September 10, 2025
Spindles redevelopment hailed for most innovative offices in the North

Spindles redevelopment hailed for most innovative offices in the North

Oldham Council and the team behind the ‘ground-breaking’ Spindles renovation have been presented with the British Council of Offices’ (BCO) northern Innovation Award. The presentation in the new office space saw representatives from construction company Willmott Dixon, architects AEW, project management lead Hive, quantity surveyor Gleeds, and interior designers SpaceInvader,

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Creative ITC launches Virtual Cloud Desktop Pod to tackle AEC industry’s most demanding workloads

Creative ITC launches Virtual Cloud Desktop Pod to tackle AEC industry’s most demanding workloads

The new virtual desktops, purpose-built for architects, support graphics-intensive applications such as Enscape, TwinMotion and 3ds Max Creative ITC, the leading global cloud services provider for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, has announced the launch of its Virtual Cloud Desktop Pod (VCDPod) that is purpose-built for resource-intensive design

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Innovative solutions for maximizing urban living spaces

Innovative solutions for maximizing urban living spaces

Urban living often presents the challenge of optimizing limited space in homes and apartments. Sliding door kits offer a versatile solution, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in compact environments. This article explores how sliding door kits can transform urban living areas into more flexible and efficient spaces. Living in a

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Latest Issue
Issue 333 : Oct 2025

September 10, 2025

Spindles redevelopment hailed for most innovative offices in the North

Spindles redevelopment hailed for most innovative offices in the North

Oldham Council and the team behind the ‘ground-breaking’ Spindles renovation have been presented with the British Council of Offices’ (BCO) northern Innovation Award. The presentation in the new office space saw representatives from construction company Willmott Dixon, architects AEW, project management lead Hive, quantity surveyor Gleeds, and interior designers SpaceInvader, present the trophy to Leader of Oldham Council Cllr Arooj Shah, and Chief Executive Shelley Kipling. Recognised as a benchmark for innovation in reimagining town centre spaces, when Spindles is officially fully open, the 450,000 square foot development will also be home to a new indoor market and food hall, flexible offices, event space and heritage archive. BCO judges recognised the building’s ‘ground-breaking, adaptive reuse of a building that has transformed a struggling 1990s shopping centre’. They commented: “Oldham Spindles is an innovative project that reimagines urban regeneration, proving that underutilised retail spaces can be repurposed for modern office environments. “It sets a bold precedent for repurposing failing retail assets into thriving workspaces. A combination of architectural ingenuity, sustainability, and social impact makes it a worthy recipient of the BCO Innovation Award, showcasing a transformative model for urban regeneration.” Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “This recognition for Spindles is a huge moment of pride for Oldham. The Spindles redevelopment is just one part of our wider regeneration Building a Better Oldham programme, including the creation of 2,000 new homes, the restoration of the Old Library building, Oldham Coliseum, and the groundbreaking Northern Roots project. “Oldham is a town on the up and our time is now, investing in our existing buildings while creating modern spaces that will increase jobs, and drive people into the town centre. This award belongs to the whole town, and it shows the confidence others are starting to share in Oldham’s future.” Shelley Kipling, Chief Executive of Oldham Council, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of the ambition we have for Oldham.  It shows that our bold vision for the town centre is not only working but is being recognised as some of the best across the North. The Spindles redevelopment demonstrates how we can take underused spaces and turn them into something innovative and useful. “Alongside projects like the JR Clynes Building, the new market, the new event space, and the hugely successful Egyptian Room, it’s another step in creating a town centre we can all be proud of – a place where more people want to live, work, and visit.” Creating opportunities for local people has been at the heart of the Spindles regeneration. Willmott Dixon, alongside its supply chain partners have delivered 271 weeks of apprenticeship training and 117 weeks of work experience as well as creating seven T-level student placements for local young people from Oldham College. Chris Baker, Operations Manager at Willmott Dixon, commented: “As an Oldham-based company, we are really proud to play our part in shaping the future of the town centre alongside Oldham Council. “This award recognises the real team effort of local businesses that have come together to ensure Oldham is leading the way when it comes to reimagining town centres.” A delegation from the council will now travel to London on October 7th for the national BCO Awards. Phil Hepworth, Director at AEW Architects, said: “To have been selected for the Innovation Award against the entire pool of finalists is a fantastic achievement. It’s a testament to the collaborative efforts behind the project and the whole team’s commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining the workplace.” Paul Mann, North England Regional Director at Gleeds, comments: “Spindles, the latest high street repurposing in the conversion of Spindles Shopping Centre is the next progressive step to making the town centre a place to live, work and play. It follows the completion of the Metrolink Extension from Manchester in 2014 and the investment in a new leisure facility, repurposing the Old Town hall in in 2016. “It’s been a great 4-year journey of involvement with this transformational project, which will have an untold impact on the town and people of Oldham. This award is very much deserved for the innovative approaches that were central to the project’s success. Gleeds enjoyed being part of the collaborative team that delivered Spindles and look forward to seeing it become a thriving hub for the local community for many years to come.” John Williams, SpaceInvader Director & Founder, said: “Spindles is a perfect example of how high street assets can be reimagined with innovation and purpose. By blending contemporary workspace with community-centric design, this project breathes new life into the heart of Oldham. It’s been a privilege to work alongside such a forward-thinking council, truly committed to creating spaces that serve both people and place. The recognition from the BCO is testament to the ambition and impact of a regeneration project designed to directly benefit the Oldham community.” Natalie Palframan, Procure Partnerships Framework’s Key Account Manager (North) added: “The Spindles redevelopment has transformed Oldham’s town centre and stands as a fantastic example of regeneration that delivers real social value for the local community. We are delighted to see this project recognised with such a prestigious award, which is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of everyone involved.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Creative ITC launches Virtual Cloud Desktop Pod to tackle AEC industry’s most demanding workloads

Creative ITC launches Virtual Cloud Desktop Pod to tackle AEC industry’s most demanding workloads

The new virtual desktops, purpose-built for architects, support graphics-intensive applications such as Enscape, TwinMotion and 3ds Max Creative ITC, the leading global cloud services provider for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, has announced the launch of its Virtual Cloud Desktop Pod (VCDPod) that is purpose-built for resource-intensive design and visualisation applications, simulations, 3D rendering and modelling.  The new solution has been designed to overcome challenges that architects typically face when working with CPU-intensive applications including Enscape, Rhino, Lumion, TwinMotion, Maya, CREO, and 3ds Max. These powerful tools can put a heavy strain on IT infrastructure, requiring frequent upgrades to expensive traditional CAD workstations and making scaling virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) cost-prohibitive. In contrast, VCDPod provides a flexible, scalable and secure solution that delivers the full power of a high-end in-office workstation to architects, wherever they are working. Professionals use a dedicated laptop, thin client or iPad to login into a virtual cloud desktop that offers single tenant access to high-end, dedicated computing resources. This delivers higher clock speeds for even the most demanding workloads and offers multi-screen capabilities with no image degradation.  John Dawson, Director, Creative ITC, said, “With competition in RFPs fiercer than ever and client expectations continuing to rise, architecture firms are under pressure to deliver more innovative, immersive designs – faster and more efficiently. VCDPod is a direct response to that market demand, offering next-level performance for the most graphics-intensive workflows. And to help architecture firms stay focused on higher value work, we’re also removing the burden of managing complex IT environments. It’s about empowering architects to do what they do best – design and innovate.” VCDPod complements Creative ITC’s existing fully managed VDI solution, VDIPod, giving architecture practices the ultimate flexibility to create a tailored, hybrid solution designed to scale with them. VCDPod has been purpose-built for the AEC industry specifically for AEC professionals. Key features include: For more information about VCDPod, visit: https://info.creative-itc.com/en-gb/vcdpod-virtual-desktop Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Innovative solutions for maximizing urban living spaces

Innovative solutions for maximizing urban living spaces

Urban living often presents the challenge of optimizing limited space in homes and apartments. Sliding door kits offer a versatile solution, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in compact environments. This article explores how sliding door kits can transform urban living areas into more flexible and efficient spaces. Living in a city often means dealing with limited space, which can be a significant hurdle for many. As urban areas become more crowded, the need for efficient space utilization becomes essential. One effective way to address this issue is through the use of Sliding Door Kits. By replacing traditional doors with sliding mechanisms, you can maximize floor space and introduce a new level of flexibility to your home layout. Sliding door kits blend seamlessly into various design styles, providing a modern and practical approach to managing space effectively. Enhancing home layouts with sliding door kits Efficient space utilization is crucial in urban homes where every square foot counts. Sliding door kits play a vital role in enhancing living areas by allowing more adaptable room layouts. Unlike conventional doors that require ample swing space, sliding doors slide along tracks, making them ideal for tight spaces. This not only frees up room for furniture but also allows for creative interior design possibilities, making your home feel more open and inviting. Sliding door kits provide an elegant solution to privacy concerns in shared spaces without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. They can be used to divide open-plan areas into functional zones, such as creating separate living and dining areas or partitioning off a workspace within a larger room. The ability to open or close off spaces as needed offers unparalleled flexibility, catering to different occasions and moods. By embracing sliding doors, you can effortlessly transition between open and intimate settings in your home. Moreover, sliding doors contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic appeal of your living space. Available in a range of materials, from glass to wood, they can complement any interior style. Glass sliding doors allow light to flow freely between rooms, enhancing the sense of openness and creating a bright, airy atmosphere. Wood or frosted glass options provide additional privacy while maintaining an elegant look. Maximizing available space with sliding door kits Sliding door kits offer numerous benefits that are particularly valuable in urban settings where maximizing available space is key. They help create a more open and adaptable environment by eliminating the need for traditional hinged doors that consume unnecessary floor area. This makes them an ideal choice for small apartments or homes where every inch matters. One significant advantage of sliding doors is their ability to merge indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. When installed between a living room and balcony or terrace, they create an uninterrupted visual flow that extends your living area beyond its physical boundaries. This is especially beneficial during warmer months when you wish to enjoy fresh air and natural light without compromising on indoor comfort. Sliding doors also enhance accessibility within your home by providing wider openings that accommodate movement with ease. This feature is particularly useful for individuals with mobility challenges or families with young children who require more space to maneuver safely. Practical applications of sliding door kits in urban homes Sliding door kits can be employed in various practical applications throughout urban homes to divide spaces effectively while adding aesthetic appeal and functionality. For instance, they are perfect for creating temporary partitions between bedrooms and bathrooms or transforming large rooms into separate sleeping quarters for guests or family members. The aesthetic versatility of sliding door kits makes them suitable for modern urban homes seeking both style and practicality. Whether used as closet doors or pantry enclosures in kitchens, these systems offer streamlined solutions that enhance organizational efficiency without compromising on design integrity. Their sleek profiles allow them to blend harmoniously into contemporary interiors while offering customizable options such as mirrored panels or decorative patterns tailored to individual preferences.

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