March 2022
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GRAHAM APPOINTED ON £130M HOUSING PROJECT AT WIRRAL WATERS
Built for today Building for tomorrow
ELLIOTT SERVES UP CARBON NET ZERO BUILD FOR MCDONALD’S
Knauf pushes forward with sustainability agenda UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK LONDON TO FOCUS ON CULTURE CHANGE IN CONSTRUCTION
Wilson James opens the doors to the UK’s most sustainable secure consolidation facility
Archaeologists search for Oxford University’s lost college
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Contents March 2022
05
Kier to deliver onshore converter station for offshore wind project
06
Construction underway on new Dnipro Metro stations
08
A Day in the Life Of…Trainee Assistant Site Manager at David Wilson Homes’ Quarter Jack Park: Victoria Grinnall
10
Durkan appoints new Managing Director of Construction
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Elliott serves up carbon net zero build for McDonald’s
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Graham appointed on £130m housing project at Wirral Waters
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Kier launches recruitment drive for over 1,200 people to join its construction revolution
27
Bellway North London’s Adam Simms wins Apprentice of the Year
34
Wilson James opens the doors to the UK’s most sustainable secure consolidation facility
38
Archaeologists search for Oxford University’s lost college
43
Ed Controls: Top tips when choosing a digital snagging tool
48
Show Preview: UK Construction Week London
Front cover image by Alexander Abero
Lapthorn Media Ltd 5-7 Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6PB Editor Maria Lapthorn editor@constructionmaguk.co.uk Editorial Assistant Francesca Amato editorial@constructionmaguk.co.uk Production/Design Laura Whitehead laura@constructionmaguk.co.uk Accounts Richard Lapthorn accounts@constructionmaguk.co.uk
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Construction UK Magazine March Edition is sponsored by Bluebeam
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Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 03
Project News BCEGI APPOINTED TO BUILD PHASE THREE AT MIDDLEWOOD LOCKS
Left to right: Marc Freeman, Director, Clowes Developments & Dominic Jackson, Development Surveyor, Clowes Developments
Scarborough Group International (SGI) has appointed Beijing Construction Engineering Group International (BCEGI) as preferred construction partner to deliver phase three at Middlewood Locks, its £1 billion mixed-use development located between Salford and Manchester City Centre. BCEGI has already completed phases one and two at the award-winning scheme which is one of the largest regeneration projects in the North-West and the UK. The first phase of 571 homes completed in September 2018 and phase two of 546 homes completed in November 2021. Phase two was purchased by awardwinning PRS operator Get Living for its first PRS venture outside of London. Both phases are sold out and a new community of over 1,000 residents now live at Middlewood Locks where iconic brewery brand Seven Bro7hers has opened its first beer house alongside Coop Food and 92 Degrees coffee shop. Phase three which has been named ‘Railings’ features 189 new homes which includes 176 one to three -bedroom apartments in two blocks, one of 10 storeys and the other 12 storeys, on the northern side of the canal opposite Phase 1. There will also be 7 canalside three to four-bedroom townhouses along with 6 mews houses to support family living. The Railings will provide further highquality accommodation incorporating first class amenity space, balconies and private
gardens that blend seamlessly into the public realm areas of previous phases. The project will also feature 5,150 sq ft of ground floor commercial and retail accommodation with an additional 5,000 sq ft of offices. When completed, the 25-acre neighbourhood will provide a total of 2,215 new homes and 900,000 sq ft of commercial space, including offices, hotel, shops and restaurants. Work on The Railings is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2022 with completion in 2024.
CLOWES DEVELOPMENTS BREAK GROUND AT LUXURY APARTMENTS ON CAUSEWAY LANE, MATLOCK Groundworks have begun at Matlock’s brand-new luxury apartment development, Riber View. Riber View will comprise 47 one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments benefiting from south facing aspects towards the iconic Riber Castle, which overlooks the historic town of Matlock. Penthouse suites will benefit from a dual aspect facing west with views over the parkland. A truly idyllic spot for residents. Construction contractor, Roe Developments have commenced ground improvement and piling works following the satisfaction of precommencement conditions set out by the local council. The works are expected to take 12 months to complete with the apartments ready for occupation by Spring 2023.
04 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
Project News
CONTRUCTION BEGINS FOR SPECIALIST CARE HOME IN WARRINGTON Specialist care provider, Exemplar Health Care, has begun the refurbishment on a £4m state-of-the-art care home in Warrington, Cheshire, due to open in Autumn 2022.
KIER TO DELIVER ONSHORE CONVERTER STATION FOR OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT IN THE NORTH EAST Kier has been appointed by General Electric (GE) to deliver the onshore converter station in Redcar in the UK’s north east for RWE’s c. £3 billion Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, located on Dogger Bank in the central North Sea. The onshore converter will be located on a site adjacent to the Wilton Complex, near the village of Lazenby. The project area and compound is 34,000m2 and works will include civil engineering and building construction works for the valve halls, control building and ancillary buildings including the installation of all associated building services, heating, cooling and building management systems.
Sofia Offshore Wind Farm will comprise 100 turbines, an offshore converter station and hundreds of kilometres of both inter-array and export cables, as well as onshore electrical infrastructure. Kier’s works are due to start onsite in early 2022, with the onshore converter station due to complete mid-2025. When operational, Sofia is likely to generate enough green energy to supply around 1.2million average UK homes with their annual electricity needs. The energy generated by Sofia’s turbines will save more than 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year, when compared to the use of fossil fuels in the UK.
Exemplar Health Care is one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist nursing care that focuses on maximising independence and empowering those living with complex needs to live as fulfilled lives as possible. Pacy and Wheatley Construction Limited have been appointed by Exemplar Health Care to redevelop the existing building, to create a 40-bed care home – bringing over 150 jobs to the local area. The home, named Woolston Grange, will be equipped top-to-bottom to meet the needs of its new residents. Each of the 40 bedrooms will come with an en-suite wet room, and the building will feature high quality, spacious communal spaces, sensory and therapy room and landscaped gardens, for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The home will specialise in supporting people living with dementia, acquired brain injury, complex mental health conditions and physical disabilities.
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 05
Project News
CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON NEW DNIPRO METRO STATIONS Construction of the three new stations for Dnipro Metro is underway. Excavation and engineering works of the 4km extension to the city’s metro line were initiated in 2016. The three new stations (Teatralna, Tsentalna and Muzeina) designed by Zaha Hadid Architects will connect the residents, businesses, cultural and academic institutions in Dnipro’s eastern districts with the city centre and the Dnipro-Holovnyi railway terminus. Reducing traffic congestion in central Dnipro, the metro line extension will also enable the parks, beaches and recreational facilities on the banks of the Dnipro River in the east of the city to be easily accessed from the city centre. The city of Dnipro has a long history as a centre of excellence in engineering, metallurgy and manufacturing. These rich traditions are echoed in the welded steel entrance pavilions of the city’s new metro stations.
Defined by concepts of intuitive navigation, the interiors are designed to orientate and direct passengers through each station while enhancing their experience to ensure safe, comfortable and enjoyable transport across the city. The three new deep level stations
Comprising a family of thin structural shells designed to be constructed in recycled steel from Dnipro’s local foundries, the pavilions’ sculpted forms showcase the city’s expertise in steel craftsmanship. Each entrance pavilion is situated within a new public plaza and provides an easily recognisable landmark indicating access to the city’s metro. The design of the ticket halls is unique to each station while the interior concourses, corridors and platforms share a cohesive formal and spatial logic that gives the Dnipro Metro a strong identity.
of the Dnipro Metro line extension are integral to the city’s ongoing programme to upgrade its transport network. Passenger services to the three stations are planned to begin in 2025. PROJECT TEAM Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) Design: Patrik Schumacher ZHA Project Director: Manuela Gatto ZHA Project Architect: Yevgeniya Pozigun ZHA Project Team: Seungho Yeo, Tommaso Casucci, Mark Winnington, Elena Scripelliti, Federico Borello, Garin O’Aivazian, Veronica Erspamer, Branko Svarcer, Catherine McCann, Evgeniya Yatsyuk, Olga Yatsyuk, Jose Pareja Gomez, Jung Yeon Kwak, Li Jin, Nicolas Turchi, Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Aiste Dzikaraite, Veronika Ilinskaya, Houzhe Xu Client: Dnipro City Council Contractor: Limak Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. [Turkey] CONSULTANTS Structures: Schlaich Bergermann Partner SBP [Stuttgart] Façade Engineering: Eckersley O’Callaghan EOC [London] Architectural Lighting: Office for Visual Interaction Inc. [New York]
06 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
MAKING AN ENTRANCE
AUTOMATIC BI-FOLDING SPEEDGATES Even though HTC Parking and security have been at the forefront of the speedgate market for over 30 years, their new accreditation shows that they plan to stay there for the foreseeable future. For many years, HTC have been able to offer higher security rated gates to the European standard RC2, RC3, RC4 & RC5, and have introduced 1000’s of bi-folding speedgates around the world. However, in 2019 HTC reached out to LPCB looking to attack test their Xentry 3TP and put it through the thorough certification process. Now proudly boasting the new LPS 1175 issue 8 accreditation, they are able to offer a certified higher security rated bi-folding speedgate, specifically for the UK market. Significant upgrades have been implemented to what was already an immensely robust system, and with the addition of four SR2 certified infill designs to choose from, it is clear to see that HTC have been quietly beavering away behind the scenes, to not only achieve the security rating of B3 SR2 but
keeping them at the sharp end of the bi-folding speedgate market. HTC Parking & Security UK Director said: “The days, months and years of research and development that go into our gate systems is ultimately for the safety and security of our customers. We want to give them the best experience and tick every box, every time. It is important that we continue to keep up with the latest technology and security features, whilst keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum”. To solidify their position within the higher security market, HTC Parking & Security are also members of Secured by Design, the official police security initiative, that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit. HTC operations manager said: “We are delighted to be working alongside SBD. It has been a monumental effort by everyone at HTC to get where we are, especially with recent UK and global events, but with the new accreditations and new products in the pipeline, we are extremely excited for the future”.
For more information visit: www.htc-ps.co.uk HTC Parking and Security Ltd Unit 7 Rivington Court, Hardwick Grange, Woolston, WA1 4RT, UK T: 01925 552740 | info@htc-ps.co.uk | www.htc-ps.co.uk
Xentry 3TP Technical Specification
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Now available accredited to LPS 1175 Issue 8 – B3 (SR2) 1 Motor Mechanical locking Robust drive system in top unit Special gate leaf infills Guiding in drive unit Speed approx. 1.2m/sec Approved by TÜV in compliance with EN13241-1 Integrated or external controls Max. width 7,000 mm Max. height 4,500 mm Max. 25m²
Interview
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF…TRAINEE ASSISTANT SITE MANAGER AT DAVID WILSON HOMES’ QUARTER JACK PARK: VICTORIA GRINNALL Firstly, congratulations for achieving a finalist position in the Ex-forces business awards! How does it feel to achieve this? It was such a surprise to be nominated for the award after only having been with David Wilson Homes for 10 months at the time. I was up against some amazing women. Even though I didn’t win, it was such an achievement to be nominated. What is the Armed Forces Transition Programme, and why did this appeal to you? The Armed Forces Transition Programme is set up by Barratt Group, comprising Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes.
It is aimed at those who have recently left the military or who are looking to leave and start a career in construction. Through the process, you get all the help you need to achieve all the relevant training and become a confident Assistant Site Manager. Leaving the military is always quite a scary and daunting process for many people, and the programme allows you to work alongside and connect with people who have had a similar career background. As the first female to drive Titan and Trojan tanks in the military to a role as trainee assistant site manager, what drives your ambition? It would be the challenge. Finding out that no other woman had driven those types of Armoured Vehicles in the Army is what drove me to want to do it. I always try and push myself out of my comfort zone, and this is what being a Trainee Assistant Site Manager entails.
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Working on a Construction Site is very similar to being in the Army. You are put under pressure and sometimes made to think on your feet. This is one of the reasons why ex-military personal are well suited to the role of site manager. Why is it important to inspire and encourage more women into various roles including leadership positions in this industry? This is something that is very important to me. There aren’t many women in the construction industry who have reached leadership positions. Having been in the industry for a year now, I have met some amazing and inspirational woman who have helped me get to where I am in my career. I have heard of many women who are looking to get into the industry but are unsure where to start. But, with so many career paths now open to women within the sector, there’s something for everyone.It is always lovely hear from
Interview women who have asked for advice and have now started a career in the industry. Talk us through a brief insight into your day to day tasks as a trainee assistant site manager My day can vary each day. No day is ever the same – one of the reasons I enjoy working in construction. I usually assist and help the Site Manager on daily tasks. That could be making sure the trades on site have a good understanding of what needs to be done that day, or ensuring people are where they should be.
The construction industry is adapting every day and there are so many paths women can take into the sector that will allow you to find your feet. There are also so many rewards and benefits of working in the industry, which allow plenty of room for career development.
I also help with any questions or queries from customers regarding their new home. What is it about your role that you find most interesting? That would have to be moving customers into their new home. It is always so amazing to see them moving into either their very first home or a family home. It’s lovely to see them receive the key to their house and watch them build a home for themselves. What motivates you? The passion I have for my job. I enjoy waking up and discovering what challenges lay ahead that day. How do you overcome challenges? This is probably something I have learnt being in the Army – if there is something that I don’t know the answer too, I will go away and research it. I left the Army with no construction experience, so there have been plenty of challenges to overcome. I have found that the best way to learn is by asking the trades on site plenty of questions – they are always willing to help. Everybody on site is very supportive and
always happy to share the knowledge they have. What are your goals for the future? I am coming towards the end of the Ex Armed Forces Transition Programme. My next goal is to become a qualified Assistant Site Manager. My real ambition is to become a Site Manager one day and have a site of my own to run. I would love to be Site Manager and be able to mentor someone in my team going through the same programme as I am, just like my Site Manager has done for me. What one piece of advice would you give to other women out there that want to get into the construction industry? I would tell them to just go out and apply. There are so many avenues that women can take when getting into a career in the industry - whether that be getting into management or working in a trade. The construction industry is adapting every day and there are so many paths women can take into the sector that will allow you to find your feet. There are also so many rewards and benefits of working in the industry, which allow plenty of room for career development.
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 09
People On The Move
CAVANNA HOMES APPOINTS TWO CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LEADERS TO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLES Two leading figures in UK construction have been appointed as non-Executive Directors to the board of family-owned Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes, to help guide the firm’s growth into its second century of trading. John Lougher, who steps down from his role as Strategic Land Managing Director for Vistry Group later this year, and Stephen Trusler whose career in housebuilding includes senior roles with Lovell Partnerships, Wates Group and Laing O’Rourke, will support Cavanna Homes’ Managing Director Keith Miller and Finance Director
Scott Murray to grow the business in tune with the family ethos. John and Stephen have also held non-Executive Director positions with housing associations; John with the Guinness Partnership and Stephen with Aster Group. Both will be seeking to establish stronger partnerships on behalf of Cavanna Homes with industry contacts, including the larger housing associations. Next year marks 100 years since PD Cavanna founded the family homebuilding business, which still has its headquarters in Torquay.
Durkan has appointed Tim Carpenter as its new Managing Director of Construction – marking the start of a new chapter for the leading independent development and construction company.
MI FLUES LTD PUT BURGERHOUT ON THE MAP With more than 150 years history, the Burgerhout range of flue venting, and ventilation products will finally be available in the UK from Mi Flues Ltd. Burgerhout is part of M&G Group, a name synonymous in the world of flue ventilation and roofing accessories. By combining the well-established distribution channels and online presence of Mi Flues, availability of Burgerhout materials will be enhanced for merchants and installers alike. Mi Flues will stock familiar flue venting products including PP Multiline Cascade Ø150 & 200mm, TwinSafe Concentric PP Ø80/125 & Ø100/150 and Twinline PP Ø80 – 200mm. The successful Mi-Flex stainless steel liners will be complimented with Burgerhout’s polypropylene Flexline system Ø80 – 130mm, including TwinFlex Concentric PP Ø80/130. The evolving ventilation and heat pump market segments are also supported with a range of Anjo cable entries, modular roof ventilation products and the successful Burgerhout EPS Insulated Ducting System.
Check out Burgerhout products at mi-flues.com 25/02/20222022 14:20:59 10 Construction UK Magazine - March
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DURKAN APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION
Tim moves from his position as Group New Business Director and succeeds Jim Briggs, who is retiring after 44 years with Durkan, including more than eight years as Managing Director. Tim has previously held a number of Managing Director positions with other leading contractors over more than 25 years. The new appointment comes as Durkan continues to grow a strong project pipeline with public sector partners to deliver much needed new affordable housing, as well as continuing the group’s expansion within London and the South East. Tim Carpenter said: “The consistently high quality of our work and the trust our partners place in us means we’re perfectly placed to fulfil our mission of being one of the leading customerfocused constructors of quality homes and sustainable communities in London and the South East. I’m looking forward to helping us deliver on that commitment.”
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Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 11
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Project
ELLIOTT SERVES UP CARBON NET ZERO BUILD FOR MCDONALD’S McDonald’s in Market Drayton, Shropshire, has become the UK’s first carbon net zero restaurant - using the Elliott offsite construction system. Being carbon net-zero means that the wind turbine and solar panel-powered restaurant will produce as much energy as it uses over the course of a year and there are only a small number of highly efficient buildings in the UK that meet this criterion. Market Drayton is the first restaurant in the UK to be verified as net zero emissions for construction using the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC’s) net zero carbon buildings framework. Elliott was an integral part of the project delivery team, utilising its modular solution which features a large number of incremental improvements that combine to make a huge difference in overall performance. Minimising environmental impact and achieving a net-zero build were key requirements set out by McDonald’s at the very start of the project. The innovative turnkey solution includes kitchen, servery, offices, storage, dining area and toilets, as well as car park and external landscaping works. McDonald’s carbon net zero restaurant was 80% completed in the Elliott
factory before being transported to site, minimising waste and maximising quality control, efficiency and speed of construction. Once on-site, the modules were connected to services and underwent final fit-out ready for handover. As part of a sustainable approach, the building utilises responsibly-sourced and recycled materials throughout, further reducing its environmental impact. The restaurant is designed to allow relocation, reconfiguration or recycling, depending on McDonald’s future requirements.
This is a landmark project for McDonald’s, the Elliott Group and the building industry as a whole. Achieving a net zero carbon build confirms that the ambitious targets set for the built environment are achievable using our modular and offsite solutions. All Elliott offsite modules are designed to have a service life of at least 60 years.
Building modules for Market Drayton are constructed using a steelframed system, a 100% recyclable material sourced from a UK supplier with certified Environmental Policy Declarations. Sustainable features include sheep’s wool insulation instead of fibreglass as well as cladding, ceiling, floor and wall tiles made from recycled plastic, a rainwater harvesting system, wind turbine electricity generation and photovoltaic car park lighting complete with battery backup. The kitchen incorporates a heat exchange that feeds into the dining area. The lightweight structure of Elliott’s steel frame modules minimised carbon intensive foundations. These were completed at the same time as the modules were manufactured, helping to reduce the build schedule by around half compared to an on-site build. Graham Stevenson, Construction Manager at Elliott, said: “This is a landmark project for McDonald’s, the Elliott Group and the building industry as a whole. Achieving a net zero carbon build confirms that the ambitious targets set for the built environment are achievable using our modular and offsite solutions.” McDonald’s spokeswoman Beth Hart said: “We’ve already started to roll out some of these innovations to other restaurants, but what is exciting about Market Drayton is the fact it will act as a blueprint for our future new builds. We believe that our food needs to be served in restaurants that are sustainable for the future. Market Drayton is a big step towards making that a reality.” According to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), the built environment is directly responsible for 25% of the total UK carbon footprint, and therefore creating a net-zero carbon build plays a critical role in transitioning to a low carbon economy. To find out more about the McDonald’s Market Drayton carbon net-zero build, visit: www.elliottuk.com/case-studies
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 13
Project News
WILLMOTT DIXON APPOINTED FOR £9.7M HOLY TRINITY ACADEMY MODULAR UPGRADE Holy Trinity Academy in Telford is set to receive a new lease of life as Willmott Dixon presses ahead with a £9.7m facilities upgrade on behalf of Telford and Wrekin Council. The full scale of works is set to complete ahead of the 2022/23 academic year. The seven-month project will improve and expand the school’s amenities, while supporting greater student intake to the Ofsted “Good” rated school. The upgrades include the design and build of a new three-storey teaching block, which will house extended science facilities; equipped with four science labs, ten teaching rooms and other multi-purpose spaces. The plans also include singlestorey extensions to the east and west elevations of the existing dining hall, to create additional space for students to
use at breaktime and for assemblies. External works will renovate the outdoor sports areas and support the students’ PE curriculum and events timetable. The Telford community will also benefit from a hireable space, as the new 3G sports pitch will be available to hire for local residents outside of school hours. Meanwhile, Willmott Dixon will be investing in the area by running its successful Building Lives Academy and Traineeship Programme, which supports young adults aged 16-18 not in employment, education or training. The project team includes Bond Bryan Architects and is expected to finish in September, giving the school a fresh look for new and returning students in the new academic year.
WORK STARTS AT NEW 78-HOME DEVELOPMENT IN WITHAM Construction work is underway at a new housing development which will provide 78 new homes in Witham.Bellway is building the homes at an 8.6acre site off River View, which will be called New Gimson Place. It is the third development that Bellway has started work on in Witham in recent years and there are also plans for a fourth site in the town. At New Gimson Place, the developer is building 55 properties for private sale and
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23 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership. As part of the planning agreement with Braintree District Council, Bellway is to provide public open spaces on the site and contribute more than £600,000 towards local services. These contributions will include £304,856 towards primary education, £72,500 for outdoor sports, Plans to build a further 230 homes on a site off Rectory Lane are currently in development.
Project News
GRAHAM APPOINTED ON £130M HOUSING PROJECT AT WIRRAL WATERS Peel L&P has appointed construction company Graham to build a catalytic and sustainable development of 500 apartments within the emerging Northbank neighbourhood at Wirral Waters. Construction work will begin in spring of 2022 on the £130m development, currently known as Wirral Waters One, which is set to be the biggest single development at Wirral Waters to date, within one of the largest and most sustainable regeneration projects in the UK. Peel L&P’s appointment of Graham follows an agreement signed last month between Peel L&P and Pension Insurance Corporation plc to fund the development. The development will include 500 one and two-bedroom waterfront apartments, including 100 affordable new homes. Rents on the affordable units will be a maximum of 80% of open market value, delivering significant social impact. The project has been designed with sustainability at its core, utilising a range of energy efficient and low carbon technologies to reduce carbon emissions. The new homes have also been designed to be ‘resource efficient’ by reducing water and energy consumption, prioritising natural lighting, reducing wastage and using sustainable, energy efficient heating.
WINVIC BREAKS GROUND TO UNDERTAKE ENABLING WORKS AND TO CONSTRUCT FOUR INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSES AT ST MODWEN PARK DERBY Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, along with repeat client St Modwen Logistics, has celebrated the start of the first phase of a significant project in Derby with a ground-breaking ceremony. St Modwen Park Derby, which is located off the A52 and close to junction 25 of the M1, will initially see Winvic complete four modern industrial units at the new 67-acre business park in less than 10-months. Winvic will deliver over 224,000m3 of cut and fill works on the site adjacent to the River Derwent to enable the development plots, build 800m of new
road infrastructure and create more than 20 acres of natural landscaped area in order to improve the working environment for those working within and living close to the Park. Units D39, D54, D79 and D131 will be completed in phases between July and October 2022. Project delivery includes the design and construction of the four buildings – which all comprise office space – mechanical and electrical installations, creation of service yards, drainage and service works, significant landscaping and associated roadworks. Each facility will achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an ‘A’ EPC rating.
Landscaping and tree planting will surround the development, with parks, green spaces, dockside walkways and cycle routes already transforming the waterfront along Northbank. Residents will have access to cycling storage and electric vehicle charging points. This development will be the catalyst for a number of waterside residential schemes due to be built in the new Northbank neighbourhood and will be adjacent to other residential schemes, including East Float, the joint venture project between Peel L&P and Urban Splash, where construction is already underway, and the Belong Care Village, which is due on site in Spring 2022.
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 15
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Feature
LEADING PRACTITIONER PREDICTS BUILDING PHYSICS ENGINEERING WILL GO MAINSTREAM IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR DURING 2022 One of the UK’s leading building physics engineers has predicted a series of major construction industry challenges will see his specialism become mainstream in the sector during 2022. Rob Gill, managing director of Leedsbased consultancy Yonder, said influences creating this position would include intensified pressure to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions, soaring prices, fierce competition among occupant organisations to attract and retain quality staff and radically changed Building Regulations being introduced in England on 15 June. Mr Gill explained: “Building physics engineers offer professionals such as developers, development managers and investors substantial improvements to vital aspects of constructions’ internal and external performances, compared to their base concepts or previous results. “These upgrades include in air movement, moisture control, thermal performance, ambient energy, light and acoustics. We work on buildings being planned, under construction or experiencing refurbishment, irrespective of whether they’re used in the public, commercial, third or residential sectors.” Mr Gill said the ultimate benefits building physics engineers delivered included: reduced or abolished carbon emissions, embodied and operational; lower capital and operating costs, via routes such as minimised power consumption; greater internal comfort for occupants; and
enhanced compliance with industry standards or regulation. He said: “At Yonder, we summarise these key benefits as the four Cs – carbon, cost, comfort and compliance. I believe 2022 will provide powerful inducements under each heading for more property professionals to call on the services of ourselves and our competitors.” Mr Gill said in the ‘carbon’ category, his organisation was already seeing enhanced market awareness of the need to cut emissions, following the wellpublicised United Nations COP 26 Climate Change Conference, in Glasgow last November. He said: “Outcomes from COP 26 included that all UK publicly listed companies and financial institutions must by next year have published plans detailing how they’ll achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2050, which two-thirds of them currently lack. “This is bound to cause a ripple effect, with the organisations concerned increasing pressure to cut emissions on companies in their supply chains, including in the construction sector.” Mr Gill said demands like these would augment existing pressures for reduced emissions from groups like property owners, investors and occupant businesses. Their motivations included potential problems in selling and letting buildings falling below increasingly higher standards likely to be required in the future.
He said: “Reasons building physics engineering will come of age during 2022 in the ‘cost’ category include demands within all organisations to minimise spending. These are being driven by factors such as soaring general inflation – officially 5.4 per cent in December, the highest level for almost three decades – particularly rising energy prices. The cost of wholesale gas, for example, rocketed by 250 per cent in the last 12 months, including by 70 per cent in August alone. There’s therefore huge pressure to cut power usage, from groups such as building occupants, especially if their bills have already multiplied or their current contracts end in the next few months.” Mr Gill said factors leading to building physics engineering becoming seen as essential to construction during 2022 under the “comfort” heading included the state of the UK labour market. He said the Office for National Statistics had confirmed the net number of people in jobs rose by 60,000 in the three months to November - reducing the unemployment rate to 4.1 per cent - and vacancies totalled a record high of 1.2 million in the quarter to December. He said: “These trends are intensifying competition among employers for competent staff, who are increasingly in positions to demand rewards going well beyond decent pay packets. Comfortable working environments, including suitable temperatures and adequate lighting, which also help them to be productive, are bound to be high on their priority lists too.” Mr Gill said in the “credentials” category, this summer would bring a seismic change in England’s construction industry, with the implementation of the 2021 Building Regulations, which altered Part F and effectively re-wrote Part L for the first time since 2013. He said the amended rules would apply to properties such as new domestic and non-domestic buildings, plus existing constructions of both kinds which underwent specific types of building work. He said: “The regulations raise the bar significantly, setting much higher standards in areas such as energy efficiency, ventilation and overheating – exactly the areas in which building physics engineers specialise. I therefore expect this change too will cause more construction industry professionals to explore the benefits of calling-in ourselves and our competitors during 2022.”
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 17
Company News DERBY-BASED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OFFERS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO LOCAL STUDENTS Derby-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has highlighted the success of its annual apprenticeship programme and role as a Cornerstone Employer as it supported 25 apprentices last year alone.
aged 22 Ed has completed his HNC course (Higher National Certificate) and his HND (Higher National Diploma) in Construction in the Built Environment at Derby College, whilst working on site four days a week.
The contractor, which has headquarters in Little Eaton, Derby, operates across the East and West Midlands delivering high-value construction projects in various sectors including healthcare, education, commercial, industrial, restoration, leisure and residential.
Another apprentice, employed by G F Tomlinson in 2019 is Tiarna Powell, who completed her HNC course at the Roundhouse with a distinction, and is now studying for her HND with the Derby College Group.
Its annual apprenticeship programme enables G F Tomlinson to employ young people and mentor them through hands-on work in the business whilst also supporting them to achieve their professional qualifications.
Tiarna is working four days a week, gaining hands-on experience within the quantity surveying team having worked on projects including the Blythe Valley M2 residential mixed-use scheme in Solihull and a large industrial scheme on the new Wakefield Hub for developers HBD and Yorkcourt.
One of those young persons is Ed Smith, who was employed by G F Tomlinson aged 16 whilst undertaking a level 3 course. Now
She will also be starting her degree in quantity surveying at Nottingham Trent University this year.
£1.2M CONTRACT WIN FOR PHOENIX BRICKWORK SCAFFOLDING DIVISION, AS GROWTH CONTINUES BMH Scaffolding, part of the Phoenix Brickwork group of companies, has recently started work on a new, £1.2m contract win to supply extensive scaffolding services for a major new residential project in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
With a project of this size, it’s important to make a fast and efficient start. Our expert team of almost two dozen scaffolders is already delivering impressive progress in all areas, to make sure that multiple elevations are ready, in time for the next stages of construction. Within a week of appointment, teams from BMH Scaffolding began installation on this huge residential and retail block, to ensure that the full structure would be ready for the next phase. The scaffolding element is scheduled to take 52 weeks of the overall 138-week construction plan and is challenging in both timings and scale. The project involves in excess of 1000 tonnes of independent scaffolding with loading bays and stair towers, installed up to 18 storeys high. BMH Scaffolding’s site manager, Kevin Mee, said “With a project of this size, it’s important to make a fast and efficient start. Our expert team of almost two dozen scaffolders is already delivering impressive progress in all areas, to make sure that multiple elevations are ready, in time for the next stages of construction.”
18 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
Company News KIER LAUNCHES RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR OVER 1,200 PEOPLE TO JOIN ITS CONSTRUCTION REVOLUTION Kier is launching a recruitment drive with over 1,200 jobs available across the Group. As one of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure providers, the jobs will support new schools, hospitals, roads and rail projects in communities right across the UK. The recruitment drive will also help Kier to achieve its ambitions to bring a new generation of talent into the construction industry. The Group has jobs available across the UK, from the Midlands, north west and south west of England as well as Scotland and Wales and, due to the extensive training programmes the company offers, previous experience within the sector is not essential for a number of the positions available. With sustainability, data, and new technologies spearheading the revolution taking place within the construction industry, roles on offer are more varied than ever before. From technology engineers, to sustainability co-ordinators, general operatives, business analysts and team leaders, as well as positions in finance, IT and human resources. Kier is seeking diverse new talent with skills and experience from a range of locations, sectors and backgrounds and is breaking down barriers to entry by offering various entry points, including graduate, apprenticeship and Kickstart opportunities. The Group also has programmes such as Making Ground, which supports ex-offenders to find meaningful and sustainable employment.
BAM SECURES PLACE ON PROCURE PARTNERSHIP NORTH WEST CONTRACTOR FRAMEWORK Following a competitive tender, BAM Construction’s Salfordbased team has been reappointed to Procure Partnership’s North West Contractor Framework. The framework was established four years ago by Procure Partnerships to support public sector bodies across England and Wales to procure contractor partners. Potential framework users include, but are not limited to, schools and academies, colleges and universities, government departments, emergency services, NHS bodies, local authorities, leisure providers, housing associations, health and social care bodies and registered charities. With an estimated total value of £1.8 billion, the renewed fouryear framework will launch on 1 April 2022 and is divided into region-specific, value banded Lots. BAM has secured a place on all three of the Lots for which it tendered. BAM’s current portfolio across the region includes the new acute facilities at Salford Royal Hospital, the trauma centre at Aintree University Hospital, plus what will be the UK’s largest live arena, Co-Op Live in Manchester. It recently handed over new offices for industrial giants Inovyn in Runcorn and Unilever in Port Sunlight.
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 19
RISING FUEL COSTS DRIVE SHIFT TO SOLAR WELFARE With fuel tax increases and the phasing out of ‘red’ diesel for welfare cabins on 1st April, is now the time to make the change to solar? Welfare owners operating traditional diesel fuelled cabins are facing up to the huge increase in running costs that the proposed tax changes on April 1st will bring. With ‘red’ diesel no longer permitted for use, companies will have to turn to expensive white diesel or plant-based HVO biofuel which is also being hit with a tax hike of 46.81 pence per litre. With this mind, many people will be looking for alternative ways to power their welfare cabins. Hydrogen is one option but at the current time, it is still prohibitively expensive and also most of the hydrogen available in the UK is ‘dirty’ hydrogen produced in a way that means its environmental impact is very high. Therefore solar is looking like the most viable alternative. UK manufacturer Boss Cabins recently launched its new Deep Green 2030 range
of welfare products, which are designed to operate almost entirely from solar energy and produce virtually zero emissions. The cabins are fitted with a raft of roofmounted high-spec solar panels, lithium ion batteries and a smart energy monitoring system which shows at all times exactly how much energy the cabins are generating and using and from what source. A tiny 3.5kVA generator is installed as back-up to charge the battery during periods of low light or if they are placed in locations where there is minimal sun exposure. The cabins are fitted with a SolarFlow™️ electrical system which consumes as little energy as possible while still providing all the functions needed in a high-end welfare unit. All items operate from 24V battery power, so can be powered purely from solar energy. Data gathered from the fleet of solarpowered Deep Green cabins currently out in the field has shown their solar production capacity to be exceeding even the manufacturer’s own expectations. Boss Cabins Managing Director James Kearsey
states: “We are delighted by the results we are seeing. Even in the low winter light of February, these cabins are generating almost all the power they need from solar alone.”
We have Deep Green welfare cabins deployed in different locations all around the UK, and in the last week of February, the data showed that these units were creating 91% of their energy requirements solely from the bank of solar panels mounted on their roof. These results are extremely encouraging and show that for most of the year, the Deep Green range will be able to run 100% on solar power using no fuel at all and creating no emissions. As well as providing an effective solar alternative to traditional welfare, the Deep Green units include a raft of other environmental benefits including a unique and innovative system for harvesting rainwater and recycling grey water which cuts the need for water refills and waste pumpouts. James Kearsey continues: “We developed the Deep Green 2030 range to give the welfare industry a product that truly reduces environmental impact while not sacrificing any of the performance you expect from a Boss welfare cabin.” The first cabins in the Deep Green range include a 24ft Canteen/Office and a 16ft Canteen, both with twin toilets. Several more models are in the pipeline with a 12ft model being released soon and several sizes of static as well as a range of portable toilets. To book a Deep Green demo or for more info, visit the website bit.ly/DeepGreenSolarWelfare
20 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
BUILD BACK GREENER
AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S “GREEN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION”, WORKSITES ARE UNDERGOING PROFOUND CHANGES IN THE WAY THEY OPERATE AND IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION THEY MUST COMPLY WITH. Deep Green is a new range of welfare from Boss Cabins with sustainability and accountability at its core. Be part of the solution with green and smart innovations designed to future proof your fleet to 2030 and beyond.
Solar powered Virtually zero CO2 emissions 100% renewable energy Carbon neutral operation Water harvesting, recycling and waste reduction technologies
Anti-viral cabin sterilisation system Smart energy monitoring solutions Sustainable recyclable build techniques Reduced need for service and maintenance visits
deepgreen2030.co.uk 01778 300475
KNAUF PUSHES FORWARD WITH SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA Knauf UK & Ireland is committed to a high standard of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Recent efforts have intensified with last year’s appointment of a new Sustainability Leader and the implementation of several initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of its products. Knauf welcomed Lucy Hall as Sustainability Leader in September. Lucy will partner with all areas of the business from manufacturing to specification and sales to develop a robust sustainability strategy. Lucy has a wealth of experience and awards in the areas of sustainability and innovation. Her expertise will help Knauf to advance its sustainability agenda at a time when product manufacturers are shouldering increasing environmental responsibility. As part of its ongoing sustainability endeavours, Knauf is adopting new packaging which will contain at least 30% recycled plastics and is often also recyclable at the end of its life. The Company is using Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics – materials which have been used by consumers and recycled, completing the circle.
Lucy Hall
The Company has added easy to recognise logos to the packaging to identify when it has been made from recycled plastic, and if it is recyclable. Packaging changes will begin with key Knauf products and continue for other products over the coming months. Lucy gives an insight into the importance of the new packaging: “Our Product Manager, Becky Newell, has worked collaboratively and consistently to achieve Knauf’s goal of improving the recycled content of our packaging. Realising her goal to make a difference on a bigger scale, the recycled content of plastic packaging will now also be high on the agenda of new product development. This is a fantastic achievement in Knauf’s drive to fulfil its sustainability goals.” Greenhouse gas emissions are associated with single-use plastics, and the National Geography Society estimates that more than 40% of plastic is used just once and that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. This is a key reason for Knauf adopting PCR plastics and a recognition of the Company’s commitment to Build for the World We Live In. The switch will see some small changes to the appearance of product packaging, such as a grey rim and base. This is simply due to a number of different coloured plastics being recycled to make a new product, and not adding in unnecessary dyes. Only the packaging is changing, not the product, so customers can rest assured knowing they’re still getting the same, trusted Knauf product. Another sustainable change being made to the Knauf portfolio is on the GIFAbond flooring adhesives range. These products
As part of its ongoing sustainability endeavours, Knauf is adopting new packaging which will contain at least 30% recycled plastics and is often also recyclable at the end of its life. are used when installing Knauf GIFA FHB and Hugo floorboards. The product range is now EC1 Plus Emicode certified, the highest possible Emicode certification, and achieves very low emission, defined as ‘the limit of what is technically feasible today’. To achieve this rating, the products must undergo rigorous testing with limits on VOCs, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other hazardous substances which can affect indoor air quality and health. The Knauf EC1 Plus Emicode certified products will be GIFAbond Uno, a joint adhesive foil which is used with an application gun to the tongue and groove edge; GIFAbond Blue, a single layer joint adhesive in an easy to use bottle for hand application, and GIFAbond Duo, a surface adhesive used on two-layer systems. These initiatives are encompassed in Knauf’s ongoing sustainability programme and tie in with its ‘people, planet, prosperity’ ethos. Sustainability considerations will only become more prevalent across the construction industry and Knauf wants to lead the way in meeting customers’ expectations for environmentally friendly products.
Website: www.knauf.co.uk
22 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
Editor’s Choice BIRMINGHAM HOUSING PROJECT SIGNALS THIRD-PARTY APPROVAL FOR VISQUEEN’S MARKET-FIRST FLEXIBLE NON-COMBUSTIBLE DPC AND CAVITY TRAY SYSTEM Visqueen, a brand of Berry Global, has received BDA Agrément™ certification for its Zedex Non-Combustible Damp Proof Course (DPC) system – the first non-combustible flexible DPC and cavity tray system on the market. The system is currently being installed on projects throughout the country as well as a major housing project in Birmingham, where independent third-party auditors confirmed its accreditation. Soho Wharf is a key canal-side development in Ladywood, Birmingham. Built on derelict land opposite City Hospital, it will comprise 650 apartments and 102 townhouses, along with 10,000 sq. ft of commercial space, 300
parking spaces, new public realm and routes for pedestrians and cyclists. With fire safety a key consideration, joint venture partners Galliard Homes and Apsley House Capital prioritised the choice of materials that would deliver optimum performance while also being easy to install. Visqueen’s Zedex Non-Combustible DPC system was the perfect choice to meet these requirements. Compared to rigid metal-based alternatives, the flexibility and light weight properties of the Zedex system enables contractors to benefit from ease of detailing and rapid installation. While the system achieves full compliance under UK Building Regulations in terms of fire classification (A2 - s1, d0 to BS EN 13501-1:2018), the use of non-combustible cavity trays also requires third party certification for warranty purposes. The final phase of approval from KIWA (BDA) has now been granted, following previous approval for use by the NHBC (NHBC Accepts), Premier Guarantee and LABC Warranty. The cornerstone of the Visqueen Zedex Non-Combustible DPC system is a flexible 0.6mm composite material. When used in
PANTHERA GROUP ACHIEVES CARBON NEUTRAL STATUS Following the successful launch of EnviroHoard™, the world’s first net zero carbon LCA verified site hoarding system, in 2021, the company stepped up its operational sustainability programme in 2022. All divisions of the business, including scaffold alarms, CCTV and Access Control, temporary site services and fit out, are now carbon neutral. Partly achieved by tree planting and offsetting, the company is now exploring sustainable transport and heating solutions. Neal James, Managing Director of Panthera Group, is personally driving the policy; “I am conscious of the need to be ethical in the way we operate our business. Of course, we have to balance sustainability with commercial pressures, so we do research all options very thoroughly. I am keeping a close eye on electric and hydrogen as part of the overall solution going forwards and we are determined to opt for the best solutions to improve our carbon footprint.”
conjunction with system components, e.g. Visqueen Zedex Mastic, Visqueen NonCombustible Fixing Strip and Preformed Corner Units, the material delivers a cavity tray system that can manage the flow of water within the cavity, while also providing the critical non-combustible element now required within structures such as Soho Wharf. The first phase of construction at Soho Wharf is underway, with whole development due for completion by 2024.
For more information, visit www.visqueen.com
THE PRACTICAL BENEFITS THAT MAKE STERLINGOSB ZERO A GREAT CHOICE FOR THE UK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY With an ever-increasing checklist of requirements, UK builders have very exacting standards when sourcing the right materials for their project. Choosing panel products that satisfy building standards, have sound environmental credentials and are quick and easy to use when battling all that the Great British weather has to offer, it’s no wonder West Fraser’s (formerly known as Norbord) SterlingOSB Zero range is one of the most popular in the construction industry. West Fraser’s OSB portfolio comprises of SterlingOSB Zero OSB3, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue and Groove, and SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix. They are variants of the precision-engineered OSB3 board; BBA-approved and designed for humid conditions, the board contains zero added formaldehyde (ZAF) and is unique in the market by being the only ZAF OSB manufactured in the UK. Produced in Scotland from forest thinnings taken from sustainably managed forests, the board is certified according to the guidelines of the FSC or PEFC. Among its multiple uses, SterlingOSB Zero is ideal for timber frame construction. The boards are designed to speed up the build process and are available in a wide range, thicknesses and sheet sizes. For structural use in dry or humid load bearing situations, SterlingOSB Zero OSB3 is the board of choice. When undertaking dry lining, SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix quickly provides secure anchorage areas.
Website: www.pantheragroup.com
For further information call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com
CM2322008West Fraser- QP.indd 25/02/2022 Construction UK1 Magazine - March 2022 xx Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 2314:37:35
People On The Move
BELLWAY GRADUATE TRAINEE BECOMES LAND BUYER AT BRISTOL HQ A 24-year-old from Stroud has been appointed as a land buyer at Bellway after successfully completing the housebuilder’s graduate scheme.
travelling,” said Chloe, who comes from Crediton, near Exeter, but now lives in Stroud.
The graduate joined Bellway in January 2020 after taking time out to go travelling to Thailand and Australia with her boyfriend for three months.
“It was fantastic chance to see another part of the world and it gave me a break from studying to give me time to figure out what I wanted to do as a career. I actually applied for the graduate scheme with Bellway while I was out in Australia. I read the specification about the land graduate position and it sounded like a job I would enjoy and be good at.”
“I graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a geography degree in 2018 and worked and saved money to go
Chloe said she has received quality training and mentoring during her time on the scheme.
Chloe Betts took up her full-time position last month (October) at Bellway South West’s headquarters in Bristol.
TERESA SCOTT JOINS IN WITH BUILDING PEOPLE AS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR Teresa Scott OBE has just joined Building People as its first Managing Director. Following a successful career in education and training, Teresa founded award-winning employability specialist Kennedy Scott which she led for 30 years until 2020, an organisation designing and delivering both commercial training alongside employability and skills programmes for high profile organisations including BP, DWP, The Met Police and various local authorities. Teresa brings with her expertise in diversity, inclusion and employability, working collaboratively with industry and the public sector to ensure better representation of local communities across the country with a special interest in women into non-traditional roles. She holds board directorships at the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP), Spiral, a social enterprise offering support to vulnerable young people in London to prevent them becoming NEETS, and Whitecalm (the wellbeing company), with past experience as a local town councillor. Teresa’s appointment allows for Chief Dot-Joiner, Rebecca Lovelace, to focus further on Building People’s external presence, while Teresa manages day-to-day operations. The team at Building People warmly welcomes Teresa and is excited with the social enterprise’s growth in the last six months, from independence to a wider management structure.
24 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
COLLIDA DRIVES FORWARD STRATEGIC GROWTH PLANS WITH NEW RECRUIT COLLIDA has appointed Raynee De Zoysa as its strategic growth manager to drive forward the company’s ambitious plans in the built environment sector. Raynee brings more than a decade of construction industry experience in operations and strategy, having joined from Galliford Try where she was a framework manager. With a focus on promoting Collida’s fresh approach to sustainable construction to a wider audience, Raynee will be building new partnerships and sourcing opportunities to further establish the company’s market presence. Collida – a technology-focused business that is revolutionising how the UK construction industry designs, procures, delivers, and maintains buildings – is rapidly expanding its credentials as a trusted specialist. By using digital platforms, Collida aims to rethink approaches, optimise the project journey and unlock
end-user value, providing progressive and innovative solutions to both current and future industry challenges. Having started her career on the ground as a graduate site engineer, where she worked on the London Olympic White Water Rafting Canoeing Centre, Raynee has since taken on roles in delivery, pre-construction, residential and education projects, where she has amassed an extensive skillset.
People On The Move
APPROVED INSPECTORS EXPAND INTO YORKSHIRE WITH OFFICE AND REGIONAL DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT Leading Approved Inspector Ball & Berry is kickstarting its expansion into Yorkshire by opening a new office in Leeds and appointing a new regional director. Chris Varley will head up Ball & Berry’s Yorkshire office, based at Park Place in Leeds, and is responsible for expanding the company’s portfolio to build its presence in the region. He will also oversee the growth of the Yorkshire team and is aiming to identify budding new talent seeking an opportunity to progress their own careers in building control to futureproof the industry.
Having trained in wood machining and furniture production, Chris gained experience in kitchen fitting and installation before pursuing a career change into building surveying in 2013. Alongside studying a degree at Leeds Beckett University, he also gained experience as a trainee building surveyor before qualifying and gaining a position as assistant building control project manager with Jhai. From there, he progressed to the role of building control project manager before being promoted to regional manager at Asset Building Control, where he resided until joining Ball & Berry.
The new Leeds office – which opened at the start of February – has been selected as it offers Ball & Berry a gateway to the rest of Yorkshire, an area in which the company has extensive experience but where opportunities for growth are aplenty.
Having trained in wood machining and furniture production, Chris gained experience in kitchen fitting and installation before pursuing a career change into building surveying in 2013.
Marketing is just one of the things we build well. We’ve generated over £10m worth of leads for our construction clients.
Want more leads? Chat to us 0161 726 5074 hello@tallzebradesigns.co.uk
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 25
Editor’s Choice
TekThermTM AK-FR A2 Fire-Rated Structural Thermal Break MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS TekTherm™ AK-FR Thermal Breaks are designed to be A2 Fire Rated as well as having a high compressive strength and low thermal conductivity. Compliant for use in buildings above 18m under Document B Building Regulations, this material allows specifiers to meet multiple requirements in one. TekTherm™ AK-FR has been independently tested and meets A2,s1,d0 (Full laboratory report available on request). We can supply this as cut pads, strips or in any other shape within the parameters of the material. APPLICATIONS
• • • • • • •
Steel to Steel Steel to Concrete Concrete to Concrete Steel to Timber Balconies Canopies Brise-soleil
• • • • • • •
Roof Plant enclosures Façade Systems Balustrading Parapets Man-safe systems Staircases Building Maintenance Units
www.thermal-breaks.co.uk
2022 June 2021 26 Construction UK Magazine - March xx
Events & Awards News
BELLWAY ADAM SIMMS WINS APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR An aspiring site manager from Uxbridge who discovered a passion for construction after helping his dad with a house extension during lockdown has been named Bellway’s Apprentice of the Year.
CPA REPORTS PHENOMENAL INTEREST IN THE STARS OF THE FUTURE AWARDS 2022 As National Apprenticeship Week takes place, the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) is reporting ‘phenomenal interest’ in the CPA’s Stars of the Future awards programme for 2022. The CPA’s Stars of the Future awards 2022 are now open for entries and with around 900 apprentices across the six main plant-based occupations, employers have the opportunity to nominate their outstanding apprentices and trainees who they see as being the construction plant industry’s future leaders. The nomination deadline is 31st March 2022 and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 7th July 2022 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre near Coventry. This year Merryn Myatt will be helping present the Stars of the Future awards. Merryn is a former television
presenter, newsreader and journalist who previously worked with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Sunbelt Rentals has confirmed it is once again supporting the event through headline sponsorship and there has been a flurry of interest in sponsorship of the various awards categories, highlighting its credibility as the premier event of the construction plant sector for recognising and rewarding the skills and calibre of the industry’s apprentices and trainees. Stars of the Future is a national awards scheme for apprentices and trainees in the construction plant industry, organised by the CPA, the leading trade association for the planthire sector in the UK. The CPA has over 1,800 members who supply some 85% of hired plant to the construction and allied industries.
Adam Simms, 19, was selected from the national housebuilder’s cohort of 178 apprentices across the UK to receive the coveted award. The apprentice assistant site manager, who is currently based at Bellway’s Waterside at Riverwell development in Watford, was nominated for the prize by his manager and other colleagues who praised his commitment to the job, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
Adam, who joined Bellway’s Ruislip-based North London division in September 2020 after finishing his A-Levels, said: “It was a complete shock to get the call saying I had won the award. My manager and the technical manager on site both said they’d put a nomination in as a thank you for my work, but I never thought I would go as far as to win.
I was taken aback but very grateful. It’s always nice to be recognised for the hard work you put in. For more information on apprenticeship roles with Bellway, visit Bellway.co.uk/careers.
TEMPORARY STAIRCASE HIRE We are the leading supplier of aluminium temporary staircases for hire in the UK to the commercial house building sector. With our custom designed aluminium temporary staircases, house builders and developers can save time and money on site and increase site safety. Staircases are available for short and long term hire. Our staircases are in stock and can also be purchased. Manufactured in the UK, BS EN131 compliant, the staircases can be used on site with confidence due to their build quality and rugged durability. The staircases are supplied ready for immediate easy, swift installation. They provide safer access between floors compared with a traditional ladder and ready for use from the earliest stages of construction. We deliver throughout the UK with a quick turnaround (usually within 24-48hrs); ensuring valuable site time isn’t wasted. Contact the team at Surestairs Ltd for safer site access between floors during construction works. To discuss your requirements or to hire please call 01924 562298 www.temporarystaircasehire.co.uk info@surestairs.co.uk
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 27
Heating, Ventilation & Insulation
BOREHOLE DRILLING IS COMPLETED AT 900 KW GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP INSTALLATION AT ST GEORGE’S COLLEGE WEYBRIDGE As part of its Zero-Carbon Schools Initiative, managing contractor ReEnergise is transforming the carbon footprint of St George’s College Weybridge in Surrey, installing four Viessmann heat pumps Initial groundworks have been completed at a large heat pump installation at St George’s College Weybridge in Surrey. In late January, the sole remaining drilling machine made the last of 132 bore holes in fields that will be returned to use as sports pitches and for outdoor events. Now follows the installation of four 230 kW Viessmann Vitocal 300-G Pro ground source heat pumps, which replace the school’s previous gas heating system as the main heat generator in an adapted plant room in the college’s Kean Building complex. Once commissioned, the new heating system will save about 250 tonnes of CO2 per year. The managing contractor for the project is ReEnergise – architects and enablers of net-zero plans and programmes
INSULATION CHOICE KEY IN REACHING CARBON TARGET FOR NEW BUILDINGS Following the announcement of a mandatory 30% cut in carbon for all new buildings, an industry expert is urging the construction industry to make appropriate considerations when enhancing building performance. The news from government, which will see Revised Building Regulations coming into play from June 2022, means all new buildings must reduce their carbon emissions. This includes a 30% reduction for new homes, while carbon emissions for new non-domestic properties must be reduced by 27%. Insulation will ultimately have a major
specialising in schools and colleges. ReEnergise designed the solution in collaboration with St George’s College Weybridge and in particular, Estate Manager, Errol Minihan, who is spearheading a future-proof approach to reducing the school’s reliance on fossil fuels and introducing a sustainable technology solution. St George’s College Weybridge was founded in 1869 and is an independent Catholic co-educational day school for 1118 year olds with around 1,000 students. The Viessmann heat pumps will be installed by Aston Cord Energy Services who have also prefabricated the 10” internal diameter distribution header into which the bore hole loops and the heat pumps will be connected. Doing this work offsite ensures high quality, minimises disruption and keeps logistics to a minimum. The bore hole drilling at St George’s College Weybridge has been undertaken
by Oxfordshire-based AW Synergy, with the rest of the groundworks being handled by K Watts Construction and the school’s dedicated grounds people. Powercor is managing the electrical works.
The Zero-Carbon Schools initiative was started by Steve Faucherand, CEO, and the team at ReEnergise, due to their passion for creating a greener environment for future generations. The team actively promotes the national net-zero agenda, within the industry and in the classroom, and are currently supporting 50 schools and colleges to optimise projects at various stages of the decarbonisation process.
role to play in achieving these targets, however Jolyon Berg, Head of Technical at CCF, is urging those in the construction industry to evaluate product choices and maintain best practice. He explains, “Only with robust selection of the right products and correct installation, can all the benefits of insulation be realised. This obviously includes improved energy efficiency which helps to cut carbon emissions, but also includes a range of other factors.”
“In terms of ensuring the thermal performance of the building and the corresponding reductions in carbon emissions, fixings or accessories required to keep insulation correctly in place are essential, as is installing the insulation in a continuous layer with no gaps. Further, airtightness is integral to maximising energy efficiency, with products such as vapour control layers (VCLs) and accompanying tapes key for minimising air leakage.”
Nearly half (46%) of the homes in England are now rated C or above for energy efficiency, up from 14% in 2010. The changes to government Building Regulations are set out with the intention of improving this figure further. It comes alongside £6.6 billion of direct investment into improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
In addition to reaching government targets, Jolyon believes it’s not just thermal performance that requires consideration when adding insulation.
“Failure to select and install insulation products correctly could result in greater heat loss and higher carbon emissions. It can also affect the performance of buildings from an acoustic and fire safety perspective too, with fire performance in the spotlight in high rise buildings,” Jolyon continues.
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Jolyon added, “Selecting the right insulation for each building application is key. To do so, there are factors such as acoustic performance, moisture behaviour and compressive strength which need to be taken on board. Not only that, the type of insulation may have a significant impact on the thickness of the walls, therefore affecting the footprint and internal space of the building. With this in mind, its crucial to review product specification during the planning stages of a building.”
Heating, Ventilation & Insulation THERMIFY STRENGTHENS SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM: NICKY SINGH APPOINTED CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Thermify Cloud, the company that has designed a revolutionary and affordable low-carbon heating system that can replace gas boilers in people’s homes and help reduce fuel poverty, has appointed Nicky Singh as Chief Commercial Officer. Nicky Singh has over 20 years of experience within the IT industry and has advised global companies on the adoption of technology for major change programmes. He has run businesses for various companies including Nokia Europe and Microsoft UK, co-founded a data privacy company and is an active angel investor in the domains of artificial intelligence and differential privacy.
in the HeatHub, that is deployed in the householder’s home, to provide hot water and heat for the very same home. The electricity that is used to power the computers is used twice and is paid for by Thermify. At the same time, it will generate new revenue from cloud computing. By using energy twice, HeatHub offers customers an affordable heating system and, if deployed widely,
will help reduce the levels of fuel poverty that exist in the UK. Travis Theune, Thermify’s Chief Executive said: “Nicky’s extensive experience in the IT and data security sectors will be invaluable as we develop and market our HeatHub system. “The commercial interest in our HeatHub system, given the need for low-carbon and low-cost heating systems, is strong and we expect to announce our first sales within the coming weeks.” Nicky Singh said: “Globally, enterprises are seeking to accelerate a drive to net zero and become socially responsible. CEOs are demanding their directors act or be ejected. Thermify helps enterprises go green with data processing and align to their ESG initiatives. The adoption of Thermify Cloud is responsible capitalism and a step towards achieving net zero.”
Nicky’s remit as CCO is to drive the sales and marketing of Thermify’s HeatHub heating system which are to be assembled at its new facility at Pencoed, near Bridgend in south Wales. Thermify’s HeatHub system is a “distributed data centre” and a heating system in a single unit, installed in a householder’s home. It uses the wasted heat from a bank of computers
Thermify’s HeatHub system will give households monthly savings on their energy bills, reduce their carbon footprint and support a cleaner environment.
CONTOUR HEATING LAUNCHES BRAND-NEW LOW SURFACE TEMPERATURE RADIATOR Midlands-based safe heating product provider, Contour Heating, has launched a brand-new low surface temperature radiator that is set to provide the education sector with a cost-effective alternative to their current heating solutions. Covora Lite launches alongside a range of other new for 2022 safe heating products as part of the all-new brochure made available earlier this year. Aimed at helping school and nursery refurbishments working to tight budgets and timelines, its launch is in line with specification for summer projects. “Covora Lite is our most affordable low surface temperature radiator to date” said Commercial Director Robin Mansell.
“With all the features expected from Contour’s extensive range, Covora Lite is still a premium product, but one that makes safe heating much more affordable.” Including bullnose corners for added safety precautions and with BioCote, helping protect against 99.9% of bacteria, Covora Lite low surface temperature radiators are available with a much shorter lead time than other Contour products, helping get projects get completed far quicker. On top of this, spilt delivery is also available, helping you optimize you projects and work more streamlined with other trades. Contour Heating’s complete product range also includes other low surface temperature radiators as well as a variety of anti-ligature solutions, helping provide safer heating to a wider range of industries. If you’re interested in learning more, you can visit Contour Heating’s website or speak to the team directly.
Contour Heating Products The Mansions, 43 Broadway, Shifnal, TF11 8BB Tel: 01952 290 498 Web: www.contourheating.co.uk Email: sales@contourheating.co.uk
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 29
Company News
TURNSTONE ESTATES APPOINTS CONTRACTOR ON COLCHESTER NORTHERN GATEWAY LEISURE SCHEME Turnstone Estates has appointed a main contractor on its £65 million leisure development in Colchester, part of Colchester Borough Council’s Northern Gateway. HG Construction will start work on the 200,000 sq ft scheme this month with completion scheduled for the autumn of 2023. HG Construction is a leading Tier 2 design and build contractor with over 20 years’ experience in commercial, residential, hotel and student accommodation schemes throughout London and the South East.
Planning approval for the 200,000 sq ft leisure scheme, located south of Junction 28 of the A12, was granted by Colchester Borough Council in December 2020. It includes a 12-screen Cineworld, seven restaurants, two drivethru restaurants (Greggs and Wendy’s), a 90 bed Travelodge hotel, Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Puttstars indoor golf centre and a Jump Street climbing centre, as well as highquality landscaped piazza, parking for 750 cars and a rapid charge electric vehicle charging station.
HENRY BROTHERS SETS THE BAR FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Henry Brothers, one of the UK’s leading construction companies and Northern Ireland’s Responsible Business of the Year, has announced its strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The organisation, which is already building a new net carbon zero Nursery and Forest School for Staffordshire University and a £9m sustainable development at Loughborough University, aims
TYDE EXPANDS ITS SALES TEAM TYDE invests in the future with an expanded sales team. TYDE, who are a Thomas Dudley business, are proud to announce the expansion of its UK based Sales Team. Joining TYDE’s sales team are Ash Meah, David Scarlett, Leigh Randell and Jamie Abethell. Experienced Specification experts Ash and David join TYDE as Specification Managers for the North and South of the United Kingdom, respectively, to further build relationships within the Specifications sector. Both Ash and David have a wealth of knowledge within the plumbing and specification markets having over a quarter of a century of combined experience. Also joining TYDE’s sales team are Leigh Randell and Jamie Abethell. They have each spent many years working within this exciting market sector and are well versed in the needs of merchants of all sizes. Both have a commitment to building relationships within the merchant sector in the South East and South West of England. They will work closely with key accounts providing account management, product and sales support as well as helping to promote the TYDE product brands of Dudley, Epson and Beta. Paul Weddle the Business Unit Director for TYDE says “We are delighted to welcome Ash, David, Leigh and Jamie to TYDE. Our new team members have in excess of half a century of experience between them, so we are confident that their experience and professionalism will help to make our combined sales team the best in the industry.”
To find out more about TYDE you can visit the new TYDE website at www.thomasdudley.co.uk/tyde
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to reduce total greenhouse gasses emissions by 2% each year for the next nine years and to halve CO2e emissions by 2030. The Journey to Net Zero strategy will be achieved through a number of initiatives such as implementing 100% hybrid/electric cars by 2025, utilising 100% eco cabins on sites by 2025, and enhancing its biodiversity by 2% a year. Henry Brother’s Journey to Net Zero Strategy identifies how the company will review and implement new practices around fuel, gas, car mileage, electricity use, waste transport, air mileage and delivery mileage carbon.
BRIDGEND BASED CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS CONFIRMS NEW PROJECTS WORTH £45M Family property and construction firm, Jehu Group has successfully secured new projects worth around £45 million across South Wales with a further £20m in short term pipeline forecasted to start in 2022, firmly positioning them as an industry leader in Wales. The projects include over £20 million worth of independent living contracts with Cardiff City Council over two sites in Llanedeyrn and St Mellons as well as a 57 unit scheme for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, with a further exciting scheme with longstanding partner Linc Cymru to develop 48 apartments supported by Innovative funding by the Welsh Government. The contract wins have been secured during unprecedent inflation impacting the construction industry and the Board are extremely
pleased to announce the contract wins along with a desire to recruit further delivery staff, specifically site management, contract management and commercial staff to support the already dedicated workforce. These contracts will have a significant impact on the local economy, with almost £1 million being invested into developing local employment. Moreover, these developments will have a substantial impact on local areas, the Construction Industry Council suggest that for every £1 spent on projects, nearly £2 would be reinvested back in the Welsh economy.
Jagram is a leading European manufacturer and supplier of certified Glulam Curved Components for Construction, Manufacturing, Outdoor products. www.jagramgroup.com magdalenas@jagram.com
WHY PRODUCTIVITY IN CONSTRUCTION IS FLATLINING BBI Services’ Chief Operations Officer, Marc Roberts, explores productivity in construction, and some key steps companies can take to improve it. Research shows that productivity is flatlining in the construction industry. In fact, data from the Office of National Statistics reveals that productivity in the sector has increased by just 12% in the last 22 years, while in the overall economy it’s seen a 53% rise. So what’s causing such disappointing results? At least in part, the explanation is surprisingly simple. Many companies just aren’t measuring productivity – or if they are, they’re not measuring it in the right way or indeed at the right level. In business, we’re often guilty of obsessing over the outputs – like the number of activities carried out or amount of work completed. But this only tells half the story. To really understand how effective we’re being, we have to set our sights much wider. If we want to achieve the drastic improvements in productivity our sector desperately needs, we need to be doing the right activities, with the right resources, at the right time. Here’s just a few examples of how we can do things differently.
Productivity is not about working faster – most of all, it’s about working better. When it’s applied correctly, it can not only improve safety but also profitability and quality of work.
Eliminating time stealers One of the key factors that impacts productivity is waste. I don’t mean the amount of physical waste produced on site, but other things that are frequently wasted like time, effort and resource.
Changing the perception of productivity In construction, there’s a widespread belief that focusing too much on productivity is actually a bad thing, because it leads companies to compromise on safety. In fact, there’s strong evidence that it does the opposite. A business that’s better organised, that works efficiently, and consistently gets it right first time is always going to be much safer than one that doesn’t – after all, more than a third of all construction injuries occur during rework. The more productive you are, the less frustrations, showstoppers and delays you experience. Productivity is not about working faster – most of all, it’s about working better. When it’s applied correctly, it can not only improve safety but also profitability and quality of work. A focus on productivity can also improve sustainability and lower carbon footprints through reduced physical waste, deliveries, energy consumption, material movements and activities. It all goes hand in hand.
Marc Roberts, Operations Director at BBI Services
Fundamentally, it’s all about keeping things simple, and looking at the best way to eliminate the time stealers that are affecting people’s ability to do things right first time. A ‘waste walk’ is a powerful way to do this. Use it as an opportunity to question, challenge and review everything. Explore how the team work to see the value added and discover what things are impacting their ability to get stuff done. It’s crucial that people are clear on their scope, measures and targets. Do they understand their roles and responsibilities? Are their concerns being listened to, and most importantly, actioned in the right way? If a business can get these essentials right from the very beginning, they’ll be set up for success. Productivity revolves around people But if they want to boost performance, companies shouldn’t just focus on processes. Above all, productivity revolves around people. You need to harness the talent and experience of the teams you work with and channel this to realise their full potential. Very often, your team know the issues that are preventing them from being as effective as they can be, but they aren’t given the opportunity to surface and resolve them. One key reason productivity is stagnant in construction is because of the existing reporting culture. Issues are often escalated upwards, but very little action is taken to resolve them. When things are fed up through the chain, there’s rarely any followup support to help identify the best way to tackle, stop and prevent these problems from reoccurring. At BBI Services, we work with your whole team to help everybody tackle their greatest frustrations, creating a more productive working environment with happier people and happier customers.
For more information on BBI Services and how they can support your organisation to increase productivity by addressing the right things in the right way, visit: www.bbiservices.com
32 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
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WILSON JAMES OPENS THE DOORS TO THE UK’S MOST SUSTAINABLE SECURE CONSOLIDATION FACILITY Wilson James, the leading provider of specialist logistics services, has announced that it will open the doors to its new west London Consolidation Centre (WLCC) in Q1 2022. Located at Communication Park in Feltham, close to Heathrow Airport and the M4 corridor, the WLCC is a highly sustainable zero carbon facility that was specifically chosen by Wilson James as part of its strategy to improve sustainability throughout all aspects of its operation, as well as in its customers’ supply chains. The WLCC represents the next generation of consolidated logistics and builds on the success of Wilson James’ pioneering London Construction Consolidation Centre (LCCC) in Silvertown, which opened in 2005. As the first facility of its kind, the LCCC redefined best practice in construction logistics and has helped facilitate just-in-time deliveries across London. With demand for Wilson James’ services growing, the company decided that opening another location would enable more customers from across the capital and country to benefit from its logistics expertise and improve Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions through a more sustainable supply chain. ‘Sustainability is at the heart of Wilson James’ activities, and we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment, whilst promoting social and economic improvement,’
explained Keith Winterflood, the company’s Managing Director for Construction. ‘We have set an ambitious target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and halving our carbon emissions by 2030 against a 2020 baseline. To do this we are investing in circular economy practices, optimising resource efficiency, monitoring and reducing the consumption of natural resources, and prioritising the procurement of sustainable products and materials.’ As such, when it came to choosing a building for the WLCC, not only did it have to meet specific geographical criteria, it also had to have the best possible environmental credentials. As one of the only industrial developments in the UK designed and built to be carbon neutral, Communication Park has a wealth of cutting-edge features including a solar PV system that produces 212.10kWp and saves 93.37 tonnes of CO2 per year, air source heat pumps, solar powered electric vehicle charging points and sedum roofs that can capture airborne pollutants and CO2. The introduction of the WLCC will further support our logistics activities across all sectors of the business and reinforce our commitment to our clients to explore
and deliver the most sustainable delivery methods, whilst helping to reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on the roads, minimising congestion, lowering pollution levels and improving air quality. As achieving economic and operational efficiency requires a flexible, reliable and robust supply chain, it will ensure a more reliable programme delivery, reduce the likelihood of inefficient multiple deliveries, lower on-site material and equipment congestion and facilitate reverse logistics. It will also improve supply chain transparency by providing environmental data and reporting to further improve sustainability efforts. ‘We are both pleased and proud to be able to open the only carbon neutral, secure logistics and consolidation facility in the country,’ concluded Keith Winterflood. ‘Sustainability is positively influencing the supply chain and tenders are increasingly asking for evidence of an organisation’s commitment to this issue. Companies operating across a diverse range of sectors including construction, retail and business-as-usual will now be able to directly address this issue by working with us to ensure that their products, materials and equipment get to where they need to be on time, and in the most environmentally friendly way possible’.
For further information please contact: Cadence Woodland, E: Cadence.Woodland@wilsonjames.co.uk, or visit www.wilsonjames.co.uk
34 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
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Latest News
GMI TO BUILD STAND-OUT £32 MILLION RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR HBD IN BIRMINGHAM New ‘SETL’ contemporary living canal side development situated in Birmingham’s iconic jewellery quarter will feature 101 apartments together with 2,350 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial space. GMI Construction Group PLC an established and successful UK contractor and construction services company providing specialist design and build capabilities spanning multiple sectors has today announced that it has been appointed by leading property developer HBD to construct a new residential-led scheme in Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter.
101 apartments will be accompanied by an array of residential amenities and 2,350 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial space. The scheme will feature a courtyard, workspace, a lounge and a gym, along with a rooftop garden on the upper floors of the six-storey building.
GMI continues to make good strides in Birmingham and the Midlands with over £100M of projects secured in our order book with new and established customers including HBD, St Modwen, Graftongate and St James Securities and across multiple sectors including residential, industrial/ logistics, commercial, hotel and student.
The development, titled ‘Setl’ is HBD’s first city centre development in Birmingham and has been designed by leading architects BPN, based in the jewellery quarter.
The scheme will feature a courtyard, workspace, a lounge and a gym, along with a rooftop garden on the upper floors of the six-storey building.
CONSTRUCTION SKILLS FUND HUBS HELP 20,000 BECOME SITE-READY The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is heralding its Construction Skills Fund (CSF) initiative a resounding success after 20,000 people became siteready after training at its hubs; 6,000 of those from the second phase of the scheme alone. 54% of those who completed training were from groups typically underrepresented in construction. The project, delivered on behalf of the Department for Education, also saw just under half (2,934) of those trained in the latest phase find *sustainable employment in the industry. The second phase ran between March 2020 and September 2021, where training took
place at 14 CSF hubs across England. They were based within construction sites, so that entrants could become employment and site-ready as quickly as possible. Between 2021 and 2025 CITB aims to increase Great Britain’s construction talent pool through these Onsite Experience hubs, creating a skills pipeline to meet the needs of construction employers and enabling career opportunities for people from local communities. CITB encourages anyone considering a construction career to find out more about the Onsite Experience hubs across England and Wales. Scotland will join the scheme during 2022.
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KENT COUNTY COUNCIL AWARDS DOVER FASTRACK PROJECT TO COLAS Construction of Dover Fastrack, Kent’s first zero-emission bus service connecting Whitfield with Dover town centre and Dover Priory railway station is to start this month following the award of the construction contract to Colas UK Projects Ltd by Kent County Council (KCC). KCC is managing delivery of the project on behalf of Dover District Council (DDC), with the two councils working together to meet a shared ambition to see the district and county become carbon neutral by 2050 Work will begin on the scheme this month and is expected to take around 18 months. With the project’s strong focus on carbon reduction, Colas will plant over 10,000 new trees, shrubs and hedgerow trees and provide enhanced wildlife habitat in the area. Construction of the rapid bus transit system includes a new bus, cycle and pedestrian-only bridge across the A2 at Whitfield, and a new link road from the B&Q roundabout in Whitfield to Dover Road at Guston. The junction with Dover Road will be for buses, bicycles, and pedestrians only. Executive Director at Colas Sean Jeffery said, “Colas is delighted to have been awarded this project and the team are looking forward to continuing to work with Kent County Council developing projects that support Kent County Council’s ambition to be net zero.”
Latest News
UK’S LEADING CONSTRUCTION DRONE COMPANY ACHIEVES CARBON NEUTRAL STATUS Sky Revolutions, the UK’s largest construction drone company has achieved carbon neutral status, offsetting its carbon emissions for 2021 as verified by the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change. The surveying and imaging company worked with Carbon Neutral Britain to conduct a comprehensive review of its business operations before buying the verified credits. Credits are supporting three key projects in 2022; the Burgos Wind Farm project in the Philippines, the Rice Husk Power Project in Cambodia, and a hydroelectric power project in the Amazon. Sky Revolutions’ Director Ben Gorham says: “Becoming carbon neutral was important not just to our business, but to our whole team. We’d discussed it for some time and agreed to prioritise the work during 2021. The process helped us kick-start a range of initiatives
including equipment recycling, tree-planting for new employees and the introduction of a new supply chain policy that encourages our partners and suppliers to provide sustainable services.” The company’s core service offering is delivered using low or no-carbon technology. Their time-lapse cameras - present on many of UK’s largest developments - are energy self-sufficient, powered by state-of-the-art solar panel systems, and their drone fleet removes the need for helicopter flight on a range of aerial inspections. In the energy sector, Sky Revolutions is helping to keep wind farms and solar farms running efficiently by providing quicker-thanever inspection and monitoring services. In the longer term, they are playing a part in helping these suppliers to lower their costs, making green energy more accessible to more people. Rather than see this as a self-contained project, Sky Revolutions wants it to form a key part in shaping the way the business develops. Ben Gorham again: “We’ll be repeating the review in 2022 and are now focussed on becoming carbon negative by 2024. “Achieving carbon neutral status was a great milestone, but it’s really just the first step in becoming more aware of our impact on the broader environment.” For more information on Sky Revolutions’ carbon neutral status, please visit www.skyrevolutions.co.uk/carbon-neutral
PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR £4.7M SPECIALIST CARE HOME IN STOCKTON-ON-TEES Specialist care provider, Exemplar Health Care, has recently announced that building work for its first care home in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees is set to begin after receiving planning permission. Walter Thompson Contractors LTD has been appointed by Exemplar Health Care to work on the design and build for a 30bed care home – bringing over 150 jobs to the local area.
infrastructure including the latest technologies that focus on maximising independence and empowering people to live as fulfilled lives as possible. The bedrooms will come with an en-suite wet room, and the building will feature high quality, spacious communal spaces, sensory and therapy rooms and landscaped gardens, for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The care home will be situated on 375279 Norton Road Norton TS20 2PJ.
Scheduled to open early 2023, the care home will specialise in supporting people living with dementia, acquired brain injury, mental health needs and physical disabilities.
The new Stockton-on-Tees care home, named Tees Grange, has received an investment of £4.7m which will bring one of the UK’s leading specialist nursing care providers to the region and generate approximately 150 jobs, including management, nursing, catering and care positions. Scheduled to open early 2023, the care home will specialise in supporting people living with dementia, acquired brain injury, mental health needs and physical disabilities. The 30-bed home will be well-equipped with extensive
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Project
ARCHAEOLOGISTS SEARCH FOR OXFORD UNIVERSITY’S LOST COLLEGE An excavation to uncover evidence of Oxford University’s lost college at the site of a student accommodation scheme under construction in Brasenose College’s Frewin Annexe has already unearthed part of the original structure. A team from Oxford Archaeology is working alongside construction firm Beard, which is developing thirty student flats on the site of the former St Marys College, which has been described as the ‘lost Augustinian college’ because of its relative obscurity.
It was founded in 1435, but delays and incompetence hampered construction until Cardinal Wolsey intervened in the 1520s. After this work proceeded quickly, but the building was then disbanded and then quickly fall into a state of disrepair as a result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII between 153641. So far, the archaeologists have found part of the Wolsey phase of construction in the form of a massive limestone wall foundation, which is believed to have supported the wall to a very significant
Charlotte Bishop of Oxford Archaeology barrowing excavated spoil in the west wing of the new basement.
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stone building and is likely to belong to one of the buildings that formed St Marys College, possibly the south range of the cloister. Near to the wall foundations excavation is underway on a series of pits that are rich in artefacts including butchered animal bones and charcoal indicating the disposal of waste from food preparation, possibly from the kitchens to St Mary’s College which were probably located nearby. Other artefacts unearthed so far include a complete 17th century stone flagon, and a bone comb, long cross silver penny and
Project decorated floor tiles from the medieval period. Peter Beilby, project manager at Beard, said: “Working alongside the archaeologists in this constrained site within Oxford’s historic centre is a difficult but interesting exercise. The team from Beard are drawing upon their extensive experience from many previous Oxford College projects with similar challenges to deliver successful outcomes for everyone involved.” Ben Ford, senior project manager at Oxford Archaeology, said:
We are excited that the construction of the new building gives us the opportunity, and that Brasenose College have given us the funding, to archaeologically excavate the remains of this unique and fascinating part of Oxford. We are hoping to shed light not only on the layout of the ‘lost college’ of St Mary’s, but also discover evidence that tells us about the lives of some of medieval Oxford’s most powerful Norman families who probably lived at the site. “Frewin Hall has a stone vaulted basement which dates from Norman times and is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Oxford. If we are really lucky, we may uncover signs of even older everyday life, from Oxford’s earliest years when it was first built as a
heavily-defended town on the Thames, guarding the border between Saxon and the Viking held lands.” Dr Llewelyn Morgan, Fellow at Brasenose College, said: “We are excited by the remarkable glimpses of St Mary’s College and the longer history of Frewin that the archaeologists are revealing. It has been a place of education for 600 years, and our beautiful new building will continue that tradition.”
Group shot left to right: Adam Fellingham (Oxford Archaeology site manager); Dr Llewelyn Morgan (Fellow at Brasenose College); Peter Beilby (Beard project manager); Matthew Hill (Bursar at Brasenose College), view the remains of the substantial limestone foundations to part of St Mary’s College.
The only remaining part of St Mary’s College that is now visible is a rubble wall at the lower part of the gateway to the Frewin site from New Inn Hall Street, which is believed to have been part of the western boundary of the college. St Mary’s College was built on the east side of New Inn Hall Street where Grade II* listed Frewin Hall is now located. Archaeologists will be working at the site to until February ahead of development of the student flats for Brasenose College. A Heritage Audit & Statement of Significance conducted for Brasenose College ahead of developing the Frewin Hall site notes: “As the site of a highstatus Norman house, a late medieval college, a high-status post-medieval house, and various post-medieval tenements, continuously occupied in various ways since at least the late 11th century, the site has the clear potential to provide evidence about medieval and postmedieval urban Oxford, as well as the lost Augustinian college.” The audit statement explains that St Mary’s College was founded to meet a long-held ambition of Augustinian canons studying in Oxford. The Augustinians
received the property and buildings as a gift from a wealthy and pious man called Thomas Holden - this was to be the site of their college. However, although a two-story college chapel with library above was constructed, the college itself had not been completed nearly a century later. Building work finally proceeded and the college may have been completed following the intervention of Cardinal Wolsey in the first half of the 1520s. However, Wolsey fell out of favour with King Henry VIII and then died in 1530 and this was followed by the Dissolution of the Monasteries - including the Augustinians.
PHOTOS by Simon Gannon showing excavation underway at the Frewin Annexe, and the limestone wall from the ‘lost Augustinian college’ that has been uncovered.
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Roofing and Cladding News
AQUARIAN CLADDING SYSTEMS MAKES TWO KEY APPOINTMENTS Aquarian Cladding Systems, a specialist supplier of external brick and terracotta cladding systems, has strengthened its team with two key appointments. Ryan Callaghan joins as Technical Sales Manager in the South East of England, having started his career with an independent distributor in 2012, selling insulation and fire protection. He then joined Kingspan’s insulation division, before more recently becoming a key member of their light gauge steel framing sales team. “I was very aware of Aquarian as they had a strategic relationship with Kingspan and the
opportunity to join them really appealed to me. I could see the opportunity to grow and develop whilst having a bigger impact in a business,” said Ryan, who will be tasked with building and managing relationships with key sub-contractors and main contractors. “I see a huge market opportunity for Aquarian, particularly because of the industry drive towards non-combustible construction. We have two fantastic non-combustible brick cladding solutions, with plans to add to our existing portfolio, so I can only see positives for me and the company as we combine our experience of supplying materials for use on buildings over 18m.”
DUPONT™ TEDLAR® AND TITAN STEEL INTRODUCE TWO NEW COLORS FOR METAL ROOFING DuPont launched two new colors of Tedlar® PVF film at the 2022 International Roofing Expo (IRE) in New Orleans. Titan Steel and DuPont collaborated to develop Charcoal Gray and Dark Bronze, two colors in high demand for metal roofing and siding. The two new colors are an excellent match for existing PVDF coating colors, with the same superior Tedlar® PVF film performance. “We continue to collaborate with partners like Titan Steel to bring solutions to the building and construction market,” said Matt Urfali, Tedlar® Global Sales and Marketing Director, DuPont Advanced Materials. “Tedlar® films have been tested and proven with over 60 years of lasting color, film integrity, and anti-corrosion performance. We are excited to expand the available color palette of this amazing product.”
samples and learn more about ordering and installing Tedlar®-laminated panels on the Metal Alliance website (www.metalalliance.com). “The addition of Charcoal Gray and Dark Bronze to our color portfolio helps us to even better serve the needs of the metal construction market, and to offer building contractors and project owners a superior option to anything on the market today,” said Drew Munera, Director of Technical Sales at Titan Steel. “The excitement around these new offerings at the 2022 IRE showed us that premium metal protection in a range of colors continues to be critical to our customers.”
These new colors are available for roofing material exclusively through Metal Alliance Supply, LLC, a Titan Steel partner company. Metal Alliance sells a range of fabricated metals across the US, with eight colors of Tedlar® available. Tedlar®-laminated metal products from Metal Alliance carry up to a 50-year warranty, without coastal restrictions, providing project owners a like-new appearance for decades to come. Building contractors can order
40 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
Laurence Bailey joins as Architectural Specification Manager for London, having worked in construction for 18 years. His previous roles have included working in technical departments for brick and brick cladding manufacturers, as well as a CAD technician for a structural engineer. Laurence, who will engage with architects from the earliest stage possible to ensure Aquarian’s products are specified, said: “Whilst with my previous company, we would regularly compete with Aquarian and I could tell they knew their stuff, with good people and good products.
With a really comprehensive range of fully tested and certified products to suit all sorts of needs and all sorts of budgets, I’m really looking forward to working with architects to make them aware of Aquarian products and of course help them to specific our products. With a product portfolio that includes brick slip cladding systems such as the A1rated MechSlip and NaturAL-X, the Gebrik Insulating Brick Cladding System and A1rated Terreal Terracotta Rainscreen System, Aquarian Cladding Systems have worked with architects, contractors, developers, and cladding contractors on many awardwinning buildings across a wide range of sectors. Jazz Rigden, Aquarian Cladding Systems’ Sales Director said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome both Laurence and Ryan to the Aquarian team. Both have a huge amount of experience in the industry and have already hit the ground running. “Laurence will provide specification support to ensure our products are appropriately specified and Ryan will ensure the end user receives our full support to ensure materials are ordered accurately. This additional investment in our team is further evidence of our ambitious plans to grow and develop the business across the country.
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The cloud
TOP TIPS WHEN CHOOSING A NEW SNAGGING TOOL Snagging is the necessary process of checking a new building for defects. Usually, a snag is something which is damaged or not finished properly- think a missing hinge on a door or scratch on a window. When choosing a digital snagging tool, there’s many factors to consider. Stephen McMenzie, Account Manager at Ed Controls, will take you through his top tips when choosing a new digital snagging tool. Cost Hidden costs - aka in-app purchases - are common within new apps on the market.
Before investing in a digital snagging tool, it’s important to check for third party costs within the app. Often, apps will entice users with a free trial of the software, however after signing up, users are expected to pay to access different features. When looking for a new snagging app, you must be sure that the final price is for what your team require, or you may find your team paying up to four times as much as the initial investment. Platform For most snagging applications, Apple and Android are the two biggest players in the smartphone market. This means that the majority of people will have either an Apple or Samsung device. When buying a new digital snagging tool, it’s extremely important that it works across all devices so construction workers can collaborate with people, both internally and externally.
Snagging is a big task which often involves many people from different companies or teams – from construction workers on site, to sub-contractors and project managers. By using the cloud, information is uploaded to one central secure location where multiple people can work together on resolving snags and defects. If an app cannot use the cloud, then that snagging information is not available to everyone and ultimately defeats the point of a snagging app. So, this is definitely something to consider. Training One of the main issues that many companies come across is lack of knowledge about their new snagging software. Whilst it is shown to be simple in the sales presentation and demo, it becomes harder when people attempt it themselves. If the developer also offers on-site training, alongside tutorials and helpful tips and tricks, construction workers will be able to work more efficiently. It’s imperative that training is offered alongside a new application – if the company providing the snagging software doesn’t offer training then workers will never see the full potential of a digital snagging tool. Sub-contractors The majority of snagging is done by principal or main contractors in the construction industry. They need to make sure that their sub-contractors installations are done properly. So, it begs the question ‘how are you able to include your sub-contractors into your digital snagging tool?’ If workers had one snagging app that all sub-contractors can use, organisation, communication, and accountability, are inevitably going to improve. By having several applications in use at the same time, a wicked web of disorganisation is weaved.
Project management tools like Ed Controls monitor the quality right from the start of a project whilst saving considerable time. Any action points are immediately directed to the right person, this way you avoid problems piling up just before completion of the project. To find out more about Ed Controls or to enquire about a free demonstration, please visit https://edcontrols.co.uk.
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 43
Case Study
THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS DOUBLES DOWN ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH BLUEBEAM REVU With paper plans spread across three different offices, and each approval taking up to six weeks, the city of Las Vegas needed a new way to handle its 20,000 yearly permit requests. Enter Bluebeam Revu. The challenge The city of Las Vegas averages close to 20,000 planning, building and licensing permits a year, and using paper-based plan reviews to manage these permits was causing multiple inefficiencies. On paper, plans could only be reviewed one discipline or office at a time, and printed mylars then had to be routed to five utility companies for final signatures. This lengthy process was taking up to six weeks for each permit. Storage was also an issue, with paper plans using costly space. In addition, when remote working became mandatory due to global health concerns, in-person, paper-based review sessions were simply no longer possible. Yolanda Palomo, Process Review Coordinator at the city of Las Vegas, summed up the problem:
We do around 1,653 reviews on projects, and around 500 projects a month. Each one of those projects has multiple reviewers. Then COVID hits. How do you get paper plans to five different reviewers in five different locations? If we didn’t have access to Revu, the projects would have been delayed for months. The solution The city chose Bluebeam Revu as a single solution that could combine planning, building and licensing in a collaborative digital environment, transforming previously paper-based workflows into an electronic plan review process.
The department’s IT team designed the new workflows and created an automated system utilising Bluebeam’s open API capability. This allowed for seamless integration with Infor, a permitting system infrastructure enabling locational links to the plans for both submitters and plan reviewers. Bluebeam’s real-time collaboration solution, Studio, linked multiple departments, as well as submitters and plan reviewers for realtime concurrent reviews, allowing reviewers to work remotely during the pandemic. Reviews were also standardised, thanks to Bluebeam’s best-in-class Markups List and Tool Chest features, which helped improve
production times and ultimately facilitated more projects for the city. The bottom line The city was able to do more than just keep projects moving during COVID: • Customers filing for permits saved significant money on printing and travel costs • Electronic plan review with Revu made remote working possible and streamlined review processes • Instant access and standardised markups saved time per review, with Studio Sessions saving weeks in total • Eliminating paper saved space — city reviewers have moved out of one building and consolidated staff into smaller spaces Yolando Paloma summed up by stating: “We believe there’s huge value for the customer and for the jurisdiction. With less paper and fewer customers travelling, we’re also helping reduce our carbon footprint and be more sustainable.”
To read the full case study, head to www.bluebeam.co.uk
44 Construction UK Magazine - March 2022
Technology Feature HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE DIGITISED SERVICES THROUGH CONSTRUCTION? The use of smart technology has surged in the past decade, with the global market doubling in value from $43.4bn in 2017 to an expected $91bn in 2022. From its use in the home to integration in most sectors of the economy from banking to shopping, it’s been adopted to enhance the experience of consumers. The time is right for local governments, architects and builders to understand the best ways to deploy technology to support health and care needs in a range of environments, and the benefits of considering its inclusion as part of construction design. Gavin Bashar, UK managing director at Tunstall Healthcare, discusses why technology should be integrated into buildings from the design and specification stage to support the care and protection of vulnerable people. A digitally enabled future Technology has a key role to play in services being delivered in innovative ways, placing citizens at the heart of decision making, and enabling health, housing and care providers to target support where it’s needed most Using technology to support people is low cost, and helps citizens to live independently for longer with an increased quality of life. Relatively low-cost telecare systems can help to avoid hospital admission, delay and prevent the need for residential care, and reduce carer burnout. Architects and developers therefore have a crucial role to play in driving cost savings, and enhancing the lives of vulnerable service users.
smart technology into a new innovative housing development comprising eight semi-detached bungalows that will support the independence of young adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. Smart technology was integrated at the planning stage of the development to provide more person centred support, as well as offering greater insight into how best to allocate resources to meet the needs of the people living there. The system supports the use of telecare sensors and wearable technology, such as fall detectors, which will automatically raise an alert if help is required, enabling care to be given where and when it is needed, but supporting independence when it isn’t. The next steps A healthcare system fit for the 21st century must have digital innovation at its core which is embraced by architects and commissioners. As innovative technology continues to transform every aspect of modern life, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the impact this is having
Gavin Bashar, UK Managing Director of Tunstall Healthcare on population health and wellbeing. Where it has not already done so, digitisation is set to touch every corner of health and social care, and in turn this needs to impact upon the way we design and build. As the UK’s communications network is set to complete its transition from analogue to digital by 2025, technology has an even greater role to play in enhancing the lives of service users. Although this will require significant engagement from architects and builders, it brings a once in a generation opportunity to modernise, improve and shift thinking from a reactive, to a proactive delivery model which can empower users and enable care to become more intelligent and personalised. For more information, please visit www.tunstall.co.uk Below & Left Images: © Oaktree Rise development, Tunstall Healthcare
We must lead from the top to ensure buildings have technology integrated at construction to enable stakeholders to support citizens effectively, and provide a platform to make the most of future advances in technology. Too often, technology is considered as an afterthought, rather than a system that can be central to the way the building is lived, used and worked in, and therefore this is pivotal to the way it is designed. Case study Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) and construction firm, Jeakins Weir recently worked together to integrate
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 45
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HOW PERMASTEELISA DEPLOYS HANDSFREE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT Via Autodesk’s Digital Builder blog Today, construction companies have more choice than ever before when it comes to technology. Twenty years ago, technology-forward companies were setting up infrastructure to have laptops and internet at job sites. Ten years later, we saw smartphones and tablets becoming an industry standard. Now, wearables and extended reality (XR) devices are becoming increasingly common on jobsites.
challenges posed by “free-form” projects such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao or the Olympic Fish in Barcelona. Permasteelisa Group specialises in curtain wall projects, where there are multiple control activities that must be carried out on exposed areas, or in some cases, on the floor edge at considerable heights and in confined spaces, where handling a tablet can be dangerous. The need to access information and capture notes is still present on projects like this, but it is also crucial to maximise the safety of workers on site.
One company providing these wearables is RealWear, delivering ruggedised wearable, hands-free assisted reality devices (on the XR spectrum, but closer to the physical world) to improve safety and efficiency. And Permasteelisa Group is one of those innovative companies driving technology forward. Permasteelisa Group is a global leader in the engineering, project management, manufacturing, installation and after-sales service of advanced building facades, architectural envelopes, and interiors.
In a recent press release, RealWear announced a new and exciting integration with Autodesk® BIM 360™, built in collaboration with Permasteelisa, to solve exactly that challenge. The result was a connected, multimedia device that allows repetitive control operations to be carried out onsite using voice commands, keeping the operator’s hands free for the work. The integration with BIM 360 has helped them optimise time spent in high-risk spaces on the jobsite, reduce the risk of errors, and improve collaboration between all different stakeholders.
Part of Permasteelisa’s promise to its clients is to leverage integrated and digitised processes that help ensure high quality and safety while improving management of the large amount of information that characterises modern curtain wall projects. Permasteelisa has used Autodesk Construction Cloud products for many years to connect design and field teams to solve
The primary reason Permasteelesa approached RealWear to develop the integration was to enable the execution of hands-free checklists. With this seamless integration, the team can inspect the quality of a curtain wall project while at great heights and maintain employee safety, helping to ensure safe quality deliveries for their clients.
With this integration, teams can now also do hands-free videoconferencing and live sharing of high-resolution images or videos. The project’s field team can bring their colleagues from the other side of the world with them to the construction site for a virtual general inspection or to observe a specific detail. Looking to the future, leaders at Permasteelisa also see this as a great way to avoid international travels for simple, half-day meetings on site that can now be executed virtually with a wearable. The advantages, in terms of collaboration and efficiency gains from an integration like this, are evident. For example, the Senior Designer of a project can check the construction site as soon as a potential issue emerges, in real time—resolving field issues remotely from the office. Travel times have been significantly reduced, keeping projects moving forward more efficiently. Thanks to the integration of BIM 360, RealWear HMT-1 and Permasteelisa’s internal systems, the information captured by the field team is immediately available to colleagues, regardless of location. If you’d like to learn more, you can check out RealWear’s press release here. Autodesk and BIM 360 are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/ or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 47
UK Construction Week Show Preview
UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK LONDON TO FOCUS ON CULTURE CHANGE IN CONSTRUCTION The fundamental issue of culture change in the construction industry is the focus of a major event in May this year, with more than 25,000 people expected to come together to explore how the industry implements new behaviours, best practice and a true cultural shift in how it builds for the future. UK Construction Week (UKCW), the country’s largest live show for the construction industry and all its related professions and trades, is running in London at the ExCeL centre on 3-5 May. Nathan Garnett, UKCW event director, says:
We’re really excited to bring UK Construction Week to London. 2022 is the year to focus on how we achieve the systemic changes we’ve been discussing for some time and to share the learning from the organisations who have already made a strong start. Day one will include updates on the new rules around public procurement, the new regulatory regime on building safety, the forthcoming Building Safety Act, and the completely new ways in which the industry works on projects as wide ranging as prisons, hospitals, road and rail infrastructure, education buildings and housing. Day two will be a deep dive into digitalisation, Net Zero and energy futures, and day three will focus on people, including diversity, health and wellbeing, recruitment and retention issues.
UKCW London will consist of over 40,000 sq m of exhibition space, more than 300 exhibitors (600 including co-located shows), 10,000 products, 300 expert speakers, seven theatre stages, multiple specialist hubs, and 150 hours of CPD content and activities. The Digital Construction Hub will deliver practical workshops on best practice in digital strategy, BIM, cloud computing, cybersecurity, use of Big Data and the whole range of ways in which new technology can improve efficiency, productivity and profitability. The Infrastructure Hub will bring expert speakers from the Infrastructure Projects Authority and Barbour ABI to showcase the learning from major projects like HS2, Thames Tideway, Royal Docks London and the West Midlands Growth Engine, and to analyse government policies that will affect infrastructure over the next 10-15 years. The Sustainability Hub will include sessions looking at best practice in low carbon building and retrofit from Europe, regenerative design and biomimicry, hydrogen innovation, 3D printing, waste issues and building for disassembly. The Offsite Alliance Hub will share the learning from Alliance members who work alongside leading organisations, industry bodies, government, local authorities and housing associations to increase the uptake and delivery of offsite technologies across the residential sector.
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CHANGING THE SHAPE OF FLOORS COULD CUT CONCRETE USAGE BY 75 PERCENT Swapping solid slab floors for a ‘thin shell’ vaulted alternative could help the construction industry towards its netzero targets A new vaulted style of floor developed in the UK uses 75% less concrete than a traditional flat slab floor and could help the construction industry reduce its carbon footprint. An interdisciplinary team of structural engineers, mathematicians and manufacturing experts from the Universities of Bath, Cambridge and Dundee has unveiled a full-scale demonstration of a thin-shell floor, which uses 60% less carbon in its construction than an equivalent flat slab that could carry the same load. The curved vault-shaped structure is covered by standard raised floor panels to create a level surface. Created by the UKRI-funded ACORN (Automating Concrete Construction) research project, the innovative vaultshaped floor design takes advantage of concrete’s inherent natural properties and strengths. The team has demonstrated that the new process could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our built environment. Dr Paul Shepherd, a Reader in Bath’s Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering and the Principal Investigator for ACORN, says: “Achieving the net-zero targets recently ratified at the COP26 conference will require significant change by the construction industry, which is responsible for about half of the UK’s
total emissions. Since concrete is the world’s most widely consumed material after water, and its production contributes more than 7% of global CO2 emissions, the easiest way for construction to begin its journey to net-zero is to use less concrete. That has been the driving force behind this project, which we hope could make a major difference to the impact of construction.” Innovations in robotics, automated design and off-site fabrication are key Currently most building floors use thick flat slabs of solid concrete, which are inefficient since they rely on the bending strength of concrete to support loads. Concrete isn’t very good at resisting the tension induced by bending, so these floors also need lots of steel reinforcement. Instead, ACORN’s approach is to use concrete for what it is good at - resisting compression. By putting the material only where it is needed, and making sure it works in compression, the ACORN design uses far less concrete. The new shape might prove impractical to make using traditional temporary formwork, so the ACORN team has in parallel developed an automated adaptable mould and a robotic concrete spraying system that can be used in an off-site factory setting. Alongside this new style of fabrication, the team has also developed bespoke software to seamlessly optimise floors for a given building design, and control
the automated manufacturing system to produce them. Since the floor is made off-site, it also needs to be transported to site and then assembled. This brought some exciting challenges for the team, who had to split the large floor into nine transportable pieces and develop a connection system to join the pieces together. However, this also brings some advantages, in terms of reducing time needed on-site for construction. The ACORN team was also able to incorporate reversible joints, so that the floor can be disassembled and reused elsewhere at the end of the building’s life, promoting a circular economy for the construction industry. The practicality of this integrated system has just been demonstrated to ACORN’s industry partners, by making a full-scale 4.5m x 4.5m thin-shell building in the NRFIS Laboratory of Cambridge University’s Civil Engineering Department. Early results suggesting that ACORN’s approach of using material sparingly can already deliver significant carbon savings, with future research likely to lead to even more as processes are optimized. Despite being the first of its kind, each piece took only half an hour to make, and the whole floor took a week to assemble – future commercial versions could be manufactured in dedicated industrial facilities much more quickly, and site erection times much reduced. Dr Shepherd adds: “After three years of research it is amazing to see the fruits of all our hard work dominating the laboratory and drawing interested looks from all who passed by. It’s not every day you can jump on top of your research! I just hope that one day soon this type of low-carbon automatically manufactured building becomes so widespread that people walk by without noticing.” Adam Locke, Programme Leader of the Europe Hub Technology & Innovation at Laing O’Rourke, one of the ACORN partners, adds: “The ACORN Demonstrator is a very useful stepping-stone in the progressive pathway to decarbonizing our solutions and compliments very well our own work in this area.” ACORN has received funding from UK Research and Innovation under the ISCF Transforming Construction programme.
Construction UK Magazine - March 2022 51
Workwear
HIGH VIS ‘SUPER STRETCH’ COMFORT FROM ENGEL WORKWEAR A range of high visibility, flexible workwear which stretches to follow the movements of the body giving maximum comfort in any work situation forms part of the comprehensive workwear collection from Danish workwear specialists ENGEL WORKWEAR
Called ‘Safety - Super-Stretch’, the wide variety of garments feature elastic fibres woven into a polyester and cotton mix; the strong yet extreme flexibility of the material allows each item of clothing to return to its original shape making it especially suitable for working in confined spaces whilst still retaining all the inherent advantages of design and style.
With added safety being as important to wearers as both comfort and practical durability, not only does the flexibility help reduce tiredness, the workwear also allows them to be readily seen throughout the day or night, further minimising the risk of accidents, The ‘Super-Stretch’ collection, which includes high-vis ‘Safety’ work jackets, trousers, shorts and bib-overalls is also offered in an Environmentallyfriendly, sustainable safety version which incorporates 50% regenerated polyester fibres made from recycled plastic bottles; significant consumption savings are therefore made on energy, water and greenhouse gas emissions. This method of yarn production with the brand name of ‘REPREVE©’ has been developed by Unifi, one of the world’s most advanced recycling centres; waterproofs, T shirts, sweatshirts and a zipped hoodie using the same material are also being introduced. For more details contact Gareth Bladen at gbl@f-engel.com Telephone +44 (0) 7759 520034 or visit www.engel.eu/en & ENGEL Workwear - Catalogue (f-engel.com)
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COLD WEATHER WORKING WITH SNICKERS WORKWEAR’S SUSTAINABLE CLIMATE CONTROL Dressing right and staying comfortable when it’s cold and wet demands the best in Climate Control working clothes Continuous work in cold weather produces body heat and sweat. But when your rate of work slows, the sweat cools and you’ll start to feel cold and damp. The solution is Snickers Workwear’s body-mapping Mid-layer working clothes that deliver advanced ventilation to control and regulate the heat from your body. Made to last from sustainable fabrics such as micro fleece and recycled polyester, they’re great for both work and leisure activities. These garments insulate and keep heat around your body by effectively creating an air pocket inside your clothes. They complement Snickers Workwear’s FlexiWork Base-layer undergarments that combine sustainable animal-friendly Merino Wool with polyamide for warmth and ventilation. As well as the Top-layer or ‘outer shell’ AllroundWork and Flexiwork Weatherproof Jackets and Trousers that will keep you warm, dry and comfortable all day long.
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