Detailed planning consent has been granted for 824,000 Sq Ft of industrial warehouse space on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration together with its Joint venture
Have you ever thought about how buildings are actually designed for us? They’re not just created to provide us with a place where we can shop, work, eat, live, and so on. They’re designed to affect our mood and make us feel a certain way — even when they don’t
Leading engineering solutions provider, Boulting Ltd., has released a new infographic and white paper, exploring and explaining the levels of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for construction, project and plant managers. BIM is a collaborative process that facilitates the efficient design, construction, maintenance and delivery of buildings throughout their entire life
Skanska’s work on the refurbishment and expansion of Wymondham Water Recycling Centre in Norfolk has achieved a landmark environmental certification. The project, which was delivered as part of Anglian Water’s @one Alliance, was carried out to ensure the site could meet increased demand from new and future housing developments on
It’s a very strange and humbling understanding, that the item in the museum’s glass case in front of you is so many times older than you are! That the person who made it might not have thought much beyond its primary use, much less that it would be a lasting
With manufacturers struggling, high street doom and gloom and general Brexit uncertainty Manchester property expert Mark Bailey warns that a recession is coming. Taking a look at the construction and property market the MD of Landwood Group claims Britain is set to face an uncertain economic future – with signs
Dust particles released during home renovation/repairing projects can have a devastating effect on people’s health. It’s not just about dust allergies, either, since airborne dust particles can and often do contain toxins such as heavy metals, silica dust, and even asbestos if the house is old enough. Then, of course,
Detailed planning consent has been granted for 824,000 Sq Ft of industrial warehouse space on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration together with its Joint venture partners iSec have today announced details of a major new development on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1 upon which it intends to develop five new warehouse developments. The brownfield site has been unused since the Coalite works closed over a decade ago but now joint venture partners iSec and brownfield regeneration specialist St Francis Group will start ground works immediately to make plots ready for development. Occupiers could move into high quality industrial warehouse and manufacturing space from Q2 2021. A second application seeking outline consent for an additional 500,000 sq ft in two units on adjoining land has also been submitted by the developers to North East Derbyshire District Council. At 1.32 million sq ft the scheme is destined to play a national role in the ever-expanding logistics market based on increasing demand from e-commerce channels. The developers together with community leaders also want to make sure the business park provides a broad range of jobs across the manufacturing and technology sectors. As well as stimulating significant local job opportunities, the developers expect the scheme to stimulate fresh inward investment in the area boosting the local economy. It is also planned to upgrade the surrounding road network with significant improvement works planned for Buttermilk Lane likely to start early next year. Talking about the project, Gareth Williams, Development Director at St Francis Group said; “It is well documented that there is significant levels of pent up demand across the region and indeed the UK for high quality industrial units as businesses look to expand or relocate. A considerable amount of time and effort has gone in to ensuring that this development will meet the very high standards expected by todays occupiers. The units will sit in a high-quality environment only minutes from the M1”. Following a formal launch early next year, marketing will target occupiers looking for bespoke buildings, built to meet specific requirements. iSec and St Francis Group have instructed Knight Frank and CBRE as sole joint letting agents.
Have you ever thought about how buildings are actually designed for us? They’re not just created to provide us with a place where we can shop, work, eat, live, and so on. They’re designed to affect our mood and make us feel a certain way — even when they don’t seem like they’re designed for this purpose. Consider this quote from Winston Churchill: “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.” Think about how buildings affect you day to day. A dilapidated building might make you feel sad or uncomfortable, even subconsciously. Where as a colorful, modern building might make you feel relaxed and happy. Although a lot of this that can be subjective, there are also ways that architects can design buildings to bring about desired effects for the majority of people. Ignoring the science behind building design can have disastrous effects. For example, a concrete-heavy, minimalist apartment building with cinder block walls might make tenants feel like they live in a prison. Even without realizing it, they might eventually become more depressed or start acting out in unusual ways because their environment has been subconsciously affecting them in the background as they go about their lives. Thus, more architects today have realized the importance of designing buildings with science in mind to improve day-to-day wellbeing in all areas of life, from apartments to office buildings. A great design can make people feel comfortable, which will help them to live better and perform better at work. Even the casino industry is a well-refined, exact science: the layout, furniture, colors, materials, and lights are all carefully chosen to ensure that guests are relaxed and having fun. How Architects Know What People Want This can be as simple as asking people what they like and don’t like or how they feel in response to their environment. But people aren’t always aware of these things. That’s where data-tracking devices come in to play. In psychological studies, heart rate, brain activity, and emotions can all be monitored through smart devices or medical technology. Researchers can discover how entering a certain room changes how we feel, or how being surrounded by skyscrapers can make us feel uneasy or tense. (This is also why there’s been such a huge push for parks in urban areas — they make us feel happier.) A Closer Look: Building Design A lot is considered when designing a building. For example, ceiling heights are very important. A low ceiling height can make people feel claustrophobic or uncomfortable and want to leave the room or building as quickly as possible. A higher ceiling height can of course bring about the opposite effect — It’s even been said that higher ceilings can stimulate free and creative thinking. Additionally, a ceiling that is designed with the right materials, such as those that are pleasing to the eye and can absorb sound, will further positively affect those in the building. Colors and lighting are also important factors to consider. For example, think about the design of your favorite restaurant. It likely uses many different colors to set the mood in aspects like the walls, floor, furniture, seating, and decorations. The lighting is probably not too bright because the restaurant wants you to feel less alert and more relaxed. (On the other hand, if the lighting is bright, the restaurant likely is a fast-casual place that doesn’t want you to linger.) If the lighting is dim, it’s probably because the restaurant wants to set a romantic mood or further lower your heart rate so that you’re feeling pleasant and stick around a while. Further, natural lighting is an important factor to consider, too. A building designed to achieve the greatest amount of natural light will help people to feel happier than a building that gets poor light. These are just a few of the ways that buildings are designed with us in mind — there’s a lot more that’s considered, like materials, location, aesthetics, and space, among others. Regardless, thoughtful building design is extremely important — so hopefully this won’t just be a passing trend.
Leading engineering solutions provider, Boulting Ltd., has released a new infographic and white paper, exploring and explaining the levels of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for construction, project and plant managers. BIM is a collaborative process that facilitates the efficient design, construction, maintenance and delivery of buildings throughout their entire life cycle. The infographic and whitepaper can be downloaded for free on the Boulting Ltd. website. The UK is one of the world leaders in BIM technology and execution, the UK government has recognised the key benefits of 3D Modelling and BIM and through legislation are driving its implementation and use, which is why it is crucial that industry professionals understand the levels of BIM in order to make the most out of their project. The Boulting Ltd whitepaper and infographic provides insight into the current levels of BIM that were established as a requirement for construction when the UK Government published the Construction Strategy in 2011. Considerations for managing BIM projects as well as current regulations and future directions of BIM are explored through the whitepaper. BIM levels range from level 0 to level 7, with even further potential for development in the future. In 2016, level 2 was set as the UK Government minimum standard for public sector work. Capability to undertake 3D Modelling coupled to BIM level 2 execution is normally a prerequisite requirement of the tendering process. BIM is a valuable information source that allows project managers, contractors and maintenance teams to identify coordination issues earlier in the project cycle at design phase rather than during construction giving greater cost assurance and ultimately eliminating maintenance inefficiencies. “In our sector, BIM is a fundamental aspect of work,” explained Glyn Shawcross, Engineering and Design Director at Boulting Ltd. “At Boulting, we are able to implement and undertake BIM projects and achieve successful results thanks to the wealth of knowledge that our valuable staff provide. The whitepaper and infographic helps to demonstrate the importance of considering BIM at all stages of a project, from planning through construction to the ongoing maintenance of the site.” Regardless of whether a current project mandates the use of BIM, it’s essential that your business is BIM enabled and regulations are understood. As technology develops, future levels of BIM, beyond level 3 could become a standard requirement, as they require more collaboration for cross-functional work. Ensuring that current levels are understood will better prepare your business for future developments of BIM, when they become applicable to your project requirements. To find out more information about BIM and the work that Boulting Ltd does, call +44 (0)1925 446000 or visit www.boulting.co.uk.
Skanska’s work on the refurbishment and expansion of Wymondham Water Recycling Centre in Norfolk has achieved a landmark environmental certification. The project, which was delivered as part of Anglian Water’s @one Alliance, was carried out to ensure the site could meet increased demand from new and future housing developments on the outskirts of Norwich. The scheme also needed to meet Anglian Water’s ambitious goal to reduce the carbon in newly built assets by 60 per cent, to help realise the water industry’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. After considering constructing an entirely new treatment process and site building, the team opted to instead completely refurbish the existing site, saving almost 3,000 tonnes of carbon. They achieved this by taking a green design approach, focusing on offsite manufacturing of the Flow Submerged Aeration Filter (FSAF) tank. This reduced waste onsite, with zero waste to landfill and enabled the tank to be constructed above ground – reducing spoil and the need for concrete filling. It made construction on site safer and installation quicker, completed by two cranes in just three days. Reuse of materials as part of the design meant that the redundant 1930s trickling filter was given a new lease of life with new mechanical arms to make use of the existing filtration process. The existing Biological Aerated Flooded Filter (BAFF) feed pump station was also reused, reducing energy use by 53 per cent. By taking this approach, the scheme achieved the highest environmental certification of ‘Deep Green’ on Skanska’s global environmental rating system – the Skanska color palette™. Peter Walsh, Skanska Managing Director for Utilities, said: “Wymondham Centre is now the fourth UK project to achieve Deep Green environmental status and the third delivered in the water sector. It demonstrates that innovation in design, coupled with aligning our environmental aspirations with our customer’s, can create something truly sustainable. As we adopt these principles across our projects, I look forward to developing more ‘Deep Green’ critical national infrastructure in the future.” Paul Fletcher, Director of the Anglian Water @one Alliance added: “Carbon reduction only happens when all partners in the supply chain are committed to reducing their footprint and saving costs. Huge carbon savings like these clearly demonstrates that commitment and the strength of the collaboration between our suppliers and partners on our journey to carbon neutrality. “By continuing to set ambitious carbon targets, we can disrupt established practice, drive innovation, and significantly reduce costs and environmental impacts – a win-win all round.”
It’s a very strange and humbling understanding, that the item in the museum’s glass case in front of you is so many times older than you are! That the person who made it might not have thought much beyond its primary use, much less that it would be a lasting record of their era. That it would survive not only them and the intended original owner, but so many centuries after. It makes you wonder what will remain long after we’re gone, and realise how important it is that such items are preserved as information for the future. It is always heart-breaking to hear if a museum piece or artwork has been destroyed by natural causes or human interference. While only so much can be done to prevent the latter, museums have an abundance of technology at their disposal. According to the Smithsonian, the most damaging causes of deterioration are: Neglect — lack of process, forgotten storage, or failure to maintain records can lead to secondary deterioration causes, such as… Water — from full-scale floods to creeping damp, water can cause so many problems for artefacts. Fire — of course, fire will obliterate many artefacts, but those that survive may also be damaged by the heat and smoke. Pollutants — dirt and gas can react badly with some artefacts, hastening their decay. Chemicals in cleaning can also erode away materials. Even the oils on your hands can be harsh enough to pollute some delicate artefacts. Pests — taxidermy and natural materials can find themselves rapidly ruined by a hungry rodent or greedy bugs. Light — sunlight or artificial light can cause fading, drying, and cracking. Physical force — everything from impact to vibrations can affect artefacts. This is why museums display their pieces in cases or behind designated barriers. Of course, this isn’t always fool-proof. For example, did you know Michelangelo’s David has a delicate flaw in its ankles? A slight shift in angle, a strong vibration from a train or footfall, or a natural disaster like an earthquake would send David tumbling. Theft and vandalism — intentional damage by vandals or mishandling by thieves can obviously cause an artefact or artwork’s condition to fall. One of the more difficult to control elements of potential deterioration is a combination of humidity and temperature. These two elements are noted to be able to accelerate the rate of decay, growth of mould, or warping. Without adequate protection, the cost of artefact lost can be immeasurable, from a loss of monetary value to a loss of any physical record of that item. Take the Oxford Dodo for example, which is the most complete single dodo specimen anywhere in the world. And yet, all that has survived is the head and a foot thanks to an infestation noted in the specimen around 1755; feather mites are highlighted as the main culprit for devouring the taxidermy dodo’s torso, wings, and feathers. Preservation Equipment advises that a high humidity can encourage fungal growth and pests in natural materials; could better temperature and humidity controls have saved more of the last dodo specimen? Humidity and temperature can not only encourage pests, but also bring a whole host of other problems. The Telegraph reported how, when the glass roof of the Natural History Museum was cleaned of around 150 years’ worth of dirt, it was quickly discovered that the gathered dirt and the decision to remove the solar reflective film from the glass had had unintended side effects. The result? Temperatures in the museum soared to 40°C and the humidity tumbled, and the artefacts and specimens have already suffered irreversible damage, the article states. The skin of specimens has cracked and dried, fading as they have been sun-bleached, and whale skeletons are also degrading as a result. The museum is not only looking into replacing the solar reflective film, but also at installing a new HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system to try and save the artefacts. The problem of correct temperature and humidity control stretches beyond the UK. Over in Denmark, the country faces losing many historical artefacts due to a rise in damp and mould growing in its museum storage areas, which are reported to lack air conditioning units. CPH Post commented that the museums are using old buildings such as barns or lofts to store the artefacts, which means they aren’t being protected by any level of temperature control. More than 70,000 items are at risk of being destroyed as a result of 118 buildings used for storage being marked as riddled with mould. For both stored and displayed artefacts, it is vital that temperature and humidity are monitored closely. The optimum temperature is between 16°C and 20°C — though temperatures as low as 10°C probably won’t cause harm, the risk of condensation grows for anything below 10°C. In terms of humidity, the advised relative humidity is between 40% and 70%, to avoid drying out items or encouraging pest or fungal infestations. It has also been noted that rapid fluctuation in humidity can be problematic. A good HVAC system is invaluable for both museum and home collectors with artefacts to preserve. With this, temperatures and humidity can be monitored and controlled quickly, providing much-needed protection from the elements when it comes to artefacts and artwork. Sources:
With manufacturers struggling, high street doom and gloom and general Brexit uncertainty Manchester property expert Mark Bailey warns that a recession is coming. Taking a look at the construction and property market the MD of Landwood Group claims Britain is set to face an uncertain economic future – with signs emulating the last recession already visible. With a rise in properties going into receivership, banks unwilling to lend for construction projects and a decline in tenants looking to rent business or residential properties – its clear the squeeze is on. Rightmove last night announced the number of sellers coming to market is down by 13.5 per cent compared to this time last year – with the imminence of Brexit deterring sellers who do not need to sell right now. The figures reflect the very real times of political uncertainty – putting off would be sellers while the market steals itself for Brexit. A rise in auction sales is also evident – in the first half of 2019 auction sales increased by 800 per cent at Landwood – largely down to an increase in repossessions. Since the end of August this trend has continued – reflecting the uncertainty in the marketplace. And the news from the rental market isn’t much better – giving clearer indications of the property sinkhole we could be headed down. Rightmove revealed almost a quarter of landlords (24%) are planning to sell at least one property from their current portfolio despite record asking rents. Nationally, the number of available rental properties is 13% lower than previous record lows recorded in 2015 and 24% down in London, as tax changes deter new and existing landlords. However it’s not all bad news. Buyer activities haven’t stopped, there is still the opportunity for buyers to secure a good deal, reflected in the data that sales are down year-on-year by just 0.5 per cent. And Landwood believe there are areas of exception to the misery – none least than their Headquarters in Manchester. With a skyline full of cranes the city centre continues to grow apace proving that sporadic growth hotspots where investment continues do exist. Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol are also investment areas – and they have in common; a relatively young population and a well qualified workforce in jobs that give a good work/life balance. Mark Bailey, managing director of Landwood Group and Landwood Property Auctions, a leading firm of chartered surveyors, asset managers and online auctioneers, said: “How is your business doing is the question on everyone’s lips at the moment? And depending on what you make, buy or sell, the answer is going to be wildly different. “More worryingly, at Landwood we are also receiving more instructions over the past few months than we have done for a year or more – instructions for properties that have sadly gone into receivership. “It is harder for property owners to let business space and for domestic landlords to find tenants – there’s no doubt that a squeeze is on. “With each failed building project, banks become more nervous to lend, builders stop building… and we fall headlong into a dreaded recession. Once we do, it’s anyone’s guess how deep it is or how long it lasts. “The blame for all of this cannot be put at the door of Brexit… well, not entirely. There is no arguing with the fact that this is a period of change – domestically and globally. People err to the negative whenever there is change on the horizon – until events transpire and the scales balance out. The big issue is uncertainty and property is key to all of this. Uncertainty causes negativity, while a solid market has the opposite effect.” So, if the pointers are all correct and a recession is upon us, what’s the advice? “Sit tight,” says Mark. “Whether you are a commercial property owner or a domestic landlord, try your best to ride it out, perhaps for six months, before making any business decisions. Look at your borrowings and don’t over-stretch yourself at this time. “There are always people who benefit from downturns in the market and they tend to be cash buyers. So if you have cash to invest long-term, a ripe time to buy may be about to begin.”
Dust particles released during home renovation/repairing projects can have a devastating effect on people’s health. It’s not just about dust allergies, either, since airborne dust particles can and often do contain toxins such as heavy metals, silica dust, and even asbestos if the house is old enough. Then, of course, there is the chance that the dust will manage to get out of the renovation area and ruin the entire interior décor in the process. Dust Can be Dangerous for Health and Safety Even plain old house dust and sawdust can send someone to the hospital by first causing an allergic reaction to the dust mites, followed at times by a consequent anaphylactic shock. Then, of course, there is the chance of lead from the old paint entering our bloodstream or even combustible dust catching fire from a simple spark of the drill. Finally, there’s the most plausible and common danger of inhaling silica dust. Silica dust inhalation is related to silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. The scariest part is that silica dust is basically found almost everywhere. From natural soil, rocks and stones to manmade concrete, bricks and during sandblasting; silica dust is released into the air in copious amounts, whenever these common building materials are disturbed. This is not even close to being the complete list, which just further accentuates how dangerousdust from housework can be, especially if you have babies, young children, seniors or any other immunocompromised individuals in the vicinity. Uncontained Dust Will Ruin Your Furniture and the Surfaces On the off chance that the dust doesn’t contain any silica or other toxins to make workers or residents sick, it will still inevitably ruin the walls, floor, and the furnitureif you are not protecting them with proper surface protection. Then, of course, there is always the risk of spilled paint or stray drops hitting a surface to make a permanent mark. How Can You Implement Effective Dust Containment Measures? As you can probably guess by now, the bottom line is that if you plan to renovate/repair your home, you will need a solid dust containment strategy, which is precisely what Trimaco dust containment products and solutions are all about. Trimaco is well aware of the dangers associated with construction/renovation dust and is, therefore, capable of providingtop of the line protective films for surface protection and plastic sheets to keep the dust/debris from spreading anywhere else within the house. Trimaco also offers various other protective and masking solutions, all of which come together to create complete dust containmentand surface protection systems. These are designed specifically to capture and isolate the dust and debris hazards, associated with renovations, repairs, and constructions. Be sure to seal your HVAC ducts as well because if the dust gets inside the ducts, it will be automatically circulated throughout the house, essentially affecting everyone, even if they are on a completely different floor.
