Creative Build Magazine - May Issue by Ryan Leon Media

May Issue Access Training’s top 5 tips to reduce electricity bills

Five Top Tips for property investors this year and beyond

2022 Kitchen Trends from furniture specialist, BA

Pages 16-17

Pages 20-21

Pages 42-43

creativebuildmagazine.com

Contents 4

Construction orders show fastest rise in seven months

Kalzip Roofing and Cladding package protects £56M inverurie community campus

ood things come G in small packages: New attachments for your job site

Leading manufacturer of stairways and doors launches new porch offering

Marshalls strengthens its future with leadership changes

Gira Design Lines: Quality materials. Timeless colours. Intelligent design.

Housebuilders worried focus on solar panels could up development costs

Deluxe kitchen with hidden bootroom by Brandt Design

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Construction orders show fastest rise in seven months Building output was boosted by sustained rise in new work across the board according to the Construction Purchasing Managers index for March. The latest reading of 59.1 was unchanged from February and well above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. The index revealed the jointfastest rate of output growth since June 2021 boosted by the highest level of new orders since August last year. Commercial work was the bestperforming segment with an index reading of 60.8 due to projects restarting following the roll back of pandemic restrictions. Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply group director Duncan Brock said: “But residential building became the laggard of the pack as affordability

concerns were a factor in holding back progress particularly in new housing and refurbishment work.” Recoveries in residential work lost momentum in March with a reading of 54.9 and 56.3 for civil engineering. Deliver wait times climb A third of supply chain managers reported longer wait times for deliveries and sharp inflation rises as transport and raw material cost went up. The overall rate of input price inflation accelerated sharply since February and was the highest for six months. “Construction companies are braced for more disruption on the horizon as a result of the Ukraine conflict. The rise in purchasing demand fed into higher costs for materials already in short supply as

energy hikes also impacted on business costs,” said Mr Brock. Input buying rose at the steepest pace since July 2021, driven by a combination of stronger demand and efforts to build stocks where possible. S&P Global economics director Tim Moore, whose company compiles the survey, said: “Business optimism slipped to its lowest since October 2020 on concerns that clients will cut back spending in response to rising prices and heightened economic uncertainty.” Property finance intermediary Hank Zarihs Associates said despite economic uncertainty tender opportunities and resilient customer demand meant development finance lenders were keen to offer construction loans to builders.

Creating perfect workspaces project management service from bott At bott, we’re focussed on creating efficient, organised workspaces, for customers who want to improve and evolve and get the best out of their working environments. Our experience shows that investments in modern workplace storage equipment, results in greater efficiencies, increased productivity and long-term operational success.

Advice & planning

We understand that every business is different and many workspaces require individual solutions, depending on location, operation and workflow. That’s why our offer goes beyond just the simple supply of products - we regularly design, manufacture and install customised systems. Whatever you’re planning to fit out, from complex, large-scale new builds to functional site refurbishments, our standard ranges are only the start of what our project design team can achieve.

Our project management team are specialists in the field. They can visit you for a free consultation, onsite or virtually, to understand your needs in more detail. They’ll look at the location, access and size of the working area and learn more about your operations, workflows and particular storage requirements.

Planning a workspace might seem simple, but today’s working environments have advanced beyond simply filling an empty space with equipment. Whether you’re looking to kit out a new facility, or simply transforming an existing area, there are many things to consider aside from budgets and timescales.

3D visuals When planning your workspace, our project team can produce 3D visuals

of your equipment layout, enabling colleagues and stakeholders to easily envisage your ideas. Our team will focus on getting the best out of your budget as well as your working area and upon request, can provide you with a no obligation quote to support your visual proposal. With a wide-ranging product offer and the flexibility that comes from having our own manufacturing plant, we can transform your ideas into reality. BIM compatibility In partnership with bimstore, selected items from our high-quality cubio and verso ranges are available as free, downloadable BIM (Building Information Management) objects. If you’re an architect or construction manager working on a large-scale project, you can select from our approved BIM range and specify bott products in your design briefs and proposals. Delivery & installation Our own distribution and transport team provide a quality, reliable service; efficiently transporting products from our manufacturing facility to your site, with the utmost care and attention. As an optional extra and to finish off the process, we can install your workplace storage equipment so that it’s ready for use. To keep disruption down to a minimum, our installations are scheduled to fit around you and your business, ensuring a swift and easy transfer into your new workspace. Peace of mind We’re confident that our project management service will provide peace of mind throughout the whole process, with our expert team here to support you every step of the way. Contact our team to see what we can deliver for you and your business. Tel: 01288 357788 Email: projects@bottltd.co.uk 5

Hardies appoints Jack McGowan to spearhead new Belfast office Hardies Property & Construction Consultants has appointed Jack McGowan to spearhead its new city centre Belfast office with Ireland considered a key strategic foothold in its UK expansion strategy. The appointment of the Chartered Building Surveyor and Non-Domestic Energy Assessor sees Mr McGowan relocate from Aberdeen to Belfast. Commenting on his appointment, he said: “Having overseen projects for existing clients with a presence in Northern Ireland over recent years, I’m delighted to head up our Belfast office and lead the development of our operations here with the addition of new locally-based clientele.” Senior partner, Danny McArthur, added: “We consider Ireland as a strategic foothold for us in terms of our expansion across the UK and regard Jack as a central figure in our Irish operations. “Having relocated from within the firm, Jack understands the culture and DNA of the business, which enables us to hit the ground running in Belfast as we plan to rapidly expand our presence across Northern Ireland and Ireland.” The new office at Forsyth House, Cromac Street, Belfast is one of three new offices across the UK announced by Hardies last month, the other two being Leeds and London, taking its office network to 13 locations. The new offices form the first phase of a development strategy executed on the back of a series of major successful project wins across the UK and Ireland over recent years. With experience in all sectors working on the smallest to the largest projects the country has to offer, Hardies’ core services include Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Retail, Principal Designer/ Health & Safety Advisor, Energy Surveying and Housing Services. 6

Combined with sister firm, Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, with specialisms in residential valuation, commercial property management, agency, valuation and auction services, the two

entities form a national practice unrivalled in its delivery network of surveying services throughout the UK. Together the firms now have 41 offices across the UK.

Jacqueline O’Donovan honoured with lifetime achievement award from the worshipful company of Carmen Jacqueline O’Donovan, managing director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal, has received the lifetime achievement award from the Worshipful Company of Carmen. This esteemed award was founded in 2011 to recognise and honour the outstanding service, dedication, diligence and leadership given to the transport industry in the UK by exceptional individuals over an extended period of two decades or more. The Worshipful Company of Carmen is one of the 110 livery companies in the City of London and it dates back to 1517. Steeped in tradition, the Company represents a wide range of aspects within the transport and logistics encouraging achievement and the advancement of knowledge in the transport and logistics profession through awards, lectures and social activities. It’s benevolence and historic fellowship are renowned and respected and it continues to adapt and evolve to meet the challenges of today’s transport and logistics industry which contributes £127 billion to UK economy. Jacqueline was chosen to be recognised for her tireless dedication to fundamentally improving transport

policy in London and across the country. Her illustrious career has spanned over three decades and has seen her lead the way in terms of her commitment to sustainability and the environment, working to promote greener, cleaner transport operations as well as being hugely instrumental in improving road safety standards for the construction and haulage sectors across the UK. Jacqueline has been exemplar in her dedication to encouraging and enabling education and staff development, as well as her company becoming the first in the UK to achieve a number of ground-breaking and pioneering accomplishments for safety, compliance and innovation. She is a highly respected and successful Fellow of the Carmen company having been bestowed the Freedom of the City of London in 2016 and has received fellowships from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), the Institute of Couriers (IoC), as well as the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transport (CIHT). She is the only female MD in the world to earn a Master’s Degree in Demolition Management and her numerous awards include PwC Private Businesswoman of the Year, IoD Director

of the Year and she is a recipient of the Growing Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year as well as the Women’s Economic Forum naming her as their Woman of the Decade in Enterprise and Leadership. Receiving the award, Jacqueline commented, “I was blown away to hear I had been bestowed this honour as it is usually given to recipients on their retirement and so to receive this at the height of my career is fabulous! It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be recognised in this way. I’m delighted and my hope is that it encourages other women to make their careers in this amazing sector that I am truly passionate about. “ Mr Leon Daniels, Chairman, Awards Committee said, “The Carmen Company is delighted to recognise one of the industry’s leading women in the transport business at a high point in her career. The whole transport industry serves a diverse audience and it is only right that we seek an equally diverse workforce and senior management. Jaqueline is a perfect role model and serves as an inspiration for others”

Award presented to Jacqueline O’Donovan by Nick Laister, the Master Carmen along with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Vincent Keaveny 7

Good things come in small packages: New attachments for your job site MB Crusher presents two new shaft screening buckets Good things come in small packages. And these new units are small and designed for mini and midi excavators. Small but efficient, practical, and productive. The two new shaft screener models are the MB-HDS207 and the MBHDS212. These two shaft screeners were created to simplify tasks on all job sites. For example, tasks like aerating packed soil when preparing a garden. Or if you need to recycle and separate dirt from demolition debris, stones, or roots; or screening materials to cover pipes and trenches. Shaft Screener Buckets for mini and midi excavators There are two new models designed for mini and midi excavators: the MBHDS207 and the MB-HDS212. - The MB-HDS207 weighs 98kg and is compatible with a mini excavator with operating weight from 1.3 to 2.8 tons. - The MB-HDS212 weighs 480kg and can be installed on midi excavators and backhoe loaders between 8 and 9 tons, and skid loaders from 4 to 5 tons. The attachments are designed and created for the gardening, landscaping, and urban construction industries. The new MB-HDS shaft screeners combine efficiency and versatility and are solutions for complex job sites. The shaft screeners were designed to simplify the job. Thanks to the coupler connection being lowered than the rest of the unit, you get more control during the loading and processing phases making it easier to get the job done. Not only that, but buckets’ shape increases productivity. Maintenance is simple – greasing is centralized and can take place at the job site.

The shaft screeners have a sealed cover designed to withstand long-term use but also to shield the internal parts of the machine from materials such as dirt and sand. The same cover protects the bolts and side casings, guaranteeing minimal downtime and the ability to continually work.

to the MB-HDS207, increasing the unit’s load capacity from 50l to 60l. The MBHDS212 is also compatible with skid steers.

Similar to our other HDS models, the new units have shafts that are easily replaced on the job site.

These two attachments are crucial when you’re looking for practicality, reliability, and productivity on the job site. The shaft screeners are compact, versatile, and extremely easy to use; they’re designed to simplify jobs, reduce working times, and save money.

You can also install a capacity increase kit

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MyMecalac Connected Services telematics now available for site dumpers Mecalac Construction Equipment UK has announced the international roll-out of state-of-the-art telematics connectivity across its site dumper portfolio. The latest models can now be equipped with MyMecalac Connected Services, either as an option from the factory or as a retrofit kit. Helping operators to minimise downtime and optimise productivity through real-time equipment data, MyMecalac Connected Services telematics provides a smart solution to enable remote fleet management. From insight into fuel consumption and productivity, to service reminders, maintenance alerts, remote diagnostics and geofencing capability, the innovative solution keeps fleets running at full speed and full efficiency.

Comprising an in-depth web portal and handy mobile app, the service solves a number of industry pain points. It spotlights machines in need of immediate care and allows technicians to stay one step ahead of potential breakdowns. Mark Royse, Head of Sales at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, commented: “MyMecalac Connected Services provides owners and operators with an incredibly powerful tool to manage their machines. Rolling out the state-of-the-art solution across our site dumper portfolios will help construction professionals to further increase equipment uptime and maximise productivity.” Alongside telematics capability, MyMecalac Connected Services also includes a start-up digicode unit.

Effectively an immobiliser keypad, the device requires operators to enter a specific code before starting the engine. With the ability to assign a specific code to each user, change codes at and time and programme expiration parameters, the digicode provides complete control of machine access. Royse added: “With equipment security paramount, especially for hire fleets, the inclusion of our start-up digicode system ensures complete peace-ofmind. At Mecalac, we are streamlining the ownership experience and bringing game-changing technology to our worldleading site dumpers.” For more information about Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, or to find your nearest dealer, visit www.mecalac.com/en.

Winvic awarded place on highways works framework by Lincolnshire County Council Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, has won a new contract with Lincolnshire County Council to deliver highways works across the county. The ‘General Works’ Lot awarded to Winvic is for schemes involving the creation of new infrastructure assets as well as infrastructure improvements. Works to be undertaken by Winvic on A and B class roads in Lincolnshire are likely to include the construction of roundabouts, major highways widening or dualling, bridge construction and service diversions and installation as well as the installation of drainage and street lighting. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Civils and Infrastructure Director, commented: “I’d like to thank our team for working hard throughout the tender process on this

Framework and Lincolnshire County Council team for recognising that Winvic has the drive, skills and focus on innovation to successfully and safely deliver schemes within the Framework. We are confident that our experience with the creation of new highways infrastructure and improvement works of a similar nature and our collaborative, one-team approach will lead us to exceeding the council’s expectations.”

specialist, but that also means it has been delivering highways and infrastructure works associated with large UK distribution parks for its twenty-year history. Now – I’m delighted to say – we are also known for our track record of successfully completing major highways, civils and infrastructure works and our strong relationship with National Highways. This Lincolnshire highways contract win is another piece of evidence that we’re Doing It Right.”

The news comes after Winvic won two Lot contracts across four regions within National Highways’ (NH) new Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF) last year. With this second Framework win, Winvic will be helping to keep Lincolnshire roads running safely and smoothly as well as a number of England’s major A roads and motorways.

Tom Gifford, Client and Contract Manager from Lincolnshire County Council, added: “We are delighted to welcome Winvic onto our General Works framework Lot and look forward to working closely with the Winvic team on new projects in the future.”

Cook continued: “Winvic is known as the county’s top industrial warehouse

For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit: www.winvic.co.uk.

Marshalls strengthens its future with leadership changes Following the announcement of record financial results last month, Marshalls plc has announced a number of significant leadership changes which demonstrate its commitment to growth, development and innovation. The leading landscape and building products business has seen strong trading in the first months of 2022 and its £24m investment in a new plant in St Ives is well underway and on track to bring increased capacity and product choice to the market. In addition, the business has also announced that it has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the entire issued share capital of Marley Group plc (Marley) at a value of £535 million. Simon Bourne, Chief Operating Officer Recognising the continuing importance of business transformation and growth within Marshalls, Simon Bourne has taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer. Simon has also been appointed to the Marshalls plc board and has worked for

the business for almost seven years, most recently as Group Operations Director. In recent years, Simon has made several significant changes to the operations function at Marshalls, including the integration of business acquisitions into existing operations. He has ensured that this vital part of the business is customerfocused, both through a successful restructure and the launch of many NPD projects that bring innovation to the market. Simon’s role is also instrumental in the carbon reduction ambition of Marshalls, which is to become net zero by 2030. Simon is the Chair of MPA British Precast. Before working at Marshalls, he operated across a number of different sectors ranging from textiles, printing & packaging, media, and food. Of the appointment, Martyn Coffey said “It is vital that we have this new role providing challenge and guidance across the wider organisation, and Simon’s experience

makes him ideally placed for this.” Ian Dean, Managing Director for Landscape and Building Products Ian Dean has become Managing Director for Landscape and Building Products at Marshalls. Ian has worked for the business since August 2020, when he joined to manage several specific business divisions. Ian’s leadership of the divisions of Civils and Drainage, Bricks and Masonry, Mortars and Screeds, Aggregates, and Landscape Protection will be extended to include the core Marshalls Landscape businesses. Ian takes over the reins of the landscape business from Pete Hallitt, former Group Trading Director, who will retire at the end of 2022. Pete has been with Marshalls for over 17 years; he will manage a number of strategic projects until he retires. Martyn Coffey, CEO of Marshalls, said: “Ian has become a significant asset for Marshalls since joining us just under two years ago, and I’m pleased to see him move into this role. We’re investing in our growth, innovation and customer experience, and Ian plays an integral part in this. Pete has been a very strong part of my leadership team and a crucial part of Marshalls for a very long time; whilst he is still with us until the end of the year, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment and hard work over the years.” Before joining Marshalls, Ian was Managing Director of Knauf, where he worked for 19 years and progressed from roles in sales and marketing. He said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this position in a business that has such a strong brand and, most importantly, such great people. It’s an exciting time for Marshalls with the launch of our Shine customer centricity programme and the opening of our innovative dual block plant later in the year, which will product new ranges of landscaping products.”

Louise Furness, Chief People and ESG Officer Demonstrating a further investment in sustainability, Marshalls has appointed Louise Furness to drive strategy and change as Chief People and ESG Officer. This new role will see Louise lead the business’ sustainability work in its broadest sense; creating better futures for everyone through a continued focus on strong ethical, environmental and corporate social responsibility principles. Louise takes this on in addition to her existing responsibilities for people strategy within the business, she will work alongside Chris Harrop OBE who is ESG Strategy Director on a part-time basis. Louise joined Marshalls in 2018 as Group HR Director, in that time she has successfully spearheaded a change in the culture and engagement agendas for the business, raising the importance of talent, skills development and agility. Louise has extensive experience of driving people change and transformation in multi-national contexts. Louise said: “I’m proud to represent Marshalls by taking responsibility for this key area. We’ve built a great heritage over the years thanks to the hard work of Chris Harrop OBE, and I’m looking forward to building on our position of strength, with continuing advice and support from Chris. Our strategy remains clear; doing things right for customers, colleagues and the other partners we have in businesses. It’s what we call The Marshalls Way. ” Commenting on the appointment, Martyn Coffey CEO said “Louise is a wellestablished member of the Marshalls executive team and has contributed to the shaping of our ESG agenda as a part of that. It was a logical step to ask her to take on increased responsibilities, which I know she is passionate about, and to work within the business to continue to drive change and improvement. I am delighted she accepted my challenge!”

Elisa premium bathroom brand launches in the UK Recently launched in the UK, Elisa is a new premium bathroom brand. The first products to be available in the Elisa collection will be a range of heritage-style mixer showers and smart digital showers, designed for homeowners seeking a contemporary and personalised showering experience. Elisa Intuition and Incite both feature smart digital shower technology. With the accompanying ShowerMe Smart App, each family member can create their own personalised profile, allowing them to select the duration of the shower – helping to save water and energy – while the app dashboard gives a clear picture of the volume of water being consumed every day. Users also enjoy the luxury of voice control thanks to seamless connectivity with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa smart home systems. Elisa smart digital showers can be started remotely from anywhere, with the reassurance that the water is at the precisely desired temperature. A wireless remote control provides simple on/off

operation, and with Intuition, a motioncontrolled sensor activates the shower automatically when the user steps in. Powered by Elisa’s SmartValve technology, Elisa showers offer a wealth of options for installation. The SmartValve also enables the maximum temperature of the shower to be set, and the flow rate switched to ‘Eco’ mode to reduce water usage further. Intuition and Incite are fitted as concealed shower units for a discreet and elegant finish, with a choice of fixed drencher head, adjustable handset and bath fill features. Incite is available in chrome, while Intuition comes in chrome, matt black or brushed brass. The Valenteena mixer shower collection adds a touch of heritage luxury to any bathroom environment. Timelessly beautiful in its styling, and built from solid brass, this premium shower delivers proven reliability, durability and safety with ultra-precise thermostatic technology and an automatic cut-off system. Available in an exposed or concealed design in a choice of chrome or gold-plated finish,

Valenteena offers true customisation with a selection of overhead and adjustable shower head options. Tim Creedon, sales director for Elisa, commented, “Elisa has been an exciting journey for us to bring a bold vision to life. We have worked closely with our premium showroom customers and listened to installers and homeowners alike. We believe that the future of showering is not only powered by products that provide data to the user via digital technology, encouraging new routines to reduce showering times, but also products that are engineered to last. The serviceability of our showers provides homeowners with the opportunity to make a greater impact, and for the installer, the premium products they are proud to put their reputation to.” Elisa showers come with a five year manufacturer’s guarantee. For more information on the Elisa range, please call 01959 560003 or visit: www.elisabathrooms.com

Top tips to managing an ageing vehicle fleet Penny Stoolman, managing director at Prestige Fleet Servicing, shares her top tips to managing an ageing vehicle fleet, helping businesses to cut emissions, minimise downtime and streamline running costs.

schedule maintenance activity, i.e. every 5,000 miles, and create software service reminders for each vehicle. Source and follow your OEM’s recommended maintenance plan, if available. 2. Forward book MOTs

Whether you’re taking blueprints to a client, fitting out a new venue or heading to site, you’ll know the critical importance of managing the risk of vehicle off-road (VOR) – the time businesses lose to the unscheduled repair and servicing of company or grey fleet vehicles. Indeed, VOR has the potential to significantly impact business profitability, with some estimates calculating costs of up to £1,000 for every day a vehicle is off the road. However, if the vehicles used within your day-to-day operations and activities are older, this will significantly increase your risk of business downtime. Older vehicles need more regular servicing and, on average, consume more fuel and generate more emissions. They also carry a higher risk of breakdown and may not comply with new environmental legislation such as clean air zones (CAZs). However, older fleets are becoming increasingly commonplace, with business owners forced to hang on to vehicles for longer in response to the current supply chain challenges. However, by taking a focused approach to preventative maintenance, the risk to your business can be mitigated, allowing you to reap the financial benefit of foregoing a vehicle upgrade in the short term. To help you manage this, I’ve pulled together my list of top tips to aid with downtime prevention planning.

Pre-planning servicing and MOTs will allow you to factor in VOR time throughout the year and hopefully avoid any nasty surprises along the way. On average, a third of light commercial vehicles such as vans initially fail their MOTs, leaving businesses compromised in the event of a tight turnaround. Taking advantage, for example, of forward booking options can minimise downtime, ensuring vehicles are fully utilised for longer. At Prestige, we offer a 90-day forward booking facility, working with operators to optimise their vehicle testing schedules. 3. Plan ahead for winter Remember that your vehicles’ needs will change in the colder months. Vehicle batteries rarely last longer than five years, while heating, lights and windscreen wipers add to a vehicle’s electrical load in winter. We also recommend 3mm of tyre tread in the colder months. To ease unnecessary costs, we recommend scheduling in an annual winter vehicle check. 4. Are you responsible for your employees’ vehicles? It’s important to remember that if a vehicle is being used for business travel, employers are responsible for ensuring

that it is adequately maintained and safe even if the vehicles are not owned by the business – a term known as grey fleet. Poorly maintained vehicles can cause costly business downtime issues and, more critically, leave employers widely exposed under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007. Failure to properly manage service intervals, collisional damage and uninsured losses in the event of an incident can result in unplanned downtime and expense. The impact of absenteeism also counts as business downtime, and reputational damage should also be considered. If you’re not already doing this, it makes sense to start putting some procedures in place. You can easily find out if a vehicle has up-to-date vehicle tax or has been registered as off the road (SORN) here, although bear in mind it can take up to five working days for records to update once registered. Businesses should also request proof of insurance, including business cover, servicing and an up-todate MOT. Scheduling insurance, MOT and road tax reminders will help you remember key milestone dates. 5. Identify and sell older vehicles If your fleet comprises a number of vehicles, analysing the data for each one should also help you to identify if there are any models that aren’t currently being used or that are reaching end of life, allowing you to calculate the best time to sell those nearing termination point. www.theaa.com/business/prestige-fleetservicing

1. Determine trigger points for maintenance activity Do you know how the maintenance schedule, requirements, history and fuel usage of every single vehicle used within your business, regardless of type? To build a complete picture, you’ll need to review the maintenance history of each vehicle and parts replaced. Each model should have an inspection and service record and details of current mileage and fluid levels. Decide on a trigger point to

Access Training’s top 5 tips to reduce electricity bills With no immediate end to the current energy crisis in sight, the UK’s leading training provider of tradespeople, Access Training UK, has put together its top tips on how to save on your bills. At the beginning of April, the energy price cap increased by 54%, meaning some homeowners could see their energy bills increase to £2000 per year. Combined with soaring inflation and rising interest rates, the UK is set for a cost of living crisis, with households 4% worse off this year. Proportionally, energy bills account for a significant portion of monthly outgoings (18%) . As this is about to increase even further, Access Training UK has asked its expert trade professionals for their top

tips to help save money on their energy bills and a combination of small everyday tasks alone can help combat the rise in living costs. 1. Smart Meters: installing smart meters in your home can be a great way of monitoring your spending each month. It is estimated that homes with smart meters could save up to 49% on their annual energy bills. 2. Energy Efficient Appliances: When purchasing new appliances, it’s always worth checking the energy efficiency rating. The ratings span from A down to G, and labels will even tell you the energy consumption of the appliance to allow accurate comparisons. Transitioning from a 100 Watt bulb to a 10 Watt not only helps the environment, but can

have a massive impact on your electricity consumption when implemented throughout a home. 3. Turn Your Appliances Off: The desire to have tech at our fingertips has meant that it has become common to leave appliances on standby. However, every appliance left on standby continues to use energy when not in use, the average UK home wastes £55 a year on appliances left on standby . Smart plugs can be a great way to cut energy costs for appliances typically left on standby and can save you £86 per year. 4. Turning unused lights off: walking out of a room and leaving the light on is a classic way we all waste energy. Passive Infrared sensors do the work for you, turning lights on and off based on motion

detected within a space. These can save up to 50% on a home’s lighting energy costs. 5. Renewable Energy: In the long term, there are of course more drastic solutions to the price increases. Renewable energy, although daunting to some, can be worth the while when you factor in the overall savings and impact on the environment. The recent announcement of cutting the 5% VAT from April for homeowners with solar panels, heat pumps and insulation installed means that the next 5 years are the optimal time to invest in the switch to renewable energy within the home. Jamie Jefferies, CEO of Access Training UK, comments: “households are really starting to feel the bite of higher energy bills. This is being driven by a rise in the wholesale cost, as well as supply issues,

which has led to the energy price cap more than doubling in April. It is also highly likely that the cost of energy will get even higher as the year progresses. However, there are a whole range of options to help reduce our energy consumption. These range from small tips and tricks and cost-effective smart gadgets right through to big renewable energy home improvement projects. The key takeaway is that there are opportunities for everyone to save some money on our day-to-day bills.” Although the rise in energy costs is unavoidable. There are options homeowners can take to maintain a manageable monthly spend. In addition, many of these changes will incidentally, make positive contributions to the battle against climate change.

Housebuilders worried focus on solar panels could up development costs Housebuilders could be lumbered with extra infrastructure costs if solar panels become mandatory for new developments, the industry fears. The National Federation of Builders, NFB, has criticised the government’s energy strategy, published last week, for focusing on the increasing use of solar panels rather than wind turbines. Housing and planning policy head Rico Wojtulewicz said: “Solar panels will raise costs. You have to get a qualified person to install them. They’re not just an add on, as they require grid reinforcement, smart systems or home energy storage, and a change of electrical supply system.” He stressed moving from gas to electricity for powering heating and vehicles would entail upgrading the grid from singlephase to three-phase capacity.

Potentially, this could mean that a development of 20 homes might cost an extra £100,000 to deliver. Property finance intermediary Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders were worried that SME builders could be faced with unsustainable costs if asked to invest in infrastructure upgrades. The NFB is disappointed the government’s strategy did not harness greater use of onshore wind turbines one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy. “A small wind turbine, for example, could generate enough energy to power 12 homes. We offered the government the chance to pilot this with our members’ housing schemes but they chose not to explore the offer.”

Wind turbines held back by existing planning law Mr Wojtulewicz described the government’s decision to shy away from changing planning law to facilitate onshore wind turbines as a lost opportunity. He said prioritising onshore wind turbines in the energy strategy would have given British companies more certainty to invest in this type of technology. Prime minister Boris Johnson’s foreword in the strategy paper acknowledges that while wind turbines can be up and running in 24 hours getting licences and permissions can take years. The strategy paper has said it will explore developing local partnerships for a limited number of communities prepared to host an onshore wind turbine in return for lower energy bills.

Methven welcomes water incentives for Housebuilders Following the recent financial incentives being announced by Thames Water for housebuilders installing low-flow showers, Methven is advising specifiers to consider how to overcome any impact on showering performance.

new incentives that Thames Water has set out, water shortages in the UK are becoming increasingly worrying and as a manufacturer we have been committed to bringing about real change in the bathroom industry.

The southern water company, Thames Water, has recently announced measures to protect its water stressed region by rewarding housebuilders, developers and specifiers for installing low-flow showers and other technologies to save water.

“One of the things we hear time and time again from housebuilders, developers and specifiers is that they worry that low-flow products will have an impact on performance. That is why we’ve invested heavily in water saving technologies to ensure that they deliver the highest standards in water efficiency without compromising on form or function.”

As well as offering discounts on the cost of joining the sewage network, Thames Water is also offering further incentives for housebuilders looking to reduce water usage in their properties. If housebuilders retrofit existing homes, they could be paid more than £1,000 per property on new developments. Martin Walker, CEO for Methven, comments: “We’re encouraged by these

There are concerns that the UK will experience severe water shortages and water-stressed regions in the next 20 years due to climate change and population growth. Methven’s bathroom and kitchen tapware and showering systems support designers, architects, specifiers and developers to achieve

below the recommended 110 litres per person per day target and achieve the substantial incentives available from water providers. With the inflationary pressure of building new homes increasing, these incentives not only save housebuilders and developers money on their connection charges but ultimately these savings will be passed on to homeowners through lower water bills. The award winning Satinjet®, AurajetTM and VjetTM shower spray technologies provide low-flow rates and focus on harnessing the natural power of water maximising each individual droplet of water to contact the skin in the most effective way. They also include flow regulators, which play an essential role in limiting the amount of water distributed by the shower but without any compromise on performance. www.methven.com/uk

Five Top Tips for property investors this year and beyond Kirsty Rogers, Business Development Director at Together commented: “Our nation’s continued obsession with bricks and mortar shows few signs of easing and, with house prices continuing to rise, the opportunities for first-time or seasoned property investors are endless. At Together, we’re committed to providing finance to meet property investors’ ambitions and most recently supported Saif Derzi, Head of SDGB Properties with his rapidly expanding portfolio. A big reason why – as a specialist lender – we’re able to do this is through our short-term products, which can be used for auction investors to snap up a bargain at auction or for renovation to their

existing property portfolio, for example. These products allow for flexible funding to be provided quickly, so our customers can secure the finance they need for their next property project.” Here are five top tips worth considering if you’re an aspiring or ambitious property entrepreneur like Saif Derzi: 1. Take Your Time to Find the Right Area There’s that well-worn saying about the three most important factors when it comes to choosing your home, location, location, location. Do your research to find out exactly what the market is like in your chosen area.

What are buyers and renters in that area looking for? How much are they willing to spend? Talking to an estate or letting agent is a good place to start. 2. Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Opportunities…but be careful When looking for a property, you’ll want to find somewhere you can add value. Look for things like unused loft spaces that could be bedrooms, large gardens that can be sold off, empty outbuildings, or whether a building could be split into flats. If the condition is poor, see if there’s a similar house for sale nearby that’s in better condition. Then, tour that house

to better visualise what is possible in the house you are considering.

you ensure that everything is going to plan and is meeting your expectations.

If you suspect structural issues, however, be very careful – and always get a survey. If the property does have some complex problems, that doesn’t mean you can’t proceed. It just means you need to make sure it’s factored into the price you’re paying, and your renovation budget.

If you’re familiar with an area because it’s local that’s a bonus as you’ll probably have a better understanding of its amenities and most desirable streets. With that local knowledge, you’ll be more confident in making a quick offer once the ideal property pops up on the market.

3. Keep Your Project Within Reach

4. Be Ambitious, But Acknowledge Your Limits

It’s always a good idea to buy in an area that’s close to you. Ideally, you’ll want it to be within an hour’s drive from where you live. Even if you’re employing a site manager and contractors to carry out the work, being able to regularly visit will help

You need to decide what kind of investment you’re comfortable with – buy-to-let or buy-to-sell. While buy-to-let is a great way to provide a long-term income stream, it’s not an easy way to make a quick profit – you’ll need to be dedicated and recognise that the needs of your tenants are always paramount. To be successful with buy-to-sell, you’ll generally need to buy a property that needs work, whether that’s upgrading the interior or converting the attic into an extra bedroom. You then make the necessary renovations and sell for a profit, making sure to factor in the costs of the work. The more work required, the larger the risk, and the bigger the potential profit – but it’s a good idea not to take on too much if this will be your first project. 5. Find the Right Lender for You It’s vital to have the right lender in your corner. They’ll allow you to seize an opportunity quickly and complete any necessary works. There are several funding options open to property developers, from mortgages to bridging loans. Which one you choose will depend on your circumstances and the type of property you’re buying. Often, if a property is run down and has little value, you might find it harder to get a mortgage that would cover the renovation costs. A bridging loan or development finance, only available via specialist lenders like Together, could quickly help you in this situation. 21

Kinrise showcases future of sustainable workspaces with Citadel, a fully carbon neutral building coming soon! The redevelopment of Corporation Street in Birmingham city centre has moved onto the next stage, as renovations of the historic Citadel building are now fully underway by hybrid office developer Kinrise. Set to be the city’s most sustainable workplace, Citadel will be completed this summer and will offer over 46,000 sqft of office, retail and social space behind its remarkable Victorian façade at 190 Corporation Street.

are committed to using no fossil fuels in operation. We’re excited to bring the signature Kinrise solution of contemporary and collaborative office working to Birmingham at Citadel and to play a part in reviving the soul of Corporation Street when we open to new tenants this summer.”

Run by a building app and state-ofthe-art technology, Citadel will be operationally net zero carbon, powered by 100% green electricity, from LED lighting to VRF air conditioning, and with electric car charging stations and cycle storage spaces. This new zero emission status is a drastic change from the building’s previous operating output of approx.194,428kg of carbon per annum.

Aligned with Kinrise’s vision, Architecture 00 and contractor Overbury have been brought on board to undertake the sensitive restoration of the building and to help usher Citadel into a new era. Local craftspeople and sustainably sourced materials are being used throughout the renovation, ensuring the building’s footprint remains low and contributes to Birmingham’s local economy, whilst saving carbon emission and reducing unnecessary landfill waste by 93%.

Kinrise Co-Founder Sam Lawson Johnston says; “Our ethos at Kinrise has always been to renovate, rather than rebuild and to ensure we are doing our best by the local community. Sustainability is one of the key pillars on which we built Kinrise, and forms a huge part of our work at Citadel, where we

Originally developed to mimic a Parisian Boulevard but then heavily redeveloped in the 1960s, Corporation Street is now undergoing an exciting regeneration. Two of Birmingham’s most culturally significant buildings and Citadel neighbours, the Grade II* listed Methodist Central Hall and the former Murdoch Chambers &

Pitman Building, are also subject to new investment and set for regeneration in the near future. Citadel has taken a bold new approach to office design, repurposed to fit a world working differently. Now, tenants can manage their ever-changing spatial needs with fluid access to overflow desks, meeting rooms and event spaces alongside their core office. Bookable by the hour on the app, giving tenants, whether solo entrepreneur or established company, a new level of operational agility through truly lean space. Tenants will also benefit from Citadel’s cultural, wellness and impact programmes designed to foster meaningful connections within the community. Fitness classes will be hosted on site as well as food pop-ups, supper clubs, art exhibitions and regular partnerships with local charities. At Citadel, Kinrise is bringing its experience of creating and running highly successful hybrid office spaces in Leeds and Manchester to Birmingham, with spaces in the pipeline in Liverpool and London. www.citadelbirmingham.com www.kinrise.com

Designer and lifestyle blogger completes renovation of chalet-style cabin Once an early 70s kit home, the Minne Stuga House is now a weekend retreat and vacation rental bathed in natural light and clad in sustainable Kebony wood Hidden away in one of Minnesota’s many lakeside forests, the Minne Stuga House is surrounded by local pine and cedar trees with secluded waterfront access. Clad in sustainably sourced Kebonywood, the cabin’s sharp lines, tight peaks, and sweeping roof are a dramatic addition to the forest landscape, with the wooden features and earthy tones providing a natural appearance. Orginally built in the 1970s, the A-frame cabin was renovated by Minneapolisbased designer and lifestyle blogger Melissa Coleman – The Faux Martha – alongside her husband Kevin, a childpsychologist. Renovation of the cabin was undertaken by Grand Marais-based Taiga Design+Build, who helped maintain the cabin’s timeless feel, retaining 90 per cent of the original structure. Where the original cedar siding was rotting, Taiga replaced it with Kebony, a global leader in the production of

sustainable wood. The Norwegian company uses a patented technique to turn sustainably sourced softwoods into environmentally friendly Kebony wood, with hardwood-like qualities such as high durability and dimensional stability. Kebony takes on a rich brown colour that has helped preserve the original aesthetic, keeping the cabin in close harmony with the surrounding landscape. Kebony also requires very little upkeep, futureproofing the retreat for the next generation. Within the house, the interior is lined with the original, fifty-year old western red cedar panelling, bringing the character of the forest into the home, which it marries with a radiant, welcoming warmth. Roof & Board was tapped for interior furniture, and the original roof was replaced by Taiga, adding structural insulated panels for heat and energy efficiency. Awaken Skylights were integrated to provide extra natural light, completing the cabin’s 21st century transformation. With its rustic Kebony-clad exterior and homely interior, the cabin is a cosy sanctuary during Minnesota’s cold winters, where it averages 12 inches of snowfall in January.

The Minne Stuga House now opens out on to a gorgeous decking area, which was built with Kebony wood and furnished with Loll Designs. From the decking it is a short path through the trees to the shore of Devil Track Lake, where guests can fish, kayak or have a quick dip. As spring turns to summer, the cabin bathes in natural light and the lakeshores become the perfect warm retreat. The Colemans use the Minne Stuga as a periodic weekend getaway for themselves and rent it out the rest of the time as a fully appointed vacation property through theminnestuga.com. When asked why Kebony was selected for the project, Taiga Design+Build Principal Anton Moody explained: “I turned the Colemans on to Kebony, which performs better over time than cedar. It’s ageing and weathering nicely.” Melissa Coleman, Owner of the Minne Stuga House commented: “We’re still pinching ourselves to believe we found this place. It’s our hope that our kids still have this cabin 70 years from now.”

Award-winning developer reaps benefits of specifying Marshalls facing bricks for waterside apartments The use of concrete bricks, supplied by Marshalls Bricks & Masonry, contributed to both cost and schedule control during the construction of a premium waterside apartment development in Birmingham as well as providing sustainability benefits too. Located on a former boat yard site adjacent to the famous Old Birmingham Canal, Ultima at Sherborne Wharf is a premium collection of 87 one and twobedroom apartments in Birmingham city centre. Developed and built by Crest Nicholson, the 10-storey new build was originally specified and approved at the planning stage as clay brick but looking to meet budgetary and availability requirements, the design team approached Marshalls Bricks & Masonry to seek an alternative solution. With stringent planning guidelines to work to, Marshalls recommended a list of costeffective options closest to those already approved, together with physical sample boards for visual review. The design team selected two facing brick options from the Marshalls

Sandstock range. This particular range has the appearance of a waterstruck stock brick but with the benefit of dimensional accuracy to ease construction. The preferred options were the Hampton Stock and Waddon Stock, which were submitted to planning and approved. Requiring a quick turnaround, from initial contact to delivery, a total of 341,000 concrete bricks were delivered within just two months by Marshalls. Most of the apartment block features Hampton Stock, an almost buff red brick, created from using more muted tones of red and orange. This particular brick also features the occasional subtle black brick running sporadically throughout, which helps the brickwork tie-in to the building’s powder-coated balconies, windows and doors. Intermittently, between the storeys, the bricks are stacked vertically, adding subtle design detailing to the building. The scheme also benefits from a sustainability perspective. According to available Environmental Product

Declarations, concrete bricks have a lower embodied carbon than clay bricks and are 100% recyclable. Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the extraction, manufacturing and transportation, installation, maintenance and ultimate disposal of materials. Reducing these emissions will be crucial to mitigate the industry’s impact on climate change.” Commenting on Marshalls involvement, Julian Lee, Technical Director, Crest Nicholson said: “We initially decided to go with facing bricks from the Marshalls Bricks & Masonry range as they enabled us to come within budget while still allowing us to get the colour we wanted for the site. After working with the concrete bricks, we found they worked really well with the added benefit of the sustainability access that comes with them. “The Marshalls Bricks & Masonry team came to site and worked with ourselves and the site bricklayers to overcome any questions or concerns. All in all, the building appearance with these bricks finishes well.” www.marshalls.co.uk/commercial/ bricks-walling

Kalzip Roofing and Cladding package protects £56M inverurie community campus The team responsible for the £56 million redevelopment of an Aberdeenshire community campus has employed a comprehensive selection of Kalzip® profiles in different colours and widths to complete the roof and cladding of the major structures: including the main teaching block, swimming pool and sports hall; subsequently winning the Development of the Year (Public Buildings) category at the Scottish Property Awards. Inverurie Community Campus was designed by Halliday Fraser Munro for Hub North Scotland, who delivered the project on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, while Robertson Construction was the main contractor. The latter employed Kalzip® extensively on the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre some three years ago and so was renewing its involvement with the manufacturer, while Glasgow based Curtis Moore, the specialist installer in this instance, was awarded a £3 million subcontract for all of the cladding and roofing work. Curtis Moore also undertook the

installation of timber cladding, fluidapplied and other waterproofing systems across the multiple structures. Replacing existing premises, the new school features 73 classrooms and labs, along with the sports facilities plus a large dining hall and kitchen, and a conference room. It can accommodate 1,600 pupils – making it one of the largest schools in the North-East of Scotland – and provides a range of amenities for the wider community, including a six lane pool and training pool, outdoor football pitches and a fitness suite. The three-storey teaching block includes the main secondary classrooms, dining space and also features an atrium for assemblies and meetings, interlinking with open plan learning plaza areas. St Andrew’s School for Additional Support Needs pupils is located in a single storey element interlinking with the main teaching block. The school has its own entrance and car park as well as a south facing sensory garden in a secure courtyard.

Amongst the Kalzip® profiles supplied to Curtis Moore for the contract were 65/400 and 65/500 flat panels in the 0.9mm gauge with in two tones of bronze for the facades; as well as 65/500 1.0 mm gauge material featuring a PVF2 finish to the roof. There were also 35/200 perforated as well as plain liners. Materials for the vapour control layer installed under special acoustic insulation included clear membranes, foil and tapes. One of the key design challenges which Kalzip’s technical department helped the project team address was the setting out of the windows; the solution to which involved employing three different sheet widths to achieve the most economic use of material, as well as creating aesthetically attractive elevations. Curtis Moore’s project manager, Andy Kelly commented: “As a business we have carried out a lot of contracts employing the Kalzip® product range and are currently involved in a couple of very large projects, including an energy-fromwaste plant in Leicester.

“The work at Inverurie went very smoothly, though it was the first time we have employed the window jamb detail which required us to make sure each seam landed on the edge of the frame; which Kalzip® assisted with in recommending the different widths. The finished campus - including the 2,000 m2 roof on the sports complex - looks very impressive, with the Kalzip® roofing and cladding 100% contributing to winning the award.” The design consultant on the project, Dave McLellan, added: “The architects, Halliday Fraser Munro have done a lot of education projects in Scotland – including the Alford & Mearns Community Campus Projects – and are big specifiers of Kalzip®. Personally, I have been designing with Kalzip® since the early nineties, and it forms a major part of my work these days: including using their Green roof system and new solar PV profiles.” The Kalzip® standing seam roof and cladding panels with their PVF2, stucco embossed and other finishes offer

outstanding weather performance and durability, well able to withstand the Scottish climate throughout a long, low maintenance life. Kalzip® duly provided a 25-year guarantee for the completed installation, though the system will deliver a minimum 40-year service life. Reflecting on the successful completion of the build, the Operations Director, Major Projects for Robertson Construction, Fraser McCaskill, said: “Robertson has a proud history of delivering outstanding education and community facilities and Inverurie Community Campus sits at the top of that portfolio. The commitment from all the partners in the delivery of this facility has been unfaltering. We look forward to continuing our work to deliver the outdoor pitches which will be undertaken with the greatest of consideration as the pupils and local community begin to use, and benefit from the completion of, the main building.” For more information please visit: www.kalzip.com/en/

Industry change-makers line up at UK Construction Week to challenge old ideas From the very first keynote speech of day one of UK Construction Week in London next month (3-5 May), the gauntlet is being thrown to all areas of the construction industry to embrace culture change in the way it works from architects, housebuilders and contractors to social landlords, suppliers and merchants. UK Construction Week has a reputation as the largest, most comprehensive and relevant industry event in the country, with new conference content, product launches and CPD for every part of the construction supply chain. London’s show next month is no exception. Day one of the show sees a powerful panel assembled on the main stage to unravel the multitude of strands pushing

the industry into culture change. Joining the Minister for building safety and fire safety, Stephen Greenhalgh, will be Dame Judith Hackitt, Amanda Long, chief executive of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, and architect and TV presenter George Clarke. The main stage, sponsored by COINS, will also be the place to hear major announcements on topics as varied as construction procurement to carbon reduction, MMC to mental health, digitalisation to diversity. There will be opportunities to learn the lessons from the nuclear, oil and gas sectors which have already achieved significant changes in the way they operate to increase safety and reduce major hazards. Senior government

spokespeople will provide updates on policy to address the drive to Net Zero. And major development programmes such as the New Hospitals Programme will be examined for opportunities and examples of culture change in action. Among a packed programme of content on the main stage, a couple more highlights stand out, including a unique case study session on Broadcaster Sky’s Sky Innovation Centre project, which together with ISG and Stronger Together seeks to raise awareness of human rights and labour policy to end modern slavery in construction and establish a good practice model. There will also be a session with charity partner Mates in Mind looking at mental health first aid and a wide range of preventative and proactive support measures. Nathan Garnett, event director for UKCW, says: “At our London show, we have one of the best line-ups of expert speakers, industry leaders and policy makers that we’ve ever gathered. If you needed to catch up on all the biggest issues facing construction right now, here is where you would come to get all that insight in one place. “There really is something for everyone from every corner of construction, no matter what their profession or trade. And just the act of bringing everyone together like this is itself helpful to transform the culture of the industry, encouraging debate and cross-sector learning, creating new contacts and multidisciplinary networks, and sharing learning about how we make real change happen.” In addition to the UKCW main stage, specialist hubs are placed around the show where over 150 hours of professional CPD will be delivered across seven separate theatres, covering sustainability, digital construction, offsite construction, innovation, and infrastructure.

On the first day of the show, the UKCW’s Role Models Awards shortlist will be announced, where talented professionals from all backgrounds and parts of the construction industry will be recognised for their hard work, sharing their career journeys and inspiring others to enter similar roles. Another set of awards to be announced will be the Fix Radio Tradesperson of the Year awards for the country’s leading and most innovative tradesmen and women. Yet another highlight not to miss out on is the exclusive ‘How ESG will change the Culture of Construction’ report by AMA Research, part of Barbour ABI group, which will be provided for free to all those that register to attend and won’t be available anywhere else. It is written by independent industry commentator and analyst Brian Green, who will be speaking further on ESG alongside Ann Bentley, Global Board Director at Rider Levett Bucknall, and Simon Rawlinson, Partner and Head of Strategic Research and Insight at Arcadis. UKCW London will host more than 300 exhibitors (600 including co-located shows), 10,000 products, and multiple specialist hubs. Free registration is now open with one entry badge providing access to colocated shows Concrete Expo (3-4 May), the Offsite Show (3-5 May), and Grand Designs Live (30 April-8 May). Industry conferences partnering with UKCW the Future of Work in Construction Live Forum (4 May) and REA’s Decarbonising Buildings Conference (5 May) will also be running alongside the event. These will focus on how to incorporate the latest sustainability approaches and explore low carbon solutions and the options available for heating domestic and non-domestic buildings as government policy develops. Download the free UKCW app from both iOS and Android to book one-toone appointments with delegates and exhibitors, and download the full preview brochure for all you need to know to plan your visit. For regular updates on the event, follow UKCW on social media using the hashtags #UKCW2022 #UKCWLDN 31

Leading manufacturer of stairways and doors launches new porch offering Stairways Midlands, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of carpentry and joinery products, is expanding its range to include porches. The company, already a leader in the manufacture and supply of staircases and door assemblies for national and regional house builders, building contractors, architects, designers and installers, is now offering external porches too. Making use of the technical expertise and craftsmanship of its workforce and the capability at its three state-of-art facilities in the Midlands, which together provide more than 100,000 sq ft of bespoke and mass production capacity, Stairways is working to meet customer demand for these quality products. Said Julian Cooke, Director of Sales: “We pride ourselves on creating and delivering the very best when it comes to wooden products – and so this is a natural step for us.

“Porches are a key feature in the ‘face’ of a house - they frame the entrance and are literally the gateway to the home; we know our clients want high-quality, appealing, and cost-effective porches to help give their developments kerb appeal. “Stairways Midlands is delighted to be able to offer everything from simple, open porches, which add character and depth to a flat-faced house, as well as providing some shelter from the weather, to more elaborate, enclosed porches, creating additional security and a useful transitional and storage space to stop mud and dirt from being tracked into a house.” The company has launched a range of wooden porches, both open and closed, as well as offering bespoke solutions to suit their clients’ individual needs and specifications. All the porch units are created with high quality materials and finished to

an exacting standard. Created with the Stairways ‘fit-ability’ promise in mind, they are easily constructed on site too. Adds Julian Cooke “Our clients love what we do and want to be able to include more Stairways products in their developments because they know they can rely on us for quality, fit-ability and excellent customer service and support.” “So, we’re very pleased to say that, whether you need cost-effective porches for large-scale building projects, or bespoke porches for exclusive developments, we’re able to help.” All Stairways products meet the relevant standards achieving ISO9001, FSC®, and various product certifications. For more information visit: www.stairways.co.uk/bespokejoinery/#porches

Next stage of project to save UK’s last major bellfoundry in Britain is underway as contractors are invited to tender The Saving the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain Project is entering its next stage as it invites main contractors to tender for a programme of capital works to protect and enhance Loughborough Bellfoundry’s Grade II* Listed Buildings and museum, funded by a number of generous donors and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Loughborough Bellfoundry - which is in the centre of the Leicestershire town - is also known as John Taylor’s Bellfoundry, and is the last major bellfoundry in the UK and Commonwealth. More than 25,000 bells, which can be heard in more than 100 countries, have been cast there since the present bellfoundry was built in 1859, from London’s St Paul’s Cathedral to Washington National Cathedral in the US capital, and from the National Carillon in Canberra, Australia to Cape Town City Hall in South Africa. More than 25,000 bells, which can be heard in more than 100 countries, have been cast there since the

present bellfoundry was built in 1859, from London’s St Paul’s Cathedral to Washington National Cathedral in the US capital, and from the National Carillon in Canberra, Australia to Cape Town City Hall in South Africa. In 2016, the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust was set up to begin the project of restoring the bellfoundry’s buildings, redeveloping the site’s museum and protecting the bellfoundry and the ancient craft of bell making for generations to come. Plans for the comprehensive restoration of the Victorian site have been drawn up by a team lead by Caroe Architecture Limited and the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust is now in a position to invite tenders from main contractors to deliver the project. Works are expected to begin later this year and complete towards the end of 2023. Main contractors are invited to submit their proposals by the deadline of 16th May 2022. The programme of works will include reconfiguration of the buildings’ archive room, office spaces and workshop

facilities, as well as the creation of a new entrance into the historic site. The museum will be improved and enhanced by increasing its footprint to incorporate additional exhibition space and room for an administration office. Chrissie Van Mierlo, museum director at the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, said: “We are incredibly pleased and excited to have issued our invitation to tender on this project. The works are going to preserve and protect these historic and important buildings for years to come and provide a wonderful place for people to visit and learn about the highly specialised craftsmanship that the process of bellfounding entails. “Our vision is for Loughborough Bellfoundry to become the global centre for the art of bell making and learning. We have been very fortunate to have benefitted from funding over the years to address the most urgent repair and conservation works required, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to enter the next stage of this project to secure the legacy of the Bellfoundry’s bells for future generations.”

Quintain Living launches stunning mid-century modern apartments at new Madison building Quintain Living – the award-winning management company overseeing the rental of more than 3,250 apartments in Wembley Park – has launched 381 new homes at its latest building, Madison. The mid-century modern inspired apartments deliver a stylish, uncluttered vibe that feels sophisticated and simple. They bring to mind the elegance of 1950s/60s New York – the era so delightfully captured by hit TV show Mad Men, which was influential in the design of the apartments’ interiors. Furnished by John Lewis & Partners, Madison’s apartments have a timeless, classic feel, with plenty of natural materials. Cool, calming tones of rich cream and pale green are counterbalanced by darker shades of brown or grey and warm orange. Retroinfluenced sofas come with heavily textured grey fabrics and wooden legs, with dark-toned woods featuring heavily in dining table chairs, accent chairs with dark green or navy plush fabric seats and backs, consoles and more. Harlequin rugs and cushions add warmth and contrast.

“Madison is inspired by modern midcentury design with a laid back and mature feel, the curated furniture selection reflects this. You’ll find deep wood tones, sleek lines and vintage inspired bespoke artwork, when brought together they achieve a classic timeless look.” Joseph Bradley, Spokesperson, John Lewis & Partners The furnishings are all about sleek lines and luxury fabrics, with pieces chosen to suit the apartments’ two-colour palette options. In the bedrooms, a mix of a blend of upholstered, rattan and metal beds change up the look of each bedroom and continue the mid-century elegance that flows throughout the homes. Madison’s apartments feature artworks inspired by the mid-century modern feel, some of which were painted by local artist Laura Ashby, who has been a Quintain Living resident since 2017. Laura worked together with John Lewis & Partners and their supply chain to produce bespoke artwork prints for Madison.

Residents can choose between the light and dark colour palettes, a fresh light palette that incorporates greys and greens and an elegant dark one that’s all about dark wood tones and classic curves. The light palette features light sage and beige tones, with light blue tiled bathrooms, light brown wardrobe doors and worn ash effect wood flooring. The dark palette features rich blues and browns with dark blue tiled bathrooms, rustic barn wood effect flooring and dark brown wardrobe doors. The result is apartments that feel warm and inviting – these are homes to relax and unwind in, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London. Large windows fill the apartments with light and make the most of the exceptional views over the leafy Union Park – one of London’s first new large public parks in decades. All apartments have been designed around contemporary life. They include 36 adaptable apartments for wheelchair users and disabled residents, while all twobedroom apartments have two bathrooms, making them ideal for sharers.

“Each of our Wembley Park buildings has its own distinctive character and that’s certainly the case at Madison. The apartments offer a sophisticated, calming home – a haven for residents to retreat from the world and take time to focus on family life or winding down from work.” Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living In addition to the stylish apartments, Madison provides a range of on-site amenities. There’s a super-gym at ground level while the podium garden features a children’s play area and a dog park, as well as pretty, geometric gardens with three rentable BBQs for residents’ use. Carefully considered planting has ensured maximum appeal to bees and other pollinators and insects, delivering a sense of richness and maturity across the setting. Madison residents also enjoy use of a rooftop-level loft, with comfy seating and a kitchenette that’s ideal for social gatherings. There’s also another large lounge for relaxing and socialising in, while the private work-from-home area provides desks for peace and focus. “From the individual apartments to the social spaces, Madison has a very calm, serene air about it. It’s both comfortable and practical, while also being stylish – an appealing combination for somewhere to call home. We’re delighted to be launching these new homes in Wembley Park, where they are positioned to get the best out of the neighbourhood, as well as being a quick six-minutes from the Tube which provides access to Central London within 12 minutes.” Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Located on the doorstep of Wembley Stadium, and close to the OVO Arena Wembley and London’s largest BOXPARK, Madison is ideal for renters who want to have everything on hand but also enjoy their own calm space in the midst of all the action. Homes at Madison will be available for occupancy from the end of April 2022. For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www. quintainliving.com,@quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927. 37

Lighting up the Heart of the Home The kitchen is a central point of any home – a place where family and friends gather for entertaining, socialising and cooking. As one of the most important rooms in the home, it’s vital for the lighting to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. From task lighting above kitchen islands to under cabinet lighting and decorative options, there are a number of factors to consider when planning your kitchen lighting. Experts in LED Lighting, Detail Lighting will help to plan and deliver kitchen lighting solutions that will shine, striking the perfect balance between practicality and style. Often a statement focal point in the kitchen, the island is a centrepiece that requires appropriate planning when it comes to lighting. To create a feature, decorative pendants are an ideal option, but it’s important to be careful not to create shadows over any cooking or prep areas.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, Detail Lighting advises supplementing any decorative lighting with focused spotlights to eliminate any shadows or dark spots. This combination will then allow for a cooking mode, where all the lights are on, and then a more relaxed mode when the spotlights can be turned off and the decorative lights can be dimmed. “There is a lot to consider when planning kitchen lighting. The most important thing to consider is exactly how each space is going to be used, and ensuring your lighting will adapt. It’s a multifunctional space and as such requires multifunctional solutions. Our biggest tip would be to have multiple circuits if you have the luxury – perimeter lighting can then be separated from the centre, and you can have your island or dining table on its own circuit so you can easily change the mood in the space.” Piero De Marchis, Director, Detail Lighting.

Linear LED lighting will reduce shadows and is perfect for above and under cabinets. Trimless strips can also be integrated into the ceiling to help set the right ambience. Under cabinet lighting can transform the mood of a space and boost light levels where it’s needed as well as create a calming night-time lighting. The benefit of LED lighting is that it can often be controlled with either a sensor or via bluetooth, making the kitchen scheme easily changeable at the touch of a button. Established in 2000, Detail Lighting offers beautiful, functional lighting design that separates projects from the ordinary. Supplying the commercial, hospitality and residential sector, Detail Lighting combines unparalleled expertise with a comprehensive portfolio of stylish, technical and well-designed products to deliver the very best in LED lighting solutions. detaillighting.co.uk | 01908 613256

Gira Design Lines: Quality materials. Timeless colours. Intelligent design. Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers for intelligent building design and management help you to choose the right switches to control your lighting and your smart home with its award-winning Design Lines. “Making your home your own is a big trend for 2022-3 as the latest smart home technology ensures that you can create a personalized environment whether you’re working, relaxing or entertaining. Ensuring that you have full control of your space is key to saving time, enhancing wellbeing and using energy sustainably so you need to have the right switches and controls in place. Therefore, Gira switches are available in seven unique Design Lines to suit your décor and your lifestyle, whether you’re looking for new inspiration or something to match your interiors.” says Jacob Muijnck, Director at Gira UK. When planning your electrical installation, you need to consider how many light switches you need and where you want them as well as the aesthetics. Always ask yourself ‘How will these switches actually look in my home?’ and remember that premium switch solutions offer different frames which can be adjusted to your individual taste and requirements. As a smart home pioneer with extensive expertise in lighting controls, Gira offers seven unique Design Lines to complement any type of interior: Gira Standard 55, Gira E2, Gira E3, Gira Event, Gira Studio, Gira Esprit and Gira ClassiX. Each one is designed to work in tandem with the Gira System 55, which delivers over 300 functions to the home. The Design Lines have standardised measurements (55mm x 55mm) so that you can customise inserts, covers and frames for your switches and sockets. It is easy to combine new technology with a new look as the range of functions available via the Gira System 55 is constantly evolving as smart home technology develops – making it a future-proof solution. Gira E2: The design original with high functionality - Renowned for its monochrome colour palette and simple shape, the Gira E2 in UV-resistant plastic has been a classic for over 20 years. Subtle shades like Pure white glossy, Pure white matt, Colour aluminium, 40

Anthracite, or the new Black matt and Grey matt variants work particularly well in minimalistic settings. The Gira E2 switch in a Stainless steel colour blend with various interior styles – especially the flat installation option which has a depth of only 3.4 mm, ideal when a slim ‘barely there’ profile is required. Gira E3: elegant switches for individualists - Rounded on the outside, edgy on the inside: the Gira E3 Design Line is not only eye-catching, but also surprisingly versatile. It can be easily combined with inserts like rocker switches or pushbutton switches. The rounded frame has a tactile soft-touch finish in high-gloss or silk-matt and it comes in six colours to subtly accentuate streamlined spaces. For example, Sand, Umbra, or Grey work particularly well with Scandi-inspired or nature-inspired interiors. Gira Event: endless possibilities for design statements on your wall - Let your creativity run wild with the eye-catching Gira Event. It has a gently curved frame and a three-part construction to suit your style. The inner and outer frames are complemented by functional inserts that can be combined in various ways. Choose from several materials and ten colours for a unique look. Soft hues such as Mint, Sand, or Brown, and classic shades such as Pure White Glossy or Black turn this switch into a true visual “event” in purist, urban spaces. Gira Studio: an innovative play with contrasts - Funky and round, black and white, futuristic and retro: The Gira Studio brings an unconventional twist to interior aesthetics. Either flush-mounted or surface-mounted, the Studio’s signature round shape makes a strong statement in avantgarde homes. Whether you go for a monotone or a black and white combination, the surface-mounted installation makes a bold statement on bare brickwork, exposed concrete, ortextured plaster in loft apartments and industrial-style homes. Gira Esprit: sustainability in clear form With today’s focus on sustainable living, the Gira Esprit is the perfect fit for wellness interiors. The linoleum-plywood option merges two renewable, environmentally friendly materials into one attractive frame. This option subtly accentuates the down-to-

earth ambience of country-style homes and eco-friendly styles. Gira Esprit switches made from glass, chrome, aluminium, stainless steel, or bronze add an elegant finish to minimalist homes. Gira Standard 55: Upgrade and adapt as required. A simple, high-quality design line for basic electrical installation, this light solution is compatible with 300 functional inserts via the Gira System 55, so you can expand and adapt each Gira switch-system as required. Now users have the option to interchange between Design Lines and choice of flat or surface-mounted installation, with colour variants including Pure White matt, Pure White glossy and Cream White glossy. Gira surface-mounted design lines bring more functions on your wall - Gira surfacemounted switches are a good fit if you are renovating indoors and want a simple retrofit. Rather than tearing your walls open, you can simply install the cables with a clip fastening and then choose a switch from the Gira Studio, Gira E2, Gira Standard 55 and Gira Profile 55 Design Lines. Mix & Match: Choose the design and functions that fit your home best - Try theMix & Match method, to explore even more possibilities to create personalized switch designs. Just select your favourite materials and colours, and then add the inserts and functions you need – it’s as simple as that. And the good news is that everything’s covered, as well as conventional switch and socket inserts, Gira Smart Home inserts such as the Gira KNX button and the Gira Home Station will fit all frames of the Gira design lines. Still not quite sure which Design Line is right for you? No worries – the Gira design configurator will help you out. Using Augmented Reality, this tool gives you a preview of how different design lines and combinations of colours and materials will look on your walls. Simply download the Design Configurator app from the App Store or Google Play Store and print out a tracking motif from the Gira website. Then place the motif on the spot where you want to install a switch and scan it with your smart phone or tablet. The app will then create a virtual presentation in Live View mode.

2022 Kitchen Trends from furniture specialist, BA BA, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of factory-built, bespoke and made-to-measure kitchens and bedrooms and specialist components, identify the latest interior trends helping to shape the UK kitchen market in 2022-23. Nuala Brady, Group Marketing Manager at BA says, “We are noting that the latest developments in kitchens are placing an emphasis on high-quality convenience and modern originality, and this has revealed a new desire for expedient furniture design that is transformative. Well-considered space planning is therefore center stage right now, with custom furniture and bespoke design services taking the rather dated idea of four-wall kitchen design to new levels of open-plan living, which is discreet and perfectly styled to suit the individual and elevate both home and lifestyle. Colourful cabinetry and classic contemporary design continues to win-out as ‘vintage’

becomes a designer term in the modern kitchen and authenticity never outdates. Marrying two styles together to create a modern take on a timeless interior style and/or architecture, this shift towards eclectic kitchen interiors has stemmed from the markets love of industrialstyle where mixed materials, opposing interior design styles and strong, defining hardware remain a firm favourite.” BA share its thoughts on the ‘Top Kitchen Trends’ for 2022-23: Styles: Furniture is now riding the line between traditional and contemporary design, and the iconic Shaker-style period has proved its worth, inspiring new options where the door is being used to add character and define the overall look and feel of the space. This has led to new in-frame style doors growing in popularity, with varying degrees of ornamentation added to the rail profiles to create classic square panel doors, designs with

mock and narrow frames, through to V groove detailing to replicate a five-piece door. The latest handleless designs are also proving successful, especially in multi-generational households where ergonomic layouts and streamlined furniture solutions are called on to create high-functioning kitchen living spaces that are distinctly discreet. Colours & Finishes: Heritage colours that are natural, earthy and sophisticated will continue to grow in popularity this year, as more UK homeowners look to unify both home and garden space. Trending colours continue to embrace varying shades of green and blue, partnered with accents of white and grey and the latest contemporary foils. In fact, foil finishes are also demonstrating huge value in today’s kitchen, offering anti-bacterial qualities that are fully equipped to withstand modern day life. Layout: Open plan living continues to champion the broken plan layout,

presenting a more flexible ground floor way of living as more and more homeowners want a kitchen that doubles as a social hub whilst retaining a dedicated space for cooking and dining. As a result, a need for practical island solutions like flush-mounted hobs and inset sinks continue to provide clutter free surfaces, as well as key design features like split level breakfast bars and essential low-level storage being used to separate the living area from the main kitchen. We believe this increased demand for practical storage in the home is a direct result of open plan living now being central to all aspects of kitchen design, with many customers erring towards seamless layouts that help to avoid negative space and maximise on the kitchen’s working layout. Finishing touches: Widely considered as the jewels of the kitchen, beautiful hardware like sinks, taps and designer handles are helping to define certain styles and create that all important signature style. Accessories are now elevating the latest handled kitchen designs, with standout metallic finishes like antique brass, nickel, matt black and wood being designed-in to evoke a heightened sense of luxury and personalised feel. The featured images show the following 2022 innovations by BA: - Top left: New Colour & Style - Stratford Matt Colonial Blue kitchen with New Barrington reed-style handles (knob & cup) in Brushed Satin Brass finish - Top right: New Style - InRail Oakham Supermatt White true handleless kitchenavailable rigid M2M and a limited range of flat-packed stocked options - Below left: New Style - Jayline Supermatt Indigo Blue handleless kitchen with j-profile & full wrap door - Below right: New Colour & Style Buxton Matt Sage Green Shaker-style kitchen with New Hampton knob handles & New Trafalgar cup handles inBronze finish For BA, please contact: t +44 (0)28 8676 4600 | e sales@byba.co.uk | wwww.byba.co.uk

Deluxe kitchen with hidden bootroom by Brandt Design Leading British interior design specialists, Brandt Design, ensure the ultimate in contemporary family living with this deluxe open-plan kitchen with hidden bootroom for a beautiful family home in Hertfordshire. Julia Steadman, Commercial Director at Brandt Design says, “Creating a signature style that plays to a very specific family-dynamic, is increasingly important in kitchen design as we adjust to changing lifestyles and new spatial layouts on the ground floor. We are firm believers in ‘design longevity’ and take pride in planning and installing bespoke kitchens, which transcend the latest interior trends and enhance life at home. This fantastic project recently designed and installed by us, is the result of a complete redesign of the ground floor, where a brand-new kitchen and hidden bootroom now becomes the foundation of the entire downstairs living space.

The combination of our Urban Furniture in Velvet Blue and Polar White helps to define as well as unify each room for the ultimate in fresh, easy living.” Home to a busy household with schoolage children and large family dog, the Brandt design team needed to make the kitchen living space dual purpose, creating a show-style kitchen in the main areas for the height of indooroutdoor entertaining, alongside a more understated design in the bootroom where the focus is function over form. This said, both spaces offer an element of ‘hidden design’ as the run of furniture makes way for an expanse of storage that is only seen if needed. In the contemporary kitchen, entertaining at home is made easy with a bank of built-in ovens, integrated hob and a super-size fridge freezer complete with luxury wine cooler. An impressive central island unit just steps

from the palatial garden outside is topped with premium Caesarstone worktops, which are made by Brandt Design at its Bespoke Stone Fabrication Centre. Adding a modern feel, the stone worktops provide a direct contrast between the more classic herringbone parquet flooring and monolithic kitchen island with white Kartell bar stools. Custom storage is built around the appliances to capitalise on every inch of available space, and the well-defined wet zone with matt black hardware, stone surfaces and ambient lighting help to localise the cook and prep areas. A unique pop-up power solution integrated into the island worktop adds value, creating another access point to plug in small appliances when baking or preparing a large meal. Plus, it perfectly coordinates with essential components for a truly minimalist vibe. The luxury side-byside fridge freezer with integrated wine cooler heightens the level of sophistication and is cleverly designed on the periphery of the kitchen to ensure easy access from the dining area, and safe distance from the cook zone. Behind a wall of white to the left, lies a hidden Bootroom with wall-to-wall storage, which is designed in a galleystyle arrangement to provide a more practical option in such a high traffic, all-purpose area. The run of dark blue furniture creates extra capacity for food storage, and space for noisy laundry appliances that are less practical in an open-plan kitchen layout. Brandt Design also factored in how the family would use the extra utility zone going from inside to out, and therefore decided to integrate some bench seating on the opposite side including overhead compartments and space to hang coats, leisurewear, sports kits, school bags and keep shoes and trainers tidied away.

This deluxe kitchen by Brandt Design features: - Urban Furniture by Brandt Design in Velvet Blue & Polar White finish - 50mm Caesarstone square-edged worktops by Brandt Design, part of The Brandt Collection - The 1810 Company Zenuno 700u Undermount Kitchen Sink, Gun Metal - Quooker Flex all-in-one hot water tap with flexible hose, Black finish - Siemens fully integrated CN878G4B6B oven & combi microwave oven, Stainless Steel - Siemens HB878GBB6B Oven - BORA CKA2FI CLASSIC SET combined cooktop and extractor, Black finish - Liebherr SIGN3576 Freezer - Liebherr IKBP3560 Fridge - Liebherr EWDTF3553 Wine Cooler - Siemens built-in dishwasher SN678D01TG The hidden bootroom includes:

- Urban Furniture by Brandt Design in Velvet Blue - 50mm Caesarstone square-edged worktops by Brandt Design, part of The Brandt Collection - 1810 Moulins Classic Bridge tap Brushed Steel - 1810 Luxoplusuno 25 700U Stainless steel sink - Appliances by Miele GB – supplied by client Designed and installed by Brandt Design, the Urban Furniture Collection is priced from £15,000+vat with this deluxe kitchen project costing £55K, and £8K for the hidden Bootroom - both excluding vat. website www.brandtdesign.co.uk

Traditional Bathroom Ideas – timeless elegance and classic styling Traditional bathrooms go back to the golden age of interior decor. They have remained at the forefront of luxury bathroom design for decades. It is easy to understand why. A traditional bathroom is more opulent than a contemporary bathroom and features bold and elaborate touches. Graeme Borchard MD of UK Bathrooms, the UK’s leading online retailer of premium brands, explains what a traditional bathroom is: “traditional bathrooms are timeless and elegant, they will not date or go out of fashion. Full of character, a classic, traditional bathroom pays homage to a historical period, such as Edwardian or Victorian. Clean lines, soothing spaces and a welcoming, charming aesthetic typifies a traditional bathroom. A space that you can enjoy for the years to come.”

Is a traditional bathroom right for your home? The Edwardians were some of the first to build homes with the invention of a room dedicated to washing and bathing. These period homes are full of character with high ceilings, large windows, alcoves and original fireplaces. While these original features help form the traditional bathroom look, it is possible to create a traditional bathroom in a contemporary new build or apartment. Start by drawing a layout or diagram of your planned new bathroom, include the position of the bathroom door and any windows or fixed features. How do you style a period bathroom? When it comes to styling a traditional or period bathroom then allow consideration

to the surfaces. Use natural materials such as stone, slate or granite. Choose wall and floor tiling that leans towards a vintage look with subway or hexagonal tiles. Mix and match eras but keep the look clean and simple for a more visual appeal. Use a patterned, statement tile on your floor, such as Origins White Compass Star Pattern Tile to create a unique art deco style. Origins Glazed Long Metro Tiles on your bathroom walls are an iconic yet easy-to-maintain option. Traditional Furniture When choosing furniture again opt for a more natural material. Wood is typically used for period vanity units and a beautiful high-end painted unit will create an incredible focal point in your room. The iconic Burlington 1340mm Curved 4 Door Vanity Unit will set the scene in your new traditional bathroom. This is a stunning piece of furniture which oozes classical elegance. Choose from Black Granite, Carrara White Marble or White worktop indicative of a bygone era. The vanity unit is available in a choice of four colours with a matt white option that you can customise to co-ordinate your bathroom design. Traditional basin and washstand A beautiful washstand can be a stunning alternative to a vanity unit or basin with a pedestal. The Vitra Valarte Basin and Washstand is a Victorian beauty. Its design embodies the quintessential traditional washroom. The chic sink sits on top of the elegant polished chrome washstand frame. This has a front towel rail built into the design and a convenient shelf, ideal for storage. Traditional bath If you have space choose a beautiful freestanding bathtub. Nothing says traditional as much as a roll top bath. Victoria and Albert Richmond Freestanding Bath has a timeless art-deco feel. The standard Gloss White finish it is a true statement piece. For an incredible focal point opt for the RAL Colour Service available to choose your own colour.

Taps and showers Traditional bathrooms need period styled brassware. Crosswater’ Belgravia Collection is elegant and understated, a perfect pairing to yesteryear and available in a wide range of products. From Bath Pillar Taps to a Cross head Bath Shower Mixer in chrome, nickel or unlacquered brass finish. For an ultra-coordinated look match with Crosswater Belgravia Thermostatic Shower Kit. This shower kit features modern day technology and innovation with a classical look. The valve has two controls and is easy to operate for the whole family. Toilets with tradition Capture the spirit of a bygone age with a traditional toilet. With a plethora of choice available from wall mounted to high level cisterns, the only thing to check is your plumbing requirements. The Burlington Low Level Toilet comes with a choice in position for the pan outlet so check this with your installer first. This period piece also has the option of a ceramic cistern lever or pushbutton mechanism. Seats are available in rich dark mahogany, warm oak or white. What is the best colour scheme for a traditional bathroom? Adding colour to your traditional bathroom is where you get to use your creative side. Opting for a beautiful botanical wallpaper can make a striking aesthetic to your bathroom. If you have high ceilings and a plethora of natural light choose a bold and bright colour scheme, or opt for a darker colour for a more dramatic impact. Green is a colour renowned for its calming qualities. It exudes a sense of balance and harmony perfect for any bathroom space. Decorate your walls with green-inspired hues such as pale pistachio, mint pastels and soft sage to dark forest tones. Choose panelling to walls, whilst they will need painting, they will look amazing and befitting of your new traditional space. If green isn’t your favourite on the pantone chart, then consider dark blue walls to create an elegant, stylish appeal. An authentic period space with an abundance of original features will allow you to keep your walls and floor neutral and the features to stand out. This will create a charming and welcoming bathroom where you can relax and unwind. 47

New Kaldewei Whirl systems turn the bathroom into a private spa Whirl bathtubs made of sustainable steel enamel pamper both body and soul The path to real relaxation is unique to everyone. With their four new Whirl systems, Kaldewei offers the right solution for everybody. Kaldewei Whirl systems combine top quality, state-ofthe-art bathroom design with the joy of a luxurious private spa, offering intensive massage, a gentle caress or floating weightless in the water. Installed in Kaldewei steel enamel bathtubs, these systems impress with their integrated automatic cleaning system, providing a wellness solution that is both hygienic and sustainable: Relaxation redefined: With the new Whirl systems from Kaldewei From a vigorous almost sports style massage through to a gentle caress, the bubbling, pre- warmed air bubbles

in illuminated water can be altered in intensity and type of wellness treatment to suit the individual. There are four different massage systems available: BODY & SOUL, SOUL, FULL BODY, and BODY. Relaxation is guaranteed and you can even switch to silent mode, when the flat nozzles work quietly to ensure the atmosphere of well-being is not disturbed. Combi-massage BODY & SOUL The KALDEWEI BODY & SOUL wellness system combines the elements of water and air for the perfect massage experience. Powerful jets of water loosen muscles, tendons, and joints, while sparkling, preheated air bubbles stimulate the skin. The whirl programme and intensity can be adjusted separately. The side nozzles can be individually aligned to the body, whilst special micro-nozzles treat the back and feet. On request, the side and floor nozzles can be selected

separately and be adjusted in their intensity. Air massage SOUL The SOUL wellness system ensures relaxation and inner peace with its bubbling air flow. The sparkling, preheated air bubbles ensure a mild, soothing skin massage. The gentle caressing of the air stimulates the nerve fibre ends of the skin. This produces the unique feeling of floating weightlessly in the water. The particularly flat and efficient floor nozzles of the SOUL air system fit elegantly into the bathtub made of high-quality steel enamel. Aquamassage FULL BODY FULL BODY pampers you with an intensive massage using powerful water jets. This is the perfect setting after a hard day’s work or a demanding work-out – the massage relieves tension, loosens

the connective tissue, and promotes blood circulation in the body. The water jets are enriched with air and work deep into the skin, for stubborn muscle knots the side jets can be aimed directly at different parts of the body. Additional micro-nozzles specifically treat the back and feet. The intensity of the massage can be adjusted, and the LED lighting conjures up an atmospheric ambience of well-being in the bathroom. Basic system BODY The Basic system BODY massages the muscles with lateral water massage jets from gentle to powerful. The intensity can be varied as desired and adjusted using a rotary knob. Air can also be added to the water jets. Spectral light The spectral light function, in the Whirl systems from Kaldewei provides a fascinating interplay of light, air and water. Select from a stimulating, deep red, a soft, silky green, an airy blue or a neutral white light – the positive effect of light and colour on the body and spiritual wellbeing is well known and, in combination with water, provides even deeper relaxation. For the ultimate wellness experience, a soothing water or air massage is combined with the energy of the spectral light. Care and planning The relaxation experience does not end when you leave the bath, as you do not have to stress about cleaning the automatic cleaning system ensures perfectly clean and hygiene bath. You can choose the model you want from a variety of pre-configured options; however, it is important to note when planning your bathroom that a Whirl bathtub from Kaldewei usually takes up no more space than a conventional bathtub. For more information visit: www.kaldewei.com

Unidrain adds contemporary style with their black framed GlassLine shower screen Unidrain products were key in creating a totally new wellness space in an outdated bathroom; the only one in the apartment; 12-square-metre and used every day by a family of four, which included two teenage boys – it was in dire need of an upgrade. The flooring, walls, toilet, and shower had to be stripped out and replaced, it needed a complete transformation encompassing a new colour palette through to designer drains. The family

wanted something that felt luxurious and spa-like but with longevity too. Because it was an older, more traditional-style flat, they originally considered a more classic and nostalgic look, but ultimately, decided on a contemporary solution, prioritising exclusive materials and products that are as appropriate for a luxury hotel as they are for a home. The finished bathroom has high tech solutions such as a programable shower toilet and an anti-fog mirror, but, the

undisputed star of the room is the elegant shower screen, GlassLine by Unidrain. Preserving the natural light from the window was a key part of the renovation so the GlassLine shower screen was ideal. It allowed the light to flow through the room helping to create an open, airy atmosphere. The GlassLine shower screen with a black frame is 10mm of clear tempered glass, available in three sizes: 800mm - 1000mm and a height of 2104mm, the shower screen can be mounted to the left or right and fits tile thicknesses up to 15mm for wall tiles and 20mm for floor tiles. It is installed discreetly and securely without any visible display of fixings, screws, fittings, or joins. The screen is lowered into a shower base located under the bathroom flooring, before being attached to the wall, creating a secure, stable, and watertight showering space. The black frame sits against the wall covering any edges generating a smooth finish, and the unseen groove-inthe-floor-flange meant that the installation of the colour co-ordinating black line drain was both fast and efficient. Colour was important for the overall look and style of the bathroom; the base tone was comprised of dark shades to induce a more luxurious feeling and add to the atmosphere, which combined well with the black frame of the GlassLine screen, However, as shown above a transparent version is available as black does not suit all bathrooms. Enclosed in black powder-coated metal, the interior panel of each quality glass screen is treated with Cleantech nanotreatment, increasing hygiene standards, and ensuring it is extremely easy to clean and maintain a clear finish. This colour co-ordination continued with accessories from Undrains Reframe collection including a shower shelf with magnetic wiper, towel hooks, toilet brush and toilet roll holder in black, creating perfect continuity.

National Safe Digging Week moves to July LSBUD, the UK’s leading online safe digging resource, has announced that this year’s National Safe Digging Week will move from its historical spot in September to start on Monday 4th July. The week, designed to raise awareness of the health and safety, financial and brand implications that come from hitting an underground pipe or cable, has moved to July to reflect it being the UK’s busiest and most dangerous period for digging. Reasons for this include longer working hours, better weather, temporary workers covering for holidays, and consumers having more opportunity to do home improvements during British Summer Time (BST). Further to this, the UK is experiencing a digging boom post-pandemic with the Government looking to kick start the economy through investment in largescale infrastructure projects. This rise in digging activity must not overlook safe digging practices.

Richard Broome, MD at LSBUD comments: “We know that the summer, and July in particular, is a hot period for digging – all the data shows this to be the case. Indeed, it is common for industries like farming, construction, highways, telecoms, and utilities, to embark on significant infrastructure projects over the summer. Plus, the general public is making the most of good weather, lighter evenings and having time off work to get out in the garden and get their own digging projects moving. “This is all very well and good, but everyone must dig safely, or else risk serious injuries, even fatalities, as well as the possibility of causing millions of pounds worth of damage. “That’s why we’ve moved National Safe Digging Week to coincide with the UK’s busiest time for digging. The message is still the same - people must search for underground assets before they dig. This could be a farmer checking before

replacing fence posts, or contractors keeping safe digging in mind when laying broadband cables under a road. The message is simple. Search before you dig. “We will be announcing major plans for National Safe Digging Week 2022 over the coming weeks, but we want to let the industry know about the date change ahead of time so that it can be marked off in everyone’s calendars. People should start thinking now about how they might want to get involved with such a necessary cause.” LSBUD now has over 100 Members signed up across industry, including two out of three of the UK’s utility operators, 90 percent of gas distribution networks, 92 percent of electricity distribution networks and 99 percent of fuel/oil pipeline operators. This has led to LSBUD hosting over 1 million kilometres of underground network on its portal. www.lsbud.co.uk