Three early years nursery schemes are set to move forward in Scotland with UK construction giant Morgan Sindall. The firm will deliver three new single-storey buildings at Newton Brae, Cambuslang; Kirkmuirhill, on Thornton Road; and Crawforddyke, on Eastfield Road, Carluke. These developments will support an additional 329 early years places.
A SITE that is smaller than the length of a double decker bus and comes with its own kayak is the latest challenging project to be taken on by construction firm Stepnell. The construction of Boulevard Wharf in Nottingham – comprised of 76 student accommodation studios – is one of
A new 120-home development has been completed in Hertford, bringing life to a collection of ageing buildings in the town. Architecture and building consultancy practice, AHR transformed buildings at The Ridgeway, Sele Farm into new residential spaces supported by an attractive neighbourhood and successful public realm. The developers focused on
Work has been completed on a £120k office refurbishment project at the headquarters of risk management consultancy Finch Consulting based in Ashby de la Zouch. The investment has also provided state of the art training and conference facilities. The launch of the training service is expected to increase revenue and
Three early years nursery schemes are set to move forward in Scotland with UK construction giant Morgan Sindall. The firm will deliver three new single-storey buildings at Newton Brae, Cambuslang; Kirkmuirhill, on Thornton Road; and Crawforddyke, on Eastfield Road, Carluke. These developments will support an additional 329 early years places. The schemes, worth a combined £7.5 million, are being delivered on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council and hub South West Scotland. Work is already underway and expected to be completed in time for the start of the new school year in 2020. Stuart Parker, Morgan Sindall Construction managing director in Scotland, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with the council and hub South West to deliver this vital extra capacity in early years education. “These single-storey teaching spaces can be designed and built quickly. They allow local authorities to respond to increased demand from growing local communities; while aligning with the Scottish government’s aim of doubling the entitlement to free early learning and childcare, to 1140 hours per year by 2020.” Michael McBrearty, chief executive of development partner hub South West Scotland added: “hub South West is delighted that this important project is now progressing with Morgan Sindall Construction named as preferred contractor for the three early years facilities across South Lanarkshire. “Having just embarked on a varied programme of works with Morgan Sindall Construction we look forward to working with them to deliver these projects to our participants.”
A SITE that is smaller than the length of a double decker bus and comes with its own kayak is the latest challenging project to be taken on by construction firm Stepnell. The construction of Boulevard Wharf in Nottingham – comprised of 76 student accommodation studios – is one of the most complex jobs taken on by the contractor to date due to the unusual dimensions of the 11-metre-wide site and its proximity to the city’s canal. Because of this, a kayak forms part of the team’s emergency rescue procedure, meaning that any items that inadvertently fall into the canal can be retrieved. Shaun Moses, site manager for Stepnell, said: “It is certainly one of the more unusual sites we’ve worked on. Along with the obvious issues that come with building so close to the canal edge brings, the overall site is just 11 metres wide, meaning that day-to-day operations must be very carefully managed. “With incredibly tight boundaries and the buildings themselves designed to fill the entirety of its footprint, the site is a real challenge, but the team has worked closely with the developers from an early stage to create a solution that is workable and allows the whole operation to run smoothly.” The project sees the studios spread across three buildings providing views over the canal and towards the city of Nottingham. Designed by MAS Architecture, the scheme will also feature high-spec communal areas, including an on-site gym and movie room. Tom Sewell, East Midlands’ regional director at Stepnell, said: “The story of this site is really one of collaboration. Our team worked extensively with the client through the design development process in order to design and manage a project that met a high standard in terms of appearance and finishes – all while working to the budget and the challenges the site provides.” Muthar Al-Salloum, managing director of MAS Architecture, said: “This is a prestigious development that we are really pleased to deliver. Boulevard Wharf will provide much-needed contemporary student accommodation within Nottingham city centre and the scheme is one of only a few self-contained student accommodation developments in the city – providing all the necessary facilities onsite – thus creating a homely and luxurious environment for students to thrive in.” To find out more about Stepnell visit: www.stepnell.co.uk or join the conversation at @Stepnellltd
A new 120-home development has been completed in Hertford, bringing life to a collection of ageing buildings in the town. Architecture and building consultancy practice, AHR transformed buildings at The Ridgeway, Sele Farm into new residential spaces supported by an attractive neighbourhood and successful public realm. The developers focused on residential engagement to create a place to live that would reflect the aspirations of the community. The incorporation of streets was central to both the new character of the scheme, as well as playing a key role as a counterbalance to the existing tall blocks of the estate, surrounded by space. AHR also studied traditional Hertford buildings as inspiration throughout the design process, to bridge the gap between the town and suburban Sele Farm and cultivate feelings of continuity and belonging. Residences of three varying designs, ‘Villa’, ‘Courtyard’ and ‘Mews’ have been developed to introduce an individuality and intimacy to the scheme. The houses and flats have been designed to a stellar level of quality, security and sustainability and are orientated to maximise natural daylight and views. For the facades, red brick was chosen, with areas of delicate patterning, to communicate with historic Hertford architecture. ‘Courtyard’ houses enjoy private gardens, which utilise space efficiently while providing a comfortable and secluded place to relax. WaiLun Ho, director at AHR, said: “It is very satisfying seeing our new development reach completion. From the start, we recognised the site’s exciting possibilities – it offers access to Hertford and to the countryside, as well as stunning views. Our shared vision with United Living and Network Homes has enabled the development to fulfil its potential as an appealing, friendly and safe place to live. Our affordable homes are ideal for families, and their architectural character and flair instil in residents a sense of ownership, community and pride.” David Gooch, Executive Director for Development at Network Homes, added: “We’re really pleased to have worked with AHR to deliver a truly transformational regeneration scheme of high quality homes for rent and shared ownership. Through inspirational design, the architects have transformed an estate of dark walkways and concrete staircases into a desirable neighbourhood of streets, courtyards and greenery.” This new development based at The Ridgeway has recently been shortlisted for the forthcoming Inside Housing Development Awards 2019 in the ‘Best Regeneration Project’ category.
Work has been completed on a £120k office refurbishment project at the headquarters of risk management consultancy Finch Consulting based in Ashby de la Zouch. The investment has also provided state of the art training and conference facilities. The launch of the training service is expected to increase revenue and create new employment opportunities. Finch is located on the Ivanhoe Business Park in a modern but traditional style office building and consider this investment a vital part of the company’s overall growth strategy to bring its brand and company values to life from the moment people enter the building. Blueprint Interiors, which is also based on the Ivanhoe Business Park completed all the design and installation works to create the new look for the Finch offices which have been affectionately named ‘The Nest’. Brand design elements were created by the Cafeteria, and installed by Hardy Signs, who also supplied an 86” CleverTouch screen for the new training facility. In creating the new workplace, an important objective was to ensure the design encouraged Finch’s widespread consultants, who mainly work remotely, to come to ‘The Nest’ to collaborate, innovate, share ideas and engage together on a more social basis. The ground floor was previously a myriad of offices and meeting rooms. This space has been opened out to provide hot desking facilities for the Finch community to hold informal meetings with large project benches, focus desks, booths, and touchdown areas. Ensuring the Finch community enjoys being at work is also a key ethos, therefore plenty of socialising opportunities were factored into the design through the provision of comfortable relaxed seating areas, and an open plan café including a pool table. Commenting on the fit-out, Andrew Millington Finance Director said, “Finch Consulting continues to invest heavily in creating a brand identity which accurately reflects our culture, entrepreneurialism and expertise as risk consultants who inspire ‘Engineering Confidence.’ – a strapline that is used to underpin our market positioning.” He added, “From the outset it was clear Blueprint Interiors understood the rationale for our investment in our office-fit out. The initial design meetings were very creative, the design proposal was superb, and the install was completed by Blueprint Interior’s own team of very competent and professional contractors who were very attentive to the finest detail. The project was also finished as promised and ready for us to reveal to all of our colleagues who were at Charm, our annual conference, which we were able to host for the first time at The Nest.” Blueprint Interiors Creative and Commercial Director, Chloe Sproston, added, “The delivery of this project had to be meticulously planned around the need for Finch to remain fully operational throughout the eight week period of works to ensure staff were relocated with minimal of disruption to their daily routine. We are delighted that the overall, finished project has delivered a range of work spaces that support Finch’s wellbeing initiatives and enables the Finch community to share, escape, focus, explore, create and socialise together.” The Cafeteria’s Senior Designer, Tom Peet, said “Finch have such a strong understanding of their brand and the significant role it has in presenting their offer to the world. But it’s just as important to present that brand message internally as it is externally. The interior graphics created for The Nest help to build a collective understanding of the mission and values that ultimately drive Finch forward.” Tom Hardy, Operations Director at Hardy Signs, also added “Hardy Signs is delighted to have been involved in this stunning project for Finch Consulting, a company with whom we have a long-standing relationship. As a company, we aim to transform spaces for our clients. The results offer a great example of just what can be achieved through signage, wall graphics and branding from Hardy Signs.” Finch is unique in that it is the only professional services organisation to be both an engineering consultancy and law firm. Its unique position enables Finch engineers, lawyers, specialists, ex-regulators and consultants, to offer world class advice, investigation, training and representation to its clients in a wide range of market sectors, including legal, financial and insurance, food and drink, leisure and entertainment, manufacturing, energy and waste, and defence.
