Architects in Scotland are the most positive regarding future prospects Large architecture practices are the most optimistic about new work Private housing continues to be best performing sector for architects The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index increased substantially this month, standing at +37 in October 2014 compared
A massive programme of development of railway stations and surrounding land will deliver thousands of new homes, the UK government has announced. Up to 10,000 homes are to be built around rail stations and three local authorities have come forward with ambitious proposals for the first sites which aim to
An agriculture safety chief has urged farmers not to ignore simple life-saving advice to wear helmets when riding quad bikes. Rick Brunt’s call comes after details of an horrific incident, when a teenager suffered a serious head wound, emerged in court proceedings. The farm worker, aged 17, from Shap, Cumbria,
Sellar Property Group and Real Estate Management UK (REM) are retendering their 180,000 sq ft residential tower next to the Shard after redesigning part of the scheme. Source link
A leading housebuilder raised money for a much-loved charity at a launch event at its Houghton Conquest development. Kier Living Eastern welcomed guests to Meadow Croft to enjoy cupcakes and other treats in aid of its new charity partner, The British Heart Foundation (BHF). The housebuilder raised more than £700
A significant area comprising ponds, scrub, logpile and grassland have been created and fenced off to protect a population of great crested newts at Kier Living Eastern’s housing development in Fenstanton. The species was discovered at The Park housing development ahead of construction. Working with CSA Environmental, Kier Living Eastern
Construction work is underway at a new sustainable student accommodation for King’s College, University of Cambridge, the first of its kind in the city. The development, situated in existing College grounds on Cranmer Road, will provide 59 graduate rooms built across two new accommodation buildings to create a unified campus
The waterproofing of existing below ground structures, particularly ageing ones, needs as much careful planning as a new-build project in terms of materials and process. System options, however, tend to be more limited when it comes to putting a watertight seal on a basement or a belowground solution area already
One of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of health and safety solutions, Seton, has launched a pioneering speed bump which offers market leading strength and durability. With an innovative ground fixing rail system that significantly reduces deformation and distortion, the Seton Speed Bump has been developed following extensive research
DM Hall, one of Scotland’s largest independent firms of chartered surveyors, has secured the presence of leading UK-wide building materials business, Keyline, an arm of the Travis Perkins group, at Cairnrobin Commercial Park, Aberdeen. Keyline has relocated from its Miller Street depot in Aberdeen to the purpose-built 2 acre site
Architects in Scotland are the most positive regarding future prospects Large architecture practices are the most optimistic about new work Private housing continues to be best performing sector for architects The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index increased substantially this month, standing at +37 in October 2014 compared to +29 in September 2014, representing the second highest ever workload forecast balance figure. Overall confidence levels about future workload prospects for architects continue to be very positive across the whole of the UK, ranging from +28 in Wales and the West to +80 in Scotland. Small practices (1 – 10 staff), with a balance figure of +32, remain positive about the outlook for future workloads; medium-sized practices (10 – 5 staff) with a balance figure of +67 and large-sized practices (51+ staff) with a balance figure of +60 are even more optimistic about the likely shape of their medium term order books. The private housing sector forecast continued its upward trend, rising from +30 in September to +34 in October 2014. The commercial sector forecast was unchanged at +19. Both the public sector forecast (balance figure +4) and the community sector forecast (balance figure +4) fell back slightly in October. RIBA Director of Practice Adrian Dobson said: “The recovery in architectural workloads continues to be driven by the private housing and commercial sectors, but there is also a sense that the outlook for public sector work is at least stable at present and more predictable than it has been in recent years.” The RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index decreased marginally this month, falling to +14 in October 2014 compared with +15 in September 2014, but remains strongly in positive territory, with only 4% of practices predicting a decrease in overall permanent staffing levels over the next quarter. However, this confidence does not yet manifest itself in a significant increase in aggregate staffing levels across the profession; our practices overall report that their workforce is just 2% larger than it was twelve months ago. In October 2014, the percentage of our respondents reporting that they had personally been under-employed in the current month was down considerably to 12%; this is the lowest under-employment figure since the RIBA Future Trends Survey began in January 2009. Dobson added “The overall market outlook for architects’ services continues to improve, with many practices reporting sustained increases in their overall work levels. Competitive pressure on fees remains strong and whilst aggregate turnover is rising, profit margins on projects often remain very tight. This in turn is sometimes making it difficult for practices to meet salary expectations for staff in a tightening employment market. “Although we have seen several months of improving levels of work in progress, it does remain noticeable that many practices feel that they still cannot forecast future workloads beyond a fairly short time horizon, and whilst the overall sentiment remains very positive there remains significant uncertainty about longer term prospects.” ENDS Notes to editors For further press information contact the RIBA Press Office: 020 7307 3761 pressoffice@riba.org The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. 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. 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 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 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 October 2014 was +37 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 October 2014 was +14 Posted on Thursday 20th November 2014 Source link
A massive programme of development of railway stations and surrounding land will deliver thousands of new homes, the UK government has announced. Up to 10,000 homes are to be built around rail stations and three local authorities have come forward with ambitious proposals for the first sites which aim to revitalise town centres. A new agreement between Network Rail and the Homes and Communities Agency will see them working with local councils to trail blaze development opportunities across England’s railway stations for housing and businesses. The Government wants to hear from at least 20 local authorities to take the scheme forward as York, Taunton and Swindon councils already have proposals to spearhead the new initiative and have identified railway sites that could be pooled to deliver housing and other locally led regeneration. Drawing on the example set by the transformation of Birmingham New Street, Manchester Victoria and London Kings Cross, the Government said that it will bring together high calibre technical expertise and local knowledge to increase development opportunities that exist throughout the entire rail estate. ‘We’re determined to fire up communities and back local business so they build much needed housing and create thousands of jobs. Rail stations are a hub of communities, connectivity and commerce and should be making the most of their unique potential to attract investment and opportunities,’ said Communities Secretary Greg Clark. ‘With record numbers of people travelling by train, it makes sense to bring people closer to stations and develop sites that have space for thousands of new homes and offices. This new initiative will bring about a step change in development and ensure we go further and faster in putting these rail sites to good use,’ he added. According to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin it will put stations at the heart of wider community regeneration. ‘I’m pleased to see that exciting visions for regeneration at Swindon, Taunton and York are being developed, with the potential for hundreds of additional homes and new businesses. I look forward to seeing how Network Rail and the Homes and Communities Agency’s excellent work on these projects develop,’ he said. ‘Local areas are best placed to understand and identify the opportunities that exist within their communities. The Homes and Communities Agency and Network Rail will now work with councils on the opportunities they see and any plans already in place to explore how government can support them to deliver locally led regeneration and development schemes quickly,’ he added. Proposals suggest that land at York Central station can support up to 2,500 homes. Housing would be key to creating a sustainable new community and would include Starter Homes and community facilities. Around 100,000 square meters of office and commercial space for private sector firms could also support more than 6,600 jobs in industries such as professional services. Housing and office regeneration around the station could add £1.16 billion to the local economy. Regeneration at Taunton station could provide a significant increase in commercial spaces and homes in an underused site on the edge of the town centre. Remodelling of the station layout and car park, supported by the Local Growth Fund would complement this development. This would create a vibrant gateway to the town and strong links to the town centre. This would provide a significant boost to the local economy of one of the South West’s key urban centres, and provide significant residential and commercial growth. The area around Swindon station could provide opportunities to boost housing in the town by creating homes and commercial opportunities taking advantage of the benefits brought by the Great Western Electrification Programme. Swindon has ambitious plans for the regeneration of its town centre and also the revitalisation of leisure opportunities to the north of the station. The redevelopment of land around the station would help to maximise and enhance these opportunities. Stephen Barter, chair of real estate advisory at KPMG, pointed out that in the past stations were the thriving hubs of our communities and this announcement will enable them to become so again. ‘By using land around stations as the catalyst for regeneration, not only will we see much-needed new homes and businesses in the area, but we’ll also see a wider regeneration of our town centres,’ he said. ‘With York, Swindon and Taunton leading the way, it must be hoped that other local areas will swiftly come forward. Ongoing Government support, in its various forms, alongside local commitment, will provide a much needed catalyst to create the thriving, mixed use communities that will deliver a boost to these towns and to the UK economy,’ he added. BOOKMARK THIS PAGE (What is this?) Source link
An agriculture safety chief has urged farmers not to ignore simple life-saving advice to wear helmets when riding quad bikes. Rick Brunt’s call comes after details of an horrific incident, when a teenager suffered a serious head wound, emerged in court proceedings. The farm worker, aged 17, from Shap, Cumbria, was trapped underneath an overturned quad bike for an hour with a wound that later needed 17 stiches. Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard (on 20 June) that family partnership JF & M Bland had contracted the worker for general agricultural duties and he was instructed to use the firm’s quad bike to get to a large sloping field. He did so, without any training, and with no helmet provided for him to wear. The vehicle overturned and it was an hour before one of the partners of the company found him. After investigating the circumstances of the incident, which happened in April 2014, the Health and Safety Executive decided to prosecute JF & M Bland, of Dacre, Penrith, for breaches of health and safety laws. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,693. Rick Brunt, head of agriculture at HSE, said: “Vehicle-related accidents are a significant problem in agriculture and one of the biggest killers. Only people who are trained and capable should operate all-terrain vehicles, like quad bikes. Every year, on average, we see two deaths and numerous injuries involving ATVs.” HSE inspector Matthew Tinsley, who investigated and prosecuted for HSE, said: “This is a reminder to all farmers and farm workers that it just isn’t worth taking unnecessary risk. Training is vital, as is head protection. This is simple, common sense advice that, if followed, can save lives.” For further information on ATV safety see http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais33.pdf Notes to Editors: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk Journalists should approach HSE press office with any queries on regional press releases. Source link
Sellar Property Group and Real Estate Management UK (REM) are retendering their 180,000 sq ft residential tower next to the Shard after redesigning part of the scheme. Source link
A leading housebuilder raised money for a much-loved charity at a launch event at its Houghton Conquest development. Kier Living Eastern welcomed guests to Meadow Croft to enjoy cupcakes and other treats in aid of its new charity partner, The British Heart Foundation (BHF). The housebuilder raised more than £700 for the charity, with more money pledged from its supply chain. “It was wonderful to welcome everyone to Meadow Croft and raise money for such an amazing charity at the same time. We will be supporting the BHF for the next two years and we have many more fundraising and awareness events planned,” said David Thomas, sales and marketing director at Kier Living Eastern. “We’ve worked extremely hard to create an outstanding new community for Houghton Conquest and visitors were just as enamoured with it as we are,” he continued. Meadow Croft is a collection of two, three, four and five bedroom homes, currently with prices starting at £325,000 for a two-bedroom bungalow, £450,000 for a four-bedroom home and £600,000 for a five-bedroom detached home. Show homes and the sales office are open at Meadow Croft on Chapel End Road, Houghton Conquest, Thursday to Monday between 10am and 5pm. Kier Living Eastern ensures the highest possible standards of quality, value and presentation from design through to construction and after sales care. It offers a wide range of new homes from one-bedroom apartments to luxury five-bedroom homes. Kier Living Eastern is renowned for its quality and attention to detail. Innovative and forward thinking, the company has more than 70 years’ experience in new homes construction.
A significant area comprising ponds, scrub, logpile and grassland have been created and fenced off to protect a population of great crested newts at Kier Living Eastern’s housing development in Fenstanton. The species was discovered at The Park housing development ahead of construction. Working with CSA Environmental, Kier Living Eastern secured a mitigation licence from Natural England and began work to protect the existing pond while creating new habitats where the newts can take refuge nearby. “Kier Living Eastern has ensured that the great crested newts are protected and has been dedicated to creating habitats for their long-term conservation. The newts now have a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, as well as log piles and places to hibernate, which they can use to breed, take refuge and hibernate year-round. Great crested newts really are a key part of this development,” said Joanne Makin, senior ecologist at CSA Environmental, who was also involved in the project. Measures to protect the 40 newts found were put in place before construction started, including fencing off areas of long grassland and scrub which are ideal habitats for newts. To ensure these areas were not accidentally disturbed, Kier Living Eastern erected fencing and signs to inform the public not to enter for the safety of the newts. Further work to enhance the existing pond, grassland and orchard habitats was undertaken and a new wildlife pond created, that is linked to the existing pond via a ‘newt corridor’. A small number of newts were moved to the new habitat. “We were thrilled to work with CSA Environmental on this important project. Kier Living Eastern takes its responsibilities as a housebuilder very seriously, and that includes protecting the local environment we become a part of. We are happy to say the great crested newts are very much a part of The Park development and thanks to the work of CSA Environmental, the newts will continue to thrive,” commented David Thomas, sales and marketing director for Kier Living Eastern. The Park is a development of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes perfect for first-time buyers, expanding families searching for larger homes and couples looking to downsize. The new homes will benefit from this outstanding location being close to the A14 and its links to Cambridge and Huntingdon, and within easy walking distance of the centre of Fenstanton with its pubs, eateries and shops.
Construction work is underway at a new sustainable student accommodation for King’s College, University of Cambridge, the first of its kind in the city. The development, situated in existing College grounds on Cranmer Road, will provide 59 graduate rooms built across two new accommodation buildings to create a unified campus around a shared garden, which is also a short walk from the College’s historic courts. The student housing will be built to a Passivhaus standard, a sustainable housing initiative, resulting in ultra-low energy buildings which require very little fuel for heating or cooling. “We are delighted to have been given permission to develop this sustainable building on College land. It will provide much-needed accommodation for our graduates and foster the growth of a community spirit on the site,” said Philip Isaac, the Domus Bursar at King’s College. R G Carter will be building the student accommodation, having become one of the UK’s leading Passivhaus homebuilders, through continued investment, upskilling of its workforce and expertise demonstrated across a number of award winning developments. “We are delighted to collaborate with King’s College on this exciting innovative scheme. Our focus is on delivering a successful project and providing quality sustainable accommodation that will serve students for many years to come,” said John Ford, R G Carter Director and General Manager. Each accommodation block will reflect the surroundings in a contemporary way. Cranmer Villa will incorporate red brick walls, clay roof tiles and stone windows that reflects a style with neighbouring buildings, while The Garden building has been designed to blend into the conservation of the area, with a glazed terracotta cladding and a sustainable ‘green’ roof. It is expected that students will take up occupation in Autumn 2019.
The waterproofing of existing below ground structures, particularly ageing ones, needs as much careful planning as a new-build project in terms of materials and process. System options, however, tend to be more limited when it comes to putting a watertight seal on a basement or a belowground solution area already in use. In general, two systems are up for consideration as far as waterproof refurbishment is concerned. A Firstly a waterproof render solution, such as BBA approved Sika-1 Pre-bagged Structural Waterproofing System, is one popular option. This consists of a 3 coat render system for use on walls and overhead surfaces, and a screed system for use on the floor. Sika-1 pre-bagged ensures specifiers meet the requirements of a waterproofing project without the need for ongoing maintenance. The pre-bag system is factory-controlled quality, with each layer to the optimum mix ratio. Site batched versions should not be considered as the quality cannot be relied upon. Cavity drain systems are also popular with retrofit waterproof installers. Sika® CD – Cavity Drainage System, for instance, controls water after it has penetrated a structure. Loose-laid for flooring applications and attached to a wall with surface plugs in vertical installations, Sika® CD – Cavity Drainage System directs penetrating water into a drainage system and a collection sump before using a pump to discharge water from the building. This is also a proven, reliable system, but unlike the pre-bagged option, the cavity drainage system requires maintenance programme which at a minimum is annual A combination of both is also an option often used. Early intervention Existing fissures and cracks in the structure should be addressed at the earliest opportunity. Left untreated, defects could potentially lead to greater issues and costly, time-consuming repair. Failure to make good the structure at the earliest stage of deterioration could also affect the overall structural integrity of the building, which in-turn may adversely affect any waterproofing system installed. For manufacturers, a key aspect of retrofit waterproofing is interaction and compatibility between different waterproofing interfaces. It’s a challenge Sika is able to meet, as it offers Type A, B and C systems – A (barrier protection); B (structurally integral protection); C (drained protection) – each of which can connect to form the highest-quality waterproof solution. As a full range provider, Sika is able to offer unbiased advice and tailor the solution to the requirement, thus avoiding specifying solutions unsuitable for the product. As for contractors, the challenge is to ensure installation teams are sufficiently-skilled to correctly fit the waterproofing system. Through toolbox talks and site visits, Sika is able to offer full, technical support to installers. This is a value-added service which comes at no extra cost. In addition, contractors are able to obtain official recognition of their skills by becoming a ‘Sika-approved’ installer of as the Sika-1 Pre-bagged system where candidates are vetted, trained and assessed before being given registered status. As well as having access to on and off-site technical support. Only Sika 1 Registered contractors benefit from the Sika guarantee on the Sika 1 pre-bag product. With Sika Cavity drain systems, it is always best to use a specialist waterproofing contractor, but if the works are being done by a general contractor, Sika do offer site tool box talks and on site support as part of the guarantee process. At your service In terms of the specifier, the biggest challenge is ensuring the specified waterproofing product is fit for purpose and meets the required performance level. This is where – once again – Sika’s service offering comes to the fore. The company not only provides a range of watertight solutions for a host of concrete applications, its CSSW-qualified specification managers have a wealth of experience to offer expert guidance to ensure products are fit for purpose, specified and installed correctly. This helps ensure projects are completed successfully. Sika can also recommend specialist contractors for a particular scheme, whilst its guaranteed BBA-certified products assure users that they are in possession of goods of the optimum quality.
One of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of health and safety solutions, Seton, has launched a pioneering speed bump which offers market leading strength and durability. With an innovative ground fixing rail system that significantly reduces deformation and distortion, the Seton Speed Bump has been developed following extensive research into current customer needs and existing products within the marketplace. Designed to last, the Seton Speed Bump boasts a unique chevron interlocking shape for enhanced strength, while the rail system significantly reduces the stress levels of the ground bolts, minimising the risk of the speed bump being dislodged and damaging vehicles. A colour contrast lifetime guarantee ensures the speed bump remains highly visible for maximum impact. Ed Barnes, Traffic Innovation Manager at Seton commented: “Existing traffic calming products are notoriously characterised by low durability and poor quality, with recent research showing that almost a quarter of motorists have suffered vehicle damage due to such measures. As health and safety experts, we wanted to develop a solution to these problems, providing businesses and organisations operating a private car park the ability to meet their legal obligations. “The Seton Speed Bump is the result of an intensive and extensive research and development programme. It has been designed to tackle the common problem of speed bumps being ripped up, offering a durable, easy install solution for facilities managers, health and safety managers and estates managers as well as contractors and installers.” The unique Seton Speed Bump rail system enables bolt heads to be as close to the car park’s surface as possible, greatly reducing bolt movement. The upright surface of the rails improves lateral drag resistance and increases crush resistance, which provides additional strength and durability in comparison with standard non-rail installation speed bumps. Available in two height and material options, the Seton Speed Bump marks the start of an extensive programme of innovative product development for the health and safety manufacturer and distributor. With health and safety laws growing increasingly complicated, Seton aims to simplify the process by developing products that ensure compliance. For more information, visit: www.seton.co.uk/seton-speed-bump
DM Hall, one of Scotland’s largest independent firms of chartered surveyors, has secured the presence of leading UK-wide building materials business, Keyline, an arm of the Travis Perkins group, at Cairnrobin Commercial Park, Aberdeen. Keyline has relocated from its Miller Street depot in Aberdeen to the purpose-built 2 acre site which it has leased for an initial 10 year term. Keyline complements the existing tenant mix of trade occupiers including, Nationwide Platforms, HSS Hire, AT-PAC and West End Glazing. Cairnrobin Commercial Park is strategically located 5 miles south of Aberdeen city centre between Cove and Portlethen. The site allows for easy access to the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee Trunk Road and is located just 1.5 miles from the Charleston Junction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. DM Hall’s Kevin Jackson, a director in the firm’s Aberdeen office, said: “Cairnrobin Commercial Park is a former pipe yard site which has seen heavy investment by its current owners and has evolved naturally, as it has improved, into a commercial park popular with trade park operators. “As part of the deal with Keyline our client carried out significant site works including laying over an acre of concrete, fencing and lighting the site and laying foundations for the various Keyline buildings. “The letting reflects a renewed confidence in the Aberdeen industrial market which is showing signs of recovery after a prolonged period of reduced activity.” Accessed through an electronically operated security gate, the site extends to a total of 14.65 acres of which around 3 acres remains available. An adjacent surfaced storage yard of up to 10.23 acres is also available on flexible lease terms. The site benefits from a full CCTV system, security fencing and patrolled security outside of working hours. Gary Anthony, Regional Director of Keyline said “We are delighted with the relocation of our Aberdeen depot to Cairnrobin Commercial Park. It provides us with a superb, cost- effective new facility in the perfect location for distributing our products to Aberdeen and the North East”. Wright Buchanan acted on behalf of Keyline in the transaction. For further information, please contact kevin.jackson@dmhall.co.uk or lisa.cowie@dmhall.co.uk Tel: 01224 594172, DM Hall LLP, 259 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BR
