Sarah Toon is a specialist construction and architectural photographer based in Norfolk. With a lifelong interest in photography, after a decade working as a bookkeeper and practice manager for an accountancy business, Sarah decided to develop a new career as a professional photographer five years ago. Rather than following many other
Bicester Heritage’s ambition to become the number one leisure destination for automotive fans has moved into pole position with the granting of planning permission for a new hotel, designed by award-winning hotel architects and interior designers Dexter Moren Associates. Situated on a former RAF base in the heart of Motorsport
A unique full flow ball valve has been launched by leading manufacturer Pegler as part of its Integrated Piping Systems which is revolutionising installations across the globe. The VSH FullFlow XPress Ball Valve forms part of the expanding XPress portfolio and offers unrivalled specification due to being manufactured from material
According to a study conducted at the start of the year, more than 7,500 affordable homes have been lost in the past two years in England as a result of office redevelopments bypassing affordable housing requirements. Permitted development rights rule that office buildings can be converted into housing without planning
The Rt Hon Damian Green MP visited one of Kent’s best builders last week in the market town of Tenterden. Mr Green visited the Three Fields development in the town to personally congratulate Taylor Wimpey site manager Neil Johnson for his achievement in winning a prestigious NHBC Pride in the
Viridian Solar is celebrating the announcement of the RIBA Grand Designs House of the Year 2018. The stunning Lochside House in the Scottish Highlands that won the accolade features roof integrated solar panels from the UK manufacturer. The house was designed by Cambridge Architects, Haysom Ward Miller and with its
A newly refurbished c.24,000 sq ft unit has come on to the market at Normanton Industrial Estate in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Owned by Leeds-based developer, Eshton, the prime space located on Tyler Close in Normanton comprises c.21,000 sq ft of warehouse space and c.3,000 sq ft of office space, spanning
Hartnell Taylor Cook launches new Mechanical & Electrical Consultancy service line appointing Stuart Funiciello as director and team lead. HTC’s new M&E Consultancy team, based in London but operating across the UK, will compliment both the Property Management and Building Consultancy service lines by offering a more streamlined and integrated management
Sarah Toon is a specialist construction and architectural photographer based in Norfolk. With a lifelong interest in photography, after a decade working as a bookkeeper and practice manager for an accountancy business, Sarah decided to develop a new career as a professional photographer five years ago. Rather than following many other female photographers and focusing on fashion, weddings and family portraits, she has chosen to specialise in the more male-dominated niche of construction and property photography. Sarah recently completed an eighteen-month project as official progress photographer for the Wells Maltings project in North Norfolk. Working closely with architects, contractors and the client team, Sarah’s images have become iconic in the retelling of this new cultural and arts centre’s story. Other regular clients include regional construction firms RobSon Construction Limited, who were the main contractor for the refurbishment of the Lady Elizabeth Wing on the Holkham Estate, Norwich-based surveyors Daniel Connall Partnership, Chaplin Farrant architects and most recently, Daylight Developments Ltd. She is due to start work on several projects this autumn in London, for a structural engineering consultancy in London. In recognition of her role within a traditionally male workplace, in September 2018 Sarah was selected to take part in the National Association of Women in Construction’s project, Image of Women in Construction. Aimed at highlighting the diversity and strength of women who work within the construction industry, to encourage the next generation of girls to consider it as a future career path, the project is being led by acclaimed architectural photographer Morley von Sternberg, FRIBA. As one of so few women specialising in construction and property photography, Sarah jumped at the chance to be involved in such an inspiring project and has subsequently joined Morley on a number of his commercial shoots. Sarah is keen to promote equality across the sector by showing young women that creative careers in the construction and architecture sector are open to all.
Bicester Heritage’s ambition to become the number one leisure destination for automotive fans has moved into pole position with the granting of planning permission for a new hotel, designed by award-winning hotel architects and interior designers Dexter Moren Associates. Situated on a former RAF base in the heart of Motorsport Valley, a stone’s throw from numerous Formula One teams and the Silverstone Circuit, the approved scheme will feature a 252-room hotel, 92-unit aparthotel, restaurant, leisure facilities and conference centre. The hotel design, granted unanimous approval by Cherwell District Council last week, is inspired by RAF Bicester’s rich heritage, offering a modern interpretation of the form of adjoining listed hangars and featuring a signature entrance atrium designed around the display of classic motor vehicles. “We were thrilled to be selected to design this landmark hotel within the former RAF base, forming part of the Bicester Heritage Masterplan vision focusing on motorcars and aeroplanes. The design objective has been to respond in a contemporary manner to the site’s unique past, drawing inspiration from its historic position at the forefront of aviation, engineering, and innovation while complementing the existing period buildings. The elevations take inspiration from the listed aircraft hangers within Bicester Heritage, whilst the metal-clad curved façade references the sinuous line of a classic car,” said Dexter Moren Associates. “Providing 344 hotel and aparthotel rooms, and with extensive facilities including food and beverage, leisure and conferencing, this new hotel will contribute to the greater Bicester and Oxford area hospitality offer while enhancing the activities of Bicester Heritage and its future plans for accommodation, theatre, automotive research and maintenance,” Dexter Moren Associated added. Dexter Moren Associates is an award-winning practice of 70 architecture and interior design specialists, working right across the hospitality spectrum. Over the past 26 years in business we have established a world-renowned reputation as leaders in hospitality design, based on our ability to deliver intelligent, creative and bespoke solutions which meld both developer and operator requirements.
A unique full flow ball valve has been launched by leading manufacturer Pegler as part of its Integrated Piping Systems which is revolutionising installations across the globe. The VSH FullFlow XPress Ball Valve forms part of the expanding XPress portfolio and offers unrivalled specification due to being manufactured from material that is identical to the pipe. With the materials matching and technological advancements within the design and manufacture of this valve the reliability of a system is greatly enhanced as the risk of damaging galvanic corrosion and condensation is eliminated. “Due to the resounding success of our VSH XPress range the VSH FullFlow XPress Ball Valve further complements our product portfolio and offers HVAC contractors with a reliable Integrated Piping System,” commented Sindar Singh Director Product Line Valve Technology at Pegler. “A complete system that offers reliability is a huge benefit to contactors whose reputation relies on the quality of the products they use. We are delighted to be now launching a new product that incorporates the valve and fitting into one streamlined body and is made from Carbon so when used with carbon pipe system it delivers a positive zero voltage reaction and therefore preventing the start of any galvanic corrosion,“ Sindar added. Made from Carbon which comes with all the inherent benefits such as lighter weight and low theft risk, the team at Pegler has developed the VSH FullFlow XPress Ball Valve to ensure a number of advantages no matter what the application. For the exposed valves the streamlined body offers increased aesthetics whilst also providing a safety function. Its design allows for easy pipe insulation fitting whilst the handle can be repositioned for ease of installation or fully removed for security. In addition, the valve is designed to reduce the number of seals which decreases the possibility of leaks due to incorrect fitting but also benefits from double O-Rings giving increased reliability. Available in ½ to 2” diameter, the valve is compatible with the XPress thread, swivel and press options as required. A stainless steel version, suitable for potable water applications will be released later this year. “This is another element of our Integrated Piping Systems which are proving to deliver greater efficiencies and reliability across all applications,” said Sindar. “The incorporation of a full-bore valve inside a streamlined fitting is a simple yet effective solution and will assist in saving time, increasing reliability and continue the re-education of the way we approach pipe and plumbing systems.” All VSH XPress valve bodies are laser marked with information on size, material and pressure and a colour coding indicates the type of material; red for carbon steel and green for stainless ensuring compatibility.
According to a study conducted at the start of the year, more than 7,500 affordable homes have been lost in the past two years in England as a result of office redevelopments bypassing affordable housing requirements. Permitted development rights rule that office buildings can be converted into housing without planning permission, but there is no commitment to building affordable housing as part of these conversions. London already has a shortage of affordable housing, with mayor Sadiq Khan announcing his intention to increase the pace of construction from 29,000 homes a year to 66,000. On top of this, he has vowed to make 65% of these home affordable, a much higher percentage than the current rate of 38%. However, the city’s rate of conversions of former offices into housing dropped from 873,000ft2 in 2014, to just 178,000ft2 in 2016. The housing crisis in London is leading to ‘dog kennel’ flats In order to try and tackle the housing crisis in London, the government took a relaxed approach to planning regulations in order to promote the conversion of underused office spaces. Over the past two financial years, there have been 30,575 homes converted from office blocks, and an estimated 25% of these could have been affordable housing. This means that 7,644 affordable homes could have been created, according to the London Government Association. Hundreds of tiny, studio flats will be squeezed into former office block Barnet House, with 96% of the 254 flats being smaller than the national minimum space standards for one person. The smallest of these ‘dog kennel’ rooms will be just 16 square metres, which is 40% smaller than an average Travelodge single room. On the opposite side of the capital, office buildings in Croydon have also been converted into tiny studio flats, offering as little as 15 square metres per person. Converting office spaces discourages businesses Converting office space into housing also means there are fewer workspaces for new businesses looking to launch in the city. Last year, there were a massive 187,250 new businesses set up in the capital, almost all of which will need some form of office space. Councils are warning that the conversion of office space to housing could leave businesses and startups without physical premises to base themselves in. If office space becomes increasingly hard to come by, the price to let will also increase, leaving startups struggling to have their own office space. A rising number of businesses are looking to telecommuting as a way to combat the rising costs of office space. In a survey taken at last year’s Global Leadership Summit in London, 34% of business leaders stated that more than half of their company’s full-time workers would be working remotely by 2020. Meanwhile, 25% admitted that over three-quarters of workers would not work in a traditional office by the same year. Many workspace providers are already operating in the city, accommodating startups who are looking for short-term leases with minimal space. These hot desking workspaces often run through a membership system, such as Landmark’s club space membership, which offers a communal workspace which members can drop in to as and when they need it. A lack of affordable housing and office space is driving businesses to other cities Birmingham is quickly becoming the most popular city for startups outside of London, and according to BQ Live, 2017 saw the city welcome 12,108 new businesses. Last year marked the fifth year in a row that Birmingham followed London for the number of new businesses launching in the city, thanks to the abundance of affordable office space, access to global markets, and dedicated support provided to entrepreneurs and small firms. On top of this, more and more people are leaving the capital because of the lack of affordable housing and workspace, with the number of Londoners abandoning the city reaching a 10-year high. According to recent figures published by the Guardian, 292,000 people left London during the first half of 2016 alone, with many Londoners turning to Birmingham and Brighton for their new homes, thanks to the cheaper cost of living. While converting office space into affordable housing can be seen as a solution to the city’s growing housing crisis, it also means that fewer businesses have access to affordable physical space. Londoners and entrepreneurs are therefore looking to other cities for homes and office space, as London’s rising prices continue to drive them away.
The Rt Hon Damian Green MP visited one of Kent’s best builders last week in the market town of Tenterden. Mr Green visited the Three Fields development in the town to personally congratulate Taylor Wimpey site manager Neil Johnson for his achievement in winning a prestigious NHBC Pride in the Job Regional Award in the Large Builder category. Pride in the Job is the most highly regarded competition in the house-building industry, dedicated to recognising site managers who achieve the highest standards in house-building. The visit, organised by NHBC, the UK’s leading warranty provider for new homes, and hosted by Taylor Wimpey, showcased the high quality new homes which have recently been built to fit in with the aesthetics of the local area. Mr Green congratulated Neil, on his win and dedication to his role and spoke about the importance of increasing skills in construction, inspiring the next generation of builders and how developers can make contributions to the local area. Damian Green MP said “I am always pleased to see building developments striving for the highest standards, to help future residents enjoy their new homes.” Site manager Neil said: “It’s fantastic to have received a Pride in the Job Quality award; it’s an honour not just for me, but for the whole team at Three Fields who work so hard to build high-quality homes for our customers. We were delighted to welcome Damian Green MP to Three Fields and hope that he enjoyed the visit.” Steve Catt, NHBC Senior Regional Director, added: “We were very pleased to be able to show Mr Green around this outstanding development. The site, which has already received one of the highest industry accolades as well as benefiting from NHBC’s market-leading 10 year warranty, will be a fantastic addition to the region. “As the UK’s leading warranty provider of new homes, NHBC works closely with house builders to support the delivery of high quality homes for homebuyers.” For further information please visit www.nhbc.co.uk
Viridian Solar is celebrating the announcement of the RIBA Grand Designs House of the Year 2018. The stunning Lochside House in the Scottish Highlands that won the accolade features roof integrated solar panels from the UK manufacturer. The house was designed by Cambridge Architects, Haysom Ward Miller and with its remote rural setting, sustainability and energy efficiency were extremely important. The house has its own water supply, sewage treatment and an off-grid solar energy system installed by AES Solar. The external cladding is of burnt Scottish larch and is used as a roof covering as well as for the walls. Dry stone walling surrounds the house and the low-profile roof integrated solar panels complement the other high-quality materials and form a prominent part of the overall design. The RIBA judges were impressed by the sustainability and energy efficiency of the building, the choice of materials, and its integration into its wild setting. Ben Derbyshire, RIBA president, described it as ‘truly breath-taking’. “With a highly sustainable, off-grid approach to energy and water, it leaves the surrounding environment as undisturbed as possible. Every detail has been fine-tuned to create an exceptional home and studio that meets the needs and wishes of its artist owner. Lochside House is the perfect addition to this dream landscape.” Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs was also impressed: “This building has been tailored to its site. It’s been stitched and woven…seamed into the tapestry of this place and it is so much the better for it,” he said. “It’s the kind of architecture that we can all easily love, the kind of architecture we can all easily learn from; and it’s a way of building that we, in Britain, are getting really very good at.” Stuart Elmes, CEO of Viridian Solar said: “The Lochside House is a deserved winner and a great example of how solar can be brought into the heart of building design. “
A newly refurbished c.24,000 sq ft unit has come on to the market at Normanton Industrial Estate in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Owned by Leeds-based developer, Eshton, the prime space located on Tyler Close in Normanton comprises c.21,000 sq ft of warehouse space and c.3,000 sq ft of office space, spanning two floors. Suited to industrial, warehouse and distribution uses, the property features an extensive secure yard with plenty space for lorry parking, dedicated staff parking, two loading doors – with the option to install a further three – a 6m eaves height, to the underside of haunch and a 215KvA load; with additional power capacity available. The unit occupies a prominent location alongside the M62, with Normanton Industrial Estate situated in the heart of West Yorkshire’s distribution network and boasting close links to the M1 and A1. Other local occupiers include DHL, XPO Logistics, Asda, Ford and Robert Wiseman Dairies. Eshton director, Jonathan Chapman, said: “There is a significant shortage of quality industrial and warehousing space, particularly across Yorkshire, with occupiers limited for choice along the M62 corridor. “The huge demand for logistics properties is being led by the rise of online shopping, with demand expected to outstrip supply in the coming years. Units with such desirability as Tyler Close are rare, particularly when located in one of the region’s top commercial locations, and we anticipate high levels of interest from businesses spanning a range of sectors.” The agents for Tyler Close are Rob Oliver from GVA’s Leeds office and Nick Arundel from AWS.
Hartnell Taylor Cook launches new Mechanical & Electrical Consultancy service line appointing Stuart Funiciello as director and team lead. HTC’s new M&E Consultancy team, based in London but operating across the UK, will compliment both the Property Management and Building Consultancy service lines by offering a more streamlined and integrated management service to clients. Services will form a complete life cycle approach from pre-acquisition advice, due diligence and day to day technical support through to project works, dilapidations and asset disposal for commercial, retail and residential building owners. Stuart joins HTC from FHP Engineering Services Solutions where he was employed as an Associate Director. His diverse workload included acting for a variety of landlords with property holdings across the United Kingdom and Europe. Stuart has acted for many of HTC’s clients for a number of years and in that time established a proven track record for delivering high quality solution focused consultancy services. David North, Partner at HTC said: “We have for many years recognised the importance of offering M&E Consultancy services to our clients via an outsourced arrangement. The creation of this new service line reinforces our commitment to excellence and being able to offer our clients a comprehensive, cost effective service. Stuart’s expertise and enthusiasm is substantial and we are delighted to have him on board to lead this new service line.” Stuart added: “I am very much looking forward to working alongside my new colleagues at HTC, at such an exciting time of growth for the business across its various service lines. I look forward to drawing on my experience and contributing to the success of the Mechanical & Electrical Consultancy team.”
