Later living developer-operator Untold Living has submitted plans to Eastbourne Borough Council for a 139-home seafront integrated retirement community (IRC). The mid-market retirement specialist, which is backed by Matter Real Estate, completed the acquisition of a prime 2.5-acre seafront site at Sovereign Harbour in November from Birch Limited, a Richardson
As the requirement becomes compulsory In advance of the statutory requirement for biodiversity net gain (BNG) for new developments from January 2024, Carter Jonas has analysed the emergence of BNG policies and guidance within local planning authorities (LPAs) in a series of research from spring 2022. Carter Jonas’ Q4 2023
As the UK Government’s deadline for the digital transformation looms, industries across the board are diversifying strategies, internal and external approaches and implementation of services to ensure cutting edge digital technology is embedded to drive business efficiencies and meet new industry standards. Rapid change and adoption of digitisation is paramount
Shared ownership provider St Arthur Homes has unveiled its vibrant new branding, designed by creative specialists AF OLIVER. Featuring soft, muted shades of teal, yellow, salmon, charcoal and white, the branding has been created to position St Arthur Homes as the industry leader it is – posited around the central
FCC Environment is putting its quarry plant operators and managers through their paces with Finning training experts to improve fuel efficiencies and cut fuel burn. More than 30 FCC machine operators and plant managers have completed the Finning Eco-Drive™ operator training programme so far, which is part of a company-wide
AtkinsRéalis, a global design, engineering and project management company, has bolstered its major programme leadership team with the appointment of Rob Ewen as Strategic Programme Director for UK and Europe. Rob brings a wealth of experience to the business from a career spanning 40 years in industry, and will drive
NBS’ 2023 Digital Construction Report shows strong appetite for emerging tech NBS, the platform for connected construction information, has revealed the results of its 2023 Digital Construction Report. Focusing on emerging tech and the industry’s approach to digital transformation, the report offers a snapshot of industry professionals’ various views and
Passivhaus is a low energy building standard which provides a framework for designing and building, comfortable and energy efficient homes. Adoption of the standard has been gathering pace in recent years, with more private and social housing developers recognising the ability of Passivhaus buildings to reduce fuel bills and decarbonise
The UK’s leading manufacturer of plasterboard and plaster-based drylining systems has announced that all of its systems have now been awarded the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) mark. Earlier this year, British Gypsum announced that its non-loadbearing metal stud plasterboard partition systems, including shaft wall, had become one of
New figures released today saw over 3,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from £1.3bn worth of business from Network Rail, with SMEs making up a record 75 percent of Network Rail’s supplier base. In November 2019, Network Rail set out its SME action plan, making it easier for small
Later living developer-operator Untold Living has submitted plans to Eastbourne Borough Council for a 139-home seafront integrated retirement community (IRC). The mid-market retirement specialist, which is backed by Matter Real Estate, completed the acquisition of a prime 2.5-acre seafront site at Sovereign Harbour in November from Birch Limited, a Richardson family company. Subject to planning consent, Untold Living will deliver an IRC comprising a range of one and two-bedroom apartments overlooking the English Channel. The development will include a range of high-quality amenity spaces, some of which it intends to make available for use by the wider Eastbourne community. The scheme, designed by architects Gaunt Francis, will provide much needed, high-quality, independent later living accommodation to the older elderly in Eastbourne and beyond. Homes will be available across a range of different mid-market tenures, including to buy, for rent and purchase via shared ownership. Russell Jewell, CEO at Untold Living, said: “The urgent need for more purpose-built later living accommodation in the UK cannot be overstated, particularly in East Sussex, where the population of over-70s is growing more quickly than the national average. “Many thousands of older people are living in accommodation that is wholly unsuitable to their needs, which poses a serious risk to their mental and physical wellbeing. “Our Eastbourne scheme will not only offer round-the-clock care and support to residents when needed but also relieve pressure on local health and social services by lowering the frequency of residents’ hospital and GP visits. “We are grateful to the people of Eastbourne for all of the valuable feedback we have received so far and look forward to announcing further details in due course.” It comes after Untold Living launched a consultation to which members of the public, the council, and local interest groups were invited, to gather feedback on the proposed plans and to ensure it is designed to serve the entire community – not just the older population. The Eastbourne scheme is the newest addition to Untold Living’s portfolio alongside an existing retirement community in Westbury, Wiltshire and sites in Crawley, West Sussex, and Newport, Shropshire. Untold Living is targeting a GDV of £300m for its initial development pipeline. The developer-operator is actively seeking to acquire other suitable sites and assets across the UK to expand its portfolio and is open to discussions with landowners, landlords and agents. Untold Living will contribute to the 50,000 new purpose-built homes required for older people in the UK each year, tackling the acute shortage of adequate later living accommodation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the requirement becomes compulsory In advance of the statutory requirement for biodiversity net gain (BNG) for new developments from January 2024, Carter Jonas has analysed the emergence of BNG policies and guidance within local planning authorities (LPAs) in a series of research from spring 2022. Carter Jonas’ Q4 2023 research of the 306 LPAs in England has revealed a gradual increase in the number requesting in excess of the 10% biodiversity net gain. The local plans of Guildford, Brighton and Hove and Worthing (1% of all LPAs) require or encourage a percentage net gain higher than 10%. However, this figure is set to increase substantially as 17 (5.6%) have such a policy emerging through their local plan review. This is an increase of 33.3% from our Q4 2022 research. Although not included in the analysis because of the early stage of adoption, numerous LPAs are actively considering a higher level of net gain, including Birmingham and Chelmsford. Kingston Upon Thames and Tower Hamlets are set to have the most ambitious policies to date: both would require a minimum of 30% net gain but these policies are emerging through the local plan process and not yet adopted. Commenting on the importance of the research, David Alborough, Natural Capital Consultant at Carter Jonas said, “Our analysis provides developers, landowners and planning consultants with valuable insight into where the greatest demand for off-site BNG is emerging, which has important implications for developers and identifies opportunities for landowners.” Specifically, the research identifies some significant regional variations. BNG policies with a requirement in excess of 10% tend to be located in the south of England. In the South East, 11 LPAs have a BNG policy (either emerging or adopted) calling for greater than 10% net gain, accounting for 16.7% of LPAs in the region. This compares starkly to the North West, North East, West Midlands and East Midlands where no LPAs make this requirement. Sophie Davidson, Associate in the Research Team explains, “Some regional variation can be attributed to the influence of Local Nature Partnerships, which is evident in the south. For example, the Kent Nature Partnership is promoting a county-wide target of 20% within Kent and Medway. In response to this, Kent County Council (with funding support from Natural England) commissioned a strategic viability assessment of BNG in Kent. The report concludes that the biggest cost in most cases is to get to 10% net gain, and the increase to 15% or 20% is ‘generally negligible’. This has influenced emerging policies in Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Canterbury and Swale so far, representing 30.7% of the county. Likewise, the Surrey Nature Partnership and Sussex Local Nature Partnership have directed higher net gain targets in their counties.” In addition to showing an increasing number of LPAs deviating from the national position, either in the percentage net gain required or in their guiding framework for delivery, Carter Jonas’ research also identifies which LPAs are adopting measures to direct investment to local sites and accelerate the local market. Sophie Davidson concludes, “In areas with higher net gain requirements, we can expect the local market to develop at a faster rate. Many LPAs have stalled their local plan reviews in the face of significant changes to national planning policy, so BNG policies have taken longer to develop than expected. But as changes are formalised and local plan reviews progress, expect to see more LPAs progressing higher levels of BNG. We are aware of several which have included an option to consider a greater scope for BNG in early consultations. “Conversely, LPAs may drop their emerging 20% BNG policy before adoption. For instance, Rossendale Borough Council was seeking a 20% net gain in its draft submission but reduced the requirement to the statutory 10% in its final local plan. “In the coming months, developers will be assessing their options and refining their BNG strategies. Meanwhile, demand for land for BNG will rise substantially, affording diversification opportunities for landowners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the UK Government’s deadline for the digital transformation looms, industries across the board are diversifying strategies, internal and external approaches and implementation of services to ensure cutting edge digital technology is embedded to drive business efficiencies and meet new industry standards. Rapid change and adoption of digitisation is paramount in the construction industry to position the UK market alongside construction markets globally and general business infrastructure worldwide. Richard Clement, Deputy General Manager at Smart Construction, offers his thoughts on the biggest digital and technological trends in construction for 2024. The rise of Smart Technology – why 2024 is the year to implement change Richard says: “Businesses across multiple sectors have been implementing smart tech at a rapid pace – but construction has historically fallen behind, meaning that 2024 is the year to take the bull by the horns and invest in smart technology. “We are now seeing businesses of all sizes investing in smart technology to reduce supply chain hurdles and improve forecasting capabilities at all points of the construction journey. Due to uncertainty at the job site, investing in technology and smart solutions will help identify and prevent issues before they happen. At the close of a tumultuous year for inflation, savings are more important than ever and precise calculations are made possible by accurate insight and data collection.” One such example of smart technology benefiting supply chain hurdles and improving internal cost saving is that of Smart Construction customer , ECOSOIL Nord West GmBH. The firm employs around 300 people, and specialises in brownfield activities including land rehabilitation, environment-friendly earthworks and landfill construction. Working in partnership with the solution provider, ECOSOIL Nord West leveraged as-built data from its intelligent machines to monitor daily productivity at the Lager Waldteich project site. The Lager Waldteich project site’s primary objective was to build a retaining structure for the former Waldteich coal storage site, into which contaminated soil could be deposited. Site data was required by site manager Thomas Vent, who wished to manage and track in real time the volume of material movement each day, ensuring new material could be ordered and delivered in time to reduce bottlenecks and pressure points. Working with experts from Smart Construction, it was advised that ECOSOIL make use of as-built intelligent machine data. Benefits were instantaneous. Vent saved around 16 hours a month – two full working days – in time that would otherwise have been lost to travelling, surveying and processing data. Vent and his team were also able to identify any anomalies in daily performance and correct problems before they became more prominent, meaning he was also able to manage unforeseen costs. “At Smart Construction, we’ve designed an innovative portfolio of solutions, utilising hardware and software to create a full complement of IoT (Internet of Things) tools. This encompasses as-built data presented on our Dashboard gleaned from 3D Machine Guidance retrofit equipment as well as intelligent Machine Control, which is installed on a number of Komatsu machines. Smart Construction’s Remote offers site management the flexibility to send new design data to the field remotely, ensuring that teams are working off the most up-to-date plans for a project. These are simply a few ways smart technology and IoT can support in creating an even more profitable job site. Drones and surveying: a new way to approach the site Survey data has long been a prerequisite for construction, with regular site surveillance common practice for earthworks projects and prep for vertical builds. Regular site data has been historically collected with survey teams journeying to site and taking individual readings to build a comprehensive view of the site, pinpointing any areas of concern and building an ongoing view of the works. Richard believes this has seen a huge shift, saying: “Surveying was historically time consuming, labour intensive and fairly short sighted in terms of outputs, with results delivered back to clients over a course of days or weeks, by which point many measurements can be out of date. With the introduction of drone technology at the job site, managers are able to take more regular measurements of the terrain, with more data available to them including material moved over a given time period, changes in terrain profile, and more. These changes have been rapid, and have helped the industry reach new levels of efficiency, making surveying much more self-sufficient. “Not only does this reduce cost due to the fact that external surveying teams no longer need to make long journeys to site, but also offers more effective insight in much quicker time to make decisions.” Connected Construction sites and their impact on the landscape Using IoT connected sensors, devices and software, Connected Construction sites connect people, equipment and data. This allows real time communication and collaboration between all stakeholders, according to Richard. He says: “One of the significant challenges faced in earthmoving tasks is the unpredictability of what lies beneath the surface. Despite careful planning, unexpected conditions often emerge once digging commences, disrupting original plans. Instead of merely dealing with these unforeseen circumstances as they arise, a connected site offers a more dynamic solution. It monitors site activities, assesses any deviations, and modifies the plan accordingly, ensuring continuous alignment with the project’s requirements. “Employing an updated digital twin for all job sites will allow the industry to visualise, plan and execute with precision. Instead of using the digital twin as a reactive tool to troubleshoot issues, it can be utilised proactively in the planning stage. This proactive approach will ensure that projects are executed with confidence, knowing that the plans are well-informed and feasible.” As technology continues to be at the forefront of investment and business growth, the efficient application of connected construction sites looks to be revolutionising the industry in 2024. For more information about Smart Construction, please visit smartconstruction.io.
Shared ownership provider St Arthur Homes has unveiled its vibrant new branding, designed by creative specialists AF OLIVER. Featuring soft, muted shades of teal, yellow, salmon, charcoal and white, the branding has been created to position St Arthur Homes as the industry leader it is – posited around the central message: ‘What would St Arthur do?’. Adverts have been created to support the launch which seek to dispel any stigma around shared ownership, or ‘the elephant in the room’, telling would-be buyers that although St Arthur is not the biggest shared ownership provider around, it is the biggest thinker. It’s a name people can trust, one which has been cementing its place as a thought leader in the industry for some time now. Louise Mills, Sales Director for St Arthur Homes, said: “Our new branding reflects who we are – forward-thinking experts that buyers can trust. We want people to know that they can rely on us, that they can turn to us and that they can ask us anything. “There can be some stigma around shared ownership but we are on a mission to change that, and to show how fantastic it can be as an option – not just for first-time buyers but those who have already owned a home too. “When people discover shared ownership as an option and explore it further, we really do want them to ask themselves: ‘What would St Arthur do?’. We are confident that we have the answers that can help many onto or up the housing ladder, in a home they truly love.” For more information on the energy-efficient new homes provided by St Arthur Homes, visit starthurhomes.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FCC Environment is putting its quarry plant operators and managers through their paces with Finning training experts to improve fuel efficiencies and cut fuel burn. More than 30 FCC machine operators and plant managers have completed the Finning Eco-Drive™ operator training programme so far, which is part of a company-wide initiative called ‘Don’t Be Fuelish’. The campaign aims to crack down on machine idle time and minimise fuel burn, as well as improving CO2 emissions and reducing operating costs. Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® equipment and parts, launched its Eco-Drive™ operator training in 2009 aimed at refining operator skills to increase performance and crucially cut costs by giving operators the skills they need to better utilise the tools and technologies available in the equipment. Due to the popularity of the operator training, Finning recently added an Advanced Performance programme specifically aimed at managers and supervisors to enable them to better manage the fleet operations and deliver greater efficiency, safety, and productivity. Bill Stone, Group Plant Manager at FCC Environment, said: “We’ve been doing business with Finning for some time and enjoy a good working relationship with them. We started looking at all our operational data to identify how we can improve idle times – and vitally cut fuel costs – and the training delivered by Finning was an important part of that. “We’ve done four sessions of the operator training so far and feedback has been good. Many of our quarry operators have been with us for 10 years or more, but many of them don’t typically use the technology that is fitted as standard in new Cat machines which can save them time and fuel. The great thing was when they came out of the sessions, they were all fired up and telling other operators’ things they’d picked up – which was great. “I think they really appreciated the fact that they had the opportunity for one-to-one interaction with the trainer – who were on their level as former operators, so they really engaged with them. “I attended the advanced course for managers, and it was very good. For example, we learnt about the impact of using incorrect ground engaging tools and how this affects machine productivity.” The advanced course also addresses topics such as assessing and measuring equipment capability to optimise fuel usage, identifying inefficiencies as well as looking into best practice operating techniques and the fundamentals of machine application. Participants on the course develop their own site improvement plan, with the Finning team providing a follow-up review to provide any ongoing guidance and support. Bill adds: “We’ll never completely cut out zero idling, but this campaign and dedicated training with Finning experts helps the operators understand how much money is wasted in terms of fuel and repair and maintenance. Educating the managers so they understand the economic and environmental gains achieved by only having machines working when they’re needed is already yielding savings across the company.” Jonathan Davies, Finning UK & Ireland Industry Manager for Industrial & Waste and Paving, said: “When you’ve got a quarry working 2000 hours a year every penny counts, and you must make sure you get the best per cost per tonne. “While we can supply efficient and reliable machines, the greater the operator skill and efficiency the less wear and tear there is on the machine and fuel wastage and the greater the site efficiency.” Both the Eco-Drive™ Operator Training and Advanced Performance Training courses are Institute of Quarrying CPD accredited and are available from one of Finning UK & Irelands’ facilities, or group training can be delivered at a customer site. To find out more about Finning Eco-DriveTM Operator and Manager Training courses go to www.finning.com/en_GB/services/customer-training/operator-training.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AtkinsRéalis, a global design, engineering and project management company, has bolstered its major programme leadership team with the appointment of Rob Ewen as Strategic Programme Director for UK and Europe. Rob brings a wealth of experience to the business from a career spanning 40 years in industry, and will drive forward opportunities to develop AtkinsRéalis’ project delivery capabilities further – complementing its global design and engineering expertise. Drawing on his experience leading on some of the biggest engineering and infrastructure projects in the world, including the delivery of THE LINE at NEOM, Rob will focus on projects and programmes across key markets including transportation, energy and defence, as well as large-scale public sector property programmes. Having worked on major programmes such as the 2012 Olympics, the UK New Hospital Programme and Heathrow Expansion, Rob brings a strong focus on the industrialisation of design and delivery models, and the consequent potential for performance improvement of this industry at every level. He is passionate about improvement through data-empowered change and innovation, having previously chaired the delivery group of i3P. James Butler, managing director of Project and Programme Services at AtkinsRéalis, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Rob Ewen into this important role, with the vast range of experience he brings with him. “We are already taking a lead in delivering on major national infrastructure projects such as Sizewell C and HS2, and in sectors including education and transportation, where we are deploying a range of project and programme management services and digital tools. By doing so we are able to ensure better outcomes and provide improved visibility, control and predictability. “Rob will help to provide a strategic focus to our programme, building on the great work we’ve seen from our teams in the past few years and ensuring our clients are able to benefit from greater use of data and technology.” Rob Ewen added: “This is an exciting time to join AtkinsRéalis with a real sense of unity and renewed purpose following the recent re-brand. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience of working on nationally significant infrastructure projects and working in closer collaboration with delivery teams and supply chains to help realise AtkinsRéalis’ ambitious plans for global growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NBS’ 2023 Digital Construction Report shows strong appetite for emerging tech NBS, the platform for connected construction information, has revealed the results of its 2023 Digital Construction Report. Focusing on emerging tech and the industry’s approach to digital transformation, the report offers a snapshot of industry professionals’ various views and evolving opinions. One of the most hotly debated topics from this year’s study concerns the industry’s rate of tech adoption and whether it now excels in terms of digital expertise. Despite an overall rise in the use of digital technologies, nearly half (47%) are concerned the industry is behind the times. Moreover, 36% of respondents said they worry that they will be left behind when it comes to digital know-how. However, around a quarter (26%) believe this is an outdated view and is no longer the case, and that construction has finally found its ‘digital feet’. With such a divided split, it could suggest that ‘digitisation’ is more prominent in some areas of construction than others. Further wins for digital twins and off-site NBS also found that the use of digital twins has increased by 50% since 2021 from 16% to 25%. What’s more, just over half (55%) of those that use digital twins, do so to mirror construction from other projects and to create an ‘as-built model’. This could be evidence that building safety and efficiency is now taking precedence. Figures relating to the number of projects using elements of off-site construction also showed an uptick. Over half of professionals (57%) had been involved in a project that used MMC in the past twelve months. In 2021, this figure was hovering at around 50% so an upward trend is taking place. Suppliers were the most likely (70%) followed by contractors (63%) and consultants (58%). The increased uptake of off-site construction has also been reflected in project data from Glenigan. Its industry intelligence shows a value-adjusted percentage of 11% of new-build projects using MMC during the first nine months of 2023. Glenigan predicts further growth to this figure over the next few years, with nearly 9% of new-build projects securing detailed planning approval during the first nine months of 2023 involving an off-site element. Becoming Immersed The study also flagged a growing appetite for the use of immersive technologies, such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and MR (Mixed-Reality) which are playing an increasingly important role. More than one in three professionals (36%) are already using this type of technology and a further one in five (20%) plans to within the next three years. Overwhelmingly, its main use is for stakeholder engagement (74%), where upcoming or ongoing projects can be digitally generated to present detailed plans. However, for two in three users (62%), immersive tech offers a way to visualise design interfaces, so they can better understand how construction projects fit within existing surroundings. Just over a third (35%) use it for marketing purposes, particularly amongst suppliers (67%) who recognise its value when selling products and systems. Machine learning Interest in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning has also seen a sharp rise within the past year following the launch of ChatGPT and other algorithm-based language models. Looking back to 2020, two in five (38%) said they were unsure if their organisation was using it, of those who did, just 9% were using AI. Although the use of AI in construction is yet to take its grip (43% said they have no plans to use it), signs of early adopters are already visible. More than one in five (22%) have already adopted AI, and a similar number (20%) said they will do so within a year. Head in the clouds Eight in ten now also use a form of cloud computing as part of their daily workflow. While mainly in the form of storage, including Google Drive, OnePoll, DropBox, etc, the study revealed that over seven in ten use it to share documents and information with clients. Three-quarters (75%) also use it to collaborate with other team members, particularly on 3D models and specifications. Given the industry’s push towards the Golden Thread and focus on digital information management, it shows that the sector is making the essential investment to increase efficiency and reduce risk in the built environment. A point of interest within the report was that despite overall growth in the use of tech, opinions on whether the industry is still lagging behind others remain divided. Nearly half (47%) are still concerned the industry is behind the times when it comes to the adoption of digital technologies, but over a quarter believe it’s no longer the case. Speaking on this year’s report, David Bain, Research Manager at NBS, said: “It’s clear from the results that construction has ramped up digital adoption in recent years and is a far stride from where it was three years ago. “Looking ahead, it will be fascinating to see next year’s report as 2024 is shaping up to be big on AI and machine learning.” Russell Haworth, NBS CEO, added: “Looking at the evidence, we can see that construction is shaking off old and tired misconceptions and now relies on all manner of digital skills to produce building excellence. That said, there are still some areas for improvement and no doubt next year will bring further leaps in tech know-how and application.” Click here for the full report. 723 construction professionals took part in this year’s Digital Construction Survey, which included views from architects/engineers and other consultants, contractors, clients, and suppliers in the UK and beyond. Previously known as the NBS BIM Report, the study is a benchmark for changing attitudes towards tech adoption and new technologies.
Passivhaus is a low energy building standard which provides a framework for designing and building, comfortable and energy efficient homes. Adoption of the standard has been gathering pace in recent years, with more private and social housing developers recognising the ability of Passivhaus buildings to reduce fuel bills and decarbonise the built environment. With awareness of climate change gaining momentum, and more local authorities declaring climate emergencies and net zero targets, Passivhaus is becoming an increasingly vital tool for architects. Here, Adam Vaughan, Director and Certified Passivhaus Designer at JDDK Architects, explores how Passivhaus buildings work to push the boundaries of design, and make the built environment more sustainable. How does it work? Passivhaus addresses the ‘performance gap’ often seen in traditional builds, through a combination of accurate energy modelling, robust detailing and high-quality construction. Passivhaus Designers use a Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) to accurately model the performance of buildings, and to demonstrate that the Passivhaus criteria are met. There are several factors that need to be considered to deliver the Passivhaus standard cost effectively. What are the key principles of Passivhaus design? Orientation: One of the early design considerations is the orientation of the building. Passivhaus principles require architects to think about the path of the sun across a site to maximise solar gain, as well as what shade is needed in the warmer months. Looking through this lens, architects often place living rooms with bigger windows on the south elevation to make the most of any passive solar gain from the low winter sun and provide external shading to prevent overheating in summer. Form factor: The next consideration is form factor which is a measure of how compact a building is. Heat is lost from external walls, roofs, and floors, and more compact buildings have relatively lower heat loss areas. Terraces and apartment blocks can often have a lower ‘form factor’ which means we can reduce how much extra insulation is needed. Optimising a building’s orientation and form factor early in the design process can help to deliver Passivhaus cost effectively. Air tightness and ventilation: The airtight building envelope of a Passivhaus means that heat loss is minimised, and cold draughts are avoided. To further reduce energy use, Passivhaus buildings always have a ventilation unit (MVHR) to provide a constant supply of fresh air and to recover heat from exhaust air. This system ensures excellent indoor air quality, and because the (triple glazed) windows don’t need to be opened for fresh air, Passivhaus homes are typically quieter too Quality assurance: Many people don’t realise that Passivhaus is also a quality standard. Projects are independently certified, and there is a rigorous checking process which continues through the design and construction phases. What are the challenges? One of the main challenges when designing a Passivhaus building is meeting the high standards. Due to the focus on energy efficiency, a lot of consideration goes into minimising the energy lost through the junctions between two parts of the building fabric called thermal bridges. Once the heat loss from these thermal bridges is added together, this can significantly impact the energy efficiency of a building. However, Certified Passivhaus Designers can carry out thermal bridge calculations using thermal bridge modelling software to help mitigate the impacts. This isn’t just useful for Passivhaus projects either – building regulations now require thermal bridges to be modelled, albeit to a lower standard. A Passivhaus project requires more ‘upfront’ design, with key decisions made earlier in the process than many designers are used to. This means that stakeholders in the project team who provide technical input, like Engineers and Architectural Technicians, will likely need to be involved at an early stage. It’s also vital to appoint and liaise with the Passivhaus Certifier as soon as possible. What impact will it have? The adoption of the Passivhaus standard across the built environment will play a key role in reducing carbon emissions from building stock, including from existing buildings where the Passivhaus Retrofit (EnerPhit) standard is applied. Occupants will benefit from excellent levels of thermal comfort and indoor air quality, alongside lower fuel bills. Landlords will also benefit from higher quality buildings with better longevity. Passivhaus, and the principles it promotes, offers a tried and tested solution to some of the challenges our society is currently facing. To learn more about the impact of Passivhaus design, watch this video or read the latest edition of Millmount News. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s leading manufacturer of plasterboard and plaster-based drylining systems has announced that all of its systems have now been awarded the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) mark. Earlier this year, British Gypsum announced that its non-loadbearing metal stud plasterboard partition systems, including shaft wall, had become one of the first products on the UK market to carry the CCPI mark. Now six product sets have been validated by CCPI, a method developed by the Construction Products Association’s (CPA) Marketing Integrity Group to provide assurance that the product information is clear, accurate, accessible, up-to-date and unambiguous. The six product sets listed cover 23 British Gypsum systems, incorporating 300 products. The six product sets are: non-loadbearing metal stud plasterboard partition systems, including shaft wall; non-loadbearing ceiling systems; structural steel encasement systems; ceiling systems below loadbearing timber joist floors; non-loadbearing wall lining systems and proprietary and non-proprietary lining systems incorporating Gypsum products, such as GypLyner Xternal, linings for timber frames and plastering systems. Dave Robinson, Head of Technical Support at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, which includes British Gypsum, Celotex and Isover, said: “We’re proud to be working proactively with the CCPI and welcomed the initiative with open arms and were keen to be one of the first to get involved. “In essence, it provides a benchmark for manufacturers and signifies to customers that the product information they’re receiving is trustworthy and adheres to the high standards set out by the CCPI.” Dave, who sat on the CPA’s Marketing Integrity Group, added: “In working with CCPI there was very little difference with what we were doing already. We have always set great store by our data integrity and we ensure that our test data is shared openly and transparently, as evidenced by the fact that we have been publishing the White Book for more than half a century.” In order to ensure a ‘single source of truth’ for its test data, British Gypsum created a sophisticated Product Information Management (PIM) system, which includes 13,000 test reports, with drylining system tests carried out at the independent, UKAS-accredited Building Test Centre. The PIM system means test data is always up to date, which is why British Gypsum took the decision to stop printing the White Book, making it digital to ensure accurate, timely and accessible data. Dave added: “As the construction industry adapts to a new and improved building safety regime, we hope our partners within the industry and the wider sector join us in securing CCPI accreditation and taking responsibility for building better and safer.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New figures released today saw over 3,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from £1.3bn worth of business from Network Rail, with SMEs making up a record 75 percent of Network Rail’s supplier base. In November 2019, Network Rail set out its SME action plan, making it easier for small to medium-sized organisations to do business and increasing the number of tendering opportunities. In the last financial year (2022/23), out of the 4,130 suppliers directly contracted by Network Rail, 3,107 suppliers – 75 percent – were SMEs. Clive Berrington, Network Rail’s Group Commercial & Procurement director, said: “Small and medium-sized businesses make a big contribution to the rail network, and we remain committed to offering them opportunities to work on the railway. “The UK rail network is the lifeblood of the country and vital to moving people and freight around. By supporting SMEs to work on the railway, we increase competition and drive down costs while also increasing efficiency, creativity, and innovation. “We know there is more we can do to further support SMEs and during 2024, we will review and refresh our SME action plan and share it with industry.” The Government set out a target for Network Rail to spend 33 percent of its third-party expenditure with SMEs. In the last financial year, the total spend was 34.9 percent, with £1.305bn directly spent with SMEs, and indirectly it was £1.665bn via Network Rail’s tier-one suppliers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
