Cristina Diaconu
Red Deer Design a New Hotel Brand in Manchester

Red Deer Design a New Hotel Brand in Manchester

International architecture and interiors practice Red Deer have designed The Alan Hotel in Manchester focused on experimentation, realness, and constant improvement while rejecting the pretentious and cradling the imaginative. The Alan was borne from a vision of wanting to do things differently. Something experimental, fresh and with an emphasis on

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Owner Moves into Eco Homes Development in Lincolnshire

Owner Moves into Eco Homes Development in Lincolnshire

The first of six bespoke eco homes from developer Chiselwood has been sold by leading Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire estate agent, Pygott & Crone. The homes, which make up the new and exclusive Fossdyke Paddock development, are located on the canal side in Saxilby and are surrounded by woodland. Fossdyke Paddock is Chiselwood’s first

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Keepmoat Homes Celebrate Sales Centre and Show Homes Launch

Keepmoat Homes Celebrate Sales Centre and Show Homes Launch

National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes welcomed the Mayor, Councillor Rob Tromans, to a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Exhall Gardens development in Coventry. The launch, which took place on Friday 4th February, celebrated the official opening of the development’s sales centre and show homes.   The event consisted of a tour of

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Construction Company Offers Employment Opportunities to Local Students

Construction Company Offers Employment Opportunities to Local Students

Derby-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has highlighted the success of its annual apprenticeship programme and role as a Cornerstone Employer as it supported 25 apprentices last year alone with employment opportunities. The contractor, which has headquarters in Little Eaton, Derby, operates across the East and West Midlands delivering high-value construction

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New Green Skills Training Centre Heading to Coventry

New Green Skills Training Centre Heading to Coventry

A new £1.8 million electric vehicle and retrofit training facility is heading to Coventry to help employers in the West Midlands rise to the industrial challenges of climate change, prepare learners for careers in emission-free motoring, and build the homes of the future. Coventry College has unveiled plans to help

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AIMCH Project Results to Be Unveiled at London Exhibition

AIMCH Project Results to Be Unveiled at London Exhibition

Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH), the UK’s most ambitious post-war project to transform house building, will present its findings and issue a call to the industry to mainstream their use at the Futurebuild exhibition at the ExCeL London conference centre on 1 and 2 March. Results

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Midlands Contractor Wins National Award

Midlands Contractor Wins National Award

Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson is celebrating after its recent project for Nottingham Trent University was crowned an award winner at the national LABC Building Excellence Awards last week. The contractor, which has offices in Derby, Newark and Birmingham, saw its Medical Technology Innovation Facility (MTIF) for client Nottingham Trent

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Double Show Home Opening at Exeter’s Newest Community

Double Show Home Opening at Exeter’s Newest Community

Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has officially opened the doors to its two show homes at Cavanna @ Elm Park, a new community of 245 open market and affordable homes near Exeter city centre. Cavanna Homes employees Craig Oldham, Senior Site Manager, Liana Smith, Sales Advisor and Sarah Bowden, Sales Manager

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Gilbert-Ash Takes Centre Stage on Brighton College Project

Gilbert-Ash Takes Centre Stage on Brighton College Project

Award-winning UK construction, refurbishment and fit out company, Gilbert-Ash, has been appointed main contractor on a £22 million project to develop a building for the performing arts at Brighton College. Gilbert-Ash is set to move on site on February 21 with the scope of works including the demolition of existing

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Cavanna Homes Appoints Two Construction Industry Leaders

Cavanna Homes Appoints Two Construction Industry Leaders

Two construction industry leaders have been appointed as non-Executive Directors to the board of family-owned Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes, to help guide the firm’s growth into its second century of trading. John Lougher, who steps down from his role as Strategic Land Managing Director for Vistry Group later this year,

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Latest Issue
Issue 326 : Mar 2025

Cristina Diaconu

Red Deer Design a New Hotel Brand in Manchester

Red Deer Design a New Hotel Brand in Manchester

International architecture and interiors practice Red Deer have designed The Alan Hotel in Manchester focused on experimentation, realness, and constant improvement while rejecting the pretentious and cradling the imaginative. The Alan was borne from a vision of wanting to do things differently. Something experimental, fresh and with an emphasis on partnerships between artists, chefs, designers, and forward-thinkers. Situated opposite the Manchester Art Gallery, in the heart of the city, next to the vibrancy of Chinatown and the bustle of the central shopping district, The Alan is a unique six-storey building with a pop-up mixed-use space, ground floor restaurant/cafe/bar, and 137 bedrooms. “The Alan started life with an open forum between all the key stakeholders of the project including branding, interiors and the client,” says Red Deer lead designer Ciarán O’Brien. “We were interested in finding value where it was lost, being playful with form and providing an offering that was unexpected and new in the Manchester scene.” By exposing the building’s modest beginnings – the historic brickwork, the pitted stonework and honest craftsmen marks – they have been able to pay homage to the building’s rich heritage and bring the interior back to life. The original plasterboard and lowered ceilings, which had made the whole building disproportional, were removed, revealing the true tall dimensions of the rooms and unlocking the potential for stunning sculptural additions in both communal areas and guestrooms. Red Deer worked with makers and craftsmen Robin Grasby, Mika Kaski and Int Marble to transform the former cotton warehouse. “The guest suite vanity units are a feat of engineering in their marriage of the impossible joints of a shower and bedroom,” says O’Brien. “They fulfil so many functions, from wardrobe to sink, mirror to partition, all whilst being a sculptural art piece in their own right, helping to anchor the room against its vast size.” The ‘living’ functions of the guest rooms were accentuated through the use of a long terrazzo shelf, made by Robin Grasby, and light fittings crafted around waste materials with a kinetic playfulness, made by Mika Kaski. “We worked with Mika Kaski on light fittings for the Ground Floor public areas and the swivel and alabaster lights for the bedrooms,” says O’Brien. “They are lively, balanced lights that respond to touch and the transfer of energy of the room’s inhabitants.” As with all Red Deer projects, a sensitive approach was taken to reuse as much of the original materials as possible, repairing and refreshing existing parts of the building and engaging in disrupted waste streams. The ground floor terrazzo collage of fragmented and discarded marble pieces, crafted in collaboration with Int. Marble, is a perfect example of this circular design approach. “I had always been acutely aware of how wasteful the construction industry is,” says O’Brien, “and decided to celebrate the inherent value still found in these marble pieces, despite typically being considered as offcuts or ‘defective’. When viewed individually they seem to be useless fragments, but make sense in the space when they flow together as one. Subtly this refers to how we’re all made up of a collage of our personal stories – some good, some bad but all have a part in who we are.” Red Deer are renowned for creating spaces and objects with feeling. Their concept for The Alan was driven by purpose rather than style, to ensure the space connected and resonated with people on an emotive level and, in turn, created a lasting feeling. As a practice they feel a connection to travel and nature is fundamental to a fresh and authentic perspective for all of their projects. Red Deer understand that projects of the nature and scale of hotels require an international framework, agility and a global team effort. This is evident in their design of The Alan.

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Owner Moves into Eco Homes Development in Lincolnshire

Owner Moves into Eco Homes Development in Lincolnshire

The first of six bespoke eco homes from developer Chiselwood has been sold by leading Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire estate agent, Pygott & Crone. The homes, which make up the new and exclusive Fossdyke Paddock development, are located on the canal side in Saxilby and are surrounded by woodland. Fossdyke Paddock is Chiselwood’s first development and the project recently won the Residential Property of the Year award at the Greater Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards as well as being highly commended in the Sustainable Project of the Year category. The beautiful four-double bedroom homes feature first-floor open-plan living spaces – which look out to the surrounding tree canopies, 5.5 metre-high ceilings, a 36 square metre balcony and high specification finishes. Two of the bedrooms have an ensuite and there is a family bathroom. The many eco features of the homes include timber framing, air source heat pumps and full insulation, with an impressive 1.84 airtight certification – which results in low CO2 emissions. High-end appliances include Sub-zero refrigeration with an active vacuum seal to preserve heat, Wolf cooking with its triple glazed ovens, Bora hobs and Quooker taps – each known for their specialist energy efficient features. All plots have private gardens with timber fencing, patio areas and block paved driveways. The first property has been secured by Darren Bradford who has now moved into his new home having previously lived in Boston. Mr Bradford said: “The individual style of the houses was the first thing that attracted me to Fossdyke Paddock – because I was on the hunt for something completely different. “I viewed the house multiple times before making my decision and each time I visited, I fell more in love with the property and the village of Saxilby too. “Martin and Mel, who have cleverly developed this serene living space, are very friendly, supportive and you can feel the love and hard work that has gone into it. The quality of the building, the fixtures and fittings are high spec and blend together perfectly. “It is important to me to live in an eco-friendly way and the great British outdoors is not something that should be taken for granted, so the sustainable elements to the development and surrounding green space were huge factors in my decision making when I bought the property. The design and technology that has been used in the house also makes for a cost-effective way of living. “The feeling of freedom, space and peace is amazing, and I am very excited about living in the house through all seasons and many years of happiness.” Conceptually designed by SGA Architects with detailed designs and interiors by Chiselwood, construction of the homes began in early 2020 by local contractor Daniel Charles and are due to complete in the summer. Fossdyke Paddock is close to a wide range of amenities including a Coop, school, pub, church and takeaway restaurants. Transport links to Lincoln, Gainsborough and Scunthorpe are also close by.

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Keepmoat Homes Celebrate Sales Centre and Show Homes Launch

Keepmoat Homes Celebrate Sales Centre and Show Homes Launch

National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes welcomed the Mayor, Councillor Rob Tromans, to a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Exhall Gardens development in Coventry. The launch, which took place on Friday 4th February, celebrated the official opening of the development’s sales centre and show homes.   The event consisted of a tour of the development and a ribbon cutting ceremony to launch its newly built sales centre and 2-bedroom Pixton and 3-bedroom Embleton show homes.  “It was a delight to join Keepmoat Homes in the launch of their sales centre and show homes, and look forward to welcoming the new residents,” commented Mayor Rob Tromans. The new development, consisting of 129 new homes, comprises a mixed tenure of two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments, 25% of which will be made affordable and available for Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent. “We’re absolutely delighted to launch our brand-new sales centre and show homes here at Exhall Gardens. Our array of homes are perfect for first time buyers, growing families and downsizers, and we encourage everyone to book a viewing of our stylish new show homes,” added Charlotte Goode, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes. Keepmoat Homes is a top 10 UK home builder and leading partnership home builder providing high quality and affordable homes across the country. Committed to a multi-tenure strategy, the company partners with local authorities and registered providers to deliver much needed new homes for sale, affordable rent, and the private rental sector.

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Construction Company Offers Employment Opportunities to Local Students

Construction Company Offers Employment Opportunities to Local Students

Derby-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has highlighted the success of its annual apprenticeship programme and role as a Cornerstone Employer as it supported 25 apprentices last year alone with employment opportunities. The contractor, which has headquarters in Little Eaton, Derby, operates across the East and West Midlands delivering high-value construction projects in various sectors including healthcare, education, commercial, industrial, restoration, leisure and residential. Its annual apprenticeship programme enables G F Tomlinson to offer young people employment opportunities and mentor them through hands-on work in the business whilst also supporting them to achieve their professional qualifications. One of those young persons is Ed Smith, who was employed by G F Tomlinson aged 16 whilst undertaking a level 3 course. Now aged 22 Ed has completed his HNC course (Higher National Certificate) and his HND (Higher National Diploma) in Construction in the Built Environment at Derby College, whilst working on site four days a week. Following the completion of his studies with the college, Ed has become the first Derby College apprentice to achieve the new level 4 construction site supervisor higher apprenticeship standard. During his time with G F Tomlinson to date, Ed has progressed to the role of assistant site manager, helping to successfully deliver high-profile schemes, including the Advanced Manufacturing Building and Biodiscovery Institute for the University of Nottingham and most recently the major extension to Barr’s Hill School in Coventry. On his role and experience, Ed says: “I spent time getting to know all the departments, including design, estimating and quantity surveying and have since decided to progress my career within a site management role.” “One of the best things about working as an assistant site manager at G F Tomlinson is the chance to work in lots of different places, meet many different people and work on some very interesting projects. I’ll be studying for my degree for the next three years at Nottingham Trent University, and once I’ve got my degree I’d like to work as a project manager, eventually managing £20 million plus projects.” Another apprentice, employed by G F Tomlinson in 2019 is Tiarna Powell, who completed her HNC course at the Roundhouse with a distinction, and is now studying for her HND with the Derby College Group. Tiarna is working four days a week, gaining hands-on experience within the quantity surveying team having worked on projects including the Blythe Valley M2 residential mixed-use scheme in Solihull and a large industrial scheme on the new Wakefield Hub for developers HBD and Yorkcourt. She will also be starting her degree in quantity surveying at Nottingham Trent University this year. Tiarna says: “Through my work at G F Tomlinson I have been able to start my career in quantity surveying and study at the same time to gain my professional qualifications. “I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to meet and work with so many different people at G F Tomlinson, and have the chance to work on a range of projects including Derbyshire Care Homes and Tunstall Town Hall – both exciting restoration projects which are bringing the buildings back to their former glory, whilst providing a modern upgrade to the interiors. I’m looking forward to starting my degree at Nottingham Trent University this year and continuing to progress in my career at G F Tomlinson.” Working with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership as well as local businesses and education providers, G F Tomlinson’s status as a founding member of the Cornerstone Employers group sees the contractor provide employment opportunities for younger people to gain knowledge and experience that can help them on their path towards a career in the construction industry.

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New Green Skills Training Centre Heading to Coventry

New Green Skills Training Centre Heading to Coventry

A new £1.8 million electric vehicle and retrofit training facility is heading to Coventry to help employers in the West Midlands rise to the industrial challenges of climate change, prepare learners for careers in emission-free motoring, and build the homes of the future. Coventry College has unveiled plans to help employers and Motor Vehicle and Construction students prepare for a zero-carbon future with the launch of a new dedicated training centre after securing capital investment from the Government’s Strategic Development Fund (SDF). Launched as part of the college’s ‘Charge Up Your Future’ campaign, it will be the first site of its type in Coventry and Warwickshire and is expected to open in March 2022 alongside a suite of new programmes. They will provide businesses with the skills and knowledge to capitalise on industry opportunities and achieve the Government’s net-zero targets, and students with practical experience under the bonnets of electric vehicles. The Government’s two-step plan to reduce carbon emissions includes phasing out the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, before extending to new hybrid vehicle sales in 2035. Charge Up Your Future will be delivered under the Skills Accelerator programme, which is a key part of the Government’s blueprint for reshaping the technical skills system – with a total of £5m awarded to Coventry and Warwickshire colleges to ensure the region’s educational provision meets the demand for skills. The specialist programmes will include training around Electric and Hybrid Vehicles; Battery Development and Deployment; Hydrogen Awareness; Electric Vehicle Charging Points; Retrofitting Buildings; Domestic Energy Assessment; and Photovoltaics, which is the conversion of light into electricity. The College is also looking to partner with garages, dealerships, and manufacturers that sell or make electric and hybrid vehicles in order to provide vehicles that the students can work on to develop their skills.  “With the help of SDF funding, Coventry College is thrilled to announce an industry-leading facility that will, combined with in-depth and intensive training opportunities, put the College at the heart of one of the leading green industrial centres in the UK,” said Gemma Knott, Vice Principal for Business Growth, Engagement and Partnerships at Coventry College. “With the Charge Up Your Future initiative, we are joining the drive towards a zero-carbon future by providing businesses in the region with the expertise they need to do their bit, while capitalising on the opportunities that this growing industry will bring to the region’s strong manufacturing presence. “Utilising green energy and ensuring corporate social responsibility will be central to generating new business, maximising reputations and credibility, and ensuring that employees know about government regulations and how to meet them.”

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AIMCH Project Results to Be Unveiled at London Exhibition

AIMCH Project Results to Be Unveiled at London Exhibition

Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH), the UK’s most ambitious post-war project to transform house building, will present its findings and issue a call to the industry to mainstream their use at the Futurebuild exhibition at the ExCeL London conference centre on 1 and 2 March. Results from the three-year AIMCH project indicate it has been highly successful in producing mainstream viable solutions to tackle all the challenges faced by the housing sector, including skills shortages, an ageing workforce, poor productivity, low output and low affordability. Senior figures will reveal industrialised methods for how the industry can deliver 120,000 homes for similar costs to traditional methods, built 30% quicker, with fewer defects and less embodied carbon. The £6.5m research and development project is a collaboration between Stewart Milne Group, Barratt Developments PLC, L&Q, Forster Group, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) and project managed by Limberger Associates. It is supported by Innovate UK through the Transforming Construction Fund. Futurebuild 2022 will take place from 1 – 3 March with more than 20,000 senior professionals from across the built environment sector predicted to attend. Representatives from AIMCH will deliver a keynote speech and a presentation with the project’s outcomes on the first day. On day two stakeholders and industry can learn about and discuss all key outputs in more detail at a day of seminars. “It will be a proud moment for everyone involved in the three year long AIMCH project to take the main stage of Futurebuild and unveil an industrialisation blueprint for the industry to address challenges faced by the housing sector,” said Stewart Dalgarno, AIMCH project director and director of innovation and sustainability at Stewart Milne Group. “Primarily, we will showcase mainstream viable solutions to support the delivery of much needed new homes, especially net zero homes, while reducing the sector’s overall environmental impact. We will demonstrate how these methods can deliver more homes, built for similar cost to masonry, something the industry cannot afford not to implement. “The project’s partners are all leading innovators within our industry and the Futurebuild conference is the ideal opportunity to connect their vision with the decision makers who will be responsible for implementing change across the sector. This is a pivotal moment for businesses big and small to drive change and reap rewards from transforming how we build homes.”

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Midlands Contractor Wins National Award

Midlands Contractor Wins National Award

Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson is celebrating after its recent project for Nottingham Trent University was crowned an award winner at the national LABC Building Excellence Awards last week. The contractor, which has offices in Derby, Newark and Birmingham, saw its Medical Technology Innovation Facility (MTIF) for client Nottingham Trent University named nationally as Best New-Build in the non-residential category. The construction of the £5.5 million Medical Technology Innovation Facility was completed in winter 2020, with G F Tomlinson working alongside Maber Architects on the scheme. The project was supported by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership with funding received by the University through its Local Growth Fund allocation. The facility focuses on the research and development of innovative products and advanced materials to meet future healthcare needs – the key aim is to improve patient care by speeding up medical product development and ensuring innovations reach the market as quickly as possible, which is critical for patients, business, the NHS and regional economic growth. The contractor scheme was offered the award at a ceremony held at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, with more than the 700 guests in attendance at the prestigious event. This national award win comes after the contractor celebrated success at LABC’s regional Building Excellence Awards last year, winning three accolades which were subsequently named as finalists in the national awards. As well as the success of the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, the regional awards saw G F Tomlinson’s flagship project for Nottingham Castle win Best Non-Residential Conversion, with its Tower Garden Pavilion scheme in Skegness winning Best Public or Community Building – a project which was successfully delivered via the company’s ongoing involvement on the Scape Regional Construction framework. Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are extremely pleased to have won this national accolade at the LABC awards – it is wonderful to be recognised amongst such strong competition that highlights all of the fantastic work that has been happening in the industry over the last year. “The Medical Technologies Innovation Facility at Nottingham Trent University is an impressive building for many reasons – both in the way it has been designed and constructed, and in its purpose in progressing the development, clinical production and commercialisation of new medical technologies. “There were several technical aspects we had to get absolutely right in order to provide the best possible working environment – including ensuring that the facility has the correct pressure, ventilation and seals needed, as well as the placement and optimum performance of highly-specialised laboratory equipment. “It is exciting to see our other two regional-winning projects recognised as national finalists, too – Nottingham Castle is our flagship project to date and we were pleased to work with so many different local and regional specialists and teams to complete the work on time. It is also rewarding to see a smaller value project like the Tower Gardens Pavilion in Skegness pick up so many regional awards over the last 18 months and go on to national recognition. Working jointly with our partner, Scape, this project has a strong community story to tell.” G F Tomlinson works across multiple sectors within the construction industry including education, civic, healthcare, heritage, residential and industrial. Over the years, it has partnered with a number of framework clients including Scape’s Regional Construction framework, delivering local projects with the aim of providing social value initiatives in order to benefits the communities, environment and economy within the midlands region.

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Double Show Home Opening at Exeter’s Newest Community

Double Show Home Opening at Exeter’s Newest Community

Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has officially opened the doors to its two show homes at Cavanna @ Elm Park, a new community of 245 open market and affordable homes near Exeter city centre. Cavanna Homes employees Craig Oldham, Senior Site Manager, Liana Smith, Sales Advisor and Sarah Bowden, Sales Manager marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting at the newly launched Sales Arena. “It’s fantastic to have officially opened the new show homes at Cavanna @ Elm Park and invite prospective buyers to book an appointment to visit us. We’ve already secured ten reservations off-plan, which is brilliant and shows a real appetite for new homes in Exeter,” said Liana Smith. The two show homes; a four-bedroom Langcombe townhouse and three-bedroom detached Lakehead have master bedrooms with en-suites, modern open plan kitchen/ dining areas and spacious living rooms each showcasing the firm’s highest specification of fixtures and fittings. Cavanna @ Elm Park offers a selection of two, three and four-bedroom homes surrounded by large open green space for residents to enjoy. Homeowners can also take advantage of the 40 hectares of Riverside Valley Park, alongside the River Exe for walking, running or cycling. The new development in Exeter has been designed to promote a sense of community, improve biodiversity and encourage green travel, thanks to new cycle routes connecting to the existing network. A bus stop will also be located on the development to ensure easy access to the city centre is available to the new residents. A bespoke sensory garden is also being designed for the development to include separate seating pods, each with its own special feature such as a sculpture, scented plants, and fruit trees to create a relaxing and tranquil environment that entices all the senses. Bird and bat boxes will also be added to encourage wildlife alongside the planting of new trees. The local area has excellent primary and secondary schools, and a college, plus a fitness centre, supermarkets, retail parks and restaurants. As part of the firm’s community contributions, it will provide over £3 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to the local council and community to support roads, education, recreation and public transport.

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Gilbert-Ash Takes Centre Stage on Brighton College Project

Gilbert-Ash Takes Centre Stage on Brighton College Project

Award-winning UK construction, refurbishment and fit out company, Gilbert-Ash, has been appointed main contractor on a £22 million project to develop a building for the performing arts at Brighton College. Gilbert-Ash is set to move on site on February 21 with the scope of works including the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a 400-seat multifunctional theatre, dance and drama studio. It also includes classrooms for English and Drama and a social space for gatherings. Due to complete in February 2024, it’s the company’s third major project in the East Sussex resort and comes just months after Gilbert-Ash handed over the impressive business school at the University of Brighton. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company has a track record of delivering stand-out projects for the performing arts such as the Stirling Prize winning Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. He said: “Gilbert-Ash is very proud to be undertaking such a prestigious project at Brighton College. This is a school steeped in history and academic excellence having recently been awarded the title of School of the Decade by the Sunday Times. “Under the leadership of Headmaster, Richard Cairns, the school has embarked on an ambitious 10-year masterplan of new buildings with the new performing arts building being the final act in that substantial plan. The project has been named Project 175 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the College. Gilbert -Ash is looking forward to working closely with our client, the design team and our trusted supply chain to bring to life the remarkable plans for this new building.” Due to the historical significance of the college, the new development will take place within a Conservation Area and adjacent to listed buildings. With the college now home to over 1200 pupils and 400 staff, the campus expanded through the years although some areas are now unsuitable for its programmes. The completion of Project 175 will help the college deliver its vision for drama over the next 10 years. Gilbert-Ash attributes its continued success to its ‘As One’ approach and its unique working culture and family environment as an employee-owned company. It continues to complete a broad portfolio of successful construction projects across sectors including arts and culture, workplace, hotels and leisure, education, science and technology, retail, residential and student accommodation.

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Cavanna Homes Appoints Two Construction Industry Leaders

Cavanna Homes Appoints Two Construction Industry Leaders

Two construction industry leaders have been appointed as non-Executive Directors to the board of family-owned Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes, to help guide the firm’s growth into its second century of trading. John Lougher, who steps down from his role as Strategic Land Managing Director for Vistry Group later this year, and Stephen Trusler whose career in housebuilding includes senior roles with Lovell Partnerships, Wates Group and Laing O’Rourke, will support Cavanna Homes’ Managing Director Keith Miller and Finance Director Scott Murray to grow the business in tune with the family ethos. John and Stephen have also held non-Executive Director positions with housing associations; John with the Guinness Partnership and Stephen with Aster Group. Both industry leaders will be seeking to establish stronger partnerships on behalf of Cavanna Homes with industry contacts, including the larger housing associations. John explains: “The South West is a crowded market place where all of the national homebuilders have regional offices. Cavanna Homes can distinguish itself through its legacy, the strength of its brand and the quality of its product. This is an exciting time for the company.” Stephen added: “The ambition is to drive controlled growth beyond the company’s centenary year in a way that respects the family’s legacy, follows their ethos and maintains the highest standards.” Next year marks 100 years since PD Cavanna founded the family homebuilding business, which still has its headquarters in Torquay. Twelve years ago, third generation family members Jeremy Cavanna, his brother Jonathan and their cousin Martin, embarked on a succession plan in which non-family directors have been appointed to senior management and operational posts. Despite the challenging market, in 2021 the firm produced a turnover of £60 million and secured 162 open market and 45 affordable completions, which provided much-needed housing for local people and families. This year, the firm will be expanding its South West footprint with new land secured in Somerset and Dorset, as well as bringing forward new home developments in Exeter and Paignton in Devon and Bude in North Cornwall. Cavanna Homes is currently building in Hemyock near Cullompton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Tavistock, Holsworthy and Bude. As part of its commitment to nurturing up-and-coming talent in the construction industry, the firm has welcomed its 2022 intake of apprentices, as well as taking part in the government’s Kickstart Scheme supporting young adults to gain valuable work experience to help build a successful start to their careers. Cavanna Homes is proud to have raised over £30,000 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as its Charity of the Year since 2019. Following a vote by employees, Cavanna Homes will continue supporting CHSW until the end of 2023.

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