Robinsons, the construction and manufacturing specialists, have launched a new Architectural division as part of their expansion plans, consisting of a team that will bring a wealth of skills to the table. The team will assist in a wide range of architecture related work, including obtaining planning permissions, building warrant
The Code of Estimating Practice from the Chartered Institute of Building has been updated in recognition of how the procedure, practice and process of construction have changed. Estimating is the systematic calculation of projected construction and overhead costs for a construction project and it is an essential skill for a
Opening its doors less than a year ago in Astley, only 10 miles from Manchester city centre, Jarvie Plant is already reporting a sharp return on the investment it made in its first depot in England. The Grangemouth-based firm acquired a 3-acre site on Chaddock Lane, employing up to 10
A new-build development in the heart of Dublin will benefit from Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM, a lightweight External Wall Insulation (EWI) system. The Binary Hub, Dublin’s largest Purpose Built Student Accommodation, will provide accommodation for 471 students, easing the pressure on the city’s student housing shortage. The luxury development provides
Selco Builders Warehouse is planning an expansion programme that will enhance its presence over the country, with the opening of eight new outlets and the creation of 400 new jobs this year. The branches in Solihull, York and Milton Keynes have already been opened and the ones in Leicester, Chelmsford,
Waterscan has unveiled the latest technology for water reuse and flood resilience. Intellistorm uniquely combines rainwater harvesting, attenuation and intelligent data gathering into one system that once deployed, it is expected to drastically reduce site water consumption and discharge to drain. The technology enables a site to maximise water reuse
There is more pressure on today’s building technology and innovation than ever before: with climate change being forever the hot topic, there’s no doubt that the design and construction sector has had to make an extra effort to stay ahead of the trends and developments within the ever-changing industry. With
Nationwide Building Society suggested at the beginning of the year that the housing markets were beginning to move however the Registered Institute of Chartered Surveyors appeared not to agree with this stating that in fact the slowdown in the markets was showing no signs of improvement. Again, said Tom Roberts
Guhring has completed the steel framework of its new UK headquarters at the Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) in Aston, Birmingham. The global tool manufacturer purchased 3.5 acres (1.41 hectares) of development land at the scheme from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Birmingham City Council last year, in a
Procter Contracts has opened a new office in South West England in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, to serve its growing client base. Architects and main contractors working in the area can now single source automatic gates, fencing, railings, and street furniture from a regional supplier. The new office is located at
Robinsons, the construction and manufacturing specialists, have launched a new Architectural division as part of their expansion plans, consisting of a team that will bring a wealth of skills to the table. The team will assist in a wide range of architecture related work, including obtaining planning permissions, building warrant applications, structural engineering certification, site surveys, locations and plans. “Anyone can contact us and we’ll be delighted to speak to them about their planning and building application needs. We’ll cover all aspects from domestic to industrial to agricultural projects,” explained Andrew Robb, Design Manager. “It is a great alternative and I think people will want to engage with us. I’m very passionate about what we do and the fact that we will be able to do a good job for our customers.” The team is formed by three people: Andrew Robb, Senior Technician Alistair Gowan, who has around 20 years of experience in dealing with planning applications and building warrants, and Junior Technician Jordan Graham, who has experience in the latest 3D building software and could help the clients visualise their ideas and bring them to life. Andrew also mentioned the importance of providing opportunities for young people to break into the industry. “One of the things we are really keen to progress is creating a school engagement programme; we are planning to go out to career days for example and really try to engage young people in the industry. We feel that it is important to give back and explain the different roles that are available in construction, the benefits, and also to ensure that we can use our passion for the industry to engage young minds and help them start their careers,” said Andrew. Robinsons’ future plans also include expanding its Lockerbie headquarters. “We’ll be redeveloping the look of the area to make it more visible to customers coming in, and redeveloping the car park to make way for more visitors to our site. We’re hoping to do some big open days in the summer to get the local people involved and family days where we can get local young people in to educate them on what we do and try to spark an early interest in joining our team,” said Emma Porteous, marketing manager.
The Code of Estimating Practice from the Chartered Institute of Building has been updated in recognition of how the procedure, practice and process of construction have changed. Estimating is the systematic calculation of projected construction and overhead costs for a construction project and it is an essential skill for a successful contractor. It’s a process that the CIOB believes needs to be modernised, made more reliable and more dynamic. This latest edition of the code examines the processes of estimating and pricing, providing best practice guidelines for those involved in procuring and pricing construction works. This includes a new approach to estimating which links production planning, resource requirements, time management and control of costs. “Estimating is at the core of every construction project. If the estimate is wrong, everybody suffers; the contractor, client, consultants and companies involved in the supply chain” said author of the publication Professor Roger Flanagan PPCIOB. “A new approach to estimating is necessary to keep the industry relevant and ensure accurate and reliable pricing is at the heartbeat of construction.” The code, long established as a leading publication in the construction industry, now includes more contextual and educational material alongside the code of practice, the only code of practice on construction estimating. This publication is important reading for construction contractors, specialist contractors, quantity surveyors/cost consultants and for students of construction and quantity surveying. For more information and to purchase this latest publication, visit Wiley. Please note members receive a 20% discount off this purchase.
Opening its doors less than a year ago in Astley, only 10 miles from Manchester city centre, Jarvie Plant is already reporting a sharp return on the investment it made in its first depot in England. The Grangemouth-based firm acquired a 3-acre site on Chaddock Lane, employing up to 10 staff and investing heavily in a wide range of hire equipment, including telehandlers, dumpers, excavators, site accommodation, vehicles, generators and lighting. In January, Manchester was confirmed by Deloitte Real Estate’s latest Crane Survey as one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, highlighting a booming construction market as a key driver. Residential and office developments across the city are on the rise with a 60% increase in the number of units being constructed, and in excess of 1.5 million sq ft of business space is being developed across six new schemes. It’s a trend, say company bosses, which has been reflected in the flow of local firms who have visited their Manchester facility. “Our customers range from small to large businesses in a diverse mix of sectors and we have quickly established a name for providing high quality plant and a reliable service,” explains regional operations manager, Dave Ingleby. “We are aiming to provide a customer focused service where we understand the client’s needs and we’ll go that extra mile to meet the requirements of developers and contractors.” This proactive approach is winning the business new clients such as a property developer working on the conversion of a bonded warehouse in the city centre. Following detailed discussions around the complexities of the project, a tailored package of accommodation units, a power generator, small dumper and excavator were all delivered. An 18m telehandler was also supplied to allow materials to be delivered at height. But it’s not just in Manchester where Jarvie’s plant has been distributed. The depot is close to junctions of the M60 and M61 making the entire north-west area accessible. A ground works contractor currently has static welfare units on hire at three prestigious housing developments in Crosby, Handforth and St Helens; while several rough terrain fork trucks are out to a cladding company with one as far south as Welshpool. In addition to the spike in construction activity in the area, there are also some major infrastructure projects ongoing. A £1bn extension of Manchester Airport is underway and the sprawling Metrolink system is being extended with a new 3.4-mile line to the Trafford Centre. “With so much activity across the region it is vital that developers complete their projects safely, on time and within budget,” adds Mr Ingleby. “Using our own transportation we can deliver vital plant equipment direct to site and we are finding this proactive, helpful service is being well received.”
A new-build development in the heart of Dublin will benefit from Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM, a lightweight External Wall Insulation (EWI) system. The Binary Hub, Dublin’s largest Purpose Built Student Accommodation, will provide accommodation for 471 students, easing the pressure on the city’s student housing shortage. The luxury development provides ‘cluster apartments’ with between 4 and 8 bedrooms and en-suite shower rooms. It is well placed to serve Trinity College and the National College of Art & Design and the building has been meticulously designed to ensure it is stylish, safe and convenient. The accommodation includes facilities such as a gym, laundry, study rooms, bike store, landscaped gardens and 24-hour maintenance and security support. The Binary Hub is owned and managed by Aparto Student, a new student housing group launched in January 2017. The main contractor of the project is Bennett Construction Limited, which took the opportunity to work with a number of innovative materials and systems, including the use of a Sandwich Panel System (SPS) for the main structure. The webertherm XM external wall insulation system was applied to the façade, achieving a high quality, cost efficient build, with improved speed of construction and high thermal performance. In this project Weber calculated a high energy efficient target U-Value of 0.16W/m²K, with the render coat and decorative finish offering a durable, water shedding capacity to protect the building fabric. The system specified 140mm mineral fibre insulation applied to the SPS system which has been covered with a 6mm mesh cloth reinforced coat of weberend LAC, a polymer-modified, cement-based mortar. This is applied in two passes before weber PR310 primer is applied, followed by webersil TF decorative finish to achieve a textured render finish in Chalk. “A project of this scale hasn’t been constructed in Ireland in a number of years,” explained Michael Keogh, contracts manager at Bennett Construction. “And building student accommodation to such a high standard makes a very positive statement in the industry and will bring benefits to so many.”
Selco Builders Warehouse is planning an expansion programme that will enhance its presence over the country, with the opening of eight new outlets and the creation of 400 new jobs this year. The branches in Solihull, York and Milton Keynes have already been opened and the ones in Leicester, Chelmsford, Leeds and Bristol are set to follow. Each new branch will create 50 jobs, which are a combination of management, in-branch and delivery positions, marking the fastest expansion period in the company’s history. “Selco has undergone huge and rapid growth over the last five years, rising from 34 branches in 2014 to 66 by the middle of 2018 – and the plan is for that to continue. As well as having an exceptionally strong base in London and around the M25 corridor, we are focused on strengthening our presence in other areas of the UK,” said Howard Luft, chief executive of Selco Builders Warehouse. “With each branch opening, our recruitment policy has always been to employ people from the branch’s local community and that will continue. We pride ourselves on giving people genuine career opportunities, recruiting for a wide variety of positions and roles, with the chance to climb through the ranks at Selco,” he added. Selco’s branches across the UK are focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. As well as offering trade services, Selco Hire and a café in branch, Selco also has a strong digital presence including a 30 minute Click & Collect service and a free Project List app which allows tradespeople to plan, manage and quote for all jobs through their smartphone. “Selco Builders Warehouse is enjoying fantastic success, which is particularly pleasing given the tough economic conditions that have faced the building industry in recent times. Our approach is focussed, our commitment to tradesmen is paramount and we ensure we offer genuine trade prices, huge availability of products in branch and always put our customer first,” concluded Howard.
Waterscan has unveiled the latest technology for water reuse and flood resilience. Intellistorm uniquely combines rainwater harvesting, attenuation and intelligent data gathering into one system that once deployed, it is expected to drastically reduce site water consumption and discharge to drain. The technology enables a site to maximise water reuse and reduce discharge to drain by intelligently storing and using collected rainwater for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing, irrigation, cooling systems and vehicle washing. Highly secure and customisable to control both the quality of water for discharge, and water for reuse, the possible applications for this system are extensive. “Designed to enhance flood resilience while reducing water consumption, this patented, attitude- changing technology is a major step forward in alleviating issues surrounding the widespread uptake of water reuse systems,” said Barry Millar, Operations Director at Waterscan, whose team developed the technology. “The concept was arrived at to mitigate the need for separate rainwater harvesting and attenuation systems. By combining two systems and using intelligent data, we can now offer developers considerable cost savings during construction, clients ongoing cost savings through water reuse, and wider environmental and social benefits by boosting flood resilience.” A significant flood risk in urban areas is represented by the overloading of drainage infrastructure and current sustainable urban drainage recommendations set limits on the discharge of water from developments to assist in mitigating this impact but more action is needed. Intellistorm has been designed in line with best practice sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) principles and ensures full compliance with stringent local planning and discharge requirements. It actively empties attenuation in accordance with weather forecast data, providing only sufficient space to receive incoming rainwater. Intellistorm requires no additional civil excavation or equipment footprint and it reduced the cost of integrating water reuse to a new build facility by approximately £100,000. Further savings are achieved as a result of using 40% less build materials and onsite labour costs.
There is more pressure on today’s building technology and innovation than ever before: with climate change being forever the hot topic, there’s no doubt that the design and construction sector has had to make an extra effort to stay ahead of the trends and developments within the ever-changing industry. With many existing buildings undergoing green or environmentally-friendly reconstruction, almost all new builds make considerable energy-efficient achievements. This is largely due to a combination of both client demands and strict regulations. In recent years, we’ve seen a number of highly impressive green building examples: One Angle Square in the UK makes use of rainwater harvesting and solar power; the Bamboo Skyscraper in Singapore impressed us all with its bamboo build; and BetZed, a wonderful community example of green architecture. Not only this, but there are also many people shaping cities worldwide and recording their stories while doing so, and countless communities and organisations for inspiration and assistance. Luckily, the industry is coming on in leaps and bounds. There are a number of new, cutting-edge technologies used to create products that have played a large role in this recent surge in green design: Textiles by Designtex Textile waste is gradually gaining more and more airtime – not only in terms of fashion, but construction too. The Designtex ecological fabrics are particularly well-suited to commercial use. Created with sustainable production in mind, the applied material company does a lot of interesting collaboration and partnerships that are paving the path in green design. Energy-Harvesting Wallpaper by Imperial College London A team from Imperial College London recently created an extra thin solar panel wallpaper by printing with cyanobacteria, which uses photosynthesis to create electric energy from sunlight. This astounding discovery could be used to power medical and environmental sensors. Legend Valve HyperPure Piping HyperPure is strong and resilient piping that is easy to install and, most importantly, is 100% recyclable. The potable tubes are made from bi-modal polyethylene and provide a cost-effective solution to water pipes. Best of all, they don’t leave any chemical tastes in your drinking water. SolaReflect Nippon Paint Despite the recent controversy surrounding the eco-friendly nature of specific paints, there are a number of paints serving eco-friendly purposes. SolaReflect Nippon Paint plays a very important role in how a building deals with the build-up of heat. Although this may not be a pressing problem in the UK, in places like Asia, it can certainly be. SolaReflect diverts infrared heat and therefore encourages savings on cooling energy costs. 3D Printing A non-profit organisation called ICON is responsible for one of the latest and most ground-breaking developments in design and construction. By using 3D printing, the team aims to create affordable housing for the 1 billion plus homeless people in the world. The houses can reportedly be built in just 24 hours and ICON hopes to build them for less than $4,000. Spray-On Solar Cells With solar power and other renewable energy sources, the world can cut off the rising demand for electricity from traditional fuel sources. The continuous research on making solar power more affordable will pay off with cleaner air and environment for everyone. One of the ways to make solar energy more affordable is by adopting spray-on solar cells, which use the thin film deposition technique. According to Renewable Energy World, a “British company aims to have a thin-film perovskite solar cell commercially available by the end of 2018.” A perovskite is a type of solar cell that can be mixed into liquid solutions and can be applied to a number of surfaces. Spray-on solar cells have nanoparticles that are excellent for absorbing light and conducting electricity. Phosphorus and zinc make up these nanoparticles, wherein manufacturers combine them into a liquid. The liquid is then sprayed on solar cells. This technology is more cost-effective because it doesn’t use expensive silicone. Instead, spray-on solar cells are made of a plastic compound. Also, the installation is quicker than their traditional counterparts. Other thin film deposition methods are available to create innovative green buildings. You may learn more about thin film deposition for solar panels in this article by Korvus Technology. Conclusion Because of advancing green building technologies, it’s now possible to create residential and commercial infrastructures that generate less carbon. When everyone embraces these innovations, the positive environmental impacts are enormous. It’s time to rethink how property owners and contractors build modern houses and buildings by adopting the above green building technologies.
Nationwide Building Society suggested at the beginning of the year that the housing markets were beginning to move however the Registered Institute of Chartered Surveyors appeared not to agree with this stating that in fact the slowdown in the markets was showing no signs of improvement. Again, said Tom Roberts of FJP Investment, on the flip side Land Registry figures show that registrations of properties seemed to be on the increase again, as Tom Roberts says all of these reports differ and you chose to believe what you will, the media of course will have its own agenda. The simple fact remains there are just as not enough properties being built for the current housing shortage, of course this is not a new situation, we discuss it constantly, but do we try to change it – one wonders. Tom Roberts of FJP Investment says he believes action should be taken, miracles don’t happen overnight, however the government, whilst talking of taking this seriously and doing something about it, quite frankly they are doing nothing at the present time. So, what next you may well ask? It is quite simple to the layman, we build more houses, instead of debating the issues the government needs to implement action now ensuring the situation does not get worse than it already is. Of course we all have different needs and the importance here is that houses are built in areas where people want to live, such as areas that have good transport links, areas where there is employment to be had and of course in rural areas, where families want to stay within the family environment. It would seem that the brownfields versus the greenbelt areas is often debated to its end, whilst offering no solution and no development. Tom Roberts of FJP Investment suggests local councils should have a big say in how these areas can be given planning permission and maybe landowners should in some way be made to allow their land to be built on. It is such a waste that the land whether it be greenbelt or brownfield is there waiting to ease this housing crisis, yet no-one is doing anything about it, and if this is not addressed the housing crisis is simply going to get worse. Whilst the bodies concerned continue to “discuss “the ongoing crisis don’t they realise it is simply getting worse, families are suffering with the lack of available accommodation in whatever form it takes. New buyers are in a situation whereby they may have the funds in place for deposits but no properties available and not in areas which allow them to be able to travel to work whilst living in a community that they desire. Of course, as Tom Roberts of FJP Investment points out, the other problem is the council properties which were all bought under Margaret Thatcher’s government, meaning that for those who need council accommodation as they cannot afford to buy are left without the councils having any stock. Whilst this was great at the time to buy and own your own home through the councils allowing you to buy at such a reduced rate, I am afraid it has more than contributed to the situation we are in. Now, I am sure Mrs Thatcher during her days in office did not envisage that her buy your own home scheme was going to leave the country in such a mess many years on, and more importantly, showing no signs at all of improving, in fact quite the opposite, getting worse year on year. Again, it’s quite simply, free up the land, make funds available and let’s get those houses built! FJP Investment is a team of investment specialists sourcing a wide range of investment opportunities both in the UK and overseas. Products include the new release of care home investments throughout the United Kingdom.
Guhring has completed the steel framework of its new UK headquarters at the Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) in Aston, Birmingham. The global tool manufacturer purchased 3.5 acres (1.41 hectares) of development land at the scheme from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Birmingham City Council last year, in a deal secured by Savills. German-owned Guhring, which supplies brands including BMW, Ford, JLR and BAE Systems, is developing a c.50,000 sq ft (4,645 sq m) factory at the AMH which is due for completion in January 2017. The new facility will accommodate R&D and the full manufacturing process, some of which was previously located in Castle Bromwich where Gurhing has been based since 1990. Guhring was the second occupier to commit to the AMH, following HydraForce Hydraulics which completed a 120,000 sq ft (11,148 sq m) European headquarters at the site in summer 2015. Additionally, Trebor Developments, in conjunction with Aviva Investors, is bringing forward the first speculative development at the scheme after planning consent for a 94,500 sq ft (8,779 sq m) facility known as ‘Apollo’ was granted in May this year. Charlie Spicer, industrial director at Savills, comments: “The completion of the steel framework is a significant milestone for Guhring’s facility and the progression of the AMH as a whole. Construction of the first speculative development, Apollo, started last week which is a further sign of the scheme’s growing maturity.” Mike Dinsdale, managing director at Guhring, adds: “Searching for the right site in the right location had been a time consuming and business delaying activity until the AMH became available. With construction well under way, our staff are eagerly looking forward to relocating to a purpose built, high tech facility in this famous area of the city which is now being transformed.” Savills is marketing further plots at the AMH which can accommodate units of up to 150,000 sq ft (13,935 sq m). The scheme benefits from a Local Development Order which grants planning consent for manufacturing, light industrial and R&D. New occupiers can choose their own development partners and may be able to take advantage of assistance with funding grants, space planning and building design, subject to criteria. Source link
Procter Contracts has opened a new office in South West England in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, to serve its growing client base. Architects and main contractors working in the area can now single source automatic gates, fencing, railings, and street furniture from a regional supplier. The new office is located at The Hive Business Centre in Weston-super-Mare, with Steve Spaven, Senior Business Development Manager, leading the operation and Lee Harvey, together with a team of local staff, supporting clients and handling new enquiries. Technical and logistical backup is also available from Procter’s design, manufacturing, and installation teams from Bedwas (South Wales), Garforth (Yorkshire) and Brentwood (Essex). “I am delighted that the new office is already thriving, with a growing base of satisfied clients and a wealth of new projects in the pipeline. Previously we have served the South West from our other bases, but having a dedicated office in the South West is proving highly beneficial to our clients in that region,” commented Jeremy Procter, Chairman of the Procter Bros Group. Procter Contracts has seen an unprecedented growth in the South West during the past two years through a combination of loyal existing clients and new ones. Recent contracts have been completed for major construction groups such as Costain, Kier, Morgan Sindall, Willmott Dixon and Midas, in projects that included the supply and installation of standard and bespoke products a park-and- ride scheme, the Avonmouth Concrete Plant, multi-storey car parks and various education projects. Procter Contracts is a business unit within Procter Bros Ltd, which can trace its roots back to 1740. The three areas in which Procter Contracts specialises are fencing, automatic gates and street furniture. As well as offering a range of standard products, Procter Contracts has the design and manufacturing capability to create bespoke products. With all projects, the priorities are quality and customer service.