The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the winners of the President’s Awards for Research 2014. The awards promote and champion high-quality research and encourage its dissemination to the profession; they raise the profile of architects and academics engaged in research, and highlight the need for research across the profession to nurture innovation and strategic thinking. The winners of the President’s Awards for Research 2014 are: RIBA President’s Award for the Outstanding Master’s Degree Thesis Winner: Stephen Gage, University of Cambridge for ‘Repurposed Pasts? Architecture and Identity in the Gothic Revival University’ A difficult subject, tackled very well, with an interesting approach and findings.  The judges thought the thesis extremely rigorous – noting in particular the author’s particular ability in investigating parameters – and significant.  They also noted the very fine drawings that supported the author’s analysis. RIBA President’s Award for the Outstanding PhD Thesis While no Award was given in this category, two PhD’s were worthy of commendation. Commendation: Emma Cheatle, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London for ‘Part-architecture: the Maison de Verre through the Large Glass’ A sophisticated PhD with significant attention to detail and reflection.  The judges found the historical aspect interesting and the descriptions of buildings enlightening and original.  The judges were happy to commend the work as the author’s analytical approach was strong and rational. Commendation: Tom Bridgen, University of Newcastle for ‘The Protected Vista: An Intellectual and Cultural History, As Seen from Richmond Hill’ Original research drawing on both historical and contemporary sources, the thesis was well-research and presented, and explored important ideas in an area lacking in precedent.  The judges thought that this ambitious PhD was deserving of a commendation. RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding University-led research Winner: Barbara Penner, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London for ‘Bathroom’ The judges applauded this outstanding work for tackling an often overlooked area. In covering various points of view, including design and politics, the judges considered the research to be a good polemic with just the right amount of provocation for readers. The author’s passion for the subject made the work all the more interesting. Commendation: Adam Sharr, University of Newcastle and Stephen Thornton, University of Cardiff for ‘Demolishing Whitehall: Leslie Martin, Harold Wilson and the Architecture of White Heat’ A book on an interesting topic, rigorously researched, that made for a fascinating read. The judges felt that the authors had generally done an excellent job in writing a very readable book on architectural politics and that it was worthy of a commendation. Commendation: Ben Campkin, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London for ‘Remaking London: Decline and Regeneration in Urban Culture’ The clear structure and accessible writing made this fascinating piece of work deserving of a commendation. The judges applauded the effort required to tackle such an expansive subject, breaking into areas about which not enough has been written previously. RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding Practice-led research Nowinner was given in this category, one project was worthy of commendation. Commendation: Robert Barker and Richard Coutts, Baca Architectsfor ‘The Climate Adaptive Neighbourhoods (CAN) Project’ This detailed analysis of the East Norwich housing that was a case study in the practice’s Lifeproject research resulted in findings that are pertinent and applicable to future housing developments on flood-prone sites. The judges felt this excellent research worthy of a commendation. RIBA President Stephen Hodder said: “The RIBA’s commitment to the advancement of architecture is inextricably linked to the acquirement of knowledge through new research. I’m delighted to put my name to these awards which celebrate the latest research innovation in our profession which will inform and challenge how we work in the future. Well done to all the winners.”  Chair of the Judging Panel Professor Ruth Morrow, of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Reaching a decision about winners for the RIBA President’s Awards for Research is always an exciting and challenging process. We were pleased to have such a diverse range of work to choose from – leading to some passionate and lengthy discussions at the final judging meeting. While the range of research was stimulating, we were disappointed that there were not more entries and shortlisted pieces from outside London, and hope that next year, in the 10th anniversary year of the awards, that more universities and practices from across the nations and regions will submit entries.” ENDS Notes to editors For press information contact Howard Crosskey in the RIBA Press Office: 020 7307 3761 howard.crosskey@riba.org To download a selection of images from the shortlist please visit: https://riba.box.com/s/cpjkhx40fjvzla9kbx61 Research queries about the awards should be sent to email research@riba.org   The RIBA President’s Awards for Research were established in order to reward and encourage outstanding research in architecture carried out by students, academics and practitioners The awards are given in four categories: Master’s, PhD, university and practice-located research The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Visit www.architecture.com and follow us at www.twitter.com/RIBA    The judging panel for the Awards are appointed by the RIBA expert member group the Research and Innovation Group, on behalf of the President.  RIBA staff provide administrative support to the panel, but do not take part in the judging itself.  Peter Gibbs-Kennet acts as independent observer at judging meetings, in particular to ensure conflict of interest procedures are adhered to.   Posted on Thursday 6th November 2014 Source link

Pupils and staff at two Warrington primary schools are feeling the benefit of new thermally-efficient PVC-U windows supplied by Total Glass and installed by their long-standing customer Goldseal Tradeline Ltd. Pupils and staff at two Warrington primary schools are feeling the benefit of new thermally-efficient PVC-U windows supplied by Total Glass and installed by their long-standing customer Goldseal Tradeline Ltd. Goldseal installed more than 270 A-rated white tilt-only windows at Oakwood Avenue Community Primary and Beamont Community Primary Schools during the Easter holidays to minimise disruption to the schools’ day-to-day operations. The new windows featured Georgian bars integrated inside the doubled-glazed panels in keeping with the buildings’ Victorian origins. Providing improved security, natural light and ventilation, they replaced end-of-life single-glazed timber sliding sash versions. Commenting on the projects, Goldseal Director Rick Fairclough said: “Both schemes progressed very well and the flexible delivery service to site by Total Glass ensured the windows were there on time when we needed them. We pulled our programmes forward to ensure we finished before the start of the new term.” He added: “The new windows have greatly improved the appearance and thermal efficiency of the schools and feedback has been fantastic. Both schools have invited us to price further refurbishment work, including remaining windows and doors.” Gary Cunningham, head of Oakwood Avenue Community Primary School, commented: “From start to finish Goldseal were extremely professional and we were delighted with the quality of the work done. We were continually informed about when the works would take place and how they were progressing. Disruption was kept to a minimum and because the works finished ahead of schedule school returned to normal in a matter of days. “Rooms were handed back to school in a clean state and as the works were completed to a high standard, there was no need for contractors to return to address any issues. I would strongly recommend Goldseal to anyone thinking of renewing their windows.” For more information, contact Total Glass on 0151 549 2339 or visit the website at www.totalglass.com. Source link

British Water has founded a new focus group focusing on data and analytics, which will outline best practice in this crucial field for the industry. The group is the latest addition to the supply chain organisation’s technical forums, and will bring together experts on data capturing, processing and usage from across the sector. At its first meeting, members of Data & Analytics Focus Group vowed to work towards a code of practice to advise UK utilities and their supply chain. The data and analytics experts also propose to compile a glossary of technical terms to streamline the way language is used across the industry. Over the last year British Water has doubled the number of its technical forums from three to six, with the Innovation Focus Group and the Extractive Industries Focus Group being the other recent additions. The forums allow British Water members to share knowledge, make new connections and to have a say in drawing up common standards and future regulation. British Water Technical Director Marta Perez said: “Focus groups are a fantastic opportunity for British Water members to share their expertise, and develop new contacts across the industry. As well as setting common standards and codes of practice for different areas of the water industry, British Water focus groups help build knowledge of the challenges our members face. “The sort of detailed information provided by British Water focus groups can be tremendously useful when advising governments and regulatory bodies about new standards and legislation.” A version of this article first appeared on wwtonline Source link

A distressed asset crisis in India’s infrastructure sector is slicing a full percentage point from national growth, according to the head of the country’s biggest engineering and construction group, who wants banks to swallow losses in order to get stalled projects moving again. AM Naik, executive chairman of Larsen & Toubro, criticised Indian banks for indulging in “a hugely liberal giveaway” of loans to infrastructure and power developers over much of the past decade, resulting in a ballooning pile of distressed assets as many of his peers have struggled to service their debt. Large capital projects worth Rs11.2tn ($168bn) were on hold as of the end of June, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy think-tank, largely because their developers lack the financial strength to pursue them.  A growing number of Indian and foreign institutions have spotted an opportunity to invest in viable projects at a discount, through buying the distressed loans and extending further support to the borrowers. Troubled Indian oil group Essar on Saturday sealed a deal to sell oil and port assets worth $13bn to investors led by Russia’s Rosneft, in order to pay down debt. But some distressed debt investors have complained that India’s banks are not willing to accept a fair price for the distressed loans, for fear of the resultant hit to their balance sheets. Mr Naik — whose group generated revenue of Rs1.04tn in the last financial year in areas ranging from road construction to power plant development — told the Financial Times that the country’s banks needed to be “more pragmatic” in disposing of the troubled assets at steep discounts. He also called for controlling shareholders of rival infrastructure companies to cede control of their projects where necessary. Related article Funds eye cut-price assets and rivals seize market share as state lenders clean up loan books “There are half-completed projects waiting to be finished, distressed projects to be carved out and sold,” Mr Naik said, adding that the developers in question “cannot draw more money because the banks have put the tap off”. “Had it not been for this situation, the [country’s] growth would not be at 7.5 per cent — it could be at 8.5 per cent,” he said. India’s economy grew 7.6 per cent in 2015 but the rate slowed to 7.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year, held back largely by weak private sector investment. While the distressed debt problem is seen as having played a role by sapping banks’ ability to lend, economists have warned that even their most favoured borrowers — companies with strong balance sheets — are showing weak appetite for investment.  Mr Naik agreed. He said Larsen & Toubro would have no trouble financing investment: its debt to equity ratio stood at 200 per cent at the end of March, much lower than peers such as GVK Power and Infrastructure, at 883 per cent. But he added that Larsen & Toubro would hold back on major capital expenditure while it worked to “clean up” problems with projects it had pursued under the government’s public-private partnership scheme — part of India’s plans for $1.5tn of infrastructure investment over the next decade.  “Solid groups no longer have a need for money: at this point in time, each one wants to put its house in order,” he said. “If I want to put up a project tomorrow, 10 banks will come. But I don’t want to.” Sample the FT’s top stories for a week You select the topic, we deliver the news. Source link

Bsria test house manager, Tom Garrigan, will be a judge for the HVR Awards 2016 with the winners announced at Chelsea Harbour Hotel in London on Thursday  27 October 2016.     Launched in 2010, the annual HVR awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the building sector, providing a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with leading figures from industry.  This year the awards will be presented in eight categories with the introduction of a new award for ‘Customer Service person of the year’.   The categories are:   ·       Industrial/commercial air conditioning product of the year ·       Industrial/commercial ventilation product of the year ·       Industrial/commercial heating product of the year ·       Sustainable product of the year ·       Consultant of the year ·       Contractor of the year ·       Customer Service person of the year   Garrigan said: “I am delighted to have been appointed a judge for these prestigious awards. Awards such as these are a celebration of innovation and excellence, which is essential for improving standards within our industry and for driving energy efficiency.”     Source link

1 July 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal The head of a front of house services firm has told an influential group of MPs that a dress code requiring women to wear tights, make-up and high heels was “industry driven”. Simon Pratt, managing director of Portico, was answering questions at a House of Commons inquiry into high heels and workplace dress codes. Pratt said Portico worked in three core sectors – corporate, prime residential and property – and that the look and appearance of employees’ in those sectors “can be very different, traditionally”.  Helen Jones, chair of the petitions committee, quizzed Pratt on the origin of these traditions. She asked why the dress code was so “particular about tights; you can’t wear fine black tights or grey tights but you can wear black opaque ones. Where has that come from?” Pratt’s answer was that it was currently “industry driven.”  Another committee member, Ian Blackford MP, said: “I am aghast at the rules that you had. Light blusher, lip gloss, lipstick, mascara, eye shadow, light foundation powder… and then you talk about the length of skirts – are you saying this was your industry standard?”  Blackford also asked Pratt what Portico’s board of directors was doing to “take proper account” of the situation.  Pratt answered: “The guidelines were reviewed two years ago and were deemed acceptable… but I want to make it really clear that we got it wrong, it was outdated and we changed it as soon as we could.”  Scarlet Harris, women’s equality officer at the Trades Union Congress, who was also giving evidence, said: “In retail, transport, tourism and hospitality [there are] lots of jobs, particularly front of house, client-facing jobs, where women are expected to wear heels, and not just heels but also make-up and short skirts.” Receptionist Nicola Thorp started a petition in protest after she was sent home by Portico for not wearing high heels. The petition gathered more than 137,067 signatures, which meant Parliament was obliged to consider the issue for debate in parliament.  Thorp was also giving evidence and when asked why the issue was not dealt with by human resources she told the committee: “Unfortunately, agency workers do not have much contact with human resources…I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to HR representatives because of being with an agency.” The committee is to hold more evidence sessions to gather further oral evidence. More on this story will appear in the July 2016 edition of FM World.   Source link

The firm saw revenue for the six months to 30 June 2016 rise by 3.3 per cent to hit £210m, up from £203.4m in the same period a year earlier. CEO Wayne Sheppard said that current trading remained at “normal seasonal levels” despite the vote to leave the European Union, and added that the firm had contingency plans in place to help the firm “balance production with sales volumes as necessary” for the remainder of the year. Following the EU referendum, like-for-like brick volumes in July were at the same levels as the same month a year earlier. “The [housing] sector continues to receive focused government support, mortgage availability is good and there remains an undersupply of new homes,” he said. “Our businesses are well prepared for the challenges and opportunities that our markets may present and we look to the future with confidence.” EBITDA for the first six months of the year increased by 7.3 per cent, reaching £55.6m, up from £51.8m in H1 2015. The firm added that its brick business was seeing strong levels of activity from the housing market, which has offset destocking by UK merchants and distributors. Its concrete products business also performed strongly, receiving a boost from an increase in activity in domestic landscaping RM&I work. The brick manufacturer’s results tally with data released this week by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, which showed brick deliveries and stocks in Q2 2016 were at their highest levels for nearly three years. Source link

The King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP), advised by Savills, has let the Midland Goods Shed at King’s Cross to consumer finance provider NewDay. The deal sees NewDay relocate from Two Pancras Square and double its take up on the scheme to 30,000 sq ft (2,790 sq m). The Grade II Listed Midland Goods Shed built in 1850 has been sympathetically restored and converted into a contemporary design, led by Bennetts Associates. The building is in the heart of King’s Cross, next to the Waitrose food store and cookery school, Central Saint Martins and Everyman Cinema, which will be opening in 2017. Stuart Lawson, director in the Central London team at Savills, comments: “The deal to NewDay was agreed 10 days prior to the EU referendum and concluded only 10 days afterwards. The speed of transaction coupled with a substantial rental increase makes this a significant leasing agreement and a strong indicator of continued confidence in the central London office market.” Will Colthorpe, partner at Argent (KCCLP), adds: “NewDay’s announcement is more good news for King’s Cross. It is a testament to King’s Cross, and the ongoing success of the development, to have re-let the space so quickly to a leading consumer finance provider.  By mid- 2017 we expect to have over 12,000 people working at King’s Cross, confirming its reputation as London’s new office destination and leading the way in workplace design and performance.” This deals leaves approximately 800,000 sq ft (74,320 sq m) of the 3 million sq ft (278,700 sq m) of office space  available at King’s Cross.Newton Perkins acted for NewDay; Savills is jointly instructed with Cushman and Wakefield on behalf of KCCLP. Source link

27 July 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal NG Bailey has been awarded both the landlord and tenant facilities services contracts by Land Securities and global bank Mizuho to maintain Mizuho House, 30 Old Bailey in London. Worth more than £1 million, NG Bailey’s contracts are in addition to the company’s facilities services contract at 60 Ludgate Hill, which sits beside Mizuho House as part of Land Securities’ grade A office development, New Ludgate. The facilities services briefs include mechanical, electrical and building fabric operational maintenance, as well as 24-hour critical services support to occupier Mizuho through NG Bailey’s critical environment specialists and its building management systems. NG Bailey held the facilities services contract to maintain Mizuho’s previous London head office at Bracken House, near St Paul’s Cathedral. As part of this new contract, it will also provide soft landings support to Mizuho in the transition to the new building, which will accommodate more than 1,600 employees across 200,000 square feet of office space. Stuart Linington, managing director of NG Bailey’s facilities services division, said: “We currently manage eight retail centres and 40 commercial properties for Land Securities across the country and have a strong relationship with the company, built over many years, so it’s fantastic to be continuing this at Mizuho House.” Source link