BDC News Team
FIRST MINISTER OPENS ONE OF SCOTLAND’S MOST SUSTAINABLY BUILT COLLEGES

First Minister opens one of Scotland’s most sustainably built colleges

Nicola Sturgeon has officially opened City Building’s new state-of-the-art training college. Its design utilises solar panels which will provide sufficient energy to power the entire building, with any surplus energy being used for Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBI’s) adjacent manufacturing site to help reduce costs. The building has also been

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Pagabo to mandate digital credential solution across construction frameworks

Pagabo to mandate digital credential solution across construction frameworks

DIGITAL construction platform Construct.id has announced a strategic partnership with its first national framework provider, Pagabo, in an effort to raise standards and drive betterment among contractors on national construction frameworks. Being offered first to the 94 contractors on Pagabo’s new Medium Works Framework, the digital credential platform will be

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Partnership will use the world’s first pure commercial hydrogen boiler to deliver innovative hydrogen storage technology

Partnership will use the world’s first pure commercial hydrogen boiler to deliver innovative hydrogen storage technology

Heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi and H2GO Power, hydrogen-based software and hardware solutions innovators, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising their commitment to develop innovative green hydrogen-based technology that will tackle both heat decarbonisation and energy reliability. The MoU was signed by Baxi’s MD Karen Boswell

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GRAHAM celebrates next generation of women in construction

GRAHAM celebrates next generation of women in construction

Leading contractor shines a light on its dedicated apprentice scheme throughout Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023   The Scottish construction industry is experiencing a significant skills shortage and in a bid to bridge the gap, GRAHAM is investing in its dedicated apprenticeship scheme to future-proof the talent pipeline.   As part of Scottish

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Zutec delivers digital solution that puts residential building firms on the path to golden thread compliance

Zutec delivers digital solution that puts residential building firms on the path to golden thread compliance

Golden thread dashboard puts all building information and processes in one place to manage document collation, actions, approvals, gateways and compliance. Today, Zutec, the leading common data environment (CDE) for developers, clients and asset owners in the residential sector, announces the availability of its new Golden Thread Dashboard. Designed to

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Latest Issue
Issue 339 : Apr 2026

BDC News Team

Timber Development UK Launches Timber Skills Action Plan to Achieve Net-Zero Targets in the Construction Industry

Timber Development UK Launches Timber Skills Action Plan to Achieve Net-Zero Targets in the Construction Industry

Timber Development has unveiled a comprehensive Timber Skills Action plan in partnership with the HCI Skills Gateway, aimed at equipping the UK construction industry with the necessary skills to increase the use of timber and achieve net-zero targets. With the construction industry responsible for almost 40% of global emissions, and half of all materials extracted from the environment, experts have identified the use of timber as a key solution to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Engineered products like Cross-Laminated Timber can capture and store carbon in the built environment, resulting in a net benefit of 754CO2/m2 reduction compared to other forms of construction. The Timber Skills Action plan provides an industry-agreed breakdown of the skills and knowledge required for building with timber. This will aid the development of training programmes and support Continuing Professional Development (CPD) progression, enabling built environment professionals to confidently incorporate timber into building designs. David Hopkins, Chief Executive of Timber Development UK, said: “Our ambition is to support every built environment professional to identify and address timber skills and knowledge gaps so the industry can make the best use of timber in construction. “The construction industry faces a steep climb to achieve net zero targets as one of the worst-performing industries. Timber provides a ready-made solution that doesn’t rely on greenwashing, speculative innovations, or progress in other industries to deliver genuine carbon savings in the short and medium term. We now need the construction sector and government to hear this call to action.” To address the skills gap, Timber Development UK has built a coalition across industry, academia, and funders, creating the competency framework at the heart of the plan. The framework already underpins a set of short, practical courses developed by NMITE’s Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) in partnership with TDUK. The Timber TED (Technical Engineering & Design) courses provide comprehensive and flexible training for modern timber construction methods, enabling professionals to upskill and reskill in this critical area. Kirsty Connell-Skinner, Programme Manager at the HCI Skills Gateway, said: “This plan, led by HCI Skills Gateway using Scotland’s best practice, is an important step in the development of the UK-wide timber construction trade, as it allows us to set a national mission for the industry. “The four UK nations have achieved different standards and progress within the sector, but this action plan has been built on the best practice, learning and thorough research by a strong group of partners, and serves as a collaborative way of moving forward.” Timber is lightweight, easily workable, and can be processed efficiently using modern methods of construction, reducing waste and improving productivity. This provides solutions for affordable, energy-efficient housing, national retrofit targets, and net-zero public sector buildings. With the launch of the Timber Skills Action plan, the UK construction industry can take a significant step towards achieving its net-zero targets and reducing its impact on the environment. For further information, please visit Timber Development UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Quintain Living launches new sustainability-focused homes to rent in Wembley Park

Quintain Living launches new sustainability-focused homes to rent in Wembley Park

Repton Gardens has opened its doors to new residents in London’s Wembley Park. The homes, which sit across three new buildings are leased and operated by Quintain Living, the award-winning management company now overseeing the rental of more than 3,650 apartments in London’s most exciting new neighbourhood. The newly launched development, which is already so popular amongst new residents that it is outperforming leasing expectations, comprises three buildings, Cherry House, Birch House, and Aspen House. The apartments have been designed with families and sharers in mind, with the building featuring a range of spacious three- and four-bedroom apartments, as well as studios and one- and two-bedroom homes in range of layouts.   Altogether, Repton Gardens offers 396 rental homes, spread across 40 different layouts, 1,000sqm of ground floor retail space and 1,200sqm earmarked for a GP surgery. The varying apartment designs encompass features such as half bedrooms for guests, work-from-home studies, recessed shelving, breakfast bars, a choice of U-shaped and L-shaped kitchens, studios with bedrooms separated by doors and more. “Our goal with Repton Gardens is to support a wide range of renters to access the outstanding lifestyle on offer in Wembley Park. We’re here for individuals, couples, families with children, sharers, multi-generational families… our wide range of homes means that everyone can find something that suits their individual circumstances.”   Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Quintain Living’s most sustainable homes to date, the design concept for Repton Gardens has focused on natural, earthy colours and the use of natural products. Botanical living brings the outside in, with plants delivering enhanced air quality and a connection with nature throughout the building. In the podium garden, mounded groundworks have allowed for the planting of large, mature trees and shrubs, to support biodiversity. The tree species in the gardens (cherry, birch and aspen) mirror the buildings’ names.  “The design of Repton Gardens focuses on forward-thinking ideas about urban living. Life in the heart of a bustling urban area can still deliver that all-important connection with the natural world. You can see and feel this in action as you move through Repton Gardens.”   Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Repton Gardens is named after Humphry Repton, who was hired by the wealthy Page family back in 1792 to landscape their estate. It was on Repton’s advice that the family named the estate ‘Wembley Park’. Now, over two centuries later, Repton’s own name is being honoured in Repton Gardens – along with Humphry Repton Lane, which runs south of the development. Repton’s landscaping work remains influential to this day, inspiring the landscaping at both Repton Gardens and nearby Union Park. At Repton Gardens, Cherry House is home to the main entrance lobby. It also houses 10 work-from-home offices and a meeting room. These rentable ‘third places’ make up the largest work-from-home area on the Wembley Park estate so far, with Repton Gardens’ design factoring in new ways of living and working.  Other on-site amenities include a club room with pool table, soft seating, TV area and bar with beer tap and wine. There’s an 1,150 square foot gym overlooking the podium garden, while the garden itself includes four covered, hireable BBQ areas, two play areas and a lawn area. Cherry House and Birch House also feature roof terraces, including paved areas, artificial grass, sun loungers and seating. Individual apartments are furnished in one of two palettes: garden and natural. They feature a mix of natural materials and shades of green, deep blue, grey, brown and stone. John Lewis & Partners has curated a special sustainable collection of furniture, including ‘sustainability hero’ products. These items, which include sofas, coffee tables, beds, bar stools, dining chairs and mattresses, were selected following a stringent review of characteristics such as origin of manufacture, material construction and recycling potential. The resulting selections are predominantly sourced from the UK or Europe using sustainable fabrics and/or processes. In particular, handmade rattan armchairs, side tables and coffee tables contribute to a unique design within the homes. Rattan is an excellent choice in sustainability terms, as well as being a stylish and durable material. Due to its fast growth and harvest time, plus the fact that every part of the rattan vine is used, rattan outperforms more traditional woods used in furniture production and is an excellent companion crop. Floors in all apartments are cedar plank effect Amtico in kitchens and living areas, with grey ceramic tiles in bathrooms. Walls are neutral throughout each home, with a feature wall to add colour and depth. Kitchens feature natural oak laminate worktops with cabinets all in green in the natural palette homes and in green and grey in the garden palette apartments.   The design of the apartments creates a strong sense of bringing the outside inside. It also serves, along with the layout of the three buildings, to build a sense of the podium garden being the epicentre of the community. For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www.quintainliving.com, @quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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FIRST MINISTER OPENS ONE OF SCOTLAND’S MOST SUSTAINABLY BUILT COLLEGES

First Minister opens one of Scotland’s most sustainably built colleges

Nicola Sturgeon has officially opened City Building’s new state-of-the-art training college. Its design utilises solar panels which will provide sufficient energy to power the entire building, with any surplus energy being used for Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBI’s) adjacent manufacturing site to help reduce costs. The building has also been installed with air-source heat pumps which will provide low-cost, environmentally friendly heat, making it one of the country’s most sustainably built and operated colleges. The college will house up to 250 apprentices across a range of disciplines. Alongside newer trades and skills within the renewable and technology sectors, traditional trades such as stone masonry, brickwork and wet trades will also be taught which will be vital to the restoration and maintenance of many of Scotland’s historic buildings. This diversity of skills deployed by City Building is a core reason for the new college which will become one of Scotland’s largest teaching centres for trades learning and development. The building was constructed entirely by staff and apprentices of City Building. The First Minister met some of those involved to learn more about how the college will be developing the workforce which will drive the country to net zero by 2045. Alan Burns, Executive Director of City Building said: “It is fantastic to welcome the First Minister here today to officially open our new training college. “The college is a significant investment for our business and will form the basis of our skills agenda for decades to come. “If the country is serious about achieving net zero then it will be these young men and women who will be critical to delivering this goal, and with this new facility we are also preparing them with lifelong skills. “City Building takes enormous pride in being Scotland’s largest apprenticeship employer and the new facility demonstrates our commitment and ambition as a business. Up to 250 apprentices will learn their trades here, every single year, and develop the skills the construction industry needs for now and in the future. “As a former apprentice myself it is a very exciting time to be a part of City Building.” The state-of-the-art facility was officially opened at the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which is taking place from 6 to 10 March to put a spotlight on the positive impact work-based learning has on businesses, people and the Scottish economy. First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government recognises the role apprenticeships play in unlocking potential for the benefit of Scotland’s economy. Growing our workforce is crucial, which is why we must continue our work to increase opportunities for young people by providing them with quality work-based training. “Apprenticeships also support economic renewal and key priorities, including our net zero ambitions. Facilities like this will be critical in building the next generation of workers who will deliver the vast change needed, not just across the construction industry but across our entire workforce. “Whether it be installing new renewable energy sources such as solar panels or repairing and maintaining brick work in some of Scotland’s most historic and treasured buildings, the skills these young people learn in this very college will be used to deliver net zero for the entire country.” Scotland’s skills agency, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) administers Scottish Apprenticeships and co-ordinates Scottish Apprenticeship Week.   Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell, said: “Designed by industry, for industry, apprenticeships not only help the economy but also create sustainable jobs across all parts of Scotland. These opportunities have been taken by individuals from across society, including many young people traditionally with restricted opportunities to progress who have gone onto flourish in the workplace. “These are real jobs backed by employers who contribute £10 for every £1 spent by government, and at the same time apprentices contribute by paying their taxes. “Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce through work-based learning is benefiting employers as apprentices enable them to adapt and sustain their business.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Pagabo to mandate digital credential solution across construction frameworks

Pagabo to mandate digital credential solution across construction frameworks

DIGITAL construction platform Construct.id has announced a strategic partnership with its first national framework provider, Pagabo, in an effort to raise standards and drive betterment among contractors on national construction frameworks. Being offered first to the 94 contractors on Pagabo’s new Medium Works Framework, the digital credential platform will be introduced to all the provider’s existing construction frameworks retrospectively and added to new framework terms and conditions from April. The partnership aims to result in every skilled worker attending a Pagabo procured project to be registered with Construct.id by the end of 2023. Martin Ward, co-founder and managing director of Construct.id, said: “Having Pagabo on board as an early adopter of Construct.id is a big step in the right direction for the construction industry. It’s a framework provider with significant influence and a large network of suppliers – all of whom will benefit from the savings and improved compliance that our platform provides. “The Pagabo team has been supportive of our vision from day one and is equally driven by breaking boundaries that have held back the construction industry for too long. We have a shared understanding on the importance of industry wide adoption of Construct.id and will be working very closely together to ensure the benefits are maximised for everyone across supply chains.” Serving the entire construction community with an independent, single source of trusted and verified identity, skills and competency data for each skilled worker, the Construct.id platform seeks to empower all corners of the construction supply chain. Contractors are given the ability to set site standards across their supply chains, while subcontractors gain greater visibility of these standards and of their workforce. Timely alerts and notifications on any credentials that have expired will improve governance, but skilled workers can prevent this independently by managing one digital platform holding their right to work and credentials – which can be used anywhere. Jason Stapley, chief procurement officer at The 55 Group, Pagabo’s parent organisation, said: “Our frameworks are designed to create competition and ensure the most suitable supplier is assigned to each job, but in some areas of the construction industry consistency and equally high standards are needed. Through Construct.id, our ecosystem will now be better positioned to tackle shared issues such as modern slavery, data duplication and digital transformation. “Whether it’s increasing site standards or reducing admin and paperwork, Construct.id is a shining example of how technology can remove human error from important processes so that the safety and security of everyone is upheld.” Gerard Toplass, group CEO at The 55 Group, said: “We are constantly seeking ways to support initiatives that we feel are for the betterment of the industry and those that work within it. Data-driven decision making is vital for the healthy future of the construction industry and we see Construct.id as a building block on the journey. “We must reform the construction industry, using data to make us stronger, faster and greener – supporting key motivations such as removing modern slavery, improving the wellbeing of skilled workers, increasing productivity and achieving net zero.” With Pagabo and Willmott Dixon already announced as partners, more Construct.id ambassadors are set to be confirmed soon. For more information visit www.construct.id or follow the business on LinkedIn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions strengthens development arm with Product Innovation Engineer appointment

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions strengthens development arm with Product Innovation Engineer appointment

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland has bolstered its research and development department with the appointment of Mariam Tabarik as Product Innovation Engineer within the Door Group. Mariam began her journey with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions in 2022 as a Research and Development Intern. Originally from Pakistan, she had been studying for her master’s degree in Italy, before becoming aware of the internship in Lisburn. Mariam successfully applied, and in a short period she had made such an impression that she was made a full-time Product Innovation Engineer. Mariam’s role is to push forward with innovation and help bring products to life. She’s involved in the technical aspects of product development, as well as managing logistics, testing, certification, and audits. She is currently working on a number of innovation projects that have the potential to step change the industry in a positive way. Speaking of her passion for her job, Mariam said: “One of my greatest strengths is my ability to do extensive research. I will go above and beyond and look at all aspects from every perspective – especially from an engineering point of view.” “I have a technical mindset and pay attention to the finer details of a project. Because I’m very thorough with the work that I do, you could probably ask me anything about a product that I’m working on, and I’ll be able to give you an in-depth answer that goes much further than the surface information. “I’m also a bit of a workaholic and I have a thirst for knowledge – I want to prove to myself that I can truly innovate.” Mariam was very keen to work for Opening Solutions as ASSA ABLOY is a renowned and respected global brand, but another aspect that has made her so happy in her role is the friendly culture of the business. She explains: “The people I work with are so nice – they are very supportive, and I am also given lots of freedom. My colleagues are extremely helpful and I enjoy the company culture, everyone is very generous and accommodating.” As a woman in engineering, Mariam wants to inspire other women into similar roles within the industry: “Females are in the minority in the manufacturing side of engineering, and I would like to see more representation and better ways to encourage women into these kind of roles. “If I can be influential in this sense then it would be one of the greatest achievements of my life, as I want to see women – especially women of colour and from my part of the world – get into more male-dominated industries.” Looking towards her future with Opening Solutions, Mariam has her eye on eventually becoming one of the first females in a Head of Innovation role for the business. “I would love to stay on the technical side of operations and build a profile for myself, while getting new patents and launching innovative products into the market. “The culture here is very unique and you can work your way up – if you put in the effort, the company really recognises this and appreciates the hard work. People sometimes think that women cannot bring as much to the table, but I want to break that stereotype and prove that we are equally capable – if not more!” For more information on ASSA ABLOY Door Group, please visit https://bit.ly/3gGLU3R.

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Kingspan achieves 26% reduction in absolute scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2020

Kingspan achieves 26% reduction in absolute scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2020

Kingspan Group, the global leader in high performance insulation and building envelope solutions, has today released its third annual report for its 10-year sustainability programme, Planet Passionate. 2022 marked another milestone year for the programme, as Kingspan unveiled a 26% reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions relative to its 2020 base year marking significant progress against its target of a 90% reduction by 2030, that it had completed over 100 Planet Passionate projects in 2022, and that, as of January 2023, it has implemented an internal carbon charge of 70€/tCO₂e.[2] In addition, the estimated emissions savings benefit from Kingspan insulation systems sold in 2022 is 173 milliontonnes of CO2e, enough to power a major airline for 15 years.[3] Other key highlights: The Group also continues to make efforts to progress towards its verified science-based target to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030, as it continues to pursue its decarbonisation strategy for its key raw materials from its upstream supply chain. By collaborating with suppliers on absolute carbon reductions across its value chain, Kingspan aims to reduce the carbon intensity of its key products and make progress towards its target of a 50% reduction in product CO₂e intensity from its primary supply partners by 2030. As Kingspan looks to put absolute carbon reductions at the centre of its Planet Passionate programme, the Group has introduced an internal carbon charge across its global business as of January 2023. The starting price will be 70€/tCO₂e (scope 1&2 GHG emissions, excluding process and biogenic emissions). The incorporation of Derbigum into the Kingspan Group, as part of the new Roofing and Waterproofing Division, is a notable highlight as the Group looks to lead the way in circularity in roofing and waterproofing. Derbigum’s “No Roof to Waste” enables the collection and recycling not only of production waste and cut-offs, but of old roofs, which are fully recycled; an exciting scheme which aligns with  Kingspan’s portfolio of Planet Passionate programmes. The Group also completed the acquisition of Troldtekt in March 2022, a Danish producer of acoustic insulation containing wood fibre, marking Kingspan’s first significant step into the ‘bio-based insulation’ category. As in the two previous editions of the Planet Passionate Report, the Group has demonstrated substantial progress against the majority of the programme’s targets in carbon, energy, water and circularity. These include: Energy: An increase in the direct use of renewable energy from 19.5% to 33.4% relative to the 2020 base year as the Group aims to meet its target of 60% direct renewable energy by 2030. In 2022, the Group also implemented an increase in the percentage of wholly-owned facilities with solar PV up to 35.2% from 21.7% in the 2020 base year. Carbon: Significant investment in the reduction of embodied carbon in the Insulated Panels division following the launch of Quadcore LEC, a product which demonstrates a circa 17% reduction in embodied carbon (in life cycle modules A-C) when compared with the existing product. Quadcore LEC will be formally launched in the first-quarter of 2023. The Group has also seen an increase in the percentage of conversions to zero emissions company cars from 11% in the 2020 base year to 58% in 2022. Circularity: A reduction in company waste to landfill of 7,814 tonnes, as well as recycling 803 million PET bottles into its manufacturing processes in 2022 as the Group makes significant inroads into its target of 1 billion annually by 2025. Water: In 2022, the Group announced its third partnership project with clean tech start-up ClearbotTM, as it remains on track to complete five ocean clean-up projects by 2025. The Group also harvested 26.1 million litres of rainwater in 2022, an increase of 25.9% relative to the 2020 base year, as it remains on track to harvest 100 million litres annually by 2030, to help reduce the Group’s impact on local water supplies. Gene Murtagh, CEO of Kingspan Group, said: ‘As a Group, Kingspan remains steadfast in our commitment to help accelerate progress towards a net zero emissions future. In 2022, we again made significant progress towards most of our Planet Passionate targets. Since 2020, we have reduced our absolute scope 1 &2 GHG emissions by 26%, doubled our rainwater harvesting capacity and reduced our landfill waste by 42%. I am immensely proud to see our Planet Passionate programme evolving and maturing and I am confident that our talented and passionate teams across our business will do their utmost to help Kingspan play a key role in the transition to a net-zero emissions built environment.” Bianca Wong, Head of Sustainability of Kingspan Group, said: ‘As we conclude the third year of the programme, it’s fantastic to see the wholehearted commitment of our all across the Group to help achieve continued annual progress towards our ambitious Planet Passionate targets. It’s a testament to the enduring efforts of our colleagues that we completed over 100 projects in 2022. We will continue to build on our progress to date and aim to further accelerate our strategies in the coming years.’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Partnership will use the world’s first pure commercial hydrogen boiler to deliver innovative hydrogen storage technology

Partnership will use the world’s first pure commercial hydrogen boiler to deliver innovative hydrogen storage technology

Heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi and H2GO Power, hydrogen-based software and hardware solutions innovators, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising their commitment to develop innovative green hydrogen-based technology that will tackle both heat decarbonisation and energy reliability. The MoU was signed by Baxi’s MD Karen Boswell and Enass Abo-Hamed, H2GO’s CEO, at a presentation of their carbon-neutral heat-in-a-box system held at Baxi’s Dartford Training Centre. The partnership includes an upcoming industrial scale trial of this unique containerised pre-heating solution which will be hosted by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) at its Low Thornley test facility. Pre-heating is an essential part of distributing gas. Before it can be transported to homes and businesses through the network, the pressure of the gas must be reduced. This process can cause it to freeze, so pre-heating takes place to allow the gas to flow. Traditional pre-heating units are highly energy and cost intensive. Heat-in-the-box will lower the cost of pre-heating, while delivering the supply at much lower costs for applications at a massive scale. The aim of the trial is to demonstrate how the heat-in-a-box system can supply heat for gas pre-heating in a safe and carbon-neutral manner, with the potential to supply renewable heating for other operations. Heat-in-a-box combines electrolysis, hydrogen storage technology and Baxi’s hydrogen boiler, the first-ever pure hydrogen boiler for commercial applications. The end-to-end system will be powered by solar photovoltaics and supported by an AI-enabled optimisation software platform. As heat-in-a-box can help maximise self-generated renewable electricity, it offers an interesting solution for multiple use cases – including decarbonising heat in off gas grid non-domestic buildings. Karen Boswell, Managing Director at Baxi UK & Ireland, said: “This partnership will deliver the world’s first commercial pure hydrogen boiler that will provide customers with greater flexibility in meeting their emissions reduction targets. Innovation projects like this are critical to understanding the role hydrogen can play in helping to decarbonise a range of sectors – including the difficult ones like heat.” Dr Enass Abo-Hamed, H2GO Power CEO, said: “We are pleased to be part of this world-first initiative. Today’s demonstration is a significant step as we explore the opportunities that could be unlocked through Heat-in-the box. Demand for heat is three times higher than the demand for power, while responsible for 40 percent of all global emissions. And we are determined to deliver a carbon neutral solution without compromising on cost and productivity to be used across key industries including as ceramics, glass, cement, food and beverage and chemicals.” For more information visit the Baxi and H2Go Power websites. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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First Bloor Homes site has energy efficient air source heat pumps installed

First Bloor Homes site has energy efficient air source heat pumps installed

A new homes development in Leicestershire is the first by Bloor Homes to have energy efficient air source heat pumps installed. The technology is being used for every home at the housebuilder’s Brooksby Spinney development in Brooksby, north-east of Leicester. Air source heat pumps are a low carbon technology, that uses the environment to generate 75 per cent of heating and hot water. Just 25 per cent comes from electricity, which also means that the user is not reliant on other forms of energy. Mike Kelly, Managing Director for Bloor Homes East Midlands, said: “The air source heat pumps are exciting for a number of reasons. Firstly, the heating system will protect homebuyers’ from spiralling energy bills, removing the stress and strain so many are feeling. “The technology is also more sustainable, allowing buyers to reduce their carbon footprint – an aim that many of us share. 75 per cent of the energy that a buyer will use comes from a sustainable source, which makes a huge difference. “We are also very pleased to be building the first development for Bloor Homes which will use the technology here in the Midlands. It’s a blueprint which may well become more prevalent in the coming years, so we are delighted to spearhead the use of the technology here.” The Vaillant aroTHERM plus air source heat pump is designed for a peaceful home, with sound levels  as low as 54 decibels. The technology will also be compatible with apps, meaning that users can control their heating on the go. Steve Cipriano, Commercial Director at Vaillant adds: “Ahead of the introduction of the Future Home Standard in 2025, it’s encouraging to see national housebuilders, such as Bloor Homes, already leading the charge when it comes to creating homes that have energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies at their heart. “The Brooksby Spinney development is a shining example of the how UK homes will support a sustainable future, and we’re delighted to have worked alongside Bloor Homes on this project.” For more information on the homes at Brooksby Spinney, visit bloorhomes.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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GRAHAM celebrates next generation of women in construction

GRAHAM celebrates next generation of women in construction

Leading contractor shines a light on its dedicated apprentice scheme throughout Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023   The Scottish construction industry is experiencing a significant skills shortage and in a bid to bridge the gap, GRAHAM is investing in its dedicated apprenticeship scheme to future-proof the talent pipeline.   As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week and Women in Construction Week (6 – 13 March), the contractor is shining a light on the invaluable academic and workplace opportunities it provides to encourage people from non-traditional routes into construction.  Five GRAHAM apprentices joined forces at the flagship Candleriggs Square development in Glasgow’s Merchant City, currently under construction by GRAHAM to deliver a luxury urban quarter, to celebrate Scotland’s next generation of the construction workforce.   This includes Michelle Jeffrey (20), who currently works on the PLATFORM_ Glasgow scheme as a trainee engineer whilst completing a graduate apprenticeship in civil engineering at University of Strathclyde.  Lucy Threlfall (16) joined GRAHAM as an apprentice administrator before also going on to become a trainee engineer at PLATFORM_ Glasgow, whilst starting a NC Civil Engineering apprenticeship at Glasgow Kelvin College.  After completing her HNC in Civil Engineering at Glasgow Kelvin College, Alexis Smith (21) now works at GRAHAM as a trainee planner and is enrolled on the civil engineering graduate apprenticeship course with University of the West of Scotland.   Morgan Williams (17) joined fresh from secondary school as a trainee quantity surveyor (QS) and is now enrolled on the graduate apprenticeship programme with Heriot-Watt University whilst also working on GRAHAM’s student accommodation scheme on Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh.   Swapping the skies for construction sites, Lynsey Kirk (22) was made redundant from her air hostess role during the pandemic before realising her potential as a quantity surveyor.  GRAHAM originally onboarded Lynsey as a framework-coordinator before supporting her into a role as trainee QS and she is now progressing with the graduate apprenticeship programme at Glasgow Caledonian University.   Lynsey, from Hamilton, said: “After being made redundant from my air hostess role during Covid, I was at a crossroads looking for the best next step for my career. In my early 20s, it was challenging to know what to do next, but after I was introduced to the GRAHAM team, they opened a door to a career in construction that I’d never considered before.   “The mix of on-site practical experience and degree-level education is a fantastic way to get to grips with the role properly, and I will feel confident stepping into a full-time role with GRAHAM after graduation in 2026. It gives me great peace of mind to know that I have guaranteed employment after completing my degree and I’m excited to progress a successful career in the Scottish construction industry.”  In total, GRAHAM has 27 young people in Scotland signed up to a formal apprenticeship programme and has a further 10 opportunities coming available throughout 2023 in engineering, site management and planning.   Given the number of young people in its Building North region, last year GRAHAM established the Young Persons Forum, which is led by Building North managing director, Gary Holmes. The group meets on a quarterly basis to ensure that the voices of tomorrow’s construction leaders are heard and that they have the opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the future of GRAHAM.   Within the region, GRAHAM also has 25 science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) ambassadors, who actively visit schools and colleges to promote the industry.   Debbie Rutherford, Social Impact Manager at GRAHAM Building North, said: “The construction industry is experiencing a real skills shortage. There is a concerning lack of qualified people available to fill vacancies, and in a bid to address this, GRAHAM has made a significant investment in the training and upskilling of colleagues with the aim of building future talent – and retaining existing skills for the company.  “It has been well documented that the candidate pool of construction workers is shrinking at an unsustainable rate, and long-term solutions are required.  Therefore, earn as you learn schemes, such as the Graduate Apprenticeships, are critical for employers.  “We are finding many benefits. Our apprentices are not only obtaining qualifications, but they are also gaining invaluable experience which benefits us as an employer. The knowledge our colleagues are acquiring is being applied on sites, which brings positive change through fresh new methods and different ways of thinking. Very importantly, Graduate Apprenticeships are also opening up the industry to new demographics and creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.”  For more information about the GRAHAM Academy, please visit: https://www.graham.co.uk/careers/graham-academy Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Zutec delivers digital solution that puts residential building firms on the path to golden thread compliance

Zutec delivers digital solution that puts residential building firms on the path to golden thread compliance

Golden thread dashboard puts all building information and processes in one place to manage document collation, actions, approvals, gateways and compliance. Today, Zutec, the leading common data environment (CDE) for developers, clients and asset owners in the residential sector, announces the availability of its new Golden Thread Dashboard. Designed to capture building information across the asset lifecycle, from design to digital handover and maintenance, the Zutec solution provides one place to store, register and manage information while helping firms meet regulatory compliance. Leveraging Zutec’s decades of experience, it has been specifically developed to support the construction and building maintenance industries to prepare for the imminent arrival of the final provisions of the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 later this year. Jeslin Joy, Head of Solutions Engineering at Zutec, says: “With the UK Government’s new building regulations putting an emphasis on digitising data, the golden thread of information will become a fundamental requirement for ensuring building safety and accountability. It is therefore more important than ever to have a robust client tool to manage information from design to build and beyond, and to prepare for this early. Taking the pain out of the document management process, our dashboard offers a comprehensive, consolidated and integrated perspective to building information for users, which is aimed at facilitating and achieving golden thread compliance for clients.” Providing a unified, top-level view of data, the Zutec Golden Thread Dashboard enables users to drill down and define, track and quality check all necessary documents required for compliance with the gateways set out in the BSA, as well as other building regulations.  Users can track actions, outstanding deliverables, snags, and remedial works against trade/work packages, so nothing falls through the cracks when it comes to the construction, operations and maintenance documents for a building. Managing RFIs, responses and changes to a build can be done within the tool, with details recorded for effective management of safety measures and auditing. Certificates due for renewal can also be monitored and updated.  With search and sharing functionality, all stakeholders get transparency which helps firms meet regulatory requirements in the operations phase too.  The user experience is simple, the journey quick, and the view is action-oriented.  This takes away the complexity normally seen in a CDE platform, so end users can focus on what matters most – ensuring the safety of tenants and proving their compliance with a full audit trail should it be needed. Administrators can also take advantage of the rich function offered by the Zutec platform, without it affecting the day-to-day user’s efficiency. Joy continued: “We are seeing asset owners and developers keen to firm up on their information management strategies, as the industry moves closer to achieving a golden thread of building information. Client CDEs play a vital role in this longer term; therefore we have built our dashboard in the Zutec CDE to minimise risk, enhance collaboration and streamline the transition of information from construction into the operations phase. By adopting our approach, you own your data so you can ensure critical information is always up-to-date and easily accessible. This instils confidence in building safety for operations teams, as well as occupants who see safety as a top priority.” With a specialism in digital handover from sister company Createmaster, getting started with the Zutec Golden Thread Dashboard has never been easier. As a fully managed service, documents are reviewed and uploaded by a team of experts that professionally collate and deliver handover packs for a seamless transition to operational departments.  This gives firms a digital representation of an asset that can be used by building owners, facilities managers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions. For clients, asset owners and developers looking to take the next step towards Golden Thread, Zutec is offering a proof-of-concept package so firms can try the solution on a project or asset before investing across a portfolio. To find out more, or to organise a demo, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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