Applethwaite Homes turned to Absolute Agency and trusted the brand specialists with an overhaul of its brand positioning. The home builder is part of the Eric Wright Group and develops beautiful homes in rural settings. Its old branding did not reflect the quality of the properties and the stunning, unique
CPW has solidified its presence in the West Midlands with the recent addition of a new city centre office space at 103 Colmore Row. The leading sustainability and M&E firm has opened the new Birmingham office in the heart of the city, enabling the team to better service both new and
The Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool has had its latest six month data refresh where the value of future planned Scottish public sector construction projects has increased £600m to £12.2bn and the number of businesses registered for updates has reached 900. Launched in July 2021 to provide the construction industry with
You may have watched the horrors of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, and the court case which followed revealing years of poor accountability and neglect, and as a responsible infrastructure professional thought it had nothing to do with you. You may have read about the leasehold scandal and large-scale
More than 200 affordable homes have been given the green light this week, allowing the Council to create more much-needed affordable housing. At least 130 of these new homes will be for social rent at key sites in Greendykes, Wester Hailes and Dreghorn. It follows decisions by the Development Management
Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported
Designs for a landmark scheme that will regenerate Smithfield Birmingham have been submitted to the City Council, following an extensive consultation on the proposals. The site played a central role in the hugely successful Commonwealth Games last summer, during which it hosted several games venues as well as the Smithfield Festival.
A FORMER Brazilian singer is the latest new recruit for leading developer, Lovell Homes, marking continued growth across the North East region. Putting down his microphone in exchange for a hard hat, Nelson Bonotti has joined Lovell Homes as assistant site manager of the region’s Northshore development in Stockton-on-Tees. Once
BRAND new images released today by the developer behind Nottingham’s The Island Quarter development showcase what the scheme’s next phase – a ground-breaking new bioscience facility – could look like. Designed by CPMG Architects, the plans include 245,000 sq ft of high quality, flexible research and laboratory space, across two
MWJV, a Cornish construction services consultancy, has been supporting the build of Spaceport Cornwall, which launched its first mission on Monday 9 January. The company has been managing the construction of the spaceport facilities at Cornwall Airport Newquay, which first began in January 2022. Spaceport Cornwall is the first place
Applethwaite Homes turned to Absolute Agency and trusted the brand specialists with an overhaul of its brand positioning. The home builder is part of the Eric Wright Group and develops beautiful homes in rural settings. Its old branding did not reflect the quality of the properties and the stunning, unique locations. Absolute Agency was brought on board to conduct a workshop with an in-depth look into what Applethwaite stood for and the audience they wanted to attract. The final branding look and feel is now more high end, with a clear colour palette of luxurious dark blue complemented by a secondary set of paler colours. Ornamental graphics were developed to represent the development locations and the bespoke font used to add to the quality look and feel of the brand positioning. The branding includes a full suite of material for each development, brochures, signage, graphics, promotional items and packs for new home owners. The graphics and typography are complemented with Applethwaite’s lifestyle images, which bring to life the various happy moments that home buyers experience when they’re choosing their new home. This branding has so far been implemented on sites throughout the north west including Inglewood near Preston, Davyfields near Darwen and Brackenwood in Blackburn. Chris Hodgen, MD of Absolute Agency, said: “We have extensive experience within the home builder and property sectors and when Applethwaite Homes approached us with such a unique challenge it was a great project to work on. Our team worked seamlessly with theirs to really get to the heart of what Applethwaite is about and hearing the internal and customer reaction to the new branding has been fantastic.” Colin Hetherington, MD from Applethwaite Homes, said: “We have always been extremely proud in the quality of the homes we build, however we identified that our existing brand identity and marketing materials didn’t match up to this high quality. We wanted to strengthen our position in the marketplace, whilst delivering a unique customer experience from enquiry through to moving in, which truly represented Applethwaite Homes. “We wanted to work with a local agency who had experience in the housing sector, but who also took the time to understand our team, our ambition and who could support us on this journey as an extension of our marketing team. “The feedback from customers and internal staff has been really positive and our outside visual identity now matches our internal values.” Absolute Agency is 23 years old and based in Bolton. Founded by Chris Hodgen, it is a bold agency specialising in branding, digital, content and communications for ambitious clients. Applethwaite Homes builds family homes in small and exclusive developments that have individual character, their aim is to provide comfortable homes that reflect the quality and style of times past and satisfy the needs of modern living. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CPW has solidified its presence in the West Midlands with the recent addition of a new city centre office space at 103 Colmore Row. The leading sustainability and M&E firm has opened the new Birmingham office in the heart of the city, enabling the team to better service both new and existing clients. Expanding into the business district was a natural next step for CPW with several major city centre projects underway, spanning the education, residential, healthcare, and commercial sectors among others. CPW worked closely with B-Corp certified, flexible workspace providers x+why to create a space with a focus on sustainability and plug and play technology. The resulting office design is high spec and high tech, with a focus on sustainability and a biophilic natural design, plus flexible working spaces, meeting pods and call booths to suit collaborative work. New technology in the office will help clients and engineers visualise designs better through 3D BIM (Building Information Modelling) and help guide clients on sustainable build solutions. The team can also enjoy cityscape views from the building’s roof terrace on the 18th floor. Antonios Agapakis, director at CPW, said: “A city centre office was something our clients have asked for and we’ve listened and acted on it. We wanted to solidify our personal approach by offering more face-to-face discussions and networking opportunities, which we know our staff and clients both value and enjoy. “The new Birmingham space gives us the opportunity to work with current clients and meet new ones, generate new business and friendships, and expand our current relationships. Post-pandemic, we realised how important these face-to-face relationships really are.” The Birmingham office will also allow for wider recruitment of talent within the West Midlands region, particularly for staff looking to commute into the city centre for work. With clients, partners and industry leaders on the doorstep, all staff will be able to easily take advantage of networking and sector events in the city, as well as providing an additional office location for flexible working. With both Birmingham Snow Hill and New Street stations close by, staff can make the most of greener travel options and proximity to clients and projects. John Thrupp, associate at CPW, said: “The new office has already generated lots of excitement from our clients. It was important to us that the new office reflected us as a company, but also practiced what we preach in terms of sustainable solutions and low-energy consumption in buildings. We know that clients want to see how you operate, they want to know that your core design principles come through in your own working space – this helps build trust in your abilities and priorities. “Birmingham is such an exciting place to be right now – the city centre has changed and improved a lot in recent years, and we’re thrilled to be in such an incredible building like 103 Colmore Row.” Ed Hobbs, area operations manager for x+why Birmingham, said: “We’re overjoyed that CPW have chosen x+why, 103 Colmore Row, as their home in Birmingham city centre. Their focus on sustainability and driving positive change in building design, is well aligned with our own company goals. We look forward to supporting their continued success in the years to come.” For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool has had its latest six month data refresh where the value of future planned Scottish public sector construction projects has increased £600m to £12.2bn and the number of businesses registered for updates has reached 900. Launched in July 2021 to provide the construction industry with greater knowledge of future public sector construction projects across Scotland, the Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool has now had its half-yearly update, with the online platform showing: Managed by infrastructure body the Scottish Futures Trust, the Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool was one of the actions coming from the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Recovery Plan, published in October 2020 to support Scotland’s construction industry recover and rebuild better. The Pipeline provides a longer-term view on planned investment up to 2028, with the majority of the forecast spending occurring before 2025. The Pipeline allows the user to simply and easily look at the data using various criteria that include the chosen procurement route, the procuring authority, contract value and sector. The types of construction projects include new build, refurbishments, and maintenance across a wide range of sectors including roads, health, education, housing and cultural and heritage. Of the 1,718 projects, 55% are below £2m in value, emphasising the opportunities that exist for small and medium-sized enterprises working in the construction sector. In addition, the updated Pipeline contains details of over 90 individual construction-related frameworks across Scotland that businesses can apply to join when they come to be regularly refreshed. Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “With over 900 businesses registered on the Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool, many are reaping the benefits of having up-to-date information at their fingertips, allowing them to tender for public sector projects. “Critically, the Pipeline also encourages greater collaboration between public sector bodies allowing them all to see details of their respective investment pipelines and where strong partnerships can be built to deliver improved efficiencies.” Welcoming news of the Pipeline update, Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “Scotland’s construction industry is a significant contributor to the economy and the Scottish Government is working with the sector, through the Construction Leadership Forum, to ensure it continues to transform and grow in a sustainable way. “The Construction Pipeline Forecast Tool is providing a transparent forecast on anticipated work across the public sector. This is giving businesses the confidence to plan ahead with investment, upskilling, and if needed, increasing their workforce for any tender process. “In line with the recently launched Construction Accord, the Pipeline Tool is further supporting greater collaboration within the supply chain and improving outcomes for the businesses and workforce which make up the construction and associated industries.’’ To provide support to users of the Pipeline tool and share learning, the Scottish Futures Trust will be hosting an information sharing webinar on 2 March to provide new and existing users with an introduction to the tool and the insights that have been gained, with details to be posted on the Scottish Futures Trust social media platforms when details are confirmed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
You may have watched the horrors of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, and the court case which followed revealing years of poor accountability and neglect, and as a responsible infrastructure professional thought it had nothing to do with you. You may have read about the leasehold scandal and large-scale housebuilders trapping buyers into rising ground rents, fees, and ongoing maintenance costs, and as a responsible infrastructure professional thought it was nothing to do with you. The Government’s reaction to these events, which was five years in the making and finally achieved royal asset in April, was the drafting of the Building Safety Act, and the creation of a Building Safety Regulator, headed up by Peter Baker the Chief Inspector of Buildings at the Health and Safety Regulator. Ahead of his appointment Mr Baker warned that the public had “lost complete confidence in the construction industry’s ability to build safe and good-quality buildings. While the full impact of the Act and the creation of the Regulator will be felt over the coming months and years, there are some immediate changes that will come into force when the act is legally in effect in from October 2023 which infrastructure professionals need to pay attention to. The creation of the Building Safety Regulator in particular, sitting within the Health & Safety Executive, has huge connotations. The regulator will have three main functions; overseeing the safety and standards of all buildings, helping and encouraging the built environment industry and building control professionals to improve their competence, and leading the implementation of the new regulatory framework for high-rise buildings. The regulator is set to have a very active role in the approval of residential projects of more than 18 metres or seven storeys, and designs will have to be put before the regulator at various points throughout the process with the regulator having the power to hit the pause button should it believe safety isn’t at a good enough level. This isn’t the end for a project, but challenging a decision will involved a lengthy, and probably costly, appeal to the Secretary of State. Keeping a detailed digital audit trail will also become particularly important to parties involved in a project, if they’re named as the ‘accountable person’ on a scheme. This could be the asset owner, contractor, consultant or the architect, who will be responsible for maintaining a detailed record of their processes, and be able to justify how decisions were taken. Digital twins are the ultimate form of this audit trail. As my colleague Steve Cockerell, Industry Marketing Director, for Rail and Transit wrote earlier this year: “Cross River Rail’s CEO Graeme Newton expects that in comparison to the benefits digital twins provide, the cost of creating and maintaining them is insignificant, and that investment in digital twin technology will just become the norm. Newton believes future owner-operators will ask: ‘What have been the (data) inputs into all of these things? How are you maintaining the standard you said you would? How do we know that safety is paramount? The digital twin means it is forever captured and its forever represented and its forever traceable.’” As a result of the new Building Safety Regulations when it comes to the ongoing cladding remediation, the leaseholders will now be the very last in line expected to pay out to fix it, behind developers, cladding manufacturers, and then existing property owners. Any asset owners looking to increase rents in future years better be sure that everything about the building is in ship shape. The Act creates a legal requirement to give building safety information to your tenants alongside any rent demands, as well as involving tenants in any building safety decisions. Should anything go wrong and the asset manager has to pay for remediation or legal costs, these costs are not allowed to be passed back to tenants in the form of service charges. The time period for any defects is also extended from six years to 30 years, and covers refurbishments as well as new builds. It could be poor design, shoddy workmanship, or inappropriate materials, but if it has happened in the last 30 years and impacts the habitability of a property, the original developer or current asset manager is responsible for the cost. That means businesses could end up paying out for work it was involved in long before the current team was on the scene. For new-build projects, the claims period is 15 years. The requirement for robust information management in the built environment is nothing new says Nigel Eatough, Regional Director at Bentley Systems. Firms have been doing this for years to help defend against claims, but today’s open source Digital Twin technology makes it easier to connect all information together. Open data is fundamental given the time scales that information needs to be maintained, but so is an open mindset to take advantage of the insights digital twins will bring. The creation of the Act also brings with it a new wave of council building inspectors, as well as private sector building control inspectors, tasked with looking over work which relates to safety. While for many parts of the residential sector this increase in scrutiny is much-needed, and much-welcomed, added layers of analysis and bureaucracy may seem like an additional headache. However, those interested in making a lasting impact to an area rather than a quick buck, should have less to fear as long as they have a strong digital audit trail of the work they carried out and the materials used. If implemented properly, when the Act is fully in place by October 2023 the new rules and processes should ensure a higher standard of development which will positively impact contractors, consultants, asset owners and residents alike. By Mark Coates, International Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Bentley Systems By Nigel Eatough, Regional Director, Northern Europe, Bentley Systems Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 200 affordable homes have been given the green light this week, allowing the Council to create more much-needed affordable housing. At least 130 of these new homes will be for social rent at key sites in Greendykes, Wester Hailes and Dreghorn. It follows decisions by the Development Management Sub Committee on Wednesday (25 January) to grant permission for newbuild sites and agreement by the Finance and Resources Committee on Thursday (26 January) for the Council to purchase empty homes from the Ministry of Defence. Of the 140 new homes agreed for Greendykes, 74 will be Council homes. They form the final phase of the Council’s 15-year Greendykes masterplan, which is delivering 2,200 new homes in total alongside four new schools, a new public park, a brand new town centre and 300,000 sq ft of retail space. The project is also the second pilot for the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme, meaning innovative construction methods will be used to build these homes offsite before delivering them to Greendykes where they will offer residents’ net zero carbon homes. This is a significant milestone for the EHD programme and the Greendykes area as we look to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing that is aligned with the current Net Zero Carbon approach of the Council. Of the 73 new homes granted for Wester Hailes, 41 will be Council homes. They will be built at a derelict site in Murrayburn Gate where the Wester Hailes Health Centre once stood. The site is next to the Westside Plaza shopping centre and close to rail links, with the community to also benefit from a new public footway to the nearby Canal View Primary School. All 23 empty homes agreed to be bought in Dreghorn are currently owned by the Ministry of Defence and are based along Dreghorn Place and Dreghorn Drive. The homes will be made available for social rent from the Council. Councillor Jane Meagher, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Never has our need for affordable housing been greater as we face a cost-of-living crisis and a climate emergency. The decisions made this week demonstrate our Council’s commitment to urgently creating the homes Edinburgh needs. “I’m particularly pleased that we’ll be able to deliver so many homes for social rent. We want to provide everybody with a safe and warm place to live but we’re facing growing homelessness in Edinburgh. This remains a challenge, but these new properties that we’re buying and building are going to help many people in desperate housing need. “And, as we build these new homes, we’ll create well designed places. Innovative offsite manufacturing of net zero homes such as those planned for Greendykes will help tenants and residents to keep their fuel bills down. This work will be taken forward alongside retrofitting many of our existing homes, so that older Council properties are also brought up to a better standard.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The event attracts substantial interest from owners, operators, hirers and contractors from across the UK. UK Plant Operators Magazine recognises that the industry faces a severe skills gap, urgent attention is required, as such this issue is at the strategic heart of the publication’s output. The nation’s leading contractors and hirers, through close relationships with the magazine, promote the operation of plant machinery as a rewarding and sustainable career path. The pathway to becoming a plant operator has been simplified with best-in-class training available through the CITB National Construction College (NCC) in Bircham. The best plant hire companies are providing excellent terms and conditions, first class opportunities and the latest technology. Creating a safer, smarter and cleaner environment to attract the next generation of UK Plant Operators. UK Plant Operator Magazine publisher Brian Coogan said: “We are delighted to welcome the CITB as headline sponsors of the 2023 campaign. As industry leaders the CITB supports the skills needs of the construction industry. We share the same values and face the same challenges. We look forward to working together to champion the sector, create awareness of the need for, and advantages gained, from quality training… all for the good of the UK construction industry.” In 2023 the UK Plant Operator of the Year campaign will see some exciting developments, with leading UK hirers and contractors entering teams to compete in a series of challenges across a range of Excavators, Telehandlers, Compact Loaders, Bulldozers, Backhoes, Wheel Loaders and Tilt Rotators, to name a few. The very latest models, supplied by the world’s leading manufacturers. The event is open to all to enter once they have their equipment tickets up to date. Finalists will demonstrate their skill and knowledge, in addition to showcasing the technological and engineered solutions the machines deliver, supporting the industry to be safer and more sustainable, whilst improving performance. The 2023 event will expand further with the introduction of a Scottish heat in July, the winners will qualify for the final on 30th September at the National Construction College. Brian Coogan added: “Working with the UK’s leading training authority, we will deliver together a message to the industry that encourages training, helping to build a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce.” Gary Cumiskey, Head of NCC Curriculum Delivery at CITB, said: “This is such a fun event and showcases all sorts of skills on various types of machines. But there’s also a serious message behind it, as we seek to attract the next generation of workers to fill skills shortages in the UK. The benefits of these careers are obvious, so I’d invite operators across the country or anyone who is curious about a construction career to join us for this exciting event and find out more.” To find out more about the campaign and register your interest visit https://ukplantoperators.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Designs for a landmark scheme that will regenerate Smithfield Birmingham have been submitted to the City Council, following an extensive consultation on the proposals. The site played a central role in the hugely successful Commonwealth Games last summer, during which it hosted several games venues as well as the Smithfield Festival. Now this 17-hectare development in the historic heart of the city is set to transform Birmingham and create major economic opportunities, including an estimated 8,000 new jobs. This once in a generation opportunity has the potential to reshape Birmingham’s city centre. A market has operated on the site for over 200 years and, continuing this long history, the new scheme will provide a home for the city’s historic Bull Ring markets, which will celebrate Birmingham’s roots as the ‘city of a thousand trades’. This will form an iconic new centrepiece for the city centre and include a rooftop garden, dining hall and new market square. The plans reveal ambitions to make Birmingham a new business hub where organisations can grow their networks and ideas. The masterplan creates a workspace campus of over one million square feet, featuring a range of workplaces designed to foster partnerships and knowledge-sharing, from Grade-A workspace, to flexible creative space and makerspace. Designed with health and wellbeing at its heart for a post-Covid, low-carbon future, the proposals will nurture a diverse range of companies and individuals. This will ensure that Birmingham continues to grow and retain its best talent and ideas, as well as attract new businesses to the city from across the UK and all over the globe. Integrated public transport, an enviable location close to Birmingham New Street station, along with easy access to the upcoming HS2 rail link, will make Smithfield one of the most well-connected areas to conduct business in the country. Taking advantage of the site’s location next to the artistic and cultural district of Digbeth, the plans submitted for approval also include a brand-new events and gathering space, Festival Square, that will play host to cultural events for thousands of people. Designed by James Corner Field Operations, the world-leading landscape architects responsible for the much-loved High Line in New York, the new square will be a space where musical and artistic communities come together to put on live performances for all ages. If approved, 600 sustainable and modern homes will be delivered in a green setting as part of the first phase of work – with a total of 3,000 homes planned for the whole site over the coming years, including affordable homes, all supported by modern community facilities. Smithfield Gardens will provide residents with access to nature on their doorstep and provide visitors with a new green space to unwind and keep fit. Meanwhile expanded cycling routes and improved eco-friendly transport options will be complemented by new and improved green walking routes, connecting the centre of Smithfield towards the Bullring, central Birmingham and Highgate Park. This will stitch the development into the fabric of the city, enhancing the existing offer while reinvigorating the centre of Birmingham. The scheme is a joint venture between Birmingham City Council and Lendlease, an international real estate and investment group with core expertise in shaping cities and creating strong and connected communities. And the plans submitted for approval have been shaped by local people from across Birmingham’s diverse communities; including local residents, businesses and community organisations, market traders, and a dedicated youth panel. Alongside masterplanners Prior+Partners and David Kohn Architects who are designing the new market, Lendlease’s design team includes a host of international and local architects and landscape architects, including dRMM, Intervention Architecture, Haworth Tompkins Architects, Minesh Patel Architects and RCKa with James Corner Field Operations designing the significant new public realm and landscape. Birmingham residents can view the proposals that have been submitted to the council at www.smithfieldbirmingham.co.uk Colin Murphy, Project Lead at Lendlease, said: “Throughout 2022 we’ve been part of a city-wide conversation with people who live and work in Birmingham, inviting comment on our plans from all corners of the city including those who are at the heart of today’s Bull Ring Markets. And the submission of our planning application is a pivotal moment for a £1.9bn development that will provide thousands of new jobs and homes. “This really is an exceptional opportunity to create and celebrate the next chapter in Birmingham’s transformation as an international city. Smithfield will provide the opportunity to create a destination market experience to rival Europe’s best; as well as an international office hub with access to outstanding transport links.” A decision on the planning submission is expected in early 2023. If approved, construction on site would begin later in the year. For further information on Smithfield, please visit www.smithfieldbirmingham.co.uk where you can sign up for updates on the proposals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A FORMER Brazilian singer is the latest new recruit for leading developer, Lovell Homes, marking continued growth across the North East region. Putting down his microphone in exchange for a hard hat, Nelson Bonotti has joined Lovell Homes as assistant site manager of the region’s Northshore development in Stockton-on-Tees. Once complete, the site will boast 113 affordable homes with river frontage, on behalf of Thirteen Group. Before beginning his career in construction, Nelson started singing while he was at university and was in a singing duo for eight years in Brazil, where he was born. The duo, Nelson e Davi, had five songs that were played on Brazilian radio until they decided to finish their music career in 2010. Nelson then made the decision to go into a career in construction. Nelson said: “From a young age I always loved singing and really enjoyed my time in the music industry. It’s a time of my life I look back on fondly and I’m proud of what we managed to achieve, including our songs getting played on Brazilian radio, which was really quite surreal. “However, once we made the decision to stop singing in 2010, I began following another passion of mine, construction.” After leaving the music industry behind, Nelson worked in various construction roles in Brazil, including looking after the cranes for the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, when the stadium hosted the 2014 football World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. In 2016, Nelson made the decision to move to the UK. He became a labourer and worked his way through the ranks, to become an assistant manager at another national housebuilder, before joining Lovell Homes. Nelson added: “My 12-year career in the property world both here in the UK and overseas, has afforded me a range of skillsets, allowing me to experience all aspects of the build process. This is something I’m looking forward to bringing into my new role as assistant site manager at Lovell, while developing my skills alongside the region’s growth. “I’ve joined the Lovell team at what is a really exciting time. We’ve just broken ground at the Northshore development, which is set to be a fantastic site with lots of opportunities for those looking for a new home in Stockton-on-Tees. I’m looking forward to seeing the site develop over the coming months and welcoming our first homeowners this year.” Last year saw five other new starters join Lovell’s North East region following its launch earlier in the year. Paul Devaney, area director of Lovell Partnerships in the North East region, said: “It’s great to see our North East region’s continued growth as we start the New Year. 2022 was a brilliant first year for the region, with work beginning at two of our first developments, including the team breaking ground at our Northshore site. “We welcome Nelson to the team. He brings a breadth of experience across many areas of property, making him a real asset to our Northshore site.” To find out more about Lovell Homes, please visit: https://www.lovell.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BRAND new images released today by the developer behind Nottingham’s The Island Quarter development showcase what the scheme’s next phase – a ground-breaking new bioscience facility – could look like. Designed by CPMG Architects, the plans include 245,000 sq ft of high quality, flexible research and laboratory space, across two buildings that will be connected by a glazed link at upper levels and provide a mixture of laboratory, office and meeting spaces. Proposals were submitted by The Conygar Investment Company PLC to Nottingham City Council in December and, if approved, will see the facility boost the city’s reputation as the bioscience capital of the UK, acting as an incubator for new and growing businesses within the sector. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “Nottingham is a centre of innovation and no more so than within the biosciences sector. This latest phase of The Island Quarter shows our commitment to supporting the city’s role as a leader in the sector by developing a brand new facility to house and nurture some of the most exciting and innovative businesses in the UK.” The newly released images showcase the facility’s rainwater gardens and medicinal planting as part of the building’s external landscaping, with an ecology-focussed street that links the latest phase with the rest of The Island Quarter – echoing the vision for the overall site. This includes raised planters made with natural stone paving blocks in the style of those found in the heritage buildings – connecting the site’s history with its future. David Jones, director at planning and environmental consultancy Axis, added: “The Island Quarter is a hugely important regeneration opportunity for the city and these new images will help people visualise the next phase of development at the site, for a state-of-the-art biosciences facility to complement what the city already has to offer.” The surroundings are designed to respond to the emerging wider masterplan, which is being developed in collaboration with the planning authority and is the subject of ongoing community engagement. These latest proposals will continue the development of the northern edge of the 36-acre development, which also features a 693-bed student accommodation block, due for completion in summer 2024. To find out more about The Island Quarter, please visit: theislandquarter.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MWJV, a Cornish construction services consultancy, has been supporting the build of Spaceport Cornwall, which launched its first mission on Monday 9 January. The company has been managing the construction of the spaceport facilities at Cornwall Airport Newquay, which first began in January 2022. Spaceport Cornwall is the first place in the UK to offer space launch capabilities. Roger Hannaford, Financial Director at MWJV, said: “We’ve been working closely with Spaceport Cornwall and the contractors to ensure the project is delivered on time, on budget and to the highest possible standard. Our work has included project management, quantity surveying, health & safety management and the appointment of a NEC Supervisor. “Working on Spaceport has been a fantastic opportunity and we’re now looking forward to finalising the project and celebrating its many future successful launches. It’s great to see such an innovative and nationally significant project come to life here in Cornwall.” The spaceport project includes the construction of two new buildings and supporting infrastructure. The Space Systems Integration Facility (SSIF) was completed in September and is now occupied by one of Spaceport Cornwall’s customers, Virgin Orbit. The SSIF is where the rockets are assembled and includes a large cleanroom, crane, and airlock for satellite integration activities, as well as welfare facilities, meeting rooms, and a large final assembly area. The second building, the Space Systems Operations Facility (SSOF), will be multi-purpose and is where on-site mission control will be based. The SSOF is currently being fitted out and is set to be completed by the end of March. Construction has been carried out by two main contractors, each with a supply chain of subcontractors. The principal contractors are Kier, which has led the general construction, and specialist firm Bassaire, which has headed up the cleanroom elements. MWJV Senior Project Manager Phil Knight said: “The project has been an interesting challenge for us to manage the delivery of the construction phase in readiness for Spaceport Cornwall’s first customer. The project has involved a complex supply chain comprising a multitude of specialist contractors required for the Space Systems Integration Facility fit out and supporting infrastructure.” The project also involves the installation of specialist equipment, including a shipping container-sized frequency converter, groundworks for access and car parking, and a rooftop solar array to help meet the building’s sustainability requirements for its BREEAM certification. Commenting, Ross Hulbert, Business Development Manager at Spaceport Cornwall said: “MWJV provided an excellent service in managing the delivery of these complex buildings. These facilities are key to attracting a sustainable space industry cluster on-site, bringing jobs and building local skills. We are also excited that we are providing great opportunities for local businesses, like MWJV, to expand their capabilities into the space industry.” The spaceport is the first of its kind in the UK, allowing for horizontal launches of satellites with a modified Boeing 747 and detachable wing-mounted rocket. Previously, satellite manufacturers had to take their products to other countries for launch. For more information on MWJV, visit the website here: www.mwjv.net Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals