Recent data analysed by ERP software supplier RedSky has highlighted disappointing growth in the number of female construction workers within the last two decades. Since 1995, the number of women working within the industry has risen a measly 3%, with less than a fifth choosing a construction-based role in 2023.
An Aggregate Industries contracting team is being featured in a prime-time television show which shines a light on how England’s roads are maintained. The third series of Motorway is back on Channel 5’s screens. The docu-series follows National Highways and what it takes to look after the road network. A
Orbit Homes is set to deliver 220 properties at a brand-new development in the village of Reydon, Suffolk. The proposed scheme located on Copperwheat Avenue, will comprise 44 affordable rent, 74 shared ownership and 84 market sale houses, as well as 11 self-build plots, and seven coastal erosion replacement properties.
Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments have submitted a full planning application to Derby City Council for the redevelopment of one of the final plots of vacant land within Derby’s newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter. 186 one- and two-bedroom apartments are proposed for ‘Cathedral One’ within a u-shaped finely detailed red
The latest research from London’s largest lettings and sales estate agent, Foxtons, has revealed that just over a year on from the mini budget responsible for the declining health of the property market, the capital has turned a corner, with an uplift in activity helping to restimulate the market. The
A University of Nottingham academic has played an instrumental role in the creation of a standard that empowers building owners, operators, and professionals to proactively protect indoor environments as we enter the winter virus season. ASHRAE, leader in the development of guidance for safeguarding public health, has created Standard 241,
A new webshop has been opened by window and door frame sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie to provide UK customers with rapid and easy access to products, installation information and orders 24/7. Accessible via an office PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device, the versatile webshop – available via ISO-Chemie’s web portal
The final phase of an ambitious 18-month project to refurbish the renowned Warburg Institute in Woburn Square, central London started in September 2023. The institute has been part of the University of London since 1944 and is one of the world’s leading centres for research and teaching on the interaction
Midlands’ Architectural Practice of the Year, rg+p Ltd has announced the appointment of a new studio director for Birmingham. Jack Whitehead has become the practice’s youngest current director, assuming responsibility for rg+p’s continued growth in the West Midlands, where current projects include: “Birmingham has a vibrant and thriving property
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Recent data analysed by ERP software supplier RedSky has highlighted disappointing growth in the number of female construction workers within the last two decades. Since 1995, the number of women working within the industry has risen a measly 3%, with less than a fifth choosing a construction-based role in 2023. There are now mounting pressures and initiatives to increase the representation of female workers within construction. Encouraging a more diverse workforce offers significant benefits for all areas of construction, such as greater access to top-tier talent, enhanced critical thinking and even improved workplace culture. In a male-dominated industry, it’s clear construction firms must do more. What’s Causing the Gender Skill Gap? With over 3.1 million workers in the construction industry, it’s a popular sector within the UK. Around 9% of Britain’s working population is employed in a construction-based role, ranging from on-site contractors to data analysts. Despite popularity, the industry is heavily male-dominated, with women making up only 16% of all workers, so why is this? According to one study, just 21% of board members identify as female, meaning many construction firms have minimal to no female representation higher up in the chain. Without vocal representation, many women will disregard construction as an industry to work in. Despite living in 2023, discrimination is still rife against women in the workplace. Sadly, this is also true in construction, with around 12% of female construction workers expressing they’d been ignored for a promotion because of their gender. Whilst it’s a problem in the industry, it’s still an issue in the UK overall. Around 75% of the UK’s population believes gender stereotypes still exist. If 75% of the UK population believes that gender stereotypes still exist, then unconscious bias is still common, even in an industry like construction. Unconscious bias is the act of judging or making decisions about someone based on your own experiences. From a young age, we tend to prefer people who are like us, because we see them as safe and predictable. This is why some workplaces may seem to be full of very similar people, and why HR teams need to be mindful of unconscious bias when hiring. For example, many women may be passed up for promotions because people assume that they want to have children and therefore cannot commit to the job, or that they are physically weaker than men and therefore not strong enough for the job. These judgments are made without talking to the individual to find out if they are true. As 12% of female workers have said, they have been passed over for promotion in the construction industry. It is possible that unconscious bias played a role in this. It is also likely that male candidates are preferred over female candidates in the recruitment process. However, this does not mean that a female worker should always be selected for a role simply to combat unconscious bias. It simply means that we should judge people based on their merits and qualifications, not their gender. What Initiatives are Driving Female Talent Into Construction? 1. Sponsorship and Mentoring Programmes There are a handful of sponsorship and mentoring programmes for women looking to start and progress a career within construction. For example, Moving On Up by Women Into Construction supports companies in retaining and progressing women within their workforce. From demonstrating gender diversity in tenders to improving work culture, this initiative offers significant benefits. 2. Attractive Pay Package Out of Britain’s major industries, construction is in the top 10 for average weekly earnings. Workers in the industry earn an average of £742 a week, beating industries like Education (£531) and Transport (£679). Its attractive pay package is an incentive to bring many into the industry, not just women. 3. Flexible Working Arrangements With huge deadlines and completion dates to adhere to, many construction workers have experienced long hours to get their jobs done. For many people, this lack of work-life balance is unattractive, meaning it can also turn women off, especially those who value their free time or have young families. Now, construction firms are devising ways to improve flexible working. 4. Inclusive Company Culture Introducing more women is just one step to creating an inclusive company culture. By embracing a range of genders, ethnic backgrounds and abilities, construction firms can start to demonstrate a level of inclusion and acceptance amongst their workforce. Creating an inclusive company culture also aids retention rates. 5. Opportunities for Progression Around half of the construction workforce expressed they’d never had a female manager. Of course, many companies are already looking to change this, and are seeing major benefits in return. From improved productivity to having an extra pair of hands, female workers bring many skills to the industry that must be recognised. It’s Time for Construction Firms to Act and Embrace More Female Talent The construction industry offers significant opportunities for women, yet their representation remains at a mere 16% of the workforce. To bridge the skill gap and address the current shortage, construction firms must act swiftly. By reassessing workplace culture, actively recruiting female workers, and implementing effective mentoring programs, these firms can tap into a vast pool of untapped talent. Prioritising the inclusion and advancement of women will not only address the gender imbalance but also drive innovation and success in the industry. According to Monique Campbell, Customer Services Director for RedSky, the time for action is now. She states, “Women in our industry not only bring diversity but also fresh perspectives and innovation. We bring a vast range of skills that benefit all areas of construction, from board management level to business analytics and independent contractors to project managers.” She continues, “Closing the gender skill gap is essential if we want this industry to keep thriving and evolving. The industry has seen shortages in labour and resources in recent years, which can easily be filled by skilled female workers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An Aggregate Industries contracting team is being featured in a prime-time television show which shines a light on how England’s roads are maintained. The third series of Motorway is back on Channel 5’s screens. The docu-series follows National Highways and what it takes to look after the road network. A film crew from the show’s makers, Fearless TV, spent a night shift with Aggregate Industries’ Contracting team in the north-west, as they resurfaced part of the M62 between Broad Lane and Rakewood between junctions 21 and 22. The cameras captured the Aggregate Industries team as they had to close three lanes of the motorway to plane and resurface a 1 km stretch of the road.The show follows the team as they raced against the clock to ensure all works were safely completed in time for a 6am reopening, in time for the morning commuter traffic. The programme features Contracts Supervisor Leigh Brusby as he oversees the evening’s work and liaises with the company’s Salford Asphalt Plant at Weast to organise truck deliveries of the surface layer product. Tom Edgcumbe, Managing Director for Aggregate Industries’ Surfacing Solutions division, said: “It was great to be able to work with Channel 5 to take the cameras out and showcase what we do as a business. “National Highways are a key customer. We work very much in collaboration with them to deliver an excellent service and our technical expertise. “The programme follows a very typical night shift showing the time pressures we face to make sure we get the job done well, safely and finished on time. “We hope people enjoy getting an insight into what it takes to resurface such a busy section of road.” QUOTE from National Highways in here Episode six of Motorway airs on Channels 5 on Monday 30 October at 8pm or people can catch up on the show via My5. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orbit Homes is set to deliver 220 properties at a brand-new development in the village of Reydon, Suffolk. The proposed scheme located on Copperwheat Avenue, will comprise 44 affordable rent, 74 shared ownership and 84 market sale houses, as well as 11 self-build plots, and seven coastal erosion replacement properties. A choice of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes will be available. The development has received funding from the Homes England Strategic Partnership scheme for the delivery of affordable homes. Orbit Homes purchased the site from WM Denny & Sons, and Chartwell Industries. The expected start date for the scheme is 2025, with work expected to conclude in 2029. Ray Winney, Regional Managing Director at Orbit Homes, said: “We are excited to unveil plans for our brand-new development in the village of Reydon, Suffolk. This is an area of high affordability pressure, so we are pleased to be delivering 118 affordable properties for the local community, as well as 84 available to purchase through market sale. The site is located less than two miles from the desirable seaside town of Southwold, making it the perfect location for families, as well as couples and those looking to size-down. “All of our Orbit Homes developments are designed to be tenure-blind, which means customers receive the same commitment to design, specification, and safety, whether they purchase through shared ownership, market sale or affordable rent. I look forward to seeing the site progress over the years, and to creating a thriving new community in the East.” Orbit Homes currently has nine thriving new communities underway in East Anglia, comprising a range of affordable two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, including some rarely available new build bungalows. A mixture of purchasing options is available, including market sale and shared ownership. To find out more about the range of properties Orbit Homes offers, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments have submitted a full planning application to Derby City Council for the redevelopment of one of the final plots of vacant land within Derby’s newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter. 186 one- and two-bedroom apartments are proposed for ‘Cathedral One’ within a u-shaped finely detailed red brick building that rises to nine storeys. The 0.2Ha site is bounded by Full Street to the west and the River Derwent to the east. Measuring approximately 50m wide by 50m long, the site was previously occupied by a police station, which was constructed in the 1960s and demolished in 2013. Phase One of Wilson Bowden’s Full Street development was completed in 2016. It includes the refurbishment of the Riverside Chambers office complex, delivery of 46 new apartments at Number One Cathedral Green, and a Premier Inn hotel. The remaining parcel of land had been earmarked for an office development of up to 100,000 sq ft, but it will now be brought forward by Wavensmere Homes for an apartment scheme, benefiting from a vibrant waterside location, with views of the 16th Century Derby Cathedral and its 212ft tower. Also lying adjacent to the site is the Museum of Making at the restored Derby Silk Mill, which re-opened to the public in 2021. The Cathedral One residential development proposals are designed to complete the jigsaw of this prime Derby city centre site by providing dual aspect landscaped public realm over Cathedral Green, whilst enhancing the activity along Full Street. Nottingham-based Franklin Ellis Architects has drawn up plans for a red brick apartment building, inspired by the traditional architecture and heritage assets within the vicinity. In addition to the apartments, 2,000 sq ft of mixed-use space has been accommodated at ground floor level to overlook Cathedral Green and Full Street, providing an active frontage. A range of uses are earmarked for this space, including a new café and high-quality residential facilities such as a gymnasium, co-working zone, and concierge point. James Dickens, Managing Director of Birmingham-based Wavensmere Homes, said: “This challenging brownfield site occupies one of the best locations within Derby city centre and benefits from rich views of the Cathedral Quarter and the River Derwent. It has been vacant for 10 years and the opportunity to create an exemplary development, reflective of the prime gateway location is exciting. “The plans we have submitted for Cathedral One would help towards Derby City Council’s target to provide a minimum of 11,000 new homes throughout the city over the coming decade. By appropriately densifying this derelict brownfield site within such a prized and popular city location, we will create highly energy-efficient homes for well over 250 people who will then spend their time and disposable income locally. We look forward to continuing to work with Derby City Council’s Officers, Councillors, and wider stakeholders, as this planning application is considered.” The Cathedral One plans include two communal staircases, courtyard car parking provision and secure bicycle spaces. The latest green energy features will be incorporated into the design for the new homes, to enable a high EPC rating to be targeted, whilst exceeding the new Part L building regulations. Cathedral One will promote sustainable development through the use of low carbon materials, modern methods of construction, and renewable energy generation via a vast amount of roof mounted solar PV panels. Matthew Branton, Managing Director of Franklin Ellis Architects, said: “Whilst designing Cathedral One, our team at Franklin Ellis were conscious of the need for this proposed development to carefully close the wider urban block and positively front Full Street, Cathedral Green and the waterside, improving the safety, attractiveness, and animation of the adjacent public areas. “We have taken a context led approach to a layered facade design, incorporating quality detailing and a refined material palette whilst paying homage to the surrounding architecture and heritage assets, ensuring the Cathedral is always the star of the show. We have spent many months refining the design and generating these comprehensive plans, which reflect feedback from the recent public consultation, together with the Council’s Design and Heritage Review Panels – creating Derby’s most sought-after apartment development.” Derby’s array of city centre shops, amenities and attractions are located within moments of the site on Full Street, with Derby Train Station being one mile away, and reachable by foot and public transport in under 10 minutes. Regular services to London St Pancras take less than 90 minutes, while trains to Birmingham city centre take 34 minutes. Wavensmere Homes has become one of Derby’s most prominent residential developers, with the £175m multi-award-winning Nightingale Quarter becoming one of the finest regeneration and restoration assets in the region. The former Derby Royal Infirmary on London Road – which had laid derelict for a decade – has been transformed into a vibrant new community, including over 900 houses and apartments. The company has also submitted plans for the 11.5-acre (4.96Ha) historic Friar Gate Goods Yard in central Derby, which could be transformed into 276 houses and apartments, and over 110,000sq ft of commercial space. Wavensmere Homes is currently constructing two other major urban regeneration schemes, located in central Birmingham and Ipswich, and has further projects across middle England in the immediate pipeline. The Edgbaston-headquartered housebuilder has around 3,500 new homes either under construction or in planning. To view the plans and read more about the project, please visit: www.fullstreetderby.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest research from London’s largest lettings and sales estate agent, Foxtons, has revealed that just over a year on from the mini budget responsible for the declining health of the property market, the capital has turned a corner, with an uplift in activity helping to restimulate the market. The research by Foxtons analysed the health of the London market since the mini budget in September 2022, the impact it had and how the market has bounced back in recent months. The latest full monthly transaction data for March of this year shows that sales have once again started to rise, climbing to 5,060 from the market low witnessed in February – an 11% month on month increase. Harrow has seen the sharpest return to form, with transaction levels up 43.4%, followed by Kensington and Chelsea (+42.9%) and Redbridge (42.9%). Sellers are also returning to the fold, with the number of homes listed for sale hitting 101,457 in September of this year, marking a full return to pre-mini budget market conditions, with every borough seeing an increase in stock for sale versus the previous low seen in March of this year. Mini budget impact on house price The research shows that the average London house price* had been climbing steadily in the run up to the mini budget, increasing by 1% between July and September 2022. However, in the months that followed, it fell by -4.2% to a low of £520,961 in March of this year. The biggest declines were seen across the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea (-11.2%), Brent (-8.7%) and Islington (-6.9%), while just four boroughs avoided a mini budget induced market downturn – Tower Hamlets, Hounslow, Greenwich and Havering. Drop in sales stock Further analysis by Foxtons* shows that this drop in London house prices was driven by a two pronged reduction in both available stock and buyer appetite. In September of last year, there were just shy of 100,000 homes listed for sale across the London market. This fell to a low of 86,291 homes listed for sale by January 2023 and by March, total stock levels still sat some way off pre-mini budget levels at just 89,279. Again, Islington ranked as one of the worst hit boroughs, with sale stock falling by -19.1% between September 2022 and March 2023. Waltham Forest and Lambeth also saw reductions of -19%. Transactional decline But it wasn’t just a reduction in seller activity that impacted the market, internal data from Foxtons shows that there was a decline in buyer interest, with buyer applications falling by -46% between September and October 2022.* Further research by Foxtons also shows that some 8,311 property sales completed in September 2022*, the third consecutive month that London transaction levels had exceeded the 8,000 threshold. Following the mini budget, this figure fell consistently every month, hitting a low of 4,531 homes sold in February of this year. Signs of the London market revival However, the research by Foxtons suggests that the London market has now turned the corner. Foxtons internal data shows that buyer applicant levels have increased by 27% between September of this year and October, with October 2023 also seeing 69% more applicants versus October 2022, with this number expected to increase further by the end of the month.* The latest full monthly transaction data for March of this year shows that sales have once again started to rise, climbing to 5,060 from the market low witnessed in February – an 11% month on month increase. Harrow has seen the sharpest return to form, with transaction levels up 43.4%, followed by Kensington and Chelsea (+42.9%) and Redbridge (42.9%). Sellers are also returning to the fold, with the number of homes listed for sale hitting 101,457 in September of this year, marking a full return to pre-mini budget market conditions, with every borough seeing an increase in stock for sale versus the previous low seen in March of this year. Foxtons CEO, Guy Gittins, commented: “There’s no doubt that the government’s mini budget caused an almost immediate decline in property market health and this impact reverberated across the entire country. This was no different across the London market, where months of otherwise steady momentum in stock levels and buyer activity were slowed by the uncertainty and market nervousness the mini budget brought. The good news is that we certainly seem to have turned a corner and across the capital, stock levels have returned to pre-mini budget norms. At Foxtons, we’ve seen a 26% year on year increase in new sales instructions. So it’s reassuring to see that London’s sellers have placed their trust in us during these tough times, helping us to regain our position as London’s number 1 estate agency in the process*, while the data also suggests that the capital’s buyers have now emerged from their mini-budget boltholes in order to transact. As a result, the market is largely expected to finish on a positive note by the end of the year and this growing market sentiment should only be strengthened by the Bank of England’s decision to freeze interest rates in September.” You can view the full data tables online here. *House price and transaction data sourced from the Gov – UK House Price Index (July 2023 – latest available) Transaction data based on March latest as volume figures for the most recent months are deemed not yet reliable for reporting. Foxtons buyer applicant numbers based on the number of buyers applying to purchase a property and based on the monthly totals seen in September and October 2022, versus September and October 2023. Note – October data not yet fully matured. For sale stock levels sourced from Rightmove. Source of Foxton’s position as London’s number 1 estate agent sourced from TwentyCI data, H1 2023 v H1 2022 market share and market share growth of New Instructions at a brand level. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A University of Nottingham academic has played an instrumental role in the creation of a standard that empowers building owners, operators, and professionals to proactively protect indoor environments as we enter the winter virus season. ASHRAE, leader in the development of guidance for safeguarding public health, has created Standard 241, which establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of airborne aerosol transmissions, which cause viruses like flu or Covid-19, and other bacteria in buildings. Ben Jones, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, alongside research fellow Chris Iddon, were selected out of more than a hundred applicants from across the world to work on the modelling and underpinning of the standard that will help design the places of tomorrow. Ben said: “Standard 241 tells building operators how much clean air they should deliver to control infectious aerosols, and we are the people behind those numbers. We made tens of thousands of calculations using a mathematical model of infection risk that considers how many people there might be in a building, how much virus they may collectively emit and, therefore, how much virus uninfected occupants might inhale. “This isn’t the first time we’ve used this type of model, having supported the UK government, Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers, and the Chilean Government during the pandemic. However, to be involved in the creation of the first standard of its kind that’s going to help solve real world challenges is something I’m incredibly proud of.” The standard was commissioned by the White House and completed in just 116 days using a process that would usually take around four years. It provides comprehensive guidance for systems that control the spread of infectious aerosols and recommendations for ventilation rates, filtration, and air cleaning technology, as well as a building readiness plan that documents procedures for assessing existing or new HVAC systems to ensure they’re working effectively. In a press release issued about Standard 241, 2023-23 ASHRAE’s Ginger Scoggins, stated: “The importance of improved indoor air quality and ventilation became topics of mainstream concern during the pandemic and ASHRAE remained committed to prioritising the health and well-being of building occupants. Standard 241 is a blueprint for building designers, owners, and operators with long-term benefits. With winter virus season approaching, mitigating the spread of airborne infections will be of even greater importance and incorporating the guidance in Standard 241 can be a major step forward in addressing clean air flow goals.” For more information on ASHRAE Standard 241, including related resources, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new webshop has been opened by window and door frame sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie to provide UK customers with rapid and easy access to products, installation information and orders 24/7. Accessible via an office PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device, the versatile webshop – available via ISO-Chemie’s web portal – enables customers to browse and place online orders and review their purchasing history. It also opens up access to CAD file downloads as well as extensive application information and specification detail on the company’s range of foam tape sealants and associated products, including BIM services. Products can be viewed and ordered at the touch of a button via an interactive display to save time and ensure selection accuracy. Associated documents are also available for downloading and viewing while orders can be tracked. In addition, ISO-Chemie offers planning, calculation and installation tools via its ISO-PORTAL. Specification documents, training videos and BIM-ready object data for products are also available to support designers and architects. The ISO-Chemie webshop is part of a package of added value customer support services said UK sales and operations manager Andy Swift, who added: “With our digital service we offer our customers the best possible support in planning and implementing their construction projects. For us, this requires an efficient customer-focused ordering process.” Register at www.iso-chemie.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The final phase of an ambitious 18-month project to refurbish the renowned Warburg Institute in Woburn Square, central London started in September 2023. The institute has been part of the University of London since 1944 and is one of the world’s leading centres for research and teaching on the interaction of ideas, images and society. Leading contractor Quinn London is working with architects Haworth Tompkins to realise the vision to renovate and expand the long-neglected building, which was designed in 1958 by architect Charles Holden. The building is being refurbished and extended to secure its future, provide more space and make it more accessible to the public. The institute has a rich history. Pioneering historian Aby Warburg, the eldest son of one of Europe’s great banking families, founded a private library in Hamburg in 1900. He famously made a deal with his younger brother to forfeit his right to take over the family firm, provided that his brother would provide him with all the books he ever needed. When the Nazis rose to power in 1933, the vast library was relocated to England and today is the only institution saved from Nazi Germany to survive intact. The current library holds 360,000 volumes of books and a photographic collection of more than 400,000 images. The three-phase project started in July 2022 and completion is estimated for early 2024. In the first two phases, the four upper floors were refurbished and areas opened out to accommodate the growing library over the next 20 years. Existing materials were used wherever possible and features including doors, joinery and skirtings were retained to maintain the ambience of the original building. Essential repairs were also made to the façade, roof and services. The institute has remained open to the public throughout the project and the books in the library remained on site. Close communication with the institute ensured these valuable assets were protected and minimised disruption by setting fixed ‘noisy times’ for the works. The current phase involves redesigning the ground and lower ground floors. A new extension is being built in the existing courtyard to house a 140-seat lecture theatre above a new reading room for the archive and photographic collection, together with a new and improved exhibition space. The concrete frame of the extension has been especially challenging, as Alex Butt, site manager at Quinn London explains: “The architects set an extremely high bar for the visual impact of the concrete frame. As concrete is extremely difficult to control it took many meetings to decide the best type of concrete to use. We settled on self-compacting concrete for its ability to flow under its own weight and to fill the formwork completely with no need for vibration. The sharp lines for the frame and columns were very tricky to achieve, but we are all very pleased with the result which delivers the required aesthetic impact.” A standout feature of the expanded lecture theatre is a large concrete elliptical lantern on the soffit, around a metre in depth, which features both internally and externally. The design echoes a structure in the original library in Hamburg, but is expressed in a modern form. The ellipse was an important symbol for Warburg, representing concepts of freedom, and links between thought and research. Quinn London has also replaced the external fire escape stairs with a new steel powder-coated staircase which rises seven storeys from the courtyard to top of the building. At 25 metres high and weighing more than 7.8 tonnes, it was no mean feat to lift the staircase over the building and drop it into the small courtyard space below. The works are restoring a tired building into a superb modern space that honours Aby Warburg’s vision and will inspire the public for many years to come.
Midlands’ Architectural Practice of the Year, rg+p Ltd has announced the appointment of a new studio director for Birmingham. Jack Whitehead has become the practice’s youngest current director, assuming responsibility for rg+p’s continued growth in the West Midlands, where current projects include: “Birmingham has a vibrant and thriving property sector encompassing impressive regeneration and infrastructure projects that are creating diverse opportunities to transform the urban fabric,” said Jack. “The city itself boasts a dynamic blend of historic charm and modern innovation, which from an architectural perspective is exciting as it allows for experimentation and evolution. As the newly appointed studio director for Birmingham, I’m inspired about the possibilities this presents. I am actively seeking to strengthen and expand our local connections, enabling us to continue making tangible contributions that transform the cityscape.” Jack’s career with rg+p commenced in 2018 when he joined as a Part I Architectural Assistant in the practice’s Leicester studio. For his Part II placement, Jack moved to Birmingham, where alongside acting as project lead he also began assisting with day-to-day management. Jack’s leadership, attention to detail and determination has not only helped his career develop, but also led to him receiving various accolades during his training. Most notably, these include nominations for the RIBA Silver Medal and AJ student award, and being awarded the Stanley Cox prize for best overall performance in the Diploma Professional Practice at Cardiff University, an honour Jack believes was pivotal in securing the studio director position. Jack adds: “The Stanley Cox prize highlights my dedication to maintaining high standards and has laid robust groundwork for guiding the team in Birmingham. Having risen through the ranks, I know firsthand how supportive and inclusive rg+p’s work culture is together with the proactive investment the company takes to ensure its employees advance and excel. This is something I am committed to continuing in Birmingham. Through my role as a guest lecturer at both Nottingham Trent and Cardiff Universities, I can share knowledge with the next generation and ensure a pipeline of talent for rg+p.” rg+p’s director, James Badley has mentored Jack since his first day. James comments: “Jack very quickly established himself as one to watch. His professional work demonstrates a creative flair, which was backed up by his academic success. Since relocating to Birmingham in 2021, Jack has worked hard to integrate himself with the region’s property industry and is a regular supporter of events organised by Colmore BID, RAC, FBE and BAA, so will be a familiar face to many. “We’re confident Jack has the right balance of commercial awareness, connections and energy to lead the expansion of our Birmingham studio and look forward to a bright future for him and our business.” Established in 2019, rg+p’s Birmingham studio is located just off the prestigious Colmore Row. Currently comprising a team of five including architectural and QS specialists, Jack is looking to recruit additional architects, architectural technologists and project managers. Visit https://www.rg-p.co.uk/careers for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
