As habitats, wildlife, and plants remain at continued risk of loss across the globe, and the government’s new housing supply yearly target of 300,000¹ homes per year, it’s essential property developers are fully aware of the upcoming Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation and what this will mean for future planning
RWE welcomed local MPs Lia Nici and Martin Vickers to its expanding Grimsby Hub, a new state of the art operations and maintenance facility, currently under construction at the company’s existing site in Grimsby’s Royal Docks. During the visit, the MPs took a tour around the facility, met with staff
North, east and west, some of London’s most iconic residential and commercial developments have benefited from using a combination of green roof substrates and natural, as-dug soils from one of the UK’s leading growing media suppliers, Boughton. Here we learn more about the latest project at Canary Wharf and look
BECOSAN® has announced the successful completion of the UK’s largest strip out, demolition, and refit project at the former GAP Warehouse in Rugby. This milestone accomplishment culminated with the property being leased by retail giant Sainsbury’s, marking one of the most substantial single property deals of the year. In a
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor of non-flammable rainscreen facades, has produced a handy guide for contractors and installers unsure of how the 2022 Building Safety Act could affect them. Providing a three-minute read for the trade, the single page explainer highlights the key changes proposed by the act, which was
An expanded senior leadership team has been unveiled at MC Construction as the buoyant firm heads for a record year. Turnover for the Salford-based business is on track to reach £22m for the 12 months to September, an increase of almost 50 per cent on last year’s figure of £15m.
Higgins Partnerships (Higgins) has announced the successful completion of the first phase of 208 mixed tenure housing development at the former iconic Shredded Wheat factory site in Welywn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Higgins has worked in partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley to provide 52 Shared Ownership properties, 106 for affordable rent
More homes are embracing green energy and installing heat pumps and solar panels in the UK than ever before, with a 62% jump compared to last year, new data from the official standards body for renewable technologies, MCS, has revealed. MCS data shows that in the first six months of
The world of building design, development, and maintenance has undergone a remarkable revolution, all thanks to recent strides in the construction industry. These breakthroughs have not only transformed how we create structures, but they’ve also ushered in a new era of enhanced productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and safety within the realm
As habitats, wildlife, and plants remain at continued risk of loss across the globe, and the government’s new housing supply yearly target of 300,000¹ homes per year, it’s essential property developers are fully aware of the upcoming Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation and what this will mean for future planning and development.. With plans to protect fragile ecosystems and reverse the decline in species by 2030, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) will have to demonstrate at least a 10% biodiversity net gain from November 2023. But what does this mean exactly for property developers? UK’s leading environmental consultancy, Thomson Environmental Consultants, summarises five things property developers should be aware of when it comes to Biodiversity Net Gain: Ultimately, BNG will aim to leave the environment in a better state than it was before. Introduced into legislation through the world-leading Environment Act 2021, achieving a 10% net gain will become mandatory for most developments from November 2023. Until now, local planning authorities, utility providers, housing developers, and other organisations have worked with National Planning Policy Framework guidance to seek net gain from new developments. However, from November, BNG will become a legal and mandatory process for most new housing, commercial and infrastructure developments which require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Although some property types may be exempt from the mandatory BNG requirements, ¹ such as self-build homes; in most cases, property developers must demonstrate how they are replacing and improving biodiversity. The phased introduction of BNG, will allow smaller development sites a longer transition period (April 2024), and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which have been given development consent under the Planning Act 2008, will be required to comply with BNG requirements from 2025. Small sites are defined for the BNG exemption as residential and non-residential. Although the UK contains more than 70,000 known species of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms, the growing pressure from diseases, invasive species and climate change has resulted in 600 million breeding birds being lost across the EU and UK since 1980, as well as 97% of the UK’s wildflower meadows, and 90% of the UK’s wetland habitats². In order to succeed the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030, BNG requirements are more critical than ever. Moreover, as the UK now only acquires half of the biodiversity that existed before the Industrial Revolution, it’s essential that equal efforts are placed to combat the increased threat to ecosystems while aligning with the government’s annual new home targets. This is where BNG comes into play. Property developers must assess the type of habitat affected and its condition before submitting plans detailing how they will deliver a 10% benefit for nature post development. The “biodiversity metric trading” rules require that any habitat affected within the boundary is replaced on a ‘like for like’ or ‘like for better’ principle. This will be done through the new and streamlined Biodiversity Metric 4.0, which includes a mandatory biodiversity metric calculator tool, user guide, small site metric calculator and more. The metric calculator will essentially provide a biodiversity metric to quantify the value of habitats before and after development. Newly available under the Environment Act 2021, conservation covenants will play an important role in conserving habitat and biodiversity in the long term. Conservation covenants will be an important mechanism for delivering ‘off-site’ BNG where meeting the mandatory 10% improvement on-site isn’t possible. The nature of conservation covenants will require a long-term commitment to the enhancement and maintenance of habitats. Government guidance suggests the BNG credits will be phased out over time as the private market for BNG becomes established. Although a secondary legislation draft is due to be published later in 2023 with further mandatory guidelines, it’s crucial property developers begin considering the requirements sooner rather than later in the planning process. Whether the new BNG requirements will apply to existing planning applications has not yet been confirmed and will be updated by DEFRA and the government accordingly. Regarding costings and project expectations, a government-run statutory credit scheme will be available as a last resort to prevent delays in the planning system. Developers can also pay for improvements on other sites elsewhere by purchasing “units” via a private, off-site market. However, in order to buy credits, property developers must demonstrate that they cannot deliver habitat onsite or via the off-site market. With credits costing between £42,000 and £650,000 +VAT, this will significantly add to overall project costs where off-site enhancements are required. Paul Franklin, Associate Director of Ecology at Thomson Environmental Consultants, commented on the legislation: “It’s important to remember that Biodiversity Net Gain will affect the property development process at all stages and phases. We strongly recommend early engagement with a consultant when undertaking due diligence on a prospective purchase through to consideration of the long-term monitoring and management of created habitats. In many cases, this will be a period of 30 years post-development. “Ensure you speak with consultants who have strong experts in conducting various project habitat surveys and condition assessments to ensure you achieve the desired biodiversity net gain.” To find out more about Biodiversity Net gain, visit: https://www.thomsonec.com/news/five-things-property-developers-need-to-know-in-preparation-for-biodiversity-net-gain-bng/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RWE welcomed local MPs Lia Nici and Martin Vickers to its expanding Grimsby Hub, a new state of the art operations and maintenance facility, currently under construction at the company’s existing site in Grimsby’s Royal Docks. During the visit, the MPs took a tour around the facility, met with staff and had the opportunity to hear more about RWE’s future planned investment in the region. RWE is responsible for operating the existing Humber Gateway and Triton Knoll offshore wind farms from the Grimsby Docks as well as the construction of the Sofia offshore wind farm and the development of a further two offshore wind farms on Dogger Bank in the North Sea. Once fully operational, the Grimsby Hub will be the operations base for Triton Knoll and Sofia as well as hosting RWE’s Centralised Control Room (CCR), where technicians will oversee the operation of the vast majority of the company’s UK offshore portfolio, further reaffirming the Humber’s role as a leading location for the UK’s offshore wind sector. Humber-based firm Hobson & Porter is responsible for the construction of the multi-million pound facility, which is expected to accommodate around 140 RWE employees in total. The Grimsby Hub has the potential to bring around 70 new skilled jobs to the region, plus indirect jobs required in support. Although still under construction, recruitment is well underway with the opening of over 20 technician roles in support of the Sofia offshore wind farm. The location of the Grimsby Hub at the Royal Docks was chosen because of its proximity to existing and future projects and its deep-water quayside, which is suited to the use of Service Operations Vessels (SOVs). Construction is due to complete next year and will include a joint control room offering 24/7 monitoring of multiple sites, new shared office space, and separate warehouse facilities. Guy Middleton, RWE General Manager for the Grimsby Hub, hosted the visit and said: “It was fantastic to welcome Lia and Martin to the Grimsby Hub to discuss our investment plans for the local region, which will bring plenty of skilled roles and provide many opportunities for the regional supply chain.” RWE’s newly appointed Director for Net Zero East Coast UK, Corinne Barry, added: “It is a hugely exciting time for RWE in the Humber with all the new investment proposed, and I cannot wait to see our plans progress. The Humber has gained an enviable reputation in supporting the country’s net zero ambitions and RWE is proud to be a part of its future!” During the visit, the MPs also discussed RWE’s plans for a new carbon capture CCGT power station near Stallingborough which could generate up to 800 MW of decarbonised, secure, flexible energy, enough to potentially power the equivalent of around one million homes. The new power station would be fitted with carbon capture technology andwould make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy security and support our transition to a net zero economy. RWE is working with Harbour Energy to explore options for transporting and storing the captured carbon through its Viking CCS network from both its proposed new power station and its existing Staythorpe power station in Nottinghamshire. Lia Nici MP thanked the team for the visit and said: “It was great to see RWE’s continued investment in its Grimsby Hub offshore wind base, which is set to be a central location for the management of many of the company’s offshore wind farms across the UK – bringing high-quality job opportunities to Grimsby and reinforcing the town’s position as a leader in the sector.” Martin Vickers MP added “The visit also gave us an opportunity to hear about RWE’s wider investment plans in the region, which includes not only further offshore wind projects, but carbon capture investments at its regional power stations, linked to the Viking Carbon Capture and Storage network, which was recently awarded Track-2 development status by the Government.” RWE is the leading power producer in the UK, accounting for around 15% of all electricity generated in the UK through its diverse operational portfolio of onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and gas. Between 2012 and 2021, RWE delivered a 43% reduction in carbon intensity for the electricity produced across its operational portfolio in the UK (0.52 to 0.30 tCO2/MWh). Overall, and including its committed investments in projects already under construction, RWE expects to invest up to £15 billion in new green technologies and infrastructure in the UK by 2030. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
North, east and west, some of London’s most iconic residential and commercial developments have benefited from using a combination of green roof substrates and natural, as-dug soils from one of the UK’s leading growing media suppliers, Boughton. Here we learn more about the latest project at Canary Wharf and look back at some of previous London highlights that have helped to put Boughton well and truly on the map. The Pavilion at Landmark Pinnacle, Canary Wharf Part of a much larger scale project which includes the UK’s highest tropical garden, the Pavilion at Landmark Pinnacle is the work of Gillespies, Valley Provincial and Farrer Huxley. The green roof which swoops over the ground level commercial space at the foot of the 75-storey skyscraper, will provide much needed green space for those that live and work in the locality. Whilst residents of Landmarks Pinnacle will have access to two sky gardens, this pavilion has been created for the wider community as a place to promote healthy, active and social living. Sloped to the ground level the space is accessible to all. Zoned planting, which creates zigzagged walkways to a raised theatre-style seating arrangement at its highest point, has been supported by Boughton lightweight green roof substrates, Intensive IN 1 and the lightweight subsoil. Boughton’s Intensive IN 1 was selected for its greater organic content and its ability to support larger plants and deeper planting depths. Not only this but IN 1 is perfect for schemes that optimise a more detailed and formalised planting scheme as that seen at the Pavilion, which allows for year-round colour and texture, an approach that has become Gillespies trademark at this project and has since gained them finalist status at the 2022 Landscape Institute Awards: Excellence in Horticulture and Planting Design category. Joining the line-up was Boughton’s lightweight subsoil which created the perfect footprint for the application of Intensive IN 1. Sheldon Square, Paddington The Landmark Pinnacle project follows hot on the heels of the Sheldon Square project that also saw Boughton and Gillespies work together. Located at the heart of Paddington Central, Sheldon Square is best known for its amphitheatre, where a range of activities take place every day. From lunch with colleagues and friends to a special location for live music and culture, Sheldon Square and its amphitheatre are much loved by those that live and work there. In 2022 the area benefited from a makeover which saw improved facilities, better accessibility, a more dynamic performance space and a greener space added. New trees, sun-loving plants and over 40 colourful perennials were added to not only create a vibrant display but were chosen for their ability to reduce pollution, improve air quality and to increase biodiversity and climate change resilience. Working with Gillespies, alongside main contractors, 8Build, and soft landscape contractor, Kingston Landscape Group, Boughton supplied over 80m3 of its ever-popular BLS 2 topsoil to site in bulk bags. Single-sourced, ‘as dug’ natural and screened, Boughton’s BLS 2 topsoil was specified for this project by Gillespies. Battersea Power Station Whilst not Boughton’s first large-scale project, Battersea Power Station certainly remains its most iconic. Situated on a 39-acre site, the Grade II* listed former Power Station was subject to an incredible £9billion redevelopment project – one of the biggest schemes of this type anywhere in Europe. It was within the scheme’s ‘Garden of Elements’ project that saw Boughton step-up, providing its green roof substrates to support the planting within this series of three garden spaces. Positioned between the four chimneys that have become synonymous with the Battersea development, sits the ‘Garden of Elements’, which was designed by Andy Sturgeon and brought to life by six-times BALI Grand award-winners, Willerby Landscapes. Each garden is inspired by fire, water or air, harking back to the Power Station’s previous life. It is within these gardens, including the notable main podium garden ‘Boiler House Square’ that saw Boughton’s IN1 Intensive and Lightweight Green Roof Substrates, and Rootzone come into their own. These garden spaces, full of cloud-like planting schemes are set within raised beds and tall grasses with vegetation designed to offer year-round interest with a mix of evergreens, Mediterranean and more exotic species. Boughton’s IN1 substrate was selected to support this scheme thanks to its ability to support larger plants and to be installed at depths from 100 – 500cm, thanks to its sandy texture. Additionally, Boughton’s IN1 substrate offers significant moisture retention qualities, making it the perfect choice when so many plants are vying for attention within this three-hectare site. IN1 from Boughton continues to meet and exceed all G.R.O guidelines. Elsewhere Boughton’s Lightweight Substrate was used to provide growing media where weight loading for the green roof needed to be lighter than traditional green roof schemes. Finally, Rootzone completed the offering. Supplied as a ready-mixed solution, Rootzone provided better planting conditions throughout the scheme. Product was supplied in both bulk bags and 25L bags, meaning the Boughton team had to go above and beyond to tackle the logistical challenges that delivering to a central location presented. Talking during the construction of the horticulturally rich roof garden, Willerby Landscapes said: “Boughton were a pleasure to work with, being able to safely deliver the material to site despite the many logistical challenges that this prestigious, central London project posed. They supplied us with top quality substrates specifically approved by Tim O’Hare, as well as a service that’s hard to beat”. Find out more To find out more about Boughton’s complete offering for the amenity, landscape and construction industries, please visit www.boughton.co.uk. To enquire about your next project, contact by calling (01536) 510515 or email sales@boughton.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BECOSAN® has announced the successful completion of the UK’s largest strip out, demolition, and refit project at the former GAP Warehouse in Rugby. This milestone accomplishment culminated with the property being leased by retail giant Sainsbury’s, marking one of the most substantial single property deals of the year. In a collaboration with Sunrise Real Estate Limited and Total Project Integration, BECOSAN® played a pivotal role in delivering this monumental project, encompassing 661,000 sq. ft. (60,000 m2). Sunrise Real Estate, the owner of the industrial building, orchestrated a comprehensive refurbishment of the property, which has now been officially handed over to Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited. Sunrise Real Estate’s strategic acquisition of the property from Gap Inc. in September 2022 marked the beginning of an ambitious revitalisation initiative. The project was successfully completed within a two-month timeframe thanks to the dedicated efforts of all involved stakeholders. This transformational endeavour involved a complete renovation of the Rugby 661 site. The renovation project, overseen by Total Project Integration (TPI), included innovative pavement enhancements through the application of the cutting-edge BECOSAN® treatment. BECOSAN® project director Martin Kerrigan and treatment coordinator Oliver Sanz Wittrowksi were involved in the project, which is one of the largest the company has undertaken. Martin said: “We are thrilled to have worked on this project, which has been an outstanding effort for all involved. The building has been comprehensively refurbished to an exceptional standard and it is great to see the BECOSAN® treatment being applied to a site of this scale.” Oliver said: ”The BECOSAN® treatment not only revitalises the pavement’s aesthetics but also ensures enhanced durability and sustainability. The treatment has ensured that the Rugby 661 site has been future-proofed for years to come.” For more information about BECOSAN®’s revolutionary concrete treatment solutions, please contact BECOSAN® UK at www.becosan.com/contact/ or call +44 (0)203 1296424. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor of non-flammable rainscreen facades, has produced a handy guide for contractors and installers unsure of how the 2022 Building Safety Act could affect them. Providing a three-minute read for the trade, the single page explainer highlights the key changes proposed by the act, which was instrumental in setting up the new Building Safety Regular last year. The guide also defines some of the key terms used in the act such as The Golden Thread, Duty Holders and High-Rise Buildings. Peter Johnson, founder of Vivalda Group, said: “Over the past five years, we have been committed to improving understanding and spreading best practice regarding cladding within the building sector. The Building Safety Act is a central plank of the UK’s new safety regime, but we are concerned that not enough people working on-site are aware of these changes. “We’ve produced this plain language guide so that everyone within the construction trade can benefit from a basic understanding of the principles of the act. This is important as it will drive many new aspects of safety legislation that will affect us all.” To get a free download of the Building Safety Act explainer, please go to: https://www.vivalda.co.uk/brochures/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An expanded senior leadership team has been unveiled at MC Construction as the buoyant firm heads for a record year. Turnover for the Salford-based business is on track to reach £22m for the 12 months to September, an increase of almost 50 per cent on last year’s figure of £15m. MC Construction has made strides across its Greater Manchester and Cheshire heartlands over the past year while also expanding its geographical reach with projects in Cumbria, North Wales and Shropshire. Its current forward order book stands at a record level of £18m. Founded in 1971 by Charlie Lowe and John Purcell, the multi-award-winning, family-owned company delivers complex construction projects, specialising in internal and external refurbishments, structural alterations and new builds for a wide range of clients across multiple sectors. Earlier this year, the company made an historic change by promoting Russ Forshaw from group operations director to managing director, the first time that a non-family member has held the role. He succeeded David Lowe, son of co-founder Charlie, who has become executive chairman. Now the company has promoted Jason Houghton from commercial manager to commercial director and Karl McDonald from contracts manager to operations manager. The duo, along with human resources and business services manager Sophie Houghton, have now joined the senior leadership team which includes Russ, pre-construction director Chris Purcell and finance director Gary Glendenning. Russ said: “We pride ourselves on being a business where learning and development supports internal promotion and career opportunities, as well as personal growth. “Our commitment to investing in and empowering talented young staff members has helped us to achieve great progress and success as a business. “Jason has made a significant difference to the business since he joined us three years ago and fully deserves his promotion. “Karl and Sophie joined us as apprentices and have progressed through the ranks and increased their levels of responsibility to the stage where we are now delighted to appoint them to the senior leadership team. “Expanding our leadership team is a significant milestone for the company. The team will ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the business while also enabling us to be more future facing, as we work on initiatives to further strengthen the company, with a focus on developments such as process improvement, digital innovation and sustainability. “These latest promotions mean we are extremely well-positioned to support a period of record turnover and expanded geographical coverage, as we look to the future with confidence.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Higgins Partnerships (Higgins) has announced the successful completion of the first phase of 208 mixed tenure housing development at the former iconic Shredded Wheat factory site in Welywn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Higgins has worked in partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley to provide 52 Shared Ownership properties, 106 for affordable rent and 50 homes exclusively for the over 55s at Wheat Quarter Phase One. The landmark 24 acre historic site was originally built in the 1920s, after being commissioned by Welwyn Garden City planner Ebenezer Howard to attract Shredded Wheat manufacturers Nabisco to the town and has been an iconic part of the area ever since. The factory finally closed its doors in 2008 after 73 years of use before Welywn and Hatfield Borough Council granted planning consent for the complete transformation and regeneration of the site in February 2019. Steve Leakey, Managing Director of Higgins Partnerships commented: “We are extremely proud to have worked in partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley on the first phase of what is an iconic site for the local community. What Quarter Phase One has provided a range of affordable homes to meet local needs, including a number of retirement properties, and marks the start of this exciting new residential community. “Throughout our time here, we have also ensured that we have created training and employment opportunities for those living in the local area, through our work with Joe Brenan Training, Women into Construction and JCP Mentoring Circle. “Working in partnership with Skills Builder we have supported children at Stanborough Secondary School, Watford on the Accelerator Programme to improve essential skills learning and making it a core part of education for every child and young person. We have also provided an insight into apprenticeships through Construction Youth Trust and supported and engaged with local young people to reduce anti-social behaviour as part of the Youth Centre YMCA.” Wheat Quarter Phase One also received a Gold Secured by Design Award Certificate from Hertfordshire Constabulary for working closely with the Crime Prevention team from the outset to ensure innovative planning made the development the safest it can be with crime prevention at the very heart, focusing on Hertfordshire’s Prevention First policing approach. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More homes are embracing green energy and installing heat pumps and solar panels in the UK than ever before, with a 62% jump compared to last year, new data from the official standards body for renewable technologies, MCS, has revealed. MCS data shows that in the first six months of 2023, more than 120,000 certified solar panels, heat pumps and other renewable technologies were installed in UK homes, the highest number ever by this point in the year. The previous record for renewable installations was more than a decade ago in 2012, when households raced to get solar panels before cuts to the Feed-In Tariff incentive scheme kicked in. June saw 27,791 certified installations recorded on homes and businesses across the UK, bringing the total for the first half of the year to 122,155. 2023 saw more installations in the month of June and in the first half of the year than any previous year. 2023 is the first year to average more than 20,000 solar panel installations per month, and the first to see more than 3,000 heat pumps installed per month. Analysts say that with this sustained growth, nearly a quarter of a million households could install renewable energy by the end of this year. Over 80% of the installations so far in 2023 have been electricity-generating technologies, driven mainly by the continued growth in solar PV installations. By the end of June, there were 102,797 certified installations of solar PV alone as more households turn to home-grown energy during the cost-of-living crisis. The first half of 2023 saw 82% more installations than the first half of 2022. Small-scale renewable energy installations on homes and businesses across the UK now have a total installed capacity of 4GW. The energy demand for the entire country averaged 29.4GW a day in the last year, meaning that the solar panels and wind turbines on peoples’ homes, at peak conditions, could power over 13% of the UK at current. The growth in solar has been mirrored by battery storage installation growth since MCS introduced the battery storage installation standard at the end of 2021. Each month of 2023 has been a record month for battery technologies, with installation figures surpassing the month before, totalling over 1,000 batteries going into homes and businesses across the UK in 2023 so far. There has been similar success in the growth of low-carbon heating, with average heat pump installations being over 3,000 per month for the first time in 2023. There were 17,920 heat pump installations in the first six months of 2023, a figure only rivalled by a rush to install heat pumps before the end of the Renewable Heat Incentive subsidy scheme in March 2022. Heat pump installations in England and Wales have been eligible for £5,000 – £6,000 Government grants since May last year under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. These grants are starting to take effect as heat pump sales are steadily growing. In Scotland, consumers can claim a grant of £7,500-£9,000 towards a heat pump installation plus an additional optional loan of £7,500. The UK Government has set clear targets to reach 70GW of solar capacity by 2035 and to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. The growth in renewable technology across the UK in the last few years is promising, but there is still much further to go. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The world of building design, development, and maintenance has undergone a remarkable revolution, all thanks to recent strides in the construction industry. These breakthroughs have not only transformed how we create structures, but they’ve also ushered in a new era of enhanced productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and safety within the realm of construction. In the upcoming discussion, we’ll dive deep into the heart of these innovations that have reshaped the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) landscape. Building Information Modelling (BIM) Building Information Modeling (BIM) goes beyond standard 2D drawings by generating a detailed 3D model of a building’s physical features and functional qualities. This dynamic model acts as a storehouse for all project data, including architectural designs, structural systems, and even building timetables. BIM overcomes communication gaps and mitigates possible conflicts early in the project timeline by encouraging interdisciplinary cooperation and real-time data exchange, resulting in better decision-making and fewer mistakes. This virtual environment enables stakeholders to anticipate future disputes, interferences, or design inconsistencies, allowing for time and money savings. It also improves post-construction facility management, since the comprehensive model may be utilised for maintenance, restorations, and future expansions. The adoption of this has far-reaching implications for AEC marketing research; With clients increasingly seeking efficient and cost-effective solutions, construction firms equipped with BIM capabilities have a competitive edge. Marketing strategies can highlight how the collaboration leads to shorter project timelines, reduced change orders, and optimised resource allocation. 3D Printing Traditional building practises are characterised by waste of materials, long procedures, and limited architectural intricacy. 3D printing, which allows for the manufacturing of custom-shaped pieces with less waste and more precision, addresses these concerns. This approach uses a variety of materials, including concrete, polymers, metals, and composite materials, to build structures that are both practical and artistically appealing. Architects and designers may provide prospective clients a physical picture of their ideas by producing accurate physical models. This interactive experience goes beyond traditional 2D representations, allowing potential investors to comprehend the space layout, architectural aesthetics, and finer elements of a concept. As a result, decision-makers will be able to make more informed judgements based on a realistic understanding of the finished product. Trade shows, exhibitions, and presentations are all critical components of AEC’s marketing strategy. By showcasing 3D-printed models of planned projects, renovation businesses may leave a lasting impression on visitors and potential clients. The physical design of these models promotes engagement, discussion, and questions, resulting in enhanced brand exposure and economic possibilities. Drones and UAVs An aerial survey can capture construction sites swiftly and from various angles, taking high-resolution images and videos that provide an unparalleled view of the project’s development. Because it allows organisations to present ongoing projects to potential clients and investors with incredible clarity and detail, visual data becomes a helpful tool for marketing efforts. Drones can create exact topographical maps and 3D models in addition to recording visual data. These digital representations might be used in promotional materials, pitches, and web tours, providing stakeholders with an in-depth view that allows them to visualise the full product. These interactive advertising tactics help a corporation express its vision, technology capabilities, and dedication to innovation. They are also gaining popularity, and their usage in AEC market research ties in neatly with the present emphasis on greener practises. Two of the numerous advantages of employing them during construction include reduced travel time and reduced carbon emissions from fewer site visits. This aligns well with the concept of sustainable values, allowing firms to position themselves as environmentally responsible organisations. Robotics & Automation Businesses in the construction sector may use this trend in their advertising to highlight their forward-thinking culture and commitment to technological innovation. The employment of robotics and automation displays a company’s dedication to staying ahead of industry trends, which may appeal to clients seeking modern and efficient construction solutions. In marketing materials and presentations, demonstrating robotic systems in operation, as well as the benefits they give in terms of time and cost savings, might successfully attract potential consumers and other interested parties. The usage of automated technologies reflects the growing interest in green construction techniques. Marketing efforts might highlight how this optimises resource allocation, lowers waste, and encourages energy savings, while also reinforcing the company’s commitment to environmentally sensitive building practises. This technique not only appeals to environmentally conscious clientele, but it also establishes the AEC firm as an industry leader. Advanced Materials Imagine trying to sell people in a new neighbourhood where the buildings are made of self-healing concrete. This sophisticated material, capable of self-repairing minor cracks, not only protects the building’s lifetime but also appeals to potential purchasers who prioritise low maintenance requirements. AEC marketers may use this unique feature as a key selling factor in their promotional efforts, emphasizing lower repair costs and increased structural robustness. Energy efficiency is another significant component in AEC development, which is why the use of new materials is becoming more widespread. Solar panels and energy-efficient HVAC systems appeal to a growing customer sector that values lower utility costs and environmentally friendly living. AEC marketers equipped with research-backed insights can successfully communicate how these advancements translate into concrete benefits like as lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact. Summary Because of technical breakthroughs like as 3D printing, BIM, and cutting-edge project management systems, builders and engineers now have better, cheaper, and less wasteful alternatives. As these technologies improve and become more widely utilised, we may expect to see a significant shift in the building industry, paving the way for faster, safer, and more sustainable projects.
