Brighton’s Madeira Terrace is going to be transformed into a new retail and leisure facility. Boxpark revealed its plans, which involve reviving the crumbling Victorian arches, and incorporating a new premium hotel operator. The development would see the arches augmented with a new building and urban green spaces. The plans
Willmott Dixon will be delivering a £46.5 million new home for the School of Engineering within the University of Birmingham. Construction work for the development, which will accommodate both the School and the UKRRIN Rail Digital Systems Innovation Centre, will begin in August. The building will offer a variety of
COS has announced the opening of its latest London store this Autumn at the historic Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, an innovative shopping and lifestyle district designed by leading architectural firm, Heatherwick Studio. The Coal Drops Yard store marks an exciting milestone for COS. Having firmly established its legacy
The £62 million contract to complete façade work for the Battersea Phase 3A project has been awarded to Permasteelisa, an Italian leading company in engineering, project management, manufacturing and installation of architectural envelopes and interior systems. The work involves the design, supply and installation of more than 27,000 sqm of
The £3.5 million community facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire, has officially opened. The Kingsmere Community Centre was built by Deeley Construction on behalf of site owners, Countryside Properties; the project was managed by Buro Four, designed by Robothams and mechanical and electrical engineering (M&E) services were provided by Building Services Design
Solidor’s ‘Showroom of the Month’ for August has been awarded to Wakefield based B & P Windows for its upgrade on its consumer showsite that is said to have been part of the business from the outset of its 37-year history in West Yorkshire. After 37 years in business, we’ve
A new proposal from a National Assembly Committee might require all new-build housing in Wales to be zero carbon. The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee found that Wales has the oldest housing stock in Europe and that the pace and scale of delivering energy efficient homes needs to
The first North West regional event in the Explore Offsite series will take place on the 12th of September 2018 in Manchester at the University of Salford. The combined conference and exhibition will bring together a range of offsite technology supply chain specialists and industry leaders to discuss the uptake
Leading apprenticeship provider Develop Training has welcomed news that large employers are now able to transfer their levy funds to other organisations. However, the company cautioned that firms will have to manage the process well to maximise the potential business benefits. It also warned that the move is adding more
A Construction Industry Scheme contractor, Indigo Group, which specialises in the engagement of subcontractors, has appointed former practice accountant Liza Gratton as its Finance Director. Liza Gratton worked in the accountancy sector for 20 years and became a fully qualified accountant in 2005 after completing her professional exams with the
Brighton’s Madeira Terrace is going to be transformed into a new retail and leisure facility. Boxpark revealed its plans, which involve reviving the crumbling Victorian arches, and incorporating a new premium hotel operator. The development would see the arches augmented with a new building and urban green spaces. The plans were developed by Brighton and Hove resident and Boxpark founder, Roger Wade, alongside Project Creator Paul Nicholson from Brighton founded Chalk Architecture. “As a Brighton and Hove resident, I’m passionate about the regeneration our of outstanding sea-front. Madeira Terrace is the embodiment of the Victorian grandeur that saw Brighton become the UK’s favourite seaside destination. Our proposal aims to redevelop this much loved area to create a year round retail and leisure destination to be enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the coast alike. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to work with Brighton & Hove City Council, local stakeholders and businesses and our development partners over the next 12 months to explore how we bring the Boxpark concept to Brighton, whilst retaining the architecture and heritage that our seafront is synonym with,” said Roger Wade. Paul Williams, Development Investment Advisor, Morgan Williams also commented on the plans: “Boxpark’s innovative and refreshing approach to the retail and leisure sectors will be a perfect match for this potentially iconic development. The development team assembled combines local sensitivity with international expertise. I have absolute confidence that we will secure strong investor interest from a wide range of UK institutions, property companies and international investors including sovereign wealth funds, many of whom may normally be constrained to investing in London.” Boxpark Shoreditch opened in 2011 as the world’s first pop-up mall. The concept utilised the modern street food market and placed local and global brands side by side, to create a unique shopping and dining destination. Entirely constructed out of refitted shipping containers, Boxpark showcases a unique position in being able to offer affordable and flexible leases for lifestyle brands, cafes, restaurants and galleries to trade and succeed.
Willmott Dixon will be delivering a £46.5 million new home for the School of Engineering within the University of Birmingham. Construction work for the development, which will accommodate both the School and the UKRRIN Rail Digital Systems Innovation Centre, will begin in August. The building will offer a variety of contemporary and flexible design and research spaces, which were designed by Birmingham-based Associated Architects and will act as an incubator for innovation and strengthens teaching and research partnerships. Moreover, office, meeting and lab spaces will be arranged around a generous atrium containing flexible learning environments that will also enable greater collaboration between staff and students. “This new building represents a celebration of engineering and will be a centrepiece of our new engineering hub. The ongoing collaborative relationship that we have with Willmott Dixon, along with the quality of delivery of their completed projects, gives us significant confidence that they will deliver this landmark building,” said Daniel Holmes, University of Birmingham. “The School of Engineering has been designed, and will be delivered, with collaboration between the University and industry at its heart, enabling research and teaching excellence to be celebrated and showcased,” he continued. Featuring exposed structural elements such as supports, pipework and services, the building’s interior will a practical display of its own engineering. On the outside, the facility will feature a half-brick, half-clad facade to provide a strong visual impact, with visual cues taken form railway lines and trackside signalling that connects it to its core specialism. “The new School of Engineering provides a clear visual statement for the University. It will be driving interest in the STEM subjects, something that we will be supporting ourselves through the creation of opportunities for work placements,” said Nick Gibb, Deputy Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. Earlier this year, Willmott Dixon was chosen to to deliver the University’s Teaching and Learning Building, scheduled for completion in 2020. Together with this latest contract, the company is delivering over £90 million worth of work for the University.
COS has announced the opening of its latest London store this Autumn at the historic Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, an innovative shopping and lifestyle district designed by leading architectural firm, Heatherwick Studio. The Coal Drops Yard store marks an exciting milestone for COS. Having firmly established its legacy of artist collaborations which celebrate the brand’s influences from the fields of design and architecture, COS will share its inspirations and interests in one hybrid space, unveiling a reimagined store concept, and offering a wholly unique brand experience. The store will act as a multifunctional platform which will host works from established and emerging artists, while integrating independent wellbeing, lifestyle brands and publishing houses alongside handpicked edits from the COS collection. Situated inside the listed section of this transformed former Victorian industrial yard, the space spans across three floors and 577sqm (6210 sq ft). The interior follows the COS aesthetic, whilst respectfully acknowledging the historical details of the original building. Coal Drops Yard is the new shopping and lifestyle district in London’s King’s Cross. Originally established in 1850 to handle the eight million tonnes of coal delivered to the capital each year, and latterly the location of nightclubs Bagley’s and The Cross, the area is now reopening, reinvented by the acclaimed Heatherwick Studio, which has interwoven a contemporary design with the surviving structures, streets and rich ironwork of the original Victorian coal drops that were located on the site. Coal Drops Yard will now be home to over fifty stores, top restaurants and cafés and new public spaces, making it an oasis-like space for visitors to dwell, discover and explore. Special in-store events, workshops, pop-ups and talks will all feature as part of an ongoing programme of activities. The stores themselves will be showcases for some of the world’s most forward-thinking retailers, each an experience and all one-off concepts created using the unique heritage spaces they sit within. With its innovative shopping experience, canalside location in the heart of King’s Cross and state-of-the-art architecture, Coal Drops Yard is set to become a magnet for shoppers and visitors from across London, the UK and further afield when it opens this October.
The £62 million contract to complete façade work for the Battersea Phase 3A project has been awarded to Permasteelisa, an Italian leading company in engineering, project management, manufacturing and installation of architectural envelopes and interior systems. The work involves the design, supply and installation of more than 27,000 sqm of complex façade and it is part of the bigger transformation of Battersea Power Station. “We are proud to continue our long collaboration with Frank Gehry, demonstrating once again our ability to turn the ideas of the most visionary architects into reality by applying innovative technologies that also allow us to uphold the highest standards in environmental sustainability,” said CEO of the Permasteelisa Group, Riccardo Mollo. The Battersea Phase 3A project aims to achieve the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification, so the visible panels are equipped with low-E coated, extra-clear glass with high thermal and solar performance to maximise the light coming in, while preserving energy savings. The design has required the engineering and production of 2,900 units, with aluminium profile equipped with double-glazed or opaque infill, all different from each other and openable both with a folding or sliding panel, while the undulating shape of the façade required about 3,000 aluminium closed infill ‘boxes’, characterised by a unique and non-repetitive, customised shape. Taking around 18 months to complete, the design and production of the façade involves around 70 professionals from the technical office in Italy, for a total of about 600 drawings and numerous 3D studies. The installation of the first panel is planned for the second quarter of 2019, and the installation is expected to take one and a half years. Permasteelisa Group is a worldwide leading Contractor in the engineering, project management, manufacturing and installation of architectural envelopes and interior systems. Present in four continents, with a network of around 50 companies in 30 countries and 10 production plants, the Group generates a total turnover of around 1.5 billion euros a year.
The £3.5 million community facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire, has officially opened. The Kingsmere Community Centre was built by Deeley Construction on behalf of site owners, Countryside Properties; the project was managed by Buro Four, designed by Robothams and mechanical and electrical engineering (M&E) services were provided by Building Services Design (BSD). “We developed an M&E design that would allow for the building to be used for multiple purposes,” said Joel Sawyer, director at BSD. “This is a building designed to perform different roles for different members of the community so we needed to be flexible with our strategy, while ensuring that we created a functional, contemporary space that was sustainable and long-lasting.” Features include offices spaces, a kitchen, youth centre, activity hall and meeting rooms. The main hall is fitted with a roof mounted natural ventilation strategy, as it lacks openable windows. This solution has saved a lot of money when compared to installing air conditioning units. “The ventilation turrets also have an internal solar powered fan, providing additional ventilation during sunnier conditions, boosting air flow and boasting a zero noise level,” added Joel. “We provided a robust design scheme for the youth centre so that it could withstand considerable use over a longer period of time. The radiators have been covered and we used a more malleable material – mild steel pipework – rather than copper to allow them to withstand any potential impact. The lighting is also impact resistant, as are the fire alarm call points. PV panels were also fitted to the roof to allow for electricity independence,” said Joel. Matthew Keegans, senior project manager at Buro Four, also commented on the project: “Community and place making are essential and we are very passionate about getting right within all of our projects. Working with the BSD team, we were able to incorporate innovative solutions to provide a future proofed and sustainable community hub on time and budget.”
Solidor’s ‘Showroom of the Month’ for August has been awarded to Wakefield based B & P Windows for its upgrade on its consumer showsite that is said to have been part of the business from the outset of its 37-year history in West Yorkshire. After 37 years in business, we’ve been able to carefully build a highly regarded installation business in Wakefield with true family values. Solidor has been an exceptional business partner for us over the last seven years and with the new door designer proving hugely beneficial, we’re looking forward to continuing to work together well into the long-term,” said Justin Grafton-Holt, managing director of B & P Windows. Composite doors are a fundamental part of B & P Windows’ product range, which has around three to four installations per week. According to the company, it is seeing trends towards heritage styles and also contemporary doors in anthracite grey. “B&P Windows is the perfect example of a well-respected family business that relies on strong brands. With our marketing programme and online door designer we’re actively engaged with developing sales for our customers, whilst backing this up with world-class service and support for Solidor and also the sister brands of Nicedor and Residor,” said Gareth Busson, head of sales and marketing for Solidor Group. B & P is a family-run business that has been part of the Solidor network for over seven years and one that has also recently launched Solidor’s online door designer. The ‘Showroom of the Month’ initiative has been launched by Solidor as part of the New Development Programme, aiming to reward trading partners on their sales environments. Solidor has been designing, engineering and manufacturing composite doors in the UK since 2004. Each and every Solidor is manufactured by the company’s talented craftsmen in its multi-site production facility in Stoke on Trent, with its doors sold and installed through a nationwide network of experienced and proven installation companies.
A new proposal from a National Assembly Committee might require all new-build housing in Wales to be zero carbon. The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee found that Wales has the oldest housing stock in Europe and that the pace and scale of delivering energy efficient homes needs to be increased “urgently”. A ten-year low-carbon housing strategy was called by the Committee and it will involve the construction of all new-build homes to zero carbon standards, as well as retrofitting existing housing stock. The strategy also includes: a complimentary planning and building system with low-carbon and energy efficiency at their centres, and supported by rigorous, independent inspection regimes; financial incentives to encourage buyers and owners to buy low-carbon housing and invest in retrofit measures; funding interventions that maximise the impact of Welsh government investment in low-carbon housing; and a fully-trained workforce, ready to construct and improve homes using the latest technologies. The Committee found that the possibility of meeting the Welsh government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 was “some way off”. “There are many reasons why we should improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock. The most pressing is the need to deliver on legal obligations to eliminate fuel poverty and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases,” said Mike Hedges AM, chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. “The Welsh Government is required to reduce emissions by 40% by 2018 and by 80% by 2050. Challenging targets need challenging solutions. Reducing the amount of energy we use in our homes will substantially accelerate progress towards these goals. Achieving the targets will require a considerable ramping up of ambition and must span the whole of Wales’ policy levers. We are calling on the Welsh Government to bring forward a ten-year low-carbon housing strategy, including milestones and targets to kick start housing development now and for the future,” explained Mike Hedges.
The first North West regional event in the Explore Offsite series will take place on the 12th of September 2018 in Manchester at the University of Salford. The combined conference and exhibition will bring together a range of offsite technology supply chain specialists and industry leaders to discuss the uptake of offsite construction within the region. Explore Offsite North West will focus on the key themes of offsite technology, supply chain resources and opportunities within the sector. Through informative case studies and presentations from industry pioneers, the event aims to attract construction clients, architects, engineers, specifiers, building product manufacturers and suppliers. Offsite manufacture is a progressive step that helps to challenge outdated assumptions about the construction sector and encourage more young professionals into the industry. The sector will generate savings in the long term, but the overwhelming message has been, that companies at every level of the supply chain should invest in offsite manufacture and construction processes sooner rather than later, or risk being left behind. Tom Bloxham MBE, Chairman for Urban Splash, explains the rationale behind acquiring SIG’s modular factory and assets in his presentation ‘Urban Splash Modular and why we bought the Factory’. Meanwhile, Osco Homes is all about making a positive social impact and in her presentation, Gwen Beeken, Managing Director, discusses how their successful affordable housing projects are employing a different workforce. A wholly owned subsidiary of Procure Plus, Osco Homes’ objective is to deliver affordable houses constructed offsite at a factory based in HM Prison Hindley, Greater Manchester. Within three years Osco Homes hope to reach an output of 1,000 homes a year. The model is for the prisoners to be trained and then supported into full time employment upon release. EOS Offsite Solutions design, manufacture and bring fully tested solutions to market which drives specification in UK construction. Peter Burchill from EOS Offsite Solutions will be presenting ‘Lightening the Load for the Residential Sector’.
Leading apprenticeship provider Develop Training has welcomed news that large employers are now able to transfer their levy funds to other organisations. However, the company cautioned that firms will have to manage the process well to maximise the potential business benefits. It also warned that the move is adding more complexity to a system that many employers have had difficulty in understanding. From May, large employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will for the first time be allowed to transfer up to ten per cent of their annual funds to other organisations. It means firms can use some of their unspent levy funding, which would otherwise go to the exchequer, to support smaller employers to take on apprentices. “There are potential business benefits for larger businesses to support firms in their supply chain to take on apprentices. I would recommend working with your chosen supplier and an apprenticeship provider to align the scheme with your own training programmes and to focus the money where it will benefit you both the most. You should be aware that apprenticeships can cover management training as well as the kind of trade-based training traditionally associated with apprenticeships,” said Chris Wood, CEO of Develop Training. “Putting some thought and effort into this process will pay dividends all round, for the large employer, the supply chain business and the apprentices who go through the scheme. As with everything to do with the levy, it makes sense to get expert help and advice from specialists such as ourselves,” he added. Initially, firms will only be able to transfer funds to one organisation. After user feedback from the first phase, they will likely be allowed to split their ten per cent funding into several smaller payments across multiple organisations. The ESFA has advised those transferring the funds to be aware of “the funding rules around transferring apprenticeship funds, which will be published at a later date”. Once a transfer is made, it cannot be refunded. Apart from their own supply chain, levy-paying employers who want to transfer funds can find companies who want money for apprenticeships in a number of ways. These include making contact with an approved Apprenticeship Training Agency such as Develop Training or working with regional partners. After Develop Training’s Industry Skills Forum in November revealed concerns among major employers about the levy, it has been offering advice on the levy process and guidance about the kinds of training that can be provided under the scheme.
A Construction Industry Scheme contractor, Indigo Group, which specialises in the engagement of subcontractors, has appointed former practice accountant Liza Gratton as its Finance Director. Liza Gratton worked in the accountancy sector for 20 years and became a fully qualified accountant in 2005 after completing her professional exams with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Liza has been member of the ICAEW for more than a decade. In recognition of dedication to the industry and continuing professional development, she is now recognised as a fellow member, FCA. After dedicating her early career to working in practice, Liza stepped into industry in 2012 providing accountancy and advisory services to range of businesses, but with focus on the construction and staffing sectors. Liza was appointed as Finance Director in July bringing a different dynamic and additional experience to the existing team of James Smith and Ian Cole-Wilkins. “The Indigo Group is at the start of its recently agreed 5 year plan. A plan that is set to see group turnover exceed £500m. Liza is vital to us delivering on this goal, her track-record in the sector is excellent and her accountancy skills beyond doubt, but it is her commercial appreciation and drive that sets her apart from many of her peers,” commented on the appointment Indigo Group CEO, Ian Cole-Wilkins. In preparation for leading Indigo’s financial team, Liza was invited to take part in the ICAEW Network for Finance Leaders (NFL) programme, designed to help participants understand and develop their strategic leadership style, generate new ideas and contribute to the growth of a business. Liza graduates from the programme in October. The Indigo Group has more than 40 years’ experience in the contracting, outsourced payroll and umbrella industries and provides end to end solutions for contractors, freelancers and agencies.