Phase One of Salboy’s flagship mixed-use scheme, Viadux, reaches highest point, along with Victoria House, Salboy’s Ancoats-based development Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has ‘topped out’ at two of its largest residential sites to date, both of which will bring hundreds of new homes to central
Honeywell’s Connected Power, one of the first fully integrated commercial solutions for monitoring and controlling plug-in power, has been named a winner at this year’s Energy Awards in the Physical Technology category. Coming at a time when energy consumption is among the top priorities for businesses across the UK, the
Artisan Real Estate to Progress Plans for 289 New Homes, Commercial Space and Riverside Park Ambitious proposals to demolish a vacant office complex on the edge of the Salts Mill World Heritage Site in Saltaire, Shipley and replace it with a vibrant and sustainable residential quarter and riverside park have been
Detailed designs for seven new, prestigious HQ buildings which total 212,030 sq ft (19,698 sq m) and will be built at Bicester Motion’s new Innovation Quarter have been given the green light by Cherwell District Council. Bicester Motion is a 444-acre former RAF site acquired in 2013 in the heart
HelloParks was named as the Best Warehouse and Industrial Developer and Best BTS Developer of the Year at the CRE Awards for the real estate industry. HelloParks, member of the Futureal Group, came first in two separate categories at the awards organised by EuropaProperty for the fifth time. HelloParks is
New research from Fair Fix, the boiler engineer experts, reveals that the carbon footprint caused by heating homes in England has increased by as much as 5.9% across some areas of the nation. Fair Fix has estimated the amount of carbon emissions created by heating England’s homes in 2021 and
As part of its commitment to upskilling the next generation, McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), has welcomed four new interns to its construction division, helping young individuals to gain valuable experience and strengthen their skill set. Apprentice planner, Tommy Bordicott; trainee quantity surveyor, Robbie Yusuf; trainee quantity surveyor Ellie Marnell
As part of the University of Kent’s annual ‘Employability Festival’ (9th – 20th October 2023), local housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes delivered a talk on ‘Building a Career in Construction’ at the Canterbury campus. The housebuilder, who is building new homes at Saxon Fields in Thanington and The Woodlands in
THE NEW Nottingham Central Library is one step closer to opening its doors following the completion of a stunning interior fit out and refurbishment by Overbury. Putting children and young people at the heart of its design, the new library, which is owned by Nottingham City Council, includes an immersive storytelling wall and
Geospatial leader Murphy Geospatial, is launching a bespoke mobile-mapping technology to support faster and more accurate geospatial data capture in the built environment. The eye-catching vehicle, called GeoDrive, can easily capture up to 100km of geospatial survey data in just one day. In a world where the sustainability and maintenance
Phase One of Salboy’s flagship mixed-use scheme, Viadux, reaches highest point, along with Victoria House, Salboy’s Ancoats-based development Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has ‘topped out’ at two of its largest residential sites to date, both of which will bring hundreds of new homes to central Manchester buyers and tenants. Both towers were designed by renowned local architects Simpson Haugh to celebrate the best that city centre living has to offer to Manchester’s increasingly young, professional and international population. Together with its dedicated construction partner, DOMIS, Salboy has reached the highest point on the 40-storey residential tower that forms the major part of Phase One at Viadux, Salboy’s largest and most ambitious mixed-use development to date. Once complete, the Viadux tower will be home to residents spread across its 385 spacious one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses. All residents will have access to some of the city’s most modern and desired amenities including elevated terrace gardens, gym, private lounge, bar and cinema, and will find themselves in easy walking distance from city-centre living and multiple transport links. Victoria House, a scheme developed in partnership with Forshaw Group, is a 25-storey tower that will bring 177 new homes to Piccadilly Central, one of Manchester’s most lively, young and in-demand inner-city neighbourhoods. Combining a community park, co-working spaces, residents’ lounge and gym, Victoria House is targeted at young professionals forging their careers in Manchester. Construction schedules remain on track with practical completion expected on both sites by Q2 2024. As Manchester continues to attract considerable, above-average demand for quality housing, approximately 95% of properties in both schemes have already been sold. Simon Ismail, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “Topping out on any development is always an exciting moment. It’s an important opportunity to celebrate what’s come before to get to this point, and a chance to really get a sense of the scale and size of the finished scheme to come. To top out on two schemes on target and on budget at the same time is doubly thrilling. Manchester’s young, vibrant community deserves high quality spaces to enjoy and make their homes in, and we’re excited to deliver two more of these to them in the not-so-distant future.” This news follows the recent announcement from Salboy that groundworks have commenced on Waterhouse Gardens, another major central Manchester scheme located on the site of the former Boddingtons Brewery. The development will bring 556 new homes aimed at young professionals and students to a regenerated area and is scheduled to complete by Q2 2026. Additionally in early October, Salboy and its joint venture partner Relentless Developments revealed that their £400 million St Michael’s development will be home to the W Manchester Hotel and W Manchester Residences after striking a luxury branding agreement with global hotel business Marriott International. Carmen Ching, Head of Sales at Salboy adds: “Salboy and DOMIS’s track record for delivering high quality residential projects for Manchester has proven popular with buyers. It’s great to see both Viadux and Victoria House on track for completion in 2024.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Honeywell’s Connected Power, one of the first fully integrated commercial solutions for monitoring and controlling plug-in power, has been named a winner at this year’s Energy Awards in the Physical Technology category. Coming at a time when energy consumption is among the top priorities for businesses across the UK, the Connected Power solution is designed to give building and energy managers the capability to remotely monitor, control and automate sockets across their premises. Making this switch can help save energy consumed by plug-in devices, in the United States on average in a minimally code-compliant office building, plug loads may account for 25% or less of total energy consumption and in high efficiency buildings, plug loads may account for more than 50% of the total energy consumption[i]. “Celebrating excellence in ways to reduce energy consumption, winning the award for Physical Technology of the Year at the Energy Awards is not just a testament to the technology itself, but to the impact this solution can have on one of the biggest challenges faced by UK businesses today,” says Steve Kenny, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Building Management Systems. “One of the most overlooked factors during efficiency improvement plans is small power usage. It’s overlooked because there has historically been a lack of visibility into how much energy is consumed by plug-in devices, and a lack of control of unnecessary consumption. Connected Power has been designed to overcome that and give businesses the tools they need to fully manage their plug-in power usage. It’s the first time this has been possible for UK companies. “Businesses are continuously trying to minimise their energy consumption and costs. So, it’s imperative that they look towards longer term solutions that provide ongoing opportunities for improvement. There can be hundreds of electrical devices in any commercial building and taking charge of that energy usage becomes extremely important as energy prices shock businesses into reassessing their power consumption.” Connected Power, developed by Honeywell’s MK Electric and Trend brands, launched in Spring 2023 following a test period that saw it installed at several sites across the UK. Energy efficiency was seen in several different building locations by powering equipment only when needed, with evident energy savings once scheduling was applied through the Connected Power solution. The Energy Awards celebrates the energy industry’s innovations and achievements in best practice, business excellence, customer service and industry collaboration and brings together more than 600 key decision makers from across the industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Artisan Real Estate to Progress Plans for 289 New Homes, Commercial Space and Riverside Park Ambitious proposals to demolish a vacant office complex on the edge of the Salts Mill World Heritage Site in Saltaire, Shipley and replace it with a vibrant and sustainable residential quarter and riverside park have been given the go-ahead by Bradford Council in late September. Urban regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate will now progress with its ‘transformational’ redevelopment of the 11-acre site, sandwiched between the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which was formerly home to an HMRC office block that closed in October 2021. Artisan’s plans for the new ‘Saltaire Riverside’ development include the provision of 289 new homes, more than 5,000 sq. ft. of commercial office space designed for flexible working and a café facing on to a new ‘pocket’ park and piazza. A sizeable riverside park will seamlessly link the development to the River Aire, providing woodland, grasslands and lawns to act as a natural flood water storage area whilst pedestrian links will provide direct access to Saltaire Rail Station and the canal towpath. Welcoming the planning approval, James Bulmer, Development Director for Leeds-based Artisan North said: “We are naturally delighted that our transformational vision for this vacant site next to an UNESCO world heritage site is now set to become a reality. This is a hugely exciting development that will spectacularly open up a large riverside area that has effectively been closed to the public since the 1970s when the HMRC complex was built. Our proposals will bring interest and investment to the area and provide a natural, contemporary extension to the existing Saltaire footprint. Our completed development will become a modern interpretation of the neighbouring Saltaire village, bringing much needed sustainable family housing in an accessible, well connected and environmentally responsible setting.” He added: “Progressing such a large development on the very edge of a UNESCO World Heritage site brings its own set of challenges and responsibilities, and we have taken time to understand and reflect the unique historical contexts of the Salts Mill location. Our final proposal, developed in partnership with Yorkshire-based architects Axis Architecture, is the result of a more than 18-months of design and architectural planning. This has been supported by a comprehensive and broadly very positive public consultation programme – including two design workshops with local stakeholders and three major public events.” Artisan’s scheme will demolish the existing seven-storey HMRC building which consists of two large hexagonal office blocks, with a construction start on site forecast for early 2024. The niche developer has a strong track record in delivering complex residential and mixed-use regeneration projects in sensitive urban and city-centre environments – including the award-winning New Waverley in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the refurbishment of the historic Everard’s Printworks in Bristol’s Old City and the transformation of Glasgow’s 19th century Custom House into a vibrant hotel quarter overlooking the River Clyde. Mr Bulmer added: “Our proposals for Saltaire Riverside herald another significant addition to Artisan’s enviable list of sensitive regeneration projects, in highly desirable and historic regional locations across the UK. “From our regional office bases, we are creating dynamic investment platforms to deliver transformational and sustainable development to the benefit of our towns and cities – and the people who live, visit and work in them. With these pioneering projects and investment, Artisan has the opportunity to turn the development spotlight firmly on high-quality and sustainable city centre regional development across the UK.” Prior to the HMRC development, the Saltaire Riverside was used as occasional storage shed area, allotments and grazing land for canal ponies. Saltaire Village is named after Sir Titus Salt who built a textile mill known as Salts Mill and the supporting village overlooking the River Aire in the second half of the 19th century. Designed by architects, Lockwood and Mawson, Saltaire followed in the footsteps of other model settlements in providing a relatively healthy environment for workers to reside and work. Saltaire has beautiful Italianate architecture and a rich history and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.The village is considered an outstanding example of mid-19th century philanthropic paternalism and had a profound influence on developments in industrial social welfare and urban planning in the United Kingdom and beyond. For more information about Artisan’s Saltaire Riverside development, visit: www.saltaireriverside.co.uk. For more information on Artisan Real Estate visit www.artisanrealestate.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Detailed designs for seven new, prestigious HQ buildings which total 212,030 sq ft (19,698 sq m) and will be built at Bicester Motion’s new Innovation Quarter have been given the green light by Cherwell District Council. Bicester Motion is a 444-acre former RAF site acquired in 2013 in the heart of Motorsport Valley in Oxfordshire and home to more than 50 industry-leading businesses in all forms of mobility technology, past, present and future. Companies include NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, Motorsport UK, the governing body of British Motorsport, PhysicsX, Polestar’s UK HQ, and record-breaking synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero. Bicester Motion’s masterplan has been adopted and supported by Cherwell District Council with consent for one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) across its Heritage, Innovation, Experience and Wilderness Quarters and hotel. Bicester Motion submitted the detailed designs for its Innovation Quarter which will see a £50 million investment to deliver seven new HQ buildings which will be suitable for R&D technology, light assembly and product showcase and will range from 7,500 sq ft (697 sq m) to 60,000 sq ft (5,574 sq m). Phase 1 will deliver the first two HQ buildings and construction is due to start in Spring 2024 and target practice completion in Q1 2025. The carbon-efficient buildings will target BREEAM Excellent certification and EPC A rating. They will be prepared for solar PV technology creation and include dedicated ecology and biodiversity areas, green space amenities for staff health and wellbeing, and more than 100 bicycle parking spaces. Bicester Motion has also committed to significant infrastructure improvements including cycle and connectivity to Bicester North station and the surrounding area. Future occupiers will have access to Bicester Motion’s annual programme of events, and vehicle tracks and active airfield for both testing and demonstration. Dan Geoghegan, chief executive, Bicester Motion said: “We acquired the abandoned former WW2 RAF base in 2013 and since then have been creating the pre-eminent destination to experience the full breadth of automotive and aviation engineering, events, culture, design, research, and manufacture. “Now home to more than 500 highly skilled jobs, from engineers carefully restoring the classics in our workshops to acclaimed national headquarters at the cutting edge of innovation, together with our amenities, track and aerodrome facilities, not to mention our regular fun-fuelled events with footfall of 200,000+ visitors per year, we’re a unique and thriving community. “Since 2013 our purpose has been to create a place unlike any other to promote the development of pioneering technology especially, as you would expect, mobility and transportation. This sector is booming, with both start-ups and mainstream manufacturers racing to develop new technologies and transportation options. “Today’s planning news is a significant milestone in our evolution to invest in and deliver our new Innovation Quarter. We are resolute in our focus to deliver a unique home and space for future innovating mobility pioneers, putting Bicester on the technology map, and boosting the economy in creating jobs both through construction and specifically within the future companies which join our thriving estate.” Sebastian Johnson, head of innovation and inward investment, OxLEP said: “Bicester Motion is a nationally and internationally significant centre for future mobility innovation and emerging technologies. OxLEP supports and recognises the talent and expertise and research capabilities at Bicester Motion and the opportunities to grow the cluster of companies and the innovation that will impact on net zero and sustainability in future mobility. Alongside the innovation is an impressive and well-developed skills offer for young and emerging talent and an amazing visitor experience attracting people nationally and internationally.” George Brown, associate, Bidwells added: “Bicester Motion’s firm commitment to deliver this new Innovation Quarter and specifically the first two high spec HQ buildings is welcome news for the market and those pioneering future mobility companies needing stand-out space in an unrivalled motorsport-focused place. Bicester Motion should be credited for raising the bar in Oxfordshire through their innovative masterplanning and building design and investing and delivering to meet occupier demand.” Acting on behalf of Bicester Motion are 3D Reid, IKS Consulting Ltd, Hydrock, Mcgregor Smith, Ecology Solutions, Edgars, Worlledge Associates, and MODE. Commercial leasing agents are Adalta Real and Bidwells. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HelloParks was named as the Best Warehouse and Industrial Developer and Best BTS Developer of the Year at the CRE Awards for the real estate industry. HelloParks, member of the Futureal Group, came first in two separate categories at the awards organised by EuropaProperty for the fifth time. HelloParks is an industrial real estate developer and investment company offering a full range of solutions from site development to building construction and facility maintenance. Founded just three years ago, the company has already delivered more than 260,000 sqm of industrial space in three locations: Fót, Maglód, and Páty. Construction is ongoing on a 42,000 sqm hall in Páty, and a 60,000 sqm building is being developed in Alsónémedi as well. The former is due completion in Q2 2024, and the latter in Q3 2024. HelloParks’ buildings, completed this year and currently under construction, are built to the highest, Outstanding BREEAM sustainability standards in New Construction category, and are EU Taxonomy aligned. HelloParks is the only developer building industrial halls in Hungary meeting such rigorous requirements. Energy-efficient operation being another essential factor in the industrial real estate sector, HelloParks places particular emphasis on this aspect. This is supported, among other things, by the company’s proprietary mobile application, which provides valuable information to tenants in connection with the intelligent building automation and monitoring system of the halls. The app provides remote access to technical data of the rented areas, and allows monitoring of utility consumption and adjustment of heating, ventilation and lighting settings. Solar panels, to be installed on the roofs of the buildings make it possible to operate the offices with zero primary energy consumption. Additionally, rainwater falling on the halls’ roofs is collected and used to irrigate the buildings’ green areas. The common areas are well-lit with smart-ready lights, and electric car chargers are available in the warehouse car park. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New research from Fair Fix, the boiler engineer experts, reveals that the carbon footprint caused by heating homes in England has increased by as much as 5.9% across some areas of the nation. Fair Fix has estimated the amount of carbon emissions created by heating England’s homes in 2021 and 2022 to see how well the country is managing its carbon footprint. The calculation is based on an estimated carbon footprint for the average home, multiplied by the country’s entire dwelling stock. It is estimated that heating a single home for a year creates 2,806kg of carbon emissions. In 2022, England’s dwelling stock increased by 1% to total 25.2 million homes. As a result, as a nation we created an estimated 70.6 million tonnes of emissions, also 1% higher than in 2021. Regional look The South East created the largest regional carbon footprint in 2022, emitting some 11.4 million tonnes of emissions; an annual increase of 1%. With emissions of 10.5 million tonnes, London’s carbon footprint also grew by 1%, as did the footprints of the East of England (7.8m tonnes), West Midlands (7.2m tonnes), and East Midlands (6.1m tonnes). The smallest footprint increase was recorded in the North East where total estimated emissions from heating homes hit 3.5 million tonnes, an annual rise of 0.7%. Worst local authorities On a local authority level, 2022’s largest home heating footprint was found in Birmingham (1.3m tonnes), followed by Leeds (1m tonnes) and North Yorkshire (848,891 tonnes). But the biggest increase was recorded in the City of London, where the carbon footprint increased by 5.9%. Two other London boroughs complete the three areas of biggest growth with Tower Hamlets and Brent increasing emissions by 3.1% and 2.8% respectively. Warwickshire’s Rugby also saw an increase of 2.8%, before London boroughs returned again with a 2.6% rise in Newham and a 2.5% rise in Hammersmith & Fulham. Founder of Fair Fix, Tyrone Ekrem, commented: “England is in the middle of a perpetual housing crisis. We are a nation in desperate need of more homes. But we are also a nation that, alongside every other country in the world, needs to slash its carbon emissions or else face the end of the world as we know it. As we build more homes, our carbon footprint rises. So if we’re to solve our nation’s two biggest issues at once, it’s vital that we find a way of reducing the emissions created by heating our homes. A big part of this effort should involve replacing outdated boilers and repairing those that aren’t working to their maximum efficiency. It’s something easy that we can all do to play our part in reducing England’s carbon footprint and hitting net zero for the benefit of the world.” Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As part of its commitment to upskilling the next generation, McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), has welcomed four new interns to its construction division, helping young individuals to gain valuable experience and strengthen their skill set. Apprentice planner, Tommy Bordicott; trainee quantity surveyor, Robbie Yusuf; trainee quantity surveyor Ellie Marnell and construction apprentice, Rhys Collins joined the team this summer. Tommy will be assisting the lead planner on the Longwood Close project, in Coventry, where he will be creating programmes to support key activities throughout. He hopes to further develop his interpersonal and time management skills while building in-depth knowledge of the industry. Attracted to McLaren’s vision and values, Tommy said of his new position: “McLaren embodies both a community and a team. They are actively supporting my skill and career growth and I hope to one day be in the position where I can provide someone else with the same fantastic opportunity that they have given to me.” Trainee quantity surveyor, Robbie, will be working onsite, measuring drawings using Bluebeam (CAD), and issuing revisions alongside producing purchase orders and completing administrative duties. When asked what you are most excited about for his internship, Robbie said: “It is a real privilege to be taught by industry-leading experts who can share their knowledge and help me develop my skills.” Ellie joins the McLaren team with an eagerness to learn new skills, gain industry knowledge and support on site to see projects come to life, all of which will contribute to her achieving a future career goal of becoming a senior quantity surveyor. Ellie was initially drawn to McLaren Construction due to its strong focus on personal development and support. She said: “The company prioritises their employees’ well-being and I am fortunate to receive guidance and mentorship from experts at the forefront of the construction industry, who I greatly admire.” Construction apprentice, Rhys, will be gaining experience across multiple departments, as well as on-site, where he is looking forward to developing engineering and management skills allowing him to see projects all the way from inception to completion. Hoping to be a long-term member of the McLaren team, Rhys said: “I have been inspired by McLaren for a number of years, having been particularly interested by their Aston Martin headquarters and Leicester City training projects. I am looking forward to working hard in this new role and putting all my efforts into achieving the best I can.” McLaren’s comprehensive apprenticeship scheme is designed to provide aspiring individuals with an opportunity for growth and development. As part of the program, apprentices work closely with McLaren’s site teams, gaining invaluable exposure to the dynamic world of construction. The program provides successful applicants with a tailored development plan to guide them towards achieving their apprenticeship qualification in their chosen discipline, while being mentored and coached by McLaren’s experienced managers, ensuring they receive the guidance and support they need to thrive. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction, said: “We’re delighted to welcome four enthusiastic interns to our company. We are passionate about supporting them with their career journeys by helping them to enhance their skills through mentorship and valuable hands-on experience in construction, preparing them for their future careers. Investing in the upskilling of the next generation will positively contribute to the bright future of our industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As part of the University of Kent’s annual ‘Employability Festival’ (9th – 20th October 2023), local housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes delivered a talk on ‘Building a Career in Construction’ at the Canterbury campus. The housebuilder, who is building new homes at Saxon Fields in Thanington and The Woodlands in Broad Oak, is aiming to debunk the myths surrounding the housebuilding industry and plug the shortage gap in the workforce. According to Statista, as little as 6% of young people are interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry[1]. This is largely due to the lack of knowledge surrounding the sector, and myths that construction and the wider housebuilding industry is catered for just bricklayers, carpenters and electricians. To help combat this, Ella Holt and Harry Phillips, both Land Managers at Barratt David Wilson Kent, attended the University of Kent during EmpFest23 to deliver a talk on’ Building a Career in Construction’ to a group of students. The presentation highlighted potential careers available in housebuilding, from Land and Planning, to Sales & Marketing as well as Finance, Technical, Commercial and Construction, details about their own career paths, and also information on Barratt Development’s Graduation scheme, the ASPIRE programme. Ella Holt, Land Manager at Barratt David Wilson Kent commented: “There are many avenues in the housebuilding industry and my own career showcases just that. It was a pleasure to speak to budding students from the university and showing them our own developments in Kent and how a career after university could look to them. We met with students studying a range of degrees, and it was rewarding to be able to highlight to them that their skill sets can be applicable to a real-life career in construction.” Harry Phillips, Land Manager at Barratt David Wilson Kent added: “Education is so important to us here at Barratt David Wilson Kent and we want to make sure we are playing our part in broadening young people’s horizons by showcasing the many careers available to them. We hope the students took away some valuable lessons from our presentation and we look forward to seeing any familiar faces sign up for our ASPIRE programme.” Lara Cavill, from University of Kent, concludes: “EmpFest23 welcomes a number of local companies to showcase their industries and is designed to be as engaging as possible. It was fantastic to have a local housebuilder on board and offer insight into how our students’ degrees can open a door into the construction industry. Both Harry and Ella shared insightful knowledge, tips and wisdom which I am sure has inspired many of our students into thinking about a career in construction. We hope to work with Barratt David Wilson Kent on future projects to help educate the next generation.” Barratt David Wilson Kent is currently building new homes at its The Woodlands development in Broad Oak and Saxon Fields development in Thanington, with a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes now available. Prices start at £349,995 for a three-bedroom home at The Woodlands and £314,995 for a two-bedroom home at Saxon Fields. To find out more about Barratt David Wilson Kent, visit 0333 355 8502 or visit www.barratthomes.co.uk / www.dwh.co.uk. [1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/530177/job-vacancies-uk-by-industry/#:~:text=As%20of%20January%202023%2C%20there,the%20most%20of%20any%20industry Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE NEW Nottingham Central Library is one step closer to opening its doors following the completion of a stunning interior fit out and refurbishment by Overbury. Putting children and young people at the heart of its design, the new library, which is owned by Nottingham City Council, includes an immersive storytelling wall and different creative zones for a range of ages. The dynamic space also features an events area that forms part of the foyer and public cafe, art displays, a gaming area for teenagers, a dedicated children’s library, a teaching area, and a bookable 100-person meeting space. The library, which will officially open to the public on the 28 November 2023, is Overbury’s first major project to be procured through SCAPE – one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities – and made possible alongside Morgan Sindall Construction. This led to a large focus on building back into the city by allocating project spend with local Nottinghamshire businesses and the wider Midlands region. Working to set KPIs with Morgan Sindall Construction and SCAPE Consultancy, the project delivered over £2m in social value, with more than 60% of spend achieved with local SMEs, as well as over £62k through non-profit organisations. Andrew Wood, Managing Director at Overbury, said: “Libraries are an important part of local communities and can be a vital lifeline for many people. This building will play a big part in the future of the city as it undergoes large-scale transformation, and it’s been exciting to see the new library take shape and the interiors have really made the building come alive. “It’s also important to ensure the library is a welcoming environment for children and young people to help inspire a love of reading and books in our future generations. The space has been designed with them in mind and has been brought to fruition with the help of several local businesses and charitable organisations, delivering real value to the local area.” The library marks a further step in Nottingham City Council’s ambitious plans to create a modern and dynamic library at the centre of the multi-million-pound Broad Marsh regeneration area. It is a key element of the city’s Southside regeneration area and plans include a new ‘green heart’ on the former Broad Marsh site and a green infrastructure network linking Nottingham Castle to the Island Quarter regeneration site. Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “The library is looking fantastic, and we are excited to open the doors the public in November. We have worked hard with construction partners like Overbury to create a state-of- the art facility. It is a library that residents and visitors of all ages will love, but especially children who will be able to enjoy a fantastic collection of books, an immersive audio-visual story telling room and plenty of spaces to enjoy reading and take part in fun activities.” The firm collaborated with leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, acclaimed architects FaulknerBrowns, M&E consultancy Chord, and Morgan Sindall Construction to create the library, which spans three levels, with glass balustrades and a suspended staircase linking two floors. Richard Fielding, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “Working with Overbury to deliver work through the SCAPE framework means we can collectively strive to transform local communities and leave meaningful and lasting legacies behind. This new Central Library is a perfect example of us working together to achieve exactly that, and we can’t wait to open its doors and for it to become a cornerstone of the community. “It was also a privilege to give back to the city by working with local SMEs and supporting community initiatives to further benefit the area. The library is a truly modern, dynamic space and is something we hope the young people of today and tomorrow will enjoy for years to come.” Steve Dickson, Associate Partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects said: “Our design references and is influenced by the city and its surroundings; colours, textures, and materials are of Nottingham, giving the interior a sense of place and connection to its environment. The library landscape is also rich in both traditional media and digital media, enabling learning for all.” Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE said: “Through SCAPE, the new library will be delivered with speed, efficiency, and value for money, and will ensure that a positive, sustainable legacy is created through Morgan Sindall’s ongoing social value initiatives and community engagement. “Nottingham City Council’s plan for regenerating the wider Broad Marsh area is redefining how public facilities can be integrated into modern spaces, to meet the needs of a changing community, and each project within this is vital to help the city become carbon neutral by 2028.” The project has prioritised cost-effective, modern techniques and the designs – taking inspiration from Nottingham’s lace-making heritage – utilising carefully selected materials, such as timber for a natural aesthetic and improved sustainability. Oliver Hatton, Director at Pick Everard, said: “We’re proud of how our close collaboration across the range of management, design and consultative services has resulted in delivering a valued space for the local community, underpinning our ethos of delivering better, together. The work has been carried out to an extremely high standard – building on the achievements of the wider Broad Marsh bus station and car park development – and we’ve no doubt the public will be delighted with the finished product. “We’re now looking to forward to the ongoing work in the wider regeneration zone, which will continue to transform the largest development space in any core city in Europe.” For more information about Overbury, please visit www.overbury.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Geospatial leader Murphy Geospatial, is launching a bespoke mobile-mapping technology to support faster and more accurate geospatial data capture in the built environment. The eye-catching vehicle, called GeoDrive, can easily capture up to 100km of geospatial survey data in just one day. In a world where the sustainability and maintenance of infrastructure assets are of utmost importance, Murphy Geospatial plays a crucial role by providing accurate geospatial data. This data empowers asset owners to make well-informed decisions, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of their infrastructure investments. The new service, aimed at large projects within construction, infrastructure, and energy and utility sectors, will gather significant volumes of data on large geographical areas at higher speeds and lower cost compared with traditional data capture methods. How does GeoDrive work? GeoDrive uses high precision scanners and a multi-camera system to collect sub centimetre accuracy information and is mounted on top of a uniquely branded vehicle or it can be fixed to trains or other moving vehicles. The extremely precise data captured by this new service is also thanks to Murphy Geospatial’s emphasis on quality control of workflows, managed by well-trained staff with their own expertise in geomatics, allowing them to focus on even the most trivial details of a project. Murphy Geospatial Associate Director Maciej Targosz commented: “This new solution is going to make a huge difference to clients gathering information in relation to large-scale projects. The speed at which GeoDrive can capture data will save clients both time and money when compared with the method of taking a total station along the length of a site. “GeoDrive also supports cost-effectiveness of projects as it means more-detailed methods of surveying are deployed where they are needed, having already gathered base data for a project’s entirety. This supports informed decision making and optimised resource allocation. “For clients managing projects that cover highways, it will also eliminate the need for traffic management. GeoDrive will also help clients mitigate project delays, public inquiries, protests, and production bottlenecks. “We’re looking forward to supporting clients access and analyse the quality data at speed that GeoDrive can gather, and will be offering this new service throughout Ireland, UK, and Europe.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals