Households across parts of North West England and Central Scotland can now get free help to plan home improvements that save money on energy bills and carbon emissions, thanks to a new service, Energywise. People can access free impartial advice, online or over the phone, from a team of experts
Leeds and London based architecture practice, Edward Architects adds to its growing team with the appointment of Graham Davey as Architect. The new hire will further strengthen the firm’s court protection and accessible design work, one of its core specialisms and expanding service lines. Graham joins from Stage One Creative
Your drive, while not an essential structure, can make a big difference to both the enjoyment you get from your property, and the amount you can bring in when you come to sell it. Thus, it’s something worth investing in. For best results, however, you’ll want to plan your driveway
Households across parts of North West England and Central Scotland can now get free help to plan home improvements that save money on energy bills and carbon emissions, thanks to a new service, Energywise. People can access free impartial advice, online or over the phone, from a team of experts at the Energywise service which officially launched today. Delivered by energy experts Energy Saving Trust and funded by SP Energy Networks, Energywise will help householders identify the best low carbon solutions, such as solar panels or a heat pump, to suit their home, budget and goals. People using the service will receive a comprehensive costed improvement plan, outlining next steps and the option of a free follow up conversation with an expert advisor. The free service also offers help to find funding and certified installers, making it easier to get the work done. Research by Energy Saving Trust has shown that 82% of homeowners in England are interested in making home improvements to reduce their energy bills, however more than a third (39%) are not confident assessing where to start with the process1. Additional research reveals that more than a third of UK adults know nothing about heat pumps, while a quarter think heat pumps are not suitable for UK homes2. With energy prices continuing to climb, and the need to cut domestic carbon emissions to curb the climate emergency, SP Energy Networks is the latest energy distributor to commission Energy Saving Trust to set up support services for the public to encourage action. Laura McGadie, Operations Director at Energy Saving Trust, said: “It’s exciting to be offering this bespoke service to help people choose what’s best for their homes when it comes to low carbon technology. Improving public awareness and understanding of things like heat pumps is a really vital part of the shift we need to make to a net zero society. We know people are willing to make changes, they just want a bit of guidance on where to start, so Energywise is there to help them plan and go on to take positive action.” Energywise is now live for those living in an area of England or Scotland serviced by the SP Energy Networks energy grid. People can check if they live in one of these via the Energy Networks Association postcode checker. To get a free personalised Energywise home improvement plan visit getenergywise.org.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leeds and London based architecture practice, Edward Architects adds to its growing team with the appointment of Graham Davey as Architect. The new hire will further strengthen the firm’s court protection and accessible design work, one of its core specialisms and expanding service lines. Graham joins from Stage One Creative Services where he was Project Manager with a breadth and wealth of experience leading on large scale events and unusual builds. Prior to that he was an Architect with Pearce Bottomley Architects. During his project management role, Graham led a range of high profile live events involving complex design from the Eurovision 2023 set build at the M&S Arena in Liverpool to The Art of All Pavilion by Roc Nation and Jay-Z at Olympia in Kensington which involved a 4-week turnaround from contract to completion. He also worked on Moncler X’s Mercedes Reveal at Olympia which formed the centrepiece of Moncler’s London Fashion Week launch. Graham has also project managed a number of unusual builds including Bulgari’s Serpanti Lit Sculpture in Duke of York Square, Chelsea. His expertise also spans work across visitor centres, new builds, primary care centres, golf centres and the Leeds Chinese Christian Church. Graham Edward, MD, Edward Architects said: “Graham will be a fantastic asset to our team and brings a broad range of experience and expertise which has involved some unique and unusual builds. This will be invaluable in our accessible design and court protection projects.” Graham Davey commented: “I am excited to join the team at Edward Architects as the business continues to build. The practice has such a breadth of skills and experience and I’m keen to further my own skills by learning from those around me. I have particularly enjoyed that the values of the practice align with my own, placing the client at the centre of everything we do.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Your drive, while not an essential structure, can make a big difference to both the enjoyment you get from your property, and the amount you can bring in when you come to sell it. Thus, it’s something worth investing in. For best results, however, you’ll want to plan your driveway carefully. You’ll want to select the right materials, and bring in the right skilled personnel to install them. This is particularly important if you’re going to be parking heavy vehicles, like vans, on the drive – since a drive that subsides might not look appealing after months and years. And that’s before we even consider the wear and tear inflicted by rain, sleet, snow and sunlight. Preparing the Groundwork You can’t lay a driveway on just any surface. As such, it’s vital that work begins with the right foundation. This means excavating where necessary, disposing of the excess soil, and stabilising the ground afterwards. A ground membrane will ensure that rainwater doesn’t disturb the space beneath the driveway. Fail to get this stage right, and you could end up having to take up the whole driveway in order to correct the problem. Choosing the Right Materials You might already have a preference for materials, based on aesthetic criteria. But while it’s important to think about how a drive looks, it’s also worth considering how it might perform. Tarmac is long-lived and inexpensive, and an enormously popular option in the UK. It tends to be vulnerable to warping under extreme heat, but in the UK, this is rarely a problem. Concrete, while also cheap, will tend to crack if it’s not properly mixed and laid. Thus, it’s worth spending a little extra and bringing in a contractor with a good track record. Both tarmac and concrete tend to require little, if any, maintenance from the homeowner. Thus, they’re easy to recommend. Gravel is inexpensive, and a great option for larger driveways. You can pick up bulk gravel bags and spread them yourself. Block paving tends to be expensive, but it offers a look that might be uniquely appealing. You might opt to install a unique pattern into your driveway, perhaps with the help of different coloured bricks. This can be a way to express your own personality, and make the driveway feel truly welcoming. Another factor to consider is the age and character of the property to which the driveway is attached. If you’re laying a driveway beside a Georgian cottage, then you might restrict yourself to materials that were available to the Georgians.
