June 16, 2022

Knauf Insulation launches Housebuilders Hub to support Part L compliance

Knauf Insulation has launched its new online ‘Housebuilders Hub’, providing tools and guidance to help housebuilders comply with the updated Approved Document L (ADL) building regulations. The Hub is accessible via Knauf Insulation’s website, where housebuilders and their suppliers will find a range of free, practical resources, including example ADL-compliant

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Designers of Residential Builds – Beware!

A brand new UK building regulation is here. Coming into effect on 15th June 2022, Part O deals with the growing issue of buildings being designed and constructed without due consideration to the building’s potential internal temperature, during our warmest months. Importantly, and in difference to many other updates to

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7 Pro Tips For Your Metal Perforations Projects

Perforations are fundamental to modern design, but they can be easy to overlook. When used intentionally, though, perforations have the power to transform a project—whether by adding texture, altering an object’s aesthetics, or creating a more open feel with natural light. Perforations can be an economical solution, even if you’re

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

June 16, 2022

Glencar appointed to build STIHL Great Britain’s new headquarters and distribution facility in Surrey.

New state of the art 121,000 sq ft built to suit development will benefit from first class environmental facilities and include warehouse, office, training and workshop accommodation. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has been appointed by world renowned German manufacturer of chainsaws and other handheld power equipment STIHL to construct their new GB headquarters and distribution facility at a site in Surrey just off the A331. The new state of the art 121,000 sq ft development designed by Hale Architects will include 97,000 sq ft of warehouse space that will utilise state-of-the-art picking and storage systems to maximise productivity, efficiency and the use of space.  An adjoining 25,000 sq ft HQ will boast dedicated retailer training facilities, an on-site restaurant, flexible collaborative workspaces and a technical workshop. The development will also incorporate new car parking, service yard, landscaping and the construction of a new access from the adjoining A331. The new HQ also benefits from first-class environmental credentials including two-thirds of the total roof area (17,000 sq ft) covered with photovoltaic solar panels to provide power to the new facility. In addition, there will be provision for 26 EV charging points in anticipation of the continued move towards the use of electric vehicles. The project is expected to take 42 weeks to build with the new facility expected to be complete by May 2023. Speaking about the contract award Roy Jones Glencar Managing Director London and South said: “STIHL are world leaders when it comes to chainsaws and garden power tools, setting the standard for over 90 years so Glencar are both honoured and proud to have been appointed to design and build their new headquarters and distribution facility. This state of the art project goes to serve as a further example of our design and build credentials and proven ability to construct buildings tailored to our customer exacting specifications.   We look forward to working with STIHL GB and the extended project team and delivering on time and to budget. Also commenting Kay Green, Managing Director of STIHL GB, said: “STIHL has enjoyed a sustained period of growth in recent years, and as a consequence, we have outgrown our existing warehouse and office facilities. Our new purpose-built headquarters represents a significant capital investment and is a commitment to the future for our local workforce. This cutting-edge facility will allow us to plan for many years of future growth, which will continue to benefit the local economy. We are delighted that we were able to secure a suitable site in Camberley and we’re looking forward to working with Glencar and seeing construction progress”

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Thames Enterprise Park wins planning permission for initial 3.7 million sq ft development

Regeneration of former Coryton oil refinery site will create 5,500 new jobs and expected to dd £350 million per year to the local economy… Thames Enterprise Park Limited, a joint venture between ALMCOR and Greenergy, has been given the green light from Thurrock Council for one of the most significant brownfield regeneration projects in the South East of England.  Thames Enterprise Park will revive the former Coryton oil refinery site, initially delivering 3.7 million sq ft of advanced logistics, advanced manufacturing and next-generation energy technology uses.  It will create up to 5,500 new jobs. The development is expected to add more than £350 million per year to the local economy ultimately growing to more than £3.5 billion.  It will transform 412 acres of brownfield land into a new commercial district with the first plots expected to be ready for development during 2023. The development will have sustainability at its core and will comprise state-of-the-art construction to the highest standards of energy efficiency.  It will help occupiers to deliver on ESG requirements and feature next generation energy technologies that contribute to the decarbonisation agenda.   Rupert Wood, Head of Strategic Land at ALMCOR, speaking on behalf of Thames Enterprise Park, said: “This is an important milestone for the project.” “Thames Enterprise Park is a once-in-a-generation regeneration project and we are very pleased to secure the support of Thurrock Council’s planning committee.  The project will create 5,500 jobs and will play a transformational role for Thurrock and for Thames Freeport, bringing this former employment site back into use with up to 3.7m sq. ft of modern, sustainable business space.  It will also create one of the most significant employment-led regeneration projects in the South-East of England.” Thames Enterprise Park will play a pivotal part in the long-term success of Thames Freeport, the UK’s leading Freeport, with the site offering significant additionality for the Thames Freeport to achieve its full potential. The plans will put Thames Enterprise Park at the heart of the decarbonisation agenda and help occupiers looking for solutions in the face of the energy transition and the climate change challenge. Thames Enterprise Park is one of ALMCOR’s major brownfield regeneration projects.  It is part of ALMCOR’s portfolio of large-scale, complex redevelopment sites where ALMCOR’s capability and expertise is making the difference in bringing strategic sites forward.

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Maynard Design Group welcomes the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) head of Architecture on board

As part of its international growth strategy The Maynard Design Group are pleased to welcome Julian Robinson, former Head of Architecture at The Elizabeth line (Crossrail) as a consultant to the team.  He joins with 30 years’ experience in transport design having previously worked on other flagship transport projects such as the Jubilee Line Extension and St Pancras International station. The Maynard Design Group, was a key part of the team responsible for the Line wide design of The Elizabeth line (Crossrail) which launched to a public fanfare on 24 May 2022 with some 500,000 users on the first day, and two million in the first week. Julian’s new role will be to bring his strategic knowledge and delivery experience to the group and future clients. Julian Maynard, Managing Director of Maynard Design Group, said: “I have known Julian for 25+ years since we worked side by side on the Jubilee Line Extension under the renowned architect Roland Paoletti. I led the Line wide team and Julian was the Architect at Canning Town Station. Crossrail gave us the opportunity to work together again, this time with Julian as our client. “I am looking forward to this collaboration which will help us in the next steps of our growth strategy within the transport sector.” Julian Robinson said: “Delivering the Elizabeth line has been an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Julian and I hold great respect for each other having worked together in various guises since 1995, and I’m pleased to be able to continue working alongside him and supporting the talented Maynard Design Group of businesses.” Maynard Design Group announced in March that it had acquired Transport Design Consultancy (TDC) in a major merger for the global transport design industry. With the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) launching last month, the projects the Group have worked on now serve over 3.5 billion passenger journeys per year globally including major hubs in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, India, the Far East and several flagship schemes in the UK.

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Knauf Insulation launches Housebuilders Hub to support Part L compliance

Knauf Insulation has launched its new online ‘Housebuilders Hub’, providing tools and guidance to help housebuilders comply with the updated Approved Document L (ADL) building regulations. The Hub is accessible via Knauf Insulation’s website, where housebuilders and their suppliers will find a range of free, practical resources, including example ADL-compliant whole-house recipes*, a Part L Guide, a U-value calculator and advice on different approaches to achieving compliance. Further resources will be added to the Hub over the coming months and visitors have the option to register for alerts, as these become available. In the long-term, the business plans to develop the platform further, and provide expert insights and practical information around a range of key industry topics, such as innovation and sustainability. The Hub forms part of Knauf Insulation’s ‘partnership’ approach, which offers support services to housebuilders, alongside the products they know and trust. “With changes to the regulations now in force, housebuilders are under pressure to adapt quickly”, explains James Hulbert, Head of Housing for Knauf Insulation. “We understand that different projects have different needs, so we’ve taken the opportunity to extend our support, by offering compliance advice and solutions to suit a broad range of scenarios.” The Knauf Insulation Housebuilders Hub can be accessed at: https://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/Housebuilders-hub

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Designers of Residential Builds – Beware!

A brand new UK building regulation is here. Coming into effect on 15th June 2022, Part O deals with the growing issue of buildings being designed and constructed without due consideration to the building’s potential internal temperature, during our warmest months. Importantly, and in difference to many other updates to the Building Regulations, Part O will be applied retrospectively, regardless of when a planning application was submitted or approved, if projects have not actually started construction before 15th June 2023 they will be required to comply with Part O. This 12-month transition period allows for designers and developers to make changes to planned projects to ensure they comply before their construction commences. Overheating of buildings is not a new issue. Previously, it has been partially addressed with assessment tools and guidance by various bodies, but for the first time, the UK Government, in the form of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has firmly addressed the issue. The management of solar gains in buildings is to be enforced under the revised Building Regulations 2022, specifically the new Part O, which comes into effect on 15th June 2022. What is Part O? Approved Document O covers the overheating mitigation requirements of the building regulations; designing and constructing buildings to limit unwanted solar gains in summer and provide an adequate means of removing excess heat from the indoor environment. It applies to all residential and institutional dwellings, including care facilities and student accommodation, anywhere you would stay overnight (but excluding hotels), ranging from a single storey house to a high-rise apartment block. Make no mistake, this is a significant change that will need to be acknowledged and adopted by all developers and designers with immediate effect, to avoid the risk of new homes failing to pass building regs. Since December 2021 when Part O was released, Smartlouvre have been gathering feedback from those affected including house builders and housing associations. They have written a whitepaper to respond to this feedback, with input from designers, building physicists, simulation experts and members of CIBSE. They have also been in contact with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to ensure what they create is a rounded document, which de-mystifies the regulation and provides unbiased advice, whilst giving thought provoking comment as to how we in the construction sector can design in consideration of user comfort and health as a primary consideration. To read the whitepaper visit www.smartlouvre.com (url to be set live on Friday 17th June).

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7 Pro Tips For Your Metal Perforations Projects

Perforations are fundamental to modern design, but they can be easy to overlook. When used intentionally, though, perforations have the power to transform a project—whether by adding texture, altering an object’s aesthetics, or creating a more open feel with natural light. Perforations can be an economical solution, even if you’re looking for a way to add interest and variety to a building or a part of it. However, it’s essential to understand the basics of perforations if you’re working on a metal perforation project. Consider getting a reliable perforated metal sheeting supplier for the best results you won’t regret later on. To help you out, here are some tips for achieving smooth metal perforations: Maintain A Proper Perforation Ratio The perforation ratio is the ratio of the number of perforations to the total number of holes. This helps determine how many perforations you’ll use in a given area. The higher your perforation ratio, the more holes you’ll have on one piece of sheet metal. The more holes you have, the better your product will look—but only if you use proper design techniques for each application. If not done correctly, too many holes can make products weaker than they should be or just plain hideous. You must be smart and creative about metal perforation to produce your desired output. Consider The Thickness Of Your Material The thickness of your material is an essential factor to note when designing perforations. The thicker your material, the harder it will be to perforate, and the more likely your design will tear, break, or stretch. There’s also a high chance that your material will turn out unappealing. It’s also vital that you remember that you may have limited options for materials based on your type of project. For example, what you’ll need for an architectural project would differ from what you need for construction projects. Similarly, what you’ll need while fencing a home would also be different when the metals are used indoors. Consider Your Project’s Pattern The pattern of your perforation can affect the way the material behaves. The pattern depends on the purpose and the interest of the owner. You may decide to have a circular one or a pattern that represents a square. You may even represent a figurine on the metal perforation. All you need is a strong and durable material for the project, and you’ll be able to get ahead with it. Track Your Perforation Process It’s crucial to track the process after you’ve created your perforations to ensure it’s done the right way. You want to check for accuracy and ensure that your metal perforations are where they should be. You also want to ensure they’re created promptly and safely, so you can meet deadlines without problems. While engaging in the project, you may also want to document your challenges, which may help you gain compensation once you give reports. Account For Material Surroundings Consider the circumstances on how your material will be viewed, no matter what type you’re perforating. There are varieties of metal for perforations, and you must ensure you choose the right one. You wouldn’t want to choose a material that’s either too thick or too soft. You also want a material that will work for its purpose, even if you want to use it in gutters outside a building. Use The Right Type Of Material You want to ensure you’re choosing the suitable material for your project when you make the decision. To consider the sheet you choose, evaluate if it’s too thick for your design or not. Moreover, check if it will fit the specific project. Pair Up With Experienced Professionals Working with experienced professionals is critical when you’re handling a large-scale project. A professional can help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of the choices you’ve already made. They’ll also do everything they can to get you the best results possible. These professionals usually have a team of experts who can team up with you and offer more professional guidance to achieve productivity. It all depends on the project need, scope, and the financial power of your firm. Conclusion Perforations can play an essential role in project designs, and there are ways to optimize the process so that they precisely do what you want them to do. With the tips presented in this article and the aid of a perforation expert, you’ll ensure that your perforations work well for your project and enjoy the process. Now you’re one step closer to making your creations come to life.

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