UK architects expect workloads to decrease for the first time since 2012 The Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Future Trends survey saw a significant fall in positivity about future workloads in the first month after the UK referendum on EU membership. The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index entered negative territory in July 2016 for the first time since 2012, with the balance figure standing at -7 (down from +22 in June). Participating practices indicated that this fall was driven by concerns about the implications of Brexit. London saw the biggest drop in confidence about workload prospects. Only Wales and the West (balance figure +14) returned a positive balance figure. Medium-sized practices (11-50 staff) remained somewhat positive about future workloads. Large (50+ staff) and small (1-10 staff) practices anticipated a decline in medium-term workloads. The workload forecasts fell across all four sectors – commercial, community, private housing and public sectors – with the private housing and commercial sectors nevertheless in positive territory. Despite the decrease in workload confidence, the current value of work in progress compared with that of 12 months ago has increased at an annualised rate of 3%. The RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index declined to a lesser extent, standing at +4 in July (down from +14 in June). 90% of participating practices expect to have the same number of staff or more in the next quarter. Large practices were the least confident about increasing staff levels with a balance figure of zero, compared with small practices (+3) and medium-sized practices (+12). RIBA Executive Director Members Adrian Dobson said: “While a very small number of practices stated that they have seen projects cancelled or postponed as a direct result of the referendum outcome, the sense is that the fall in our index reflects anxiety about the future impact of the decision rather than an immediate change in the workload pipeline. Only time will tell if this change in sentiment is an overreaction to political events, but this fall in the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index must be a cause for some concern.” ENDS Notes to editors: 1. For further press information contact Callum Reilly in the RIBA press office: callum.reilly@riba.org 020 7307 3757 2. The Royal Institute of British Architects (@RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. www.architecture.com 3. Completed by a mix of small, medium and large firms based on a geographically representative sample, the RIBA Future Trends Survey was launched in January 2009 to monitor business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. The data in this month’s survey was collected in the period shortly after the UK referendum on membership of the EU. 4. The Future Trends Survey is carried out by the RIBA in partnership with the Fees Bureau. Results of the survey, including a full graphical analysis, are published each month at: http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Professionalsupport/FutureTrendsSurvey.aspx 5. To participate in the RIBA Future Trends Survey, please contact the RIBA Practice Department on 020 7307 3749 or email practice@riba.org. The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete each month, and all returns are independently processed in strict confidence 6. The definition for the workload balance figure is the difference between those expecting more work and those expecting less. A negative figure means more respondents expect less work than those expecting more work. This figure is used to represent the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index, which for July 2016 was -7 7. The definition for the staffing balance figure is the difference between those expecting to employ more permanent staff in the next three months and those expecting to employ fewer. A negative figure means more respondents expect to employ fewer permanent staff. This figure is used to represent the RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index, which for July 2016 was +4 Posted on Thursday 1st September 2016 Source link

Vent-Axia helps raise awareness of lung disease with Breathe Easy Week Published:  15 June, 2016 British fan manufacturer Vent-Axia is supporting Breathe Easy Week. Held between 13 and 19 June, the annual awareness week focuses on lung health and is run by the British Lung Foundation (BLF). The event is designed to highlight the widespread effect of lung disease, which affects about one in five people in the UK. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important issue to lung health. The Royal College of Physicians recently published the report ‘Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution’, which states that around 40,000 people are dying in the UK every year due to air pollution. Exposure to indoor air pollutants such as kitchen products, faulty boilers, open fires, fly sprays, air fresheners and second-hand smoke further add to these figures and impact on indoor air quality. Health problems such as lung disease, cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity and dementia have all been linked to poor air quality. This new report backs up the findings of other recent research, including the BEAMA survey ‘My Health My Home’, which revealed that over one-third of UK homes are at an elevated or severe risk of having polluted indoor air. It follows on from the IAQ research ‘The Future of Indoor Air Quality in UK Homes and its Impact on Health’. This found that as new and refurbished homes become ever more airtight to meet the government’s carbon emission targets for 2050, the number of people suffering with asthma could increase by 80% from current levels. It also found that indoor pollutant levels could increase to the upper end and beyond of World Health Organisation recommended limits. The report suggests that the solution for good IAQ is continuous ventilation and that, in newbuild homes, continuous mechanical ventilation, preferably with heat recovery (MVHR) is the most efficient and effective option. “Vent-Axia is delighted to be supporting Breathe Easy Week this year,” said Jenny Smith, marketing manager at Vent-Axia. “The British Lung Foundation’s aim is that one day everyone will breathe clean air with healthy lungs. At Vent-Axia we support this and are committed to helping to achieve this by providing effective, energy efficient ventilation to help provide good indoor air quality in our homes.” The theme for this year’s Breathe Easy Week is ‘breathlessness’. Millions of people ignore being out of breath in situations where they would not expect to be, such as taking a short walk, unaware that it is one of the most common symptoms of lung disease. This Breathe Easy Week, the BLF is encouraging anyone who experiences this kind of unexpected breathlessness to visit their GP. The BLF’s Breathe Easy support groups will be holding events across the country to help raise awareness of lung health and offer support. Throughout the week, the BLF aims to communicate the seriousness of maintaining lung health and the risk factors that can affect lungs causing a number of major lung conditions, for example, lung cancer, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many more. With 230 Breathe Easy support groups around the country, people can locate their nearest group and see what they are doing by visiting the BLF’s Breathe Easy website: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/breathe-easy.   Source link

Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Aug 9th 2016 The redeveloped York racecourse features roofing and flooring by Welsh Slate. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Roofing and flooring from Welsh Slate feature on the first major redevelopment of the northern end of York racecourse for a century. They were specified by master planners Phelan Architects as a natural material to complement the listed buildings on the racecourse and because of their longevity, being guaranteed for 100 years but capable of performing for considerably longer. The products from Welsh Slate, part of the Lagan Group, include 14,000 Penrhyn Heather Blue County-grade roof slates installed by Sothall Roofing on the stables which feature a 30˚ pitch roof, on the circular roof of the Winning Connections building, and on the 40˚ pitch roof weigh-in building with mitred hips and valleys and concealed gutters. A total of 900m2 of 600mm x 300mm and 300mm x 300mm riven and gauged Cwt Y Bugail 12mm Welsh Slate flooring was also specified for the internal toilets and wet areas of the stables and weigh-in building and for the toilets and internal corridors on the champagne lawns and this was installed by the appointed York-based construction company  Lindum. These elements comprise £5 million of the £10 million redevelopment of the northern end of the racecourse which was laid out in the early 1900s to the designs of Walter Brierley. While there have been additions over the years this was the first comprehensive redevelopment of the Conservation Area since then. For equine and racegoer safety, Phelan proposed moving the enclosure wall which gave a small additional area allowing them to relocate the pre-parade ring and provide new saddling boxes complete with dedicated wash-down yard and veterinary stocks box, and weigh-in building with fine-dining restaurant. This in turn allowed for the re-ordering of the champagne lawns, with new bars, toilets and back-of-house space, improving both the view and utility of the original grandstand – the oldest sporting and only Grade II* listed stand still in use in the world. Drawing on the materials of the racecourse, with a palette of brickwork, timber and the Welsh Slate, Phelan separated the equine buildings into clusters to express their different functions, while organising them in a stable yard arrangement built around the perimeter of the new larger, flatter pre-parade ring, to provide a familiar and calming environment for the horses. The most significant building, and the largest, is the two-storey weigh-in building, on the eastern boundary. Here, the ground floor has been designed with a glazed cloister along its western side to afford views to the pre-parade ring and demonstrate some of the theatre of racing as the jockeys and officials conduct their business. A timber construction differentiates the first floor while the Welsh Slate roof is broken down into individual volumes to reflect the internal organisation. Working around the racing calendar, the 30-month project was completed by Lindum in two phases, with the main equine facilities opening first. In addition to the extensive works to the champagne lawn, the second phase incorporated a new owners’ and trainers’ entrance building and a new Moet pavilion with roof terrace. Phelan Architects director Brendan Phelan said: “The Welsh Slate plays a significant part in tying in with existing facilities. It enhances the buildings. Its long life and natural material was important.” James Brennan, head of marketing and sponsorship at the racecourse, said: “By breathing new life into the northern end of the course, while retaining its historic character, Phelan’s scheme has ensured we can continue to compete as a world-class sports venue, ensuring the horse, the horseman and the racegoer are each given the best possible experience.” ENDS   Source link

The Electrical Wholesaler Awards 2016 raised funds to help the Electrical Industries Charity to continue supporting people who need help the most.   The Electrical Wholesaler Awards 2016 took place at the Park Plaza, London on Thursday 12 May 2016 and raised £1,835 to support the Electrical Industries Charity. The charity will dedicate this money to help the Hendrie family to rebuild their lives after the loss of a husband and father of three who lost his life to an extremely rare form of Cholangiocarcinoma cancer, commonly known as bile duct cancer. Managing director, Tessa Ogle said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Electrical Wholesaler for their continuous support and such a great amount raised.” “The EW Awards 2016 was a fantastic event that raised much-needed funds for our charity. We are delighted for such a significant amount which will be given to help the Hendrie family to rebuild their future.” Source link

Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Mon, Apr 18th 2016 Utilizing new technologies and advanced design strategies to maximize the development, management and optimization of car parks and parking facilities in Qatar. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Supported by the National Traffic Safety Committee, the first day of Smart Parking Qatar took place successfully at The Intercontinental Hotel The City, Doha. The focus was on utilizing new technologies and advanced design strategies to maximize the development, management and optimization of car parks and parking facilities in Qatar. The Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Municipality & Environment, the Ministry of Interior, the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’, Qatar Rail and Qatar Foundation, attended Smart Parking Qatar. It featured a large number of exciting presentations, case studies and a panel discussion among which we can mention: “Utilizing Smart Parking Technology to advance Qatar’s national strategies” by Dr. Adnan Abu-Dayya from Qatar Mobility Innovations Center, “The future of transport and parking in Qatar” by Neil Walmsley from Arup, “Panel Discussion: Coordinating projects to ensure parking strategy is met”, and “Case study: IEGT smart parking: Automated parking solutions”. The response to this event was hugely positive as delegates and sponsors enjoyed the high quality of the speaker panel as well as the opportunities to network with the industry’s key decision makers. “Great knowledge sharing” stated a traffic engineer from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Smart Parking Qatar – Day 2 will host speakers from the Ministry of Municipality & Environment, Transpo Group, KEO International, Integrated Environmental Services, Qatar Project Management, Arab Engineering Bureau Cundall Qatar, Jefferson Contracting W.L.L., and will be discussing sustainability in the parking industry including a panel discussion and 2 case studies!   Source link

Browser does not support script. Contact us The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today announced its intention to open a new Chapter in India, the fourth to be developed as part of RIBA’s growing network of International Chapters. (Chapters exist in the USA, Hong Kong and the Gulf.) RIBA Chapters offer enhanced membership support, networking opportunities and a forum for local activities and CPD. RIBA Head of International Chapters Chloe Sadler said: “We currently have just under 100 members in India who are working tirelessly to uphold the principles of the RIBA and share the importance of good design. This new Chapter will cement the RIBA’s commitment to support our members in India through knowledge exchange and the celebration of architecture. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Indian Institute for Architects (IIA) for the enhancement of the profession.” The RIBA India Chapter will launch next year.     ENDS Notes to editors For further press information contact Howard Crosskey in the RIBA Press Office: 020 7307 3761 howard.crosskey@riba.org Architects interested in joining the RIBA India Chapter should contact RIBA Head of International Chapters Chloe Sadler Chloe.Sadler@riba.org The RIBA currently has working Chapters in the United States, Hong Kong and the Gulf (based in the UAE). The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members www.architecture.com Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA      Posted on Thursday 18th December 2014 Source link

7 October 2016 | Jamie Harris Richard Irvin Energy Solutions has secured a £2 million contract to provide gas and mechanical services to Falkirk Council. Under the terms of the deal, Richard Irvin is to service 250-300 non-domestic council properties, including schools, care homes, community centres and industrial units, providing all mechanical services and monitoring BMS operating systems. Last year, the business was awarded a place on a four-year framework with Moray Council in Scotland. It was also awarded five facilities contracts within the North East oil and gas sector. Source link

One in six British workers are dealing with mental health including; stress, anxiety or depression at any one time. People don’t like to talk about these and yet they cause an estimated 70 million sick days each year and are estimated to cost UK employers over £30 billion a year due to lost productivity, recruitment and absence. It makes sense to keep your greatest assets both physically and mentally healthy to ensure a content, productive and loyal workforce. The stigma associated with the subject of mental health means that most architectural practices have nothing in place to support those employees affected. Yet there is plenty that can be done to help employers and sufferers, and to create a healthy working environment. If an employee breaks an arm, you can empathise and understand how long they are likely to be out of action, what help they will need to return to work. etc. There is an assumption that they will recover and be able to carry on successfully as before. Mental ill-health can be less predictable and harder to understand. It is associated with vulnerability, and therefore sufferers are unwilling to discuss their mental health. Colleagues often feel awkward and reluctant to raise the subject which adds to the sense of isolation. Is there a problem? There are certain characteristics about the way architects work which can add to the likelihood that mental health issue will occur: poorly paid in general often involving long hours volatile and susceptible to ‘feast or famine’ workloads highly personal, requiring the constant commitment to and defending of a personal design potential of needing to compromise personal ethics technologically challenging (particularly for older practitioners) not ‘protected’ by a union most architects work for small practices without HR support Healthy mental wellbeing There are steps that any employer can take to help address well-being in the workplace and to make sure that people affected feel supported. These often have no cost to the practice and improve the working life of everyone. Practical steps might include: ensuring any medical or life insurance you have in place as a company has mental health cover setting up mental health first aiders – it wouldn’t occur to you not to have first aid at work educating your staff – provide access to resources, perhaps on your intranet, which will help them become more literate in mental health issues and encourage them to seek support earlier making sure HR staff, or a nominated person, have at least some basic training to understand mental health issues generally addressing work/life balance issues. Don’t contact staff on holiday and make it possible for people to take time off for personal and family commitments. Operate a no-email policy between 8pm and 8am identifying any triggers in the workplace. Survey your staff and simply ask how people are doing using the support that is already available through employee assistance programmes (EAP) to catch issues early checking out the mental health charity MIND’s website (www.mind.org.uk) for advice Contact the Architects Benevolent Society (www.absnet.org.uk) who can offer excellent support including free counselling (see What to do as an employer, below) Different types of mental illnesses Just as there are many ways that a person can me physically unwell – migraine, flu, chicken pox, broken bones, cancer – there are many mental illnesses which will be diagnosed and treated differently. MIND identifies and gives advice on dealing with: Anger Anxiety and panic Attacks Bipolar disorder Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) Borderline personality disorder (BPD) Depression Dissociative disorder Drug abuse Eating problems Hearing voices Hypomania and mania Loneliness Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Panic attacks Paranoia Personality disorders Phobias Postnatal depression Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Psychosis Schizoaffective disorder Schizophrenia Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) Self-esteem issues Self-harm Sleep problems Stress Suicidal feelings Tardive dyskinesia Signs to look out for as an employer A broken arm is reasonably easy to diagnose, but what signs could be an indication that someone is experiencing mental health issues? These do not necessarily mean that there is a problem but could indicate that someone might benefit from a friendly chat, a discussion about or gentle reduction in workload, or just benevolent closer observation: changes in people’s behaviour or mood or how they interact with colleagues changes in their work output, motivation levels and focus struggling to make decisions, get organised and find solutions to problems appearing tired, anxious or withdrawn and losing interest in activities and tasks they previously enjoyed changes in eating habits, appetite and increased smoking and drinking. Check out MIND for further information. What to do as an employer or teacher As an employer, you will not be in a position to offer advice to someone who you suspect or know to be suffering. It might be that the cause of the crisis is due to a change in personal circumstances such as money worries, relationships problems, loneliness or a personal loss. It might be that people need assistance in managing their workflow so that they feel the pressure is being shared; The simple act of listening and showing compassion can be sufficient help to get them back on track. Do not underestimate the power of listening. You can also create a culture that supports staff to be open about their mental health be open and have a conversation with someone about their mental health if you have concerns. There is help available on the MIND website regarding how to manage this offer support by having an appropriate Employers’ Assistance Plan and suggesting that the employer uses it help them with managing any time off sick and their return to work advise that they contact the Architects Benevolent Society who, through their partnership with Anxiety UK, are able to provide confidential advice, support and funding where appropriate for people experiencing anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression. Are you suffering? It is not easy to spot (or accept) the signs that you may be suffering from mental health issues and need to make some changes. The early signs

The industry has a new standardised approach to Whole Life Carbon (WLC) assessments with the launch of the RICS draft Professional Statement on ‘Whole life carbon measurement: implementation in the built environment’. The consultation runs until the end of May and when published in the Autumn, the final Statement will require any RICS member offering WLC assessments to follow the new methodology. Simon Sturgis, who led the industry-wide team behind the statement, hopes that it will quickly become the wider reference point for WLC, standardising implementation and making assessment comparisons more meaningful. When applied to the design process, the methodology prompts architects and engineers to think about how their buildings will be operated, maintained and ultimately dismantled. Other standards for WLC already exist, led by BS 159878, but Sturgis suggests they have never been consistently applied. ‘In many ways the Statement is more pertinent to architects,’ explains Sturgis, who recently took over as chair of the RIBA Sustainable Futures Group. He has little doubt that WLC will increasingly change the way architects think about design in the years to come and can point to case studies where WLC thinking has already had a significant impact, such as the use of recycled materials in construction. The basic concept of WLC – that to understand a building’s total carbon impact it is necessary to look at embodied as well as operational carbon – is well understood, but not the methodology that can identify the best combination of opportunities for reducing lifetime emissions. For WLC principles to be integrated into design, procurement, construction and the entire building lifecycle, project teams need to adopt appropriate timing and sequencing of carbon assessments to identify carbon reduction opportunities and monitor a project’s progress towards achieving them. The RICS requirements and guidelines are also intended for integration with carbon measurement software tools and BIM carbon calculation procedures. It has been a busy time for the industry’s WLC champions. March saw the launch of the UK Green Building Council’s Embodied Carbon: Developing a Client Brief , another detailed and practical guide, this time aimed at empowering the client side to request embodied carbon assessments. The guide is designed to help clients write effective briefs for commissioning embodied carbon measurements. Sturgis explains that the objectives of the two guides are closely aligned, but while the UK GBC guide should help to raise the profile of WLC on the client side, the RICS Statement is the detailed working document for consultants carrying out WLC assessments. Also published at the same RICS launch event last week was Sturgis’s own book, Targeting Zero: Embodied and Whole Life Carbon Explained published by RIBA Publishing. Conceived as an accessible guide to embodied and whole life carbon, the book promotes Sturgis’s thesis that designing with embodied energy in mind offers architects the opportunity to retake the lead from service engineers in the field of low-energy design. Thanks to Simon Sturgis, managing director, Sturgis Carbon Profiling. Text by Neal Morris, © RIBA. This is a ‘Practice News’ post edited by the RIBA Practice team. The team would like to hear your feedback and ideas for Practice News: practice@riba.org