Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year. The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent
Leading property developer and investor Barberry Industrial is closing in on completion of its £35 million speculative development of three market leading mid-box manufacturing/logistics units at a prime West Midlands business park. Construction at Hilton Cross Business Park, near Wolverhampton, where Barberry is delivering warehouse units of 47,750 sq ft,
Cambridge City Council unanimously approves plans for sustainable neighbourhood that will deliver 120,000 sq ft of wellbeing-focused workspace and 70 Build-to-Rent homes set in a new public park Cambridge City Council has resolved to grant planning consent for Devonshire Gardens, a new sustainable neighbourhood in the heart of Cambridge to
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 4th Manchester flex space Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a 10-year Management Agreement to create a high spec flexible workspace at 1 Balloon Street, Manchester. The new space will open in August 2022. The 26,000 sq. ft. flexible workspace has been
CITB has announced an investment of more than £800,000 for the launch of a new employer network pilot project, which could revolutionise the way the construction sector access and receive funding for training in the future. Over 3,800 levy-registered construction businesses will be eligible to benefit from the pilot, offered
British underground construction innovator hyperTunnel will exhibit for the first time at the World Tunnelling Congress (WTC), 2-8 September 2022, in Copenhagen, Denmark and return to the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) Conference & Exhibition in London on 11-12 October, after formally launching its method to transform underground construction at the
Accounting will always be a key part of running a business, regardless of the industry you’re in. But when it comes to construction, accountancy might seem like the least of your concerns. When you need to adhere to strict working practices while managing challenging projects that could pose a risk
Balfour Beatty Living Places today announces that it has been awarded an eight-year, £176 million contract by Buckinghamshire Council for the maintenance of highways assets across the county. There is an option to extend the contract for a further four years. Balfour Beatty Living Places will work closely and collaboratively
Technology is often blamed for destroying historic architecture, but in some cases, it can be used to help preserve and restore these buildings. In this article, we will discuss how technology is being used to aid in the rehabilitation of historic architecture. We will also discuss the benefits of using
Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year. The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent to J6 of the M18 at Thorne, this includes a unique opportunity in the UK to develop a single unit of 1.15M sq ft. The scheme will create around 8,500 jobs for the region. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has approved the scheme which forms part of Wilton Developments’ wider 180 acre, 3.52M sq ft, industrial and logistics site, within one junction of the M62/M18 interchange. The first phase of delivery will extend to more than 700,000 sq ft across 6 buildings, ranging in size between 21,750 sq ft to 284,000 sq ft. The site, which will be delivered to a BREEAM Excellent rating and high specification with market leading ESG credentials, will address the trend towards larger units, responding to supply and demand with first buildings due to be delivered by 2023. CBRE and Knight Frank are appointed agents to market the Doncaster North scheme. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, comments: “A huge effort between ourselves, DMBC and our wider stakeholder partners has ensured that we are able to bring forward the first phase of this regionally significant Northern Powerhouse Logistics and Employment site. We are looking forward to getting on-site, delivering much needed industrial and logistics space with all of the positive socio-economic benefits that the construction and occupation of new buildings bring. The site’s enviable location close to the axis of both the M62/M18 and M18/M180 means it is well positioned to serve large swathes of the UK via the east coast ports and the national motorway network. Glyn Jones, Doncaster Council Portfolio Holder for Business and Housing stated: ‘It is excellent that this exciting industrial scheme is coming to fruition with support from Doncaster Council. We look forward to the site bringing forward a range of new employment opportunities to the north of Doncaster Chris Dungworth, Head of Business Doncaster added: ‘We have been supporting Wilton Developments for a long time on this development and look forward to working with them and the retained property agents to help attract quality businesses into these units. Mike Baugh, Executive Director, CBRE Leeds said “This is splendid news for the region, which is currently suffering with a lack of good quality, well located stock. Doncaster North is also hugely significant for the national logistics market as it is currently the only site in the UK with detailed consent for a single 1m sq ft + unit. We are seeing a continued trends towards larger scale distribution units, particularly from the online retail and 3PL sectors, this is creating a lot of interest in Doncaster North, particularly the 1.15m sq ft opportunity.” Rebecca Schofield, Partner at Knight Frank added: “We are delighted to be advising Wilton Developments on this flagship new development for the region. Doncaster North will offer a unique opportunity for occupiers looking for flexibility of scale, strategic connectivity, and best-in-class specification, coupled with the latest ESG credentials to satisfy occupiers’ growing need for sustainable buildings. “Consecutive record-breaking industrial take-up figures achieved over the past two years have left the region with a dearth of available stock; Doncaster North will help to address this supply/demand imbalance by providing occupiers with desperately needed space”.
Leading property developer and investor Barberry Industrial is closing in on completion of its £35 million speculative development of three market leading mid-box manufacturing/logistics units at a prime West Midlands business park. Construction at Hilton Cross Business Park, near Wolverhampton, where Barberry is delivering warehouse units of 47,750 sq ft, 62,000 sq ft and 113,000 sq ft on a 12-acre site, is expected to reach practical completion later this summer. South Staffordshire District Council approved the company’s detailed planning application for the development, which bring much-needed investment and jobs to the region. The development, known as Wolf Pack, is located at junction one of the M54 motorway. Barberry joined by Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of the Council, and Grant Mitchell, the council’s assistant director of enterprise and growth, at the site to check on progress. The development is being delivered by main contractor Benniman. Barberry was selected by the local authority as the preferred purchaser of the last two remaining plots on the business park. The units are being built to exacting energy efficiency and sustainability levels, to include photovoltaic cells on the south facing slopes of the roof and provisions for electric vehicle charging points and will achieve EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings. Development director Jon Robinson said: “This is a fantastic example of the private and public sector working hand-in-hand to deliver an outstanding development which will generate economic benefits and create new jobs for the region. Barberry has an excellent relationship with South Staffordshire District Council and it is great to be working with them to deliver this prime, motorway-connected logistics scheme of more than 222,750 sq ft of self-contained, high quality accommodation.” “We are excited to see the excellent progress being made at Wolf Pack. These three market-leading mid-box industrial/logistics units will help to address the ongoing pent-up demand for high quality mid-box warehouse and manufacturing units in the region.” He added: “Wolf Pack is being delivered with due consideration for many of the environmental, social and corporate governance ratings measuring the sustainability and social impact of new buildings. Barberry is using some of the latest environmental technologies to reduce the cost of occupation and cut the carbon footprint of our buildings. “Our market leading development is already generating a great deal of interest from potential occupiers in both the e-commerce and manufacturing sectors, providing an outstanding logistics location particularly for those supplying into i54 on Junction 2 of the M54 and those looking for proximity to an excellent labour demographic ” Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of South Staffordshire Council said: “The Council are delighted to see the progress Barberry have made in bringing the Wolf Pack site forward for development. When we sold the plots to Barberry, one of our key drivers was seeing the much-needed local jobs and benefits to the local economy as quickly as possible and it’s great to see that coming to fruition. I’m also very pleased with the high sustainability standards Barberry are bringing to the development to minimize its impact, which are very much in tune with the Council’s aspirations for climate change and future growth.” The Wolf Pack development includes eco-friendly features such as high efficiency air source heat pumps, an EPC A rating, LED lighting, photovoltaic cells and electric vehicle charging points, designed to reduce CO2 emissions and costs of occupation. Local occupiers include Tarmac, Moog, Jaguar Land Rover, DHL and Kuehne + Nagel. Barberry has a 4.6 million sq ft industrial and logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of in excess of £800 million. It is developing a £40 million state-of-the-art manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in engine and flight controls systems in Gloucestershire. The 209,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment is being built on a 10-acre site at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury.
Cambridge City Council unanimously approves plans for sustainable neighbourhood that will deliver 120,000 sq ft of wellbeing-focused workspace and 70 Build-to-Rent homes set in a new public park Cambridge City Council has resolved to grant planning consent for Devonshire Gardens, a new sustainable neighbourhood in the heart of Cambridge to be delivered by mixed-use developer Socius and Railpen, the investment manager for the £37 billion railways pension schemes. The scheme, designed by Buckley Gray Yeoman, will transform a three-acre site previously utilised as a Travis Perkins depot into a new neighbourhood comprising 120,000 sq ft of modern, wellbeing-focused workspace, 70 Build-to-Rent homes and community facilities, including a creche, pavilion and flexible studios, all set around a landscaped public park. The workspace will be delivered across two new buildings designed to meet the needs of corporates and fast-growing businesses, providing a range of flexible floorplates and adaptable spaces for collaboration. The new homes will comprise a mix of apartments, with 20% affordable in line with local policy. The homes are designed to meet the city’s net-zero carbon ambitions and will be powered by electricity from renewable sources with no reliance on fossil fuels. The buildings will be connected by a landscaped public park featuring over 120 trees, hundreds of new plant species and a community food garden. The scheme will also create new walkways and cycle paths, improving connectivity to Cambridge rail station and supporting the vision for Devonshire Gardens to be a majority car-free neighbourhood. Devonshire Gardens will be delivered in accordance with the One Planet Living principles and will increase biodiversity on the site by over 350%. Utilising the Natural Cambridgeshire toolkit, the development has been designed to support Cambridge City Council’s Climate Change Strategy. Barry Jessup, Managing Director, Socius said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to deliver Devonshire Gardens, which sets a new benchmark for delivering highly sustainable places with workspace, new homes and community amenities. “We have partnered with a long-term investor in Railpen who share our vision for a future-focused neighbourhood that will contribute to enhancing Cambridge’s status as a hub for world-class innovation and talent.” Richard van Lente, Senior Development Manager at Railpen said: “At Railpen, we are committed to creating a portfolio of sustainable assets in key locations that positively contribute to the communities they are part of while delivering exceptional long-term returns for our members. We are therefore very pleased with the decision by Cambridge City Council. We are particularly keen to see this development come to life, delivering real value for the people of Cambridge and our members.” Vic Annells, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very pleased the scheme proposed by Socius and Railpen will be brought forward. Devonshire Gardens will transform an underutilised site in the centre of Cambridge, delivering much-needed modern workspace for corporates and growing businesses, as well as affordable homes that will help attract and retain talent in the city.” Bidwells advised Socius and Railpen on planning. To find out more about Devonshire Gardens visit: http://www.devonshiregardenscambridge.com/
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 4th Manchester flex space Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a 10-year Management Agreement to create a high spec flexible workspace at 1 Balloon Street, Manchester. The new space will open in August 2022. The 26,000 sq. ft. flexible workspace has been newly refurbished and will provide over 450 workstations. The workspaces are designed to appeal to teams of all sizes – from 5 people to 100 plus – and are over three floors of the building, (ground, first and second). In addition, there will be substantial collaboration, meeting and event spaces. 1 Balloon Street is in the centre of Manchester, just minutes from Manchester Victoria station and the Arndale centre, the biggest shopping centre in the city. The workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base for Manchester’s booming tech, finance and creative businesses, offering brand new: Design-led space that focuses on hospitality A wide choice of different working zones Outdoor space Large meeting room suite More space person than the industry norm On-site shower and changing facilities Unlimited barista-quality coffee Secure bike storage facilities It is the fourth flexible workspace that Orega has launched in Manchester. The company offers flex space from 18 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Ben Hutchen, Real Estate Director at Orega, commented: “We have enhanced our exceptionally strong Manchester portfolio with Balloon Street, where our landlord partner has intelligently invested to provide a first-class example of how the future of work will look. At Orega, we offer our landlord partners and occupiers a solution that monetizes their space with a high-end office product and building amenity- whilst allowing them to retain control of their asset and brand. This is what our truly bespoke ground-breaking new partnership model is all about.” Jonathan Cook, Director at CBRE, who advised the landlord, said: “We are delighted to secure Orega at One Balloon Street. They will make a fantastic addition to the building, satisfying the continuing demand from corporates seeking high quality flex space.”
CITB has announced an investment of more than £800,000 for the launch of a new employer network pilot project, which could revolutionise the way the construction sector access and receive funding for training in the future. Over 3,800 levy-registered construction businesses will be eligible to benefit from the pilot, offered across five locations in England, Scotland and Wales. While the pilot is open to businesses of all sizes, there is a primary aim to simplify the process for small and micro businesses, helping to place them at the heart of local training provision. Through the support of established and experienced delivery partners, the pilot enables employers to recognise their training priorities and receive guidance on how best to find and fund the training most appropriate to them. This transformative way of working provides a huge opportunity for employers to not only voice their training requirements, but also play a fundamental role in deciding how funds are used in their local area. As part of this new model, construction businesses will not need to access the grant scheme, as CITB is supporting the employer network to help organise and fund training directly. Many of the current requirements around training being “in scope” will also be relaxed to ensure the pilots can be as reflective of the employer’s needs as possible. Therefore, training can predominantly be in anything that helps a business work better, whether that’s a construction skill; a health and safety course; a business skill; or a future skill need, such as net zero. Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I’m really excited about this pilot – this is about putting employers in the driving seat to identify and address their local skills challenges and how best CITB can align our funding and resources to support their skills needs. I would encourage employers in the pilot areas to get involved and use their voice to shape and engage with the local training provision. “The pilots are being funded by CITB and delivered by local organisations with a pedigree in finding and delivering training in their area.” The five pilot areas covered are: Inverness in Scotland, provided by Scottish Civils Training Group Norfolk in England, provided by Norfolk Construction Training Group Lincoln in England, provided by Lincoln Group Training Association South West Wales, provided by Cyfle Building Skills The final pilot is specifically for Civil Engineering firms in the Midlands, provided by CECA Midlands. Anthony Rees, Regional Manager, Cyfle Building Skills Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be part of the employer network pilot scheme for the region. This will be a great opportunity for construction employers from the south-west Wales area to develop their workforce with relevant training. The pilot scheme will help construction organisations to engage with other local employers, our three local training groups, and industry stakeholders, and give them the opportunity to have their say on how funds are spent to develop their training needs.” John Farley, Chair, Norfolk Construction Training Group, said: “As an extremely active training group, we are delighted to be a part of the new employer network pilot, aimed at encouraging the wider construction community to engage in training. “We identify that training is essential for the industry to grow and thrive – this programme is an exciting opportunity to make that happen. “We feel once implemented it will have a serious impact with employers and improve much needed skill levels within the local area.” Herman Kok, Chair, Lincoln Group Training Association, said: “As chair of Lincoln Group Training Association (LGTA) l am excited and looking forward to delivering the employer network pilot and delivering innovative training support for Lincoln-based construction companies and their supply chain. We are grateful for the support we receive from CITB for these activities.” Through a more collaborative approach, the hope is to tackle specific local skills shortages and improve ease of access to training, particularly for smaller businesses without dedicated office admin or training staff. This pilot forms a part of CITB’s continuous efforts to create a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce, now and in the future. For further information on the pilot and its associated areas, visit the CITB website.
British underground construction innovator hyperTunnel will exhibit for the first time at the World Tunnelling Congress (WTC), 2-8 September 2022, in Copenhagen, Denmark and return to the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) Conference & Exhibition in London on 11-12 October, after formally launching its method to transform underground construction at the same event in 2021. At both shows, hyperTunnel will present a working demonstration of a section of its robot-led swarm construction platform. Visitors will be able to see ‘hyperBots’ working from within an underground pipe to conduct their various programmed tasks as part of a grid. The method, via which complete structures are built according to a digital twin, is designed to be substantially faster, safer, more economical and more environmentally friendly than current techniques. “Our attendance at both shows reflects widespread industry acceptance of and interest in hyperTunnel’s solutions, from around the world. There is a genuine awakening going on in relation to the use of robots, digital twins and AI in construction – it’s not exclusive territory to hyperTunnel of course, but our advanced integrated package is now established as offering what the tunnelling and construction industries are aiming for in many existing and new applications,” said Jeremy Hammond, co-CEO and co-Founder of hyperTunnel. hyperTunnel has grown significantly during the past 12 months and enjoyed a string of successes in terms of new investments, industry partnerships, talent acquisition, the completion of a full-size pilot tunnel in the UK. In June hyperTunnel received a financial investment from VINCI to support business expansion and further develop the hyperTunnel method in practical situations. hyperTunnel was also selected by The European Innovation Council (EIC), Europe’s flagship innovation programme to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations, to receive funding of 1.88 million Euros under its EIC Accelerator scheme. hyperTunnel has been picked by Innovate UK to join its Global Business Innovation Programme. It has also won Startup of the Year at this year’s Construction Technology Awards in Dubai. In 2021, hyperTunnel was highlighted as a Top 50 Contech Startup and was among 10 winners of the global Construction Startup Competition. hyperTunnel continues to attract outstanding talent to the business: Sven Asmus, formerly Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at MBCC Group, is Director of Chemistry & Materials Development; Tao Xinghui, a leader in the field of data science, and Edge-to-Cloud AI, has been appointed Head of AI & Digital Twin; Sid Shaikh an ex Ocado, GSK and Mars technology innovator has been hired as hyperTunnel’s new Head of Robotics. At Ocado, Sid and his team developed and delivered into production the first three generations of the Ocado Smart Platform, a very similar system in principle, to the hyperTunnel method. At the forthcoming World Tunnelling Congress (WTC) and the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) events, hyperTunnel will present a working demonstration of a section of its robot-led swarm construction platform
Accounting will always be a key part of running a business, regardless of the industry you’re in. But when it comes to construction, accountancy might seem like the least of your concerns. When you need to adhere to strict working practices while managing challenging projects that could pose a risk to the health and safety of your workers, it’s easy to push paying your taxes to the back of your mind. However, accounting encompasses much more than simply filing a tax return and a combination of the right tools and a solid organisational system can put your business in good stead to not only survive but succeed. If you’re a construction professional working as a contractor or on the verge of starting your own business within the industry, then this guide to accounting will help you to get started on the right path. The importance of accounting in construction Business structures in the construction industry are variable, with every big project hiring a different combination of contractors and full-time staff. This can make paying the right amount of tax and keeping track of payroll challenging, especially if contractors are being hired on a day-to-day basis and subcontractors are routinely brought in to support with specialised tasks. This level of changeability requires construction professionals to pay close attention to their finances, as failing to maintain their accounts will result in missed payments, cash flow problems and, eventually, debt or shortages in capital. This contractor’s guide to ask for deposits can help professionals mitigate some of these costs, but a robust payroll system is the only real way to prevent shortfalls. Getting started with accounting The earlier you begin implementing an effective accounting system, the easier it will be to avoid all the challenges that come with working in the construction industry. Some of the basic considerations you must take include: Investing in the right tools Taking a manual approach to accounting in an industry that’s as changeable and multifaceted as construction will result in wasted time and complications arising from human error and ineffective organisation. Digital tools such as accounting software are by far the best way to manage not only your day-to-day finances, but your annual tax return, monthly payroll, and cash flow. Due to the high number of contractors you’re likely to be working with, it’s smart to invest in an accounting solution that can take care of invoicing, send out payment reminders and log the details of every worker for more efficient tax calculations. Not only will this ensure that you are always getting paid on time, but it will reduce the number of queries and complaints from contractors that either haven’t received any money or want to know when they will. If you aren’t sure whether accounting software is for you, you could get started with a builders invoice template, which will help you to improve payment communications through formatting. Over time, you can decide to integrate templates with software for a more seamless process. While accounting software does give you the power to manage your finances yourself, you may also want to consider hiring a bookkeeper or accountant as your business grows. This will help you to make full use of any expenses or allowances that are available to you, saving you tax in the long run. Understanding the regulations The construction industry is often subject to specific tax laws and regulations that can make its accounting processes more involved than they are in other sectors. These will vary depending on the country you’re based in and the type of project you’re undertaking. If you’re primarily carrying out work in the UK, you will need to familiarise yourself with the Construction Industry Scheme, which stipulates contractors are responsible for collecting any tax owed from subcontractors on the government’s behalf. This means that not only are they responsible for paying their own tax, but they also need to calculate and pay taxes for the contractors they hire, not unlike an employer would. In most other industries, contractors or freelancers are responsible for only their own taxes, which lessens their accountancy burden. In addition to construction-specific regulations, you will need to decide on the best structure for your business. The way you file your taxes will change depending on whether you’re a limited company, sole proprietor or part of a partnership. Taking out insurance Insurance might not seem like it’s directly linked to your accounting processes, but it will certainly help you maintain your business’s financial health should anything go wrong. You may need to take out multiple types of insurance in the event that there’s an accident on the construction site you’re working on and a contractor or employee is hurt. It can also be a good idea to insure expensive equipment or machinery for accidental damage. Without insurance, an accident could spell the end of your business, regardless of how well you’ve been managing your accounts and cash flow. Paying attention to your cash flow Many construction businesses have experienced financial difficulties due to a poorly managed cash flow. This is partially due to the amount it takes for some construction projects to be completed. If you’re going to be working on a site for many months or the best part of a year, there’s an increased chance of your client running out of funds, pulling out of the project or even going bankrupt. If you’ve already invested in all the materials and equipment needed to complete the work, you may find it difficult to take on new work if you lack funds after receiving only partial payment. To avoid cash flow issues, it’s important to spread payments across a project, sending invoices to your clients regularly and asking for advance payments instead of investing your own capital to buy equipment and materials. Accounting software will help you to keep track of your income and expenses, highlighting when it’s time to remind your client to make a payment or press pause on ongoing work. Take
Balfour Beatty Living Places today announces that it has been awarded an eight-year, £176 million contract by Buckinghamshire Council for the maintenance of highways assets across the county. There is an option to extend the contract for a further four years. Balfour Beatty Living Places will work closely and collaboratively alongside the Council to provide a safe and resilient local road network, maintaining over 5,000 kilometres of highways, carriageways, footpaths, and cycle routes. In addition, Balfour Beatty Living Places will also be responsible for delivering winter maintenance services for the local community and travelling public, as well as the operation and maintenance of the county’s street lighting and key community assets including gullies and traffic signals. The company will harness innovative solutions and materials such as reused rubber asphalt when laying new road surfaces to drive down carbon emissions and reduce waste, as well as installing electric charging points at its depots to facilitate its electric vehicle fleet, in line with Balfour Beatty’s sustainability strategy, “Building New Futures.” To ensure the continuous effective maintenance of highways assets across the county, Balfour Beatty Living Places will also establish an ‘Operational Efficiency Hub’ – a data-driven Hub to monitor all activities in real-time, track progress of works and capture data to drive further efficiencies across the network. Balfour Beatty Living Places will also dedicate 50% of its spend to local businesses, and as part of its commitment to The 5% Club, will ensure a minimum of 5% of its workforce comprises of graduates, apprentices and trainees. Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: “Today’s announcement builds on our longstanding expertise and commitment to providing best-in-class highways maintenance services, whilst offering customer-focused solutions in a collaborative partnership. “Wherever we operate, we go above and beyond for our customers with an unrelenting focus on leaving a lasting positive legacy for the communities we serve; working with local supply chain partners whilst also creating numerous apprenticeship and graduate opportunities.” Councillor Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We are pleased that, after a rigorous selection process, Balfour Beatty Living Places will be working with Buckinghamshire Council to provide a new model of highways services that meets our aspirations for a faster and more responsive service to best meet the needs of residents and road users. With their impressive track record of managing contracts of this nature, we are keen to embrace their expertise and experience, whilst realising their delivery of innovation and quality onto our network. “We know how important the condition of our roads and footpaths is for local residents and this new contract will allow us to map out a detailed strategic plan for the future. We are focused on channelling our resources into making lasting improvements, whilst at the same time standing by our commitment to cut our carbon emissions and take the lead in adopting new and innovative techniques that achieve value for money.” The contract commences on 1st April 2023.
Technology is often blamed for destroying historic architecture, but in some cases, it can be used to help preserve and restore these buildings. In this article, we will discuss how technology is being used to aid in the rehabilitation of historic architecture. We will also discuss the benefits of using technology in this restoration project. Helping To Preserve Our Cultural Heritage Rehabilitating historic architecture is a necessary process that helps preserve our cultural heritage. Historic buildings are a valuable part of our built environment and represent an essential part of our collective history. By rehabilitating these buildings, tech expert Mark Stiffler believes we can maintain their architectural integrity and ensure that they will be able to stand for future generations. The rehabilitation of historic architecture also positively impacts the local economy. It can create jobs, revitalize communities, and attract tourists. In addition, the reuse of existing buildings can help to reduce our carbon footprint and conserve natural resources. Therefore, the rehabilitation of historic architecture is a necessary process that helps preserve our cultural heritage. Technology Makes Rehabilitation Easier And More Affordable While many challenges are involved in rehabilitating historic buildings, technology has made many aspects of the process easier and more affordable than ever before. For example, advances in laser scanning and 3D modeling have made it possible to create accurate digital representations of existing structures. This data can be used to develop virtual reality simulations that allow stakeholders to explore different design options and make informed decisions about the project’s direction. In addition, new construction techniques and materials have made it possible to replicate or restore original features with greater precision and at a lower cost than ever before. As a result, technology has played a vital role in ensuring that our shared heritage can be preserved for future generations. Using 3D Printing To Create Replicas Tech expert Mark Stiffler noticed that 3D printing could be used to create precise replicas of missing or damaged architectural elements. This technology can create detailed models of complex shapes, which can then be used to develop full-scale prototypes. Additionally, 3D printing can make molds for casting, which can be used to create exact replicas of the original piece. This process can be used to repair or replace missing or damaged pieces of architecture, such as statues, columns, or other ornamental elements. In addition, 3D printing can be used to create customized facades or other factors that are not readily available. As a result, this technology offers a versatile and precise solution for creating missing or damaged architectural elements. The Use Of Drones In Historic Architecture One of the most exciting applications of technology in historical architecture is the use of drones. Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can be equipped with a variety of cameras and sensors. They have been used extensively recently to capture detailed images and video footage of hard-to-reach places. This data can then create accurate three-dimensional models of buildings or sites. In the past, this type of data would have been complicated and expensive to obtain. However, thanks to drones, it is now possible to gather this data quickly and affordably. This information can help plan and execute rehabilitation projects more accurately and precisely. CAD Software Easily Creates Plans And Drawings Architects and engineers frequently use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed plans and drawings for construction projects. However, CAD software can also help restore old buildings to their original condition. By creating a 3D model of the building, CAD software can be used to identify areas that need to be repaired or rebuilt. In addition, CAD software can be used to create accurate plans for restoration work, which can help to ensure that the work is carried out correctly and that the finished product closely resembles the original building. As a result, CAD software can be a valuable tool for those undertaking the challenging task of restoring an old building. Conclusion Rehabilitating historic architecture is a necessary process that helps preserve our cultural heritage. However, it can be difficult and expensive, especially when done correctly. Thankfully, technology has made many aspects of the rehabilitation process more accessible and more affordable than ever before. For example, computer-aided design (CAD) software can be used to help restore old buildings to their original condition. Additionally, drones can capture detailed images and video footage of hard-to-reach places. Technology can preserve our shared heritage for future generations.
