Brett Martin’s Cascade cast iron effect rainwater system was used at a London primary school that needed a cost effective, but high performance with great aesthetics solution. The cast iron system was up for the challenge, offering exceptional styling, without compromising on drainage performance. Fryent Primary School in Kingsbury is
Elta Group, industry leaders in sustainable air movement, has announced a new partnership with air monitoring pioneer Airthings. The collaboration will allow building owners, tenants, and facility managers to better monitor and report on the indoor air quality within the building they occupy. As reported by a recent study from
Keyfix has just launched an interview video with the brand ambassador of Lee Marley Brickwork, to discuss the company’s commitment to providing apprenticeships for future generations of construction employees. Christian Hatherall-Good, Training Manager at Lee Marley Brickwork, highlights in the video how Keyfix is supporting the next generation of bricklayers.
Vital Energi, the UK’s leading innovator in efficient energy solutions, has been awarded the Energy Centre contract for phase 3 of Berkeley Homes North East London’s Woodberry Down development. Located next to Finsbury Park, the £3.1 million contract requires Vital Energi to design and build the Centre. Because the Energy
In an attempt to revolutionise the theme park industry, Experts Back Stage Technologies Europe (BST) will be launching at London’s ExCeL event its range of innovative and environmentally friendly special effects. With over 500 exhibitors attending IAAPA’s Expo Europe this September, BST will be showcasing its spectacular and sustainable flame,
Gloucester City Council has announced its plans to transform the area around Eastgate Shopping Centre into Greyfriars Quarter, a vibrant and new green area of the city. For this ambitious scheme, the council has placed a bid for £12.5 million of Levelling Up Funding. “This additional opportunity is a clear
Work has commenced at a new all-through school in Abergavenny, with Morgan Sindall Construction being appointed as contractor for the project. Councillors were faced with the plans earlier this year when the existing comprehensive school’s building was considered for replacement. The project is part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities
The Council in Newcastle has approved the plans to rejuvenate the local high streets and bring back pride in the area. The two-year programme, developed with funding from the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s £6 million Town and High Street Innovation Programme, will improve the high streets on Chillingham Road,
With plans being approved for the National Railway Museum’s new building called Central Hall, it was announced that contractor GRAHAM will be the one delivering the pre-construction services. The transformation of this major attraction marks the beginning of the wider York Central development scheme. The regeneration of York’s Central Hall
Family-run and award-winning property developer Taggart Homes has announced the delivery of an exclusive housing development in Forest Park, Nottinghamshire. All homes at the 45 home development are now complete and, apart from the ex-view home that is still available to buy, the rest have already been purchased. The new
Brett Martin’s Cascade cast iron effect rainwater system was used at a London primary school that needed a cost effective, but high performance with great aesthetics solution. The cast iron system was up for the challenge, offering exceptional styling, without compromising on drainage performance. Fryent Primary School in Kingsbury is one of the three primary schools that are part of Brent Council’s school expansion programme, which aims to refurbish old buildings and add new-build modular extensions. As part of this school’s refurbishment, Brett Martin provided the architect and contractor with full on-site technical support, as well as recommending a cost-effective rainwater solution which had the look and feel of the existing cast iron system, but offered the long-term benefits of plastic. Following thorough visits, the architect Peter Balham showed his specification, which included a comprehensive range of Cascade cast iron effect rainwater systems in a range of domestic and high capacity systems, all in Classic Black. The installation saw the 112mm Roundstyle gutter and 68mm round downpipe installed at the east end of the main entrance block. For the larger roofs across the other school entrances, rear and inner courtyard, play area and classroom dormer, the 115mm Deepstyle and higher capacity 170mm Deepstyle gutter systems were used to offer increased roof drainage. To deal with rainwater run-off from the flat roofed buildings surrounding the courtyard and astroturf play areas, the 105mm round and 100mm x 75mm rectangular downpipes and undated hoppers were installed. “We had been looking for an authentic and cost-effective cast-iron replacement for the main school building for some time and Cascade was far and away the best choice when compared to other rainwater systems and offered by far, the most comprehensive range to accommodate both the domestic and industrial scaled requirements on this project. It’s a quality, high performance product with period-style detailing that looks perfect and will protect the building against the ingress of water,” commented Peter Balham. Significantly lighter than cast iron rainwater systems, Cascade is much quicker, easier and safer to install at a height and helped to offer the local authority huge savings in terms of on-site installation costs which was a key consideration during the approvals process. Proven on a variety of projects from domestic new-build and refurbishment projects, church and barn conversions, Georgian and Victorian shop frontages, flats and apartments, schools and hotels, the Cascade system has been designed and developed by Brett Martin using over 60 years’ experience at the forefront of plastics technology and a unique patented manufacturing process to achieve the authentic cast iron finish. With the refurbished building and modular extension now completed, Brett Martin’s Cascade cast iron effect rainwater system has ensured an architecturally-sympathetic appearance was achieved with a reliable, durable and cost-effective drainage system that will continue to perform for many years to come. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Elta Group, industry leaders in sustainable air movement, has announced a new partnership with air monitoring pioneer Airthings. The collaboration will allow building owners, tenants, and facility managers to better monitor and report on the indoor air quality within the building they occupy. As reported by a recent study from the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) , many of the UK’s buildings are not being operated according to current air quality standards. With the help of Airthings’ innovative solutions, operators that identify poor air quality can use the information to develop new strategies that can change the ventilation rate to create an environment that is healthier and safer to be in. “The collaboration of Elta Group and Airthings highlights common goals that exist between our two solutions-focused organisations. We both share an entrepreneurial spirit and have a clear vision of meeting market needs by improving indoor air quality. Our highly trained teams also share a common ambition, of delivering innovative and exceptionally engineered products that enhance life through air. Together our relentless drive to discover new technologies has led to the development of intuitive products that seamlessly integrate within a building,” commented Mark Rickard, CEO at Elta Group. Airthings for Business solution includes three different monitors that allow the user to build a system that best suits the building occupants’ needs. Monitors can measure the level of radon, CO2, relative humidity, PM2.5 and more, and send all data via a central hub to the cloud, after which a detailed and highly informative dashboard is created. Airthings is a brand recognised for its innovation and ingenuity, as highlighted in its many awards including TIME’s Best Inventions 2019, and featured in Forbes, USA Today, The Times, Metro and many more. “I see great synergies between our two organisations through our commitment to innovation and our focus on developing easy-to-use technologies that help create healthier indoor air quality. By collaborating and working together, our combined experience will help provide better outcomes for the customer and the environment also,” added Mark. The partnership feeds into a wider strategy for Elta Group of ‘Enhancing Life Through Air’ to provide an advisory role in the monitoring of air quality and consequent ventilation strategies. Leading by example, the business recently received one of the UK’s first RESET certifications at its head office in the Midlands. By achieving the new accreditation, the ventilation company decreased its peak CO2 levels by 33%. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Keyfix has just launched an interview video with the brand ambassador of Lee Marley Brickwork, to discuss the company’s commitment to providing apprenticeships for future generations of construction employees. Christian Hatherall-Good, Training Manager at Lee Marley Brickwork, highlights in the video how Keyfix is supporting the next generation of bricklayers. “Lee Marley appreciates all of Keyfix’s support and the work that they do with us. Their CPD work really enhances apprentices’ understanding and helps them in their careers going forward,” said Christian. Keyfix acknowledges the importance of investing in the construction industry and is passionate about supporting the next generation of engineers, construction workers and brickayers. After discovering that there is approximately a 70% dropout rate between Level 1 and Level 2 Bricklayers, Keyfix decided to extend its support by sponsoring relevant industry bodies with apprenticeships. The company’s intention is to support the progress of novice bricklayers, with the aim of encouraging them to progress in their careers. The masonry accessory manufacturer and supplier collaborates closely with its apprenticeship partners to identify where it can offer its industry expertise and support. Lee Marley Brickwork has been collaborating with Keyfix for 18 months to deliver Continual Professional Development (CDP) resources for on-site staff and apprentices to help enhance their skills and knowledge of their Non-Combustible Cavity Trays (NCCTs). In light of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, fire safety is a heightened concern for the construction industry, with the increased use of non-combustible products as part of building design. Therefore, education on non-combustible cavity products will be crucial to bricklayers newly entering the profession. Keyfix has provided CPD at the colleges attended by Lee Marley brickwork apprentices to ensure the attainment of essential industry knowledge for apprentices. Keyfix continues to work in conjunction with colleges and universities to offer construction career pathways for students. Keyfix’s sponsorship can take many forms; the company provides funding, merchandise, product samples for product training, product training, tool box talks, as well as online CPD webinars aimed at informing and educating bricklayers about the latest regulations regarding non-combustibility following the Grenfell tragedy. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Vital Energi, the UK’s leading innovator in efficient energy solutions, has been awarded the Energy Centre contract for phase 3 of Berkeley Homes North East London’s Woodberry Down development. Located next to Finsbury Park, the £3.1 million contract requires Vital Energi to design and build the Centre. Because the Energy Centre will be a double height space (9m high) located adjacent to the basement and ground floor levels, plant deliveries will need complex engineering, including a specialist movement company and temporary works design. “We have worked closely with Vital Energi for over fifteen years and have established a fantastic working relationship with them over this time. Sustainability and energy efficiency are key pillars at Woodberry Down, and are at the forefront of everything we do. The introduction of the Energy Centre will play a huge part in our mission to reduce carbon emissions and will also lower energy costs for residents here,” commented David Barry, Operations Director at Berkeley Homes (North East London) Ltd. Vital Energi will install 800kW of air source heat pumps (ASHP) on the roofs of two blocks, which will extract heat from the air and supply heating and hot water to the development. Moreover, primary low-temperature heating system (LTHW) pipework will be installed within the Energy Centre, as well as distribution pipework which will run from the heat pump down to the energy centre, which when complete, will serve all 8 phases of the development. Three 1.5MW condensing boilers will be fitted within the new Energy Centre along with a Building Management System, as well as three 6.5m high 27,000 litre thermal stores. With work due to start at the end of August, Vital Energi is ready to provide all the right solutions for the project. Once complete, the company will also operate and maintain the Energy Centre for 2 years, to ensure all equipment is maintained to a high standard, and carry out planned and reactive services of the Energy Centre. Commenced in 2009, Berkeley is regenerating the neighbourhood in a 30-year project which will deliver over 5,500 mixed-tenure new homes. The development will be built over 8 phases, and will create a bustling community which is also home to 15 acres of landscaped parkland, 42 acres of open water, including a water sports and open water swimming reservoir, and the Woodberry Wetlands –a dedicated nature reserve cared for by the London Wildlife Trust. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
In an attempt to revolutionise the theme park industry, Experts Back Stage Technologies Europe (BST) will be launching at London’s ExCeL event its range of innovative and environmentally friendly special effects. With over 500 exhibitors attending IAAPA’s Expo Europe this September, BST will be showcasing its spectacular and sustainable flame, smoke, fragrance, and fog effects. Just like in any other industry, businesses and their customers are starting to become more aware and conscious of their impact on the environment, which is why BST wanted to take a first step in the theme park industry and deliver effects that have not been heard of before. “Special effects have historically not been very environmentally friendly or at the very least, not from renewable or sustainable sources. Typical examples would be propane flames and explosions, as well as smoke and fog machines which use chemicals such as glycol or greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide to create the effect,” said BST Managing Director John Coller. “We have devised a system that produces smoke and fog but just uses water – Koolfog™. Koolfog is REAL fog, just water and nothing else, so it is environmentally friendly and has no consumables – other than water. Our flame simulation system Fake Flame™ also uses water in the form of steam to create flame and fire effects without the use of fossil fuels such as propane or paraffins. These innovative effects are not only better for the environment, but they are more cost-effective and help theme parks improve their carbon footprint,” he added. From wooden rollercoaster Wicker Man at Alton Towers, to ICON at Blackpool Pleasure Beach to Croc Drop at Chessington World Of Adventures, BST has worked with theme parks across the world to deliver memorable experiences for their guests. Now, with John’s experience of over 35 years in the fireworks and special effects industry, BST can deliver the same experiences, but in an environmentally-friendly way. BST will be delighting the thousands of attendees from across the globe as they descend on London’s ExCeL for IAAPA’s Expo Europe, a major event which is shining the spotlight firmly on the recovering tourism industry in this special Jubilee year for the UK, and putting London at the heart of Europe’s leisure industry in 2022. Returning to London for the first time since 2011, and with a jam-packed programme full of the latest technology from across the globe, IAAPA is set to deliver one of the best Expos yet, with guests able to network with colleagues, explore the latest developments in the industry, discover new products and services and expand their knowledge with the help and support of industry experts. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Gloucester City Council has announced its plans to transform the area around Eastgate Shopping Centre into Greyfriars Quarter, a vibrant and new green area of the city. For this ambitious scheme, the council has placed a bid for £12.5 million of Levelling Up Funding. “This additional opportunity is a clear statement of intent by the government to help restore our city centres into great places to live in and visit. It’s a great opportunity for us in Gloucester to to re-imagine the Eastgate Market, re-roof and re-use Greyfriars creatively and bring both the Greyfriars Bowling Club and Addison’s Folly back to life and public use, for the first time in a generation,” said Gloucester MP Richard Graham. “Our bid will turn this under appreciated corner of Gloucester into something to be proud of, for residents and visitors, with economic, job, health and environmental benefits. It cannot start early enough – and I will be doing all I can to persuade the government of this bid’s merits.” If successful, the grounds around the 13th century Greyfriars monastery would be transformed. Part of the shopping centre, including the market hall, would be refurbished and repurposed, while new spaces for community activities, a park and gardens, and a new market and foodhall, would be constructed. The market hall, which would benefit from a contemporary new design that involves a landscaped courtyard garden, would be relocated to another part of the Eastgate Shopping centre. The current market hall would be revamped to house a multi-purpose performance space for dance, music, fitness, cinema, community and leisure events, and it would be linked to a unique covered outdoor space with an orangery and outdoor dining area within the remains of the beautiful Greyfriars Monastery. Moreover, the plans for the new Greyfriars Quarter include a proposal to create serviced apartments, providing a unique place to stay and the creation of flexible workspaces within the refurbished 18th century house adjacent to the friary. A new urban park, outdoor gym, play area and cycle hub are also part of the exciting scheme supported by MP Richard Graham. “The Greyfriars Quarter would continue the council’s commitment to regenerate Gloucester’s city centre and would complement the multi-million pound regeneration projects already taking place across the city. Greyfriars is designed to bring the community back into the heart of the city while making the most of our beautiful heritage with a thoroughly modern design,” commented Councillor Richard Cook, Leader of Gloucester City Council. The bid follows the council’s previous successful bid to the Government’s Levelling Up fund last year, which saw it successfully winning £20 million. It is in addition to the £1.5 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation to the city, which will be primarily used to support communities and places around the wider city area. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Work has commenced at a new all-through school in Abergavenny, with Morgan Sindall Construction being appointed as contractor for the project. Councillors were faced with the plans earlier this year when the existing comprehensive school’s building was considered for replacement. The project is part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, which aims to improve buildings and education facilities throughout the region. Totalling £61 million, the rebuild work consists of replacing the existing King Henry VIII High School and combining it with the Deri View Primary School to create a single 1,900 place all-through school for three to 19-year-olds. At the heart of the design are the pupils at Abergavenny school, who have been heavily involved in consultation events. The discussions have helped shape plans for the school, which is set to welcome students in 2024. As part of the changes involved in the new development are an additional learning needs base and a flying start early learning centre and wrap around childcare facility. There will also be plenty of sport provisions, with a full-size 3G football pitch, 2G hockey pitch and recreational grass pitches for all field sports as well as a three court multi-use games area. Moreover, the Abergavenny school has been developed with sustainability in mind and it will run on Building and Ground mounted Solar Panels with mains electric back up. The design includes 18 electric vehicle charging points and rainwater harvesting as well as storm water retention storage to minimise impact of surface water downstream. Morgan Sindall Construction is also using modern methods of construction including site metering and AI to detect when heaters and electronics have been left on but are not in use. Phase 1 of the development will focus on the construction of the main school, with phase 2 involving the demolition of the existing building and creation of a hockey pitch. Groundworks are currently taking place to plateau the hill on which the school will be built. Using its extensive experience in delivering educational facilities whilst working on live sites, the tier one contractor will use a separate entrance and maintain a clear line of separation between the existing school to avoid disruption to pupil’s learning. The development was awarded to Morgan Sindall Construction through the £1 billion South East & Mid Wales Collaborative Construction (SEWSCAP) framework. The contractor has already delivered more than 6,000 school places in Wales through SEWSCAP and its commitment to backing local suppliers has seen it route more than 90% of spend through Welsh subcontractors and consultants during this time, totalling more than £150 million. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
The Council in Newcastle has approved the plans to rejuvenate the local high streets and bring back pride in the area. The two-year programme, developed with funding from the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s £6 million Town and High Street Innovation Programme, will improve the high streets on Chillingham Road, Heaton Road, Heaton Park Road, Shields Road and part of Welbeck Road. Key shopping areas in the east end of the city are due to received just under £2 million to boost footfall. The plans include bringing back empty properties into use, providing support for local traders and creating greener and more attractive public spaces to be enjoyed by the people who live, work and visit there, as well as develop a long-term investment plan for the area. “Local high streets are the heart of our communities, and when they thrive, our communities thrive. We’re delighted that we have this investment which will focus on revitalising local neighbourhoods in the east end, improving the lives for people who live and work there,” said Cllr Alex Hay, cabinet member for a resilient city. “What is really exciting about this project, is that it will be shaped by local people for local people, telling us what they want to see in their local high streets, and teams from across the council will be working together to make that possible. Whether it is designing a pocket park, reclaiming use of public space, improving connectivity for people walking or cycling, or creating community hubs for everyone to enjoy by taking over empty buildings.” Called Newcastle East – Inclusive, Healthy, Vibrant High Streets, the programme will kickstart its first phase with a focus on public engagement to find out what people working and living in the area would like to see improved, what businesses and services they would like to see in their local area and how they can get around their area better. Traders and local entrepreneurs will also be asked what they need to grow their business or create new ones. “We’ll also be providing support to local businesses, to help them thrive and grow and create more sustainable greener businesses, which benefits everyone. But this is only the start, this programme will unlock the potential for further investment and create a much-needed long-term future plan for the area.” “We would also like to develop this as a blue-print for other areas in the city, so Newcastle is a city where everyone has the chance to succeed, improve and access quality employment and training regardless of where in Newcastle they live,” concluded the Cllr. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
With plans being approved for the National Railway Museum’s new building called Central Hall, it was announced that contractor GRAHAM will be the one delivering the pre-construction services. The transformation of this major attraction marks the beginning of the wider York Central development scheme. The regeneration of York’s Central Hall will allow the museum to reach its full potential as the cultural heart of York Central, while uniting the museum for the first time. Located between the museum’s Great Hall and its Station Hall, Central Hall will become a new welcome space and gallery that will connect the existing museum buildings. “We are very pleased the planning committee has approved the Central Hall plans which will have transformative benefits for York and the wider region. This approval will allow the museum to realise its potential as the ‘world’s railway museum’ by improving our offer, welcoming more visitors, and helping us to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers,” said Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum. Central Hall means more to the city than the transformation of a landmark; it is a cornerstone of Vision 2025, the museum’s journey to transform its offer and become the world’s largest railway museum. As a condition of the Stopping Up Order for Leeman Road, the development will not be stopped up until the alternative highway routes are in place: pedestrian, cycle and vehicle, and construction is already underway on these routes. This vision also includes Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, an interactive gallery aimed at inspiring children to think like engineers through experience, interactivity and play. Meanwhile, Central Hall itself will feature a Railway Futures Gallery showcasing the latest innovations in rail technology, a café overlooking the new museum square, a shop, flexible event space and new visitor facilities. “The museum aims to be the cultural heart of York Central and this decision brings us a step closer to realising that ambition. We remain on track for opening Central Hall in Autumn 2025, in time for the Museum’s 50-year anniversary. As we move towards construction, we will continue to engage with residents and visitors to ensure that the world-class museum we are creating can act as a true community resource for our evolving neighbourhood,” added Judith. At the heart of the Central Hall design is sustainability and environmentally friendly design principles and materials have been used throughout, ensuring the development is designed with York’s rich railway history and the surrounding area in mind. The Central Hall plans form an early stage of the delivery of York Central, the 45-hectare regeneration site which is a partnership with Network Rail, Homes England, City of York Council and the museum. Work is expected to start in early 2023 and it is expected to end by 2025, just in time for the celebrations. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Family-run and award-winning property developer Taggart Homes has announced the delivery of an exclusive housing development in Forest Park, Nottinghamshire. All homes at the 45 home development are now complete and, apart from the ex-view home that is still available to buy, the rest have already been purchased. The new residents are already enjoying their new homes and getting ready to settle into life at the Forest Park development. Located in a prime position on Derby Road, the development is well connected and it has easy transport routes to Hucknall, Nottingham and Mansfield. “We are very excited to see the completion of Forest Park and delighted to welcome residents into their new homes. The flurry of interest we’ve had on these properties has been remarkable as the homes began selling very early in the build and have continued to sell exceptionally well throughout,” said Nick Taggart, Director of Taggart Homes. The majority of the properties fall within the Help to Buy scheme, therefore first time buyers were hugely attracted to this development. The development also presented an interest to families and professional couples due to its proximity to amenities, including primary schools, a supermarket, a library, sports fields and a short distance from Newstead Abbey. The Forest Park development showcases seven different property types, including semi-detached and detached homes. These outstanding new homes are perfectly designed for modern family living, with each house breaking away from the standard new build design, with a strikingly luxe contemporary feel. The new energy-efficient homes include distinctive exterior panelling, open-plan living/dining/kitchen areas and en-suite bathrooms. The properties include French doors that lead out to a private landscaped garden perfect for alfresco living – a key feature that has garnered increased interest since the pandemic. “At Taggart, we pride ourselves on attention to detail, especially with high-specification fixtures and fittings that homebuyers can customise to their taste, as we know this plays a vital part in the home buying process,” added Nick Taggart. “The distinctive homes were built on a vacant, derelict site which was former working men’s club and we have been committed to help revitalise the community and its future, as a thriving location popular with families and commuters. Whilst completing the build, we were delighted to be able to help the local primary school, donating much needed funds to help the school renovate their dining hall,” he concluded. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
