The Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) has appointed Danny Spokes as the divisional managing directorfor IBMG’s South West build division. The appointment heralds the restructure of IBMG’s South West operation to align with the wider structure of the Group. IBMG’s South West division incorporates CRS’s 13 builders merchant branches in Somerset as well as RGB’s
Watkin Jones is pleased to announce that Bristol City Council Development Committee (‘the Council’) approved plans for the development of a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol earlier this week. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area
The eagerly anticipated Air and Space Institute (ASI) in Newark has now received its first intake of students. The £15.4m state-of-the-art facility provides world-class educational opportunities for future generations of the aerospace industry. Procured through the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works and delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F
Salford City Council has approved an ambitious £15 million redevelopment plan for Walkden Town Centre, spearheaded by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. This significant investment aims to breathe new life into the area, addressing high vacancy rates and underused retail spaces. The comprehensive scheme involves
The North of England contractor secured the scheme after commencing a £1.8 million enabling works package in February Esh Construction is delivering a new bus station in Bishop Auckland after being awarded a £6.4 million contract by Durham County Council. The contract follows on from Esh’s £1.8 million package to
Fivemiletown headquartered Paving and Building Products firm, AG, has reinforced its position as a market leader in sustainable construction by reducing its carbon footprint by over 47%. With manufacturing sites in Fivemiletown, Toome, and Carryduff, the firm as part of its Climate Action Pledge has committed to cutting its absolute
Affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes, recently unearthed over 18,800 historical artefacts after excavations at its Calthorpe Gardens development discovered archaeological evidence dating from the Prehistoric Mesolithic, Late bronze Age-Middle to Late Iron Age, and through to early Anglo-Saxon times. The site is now considered one of significant regional importance after Border
New demanding legislation is being introduced into the supply chain for the right reasons of quality and safety, says AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been raising awareness of the Building Safety Act 2022 which makes new demands in terms of building industry process and compliance requirements. Stuart Dover, general manager
Construction solutions manufacturer, Saint-Gobain UK and forward-thinking decarbonisation facility, Tŷ Gwyrddfai will be formally celebrating their unique skills partnership with an open day. Tŷ Gwyrddfai is the ambitious and collaborative project between Adra, North Wales’ largest social housing provider, Bangor University and CIST, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai. The open day is a launch
Form should never compromise function, particularly in respect of building design. Aesthetics are important but must not usurp the need to create homes that optimise occupant safety and comfort. Prioritising the performance of materials such as insulation are integral to this outcome. For architects, early engagement with a specialist insulation
The Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) has appointed Danny Spokes as the divisional managing directorfor IBMG’s South West build division. The appointment heralds the restructure of IBMG’s South West operation to align with the wider structure of the Group. IBMG’s South West division incorporates CRS’s 13 builders merchant branches in Somerset as well as RGB’s 22-branch network across Devon and Cornwall. Both RGB and CRS were acquired by IBMG in 2022. With Danny taking the helm in the South West, Toby Constable will continue to lead IBMG’s build division in the South East with Mat Miller in the North. Prior to this appointment, Danny was MD of IBMG’s roofing division where he has overseen its development to become the third largest roofing merchant in the country and the largest independent in Southern England. Allun Pittingale, COO of IBMG, said “I am thrilled with this appointment. Danny has extensive experience in this sector and a track record of building great teams and delivering great results. Danny is keenly aware of the heritage and history of his new brands and I am absolutely certain that he will take our South West build division to new heights.” Danny Spokes, a resident of Somerset, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “Our branch network in the region, in terms of geographical spread and customer base, is significant and I have no doubt that, together with the teams in each branch, we can continue to make a big difference to tradespeople across the South West.” IBMG is the largest owner of independent merchants in the South of England. Operating five core divisions: builders merchants; timber; plumbing & heating; roofing; and electrical, it primarily serves trade customers. IBMG-owned branches extend from Penzance to Margate, East Anglia and north to the Midlands. The Group employs 2,000+ people, and leads the way in personal customer service. independentbm.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones is pleased to announce that Bristol City Council Development Committee (‘the Council’) approved plans for the development of a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol earlier this week. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the Council. Formerly an engineering works and foundry, the project is a prime opportunity to revive a disused brownfield site and contribute to the broader regeneration of the Bedminster Green area. The scheme will deliver high-quality managed homes for students ranging from six to ten storeys in height across three buildings. The proposals will deliver broad benefits to the local community, including the creation of a new public space and improvements to the highway infrastructure. The new student population is expected to support local businesses, including those along nearby East Street in particular. Compared to the proposals of previous developers, Watkin Jones’ proposal promoted significant changes including reducing the number and height of buildings across the site and decreasing the number of rooms to better reflect the local character and in response to public engagement. With support from the University of Bristol, this scheme will help to meet the higher education needs of the city that continues to be a premier destination of choice for both UK and international students as numbers continue to rise. Importantly, it has been designed sustainably to support the Group’s ESG strategy. The scheme will be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and WiredScore ‘Gold’ enabling the best connectivity for students, in addition to an EPC rating B. Watkin Jones is expected to partner with its award-winning management company Fresh to deliver well-maintained, 24-hour on-site services for students. As a leading and long-standing student accommodation developer, Fresh can ensure the site is well cared for and that the student population is well integrated with the existing community. The site offers excellent public transport links and includes storage for 130 bikes, three disabled car spaces that can accommodate EV charging, significant new tree planting, and green landscaping along Malago Road, seamlessly integrating with the council’s highway improvements and river restoration works. Ben Wrighton, Head of Planning at Watkin Jones commented: “We are very excited to announce planning approval for our second project in one of Bristol’s key regeneration areas and our third active project within the city. “Our commitment to providing high-quality, and well-managed purpose-built student accommodation will in part address the significant growing demand from the University of Bristol. We look forward to continuing our efforts to meet this growing need alongside the City Council and the local communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The eagerly anticipated Air and Space Institute (ASI) in Newark has now received its first intake of students. The £15.4m state-of-the-art facility provides world-class educational opportunities for future generations of the aerospace industry. Procured through the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works and delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, the new ASI facility provides a unique opportunity for students aged 16-18 to train for pilot, engineer and ground-crew roles in airlines, the military, airports and logistics companies across the UK and abroad. The new three-storey college building constructed for Newark College, which is part of the Lincoln College Group, sits adjacent to the Newark and Sherwood District Council offices on the former Cattle Market and is only the second of its kind to be built in the UK. The facility provides high tech training for the air and space industry, accommodating a full-sized Airbus A318 for enhanced hands-on teaching experience, alongside a double height entrance hall, large open space hangar, flight simulators, teaching zones, engineering workshops, lecture and seminar areas. It is anticipated that the building blueprint could form a model for future establishments of this type, across other areas of the UK. Introducing a full-sized commercial aeroplane into the building posed a number of complexities including ensuring the installation was successfully implemented within the tight tolerances of the building. The initial brief was just a section of the fuselage to be placed into the building. Through collaborative innovation with the client and designers on how the plane would be supported on specially designed wheel mounts, we were able to install the Airbus A318 as a whole unit, enhancing the learning experience for students. G F Tomlinson sourced specialist advice from a private Flight Director who provided industry expertise to collaboratively assist with the permanent installation in the hangar. The aircraft was transported from the Air Salvage International base in Cirencester and travelled 110 miles by police escort to Newark. Prior to arrival, reinforced concrete pads and beams were installed to strengthen the floor slab and a specialist hydraulic gantry was erected within the building to lift the fuselage from the low loader and temporarily suspend and support the aircraft mid-air. Specially designed structural steel supporting systems were manufactured and installed to stabilise and take the weight of the aircraft, fixing it in its final position. G F Tomlinson used BIM technology software from the conception of the scheme, to digitally map the complex build which comprised numerous articulated angles. Using world coordinate systems for its design and construction, the software allowed the contractor and client to work the design and use real time updates to navigate through all fundamental stages towards completion. This software helped ensure the plane installation could be completed accurately, with tolerances down to millimetres. Sustainability was an integral part of the project, with initiatives such as five air source heat pumps, two air handling units and three extracts incorporated within the building to reduce the overall energy building requirements. During the project, 1140 car miles were driven using low-emission vehicles and we sourced 92% local spend and 92% local labour within 40 miles of site. 135.53 tonnes of wood waste materials were rescued from the waste stream and 99.3% of site waste was recycled, aligning with the target of offsetting carbon during the project, in line with the Government’s Net Zero agenda. G F Tomlinson provided £25,315,802 of Total Social Value opportunities for the local community, which was calculated using social impact software, Loop. This included organised site visits, regular newsletters and career talks with students from nearby schools. 228 hours of work experience placements, 948 apprentice hours and 723 local student engagements were provided. Adrian Grocock, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s been an honour to turn Lincoln College Group’s vision into a reality, providing a world-class training facility for young people going into the aerospace industry. “We worked closely with the client using the latest technology and specialist advice to ensure the seamless construction of the new campus building and the installation of the large commercial aircraft for educational purposes – consulting with third party experts to manage the transportation and stabilisation of the aircraft to its final fixed position.” Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a huge moment not just for Newark but the whole district. We now have an amazing world-class training centre right in the heart of our community which will be giving local students opportunities to pursue successful and inspiring careers like they’ve never had before. “This goes beyond just education but will create exciting developments for our local community. It will provide employment opportunities and boost our local economy and will be home to over 200 students each year. “It will directly create almost 40 new jobs for the area and importantly will create many more over the coming generations to those wanting to embark on careers and pathways into better skilled, well-paid jobs in the civil and military aviation industries. “The ASI has all been made possible thanks to the successful Newark Town Board bid for £25m as part of the Government’s Towns Fund initiative in 2019 and it’s been great to see students already studying at the site after years of planning and construction.” Tom Marsden, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Lincoln College Group, said: “We are thrilled with the exceptional work done by GF Tomlinson and their team of contractors in constructing our new state-of-the-art facility. “Their dedication and expertise have truly transformed the space into a cutting-edge hub for education and training that will benefit not only the students of Newark but also the entire surrounding region. We are excited to see the positive impact this facility will have on our community for years to come.” David Llewellyn, head of construction and infrastructure at Pagabo Group, said: “Our goal is always to make procurement simple, effective and compliant, and this type of large-scale project is the
Salford City Council has approved an ambitious £15 million redevelopment plan for Walkden Town Centre, spearheaded by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. This significant investment aims to breathe new life into the area, addressing high vacancy rates and underused retail spaces. The comprehensive scheme involves the demolition of 180,000 square feet of outdated retail space, specifically targeting large sections of Egerton Walk and Victoria Square, which have struggled with high vacancy rates in recent years. In their place, Derwent Estates plans to create modern commercial units and a landscaped public area designed to boost the centre’s appeal and functionality. This transformation is expected to enhance the vitality of Walkden Town Centre, providing a more attractive and sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors. A planning statement by Savills, who advised on the project, highlighted the potential for future redevelopment of the newly cleared plots. “Those future development plots will be landscaped areas that will host meanwhile uses in the interim period before development progresses on those plots, further supporting the centre’s vitality and viability,” the statement noted. This phased approach ensures that the area remains vibrant and functional throughout the redevelopment process. In addition to the new commercial units, the project will introduce a contemporary façade for Walkden Town Centre, significantly improving its aesthetic appeal. The plans also include enhanced public spaces, aimed at creating a more welcoming and user-friendly environment. With the council’s approval secured, Derwent Estates is now seeking a contractor to commence demolition work later this year. Scott Hall, asset manager at Derwent Estates, emphasised the project’s importance to the local community. “We fully understand the importance of Walkden Town Centre to the local area, which is why we have taken this proactive decision to significantly improve its current offering. We aim to create a more contemporary and attractive yet sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors. We recognise the changing attitudes and expectations of all stakeholders, which is why these plans are so imperative to ensuring a vibrant future for the centre.” The architectural design for the redevelopment has been crafted by RGP, while project management is being handled by Artal. Barker Proudlove and Graham Sibbald are the retained letting agents, responsible for leasing the new commercial spaces. Derwent Estates is also in the process of liaising with current tenants as part of its relocation programme, ensuring minimal disruption during the redevelopment. Beyond the town centre, Derwent Estates is demonstrating its commitment to the local community through additional investments, notably at the nearby Little Hulton Community Centre. Hall explained, “The charity’s commitment to enhancing and improving amenities in the area is further indicated by the works currently underway at Little Hulton Community Centre. A grant has been awarded to redevelop the existing pavilion, which has been underused since its construction in 2008. Funds from The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation will provide an enhanced and permanent place for the community to come together, with a commitment to investing in and maintaining the building for the next 125 years. The full refurbishment and extension of the existing facility has already started on site and will be handed over to Community Little Hulton in October of this year.” This dual focus on both Walkden Town Centre and the broader community underscores the holistic approach of Derwent Estates and the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. Their coordinated efforts are set to provide lasting benefits, creating vibrant, functional, and attractive spaces that cater to the evolving needs of the local population. The redevelopment of Walkden Town Centre, coupled with the revitalisation of the Little Hulton Community Centre, marks a significant investment in the future of the area, promising enhanced amenities and a more dynamic local economy.
The North of England contractor secured the scheme after commencing a £1.8 million enabling works package in February Esh Construction is delivering a new bus station in Bishop Auckland after being awarded a £6.4 million contract by Durham County Council. The contract follows on from Esh’s £1.8 million package to carry out enabling works on the site. The new station will offer modern and accessible facilities to passengers, with eight stands and improved passenger information. It will also house a retail kiosk, CCTV, and more toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet, changing places unit, and a parent and child facility. Alongside it there will be a new 124 space car park, with high quality paving, street lighting, landscaping and cycle stands. The scheme forms part of an £11.8 million investment in the town with funding secured through the Future High Streets Fund and an additional £3.6 million from Durham County Council. Esh’s Divisional Director, Steven Garrigan, said: “There are some exciting projects happening across Bishop Auckland and as a Durham-headquartered contractor we are proud to play a part in the regenerative journey for the town and its residents. We’re pleased to be working with Durham County Council to enhance the transport infrastructure while maximising the social and economic value in the local community throughout the project.” Esh Construction commenced the enabling works in February, with works including the excavation and clearance of the existing hard surface to facilitate a new drainage system for the new bus station. Seven attenuation tanks have already been installed. A new sub station will be built to provide the necessary power requirements as well as new retaining walls and the installation of a sub base. Ducting for the lighting and CCTV along with concrete foundations will be installed before the main bus station build commences in late June. In 2020, Durham County Council successfully bid for funding from the Future High Streets Fund to improve Bishop Auckland’s transport and parking facilities. The development forms part of the council’s wider plans to regenerate the town centre through a range of leisure and recreation projects, including the repurposing and reopening of vacant properties and improving public spaces. Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are pleased to have made an exciting step forward in delivering Bishop Auckland’s new bus station with Esh Construction on site carrying out enabling works. “The new bus station will be modern and fit for purpose, helping support businesses by attracting visitors to the town, address shortages in car parking and increase footfall into the town centre. It forms part of our wider regeneration plans to bring new life to Bishop Auckland town centre and enable the town to become thriving place to live, work and visit.” Bishop Auckland was also successful in securing a further £33.2 million of Stronger Town Funding to help the town build on its unique heritage and develop as a visitor destination. To find out more about Esh Group, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fivemiletown headquartered Paving and Building Products firm, AG, has reinforced its position as a market leader in sustainable construction by reducing its carbon footprint by over 47%. With manufacturing sites in Fivemiletown, Toome, and Carryduff, the firm as part of its Climate Action Pledge has committed to cutting its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by at least 30% as well as reducing its Scope 3 emissions by 2030, irrespective of business growth. AG’s most recent carbon emissions analysis showed a significant 47.8% reduction from its 2019 baseline. A notable achievement for the firm, given the introduction of extended operational hours and construction of a new £3 million factory in 2023 to meet heightened product demand. Surpassing its science-based targets for a consecutive year, over one-third of AG’s car fleet is now electric, complementing the company’s transition to manufacturing with 100% renewable energy and 100% recycled water. AG has recently invested over £5.4m into its operations enabling the firm to modernise its plant, equipment and technology further improving efficiencies and productivity, enabling the firm to lower its fuel consumption. As an engaged member of the Responsible Plastic Management Programme, AG has pledged to send zero plastic to landfill, showcasing its proactive approach to responsible plastic usage, further benefiting AG’s carbon reduction journey. Under the leadership of CEO Stephen Acheson and supported by AG’s CSR team, the company’s CSR strategy focuses on producing low-carbon products whilst reducing the firm’s overall carbon footprint. The firm has continued to thoroughly analyse the composition and core ingredients within its products, enabling Scope 3 carbon reductions due to the introduction of supplementary cementitious materials to reduce cement content, while maintaining and improving on the exceptional quality AG is renowned for. In addition, AG has made two key appointments to further drive and support its decarbonisation journery. Michael Davies has been promoted to Head of Innovation and Carbon Reduction, while Barry Scott has been promoted to Senior Quality & Sustainability Technician. In recognition of its sustainability efforts, the specialist building products business is among the first to achieve recertification to the latest version of the BES 6001 Standard at its Toome site for its flag products. AG has also earned Platinum status, the highest accolade available, in the 2023 Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey. The award recognises companies that drive change through integrating sustainable practices into corporate strategies. In addition, AG’s dedication to sustainable practices seen them shortlisted earlier this year for Outstanding Commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) at the Business Telegraph Awards and awarded Sustainable Manufacturing Business of the Year at the Business Eye Sustainability Awards. CEO, Stephen Acheson commented on the firm’s sustainability strides, stating, “Each of our sites brings our corporate environmental philosophy to life, the latest carbon emissions analysis reinforces our dedication to environmental stewardship and continuous improvement throughout the business. We are delighted to have exceeded our BITC pledge target and look forward to maintaining or improving upon this figure as we pursue our ambitious growth plans throughout 2024 and beyond.” For more information about AG and its CSR strategy, please visit ag.uk.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes, recently unearthed over 18,800 historical artefacts after excavations at its Calthorpe Gardens development discovered archaeological evidence dating from the Prehistoric Mesolithic, Late bronze Age-Middle to Late Iron Age, and through to early Anglo-Saxon times. The site is now considered one of significant regional importance after Border Archaeology, Orbit Homes’ archaeology partner for the site, discovered the remains of what is thought to be a small sized settlement from the Late Bronze Age to Middle/Late Iron Age along with a later Anglo-Saxon cemetery containing the remains of at least 52 individuals. Amongst the artefacts recovered were finds from the prehistoric settlement (handmade pottery and textile tools) and rich grave goods from the Anglo-Saxon burials (bead necklaces, pendants, personal objects and weapons) in addition to the 9,310 litres of paleoenvironmental samples also taken to help shed light on the human activity of the past. A selection of the artefacts were also recently put on display to the public for the first time during an exclusive event hosted by Orbit Homes and Border Archaeology. Colin Dean, Sales and Marketing Director for Orbit Homes in the Midlands, commented: “The finds at Calthorpe Gardens are fascinating. It’s been an incredible experience for the whole Orbit Homes team to watch the archaeologists undertake excavation at the site and see the sheer number and quality of the artefacts that were discovered. We’re delighted that the location has been declared as ‘significant’ and after all the work to excavate and study the finds it was wonderful to finally share some of these discoveries with the local community as well as be able to help piece together the history of the people living in the area over centuries. We look forward to finding out more about what life was like in the area as Border Archaeology continue their investigations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New demanding legislation is being introduced into the supply chain for the right reasons of quality and safety, says AEI Cables. AEI Cables has been raising awareness of the Building Safety Act 2022 which makes new demands in terms of building industry process and compliance requirements. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “Some of the details of the act may be challenging but we should all be responsible to ensure we are meeting our obligations. Safety is at the heart of this and we should not lose sight of that. “We are happy to help guide those in the supply chain to ensure they are using the relevant cables for their specific project requirements. All of those in the supply chain including building managers, contractors, specifiers and installers need to understand the impact of this legislation for reasons of safety.” One of the major new requirements under the act is a process known as The Golden Thread. This refers to the relevant package of information that should be provided including product specification, application records and datasheets. AEI Cables is advising its customers to capture the relevant data sooner rather than later for projects they are working on so that they can provide information on safety and quality required by the act. When the building work is completed, the Golden Thread must be handed over to the Accountable Person, who is responsible for the occupied building to help manage building safety. The Act – introduced from October 2023 – makes new requirements for ‘higher-risk buildings’ which are those deemed to be of at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys containing at least two residential units. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control.The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world. For more information see the AEI Cables website, tel 0191 410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction solutions manufacturer, Saint-Gobain UK and forward-thinking decarbonisation facility, Tŷ Gwyrddfai will be formally celebrating their unique skills partnership with an open day. Tŷ Gwyrddfai is the ambitious and collaborative project between Adra, North Wales’ largest social housing provider, Bangor University and CIST, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai. The open day is a launch pad to unveil the new construction and retrofit skills training hub at Tŷ Gwyrddfai, based in Penygroes, North Wales. Tackling the crucial skills needed for sustainable construction and whole house retrofit Saint-Gobain, alongside CIST, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai have developed a new training hub to focus on delivering high-quality, recognised qualifications in construction solutions and skills that are needed to undertake high quality housing retrofit. The new hub fills the substantial training gap by providing skills in construction and housing retrofit for college students and tradespeople in North Wales and beyond. The new training hub will open its doors on the 14th of June to showcase the opportunities available for both businesses and students across the region. Retrofitting existing homes to make them warmer, less expensive to heat, and improve the comfort and wellbeing of residents, is a shared priority for both Saint-Gobain & Tŷ Gwyrddfai. Adra has over 7000 housing stock to maintain and retrofit, and has the workforce who need to be upskilled to carry out this mammoth task. CIST, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai can provide the training and skills, in conjunction with world leading construction company Saint-Gobain. Bangor University is the final piece of the puzzle, who are currently building a research facility at the hub to test new decarbonisation products for the housing sector. Together, through the partnership with Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, recognised apprenticeships will be delivered amongst other qualifications that are focussed on specific measures essential for retrofitting homes, including the installation of External and Internal Wall Insulation as well as loft insulation measures. The open day will be held at Tŷ Gwyrddfai, Penygroes Industrial Estate, Gwynedd. The morning session (8am to 11am) is for local tradespeople and social housing landlords, whereas the afternoon session (1pm to 3pm) is for local schools and further education colleges. There will be presentations from Adra, Saint-Gobain and CIST, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai as well as live demonstrations and an official opening ceremony. MIKE CHALDECOTT, SAINT-GOBAIN UK CEO SAID: “Saint-Gobain is very pleased to embark on this construction and retrofit skills-focussed partnership with Tŷ Gwyrddfai.. Saint-Gobain has a long-standing commitment to providing high-quality construction training. Whether throughout our network of seven training academies, our 50+ college and school partnerships or our long-standing work with Barnardo’s and Youthbuild; providing skills and qualifications so people can deliver construction solutions to buildings delivers huge benefit to people, businesses and society at large. We’re very proud to extend this work thorugh this new partnership in north Wales with a great decarbonisation project – Tŷ Gwyrddfai.” IWAN TREFOR JONES, ADRA CHIEF EXECUTIVE ADDED: ‘We are excited to be a part of this transformative partnership with Saint-Gobain and Tŷ Gwyrddfai. This collaboration is not only pivotal for addressing the urgent need for sustainable housing solutions but also for equipping our local workforce with essential skills. By retrofitting our existing housing stock and upskilling our tradespeople, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and contributing to the broader goals of environmental sustainability. Together with our partners, we are building a brighter, more sustainable future for north Wales.” GARETH HUGHES, CENTRE MANAGER FOR CIST, BUSNES@LLANDRILLOMENAI CONCLUDED: “The launch of this new decarbonisation training hub at Tŷ Gwyrddfai marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide top-tier education and training in sustainable construction. Our collaboration with Saint-Gobain, Adra, and Bangor University ensures that we deliver comprehensive, high-quality training programs essential for retrofitting homes and reducing energy consumption. We are thrilled to see the positive impact this training hub will have, not just on our supply chain but on the broader community as well. It positions north Wales as a leader in the green construction sector, ready to meet the challenges of decarbonisation and contribute to a sustainable future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Form should never compromise function, particularly in respect of building design. Aesthetics are important but must not usurp the need to create homes that optimise occupant safety and comfort. Prioritising the performance of materials such as insulation are integral to this outcome. For architects, early engagement with a specialist insulation manufacturer can ensure design intentions and building regulation requirements are realised. A design philosophy based on material selection reduces the risk of falling short of legislative requirements. In terms of determining a building’s thermal efficiency, U-value calculations are pivotal to deciphering the heat retention of walls, floors and roofs. In these areas, specifying insulation based on its thermal performance is the obvious solution. However, other considerations may be required to achieve compliance. An insulation board’s fire safety performance, compressive strength and moisture resistance must also form part of the conversation when it comes to selecting a product that is fit for design purposes. Building stakeholders having this conversation at a project’s earliest stage can ensure material requirements are accommodated prior to construction work commencing, saving time and cost. All-round Benefits of Eurowall® + With Eurowall® +, Recticel has produced an insulation panel that achieves regulation targets for walls whilst simplifying the installation process for bricklayers. A 90mm Eurowall®+ PIR board can help to achieve 0.18 U-value in a traditional 100mm cavity, with the 10mm air gap facilitating its easier installation. Featuring an innovative tongue-and-groove joint on its four sides, Eurowall®+ negates the need to change working practices to achieve a better-performing cavity wall. Insulation innovation key to achieving increasingly stringent energy targets The tightening of building energy targets via the Part L 2003 update and the Future Homes Standard’s imminent introduction, has advanced the need for insulation products that help fulfil design possibilities whilst satisfying regulation compliance. A good example of this is Deck-VQ®,Recticel’s ultra-thin vacuum insulation panel (VIP). With terraces gaining prevalence, particularly in urban building developments with limited living space, Deck-VQ® maximises comfort and protection where insulation build-up thickness is an issue. Ideal for a wide range of flat-roof and terrace applications, Deck-VQ® belies its slender form to deliver a thermal performance as low as 0.008W/mK whilst its VIP core provides a Lambda value of 0.006 W/mK. Thanks to its innovative composition, complex refurbishment projects can be completed with Deck-VQ® without costly, time-inefficient structural changes. This outcome enhances a project’s sustainable credentials by reducing its environmental impacts. Based on practicality and performance, the aforementioned products have enhanced possibilities in terms of design and the construction process itself. Nothing must obscure the importance of accurate U-value assessments to obtaining the primary design objective, namely regulation-compliant buildings that contribute to the built environment’s future sustainability. But as innovation continues to evolve insulation’s form and function, there should be nothing to prevent buildings looking as good as they perform. For a range of insulation best practice guidance including product specification, installation and accurate U-value calculations, Recticel’s RIBA-approved CPD has all bases covered to ensure you meet your project goals. Available on-demand, with video, face-to-face seminars also an option, click here to discover our inspirational CPD programme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
