A collaboration between a national trade body and academia has developed a working formula which could transform the way damp is managed in homes. The Property Care Association (PCA) and the University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE) are carrying out a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
A new research undertaken by the team at www.MyJobQuote.co.uk as part of an ongoing study into apprenticeships ahead of National Apprenticeship Week has revealed that 64% of Britons felt pressured to go to university by teachers whilst they were at school, and a further 41% felt pressured by their parents. More than
A report called ‘Prefabricated Volumetric Building Systems Market Report – UK 2018-2022’ has unveiled an increased demand for portable buildings. Since 2016, where there was an evident dip in market value (possibly due to the EU referendum), the demand has shown a significant improvement with a 6% increase in 2017.
Structural drafting is the foundation of any construction project. The ideas in our mind are given life in the form of drawings. Computer-aided tools are invaluable to architects and engineers in creating precision drawings or illustrations. The structural industry has embraced software to help in the creation of engineering drawings.
Working on projects in a greenhouse is extremely enjoyable and can be a very rewarding past time. With so many different things to do and tasks to complete, you can set yourself some challenging yet achievable goals and teach yourself something new every day. From growing your favourite veg, to
Mineral canopies and metal baffles and tiles feature at the organisation’s new-look HQ. The world’s leading commercial property and real estate services adviser has used a hat-trick of systems from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions to enhance the interiors of its refurbished headquarters. Some 600m2 of Armstrong’s VP-500 custom vertical metal baffles,
Due to both advances in technology and current cultural tastes, architects and interior designers are using more glazing in their projects than ever before. However, there are safety and legal obligations to consider when using the material – for example, the application of glass manifestations. Although the application of manifestations
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
A collaboration between a national trade body and academia has developed a working formula which could transform the way damp is managed in homes. The Property Care Association (PCA) and the University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE) are carrying out a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to look into the issue of moisture in buildings. Following a two-year research project the partners have made a break-through which is now ready to enter market development, to create a tangible diagnostic tool to tackle excess moisture levels. Steve Hodgson, Chief Executive of the PCA, said: “This is an exciting stage in the project, which could eventually have a significant impact on the quality of air indoors for hundreds of thousands of people across the UK and internationally. “We have discovered that we can analyse conditions within a building in order to understand precisely why it is out of balance in terms of its moisture levels, and then prescribe the correct solutions to address the issue. “Of significance is the fact that we also have the potential to predict conditions, so properties can be protected proactively. “There’s a real demand for this solution and the PCA’s membership has supported its development both financially, and by enabling the research team to tap into its expertise to create this new, revolutionary diagnostic technique. “We are now looking for partners and investors to bring these innovative discoveries to the next stage. “Left unchecked, resulting problems from excess moisture can include poor air quality, condensation, dampness and mould. “These are issues which can affect people’s quality of life and it is important to establish why the situation is becoming more and more common.” In recent years, the PCA has reported a surge in the levels of excess atmospheric moisture in properties across the UK, with the trade body reporting that many of its 400 members are encountering higher levels of humidity in homes than ever before. The research project was launched to look into this changing environment in UK homes and has involved detailed studies into the condition of almost 60 properties across the UK, covering moisture production and analysis, to ensure accurate calculations. Dr Paula Lopez-Arce is the KTP Associate for the research project and has more than 18 years’ experience gained in the built environment. Dr Lopez-Arce, said: “We believe this has been one of the largest, most practical and challenging environmental monitoring projects of its type undertaken in UK homes”. “Measurement devices including environmental sensors have been placed into different types of dwellings to measure conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity as part of the activity. “The data we have received has helped us to build a picture of the issues surrounding excess atmospheric moisture across a mixed portfolio including flats, bungalows, terraced and detached houses in different regions, to cover a representative mix of property types. “From additional data from questionnaires and survey forms, it has also taken into consideration the key factors that can have an impact on a building’s performance, such as occupant lifestyles and some of its features. “It’s an exciting project and the end solution could have a transformational impact on the condition of homes worldwide, ensuring healthier environments and finding better solutions from the consequences of excessive indoors moisture levels.” A video produced by the PCA, which is available to view below offers a comprehensive insight into the issue of air quality in homes. www.property-care.org
A new research undertaken by the team at www.MyJobQuote.co.uk as part of an ongoing study into apprenticeships ahead of National Apprenticeship Week has revealed that 64% of Britons felt pressured to go to university by teachers whilst they were at school, and a further 41% felt pressured by their parents. More than half of Britons felt that they weren’t given the full range of options in the lead up to leaving school, yet over three quarters of those that had undertaken apprenticeships felt that they made the right choice. 2,846 people over the age of 18 were polled, 1,403 of which stated that they had gone on to complete an apprenticeship. Of the 1,443 respondents who didn’t do an apprenticeship, 30% revealed that they had been to, or were currently at, university. Of those that didn’t attend university, the most popular reasons for not doing so were ‘I was put off by the cost’ (32%), ‘I didn’t need to for the job I wanted’ (23%) and ‘I wanted to start earning money straight after school’ (21%). Initially it was found that as many as two thirds of Britons (64%) felt pressured by teachers to go to university whilst they were at school, and a further 41% said that they felt the same pressure from their parents. When questioned on their options whilst at school, it was found that the majority of Britons felt that they weren’t told what their full range of options were for when they left school (53%). In order to find out more about the experiences of the apprentices, those that had done an apprenticeship were asked a series of questions. It was found that 22% of these had dropped out of sixth form or college to undertake an apprenticeship. When asked about their choice to undertake an apprenticeship, over three quarters of respondents (77%) said that they felt that they made the right decision. Interestingly, 17% of those that had finished an apprenticeship said that they were no longer in same profession they had undertaken their apprenticeship in and a further 11% of these had changed to a different trade and been accepted on to another course. “Apprenticeships are a great way to get into a trade and learn the craft, and are a really good option for school leavers. There still seems to be a lack of information and teaching on why apprenticeships are the right option for many and a genuine alternative for going to university. Apprenticeships have received a great deal more attention recently, but more still needs to be done to teach school children about their potential options,” commented on the findings of the study Lisa Evans, spokesperson for www.MyJobQuote.co.uk.
A report called ‘Prefabricated Volumetric Building Systems Market Report – UK 2018-2022’ has unveiled an increased demand for portable buildings. Since 2016, where there was an evident dip in market value (possibly due to the EU referendum), the demand has shown a significant improvement with a 6% increase in 2017. This market value includes factory made, fully assembled, three-dimensional modules. Due to an increased demand for onsite accommodation on major infrastructure projects, such as The Thameslink Railway Construction Programme, volumetric construction has grown. It is also partly down to a spike in demand in other sectors such as portable offices and the education sector seeing request for flexibility and affordability. Temporary Accommodation The biggest market for portable buildings seems to be temporary accommodation on industrial sites and construction, including event hire. Education and healthcare are also key areas of use. The uses for these structures vary, with operating theatres and wards being the largest temporary application in the healthcare sector. In the education sector, modular structures are widely used as semi-permanent portable buildings for school classrooms, and in many cases, these buildings end up being permanent solutions. Major, permanent builds include blocks for sixth forms, specialist subject blocks, whole nurseries and extra sports facilitates for storage and more. House-building and Construction Many established construction and house-building companies have begun to adapt their semi-permanent work structures into off-site housing in recent years. With many big ‘players’ in the industry getting on board, it’s not hard to see the emerging trend. Well known names such as Berkeley Homes and Barratt homes, to name just two, are new market entrants amongst others. Over the next few years there are numerous factors that are likely to underpin steady growth in this sector. These include an increase in the number of public sector procurement frameworks – several which are specific to off-site construction, as well as the increased use of BIM (Building Information Modelling). More importantly there is now a strong likelihood of growth in the use of off-site construction methods and portable buildings to help meet the chronic housing shortage. It may be a viable solution in dealing with the lack of traditional construction skills within the industry. Off-site Manufacturing Techniques In the Housing White Paper of 2017, the government supported the use of off-site manufacturing techniques. This meant they backed the main benefits of high-quality, reliability, productivity, energy efficiency and required fewer people on site. The £2 billion Accelerated Construction Programme and the £3 billion Home Building Fund both supported this opinion. This includes those using modular construction and portable buildings. A higher demand for site accommodation on major infrastructure projects is most likely to be sustained through 2022 and beyond. Due to the implementation of the government’s Roads Investment Strategy and the continuation of Smart Motorways amongst other new developments, the need for portable buildings to be used as offices is forecast to grow at a rate of 3-5% per year. It wouldn’t be surprising that this growth is likely to continue with further innovations and plans. Excel Modular Buildings has more than 40 years of experience in the supply of Modular Buildings, Portable Cabins, Anti-vandal Units and Containers.
Structural drafting is the foundation of any construction project. The ideas in our mind are given life in the form of drawings. Computer-aided tools are invaluable to architects and engineers in creating precision drawings or illustrations. The structural industry has embraced software to help in the creation of engineering drawings. Most importantly, the drawings specify each construction detail to the contractor and thus help avoid blunders and bad execution of the approved design. This article on AutoCAD for Architects give you a great feel for what can be done by a beginner. Architectural drawings Architectural drawing is the technical drawing of a building project. Architectural plans include the working drawings, schedules, floor plans, foundation plans, and roof plans. Architectural plans demonstrate not only the location of the building but also the details of where the building parts will be placed. With the help of a computer-aided software such as AutoCAD architectural drawings describe precision methods, as well as materials, colors, and texture to be used in the construction project. Structural drawings Structural drawings are technical drawings that show details of the structural elements. The drawings provide information that includes the strength of the various structural components, structural materials, size, grade, and also the placement of reinforcement. A structural analysis is crucial as it helps evaluate whether the structural design has what it takes to withstand internal and external stresses as well as the forces expected for the design. CAD software is invaluable for the creation of precision structural drawings. Electrical drawings Electrical drawings refer to technical drawings that provide detailed information about power, lighting, and communication of construction or any engineering project. CAD software can help in the design of any type of electrical drawings including circuit diagrams and drawings, circuit panels, electrical schematic drawings, an electrical blueprint for floors, electrical grid systems, as well as any electrical engineering diagrams. Electrical diagrams save time in that they help professionals anticipate problem areas such as wet spots, tight spaces, or sharp corners. The professional can plan for the areas in advance. The drawing also helps in reducing costs as you can shop once for the entire project. Also, the drawings can reduce or eliminate the risk of injury as the professional can anticipate the areas that have the potential for injury. Plumbing and sanitary drawings These are drawings that show the location of the sanitary, fixture, piping for water supplies, and how to connect the fixtures. Plumbing drawings are essential for any construction project as they show how to bring water to the building for human consumption, and how to remove wastewater from the structure. Finishing drawings Finishing drawings are the drawings that show the finishing and the appearance of the building. They include details of tiles, marbles, etc. Finishes usually are the final part of a construction project, and they are used for both internal and external elements. Finishing drawings are necessary as they form the part that people see and usually perceive the quality of the building. A competent CAD software can help bring out the best appearance and protection of a building project.
Working on projects in a greenhouse is extremely enjoyable and can be a very rewarding past time. With so many different things to do and tasks to complete, you can set yourself some challenging yet achievable goals and teach yourself something new every day. From growing your favourite veg, to experimenting with seasonal plants, you can get lost in your own world of gardening and put your energy into something fantastic. For greenhouse beginners, it may seem like a minefield, with lots to know and even more to remember, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you start as you mean to go on and prepare properly, you’ll have everything you need to succeed with your greenhouse projects! 1. Light Sources First things first, before you get stuck into planting seeds, you need to ensure you have the right lighting. Lighting is an essential feature within the greenhouse, as you need both artificial and natural light to help your plants grow to their full potential. During the spring/summer time, you want as much natural light as possible flowing through into the greenhouse, however autumn/winter often requires a little more artificial light if you want to continue your projects into the colder seasons. There are lots of greenhouse lighting products available on the market, so it’s best to do a little research to find the best type for your greenhouse. 2. Greenhouse Heating Another essential feature within the greenhouse is heating. There are so many benefits to having heating in your greenhouse, especially during the winter months, but it’s important to know which is best for you. Professional gardeners would often recommend using electric heaters, as you find that they’re the most efficient and easiest to use. Depending on the size of your greenhouse, you need to ensure that you have the right amount of heating flowing through, to ensure you’re getting the most from this feature. Image Source: Two Wests & Elliot 3. Seeds to Start With After a few months of having your greenhouse, you’ll realise just how beneficial it is when it comes to growing certain produce and plants. Greenhouses come with many benefits, especially when the colder weather sets in, so it’s worth taking advantage of this and using your greenhouse to its full potential. For a beginner, the best seeds to be planting in your greenhouse are potatoes, broad beans, runner beans and peas. These will also be the most rewarding, as there’s nothing quite like growing your own produce and then going on to use it in your cooking. It’s important to remember, before you begin to plant your seeds, that you need to have the right equipment in order to do so. Stock up on containers, fertiliser, soil and the necessary gardening tools to ensure you have everything you need for the projects ahead! 4. Watering Schedule One thing that many greenhouse beginners often forget is when to be watering the seeds. Whilst it goes without saying that you need to water your plants frequently, it’s actually extremely beneficial to create a watering schedule. Having something to work with as a constant reminder will really help you to get into the routine of watering your plants on time and at the right times, as different plants can require different watering times and amounts. Image Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Mineral canopies and metal baffles and tiles feature at the organisation’s new-look HQ. The world’s leading commercial property and real estate services adviser has used a hat-trick of systems from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions to enhance the interiors of its refurbished headquarters. Some 600m2 of Armstrong’s VP-500 custom vertical metal baffles, 3,250m2 of Optima L circular and custom-shaped canopies, 150m2 of DH-700 black mesh metal clip-in tiles, and 130m2 of C Profile suspension system were specified for the CBRE’s new-look offices in Milan for their form and function. The design of the offices is inspired by the modern principles of activity-based working, a revolutionary concept that replaces allocated seating layouts with a more flexible approach to the working environment, with the aim of improving productivity through continuous and efficient interaction between employees. For this reason, the new offices in the CBRE headquarters were protagonists of an aesthetic re-design project inspired by the values of innovation, wellness and flexibility, which perfectly mirrors the company’s global strategy, “Workplace 360”. According to the principles of Workplace 360, hierarchical barriers have been completely lifted in favour of sharing, improving accessibility and exchanging ideas. The working environment is completely open with unassigned seats which can be booked daily through users’ smart phones. In addition, specific areas are dedicated to those who need silence and focus as well as relaxation and wellness. Based on this concept, an in-house CBRE team, supported by Efrem Milia, an interior designer with Milan’s EMA Design Studio, has influenced and defined the functional and organisational aspects. This cooperation allowed CBRE to intervene in each decision, both technically and decoratively. The result is an exclusive and carefully refined 2,500m2 venue inspired by the historical areas of Milan – the first floor echoing the Navigli canal area, the second the Brera art district, and lastly, the sixth the fashion district. The decision to leave part of the ceiling with exposed building service elements determined the need to intervene with elements that delivered both aesthetics and acoustics. And this is where the CBRE looked to Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, due to their extensive range of products and their ability to create tailored solutions that satisfy any project’s need. In this case, a different Armstrong solution has been chosen for each floor of the renovation, with each providing an aesthetic solution, capable of integrating itself with the space and the different surrounding materials while creating comfortable working environments. The 3,250m2 of Optima L white mineral canopies, in [tbc]diameter circles and bespoke squares with two rounded corners, contributed to shaping the common areas on the first floor. These elements feature originality and modernity as well as acoustic support. Canopy ceilings combine aesthetics with acoustic performance aimed at ensuring a higher sound absorption ratio compared to a continuous ceiling with the same visible surface. The sound is absorbed both by the front and the back surface of the panel. This significantly contributes to the reduction of reverberation time and increases the intelligibility of speech. For the second-floor offices, Armstrong’s design team conceived a special broken-line pattern for the micro-perforated black mesh metal ceilings. These are ideal for installations in open-plan spaces where it is necessary to reduce noise pollution. A solution that creates an extremely dynamic visual effect, it is available in individual and multiple configurations, thanks to the C Profile suspension system that allows a tidy and clean alignment of the elements. Lastly, on the sixth floor, in addition to the white baffles, C Profiles of different sizes have been used to embellish, through light and shade, the ceiling of the “Multipurpose Room”, a multi-functional room with different space configurations and a huge art wall. Head of project management Alberto Cominelli said: “The office is no longer just a work space. It has actually become a company’s hallmark, where spaces are designed to bring inspiration, exchange ideas and create innovation. Only by creating a comfortable environment equipped with facilities dedicated to the people is it possible to increase engagement and motivate staff. Interior designers are more and more inspired by home and hotel designs, bringing an unprecedented breath of innovation to the world of offices.” Armstrong area sales manager Jordan Brocchi added: “We would like to thank CBRE and architect Efrem Milia for trusting our solutions and involving us, giving value to the potential offered by Armstrong Ceiling Solutions in terms of personalisation. “Now more than ever we are witnessing an increasing number of requests from architects and interior designers for support in the design of highly-customised solutions, to free their creativity in line with the rapidly evolving current trends. The requests are extremely diverse and to best respond to them, Armstrong has boosted its structure with a team of dedicated and highly-qualified engineers.”
Due to both advances in technology and current cultural tastes, architects and interior designers are using more glazing in their projects than ever before. However, there are safety and legal obligations to consider when using the material – for example, the application of glass manifestations. Although the application of manifestations is often seen as a formality and a “box to tick”, they can represent a great opportunity as a canvas for design and branding – providing many more benefits than simply complying with the requirements of red tape. What are glass manifestations? In March 2018, a news story surfaced that employees in tech giant Apple’s futuristic glass headquarters (Apple Park, in California) kept walking into glass walls and doors and injuring themselves. At least three people hurt themselves badly enough to need emergency medical assistance in the space of a month, due to Apple’s use of glass which had been specially treated to achieve a perfect level of transparency. Some staff members started to affix sticky notes to a few of the more troublesome glass walls so that people could tell where they actually were, although these were later removed as not being in keeping with the spirit of the building’s design. “We’ve had people bump into the glass,” admitted Apple’s vice president of real estate at the time. “That’s a problem we are working on right now.” In a way, those sticky notes were a basic form of impromptu glass manifestations. In the UK, it is a legal requirement that large glass doors, windows and walls in public places and work environments are clearly identifiable as such – in some circumstances this can be achieved with the placement of conspicuous door handles and so on, or else with the implementation of glass manifestations. Modern manifestations are generally appliances of frosted film that are added to glazing to render it clearly visible to nearby individuals. These treatments also confer an additional safety benefit in that if the glass is struck with enough force to break it, the film will often to some extent hold the glass shards together and prevent the shattered pane from spreading everywhere. There is no specification in the regulations as to a particular design that manifestations are required to have, but they must “[contrast] visually with the background seen through the glass (both inside and out) in all lighting conditions.” Glass manifestations must ideally be clear enough that individuals with visual impairments can easily identify glazing installations in their environment, and they are a health and safety requirement under Regulation 14 of the 1992 Workplace Regulations and also section K of the HM Government Building Regulations. In other words, if somebody were to walk into an unmarked sheet of glass and hurt themselves, the business responsible could be liable for legal difficulties. As well as fulfilling legally-mandated health and safety obligations, however, manifestations can also represent an opportunity to do something interesting with the glazing in a construction or workplace design project. Using glass manifestations for branding Glass manifestations seen in public spaces quite often take the form of nondescript patterns or dots, but there is plenty of opportunity to design just about anything to do the job. Even the government’s Building Regulations state that you can “provide glass doors and glazed screens (including glazed screens alongside a corridor) with … manifestation in the form of a logo or sign, a minimum of 150mm high (repeated if on a glazed screen).” In short, if your glass manifestations are a generic pattern of abstract shapes, it’s possible that you may be missing a chance to build your brand. With a little creativity, stylised glass manifestations can become a bold branding statement for your building or business and can elevate your glazing from something utilitarian and functional into something that communicates your company’s values – ultimately building positive brand associations. There are a wide variety of things that could be printed on glass manifestations. The business’ logo is an obvious choice – and for a predominantly glass-fronted building, manifestations could even represent the main signage for the establishment. For an internal space, glass panels could be styled with the company’s branding colours in order to properly blend into the interior design (or accentuate it). Alternatively, the manifestations on the glass could carry slogans, navigational directions, inspirational quotes or other text for the benefit of employees or the public.
