BDC News Team
RIBA and CIOB publish guide to help manage high-risk elements of buildings

RIBA and CIOB publish guide to help manage high-risk elements of buildings

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) have jointly published a free guide to managing Safety-Critical Elements (SCEs) in building construction, for their members and the wider built environment sector.  The Guide to Managing Safety-Critical Elements in Building Construction helps to identify high-risk elements in and around buildings. It outlines systems

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GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

GMI Construction Group has secured a place on the £1billion Pagabo Medium Works Framework. Securing a place on the framework, which runs until 2027, enables GMI to be considered for medium-sized public sector construction projects valued up to £10million.  It is the second instalment to the original framework that was

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Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

April marks the beginning of the launch of the new repairs and maintenance contract for North West housing group, Torus, which will see trusted contractors Sovini Property Services help to manage and maintain its 40,000 homes. Following the successful completion of a robust and transparent procurement exercise, Sovini Property Services

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Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

Rollalong Ltd has become the only specialist offsite manufacturer of modular homes to join the Homes England Delivery Partner Dynamic Purchasing System, which makes it easier for housebuilders of any size to access Homes England land. Homes England is the Government’s housing delivery agency. The framework is one of the

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Is it time for a more proactive approach to Health & Safety?

To be by-lined to Richard Brookes, Group Head of Health and Safety, South Staffordshire Plc… When we use the words Health and Safety, our first thoughts usually aren’t that; real work is messy, events have multiple causes, you should trust your experts or, you should be focusing where nothing has

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BCO announces new recommendations for greener and healthier offices

BCO announces new recommendations for greener and healthier offices

The British Council for Offices (BCO) has released an early update to its Guide to Specification, its most recognised publication, providing expert advice on how to specify office space. The update responds to challenges emerging from the pandemic and the accelerating need for the built environment to respond to climate

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Latest Issue
Issue 339 : Apr 2026

BDC News Team

RIBA and CIOB publish guide to help manage high-risk elements of buildings

RIBA and CIOB publish guide to help manage high-risk elements of buildings

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) have jointly published a free guide to managing Safety-Critical Elements (SCEs) in building construction, for their members and the wider built environment sector.  The Guide to Managing Safety-Critical Elements in Building Construction helps to identify high-risk elements in and around buildings. It outlines systems that should be adopted to ensure that SCEs are properly incorporated and will serve as an important tool to ensure good practice and deliver safe, high-quality buildings.  The joint guide recognises the cross-industry need for a rigorous and structured approach to the design, construction and inspection of safety-critical building elements.   The guide highlights elements that, if omitted or installed incorrectly, can pose significant risk to people in and around buildings, including:  CIOB past President Paul Nash, who chaired the Safety-Critical Elements working group, said:   “At its heart, this guide is about ensuring that the buildings we create are safe for those who use them. That means ensuring every element that goes into a building is designed and installed correctly and this is independently verified before a building is occupied. The guide is another step towards creating a safer built environment.”  Former President of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) and current member of RIBA’s Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety Professor John Cole CBE said:   “This guide is a spur to the industry. We have seen much evidence showing how poorly Safety-Critical Elements have been installed in too many buildings. We all have to stand up, be serious and take appropriate responsibility. We want to push the industry to ensure that, on every project, all SCEs that could potentially impact the safety of future building users are properly designed, installed and inspected, with supporting evidence of compliance.”  Download the Guide to Managing Safety-Critical Elements in Building Construction. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Actis continues its mission to encourage young people to pursue careers in construction

Actis continues its mission to encourage young people to pursue careers in construction

Pre-teens and young teenagers are being inspired to investigate careers in the construction industry, thanks to the passion of some of the team at insulation specialist Actis. The latest event which gave students insight into professional opportunities within the sector was at a Bedfordshire middle school, which invited South East area sales director Steven Ellis to share his love of thermal efficiency with a rapt crowd of youngsters. Steven was one of a number of professionals, including representatives from the police, fire brigade and an architectural practice, talking to the youngsters at a ‘Careers Carousel’ at Marston Vale Middle School. Associate assistant head teacher at the school, Emma Ramsay, said the day was inspirational for the ten to 13-year-olds. “Steven set up a very visual stand for our pupils which really helped to attract them. Pupil engagement from years five to eight was high, with both male and female pupils being really engaged. Steven was personable and enthusiastic about Actis and his industry. Many pupils came away discussing what insulation is, why it is important and what sort of jobs are available within the sector. These career rich discussions were brilliant to hear!” She said they particularly enjoyed a competition to see who could make the tallest tower of Actis Hybris samples – with the winner managing 12! Steven added: “I was predominantly talking about careers In construction and manufacturer and what my typical day to day and week would entail, such as visiting builders on site, offering specifications and liaising with our direct customers.” Other members of the Actis team have been involved in recent years with educational activities aimed at encouraging young people to consider working in the industry. Actis northern regional sales director and Women in Construction ambassador Jemma Harris has spoken to students at a Construction Industry Training Board careers event and a school in Yorkshire, with the aim of inspiring young women to reject stereotypes and follow their dreams of a career in a male-dominated profession. South-West area sales manager Tom Hendzel has helped out with lectures to construction trainees at Cornwall’s Truro and Penwith College. Another team member flying the flag for women in construction is specification manager Amaret Chahal who has co-written the latest Actis CPD material. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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First Mats Unveils New and Improved IBC Bunds Range, Offering Customers Greater Choice and Savings

First Mats Unveils New and Improved IBC Bunds Range, Offering Customers Greater Choice and Savings

First Mats, Birmingham’s leading workplace products specialist, today announced the launch of their revamped range of Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Bunds. The company has expanded its offerings, providing customers with a more diverse and complete selection of products at significantly reduced prices. The new IBC Bunds fully comply with UK regulations and have a three-year guarantee on many products. IBC Bunds are essential containment systems designed to prevent leakage and spillage of hazardous materials stored in Intermediate Bulk Containers. These containers are commonly used to transport and store chemicals, oils, and other potentially harmful substances. Bunds play a crucial role in minimising the risk of environmental damage and ensuring workplace safety. “We are proud to present our new range of IBC Bunds, which offers our customers an even better selection of high-quality, compliant containment products,” said Richard O’Connor, Marketing Director at First Mats. “We have worked tirelessly to develop this new range that meets industry standards while offering significant cost savings for our customers.” Customers can conveniently order their new IBC Bunds from the First Mats website (www.firstmats.co.uk) or by contacting the award-nominated sales and support team. About First Mats First Mats is a Birmingham-based workplace products specialist dedicated to providing high-quality products and outstanding customer service. With years of experience in the industry, First Mats offers a comprehensive range of products, including IBC Bunds, safety matting, and a wide variety of workplace essentials. The company is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance for businesses across the UK. For more information, please visit www.firstmats.co.uk or contact the sales and support team at info@firstmats.co.uk or by phone at 0121 702 1659. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

GMI Construction Group has secured a place on the £1billion Pagabo Medium Works Framework. Securing a place on the framework, which runs until 2027, enables GMI to be considered for medium-sized public sector construction projects valued up to £10million.  It is the second instalment to the original framework that was launched in 2019. GMI is one of 94 contractors to be selected by Pagabo, which works closely with public sector organisations by providing EU compliant framework agreements. With a strong track record of delivering projects for the public sector, GMI, which operates in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Midlands, has delivered a range of schemes for clients including the Department of Work and Pensions. Lee Powell, Group CEO of GMI Construction, said: “We are very proud to be named on this framework, which is a testament to the high standards of construction, project engagement, and value for money we deliver at GMI.  It will also contribute to our commitment to levelling up in the economy by supporting the public investment in new buildings in the regions we operate, generating and sustaining employment and the use of local supply chains.”  Jason Stapley, Chief Procurement Officer at The 55 Group, Pagabo’s parent organisation, said: “Our latest announcement sees the return of our popular Medium Works Framework – one of our most active construction offerings, which has seen more than 160 projects procured through it to date. This time, we’ve increased the total number of suppliers by 50 and are expecting to see the results from the old framework improved upon.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

April marks the beginning of the launch of the new repairs and maintenance contract for North West housing group, Torus, which will see trusted contractors Sovini Property Services help to manage and maintain its 40,000 homes. Following the successful completion of a robust and transparent procurement exercise, Sovini Property Services were appointed as a key contractor. This latest milestone marks the beginning of a three-year partnership. The framework, worth £1.2 billion, will see the award-winning specialist maintenance provider use their wealth of expertise on several workstreams, including responsive and void repairs, cyclical maintenance, estate services and facilities management. The contract will enable Sovini Property Services to support Torus on their agile approach, responding quickly and appropriately to the needs of tenants and providing reassurance that all services delivered are of a high standard. Sovini Property Services has experienced exceptional growth since its establishment in 2010, and now has a workforce of over 300 specialists. In the last financial year alone, the North West maintenance provider have proved their commitment to their customers, with successful completion of over 44,000 repair works and over 13,000 emergency repairs. Sovini Property Services are equipped for this momentous contract with Torus, with both company’s sharing an equal view on commitment to their customers, communities, and ensuring works are completed to the highest standard. Mike Dale, Head of Property Services and Growth at Sovini Property Services, commented: “Like ourselves, Torus is a customer orientated organisation, committed to investing in the communities they work in. We’re committed to delivering an outstanding service to Torus’ 40,000 homes, bringing a wealth of experience in repairs and maintenance service delivery.” He added: “We recognise the importance our collaborative partnership is set achieve in supporting our shared vision of enabling the development of economically vibrant communities”. Discussing the launch, Margaret Goddard, Torus Group Assets Director, commented: “We are thrilled to begin works with the added support of Sovini Property Services to enable us to provide a long-term, sustained service to our customers.” “The three-year repairs and maintenance framework has been developed to fulfil the current and future expectations of the Group, its tenants, and the Regulator of Social Housing. As a framework it sets the principles for engagement and will be supported by an action plan to ensure delivery and continued progress.” For more information about Sovini Property Services, visit www.sovinipropertyservices.co.uk For more information about Torus, visit www.torus.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

Rollalong Ltd has become the only specialist offsite manufacturer of modular homes to join the Homes England Delivery Partner Dynamic Purchasing System, which makes it easier for housebuilders of any size to access Homes England land. Homes England is the Government’s housing delivery agency. The framework is one of the largest vendors of residential land in the UK and Homes England’s largest procurement exercise to date, valued at £20 billion. The DPS is a primary route for Homes England’s land disposal which offers housing providers like Rollalong the exclusive opportunity to bid for Homes England sites. Other public bodies may also use the DPS to procure developers, broadening housebuilders’ exposure to potential projects. Established in 1932, Rollalong has a wealth of experience in the residential, defence and education sectors and is currently manufacturing and installing modular homes all across the south of England. Steve Chivers, Managing Director of Rollalong, said: “After a rigorous application process, we are delighted to be appointed to this framework alongside major housebuilders. “This demonstrates Homes England’s confidence in our ability to deliver new quality homes at scale. “Our land-led development arm Newship Developments, which is part of our parent company the Newship Group, has extensive experience in land and property acquisition which complements and supports our work in the residential sector.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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RE:GEN Group improving energy efficiency for more than 1,600 homes in the North East

North East-based regeneration specialist RE:GEN Group has delivered £9.5m worth of decarbonisation works to over 1,600 social rented homes. Achieved in little over eight months, the team has delivered more than 4,100 energy improvement measures as part of the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). Working with a range of partners including Gentoo Group, believe Housing and Karbon Homes, 1,619 homes have been upgraded to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C. Lee Francis, CEO of RE:GEN Group, said: “As a direct result of this work, more people are now living in warmer, more comfortable, energy efficient homes. “In partnership with our clients and with the support of a fantastic supply chain, this first scheme of work has been delivered on time, within the original deadlines set out by the UK Government – a fantastic achievement for all involved.” RE:GEN Group installed 4,179 efficiency improvements, from deep retrofit measures including external wall insulation, new windows and doors, PV panels, and whole house ventilation strategies, to more light touch measures of loft insulation and installing energy efficient lightbulbs Following the recent announcement of SHDF wave 2, RE:GEN Group will deliver approximately £20m of decarbonisation works over the next 20 months to homes across the North East Brian Bedford, head of sustainability at RE:GEN Group, said: “Here at RE:GEN, we are passionate about sustainability, whether that’s reducing the carbon footprint of our own operations, or sharing our knowledge and expertise with those we work with and the wider construction industry. “The last eight months have been both a steep learning curve and huge success in equal measure. To have improved the efficiency of over 1,600 homes in such a short space of time is an incredible achievement which has only been achieved by the hard work of all involved with the projects.” The SHDF was launched to help landlords with the costs of decarbonising their properties to achieve an EPC rating of C across all homes by 2030. The funding supported the installation of energy performance measures to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and deliver warm, energy efficient homes. Marc Edwards, director of asset and sustainability at Gentoo Group said: “Gentoo appreciate the impact that the current cost of living crisis is having on our tenants. When energy bills are at an all-time high, it’s now more important than ever that we do everything we can to provide our tenants with safe, decent and energy efficient homes. “Through the funding we received from wave 1 of the SHDF, we were able to improve the energy efficiency of more than 400 homes with our delivery partner RE:GEN Group.” Ruth Dent, director of assets and compliance at believe housing, said: “Working with RE:GEN Group, we’ve successfully upgraded the energy efficiency of more than 1,200 homes. “The measures installed are helping our customers to feel warm and comfortable at home, and to manage their energy costs. “Importantly for believe housing, everyone working on the scheme was from the area, so the local economy has also benefitted, and we’re reducing the impact of our housing stock on the environment. “This has been a brilliant scheme of works, which is making a real difference to our customers and the planet. “We now look forward to working together to reach even more homes and customers with the next phase of decarbonisation works, part funded by SHDF wave 2.1.” RE:GEN Group supported Karbon Homes with the delivery of a £2.5m retrofit project, which included improving the energy efficiency of homes in Ouston, County Durham. Works included the installation of external wall, cavity wall and loft insulation, to tackle the fabric performance of the property, and integration of PV panels into the roofs to help reduce fuel bills and support grid resilience. Craig Lonsdale, asset and sustainability at Karbon Homes, said: “With the cost of energy rising fast, our work to improve the efficiency of our homes for our customers has never been more important. It’s been great to work with RE:GEN on this project, taking a fabric first approach to delivering energy efficient measures and insulation upgrades to homes in Ouston.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Is it time for a more proactive approach to Health & Safety?

To be by-lined to Richard Brookes, Group Head of Health and Safety, South Staffordshire Plc… When we use the words Health and Safety, our first thoughts usually aren’t that; real work is messy, events have multiple causes, you should trust your experts or, you should be focusing where nothing has gone wrong. The traditional and most common way to manage safety is to investigate after something has gone wrong, to identify the single root cause and, typically, put a person fix or new admin control in place to prevent the same thing happening again. We’ve become very fixated on this approach, and have perhaps, started to run the risk of over simplifying how we manage risk improvement. As the world, work, systems and technology become ever more complex, we become more reliant on subject matter experts to help us manage our facilities and the equipment we depend on. As supply chains and contractual relationships become wider and deeper, we should ask ourselves some questions: Waiting for the bad outcome or assuming high risk tasks are well managed can no longer be good enough as work becomes more complicated. A relatively recent development in safety management uses a Human and Organisational Performance viewpoint (or HOP). HOP takes a systems and person approach to work as a means to understand the conditions in which people are set to and work in. It emerged from the US Department of Energy and has been shared by safety thought leaders such as Todd Conklin. HOP has five guiding principles; error is normal; blame fixes nothing; systems and conditions drive behaviour; leadership response to failure matters; and learning is deliberate. Taking the guiding principle of ‘learning is deliberate’, one of the changes that organisations can undertake is to implement ‘Learning Teams’ to adopt a HOP approach to safety. What are Learning Teams? They are a proactive way to understand how normal work gets delivered successfully. When we say successfully, we mean in the absence of anything going wrong, or anyone being hurt. It’s the inverse approach to traditional safety. Don’t wait – you investigate when nothing happens. That might sound strange, but things going wrong are an ever-shrinking data pool. You can conduct a learning team on anything, but a great place to start is with highest risk tasks; anything that has the capacity to kill or have life altering consequences. Who should be involved? The most important people to be involved are those who actually do the work. They know the job best and understand the changes and adaptations they make every day to get things done. This is one of the biggest benefits; deeper insight into work as it’s actually done, not as it’s imagined in the written process. You can start to understand how workers make decisions and how systems and procedures can alter overtime. If we are only interested after something’s gone wrong, it’s all too easy to see this gap. How often do we investigate what’s happened, after the bad outcome, to conclude that workers didn’t follow the process? That’s because processes often change slowly overtime, as work exists in the real, complex world and constantly changes to meet the demands of various trade-offs. Having a coach, or facilitator is also essential; someone who can get people talking and make it ok to share. Creating a psychological safe environment is essential to learning. The benefits of learning teams Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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MERSON GROUP PROVIDE 4 MAJOR INSTALLATIONS AT EAST BANK WATERFRONT

Merson Group are set to provide 4 major installations at East Bank Waterfront

Merson Group are set to provide 4 major installations at East Bank cultural quarter in east London. Merson Group, one of the UK’s largest signage companies, has announced the completion of the brand-new V&A East Museum signage at the new East Bank cultural quarter on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. The illuminated letters, each standing six metres high and weighing around 1.5 tonnes each, took a cumulative 3 months to build in Glasgow-based Merson Group’s design and production facility, before they arrived in London for their three-day install. The complicated 3D designed steel structures were clad with aluminium before the edges and perimeters were bronze powder coated to remain in harmony with the façade of the building itself. To allow for optimum illumination, a white polycarbonate facing with internal lighting using LED modules were also incorporated. There were multiple challenges for the Merson design and build team, but the most critical was to ensure that the structures connected with the building exactly and that the signage could be maintained safely from the rear whilst they sit 40 meters up on the ledge where they now stand. Robert Murray, Chief Design Officer, said: “I’m truly proud of what the entire Merson design and implantation team have achieved here, especially Senior Designer, Ross Cloughley. Merson Group seek out these landmark projects because we have the expertise to deliver. V&A East will be one of the world’s leading arts and culture institutions and we are delighted to be a small part of the journey.” East Bank is a new powerhouse for innovation, creativity and learning on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is a unique collaboration between world-leading universities, arts and culture institutions that will create 2,500 jobs, generate £1.5 billion for the economy, and open up opportunities for everyone who visits, lives, and works in east London. Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development at London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “The new signs are a wonderful addition to these incredible buildings. What’s particularly pleasing is that we’ve been able to draw on the skills and talents of companies from all across the UK, like Merson’s, to deliver this amazing legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games”. V&A East Museum is the first of four East Bank buildings to which Merson Group are supplying external signage this year. The high-level letters at the University of the Arts London (UAL) were also completed last month whilst the low-level letters will be installed shortly. Likewise, signage at Sadler’s Wells East is on track to be installed in May. The BBC’s building is also set to have external signage installed in the second half of this year. With over 250 employees across two sites in UK and one in Europe, Merson Group has a global footprint when it comes to signage. Servicing clients such as Aston Martin, Lotus, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, and most recently the Crossrail Elizabeth Line – Merson Group have a long history of providing high quality signage and wayfinding solutions across several sectors. Merson Group are experts and sector leaders in wayfinding signage in the UK. They also provide signage for Network Rail, Heathrow Airport, Spurs FC, British Land & Crown Estates. To find out more, visit: www.mersongroup.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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BCO announces new recommendations for greener and healthier offices

BCO announces new recommendations for greener and healthier offices

The British Council for Offices (BCO) has released an early update to its Guide to Specification, its most recognised publication, providing expert advice on how to specify office space. The update responds to challenges emerging from the pandemic and the accelerating need for the built environment to respond to climate change. The update advises designers how to create healthier offices that support changing working patterns, while reducing carbon emissions. New recommendations include: Reflecting the world of hybrid work The BCO has updated its guidance on space allowed for each employee when designing a speculative office building. 10m2 per person is recommended as the occupancy density design standard for general workspace. The former high occupancy density allowance of 8m2 per person has been redefined as a special use case for exceptional cases. Designing for the 10 m2 per person occupancy density provides greater scope for the variety of workplace settings needed to support hybrid working. It also avoids overdesign of core services, improves floorplate efficiencies, and minimises carbon emissions. The effect of changing technology The greater use of low-powered tablets, laptops, and smart phones, plus growth of cloud computing has allowed a reduction in small power load allowances 100 W to 60 W per person. This reduces the heat generated in the office space, which in turn reduces the cooling needed. Supporting the office sector to achieve net zero carbon Many developers already target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for new offices. Reflecting the rapid progress in the sector in adopting more demanding sustainability targets, the Guide is moving its minimum BREEAM target rating from ‘Very Good’ to ‘Excellent’, and introduces the latest building certification standard, NABERS UK – an energy performance rating relying on measured energy use. The update recommends targeting a 5-star NABERS UK rating for new building design. Market trends have fuelled a desire to create flexible, relatively column-free, open-plan offices. However, the structural solutions needed can be carbon intensive. The 2023 update to the Guide aids the future adoption of alternative structural materials such as timber by adding smaller 6.0 and 7.5 m spans to the recommended range. This wider range provides designers with more options to minimise the embodied carbon of the structure. The selection of high-performance facades, lighting and building services systems should also be made with net zero targets in mind, prioritising energy efficiency. Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “The BCO Guide to Specification often described as the ‘design bible’ for the office sector is an essential resource for the decision makers who invest in, develop or design millions of square feet of office space every year. The 2023 Update will drive the decarbonisation of the office sector, enacting change to help the industry deliver on the UK’s net zero by 2050 target. This new guidance for the highest-quality offices introduces more generous space standards and greater design flexibility to support wellbeing and sustainability as the office sector adapts to the world of hybrid work.” Neil Pennell, Chair of the BCO’s Technical Affairs Committee and Head of Design Innovation and Property Solutions at Landsec, said: “The BCO’s new guidance reflects changes in design thinking since 2019 driven by Net Zero Carbon targets, increased hybrid working post COVID-19, changes in regulations and improvements in equipment performance. There is a clear imperative to adopt a whole-building approach to decarbonise the sector which needs to start with the design and specification of new and refurbished office space. Developed in collaboration with the UK’s leading experts, the BCO Guide to Specification gives clear advice on how operational and embodied carbon can be reduced without compromising the need to provide flexible office space that meets the needs of occupiers and helps them to conduct their business in safe, healthy, comfortable and productive workspaces.” The BCO Guide to Specification update has been developed in consultation with experts from across the industry, including agents, investors, occupiers, and developers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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