Also a LEED Fellow, WELL Faculty member and Fitwel Ambassador, Heidi’s work focuses on sustainability and wellness strategies for the academic, civic, cultural, commercial and residential sectors, at the building and masterplan scales. We spend as much as 90% of our lives in buildings. It’s therefore only fair and right
Research from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that it’s not just London house prices that have climbed considerably in recent times, with the total paid in council tax by London homeowners and tenants hitting almost £5bn a year – £1.2bn more per year compared to
Workman, the UK’s largest independent commercial property management and building consultancy firm, has been appointed by General Projects as property manager for Heal’s Building, Tottenham Court Road, London. General Projects recently acquired the 187,000 sq ft Grade II listed, a mixed-use asset in a joint venture with global investment firm
The Building Engineering Services Association has been recognised for four very different aspects of its work at this year’s prestigious Trade Association Forum (TAF) Best Practice Awards. The awards, which are supported by the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), are now in their 19th year and are
Paris-based architecture design studio, Cutwork has devised the full interior concept for a groundbreaking new coliving company launched in 2021 by leading French developer, Bouygues Immobilier. Committed to rethinking the next urban era, Cutwork designs pioneering spaces that reflect new ways to live and work. With the first modular unit,
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has been selected by the NHS for its six-year National Framework Agreement for the provision of Smart Building Solutions using the Internet of Things (IoT). The NHS framework will advance plans to support the delivery of smart hospitals, enabling
House-hunters in the South Midlands can now buy a Davidsons Homes property with a five per cent deposit thanks to a new scheme. Buyers can take advantage of Deposit Unlock to secure a 95 per cent mortgage of up to £750,000 on a new-build house. Davidsons Homes has signed up
Also a LEED Fellow, WELL Faculty member and Fitwel Ambassador, Heidi’s work focuses on sustainability and wellness strategies for the academic, civic, cultural, commercial and residential sectors, at the building and masterplan scales. We spend as much as 90% of our lives in buildings. It’s therefore only fair and right that buildings are influenced by those that use them in a way that positively impacts climate change and supports health, wellbeing and quality of life. Climate and end-user wellbeing are intimately intertwined. Yet buildings are currently responsible for 40% of all annual global emissions. The same emissions contribute to climate effects inducing catastrophic events like flooding, wildfires and pandemics – events that typically impact individuals and communities least equipped to combat them. This isn’t right. It’s not fair and it’s not good enough. Which is why we at Buro Happold are committed to improving it. Below are six relatively simple yet key pledges that can help the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) community mitigate climate impact, address inequalities, and make buildings healthier and more inclusive for all: Adopt a human-centric approach and make design inclusive from the start. This will positively influence buildings and places, and enable more equitable outcomes. Approach every project with a holistic view of health, wellbeing and social equity. This requires early, meaningful engagement of stakeholders – both in the problem-solving and decision-making process – so that they may better voice the needs of the community. Create buildings that make people feel good. That means ensuring water quality, access to nature, inspiring movement, and comfort (amongst many others). It means proper ventilation and air filtration to eliminate odors, allergens and viruses, as well as thoughtful operations including waste reduction and green cleaning methods. Specify materials with consideration. This means considering not only for the health of building users, but also for the workers and communities where raw materials are extracted and manufactured, and for those impacted by building demolition or fire. Join aligned organizations and support them in their advocacy efforts. Embed equity into approach and team makeup when pursuing any building, masterplan or advisory project. The AEC community is ideally placed to drive meaningful change and create buildings that are better for both the planet and the people that spend time in them – “happy people, healthy planet,” to borrow a recent meme. That means addressing inequalities and decarbonizing building stock by first providing a robust platform for those who typically wouldn’t be involved in the decision-making process. In getting there, the importance of users in the economics and physics of design must be acknowledged. Moving beyond first costs, AEC leaders are instead focused on the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. Considering the lackluster results from COP26, where the commitments made thus far are not enough to prevent warming from exceeding 1.5°C, it is clear that follow up policies and actions by all nations and a strong push from the AEC industry will be required to substantially curb our dependency on fossil fuels. Finally, but perhaps most important, the AEC community must work together to shape this more inclusive and equitable future for ourselves, our buildings, and our communities. We must all play a key role in advocating and designing with empathy to create a resilient future in which people thrive.
Research from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that it’s not just London house prices that have climbed considerably in recent times, with the total paid in council tax by London homeowners and tenants hitting almost £5bn a year – £1.2bn more per year compared to just five years. Last week it was reported that inflation has surged to a 30 year high and with gas and electricity costs set to climb higher yet, the cost of living has become increasingly difficult for many. Those living in London already face some of the highest house prices and rental values in the nation, with the capital also home to the highest household expenditure and this squeeze on affordability has no different when it comes to the amount of council tax they pay. Household council tax costs The research by Benham and Reeves shows that the average Londoner pays £1,374 in council tax per year, up 26.8% in the last five years, Richmond is home to the highest council tax cost per property at £2,065 per year while Southwark has seen the largest increase over the last five years at 36.8%. Total council tax costs In total, London’s current council tax bill is a huge £4,993,798,878 per year based on the average cost per household and the total number of dwellings across the capital. Barnet is home to the highest sum of council tax paid on an annual basis, with £258.5m paid across the 146,730 homes in the borough. Croydon is also home to one of the highest total council tax bills at £252m per year, followed by Bromley (£225m), Ealing (£195m) and Lambeth (£1782m). But it’s not just the increasing cost of council tax per household that is pushing up this total, in the last five years an additional 150,000 homes have been built within London which has contributed to a £1.2bn increase in the total sum of council tax paid across London. Tower Hamlets has seen the largest annual increase in council tax costs over the last five years, with the total sum paid per year increasing by 48.6%. Southwark (45%), Barking and Dagenham (41.4%), Lewisham (41%) and Croydon (38.9%) are also amongst the boroughs to have seen the largest uplofts in the total sum of council tax paid. Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “Council tax is one of the core costs that many homebuyers fail to consider when looking to buy a home and the sum owed each year can differ drastically depending on where you choose to live. Much like our home insurance or energy bills, it’s also subject to change and the average London homeowner has seen council tax bill increases squeeze their cost of living by a further £300 a year in the last five years alone. So it’s an important one to consider when it comes to the ongoing affordability of your home, as unlike an expensive phone contract or comprehensive TV package, it can’t be dodged.” Data on council tax costs per dwelling sourced from Gov.uk: Live tables on council tax Data on total dwellings in each borough sourced from Gov.uk: Live tables on dwellingsTotal council tax bill and change based on the current average cost of council tax per dwelling (2021/22) multiplied by the total number of dwellings vs five years previous (2016/17)
Workman, the UK’s largest independent commercial property management and building consultancy firm, has been appointed by General Projects as property manager for Heal’s Building, Tottenham Court Road, London. General Projects recently acquired the 187,000 sq ft Grade II listed, a mixed-use asset in a joint venture with global investment firm KKR from Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Home to the flagship store of the legendary design furniture retailer for 200 years, the site consists of nine interconnected buildings housing a mixture of retail, office and residential tenants. General Projects plan to reimagine the site into a hub for creative, media and technology businesses while sensitively maintaining the Heal’s legacy. Site Close to Tottenham Court Road Underground The building sits on the eastern site of Tottenham Court Road opposite Goodge Street Underground station and is a 5-minute walk from the new Tottenham Court Road Underground and Elizabeth Line station that will give direct access to Heathrow to the West and Canary Wharf to the East. David Soar, Partner at Workman, commented: “Being appointed by General Projects on another exciting project to reinvent such an iconic building, is testament to the skills of our team to support General Project’s vision for delivering workplaces of the future while working with the current occupiers.”
The Building Engineering Services Association has been recognised for four very different aspects of its work at this year’s prestigious Trade Association Forum (TAF) Best Practice Awards. The awards, which are supported by the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), are now in their 19th year and are designed to recognise and reward the excellence, innovation, and best practice demonstrated by UK trade bodies. BESA has been shortlisted in the Digital Transformation, Training Initiative, Event of the Year, and Sustainability Initiative categories. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on February 17. “We are absolutely delighted to have gained such comprehensive recognition at these important awards,” said BESA’s chief executive officer David Frise. “The fact that these categories reflect so many different aspects of BESA’s work is an amazing testament to the hard work of the staff in all areas. We are very proud of being such a broad-based association and that we provide a wide range of support services to our members right across the spectrum of building engineering.” The TAF Awards judges have acknowledged the way BESA has gone through a “digital revolution” to transform the way it conducts business, interacts with colleagues, engages with members, and delivers products and services. This has helped it to improve operating efficiency and meet its sustainability targets, hence its shortlisting in the Digital Transformation category. Comprehensive One major digital highlight has been the establishment of the online BESA Academy, which now delivers a comprehensive programme of training courses, assessments and CPD for individuals, employers, and training providers – all critical services for a sector with a serious skills shortage. The digital platform is used to deliver an online learning environment and supports a hybrid option for learners and colleges. As a result, BESA has also been shortlisted for the TAF Training Initiative award. The 2021 BESA National Conference was a multi-stream, free to attend virtual conference that was attended by almost 500 delegates and featured 67 speakers providing more than 21 hours of specialised content. It was opened by architect and TV star George Clarke and featured a virtual exhibition, member clinics and networking opportunities. All of this was recognised by the TAF Awards shortlisting panel who put it forward for the Event of the Year award. And in the Sustainability Initiative category, BESA has been recognised for the achievements of its REFCOM Elite scheme, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. It was set up as a best practice company registration scheme in 1996, to promote environmentally responsible refrigerant management. BESA recognised early on the need for employers to improve control of refrigerant use and prevent release to atmosphere to reduce ozone depletion and global warming. Although these threats are now a huge focus across the globe, the TAF panel recognised that REFCOM was ahead of the curve in spotting the need to implement best practice to reduce emissions and has made fantastic progress in its 25 years. Emily Wallace, interim chief executive of the Trade Association Forum, congratulated BESA saying: “Trade Associations such as BESA have played an absolutely critical role in supporting the UK economy throughout the turbulence of the last two years. As we move forward, it is right to celebrate the achievements of the sector, recognise excellence and collaborate to improve the role that associations can continue to play to support the economy for the future.” Since its formation in 1997, the Trade Association Forum has been encouraging the development and sharing of best practice among UK trade associations and promoting the role of effective trade associations to government, industry and the wider public.www.theBESA.com
Paris-based architecture design studio, Cutwork has devised the full interior concept for a groundbreaking new coliving company launched in 2021 by leading French developer, Bouygues Immobilier. Committed to rethinking the next urban era, Cutwork designs pioneering spaces that reflect new ways to live and work. With the first modular unit, ‘PolyRoom’, showcased in Paris until March 2022, and the initial completed site due to open in 2023, Bouygues Immobilier Coliving is dedicated to simplifying the way in which we rent, use, and share living spaces. Cutwork was commissioned by Bouygues Immobilier to reinvent today’s residential model, presenting a versatile living space that operates beyond the standard conventions of the contemporary home. This new company is designed to make it easier for working people, between 25 and 40 years old, to access high-quality, affordable living and a socially connected life, addressing the widespread epidemic of loneliness within this generation. The brand offers all-inclusive services and accommodates both short and long stays. The project incorporates prefab architecture conceived and designed by Cutwork, then fabricated by DMD Modular. These prefab bedroom modules can be produced in bulk and stacked like LEGO bricks to construct the complete residential building in significantly less time than conventional construction methods. The units help define the distinct brand experience with high-end materials and could accelerate construction and expansion across France, vastly improving the quality control of the finished building. Bouygues Immobilier plans to open up to 15 sites by 2025, providing 2,500 bedrooms. A first site for the full modular construction is in early discussions and planning. Cutwork is a Paris-based architecture design studio focused on new ways to live and work. They design prefab architecture, interior spaces, and custom furniture for pioneering companies who are reimagining our next urban era. Projects include Xavier Niel’s Station F, the world’s largest start-up campus, Flatmates, the first large-scale coliving space in Paris, and Cortex Shelter, an innovative just-add-water refugee housing solution. The company was among the top 30 “CleanTech” companies in Europe in 2018. In 2019, TEDx asked the studio cofounders to deliver a talk on ‘the future of shared architecture and urbanization.’ In 2020, Cutwork received a FRAME Award for Societal Innovation of the Year, becoming the youngest studio to ever win a FRAME
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has been selected by the NHS for its six-year National Framework Agreement for the provision of Smart Building Solutions using the Internet of Things (IoT). The NHS framework will advance plans to support the delivery of smart hospitals, enabling local authorities and wider public bodies to more readily procure smart building technologies, providing time and money saving efficiencies. The solutions represent a serious step change in the ambition to set a new standard in the UK’s ageing healthcare infrastructure through technical innovation. A single supplier framework, public bodies now have the opportunity to tap into innovative buildings solutions that enable automated monitoring and control of energy use, building occupancy, and asset visibility. The NHS framework is at the forefront of bringing in new digital capabilities across hospitals in a bid to deliver superior experiences for users while decreasing energy use and emissions, in line with the UK’s ambitious net-zero objectives. Led by The Countess of Chester Commercial Hospital Procurement Services, the NHS framework will drive the transformation of smart hospitals, creating world class facilities fit for the future and improving efficiency through data-enabled solutions that respond to the needs of patients, staff, and visitors. Smart hospitals deliver a myriad of benefits from ensuring clean air quality for doctors and patients, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and incorporating smart systems that reduce friction and improve communications. Such technologies play a vital role in reducing costs while enhancing patient and staff satisfaction, patient care, and quality. “We are excited to have been selected by the NHS. Our technology makes it possible to support sustainability goals at scale and has the enormous potential to shape the smart hospitals and healthcare facilities of the future. We look forward to the innovations we can bring to all occupants at every level across our healthcare sector,” said Andy Ellis, Vice President and General Manager, Johnson Controls UK&I. Innovating hospitals with cutting edge solutions provides real world advantages. In healthcare settings, intelligent HVAC systems mean that healthcare practitioners breathe better quality air, managed automatically, leading to better decision making, crucial for improved patient outcomes. Smart IoT technologies can also enhance a raft of patient and clinician experiences, from reducing queues to controlling lighting and heating, automatic check-in to tracking of equipment, cleaning, and voice control.
House-hunters in the South Midlands can now buy a Davidsons Homes property with a five per cent deposit thanks to a new scheme. Buyers can take advantage of Deposit Unlock to secure a 95 per cent mortgage of up to £750,000 on a new-build house. Davidsons Homes has signed up to the Deposit Unlock initiative, which has been created by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) to give first-time buyers and second-steppers the opportunity of purchasing with a smaller deposit. “This is great news for prospective house buyers as it represents a chance for people to afford to buy the new home they have dreamed of but without having to save for years for a large deposit,” said Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons Homes South Midlands. “Due to the lack of 95 per cent loan to value mortgages on the market, raising a deposit for a house remains the biggest hurdle for most would-be first-time buyers. While the Help to Buy scheme also provides the opportunity to purchase with a five per cent deposit, the regional price caps mean that not all first-time buyers are able to take advantage of it. “Deposit Unlock will increase the range of new-build properties which can be purchased with a lower deposit, as well as assisting second-steppers who are not eligible for the Help to Buy scheme. “We’re pleased to be part of this new initiative which will enable more people to achieve their dream of homeownership. We would encourage anyone who might benefit from Deposit Unlock to get in touch. Our fully trained staff will explain everything and walk people through the process which could see them buying their dream home much sooner than they thought.” Davidsons Homes is currently building new homes at The Wheatfields development in Hanslope, near Milton Keynes, Woodlands Rest in Meppershall, Bedfordshire, Davidsons at Houlton in Rugby, Sanders Fields in Rushden, Northamptonshire, and Lubenham View in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
