Anyone involved in the construction industry knows how vital access to key building supplies is. These common materials and products are literally the foundations of any house or building that is constructed. Without them, the whole industry would grind to a halt and the fabulous structures that we can erect
Those who buy and sell property often know when is the exact right time to buy. Entry points are the easier part of the equation since most investors instinctively know a good deal when they see one. However, investors struggle with realising when is the right time to get out
Though the decision to hire painting and decorating services may be an easy one to arrive at, you should take time to select the right company. Without doing so, the risks include spiralling costs and poor quality workmanship. Whether you want to redecorate as part of a total renovation, or
Skip hire services, while second nature to those in the construction industry, can seem a daunting enterprise for those who may have never used one. From knowing what you can and can’t throw in them to deciding what size to hire, skips for some are alien; but they needn’t be.
2018 was quite a year for the construction industry. Not only has it seen an explosion of new technology across surveying, engineering, and environmental consideration, but some of the most severe changes in the laws and policies that dictate how the industry functions. As the world changes, and more people
According to a study conducted at the start of the year, more than 7,500 affordable homes have been lost in the past two years in England as a result of office redevelopments bypassing affordable housing requirements. Permitted development rights rule that office buildings can be converted into housing without planning
Working in the construction sector can be extremely rewarding when you see the benefits of the hard work that you have put in. However, despite the benefits, the construction industry remains a dangerous industry to work in – owing to the heavy machinery, power tools and large vehicles that are
One of the most extraordinary planning applications London has ever seen has been submitted. Lord Norman Foster, Architect of The Gherkin (London) wants to revamp the city. As his original build has become increasingly crowded by a dense thicket of towers and slabs, leading it to be overshadowed by newer
With constant changes across home, interior and building trends, the question on most people’s lips is – what features do new-build seekers really want? Builders, architects, and industry experts come across different demands and preferences every year, depending on the newest trends and features. Here are the latest in-demand features
The kitchen is often the heart of the home and commonly one of the most social and functional spaces. Kitchens are no longer simply a space for preparing and cooking food, they are often a social and work area too. Whilst a kitchen’s style, look and feel is defined by
Anyone involved in the construction industry knows how vital access to key building supplies is. These common materials and products are literally the foundations of any house or building that is constructed. Without them, the whole industry would grind to a halt and the fabulous structures that we can erect today would not be possible. It is not just construction workers who would be affected though. Without the essential building supplies that we can call on now, architects would not have the tools to plan out the amazing homes they do currently. This makes having access to the right building supplies for the job at hand crucial. One thing that you may sometimes wonder when working on a job is what resources are in a particular product you are using and where they actually came from. Understanding this can not only help you to take on board what is in the building supply you are using but also how it has been made. Where do the resources come from? There are many, many common building supplies that most construction projects will use. If you want to find out what goes into some of them and where the resources come from, then the below should help: Steel support beams – this is a very important building supply as it protects the structural integrity of the building itself. Adding in steel support beams where needed will help to resist any shear forces and any bending of the section on which they sit. Ferrochrome is the main resource used in this material and is a substance mined from the Earth. Eurasian Resources Group is the prime producer of ferrochrome globally and operates in 15 countries, across four continents. It produces a massive amount of this key alloy each year to help the construction industry access the steel support beams they need. Windows and skylights – another common building supply that you will see on all projects are windows and skylights. They are key to letting enough natural light into a building and making it a more pleasant place to be. Glass is the primary resource in both and involves heating sand to a high temperature until it dissolves. Popular for the contemporary look that it can also give to modern structures in terms of large glass walls, for example, it is produced on a commercial scale in factories around the world. Wall insulation – all building projects now will have a focus on making structures energy efficient. A key part of that is insulating walls so that they retain heat and use less energy. The most common way to go about it is with sheets of rigid foam that sit in the cavity between walls. The major resource in these foam sheets is expanded polystyrene. These sheets are made across Europe and the rest of the world in commercial factory operations. Various supplies such as ladders or railings – one very important resource behind many building supplies is aluminium. This substance is a chemical element that is non-magnetic and soft. As a result, it is very handy for use in lots of projects and allowing architects to be creative in their designs. Aluminium is mined from the Earth and then processed to be used in the construction industry worldwide. China is probably the biggest aluminium producer at the moment with over 30,000 tons mined each year. Concrete – if you are working on a big structure or anything involving landscaping, such as road laying, then concrete is a key supply. This material is key for constructing hard-wearing buildings or roads that last for a long time. Along with a commonly found aggregate such as gravel, the main resource in concrete is cement. Cement is produced around the world by mixing various materials such as limestone and sand together before heating them. When set, the resulting compound is ground into a fine dust to become cement. The main places that cement comes from are China and India, though many countries around the world produce it to some degree. Don’t forget bricks Perhaps the most commonly seen building supply on a project are bricks. Although they have been around for a long time, they are still the way that most people expect their home to be built. Traditionally, the main resource found in bricks is clay, which is shaped and fired to produce the final brick. As a natural material, clay is mined from the Earth by mining groups and then processed to be used by brick manufacturers. Resources power the construction sector What the above shows is that without the natural resource groups around the world mining precious resources to use or countries commercially manufacturing them, the construction industry would not be able to function. Without common building supplies such as concrete, windows or steel support beams, it would be impossible to safely construct the structures that we all see today.
Those who buy and sell property often know when is the exact right time to buy. Entry points are the easier part of the equation since most investors instinctively know a good deal when they see one. However, investors struggle with realising when is the right time to get out of an investment. If they hold on for too long, they may miss the absolute top at which to sell. At the same time, selling too early could cause the investor to miss out on potential profits. Here are some ways to know when an investment property should be sold. One of the primary considerations does not even relate to the market for the property itself. Rather, it relates to other potential investments and opportunities. The most important thing that an investor has going for them is their capital. There is never an unlimited supply of capital, and investors will continuously need to decide where their capital is best deployed. While the real estate investment may be profitable, there may be another investment that could potentially make even more money. For example, when the equities market is consistently offering a higher rate of return, it may be better to scale back in the real estate market. Alternatively, if there is another property that offers the prospect for higher income, it may warrant shifting around the property portfolio. This is known as the opportunity cost of real estate investing, and it is one of the most important considerations as an investor’s money may be tied up for a long time. On a similar note, changes in property prices or other investments may also change an investor’s asset mix. Optimally, investors should have a diversified and varied portfolio that is spread across many asset classes. This is to act as a hedge against an uncertain economic environment. For example, real estate may underperform when the equity markets are stronger. If there is a wildly profitable investment, it can mean that a majority of an investor’s portfolio consists of real estate. While realising profits is generally a good thing, diversification of portfolio is desirable as well. At a certain point, when the value of real estate holdings dwarfs other assets in a portfolio, it may be time to either take some profits or shift around investments. In addition, investors need to be aware of the current taxation environment for investment properties since that will affect the total mortgage payment on the parcel. In the UK, the taxation credit for financing costs for investment properties is being phased out and will result in a much lower credit by 2020. This means that investment properties may become less profitable depending on how they are financed. Different countries treat financing costs in various ways, and a change in the taxation structure can make the difference between a profitable investment and an unprofitable one. In addition, investors must also be aware of the potential profit on their property and what taxation rate it would mean they have to pay. As a result, investors should be closely following any possible change in the tax structure to see if it benefits or hurts their property investments. Finally, an investor should always consider their own personal financial situation when deciding whether and when to sell an investment property. While real estate investments have many positive attributes, liquidity is not one of them, unless investors can borrow against the value of their property. If an investor has a certain upcoming life event that may require more liquidity, it may be a wise idea to sell an investment property. While investors should not hastily exit investment opportunities, there are just some occasions that necessitate selling. However, life events may also mean that it would be more beneficial to maintain a property that can lead to passive income. Thus, changes in personal situations do not always mean that selling is the correct decision.
Though the decision to hire painting and decorating services may be an easy one to arrive at, you should take time to select the right company. Without doing so, the risks include spiralling costs and poor quality workmanship. Whether you want to redecorate as part of a total renovation, or simply up the value when selling or leasing, house painting is an effective way to give a property a new lease of life. It’s also a difficult task to get right. Although painting your own home might seem simple enough in theory, if you don’t have the experience, there’s a lot which could go wrong. The same is true for hiring painters without proper consideration. Mess up the paintwork, and it will take far longer—and cost far more—to correct than if you simply hired a professional to begin with. Investing in the services of a professional contractor can ensure an immaculate and timely finish that will last for years. Read on for our top tips on how to find good house painters and avoid future regrets. Choose a painting service that comes with insurance and guarantees Just like with any other form of interior design or construction work, house painters should be insured, even if they are self-employed or work on a freelance basis. According to Compare The Market, public liability insurance is the most critical as this covers any costs related to accidental property damage while they are going about their job. As such, you should do thorough research into whether your house painters of choice have comprehensive insurance cover and offer guarantees on work, even if they’ve been highly recommended by a friend. While household names like Checkatrade can be used to find insured tradespeople, it’s advisable to have a guarantee of quality work as well. The property maintenance company Homyze offer insurance and a 12-month guarantee on all painting and decorating jobs. This means you won’t have to find an alternative decorator to redo the work in a few months time. Obtain a quote and check credentials Once you’ve settled on your house painter of choice, the next thing to do is get a quote from them. You may baulk at the initial outlay, but don’t let it put you off. Household Quotes puts the UK’s average cost of painting a 2-bed flat at between £1,500 and £2,000, and in London, you can expect the costs to be even higher. However, quotes that fall way below those costs should be treated with healthy scepticism. It would be far wiser to spend £1,500 on a professional service rather than £500 on a paint job that needs to be done again, more expensively, by a better decorator. You should also be sure to check the credentials of your prospective painter. Ask to see references, and if you decide to get in touch, contact their older clients so you can get a good idea of how durable the work has ended up being. If your painter has been hired from a decorating firm, look into that firm’s certification, as well as their insurance, as noted above. Check for references of past work There’s nothing wrong with taking a recommendation from a friend, as long as you’ve done your homework. However, thanks to the internet, there are far better ways to get the lowdown on a potential painter than simply asking around. Exploring sites like Yelp or TrustATrader should give you all the information you need to find the right house painter for your property. That said, there are a couple of things to bear in mind. Most crucially, you shouldn’t blindly click on the top-rated house painter without actually reading a few of the reviews. As with most customer review platforms, you can easily tell when overly positive profiles have been faked. In fact, in the face of numerous glowing write-ups, a couple of negative reviews can actually be proof that a business is more legitimate, so look out for any responses the business may have offered unhappy customers. For more peace of mind, you should also try and find reviews which have photographs attached, so you can judge the positive write-ups for yourself.
Skip hire services, while second nature to those in the construction industry, can seem a daunting enterprise for those who may have never used one. From knowing what you can and can’t throw in them to deciding what size to hire, skips for some are alien; but they needn’t be. From the skip hire services you should expect to see available to the benefits you can enjoy and of course, the many uses associated with them, we want to share the ultimate guide to skip hire – what you need to know. Let’s take a look. Skip Hire Services Available Domestic – domestic skip hire covers households that may be renovating their homes. Whether you’re redoing your bathroom or clearing the garden, domestic skip hire is available for all your non-commercial or trade needs. In the end, you may find them quite useful even for domestic purposes. By typing on your browser commercial dumpster rental near me, you will find attractive local services entirely hassle-free, thus ideal for you. Builder/Trade – builder or trade skip hire usually refers to smaller tradesmen or a builder, usually working alone that may be carrying out smaller jobs such as the renovations a client isn’t able to do themselves. While still technically commercial, they aren’t considered a company, rather sole traders or loan workers. Commercial – commercial skip hire is quite possible the biggest umbrella term as it covers everything from small companies to large, industrial sized companies that require skip hire and waste management on a regular basis. Wait And Load – ideal for both domestic, trade and commercial uses. The wait and load skip hire service does exactly what it says on the tin. One of our team will arrive with the size skip of your choice, wait while you load it and leave. This is ideal for those in need of multiple skips in quick succession or those without the space to house a skip for a prolonged period. The Benefits Of Skip Hire Whether you’re a commercial client or domestic, everyone can appreciate the same benefits that skip hire can offer; from simple convenience to cost. Convenient – it’s one of the biggest reasons people choose skip hire – sheer convenience. skip hire with Mackers means simply telling them what size skip you want, when you want it and where you want it. Some companies offer same day delivery of your skip, quickly and efficiently. If the skip will be placed on your front drive or private site, great, if not you can even pay for the necessary skip hire permit needed to place them on a public road. While some may argue that you could of course take your waste to your local council skip, there’s always the question of how you’re going to get it there. This can be especially problematic for particularly dirty or dusty jobs, when you don’t own a commercial vehicle. Add on the time needed to load and unload your vehicle as well as drive to and from your local tip and it makes perfect sense to simply have a skip delivered to you. No need to worry about opening times and the added labour of unloading your vehicle when you get there. Cost – many assume the cost of a skip and immediately decide against it, when they can, “sling it in the car and take it to the tip myself”. What many don’t realise however, is that skip prices start from far lower than most assume. Then of course when you take into account the time it takes travelling to and from your local tip, as well as the cost to clean and in some cases, repair your vehicle and it’s a no brainer. Don’t have a vehicle and have to rent a van in order to do it yourself and you’ll find yourself spending a lot more money than perhaps even multiple skips would cost. Save Your Car – our cars, besides our homes, are perhaps some of the most expensive purchases in our lifetime. We work hard to pay for them so why risk damaging them by filling them with rubbish, waste from renovations, old metal and more, just to save spending money on a skip. Not only would you risk damaging the interior of your car but you would be adding unnecessary mileage on to it too. Try cramming too much in there and you’ll also risk the sight of blue lights pulling you over before laying a heavy fine on you. Just imagine how many trips you’d have to make to the tip in order to move the same amount of waste a small 6-yard skip could hold. Environmentally Friendly – using a company such as, Mackers Skip Hire, you not only find a convenient and cost-effective way to rid you of your waste but you also find an environmentally friendly skip hire method too. Mackers Skip Hire In short, using a professional skip hire company will not only save you time but it will also save you money. Add to this the ‘green’ factor as well as the damage you’ll save to your car and it makes perfect sense to hire a skip instead. For more information on the skip hire services check out Mackers Skip Hire.
2018 was quite a year for the construction industry. Not only has it seen an explosion of new technology across surveying, engineering, and environmental consideration, but some of the most severe changes in the laws and policies that dictate how the industry functions. As the world changes, and more people are turning a critical eye to the construction industry, new challenges and problems are arising, that everyone from business owners to carpenters, cannot afford to ignore. As the rate at which new construction projects launch rises in direct correlation with an influx of new challenges, now, more than ever, owners, foremans, and workers across the spectrum are not only going to have to be better informed, but more adaptable, if they want to survive. The ability to not only solve today’s problems, but forecast what’s coming down the road, will play just as much a role in survivability as the foundation does in making a structure that lasts through the ages. A Reduced Workforce This is the big one that is going to kill the industry quicker than anything else. In the United States alone, there are over 250,000 open and unfilled construction positions, ranging anywhere from carpenters to project supervisors. It doesn’t help that there is a growing deficit in not only the number of people pursuing construction positions, but are also qualified to do so. Mike Rowe, the host of the popular American TV show “Dirty Jobs,” and all-round average bloke, has been harping on this for years. The trades are not prioritized in schools anymore, so potential future builders are turned off from the industry before they even graduate. To combat this, the industry is going to need to do several things: ● Educate the KS4 and KS5 Students If the Department of Education won’t, construction professionals will have to take matters into their own hands. They’ve got to start partnering with local and prominent schools through the country, and educate young people on the marketability and benefits of the construction industry. They’ve been told that computers are the future, and that may very well be – but computers have to sit in a building somewhere too, and someone has to build them. ● Take Better Care of Employees Construction is a very come and go industry, and it always has been. It’s not unusual at all to put together a crew for a contract, complete the job, and then move on to a new project, with an entirely different team. The reality is that costs won’t allow most firms to bring full-time benefits to part-time employees, but for the ones who turn up, job after job, week after week, you’d be best served by treating them like royalty. That means regular raises, promotions, comprehensive healthcare, and retirement benefits. Once they’re gone, they’re probably not coming back, and they’re taking their experience with them. Stricter Laws and Working Conditions For better or worse, the construction industry just can’t operate the way it did even just 20 years ago. I don’t believe for a second that the foremans and project leads of yesteryear meant to harm anyone, not even for one moment, but the reality is that we haven’t always done the best job ensuring that job sites were safe and efficient for protecting people, or creating a structurally sound building. That’s caught up with us in the last few decades, and it’s not going to get any easier. If the industry is to survive, leaders and owners at all levels are going to have to know the law, know the issues impacting changes to the law, and structure their own procedures around safety, even at the cost of speed. Not only that, but firms find themselves under increasing scrutiny to complete jobs to the exact outline of the contract. Gone are the days when you could take an extra six months, or jump to a cheaper steel, just to get a job done. Now, for firms that fall behind schedule, or don’t deliver on their promises, there’s a growing list of failed businesses that they’re being added to. Developments in Technology Though this also presents a great opportunity for the industry, it could potentially be a massive setback, for those who don’t learn, adapt to, and integrate these technological shifts quickly. Advancements in everything from project management software, to drones used to survey sites and calculate measurements, have left many in the industry scratching their heads, and wondering just what in the world they’re supposed do with all this technology. The answer is simple – get it, and put it to work. You may be one of those old breed construction types who got his start hammering nails in someone’s house, and believes that no fancy computer program can replace human smarts, drive, and experience. I wholeheartedly agree with you, but if you give these advancements to a worker who has all three characteristics, and put him up against a man with only paper blueprints and hand tools, the tech guy will win out every time.
According to a study conducted at the start of the year, more than 7,500 affordable homes have been lost in the past two years in England as a result of office redevelopments bypassing affordable housing requirements. Permitted development rights rule that office buildings can be converted into housing without planning permission, but there is no commitment to building affordable housing as part of these conversions. London already has a shortage of affordable housing, with mayor Sadiq Khan announcing his intention to increase the pace of construction from 29,000 homes a year to 66,000. On top of this, he has vowed to make 65% of these home affordable, a much higher percentage than the current rate of 38%. However, the city’s rate of conversions of former offices into housing dropped from 873,000ft2 in 2014, to just 178,000ft2 in 2016. The housing crisis in London is leading to ‘dog kennel’ flats In order to try and tackle the housing crisis in London, the government took a relaxed approach to planning regulations in order to promote the conversion of underused office spaces. Over the past two financial years, there have been 30,575 homes converted from office blocks, and an estimated 25% of these could have been affordable housing. This means that 7,644 affordable homes could have been created, according to the London Government Association. Hundreds of tiny, studio flats will be squeezed into former office block Barnet House, with 96% of the 254 flats being smaller than the national minimum space standards for one person. The smallest of these ‘dog kennel’ rooms will be just 16 square metres, which is 40% smaller than an average Travelodge single room. On the opposite side of the capital, office buildings in Croydon have also been converted into tiny studio flats, offering as little as 15 square metres per person. Converting office spaces discourages businesses Converting office space into housing also means there are fewer workspaces for new businesses looking to launch in the city. Last year, there were a massive 187,250 new businesses set up in the capital, almost all of which will need some form of office space. Councils are warning that the conversion of office space to housing could leave businesses and startups without physical premises to base themselves in. If office space becomes increasingly hard to come by, the price to let will also increase, leaving startups struggling to have their own office space. A rising number of businesses are looking to telecommuting as a way to combat the rising costs of office space. In a survey taken at last year’s Global Leadership Summit in London, 34% of business leaders stated that more than half of their company’s full-time workers would be working remotely by 2020. Meanwhile, 25% admitted that over three-quarters of workers would not work in a traditional office by the same year. Many workspace providers are already operating in the city, accommodating startups who are looking for short-term leases with minimal space. These hot desking workspaces often run through a membership system, such as Landmark’s club space membership, which offers a communal workspace which members can drop in to as and when they need it. A lack of affordable housing and office space is driving businesses to other cities Birmingham is quickly becoming the most popular city for startups outside of London, and according to BQ Live, 2017 saw the city welcome 12,108 new businesses. Last year marked the fifth year in a row that Birmingham followed London for the number of new businesses launching in the city, thanks to the abundance of affordable office space, access to global markets, and dedicated support provided to entrepreneurs and small firms. On top of this, more and more people are leaving the capital because of the lack of affordable housing and workspace, with the number of Londoners abandoning the city reaching a 10-year high. According to recent figures published by the Guardian, 292,000 people left London during the first half of 2016 alone, with many Londoners turning to Birmingham and Brighton for their new homes, thanks to the cheaper cost of living. While converting office space into affordable housing can be seen as a solution to the city’s growing housing crisis, it also means that fewer businesses have access to affordable physical space. Londoners and entrepreneurs are therefore looking to other cities for homes and office space, as London’s rising prices continue to drive them away.
Working in the construction sector can be extremely rewarding when you see the benefits of the hard work that you have put in. However, despite the benefits, the construction industry remains a dangerous industry to work in – owing to the heavy machinery, power tools and large vehicles that are necessary, as well as the general injury that can occur through manual labour. This is why possessing insurance to cover your workforce, construction site and the general public is vital to the success of your firm. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), there were over 71,000 non-fatal injuries recorded in the workplace by employers across 2017 and 2018. When evaluating these statistics, it’s naïve to think that every one of these injuries was covered by valid insurance. This article will explain the huge importance of insurance in the construction sector and how it can help both your firm and the third parties that are involved. Public liability insurance Public liability insurance is vital to ensuring that you’re covered in the face of third-party claims related to your construction site. These claims can be related to contractors working on your building site or coming from events or altercations involving the public while transporting goods in and out of the site, or even how your project’s infrastructure is affecting the local community. We’ve all witnessed our fair share of nasty injuries throughout our time working in construction. It’s bad enough when they happen to our own workforce, but when an unpleasant injury happens to a member of the general public, it could pose serious risks to your business’s financial situation and the success of your project. Public liability insurance will cover you against paying compensation for injuries and damages to third parties within your industry as well as ensure that all medical bills and transportation costs are covered without you having to pay any more than your standard insurance bill. Other types of insurance within the construction sector We’ve covered how PL insurance covers third parties, but what about your own workforce and your employees? Employers liability cover is a legal requirement in the UK and covers you when one of your employees falls ill or suffers an injury at work. As an employer, you may have never experienced any long-term injuries within the construction industry and choose to ride your luck until the time comes. Statistics provided by HSE show that, each year in the UK, around 80,000 construction workers suffer from work-related ill health, with 65% of those instances occurring through musculoskeletal injuries. Whether your employees are off work on short-term sickness or plan to take you to court over a compensation claim following a long-term injury they have sustained, employers liability insurance can cover you against costly financial battles that, otherwise, could potentially ruin your livelihood. Another type of insurance that is vital to the construction industry is the one that covers your tools and equipment in the face of theft or damage. Without these tools, you’re unable to complete your project on budget and on time. Therefore, the reputation of your business could be lowered in the eyes of site foreman and customers.
One of the most extraordinary planning applications London has ever seen has been submitted. Lord Norman Foster, Architect of The Gherkin (London) wants to revamp the city. As his original build has become increasingly crowded by a dense thicket of towers and slabs, leading it to be overshadowed by newer projects. Proposed to sit beside his beloved Gherkin, he has brought forth the notion of The Tulip. A high rise observation tower that will stand at 1000 ft tall (305.3m), the tallest structure and the second highest building in the city. It also reflects his original Gerkin design – remarkably closely. If plans go ahead The Tulip will be 5 meters shorter than the Shard, situated across the Thames river, and will illustrate a 12 storey glass bubble-like shape, erected on top of a long concrete stem. The Tulip will consist of rides in transparent pods, bars, restaurants, a viewing area, a miniature park, and an educational zone. Such an architectural extravaganza is borderline unheard of in the United Kingdom, and now the City of London’s planning department will look at Foster and Partner’s application to see if it can go ahead in the future of the city. If successful, the building is thought to be completed by 2025. The Tulip is a parody of architectural hubris. As the pod at the top of The Tulip stands as a miniature Gherkin pushed to the very heights of the sky, meaning Foster does not want to see his building being overshadowed, and will literally reach to the skies to ensure that doesn’t happen. His original icon is now starved of natural light and tourist attention. So his new proposal takes the same concept and pushes it to the very limit of high rise application. The great glass head of The Tulip will be encased by three protruding vertical spoon-like designs that will skim the walls of the lunging atriums – similar to the form of Astana’s Death Star expo pavilion. A transparent slide will allow visitors to `whoosh` between the floors of the egg-like capsule and users can take advantage of the glass spheres, that will take them on an 8-minute long journey in an elliptical loop across the seven storey’s of The Tulip’s flower. A new high rise building is unusual for London – and it is especially unusual for it to be so fanciful. That being said, big changes to the City’s skyline could soon be implemented. With a 2017 survey discussing new London Architecture demonstrating 510 buildings of 20 or more storey’s to be in the pipeline. High rise builds have also been proposed in cities further scattered around the United Kingdom, inclusive of Bristol, Manchester and Norwich. Standing at over 300 meters, The Tulip would be in guidelines to gain classification as Supertall. London currently remains joint 56th in the Global list of cities with completed buildings of more than 150 meters. With 18 in place – London is tied with Seattle, US. Hong Kong showcases 353 Supertall buildings, followed by New York with 269. No other city in the UK scores higher than 180th, and in the entirety of the world there are only three builds that reach the Urban Habitat’s 600-meter Megatall category: Burj Khalifa (Dubai), Shanghai Tower (China), & Makkah Royal Clock Tower (Saudi Arabia) The City of London Corporation will deliver its verdict on the fate of The Tulip, quite fittingly, in Spring 2019. If plans are able to go ahead it could be the very first step in developing a new, unique, skyline for London, as the City decides whether to take to new heights or remain grounded.
With constant changes across home, interior and building trends, the question on most people’s lips is – what features do new-build seekers really want? Builders, architects, and industry experts come across different demands and preferences every year, depending on the newest trends and features. Here are the latest in-demand features across both the home and workplace, taking over the interior industry: 1. A less cluttered effect Millennials also driving the push toward a modern, streamlined feel with less clutter. People want the things they really need, rather than cluttered home and workspaces littered with ‘things’. Decorative items and any flashy extras are being cut back, creating more of a minimal feel. It’s also more to do with being thrifty and keeping things affordable, as people want to get more for their money. This means homeowners and businesses are now looking at interiors and building plans with affordability in mind. 2. Open plan floors Following the minimal interiors trend, it comes as no surprise that open floor plans are the next thing on people’s lists. Centred around living room spaces, kitchens and meeting rooms, people want the openness effect. It also means that smaller houses or smaller rooms can feel much bigger. Built in fixtures like in wall shelving and TV’s mounted on walls are one easy way to create this feel. Also, ceiling to floor windows are a great option to recreate this feeling. Bifold doors which take up one whole wall such as these examples from Vufold, give this open plan effect instantly and are also perfect for letting tons of natural light in. 3. Flexibility Formal living rooms and dining rooms are now given way to spaces that can convert into a home office, a second bedroom, or whatever other purpose suits. Builders and designers are wanting to create flexibility into the homes they are working on so that buyers can use the space however it fits their needs. This makes the homes more flexible and versatile. 4. Large Kitchen Spaces As kitchens continue to become the social hub of the home, large kitchen islands are being requested more and more, serving a multitude of roles. Large size, open plan kitchens with islands act as prep stations for preparing food, sociable homework spots for kids, places to eat for the family, and acting as a great communal area. 5. Universal design Buyers are realising that they’re not just purchasing homes and buildings for today, but for 20 to 30-plus years down the line. People are considering their future investments, and want to own buildings and homes which will act as an investment. Those looking to buy homes and office spaces are becoming much savvier in that regard The beauty is that many design elements that are also safe to install no longer have to look institutional. These can be anything from grab bars that double as towel rails in the bathroom, to low/no-threshold showers to comfort-height toilets and more. Downstairs toilets are requested more than ever, with builders and designers prioritising large space downstairs toilets and bathroom areas when working on new houses. 6. Floating and freestanding features When builders and designers start to work on a space, whether it be a home or an office renovation, floating and freestanding furniture and fixtures have become a huge trend. By installing and fixing floating vanities – such as sinks and freestanding bathroom features – can make small spaces look larger and open up the room. They also make any room look so much more modern and sophisticated. Offices have started to utilise floating desks attached to the walls, to free up space in the centre of the rooms and to provide a sleek feel. By eliminating the chunky furniture which attaches to the ground, you instantly gain the illusion of more space. 7. Wireless compatibility Now that we’re becoming a more technology and online obsessed world – not to mention social media driven – the need for constant wireless connection is higher than ever. Wireless compatibility throughout the whole house is something builders are keeping in mind more than ever before. The growth of wireless needs within residents is only set to grow, from kids doing homework to work-at-home adults, to working from anywhere and always needing connection. Homes and offices are now also being fitted out with lots of outlets for wireless technology. This means that charging areas don’t stop at the drop zone. By increasing outlets ensures that homeowners can plug in at the kitchen island, at the living room sofa, out on the patio, and pretty much anywhere else! As you can see, the way our buildings are being created by both builders and designers alike are changing. The modern, minimalistic style is strong, making way for charging outlets and wireless compatibility, in rooms which are clutter free and filled with freestanding and floating furniture.
The kitchen is often the heart of the home and commonly one of the most social and functional spaces. Kitchens are no longer simply a space for preparing and cooking food, they are often a social and work area too. Whilst a kitchen’s style, look and feel is defined by its doors, worktops and appliances, lighting plays a key role in shaping the appearance, ambience and functionality of the room. Well planned and designed lighting schemes can transform a modest kitchen into a spectacular and inviting space. In addition to illuminating the room, kitchen lighting performs many functions from setting the mood and tone, highlighting special features or providing washes to levitate units and illuminate beautiful flooring. However, perhaps the most important function of kitchen lighting is task lighting. Task Lighting For areas in which you plan to complete work or prepare food you will need to clearly see what you are doing. These areas include worktops and kitchen sinks and require task lighting. Task lighting can include under-cupboard lighting above work surfaces, or lights that are directed down at one particular place. They need to be bright, well positioned to reduce shadows, and have a higher colour temperature (something around 4100k works well here). Also, it is important to have lighting with a high CRI, ideally >90. CRI (Colour Render Index) is a measure of how accurately the light source displays an objects true colours and this is clearly important for preparing food and assessing its freshness. An LED contour strip is a great way of lighting work surfaces below cabinets as this provides a continuous wash lighting effect. This is especially fitting in modern and contemporary kitchens. General Lighting Kitchens need the most flexible lighting scheme in the entire home as it needs to cater to the wide range of functions. The most popular forms of kitchen ceiling lights these days are recessed down lights, pendant lights or directional spot lights. Ceiling lights should be placed in multiple positions to reduce shadows, but the brightness can often cause issues, as certain situations call for brighter light than others. One way around this is to have dimmer switches in your kitchen. If you are choosing modern LED lighting, however, make sure your dimmer switch is compatible with LED technology. It’s generally better to choose an intelligent trailing dimmer when using LED. Another way to make your kitchen lighting flexible is smart lighting. Smart lighting is lighting that you can control with an app on your phone, or a device like Google Home or Alexa. If you have a high ceiling in your kitchen, consider using pendant lighting to bring the light source lower and to create a centre show piece for the room – the downward directional light of many pendants make them perfect for illuminating worktop space where under cupboard lighting is not available. Pendants come in a variety of styles to suit traditional, modern or contemporary settings. It is not uncommon these days to see a series of decorative pendant lights above a kitchen island, breakfast bar or adjoining dining room table. For best effect and performance, a minimum distance of 850mm is best from the bottom of the pendant to the worktop surface. Recessed downlights have become ubiquitous in kitchens and are effective in providing directional light to an area, particularly if you have low ceilings. It is common practice to fit multiple downlights in equally spaced rows to create a continuous zone of light with minimal shadows. Tiltable downlights are also available and can be very useful in directing light to required areas of workspaces. Downlights are available with different coloured bezels/rims to fit with your kitchens design theme and style. When fitted, recessed lights breach the ceiling structure (often plaster board) and as such it may be a requirement of building regulations that you fit fire rated down lights, your local building control department can advise you. Fire rated downlights are classified as either 30 minutes, 60 minutes or 90 minutes. It is important that you check the rating of the downlights to meet the requirement you need as a 90 minute fire rated downlights may not be rated for 30 or 60 minutes. Directional spot lights can be an easy and effective way of fitting multiple tiltable lights on one rail or fitting. However, many people feel these units are unsightly and do not compliment more traditional style kitchens. Accent Lighting Accent lighting is an effective way to accentuate features in the kitchen or an adjoining open plan room. These might include illuminating inside glass cabinets or highlighting recessed shelving, alcoves or pictures. A variety of lighting from LED strip lights, to directional lighting can be used, but consideration needs to be made about the appropriate colour temperature of the lights used and the overall effect this has on the total lighting scheme. Using ambient lighting well can highlight features that you want to stand out, adding an extra dimension to your kitchen. It can also be used either alone or with worktop lighting to create a low-level background glow for romantic and intimate evenings. Ambient Lighting When completing tasks in the kitchen, you’ll no doubt need a bluer, cleaner light, for example a daylight bulb, but in areas in which you plan on socialising, eating and chatting, you may wish to create more of an ambience. This is especially true in kitchen diners. For areas like this, you should look at using a warmer light, for example a 3000k warm white bulb. You may want to also choose an even warmer bulb as well, possibly in a floor lamp. It is common to use an 1800k vintage style bulb in a floor lamp, and a 3000k bulb in a ceiling light fitting. These two styles of bulb not only complement each other, but also offer two options depending on the brightness needed at any point. Get creative and use your imagination to find places where the source of light won’t be