McDonald’s in Market Drayton, Shropshire, has become the UK’s first carbon net zero restaurant – using the Elliott offsite construction system. Being carbon net-zero means that the wind turbine and solar panel-powered restaurant will produce as much energy as it uses over the course of a year and there are
A major fire that destroyed an unsprinklered recycling plant in Nottingham led to disruption in the local area, asbestos warnings and unnecessary damage to the environment. The fire on January 31st at Nottingham Recycling on Abbeyfield Road in Lenton required 60 firefighters, 12 appliances and specialist equipment including aerial ladder
Leading Repairs and Maintenance contractor, HMS, has been engaged by Cobalt Housing to work with specialists Aico and HomeLINK to incorporate innovative technology into 96 homes within Cobalt’s neighbourhoods. Piloting this environmental technology for the first time in the North West, Cobalt and HMS are strengthening their commitment to futureproofing
Showcasing the technologies that will enable the built environment to reach net zero The construction industry is one of the oldest and largest sectors in the world and plays a vital role in industrial, social and economic development. Despite its importance, the industry still uses traditional building techniques and materials
Caddick Construction (North West) has won a £4.3m contract to build a 68,000 sq ft. distribution warehouse at Trafford Park, Manchester, with work already underway on the Richmond Road scheme. The distribution warehouse will be 14.5m high to the parapet and will include two floors of offices, together with a
International architecture and interiors practice Red Deer have designed The Alan Hotel in Manchester focused on experimentation, realness, and constant improvement while rejecting the pretentious and cradling the imaginative. The Alan was borne from a vision of wanting to do things differently. Something experimental, fresh and with an emphasis on
The first of six bespoke eco homes from developer Chiselwood has been sold by leading Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire estate agent, Pygott & Crone. The homes, which make up the new and exclusive Fossdyke Paddock development, are located on the canal side in Saxilby and are surrounded by woodland. Fossdyke Paddock is Chiselwood’s first
McDonald’s in Market Drayton, Shropshire, has become the UK’s first carbon net zero restaurant – using the Elliott offsite construction system. Being carbon net-zero means that the wind turbine and solar panel-powered restaurant will produce as much energy as it uses over the course of a year and there are only a small number of highly efficient buildings in the UK that meet this criterion. Market Drayton is the first restaurant in the UK to be verified as net zero emissions for construction using the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC’s) net zero carbon buildings framework. Elliott was an integral part of the project delivery team, utilising its modular solution which features a large number of incremental improvements that combine to make a huge difference in overall performance. Minimising environmental impact and achieving a net-zero build were key requirements set out by McDonald’s at the very start of the project. The innovative turnkey solution includes kitchen, servery, offices, storage, dining area and toilets, as well as car park and external landscaping works. McDonald’s carbon net zero restaurant was 80% completed in the Elliott factory before being transported to site, minimising waste and maximising quality control, efficiency and speed of construction. Once on-site, the modules were connected to services and underwent final fit-out ready for handover. As part of a sustainable approach, the building utilises responsibly-sourced and recycled materials throughout, further reducing its environmental impact. The restaurant is designed to allow relocation, reconfiguration or recycling, depending on McDonald’s future requirements. All Elliott offsite modules are designed to have a service life of at least 60 years. Building modules for Market Drayton are constructed using a steel-framed system, a 100% recyclable material sourced from a UK supplier with certified Environmental Policy Declarations. Sustainable features include sheep’s wool insulation instead of fibreglass as well as cladding, ceiling, floor and wall tiles made from recycled plastic, a rainwater harvesting system, wind turbine electricity generation and photovoltaic car park lighting complete with battery backup. The kitchen incorporates a heat exchange that feeds into the dining area. The lightweight structure of Elliott’s steel frame modules minimised carbon intensive foundations. These were completed at the same time as the modules were manufactured, helping to reduce the build schedule by around half compared to an on-site build. Graham Stevenson, Construction Manager at Elliott, said: “This is a landmark project for McDonald’s, the Elliott Group and the building industry as a whole. Achieving a net zero carbon build confirms that the ambitious targets set for the built environment are achievable using our modular and offsite solutions.” McDonald’s spokeswoman Beth Hart said: “We’ve already started to roll out some of these innovations to other restaurants, but what is exciting about Market Drayton is the fact it will act as a blueprint for our future new builds. We believe that our food needs to be served in restaurants that are sustainable for the future. Market Drayton is a big step towards making that a reality.” According to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), the built environment is directly responsible for 25% of the total UK carbon footprint, and therefore creating a net-zero carbon build plays a critical role in transitioning to a low carbon economy. To find out more about the McDonald’s Market Drayton carbon net-zero build, visit: www.elliottuk.com/case-studies For more information on offsite solutions from Elliott, visit: www.elliottuk.com
A major fire that destroyed an unsprinklered recycling plant in Nottingham led to disruption in the local area, asbestos warnings and unnecessary damage to the environment. The fire on January 31st at Nottingham Recycling on Abbeyfield Road in Lenton required 60 firefighters, 12 appliances and specialist equipment including aerial ladder platforms, high volume pumps from Nottingham Fire and Rescue to tackle the blaze. While there were no reported injuries in the blaze and the surrounding businesses were not in use at the time, the impact on the local community and environment was significant with the closure of a major ‘A’ road, residents forced to close windows and doors due to harmful smoke and a number of measures employed to minimise the impact of pollution to the local environment. What remains of the circa 1700m2 building used to recycle waste cardboard will be demolished and disposed of. The fire at Nottingham Recycling centre was one of many recycling fires in the UK in the past 12 months. All were typified by large numbers of firefighters being required to contain a blaze where there was a presence of a high fire load due to highly combustible materials. Each event developed high volumes of smoke and contained harmful contaminants. Furthermore, fire water run-off needed to be monitored by the relevant agency and there is the environmental impact of disposing of the damaged properties and the costs, resources and materials required to repair and rebuild them. These fires not only pose an obvious danger to the health of those nearby, but they also have major environmental implications and significant costs to businesses due to property loss. Preventing large costly fires is possible through a combination of strategies. One of the most effective strategies is the use of sprinkler systems which contain and control fires before the Fire and Rescue Service arrives. They therefore minimise the wider impact of unmanageable fires, reducing costs to business and the economy as a whole. Importantly, by limiting any fire damage, they allow businesses to resume operations quickly, often within hours of the incident. This was adequately demonstrated by a fire at a Biffa waste site in Irlam in January 2021. Fire sprinklers fitted at the site activated, quickly putting the fire out and minimising the damage caused as a result of the incident. For more information about the BSA visit the www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org
Leading Repairs and Maintenance contractor, HMS, has been engaged by Cobalt Housing to work with specialists Aico and HomeLINK to incorporate innovative technology into 96 homes within Cobalt’s neighbourhoods. Piloting this environmental technology for the first time in the North West, Cobalt and HMS are strengthening their commitment to futureproofing properties, which is especially important giving the rising cost of energy and the impending zero carbon targets facing the industry. Designed to help manage housing stock more intelligently, HomeLINK provide environmental sensors that monitors a range of data, such as temperature and CO2 humidity levels in properties, to create and maintain safer, healthier and more eco-friendly homes and communities. Being fitted into nearly 100 of Cobalt’s 6,000 homes by HMS’ team of qualified electrical engineers, SmartLINK Gateway will help social landlords monitor properties and keep customers safe by identifying any risks with fire and carbon monoxide alarms, monitoring indoor air quality, risk of mould and how much electricity is being used. Residents will also have access to a personalised app, enabling them to monitor levels within their home, and access advice on making sure they’re doing all they can to keep their home working at optimum performance. Discussing the pilot scheme, Maintenance Director, Alison Brown, said: “As a safety-first organisation, and one with ambitious green targets of our own, this pilot was one that appealed to us on multiple levels. It’s great to partner with such forward-thinking organisations to install technology that will truly help Cobalt and their customers to life in a safer, more environmentally friendly way.” Chris Fray, Technology and Transformation Manager at Cobalt, continued: “HMS have been fantastic to work with on this project, installing devices promptly, effectively and to a high standard. Crucially, HMS has acknowledged the value in sensors and how they will become a significant part of the social housing sector in years to come, becoming a contract that is required and delivered in the same vein as voids, gas and repairs and maintenance. We hope this exposure and experience will be of benefit to them too in years to come.” Jordan Toulson, Product Manager at HomeLINK, said: “This technology promises to be the standard within social housing in the coming years; Cobalt are proving themselves to be ahead of the curve by progressing such a roll-out now and HMS have proven their fantastic capability to install market-leading devices accurately, enabling the data to start flowing from the properties.”
Showcasing the technologies that will enable the built environment to reach net zero The construction industry is one of the oldest and largest sectors in the world and plays a vital role in industrial, social and economic development. Despite its importance, the industry still uses traditional building techniques and materials that often gives it a reputation of being slow to innovate. Here, Martin Hurn, event director at sustainable built environment event Futurebuild, explains why this is not the case. In November 2021, COP26 established that we must limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. Around 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions come from constructing, heating, cooling and demolishing buildings — so innovation in this sector is important now more than ever to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. Innovating the industry doesn’t require futuristic technology that hasn’t been invented yet — it requires us to create change by thinking differently or using technology to solve existing problems in new ways. There are some forward-thinking businesses who are already developing the materials, products and services that are changing the built environment. The innovation trail at Futurebuild 2022 will showcase the companies who already have the tangible solutions that may solve the common challenges that the construction industry faces. The innovation trail Futurebuild’s innovation trail features a range of materials, products and technologies. 540 WORLD, for example, will showcase a variety of Cradle to Cradle Certified® materials including Accoya, a gold certified wood produced from a fast-growing pine. It’s more sustainable to produce than traditional hardwood, is anti-fungus and anti-mildew and does not require sanding or coating, which can be a drain on resources. Drainage and surface water management systems specialist ACO will showcase its new Habitat Matters Mapping System. The new system was developed as part of ACO’s Habitat Matters campaign, which aims to reverse the impact the built environment has had on the natural world. The mapping system is a free tool that enables users to create a digital twin for the habitats and built environment asset they have designed, constructed or simply observed. The public can contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) monitoring and record keeping and begin to understand how materials and buildings benefit the habitats around them. Aico, a European market leader in high-quality alarms, aims to address the needs of social landlords and their residents with new HomeLINK Environmental Sensors. The sensors are designed to create better maintained, healthier, more energy efficient homes, by monitoring temperature, humidity and CO2. Worcester Bosch is the UK leader in domestic boiler and renewable technologies. At Futurebuild 2022 Worcester Bosch will showcase its award-winning hydrogen-ready boiler prototype. The boiler can run on natural gas until hydrogen becomes readily available, saving costs all round and enabling homeowners to future proof for when they can switch to hydrogen. C-Probe Systems will showcase its LoCem® Modular Anode Unit (MAU) — an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) component that can be attached directly to steel reinforcement in-situ or in the precast factory prior to pouring the concrete. Operators can use the system for repair, protection and monitoring of structural performance, removing future disruption through sustainable futureproofing tracking service life for whole life performance online. At Futurebuild, The Concrete Centre will showcase Concrete Futures — a mix of physical exhibits and case studies that demonstrate how concrete is evolving and innovating to save carbon now and in the future. Visitors can access practical guidance on low carbon concrete, efficient design with concrete and find out how the sector will achieve net zero cement and concrete. INTU Your Home reimagines everyday items, advanced technology to create the essential products for modern homes. Its INTU Evolution hot water taps, for example, are designed with safety, sustainability and speed in mind. The tap systems are not pressurised, which means quicker installation, less damage to the kitchen and reduced energy and water consumption over time. James Latham, one of the UK’s largest independent trade distributors of timber, panels and decorative surfaces, has worked with the BioComposites Centre at Bangor University to develop a carbon calculator. The calculator publishes both the carbon footprint and embodied carbon values of its timber products, enabling specifiers, architects and designers to make more informed decisions when selecting materials. Kensa Contracting is an award-winning specialist delivery partner and contractor for communal heating with district ground source heat pumps. Kensa’s networked Shoebox ground source heat pump solution will inspire the change needed to propel the construction industry to net zero and help equip new homes with low-carbon heating. Standards organisation MCS certifies low-carbon products and installations used to domestically produce electricity and heat from renewable sources. Futurebuild visitors will see how MCS is shaping the way that low-carbon domestic renewables heat and power our homes, setting the standard for home-grown energy, giving consumers confidence in the vast array of technology available to them. Construction management software provider Procore connects information and teams on one powerful and easy-to-use purpose-built platform. The platform provides full visibility, enabling users to understand exactly what’s going on across the project, make more informed decisions and improve operations, giving stakeholders confidence in their ability to deliver the project on time. While the industry has a reputation for being slow to innovate, it is clear that there are pioneering industries who are already inspiring change in the built environment. The innovation trail at Futurebuild 2022 will demonstrate that by using the technology already at our disposal, the built environment can become more advanced, efficient and sustainable. Visitors can also attend Futurebuild’s new Innovation Stage, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, which will host live sessions from the Innovation Partners across the three days. To visit the innovation trail at Futurebuild 2022, register for the event for free here.
Caddick Construction (North West) has won a £4.3m contract to build a 68,000 sq ft. distribution warehouse at Trafford Park, Manchester, with work already underway on the Richmond Road scheme. The distribution warehouse will be 14.5m high to the parapet and will include two floors of offices, together with a service yard, car parking and landscaped areas. The build contract also covers all drainage and external services. Caddick Construction has a long history of involvement at Trafford Park and the surrounding area, having delivered The Williams Group’s £41m flagship automotive retail centre at TraffordCity and the international headquarters for Regatta on Mercury Way. Trafford Park was the first purpose-built industrial park in the world and, with over 9 million sq.m of business space, remains one of the largest and most successful business parks in Europe. Trafford Park is home to more than 1,330 businesses employing over 35,000 people. Ian Guildford, Contracts Manager at Caddick Construction (NW), said: “Trafford Park continues to go from strength to strength and its popularity as a logistical hotspot for the North West shows no sign of abating. We are delighted to be working at Trafford Park once again, delivering another high quality, industrial unit to help meet growing demand from the logistics sector.” Architect for the build is Liverpool-based Brock Carmichael, with engineering support from Healey Consulting. Project Manager is Black Cat Building Consultancy Limited.
International architecture and interiors practice Red Deer have designed The Alan Hotel in Manchester focused on experimentation, realness, and constant improvement while rejecting the pretentious and cradling the imaginative. The Alan was borne from a vision of wanting to do things differently. Something experimental, fresh and with an emphasis on partnerships between artists, chefs, designers, and forward-thinkers. Situated opposite the Manchester Art Gallery, in the heart of the city, next to the vibrancy of Chinatown and the bustle of the central shopping district, The Alan is a unique six-storey building with a pop-up mixed-use space, ground floor restaurant/cafe/bar, and 137 bedrooms. “The Alan started life with an open forum between all the key stakeholders of the project including branding, interiors and the client,” says Red Deer lead designer Ciarán O’Brien. “We were interested in finding value where it was lost, being playful with form and providing an offering that was unexpected and new in the Manchester scene.” By exposing the building’s modest beginnings – the historic brickwork, the pitted stonework and honest craftsmen marks – they have been able to pay homage to the building’s rich heritage and bring the interior back to life. The original plasterboard and lowered ceilings, which had made the whole building disproportional, were removed, revealing the true tall dimensions of the rooms and unlocking the potential for stunning sculptural additions in both communal areas and guestrooms. Red Deer worked with makers and craftsmen Robin Grasby, Mika Kaski and Int Marble to transform the former cotton warehouse. “The guest suite vanity units are a feat of engineering in their marriage of the impossible joints of a shower and bedroom,” says O’Brien. “They fulfil so many functions, from wardrobe to sink, mirror to partition, all whilst being a sculptural art piece in their own right, helping to anchor the room against its vast size.” The ‘living’ functions of the guest rooms were accentuated through the use of a long terrazzo shelf, made by Robin Grasby, and light fittings crafted around waste materials with a kinetic playfulness, made by Mika Kaski. “We worked with Mika Kaski on light fittings for the Ground Floor public areas and the swivel and alabaster lights for the bedrooms,” says O’Brien. “They are lively, balanced lights that respond to touch and the transfer of energy of the room’s inhabitants.” As with all Red Deer projects, a sensitive approach was taken to reuse as much of the original materials as possible, repairing and refreshing existing parts of the building and engaging in disrupted waste streams. The ground floor terrazzo collage of fragmented and discarded marble pieces, crafted in collaboration with Int. Marble, is a perfect example of this circular design approach. “I had always been acutely aware of how wasteful the construction industry is,” says O’Brien, “and decided to celebrate the inherent value still found in these marble pieces, despite typically being considered as offcuts or ‘defective’. When viewed individually they seem to be useless fragments, but make sense in the space when they flow together as one. Subtly this refers to how we’re all made up of a collage of our personal stories – some good, some bad but all have a part in who we are.” Red Deer are renowned for creating spaces and objects with feeling. Their concept for The Alan was driven by purpose rather than style, to ensure the space connected and resonated with people on an emotive level and, in turn, created a lasting feeling. As a practice they feel a connection to travel and nature is fundamental to a fresh and authentic perspective for all of their projects. Red Deer understand that projects of the nature and scale of hotels require an international framework, agility and a global team effort. This is evident in their design of The Alan.
The first of six bespoke eco homes from developer Chiselwood has been sold by leading Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire estate agent, Pygott & Crone. The homes, which make up the new and exclusive Fossdyke Paddock development, are located on the canal side in Saxilby and are surrounded by woodland. Fossdyke Paddock is Chiselwood’s first development and the project recently won the Residential Property of the Year award at the Greater Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards as well as being highly commended in the Sustainable Project of the Year category. The beautiful four-double bedroom homes feature first-floor open-plan living spaces – which look out to the surrounding tree canopies, 5.5 metre-high ceilings, a 36 square metre balcony and high specification finishes. Two of the bedrooms have an ensuite and there is a family bathroom. The many eco features of the homes include timber framing, air source heat pumps and full insulation, with an impressive 1.84 airtight certification – which results in low CO2 emissions. High-end appliances include Sub-zero refrigeration with an active vacuum seal to preserve heat, Wolf cooking with its triple glazed ovens, Bora hobs and Quooker taps – each known for their specialist energy efficient features. All plots have private gardens with timber fencing, patio areas and block paved driveways. The first property has been secured by Darren Bradford who has now moved into his new home having previously lived in Boston. Mr Bradford said: “The individual style of the houses was the first thing that attracted me to Fossdyke Paddock – because I was on the hunt for something completely different. “I viewed the house multiple times before making my decision and each time I visited, I fell more in love with the property and the village of Saxilby too. “Martin and Mel, who have cleverly developed this serene living space, are very friendly, supportive and you can feel the love and hard work that has gone into it. The quality of the building, the fixtures and fittings are high spec and blend together perfectly. “It is important to me to live in an eco-friendly way and the great British outdoors is not something that should be taken for granted, so the sustainable elements to the development and surrounding green space were huge factors in my decision making when I bought the property. The design and technology that has been used in the house also makes for a cost-effective way of living. “The feeling of freedom, space and peace is amazing, and I am very excited about living in the house through all seasons and many years of happiness.” Conceptually designed by SGA Architects with detailed designs and interiors by Chiselwood, construction of the homes began in early 2020 by local contractor Daniel Charles and are due to complete in the summer. Fossdyke Paddock is close to a wide range of amenities including a Coop, school, pub, church and takeaway restaurants. Transport links to Lincoln, Gainsborough and Scunthorpe are also close by.
