November 21, 2018

ENJOY THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE WITH WEBERPRAL MF BY SAINT-GOBAIN WEBER

Saint-Gobain Weber has introduced weberpral MF to join its widely established and popular range of high quality, monocouche renders.  This fine texture, through-coloured render achieves a smoother, finer and more contemporary, modern aesthetic while providing an excellent weather and algae resistant decorative finish. weberpral MF is a one-coat, ready mixed

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Urbanbubble appoints head of property management

Gemma Price has been appointed head of property management at residential property manager urbanbubble. With more than 20 years of experience across a wide range of business sectors, Gemma joins the Manchester-based business from her role as head of operations at Recom Solutions and a director at Hardcastle and Hogarth

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Former Prison Turned Into Leisure Space

A £17 million redevelopment is planned for a former prison in Northallerton, starting in spring 2019. The plans to turn the former prison into a new retail, residential, leisure and office space were approved by Hambleton District Council’s Planning Committee on the 15th of November. The Treadmills project will also

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Schools’ Impact on the Housing Market

With the new school year now underway, Richard Werth, CEO of Troy Homes has taken a look at the impact that ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rated schools have on house prices. According to data from the Land Registry, Department of Education and Ofsted, the connection between family sized homes and proximity to

Read More »

Dubai’s Latest Architectural Innovation is Compete

The world’s very first fully functional, and permanently occupied, 3D printed building has been completed in Dubai. Set to open its doors in 2020, the new build, which is going to be a museum titled: The Museum of the Future, is one of the most advanced buildings on the planet.

Read More »

Should you be using a scaffold tower?

When it comes to doing high-access DIY work, it’s almost instinctive to reach for a ladder. A scaffold tower seems like something you’d see on a construction site or in a warehouse. So, why should you think about swapping tools? Scaffold towers can be extremely useful around the home, saving

Read More »

An Inside Look: The Secrets of Casino Architecture

It has been years since the very first legitimate casino was established. However, today’s evolving architecture and technology is all that has shaped a completely different casino than what people used to see in the earlier days. It is often believed that one of the major factors that have influenced

Read More »

£300 Million Meadowhall Expansion on Hold

Sheffield based shopping centre, Meadowhall, is rethinking a £300 million extension. A development that originally was thought to create the perfect counterpoint to the regeneration of the city centre. Investment Company – British Land, is rethinking the 330,000 sq ft construction to cut the number of shops that have shown

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

November 21, 2018

2G DESIGN AND BUILD SHOWCASE LATEST PROJECTS – Bringing an 80s-inspired concept to life and designing an Indian Gastropub

2G Design and Build, the construction and interior design company based in Birmingham, have revealed two of their latest projects. 2G provided build services for Nocturnal Animals, the latest concept offering by The Wilderness in Birmingham, and design and build services for the Tap and Tandoor in Solihull. Nocturnal Animals, on Bennetts Hill in Birmingham’s city centre, is the second venue conceived by Alex Claridge. 2G Design & Build were contracted to carry out all of the building works on the 80’s pop-culture-inspired project which takes in a 42-cover fine-dining restaurant and a 60-cover cocktail bar. The 2G team, which takes in project managers, electricians, plumbers and joiners, sourced all fixtures and fittings to bring the bold and adventurous concept to life. 2G were tasked with sourcing specialist third party suppliers including steel work designers who 2G collaborated with to create a show-stopping steel gantry staircase which is wrapped around the cocktail bar. The team were also responsible for sourcing lighting and materials throughout the scheme, including neon signage, floor to ceiling voile curtains, an impactful blue stone for the cocktail bar and expansive book matched marble table tops. Alex Claridge, Chef-patron said, “We handed a very brave, bold and detailed brief to the 2G team and they delivered against it on time and on budget. With a project like this attention to detail is paramount; the result is something that’s unparalleled in the city.” For the Tap and Tandoor in Solihull, 2G Design and Build were tasked with designing and delivering a traditional British gastropub with a subtle nod to Indian culture. The space itself, previously the Saddlers Arms, was a typically British pub abundant with heritage and original features, which provided a hotbed of inspiration for the scheme. Central to the design process was the integrity of the pub’s original architecture, this was achieved by restoring dado rails, adding dark wood flooring and exposing as much brick as possible. Bespoke light fixtures, copper accents, ornate tiling and botanical elements were layered and juxtaposed whilst additional splashes of colour, within the furniture and artwork, reinforced the Indian theme throughout. Ajay Kenth, Director at The Tap & Tandoor said, “From the bespoke lighting to the sensitive refurbishment of the original building, the Tap and Tandoor has a thoroughly charming and unique ambiance that we’re thrilled with.” 

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ENJOY THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE WITH WEBERPRAL MF BY SAINT-GOBAIN WEBER

Saint-Gobain Weber has introduced weberpral MF to join its widely established and popular range of high quality, monocouche renders.  This fine texture, through-coloured render achieves a smoother, finer and more contemporary, modern aesthetic while providing an excellent weather and algae resistant decorative finish. weberpral MF is a one-coat, ready mixed cementitious render suitable for most types of brick or blockwork.  It’s through-colour, one coat characteristics allow fast and efficient application with shorter programme periods, contributing widely to site efficiencies and earlier completion of ground works.  weberpral MF requires little maintenance and decoration is not required.  This decorative and functional render is manufactured from fine grade aggregates with a grain size of 0.15mm compared to around 2.2mm grain sizes in standard renders.  The finer texture makes it especially suitable for the creation of fine ashlar cuts and quoin detail. “weberpral MF is filling a gap in our range,” says Tracey Dempster, Marketing Director, Saint-Gobain Weber.  “It is a best-selling render product in France and we feel confident there is a strong and committed market here in the UK.” Formulated for spray application by render pump for faster application, weberpral MF can be applied up to 28mm thick in two passes.  It can also be applied manually.  Supplied in a 25kg bag coverage of 25kg/m² can be achieved when applied at a finished thickness of 15mm. weberpral MF is available in four key colours – Chalk, Ivory, Silver Pearl and Cream.  Colour samples are available on request. For more information about this product, or for technical support including award winning training courses, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.uk.weber 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.

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CBRE appointed to sell office on behalf of British Steel Pension Fund

British Steel Pension Fund has reportedly tasked consulting firm CBRE with the sale of a refurbished office in Midtown, London. The UK firm is said to be listening to offers around £93 million. British Steel was privatised in the 1980s, later merging with a Dutch company to form Corus. The combined entity was then taken over in 2007 by the Indian steel operator Tata, however by late 2017, Tata’s UK arm declared it was no longer able to support the pension scheme – one of the UK’s largest – without becoming insolvent. To that end, its remaining members transferred over to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), a government-backed pensions lifeboat. Now, as the scheme attempts to further secure its future, the British Steel Pension Fund has announced plans to sell a major property based in the UK’s capital city. 15 Fetter Lane, which British Steel Pension Fund acquired 40 years ago, is a large office building, located between the West End and the City of London. The property benefits from keystone local amenities and public transport with Blackfriars (Circle and District lines) and Chancery Lane (central line) underground stations and City Thameslink over ground station and Farringdon Crossrail (as of 2019) all within a short walk. Meanwhile, the accommodation itself provides 54,126 square feet of Grade A refurbished space. According to PropertyEU, the pension fund has commissioned global consultancy CBRE to oversee the sale. The overall passing rent for the property stands at 57.90 per square foot, while being multi-let to six office tenants with an average unexpired lease term of 9.1 years. Current tenants come from a range of sectors, including charities, legal firms and recruitment agencies. CBRE is now looking for offers in excess of £9.5 million. Commenting on the sale process, James Beckham, a Managing Director at CBRE, said, “Being adjacent to the New Street Square Campus and only a short walk to Farringdon Crossrail, this location has everything going for it. We expect to receive good interest in this prominent freehold asset.” CBRE recently also oversaw the sale of a large residential site in North Leigh to UK housing builder Countryside. CBRE’s UK development team in Manchester was appointed to market the scheme in February 2018, and was acting on behalf of the North Leigh Park Group.  

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Urbanbubble appoints head of property management

Gemma Price has been appointed head of property management at residential property manager urbanbubble. With more than 20 years of experience across a wide range of business sectors, Gemma joins the Manchester-based business from her role as head of operations at Recom Solutions and a director at Hardcastle and Hogarth Ltd. Prior to her three years at Recom, the new starter spent seven years at commercial property group Bruntwood in a head of property role. She said: “Choosing urbanbubble was an easy choice for me, not only is the company at a very exciting point in terms of business growth, it also has a very strong values culture and a customer centric business where the customer is at the very heart of it. “Customer service is what I am passionate about, so there is a genuine fit between my own personal aspirations and those of the business.” Based at Sevendale House in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, urbanbubble recently expanded its property management activities outside the North West of England by securing further nationwide Build to Rent (BTR) schemes with Legal & General. Michael Howard, founder and managing director of urbanbubble, added: “Gemma brings with her a veritable wealth of experience in the property sector and we’re excited by what she can bring to her new role. We have every confidence that Gemma will be a great asset to urbanbubble.” Driven by urbanbubble’s increasing nationwide reach and growing number of units under management, forecast to almost double from 8,000 to more than 15,000 by 2021, the fast-growing firm expects to see revenue rise to £6m in the year ending June 2019.

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Former Prison Turned Into Leisure Space

A £17 million redevelopment is planned for a former prison in Northallerton, starting in spring 2019. The plans to turn the former prison into a new retail, residential, leisure and office space were approved by Hambleton District Council’s Planning Committee on the 15th of November. The Treadmills project will also incorporate five Grade II listed buildings, which were retained when the remainder of the prison site was demolished, as well as the construction of a large public square. The project is being delivered by the Central Northallerton Development Company (CNDC), a joint venture between Hambleton District Council and developers Wykeland Group. “This is a very exciting project not just for Northallerton but for the area as a whole. It will generate more activity in the town centre with people coming to visit the shops and enjoy the leisure experience we will offer through the restaurants and cinema,” said Chairman of the CNDC Board, District Councillor Peter Wilkinson. So far, Lidl has been confirmed as the retail anchor for the project, while Hull-based C4DI – the Centre for Digital Innovation – has been confirmed as the operator of the digital tech office space. Negotiations are underway to finalise operators of the remaining retail and leisure units. “We’re delighted this transformational redevelopment has gained planning approval and will soon move into the construction phase. This scheme will respect and conserve the heritage of the site while delivering many economic, social and community benefits for Northallerton, the wider area and local residents,” concluded Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Wykeland Group, and CNDC Board Member.

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Schools’ Impact on the Housing Market

With the new school year now underway, Richard Werth, CEO of Troy Homes has taken a look at the impact that ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rated schools have on house prices. According to data from the Land Registry, Department of Education and Ofsted, the connection between family sized homes and proximity to a school with an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating (state or private; primary or secondary) can be as much as 28% and, even at the extremities of the schools’ catchment areas, it can remain around 20%. Given that some schools’ catchment areas can span 20 miles in each direction from the school’s gates, an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ rating can affect a huge swathe of property. Whilst living within a school’s catchment area does not guarantee a place, it certainly helps. For example, living within the catchment area of a Grammar School is often essential to securing a place. The premium for homes within 5 miles of popular private schools is often much higher than 28% – particularly in University cities where demand outstrips supply. So, as there is usually no formal catchment area, there is a temptation to live further away from the school. But, it is worth bearing in mind that if you live 10-15 miles west of the school, then your child’s best friend could easily live the same distance to the east of the school, making sleepovers and parties very complicated! Choosing the right schools is highly individual and can change as your children develop. It can be a complex and daunting process but, in the end, it very often comes down to ‘gut feel’ – you just know when you have connected with staff, students and atmosphere and if it just feels right. Buying to be in a catchment area is one thing, but the family home still has to meet the demands of all the family’s lives. Affordability, design, layout, size, commute, local facilities are just a few of the criteria that should be considered; after all, life outside school is just as important. But, for everyone’s benefit, the shorter the school run, the better.

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Dubai’s Latest Architectural Innovation is Compete

The world’s very first fully functional, and permanently occupied, 3D printed building has been completed in Dubai. Set to open its doors in 2020, the new build, which is going to be a museum titled: The Museum of the Future, is one of the most advanced buildings on the planet. Located near the high-profile Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, the building is already being defined as an architectural masterpiece. Enhancing the urban landscape of Dubai, the museum is designed to be a popular destination for tourists, residents and fellow architects/building enthusiasts, to learn about the future now. Offering a space that will teach its visitors about the realities of what we can expect from upcoming technologies means people can glance into the future. It will become the must-be destination for experts, innovators, scientists, engineerings, and creatives from all corners of the globe, who aim to shape and design the future. Currently, the building is the temporary housing for the Dubai Future Foundation, alongside an exhibition space and incubator for emerging technologies. The building itself has been manufactured through an additive concrete printing technique, using a 6 meter high, 36.5 meters long and 12 meters wide, 3D Printer. Cladding was created through insulated panels that were custom cut to form the complex geometry of the facade. Various senses and probes on the building provide continuous feedback on its structural performance that can offer designers valuable information in relation to the future of 3D printing, and how can this can work for high rise builds. Already, Dubai is an established hub for innovation and the new design stands to further encourage future thinking within the city. The museum will support the development of long terms solutions to the challenges and requirements of the future on a local, regional and international scale. Given the advances in prefabrication, materials and robotics that are coming to the attention of the world, it is not difficult to imagine how this one-storey build, could be reproduced at much greater heights in the near future. Transforming the aesthetics and workings of cities across the planet.  

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Should you be using a scaffold tower?

When it comes to doing high-access DIY work, it’s almost instinctive to reach for a ladder. A scaffold tower seems like something you’d see on a construction site or in a warehouse. So, why should you think about swapping tools? Scaffold towers can be extremely useful around the home, saving time and making things easier – particularly when it comes to larger DIY projects and renovations. Compared to a ladder, scaffold towers are much safer to use over long periods of time and allow you to carry more tools while you work. When is a scaffold tower a better choice? Ladders are good for quick jobs that require a lot of moving around, such as clearing gutters or hanging a few simple decorations. Scaffold towers, on the other hand, offer a stable platform from which more complex jobs can be carried out. If you anticipate working for more than 30 minutes at a time, will need two hands to effectively complete the task or expect to use multiple tools or heavy equipment, a scaffold tower is the safest way to go. Of course, it may be that the work you are doing doesn’t require the use of any high-access equipment. Cleaning windows, for example, can often be done from the inside level or with the use of high-reach poles. Where to get a scaffold tower You’re beginning to think that your safest option is to use a scaffold tower, but you don’t want to invest in a new piece of equipment that you might only use once. What are your options? Fortunately, there are companies that specialise in refurbishing second-hand scaffolding towers, offering you adequate safety without paying a premium price. One thing to be aware of though – don’t try and save money by buying a cheap tower that won’t actually be suitable for the job you’re doing. Look carefully at height, weight and surface recommendations before purchasing. Take a look at this full range of second-hand towers from Precipitous Ltd. Scaffold tower set-up The most important thing when working with a scaffolding tower is ensuring that it has been set up properly for the task at hand. This involves checking the structure is sturdy and reading through the manufacturer’s guide for use. The person responsible for building, dismantling, inspecting and working from a scaffold tower must have the appropriate training, knowledge and experience to do so. They should be familiar with what to look for when checking its stability, and have the necessary competence to understand the basic safety steps of working at height. Carry out a risk assessment Before conducting any work at height, it’s important to carry out a risk assessment to identify potential issues and the safest way of working. Although a scaffold tower is one of the more secure ways to work at height, working off the ground always carries risks. Could the work be carried out from ground level? Will people beneath your working area be safe? What is most likely to affect you while you work? This document comprehensively covers all the aspects you might not immediately consider. Safety tips for scaffold towers Here are some of the key things you must do while setting up or working from a scaffold tower: Always work from the appropriate instruction manual Carefully follow the manufacturer’s guide to setting it up Never place a tower on top of other structures or objects for additional height Ensure the scaffold tower guard rail is properly installed and secure – do not work without fall protection Avoid standing on a platform while erecting or dismantling the tower without proper protection When is a ladder the better choice? If your task isn’t going to take very long, or will require a lot of repositioning, a ladder will be much more efficient so long as it’s being used safely. Just like a scaffold tower, make sure that you’re using the right tool for the job – a roof ladder for doing roof work, for example. The fact that a ladder is more portable, lightweight and easy to store are certainly advantages, but try to use each tool for the right reasons – not just because one is less hassle.

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An Inside Look: The Secrets of Casino Architecture

It has been years since the very first legitimate casino was established. However, today’s evolving architecture and technology is all that has shaped a completely different casino than what people used to see in the earlier days. It is often believed that one of the major factors that have influenced the overall look, construction, and design of the casino is human’s psychology. In the previous era, casinos were known as a dark and foggy space that was portrayed by an artificial light without any windows. However, the architecture of the casino has entirely changed in recent days. All thanks to some renowned architects like Roger Thomas that made their all possible efforts to incorporate some contemporary features into the casino construction and designing. In order to cater to the demands of this new age audience, architects maintain a vast space to accommodate a plethora of gambling as well as entertainment features. Let’s discuss some major modifications: Walls without windows Vs Sunlight Earlier, the casino architecture was planned considering the orthodox atmosphere which is why there were only a very few or no windows observed. Furthermore, there were no clocks installed in the space. This led to the construction of a cave-like room with no options to ascertain if it’s daytime or has gone dark. This construction is now considered to be an ordinary approach to keep the gamblers engaged in the Casino room. In 2008, a casino was designed implementing the natural sunlight feature inside the close space. The Maze vs the Playground As per the psychology of the traditional architect, casino referred to a space that would induce people to come in and would not let them go out unless they spend a hefty amount. The tactic was to keep the visitors baffled about the timing with no windows and clocks. Slot machines in these casinos were not organized in a clean row but in the chaotic curving arcs. The idea behind this construction was to make it tricky for the visitors to navigate their way out in the muddles slot machine setup. However, today’s maze concept has completely changed with broad ways, amazing sculptures, and natural sunlight. Use of colour Casinos were often designed with bright colours such as blue and red instead of mundane shades. But the colour concept of the recent architect focuses on the wide carpet featuring a single colour rather than painting the walls with ample colour palettes. Be it past design or the recent casino architecture, the main objective of the developers has never been limited to alluring enormous crowd yet it is essential to keep your audience in once they’ve entered the room. “Casino construction is a complex procedure that includes wall and floor décor plans, a proper atmosphere, and a lot of other stuff that quintessential to gain the interest of your audience”, when asked a comment on this, the owner of Red Spins online casino told us though this is not totally true, it is not something which is totally negligible”.

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£300 Million Meadowhall Expansion on Hold

Sheffield based shopping centre, Meadowhall, is rethinking a £300 million extension. A development that originally was thought to create the perfect counterpoint to the regeneration of the city centre. Investment Company – British Land, is rethinking the 330,000 sq ft construction to cut the number of shops that have shown interest in the scheme. Wanting to gain more interest on food, drink and activity sectors as the retail sector continues to struggle. Last year the extension was given the go-ahead by local planning committees who saw the expansion as a positive opportunity for the shopping centre, and for Sheffield. However it is now likely that new, amended designs will have to go through a similar process before construction works can begin. Under the original proposal, an all-new multi-level wing, with a distinct latticed glazed roof was to be built on what is currently the centre’s car park. It has been advised that the space would contain a cinema, gym, restaurant facilities, entertainment venues and space for events, with 25 new retail units being able to be purchased. This quantity of retail stores is now having to be re-designed. In the current climate, it appears that consumers are wanting to spend their money on the experience rather than the items. Meaning less time is spent buying clothes and more time is spent making memories through activities such as eating a meal or watching a movie. British Land has expressed its desire for the project to be one that further enhances Meadowhall’s position as one of the best shopping centres in Europe. In order to do this, it is being referred to as essential, that improvements reflect leisure time – meaning the centre has to cater for much more than shopping alone. If the construction plans at Meadowhall are successful, it will complement further ambitious plans to transform Sheffield into a new hub for jobs, living space and leisure activities. New designs for the expansion are being urged to compliment the city and its needs, rather than settle for more shops that aren’t thought to offer the best benefits long term. Meadowhall has released figures stating it receives around 25 million customers annually, but in such an uncertain economic climate, employees at the shopping centre are uncertain of implementing new retail spaces. Despite Meadowhall currently being a huge success, this is all subject to change, and the centre needs to keep up with the ever-changing demand of consumers in order to remain at the forefront of the industry. In 2017, four separate districts were created in a £60 million refurbishment, which developed double height stores to brands such as Hollister and All Saints. Companies including Joe Browns, Michael Kors and Flannels joined the shopping centre and a further £40 million was pumped into shop upgrades by companies such as Apple. While the latest review is likely to take a least a few months before a decision can be concluded, the new construction work could be taking place as early as Spring.

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