Prologis UK, a leading property developer, investor and owner, has secured planning approval for a 107,000 sq ft distribution centre at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT), the UK’s largest inland freight hub. Construction works will begin in January 2026, paving the way for DC107 to be ready for occupation
Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme in the UK, has completed the renovation of the Rotunda, a Grade II-listed former piano factory, into state-of-the-art offices at its Jamestown Courtyard development in London’s Camden neighbourhood. Jamestown Courtyard, the 45,000 sq ft development comprised of seven heritage buildings, now has
Brogan Group, owner of the CAS Common Tower and Atlas gantry systems, has entered into a strategic alliance with Alimak Group’s Construction Division. The partnership brings together Brogan’s proprietary CAS technology with Alimak’s global sales and rental network, giving clients worldwide access to fully integrated vertical access solutions that improve
Private equity real estate investor Paloma Capital and its development partner Graftongate have announced the pre-let of the first unit at Bedford Trade Park, a new £25 million trade and mid-box scheme on the Elm Farm Industrial Estate. Aetna UK has signed for Unit 300, a 24,886 sq ft development
Technicians suspended nearly 140 metres in the air carried out tests on the concrete and steel of St Johns Beacon in Liverpool using specialist rope access techniques. RSK Group company CAN Structures was contracted to carry out a defect survey and concrete testing of the iconic Grade II listed communications
Hortons has strengthened its Midlands portfolio with the acquisition of a 12.8-acre, fully-let research, development and manufacturing facility in Leamington Spa. The campus-style development, located off the A425 Southam Road at Radford Semele, comprises 132,569 sq ft across three buildings, including a manufacturing facility, a hi-tech warehouse unit and an
Dr David Crosthwaite, BCIS – chief economist, said: There is a risk that schemes built around compliance or sanctions place young people into roles that do not align with their skills, interests or longer-term aspirations. For construction, which already faces persistent challenges attracting and retaining new entrants, the priority should
By Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus For building owners, developers and facilities managers across the UK, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘fit and forget’ – especially when it comes to a whole host of installed safety equipment. Ensuring you’re keeping on top
Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS), is proud to announce its Procurement Solutions Team has been named the winner of this year’s Health Care Supply Association’s (HCSA) ‘Procurement Team of the Year’ award. The HCSA annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and teams driving
With climate extremes increasing and urban drainage networks under growing stress, ACO Building Drainage has published the second volume of its Blue Roof Guide to help architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors design resilient, multi-functional roofscapes. The new guide explains how blue and blue-green roof systems can store and manage rainfall
Prologis UK, a leading property developer, investor and owner, has secured planning approval for a 107,000 sq ft distribution centre at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT), the UK’s largest inland freight hub. Construction works will begin in January 2026, paving the way for DC107 to be ready for occupation from August of that year. A distinctive new building for DIRFT The rail-linked new development will use a contemporary architectural approach that pushes the boundaries of logistics design. Features include a glazed south-facing external balcony and full-width bifold doors, integrating the outdoors with the internal work environment to support placemaking and wellbeing. The building will also target EPC A+ and BREEAM Outstanding. Enhanced Fit-Out for speed and efficiency Built on a speculative basis, DIRFT DC107 will include LED lighting and fire alarm systems alongside optimised racking options that can be provided by Prologis Essentials. Launched in 2025, Prologis’ Enhanced Fit-Out programme offers market leading “ready-to-operate” logistics facilities, saving customers time and money on design and installation of key high-level and long lead time elements. Building off the success of the enhanced fit-out campaign delivered during 2025, DC107 will come ready to operate from day one. Digital connectivity built in from day one DC107 will include high-quality, resilient digital infrastructure to support robust and scalable connectivity. Targeting WiredScore Gold, with Wi-Fi installed from day one, customers can plug and play immediately, helping save valuable operational time. This new approach aligns with Prologis UK’s commitment to improving and streamlining the customer experience for businesses of all sectors and sizes. James Hemstock, Vice President Capital Deployment at Prologis UK, said: “At just over 100,000 sq ft this unit’s size is quite a rarity at DIRFT, and offers the market a distinctive proposition. With a clear focus on developing logistics real estate in the most desirable locations, Prologis aims to meet growing demand and changing industry needs. The wide range of customers at DIRFT shows that the site offers a best-in-class logistics location for businesses needing to reach every corner of the UK efficiently and we anticipate that this new development will generate a high level of interest.” Design approach DC107 is a modern logistics facility designed by Stephen George + Partners (SGP) on behalf of Prologis UK. Tariq Khan, Studio Director at SGP, said: “This unit represents contemporary logistics design, where future proofing functionality, architectural quality and customer experience work hand in hand. Our approach focused on creating a building that not only performs efficiently but also enhances everyday wellbeing, with features helping to elevate the overall working environment.” DIRFT’s strategic location With three build-to-suit projects on site and further infrastructure being delivered, DC107 will complete the northern gateway to DIRFT with a statement building. DIRFT is strategically positioned at the UK’s centre of logistics (M1/M6/A14), with the added benefit of three on-site rail freight terminals. Recent leases at DIRFT include a 1.3 million sq. ft. build to suit development for M&S and a 327,689 sq. ft speculative unit for GXO. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “This has been an exceptional year for DIRFT. With construction and planning progressing well across the remainder of Phase III, DC107 marks our first speculative development onsite for some time and is our only available building at the park. We’re planning on bringing more positive news to the market in 2026 as we build on our strong momentum.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme in the UK, has completed the renovation of the Rotunda, a Grade II-listed former piano factory, into state-of-the-art offices at its Jamestown Courtyard development in London’s Camden neighbourhood. Jamestown Courtyard, the 45,000 sq ft development comprised of seven heritage buildings, now has only two floors to let in the completed Rotunda: the 4,054 sq ft courtyard floor and the 4,742 sq ft third floor. The Rotunda – which provides panoramic, 360-degree views across Regents Park, Camden Lock and Central London – is a four-minute walk from Camden Town tube station and an eight-minute cycle to King’s Cross and St Pancras International stations. As a key anchor to the development, the Rotunda is a character-rich workspace, creating the ideal, open-plan structure environment for the likes of architecture firms, production and studio companies, and other creative industry professionals. Railpen is also committed to enhancing the wider public realm of Jamestown Courtyard, adding greenery and seating to create a space that the local community wants to spend time in, and drive growth for nearby retailers and hospitality operators. The Rotunda is already home to a range of tenants, including Acamar Films on the ground floor, while building services consultants Max Fordham occupy the first and second floors. The completion of the Rotunda is complemented by 12 Oval Road, also part of Railpen’s Jamestown Courtyard development, being fully let, following the lease renewal of music management company, Trinifold. Emily Atkinson, Asset and Transaction Manager at Railpen, said: “Across our entire UK portfolio, we are dedicated to developing standout, state-of-the-art office developments, and the Rotunda at Jamestown Courtyard is absolutely no exception. The blend of history and modernity, as well as its proximity to Central London and other major landmarks, reflects our commitment to supporting the evolving needs of modern occupiers, offering flexibility, character and a strong sense of place within a vibrant community. “This project is a key part of our wider office strategy to create well-designed, sustainable workplaces that support how people want to work today and in the future, creating lasting value for both occupiers and the wider community.” Alasdair Reid, Director at Max Fordham, said: “The Rotunda at Jamestown Courtyard really is something unique. Whether it’s the prime location, spectacular views or characterful interiors, we are proud to call it our home. Railpen positively engaged with our wishes for a much-improved environmental performance, and they have delivered a state-of-the-art office asset within this wonderful historic building. We look forward to welcoming our new neighbours in the near future.” Jamestown Courtyard forms just one of Railpen’s office developments in London and the wider UK, sitting alongside the recently launched 101 Bayham Street, which is also situated close by in Camden, as well as 125 Wood Street in the heart of the city, 4 Coleman Street, which is being delivered in Q2 2026, and the upcoming refurbishment of Red Lion Square in Holborn. Its portfolio also includes 11 assets across Cambridge, including Mill Yard and Botanic Place, both of which are under construction, and Multistory in Birmingham. JLL and Edward Charles & Partners are the leasing agents on Jamestown Courtyard. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brogan Group, owner of the CAS Common Tower and Atlas gantry systems, has entered into a strategic alliance with Alimak Group’s Construction Division. The partnership brings together Brogan’s proprietary CAS technology with Alimak’s global sales and rental network, giving clients worldwide access to fully integrated vertical access solutions that improve safety, efficiency and project delivery. As part of this alliance, the CAS Common Tower and Atlas gantries—built on CAS technology—will now be available through Alimak’s international contracts and operations, working in tandem with Alimak’s hoists and transport platforms to create a fully coordinated vertical access system. The CAS Common Tower is engineered for high-rise projects, while Atlas gantries are well-suited to low-rise applications, including data centres and street gantries. This provides project teams with a single, integrated solution, supported by Brogan’s design expertise and Alimak’s global service footprint. CAS Common Tower: Safer, Smarter, More Efficient The CAS Common Tower centralises hoisting operations on high-rise projects, allowing multiple hoists to serve a single access point. This improves logistics, maximises the use of limited ground space, and accelerates façade installation. By reducing reliance on cranes and minimising the need for working at height, it also enhances site safety and speeds up project delivery. CAS’s design team works closely with client engineers from the earliest stages of a project to configure hoist and tower layouts that maximise space and minimise structural impact. Atlas Gantries: Innovation for Industrial and Data Centre Projects Atlas gantries complement the CAS Common Tower by providing a faster, safer alternative to scaffold gantries. Particularly suited to industrial and data centre projects, they offer significant advantages where tie-in points are limited or where large, fragile plant components must be installed quickly and securely. Alimak Portfolio and Digital Advantage Alimak Group’s Construction Division contributes a broad portfolio of vertical access solutions, including hoists, mast climbing work platforms, and transport platforms. Its digital platform, My Alimak, supports fleet management with real-time diagnostics, location tracking, BIM integration, and advanced safety tools — ensuring maximum uptime and streamlined asset management. “This alliance marks a step change for the industry,” said Wayne Smith, Director at Brogan Group. “The CAS Common Tower has already transformed project delivery on some of the world’s most complex builds. By combining that technology with Alimak’s global network, clients everywhere can now access safer, smarter and more efficient vertical access solutions as part of their projects.” “Alimak Group and CAS have a long history of working together,” said Cameron Reid, Sales Director at Alimak Group’s Construction Division. “This agreement reflects our continued commitment to safe, efficient vertical access and outstanding customer service in high-rise construction.” This alliance underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing safety, efficiency and service in vertical access, supporting the successful delivery of complex construction projects across the globe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Private equity real estate investor Paloma Capital and its development partner Graftongate have announced the pre-let of the first unit at Bedford Trade Park, a new £25 million trade and mid-box scheme on the Elm Farm Industrial Estate. Aetna UK has signed for Unit 300, a 24,886 sq ft development fronting Caxton Road, which will be occupied by its end-of-line packaging machinery brand, Robopac. The new scheme comprising 10 Grade A industrial and trade units ranging from 3,663–41,711 sq ft will be built to a modern, energy-efficient specification, targeting EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent. Each unit can be taken individually or combined, offering flexibility to meet a wide range of occupier requirements. Detailed planning consent has been secured and construction is scheduled to commence in Q1 2026 with occupation available from Q3 2026. Further pre-let interest is being sought on units of up to 42,000 sq ft. Unit 300 will include a state-of-the-art Tech Lab, inspired by the Aetna Group TechLab in Italy. The facility will allow products to be tested and refined for wrapping quality and load stability, and will be fully connected to the Group’s global network of TechLabs. A spokesperson for Aetna UK said that the new premises will strengthen its long-term commitment to the UK market and enhance services for customers nationwide. They added: “This investment ensures we can deliver faster support, greater technical capability, and an improved customer experience. The facility will expand parts availability and engineering resources, and provide modern spaces for demonstrations, trials and training, reinforcing Aetna UK’s focus on delivering world-class end-of-line packaging solutions.” Tim Harding of Colliers who advised Paloma and Graftongate on the transaction said: “This pre-let represents a fantastic example of investment from an existing Bedfordshire-based occupier in the local economy to support their long-term growth ambitions. The remainder of the forthcoming scheme will provide much needed Grade A stock in the supply starved Bedford market.” Situated on a 5.77-acre plot, Bedford Trade Park benefits from a prominent roadside location adjacent to the A4280 dual carriageway. It has excellent transport links, lying c.six miles from the A1 and 15 miles from Junction 13 of the M1, and offers a direct rail connection to St Pancras International via Bedford Station. The development marks the fourth collaboration between Paloma Capital and Graftongate, following Banbury 200, Exeter Trade Park, and Urban Logistics, Tottenham. For more information about Bedford Trade Park, contact joint letting agents Colliers and Cushman & Wakefield. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Technicians suspended nearly 140 metres in the air carried out tests on the concrete and steel of St Johns Beacon in Liverpool using specialist rope access techniques. RSK Group company CAN Structures was contracted to carry out a defect survey and concrete testing of the iconic Grade II listed communications tower following previous inspections in 2011 and 2015. Work was carried out on the 138-metre-high St Johns Beacon, originally built in 1969, through the night over the course of nine days so that the streets below could be closed during the works. CAN Project Manager Louis Thomas said: “We carried out acoustic hammer tests – tap tests – on the entire concrete façade of the tower. Defects were recorded and depth of carbonation and covermeter tests were taken. The steelwork at the top of the tower and the windows to the ‘doughnut’ also received a full visual inspection. “Access to the underside of the ‘doughnut’ proved particularly challenging. Initial access was gained through lighting openings on the underside of the tower, and we then put up rigging between the adjacent openings. The staging platform we call ‘CAN-Span’ was then winched up from ground level to enable technicians to get within touching distance of the underside of the tower to carry out their inspections.” Louis explained that, for safety, a considerable cordon was necessary. Several roads, footpaths and pedestrian areas within an extended footprint of the tower were closed by Liverpool City Council. Munroe K Asset Management manages the building. Director Roger Fulford said: “The Beacon tower is iconic in Liverpool and, like all buildings, needs to be inspected and maintained. For most buildings, the view while doing so is significantly less dramatic. The information gathered during this inspection will be used to assess maintenance schedules and inform us of the condition of the structure so that it can be future-proofed, ensuring it remains an integral part of the city’s skyline for many years to come.” St Johns Beacon is a notable feature of the city’s skyline and a popular destination for tourists, with the building’s first floor giving visitors 360° panoramic views of the city. It was refurbished between 1999 and 2000 and has been used as a revolving restaurant, a communications tower, offices and a tourist site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hortons has strengthened its Midlands portfolio with the acquisition of a 12.8-acre, fully-let research, development and manufacturing facility in Leamington Spa. The campus-style development, located off the A425 Southam Road at Radford Semele, comprises 132,569 sq ft across three buildings, including a manufacturing facility, a hi-tech warehouse unit and an office building. The site is let to UK-based engineering consultancy Ricardo plc on a long-term lease. Ricardo, which was recently acquired by global professional services firm WSP, has occupied the campus for more than 25 years and has made significant ongoing investment in the premises, including a comprehensive ESG-focused upgrade programme. The acquisition supports Hortons’ strategy of broadening its geographical footprint and sector exposure, and follows several recent industrial/logistics acquisitions across the Midlands. Steve Benson, chief executive of Hortons, said: “Securing this high quality, long established site represents another important step in diversifying our portfolio, both geographically and by sector. Ricardo is a long-standing and well invested occupier, and we look forward to supporting their continued presence on the estate, as well as exploring opportunities to enhance the facility further.” Hortons was advised by Atlas Real Estate and Gateley. James Madill, real estate partner at Gateley Legal, led the transaction alongside real estate solicitor Amanda Matyjaszczyk. He commented: “It’s really encouraging to see the completion of this significant acquisition — the second in a short period of time — as we continue our long standing relationship with Hortons. “Gateley delivered multi-disciplinary advice on a range of real estate, construction, tax and planning matters, as well as GIS support from Gateley Hamer. This acquisition was completed to an accelerated timetable and was a real team effort from all involved.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dr David Crosthwaite, BCIS – chief economist, said: There is a risk that schemes built around compliance or sanctions place young people into roles that do not align with their skills, interests or longer-term aspirations. For construction, which already faces persistent challenges attracting and retaining new entrants, the priority should be creating conditions that make the sector a positive and deliberate career choice rather than a default option. There is also the practical concern of placing inexperienced young people on potentially dangerous work sites without adequate training. Fundamentally, the industry is suffering from a skills shortage rather than a shortage of general labour, so the focus should be on building capability, not just filling labourer vacancies. At the same time, there could be clear benefits for employers. Many construction firms have stopped replacing workers or paused plans to grow their teams because of cost pressures and uncertainty in the market. If government programmes provide meaningful support with hiring and training costs, this could help firms take on young people they might otherwise be unable to afford to recruit or develop. That could strengthen early-career pipelines at a time when workforce capacity is one of the biggest constraints on delivery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus For building owners, developers and facilities managers across the UK, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘fit and forget’ – especially when it comes to a whole host of installed safety equipment. Ensuring you’re keeping on top of all of your installed safety systems is essential, especially when it comes to fire safety. The notion that fire safety is a one-time box-ticking exercise from years gone by couldn’t be further from reality. Those in a position of authority must undertake a continuous journey to keep up with the fire safety lifecycle. Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus takes a closer look at the importance of keeping on top of the fire safety lifecycle, with actionable tips on taking control for build owners and facilities managers. Why Fire Safety Requires Ongoing Attention The attitude of ‘fit and forget’ has long been an issue within the industry, which is a huge issue when it comes to fire safety. When investing in high-quality systems, in theory, they should stand the test of time and not require any real intervention – but it’s essential that building managers, developers and facilities managers keep on top of maintaining and upgrading fire safety systems. Even the most robust fire safety systems require regular testing and maintenance, and there’s good reason for this: System Deterioration – Over time, any system will begin to run into issues, especially if not maintained by a competent professional regularly. Changing Regulations – While regulations aren’t changing regularly, it’s important to keep on top of any regulations that do change and how this impacts your existing safety set-up. For example, the impact the 2024 update to BS991 had on smoke control. Human Error & Oversights – While a safety system might appear to be in good working order after being installed, there’s always a chance that something may have been missed in the initial installation that hasn’t been picked up. Changes in Facilities Use – If, for any reason, there’s a change to your premises’ primary function, there could be implications for how safety systems are used and what regulations now apply. There are a whole host of reasons that fire safety requires ongoing attention, with one of the most important being in compliance with section 3 of the ONS’ Fire Prevention and Protection statistics, which relates to fire protection and formal & informal notices. If your building fails a fire audit, the repercussions can be severe, with several informal and formal notification categories depending on the severity of non-compliance. Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 8,666 breaches of compliance relating to fire-safety equipment maintenance (Article 17), which highlights the issues currently facing the industry when it comes to keeping up with fire safety obligations. The Fire-Safety Lifecycle Approach Fully understanding and implementing the fire safety lifecycle approach is complex, but extremely worthwhile for those who work in (M&E) and facilities management. Neglect at any stage can impose risk, leading to fines, legal liability or in the worst case, the loss of life. This is why proactive management is essential in fire safety. Here’s an in-depth look at the 5 stages involved in the fire safety lifecycle: An essential stage, this ensures that the fire safety system is appropriate for the building’s specific use, occupancy and risk profile. This stage is especially critical when undertaking a refurbishment of an existing building, or if there’s a change of use for the property. The following should be put in place during this stage: Fire Strategy – Hire a fire and safety consultant to define what is required from the system you are implementing. System Selection & Specification – Ensure the correct type of system is selected and establish requirements based on building codes and standards. For example, addressable vs conventional fire alarms, or wet pipe vs dry pipe sprinklers and smoke ventilation requirements, such as roof AOVs or smoke control dampers . Documentation – Begin developing design specifications and the Golden Thread of information, ensuring you have accurate and up-to-date records of your building’s fire safety. The Golden Thread & Why It’s Important The Golden Thread is an integral part of building managers, developers and facilities managers roles, with a digital, secure and tamper-proof record of information on the buildings design, construction and management throughout its entire lifecycle. Following the Grenfell Enquiry, and subsequent Building Safety Act 2022 being instated, the Golden Thread played a key role in providing a digital alternative to the historic paper file system ensures that all of the building safety information is accurate, accessible and used to mitigate safety risks. During this stage, it’s essential to consider the longevity of the solution you’re looking to install. For example, at Sertus, we pride ourselves on all of our smoke ventilation products standing the test of time, thanks to meticulous design, in-house manufacturing and unrivalled technical support after install. Now that the planning and design are in place, it’s time to put the physical aspects of your fire safety equipment into place with a trusted supplier and installer. Here’s an overview of the steps you should take: Appoint Contractors – Take time to pick a trusted partner to carry out the installation and ensure that all installers onsite are certified and competent. It’s essential to pick a contractor that you’re confident in, so take the time to get this stage right and ask for recommendations. For example, if you are having smoke ventilation installed, it’s important to ensure your contractor of choice has the relevant qualifications such as the SDI19 certification or SKEB (Skills Knowledge, Experience, Behaviours). Quality Assurance – It’s essential that you carry out regular site inspections to personally verify that the installation follows the approved design and fire strategy. You’ll be held responsible for any problems, so take the time to properly check all aspects of the installation. Commissioning – An essential part of the process, commissioning refers to testing the
Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS), is proud to announce its Procurement Solutions Team has been named the winner of this year’s Health Care Supply Association’s (HCSA) ‘Procurement Team of the Year’ award. The HCSA annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and teams driving improvement, efficiency and value across the NHS, particularly in healthcare procurement and the supply chain in the UK. The award was presented to NHS SBS in recognition of its dedication, teamwork and commitment to delivering Framework Agreements (FWAs) that ensure the NHS and wider public sector receive only the best products and services. NHS SBS’s 82-strong Procurement Solutions team manages a portfolio of over 40 FWAs with a combined multi-billion-pound value, and is responsible for commissioning, procurement and ongoing management, to ensure customers benefit from high-quality, cost-effective solutions. Developed by the organisation’s category experts and used by NHS trusts and wider public sector across the UK, the FWAs span four key categories – Construction & Estates, Health, Digital & IT and Business Services. The portfolio comprising award-winning FWAs is continually enhanced with innovative solutions including surgical robots, estate decarbonisation, offsite construction and AI stroke‑decision software, and strengthened through close collaboration with external partners to deliver maximum impact. A unique collaboration with Barts Health NHS Trust for instance, resulted in the creation of NHS SBS’s Sustainable Healthcare Recycling and Waste Management FWA which delivered £1.2m in savings for the trust, increased recycling rates from 11% to 30% in just 10 weeks, increased carbon reduction by over 500 tonnes and had an annual social value impact of £3.1m. “The judging panel recognised the Procurement team for its strategic focus, service excellence, delivery of financial benefits, adoption and sharing of best practice, collaboration with other organisations and commitment to the development of our team members,” says Paddy Howlin, Head of Procurement Solutions at NHS SBS. “These are all key factors in what makes NHS SBS standout in a competitive and ever challenging landscape.” Capital Projects ‘Highly Commended’ NHS SBS Capital Projects Manager, Chris Parkin, was named runner‑up and ‘highly commended’ in HCSA’s prestigious ‘Unsung Hero’ award. This honour celebrates individuals who consistently make substantive contributions, often going above and beyond their role. The commendation recognised his dedication as the quiet, yet brilliant driving force behind some of the NHS’s most complex hospital capital projects, like equipping the new £68m Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital which has five emergency theatres, including the UK’s first hybrid trauma theatre. Originally estimated at £13m, Chris used his expertise to reduce this to £10.2m, delivering end-to-end service from business case to handover, sourcing and installing over 3,800 items – from patient furniture to highly specialised theatre equipment. All delivered and installed on time, to budget and fit. Howlin concludes: “We are immensely proud of our procurement team and its achievements. Being recipients of both the team award and attaining the ‘highly commended’ status underscores the dedication and meaningful difference each member makes every day. “We remain committed to supporting the NHS and wider public sector with solutions that drive efficiency, deliver value, and improve patient outcomes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With climate extremes increasing and urban drainage networks under growing stress, ACO Building Drainage has published the second volume of its Blue Roof Guide to help architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors design resilient, multi-functional roofscapes. The new guide explains how blue and blue-green roof systems can store and manage rainfall on site, reduce peak flows to overstretched sewers and support passive irrigation and biodiversity on roof areas. The guide, titled ‘ACO Blue Roof Guide – Vol 2’, follows the success of ACO’s first volume of its Blue Roof Guide, launched in October 2024, and builds on the criteria established for safe and sustainable drainage. Sustainability is a core principle of ACO’s work and this has been recognised in the company’s appointment as United Nations ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The second volume of the Blue Roof Guide is evidence of ACO’s commitment to clean water, sustainability, and supporting the construction industry in creating an eco-friendly future. Volume 2 sets out the principles of off-membrane storage and offers practical design and delivery advice for architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors. It highlights blue roofs as an increasingly important tool in urban developments by storing water temporarily and releasing it slowly to lessen flood risk while enabling green and biosolar roof functions to coexist without compromising waterproofing. Technical sections go into detail about ACO’s patented RoofBloxx system: a shallow, high-strength geocellular attenuation layer designed to sit independently of the roof membrane. Implementation and installation are also discussed, including together with the proper use of flow restrictors, access and diffuser units, capillary wicks and reservoir trays. When combined, these components manage run-off rates, support passive irrigation for sedum and planted systems, and reduce the need for heavy ballast by stabilising insulation. Neill Robinson-Welsh, who has led more than 750 blue roof projects during his 14 years with ACO, said: “Blue roofs are no longer an optional extra but a practical response to the twin pressures of heavier rainfall and growing water stress. Our approach uses ACO RoofBloxx to store water off the waterproofing layer, simplifying integration with green and biosolar elements and reducing the risk of membrane failure. The new guide reflects what we’ve learned on real projects and sets out design and maintenance steps that make blue roofs reliable.” Practical chapters focus on early-stage coordination, addressing outlet positioning, roof slope and structural implications, as well as maintenance-friendly design through permanent access chambers and twice-yearly inspections, and emphasising the importance of accurate hydraulic calculations to meet planning limits while preserving architectural constraints. ACO stresses that designers need to treat blue roofs as system integration exercises, and by coordinating landscape, photovoltaics and other services early it will help to avoid late, costly revisions. Volume 2 is positioned as a hands-on resource for teams planning multifunctional roofs where water management, ecology and service access must all be reconciled. To download the guide, see ACO.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals