Fire stopping specialist FSi Promat has successfully reduced carbon emissions in a key part of its manufacturing process by 52.5 per cent by switching to a demand responsive system. By changing the way that a high-pressure air compressor is used at the company’s Measham factory, FSi Promat has reduced the
A majority of property managers, developers, and landlords in the UK are committed to installing electric vehicle (EV) charging in residential buildings by 2028, with most aiming for completion by 2026, according to new data from ChargeGuru UK. However, despite these pledges, progress has been sluggish due to persistent challenges.
A scheme that includes a new 3 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) electric arc furnace at Port Talbot steelworks has gained planning consent following a detailed planning process, including environmental impact assessments (EIA). In September 2023, the UK government and Tata Steel UK Limited (Tata Steel) announced a £1.25 billion
Volunteer-run charity East Midlands Aeropark has submitted plans to North West Leicestershire District Council for the development of two new modular buildings by GCS Group. These facilities will include a brand-new entrance and snack bar, alongside four viewing shelters. Additionally, the Aeropark plans to repurpose the old entrance building as
“We are delighted to have been awarded a provisional funding allocation of £12.3 million from the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 and look forward to collaborating with colleagues from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in the coming weeks to launch this vital project. Over the
Finning have secured a deal to supply Flannery Plant Hire with £65,000,000 worth of Cat® machinery in 2025. Over the past four years Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat machines and equipment, have supplied long-standing customer Flannery with over £250,000,000 worth of Cat machinery. The company’s most recent multi-million-pound investment includes 100
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, was joined by stakeholders from South Derbyshire District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council and Staffordshire County Council to celebrate the start of work on the new bypass and road bridge in Walton-on-Trent. Phil McHugh Divisional Director of Vistry
CONSTRUCTION of a crucial £18m surface water drainage system at the giant Teesworks site has reached a vital milestone. Water has now broken through from the River Tees into the South Bank Watercourse, which is designed to handle and manage the extensive quantities of surface water run-off from the Teesworks
Green buildings are among the pillars of modern environmental initiatives, and architects and contractors are looking for efficient and long-lasting materials. Silver, in most individuals’ thoughts, is normally associated with trinkets and money, yet it is unexpectedly critical in green building applications. Its properties range from energy-saving to natural antimicrobial,
Oxford United Football Club has partnered with Radisson Hotel Group to deliver a premium hotel within its new state-of-the-art stadium complex. The Championship club is developing a 16,000-capacity stadium as part of a wider project featuring a 1,000-delegate conference centre, bars, entertainment venues, and fitness facilities. The stadium will be
Fire stopping specialist FSi Promat has successfully reduced carbon emissions in a key part of its manufacturing process by 52.5 per cent by switching to a demand responsive system. By changing the way that a high-pressure air compressor is used at the company’s Measham factory, FSi Promat has reduced the carbon emissions generated through the system by more than half. A vital part of the production process, the system supplies high pressure compressed air to machinery, used in mixing sealants and coatings. Installing a variable speed air compressor to replace its existing fixed speed one, means that the system is only using energy when it is actively needed, vastly cutting down the energy that was required for the previous ‘always on’ system. Switching the machine is one of a number of changes the company has made to support more environmentally efficient operations, including installing a new system to reduce the amount of low-risk wastewater it generates by approximately 550,000 litres a year, moving to sensor-based lighting and using renewable energy. The manufacturer has also changed shift patterns to support a 30 per cent reduction in energy use by condensing the running time of machinery. Tim Roe, Engineering and Facilities Manager at FSi Promat, said: “Since starting at FSi Promat two years ago I have been looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of the operation to support the company’s sustainability goals – and those of the wider Etex company. “This was something I noticed that could make an immediate impact on energy use and that would not have any effect on the manufacturing process at all. The fixed speed air compressor always needed to be on, whether it was being used or not and moving to a variable speed compressor was an obvious choice. “Installed with minimal disruption, this is a like-for-like switch but due to only being engaged when the compressed air is needed it has seen a considerable reduction in the energy used to power it. “While safety must remain at the forefront in passive fire protection products, FSi Promat is constantly looking for ways to support more energy efficient operations. Here a relatively simple upgrade has made a considerable impact, and we continue to look for other changes we could make.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A majority of property managers, developers, and landlords in the UK are committed to installing electric vehicle (EV) charging in residential buildings by 2028, with most aiming for completion by 2026, according to new data from ChargeGuru UK. However, despite these pledges, progress has been sluggish due to persistent challenges. The research found that 64% of property leaders plan to retrofit EV chargers into existing developments within the next four years. More than half (54%) expect installations to take place in 2025 and 2026. However, ChargeGuru, a leading provider of fully funded and managed EV charging solutions for flats and apartments, has identified a significant gap between ambition and implementation. When asked about the obstacles preventing installation, landlords and property managers cited several key concerns: While 97% of property professionals say they are aware of how many residents in their buildings own an EV, a significant 70% of those residents still rely on public charging. Public infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with Zapmap reporting that over 20,000 new public charge points were installed in 2024, increasing the UK’s total by nearly 30% in a single year. However, home charging remains disproportionately limited to those with driveways. According to ChargeUK, approximately 800,000 home chargers were installed in 2024—primarily benefiting homeowners rather than those living in apartment buildings. With Zapmap tracking around 1.4 million fully electric cars on UK roads at the start of 2025 (rising to 2.1 million when including plug-in hybrids), there remains a substantial disparity between those who can charge affordably at home and those reliant on the pricier public network. Despite the challenges, 81% of property professionals claim to understand the process of installing EV chargers in residential buildings, and 86% are aware of government funding options available to support these initiatives. Denis Watling, Managing Director of ChargeGuru UK, emphasised the urgency of action: “While the data highlights a growing commitment to private EV charging, the reality is that many property decision-makers are yet to turn these plans into reality. To accelerate private ‘at-home’ EV charging adoption, industry leaders, the government, and the property sector must collaborate to remove key barriers. “Installing EV infrastructure is a long-term investment, and it’s crucial to implement solutions that address each building’s unique challenges—whether related to upfront costs, fair access, or ongoing maintenance. Our data shows that 75% of residents have already considered EV charging availability when moving or will do so in their next relocation. Property managers and freeholders cannot afford to delay unless they want to fall behind the competition.” With demand for EV charging only set to rise, the property sector faces increasing pressure to ensure residential developments are future-proofed for the shift towards electric mobility. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A scheme that includes a new 3 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) electric arc furnace at Port Talbot steelworks has gained planning consent following a detailed planning process, including environmental impact assessments (EIA). In September 2023, the UK government and Tata Steel UK Limited (Tata Steel) announced a £1.25 billion joint investment in the development of electric arc furnace-based steelmaking at Port Talbot to replace the coal-fired blast furnaces that have been in operation for more than 50 years. The proposals reflect Tata Steel’s long-term commitment to the production of ‘green’, low-carbon steel at Port Talbot, securing the future of steelmaking in the region and making a significant contribution to the achievement of ambitious Welsh and UK government net zero policies. Data provided in the environmental statement (RSK, 2024) indicate that greenhouse gas emissions avoided with the electric arc furnace compared with the continuation of traditional steelmaking methods are equivalent to nearly 2% of UK and 23% of Wales emissions (2027 equivalent). RSK Environment Director Rob Edwards, who led the EIA process, said: “Environmental impact assessments are required to support planning applications for major infrastructure projects, ensuring that local councils, communities and consultees understand possible environmental impacts and proposed measures to mitigate these before approving the plans. RSK Environment has coordinated the EIA work as the environmental lead for Tata Steel, working closely with the Tata Steel team, planning consultant Turley, architects Lawray, and Temple Group and JBA Consulting, both of which contributed EIA technical chapters. “Approval of the planning application is the culmination of more than three years of work from the project team. At its peak, more than 20 specialists from across the business were working on-site at any one time – this has resulted in the submission of more than 250 documents in support of the application, highlighting the scale, complexity and level of detail involved in a planning application and EIA of this nature.” As part of the EIA, a wide range of information was gathered from site surveys and assessments covering matters such as ground conditions, habitats and species, traffic and noise levels, air emissions, views of the site and population and demographic data. Rob explained: “The EIA team was required to coordinate and present this huge volume of information in the form needed to support the planning application. This involved liaising extensively with Tata Steel, the wider planning team and the local council to identify where mitigation or amendments to the scheme were necessary to overcome identified environmental concerns.” RSK Group businesses involved in delivering the environmental assessments for the project included Stephenson Halliday (landscape and visual design), RSK Acoustics (noise and vibration), RSK Biocensus (biodiversity), RSK Geosciences (land, soil and groundwater), WRc (peat assessments), Headland Archaeology (cultural heritage), SCP (transport and access), EB7 (lighting assessment) and ADAS (tree surveys). CJ Associates, Ian Farmer Associates and RSK Ordnance Management supported the completion of the ground investigation. Rob added: “Because of the scale of the planning application boundary – well over 100 hectares – the area covered by the proposed development cannot readily be described as a single ‘site’. It includes land with a wide range of different characteristics, including agricultural land, brownfield land and the existing structures of the steelworks. The EIA needed to reflect this and describe the environmental effects across all parts of the site; these were not always the same across all areas. The relationship with the historic steelworks also added complexity, with the electric arc furnace proposals needing to be considered against the context of those activities and their associated environmental impacts. “In addition to the greenhouse gas savings, the project will also result in significant reductions of air emissions, as well as reduced road traffic and remediation of previously developed parts of the steelworks. RSK is proud to be associated with a project that delivers so many environmental benefits, while securing the future of steelmaking in Port Talbot and Wales”. The planning proposals allow for green infrastructure and re-landscaping of the surrounding site to deliver ‘biodiversity net benefit’ in line with Welsh national planning policy. This will involve a range of ecological enhancements and landscaping measures focused on the southern end of the site, which is generally the most visible to the public. This will include new areas of wetland, scrub and grassland. Rob said: “In advising Tata Steel on how it may address all environmental questions raised in the assessments, particular focus was given to biodiversity enhancements. This is reflective of the fact that the steelworks comprise a very large area of land with a wide range of opportunities for enhancement and linkage with other habitats in the local area, particularly the Margam Moors site of special scientific interest to the south”. Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK, said: “We are very pleased to have secured approval to build sustainable steelmaking facilities in Port Talbot. This £1.25 billion investment is the most significant investment made in the UK steel industry in decades. The facility will secure high-quality steel production, preserve thousands of jobs and safeguard steelmaking in Port Talbot for generations to come.” Natalie Young, Head of Legal – Property at Tata Steel UK, added: “You cannot overstate the importance of robust and credible EIAs in such complex submissions, and having the expertise of RSK was critical in the success of the application.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Volunteer-run charity East Midlands Aeropark has submitted plans to North West Leicestershire District Council for the development of two new modular buildings by GCS Group. These facilities will include a brand-new entrance and snack bar, alongside four viewing shelters. Additionally, the Aeropark plans to repurpose the old entrance building as a display unit for exhibits related to their iconic Vulcan aircraft. Stuart Colley, PR Officer and Retail Manager at East Midlands Aeropark said, “This project marks an exciting new chapter for East Midlands Aeropark. Our main mission is to preserve and celebrate Britain’s rich aviation heritage, and our incredible visitors keep that history alive.” The expansion is designed to “Enhance the Visitor Experience”, also known as Project EVE, by introducing modern facilities and creating additional space for learning, exploration and refreshments. Stuartcontinued, “The new buildings from GCS Group will provide much-needed facilities for aviation enthusiasts and families alike. We’re looking forward to seeing the transformation take shape.” GCS Group has been appointed as the principal contractor for this exciting development. With extensive experience in modular solutions, GCS Group has been designing, supplying and installing portable and modular buildings throughout the UK since 2007. “It’s fantastic to be working with East Midlands Aeropark on this project.” Said Jade Sheppard, Head of Operations at GCS Group. “We’re passionate about supplying buildings that make a real difference, and proud to provide a well-deserving charity with a bespoke space that can meet their needs both now and in the future.” “The modular approach allows us to complete most of the build off-site, quickly and sustainably, with little disruption to the park and its customers. We can’t wait to see them in place and being used.” Once approved, construction is expected to begin in Autumn 2025, with the new facilities set to open for the start of the winter season. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“We are delighted to have been awarded a provisional funding allocation of £12.3 million from the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 and look forward to collaborating with colleagues from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in the coming weeks to launch this vital project. Over the next three years, this initiative will retrofit hundreds of homes for older people, improving the properties’ energy efficiency to an EPC band C, while enhancing comfort and affordability for our residents. This project builds upon the success of our previous work with the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.1, delivered in partnership with our Greener Futures Partnership colleagues. We are eager to continue working alongside our peers, supply chain partners, and, most importantly, our residents, to create warmer, lower-carbon homes nationwide. We look forward to sharing further details with colleagues, residents, and stakeholders as the project details are finalised.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Finning have secured a deal to supply Flannery Plant Hire with £65,000,000 worth of Cat® machinery in 2025. Over the past four years Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat machines and equipment, have supplied long-standing customer Flannery with over £250,000,000 worth of Cat machinery. The company’s most recent multi-million-pound investment includes 100 Catexcavators, 70 Cat Bulldozers, 86 CatADT Trucks and 20 Cat Rollers, demonstrating that demand for plant hire shows no signs of slowing down. Similarly, demand in the construction industry itself shows no signs of waning as Glenigans Construction industry Forecast predicts a growth of 8% by the end of 2025. The industry is poised for progression, with government initiatives, housing market recovery and improved economic conditions all set to drive further need for hard-working heavy machinery. Their 15-year partnership with Finning has seen the company make significant investments in Cat machinery, technology and support services, to ensure quality, efficiency and sustainability in their fleet. Patrick Flannery, Managing Director at Flannery Plant Hire said: “As a result of the growth in the industry we are seeing increasing demands for efficient, sustainable and reliable plant machinery that can service the breadth of the industry. “The Cat XE models in particular have shown us a significant return on investment, not only are they hard-working machines, but they are incredibly efficient, saving up to 35% on fuel compared to other models. We are committed to achieving our sustainability goals and having machines with lower fuel consumption helps us reduce our carbon footprint as well as save money in the long-term. “We know from our relationship with Finning that Cat machines are more than capable of tackling the challenges of modern construction. We service the whole industry and need machines to be robust for work in a variety of heavy-duty applications. “Our recent investment shows our commitment to servicing the industry with versatile and innovative plant hire options but also represents our assurance to customers that we will continue to provide efficient and sustainable machines to suit their needs.” As the government continues to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects and housing developments, access to a variety of plant equipment is integral to the industry’s success this year. Rory Gregory, Key Account Manager at Finning UK & Ireland says: “It is vital companies keep up with industry demand and Flannery have a long history of providing a reliable, efficient and robust selection of Cat machinery for their customers. “Along with the machines themselves, which were delivered with comprehensive technology to increase efficiency, we are providing full service and warranty packages to safeguard Flannery’s investment long-term. We are thrilled to not only have the opportunity to continue to work with Flannery but to provide them with such a significant investment to help continue their legacy for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, was joined by stakeholders from South Derbyshire District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council and Staffordshire County Council to celebrate the start of work on the new bypass and road bridge in Walton-on-Trent. Phil McHugh Divisional Director of Vistry North West Midlands, said: “I want to extend a big thank you to the four local authorities, Environment Agency and numerous other stakeholders who have been instrumental in getting us to this important milestone. The new Walton bridge will provide much improved transport links across the River Trent for both current and future residents alike.” “The bridge and bypass scheme forms an important part of our Dracan Village Development and shows that Vistry is committed to doing more than regenerating the former Drakelow power station into 2,000 beautiful new homes. We are building a new community providing investment in education, healthcare, and highways as well as building new infrastructure including a local centre, a new school later this year and large areas of public open space with play areas along with the new bridge which will really drive employment and economic growth in the region.” The new bridge and bypass will provide vital two-way vehicular access over the River Trent, replacing the inadequate one-way bailey bridge which has acted as a bottle neck for traffic in the area for many years. The new bridge will provide better access for current inhabitants and for the 2,000 current and expected residents of the new development on the site of the former Drakelow power station. Justin Ives, CEO at South Derbyshire District Council said: “It’s fantastic to see the start of the new bridge at Walton, this vital piece of infrastructure will not only assist the residents of the new development at the former Drakelow power station but also relieve congestion for the entire area” Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said: “We are pleased work has started on this long-awaited new bridge and that it will be completed as soon as possible, as we know it will provide an important additional route over the Trent for local communities.” Cllr Michael Fitzpatrick, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “I was delighted to be invited to this ‘commencing event’, a milestone reached at long last. Along with our local authority partners, stakeholders and engineering experts it was great to see that diggers have indeed broke the ground, and a spade of course. “An exciting village is starting to emerge and with much needed homes and the infrastructure and community facilities planned, I can only welcome and support the significant progress made. I would like to thank Vistry for their vision and commitment to delivery. I am very grateful for the work of our planning teams in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire who working together have, in a relatively short time, turned proposals for this by-pass and bridge, into a deliverable scheme. It now seems highly likely that we will be invited to an opening ceremony in the very near future and this would be a momentous occasion. “The economic, social and environmental benefits for our area, together with the relief for the residents of Walton, Dracon Village and for Stapenhill will be most welcomed. This will be the time, working with our Highway Authority, to restrict HGV traffic using our Stapenhill Main Street and Rosliston Road and at the same time protect the Leicester Line Bridge from the weight it has carried for several years.” Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills Philip White added: “I am pleased that Vistry Group is committing to the start of work on this very important piece of infrastructure, and I welcome the start of works. However, we are clear that there is still a lot to do to get the detailed design and approvals in place before we know it is safe, and that it will be built in its entirety. “The county council will work tirelessly with partners to ensure the Vistry Group keeps its promises to the local community to build this bridge and that the cost and burden does not fall on local taxpayers.” Vistry is already working in earnest on the bridge and anticipates seeing the main structure of the bridge installed later this year with the commissioning and opening to follow shortly after. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CONSTRUCTION of a crucial £18m surface water drainage system at the giant Teesworks site has reached a vital milestone. Water has now broken through from the River Tees into the South Bank Watercourse, which is designed to handle and manage the extensive quantities of surface water run-off from the Teesworks development. The watercourse will initially manage the large volumes of water draining from the 90-acre SeAH Wind turbine monopile manufacturing facility which is nearing completion. The vast scale of this facility means that rainwater run-off from the development will be significant, particularly under heavy storm conditions. As a result, all developments on the South Bank and Dorman Point areas of Teesworks need to have a means of efficiently discharging surface water so as not to hamper their operations, a role which the South Bank Watercourse performs. Extending up to 8m in depth and 1.9km in length, the new watercourse has been constructed largely as an open channel, natural stream, which supports the mitigation of water pollution through its natural filtration. It incorporates a gravel bed and carefully landscaped banks, discharging to the River Tees. The system also incorporates over 350 linear metres of buried culvert – where the watercourse passes beneath development land. The project incorporates a very large intertidal section where the watercourse meets the river. This will see an ecologically valuable salt marsh habitat created, which will be a natural haven for wildlife. The watercourse features extensive gabion basket walls – cages filled with stones – providing structural support to the open channels in most areas. These have been created using recycled aggregates sourced from land remediation projects on Teesworks – a former steelworks site – in lieu of importing natural quarried stone, saving cost and significantly mitigating the environmental impact of the scheme. In total, over 100,000 cubic metres of recycled aggregates were used on the project. John McNicholas, engineering and programme director at Teesworks, said: “We’re delighted to see the South Bank Watercourse reaching this pivotal milestone. “The sheer scale of the works has been something to behold, but equally, the logistical challenges that have had to be overcome in delivering the scheme through live construction sites where multiple remediation, infrastructure and building projects have been progressing simultaneously. “We are particularly pleased to see the extent to which we have been able to make best use of the resources on our own doorstep, through the extensive recycling of earthworks materials for use in the project’s channel bed and banks.” This important civil engineering project has been carried out by a number of different companies. The main civils contractor for phase one of the project was Hall Construction Services; for the other phases, including the final phase, it has been Applebridge Construction. The overall scope includes the diversion and upgrade of two existing watercourses – Holme Beck and Knitting Wife Beck – traversing the 60ha Dorman Point development zone on Teesworks, which will discharge into the South Bank section. For the Dorman Point section, the main civils contractor for the Holmebeck diversion and upgrade was Seymour Civil Engineering Ltd and for the Knitting Wife Beck diversion and upgrade first phase, it was Hall Construction Services Limited. The primary subcontractors used on the project were Phi Group on phase one, providing gabion basket retaining wall construction, and Enviromesh on subsequent phases, also providing gabion basket retaining wall construction. Following the watercourse works completion, the next phase of similar works will see the construction of the £3m second and final phase of the Knitting Wife Beck diversion on Dorman Point , followed by the £10m reconstruction of an existing four-bay bridge underpass beneath the Saltburn to Darlington railway corridor, which will enable the Holmebeck and Knitting Wife Beck channels on Dorman Point to connect through to the South Bank Watercourse. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Green buildings are among the pillars of modern environmental initiatives, and architects and contractors are looking for efficient and long-lasting materials. Silver, in most individuals’ thoughts, is normally associated with trinkets and money, yet it is unexpectedly critical in green building applications. Its properties range from energy-saving to natural antimicrobial, and it is a vital component of buildings of the future. Here are the reasons why silver is part of green buildings. Sustainable Sourcing and Recycling Potential Silver is a fascinating industrial material because it is recyclable and, therefore, does not have a strong demand for mining and extraction. It is used and reused again and again. Sustainable construction requires using materials that can, in principle, be repurposed or recovered at the end of a building’s lifespan; again, silver fits into this idea. Many companies source recycled silver from electronic waste, old jewelry, and even silver coins, which holds the idea of a circular economy for building materials. By including responsibly sourced Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins, developers will have an opportunity to contribute to efforts directed toward environmental conservation through the utilization of a resource that long since presented their acceptable sustainability attributes. The concept of recommending the reuse of some proportion of silver coins and silver bullion within architectural elements also helps raise awareness for the value of the metal beyond traditional applications. Superior Reflective Properties for Climate Control Silver has another unique quality that would work wonders for climate control solutions: reflective properties. In architectural coatings, silver has superior qualities because of its very high reflectivity. Silver coatings are typically used on windows, roof surfaces, and insulation systems to reduce heat absorption and keep the indoor temperature stable, enhancing autonomy from artificial heating and cooling. This means savings in energy, which can be significant in commercial and residential structures. With the global push for energy-efficient construction, incorporating silver into building materials regulates indoor environments: a more comfortable place to be and reduced energy costs. This is even more important in urban areas, where heat retention in buildings contributes to the urban heat island effect, making silver an asset in alleviating urban climate challenges as it contributes in some way towards moderating the expansion of climatic aggravations in urban centers. Water Filtration and Purification Systems Realizing water sustainability is a necessary element of any green building initiative. Incandescent silver has long been hailed for its aqueous antimicrobial activities, making it relatively rare and valuable in disinfection systems for water. Much of the advanced filtration technology employs silver ions and their bactericidal principles, clearing the drinking water of mammal microorganisms. Incorporating silver-based purification systems in eco-friendly in-built plumbing for residential and commercial spaces could provide better alternatives to chemical disinfectants that bring about harmful environmental impacts. Water conservation and hygiene are guaranteed through the implementation of silver Semiconductor filtration for use in buildings while minimizing pollution from chlorine-based treatment. Antimicrobial Surfaces for Healthier Buildings With excellent water filtration properties, these antimicrobial characteristics render silver a fitting material to be applied in contact with a hand, such as in door handles, countertops, and ventilation systems. Silver-coated materials are gaining traction in hospitals and commercial buildings because they prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading further and promote healthier indoor conditions. The modern built environment in sustainable architecture advocates not only for the environment but also for human life, and the application of silver in antimicrobial coatings goes hand in hand with building designs that favor hygiene. Loosely associated with those lofty ambitions is the hope that, in the long term, one would rely less on chemical cleaners, less on maintenance of a given building, and achieve better indoor air quality: the essence of sustainability in modern construction. Durability and Corrosion Resistance Sustainable construction ensures that the materials help buildings last longer as repair and replacement become infrequent. Silver is a superlative material with properties that resist corrosion and, therefore, can be well considered for electrical, plumbing fixtures, and coatings functioning in very adverse environments. The high conductivity and resistance to oxidation of silver have made it a material of preference in electrical wiring for long-lasting electrical systems. The longer an infrastructure inside the building remains operational, the lesser the overall damage inflicted on the environment, thereby requiring fewer resources for maintenance and replacements. Integration in Smart Building Technologies The rise of smart buildings will depend on several things in technology, such as silver, which will afford further technological innovation. For example, it comes within the sensors, wiring, and conductive inks that used intelligent energy grids and won such automated lighting and temperature controls. All of those augment energy efficiency by optimizing power usage with downgraded waste. Considering that the hottest opportunity for intelligent integration is based upon an expanding Internet of Things, silver’s credentials in connectivity solutions are almost unassailable. Recognizing the tech that uses silver to teach smart buildings will take the lead in reducing the world’s energy consumption while at the same time raising occupant comfort. Endnote Silver’s flexibility in sustainable construction makes it a valuable resource for modern architectural projects. Silver, from making solar panels more energy-efficient to supporting durability and antimicrobial defense, is an integral component of green architectural technologies. Further, promoting recycled silver – i.e., recycled silver coins – promotes sustainable sourcing and green-mindedness in design. As the building industry increasingly turns toward sustainability, silver’s place in enabling more sustainable, smart buildings will expand.
Oxford United Football Club has partnered with Radisson Hotel Group to deliver a premium hotel within its new state-of-the-art stadium complex. The Championship club is developing a 16,000-capacity stadium as part of a wider project featuring a 1,000-delegate conference centre, bars, entertainment venues, and fitness facilities. The stadium will be the UK’s first fully electric football venue, powered by a low-carbon energy supply and solar panels. Radisson’s new hotel, integrated within the development, will offer 180 rooms, with over half boasting pitch-side views. A ground-floor restaurant will further enhance the guest experience. Adela Cristea, Radisson Hotel Group’s vice-president of business development for the UK, Ireland, and Nordics, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Radisson is the perfect fit for a project committed to sustainability. We look forward to elevating the visitor experience at this innovative venue.” Adam Benson, Oxford United’s chief commercial and marketing officer, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Securing a brand of Radisson’s calibre underscores the world-class nature of our stadium development. The hotel will be integral to our vision of creating a multi-purpose venue while ensuring the club’s long-term financial sustainability.” Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its UK and Ireland presence, with nearly 80 hotels in operation or development. The brand is also growing its footprint in the sports and events sector, having recently partnered with Manchester City and launched projects at Allianz Stadium Twickenham and Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. Oxford United’s ambitious plans mark a significant milestone in the club’s history, setting new benchmarks for sustainable stadium design while enhancing the matchday and visitor experience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
