Creative Build Magazine - March Issue by The Little Publishing House

March Issue Windows and doors: trends for 2021

Survey reveals home buyers’ post-pandemic priorities

Innovative outdoor multifunctional work pods

Pages 16-17

Pages 22-23

Pages 38-39

creativebuildmagazine.com

Contents Advertising Requests - Benjamin Seal ben@creativebuildmagazine.com

Bring PPE to life with the new interactive DigiHUB from JSP

80% of metalworkers believe not enough is being done

Top 10 Houzz Home Design Trends for 2021

Custom-build homes get a shot in the arm

Green homes refurb grants need more time

When the product becomes design

Kaldewei turns bathtubs into modern sound boxes

The Future of Smart Homes

Make your home office work smarter

Designer Wi-Ficontrolled electric radiator range

Editorial Requests - Katie Sirdefield katie@creativebuildmagazine.com

Editor - Cy D’Anjou cy@creativebuildmagazine.com

Ryan Leon Media Ltd will display content across a variety of media platforms. Editorial content, images and any other form of media may be organically sourced or written by the team or it may be paid for promotion by an associate of the publishing house. We do not accept any responsibility for the content supplied via external links outside of any owned Ryan Leon Media Ltd platforms.

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New service offer to address current lending challenges which are further adding to the housing crisis In direct response to the housing crisis in the UK and the increased challenges in developers securing funding to build homes – which has been further hindered by the pandemic – property facilitator and network specialists, Land & New Homes Network, has announced the launch of LNH Funding, adding to its suite of services for its developer and estate agent members. With access to funding continuing to be difficult for developers, the need to meet clear targets for housing throughout the UK and many lenders being increasingly cautious due to the pandemic, Land & New Homes Network has created LNH Funding to unlock potential development sites, and drive forward house building. LNH Funding sees the introduction of a panel of specialist development finance brokers and insurance brokers, that are ready to help fund and insure schemes across the country. This new department is working to address the common issue that small and medium-sized house builders encounter; the struggle to

access sufficient funding and insurance to complete developments for muchneeded homes throughout the UK. The only property network of its kind in the country, Land & New Homes Network offers its members access to a large network of property sector contacts, as well as land and new home opportunities, best practice guidance, marketing, training, resources, workshops and now funding and insurance.

secure funding, coupled with the demand for housing rapidly increasing and the surge of people wishing to move to take advantage of the current stamp duty holiday, there simply isn’t enough stock.

Founder Kevin Ellis, said: “The addition of LNH Funding for our members is an important step in aiding developers to secure the funding streams they need to complete their housing schemes.

Tim Downing, director at residential and commercial estate agency Pygott & Crone, and member of the Land & New Homes Network, said: “The network is as ever proving to be an innovative and vital resource for professionals in the industry. The introduction of LNH Funding is an important part of the puzzle which will aid the thousands of developers who are unable to get their schemes off the ground due to funding, as well as providing estate agents like ourselves with significant volumes of selling opportunities.

“Failure to secure funding is one of the biggest issues causing major delays in the building of new homes and this new, trusted financial resource, is a strategic solution to fill that gap. “The need for this has never been stronger. The pandemic has caused many residential developments fail to

“Through LNH Funding and our vast network of partners, we are able to connect industry professionals from all over the country to bring new homes and land deals to life.”

“The demand for housing in the UK remains high and Kevin and his team are market leaders in enabling and facilitating deals, giving its members all they need to deliver much needed housing for the public.” DenCo Advisory is one of the founding LNH Funding partners. Managing director Mark Denney, said: “DenCo is proud to be partnering up with this fantastic network. 10 years on from the banking crisis the lending landscape has changed drastically. DenCo aims to assist developers and SME house builders in navigating this landscape. It’s not simply a case of providing terms, we aim to manage transactions through to completion. We advise at every stage of the deal with the sole aim of generating value for our clients.” With over 450 branch locations across the country, Land & New Homes Network has become a one-stop shop to find, facilitate and support opportunities for house builders to build homes, and estate agents to expand their portfolios of new homes. For more information visit: www.lnhnetwork.co.uk

Industry News

Bring PPE to life with the new interactive DigiHUB from JSP The DigiHUB is an exciting, innovative new platform from JSP that allows you to safely explore, learn and share the core range of JSP products with your customers and supply them with all the technical information they need to select JSP with confidence as their trusted PPE provider. Products can be selected by name, range and standard, or by industry and task using the interactive “3D- landscape”. Simply click on the product to see the

a three-dimensional rotating image of the product showing a short description of the product and its key features longside the JSP product code. View the list of product specifications, certificates of conformity and understand the standard the product conforms to, with useful ‘How to Fit’ videos and frequently asked questions. Learn which accessories will fit and which products are compatible with each other to offer the right solution to suit your safety requirements.

Generate the product’s Technical Specification with the click of a button. All data can then be e-mailed as a record of selection. Branding of Logos available in the Head and Ear Protection sections. JSP DigiHUB brings PPE to life, complete with the knowledge you need at the touch of a button, available on touchscreen, computer,tablet and mobile both on and offline. For more information visit: ww.jspdigihub.com

Long-term retrofit strategy needed to combat failing Green Homes Grant scheme The poor take up of the Government’s Green Homes Grant scheme (GHGS) demonstrates the need for a longer-term strategy to upgrade our existing homes to make them greener and more energy efficient, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to disappointing GHGS statistics published on 18th February. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Government will not succeed in achieving its Green Industrial Revolution with a short-term plan like the Green Homes Grant scheme, which today’s figures show is putting off both builders and consumers. The Government needs to think bigger and bolder and back a longterm National Retrofit Strategy, that sets out an ambitious delivery plan to cut carbon emissions from all our homes, and the Budget is the perfect opportunity to do so.”

Berry concluded: “The Government will clearly be disappointed that a scheme designed to create 100,000 new jobs has fewer than 1,000 building companies on board. A flash in the pan policy doesn’t give small builders the confidence they need to invest in the necessary accreditations and training. That household applications for grants peaked in October is concerning and suggests the negative press around this scheme is taking its toll.”

Industry News

BBA appointed as an approved body for UKCA Marking The British Board of Agrément is pleased to announce that it has been appointed as an Approved Body, Technical Assessment Body and Notified Body (NI) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) Marking is a new UK product marking used for certain goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It has been introduced to replace the current CE Marking. An additional mark, UKNI, will be used in Northern Ireland. As an Assessment Body the BBA will support manufacturers with conformity assessment tasks for their UKCA and UKNI Marking across a wide range of construction product areas and work closely with key industry partners, organisations and clients to certify products in support of UKCA Marking onto the following products: Construction products including, but not exclusive to, cements, concrete and mortar, precast, masonry, structural metallics, insulation, roofing coverings, membranes and liquid waterproofing, wood-based panels, doors, windows, structural timber, fire stopping, sealing and production products.

Road construction products including, but not exclusive to, surface treatments, bitumen and bituminous mixtures, bridge deck waterproofing and liquid applied waterproofing John Albon, Chief Scientific Officer at the BBA, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as a Conformity Assessment Body for UKCA Marking. Things are changing on an almost daily basis subsequent to the UK’s exit from the European Union, but with the BBA’s strong links to both our valued industry partners and the UK Government, we are fortunate to not only be able to help our clients with their UKCA Marking requirements, but also support them through what has been, and still is, a long and challenging transitional process.” Mr Albon added: “What is important to note is that UKCA Marking became available on 1st January 2021 and we are now in a transitional stage where both UKCA and CE Marking can be used. From 1st January 2022, UKCA will be the only marking recognised to allow access to the market in Great Britain. CE Marking will no longer be recognised within Great Britain.” To find out more about UKCA Marking visit: www.bbacerts.co.uk/ukca-mark/

Industry News

Building industry ups the ante to get reverse VAT scrapped The campaign for the government to ditch reverse charge VAT is mounting with the Federation of Master Builders, FMB, claiming two-thirds of SMEs believing it will damage cash flow. Scottish National Party MP Kirsten Oswald has already tabled an early day motion calling for the controversial new regime to be dropped. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “This is a damaging policy being introduced at the worst possible time for builders. By removing the flow of VAT money between businesses in the construction supply chain, four in ten builders say this will have a ‘significant or moderate’ impact on their cash flow.” The new regime was to have gone live in October 2019 but was deferred to 1st March 2021 following industry lobbying. The new policy means no-one in the supply chain can invoice for VAT and pass the money on later to the tax office. Build UK has told the government that many SMEs are fighting to consolidate their cash flow following the pandemic

and the effects of leaving the EU. It has set up a Twitter hashtag #StopReverseVAT to channel responses from affected construction companies.

City Lofts London director Deepak Sing Udassi believes a mandatory licensing scheme for the construction industry would be a better means for tackling the issue.

The organisation calculates that for companies that submit quarterly VAT returns they will need an extra five per cent of annual sales to compensate for the loss of cash flow. Firms who submit monthly returns will need an extra three per cent of annual sales.

“Due to the little to no regulation in the industry, rogue traders are able to operate freely, to the detriment of consumers and reputable businesses like mine.

“The introduction of the charge at this time will put jobs and businesses at risk and may result in companies that survived the Covid-19 outbreak and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU being undone by this additional burden,” said Build UK deputy chief executive Jo Fautley. Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said that property development lenders would be there to support SMEs experiencing cash flow hardship. Licensing builders holds key to tackling fraud The new policy is being introduced to tackle missing trader scams where fraudsters import goods VAT-free from other countries and then sell to domestic buyers charging them VAT.

Industry News

“Licensing would also drive-up standards, professionalism and the reputation of the industry, which is clearly not well regarded across Whitehall as demonstrated by this punitive policy.” Elland and Steel Structures Ltd managing director Mark Denham said: “If this initiative is applied from 1t March, it will be the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for many subcontractors both big and small. “Reverse VAT penalises good honest companies that have continually paid their VAT on time.” Build UK is calling on all firms in the supply chain to write to their MPs to request support for the forthcoming early day motion.

Government-backed loans for smaller builders not enough, claims industry A new stream of construction loans of up to £10m for SME developers has been launched by the government housing delivery agency Homes England and United Trust Bank, UTB. The loans of up to 24 months will offer 70 per cent loan to gross development value, GDV, as opposed to the typical ratios of 59 to 65 per cent. They will be for projects in places with the greatest housing affordability pressures with the maximum house sale price of £800,000. Homes England chief investment officer Gordon More said: “It will help smaller builders get on and build now, as well as improve the lending landscape for SMEs by driving competition in the market, improving choice and encouraging innovation.” The loans are being offered as part of a five-year £250m housing accelerator fund which the government hopes will support smaller builders and drive diversification of the housing market.

UTB executive director Noel Meredith said: “SME housebuilders have a vital role to play in delivering the UK’s new housing needs and UTB has amassed considerable experience helping such businesses to complete thousands of successful developments. “This alliance will help to reinvigorate and increase diversity in the SME housebuilding sector, and boost housing supply in areas under the greatest affordability pressures.” Applications are being accepted now and prospective borrowers are being urged to contact UTB.

NFB housing and planning policy head Rico Wojtulewicz said: “What would have been more sensible would be long-term lending of one to two per cent up to achieving planning and the rest of the funding on delivery of the project. This would have signified they recognise the complexity of getting these projects off the ground.” He said three years ago when Homes England was known as the Homes and Community Agency loans were available to small developers offering up to 80 per cent loan to GDV.

New scheme branded insufficient

He added Homes England needed to offer better rates to smaller developers who had already proved themselves by paying back loans ahead of term.

However, the National Federation of Builders, NFB, said the scheme would have been more helpful if it had helped finance smaller developers through the planning process.

Bridging finance brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders were continuing to create new and innovative products to help smaller builders get new projects off the ground.

Industry News

80% of metalworkers believe not enough is being done to encourage young people to take up a career in the sector Despite being one of the UK’s most prominent sectors, the metalworking industry is struggling to attract new talent and apprentices. Research recently commissioned by power tools and accessories manufacturer, FEIN, has uncovered that 80% believe not enough is being done to encourage young people to take up a career in the industry. The same report also uncovered that 76% believe there are fewer younger people entering the metalworking sector year-onyear, while 42% believe the skills shortage will have the biggest impact on the future of the industry, with 74% confirming it’s a serious issue that must be tackled. “With almost half of those surveyed believing that the skills shortage will be the greatest thing to impact the industry, it’s clear that more must be done at all

levels of the sector to support emerging talent and attract the next generation of metalworkers. “If combating this issue doesn’t take precedence for businesses moving forward, many fear their industry (and skillset) will soon become extinct, as high levels of skilled professionals continue to retire each year, with not nearly enough individuals entering the sector to fill the growing gap,” comments Raphael Rudolph, managing director of FEIN UK. Further research also suggests there are core regions that are finding it challenging to recruit talent more than others, with Scotland’s welding industry struggling particularly to fill nearly 40% of its vacancies. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the north west is excelling in this area experiencing incredibly high

Industry News

demand for jobs in the sector. However, despite this, it’s clear that each region in the UK is struggling to attract new talent to fuel industry demand. On the skills shortage, the research found that: 83% believe the government must do more to support the future of the trade through better promotion of the industry, further funding for training schemes and additional courses during education 57% believe that young people don’t want to work in the industry 47% are seeing traditional apprentice roles being automated 35% believe apprentices slow down the work flow and impede productivity One-third believe their role will ultimately be taken over by a robot

20% admit their company doesn’t take on apprentices or offer any training schemes 15% are fearful for the future of the industry Despite the above, 60% of those questioned are hopeful for the future of the sector, with 88% stating that from the apprentices who are joining the industry, their contributions are invaluable, and they bring fresh ideas, drive and tenacity. Furthermore, half of those asked would like further training to enable them to provide additional support to emerging talent and give them the best start possible to their careers, with many looking to manufacturers, like FEIN, to provide this added support and training. “While the research solidifies the fact that more needs to be done at all levels of the industry to tackle the skills shortage, there is hope and although there’s some room for improvements, those entering the industry appear to have the talent to drive business forward if provided with the right support,” concludes Raphael. To find out more and to download the full ‘future of the metalworking sector’ report, visit https://www.fein.com/en_uk/ knowledge/metalworking-sector-report/.

Industry News

Casalgrande Padana Grand Prix: registration for the 12th edition is now open Registration for the twelfth edition of the Grand Prix, the architecture contest created, designed and organised by Casalgrande Padana, is now open.

architectural and interior design firms) who have created works using Casalgrande Padana porcelain stoneware tiles for floorings and coverings of any type. Applications can be submitted by individual professionals or groups of professionals with a team leader.

The twelfth edition of the contest is dedicated to works completed in the period from January 2016 to December 2021. Applicants can submit projects that feature Casalgrande Padana ceramic materials in public and private, new and restored buildings, interiors and exteriors.

The results of every edition of the Grand Prix are collected in Casalgrande Padana’s Creative Book, created and distributed in collaboration with Casabella. This prestigious international architecture magazine has been at the centre of the design-related cultural debate for over ninety years. The Creative Book is a precious volume that outlines the evolution of ceramic and its application in architecture. Each winning project is described in detail to open new paths for research and experimentation.

The Grand Prix is open to all designers (architects, engineers, interior designers, private and public technical departments,

The Grand Prix recognises the projects that best emphasise the technical properties and creative potential

Thirty years of history, eleven editions, more than 1700 projects from all over the world: all this is Casalgrande Padana’s Grand Prix.

Industry News

of Casalgrande Padana’s porcelain stoneware. Winners are selected among projects hailing from all over the world, thereby bringing together different experiences and contributing to the debate on architecture, design, and technological innovation. This architecture contest is a major opportunity to verify and explore the state of the art of architecture. Edition after edition, the Grand Prix has witnessed how Casalgrande Padana porcelain stoneware tiles have been used in works of great architectural interest. It has also highlighted an increasing diversification in the fields of intervention, application techniques, and designers’ interpretations: from demanding modern architecture to the recovery and restoration of existing buildings, from interiors and exteriors to floorings and façade cladding, from special applications to high footfall areas and residential spaces.

From 1990 to today, the Grand Prix has investigated and described the primary role played by Casalgrande Padana porcelain stoneware in the architecture scenario, highlighting the intrinsic properties and ability of this material to keep evolving to meet any need. The contest has accompanied the evolution of this product and its application in architecture, becoming a precious still image, an exciting moment of exchange and discussion that goes beyond the winning projects. This was possible also thanks to the international jury made up of industry experts, designers, university faculty, and architecture critics. A diverse team that aims at creating a debate about the current situation and trends to help both designers and manufacturers. Over the years, the Grand Prix awards ceremony has become a cultural event, also thanks to the highly iconic venues, symbol of culture and research in the design and architecture world, and the personalities involved. Working with architects and supporting their ideas is an essential part of Casalgrande Padana’s approach to work. Choosing the right business partners means knowing how to do things well and being good listeners. Sharing goals, queries, and solutions is the key to learning from one another, going beyond a simple product-service partnership. This kind of bond triggers a virtuous circle that generates top-quality and highly innovative products and projects. And Casalgrande Padana is proud to have this kind of bond with some of the most authoritative personalities of the international architecture scenario. The company has always been committed to spreading knowledge, culture, and technology to create a shared legacy in constructing the architectural landscape and improving living quality. Casalgrande Padana has always promoted the integration between product culture and corporate culture intended as a sense of responsibility, enhancing the meaning of enterprise. And it has always considered its work as a resource for the entire society.

Industry News

Final test completes £300K R&D investment by structural glass pioneers Structural glass pioneers Cantifix have reached another milestone, completing a £300,000 investment in their sky. by.cantifix range of moving rooflights. The final stage of the three year programme saw successful testing and certification of two new rooflight types in the Cantifix hydraulically operated range. The London-based company has put its sky.by.cantifix products through testing in the most extreme weather conditions, at the VINCI centre in Leighton Buzzard. The rooflights passed with flying colours, achieving the highest certification in both air and watertightness, after testing to BS and European standards of weather resistance. Versatile functionality options in sky. by.cantifix include 90° opening on a hinged version, for easy access, with a pop-up style product opening on six hydraulic arms for safe and secure ventilation.

The innovative work has been done by a team of three engineers, led by Cantifix co-founder William Sharman and based at the company offices and factory in North London.

homeowner projects, we have seen a significant increase in demand in our rooflight range as they bring beneficial access to light and ventilation whilst opening up some stunning vistas.

Their expertise has enabled successful installations including 67 rooflights recently fitted on top of Battersea Power Station and the pop-up system, which is currently being installed in an iconic retail location in Istanbul, Turkey.

“The time, money and effort spent on continually developing, refining and testing these products can be matched only by our enthusiasm in them and steadfast belief that our customers deserve the best products available, whatever their requirements.”

Installations for domestic customers include a sliding curved rooflight in Suffolk, measuring more than 110m2 and a soon-to-be-installed order for the new hinged, hydraulic rooflight measuring almost five square metres and weighing in at 0.5 tonnes. William Sharman, who has provided the engineering input into Cantifix since its inception, said: “Whether it is for commercial properties or transformative

Industry News

The sky.by.cantifix range now includes pop-up, hinged and sliding rooflights along with motorising complete glass enclosures. Each must be precision engineered to meet the exacting BS and EN standards for air and water tightness as well as resisting always greater expected wind loads. Using a combination of panes of heatstrengthened and SGP-laminated glass,

often in ultra-clear low iron glass, the rooflight is robust enough to resist wind, rain and even attempted burglary. Designed specifically for accessing roof terraces where space is too limited for a sliding rooflight, the hydraulic hinged rooflight is perfect for modern penthouse living, opening to create a balustrade for protecting against falls or closed as a floor to be walked upon. The product can be as large as eight metres square and will be constructed using a combination of heat-strengthened glass and extra stiff SGP interlayers to give the robustness required. William said: “We have been creating moveable glass for a long time now and our dedicated R&D team of specialists are constantly developing new solutions and controls to give our installations the edge over competing products. “Advancements in technology have allowed us to continuously push the previous boundaries of what was possible, however, this must always be backed up by continuous assessment and testing to ensure suitability for each client’s particular needs. “In recent years, we have incorporated biometric scanning interfaces and linking these through logic software with our Millennium drive modules for BMS integration. This sort of setup can be used throughout our ever-expanding range of sky.by.cantifix moving rooflights. “Our investment into the Cantifix roof light range gives our architect, contractor and client community the confidence and assurance they need for their most ambitious projects.” Cantifix was set up in 1986 by William Sharman and his brother Charlie. Fellow directors of the company include their brother Matthew, who joined in 2007 as finance director, Executive Director Charlotte Fox and Director of Operations Trisha Wadds. For more information please visit: www.cantifix.co.uk

Industry News

Windows and doors: trends for 2021 Whether you want to create a grand entrance or a bold first impression, windows and doors play an important role in enhancing a building’s kerb appeal. But with so many design options to choose from, how do you know which one to opt for, or what to recommend to your customers? As we head into a new year, Nick Cowley, managing director of manufacturer of uPVC windows Euramax, analyses some of the key trends for 2021. DIY sales soared in 2020, as homeowners spent their time indoors making home improvements. In fact, the Office for National Statistics reported a 1.5 per cent rise in DIY sales between August and September 2020, at a time when many industries stood still. This trend could well persist throughout 2021, with homeowners continuing to spruce up their spaces. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the window and door trends worth the investment. A splash of colour It’s a common assumption that poly vinyl chloride (uPVC) window frames come in standard white. While some may prefer to keep things simple, coloured window frames are becoming an increasingly popular choice. Dubbed “the new white,” grey frames work well across numerous house styles, from trendy modern spaces to more traditional, period properties. The neutral shade can create a sophisticated effect while offering a hint of colour, making it the perfect choice if you want a subtle break from conformity. Moving away from traditional woodgrain and white uPVC, doors could also receive a splash of colour in 2021. Composite doors are one of the most popular entrance door options, and are available in a range of colours. Inspired by perhaps the most famous front doors in the country, 10 Downing Street, black is an increasingly popular choice for those who prefer a sleek and simple statement. Taking inspiration from elsewhere in politics, Chartwell green is another shade that continues to gain traction. Named after Winston Churchill’s Kent home, the light and bright pastel shade provides a refreshing change from traditional colour options.

Time to open up As well as revitalising homes, many homeowners paid extra attention to their gardens in 2020 — and what better way keep enjoying them than to bring a touch of the outdoors inside? Open plan has been a popular trend for many years as homeowners seek to create a large and airy space that transports them from feeling confined indoors. However, budget restrictions and the need for extensive remodelling can put the open plan dream on hold. Instead, additions such as bi-folding doors can make an effective replacement. In the warmer weather, bifolds can completely fold away to create the illusion of more space and a fluid transition between the home and garden. In the winter months, their floor-to-ceiling glass panels bring in plenty of natural light. Opening just one panel at a time means they can still be used as an access point while keeping the heat in. Window shopping

However, this window option can cost around 20 per cent more than double glazed options, so it’s worth evaluating if the extra pane is worth the upfront investment. Thermally efficient frames can also have a large bearing on the overall performance of a window, so should also be considered when looking to improve energy efficiency. Because argon gas is denser than air, adding it to the captive air in double glazed windows improves their thermal efficiency, without the needed for added glass. When used in conjunction with a special low emissivity glass coating, argon gas can bring the temperature of the window closer to room temperature. Whether you plan to continue sprucing up your space in 2021, or are looking to reduce your heating bills with smart upgrades, windows and doors could be the key to your new year’s refresh. For further information please visit: www.euramaxuk.com

As we grow a year closer to the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions target, our homes need to do more than just look good. Among all building envelopes, the design of a home’s exterior, windows and doors are a main culprit for heat loss — with losses accounting for 20 to 30 per cent of a building’s entire energy consumption. To improve thermal efficiency, some may opt for triple glazing. The third pane of glass, located halfway between the inner and outer panes of double glazing, creates two air locks that beat the energy performance of regular double glazing by around 50 per cent. Between each pane is a pocket of air or inert gas, such as argon, which is heavier than air and works as an insulator for both noise and heat.

Housebuilding & Development

Top 10 Houzz home design trends for 2021 It goes without saying that 2020 has thrown everything off course, and that includes design. From more hygienic materials to reconfigurable spaces, 2021 will bring a generous dose of trends impacted by our response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as fashions prompted by other global concerns and influences. With a community of millions of homeowners and home design and renovation professionals, Houzz has unique insights into how people are renovating their homes and we are able to provide insights on the latest home design trends. We searched through Houzz data, browsed hundreds of home design photos, reread past articles and talked to the Houzz Pro community to create this collection of materials, colours and other home design ideas that you can expect to see a lot more of in 2021. 1. Outdoor entertainment spaces will reign Unsurprisingly, given the restrictions in place over the summer, there’s been huge interest in outdoor spaces on

Houzz. Our COVID surveyshowed that hands-down, the garden was the area most of us wanted to improve, with 30% of those surveyed wanting to make upgrades.

and we expect to see more in 2021, perhaps reflecting a pandemic-fuelled desire for clean-looking cook spaces.

On Houzz, homeowners have increasingly been searching for ‘summerhouses’, ‘firepits’, ‘hot tubs’ and ‘outdoor kitchens, which have all risen in popularity as search terms this year. We expect to see more of these features in gardens next year.

The incorporation of nature into our interiors looks set to continue, with colour experts on Houzz predicting that warm earth tones, such as burnt umber, terracotta and clay and contrasting forest colours like sage, pine and turquoise will be strong choices for 2021. These colours are perfectly complemented by natural materials such as rattan, jute, wood and concrete which have all featured heavily in the most-saved photos on Houzz lately.

And it’s not just for the summer months, professionals on Houzz report an increase in demand for designs that will extend the garden’s use later into the evening and year. Particularly dining outdoors, with pizza ovens a popular request for 2021. 2. The return of the all-white kitchen It seems this neutral, light-enhancing choice for the hardest-working room in the house is growing in popularity, with searches on Houzz for ‘white kitchen’ rising significantly this year compared to 2019. We’re also seeing many popular photos on Houzz that have white worktops

3. Nature-inspired palettes

4. Healthy at home On Houzz, we’re seeing homeowners search for ‘home gym’ and ‘garden gym’ ideas, which have both risen dramatically in popularity this year. In 2021, we expect to see more exercise equipment that fits seamlessly into interiors or furniture that doubles up. We may even see pieces that have stain-resistant, waterproof, warming or anti-odour properties coming to the market.

Housebuilding & Development

5. Colourful bathrooms While white kitchens grow in popularity, we’re seeing our community starting to go in the opposite direction in their bathrooms, with homeowners instead filling their ideabooks with designs bursting with colour. Standing out in that most-saved list were a variety of examples, noticeably designs featuring pink cabinetry, gold grouting, pastel sanitaryware and rich zellige tiles. Meanwhile, ‘pink bathroom’, ‘navy bathroom’ and ‘gold bathroom’ were brand-new additions to the most popular search terms on Houzz in the latter half of 2020, with designers predicting further growth for these trends in 2021. 6. Luxury vintage Sustainability, climate change and the impact we have on our planet continue to be a big theme for next year. Professionals on Houzz are reporting a growing interest in high-end, second-hand furniture, which aligns with the interest in sustainability we’ve seen on the platform. 7. Multi-functional spaces This year changed how many use their homes, with households having to live, work and play in one space during lockdown. As a result, we’re starting to see professionals incorporate more hybrid designs, detachable units, and convertible pieces to create a home suited to the ‘new normal’. One example, which saw a surprising rise in popularity as a search term this year, is ‘murphy bed’ (a pull-down design), suggesting a need for homeowners to hide away large pieces of furniture in bedrooms or spare rooms during the day, so they can double as offices while many of us work from home for the foreseeable future. 8. Interesting bathroom fixtures In the most popular bathroom photos on Houzz, we’re seeing homeowners stray from standard chrome tapware, leaning towards brass, matt black and rose gold instead. Professionals on Houzz predict this deviation will only continue, suggesting that matt white as a finish for fittings will gain popularity in the coming year. Antimicrobial tap materials are also gaining traction, as homeowners look to increase hygiene amidst the pandemic. Professionals report a rise in requests for copper-based fixtures, which benefit from these properties.

Housebuilding & Development

9. Smarter homes The search term ‘smart home’ has seen a dramatic rise in popularity on Houzz this year and has been growing as a priority for homeowners in recent years, according to Houzz research. As technology continues to innovate and more household items can be controlled remotely, we expect to see voice recognition tech used more commonly in the home, avoiding the need to touch switches, household appliances and remote controls, all common germ hotspots. No-touch technology is likely to become more sought-after for the bathroom, too, with professionals on Houzz reporting sensorcontrolled taps and lights rising in popularity. 10. Growing your own Another new addition to the mostsearched terms on Houzz this year, ‘vegetable garden’ speaks to a rising interest in all things horticultural, with many dabbling in growing their own vegetables for the first time. We expect to see this trend continue into next year, as those with even the smallest amounts of outdoor space, make use of window sills, balconies and planters to enjoy the benefits of home-grown produce. For more information on Houzz, please visit: www.houzz.co.uk/

Housebuilding & Development

Survey reveals home buyers’ post-pandemic priorities A recent survey of first time buyers across England has revealed that, since the pandemic, a private garden, fast broadband and access to open space have become more important to those looking to get onto the property ladder. In the survey, commissioned by leading property portal Share to Buy and housing association Peabody, 64% of the potential first time buyers stated that having a private garden has grown in importance to them since the start of the pandemic. In second and third place, 62% of those surveyed highlighted fast broadband as a top post-COVID-19 priority, while 61% said access to nearby open space was now more important to them. Londoners place more importance on proximity to local outdoor space, with 68% stating this factor had become more important to them, compared with 62% in the rest of England. For those outside of London, a private garden tops the wish list, with almost 70% of those surveyed confirming this has become a higher priority since the pandemic. Next on the list for the first time buyers surveyed across England, all of whom have registered an interest in alternative homeownership schemes such as Help to Buy or Shared Ownership, was local amenities within walking distance (55%), followed by space to work from home (50%). However, the pandemic has not deterred first time buyers in their quest to get onto the property ladder. Just 4.5% of respondents stated that they were now less inclined to consider buying a home than previously, while nearly 50% confirmed they are keener to purchase a property than they were before the pandemic. These changing priorities and an added determination to get onto the ladder may be a result of a move towards ‘hybrid working’. 60% of thosesurveyed across England expect to work from home for at least part of the week, even after a successful COVID-19 vaccine, growing to nearly 70% in London.

Nick Lieb, Head of Operations for Share to Buy, comments, “Following a year when we have spent more time in our homes than ever before, first time buyers are thinking even more carefully about where they want to put down roots. While buyers’ priorities in what they would like in a home may have changed since COVID-19, it is encouraging to see that there is still confidence in the housing market with most of us being just as, or even more, determined to purchase a home in 2021. This result mirrors our own experience at Share to Buy as we saw record numbers of registrants on our property portal in 2020.” Lisa Crush, Director of Sales and Marketing for Peabody, comments, “With 2020 behind us, a year when we’ve all spent most of our lives inside our homes, where we live has never felt more important. People’s appreciation of the space they inhabit, their immediate surroundings and the lifestyle that can be enjoyed from it, is more significant than ever. We know that a home is more than just a place to live and we are placing greater emphasis on amenities such as outdoor space, roof gardens, fitness areas and co-working facilities. The home has become far more than just the four walls that surround it. At Peabody, we aim to make a positive difference for thousands of first time buyers and continue our ongoing commitment to our communities.” Property portal Share to Buy is the UK’s leading independent website for first time buyers, listing over 4,000 Shared Ownership and Help to Buy homes, as well as providing a wealth of independent information and how-to guides for first time buyers. Peabody is one of the UK’s leading housing associations – creating the highest quality homes for first time buyers across London and the south-east. Peabody has over 158 years of experience and expertise in managing property, now managing over 66,000. Creating homes in great locations which are safe, easy to maintain, and long-lasting. For more information visit: www.sharetobuy.com

Housebuilding & Development

Independent body to oversee quality of new-build homes A new organisation to champion consumer rights and ensure new build homes are built to a high standard has been launched by the government.

Home Builders Federation, HBF, executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: “The industry is absolutely committed to putting measures in place to help deliver consistently high-quality new homes and effective redress for buyers.

Natalie Elphicke MP will chair the new homes quality board which will oversee consultation on a new industry code of practice and new homes ombudsman service. “The new arrangements will lead to a step-change in how new homes are built and sold and how customers are treated. The board is committed to driving new-build quality and strengthening protections for buyers,” said Ms Elphicke. The code of practice will require developers to have an effective complaints procedure with timelines by which they have to address any problems that may arise. The new homes code will place more demands on builders from the sales process up to two years after the buyers move in.

“Recent years have seen significant improvements made in build quality and customer service and we are determined to go further.” Consumers will be offered redress The HBF said the new arrangements would pose some challenges to the industry but would ultimately benefit both builders and customers. Consumers will have the right to go to the new homes ombudsman if they feel the developer has not satisfactorily addressed any issues. It’s expected the new arrangements will go live later this year.

Once they are in place, developers will need to register with the board and adopt the code. National Federation of Building, NFB housing and policy head Rico Wojtulewicz said members of his trade body already built quality homes. “Therefore, we will be using the upcoming consultation to remind the government and public of that. We must ensure that the best practitioners are used as a template for how positive change can be achieved.” Hank Zarihs Associates said property development finance lenders would be supportive of moves to raise standards within the sector. Homes England will require developers participating in the help to buy equity loan scheme, to go live in April, for new-build homes to sign up to the code.

Housebuilding & Development

Custom-build homes get a shot in the arm SME developers of custom-built homes on multi-plots can now apply for exemption of the community infrastructure levy thanks to new planning guidance released.

The guidance also wants councils to give ‘suitable development permission to enough suitable serviced plots of land’ in their area.

It also allows custom builders to cover a wider spectrum of projects, including customised housing where the home is built ready for occupation, dubbed turnkey. Procurement organisation Custom Build Homes, CBS, and trade body National Custom and Self Build Association, NCSBA agreed the new guidance was a positive development. CBS planning and strategic engagement director Mario Wolf said: “It also, for the first time, includes a clear signal that custom and self-build can bring benefits such as diversifying the housing market, increase consumer choice and bringing innovation in design and construction.” Awareness of self-build demand to be boosted Local councils must publicise their self and custom-build registers to raise awareness about demand for this type of house building.

Authorities are encouraged to keep an up-to-date list of suitable permissioned land with contact details of the landowner and share this with those on the register. NCSBA chief executive Andrew Baddeley-Chappell said: “The guidance helps to create a positive environment and temper some poor practice, and is a step in the right direction.” The sector looks set to get a further boost when some of the government’s £2.2 bn new loan finance for housebuilders goes towards a new help to build scheme. Most self-builds are self-financed or require large deposits for mortgages offered predominantly by building societies. Alongside this, the £100m brownfield land release scheme is to allocate a large portion of funds to supporting self and custom-build developments.

lenders were keen to support self and custom-build housebuilders. Chief executive Shiraz Khan said the sector was vital to ensure quality and innovation when it comes to building new homes. Mr Wolf added that the guidance should address “game playing by some councils in how they exercise their statutory duty” which was slowing up development of new sites. Around 15,000 self or custom-build homes are built every year - an increase of 50 per cent in two years, according to current figures. But the government would like the sector, estimated to be worth £4.5bn to the UK economy, to grow more. In Austria, 80 per cent of homes are either self-built or custom-built by the customer, in Australia and the USA, the figure is almost 50 per cent and rising every year.

Bridging advisors Hank Zarihs Associates said property development finance

Housebuilding & Development

First reservations as new £45m housing development in Grimsby opens its doors A £45m residential development promising to bring a new village-style community to a sought-after suburb of Grimsby has recorded its first reservations after opening the doors to its show home. A fully booked opening weekend at King’s Park, on land next to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Hospital in Scartho, led to several immediate sales with more in the offing. The scheme, one of the largest residential sites under construction in North East Lincolnshire, is being developed by E5 Living UK. The first phase includes 78 properties, a mix of three-bedroom semi-detached houses and two-bedroom bungalows. The second phase is to include an additional 19 homes with proposed retail units including a convenience store. Further phases will include housing for over-55s and there are plans for assisted living accommodation.

The homes, designed by Cleethorpes based Hodson Architects, set a new standard for design of larger market residential schemes, said Managing Director Kevin Stevens.

King’s Park is being built by Humberston firm JemBuild and marketed by Crofts Estate Agents, which has offices in Cleethorpes, Immingham and Louth.

“We’ve really raised the bar in terms of what you’d expect for properties at this price bracket with a specification that people would expect from homes selling at a higher level. We’ve included elements like underfloor heating, bi-fold or patio doors to the garden and individually designed kitchens with stone worktops as standard. “Our intention is to bring a fresh approach to housebuilding and create a community that is the kind of place where people are actively seeking to live because of the quality, the amenities and the location.”

Director Gary Croft said the response to the first show home had been incredibly positive.

Kevin added: “We have received brilliant feedback from the viewers so far and look forward to securing many more sales in the coming months.”

“We spread the opening weekend over three days to ensure we could meet demand for viewings in a covid-compliant way and the level of interest was phenomenal. E5 Living has brought a fresh style and superior quality to a new build development.” Properties at King’s Park start from £195,000 and a second show home will be opening soon. The show home and marketing suite are open from 10am to 4pm for covid safe appointments through Crofts Estate Agents.

Housebuilding & Development

Lemon and Lime Interiors announces hat-trick company expansion HOME STAGING expert Lemon and Lime Interiors has announced a “triple threat” business expansion featuring the launch of its new associate programme, the appointment of two new team members and the doubling of its Derbyshire-based warehouse facility.

year for the business in 2020, which saw the launch of its virtual home staging service, market insight data app and Amazon bestselling book despite the uncertainty of the property market amid the pandemic.

As part of its innovative service offering, Lemon and Lime Interiors’ newly launched associate programme will equip ambitious entrepreneurs and those interested in the industry with everything they need to succeed. The programme will help to accelerate each entrepreneur’s business aspirations by associating them with the well-established and respected Lemon and Lime Interiors brand. This period of rapid expansion for the firm - owned by the property staging expert Elaine Penhaul - follows a successful

Elaine, who started home staging in 2012 and set up the company in 2015, said: “Our exciting new associate programme will enable members to not only grow their business through access to our inhouse expertise and extensive portfolio of high-quality furniture, but they will also benefit from our vast connections with estate agents, suppliers and vendors alike. Following a two-week intensive training programme, our approved associates will also be able to utilise our tried and tested pricing model, extensive market data and network of coaches and business support experts.

“Despite its huge success abroad, the home staging industry in the UK is still a fairly small community – therefore it is a real honour for us to be able to support like-minded individuals who are interested in taking their first steps into the market. When they join the Lemon and Lime team, our associates will be provided with support every step of the way, from quoting through to completing sales.” Accompanying the launch of its associate offering, the firm has also expanded its headquarters based in Melbourne, Derbyshire, almost doubling the size of its furniture warehouse to nearly 10,000 sq ft and appointing two new team members. To meet the continued growing demand for home staging projects, Roxanne Godfrey has joined the firm as a new stylist and installation lead, with Molly Crawford also joining the business in a design and project support role.

Housebuilding & Development

Roxanne, who was keen to work for Lemon and Lime Interiors after previously being appointed by the firm as a contract property dresser, said: “Having worked for Lemon and Lime before, I knew it was a company I wanted to be more involved with. I have witnessed first-hand the difference we can make to a property and I’m excited to now be part of the team full time. “My new role expands upon just staging houses on the ‘dressing day’, working alongside our designers to prepare furniture, artwork, and accessories. I will be overseeing the implementation of projects throughout their full lifecycle - from furniture delivery through to the property styling for photographs.” The second appointment, Molly Crawford, joins the firm as a graduate after previously studying interior architecture and design. Molly added: “I’ve always been passionate about properties and architecture; my new role allows me to bring life back into a home and help the property move forward onto new owners. In this role I will be supporting our project managers by designing mood boards, ensuring that clients are happy with our furniture selections and supporting all the arrangements required to bring our staging projects to life.” Elaine added: “We are delighted to welcome both Roxanne and Molly to our close-knit team based in Derbyshire. Alongside the expansion of our warehouse space and the introduction of our associate programme, I am very excited to see what the remainder of 2021 brings for our team, the business and our wider home-staging community.” These announcements follow the launch of Lemon and Lime Interiors innovative Scorecard service, which was introduced to the market last month providing sellers with a free property evaluation and a detailed report of how they can prepare their property for sale.

Housebuilding & Development

Social housing sector running out of time to meet sustainability targets, say industry experts Nine in ten social housing construction professionals believe the sector is in urgent need of new government guidelines if it is going to successfully meet sustainability targets, new research has revealed.

sector was in desperate need of support and guidance if it is to overcome the challenges it’s facing. This guidance was expected to be included in the Social Housing Whitepaper which was released late last year, but it failed to clarify a number of key details the sector was waiting on.

In a survey of 150 decision makers involved in the specification of building materials used for social housing developments, 88% agreed that the sector cannot wait for the pending Decarbonisation Fund and Decent Homes Standard review to define how it is going to become more sustainable – it needs this detail now. The research by Wienerberger, a leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations, explored several key issues facing the social housing sector, including the housing shortage, sustainability and building quality. It found that the

When asked when the sector would need guidance by, a quarter said that it was too late and that further detail was required in 2020 if it was going to adapt in time to meet the government’s sustainability targets. 26% of housing association directors believe that there is still time, but only if the government provides further guidance in the first half of this year. Not only must the UK build more sustainably, but it also needs to increase the rate at which new homes are built to reach the government’s target of 300,000 new homes by 2025. 56% of housing

association directors said that, like with sustainability, significantly more guidance and support is required from the government if it’s to meet this target. Nearly half the social housing sector (47%), and 88% of all local authority professionals surveyed, believe that to solve the housing crisis central government must give local councils more money and powers to build social housing in their area. As well as building greater volumes in a more environmentally friendly manner, the UK’s social housing stock needs to maintain a high standard of build quality. 70% of in-house housing association professionals said that to improve standards without exceeding costs or being non-compliant, the sector needs to improve how it collaborates and communicates so that it can share best practice methodologies, technologies and innovations. Wienerberger discussed its research findings with a panel of senior decision makers from across the social housing sector during a virtual roundtable. During the discussion, Nick Gornall, Head of Development at Great Places Housing Group, shared his views: “The industry has no guidance on the standard of products that will be required to meet the targets, so we don’t know if the housing stock we’re building or the changes we’re making to existing stock will be good enough to meet the sustainability standards.” Phil Pemberton, Director of Asset Strategy and Delivery at Riverside, added: “The industry has time; it just needs a strategic plan for how to get there. There’s a responsibility from the sector as well as the government about achieving the target.” For more information on Wienerberger and the solutions it offers, please visit: www.wienerberger.co.uk

Maintenance & Refurbishment

Green homes refurb grants need more time, urge MPs The government is under pressure to extend the green homes grant scheme beyond March 2022 after a committee of MPs described current progress as moving at a snail’s pace.

Only 1,300 companies have registered so far with TrustMark, the government’s approved licensers, which the committee says is why so few consumers have been able to do green refurbishments.

Business, energy and industrial strategy minister Lord Callanan admitted only 20,000 vouchers have been handed out since its launch last summer. The slow take-up led the government to extend the original March 2021 deadline by a year.

Skilling up is key to making green retrofits work

Environmental audit committee chairman Philip Dunne said: “The principle of the scheme should be commended. It is a timely initiative not only to boost energy efficiency of homes - which is urgently needed to stem carbon emissions - but to address our growing unemployment crisis triggered by the pandemic. “But unless overhauled and further extended, this scheme will fail to deliver its ambition.” MPs on the environmental audit committee estimate it would take another ten years for the scheme to hit its target of 600,000 refurbished homes.

National Federation of Building housing and policy head Rico Wojtulewicz said his organisation agreed the deadline should be extended for the green grants. However, he warned without investing in training the industry wouldn’t be able to meet demand. “Capacity remains a major barrier and we therefore must do much more to ensure apprentice trainers and employers have a pipeline of work so they feel comfortable taking new learners on and that the public better understands the benefits of the scheme and how long retrofitting can take. “An energy efficiency or retrofitting passport for each home would be a great starting point to achieve this,” said Mr Wojtulewicz.

Master brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said property development lenders were keen to offer funding for builders who wanted to expand into this sector. The environmental audit committee has highlighted that more accredited engineers would be needed if the government is to meet its target of 600,000 heat pumps installed a year by 2028. The committee pointed out the government’s £6.9 m skills competition in September was just seven months ahead of the green home grant March deadline of 2022. It said the competition was unlikely to have a significant impact on the availability of skilled engineers to undertake and called for a multi-year extension to the scheme in March’s budget. The Institute for Public Policy Research suggested 250,000 jobs could be created in energy efficiency by 2030, but warned that a net zero and just transition delivery plan would be needed.  The £3bn green homes grant scheme offers homeowners and residential landlords two thirds of the cost of up to £5000, rising up to £10,000 for low income families, in home energy improvements. The scheme was due to have finished at the end of next month but the government extended the deadline to the end of March 2021. The government announced this week a new sector specific traineeship pilot in construction to be launched this summer.

Maintenance & Refurbishment

Forest Green Rovers gets the green light for new timber Eco Park Stadium The Eco Park stadium for Forest Green Rovers will be an important addition for the community. The club’s heritage, ambition and vision reflect ZHA’s own, combining the latest material research and construction techniques with new design approaches to build a more ecologically sustainable and inclusive architecture. Forest Green Rovers have established a holistic vision for the site to retain its pastoral qualities whilst adding new facilities for the town. While the stadium will be the centrepiece, the project creates a new public realm with both recreational and occupational uses, enabling the entire site to contribute to the town - not only on match days, but every day of the year. The design retains and enhances the existing meadow landscape of the site whilst adding the stadium and other functions for the town. Embodying low carbon construction methods and operational processes, it will be the first all timber football stadium with almost every element made of sustainably sourced timber including its structure, roof cantilevers and louvered cladding. As a building material, timber is highly durable, recyclable and beautiful. The proximity of the stadium’s structural elements to each other has also been determined to enable the seating terraces and floor slab to be made from timber. In most other stadiums, these elements are concrete or steel. The stadium’s roof is covered with a transparent membrane, which contributes to turf growth, minimizes stark shadows for players and fans and reduces the volumetric impact of the stadium from distant views in the surrounding landscape. With the team’s community and supporters at its core, fans will be as close as five meters from the pitch and the position of every seat has been calculated to provide excellent, unrestricted views of the entire field of play. The stadium’s continuous spectator bowl surrounding the pitch will maximise match day atmosphere. 32

Maintenance & Refurbishment

The stadium’s design incorporates the club’s future growth. Initially for 5,000 spectators, increasing to 10,000 with the club’s success, expansion from phase 1 to phase 2 can be achieved without the costs of major construction works.

“And when you bear in mind that around three quarters of the lifetime carbon impact of any stadium comes from its building materials, you can see why that’s so important – and it’s why our new stadium will have the lowest embodied carbon of any stadium in the world.

Half of Eco Park will consist of stateof-the- art sporting facilities, including the new stadium, grass and all-weather training pitches, publicly accessible multi-disciplinary facilities, and a sports science hub.

Forest Green Rovers’ new stadium and Eco Park aims to be carbon neutral or carbon negative, including measures such as the provision of on-site renewable energy generation. The buildings on the site, and their embodied energy, play a substantial role in achieving this ambitious target and demonstrate sustainable architecture can be dynamic and beautiful.

“We’re thrilled with the concept and the amount of thought Zaha Hadid Architects put into their design – their experience of stadia design and their ability to put environmental issues at the heart of what they do really stood out. They took a really challenging brief, ran with it, and have given us an innovative and original new stadium. We will be going further than anyone has done before – this really will be the greenest football stadium in the world.”

The other half will comprise a green technology business park with sustainably built commercial offices and light industrial units, giving Eco Park the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs, including room for the continued expansion of green energy company Ecotricity,

Dale Vince, Ecotricity founder and Forest Green Rovers chairman, said: “The really standout thing about this stadium is that it’s going to be almost entirely made of wood – the first time that will have been done anywhere in the world. “The importance of wood is not only that it’s naturally occurring, it has very low embodied carbon – about as low as it gets for a building material.

The Zaha Hadid Architects’ designed stadium will be the centrepiece of the £100million Eco Park development – Ecotricity’s 100 acre sports and green technology business park proposal, beside junction 13 of the M5 in Gloucestershire.

who have submitted the overall proposal and who are already the biggest employer in Stroud with 700 people located across four sites. The proposal will also see the development of a nature reserve on the site, a potential public transport hub, including a Stroud Park and Ride, as well as help with the restoration of the Stroudwater canal.

Maintenance & Refurbishment

Plastic rainwater systems put rainfall in its place From new builds to refurbishments, well-designed roof drainage will remove rainwater from a roof quickly and effectively, and while it is critical to the success of any building, deciding which product to use is equally as important. It is vital that all options are carefully considered against criteria such as performance, lifecycle, environmental impact, maintenance and cost. For projects requiring a heritage style, there are numerous rainwater systems available, including cast iron, aluminium and plastic. When specified correctly, each has its own advantages. But it is plastic, cast-iron style that is helping architects, developers and housebuilders meet the requirements of aesthetics, performance and cost, without compromising architectural intent. It’s crucial that every UK building includes a high quality rainwater system that will provide it with the maximum protection from days of heavy and intense rainfall, which are becoming more frequent in our changing climate. When specified correctly, this vital building component will prevent rainwater from pooling around the base of the property, saturating the foundations and causing damage to the building fabric, as condensation and damp will severely compromise its strength, durability and longevity. A necessary part of any building’s operability, guttering and drainage are required to efficiently carry away rainwater from the roof without over-spilling under Part H of the Building Regulations. The specifier or contractor should consider local weather conditions, the potential impact on the underground drainage layout, the catchment area of the roof, gutter capacity, expansion allowance and fall calculations in any efficient rainwater system design. Regional influences It’s important to consider the geographic location of the building as some areas of the UK can experience higher volumes of rain and snow than others. Armed with the knowledge of the frequency of heavy downpours related to a geographic location, specifiers will then be able to figure out what capacity of gutter will be required. A useful guide to rainfall intensities for the specification of gutter and downpipes can be found within Building Regulations approved document H: Drainage and Waste Disposal.

Roof insulation regulations indirectly play their part in rainwater design in areas of heavy snow. Better insulation has resulted in less heat loss which in turn means that snow doesn’t melt as quickly. The accumulation of snow can build to a critical point, so rainwater systems need to accommodate the higher load with appropriate gutter spacings and incorporation of snowboards as required. Hotter temperatures also influence guttering design as they need to be installed to allow for thermal expansion. The rate of expansion will depend on what material the rainwater system is manufactured from and it is recommended to refer to the manufacturer’s guidance on this before installing. For example, a 2m length of uPVC gutter or downpipe will expand by 2.4mm for a 20°C temperature rise. This expansion must be accommodated when installing any system.

of the drained area is the next step to designing a successful and cost effective rainwater system. Information on calculating the area of a complex roof can be found in BS EN 12056-3: 2000: Roof drainage layout and calculations. After calculating the effective area of the roof, this must relate to the draining capabilities of the rainwater systems specified to ensure the right size and number of components are purchased to achieve the optimum performance. Gutter systems come in all shapes and sizes, so specifying the right size of gutter, adequate number of outlets and gutter support spacing will lead to an optimal balance between cost and performance of the system.

The importance of specifying the correct gutter and downpipe size should not be understated. The catchment area of the roof should also be considered as an inadequately planned system could lead to overflow and saturation at ground level. However costs can escalate on a build if there are too many outlets and downpipes which in turn can result in too many underground connections.

Regardless of the rainwater system selected, it is critical to check it has been tested to the relevant industry standards as this will ensure it is capable of withstanding the most rigorous performance assessments. A rainwater system’s long term performance capabilities are tested through assessments of impact and tensile strength, load bearing capacity, watertightness, deformation resistance and the impact of accelerated ageing and any reputable manufacturer will ensure rainwater systems perform as such. For example, Brett Martin’s uPVC rainwater systems undergo testing in accordance with BS EN 607:2004 and BS EN 1462:2004.

Optimum performance

Looking good

The flow and volume of water into a gutter depends on the area of the surface being drained and the angle of the roof’s pitch. Ascertaining the roof size in terms

Aesthetics should also not be an afterthought, and when specified correctly, should complement the building’s style. Whether choosing PVC, aluminium or cast

Maintenance & Refurbishment

iron, there are a wide variety of colour options and gutter styles. Specifiers should also be aware of the true cost of the rainwater system - in terms of materials, labour and maintenance over the lifetime of the building. For example cast iron is good to look at but much more expensive in actual material and installation costs and requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking good. Plastic alternatives such as Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System replicates the detail of a cast iron rainwater system and is a much more cost effective option. Simple-to-fit The significant additional weight of a cast iron drainage system can make it difficult to install. Builders must also be extra vigilant regarding health and safety and will require more time to lift and fix the system – leading to increased costs and potential delays in the installation process. Because the plastic ranges are so much lighter than cast iron, installation at height is less hazardous, being effortless to lift, easy to manoeuvre, simple to cut and quick to fit. The systems also benefit from external fixing lugs, enabling easy power tool access, which further speeds up installation. All gutter fitting joints have integral seals and flexible retaining clips, allowing the gutter lengths to simply click into place. No extra-cost fixing kits or nuts and bolts are required to make gutter joints, as with most traditional systems. Adaptability To ensure each rainwater system can be designed to meet every client’s demands, there are an expansive choice of options and gutter profiles available for domestic builds and refurbishments to suit most requirements. From the domestic style of gutter to high capacity systems for larger scale commercial projects, plastic rainwater systems are also compatible with existing cast iron systems and have been carefully designed to replicate original features, dimensions and detailing. Integral to the overall aesthetics and the performance of the building itself, rainwater systems should be considered as a key part of the design process. But as budgets are increasingly stretched and tight deadlines dictate product specification, it’s critical specifiers are aware of every product’s cost – in both materials and labour. By following these simple steps, the specifier will be able to determine the best solution for the roof and building in question. For more information please visit: www.brettmartin.com

Maintenance & Refurbishment

Improvements underway for King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls An event to mark the start of construction to upgrade teaching and communal facilities at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls in Birmingham took place on the 3rd February 2021. The £2.6m project will provide enhanced gym equipment and changing rooms, an entirely new kitchen and dining area, new teaching spaces and the refurbishment of two classrooms. The changes support the expansion of pupil numbers at the school, making this area of the school fit for purpose and improving the teaching and learning experience. Seddon plans to split the construction into three different phases to complete various elements of the development. Phase one will see the partial demolition of the existing gymnasium block and the construction of new facilities including

a state-of-the-art weight and exercise room. New glazed curtain walling will also be installed in the existing gym across both storeys.

that the improvements we make are used to help propel pupils to their full potential for many years to come as we add to this school’s rich history.”

The first phase will also include the creation of a brand-new 415 sq. ft. dining room and kitchen with new mechanical and electrical works installed.

Amy Whittall, Headmistress at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, said:

During phase three, two old technology classrooms will be completely refurbished to provide the best resources possible for the teachers and pupils. The socially distanced sod-cutting event was attended by Richard Gray, projects manager at Seddon; Chris Stanton, site manager at Seddon and the schools headmistress, Amy Whittall. For the duration of the development, Seddon is working with local subcontractors, in a boost for the local economy. Work is expected to finish by November 2021.

“Following our successful Selective Schools Expansion Fund bid, we are delighted to be working with Seddon to achieve the planned developments at the school site. The project will improve the facilities for all students on site; with the additional facilities, we are able to increase the number of children joining the school in Year 7 with a specific focus on increasing the number of children eligible for Pupil Premium funding who attend the school. This is a key goal for the school along with the King Edward VI Academy Trust in Birmingham and the new facilities are an integral part in helping us to achieve this.”

Maintenance & Refurbishment

Robertson Construction completes The Centre for Sport Exercise Sciences, Nutrition and Psychology for Newcastle University Robertson Construction North East has completed the latest addition to the Newcastle University Campus, The Centre for Sport Exercise Sciences, Nutrition and Psychology. The new facility provides education facilities available for use by the whole University to support the development of cross-disciplinary research and teaching and includes specialist spaces for Sport and Exercise Science, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, the School of Psychology and the School of Medical Education. Completion of the 9,000m2, six-storey building project was taken over by Robertson in January 2019 following the unfortunate demise of Clugston. Garry Hope, regional managing director, Robertson Construction, said: “Following the sad collapse of the previous contractor we were able to offer the University with a solution which enabled them to keep to their original programme for completion. “Through close collaboration with the University 90% of the contracts with the previous supply chain were reestablished to ensure continuity and to minimise the potential economic impact on some local businesses which could have had devastating results.” The new building features a lecture theatre for 300 students, social learning spaces, seminar rooms, teaching kitchen and sensory suite, clinical suites, and academic and postgraduate offices. Garry, continues: “The entire team came together with one common goal of delivering the best academic facility possible and we are all agreed this has been achieved.” The innovative building provides both functional and flexible spaces and has been designed to facilitate integrated research by promoting collaboration between disciplines through shared encounter spaces and the provision of social breakout areas.

Iain Garfield, director of estates & facilities, Newcastle University, commented: “The loss of our main contractor at a critical time in the project was devastating for ourselves and the local sub-contractors. Using our NE5 Framework we were able to quickly appoint Robertson Construction who have helped us to fulfil our ambitions for the building as well as honour our commitment to local suppliers.”

building. This is a fantastic facility and I am extremely grateful to the Robertson team for the great work they did in seeing it through to completion.” The building was completed under strict COVID-19 Safe operating Procedures to protect all involved in the project.

The new building was handed over in two phases completing on the 18th December 2020. Iain continues: “The Robertson team worked closely with the University to ensure the first phase of the building was made available to our students for the start of the academic year. They then worked sympathetically with the building users to complete the final stages of the

Maintenance & Refurbishment

Taggart Homes begins construction on innovative new outdoor multifunctional work pods Taggart Homes has commenced works on the first phase of 100 high spec outdoor work pods suitable for home working and a range of small businesses including beauty salons and gyms.

The first phase of garden pods by Taggart Homes will be available to purchase from this week, and existing Taggart homebuyers will be offered the opportunity to have a pod installed on their property.

to snap one up for their property. This is just the first phase and we plan on creating more in the future as we believe they will continue to be a desirable and valuable addition to any home.

The pods will come in a variety of sizes and designs and will be available to the public in the UK and Ireland, as well as buyers of Taggart Homes properties this week, at a starting price of £10,000 + vat.

Selling agent Pygott and Crone has been appointed as the UK agent to launch the garden rooms.

“At Taggart Homes, we always put ourselves in the mind of the customer and we have a duty of care to the buyer. Practicality, aesthetic and energy efficiency are all key aspects that we try to incorporate into all of our homes to guarantee value for money and quality that will last several lifetimes of wear.”

With the rising trend in home working due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many business closures causing economic uncertainty, the pods will offer customers an outdoor office option, and a dedicated outdoor space, from which many sole traders and small business owners such as personal trainers and beauty therapists can run their own businesses away from the rest of the house, with room for supplies and equipment. There is also scope to be creative with the pods for personal use – as a personal gym, bar, or a place to rest and relax, or to indulge in a hobby.

Michael Taggart, CEO of Taggart Homes, said: “As living and working habits continue to shift for many given the present circumstances, there is a growing movement to home working and as people look to optimise their living environment, and they are looking to upgrade properties. “With this trend for home working and many businesses having to close their doors – the outdoor work pod is a versatile asset and can work as a home office, or a space for small business owners – adding value and versatility to homes.

Tim Downing, director at Pygott & Crone, said: “With a change in people’s working practices and a shift to working from home - the Taggart garden rooms offer an ideal solution and the team at Pygott and Crone are receiving an incredible number of enquiries.”

“We are excited to introduce these pods to the public and will be offering our existing Taggart homeowners the chance

Maintenance & Refurbishment

‘Graphic Lines’ with new HPL Daylight Grey by Rotpunkt Leading carbon-neutral manufacturer of quality German Kitchen furniture, Rotpunkt, reinvents the neutral kitchen as it creates highly-graphic horizontal and vertical lines across its new Daylight Grey HPL colour option.

surface, which is fade-resistant and anti-fingerprint for easy cleaning. A great alternative to pure white, Daylight Grey brings a soft, neutral element when used in combination with contemporary matt black and rich wood finishes.

Featured across its best-selling Zerox HPL (high pressure laminate) furniture range, Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunktexplains “Kitchen design is constantly evolving and with today’s busy lifestyles, it has become a space that requires easy, everyday use and lack of visual clutter. Interestingly, combining a series of horizontal and vertical lines will mean you can visually expand the height and/or width of your kitchen space – ideal if working with an awkward layout or you want to emphasise the architecture of your room like the windows and doors.”

NEW Wall-panel Accessories: take to the walls with the latest additions to Rotpunkt’s market-leading wall solutions include new glassware holders, industrial hooks, slimline storage caddy and kitchen roll dispenser all in black. This unique customisable storage system allows you to mix and match accessories and move them around as you wish, freeing up valuable worktop space while keeping essentials close to hand. As pictured, the wall-panelling system has been designed to line-up with the run of highand low units and the extra tall units frame two integrated ovens in perfect symmetry.

“Structural shapes and clean lines of the 1980s are set to be huge in interiors this year so look out for geometric, block-style furniture that creates impact. That, along with linear profiles will play an important role in 2021, and this will influence the kitchen with special design elements like solid black edging, highly defined furniture and custom wall-panelling enhancing both function and overall design appeal” says Matt.

NEW Black accessories: black fixtures and fittings are now a standard feature of a Rotpunkt kitchen, playing to current trends and bringing extra gravitas to its range of new design options. New style options include light fittings, screws and shelf supports with complementary accessories in Carbon, a contemporary dark grey finish.

This dynamic kitchen concept offers a series of ergonomic innovations by Rotpunkt and they include: NEW Daylight Grey: a new light grey door colour within Rotpunkt’s market leading extreme matt, high pressure laminate finishHPL. Daylight Grey is a robust, high-performance furniture solution ideally suited to the rigours of daily-life thanks to its low-maintenance

Kitchens, Bathrooms

“Being strategic when it comes to storage options will make a kitchen living space much more flexible, creative and easy to maintain: especially if designing on a perimeter wall. We know that selfexpression is at the core of today’s kitchen and we see our range of new products as your agent of change” says Matt. For further information please email: matt.phillips@rotpunktuk.com or visit www.rotpunktuk.com & www.rotpunktkuechen.de

Kitchens, Bathrooms

When the product becomes design Kitchen & Bath

The collection K&B

The Puricelli Group presents K&B, its collection dedicated to the kitchen and bathroom world. A collection ‘ready to go’ capable of meeting the main needs for the realization of worktops, that is to say: resistance, impermeability, antibacterial effect, thermo-resistance, ease of maintenance and last but not least, beauty.

From marbles to woods up to most sought after design surfaces, the Puricelli Group has created a heterogeneous and complete collection capable of meeting any esthetic need.

Esthetics and functionality merge into a unique proposal which results from the experience in the production of melamine laminates HPL and from the study of the main trends to create a number of esthetically original proposals. The finishes and decorations which recall marbles and woods, classic materials which we can find in kitchen and bathroom worktops, have been selected by the Design Department of the Group to highlight at best the product and to meet the demands of the client.

The collection is available in 12 mm also full color or 0.7 mm applicable to chipboard panels or MDF. It is also possible to design different supports on request. The collection K&B is certified to be phenol free, as all the Puricelli products. Performances and beauty are the key to success of this collection which is also realized with the technology developed by the group, A.BAC. The technology A.BAC in the service of K&B A.BAC is the specific solution of the Puricelli Group to the risk reduction of the contamination from contact.

Its characteristics make it ideal for the realization of surfaces such as those situated in the kitchen or bathroom, very worn by daily use and seriously contaminated from the contact with food. The innovative formula of A.BAC has been designed to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the whole surface and to reduce the load already present on more than 99% (also against bacteria such as Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli). K&B panels available in on a large scale Puricelli offers panels also in extra-large size with a dimension which can vary up to 4200x1620 mm. Despite their size, the panels appear transportable and washable with a practically zero risk of breakage. This feature makes them absolutely competitive compared to the large panels realized in marble or wood, for instance, much more delicate. Manageable and simple in the application represents a real step forward. Compact wall K&B Aiming for a complete and coordinated offer, the Puricelli Group proposes the 4 mm COMPACT WALL to decorate between tops and wall units but also the walls of the kitchen and bathroom in general. An esthetic solution which, in addition to be customizable and coordinated with the rest of the furnishing, prevents leaks, offering a homogeneous surface of great scenic impact. Handy and easy to work as well as practical in the installation, Wall Panel is antibacterial and resistant to water, steam, and to the most hard-to-remove stains. The 4 mm panel is available in all the colors of the collection ready in stock with the possibility of digital personalized options on request.

Kitchens, Bathrooms

‘Solid surface overlay worktops’ finally available in the UK with Wharf Wharf Worktops, the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of seamless solid surfaces can breathe new life into your kitchen with its exclusive range of new-to-market Wharf Seamless Makeover® worktops: a seamless range of kitchen worktops and splashbacks, ingeniously designed and precision engineered to custom-fit over existing surfaces and also preserve your cabinets, doors & appliances.

Able to keep up with today’s requirements, our Seamless Makeover® is the new eco-alternative when compared to more mainstream worktop solutions, which are typically off the peg and environmentally unfriendly. We use the latest software to design your new worktops so that they are tailored to fit exactly over your existing surfaces with so your old tops don’t end up in landfill and there is minimum disruption to your kitchen and life.”

Rob Bullen, Managing Director, Wharf Worktops says, “We completely understand the kitchen is a very personal space in the home and that any interior updates are an investment, which you rightly expect to enjoy for many years to come. In a word, most of us are looking for long lasting, high quality products with environmental credentials, great style and hygienic properties with easy clean surfaces.

Providing you with a hassle-free, custom kitchen makeover, Wharf Worktops expert team can kit out your kitchen with a brand new, exclusively designed worktop with only two home visits – one to measure up, and the second visit to install your new worktop: simple! Your pre-existing cabinets and appliances are covered for protection but remain in place throughout.

You can even upgrade your upstands and window sills to ensure absolutely no trace of your old kitchen surfaces. With over 30 contemporary colourways in the Wharf Seamless Makeover® finish library, you can choose from an assortment of natural stone-effects and patterned décors, which are consistent throughout the entire fabric of your worktop for a truly high quality finish. Extremely flexible and hard wearing, this innovative seamless surface solutions is made from acrylic and so is designed to last decades with basic care and maintenance: a quick professional polish will be enough to revive it! The unique material allows joins to be polished to a seamless finish, so unlike quartz or granite there are no silicone gaps in the top of your worktop. Non-porous and totally hygienic, Wharf Seamless Makeover® is easy to repair and warm to the touch, creating a great alternative to wooden countertops that over time, will crack and rot. “From first contact with your personally assigned Wharf designer, we are confident we will save you time and money, with minimum effort on your part,” says Rob. “Once you have chosen your preferred colour, one of our skilled team will take precise measurements of your existing worktop using the latest digital technology and once your design has been approved and your order is placed, we will fabricate your worktops in 10 to 12 working days ready for delivery and final install. We think of everything, including the kitchen sink, if you are looking for a new one, and providing you include an acrylic sink within your design, we can easily install drainer grooves into your new Wharf Seamless Makeover® surfaces with no loss of colour or durability. They can also protect your cabinets from drips, keeping your kitchen looking fresher for longer.”

Kitchens, Bathrooms

Wharf Seamless Makeover® - Ingeniously designed solid surface overlay on top of existing worktops - Digital technology used throughout to enable a precision fit - Simple order and installation process - Custom design solution - Environmentally-friendly - 100% waterproof and hygienic - Hassle-free, convenient kitchen makeover - Preserve existing cabinets, doors & appliances - New co-ordinating seamless sinks and basins also available - Prices start from £135 per square metre With new demands being made on your kitchen surfaces, take the next step to a new-look for your kitchen as Wharf Worktops is open for business with a network of specialist COVID-secure fitters on standby. If you’re planning a big project, replacing cabinetry or building a new space then get in touch for further information: 01730 812 822 | sales@seamlessworktops.co.uk www.wharfsolidsurface.co.uk

Kitchens, Bathrooms

KEUCO Black adds an elegant touch in a modern bathroom When it comes to stylish modern furnishing black surfaces and finishes catch the eye, offering a luxurious appearance especially in the bathroom. If black is destined to be a key colour in your bathroom; KEUCO has an extensive range of products within their Black Concept collection. EUCO EDITION 11 bathroom furniture is available with a stylish black metallicpigmented lacquer finish. The rectangular vanity units, sideboards, high and low storage units in this collection are all designed to be handle-free with a softtouch closing system. This noble mattblack look exudes an air of elegance and extravagance, yet the velvet matt quality of the bathroom furniture ensures the room maintains a cosy atmosphere. The black finish on this collection is easy to care for as each surface has anti-fingerprint protection. It’s not only furniture that is available in stylish black the inventive IXMO shower range is also available with a PVD brushed black chrome finish. IXMO combines aesthetic design with functionality; as the single fitting elements allow a variety of functions, the number of visible fittings required is actually reduced. This allows greater freedom when planning the layout of the shower and bathtub in the bathroom. The large rectangular EDITION 11 head shower creates a minimalistic look, the light metallic shimmer of the brushed black chrome surface works equally as well on light and dark surfaces, displaying to perfection the modern yet honest design elements of EDITION 11.

Kitchens, Bathrooms

EDITION 11 fittings and accessories in brushed black chrome create an elegant contrast when combined with white ceramic washbasins; The Black Concept is available in all areas of the bathroom, the ROYAL LUMOS light mirror has a black allround anodized rim, and the two LED illuminating sources (main illumination and washbasin illumination), can be dimmed intuitively via the control panel. There is also an option to vary the colour of the light and activate the mirror heating option preventing misting. The colour theme flows through the bathroom including accessories. KEUCO shower shelves are the perfect combination, a stylish design that provides practical storage space for the shower. There are two wall mounted variants plus one that can be hung over the shower wall, these spacious shelves are made of grey-black powder coated aluminium. (The shower shelves can be mounted on the wall without drilling by using the easy-touse two component adhesive.) The iLook_move cosmetic mirror with brushed black chrome PVD coating adds the finishing touch to this darkly accentuated, colour coordinated bathroom design with matt-black surfaces, metallic optics and luxurious KEUCO bathroom furnishings resulting in a sophisticated interior. For more information please visit: www.keuco.com

Kitchens, Bathrooms

Imperial Bathrooms Astoria Deco Collection - Iconic style at its finest Specialists in the design and manufacture of classic and contemporary Britishmade bathroom solutions, Imperial Bathrooms,capture the bold glamour, stylised luxury and decadent artistry of the 1920’s with its enduringly popular Astoria Deco Collection: aniconic range of British-made ceramic ware and accessories, which are authentically designed and rich in detail. Inspired by the exuberant style of this international design movement, Astoria Deco offers a range of bathroom products that bring the essence of a bygone era coupled with an appreciation for modern design techniques and decorative flair - perfect if you’re looking to create a bathroom décor that is timelessly distinct! Graham Bucktrout, Managing Director at Imperial Bathrooms says, “Our Astoria Deco Collection is one of our most sought after and versatile ranges for the British bathroom, adding an element of period-style luxury that can translate across both classic and contemporary interiors for many years to come.” Handcrafted from the finest clay, Imperial Bathrooms collection of deco-inspired ceramic ware is characterised by bold, geometric shapes, exquisite detailing and striking colour combinations that convey a sense of opulence. The generously proportioned Astoria Deco basins are available in a range of styles and sizes, including wall-mounted and inset options, deck-mounted and with or without a pedestal or basin stand. Featuring clean lines typical of this style and time period, you have the option to create an allembracing Astoria Deco suite or just select a few accent pieces to substance and an air of grandeur in your bathroom. If you like the idea of an authentically styled wash zone in your bathroom, then opt for an Astoria Deco basin with complementary strand in a choice of three different design styles:

Kitchens, Bathrooms

Astoria Deco Large Basin Stand with an integrated glass shelf, two towel rails either side and chrome legs - For use with the Astoria Deco Large Basin 640mm Astoria Deco Small Basin Stand designed with an integrated towel rail and chrome legs - For use with the Astoria Deco Small Basin 540mm Hardwick Astoria Deco Basin Stand designed with two towel rails either side and glass legs - For use with the Astoria Deco Large Basin 640mm You can also choose between Chrome, Antique Gold and Polished Nickel legs and trim finish options for a truly custom look to yourArt Deco inspired basin stand by Imperial Bathrooms.

“Taking a contemporary approach to Art Deco interior design is a great way to modernise your bathroom scheme, so think about incorporating one of our Astoria Deco wall-hung WCs, which are more in keeping with a modern bathroom look. If you want to fully embody the traditional aspect of this design movement then I recommend choosing a high-level cistern, as the ornate brackets and fittings are something you would typically find in an English manor house or stately home” says James Stevenson, Creative Director at Imperial Bathrooms. Imperial Bathrooms also offer a complementary range of Astoria Accessories and Astoria Lighting so that you can ensure a cohesive bathroom scheme from the big ticket items right through to the finishing touches! Available in a range of finishes,

Kitchens, Bathrooms

the broad selection of accessories are all defined by Imperial’s distinct Astoria style, which centres on sharp angles, highly decorative elements and bold geometry. Solutions include a series of soap dishes and dispensers, wall tumblers, toilet roll holders and rings, towel rails and unique wall-mounted gallery shelf. To complete the look, the elegant Astoria wall lamps are designed with the bathroom in mind and are your last step to realising the Art Deco bathroom of your dreams. For further product information and design advice from Imperial Bathrooms, please contact: 0870 606 1623 www.imperialbathroom.com Imperial Bathrooms: Unit 1-7, Empire Industrial Estate, Brickyard Road, Aldridge, West Midlands WS9 8UD

Technology

Kaldewei turns bathtubs into modern sound boxes be it with classical music, audiobooks or rock Listening is pure enjoyment. From the gentle rustle of leaves tickled by a breeze to a virtuoso violin concerto by Mozart – music, voices and gentle sounds give us unique moments of well-being and help us to relax. Bringing together the joy of bathing with the delights of music and sound was an obvious choice for Kaldewei. SOUND WAVE is the ultimate combination of relaxing spa and unique sound experience – above and below the water. Spa meets sound SOUND WAVE isn’t only a winner with spa lovers. Professionals like sound engineer Bryan Gallant from The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Canada, are big fans of this Kaldewei innovation. “We put in a Kaldewei sound bath tub for certain clients who decide they like a soak (a bath) after work, the great thing is, they can listen to the music they made while dropping the soap!” says the studio manager. A sustainable steel enamel Kaldewei bathtub fitted with SOUND WAVE recently took up residence at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. Opened by Bryan Adams in 1997, The Warehouse Studio consists of four studios of varying sizes and fit-out, housed in an historic building in the west coast metropolis. Rock greats have been regular visitors here for years: REM, Nickelback, Billy Joel, Muse, Metallica and AC/DC have all recorded tracks or entire albums at The Warehouse Studio. Bryan Adams himself has also made most of his recordings here. After finishing work, the musicians can now enjoy the special mix of sound and relaxation and literally immerse themselves in their new songs – like in a symphony in enamel.

How it works Suitable for any bathroom, SOUND WAVE is the acoustic innovation that turns a steel enamel bathtub into a resonant sound box. Compatible with all Kaldewei bathtub models, this bathroom audio system is installed at the same time as the bathtub. Six acoustic panels and two transducers are attached to the outside of the bathtub; these remain entirely invisible behind the panelling. SOUND WAVE can play every kind of audio file via Bluetooth® from a smartphone, laptop, tablet or PC. The chosen digital device then works as a remote control which is automatically recognised after the first sign-in. Up to eight devices and individuals – a biggish family, for example, or an entire band – can be paired with SOUND WAVE at the same time. “Unfortunately a whole band can’t fit into the bathtub, but we’re talking with Kaldewei about designing one!” says studio manager Bryan Gallant with a twinkle in his eye. Bryan Adams has had a close connection with Kaldewei for some time: in 2020 the Canadian rock musician and photographer was asked by Kaldewei to present the subject of hand hygiene in pictures. With “Naturally Connected” he created an emotional visual rendering of connectedness in turbulent times. More info about Sound Wave here: www.kaldewei.de

Technology

The future of smart homes Smart homes promise increased comfort, convenience and well-being, and these promises are already being delivered – at least in some sectors of the market. Predictions for the future vary. The trajectory is upwards, of course: though there is uncertainty about how quickly it will grow, and where it will lead. What does seem certain is that the intelligent home will be an area of dramatic evolution over the next decades, driven by social, economic and environmental factors. As well as styles and fashion, smart homes will address many of the challenges of demographic change, sustainability and housing needs. Simon Johnson, Sales Manager UK, EnOcean Evidence for growth is the number of home devices connected through the Internet of Things. In Europe, this reached 22.5 million at the end of 2017, according to a research report from market analyst Berg Insight. Growth is forecast to reach 84 million homes in Europe at the end of 2022, representing a market penetration of 35 percent. (source) According to a 2019 survey by OnePoll, on behalf of Smart Home Week, (source) there are now 15 million ‘smart homes’ in Britain. Fifty-seven percent of homes now have some sort of smart device to control appliances such as the lights, security, kettle or vacuum cleaner, and more than four in 10 adults use smart technology to work the television, while a further one in three often control their music with a gadget. Forty-five percent of those polled intend to make their home even smarter, with half of adults believing this will save them time and money in the long run. The smart home market will grow via two channels: DIY (mainly via Smart LED Lighting) and modular homes. Shortage of housing, the product of demographic change and low national build rates for the past 40+ years (source) is leading towards the growing trend of modular factory-built houses which by their very nature lend themselves to cleverer building techniques and the installation of smarter technology. Smart homes today Right now, the greatest potential growth in home automation could be described as the “slightly cleverer home”. Typically,

a smart home consists of LED lighting that is controlled via an app on a tablet or smartphone. This poses two issues. First, is it really any more convenient than a familiar simple intuitive wall-mounted switch? Secondly, there are growing security concerns wherever a smart home is connected to the Internet. A better solution could be to use battery-free selfpowered switches that connect to lighting and other controls via radio signals. Without the need for mains wiring, these “lick and stick” switches and sensors speed up the installation time and minimise disruption. Home entertainment is another candidate for battery-free switches. As well as controlling light levels and colour, pushbuttons can now link to “smart speakers” allowing volume control or playlist selection. The integration of HVAC and window shading is also possible with battery- free controls and selfpowered sensors and the use of standard frames like System 55 also provide the opportunity to offer a huge range of colours and finishes for switches and accessories: styles to match every home. Battery-free wireless switches for lighting control, HVAC, shading and home entertainment can be powered by the kinetic energy harvested from the switch operation itself, sensors can use also solar energy or heat differential. This means that they can be placed virtually anywhere quickly, simply and maintenance-free. Organisations like the EnOcean Alliance bring standards and qualifications that ensure range wide interoperability of devices from multiple manufacturers. This multi manufacturer Alliance also offers comfort to the developer/homeowner that installed devices will be supported into the future.

Technology

The next ten years Single applications and easy operation will also be the smart home door opener in the near future, particularly in the DIY market. Interoperability of different products will broaden, enabled by a systems or platform approach. Central functions from wall switches such as “ALL OFF” will become a standard feature – simple, intuitive, convenient. Switches will further develop to be the core controller in the home covering control for lighting, heating, shutters, security and many more smart solutions – all with a recognizable finger tap. Already there is the possibility to, for example, dim all the lights and turn the heating down with a single switch. Similarly, a house with a “panic button ALL ON” would allow all the lights to be turned on if the homeowner heard a sound in the garden with a single switch next to the bed. The next ten years will see home automation develop into systems that do not require a highly technical systems integrator. Slightly cleverer homes will become the standard and a qualified electrician will carry out the installation – accelerating the path to smart home take-up. For new built homes, prefabricated modular homes, which can flexibly be adapted to individual and changing demands (e.g. ambient assisted living – AAL), will replace the classical approach of brick-built houses. Highly flexible technologies will give wireless smart home solutions the necessary future-proof approach. Smart buildings will only be truly sustainable and future-proofed with resource-saving technologies such as energy harvesting switches and sensors. Energy savings and higher comfort should not cause a

collateral problem: the change and disposal of billions of batteries. People will strongly demand sustainable technologies. Further in the future Moving towards truly smart homes, lightpowered occupancy sensors will link wirelessly to intruder alarms. In addition, they can switch the heating off when nobody is around. Similar capabilities are available by equipping windows with contact sensors powered by light. Safety and security can also be extended, for example using light-powered CO2 sensors or flood detection with kinetic sensors. Soon such smart technology will be simplified yet further by the introduction of new self-contained multi-sensors. A solar powered device will be able to collect a range of data – light levels, humidity, temperature and also detect vibration.

Image credit: Vimar

Our way of living will change significantly as it already starts today with new working environments. Demand-based services, agile buildings that flexibly adapt to changing needs, resource saving living to protect resources for next generations. Smart applications will be part of our daily lives and routines. Artificial intelligence based on resource-saving technologies will significantly help to meet the challenges of climate change, demographic change, rising prices and limited space. Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor Solutions and Networks from EnOcean | EnOcean

Technology

Make your home office work smarter Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers for intelligent building design and management, shares its expertise and valuable insight on how to transform your home office into a more perceptive and efficient working environment. “Creating the ‘perfect home office’ has been given new meaning of late and we are pleased to be able to serve this growing need with a range of stylish switches, easily adjustable lighting and smart, connected workstations that enhance how we use the home during business hours. Providing you with a host of automated solutions to assist, convene and improve your workday, Gira outlines seven key products it believes will help to enhance your home office space visually and functionally” says Mark Booth, Managing Director at Gira UK. 1. Flexible & chic: Gira USB power supply for your smartphone - Charge your smartphone quickly by plugging the USB lead directly into the socket. Not only is the classic USB A port compatible with most older devices, this power supply also easily accommodates the latest devices with its futureproof USB C slot. Thanks to a speedy charging function with a 3000 mAh, your smartphone, tablet and other devices can be up and running within minutes and with two ports, you can charge two devices at the same time. 2. A multifunctional wonder for your home office: Gira Profile 55 - Need extra power sockets in your home office? Maybe you like background music while you work? The Gira Profile 55 is the answer. This aluminium multifunctional socket outlet can be easily retrofitted onto the wall or your desk and you can choose from over 300 System 55 functions to install in the 1-8 gang housing unit. So make it your own with Gira switches, the Gira Door Intercom with video function, cable connections like USB and the  Gira Radio, in addition to your socket outlets.

3. Illumination, right at your desk: Gira Plug & Light - The right lighting can do wonders for your productivity. Do you prefer a focused reading light, or subtle, indirect lighting? The Gira Plug & Light with dimmable LEDs offers the ideal solution for your work station with easy, flexible adjustment to suit you. Simply put the Plug & Light spotlight or the Plug & Light floodlight into a socket, switch on and you‘re good to go! What’s more, they can be swapped around whenever you like. Simply remove them or plug them in as you wish. 4: Designer decor for a modern feel: Gira E2 design line - Work becomes so much easier in a beautiful environment, doesn’t it? With the elegant Gira E2 design line, you can instantly elevate the design of your home office. With a clear and minimalist look, you’ll benefit from modern switches and controls that fit in seamlessly. Choose from contemporary colours such as anthracite or stainless steel. The Gira E2 not only looks good, of course, but it is also pleasant to the touch for the height of comfort. 5: Smart door communication at your desk: Gira DCS mobile app - Chat to visitors at the front door without leaving your seat with the Gira DCS mobile app, which updates you whenever someone rings the bell. This handy app for smartphones and tablets is a great extension to your existing door intercom systems, allowing clear communication with visitors. You can easily take photos and keep track of your visitors, and even greet couriers and delivery drivers and open door, all from your desk! 6. Enjoy an outdoor home office: Gira outdoor socket outlets - Working outside in good weather is a treat.

Technology

And with the water-protected, surfacemounted outdoor socket range from Gira, you can keep your power levels at maximum charge come rain or shine so there’s no danger of your battery running low. This secure power supply will give you maximum flexibility in your back garden so you can just concentrate on the tasks at hand. 7: The smart home duo for more complex functions: Gira X1 and Gira G1 If you want all benefits of a professional home office and a cosy living space under one roof this is where a smart home comes into play. With the Gira X1 server, you can control the individual elements of your home office like lighting and blinds to keep your entire home under digital-control. Furthermore, the integrated IFTTT (If This Then That) interface means you also have the option to integrate any device with a corresponding IFTTT compatibility into your smart home. This lets you customise and combine functions as you need to suit your unique lifestyle; now or long into the future. “So if you need the lights on, the heating up and the coffee brewing in the kitchen before you start the workday – it can be done! You can easily set these if-then functions with the right system and solutions in place. Your vacuum cleaner robot can get to work, the lights can go out when you leave the house, in fact, the Gira G1 control unit will set automatic functions and give you the freedom to customise each setting of your smart home at the push of a button“ says Mark.

Technology

Designer Wi-Fi-controlled electric radiator range Electric radiators are the perfect partner for new ‘green’ builds and renovations; especially when combined with the installation of ground source heat pumps or solar panels. VASCO is expanding its range of electric heating solutions, to include an updated Wi-Fi-controlled electric radiator, the Niva together with a hybrid version of the designer radiator the Niva Mix.

mobile phone you will need the E-Volve Wi-Fi control version, this and the control unit can be ordered separately. The compact Wi-Fi module uses Bluetooth to communicate with a small temperature sensor located in the same room as the radiator. A third version, which allows you to control the radiator with your home automation system, is also available.

Electric designer radiator Niva gets an upgrade: available in 6 sizes with invisible controls

The Niva is a dry thermal panel electric radiator and does not contain any water; it heats up very quickly as it uses VASCO’s new infrared technology to generate a comfortable, radiant heat.

The newly upgraded Niva range of electric radiators are easily controlled you can choose from a radio frequency version, which is not connected to your home internet and comes with a compliant thermostat as standard. If you wish to control your electric radiator via the VASCO Climate Control app on your

The upgraded electric Niva allows you to control and limit the radiator’s surface temperature, which is an extremely practical feature in rooms where safety is paramount, such as nurseries, it is far lighter than a water filled radiator making

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it much easier to install based on a plugand-play principle. The VASCO Niva Mix is an exciting new hybrid radiator. It is an ideal solution as it offers two options: it can be connected to a hydronic central heating system or run on electricity. This makes the Niva Mix hybrid radiator perfect for areas that need to heat up quickly when the central heating system is switched off, such as bathrooms. The minimalist, sleek and stylish electric Niva and Niva Mix radiators are available in an extensive range of colours that will work with any interior. Wide range of accessories All VASCO accessories that are suitable for the hydronic Niva radiators are also available for the upgraded electric Niva and the Niva Mix.

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3D Concrete Printing: Korodur and CyBe’s innovative construction methods create impressive projects all over the world Multiple applications: from residential construction to the artificial reef - again and again, new application possibilities for specialized building material from Bavaria In Germany, 3D printing applied to houses still only plays a marginal role – worldwide, however, more and more projects are being carried out using this innovative method. Korodur, the specialized building materials manufacturer based at Amberg and the CyBe Construction technology specialists from Oss in the Netherlands are reaping the benefits of it now, not only in residential construction, but by constantly developing new applications for 3D concrete printing – from outdoor furniture to environmental protection projects based on artificial ocean reefs. Since 2012, this medium-sized Bavarian company and the Dutch civil engineering experts have been running their jointventure, and have already completed a variety of quite sensational residential buildings. “We implemented our first joint project, a residential construction in Dubai, in the desert under the most difficult conditions. Since then, even more exciting properties have been added to this, for example in India, Japan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. After putting in years of lab work on the task of perfecting our 3D printing method, this combination of robotics and intelligent mortar has been refined even further. In the process, we have not only gained new insights into the most efficient methods of construction, but have also explored completely new possibilities for applications”, says Frank Sander, Technical Manager at Korodur International GmbH. Efficient, fast and inexpensive The CyBe MORTAR, a mortar designed specially for 3D printing, is applied layer by layer in this process by means of robots,

in a short time forming a wall or column with a high load-bearing capacity. CyBe’s 3D printers reach a speed of up to 500 mm/s. Thanks to the CyBe MORTAR building material developed by Korodur, units can be manufactured in one complete piece. Via the integration of an additive, the concrete can solidify very quickly, thus reducing the printing time significantly. The particular advantages of this method are, on the one hand, a considerably shortened construction time and the cost savings involved. On the other hand, it offers architects and planners completely new design options that go beyond those of conventional construction. The buildings created in this way can be replicated any number of times with identical floor plans or simply adjusted as appropriate to cater for varying circumstances and requirements. The 3D printing robots can be used, as required, on the actual construction site or for the prefabrication of components in an arbitrarily located workshop. In addition, there are mixed forms in which a robot close to the actual construction site produces various tailor-made components. Sustainable, versatile and variable “The possibilities for application are practically endless! Accurately-fitting service shafts are produced and installed on site in the shortest possible time lags using this innovative technology, for example, allowing damaged conduit access assemblies and connections to be replaced quickly. In addition, we have already created seating areas as well as combinations of tables and benches for outdoor use.

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Their exceptional design plus high degree of durability and stability all carry conviction. In any case, sustainability has always been a labour of love for us. A quite spectacular application in this context is the use of the product for the construction of artificial reefs. Thus, at critical locations we would like to help to revive the marine environment and assist the animals, plants and, in particular, corals in developing new habitats”, Frank Sander explains. There are other ways, too, in which the Korodur/CyBe process contributes to climate and environmental protection – namely, in terms of its CO2 footprint: the quantity of carbon dioxide obtained during the production of the solely mineral CyBe MORTAR “made in Germany” is at least 20 per cent lower than that produced by conventional Portland cement. Nikola Heckmann, Korodur’s CEO, says emphatically: “This is an essential part of our corporate philosophy. We consider the careful use of resources and the reduction of emissions to be fundamental to our future viability. For the same reason we are committed to the development of new technologies and processes. This also includes our 3D concrete printing process, with which we have positioned ourselves not only in Europe but throughout the world as an innovative and reliable partner to the construction industry”. Up-to-date information on CyBe MORTAR procedures and applications is presented for architects, planners, developers and other companies from the real estate sector on the site www.3d-concrete-printing.com. Further information: www.3d-concreteprinting.com; www.korodur.de; https://cybe.eu

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