Today, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2024 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2024, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a
As the UN’s International Equal Pay Day approaches, it’s important to tackle the gender pay gap in construction, which, according to the 2023 ONS data, stands at 12.1% (median average). The Gender Pay Gap across the construction sector has worsened by a median 3% over the past three years, going
It may be a case of ‘school’s out’ for pupils across the country at the moment but when they return on September 4th, many in Northamptonshire will be walking through the doors of one of the most modern learning facilities in the UK. Algeco UK has completed its Northampton School
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), the UK’s largest fire service, has extended its contract with Sodexo as its soft services provider for an additional two years. This extension, valued at approximately £12 million, reaffirms the successful partnership between SFRS and Sodexo, which has been praised for its dedication
Moda, Holland Park, a new rental neighbourhood with community and wellbeing at its heart, has reached practical completion and opened its doors to residents in the centre of Glasgow. Proving strong demand for high quality rental homes in the city, Moda, Holland Park opened its doors with all available apartments
Salford housing association Salix Homes has been awarded the highest grading from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) in recognition of the homes and services it provides for customers. The RSH, the Government body that regulates the social housing sector, has recently completed a thorough inspection of Salix Homes as
More than one in three construction managers in the UK say that incorrectly sized equipment has caused operational inefficiencies on site, potentially disrupting their operations. According to the findings of a new report from Aggreko, ‘A Perfect Storm for European Construction?,’ 37% of UK respondents said that they had experienced
In collaboration with HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd, WJ Group were tasked with applying new road markings on the M6/M42 link road as part of long-term traffic management to support the construction of Phase One of the High-Speed rail network from London to Birmingham. The well-known high-speed rail project has
Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury
Partnership will enable users to instantly scan spaces and then experiment with lighting solutions to find the optimum design Metaroom by Amrax, a spatial 3D data capture company, has announced a partnership with the world’s largest lighting design software provider DIALux. The tie-up will enable users to send 3D scan
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Today, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2024 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2024, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. Averaging £10,198 million per month, work starting on site in the three months to the end of July increased 8% compared with the same period last year. This uplift was attributed to a significant spike in major project-starts which rose considerably, increasing 42% compared to 2023. However, this growth was tempered by a decline in underlying project-starts which were down 11% on the previous year despite inching up (+2%) against the preceding three months. Overall, work starting on site failed to grow on the preceding three-month period, declining 10% during the three months to July. Commenting on the figures, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilén says, “Construction activity is showing encouraging signs of recovery, with starts on site up 8% compared to last year and main contract awards reflecting a steady 3% year-on-year growth. This momentum indicates a cautiously optimistic outlook within the industry, particularly as the new government’s planning reforms begin to take shape.” Main contract awards fell 9% against the previous three-month period, but pulled slightly ahead of last year, rising 3%. Drilling into the data, major contract awards were responsible for this slight growth, advancing a third on the year before. Underlying contract awards, however, declined 5% against the preceding period and 11% compared to 2023 levels. Planning approvals were down across the board, dropping back 6% against the previous three months and 32% on a year ago. Major planning approvals fell 12% against the preceding period, with the value decreasing by 54% on last year. Underlying planning approvals increased 6% on the preceding three months, but finished 5% lower than the same period in 2023. The sector-specific and regional index, which measures underlying project performance, saw modest growth during the three months to the end of July 2024. Residential construction experienced a particularly healthy period, contributing to a 2% overall growth in underlying starts. Taking a closer look at the highlights… Residential starts going strong Underlying residential starts increased 12% during the three months to July, despite falling back 17% on the year before. This overall boost was attributed to a spike in private housing starts, which rose by 25% following a weak start to the year as developers’ sentiment toward the prospects for the housing market improved. Despite the upturn, starts were still 12% lower than a year ago. Social housing work starting on site remained depressed, dropping by 23% against the preceding three months and being 32% down against the previous year. Prison starts jump tenfold amid Community & Amenity decline Underlying community & amenity project-starts fell 44% compared to the preceding three-month period to stand 8% down on last year. Underlying contract awards experienced a weak performance, decreasing 52% against both the preceding three months and the previous year. Underlying approvals were also down 51% (SA) on the previous three months, and 47% on 2023 to total £142 million. Major community & amenity projects (>£100 million) fared better compared to the same period last year, when no major projects started on site. Major approvals also increased on the preceding three-month period and on the same time last year. Totalling £205 million, prisons accounted for the highest proportion (50%) of community & amenity starts, with the value jumping more than tenfold on a year ago. Regional Outlook Refreshingly, regional performance was generally impressive. Yorkshire and the Humber and Scotland performed strongly, with the value of starts rising by 10% and 4% during the three months to July and up 5% and 4%, respectively, on a year earlier. Other strong performers included the East Midlands, which experienced a 33% rise in starts against the preceding three months but was still 11% lower than a year ago. The South West, Wales, and Northern Ireland also experienced double-digit growth of 16%, 10%, and 39% respectively against the preceding three months, but the value of starts remained down from a year ago. London experienced a 9% rise against the preceding three months but was 20% down against the previous year. By contrast starts in the East of England, the North East, and the North West declined by 7%, 23%, and 10% respectively against the previous three months. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the UN’s International Equal Pay Day approaches, it’s important to tackle the gender pay gap in construction, which, according to the 2023 ONS data, stands at 12.1% (median average). The Gender Pay Gap across the construction sector has worsened by a median 3% over the past three years, going from 9.3% to 12.1%. There is a clear picture here of a worsening gender pay gap, but what does the construction industry need to do to get into a more positive place, and how can it achieve pay parity? Acknowledge the Issue at Hand It’s often simple to ignore these issues, but for real change to occur, we must acknowledge them. As an industry that intersects with many others, we must recognise the problem and start addressing it. Year Median gender pay gap (5) 2023 12.1 2022 10.0 2021 9.3 *calculated as the difference between average hourly earnings (excluding overtime) of men and women as a proportion of average hourly earnings (excluding overtime) of men. Transparent Salary Reporting While any business that employs over 250 people is legally required in the UK to publish a gender pay gap report, this isn’t to say that smaller companies can’t. While the data may be harder to analyse, there is nothing stopping you from going through the process of gender pay gap reporting. Using data from a construction analytics software can help to streamline the process and provide your team with insight. Similarly, you can also offer clear salary bands across the company. This way people can see what range they can be earning from, and how moving up should affect their pay. Create Bias-free Hiring Practices Companies that utilise bias-free hiring practices such as seeing anonymous CVs can help to remove any notion of gender and race as part of the hiring process. You can also use tools such as the Gender Decoder to remove gender-coded language in job descriptions, which help to remove unconscious gender bias in the hiring process. You could also take a more drastic approach like the Eindhoven University of Technology, who only allowed women to apply to jobs for the first six months they were open, and then let men apply. While this policy has changed since the outcry, the initial policy worked. In five years, the percentage of newly hired female academic staff grew from 30% to 50%. The number of female permanent academic staff increased from 22% to 29%. Actively Address Harassment and “Lad” Culture While construction holds a legacy of lad culture and “banter”, it’s important to set clear boundaries of what is ok and what isn’t ok across the workplace. It can be off-putting for anyone who feels like they may not fit in with the “banter” to want to join a company. With harassment of any kind, it’s important to make a clear statement as to how it has been dealt with and how workplaces plan to action these kinds of things. Whether sexuality, race or gender, making an example of how things have been dealt with shows that such behaviour isn’t tolerated and makes employees affected feel seen and heard. Working with Schools and Universities Growing the pool of those interested in working in construction has to start from the ground up. Whether your company wants to partner with a local school to offer workshops, or you offer training programs to those in universities, working with local educational institutions is a great way to boost the intake of a variety of people throughout the construction industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
It may be a case of ‘school’s out’ for pupils across the country at the moment but when they return on September 4th, many in Northamptonshire will be walking through the doors of one of the most modern learning facilities in the UK. Algeco UK has completed its Northampton School project just 18 months on from winning the contract to the final pieces of equipment being put into place. This is the biggest school build ever undertaken by Algeco UK, which was secured through the MMC Framework for the Department of Education (DfE). Northampton School will eventually accommodate a total of 1,200 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18 from across Northamptonshire. Algeco is well-known as a market-leading supplier of portable and modular buildings across the UK and Europe used in multiple sectors including the Ministry of Justice, schools, hospitals and office locations. The buildings at the new Northampton School were created utilising modern methods of construction in a quality-controlled offsite environment, ensuring the highest standards of workmanship and Health and Safety. Algeco developed the project through a two-phase approach following the receipt of the DfE’s feasibility developing the design in collaboration with the school and all stakeholders, achieving planning permission prior to manufacturing utilising an MMC approach, where the school is manufactured in modules and taken to site following completion. This method means the build was completed in just 18 months, rather than typically three years for a traditionally built structure. Algeco experts started laying the foundations in January 2023. A total of 210 modules were created at the company’s factory in Carnaby and transported by road to the Northampton site. The company also provided temporary decant classrooms while the main building was being constructed as well as all the construction site welfare and associated services. The school is a £28 million state-school project run by the Northampton School for Boys (NSB) Academy Trust. The school will be a state-of-the-art facility for the teaching of secondary school pupils with dedicated sports, drama, science, music rooms and much more. The new school will be open for pupil intake for the first time on Thursday September 4th with Year 8 students the first to start lessons. The following day welcomes Year 7. All pupils will be straight into their regular school schedules thereafter. Phil Pavey, Managing Director at Algeco Offsite Solutions (OSS), said: “This is one of the most exciting projects Algeco UK has worked on – planning and constructing a series of buildings to ensure the students of Northampton have the best possible education has been very motivational for all of us. “We sincerely hope the new Northampton School is a place where teachers and students alike will find a welcoming and inspirational environment, as well as being a fantastic focal point in the community.” Gary Greenhoff, Algeco Offsite Solutions (OSS) Project Manager, said: “Using modular construction means this facility is ready much faster than traditional methods, and the flexibility it offers means the school has everything it could want and much more.” He added: “I’m immensely proud of the school, everyone has worked very hard to make this an amazing facility for the people of Northamptonshire. There have been a few challenges along the way, including the heavy rain this springtime, but we overcame them all and are ready to hand the school over to the teachers and pupils ready for term-time in September.” Algeco UK wanted to thank all the 137 staff and contractors involved in the project over the 18-month build. In particular, the company wanted to credit the following: Sean Brind, Contract Manager; Abbass Mahmood, Senior Quantity Surveyor; Gary Greenhoff, Project Manager; Alison Orme, Design Manager; Ashley James, Head of Design; Mike Swain, Site Manager; and Harrison Parkin, Assistant Site Manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), the UK’s largest fire service, has extended its contract with Sodexo as its soft services provider for an additional two years. This extension, valued at approximately £12 million, reaffirms the successful partnership between SFRS and Sodexo, which has been praised for its dedication to quality service delivery. Sodexo’s team, comprising over 370 colleagues, provides a comprehensive range of soft facilities management (FM) services across Scotland. These services include food and hospitality, cleaning, waste management, caretaking, security services, and grounds maintenance. The SFRS estate spans the entire length and breadth of Scotland, encompassing 385 sites, including the headquarters in Cambuslang. Paul Anstey, CEO of Government Services at Sodexo UK & Ireland, expressed his enthusiasm for the continued collaboration: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, supporting their critical work to enhance the safety and wellbeing of the people of Scotland.” Ijaz Bashir, Head of Asset Management at SFRS, also highlighted the positive impact of Sodexo’s services: “Sodexo’s staff continue to provide excellent services across many of our sites, and we are pleased to extend the contract. The team at Sodexo plays an integral role in ensuring our buildings operate smoothly, and we look forward to continuing our partnership over the next two years.” In addition to their commitment to delivering high-quality services, Sodexo has made significant social contributions as part of their work with SFRS. Notably, 40.6% of their sourcing and procurement is with small to medium-sized enterprises, and they have achieved a CO2 reduction of 4.3 metric tonnes over the last year. Furthermore, 90% of the Sodexo team working on the SFRS contract reside within 10 miles of their workplace, underlining their commitment to local employment. Sodexo’s social impact extends beyond operational services, with the company actively supporting fundraising for The Fire Fighters Charity, which aids serving and retired members of the UK’s fire service community. Additionally, Sodexo staff have contributed nearly 100 hours of volunteering, assisting young people with mock interviews and CV development through charity Springboard, mentoring in partnership with MCR Pathways, and supporting the Stop Hunger charity partners FareShare and SSAFA – The Armed Forces Charity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Moda, Holland Park, a new rental neighbourhood with community and wellbeing at its heart, has reached practical completion and opened its doors to residents in the centre of Glasgow. Proving strong demand for high quality rental homes in the city, Moda, Holland Park opened its doors with all available apartments fully let. With state-of-the-art facilities across its 433 homes and amenities, the neighbourhood cements Moda Living’s reputation for building the happiest and healthiest communities in the UK. With design and materials inspired by Glasgow’s heritage in arts, culture and industry as well as the city’s botanical gardens, Moda, Holland Park, has delivered 433 interior-designed studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for rent on Pitt Street, available furnished or unfurnished. The homes are complemented by 11,000 sq ft of amenities including a 24/7 gym and fitness centre, private dining rooms, cinema and gaming rooms, sky lounges with panoramic views over Glasgow, and landscaped spaces and roof terraces. Rent includes access to these spaces, high-speed wifi, and a 24/7 concierge service. The neighbourhood also offers 15,000 sq ft of commercial space. Health and wellbeing are built into the core of the neighbourhood, with a three-star Fitwel rating, Moda ensures wellness is embedded in every aspect of its buildings and public spaces from initial design to long-term operation. Working closely with team and residents, Moda will continually work to manage the carbon output of the rental neighbourhood. Utopi sensors in each apartment will allow residents to monitor their carbon output through the MyModa app, and ongoing communications with residents will encourage sustainable living within the neighbourhood. The neighbourhood significantly boosted employment and skills in the city centre, with 1,226 local people employed on the project. Training was provided to 24 apprentices and another 120 people under the age of 24. Moda’s construction partner Roberston also diverted 100% of site waste away from landfill. During construction of Moda, Holland Park, £38m was injected directly into the local economy, £11m of which was spent with SMEs. Moda, Holland Park was funded by a JV between Harrison Street, NFU Mutual and Apache Capital. Haus Collective and Ryder Architects were the architects on the project. As the long-term operator of the neighbourhood, Moda will continue to drive social value and contribute positively to its wider community. Earlier this year, Moda announced a three-year partnership with Glasgow School of Art. Moda, Holland Park is Moda’s second build-to-rent neighbourhood in Scotland, following Moda, The McEwan in Edinburgh – also funded by the Harrison Street, NFU Mutual and Apache Capital JV. Andrew Parker, Managing Director of Development at Moda Group, said: “Moda, Holland Park has delivered a new way of living to Glasgow, adding much needed, high-quality housing for its communities to enjoy for generations to come. We’re proud to have completed the build on the neighbourhood and of the jobs and wider economic value the project has delivered to date. We thank Robertson for its hard work on the project to realise the fantastic ambition of the project. “Our first residents are now living in the neighbourhood and we are looking forward to growing our Glasgow community in the coming weeks and months.” Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive, Robertson Group, said: “Seeing Holland Park come to life, as the first residents move in, is immensely satisfying for everyone on the team. The project is an exceptional example of repurposing a city centre site and how buy-to-rent can push boundaries, centred on integrated technology, health and wellbeing. “The site itself presented a challenging city centre interface but through close collaboration with our site neighbours, and a shared ethos with Moda to create positive change in what we do. We continue to champion high quality construction which enhances local communities. Over the course of the project, £38m has been spent with our local supply chain, and the site has provided training experience for over 100 young people.” John Dunkerley, CEO, Apache Capital: “With a conducive policy framework, institutional capital can play a critical role in Scotland’s rental housing market, not only in respect of boosting supply, but also in terms of stock diversification and improvement of the resident experience. Holland Park and The McEwan are exemplary in their approach towards amenity provision, operational management, and local community building, and set the standard of what renters can come to expect through build-to-rent development.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford housing association Salix Homes has been awarded the highest grading from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) in recognition of the homes and services it provides for customers. The RSH, the Government body that regulates the social housing sector, has recently completed a thorough inspection of Salix Homes as part of the new standards and inspection programme introduced to help drive improvements in the quality of homes and services in the sector. Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford in Greater Manchester, is one of the first housing associations in the country to be awarded the highest possible C1 (consumer) grading, which is a newly introduced rating system based on performance against the new Consumer Standards. The landlord also retained its G1 grading for governance and V2 grading for financial viability. Sue Sutton, Salix Homes Chief Executive, said: “This is a really positive outcome for Salix Homes and we’re very proud to be amongst the first housing associations to have achieved the highest possible C1 grading under the new Consumer Standards, which reflects our ongoing commitment to putting customers at the heart of our organisation. “This achievement is testament to the dedication and hard work of our workforce, Board and Customer Committee. It also underpins our collective efforts to ensure that our homes are safe and well-maintained, our customers are listened to and respected, and that our services are responsive and effective. “Retaining our G1 and V2 gradings also highlights our dedication to strong governance and financial stability. These gradings assure our customers, colleagues and stakeholders that we are managing our resources wisely and are well-positioned to continue providing high-quality homes and services. “While we are proud of this recognition, we are not complacent. We’re committed to continuous improvement, and we will carry on learning from customer feedback to ensure we can keep delivering a housing service in Salford we’re all proud to be a part of.” In its judgement, the Regulator recognised Salix Homes’ strengths, including: The Government introduced the new Consumer Standards in April this year as part of an integrated approach to social housing regulation, setting the outcomes that landlords must deliver for tenants. Social housing providers have previously been assessed on their Governance (G grading) and financial Viability (V grading), but now there’s a new Consumer (C grading). Launched as part of the Social Housing Regulation Act, the new approach aims to drive improvements in the quality of social housing and services while continuing to scrutinise the financial viability and governance of housing associations. You can read the full judgement about Salix Homes on the RSH website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than one in three construction managers in the UK say that incorrectly sized equipment has caused operational inefficiencies on site, potentially disrupting their operations. According to the findings of a new report from Aggreko, ‘A Perfect Storm for European Construction?,’ 37% of UK respondents said that they had experienced issues with sizing equipment in the past year. Incorrectly sizing equipment can have a negative impact on both the sustainability and efficiency of a construction site as businesses will inevitably waste power and fuel. This can also pose a higher risk of equipment failure, in addition to unnecessary carbon emissions and increased costs. Specifying the correct solution for an application can change this. Getting the size right first time optimises performance over a project’s duration which can be a huge benefit for those who must hit sustainability targets as part of their contract. Tom Adlington, Sector Sales Manager, Building Services & Construction at Aggreko, said: “The strain on construction managers is already exceedingly high, so adding the stress of having inefficient and incorrectly sized equipment is something they could do without. “Using the expertise of their solutions provider to choose the correct equipment for the job is a vital step in achieving efficiency. Correctly sized and specified equipment offers savings on energy and is key to sustainability – making it a true win-win situation for the operator.” Different technologies should also be considered when sizing power equipment effectively. Hybridisation of generators is a prime example of this, where combining battery energy storage systems alongside modular and flexible power allows operation with greater efficiencies, lower noise levels and less emissions. “New technologies are giving stakeholders a real selection of viable solutions for their energy needs,” added Tom. “Combining these solutions in one efficient package can provide savings and give construction managers the peace of mind that comes with knowing everything is taken care of.” Despite the right-sizing challenges facing UK construction managers, the situation fairs better in the UK than Europe as a whole, where the Aggreko research found that 50% of 853 construction managers questioned thought incorrectly sized equipment had impacted site efficiency this year. To read the full report from Aggreko, ‘A Perfect Storm for European Construction’ click HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In collaboration with HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd, WJ Group were tasked with applying new road markings on the M6/M42 link road as part of long-term traffic management to support the construction of Phase One of the High-Speed rail network from London to Birmingham. The well-known high-speed rail project has several implications for the UK’s strategic road network, as new structures and road alterations are required to enable it to cross the road network. Through their close partnership and knowledge of each other businesses, alongside shared aims of improving road worker safety and delivery efficiency, HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd worked with WJ to utilise two of their newest innovations on this scheme, the ThermoPrint and Autonomous PreMarker. These innovations both remove operatives from the potential dangers of working on the carriageway and into the safety of the vehicle. WJ Autonomous PreMarker Owing to the project’s long-term nature and considering future traffic management changes to the road layout to accommodate construction works, the WJ Autonomous PreMarker was deployed. The WJ Autonomous PreMarker represents a significant advancement in road marking technology by dramatically enhancing safety and efficiency during the pre-marking process. Traditionally, and still primarily, this process is conducted manually, exposing operatives to significant safety risks and creating substantial inefficiencies. By integrating state-of-the-art GPS-based positioning, advanced camera equipment and sophisticated onboard computing, the Autonomous PreMarker automates this process, removing operatives from the carriageway and greatly increasing efficiency. It does this by recording the exact position of road markings at normal traffic speeds, and then accurately pre-marking before new markings are installed. During this scheme, the equipment recorded all current longitudinal markings on this section of the network, so when they come to be changed and reinstated in years to come, the data will already be available to WJ, helping to improve efficiency and ensure they are replaced precisely where they were. ThermoPrint The second innovation utilised on this scheme was the ThermoPrint, which installed 10 sets of M6 & M42 markings and arrows, delivering multiple benefits for safety, efficiency and performance. ThermoPrint is an automated road marking application machine that effectively removes the potentially hazardous, manual process of laying thermoplastic road markings by hand. This innovative technology shifts operatives from the carriageway to the safety of a vehicle cab, reducing the risks associated with working close to live traffic. Productivity is also enhanced by enabling quicker application of road markings without the need to set out before installation, reducing the time spent on site, and consequently improving project deliverable timelines. Additionally, it delivers higher retro-reflectivity, improved visibility and uniformity in application whilst its unique dotted line marking system enhances wet night performance by facilitating drainage, ensuring the marking stands proud of surface water, increasing visibility for road users. Conclusion The deployment of WJ Group’s latest innovations on the high-speed rail scheme, in collaboration with HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd, marks a significant step forward in enhancing road worker safety and operational efficiency. By utilising the Autonomous PreMarker and ThermoPrint technologies on the M6/M42 link road, the partnership has shown a potential future for the sector where fewer people are working on the carriageway, whilst also streamlining project timelines. These innovations demonstrate WJ Group and HW Martin’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to support the construction of the new high speed rail network, ultimately contributing to a safer and more efficient road network. As the high-speed rail project progresses, the integration of such advanced technologies will continue to play a crucial role in managing the complex demands of this infrastructure project. For more information about WJ Group, please visit: https://www.wj.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury technology packages for the construction, hospitality, and residential sectors. The business offers a comprehensive one-stop shop for all technological needs, including audio-visual (AV) systems, home entertainment, lighting, audio solutions, white goods, climate solutions, and smart home technology. Oliver said: “I was drawn to HiiLIFE by the company’s vibrant culture; the team is dedicated to working extremely hard, but also reward our efforts generously. The opportunity to continue working with Samsung HVAC equipment was another key factor, and it’s great to work in a new environment where we provide clients with one-stop solutions for all their technology needs. “I’m enjoying the team approach we have at HiiLIFE, where everyone works together to drive sales. Our culture is to encourage and support employees in achieving their goals and creating a clear growth trajectory for the benefit of both the individual and the business.” Oliver joined HiiLIFE from M&E contracting business, Chillflame Ltd. He joined Chillflame in 2014 and progressed from engineer to managing director within five years. Oliver increased Chillflame’s annual turnover by 350% and secured several large-scale clients such as Public Health England, Porton Down. Under Oliver’s management, Chillflame also won Contractor of the Year: HVAC & Specialist at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards in 2022. Oliver continued: “After thriving under the responsibility of leading a business and dealing with multi-million-pound contracts for the past four years, I’m looking forward to bringing that knowledge to HiiLIFE. I hope that my keen eye for detail and experience managing accounts, projects, and employees will land me in good stead for my new role.” As sales director, Oliver’s focus will be expanding HiiLIFE’s market presence and driving sales growth. His primary aim is to foster strong, enduring business relationships while consistently achieving sales milestones. Tom Brittain, Managing Director of HiiLIFE, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Oliver to the HiiLIFE family. His extensive experience and proven track record in growing businesses make him the perfect addition to our team. We are confident that his leadership in the sales division will help us achieve our ambitious growth goals and further establish HiiLIFE as a leader in luxury home technology.” For more information about HiiLIFE and its bespoke packages, please visit www.hii-life.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Partnership will enable users to instantly scan spaces and then experiment with lighting solutions to find the optimum design Metaroom by Amrax, a spatial 3D data capture company, has announced a partnership with the world’s largest lighting design software provider DIALux. The tie-up will enable users to send 3D scan data from Amrax’s Metaroom solution directly to DIALux’s planning software. This new feature will be available from mid-September with the release of DIALux evo 13. This allows the fast creation of precise and detailed light plans for each room. Scans* can be made in a matter of minutes on any Apple Pro device with a LiDAR sensor and then instantly imported into DIALux. At this point, users can experiment with scores of different factors to find the most cost effective, aesthetically pleasing, functional and sustainable lighting solution for their space. The partnership between Metaroom and DIALux aims to streamline the spatial design process for professional designers and consequently help to power innovation, sustainable design, and lower costs. The Metaroom app is an advanced 3D scanning app, driven by the power of AI, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) technologies. The tool enables professionals in spatial planning industries to envision and redefine spaces. The Metaroom solution is a workflow consisting of Metaroom app for capture and Metaroom Studio for optimisation before export. Through the Metaroom app users can scan rooms using an iPhone Pro or iPad Pro*. These scans are then uploaded to the cloud, generating true-to-scale 3D models within seconds. Users can then use the web application, Metaroom Studio, to enrich these 3D models with additional information before exporting, ensuring project-specific customisation and precision. DIALux is the global standard in lighting design software, utilized by over 750,000 active users to design, calculate, and visualize lighting for both indoor and outdoor areas. Featuring real luminaires from over 412 DIALux members, users can create unique atmospheres and generate comprehensive project documentation. Available in 26 languages, DIALux supports a worldwide network of lighting professionals and adheres to the open BIM approach. The integration with Metaroom is also based on open BIM and IFC standards. DIAL always prioritizes the needs of lighting designers in its feature development, aiming to streamline their workflows and simplify their tasks. By using Metaroom, lighting designers can save significant time when designing and placing luminaires. Projects can be conveniently downloaded from Metaroom Studio and imported into DIALux. The planning results can then be exported as an IFC model for the Open BIM process or other programs, significantly reducing the workload. Martin Huber, CEO of Amrax, said: “Advances in 3D modelling, software and AI are combining to democratise design. Lighting designers and electrical planners now have access to powerful tools that significantly enhance efficiency, enabling them to serve more customers in less time. This is going to lead to a revolution in how buildings are designed and how we all interact with our built environment. “Partnerships between cutting edge solutions like Metaroom and DIALux are key to powering this change. By creating an extensive ecosystem of lighting design solutions, we will significantly improve accessibility, reduce costs and bring spatial design to the mainstream.” Dieter Polle, CEO at DIALux, said: “Simply scan the room with your smartphone and start planning right away. Wouldn’t that be fantastic? By integrating Metaroom into DIALux, this is now possible. The time-consuming task of constructing the geometry before starting the actual lighting design is eliminated. Martin’s team and their solution have convinced us. The integration follows our Open BIM strategy technologically. With this integration, we’ve made life a bit easier for lighting designers.” Over 11.000 Metaroom users, including key players in the lighting, wireless planning and AEC industries, have registered through the Metaroom app and joined the Amrax B2B ecosystem dedicated to spatial design and 3D modelling. *Metaroom app’s scanning functionality is currently compatible with all LIDAR-enabled Apple devices (starting from iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro 2020 generation devices). However, you can view or download shared 3D models directly in any web browser through Metaroom Studio. The digital twin is created with the Metaroom app within minutes by using RGB and depth sensors from an iPhone or iPad Pro together with deep-learning neural networks. The accuracy of LiDAR sensors of the iPhone 14 Pro model is at 0.5-1%. The recognition range is approximately 5 meters. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
