The latest research from London’s largest lettings and sales estate agent, Foxtons, has revealed that just over a year on from the mini budget responsible for the declining health of the property market, the capital has turned a corner, with an uplift in activity helping to restimulate the market. The
A University of Nottingham academic has played an instrumental role in the creation of a standard that empowers building owners, operators, and professionals to proactively protect indoor environments as we enter the winter virus season. ASHRAE, leader in the development of guidance for safeguarding public health, has created Standard 241,
A new webshop has been opened by window and door frame sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie to provide UK customers with rapid and easy access to products, installation information and orders 24/7. Accessible via an office PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device, the versatile webshop – available via ISO-Chemie’s web portal
The final phase of an ambitious 18-month project to refurbish the renowned Warburg Institute in Woburn Square, central London started in September 2023. The institute has been part of the University of London since 1944 and is one of the world’s leading centres for research and teaching on the interaction
Midlands’ Architectural Practice of the Year, rg+p Ltd has announced the appointment of a new studio director for Birmingham. Jack Whitehead has become the practice’s youngest current director, assuming responsibility for rg+p’s continued growth in the West Midlands, where current projects include: “Birmingham has a vibrant and thriving property
Coventry University has been ranked as a Gold Tier University thanks to its green credentials which include renewable installations on campus, such as solar panels, solar thermal, and a ground source heat pump. The Uswitch Green University Report 2023 considers Coventry University to be a leader in sustainability, with the
Two major international real estate firms have joined forces to develop and sell 259 new apartments across two new buildings at Elephant Park in Zone One of central London. Lendlease and Daiwa House announced the new joint venture yesterday (26 October) at an on-site ground-breaking ceremony marking the start of
Scheme Will Complete Conversion of Office Park to 100% Residential Under PDR Addington Capital, the property investment and asset management specialist and its investor partner ICG have started work on the final phase of their Headingley Park residential scheme. An additional 70 new residential units will be created at Stockdale
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dandara is donating £50 for every home reserved in October in its divisions across the UK to Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink campaign. The independent housebuilder is taking part in the annual fundraising campaign which has raised over £39m since it began in 2001
PRESSURE on public sector buildings has been dominating the news over the past six months, with a report analysing whether modern methods of construction (MMC) are helping or hindering projects reach successful outcomes. In a survey conducted by leading independent property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard, key questions were
The latest research from London’s largest lettings and sales estate agent, Foxtons, has revealed that just over a year on from the mini budget responsible for the declining health of the property market, the capital has turned a corner, with an uplift in activity helping to restimulate the market. The research by Foxtons analysed the health of the London market since the mini budget in September 2022, the impact it had and how the market has bounced back in recent months. The latest full monthly transaction data for March of this year shows that sales have once again started to rise, climbing to 5,060 from the market low witnessed in February – an 11% month on month increase. Harrow has seen the sharpest return to form, with transaction levels up 43.4%, followed by Kensington and Chelsea (+42.9%) and Redbridge (42.9%). Sellers are also returning to the fold, with the number of homes listed for sale hitting 101,457 in September of this year, marking a full return to pre-mini budget market conditions, with every borough seeing an increase in stock for sale versus the previous low seen in March of this year. Mini budget impact on house price The research shows that the average London house price* had been climbing steadily in the run up to the mini budget, increasing by 1% between July and September 2022. However, in the months that followed, it fell by -4.2% to a low of £520,961 in March of this year. The biggest declines were seen across the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea (-11.2%), Brent (-8.7%) and Islington (-6.9%), while just four boroughs avoided a mini budget induced market downturn – Tower Hamlets, Hounslow, Greenwich and Havering. Drop in sales stock Further analysis by Foxtons* shows that this drop in London house prices was driven by a two pronged reduction in both available stock and buyer appetite. In September of last year, there were just shy of 100,000 homes listed for sale across the London market. This fell to a low of 86,291 homes listed for sale by January 2023 and by March, total stock levels still sat some way off pre-mini budget levels at just 89,279. Again, Islington ranked as one of the worst hit boroughs, with sale stock falling by -19.1% between September 2022 and March 2023. Waltham Forest and Lambeth also saw reductions of -19%. Transactional decline But it wasn’t just a reduction in seller activity that impacted the market, internal data from Foxtons shows that there was a decline in buyer interest, with buyer applications falling by -46% between September and October 2022.* Further research by Foxtons also shows that some 8,311 property sales completed in September 2022*, the third consecutive month that London transaction levels had exceeded the 8,000 threshold. Following the mini budget, this figure fell consistently every month, hitting a low of 4,531 homes sold in February of this year. Signs of the London market revival However, the research by Foxtons suggests that the London market has now turned the corner. Foxtons internal data shows that buyer applicant levels have increased by 27% between September of this year and October, with October 2023 also seeing 69% more applicants versus October 2022, with this number expected to increase further by the end of the month.* The latest full monthly transaction data for March of this year shows that sales have once again started to rise, climbing to 5,060 from the market low witnessed in February – an 11% month on month increase. Harrow has seen the sharpest return to form, with transaction levels up 43.4%, followed by Kensington and Chelsea (+42.9%) and Redbridge (42.9%). Sellers are also returning to the fold, with the number of homes listed for sale hitting 101,457 in September of this year, marking a full return to pre-mini budget market conditions, with every borough seeing an increase in stock for sale versus the previous low seen in March of this year. Foxtons CEO, Guy Gittins, commented: “There’s no doubt that the government’s mini budget caused an almost immediate decline in property market health and this impact reverberated across the entire country. This was no different across the London market, where months of otherwise steady momentum in stock levels and buyer activity were slowed by the uncertainty and market nervousness the mini budget brought. The good news is that we certainly seem to have turned a corner and across the capital, stock levels have returned to pre-mini budget norms. At Foxtons, we’ve seen a 26% year on year increase in new sales instructions. So it’s reassuring to see that London’s sellers have placed their trust in us during these tough times, helping us to regain our position as London’s number 1 estate agency in the process*, while the data also suggests that the capital’s buyers have now emerged from their mini-budget boltholes in order to transact. As a result, the market is largely expected to finish on a positive note by the end of the year and this growing market sentiment should only be strengthened by the Bank of England’s decision to freeze interest rates in September.” You can view the full data tables online here. *House price and transaction data sourced from the Gov – UK House Price Index (July 2023 – latest available) Transaction data based on March latest as volume figures for the most recent months are deemed not yet reliable for reporting. Foxtons buyer applicant numbers based on the number of buyers applying to purchase a property and based on the monthly totals seen in September and October 2022, versus September and October 2023. Note – October data not yet fully matured. For sale stock levels sourced from Rightmove. Source of Foxton’s position as London’s number 1 estate agent sourced from TwentyCI data, H1 2023 v H1 2022 market share and market share growth of New Instructions at a brand level. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A University of Nottingham academic has played an instrumental role in the creation of a standard that empowers building owners, operators, and professionals to proactively protect indoor environments as we enter the winter virus season. ASHRAE, leader in the development of guidance for safeguarding public health, has created Standard 241, which establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of airborne aerosol transmissions, which cause viruses like flu or Covid-19, and other bacteria in buildings. Ben Jones, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, alongside research fellow Chris Iddon, were selected out of more than a hundred applicants from across the world to work on the modelling and underpinning of the standard that will help design the places of tomorrow. Ben said: “Standard 241 tells building operators how much clean air they should deliver to control infectious aerosols, and we are the people behind those numbers. We made tens of thousands of calculations using a mathematical model of infection risk that considers how many people there might be in a building, how much virus they may collectively emit and, therefore, how much virus uninfected occupants might inhale. “This isn’t the first time we’ve used this type of model, having supported the UK government, Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers, and the Chilean Government during the pandemic. However, to be involved in the creation of the first standard of its kind that’s going to help solve real world challenges is something I’m incredibly proud of.” The standard was commissioned by the White House and completed in just 116 days using a process that would usually take around four years. It provides comprehensive guidance for systems that control the spread of infectious aerosols and recommendations for ventilation rates, filtration, and air cleaning technology, as well as a building readiness plan that documents procedures for assessing existing or new HVAC systems to ensure they’re working effectively. In a press release issued about Standard 241, 2023-23 ASHRAE’s Ginger Scoggins, stated: “The importance of improved indoor air quality and ventilation became topics of mainstream concern during the pandemic and ASHRAE remained committed to prioritising the health and well-being of building occupants. Standard 241 is a blueprint for building designers, owners, and operators with long-term benefits. With winter virus season approaching, mitigating the spread of airborne infections will be of even greater importance and incorporating the guidance in Standard 241 can be a major step forward in addressing clean air flow goals.” For more information on ASHRAE Standard 241, including related resources, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new webshop has been opened by window and door frame sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie to provide UK customers with rapid and easy access to products, installation information and orders 24/7. Accessible via an office PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device, the versatile webshop – available via ISO-Chemie’s web portal – enables customers to browse and place online orders and review their purchasing history. It also opens up access to CAD file downloads as well as extensive application information and specification detail on the company’s range of foam tape sealants and associated products, including BIM services. Products can be viewed and ordered at the touch of a button via an interactive display to save time and ensure selection accuracy. Associated documents are also available for downloading and viewing while orders can be tracked. In addition, ISO-Chemie offers planning, calculation and installation tools via its ISO-PORTAL. Specification documents, training videos and BIM-ready object data for products are also available to support designers and architects. The ISO-Chemie webshop is part of a package of added value customer support services said UK sales and operations manager Andy Swift, who added: “With our digital service we offer our customers the best possible support in planning and implementing their construction projects. For us, this requires an efficient customer-focused ordering process.” Register at www.iso-chemie.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The final phase of an ambitious 18-month project to refurbish the renowned Warburg Institute in Woburn Square, central London started in September 2023. The institute has been part of the University of London since 1944 and is one of the world’s leading centres for research and teaching on the interaction of ideas, images and society. Leading contractor Quinn London is working with architects Haworth Tompkins to realise the vision to renovate and expand the long-neglected building, which was designed in 1958 by architect Charles Holden. The building is being refurbished and extended to secure its future, provide more space and make it more accessible to the public. The institute has a rich history. Pioneering historian Aby Warburg, the eldest son of one of Europe’s great banking families, founded a private library in Hamburg in 1900. He famously made a deal with his younger brother to forfeit his right to take over the family firm, provided that his brother would provide him with all the books he ever needed. When the Nazis rose to power in 1933, the vast library was relocated to England and today is the only institution saved from Nazi Germany to survive intact. The current library holds 360,000 volumes of books and a photographic collection of more than 400,000 images. The three-phase project started in July 2022 and completion is estimated for early 2024. In the first two phases, the four upper floors were refurbished and areas opened out to accommodate the growing library over the next 20 years. Existing materials were used wherever possible and features including doors, joinery and skirtings were retained to maintain the ambience of the original building. Essential repairs were also made to the façade, roof and services. The institute has remained open to the public throughout the project and the books in the library remained on site. Close communication with the institute ensured these valuable assets were protected and minimised disruption by setting fixed ‘noisy times’ for the works. The current phase involves redesigning the ground and lower ground floors. A new extension is being built in the existing courtyard to house a 140-seat lecture theatre above a new reading room for the archive and photographic collection, together with a new and improved exhibition space. The concrete frame of the extension has been especially challenging, as Alex Butt, site manager at Quinn London explains: “The architects set an extremely high bar for the visual impact of the concrete frame. As concrete is extremely difficult to control it took many meetings to decide the best type of concrete to use. We settled on self-compacting concrete for its ability to flow under its own weight and to fill the formwork completely with no need for vibration. The sharp lines for the frame and columns were very tricky to achieve, but we are all very pleased with the result which delivers the required aesthetic impact.” A standout feature of the expanded lecture theatre is a large concrete elliptical lantern on the soffit, around a metre in depth, which features both internally and externally. The design echoes a structure in the original library in Hamburg, but is expressed in a modern form. The ellipse was an important symbol for Warburg, representing concepts of freedom, and links between thought and research. Quinn London has also replaced the external fire escape stairs with a new steel powder-coated staircase which rises seven storeys from the courtyard to top of the building. At 25 metres high and weighing more than 7.8 tonnes, it was no mean feat to lift the staircase over the building and drop it into the small courtyard space below. The works are restoring a tired building into a superb modern space that honours Aby Warburg’s vision and will inspire the public for many years to come.
Midlands’ Architectural Practice of the Year, rg+p Ltd has announced the appointment of a new studio director for Birmingham. Jack Whitehead has become the practice’s youngest current director, assuming responsibility for rg+p’s continued growth in the West Midlands, where current projects include: “Birmingham has a vibrant and thriving property sector encompassing impressive regeneration and infrastructure projects that are creating diverse opportunities to transform the urban fabric,” said Jack. “The city itself boasts a dynamic blend of historic charm and modern innovation, which from an architectural perspective is exciting as it allows for experimentation and evolution. As the newly appointed studio director for Birmingham, I’m inspired about the possibilities this presents. I am actively seeking to strengthen and expand our local connections, enabling us to continue making tangible contributions that transform the cityscape.” Jack’s career with rg+p commenced in 2018 when he joined as a Part I Architectural Assistant in the practice’s Leicester studio. For his Part II placement, Jack moved to Birmingham, where alongside acting as project lead he also began assisting with day-to-day management. Jack’s leadership, attention to detail and determination has not only helped his career develop, but also led to him receiving various accolades during his training. Most notably, these include nominations for the RIBA Silver Medal and AJ student award, and being awarded the Stanley Cox prize for best overall performance in the Diploma Professional Practice at Cardiff University, an honour Jack believes was pivotal in securing the studio director position. Jack adds: “The Stanley Cox prize highlights my dedication to maintaining high standards and has laid robust groundwork for guiding the team in Birmingham. Having risen through the ranks, I know firsthand how supportive and inclusive rg+p’s work culture is together with the proactive investment the company takes to ensure its employees advance and excel. This is something I am committed to continuing in Birmingham. Through my role as a guest lecturer at both Nottingham Trent and Cardiff Universities, I can share knowledge with the next generation and ensure a pipeline of talent for rg+p.” rg+p’s director, James Badley has mentored Jack since his first day. James comments: “Jack very quickly established himself as one to watch. His professional work demonstrates a creative flair, which was backed up by his academic success. Since relocating to Birmingham in 2021, Jack has worked hard to integrate himself with the region’s property industry and is a regular supporter of events organised by Colmore BID, RAC, FBE and BAA, so will be a familiar face to many. “We’re confident Jack has the right balance of commercial awareness, connections and energy to lead the expansion of our Birmingham studio and look forward to a bright future for him and our business.” Established in 2019, rg+p’s Birmingham studio is located just off the prestigious Colmore Row. Currently comprising a team of five including architectural and QS specialists, Jack is looking to recruit additional architects, architectural technologists and project managers. Visit https://www.rg-p.co.uk/careers for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Coventry University has been ranked as a Gold Tier University thanks to its green credentials which include renewable installations on campus, such as solar panels, solar thermal, and a ground source heat pump. The Uswitch Green University Report 2023 considers Coventry University to be a leader in sustainability, with the Gold Tier standard reserved for excellent performing universities. Coventry University boasts 14 electric vehicles as part of its fleet, including 13 electric vans and one car and is also on a renewable energy tariff for its electricity. Ian Marshall, Coventry University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, said: “It is very pleasing to be ranked as a Gold Tier University as it reflects the sustained and ongoing effort of our staff and students. “While it can be challenging given the age of some of the campus and the distribution of university buildings in mainly city centre locations, being a sustainable campus is something we are passionate about and we have recently completed a substantial planning exercise to look at what would be required to move to a net carbon zero institution by the end of the current planning period of 2030. “As part of this plan we have identified the key elements required to achieve net carbon zero and to improve sustainability while making a greener environment for staff, students and stakeholders.” The university also employs a team who are responsible for managing and coordinating sustainable development across the campuses and someone to oversee the implementation of green practices. The university offers sustainability workshops to both students and staff and runs eco-friendly initiatives such as biodiversity. Ben Gallizzi, Uswitch.com energy expert, said: “From simple measures, such as choosing to receive their energy through renewable energy tariffs and offering recycling facilities, to implementing their own electric car fleets and installing renewable energy sources on campus. UK universities are approaching a greener way of being in a multifaceted way, understanding that every little helps when it comes to reducing carbon emissions.” This is not the first time Coventry University has been recognised for its positive steps towards reducing carbon emissions as it recently won the prestigious Bees’ Needs Champions Award for its dedication to creating a biodiverse campus which consists of “bug hotels”, and bird, and bat boxes, among other measures. About Coventry University Coventry University is a global, modern university with a mission of creating better futures. We were founded by entrepreneurs and industrialists in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design and we continue to work with businesses to ensure we provide job-ready graduates with the skills and creative thinking to improve their communities. With a proud tradition of innovative teaching and learning, Coventry University is now one of the largest in the UK and has world-class campus facilities, the UK’s first standalone 5G network and a digital community of learning. Our students are part of a global network that has 50,000 learners studying Coventry University degrees in more than 40 different countries and partnerships with 150 higher education providers worldwide. Over two centuries, we have flourished in our home city and Coventry University Group now also delivers access to our range of high-quality services and partnerships through bases in London, Scarborough, Belgium, Poland, Egypt, Dubai, Singapore and Africa. From September 2023, we will be teaching students at a new campus in China in a joint institution with Communication University of China. We have greatly increased our research capacity and capability with a focus on impactful research, delivered for and with partners to address real-world challenges and support the sustainable growth of business and communities. The depth and breadth of our rapidly growing research portfolio was validated by the latest UK research assessment, which saw us jump 22 places in the research power rankings. We were awarded a Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, proving we deliver excellence in what students care most about – teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies. In 2022, we were honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade, the UK’s most prestigious business award. In recent years, we have won many awards and vastly improved our rankings in the league tables that matter to students – but what matters to us is delivering transformational change for our students, partners and communities around the world as we continue to evolve into a global education group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two major international real estate firms have joined forces to develop and sell 259 new apartments across two new buildings at Elephant Park in Zone One of central London. Lendlease and Daiwa House announced the new joint venture yesterday (26 October) at an on-site ground-breaking ceremony marking the start of construction. Daiwa House is one of Japan’s largest home builders and property developers, with over sixty years of experience and is renowned for a focus on sustainability. This joint venture with Lendlease is the first time that Daiwa House has been involved in the development and sale of new homes in the United Kingdom. Lendlease is a global real estate group, headquartered in Sydney. The Australian firm will develop and construct the new homes, which have an end value of circa £250m and retain a 25 per cent interest in the project, which will be the final stage of residential development at Elephant Park. The announcement builds on a strong working relationship between the two organisations. They have already partnered on the delivery of a 41-storey mixed use building in Manhattan; and recently began work on a build-to-rent apartment development in Melbourne. Lendlease’s European Chief Executive, Andrea Ruckstuhl, said: “This deal is a significant vote of confidence in the property market in the United Kingdom. We’re very pleased to be able to bring Japanese investment here and it’s another illustration of the desire that international investors have for high quality opportunities across our global pipeline of projects.” At Elephant Park Lendlease is creating thousands of high-quality new homes in a vibrant part of central London alongside new jobs, restaurants, cafes, business opportunities and a new park. It is just a short walk from London Underground and Thameslink stations, allowing residents to head to the West End, City or Canary Wharf within 15 minutes. Residents of the new buildings will be able to enjoy a communal gym, elevated garden, SkyLounge, 24-hour concierge service and cycle storage. Residents are expected to be able to move in from mid-2026. The British Government’s Minister for Investment, Lord Johnson, said: “Real estate is hugely important for UK inward investment, supporting thousands of British jobs in our construction and property services industries as well as their huge supply chains. “Having just visited Japan to meet with investors, I know how excited they are to invest in more UK projects because of the huge potential for growth that we offer. The partnership between Lendlease and Daiwa House is yet further proof of this, and I wish them every success.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scheme Will Complete Conversion of Office Park to 100% Residential Under PDR Addington Capital, the property investment and asset management specialist and its investor partner ICG have started work on the final phase of their Headingley Park residential scheme. An additional 70 new residential units will be created at Stockdale House; the fifth and largest building on the site. Headingley Park is an office to residential conversion scheme in which four office buildings have already been converted to create 152 residential units. This final phase of 70 units at the fifth building, Stockdale House, will take the overall development to 222 units. Work has started following the NHS vacating the offices in the building. Stockdale House is being converted under the last major PD Prior Approval issued in Leeds and the new units will be provided over ground and five upper floors. The scheme is designed to meet current space standards and will be completed in Q3 2024. The Headingley Park development has proved attractive to young professionals and post graduate students in Leeds, due to being close to the City Centre and the University, in a large 6.5-acre parkland setting. Individual buildings provide 30 to 40 units which are predominantly studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. The conversion has been well received by renters to date, with the completed phases being 100% let and achieving rents of £900 and £1,275 pcm for one- and two-bedroom apartments. Headingley Park is currently ranked, “The best place to live in Leeds” by HomeViews. The scheme has a residents’ lounge, co working area and large landscaped gardens. Martin Roberts Principal of Addington Capital said, “We are delighted to be underway with the conversion of Stockdale House. The 70 high quality apartments will have spectacular views across the City and meet the growing need of today’s renters in Leeds.” “The Stockdale House development completes the conversion of Headingley Park from an in-town office park to a 100% residential development. We believe that this is an exemplar for Permitted Development conversion of offices to residential and a road map for future schemes.” He continued, “Given the falling demand for offices and the increased costs of making those properties energy efficient, we believe a relaxation of the size limit of new PD conversion, (currently up to 1,500 sq. m), would be a fast way to increase the supply of much needed residential from brownfield sites, with a low embedded carbon solution.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dandara is donating £50 for every home reserved in October in its divisions across the UK to Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink campaign. The independent housebuilder is taking part in the annual fundraising campaign which has raised over £39m since it began in 2001 and helps fund Breast Cancer Now’s world-class research and life-changing services. It is organised by Breast Cancer Now, whose mission is to make sure that by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives, and is supported to live well. Dandara staff took part in a range of activities to mark wear it pink day on 20th of October 2023. Kinie Kaur, wear it pink Manager from Breast Cancer Now, commented: “We want to say a huge thank you to Dandara for supporting wear it pink this October. Every year around 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. But by wearing pink and raising money on 20 October, supporters like Dandara are helping to drive forward research and give life-changing support to those affected by this relentless disease.” Trevor Dempsey, Dandara CEO, said: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK with one woman diagnosed every ten minutes and helping find better ways of treating the illness and improving the quality of life for those who are living with it is vitally important. It would be wonderful if it becomes an illness that it is treatable within our lifetimes, so no-one else has to lose a partner, a mother, a friend, brother or a sister to this horrible disease.” Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink day is one of the biggest and brightest fundraising events in the UK. To find out more go to: www.wearitpink.org or https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/blogs/wear-it-pink-back/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PRESSURE on public sector buildings has been dominating the news over the past six months, with a report analysing whether modern methods of construction (MMC) are helping or hindering projects reach successful outcomes. In a survey conducted by leading independent property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard, key questions were put to its multi-disciplinary connections including clients, consultants and contractors around their experiences with MMC. The uptake of such practices is clear, with 85% of those surveyed having actively used a modern method as part of a project, and 80% also expecting to see utilisation to increase over the next five years. Highlights of the Q4 Market Intelligence Report also revealed the potential impact of the new Building Safety Act Gateway 2, which came into effect in October 2023. 80% of contractors have reported they see it as either ‘affecting’ or ‘maybe affecting’ programmes and procurement for MMC builds. Kieran Bradley, director at Pick Everard, said: “By giving a voice to the construction industry through this survey, we have been able to supply insight around how MMC is viewed directly from those actually utilising such methods. It’s clear there are huge benefits particularly when addressing the challenges of the public sector, such as overcrowded prisons and aging schools and other public buildings that have become structurally unsafe due to RAAC – but is it always the right option? “An interesting breakdown in the results relates to improvement in the quality of buildings using MMC. There is a marked different between the views of contractors, with 92% citing an overall improvement, compared with a lower figure for consultants (72%) and clients (67%).” “This may be attributable to these parties’ specific roles in delivering projects. In some instances, MMC can prove to be too complicated, or the site might just be too small to use cranes. In other cases, it can be down to the actual scheme. Add to this the need to pay an upfront fee and immediate design approvals puts many at a significant disadvantage if changes need to be made later on.” In addition, the report also explores the ongoing inflation and interest rate situation and the impact on the construction sector regarding demand for work, wages and skills shortages. Gavin Mason, director at Pick Everard, said: “Despite the figures falling, we are also still facing high inflation rates, which is only adding to the pressure for our public sector clients and how we respond to that from our industry. The government has pledged to halve inflation by the end of the year, from when it peaked at more than 11% at the end of 2022. While there is promising movement in some regions, nationally demand is still in decline. “From our construction survey, we predict construction inflation will slow to a rate of 2.5% per annum, based on current demand in the property sector for new work and an assessment of capacity within the industry. When asked about what the biggest contribution to inflation has been, we found the majority (45%) of participants believe wage inflation has been the main factor. We can therefore see where part of the challenge lies when looking at the labour gap, with a shortage of around 45,000 skilled workers according to the, which we believe vocational training is essential in combatting.” Factoring this in when looking at the potential for MMC is potentially where some of the results came from regarding the downsides to its utilisation. In addition to the increased upfront costs (32%), and programming issues (24%), the market research has found that future flexibility and design change (31%) to be the biggest challenges of using MMC. Interestingly, design compliance (13%) and quality of the finished article (0%) weren’t seen as so challenging (graph 3). However, the report also aims to look ahead to how MMC could be improved, and more opportunities revealed for the sector to make the most of its advantages. Kieran added: “When we asked people what one change to MMC would improve its uptake, three key themes were returned; education, early integration and flexibility. Enhancing a more rounded understanding of the process and the appropriate use for MMC was a view held by the majority of respondents and one that we echo. “Supporting the sector through knowledge sharing, such as this report, is integral to our goals of a collaborated approach and supporting the sector through the next quarter and throughout 2024. We feel positive inflation rates will level out over the course of the next year, and hopefully bring back more investment and opportunity for our industry.” Pick Everard employs more than 650 staff across its 15 offices, providing a range of project, cost, and design consultancy services. To read the Q4 2023 Market Intelligence Report in full, visit https://landing.pickeverard.co.uk/Downloads/Pick-Everard-Q4-2023-Market-Intelligence.pdf Further details on Pick Everard can be found at: http://www.pickeverard.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals