LEADING provider of innovative product solutions PermaGroup has boosted its restructured commercial team with the appointment of five key team members. John O’Connor, Adam Walker, Thom Brown and Craig Batton have all joined as technical specification managers, while Jamie Eliades has been appointed as area sales manager covering East Anglia.
Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), London – Arcadis, a leading global company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets, has appointed senior industry figures Rory O’Hagan and Simon Carter to strengthen its architecture and urbanism capabilities across the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. Best known in the
New analysis by a North East affordable house builder reveals the impact its construction activity has on supporting jobs and delivering millions of pounds worth of economic growth across the North of England. Jesmond-based Adderstone Living, which is working with social housing providers to deliver affordable new homes, says that
Move takes team to 140 with £10m turnover across 7 locations Engineering design consultancy firm, Independent Design House Group, (IDHG) (https://www.idh-design.co.uk), has acquired Clarkebond (UK) Ltd in a move that significantly upweights its engineering capabilities and locations. The acquisition will take IDHG to seven locations globally, including its offices in
West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, part of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), is set to open its doors following a £40 million redevelopment. This milestone marks the practical completion of a new 55,860 square feet, two-storey extension built on to the hospital, delivered by GRAHAM through the
Bouygues UK and Stanmore College hosted a well-attended Groundbreaking ceremony on 12 September to celebrate the start of construction of the new college. Distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Harrow Salim Chowdhury, London Borough of Harrow Deputy Leader Marilyn Ashton and Councillor Zak Wagman, as well as representatives from Harrow
Rolec and Sinexcel partnered in 2022, to deliver high-quality, scalable, and reliable DC charging products, dedicated to operational excellence, accessibility, and innovation. The partnership has set the standard in providing economical ultra-rapid charging solutions. Since partnering over two years ago, Rolec and Sinexcel have achieved remarkable success with the installation
The Gym Group is forging ahead with its ambitious growth strategy, targeting the opening of around 50 new gyms over the next three years, according to its CEO, Will Orr. In its latest interim results, the company revealed that four new gyms had already opened in the first half of
Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life, has officially reached completion at its new development on Regiment Way in Chelmsford. Launching later this year, The Beacons – Arthur Ashby Court will be offering one and two-bedroom apartments for people over 55 comprising a
Software plays a vital role in 21st Century construction, helping modernise the industry, improve efficiencies, and deliver better project results. From the initial design process to eco-friendly practices, software is the cornerstone of modern construction, creating new jobs and fresh opportunities for a rapidly evolving workforce. Design and Innovation Design
LEADING provider of innovative product solutions PermaGroup has boosted its restructured commercial team with the appointment of five key team members. John O’Connor, Adam Walker, Thom Brown and Craig Batton have all joined as technical specification managers, while Jamie Eliades has been appointed as area sales manager covering East Anglia. The new appointments signal PermaGroup’s continued trajectory of growth and success following the appointment of group head of sales, Steve Greaves, earlier this year, and in under four years the commercial division of the business has grown extensively. With more than 30 years in the industry John brings with him a wealth of roofing knowledge, including expertise in both flat and pitched roofing, while Adam has worked in the industry for the last ten years, building valuable relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including architects, building surveyors, local authorities and roofing contractors. New area sales manager Jamie has hopes to manage a team of her own at PermaGroup and to pass on her 20 years’ worth of knowledge and experience, and is looking forward to immersing herself into learning more about EDPM products. Having spent a large portion of his career working in interiors for large national brands, Thom has ambitions to grow PermaGroup at scale and to continue to develop his existing industry relationships, while Craig is keen to learn from his new colleagues to build on his ten years of roofing knowledge in both supply and installation. Steve Greaves said: “Building our restructured commercial team has been a very rewarding process, and each of our new recruits brings something different to their role. It’s an exciting time of change for the business and it was the right time to expand on the foundations we had in the commercial division by solidifying our dedicated team in that area of the business. Commercial roofing is central to our overall growth and development, and our team is looking forward to working together to achieve strong results. “Our company culture at PermaGroup is very important, and we’ve had fantastic feedback from the newer members already, which is extremely encouraging. We always want our people to feel valued, so to hear that our new team members are settling in well and are enjoying their work is all we can ask for.” To find out more about PermaGroup, please visit: www.permagroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), London – Arcadis, a leading global company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets, has appointed senior industry figures Rory O’Hagan and Simon Carter to strengthen its architecture and urbanism capabilities across the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. Best known in the UK for its engineering, project management and construction solution services, Arcadis distinguished its capability as one of the strongest innovators among global consulting players with its acquisitions of IBI Group and CallisonRTKL (CRTKL) last year. As a result, Arcadis is now recognised as the second largest architecture firm in the world and is now advancing its design and delivery services, built-asset specific decarbonisation strategies, deep retrofit programs, green certifications, and supporting digital tools with greater focus and scale than ever before. Strategic hires continue to play a key role in the firm’s growth, particularly in the UK where Rory O’Hagan has been appointed to lead Arcadis’ residential and hospitality design work, which includes the design and delivery of over 3,500 Build to Rent homes and award-winning schemes including Station Hill in Reading, Corkfield in Birmingham, City Suites II and Lampwick Quay in Manchester. Bringing together the Build to Rent (BTR), Co-living, Senior Living, Student Living and Hotel portfolios, Rory is focused on a creating a culture of collaboration and designing assets of enduring value with strong social and sustainable impact. Having held the position of board director at AJ100 London practice Assael Architecture and with over two decades of experience, Rory has an enviable track record spearheading some of the UK’s first purpose-built BTR communities. Also new to the firm is Simon Carter, who has been appointed as an associate principal to advance Arcadis’ work and innovation in life sciences. Drawing on the group’s proven track record in the allied health and education sectors, Simon is finding new opportunities for private and public sectors with clients including the NHS and major healthcare investors. With nearly 30 years of experience, Simon is a specialist in the design of higher education and research facilities and former partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The pair join an established leadership team and over 100 registered architects who work across the UK from Arcadis’ design hubs in London, Manchester, Brighton, and Cardiff. Backed by the weight and resource of Arcadis’ global network, this specialist multidisciplinary team is driving forward new design innovations, sustainable solutions and digital leadership with greater focus and scale than ever before. Simon Bimpson, Country Director, Arcadis UK and Ireland, comments: “Arcadis has formed one of the most dynamic and diverse design firms in the world. Here in the United Kingdom, the expansion of our architecture and urbanism expertise means we are now able to add value to every stage of a project’s lifecycle and imbed sustainability best practice in from the outset.” “With Rory O’Hagan and Simon Carter joining our architecture and urbanism leadership team, we deepen the subject matter expertise of a highly skilled group who are proving the power of design in solving some of the most pressing challenges facing our cities and communities when it comes to accessibility, affordability, housing, healthcare, education and wellbeing.” Rory O’Hagan, Principal – Living at Arcadis Architecture and Urbanism, comments: “At the intersection of architecture, engineering, and construction, Arcadis is uniquely positioned to deliver insights, efficiencies, and innovations in ways other firms can’t because we provide services across all three pillars not just one or two. We see the full picture and are able to zoom in on the minutiae of every stage of the development lifecycle, with 3D, model-based workflows and digital tools that enable us to generate new efficiencies and design safe, sustainable and deliverable buildings for our clients.” “We also unlock a great deal of cross-sector learnings from our work across placemaking, residential, healthcare, hospitality, education, industrial, retail, life sciences, and workplace around the world. This is what I am most excited about, the opportunity to champion hybrid solutions borne off the overlap between these sectors, for instance our healthcare design work in pediatrics informing pedagogy and our K-12 education design philosophy, so too our work on luxury hotels around the world which we’ve applied with our healthcare expertise to create new senior living concepts. We are only just scratching the surface, with Arcadis better positioned than ever to positively impact on the design, development and resilience of this country.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New analysis by a North East affordable house builder reveals the impact its construction activity has on supporting jobs and delivering millions of pounds worth of economic growth across the North of England. Jesmond-based Adderstone Living, which is working with social housing providers to deliver affordable new homes, says that its current North East and Yorkshire building sites – which will see hundreds of new homes delivered in the next 18 months – are producing millions of pounds (£39m) in economic output as well as supporting hundreds of construction jobs. Indeed, analysis shows 75% of on-site construction jobs are being undertaken by people who live less than a 20-mile drive to sites, creating and securing local employment opportunities across the region. The firm estimates that more than 300 people are currently working on its sites, which combined produce a total economic output of £35m in GVA (gross value added) during the build phases of affordable housing developments at places such as Eskdene Rise in Sunderland and Pease Way in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. In excess of £45m is estimated to be spent on local subcontractors and suppliers who live and work within a 20-mile radius of these sites, while £2m is being spent on food and drink, leisure and entertainment in the local areas around each scheme. The firm’s analysis also reveals how modern construction techniques reduce the impact new house building activity has on the environment. The majority of materials (85%) are being recycled during each site’s build phase at the same time as hundreds of tonnes (689 tonnes) in carbon emissions are being reduced annually. Working with local authorities and housing associations, Adderstone Living’s ‘land-led’ solutions involve the sourcing of suitable land, scheme design and securing of planning permissions before delivering quality homes. Stephen McCoy, managing director, said: “We are among leading developers who are at the forefront of bringing forward new developments that deliver tangible benefits and support ‘ultra-local” supply chains. “We spend tens of millions on local manufacturers and subcontractors, boosting local businesses, communities and families. Added to that, it makes business sense with competitive prices and fast delivery times. Our Eskdene Rise scheme in Sunderland is a perfect example – some materials have travelled just a few miles to get to site.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Move takes team to 140 with £10m turnover across 7 locations Engineering design consultancy firm, Independent Design House Group, (IDHG) (https://www.idh-design.co.uk), has acquired Clarkebond (UK) Ltd in a move that significantly upweights its engineering capabilities and locations. The acquisition will take IDHG to seven locations globally, including its offices in Bristol, London, Ireland and Poland, and an estimated annual turnover of over £10m. Tim Burt will remain CEO of IDHG following the move, and its headquarters will be in Bristol. Making up the senior management team are Wojciech Wisnowski (partner), Ian Fernandes-Johnson (UK managing director) and Michal Rzaski (IDHG Poland director). Neil Marks will be commercial director and Brian Davis, head of finance. Established in engineering as a specialist in the field of temporary works design, IDHG was founded by CEO, Tim Burt, and Wojciech Wisniowski, in 2011 in Rochester, Kent. Expansion into Poland and Bristol followed, along with more engineering disciplines, with managing director, Ian Fernandes-Johnson, joining in 2020. The acquisition of Clarkebond Ltd, a seasoned multi-disciplined consultancy which operates in the UK and global markets, further cements its growth into the field of permanent works design. Now employing over 140 people, IDHG will have offices in Bristol, London, Ireland, Maidstone, Poland, and Exeter. Positioning itself as the complete design partner for any project requirements, IDHG will consist of IDH Ltd, IDH SP Zoo and Clarkebond Ltd and will offer a full range of engineering disciplines across multiple sectors. Tim Burt, IDHG CEO, commented: “We are extremely pleased with the acquisition of Clarkebond and look forward to all parties collaborating and contributing to the way forward. This is all about the mutual development and growth of the companies involved for the benefit of all of our customers, employees and the wider IDH Group.” Ian Fernandes-Johnson, IDHG managing director, added: “Adding the skills and strengths of Clarkebond to our existing capabilities will be a game changer. The move transitions IDHG to a multi-disciplined engineering consultancy, providing services from concept through to construction on site. In my very first meeting with the Clarkebond team, my overriding impression was how much they care about the work they deliver, which resonated with me and the IDH approach. Exciting times indeed.” Neil Marks, Clarkebond Commercial Director, added: “The opportunities that this deal provides for our staff, the additional services that both companies can now offer and the additional infrastructure that IDH brings to the Company aligns with our vision to provide outstanding engineering for communities and place. It will increase our competitiveness so that Clarkebond can continue in pursuit of that vision and grow to be a stronger and more resilient company.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, part of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), is set to open its doors following a £40 million redevelopment. This milestone marks the practical completion of a new 55,860 square feet, two-storey extension built on to the hospital, delivered by GRAHAM through the ProCure22 framework. The state-of-the-art facility incorporates up to 70% modern methods of construction, demonstrating a successful integration of innovative building techniques into healthcare infrastructure. The building features specialised wards and units that cater to a diverse range of healthcare needs, including: The building integrates advanced medical facilities with patient-centric design to enhance both the quality of care and the overall patient experience. It includes private therapeutic outdoor courtyards and dedicated family spaces for private meetings and consultations. Chief Executive, Lyn Simpson for NCIC, said: “I’m really proud of everyone who has brought this project to life over the last four years, none more so than our own staff who have been integral in getting the right design approved and over the line for their patients. This will make a huge difference to our patient experience. We hope our patients and visitors and the rest of Team NCIC will agree this is has been a great project and certainly worth all the hard work. Well done to everyone involved!” Peter Reavey, Regional Director at GRAHAM, commented: “We’re proud to have been part of this transformative project. The new facilities at West Cumberland Hospital will greatly improve the provision of healthcare services locally. Using modern methods of construction, we’ve delivered a building that not only meets but exceeds current healthcare standards.” West Cumberland Hospital’s new extension is expected to be fully operational by the end of September, with all services moved in and ready to serve the community. GRAHAM was awarded this contract following the successful delivery of the Trust’s cancer treatment centre in Carlisle. For more information on GRAHAM, please visit: www.graham.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK and Stanmore College hosted a well-attended Groundbreaking ceremony on 12 September to celebrate the start of construction of the new college. Distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Harrow Salim Chowdhury, London Borough of Harrow Deputy Leader Marilyn Ashton and Councillor Zak Wagman, as well as representatives from Harrow Council and The Department for Education (DfE) attended the ceremony, highlighting the significance of this transformative project. Bouygues UK has been appointed by the DfE to undertake the construction of the new Stanmore College under the CF21 Framework. Funded by the DfE’s Further Education Improvement Programme, the project involves the reconfiguration of the college’s existing site, replacing four outdated buildings with four state-of-the-art new builds. The construction is set to be completed by summer 2027. Bouygues UK brings a proven track record of delivering high-quality, sustainable, and inspiring learning environments. Utilising its standardised ‘kit of parts’ approach for the build, the contractor aims to integrate net-zero principles to ensure flexibility, affordability, sustainability, reduced ongoing maintenance, and certainty of price and programme. In alignment with their commitment to the education sector, Bouygues UK will induct its first cohort of T Level students into Design Surveying and Planning internships. Developed in collaboration with the social enterprise Class Of Your Own, these internships are part of the award-winning “Design Engineer Construct!” learning programme, which immerses future professionals in cutting-edge projects. Phillippa Prongué, Managing Director for London and the South East at Bouygues UK, expressed her enthusiasm for the project in her welcome speech: “We’re excited to reach this milestone and be part of this important project for the DfE. The new facility will transform the campus and provide a great learning environment for future students. Our approach will ensure that the build is both sustainable and adaptable, meeting the educational needs of today while being mindful of future demands. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on the local community.” Stanmore College Principal, Annette Cast, also shared her vision: “Stanmore College will provide a state-of-the-art inclusive learning campus in the heart of the Stanmore community that will ensure all local people can benefit from the best possible education and training to enable them to achieve the best employability skills. The College will be an educational hub providing a unique educational destination for local people to acquire the relevant skills, training and education to support them to access and build their career ambitions. The learning campus will be a flexible and accessible place where staff, students, employers and stake holders can gather, interrogate, learn, gain skills and progress as well as become a lifetime member of an inclusive learning community.” The Mayor of Harrow Salim Chowdhury stated that: “Stanmore College has always been a cornerstone in the community. Redevelopment will enhance in that role and will finally place the College in the heart of Stanmore and beyond.” The groundbreaking event marks a significant milestone in the journey towards creating a cutting-edge educational environment at Stanmore College, underscoring the collaborative efforts and shared commitment of all stakeholders involved. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rolec and Sinexcel partnered in 2022, to deliver high-quality, scalable, and reliable DC charging products, dedicated to operational excellence, accessibility, and innovation. The partnership has set the standard in providing economical ultra-rapid charging solutions. Since partnering over two years ago, Rolec and Sinexcel have achieved remarkable success with the installation of UltraCharge 160 units for several high-profile clients, including Porsche, Rolls Royce, Edinburgh City Council, Collins Earthworks, and Yorkshire Ambulance Services. Building on the strength and success of their ongoing partnership, Rolec and Sinexcel are excited to launch the UltraCharge 30, the most compact and affordable 30kW DC rapid charger coming to the market. Purpose-built and designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses, councils, fleets, and destinations. Introducing the UltraCharge 30: a versatile, future-proof EV charging solution, whether wall or pedestal-mounted, the unit offers up to 30kW power output in a space-efficient design. Delivering up to 10-80% charge in under 1.5 hours. With 96% peak efficiency, it optimises energy use, speeding up charging times and maximising ROI. It’s beneficial for sites looking to integrate a robust and rapid EV infrastructure. The UltraCharge 30 features the same trusted controller used in the popular UltraCharge 160, ensuring both reliability and performance. Its competitive pricing makes it an accessible option, minimising upfront costs while providing ease of installation. It combines proven technology with modern advancements to deliver a powerful and cost-effective solution. Compliant with the PAS 1899 accessible charging standard, it’s an ideal solution for destinations where accessibility is essential for serving a diverse customer base. Caravan parks, holiday parks, theme parks, hotels, resorts, shopping centres, sports stadiums, and more should prioritise meeting accessibility regulations. Businesses can offer pay-to-charge solutions and benefit from generating additional revenue. Activation is simple via ISO 15118 plug & charge, mobile app, and RFID, or with the added convenience of an optional contactless payment terminal. Designed with the latest features, it supports dynamic power management, over-the-air updates, an 8” HD user interface touch screen with advertising capability, and is compatible with any OCPP 1.6 CPMS, which is upgradable to OCPP 2.0.1. The UltraCharge 30 features a CCS2 charging connector for fast and reliable compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles. For seamless operation and data management, the unit supports both 4G and Ethernet connectivity methods, ensuring consistent communication and control. Businesses can benefit from bespoke branding and colour options, whether it’s adding a logo or creating a fully custom design. Businesses who want to provide public EV charging have the option to fully fund the purchase and installation of 30kW DC units through Rolec’s strategic partnership with funding provider, Wattif. This allows businesses to benefit from implementing the latest EV infrastructure without capital expenditure or investment risk. The unit is available for preorder now, with deliveries available from early November.Speaking on the product, Frankie Mellon, Rolec’s Managing Director, said:“I am thrilled to introduce the UltraCharge 30, a major step forward in delivering compact, cost-effective DC charging solutions. This unit is designed to supply rapid charging at an accessible price, with a focus on accessibility for all users. The UltraCharge 30 builds on the success of its big brother, the UltraCharge 160, offering the same tried-and-tested technology in a smaller, very affordable package. We’ve worked closely with Sinexcel to ensure this product is equipped to meet the many requirements of the UK market, such as contactless payment and PAS 1899 accessible charging standard compliance. It also supports ISO 15118 plug & charge for seamless convenience and is future-proof with OCPP 2.0.1 upgradability. The UltraCharge 30 is easy to install and maintain, with full support provided by both Rolec and Sinexcel’s technical teams. As workplaces increasingly demand both DC and AC charging solutions for fleets, visitors, and employees, we offer a reliable and affordable product with a short lead time. Stocked in the UK by Rolec, available for next-day delivery to our UK customers starting later this year.” Charles Meng, Head of Charging Solutions at Sinexcel, commented: “We see our ongoing partnership with Rolec as a significant milestone toward achieving our shared vision. As we’ve deepened our relationship, we’ve become more aligned on common goals. Sinexcel admires Rolec’s steadfast commitment to zero emissions. Their team is professional and precise, consistently impressing us with their deep expertise in the EV charging industry and their drive for innovation. Our team’s visits to Boston since forming this partnership have been both engaging and productive, leading to exciting new aspirations. We’re thrilled to launch the UltraCharge 30 together. We take pride in such exceptional products and are confident that the UltraCharge 30 will be well-received in the UK and EU EV charging sectors.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Gym Group is forging ahead with its ambitious growth strategy, targeting the opening of around 50 new gyms over the next three years, according to its CEO, Will Orr. In its latest interim results, the company revealed that four new gyms had already opened in the first half of the year, with locations in London Euston, Welwyn Garden City, Orpington, and Manchester. Since then, an additional three gyms have launched, bringing the total new openings to seven for 2024. With a strong development pipeline in place, The Gym Group has secured sites that will allow it to open between 10 and 12 new locations by the end of the year, in line with its previous forecasts. Orr also highlighted the partnership with property agent Savills, which is set to deliver 15 to 20 new sites in 2025, further accelerating the company’s expansion efforts. This growth comes amid a period of robust financial performance for The Gym Group. The company reported a 12% year-on-year increase in revenue for the six months ending 30 June 2024, reaching £112.1 million. It also returned to profitability, posting an adjusted pre-tax profit of £0.5 million, a significant turnaround from a £5.2 million loss in the same period the previous year. Looking ahead, The Gym Group expects to achieve a like-for-like revenue growth of 5-6% for 2024. Additionally, with a newly signed £90 million three-year bank facility, the company is well-positioned to continue its expansion, funded through free cash flow. Will Orr commented: “Our positive trading momentum in the first half reflects the early success of our ‘Next Chapter’ strategy, introduced in March. Membership, revenue, and profit have all increased, and our market-leading offering is resonating more than ever in a growing sector. We’re confident in our ability to deliver strong results for the full year, and our plans for the autumn trading period are firmly in place.” With the future looking bright, The Gym Group is not only focused on expanding its footprint but also on solidifying its market leadership in the fast-growing fitness sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life, has officially reached completion at its new development on Regiment Way in Chelmsford. Launching later this year, The Beacons – Arthur Ashby Court will be offering one and two-bedroom apartments for people over 55 comprising a mix of shared ownership and rental properties. The completion of the development will provide a total of 82 flats across four floors with communal facilities including a reception area, lounge, café, hair and beauty salon, wellness room and training room. Joanne Giles, Anchor’s Head of New Homes and Customer Care, said: “The official completion of The Beacons marks a large and very exciting step for Anchor as this exciting new development is a key step in helping Anchor to achieve its vision of creating 500 homes a year over a rolling ten-year period. The development will offer residents the very best of independent living, providing homes where people can continue to love living in later life.” Excellent connectivity and amenities make Chelmsford and The Beacons the perfect place for later living. There is ample greenery at your doorstep and all grocery stores close at hand. The proximity to London also offers residents the option to have an exciting day trip into the UK’s capital. Anchor has a strong development programme and is looking ahead to opening a number of new sites in the coming months. Locations include Rochester and Stockport, both of which will provide shared ownership and rental properties with excellent communal facilities. To find out more about Anchor’s new sites, please visit: https://www.anchornewhomes.org.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Software plays a vital role in 21st Century construction, helping modernise the industry, improve efficiencies, and deliver better project results. From the initial design process to eco-friendly practices, software is the cornerstone of modern construction, creating new jobs and fresh opportunities for a rapidly evolving workforce. Design and Innovation Design and innovation have moved from traditional times when the construction industry relied on blueprints and drawings to bring a project to life. Nowadays, you are more likely to view a proposed structure as a 3D model before any physical site work begins. This enhanced method of design and visualisation is also supported by the growing presence of virtual reality and augmented reality tools, sparking a new period of digital software innovation and career opportunities. These new technologies allow designers and project managers to visualise exactly what a building or structure will look like before a brick has been laid and allow stakeholders to take a virtual stroll through the structure. Project Management One of the biggest advantages of software in the construction industry is its ability to enhance project management. Cloud-based solutions like construction enterprise resource planning (ERP) software help streamline processes and improve efficiencies across multiple teams so that projects run on time and within budget. Another transformative technology in construction is supply chain management software, which offers a range of functionalities, from tracking the flow of materials to managing invoices and costs. The development of ERP and supply chain management software represents key growth sectors in today’s construction industry. Communication and Collaboration Clear communication and strong collaboration are essential in any successful construction project. Thanks to continued investment and the evolving development of modern software and apps, communication between construction teams has never been better. Communication software keeps everyone in the loop and on the same page at every stage of the construction process. Any pinch points can be quickly identified and resolved so that problems resulting from poor communication are avoided. This not only delivers greater efficiencies for building firms, but it can also help reduce labour and other operational costs. AI and Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics can transform most industries, and they’re already having a powerful impact on the construction world. These dynamic software tools can analyse every aspect of a construction project and provide data-driven information on which parts are working well and which are not. Using this data combined with advanced tools, construction firms can adjust their outlooks and address specific issues to maximise efficiencies across the business, identify bottlenecks, and ultimately increase profit margins. AI is only set to create more opportunities in the future, with the market expected to grow from £16.8 billion to £801.6 billion by 2023, with construction poised to harness the benefits that brings. Automation and Smart Machines Automation has already replaced many manual, repetitive tasks in construction. But this ingenious feature of many software platforms will have an even greater influence in years to come, creating an abundance of opportunities for developers and engineers alike. By letting the software automate certain tasks, such as data manipulation, the whole sector can see productivity gains. Similarly, drone technology allows construction teams to accurately monitor and assess buildings and structures to provide a clear and detailed picture for site managers. They can inspect sites from the air to identify problems that would be difficult to spot from the ground and provide a bird’s-eye view of areas that are dangerous to reach. Not only does this create a safer environment, but drone software can produce real-time data to increase efficiencies and boost productivity. Advanced Sensor Technology Sensor technology has made huge progress and continues to do so, relaying essential information back to project managers to act upon. These state-of-the-art sensors can be embedded into construction materials and equipment where they detect defects and structural weaknesses and give vital feedback on everything from air quality to the movement of site vehicles. By continuously monitoring the building process, firms can spot potential risks early and take appropriate action to reduce the probability of accidents or injury. Similarly, construction companies are harnessing the advantages of IoT, or the Internet of Things, referring to the vast network of interconnected devices and apps that collect important data. This enables teams to monitor multiple aspects such as temperature and humidity as well as fuel and energy consumption to ensure maximum efficiencies across a project. Eco-friendly Solutions Like most industries, construction has a responsibility to reduce its negative impact on the environment for a more sustainable future in line with the UK government’s Net Zero 2050 target. With so many materials required for a project and so much waste produced, firms are under renewed pressure to adopt greener and more sustainable ways of working. Construction software helps teams identify where improvements can be made to reduce waste, improve efficiencies, and lower their carbon footprint. Not only that, but this technology ensures maximum benefits are gained from any materials used on a project to create greener buildings and structures for all as well as a variety of career software development opportunities. As you can see, technology is a driving force in construction already, and many sectors of the industry rely on it to achieve maximum efficiencies, streamline projects, and create safer and more sustainable working environments, buildings, and structures. As systems and techniques continue to evolve, a new world of career opportunities in construction software development and delivery will open up too. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
