The NFRC UK Roofing Awards 2023, held on 12th May, celebrated the very best of roofing in the UK. From projects to individuals, the roofing industry shone a spotlight on stellar examples of work. The Industry Choice Award, which sees members vote on the entry they feel showcases the best
By Rhys Richardson, Business Development Director – CLD Systems In an era marked by growing environmental consciousness, industries are actively seeking innovative ways to embrace sustainability. However, one sector that has often been overlooked in this context is security. Nevertheless, a transformative shift is currently underway, reshaping the security industry’s
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects has commenced its first project under the Lincolnshire County Council highways framework contract; the General Works’ Lot contract is to deliver new infrastructure assets as well as infrastructure improvements
PLANNING permission has been granted for an innovative new bioscience facility in Nottingham, creating more than 245,000 sq ft of laboratory, office and meeting space designed by CPMG Architects. Forming the latest phase of work to the northern edge of The Island Quarter in the heart of Nottingham city centre
Working with GAP Hire Solutions, Kier Highways Solutions (KHS), a national surface treatments provider, has electrified its entire forklift fleet. This forms part of KHS’ efforts to embed sustainable practices throughout its operations, following an audit of Wymondham Plant, its bituminous materials manufacturing arm. Located on a 7-acre site in
The creation of a £1.3bn connected and sustainable new coastal town at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh has reached its next major phase. The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to transform Edinburgh’s largest brownfield site has been published today. The plans have been developed in partnership with Cruden Homes (East) Ltd.
Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey has set out Greater Manchester’s intention to eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the city-region’s roads through ‘Vision Zero’. In 2021, 858 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions on Greater Manchester’s roads. Vision Zero is the next step in Greater Manchester’s mission
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to announce trainee engineer Christy Dickson has picked up the coveted CECA Scotland’s Most Promising Apprentice 2023 award. Developing the engineering stars of tomorrow is part of the ethos at McLaughlin & Harvey, with the company committed to ensuring 5% of the workforce is made
This development located in the popular Dublin docklands features 216 one and two bedroom apartments over six floors. Designed in a u-shape block with central courtyard and internal atrium where the FIRETITE was installed. FIRETITE was installed along the main masonry wall between the basement and ground floor. The cavity
Leicestershire based architects, IMA Architects, has successfully delivered a brand-new, purpose-built gymnastics facility for Rugby Gymnastics Club. IMA has been part of a team including KAM Project Consultants and BWB, on behalf of Sport England, that has worked with the Gymnastics Club to realise the 19,655 square foot scheme at
The NFRC UK Roofing Awards 2023, held on 12th May, celebrated the very best of roofing in the UK. From projects to individuals, the roofing industry shone a spotlight on stellar examples of work. The Industry Choice Award, which sees members vote on the entry they feel showcases the best example of roofing work in action, was this year awarded to Fulwood Roofing Services (northern) Limited, for the re-roofing of Stockport School, Greater Manchester. The project was completed using a complete BMI Redland SpecMaster service and a BMI Redland Rosemary Clay Classic system, demonstrating workmanship excellence in action. The project is a shining example of how expert roofing contractors, in conjunction with technical support and top-quality products, can overcome site challenges. Stockport School came with its fair share of hurdles. The site is comprised of 24 individual roofs, totalling over 4,000 square metres and spanned 12 months. Add in the COVID-19 pandemic, uneven roofing underlay caused by century-old wooden timbers, a live school site and the need to protect against UV degradation – Fulwood Roofing turned to BMI Redland and SpecMaster to ensure all bases were covered on a project of this scope. With a bespoke roof specification in hand due to the BMI Redland SpecMaster service, Fulwood Roofing Services (northern) rose to the challenges and overcame them with ingenuity. Over 240,000 Redland Rosemary Classic clay tiles were needed for the roofs – however, as clay is a natural material, variances of up to 5mm can occur when dried in the kiln. While this natural variation normally contributes to the character of a traditional clay roof, on a roof of this size these variances can add up if not managed on site. Fulwood Roofing came up with a creative solution to this. Taking a mean average measurement of ten tiles, every set of ten tiles laid were checked against a perpendicular line, helping prevent any gaps or unevenness. The old wooden timbers of the roof were also tackled with smart thinking. The new underlay has been laid in such a way that externally it looks level, but underneath it conforms to the uneven timbers. This was vital as it avoided extensive remodelling of the roof, and the existing timbers could continue to stand. s the underlay was worked in small sections that could be tiled over almost immediately any UV degradation could be avoided, The live school site was anticipated to be tricky, however, the COVID-19 pandemic worked in favour here, as it meant students were off-site more, allowing project flexibility. When the school was fully open and active, a detailed schedule of work was supplied to the school ahead of time, allowing them to move students around the building with minimal disruption. Stephen Bithell, Roofing Contractor at Fulwood Roofing Services (northern) Limited, commented: “Everything was first class from a product point of view. You can’t get quality work done without quality products, and luckily for us, we had a great team on site, as well as great products. Working during the COVID-19 pandemic and the supply chain issues that came with that, BMI Redland really kept the project going. The product and the finished aesthetics are really great.” Fraser Biles, Sales Director, at BMI Redland, congratulated Fulwood Roofing Services (northern) Limited on the win: “It’s fantastic to see the Stockport School project awarded the NFRC 2023 Industry Choice Award. Fulwood Roofing delivered an exceptional project with great skill and care and as a result received over 20% of the votes out of all the shortlisted projects. “Our Redland team were pleased to be able to provide support on the project using our SpecMaster service, which provides a 15-year whole roof guarantee, and allowed us to deliver a technical specification designed specifically for the project, and the Redland Rosemary Clay Classic tile in the Russet Mix finish was a fantastic choice for the school. Not only does it fit with the conservation area, but it also helps retain the school’s aesthetic character without compromising on roofing protection.” BMI products also featured in the NFRC award wins for Reinforced Bitumen Membranes and Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid Waterproofing categories – respectively Progressive Systems Ltd for Launceston College using the Icopal Thermaweld Firesmart System and MAC Roofing & Contracting Ltd for Heatherwood Hospital using an Icopal Parabit Solo Hot Melt System – recognising the roofing contractors in delivering this outstanding work. The full list of NFRC UK Roofing Awards 2023 winners can be found here: https://www.nfrc.co.uk/uk-roofing-awards/winners/2023-winners For more information about BMI Redland, please visit: https://www.bmigroup.com/uk/redland-pitched/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Rhys Richardson, Business Development Director – CLD Systems In an era marked by growing environmental consciousness, industries are actively seeking innovative ways to embrace sustainability. However, one sector that has often been overlooked in this context is security. Nevertheless, a transformative shift is currently underway, reshaping the security industry’s approach to sustainability. The journey to transform the security industry into a sustainable powerhouse is not without its challenges. For CLD Systems the primary hurdle lies in garnering support from its stakeholders and ensuring that sustainable solutions are viewed as valuable investments rather than burdensome costs. Overcoming this obstacle requires collective efforts to integrate sustainable practices throughout the industry, promoting product reuse and longevity, while dispelling the misconception that sustainability compromises profitability. Driving the security industry towards sustainability requires designing sustainable products and solutions from project inception and allocating adequate budgets for them. By embedding sustainability as a core consideration, the industry can proactively implement sustainable solutions on a wider scale. Achieving this vision requires collaboration among all stakeholders and a commitment to challenging the status quo. The increasing priority placed on sustainable solutions by customers across various industries has begun to influence the security sector as well. While larger projects have made notable strides in adopting sustainability, there remains untapped potential for smaller ventures. CLD Systems, the leading UK manufacturer and supplier of rigid mesh fencing and security gates, showcases its commitment to sustainable solutions with the integration of its On-Ground FenceSafe product during the construction phase of projects. Made with a 100% recycled base and 78% recycled steel, this product serves a dual purpose. It can be used during construction and then converted into a permanent fenceline or easily deployed on the next project, showcasing the versatility of such solutions and promoting positive sustainable outcomes. By utilising recycled materials, CLD Systems not only showcases the versatility of sustainable solutions but also significantly reduces carbon emissions and waste generation, making a positive impact on the environment. The On-Ground FenceSafe is positioned directly on the ground, eliminating the need for physical tools, streamlining operations whilst minimising resource consumption. This approach effectively minimises environmental impact and lowers carbon emissions. The shift toward sustainability in the security industry is driven by customers’ heightened awareness of environmental issues and their desire to align their projects with sustainable values. This growing demand underscores the changing landscape of customer expectations, where sustainability is a crucial factor in decision-making processes. More clients are now seeking BREEAM excellence, the world’s leading science-based suite of validation and certification systems for sustainable built environment. This places a significant responsibility on CLD Systems as manufacturers to challenge the status quo and provide innovative, sustainable solutions. To achieve this, CLD Systems collaborates with contractors who operate zero-to-waste schemes, further reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices. In response to the ever-evolving nature of the security sector, CLD Systems has emerged with a solution that aligns with sustainable principles: rental options. This approach offers clients greater flexibility while minimising waste. The RiseMaster HE Barrier, an automatic boom arm barrier system powered entirely by solar energy, exemplifies this commitment. Featuring primary and secondary photovoltaic panels, it eliminates the need for road crossing control cabling during installation, reducing environmental impact and carbon emissions. With 24/7 solar autonomy and zero carbon emissions over a 10-year life cycle, it sets a new standard for sustainable security solutions. The integration of Bluetooth connectivity reduces the reliance on physical tools, streamlining operations and minimising resource consumption. As the security industry aligns itself with the broader environmental movement, CLD Systems’ commitment to offering rental solutions and solar-powered innovations paves the way for a greener and more secure future. By embracing collaboration, innovation, and sustainable product design, the industry can make a significant impact in addressing environmental challenges while meeting customer demands for a more sustainable and secure world. To find out more about CLD Systems’ products, please visit: www.cld-systems.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects has commenced its first project under the Lincolnshire County Council highways framework contract; the General Works’ Lot contract is to deliver new infrastructure assets as well as infrastructure improvements across the county over 4 years. The works to Marsh Lane roundabout on the A16 and works to improve active travel links in Boston near Wyberton Low Road are the first set of Lincolnshire ‘Levelling Up’ road improvements to be carried out. The Marsh Lane roundabout improvements and Boston Active Travel are expected to cost a total of £5.7 million. Winvic commenced construction on 16 May and the scheme is expected to be complete within six months. The major improvements to Marsh Lane roundabout will reduce congestion on the A16, improve safety and future-proof the roundabout for future A16 upgrades down the line. 3,070 m2 of carriageway on the approaches to the existing roundabout on the A16 will be widened to two lanes, as will the roundabout. The alignment of the roundabout will be moved to facilitate its widening from 21.5m diameter to 27m. 410m of new drainage will be installed as part of the roundabout upgrade. Mass traffic signals infrastructure works will be undertaken to the crossroad junction with 4,025m2 of carriageway treatment works. The works also include the creation of a three-quarter mile active travel route in Boston, addressing the conflict between cycle users and HGVs on Marsh Lane through the Riverside Industrial Estate. The pavements will be widened and a new cycle lane will be installed. The two-lane carriageway will be reduced to one with traffic management on the A16 for up to 10 weeks. Later in the project, temporary traffic signals and a series of night-time road closures will be used. Rob Cook, Director of Civils and Infrastructure at Winvic, said: “We have been extremely busy behind the scenes since we were awarded the highways framework contract by Lincolnshire County Council last year, ensuring we were fully prepared in advance of being awarded our first scheme. Nearby communities, businesses and road users will be our priority, as well as keeping people safe. Our continued one-team working with the Council will help to ensure the programme is delivered swiftly and safely with as little disruption as possible.” Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said “As with any major road improvement project, some disruption on local roads is inevitable when work is underway. However, we’ll be making all efforts to keep traffic moving and maintain access to all businesses. Once construction starts, the main point-of-contact for residents and businesses for any traffic management updates, access issues or queries will be the project’s dedicated Public Liaison Officer, Sophie Ward-Owen. She will be available by email at Sophie.Ward-owen@owen-partners.co.uk.” Both projects will be funded by a portion of the £20m in ‘Levelling Up’ funding awarded to the county council in October 2021. The remaining funding will be used across four projects, including improvements to Spalding’s A16/A151 Springfield Roundabout and A16/B1180 Greencell Roundabout. The ‘General Works’ Lot was awarded to Winvic by Lincolnshire County Council in April 2022. Works to be undertaken by Winvic on A and B class roads in Lincolnshire are likely to include the construction of roundabouts, major highways widening or dualling, bridge construction and service diversions and installation as well as the installation of drainage and street lighting. For more information about this and other major highways projects, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/majorprojects. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PLANNING permission has been granted for an innovative new bioscience facility in Nottingham, creating more than 245,000 sq ft of laboratory, office and meeting space designed by CPMG Architects. Forming the latest phase of work to the northern edge of The Island Quarter in the heart of Nottingham city centre – led by developer The Conygar Investment Company PLC – the two buildings of the new development will be connected at the upper levels by a glazed link. To create a sleek and modern appearance, a materials palette of grey brickwork and off-white terracotta façade modules will be highlighted with gold metal plant screens and entrance surrounds. Meanwhile, clear glazing will be used for circulation spaces and ceramic-backed spandrels for fixed desks and laboratory benching. CPMG Architects served as the delivery architect for Phase 1A of work for The Island Quarter, including the now-iconic building housing hospitality venues Binks Yard and Cleaver & Wake, which completed in September 2022. Nick Gregory, director at CPMG Architects, said: “We have optimised the use of glazing influenced by the anticipated internal arrangements of the new biosciences facility, and to reflect the usage of the buildings. We have incorporated a DNA sequencing pattern into the brick detailing and on specific elevations, these sections of brickwork will also be up-lit by lighting positioned within the landscaping. “The designs also serve to break down any divide and give a natural transition between indoor and outdoor spaces through the inclusion of bi-fold doors that enable large sections of the ground floor to open into the wider landscaped plaza. “With the designs now approved by the city council, it takes Nottingham’s exciting overall story forward, helping to position the city as a leader in biosciences and large-scale development. It also, of course, marks another significant step in The Island Quarter’s progress and we look forward to continuing our relationship with The Conygar Investment Company PLC and the wider project delivery team to make the vision a reality.” External landscaping has been designed by Studio Egret West to echo the vision for the overall site, incorporating rainwater gardens and medicinal planting along with an ecology-focused street linking this latest phase of work with the rest of The Island Quarter. The planning permission was announced during a joint presentation by The Conygar Investment Company PLC and Nottingham City Council at UKREiiF, in a session that also revealed updates to the overall masterplan for the 36-acre site. Christopher Ware, property director at The Conygar Investment Company PLC, said: “Gaining planning approval for the bioscience facility is a significant step forward for the continued regeneration of The Island Quarter. We are continuing to build momentum on site, and this phase will feed into the latest updates to the masterplan.” The adjustments to the masterplan – produced by Leonard Design Architects and Studio Egret West – include additional wooded and grassland areas, along with re-imagining of the streetscape throughout the eastern side of the site to improve access to the Victoria era warehouses. The scheme was submitted by Axis PED on behalf of The Conygar Investment Company PLC, with support from WES, Quartz Project Services, Studio Egret West, Tier Consult and Chord Consult. For more information, please visit https://www.cpmg-architects.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Working with GAP Hire Solutions, Kier Highways Solutions (KHS), a national surface treatments provider, has electrified its entire forklift fleet. This forms part of KHS’ efforts to embed sustainable practices throughout its operations, following an audit of Wymondham Plant, its bituminous materials manufacturing arm. Located on a 7-acre site in Wymondham, Norfolk, and producing thousands of tonnes of bituminous materials each year, forklifts play an important part in KHS inventory management. KHS also sells roofing felts, sealants, solutions, tools, and PPE. It approached GAP to learn more about the potential carbon savings associated with transitioning its forklift fleet. By switching from diesel to electric, KHS has removed fumes and carbon emissions from its forklift fleet. KHS chose the Baoli KBE52N 2.5tonne model, which is powered by a 48x 625 AH battery. This is also fitted with automatic electric braking when the accelerator is released. This enhances driver safety, and the recovery of part of the braking energy is also converted into electricity and made available again. The new models will create annual carbon savings of up to 71,270 kgCO2e (based on an 8 hr shift) across Kier Highways Solutions’ forklift fleet. Neil Faulkes, Major Account Director at GAP, commented: “Both Kier and GAP have been delighted with the build quality and operational longevity of the Battery powered Baoli forklifts. Coupled with the support from DAB Handling, the UK Baoli stockist, the hand-over familiarisation given as part of the overall supply and support package GAP offered to Kier, the experience has been seamless and has enabled GAP to support Kier in reducing their environmental impact.” Lee Draper, general manager at KHS, said: “At Kier Highways, our sustainability strategy sets out how we plan to reach net-zero on our scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030. A key part of this is transitioning to alternative, non-fossil fuels across our fleet. “This empowers all of us to look at how we do business, and make the necessary steps to reduce our environmental impact, while ensuring the same quality product. We’re pleased that GAP could support us to find a solution with considerable long-term carbon savings.” GAP continues to work closely with Kier Highways Solutions to support its decarbonisation efforts across the business. If you’d like to learn more about GAP Hire Solutions, visit https://www.gap-group.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The creation of a £1.3bn connected and sustainable new coastal town at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh has reached its next major phase. The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to transform Edinburgh’s largest brownfield site has been published today. The plans have been developed in partnership with Cruden Homes (East) Ltd. They include plans for over 700 net zero homes, of which at least 35% will be affordable, capacity for a primary school, commercial units, active travel routes and other sustainable transport infrastructure as well as attractive public and open space. The Council would like to find out what people think about the plans for Phase 1 and have organised in-person events: Tuesday 13 June from 4pm to 7pm and Saturday 17 June from 11am to 2pm at the Granton Station building, 1 Granton Station Square. People will also be able to share their views online. An online event will be held on Thursday 22 June from 6pm to 7.30pm and a ‘You Said, We Did’ event will be held in person on Wednesday 23 August from 4pm to 7pm at 1 Granton Station Square. The City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Cammy Day, said: “It’s great to see that plans have now been submitted for the largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland at Granton Waterfront. The PAN is for the first phase of this ambitious and exciting £1.3bn regeneration project for the city. “Sustainable regeneration like this is so important as we transition towards a greener economy in our Capital. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here to build a 20-minute neighbourhood completely from scratch with affordable net zero homes, shops, cultural and leisure and education facilities all close by. “We’ve been consulting with people at every step of the way during this project so please be a part of this transformation of the north of the city and give us your views either at one of our events or online. This will help us to make sure we get it right for those who will be living in, working, and visiting this new area as well as everyone currently living in the many established communities nearby.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey has set out Greater Manchester’s intention to eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the city-region’s roads through ‘Vision Zero’. In 2021, 858 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions on Greater Manchester’s roads. Vision Zero is the next step in Greater Manchester’s mission to reduce the number of deaths or serious injuries caused on the city-region’s roads, and in turn make it a safer, healthier and more sustainable place for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists. By taking decisive action, around 3,800 unnecessary deaths and serious injuries could be prevented by 2040. On Monday (5th June) Dame Sarah was joined by Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt and other key stakeholders at the Big Active Conversation in Tameside to announce the start of a detailed programme to fully develop Greater Manchester’s Vision Zero approach, with the aim of presenting a unified strategy with a shared ambition of zero deaths and serious injuries on Greater Manchester’s roads. Road danger reduction experts, Agilysis, has been commissioned to develop the strategy in the coming months, with a first draft expected in Autumn. As part of this work Agilysis will identify and engage with key stakeholders, including Greater Manchester Police and other emergency services, with a view to consulting with members of the public next year. The strategy will then be adopted subject to agreement with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey said on Monday: “Any death or serious injury on our roads is one too many, and these collisions are already devastating people’s lives. “It’s heart-breaking to learn of a fatal or life-changing collision and sadly there has been some horrendous incidents very recently right on our doorstep. These incidents are neither acceptable or inevitable, and we should all be doing everything we can to prevent them. “Back in November I launched a refreshed mission for Greater Manchester’s active travel programme and within that I recommended the region adopt Vision Zero. “Today’s announcement is the first step on making that a reality and I hope the work that now follows will pave the way in making everyone feel safe when they take to the roads, whether that be in a car, on foot or on a bike. “Getting it right will require a collective effort and commitment by everyone, which is why I am delighted to have Agilysis on board as we start our journey today.” As well as stamping out serious injuries and deaths on Greater Manchester’s roads, Vision Zero will help tackle the impact on the emergency services and the cost to public finances, with the potential to save the city-region’s economy more than £4.5billion over the next 20 years. The strategy will draw on best practice from other cities around the world and across the UK with Vision Zero strategies in place, including Stockholm, Oslo, London and Bristol. Some of the effective measures to have been introduced include 20mph speed limits, safer junctions and segregated lanes for people to walk, wheel and cycle and increased enforcement for speeding vehicles. Greater Manchester’s Vision Zero plan will also build on the existing work of the city-region’s Road Danger Reduction Advisory Group and Greater Manchester Police, which has already been bolstering operations to keep people safe when they are using the region’s transport and highways network. Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt said: “Commitment to Vision Zero in cities and regions across the UK and overseas has resulted in a significant reduction in death and serious injury on the roads. “We look forward to the outcome of the work by our road danger reduction experts to see the potential for similarly positive outcomes in Greater Manchester, building on the work already undertaken by districts, TfGM, the police and other partners.” Greater Manchester is already taking steps to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads, with improved walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure as it builds the largest active travel network in the country as part of the Bee Network. In addition, GM boroughs have been trialling new schemes to boost active travel participation in a safer environment, such as the School Streets pilots and the introduction of 20mph zones. In Greater Manchester there were 28 pedestrians killed and 217 serious injuries as a result of road collisions in 2021. Meanwhile, there were five cyclist fatalities and 129 serious cyclist casualties in the same period, plus 10 motorcyclist deaths and 106 serious casualties. In addition there were 29 fatalities amongst car occupants (which includes drivers and passengers of private vehicles, taxis and minibuses) along with 305 casualties suffering serious injuries. Drivers failing to look properly remains one of the top contributory factors recorded for collisions between a person cycling and drivers, as well motorcyclists. In the top five driver manoeuvres which cause injury to Greater Manchester cyclists, three are associated with turning, and not looking and seeing properly including; turning right; driving ahead right-hand bend and turning left. Superintendent Gareth Parkin of GMP’s Transport Unit added: “We are committed to Vision Zero for Greater Manchester. Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that deeply effects our community. “With our growing Roads Policing team, we will continue to increase our capability to enforce, educate the public, and work with stakeholders to eliminate preventable collisions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to announce trainee engineer Christy Dickson has picked up the coveted CECA Scotland’s Most Promising Apprentice 2023 award. Developing the engineering stars of tomorrow is part of the ethos at McLaughlin & Harvey, with the company committed to ensuring 5% of the workforce is made up of apprentices, students and graduates on formalised training schemes. Christy Dickson is clearly making his mark in that 5% having joined McLaughlin & Harvey in 2019. Initially gaining experience with the team at the Bushmills Distillery Offsite Maturation Facility site followed by a brief spell with the estimating department, he then joined the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme which has been a focal point of his work since September 2020. Despite balancing working away from home on challenging projects and the impacts of Covid, Christy sailed through his Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Foundation course and moved straight onto the HLA in Civil Engineering. He is currently in his second year and attends university every Thursday during term time. Always willing to help encourage more people into the industry, Christy has frequently put himself forward to take on the additional responsibilities of mentoring and supervising young people or work-returners brought on-site for work experience, site visits or work placements. In 2022, Christy helped guide eight S3 girl pupils from Hawick High School on-site as part of the CECA Scotland endorsed What-IF programme. Upon completion, the S3 girls were keen to explore opportunities in construction, with each offering compliments to and of Christy. Robin Erskine, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said “I have had the opportunity to work with Christy at the Hawick FPS for the past two and a half years and I’m very proud of how he has developed into a very competent young engineer. From day one, he has shown a real willingness and eagerness to learn and advance his knowledge in civil engineering. His attitude, dedication and work ethic are exemplary. He works every other weekend on-site in Hawick due to his mid-week college day commitments back in Belfast. He has an excellent relationship with his peers, colleagues, subcontractors and client team, and I am delighted that he has picked up CECA Scotland’s Most Promising Apprentice award – thoroughly deserved.” Commenting on his award win, Christy Dickson said: “I am very honoured to have won this year’s CECA Scotland award for Most Promising Apprentice. I cannot thank Seamus Devlin and the team at McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd enough for all the training, support and opportunities they have given me. As well as my family and friends who have helped guide me throughout these early stages in my career as a Civil Engineer.” Christy received the award at the annual CECA Awards Dinner, held at the Doubletree by Hilton in Glasgow at the end of March.
This development located in the popular Dublin docklands features 216 one and two bedroom apartments over six floors. Designed in a u-shape block with central courtyard and internal atrium where the FIRETITE was installed. FIRETITE was installed along the main masonry wall between the basement and ground floor. The cavity varied in thickness between 50 to 70mm, making it ideal for the installation of our innovative FIRETITE cavity wall insulation. FIRETITE is the world’s first three-component mineral based insulation developed by BASF. It is fire classification of A2-s1, d0, a thermal conductivity of 0.034W/mK, contains no harmful pollutants, has no internal propellants and has achieved the best EMICODE emissions classification of EC1 plus. FIRETITE was installed at this development by our registered contractor, Adrian McGirr and his team from Fior Insulation & Fire Protection. Fior are experienced passive fire protection specialists and are involved with FIRETITE because they recognised the benefits and potential for this unique product. “It’s exciting to be involved with FIRETITE as a new innovative solution for fire rated cavity wall insulation. This product can help rectify many of the cavity wall fire challenges we have faced over the last few years”, said Adrian McGirr, Fior Insulation. Project: A residential scheme featuring 216 apartments with private balconies or terraces situated in the heart of the Dublin docks.Developer: Marlet Property GroupMain Contractor: BAM IrelandArchitect: Henry J. LyonsFIRETITE Installer: Fior Insulation & Fire protection LtdScope of Project: Install FIRETITE in specific brick cavity along the atrium wall at ground floor and basementProducts used: FIRETITE Class A2, S1, d0 mineral based cavity wall insulation
Leicestershire based architects, IMA Architects, has successfully delivered a brand-new, purpose-built gymnastics facility for Rugby Gymnastics Club. IMA has been part of a team including KAM Project Consultants and BWB, on behalf of Sport England, that has worked with the Gymnastics Club to realise the 19,655 square foot scheme at its new home on Kilsby Lane. IMA Architects was part of the design and delivery team consisting of main contractors, Wilten Construction and Civil and Structural Engineers, Jackson Purdue Lever. As Architectural Consultant, IMA oversaw the coordination of the project. Joe Travers, Associate Director at IMA Architects, said: “We have enjoyed working on this project to deliver a purpose-built gymnastic facility for a thriving club. At IMA we’re well known for our attention to detail and commercial awareness in seeing projects through to completion, and we have worked with Wilten as main contractor and the Gymnastic Club to produce a building which is both fit for purpose and financially viable, that accommodates the Gymnastics Club’s required layout.” Construction at the site started in August 2022 and practical completion for the first phase of works was achieved on 6th February 2023, with the Gymnastics Club due to relocate to its new home in the coming weeks. Simon Barnett, Project Manager at Wilten Construction comments: “The project has resulted in a massive improvement on the Club’s previous facilities which had become inadequate for the current needs of members. The new building allows them to have more gymnasts and facilitate holding their own events and competitions.” Rugby Gymnastics Club is a long-established Gymnastics Club in Warwickshire, which is dedicated to training young gymnasts, both boys and girls of all levels and ability from pre-school through recreational to elite standard and competitive squads. It offers children the opportunity to experience gymnastics in a safe and friendly environment with tuition provided by professional coaches. The new building will enable the Club to expand the sport into a wider community. With an estimated construction cost of £1.9m, the Club has generated the majority of the funds from the sale of its existing premises as well as various fundraising schemes and donations. It has also received circa £500,000 in funding from Sport England. Anyone interested in supporting the project with donations to help fund internal fit out and contribute to the rest of the venture is encouraged to contact the Club directly. Gill McKee, Development Director at Rugby Gymnastics Club comments: “We are thrilled with our new home and can’t wait to fully move in. We are an ambitious club with over 1,000 members so needed an amazing facility to match our aspirations. We currently have a waiting list of 500 gymnasts, so the new facilities will allow us to approve more memberships and provide gymnastics facilities to more people in the local area.” Lucy Litwinko, Director at KAM Project Consultants Ltd comments: “We are pleased to see the project come to fruition, on time and on budget. We hope that the facilities will inspire the next generation of Team GB athletes in the future. It would be fantastic to know one of the gymnasts started their careers at the facility we had a role in creating.” IMA is an award-winning firm of architects based in Blaby, Leicestershire. The firm, which celebrated its 25 Anniversary last year, has grown from a two-person team, to now employ 18 members of staff and work with a range of FTSE 100 companies, such as Marks and Spencer, and global brands such as Lidl. The company is a proud Community Partner of Leicester City Football Club and a sponsorship partner of both Leicester Tigers RFC and Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals