Fresh from allegations that Whitehall officials are blocking Boris Johnson’s hydrogen plans, it now appears that officials are planning to embarrass the Prime Minister by adopting the much ridiculed industrial policy that gave the EU “milk lakes” and “butter mountains”. Hidden in the detail of the recently published Heat and
Clarion Housing Group celebrated the handover of 25 new one and two bedroom affordable homes at Pembroke House in Camberley, Surrey at an official event, alongside Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Sarah Jane Croke and local dignitaries. Constructed by Berkeley in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council, the new affordable
Real estate developer Kronos Homes has spent the past two years raising the bar for resort living in the Western Algarve at luxury resort, Palmares Ocean Living & Golf. Now, the company has revealed the resort’s latest addition: a magnificent brand-new villa designed by RCR Arquitectes. The villa is the first of eight
Farrans Construction has completed and handed over a purpose-built, 357 bed, nine-storey student accommodation project for F3 Group in Bristol city centre. The accommodation block between St Thomas’ Street and Mitchell Court has a total floor space of 8,575 sqm and amenities include a gym, study space, bike parking, cinema
Demand for Shared Ownership homes continues to increase with a near 10% rise across England during the past year, with a notable increase in sales outside London. For buyers wanting to step on the ladder whilst making the most of city and countryside living, St Arthur Homes is preparing to
Daval Furniture, award-winning British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture, look ahead to SS22 with this bespoke garden room project complete with outdoor kitchen living space in partnership with local oak building specialists, Paragon Oak. Both award-winning companies are based in West Yorkshire, a mere 11 miles apart, so
Speedy has become the first UK hire provider to publicly commit to adopting science-based targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2050, further enhancing their accountability focused leadership in sustainability. Science-based targets (‘SBT’) provide a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping prevent the worst
Abode Swich, award-winning designer of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions is among the top-tier global design talent to be awarded an SBID International Design Award 2021, as it’s crowned the winner of the Kitchen Product awards category for its innovative water filter system. The 2021
Creative consultancy and design studio, NewTerritory, presents a new, human-centric approach to smart technology in the home with the release of “Empathic Technology”: a collection of product concepts that explores how technological objects can be embedded within the domestic space in unconventional, yet meaningful ways. The series of future-focused home
Keepmoat Homes and Salix Homes are combatting the construction skills shortage in the North West with a series of training programmes. The two organisations have worked in partnership, along with Salford City Council, Connexions, Salford City College and Build Salford, to deliver a series of bespoke training programmes designed to
Fresh from allegations that Whitehall officials are blocking Boris Johnson’s hydrogen plans, it now appears that officials are planning to embarrass the Prime Minister by adopting the much ridiculed industrial policy that gave the EU “milk lakes” and “butter mountains”. Hidden in the detail of the recently published Heat and Buildings Strategy, officials at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are plotting to force British heating appliance manufacturers to make heat pumps, regardless of whether the public want to buy them or not. Under what is known as the “market mechanism” current boiler manufacturers will be told by Whitehall officials how many heat pumps they need to make or risk being heavily fined if they don’t obey the instruction. Similar policies adopted by the EU in the past, led to excess supply over demand and the obscene creation of wine lakes and butter mountains. “This is the most un-Conservative industrial policy I have ever seen. To force successful British businesses to make what Whitehall officials want, rather than what consumers want, is an extraordinary degree of state-meddling,” said Mike Foster CEO of Energy and Utilities Alliance. “If consumers want heat pumps, then these manufacturing businesses will make and sell them. But to be fined for not selling something the public currently don’t want is bizarre, more so when Cabinet Minsters accept that heat pumps aren’t yet ready for the mass market. It is almost as if Whitehall officials are deliberately trying to embarrass the Prime Minister by using the tactics he has previously derided the EU for using. It’s the Revenge of the Remainers within BEIS.” “But the most disturbing aspect of this policy is the sheer lack of understanding in how markets work. If the Government want heat pumps installed, it needs to make them more attractive to consumers. According to the PM, they cost ‘ten grand a pop,’ well beyond the reach of most. People can’t afford them. Without consumer demand, business won’t supply products for fear of creating a mountain of unsold heat pumps filling warehouses across the land, all because Whitehall thinks it knows best,” Mike concluded.
Clarion Housing Group celebrated the handover of 25 new one and two bedroom affordable homes at Pembroke House in Camberley, Surrey at an official event, alongside Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Sarah Jane Croke and local dignitaries. Constructed by Berkeley in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council, the new affordable apartments in Pembroke House will be sold by Clarion to eligible shared ownership buyers in and around the local area. “It was a great honour to open these new homes. Camberley is a great place to live and I’m proud that Surrey Heath Borough Council is able to deliver one of the few 100% affordable housing developments in the area,” comments Mayor of Surrey Heath Borough Council, Cllr Sarah Jane Croke. The affordable homes offer a range of layouts, set in an attractively designed three-storey apartment block in Camberley. Combining the very best of traditional and modern living, each home is built to the very high standards for which Berkeley is renowned, offering fresh, contemporary interiors, fitted kitchens and dedicated car parking. Residents at Pembroke House will be well situated to benefit from the variety of regeneration improvements taking place in Camberley. The Square shopping centre, just a 22 minute walk away, is being updated as part of the town’s regeneration plans into a brand new leisure and entertainment destination, containing around 100 shops and cafes. Alongside this, Camberley’s High Street has been awarded a £3.5 million grant to improve the roads and pavements, as well as the installation of public art, walkways and public seating within the town. Residents are also set to benefit from a brand new multi-million pound leisure centre, which will include wellness facilities such as a swimming pool, climbing wall and gym. “As house prices and private rents increase, affordable housing is vital as it means more people can afford to buy their own home who otherwise would be priced out of renting or buying on the open market. This is an excellent development and I am sure the new residents will be happy living here for many years to come,” said Cllr Adrian Page, portfolio holder for Planning and People at Surrey Heath Borough Council. Ideally situated to the south of Camberley, Pembroke House is conveniently well-connected. Camberley town centre is just over 1 mile away, offering a wide range of shops and amenities. Rail connections are second to none from Camberley station, with rail links into Central London in just over an hour, and Ascot in 12 minutes. Guildford, Farnborough, Winchester and Southampton are all within easy reach by road.
Real estate developer Kronos Homes has spent the past two years raising the bar for resort living in the Western Algarve at luxury resort, Palmares Ocean Living & Golf. Now, the company has revealed the resort’s latest addition: a magnificent brand-new villa designed by RCR Arquitectes. The villa is the first of eight impressive homes designed by RCR Arquitectes, who scooped the industry’s most prestigious international accolade in 2017, the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Nestled between the Alvor Estuary and the bay of Lagos, Palmares enjoys a stunning scenic setting. The resort’s low-density construction is undertaken in harmony with the surrounding natural environment, meaning that each villa delivers premium views. Palmares’ villas have been designed to match the resort’s beach and golf lifestyle perfectly. They are within walking distance of all resort facilities, including the 27-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, the spectacular, RCR-designed award-winning Clubhouse that serves as the hub of the resort community and the new fine dining restaurant, Al Sud. At the same time as providing easy access to the Palmares facilities, the villas also deliver a delightfully private lifestyle that flows beautifully from indoors to out and back again, thanks to their thoughtful design. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa occupies a superb 2,200 square metre plot overlooking the golf course and Bay of Lagos and boasts a total construction area of 490 square metres. The villa also affords eight terraces including one for each bedroom, and a private swimming pool set at the centre of the building. The terraces include a mixture of covered and uncovered spaces, working seamlessly with the natural landscape to create a fusion between the home and nature – bringing the outside in effortlessly. Palmares has attracted not only national clients but also an international clientele, with the resort’s ocean view apartments snapped up by Portuguese, British, German, Dutch, Belgian, Swiss and American buyers. In addition to its exceptional golfing facilities, Palmares opened the doors of its brand-new fine dining restaurant, Al Sud, earlier this year. Home to Michelin-starred Executive Chef Louis Anjos, the restaurant complements the resort’s already-impressive leisure facilities and has been fully booked since opening. The new villas at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf are part of a masterplan of 460 homes (103 villas, 357 apartments), which will also see the addition of a second five-star hotel (complementing the existing boutique 20-room five-star hotel) and a pool and wellness facilities.
Farrans Construction has completed and handed over a purpose-built, 357 bed, nine-storey student accommodation project for F3 Group in Bristol city centre. The accommodation block between St Thomas’ Street and Mitchell Court has a total floor space of 8,575 sqm and amenities include a gym, study space, bike parking, cinema room and communal lounge. The property is connected to the Bristol City’s District Heat Network as part of the overall sustainability strategy, achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating. The building, which consists of 322 en-suite cluster rooms and 35 studios, was designed by architects GSS. Farrans Construction, a CRH company, is a leading building and civil engineering contractor with over 75 years’ experience of delivering world-class projects across the UK and Ireland. The company, which employs more than 500 people, has offices in London, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Belfast with further site offices connecting its regional network. “The successful completion of our Bristol St Thomas Street project has been an important milestone for Farrans as it marks another fantastic addition to our student accommodation portfolio. We have achieved high quality throughout the building, enabling the students to move into one of the most modern and pristine accommodation facilities in the city. This building has sought to encourage time to be spent in social spaces, with a gym, cinema room, lounge and courtyard all designed to allow students to maximise and enjoy their time at university. We are currently onsite on a number of similar exciting projects across the UK and Ireland, including Library Street in Belfast and Live Oasis: Strato in Leeds,” said Cathal Montague, regional director for Farrans Construction. “We deliver signature and often complex buildings which have an important role in our everyday lives, while also adding value to the communities that we work in through apprenticeships and training opportunities. During our time onsite we were involved in community initiatives including donating materials to support the build of a local garden. We also used our expertise to assist local authorities during a flooding incident near the site, supporting Avon Fire Rescue with a water diversion plan and using site equipment to speed up the rescue mission.”
Demand for Shared Ownership homes continues to increase with a near 10% rise across England during the past year, with a notable increase in sales outside London. For buyers wanting to step on the ladder whilst making the most of city and countryside living, St Arthur Homes is preparing to launch a new collection of stylish Shared Ownership apartments in Forge Wood in Crawley, in partnership with housebuilder Taylor Wimpey this November. Located in the heart of the new Forge Wood neighbourhood, St Arthur Homes’ collection of two-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments have been carefully designed to connect seamlessly with the local surroundings whilst offering modern contemporary interiors. Ideal for first-time buyers looking for an affordable opportunity without compromising on style or location, Forge Wood provides an attractive work-life balance coupled with easy travel into the capital. Each of the 24 two-bedroom apartments have been designed to a very high specification throughout, providing spacious and versatile layouts, with elegant modern interiors. Open plan living, kitchen and dining areas offer a flexible space for eating, relaxing or working from home. Kitchens come complete with a selection of integrated Zanussi appliances with on-trend laminate worktop, glass splashback, soft close kitchen cabinets and Karndean flooring for a fuss-free cooking and dining experience. All apartments feature mirrored sliding wardrobes to the primary bedrooms and selected homes enjoy access to ensuite bathrooms. Each property has the added convenience of one allocated parking space. Beyond the homes at Forge Park, a wealth of community amenities awaits future residents from the wide expanses of green spaces around the development, a school sport pitch with upcoming convenience stores, community hall and central parkland all in the works. “We are very excited to bring to the market this collection of stylish Shared Ownership homes in partnership with Taylor Wimpey. This is a truly unique collection of homes that gives first-time buyers the chance to purchase a stunning new home that comes with an impressive specification, in an attractive and well- connected setting. At St. Arthur Homes we are passionate about offering inspiring homes that are affordable without the need for buyers to make compromises on specification or location. With only 24 homes launching in this desirable location, we expect demand to be high and would urge any prospective purchasers to register their details as soon as possible,” said Louise Mills, Sales & Marketing Director for St. Arthur Homes. Living at Forge Wood will enable future residents to make the best of city and countryside living with Crawley Town minutes away with a wealth of modern-day amenities and leisure facilities whilst the Forge Wood development itself is set in an idyllic tree lined location. Connectivity is yet another attractive aspect of Forge Wood with Crawley Town Centre less than 5 miles away and Gatwick Airport less than a mile away. Commuters to London can benefit from direct trains from Gatwick station to Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations while Brighton Beach is 28 miles to the South.
Daval Furniture, award-winning British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture, look ahead to SS22 with this bespoke garden room project complete with outdoor kitchen living space in partnership with local oak building specialists, Paragon Oak. Both award-winning companies are based in West Yorkshire, a mere 11 miles apart, so it was easy for the lead designers to collaborate to create a Daval kitchen living space within a Paragon Oak oak-framed building for a manor house in West Yorkshire. This instantly added an extra dimension to the living and entertaining spaces available for family members and guests in the client’s rural property. The Mayfair kitchen in Talpa, a contemporary matt finish in taupe, is the ideal choice to complement the natural oak hues of the timber. “We all really enjoyed working with Paragon Oak to install a made-to-measure kitchen to enhance indoor outdoor living for the client. We are very proud to partner with other experts in our vibrant local design community so that we can pool our knowledge and develop new concepts together. With an upsurge in investing in the home and garden predicted for 2022, the luxury kitchen market is willing and able to support property owners and developers who are keen to optimise their surroundings as home comforts continue to be of prime importance,” said Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval. Daval was commissioned to design and install the custom made cabinetry and also sourced and supplied the fixtures and fittings including the dining table and chairs for the garden room. “We are really pleased that our design team and Design Partners nationwide are being recognised as experts in creating lifestyle interiors in which custom-made kitchens play a key role. As sustainability is fast becoming a must-have element in all interior projects, we are proud that all our raw materials are sourced from reputable suppliers and that we have a closed-loop production system which minimises carbon emissions and waste products,” added James Bodsworth, Design Director at Daval. Each Mayfair cabinet by Daval is sustainably sourced and takes a fresh approach to Scandi-style design, with a smooth matt finish slab doors which are easy to clean and maintain. Made-to-measure and made-to-order for every project to suit the property and the needs of the home owner, this classic u-shaped kitchen includes a floor-to-ceiling storage with an integrated fridge freezer and induction hob, deep drawers and generous cupboards for storage on the working side of the peninsula with room to seat four in comfort at the breakfast bar. The Scandi theme continues with designer Wishbone seating, matt black knurled Buster + Punch cabinet pulls, industrial-style pendant lights and bespoke wall-mounted shelving. A breakfast bar with stylish rustic three-legged bar stools enhances the luxe minimalist feel of the space with marble-effect worktops, integrated fridge and a Neff induction hob
Speedy has become the first UK hire provider to publicly commit to adopting science-based targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2050, further enhancing their accountability focused leadership in sustainability. Science-based targets (‘SBT’) provide a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and ensuring sustainable business growth. An emissions target is considered ‘science-based’ if it is in line with the reductions needed to meet the global commitment under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. In the long term, reducing the carbon output of Speedy’s hire and vehicle fleet through the use of solar, hybrid, electric and hydrogen technology will help achieve this global goal. Speedy’s targets will be verified by the Science Based Targets initiative and published, alongside the first year’s progress, over the coming financial year. Alongside the SBT commitment, Speedy will also be joining the We Mean Business coalition and the United Nations Global Compact’s to accelerate an inclusive transition to a net zero economy. The move to commit to an SBT reinforces the firm’s position on setting the pace in the UK hire sector in the drive to achieve net zero. It follows on the heels of other market-leading sustainability commitments including: trialling a number of electric delivery vehicles including two converted electric London taxis; a company car list that now consists almost entirely of hybrid and electric vehicles; launching the first 7-tonne Electra eStar rear-steer beavertail body truck in the UK (in partnership with Sterling GP); being the first hire provider to switch to fuelling powered access machinery exclusively with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and working closely with customers and suppliers to trial the use of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), reducing carbon emissions by up to 90%. “I am proud to announce that we are the first hire company in the UK to commit to net zero carbon emissions under science based targets before 2050. We are committing to this to challenge ourselves in a transparent and measurable way,” said Speedy’s Chief Executive Russell Down. “As a key enabler within the supply chain, our aim is to inspire confidence in our people, customers and supply chain partners by reducing the carbon output of our hire and vehicle fleet through the use of new technologies. We will be working collaboratively with all our stakeholders to deliver net-zero carbon within the industry.”
Abode Swich, award-winning designer of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions is among the top-tier global design talent to be awarded an SBID International Design Award 2021, as it’s crowned the winner of the Kitchen Product awards category for its innovative water filter system. The 2021 SBID International Design Awards winners were revealed at the Nobu Hotel Portman Square in London on Friday 22 October, each presented with a prestigious crystal awards trophy, designed by Sans Souci Glass Deco. Shining a spotlight on the world’s brightest design talent, the creative A&D community came together in a global celebration of interior design excellence to celebrate the industry’s most revered interior designers and makers. “For the first time, our customers are not restricted to the style of tap they can have in their kitchen and now, they can enjoy fresh filtered tap water while removing the need for a countertop water purifier or bottled water, which we all know is harmful to the environment. To be recognised by SBID and its panel of leading industry experts is a great achievement for Abode, acknowledging Swich for its outstanding examples of technical innovation, aesthetic creativity and fit-for-purpose functionality,” said Paul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode. Abode Swich is a revolutionary design solution that will transform a new or existing kitchen tap in to a filtered water tap that delivers a constant supply of crystal clear filtered water! The exclusive and patented Swich water filter system is a discreet yet ultra-luxe device, which is easy to use and install, either retro-fit in an existing kitchen or add to a new kitchen design. Swich works in conjunction with your normal kitchen mixer tap to improve the overall taste, appearance and quality of your drinking water without compromising on style. Available in four high fashion finishes – Brushed Brass, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Chrome – simply turn the Round or Square control handle to indicate the type of water supply you wish to channel through the tap. Providing immediate access to both the domestic water supply and Abode-safe water, via the Swich filter cartridge, customers can enjoy clear refreshing results, every time! “Achieving an SBID Award is an unparalleled marque of design excellence. As another year draws to a close, the SBID Awards continues to empower the design industry to exhibit their creative work and celebrate their achievements on its inclusive stage, as a testament to the incredible outcomes that can be accomplished through the power of good design and quality craftsmanship,” added the SBID International Design Awards.
Creative consultancy and design studio, NewTerritory, presents a new, human-centric approach to smart technology in the home with the release of “Empathic Technology”: a collection of product concepts that explores how technological objects can be embedded within the domestic space in unconventional, yet meaningful ways. The series of future-focused home and wellbeing devices and architectural fixings is a response to the ever-evolving notion of “home”, which has become increasingly multifunctional, whilst remaining a private temple for our physical and mental health. Split between three different categories, namely Connect, Sense, and Enhance, the concepts sensitively combine emerging technologies with sophisticated design to unveil innovative forms to help us connect, sense our needs and enhance our living environment. NewTerritory’s three Empathic Technology concepts are: Connect – Connect features a central connective router tray with dispersible elements, (i.e. omnidirectional speaker and wifi booster) migrating throughout the home to provide network connection, power & sound, allowing users to more easily communicate with one another, empowering the new realities of domestic experience. Sense – Sense is a set of monitoring devices that integrate into the home to generate data and build a richer picture of our physical and mental needs. It includes a switch, a pendant, and a surface that monitor people and place through sonics, atmospherics, visual references, touch and sound. Enhance – Enhance is a class of devices that act on sensed data, transforming and enhancing our living environments discretely and in line with deep observation and analysis of our human needs. It revolves around an architecturally integrated smart window frame that has sensors and active filtering technologies embedded within it to filter particulates and pollutants and actively cancel disruptive noise and light. NewTerritory suggests that all objects could be connected to one another and controlled via a digital platform, helping users see real time visualisations of their private data and the enhancements that connected products are making to the home and their personal wellbeing. The thoughtfulness element of the concepts is translated in the material philosophy proposed by NewTerritory, expressed in three principles of empathic technology, Living Cycle, Aesthetic of Purpose, and Humane Touch. Living Cycle – Acknowledges, respects and utilises natural cycles of growth, use and decay, to inform a palette of natural or reclaimed materials. Aesthetic of Purpose – Celebrates the inherent surface qualities of materials which use a reclaimed feedstock. Humane Touch – A humane palette with a nuance of character and haptic qualities, satisfying our need for surfaces with integrity. With this concept, NewTerritory hopes to push a new agenda around the look and feel of future intuitive technology, considering how houses can be further enabled by different implications of devices and materials.
Keepmoat Homes and Salix Homes are combatting the construction skills shortage in the North West with a series of training programmes. The two organisations have worked in partnership, along with Salford City Council, Connexions, Salford City College and Build Salford, to deliver a series of bespoke training programmes designed to give young people an introduction into the construction industry. In total, over 30 young people in the area have undertaken the programme across four years. The programme is designed to enable students with an interest in the construction industry to deliver real work outcomes. The course not only developed their skills in construction, but it also helped them choose the right career path, develop their employability skills and ensure they progressed into further education, employment or training. “Our bespoke training programmes, tailored towards young people living in Salford, have been a huge success in raising young people’s aspirations and giving them a direction for their careers. All the participants gained a great deal of experience and confidence to start their working life, and it’s great to see so many moving onto employment, training or further education,” said Gareth Roberts, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes. “At the start of the programme this year some of the students thought they knew exactly which trade they wanted to progress into but after trying it first-hand, realised it wasn’t the trade for them. We wish them all the very best in their future careers.” During the six-week course, the students undertook a series of professional training and workshops, including taster sessions in a variety of trades such as joinery, plastering, tiling and bricklaying, along with site visits at Keepmoat’s Riverbank View development. This has provided an opportunity to work alongside skilled employees and contractors, along with resilience sessions to improve their ability to cope with adversity and help them to adapt to change more effectively. This year, seven 16-years olds signed up and completed the programme, with two going onto an electrical course, two to a brick laying course, two to a plastering course and one to a plumbing course. The work is part of Keepmoat’s ongoing commitment as part of its Riverbank View development in Salford. The new development will bring over 425-much needed homes to the area, along with a new park which will be available for all the community to use. “Salix Homes is committed to supporting young people in our communities with opportunities to learn new skills and gain valuable experience, which will help them to build themselves a bright future. This construction programme is a huge success story for Salford, transforming the lives of young people, helping to create the workforce of the future and proving just what can be achieved when partners work together,” added Sian Grant, Executive Director of Operations at housing association Salix Homes. “Young people have been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic, so it’s more important than ever that we continue to provide these sorts of opportunities to give young people the best chance to secure meaningful employment and get their careers on track.”
