Building a Safer Future has announced The Casey Group Ltd – a main contractor based in the northwest of England – as the tenth organisation to complete its Champion assessment process and be awarded BSF Champion status. It joins the existing tranche of Champions in taking a leadership role in
The new Potentia LED high bay range from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – provides an ideal solution for industrial applications requiring versatility, flexibility, durability, control and performance. The high bays, which come in two sizes, incorporate tri-wattage and dual-CCT functions along
A new study by Juniper Research, the foremost experts in technology markets, has found that there will be growth of 107% over the next five years in the number of industrial endpoints featuring cybersecurity protection. The research identified the rise of interconnected processes within the Industry 4.0 revolution as
This is the group’s fourth hotel currently being built in London. The other three new-build hotels are being constructed at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, in Bermondsey and in Beckenham Travelodge, one of London’s largest hotel chains, is also searching for a further 100 hotel sites across the Capital Travelodge,
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland is raising awareness of recent changes made to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to improve fire safety in buildings, triggered by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022. These improvements came into effect on 1st October 2023, and form
A new community of practice* has been formed by Sodexo’s Corporate Services division aimed at bringing together sustainability heads from some of the UK’s leading organisations to be change-makers through collaboration. In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability is a topic that concerns not just professionals in the field, but also
In response to the Rightmove Monthly House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO Propertymark comments. “A decrease in house prices compared to last year is inevitable, natural and needed in order to get back to sustainable and achievable levels since the drastic spike seen over the past couple of years.“Our own
More than one hundred organisations around the world have demonstrated they are the ‘best of the best’ in the past year and been named winners of the prestigious Sword of Honour and Globe of Honour awards by British Safety Council. This year’s winning organisations come from a broad range of
More than 6,000 new homes will be built on brownfield sites, through money given to councils to transform unused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods. Across the country, from Hull to Somerset, nearly 100 regeneration projects will receive £60 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The
Peacehaven’s most ambitious housing development to date – Chalk Way – launched on 19 September 2023. The project, spearheaded by modular housing company Boutique Modern in partnership with social housing provider Stonewater, comprises 40 affordable and energy-efficient modern homes, which have now been rented to delighted local families. The launch
Building a Safer Future has announced The Casey Group Ltd – a main contractor based in the northwest of England – as the tenth organisation to complete its Champion assessment process and be awarded BSF Champion status. It joins the existing tranche of Champions in taking a leadership role in the built environment industry in committing to a journey of raising standards in building safety. The BSF Champion process gives organisations detailed insight into their existing leadership and culture around building safety and equips them with actionable data and practical tools to help review and upgrade processes and regain public trust following the Grenfell Tower disaster. Steve Elliott, Non-Executive Chair of Building a Safer Future, commented: “I want to congratulate The Casey Group for achieving Building a Safer Future Champion status. They can be commended for stepping forward to take a leadership role and taking meaningful action in committing to their building safety journey. We hope many more organisations in the industry follow the excellent example they are setting.” Chris Casey, Managing Director of The Casey Group Ltd, commented: “We are delighted to reach the Building a Safer Future Champion status. From first meeting Gary Townsend Vila, current Interim Chief Executive, through to working with Lorna Hagan, our BSF Assessor, we knew this was the right vehicle for us with Annual Action Plans and BSF Assessments driving continuous improvement throughout our business. With Leadership, Culture and Corroborating Elements core to the process, the Champion journey was strongly aligned to our value of ‘doing the right thing’ and our purpose of Improving Lives.” Building a Safer Future (BSF) is a non-profit organisation committed to raising standards in building safety and supporting required culture change in the built environment industry. Companies can apply to participate in the BSF Champions programme by visiting the Building a Safer Future website on www.buildingasaferfuture.org.uk and completing the application form**, or alternatively they can email alexander.caller@buildingasaferfuture.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The new Potentia LED high bay range from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – provides an ideal solution for industrial applications requiring versatility, flexibility, durability, control and performance. The high bays, which come in two sizes, incorporate tri-wattage and dual-CCT functions along with other innovative features to deliver long-life and powerful illumination. The high bays feature a selectable CCT switch, allowing users to adjust the colour temperature between 4000K and 5000K according to preference; and offer wattages of either 100W, 120W and 150W or 150W, 180W and 200W depending on model. Suitable for the toughest industrial environments, Potentia are rated to IK08, making them resilient in the face of impacts, and also IP65, ensuring resistance against dust and water ingress. This makes them well-suited for installations in challenging indoor or outdoor settings where protection against moisture and debris is crucial. Effective control is crucial to lighting performance, and Potentia offers a choice of approaches. First, built-in 0-10V dimming capability comes as standard, while the high bays are supplied with polycarbonate diffusers, ensuring even light distribution that makes them ideal for environments where cleanliness and hygiene are of importance. Second, a programmable microwave sensor is available which enables the user to set various parameters such as brightness, sensitivity, hold time, standby time and standby dimming. The sensor can be paired with a remote control, giving the ability to control settings to ensure adequate illumination while maintaining energy efficiency. Finally, when used with an addressable Digital Addressable Lightning Interface (DALI) control system, the DALI module allows the installer to assign an address and a control group to the fixture; this address and control group allows for grouping of fixtures into zones. Other accessories available include a 60o lens modifier, which reduces the beam angle from 90o to 60o – important for high-ceiling installations, a smaller beam angle is required – and surface mounting brackets which allow for flush mounting and so increase the number of applications for which Potentia is suited. With a five-year warranty and cutting-edge LED technology, Potentia is built to last, boasting an L90B10 rating of 50,000 hours, guaranteeing longevity and consistent performance. With Potentia, Knightsbridge delivers a powerful LED lighting solution for industrial applications that combines innovation, durability, and safety. For further details of the Knightsbridge innovative wiring accessories and lighting products, please visit www.mlaccessories.co.uk or call 01582 887760. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new study by Juniper Research, the foremost experts in technology markets, has found that there will be growth of 107% over the next five years in the number of industrial endpoints featuring cybersecurity protection. The research identified the rise of interconnected processes within the Industry 4.0 revolution as increasingly exposing critical industrial infrastructure to external threats; requiring wholesale changes in how industrial stakeholders secure their operations. Juniper Research defines an industrial endpoint as any physical or virtual device that is connected to a network in order to send and receive information in an industrial setting. Find out more about the new report, Global Industrial Endpoint Cybersecurity Market 2023-2028, or download a free sample. Rising Threats to Accelerate Industrial Endpoint Security Spend The research found that industrial endpoint cybersecurity spend will reach $7.8 billion by 2028; rising from $3.8 billion in 2023. This rapid growth of 105% demonstrates how quickly the market is evolving, and how industrial endpoint cybersecurity is rapidly becoming a priority for cybersecurity vendors. Research co-author Nick Maynard commented: “As more processes become connectivity enabled, the threat environment within industrial settings is exponentially increasing. Cybersecurity vendors must partner with key industrial IoT vendors to better secure this problematic area.” Are Industrial Vendors Sufficiently Prepared for Evolving Threats? With the research forecasting 21% of industrial endpoints to be protected by endpoint cybersecurity services by 2028, this is ultimately a very low proportion of total industrial endpoints. As such, industrial stakeholders must move much faster to secure their critical operations, or they will face spiralling threats from nefarious actors. Boosting visibility in the industrial supply chain and optimising cloud security for critical operations will be vital to ensuring greater protection levels. About the Research Suite The new market research suite offers the most comprehensive assessment of the industrial endpoint cybersecurity market to date; providing analysis and forecasts of over 20,000 datapoints across 60 countries over five years. It includes a ‘Competitor Leaderboard’ and an examination of future market opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This is the group’s fourth hotel currently being built in London. The other three new-build hotels are being constructed at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, in Bermondsey and in Beckenham Travelodge, one of London’s largest hotel chains, is also searching for a further 100 hotel sites across the Capital Travelodge, the UK’s largest independent hotel chain is delighted to announce that construction has commenced for its London Chiswick Travelodge. The 113-room hotel will feature the group’s on-site restaurant and is located next to the Chiswick Roundabout, one of London’s best known road junctions. London Chiswick Travelodge is the Company’s fourth hotel currently under construction in London. The other three sites include the group’s 600th Travelodge, a 95-room hotel at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground (in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club). A 73-room hotel in Bermondsey and a 72-room hotel in Beckenham are also being constructed. With the opening of these four hotels, Travelodge will operate 84 hotels in London, making it one of the Capital’s biggest hotel chains. Travelodge secured forward funding in November 2022 for the development of London Chiswick Travelodge. The funding partner, RTP Global Real Estate Investments, purchased the site and committed to fund the development for £19.4m and retain Travelodge as the development manager for the scheme. Barnes Construction, which has a long-standing partnership with Travelodge and recently constructed Travelodge’s London Wimbledon Central hotel in 2022, has been appointed as contractor for the new, six storey Chiswick development. The hotel is expected to be completed in Q1 2025 and will be let to Travelodge on a new 35-year lease, with five -yearly, index-linked rent reviews with caps and collars. London Chiswick Travelodge is being developed to the group’s new, premium look and feel design specification and will be built to BREEAM “Excellent” standards and with an EPC rating of “A”. The new Travelodge hotel design has been created in response to the feedback from the Company’s largest consumer study – which surveyed around 5,000 UK business and leisure travellers to find the psychographics of the modern budget traveller. Key findings from the study revealed that modern travellers crave style, choice and little homely touches to make it easier to work, rest and relax both inside and outside of the room. It also includes a number of sustainable initiatives such as the new carpet being made from recycled fishing nets, which are part of a project supporting clean ocean initiatives, tackling over 640k tonnes of discarded fishing nets currently impacting marine life. The carpet backing is also made of old plastic bottles. Every ten of these bottles which are recycled rather than being sent to landfill saves enough energy to power a laptop for 25 hours. The other features include low energy lighting, motion sensing controls and aerated showers and taps. London is a key growth area for Travelodge’s development strategy. A dedicated team is in place to secure a further 100 sites across the Capital for a new Travelodge opening. This expansion programme would more than double Travelodge’s presence in London and could represent a multi-billion investment for third party investors and create thousands of new jobs. Steve Bennett, Travelodge, Chief Property & Development Officer, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our London hotel network with the construction of our first hotel in Chiswick. The new Travelodge will be in a fantastic location on Chiswick High Road, 400m from Gunnersbury underground and railway line, 450m from Chiswick Business Park and within easy walking distance of the Gtech Community Stadium, home of Brentford FC; so a great place for business and leisure customers to stay, either visiting the local area, or Central London. With over 80 Travelodges in London, we now operate in 31 out the 33 London boroughs and are one of London’s biggest hotel chains. We are currently building four more new London hotels, including our 600th Travelodge at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, but we still have room for further growth in London. Nowadays, more Britons are choosing to stay in a budget hotel than any other hotel type, but London cannot fulfil this growing trend as it has a shortage of good quality and low cost accommodation. Therefore, to help fill this growing gap, we are actively searching for over 100 new hotel sites across the Capital. This London expansion programme could collectively represent a multi-billion pound investment for third party investors and create thousands of new jobs.” Svetlana Lomovtseva at RTP RE, said: “Following on from our successful acquisition of this high profile site late last year we are delighted that we have now moved on to the construction phase of the project. We are looking forward to working with Travelodge and Barnes and the smooth delivery of this much needed new hotel in Q1, 2025.” Andy Cole at Vokins, Travelodge’s retained agent for West London, represented Travelodge for the Chiswick development deal and is currently searching for a further 15 development locations across West London. Andy Cole, at Vokins, said: “I am delighted that I could support Travelodge in securing the Chiswick hotel site. This deal is a testament of the Travelodge brand; despite the challenging marketing conditions that we are operating within, Travelodge continues to expand its hotel network. Our focus continues to grow Traveloge’s footprint across West London and we are actively looking for a further 15 hotel sites in locations such as Hammersmith, White City, Southall, Staines and Uxbridge.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland is raising awareness of recent changes made to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to improve fire safety in buildings, triggered by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022. These improvements came into effect on 1st October 2023, and form Phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme, building on Phase 1 (the Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022). This phase 3 further strengthens fire safety in all FSO regulated premises by increasing requirements in relation to the recording and sharing of fire safety information to create a continual record throughout a building’s lifespan. Other updates include improving cooperation and coordination between responsible persons, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive information about fire safety in their building, and making it easier for enforcement authorities to act against non-compliance. The Home Office has published three new fire safety guides that are intended to replace the previous guide to making premises safe from fire. The fire risk assessment checklist has also been updated to enable responsible individuals understand and meet the new requirements. Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, commented: “We fully support the Building Safety Act, and welcome the new updates to the Fire Safety Order. “We are seeing a critical need for the recording and sharing of fire safety information, and a way to record and continuously update vital information about a building throughout its lifespan. “We should be managing buildings as holistic systems and allowing people to use information to design, construct and operate their buildings safely and effectively. “This ‘golden thread’ approach is the key to making buildings safer and keeping them safe for the future, as outlined in the Hackitt report. We now have so many digital tools at our disposal such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), utilising these will help us record and share information, and keep it up to date to enable greater transparency and safer environments.” BIM allows building elements such as doorsets to be managed through a single platform – from specification to installation and ongoing inspection. For example, ASSA ABLOY’s Openings Studio™ BIM application integrates with design software to create and visualise openings for complete door, frame and hardware schedules and specifications. This enables seamless extraction of door design intent and all relevant interfaces to assist fabricators to develop complete door requirements that meet building regulations. Product information, performance data and budget information are captured within the BIM design environment. Through real time, collaborative working, these designs can be validated for compliance, functional performance, and aesthetics plus presented as 3D views that can be fully re-integrated into the overall project design. Ongoing inspections can also be captured based on the specific details of each door included in the schedule. This report validates if a door has remained compliant, or identifies what elements need to be corrected or replaced to return the product to the standard required, providing full traceability and ownership of all changes at all stages. Brian adds: “BIM applications can help to lock in positive behaviours from the very start of a project, and support an increase in trust and confidence that safety is paramount throughout a building’s specification, construction and maintenance. “Only by working collaboratively will we see a step change in the industry to raise standards – not only in the construction of buildings to make them safer, but also ensuring they are continually assessed and maintained to uphold compliance.” To find out more about BIM, Openings Studio™ and how ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions can help your organisation, please call 0845 071 0882, email ukspecification@assaabloy.com or visit www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/specification. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new community of practice* has been formed by Sodexo’s Corporate Services division aimed at bringing together sustainability heads from some of the UK’s leading organisations to be change-makers through collaboration. In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability is a topic that concerns not just professionals in the field, but also senior directors and decision-makers across all departments. Building a climate and nature-aware business requires an understanding of the complex world of ESG and its potential risks and opportunities. In March this year Sodexo, in partnership with FuturePlanet, launched its community of practice for sustainability leads from its clients and suppliers in both the public and the private sector. Through a programme of intentionally designed events, a dedicated online community platform and community support, the Sodexo community of practice has three intentions: Members of the Sodexo community of practice have shared a multitude of challenges, solutions and ideas that can be used to transform their organisations and achieve net zero, nature and social goals. These have been reviewed, sorted and prioritised by each of the participants. Themes and solutions shared include carbon reduction particularly scope 3, supply chain engagement assessments with a particular focus on diverse supply chains, employee and wider stakeholder engagement. Topics covered with a shared relevance across sectors also include getting buy-in from stakeholders, climate related objectives for employees and sharing best practice on how to engage and empower employees to act. With support from FuturePlanet, Sodexo’s vision is to foster a community which continually collaborates online and in person to drive ongoing impact both in the short and long term so that all can collectively achieve climate and sustainability goals to drive systemic transformation. Julie Ennis, CEO Corporate Services, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “Navigating challenges such as calculating carbon emissions, influencing policy and regulations, leveraging business spend, and balancing ambition with delivery can be overwhelming for many. Through this new community we have co-created we are able to bring many organisations together from various industries to listen and learn from each other, so we can collectively achieve our climate and sustainability goals.” Carl Pratt, Founder of FuturePlanet adds: “It is inspiring and energising to feel the potential for impact that we have when we come together, share openly and collaborate. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle in their organisation, it is through intentional community building that we can start to the amount of collaboration required to move further and faster towards out climate, nature and sustainability goals. When we do that it creates the feeling that together we can do this! Which I love.” Claire Atkins Morris, Sustainability Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We recognise that with our closest partners, we can play a role in leading adaptation, mitigation and transformation. I have thoroughly enjoyed the roundtables particularly connecting at a personal level, something so many events I have attended are missing. It is so important for change-makers to connect regularly to drive ambitious change in their respective organisations. By working together, sharing resources, co-creating solutions and amplifying our influence, we believe we can tackle the complexities of ESG, using anchor institute mentality to create impact in the communities we live, work and serve.” Comments from some of the community participants include: Justin Turquet, director of sustainability, Bunzl Catering and Hospitality division said: “I really enjoyed having a space to reflect and share with fellow professionals where we have aligned experiences and can learn from each other.” Paul Andrews, director of global energy, Smith & Nephew, said: “I feel encouraged that other businesses are ahead of us who have stories that we can learn from and use to encourage actions in our business.” Sodexo was one of the first organisations to have its UK and Ireland net zero 2040 target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In January this year, Sodexo recorded in its progress update report a 33% reduction in scope 1,2 and 3 GHG emissions for the UK and Ireland, compared to its 2017 baseline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to the Rightmove Monthly House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO Propertymark comments. “A decrease in house prices compared to last year is inevitable, natural and needed in order to get back to sustainable and achievable levels since the drastic spike seen over the past couple of years.“Our own reports indicate a healthy interest in property with demand and stock levels remaining buoyant, so it is positive that Rightmove reports the same positive trend when compared to pre-pandemic.“We hope that buyers are looking at the market confidently and continue to find an affordable middle ground. It is proving to be a good time to buy and sell.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than one hundred organisations around the world have demonstrated they are the ‘best of the best’ in the past year and been named winners of the prestigious Sword of Honour and Globe of Honour awards by British Safety Council. This year’s winning organisations come from a broad range of industry sectors in the UK, India, the Middle East and Asia, including construction, energy generation, manufacturing, hospitality, facilities management, housing, retail and transport. British Safety Council has also announced the inaugural Shield of Honour award, recognising excellence across health, safety and wellbeing. To be eligible for the Shield of Honour, applicants must have achieved five-stars in either British Safety Council’s Wellbeing Five Star audit, or five-stars in both the Health & Safety and Wellbeing Supplementary Audit, before demonstrating to an independent adjudication panel that they have a proven track record and culture of best practice for excellence in wellbeing running throughout the organisation from the shop floor to the boardroom. The 115 Sword of Honour and nine Globe of Honour winners also demonstrated to an independent adjudication panel their proven track record of excellence in managing risks to workers’ health and safety and/or to the environment from the organisations’ activities. Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said: “I am delighted that Unipart is the first winner of our new Shield of Honour award, and incredibly proud of all our Sword and Globe of Honour award winners this year. “I congratulate them all on their achievements and applaud them for keeping their workplace safe and healthy and contributing to safeguarding the environment. All our award-winning organisations share a commitment and resolve to achieve the uppermost standards, and we thank them for contributing to achieving our vision that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work.” Peter McGettrick, Chair of British Safety Council, said: “On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of British Safety Council I would like to congratulate all the award winners on achieving the highest standards of health, safety, wellbeing and environmental management. “Achieving recognition of this sort takes real dedication and absolute professionalism. We are proud to support you in your achievements and delighted we can contribute to your ongoing success.” British Safety Council pays particular tribute to four organisations which won both the Sword of Honour and the Globe of Honour. They are: The full lists of winners can be viewed here. The awards will be presented at an event held in London on Friday 24 November. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 6,000 new homes will be built on brownfield sites, through money given to councils to transform unused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods. Across the country, from Hull to Somerset, nearly 100 regeneration projects will receive £60 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The investment is part of the second phase of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund, with cash going directly to councils so they can release the land and get building as soon as possible. Derelict car parks, industrial sites and town centre buildings that have fallen into disrepair will all benefit from the new funding, with the government supporting communities to bring land back into use. The government has been clear it has a brownfield-first approach to building the homes this country needs through its long-term plan for housing and today’s announcement will help deliver that. Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean MP said: We know we need to build more homes, but this cannot come at the expense of concreting over our precious countryside. That is why we are doing all we can to make sure we’re making use of wasteland and unused brownfield land, so we can turn these eyesores into beautiful and thriving communities. This is all part of our long-term plan for housing – making sure we deliver the homes we need across the country. Cabinet Office Minister, Alex Burghart MP said: This funding will unleash the much-needed redevelopment of brownfield sites: stimulating growth and helping local areas reach their full potential. It’s fantastic news for business, and even better news for local people who will now see new investment, job opportunities, and family homes in their communities. Projects that will benefit from the scheme include: Councillor Shaun Davies, Chair of the Local Government Association, said: We are delighted to continue our work with DLUHC, supporting councils to access the Brownfield Land Release Fund. Councils have continued to embrace opportunities to bring brownfield sites in their ownership forward for housing, and this fund plays a key role in helping councils to provide the types of homes their communities really need. This builds on the success of the first round of Brownfield Land Release Fund 2, where funding is enabling the release of land for almost 2,400 homes. To date, the fund is supporting at least 89 local authorities, over 160 projects, and providing almost £100 million to support councils to release land for almost 8,600 homes. At the same time, the £1 billion Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund will unlock up to 65,000 new homes across England. The next round of funding through Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 will be announced later this year. The fund is part of the government’s long-term plan for housing, setting out how it will deliver its manifesto commitment of 1 million homes over this Parliament. This is backed by £10 billion in housing supply interventions announced over this Parliament. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Peacehaven’s most ambitious housing development to date – Chalk Way – launched on 19 September 2023. The project, spearheaded by modular housing company Boutique Modern in partnership with social housing provider Stonewater, comprises 40 affordable and energy-efficient modern homes, which have now been rented to delighted local families. The launch of the terraced and detached houses, all with a garden, open-plan living room and kitchen, bathroom and parking, marks a progressive new era in environmentally advanced affordable housing. Boutique Modern, which is located in neighbouring Newhaven, is on a mission to shake up the housing industry. The government’s ambition to build 300,000 homes annually is not being met – we’re currently delivering just over 200,000 a year[1]. Many consider the 300,000 target woefully inadequate as it is. This deficit in housing supply has driven up property prices, exacerbating problems in the rental market, as well as aggravating homelessness and overcrowding. But it doesn’t need to be this way. By changing mindsets and thinking beyond traditional construction and property development methods, Boutique Modern believes the UK can create sustainable, energy efficient and affordable housing stock for all. On a property mission Boutique Modern is a primary contractor and modular manufacturer deeply committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis in the South of England. Its mission involves collaborating with local authorities and housing associations to provide top-tier, genuinely sustainable, affordable and social housing. With a decade of experience in modular housing production, the company – the UK’s first certified B Corp modular construction firm – is all about embracing innovation and ensuring that all its endeavours have a positive impact on the planet. At the core of Boutique Modern’s ethos lies the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable homes. Its greater purpose is to deliver homes that are sustainable, cost-effective, architecturally appealing and, most importantly, bring joy to their inhabitants. And it recognises the significance of crafting homes that cater to local needs and contribute positively to each person, as well as the community and its surroundings. Dick Shone, managing director at Boutique Modern, said: “Modular housing schemes have the potential to unlock land that’s deemed inappropriate for traditional construction methods, and develop it into great places for people to live. “Chalk Way already looks like part of the established urban landscape of Peacehaven and is a great example of how low-impact modular housing can make an architectural statement as well as improving communities and people’s lives without hurting the planet.” Modular versus traditional Modern methods of construction, such as modular housing, are usually sourced hundreds of miles away from development sites. Boutique Modern’s Newhaven location means it can work across the whole of the South of England, buoying the local economy while working to alleviate regional housing shortages with minimal environmental impact. The Chalk Way development in Peacehaven proves it’s possible to run a socially aware business that invests in and looks after its workforce, and that focuses on making environmental advances, including measuring waste and carbon emissions, while creating quality homes that improve tenants’ lives. In an era where traditional construction methods still dominate the building industry, it’s important to consider whether they are genuinely suited to the task of constructing a sustainable, resilient infrastructure. From budget overruns stemming from labour shortages and inefficient material handling to environmental consequences that exceed legal limits, there is a compelling argument against depending on outdated approaches when undertaking new construction projects or renovating existing structures. Modular homes can take as little as a week to construct at the factory and then just three to four weeks to build on site, causing minimal disruption to neighbours. Energy efficient measures including solar panels can be installed with far greater ease than with traditional builds and retro-fits. The electric-powered homes at Chalk Way have already been rated highly for their energy efficiency, with high performing EPC certificates, and appraised for their minimal carbon emissions over the building’s life cycle. A vision of the future Boutique Modern is truly committed to enhancing communities, for example by working with local schools to create sensory gardens for children with additional needs – a project undertaken during the Chalk Way development. Shone added: “There are so many reasons why we need to embrace modular construction. We can outpace sluggish traditional methods. Streamlined production processes slash costs, while minimised material waste and shorter timelines help the bottom line. Modular construction champions sustainability. It’s a greener choice, generating less waste and boasting a smaller carbon footprint than traditional methods. Plus, these homes can be custom-designed with energy-efficient features, supporting sustainability and cutting long-term operating costs. “It’s been fantastic to collaborate with Stonewater on this project, a company which has similar ambitions to us regarding sustainability and social value.” Boutique Modern’s modular system is also a powerhouse of scalability. It’s equally adept at tackling small-scale projects or orchestrating grand housing developments. The modular world is also abuzz with innovation. Continual advancements in construction techniques, materials and technology propel these homes towards efficiency and excellence, setting the bar higher with each stride. For more information, visit: https://boutiquemodern.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals