The £62 million contract to complete façade work for the Battersea Phase 3A project has been awarded to Permasteelisa, an Italian leading company in engineering, project management, manufacturing and installation of architectural envelopes and interior systems. The work involves the design, supply and installation of more than 27,000 sqm of
The £3.5 million community facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire, has officially opened. The Kingsmere Community Centre was built by Deeley Construction on behalf of site owners, Countryside Properties; the project was managed by Buro Four, designed by Robothams and mechanical and electrical engineering (M&E) services were provided by Building Services Design
Solidor’s ‘Showroom of the Month’ for August has been awarded to Wakefield based B & P Windows for its upgrade on its consumer showsite that is said to have been part of the business from the outset of its 37-year history in West Yorkshire. After 37 years in business, we’ve
Experienced rendering contractor M P Plastering of Somerset excels with the use of high performance, technically advanced products manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber. As a specialist applicator, M P Plastering has a wealth of experience in the application of sprayed renders and external wall insulation. Projects range from one-off domestic applications
When it comes to future of oil consumption, over the next 20 years it is clear that we will reach our peak-capacity. However, demand continually appears to rise as the global production of oil decreases. In light of this, the construction industry still requires most of its energy sources from
Unispace has completed the strategy, design and delivery for Hogan Lovells new office in Birmingham, a world class new workspace in one of the UK’s most dynamic office markets. The 2,147 sq. m, project managed by specialist project managers Buro Four was completed by Unispace’s London studio for one of the world’s
The £62 million contract to complete façade work for the Battersea Phase 3A project has been awarded to Permasteelisa, an Italian leading company in engineering, project management, manufacturing and installation of architectural envelopes and interior systems. The work involves the design, supply and installation of more than 27,000 sqm of complex façade and it is part of the bigger transformation of Battersea Power Station. “We are proud to continue our long collaboration with Frank Gehry, demonstrating once again our ability to turn the ideas of the most visionary architects into reality by applying innovative technologies that also allow us to uphold the highest standards in environmental sustainability,” said CEO of the Permasteelisa Group, Riccardo Mollo. The Battersea Phase 3A project aims to achieve the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification, so the visible panels are equipped with low-E coated, extra-clear glass with high thermal and solar performance to maximise the light coming in, while preserving energy savings. The design has required the engineering and production of 2,900 units, with aluminium profile equipped with double-glazed or opaque infill, all different from each other and openable both with a folding or sliding panel, while the undulating shape of the façade required about 3,000 aluminium closed infill ‘boxes’, characterised by a unique and non-repetitive, customised shape. Taking around 18 months to complete, the design and production of the façade involves around 70 professionals from the technical office in Italy, for a total of about 600 drawings and numerous 3D studies. The installation of the first panel is planned for the second quarter of 2019, and the installation is expected to take one and a half years. Permasteelisa Group is a worldwide leading Contractor in the engineering, project management, manufacturing and installation of architectural envelopes and interior systems. Present in four continents, with a network of around 50 companies in 30 countries and 10 production plants, the Group generates a total turnover of around 1.5 billion euros a year.
The £3.5 million community facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire, has officially opened. The Kingsmere Community Centre was built by Deeley Construction on behalf of site owners, Countryside Properties; the project was managed by Buro Four, designed by Robothams and mechanical and electrical engineering (M&E) services were provided by Building Services Design (BSD). “We developed an M&E design that would allow for the building to be used for multiple purposes,” said Joel Sawyer, director at BSD. “This is a building designed to perform different roles for different members of the community so we needed to be flexible with our strategy, while ensuring that we created a functional, contemporary space that was sustainable and long-lasting.” Features include offices spaces, a kitchen, youth centre, activity hall and meeting rooms. The main hall is fitted with a roof mounted natural ventilation strategy, as it lacks openable windows. This solution has saved a lot of money when compared to installing air conditioning units. “The ventilation turrets also have an internal solar powered fan, providing additional ventilation during sunnier conditions, boosting air flow and boasting a zero noise level,” added Joel. “We provided a robust design scheme for the youth centre so that it could withstand considerable use over a longer period of time. The radiators have been covered and we used a more malleable material – mild steel pipework – rather than copper to allow them to withstand any potential impact. The lighting is also impact resistant, as are the fire alarm call points. PV panels were also fitted to the roof to allow for electricity independence,” said Joel. Matthew Keegans, senior project manager at Buro Four, also commented on the project: “Community and place making are essential and we are very passionate about getting right within all of our projects. Working with the BSD team, we were able to incorporate innovative solutions to provide a future proofed and sustainable community hub on time and budget.”
Solidor’s ‘Showroom of the Month’ for August has been awarded to Wakefield based B & P Windows for its upgrade on its consumer showsite that is said to have been part of the business from the outset of its 37-year history in West Yorkshire. After 37 years in business, we’ve been able to carefully build a highly regarded installation business in Wakefield with true family values. Solidor has been an exceptional business partner for us over the last seven years and with the new door designer proving hugely beneficial, we’re looking forward to continuing to work together well into the long-term,” said Justin Grafton-Holt, managing director of B & P Windows. Composite doors are a fundamental part of B & P Windows’ product range, which has around three to four installations per week. According to the company, it is seeing trends towards heritage styles and also contemporary doors in anthracite grey. “B&P Windows is the perfect example of a well-respected family business that relies on strong brands. With our marketing programme and online door designer we’re actively engaged with developing sales for our customers, whilst backing this up with world-class service and support for Solidor and also the sister brands of Nicedor and Residor,” said Gareth Busson, head of sales and marketing for Solidor Group. B & P is a family-run business that has been part of the Solidor network for over seven years and one that has also recently launched Solidor’s online door designer. The ‘Showroom of the Month’ initiative has been launched by Solidor as part of the New Development Programme, aiming to reward trading partners on their sales environments. Solidor has been designing, engineering and manufacturing composite doors in the UK since 2004. Each and every Solidor is manufactured by the company’s talented craftsmen in its multi-site production facility in Stoke on Trent, with its doors sold and installed through a nationwide network of experienced and proven installation companies.
Experienced rendering contractor M P Plastering of Somerset excels with the use of high performance, technically advanced products manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber. As a specialist applicator, M P Plastering has a wealth of experience in the application of sprayed renders and external wall insulation. Projects range from one-off domestic applications to large new-build developments for NHBC registered property developers. Training plays an important role at M P Plastering and managing director Mark Pickthall personally invests in regular training for himself and his expanding team. “All our jobs come with written specifications and guarantees so it is essential that we ensure exemplary standards of craftsmanship if we are to be considered for more work in the future.” In maintaining these standards Mark and members of his 35-strong team have undertaken on-site training provided by Saint-Gobain Weber to install floors using their existing render pumps to apply screed to floors. They have also undertaken training in floor screed application at the Saint-Gobain Technical Academy in Flitwick. “Expanding the services we can offer has given us the opportunity to tender for both rendering and flooring contracts on some of the bigger projects,” says Mark. A perfect example is the contract M P Plastering has won from Cotswold Homes Limited, a prestigious property developer dedicated to delivering quality new homes in the South West, at their Corsham Rise development in Bath. Guy Edge, head of construction, Cotswold Homes, comments: “We’ve got a great relationship with Mark Pickthall of M P Plastering. He and his team have been involved in some outstanding render applications over the years; while he champions the Weber brand, Cotswold Homes share this opinion.” The concrete floors in the kitchens and bathrooms required perfect levelling in preparation for a tile covering. Here weberfloor 4716, an acrylic primer for use with Weber’s flooring systems and products, has been brush applied to the concrete substrate. M P Plastering then followed with a pump-applied application of weberfloor 4150 fine flow at an average thickness of 10mm. This levelling compound, designed for application at thicknesses between 2 to 30mm, is formulated to combine consistent and reliable drying characteristics with strength and durability. It is supplied as a pre-blended dry powder and designed specifically for renovation of existing solid floors in domestic and commercial applications. “The reason we got involved with Weber for the floor preparation is that we are constantly looking to achieve as perfect a finish as is possible before we cover them with beautiful tiles. Mark enthusiastically recommended Weber’s pump applied floor screeds and, without a doubt, both the application and the quality of the product has been a great success. We’ll be using Weber’s screeds again,” says Guy Edge. weberfloor 4150 fine flow is suitable for covering with a wide variety of finishes including tiles, carpets, flexible floor coverings and parquet flooring. weberfloor 4150 fine flow has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics, has low alkalinity and low emissions during drying, is casein-free and manufactured to BSI Quality Assurance Scheme ISO 9001 in the UK. Weber’s floor screeds have been developed for optimum speed, durability, strength and smoothness, essential for allowing early access by following trades that contribute to project efficiencies and the fastest possible completion times. Here the use of proven, pumpable screeds, that harden rapidly and are self-smoothing, will achieve durable surfaces that are ready for foot traffic in just 2 to 4 hours after application. “In this project the floors were ready for light foot traffic in 4 hours and ready for covering a week later,” comments Mark. “weberfloor 4150 fine flow is probably the most straight forward product we have worked with and is proving successful every time.” “My real love is using render as you can see it and admire it for years to come. With floor screed it is hidden by a variety of coverings and completely hidden from sight, that’s the nature of the product.” For more information about this project, or for technical support including award winning training courses and the new RIBA-Assessed Flowing Floor Screeds CPD, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk. A free download of the Weber App for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
When it comes to future of oil consumption, over the next 20 years it is clear that we will reach our peak-capacity. However, demand continually appears to rise as the global production of oil decreases. In light of this, the construction industry still requires most of its energy sources from oil-based fuels. Within the Western world, cheap crude oils are relied upon so that the construction industry can power vehicles and other equipment. Surprisingly, within the UK, 50% of all carbon emissions produced by machinery and production are accounted for by the construction industry. Attitudes are slowly but surely beginning to change when fossil fuels are considered, even though this is still a slow and gradual process. However, it isn’t just construction firms that need to be conscious of the environment during construction. Post-construction, firms are also encouraged to incorporate green technologies within the build to benefit the environment once construction is complete. Revenues from eco-friendly construction reached $245 billion in the US last year, and the UK could also be taking advantage of this booming market. With the help of Reconomy, providers of waste management solutions for recyclable materials and skips for hire, we explore how the construction industry is becoming more environmentally friendly: What it involves: environmentally friendly techniques Three benchmarks should be considered before construction, in order to ensure a construction job is ecologically beneficial: Establish whether materials have been locally sourced or if they’re renewed; if they aren’t, can they be recycled in the future? During construction, is any energy being wasted? Machines can often be overused during the production process, which leads to expendable energy that is wasted and can never be used again. Electric vehicles and machines with hybrid-engines should be used, so that when a motor is being overworked an electric engine can be engaged to cope with the load. Finally, once building the structure is complete, is there any energy generated within it that is wasted? As an alternative to purpose-designed roofing insulation, recycled paper can be used instead. Insulation materials are often expensive. By using a cheaper and practical alternative, the cost of producing insulation for one roof will be minimised drastically by using already existing materials. Furthermore, timbers sourced from sustainably managed forests in the local area can also be used. As well as reclaimed wood, this is an alternative to chopping down trees that are used within construction. Implementing these processes Eco-friendly techniques and practices can be utilised and implemented in many different ways. Here are some of the best examples: Solar energy panels. To generate electricity within a building, or domestically to power boilers and other electrical equipment, solar energy is fast become a cheaper alternative to other forms of domestic power. Drainage systems and water filtration. With these systems in place, water can be re-used when biological waste is treated safely, which can then be recycled. Rainwater can also be collected in specific drains and storage taps, as opposed to always relying on water from a tap. Low-energy lighting. Accounting for an energy saving of 100%, low energy lighting lasts twice as long as a regular lightbulb. Eco-friendly construction can always be beneficial Operation and maintenance costs are usually expensive, accounting for 80% of a building’s overall running costs. Green initiatives reduce the total running costs of a building by one third, which amounts to around 53.3% of a building’s running costs. One thing that should always be incorporated into a building’s design is daylight. The ‘indoor environment quality’ of a building can also be improved when daylight can shine through a building, which benefits the health of all of the occupants who are present in the building. Once the construction of a building has started, recyclable materials and practices should always be implemented. As a result, fewer new materials will be used within the structure, helping to reduce costs whilst less energy is consumed (from crude oils) in order to produce the structure. Slowing down the rate of climate change is a difficult task, but it can be done quicker by using environmentally friendly construction techniques. The end goal for the construction industry then should be to produce homes and buildings that are greener, economically efficient and conceptualised with the environment in mind. Sources: http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/ecofriendlyconstructionmethodsmaterials.html http://www.nationwideconstruction.us/eco-friendly-construction-8-advantages-of-green-building/ http://www.inc.com/best-industries/issie-lapowsky/green-construction.html http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/ecofriendlyconstruction.html http://www.innovationsforthebuiltenvironment.co.uk/ http://www.livingbeyondgreen.com/development-construction/
Unispace has completed the strategy, design and delivery for Hogan Lovells new office in Birmingham, a world class new workspace in one of the UK’s most dynamic office markets. The 2,147 sq. m, project managed by specialist project managers Buro Four was completed by Unispace’s London studio for one of the world’s largest law firms as it expands its operations across the UK. The final design is a key element in the pioneering, new project for Hogan Lovells to set out an open-plan template for its working environments and minimise the need for private office space. Dale Woodcock, Regional Principal, Business Development at Unispace, said: “This project was a significant step in the evolution of the legal workplace – the move to a more agile environment which constantly evolves and expands in line with a growing team is a bold step. Hogan Lovells’ growth in Birmingham has been rapid, and its new office needed to offer a degree of fluidity and provide organic space that could be tailored to demand. “The Birmingham office was founded on the need to provide a workplace of excellence for the Hogan Lovells’ team and increase staff attraction and retention in the face of strong local competition. This is a workspace that changes the attitude of the business to the environment around it, imbuing it with agility and flexibility and all the positive outcomes that these qualities generate.” The new workplace is an interchangeable open space, with a variety of different options that adapt to specific task requirements – modules can become an open plan space, a room to an office, to a phone room and a system of flexibility. Collaboration spaces includes long benches, booths, putting green, table tennis table and phone rooms. There are also touch down workspaces, informal meeting areas and break out areas for socialising. In the firm’s previous workspace there was an overreliance on cellular offices that provided a physical barrier to the integration of the workspace and inhibited information sharing. “A crucial element of the legal workplace is understanding storage requirements– to become open plan you need to promote tidiness and give each worker enough space” explained Peggy Kan, Senior Designer, Unispace. “A significant challenge was mitigating the buzz that an open plan design produces in a working environment with the need for privacy. The answer was a desk configuration where each lawyer gets their own storage, desk, chair, but they can still see everyone else working – this allows them to feel as though they’re in their own pod.” The new workspace also must work hard to attract talent from a relatively constrained pool of potential employees with relevant expertise. Unispace introduced a comfortable and welcoming front of house area, collaborative spaces throughout, including “the Hive” and produced branding materials such as a global map to impress upon visitors the scale of the business. The aesthetic for the project was driven by a requirement to portray the firm’s global identity, as a global top 20, professional law firm. With the look and feel, the Unispace team wanted to create a palette which was comfortable and relatable, to portray an element of elegance and sophistication, and link to the global identity within the reception space. Michael Gallimore, Partner & Head of Birmingham at Hogan Lovells, said: “Birmingham is an active and vibrant community and we are proud to be a part of it. We are investing in and supporting the city, both through providing credible and attractive career opportunities and also through our citizenship and pro bono activities. “The new workplace in Birmingham will act as a significant draw for both clients and staff alike as Hogan Lovells expands in a vibrant and confident market. The legal workplace has trodden a familiar path for a long-time and the new office provided an opportunity to re-think the way our teams work.”
