A 100-tonne bridge deck is being constructed at Everton Stadium to assist with site logistics and provide a vital link to the scenic western wharf in the final scheme. The concrete bridge in the north west corner, which will eventually provide part of the route for the team coaches arriving
Building work is well underway at a pioneering housing development in Milton Keynes where Bellway is adopting Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The developer was selected by Homes England to deliver phase four of Tattenhoe Park, a major extension to the south-west of the city. The site is part of
Evercam 4D View helps project teams leverage engineering data to communicate project plans to all stakeholders Evercam is pleased to announce the addition of Evercam 4D View to Bentley Systems’ powered by iTwin program. Evercam 4D View helps project teams leverage engineering and design data to better understand the construction
Having been largely confined to the realm of academia for many years, metamaterials are now set for commercialization in several major applications. The IDTechEx report, “Metamaterials Markets 2023-2043: Optical and Radio-Frequency”, explores the opportunities within this emerging materials technology. A particularly significant emergent application of electromagnetic metamaterials is in supporting
Tradelink, one of the UK’s leading windows and doors manufacturer, has invested heavily in a new factory in Mildenhall, Suffolk. With over 29 years’ experience in the windows and doors industry, Tradelink specialises in PVC-U and aluminium windows, doors, sealed units and conservatories. There are also timber alternatives in the
Whenever you’re replacing windows in your rental property, you need to consider the climate. This is because the climate would have an impact on the type of window that you should install. Areas that are prone to storms: If you have a rental property in an area that gets a
National housebuilder Keepmoat has completed a Santa signposting initiative to ensure that families who have moved home since last Christmas will receive presents at their new address. The national homebuilder, founded in Doncaster, has created a list and, after checking it twice, has updated the Santa Sat Nav database with
Yorkshire-based high voltage electrical engineering and contracting firm Smith Brothers has expanded its workforce with the appointment of two key hires and a pair of promotions. The onboarding coincides with promotions for existing colleagues too, as the business focuses on continuing to build its industry-leading engineering capabilities and innovative sustainable energy
Peter McHugh, a Liverpool-based real estate partner at national firm Excello Law, has advised Caldeira, the UK’s leading cushion company, on the acquisition of a new headquarters on the Knowsley Industrial Park in Merseyside in a £3 million investment project. “Caldeira’s acquisition and redevelopment of their new HQ will bring
Internal glazed doors might be a popular choice in modern homes, but many homeowners are still not sure of the benefits they offer. While some like them for aesthetic reasons, others may install them for practicality. If you aren’t sure whether you should install solid wood doors or glass doors,
A 100-tonne bridge deck is being constructed at Everton Stadium to assist with site logistics and provide a vital link to the scenic western wharf in the final scheme. The concrete bridge in the north west corner, which will eventually provide part of the route for the team coaches arriving the stadium, is being put in place early into the build to assist with the flow of site traffic. It also serves as a conduit for the utilities and an array of cables, which will connect the outside broadcast compound on the yet-to-be-developed western wharf to all camera positions within the 52-888-seater stadium. And a change to the original design means the new bridge, which complements the existing isolation structure in the south west of the site, meets sustainability measures by improving the flow of water through neighbouring docks and helping to stimulate marine life. Gerald Knights, Structures Engineering Lead for Laing O’Rourke, explained: “The bridge is fundamental to the operation of the stadium. “It allows a one-way flow of traffic around the stadium, so vehicles can come in on the north side and leave via the south, or loop around the western wharf. “It’s also a conduit for all the utilities that come from the outside broadcast unit, which sits on the western wharf, and the bridge carries all of the electrical and communication cables into the stadium. “Originally, there was another type of structure designed in this location, which would have de-linked some of the water connectivity between the two adjacent docks. “We changed that and turned it on its head and built this structure which spans over the water now, and allows the marine life to repopulate the channel.” The bridge, sitting atop six concrete piles bored 16 metres underground, is made up of four precast concrete beams, each weighing around 28 tonnes and with a span of 15 metres. “That makes it quite a substantial structure, but one that is more cost-efficient and sustainable than the previous version that was on the table,” added Knights. “We are constructing it now because it becomes important for logistics. Once we have the utilities in and we have built the bridge deck, we will be able to start putting traffic on this bridge and it will give us the flexibility, later on, to be able to excavate out around 15,000 cubic metres of earthworks to create the new water channel and a new habitat for all the species that will move into this area. “We’re hoping to get it ready for use in January of next year, and then we should be able to see traffic on it not long after.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building work is well underway at a pioneering housing development in Milton Keynes where Bellway is adopting Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The developer was selected by Homes England to deliver phase four of Tattenhoe Park, a major extension to the south-west of the city. The site is part of a project designed to try to speed up the delivery process for new homes. The development will include 160 homes, with 40 of these being modular homes built off site in a factory environment, before being assembled on site and connected to mains services. Construction is continuing apace on the remaining 120 homes which are being built on site using timber frame panels in place of traditional block and brickwork. This system makes the build process quicker and more sustainable. Iain Hunter, Construction Director at Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “We commenced construction work at Tattenhoe Park in May, and progress has been so good that a handful of the timber-frame houses are now water tight, and there are others that are nearly ready to have the roofs installed. “The modular installation has already commenced, with a few of those units already being reserved off-plan. In fact, the high level of interest in these modular homes and the timber-frame properties saw us accelerate the release for sale of a selection of homes onto the market through Elevation Estate Agents in Milton Keynes.” Luke Southgate, Sales Director of Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “The interest in these properties has been phenomenal. We have experienced a huge number of enquiries and are pleased that the house-buying public have responded so positively to this innovative project, which is very important for not only Bellway and Milton Keynes but for the house-building industry in general. “As things go, we are hoping to welcome the first residents onto Tattenhoe Park in early 2023. Looking further ahead, we aim to deliver all of the new homes on the site within two years.” The Bellway scheme will include one and two-bedroom apartments, and two, three and four-bedroom houses. There will be 112 homes for private sale and 48 affordable homes, which will be made available to local people through shared ownership or low-cost rent. Tattenhoe Park will eventually become a neighbourhood of more than 1,300 homes. Bellway’s development, being built on land which the company bought in February 2022, is located just a short walk from Priory Rise School for primary-age children. Bellway has teamed up with specialist suppliers for the scheme, with timber frame panels provided by Donaldson Timber Systems and the modular units built by ilke Homes at its Yorkshire factory. Ryan Burgess, Project Manager at Tattenhoe Park, said: “It’s great to be given the opportunity to be involved with this scheme, backed by Homes England, which champions Modern Methods of Construction. “Pilot schemes such as this one, help ease the pressures of material and labour shortages, whilst also providing much needed affordable new build homes.” There is currently a selection of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses available to reserve at Tattenhoe Park, with prices starting at £215,000. For more information, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/northern-home-counties/tattenhoe-park. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Evercam 4D View helps project teams leverage engineering data to communicate project plans to all stakeholders Evercam is pleased to announce the addition of Evercam 4D View to Bentley Systems’ powered by iTwin program. Evercam 4D View helps project teams leverage engineering and design data to better understand the construction sequence and communicate project plans to all parties involved. The 4D View app combines real-time, high-quality video footage throughout the jobsite with a digital twin and allows users to switch between the model and reality to track changes and communicate progress. The app addresses the challenge of the volume of data available to project teams by connecting it with 4D planning, scheduling and analysis capabilities. It is no secret that the construction industry has famously low levels of productivity, and while BIM has significantly contributed to the improvement of communications, the industry is still hindered by the inaccessibility of project data. Often, a BIM model is only accessible to a limited amount of the project team. Evercam 4D View democratises this data by allowing all users on a project to share and interact with the model from within the Evercam platform. Evercam 4D View allows users to easily switch between real-time footage and BIM models to make collaboration easier. Users can see any changes made to the BIM model and receive updates within the platform. 4D View provides users with a list of features from within the platform including remote measurement, navigational tools, and the ability to highlight anything from the 3D model, as the iTwin Platform recognizes each element. Evercam offers their customers unlimited user access, allowing team members from across the globe to work virtually together, ultimately improving safety, reducing risks, and creating greater efficiencies for the entire project team. “We are very pleased to have Evercam add their Evercam 4D View application to the powered by iTwin program,” said Adam Klatzkin, Vice President, iTwin Platform, at Bentley Systems. “In doing so, Evercam joins the growing ecosystem of software developers enabling digital twin solutions with the iTwin Platform. Evercam 4D View is a great example of how real-time video from the job site can be combined with a digital twin to increase the productivity of complex construction projects.” Marco Herbst, CEO of Evercam, said, “We are excited to be building this partnership with Bentley. Their commitment to openness is important to us and our users as they use data from multiple vendors. Our long-term goal is to be able to capture and understand the entire job site. The iTwin Platform, as a live, collaborative platform, gives us access to the latest detailed digital twin, filling in a vital piece of the information gap for Evercam users.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Having been largely confined to the realm of academia for many years, metamaterials are now set for commercialization in several major applications. The IDTechEx report, “Metamaterials Markets 2023-2043: Optical and Radio-Frequency”, explores the opportunities within this emerging materials technology. A particularly significant emergent application of electromagnetic metamaterials is in supporting the deployment of high-frequency telecommunications, such as millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G and even THz. High frequencies can allow for faster data transfer and hence improved user experience. However, at high frequencies, there is a severe loss in energy across long distances. These problems can be further exacerbated by obstacles, as is common in urban environments. As a result, a low-power device that can facilitate the delivery of high-frequency signals in crowded environments is required. Metamaterials offer a potential solution through enabling the development of “Reconfigurable Intelligent Systems”, or RIS for short. These systems integrate electronic components to reflect radio waves in specific, configurable directions – enabling signals to be reflected around obstacles, thus overcoming the issues of signal blockage. RIS can potentially even track users autonomously for directed communications, allowing for greater signal quality and improved security by reducing the likelihood of connection by unauthorized users. These advantages that RIS propose have drawn attention from telecom providers such as Verizon, who partnered with RIS-developer Pivotal Commware in 2020 to deploy the latter’s products in supporting mmWave 5G deployment. If beaming a signal in a specific direction were the only goal, then this could be achieved using conventional relay stations. However, RIS offers two crucial advantages – namely, their low power use and small form factor. This allows them to be deployed at scale in areas where a conventional relay station would not fit, such as above traffic lights at crowded junctions or under a ceiling in a stadium, significantly improving 5G coverage in crowded environments. The requirement of low power also greatly reduces the costs of operating a widespread network, and it may even be possible to power some RIS devices from built-in energy harvesting systems such as solar photovoltaics. Deployment at scale for RIS would only be possible if each device could be produced affordably – as such, the materials used and manufacturing process are of key concern. RIS developers, such as Greenerwave and Pivotal Commware, have thus designed their devices to be compatible with conventional PCB components and manufacturing methods. That these rely on well-founded industries ensures manufacturing can be carried out affordably at scale. The devices discussed above incorporated electronic components to actively steer signals; however, electronic components are not a prerequisite. A feature central to metamaterials is their ability to reflect at otherwise unachievable angles, and so may conceivably be deployed as “mirrors” to passively reflect signals around corners. Transparent metamaterial sheets capable of this functionality pose a significant materials opportunity, as they may be integrable with existing structures such as windows or walls. An example of such a product is demonstrated by Meta Materials Inc and Sekisui, who entered a collaboration in 2021 to develop a transparent conductive reflector film that can reflect signals for improved mmWave signal coverage. Thus far, only reflection has been considered – however, metamaterials can also enhance high-frequency telecommunications through improving the transmission of signals through windows. Low-emissivity glass contains a very thin transparent layer of metal oxide to block UV and infrared radiation; such glass can be found in the windows of regular households, businesses, and in the windshields of cars. It is becoming increasingly common for consumers to choose low-emissivity glass in order to improve energy efficiency and minimize utility bills. However, these also have the effect of blocking wireless communication signals and thus causes poor phone reception. By incorporating a transparent metamaterial film, the strength of high-frequency signals within buildings can be greatly enhanced. Indeed, such high-frequency signals experience particularly significant attenuation and may necessitate metamaterials for any viable indoor phone reception. 5G has been commercialized since 2019, but to date, mmWave has been impeded by the high costs necessary for implementation. The short range of mmWave requires large numbers of base stations to be installed, thus making it expensive and unattractive. However, metamaterial-based RIS may be set to revolutionize the market by enabling affordable, widespread coverage, paving the way for future high-frequency telecommunications. In the IDTechEx report “Metamaterials Markets 2023-2043: Optical and Radio-Frequency”, the potential of metamaterial-based RIS is analyzed in depth to assess the potential for this emergent technology in supporting high-frequency telecommunications. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tradelink, one of the UK’s leading windows and doors manufacturer, has invested heavily in a new factory in Mildenhall, Suffolk. With over 29 years’ experience in the windows and doors industry, Tradelink specialises in PVC-U and aluminium windows, doors, sealed units and conservatories. There are also timber alternatives in the comprehensive portfolio. The company, with WindowCenters across the UK, has been manufacturing in Mildenhall for over 15 years and the rare opportunity to acquire more premises arose. Stuart Judge, MD, takes up the story, “When we saw the opportunity for more space, we took it as we have introduced a new range of composite doors – SOTERIA. It made perfect sense to acquire more square metres in Mildenhall! We also needed to expand due to increased demand for our core products.” The Tradelink customer comes in many guises – a developer, builder, trade installer or homeowner – and, from the new premises in Mildenhall, all customers across the UK can be serviced. Andy Worroll, Head of Operations, comments “These are exciting times at Tradelink and everyone is looking forward to the future. The addition of our new dedicated door factory will free up valuable capacity at our other sites so we can focus on casements and new product launches. We have assembled a great team to assist with the transformation which will accelerate our manufacturing capabilities by around 20% across all product ranges.” For further information, please visit https://tradelinkdirect.com Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whenever you’re replacing windows in your rental property, you need to consider the climate. This is because the climate would have an impact on the type of window that you should install. Areas that are prone to storms: If you have a rental property in an area that gets a lot of storms and other extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc, then this type of weather will make your windows break or become worn out much faster. It is best to get windows that are well-insulated and have tempered glass for rental properties in these areas. They will help protect your property from intense weather, pressure changes, etc. High temperatures: Another thing that negatively impacts your windows is heat. If your rental property is located in an area that experiences extremes in high temperature, then you need to install windows that have good energy efficiency. This will go a long way in keeping the air within the home and the hot air on the outside of the home. You should also get windows that have a high R-factor and great insulation. This will help to make your air conditioning work better and more efficiently as well as reduce your electricity bills in the summer. Low temperatures: Rental units that are located in areas that get harsh winters would require the best possible windows. This is because the snow and moisture can easily break and rot the windows. Also, you will need windows that have a high R factor as well as excellent insulation so that the electricity bill is kept within an acceptable range. Coast: Properties that are on the coast have to deal with seawater, lots of temperature changes, wind, etc. Unfortunately, these elements will cause damage to your windows as time goes by. So, you should get windows that have low conductivity, tempered glass, and excellent insulation. This will also make your property more desirable and if you decide to sell will help sell your house fast. Fault lines: In addition to paying attention to temperature changes and moisture, you also need to consider movement when it comes to windows. So, if your rental is located in an area that typically gets lots of earthquakes, then you will need to get windows that are made from tempered glass. You can also get windows that are sprayed to strengthen them and prevent shattering. The good thing about window replacement is that you don’t need to do it regularly. However, when you do need to replace them, you should have the knowledge to select the best type of windows for your rental property so that you get the most out of your money. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National housebuilder Keepmoat has completed a Santa signposting initiative to ensure that families who have moved home since last Christmas will receive presents at their new address. The national homebuilder, founded in Doncaster, has created a list and, after checking it twice, has updated the Santa Sat Nav database with details of families at 91 of its developments across the UK that have seen new homeowners move in since last Christmas. To ensure that Santa doesn’t deliver presents to the wrong home this year, as well as the digital data upload, Keepmoat is doubling down on directions by installing Santa signposts for homes with the latest occupiers. And – as most modern homes are built without real fires – the company, which employs more than 1,100 people across the UK, has also created a downloadable fireplace that families can print out and colour in. “We know that families who have moved into one of our homes since last Christmas are keen to ensure their new house is on Santa’s delivery schedule. Whilst we’re confident Santa knows what he’s doing, to absolutely ensure there’s no mix-ups we’ve designed a digital map showing the location of every Keepmoat development in the UK that has had a new occupant since last Christmas,” said Amanda Bishop, Group Head of Sales at Keepmoat. “And, as well as updating the details of 91 of our developments on the master Santa Sat Nav database, we have installed ‘Santa this home is now occupied’ signs in the front garden of our newest homeowners. Finally, to make sure we’ve got Christmas fully covered, we have created a downloadable fireplace for families to print out, decorate for Christmas and use in their home in time for the big day,” she added. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yorkshire-based high voltage electrical engineering and contracting firm Smith Brothers has expanded its workforce with the appointment of two key hires and a pair of promotions. The onboarding coincides with promotions for existing colleagues too, as the business focuses on continuing to build its industry-leading engineering capabilities and innovative sustainable energy solutions for public and private sector customers. Joining as SHEQ manager, Mark Bush will oversee health and safety within the organisation, to ensure the welfare of colleagues on-site and in the offices – protecting both mental and physical health. An experienced Safety Health Environment and Quality specialist, Mark has a wealth of experience in the electrical transmission sector – notably with Morrison Energy Services, Babcock International Group, and Siemens Wind Power. Elsewhere, Jerry Connolly has been appointed as a quantity surveyor, to manage the commercial elements of projects. Most recently having worked on the delivery team for Morrison Delivery Services, Jerry brings 41 years of experience on a wealth of builds, such as the Qatar airport extension, Mersey Gateway Bridge, and Eagles Meadow, Wrexham. Meanwhile, Liam Smith has moved into the position of operations manager – having first joined the company as an apprentice in 2006. In his new role, Liam will support on the delivery of all design projects, services, and infrastructure – orchestrating the day-to-day running of all the site staff. And finally, Alex Dixon has been promoted to tendering manager, and will oversee all incoming and outgoing project bids – with the aim of filling Smith Brothers’ order book for 2023 and beyond. Speaking about the organisation’s growing workforce, Dave Ogden, Smith Brothers commercial director, said: “At a time when sustainable power generation is a topic at the forefront of many minds, we are incredibly proud of the business we have – and central to that is our people and our culture. “Our new colleagues will prove critical to building our reputation in the high voltage power electrical engineering sector, and build on already impressive customer retention levels. In terms of the promotions within the team, they are thoroughly deserved and, from our point of view, it is important we recognise our colleagues and consistently provide an environment where they can continue to develop.” Established in 1999, Smith Brothers has bases in Elland and Sheffield and has worked with a vast range of organisations ranging from major nationwide utilities providers and blue chip brands, to local SMEs and construction partners. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Peter McHugh, a Liverpool-based real estate partner at national firm Excello Law, has advised Caldeira, the UK’s leading cushion company, on the acquisition of a new headquarters on the Knowsley Industrial Park in Merseyside in a £3 million investment project. “Caldeira’s acquisition and redevelopment of their new HQ will bring additional investment and job opportunities into Knowsley. It’s also testament to a strong partnership and funding approach across the City which ensures successful local companies are able to grow their businesses in the heart of Merseyside,” said Peter. The 85,000 sq. ft. factory on a three-acre site, at 29 Lees Road, will contain manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, office and showroom facilities. The surplus space at the site, not yet required by Caldeira, is being developed and will be rented to other companies. “We’ve been working with Peter over the last year on our property needs and we find in him, and Excello Law, a very knowledgeable and responsive real estate team. Peter’s advice was key to ensuring a property that meets all our needs for future expansion of the business,” added Tony Caldeira, Founder and Managing Director of Caldeira, The significant renovation of the site has involved a full refurbishment of the property. In addition, there have been adaptations to the factory, warehouse, offices and showroom space to enable the company to increase production to over a million cushions per year. As part of the project, the company is investing in solar energy making Caldeira carbon negative in 2023. Caldeira’s purchase of the building has been supported by HSBC Bank in Liverpool, while the building renovation has been assisted by the Liverpool City Region Flexible Growth Fund via MSIF, and the Liverpool City Region Capital Grant Fund, which is delivered by St.Helens Chamber of Commerce. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Internal glazed doors might be a popular choice in modern homes, but many homeowners are still not sure of the benefits they offer. While some like them for aesthetic reasons, others may install them for practicality. If you aren’t sure whether you should install solid wood doors or glass doors, here are the benefits that interior doors with glass provide: 1. Keeping the Heat In Internal glazed doors can be an excellent way to improve the heat retention of your home. The glass panel of the door allows natural light to flow freely, thus creating a brighter space, while the solid core reduces heat loss thus keeping you warm. A glazed oak door is a classic option capable of complementing any home, while a gray or white finish offers a contemporary look. Whether you are looking to bring some new style to your hallway or update your kitchen, an internal glazed door can be a great investment. 2. Adding Style to Your Home Internal glazed doors come in a wide variety of styles, which means that you should not have any problem finding one that suits your home’s style. You can find glazed doors made of metal, glass, and even wood. Internal glazed doors made from wood are most popular since they give a classic look to any room. Still, there are other types available, such as the ones made from glass that give off a very modern look to a room. 3. Great for Socializing and Ensuring Privacy Internal doors are an important part of your home since they serve as the gateway between different rooms. The doors are typically solid wooden doors, but you may prefer something different. Internal glazed doors allow natural light to filter into the room, helping it brighten up and make it feel more spacious. Still, they can give you privacy if you want. If you want to combine socializing and privacy in your home, then internal glazed doors are an excellent option. The doors usually have glass panels that let light through while still allowing some privacy. They are great for those that love entertaining and keep their homes open plan, but still have times when they require some peace and quiet without being disturbed. 4. Available in a Wide Range of Designs Internal glazed doors come in a wide range of styles and designs that you can choose from. Some of the internal glazed doors have glass in a range of different patterns while others are solid. Internal glazed doors can be used to provide you with privacy er even to add a decorative feature to your home. 5. Can Be Integrated with the Existing Décor Internal glazed doors allow light to pass through them, which makes the room appear bigger and this is their most important feature. The doors also make your home feel more spacious and give it a contemporary edge. The best thing about internal glazed doors is that that can be easily integrated with the existing décor. 6. Glass is Long-Lasting and Durable Glass is a long-lasting and durable material that can be used in a variety of situations. It is also incredibly easy to clean, which makes it a natural choice for doors with glass panels. Stained glass panels also help to add interest to a door. Glass allows light to pass through into a dark room, making it appear brighter than it actually is. Clear glass is the best option for contemporary homes that want to look open and bright, while frosted glass can provide privacy and still allow light into the room. 7. Glass Provides Natural Light Even in Darker Areas Internal glazed doors allow natural light to pass through the interior of the home thus eliminating the need for artificial light. So, when you have glazed doors in your home, you can save on electricity bills without compromising your home’s lighting. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
