In a recent development at Marshalls plc, a notable shift in leadership has taken place as Matt Pullen assumes the role of Chief Executive, succeeding Martyn Coffey, who has held the position since 2013. With an impressive professional background, Matt Pullen previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at Genuit
With almost 70% of the world’s population predicted to live in cities by 2050, major built environment professional institutes, including architects, planners, structural engineers and landscape practitioners, have renewed their joint pledge to collaborate to tackle urgent global challenges. Members of the UK Built Environment Advisory Group (UKBEAG), a group first launched
Work will begin this year on ‘Union Gardens’, a sustainable residential development in the town centre following planning approval in February 2024. In a collaborative venture with Worthing Borough Council, local developers Roffey Homes will deliver 216 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments across four buildings at the ‘Union Place’ site,
The prestigious CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2024 took place on Thursday, February 29, at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries, honouring those who have made significant contributions to advancing the building industry, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and setting new standards for
LEADING regional procurement specialist EN:Procure has revealed the winning 27 contractors for its latest £700m new build housing framework. The procurement arm of social housing consortium Efficiency North previously welcomed bidding across four lots of predominantly social housing new build schemes of various sizes generally in Yorkshire and the Humber,
Balfour Beatty has begun work with SSEN Transmission on the development of nine Electricity Transmission projects across the north of Scotland. The work forms part of SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme, to which Balfour Beatty was appointed in August 2023. This first phase of works will see
646 freight trains deliver a million tonnes of construction materials to HS2’s Quainton railhead, near Aylesbury, over 16 months – taking the equivalent of more than 101,000 HGV journeys off local roads… A small railhead near Quainton has helped HS2 take the equivalent of 101,000 HGV movements off local roads
Liverpool City Council has welcomed a multi-million pound boost for its life sciences hub and for one of the city’s well-loved markets. In a speech today at the Convention of The North conference, Michael Gove the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities has announced a £31m investment
Located at the centre of one of the UK’s most important manufacturing areas, Dove Valley Park is a 200-acre industrial site that plans to continue expanding. The site currently houses occupiers such as JCB, Marstons and Rolls Royce, with further planning consent granted for up to 2.3 million sq ft
Morgan Sindall Construction has commenced refurbishment work at Watford Colosseum to preserve, modernise and upgrade the historic live entertainment venue. Built in 1938, Watford Colosseum is a Grade II listed building renowned worldwide for its exceptional acoustics. Described by Julian Lloyd Webber as ‘the finest recording venue in the world’,
In a recent development at Marshalls plc, a notable shift in leadership has taken place as Matt Pullen assumes the role of Chief Executive, succeeding Martyn Coffey, who has held the position since 2013. With an impressive professional background, Matt Pullen previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at Genuit Group plc. His career encompasses significant leadership roles at renowned companies such as British Gypsum within the Saint-Gobain group, AkzoNobel in the UK & Ireland, and various commercial leadership positions in the UK and Europe with Bernard Matthews, Rank Hovis McDougal, Kraft, and J&J. Additionally, Matt Pullen is recognized for his philanthropic involvement as a Trustee of CRASH, a construction industry charity supporting homelessness and hospice charities through essential construction projects. Expressing his enthusiasm for joining Marshalls, Matt Pullen acknowledged the company’s rich heritage, strong reputation, and market-leading brands and products. He expressed a sense of privilege in the opportunity to build on the established legacy and the significant achievements of his predecessor, Martyn Coffey. In his own words, Matt Pullen stated, “I’m excited to have joined Marshalls, a business with a great heritage, strong reputation, and market-leading brands and products. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to build on that heritage and Martyn’s significant achievements.” Matt Pullen has been gradually immersing himself in the company since the beginning of the year, assuming a transitional role. He has been actively visiting Marshalls’ sites across the country, engaging with the workforce, and gaining insights into the value that the company’s brands, products, and solutions bring to customers. Notably, he emphasized Marshalls’ commitment to contributing to a more sustainable built environment. Outgoing Chief Executive Martyn Coffey, reflecting on his decade-long tenure at Marshalls, expressed deep gratitude for the privilege and pleasure of leading the company. He highlighted the growth achieved during his term, attributing it to the exceptional team at Marshalls. Coffey expressed confidence in Matt Pullen inheriting a robust team and a business poised for growth when market conditions improve. In conclusion, the leadership transition at Marshalls marks a significant chapter for the company, with Matt Pullen at the helm, poised to guide the business towards continued success and growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With almost 70% of the world’s population predicted to live in cities by 2050, major built environment professional institutes, including architects, planners, structural engineers and landscape practitioners, have renewed their joint pledge to collaborate to tackle urgent global challenges. Members of the UK Built Environment Advisory Group (UKBEAG), a group first launched in 2016 comprising the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Landscape Institute (LI), have committed to work together for at least another 5 years. In a Memorandum of Understanding, the group, having established an international reputation as leading authorities in the built environment, agreed to continue to make their joint expertise accessible to the governments, humanitarian agencies and development partners at the sharp end of delivering sustainable urbanisation. Many of the countries that are urbanising most rapidly lack the critical built environment capacity and expertise to ensure that this huge growth is sustainable. In Uganda in 2018, a survey recorded that there were just five architects and 50 engineers per every one million people living in the country (compared to more than 600 of each for every one million in the UK) while urbanising at a rate of 6% per year – more than six times the rate of the UK. The UKBEAG members aim to address this imbalance through advocacy and capacity development, enabling the sharing of global expertise to support those grappling with rapid urbanisation, the climate emergency, displacement after crises and post conflict recovery. The group has already been working to mitigate global instability caused by these compounding factors. As Strategic Development Partner for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) Global Future Cities Programme, the UKBEAG worked in close partnership with UN-Habitat to support 30 transport, urban planning and resilience projects in 19 cities in low- to middle-income countries in South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Through a programme of strategic capacity development, their work increased the impact and long-term sustainability of these projects and created mutually beneficial relationships. RIBA Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE said: “The built environment is a huge carbon emitter, so if we are to protect the long-term future of our planet, urbanisation must be sustainable. Architects and other built environment professionals must work together to play an essential role in achieving this. As we face a global environmental crisis, RIBA must do what it can to support sustainable urbanisation by sharing knowledge, technical expertise and influence wherever it is needed, just as we too learn from others across the world. This renewed pledge demonstrates great ambition, and I look forward to working with our partner institutes to lead by example, combining our strengths to make a real difference.” RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills said: “Collaboration and partnerships are essential if we’re going to build meaningful sustainable and inclusive solutions that work for everyone. Together, planners and other built environment professionals wield significant influence in tackling climate change, biodiversity decline, social and economic inequalities, and at the same time, creating sustainable and beautiful places around the world. By bringing with us our members’ expertise, we hope that this strengthened alliance with our UKBEAG partners will have a significant impact on the transition to a zero-carbon society, engaging communities and enabling environmentally friendly choices.” IStructE Head of Climate Action Will Arnold said: “With most of the world still requiring more housing, buildings and infrastructure, the opportunities to head towards a regenerative built environment is huge. But to do so requires huge collaboration, systems thinking, and the ambition to create urban centres that are wholly positive for all living things. The renewed UKBEAG partnership will enable critical links to be formed between UK engineers, architects, planners with built environment professionals across the world, for mutual benefit of all parties.” Landscape Institute CEO Robert Hughes said: “Collaboration is fundamental to our global response to emergencies in climate, biodiversity, and health. Sustainable urban development is at the nexus of these combined challenges, requiring a diverse range of skills and expertise to deliver, in changing social and environmental contexts. Landscape professionals provide integrated, nature-based solutions to planning and development, and we are delighted to continue working with colleagues in UKBEAG, and around the world, to help realise a greener, healthier global built environment.” Download the Memorandum of Understanding (under ‘further information’). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work will begin this year on ‘Union Gardens’, a sustainable residential development in the town centre following planning approval in February 2024. In a collaborative venture with Worthing Borough Council, local developers Roffey Homes will deliver 216 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments across four buildings at the ‘Union Place’ site, which was once home to Worthing’s police station but has been derelict for years. The guiding principle of the new development is sustainability, with each home featuring superior thermal fabric to boost insulation, eco-friendly heating systems with underfloor heating, efficient water usage and biodiverse roofs. Residents of Union Gardens will therefore benefit from lower bills, a much-needed factor amid the ongoing cost-of-living challenges. Roffey Homes Managing Director Ben Cheal says, “This will be one of the largest and most sustainable residential schemes Worthing has ever seen. And will revitalise an area of the town that has the potential to re-establish Union Place as an important part of the high street.” Standout features of Union Gardens include three secluded, landscaped gardens for residents of this unique community to enjoy, 700 square metres of commercial space, six ‘work/live’ apartments, and access to a new 236-space car park and cycle parking for residents and visitors, supporting the Connaught Theatre and Cinema and other businesses in the town. In an ingenious use of space typical of Roffey Homes’ developments, the new car park will sit underneath the gardens. The gardens (accessed via Union Place and for the use of the residents only) will be at first-floor level – ensuring the development offers both practicality and aesthetic appeal and a place for the community to meet. Ben Cheal continues, “As a company whose roots are firmly embedded in Worthing, ensuring our developments fit the needs of the local community has always been what guides us. Our design beautifully compliments St Paul’s church, reflecting the past buildings of Worthing in a more contemporary way and showing that Worthing recognises its past but also is looking forward with ambition and sense of purpose – hopefully a project the community can be proud of.” Preparations will begin onsite in summer this year working with local contractor Westbrooke Developments. Construction starts in December 2024 and Roffey Homes will be prioritising working with other local companies and labour. The first completions are expected in 2027. For more information, contact Max Harbron via max@roffeyhomes.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The prestigious CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2024 took place on Thursday, February 29, at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries, honouring those who have made significant contributions to advancing the building industry, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and setting new standards for excellence. Organised by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the annual awards ceremony is dedicated to highlight outstanding accomplishments, acknowledging both the winners and those who secured a place on the shortlists. The Building Performance Awards undergo meticulous evaluation, emphasising data-driven performance assessment and serve as a platform to spotlight the industry’s highest achievements annually. This year’s event once more showcased a diverse range of categories, highlighting the crucial aspects that contribute to creating sustainable, efficient and innovative built environments. Some of the key categories included Best Digital Innovation, Project of the Year, Product or Innovation of the Year and Building Performance Champion. Philip Draper, Managing Director at Twenty One Engineering, was honoured with the prestigious title of Engineer of the Year. Among the numerous commendable instances of leadership and team development, Philip stood out for his unique blend of creativity and practical delivery of innovation. His genuine passion for the advancement and expansion of engineering was evident, establishing him as a true leader by example. According to the judges, Philip embodies the essence of engineering leadership, making him a deserving recipient of the Engineer of the Year award. SGA Consulting’s York Guildhall project, recognised as the Building Performance Champion of the night, has earned this prestigious title for its outstanding achievement in rejuvenating a centuries-old structure despite facing significant regulatory, historic, and environmental challenges. The judges commended the project for its excellence in navigating and overcoming these constraints. In a time when the industry confronts the urgent need to renovate existing structures to meet net-zero targets, York Guildhall stands as a symbol of potential within these limitations. The full list of winners is: Best Digital Innovation Winner: Decarbonomics™- AtkinsRéalis Sponsor: – no sponsor Building Performance Consultancy (over 300 employees) Winner: Hoare Lea Sponsor: ABB Building Performance Consultancy (51 – 300 employees) Winner: XCO2 Sponsor: Airflow Developments Building Performance Consultancy (up to 50 employees) Winner: Inkling Sponsor: Mitsubishi Electric CIBSE Embodied Carbon Award Winner: Whitecroft Lighting Sponsor: CMR Collaboration Winner: Decarbonisation via Data-Driven Collaboration – Smart Managed Solutions & Savills Sponsor: Borough Engineering Services Engineer of the Year Winner: Philip Draper, Managing Director – Twenty One Engineering Sponsor: Ideal Heating Commercial Facilities Management Winner: Broadgate – British Land Sponsor: Gratte Brothers Group Learning and Development Winner: Unlocking Potential: CSA’s Commissioning Management Training & Development – Commissioning Specialists Association Sponsor: Automated Logic, A Carrier Company Product or Innovation of the Year – Air Quality Winner: Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex – Vent-Axia Sponsor: CIBSE Patrons Product or Innovation of the Year – Thermal Comfort Winner: New Modular Highline 235 Fan Coil Range – Diffusion Sponsor: – No sponsor Product or Innovation of the Year – Wellbeing Winner: Clarence System – Remote Water Monitoring – Angel Guard Sponsor: Tamlite Lighting Project of the Year – Commercial and Offices Winner: York guildhall – SGA Consulting Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems Project of the Year – International Winner: Kyoto City Hall Annex Building – Nikken Sekkei Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems Project of the Year – Leisure Winner: Ravelin Sports Centre – Max Fordham Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems Project of the Year – Public Use Winner: Hackbridge Primary School – Introba/Architype Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems Project of the Year – Residential Winner: Bryn Bragl – Hoare Lea Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems Project of the Year – Retrofit Winner: York guildhall – SGA Consulting Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems Building Performance Champion Winner: York guildhall – SGA Consulting Sponsor: Tamlite Lighting Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING regional procurement specialist EN:Procure has revealed the winning 27 contractors for its latest £700m new build housing framework. The procurement arm of social housing consortium Efficiency North previously welcomed bidding across four lots of predominantly social housing new build schemes of various sizes generally in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands and the North West but could be used in other regions of England. The selected contractors will carry out work covering all aspects of new build housing, including design, site preparation and remediation, civil engineering and infrastructure works, and new build construction and refurbishment. The lots, to run from 4 March 2024 to 3 March 2028, include the new build construction of residential and commercial buildings as well as mixed-use developments They include schemes up to 10 units, between eight and 45 units, one with between 30 and 100 units and a fourth scheme of 70 units and over. Around 78% of the contractors are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), reflecting EN:Procure’s commitment to providing fair access to organisations of any size. The new framework was 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. It will provide a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits for communities served by Efficiency North’s membership of social housing providers. Emma Mottram, director of operations at EN:Procure, said: “It has been an exciting start to the year as we announce the successful bids for our latest framework process – congratulations to all those appointed. “The framework was structured to encourage SME engagement as we always aim to give as many such businesses as possible the chance to take up these wonderful opportunities. “However, the framework also delivers a range of national and local contractors with a call-off mechanism that ensures the most suitable contractors are selected for the specifics of the job. Call off methods also provide opportunities for early contractor involvement and utilising preconstruction service agreements. “The successful applicants will be expected to complete the works to a high standard and share our commitment to regeneration. We will support them in delivering dynamic ESG targets and ensure their backing for Efficiency North’s drive to improve training and skills development, including the use of apprenticeships.” Emma added: “Our new generation Gen4 frameworks will provide a higher level of transparency and forge the way for the social housing sector to fully embrace sustainability and achieve decarbonisation targets that are so crucial to the industry and the UK.” EN:Procure has supported social housing landlord members to deliver nearly £1bn of works through its frameworks and DPSs since 2014. Today’s announcement follows the appointment of 100 contractors for EN:Procure’s £3.2bn installation and repairs framework in February. More than £272m of repairs, maintenance and installation work has been delivered by the current version of the framework since its launch in 2019. A further £2m was gifted to members to fund social value initiatives for local communities, with £1.5m being given through EN:Able Communities since 2015. To find out more information about EN:Procure and the framework including contractors appointed by lot visit: https://www.efficiencynorth.org/procure/frameworks/new-build/new-build Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty has begun work with SSEN Transmission on the development of nine Electricity Transmission projects across the north of Scotland. The work forms part of SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme, to which Balfour Beatty was appointed in August 2023. This first phase of works will see Balfour Beatty provide technical solutions for: During this initial phase of works, Balfour Beatty will provide its expertise to support SSEN Transmission to identify and resolve any potential construction challenges, streamline the planning process, advise on the best use of materials, plan the phasing of work to ensure optimal productivity and scope out the use of modern methods of construction. In addition, and as a result of this level of early contractor involvement and the long-term nature of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme , Balfour Beatty will strategically map the talent required to deliver the nine projects, enabling the company to invest in capability and expertise, and provide long-term career opportunities to people in the surrounding area, including Apprenticeship and Graduate roles as part of the company’s commitment to The 5% Club. This award marks the first step in the delivery of the onshore transmission infrastructure required for SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ programme, which will contribute to securing future energy independence by enabling the connection and transportation of affordable, homegrown, low carbon power. Steve Tarr, Balfour Beatty’s Chief Executive Officer of Transport, Energy and Power Major Projects said: “As the largest power transmission contractor in the UK, we have a key role to play in realising the UK and Scottish Government’s ambitious renewable energy targets. “This early-stage collaboration is incredibly exciting for all of us at Balfour Beatty, as it will allow us to bring our knowledge, built and fostered over 100 years, to the fore of these ambitious schemes to drive efficiencies and speed up the construction programme.” Tony Scott, Director of Capital Development and Delivery said:“We’re delighted to have Balfour Beatty working with us to help deliver our ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme. “At SSEN Transmission we have a longstanding relationship with Balfour Beatty and the knowledge and experience that they will bring will prove invaluable in helping to deliver the critical national infrastructure that is needed to make net zero a reality.” As part of the Early Contractor Involvement phase, which is currently underway with over 100 people from across Balfour Beatty involved, work will start in Spring of this year. Main construction is expected to commence in 2026, with energisation of all nine projects expected by 2030. Construction contracts for these nine projects are expected to be awarded from the end of 2025 into 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
646 freight trains deliver a million tonnes of construction materials to HS2’s Quainton railhead, near Aylesbury, over 16 months – taking the equivalent of more than 101,000 HGV journeys off local roads… A small railhead near Quainton has helped HS2 take the equivalent of 101,000 HGV movements off local roads across Bucks, Oxfordshire and West Northants, it is revealed today. The company building Britain’s new high-speed railway confirmed that its construction hub at Quainton, Bucks, has now received more than a million tonnes of construction material by rail carried by 646 trains – offsetting the need to transport the material by road. Situated on an existing freight line north of Aylesbury, the railhead is expected to welcome an extra 1,400 freight trains over the next two years taking the total amount of material delivered to around 3 million tonnes. This is on top of a million tonnes already delivered by rail to previous railheads in the local area, meaning that HS2 has now taken a combined total of two million tonnes of material or 217,000 HGVs off local roads and saved 22,378 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of 22,300 single passenger flights from London to New York. Once on site, most of the material – mainly aggregate used for construction – is stockpiled before being moved up or down the line of route of the new high-speed line on a series of dedicated haul roads to keep it away from local road users. The HS2 project is fast approaching the peak of construction, with breakthrough on the longest tunnels earlier this week. Once complete, the railway will almost half journey times between London and Birmingham while freeing up space on the existing west coast mainline for more local services. Welcoming the milestone, HS2 Ltd Senior Project Manager Ben Sebastian-Green said: “We know that the local community are concerned about construction traffic, so it’s great to be able to get so much material into site by rail. Not only does it take traffic off local roads, but it also saves carbon and helps to streamline our logistics. “Once complete, HS2 will improve journeys between London and Birmingham and free up space on the existing West Coast Mainline for more local services – and it’s great that, alongside delivering zero carbon journeys for passengers, we’re also cutting the amount of carbon in construction.” The railhead is managed by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB – a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall. EKFB are delivering the central section of the project, including 15 viaducts, 81 bridges and two ‘green tunnels’. They worked with a team from Network Rail who completed a series of alterations to enable freight services to operate in and out of the railhead at Quainton. EKFB’s Head of Logistics and Security, Paul Bedford, said: “Moving material by rail was always an essential part of our strategy to help deliver this project efficiently. The original strategy was to utilise existing railheads across neighbouring counties and move the material the last few miles to site by road. We quickly realised that there was an opportunity to establish our own railheads within the project area, and through the hard work of all involved, we turned this opportunity into a reality. “The railheads are now taking large volumes of HGVs off the local road network, reducing our carbon footprint through fewer road journeys, and helping to generate significant financial savings by using a more cost-effective distribution system.” The railhead is operated by Fishbone Solutions on behalf of EKFB with trains operated by DC Rail and GB Railfreight on behalf of Hanson. Director at Fishbone Logistics, Paul Clews, commented:“What started with an initial trial of 100,000 Tonnes to the first railhead at Calvert North, the support and cooperation from EKFB, HS2, the quarry and the rail logistics supply partners, to deliver the two millionth ton to the fourth railhead at Quainton Road, has been a fantastic collaborative effort. Zero safety incidents, reduced carbon and transport costs, and more than 200,000 truck journeys taken off local roads is a great achievement by all involved.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council has welcomed a multi-million pound boost for its life sciences hub and for one of the city’s well-loved markets. In a speech today at the Convention of The North conference, Michael Gove the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities has announced a £31m investment package for Liverpool. The majority of the funding will be spent on the major development at Paddington Village in the heart of the city’s 450-acre Knowledge Quarter Innovation District, with the Minister stating the Government’s support for an “arc of opportunity” across the city to Bramley Moore Dock. Liverpool City Council set out its investment proposal to DLUHC late last year and this announcement follows the Interim Report of the Liverpool Strategic Futures Panel, chaired by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. The new funding will see: HEMISPHERE One, is a £60m scheme to be delivered by Sciontec, which is a partnership between the Council, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, and Bruntwood SciTech. The 115,000 sq ft scheme will include 80,000 sq ft of lab space in the building’s top five floors, in line with the Liverpool City Region’s Health and Life Sciences Investment Zone vision. Construction of HEMISPHERE One is expected to begin in early 2025 and be complete by early 2027. REACTION Secretary of State for DLUHC, Michael Gove, MP, said: “We know there is immense potential for urban regeneration in Liverpool and the wider city region. That is why the vision set out in the Liverpool Strategic Futures Advisory Panel report is so important. And that’s why we are backing it today it with £31m of new money for regeneration projects, which trace an arc of opportunity from the Knowledge Quarter to Bramley Moore Docks on the waterfront.” Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: “We are delighted that the Government has endorsed our plans and is willing to invest in Paddington Village in our Knowledge Quarter. This investment will help to accelerate the city’s future as a world-leading science and innovation hub. “This funding is also a huge vote of confidence in our vision to be one of Europe’s leading centres for research and development in the life-sciences. “HEMISPHERE One is going to be a fantastic asset to the city, creating much-needed lab-based jobs for decades to come. The other tranche of funding will ensure we can develop the second phase of Paddington Village and enhance the city’s overall appeal to attract further investment and more jobs. “In addition, the funding for Great Homer Street Market is equally welcome as this will ensure we can grow this vital community asset in north Liverpool. “Today’s announcement is another sign of our growing relationship with Whitehall and Westminster which bodes well for further plans to grow the city’s economy.”Colin Sinclair, CEO of Sciontec Developments Limited and Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, said: “It is great news that Liverpool has been able to unlock additional funding for further development of its innovation infrastructure. This is a clear and deserved recognition of the enormous strides we have taken as a trailblazer in health and life sciences innovation and our potential for further success. “The world-class laboratory and workspace created at HEMISPHERE will play a pivotal role in that continued success and an expanded Paddington Village will be the engine room for the delivery of wider Investment Zone plans for the next decade and beyond.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Located at the centre of one of the UK’s most important manufacturing areas, Dove Valley Park is a 200-acre industrial site that plans to continue expanding. The site currently houses occupiers such as JCB, Marstons and Rolls Royce, with further planning consent granted for up to 2.3 million sq ft of infrastructure and services, creating much-anticipated investment and employment in the area. Zentia, the UK’s leading ceiling solutions provider, has been asked to deliver a fit-out for a new build office within the industrial estate. The project scope includes meeting rooms and bathrooms that demand a seamless integration of aesthetics, functionality, and acoustic performance. CHALLENGE The client expressed a desire for a classic office visual while incorporating a burst of colour in the breakout space and meeting rooms. The challenge was to execute a visually pleasing design that complemented the new build while meeting the client’s specific colour and acoustic requirements. The project is currently in the installation phase, with main contractors Roe Developments overseeing the construction and East Midland Ceilings responsible for the ceiling installation. SOLUTION To meet the client’s visual preferences and acoustic performance requirements, Zentia opted for Aruba square tiles throughout the office space. The Aruba Colour tiles were installed in the meeting room in two different shades of grey, whilst the bathrooms featured Aruba hH tiles, ensuring a visually clean and bright ambience but with enhanced humidity resistance. The choice of Aruba tiles was driven by their excellent acoustic performance, providing a conducive environment for meetings and workspaces. Additionally, the availability of colour variations in the Aruba range appealed to the client and allowed Zentia to create a seamless transition between the standard white tiles and the specified shades of grey, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing design. The decision to use Zentia’s Aruba tiles not only met the client’s creative expectations but also provided an easy installation process, allowing for efficient progress on-site. The benefit of Zentia’s solution was evident in the visual distinction achieved in the main areas, fulfilling the client’s vision of a classic office space with a touch of colour. Installer for the project, Barry Deane, Director at East Midlands Ceilings said: “It’s always exciting when the customer wants a change from the standard types of suspended ceiling designs. It made the project extremely interesting to be involved with, and the Aruba coloured tiles look amazing, giving a modern and visual twist over the standard install. The quality of the materials was also fantastic, with everything being manufactured and delivered to suit the project requirements perfectly.” As installation progresses on-site, Zentia remains dedicated to delivering not only visually stunning office spaces but also an environment that enhances acoustic comfort. The office fit-out at Dove Valley Industrial Park stands as a testament to Zentia’s commitment to excellence in ceiling solutions, setting a new standard for modern and visually stunning office environments in the industrial sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction has commenced refurbishment work at Watford Colosseum to preserve, modernise and upgrade the historic live entertainment venue. Built in 1938, Watford Colosseum is a Grade II listed building renowned worldwide for its exceptional acoustics. Described by Julian Lloyd Webber as ‘the finest recording venue in the world’, it is home to the BBC Concert Orchestra, has been used to record multiple famous movie soundtracks and has hosted a long list of musical as well as sporting greats. To ensure Watford Colosseum’s longevity and to position it as a cultural and sustainable quarter that will drive local investment, Watford Borough Council (WBC) appointed Morgan Sindall’s Northern Home Counties business to undertake an extensive refurbishment. The Colosseum project follows Morgan Sindall’s ongoing refurbishment at the adjoining, also Grade II listed, Watford Town Hall. When complete, the combined £20m project will preserve both buildings and make use of reduced civic office space to create areas that nurture a sense of belonging and identity. This will see a new interactive museum added alongside a hub to support young people, entrepreneurs, and start-ups as well as a community space and café. Scheduled for completion in Autumn 2024, Morgan Sindall will create a new stage and lighting rigs to enable a wider range of acts to perform and will reopen the original grand entrance, which has been closed for over a decade. Visitors will benefit from a new café as well as accessibility, lighting, and signage improvements to bring the pre-war site up to a modern standard. The tier one contractor will also install an external ventilation duct, and roof plant, and refurbish the existing canopy to the front of the building. To align the Colosseum with WBC’s sustainability goals, the project will minimise the amount of material sent to landfills and make the venue significantly more energy efficient. This will be achieved by installing modern insulation materials, upgrading the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, and adding photovoltaic (PV) panels to the roof. Once complete, WBC can expect sustainability performance levels far beyond those typical of civic buildings constructed in the 1930s. This includes a 40% saving on gas bills due to new cavity wall insulation and when combined with replacing all lights with LED equivalents and installing new roof insulation, a 166-tonne annual saving in carbon emissions. The refurbishment will also realise U-value improvements, with the rate of energy loss from the walls reduced by a factor of six, and from the flat roofs by a factor of 17. The unique nature of this project will require Morgan Sindall to leverage its Intelligent Solutions approach to meet one-of-a-kind challenges. Maintaining the venue’s renowned acoustics is a top priority and has been factored into every stage of the Colosseum’s planning, design, refurbishment, and operation. Bringing the venue up to a modern benchmark for functionality and sustainability while respecting its historic fabric, such as the timber panelling and Art Deco façade, has likewise seen Morgan Sindall devise innovative solutions and construction processes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
