The Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (‘SCREF’) has secured planning permission to redevelop Minerva House, Fitzroy House, and Telephone Exchange, contiguous, part Grade II listed landmark office buildings on Chenies Street in Bloomsbury into a 106,736 sq ft high-quality workspace, a 37% increase on the current floor area, following
FIRE safety businesses across Scotland are being offered the chance to bid for potential work worth up to £20 million to support a wide range of public bodies. A leading Scottish procurement firm has invited businesses to apply for it its new fire safety framework, which launches in early 2024.
BrainBox AI has closed the acquisition of the retail energy management system integrator business of its global partner ABB, following its intent to acquire announcement on April 28th. This acquisition represents a crucial step for BrainBox AI in terms of scalability and capacity to better service its current and prospective retail
Toby Marlow, Building and Construction team director, discusses Haddonstone’s commitment to reducing its impact on the environment. The construction industry is one of the UK’s biggest contributors to carbon emissions and environmental pollution. How would you summarise Haddonstone’s commitment to sustainability? Haddonstone is proudly committed to sustainability and we continually
Andy Vooght looks at the use of fire rated glazing for passive fire protection in residential buildings. Glass has been used for fire resistance in buildings since the introduction of wired glasses in the late 1920s. Knowledge and materials have evolved significantly over the years and the specific requirements for
“We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean” Established in 2010, Green Facilities Management is an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company providing reliable and innovative cleaning services to a range of businesses such as: offices and co-working spaces; retailers and restaurants; schools and education hubs; and museums
MWJV has published its annual report for year four of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2022/2023A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £59.5 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past four years. Mace Ward Williams Joint
Property company British Land has unveiled plans to redevelop London’s Euston Tower into a life sciences and innovation hub. The company has entered into discussions with Camden Council about plans to transform the building into a net zero workspace, using a combination of retention, re-use and a new ultra-low carbon
A new Chair has been appointed for RIBA Gloucestershire: Josh Maddison, Architect at GSSArchitecture, was elected earlier this year and started his term on 1st July. Speaking of his recent appointment, Josh said, “It’s a great privilege to have been voted as Chair of the RIBA Gloucestershire. Having grown up
The Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (‘SCREF’) has secured planning permission to redevelop Minerva House, Fitzroy House, and Telephone Exchange, contiguous, part Grade II listed landmark office buildings on Chenies Street in Bloomsbury into a 106,736 sq ft high-quality workspace, a 37% increase on the current floor area, following the addition of two further floors and a roof terrace. Located just off London’s Tottenham Court Road, the asset is well placed to benefit from the newly re-opened Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street underground stations, providing connections to the Central, Northern and Elizabeth lines. SCREF will work closely with development partner Stanhope to sensitively reposition the heritage office buildings – which sit in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area – into a sustainability and wellbeing-led office scheme, designed by architects Morris+Company. During the redevelopment, 87% of the existing building structure along with 84% of the existing primary facades will be retained utilising a re-use first approach reducing embodied carbon during the construction process. Reflecting the growing demand for sustainable and energy efficient office assets, Schroders Capital’s expert offices team alongside Stanhope will ensure the upgraded Chenies Street asset achieves best-in-class sustainability and wellbeing credentials, targeting EPC B, WELL Gold, BREEAM Excellent and an NABERS UK certifications. The enhanced building will also use electrical heating only, deliver improved natural ventilation to enhance occupier wellbeing, and include rainwater harvesting systems. The redesigned Chenies Street asset also places a strong focus on occupier wellbeing and will feature amenities such as a large communal reception space, bike storage, fitness and wellness studios, a café, and a new roof terrace to enable future tenants to attract and retain the best talent. Chenies Street will also feature fit-for-purpose floorplates which are capable of being let as whole or subdivided, offering maximum flexibility to attract a wide variety of tenants ranging from international companies to local SMEs and start-ups. The proposed scheme is aligned with Camden Council’s 2025 objectives which sets out a vision for the future of the borough as it aims to create a safe, fair, creative, and active community. During the construction process a percentage of construction jobs and apprenticeships at the project will be offered to local people, and biodiversity will be enhanced through the creation of local ‘pocket parks’ as well as a new green wall on the exterior of the building. The building is located close to Goodge Street and the new Tottenham Court Road underground stations, and further Green transportation is encouraged through increased e-bike and scooter provision, as well as improved pedestrianisation around the asset. Rob Cosslett, Fund Manager for Schroders Capital, said: “The redevelopment of Minerva House, Fitzroy House, and Telephone Exchange in Chenies Street outlines SCREF’s commitment to investing in sustainability-led, high-quality office assets in well-connected locations. Located within London’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’, the asset is well situated to benefit from the continued demand for best-in-class office space from occupiers in the life sciences, technology, and higher education sectors. “The approved plans demonstrate the development and asset management capabilities of the experienced Schroders Capital offices team to identify opportunities to add value and increase returns for our investors. Our focus remains on maximising the value potential and sustainability credentials of assets across our portfolio, which will attract the best talent and strongest occupiers, whilst enhancing surrounding areas to benefit local communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FIRE safety businesses across Scotland are being offered the chance to bid for potential work worth up to £20 million to support a wide range of public bodies. A leading Scottish procurement firm has invited businesses to apply for it its new fire safety framework, which launches in early 2024. Potential suppliers include consultants, assessors and experts who can install safety measures from fire doors and alarms to sprinkler systems. It also covers vital remedial cladding for public buildings – a significant issue felt nationwide in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy which claimed 72 lives. Interested firms and experts have until August 24 to lodge applications with the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), the country’s largest, free-to-join procurement organisation for public sector buyers. Lesley Anderson, Regional Director at SPA, said: “Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, fire safety has become a paramount concern for local authorities and social housing providers. They are prioritising the preparedness of buildings in the event of a fire. “We’re extremely proud of this important evolution of our fire safety framework, which will give public organisations peace of mind. They can be assured that any works or services they are undertaking will be delivered by proven and fully-qualified experts to meet the most exacting, current standards.” Known as FS2, it combines two previous SPA frameworks while adding in a host of active fire safety measures including sprinklers, wet and dry risers, emergency lighting, domestic alarms and waking watch services. It also covers fire panels, automatic opening ventilation (AOV) and – crucially in the wake of the Grenfell disaster – cladding assessment and remedial work. It was developed with input from experts to meet post-Grenfell building safety legislation, introduced on both sides of the border. Lesley added: “This is an outstanding opportunity for businesses with expertise and capability in fire safety. They have a chance to put themselves in front of the public bodies who need their services. “With an emphasis on local suppliers, FS2 aims to ensure that vital contracts are delivered efficiently and to benefit the local economy. It offers Scottish SMEs a chance to increase their business opportunities creating jobs and employment across the country.” SPA works with 120 public sector organisations and its frameworks offer an efficient and compliant route to market for the construction, refurbishment and maintenance of social housing and public buildings. Partners include councils, housing associations, blue light services, the NHS, further and higher education providers and many other public bodies. Currently, SPA has 600 live projects totalling £1.1bn in contracts covered by its 17 frameworks – from new build housing, modular construction, to asbestos services, energy efficiency and construction consultancy services. As part of FS2, there will be eight workstreams, covering Fire Consultancy; Fire Risk Assessments; Waking Watch; Installation and Remediation of Passive Fire Protection; Installation Servicing and Maintenance of Active Fire Protection; Installation, Servicing and Maintenance of Fire Suppression; Cladding Remediation; Multi-Disciplinary. SPA advise that bidders must be able to demonstrate a minimum turnover of £250k to be awarded to the framework, which will cover North-Eastern Scotland, Highlands and Islands, Eastern Scotland, West Central Scotland and Southern Scotland. The framework is split into lots by region. Bidders can apply for regions that best suit their capabilities/focus. As a proud not-for-profit, SPA reinvests its surpluses into Scottish communities through its Community Benefit Fund (CBF) by working with its dedicated charity, Lintel Trust. Since 2017, the CBF has allocated over £1.7 million in grants and match funding to support 102 community groups, charities, and causes. Projects have included Holiday Hunger programmes, community gardens, digital and social inclusion, employability initiatives, apprenticeship support funds and specialist mental health services. They have helped improve the lives of at least 19,000 people, while delivering social value of more than £3.9million. Interested fire safety experts can find out more details here – https://in-tendhost.co.uk/lhc/aspx/ProjectManage/15 For more information on the Scottish Procurement Alliance, visit https://www.scottishprocurement.scot/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BrainBox AI has closed the acquisition of the retail energy management system integrator business of its global partner ABB, following its intent to acquire announcement on April 28th. This acquisition represents a crucial step for BrainBox AI in terms of scalability and capacity to better service its current and prospective retail clients. With complementary solutions, both BrainBox AI and the EMS retail business team share the mission of decarbonising and optimising the commercial real estate sector, with multi-site retail at the core. By merging its deep-learning driven expertise with a native integration to legacy systems, BrainBox AI is setting the stage to further advance its position within the retail sector. This acquisition marks a significant development for the company, ushering in another mode of connectivity to its technology. BrainBox AI delivers its AI-tech with the capabilities of energy management optimisation, carbon footprint reduction, customer and employee comfort improvement, and targeted “on-demand” predictive maintenance for HVAC systems. Furthermore, this augmented offering is already gaining momentum with BrainBox AI securing a multi-store contract with a top-tier American retailer with deployment slated for late-summer, early fall of this year. To date, BrainBox AI has decreased its clients’ HVAC electricity spend by an average 16% and gas spend by an average 18%. Additionally, building owners experience significant reductions in maintenance costs, extension of equipment service life, and dramatic improvements in comfort level for customers and associates. As noted by Frank Sullivan, Chief Commercial Officer at BrainBox AI; “Today is an exciting day for us. We are officially welcoming the EMS team into the BrainBox AI family. This event signifies a great step change for us as we continue to scale our business. BrainBox AI’s solution can empower building owners and facilities managers to dramatically reduce their buildings energy spend and carbon emissions. Now, its delivery to customers has been expanded by way of the technology platform that the EMS team brings. With more than 10,000 EMS enabled locations the opportunity to enhance client sustainability outcomes with our AI controls is colossal. We celebrate this moment as we continue to make positive changes in the fight against climate change.” About BrainBox AI Founded in 2017, BrainBox AI was created to address the dilemma currently facing the built environment, its energy consumption and significant contribution to climate change. As innovators of the global energy transition, BrainBox AI’s game-changing HVAC technology leverages autonomous AI to make buildings smarter, greener, and more efficient. Working together with our trusted global partners, BrainBox AI supports real estate clients in various sectors, including office buildings, hotels, commercial retail, grocery stores, airports, and more. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, a global AI hub, our workforce of over 150 employees, bring with them talent from all sectors with the common thread of being in business to heal our planet. BrainBox AI works in collaboration with research partners including MILA – Quebec AI Institute, the Institute for Data Valorisation (IVADO) as well as educational institutions including McGill University. For more information visit: www.brainboxai.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Toby Marlow, Building and Construction team director, discusses Haddonstone’s commitment to reducing its impact on the environment. The construction industry is one of the UK’s biggest contributors to carbon emissions and environmental pollution. How would you summarise Haddonstone’s commitment to sustainability? Haddonstone is proudly committed to sustainability and we continually strive towards reducing our impact on both society and the environment. Sustainability policies are embedded across our production processes, including having protocols in place to avoid the use of hazardous substances and prevent the release of contaminants into the atmosphere or watercourses as well as onto land. All measures are carried out in accordance with Environment Agency regulations. Are there any new initiatives which can be shown to be cutting Haddonstone’s environmental footprint? As well as actively cutting power consumption through the use of low energy lighting, turning off equipment when not in use and switching to renewable sources, we use batch production wherever possible to reduce waste; and also employ ‘vapour curing’ instead of wasteful spraying alternatives to save water. Then there is an on-going project with Cranfield University. Initially, this involved assessing the carbon footprint of cast stone. This has resulted in efficiencies across our production and is helping us work towards becoming carbon neutral. Interestingly, a study has shown that one of our Haddonstone planters made with 20kG of dry mix counts as carbon neutral in just 25 months once filled with shrubs. We are now focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of cast stone, for example,finding an alternative to natural aggregates, an alternative to our traditional packaging and Portland cement. Most of the project focuses on reducing Greenhouse gas emissions which included other gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxides etc. Are you working to reduce the carbon footprint of meeting your transport requirements? We have made significant investment in building our own fleet of delivery lorries that utilise a state-of-the-art computer system. This enables our drivers to optimise the handling of their vehicles and to therefore use less fuel on the road. This results in lower emissions and pollution, and a reduced environmental impact. How is transport managed on a continuing basis? We also ensure that our entire fleet of vehicles is regularly maintained, as well as being equipped with catalytic converters, enabling them to deliver within the London Low Emission Zone. We also partner with carefully selected third party delivery services to avoid dispatching our vehicles with just a few items. Instead, using external courier services means that they run full from one depot to another, optimising their overall carbon footprint. Given that you specialise in reconstituted stone, how do you try and reduce the impact of the associated quarrying required? We source the highest-grade natural limestone aggregates from an environmentally responsible UK supplier. They are acutely aware of how their operations may impact the natural environment and as such, are committed to a programme of continual improvement to minimise their effect on local natural habitats. They also work to prevent pollution and to provide a safe working environment for their employees. Importantly, our supplier’s environmental management system meets the requirements of the international standard set by ISO 14001:2015, which requires organisations to document and improve their environmental impact. This incorporates mineral resource efficiency, biodiversity and landscape, woodland management, energy management, and renewable energy. Cement is viewed as one of the most carbon intense building products – are you able to introduce any cement replacement products into your mixes? Haddonstone is constantly trialling and researching new products, processes and innovative solutions. Cement is the most widely utilised construction product and at present, whilst we have not found a viable substitute for cement itself, we have successfully taken steps to reduce our carbon footprint. To what extent can you recycle your process waste and other materials? Firstly, we ensure that we recycle as much paper and cardboard waste generated in our offices as possible. In addition to this, the 200 bespoke and standard wooden production moulds our workshops produce each month are reused where possible, before being shredded and recycled at the end of their useful life. This produces around 50 tonnes of wood chips annually which goes towards heating the factory. We have also just installed PV panels across a large area of the factory roof to help balance overall energy usage. For more information on Haddonstone’s products and services, including from the Building and Construction team, please visit https://www.haddonstone.com/en-gb/building-and-construction/ For further information, call 01604 770711 or visit www.haddonstone.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Andy Vooght looks at the use of fire rated glazing for passive fire protection in residential buildings. Glass has been used for fire resistance in buildings since the introduction of wired glasses in the late 1920s. Knowledge and materials have evolved significantly over the years and the specific requirements for providing passive fire protection, together with natural light, to the myriad of new and existing building types means that offering a piece of safety glass held in with a timber bead will no longer suffice. This often misunderstood area of passive fire protection plays an important part in the safety of buildings, but has developed out of the fenestration industry, where the expertise lies in other areas, such as energy performance, security, and ventilation. Whilst there are several systems on the market, much of the construction industry has made little effort to understand the specifics of fire rated glazing systems, perceiving them to be much the same as ‘traditional’ windows. Consequently, there has been little control over the supply and installation of these products historically, and as a result, there will undoubtedly be undiscovered issues hidden in plain sight, which can lead to problems identifying glazing systems in need of remediation. Compliant glazing The use of glazing within Approved Document B (ADB) is potentially complex to understand, but in simple terms tables B3 and B4 define the level of fire resistance required in specific locations within differing building types. Unless the scheme designer is adopting an alternative approach, it would follow that glazed elements would need to satisfy these requirements. Table B5 then further identifies allowable locations for the use of uninsulated glazed elements on escape routes. As the culture and legislation around the safety of buildings evolves, there will be many responsible persons keen to ensure they have things up to date and correct. In practical terms, this will include making sure that fire risk assessments are routinely undertaken and that the information pertaining to building safety is held as we work towards the Golden Thread. Based on the requirements of ADB it should be possible to understand the application – be it for compartmentation, protecting a means of escape, or protecting a boundary – and the level of protection required in a given situation. For new buildings, where the focus is on design and specification, the expectation is that there should be a reasonable level of understanding to deliver a building that is compliant. However, given the generally poor knowledge surrounding these products, it may be difficult for a fire risk assessor to determine if what is in place will meet this. ADB offers a Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-resistant Glazed Systems, published by the Glass and Glazing Federation, as a source for further information. Whilst not fully comprehensive and long overdue for an update, it provides a good place to start. Identification of fire rated glazing There are very few specialist companies on the market for these products, but it is worth bearing in mind that the levels of understanding and competence within these organisations are greater than those of general glazing companies. These experts are often approached to help inspectors and fire risk assessors understand what glazing products they are being asked to look at. Whilst it is not always possible to identify the system used, there a number of basic factors that help understand what is in place. Firstly, is the glass marked? On the most basic level, fire resisting glass should be marked with the name of the manufacturer and the name of the product. Ideally, it would also contain the product standard the glass meets and the impact safety rating. If the glass is clear and carries no mark, then it should be assumed that this glass will provide no fire resistance. As these are glazing systems rather than just glass, to understand if the installed product is fit for purpose, it is necessary to also identify the framing system and wall construction. This begins with examining how the glass is fixed. Typically this would be into a timber, steel, or aluminium framing, which is then fixed into the structure. It is also vitally important to understand if there is appropriate test evidence for the size and configuration used at the level of protection required. It is also necessary to identify and understand the substrate into which the frames are being fixed to determine if the frames are correctly specified and fixed. Typically there will be limitations due to testing rigid or flexible constructions. It is also important to establish that an appropriate perimeter condition has been used. Evidence should exist for product classification against EN 13501-2, or ideally the scope would be covered by third-party certification (e.g. Certifire). We must remain mindful that much evidence for such systems would have been provided on the basis of technical assessments. The Passive Fire Protection Forum (PFPF) released its updated Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence in 2021 and the basis for opinion has evolved. As a consequence many previously allowable options are no longer permissible due to lack of primary test evidence. Finally, an expert will want to see evidence of how the installer of the system can evidence competence. As these installations differ greatly from traditional glazing installations, specialist knowledge is required to ensure that elements are fixed and finished in the appropriate manner. Simply having done this for a long time will not suffice and third-party certification exists for installers – e.g. FIRAS, which audits an installation company’s knowledge and capability on site, as well as the record keeping of installations. For current installations, requirements under Regulation 38 exist for the installer to provide the fire safety information to the responsible person. If such records do not exist, there will be doubt that the intended protection is fit for purpose. Understanding the requirements Where the requirement exists to introduce or replace such products, how should
“We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean” Established in 2010, Green Facilities Management is an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company providing reliable and innovative cleaning services to a range of businesses such as: offices and co-working spaces; retailers and restaurants; schools and education hubs; and museums and leisure centres. One year ago, it began using the new Multiwash™ PRO scrubber-dryer from Truvox International. We spoke to Green FM CEO, Manu Sareen, to discover why the company had chosen Multiwash™ PRO, and more about its relationship with Truvox. “I first came across Truvox International and its original Multiwash™ machine about six years ago when we took over a retail cleaning contract and bought half a dozen machines,” says Manu Sareen. “They were reliable and delivered great results, but our current relationship with Truvox developed last year when we re-discovered the company and its newly released Multiwash™ PRO, which is considerably better and more efficient than other machines we were using. Ease of use and sustainability “Our mission is to provide and maintain a hygienic environment for staff and visitors at every location, boosting morale and productivity. One of the most important reasons to work with Truvox is to make life easier for our operatives, but we also know that we are working with a business where sustainability matters. “The Multiwash™ PRO is so easy to use, works on all surfaces, and requires minimal training. It’s not as bulky as other scrubber-driers but at the same time it is robust and durable, and is easy to move from one place to another. The machine washes, scrubs and dries in a single pass, giving improved and unrivalled cleaning results – and leaves floors ready for staff and customers to walk on. “The Multiwash™ PRO is effective when used with only water and no chemicals. However, the water in London is very hard and can leave mineral deposits on the floor, so we use a pH neutral detergent to cater for this problem. “Another positive contribution to sustainability is the machine’s reliability. It needs less maintenance and engineer visits than other machines, so that helps reduce its carbon footprint. “Green FM is proud to be an ethical and sustainable business, and Multiwash™ PRO and Truvox International are a great fit for us and our clients. ‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’ “Since the pandemic, our clients and their customers expect to see us cleaning. Before, we were often expected to clean out-of-hours and behind-the-scenes, as if we weren’t even there! Now we can carry out cleaning in plain sight, and so the fact that Multiwash™ PRO also looks good and highly professional is another benefit. “As part of our business, we offer a consultancy service for companies and FMs which have their own in-house cleaning facilities, and we are quick to recommend the use of Truvox machines,” says Manu Sareen. “Green FM has been active in the cleaning industry for many years, so we know from experience which machines deliver the best results. We like technology and work with tech-savvy suppliers, and will only recommend the best. We only want to use the most innovative equipment, and I often say: ‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’.” https://www.truvox.com/our-products/scrubber-dryers Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MWJV has published its annual report for year four of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2022/2023A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £59.5 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past four years. Mace Ward Williams Joint Venture (MWJV), which is a joint venture between Mace and Ward Williams Associates (WWA), has released its annual report following its fourth year of work with Cornwall Council on the £650 million construction and infrastructure capital programme of investment within the Built Environment Professional Services (BEPS) Framework. Andy Snapes, Board Member at MWJV and Senior Partner at WWA, said: “We are proud to outline the social value impact of MWJV for this year in line with our ongoing commitment to share and engage on this critical area of business within our built environment and construction sector. “The work of MWJV in partnership with our delivery partners is deeply rooted in how we aim to shape positive impact in our communities and to develop a vibrant future-focused workforce in Cornwall, putting into practice the UK Government vision of the Construction Playbook through innovation, collaboration and delivery, sitting alongside positive social outcomes. “The recognition for this impact nationally has been significant over the last year and saw two of our businesses recognised with the illustrious Queen’s Award for Enterprise status within the Sustainable Development category. “MWJV has been focused on delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals in our work at the local level, directly supporting seven of them as shown in the report, and our team includes three verified B Corporations; companies whose objectives are to truly use ‘business as a force for good’.” As well as the added social and economic value it has achieved to date, the 2023 version of the annual report shares a summary of the company’s work and achievements over the past twelve months. Some of the most impressive results achieved by MWJV are its involvement in creating 202 new jobs, delivering 193 career events, facilitating 3,367 hours of work experience, and providing training and development for 150 people, surpassing its original goal by 215%. The joint venture has now spent £27.6 million on local businesses, with £20.3 million of this being spent with SMEs across the region. Andy continued: “From the headline figures of over £59 million of value to the local economy through new jobs, training and upskilling, community and educational volunteering and local spend, through to the very individual impact we are able to create for young people entering the workforce through structured training programmes such as T Levels and apprenticeships, it is clear that economic growth through construction and positive impact is possible through innovative local partnerships such as MWJV. “We celebrate this impact in our 2023 Social Value Report and look forward to its ongoing evolution and growth.” MWJV works with its wide network of local and national suppliers to bring expert and cost-effective project management, architecture, design, engineering, and surveying support to a range of programmes across Cornwall in sectors including transport, education, infrastructure, town regeneration and housing. Local suppliers include teams across architecture, engineering and wider specialisms based in Cornwall and across the South West. Chris Owen from Truro-based MBA Consulting said of working with MWJV on the Cornwall Council BEPS Framework: “All our staff live and work in Cornwall. The framework has given us additional stability in the face of COVID and the subsequent financial turmoil. It has enabled us to employ new staff over the lifetime of the framework, all of whom also live in the area. “It provides additional satisfaction to all of us at MBA to work on projects that benefit the community around us; a sentiment that has been relayed repeatedly to me in the office throughout the past twelve months. “The working relationships within the MWJV have been exemplary. In particular, the discussions with our fellow engineers have been enjoyable and beneficial.” Projects across the region that MWJV has worked on over the past year include Spaceport Cornwall, Schools Backlog Maintenance, Local Town Deals, and Looe Flood Defence. MWJV has also continued its support of a range of charities which aim to make a difference to local life and the environment, including Children’s Hospice South West, Surfers Against Sewage, and Macmillan Cancer Support. The full annual report is available for download here: https://www.mwjv.net/s/MWJV-Social-Value-Report_V12.pdf Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Property company British Land has unveiled plans to redevelop London’s Euston Tower into a life sciences and innovation hub. The company has entered into discussions with Camden Council about plans to transform the building into a net zero workspace, using a combination of retention, re-use and a new ultra-low carbon structure. The design work for the project is being led by Danish architects 3XN with support from the London-based architecture studio DSDHA. Both companies worked with British Land on Broadgate’s 2FA. The proposed design would retain a number of Euston Tower’s key features such as the foundations, basement and core. The scheme will aim to reduce its carbon emissions throughout construction by retaining, re-using and re-cycling existing material, utilising low-carbon and recycled materials where new material is required and only using certified carbon offsets as a last resort. Commenting on the project, David Lockyer, Head of Development, British Land, said: “This is a unique opportunity to transform a London landmark desperately in need of revival, ensuring it is fit for the future by adopting cutting-edge sustainability practices and attracting leading life sciences and innovation occupiers where it currently lies vacant. “We’re committed to a comprehensive and transparent approach to sustainability, working closely with the London Borough of Camden and other key stakeholders to reimagine this office tower. The desire to retain, re-use and recycle as much of the building fabric as possible while creating high quality, flexible and sustainable workspaces is a blueprint for other projects facing similar challenges.” Reflecting on their involvement, Audun Opdal, Senior Partner and Head of Design, 3XN, said: “We are proud to work on this highly progressive project and feel our proposals will transform the disused Euston Tower into a beautifully designed, sustainable new building, delivering workspaces for the future and accessible and inclusive spaces for neighbouring communities. “Working with our innovation unit GXN, we will reuse and recycle materials throughout the development, and ultimately reach net zero at completion and in operation. As such, we have developed a guiding hierarchy for how we find the best place for any elements that are removed from the existing structure. Where we cannot retain materials in situ we are developing innovative methodologies for recycling and upcycling, working closely with research institutes to further this. Architecturally this will be a new breed of tall building, one that minimises operational energy use through passive design, reducing solar gain with less glazing and increased façade depth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new Chair has been appointed for RIBA Gloucestershire: Josh Maddison, Architect at GSSArchitecture, was elected earlier this year and started his term on 1st July. Speaking of his recent appointment, Josh said, “It’s a great privilege to have been voted as Chair of the RIBA Gloucestershire. Having grown up in the county, I hope to use to use the platform to continue the development and engagement of the local RIBA community, to create stronger links with the emerging student body and promote Gloucestershire based architecture.” Based at the GSSArchitecture Gloucester Quays office with over five years’ experience, Josh is in good stead to collaborate with local clients and stakeholders to support the members of RIBA Gloucestershire. His recent projects include the multi-million-pound St Thomas Street student accommodation in Bristol, as well as the refurbishment of the Endoscopy Department at Cheltenham General Hospital. Tom Lyons, Senior Partner at GSSArchitecture, commented, “A huge congratulations to Josh for his new appointment as RIBA Gloucestershire Chair. We are extremely fortunate to have Josh at GSS and we are looking forward to seeing how he uses his new position to bring about positive change in the area.” Elsewhere, Josh is a keen cyclist and completes tough challenges such as Hills for Hope: a 270-mile bike ride in 24 hours to help raise money for multiple charities including Cancer Research UK, Samaritans, and SARA. To find out more about GSSArchitecture, and to view their extensive range of projects in a variety of sectors, please visit www.gssarchitecture.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
