UK Construction Journal V17N08

V17 N08

Albion House Hotel This month will see the opening of a new hotel in Ramsgate Read more on page 41

Callsafe Services Ltd

Occupational health and safety consultancy offering a full range of services in the field of accident prevention Find out more on pages 3, 12 & 13

Call: 01889 577701

CALLSAFE SERVICES LIMITED Q.

Are you sure that you understand the duties and requirements of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and other health and safety requirements?

Q.

Do your policies and procedures reflect the current legislation and practices?

Q.

Are your employees competent to perform their duties?

Q.

Do you select competent organisations to work with you?

Q.

Do you manage your organisation and projects without copious amounts of paper?

If the answer to any of the above questions is no, you need to consider training and advice to achieve legal compliance and develop best practices.

Contact the experts David Carr PgD, FIIRSM, DipSM, RFaPS, Managing Director Callsafe Services Limited. Yardley House, 11 Horsefair, Rugeley, Staffordshire. WS15 2EJ Email: enquiries@callsafe-services.co.uk Web: www.callsafe-services.co.uk

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Still waiting for the final version!!!

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have completed their review of the on returns from the consultation process regarding the proposed changes to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM). The HSE are still planning to bring the new CDM into force on 6th April 2015.

The HSE have promised that the final version of the regulations will be published in September 2014.

It is proposed that industry guidance is published, and that the HSE will publish a general guidance document; hopefully before the new regulations come into force.

The HSE have also been persuaded that an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) is still required. A shorter, sign-posting ACOP, is proposed, The HSE have stated that they will commence the development of the ACoP in 2015; so it is unlikely to be available before the regulations become law.

The HSE report on the consultation, available in full at: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/hseboard/2 014/130814/paugb1462.pdf, has taken some of the concerns returned from the industry into account, but have totally ignored others, particularly the concerns regarding the removal of the CDM coordinator from the regulations.

CDMCs currently have two fundamental elements to their duties: • To advise and assist the client; and • To ensure that the design and the Designers are compliant It is proposed that the new duty holder, the principal designer (PD) will perform the second of these duties, but has no duty to advise and assist the client in the performance of the client’s duties, except for the identification of Pre-Construction Information, that the Client still will be required to provide.

Management of the Project

The client is proposed to have an enhanced duty regarding effective health and safety management of the

project. The current regulations already require the client to ‘ensure that arrangements were made’, whereas the proposals require the client to ‘make arrangements’.

Competence, Cooperation and Coordination

Any person who engages any other party on the project must still ensure that they are competent and adequately resourced to perform the duty of that duty holder.

All duty holders will still be required to cooperate with the other duty holders and to properly coordinate the client’s activities with them.

Provision of Information

The requirement on the client for the provision of the ‘pre-construction information’ is to remain in the new regulations, with the PD providing the assistance to the client for the identification of, collation of, and dissemination of, this information.

Client Appointments

The proposed regulations require the appointment of a principal designer and a principal contractor, if the project is to be constructed using more than one contractor organisation, which would be the case for the majority of projects.

Notification

The proposals change the notification threshold to projects with the construction phase: • Lasting more than 30 working days and having more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the projects; or • Exceeding 500 person days.

Construction Phase Plan

It is proposed the construction phase plan is required on all projects.

Health and Safety File

It is proposed a health and safety file will be required for any project that is performed by more than one contractor.

David Carr, PgD, FIIRSM, DipSM, RFaPS, RSP Managing Director Callsafe Services Limited, Yardley House, 11 Horsefair, Rugeley, Staffordshire. WS15 2EJ Tel: 01889 577701 Email: enquiries@callsafe-services.co.uk Web: www.callsafe-services.co.uk

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NEWS - 8

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COMMENTS 16 17 47 48

Shepherd Engineering Services – Martin Howe KR Moeller Associates – Niklas Moeller Sheridan Gold – Peter Sheridan NHBC

PROFILE 22 26 30 32 39 43 46

Concertus Design and Property Consultants CFOA Nordic Construction Cambridgeshire County Council Fawley Construction Gentoo Group Alumno Developments

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LEISURE 20 Imperial War Museums 38 Travelodge 40 Bolnore Village Recreation and Leisure Centre 41 Albion House Hotel

EDUCATION 25 Wakefield College 45 John Wesley Primary School

HOUSING

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ESTIMATING & VALUATION SOFTWARE

“Always improving” Clancy Docwra is one of the UK’s leading contractors, they have been using ConQuest for over 20 years to price a variety of work from Sewers, Dirty/Clean Water, Tunnelling, Power, Roads, Highways and more. They are dealing with Framework tenders worth billions of pounds and pricing the majority from first principles, to make sure they know the bottom figure.

google maps! This is really handy for long pipelines; you can have the route in front of you on google as you’re pricing. You can also have drawings open within ConQuest and do your take off straight into ConQuest. With ConQuest Q, you have laid foundations to be able to develop the system even further.”

Louis thinks that being able to get documents from excel into your estimating system and then back again for colleagues that don’t have access is a must.

Louis J Walshe from the Middlesex office has used ConQuest for over 15 years. He started with Clancy Docwra on site as a QS before moving into the estimating department nearly 16 years ago.

“We have always found ConQuest to be a great estimating tool but it is always improving. ”We use ConQuest from the ground up, we need to have all the build ups there.

ConQuest makes it easy; we have been building the library for our needs and we have always found it easy to do. You get an array of options and it is easy to put materials into classes and you can have as many classes as you like.”

ConQuest Q Series was a big change. We already had the market leading product with Version 7 but knew that eventually the technology in V7 would limit future development.

We launched ConQuest Q Series 5 years ago and Louis talked to us about it.

“I like the amount of information you can have open. You can have the bill, notes pages, photos, the dim pad and even

“The thing I really like are the exports to excel, that on its own is a big plus. The surveyors are really coming on board with ConQuest now as they can get any information they want. They can also have the build ups into excel and then play around with it, utilise it and put it into a format they like.”

One of the biggest advantages of having ConQuest over a manual or Excel based pricing systems is the database behind which can save a lot of time when things need to be changed at the last minute. This was put to the test during a tender that Clancy Docwra worked on and won as a consortium with a number of other companies.

“We were pricing a framework for a large water company as a consortium but our partner companies didn’t have a set estimating package. When things were changed last minute, they had to spend days and weeks changing base rates. With ConQuest, it was an action that was completed in seconds. ConQuest is ideal for negotiations or last minute work, you change one price for a resource and it updates the whole job instantly no matter where it is used.”

Obviously over the years Clancy Docwra has carried out exercises to make sure they have the best system. Louis remembers a time when they were looking at one big integrated system with an estimating module.

They went to the market and had a serious look at the competition.

“We had the other suppliers in and had a look at all the other systems and ConQuest was the best. It saves the company time and money, we can submit bids quickly and it allows post tender changes to be made quickly in little or no time. It helps us and helps our clients. ”ConQuest; it’s simple, it’s fool proof” Clancy Docwra Ltd, Harefield, Middlesex

01204 669689 sales@conquest.ltd.uk

THE ESTIMATING SOFTWARE PEOPLE

UKC NEWS

Crossrail gains planning consent for new homes above Woolwich station Crossrail has received a green light from the Royal Borough of Greenwich to build nearly 400 new homes above the new Woolwich Crossrail station.

The major new residential development, to be known as Armourer’s Court, will consist of approximately 490,000sq ft in five high quality buildings of varying heights set around a landscaped garden.

Carefully located retail and business space will be at ground level.

The Armourer’s Court design by Architect TP Bennett was reviewed by Design Council CABE and created in consultation with the local community, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greater London Authority and English Heritage. It draws upon the heritage of the nearby Royal Arsenal buildings, with brick, metal and glass facades.

Crossrail will market the Armourer’s Court site to potential development

partners in the coming year and aims to commence construction once the station has been completed in 2018. It is part of Crossrail’s strategy to develop three million sq ft of new commercial and residential space above stations, returning funds to the Crossrail budget and regenerating urban areas all along the line.

At the same meeting, Greenwich Council also granted consent for the external appearance of the Woolwich Crossrail station. This will include a ticket hall and entrance facing west onto Dial Arch Square. The high quality, distinctive station design by Weston Williamson visually enhances the Royal Arsenal conservation area, which includes nearby listed 17th, 18th and 19th Century buildings.

Ian Lindsay, Crossrail’s Land and Property Director said: “The successful development of this site will be another major step forward

in the regeneration of Woolwich. This is part of our ongoing efforts to breathe new life into areas above and around our new stations. Crossrail is helping to boost the supply of new homes across the capital.”

The Woolwich area has enjoyed a renaissance thanks to the opening of Woolwich Arsenal DLR terminus in 2009, improvement of public areas and the impending arrival of Crossrail. Since 2008 there have been 13 planning applications within a kilometre of Woolwich Crossrail station, equating to 4,286 new homes, over 70,000 sq ft of new office space and 114,000 sq ft of new retail space.

Southeast London will benefit from some of the largest cuts in journey times when Crossrail opens in 2018. Woolwich to Bond Street will take just 21 minutes, a 15 minute saving and Woolwich to Heathrow will take 47 minutes, a 40 minute saving.

Saint-Gobain launches Passivhaus courses Saint-Gobain UK and Ireland has announced the launch of its Passivhaus Tradesperson Course, enabling tradespeople to gain international accreditation for one of the world’s most efficient energy standards.

The course will enable the UK to meet the growing demand for Passivhaus Standard buildings and towards meeting the 2020 energy efficiency target.

According to Build Up Skills UK, 250,000 UK blue-collar workers require training in energy efficiency, so the course tackles this growing skills need.

Delivered by experienced personnel from the Passivhaus Academy in partnership with Saint-Gobain, the first course will run in November at the new Passive House Workshop in Saint-Gobain’s Technical Academy in Erith, Kent. The course will not only educate tradespeople on the principles of Passivhaus building, but it focuses on providing high quality practical experience that other course providers may not have the facilities or resources to be able to offer.

With a combination of classroom lectures and presentations and a significant

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amount of time spent on practical hands-on training over a duration of five days, attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of Passivhaus principles and learn specific techniques such as detailing correct airtightness testing and treatment, interpreting data from Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) and outlining the building methods to employ to avoid thermal bridging.

Stacey Temprell, Residential Sector Director for Saint-Gobain UK and Ireland, said: “The course has been developed to offer trades people vital skills and knowledge of Passivhaus to help the UK meet the growing demand for Passivhaus buildings. What makes the Passivhaus course so unique is the focus on practical, hands-on elements enabling sub-contractors, consultants and architects to gain the necessary skills and professional development to achieve the Passivhaus standard on site.”

On completion of the course, participants will sit an exam to receive international accreditation from the Passivhaus Institute as a certified Passive House Tradesperson, and will

have gained a breadth of knowledge to put into practice that complies with trading standards and regulations to build for a sustainable future.

For more information and to book your place, visit www.saint-gobain. co.uk/products-and-solutions/ passivhaus-tradesperson-course.aspx

NEWS UKC

Pioneering research is showing the way Britain’s housing industry should learn from University of Brighton research and use recycled ‘rubbish’ in construction projects, according to Brighton Green MP Caroline Lucas.

On a visit to the university’s Waste House – the country’s first building made almost entirely of thrown away materials – Ms Lucas said: “The housing industry is decades behind where best practice is and I think the real challenge of this Waste House is for it not to be seen as a one off example but actually to be paving the way in what has to be mainstream.

“This is the way we are going to have to build in the future if we are serious about living within the resources of one planet earth.”

More than 20,000 old toothbrushes, two tonnes of denim jeans, 4,000 video cassettes, 2,000 used carpet tiles, thrown away timber, paper, plastic bags and chalk, were used in the house construction at the university’s Grand Parade campus in Brighton.

Ms Lucas said: “The housing industry has a huge amount to catch up on. For every five houses currently being built enough waste is created to build one extra house – most people understand that this makes absolutely no sense at all.

“The housing industry has got to get its act together.”

Ms Lucas was shown round the award winning House by Duncan Baker-Brown, University Lecturer and the House Architect.

He worked with the Mears Group which, with undergraduate students, students from City College Brighton & Hove, the reuse organisation FREEGLE UK, private companies and volunteers, built the house in the grounds of the university’s Grand Parade campus. Brighton Mr Baker-Brown said: “The House is a live research project and permanent design workshop to be used by our students and as a centre for visiting school children to learn about sustainability.”

Mr Baker Brown said research projects include testing the insulation properties of waste material. Brighton & Hove City Council is looking into how it can incorporate ideas from the house in its future building projects.

Interim report shows zero carbon Solar House success The UK’s first fully solar powered new build home is performing above expectations, according to an interim report into the effectiveness of its energy system.

Reviewing energy flows within Caplin Homes’ Solar House in Leicestershire, the paper suggests that the building will successfully remain self-sufficient all year round. Performance characteristics of the zero carbon Solar House explores the house’s heating and cooling requirements, and reviews the discharging and recharging of the building’s unique inter-seasonal energy store, the Earth Energy Bank (EEB).

Even with the relatively mild winter taken into account, energy flows into and out of the EEB – which is drawn upon to heat the house and provide hot water during the coldest weeks of the year – are at a level to effectively recharge in spring and summer. The interim paper shows that the house was able to maintain a stable temperature throughout the winter season.

The Solar House, built by Caplin Homes, uses a unique combination of new and existing technologies

to meet its full annual heating, hot water and lighting requirements. The project aims to demonstrate that zero carbon house building is both practical and financially viable.

Compiled by Robin Talbot as part of an MSc by Research degree at De Montfort University’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, the interim and final reports will be used to evaluate the system, which was used for the first time in the Solar House. Caplin Homes will then use the results to refine the design of its energy system, with a view to developing out of the box solutions for a range of house types.

Michael Goddard, Director of Caplin Homes, commented: “We’re extremely pleased with the results achieved so far. The report has shown the system to be effective and suggests that we may even have overspecified certain aspects of the building’s technology.

We’re already using this data to further improve our system models, so that future projects are even more cost effective.”

Bucks New University unveils new build accommodation at Hughenden Student Village Buckinghamshire New University has taken possession of new student accommodation in the Hughenden Park Student Village, Hughenden Avenue, High Wycombe. At an official ceremony when building contractor, Galliford Try officially handed over the brand new student halls to Vice Chancellor Professor Ruth Farwell, and the President of Bucks Students’ Union, Matt Gilbert.

The 180 brand new ensuite rooms add to the 234 student homes opened in Phase One of the Hughenden development.

The buildings, which were developed in partnership with sector accommodation specialists H2E Ltd, have a range of sustainable features including sedum roofs which are designed to help with sustainable drainage, provide natural soundproofing, offer a safe habitat for insects and birds and help decrease CO2 levels. The new student accommodation has bike storage and dedicated recycling areas.

Professor Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of Bucks New University, commented: “It gives me great pleasure to see the completion of another 180 new

student homes in the Hughenden Student Village. The student experience is a priority for the University and this excellent new accommodation is part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best possible experience for our students while at university.”

Operations Director from Galliford Try, Paul Ison, said: “We are delighted to hand over this building which offers modern environmentally efficient accommodation.

We are confident it will enhance the quality of life for many students during their time at Bucks New University.”

Matt Gilbert, President of Bucks Students’ Union added: “The rooms and facilities inside the new housing blocks are really contemporary and attractive as well as practical for both living and study. I know that students are going to appreciate their new surroundings and love living here for many years to come.”

This latest development takes the total number of student residences owned

by Bucks New University to 924.

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UKC NEWS

Redevelopment of Cathedral Plaza, Worcester gets go-ahead Designs by Leslie Jones Architecture for the remodelling of Salmon Harvester’s Worcester shopping centre have received unanimous approval from the Worcester City Council’s committee.

The redevelopment of the 220,000 sq ft Cathedral Plaza shopping centre will create seven new restaurants, remodelled shops, a gym and foodstore. Works will also create a new public square in front of Cathedral Plaza in conjunction with the city and county councils.

Leslie Jones drew inspiration from the

adjacent Cathedral and High Street to design a new light and bright leisure and shopping destination for Worcester to supplement the extended shopping offer.

Brian Tracey, Director at Leslie Jones commented: “Our approach ensures that Cathedral Plaza will remain relevant to its historical context, while bringing a modern shopping and dining destination to the city.”

Local materials have been utilised where possible, including a stone clad ground floor and brickwork at upper levels, to provide gravitas to the new public square.

The surrounding vernacular has also been complemented through the use of timber detailing and pitched roofs.

Nick Webb from the Salmon Harvester Opportunity Fund said: “We have been working in partnership with both city and county councils and have been very pleased with the positive approach both have taken to the project as this is exactly the type of investment the city centre needs.”

Construction is expected to start early next year with the new restaurants and shops open for spring 2016.

Next generation of London rail engineers start their training on unique Thameslink apprentice scheme An unemployed teenager from Dartford is among 12 young people recruited from the greater London area to work on the government’s £6.5Bn Thameslink Programme.

William Allen, 17, from Dartford, joined fellow new apprentices at London Bridge and took part in an engineering challenge a month before starting their training. The apprenticeship programme is the only scheme in the UK to teach traditional railway maintenance skills and offer practical experience on a high profile, cutting-edge engineering project, greatly enhancing their longterm career prospects.

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The apprentices will spend a year at the joint Network Rail / Royal Navy training facility at HMS Sultan in Gosport before completing the final two years of their training working on the Britain’s biggest station redevelopment. Recruited by Network Rail, Balfour Beatty Rail and Siemens Rail Automation they will specialise in disciplines ranging from signalling, telecoms and track maintenance to electrification & plant.

Welcoming the new recruits, Clare Moriarty, Director General of the Department for Transport’s Rail Executive, said: “The Thameslink Programme isn’t just a railway upgrade. This is a significant programme of

works integrating large scale infrastructure with new trains, new signalling and rebuilding London Bridge station – and doing all this while the railway remains open.

“To make all this happen, we need people like you. Without today’s apprentices, tomorrow’s projects can’t be built.”

The Network Rail / Royal Navy training scheme complements the existing Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship programme and the London Bridge Skills Academy. There are also a series of work placements planned for the remaining four-year life of the programme.

Construction of the new £42M library at the University of Birmingham is well underway.

Carillion began work on the library redevelopment in March after being appointed as the Main Contractor earlier this year.

Due for completion in March 2016, the library development will provide outstanding facilities for a new generation of students and researchers, as well as a cultural space for the University which will also be open to the people of Birmingham. It will provide 13,000sqm of floor space over six levels.

The new library will overlook the ‘green heart’ of the university which will be developed once the new facility is open and will be an inspirational place of learning, embracing new and emerging technologies. Study and research desks will be located near to the windows to allow users to benefit from natural light and the views across campus.

It will offer a variety of learning spaces and include a state-of-the-art audio listening room and four video editing suite booths to enhance the existing facilities already available on campus.

The new library will offer a 50% reduction in energy usage compared to the existing library, helping the university to achieve its 20% CO2 reduction by 2020. It will have a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

Paul Reynolds, Carillion Regional Director said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Birmingham to provide this wonderful new library facility which we hope will enhance the learning experience for students for many years to come.”

Diane Job, Director of Library Services at the University of Birmingham, said: “The library we are building now on campus will be transformational. The opening of the building will be the culmination of a lot of hard work behind the scenes to organise our incredible resources in ways which will allow our students and staff to take advantage of new ways of working and access the considerable amount of materials we hold in the most straightforward way.

“The new library will be the most fantastic space for students and researchers to be able to interact with these resources – and we are so excited to see it taking shape before our eyes.”

NEWS UKC

Carillion marks milestone at new £42M University of Birmingham library Secretary of State welcomes £6M funding secured for Aerohub Business Park development Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, welcomed the announcement that Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport, the UK’s aviation focused Enterprise Zone (EZ), has £6M of new funding for the first phase of its business park. The development has the potential to create 750 jobs.

The funding includes a £2,312,000 investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and a grant from the European Regional Development Fund Convergence programme of £3,934,856, with Cornwall Council providing the land. The construction programme will start in October and see completion of Phase One in June 2015.

The 53.5 acre business park site will form part of the Aerohub EZ and is included in the Local Development Order. It will have space for over 30,000 sq ft of buildings and Phase One will ensure the park is investor ready, delivering site services including road access, electricity, water and broadband. The HCA funding also

includes a £150,000 contribution to the ‘Rialton Link’ road, adding to the improvement of local infrastructure.

As part of it long term economic plan the Government set up the 24 zones as a 25 year project to rebalance the economy and create future centres of excellence in key industries such as aviation, pharmaceutical, offshore energy and automotive. Since their start three years ago enterprise zones have created more than 9,000 jobs, attracted over 300 businesses and secured £1.2Bn of private sector investment.

Dr Cable welcomed the announcement as he passed through the EZ during his visit to Cornwall and commented: “Cornwall’s Aerohub is an excellent example of one of the 24 Government backed Enterprise Zones that are driving private sector led growth across England. This new funding will help develop valuable infrastructure for the new business park to attract increased investment and create more jobs for Newquay and the surrounding area.”

Kier chosen for £50M Greenwich residential tower Knight Dragon Developments Ltd has appointed Kier as preferred bidder to Design & Build a new £50M residential tower on Greenwich Peninsula, one of the largest regeneration schemes in Europe.

The riverside project is one of the first to be built on the Greenwich Peninsula site and will see Kier design and construct 224 luxury apartments arranged in four blocks, anchored by a 24-storey tower.

Paul Symons, Knight Dragon Developments’ Head of Project Management, commented: “This contract award marks yet another milestone in the landmark Greenwich Peninsula scheme, and we are delighted to have appointed Kier to undertake the build of this particular plot.

“We are confident that Kier has the right expertise to deliver our overall vision, alongside our other contractors, and we are looking forward to working with them all collaboratively to deliver the forthcoming plots on the development.”

Chris Dyer, Kier Pre-Construction Director, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Knight Dragon at Greenwich

Peninsula. It will be a critical regeneration project for London, providing much needed high quality housing, alongside leisure, retail and commercial space, to create a vibrant new district for the city. It’s also excellent to have the opportunity to partner with a developer that has the skill and vision to deliver such substantial projects, so we look forward to working together in the long term.

“This particular scheme is also a testament to our skills in high rise development, which we believe will prove important in the London market as we witness a surge in tower schemes. With over 200 projects currently in planning in the city, this will undoubtedly be a growth market.”

A major regeneration scheme, the Greenwich Peninsula development will include over 160 acres of residential, business and leisure space with nearly two miles of river frontage. In total more than 60 new development plots will be created by Knight Dragon in this brand new district for London by 2039, and the scheme will deliver over 10,000 new homes for up to 23,000 residents.

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The course is highly interactive and includes presentations, notes, syndicated exercises, delegate discussions; and an examination to ensure learning outcomes.

Shaping and sharing best practice in construction health and safety risk management

Association for Project Safety CDM2007 DESIGN RISK MANAGEMENT 2 DAY COURSE The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM2007) require a cultural change in the management of health and safety by the construction project team, but particular emphasis is placed on the requirements for competence of designers, design co-ordination and communication of design information.

The designer is a fundamental member of the project team and has a significant input throughout the lifecycle of the project, from feasibility design through to construction. CDM2007 makes specific demands on the designer to consider health and safety risks associated with the construction, commissioning, use, maintenance, repair, testing, cleaning, de-commissioning and demolition of their designs and attempt to eliminate or reduce those risks by their design decisions.

The Association for Project Safety (APS) and Callsafe Services Limited (Callsafe) believe that the full benefit of CDM2007 can only be achieved by meeting the philosophy implied within CDM2007 that requires that Designers are proactive and fully integrated members of the project team.

This two-day course is designed to provide Designers and Design Risk Managers with the necessary knowledge and confidence in the performance of the task to ensure compliance with the designers’ duties under CDM2007.

An individual who successfully completes the accredited course in CDM2007 Design Risk Management may claim 3 points (as detailed in the Qualifications and Experience table on the APS website) towards meeting Full Membership of APS. An individual who meets the above criteria will also be exempt from sitting the Examination for admission to the APS Register of Designers for a period of three months from the date on which APS issues a certificate confirming successful completion of an accredited course.

This course is also recognised by RIBA as CPD for architects.

Intended For

This course is aimed at design team members and managers who wish to ensure effective design risk management and compliance with the CDM2007 designers’ duties to a professional and benchmarked standard as set by APS. The course will also benefit other construction and health and safety professionals with an interest in the values and philosophies of risk reduction by design.

Entry Requirements

Delegates should have a basic understanding of CDM2007, associated construction related legislation and the ways in which construction projects are procured and managed.

The Tutors

The Callsafe tutors are widely experienced in the understanding and practical application of the regulations and are practicing CDM Co-ordinators. All of the tutors are Registered CDM Co-ordinator Members or Fellows of the APS, RFaPS or RMaPS.

Course Objectives:

On completion of the course, delegates should: • understand the designers’ duties under the CDM regulations 2007; • know how to effectively reduce risk by design; and • be familiar and confident in the supply of information and production of evidence.

Course Content:

• Design Risk Management and Project Risk Management • Construction Related Health and Safety Legislation • Personal Safety & Professional Responsibility • Role of the Designer in Construction • Design Risk Management Services & Systems • Advising the Client • Demonstrating and Assessing Competence and Resources • Hazard Identification and Working within the Team • Contractor Related Issues and Design During Construction • Designer Input into Information (PCI, CPP & HSF) • Examination

Maximum number of course delegates: 16

Public Courses

This course is offered as a public course, for individuals to book and attend.

Course Cost: £600.00 per delegate, plus VAT (Discounts for multiple bookings) Currently programmed public courses are: • Wednesday & Thursday, 8 & 9 October 2014 (Staffordshire) • January 2015 (Staffordshire)

In-house Courses

This course is also offered as an in-house course, where an organisation can book the tutor for the 2 days and the course is presented within the organisation’s own premises.

A lump sum price can be provided for in-house courses.

Further details of this, and other, courses can be found at: www.callsafe-services.co.uk, or by contacting Gemma Esprey at: gemma.esprey@callsafeservices.co.uk or by phone on: 01889 577701

Course Content:

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health MANAGING SAFELY IN CONSTRUCTION 5 DAY COURSE This is the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely course, amended to make the subjects and content more specific to the construction industry, and separately accredited by IOSH. It is highly interactive and is presented by qualified and experienced construction health and safety professionals, who also are appointed to projects as CDM coordinator.

Intended for:

Anyone who supervises or manages designers or contractors in the construction and allied industries. Also relevant for client representatives and CDM coordinators.

Course Aims:

To ensure that managers/ supervisors: • Understand their responsibilities for health and safety as an integral part of their construction and other management/ supervision roles; • Are able to recognise a sound health and safety management system, including effective construction risk management; • Are able to recognise the key risks in the construction industry and understand the precautions to be taken.

Day 1 • Introduction and Setting Course Objectives • Principles of Good Safety Management • Legal Foundation for Health and Safety • Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide • Safety Management on Construction Projects Day 2 • Understanding the Legal Framework for Safety and Health at Work • Accident Causation and Accident Prevention • Applying Management Principles to Health and Safety Day 3 Key Legislation, Commonly Occurring Hazards and Their Controls: • The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 • Working time • First aid • Reporting of accidents • Fire • Safety signs and signals • Electricity • Display screen equipment • Manual handling • Chemicals/Hazardous substances • Personal protective equipment • Work equipment and Machinery • Traffic management Day 4 Construction Related Legislation, Commonly Occurring Hazards and Their Controls: • Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, Part 4 • Lifting operations and equipment • Noise • Vibration • Lead • Asbestos • Confined spaces • Pressure systems • Radiation • Elevated working places • Safety in earthworks • Flammable liquids and gases • The construction working environment Day 5 • Human Behaviour in Accident and Ill-Health Prevention • Effective Communication • Control of Contractors • Training

• Course Assessment (A 30 minute test paper, similar in format to mock assessments performed during the course) • Course Discussion and Completion (Including the introduction to the Course Project, which is an inspection and risk assessment performed by the delegates of their workplace. This is performed subsequent to the course and submitted to the course tutor for marking)

Maximum number of course delegates: 16

Public Courses

This course is offered as a public course, for individuals to book and attend.

Course Cost: £800.00 per delegate, plus VAT (Discounts for multiple bookings) Currently programmed public courses are: • 23, 24, 25 September and 1 & 2 October 2014 (Staffordshire) • February 2015 (Staffordshire)

In-house Courses

This course is also offered as an in-house course, where an organisation can book the tutor for the 5 days and the course is presented within the organisation’s own premises.

This option can reduce the course cost and the travel/accommodation costs where the organisation has a number of their staff requiring this training.

A lump sum price can be provided for in-house courses.

Further details of this, and other, courses can be found at: www.callsafe-services.co.uk, or by contacting Gemma Esprey at: gemma.esprey@callsafeservices.co.uk or by phone on: 01889 577701

UKC NEWS

Award winning windows and doors by Mumford & Wood for ‘Best Out of London Home’ Mumford & Wood has designed and manufactured windows and doors for Kylemore House on the Coombe Estate, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

This is an exclusive 9,000sq ft new build house which has recently been awarded winner of the ‘Best Out of London Home’ and runner-up of the ‘Best Luxury Home’ at the 2014 Evening Standard New Homes Awards. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty Coombe Park is within ten minutes of Wimbledon Village, the Common and Richmond Park.

Designed by Hoban Design, Kingston upon Thames for main contractor Epsom Builders, the property has been designed to achieve the highest levels of energy efficiency with an ‘A’ EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) Energy

Rating and Code 4 Sustainable Homes.

Kylemore is one of only 0.01% of homes built to achieve this standard in England.

The main three-storey house is of classic Georgian design with many contemporary features and fine interior detailing. There are four main reception rooms, five very spacious double bedrooms and a fabulous master suite which includes a sitting room, dressing rooms and a sumptuous his-andhers bathroom. Kylemore’s kitchen was designed by David Linley and is beautifully appointed with solid wood cabinetry, polished granite work tops and flooring, and the very latest appliances. The house is flanked on both sides with adjoining contemporary styled structures that accommodate the gym and indoor pool, and a multi-purpose orangery and media room.

Light and space play a huge role in the success of the building. In keeping with the architectural theme the principal rooms feature elegant Georgian style sash windows and coordinating double French doorsets from Mumford & Wood’s Conservation range. The voluminous bedroom suites are adorned with French doorsets that lead directly onto private terraces and views of the magnificent grounds, play area and putting green.

Architect Gary Hoban, Hoban Design, comments: “The quality of the Mumford & Wood windows and doors was to the highest standard and enhanced the elegant detailing of Kylemore House. We were delighted with the craftsmanship and look forward to working with Mumford & Wood on our next project.”

Britcon completes £20M anaerobic digestion plant Building and civil engineering contractor Britcon has completed construction and officially handed over a new £20M anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Widnes for food waste recycler ReFood.

The plant is the largest gas-to-grid AD plant in the UK and the second plant for the ReFood brand in the UK. It will recycle some 90,000 tonnes of commercial and domestic food waste and will generate up to 17NWhs of biogas which will be transported directly to the national gas grid to provide enough power for 8,000 homes Britcon was appointed to deliver the complex and highly specialist project in Widnes following successful completion of ReFood’s first AD plant in Doncaster, for which it was also recently appointed to deliver a £1.85M extension.

Britcon was principal contractor for the entire project where over 1,000 international workers were employed over an intensive 18 month build programme. The project brief included earthworks, piling operations and major structural works comprising multiple high rise, post tensioned, circular,

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reinforced digester tanks, receiving tanks and gas storage tanks. A state-of-theart Depackaging Building with a deep basement, numerous process structures, extensive external works all on a live site with difficult ground conditions were also part of the contract together with a carbon neutral high spec office complex.

Paul Morris, Operations Director at ReFood said, “Once again Britcon has delivered to very exacting standards on an extremely specialist and demanding project. We are delighted that the Britcon team has completed this project on time and on

budget with an impeccable safety record.

Our first gas-to-grid AD plant is now operational as a showcase for both the ReFood brand and also the AD industry as a whole both in the UK and Europe.”

The move to gas-to-grid is a new development for ReFood and demonstrates the Company’s commitment to identifying and embracing new technologies to ensure that food waste is maximised as an energy resource. The Widnes plant is the first gas-to-grid AD plant in ReFood’s European portfolio of 11 plants, which together provide enough power for 46,000 homes.

The Madness of King George, Sub-Contracting and Killer Clauses – Part 2 It is no secret that Sub-Contractor and • assigns to the Main Contractor the benefit of all and any rights arising supplier prices are rising faster than Main under any other sub-contract entered Contract prices. Contractors are being into between the Sub-Contractor and squeezed at both ends and margin erosion the Main Contractor (or any other main and liquidity issues will force a number of contractor which is an affiliate, Contractors to either change their working subsidiary or parent of the Main practices or fail. If you are a Contractor as such terms are defined in Sub-Contractor, you can expect a tough the Companies Act 2006) including the ride over the next couple of years as balance of any retention or further sums Contractors resort to “every trick in the due under any such contract, and book” and some new ones to try and deprive you of your cash in order to deal with these problems.

• agrees that the Main Contractor is entitled to cross set off any other sums As a practice we look at a large number of due to the Sub-Contractor under any Sub-Contract terms on behalf of funders, other sub-contract entered into by the directors and other stakeholders. I can Sub-Contractor and Main Contractor (or therefore say with certainty that there is an any other main contractor which is an increasing trend of Contractors looking to affiliate, subsidiary or parent of the play rough and dirty, probably because it is Main Contractor as such terms are perceived that a more aggressive approach defined in the Companies Act 2006) to Sub-Contractors is needed in order to towards any loss and expense and/or combat the margin erosion and liquidity damage the Main Contractor may suffer issues I refer to above. as a consequence of the insolvency of They say that desperate folk resort to the Sub-Contractor under this desperate measures and a number of Sub-Contract, and Contractors are resorting to introducing some frighteningly onerous provisions in order to shift the see saw of legal risk so • grants to the Main Contractor a lien over any of its plant and machinery and far in their favour that I would have to materials on site at the date of conclude that only those Sub-Contractors insolvency with a death wish would agree to them.

Below is an example of a very subtle killer and further irrevocably appoints the clause we have seen just this week. We Main Contractor as its attorney and define a killer clause as provision in a authorises the Main Contractor to do contract that is so onerous, we would be such acts and execute such documents unable to support a Sub-Contractor’s necessary to render such rights effective application for funding by an Asset Based within 7 days of any written request Lender or Clearing Bank because the from the Main Contractor” chances of abuse, failure and exploitation by the Contractor who is proposing such Now call me old fashioned but in Viking terms are so high that we judge them to times such a provision might appear in be a foregone conclusion. Any an agreement between rival clans Sub-Contractor who is stupid enough to planning to rape, steal and plunder! agree to such provisions is courting Why would a Sub-Contractor agree to disaster and is likely to fail as a result at such a ridiculously onerous clause that any time and is not one we would ever might just tempt an unscrupulous support for funding. contract administrator to hasten a To save embarrassment, I have deliberately Sub-Contractor’s downfall in order to failed to disclose the identity of the take advantage of such a provision?

Contractor, whose terms these are.

And before anybody tells me that such occurrences only happen in movies about “Further, in the event of the Wall Street, let me tell you that we see the Sub-Contractor becoming insolvent results of Sub-Contractors who have (whether liquidation, receivership or signed up to such provisions in our otherwise) the Sub-Contractor further

insolvency team on a weekly basis and the results are not pretty. It really is all rough and tumble out there at the moment!

So, if you are thinking of signing up to a Sub-Contract incorporating a provision like the one above, can I suggest that you give serious thought to pursuing an alternative career, perhaps as a vendor of fruit and vegetables at your local market. It would be a lot less risky and might save you losing your house.

And finally, …… please don’t say that you can’t afford to take advice before you sign up to these sorts of provisions. The reality is you simply can’t afford not to take advice! If you are going to sign up to a killer clause it may be a good idea to make sure your corporate will is in place. You are sure to need it as well as advice from a good insolvency practitioner at a point in the very near future. Now what was all that King George madness about …….?

Peter Vinden is a practising adjudicator, arbitrator, expert and mediator. He is Managing Director of The Vinden Partnership and can be contacted by email at pvinden@vinden.co.uk. For similar articles please visit www.vinden.co.uk

Regent House, Folds Point, Folds Road, Bolton BL1 2RZ t. 01204 362888 f. 01204 362808 tvp@vinden.co.uk www.vinden.co.uk

UKC COMMENT

Why is the uptake of MEP BIM perceived to be slower than its sister professions?

Martin Howe, National BIM Manager at Shepherd Engineering Services The adoption of BIM in the construction industry has seen rapid progress over the last 12 months, however, it is often muted that whilst architectural and structural disciplines are making great strides towards level 2 compliance, MEP is less advanced and can be sometimes seen as the weak link.

This is particularly surprising given that, for many years prior to the publication of the Government BIM Strategy, MEP contractors were using 3D models with embedded data for the production of construction documentation, digital manufacture and improving their business process efficiency.

Although much of this good work has laid solid foundations for us, we now need to encompass the greater influence of BIM throughout the whole project life-cycle rather than specific deliverables for one particular project phase. This has presented the MEP industry with a number of challenges: ••Multiple owners and authors of MEP data throughout the project life-cycle has led to difficulties with data exchange ••The MEP scheme can undergo significant change between Stage 3 and Stage 5 leading to wasted modelling ••There is often little clarity of project BIM expectations and deliverables ••No single software solution is available that satisfies the needs of designers and contractors whilst giving consistent IFC data output ••Product data is often unavailable in a consistent, useable format ••Different workflows and processes need to be adopted rather than trying to make the old fit the new ••The extended time for preconstruction and BIM workflows needs to be recognised in our construction programmes ••The changing and emerging project roles coupled with a skill set shortage need addressing ••Eroding of fees – we need to do ‘more for less’ ••We need to address the availability of MEP BIM components •• Although we don’t have answers to all these challenges, we are definitely moving in the right direction.

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Potentially, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is that the MEP design community has yet to see the business efficiency improvements that have been heralded by the architectural discipline (up to 33% reported in some cases) and indeed the MEP contracting sector.

This particular issue has many facets but I’m sure a major step in the right direction will come when a single software solution is made available allowing bi-directional transfer of data between calculation and modelling packages.

Potential software solutions are now emerging but I believe it will be another 18-24 months before fully functional products are ready for use.

It’s clear that increased business process efficiency through the use of technology would enable us all to be more competitive and will go some way towards alleviating the issue of fee erosion and will allow us to do ‘more for less’.

The vast array of MEP products and the complex data associated with them present further issues for us to address such as; what level of detail do we include at what stage and how do we classify and organise the data into a unified format.

Some of these questions will be answered in the forthcoming publication of the remaining Government ‘BIM Pillars’ – the Digital Plan of Work, Uniclass2 and COBie BS1192-4. However I believe it will need the MEP community to resolve much of the finer detail.

The development of CIBSE Product Data Templates are a great example of how designers, contractors and manufacturers can pool their resources to provide a solution to a complex issue.

Another significant area for improvement is how we streamline the exchange of MEP information between project phases.

Quite often there may be several authors involved from concept through to construction and handover including design consultants, contractors and specialist sub-contractors with the result being a disjointed scheme and potentially significant amounts of rework for one or more of the parties.

At SES we are experiencing real success in overcoming these inefficiencies through our early involvement with both the client and their design team enabling the construction

strategy to be embedded into the design.

Traditional procurement methods have often exacerbated the inefficiencies, but the use of the two stage tender process is leading to greater cooperation and collaboration from an early stage in the project.

As may be expected, a programme of change on this scale will take time and is fraught with teething problems however this certainly demonstrates that the muchneeded transition is well under way.

I am convinced that, with the continued drive and enthusiasm that we have witnessed over the last two years within our industry, the eagerly anticipated rewards will be available to us all through the adoption of BIM. We should be under no illusions – the future of our industry is digital, we just shouldn’t expect a revolution overnight.

Martin Howe

COMMENT UKC

The recipe for Speech Privacy and Noise Control

By Niklas Moeller

To create an effective work environment, acoustic professionals typically use a three-pronged approach called the ‘ABC Rule,’ which involves absorbing, blocking and covering noise.

In the last decade, various design trends have eroded many of these time-honoured methods, despite the fact that reports such as Gensler’s What We’ve Learned about Focus in the Workplace (2012) show that most employees still spend more than half their time on individual work that requires concentration.

Given that the work environment sets the stage for performance and also plays a role in absenteeism and retention rates, a review of the ABC Rule seems appropriate.

Absorb Noise

‘A’ stands for adding absorption, which reduces the energy and, therefore, the volume of noises reflected off various surfaces back into the space, the length of time they last and how far they travel.

To meet this requirement, invest in a good acoustic ceiling tile and ensure consistent coverage throughout the facility. Also, limit the lighting system’s impact on the ceiling’s performance by selecting an indirect system. Minimize the use of hard materials, such as glass and metal. Use absorptive workstation partitions and install soft flooring, at least in high-traffic areas.

Block Noise

‘B’ is for blocking noise using walls, doors and workstations partitions.

Workstation partitions are often the prime casualties of today’s design trends, dramatically impacting acoustic performance, particularly over short distances. Though some workplaces still use low partitions, it is important to note that those lower than 60 inches (1.5 meters) are about as acoustically effective as using no partition system at all.

The office layout can also be used to block sound; for example, by locating noisy office machines and high-activity areas, such as call centers, in remote or isolated areas.

Cover Noise

‘C’ stands for covering unwanted noises by using a sound masking system.

This technology consists of a series

of loudspeakers installed in a grid-like pattern in the ceiling, which distribute a comfortable background sound most often compared to that of softly blowing air.

Adding more sound to a space runs contrary to most people’s understanding of how to achieve effective acoustics.

Indeed, many believe the goal is to make the facility as silent as possible. However, due to improvements in construction materials, as well as quieter office and mechanical equipment, the ambient level in the majority of offices is already too low, leaving employees trying to work in library-like conditions in which they can easily overhear conversations and noises are very disruptive.

By raising the ambient level, sound masking covers up noises that are lower in volume and reduces the impact of those that are higher by decreasing the degree of change between baseline and peak volumes in the space. Similarly, conversations are either entirely masked or their intelligibility is reduced, improving privacy and further decreasing the number of disruptions to concentration.

those caused by improperly designed ventilation, as well as adopting appropriate etiquette, such as using a reasonable voice level within an open plan.

However, people always generate noise as they work and the remainder of the acoustical burden has to be borne by the design.

About the author

Niklas Moeller is the vice-president of K.R. Moeller Associates Ltd., manufacturer of the LogiSon Acoustic Network sound masking system (www.logison.co.uk).

He also writes an acoustics blog at soundmaskingblog.com.

Niklas Moeller

A Powerful Combination

Each of these methods contributes differently to overall acoustic performance, and it is preferable to discuss their use during the design phase in order to take advantage of the ways they complement each other. For example, floor-to-ceiling walls and sound masking can often replace slab-to-slab construction for private offices, reducing the cost of the initial build and future changes.

If an organization is unhappy with the acoustics in an already occupied space, implementing ‘cover’ might not be the only improvement necessary, but the only feasible choice. Budget pricing for sound masking is low relative to retrofitting other treatments and installation can be handled with only minor disruption. In addition, this technology can be applied to both open plans and closed rooms.

Reduce Noise

Though not included in the ABC Rule, noise reduction is also important. It involves removing noises that simply do not need to be there, such as

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The Building Trade organisation that provides real benefits for both members and their clients The Guild of Builders and Contractors was formed in 1992 by 14 builders. Their aim was to create a Guild consisting of reputable firms and individuals actively involved in the building industry who were experienced, knowledgeable and traded with integrity. They also wished to provide appropriate services to members and ensure that the costs of membership were, and remained, considerably less than other trade organizations.

The Guild of Builders and Contractors Crest House, 102-104 Church Road Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8PY Tel: +44 (0) 20 8977 1105 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8943 3151 E-Mail: info@buildersguild.co.uk www.buildersguild.co.uk

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BMC Combustion Ltd is a new company but have a background of over 25 years within the mechanical engineering industry and have many clients from schools, commercial premises and working with the NHS. We are Gas Safe registered and use an external health and safety team to address all our policies.

BM

We have installed all major boilers from Potterton, Hamworthy, Broag and Ideal. All engineers are fully trained within our field.

BMC Combustion can offer full service and breakdown cover to all clients and also offer maintenance contracts which allows the client to have peace of mind.

We also install all types of heating and domestic pumps including booster sets for buildings with low water pressure.

For more details please contact us: 3 Chilton Grove, London SE8 5DX

Tel: 07909 730322 Email: brian1@bmccombustionltd.co.uk

UKC LEISURE

Imperial War Museums Commemorating First World War Centenary The transformation of the flagship Imperial War Museums (IWM) in London completed this summer.

Opened to the public on 19th July, the result is the new First World War Galleries, almost twice the size of the previous ones, which will allow IWM London to display much more from its exceptional collections.

IWM is unique in its coverage of conflicts, especially those involving Britain and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day. It seeks to provide for and to encourage the study and understanding of the history of modern war and wartime experience.

Its origins go way back to 1917 when the Cabinet decided that a National War Museum should be set up to collect and display material relating to the Great War, which was still being fought.

The interest taken by the Dominion governments led to the museum being given the title of Imperial War Museum and it was formally established by Act of Parliament in 1920 and a governing Board of Trustees were appointed.

The museum was opened in the Crystal Palace by King George V on 9th June 1920. From 1924 to 1935 it was housed in two galleries adjoining the former Imperial Institute, South Kensington.

On 7th July 1936 the Duke of York, shortly to become King George VI, reopened the museum in its present home, formerly the central portion of Bethlem Royal Hospital, thanks to the generosity of Lord Rothermere.

From September 1940 to November 1946, the museum was closed and vulnerable collections were evacuated to stores outside London.

Most of the exhibits survived the Second World War, but a short seaplane, which had flown at the Battle of Jutland, was shattered when a German bomb fell on the Naval Gallery on 31st January 1941 and some of the naval models were damaged by the blast.

At the outset of the Second World War, IWM’s remit was expanded to cover both world wars and they were again extended in 1953 to include all military operations in which Britain or the Commonwealth have been involved since August 1914.

Today, IWM’s five branches are IWM London, with six levels of exhibitions and displays; IWM North, housed in an iconic building designed by Daniel Libeskind; IWM Duxford, a world renowned aviation museum and Britain’s best preserved wartime airfield; Churchill War Rooms, Churchill’s secret headquarters below Whitehall, and the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast.

The previous First World War Galleries at IWM London were designed in the late 1980s and opened to the public in 1990. Now, with a wide range of digital technologies, IWM can offer new ways of presenting content for the visitor and put the objects into context.

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In the new galleries, a wealth of objects, letters, photograph, film and interactive displays can be explored to tell the stories of the First World War, through the eyes of those who experienced it.

The digital teams have worked closely with historians, designers and developers to ensure that the most appropriate digital technology is used to tell the stories of the First World War in new and thought provoking ways.

Split into fourteen key story areas, the galleries draw upon the latest historical analysis of the causes, course and consequences of this landmark conflict that claimed the lives of more than 16 million people across the globe and affected the lives of millions more.

A section of the exhibition called Life at the Front includes a recreated trench experience and is designed to evoke what it could have been like for troops living in the open. A Sopwith Camel plane and Mark V tank rising above the trench provide a dramatic sense of scale. The Sopwith Camel plane and Mark V tank were placed in position in March this year and now form the centrepiece of the new First World War Galleries.

Both objects had undergone conservation at IWM Duxford before going on display.

The Sopwith Camel, a lightweight aircraft, had a new suspension system installed so that it could be suspended from the ceiling in the Galleries.

While conserving the Mark V, IWM’s team of experts discovered several structural cracks, corrosion damage on the bottom of the body of the tank and the tracks needed repair work. It took a team of four conservators a year to fully conserve this object, so it was ready to be displayed in IWM London.

In the new galleries, Mark V is displayed at an angle, as if it is cresting the edge of a trench. Because of the age of the tank, IWM engaged with three structural engineering companies to design and build the frame that would safely display the object for a long time.

The frame, which was also used to allow the tank to be lifted into position, spreads the 23-tonne weight of the tank safely.

The size and weight of the tank meant

that it had to be lifted and craned into the building. The remaining movement and positioning of the tank was done by manual jacks and winches over a three-day period.

On reopening IWM London now boasts a transformed atrium, which was designed by Foster + Partners.

Entering the dramatic new atrium, visitors are greeted by iconic objects including a Harrier, Spitfire and a V2 rocket and making their way up each level in the atrium, more collections are revealed on the new terraces.

On Level 1 - Turning Points: 1934 to 1945 focuses on key moments from the Second World War. While Peace and Security: 1939 to 2014 on Level 2 tells the stories behind how Britain and Europe re-built itself after 1945 and also reveals how conflicts have been fought and communities divided in places such as Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Finally Level 3 presents - Curiosities of War – which includes some of the more obscure objects from the collections, from the bar where the Dambusters bomber crew used to drink, through to a sofa made from security fences by troops in Afghanistan.

Grouped into thematic clusters, visitors will be able to discover the extraordinary stories of the objects themselves and the history of key events.

Collections are being reinterpreted in a more dynamic, engaging and imaginative way, drawing on the depth and breadth of IWM’s extensive collections to strengthen each story.

From the 19 July Truth and Memory: British Art of the First World War will be available for visitors to view until March 2015. The exhibition is the largest grouping of British First World War art for almost 100 years and displays paintings by artists Paul Nash, CRW Nevinson as well as sketches and drawings from soldiers on the western front.

This major retrospective will showcase some of the most compelling works of art produced during World War One and reveal how artists strived to represent the unprecedented events of the First World War. The museum now also boasts a new café opening onto the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park and shops.

UKC PROFILE

Concertus Design and Property Consultants

Taking clients from inception through to completion Concertus Design and Property Consultants was founded in April 2013, when the Corporate Property Services Department of Suffolk County Council was divested to become a stand-alone entity.

It is a multi-disciplinary property consultant practice, operating throughout East Anglia, with a wealth of experience in creating award-winning public realm buildings.

Operating from its Headquarters in Ipswich, the Company’s 75-strong team has unrivalled expertise and knowledge in delivering innovative, cost effective solutions to meet the needs of all its private and public sector clients.

Concertus is split into seven team disciplines: architectural design, landscape design, building services design, building surveying, quantity surveying, estates and project management.

Concertus is diverse in age and outlook and comprises individuals on graduate programmes, others studying part-time at university, as well as qualified professionals with over 30 years of experience.

The Company places great importance on the development of its people and supports ongoing training and CPD, as well

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as mentoring and coaching. It is critical to the integrity of the business that its personnel are professionally qualified and a number of the team are members of the relevant professional bodies, for instance, RIBA, CIAT, APM and RICS; there are even BREEAM specialists within the team.

Within the education sector, one of Concertus’ current projects will see primary and secondary students from the same school brought together on one campus.

This is thanks to construction of a new school building at Bridge School in Ipswich.

The school is currently housed on two sites that are six miles apart, catering for children aged three to 16 with special educational needs. When completed, the new campus will allow the primary-aged children to join the existing secondary school students at the site in Sprites Lane.

Key considerations for Concertus included accessibility, ergonomics, internal and external colour palettes and the provision of well designed external spaces. The single-storey laminated timber frame building will provide ten class spaces, office and specialist accommodation including an occupational

therapy and physic gym, a library, soft play room and a new school hall.

Concertus has been involved in this project right from the start of it, undertaking the feasibility study and carrying out the design, and will now project manage the development on behalf of the client.

The new building has been designed to be highly efficient and will incorporate a biomass boiler and high performance building materials to mitigate its impact on the environment. Work on the £4.7M project will be completed next summer.

Continuing with the theme of education, Concertus also worked on the new Felixstowe Academy, an 11,000sq m, stateof-the-art facility that would accommodate 1,800 students on one campus.

As well as being a facility that students and teachers would be proud of, the client wanted to ensure that the new academy building was an example of leading sustainable design with high levels of natural lighting, natural ventilation and a highly insulated façade designed to minimise energy consumption. It was important that, continued on page 24 >

6 Bermuda Road, Ransomes Europark, As part of One Group Construction, one of Suffolk’s largest privately owned companies; we’re renowned for our exceptional customer service, highly skilled team and all round professionalism across every single project.

Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9RU Telephone: 01473 272222 Email: owl@barnesconstruction.co.uk Web: www.barnesconstruction.co.uk

Working in Partnership with Concertus on Suffolk County Council Framework Projects

Now celebrating our 30th year of trading, we continue to go from strength to strength. We have a wide and varied client base, which means we can specialise in any industry and any type of project – whether it’s working to constrained budgets, tight delivery deadlines or creating a completely bespoke design and build template.

Well-versed in all forms of procurement, we can be engaged from initial conception, through funding, design, construction and maintenance, post completion.

Our aim is to always undertake every job and project properly and professionally. Our founder, Graham Emmerson, said: “If you do a job properly, the rest will follow” and this is what we’ve always based our business philosophy on and will continue to do so for our next 30 years and beyond.

30 White House Road, Ipswich, Suffolk County IP1 5LT

Tel: 01473 238570 Fax: 01473 238571

Email: enquiries@sehfrench.co.uk

www.sehfrench.co.uk

Building and Civil Engineers 365 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 8LH

Tel: 01473 719191 Fax: 01473 718943 Email: enquiries@brooksandwood.co.uk

We are pleased to be associated with Concertus and wish them continued success for the future

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not only was the academy delivered on time and to budget, but the result would enable and sustain the provision of education fit for the 21st Century.

Concertus provided a design advisor role to the Client, which included supervising the shortlist and appointment of the lead contractor for the project. For six months prior to starting the construction work on-site, Concertus managed the precontract process, where its team worked collaboratively with the contractor and clients to identify, evaluate, challenge and solve all aspects of the build process.

It also delivered ‘technical translation services’ ensuring all expectations were managed and that all stakeholders understood and agreed on the design development and build process.

Throughout the construction programme which started in October 2012, Concertus contract managed the project which completed on time and to budget, Facilities include a new super lab that meets modern curriculum needs and performing arts and activity studios with specialist facilities for dance and gymnastics. The extensive sports facilities incorporate an increased number of sports fields, a sports hall

and multi-use games area, which have been built to national standards to cater for competitive netball matches.

Designed to accommodate the needs of the local community, the Academy also has a theatre-style main hall that allows flexibility in layout, through its retractable seating and a sound and lighting system that can support academy and community productions and events.

Concertus has also played a vital role in reconfiguring an old school building in Brandon, to accommodate a number of community services and organisations under one roof.

The stakeholders wanted to improve public access to services and provide a more attractive environment for users.

The shared location would enable service improvements by encouraging closer working and integration of common ‘front of house’ functions.

Concertus delivered a total project management package which included planning and consultation, design, project management,

D. C. CONSTRUCTION LTD.

construction, costing, M&E, land transfers and lettings. The building underwent a major transformation through internal remodelling and a full refurbishment. All work was carried out whilst maintaining and preserving the existing Victorian features.

The Brandon Centre is now a focal point for the community and a resounding success for both Client and end users. The vibrant community hub is now home to a number of facilities and provides better community services efficiently under one roof.

With between 600-700 active projects at any one time, Concertus Design & Property Consultants is establishing a strong reputation in its marketplace and the last 18 months has seen a ten per cent increase in staff levels.

Considering that the business is also leading the way in new innovations such as BIM, the growth of this multi-disciplinary company is sure to continue in the future.

We are pleased to be associated with Concertus Design & Property Consultants and wish them continued success for the future

143 CAULDWELL HALL ROAD, IPSWICH, SUFFOLK IP4 5BS TELEPHONE: 01473 270892 FAX: 01473 271511 EMAIL: sales@dcconstructionltd.co.uk

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20 Field Lane, Kessingland, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 7QB

Telephone: 01502 740617

EDUCATION UKC

Wakefield College Radcliffe Building refurbishment One of Wakefield College’s buildings has benefited refurbishment and extension work to give it an entirely new look.

The Radcliffe Building has been re-clad together with a facade replacement to the perimeter of the five-storey structure, including the construction of a roof top extension to form a new science block.

Work has been viable in part thanks to a £1.3M grant from the Skills Funding Agency, which has paid for an additional floor space at the building - which is situated on the Margaret Street Campus - and a new facade. In it, there are state-of-the-art science labs.

The College has also spent £2.5M as part of its carbon reduction management plan, on improvements designed to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

It includes insulation, new windows and natural ventilation, which will reduce the need for heating and air conditioning.

The Radcliffe Building stands opposite the Harrison Building, which was new and in comparison, the former looked ‘shabby’, according to the college’s Director of Estates, Jon Howard.

As such, the development has created an environment that people want to learn in and with excellent teaching and learning previously in place, there is now a building to match.

In July 2009, the college had missed out on funding from the Learning and Skills Council for a £75M new build on Margaret Street.

That year, a second blow was dealt when a bid for funding for a university centre also failed.

However, bosses at the College always vowed to give the city the world class facilities it deserves and last year, announced new plans for a university centre were in the pipeline, which could eventually pave the way for Wakefield to have its very own university.

Work to the occupied College involved stripping the full external envelope cladding and replacing the external

wall with an SFS walling system, new The Architect for the development curtain walling/windows and a mixture was IBI Taylor Young. Work started of render and trespa board cladding. on site in November 2013 and was The new roof top extension was completed in August 2014, in time constructed with lightweight steelwork for the new academic year. and clad with similar materials, fully The total cost of the fitted out to form science labs. development was £3M. Throughout the development’s duration, the college remained fully operational.

The Main Contractor for the project was Bardsley Construction and its Leeds-based regional manager, Adrian Rooney, said: “This valued and prestigious contract with Wakefield College builds upon our expertise in the provision of facilities for the public sector and in particular, school and college buildings within Yorkshire.”

College principal, Sam Wright, said: “The additional floor space will provide state-ofthe-art learning spaces including K2 Mechanical & Electrical Services Ltd brand new science labs which our sixth are proud to be associated form students will with Bardsley Construction and wish them every benefit from for success in the future years to come.

“These are exciting times for Wakefield College and we are as committed as laura@k-two.co.uk ever to providing modern learning facilities for all our learners.”

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UKC PROFILE

CFOA

The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) was established in 1941 and has become the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service (UK FRS) The membership and professional partnerships of CFOA are wide and varied, encompassing senior management, subject experts and those involved in service delivery at fire and rescue services across the UK. It can count every fire and rescue service in the UK amongst its professional partners.

Members are supported to fulfil their leadership role in protecting local communities and making life safer through improved service delivery. CFOA provides professional advice to inform government policy and is committed to developing strategic and technical guidance with services all over the UK. In all of its activities, the Association works to achieve four aims which shape its direction.

These are:

••To lead and influence the direction of the UK FRS on professional, managerial and leadership issues.

••To be the focal point for professional advice that drives and contributes to the development of policy impacting ••on the UK FRS. ••Effectively communicate views and priorities.

••Support members to achieve both individual and ••collective improvement.

As a registered charity, the Association aims to reduce the loss of life, personal injury and damage to property and the environment by improving the quality of fire fighting, rescue, fire protection and prevention in the UK. This happens through the provision of advice, information, leadership, research, informed comment and other services to relevant bodies, and to the Association’s own members.

Through the work of the Association, the promotion of efficiency of the UK FRS to the benefit of the public and all communities continues to increase.

CFOA is supported by a small team in Tamworth who assist the directors, presidential team and membership.

CFOA became a limited company in 1998 and followed this a year later by becoming a charity.

There are ten Directors at CFOA, including a three-person presidential team with four Strategic Directorates, each headed by a Director.

Each directorate encompasses a number of standing committees or working groups, lead officers for particular references and a number of task and finish groups. Portfolios cover operations response, prevention, protection and road safety, people and organisational development, and corporate services and sector improvement.

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Each member of the Association belongs to one of 11 regions, which follow the boundaries of the former regional development agencies.

These regions provide important opportunities for local working, while at local level, members of the Association have regional and independent representatives who sit on the Members Sounding Board (MSB), which acts as a sub-group of the main CFOA Board.

All aspects of governance, business organisation and business process constantly adapt, as the Association meets challenges that continue to change.

As with many associations, CFOA’s work is wide and varied, from initiatives on furniture fire safety, to work with children and young people. Amongst the areas that the Association are currently involved in are waste management and recycling fires, unwanted fire signals and flooding.

Waste Management

In November last year, CFOA organised a Fire Futures Forum on Waste Management.

Attended by stakeholders from waste management and insurance sectors, alongside other strategic leaders, the aim was to achieve consensus on key issues, understand each other’s perspective, and identify potential solutions that would result in a reduced number of fires at waste management and recycling centres.

CFOA, along with other partner organisations, including the waste sector, insurers and Environment Agency, recognised that in order to effect positive change, it was important to work collaboratively, through the production of appropriate and manageable solutions that are proportionate to the risk, as well as being cost effective and achievable for the industry and enforcing authorities.

Thanks to this work, a national Code of Practice will be launched in the autumn, with a parliamentary seminar scheduled for November.

Unwanted Fire Signals

The Association’s work in the area of unwanted fire signals saw the release in June 2014 of the Guidance for the Reduction of False Alarms and Unwanted Fire Signals, together with a Code of Practice: Best Practice for Summoning a Fire Response via Fire Alarm Monitoring Organisations.

Throughout the years, the FRS has worked with partners to reduce the number of unwanted fire signals generated from buildings protected by automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems. It has resulted in the reduction of a third of these incidences, but there is still the need for improved action associated with

the management of false alarms and the number of resulting unwanted fire signals.

The new guidance advocates a partnership approach as being the best way to deal with unwanted fire signals from automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems.

The Code of Practice sets out the recommended expectations of the actions of both Fire Alarm Monitoring Organisations (FAMO) and the FRS. It concludes with a FAMO declaration, completion of which will demonstrate the commitment from organisations who have agreed to operate in accordance with the Code of Practice.

Flooding

Fire and rescue services from all over the country have been at the forefront of the multi-agency operation that sought to mitigate the devastating impact of flooding on local communities that many experienced during the 2013/14 winter floods.

This operation was supported by the Fire and Rescue Service National and Advisory Framework (NCAF) which enabled the necessary deployment of assets across geographical and political boundaries, to directly assist fire and rescue services dealing with flooding.

These floods were the greatest test since the inception of the NCAF arrangements where, for prolonged periods of time, the vast majority of National Resilience flood response assets were assigned to an incident somewhere in the south or south west of England.

In the light of this level of commitment, the FRS is in the process of reviewing NCAF and their response capabilities to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

Part of this process included the National Flood Event Debrief.

Held in April 2014 at the Fire Service College, it brought together representatives from the FRS, Environment Agency, Met Office and other partner agencies to present individual case studies and identify learning points for the future.

All of these initiatives perfectly underline a key aspect of the Association as it continues to move forward: greater collaboration.

As the pace of change quickens, CFOA will support its membership and the service in making transformational change while continuing to be a repository for good practice, research commissioning and information exchange.

Members will continue to be provided with personaldevelopment opportunities that give them the skills to manage change, and CFOA will enhance its crosssector leadership programme to enable it to learn more from others involved in transformational change.

UKC HEALTH

Oakwood Gardens

Extra care housing in Bedworth An extra care development for Housing & Care 21 is underway in Warwickshire.

The scheme in Bedford will provide 74 apartments and 11 bungalows for older people, and will be built in a partnership between Housing 21, Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

Being built on the site of the former Griff School in Hurst Road, the apartments will be known as Oakwood Gardens.

They will be available for rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

They will be available to local people over the age of 55 with a care and support need and will be advertised via the Council’s Choice Based Lettings scheme.

Designed by Glancy Nicholls, the development will also provide a residents’ lounge, dining room, buggy store, assisted bathing, hairdressing salon, wellbeing suite, hobby room, guest suite, care shop, staff facilities and extensive gardens.

Some of the facilities such as the hairdressing salon and dining room will be accessible to the local community.

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, said: “We are delighted to be involved, both from a social care perspective and as providers of the land, in this fantastic project which will give older generations the opportunity to live

28

independently and safely in their own homes in the heart of the local community.

“I have particularly welcomed the keen interest that Dan Byles MP has shown in this scheme.”

Housing & Care 21 is a social enterprise for older people.

Started in 1964, it is the largest nonprofit care provider and a national leader in providing innovative, affordable housing for older people.

The Company also works closely with local communities to develop new services that develop new services that tweet the needs of older people and their neighbourhoods.

All work is guided by a determination to see older people as individuals and Housing & Care 21 works in partnership with its customers, commissioners and other partners who share these values.

It has led to approximately 80,000 hours of home care each week being provided, as well as construction of new homes for older people to rent and buy, catering for a range of budgets and preferences.

Main Contractor for the project is Willmott Dixon, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned contracting, residential development and property support companies.

The Company is also proud of the contribution made to sustainable

growth in communities, which has been underlined by becoming the only company in the sector to win a Queen’s Award for sustainable development in 2014 - regarded as the UK’s most prestigious business accolade.

Willmott Dixon’s Chief Operating Officer, Charlie Scherer, spoke about the benefits of the Oakwood Gardens project.

“This will really make a difference to the provision of state-of-the-art extra care housing in Bedworth, providing highly specialised, quality living space with 24/7 on-site care where needed for older people across the county.

“It will also help support local communities by keeping people together and bringing new jobs and amenities to these areas.”

The name ‘Oakwood Gardens’ was chosen by the children of Race Leys Junior School who entered a competition to formally name the scheme.

Glancy Nicholls is the Architect for the project. Created in 2004, the Practice is established and well respected, with a strong and diverse portfolio of completed projects across the UK. Glancy Nicholls is involved in various high profile public and private sector developments, working with many repeat clients, including blue chip organisations over many sectors.

Work on the project started in March 2013 and is due to complete in January 2015.

Registered Office: 54 Swadlincote Road, Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 8DE  01283 550645  enquiries@safescaffolding.co.uk www.safescaffolding.co.uk

UKC PROFILE

Nordic Construction

Providing student accommodation in the heart of Liverpool Nordic Construction specialise in turnkey build solutions for high quality, multi-storey residential and mixed use developments.

Established in 2009, the Company has bucked the trend and achieved more than a seven-fold increase in turnover in the five years since.

Despite forming at the start of the recession, Nordic Construction has been successful and is experienced at fulfilling all stages of a project, including the design, manufacture and supply of the structure, groundworks and all contractor duties to practical completion.

Employing more than 40 people, the construction techniques perform significantly better than traditional forms of construction, particularly in terms of speed of build on site, quality of build, financial returns, environmental sustainability, health and safety, and waste reduction.

A prestigious project that Nordic Construction is currently working on is to provide new student accommodation in Liverpool.

The site occupies the former Josephine Butler House and is located on the corner of Myrtle Street and Hope Street with a combination of one-bedroom studios and clusters comprising four- to seven-bedrooms with shared kitchen and living rooms.

More recently, the site was used as a car park as well as a Victorian ENT hospital but this fell into disrepair and was eventually vacated.

Prior to construction starting, the derelict hospital was demolished.

As part of the project, Nordic Construction is restoring the Hugh Stowell statue which will become a prominent focal point on the Hope Street entrance following damage in the riots back in the 1980s.

It will be built within Liverpool City centre,

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close to John Moores University buildings with poor ground conditions and to counter and adjacent to the Philharmonic Hall. this, large foundation caps were installed Designed by Hester Architects, the with reinforced ground beam cast in situ. building will provide 339 student rooms A steel frame concrete podium deck has with associate management suite been put in place and modules have been areas for student amenities above six lifted in place and cladded in brick slips retail units giving the ideal living space to match existing facades. All modules for student life and quality residents have high insulation values, which make close to study areas and amenities. them good for the environment.

Block A will have ground floor retail and As well as the foundations, the four levels of student accommodation, Company’s greatest challenge has been which will be mirrored in Block B. the footprint of the building, which is Block C will have the ground floor right on the boundary, and making sure plant/back of house and eight levels that everything is built within this while of student accommodation, while the public and existing areas are protected. final block will have six levels of student This has been achieved thanks flats and a ground floor retail unit. to the project team, who have The floor area of the ground floor is ensured that access and egress 1,745sq m, and the floor area of all are monitored at all times. student accommodation is 9,740sq m.

Work on the project started in January All retail units and community space will be 2014 and will be completed in July 2015. within the centre courtyard of the whole development, and comprise traditional Nordic Construction, 1 Beaufort, construction. The first floor and above Parklands, Railton Road, will benefit from timber frame pods.

Guildford, Surrey, GU2 9JX. Work has been undertaken in order to provide quality living space within the university areas who want and need accommodation within the city centre. It is an area Timber Design Consultants specialising in where there is a need for quality Structural Calculations and Technical Drawings. living quarters to meet the demand Timber Engineering Consultants to Nordic Construction of the local universities and the increasing intake Tel: 01252 782366 Email: info@rushmooreng.co.uk of new students. www.rushmooreng.co.uk Nordic Construction has had to deal

Building Services Consulting Engineers Design - Mechanical Services • Incoming Utilities • Heating • Domestic Hot & Cold Water • Air Conditioning • Comfort Cooling • Ventilation • Above Ground Drainage • BMS Systems

Design - Electrical Services • Incoming Utilities • HV/LV Distribution • Surge Protection • Services Routing • Lighting & Power • Fire Alarms • IT Services, disaster recovery & UPS Systems • Security, Access Control & CCTV Systems • Earthing & Lightening Protection • Lifts

Design - Sustainability • Photovoltaics • Air Source Heat Pumps • Ground Source Heat Pumps • Biomass • Rainwater Harvesting • Solar Domestic Water

Offices: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

Tel: 01204 770041 bolton@hurstwood-eng.co.uk 23 Goodlass Road, Speke, Liverpool L24 9HJ

Tel: 0151 728 3361 liverpool@hurstwood-eng.co.uk

www.hurstwood-eng.co.uk 31

UKC PROFILE

Cambridgeshire County Council

Taking care of education Cambridgeshire County Council is continuing to improve its education facilities with a number of high profile developments.

One that is to start soon is based at Dry Drayton Primary School, which will see the demolition of existing mobile classrooms to be replaced with a new three-classroom permanent building complete with link corridor, main entrance, associated welfare facilities, hygiene room and ancillary spaces.

This new building will be constructed next to what is already existing and will be connected with a glazed link.

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Internal works will improve the existing facilities too, providing a larger kitchen, a new special educational needs group room for individual and group-based learning, and relocation of staff room facilities.

Although the number of pupils in school will remain the same, the project was deemed necessary because the mobile classrooms had reached the end of their life.

With any project like this, there are always challenges, given that work will be undertaken while the school is open, temporary accommodation will be set up to ensure that there are no disruptions to classes.

The need to maintain natural light into the existing classrooms was also a challenge which has been overcome by manipulating the form of the building to ensure existing classrooms are provided with a comfortable environment. The remaining building form adopts the architectural language of the existing school which is transposed through site conditions, surroundings and brief requirements.

A playful twist has been added with an injection of colour to frame the gables to engage children with the new building.

The structure of the building was designed continued on page 34 >

MULTI-DISCIPLINE DESIGN SERVICES FROM INCEPTION THROUGH TO COMPLETION

Proposals for Dry Drayton Primary School, Cambridge due to commence October 2014

Completed works at Histon and Impington junior School, Cambridge

At Templeman Design we specialise in providing a personnel service using our multi disciplinary team of architectural, electrical, mechanical, civil and structural designers to facilitate any type of construction project from conception to completion.

Our 25 years experience ranges from supporting individual companies and organisations through to public sector authorities such as education, healthcare, local authorities and the MOD. We thrive on the challenge of meeting our client’s expectations in design, quality and time, from representation to reality.

We provide a range of professional services including: • • • • • • • • • •

Conceptualisation Feasibility Studies Planning Submissions and consultation Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical and Structural Design Cost Control and Value Engineering Procurement Selection and Tender Tender Evaluation and Appointment Contract Administration CDM-Coordinator services Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Completed works at Girton Glebe Primary School, Cambridge

TEMPLEMAN DESIGN 2 North Lynn Business Village, Bergen Way, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2JG

Tel: 01553 776148

Email: gtempleman@templemandesign.com

to reduce fuel consumption and heat loss whilst adopting the principles of passive ventilation. As a result, the building will use less fuel and the least amount of artificial light as possible.

LED light fittings will reduce the amount of energy consumed and enhance the longevity of the fittings, reducing energy and maintenance.

The main structure of the new primary school building will be steelwork, infilled with a timber frame. The external face will then be clad with brickwork and a metal profile cladding.

A steel supporting structure will be used for the roof, which will also have infilled timber rafters and clad with the same metal roof cladding on all walls.

The core of the timber frame will be fully filled with insulation to enhance the thermal properties of the building.

Templeman Associates, the Architectural Designer for the project,

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has been integral to the development of this single-storey build.

The Practice has provided the Client with a multi-disciplinary solution and acted as lead architectural designer, planning consultant, mechanical designer, electrical designer and structural engineer for the development.

Providing Clients with a complete design solution. Templeman Associates also procured specialist teams such as utility surveys and ecologists to fulfil the Clients’ aspirations while minimising risk to them.

As a result of this service, Dry Drayton Primary School has not needed to appoint an array of consultants, therefore minimising expense.

Being built by Coulson Building Group, work will start on site in October 2014 and will be completed next summer.

Cambridgeshire County Council has also found a sponsor to run and manage a new education campus in Littleport.

After a process where potential sponsors applied and then were interviewed, Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust was chosen as the preferred sponsor.

The site will include a secondary school and a special school which will have facilities to accommodate pupils between two to 19-years-old, opening in September 2016.

The secondary school will provide 120 places for year seven in its first year of opening and will increase in size through the addition of a new year seven intake annually until the school is providing for all five year groups, a total of 600 places. The special school will admit children based on need, up to its capacity of 110 pupils.

There will be the potential to expand the secondary school to accommodate 750 children if required, and projects like this demonstrate the commitment of the Council to improving its education facilities.

ALL JOBS LARGE OR SMALL

Proud to be working with Cambridge County Council

01767 262172 www.hutchinsonbuilders.co.uk

Email: info@maorscaffoldingltd.com www.maorscaffoldingltd.com

Tel: 01353 614413 Email: office@andyknott.co.uk

Alison Wring, Regional Director Email: alison.wring@fgould.com 5 Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, CB3 0NA Tel: 01223 814213

FGOULD.COM

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UKC COMMERCIAL

Charlton Riverside Place

Serving the growing population of Greenwich peninsula Work is well underway to provide shopping facilities in the Charlton area.

The development of Charlton Riverside Place on Woolwich Road will comprise the relocation of an existing Sainsbury’s store, along with a new Marks & Spencer’s retail unit and a Costa Coffee.

Previously, it was the site of an industrial estate and retail units that have since been demolished and before work could start, foundations had to be taken out as well as various basements from some other smaller residential properties.

The Sainsbury’s store will contain a main ground floor sales area, a warehousing area and a goods online space, which is a local delivery service.

On the upper floor there will be home wear sales, staff accommodation and a learning centre called Explore Learning. This is a programme that is being rolled out over the major new Sainsbury’s stores to give top-up learning education for children.

A plant room will also be situated on the roof.

Similarly, the Marks & Spencer’s store will have two floors with a ground floor sales

area comprising a back-up area at the rear. Upstairs, there are more sales with some staff accommodation and a cafe.

Aesthetically, the project will benefit from a continuous canopy along the front of the building that wraps around to the gable elevation onto Woolwich Road, which will become quite a feature.

Designed by Ratcliffe Groves Partnership, this feature and the Practice’s work on the project was praised by the Greater London Authority design officer.

Sustainability will play a part in the project, with Sainsbury’s using a ground source heat pump as well as solar photovoltaic arrays on the roof too.

With the addition of making sure all buildings are highly insulated, the scheme is set to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’, and every building on site is very much on the way to meeting this standard. The sustainability consultant is Envision.

Being built by Ellmer Construction, the buildings will be clad in Kingspan insulated wall panels, and both structures will contain subtopics rooflights.

Aluminium frame curtain walling will appear on the Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer’s developments, and externally, Sainsbury’s will be finished in timber thanks to the walling system being Kingspan Benchmark, which has a timber facing.

Meanwhile, the Marks & Spencer’s will benefit from a combination of timber and high pressure laminate on the walls.

As with all new projects, there will be facilities for the disabled, while security will be guaranteed thanks to CCTV within both stores as well as sprinklers.

Landscaping will provide a green wall on the northern boundary and customers will have a 695-space car park complete with disabled and parent/child parking spaces, plus 72 electric car charging points.

The development is for LXB Retail Properties Plc - the real estate investment company.

Work started in November 2013 and will be complete in February 2015.

It is a major new development that will serve the growing population of Greenwich peninsula.

Consulting Structural & Civil Engineers Whether you're a homeowner needing help extending your property, a commercial client with a multimillion pound scheme, or anyone in between, our experienced, professional service is both flexible and reliable, ensuring the end result is perfect.

Cost effective, buildable solutions

16/17 Boundary Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 4EF

Tel: 01273 414 413 Email: rick@gsphove.co.uk www.gyouryself.com 36

With over 33 years of experience in the field of structural and civil engineering, Gyoury Self Partnership has gained and developed a skillset that enables us to bring the best out of any project we help with. We aim to make sure that any building work, be it extending a domestic property or creating an entirely new sports park, is designed and completed quickly and professionally.

With multiple offices throughout the country, we are able to offer a fully personalised consultancy service when you need it most. No matter the work that you need assistance with, we'll be on hand to ensure your construction is completed without any issues. By utilising modern techniques and programs, we can take you through the entire process and make sure that the designs you receive are not only what you are looking for, but exceed your expectations.

COMMUNITY UKC

South Kirkby Fire Station

New building for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority Construction of a new fire station in Pontefract is continuing at rapid pace.

The site of the new station at South Kirkby Business Park has been chosen because it has good access to South Elmsall, Hemsworth, the A1 and surrounding areas.

It will be staffed by a total of 13 firefighters across two shifts on a ‘close call’ system. These will provide fire cover, 24 hours a day for 365 days a year.

A new provision will be the inclusion of a fully accessible multi-purpose room, which will be available for community use and may be shared with service partners such as Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

The project follows a major review of emergency cover and as part of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (WYFRA) Integrated Risk Management Plan, a number of new fire stations are being built across West Yorkshire.

These new stations are part of proposals to enable WYFRS to deliver a firstclass emergency service which meets community risk, protects firefighter safety and contributes significantly to addressing the financial gap West Yorkshire

Fire and Rescue Authority faces.

The changes also reflect a significant reduction in risk and demand experienced over the past ten years.

Because the fire station is being built on an old colliery site, work has been done to smooth out the stone work in order to provide a smooth surface for the gas membrane.

The membrane is to ensure that no residual carbon dioxide from the soil is allowed to permeate into the concrete slab.

In addition, a large amount of steel cages have gone into the foundation to provide strength.

Timber framework was then erected around the outside of the foundation in preparation for a large volume of concrete to be poured to create a concrete slab that will support the close call house and the new fire station.

The close call accommodation block is built and plastered with the internal second fix phase well underway, along with decoration. The structure of the two-bay fire station is built and weathertight, with internal walls now being constructed too.

Connection of utilities along with drainage and other external works to the station yard and parking areas was completed in June and the scheme has been awarded a ‘Good’ rating by the Considerate Constructors scheme.

Roof trusses are now fixed to the firefighter accommodation building and the block and brickwork has progressed superbly well.

The new station will provide a far higher level of efficiency than those that it replaces. The building will benefit from such design features as LED lighting, extensive use of materials with an enhanced level of building fabric thermal performance and water collection systems to capture the water used during training for re-use.

In addition, the use of solar panels will help to reduce energy costs.

Designed by Bradshaw Gass & Hope, the Main Contractor is Marshall Building Contractors.

Work started on site in December 2013 and is scheduled to be operational by November 2014.

Murray Building Services Ltd Specialist in Mechanical Building Services Engineering, Design, Installation, Service and Maintenance of Heating, Ventilation, A/C, Plumbing, Electrical, Renewables, etc.

Unit 3 Sentinel Court, Wilkinson Way, Blackburn, BB1 2EH

Tel: 01254 667046 Fax: 01254 667029 Email: enquiries@murray-build-services.co.uk

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UKC LEISURE

Travelodge

Prime Glasgow location developed by Anglo Holt The former Charlotte House office block in Queen Street, Glasgow, is being converted into a 12-storey Travelodge hotel that will also have a bar/cafe and parking spaces for 18 vehicles.

It is the sixth and largest hotel to be built in Scotland’s biggest city by Travelodge, which plans to recruit 25 members of staff.

It will benefit from a new build as well, extending to 2,100sq ft. This is being built to the rear of the property at basement and first floor level.

When completed, the hotel will extend to 57,813sq ft and provide 171 beds.

The 1970s office block was previously used by Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Pension Fund.

Five shops will operate on the ground floor with offices using the first floor. The rest of the building will be bedrooms.

Paul Harvey, Managing Director for Property at Travelodge, spoke last year about this development.

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He said: “We are very excited to be starting on site to build a hotel in such a prime location in Glasgow.

“We have been looking for a new site in Glasgow for some time and our sixth hotel in the city will be a great addition to the Travelodge portfolio and offer consumers more choice for good value accommodation.”

The development is part of the Business Premises Renovation Allowance (BRPA) scheme that aims to encourage the conversion and renovation of empty business premises in targeted areas.

Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director at Travelodge, said: “Our new Queen Street site is in the heart of Glasgow’s central shopping district and is in a similar, fantastic location to the Travelodge above Top Shop on Princes Street, Edinburgh. We are now located perfectly for shoppers, business people and tourists looking to visit either city.”

Designed by Aedas, the new hotel

will increase the Travelodge portfolio, which provides the smart choice for leisure and business travellers, consistently offering great value hotels in locations where they want to stay.

The Glasgow Travelodge, scheduled to complete in January 2015, will further increase the statistic that shows more than 80% of its hotels are located in major city centres, towns and popular holiday hotspots.

The new hotel is being built by Anglo Holt, which provides a comprehensive service of design, project management, cost management and construction through adopting best practice standards to deliver competitiveness.

The Company has carried out development projects for the last 30 years of its existence and is currently using its capabilities to expand this part of the business to generate work for construction activities.

Specialising in social housing Fawley Construction has established itself as a well respected building contractor focusing predominantly in the social housing sector.

Formed in 1982, the Company continues to uphold high standards of workmanship with its traits of open and honest dialogue and pride in the work undertaken.

Working as a principle contractor or as an integrated team, Fawley Construction utilises its well managed supply chain to deliver innovative solutions to this ever changing sector.

Striving to deliver the needs of clients, clients, agents and designers are collaborated and the Company holds its traditional values very dear.

With its short management chains and approval routes, Fawley Construction can respond quickly to changing requirements and especially responsive to changes in market conditions.

The size of the Company allows it to offer a more personal level of service, developing bespoke products and services or tailoring existing ones to meet specific customer needs.

Fawley Construction has been delivering social housing projects since its inception and as such has become a

PROFILE UKC

Fawley Construction specialist social housing builder.

This is because of the inherent understanding of each client’s needs, comprising four two-bedroom and while specifications and guidance means five three-bedroom properties. a perfect fit solution can be delivered to Buildings will be of traditional brick what is a complex net of guidance. construction and a red-multi brick Clients in this particular sector include with areas of detailing will be used Servite Houses, Sefton MBC, Cosmopolitan, as a robust and familiar material.

Adactus Housing, Liverpool Housing Action There will be a courtyard for the project, Trust, and Liverpool Housing Trust. which Sainsbury’s is also involved The Company is currently working on in, to help regenerate the area. a scheme for Liverpool Housing Trust The project is designed by DK Architects. in Liverpool.

Based on Skirving Street and Great Homer Street, the site previously housed a threestorey residential block and a pair of two-storey semiBased near Preston in Lancashire, Wyder Engineered Timber Systems offers a comprehensive and first class detached houses, national design, manufacture and supply service for I Joist both of which have Flooring and engineered wood products. Focusing on all been demolished. aspects within the construction industry, the company specialises in new house building, timber frame and When complete commercial projects, including mezzanine floors. in 2015, the site will have 12 Seed House Farm, Cummeragh Lane, Whittingham, Preston, Lancashire PR3 2JB two-bedroom Telephone: 0845 094 8850 Fax: 0845 094 8860 apartments and Email: wets@wydergroup.co.uk www.ijoistflooring.co.uk nine houses,

39

UKC LEISURE

Bolnore Village Recreation and Leisure Centre New facilities in West Sussex Work is close to completion which will see exciting new facilities soon available in Bolnore Village.

It will provide a new sports changing facility with showers and a community function hall. The multi-use hall will have separate meeting rooms, a reception area, kitchen and server.

The property will be managed by the Bolnore Village Residents Association and will be used by a pre-school nursery during the day and by local clubs and societies during the evenings and weekends.

Construction of the building, which will cost almost ÂŁ1M, is being funded by Section 106 money - a financial contribution made by developers that reduces the impact of house building by providing new services, infrastructure or amenities for the local community - with additional contributions secured by Mid-Sussex District Council.

Facilities will include a main hall, four changing rooms, three upstairs meeting rooms, two of which combine into a small hall, an upstairs balcony, storage space for Bolnore Pre-School and a bar area.

Outside the Woodside, the multi-use games area will be floodlit, while there will be a skate park and three football pitches of differing sizes. These pitches will be marked for adults, juniors and mini soccer.

Within the cafe and bar area, there will be a licensed social club running at least three or four days a week.

Provisionally called Woodies, the facility will help make the Woodside the perfect social venue and a great location for parties and other celebrations.

Being run by the Association, in partnership with Mid-Sussex District Council means that residents will be able to have a direct say in how the building is used, suggest

events, and help contribute to its success.

Any surplus funds generated from running these facilities will then be used towards projects that will benefit residents.

The pavilion will be located in a central position so it is convenient for spectators and participants taking part in activities across the site.

Toilets in the new sports pavilion will be open to the public when there are organised sports activities.

The development will make use of the existing relief road to keep vehicle access to the north east corner of the site.

The car park will have space for 20 vehicles plus bays for disabled drivers, a minibus, motorcycles and bicycle racks.

Milan Babic is the Architect for the project and Allen Wilson Joinery is the Main Contractor. Work will be finished this autumn.

AON Contracts is a brick and block laying sub-contractor and labour provider that works to the highest standards in the construction industry. The company was formed to promote excellence, quality and value for money in all aspects of Labour supply, brick & block work related projects.

"Our mission is to serve our clients' construction needs while maintaining a reputation for quality, integrity and delivery. AON Contracts Ltd is committed to being a construction contractor that is well known for quality and superior service".

- Adrian O'Neill, Company Director Our expertise covers all facets of Brick and Block construction, including design, performance, material handling and purchase, programming, and implementing the clients QMS procedures. We are committed to safety and ensure all current safety legislation is rigorously applied. We believe our future not only lies with our current experienced labour force but with the continued training of staff.

SERVICES PROVIDED Brick & Block Work Packages - Labour Only - Labour & Mortar - Labour & Materials Brick Cutting Services - Labour Supply Long Term / Short Term - Labour for all Construction Trades We also specialise in providing qualified management staff and labour requirements for construction projects.

1538 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 9PT Tel: 07563 949 352 Email: aoncontracts@gmail.com www.aoncontracts.com

40

LEISURE UKC

Albion House Hotel Idyllic place to stay

This month will see the opening of a new hotel in Ramsgate.

Thanks to a significant refurbishment, Albion House now has a presence in Kent, taking up a historical Georgian building, arranged over five levels.

It has resulted in a hotel with 14 ensuite bedrooms, one of which is fully accessible.

There is a wine cellar, private dining room, a treatment room, office space, restaurant and dining areas, a bar, reception and new commercial kitchen.

Work has been undertaken in a sensitive manner because of the building’s status as a Grade II listed, regency period building.

Because of this, lots of the original style Georgian cornice work has been restored and replaced, while a completely new M&E system has been installed, and the hotel boasts Carrara marble bathrooms, and Lefroy Brooks sanitary ware.

The fully refurbished and new sash windows are entirely in keeping with the period of the building.

Before construction could begin in earnest, a significant amount of internal demolition had to take place to remove a huge steel frame.

Overall, almost 15 tonnes of steel were removed, which helped to traverse the building back to front and side to side.

The demolition of internal walls meant that new walls could be created, though as many were kept as possible and existing partitions have been re-used.

All rooms are arranged in a way that acknowledges the original layout, where the aristocracy used to stay during the 19th century.

As a location, Albion House holds the number one place in this East Kent

coastal town. It is well connected such, 12 of the 14 rooms have direct to, with King’s Cross St Pancras sea views and many a guest will be only one hour from Ramsgate. delighted with their choice to stay here.

That, in a nutshell is what is great about In a wider context, it will benefit Ramsgate; it’s a lovely place with lots of the whole area and will prove to sunshine, and has a nice pace of life that be the best hotel in Thanet. has the closest sandy beach to London This is because of the level of and because of its proximity to the capital, thought and consideration that has is an ideal place for people to stay. gone into the building, with Haptic Approximately 10,000sq ft, the Architects providing the design. refurbishment has also included external Acoustics have been a big part of work, therefore the building has been the project with lots of time and painted and has a completely new zinc roof. money spent on how noise can be In addition, there is new decking and contained within spaces, therefore roof to the wrap around the balcony, improving the enjoyment of guests. new windows and stone masonry at the Daniel Gent Construction was the Main front and side of the building that will Contractor for the hotel, which is owned provide steps up to the reception doors.

by Gay and John Haines. Field and Stone, A new basement light well has been whose expertise has ensured the very best rediscovered too and this has been luxury is available at Albion House, shall restored to its original state. be leasing the building from Gay and John As part of the contract, Albion House Haines and operating the hotel therein. has a grand suite, comprising 300sq ft with an elaborate double bed, chesterfield sofa, two armchairs, a writing desk and dressing table.

With its four high elegant Georgian doors that lead out to a wrapUnit 14 Blenheim Close, Pysons Road Industrial Estate, around boundary, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2YF it allows guests t: 01843 861380 M: 07977 589 525 to look out at the E: info@murrayandjones.co.uk W: www.murrayandjones.co.uk picturesque view over the harbour.

Ramsgate really is a superb location and as

41

UKC HOUSING

Britons Croft

Affordable properties for the elderly A West Sussex housing estate is undergoing development to provide 20 new apartments.

Britons Croft is located on Charlton Street and will include 12 homes for affordable rent and eight for shared ownership.

In the heart of Steyning, Britons Croft will have five two-storey blocks, each containing four homes. The scheme has eight two-bedroom and 12 one-bedroom properties, all with individual gardens or balconies.

There will be 29 parking spaces within the scheme - one per flat as well as nine visitor spaces.

Costing £2M, the homes are being funded by Saxon Weald and a grant of £900,000 from Horsham District Council.

Saxon Weald is a housing association, providing close to 6,000 affordable homes for rent and for sale across Sussex and Hampshire. The majority of their homes are in the West Sussex district of Horsham.

All aspects of the development have been designed and highly sustainable to achieve accreditation at Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. The homes will also be fully compliant to the Lifetime Homes standard, with two properties being designed for wheelchair users.

Externally, the flats will be red/brown facing brick, while powder coated dark grey metal balconies will be used including framing and balustrade timber handrails.

Windows will have zinc metal bay cladding

and the roofs will be artificial slate and tiled. driving force behind the design to ensure The Architect is MW Architects, who the ease of access for all residents and have worked with a team of consultants, visitors throughout the development. each being intrinsically involved in this Sunninghill is the Main contractor project from the very beginning. These for the scheme, which will be consultants have a proven background and finished in February 2015. a broad range of experience in residential The apartments are intended for redevelopment schemes of this nature. people over 60 years of age, who Demolition has been required to remove can enjoy outdoor space thanks to a dilapidated building and replace it the layout of the apartments. with something that meets modern Chairman of Steyning Parish Council, standards of living accommodation.

David Barling, said: “We are grateful to When complete, the 20 dwellings will fit Saxon Weald for continued consultation. in well with the surrounding area and will This scheme will be in keeping with the provide well designed, sustainable, low local area, using traditional materials.” energy homes within easy reach of an extensive range of local and town centre services and facilities.

Hard landscaped paved areas will provide access for both vehicles and pedestrians and have been designed with an emphasis on shared surfaces.

Access for all user types, including disabled users, the elderly and We are pleased to be associated with those who are physically impaired Sunninghill Construction and has been a key

wish them continued success

PGL specialise in new builds, timber frames, refurbs and RC frames

unit 6 & 7, ringmer business centre, chamberlaines lane, ringmer, east sussex, bn8 5nf PGL Brickwork Contractors Ltd 13 Sanyhils Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 8UL

email: alan@hodgesandmarten.co.uk

Tel: 01273 55 00 65 Fax: 01273 55 00 65

tel: 01273 812 771 fax: 01273 812 746

www.pglcontractors.co.uk

42

PROFILE UKC

Gentoo Group

Comprising companies recognised throughout the UK Gentoo is responsible for delivering an exceptional standard of customer care; it is a diverse organisation that focuses on the key areas of people, property and planet.

There are a number of divisions within Gentoo who work collectively as one to ensure efficiency and value for customers.

The Group of companies includes divisions operating in care and support services, construction, design, build and maintenance, environmental sustainability, solar panels and specialist glass, and property rental and sales.

Its group of companies includes Gentoo Living, Gentoo Green, Gentoo Homes Ltd, Gentoo Genine Ltd, Gentoo Construction Ltd, Gentoo Sunderland Ltd, Romag Ltd, Astley Ltd and West of Scotland.

Gentoo is committed to delivering the very highest quality of construction services and work extremely hard to provide the best value for money for the clients, through the provision of a comprehensive range of services.

The construction side of the Company specialises in sustainable construction across a number of sectors including care, commercial, education, health, industrial and retail, while also specialising in low carbon refurbishment, renewable energy, asbestos removal and minor works.

The Company’s approach to delivering a wide range of construction services is underpinned by always doing right by the customers. Gentoo’s aim is to make the buildings constructed the most advanced they can be.

In order to achieve this, the Company only recruit and retain the most talented and experienced people to ensure each project is successfully and expertly managed. Gentoo goes out of its way to exceed construction, environmental and customer service standards.

One of the things that sets Gentoo apart from many other construction companies is its expertise in low carbon construction projects, from zero carbon housing to refurbishment projects, generating up to 80% CO2 reductions.

Combining this experience with its market leading expertise, it’s Gentoo’s vision to transform the built environment.

It is a company with high expectations and offers a one-stop-shop service, which can create a holistic approach, tailor made for each customer.

The team can see a project through from beginning to end, guaranteeing a hasslefree process and exceeding the needs of an increasingly diverse client base.

Because it is a profit for purpose organisation, whatever financial gain is made from construction projects gets reinvested back into communities in which the Company works, where it can be used most effectively to make a real difference to people’s lives.

The Company takes its social responsibility very seriously and as part of this, maintain more than 30,000 homes, while also being responsible for the management and maintenance of a large number of private and leasehold properties.

Various facilities management services have been provided to customers since 2001. To ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible, the highly trained professional staff are specialists in every aspect of the internal and external maintenance of buildings – including both major and minor repairs, improvements and alterations.

With a dedicated team that operates from a number of regional bases, customers can be sure that the right solution will be found, whether it be addressing running day-to-day repairs or large scale planned maintenance.

A wide array of

projects have been undertaken by Gentoo, and one which was completed in May will help to save hundreds of pounds a year for 100 homes in Sunderland.

The energy efficiency scheme has seen an estate in Springwell receive external wall insulation and some homes have also benefited from double glazed windows, enhancing their warmth and comfort, as well as reducing energy bills.

The project was funded by EDF Energy as part of their commitment to energy efficiency.

It was a scheme initially in the public spotlight because the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding originally allocated to the project was withdrawn by another supplier just two weeks before work was due to commence on site, as a result of the proposed reductions to ECO obligation nationwide.

Gentoo continued to find an alternative source of funding and, thanks to a strong working relationship with EDF Energy, were able to secure funding required to make the scheme go ahead in early January.

A AND R GROUNDWORKS LIMITED Road and Sewers Foundations Hard Landscape

79 Barras Avenue West, Blyth, Northumberland NE24 3LR

Tel: 01670 352433 Email: richard.mann@argroundworksltd.com 43

UKC HOUSING

Pettiver Crescent

Homes provided for Rugby Borough Council Building work at a council housing development in Hillmorton is progressing well and is on track for completion at the end of this year.

On behalf of Rugby Borough Council, the project at Pettiver Crescent will see the creation of 23 new homes exclusively for council tenants, comprising four onebedroom maisonettes, 12 two-bedroom houses, and seven three-bedroom homes.

The site used to house 38 flats but these were run down to the point that they did not provide adequate living conditions. It also had some garages on site and all of these were demolished prior to construction.

Having a level site to build on with no contamination in the ground made it easy to begin construction for the Main Contractor, Wates Construction, whose values, long term vision and financial independence has enabled the Company

44

to thrive through the economic ups and downs of more than a century.

The distinctive culture celebrates people, partnership and sustainability with Wates always exploring new ways for the construction industry to work together on strategic issues such as reducing waste and boosting skills.

Comprising 1,795sq m, the development includes 43 off-road parking spaces and solar panels on all homes, which will reduce the cost of energy bills.

As the properties are being constructed to sustainable homes level 4, they all have gardens with an external shed and compost bin.

Externally, there will be facing brick, plain clay roof tiles with uPVC windows and external doors.

All homes will have provision for the disabled, all of which are easy access and there are drainage gullies under the lounge

floor to take a ground floor/flat floor shower.

There are strengthening joists within the first floor for a hoist to be added at a later date if necessary.

Armstrong Burton has undertaken the planning on the project. The Company was created in 2005 and has a planning team that offers a varied and comprehensive range of expertise including residential and mixed use development, retail and commercial development, business parks and distribution, hotels, pubs and restaurants, as well as sporting and leisure facilities.

The project is designed by GSS Architecture. Founded in 1979, the Practice is one of the longest established practices in the country, specialising in providing a fully all-encompassing solution for clients.

Work on this ÂŁ2.5M project started in October 2013 and will be completed in December 2014.

With many years industry experience, we offer a full service combined with genuine expertise.

Nationwide is highly respected in the public sector for our work with registered social landlords to raise housing standards. Our window and door manufacturing and installation service supports all the standards you would expect, and we are closely involved in many other initiatives and frameworks.

We can: • Simplify the entire process with one direct point of contact from start to finish • Supply high quality windows and doors through CHIC • Complete the installation via EEM • Provide a complete window and door manufacturing and installation service • Help you ensure tenant satisfaction Nationwide Windows proudly partners Rugby Borough Council.

Nationwide Windows

Nationwide House, 74-88 Somers Road, Rugby CV22 7DH

Tel: 01788 569 228 Fax: 01788 546 558 Email: n@nationwidewindows.co.uk Website: www.nationwidewindows.co.uk

New building to meet demand A Kent primary school is enjoying brand new facilities after the completion of a new building in time for the new school year.

John Wesley Primary School in Singleton, Ashford has now fulfilled its vision of becoming a three-form entry school - something that was always the intention when the first school building was finished eight years ago.

Initially, the school started as a singleform entry school but the intention was always to open the school and expand so it could hold even more pupils.

It became two-form entry but this new project has taken the school to a whole new level.

It has resulted in a new two-storey eight classroom block that has replaced two mobile classrooms and allowed the capacity to expand.

In addition, there are six small consultation/office-type rooms and toilets over two floors.

There are two stair cores, a platform lift for the disabled and link corridors at first floor level into the main building, as well as ground floor.

Alongside the teaching block there

EDUCATION UKC

John Wesley Primary School yellow stock brick and slate tiled roof. was a need to extend the size of the The original Planning Architect hall, which wasn’t big enough for the projected number of total students. was Hartwell Architects, and OSG One of the greatest aspects of the Architecture finished the design. project is the sizeable classrooms it Costing £1.5M, the development was completed in September 2014, and has has built, which are large and airy. resulted in a building that everybody at Upstairs, all classrooms have balconies the school is extremely pleased with. and even the external classrooms have space for the children.

The building also has a passive vent airflow system which, when it gets too hot or the CO2 levels are high, it starts drawing air into the building, providing natural ventilation.

Unit 14 Blenheim Close, Pysons Road Industrial Estate, WW Martin is Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2YF responsible for the high quality t: 01843 861380 M: 07977 589 525 construction E: info@murrayandjones.co.uk W: www.murrayandjones.co.uk which has made sure that the new building matches the original school with a

45

UKC PROFILE

Alumno Developments

Specialists in student accommodation Set up eight years ago, Alumno Developments is a private company that primarily specialises in the development, operation and planning of student accommodation.

Working throughout the country, the Company also works on mixed use developments, providing buildings and facilities for artist workshops, studios and other groups.

Developments have been undertaken as part of university partnerships or for a third party community group to utilise. This has seen construction of incubation spaces and enterprise units.

Based in central London, the Company uses a team of consultants in various parts of the country who have years of experience and allow projects to be completed all over the place.

Alumno employs ten people who are all focused development professionals with a range of backgrounds encompassing architecture, project management, regeneration and planning.

Providing a niche service does present challenges, but staff members benefit from in-house training and also learn on various building sites. Where there is sufficient interest, Alumno also sends staff to courses and other conferences, allowing them to continue learning.

The Company is careful to make sure all projects undertaken are well thought out and well considered, with sites and end users identified, as well as architecture that is sympathetic to the existing surroundings, history and environment of a site.

All projects are diligently researched, with attention paid to understanding the local area, engaging stakeholders, and being sure of the ability to make a difference to the area.

David Campbell, Managing Director of Alumno, told us about how important it is for the Company to present itself in best possible way.

“He said: “Consultation is a key cornerstone of what we do; early engagement, open dialogue, open correspondence and very transparent.

“We set up websites talking about what

46

we do and if you can get off on the right easy walking distance of the University of footing, that sets you up for more footfall Glasgow, the building uses natural materials and positive relationships going forward.” and blends in with the existing architecture, Alumno is currently working at St fitting seamlessly into an existing community.

Andrews to redevelop a coastal Key to the Company’s approach is standing area of the East Sands district. out in comparison with competitors, The beach fronted development will something which David Campbell explains incorporate an attractive and functional open is done by Alumno’s interest in people. space along with landscaping to protect and “The big thing from our point of view enhance the site’s surroundings and increase is that we are interested in people - not its accessibility to the general public. A new only the people that are going to end children’s nursery will also be on site. up occupying our building but also Granted planning permission in January the people that live next door.”

2014, the location is ideal for student accommodation, being in easy walking distance to the University of St Andrews.

The mixture of self contained cluster flats of between four- and six-bedrooms with ensuite facilities, common room and other social amenities will enhance the student experience while also keeping disruption of the local community to a minimum.

Work on this project should be complete in 2016.

The Company is finishing up on a project in Glasgow’s West End. Education - Medical - Residential Based on Commercial - Hotel & Leisure Dumbarton Road, this stunning ARCHITECTURE - INTERIOR DESIGN building will provide URBAN PLANNING - DESIGN PROJECT MANAGEMENT 174 bed spaces with a cafe/restaurant on 4 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HL the ground floor.

T: 0191 3849470 W: www.howarthlitchfield.co.uk Formerly a Comet electrical store RIBA AWARD winning architects that is within

COMMENT UKC

Adjudication: Claims for money from both parties

By Peter Sheridan, Partner, Sheridan Gold LLP In previous recent articles, I have considered the responding party’s general right to run any defence in adjudication, and the circumstances in which the responding party may set off a sum against the amount due under an adjudicator’s decision, particularly in relation to extension of time cases. I now turn to the position relating to apparently straightforward monetary claims.

Adjudications are often concerned with the valuation of a contractor’s or subcontractor’s account, either interim or final account valuation. Frequently a contractor or sub-contractor starts the adjudication claiming a sum of money, although sometimes an employer or contractor will take the initiative and refer the dispute to adjudication to try to establish that its valuation is correct.

Taking the straightforward example of a contractor referring an interim valuation dispute to adjudication, the dispute will normally be as to the correct valuation of the account, with the contractor claiming by way of relief payment to it of the sum of £x or such other sum as the adjudicator may decide is due. The other side of the coin is the employer’s contention that no sum is due, or that payment is in fact due to the employer because of earlier overpayment and/or items it is entitled to set off.

Inherent in any adjudication of this type is that although the referring party seeks money, the question that the adjudicator resolves may result in money being due to the other party. It is not always understood by referring parties or by adjudicators that where a contractor refers the dispute and seeks payment of £x or such other sum as the adjudicator may decide, the adjudicator may not only decide that £y is due to the employer but may also order that the contractor pay £y to the employer.

It will normally be futile for the referring contractor in these cases to frame the description of the dispute and the relief in terms that are limited to the question how much money is due from

the employer to the contractor. If the dispute is as to the correct valuation of the account and what sum is due having regard to payment already made, and that is what the adjudicator determines, then the decision can include an order for money to be paid either way.

In the Workspace case, Workspace engaged YJL to carry out construction works. Two disputes were referred to adjudication and then to arbitration for a final determination, which resulted in an amount awarded in favour of Workspace.

YJL made partial payment of the amount of the arbitral award but withheld a sum arising out of an adjudicator’s decision in a third adjudication; this adjudicator’s decision pre-dated the arbitral award.

Coulson J held that YJL was entitled to make this set-off, but the main interest of this case for present purposes concerns some remarks made obiter in relation to the decision in the third adjudication.

Workspace brought the third adjudication in the following circumstances. The architect had issued interim certificate 27 in a negative sum, so monies were due to Workspace rather than to YJL under this certificate. YJL refused to pay, so Workspace went to adjudication claiming the amount on the certificate, £230,799. In the event, the adjudicator decided that the negative value of the certificate should have been £77,371.70. YJL had already repaid £126,192, so rather than monies being due to Workspace, £56,143.35 (including VAT) was due from Workspace to YJL. The adjudicator did not order Workspace to pay the sum of £56,143.35 to YJL, stating: “Whilst it follows from my finding that YJL should be entitled to a further amount of £48,820.30 [net of VAT], due to the scope of the adjudication notice and the redress sought, I considered that I was unable to decide or direct that the amount was due.”

Coulson J, however, said that the adjudicator was wrong on this point; the adjudicator could have and in fact did decide that the amount was due and could

also have directed that the amount he decided wad be paid by Workspace to YJL. The dispute in this case (as is typically the position) encompassed not just the interim valuation of the account, but what balance was due, taking into account payments already made. Inherent in the resolution of this type of dispute is the need to determine by whom the balance is to be paid to whom.

For more information, contact Peter Sheridan Partner at Sheridan Gold LLP T: 01737 735088 E: psheridan@sheridangold.co.uk www.sheridangold.co.uk

Peter Sheridan

47

UKC COMMENT

Industry gearing up for new Basement Chapter Marc Separovic – NHBC Technical Projects Manager Basement projects remain a cause of concern in the house building industry.

With the current inflation in house prices, and limited availability of land, there is no surprise that more developers are extending below ground. It is not uncommon in large houses to extend three storeys deep below ground, creating the new era of ‘Iceberg’ houses, potentially doubling or even trebling floor areas to maximise returns. This boom of basement construction has uncovered several key issues, mainly: poor workmanship, health and safety and planning issues.

The HSE has experienced an alarming manifestation of basement construction health and safety issues.

As a result of the concerns, the HSE has initiated several inspection blitzes on basement sites across four London boroughs over the past two years.

The inspections have resulted in a third of basement sites failing health and safety spot checks, resulting in enforcement action. However, despite the clear evidence that domestic basement projects remain a cause for concern, HSE’s lead inspector for the initiative believes some progress is being made.

The Local Authorities, especially in our major cities, have also experienced an influx of basement planning applications, and subsequent issues. In the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, planning applications for basements rose from just 13 in 2001, to 182 in 2010, and to 307 in 2012. In March 2014, the London Assembly unanimously agreed a motion to take action to limit excessive subterranean developments across London. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea appear to be leading the way, with significant changes proposed to their planning rules, limiting domestic basements to single story below ground level, and a maximum of 50% of any rear garden.

In 2013, NHBC, the leading insurance and warranty provider for new homes in the UK, launched a basement campaign that highlighted a number of workmanship issues. Between 2005 and 2013 basement claims cost NHBC in the region of £21M affecting around 890 homes. With the frequency of basement claims to registrations occurring 1,600 times greater than foundation related

48

claims there is a significant challenge to ensure the quality of build. NHBC has been working with key figures and organisations from the sector on various initiatives to address the problems; one of these initiatives includes implementing a new basement chapter within the NHBC Standards to be delivered in 2015.

This new chapter will provide practical guidance for structural waterproofing and the construction of basements.

Given the past failure rates, the current boom, and the impending reform, the basement industry has a significant challenge ahead. So as designers what can we do to help reduce risk and raise Standards?

Key areas are discussed below: ••Be satisfied that the chosen water proofing system is suitable for the performance grade in question and level of risks involved.

••Ensure that the extent of additional investigations specifically required for the assessment of ground conditions, water levels, and design of the basement construction reflects the level of associated risk involved.

••Check that all critical construction points within the chosen water proofing system have been suitably detailed prior to construction.

••Satisfy yourself that the contractor is competent to install the system in question.

••When value engineering ensure that the water proofing system is not compromised, and still reflects the level of associated risk involved.

••Only use products/systems that have current independent certification or that of equal or better level of assessment.

••Keep up to date with basement guidance & legislation - NHBC CH5.4 (Due 2015), New planning requirements (due imminently), and The Basement Information Centre New Guidance Document to replace AD Basements for dwellings.

Please e-mail technical@nhbc.co.uk if you have any queries.

Marc Separovic

velux.co.uk/modularskylights

Business continues to climb for the Stairways Group The Stairways Group (SWG) has been experiencing an

This creates an increase in demand for products. The Stairways

increase in demand for their products in the past 18 months

Group has embraced this ever-increasing demand for their

and business looks set to increase in the future.

products. With manufacturing hours increasing to allow

This continuing business success is due to the unique products that SWG provides to the industry. The Stairways Group has

products to be delivered on time, SWG has deployed a night shift arrangement at all sites to ensure timely delivery to clients.

increased their product portfolio and certification for internal

Karen Wood, Managing Director for the Stairways Group says

door sets (Fire and Sound) and has become involved in larger

of these business challenges: “We try to work with clients to

build projects. This has meant a demand for more of their

gain their build programme requirements as early as possible.

products but on a bigger scale.

This ensures that we don’t slow on the deliveries to the projects

The market is buoyant and booming for SWG with an acquisition of new clients, but with all this new business brings new challenges.

One of the biggest challenges is placement of orders. Clients cannot place orders quick enough to keep in line with the

and allows us the maximum time to procure the raw materials needed. Although sometimes time consuming, this strategy ensures we deliver on-time and on-budget. The Stairways Group is successfully overcoming all challenges that are thrown at us and are looking forward to even more success in the future.”

build programme. Clients also have to accelerate the build programme, due to market demand for finished units.

Safe as houses Choose Stairways and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you will not only receive an attractive, quality, durable and performing doorset, but also one that meets PAS 24:2012 regulations.

Call 01926 818770 for assistance with specifications and technical advice.

www.stairways.co.uk Doorsets | Door Kits | Staircases | Bespoke Joinery

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