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June 21, 2023
Why Sustainable Solutions Are Vital for the Security Industry's Future

Why Sustainable Solutions Are Vital for the Security Industry’s Future

Kenneth Booth June 21, 2023

By Rhys Richardson, Business Development Director – CLD Systems  In an era marked by growing environmental consciousness, industries are actively seeking innovative ways to embrace sustainability. However, one sector that has often been overlooked in this context is security. Nevertheless, a transformative shift is currently underway, reshaping the security industry’s

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Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan to build 345 apartments

Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan to build 345 apartments

Cristina Diaconu June 21, 2023

Mitsui Fudosan and Stanhope, as development manager, announce that they have confirmed the appointment of Multiplex as the construction manager for two residential blocks of 345 apartments as part of the second phase of the redevelopment of Television Centre. This announcement demonstrates both the success of the first phase of

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Latest Issue
Issue 328 : May 2025

June 21, 2023

Paramount appointed to lead £11-million refurbishment of 3 Rivergate building on Bristol’s Temple Quay

Paramount appointed to lead £11-million refurbishment of 3 Rivergate building on Bristol’s Temple Quay

BDC News Team June 21, 2023

Paramount has won a prestigious £11-million contract to transform a Bristol city centre office complex for global investment bank, Credit Suisse. The design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist has been tasked with providing a high-spec refurbishment of the building on Temple Quay, with the view of creating one of Bristol’s greenest commercial buildings. Paramount will undertake the refurbishment alongside architect and design firm AWW and property consultants CBRE as project manager for clients Credit Suisse in a major boost for the South West economy. Together, the project team will target the highest construction industry standards for sustainability and wellness, working towards securing the coveted BREEAM Excellent, Wiredscore Platinum and 3-star Fitwel 3 certification. Kevin Mashford, the Paramount Sales Director who heads up the company’s Bristol team, said: “We are all delighted to have been handed responsibility for transforming 3 Rivergate and creating a truly inspiring workplace. “We have developed a strong reputation for using our expertise to create spaces that are truly special, and we will ensure 3 Rivergate has a striking transformation and is an outstanding place to work. “We look forward to working in close collaboration with CBRE and AWW on behalf of Credit Suisse to ensure 3 Rivergate is also one of Bristol’s greenest commercial buildings with sustainability and wellness at its heart.” The year-long refurbishment project, which is now under way, will see the seven-storey, fully serviced Grade A office complex undergo a comprehensive refurbishment which will pave the way for 75,000 sq ft of available, flexible workspace via agents Lambert Smith Hampton and CBRE. A range of new features will include a new striking façade, generous landscaping, amongst best-in-class end of journey facilities. Paramount will introduce the latest energy-efficient systems, new building management system, solar energy panels, upgraded fire alarm, new security system, CCTV, access control, access barriers and a cycle-store.  Jack Sawbridge, Credit Suisse Asset Manager, said: “3 Rivergate is an exemplary project demonstrating our ability to adapt and recycle existing real estate for the modern occupier.  “We are delivering a modern workspace with a commitment to both occupier well-being and environmental sensitivity.  “Sustainable and renewable elements have been meticulously integrated, and the newly enhanced building will offer adaptable floor plates, best-in-class facilities and considerable new public and dedicated landscaping.  “Our chosen contractor, Paramount, has demonstrated a deep understanding of our vision and we look forward to delivering this ambitious project together.” Paramount, whose turnover currently stands at £38.5 million, is well known across Wales and England where it has created high-quality space for a number of leading companies. These include football legend Gareth Bale’s Par 59 bars, multi-million-pound redevelopment of Hodge House in Cardiff, Development Bank of Wales HQ refurbishment, transformation of the landmark 360 Bristol office complex and office revamps in Bath for American software  SmartBear and financial services consultancy Altus.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Polcom delivers 15th hotel furniture project for Whitbread’s Hub by Premier brand

Polcom delivers 15th hotel furniture project for Whitbread’s Hub by Premier brand

BDC News Team June 21, 2023

Hotel fitout specialist, Polcom Furniture by Volumetric Building Companies, has delivered its 15th contract for Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn hotel brand. This latest project for main contractor Gilbert Ash was to manufacture and install the guest room furniture for the new hub by Premier Inn hotel in Clerkenwell, London. Designed by Sheppard Robson, the 180-bed hotel is part of a £38m mixed use development on the site of a former carpark in central London. It is one of 15 hub by Premier Inn hotels now in operation across central London and Edinburgh – all fitted out by Polcom. The project managers for the scheme were Cumming Group. Polcom manufactured around 1,700 items of furniture for the new four-storey hotel and for three hub by Premier Inn room designs – standard, bigger, and accessible rooms. Paul Quinn, Associate Director of Cumming Group, said, “We have worked on a number of Whitbread hotel projects with Polcom. The quality of their furniture and fitout on the Clerkenwell project was exactly as expected. The furniture is manufactured to a consistently high standard and optimises the space really well.” Fitted furniture was provided for the bedrooms in a matt ecru finish and included a closet with mirror, coat panel, bed base with integrated storage, headboard with recesses, pull-out table, and partition between the bedroom and ensuite. The bigger rooms feature a king-sized bed, headboard, desk and closet. Polcom also provided a vanity unit for each of the ensuites in an ecru finish with a contrasting wood-effect trim. Polcom is now working with Gilbert Ash on two other hub by Premier Inn projects in London – Camden High Street and Old Marylebone Road. Its team has worked on Whitbread hotel projects for over a decade. Acquired by Volumetric Building Companies in 2022, Polcom Furniture has more than 20 years’ experience in the hotel sector and has delivered bespoke furniture and fitout contracts for a wide range of hospitality brands including Premier Inn, Holiday Inn Express, citizenM and Marriott International. Polcom offers high quality and flexible furniture solutions for bedrooms and ensuites which are manufactured in Europe and can meet any brand specification for hotel customers across the globe. This gives operators in the hospitality space the benefits of shorter lead times, greater certainty of supply, and stringent quality standards – from materials sourcing to production and installation. Polcom Furniture also has strong logistics and project management to meet contractors’ scheduling and programmes, particularly on constrained urban sites. For further information, visit www.vbc.co/polcomfurniture. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Why Sustainable Solutions Are Vital for the Security Industry's Future

Why Sustainable Solutions Are Vital for the Security Industry’s Future

Kenneth Booth June 21, 2023

By Rhys Richardson, Business Development Director – CLD Systems  In an era marked by growing environmental consciousness, industries are actively seeking innovative ways to embrace sustainability. However, one sector that has often been overlooked in this context is security. Nevertheless, a transformative shift is currently underway, reshaping the security industry’s approach to sustainability. The journey to transform the security industry into a sustainable powerhouse is not without its challenges. For CLD Systems the primary hurdle lies in garnering support from its stakeholders and ensuring that sustainable solutions are viewed as valuable investments rather than burdensome costs. Overcoming this obstacle requires collective efforts to integrate sustainable practices throughout the industry, promoting product reuse and longevity, while dispelling the misconception that sustainability compromises profitability. Driving the security industry towards sustainability requires designing sustainable products and solutions from project inception and allocating adequate budgets for them. By embedding sustainability as a core consideration, the industry can proactively implement sustainable solutions on a wider scale. Achieving this vision requires collaboration among all stakeholders and a commitment to challenging the status quo. The increasing priority placed on sustainable solutions by customers across various industries has begun to influence the security sector as well. While larger projects have made notable strides in adopting sustainability, there remains untapped potential for smaller ventures. CLD Systems, the leading UK manufacturer and supplier of rigid mesh fencing and security gates, showcases its commitment to sustainable solutions with the integration of its On-Ground FenceSafe product during the construction phase of projects. Made with a 100% recycled base and 78% recycled steel, this product serves a dual purpose. It can be used during construction and then converted into a permanent fenceline or easily deployed on the next project, showcasing the versatility of such solutions and promoting positive sustainable outcomes. By utilising recycled materials, CLD Systems not only showcases the versatility of sustainable solutions but also significantly reduces carbon emissions and waste generation, making a positive impact on the environment. The On-Ground FenceSafe is positioned directly on the ground, eliminating the need for physical tools, streamlining operations whilst minimising resource consumption. This approach effectively minimises environmental impact and lowers carbon emissions. The shift toward sustainability in the security industry is driven by customers’ heightened awareness of environmental issues and their desire to align their projects with sustainable values. This growing demand underscores the changing landscape of customer expectations, where sustainability is a crucial factor in decision-making processes. More clients are now seeking BREEAM excellence, the world’s leading science-based suite of validation and certification systems for sustainable built environment. This places a significant responsibility on CLD Systems as manufacturers to challenge the status quo and provide innovative, sustainable solutions. To achieve this, CLD Systems collaborates with contractors who operate zero-to-waste schemes, further reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices. In response to the ever-evolving nature of the security sector, CLD Systems has emerged with a solution that aligns with sustainable principles: rental options. This approach offers clients greater flexibility while minimising waste. The RiseMaster HE Barrier, an automatic boom arm barrier system powered entirely by solar energy, exemplifies this commitment. Featuring primary and secondary photovoltaic panels, it eliminates the need for road crossing control cabling during installation, reducing environmental impact and carbon emissions. With 24/7 solar autonomy and zero carbon emissions over a 10-year life cycle, it sets a new standard for sustainable security solutions. The integration of Bluetooth connectivity reduces the reliance on physical tools, streamlining operations and minimising resource consumption. As the security industry aligns itself with the broader environmental movement, CLD Systems’ commitment to offering rental solutions and solar-powered innovations paves the way for a greener and more secure future. By embracing collaboration, innovation, and sustainable product design, the industry can make a significant impact in addressing environmental challenges while meeting customer demands for a more sustainable and secure world. To find out more about CLD Systems’ products, please visit: www.cld-systems.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Homeowners embrace solar panels and insulation as cost-of-living crisis bites

Homeowners embrace solar panels and insulation as cost-of-living crisis bites

BDC News Team June 21, 2023

New data shows that homeowners across the country are turning to solar panels and insulation upgrades to combat high energy costs.  According to the new analysis of planning applications by Barbour ABI, the number of planning applications citing insulation has more than doubled since 2019, and those citing solar panels have risen threefold. Not only is this saving money on heating, but evidence suggests energy efficiency upgrades are now increasing house values, even as the housing market struggles. This trend follows the disruption of the pandemic, which had previously led to a surge in home improvement in 2019 and 2020, as homeowners spent savings on improving outside space and reconfiguring internal space to make way for home working. Barbour ABI Chief Economist, Tom Hall said: “The latest data reveals the exceptional impact on the home-improvement market created by an extraordinary series of economic and social disruptions. Covid saw home improvement applications boom as people looked to extensions, home office improvements and garden upgrades to improve home working conditions – activity has fallen over the last year but overall numbers remain above the pre-pandemic trend. “The surge in solar panel installations and the rapid rise in insulation work suggests that the cost savings from reduced energy bills and increasing evidence of an energy efficiency premium is now tempting for better-off homeowners.” Meanwhile, the pressure on the UK to meet its net zero targets is likely to grow, prompting the use of incentives or regulation to encourage reluctant owners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, so we expect this trend to continue.” St Albans in the home improvement capital of Great Britain St Albans in Hertfordshire has topped the league for the most home improvement planning applications in the UK. Looking at the hottest spots for home improvement, the Top 25 table shows that districts in London’s commuter belt dominate. The East of England and Southeast regions each fill nine slots on the table, with London taking five. The remaining two places in the top 25 are taken by Uttlesford, near Stansted in Essex, and Cotswold, in Gloucestershire. The Top 5 districts include St Albans, Three Rivers, Elmbridge, South Cambridgeshire and Epping Forest. Falloff in home improvement applications But whilst the sharp rise in the cost of living may have prompted many households in better-off communities to invest, the same pressures are restricting spending in poorer areas. All regions saw a sharp drop of 19% from a peak of planning applications in 2021, but it’s districts in the north of Britain filling out the bottom of the league whilst the Northeast is the hardest hit region, dropping 26%. Hall continued: “There can be little doubt that the home-improvement market will suffer as the economy weakens and the cost-of-living crisis bites deeper into the pockets of households. But counter to this, the case for investment in improvements that reduce the cost of running a home is increasingly making sense for those who still have money to invest in their properties. “However, there is evidence to suggest the benefits will not be felt evenly throughout Great Britain. Less-well-off areas will struggle to fund upgrades of any sort in the current economic climate, leaving them at the mercy of energy markets.”   Barbour ABI’s full report will be available at www.Barbour-abi.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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£260 million public sector refurbishment framework seeks contractors in England and Wales

£260 million public sector refurbishment framework seeks contractors in England and Wales

BDC News Team June 21, 2023

Contractors in England and Wales can now apply for a new £260 million public sector framework to deliver a wide range of housing and non-residential refurbishment and associated retrofit works. The projects will be delivered under not-for-profit public sector construction framework provider LHC Procurement Group’s (LHC) new Refurbishment and Modernisation (RM3) Framework. It replaces LHC’s Whole House Refurbishment and Associated Works (WH2) framework and includes the refurbishment of non-residential buildings. RM3 offers social housing providers and public sector organisations the flexibility to procure a range of refurbishment works to meet their asset management and improvement requirements covering the following workstreams: Dean Fazackerley, head of technical procurement at LHC, said: “We have designed the RM3 framework with contractors across the marketplace to ensure the appointment of high-quality expertise with a strong regional base, while also supporting clients and partners in delivering social value and environmental commitments. RM3 will provide clients with access to a range of companies from SMEs through to large organisations, as well as the flexibility to deliver a wide variety of refurbishment and associated retrofit works. “What makes this framework so unique is that whereas WH2 only focused on housing, RM3 goes further and applies to non-residential settings where the same specification applies. It can also be used in conjunction with LHC’s supply frameworks, such as Kitchens and Associated Products (K7).” The nationwide framework is worth £210 million in England, £50 million in Wales, and £100 million in Scotland. Eight suppliers will be appointed per lot per region, as well as a reserve list of four for each regional lot to provide additional back up companies during the life of the four-year framework. The scope of buildings RM3 applies to includes, but is not limited to: The deadline for applications is 27 July 2023, and tender documents are available on LHC’s eTendering Portal. Click here for details: Refurbishment and Modernisation Framework Agreement (RM3) Other useful links: England: Find a Tender Wales: Find a Tender Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan to build 345 apartments

Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan to build 345 apartments

Cristina Diaconu June 21, 2023

Mitsui Fudosan and Stanhope, as development manager, announce that they have confirmed the appointment of Multiplex as the construction manager for two residential blocks of 345 apartments as part of the second phase of the redevelopment of Television Centre. This announcement demonstrates both the success of the first phase of Television Centre and the developers’ continued confidence in White City and the London market. Enabling works and site preparation will commence in Q3 2023 for 345 luxury apartments in two separate plots designed by Stirling prize-winning architectural practices dRMM and AHMM, following the masterplan established by lead architects AHMM. Main construction is due to commence in 2024. The start of these works anticipates the completion of the masterplan and will further open up the site to local residents, visitors and workers by the creation of a second entrance on Wood Lane and pedestrian connection through to Hammersmith Park via interlinking urban streets. These new buildings are designed to be distinctive and have a character of their own, complementing each other and the buildings established across the wider estate. Jonathan Trout, Property & Commercial Director at Stanhope, said: “We are delighted to be working with Multiplex for the development of 345 new homes on this iconic site which we expect to complete by 2026. The start of phase 2 demonstrates the commitment of Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan to the delivery of much needed new housing, including affordable, in Hammersmith & Fulham and our long-term commitment to the area.” Tomoo Nakamura, Chief Executive, Mitsui Fudosan, UK said: “We are delighted to announce our appointment of Multiplex and we look forward to working with them to bring forward the procurement of phase 2. As the sole owners of phase 2 we are also delighted to be able to continue to collaborate with Stanhope as development manager for the delivery of 345 new apartments. We have already completed over half a million square feet of office space as well as more than 430 homes on the Television Centre site. We remain focused on ensuring that this development continues to be delivered to the highest standards while we continue to explore other investment opportunities in London.” Topping out has recently been completed on 142 new affordable homes for Peabody in two new buildings called Macfarlane Place at Television Centre, with delivery expected in early 2024. Designed by Maccreanor Lavington Architects, the new buildings will replace the now demolished former BBC multi-storey car park on Wood Lane, W12, opposite Westfield. 1 Wood Crescent has recently completed and is let to PVH with Calvin Klein, Van Heusen and TOMMY HILFIGER undertaking fit out works. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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