More homes are embracing green energy and installing heat pumps and solar panels in the UK than ever before, with a 62% jump compared to last year, new data from the official standards body for renewable technologies, MCS, has revealed. MCS data shows that in the first six months of
UBS Asset Management and Reef Group have received approval to develop a life science campus in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, one of the largest in Europe. The decision from Stevenage Borough Council’s planning committee paves the way for the new Life Sciences hub to be delivered alongside GSK’s existing Global R&D facility
Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) has announced the appointment of energy and regeneration specialist, Equans, to undertake an upgrade and investment programme at the Paragon estate in Brentford. It means work can start on bringing 1,000 homes back into use between 2025 and 2026 and restoring a local community on the
Global real estate developer, Hines, has submitted a planning application for a mixed-use project to develop 18 Blackfriars Road, Bankside, London. The site sits in close proximity to the River Thames and is set among some of London’s best loved cultural institutions including the Tate Modern, National Theatre, and the
Bam Nuttall has launched a £37.4 million cliff resilience project on behalf of Network Rail, designed to protect an iconic coastal railway line for future generations. Following BAM’s successful delivery of Dawlish sea wall, the team’s focus will move to cliffs between Dawlish and Holcombe, further increasing the resilience of
Bouygues UK has been announced as lead contractor to deliver and enhance the student accommodation facilities across two campuses of the University of Chichester. The University’s primary objective is to create new accommodation and refurbish the existing accommodation to meet demand but also provide an affordable, high-quality student and living
VolkerFitzpatrick has been awarded a £19 million contract by Guildford Borough Council to design and build a much-needed highway crossing over a rail line in Surrey. The Ash Road Bridge project will allow the closure of a level crossing on the A323 Guildford Road that has been assessed by Network
Urban Group has been awarded the £7.85 million contract for Callington Road Hospital improvement works. The 18-month project in Bristol will see Urban Group deliver improvements to four buildings on the site of the hospital. Interior works will include reconfiguration of the space, the installation of new bedrooms, wards, a
The University of Nottingham has appointed Henry Brothers Construction for the redevelopment of Castle Meadow Campus (CMC). The construction firm has been awarded a £7 million contract to remodel and refurbish two of seven buildings on the 3.75 hectare site – preparing them for future occupation. The university plans to
The first phase of the Barbican Renewal Programme is set to get underway with £25 million in funding announced by the City of London Corporation. The funding was approved by the City Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee to develop elements of a long-term masterplan, undertake further consultation, and deliver early
More homes are embracing green energy and installing heat pumps and solar panels in the UK than ever before, with a 62% jump compared to last year, new data from the official standards body for renewable technologies, MCS, has revealed. MCS data shows that in the first six months of 2023, more than 120,000 certified solar panels, heat pumps and other renewable technologies were installed in UK homes, the highest number ever by this point in the year. The previous record for renewable installations was more than a decade ago in 2012, when households raced to get solar panels before cuts to the Feed-In Tariff incentive scheme kicked in. June saw 27,791 certified installations recorded on homes and businesses across the UK, bringing the total for the first half of the year to 122,155. 2023 saw more installations in the month of June and in the first half of the year than any previous year. 2023 is the first year to average more than 20,000 solar panel installations per month, and the first to see more than 3,000 heat pumps installed per month. Analysts say that with this sustained growth, nearly a quarter of a million households could install renewable energy by the end of this year. Over 80% of the installations so far in 2023 have been electricity-generating technologies, driven mainly by the continued growth in solar PV installations. By the end of June, there were 102,797 certified installations of solar PV alone as more households turn to home-grown energy during the cost-of-living crisis. The first half of 2023 saw 82% more installations than the first half of 2022. Small-scale renewable energy installations on homes and businesses across the UK now have a total installed capacity of 4GW. The energy demand for the entire country averaged 29.4GW a day in the last year, meaning that the solar panels and wind turbines on peoples’ homes, at peak conditions, could power over 13% of the UK at current. The growth in solar has been mirrored by battery storage installation growth since MCS introduced the battery storage installation standard at the end of 2021. Each month of 2023 has been a record month for battery technologies, with installation figures surpassing the month before, totalling over 1,000 batteries going into homes and businesses across the UK in 2023 so far. There has been similar success in the growth of low-carbon heating, with average heat pump installations being over 3,000 per month for the first time in 2023. There were 17,920 heat pump installations in the first six months of 2023, a figure only rivalled by a rush to install heat pumps before the end of the Renewable Heat Incentive subsidy scheme in March 2022. Heat pump installations in England and Wales have been eligible for £5,000 – £6,000 Government grants since May last year under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. These grants are starting to take effect as heat pump sales are steadily growing. In Scotland, consumers can claim a grant of £7,500-£9,000 towards a heat pump installation plus an additional optional loan of £7,500. The UK Government has set clear targets to reach 70GW of solar capacity by 2035 and to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. The growth in renewable technology across the UK in the last few years is promising, but there is still much further to go. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UBS Asset Management and Reef Group have received approval to develop a life science campus in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, one of the largest in Europe. The decision from Stevenage Borough Council’s planning committee paves the way for the new Life Sciences hub to be delivered alongside GSK’s existing Global R&D facility and the vibrant ecosystem at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst. The scheme will deliver a world-class, sustainable, and connected life science campus bringing together companies from early-stage through to commercialisation and helping to meet the growing demand for GMP manufacturing and laboratory space in the UK. Construction is expected to start in late 2023. The 15-building campus, which will be named ‘Elevate Quarter’, will be set around a central green with an interconnecting network of paths and open spaces. The buildings for the new campus will comprise a variety of different uses, including R&D labs and offices, GMP manufacturing facilities and flexible lab buildings, as well as training, innovation and collaboration spaces. Employee and visitor amenity spaces will include restaurants, cafes, and leisure facilities. There will be three Green Transport Hubs which will provide multi-storey car parking, bike parking and potential scooter/e-bike hire spaces. Olivia Drew, Portfolio Manager, Real Estate and Private Markets, UBS Asset Management, said: “The delivery of the new life science campus will leverage years of unparalleled experience across both UBS and Reef. The buildings have been carefully designed to be at the cutting edge of sustainability and will facilitate world-leading R&D and advanced manufacturing. The new campus will support thousands of new jobs and boost the UK’s position as a global life sciences leader.” Piers Slater, Joint Chief Executive, Reef Group, said: “The approval of our new life science campus in Stevenage further cements its position as Europe’s leading cluster for advanced therapies. Stevenage is ideally positioned to attract world-class talent and the campus will facilitate further collaboration between major multinationals and biotechs. The campus has been designed to allow these life science businesses to grow and scale-up over time and to create an open and accessible environment for both employees and the wider public.” Image Credit: Hawkins Brown Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) has announced the appointment of energy and regeneration specialist, Equans, to undertake an upgrade and investment programme at the Paragon estate in Brentford. It means work can start on bringing 1,000 homes back into use between 2025 and 2026 and restoring a local community on the estate. Those who previously lived at Paragon were successfully supported to find new homes and move on with their lives, following the difficult decision to ask them all to leave the estate in October 2020; due to Notting Hill Genesis’ concern that the buildings did not meet adequate levels of safety. John Hughes, group director of development and sales and deputy chief executive of NHG said: “The safety of our residents is always our first priority and, as such, we felt moving residents from Paragon was the best course if action and has enabled us to assess the full scope of the proposed works. We know how much of an upheaval this was for everyone, so we established dedicated teams to work with every household to find a permanent solution. “The subsequent thorough investigations give us a great deal of confidence that we have a robust plan and we are looking forward to working with Equans and our expert team of surveyors to deliver our remediation and reinvestment plan. We look forward to people once again calling the Paragon estate home and to it being a thriving west London neighbourhood once more.” Equans will carry out remedial works across all six blocks, enhancing fire safety measures, by installing much thicker insulation and a new façade to dramatically improve the comfort and efficiency of the homes. Of the £72m investment, £36m will be spent on works to bring building services and finishes up to a modern standard, including the installation of sprinkler systems, upgraded mechanical, engineering, and public health systems, and completely refitted homes. The work also includes a complete internal refurbishment to all areas, including new lighting, ceilings, furniture, flooring, and landscaping. Dan Germann, regional managing director for Equans added: “Following months of significant, intrusive investigations and comprehensive planning and testing, we are delighted to have been appointed to undertake the remedial and reinvestment works at the Paragon estate development. “Equans is very much looking forward to continuing the proactive and collaborative working relationships which have developed over the past number of months with Notting Hill Genesis and their appointed professional team. We are committed to ensuring that this significant project provides both safe and modern accommodation for all residents at Paragon estate.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global real estate developer, Hines, has submitted a planning application for a mixed-use project to develop 18 Blackfriars Road, Bankside, London. The site sits in close proximity to the River Thames and is set among some of London’s best loved cultural institutions including the Tate Modern, National Theatre, and the Southbank Centre. Designed by Foster + Partners, the proposed development will centre on a vibrant, new public space, delivering two residential buildings that provide over 400 new homes on site, including 40% on-site affordable homes. The office building moves away from an all-glass design and has a series of bustles gradually reducing in size to the top. The concept is to provide a new form of architecture, departing from the traditional flat tower office building. The proposed use of colour on the façade, terraces and utilisation of natural light throughout change the concept of office buildings, and tech-enabled offices address the demand for premium quality space that support employee wellbeing in a post-Covid world. In addition, there will be 20,000 sq ft of affordable workspace aimed at supporting local and socially minded enterprises. The proposals advance an existing consent on the site for two towers (the tallest of which was 184.2m) by providing three buildings (45, 40 and 22 storeys above podium), with the new office building being the tallest at 199.28m. The design of the public space – the Rotunda – seeks to enhance the existing Blackfriars streetscape. A podium at the base of the new buildings will include retail and food outlets, office and residential amenities, cultural and performance facilities, educational spaces, as well as other flexible uses. At ground level, three interconnected spaces – the Rotunda, Hatters Yard and the playground – aim to create a thriving new social space for London. The Rotunda will hold publicly accessible events linked to Hatters Yard, a new pedestrian connection to the Mad Hatter public house. Hatters Yard will feature the opportunity to hold food stalls and display public art. The design aims to minimise embodied carbon and is targeting a 20% to 30% improvement against the GLA benchmark. The development is designed to avoid all on-site emissions, using an all-electric strategy with ground and air source heating and cooling, and therefore its operations are targeting net-zero. The project will also target new standards of health and well-being. Ross Blair, senior managing director and country head of Hines UK, said: “We’ve been working hard with our architects, the local community and other key stakeholders to bring this land, which has been undeveloped for 20 years, back to life. “Occupiers are demanding more from their spaces to attract and retain the best people, the lines have blurred between workspace, wellness and leisure, and our design truly responds to these needs, offering an inspirational mix of spaces that foster collaboration. In many places around the world, Hines has successfully delivered environments which connect with the local community through a rich arts and wellbeing programme for the benefit of generations to come. “The significant investment we are planning underlines our firm belief in London, and its enduring appeal as a global centre for business. We believe that our proposals for 18 Blackfriars Road will add significant value to the already established growth story of the Southbank and Bankside neighbourhoods, and as a long-term owner and operator we are deeply invested in the future success of the site and the benefits it will bring to the Southwark community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bam Nuttall has launched a £37.4 million cliff resilience project on behalf of Network Rail, designed to protect an iconic coastal railway line for future generations. Following BAM’s successful delivery of Dawlish sea wall, the team’s focus will move to cliffs between Dawlish and Holcombe, further increasing the resilience of this vital rail link to the South West. The project will involve the installation of a series of protection measures, including netting designed to retain the cliffs in some high-risk locations, as well as catch fences, which will stop any cliff material before it reaches the railway. The £34.7m government-funded project involves installing coir matting on the cliff face, followed by 19,700 square metres of stainless steel netting, secured by more than 6,000 soil nails drilled to depths of up to 13m into the face of the cliff. In an innovative move to deliver best value, the nails are part stainless and part galvanised steel. The galvanised part of the nails will be deeper in the cliff, so will be protected from corrosion. In the areas that fall within the Dawlish Cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), temporary grey/blue matting will be installed over the cliff face for the safety of workers, which will be removed once the netting is installed. Coir matting won’t be installed in this area, so that as much of the cliff face as possible can still be seen. The work is expected to take until spring 2024. Alan Cox, BAM managing director of regions and transport, said: “BAM is delighted to be continuing to increase the resilience of this vital rail link to the South West. Ever since the original emergency repair work in 2014, we have established strong connections with both local supply chains and local businesses to ensure maximum benefit is derived from the scheme in the local area. “The wide variety of engineering solutions needed to achieve this resilience in a very challenging environment plays to our strengths. Together with Network Rail and the local stakeholders we aim to continue to deliver best value whilst minimising disruption to passengers and public alike. “The people of Dawlish have been incredibly supportive of our work to date, something that makes our work even more rewarding.” Network Rail senior programme manager Ewen Morrison said: “The work is part of the wider South West Rail Resilience Programme, which was set up following the storm of 2014 to help protect the railway between Dawlish and Teignmouth from the effects of extreme weather. It follows on from the construction of the new sea wall at Dawlish and the rockfall shelter just north of Parson’s Tunnel, which is nearing completion. “Most of the work will take place during the day but some activity can only be safely done on Saturday nights when trains aren’t running and we’d like to thank the community for their patience as we continue our work to protect this vital rail artery. “We are conscious of how special the red cliffs are for residents and visitors, and we are working with Natural England on the areas that fall within the Dawlish Cliffs SSSI.” Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “After officially opening the new sea wall in Dawlish earlier this month, I’m delighted the next phase of this vital project is now ready to begin. “Backed by Government funding, the resilience programme is protecting this crucial route from extreme weather resulting in more reliable train journeys for passengers while boosting connectivity and growing the economy across the South West.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK has been announced as lead contractor to deliver and enhance the student accommodation facilities across two campuses of the University of Chichester. The University’s primary objective is to create new accommodation and refurbish the existing accommodation to meet demand but also provide an affordable, high-quality student and living experience. Uliving, the student accommodation brand of Linkcity UK, working in consortium with Equitix, propose to deliver a total of 1,032 units across the two campuses in Bognor Regis and Chichester. This will include: a stock transfer of, and extensive refurbishment to, the existing 507 beds across the two campuses; delivery of the enhanced consented 176-bed new build scheme at Bognor Regis and delivery of 349 new beds at the Bishop Otter campus in Chichester. The consortium is already multi-award winners in student accommodation projects, over several years and their experience means they are well placed to provide the services required for meeting the university’s exacting standards. The project would add to their already large portfolio of student accommodation across England. Professor Jane Longmore, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Chichester, said: “We are delighted to be working with Uliving and Equitix. Both companies listened and responded carefully to our brief to deliver high-quality student accommodation for both our campuses. This will include an extensive building programme, as well as refurbishment of many of our existing bedrooms. The building designs, sustainability plans and attention to social spaces impressed both University and Student Union colleagues alike. Within the Chichester region this new accommodation will help us meet increased demand as our student numbers grow and provide an affordable student living experience, as they move away from home for their new lives at university.” Oliver Campbell, CEO of Uliving, said: “We are thrilled to have reached this stage and are looking forward to progressing our plans with Equitix to deliver high quality, affordable living spaces which meets the needs of the University of Chichester and its students. We will work collaboratively with our sister companies Bouygues UK and Bouygues Energies & Services to deliver sustainable buildings that provide the highest level of facilities management services.” Hugh Crossley, Chief Executive for Equitix, added: “We are delighted to be named as Preferred Bidder on this exciting project with one of the UK’s fastest growing institutions. As the UK’s leading investor and developer in social infrastructure, Equitix are well placed to successfully deliver an enhanced student living experience with our valued partners.” The consortium propose to refurbish, develop and enhance the twin sites to be delivered in stages with Practical Completion by September 2027. The delivery of this project will tie in with University of Chichester’s long term sustainable investment strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VolkerFitzpatrick has been awarded a £19 million contract by Guildford Borough Council to design and build a much-needed highway crossing over a rail line in Surrey. The Ash Road Bridge project will allow the closure of a level crossing on the A323 Guildford Road that has been assessed by Network Rail as posing a safety risk. Construction of the new bridge and retiring of the level crossing is in preparation for ‘enhanced rail use on the North Downs line’. The new bridge will also reduce congestion in the area and unlock housing development outlined in the local plan. The scheme has therefore been able to benefit from a substantial Housing Infrastructure Fund grant secured from the government. Currently, the Ash Level Crossing is closed for up to 25 minutes out of every hour, leading to significant traffic delays which are likely to get worse once more frequent services are introduced along the train line. Other stated benefits to the bridge include safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. As well as the construction of a new bridge, VolkerFitzpatrick will be delivering new approach roads, new junctions and altering existing roads to connect to the bridge. The installation of street lighting, landscaping, fencing, drainage and ponds will also be included in the project. Deon Scholtz, Divisional Director – Infrastructure, VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Guildford Borough Council to deliver the Ash Road Bridge project. Our regional approach will allow us to deliver our in-house bridge and highways expertise in a way which most benefits the communities in which we work.” Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor for Regeneration, Cllr Tom Hunt, added: “I am pleased to say that work on the Ash Road Bridge project started on site in late July and will take approximately 75 weeks. “The Ash Road Bridge project will support new housing in the area and improve safety for road and rail users. It will also significantly reduce traffic congestion on the A323, help to improve air quality and rat-running.” VolkerFitzpatrick will provide employment opportunities over the course of the project. As well as working with supply chain contractors from the surrounding area, they will engage with local educational establishments and provide a number of apprenticeship placements. Site preparation and pre-construction began at the end of July and is due for completion in early 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Urban Group has been awarded the £7.85 million contract for Callington Road Hospital improvement works. The 18-month project in Bristol will see Urban Group deliver improvements to four buildings on the site of the hospital. Interior works will include reconfiguration of the space, the installation of new bedrooms, wards, a kitchen and multi-purpose rooms for meetings, consulting and supervision, as well as a therapy suite, workshops and a de-escalation centre. To help meet sustainability targets and contribute significantly to the care and recovery environment, energy efficient LED lighting will be installed, with appropriate dimming and automatic switching. Building temperature control and heat emitters will be enhanced and the design incorporates the most recent standards in insulation, lighting, low-carbon heating. The Bristol Hospital is for people experiencing serious mental health conditions. Working on behalf of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, the project forms part of the successful Healthier Together bid to NHS England for the consolidation of inpatient services. Jimmy Crowe, Commercial Director, said: “The reconfiguration and improvements to Callington Road hospital will bring together inpatient facilities, creating a centre of excellence offering a wide range of specialist therapies in a supportive environment. “This co-location of services will enable the Trust to share specialist skills and resources on the one site, as well as achieving economies of scale. “Working within a live environment is always a challenge and one which we have a lot of experience in successfully delivering. We will work closely with the client’s team to manage the sequencing and project timetable to fit in with the ongoing clinical needs of this operational site.” Charlotte Scully, from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, said: “Urban Group has extensive experience and a dedicated hands-on approach. We look forward to working with them to achieve our vision of integrated health and social care and sustainable provision of mental health inpatient services across the Bristol area. “Supporting our community based services, the investment into Callington Road hospital will provide enhanced in-patient support bringing together a range of skills, specialisms and therapies.” Callington Road Hospital opened in 2006, providing psychiatric inpatient and community services for Bristol and the surrounding region. The landscaped grounds include paths, water features and gardens. The re-design has been led by AHR Architects, which has experience in Mental Health design. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The University of Nottingham has appointed Henry Brothers Construction for the redevelopment of Castle Meadow Campus (CMC). The construction firm has been awarded a £7 million contract to remodel and refurbish two of seven buildings on the 3.75 hectare site – preparing them for future occupation. The university plans to create an enterprise campus on the site which is located on Castle Meadow Road at the foot of Nottingham Castle and was formerly occupied by HMRC. The development has now entered its latest phase, with contractors being appointed to convert the site’s buildings and landscape to kickstart the creation of a new city centre campus for the university. Managing director of Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Construction Ian Taylor said: “This is a hugely exciting project for the University of Nottingham and for the city, and we are proud to be playing a part in it. “Henry Brothers has extensive experience of working with universities across the Midlands to improve their facilities. This is our first contract with the University of Nottingham, and we are really looking forward to getting on site in our home city to deliver some of the building work at Castle Meadow Campus.” Henry Brothers Construction has been appointed to strip out and refurbish buildings D and F on the site. On completion of the work in building D later this year, the facility will be used for long-term leases for the university’s industry partners, including leading global accountancy firm KPMG. The plan is for building F to also house industry partners – but predominantly innovative spin outs, start-ups, and scale ups on flexible licenses. It will include spaces for collaborative working, hot-desking, meeting rooms, and meeting pods. The refurbishment is due to be completed in early 2024. Other members of the team working alongside Henry Brothers on the design and build contract are project manager Aecom, quantity surveyor Gardiner & Theobald, concept architect Hopkins, engineer Arup, architect Bond Bryan, and landscape architect Ares Design. Henry Brothers Construction is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit out. In partnership with its valued clients, it has a proven track record in education, defence, commercial, industrial, transport and healthcare sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first phase of the Barbican Renewal Programme is set to get underway with £25 million in funding announced by the City of London Corporation. The funding was approved by the City Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee to develop elements of a long-term masterplan, undertake further consultation, and deliver early systems and infrastructure work to boost the arts centre’s operational and environmental performance over the next two years. The Renewal Programme will transform underused spaces within the centre for new creative use, whilst also investing in its existing venues and public spaces, and improving the welcome, wayfinding and technical capabilities at the site. It comes after the City Corporation launched its Destination City programme to build a seven-day-a-week leisure destination for UK and international visitors, workers, and residents. Recognised globally as an icon of Brutalist style, the Barbican Centre is one of the UK’s greatest post-war buildings, attracting almost two million visitors annually. It showcases the most exciting performers and artists in music, theatre, dance, the visual arts, and cinema, as well as supporting emerging talent, shaping opportunities that will accelerate the next generation of creatives. The City Corporation is the Barbican Centre’s founder and principal funder. The overarching vision for the Barbican Renewal Programme is to care for and invest in the Barbican Centre building, celebrating its radical vision, and design heritage, while responding to the creative opportunities and challenges of the future. Major improvements will be made to the building’s environmental performance under the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, which commits it to achieving net zero carbon status in its own operations by 2027. The project will sensitively preserve the complex, respecting its Grade II listed status, and the original architectural vision of the arts centre, which is now more than 40 years old. Since the appointment of an award-winning design team in 2022 – led by Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio and Buro Happold – the Barbican Renewal Programme team has been consulting widely to understand what audiences, artists, local communities, and the wider public want from the scheme. City Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said: “A world-renowned arts and learning organisation, the Barbican Centre showcases the most exciting performers and artists from around the world. “It is a cultural cornerstone of our Destination City programme, enhancing our already unrivalled arts and culture offer, and elevating our attractiveness as a global visitor destination.” Chair of the City Corporation’s Barbican Centre Board Tom Sleigh said: “The Barbican is creatively buzzing and enthralling audiences as it contributes to the cultural and economic life of the City, the capital and beyond. “This initial investment, as part of the larger Renewal project, will start to reshape the arts centre to enable it to continue to deliver unforgettable experiences to millions. “The Board recognises the need to care for this world-famous listed asset, and sympathetically intervene in the built environment, making it more open, inclusive and sustainable.” Claire Spencer, Chief Executive Officer at the Barbican Centre said: “We are delighted with this vote of confidence in the Barbican Renewal Programme from the City Corporation. Our role is to spark creative possibilities and transformation for artists, audiences, and communities – to inspire, connect and provoke debate. Fundamental to this is the renewal of our brilliant Barbican building. “We now have a great opportunity to conserve the extraordinary architectural heritage of the Barbican, while reconsidering what an arts centre can and should be in the twenty-first century, and making sure we are open and welcoming to all. I am looking forward to continuing to work with our accomplished design team, current and future users of our building, and the community to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.” The Barbican Renewal Programme will ensure that the Barbican Centre maintains its status as London’s creative catalyst for arts, curiosity and enterprise – an internationally significant cultural and events venue rooted in its community. Following the £25 million funding from the City Corporation the Barbican Centre will be seeking a range of additional funding sources for subsequent phases of the programme. The City Corporation is the fourth largest funder of heritage and cultural activities in the UK and invests over £130m every year. The organisation manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, London Metropolitan Archives, and Keats House. It also supports the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
