Have you ever wondered why we charge what we do for our firestopping solutions? Stick with us and in this short article you will find out all about the Quelfire value proposition. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that our aim has never been to provide the cheapest products on
Merchants and Suppliers from across the building products sector are being urged to engage in meaningful conversations more frequently after a recent survey revealed potential disagreements over perceptions of service level quality. The survey, by National Buying Group (NBG) put questions to 165 of its affiliated Suppliers and 76 of
National construction equipment hire and services provider Speedy, has been awarded a Grade B on the Carbon Disclosure Programme accreditation. The programme assesses their ability to show real progress in operational practices and transparency in their environmental impact. Speedy’s success in their CDP accreditation is another step closer to their
Doka, one of the world’s leading suppliers of formwork with headquarters in Amstetten, Austria, completed the 100% acquisition of scaffolding manufacturer AT-PAC. Both companies initially partnered in 2020 to provide comprehensive global site solutions. The acquisition positions Doka as a single source for formwork and scaffolding for the global construction
Network Space Developments (NSD) has completed and sold Phase Two of the Tunstall Arrow Business Park, in Stoke-on-Trent. The second phase of this highly popular scheme provides an additional 111,400 sq. ft of industrial and logistics workspace on a 7-acre plot. Phase Two comprises five high-specification, highly sustainable, energy efficient
Solihull’s Urban Growth Company (UGC) is working with VINCI Building to promote a social inclusion programme to help deliver real change for communities around the £3.2 billion Arden Cross site. VINCI Building is the design and build contractor for the new Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) for the HS2 Interchange
Planning permission was granted last month for the extensive retrofit of 21 St. Albans Grove into an exemplary new junior school for Thomas’s Day Schools within the De Vere Conservation Area in Kensington, West London. The design, by award-winning architect, Ackroyd Lowrie introduces sensitive, modern interventions to tie together the
One of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies has given Finning the green light to complete the UK’s first Certified Machine Rebuild (CMR) on a 15-year-old Cat 836 landfill compactor to give it a new lease of life ensuring that it can continue operating for another 15 years.
Contractor Bouygues UK and temporary works specialist Mabey Hire have collaborated on the basement propping scheme on Swansea Council’s 71/72 Kingsway office development. The new £33M Swansea city centre office scheme is being developed on the site of the former Oceana nightclub, which closed in 2014. The five storey development,
TWO new build office buildings that will change the face of Sunderland city centre have ‘topped out’ with a traditional ceremony yesterday. Maker and Faber, two new offices on Riverside Sunderland backed by Legal & General, will create 150,000 sq ft of Grade A space for professional services firms, as
Have you ever wondered why we charge what we do for our firestopping solutions? Stick with us and in this short article you will find out all about the Quelfire value proposition. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that our aim has never been to provide the cheapest products on the market, but to ensure the industry has high-quality, tested products alongside all the required support. With a robust testing programme, we have grown into a brand renowned for its scope of application within the construction industry, providing firestopping solutions for real-life scenarios, based on valued customer feedback and trends on the market. With an ever-growing library of tested details, this ensures that the industry has primary test evidence over engineering judgements. Therefore, the value lies in the cost of the tested system, not the cost of each individual product. We strongly believe that a building needs to be designed around tested details. To achieve this, we work in partnership with all parties involved in the design and management of the installation of firestopping systems to ensure they have all the tools and information to benefit them when making an informed decision about which solution to use, and how to install them. We also go above and beyond when educating the industry about the importance of fire safety and use every platform available to us; should it be panel discussions at exhibitions, CPD accredited webinars, or one-to-one consultations about early engagement in firestopping. So why is it worth paying for the more expensive products that come with all these benefits? Because the cost of not getting it right the first time around is far greater than choosing to work with a competent manufacturer that can support you with tested details and all the necessary technical support along the way. Any issues that come to light during the design and installation stage will inevitably cause extra costs and delays, extending the projected completion date. For example, if there is no tested solution at the design stage, you will need to go back and redesign; if products are installed incorrectly, these mistakes will have to be rectified; and if issues are found at the inspection stage, you’ll not only have to rethink the installation of the firestopping products, but the design of them, too. Ultimately, in worst case scenario, if errors are not identified during the final inspection stage and a fire breaks out when the building is already occupied, risking lives will be the price of cutting corners and not taking building safety seriously. Using the right product, with the suitable test evidence and guidance of the manufacturer will see firestopping designed and installed correctly. It may seem more expensive initially; however, money will be saved in the long run by choosing competency over cost and wanting to do it right the first time around. Let’s start prioritising life safety over cheaper products and money saved. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Merchants and Suppliers from across the building products sector are being urged to engage in meaningful conversations more frequently after a recent survey revealed potential disagreements over perceptions of service level quality. The survey, by National Buying Group (NBG) put questions to 165 of its affiliated Suppliers and 76 of the group’s Partners to identify key priorities and concerns among its members in the run-up to its annual Conference. With the theme of the event being ‘A Changing Landscape,’ the organisation wished to see how the industry had been impacted in the three-year COVID-induced delay since its 2019 Conference. As part of the survey, NBG asked Partners and Suppliers to rate the service they provided to merchants out of 10, with the former’s 5.0 result greatly contrasting with the latter’s 8.3. According to NBG Managing Director Nick Oates, this marked difference demonstrates a disconnect in perception between what constitutes good service, which must be addressed to ensure relationships and sales do not suffer. “We’re always keen to keep our finger on the industry’s pulse at NBG, and our hope was that this survey would generate healthy discussion and debate at our Conference and beyond about business changes and challenges,” he explains. “In that regard, we definitely haven’t been disappointed, as a clear dip in service levels has been identified by our Partners in comparison to pre-COVID times. “Yet what’s interesting here is that it hasn’t been mirrored in Supplier perceptions. We understand why this might have happened – as our survey later underlines, the increasing cost of raw materials and energy means these organisations are likely to have focused internally to mitigate these potential impacts. However, with a recession on the horizon, many material costs falling and demand slowing, more joined-up thinking and communication is required. This is especially the case for independent merchants, where sales are reliant on support in the form of training, product information and competitive pricing from Suppliers.” NBG’s survey also identified an opportunity between Suppliers and Partners on the development of sustainable products. Specifically, 66% of Suppliers said sustainable products initiatives had improved, compared to 30% of the group’s Partners. According to Nick, while this figure is undoubtedly encouraging, it underlines the need for Suppliers to provide better sales focus and product communications to merchants on the steps they are taking to improve the sustainability of their products. “The shift towards more sustainable practices has clearly been a success story for the sector post-COVID, and is definitely welcome news,” Nick concludes. “Though short-term concerns around the energy crisis and supply chain has undoubtedly dominated the news agenda, we cannot as an industry lose sight of long-term environmental goals. As such, being able to pass good news down the supply chain, from Supplier to Partner, and from merchant to customer, will be key to continuing a virtuous circle of increasingly greener practices.” For more information on National Buying Group, including how to join the premier buying group for independent merchants, visit https://www.nationalbuyinggroup.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National construction equipment hire and services provider Speedy, has been awarded a Grade B on the Carbon Disclosure Programme accreditation. The programme assesses their ability to show real progress in operational practices and transparency in their environmental impact. Speedy’s success in their CDP accreditation is another step closer to their net zero commitments. In 2021, Speedy became the first plant hire company in the UK to publicly commit to net zero carbon emissions under science-based targets before 2050, and in 2022 accelerated that commitment to achieve the target by 2040. Speedy’s alignment to SBT targets are important in helping to keep global temperatures within a 1.5C temperature rise to prevent the catastrophic impacts of climate change, in line with 2015 Paris Agreement. Included in that commitment, the company have committed to: reducing its emissions from its vehicles and property estate by 50% by 2030; reducing emissions from its supply chain by 42% by 2030; and reducing its total emissions by 90% by 2040 to achieve Net Zero Carbon. Speedy launched it’s new ESG strategy at the Speedy expo in October last year. Speedy recently invested extensively in the latest low-emissions EV models for its commercial vehicle fleet, as well as in battery powered tools across their product range. They also launched the UK’s first Net Zero service centre which has now been awarded an A+ energy rating, creating a blueprint for its future new and refurbished service centres. Amelia Woodley, ESG Director at said, Our goal is to become an ‘A graded’ company, cementing our position as a leading agent of environmental transparency and action. We launched our ambitious ESG strategy ‘The Decade to Deliver’ at the Speedy Expo in October last year, which is an action-based plan that accelerates our drive to achieve net zero before the Government’s target of 2050. We’re working hard to make this decade a period of change focusing on the importance of reducing carbon emissions and finding new industry leading ways of working. Speedy’s latest CDP rating highlights the significant progress they have made in the last 12 months in committing to transparency and accountability in the targets they have set and report on being 1 of 1600 companies out of 18,700 globally to achieve a CDP B Rating. To find out more about our sustainability goals and strategies, please visit our website. https://www.speedyservices.com/sustainability Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Doka, one of the world’s leading suppliers of formwork with headquarters in Amstetten, Austria, completed the 100% acquisition of scaffolding manufacturer AT-PAC. Both companies initially partnered in 2020 to provide comprehensive global site solutions. The acquisition positions Doka as a single source for formwork and scaffolding for the global construction industry and strengthens the company’s new global business segment, “Industrial Scaffolding”. For AT-PAC this means full access to a global market. The potential for cooperation between the formwork expert and the US headquartered scaffolding specialist was already impressively demonstrated at bauma 2022 in Munich and generated significant interest from customers worldwide. Doka and AT-PAC highlighted their strong partnership and successful collaboration with a dual-branded stand that was visited by over 100,000 visitors. The impressive 30m-high Ringlock scaffolding landmark tower was climbed by 7,000 selfie-takers to enjoy the spectacular views of the show grounds from the 20m viewing platform. The opportunities presented by combining the world’s leading formwork company with the global scaffolding specialist are enormous. Opportunities for customers & employees Robert Hauser, CEO of Doka, says: “I am very enthusiastic about the opportunities that will be offered to existing and future customers, providing them with a wealth of knowledge, integrated products and turnkey solutions for formwork, shoring and scaffolding from a single source. This will allow us to continue to expand together and further strengthen our market position”. Josh Dundon, previously COO, has been announced as the new CEO of AT-PAC. Commenting on the acquisition, Dundon said: “It is an exciting milestone for AT-PAC to become 100% part of the Doka and thus the Umdasch Group family. It further strengthens and demonstrates the success of our partnership since its inception 3 years ago. The combination of Doka’s industry-leading formwork solutions and extensive global sales network with AT-PAC’s high quality products, services and talent will create incredible value for our customers and opportunities for our employees worldwide.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Network Space Developments (NSD) has completed and sold Phase Two of the Tunstall Arrow Business Park, in Stoke-on-Trent. The second phase of this highly popular scheme provides an additional 111,400 sq. ft of industrial and logistics workspace on a 7-acre plot. Phase Two comprises five high-specification, highly sustainable, energy efficient business premises for industrial or logistics uses, ranging from 13,500 sq. ft to 31,200 sq. ft. This second phase has been sold to 4th Industrial, the multi-let and light industrial investor, which also acquired the 127,100 sq. ft first phase in 2021. Together, both phases comprise 238,500 sq. ft across 10 units. The development is supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone (CVEZ) initiative, and is making a significant positive impact on the locality – regenerating a former brownfield site, attracting inward investment and providing space for around 400 jobs. Both phases have been built speculatively by NSD with rapid take up by occupiers demonstrating the quality of the scheme and strength of the local market. The scheme has attracted a host of international tenants including: DHL Express, Boels Rental, Q-railing, Pramac Generac and SG Fleet. Phase 1 was fully let within 3 months of completion and Phase 2 has already secured its first letting to Speedy Services, the UK’s leading tools and equipment hire services company which operates across the construction, infrastructure and industrial sectors, with other units now under offer. Speedy Services has leased Unit 5, a 21,000 sq. ft prominent self-contained, warehouse with office and staff amenities. This is all within its own secure gated compound that offers 30-space parking and four electric vehicle charging points. Acquired by NSD in 2013, the overall Tunstall Arrow scheme covers 28 acres of a former colliery site adjoining the A50 and the A527 (James Brindley Way) in Sandyford. The scheme is close to the A500 with access to Junction 16 of the M6 only minutes away. Stephen Barnes (Managing Director) at NSD, said: “We are very proud of the Tunstall Arrow development, now a well-established industrial and logistics location in the heart of the Ceramic Valley. We’ve successfully attracted new occupiers to the area, creating jobs and supply side opportunities with more to come as the final units are occupied. Stoke-on-Trent City Council had the foresight to support this scheme from the outset and is now enjoying the benefits of that ambition.” “It has been a pleasure to complete another transaction with 4th Industrial, who we have a strong investor/developer relationship with, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.” Sarah Lindsay, Head of Asset Management, 4th Industrial, said; “Having purchased Phase 1 in 2021 we were pleased to secure Phase 2, which increases our investment in this prime location. Tunstall Arrow is a quality industrial property, with strong ESG credentials, built to a high specification and excellent quality by Network Space and their contractor Caddick Construction. The pre let to Speedy Services shows the continued strength of demand for prime light industrial space across the UK, and with the interest already shown in the remaining units we hope to announce further lettings shortly.” Of the letting, David Nunn, Head of Estate Management for Speedy Services, added: “Unit 5 has everything we have been looking for in a significant North West site that will help us serve clients across the Stoke-on-Trent region. Becoming a carbon net zero business is core to our strategy, and the site’s excellent location and high-quality build that came with an EPC A rating will also help Speedy to recruit and retain the best staff for our new centre.” Letting agents for Tunstall Arrow North are Richard Mounsey at Mounsey Chartered Surveyors and Antony Mellor at B8RE. Selling agent was Simon Wood, also of B8RE. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Solihull’s Urban Growth Company (UGC) is working with VINCI Building to promote a social inclusion programme to help deliver real change for communities around the £3.2 billion Arden Cross site. VINCI Building is the design and build contractor for the new Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) for the HS2 Interchange station at Arden Cross. It is an integral part of the UK Central Hub – an initiative that will support and protect 70,000 jobs, 8,000 new homes and a raft of infrastructure improvements right across Solihull. VINCI and its supply chain has already delivered an impressive £2,932,958.70 of social value across the project, as measured by the Social Value Portal, and will be working to deliver more as work on the car park progresses. Relevant outcomes from VINCI and their contractors so far include 10 new jobs created for local employees, and 38% of total full-time employees recruited from the local area. VINCI and its contractors’ staff have performed an on-going programme of outreach work that includes engagement with 100 students from nearby Arden Academy (a secondary school in Solihull) and running workshops with local students around the subjects of architecture, commercial and engineering. Workshops have also been undertaken at other secondary schools, namely Nishkam High School in central Birmingham, Tile Cross Academy in East Birmingham and Tudor Grange Kingshurst Academy in North Solihull. The UGC wants to ensure the contract awarded to VINCI is leveraged to deliver the most impact it can for communities in and around the UK Central Hub, including educational and training pathways. By working in partnership with the local community, VINCI is making a difference in neighbourhoods by employing local people, including trainees and apprentices. This helps ensure the socio-economic impact of its work is felt precisely where it can have most impact and within communities who will most benefit from the economic uptick of the wider development and its job creating potential. Jonathan Bretherton, managing director of the Urban Growth Company, said: ‘VINCI is the perfect partner to bring the plans for the MSCP forward for the benefit of our existing communities as well as the new communities being created as part of the wider UK Central Hub. ‘Their ability to engage with the local community and carry out a wide range of outreach work with local schools, colleges and their students, helps us to inspire students to join the construction, infrastructure and development sectors and also to drive interest in STEM subjects. ‘This holistic approach will bring benefits sooner for local people and create jobs and opportunities for the parts of Solihull and Birmingham that will benefit most from them. VINCI’s ability to measure and record the difference its work is making to both individuals and communities is invaluable.’ VINCI believes passionately in a world where a broader definition of value will change decision making and ultimately decrease social and economic inequality and environmental degradation. And in a world where the built environment accounts for up to 40% of carbon emissions, this framework is being rolled out to help maximise the environmental as well as social value of its work. Scott Marsh, Project Director at VINCI Building, said: ‘The most important part of any project is not the numbers at the end; but what is done in the first place with local communities and how designs affect efforts to create long term social impact. ‘Through ourselves and our contractors and partners, we are reaching out to people across the region and specifically in the North Solihull and East Birmingham area to find motivated workers as well as trainees and apprentices. ‘Crucially, the MSCP project itself frees up an additional 30 hectares of land for job creating development opportunities for the benefit of local people, and the design of the building itself is future proofed with e-charging and facilities for autonomous vehicles.’ Along with all private contractors involved in Arden Cross and the UK Central Hub, VINCI fully embraces its role as a private sector partner working in the public interest. The announcement of VINCI Building as the main contractor at the 4,000 space MSCP earlier in 2022 was followed by the award of planning permission by Solihull Council in November. The car park is part of plans to create a world-class opportunity for new homes and jobs at Arden Cross, alongside the new Interchange station and just minutes from the existing Birmingham International station and airport. The proposals also take account of current and emerging requirements relating to electric vehicle charging, as well as future connected-autonomous vehicles. Located at the 140-hectare, 346-acre Arden Cross development adjacent to the M42, NEC and Birmingham Airport, the UGC’s plans consolidate previous HS2 proposals for 7,500 surface car parking spaces associated with the Interchange station. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning permission was granted last month for the extensive retrofit of 21 St. Albans Grove into an exemplary new junior school for Thomas’s Day Schools within the De Vere Conservation Area in Kensington, West London. The design, by award-winning architect, Ackroyd Lowrie introduces sensitive, modern interventions to tie together the two historic buildings, one of which is Victorian, the other mid 20th Century, and revitalise the character of St Albans Grove with improved landscaping and boundary treatments. Ackroyd Lowrie, highly commended in the 2021 AJ Retrofit Awards, previously achieved planning consent for the conversion of the Royal Academy of Dance in Battersea to form a Secondary School for Thomas’s Day Schools. The firm’s managing director, Jon Ackroyd comments: “This project has been another opportunity to weave Thomas’s Schools ambitious brief into the fabric of two wonderful historic buildings that sit within a rich urban fabric. The challenge was to provide a modern and safe learning environment, whilst respecting the existing character, and upgrading the fabric to achieve ambitious energy targets. “The main move was to remove an insensitive extension that links the two historic buildings and introduce a light-filled central atrium that will be the heart of the school, including a new stair and lift to completely change the way the buildings are navigated. This atrium will also provide a new main entrance, and act as a welcoming, public face to the school. “The boundaries are also upgraded with extensive landscaping, and imaginative play spaces provide a range of different play atmospheres. We are extremely pleased with the positive outcome of this application and that our vision for this landmark school in such a prestigious neighbourhood is shared by the local authority.” Ackroyd Lowrie’s approved design will provide an exceptional, five storey school comprising 23 teaching classrooms for pupils from reception to year 6, sound proofed music rooms, libraries, dining halls, assembly hall, reception, head’s office, meeting/administration rooms, flexible community spaces and a planted biodiversity roof garden. Extensive consideration was given to landscaping to fulfil three criteria: minimising acoustic impact; creating privacy and safety; and improving the visual quality of Atlantic House’s front façade. A woodland-style quiet learning garden has been positioned nearest the neighbouring residential properties, while acoustic walls have been specified to surround free play/sports areas. On the façade facing St Albans Grove, a low brick plinth wall with natural stone coping will be built to delineate the school boundary and create a sense of security. It will also feature decorative railing incorporating the Thomas’s Day School logo to remain sympathetic with neighbouring properties. Existing listed trees are retained alongside the new roof garden, resulting in a biodiversity net gain of 21.73% over the current habitat value. Jon concludes: “Our overall approach follows passive design principles and seeks to refurb the majority (93%) of Atlantic House’s existing area and retain its shell and part of the frame. This includes upgrading the thermal fabric to above Building Regulation standards, which will significantly reduce associated heat losses from an old building and provide internal temperature control. Renewable energy technology including photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps will ensure maximum energy efficiency, flow restrictors on taps and dual flush toilets will reduce water consumption, and rainwater collection butts are specified for landscape irrigation. Finally, materials have been specified for a long lifespan and future adaptability.” Ackroyd Lowrie has worked in partnership with property design and development firm, Finchatton; planning consultant, Savills and project managers, Silver to achieve planning consent. Andrew Dunn, co founder of Finchatton said: “We are so thrilled to be expanding into the educational sector with the Thomas’s project. The new building has been designed to create a best in class environment for learning today as well as to be sensitive to the local community and its neighbours.” Nick de Lotbiniere, head of London planning, Savills added: “Savills are delighted to have acted as agents for the planning application for the new Junior school on behalf of Thomas’s School. The permission will see the repurposing and reuse of Atlantic House which has been vacant for a long period. The consent will also ensure that the school will continue to serve the Borough’s residents and provide excellent education for pupils in a new and enhanced facility, through a well-designed scheme.” Ashley Coull, associate director for project management consultant, Silver spoke about the client and team ethos: “It has been a privilege to be one of the partners in this flagship project for Thomas’s, working in collaboration with Thomas’s and the professional team committed to creating an engaging and inspiring school environment. We are looking forward to restoring these beautiful heritage buildings for future generations to enjoy, learn and grow.” Work on Atlantic House is expected to begin later this year with the aim for staff and students to move in for the 2024/25 academic year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies has given Finning the green light to complete the UK’s first Certified Machine Rebuild (CMR) on a 15-year-old Cat 836 landfill compactor to give it a new lease of life ensuring that it can continue operating for another 15 years. FCC Environment owns and operates over 200 recycling, treatment, and disposal facilities across the UK, managing more than 8.5 million tonnes of waste for their customers, which include over 72 local authorities across North Yorkshire, Suffolk and Essex. FCC’s waste processing fleet alone comprises 500 machines including landfill compactors, wheeled excavators, track type loaders and articulated dump trucks, with Cat equipment making up almost half. One of these machines, a Cat 836 landfill compactor, was purchased from Finning in 2007 with a full repair and maintenance programme, which proved instrumental in keeping the machine operating effectively for around 15 years whilst minimising downtime. However, when the machine’s transmission failed in late 2022 FCC Group Plant Manager, Bill Stone, began discussions with the Finning team on the best solution for a replacement machine package. This included looking at buying another new machine as well as considering the option to carry out a full CMR, which is the highest-level Cat certified rebuild available. Adam Walker, engine and drivetrain product manager at Finning is overseeing the project. He said: “Sustainability is now at the forefront of the waste industry, so we’ve seen a shift in demand towards companies requesting remanufactured or reconditioned parts for their machines, or for the entire machine to be rebuilt. “This is the first machine rebuild that FCC has commissioned, but the company now plans for this approach to become an integral part of their fleet management succession plan because it enables them to demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the environmental impact of their operations and reducing emissions in the drive to net-zero. “Rebuilding a machine instead of buying new requires 85% less energy, uses 86% less water and generates around 61% fewer greenhouse gases. Plus, we recover and recycle over 65% of the original machine, so it’s ready to be used as a replacement part in another machine.” “Not only that, but customers choosing a rebuild machine option will typically save around 50-60% on the cost compared with buying a new machine. While remanufactured parts, of which there are around 8000+ Cat certified ones available, can be up to 60% less than the cost of a brand new one.” Bill Stone said: “We have a commitment to run our operation in an environmentally and socially responsible way, and by choosing to rebuild and give our assets a second life rather than buy new, we are helping to meet that commitment. “Our mobile plant fleet is key to our operation, so it is essential these assets are managed effectively, and Finning plays a vital part in that. “It is because of their record of strong aftermarket support and our collaborative relationship with the team at Finning that we have complete confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their rebuilds and they will play a crucial part in our succession planning moving forward.” Once complete, the Cat 836 will be ‘as new’ so will offer the same machine lifespan as a new machine. Machine rebuilds are fast becoming a recommended approach for firms’ fleet management, providing a sustainable and commercial option alongside investment in new machines. Finning has seen their number of machines rebuilds double year on year, with their specialist rebuild engineers completing hundreds over the last three years. For more information about the Finning UK & Ireland rebuild service and fleet performance optimisation solutions go to https://www.finning.com/en_GB/services/response-repair-rebuild/rebuilds.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Bouygues UK and temporary works specialist Mabey Hire have collaborated on the basement propping scheme on Swansea Council’s 71/72 Kingsway office development. The new £33M Swansea city centre office scheme is being developed on the site of the former Oceana nightclub, which closed in 2014. The five storey development, with two underground levels, will include 10,590m2 of commercial floor space and 600 co-working spaces for the tech, digital and creative industries. Swansea Council appointed Bouygues UK to deliver the complex project. The main contractor has been involved in early stage collaboration with Mabey Hire on the temporary works on the scheme. Working closely with structural engineer Bingham Hall, Mabey Hire was responsible for supplying and installing the equipment required. The original proposed scheme design included the use of steel walers and bracing struts for the basement excavation. This approach, however, was not suitable for the 71/72 Kingsway project due to concerns that the groundworks shoring equipment would clash with the piling rigs. Instead, an alternative solution was put forward featuring Mabey Hire’s Mass 25 props, which were used to create portal frames in specific areas within the basement area. This enabled the extensive piling operations to be undertaken without disruption. Mabey Hire’s Enviroguard monitoring solution was also installed. It remained on site during the temporary works installation and throughout the piling works themselves. This provided real-time data and insight as to the site behaviours, so that any movement of the existing retaining wall was captured. Mabey Hire major projects manager Lee Matthews said: “Working closely and collaboratively with structural engineers Bingham Hall and the main contractor, Bouygues UK, we remained on hand throughout the works. On a project of this scale, it’s inevitable that there will be some changes required as construction progresses, and we were able to deliver those changes speedily on site too.” Bouygues UK site manager Chelbie Jones commented: “Mabey Hire has done a great job for us in terms of the design and delivery in facilitating our logistic constraints and programme requirements. Despite the challenges the site presents, the works carried out have been executed well and collaboratively by Mabey Hire and the Bouygues UK delivery team.” The 71/72 The Kingsway project is being part-funded by the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal and supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The development is due for completion this summer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TWO new build office buildings that will change the face of Sunderland city centre have ‘topped out’ with a traditional ceremony yesterday. Maker and Faber, two new offices on Riverside Sunderland backed by Legal & General, will create 150,000 sq ft of Grade A space for professional services firms, as well as exciting retailers on the ground floor. With the steel frames now fully erected, the two new buildings are already making their mark on the city. Legal & General chief executive, Sir Nigel Wilson, made his way to the top of Maker for a traditional topping out ceremony this morning, alongside Sir Andrew McAlpine, partner at Sir Robert McAlpine, the building and engineering company delivering the scheme; Landid MD James Silver; as well as the chief executive of Sunderland City Council, Patrick Melia. Part of Riverside Sunderland – a mixed-use urban quarter that is extending the footprint of the city centre – Maker and Faber are two key new additions to the city’s property portfolio, that will attract businesses offering thousands of new jobs when they open their doors in 2024. They are part of Legal & General’s £100m commitment to the Riverside Sunderland site, alongside a further £60 million to transform the Hilthorn Park area for new economic development, delivering important infrastructure and regeneration which responds to the needs of the local area, and enables long term job creation. Sir Nigel Wilson said: “These are hugely significant developments that will not only change the face of Sunderland but will deliver a vital boost to the economy in a city that is fast becoming a poster child of urban regeneration. “This is Inclusive Capitalism at its best. With an injection of long-term capital, towns and cities can be completely transformed, and have a direct positive social impact, creating jobs and supporting real wage increases, whilst creating a virtuous circle by generating income to pay pensioners.” Maker stands six storeys high, providing 80,000 sq ft of office space, and Faber at five-storeys high, will deliver 70,000 sq ft of accommodation and has already confirmed that 400 staff from RSA will move into the building in spring 2024. Maker and Faber represent the only speculative city centre office spaces in development in the North of England this year. James Silver, managing director of Landid, said: “It was wonderful to see Maker and Faber top out in style this morning, a milestone moment as construction of these brilliant buildings gathers pace. “Seeing the shell of Maker and Faber in position – the realisation of many, many months of planning and hard work – is a proud moment for us at Landid and in just over a year, we’ll be ready to welcome businesses that will play a key part in regenerating Sunderland city centre.” Sir Andrew McAlpine, a partner at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “These are two hugely impressive buildings, and seeing them pierce the skyline in Sunderland is a proud day for us. We’re delighted to be playing a part in transforming the city centre with a development that will create jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses. During the construction, we are keen to generate social value for the community, recruiting local workforce and supply chain partners and supporting training opportunities in the region.” Maker and Faber are a key part of Riverside Sunderland, named Best Future Place at the prestigious Pineapple Awards, which will create a vibrant, mixed-use site, comprising 1,000 new homes for up to 2,500 new residents, as well as a range of new places to enjoy – including parkland both sides of the river, and ‘the UK’s best library’, Culture House – and 1m sq ft of office space. It will boost the number of people living and working in the heart of the city, creating a stronger daytime and evening economy by doubling the resident population of the city centre from 2,500 to 5,000 and increasing employment by 50% to 18,000. Patrick Melia, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, said: “Topping out is a key moment in the development of any new building, but the sense of tradition and occasion today made this extra special. “These are game-changing developments for Sunderland, and – as these two buildings top out – we move that step closer to realising the impact they will have, not only through the physical change they bring, but through the confidence they will give to our city centre traders who will reap the benefit of thousands more people on the doorstep by day and evening.” Both buildings are being actively marketed by commercial property agents Knight Frank and JLL with Faber already having attracted its first tenant, RSA, bringing 400 jobs to the city centre. To stay up to date with Maker and Faber’s development, visit www.makerfaber.co.uk or follow @makerandfaber on social media. To enquire about space within the buildings, contact Richard Thornton from JLL at Richard.Thornton@eu.jll.com or on 0113 235 5269 or contact Patrick Matheson at Knight Frank at Patrick.matheson@knightfrank.com or on 0191 594 5001. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals