Only 43% of employees happy with quality of office wireless connections 33% of employees say they are not provided with the technology they need to work flexibly 65% of workers are uncomfortable with employers using wearable technology to track them within the office, but older workers slightly more
Students invited to enter RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship The 2016 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship has launched and is inviting applications from schools of architecture around the world. A £6,000 grant will be awarded to one student by a panel of judges which
Willmott Dixon has been awarded contracts with new client Village Hotel Club to build a new hotel in Portsmouth and refurbish three others in Newcastle, Dudley and Liverpool. Above: CGI of Urban Village Hotel, Portsmouth The 154-bedroom hotel in Lakeside New Harbour, Portsmouth, will be built by Willmott Dixon under
Concerns have been raised over the health standards of construction workers after a series of independent inspections of construction sites found that dust masks were not being used correctly. The findings of the 10,000 visits made to sites throughout the country by the Building Safety Group (BSG) earlier in the
In a surprising move, Thames Water has revealed that will leave the commercial property utilities market when tendering begins, transferring all of its current business clients to former rival, Castle Water. Thames Water stands as the UK’s largest water and wastewater services provider, supplying around 2,600 million litres of tap
The Building Research Establishment (better known as BRE) is launching a brand-new certification scheme to allow solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installers to reassure their customers that systems are delivered safely and, more importantly, that PV systems will perform reliably. There are currently around 870,000 PV systems in operation across the
Leading international infrastructure group, Balfour Beatty has signed on the dotted line to deliver One Nine Elms, part of Europe’s largest ever regeneration project, Nine Elms which will see the transformation of 3km of London’s riverside into a sleek residential and commercial district. The firm has signed a preconstruction agreement
Leading procurement organisation, Scape Group is upping the value of its national construction framework from £5.5bn to a whopping £7bn, a boost which will see the body’s framework become the country’s most valuable procurement framework. The rise has been planned for a while; notice was published by Scape in the
Three site managers working on sites in Worchestershire have been honoured with the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) hotly-contested Pride in the Job awards. Andy Tromans, a site manager for the Midlands arm of Taylor Wimpey was credited for his management of The Hopyards, a site in Martley. Another Andy
Only 43% of employees happy with quality of office wireless connections 33% of employees say they are not provided with the technology they need to work flexibly 65% of workers are uncomfortable with employers using wearable technology to track them within the office, but older workers slightly more amenable to being monitored A study released by Savills and the British Council for Offices (BCO) has revealed that only 43% of UK employees are satisfied with the levels of technology provided within the workplace. The report, What Workers Want, highlights that this is despite the fact that 74% of respondents say that ‘good quality wireless technology’ is important or very important to them – ranking it as more important than their office having good public transport connections (ranked as important by 71%), food facilities (60%) or available meeting rooms (56%). The poll of 1,132 office workers across the UK investigates the factors that are important to employees in the workplace, and how much they believe that their current environment satisfies those requirements. “This disconnect between the importance in which workers hold a wireless connection and what employers actually provide demonstrates that workplaces have generally failed to keep up with advances in personal technology, which is surprising given the ever-increasing importance of connectivity in enabling them to function”, says Steve Lang, research director at Savills and author of the report. “Employers may be deterred from upgrading their wireless, either by the expense or the impression that some staff may use it for personal use, but given that having strong WiFi is so important to employees it is no longer a factor that can be ignored in the fight to recruit and retain talent.” Wearable technology Employees also remain sceptical of their organisations using technology to track their movements within the workplace, with 65% of respondents saying that they are uncomfortable with the prospect. Surprisingly, older respondents are slightly more amenable to it than younger ones: 12% of employees aged over 55 said they would be ‘very comfortable’ being monitored, while only 5% of those aged 25-34 selected this option. Overall, however, all age groups remain very uncomfortable at the idea. Men are marginally more uncomfortable than women with 67% saying they are uncomfortable being monitored, compared to 62% of women. Jeremy Bates, head of UK transactional services at Savills, comments: “Data from wearables can help to manage a building effectively and regulate issues such as temperature. If it is used responsibly, and both employer and employee have agreed clear parameters on what information will be collected and how it will be used, there is no reason why wearable technology shouldn’t become a familiar feature of the workplace.” Harnessing technology to personalise the desk environment Comfort of the work area, temperature and light also continue to be of high importance to employees. When asked about what factors affect their wellbeing in the office, each factor received an importance score of above 80% among respondents. “Want Workers Want shows that increasingly employees want greater control of their immediate working environment to respond to their individual needs”, continues Steve. “We may well see the emergence of new technologies that will allow light and temperature to be controlled at desk level – a development that would surely be facilitated by better wireless infrastructure.” -ends- Notes to editors: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,132 office workers aged 16 and over. Fieldwork was undertaken between 21st December 2015 – 13th January 2016. The survey was carried out online. About the BCOThe British Council for Offices (BCO) is the UK’s leading member organisation representing the interests of all those who occupy, design, build, own or manage offices in the UK. Since inception in 1990, the BCO has provided thought leadership and best practice in all issues related to the creation and use of office space – through to its research, awards, conference and events programmes. www.bco.org.uk Source link
Students invited to enter RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship The 2016 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship has launched and is inviting applications from schools of architecture around the world. A £6,000 grant will be awarded to one student by a panel of judges which includes Lord Foster and President of the RIBA Jane Duncan. Lord Foster said: “As a student I won a prize that allowed me to spend a summer travelling through Europe and to study first hand buildings and cities that I knew only from the pages of books. It was a revelation – liberating and exhilarating in so many ways. Today it is my privilege to fund the RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship, which I hope will have a lasting legacy – offering the chance for discovery and the inspiration for exciting new work – for generations to come.” RIBA President Jane Duncan said: “Generously supported by Lord Foster, this scholarship provides a chance for students to engage with architecture, outside of the academic context, in what will no doubt be a rewarding and enlightening experience. I would strongly encourage all students of architecture to apply for this exciting opportunity.” The deadline for submissions is 22 April 2016. Further details and an application form can be downloaded from the RIBA website. www.architecture.com/fosterscholarship ENDS Notes to editors: 1. For further press information contact Callum Reilly callum.reilly@riba.org +44 (0)20 7307 3757 2. If you are a student interested in applying please visit: www.architecture.com/fosterscholarship 3. First established in 2006, the scholarship is now in its ninth year and is intended to fund international research on a topic related to the survival of our towns and cities, in a location of the student’s choice. Past RIBA Norman Foster Scholars have travelled through the Americas, Europe, Africa, South East Asia, the Middle and the Far East, and Russia. 4. Proposals for research might include: learning from the past to inform the future; the future of society; the density of settlements; sustainability; the use of resources; the quality of urban life; and transport. 5. Past recipients of the RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship: 2015: ‘Cycling Megacities’ by Charles Palmer of Sheffield University School of Architecture, which explored how policies, investments and campaigns are transforming urban public space in a bid to make the bicycle a transportation option for all social classes. 2014: ‘Buffer Landscapes 2060’ by Joe Paxton of the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College, London, which investigated some of the measures taken to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as reservoirs, artificial lakes and rivers – and the opportunities that these landscapes offer for habitation, as well as flood protection. 2013: ‘Charles Booth Going Abroad’ by Sigita Burbulyte of Bath School of Architecture, which takes the poverty maps of Victorian social reformer Charles Booth as the starting point for an exploration of slum communities across four continents 2012: ‘Material Economies: recycling practices in informal settlements along African longitude 30ºE’ by Thomas Aquilina, Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, part of the University of Edinburgh, UK 2011: ‘Sanitation’ by Sahil Deshpande, Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai, India 2010: ‘In Search of Cold Spaces – a study of northern public space’ by Andrew Mackintosh, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK 2009: ‘Ancestral Cities, Ancestral Sustainability’ by Amanda Rivera, University de Bio Bio, Chile 2008: ‘The Role of Public Transport in Shaping Sustainable Humane Habitats: Case Studies Across Three Continents’ by Faizan Jawed Siddiqi, Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai, India 2007: ‘Emerging East: Exploring and Experiencing the Asian Communist City’ by Ben Masterton-Smith, UCL, London, UK 6. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members www.architecture.com 7. Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA @RIBA Posted on Friday 15th January 2016 Source link
Willmott Dixon has been awarded contracts with new client Village Hotel Club to build a new hotel in Portsmouth and refurbish three others in Newcastle, Dudley and Liverpool. Above: CGI of Urban Village Hotel, Portsmouth The 154-bedroom hotel in Lakeside New Harbour, Portsmouth, will be built by Willmott Dixon under a £17m contract. The contractor has been developing quite a portfolio in the hotel sector. IN recent years it has built Dorsett City Hotel next to Aldgate underground station in London, a new Premier Inn hotel in Beverley, a Novotel in Brentford and the Commercial Road Holiday Inn in east London. Willmott Dixon Interiors is also refurbishing several Travel Lodge hotels. This article was published on 6 Oct 2016 (last updated on 6 Oct 2016). Source link
Concerns have been raised over the health standards of construction workers after a series of independent inspections of construction sites found that dust masks were not being used correctly. The findings of the 10,000 visits made to sites throughout the country by the Building Safety Group (BSG) earlier in the year found that a significant number of workers had not fitted their masks correctly. The research also shows a 58% rise in breaches of personal protective equipment use between the first and second quarters of this year. The BSG said that most of the breaches uncovered related to the way firms use “face fit” dust masks, which the group said was particularly concerning as these masks cut down on the risk of workers inhaling dangerous chemicals from the dust they are working with. The substances can lead to fatal diseases such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and lung cancer. Overall, the inspections carried out by the BSG discovered that occupational health non-compliance concerns went up by 28% between the first and second quarters of 2016. Furthermore, there was a 43% increase in violations concerning the control of substances hazardous to health and a 13% rise in dust fume infringements. The findings of the research has led Paul Kimpton, BSG Managing Director, to call for construction companies to review their health and safety protocol on a regular basis to make sure that they comply with the latest legislation. Kimpton commented: “Everyone involved in construction has a responsibility in managing risks to health, and all parties must take ownership of their part of the process. Construction dust is not just a nuisance. It can seriously damage your health and cause life-changing lung diseases.” The findings come at a time when the construction industry is taking big steps as a whole to cut down on the risks to health and safety.
In a surprising move, Thames Water has revealed that will leave the commercial property utilities market when tendering begins, transferring all of its current business clients to former rival, Castle Water. Thames Water stands as the UK’s largest water and wastewater services provider, supplying around 2,600 million litres of tap water to some 9 million customers across London and the Thames Valley every day. The organisation also removes and treats more than 4 billion litres of sewage for 15 million customers, and operates and maintains some 102 water treatment works, 30 raw water reservoirs, 288 pumping stations and 235 clean water service reservoirs. Castle Water, a Scottish water supplier, will begin to take on Thames Water’s responsibilities to business customers in autumn this year as the role Thames Water’s is eventually fazed out in stages. By April 2017, Castle Water is expected to have acquired the business retail operation as well as Thames Water’s current Scottish client base – just in time for the opening of the competitive market. Thames Chief Executive, Martin Baggs, remained positive about the organisation’s process of consolidation, insisting that the dissolution of its business arm would enable the company to focus more fully on its regional household business which he described as Thames Water’s “core” operation. He added that it would open up the national retail market, inspiring greater competition and, in turn, delivering better value for customers – something that aligns with the values and ambitions of the new government. The organisation will continues to provide retail services to household customers. And, as Martin Baggs alludes, the household market is Thames Water’s biggest, making up more than 95% of its total client base. With renewed emphasis on that market, Thames Water intends to invest heavily in the creation a new customer relationship and billing system to improve levels of customer service and customer satisfaction. Existing business clients with Thames Water need not fear, however. Baggs stressed that Castle Water works by the same tokens as Thames Water and will continue to meet the needs of customers in the same attentive and high quality manners that clients to which clients have grown accustomed. John Reynolds, Chief Executive of Castle Water confirmed the news and expressed his excitement for the opportunity, adding that the provision of water for Thames Water’s business clients is another step toward becoming the UK’s fastest growing water suppliers.
The Building Research Establishment (better known as BRE) is launching a brand-new certification scheme to allow solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installers to reassure their customers that systems are delivered safely and, more importantly, that PV systems will perform reliably. There are currently around 870,000 PV systems in operation across the UK, fitted on residential and commercial properties. Despite that figure, there has never been a standardised certification scheme or best practice framework in place thus solar PV customers cannot be provided absolute confidence or certainty as to the value of the service provided. With a view to remedying that uncertainty, BRE Global, is unveiling a new certification scheme capable of providing quality assurance on systems of 50 kWp (equivalent to around 350m2) and above. BRE’s new scheme was launched at yesterday’s Solar PV Summit in London. With the solar PV certification scheme, the world-leading scientific research group, responsible for the much sought-after BREEAM environmental and sustainability building standard, principally aims to instil greater confidence in solar PV amongst installers, developers and customers and, in turn, ecnourage greater uptake of the energy generation technology. Jonny Williams, Director of BRE’s National Solar Centre admitted that its currently difficult for end users to ascertain the standard with which their system has been fitted and be sure that it will continue to perform consistently in the years ahead. The new certification will eradicate that problem, he said, formalising the practice and expectations as well as making sure al solar PV systems are appropriate to the property on which they’re fitted. As well as details on best practice installation, the scheme also comprises system design and on-site commissioning information. It has been developed on the back of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems. Firms securing BRE certification must undergo regular surveillance assessments in order to maintain compliance.
Leading international infrastructure group, Balfour Beatty has signed on the dotted line to deliver One Nine Elms, part of Europe’s largest ever regeneration project, Nine Elms which will see the transformation of 3km of London’s riverside into a sleek residential and commercial district. The firm has signed a preconstruction agreement with Chinese developer Wanda One to build what will be two highly-exclusive apartment blocks in Vauxhall, London. Developed Wanda One had previously held CI-One Construction (an amalgamation of Interserve and China State Construction Engineering Corporation) as firm favourite to complete the build. However, following the breakdown of communication during the negotiation of the £550 main works contract, Wanda One put the tender for One Nine Elms and back on the market earlier this year and it was snapped up by Balfour Beatty. The pair will now commence ironing out the finer details of the contract with the hope of signing a final contract by the end of 2016, ready to commence works early next year. Tim Gawthorn, Director at Wanda One (UK), confirmed reports that Balfour Beatty had signed the preconstruction contract, calling it “another important milestone” in the development of One Nine Elms. He expressed his delight at the new partnership and is hopeful that, together, they can deliver the iconic London development. Dean Banks, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Services business echoed Gawthorn’s sentiment, crediting Wanda One and expressing his excitement to get the “fantastic project” going. He said that that Balfour Beatty successful tender reflects the “depth and breadth of experience” that the firm possesses in the large-scale residential sector. One Nine Elms is expected to be completed in 2018. It will be composed of two skyscrapers, 45-storeys and 60-storeys high, and incorporate more than 400 new apartments as well as a five-star hotel. Considering the problems Wanda One faced working with CI-One Construction, construction will doubtless be fast-tracked with a view to finishing works on time.
Leading procurement organisation, Scape Group is upping the value of its national construction framework from £5.5bn to a whopping £7bn, a boost which will see the body’s framework become the country’s most valuable procurement framework. The rise has been planned for a while; notice was published by Scape in the Official Journal of the European Community (OJEU) Scape. The organisation said that it has increased the value of its main procurement framework following feedback from clients, gathered during the many market consultation sessions it has held and continues to hold. Scape went on to say that the £1.5bn boost is indicative of growing demand amongst clients for effective, efficient project delivery, programme certainty and financial security. The framework is divided into five, according to geographical region and nature of works. It appears below: A greater number of lead contractors are expected to be awarded the new framework – unlike Scape’s previous procurement framework which was overwhelming dominated by big name contractor, Willmott Dixon. Bidding contractors will have the opportunity to bag up to two of the three regional lots or one of either Major Works UK or Principal Works (UK) thus providing them access to a greater variety of suppliers and service providers within the framework. As always, just one managing contractor take the helm, supported by a broad and all-encompassing local supply chain. Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of Scape Group, is hopeful about the potential of the new £7bn framework and firmly believes that it will match the changing expectations of contractors and clients alike. From public consultations, Mark also suggested that the increased value would enable public sector bodies, in particular, to continue regeneration works and meet demand for housing in a high quality, cost-effective and on time way. Mark Robinson added that the public’s recent decision to leave the EU would not affect the introduction of the new procurement framework and that “it is very much business as usual” for Scape. Successful bidders for the new framework are expected to be announced early next year. By May 2017, it is predicted to have fully fazed out the National Major Works framework that Scape currently offers.
Three site managers working on sites in Worchestershire have been honoured with the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) hotly-contested Pride in the Job awards. Andy Tromans, a site manager for the Midlands arm of Taylor Wimpey was credited for his management of The Hopyards, a site in Martley. Another Andy – this time Andy Addis, a site manager for Lioncourt Homes Ltd – won a Pride in the Job award for his role on the Saxon Meadow site, Kempsey. Finally, one of Persimmon Homes South Midlands’ site managers, Jamie Duggan bagged his award for his management of a Pershore site, Wyre Meadows. The three men join NHBC’s Hall and Fame and stand alongside nearly 450 others from across the UK acknowledged by the association as exemplary. The Pride in the Job award has been running for 36 years and aims to celebrate and commemorate the hard work put in by site managers and, furthermore, the valid contribution they make when it comes to building homes in an effective, efficient and high quality manner. Winners have undergone spot checks to ascertain the quality of their day-to-day site management and, similarly, each site is itself assessed under 37 different, site management-specific criteria, including: technical knowledge, quality control, building consistency, and health and safety. Paul Edwards, Regional Director at the NHBC, congratulated the trio, saying they should be commended for their efforts and positive contribution to the local community. He added that the three men should be taken as a benchmark from which others can learn and that the role of the Pride in the Job awards is very much to highlight and inspire best practice. Of course, with exceptional site management comes the construction of exceptional homes; Paul Edwards also highlighted the benefit of the Pride in the Job awards for customers. According the data gathered by the NHBC, people buying homes at Pride in the Job winning sites tend to express higher levels of customer satisfaction that those buying elsewhere, he pointed out. All 400+ Quality Award winners will be shortlisted for the NHBC’s Seals of Excellence awards and various regional titles as part of the association’s year-long judging process. Eventual winners will be revealed in the autumn with regional winners going forward to the Pride in the Job final in London in the new year.
