Russ Beresford joins leading retirement BTR operator to help drive aggressive expansion Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has appointed a new Development Director to help fuel the company’s growth as it gears up to meet the anticipated surge in demand for rental homes suitable for older people
Following 2023’s highly successful initial foray south of the border, DM Hall, the leading independent firm of chartered surveyors, is set to open a new branch office in Truro, Cornwall under the management of DM Hall director, Scott Harrington. The new office, at the Cornwall Innovation Centre in Treliske, Truro,
The latest market insight from London’s largest lettings and sales estate agent brand*, Foxtons, has revealed that London’s much loved parks are attracting house price premiums of 53% compared to the wider market average, with Green Park home to the highest premium of the lot. Foxtons analysed current market data looking
United Trust Bank (UTB) has appointed Ben Jenkinson as Head of Product & Strategy in its Property Development division. Ben has over 20 years’ experience in real estate finance holding senior positions across both public and private sectors and with lenders and agencies including Nationwide, RBS and Homes England. Ben’s
Ali White, Associate Director and Head of Business Development, Conscious Communications Businesses are increasingly being held to account for their broad social and environmental impact, which has led to stakeholder engagement shifting to become a central focus of corporate strategy. For organisations, particularly those operating in sectors with significant community
City & Country has further strengthened its expert technical team with the appointment of Adam Towers as Technical Director. Adam joins with more than 17 years’ experience, having started as a trainee technical co-ordinator at Telford Homes, before moving to CALA Homes, based out of its Northern Homes Counties. Adam
Sunbelt Rentals, the UK’s largest rental equipment provider, has invested in an additional eleven X-SOLAR SECURITY towers. This latest acquisition will strengthen their existing stock of CCTV and security equipment available for Sunbelt Rentals’ customers to hire. The X-SOLAR SECURITY towers are manufactured and supplied by the lighting tower specialist,
Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has been submitted. Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has
The intersection of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) holds immense potential. By integrating Forge’s intelligent models with Microsoft Azure IoT Hub, we open the door to vast possibilities, including advanced machine learning insights. In this article, we’ll explore how data collected using BIM 360 software
Bouygues UK has been appointed as lead contractor to build a new secondary school for the Department of Education in Grove, Oxfordshire. St John’s Academy, a £28.2 million project for Vale Academy Trust, will be built alongside the already completed primary school in Grove on the Wellington Gate Development, and
Russ Beresford joins leading retirement BTR operator to help drive aggressive expansion Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has appointed a new Development Director to help fuel the company’s growth as it gears up to meet the anticipated surge in demand for rental homes suitable for older people over the next 10 years. Russ Beresford comes to the firm with more than 20 years of experience in the property development industry. Prior to joining Birchgrove, he was Head of Development at co-living provider The Collective and has also held roles at Landsec, Blackstone Property Management, Hammerson and Lend Lease. In addition to co-living, his previous roles span a number of other sub-sectors of the property world, including Central London office development, out-of-town retail and city centre mixed use developments. The appointment of Beresford follows two other appointments from outside the later living sector late last year, with Marcus Hodges joining as Chief Operating Officer and Raphaël Koifman taking up the post of Chief Financial Officer. According to Birchgrove’s CEO, Honor Barratt, all three appointments were strategic moves to bring fresh thinking into the business. “At Birchgrove we’ve always been experts on senior living. However, we recognised that there was a wealth of knowledge we could bring in from outside our particular area that could help us grow the business at the scale needed to meet the huge demographic shifts taking place in our society. “According to CBRE research, the UK already has a 614,000 shortfall in senior living units and that number is only going to get larger if estimates on the number of people renting in retirement are to be believed – a Pensions Policy Institute report published last year predicted that by 2041, 17% of pensioners will be renting privately. “We’re delighted to have secured someone with Russ’s background, who has expertise in many areas that I don’t. We believe he can help us expand at scale, as well as making sure we’re planning our developments so we’re running buildings efficiently for the long term, maximising sellable area and constructing buildings with flexibility as our customers change in the future.” Russ Beresford added: “This post is a development professional’s dream – a well-backed company with huge expansion plans and an emphasis on innovation. I’m looking forward to playing a role in the company’s growth.” Founded in 2017, Birchgrove operates four retirement communities across the South-East, with two of these now at full capacity and operating waiting lists. It has a fifth development set to open before the end of this year, with four additional communities under construction. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following 2023’s highly successful initial foray south of the border, DM Hall, the leading independent firm of chartered surveyors, is set to open a new branch office in Truro, Cornwall under the management of DM Hall director, Scott Harrington. The new office, at the Cornwall Innovation Centre in Treliske, Truro, will open in the first week of September and is currently recruiting Cornwall-based professional and administrative team members. A highly experienced chartered building surveyor, Scott is principally involved in de-risking high-value projects for clients to achieve budget confidence and undertakes high-value pre-acquisition surveys which often lead to project management commissions. Having acted as an expert witness in a substantial number of construction and boundary dispute matters, Scott helps clients resolve disputes while also undertaking a wide range of other building surveying work. He is transferring from DM Hall’s office in Carlisle, having been a co-founder of Hyde Harrington, chartered surveyors, some 30 years ago before it was acquired by DM Hall in 2023. His former role has been filled by Pamela Holness who recently relocated to the region. Scott said: “Having holidayed in Cornwall for the last twenty years I have reached the stage at which I had a real yearning to relocate there. I have thoroughly researched the market in Cornwall and made a compelling business case to my colleagues which tells us that we can build real market presence by focusing on the type of work that I have been involved in for many years. “There are some great surveying firms in Cornwall, but with my experience over the last 40-plus years, I hope to provide a slightly different approach, and in some ways a complementary service in the Southwest. “I’m pleased to say that I have the full support of the senior management team at DM Hall and my wife, Pamela Harrington, an artist who paints Cornish seascapes and is represented by Gallery Tresco.” John McHugh, DM Hall’s managing partner, said: “We have been hugely encouraged by the boost to our activity level from the acquisition last year of our Cumbrian operation. “We are excited by this new development and have high hopes that Scott’s opening of a DM Hall office in Truro, at the other end of the UK from our long-established Scottish operation, will demonstrate that we continue to be a dynamic, innovative professional firm with an unquenchable ambition always to be the best we can be. “We have pledged our full support to Scott and his new team and have no doubt that his expertise, combined with our support, will build a new, successful DM Hall office in the Southwest.“ DM Hall has a network of offices across Scotland, Cumbria, and the newly launched Southwest office. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest market insight from London’s largest lettings and sales estate agent brand*, Foxtons, has revealed that London’s much loved parks are attracting house price premiums of 53% compared to the wider market average, with Green Park home to the highest premium of the lot. Foxtons analysed current market data looking at house prices in each of the postcodes straddling 13 of London’s biggest and best parks to reveal just how much a park adjacent property purchase will cost you in the capital*, before comparing this to the average price across the wider boroughs in which these postcodes are located to reveal what premiums a park house purchase commands in the current market. The research shows that, on average, purchasing a property close to one of London’s best parks will set you back £802,422 – that’s a premium of 53% when compared to the current average London house price of £523,134. In fact, all but two of the 13 parks analysed by Foxtons commanded a house price premium for those looking to purchase within walking distance of green space, with Green Park in Westminster topping the table. Straddled by the W1J and SW1A postcodes, the average price of a property surrounding Green Park comes in at £1.48m. While the wider borough of Westminster boasts an average house price of £954,279, this means that properties close to Green Park still command a premium of 55% in the current market. Battersea Park is home to the second highest park property premium across the capital, with the average price of a home across the SW11, SW3 and SW8 postcodes sitting at £927,098 – 50% higher than the wider borough of Wandsworth. Kensington Gardens is home to the third highest premium at 40% and with an average house price of £1.5m across its surrounding postcodes, it’s also home to the highest average house price of all 13 parks analysed by Foxtons. However, there are two London parks where surrounding property prices come in at a more affordable level versus the wider boroughs in which they are found. A property within the four postcodes surrounding Bushy Park in Richmond will cost you an average of £597,543 in the current market – -19% below the wider average of £737,024 for the borough of Richmond. The average price of a home in postcodes surrounding Crystal Palace park is also some -14% more affordable than the average found across the four boroughs it sits within. Foxtons CEO, Guy Gittins, commented: “London’s parks are an iconic part of the city’s landscape and they also provide vital green space for those who live and work within the city to relax and unwind, especially when the sun comes out. This is vital as it provides them with a place to get out of the house, exercise, meet with friends and family, or simply get some fresh air. All of which are important when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Of course, this makes them a desirable feature in the eyes of the capital’s buyers and, as a result, properties within close proximity to one of the capital’s best parks don’t come cheap. As our research shows, all but two of London’s best parks boast healthy house price premiums when compared to the wider boroughs in which they are found”. Sources and data tables *Foxtons is London’s No.1 estate agency brand based on TwentyCi data, 2023 v 2022 market share and market share growth of New Instructions at a brand level. *Foxtons is the UK’s fastest growing sales agent in the top 10 agents based on TwentyCi data of market share and market share growth of New Instructions at a brand level 2023 v 2022, growing by 28% year on year. Foxtons is the UK’s fastest growing lettings agent in the top 10 agents based on TwentyCi data of market share and market growth of New Instructions at a brand level 2023 v 2022, growing by over 35% year on year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Trust Bank (UTB) has appointed Ben Jenkinson as Head of Product & Strategy in its Property Development division. Ben has over 20 years’ experience in real estate finance holding senior positions across both public and private sectors and with lenders and agencies including Nationwide, RBS and Homes England. Ben’s expertise extends to product creation, origination, credit, transacting and restructuring. In his new role with UTB, Ben will be working with Head of Property Development Adam Bovingdon and Head of Originations – Property Development, Paul DeCroos. The role will see Ben supporting the Bank as it aims to maintain its strong growth by assisting even more housebuilders and developers across England & Wales in their endeavours to build the many thousands of new homes the UK needs. Continuing its investment in people, and in response to greater demand for development funding seen since the start of the year, the Bank also announced the appointment of Kayleigh Simpson as Manager – Property Development. Kayleigh has worked in real estate and commercial banking for 11 years with lenders including Cynergy Bank and RBS. In her new role she is assisting housebuilders operating across the North West of England with a range of development finance and developer exit solutions. Adam Bovingdon, Head of Property Development – United Trust Bank, commented: “With the economy continuing to improve and demand for development finance growing stronger, we’re keen to provide housebuilders and developers with the products and service they need to seize opportunities and build their businesses. “We have never been busier supporting projects in the North of England and Kayleigh will ensure we maintain our high levels of service to customers whilst continuing to build awareness of UTB amongst housebuilders operating in the North West. “Ben’s extensive experience in creating innovative finance solutions will help us to create a suite of new products as we continue to evolve our proposition and service to meet the changing needs of housebuilders. The future is looking increasingly bright and UTB aims to be at the forefront of specialist development finance lenders as we encourage our customers to look ahead with renewed confidence and ambition.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ali White, Associate Director and Head of Business Development, Conscious Communications Businesses are increasingly being held to account for their broad social and environmental impact, which has led to stakeholder engagement shifting to become a central focus of corporate strategy. For organisations, particularly those operating in sectors with significant community implications like property development, a robust approach to stakeholder engagement is essential. Not only does it facilitate the smooth delivery of projects, but it also lays the foundation for creating meaningful social value that resonates long after the initial investment. The Social Value Act of 2012, followed by the 2020 Procurement Policy Note, and the upcoming changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (under consultation) have, and will continue to, fundamentally change the expectations placed on contractors and developers in the delivery of effective engagement and social value. It’s all about relationships Effective stakeholder engagement is first and foremost about relationships. Relationships which, when thoughtfully cultivated, can be powerful drivers of social value. When approaching social value commitments, successful and sustainable delivery will be determined by the strength of networks that can be tapped into to create quality partnerships. Take, for example, development projects in urban areas. The success of these projects often hinges not on the physical structures themselves but on the relationships built around them. When developers engage with local communities and stakeholders in a meaningful way—early, often, and with a willingness to listen—projects can transcend their immediate economic purpose. They become vehicles for broader social value, addressing issues like public space creation, community cohesion, and environmental sustainability. Local knowledge cannot be underestimated While broader trends and global best practice can be useful to inform strategy, effective engagement needs to be deeply rooted in local context. In a city like Cambridge, where economic prosperity coexists with stark inequalities, the importance of local knowledge cannot be overstated. Despite its global reputation as a hub of innovation and learning, Cambridge also struggles with significant social issues. The city’s thriving economy, driven by its world-leading higher education and research institutions and a globally significant cluster of high-growth, knowledge-intensive industries, are the direct neighbours to areas of severe deprivation and poverty. Cambridge has the second highest level of income inequality of any city in England and Wales, and there are persistent gaps in educational outcomes and skill levels which can limit the life chances of people from low-income backgrounds in the city. Engaging locally means recognising these disparities and considering them in a meaningful way in order to understand the local context. This requires a commitment to understanding the lived experiences of those in the community and tailoring engagement efforts to meet their specific needs, moving beyond the traditional metrics of success and focusing on outcomes that enhance the quality of life for all community members, particularly the most vulnerable. Avoid it being a tick-box exercise To take a locally focussed approach to stakeholder engagement, it’s important to consider what true engagement looks like. It’s not enough to simply inform stakeholders or seek their feedback. Real engagement is proactive, inclusive, and sustained. It involves identifying all relevant stakeholders—those who will be affected by a project, as well as those who have the power to affect it—and valuing their perspectives through active involvement. It is also about transparency and trust. Influential stakeholders have the power to turn the tide of local feeling, and engaging with them in a way which feels temporary, or like a tick-box exercise will generate more bad-will than never having reached out in the first place. This requires clear communication, a willingness to compromise, and, importantly, the courage and agility to make decisions that prioritise long-term social value delivery over short-term gains. When approaching engagement it’s important to view it as a continuous process, not a one-time effort. The most successful projects are those where engagement is maintained throughout the life cycle of the initiative, from initial planning through to implementation and beyond. This ongoing dialogue helps to build trust and ensures that the project continues to meet the evolving needs of the community. The social value created through such engagement can take many forms, from improved public spaces and enhanced educational opportunities to better health outcomes and greater community cohesion. However, to achieve this, organisations must be willing to rethink their approach to engagement. They must move beyond traditional models and embrace a more holistic, integrated strategy—one that doesn’t see stakeholders as obstacles, but as partners in the creation of shared value. At Conscious Communications, we understand that the strength of our networks and the partnerships we form are fundamental to achieving social impact and always encourage a locally focussed approach to stakeholder engagement and social value. By focusing on local contexts, building strong partnerships, and prioritising social value—we can create a future where businesses thrive not at the expense of their communities, but in harmony with them. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City & Country has further strengthened its expert technical team with the appointment of Adam Towers as Technical Director. Adam joins with more than 17 years’ experience, having started as a trainee technical co-ordinator at Telford Homes, before moving to CALA Homes, based out of its Northern Homes Counties. Adam has since worked for Berkeley, working on its Clarendon Road scheme in Alexandra Palace, and Durkan as head of the Technical Department. At City & Country, Adam will be responsible for heading up the technical team within the business, working on flagship schemes, including The 1840 St Georges Gardens in London. He will ensure its new development schemes are viable and technically possible, including delivery of planning permissions and development programme, and managing any obstacles along the way. His role also includes support for adjacent departments, including Land and Design, enabling them to operate smoothly and efficiently. Adam Towers, Technical Director at City & Country, comments: “It’s a great time to join the business, with several new schemes and an ambitious five-year growth plan, it feels like the perfect time to work with a highly motivated team. Not only this, but the product they build is superior quality. The level of detail and design that goes into each development is beyond anything I have seen before, and it excites me how passionate City & Country are about their product.” Wayne Douglas, Managing Director at City & Country, added: “Adam’s appointment is a further investment into our plans to deliver more high-quality homes. Adam brings a wealth of technical experience to the business, as our project pipeline continues to expand across the UK.” City & Country specialises in the restoration and conversion of historic and listed buildings as well as new build, with sites across Essex, West Sussex, Wiltshire, London, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Dorset. The company is on track to deliver its five-year plan doubling turnover to £200m and tripling the number of properties complete each year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sunbelt Rentals, the UK’s largest rental equipment provider, has invested in an additional eleven X-SOLAR SECURITY towers. This latest acquisition will strengthen their existing stock of CCTV and security equipment available for Sunbelt Rentals’ customers to hire. The X-SOLAR SECURITY towers are manufactured and supplied by the lighting tower specialist, Trime. Sustainability is a top priority for Sunbelt Rentals. They remain committed to working alongside their customers to reduce their carbon emissions and achieve their own sustainability goals. This latest product investment is a testament to that commitment, aligned with their sustainability strategy, Our Planet. They initially committed to purchasing twenty-two X-SOLAR SECURITY towers which were immediately livered in the distinctive Sunbelt Rentals green branding and instantly went out on hire, providing increased security at events, site compounds, building sites and more. Commenting on this latest investment, Ross Gibbons, Sunbelt Rentals Business Unit Director – Safety and Communications – commented, “With these X-SOLAR SECURITY CCTV towers, we selected systems at the higher end of the market to ensure they meet our high standards and reflect the quality and longevity of products associated with Sunbelt Rentals. We also took into account that these products have to withstand transportation to the site and harsh weather conditions.” “Trime was already one of our trusted partners, who we have worked with over many years regularly utilising their high-quality tower lights, so we know the company meets our expectations when it comes to quality and service. As part of our purchase process, all products must undergo stringent examination in the form of a structured product review to ensure they meet our high standards. Trime ticked all the boxes regarding quality, quantity, cost and guaranteed delivery window. As the UK’s largest rental company, swift turnarounds from our suppliers are important to us as we have to be able to react quickly to our customers’ needs,” added Ross. The Trime X-SOLAR SECURITY has been designed around the Trime award-winning X-SOLAR lighting towers. The X-SOLAR SECURITY is powered by four solar panels that recharge an internal battery pack which ensures zero emissions and zero noise. The X-SOLAR SECURITY features a 6-metre vertical galvanized manual mast, hydraulically operated for simple rise and fall. The mast is also fitted with a T-Bar head ready to support a choice of security or monitoring equipment. Up to four X-SOLAR SECURITY towers can be fitted onto a single truck. It also has forklift pockets and a central lifting eye to simplify transport and storage. Trime has its’ headquarters in Cassinetta di Lugagnano, near Milan, Italy, and operates two production facilities. One is based in Cassinetta adjacent to their head office, and a further facility is situated near Pavia, just south of Milan. Aside from its security tower range, the company also manufactures a wide range of sustainable lighting towers, water-recycling equipment wash bays and dust suppression products. Trime UK is based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Sunbelt Rentals is the UK’s largest equipment rental provider, with 200 depots throughout the UK and Ireland. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has been submitted. Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has been submitted. Bellway Strategic Land, working closely with Bellway’s South West division, has unveiled its vision for a sustainable and eco-friendly neighbourhood on a 40-acre site next to Brislington Park and Ride in its outline application to Bristol City Council. The land has a draft allocation for housing in the emerging Bristol Local Plan and has featured in previous plans for development in the city. The planning application follows extensive consultation with the local community. This prompted some revisions to the initial proposals, with the designs evolving to lower the height of homes that are close to existing residential areas. New visuals have been released, showing how the development south of the A4 Bath Road could look. The plans feature a mix of apartments and houses, a local centre with shops and community space, ecological habitats, children’s play areas and public open spaces. The new neighbourhood would feature one and two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom houses, with 35 per cent of the properties allocated as affordable housing and a further five per cent set aside for custom and self-build housing. Fergus Thomas, Bellway Strategic Land Director for the Central region, said: “This submission marks a significant step forward in our plans to create a sustainable new community in Bath Road. This is a major project for the area and we have liaised with the city council and the local community to seek people’s views on how we should approach the scheme. “More than 40 per cent of the site area would be green open space, providing new habitats and wetlands for wildlife. There would be recreational routes and play areas for new and existing residents, including the wider community at Hungerford.” The design for the site would see the creation of a new community hub and mixed-use square at the heart of the development. Details of the homes to be built would be determined at a later stage. Fergus said: “Bristol’s housing crisis needs to be addressed, with the waiting list for affordable homes continuing to grow. “Bristol City Council has identified this land as being suitable for housing in its draft Local Plan and we feel this is an ideal scheme to play a part in helping address the huge demand for private and affordable homes in the city.” The purpose of the outline planning application is to establish whether the development can progress and to determine how many homes could be accommodated. The next step would be to apply for reserved matters planning consent to agree detailed matters, such as home designs and layout. Bellway Strategic Land oversees early-stage developments for Bellway. To find out more visit https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk/. For more information about the new homes Bellway is currently building in the South West, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/south-west. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The intersection of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) holds immense potential. By integrating Forge’s intelligent models with Microsoft Azure IoT Hub, we open the door to vast possibilities, including advanced machine learning insights. In this article, we’ll explore how data collected using BIM 360 software can be linked with building equipment to monitor operations and perform predictive analyses, ultimately reducing maintenance costs. A New Era in the AEC Industry It’s no secret that the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is in dire need of digital transformation. For too long, manual processes and rework have led to significant financial losses. A graphic from Box.com research illustrates the typical collaboration challenges within the construction sector: This graph highlights the fragmented nature of information within construction organisations. But how can we drive digital transformation in the AEC market? One promising avenue is leveraging available technologies. Autodesk’s cloud solutions, particularly BIM 360 products and Autodesk Forge, integrated with platforms like Microsoft Azure, have the potential to revolutionise the industry. These tools could eliminate the need for paper-based processes entirely. Have you heard of the concept of a digital twin? This idea, featured in Gartner’s Top Trends for 2017, continues to influence how we operate today. According to Gartner: “Within three to five years, billions of things will be represented by digital twins, a dynamic software model of a physical thing or system… Digital twins function as proxies for skilled individuals and traditional monitoring devices… They will enable a more detailed digital representation of the real world for simulation, analysis, and control.” To implement this technology, we need a digital model of a physical entity—whether it’s a machine, engine, or building. But how do we create a digital twin, and what do we do once it’s established? Let’s explore the technologies that deliver the digital twin concept. BIM 360 and Autodesk technology provide the 3D digital model, which can be created using tools like Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Revit, and Autodesk InfraWorks. BIM 360 allows cloud-based access to these models anytime, anywhere. Microsoft Azure acts as the bridge, collecting data from sensors and linking them to the digital world. A comprehensive vision of digital construction is depicted below: To better understand the integration of Autodesk BIM 360 with Microsoft Azure, think of Spider-Man. Initially, Spider-Man crafted a homemade suit. But after meeting Iron Man, Tony Stark developed a powerful new suit for him. This analogy is similar to how Autodesk BIM 360 becomes significantly more powerful when integrated with Microsoft Azure, as shown here: So, how can this integration be accomplished? That’s the focus of this article. BIM 360 as an IoT Hub To begin integrating Autodesk BIM 360 with Microsoft Azure, we must decide what information to store in each product. In 2016, I delivered a lecture at AU titled “Useless or Priceless? How to Prepare and Use a BIM Model for FM and Building Ops,” which served as the foundation for this discussion. For a digital twin, after preparing the model for facilities, BIM 360 Docs can host the 3D model, accessible via an external web application. I recommend visiting the Getting Started page of Autodesk Forge, the open API for Autodesk BIM 360, which provides all the necessary tools for developing integrations between Autodesk products and the Microsoft Azure cloud. The architecture of this new web application is illustrated in the following diagram: The web app will visualise the model integrated with data collected by sensors. What sensors are available on the market? Have a look: Which sensors can we use in this architecture? Virtually any sensor that meets these criteria: Security is paramount, so ensure that your cloud connectivity covers all these requirements. Additionally, since IoT sensors are exposed and connected to your network, implementing robust security measures is essential. Consider the following architecture for board security: Remote and mobile users from various locations can connect to the Web Security Service, which offers universal connectivity. The core service provides strong access governance, threat protection, information security, and data loss prevention, ensuring consistent enforcement of security policies across devices and locations. WSS acts as a unifying gateway to the web and cloud, bringing control to potential chaos. BIM 360 Build for Data Collection Even though my 2016 lecture focused on BIM 360 Field rather than BIM 360 Build, the principles still apply. At some point, a new equipment workflow will likely emerge in BIM 360 Build, similar to that in BIM 360 Field. To collect data using BIM 360 Build, create a checklist with fields such as: Field workers can complete the checklist using a mobile device, consulting the BIM model stored in BIM 360 Docs to identify the relevant codes. To link the component in the BIM model with the component in Azure, use the parameter name. For example, a sink might be identified as “BRSP430_403.01_ZN01_02F_04837_BS05_SINK01.” In the future, Forge API could be used to recreate the equipment feature in BIM 360 Build, streamlining the integration process and reducing manual effort, particularly for field workers. Alternatively, continue using the BIM 360 Field equipment workflow until BIM 360 Build matures. Follow the 2016 lecture’s example to collect data using Field and integrate it with the model. Linking Building Equipment with the BIM Model To link the equipment in BIM 360 Docs (digital model) with the equipment in the building (physical model), develop a new web application that integrates data from both realms. The new application will call BIM 360 using the following code: This will enable the web application to display the 3D model, complete with BIM 360 Docs’ features for model control (e.g., sectioning, zooming, model properties). Next, collect data from the sensors in the building by consuming data from Microsoft Azure IoT Hub. Here’s the coding logic: You’ll need to specify the URL where data is stored in Microsoft Azure. This will result in a web application that can consume both the 3D model and the sensor data from Microsoft Azure. To link the
Bouygues UK has been appointed as lead contractor to build a new secondary school for the Department of Education in Grove, Oxfordshire. St John’s Academy, a £28.2 million project for Vale Academy Trust, will be built alongside the already completed primary school in Grove on the Wellington Gate Development, and will be the first all-through school (Nursery to Year 11) in the local area, teaching around 600 pupils. As part of its commitment to both education and sustainability, Bouygues UK will use sustainable, low carbon materials as part of the build, including a cross-laminated timber frame. It will use an enhanced quality construction approach through consistent off-site manufacturing, to reduce waste and defects. The two-storey building will feature a green roof with photovoltaic panels. The grass playing fields and MUGA will also have extensive SUDs (sustainable draining systems) featuring attenuation, swales and porous parking areas. The buildings will also be clad in brickwork and timber panelling with feature aluminium framed entrances. John Boughton, Bouygues UK’s Managing Director for Wales and the South West, said the project is a significant one for the Bouygues UK team, which is committed to building sustainable, low carbon schools. John said: “Bouygues UK is dedicated to building low carbon, energy-efficient structures with sustainability at the centre and we’re so pleased to be building St John’s Academy CE. Local communities are also at the heart of construction projects like these, and our St John’s Academy CE project will also use locally sourced labour and materials to build a fantastic school for children in Grove.” Rick Holroyd, Executive Headteacher at St John’s academy said: “‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bouygues UK on the design and build of this amazing school building. Our vision for the new academy is that this wonderful new school will sit at the heart of the emerging Wellington Gate community and, will not only offer outstanding educational provision for local secondary students, but will also offer opportunities and services to meet the needs of all family members within the new community. We are confident that Bouygues UK will deliver a state-of-the-art building which will meet the educational, social and recreational needs of community members of all ages for many years to come.” Other Bouygues UK projects within Wales and the South West region include the exciting new Cotswolds Designer Outlet, the landmark Pentre Awel development in Llanelli and the regeneration of 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea. Bouygues UK is also a supplier of both Southern Construction Framework’s (SCF) 5th generation SCF Construct Framework for the South West, on contracts of £4m+, and the DfE CF21 Framework in the South and West Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals