UKREiiF aims to become one of the most inclusive and sustainable events for the real estate and infrastructure industry when it launches this May in Leeds It has already started measuring social value impact using 20 key metrics covering topics such as wellbeing, environment and diversity, and will use the
Steder Group charts steady course to Renfrew Canmoor is set to welcome the Steder Group, as the latest new occupier at Westway Park in Renfrew. The global logistics service provider has signed up for 60,000 sq ft of logistics space at the newly refurbished Block D on a ten-year lease.
From Contractors, Project Managers, Clients and Consultants, Ctori are able to provide their expertise and training to a range of companies and sectors seeking to develop their knowledge of the NEC contract or to be introduced to the contract entirely. “The tailormade course was clear, concise and targeted. The questions
PETERBOROUGH ARENA, EAST OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND FEBRUARY 26-27 The 7 Figure Construction Business Builder live two-day event held at the Peterborough Arena, was attended by more than 130 construction businesses from all over the UK. Hosted by CEO of Trade Mastermind and winner of BBC’s The Apprentice Joseph Valente, the event was a huge
The New 154,000 sq ft industrial/logistics unit is to be built at The Cofton Centre, a 35-acre, self-contained secure, managed estate which forms an integral part of the largest regeneration project in the West Midlands. GMI Construction Group PLC has today announced that it has been appointed by expert logistics/industrial
Polar NE installs Kawneer product portfolio at Cornwall’s first children’s mental health unit Sowenna CAMHS is Cornwall’s first Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services unit. The £5 million purpose-built project demanded products that could provide a high level of thermal performance, whilst also enhancing the building’s levels of natural light
A VILLAGE on the outskirts of Lancaster is set to significantly benefit from a new housing development currently under construction. Homebuilder Russell Armer Homes has started building work on 65 two to four bedroom homes, as well as one bedroom apartments, at its Bowland Fold development in the village of
Aquarian Cladding Systems, a specialist supplier of external brick and terracotta cladding systems, has strengthened its team with two key appointments. Ryan Callaghan joins as Technical Sales Manager in the South East of England, having started his career with an independent distributor in 2012, selling insulation and fire protection. He
Arup will lead an expert design team to help deliver the new £31 million pedestrian and cycle crossing on the River Wear in Sunderland. The global engineering and consulting firm will work closely with contractor VolkerStevin and has assembled an experienced team including specialist bridge architects Knight Architects and local
Latest research survey calls for architect feedback to improve educational offering A new survey has been launched by NBS, a leading specification and product information platform for the construction industry, and RIBA (The Royal Institute of British Architects) to find out how architects and specifiers are using RIBA-approved CPDs (Continuing
UKREiiF aims to become one of the most inclusive and sustainable events for the real estate and infrastructure industry when it launches this May in Leeds It has already started measuring social value impact using 20 key metrics covering topics such as wellbeing, environment and diversity, and will use the data to make improvements The conference is expected to welcome more than 5,000 delegates, 250 speakers and over 100 exhibitors The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), a major new conference and exhibition taking place in Leeds from 17-19 May, has embarked on an expansive social value campaign aimed at making it one of the most inclusive and sustainable events in the real estate and infrastructure industry. The three-day event, which will welcome over 5,000 delegates, 100 exhibitors, and more than 250 speakers, is centred around connecting people, places and businesses in order to accelerate the levelling up agenda and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment across the UK. The conference has been structured to provide an unprecedented platform for underrepresented groups as well as smaller organisations and businesses from diverse geographical locations. It has enabled locations such as Cornwall, Blackpool, Fife and Hull to be represented in a similar manner as London, Glasgow, Manchester and Belfast. Built Environment Networking, the organisation behind UKREiiF, is also striking numerous partnerships to further enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of the event. One such partnership is with skills and diversity initiative Regeneration Brainery where a mentoring system is being created to connect industry leading figures to potential graduates. Other partnerships include with STEER which will see students and mentors attend today, Freehold who will host an LGBT+ history tour around Leeds, RE:Women who will host an afternoon Zumba networking class and Women in Property who will run a morning networking event. The event’s environmental sustainability credentials have also been carefully considered. Firstly, the choice of host city has been made with the environment in mind. Leeds is the most central city with appropriate conferencing and exhibition facilities, which therefore minimises both the distance delegates need to travel and their carbon footprints. Moreover, UKREiiF is due to gain its ISO Events Sustainability Accreditation ahead of the event taking place. The organisers are also working with sustainable travel partner LNER, to offer discounts to UKREiiF attendees that travel by train, in addition to Club Peloton encouraging cycling as a route to Leeds whilst also raising money for charity. To ensure these efforts are maximised, UKREiiF is using software specialist Loop in order to measure social value impact across 20 metrics, which includes categories spanning wellbeing, charity, mentoring, training, diversity and sustainability. The information will play a pivotal role in shaping the event, used actively throughout so that improvements and adjustments can be made and impact optimised. The first report is due out within weeks, ahead of the event taking place. Crucially, UKREiiF is taking an iterative approach, with regular reporting meaning that the team will be able make improvements to the event’s social impact indefinitely. Keith Griffiths, Founder of Built Environment Networking, UKREiiF’s organiser, said: “UKREiiF places social value considerations at its core, so it is important that we use social value measurements to ensure it is being applied effectively and extensively. “All forward-thinking organisations are now focused on developing robust environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. Sometimes, however, the ‘s’ in ESG can play second fiddle to the ‘e’. While UKREiiF can boast very strong environmental credentials, we also want to lead the industry in terms of providing the very best in social impact.” Sustainability is also at the heart of UKREiiF’s awards, which take place on the evening of Tuesday 17th May. The awards feature categories specifically dedicated to celebrating pioneers in the ESG agenda, including Net Zero Hero of the Year, Social Value & Inclusive Growth Creator of the Year and Net Zero Place of the Year. The free to enter awards are now open and submissions should be submitted by March 18th. In addition to showcasing investment opportunities to investors, developers and house builders, UKREiiF’s conference agenda will address key sustainability themes, including the UK’s net zero target, social value and inclusive growth, the future of real estate and building better communities. Griffiths said: “At the heart of the show’s reason for being is improved outcomes for all people. That means promoting social value as well as environmental sustainability in real estate, as well as breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in all its forms in the real estate industry.” Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool City Council, Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, and Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, are among the keynote speakers taking centre stage at the event. The conference will also hear from other leading lights in local government, including Andrew Kerr OBE, Chief Executive of The City of Edinburgh Council, Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands. They will be joined by Lord Grimstone, Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade, Baroness Vere, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, John Flint, Chief Executive at UK Infrastructure Bank, and Bridget Rosewell, Commissioner at the National Infrastructure Commission. The agenda is also replete with influential figures from central government and national agencies, including Nick Harris, Chief Executive of National Highways, Dr Janet Young, Chief Property Officer of the UK Government, as well as Gareth Rhys Williams, Government Chief Commercial Officer in the Cabinet Office, and Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England. On the private sector side, meanwhile, speakers include Anna Devlet, Head of Social Sustainability at British Land, Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive Officer at the Harworth Group, Katie Kopec, International Director at JLL, Jennie Coleville, Head of ESG and Sustainability at Landsec, and Jennie Daly, Group Operations Director at Taylor Wimpey. Heads of leading occupiers include Dr
Steder Group charts steady course to Renfrew Canmoor is set to welcome the Steder Group, as the latest new occupier at Westway Park in Renfrew. The global logistics service provider has signed up for 60,000 sq ft of logistics space at the newly refurbished Block D on a ten-year lease. The Scottish & Dutch-owned company, which is headquartered in Hillington, Glasgow and in Rotterdam in Holland, is relocating its UK Warehousing & Logistics Services side of the business to Renfrew from Hillington. The new unit will be used for storage and distribution functions, whilst the main freight forwarding, customs brokerage, sales, marketing and administration will remain at its Hillington HQ. Steder Group is set up to handle any logistics challenge and can offer a complete range of logistic services within a broad, worldwide network. In Scotland, this includes forwarding, air cargo, with services, including handling customs documentation for a global customer base. The new facility in Renfrew is part of the UK arm of the business, which along with its HQ in Hillington also has bases in Aberdeen, Queenslie & Dunfermline. Steve Logan, Managing Director of Steder Group said: “Quality space, connectivity and site security were the prime drivers for our move to Westway. We look forward to being fully operational with our warehousing & logistics staff, with potentially up to 20 staff at some stage this year. “Our goal is to be the one of the best complete logistics service providers in Scotland and this new facility will enable us to continue to deliver high quality and customised service to our customer base and partners, both in the UK and globally. “Steder Group in the UK was born in early 2016 in Glasgow, achieving considerable success in such a short timeline. This vital warehousing deal with Canmoor was essential to allow us to continue to grow our business in today’s hectic and challenging marketplace. “I’d like to thank Rob Large and all of the Canmoor team, along with the site marketing director for JLL, Andrew McCracken for all their help and assistance in helping us push through and conclude this deal within the timelines required to support our business requirements.” Toby Saul, Asset Manager of Canmoor added: “Since acquiring Westway in 2018, our strategy has been to invest in the existing stock, to attract top occupiers. We have committed more than £12 million to building refurbishment and infrastructure improvements across the park, including £3 million in the refurbishment of D Block. “Securing Steder Group within three months of practical completion, along with a pre-let to Agility Logistics underlines the success of our strategy, with D Block now fully-let to two best in class logistics operators “Over the course of 2021, we completed circa 425,000 sq ft in lettings and re-gears, making Westway one of the strongest industrial and distribution assets in Scotland. “We have now started the next stage of our refurbishment programme at Block J and Unit G1 with further infrastructure improvements and investment at Westway to be announced shortly.” Westway is a key strategic industrial and distribution location that offers excellent connectivity to the whole of Central Scotland, with Junction 27 of the M8 only 3 minutes drive away. It is located in the heart of the Glasgow Airport Investment area, which is one of the key City Deal projects that will benefit from £39.1m of inward investment over the next 10 years. This will deliver significant infrastructure investment to the area including a new two-lane bridge over the White Cart, directly linking Westway with the investment area and airport, which is scheduled to open later this year. Westway also benefits from having its own private dock facility on the White Cart Water which accesses the River Clyde. This provides an alternative shipping solution particularly for large products that are unsuitable for transport by road. Andrew McCracken, Director of JLL said: “This deal underlines the demand for well-located, top quality logistics space in the Scottish market. Westway is one of the top locations in Scotland and we anticipate further positive demand for space at the park during 2022.” Canmoor’s joint agents are JLL and Colliers, with the park being managed by Knight Frank.
From Contractors, Project Managers, Clients and Consultants, Ctori are able to provide their expertise and training to a range of companies and sectors seeking to develop their knowledge of the NEC contract or to be introduced to the contract entirely. “The tailormade course was clear, concise and targeted. The questions from the Morgan Sindall delivery teams, who have varying levels of NEC experience, were well answered and the use of practical examples brought the subject matter to life.” says Paul Dwyer, Commercial Manager at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, about the recent training course delivered to the Morgan Sindall Infrastructure team for their works on Welsh Water’s Asset Management Plans (AMPs) Framework. The introductory course to the NEC3 ECC Contract is by far the most popular course, which is offered to clients who are either new to the NEC contract or have had limited experience using it. Both Introductory Courses to the NEC3 and NEC4 Contracts provide delegates with a total of 7 CPD points each per full-day’s training session. These course cover basic principles such as contract strategy for procurement, time, payments, early warnings and compensation events. Peter Ctori, Commercial Director at CCCL Peter Ctori, Commercial Director at CCCL says “We have been delivering our reputable NEC Training Courses for over 25 years, which has allowed us to closely assist workforces and managers in some of the most incredible projects across the UK.” The training courses are usually delivered face-to-face to a group of 6 to 14 delegates during a full day’s training, with 2 coffee breaks and a lunch break in-between. It can also be delivered online and/or broken down into half-day training sessions. All the courses are tailored in detail to fit the project requirements of the client and provide applicable knowledge to all attending delegates. To browse our CPD and NEC training courses, or to learn about our consultancy services, please visit us at www.ctori.com or contact us at ctori@ctori.com for any enquiries.
PETERBOROUGH ARENA, EAST OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND FEBRUARY 26-27 The 7 Figure Construction Business Builder live two-day event held at the Peterborough Arena, was attended by more than 130 construction businesses from all over the UK. Hosted by CEO of Trade Mastermind and winner of BBC’s The Apprentice Joseph Valente, the event was a huge success. There were a few regulars returning, but it was fantastic to see many new businesses attending for the first time – and vowing to return for more in the future. Guest speakers included TV’s Undercover Big Boss and philanthropist Alfie Best. Together with the founder of the popular trade website Checkatrade Kevin Byrne. Both had the audience grasped as they talked about their early lives, how they ventured into business for the first time and what motivates them to be successful in business. Both received an incredible standing ovation by all who attended. Joseph Valente inspired everyone when he took to the stage and presented for the whole of Saturday and fully explaining how construction businesses, such as plumbing & heating, electrical, landscaping and building trades, can move to the next level. James King who runs his landscaping business in West Sussex said: “Wow! What a great weekend! I arrived home and went immediately into the office with white boards and post-it notes and started to make plans. I can’t wait to start implementing everything I’ve learned over the weekend into my business. Thank you so much Joseph Valente and the whole Trade Mastermind team!” CEO of Trade Mastermind Joseph Valente added: “Trade Mastermind has done countless training and business building events, but this was our maiden arena event, which has proved to be a huge success. Businesses from all over the UK arrived and judging by the messages I’ve received, everyone had an absolutely amazing experience, as well as learning a massive amount of knowledge to implement into their own businesses. “It was amazing to see our guest speakers Alfie Best and Kevin Byrne receiving such an incredible welcome from everyone. Their life stories so far were absolutely inspirational. “The Peterborough Arena at the East of England Showground, proved to be the perfect location for us and located close to the A1. The parking facilities, staff and food provided throughout the weekend was outstanding. We will certainly be holding more events here in the future.” For further info on any future Trade Mastermind events please visit: www.trademastermind.co.uk or email: paul.fenech@trademastermind.co.uk
The New 154,000 sq ft industrial/logistics unit is to be built at The Cofton Centre, a 35-acre, self-contained secure, managed estate which forms an integral part of the largest regeneration project in the West Midlands. GMI Construction Group PLC has today announced that it has been appointed by expert logistics/industrial developer St. Modwen Logistics to construct a new 154,000 sq ft industrial/logistics unit at a site in Longbridge, Birmingham. The development being marketed as’ Longbridge 155’ will feature a best-in-class specification to include an array of sustainable design enhancements, energy saving technologies and Net Zero Carbon in operation features. It will showcase St. Modwen’s Swan Standard specification – a set of industry-leading sustainable development guidelines with a focus on responsible building practices that allows its customers to reduce running costs and carbon in operation emissions. The development will aim to deliver a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating together with targeting an EPC A+ rating, demonstrating significant investment and innovation in sustainability above current regulation and practice. It is expected to achieve an overall carbon reduction of 53% compared with energy requirements set out in the UK Building Regulations (Part L). The office space – comprising 12,626 sq ft – will be operationally Net Zero Carbon, achieved by limiting the operational energy demands and embodied carbon emissions. This includes the use of an energy efficient hybrid air source heat pump, smart metering and further sustainable enhancements such as AAA rated white goods which reduce electrical use; low energy lifts; and recycled carpets. The warehouse space will include several environmental credentials including triple-skinned GRP roof lights which reduce glare and overheating; built-up cladding which provides excellent air tightness and is fully recyclable; 20% electric vehicle charging; and PV solar panels, all of which underpin the BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ rating. Construction of the facility started in February and the building expected to be available from Q3 2022. Talking about the project GMI Managing Director Andy Bruce Said: “This project is another big win for our Midlands team and Birmingham Office which we are rapidly expanding. We are delighted to once again be working for repeat customer St. Modwen Logistics on this prestigious scheme and part of the team working on the largest regeneration project in the West Midlands. With this instruction our Midlands division has now secured in excess of £130 million of work in just over two years working on some of the region’s most high-profile projects for many well-known brands. We are committed to building back stronger and this key project win further underlines our intentions for growth and opportunity. Also commenting Richard Carter, St. Modwen Logistics Senior Director of Construction said ‘As a valued supply chain partner, we are delighted to have appointed GMI to build Longbridge 155, and look forward to the successful completion of this and future projects’ The building has been designed to feature net zero carbon in operation as part of its commitments to drive its ambition to achieve net zero carbon developments with further reductions in embodied and operational carbon by delivering BREEAM excellent buildings with EPC ratings of A and better. The development features a high-quality office specification, designed with the customer in mind, focusing on health and wellbeing, sustainability, and net carbon reduction”. Working alongside GMI are UMC Architects, engineers Rodgers Leask, KAM Project Consultants and RPPML. The development is situated at The Cofton Centre, a self-contained secure, managed estate which is an integral part of the largest regeneration project in the West Midlands. The site is able to accommodate a wide range of industrial and distribution uses. Situated only 1.5 miles from St. Modwen’s new £70 million Longbridge town centre and the highly successful Technology Park, Longbridge 155 offers occupiers an ideal opportunity to become part of an established commercial centre. For further information about the project visit: https://stmodwenlogistics.co.uk/property/longbridge-155/
Polar NE installs Kawneer product portfolio at Cornwall’s first children’s mental health unit Sowenna CAMHS is Cornwall’s first Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services unit. The £5 million purpose-built project demanded products that could provide a high level of thermal performance, whilst also enhancing the building’s levels of natural light and help achieve a BREEAM Excellent building status. Along with ensuring excellent levels of daylight and access to external spaces and ventilation, the project’s challenges were increased by requiring multiple product solutions that could be harmonised and achieve the same levels of performance and aesthetics. The project requirements enabled Kawneer to utilise multiple products from their portfolio, which perfectly suited the specifications and helped the project achieve the required levels of thermal performance and successfully achieve its BREEAM Excellent status. The project included three types of Kawneer aluminium windows specifically designed and engineered for the mental health sector – Wansbeck Secure windows, Wear Secure windows and Humber Secure windows all feature on the project in multiple areas. The Humber Secure windows were developed in partnership with Humber NHS Foundation Trust as a low to medium secure window with an external sliding sash operated by a reduced ligature rotating handle. The Wansbeck Secure windows are designed for low-secure facilities and feature an internal sliding sash and the Wear Secure windows are an adaptation of the Wansbeck but with a secure mesh to guard the restricted open area. Alongside the bespoke window designs, Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained curtain wall system helped to create a dynamic and active façade that promotes high-levels of natural light to illuminate the main entrance, whilst AA®541 top-hung casement windows have been used in the café area and offices spaces, and AA®3720 folding/sliding doors feature in the courtyard areas. The new Sowenna CAMHS project was designed by international design practice Ryder Architecture and constructed by main contractor Tilbury Douglas on the site of the former Bodmin Community Hospital. The facility provides inpatient mental health and psychiatric intensive care for children and young people aged between 13 and 18 years. Victor Muniz, architectural director at Ryder, said the team responded to the design brief from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust with a smart and functional design. He commented: “We have used Polar windows in several projects already and their products meet all current standards in terms of anti-ligature specification, robustness, good design and competitive costing.” He added: “We were looking for lots of natural light inside the building so the glazed elements played a very important role on this project. We were also aiming for BREEAM Excellent which was finally achieved. “The secure windows and curtain walling have a similar aesthetic to the standard components and help to ensure the safety and security of the external envelope for service users, staff and visitors. Our understanding is the trust is quite happy with the building.”
A VILLAGE on the outskirts of Lancaster is set to significantly benefit from a new housing development currently under construction. Homebuilder Russell Armer Homes has started building work on 65 two to four bedroom homes, as well as one bedroom apartments, at its Bowland Fold development in the village of Halton, near Lancaster. As part of the development, 13 affordable homes will be created for people with links to the local area and a significant sum of money will be granted to Lancaster City Council and ring fenced for the local community through the Government’s New Homes Bonus Scheme. In addition, 1.67 hectares of public open green space – which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the overall development area – will be created and will include a children’s play area. And there will be significant tree planting and a biodiversity scheme implemented. Improvements will be made to the existing watercourse running through the site to provide one central, biodiverse ‘blue-green’ corridor to help manage and hold back surface water from existing homes. Nicky Gordon, the Managing Director of Russell Armer Homes, said: “As with every development, we closely consider what benefits we can provide to the local community and we are very passionate about improving the lives of local people. “We listened to what residents would like as part of the Bowland Fold development, and we’re proud to be providing so many key amenities and facilities to boost the local area. “The development comes at an exciting time for Russell Armer Homes and its sister company Genesis Homes as we start construction on more than 300 homes over three sites, and we’re looking forward to creating a great community in the county of Lancashire with this latest development.” The Bowland Fold development, located just off High Road, offers a broad mix of high quality homes which will suit a wide range of residential requirements but predominantly families through the provision of three and four bedroom houses. A total of two one-bed flats and 12 two bedroom homes will also be constructed to cater for all needs. The proposed play area is aimed at children under the age of 12 and constitutes part of the development’s green space. In addition to the Bowland Fold development at Halton, Russell Armer Homes is currently building 157 homes as part of its Meadow Rigg development at Burneside Road, in Kendal, Cumbria.
Aquarian Cladding Systems, a specialist supplier of external brick and terracotta cladding systems, has strengthened its team with two key appointments. Ryan Callaghan joins as Technical Sales Manager in the South East of England, having started his career with an independent distributor in 2012, selling insulation and fire protection. He then joined Kingspan’s insulation division, before more recently becoming a key member of their light gauge steel framing sales team. “I was very aware of Aquarian as they had a strategic relationship with Kingspan and the opportunity to join them really appealed to me. I could see the opportunity to grow and develop whilst having a bigger impact in a business,” said Ryan, who will be tasked with building and managing relationships with key sub-contractors and main contractors. “I see a huge market opportunity for Aquarian, particularly because of the industry drive towards non-combustible construction. We have two fantastic non-combustible brick cladding solutions, with plans to add to our existing portfolio, so I can only see positives for me and the company as we combine our experience of supplying materials for use on buildings over 18m.” Laurence Bailey joins as Architectural Specification Manager for London, having worked in construction for 18 years. His previous roles have included working in technical departments for brick and brick cladding manufacturers, as well as a CAD technician for a structural engineer. Laurence, who will engage with architects from the earliest stage possible to ensure Aquarian’s products are specified, said: “Whilst with my previous company, we would regularly compete with Aquarian and I could tell they knew their stuff, with good people and good products. “With a really comprehensive range of fully tested and certified products to suit all sorts of needs and all sorts of budgets, I’m really looking forward to working with architects to make them aware of Aquarian products and of course help them to specific our products.” With a product portfolio that includes brick slip cladding systems such as the A1-rated MechSlip and NaturAL-X, the Gebrik Insulating Brick Cladding System and A1-rated Terreal Terracotta Rainscreen System, Aquarian Cladding Systems have worked with architects, contractors, developers, and cladding contractors on many award-winning buildings across a wide range of sectors. Jazz Rigden, Aquarian Cladding Systems’ Sales Director said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome both Laurence and Ryan to the Aquarian team. Both have a huge amount of experience in the industry and have already hit the ground running. “Laurence will provide specification support to ensure our products are appropriately specified and Ryan will ensure the end user receives our full support to ensure materials are ordered accurately. “This additional investment in our team is further evidence of our ambitious plans to grow and develop the business across the country.” For more information or to discuss your project requirements please visit www.aquariancladding.co.uk/
Arup will lead an expert design team to help deliver the new £31 million pedestrian and cycle crossing on the River Wear in Sunderland. The global engineering and consulting firm will work closely with contractor VolkerStevin and has assembled an experienced team including specialist bridge architects Knight Architects and local landscape architects Colour. The team will bring its technical expertise and local knowledge to deliver a bridge in line with the overall vision for the project, as outlined by Sunderland City Council. VolkerStevin was named as the partner to deliver the bridge in September 2021. This project is a central part of Sunderland’s new Riverside Park and will provide connectivity between Sheepfolds and the city centre as part of the Riverside Sunderland Masterplan, led by the council and backed with £100 million by Legal & General. Arup will use digital 3D models to develop the design and consider its integration with surrounding areas, as well as ensuring sustainability is at the heart of the development. This will include minimising the bridge’s carbon impact, reducing any impacts on the biodiversity of the river environment both during construction and throughout the lifetime of the bridge. The bridge, expected to open in 2024, will incorporate the completion of the Keel Line connection between Keel Square and the Stadium of Light to encourage walking and cycling in and around Riverside Sunderland by carefully considering people’s experience of the bridge. The new footbridge will use a simple aesthetic to enhance the riverside development, complementing other crossings. It will include creative lighting, illuminating the green spaces which flank the riverside below. Rachel Hurdman, Project Manager at Arup, said:”This is an important project for the local area and an exemplar of sustainable, people-focussed design. Our design and engineering experts will be leading the design process with cutting-edge design and engineering to provide a new strategic link for the people of Sunderland.”
Latest research survey calls for architect feedback to improve educational offering A new survey has been launched by NBS, a leading specification and product information platform for the construction industry, and RIBA (The Royal Institute of British Architects) to find out how architects and specifiers are using RIBA-approved CPDs (Continuing Professional Development). The RIBA CPD Providers Network survey will help monitor satisfaction levels as a springboard for improvement, delivering a deep dive into the most popular topics covered and ways to increase programme effectiveness in the digital era. Each year, RIBA Chartered Members are required to achieve 35 hours’ worth of CPD, as part of their continual development. Through CPD delivered by experts from manufacturers and advisory bodies, accredited by the RIBA CPD Providers Network, architects are able to stay up to date on industry changes to deliver the highest quality services to clients. Through the survey, NBS and RIBA aim to pinpoint how CPD is evolving and how new formats can quickly disseminate pertinent information about major changes in the industry whilst meeting the needs of a faster-paced, more technologically savvy workforce. NBS is now calling on architects and specifiers to offer their opinions to inform this year’s report and help identify some of the barriers to success, to ultimately improve the future success of RIBA-approved CPDs. David Bain, Research Manager at NBS, said: “It’s been five years since our last RIBA CPD Research Report and the industry has changed significantly in that time. In a sector that’s undergone such a dramatic transformation, particularly with the swift turn to digital adoption, we want to find out what’s important to specifiers and architects so we can enhance their learning potential in the years to come and propel new recruits to close the skills gap. “Specifically, we’ll be drilling down into the preferred ways of doing CPD and whether or not that has changed since the pandemic. We’ll also look at what format and content are most beneficial to them and the importance of RIBA accreditation when it comes to reviewed and approved content.” Once the results have been collated, the findings will be produced into a 2022 report due out in May this year. Those that choose to take part will then receive an early copy of the report, ahead of general release. Joni Tyler, RIBA Head of CPD, said: “RIBA-approved Providers Network CPDs have set the blueprint when it comes to quality – providing a distinct advantage over non-approved CPD materials. “We’ve seen a huge shift to digital CPDs over the past 18 months and with so much development in the industry we want to ensure that architects are getting exactly what they need. “This will also be a hugely useful exercise for companies looking to present or host CPDs, gaining a deeper understanding of how to effectively communicate with their architect and specifier audiences – what drives them and what makes them tick. Architects and other specifiers interested in taking part in the survey can do so by clicking here. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and respondents will receive a copy of the report automatically once published. For every completed response, NBS will donate £1 to the UK construction industry charity CRASH.