM Construct UK Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross

Gold Sponsors:

19/08/2019 13:11

PRIMARY EDUCATION

HIGHER EDUCATION

PUBLIC & INFRASTRUCTURE

Peter Adams MCIOB Jerram Falkus Hounslow Town Primary School

Simon Allen ICIOB Mace The Student Centre, UCL

Brian Amos ISG Public Realm, Public Square, Cardiff

David Boyle ICIOB Morgan Sindall St Nicholas' Primary School, Glasgow

Rob Cooper Laing O'Rourke The Beecroft Building, Oxford

Jason Bowen Kier Trago Mills, Merthyr Tydfil

Warren Hough MCIOB ISG Beaver Primary School, Didsbury

Tony Fitzgerald MCIOB Morgan Sindall Collaberative Teaching Laboratory, University of Birmingham

Simon Burkitt ICIOB Galliford Try AAVUEST Facility, Yeovilton

Steve Laughton ISG Wynyard Cof E Primary School, Billingham Matthew Lewis Kier Penygarn Primary School, Pontypool Andy Lock MCIOB BAM Construct UK St Mary Magdelane Cof E School, Greenwich Adam Walker ISG Hunslet Moor Primary School, Leeds

Nick McQuaid Bowmer and Kirkland Waterside Campus, University of Northampton Howard Monsen MCIOB Kier IQ Building, University of Wales Nick White Wates National Horizons Centre, Darlington OFFICE

SCHOOLS

Daniel Anderson Structuretone London Fruit & Wool Exchange

Rhodri Bowen Willmott Dixon Ysgol Caer Elen, Haverfordwest

Andy Clark FCIOB Brymor Guildford Business Park Unit 2

Jerome Curran Farrans Chichester Free School

Nicholas Donovan MCIOB Kier 33 Foley Street, Fitzrovia

Kevin Knight MCIOB Kier Maria Fidelis Catholic School, London

Andrew James MCIOB McLaren New Bracken House, London

Atholl Mckay ICIOB Balfour Beatty Lochside Academy, Aberdeen

Graham Mercer Skanska The Tower, London

Mike O'Dell Mid Group Robert Clack School, Dagenham

Nick Moore Mace 70 St Mary Axe, London

Andy Pritchard Willmott Dixon Woodmansterne School, Lambeth

Gareth Williams ACIOB Willmott Dixon Aurora Building, Bristol

New ads CM 208_255 template.indd 63

Astrit Hoxha Telford Homes Bow Garden Square, London Jason Hunt MCIOB Galliford Try AWIC, Bristol Nigel Johnston Fabrite Engineering Building 104 Paper Storage, Duxford Martin Middleton MCIOB Willmott Dixon Lancashire Constabulary West Division HQ, Blackpool Dermot Parkinson BAM Construct UK UK Hydrographic Office, Taunton Tony Richards ACIOB BAM Construct UK AB Dynamics, Bradford on Avon Colin Tilley Willmott Dixon Birchin Way Custody Facility, Grimsby Louis Whittington Morgan Sindall Ramsgate Fire Station HEALTHCARE

JW MARRIOTT GROSVENOR HOUSE HOTEL, LONDON

Dwayne Rice Farrans Marjory Kinnon School, Bedfont

Silver Sponsor:

Kenny Hale Beard The Science Oxford Centre & Wood Centre for Innovation

Bronze Sponsor:

Nadeem Chaudhry Kier Emergency Assessment Centre, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough

Jonathan Cottrell MCIOB Skanska Intensive care unit, Walsall Manor Hospital Damon Culter Wates The Quadram Institute, Norwich Matt Davis Kier The Greenwood Centre, Kentish Town Jamie Jackson VINCI Construction UK Burnley General Teaching Hospital Matthew Littlewood Willmott Dixon Sterile Services, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool Daniel Marsh MCIOB BAM Construct UK MRIHCT, Leeds General Infirmary LEISURE Oliver Caunt MCIOB Willmott Dixon Village Urban Resort, Bristol Michael Deeming MCIOB Galliford Try Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham Mark McCormick MCIOB McAleer and Rushe Newgate Court Student Accommodation and Maldron Hotel Newcastle Paul Murray McAleer and Rushe The Dixon Hotel, Tower Bridge Stephen Neeson McAleer and Rushe Premier Inn, Wembley Nick Preedy ICIOB Willmott Dixon Sports and Wellness Hub, University of Warwick Mark Tregelles Beard Emily Garden Museum, Castle Cary

Event Supporters:

19/08/2019 13:11

CIOB COMMUNITY

Meet a member

Chartered leading ladies of the Middle East FIVE CIOB MEMBERS WORKING IN THE MENA REGION SHARE THEIR STORIES There are around 1,300 chartered members in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region of which only 190 are female. Here five chartered professionals with experience in the region share their stories and experiences, in the hope to inspire others to follow a career in construction.

Noreen Hollywood FCIOB Executive director, Hollywood Associates, Dubai “I love high I had worked on the pressure Crossrail project, which environments led to opportunities on where I can other mega-projects, such as Qatar Rail and apply leadership skills and get other infrastructure hands-on” projects in the Middle East.

My career has given me some Jennifer Bradfield, Mace incredible highlights. I’ve reduced a £1m claim to zero on a public-funded project and been the “eagle eye” on a tender that, if left uncorrected, would have resulted in no tenderers on a $409m project. I’ve negotiated and secured contracts for clients, including a $35bn project.

I have been fortunate to encourage the next generation, presenting to construction students at local universities, leading to a 63% increase in student membership in the region.

I believe education is everything and that being chartered is the foundation upon which to build a career.

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Ariane Dens MCIOB Associate director, Mack Commercial Management and Contract Consultants, Dubai I was brought up being encouraged that if I worked hard, I could be anything I wanted. So, when I was told I couldn’t be a project manager as I wasn’t an engineer, I laughed! It set me a challenge, one that I met and exceeded with 13 years’ project managing.

A specific highlight in my career was being nominated and sponsored by the Engineering and Construction Industry Training Board to undertake its MBA/ MSc in Management – the first candidate from a non-engineering background.

I was introduced to the CIOB just three years ago. Now I’m chartered, with almost 30 years in the oil and gas industry – with the last 12 years in the Middle East. Sharing these experiences and mentoring, helping the next generation, is by far my most satisfying role.

Jennifer Bradfield MCIOB Senior project manager (Consultancy), Mace, Qatar & Dubai My construction career began as a site manager in Ireland and I’ve recently relocated back to the UK after seven years in the Middle East.

I love high-pressure environments where I can apply leadership skills and get hands-on. Already in my career portfolio is the Athletes’ Village for the London 2012 Olympics, Ashghal Programme Doha, Qatar and Expo2020 Dubai. It’s been a thrilling experience to work in multicultural, cross-functional teams.

I obtained chartered status in 2016. I then had the fantastic opportunity to join

the Dubai Hub committee for the CIOB and collaborate with industry leaders to support the sector in the region.

Lina Zureikat FCIOB Claims and dispute resolution manager, CMA, Jordan I completed a master’s in Construction Law and Arbitration, and in the past nine years with Construction Management Associates (CMA) I’ve taken leading roles on mega and complex projects around the Middle East. One of the most recent and challenging projects was King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

I have a solid motive to positively influence and stimulate others. I admit that this enthusiastic trip has been tremendously challenging in a maledominated society and industry.

Saranga Gunawardane MCIOB Lead quantity surveyor – compliance and quality control, QServe Qatar, Doha In 2013, I moved to Qatar from Sri Lanka and in 2017 completed my LLM in Construction Law and Arbitration and became a member of the CIOB. I’ve been involved in a variety of projects in pre-contract and postcontract stages. I find being able to work in different planning stages in construction so interesting. My work often requires me to manage several tasks at a time and meet tight deadlines, which brings a lot of satisfaction.

Being a woman has never been a barrier to me achieving my dreams but being part of the construction sector has given me more courage. ●

64 | SEPTEMBER 2019 CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

CM Community Sept 2019_sc.indd 64

19/08/2019 12:35

CIOB COMMUNITY

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Partnership Learn how to make sure your innovation pays off AS AN INDUSTRY THAT THRIVES ON INNOVATION, CONSTRUCTION FIRMS ARE WELL PLACED TO BENEFIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S R&D TAX RELIEF RIFT Research & Development is committed to spreading the word and bringing the benefits of R&D tax credits to the UK’s most innovative businesses. As part of that commitment, we’re delighted to be working with the Chartered Institute of Building.

Together, we’ll be working to ensure that the British construction industry always gets the credit it deserves.

R&D tax relief goes so much further than most businesses realise. As an industry that thrives on innovation, it’s shocking that as little as 3% of R&D tax credits claims come out of the building trade each year. So many valuable qualifying projects, activities and expenditures are treated as “just day-to-day business” when they could form part of an R&D tax relief claim.

The stereotypical image of R&D belonging firmly in the world of lab coats and microscopes is holding many firms back at a time when a real surge in innovation is needed. With the long shadow of an uncertain Brexit and a looming skills shortage, it’s more critical than ever for firms to get the rewards their innovations earn them.

What’s more, the UK government is actively trying to encourage claims.

With an average R&D SME claim worth £54,000, we’re talking about the single largest incentive scheme of its kind – and far too many are still missing out.

“With an average R&D SME claim worth £54,000, far too many are still missing out”

Examples of qualifying activity l Overcoming system uncertainty may be necessary where older buildings have been refurbished with systems of varying ages. Integrating newer technology can be a challenge, while meeting the demands of sustainability a n d re s to ra t i o n . J u g g l i n g t h e requirements for BREEAM status can take significant innovation when you’re working to maintain the character and “essence” of a building. l Managing challenging ground conditions through innovation, such as issues with piling or foundations, perhaps requiring dealing with unidentified contamination. Effective solutions may not always be readily identifiable, so businesses innovate to minimise delays, budget overruns and other problems. l Recreating old techniques and developing new ones, particularly when dealing with older structures

or newer “green” regulations. Certain techniques may have fallen out of use, or may no longer be appropriate. The growing skills shortage is obviously a real concern here. Finding newer, more effective or efficient methods to achieve the required result can mean a lot of innovative R&D work. l Bespoke designs for one-off builds.

Bespoke projects can be tough to plan around. Not every obstacle or eventuality can be predicted. A lot of work needs to be done at the design stage, naturally, and where there’s no existing blueprint to work from the complications and challenges are heightened. This is exactly the kind of environment that calls for innovative thinking and solutions.

In construction, every project presents its own, unique set of challenges – and with them, the opportunity to innovate.

New products, materials, processes and approaches can all count toward an R&D tax credits claim.

In partnership with CIOB, RIFT R&D is determined to raise awareness, and maximise the benefits, of this incredibly valuable incentive and reward scheme. ● If you would like to know more about R&D tax relief and how your company could benefit contact Julie Barry, new business manager.

Email: jbarry@riftgroup.com Office: 01233 653008

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019 | 65

CM Community Sept 2019_sc.indd 65

19/08/2019 12:45

TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

constructionmanagermagazine.com

Training & Recruitment Job spotlight Joshua Waterman Associate director Turner & Townsend project management

POSITION OF POWER

WORKING AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION BRINGS ITS OWN UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, SAYS JOSHUA WATERMAN You liaise with the shareholder representatives for Turner & Townsend on behalf of Battersea Power Station.

What does that involve? What is a typical day at work for you?

My role is principally on phase two of the project programme. I support the change management and commercial processes, lead the procurement process on behalf of Battersea Power Station and help with project governance.

A typical day is reviewing and preparing changes as well as the placement of packages which are being put forwards for approval to the shareholder representatives. Once prepared, we then present the packages and changes to the representatives for their approval.

What skills and attributes do you need for your job?

The key soft skill I need to do my job is to communicate excellently with people at all levels, from the trade contractors and construction manager, right up to the shareholder representatives, who often want different information delivered to them as audiences.

Strong organisation is also important – to meet critical programme dates to instruct changes and place packages of work without disrupting the works.

I believe my strongest asset has always been to take a commonsense approach to challenges and perceived problems to o ve rco m e t h e m w i t h o u r p ro j e c t team. Technically, my understanding of commercial process and the implementation of robust commercial management is vital to the role.

What are the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of your role?

On a project which is an existing Grade II-listed structure with many complex interfaces, you are always faced with unexpected challenges at Battersea Power Station. However, maintaining a logical, commonsense approach to these challenges is invaluable to be able to find a solution to overcome them.

The most rewarding part is looking out of the window to see an iconic London landmark being brought back to life and seeing the great progress every day that we are making to achieve this. ●

Hundreds of the best jobs in construction.

Recruitment news and insight. www.constructionmanagerjobs.co.uk

Culture change Peter Jackson, managing director of Seddon, on how the company is transforming the day-to-day way in which its employees work

At Seddon, culture really does eat strategy for breakfast. We empower our people to believe in the business and embrace new challenges.

Culturally, we’re continually bridging the gap between sites and offices. We advocate that “work is a thing you do, not a place you go” – which is about boosting morale and changing the way we structure our days.

Ultimately, our shop window is the work we do on site. We have invested significantly in site accommodation and conditions, which is changing the way our employees think about work and how we’re perceived by customers.

We wanted people on site to have the same benefits and conditions as in our regional offices. Each Seddon site is designed to be as welcoming as possible, with exemplary facilities including canteens and fast IT connectivity.

Mobile working is increasingly a key priority.

For example, if someone lives in Wilmslow and travels past one of our sites to come to head office, then why can’t they simply work from the nearest site? There are now more meetings closer to where teams live – in local coffee shops or on site – and the reduced travel time has emotional and environmental benefits.

In short, we uphold a culture whereby our staff and customers feel part of the team wherever they are: to enjoy the build journey, not just the end product. This is being rolled out on all new projects and the benefits are already noticeable.

We have also created a culture that encourages meaningful conversations. Whether through Jordan’s Conversation, our initiative aimed at getting our people to talk openly about mental health, or celebrating achievements on social media. I enjoy reading our teams’ tweets about the week’s work. It’s great to be able to respond with a “well done” and the thumbs-up emoji.

After all, isn’t the best culture one in which you feel heard and valued?

66 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2019

66.CMSept19.recruitment_sc.indd 66

20/08/2019 15:33

The Future of the Construction Manager The lives of construction managers across the UK are rapidly changing as technology transforms how buildings and infrastructure are designed and built. We call this the Era of Connection. Find out how the trends will affect you in a new video made in conjunction with CIOB, and discover how you can stay ahead of the curve.

Watch the video at www.autodesk.co.uk/campaigns/eoc-video-study

www.autodesk.co.uk @AutodeskAEC @Autodesk_UK #eraofconnection Call us at: +44 (0)203 893 2902 Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or a liates in the USA and/ or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifi cations and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2017 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

AD_Construction_Manager_255x208_modi_RZ.indd 1

18.01.18 15:44

Our hard-working nation never stops, and neither does t h e N e w Tr a n s i t . O f f e r i n g u p t o 1 8 5 P S a n d a h e f t y p a y l o a d o f u p t o 2 . 2 t o n n e s* o n s e l e c t e d m o d e l s , i t â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s p a c k e d f u l l o f d r i v e r a s s i s t a n c e te c h n o lo g y to h e l p y o u w o r k s m a r te r.

*Gross Payload = Gross vehicle mass, less kerb mass. GVM = Gross vehicle mass. The total permissible all-up weight of a rigid vehicle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; i.e with body, payload, ancillaries, fuel, oil, water, driver and crew. Kerb mass = the weight of the complete vehicle and all equipment including fuel and water but without payload, driver or any crew. All kerb masses quoted are subject to manufacturing tolerances and are for models with minimum equipment unless stated otherwise. Higher specification models will have greater kerb masses and, therefore, lower payloads due to the increased amount of standard equipment.

SEARCH: NEW TRANSIT