The Brick Development Association (BDA) is commemorating clay brick’s appeal as a building material for the ages with the launch of its Better with Brick campaign. Packed with facts, stats and blogs featuring expert analysis and insights, Better with Brick proves there is more to clay brick than meets the
Energy and water efficiency company Cenergist has been appointed by public sector procurement organisation Fusion21 as part of a multi-supplier Heating, Renewables and Electrical framework. The Fusion21 Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework, which is now in its fourth generation, is worth up to £820m over a four-year period. Its aim
United Trust Bank (UTB) is supporting award winning developers Stephens + Stephens’ development of 32 luxury apartments in the sought after coastal town of Newquay in Cornwall. Stephens + Stephens was founded by Paul and Helen Stephens in 2008 and combines Paul’s 30 years of experience in construction with Helen’s
Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has completed one of the UK construction sector’s first pilots to test the use of electric vans on major project sites. The pilot programme, in partnership with Enterprise Flex E-Rent, tested the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in construction projects, with electric vans trialled across
Buckinghamshire Council this week gave the green light for HS2’s state-of-the-art maintenance hub, which will bring around 300 jobs to Calvert in Buckinghamshire. Taking its inspiration from the style of local agricultural buildings and the industrial heritage of the area, the Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) will house the people and
A £8.6m Woodside Ferry Terminal upgrade is set to start as part of a major project between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council to turn the area into a ‘vibrant and unique waterfront destination’. The upgrade is being made possible by Levelling Up funding from Wirral Council,
Workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors has strengthened its pre-construction team following the appointment of Hamzah Khalid as a Pre-Construction Assistant. Khalid, holds a Bachelors Degree in Construction Management & Property Development from The University of Derby. He was previously a graduate Quantity Surveyor at Prestige Retail
WJ Group, the leading road marking and highway safety company, has been recognised for its commitment to the environment after winning a Green World Award. The business was awarded for its Driver Behaviour Scheme, which in the first year saw a 40% reduction in road incidents involving its team members.
DLA Piper has signed up to take the top two floors of Elshaw House, Sheffield City Council’s new zero carbon-ready office building. DLA Piper’s move into Elshaw House will see one of the world’s largest law firms, and a key employer in the city, maintain its presence in Sheffield City
Integrated Water Services (IWS) M&E is delighted to announce that they successfully gained membership of the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA). The BCSA offers membership to businesses that implement the design, fabrication and erection of constructional and architectural steelwork for buildings and can demonstrate that they meet the competence requirements
The Brick Development Association (BDA) is commemorating clay brick’s appeal as a building material for the ages with the launch of its Better with Brick campaign. Packed with facts, stats and blogs featuring expert analysis and insights, Better with Brick proves there is more to clay brick than meets the eye. An historic and reliable building material, clay brick’s outstanding credentials make it the ideal building source for the here and now. It is a viable long-term investment, has excellent availability and a lower carbon footprint compared to many alternative materials. Better with Brick provides a comprehensive look at these benefits and more. So, if you thought you knew everything there was to know about the wonders of clay brick, Better with Brick may give you cause to think again. Keith Aldis, CEO of the BDA said: “With Better with Brick, our goal is clear: to reveal the timeless charm and unwavering reliability of clay brick, a material that has long been the cornerstone for builders, architects, and homeowners. This campaign will highlight why clay brick isn’t just a choice, but the best choice for your building needs. So, please join us in celebrating clay brick; a gift of a building resource that keeps on giving.” Giving a Voice to Clay Brick’s Unsung Qualities Covering topics that verify clay brick’s vital role in fulfilling our current and future building needs, Better with Brick is a chance to discover fascinating insights into this tried, trusted and beloved building material. Clay brick’s strength, reliability, design-friendly qualities and limitless kerb appeal are among its renowned beneficial traits – but what about its sustainable value aside from its inbuilt long-term weather resistance? Also, have you considered how clay brick could be pivotal to decarbonising construction and contributing to the national effort to achieve net zero? And there’s more: did you know that clay brick’s non-combustible performance is hallmarked by its A1 fire-rating? Better with Brick will outline in full each of these crucial underlying benefits in a series of expert blogs that will also reveal how the Brick Makers Quality Charter manages its credibility in respect of clay bricks. The BDA encourages you to follow them on social media platforms to hear directly from brick manufacturers, architects, and other industry experts about why clay brick is their preferred choice. Search for @brickdevelopmentassociation on your favorite platforms and join the conversation using the hashtag #betterwithbrick. But the campaign doesn’t stop there! Be sure to watch the launch video here and stay tuned for upcoming interviews and videos that will be posted on their social media channels in the coming weeks and months. “Better with Brick” offers a comprehensive and compelling exploration of this timeless material, revealing its surprising relevance and potential in modern construction. Discover more about the benefits of clay brick and the BDA’s campaign here: https://www.brick.org.uk/better-with-brick. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Energy and water efficiency company Cenergist has been appointed by public sector procurement organisation Fusion21 as part of a multi-supplier Heating, Renewables and Electrical framework. The Fusion21 Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework, which is now in its fourth generation, is worth up to £820m over a four-year period. Its aim is to support owners of domestic and non-domestic buildings to ensure they are safe and compliant for their journey to carbon Net Zero. The framework has been designed specifically to support public sector organisations including housing, education and healthcare providers. Cenergist will supply the framework’s members with commercial heating installations alongside innovative low carbon solutions including ground and air source heat pumps for domestic and commercial settings. Chris McQuillan, Framework Manager at Fusion21 said: “We are delighted to welcome all of the new suppliers onto Fusion21’s Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework, including Cenergist. “The tender process was highly competitive and has identified the best contractors for our members to use for the delivery of a whole range of heating and electrical programmes. “Members accessing this framework will benefit from flexible call-off options, UK-wide coverage, and the option to deliver social value to their communities, aligned to their organisational priorities.” Amongst the supplier framework for ground source heat pump installations in domestic settings (except in Northern Ireland), Cenergist has been ranked as a top provider. Last year, the company completed what it believed was the UK’s first installation of a high temperature air source heat pump in a domestic setting as part of Leeds City Council’s Clustering for Warmth project. Oliver Abrahams, head of energy at Cenergist, commented: “Fusion21 is a well-regarded, impactful public sector procurement support organisation. “To be listed, including as a top supplier for domestic ground source heat pump installations (with the exception of Northern Ireland) is a testament to our innovative, agile thinking in decarbonisation retrofits. “We look forward to working with the framework’s members to help them take meaningful, positive steps on their journey to Net Zero.” Cenergist supports local authorities, social housing providers, commercial clients and water companies to achieve their Net Zero and decarbonisation goals. As well as the UK, Cenergist also operates in Holland, Spain and India. For more information on Cenergist, visit www.cenergist.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Trust Bank (UTB) is supporting award winning developers Stephens + Stephens’ development of 32 luxury apartments in the sought after coastal town of Newquay in Cornwall. Stephens + Stephens was founded by Paul and Helen Stephens in 2008 and combines Paul’s 30 years of experience in construction with Helen’s flair for design. Helen is the Founder and Creative Director of award-winning agency Absolute. Stephens + Stephens create desirable design-led properties in stunning locations within the Cornish landscape and describe themselves as offering a ‘perfect combination of skills, vision and experience for a whole new-wave style way of designing Cornwall-located buildings, interiors and surrounding spaces with architectural and style-driven longevity’. The scheme, known as Cliff Edge, is the second phase of the redevelopment of a former hotel site and comprises a new apartment building set over basement, ground and four upper floors. The first phase was completed last year and achieved a strong level of sales from purchasers looking to capitalise on the demand for high quality holiday accommodation in the area and those wishing to live there and enjoy the spectacular Cornish coastline all year round. UTB is providing £15m of funding towards the completion of Phase 2 of Cliff Edge, which offers 32 apartments ranging in price from £250,000 to well over £1m with the majority enjoying spectacular sea views. Buyers can also choose to have the interior of their home designed and furnished by Absolute which offers a turnkey designer interiors service. Paul Stephens of Stephens + Stephens commented: “We are delighted to be working with United Trust Bank on this prestigious development in Cornwall. This is our first project with the Bank, and we have found the whole team approachable, engaged and committed to working in collaboration with us to deliver this project. We are looking forward to the months ahead and working together on future schemes”. Orla Costello, Senior Director – Property Development – United Trust Bank said: “We love working with people who are passionate about property and Paul and Helen are exactly that. They have completed many fabulous developments across Cornwall and picked up several awards for exceptional design along the way. This is the first time UTB has supported a Stephens + Stephens development and I am confident that it will be another success to add to their outstanding track record.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has completed one of the UK construction sector’s first pilots to test the use of electric vans on major project sites. The pilot programme, in partnership with Enterprise Flex E-Rent, tested the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in construction projects, with electric vans trialled across a range of different teams and workplace scenarios. The three Costain projects included on the pilot were the Preston Western Distributor Road scheme in Lancashire, the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross project near Truro in Cornwall, and the A12 widening scheme near Chelmsford in Essex. Electric vans were used by Costain’s health and safety, environment and laboratory teams, with the vehicles typically carrying lighter materials and equipment that weigh within electric van payload guidelines. Enterprise fitted the vehicles used for the pilot with technology to capture detailed data and provide insights on the electric vehicle usage. To meet the challenge of long-distance charging, Costain installed banks of up to 25 EV charging points at the three pilot locations to ensure that the teams have easy and safe access to power. The pilot is a key steppingstone in Costain’s Climate Change Action Plan, with Costain committing to all of its operations, including its supply chain, being net zero carbon by 2035, with zero emissions from the company car fleet by 2030. In 2022, 99% of the cars delivered to Costain staff were ultralow or low emissions vehicles (ULEVs and LEVs). EV charging points are available at all of Costain’s offices and installation of charging points within site compounds is now a mandatory element of site set-up. Mark Ashenden, head of plant and fleet supply chain at Costain, said: “Understanding and reducing the impact of vehicle emissions at our project sites will be key to us reaching our net zero targets. “We wanted to test how electric vans could be deployed as part of an effective and more environmentally friendly working fleet and how they can be a viable vehicle option for major infrastructure projects. After listening to our people’s needs and adopting a flexible approach, we have been able to meet tight budgetary requirements while supporting decarbonisation. “This trial has given our project teams a greater understanding of what commercial EVs can do and helps give them the confidence to utilise EVs where they can. By showing what can be possible, we hope to help create a blueprint for the industry to minimise carbon emissions and pave the way for a greener future for infrastructure.” Danny Glynn, managing director at Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, said: “This pilot is an important step towards understanding how EV vans can best be used in real world scenarios such as construction and infrastructure. It showcases that there are clear applications for electric vans within these and other sectors.” Elsewhere, Costain and its partners are pioneering low carbon solutions across the business’s operations. The HS2 Skanska Costain Strabag Joint Venture named its first diesel-free site at the Canterbury Road ventilation shaft in South Kilburn, through the utilisation of biofuels and renewable energy to power all plant and machinery onsite. In addition, Costain, as part of the SMP Alliance for National Highways, reduced the carbon footprint in both its construction plant and van fleet by 38% on the M6 J21a-26 upgrade project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Buckinghamshire Council this week gave the green light for HS2’s state-of-the-art maintenance hub, which will bring around 300 jobs to Calvert in Buckinghamshire. Taking its inspiration from the style of local agricultural buildings and the industrial heritage of the area, the Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) will house the people and equipment that will keep HS2 running smoothly and efficiently, day in, day out. The approval is a major milestone for HS2 – which will almost halve journey times between Britain’s two largest cities, while freeing up space for more local services on the most crowded part of the existing West Coast Main Line. Approved under schedule 17 of the HS2 Act, the depot will be halfway between the villages of Calvert and Steeple Claydon. It will include workshops, offices, storage and training facilities as well as a base for the British Transport Police. The main buildings will be clad with naturally aging red brick – as a nod to the Calvert brickworks which operated throughout most of the twentieth century before closing in 1991. Gently curved roofs, timber and low-reflection metal finishes will also help to reduce the visual impact of the buildings. During the design process, the size of the depot area has been cut by 33% with the track layout reduced and simplified in order to speed up construction and cut disruption for the community. This smaller footprint also means that there will be 600,000 cubic metres less excavation required. Recent design work has also increased the amount of landscaping and new woodland planting that will screen the depot from Steeple Claydon, with around 15,000 trees and 20,000 shrubs set to be planted amid new woodland paths, ponds and other wildlife habitats. Iain Smith, HS2 Ltd’s Systems Delivery Director said: “Once complete, HS2 will dramatically improve journeys between our two largest cities and also free up space on the existing mainline for more local and freight trains. “The maintenance depot at Calvert will be at the heart of the HS2 project – keeping the new railway running smoothly every day and supporting around 300 jobs. It’s great to get the green light for the design, and we look forward to making the vision a reality.” Sustainability is at the heart of the design. The Calvert IMD will achieve a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, under the world’s leading sustainability assessment method. Materials have been carefully selected for the building and landscaped areas; for their appearance, low maintenance and longevity, as well as low-carbon, sustainable considerations. The depot will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with landscaping to block noise and light. A fleet of dedicated On-Track Maintenance trains will be based at the depot, accessing the mainline at night – while the HS2 trains are not running – to maintain the track and systems. Connections to East-West Rail (EWR) – which passes to the south of the site – will also allow heavy equipment and materials to be delivered to the depot by rail. To reduce disruption for the community and speed up construction, HS2 contractors also built two bridges, one underpass and 3.4km of adjacent earthworks for EWR where the two projects cross. Addison Road and Gawcott Road are both now reopen. The depot was designed by HS2’s design contractor WSP, working with architects Grimshaw and Grant Associates. The earthworks and landscaping are being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB, a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall. A separate contractor will be appointed to build the depot. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £8.6m Woodside Ferry Terminal upgrade is set to start as part of a major project between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council to turn the area into a ‘vibrant and unique waterfront destination’. The upgrade is being made possible by Levelling Up funding from Wirral Council, which is currently consulting on a £23m Masterplan to breathe new life into the area. The terminal is set to reopen from summer 2025 following complex engineering work to install a new landing stage and linkspan bridge. It follows a multi-million-pound modernisation of Seacombe Ferry Terminal, supported by a £7m investment from Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Combined Authority, which completed in October 2022. The Woodside scheme is part of a wider investment to secure the future of the iconic tourist attraction. In December last year, Mayor Rotheram signed a £26m contract with nearby Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird to build the first new Mersey Ferry in 60 years. Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “The Woodside Ferry Terminal was constructed in 1985, it’s almost 40 years old and in need of modernisation so we’re able to keep up with the needs of a growing and diverse population. This is a great opportunity for us to improve the area for residents however, it’s also a prime time to start encouraging even more tourists to explore the other side of the water by bringing Mersey Ferries back to the area and restoring the service between Woodside and Pier Head, improving the transport links for residents and visitors alike.” Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paul Stuart, said: “We’re excited about the next stage of plans to develop the Woodside Ferry Terminal. This latest regeneration will include developing the space from Argyle Street/Conway Street roundabout down to the Terminal and include improving the landscaping around the area. It will also create more accessible walking and cycling spaces and better connections between the Central Birkenhead retail area and the Waterfront, for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.“In addition to the plans which are to be delivered over the next couple of years, part of the process in drafting the masterplan has been to generate new ideas to be implemented in the longer term such as the extra-large floating pontoon or a historic ship in the dock as part of a visitor attraction. The consultation, which is open now, is giving everyone to the chance to view these proposals and have their say and we’re encouraging everyone to take part.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors has strengthened its pre-construction team following the appointment of Hamzah Khalid as a Pre-Construction Assistant. Khalid, holds a Bachelors Degree in Construction Management & Property Development from The University of Derby. He was previously a graduate Quantity Surveyor at Prestige Retail Ltd where he collaborated with prestigious retail consultancy firms, managing projects for clients such as B&Q and Specsavers. He has helped to successfully deliver projects that included internal fit-outs, new builds, extensions, demolitions, roof work, masonry walls, and installations. In his new role at Blueprint Interiors, Khalid will proactively ensure the programming of works, plan resource allocation for daily operations, and maintain quality standards. This will include the preparation of quotations, purchase orders and site deliveries, site surveys, maintaining subcontractor and supplier relationships and preparation of technical information. Commenting, Hamzah said, “I am delighted to be joining such a forward thinking and growing organisation in which I can see a clear structure for my future career. I am looking forward to the opportunity to develop and excel in an exciting role for a company that clearly has the best interests of employees at the heart of their culture.” Rachel Biddles, Operations Director added, “This year has seen phenomenal interest in our workplace design consultancy, as employers seek to create work spaces that not only attract but retain the best talent. Hamzah will be integral in helping us to ensure the design visual is delivered so that we continue to maintain our quality of service, the finished workspace meets expectations and delivers that all important wow factor.” With a number of new and exciting office fit-out wins already secured, and a strong pipeline of workplace consultancy and design projects underway, 2024 has got off to a great start for Blueprint Interiors who have previously completed projects for a number of the regions larger employers including The Melton Building Society, Futures Housing Group, Gleeds and The East Midlands Chamber. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WJ Group, the leading road marking and highway safety company, has been recognised for its commitment to the environment after winning a Green World Award. The business was awarded for its Driver Behaviour Scheme, which in the first year saw a 40% reduction in road incidents involving its team members. The scheme uses WJ’s vehicle telematics system to accurately review each driver’s performance, encouraging consistently high standards of driving. The company analyses team members’ acceleration, speed, braking, driving style and fuel consumption, with rewards for the safest and most improved drivers. Upon introduction, the average WJ driver performance increased from 87.58% to 95.15%. Notably, WJ recorded a 40% drop in road incidents, as well as a 7.75% reduction in emissions in these early stages. Even more significantly, they have seen a continued increase in MPG, with a yearly average improvement of 21.91%. Competing against more than 500 other nominations, WJ will discover which level of award they have won following the ceremony in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on 25 March. The company’s winning paper will then be published in The Green Book. The awards are organised by The Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding, and promoting environmental best practice around the world. They are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, and other independent bodies. Scott Logan, WJ Group Fleet and Engineering Director at WJ Group said: “At WJ, we are always looking for ways to be more sustainable, whether through the services we provide or our collaboration with the wider supply chain. The team continues to push boundaries when it comes to thinking about our impact on the environment, so it is fantastic to be recognised by the Green World Awards. “Our Driver Behaviour Scheme is one of the many innovative programmes we have introduced to reduce our emissions. Being successful in the Green World Awards makes us hungrier to continue to find new ways for the UK’s highways industry to become more sustainable.” For more information, please visit www.wj.uk/sustainability. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
DLA Piper has signed up to take the top two floors of Elshaw House, Sheffield City Council’s new zero carbon-ready office building. DLA Piper’s move into Elshaw House will see one of the world’s largest law firms, and a key employer in the city, maintain its presence in Sheffield City Centre. Fit out of the two-floors, as well as an adjoining private terrace on the top floor, will be completed in this spring. The space will span over 17,000 square feet in total. Having reached completion last month, Elshaw House is the flagship office development within Heart of the City – the £470m mixed-use development scheme led by Sheffield City Council and its Strategic Development Partner, Queensberry. Located on Carver Street, next to Pound’s Park, Elshaw House is the pinnacle of sustainability and will achieve a five-star BREEAM green energy rating, making it a key part of the Council’s green goals. Additionally, Elshaw House has also recently achieved an ‘excellent’ five-star NABERS UK rating due to its lean design, providing a structure with 40% lower than average carbon usage. This places it in the top 1% of office buildings in the UK for energy efficiency. Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:“We are thrilled that DLA Piper has signed a lease on Elshaw House. It is one of the world’s largest law firms. For such an established business to reaffirm its commitment to the city shows a real confidence in everything we’re doing to drive Sheffield forwards and continue growing our economy. “Elshaw House represents the very best in office space and is delivering new headline rents for Sheffield. Alongside the world class Pound’s Park, Grosvenor House – home to HSBC and CMS – and Europe’s largest food hall, we’re creating a truly transformational new city centre district.” Andrew Davison, Project Direct at Queensberry, added: “In our opinion, DLA Piper has secured the best office space in South Yorkshire, with unrivalled sustainability, location and employee wellbeing benefits. World class commercial spaces like this are helping to take Sheffield to the next level on the national stage. “Interest in the other floors in Elshaw House is incredibly high and the ground floor retail and F&B spaces are also attracting potential occupants.” Elshaw House has six ground floor units suitable for retail or food and drink venues, complementing the seven storeys of quality workspace above. Access to Elshaw House connects directly to the new urban park, Pound’s Park, and is integrated into Sheffield’s active travel strategy which focuses on ease and accessibility, with the building featuring bike storage, service centre and showers to help keep the city moving. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Integrated Water Services (IWS) M&E is delighted to announce that they successfully gained membership of the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA). The BCSA offers membership to businesses that implement the design, fabrication and erection of constructional and architectural steelwork for buildings and can demonstrate that they meet the competence requirements set out in the Building Safety Act 2022. As part of the membership application, IWS M&E was required to undergo an assessment visit to cover health and safety, finance and resources. As registered members, IWS M&E will have access to a range of benefits, including promotion and marketing opportunities, training and networking events, resources and specialist information. Dean Adams, operations director at IWS M&E said: “We are thrilled to join the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA). The membership is a welcome opportunity for the business to engage with the support of the BCSA and ensure we are continuously demonstrating our competence and capability in construction steelwork across the industry and to our clients.” To find out more about the BCSA, please visit: About Us | Association Objectives | Members | BCSA Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
