Den has announced the launch of a suite of smart products designed to change the way people control and monitor electrical equipment, lighting and power usage in the home. Den’s vision is to use smart home devices to change the way people control and monitor power usage in homes. Its first
Construction work on a major residential scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham is expected to begin this summer, as plans get green light. SevenCapital’s Connaught Scheme will include 70 spacious new apartments, including a 27-storey landmark tower, circa 42,000 sq ft of commercial space, a community gymnasium and boxing academy. “Connaught Square
Morgan Sindall’s annual scholarship programme has welcomed 18 new undergraduates. Developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Quest programme aims to encourage students studying Civil Engineering to choose a career in the industry. “We’re thrilled to welcome our latest Quest scholars to the business and provide them with a
With the construction industry remaining one of the largest global markets, it is imperative that the advanced materials sector listens to the industry and observes what is needed to increase usage within the sector. Advanced Materials & Innovation has addressed this requirement and is pleased to announce the programme for
Vivalda, the UK’s largest independent supplier of cladding systems, has kicked off the new year with a campaign to encourage contractors to consider off-site fabrication as part of their dust management strategy. Called Breathe Easy, the initiative includes the production of a video – voiced by Vivalda staff from every
Den has announced the launch of a suite of smart products designed to change the way people control and monitor electrical equipment, lighting and power usage in the home. Den’s vision is to use smart home devices to change the way people control and monitor power usage in homes. Its first wave of products includes Smart Light Switches, Smart Sockets, Motion Sensor, Smart Remote and Den’s Smart Home Hub. Den also includes its revolutionary Smart Tags for tracking the location of appliances even if they are moved around the home & monitoring appliance power usage – whether laptops or phones from room to room or the location of high-risk appliances like irons and hair-straighteners, Den can track them at all times. Den is the only firm in the world with the patent for truly smart switches and plugs that fit seamlessly into the home – deliberately identical to the plugs and switches the UK is most used to. Den deliberately adds modern tech driven functionality without changing the habits and rules of the household. “Conventional light switches and socket outlets have been around for more than 100 years and have barely changed – we’re not the first to build wireless switches, they have been available for more than 20 years, however every single wireless switch in the world today has replaced the switch we’re familiar with for buttons or touch pads that are complicated and hard to use. We’re the only company in the world who’ve built wireless switches without taking away the original switch we’re so familiar with. Super excited having released products today. We are looking forward to following up with additional features and products in the coming months and years,” commented Den’s Founder and Chairman, Yasser Khattak. All devices can be controlled and monitored via a smartphone app, and can integrate with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home as of today. Den’s Smart Tags allow users to track which appliances are draining the most energy and alert users to safety concerns. In the case of irons and hair straighteners, for example, Den can inform users about what they’ve left running too long, and if not responded to, automatically switch them off. Den has also received its latest round of funding of £2 million, bringing its total investment to £5 million. This will be used in the production of the next range of devices for the home, including Den’s Smart Dimmer Switches as well as the entire range with chromed metal finishes. Funds will also be used to expand operations and the team, to enable further product integrations such as Homekit and explore opportunities with further integrations like IFTTT.
Construction work on a major residential scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham is expected to begin this summer, as plans get green light. SevenCapital’s Connaught Scheme will include 70 spacious new apartments, including a 27-storey landmark tower, circa 42,000 sq ft of commercial space, a community gymnasium and boxing academy. “Connaught Square is already one of the most significant and talked about regeneration projects to date in Birmingham, as it bridges the gap between the main city centre and the growing creative quarter. So throughout the entire design process it has been imperative that what we create and deliver is the right fit for the area, the city and importantly right for the community that will form as a result of Connaught Square,” said Damien Siviter, director at SevenCapital. Part of the city’s wider plans to regenerate Digbeth, the development will further cement the area’s position as Birmingham’s Creative Quarter. The 5,000 m² Connaught Square will be constructed in two phases, incorporating a new riverside walkway and terrace alongside the River Rea, which runs through the middle of the development and will be opened up as a feature to the public. During the construction period a number of jobs will be created, with the project also set to support apprentices at the nearby South and City College. “Digbeth has recently been listed as one of the coolest places to live by The Times, but through Connaught Square and the wider future regeneration works currently in planning or construction within the area, we want to make sure that it goes beyond cool, to become one of the best places in the UK,” said Damien. “We’ve been working tirelessly over the past few years to design a scheme that will enhance the city and create a new destination where people will want to live, work and spend their leisure time, and what we have now, we believe will deliver that,” he added. The date for the completion of the first phase of the development is expected to be March 2022, followed by the whole site in August 2023.
Morgan Sindall’s annual scholarship programme has welcomed 18 new undergraduates. Developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Quest programme aims to encourage students studying Civil Engineering to choose a career in the industry. “We’re thrilled to welcome our latest Quest scholars to the business and provide them with a head-start into the industry. After 10 years of being a part of this scheme, it’s fantastic to see how Quest scholars from previous years are continuing to develop their careers with us and I wish our latest cohort well as they join the Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure family,” said Simon Smith, Morgan Sindall’s Infrastructure managing director. Over the next four years, the scholars will undertake placements around the business, while being mentored by a member of the previous Quest cohort and a chartered supervising civil engineer. “I am incredibly proud of what these young people achieve. Our Quest scheme offers scholars the opportunity to work on some exciting high-profile and major civil engineering projects across all of our sectors. They undertake highly responsible roles from their first undergraduate placements and; when they graduate they progress quickly in their early careers. I’m pleased to say that in recent years we have seen an increase in women amongst our Quest cohort where we now typically have a 50/50 representation of men and women scholars,” commented Tony O’Donnell, the company’s engineering director. Freya Buchan, Quest Scholar, also talked about his excitement to start working with Morgan Sindall and learn about the industry and its prospects. “I have been impressed by how closely they work with their Quest scholars so I’m eager to get the best out of the experience.” Applications for the 2019 Quest Scholarship open in March.
With the construction industry remaining one of the largest global markets, it is imperative that the advanced materials sector listens to the industry and observes what is needed to increase usage within the sector. Advanced Materials & Innovation has addressed this requirement and is pleased to announce the programme for its upcoming conference and exhibition ‘Advanced Materials for Construction featuring FRP for Infrastructure’ (AMCONF). The event, which will be held at the University of Manchester on 3rd-4th April 2019, incorporates a keynote address from the Rail Director of Transport for the North, Tim Wood, who is looking for innovators and collaborators to work with him on the ambitious investment plans for a transformed rail network at the heart of the new Northern Powerhouse Rail System. Speaking about the conference, Tim Wood encourages companies to attend; “Through innovation and collaboration, we will assess and remove barriers to create the conditions for accelerated growth. Collaboration with many delegates at the Advanced Materials for Construction conference for example will be essential to achieving this, combining expert knowledge and counsel to achieve the best results for businesses and the public.” The conference will address all aspects of the industry including what we as an industry can do to help the construction industry meet its targets. A special session is being presented by Gianluca Barletta & Paul Homan of IBM Services titled, ‘Digital Construction-What Does the Future Bring?’ AMI Director, Martin Halpin, said, “It is a very exciting time for Advanced Materials for Construction, with a number of large infrastructure clients realising the benefits that these materials can offer their projects. We are delighted to bring together senior figures from client organisations to describe the significant opportunities that exist moving forward, alongside other industry professionals who will demonstrate best practice in procurement and implementation of recent and relevant projects. This is a must-attend conference for all those interested in challenging traditional solutions with innovative alternatives.” Sue Halliwell, Operations Manager, Composites UK, said, “The potential for the use of advanced materials in construction applications is huge. As yet we’ve only scratched the surface in achieving their potential benefit to the sector. There’s a significant education piece to be done to ensure the construction industry has access to the right information they need to make informed decisions when it comes to choices of materials for specific projects. This conference is part of that piece and brings together materials experts and construction professionals so they can better understand the challenges and possible solutions.” Exhibitors and Sponsors will also be involved with Pecha-Kucha Sessions that provide the opportunity of further engagement with the audience by presenting comprehensive and visually stimulating summaries of their offering. Exhibition space is still available on a first come, first served basis, from basic space to bespoke 1-3m pods which create an impact with delegates and start those all-important conversations that lead to the best collaborations and future projects. AMI Director, Gemma Smith, said, “We are very proud to have a programme that not only represents material suppliers, but also end users, contractors and specifiers. We have taken the time to speak to people across the supply chain to ensure that we provide a thought-provoking conference programme designed to push existing boundaries, question our methods and progress the usage of advanced materials in the construction industry.” The overriding aim of AMCONF is to provide delegates with the information and contacts they need on the best possible opportunities and outcomes for the Advanced Materials industry. The complete programme can be viewed at https://www.amconf.com/programme.
Vivalda, the UK’s largest independent supplier of cladding systems, has kicked off the new year with a campaign to encourage contractors to consider off-site fabrication as part of their dust management strategy. Called Breathe Easy, the initiative includes the production of a video – voiced by Vivalda staff from every branch – highlighting the challenges faced by contractors. The campaign follows recent Health & Safety Executive (HSE) announcements highlighting the fact that every week, more than 10 construction workers die from dust inhalation. Moreover, Peter Baker, the HSE’s chief inspector of construction revealed recently that every year, 3,500 people in the industry die as a result of work-related cancers, mainly linked to asbestos and silica. A natural material found in rock, stone and clay, silica comprises tiny particulates that can become lodged in the respiratory system, causing lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, silica exposure has been linked to other illnesses including renal disease and even cancers. Ben Jayes, managing director of Vivalda group, said: “Despite guidance from the HSE on dealing with dust on-site, ignorance among both contractors and on-site workers remains remarkably high. In a recent construction industry survey, it was revealed that while only 12% of firms admitted to treating dust as a ‘serious issue’ at work, only 16% of employees were aware of the risks. What’s even more sobering is the fact that there is plenty of legislation – in the form of COSHH and the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) that mandates action here. “To help combat this issue, we are encouraging contractors to consider the adoption of off-site fabrication as part of the solution. While there are steps that can be taken to ensure workers cutting bricks, paviors, concrete and cladding material are following best practice, we think contractors should also consider transferring many potentially hazardous site operations upstream, using off-site fabrication to reduce their exposure to an HSE inspection. A good example of this idea in practice is the cutting of rainscreen cladding, which is typically made from concrete, rock, terracotta and mixed alloys.” Certainly, in recent months Vivalda has seen an increase in the number of contractors assessing the pros and cons of off-site fabrication as a way of minimising the amount of dust generated on-site. This benefit, along with the obvious improvements in productivity, accuracy and overall supply chain efficiency, will give extra impetus to the adoption of off-site construction techniques over the next few years. Jayes concludes: “All of our CNC machines deliver cutting accuracy down to the millimetre. But more importantly, each one is fitted with modern dust extraction filters, which are checked and replaced regularly. This means that we take on the responsibility of not only delivering cut to size panels – we also take away the headache of health and safety regulations which are quite rightly being enforced by the HSE.” To watch Vivalda’s Breathe Easy video, please see here:
