August 6, 2019

Humans of Construction at London Build 2019

This November will see London Build once again take over the Olympia London, bringing together over 25,000 construction professionals across two days for the largest built environment show for London. This incredible event will also host the largest ever meeting of women in construction in the UK;  the launch of

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Things You Should Know about Medford Construction

Medford is a beautiful city located in Jackson County, Oregon. It is believed to be the 4th largest metro area in Oregon. If a family is looking to build a new lovely home in this city, they will have to browse through various construction agencies. There are many agencies in

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

August 6, 2019

TODD Architects design to turn Waltham Cross shopping centre car park into apartments

TODD Architects has submitted plans to redevelop an underused car park above a shopping centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, into 119 apartments.Totaling approximately 8,800 sqm, the mix of one and two bed units, alongside a number of three bed family homes, will sit above The Pavilions Shopping Centre in the heart of the town. The homes will be contained in two blocks connected by exterior walkways, with internal amenity space and a landscaped roof terrace and garden, accessible to all residents. Explains John Chapman at TODD: “We have worked closely with our client, Killultagh Estates Ltd, as well as Broxbourne Borough Council, to seize the opportunity and create a contemporary design that will turn underutilised car parking decks into a desirable and viable residential development. By bringing residents into the heart of the town, this development has the potential to boost the high street and its hard-pressed retailers.”TODD’s design replaces the dated and visually cluttered façade, removing the brooding red brick and establishing a light, clean palette with a gradation of tonal colour easing the structure into its surroundings and improving the backdrop for the nearby listed sculpture of Alexander of Abingdon, colloquially known as ‘Eleanor Cross’. Glass balustrades and glass clad panels on the upper levels will play with the natural light and help articulate the building. Expanded aluminium mesh will enliven the parking structure whilst a reconfigured retail area will include uniform shop fronts and an airy, welcoming glazed entrance to the shopping centre.External green spaces are a core element of the design, with landscaped areas and green roofs aiming to improve local bio-diversity as well as residents’ well-being. The main roof garden is interspersed with semi-circular and irregular rounded ‘planters’ which act as benches and create a meandering walk, whilst the roof terrace is designed with a mix of hard and soft landscaping, together with seating area, pergola, artificial lawn, games area and BBQ space.Concludes Chapman: “This is an important and exciting development, part of an emerging trend to add residential – and other – elements to shopping centres to improve their viability by creating a critical mass of people and attractions in one place. We’ve been able to use our experience of residential and retail design to ‘rightsize’ the underused car parking decks, replacing them with a dynamic and distinctive addition to the town’s architectural portfolio. The new apartments are in an ideally sustainable location, and its proximity to the local rail station will offer a unique opportunity for commuters when the town’s Crossrail 2 station opens, by 2030.”

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The Definitive Guide to Buying Steel Pipes for Your Construction Projects

The important information you need to choose the right pipe can be found here. It’s no small task to choose the right steel pipe, and even if you’re experienced mistakes will be made. Following this guide will help with the process of buying steel pipes. Afterwards, you can always find more information at varnerpipe.com. Things To Consider Before Looking Find about two or three pipe comparison charts that specifically note material, applications and corrosion resistance. This can help narrow down a lot of close choices when price becomes the deciding factor. The charts will usually say the same thing about the steel pipes you are considering. When conflicting information is found, you can always add an additional chart to get a clearer picture of the details. Don’t underestimate the power of doing side by side comparisons when looking at steel pipes. That one feature you overlook could be the biggest thing you need when starting a new project. A Rundown Of The Different Steel Types There are three main steel types that are worth mentioning. Carbon, alloy and stainless steel are the three types that you will do the most business with. Carbon is strong and easy to work with. With its low number of alloying elements, carbon is also one of the least expensive pipes to get. Alloy is strong against impact while also being more resistant to stress. The many combinations of alloy means that high quality mixtures are more profound in the industry. Stainless steel does not rust, and therefore is a huge benefit for steel pipes. In industries where corrosion protection is mandatory, stainless steel reigns supreme. What Is The Grade Of The Steel? One of the first steps to getting steel pipes is to determine what grade is needed. Narrowing down steel pipes will always require knowing what grade will do the best job. But regardless off the grade, the sizing will remain the same since it follows the same industry standard. Consider that one less variable you have to worry about when getting a steel pipe. ASME and ASTM usually have piping specs that show which grades of steel are beneficial for your project. The main difference between the two is that they have different standards to go by. Even though the grades are similar across both spec sheets, their standards will often determine what testing is done for each. The SAE and AISI are two other organizations that should be looked at for steel pipe grades. Their numbering system simplifies a lot of the more complex classifications of steel piping. Keep in mind that the numbering system is only one part of the specifications needed when ordering steel pipes. This is a good example of where the information from the other organizations come in. SAE/AISI combined with ASME/ASTM gives you a full profile when deciding which steel pipe is better for your project. The last grade sort of sits by itself, and for good reason. API 5L is strictly used for the oil and gas industry. As its own category, the grade has multiple delivery conditions to choose from. Things can get complex when comparing the different options with API 5L. Just like the previous choices, the grades are there to help you narrow down what works best for your industry. Choosing Between Seamless or Welded Tons of customization options for steel pipes include the choice of seamless or welded. This requirement changes on each project, so you must know which one will get the job done. Welded pipes are more cost effective than seamless, especially when buying in bulk. The consistency from pipe to pipe enhances the wall thickness. To keep this consistency active, manufacturers can check the internal surface of the tubes. This is something you can’t do with seamless pipes due to the way they’re made. Seamless pipes have the advantage with consistent roundness and lack of seams. Often, a weak seam in a pipe can be a future headache for a project. By eliminating that issue with seamless pipes, you have one less problem to worry about. This feature becomes important when you’re worried about corrosion or breakage. Getting Bundles Buying in bulk will always have its advantages. When buying pipe bundles, you get the added benefit of mixing length and size. The discount you get by buying cut-lengths of pipe can save your company a ton of money. The savings don’t end there, and also apply to businesses that purchase pipes at full length. Depending on where you get it from, buying at full length may carry a larger discount than buying mixed. Pay attention to a manufacturer’s pipe page to see where the most savings are. Chances are full length steel pipes will see the biggest savings when purchasing or larger projects. Quantity Buyers that aren’t concerned about price still need to know the footage of pipe needed for a project. It is one of the requirements for a quote and should be one of the top things on your purchase checklist. With this information, you may be able to plan for future projects that require the same materials. When price is a concern, going over what you need will cost you more on both ends- purchase and cleanup. Trying to buy extra in case a mistake happens will lead you to a bottomless hole. Planning carefully is the only way to prevent this from becoming a problem with steel pipes. Pipe Size Sizing specifications often contain plumbing terminology that buyers are not familiar with. Know your fittings and what steel pipe sizes will be compatible before committing to an order. Pipe fittings and sizes can always be research using a manufacturer’s chart, if one is provided. When you’re left to figure it out on your own, it is a good idea to create a personal reference table for the company. Update and refer to this table whenever you need to make a purchase for new steel pipes. Verify Suppliers Someone telling you that a specific

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Humans of Construction at London Build 2019

This November will see London Build once again take over the Olympia London, bringing together over 25,000 construction professionals across two days for the largest built environment show for London. This incredible event will also host the largest ever meeting of women in construction in the UK;  the launch of the world’s first-ever LinkedIn Networking Lounge;  and an attempt to break the world record for the most Movember Moustaches at a single event! New for 2019 is the Humans of Construction photography exhibition. This brand-new gallery will display photography of up to 1,000 of the most influential and inspiring professionals working in the UK’s built environment. The Humans of Construction exhibition is an artistic and educational insight into the diversity and character of the UK’s construction industry. Each photograph will feature an individual from a wide array of fascinating backgrounds in the industry, from CEO’s to architects, pioneers to students and future leaders. Who will be featured? Elvin Box (Chair London Constructing Excellence & Movember Community Ambassador) is one of the inspirational professionals to be featured in the exhibition. Having been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer in 2016, Elvin found himself becoming more involved in men’s health charities and well-being initiatives. “Recovering from prostate cancer led me to seek counselling to overcome the ‘Dog Days of Depression’,” Elvin explains. “All too often, the victims of this male-centric cancer endure life-changing side effects.” 35 years prior to his diagnosis, Elvin was a construction manager in Knightsbridge when he witnessed a young colleague fall six floors through a hoist tower, tragically passing away. The construction sector’s health and safety practice at the time was notably poor, and support and assistance were not offered to those impacted by incidents such as this one. Without that necessary support, Elvin found that the event had a severe effect on his mental health, and he experienced a deep depression. The effect that both of these experiences had on Elvin’s mental health led to his affiliation with men’s health charities, moving him to campaign for change within the sector “The construction sector’s performance in the realm of health, safety and well-being has improved beyond all recognition, from the battlefield that existed over 35 years ago. However, we are still one of the most dangerous and unhealthy industries to work in” Elvin told London Build. With his passion and dedication, he takes every opportunity to help the industry to be at the cutting edge of health, safety and well-being. Making connections Beneath Elvin’s photograph will sit his story, amongst 999 similarly inspirational stories, offering a glimpse into the lives of the humans that make up our industry. The Humans of Construction exhibition will include LinkedIn QR codes for many of the individuals featured, offering a chance for you to connect with them online. The photography exhibition will be displayed as part of the LinkedIn Networking Lounge at London Build. In the LinkedIn Networking Lounge, attendees will be able to network whilst using the LinkedIn app on their mobile to scan each others LinkedIn QR codes to connect. There will be a timetable of Speed Networking events as well as various other networking activities and entertainment. If you’re heading to London Build this November, be sure to visit what promises to be an inspiring and genuinely beautiful art piece – taking the seemingly ordinary and making it extraordinary. A wall adorned with the faces that make our industry what it is. You can nominate yourself, or any astonishing individuals within the industry, to be featured in the photography exhibition. Find out more: https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/humans-of-construction

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Things You Should Know about Medford Construction

Medford is a beautiful city located in Jackson County, Oregon. It is believed to be the 4th largest metro area in Oregon. If a family is looking to build a new lovely home in this city, they will have to browse through various construction agencies. There are many agencies in Medford. All of them are ready to make your dreams come true. The most important thing you should know is that they are licensed, general contractors. So, your homes are in capable hands.  Apart from building a new home from scratch, construction agencies can do a lot more. Their services include remodeling as well. There are many households that have grown tired of looking at the same old boring walls and furniture. They can handle the interior as well as exterior painting. If you aren’t satisfied with your garden, they can do something about it. Construction agencies dabble in landscaping, too. There are no limits. If you want to find out more about the function of contractors, you can read more about it here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_contractor. Brand New Homes If you can’t find the home you are looking for, you will likely try to build it. It is undoubtedly exhausting for you to go through every house on the market and still be disappointed. The houses aren’t what you pictured your perfect home to look like. Whether you want a simple home or a more complex residence, construction agencies are here for you. They work according to your budget. That way, everything will be planned accordingly. You will undoubtedly get the most out of your savings. When you contact a construction agency, the first thing you are going to do is explain your dream home. After the design and specifics have been discussed, they contact engineers, architects, and sometimes real estate agents. They build up a team to build your perfect home. They work according to your needs from scratch up till the finishing touches to make sure everything is perfect. Even though most construction agencies are focused on residential work, they do not back off from commercial work. They can build office buildings as well. Remodeling It is not surprising to hear that some households are searching for contractors to help them in remodeling. You can certainly do some stuff yourself. But in some cases, it is best if you leave it to the professionals. So many things can go wrong if you aren’t experienced in house remodel. The majority of people are actually doubtful to contract someone for this type of construction. This is mostly because they think contractors cost a lot. What they do not know is that it can cost you more if you try to do it yourself and end up screwing it all up. Home Additions If you have a vacant place in your home, you may have a vision for what it could become. Many people dream of their own personal space in their households. They may want to get away from all the chaos and just relax. Some people dream of a spacious garage. Construction agencies can handle anything. The first thing you should do is show them the place you have and the size of it. They have to calculate the budget also. Whether you have to enlarge an already existing room or just add more rooms to your home, they can do it. You should know that they have to follow the construction laws to pass the Medford inspection. So, you do not have to worry about anything. They use the best materials out there that can withstand all kinds of weather. If you want to read more about various home additions, click here. Fences Some families enjoy more recluse homes because they like to have privacy. However, not many homes have that. So, people have to settle down for whatever they can get within their budget. Contractors can help you achieve more privacy by building you any type of fence you want. That way, you will be protected from all those noisy neighbors you may have. With a high enough fence, you could comfortably relax in your own backyard without worrying about prying eyes.

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