Ballymore has submitted an outline planning application for a £1.7 billion redevelopment of Edgware’s Broadwalk Shopping Centre, the bus station, and the garage. This ambitious project is in partnership with Places for London, Transport for London’s property company, which owns part of the area’s land. The transformative masterplan, designed by
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has noted the emphasis on the planning system’s pivotal role in the government’s plan to revive the UK economy, as outlined in the King’s Speech. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, commended the government’s efforts to increase the capacity of local planning authorities
Principle Estate Management has announced the completion of significant works at a highly prestigious London development, overseen by the firm’s London office. York Terrace West and Nottingham Terrace are widely regarded as among the finest addresses in Regent’s Park. Principle’s latest project for the residents involved constructing a new, enlarged
Balfour Beatty VINCI, HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands, is offering a paid placement scheme this summer that will boost career prospects for university students. Thirty two students from 12 universities – including the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Aston University and Coventry University – have secured places
Savills has expanded its Technical Due Diligence (TDD) team, part of building & project consultancy (BPC), with the appointment of Paul Harper who joins as a director based at the firm’s Margaret Street head office in London. Paul has over 25 years’ experience specialising in providing technical due diligence and
Chancerygate has sold two urban logistics in developments totalling 275,000 sq ft of Grade A accommodation to a private investor for an undisclosed sum. The developer has sold Vantage 41, which is located in Aston Clinton, near Aylesbury, and Broadway Central in Chadderton, near Oldham. Vantage 41 is a 165,000
Häfele UK, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of fixtures and fittings, has added a certified fire rated pocket door to its range. Available exclusively in the UK via Häfele, Optimo comes with an optional fire rated FD30 jamb kit. When fitted, the kit ensures the door meets the regulation
Several Doka SKE50 plus hydraulic and Xclimb 60 crane-lifted climbing formwork systems are being used to construct four new town centre towers that are at the heart of Southwark Council’s Elephant and Castle redevelopment programme. The development will transform an area of South East London that was once compared to
Retail design strategically utilises space, aesthetics, and functionality to enhance the shopping experience. Zentia’s Prestige suspended ceiling tiles offer a wide range of colours to align with brand identity and seasonal themes. Their easy installation and adaptability enable quick changes to store layouts without compromising aesthetic or acoustic quality, ensuring
Developer Delancey has secured planning permission for a landmark commercial building at the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter in London. The 200,000 sq ft life sciences and technology-focused building will be constructed on a brownfield site on York Way. Delancey aims to start construction next year, with completion expected in 2028.
Ballymore has submitted an outline planning application for a £1.7 billion redevelopment of Edgware’s Broadwalk Shopping Centre, the bus station, and the garage. This ambitious project is in partnership with Places for London, Transport for London’s property company, which owns part of the area’s land. The transformative masterplan, designed by Howells, proposes delivering 3,365 new homes, including 1,150 affordable homes and 463 student accommodation spaces. A significant increase in green space for the town centre includes a new Deans Brook Nature Park, unlocking nearly five acres of land that has been inaccessible to the public for almost 100 years. To enhance the high street offering, the new town square and centre will more than double the existing commercial space and reintroduce a cinema, addressing the absence of the former Ritz cinema for over 20 years. Edgware’s daytime and mid-week economy will be strengthened by new office spaces and workspaces for small and medium businesses. Greener, Cleaner, and Closer to Nature The development will open up access to green space that has been closed off to the public for almost a century by creating the 4.7-acre Deans Brook Nature Park. Current scrubland will become a nature trail with wild planting, walking routes, seating, and play areas for the local community to relax and enjoy nature within the town centre. Landscape design by Gustafson Porter + Bowman includes 400 new trees and 2.5 acres of new play space for children of all ages, integrated across the site. Ballymore and Places for London collaborated with Make Space for Girls, a charity campaigning for parks and public spaces to be designed with teenage girls in mind. Community engagement workshops with local young women and girls aged 12-17 ensured that often overlooked groups were considered. The resulting landscape design includes a range of inclusive spaces such as social seating, play areas, and safe spaces for young people to meet and spend time with friends. The development aims to generate zero emissions once operational, using renewable energy sources such as air heat pumps, solar panels, green roofs, and community growing gardens. An Improved Town Centre Experience Plans will more than double the existing commercial, retail, and leisure space on the site, with 460,000 sq. ft. for new shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as a new, larger Sainsbury’s, a cinema, and a leisure centre. Flexible floorspace will deliver offices, workspaces, and hotel uses, centred around a new town square that will complement the existing amenities in the town centre. The masterplan prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging active travel with significant improvements to connectivity within the town centre and a new public cycle hub offering 200 cycle spaces. The development will deliver a future-proof transport interchange, including a new bus garage that can easily adapt to electric vehicles. The garage will contribute to the future use of electric buses across London, improving air quality and helping to tackle the climate emergency. Safety for residents and all town centre users is a priority, with Ballymore and Places for London committing that no electric vehicles will use the garage until the design is approved by the London Fire Brigade, Barnet Council, the Health & Safety Executive, and Building Control. The new transport interchange will provide sheltered waiting areas, pick-up and drop-off points, and improved connectivity to the Underground station. Convenient local car clubs and Dial-a-Ride services will also be provided on-site. Designed for Community Ballymore acquired The Broadwalk Centre in 2020. Over the past three and a half years, the project team has worked closely with the Edgware community and a network of stakeholders to gain insights into how the development can best serve local needs. These contributions have guided the design process and prompted adaptations. The team met with over 3,000 local community members and received nearly 2,800 pieces of feedback and project contributions. Last summer, the Edgware Summer Fair saw part of the Broadwalk car park taken over for arts and crafts, food, drink, and live music, providing an opportunity for local people to view the model and learn more about the design proposals. Almost 3,000 people attended over the late August bank holiday weekend. In response to local resident feedback, the proposed scheme provides 769 parking spaces, including 344 public spaces. On-site parking currently at ground level will be relocated to a multi-storey car park with flexible community space at ground level, potentially housing a café, a new modern library, pharmacy, and affordable workspace. John Mulryan, Group Managing Director at Ballymore, said: “Edgware is an incredible town with a rich history – and this site presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We’re submitting this application 100 years on from the opening of Edgware station. With this masterplan, we are looking to help Edgware continue to thrive over the next 100 years – with new homes, green spaces, job opportunities, sustainable travel, and places for friends and family to spend time together and make memories among new shops, restaurants, and community spaces. “We’re proud of the plans we’re submitting, and we thank the huge numbers of people in the community who’ve met our design team and helped shape these plans.” Graeme Craig, Director and Chief Executive at Places for London, said: “Following extensive engagement with the local community and close collaboration with our partner, Ballymore, we are pleased that the planning application to deliver an enhanced and improved town centre for Edgware has now been submitted. It looks to revitalise and support the local economy, alongside new opportunities for the community to explore new green and open spaces, while also delivering the homes that the capital urgently needs. “Sustainability has been considered throughout the design process and is at the heart of the proposals. From a new transport interchange to cycling and walking improvements, these designs will help to encourage sustainable travel and make Edgware and London an even more fantastic place for people to live, work and travel in.” Glenn Howells, Founding Partner of Howells, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Ballymore and Places for
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has noted the emphasis on the planning system’s pivotal role in the government’s plan to revive the UK economy, as outlined in the King’s Speech. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, commended the government’s efforts to increase the capacity of local planning authorities and underscored the potential impact of these measures on restoring trust in the planning system and fostering thriving communities. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “The government has laid the groundwork for achieving its housing and infrastructure ambitions by setting plans to increase the capacity of local planning authorities. We believe that these measures will not only restore trust in the planning system but also demonstrate that with sufficient resources, the planning system can effectively create spaces where communities can thrive. “It is essential for planners to make a significant impact within the government’s first parliamentary term. To achieve this, measures such as ringfencing resources, allowing councils to set their own fees at an appropriate level for their area, and enabling full cost recovery for their services need to be implemented quickly.” On modernising planning committees: “The Institute believes planning committees need modernisation and could include a national scheme of delegation, allowing planning officers to make some decisions themselves. Qualified planners should be able to implement agreed planning policy, freeing up councillors’ time to focus on the most challenging planning cases. This change would help to unblock many applications and speed up the planning process.” “The RTPI will also be considering how our experiences running the Politicians in Planning network (PiPN) can inform any new training for politicians on planning committees. We will also examine how the hybrid or virtual planning committee models, which we successfully advocated for, can help to open up the planning process to a more diverse and inclusive range of people.” On Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: “We have repeatedly emphasised the importance of clearer, more spatial and up-to-date national infrastructure policy to speed up project delivery and clarify where projects should be delivered. This involves updating our National Infrastructure Strategy and requiring National Policy Statements to be reviewed at least every 5 years.” On devolution: “We have long called for metro mayors to have strategic planning powers. We welcome today’s announcements as an essential step in ensuring that the new housing developments are well located and well integrated with industrial strategy, to deliver the billions in economic growth that our research has shown is possible. We believe it will not only enhance cooperation across housing market areas and diminish local political obstacles, but provide certainty to investors.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Principle Estate Management has announced the completion of significant works at a highly prestigious London development, overseen by the firm’s London office. York Terrace West and Nottingham Terrace are widely regarded as among the finest addresses in Regent’s Park. Principle’s latest project for the residents involved constructing a new, enlarged Porters’ Lodge in the centre of the estate. The works were managed by Principle consultant Bob Myhill, who has been involved in the development’s management for 17 years. Rachael Hornby, associate director and head of Principle’s London office, said: “In recent years, we have completed our five-year cycle of external decorations for the entire estate. This was followed by a complete refurbishment of the communal areas of Nottingham Terrace, incorporating new lighting, modern signage, new carpets, and redecoration with bespoke wallpaper, reflecting the connection with Regent’s Park. “Our most recent project – the new, enlarged Porters’ Lodge – was undertaken after consultation with the residents, and planning permission and Crown Estate approval were obtained. Construction was carried out in the second half of 2023 and completed in early 2024.” The new lodge has been brought forward to the pavement edge and designed to improve visibility for the Porters. It accommodates the modern needs of the security and porterage team, and Principle also upgraded to fibre optic cabling, renewing the entire CCTV monitoring and video entry phone access systems to all apartments. The Grade I-listed York Terrace West is one of the original John Nash-designed terraces fronting the iconic green space of Regent’s Park. Originally built in 1823, it was completely refurbished in 1970 when Nottingham Terrace was constructed. A spokesman for York and Nottingham Terraces Management Ltd said: “The new Porters’ Lodge and upgrades to the entire estate were needed to provide modern facilities, with due regard to the surrounding history and aesthetics. We worked closely with Bob Myhill and Rachael Hornby to ensure the new, completed Porters’ Lodge was designed not to compete with the historic York Terrace or the more modern Nottingham Terrace, but to blend in with oak slatting and a green roof. “It has produced a highly satisfactory facility, and the estate, under Principle’s astute management, is maintained to a very high standard, as befits a property on the Crown Estate.” Chris Green, commercial director at Bloomsbury Construction Group Ltd, which led the contractors’ work on the project, said: “The Porters’ Lodge is a project we can all be proud of. Despite the fast-track programme duration, the project maintained high standards of design and sub-contractor coordination and integration. “We formed a collaborative and forward-thinking relationship with Jak Studios, BlokBuild and other stakeholders to deliver a brilliant space that is visually stunning and environmentally conscious, yet highly functional for the Porters, and this will serve the estate for many years to come. We appreciate the support and quick decisions from Principle, which culminated in the successful delivery of this project.” Mrs Hornby of Principle added: “One of the most rewarding aspects of property management is working with our clients and customers to see major works projects through to completion, especially when they improve facilities and amenities for residents.” Founded by Brett Williams in 2018, Principle Estate Management is based in Birmingham and acquired London firm Myhill Newman in August 2022, expanding its services into London and the South East. Principle now has more than 65 staff looking after a portfolio of over 16,500 units at around 375 developments across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty VINCI, HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands, is offering a paid placement scheme this summer that will boost career prospects for university students. Thirty two students from 12 universities – including the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Aston University and Coventry University – have secured places on the eight-week programme, supporting the construction of Britain’s new high-speed railway. Now in its third year, the Balfour Beatty VINCI undergraduate summer scheme gives students who live or study in the West Midlands the chance to earn and gain valuable work experience in a specialist subject area during the holidays. The 2024 programme includes a series of placement opportunities at Balfour Beatty VINCI construction sites and offices across south Staffordshire, Birmingham and Warwickshire. Places have been secured by students studying a broad range of subjects, including civil engineering, quantity surveying and design engineering. With the programme extended to those who permanently live in the Midlands, undergraduates studying at universities in Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham and Cardiff are also taking part in this year’s scheme. Naomi Bates, Skills, Education and Employment Business Partner at Balfour Beatty VINCI who leads the programme said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming our next cohort of students this summer, who are joining us on an eight-week placement to learn new skills and get some invaluable work experience during the holidays. “This paid programme is now in its third year and has been extremely successful in supporting university students either living or studying locally. It’s a great pathway for students who want to progress onto graduate programmes with Balfour Beatty and VINCI, once they’ve completed their studies.” Julie Venn-Morton, HS2’s Senior Legacy Manager for the region, said: “At HS2, we’re committed to upskilling Britain by creating new jobs and boosting career prospects for people right across the country, including here in the West Midlands. “For these students, a summer job working on HS2 is a perfect opportunity to earn while being part of a world-leading infrastructure project. We are thrilled to welcome them all and look forward to hearing about their experience at the end of programme.” This year’s cohort also includes students studying finance, IT and environmental sustainability – demonstrating the broad range of careers that transport infrastructure projects encompass. Catherine Purcell, 21 and from Kings Norton, is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham, said: “I’m really excited to join Balfour Beatty VINCI’s summer placement programme and learn as much as I can during the next eight weeks. It’s a huge opportunity to learn how BBV is helping to build HS2 in the Midlands.” Andreas Edwards, 26 and from Stourbridge, is studying Quantity Surveying at Aston University. He said: “I was previously unemployed before joining BBV on a pre-employment training programme. My short time with BBV inspired me to pursue a career in the construction industry and I haven’t looked back since. “I’m now studying at university to become a qualified quantity surveyor and this placement will help me to deepen my understanding of the role in a real-life environment.” As construction continues at pace between the West Midlands and London, HS2 is now supporting more than 31,000 jobs – including through apprenticeships, graduate opportunities and by helping people into employment. When complete, HS2 will improve connections between London and the West Midlands, with trains running further north on existing lines. This new high-speed railway will create quicker and far more reliable journeys, driving economic growth while crucially freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested part of the existing West Coast Main Line. For more information about the wide variety of career and employment opportunities available with HS2 and its supply chain partners, visit hs2.org.uk/careers Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Savills has expanded its Technical Due Diligence (TDD) team, part of building & project consultancy (BPC), with the appointment of Paul Harper who joins as a director based at the firm’s Margaret Street head office in London. Paul has over 25 years’ experience specialising in providing technical due diligence and development monitoring services for a wide range of clients who provide debt finance or equity funding. This included managing the TDD process for institutional investors on a wide range of projects throughout the UK and mainland Europe. As part of this, he recently monitored several large Build to Rent (BTR) and private for sale residential developments, building up a wealth of knowledge in the living sector. Prior to joining Savills, Paul was a director in the project monitoring team at Colliers and before that at JLL, having also spent six years in central Europe whilst at King Sturge. At Savills, Paul will work as part of the central London development monitoring team, helping to grow this capability on a national and international level. Paul Harper comments: “I am very excited to be joining Savills market leading TDD team. This continues to be an interesting time for the real estate sector, with due diligence now more important to clients than ever as they seek to make sustainable, future proofed investments.” Steve Page, head of the TDD team at Savills, adds: “We are very pleased to welcome Paul to Savills. His skillset and expertise will undoubtedly help to further strengthen the team and ensure we can continue to offer exceptional service to our clients.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chancerygate has sold two urban logistics in developments totalling 275,000 sq ft of Grade A accommodation to a private investor for an undisclosed sum. The developer has sold Vantage 41, which is located in Aston Clinton, near Aylesbury, and Broadway Central in Chadderton, near Oldham. Vantage 41 is a 165,000 sq ft development is located four miles east of Aylesbury, sitting directly off the A41 with excellent road connectivity to the M25 and M40. The scheme comprises 16 units ranging from 4,800 sq ft to 43,600 sq ft. Located in Chadderton, near Oldham, Broadway Central has eight unit totalling 110,000 sq ft. It comprises seven units across two terraces ranging from 7,600 sq ft to 18,200 sq ft and one stand-alone unit of 27,000 sq ft. The development s six miles north of Manchester city centre and a short drive away from the M60 and M62. It is part of the wider 121-acre mixed use Broadway Green, which is delivering 700,000 sq ft of employment space and 500 new homes. Both Vantage 41 and Broadway Central achieved BREEAM Very Good rating and all properties have a mixture of EPC A and B ratings. In addition, all units benefit from electric vehicle charging points and are constructed from high-performance building materials and 15 per cent roof lights to reduce CO2 emissions and occupational energy costs. Chancerygate senior development director, Matthew Connor, said: “These deals are testament to the hard work and expertise to develop Vantage 41 and Broadway Central and will help satisfy the strong demand for urban logistics accommodation in the respective regions. “The sales are also further evidence of our product’s sustainability credentials, flexible sizing and proximity to key infrastructure and transport hubs, which are attractive to both investors and occupiers.” Founded in 1995, Chancerygate is the UK’s largest urban logistics property developer and asset manager and the only one operating nationwide. The company currently has around 1.16m sq ft of urban logistics space under construction or ready for development across ten sites in the UK ranging from Edinburgh to Croydon. JLL advised Chancerygate on the sale of Vantage 41. For more information visit www.chancerygate.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Häfele UK, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of fixtures and fittings, has added a certified fire rated pocket door to its range. Available exclusively in the UK via Häfele, Optimo comes with an optional fire rated FD30 jamb kit. When fitted, the kit ensures the door meets the regulation standard of 30 minutes fire resistance and is fully certified to EN1634 12016+A1:2018 standards. Meeting these criteria, Optimo is ideal for high-rise residential dwellings, new build properties and commercial spaces. Available from Häfele as a kit containing the door and runners makes delivery and installation simple, with self-close and soft-close kits available as optional extras. The jamb kit is sold separately. A simple, removable track assembly allows direct access to the mechanism without the need to modify the wall, should a soft-close or self-kit need to be added to the door retrospectively. Optimo also offers guaranteed durability up to 10,000 cycles in line with the BS EN 1527 standard. As a pocket door – which slides into a recess within a wall when not in use – Optimo is on- trend and taps into the growing requirement for space-saving door products. Paul Smith, Head of Specification Sales for Häfele UK, said: “Pocket doors have become increasingly popular as a design feature in homes across the UK, ideal for breaking up larger spaces into smaller zones, but also acting as an alternative to swing-out doors in homes with a smaller footprint. They’re useful in modern offices and retail spaces, too. “The Optimo takes all the great benefits of a pocket door and elevates them further, as the only certified fire rated product of its type available to the UK market. As well as this, Optimo meets the standards of reliability and durability demanded by the industry, making it a game changing product for specifiers and designers in various fields. As the exclusive distributors of Optimo, we look forward to seeing the impact it makes on the industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Several Doka SKE50 plus hydraulic and Xclimb 60 crane-lifted climbing formwork systems are being used to construct four new town centre towers that are at the heart of Southwark Council’s Elephant and Castle redevelopment programme. The development will transform an area of South East London that was once compared to Piccadilly Circus on account of its dynamism and vibrancy. The huge works programme, which is being carried out in three phases, will lead to the creation of a new town centre. It will include 1,000 new homes, an upgraded Elephant and Castle tube station and the building of a cutting-edge campus for nearby London College of Communication, part of UAL University of the Arts London. Contractor Morrisroe selected Doka to provide its design expertise and innovative hydraulic climbing formwork for the construction of the concrete cores that will form the three of the developments multi-storey tower blocks. Each block will comprise a standard concrete finish featuring Doka Framax Xlife panels. These are being installed using Doka’s SKE50 plus hydraulic climbing formwork. The crane-independent system includes an all-round enclosure that makes for safe, weather-shielded working at any height. Such is the SKE50’s robustness and reliability, it facilitates the floor-by-floor lifting of internal-external materials whilst protecting operatives carrying out the rebar process in preparation for casting concrete. The all-hydraulic crane-less climbing method optimises construction workflows by allowing greater flexibility in respect of cycling the SKE50 units’ repositioning. The fourth core, which was the first one to come out of the ground, was constructed using the Doka Xclimb 60 crane-lifted solution. This system was chosen primarily because this tower was much lower than the others. Additionally, it was originally specified as a cost-effective option due to the fact that the slab was programmed to follow, and it was completed before the cranes were too heavily utilized on the rest of the vast project. As well as reviving Elephant and Castle as a thriving social, cultural, and commercial hub, it’s estimated the town centre development will create 1,230 construction jobs over the ensuing decade. Approximately 2,000 full-time jobs will ultimately be created upon the wider development’s scheduled 2030 completion. This is a blue-chip project in a characterful, historical area of London that thanks to Doka and a myriad of skilled, visionary stakeholders, will see Elephant and Castle prosper as a redeveloped cultural hub. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Retail design strategically utilises space, aesthetics, and functionality to enhance the shopping experience. Zentia’s Prestige suspended ceiling tiles offer a wide range of colours to align with brand identity and seasonal themes. Their easy installation and adaptability enable quick changes to store layouts without compromising aesthetic or acoustic quality, ensuring a seamless and inviting retail environment. What is Retail Design? Retail design directly impacts the customer experience and a shopper’s willingness to buy a product. It encompasses everything from store layout and organisation to interior design and colour selection. Good retail design can have a positive impact on a shop’s financial performance. Acoustics and the careful use of colour play an important part in this. Colour can convey a brand identity, help customers navigate an interior space, or even create different retail zones. Enhancing Brand Identity Through Retail Interior Design Brand identity is extremely important in retail environments, whether they be supermarkets or high street banks. Consumers connect to brand colours more than they realise, building relationships between the retailer and its customers. When you think of the most high profile brands, for example Barclays or Starbucks, you will probably associate a colour with their names. While colour can be used in retail interior design to enhance a brand, it is important to use it thoughtfully. Too much vibrant colour can cause sensory overload and make it difficult for customers to focus on products. Too much dark colour can make a store feel gloomy, causing customers to exit before purchasing. Customers are unlikely to make a repeat visit if they don’t enjoy the atmosphere in the store. Think too about the psychology of colour. Use blue to create a sense of security and trust, or red to encourage impulse purchases. Use black to communicate authority, or yellow and orange to convey creativity. Combined with good acoustic design, colour can be a powerful way to improve the customer experience. The Prestige family of products is an excellent product to use in retail ceiling design. It offers three different levels of sound absorption and is available in six different edge details. It can also be ordered in 34 different colours, as well as white. It is one of our most flexible product ranges for both acoustic performance and aesthetics. Easy Installation for Retail Design Efficiency Prestige acoustic ceiling panels are quick and easy to install, especially when used in combination with Gridline, our suspended ceiling grid. Choose a Board edge for a flat ceiling installation that completely exposes the ceiling grid, or a Tegular24 or Tegular15 edge type to create geometric shadows across the ceiling surface. Prestige ceiling tiles can also be specified in SL2 planks, ideal for corridors, as well as unique Integra and Conceal edge types, designed to eliminate shadows and conceal the suspended ceiling grid entirely. Balancing Aesthetics and Acoustics in Retail Design When it comes to acoustic design, the ceiling is the largest continuous surface in any interior and it can have a big influence on a store’s atmosphere. A suspended acoustic ceiling with a high level of sound absorption will create a very calm and quiet store. A suspended ceiling design with a lower level of sound absorption will create a louder and more lively environment. When choosing a ceiling solution, think about the retail environment you’re designing for. High sound absorption Does the store need a high level of sound absorption? If yes, a drop ceiling like Prestige hA+ can be an excellent design choice. Rated Class A for sound absorption with αw 1.00, the Prestige hA+ tile provides settings with a dose of calm and quiet. It is ideal for banks and other high street environments that are usually quiet. This tile is available in white only, so it suits interiors that require a more neutral colour scheme. Enhanced customer privacy Some retail spaces need to prioritise the customer’s privacy. In these circumstances, choose a tile like Prestige dB. These drop ceiling panels have an outstanding sound attenuation performance of 41dB. Prestige dB is good for changing rooms, treatment rooms, and offices behind the scenes. Its smooth and finely textured surface adds a clean and classic finish to any kind of interior. Vibrant atmospheres For retail environments that need a more lively atmosphere, consider Prestige. The classic Prestige ceiling tile are Class C rated in sound absorption, with an added sound attenuation rating of 33dB, a combination that helps manage ambient noise levels in open plan spaces. They are durable and scratch resistant and also rated 95% RH for humidity resistance. This is where the inclusion of colour into retail interior design can really add to the look and feel of the store. Prestige ceiling tiles are available in 34 exciting colours as well as white. Use them to incorporate splashes of the retailer’s brand colours across the ceiling, or to complement an existing colour scheme. Prestige ceiling tiles maintain superior aesthetic standards while providing crucial acoustic benefits, ensuring a pleasing shopping experience that minimises and manages disruptive noise levels. Click here to learn more about the Prestige family of products and how they can be used in your project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Delancey has secured planning permission for a landmark commercial building at the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter in London. The 200,000 sq ft life sciences and technology-focused building will be constructed on a brownfield site on York Way. Delancey aims to start construction next year, with completion expected in 2028. The project is anticipated to cost around £170m and will employ an average of 300 workers annually during the 31-month demolition and construction programme. Demolition contractor JF Hunt has been advising Delancey on the demolition phase. Structural engineer Arup and architect Kohn Pedersen Fox have developed an innovative structural design to accommodate the building over three Network Rail tunnels and two Piccadilly Line tunnels, situated as close as 4.5 metres below the surface. The structural strategy, created with Arup, utilises a deck-stiffened arch inspired by 20th-century bridges designed by Swiss civil engineer Robert Maillart. This design employs long-span arches to distribute the building’s load over the underground railway lines. The 176-178 York Way building will feature 130,000 sq ft of research and laboratory space, 13,000 sq ft of affordable workspace, and a mixed-use flexible community and events space. The massing of the nine-storey building is stepped back in sequence to reduce the perceived scale at street level. Passive and active strategies have been implemented to reduce the building’s whole life carbon footprint. These include an all-electric MEP strategy, roof-mounted PV panels, and optimised external shading to reduce operational energy. Careful material selection and structural efficiencies have been employed to reduce embodied carbon, with the development targeting NABERS 4.5+ Stars. Nathan Watt, Development Director at Delancey, said: “We are delighted to have secured unanimous planning approval for this progressive, innovatively designed development that offers cutting-edge sustainable facilities. The project will deliver significant public realm improvements and provide much-needed office, science, and technology workspace.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals