Work on the fifth and final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme is set to start in the first week of September along Ports Creek, the northern shore of Portsea Island. The work will include 1.3 km of flood defences with a design consisting of a sloped earth embankment,
Helvar, a leading innovator in intelligent lighting solutions, is excited to announce the official commercial launch of Helvar Senses, an advanced environmental sensing solution integrated into lighting controls. Building on insights gained from pilot projects across various industries, including a successful trial with Rejlers in Sweden, Helvar Senses is now available to the
6,000t capacity giant enables faster construction methodologies across the energy sector Mammoet, the largest global engineered heavy lifting and transport company, has today launched the world’s strongest land-based crane, the SK6000. As populations grow, so do our energy needs. The SK6000 re-defines the scale of human construction, allowing large energy
Balfour Beatty has featured in The Energyst discussing how its Asset Technology Solutions (ATS) business is supporting the decarbonisation of the company. The article explores how Balfour Beatty is reinventing ways of working and introducing new technologies and solutions including EcoNet, a power management tool, and EcoSense site cabins that
Building a carport can be a practical solution for protecting your vehicle from the elements, but deciding whether to tackle the project yourself or hire a professional can be challenging. While taking the DIY route might save you money and allow for customization, it also demands time, tools, and a
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Work on the fifth and final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme is set to start in the first week of September along Ports Creek, the northern shore of Portsea Island. The work will include 1.3 km of flood defences with a design consisting of a sloped earth embankment, which provides the required flood defence level, with rock armour towards the creek. Construction company Knights Brown was appointed in August to carry out the work which is set to finish by the end of 2026. Knights Brown previously constructed the first and third phases, meaning they will have completed the majority of work on this valuable scheme. Construction site boundaries will comprise of the area north of the Hilsea Lines moat. Visitors will still be able to access the woodlands known as Foxes Forest on the southern side of the moat. The Portsbridge carpark near Portsbridge roundabout will be closed for the duration of the work. The footbridge leading over the M27 from Peronne Road will be closed for a one-week period in October, to allow a temporary overpass for pedestrians to be constructed. The overpass will remain in place for the duration of the work, maintaining pedestrian access to the footbridge. The footbridge adjacent to the railway line, further east along the creek, will be closed from November 2024 for a period of approximately 12 months (more information will be available when the detailed construction programme is finalised). Diversion routes will be signposted and updates will be available through signage, on social media and the website. As this phase will regenerate an area famous for its green open spaces the focus will be on retaining the natural feel by planting trees, native scrubs and wildflowers, improving paths, and access to the coastal path along the waterfront. New picnic benches, seating, play areas and viewing platforms along the coastal path route will create a more enjoyable environment. The North Portsea Coastal Scheme will also protect the Hilsea Lines by providing a future proof flood defence system, ensuring that this nationally important historical asset will be available for visitors to enjoy for the decades ahead. The project is funded by the Environment Agency and implemented by Coastal Partners on behalf of Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth City Council Leader, Cllr Steve Pitt said: “We’re very pleased to be working collaboratively with Knights Brown on the final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme. It’s an exciting time as we forge towards completing the final link in this vital £85.9million sea defence project, which is made possible thanks to funding by the Environment Agency.” The scheme as a whole is one of the largest local authority-led coastal flood defence projects in the UK and is crucial for the protection of Portsmouth residents. The defences will safeguard more than 4,000 homes and almost 500 businesses. In total, it covers 8.4km of coastline from Tipner through to Milton. Most of the area is low-lying and many of the current coastal defences were approaching the end of their effective lives. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Helvar, a leading innovator in intelligent lighting solutions, is excited to announce the official commercial launch of Helvar Senses, an advanced environmental sensing solution integrated into lighting controls. Building on insights gained from pilot projects across various industries, including a successful trial with Rejlers in Sweden, Helvar Senses is now available to the broader market. By incorporating smart environmental sensing into its offering, Helvar’s solutions now offer even more opportunities to optimise building performance, sustainability, and occupant wellbeing. When it comes to enhancing building performance through lighting systems, a crucial element has often been overlooked – the potential to go beyond traditional controls. Lighting systems, which already serve as one of the densest sensor networks within a building, offer a unique opportunity to provide much more than light. With the addition of environmental sensing capabilities – such as monitoring air quality, temperature, humidity, and noise levels – Helvar Senses collects actionable data that can optimise not just lighting but overall building performance. This approach offers a scalable solution that is easier to manage and maintain compared to deploying standalone sensors. By integrating environmental sensing into the existing lighting infrastructure, building operators benefit from a unified system that reduces complexity, lowers operational expenditure (OpEx), and is simpler to maintain over time. By correlating data on occupancy and environmental conditions, building operators can make more informed decisions, leading to significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. For instance, integrating HVAC systems with Helvar Senses helps avoid siloed operations and enables better control over energy use by aligning air quality with occupancy patterns. Supporting Sustainability Goals and Building StandardsIn response to increasingly stringent sustainability directives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and evolving building standards like BREEAM, WELL, and LEED, Helvar Senses offers a solution that helps minimise the “performance gap”– the difference between the predicted energy performance of a building and its actual energy usage. By providing real-time data, building operators can adjust systems to ensure that energy consumption is optimised according to real conditions, helping to meet both regulatory requirements and sustainability goals. Helvar Senses allows building operators to monitor key indoor environmental factors and thus better support the wellbeing of occupants. This is particularly relevant as organisations prioritise creating healthier workspaces that promote productivity and comfort. Customer Success with Rejlers The deployment of Helvar Senses in real-world projects has already produced impressive results. One of these projects is with Rejlers, a leading engineering consultancy who chose to expand their system at their HQ Office in Gothenburg, Sweden. The team opted to include Helvar Senses in their lighting renovation and saw immediate benefits. Nicklas Stenberg, project manager and team leader at Rejlers, explained how the solution has improved their indoor environment: “After expanding the entire system with Helvar Senses, we now have an easy way to check temperatures and air quality inside the premises. Previously, if we felt the air was bad, we would complain without any data to back it up. Now, we can monitor the actual conditions and take action accordingly.” Helvar Senses is empowering buildings to achieve greater energy efficiency while improving occupant wellbeing. By leveraging data from lighting sensors, Helvar Senses not only optimises lighting and energy use but also supports a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment. As companies strive to meet sustainability directives such as the CSRD, Helvar Senses offers a smart solution that drives measurable progress toward environmental goals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
6,000t capacity giant enables faster construction methodologies across the energy sector Mammoet, the largest global engineered heavy lifting and transport company, has today launched the world’s strongest land-based crane, the SK6000. As populations grow, so do our energy needs. The SK6000 re-defines the scale of human construction, allowing large energy and infrastructure projects to build from bigger pieces, in parallel – reaching first power sooner, and more cost-effectively. The SK6000 has a key role in offshore wind, where fast growth of components in recent years has led to supply chain issues. Lifting 3,000t to a height of 220m, the SK6000 ensures that wind farms in the planning phase today can be safely executed and delivered in the future. In the oil and gas sector, the SK6000 delivers reduced integration times to offshore floating projects, while onshore new build and expansion projects can be delivered with increased uptime. Both scopes then benefit from modular construction techniques that allow critical path components to be simultaneously built offsite anywhere in the world, before transporting to site ahead of installation. As more new-build nuclear plants are greenlit, the SK6000 helps the sector to benefit from similar tried-and-tested construction methodologies – helping projects to reach completion sooner and deliver low carbon energy to communities. The SK6000 has a maximum capacity of 6,000t, utilizing 4,200t of ballast to lift with a maximum ground bearing pressure of 30t/m2. The crane design uses containerization techniques for ease of deployment, and can be transported using shipping containers to any location worldwide. It also offers full electric power capability from battery or supply from the grid, allowing customers to reduce the carbon impact of projects significantly. “This crane is truly a world record feat of engineering, with a production schedule to match”, said Gavin Kerr, Director Global Services at Mammoet. “Hundreds of colleagues have been directly involved with its development across the business. There are very few companies on Earth – if any – that could have brought this crane into reality, and we are immensely proud to be able to do so”. The SK6000 is currently undergoing testing at Mammoet’s Westdorpe facility in the Netherlands, ready for deployment to its first project later in the year. [Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty has featured in The Energyst discussing how its Asset Technology Solutions (ATS) business is supporting the decarbonisation of the company. The article explores how Balfour Beatty is reinventing ways of working and introducing new technologies and solutions including EcoNet, a power management tool, and EcoSense site cabins that are equipped with energy-saving features, to reduce carbon emissions across projects. Balfour Beatty Energy Manager, Stuart McLeod, said: “By embracing innovation and sustainability, we can pave the way for a new era in construction where efficiency and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Our dedication and ingenuity will drive this change, with ATS proving that a sustainable and energy-efficient future is within our reach.” You can read the full article here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building a carport can be a practical solution for protecting your vehicle from the elements, but deciding whether to tackle the project yourself or hire a professional can be challenging. While taking the DIY route might save you money and allow for customization, it also demands time, tools, and a certain level of expertise. On the other hand, hiring a professional ensures a high-quality build with less effort on your part, but it comes with a higher price tag. Understanding the pros and cons of each approach is essential before making your decision. DIY Carport Construction Choosing to build your own carport offers several benefits, particularly if you’re looking to cut costs and enjoy the hands-on experience. Here are some key points to consider: However, there are challenges that come with the DIY route: Hiring a Professional Hiring a professional to build your carport is an option that comes with distinct advantages, particularly for those who prefer a hassle-free experience. Here’s what to consider: However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when hiring a professional: Cost Comparison When deciding between DIY construction and hiring a professional, cost is a significant factor. Building a carport yourself generally involves lower upfront expenses. You can source materials at your discretion, potentially opting for cost-effective options, and you eliminate labor costs entirely. However, it’s important to consider potential hidden costs in a DIY project, such as the need to purchase specialized tools or correct mistakes. In contrast, hiring a professional involves higher initial costs due to labor fees and possibly more expensive materials. However, this approach may save money in the long run. A professionally built carport is likely to be more durable and require less maintenance, reducing future repair costs. Factors to Consider in Your Decision When deciding between DIY and hiring a professional to build your carport, several key factors should guide your choice: When deciding whether to build a carport yourself or hire a professional, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons based on your specific circumstances. DIY construction offers cost savings and design flexibility but requires time, skill, and careful planning. Hiring a professional ensures a high-quality build with less effort on your part, though it comes at a higher cost. Consider your abilities, available time, project complexity, budget, and local regulations to make the best choice for your situation. Ultimately, the decision should align with your priorities and the level of investment you’re willing to make.
