Prologis, the UK’s leading owner and developer of logistics property, has announced two changes in its Capital Deployment & Leasing team as it continues to pave the way in an evolving market. Ian Romano steps up to Vice President – Head of Land and Development and will widen his current
Tecklenburg succeeds in the digital transformation from a traditional construction company to an award- and prize-winning BIM specialist with software solutions from the Nemetschek Group. In a construction project put out for tender throughout Europe, Tecklenburg was able to prevail over all competitors thanks to its expertise, and implemented the
A ground-breaking ceremony has been held at a new housing development which will deliver up to 800 homes and a new country park to Stevenage. Bellway North London and Miller Homes will build up to 800 homes at the development, which will also feature a local centre, a primary school,
As predictions suggest that global temperatures are likely to exceed record heights within the next five years, leading roofing components manufacturer Klober are urging specifiers to consider futureproofing against changing weather conditions when choosing roofing products. The World Meteorological Organization has revealed in its latest annual assessment that the temperatures
LEADING regional procurement specialist EN:Procure has announced that it is inviting tenders for its latest installers framework. The procurement arm of social housing consortium Efficiency North has recently opened the bidding for the next iteration of its Installation and Repairs Framework, valued at over £3.2bn. Made up of 37 lots
The Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company (WBRC) and Taylor Wimpey have completed work on a charitable house renovation after a biking accident left a member of the community paralysed from the armpits down. In 2021, Greg McKenna of Godalming, Surrey, was injured in a life-changing cycling accident which left him
Paul Marsden, Technical Specification Manager at Baxi, has been appointed as the new chair of the Society of Public Health Engineers’ Industry Working Group. SoPHE aims to provide a higher profile and focus for public health engineers within the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as well as within
Akela Ground Engineering has appointed piling specialist, Will Payne, as their general manager. Will joins from Roger Bullivant where he managed piling works in Gibraltar, the Midlands and East Anglia and has been appointed to help Akela expand and grow their reputation in England. Will is an expert in driven
With fire safety obligations on the rise for Responsible Person’s (RPs), Ian Bailey, Technical Advisor at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), underlines the immediate actions that RPs must take to ensure compliance and how the institution plans to safeguard professional standards. As we await the implementation of Section 156
North Somerset Council has allocated an additional £11.9 million of funding for the Banwell bypass. Despite setting aside £7.6m in scheme’s original budget to protect the bypass from changing construction costs, the four years since funding was initially secured from Homes England have seen unprecedented price increases caused by the
Prologis, the UK’s leading owner and developer of logistics property, has announced two changes in its Capital Deployment & Leasing team as it continues to pave the way in an evolving market. Ian Romano steps up to Vice President – Head of Land and Development and will widen his current remit to encompass regions outside the Midlands (excluding London) and will lead on land acquisition and development activities. Ian will act as a key partner to Prologis’ Development Management team, ensuring the business is aligned on delivering the next generation of Prologis Parks. As Vice President – Head of Leasing, Sally Duggleby will be responsible for all leasing activity across Prologis’ UK estate, including speculative, second generation and lease renewals. Sally will also act as a key partner to Prologis’ customer facing teams to ensure a customer-centric view throughout commercial negotiations. Both Sally and Ian will continue to report to Robin Woodbridge, Head of Capital Deployment & Leasing UK, who will also maintain direct responsibility for the London team whilst remaining strongly embedded in all activity at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT); the business’ largest UK asset. Paul Weston, Regional Head, Prologis UK, said: “In addition to our strengths in the ‘big box’ market, Prologis UK’s position has evolved significantly over the past five years, with our portfolio now featuring urban logistics, data centres, and life sciences, with further development on the horizon. “These changes to the Capital Deployment & Leasing team will ensure we have the right people focused on two of our core activities of development and leasing, both of which are becoming increasingly challenging to navigate. “Sally and Ian have both made significant contributions to the business’ strategic development so far, and I am confident they will continue to do so in their new positions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tecklenburg succeeds in the digital transformation from a traditional construction company to an award- and prize-winning BIM specialist with software solutions from the Nemetschek Group. In a construction project put out for tender throughout Europe, Tecklenburg was able to prevail over all competitors thanks to its expertise, and implemented the project on time and within budget. Tecklenburg is a sixth-generation building contractor, successful since its inception in 1878. Its fields of activity include public building projects such as police buildings or daycare centers, neighborhood developments, food markets, and private and terraced houses. The Tecklenburg Group acts as investor, project developer, and general contractor in construction projects. In addition to Managing Director Hermann Tecklenburg, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, coach of the national women’s soccer team, is also a shareholder of the Tecklenburg Group. As Managing Director, Hermann Tecklenburg has always been innovative and willing to permanently develop the company. That is why he decided to introduce Building Information Modeling (BIM) three years ago. The goals were to accelerate planning phases, to be able to identify and correct errors in advance, and to work more efficiently. In addition, model-based working is a mandatory prerequisite for participating in tenders for public buildings. Ultimately, BIM makes a construction company more competitive. One important decision was to specify the BIM tools to be used by external planners, architects, and construction companies. Those who want to be subcontracted by Tecklenburg must, for example, work with the Nemetschek brands Solibri and Allplan. However, the connection to other software solutions is possible thanks to OPEN BIM. 60 percent of the entire planning completed in Allplan The advantages of using BIM solutions from Nemetschek became apparent immediately in the first major BIM-supported construction project: the construction of the district police building in the Rhine-Erft district in North Rhine-Westphalia. Tecklenburg used BIM applications in all project sections and departments: architecture, building physics, structural design, precast plants, building services, costing, construction, and facility management. 60 percent of the entire planning could be done in the planning tool Allplan alone, including the necessary costing and billing. This has led to a shorter planning phase with significantly fewer working hours. Without BIM, three times the time and effort would have been required to design the building. A major advantage of BIM for the entire company is transparency and cross-departmental exchange. This allows sales and costing to see how costs develop over the course of the project and to adjust and optimize their costing for further projects. 7,800 collisions found in advance with Solibri and resolved semi-automatically Tecklenburg relies on Solibri for identifying errors, checking compatibility, and detecting collisions. These quality assurance measures lead to significant cost savings because they avoid changes, construction delays, and the unnecessary consumption of resources. As a result, Tecklenburg was able to find and resolve 7,800 collisions during the planning phase – before they led to costly delays on the construction site. The collision checks don’t even have to be created, because Solibri Office already comes with a library and predefined check rules that can be combined and parameterized as desired. A ticket system is connected to Solibri in order to digitally manage and process quality improvements. In addition, Solibri was also used to compare different design versions and for extensive data analyses. Completion in the middle of the third quarter of 2023 The complete digital planning and control of the construction project could be realized without delays thanks to the corresponding BIM tools in close coordination with the police. As contractually agreed, the building will be handed over in the middle of the third quarter of 2023. The costs also remained within the specified framework – which is typically not a matter of course for public projects. “Thanks to the strategically and conceptually mature approach and the use of Nemetschek’s professional BIM tools, we can hand over the newly constructed building to the district police authority on time. Our client very much appreciated the fact that he was always transparently informed about the status and the next steps,” says BIM manager Manjunath Ambli-Suresh, summarizing the project. Detlef Schneider, CEO of ALLPLAN said: “The use of various BIM tools along the building life cycle of Tecklenburg shows how construction companies can gain security, save costs, and work much more efficiently. In particular, thinking in workflows – instead of silos – significantly increases transparency, collaboration, and thereby efficiency,” Ville Kyytsönen, CEO of Solibri, adds, “It’s great to see how a traditional company like Tecklenburg serves as a pioneer for the digital transformation of the industry.” Hermann Tecklenburg confirms: “For us, introducing BIM right from the start of a major construction project was a gamble, which has been completely worthwhile. As a group of companies, we benefit enormously from the new digital possibilities and are thus able to win new, large construction projects and implement them without delays.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A ground-breaking ceremony has been held at a new housing development which will deliver up to 800 homes and a new country park to Stevenage. Bellway North London and Miller Homes will build up to 800 homes at the development, which will also feature a local centre, a primary school, country park and public open space. Work has now started on the first phase of new homes, for which detailed planning consent was granted by Stevenage Borough Council earlier this year. Bellway is to build 400 homes overall – with 105 homes on the first phase, featuring 75 two, three and four-bedroom properties for private sale and 30 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. Miller Homes is delivering 396 new homes at Forster Park, including 43 for private sale and 41 affordable homes on the first phase. The North Road development will feature a range of energy efficient two to five-bedroom homes and is anticipated to launch later this year. Ali Maruf, Managing Director of Bellway North London, said: “A significant milestone for Bellway, the ground-breaking at Forster Park celebrates our joint project with Miller Homes which has local community, heritage and sustainability at its core. “To mark the start of construction, we gathered together on the land near Rooks Nest House, where the renowned English writer EM Forster grew up, and which inspired his novel Howard’s End. This is truly a beautiful part of the world, and we have named our development Forster Park in his honour. “We are committed to an overarching focus on sustainability, which complements the site’s natural surroundings, as well as Bellway’s ethos. Existing trees and shrubs will be retained wherever possible, alongside the addition of generous new planting. Green open spaces and ponds will be thoughtfully designed and implemented to help support local wildlife, as well as bird and bat boxes being installed.“This first phase will see us not only deliver new homes – which will all have electric vehicle charging points – but also a new local centre with commercial space which could be used to house a convenience store.” Detailed applications for a further 115 homes within phase one and the 93-acre country park are to be considered by the council at a later date. Ali added: “With regard to the wider scheme, we are proud to be teaming up with Miller Homes to create a brand-new neighbourhood that will bring huge investment to improve local infrastructure and services.”Gavin Jones, regional operations director at Miller Homes South Midlands, commented: “We are excited to announce that our work has now begun on Miller Homes’ new Stevenage development, Forster Park.“Energy efficiency and environmental considerations are at the forefront of these designs; EV charging points will ensure homes are futureproofed for the new community we are creating at Forster Park, while boxes for birds and bats will encourage wildlife to thrive in green open spaces. “Together, we will also be making contributions of over £1.1 million to the local community, including support for healthcare, schools, transport and infrastructure, and sports facilities. “The development is conveniently situated in an excellent location for commuters, with easy access to the A1M and Stevenage town centre for the train station for easy connections to London.” Both Bellway and Miller Homes expect to officially launch later on this year, with show homes to follow in spring 2024. For more information about the Bellway Forster Park development, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/north-london/forster-park. For more information on Miller Homes’ Forster Park development visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/new-homes/south-east/forster-park-stevenage.aspx. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As predictions suggest that global temperatures are likely to exceed record heights within the next five years, leading roofing components manufacturer Klober are urging specifiers to consider futureproofing against changing weather conditions when choosing roofing products. The World Meteorological Organization has revealed in its latest annual assessment that the temperatures will likely exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels for the first time in human history. Its probability has increased with time to a 66% chance at current, up from the 48% likelihood predicted last year and near zero percent chance in 2015.[1] High temperatures are the most common direct effect of global warming, but climate change can also influence weather patterns. The probability of more intense wind events is indirectly heightened as a result for example 2022’s Storm Eunice demonstrated 122mph wind speeds[2]. Such events can subject roofing to significant wind uplift forces and so preventative solutions must be considered in preparation. Nick King, Portfolio Manager at Klober, comments: “While many may not initially think of heightened wind speeds when they hear global warming, it’s something to consider and prepare for as weather patterns are predicted to change. Wind uplift can cause considerable damage, such as tile or roof membrane damage that can lead to additional problems like leaks and associated damage. Specifiers should make sure their membrane of choice is durable, suitably wind resistant and water resistant to help prevent such damage occurring and save the homeowner money and down time in the process.” Roof membranes such as Klober’s Permo Forte, offer protection against heightened weather as they are built up of multiple layers and contain a reinforced, built-in mesh safety grid for added durability. This composition allows for them to withstand movements and shifts during high winds without losing their integrity, ensuring they cannot come into contact with, and potentially dislodge the tile or outer covering. “Taking it one step further, the use of self-adhesive tape can create a strong air and watertight seal, providing durable protection against winds. Like many of our products this membrane is BBA approved and breathable to help it continue to protect against the build-up of mould and condensation.” To find out more about British Standards for membranes, click here. Or for further information about Klober’s Permo Forte membrane, please visit klober.co.uk/membranes/roof-membranes/p/forte-145 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING regional procurement specialist EN:Procure has announced that it is inviting tenders for its latest installers framework. The procurement arm of social housing consortium Efficiency North has recently opened the bidding for the next iteration of its Installation and Repairs Framework, valued at over £3.2bn. Made up of 37 lots covering a wide range of installations and repairs including electrical, heating, roofing and brickwork, the framework will be available for social housing projects across Yorkshire and Humber, the East Midlands and the north west. The current version of the framework has delivered more than £272m of repairs, maintenance and installation since it was launched in 2019, and £2m was gifted to members to fund social value initiatives, with £1.5m being gifted through EN:Able Communities since 2015. The framework will be procured under EN:Procure’s latest Gen-4 generation of tenders, incorporating the FAC-1 Framework Agreement and dynamic models for ESG delivery, reflecting many of the themes in the government’s Constructing the Gold Standard report. Lee Parkinson, chief executive at EN:Procure, said: “Following on from the success of the current version of the framework over the past four years, we’re looking forward to welcoming bids to tender for this upcoming iteration, especially with it being one of the first to be procured with our latest generation of framework agreements. “As well as delivering a great service for those that use the framework to procure installation and repairs works, the successful applicants will also need to match Efficiency North’s commitment to training and skill development, including the use of apprenticeships.” EN:Procure has supported social housing landlord members to deliver nearly £1bn of works through its frameworks and DPSs since 2014. Prequalification questionnaires need to be returned by 1 September 2023. For more information or to register an interest, click here . To find out more information about EN:Procure visit: https://www.efficiencynorth.org/procure Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company (WBRC) and Taylor Wimpey have completed work on a charitable house renovation after a biking accident left a member of the community paralysed from the armpits down. In 2021, Greg McKenna of Godalming, Surrey, was injured in a life-changing cycling accident which left him needing the permanent use of a wheelchair and dependent on carer assistance. Following the accident, Greg was unable to lead an independent life, exacerbated by restrictions created by his home which was unsuitable for a wheelchair. Through his friends and family, Greg was put in contact with Taylor Wimpey and the Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company who, with the assistance of numerous local tradespeople and contractors, embarked on a major project to modify the home. The full scope of works include a major ground-floor extension to provide step-free access through the home; a fully accessible bedroom including a hoist to enable Greg to more easily move between his chair and bed; a fully accessible kitchen; a full bathroom refit so that Greg can wash and shower with assistance; electric doors throughout the home; and the creation of a therapy room to aid with physiotherapy sessions at home. The upstairs has also been spruced up to create space for Greg’s live-in carers. While WBRC and Taylor Wimpey have led on the project, it has only been possible thanks to the generosity and efforts of a large number of local contractors, most of whom have worked for free or at a significantly reduced price. From Reconomy’s work to ensure that 96% of all waste products created by the project avoided landfill, to GW & E Wright Electrical’s herculean effort with ensuring that the home is fully accessible and all of the incredible technology that facilitates Greg’s independence works correctly, the home is a result of true collaboration between some of the area’s very best craft and tradespeople. The contractors involved in the project are: Greg McKenna, says: “I’m delighted with the result of this project and immensely grateful to all of those who have helped along the way. After what has been, to say the least, an incredibly challenging couple of years, to have a home in which I can live as independently as possible is a huge step forward for me. Simple things like being able to wash, cook, and leave the house by myself and of my own accord are more important than a lot of people will understand. The most frequent word I’ve heard to describe the product we’ve ended up with is ‘envy’ and this wouldn’t have been possible without the input from WBRC, the contractors and my parents. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!” James Child, Project Lead at The Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company, says: “This has been an important project for us and we’re delighted that after an often complicated process, Greg finally has a home that brings proper independence and autonomy back to his daily life. All of us here at WBRC wish Greg the very best and sincerely hope that the home is everything he wants and needs it to be. We will always be on hand to assist should any issues crop up with the refurb, but we’re most excited to see how Greg continues to settle into and tinker with the property to truly make it his own.” Paul Broderick, Blaze Construction, says: “We’re delighted to have been able to play our own small part in a project that has been a genuinely remarkable display of teamwork and community compassion. If, between us all, we have been able to provide Greg with a home that enables the independent life he deserves, we couldn’t be more thrilled. Here’s to many years of enjoyment in the property for a man whose life was drastically changed in an instant.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Paul Marsden, Technical Specification Manager at Baxi, has been appointed as the new chair of the Society of Public Health Engineers’ Industry Working Group. SoPHE aims to provide a higher profile and focus for public health engineers within the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as well as within the building services industry. An Affiliate member of CIBSE and SoPHE and a member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Paul’s whole career has been centred around commercial hot water generation and Public Health Engineering. He uses his wealth of experience and expertise of hot water systems and renewable/LZC technologies to help Public Health and Mechanical Engineers understand the relationship between the product/s, the application/s and the system/s they are designing. Paul has an ONC in Gas Utilisation and City and Guilds in Gas Services and regularly represents both Baxi and the wider industry delivering a variety of training and CPD presentations and seminars. More recently he has developed training events and courses targeted at young and graduate engineers. As Chair of the Industry Working Group, Paul will work with SoPHE members to offer the support and assistance required to help further the profile of this very important Building Services sector. Paul said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the SoPHE IWG chair and look forward to building upon the work of my predecessors. The increasing focus upon decarbonisation will not only impact upon how buildings are designed, but also how products are designed and manufactured. This represents both challenges and opportunities and makes for an exciting time in which to be involved as we transition to a low / zero carbon future.” For more information on Baxi’s commercial heating and hot water solutions, visit: https://www.baxi.co.uk/about-us/our-brands Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Akela Ground Engineering has appointed piling specialist, Will Payne, as their general manager. Will joins from Roger Bullivant where he managed piling works in Gibraltar, the Midlands and East Anglia and has been appointed to help Akela expand and grow their reputation in England. Will is an expert in driven piling techniques and has over two decades of experience in the specialist foundation industry, having also worked for Van Elle and Aarsleff. Akela Ground Engineering operates in Scotland and the North of England and was founded in 2019. It is part of the Akela Group which is headquartered in Thornliebank, near Glasgow, and has an office in Leeds. Will Payne, General Manager of Akela Ground Engineering, said: “Akela is a family oriented business that is looking to grow and expand their works across England and that is what attracted me to this role. “They have also been investing heavily in new technology and innovation over the past year. “I’ve worked in the UK and abroad within the specialist foundation industry and am very proud of my record in working with clients to find solutions at the most difficult of sites. “It is important to build and establish relationships with clients and I am looking forward to working with existing Akela clients and also expanding Akela right across England.” Mark Markey, Managing Director of Akela Group, said: “We are really proud to have Will Payne join the business at the crucial time of expanding our work in England. He is well known as a specialist in piling and will be a key part of growing our ground engineering arm. “Importantly, he is experienced at managing complex works and ensuring quality work is carried out in a safe manner. “He has decades of experience in the construction industry and his appointments will bolster Akela Ground Engineering and allow us to continue to go from strength to strength.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With fire safety obligations on the rise for Responsible Person’s (RPs), Ian Bailey, Technical Advisor at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), underlines the immediate actions that RPs must take to ensure compliance and how the institution plans to safeguard professional standards. As we await the implementation of Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 to go into effect in October, the UK Home Office published guidelines on the Fire safety responsibilities under section 156 of the Building Safety Act in July. While fire safety has always been a priority in building design and construction, new legislation amendments have increased the obligations of RPs. The IFE highlights the vital role of professional Fire Risk Assessors in providing optimal fire safety measures as part of its unwavering commitment to life, property, and environmental protection. Criteria applies to any non-domestic enterprise where people work, visit, or stay, as well as non-domestic portions of multi-occupied residential structures (common corridors and stairwells). Individual family households are excluded from the rules. Over the past year, the IFE has actively supported the government in the development of various guidelines for RPs, including the above and the upcoming guide for persons with duties under fire safety legislation. The changing landscape of fire safety legislation: Catastrophic fire incidents such as Grenfell have prompted governments around the world to enhance fire safety legislation in order to improve public safety and reduce the hazards associated with building fires. RPs are responsible for fire safety within their premises under these new frameworks. Under the new legislation, comprehensive and systematic fire risk assessments must still be conducted regularly. These assessments should identify potential fire hazards, evaluate the existing fire safety measures, and develop strategies to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of occupants and visitors. Importantly, the legislation now requires all RPs to document their completed fire risk assessment in full (where previously only particular information was necessary). Other significant changes include: The role of Fire Risk Assessors: To meet the stringent fire safety requirements, RPs are responsible for the appointment of competent Fire Risk Assessors to carry out necessary risk management. Fire Risk Assessors play a pivotal role in conducting accurate fire risk assessments, thereby guiding RPs in implementing effective fire safety measures. In the future there will also be a legislative requirement that, where the Responsible Person appoints a person to make or review the fire risk assessment, they must be competent. The IFE are working with government and others to construct a robust competency framework for fire risk assessors. The IFE’s Fire Risk Assessor register remains a source of excellence and competence within the fire sector. As the most thorough registry of Fire Risk Assessors, it continues to serve as a benchmark for assessing and certifying the proficiency of fire risk assessors. Built on a foundation of extensive knowledge, experience and expertise, Fire Risk Assessors registered with the IFE undergo rigorous evaluation and assessment to demonstrate their ability to conduct comprehensive fire risk assessments across a diverse range of building types and occupancy scenarios. Enhanced fire safety obligations have placed a tremendous responsibility on RPs, emphasising the need for competent and skilled Fire Risk Assessors. The IFE’s Fire Risk Assessor Register remains the ultimate assurance for building owners and occupiers seeking the services of highly qualified and multi-skilled Fire risk assessors. In an ever-changing climate, the IFE’s Fire Risk Assessor register stands as an unwavering resource of fire safety excellence, fostering a safer environment for all. To access a multi-skilled Fire Risk Assessor within your proximity, please visit: ife.org.uk/Fire-Risk-Assessor-Search. For further information on the IFE and to enquire about membership, visit ife.org.uk/Membership
North Somerset Council has allocated an additional £11.9 million of funding for the Banwell bypass. Despite setting aside £7.6m in scheme’s original budget to protect the bypass from changing construction costs, the four years since funding was initially secured from Homes England have seen unprecedented price increases caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The agreed £11.9m funding, which comes from Community Infrastructure Levy, Section 106 monies and reallocated capital reserves, will help tackle these inflationary pressures and meet globally increased costs of fuel, construction material and labour. Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Banwell bypass is a landmark project for us, one that will cut congestion through Banwell, making it a safer, cleaner place, as well as delivering a range of other local improvements such as miles of new walking, cycling and horse-riding routes. “In agreeing additional funding, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to delivering the project and the benefits it is set to bring to North Somerset. For every pound we spend, the completed scheme is expected to return £2.27 in value, making it a vital component in unlocking regional growth for our communities. “We are also continuing positive conversations with Homes England and are seeking further financial contribution from them, as well as working with contractors to ensure we are getting the best value for money before we begin construction.” The additional £11.9m is subject the remainder of the additional costs being met by Homes England and the outcome of the public inquiry into Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) needed to build the bypass. The inquiry is being held at the Grand Pier and is expected to last until Friday 28 July. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
