May 28, 2019

Radford Construction Services Scoops Two Awards

Twp prestigious Master Builder Awards have been scooped by Chester-Le-Street based building firm Radford Construction Services Ltd. The company took home the prize for best Commercial Project while Andrew Radford, owner of the company, has been named Heavenly Builder in the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) Northern Counties region. Since

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Quintain Awards Wembley Park Project

Developer Quintain has awarded another construction project on the ongoing build-to-rent development at Wembley Park. John Sisk & Son has been appointed to deliver its tenth scheme, which will see 458 new homes built over three blocks on plot E05. “Sisk and Quintain have a great partnership at Wembley Park.

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5 Guidelines to Write the Best Dissertation

Doctoral students need substantial research which is a piece of document in order to get doctoral students. When it comes to writing the dissertation, many students fail to complete it because of not being able to give enough time. However, it is not difficult to write a dissertation if the

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When Will LEED V4.1 Be Featured In LEED Credentialing Exams?

The world’s most widely used green building rating system, LEED, is getting updated to improve building performance and to integrate the latest reference standards. The current LEED rating system, which is LEED v4, was launched at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia on November 20, 2013. Over the

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WORK TO COMMENCE ON BELFAST’S MOST EXCLUSIVE NEW BUSINESS ADDRESS

TODD Architects is pleased to report that construction work is about to commence on The Mercantile office development in Belfast following approval by Belfast City Council. This landmark office building is located on a prime commercial site within the main public square and civic space in Belfast City Centre directly

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Major Edinburgh Development Approved by Local Council

IMPORTANT plans for the future supply of homes in Edinburgh have been given the go-ahead by Councillors at a hearing on the 22 MAY 2019. The 655-home development at Cammo Estate is a consortium project by CALA Homes and David Wilson Homes and includes 164 much-needed affordable homes. The development

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Latest Issue
Issue 324 : Jan 2025

May 28, 2019

Radford Construction Services Scoops Two Awards

Twp prestigious Master Builder Awards have been scooped by Chester-Le-Street based building firm Radford Construction Services Ltd. The company took home the prize for best Commercial Project while Andrew Radford, owner of the company, has been named Heavenly Builder in the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) Northern Counties region. Since 1999, the Master Builder Awards has been a flagship for high-quality building work, showcasing examples of fantastic craftsmanship and building excellence. Organised by the FMB, the awards programme is unique in that any project entered by the builder must be backed up by the customer – giving clients the opportunity to support those building companies that have delivered exceptional results. The awards programme recognises the hard work and contribution that small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms make to the UK construction industry. The Heavenly Builder category is one which the winner really epitomises what the awards are all about as it looks for evidence of professionalism, courtesy and exceptional customer service. Radford Construction Services Ltd was crowned winner in the best Commercial project for designing a purpose-built, 200-guest wedding venue to extend the popular South Causey Inn. This unique new venue has a reception bar area, brides’ dressing room, chapel/ceremony room, own kitchens, hot buffet serving room, large bar and barn hall for reception and evening. The reception space features a dramatic bespoke bar counter designed and built from reclaimed cast fireplaces and railway sleepers, while the fireplace in the entrance bar area uses reclaimed stone, brick and sleepers. All door frames were hand-built, while vast handmade windows overlook a fantastic view. What impressed judges most was that all of this high-quality build was achieved in just six months. Company owner, Andrew Radford was crowned Heavenly Builder for the Northern Counties region for his ability to take bare-bones ideas and nurture them into innovative designs, executing projects with craftsmanship that never fails to surpass expectations. When asked about working with Andrew, the client Philip Moiser, said: “I feel like Andy has become a much-valued and honest friend and in business these days, that’s a rarity. He is a fantastic ambassador for the FMB and sets a high standard that other builders can only aspire to. I’m already looking at new projects to work on with him.” Andrew and Radford Construction Services Ltd was selected by the region’s judges to win the Northern Counties awards, which were presented at a gala dinner hosted at The Midland Hotel, Manchester on 08 March. The firm will now go through to compete in the national finals for the chance to win the UK category title. The national ceremony will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane London on 20 September. If Radford Construction Services Ltd wins the overall national Master Builder Awards title, selected from all national category winners, the firm will drive away in a new Isuzu D-Max Utah Pick Up truck worth more than £30,000. Their client will also receive a cheque for £1,000 for their efforts.

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Quintain Awards Wembley Park Project

Developer Quintain has awarded another construction project on the ongoing build-to-rent development at Wembley Park. John Sisk & Son has been appointed to deliver its tenth scheme, which will see 458 new homes built over three blocks on plot E05. “Sisk and Quintain have a great partnership at Wembley Park. As a business we are focused on building strong relationships with our partners. We are delighted to have agreed the contract for E05 while continuing our work to deliver the ‘Eastern Quarter’ as part of this iconic regeneration scheme,” said Stephen Bowcott, CEO of John Sisk & Son. The contract will see the largest number of ‘family units’ being delivered on a single development plot at Wembley Park to date, with a total of 115 three- and four-bed homes. With 25% of homes provided as family dwellings, the new apartments have been designed to ensure the project continues to develop as a vibrant, balanced and sustainable neighbourhood. The building reflects the growing demand for larger homes, as an increasing number of families are choosing to rent in a high-quality development rather than buy. The apartments and shared social spaces are designed to be as flexible as possible to allow multiple uses – living, working, playing, entertaining. Sisk has been working with Quintain to transform Wembley Park for 14 years. Amongst other projects, they are delivering Canada Gardens which was the largest construction contract ever awarded. During their tenure, Sisk has successfully delivered Emerald Gardens, London Designer Outlet, the Hilton London Wembley Hotel and the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed Wembley Arena now The SSE Arena, Wembley. “Our relentless focus on quality and safety means we can deliver projects of this scale, working closely with our supply chain partners. We have been part of the Quintain story at Wembley Park for over 14 years now and we feel part of the community that has been created. We are proud of the social value we have helped deliver in the area through engagement with local schools, community groups and charities, as well as the great homes and amenities we are delivering for the people who live at Wembley Park,” added Stephen.

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5 Guidelines to Write the Best Dissertation

Doctoral students need substantial research which is a piece of document in order to get doctoral students. When it comes to writing the dissertation, many students fail to complete it because of not being able to give enough time. However, it is not difficult to write a dissertation if the student chooses the right topic and strategy. In some countries, thesis and dissertation are interchangeable whereas, in some countries, thesis work is done after a master’s degree and dissertation after graduation. The dissertation is no doubt a most important part of the entire educational career of the student. It is the last stage of the educational career and has a lot of academic value. Most of the students fail to give their best in dissertation work and become completely disappointed. There are many complex and hard challenges that a student comes across and loses his enthusiasm with which he starts working on the dissertation The key to writing an effective dissertation is to get the right direction to focus and accelerate. Here are a few guidelines to help you get started with the dissertation writing service UK without any problem. 1.  Make a timetable to follow: As a matter of fact, writing the dissertation comes with very limited time. Most of the students face the problem of the limited time period. Therefore, it is required by all the students to keep their speed of dissertation fast so that they can write in time. The best to do this is to assign yourself a deadline for completing a specific portion of the dissertation. Try to figure out how much work you are needed to do each day to reach your goals. Assign several hours to yourself; you are capable of working in order to write a dissertation. Make a timetable and stick to it. 2.  Structure your dissertation task properly: In order to write the dissertation well, you need to know how to format and structure your task. There are certain components of the dissertation which need to be understood. Every component of this document has a specific place in the document. For example, the objectives of writing the dissertation can never be written after specifying the methodology. As a dissertation writer, you should know which detail to add where. In general, the components are added in the following sequence Title Objectives of the dissertation Research to be conducted Strategies Potential expected results Timeframe References from where the data has been collected 3.  Edit the language of the dissertation properly: Generally, the students are asked to write their dissertation in the English language all across the world. Those students really face problem in writing the dissertation in English if their native language is not English. In such a situation, there are two things you can do: Search for a fellow student in the class whose native language is English. You can ask your fellow to read the document carefully and point out any grammatical and spelling mistakes in the document. If that native speaker is your friends, you are going to get it done very easily Another option for you is to get the paid editor who will do the job of editing the dissertation to make it free from the spelling and grammatical mistakes. There are many professional editors who are willing to provide their services. Make sure that the editor you have chosen is a native English speaker who can do this job easily Another option is to avail the dissertation writing service in the UK that writes the dissertation document for the students facing different types of problems in terms of writing, researching, resourcing, etc. 4.  Get regular feedback: As a student, you must be working under somebody’s supervision. In many universities, the supervisors are appointed to guide the students. It is advisable to share your work with your supervisor after regular interval of time. This will help you get the necessary feedback from them sooner. It will be easier for you to remove the mistakes from the dissertation document which have pointed out by the supervisor if you do it early. The revision one along the way also saves you from the revisions at the end which are very time consuming and hectic. 5.  Conduct comprehensive research: Researching is a major part of writing the dissertation document. You will never be able to write the dissertation document in time if you don’t consult right and relevant sources for information. It is always advisable to find several resources from where you can collect data for your dissertation. While adding the researched content into your work, make sure that the content you have added is relevant to the topic on which you are conducting the research. Also, check the previous research on the same topic to know who to make your dissertation a difficult piece of article.

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When Will LEED V4.1 Be Featured In LEED Credentialing Exams?

The world’s most widely used green building rating system, LEED, is getting updated to improve building performance and to integrate the latest reference standards. The current LEED rating system, which is LEED v4, was launched at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia on November 20, 2013. Over the last years, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was working on the LEED rating system to integrate the lessons learned from the green building projects. With LEED v4.1, the green building projects will be able to make a bigger contribution to reducing the global climate change, improve building performance, as well as expanding activities that positively impact human health and well-being. On March 2018, registration for the beta version of the LEED Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M) rating system was launched. As of January 2019, the registration is open for the LEED Building Design + Construction (LEED BD+C) and the LEED Interior Design + Construction (LEED ID+C) LEED v4.1 beta rating systems. The beta versions will be available throughout 2019 and with the feedback received from the green building projects that pursue LEED v4.1, the updated rating system will be launched after public commenting and the approval phase. People that are planning to take LEED exams are also curious about this change and want to know when the LEED credentialing exams will be effected with this change. The LEED credentialing exams like LEED Green Associate or LEED AP BD+C, will be untouched throughout the 2019 and continue to be based on LEED v4. Once the beta rating system launches on 2020, the U.S. Green Building Council will start updating the LEED exams to reflect the LEED v4.1 with a prior notice. Even though the exact dates are not yet announced by USGBC, the LEED exams will be based on the LEED 4.1 version by the end of June 2020. The current beta rating systems are not yet finalized and will definitely see some revisions. With those revisions, the USGBC will start updating the LEED reference guides which will include the finalized v4.1 rating system. At that point, the LEED credentialing exams will be updated with a prior notice. USGBC will allow for a specific period of time for test-takers to take the LEED v4 exam as they had started their studies while the LEED v4.1 was still in beta. During this time frame, LEED exam prep providers (like us) will also be able to update their LEED courses, LEED practice tests, and study guides. What’s New in LEED v4.1? First of all, LEED v4.1 is not a full version change, rather it is a critical update to reflect the lessons learned from the LEED v4 rating systems. For LEED BD+C projects, there are some revisions on credit requirements to streamline the certification process, and credits like Low-Emitting Materials, Daylight, Rainwater, and Heat Island Reduction are more impacted with this change. The credits that were tested through the LEED Pilot Credit Library are expected to become actual credits in the newer rating system. The performance thresholds of some credits have been updated to be more straightforward. Additionally, with LEED v4.1, the international projects will have easier time achieveing the LEED certification as it will contain more options on complying with the project’s local standards. From the beta version we can also say that not all of the prerequisites and credits are impacted with this change. Approximately one-third of all the LEED BD+C prerequisites and credits are expected to stay as is. In summary, with these revions we can say that LEED v4.1 will be more performance based and is more focused on implementation. LEEDUCATE Inc. | LEED Exam Prep Provider

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WORK TO COMMENCE ON BELFAST’S MOST EXCLUSIVE NEW BUSINESS ADDRESS

TODD Architects is pleased to report that construction work is about to commence on The Mercantile office development in Belfast following approval by Belfast City Council. This landmark office building is located on a prime commercial site within the main public square and civic space in Belfast City Centre directly to the rear of City Hall. TODD Architects were delighted to be appointed by Killultagh Estates when this property initially came to the market and was ultimately secured through development feasibility and financial offer. The design development was not without its challenges along the way but has resulted in a planning approval for 95,000sq ft of development over nine floors together with a basement. “We are delighted to have appointed TODD Architects to have the pivotal role within our creative team behind The Mercantile. This is a key development for us and demonstrates our commitment to the City where we see this development as a rebirth of one of Belfast’s foremost business locations overlooking the magnificent City Hall.” – Laura McCarthy, Senior Asset Manager; Killultagh Estates The architectural approach is contemporary but respectful of context, utilising cut stonework and ‘bronze’ anodised aluminium to articulate the verticality. It is anticipated that the Ground Floor and Basement will be occupied by restaurant or leisure uses to provide ‘activity’ at street level, with the upper levels providing high-quality and flexible office space capable of a variety of fit-out and workplace permutations and bespoke solutions accessed via a double-height corporate foyer. The Donegall Square South façade is primarily glazed with three projecting bays providing good daylight quality and outlook. The floorplates start to set back to reflect the notional ‘shoulder’ height adopted around the Donegall Square area providing accessible roof terraces looking across the wider city centre area. The demolition of the existing building is underway with construction of the new building due to complete in Quarter 3 of 2020.

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Major Edinburgh Development Approved by Local Council

IMPORTANT plans for the future supply of homes in Edinburgh have been given the go-ahead by Councillors at a hearing on the 22 MAY 2019. The 655-home development at Cammo Estate is a consortium project by CALA Homes and David Wilson Homes and includes 164 much-needed affordable homes. The development will provide a unique mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, terraced homes, colonies as well as detached family homes. A spokesperson on behalf of the consortium, said: “We must thank the local community first and foremost for engaging with us throughout, helping us to shape the final proposals which have evolved over the past two years. “We fully understand how important the junctions at Maybury and Barnton are and traffic was a key concern for many people at the outset. “We feel the improvements made through Planning Gain contributions will benefit the wider community and those commuting in or out the city. “Following yesterday’s decision our focus now turns to assisting the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure a timely delivery of these improvements” A key component of the site is the extent of publicly accessible green space – which totals over a third of the entire development and includes linear parks, a seven-hectare park, and over 700 new specimen trees. In addition, a half kilometre 20-metre wide green corridor at Maybury Avenue will feature a much-needed cycle and footpath detached from Maybury Road. Further improvements to the walking and cycling network will be made from Planning Gain contributions the developments will make. In line with the Local Development Plan these routes will connect to the land at West Craigs, and as part of that development connect onwards to the Gyle and Edinburgh Park. The spokesperson added: “At the heart of the design solution has been the delivery of an outstanding landscape environment along with significant investment to improve public transport, education and health care and the delivery of an excellent pedestrian and cycle network. “Within the development site we will deliver new bus infrastructure in addition to making contributions to public transport connections to the site. “In addition, there is an exceptionally wide range of homes that will help to ease the supply shortfall that features throughout the market.” As part of the 655 homes, 25% of the development units will be of affordable tenure delivered with our Registered Social Landlord partner; comprising a wide range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and terraced homes. The affordable housing will commence as part of the initial phase of development.  

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The Most Complete Guide to Waterproofing Your Foundations to Meeting Building Guidelines

No one wants to come home to find water damage to their basement. There are easy steps to take which can lower your risk and prevent this experience in your home. Companies like Helitech outline the basic ways to keep your basement safe from water damage. If you use professionals to install these basic safeguards, your basement will likely remain livable and water-free. Ways to Prevent Water Damage Basement Waterproofing Crawlspace Waterproofing Exterior Waterproofing It is important to address not just one, but all three of these components of a waterproof foundation. Once you begin to have a problem with water damage, it tends to quickly become worse. Waterproofing a basement or foundation can be a lot of work. It requires skill, and it is necessary that it be done correctly. This is an area in which you might want to consider hiring professionals rather than doing the project yourself. It’s not an easy job so leaving it to foundation repair Canyon Lake would be your best option. There are several sites online which will provide you with DIY procedures if you want to take on this task. However, by using a company like Helitech, you can ensure that you are having the best-patented components on the market installed to protect your foundation. You also will have the satisfaction of knowing that your project has been done right and that your basement is truly protected from water damage. Dangerous of Insufficient Waterproofing Of course, sitting water and constant dampness cause structural damage over time, but there are also other dangers that come along with not having your foundation effectively waterproofed. High humidity can foster the growth of mold and other undesirable bacteria, and this can attract bugs and various pests into the basement and home. Proper sealing can keep you from having to deal with these pests. Water that sits too long can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes within your home. These more aggressive pests can also spread diseases to your family and make life uncomfortable within your home. Any type of larvae growing within puddles in your basement can become a risk for your family. If you have sitting water, it is advisable to go ahead and mop it up and dry out the area with a fan. We will explore some of these best practices for maintaining a waterproof foundation in the paragraphs below. They are easy steps, which can save you a lot of money and protect both your family and your home in the long-run. You want to make sure your family is safe from risks that could cause them to be sick. Mold is often associated with sickness and household pests can carry diseases that can be communicated to your family members. These pests won’t stay in your basement for long either. If you begin to have a problem in your basement, chances are it will spread throughout the rest of your house. Basement Waterproofing The basement moisture barrier is the first line of defense in protecting a home’s basement from water damage. This barrier is made of panels and connectors which match. It can give your basement a more refined look and homey feel, while also protecting it from water damage. This structure removes water 70% faster than other drainage systems, and it is more aesthetic to look at. These panels will go right along with the walls and décor you may already have in place in your basement. While they are serving the purpose of quickly ridding the area of water in the case of flooding, they are also adding value and beauty to your home. You do not have to use a gaudy contraption to keep your basement safe and dry. Crawlspace Waterproofing For Crawlspace protection, a moisture barrier should be laid down underneath each of your home’s crawlspaces. This barrier keeps small amounts of moisture from entering your structural wood and causing slow damage, which can become detrimental over time. There are several problems that can be associated with damp crawlspaces, and you want to ensure your home is protected from these. Naturally, after rains, water seeps through the ground and the area under your crawlspace can become wet. Humidity will force this dampness up into your floorboards and your basement. This creates problems that often spread quickly. Once one area is affected, typically the rot and damage will spread to other areas of your basement and home. First, the slow rot of the wood can spread and compromise the structure of your home. Secondly, dampness promotes the growth of mold and harmful bacteria and provides a breeding ground for traditional household pests. Taking small and easy steps, like having the moisture barrier installed, can keep you from having to deal with these problems under and within your home. Professionals will lay down the moisture barrier between the ground and the structure of your crawlspaces to keep dampness from spreading and infiltrating the structure of your home. This is a simple, yet effective practice that can save you a lot of money, time, and frustration down the road. Along with the moisture barrier, sump pumps should be installed in your crawl spaces to help pump out excess water. This will minimize your drying time and keep you from having to repair water damage later down the road. Sump pumps are fairly small and inexpensive. Exterior Waterproofing Exterior basement waterproofing is just as important as protecting your basement from within. This seals the water out of your basement, and over time can prevent the costs of replacing boards and restoring your basement after water damage. This is essentially the first line of defense against water entering your basement and causing damage to your home. In exterior basement waterproofing, a sealant is applied to the outside structure of your basement, keeping water from reaching the inside of the basement in the first place. Professionals are able to apply this sealant to places that would not necessarily be easy to reach if you took

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