Brits search for local builders on Google 162,238 times a month and now new research has revealed where they are most in-demand. The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, analysed search data from across the nation.. Exeter is the biggest hotspot, with 1,702 monthly searches
Work has started on the transformation of a landmark building, Fairfax House, in Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter, into a major new residential development consisting of 168 apartments. Fairfax House, on the corner of Merrion Street and Wade Lane, is being developed by Leeds based property company YPP and has
Developed by the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA) – the Technology Validation Guide outlines accreditations that certify system performance together with robust testing protocols and informative guidelines to support those manufacturing and specifying light steel framing systems. As a proven and well-established offsite manufactured technology, light steel frame is trusted
BUSINESS leaders from across the region’s construction industry are descending on Sunderland this month to build the foundations for a greener future. Reducing emissions through digitalisation is a hot topic for the built environment to enable it to achieve ambitious targets by 2030, in line with Government policies. Digital technologies
TSL Contractors is proud to announce the latest addition of their offerings – a Utilities Division – enabling them to provide a full range of Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) services to both Commercial and Domestic Clients. Having recently become WIRS accredited , TSL is now in a position to
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes welcomed City Mayor, Peter Soulsby, to its latest development in Leicester, Waterside. During the visit, the Mayor and accompanying Council members were given an in-depth tour of the 17.2- acre development, located on Frog Island including visiting the new showhome, The Barkby. Alongside the tour, the
Properties not living-up to design expectations is a significant factor in the UK’s housing stock falling short in terms of energy standards and creating a performance gap. The ‘swapping out’ of specified products mid-construction is known to cause such an outcome. It’s a practice that takes advantage of the ‘equal or
Brits search for local builders on Google 162,238 times a month and now new research has revealed where they are most in-demand. The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, analysed search data from across the nation.. Exeter is the biggest hotspot, with 1,702 monthly searches for local builders, on average. 1. Exeter – 1,702 monthly searches (14 per 1,000 people) 2. Bath – 1,277 (13) 3. Bedford – 1,053 (11) 4. Preston – 1,078 (11) 5. York – 1,740 (11) The most in-demand trades across the UK are: The people of Bath are most likely to seek the services of a tradesperson, with 103 monthly Google searches per 1,000 residents – the highest rate in the UK. The Somerset city is followed by Preston (102) and Bedford (88). However, this varies by trade, with Exeter being the most lucrative city for many workers. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “Tradespeople are incredibly valued members of communities all over the UK, but it’s interesting to see exactly where their skills are most sought-after at the moment. “For people looking to enter a trade or set up their own business, data like this could be really useful when choosing a location to establish yourself, as it’s a helpful indicator of potential demand for your services.” To see the top five locations where each trade is most in-demand, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/the-uk-cities-where-each-trade-is-most-in-demand
Work has started on the transformation of a landmark building, Fairfax House, in Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter, into a major new residential development consisting of 168 apartments. Fairfax House, on the corner of Merrion Street and Wade Lane, is being developed by Leeds based property company YPP and has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects. The main seven-storey office building, which was built in the 1960s, is being transformed into 154 studio and one-bedroom apartments, which already had permitted development approval. In addition, Brewster Bye secured planning permission earlier in the year for a two-storey rooftop extension that will comprise of 14, one, two and three bedroom apartments, and will replace an existing rooftop plant structure. Amenity space for residents will also be incorporated into the scheme. Colbre Projects Ltd has been appointed as principal contractor and work is due to complete in August 2023. The development will then be managed by YPP Lettings and become part of the Live Oasis brand which offers high quality rental apartments across numerous purpose-built developments throughout Leeds and beyond. A spokesperson from YPP said: “Securing planning permission and then immediately starting work on the transformation of this iconic Leeds building, is a fantastic position to be in. “The scheme benefits from having both Leeds Arena and the city’s main shopping and leisure areas on its doorstep. It’s also in a part of the city that is currently benefitting from a huge amount of new development, as well as numerous new and completed tall building projects, which all enhances the vibrancy of the area and will make it a fantastic place to live.” Andrew Chapman, associate director at Brewster Bye Architects, said: “Fairfax House is a very distinctive Leeds building in a prominent city centre location, but it was no longer fit for purpose and looked dated in this fast-evolving part of the city. “As part of the development’s design, we’ve made major improvements to enhance the building’s appearance which will include partial glazing and recladding, and a smart new welcoming feature entrance will be created. This will be complemented by a generous outdoor and indoor amenity space for residents to enjoy across the ground and upper ground floors, that will offer landscaped seating areas and various other communal spaces. “Once complete, there’s no doubt it will be a sought-after place to live in one of the city’s most exciting areas.” This is YPP’s latest development in the city’s Arena and Northern Quarters. The company is also behind Havana Residence, Q1, Belgrave & Warwick and Commerce House, which is currently under construction.
Developed by the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA) – the Technology Validation Guide outlines accreditations that certify system performance together with robust testing protocols and informative guidelines to support those manufacturing and specifying light steel framing systems. As a proven and well-established offsite manufactured technology, light steel frame is trusted and widely used throughout the UK across all construction sectors however, this document covers residential and commercial bedspace only. LSFA members have demonstrated that light steel frame systems are innovative, extremely durable and a highly efficient alternative to traditional construction methods – backed by rigorous testing and high levels of certification. Open-Source Freely available to download from the LSFA’s website, the Technology Validation Guide covers light steel frame infill and oversail together with panelised and volumetric modular systems. The accreditation pathway is determined by the type of system, the construction sector, and design parameters of the structure. Validation is provided by a variety of organisations who carry out assessments of the build system and supporting data. Testing is required for the structural elements along with building physics data for fire, thermal, acoustic, and structural perfomance, for example. The types of testing along with the organisations who can carry out this work are highlighted in the document along with the relevant test standards. The Validation Guide provides a concise high-level overview which signposts construction professionals to valuable and trusted sources where further information is available. Efficiently Engineered for Safety, Sustainability and Performance The versatility of steel offers architects the freedom to achieve their most ambitious visions and specifiers value its predictability, quality and safety assurances. As the construction industry looks to raise the safety bar since the banning of combustible materials in external walls above 18 metres, the light steel frame sector is witnessing unprecedented demand. The amount of combustible material in a light steel framed building is much lower, therefore the fire risk during construction and when in use is vastly reduced. Steel is non-combustible and does not add to the fire load of a building – reducing the fuel for the fire, limiting risk of damage and injury. Sustainability is a key driving force in the specification of light steel framing systems. Steel can be recycled or reused endlessly without detriment to its properties. This unique characteristic gives steel a high value at all stages of its lifecycle. The recovery infrastructure for steel recycling is highly developed with current recovery rates from demolition sites in the UK at 99% for structural steelwork and 96% for all steel construction products – figures that far exceed those for any other construction material. Offering the best strength-to-weight ratio improves efficiencies – you get a lot of structure for relatively little weight which reduces embodied carbon. This is where steel cannot be beaten. Lighter structures not only reduce material consumption but also concrete in the ground. This means that foundation loads and sizes are reduced by over 70% relative to concrete and block-work construction. Steel is a robust, rigid and dimensionally stable material that does not suffer from movement created by moisture related issues. The inherent benefits of steel construction are why this innovative material is dominant in shaping our city skylines. Driving Collaboration and Growth in the Light Steel Framing Sector The light steel frame industry is more agile, advanced and digitally savvy than its competitors in other offsite material sectors. Established to influence legislation, regulation and to support the overall objectives and growth of the sector, the LSFA is raising awareness of the cost, performance and productivity benefits and supporting the specification of light steel framing systems. Rigorous quality processes give full traceability at all stages in the supply chain, from steelmaking through to fabrication and installation on site. All structural steel used by LSFA members is CE Marked, providing assurance that the material is compliant with the Construction Products Regulation. For more information on the LSFA and to download the Light Steel Frame Technology Validation Guide, go to: www.lsf-association.co.uk
BUSINESS leaders from across the region’s construction industry are descending on Sunderland this month to build the foundations for a greener future. Reducing emissions through digitalisation is a hot topic for the built environment to enable it to achieve ambitious targets by 2030, in line with Government policies. Digital technologies are regarded by many as providing significant opportunities for construction to reduce waste, curb errors and slash the environmental impact of build across the entire value chain. Taking place on the morning of Wednesday, April 27, the “Digital Construction – Accelerating to Net Zero” event will be hosted by the International Centre for Connected Construction (IC3) and Sunderland City Council, with up to 100 businesses expected to attend the in-person event at the newly-opened state-of-the-art City Hall, at Riverside Sunderland. The event forms part of a series of advanced, green and smart events culminating in Expo Sunderland 2024, which will welcome tens of thousands of local and national visitors to the most important regeneration and net zero future living event of its kind in the UK. Sunderland will become a shining example of what greener, smarter and integrated living and working can be, showcasing the city’s innovative and transformational regeneration projects, as well as unveiling the development of thousands of carbon-neutral smart homes in summer 2024. The networking conference will include keynote speeches from Tom Harrison, chair, and Dr Kay Rogage, senior lecturer, Digital Living, from the International Centre for Connected Construction (IC3); Billy D’Arcy, CEO of the 5G telecommunications experts, BAI Communications; Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council; and Scott Bibby, managing director of CORE HAUS. Also joining the event will be Patrick Melia, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, who said: “The Digital Construction conference will bring the region’s construction businesses to City Hall and together, help to develop the Net Zero strategy to ensure the region remains at the forefront of innovation within the global construction industry.” The event will help local and regional construction companies to understand and embrace digital technologies by showcasing some of the innovative strategies and methods that are currently being adopted worldwide, helping them to better prepare for stringent new environmental build legislation and helping them stay ahead of the Net Zero curve and in line with current consumer demands. The event is free to attend for relevant industry professionals, strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, with breakfast and lunch included. To find out more and to request a ticket, visit: https://bit.ly/35xbGWU
TSL Contractors is proud to announce the latest addition of their offerings – a Utilities Division – enabling them to provide a full range of Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) services to both Commercial and Domestic Clients. Having recently become WIRS accredited , TSL is now in a position to help individual end users, builders, public sector clients and national contractors with their utility connection requirements. TSL has been providing a variety of construction related services to private sector clients through to national contractors and public sector bodies for over 40 years. We have continually developed our service offering based on market demand and the ever changing industry landscape. From our main offices in Oban and Mull, TSL Utilities will carry out contracts throughout Scotland, including the Islands. The overall ethos that we carry through all divisions of the business mean that we are committed to: ● Providing a professional service from beginning to end ● Ensuring we have efficient and reliable teams dealing with all aspects of the project ● Ensuring minimum disruption is caused throughout the process ● Ensuring we are providing our clients with competitive pricing without compromising on quality The TSL Utilities division will be led by Jim McCormack, who has worked in the water industry for over 30 years. His extensive knowledge and experience will enable us to fully understand and deliver on the needs of our clients. Our staff are trained to the highest standards, and we use the latest techniques and equipment to ensure every job is completed in a professional manner and complies with the latest health and safety legislation. We strive to ensure every contract is completed to a high standard, and using the latest technology we can ensure all works are completed on time. TSL Utilities service offerings include: ● A full design and build service ● Installation of water infrastructure for both domestic and commercial clients ● Water mains diversions ● Water pressure testing & sampling ● Connections and tie-ins to existing Scottish Water mains If you would like to find out more about how TSL can help with your current or future projects, please contact us by emailing: utilities@tslcontractors.co.uk. Website: https://www.tslcontractors.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsl.ltd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tsl-contractors-limited Twitter: https://twitter.com/TSL_Ltd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tslcontractors
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes welcomed City Mayor, Peter Soulsby, to its latest development in Leicester, Waterside. During the visit, the Mayor and accompanying Council members were given an in-depth tour of the 17.2- acre development, located on Frog Island including visiting the new showhome, The Barkby. Alongside the tour, the City Mayor also met with the first residents who have already moved into their new homes at the development, gaining an insight into what city living is like in the transformed area. Overlooking the Grand Union Canal, Waterside is an exciting new development featuring a mix of over 350 new one- and two-bedroom apartments and two-, three and four-bedroom homes, aimed at working professionals aspiring for sustainable city living on the waterfront with an enviable urban design, and including at least 55 affordable units. In addition to the new homes, homebuyers will also benefit from new public green spaces and a new canalside path opening up the waterfront, along with 60,000sqft of Grade A office space. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Leicester’s waterside has for a long time had immense potential for regeneration, and bringing that redevelopment forward for the benefit of the city has been a long-held ambition of mine. “These new homes are a key part of that, and the catalyst for the surrounding waterside developments. The city council’s regeneration strategy for the city has included assembling this brownfield site using £25m of grants and council funds to compulsorily purchase run down and disused areas along the River Soar, as well as securing outline planning consent for these new homes. “We’ve worked closely with Keepmoat Homes as our development partners to reach this important stage in making Leicester’s waterside a vibrant, attractive area in which to live and work.” Since 2015, around 1,000 new houses and apartments have been delivered in the waterside area, along with around 1,000 student spaces, the Novotel and Adagio (200-beds), new bowling alley and over 75,000sqft of new office space built at Friars Mill, Great Central Square and Northgate Street. Shaun Fielding, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes said “We’re thrilled to have hosted the City Mayor and members of Leicester City Council, so that they can witness the great progress that we’ve made at Waterside and how the new housing development will provide the people of Leicester a great place to live. “We’ve worked collaboratively with Leicester City Council and the City’s design team to create a development of bespoke houses and apartments, formed within an incredible urban layout which has already attracted potential new homeowners to the area, who will further enhance the city’s economy.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
Properties not living-up to design expectations is a significant factor in the UK’s housing stock falling short in terms of energy standards and creating a performance gap. The ‘swapping out’ of specified products mid-construction is known to cause such an outcome. It’s a practice that takes advantage of the ‘equal or approved’ tagline that architects attach to the products they specify, but often sees them replaced by less suitable – and invariably – much cheaper ones. This process is usually known as ‘value engineering’. Technology advantage Platforms such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twins will hopefully help eradicate this errant trend. With technology allowing designers to create a virtual representation of a building complete with live data links showing how it is operating at any given time. This adds a much-needed layer of transparency to the build process and chimes with Dame Judith Hackitt’s call for a ‘golden thread’ of information as part of her post-Grenfell report into the fire safety of buildings. It’s hoped that by publishing a building’s data in the form of the products and materials used in its construction – particularly its fabric – it will eliminate the potential for a lax in design standards, as well as safety and energy performance. Improved consistency in the thermal attainment of the country’s built-environment has far-reaching consequences and will be crucial to the government’s 2050 net-zero ambitions. In terms of the building process, getting it right first time will help eradicate issues, which lead to buildings not being constructed as-designed and a widening of the much-maligned performance gap. Engaging with a specialist in the composition of a building’s roof is a vital initial step in guaranteeing as-designed performance and putting an overall seal on a building’s thermal envelope. Ask the experts As a flat roof and tapered roof insulation expert, Gradient has the technical knowhow to deliver a system that fits a building’s precise requirements. From specification and design through to the manufacturing stage and beyond, our turnkey service provision gives clients peace of mind that the solution we provide will keep their roof watertight and warm for years to come. Our tapered insulation systems can be tailored to suit a variety of applications regardless of size, complexity or profile. In addition to our core tapered insulation solutions for waterproof applications including built-up felt, mastic asphalt, single-ply membranes, liquid-applied waterproofing systems and torch-on felt, we have developed a variety of specialist products for non-standard applications. Rooflight deflectors, lamellas, cricket systems, fillets and pre-cut mitres; these are among the ‘secondary’ details that can make a big difference to a roof’s long-term performance where space, for example, is limited. Gradient can tailor the design for each of these items to optimise a project’s success. Such an offering provides a fine example of how Gradient goes ‘above and beyond’ to achieve the highest standards in roof design and performance. Further evidence of Gradient’s exemplary full-service delivery is our provision of Annex E calculations to ensure U-value targets are carried out with compliance to regulations. The calculation takes into account the thermal resistance and thickness of each tapered roof element i.e; the deck, air and vapour control layer (AVCL), insulation and waterproofing. A condensation risk analysis may also be provided. Outlined in BS EN ISO 6946:2017, only calculations involving ‘Annex E’ methodology is considered compliant for tapered roofs, yet not all manufacturers use it. Of course, the accuracy of the U-value calculation depends on the quality of the information provided. Failure in this instance could not only lead to a performance gap, costly remedial works are a probable outcome. Delivering properties that perform as-designed should not be beyond our means. It’s a realistic ambition that can be fulfilled by building with more integrity whilst taking advantage of the latest technology and available expertise. Failure should no longer be considered an option when it comes to delivering buildings that offer the highest comfort and conform to required energy standards. By Paul Simpson, Commercial Director at Gradient UK Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
