A sustainability initiative has seen passive fire specialist FSi cut the amount of waste water it generates by more than 550,000 litres a year. Through a specialist water cleansing system, FSi has successfully reduced the amount of wastewater created though its manufacturing operation by up to 90 per cent. And
Nearly 2,000 jobs supported by the construction of HS2’s ‘super-hub’ station HS2’s landmark super-hub station is today celebrating a key milestone as it marks two years of permanent construction. In June 2021, the then Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, gave the thumbs up for
An annual women in STEAM careers open day, held at the construction site of Belfast Grand Central Station, has brought together 60 female students from three schools in the city for an interactive experience event designed to inspire the next generation of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) talent.
A timber frame specialist which has never looked back after its first experience with Actis insulation products has just completed a seven-home development in East Sussex whose U-values far outstrip building regulation requirements, thanks to using its Hybrid range. The timber frame development in Crowborough is well on the way
A new housing scheme at Herbert Avenue led by BCP Council and delivered by AJC group has won an affordable housing award. It received the Affordable Housing Development of the Year accolade at the Insider South West Property Awards. When complete the scheme will deliver 24 energy efficient apartments for
Darren Freed has joined Prologis UK as a Director within the Real Estate and Customer Service team in a newly created role for the company. He joins the UK’s leading owner, developer and investor of logistics property with 20 years of experience in asset and fund management. Previously employed by
The latest report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Timber Industries, ‘Timber Construction: Barriers and Solutions’, provides a set of policy recommendations to expand low-carbon timber construction in the UK. Increasing the use of timber in construction has been recommended by both the Climate Change Committee and Environmental
Works to excavate 22-acres of the Liverpool Festival Gardens site are nearing completion after two years. The derelict land had not been touched in 25 years before remediation work began on the area. More than 380,000 cubic metres of soil and waste has been removed as part of the project,
Sheffield City Council has announced a £117 million investment package for the city’s leisure and entertainment facilities. The plans include rebuilds of some of the city’s most popular leisure centres, improvements to Sheffield Arena and the City Hall. Springs, Concord and Hillsborough Leisure Centres have all been selected for rebuilds.
In recent years, investing in student accommodation has increasingly gained popularity among savvy commercial real estate investors looking for lucrative opportunities. That’s because this sort of investment usually means attractive returns and stable cash flow. Student accommodation is often in high demand, and the leasing process is a lot simpler
A sustainability initiative has seen passive fire specialist FSi cut the amount of waste water it generates by more than 550,000 litres a year. Through a specialist water cleansing system, FSi has successfully reduced the amount of wastewater created though its manufacturing operation by up to 90 per cent. And by re-using the recycled water in its processes, the company has in turn reduced its fresh water consumption by half a million litres. Previously classed as low risk toxic waste due to the presence of contaminants, wastewater generated by the production process at FSi had needed to be disposed of at a specialist centre. However, through a dedicated cleansing process FSi is now able to remove the toxins from the water to allow it to be reused on the site. The wastewater treatment system has been in place at FSi’s manufacturing headquarters in Measham since the start of the year and has had an instant impact. Dave Bennett, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager for FSi, explained: “Through our production processes we create a large amount of low risk contaminated wastewater. Prior to the introduction of the new process around 650,000 litres a year were going into low-risk waste disposal, which was something that we wanted to find a solution to. “We went all over the country looking for a suitable product that could process wastewater and eventually found I and C Industries in Glasgow, which said they could get our wastewater clean to a brown water state that we would be able to dispose of, or put back into our process. “That is now going back into our processes, or we are using it for hosing down works areas, such as cleaning up mixing equipment. Mixes are made in 1300 litre batches and need to be cleaned after use, so the water has been ideal for that. Once used in our processes it will then be recycled again. “As a result of this we’ve managed to bring our wastewater down to around 10 per cent of what it was.” The water is treated through a process known as flocculation, which adds materials to the water that change its chemistry, increasing the size of the particles to draw out chemicals, which can then be pulled out of the water and separated. The result is a sludge-type substance of low-level contaminants that is then taken away from the site to be disposed of at a specialist low risk contaminant waste facility, and the remaining treated water is re-used on site. The reduction in the amount of wastewater needing to be transported from the site for disposal brings further potential savings in carbon emissions. The introduction of the wastewater treatment system is part of a wider scheme to minimise waste across FSi’s operation, which has sought to drastically cut waste and increase efficient recycling, including adding a greater level of control to ensure efficient end recycling. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly 2,000 jobs supported by the construction of HS2’s ‘super-hub’ station HS2’s landmark super-hub station is today celebrating a key milestone as it marks two years of permanent construction. In June 2021, the then Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, gave the thumbs up for permanent work to begin on HS2’s super hub station, Old Oak Common, in West London. Work on the site has gathered pace and significant progress has been made. A total workforce of 1,900 people are supporting the delivery of the HS2 ‘super-hub’ station, with the site itself welcoming around 1,000 workers each day. After being given the signal to start permanent construction, HS2’s Station Construction Partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture (BBVS JV) started work on the the installation of the 1.2 mile diaphragm wall for the underground box which will contain the six new high-speed platforms. The wall was completed back in March, with the team having installed 275 diaphragm wall panels and 161 bearing piles, the largest of these being 2.2m in diameter and 57m in length. The first base slab concrete pour in the western end of the station box has also taken place. The excavation of the box is also well underway with over 465,000m3 of London clay already removed out of a total of 930,000m3 from across the site. The excavated clay from the site is now being taken away via part of a 1.7 mile conveyor network, removing thousands of lorry movements from local roads. The conveyor was officially switched on in November 2022 by the HS2 Minister, Huw Merriman MP. Over 900 of the 1,600 concrete piles have been installed into the ground where the HS2 station superstructure and overground platforms for the conventional train network will be constructed. Piling work began earlier this year on the second half of the super-hub – the eight platforms that will be served by Great Western Mainline and Heathrow Express services. It will also become the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth Line. Platform construction will start later this year. The team also successfully completed the demolition of the Wycombe Line Bridge, over Old Oak Common Lane, at the end of May 2023. The disused rail bridge was removed following a weekend road closure, and makes way for the construction of the new Network Rail bridges which allow the Great Western Mainline track alignment to be widened as it approaches the new station. The team are not just focused on what they are building but also how they are building. HS2 is committed to eliminating the use of diesel on all its construction sites by 2029 and significant progress has been made towards this at Old Oak Common. The site has set a goal to achieve diesel-free by the end of 2024, with a collaborative team working on plans. Amongst a number of measures being taken at the site is a transition to electric equipment including the use of two fully electric crawler cranes, two of only five used across the world. There is also an abundance of green technology being used, including hybrid excavators and diesel equipment retrofitted to use more sustainable fuels. Speaking about the incredible progress at the site, HS2’s Project Client, Huw Edwards, said: “Here at Old Oak Common, we are well underway in our work to construct London’s newest super-hub station. Our work is supporting nearly 2,000 jobs and we are already seeing that the new station is becoming a catalyst for regeneration in the Old Oak and Park Royal area. “Upon completion, it will harness the close linkage with the newly opened Elizabeth Line, dramatically improving connectivity and creating a new destination to live and work in London.” Nigel Russell, Project Director for Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA said: “Together with HS2 and our supply chain partners, we have made great progress at Old Oak Common having most recently celebrated the first concrete base pour for the station box. “We now look forward to continuing this momentum as we work hard to complete HS2’s ‘super-hub’, which will become one of Britain’s largest, best connected and most sustainable railway stations.” Later this year, the eastern end of the ten-hectare site will be handed over the HS2’s London Tunnels Contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), for the breakthrough of the Tunnelling Boring Machine, named Lydia, which will have completed the construction of an 850m long logistics tunnel from the nearby Atlas Road site. The SCS JV team will then receive two further TBMs delivered to Old Oak Common, in 2024, which will be assembled in the station box, ready to bore the 5 mile Euston Tunnel. Once open, Old Oak Common station will become one of the country’s most vital transport hubs, with services East, West, North and South. Plans to transform the wider area around the station, a former railway and industrial site, are being led by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and it projects that tens of thousands of new jobs and homes will be created around the new HS2 station. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An annual women in STEAM careers open day, held at the construction site of Belfast Grand Central Station, has brought together 60 female students from three schools in the city for an interactive experience event designed to inspire the next generation of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) talent. Farrans Sacyr, the main works contractor for Belfast Grand Central Station, hosted the day in collaboration with Translink, Babcock, W5, CITB, Engineers Ireland and their sponsors McAdam Design and Design ID to mark International Women in Engineering Day (Today – 23rd June 2023). Students aged 11-13 from St Louise’s Comprehensive College, Hunterhouse College and Victoria College engaged in a range of engineering challenges, gained hands on experience of using equipment and took part in interactive workshops on the commercial aspects of building, Minecraft and a virtual reality experience. Belfast Grand Central Station will deliver a modern, world-class integrated transport hub to enhance local and international connectivity with bus, coach and rail links across Northern Ireland and beyond. It will offer greater capacity with an increase to 26 bus stands, 8 railway platforms, enhanced walking and cycling connectivity, greater comfort and accessibility encouraging greener, active travel for a healthier, smarter city. The Weavers Cross development delivered as part of the project will regenerate the lands around Belfast Grand Central Station and facilitate economic growth and urban regeneration. Gemma Thompson, Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Translink commented: “This exciting new fully integrated transport hub will represent a step change for public transport. As a fully multi-modal transport facility it will improve connectivity for everyone in Northern Ireland and beyond and act as a highly impressive gateway. It is the largest construction project undertaken by Translink to date and has required significant engineering works from building and bridge construction, road upgrade works through to extensive railway and signalling works and we have been delighted to showcase this important project to these female students today. “As an organisation we are committed to actively encouraging more females to apply for public transport jobs. Being part of this event is a great opportunity to demonstrate the many opportunities open to females within the engineering and construction side of our business and show how a career in public transport can help play amajor part in tackling the climate crisis and enhance air quality, for a healthier, smarter and more sustainable city for everyone.” Sarah Fearon, Community Engagement and PR Manager for Farrans Sacyr, said: “One of our key priorities while delivering this important project is to have a positive and long-lasting societal impact by bringing economic, social and environmental benefits to the communities in which we operate. This event has brought the students on a tour through the skills that are needed on construction sites and demonstrated the array of opportunities that this industry has for their future. We thank all of our partner organisations on their support in bringing this event to fruition and to each of the schools for participating.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A timber frame specialist which has never looked back after its first experience with Actis insulation products has just completed a seven-home development in East Sussex whose U-values far outstrip building regulation requirements, thanks to using its Hybrid range. The timber frame development in Crowborough is well on the way to being completed and Berkshire-based Vision Development, whose construction methods are super speedy, is about to start work on a second scheme in the area for the same developer. Vision installs Actis 105mm honeycomb-style insulation Hybris on all its open panel timber frames at its Reading factory, with insulating multifoil vapour control layer HControl Hybrid installed on site. The walls in the Sussex scheme, in line with the majority of Vision’s projects, achieved a U-value of 0.16w/m2k – far exceeding the building regulations requirement of 0.26, with the H Control element of the build-up playing a key role in ensuring thermal efficiency by acting as an airtightness layer. Walls in other Vision properties can offer between 0.14 and 0.18, depending on the external façade. Vision ditched its former go-to insulation choice, PIR board, back in 2018 after discovering how quick, clean and easy Actis products are to install. It has since completed more than 150 new timber frame homes using the system, with one, a luxury lakeside holiday development in the Cotswolds, The Lakes by Yoo, receiving an architectural award. And it is currently working on a top-secret project with roof U-values of 0.11, using Actis Boost R Hybrid, 155mm Hybris and H Control Hybrid to the internal face, which is destined to be featured on TV’s Grand Designs. Vision Development directors Lucy Karpinski and Luke McAuley have both expressed their satisfaction with the Actis Hybrid insulation system. “We and our workshop teams much prefer the Hybris for cutting and installing in the panels at our factory as it is far less messy and they don’t need to wear masks as it does not kick off dust like the PIR insulation we previously used and is a much safer product from a health and safety point of view.” “The ease of installation is attractive to us, as the main USP for timber frame is the speed of construction. There is also minimal waste, which again works well with our timber frame ethic of being environmentally friendly and the insulation being non-toxic. It is much quicker to use than PIR board and takes around half the labour time to install. “We undertake a wide range of projects and Hybris insulation has offered a cost effective and convenient solution for them all.” “The technical support from Actis has always been extremely efficient and informative. We even had a team from Actis HQ in France coming over to visit us to see how we use their products with our timber frame systems to achieve varying U-values.” The products are supplied by Minster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new housing scheme at Herbert Avenue led by BCP Council and delivered by AJC group has won an affordable housing award. It received the Affordable Housing Development of the Year accolade at the Insider South West Property Awards. When complete the scheme will deliver 24 energy efficient apartments for people who are currently homeless and require a stepping-stone between hostels and independent living. The project aims to reduce dependency on temporary Bed and Breakfast accommodation, instead providing an alternative solution through the mix of 1,2- and 3-bedroom self-contained units. The development includes a number of green features, which led it to achieve Passivehaus certification. The plans also include bat and bird boxes which aim to maintain a healthy ecosystem. The development was also shortlisted in the Sustainable Development of the Year category in early June’s South Coast Property Awards. Commenting on the project, Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “This new development is so important to help towards our long-term vision of ending homelessness across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Helping people off the streets and into a safe place that they can call home, is something we’re all very passionate about. “To be recognised in these industry awards for the social impact of the scheme alongside the green credentials highlights our responsibility to our declared climate and ecological emergency alongside our commitment to reducing and ultimately ending homelessness, and I’m looking forward to seeing this accommodation in use once the development is complete.” Reflecting on their involvement, David Cracklen, Director of AJC Group, said: “We are delighted to have won the Insider South East Affordable Housing Development of the Year as well as being shortlisted for the Sustainable Development of the Year at the South Coast Property Awards, as Herbert Avenue is a shining example of what partnership working can deliver. This trailblazing development for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has been designed locally, and is being constructed by our local supply chain. And, as soon as the new homes are handed over, they will be occupied by local people. “With Poole and Sandbanks being such a tourist hotspot, the need for ‘move on’ accommodation might not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. However, the high cost of living here is why this scheme on Herbert Avenue is so vital. As a specialist in affordable housing, this eco-focused scheme is central to our core social values of building communities and delivering lasting change. We are very proud to be working on a project that will make a real difference to local people and the local economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Darren Freed has joined Prologis UK as a Director within the Real Estate and Customer Service team in a newly created role for the company. He joins the UK’s leading owner, developer and investor of logistics property with 20 years of experience in asset and fund management. Previously employed by Aviva Investors as a Director of Real Assets, Darren successfully repositioned assets totalling £2bn assets under management across Aviva Investors’ real estate business. Specialising in commercial real estate development and JV stakeholder management, he was previously responsible for managing a range of asset classes in UK real estate and running a team of asset managers across a variety of funds. His new role will create and execute strategies to maximise income and capital returns and his experience will grow Prologis UK’s Asset Management team, with a focus on deployment of strategic business planning, placemaking, and value-add opportunities. Darren will also deploy these skills to ensure assets earmarked for redevelopment are capable of being converted to sites ready for capital deployment. This will target lifecycle asset management through repositioning older assets and working with the variety of stakeholders to drive occupancy, value, and NOI improvements. Prior to Aviva, Darren was formerly at Hammerson and JLL. Darren is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Timber Industries, ‘Timber Construction: Barriers and Solutions’, provides a set of policy recommendations to expand low-carbon timber construction in the UK. Increasing the use of timber in construction has been recommended by both the Climate Change Committee and Environmental Audit Committee to decarbonise the UK’s built environment and achieve net zero by 2050. The report looks at how the government can achieve this through policies that increase demand for sustainable timber, increase the resilience of timber supply, tackle misconceptions about building safety and expand low-carbon construction skills. This latest APPG report complements the work of the Timber in Construction Working Group, which was set up by the government in 2021 to identify significant actions that should be taken to increase the number of timber structures built in the UK. The working group is set to release its official timber construction roadmap later this year. Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Chair of the APPG, said: “Built environment emissions are a major cause for concern, directly accounting for around 25% of the UK’s total carbon output. Tackling these emissions is essential if we are to hit net zero targets. “By using wood instead of other materials in construction, we can reduce these emissions, both through the carbon captured and stored in the wood product and the avoidance of using alternative CO2-intensive materials. “The latest APPG report looks to assist policymakers in their bid to decarbonise construction by outlining what policies can be used to expand timber use in the UK. “This report goes beyond the arguments for timber construction. We feel these have been well made and to good effect. “Instead, we want to turn these arguments into a policy reality, inspiring the government, and other political parties, in their bid to formulate green-built environment policies for the election next year.” You can access the report via the Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) website or download it below. DOWNLOAD REPORT HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Works to excavate 22-acres of the Liverpool Festival Gardens site are nearing completion after two years. The derelict land had not been touched in 25 years before remediation work began on the area. More than 380,000 cubic metres of soil and waste has been removed as part of the project, with 95% of the material being recycled. Liverpool City Council is now seeking to appoint multidisciplinary consultant team to assist the Council in preparing a development brief for the residential-led redevelopment of Festival Gardens. The appointed partner will work with the council to create a development brief which will then be advertised on the market for various contractors to bid for. The Liverpool Festival Gardens site is situated three miles south of the city centre. It is split into three different zones. A 28 acre development zone, 25 acres of oriental gardens and the southern grasslands – 37 acres of former Festival Gardens land that has self-seeded. The Development Zone, part of which was a former landfill site, once formed part of the International Garden Festival celebrations launched by Queen Elizabeth II in 1984. Commenting on the project, Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, Councillor Nick Small, said: “This is a major step forward in transforming this iconic location and bringing to life our vision of creating a brand new community, with a range of housing types and tenures, ancillary facilities and a high-quality, desirable public realm area. “The work undertaken to date to reach this milestone should not be underestimated, but our focus has been on getting everything right as we need to future-proof this land and make sure it’s fit for purpose for generations to come. “We look forward to moving on to the next phase and taking a step closer to this game-changing development.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sheffield City Council has announced a £117 million investment package for the city’s leisure and entertainment facilities. The plans include rebuilds of some of the city’s most popular leisure centres, improvements to Sheffield Arena and the City Hall. Springs, Concord and Hillsborough Leisure Centres have all been selected for rebuilds. In addition to investment for the Woodburn Road FC. A procurement process for the new projects will be put in place in 2024 when the existing agreements for the management of the various sites is due to end. The procurement process will be split into three packages. Each bidder will have the opportunity to tender for the packages that best suit their experience. The packages consist of Services for Sport and Leisure (including golf facilities), entertainment facilities at the town hall and entertainment facilities at the arena. Commenting on the plans, Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield is renowned for sport, leisure and entertainment with our venues hosting many elite events and high-profile shows. We’re proud of this but we know that many of our facilities need significant investment. Our plans will ensure there are modern, accessible leisure facilities across the city and they will ensure Sheffield has the venues to compete on the national and international stage. “Listening to our residents, we know that many people can find it hard to be active and incorporate healthy habits into daily life. That’s why we’re working with our partners to deliver excellent, low-cost facilities across the city. We want to ensure people across Sheffield can access facilities that support wellbeing, physical and mental health, that are aspirational for children and young people and are places to socialise and have fun. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’ve developed a long-term vision that will protect and enhance our much-loved venues. Across the country we’ve seen pool and leisure centres close but Sheffield is bucking the trend by investing in our facilities.” Reflecting on the potential impact of the scheme, Councillor Richard Williams, Chair of the Communities, Parks, and Leisure policy committee, said: “To look after ourselves, we need facilities and open spaces that are fit for purpose, places that people want to visit and enjoy. “Health and wellbeing matter now more than ever. A walk in the park, a swim at your local pool, or a 30-minute class in the gym does wonders for minds and bodies and it’s important that local people have the choices to do it their way. “Sheffield is one of only three cities in the UK to host a National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. A significant part of our success lies in working closely with our partners such as the NHS, the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Working together to deliver the city’s Move More strategy enables us to ensure Sheffield residents have the facilities they need to live happy, healthier lives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In recent years, investing in student accommodation has increasingly gained popularity among savvy commercial real estate investors looking for lucrative opportunities. That’s because this sort of investment usually means attractive returns and stable cash flow. Student accommodation is often in high demand, and the leasing process is a lot simpler than with other properties. Plus, locations near colleges and popular hot spots usually lead to favorable property appreciation. This only adds to the appeal of an already promising investment opportunity. So if you’re looking for your next investment, you may want to stick around. In today’s article, we will delve into some of the most compelling pull factors that make investing in student accommodation an attractive prospect in the current market. 1. Attractive Returns on Investment (ROI) One of the main reasons investors are drawn to student accommodation is the potential for higher rental yields compared to traditional residential properties. Also, a key factor contributing to an appealing ROI in student accommodations is low vacancy rates. Since there’s a consistent flow of students entering universities each academic year (in 2021/22, there were 2.86 million students at UK higher education institutions), demand for housing remains steady, helping maintain a high occupancy rate throughout the term. This reliable market demand ensures a stable source of rental income for investors. To maximize your returns, selecting an ideal location is crucial when investing in student accommodations. Proximity to universities or city centers with good transport links and local amenities will attract more students, bolstering both occupancy rates and rental income. By carefully considering these factors, investors can enjoy attractive returns from this promising real estate segment. 2. Global Diversification Opportunities Regions such as Europe, Asia, and North America have witnessed significant expansion of their higher education sectors, particularly due to rising international student numbers. The same is true for the UK, where the number of international students is on an upward trend. So, this can be a good opportunity to diversify your investment portfolio at a global level. This is important as it allows for better risk management by reducing exposure to economic downturns or political instability in any specific country or region. Moreover, targeting different markets provides access to unique property-segment nuances and consumer behaviors, potentially unveiling profitable niches for investments. However, before you can even think about dipping your toes into international investments, you must make sure your current resources are well-organized. You need to keep your money tracked and accounted for to understand the number of available finances and how any future investments may impact your budget. 3: Increasing Demand Driven by Rising Student Population Recent years have seen a surge in students pursuing higher education, fueled largely by global demographic trends. With a growing segment of the population opting to attend universities and colleges, the demand for suitable housing options naturally follows suit. Notably, advancements in global connectivity and cross-border educational opportunities have further boosted this trend. Students can now easily access information about international institutions, apply online, and virtually tour prospective campuses before making decisions on where to study. As a result, there’s been an upswing in the number of students pursuing their degrees abroad, which lead to heightened demand for comfortable housing options worldwide. Given these prevailing trends, it’s likely that the need for quality student accommodation will only continue to grow. Wrap Up In conclusion, the student accommodation sector presents a plethora of attractive opportunities for discerning real estate investors. The potential for attractive ROIs, the opportunity for global diversification, and the increasing demand driven by a rising student population are factors to keep closely in mind. By understanding these compelling factors and strategically incorporating them into your investment strategies, you can easily position yourself for success. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
