HS2 has taken a further step forward in decarbonising the constructure sector, completing a world first by installing four 30-metre deep piles on a London site using a hydrogen dual-fuel piling rig. The trial took place as part of work done in partnership by ULEMCo and Cementation Skanska, working with
Another year, another stellar Hire Association Europe Event Hire Association (HAE EHA) Hire Awards of Excellence is in the bag with the glamorous evening having taken place on Saturday 22 April 2023. In its sixteenth year in our nation’s capital, the industry’s showpiece event took place at Grosvenor House, London.
What do a successful musical and an award-winning purpose-built student accommodation developer have in common? Alumno Managing Director David Campbell reveals all… When we applied for planning permission for one of our most challenging, yet rewarding projects in 2018, little did we know that the journey would end with an Alumno team outing in March 2023 to
Designer Contract’s charity challengers, Team Massive, are set to reach new peaks. The team of eight employees is in training for the Peak District Ultra Challenge on July 8 and 9. The tough two-day test will see some of the team taking part on both days, walking a whopping 100km.
HS2 has taken a further step forward in decarbonising the constructure sector, completing a world first by installing four 30-metre deep piles on a London site using a hydrogen dual-fuel piling rig. The trial took place as part of work done in partnership by ULEMCo and Cementation Skanska, working with the world-leading Business Research Establishment (BRE), funded through the BEIS Phase 1 Red Diesel Replacement competition. ULEMCo and Cementation Skanska successfully modified a medium sized CFA piling rig, converting it so that the machine component operated using energy from on-board hydrogen tanks. Using the dual-fuel system, both diesel and biofuels (HVO) can be mixed with hydrogen, displacing the fuel with hydrogen, resulting in a reduction in fuel use and lower CO2 emissions. Following successful yard trials simulating the technology, the rig was brought onto a HS2 site in London where it has successfully completed piling works for HS2, demonstrating that the dual-fuel adaptation can be applied more widely across the construction sector supporting the decarbonisation of plant and machinery. The successful trial is one of several initiatives being undertaken by HS2 in its commitment to decarbonising construction sites and achieving completely diesel-free sites by 2029. To date, 19 HS2 sites operate entirely diesel-free. Speaking about the success of the dual-fuel piling rig on a HS2 site, Andrea Davidson, Head of Environmental Sciences for HS2 Ltd, said: “HS2 is continuing to drive a positive change in the construction sector and is providing an important environment to develop the real-world use of hydrogen energy technology. “The development of dual-fuel systems that can be used to adapt existing equipment so it can run off cleaner, low carbon energy sources, could be a game changer across the construction sector.” Now that it has been shown that the technology can work in a real-world scenario, ULEMCo and Cementation Skanksa are looking at how this technology can be used more widely, reducing embodied carbon in construction and reducing impacts on local communities near construction sites. Terry Muckian, Managing Director, Cementation Skanska said: “Using this rig in a real-world environment to install piles on a commercial site is an exciting milestone. It follows the success of the simulated trials last year and is the next step towards rolling the technology out more widely. “This project goes beyond piling and ground engineering, it provides proof of concept for converting other types of heavy construction equipment, paving the way to construction site decarbonisation.” Amanda Lyne, Managing Director of ULEMCo said:“The machines used in construction are owned and used for many years, so demonstrating a decarbonisation solution that utilises these existing assets is not only cost-effective but also important for sustainability.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Another year, another stellar Hire Association Europe Event Hire Association (HAE EHA) Hire Awards of Excellence is in the bag with the glamorous evening having taken place on Saturday 22 April 2023. In its sixteenth year in our nation’s capital, the industry’s showpiece event took place at Grosvenor House, London. The show, itself an award winner having scored the Best Longstanding Event at the Association Excellence Awards, celebrates the outstanding achievements of hire and supply companies across the UK’s plant, tool, equipment and event hire industries. As CEO Paul Gaze said on the night: “People really are our greatest asset, and it is important that as a sector we work together to help promote careers and look for a much wider and broader range of candidates. We have some inspiring finalists for the 2023 Awards.” This year’s host was former Royal Marine and Elite Team Coach, Scotty Mills. The ‘secret weapon’ behind the success of the England football team at the 2018 World Cup kept everyone entertained and inspired with his commentary throughout the evening. The first accolade of the evening was for the Outstanding Contribution to Hire Award. With many worthy recipients across the plant, tool, equipment and event hire sectors this is an extremely tough award to give. But with 23 years’ experience across the sector and for championing improvements to the way the hire industry tackles mental health, Asif Latief, Managing Director of Boels Rental, took the applause and the award. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
What do a successful musical and an award-winning purpose-built student accommodation developer have in common? Alumno Managing Director David Campbell reveals all… When we applied for planning permission for one of our most challenging, yet rewarding projects in 2018, little did we know that the journey would end with an Alumno team outing in March 2023 to see an award-winning musical at London’s National Theatre. Always looking for exciting and original projects, we were approached by our friends at Urban Splash to become involved in the regeneration of Sheffield’s iconic Park Hill Estate development. This striking, sublime, brutalist, yet much maligned, development was designed by Jack Lynn and Ivor Smith in the 1950s, providing almost 1,000 homes in 400 acres of high-rise blocks poetically named the ‘streets in the sky’. Creativity in sync We always believed the city centre location made Park Hill ideal for student housing, so were honoured to be brought in to deliver our vision for phase 3 of the project, Béton House. After months of planning work, led by Sheffield-based Whittam Cox Architects, we convinced the local authority that our conservation-led approach to the design, preserving the historic character of the building, was the right move, and celebrated gaining planning permission in July 2018. While we were preparing the plans for Béton House, another creative team were also working on a Park Hill project. In contrast to our preservation of the visual design, architecture and structure of the estate, they were marking and celebrating its social impact. Standing on the Sky’s Edge is the vibrant and compelling story of how Park Hill and its dwellers have changed across generations. It reflects the fluctuating face and personality of Sheffield, much in the same way as we saw the new student community as part of this legacy and a new vibrant community. Songs and storeys When our construction partners Kier began work on Béton House, Standing on the Sky’s Edge was opening at Sheffield’s Crucible theatre to rave reviews. However, plans to tour were brutally brought to a halt by the pandemic. By the time the musical re-emerged in December 2022, Béton House was open, flourishing with vibrant student life. Another stage was complete in the revitalisation of a Sheffield landmark and social hub. Meanwhile, the buzz around Standing on the Sky’s Edge was growing again, with the show soon to move to London’s famous National Theatre. Which was when the Alumno team went along to experience the show and revisit the themes and feelings that made Park Hill such an important project for us – and we were delighted to be mentioned in the show’s programme! The production has since won Best New Musical at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Our restoration of Park Hill will help to ensure the iconic estate has more stories for playwrights and songsmiths to tell about the people who live there for generations to come – and we are proud to say we have played our part. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Designer Contract’s charity challengers, Team Massive, are set to reach new peaks. The team of eight employees is in training for the Peak District Ultra Challenge on July 8 and 9. The tough two-day test will see some of the team taking part on both days, walking a whopping 100km. The others will join them to complete the 50km day two hike. Last year Team Massive successfully conquered the Yorkshire Three Peaks to raise £5,490 for Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield, the Derbyshire town where Designer Contracts is headquartered. Said commercial director Louise Walters: “Although we said ‘never again’ after last year’s challenge, the team couldn’t resist the opportunity to tackle the figure-of-eight route, starting in Bakewell and following the northern loop through the Peak District National Park, an area which is world famous for its outstanding natural beauty. “The company is a long-time supporter of Ashgate Hospice. Last year we donated more than £100,000 to the charity after running an online Christmas prize draw. In 2019 we gave £100,000 to help fund the hospice’s ‘Three Bedded Bay Appeal’ for renovations to its patient bays. Although we’ve set our target at a modest £500 we hope our supporters will once again step up and ensure we can raise a really worthwhile sum for the charity.” Taking part in this year’s challenge are Louise Walters, Sarah Hayes, Simon Lovett, Stacey Brereton, Harry James, Kim Cartwright, Lee Hassett and Nick Bury – all Designer Contracts employees. They will join the anticipated 2,000 adventurers expected to take part in the 2023 Ultra Challenge. Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/designercontracts1 Designer Contracts is the UKs largest flooring contractor and operates nationally. As well as flooring, the company provides blinds and curtains, furniture and lighting, and operates a show home interior design service division. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
