Bellway Homes has revealed the first details of its new launch – Poppy Fields at Yew Tree Gardens – at Cholsey in Oxfordshire. The homes will be built as part of the popular Yew Tree Gardens development which has already sold out. The homes at Poppy Fields will provide a
RED Construction South West has announced the appointment of two senior directors to establish the business in the region. Grant Millar has joined as Operations Director and James Devey as Commercial Director. They will work alongside Derek Quinn, who launched the business as Managing Director at the beginning of September.
Looking ahead, Andrew Henry Interiors has applied its’ insight and vision to uncover the interior design trends to watch out for in the warmer seasons of 2022. Influenced by the challenges of 2021, the period will see our homes continue to be more than just a place to retreat to.
Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Christopher Pincher MP, has visited Graven Hill, the UK’s largest custom and self-build development site, in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The visit follows the Government’s launch of a 12-week consultation to create a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework, which aims to guide the
Bow River Capital (“Bow River”), a private equity firm based in Denver, Colorado, announced today that it has completed the recapitalization of Progressive Roofing (“Progressive” or the “Company”). Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Progressive Roofing is a full-service commercial roofing business providing re-roofing, new construction, service, and emergency repair solutions to
There’s surely no better recommendation for the company you work for than wanting your child to join and enjoy a long and fulfilling career with them too. The North West office of national housebuilder Bellway is keeping it close to home in bringing the next generation through, with four of
The demand for homes in the South-East county of Essex have increased by 56% since June 2020, in particular the county’s rural villages which have experienced a 69% increase in house sales. Providing fantastic news for current Essex residents looking to relocate to a quieter location but stay within the
A Midlands-based social landlord has appointed three new heads of service within its asset management function. Platform Housing Group – one of the UK’s largest social landlords – has appointed Samantha Evans as Head of Strategic Asset Management; Martin Woods as Head of External Contracts and Stephen Edwards as Head
Europe’s first eco-mosque, built by leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has been nominated for the 2021 Stirling Prize Award. Cambridge Central Mosque is one of six projects to be selected from the 54 2021 RIBA National Award winners. RIBA’s Stirling Prize has been awarded annually, with the exception of
Daval Furniture, market leading British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture is proud to partner with the winner of BBC Interior Design Masters 2021, Lynsey Ford, as she designs with Renzo in a luxury family suite Willow Cottage at Another Place, a boutique hotel on Ullswater in the Lake
Bellway Homes has revealed the first details of its new launch – Poppy Fields at Yew Tree Gardens – at Cholsey in Oxfordshire. The homes will be built as part of the popular Yew Tree Gardens development which has already sold out. The homes at Poppy Fields will provide a fabulous new opportunity for buyers looking to move to this sought-after area and reservations opened last weekend. The scheme will provide 108 new homes for the area and is launching with an exceptional range of homes. Two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes, as well as a select number of two-bedroom bungalows and one-bedroom apartments will be available, offering something for everyone. This large range of properties on offer at Poppy Fields means that prospective homeowners will have plenty of choice. The homes have been designed with everyone from first time buyers to families in mind, including those commuting to Oxford and London for work and those who work from home. The interiors will be spacious and full of light, with layouts designed around contemporary family life. Emma Jones, Sales and Marketing Director at Bellway Thames Valley, comments: “Cholsey is a lovely location for traditional village life. Just five minutes’ walk from Yew Tree Gardens, the village provides a variety of restaurants, shops, cafes, bars and other high street staples. The new properties at Poppy Fields will be perfectly located for enjoying the best that Cholsey and the surrounding area have to offer.” Close to the picturesque Berkshire downs, the homes provide easy access to Didcot, Reading, Oxford and London, which can be reached by train in around an hour. Cholsey station is less than a mile from Poppy Fields, while each home comes with its own garage. The surrounding countryside is perfect for hiking, running, cycling and enjoying a number of local historical landmarks. For foodies, Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is a 25-minute drive away. Meanwhile, for school aged children, the local area is home to several primary and secondary schools, including well-thought-of state and independent options. With demand for homes in the UK continuing to outstrip supply significantly, expectations are high that the new homes at Poppy Fields will be snapped up fast. Prices start from £355,000.
RED Construction South West has announced the appointment of two senior directors to establish the business in the region. Grant Millar has joined as Operations Director and James Devey as Commercial Director. They will work alongside Derek Quinn, who launched the business as Managing Director at the beginning of September. With a combined 50 years’ expertise delivering high-profile and sustainable construction solutions for the region, Grant and James join RED South West to deliver across a wide range of markets in line with regional requirements. These include commercial, residential, education and industrial buildings. Grant has spent most of his career immersed in the South West construction market. As RED South West’s Operations Director, he oversees the division’s development and high-quality project delivery. James Devey’s civil and structural design construction career has been based mainly in Bristol and the surrounding areas. He brings a wealth of regional market knowledge and complex project delivery experience to the business. “RED South West is going to be one of the major contractors in the region, one which excels in not only delivering to the highest quality but also providing outstanding customer service and communication. The strengthening of the team comes at an extremely pivotal time for the new division of RED Construction Group, and it is imperative we build a team with the expertise, reputation and passion for the industry. I have had the pleasure of working with Grant and James for many years and feel very proud to be paving the way in the South West with such a strong and committed team. Being based in an office, within an award-winning development we helped to create and in one of the most historically inventive cities in the UK, makes the beginning of RED South West even more auspicious,” commented RED South West Managing Director, Derek Quinn. Coinciding with the appointment of Grant and James, RED South West has opened its Bristol office, taking a prime position in the 235,000 sq. ft Print Hall & Unity Street development, which forms part of the 2.4m sq. ft Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. It is one of the UK’s largest urban regeneration projects, comprising commercial, residential, leisure and retail use. In their previous roles, Derek, Grant and James worked together on the Construction Excellence Award-winning Print Hall & Unity Street project.
Looking ahead, Andrew Henry Interiors has applied its’ insight and vision to uncover the interior design trends to watch out for in the warmer seasons of 2022. Influenced by the challenges of 2021, the period will see our homes continue to be more than just a place to retreat to. Therefore, the notion of our home space being our sanctuary will carve the way for the seasons style, with positivity and energy shaping each trend. “In summary, as the days lengthen and the temperature rises in 2022, we will see maximalism evolve with bold colour combinations, escapism will be expressed through cultural influences and natural materials will remain high on the styling agenda,” commented Andrew Henry, Director at Andrew Henry Interiors. The four key décor looks set to breathe new life into our homes during the spring/summer months of 2022 are: Sunny State This trend is driven by a need for optimism and joyfulness. In the wake of a global pandemic, householders will desire to surround themselves with constructive influences and joyful design. Art, colour, shape and materials all feed into this aesthetic of positivity. Colour is expressed on the walls, on kitchen cabinetry, on furniture and textiles as maximalism develops a step further this season. Key Words: Self-expression, inclusivity, aesthetics of Joy, 70’s nostalgia, design for play, Stay Positive Key Pantone Colours: Deep Sea Coral 18-1649, Pastel Lilac 14-3812, Cameo Green 14-6312, Crème Brulee 13-1006, Sunflower 16-1054 Colour Combinations: A playful palette of optimistic colour pops uplifts spirits in uncertain times. Clean pastel shades are merged in new zesty combinations, mixing in highlights of Deep-Sea Coral, Melon, Pastel Lilac and Cameo Green. Sunshine yellows are key throughout with a number of shades that can be combined for a nod to the 70s. Play with bold maximalist combinations that excite and surprise. Habitation This trend represents a more grounded pace of life. Deeper connection to the natural world is blended with inventive nature-inspired design in this rural organic trend. Interiors are brimming with natural textures and materials. New sustainable fibres come to the fore including nettle paper and vegan soy. Key Words: Designed by nature, do no harm, foraged & grown, wholesome Key Pantone Colours: Moss 16-0532, Mineral Gray 15-5704, Ruby Tan 15-1315, Major Brown 19-0810, Maroon 18-1619 Colour Combinations: A base of earthy neutrals merge with new coloured hues on lightweight fabrics for a breezy summer vibe. Sustainable dyeing techniques bring forth new vibrant shades of saffron yellow, algae green, duck egg blue and berry. Earth like Major Brown brings a grown-up weightiness to this palette. Sensorial Delight Drawing from spices, fragrant aromas, intense colour and heavily patterned textiles, this trend is inspired by Indian culture. With international travel curtailed due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and ecological awareness, summer 2022 will be a chance to celebrate the exoticism of different cultures within the home. Jewellery-inspired lighting makes a statement in living spaces incorporating with traditional wood furniture. Low benches and daybeds are key items. Key Words: Contemporary opulence, modern India, culturally rich, vibrant, highly patterned Key Pantone Colours: Bellini 13-1114, Meadow Mist 12-0106, Wood Violet 19-3325, Endless Sky 16-4022, Teal 17-4919 Colour Combinations: A palette of knocked back pastel shades, inspired by the faded walls of grand palaces, is shot through with rich jewel tone highlights. Warm apricot shades ground the palette, joined by vibrant pinks, soft mint and bejewelled greens. Dusted blue looks chalky in appearance, whilst amethyst purple adds depth. This is a versatile palette offering both calm and bold clashing combinations. Golden Hour This trend is where a home becomes a sacred sanctuary, a place of refuge. Precious warm sunny evenings are spent cocooned in nourishing interiors, detoxing from noise and distraction. Light pours through open spaces, reflected in tactile surfaces and infusing rooms with an ethereal golden glow. Softness is key for furniture shapes, so sideboards have rounded edges, chairs are cocooning and corner sofas gently curved. Key Words: Comforting cocoon, reflect & refract, peacefulness Key Pantone Colours: Mauve Shadows 16-3205, Twilight Purple 18-3820, Peach Whip 14-1309, Moonlit Ocean 19-4122, High-rise 15-4101 Colour Combinations: The light at the end of the day inspires summer darks to come into play here. A level of softness emerges with greyed pastels including blue, lilac and yellow feature. Almost-blacks come in the form of midnight navy and deep mystic purple. Hyper-real aqua brings an almost futuristic watery feel, alongside true blue. Play with transparencies and layering of colour.
Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Christopher Pincher MP, has visited Graven Hill, the UK’s largest custom and self-build development site, in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The visit follows the Government’s launch of a 12-week consultation to create a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework, which aims to guide the growth of the area until 2050. The Framework is a long-term strategic plan for making the area a better place to live and supporting long-term economic growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. The ministerial visit included a tour around the site to showcase how Graven Hill has been championing the future of housing, through self-build, custom build, and new build homes, as well as a wide range of innovative building techniques. “The Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework is an exciting development, bringing jobs, homes and economic prosperity to the local area. Oxfordshire continues to be a popular place to live, so homes will be hugely important in ensuring the initiative is a success,” said Karen Curtin, managing director at Graven Hill. “The UK housing market is lacking in variety and we know that people are looking for more than cookie-cutter homes. We’re doing something different that truly offers choice, flexibility and personality. There are exciting things in the pipeline too and we hope that the Bacon Review findings and the upcoming Help to Build legislation will encourage developers across the UK to also consider self and custom build plots as a key aspect of their developments. They’ve been hugely popular at Graven Hill and we are excited to be launching our next phase this weekend.” Graven Hill sits directly in the Arc and will play a significant role in the development of the scheme, not least because of Bicester’s future location on the East-West Rail route from Oxford to Cambridge. Mr Pincher was able to see some of the innovative builds being undertaken by Graven Hill’s residents, as well as visiting the Build It Education House, which aims to give would-be self-builders an insight into the processes involved in a project. “We are levelling up the whole country and unlocking the huge potential of the entire Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Places like Graven Hill show just how we can build high quality, well designed, new homes and make sure this popular area continues to be a beautiful place to live, work and visit,” said Housing Minster RT Hon Christopher Pincher MP. “Improving the planning process across the region will support the housing sector, create thousands of jobs, drive investment and vital infrastructure, and protect the environment. I want residents and local communities to have their say on the future of the area and encourage everyone to fill out our online consultation.” In the last 12 months, Graven Hill has seen a number of house completions and the commencement of enabling works on the employment land and Phase 2 of the development, whilst welcoming new families into its ever-expanding community. Mr Pincher and Cllr Wood were also on hand to cut the ribbon on the next residential phase at Graven Hill which will see 18 new serviced plots released for sale from Saturday 2nd October as part of the Build It Live event in Bicester.
Bow River Capital (“Bow River”), a private equity firm based in Denver, Colorado, announced today that it has completed the recapitalization of Progressive Roofing (“Progressive” or the “Company”). Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Progressive Roofing is a full-service commercial roofing business providing re-roofing, new construction, service, and emergency repair solutions to customers across the education, government, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, and retail landscape. Serving as a value-added partner to customers, Progressive provides unique roofing solutions, as well as consistent, safe, and quality project delivery. Progressive’s self-performance model emphasizes technical excellence on large, complex projects and small maintenance repairs alike. From concept to project completion, the Company focuses on creating long-term value for clients. “Progressive’s commitment to customers and quality, which is supported by our family-oriented culture, is the centerpiece of the Company’s success. Over our decades-long history, our leadership team has continually identified new advances in roofing materials, technologies, and installation, and our highly-skilled, trained, and certified professionals continue to deliver extraordinary work every time we set foot on a roof,” said Mark Farrell, Progressive’s Chief Executive Officer. Farrell’s long-time partner and Progressive shareholder Mike Hadden went on to state, “We could not be more excited about the partnership with Bow River, and we look forward to making continued investments to enhance how we serve our customers and support the growth of our business and our employees.” Bow River Capital seeks to invest in leading middle market companies that provide infrastructure solutions. “Progressive is a market leader in commercial roofing solutions, and the leadership team has assembled a long roster of clients that trust the Company time and time again,” commented Greg Hiatrides, Managing Director at Bow River Capital. Progressive’s management team (who participated in the recapitalization) will retain a meaningful ownership stake in the Company and continue to lead the organization and deliver quality services to customers as they have for the past several decades. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP served as legal counsel to Bow River. Gammage & Burnham served as legal counsel to Progressive.
There’s surely no better recommendation for the company you work for than wanting your child to join and enjoy a long and fulfilling career with them too. The North West office of national housebuilder Bellway is keeping it close to home in bringing the next generation through, with four of the company’s long-serving employees encouraging their sons and daughters to start their careers with a Bellway apprenticeship scheme. Site manager Andy Blunt’s son Joseph is an apprentice plumber, chief quantity surveyor Peter Odgear’s daughter Caitlin is a trainee quantity surveyor, site manager Paul McKeever’s son Sean is an apprentice electrician and construction director Ian Hopkins’s son Will is an apprentice plumber. “At Bellway, we are committed to investing in our people and offering rewarding careers with opportunities for clear progression. Where possible, we try to promote from within and I’m delighted to see this ‘next generation’ of talent joining their parents and starting their careers with a Bellway apprenticeship,” said managing director at Bellway North West, David Williams. Long recognised as a champion of apprentices, Bellway is one of a number of companies leading the way nationally to encourage young people into the construction industry and is part of the select 5% Club, a movement of employers working to create ‘earn and learn’ experience-based training opportunities. Committed to driving the recruitment of apprentices and graduates, Bellway’s North West office at Hunts Cross in Liverpool generally employs seven or eight apprentices at any one time, many of whom subsequently remain with the company for many years to come. “Bellway is a friendly, exciting and engaging place to work, where hard work is noticed and rewarded and personal development is available for those who want to progress. I think it’s testament to the culture of the business that you would want your children to join too. There’s a great career ahead for Caitlin and all of the apprentices and it’s fantastic that they’ve chosen to follow in our footsteps. We wish them all the best,” added chief quantity surveyor Peter Odgear. With the recent resurgence in apprenticeships and the potential to gain a step-up the ladder into a career in a fast-paced and exciting industry, it’s no surprise that members of Bellway’s existing employee team have been keen to encourage their children to join too.
The demand for homes in the South-East county of Essex have increased by 56% since June 2020, in particular the county’s rural villages which have experienced a 69% increase in house sales. Providing fantastic news for current Essex residents looking to relocate to a quieter location but stay within the county, Inland Homes is preparing to launch a brand new collection of family homes in the quaint village of Cressing, just four miles south of Braintree. Set to launch in early 2022, Templar Green will comprise a boutique collection of two, three and four bedroom family homes, many with Help to Buy available. Offering the best of both worlds for every buyer, the new development is located in a peaceful location full to the brim with rural charm and an abundance of open space, but still just a 10 minute drive into the larger town of Braintree, offering plenty for both children and adults to enjoy. Also ideal for commuting homebuyers, Templar Green will be just a short walk from Cressing rail station, with services into London Liverpool Street in just 55 minutes. “The demand for properties in the home counties, particularly Essex, has seen a huge surge over the past 18 months, as remote working continues and people are happier to take on a longer, less regular commute in favour of more space at home. We’re thrilled to offer a new selection of homes for buyers looking towards Essex, and Templar Green has it all in terms of location. Along with space at the development for children to play, the immediate village has a shop, a primary school and a station, while a short distance away, Braintree has all the shopping and leisure facilities buyers and their families will need,” commented Vicki Noon, Sales and Marketing Director at Inland Homes. Residents at Templar Green will have the best of both worlds, right on their doorstep. Cressing itself enjoys a rural shop for everyday amenities, a Boots pharmacy, library and a post office. Just a short drive away is the larger historic town of Braintree, offering an excellent array of retail options, restaurants, bars and entertainment options. The George Yard Shopping Centre offers residents the choice of a number of well-known high street brands including Peacocks, WH Smith and Superdrug, whilst the larger Braintree Shopping Village offers designer outlets from brands such as Reiss, Ted Baker and White Stuff. After a day of retail therapy, the boutique rural village is also home to a number of restaurants and bars including Bill’s, Pizza Express and Wildwood. Families at Templar Green will be spoilt for choice when it comes to weekend activities. The 100-acre Great Notley Country Park is a 10-minute drive away, and is home to Essex’s longest play trail and Sky Ropes adventure course, perfect for tiring out the kids. For avid golfers, Braintree Golf Club is just a nine-minute drive from home, providing an 18-hole course popular with Essex golfers, as well as hosting an extensive social events calendar and Sunday carveries. For a rainy winters day, Braintree is home to a number of indoor leisure facilities including a 12-screen Cineworld cinema, Braintree District Museum and Namco Funscape – an entertainment venue with bowling, an arcade and a soft play area. For families with children, there are a number of first-class education options surrounding Templar Green. Rated ‘Good’ by OFSTED, Cressing Primary School is an eight minute walk from the development, whilst for older children, Hunter Academy Secondary School is a 13 minute bus journey away. For further education, Braintree Sixth Form is an 8 minute drive away. And for students that wish to study for a degree at home, the University of Essex Colchester Campus and Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford Campus are both reachable in just half an hour. Commuting residents will be well-placed at Templar Green. Cressing station has direct services into London Liverpool Street in 55 minutes, from which a variety of tube lines can be picked up. The neighbouring towns of Colchester (32 minutes) and Chelmsford (20 minutes) can be reached easily by rail too, whilst by road the M25 can be reached within 45 minutes, transporting residents to Central London, neighbouring counties and beyond.
A Midlands-based social landlord has appointed three new heads of service within its asset management function. Platform Housing Group – one of the UK’s largest social landlords – has appointed Samantha Evans as Head of Strategic Asset Management; Martin Woods as Head of External Contracts and Stephen Edwards as Head of Sustainability. The roles – which are all new within the organisation – are part of an ongoing development of the business area. As the new Head of Strategic Asset Management, Samantha Evans’ role is to develop operational plans to future proof Platform homes; she will also be responsible for asset performance evaluation, identifying risks and areas of low performance and developing strategies and standards to address these. Sam will head up a team that is responsible for monitoring the condition of Platform’s homes and planning for the improvements that are needed to keep them safe, affordable and desirable for our customers. Prior to joining Platform, Samantha was Asset Manager at Citizen Housing for 14 years. Samantha said : “I am delighted to join Platform at this stage of its journey to deliver an ambitious programme of change. My aim is to implement an integrated active asset management approach which will place Platform as the ‘go to’ organisation for the service. Having spent my career in social housing, I am passionate about the impact our sector has on improving our customers lives. I see asset management as much more than just bricks and mortar; it is about providing our customers with desirable, safe and affordable homes, a foundation for life. Our duty is to manage our assets by being socially motivated and commercially minded in order to re-invest surpluses into delivering our social purpose and improving the life chances of our customers.” Martin Woods – who has joined Platform Housing Group as Head of External Contracts – was previously Head of Asset Management at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership where he was responsible for planned maintenance, building safety, asset management as well as development and sales delivery. In his new role, Martin will head up a team responsible for the delivery of maintenance work that is not delivered by Platform Property Care. Martin said : “It is such an exciting time to be joining Platform; the asset team is at the beginning of a journey that looks set to impact significantly on the way we work and deliver services to our customers. Social housing is more important than ever, as the population continues to grow and people find it increasingly difficult to purchase a home outright. Our role is to drive up the quality of social housing as much as possible to create communities where people want to live and feel safe. I am looking forward to playing my part and making a difference.” The social landlord has also appointed Stephen Edwards as Head of Sustainability; previously employed at Catalyst Housing Limited as Sustainability Manager, this new role at Platform will see Stephen developing a sustainability strategy for the Group, identifying opportunities for decarbonising its homes and supporting the implementation of green and emerging technologies. Stephen said : “It is a privilege to be here at Platform supporting our journey to zero carbon and creating a more sustainable future. I have always had a passion for the environment and have been embedding sustainable thinking into my work for more than 25 years. The challenge of achieving net zero carbon is huge and probably the most important challenge of our lifetimes. I look forward to helping Platform become a leading sustainable organisation.” Linda Colburn, Director of Strategic Asset Management at Platform Housing Group said : “We are thrilled to welcome Martin, Stephen and Sam to Platform. They bring a depth and breadth of expertise in asset management, delivery and sustainability that will allow us to redraw the traditional way the sector sees asset management into a much more integrated approach. They will be integral in helping set the Platform Standard from development stage onwards as well as co-designing our investment interventions with our customers. Their expertise will allow us to map out our path to zero carbon and integrate that into our investment programmes and how we manage the estate; understanding how our homes impact our customers to deliver to them increased safety, affordability, utility and pride.” Linda concluded : “We have created these roles to provide the additional focus needed to become a truly modern assets function in a truly modern housing association. The central pillars of building safety, strategic asset management, investment, delivery and sustainability will each be led by a Head of Service, forming an integrated team with a holistic view of how we improve the value of our homes to customers and achieve the highest standards of asset management.” Platform Housing Group – which owns 46,000 homes in total – completed 1448 homes in 2019/20 (1,598 in 2018/19) at an investment of £258m (£228m in 2018/19). The Group also built more social rented homes – at a figure of 981 – during the past 2 years in England than any other provider, 523 in 2019/20, almost 33% of the total homes built. Platform Housing Group’s operating area is from Herefordshire in the West to the Lincolnshire coast in the East, and from the Derbyshire Dales in the North to the Cotswolds in the South.
Europe’s first eco-mosque, built by leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has been nominated for the 2021 Stirling Prize Award. Cambridge Central Mosque is one of six projects to be selected from the 54 2021 RIBA National Award winners. RIBA’s Stirling Prize has been awarded annually, with the exception of last year, since 1996 to buildings deemed to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment. This year’s winner will be announced on October 14. Cambridge Central Mosque is the first eco-friendly mosque in Europe. Marks Barfield Architects, who are in the running for the award, designed the building to accommodate up to 1000 worshippers. The building is credited by RIBA with creating a new, 21st century, non-denominational British mosque that is both specific to its place and time and which resonates with wider Islamic and religious buildings. To have achieved this in Cambridge, with its world-famous tradition of structural expression in religious architecture, yet without contrivance is a remarkable achievement. The project involved a range of highly complex construction methods. A defining feature is its intricate glulam timber frame, which comprises 30 interconnecting ‘tree’ like structures. Each ‘tree’ is formed by 16 interwoven timber members, the geometry of which provides the frame’s strength. Works on the building also included café, offices, residential property for the Imam and his family, separate student accommodation and a mortuary, a basement car park for 80 cars and Mosque facility above. Gilbert-Ash has had three projects shortlisted for prestigious prize prior to Cambridge Central Mosque. Shortlisted projects have included the Lyric Theatre in 2012, the Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Centre in 2013 and the Everyman Theatre, which went on to win the 2014 Stirling Prize. “We are delighted to see Cambridge Central Mosque make the shortlist for this most prestigious award. It is a unique building in so many ways, with remarkable intricate attention to detail, that not only looks exemplary but supports an ambition to achieve environmental sustainability,” commented Ray Hutchinson, managing director of Gilbert-Ash. “One of the core values of Gilbert-Ash is collaboration, and this was central in keeping momentum on this project. We were able to work closely with the client team early on to develop technical solutions and innovative methods to overcome challenges and keep the project progressing. This was an incredibly rewarding project to deliver, and we are proud to see it recognised as one of the most significant of the year.” Gilbert-Ash attributes its continued success to its ‘As One’ approach and its unique working culture and family environment as an employee-owned company. It continues to complete a broad portfolio of successful construction projects across sectors including arts and culture, workplace, hotels and leisure, education, science and technology, retail, residential and student accommodation.
Daval Furniture, market leading British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture is proud to partner with the winner of BBC Interior Design Masters 2021, Lynsey Ford, as she designs with Renzo in a luxury family suite Willow Cottage at Another Place, a boutique hotel on Ullswater in the Lake District. Yorkshire-based interior designer and architect, Lynsey Ford, has been commissioned to transform Willow Cottage, a self-contained family suite complete with two bedrooms, kitchen and bar, boot room and ample storage via the custom wardrobes and desk space. “Sourcing and procuring materials for my projects locally wherever possible is really important to me. Daval is based in the same village as me, Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield, so it was naturally my first port of call when exploring cabinetry designs for the suite at Another Place,” said Lynsey Ford, owner and founder of Lynsey Ford Design. “Sustainability is integral to all my work. I hate waste and the thought of anything useable going to landfill. So, I’ve chosen cabinetry from the award-winning Renzo range by Daval for part of the scheme as the cupboard doors are made from 100% recycled materials, meaning I can balance my keen interest in sustainable design while still achieving the deep, rich and textured aesthetic I want to create. I’ve taken inspiration from the views at Another Place, and the colours, textures and materials that surround it. There are lots of natural woods in the hotel already, and a lovely palette of rusty colours and greens.” In fact, Renzo is the ideal furniture solution for this project as the range offers rich textural variety with five high-texture door finishes – three contemporary timbers and two mineral-inspired options with fine-textured, stone effect surface. Designed to empower the eco-conscious homeowner, every door within the Renzo collection is made from 100% recycled raw materials at our factory in the heart of Yorkshire. “We are delighted to collaborate with Lynsey as trends for 2022 indicate a growth in family-friendly spaces, both in residential and hospitality sectors as more and more Britons explore UK beauty spots in the wake of the pandemic. As we have the expertise to manage projects for homeowners, as well commercial properties we can constantly innovate our made-to-measure, made-to-order furniture to meet all specifications and end-user requirements, as well as support ‘Buying British’. We are therefore absolutely thrilled to help bring Lynsey’s design ideas to life and realise a deluxe family-friendly lifestyle retreat dubbed Willow Cottage – due for completion Q1/22,” added Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval Furniture.
