The Housing & Finance Institute (HFI), in conjunction with Local Partnerships, has launched a major new programme to help councils build more new homes. The scheme will be called ‘Housing Business Together’ and will sit within HFI’s flagship Housing Business Ready programme, both of which are designed to help accelerate
Property, construction, residential and services group Kier has announced “significant revenue growth to £1.7 billion, up 34 per cent,” according to the firm’s full-year results. The company said that the results for the year ending June 30 this year were underpinned by “a raft of strong facilities management contract wins,
Morgan Sindall has been contracted by Heathrow Airport to carry out £7.3 million of refurbishment and improvement work to its stands, runways and infrastructure. Pre-contract enabling works have been carried out to make sure that there is no damage to underground services and the project team has already finished the
The Science and Technology Committee says that the government is “not being clear” on the benefits of smart meters. The Committee said that there are “too many objectives” for the rollout, which could hinder its implementation. The report stated that the government should be clearer about the main purpose of
A planning application has been put forward to Birmingham City Council for a third building at the Arena Central development. The joint venture led by Miller Developments, Arena Central Developments Ltd (ACDL), has submitted plans for the 14 storey office block, 3 Arena Central, at the heart of the 9.2
UK boiler manufacturing firm Baxi has championed the importance of Gas Safety Week as recently released figures revealed a 10% increase in suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings. The Gas Safe Register co-ordinated Gas Safety Week, which is hosts every year to increase awareness of poorly maintained gas appliances, and the
Independent supplier Extra Energy has become the twelfth supplier to be obligated under the government’s Energy Company Obligation (Eco) scheme. In its recent annual audit of suppliers, Ofgem found that the supplier had grown sufficiently to meet the threshold to be obligated under the scheme – which
ISG has been contracted to build a new £10m Asda supermarket in Clacton-on-Sea using Level 2 Building Information Modelling (BIM). ISG was appointed to Asda’s BIM steering group in 2014 and, following trial BIM projects at new stores in Barry and Leeds, Asda has now awarded its first full Level
The new Everyman Theatre in Liverpool by Haworth Tompkins has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 for the best building of the year. Now in its 19th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize. The presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize trophy to Haworth
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (21 July) announced the shortlist for the four categories of the President’s Awards for Research 2015. The Awards champion high-quality research, raise the profile of architects and academics engaged in research and highlight the need for research across the profession to
The Housing & Finance Institute (HFI), in conjunction with Local Partnerships, has launched a major new programme to help councils build more new homes. The scheme will be called ‘Housing Business Together’ and will sit within HFI’s flagship Housing Business Ready programme, both of which are designed to help accelerate house building in the UK. The national Housing Business Together scheme will be delivered to councils throughout the country to help them with their housing strategies. Senior council officers and council leadership will work with the HFI team to carry out an intensive strategy assessment, using shared techniques and tools to improve delivery. Already, the Housing & Finance Institute has worked with more than 30 councils on the HBR scheme to help them better monitor, assess and build the homes needed to develop and sustain their communities. Natalie Elphicke OBE, Chief Executive of the HFi, commented: “The HFI is delighted to be working with Local Partnerships to jointly deliver the Housing Business Together programme. “The programme aims to give councils support and strategic clarity in their growth and housing agendas. By helping local government devise a more effective housing strategy that collaborates closely with the private sector, we will continue to deliver the homes that we need across the country.” Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Local Partnerships, Sean Hanson, said that the UK is facing significant challenges in the delivery of housing that is needed for the future. Hanson continued that the majority of the councils they currently support are becoming more actively involved in housing delivery, with many considering implementing housing delivery vehicles of one form or another. He added: “Local Partnerships and HFI are currently developing a support package that will take local authorities through the process as well as including guidance and common templates. The ‘Housing Business Together’ programme is a logical extension of the Housing Business Ready scheme and Local Partnerships is delighted to support HFI with this programme.”
Property, construction, residential and services group Kier has announced “significant revenue growth to £1.7 billion, up 34 per cent,” according to the firm’s full-year results. The company said that the results for the year ending June 30 this year were underpinned by “a raft of strong facilities management contract wins, worth a total of around £100 million.” The results also showed that underlying profit from operations of £150 million increased by 44%, including a full year’s contribution from Mouchel, an increased share of post-tax results of joint ventures in the property division and margin recovery supported by cost efficiencies. Underlying earnings per share were up 11 per cent at 106.7p, it added. Kier FM and business services operations have been brought together under one division, Kier Workplace Services, which launched on July 1 this year and provides end to end workplace solutions for private and public sector clients, encompassing FM, property and asset management and business processing. Steve Davies, managing director, Kier Workplace Service, said: “The provision of a broader FM offer provides enhanced opportunities with local authority clients, while the combined expertise and experience of our FM and business services teams means we can provide public and private sector clients with an end-to-end solution for their business processes, leaving them free to concentrate on their core business.” Kier has also announced two further contract victories with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Imperial War Museums, worth a total of £13.2 million over the terms of the respective three and five year deals. The group welcomed the government’s final go-ahead for the £18bn Hinkley project. It said that the decision marks “a major step in the UK’s nuclear renaissance” — Whitehall has said it wants to build enough new nuclear reactors to meet about a third of the UK’s energy needs by 2030.
Morgan Sindall has been contracted by Heathrow Airport to carry out £7.3 million of refurbishment and improvement work to its stands, runways and infrastructure. Pre-contract enabling works have been carried out to make sure that there is no damage to underground services and the project team has already finished the first phase of the scheme, which involved resurfacing the T5 end of the southern runway. The runway was resurfaced with a new polymer modified bitumen (PMB) asphalt, designed to use specifically in airports because of its high levels of strength and crack resistance. The next stage of the project will involve working directly in front of the British Airways Engineering line maintenance base to replace underground stone water-drainage pipes. The site team will work through the night and has constructed a purpose-built route to allow aircraft to reach the base, therefore minimising disruption to one of the busiest areas of the airport. Morgan Sindall is one of four contractors on the Q6 framework, appointed to deliver a £1.5 billion upgrade and improvement framework at Heathrow Airport by 2019. Keith Cannin, managing director of aviation at Morgan Sindall, said: “We have a long standing relationship with Heathrow Airport and a track record of successfully delivering this kind of work. Our site team understand the pressures and considerations involved working in a live airside environment and always take the necessary measures to mitigate interruptions at the airport.” The work is due to be finished by the end of next year and comes after the refurbishment and resurfacing of the airport’s Sierra Taxiway as part of a £16 million contract completed last year. Last month, Heathrow has suffered its worst August for four years, with traffic growth practically coming to a standstill at Britain’s biggest airport last month. The west London hub handled 7,338,852 travellers during the peak summer month, which although a fresh record was just 5,752 more than August last year, a rise of less than 0.1pc.
The Science and Technology Committee says that the government is “not being clear” on the benefits of smart meters. The Committee said that there are “too many objectives” for the rollout, which could hinder its implementation. The report stated that the government should be clearer about the main purpose of smart metering and use this to drive evaluation of the project. It added: “Smart meters need to be clearly understood by the consumer and provide information in a format that the customer finds helpful. In order for consumers to benefit directly from smart metering there will need to be appropriate investment in customer engagement, given that this is being introduced in an era of low public trust in utility providers.” The government has listed 11 different objectives for the scheme, including saving money for customers’ energy bills, despite the amount of money saved by individual consumers set to be small. The report says that the major benefits will be in paving the way for a smarter energy system where to enhance energy security and reduce pollution. However, the report supports the use of in-home displays are part of the rollout as they provide a “necessary feedback mechanism” on energy consumption, despite some stakeholders criticising this. They also discussed smart meter security and members met with the government’s security experts from GCHQ which have the Committee “confidence that security is being taken seriously.” Tania Mathias, Interim Chair of the Committee, commented: “It would be easy to dismiss the smart meter project as an inefficient way of saving a small amount of money on energy bills, but the evidence suggests there are major national benefits, including establishing a smarter, more energy secure grid. “The smart meter mass rollout has been delayed, but the government and suppliers must not skimp on engaging with customers in the rush to fit 50 million more meters by 2020. The evidence shows that homeowners and businesses need to receive tailored advice about how they can benefit from smart metering.”
A planning application has been put forward to Birmingham City Council for a third building at the Arena Central development. The joint venture led by Miller Developments, Arena Central Developments Ltd (ACDL), has submitted plans for the 14 storey office block, 3 Arena Central, at the heart of the 9.2 acre development site. Architect Make Architects has designed 3 Arena Central with the outside of the building clad in a geometric pattern of hexagonal metallic panels. The Arena Central development is next to Centenary Square and the Library of Birmingham and fronting Broad Street. In all, there is outline consent for over a million sq ft of commercial space, which includes the 135,000 sq ft 1 Arena Central and 210,000 sq ft 2 Arena Central, which will be HSBC’s banking division’s new headquarters on completion in 2017. ACDL said that “with the right occupier interest” 3 Arena Central could be delivered by the first quarter of 2019. Make Architects founder partner Ken Shuttleworth said: “As a Birmingham native, I’m delighted that Make is able to contribute in such a big way to the emerging Arena Central masterplan. 3 Arena Central, Make’s third office building in the masterplan which we also designed, is at the forefront of placemaking and will be a new destination at the heart of Arena Central.” Jonathan Wallis from Arena Central said: “Our decision to submit these plans for 3 Arena Central demonstrates the confidence that we feel in the occupier market post-Brexit. “By looking to secure planning consent now, we are minimising the lead-in time to the delivery of the building which, with the right occupier interest, could be delivered by the first quarter of 2019. “The property sector in the West Midlands is fast-moving, with a sustained focus on the city as a prime business destination and we want to be in a position to offer the best possible commercial opportunities to ensure that the city and wider region remains a viable and attractive proposition, contributing to a truly first-class city centre commercial development.”
UK boiler manufacturing firm Baxi has championed the importance of Gas Safety Week as recently released figures revealed a 10% increase in suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings. The Gas Safe Register co-ordinated Gas Safety Week, which is hosts every year to increase awareness of poorly maintained gas appliances, and the seriousness of the associated consequences. Gas safety is more relevant that ever this year, with the research showing a 10% rise in suspected CO poisoning cases over the last two years. Head of product management at Baxi, Jon Phillips, commented: “Every day, four people will go to hospital with CO poisoning, which is a deeply worrying statistic. Gas Safety Week is an opportunity to consider how we can reduce gas related incidents through taking every available precaution when it comes to installing and maintaining gas appliances. “For gas installers, CO is an all too familiar risk. As industry experts out on the front line they are ideally placed to help hammer the message home and raise awareness of safety standards across the board. Gas safety is about educating both the industry and the general public, and the awareness raised by Gas Safety Week is vital to that.” There are several simple ways that installers can help to pass gas safety advice onto others, where it be a new installation, general call out or an annual service, every job is an opportunity to educate customers on the dangers of CO and the steps they can take to stay safe. For properties with fuel burning appliances installed, such as a gas boiler or wood burning fire, it is best practice to make sure that every floor is fitted with at least one CO alarm, and the boiler should be regularly serviced by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. Along with protecting against the risk of CO poisoning, carbon monoxide alarms can provide an early warning sign of failing gas appliances, which makes them a key tool in improving gas safety.
Independent supplier Extra Energy has become the twelfth supplier to be obligated under the government’s Energy Company Obligation (Eco) scheme. In its recent annual audit of suppliers, Ofgem found that the supplier had grown sufficiently to meet the threshold to be obligated under the scheme – which requires larger suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures such as loft insulation and new boilers to domestic customers. Currently in the second stage (Eco2), the scheme is expected to close in March 2017, and will be followed by a transitional year before the new obligation is announced. The additional supplier will mean the remaining Eco2 obligation will be proportionately split between the obligated suppliers. In an update, Ofgem said there was some variation in suppliers’ progress towards meeting their obligations. Taken together, suppliers still need to deliver 6.05 Metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) of carbon savings and £1.60 billion of cost savings before the end of the scheme in 2017 (based on measures notified to the end of March 2016). Earlier this year, Lord Bourne under-secretary of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) said that energy efficiency measures in the wake of the Green Deal and Eco would be “centric to fuel poverty”. However, he said detailed plans would not be set out until 2018, with a focus on “how we recast Eco”. Shadow energy minister Alan Whitehead warned last month that early signs suggest the replacement scheme for Eco and the Green Deal “won’t be good enough”. He told Utility Week “it doesn’t look like it’s going to be anything like even the level of Eco”. Source link
ISG has been contracted to build a new £10m Asda supermarket in Clacton-on-Sea using Level 2 Building Information Modelling (BIM). ISG was appointed to Asda’s BIM steering group in 2014 and, following trial BIM projects at new stores in Barry and Leeds, Asda has now awarded its first full Level 2 project to ISG. The 35,000 sq ft steel-frame store is being constructed on the site of a former multi-occupancy retail development in Clacton. The site also includes an automated petrol filling station and a large car park with four electric vehicle charge points. The build programme has been fully designed in BIM with all consultants working in collaboration software system Autodesk Revit, resulting in the production of seven fully annotated 3D models. ISG is acting as Asda’s information manager, collating all digital information and coordinating clash detection with the project consultants. ISG said that full Level 2 BIM implementation was expected to generate significant efficiencies during the pre-construction and delivery stages. Modelling will enable design co-ordination and clash detection, while materials can be quantified in real time as models develop, aiding cost management. The addition of time scales (so-called 4D programming) will connect the 3D models to the build programme to show week-by-week progress. ISG’s in-house tablet-based snagging system logs and assigns work instantly to help manage quality. The BIM process enables ISG to co-ordinate all asset information to enable a digitised handover that will integrate with Asda’s facilities management systems. “The Clacton-on-Sea project represents the culmination of a journey by Asda into advanced collaborative working practices, where ISG has played a key role as a trusted project partner and influencer,” said Rob Martin, ISG’s Western regional managing director. “In a sector where operational costs and asset management are critical, BIM not only creates efficiency benefits during the build phase but also throughout the service life of the store and we are thrilled to be working with Asda on such a milestone project.” Further Images This article was published on 17 Jun 2016 (last updated on 17 Jun 2016). Source link
The new Everyman Theatre in Liverpool by Haworth Tompkins has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 for the best building of the year. Now in its 19th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize. The presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize trophy to Haworth Tompkins took place at a special ceremony this evening (Thursday 16 October) at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. The old Everyman Theatre in Liverpool opened in 1964 in the shell of a nineteenth century chapel on one of Liverpool’s main streets. Although a much-loved institution, the building itself was in a state of disrepair. The decision to pull the theatre down and replace it with a new one has been a nine-year project for the architects Haworth Tompkins. They have expertly met a difficult challenge: that of creating an entirely new and sustainable building, whilst retaining and revitalising the best-loved features of its predecessor. The architects were tasked with ensuring that the soul of the old Everyman, one of informality and community ownership – the ‘theatre of the people’- was carried into the new building. The result is a new building with a striking exterior and elegant interior, all with exceptional attention to detail and sustainability credentials. Speaking tonight, RIBA President Stephen Hodder said: ‘The success of this exceptional new building lies in the architect’s close involvement with the local community throughout the project. Haworth Tompkins have struck the perfect balance between continuity and change to win the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool with the vibrant new Everyman. Complementing beautifully with the surrounding listed buildings, it is a ground-breaking example of how to build a daring bold and highly sustainable large public building in a historic city centre. The building exceeds expectations and I am delighted to present Haworth Tompkins with the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize.’ Speaking tonight, Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins said: ‘Winning the RIBA Stirling Prize is an enormous honour for our project team and our clients, the reward for an intensive collaboration over almost a decade, during which we have grown to love the Everyman and the great city that it serves. It is also an important endorsement of our studio’s ethos and an encouragement to carry on working the way we do, despite the pressures all of us are under to speed up and dumb down. We couldn’t be more delighted.’ Everyman & Playhouse Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz and Executive Director Deborah Aydon said: ‘We’re thrilled to have won this most prestigious of awards. The Everyman was built with humanity at its heart, an intent embodied by the 105 people of Liverpool on its façade. Since we reopened the warmth of feeling from the public to their much-loved Everyman – given a daring and brilliant rebirth from Haworth Tompkins – has been almost overwhelming. Haworth Tompkins have delivered us a building that is sustainable, technically first rate and with unparalleled levels of accessibility for a theatre. On a small site with many competing needs and technical necessities they overcame every challenge with zeal and imagination to create something which is a beautiful as it is functional. But most of all they have transformed a building that lacked so much into a building that embodies what the Everyman’s ethos has always been: world-class theatre in our auditorium, nurturing new writing, great food in convivial spaces, and somewhere for young people to dream of a future where nothing is impossible. Ten years ago when we embarked on this journey with Haworth Tompkins we could never have imagined it would end in winning the RIBA Stirling Prize: they have designed a building that supplies joy beyond expectation to every visitor and those of us lucky enough to work there.’ The judges citation for the RIBA Stirling Prize winner: ‘The new Everyman in Liverpool is truly for every man, woman and child. It cleverly resolves so many of the issues architects face every day. Its context – the handsome street that links the two cathedrals – is brilliantly complemented by the building’s scale, transparency, materials and quirky sense of humour, notably where the solar shading is transformed into a parade of Liverpudlians. The ambience of the theatre is hugely welcoming with three elegant and accessible public foyers for bars, lounges and café/bistro. Clever use of materials with interlocking spaces and brilliant lighting make this an instantly enjoyable new public space for the city. It is exceptionally sustainable; not only did the construction re-use 90% of the material from the old theatre, but all spaces are naturally ventilated including the auditorium with its 440 seats. Clever, out of sight concrete labyrinths supply and expel air whilst maintaining total acoustic isolation. It is one of the first naturally ventilated auditoria in the UK. The generosity of its public spaces, which, on a tight site, are unexpected and delightful, are used throughout the day and night. As Haworth Tompkins’ first completely new theatre, it is a culmination of their many explorations into the theatre of the 21st century. It is ground-breaking as a truly public building, which was at the heart of the client’s philosophy and ethos. In summary, an extraordinary contribution to both theatre and the city, achieved through clever team working – client, architect, consultants and contractor – where the new truly celebrates the past.’ This is the first time Haworth Tompkins has won the RIBA Stirling Prize. They were previously shortlisted in 2007 for London’s Young Vic theatre. The Everyman is their first new-build theatre, amongst a portfolio of over a dozen theatres from the Royal Court in 2000 to the recent temporary ‘Shed’ outside the National Theatre. Their other projects include a secondary school in Birmingham and Coin Street Community Centre in London. The practice is currently working on a regeneration project in Canning Town and a housing development in Stratford, East London. The Everyman Theatre was chosen by the judges today from the following outstanding shortlisted entries: Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (21 July) announced the shortlist for the four categories of the President’s Awards for Research 2015. The Awards champion high-quality research, raise the profile of architects and academics engaged in research and highlight the need for research across the profession to foster innovation and strategic thinking. This year, for the first time, the winning entry across the four award category winners will be presented with a new Research Medal. The new design of the Research Medal will be determined by a two-stage competition launched last week (see www.architecture.com/ResearchMedalComp for more information). The shortlists for the President’s Awards for Research 2015 are as follows: RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding Master’s Degree Thesis • Fernando Munoz Gómez, Oxford Brookes UniversityMeasuring the environmental impact of temporary exhibitions: A methodology to encourage sustainable practice • Clelia Simpson, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London,Framing the Present: Walker Evans’ Photographs of Victorian Architecture (Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1933) • Christopher Purpura, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College LondonHolding Hands, Touching Alterity: Dance as Spatial Practice at Monte Verità, 1914 RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis • Schroeder Torsten, LSE Sociology Department, Cities ProgrammeTranslating the concept of sustainability into architectural design practices: London’s City Hall as an Exemplar • Claire Harper, University of WestminsterCompaction, Scale and Proximity: An investigation into the spatial implications of density for the design of new urban housing • Isis Paola Nunez Ferrera, University of WestminsterTerritories of Scarcity and Creativity: A Critical view on Informal Settlements and Emerging Tactics under Conditions of Scarcity in Nairobi, Kenya and Quito Ecuador • David Kroll, Institute of Historical Research, University of London. Supervised in collaboration with the Survey of London (English Heritage/University College of London)The Other Architects Who Made London: Planning and Design of Speculative Housing c. 1870-1939 RIBA President’s Awards for Outstanding University-located Research • Iain Jackson and Jessica Holland, Liverpool School of Architecture The Architecture of Edwin Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew: Twentieth Century Architecture, Pioneer Modernism and the Tropics • Andre Viljoen and Katrin Bohn, School of Art, Design and Media, University of BrightonSecond Nature Urban Agriculture: Designing Productive Cities • Andrew Price, School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough UniversityHealth Building Note 08-02: Dementia-friendly Health and Social Care Environments • Parlour: Women, Equity, Architecture, University of Melbourne/University of QueenslandParlour Guides to Equitable Practice RIBA President’s Awards for Outstanding Practice-located Research • Robert Adam, ADAM UrbanismTomorrow’s Home: Emerging social trends and their impact on the built environment • Walter Menteth, Walter Menteth ArchitectsPathways to Construction Procurement Reform leading to adoption and embedding of EU Directive 2004/24/EU • Anna Liu and Mike Tonkin, Tonkin Liu Shell Lace Structure Chair of the Judging Panel, Ruth Morrow, of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Once again the quality of submissions to all categories of the President’s Awards for Research has been consistently high, original and engaging. This is particularly gratifying as the Awards celebrate their 10th anniversary: an occasion to be marked by the first award of the new Research Medal. The shortlisting process was lively and rigorous, and the panel looks forward to a summer of careful reading before discussions resume in September”. The winners will be announced in October and awards given at the glittering RIBA Presidents Medals ceremony in December at 66 Portland Place, W1. This will feature the award of the President’s Medal for Research. – Ends – Notes to editors 1. For more information or interview requests, members of the press should contact: Gagandeep Bedi, Press Officer, RIBA: gagandeep.bedi@riba.org 020 7307 38142. Academia queries about the awards should be sent to email research@riba.org 3. The RIBA President’s Awards for Research were established in order to reward and encourage outstanding research in architecture carried out by students, academics and practitioners4. The awards are given in four categories: Master’s, PhD, university and practice-located research. The new Research Medal will be given to the strongest of the four award winners, decided by the judging panel.5. Submissions were anonymised for the shortlisting process. 6. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Visit www.architecture.com and follow us at www.twitter.com/RIBA 7. The judging panel for the Awards are appointed by the Research and Innovation Group, on behalf of the President. RIBA staff provide administrative support to the panel, but do not take part in the judging itself. Peter Gibbs-Kennet acts as independent observer at judging meetings, in particular to ensure conflict of interest procedures are adhered to. Posted on Tuesday 21st July 2015 Source link