GMI confirms appointment as contractor on new 14-storey, 331 room hotel development on last remaining plot. GMI Construction Group has today announced that is been appointed by property management business Marrico as the contractor for the construction of a new 14-storey high, 331 room hotel development within the high profile
A turf cutting ceremony has taken place to officially mark the start of a multi-million pound scheme to transform leisure provision in Berwick. Work is due to commence on Berwick’s new state of the art £20 million leisure centre which is being funded by Northumberland County Council and will be
A second office developer has set out plans for a project outside central Shoreditch due to increased interest in the area. This £33 million office scheme is located in an area that is seeing a huge amount of interest as rents and prices continue to rise in Shoreditch, resulting in
A ground-breaking ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of construction on London’s largest and tallest Premier Inn hotel. Developer Rockwell was joined by representatives from contractor Sisk to celebrate the project milestone, which also includes plans for new homes alongside the 400-bed hotel adjacent to Westferry DLR station.
Plans have been outlined to replace Leeds Bradford Airport’s (LBA’s) existing terminal with a new modern and sustainable facility. LBA is preparing to submit plans for a new terminal later this year, proposing the construction of a three floor, 34,000 sq. mt. terminal on an alternative site within the airport’s
Vibrations caused by walking is known in engineering as human induced vibrations. This is less like the collapse of a structure and more like a bit of a wobble that can cause discomfort. Although less serious, it’s vital that engineers minimise vibrations for security and comfort. In this article we’ll
GMI confirms appointment as contractor on new 14-storey, 331 room hotel development on last remaining plot. GMI Construction Group has today announced that is been appointed by property management business Marrico as the contractor for the construction of a new 14-storey high, 331 room hotel development within the high profile Sovereign Square scheme in Leeds. Marrico have submitted a planning application for the new hotel development which sits on the last remaining plot. The scheme once complete will feature a high-profile frontage onto the popular Sovereign Square and offer short and long stay accommodation catering for both business and leisure guests. It will include an on-site gym, meeting facilities, bar, restaurant and coffee shop fronting the square. It has been designed by Leeds-based architectural practice DLA Design, with the façade taking inspiration from the surrounding architecture and Leeds merchandising and textile history. The project will support around 190 construction jobs over the life of the project with the hotel creating 80 full-time jobs upon completion. Talking about the project GMI Divisional Managing Director Lee Powell said: “Sovereign Square is one of the most sought-after destinations within Leeds and an extremely high-profile development. GMI are delighted to have been appointed by Marrico to deliver the final phase of this development and bring forward another high-quality hotel development. This project serves as the 12th hotel project that GMI has been entrusted to deliver including 5 in the past 3 years and testament to the strength of our credentials in this growing sector” Also commenting Mark Barnes, partner at Marrico, said: “We are pleased to be able to share plans for a new hotel within the final remaining development site at Sovereign Square. The site is superbly located for hotel use from both business and visitors to the city being adjacent to the station, business core and the vibrant retail and leisure offer Leeds provides.”
A turf cutting ceremony has taken place to officially mark the start of a multi-million pound scheme to transform leisure provision in Berwick. Work is due to commence on Berwick’s new state of the art £20 million leisure centre which is being funded by Northumberland County Council and will be built on the site of the current Swan Centre in Tweedmouth. Tolent has been appointed as the official contractor and the centre will be constructed in phases to ensure that the existing Swan Centre continues to operate at all times until new facilities open to replace them. Work on Phase 1, which includes a new swimming pool and fitness suite will start on January 6 next year and is due to open in March 2021. The new centre is expected to be fully complete and open to the public in summer 2022. Designed by GT3 Architects, the new centre will feature a five-lane, 25m swimming pool, a teaching pool and leisure pool and spa facilities. There will be a sports hall, indoor bowls, fitness studios, cafe and a sensory room. Outside there will be a 3G full-size playing pitch, play park and trim trail and parking for 175 cars. Northumberland County Councillor Cath Homer, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts, Leisure and Tourism, said: “This significant investment will create outstanding new facilities for the town and surrounding communities and there is a real sense of anticipation as we mark the start of this work today. “The current Swan Centre has millions of pounds worth of backlog maintenance issues and is no longer fit for its intended purpose. The landmark new centre will be a focal point not just for local residents but for visitors from further afield and will add to the area’s ever growing tourism offer.” Mark Tweedie, Chief Executive of Active Northumberland, the organisation that will manage the centre said: “One of Active Northumberand’s key aims is to get more people, of all ages involved in physical activity to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This new centre and the facilities within it have been designed with this vision in mind. There will be something for all members of the local community and we hope that it will offer opportunities for more people to be active, more often.” Berwick’s three County Councillors, Cllrs Georgina Hill, Gregah Roughead and Catherine Seymour have also welcomed the news that work on the new leisure centre has commenced Cllr Gregah Roughead, local ward for Berwick West with Ord said: “ It’s an exciting day and I am thrilled that spades are in the ground and work is starting on the development. The local community have had a real say in deciding the facilities within it and I am sure the new centre will be a real asset for the town for generations to come. ” David Thompson, Regional Director for Tolent, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to such a significant project for Berwick and the wider area. This project will not only deliver outstanding leisure and sports facilities but the unique design of the building will be sure to bring interest from far and wide. “We look forward to working closely with Advance Northumberland and the wider design team to ensure we deliver something that the local community are proud of.” Advance Northumberland, a new regeneration company established by Northumberland County Council is responsible for delivering the project. They appointed a design team that includes lead consultant Henry Riley LLP and GT3 Architects. To find out more about Tolent visit www.tolent.co.ukFor all media enquires please contact Jennifer Scullion at jscullion@tolent.co.uk
A second office developer has set out plans for a project outside central Shoreditch due to increased interest in the area. This £33 million office scheme is located in an area that is seeing a huge amount of interest as rents and prices continue to rise in Shoreditch, resulting in ‘Shoreditch sprawl’. This is pushing demand further towards the attractive Grand Union Canal on the border with Haggerston. Developer Southern Grove aims to deliver a 4,530 sqm scheme at 16 Orsman Road, which backs on to the canal. The company exchanged contracts on the land and plans to use Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), a highly sustainable option that is much greener than concrete. This will mean the building, spanning six floors, is approximately four to five times lighter than a traditional building, resulting in much smaller foundations and minimal disruption to the neighbouring canal. Architects Waugh Thistleton were chosen specifically because they are market leaders in CLT design and have built a reputation as the foremost architects in this part of London. Southern Grove plans to allocate around 10% of the office floor area (400 sqm) to ‘affordable’ office space and the building incorporates a substantial 100-bicycle storage facility on the ground floor with additional visitor cycle spaces in front of the building. A terracotta façade will help the building blend in with the surrounding area, further raising the scheme’s sustainable credentials. This project places Southern Grove as the second office developer to enter the area, following British Land’s purchase of its first home for the flexible workspace brand, Storey, in the same road. Tom Slingsby, Chief Executive of developer Southern Grove, commented: “This is a great example of a prime development, sustainably built on an infill site that really makes the most of its surroundings. “Shoreditch sprawl means that demand is moving towards attractive neighbouring areas and the canal is an obvious draw. The glazed facade to the property is designed to embrace what the canal has to offer, providing one of the most attractive canal-front aspects to be found in central London. “We’ll be only the second developer to take advantage of a great opportunity to provide superior office space in an area that is being talked about as the next big thing now central Shoreditch has reached saturation point.”
A ground-breaking ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of construction on London’s largest and tallest Premier Inn hotel. Developer Rockwell was joined by representatives from contractor Sisk to celebrate the project milestone, which also includes plans for new homes alongside the 400-bed hotel adjacent to Westferry DLR station. The £151 million mixed-use scheme, which sits in a derelict site between West India Dock and Limehouse Causeway, was granted planning permission in October 2018 by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. When complete, the 30-storey development will also include a restaurant, café, gym facilities and a landscaped pocket park, alongside communal gardens for new residents. It is designed by architects SimpsonHaugh. Donal Mulryan, Founder of Rockwell commented: “We are immensely proud to break ground on this landmark building which will be an important asset for the area, providing significant benefits for the local community with the creation of numerous jobs for local people, enhanced public realm and much needed new homes. We look forward to working with our contractors John Sisk & Son to deliver this high-quality hotel-led scheme, and look forward to delivering similar high-quality schemes in the future.” Ajaz Shafi, Regional Managing Director at John Sisk & Son added: “We are delighted to be working with the Rockwell team on this exceptional project. We have used smart thinking and an innovative approach to the design, planning and delivery of this high rise building on a tight footprint in London. Sisk works in close collaboration with all the key stakeholders to ensure we deliver quality projects, safely, which meet the needs of the community and our client. Our track record in this type of project and our strong supply chain partnerships in the region are key to the successful delivery of this development.” This mixed-use scheme is scheduled for completion in early 2022.
Plans have been outlined to replace Leeds Bradford Airport’s (LBA’s) existing terminal with a new modern and sustainable facility. LBA is preparing to submit plans for a new terminal later this year, proposing the construction of a three floor, 34,000 sq. mt. terminal on an alternative site within the airport’s boundary. If approved, this development would dramatically improve the passenger experience at LBA and help it meet its target of net zero carbon emissions from airport operations by 2023. Features to enhance the passenger experience include better surface access, with the site located nearer to the proposed rail link, clean and airy interiors, improved shopping, restaurants and bars and excellent access and comfort through from arrival to boarding. Hywel Rees, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “This proposed development is hugely exciting for Leeds Bradford Airport and the North and replaces our previously approved plans. For more than 55 years, LBA has provided an international gateway to and from Yorkshire. Our vision is to serve our region as a truly outstanding airport and to profoundly change the percep- tion and reality of customer experience for passengers. To do this we need a terminal that meets the needs of the future in passenger flow and energy efficiency. “This proposal is not about growing beyond our predicted capacity; it is about meeting the same demand in a more efficient way, with a smaller environmental footprint; it is about creating a more modern building that can achieve operational excellence to give passengers the best experience; and it is about addressing the challenges we know our passengers face far too frequently and that cannot be overcome within our current building. “We’re confident that our vision will deliver an airport building that is better placed to support our region’s economic growth and become one that Yorkshire can be proud of.” LBA received consent to expand its existing terminal in January 2019 and the airport’s current roadmap signposts a target of seven million passengers by 2030. Residents across Yorkshire are now invited to submit their views on the plans in due course. Subject to planning consent, work could begin before the end of 2020, with the terminal completed in early 2023.
Vibrations caused by walking is known in engineering as human induced vibrations. This is less like the collapse of a structure and more like a bit of a wobble that can cause discomfort. Although less serious, it’s vital that engineers minimise vibrations for security and comfort. In this article we’ll explain why vibrations are important for engineers to consider. Resonance and Fluttering Structures can be affected by vibrations through resonance and aeroelastic fluttering. Resonance occurs when Object A vibrates the same as Object B’s natural frequency. Object B resonates with this and begins to vibrate too. Think singing to break a wine glass! Although the person singing isn’t touching the glass, the vibrations of their voice are resonating with the glass’s natural frequency, causing this vibration to get stronger and stronger and eventually, break the glass. Although similar, aeroelastic flutter is different in that when force is applied to Object B it shakes. It’s not necessarily at the same frequency as Object B’s natural vibration, but it makes Object B move all the same. If an object resonates, it also flutters. But not everything that flutters is necessarily resonating. This is how confusion over disasters such as the Tacoma Bridge collapse occur — for a long time, and to this day, the event is used as a textbook example of resonance. However, it’s been argued that the bridge’s collapse wasn’t caused by resonance, but by fluttering. In regard to human induced vibrations, when force is applied and causes a structure to vibrate, it’s also categorised as fluttering. Some instances would also see resonation happening too, but it wouldn’t be a certainty. Engineers must, of course, design to reduce the damage or discomfort caused by either fluttering or resonating. Possible Effects from Human Induced Vibration Resonation and fluttering can result in several effects upon the structure and its users. These include: Effects on human health. According to research, vibrations in buildings and structures can cause depression and even motion sickness in inhabitants. Buildings naturally respond to external factors such as the wind or human footfall within. This low-frequency vibration can be felt, even subconsciously, by people. It has been argued that modern designs featuring thinner floor slabs and wider spacing in column design mean that these new builds are not as effective at dampening vibrations as older buildings are. Bridges swaying. One of the most famous examples of resonance, human induced vibrations, and fluttering all impacting a structure occurred with the Millennium Bridge. As people walked across the bridge, the vibrations and swaying caused oscillations in the bridge. Everyone crossing the bridge would then sway at the same time to avoid falling over, resulting in a cycle of increasing and amplifying the swaying effect. Risking structural integrity. The build-up of constant vibrations on a structure can, eventually, lead to structural integrity being compromised. A worse-case scenario would be the complete collapse of said structure. For example, retaining wall solutions are effective for sustaining the role of holding back tonnes of soil. Impeding sensitive equipment. Depending on the building’s purpose, what it houses can be affected by the vibrations of people using the building. Universities, for example, may have sensitive equipment whose accuracy and performance could be damaged by vibrations. Ways to Avoid it Contemporary designs tend to include thinner slabs and wider column spacing sensitive to vibrations. Using structural design and analysis software at the design stage is an effective method for engineers to test footfall on a design and see the resulting vibrations. Vibrations are a natural effect of movement, so it’s imperative that engineers’ designs reduce the overall impact. Sources:
