When global beauty leader L’Oréal set out to develop its new distribution centre in Auckland, New Zealand, the brief extended far beyond operational efficiency. The Dangerous Goods Store within the facility required a robust, compliant lighting solution for a Zone 2 hazardous environment, while also contributing to a sustainability ambition
A £231m transformation of London’s Barbican Arts Centre has secured planning and listed building consent, paving the way for a comprehensive retrofit of one of the UK’s most recognisable post-war cultural landmarks. Approval from the City of London Corporation enables long-awaited works to address ageing building fabric, accessibility constraints and
Prologis UK and EQT Real Estate have completed the sale and acquisition of a three-asset, fully leased logistics portfolio in the Midlands for an undisclosed sum. The portfolio comprises Nuneaton Bermuda Park DC1 and Rugby Central Park DC1 and DC2, totalling approximately 909,000 sq ft across the East and West Midlands. The Midlands continues to play a
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership to deliver the Waterbeach railway station haul road – the company’s first project awarded under the Eastern Highways
STARK Group has been awarded EcoVadis Platinum for the fifth year in a row, the highest distinction in one of the world’s leading sustainability rating systems. With a score of 94/100, the Group ranks in the top 1% of more than 150,000 companies assessed globally. The rating confirms STARK Group’s
Bovis has secured a major contract to refurbish, extend and fit out 10 Paternoster Square in the City of London, in a £200m transformation of the London Stock Exchange’s headquarters. Developers Oxford Properties and Hines have appointed Bovis Construction (Europe) under a pre-construction services agreement to deliver the comprehensive reconfiguration
John Lewis Partnership is reportedly exploring plans to buy back a number of Waitrose supermarkets from landlords, as it doubles down on its core retail operations. According to reports in a leading UK broadsheet newspaper, the employee-owned retailer is considering repurchasing certain stores after building up around £1.5bn in cash
Global A&E firm teams with construction data platform to track real-time materials and carbon data for flagship workplace pilot NORR, a global architecture and engineering firm with 750 professionals across 12 market sectors, announces its collaboration with Qflow, a leading construction data capture and analysis tool focused on real-time tracking
Mears has sold its education and health facilities management division for £18m as it accelerates its strategic shift towards core housing services. The contractor confirmed the sale of Morrison Facilities Services Limited following a competitive sales process, marking another step in its plan to streamline operations and concentrate exclusively on
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed the launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub in the Royal Docks, which will ensure construction waste is recycled and re-used instead of going to landfill. The new hub is set to become the largest in Europe and will support the
When global beauty leader L’Oréal set out to develop its new distribution centre in Auckland, New Zealand, the brief extended far beyond operational efficiency. The Dangerous Goods Store within the facility required a robust, compliant lighting solution for a Zone 2 hazardous environment, while also contributing to a sustainability ambition that would ultimately make history in New Zealand. Delivered in November 2025, the project brought together a strong collaboration team: developer James Kirkpatrick Group, architect Gravitas Consulting, builder Waide Commercial Construction, and Electrical and Lighting Consultant Electrical Consulting Services. Electrical Consulting Services, in collaboration with Techlight, was entrusted with delivering a lighting solution that would meet stringent safety, performance, and environmental benchmarks. There was only one manufacturer they wanted to partner with, Petrel. Designing for Zone 2: Safety Without Compromise The Dangerous Goods Store was classified as Zone 2, an environment where explosive gas atmospheres are not likely to occur in normal operation, and, if they do occur, will exist only for a short time. In such settings, lighting is not merely functional; it is critical infrastructure. To address this, 73No Petrel ALED4/G/Z2/156E luminaires were installed as high-bay fittings, illuminating aisles and open warehouse areas with powerful, consistent light output. These fixtures are engineered specifically for hazardous locations, providing the necessary ingress protection, durability and compliance for Zone 2 applications. Their robust construction ensures long-term reliability while minimising maintenance requirements, an essential consideration in environments handling dangerous goods. Complementing the general lighting, 12No Petrel 9LED5700/EM units were deployed to provide emergency illumination across aisles and open areas. In any hazardous facility, emergency lighting must operate seamlessly in the event of power failure, ensuring safe evacuation and maintaining visibility during critical incidents. The integration of dedicated emergency luminaires reinforces the project’s uncompromising approach to safety. Supporting a 6-Star Green Star Milestone While safety and compliance were paramount, sustainability remained central to the project vision. The distribution centre has achieved New Zealand’s first-ever 6-Star Green Star Design Certified rating, the highest possible rating awarded by the New Zealand Green Building Council. This world-leading certification represents excellence in sustainable design and places the facility at the forefront of environmentally responsible industrial development in New Zealand. Commenting on the project, Stuart Head, Technical and Certification Manager at Petrel Ltd said “Lighting is central to Green Star performance, influencing energy use, operational carbon and overall environmental quality. By combining high-performance LEDs with precise optical control, the L’Oréal Dangerous Goods Store achieves lower emissions, reduced energy demand and safer working conditions. Petrel is proud to have supported the delivery of this award-winning outcome.” By combining hazardous-area compliance with energy-efficient design, Petrel’s solution demonstrates that performance and sustainability are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually reinforcing. Collaboration Driving Innovation Projects of this calibre depend on close collaboration between stakeholders. Early engagement with the end user, developer, design consultants and construction team ensured that lighting specifications aligned seamlessly with architectural intent, structural constraints, electrical and fire suppression infrastructure. The result is a facility that not only meets stringent hazardous-area standards but also aligns with global best practice in sustainable industrial design. Techlight’s National Sales Manager, Pierre Abrahamse, said: “The L’Oréal Dangerous Goods Store project sets a new benchmark, demonstrating how specialist lighting capability can drive both operational excellence and environmental leadership. Credit goes to the team at Petrel for their skill, commitment and genuine passion for the sector.” In an era where supply chain infrastructure must be safer, smarter and greener, this Auckland facility sets a new global standard. Through thoughtful design, precision engineering and collaborative delivery, it proves that even the most technically demanding environments can achieve world-class sustainability outcomes. To learn more about this story and the products featured, please visit Petrel’s website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £231m transformation of London’s Barbican Arts Centre has secured planning and listed building consent, paving the way for a comprehensive retrofit of one of the UK’s most recognisable post-war cultural landmarks. Approval from the City of London Corporation enables long-awaited works to address ageing building fabric, accessibility constraints and outdated infrastructure across the Grade II-listed Brutalist complex. The project has been designed by Allies and Morrison in collaboration with Asif Khan Studio and engineer Buro Happold. Crucially, the scheme is entirely retrofit-led. No additional floorspace will be created. Instead, the focus is on repairing, upgrading and optimising the existing structure, preserving the character of the 1980s arts centre while bringing it up to modern standards. A central element of the plans is the full refurbishment of the Barbican Conservatory. Long-standing maintenance issues will be resolved and a new climate-controlled environment introduced to safeguard plant life. A new lift and stair will open up the raised balconies for the first time, creating publicly accessible viewing areas and improving circulation. Accessibility improvements run throughout the wider building. A new lift in the Conservatory will provide step-free access to the fly tower for the first time, while a second lift in the main foyer will enhance routes to the Concert Hall and Theatre. The scheme also includes upgraded wayfinding, additional toilet facilities and a new multi-faith room. Externally, the lakeside terrace and foyers will undergo a careful, sustainability-led upgrade. Original materials, including glazing and paving within the Conservatory, will be retained and reused wherever possible to minimise embodied carbon and protect the integrity of the Brutalist design. The conservation-led approach has received backing from national heritage bodies, including Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society. The City of London Corporation has committed £191m towards Phase 1 of the programme, with further funding to be raised through philanthropy and partnerships. Major on-site works are scheduled to begin in 2027. Between June 2028 and 2029, most Barbican activity will pause to enable the most intensive phase of construction, although Cinemas on Beech Street will remain open and programming will continue with resident partners such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Opened in 1982 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Barbican welcomes more than one million visitors each year. The approved scheme is intended to secure the building’s fabric, accessibility and cultural relevance for at least the next half century. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis UK and EQT Real Estate have completed the sale and acquisition of a three-asset, fully leased logistics portfolio in the Midlands for an undisclosed sum. The portfolio comprises Nuneaton Bermuda Park DC1 and Rugby Central Park DC1 and DC2, totalling approximately 909,000 sq ft across the East and West Midlands. The Midlands continues to play a critical role in the UK’s distribution network, supported by established infrastructure and resilient customer demand. For Prologis, the sale reflects active portfolio management. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “These are high-quality, stabilised assets in core locations. The transaction reflects our disciplined approach to capital allocation. We regularly assess where we can realise value and redeploy capital into development and other opportunities that support our long-term priorities in the UK.” The acquisition strengthens EQT Real Estate’s presence in UK logistics markets, one of Europe’s most established and strategically located distribution hubs. Jonathan Mackie, Managing Director at EQT Real Estate, added: “The Midlands is one of the UK’s most important logistics hubs, and this portfolio is well positioned to serve the evolving needs of occupiers while benefiting from active asset management and long-term sustainability-led value creation. The addition of these assets to our portfolio aligns strongly with EQT Real Estate’s strategy of acquiring modern, high-potential logistics properties in underserved markets in Europe.” The transaction reflects continued investor demand for stabilised logistics assets in core UK markets. The sector benefits from long-term demand trends and limited availability of modern space in established locations, which continues to attract institutional investment. Prologis continues to deploy capital across the UK. Recent activity includes four development starts at DIRFT, including M&S Food’s flagship National Distribution Centre and being announced as development partnership for Manchester Airport Group at East Midlands Airport Freeport. Prologis were advised by CBRE & DTRE, EQT were advised by Knight Frank. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership to deliver the Waterbeach railway station haul road – the company’s first project awarded under the Eastern Highways Alliance Framework (EHF4). The £800 million framework is managed by Central Bedfordshire Council and includes a collaborative group of ten local authorities across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, and Thurrock. The project commenced in November and is due for completion in Summer 2026, with Winvic delivering the works under a NEC4 Option A contract. Procured via a competitive mini competition under Lot 1 of the EHA Framework, the £3 million scheme forms a key early enabling element of the wider gateway works for the construction of the new town of Waterbeach and the future railway station. The 3.1km haul road is crucial to providing access for the next phase of works, enabling Spencer Group to begin construction of the new station. Approximately 830 metres of the route will utilise the existing former airfield taxiway as a foundation within the Urban & Civic site, with a further 2.3km of new carriageway constructed across the wider Waterbeach development. On completion, the road will feature a 3.75m-wide single carriageway with passing bays on the farmland section and a 7.0m-wide single carriageway along the taxiway, supported by drainage and fencing throughout. A significant programme of earthworks and utilities protection will be undertaken, with Winvic reusing surplus site-won material for level adjustments, bund creation and ditch excavations. Winvic is also further exploring value-engineering opportunities to reduce material use, cost and carbon where feasible. Winvic will manage extensive stakeholder engagement throughout delivery, including regular coordination with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, which is responsible for the delivery of the new railway station itself, and the developer Urban & Civic. Key traffic and pedestrian management measures will be implemented on Bannold Drove (Green Lane), with early engagement planned to minimise disruption to the surrounding community. The site’s historic use as a former army barracks also introduces archaeological oversight, UXO considerations and remote working requirements, with the team operating up to 3km from the main compound. As part of its EHA social value commitments, Winvic will deliver a structured programme of employment, skills and community initiatives in collaboration with local supply chain partners, SMEs, educational providers and charities. Activities will be shaped by local needs and aligned with framework reporting requirements, including opportunities for apprentices, underrepresented groups and targeted community support. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, said: “Securing our first project under the EHA Framework is a significant milestone for Winvic and reflects the strength of our relationship with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Cambridgeshire County Council and partners across the region. The Waterbeach Station haul road is an important enabling scheme that underpins the long-term growth of the new town and the delivery of critical transport infrastructure. We look forward to bringing our civil engineering expertise, collaborative approach and commitment to creating a positive impact in the local area, helping set the standard for future schemes under the framework.” Thomas Fitzpatrick, Head of Programme at the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “We’re pleased to appoint Winvic to the first phase of work for the new Waterbeach station – building the haul road. The road is designed to minimise disruption to residents during construction of the new station later in the year. We’ve got a package of transport projects in Waterbeach – a new travel hub with park and ride facilities, a new busway, and the Waterbeach Greenway. With the new station, we’re not only providing another sustainable transport option but also unlocking new housing for local people.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
STARK Group has been awarded EcoVadis Platinum for the fifth year in a row, the highest distinction in one of the world’s leading sustainability rating systems. With a score of 94/100, the Group ranks in the top 1% of more than 150,000 companies assessed globally. The rating confirms STARK Group’s strong performance across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement, underlining the Group’s ambition to make sustainability an integrated and commercial driver of its business. For customers, the rating provides independent recognition of STARK Group’s work with responsibility and documentation. The Group now provides CO₂ data for 78% of all LCA-relevant product sales in the Nordics and Germany. In the Nordic markets, product-level climate data is available through digital tools that enable customers to select lower-carbon alternatives, comply with emerging building regulations, and document the overall climate footprint of their projects. At the same time, the Group has invested significantly in capabilities and advisory services. More than 700 sustainability ambassadors have been trained, and nearly half of STARK Group’s 18,500 employees have completed basic sustainability training. STARK Group’s CEO, Søren P. Olesen, says: “Receiving Platinum for the fifth consecutive year demonstrates that sustainability is not a side project, but an integrated part of our business foundation and our collaboration across the value chain. Our ambition is to raise both our own performance and that of the wider industry. By combining strong supplier partnerships, relevant customer tools and ambitious reporting, we make sustainability practical, transparent and a genuine competitive advantage.” STARK UK’s Head of Sustainability, Sabrina Passley, says: “At STARK UK, sustainability is fundamental to how we operate. Being part of a Group that consistently achieves Platinum recognition demonstrates the strength of our governance, transparency and responsible supply chain practices. For our customers, this means practical support, credible product solutions and trusted data to help them build more sustainably. It underlines that sustainability at STARK UK is embedded, measurable and central to our long-term success.” With approximately 15,000 suppliers, STARK Group works systematically to strengthen responsible processes and drive joint development across markets. The focus is on close collaboration between the group’s business units and direct dialogue with suppliers to identify opportunities for partnerships and continuous improvements. STARK Group is also ahead of upcoming regulatory requirements. The Group already reports in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and has published its first integrated financial and sustainability report several years before the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is expected to apply in full to the company. EcoVadis assesses companies against 21 sustainability criteria across four core areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The assessment process is designed to enhance transparency and promote continuous improvement across global value chains, enabling customers to monitor performance and identify high-performing partners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bovis has secured a major contract to refurbish, extend and fit out 10 Paternoster Square in the City of London, in a £200m transformation of the London Stock Exchange’s headquarters. Developers Oxford Properties and Hines have appointed Bovis Construction (Europe) under a pre-construction services agreement to deliver the comprehensive reconfiguration of the landmark building. The scheme marks a notable return for Bovis, which originally completed the property in 2003 as part of the wider Paternoster Square development. The project will reshape the building to provide best-in-class office accommodation alongside a new public-facing attraction in the heart of the Square Mile. Central to the redevelopment is the reimagining of the London Stock Exchange’s ceremonial core. For the first time, the daily market opening and closing ceremonies will be made visible to the public through the introduction of a new glass atrium, bringing traditionally private moments into view. The works will also include new roof extensions, the creation of an events pavilion and the addition of terraces and balconies offering panoramic views towards St Paul’s Cathedral. The aim is to deliver a more open, engaging and experience-led workspace that reflects the evolving demands of occupiers in prime central London. Sustainability sits at the core of the proposals. The scheme is targeting BREEAM Excellent and NABERS 5-star accreditation, with more than 95 per cent of the existing structural frame and façade to be retained in line with circular economy principles. This retention-led approach is expected to significantly reduce embodied carbon while extending the life of the building. Bovis chief executive David Cadiot said it was a privilege to return to a building the company had originally delivered more than two decades ago, adding that the transformation would create both high-quality workspace and a new visitor destination for the City. Pre-construction services are due to commence next month, with completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
John Lewis Partnership is reportedly exploring plans to buy back a number of Waitrose supermarkets from landlords, as it doubles down on its core retail operations. According to reports in a leading UK broadsheet newspaper, the employee-owned retailer is considering repurchasing certain stores after building up around £1.5bn in cash reserves. While the number of supermarkets under review has not been disclosed, sources close to the business suggest the approach is likely to be selective and opportunistic rather than part of a wholesale acquisition strategy. The potential buyback forms part of a broader repositioning by the group, which has recently stepped away from its previously announced £500m build-to-rent housing programme. That scheme had been designed to diversify income streams, but was abandoned amid shifting economic conditions and a renewed focus on retail fundamentals. Instead, John Lewis Partnership is understood to be concentrating investment on modernising its store estate, strengthening digital platforms and enhancing supply chain efficiency. Reacquiring certain Waitrose sites would give the business greater control over key trading locations and long-term asset strategy, while potentially improving balance sheet resilience. The reported move comes as the retailer signals growing confidence in its turnaround strategy. Recent announcements include a 6.9 per cent pay rise for staff, lifting hourly rates to £13.25 nationwide and £14.80 within the M25. For full-time shop floor colleagues, this could equate to up to £1,600 in additional annual earnings, with the new rates taking effect from 1 April. The renewed emphasis on core retail follows a period of strategic reassessment across the partnership, including the cancellation of large-scale residential development ambitions. By prioritising investment in established brands such as John Lewis and Waitrose, the group appears to be focusing on strengthening its competitive position on the high street and in food retail. While formal details of any property transactions have yet to be confirmed, the reported buyback plans underline a shift towards consolidation and control within the partnership’s retail portfolio as it seeks to build momentum in its recovery strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global A&E firm teams with construction data platform to track real-time materials and carbon data for flagship workplace pilot NORR, a global architecture and engineering firm with 750 professionals across 12 market sectors, announces its collaboration with Qflow, a leading construction data capture and analysis tool focused on real-time tracking of materials, waste, and carbon data. The Toronto-based workplace project is pursuing the Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon Certification, demonstrating NORR’s commitment to data-driven sustainability strategies. The collaboration addresses a critical challenge in sustainable construction: the gap between design-phase carbon assumptions and as-built reality. While traditional lifecycle assessment (LCA) tools provide essential design-phase carbon estimates, Qflow complements these tools by capturing comprehensive, real-time data on materials arriving on site. This approach delivers more detailed information that is easier to collect, providing accurate as-built carbon tracking essential for rigorous certifications. Bridging design intent and construction reality Real-time visibility will enable NORR’s sustainability team to identify supply chain risks, verify Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and make informed decisions about material substitutions during construction rather than relying solely on design-phase estimates. Enabling faster, carbon-informed decisions NORR identified three key benefits that Qflow’s platform will deliver for the firm’s sustainability-focused projects: A foundation for future collaboration Beyond the Toronto pilot project, NORR plans to leverage this partnership as a framework for future sustainability-focused projects. As the firm recognises that construction industry standards are evolving toward requiring as-built carbon data rather than design-phase estimates, this partnership places NORR at the forefront of accurate carbon accounting practices. The collaboration also supports NORR’s broader ethos of integrated thinking and inspired design, providing the data infrastructure needed to educate clients on sustainable design value propositions and demonstrate the long-term return on investment of high-performance buildings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mears has sold its education and health facilities management division for £18m as it accelerates its strategic shift towards core housing services. The contractor confirmed the sale of Morrison Facilities Services Limited following a competitive sales process, marking another step in its plan to streamline operations and concentrate exclusively on the housing sector. The transaction was completed on a debt and cash-free basis with a normalised level of working capital. Morrison Facilities Services, which primarily delivered facilities management contracts across education and healthcare settings, generated revenue of £32m and pre-tax profit of £2.8m in the year to 31 December 2025. The business had previously been reported within Mears’ maintenance-led segment. Mears originally acquired the business in 2011 from Anglian Water Group for £24m. The latest disposal reflects a decisive repositioning of the group’s portfolio in response to evolving market conditions and long-term demand dynamics. Chief executive Lucas Critchley said the move represented further progress in simplifying the group’s structure and aligning it with its strategic priorities. He added that the disposal reinforces Mears’ focus on delivering housing services, a market underpinned by strong regulatory drivers and sustained investment requirements. The decision comes at a time when social housing providers and local authorities are facing increasing pressure around compliance, building safety and decarbonisation. These factors are driving significant, long-term demand for maintenance, refurbishment and asset management services across the housing estate. By narrowing its operational focus, Mears is positioning itself to capitalise on these structural growth drivers while reducing exposure to non-core activities. The sale is expected to provide greater clarity to investors regarding the group’s direction and strengthen its ability to allocate capital and management resource towards its core housing operations. The disposal signals a more concentrated and disciplined strategy as Mears seeks to build scale and resilience within the UK housing services market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed the launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub in the Royal Docks, which will ensure construction waste is recycled and re-used instead of going to landfill. The new hub is set to become the largest in Europe and will support the Mayor’s ambition for the capital to be a zero carbon city by 2030. It is the first phase of a wider Circular Economy Village that will be unlocked over the coming years in London Borough of Newham.* A circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. The Hub will see products and materials kept in circulation through refurbishment and recycling – a vital step in helping to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The new hub in the Royal Docks, which is being delivered in collaboration with charity Tipping Point East and Newham Council, is supported by the Mayor of London and Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE. It will position London as a global leader in low carbon construction and drive green jobs across East London..** Hosted on GLA land, the hub will also support the sustainable delivery of thousands of new homes in the Royal Docks by promoting innovative construction techniques that accelerate the transition to low carbon construction. This includes the Lendlease led Silvertown development, supported by the Crown Estate and Newham Council, now approved for 7,000 new homes, with a target of at least 30% delivered as affordable housing. [1] These homes are part of the Mayor’s of London’s ambition to build more than 36,000 new homes and create 55,000 new jobs across this historic part of East London, through his Royal Docks Enterprise Zone partnership with the Mayor of Newham and Newham Council. [2] By enabling large scale material reuse and capturing resources from construction and demolition that typically go to waste – the hub will help significantly reduce the embodied carbon in new developments and is estimated to divert at least 950 tonnes of materials from landfill over 5 years. The construction industry produces 62 per cent of the UK’s waste and construction waste is highly detrimental to the environment as it breaks down ecosystems, uses up natural resources and creates significant landfill pollution. In the UK, the construction, demolition, and excavation (CDE) sector generates over 100 million tonnes of waste annually, with more than five million tonnes still reaching landfill, despite high recycling rates. [3] As part of his pledge to make London greener and achieve net-zero carbon by 2030, the Mayor has placed circular economy principles at the heart of planning policy to ensure London is leading the way in the green transition of the construction sector. The Royal Docks is uniquely positioned to become a hub of circular construction due to its excellent and robust infrastructure, close proximity to Central London, existing industrial land and major development pipelines. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to see the launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub in the Royal Docks, which will help support our ambition to make the capital a zero carbon city by 2030. “London is leading the way in the green transition of the construction sector and that this new hub is part of a wider plan to create a Circular Economy Village in the area – with the hub set to become the largest in Europe when fully activated. “We are not only cutting carbon emissions, but are also creating new jobs and homes for Londoners as we build a greener and fairer city for everyone.” Policies implemented by Sadiq since he took office in 2016 mean that all major developments in the capital must now design out waste, retain existing structures where possible, reuse materials and significantly reduce embodied carbon – setting out how the London Plan energy policies will be met within the development. [4] In addition, the Mayor’s Green Skills Academy provides a skilled workforce able to retrofit environmentally friendly energy systems to reduce emissions, address the longstanding skill shortage in the construction sector, and target emerging green occupations. [5] The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “The launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub right here in our Royal Docks is another defining moment for Newham as we marshal our efforts to deliver on our Just Transition Action Plan to address the impact of Climate change. “By transforming how we build, we aren’t just reducing waste, we are also pioneering our ‘just transition’ impact through the creation of green jobs and delivery of high-quality, sustainable homes our residents deserve and can afford. “In partnership with the Mayor of London and Tipping Point East, we are proving that world-class innovation is happening in Newham and is being driven by a Council that is safeguarding the earth,. Newham is showing that we can embed inclusive growth with the foundation of a fairer, greener economy, with opportunities for all and without costing the earth.” George Massoud, Trustee at Tipping Point East and Founding Director of Material Cultures, said: “Tipping Point East will be a radical new Climate Futures centre and crucial piece of infrastructure for the circular economy in London, accelerating the transition towards net-zero and developing the construction sector’s Green Skill capacity. “By embedding circular economy processes directly into London’s material flows, TPE will practically demonstrate how we move towards a just transition.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals