PLATFORM_ Glasgow will deliver much-needed homes for the city The project team behind the flagship PLATFORM_ Glasgow build-to-rent (BTR) development celebrated a significant project milestone at this week’s topping out ceremony. Contractor, GRAHAM, is delivering the impressive scheme on behalf of PLATFORM_, an investor, developer, and operator of build-to-rent communities
Scott Brownrigg’s masterplan for a new film and television studio campus in central Bedfordshire near Stewartby has been submitted for planning. The scheme redevelops a 143-acre site and former clay mineral quarry to provide over 1.75m sq ft flexible studio space together with on-site accommodation, amenities and a re-wilded water
Hot on the heels of HS2’s first London TBM, ‘Sushila’, who set off earlier this month, the 2,000 tonnes TBM, ‘Caroline’ has today begun the 5-mile journey towards Greenford from West Ruislip in West London TBM named after ‘first professional’ female astronomer Caroline Herschel HS2 Ltd has just launched the
Performance boosting feature wins another Archie for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks at this year’s Awards for Excellence When the Awards jury met to select the winners for this year’s Archies – the UKMHA’s Awards for Excellence – one particular feature intrigued them. It was AutoBoost on the Mitsubishi EDiA XL 4-5
Before choosing a water tank provider, you should consider several factors. Upon making a decision, explore your options and locate an expert who can assist you. If you are seeking a water cart service for your home or business, these factors should be considered before selecting a provider. First, how
Construction companies that had a thoughtful and long-term strategy focused on the consumer, and even before the onset of the pandemic moved communication and business processes online, now found themselves one step ahead of those developers who were caught off guard by the crisis. However, it is too early to
Morgan Sindall has started construction work on Hertfordshire’s first full net-zero carbon school. The Buntingford First School, which is being funded by Hertfordshire County Council and built by Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties business, will open for September 2023 and will be operated by the Scholars Education Trust. This
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
PLATFORM_ Glasgow will deliver much-needed homes for the city The project team behind the flagship PLATFORM_ Glasgow build-to-rent (BTR) development celebrated a significant project milestone at this week’s topping out ceremony. Contractor, GRAHAM, is delivering the impressive scheme on behalf of PLATFORM_, an investor, developer, and operator of build-to-rent communities across the UK. The development will be one of the city’s tallest buildings at 20 storeys high (circa 60m). With a stellar project team including firms Thomas & Adamson, Axiom Project Services Limited and Keppie Design, the topping out ceremony involved guests climbing to the 20th floor of the building to enjoy unrivalled views across the city and signing the core of the structure. A welcome addition to the city centre skyline, PLATFORM_ Glasgow will create 498 much-needed homes for the Glasgow community, strategically located between the International Financial Services District and Finnieston. The development will help to revitalise the iconic waterfront, creating a vibrant new neighbourhood set across four blocks, ranging from six to 20 storeys in height with a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments available. As the housing crisis and demand for homes continues to creatBTRe a perfect storm for renters across the city, PLATFORM_’s development will deliver a significant boost to availability of high quality housing stock. Creating a destination for people to live and socialise alike, PLATFORM_ Glasgow will feature a range of amenities including a state-of-the-art gym, landscaped courtyard, two roof terraces, cinema room and remote working facilities, all considered in monthly rental rates. Residents will also enjoy a private games room, bar area, guest lounges and group dining rooms, all exclusive to PLATFORM_ Glasgow, which is set to be one of the most desirable BTR options in the city as the new rental model increases in popularity with young professionals, families and downsizers. The scheme will achieve the Silver Active Energy standard with plans submitted for sustainable energy generation by rooftop photovoltaics and the use of air source heat pumps in place of traditional heating systems. These initiatives will enable 100% of apartments to achieve an EPC B rating. GRAHAM and PLATFORM_ are targeting completion of the development in October 2023 with apartments available for new residents to view from Q3 next ydevelopmentear. Matt Willcock, Development Director at PLATFORM_, said: “We’re really proud to see PLATFORM_ Glasgow achieve another milestone and it was great to get everyone involved together to mark it. “The Clyde Waterfront has been earmarked as an area for urban regeneration by Glasgow City Council and we are helping to accelerate this by delivering a ready-made neighbourhood that will deliver much-needed homes and have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of residents.” Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director for GRAHAM Building North, said: “As demand continues to outstrip the supply of new homes available for rent across the city, it is fantastic to see PLATFORM_ Glasgow quickly taking shape. “GRAHAM is proud to be collaborating with PLATFORM_ and their team to deliver this iconic development. The unique offering will not only boost housing supply, but also create a thriving community along the River Clyde.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scott Brownrigg’s masterplan for a new film and television studio campus in central Bedfordshire near Stewartby has been submitted for planning. The scheme redevelops a 143-acre site and former clay mineral quarry to provide over 1.75m sq ft flexible studio space together with on-site accommodation, amenities and a re-wilded water body and canal for developer VERB and film studio operator Quartermaster. Home of Production (HOP) Bedfordshire will set a new benchmark for sustainable studio facilities in the UK and will be the first facility designed by producers, for producers – also incorporating premium facilities aimed at squarely addressing the need for production crews to achieve better balance in their work environment. The former quarry, known as Quest Pit, opened in 1983 and was the last active brick pit in Bedfordshire when it closed in 2008, leaving a series of redundant brownfield sites with access tracks and flooded extraction bowls, and parts of the site up to 12 metres below natural ground level. The masterplan addresses this by placing four separate 430,500 sq ft production units on a 70-acre platform, four metres above the water level. These units centre around a restaurant and activity zone, visually linked to two large lakes that have formed over time due to the natural flooding of extraction pits. Workshops envelop studio space, while an outer loop road provides access to supporting facilities. Importantly, the land has already been purchased and realisation of the masterplan is fully- financed – meaning that a planning decision can move rapidly to commencement of the construction programme. Head of Masterplanning at Scott Brownrigg, Bruce Calton said of the project: “This complex brief, across an intriguing site, combines landscape, water and a highly-functional film and television campus masterplan. It has been a rewarding experience creating such a unique setting for the Home of Production (HOP) within the UK.” An accomplished and multi-disciplinary group was formed to drive the project forward and encompassing the broad range of skills and experience required for an ambitious project of this type. Quartermaster delivered the vision and extensive studio experience, in partnership with the real estate developer VERB to make that an operational reality. Scott Brownrigg and SWECO offered complementary input through the planning process to make the overall masterplan achieve as much as possible from the site, whilst accommodating each of the ambitious performance targets self- imposed by the group. The landscaping strategy developed by Macfarlane Associates includes the introduction of ecological corridors across the site and new wetland and floating reed beds to create habitats for future and existing wildlife species. Planting tall trees around the site perimeter and positioning large-scale buildings into the valley base will significantly reduce the visual impact of the development to the surrounding flat landscape across Bedfordshire. This deliberately-unobtrusive approach is allied to strong commitments to a sustainable future for the site – targeting BREEAM Excellent for the build whilst also installing PV panels across the site to supply somewhere between 50-85% dependent on occupation levels at a given time. A transport hub will connect the site to the local bus network with an arrival point for cyclists, pedestrians and coaches. New pedestrian links and walking routes will line the site’s parameter, with widened pavements to enhance usability and safety provided throughout. The Home of Production (HOP) development is anticipated to bring 1,400 jobs to the local area if approved. Submission for planning follows a series of public consultations where the scheme received significant public support, and with exciting plans in place to continue working hard with Central Bedfordshire Council plus a range local education bodies to return real, measurable benefits for the community in the coming years. A phased construction programme is due to start early 2023. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hot on the heels of HS2’s first London TBM, ‘Sushila’, who set off earlier this month, the 2,000 tonnes TBM, ‘Caroline’ has today begun the 5-mile journey towards Greenford from West Ruislip in West London TBM named after ‘first professional’ female astronomer Caroline Herschel HS2 Ltd has just launched the fifth Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), ‘Caroline’, that will be constructing tunnels for the HS2 railway through London. The second launched in the capital, the 2,000 tonnes machine joins ‘Sushila’, that was switched on earlier this month on the same West London site. Named after 18th century astronomer Caroline Herschel, the giant machine will now dig for 22 months, non-stop except for Christmas Day, towards Greenpark way in Greenford – boring five miles of the twin-bore Northolt Tunnel. ‘Caroline’ will be operated by a crew of 15 people, working in shifts. An additional 25 people will directly support each tunnel drive on the surface. Travelling at an average of 14m per day, ‘Caroline’ will dig the five-mile tunnel and install 4,207 tunnel segment rings to create the tunnel. Each ring of the tunnel is made up of seven concrete segments which have been manufactured in the UK by Pacadar based in Kent. The machine was switched on by HS2’s Civils Delivery Director, Mike Lyons, who said: “HS2’s construction continues to gather pace, and the launch of the fifth Tunnel Boring Machine on HS2 is another significant moment for Britain’s number one levelling-up project. “Creating jobs and contracts for businesses today, HS2 is an investment in Britain’s economic growth now and for generations of rail passengers to come.” The machine was given the name ‘Caroline’ after it was put forward by pupils at Brentside Primary Academy in Ealing, who were inspired by her contribution to astronomy whilst learning about earth and space in their science lessons. German-born British astronomer Caroline Herschel was considered the first professional female astronomer. In her career she discovered three new nebulae (hazy clouds where stars form) and was the first woman to ever discover a comet in 1786. She compiled a catalogue of 2500 nebulae and, in 1828, the Royal Astronomical Society awarded her its gold medal for this work. ‘Caroline’ will be operated by Skanska Costain STRABAG JV (SCS JV), HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractor constructing the HS2 tunnels in London. She joins ‘Sushila’ who has already travelled over 70m in the three weeks since launch. James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG JV said: “We’re delighted to have begun our tunnelling journey towards Euston, travelling under one of the busiest cities in the world. Getting to this point has been a huge team effort and the scale of this programme has enabled many new people to join the industry and work on this crucial national infrastructure project.” Once ‘Caroline’ and ‘Sushila’ reach their destination at Greenpark Way, they will be dismantled and extracted from a 40m deep shaft. Separately, two other equally massive tunnel boring machines will set off towards Greenpark Way from HS2’s Victoria Road site in 2023 to build a further 3.4mile twin-bore tunnel. Combined, the quartet of TBMs will build 8.4miles of twin bored tunnels between West Ruislip and the new high speed rail super hub station at Old Oak Common. Further facts about the TBMS: Each machine is 140 metres in length, one and a quarter times the length of a football pitch Each has a cutter head that is 9.84m in diameter, almost as tall as two giraffes standing on top of each other They each weigh approximately 2,050 tonnes, roughly the weight of 10 blue whales 2 million cubic metres of excavated material will be removed, weighing 2.46 million tonnes A single tunnel segment ring weighs 8.5 tonnes Another tunnel 4.5 mile twin-bore tunnel extending from Old Oak Common to Euston will complete HS2’s journey to its London terminus. Spoil from the tunnels at West Ruislip will not travel far as it will be used for sustainable placement to the North, creating embankments for the new railway, as well as new environmental habitats. It will also be used to remodel the West Ruislip golf course which is closed during HS2 construction.
Performance boosting feature wins another Archie for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks at this year’s Awards for Excellence When the Awards jury met to select the winners for this year’s Archies – the UKMHA’s Awards for Excellence – one particular feature intrigued them. It was AutoBoost on the Mitsubishi EDiA XL 4-5 tonne electric counterbalance truck. So, what is it and what does it do? It’s one of a clutch of patent-pending design innovations that singled out the electric EDiA XL from its rivals and helped it scoop a deserved Archie. Put simply, AutoBoost senses when truck speed on an incline drops by more than 1.5km/hr. Then it automatically and seamlessly delivers the additional torque and acceleration to maintain normal progress. There’s no pause and no loss of momentum. In doing so, AutoBoost eliminates a common failing among competitor electric trucks: power drop-off on ramps and long inclines. It also overcomes one of the reasons why some sectors have been reluctant to make the switch from diesel. “In every demo, it is AutoBoost that seals the deal,” explains Ben Haseley, Managing Director of RDD, the sole UK distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. “As soon as it comes to a ramp, rivals start to slow right down but the EDiA XL just powers up. It’s been a key factor in the decision-making process across a broad sweep of industries previously committed to diesel including transport, logistics, drinks, timber, brick and block. “Customers who are looking for the ultimate performance also love the fact that AutoBoost can be programmed to instantly deliver maximum acceleration from the moment the accelerator pedal is depressed.” Game-changing traction and greater storage density But that’s not the only reason the 4-5 tonne Mitsubishi EDiA XL stormed its way to an Archie. It’s just one in a series of features that make this truck the smoothest, strongest and quietest electric on the market. Developed for genuine indoor-outdoor performance in every conceivable application the EDiA XL features four-wheel steering along with another unique innovation: an electric differential lock. Together they deliver sure-footed traction and control, even in the most hostile environments. At the rear of the truck the wheels turn through a massive 100-degree lock to help deliver the smallest turning circle on the market – typically 500mm less than diesel models – to generate greater storage density. The most energy-efficient electric counterbalance in its 4-5 tonne class, EDiA XL works exceptionally long shifts. Available with a choice of battery types, when specified with lithium-ion batteries, it will work multi-shift operations, making it a genuine rival to diesel in terms on non-stop availability. Equipped with state-of-the art software to match performance characteristics to the operating conditions as well the individual operator, EDiA XL has been designed to inspire confidence, optimise safety and maximise throughput. “Every now and then a product comes along that stands head and shoulders above the rest,” says Ben Haseley. “That supremacy may only last a few years, but during that time, it’s the benchmark against which all others are judged. The Mitsubishi EDiA XL is that truck.” In selecting the EDiA XL as winner of the Environmental Product Award 2022, the jury was impressed by new technologies developed by Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks that allow an electric truck to offer a green alternative to IC engine trucks in more demanding environments than ever before. For further information about EDiA XL, or to find out more about any product in the award-winning Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks range, visit www.mitforklift.com or call the Mitsubishi Greenline on 0845 3713048
Before choosing a water tank provider, you should consider several factors. Upon making a decision, explore your options and locate an expert who can assist you. If you are seeking a water cart service for your home or business, these factors should be considered before selecting a provider. First, how much water do you need? Second, what type of vehicle will work best for your needs? Third, how often will you need the service? Fourth, what accessories will you need? Estimate the average daily use for your appliances to determine how much water you need. Once you have calculated this amount, multiply it by the number of days in a week. That figure is how many gallons of water you’ll need per day. Finally, divide that figure by the size of your vehicle. When purchasing water trucks, remember a few things: Verify that your vendor is licensed and insured. Ensure you understand the service agreement and the services included. Be sure to ask questions before hiring their services. Different types of carts: The different cart options include 1,000 liters, 1,200 liters, 3,500 liters, 4,500 liters, 5,000 liters, etc. The 1000 and 1200 litres have high-pressure 2-inch pumps of 20 meters in length and several other features for fair usage. The 3,500 litres comes with a pump, batter sprays, rear hoses, and accessories. The 4500-litre tank is the next step up from the 3,500-liter size. Some of the application of these carts includes dust suppression, watering the plants, or anyone who wants to have a lot of water on hand. The rear spray works excellent if you aim for dust suppression. They are compact, comfortable and user-friendly. The 5,000 litres cart includes a powerful turbo diesel engine and helps with automatic transmission. The side spray, rear spray, and dribble bar provide excellent service. Check the different options and select based on your needs. Benefits of Water cart renting services A water cart rental can save you money, which is one of its many benefits. Renting it can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing all the necessary equipment if you require a large amount of water for your business or construction project. Another benefit is that it can save you time. If you have to transport water from one location to another, it can take a lot of time to set up and then take down all equipment. Renting can help you save time by having everything ready when needed. Renting a water tank can also help you stay organised. When you have all your equipment in one place, it is easier to keep track of everything and ensure everything is where it needs to be. This can help you avoid losing important items or forgetting to bring something essential when needed. Payment Methods: The water delivery service can be paid for in various ways. Cash, checks, and major credit cards are all accepted payment methods. Suppose you need help determining which payment method is best for you. You can ask the company that brings you water. They will be glad to help you figure out how to pay for your service in the best way. Conclusion: Cart services are becoming increasingly popular. And for a good reason. These services are convenient, efficient, and relatively affordable. A service that offers carts in good condition and meets safety standards must be selected first. There are ample options in the market; opt for the one that best suits your needs. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction companies that had a thoughtful and long-term strategy focused on the consumer, and even before the onset of the pandemic moved communication and business processes online, now found themselves one step ahead of those developers who were caught off guard by the crisis. However, it is too early to relax. It depends on how the marketing promotion of companies and their facilities works during the crisis, who will occupy the leading positions in the market, and who will go down to the bottom of the ranking and stay there for the next number of years. The younger millennial audience is more likely to be influenced by digital marketing in newer channels such as social media and social networking platforms than marketing through traditional channels. This generation values social queues and images shared by friends more. For this reason, high-quality images that can be shared online or embedded in videos can be a very valuable marketing tool! There’s a reason that serious digital marketing campaigns have been built around some of the most expensive properties in the world, developers of which opted for 3D services. As marketing is all about creating emotions and adding some flare, 3D Visualization by Visengine https://visengine.com/3d-visualisation/ will definitely help you make the desired impact. Why market real estate projects with 3D visualization? This is not only the perfect way to communicate your idea but also allows us to eliminate problems before they occur in reality. With the continuous development of 3D visualization technology, people are paying more and more attention to this solution. Especially in the real estate industry, 3D architectural tours have become a marketing trend, allowing customers to roam freely around a building in the form of a 3D animation before investing. Not only is it more intuitive than a traditional image, but it also gives customers an immersive experience with a photorealistic 3D tour of the facility. For those projects that are under development or ready for construction, the 3D architectural tours break the imagination by combining 3D modeling, music, animation, and 3D visualization with the viewer and space to experience a virtual tour of the building. Advantages of 3D Architectural Tours for Real Estate Marketing 1. Enhance the visual effect Once the 3D architectural visualization and animation are complete, it can be played on the real estate sales floor so that customers can experience the visual effect at first glance when they walk through the door. Vivid video highlights the real estate’s benefits, and dynamic sound grabs viewers’ attention. From the moment customers enter the hall, virtual video marketing is completed. 2. Better understanding 2G architectural plans are difficult to understand, even when rendered with still CGI, which is unable to keep up with customer requirements. 3D architectural tours have an advantage over a 2D floor plan as they allow clients to fully understand the design and, more importantly, the layout. 3D visualization and animation can integrate scattered text and, finally, sound and image information in a video. What’s more, 3D step-by-step technology plays an essential role in stimulating the desire of customers to buy by intuitively providing a panoramic view of the real state, including general architectural features, geographical location, surrounding facilities, transportation network, etc. 3. Online and offline promotion In the age of the Internet, businesses can display 3D architectural projects on their website for long-term investment, rental, and evaluation activities. Bright and intuitive animation effect, combined with dynamic music, enhances the impact of promotion online and offline. 4. Interactive form, better experience With a 3D architectural step-by-step guide, 3D walkthrough companies can use a dynamic interactive way to study the future architecture or urban area comprehensively. Through interaction, the overall effect will be more vivid. The 3D step-by-step function allows the audience to walk freely and watch the “building roaming,” bringing an incomparable sense of reality and the scene to the target audience and letting them feel on the stage so that the customers can better understand the spatial planning and design. 5. Emotional Connection The company’s 3D architectural management strives to foster greater human interaction and connection in the form of storytelling, which is realized through 3D photorealistic rendering, excellent camera composition, and the use of music, style, and theme. The company’s 3D step-by-step animation asks for more information and a step-by-step guide before starting to create excitement among its target customers and shareholders. Compared to non-emotional content, high-value content easily creates an emotional connection with the viewer, which is 28% more likely to be shared online. 6. Increase conversions What is the basic standard for a marketing campaign? The answer is the conversion rate, which is the key to measuring the success of every marketing plan. Based on 3D animated instructions, more and more leads can be converted into customers to provide presets. Additionally, recent research indicates that 71% of marketers seem to find video content easier to convert, and the industry average conversion rate for websites using video is 4.8%. Therefore, video content is considered an important part of the marketing strategy. 7. Presentation The 3D architectural review is a means of demonstrating the proposed project, thanks to its higher form of content. Only by realistically capturing every detail and layout, engagement, and precise fashion can they bring an architectural design to life. With the help of intuitive services, such as 3D streaming services, you can find that this type of video content is sure to satisfy potential buyers and investors. 8. Accessibility A potential buyer prefers to view 3D tours online, which is effective in removing obstacles and doubts in viewing a fully built space before making an investment. In addition, customers are available to view your site online 24/7 if necessary, helping you reach people all over the world for business. 9. Competitive edge How to stand out in an industry full of fierce competition? One of the best things a business can do is find a competitive advantage that can set you apart from the crowd. In terms of 3D walkthroughs,
Morgan Sindall has started construction work on Hertfordshire’s first full net-zero carbon school. The Buntingford First School, which is being funded by Hertfordshire County Council and built by Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties business, will open for September 2023 and will be operated by the Scholars Education Trust. This is the first school in the county to be built and operate at net zero carbon, in line with the Hertfordshire County Council’s sustainability strategy and ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030. It will utilise a Passivhaus design which will improve the school’s air quality, reduce carbon emissions and lower its energy running costs. “We are proud to commence work at the first net-zero school in Hertfordshire, which hopefully will be the first of many. At Morgan Sindall Construction, we understand that the spaces children learn in have a vital and lasting impact on their education. The Northern Home Counties team is well experienced in delivering state-of-the-art educational facilities that inspire pupils, and we look forward to providing a high-end environment for Buntingford’s growing community,” said David Rowsell, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties Area Director. “By ensuring Buntingford School is carbon-neutral, we are not only futureproofing the site for generations of students, but we are also ensuring that our region plays an active role in combatting the climate crisis,” he added. As part of the highly sustainable project, over 300 solar panels, triple-glazing windows and air-source heat pumps will be installed. The new school will also include a rooftop outdoor classroom, play areas and a “forest school”. In addition, all the teaching spaces in the school will face north, avoiding south-facing windows that cause rooms to over-heat, while social areas such as the school dining halls and common rooms will face south. The new 330-pupil school, which has ten classrooms and incorporates a nursery, will be built on the former Sainsbury’s depot site, adjoining the Bury Football Club who will share the site with the new School. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
