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June 24, 2024

Housebuilder Casamia Homes celebrates moved to new Derby HQ

Housebuilder Casamia Homes celebrates moved to new Derby HQ

Derby-based housebuilder Casamia Homes has moved into new offices on Pride Park. Casamia Homes was set up by a number of ex-shareholders, directors and employees from Radleigh Homes, following its sale and acquisition by Redrow in 2017. The move follows a period of growth and development for the privately-owned business.

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Caddick to deliver Loreto College expansion

Caddick to deliver Loreto College expansion

Caddick Construction has been appointed to build a new 24,000 sq ft extension at Loreto Sixth Form College in Hulme. Work is now underway on the new three-storey campus building, which is being constructed on Moss Road West adjacent to the existing campus on Chichester Road South. Planning permission for

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Latest Issue

BDC 318 : Jul 2024

June 24, 2024

Deanestor awarded £2m fitout contract for £66.5m Monifieth learning campus in Scotland

Deanestor awarded £2m fitout contract for £66.5m Monifieth learning campus in Scotland

Robertson Construction Tayside has awarded a contract worth over £2m to fitout specialists Deanestor, for the new Monifieth Learning Campus in Angus. This brings Deanestor’s FF&E work for Robertson in Scotland to 15 contracts, totalling around £17m. Part of the national Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), this new Learning Campus for Angus Council is delivered through the Procurement Hub Major Projects Framework 2 (MPF2) and will accommodate around 1,200 pupils. Due to open in August 2025 and to be fully completed by summer 2026, the facility is designed by architects NORR to meet Passivhaus standards and will combine energy efficiency with a high level of user comfort. Deanestor will fit out 379 spaces across the three-storey campus and will design and manufacture or procure more than 13,000 items of fitted and loose furniture and equipment for the project. These will include dining tables, chairs and seating, lockers, storage solutions, shelving, teaching walls, mobile cabinets, sports equipment, changing benches, musical instrument racks, and kitchens for life skills and home education. According to Ramsay McDonald, Managing Director of Deanestor in Scotland, “This will be a wonderful school to engage young people in learning and to contribute to local, regional and national economic growth.” “We are delighted to be working with Robertson once again – a longstanding Deanestor contractor client – and on our first education project for Angus Council. The high quality standards we work to and our consistent on-time delivery of major and complex school fitout contracts across Scotland and for neighbouring councils including Aberdeenshire and Dundee meant we were well placed to be awarded this latest contract. We look forward to starting on site early next year.” Councillor Beth Whiteside, Leader of Angus Council, said, “This new learning campus will have a hugely positive impact on the education of young people. Monifieth High School has high aspirations for all of its young people, and now it will soon have a building to match this ambition.” The building’s construction and fitout will take place in a live school environment as the current Monifieth High School will remain operational until the new learning campus is built and ready for occupation. The existing school will then be demolished to make way for all-weather and grass sports pitches. The 13,800m2 high school campus will feature a central atrium with a social stairs, a learning plaza around the dining hall, classrooms arranged over three storeys, an early learning and childcare facility, swimming pool and access for out-of-hours community use. The Monifieth Learning Campus will have a low energy design in line with Passivhaus standards. This will include super insulation, stringent levels of air tightness, a large solar array on the rooftop and heating from air source heat pumps. Deanestor specialises in the design and project management of large campus fitout projects and award-winning school architecture. It manufactures and installs robust and flexible loose and fixed furniture solutions for early years, primary, SEN, and secondary education, fitting out areas such as classrooms, science laboratories, ICT, design and technology, atria, social dining spaces, break-out areas, sports facilities, and changing rooms. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk/education, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Housebuilder Casamia Homes celebrates moved to new Derby HQ

Housebuilder Casamia Homes celebrates moved to new Derby HQ

Derby-based housebuilder Casamia Homes has moved into new offices on Pride Park. Casamia Homes was set up by a number of ex-shareholders, directors and employees from Radleigh Homes, following its sale and acquisition by Redrow in 2017. The move follows a period of growth and development for the privately-owned business. Tom Finnegan, previous MD of Radleigh Homes and Redrow East Midlands, said: “Casamia’s focus has always been on delivering bespoke developments in the East Midlands. We have brought together a team that possess a wealth of industry experience that is reflected in our developed house types and ensures that our build quality is delivered to the high standards that customers rightly demand.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Caddick to deliver Loreto College expansion

Caddick to deliver Loreto College expansion

Caddick Construction has been appointed to build a new 24,000 sq ft extension at Loreto Sixth Form College in Hulme. Work is now underway on the new three-storey campus building, which is being constructed on Moss Road West adjacent to the existing campus on Chichester Road South. Planning permission for the expansion was secured in September last year, following which Caddick Construction undertook a series of preparatory works under a pre-construction services agreement. With an emphasis on environmental sustainability and minimising operational carbon, the new campus building will have 39.8% of its electrical demands met by renewable sources. Features include air source heat pumps, solar panels, passive ventilation systems and night cooling. Sustainable forms of transport will also be encouraged as part of the campus investment with the introduction of EV charging and bike storage for 100 bikes. The new building will sit alongside the existing college building, with facilities to enhance the learning environment and curriculum delivery. These include 20 classrooms, a lecture theatre with a seating capacity of 200 and a new study centre. The work will also include partial refurbishment of existing college buildings with new science labs, new catering facilities and a 110 sq m outdoor canopied seating area. A science garden and landscaped reflection spaces will also be created to maximise the use of green space. Throughout the building work, Caddick Construction will work with Loreto College to ensure the students are engaged in the project, including opportunities to complement the teaching curriculum. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Aquaspira delivers low carbon solution for Network Rail culvert extension

Aquaspira delivers low carbon solution for Network Rail culvert extension

The main contractor, Balfour Beatty, approached Aquaspira with a request to provide a proposal for an efficient, low carbon solution for a Network Rail culvert alongside a rail embankment at Hook in Hampshire. Sub-contractor DDL installed a dam at each end of the fast-flowing river below the rail line at Hook in Hampshire. This created a 40-metre-long channel to facilitate the delivery of a new 26-metre buried culvert. Needing to overcome the challenge of an incredibly confined space, two lines of Aquaspira 1,650mm composite steel reinforced (CSR) pipe was laid once the water had been pumped out and a metre of silt removed from the riverbed. These were finished with a new 4.8 metre, 350m-wide headwall. The pipes were then backfilled and built up to existing ground line and an access road was installed to provide Network Rail plant access to the above railway line. With Aquaspira CSR pipe, the embodied factory gate and transport carbon was reduced by 48% (12.4T CO₂e¹) when compared to a traditional rigid pipe solution. The lightweight pipes also increased site safety and reduced site installation time. The steel reinforced pipes were designed to withstand the weight of trains, so Aquaspira is delighted to have been selected to deliver the ideal solution for this challenging job. Gareth Green, Aquaspira’s project manager, explained: “The existing open culvert was relatively narrow, so maximising the capacity of the new piped culvert within the available width was crucial. “Aquaspira CSR pipes were specified as, with their 43mm thick wall, the pipe’s footprint width was less than 3.8m and, as each pipe weighs less than 250 kgs, they could be handled and installed with small site machines. This, coupled with the push-fit joints and integral seals enabled quick and simple joining of them within a limited working space, dramatically shortening the programme time.” Josh Moore, DDLWorks Manager, added: “The Aquaspira service and product was excellent. The 1650mm OD pipes were the largest I have installed, and it was made so simple through their design and self-explanatory installation guide provided, along with assistance via phone call at any moment required. I would 100 per cent recommend you to any client or customer and look forward to working alongside again in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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CIBSE launches innovative educational game for pupils, the CIBSE Flush Challenge, to inspire future engineers

CIBSE launches innovative educational game for pupils, the CIBSE Flush Challenge, to inspire future engineers

CIBSE is excited to announce the launch of the CIBSE Flush Challenge, a unique educational game designed to engage pupils aged 9 to 11 in the fascinating world of building services engineering. The CIBSE Flush Challenge is part of CIBSE’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers and addressing the skills gap in the industry. As part of this initiative, which is partly sponsored by CIBSE Patrons, CIBSE STEM Ambassadors will utilise this innovative game during their educational outreach activities at schools, aiming to spark interest and curiosity about building services engineering among young minds. Each participating team of pupils will receive a specially curated kit, featuring a 3D-printed model of toilet and pipes. The challenge involves assembling a functional flush system that efficiently uses water to flush a small raisin down the toilet. This engaging activity not only introduces children to the fundamental concepts of building services engineering but also instils the importance of water conservation and environmental responsibility. Key features of the CIBSE Flush Challenge: Dan Costelloe, CIBSE Chair of the Talent Pipeline and Apprenticeships Panel, expressed his enthusiasm about the CIBSE Flush Challenge, saying, “During the creation of the Flush Challenge we wanted to come up with an activity what would combine building services engineering, sustainability and teamwork. We believe that by making learning fun and interactive, we can capture the imagination of young individuals and show them the exciting possibilities within the world of building services engineering, maybe even inspiring some of them to become our engineers of the future. The CIBSE Flush Challenge not only nurtures essential skills but also infuses a sense of environmental responsibility.” CIBSE encourages schools and educators to participate in this initiative, providing students with a unique and enjoyable introduction to the world of engineering. For more information about the CIBSE Flush Challenge and how to get involved, visit CIBSE Flush Challenge. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Why Homeowners May Want to Consider Opting for a Home Extension

Why Homeowners May Want to Consider Opting for a Home Extension

Have you been dreaming about more space but dread the thought of moving? Maybe you absolutely love your home, but the space itself, or lack thereof, is a problem. Maybe you do not want 31 additional bedrooms, but you just want better flow within your home, right? Honestly, home extensions might actually be a great choice to look into. So, have you considered extending your current home?  It’s a project that construction workers are getting more and more, and the same goes for general contractors too. Spaces are just so small for homes, and if you live in a small home, you can only deal with the size for so long, right?  Plus, it’s a fantastic investment in your life and property, and believe it or not, it’s way cheaper than you think; it’s at least cheaper than moving house (and it’s more energy efficient, too, usually). So, with that all said, here’s exactly why a home extension might be the perfect choice for you and your family!  It Creates Your Dream Space One of the best parts about extending your home is the chance to create your dream space. There are so many options, so it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an extra bedroom, a larger kitchen, or a dedicated home office; an extension allows you to design a space that perfectly suits your needs and lifestyle. Imagine a sunlit reading nook, a playroom for the kids, or even a stylish home gym. Seriously, this list could just go on and on! Basically, the possibilities are endless, and the joy of seeing your vision come to life is incomparable. Increase Your Home’s Value Alright, so this one is a given. When it comes to the UK market, you can basically do the tiniest things, and your property value will either get higher or drop super low. But this, well, you can expect nothing but increases! Overall, a well-executed extension can significantly increase the value of your property. Homebuyers are always wanting extra square footage, and modernised spaces are highly attractive to potential buyers.  Even if you’re not planning to sell anytime soon, it’s reassuring to know that your investment is boosting your home’s market value. Honestly, what’s not to love there? So, pretty much, you can think of it as a win-win: enjoy the benefits now and reap the rewards later if you decide to sell. You’re Avoiding the Hassles of Moving Needless to say, moving house can be a stressful and expensive ordeal. So, just think about all of this for just a moment; the costs of estate agents, solicitors, and the inevitable moving services add up quickly. Not to mention the emotional toll of packing up your life and starting afresh. These services are only getting more expensive, too.  So, basically, you can avoid all of this simply by extending your home. There’s just no hassle doing that! You get to stay in the neighborhood you love, keep your kids in the same schools, and maintain all your local connections.

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Luxury and Design: A Deep Dive into Crown Melbourne Casinos Architectural Brilliance

Luxury and Design: A Deep Dive into Crown Melbourne Casinos Architectural Brilliance

Aside from world-class gaming and entertainment experience, Crown Melbourne Casino also features grand and opulent architecture. Its architecture, both the exterior and interior, has been consciously and meticulously designed to be a testament of Australia’s vibrant culture and sophisticated elegance.  As we commence on a deep dive into Crown Melbourne Casino’s design and architecture, we will uncover the intricate details and thoughtful planning that make it both an iconic landmark and the ultimate gaming destination.  A Tapestry of Modern Aesthetics and Timeless Elegance First opened in June 1994, the Crown Melbourne Casino is one of the largest casinos and entertainment centers in Melbourne, Australia. This integrated resort features a harmonious blend of contemporary sophistication and timeless elegance that encompasses luxurious accommodation, award-winning restaurants, spacious conference centres, and most importantly, world-class casino and entertainment.  Nestled in a 510,000 square meters area, it is located on the southern bank of the Yarra River and is estimated to draw approximately millions of visitors every year. Each building is a work of art in itself displaying the harmonious mesh of concrete, glass, and steel. It is also highly commendable how its architects were able to seamlessly integrate it into its urban surroundings with its stylish hedges, branded lampposts, and glowing LED lights captivating both locals and visitors. Moreover, its modern façade promises luxury and excitement inviting its visitors for an immersive experience inside. Interior Design that Makes You Never Want To Leave Stepping in, people will find themselves immediately struck with sophisticated appeal and grandeur exuding from its interior spaces.  Crown Melbourne Casino interior design has an atmosphere of celebration, festivity, and a set-up evoking a good time and long-lasting fun. From its high ceilings and intricate lighting fixtures to plush furnishings integrated into a navigable and cohesive floor plan, guests will definitely have no trouble navigating through different entertainment areas.  A World of Exclusive Entertainment and Luxury Since it is mainly marketed as an entertainment site, it is only reasonable for its operators to feature a large, visually-stunning gaming facility. The casino’s interior is a blend of contemporary and classic elements promising indulgent experiences for its patrons.  Moreover, its gaming floors showcase its architect’s and interior designer’s ability to create a cohesive and harmonious environment for its gamers. Its cutting-edge design allows guests to go on a journey of discovery, unveiling new gaming delights at every turn.  Unlike the usual real money casinos, its casino complex houses 2,628 gaming machines and 540 gaming tables. If you are a fan of table games, you can enjoy baccarat, blackjack, pai gow, poker, and its other variations.  If it is your first time playing in a land-based casino and all you ever played on are real money casinos often featured in reputable gaming review sites that recommend the best online casinos and provide guidelines on how to pick a good one, then never fret! Crown Melbourne Casino features automated and semi-automated table games that work similarly with an online casino except the fact that you get to cash-out your money physically.  Aside from the table and e-table gaming areas, Crown Melbourne Casino also features other entertainment options including theatres, nightclubs, and even a shopping arcade all fully designed to ensure every visitor an unforgettable experience.  Additionally, they also have luxury hotels with stunning architectural designs and world-class dining options giving resemblance to the newly built Ergon House in the UK, that will give you no choice but to stay for a night or two in comfort and luxury. Furthermore, if dining or gaming is not part of your wheelhouse of fun then you might want to explore its Crown Theatre that is considered to be an architectural gem within the complex. Its theatre complex is a testament to versatility of space allowing them to offer and accommodate from Broadway-style productions to intimate performances of world-renowned artists. Final Thoughts Crown Melbourne Casino is definitely a testament to dedication of creating exceptional spaces that combine modernity, luxury, and functionality to create an exciting experience for its guests.  From its striking exterior to its well-thought and opulent interior, it definitely sets a standard of excellence when it comes to entertainment and hospitality. As such, if you are a gaming enthusiast or simply seeking for a luxurious escape in Australia then Crown Melbourne Casino with its architectural marvel is the place for you! 

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