Berkshire-based plant hire firm, Shorts Group, has further expanded its growing rental fleet with five new Yanmar ViO17 zero tail-swing mini excavators. This complements four Yanmar machines purchased last year. The state-of-the-art models, which were delivered earlier this month, are already operational on sites across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and the
Chancerygate has been granted planning permission to build 110,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics and industrial space in Chadderton, near Oldham. Called Broadway Central, the speculative development will comprise eight units across two terraces ranging from 7,600 sq ft to 18,200 sq ft and one stand-alone unit of
Project 80 will be a ‘living lab’ to test how to achieve the Future Homes Standard… Baxi air source heat pumps are to be used in a pioneering project, launched today, to implement low carbon heating in new houses. From 2025, the proposed Future Homes Standard will ban gas boilers
Jackie Priestley, Assistant Site Manager at Harron Homes’ Highfield Manor development in Fixby, Yorkshire –which won Harron development of the year 2022-, can attest to the progress made in the construction industry mindset over the past few decades. Jackie got her start in the industry as an apprentice plasterer over
For this year’s International Women’s Day, Parker Building Supplies, Chandlers Building Supplies and Fairalls celebrate some of the inspirational women that are leading the way within the business and helping to smash stereotypes. Allun Pittingale, MD of the Independent Builders Merchant Group, said: “Working in a male dominated environment these
Two high-profile commercial spaces are available for lease in Uxbridge’s vibrant town centre. As part of the redevelopment of the renowned former Randalls department store by Inland Homes, two brand new premises prominently located within this Grade II listed conversion on the corner of Vine Street, totalling over 8,500 sq
CEG welcomed the leader of Leeds City Council and other stakeholders in the city to its flagship Globe Point development today (3/3/22) for a topping out ceremony. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021 on behalf of CEG and is set for full completion this summer. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction
Work on a new £20million community hub in Chryston has begun, with a turf-cutting event to mark the start of construction taking place on Monday 28 February. North Lanarkshire Council is working in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire on the project that will deliver a 21st-century learning environment along with state-of-the-art
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the
TO CELEBRATE UNESCO’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, digital construction company Collida highlights strategic alliances with three major international companies, SWAPP, Epic Games and Target 3D, that are driving the company’s UK growth. Founded by construction giant Willmott Dixon, Collida aims to harness the very latest digital technology to
Berkshire-based plant hire firm, Shorts Group, has further expanded its growing rental fleet with five new Yanmar ViO17 zero tail-swing mini excavators. This complements four Yanmar machines purchased last year. The state-of-the-art models, which were delivered earlier this month, are already operational on sites across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and the surrounding areas. Purchased from Farol Ltd, Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA’s official dealer for the south-east of England, the new excavators are compact, productive and have been designed with the operator firmly in mind. Powered by an EU Stage V-compliant 3-cylinder direct injection engine from Yanmar’s acclaimed TNV series, the ViO17 delivers impressive power and control. Thanks to state-of-the-art engine technology, operators benefit from low fuel consumption, maximum efficiency and minimal emissions. Achieving a digging force of 9.6/16.1kN (short arm/bucket), traction force of 16.9kN (first speed) and two travel speeds (2.1 or 4.3km/h), the ViO17 sets the standards in compact performance. Thanks to a three-pump ViPPS hydraulic system, which works with a double variable displacement piston pump and gear pump, the innovative model delivers a maximum hydraulic flow of 48.4 l/min and 210 bars pressure. Bryony Morten-Short, Commercial Business Manager at Shorts Group, commented: “When it comes to specifying new plant equipment, power, performance and reliability are key. The perfect blend of Japanese design and European build quality, the ViO17 is stylish, sophisticated and guarantees exceptional productivity. “Since taking delivery of our five new models, we’ve been hugely impressed with their performance and versatility. Alongside class-leading power and performance, a transport weight of just 1,695kg means that the units can be easily towed – along with buckets or a light work tool – on a standard GVW trailer.” Kerr Stephenson, Construction Sales Manager at Farol Ltd, added: “We’re delighted to hear such positive feedback from Bryony and the team. Robust, reliable and a true class-leader in terms of performance, the ViO17 units are perfectly suited to the rental market. “Shorts Group is no stranger to Yanmar equipment, with twelve SV08 machines already in its fleet. We hope the new zero tail-swing models fit seamlessly into its portfolio and continue to deliver above and beyond expectations for the company’s rental customers.” For more information about Shorts Group, visit https://shorts-group.co.uk. For more information about Farol Ltd, visit https://www.farol.co.uk. To find out more about Yanmar, or the company’s extensive range of compact equipment, visit https://www.yanmar.com/gb/construction/.
Chancerygate has been granted planning permission to build 110,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics and industrial space in Chadderton, near Oldham. Called Broadway Central, the speculative development will comprise eight units across two terraces ranging from 7,600 sq ft to 18,200 sq ft and one stand-alone unit of 27,000 sq ft. Units are available freehold or leasehold and the scheme will have a gross development value of around £20m. Chancerygate acquired the 6.58-acre site last July for £3.8m from FO Developments which is a consortium comprising Oldham Council, Grasscroft Property and Seddon Developments. Construction is scheduled to commence in May with practical completion expected early next year. The consortium delivered the wider Broadway Green development which is a 121-acre mixed-use scheme on former agricultural land. Once complete, it will provide up to 700,000 sq ft of employment space. In addition, 500 new homes and 25 acres of public open space in a linear park. Chancerygate development manager, Andy Farrer, said: “We’re very pleased to have obtained planning to deliver Broadway Central just nine months after our acquisition. This is a testament to the hard work of our team and the positive and pragmatic attitude of Oldham Council. “Broadway Central is in an excellent location where there is very little supply of new, high-specification industrial units. Therefore, this development is best placed to help satisfy the strong demand for Grade A urban logistics and industrial space that there is for businesses operating both locally and throughout the North West region.” Agents for Broadway Green are Davies Harrison and Avison Young. You can learn more about Chancerygate’s live developments here. < Back to News
Project 80 will be a ‘living lab’ to test how to achieve the Future Homes Standard… Baxi air source heat pumps are to be used in a pioneering project, launched today, to implement low carbon heating in new houses. From 2025, the proposed Future Homes Standard will ban gas boilers in new build homes and require more stringent building energy efficiency requirements – all with the aim of reducing carbon emissions by 80%. Two complete Baxi Assure air source heat pump systems will be installed at ‘Project 80’ in Handsworth, Birmingham, which aims to meet the Future Homes Standard three years ahead of schedule. The project is led by housing association Midland Heart. The houses will be lived in by families and will be a ‘living lab’ to test how they manage in their futuristic homes. The evidence gathered will help to inform how developers and their suppliers adapt to the standard ahead of an expected technical consultation in 2023. Air source heat pumps are a low-carbon energy technology that reverses the refrigeration process to take the warmth from the air outside (even when it’s freezing) and use it to heat homes. The homes are due for completion by Easter 2022, three years ahead of the Government’s target. Baxi Air Source Heat Pump Development Manager Ryan Kirkwood said: “Our involvement in Project 80 will demonstrate how our air source heat pumps can make an important contribution to lowering greenhouse gas emissions in new homes. “We will also gain insights from monitoring how people adapt to living in these homes that will help us to solve the complex energy transition.” Baxi is already supporting customers by offering clever heating solutions that keep their homes and businesses warm while reducing their carbon footprint. It is continuing to develop products and solutions that will help customers to heat their homes and businesses without warming the planet. For more information, visit www.baxiheating.co.uk
Jackie Priestley, Assistant Site Manager at Harron Homes’ Highfield Manor development in Fixby, Yorkshire –which won Harron development of the year 2022-, can attest to the progress made in the construction industry mindset over the past few decades. Jackie got her start in the industry as an apprentice plasterer over 20 years ago, and after 10 years of plastering, and a stint teaching she moved into site management and joined Harron in 2021. “College was the toughest time for me. I was the only girl on my course and definitely got treated differently for that. “Things have fortunately changed over the years and people are much more accepting than they used to be. “Out of all the companies I’ve worked at, Harron is definitely the most progressive which I think is mostly down to the fantastic higher management team. I’m a keen yoga teacher, and when I’ve talked to the office team and the guys on site about doing a session for the mental health benefits they’ve all been receptive which I think just shows how open-minded Harron’s environment is. “I have seen a lot of bias in the industry, people used to assume all sorts about me including my sexuality, but there isn’t that pressure to be ‘one of the lads’ at Harron. I’m a very feminine person, and I haven’t felt less respected because of that. “I think the biggest way to combat the inequalities is by simply normalizing women’s presence. A lot of it comes down to a change in mindset; most of the sexist comments I get are from the older generation, while my son wouldn’t think twice about seeing a woman on site. “There’s still a way to go – I’m the only woman working on my site, besides the sales team – but I’ve never felt so supported and encouraged in such a positive environment.” Harron Homes is always on the lookout for talented people to join their team and help grow the thriving business. See the latest vacancies and apply here.
For this year’s International Women’s Day, Parker Building Supplies, Chandlers Building Supplies and Fairalls celebrate some of the inspirational women that are leading the way within the business and helping to smash stereotypes. Allun Pittingale, MD of the Independent Builders Merchant Group, said: “Working in a male dominated environment these women demonstrate the best of equality and how women within our group of builders merchants are thriving and leading from the front in all areas of the business.” Emma Goodship is used to surprising people at work. Turning up in her 26 tonne HGV to building sites, she’s often greeted with a startled look by builders! Originally from Brockham village, Emma, 36, now lives in Horley working for Fairalls builders merchants in Gatwick. Having worked in the equestrian sector for many years, Emma took a break to travel around Australia in 2011. It was here that she noticed the enormous trucks that traverse the immense continent. This sparked her interest in investigating a career change. Emma said: “I thought to myself, I could do that – I could drive those trucks and I think I’d really enjoy it.” On her return to the UK, Emma successful passed her Class 2 (rigid) and Class 1 (artic) at first attempt. She has been working with Fairalls Builders Merchant for the past five years. Emma said that her mother is the woman who has most inspired her. “My mum has always been the one to say ‘give it a go’. From when I was young she was always keen for us to try new things, whether it was learning guitar or riding a horse. She’s been great.” “I love my job at Fairalls. I love driving. Of course there has been a bit of skepticism from some men about my driving a HGV, but not anymore. They know that I am pretty good at my job. In fact some builders request me in particular to do their delivery. I’m good at getting into tricky areas and also my truck has the largest crane for deliveries! “By virtue of my job, and how well I do it, I feel I’m helping to break stereotypes of what a women’s career should look like. I’m happy about that. Long may it continue.” Milly Boden – Branch Manager Designate Parker Building Supplies, East Grinstead. Milly Boden, 30, has been working in the builders merchant sector for seven years. When she first started in the sector her role was in counter sales. Since then Milly has swiftly moved up the career ladder and is now helping to manage the East Grinstead branch of Parker Building Supplies. When asked what attracted her to work in the builders merchant sector, Milly says that she likes a challenge. “The fast paced, competitive, rough and ready construction industry – who wouldn’t want to be a part of that life!” She says that the countless women, in every sector, that have worked hard to build something successful, inspire her everyday to achieve more and always aim high. “These are women who fight against bias and boss it anyway,” she said. Her advice to other women wishing to join the builders merchant sector, is: “Go for it! Learn as much as you can to be the best at what you do. Stick up for yourself. Nobody, man or woman, wakes up knowing the ins and out of the construction industry – men have to learn, women have to learn.” “Working in a very male dominated sector can be challenging but in a fun way! There is still an element of ‘surprise’ that women, like me, can be very knowledgeable about everything to do with building and construction. I’m not sure why this ‘element of surprise’ should still be around. However, it is improving. “It is always empowering when the hard work you have put in pays off! For this International Women’s Day let’s continue to #BreakTheBias. Women can do everything that men do – and often better.”
Two high-profile commercial spaces are available for lease in Uxbridge’s vibrant town centre. As part of the redevelopment of the renowned former Randalls department store by Inland Homes, two brand new premises prominently located within this Grade II listed conversion on the corner of Vine Street, totalling over 8,500 sq ft, are now ready for occupation. Following the closure of the family-owned department store in 2015, this local art deco landmark sat empty until developer Inland Homes set to breathe life back into building and the town centre itself. Sympathetically transformed, the iconic Vine Street façade has been preserved and many features retained to deliver these two special commercial opportunities right in the heart of Uxbridge. The commercial space at Randalls forms part of the building’s redevelopment into a prestigious mixed-use development also housing 58 stylish new apartments. It is this close mix of the residential and commercial space that has contributed to the success of the development, where more than 80% of the homes are already sold. Uxbridge is a thriving retail centre that has benefitted from a £2 million boost from the Mayor of London to help regenerate the town centre over the past few years. The location of Randalls is a big part of its appeal, just a moment from the bustling high street and The Chimes shopping centre, previously known as Intu Uxbridge, which has a wide range of well-known retailers and leisure facilities. Randalls is also conveniently situated close to Uxbridge underground station served by the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines, with a station on the new Elizabeth Line set to open at nearby West Drayton later this year. Of the two Class E commercial spaces available to rent at Randalls, the larger is split across the ground floor and first floor offering 7,834 sq ft in total, ideally suited to a restaurant operator. The second space is located solely on the ground floor and measures 932 sq ft. Des Wicks, Group Land Director from Inland Homes, comments: “Over the past two years we have really seen a move towards people wanting to stay and shop local, something that has benefitted Uxbridge. In this town centre, we’ve already demonstrated that a high-profile, aspirational development such as the transformation of Randalls can bring with it wider regeneration. We are not only giving a new lease of life to the former department store but also encouraging people back to the high street with brand new commercial space. These units would suit businesses such as restaurants or destination retailers who want to put themselves at the heart of a thriving community and play a part in the next phase of the Randalls story.” For further information on the commercial property opportunities available at Randalls, please contact commercial property advisers at Jaggard Macland LLP, Bill Harrington on 01494 689 602 or Connor Harrington on 01494 689 604 Information about the new homes at Randalls can be found here: www.inlandhomes.co.uk/developments/randalls
CEG welcomed the leader of Leeds City Council and other stakeholders in the city to its flagship Globe Point development today (3/3/22) for a topping out ceremony. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021 on behalf of CEG and is set for full completion this summer. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction Director for BAM, said: “BAM’s buildings are winning sustainability awards across the UK. Our knowledge and understanding, which spans both buildings and the design and construction process, is being transferred to Globe Point. This flagship city centre building is a BREEAM Excellent development and it is really taking shape.” Providing next generation workspace for over 400 people, the 37,800 sq ft seven-storey building on Globe Road is striking, with its flat iron design providing spectacular views across the city from the roof terrace gardens. Responding to occupiers’ expectations and the new ways of working, Globe Point will deliver some of the highest quality workspace in Leeds, along with ground floor break-out space and café kitchen. Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a really exciting milestone, not only for the Globe Point development, but also for the regeneration of Leeds’s Temple district and the wider South Bank area. “High-quality projects like Globe Point are a sign of the strength of the Leeds economy as we continue our recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and redouble our efforts to deliver jobs and opportunities for all. It promises to be a worthy and very impressive addition to our city’s skyline.” Globe Point will be the first new build office to complete in Leeds City Centre this year and is the first of CEG’s developments to complete within the Temple district of the city. CEG is currently managing the transformation of Drapers Yard, on Marshall Street, for Labcorp’s life science centre of excellence. The new headquarter facility will boast a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting. CEG, alongside Leeds City Council and other stakeholders, is bringing forward further development across the Temple district, with the potential to provide some 4 million sq ft of high quality accommodation with Temple Works at its heart as a cultural centrepiece. Nick Lee, director at CEG, said: “Globe Point will deliver much needed new workspace within Leeds City Centre. The quality of the building and the approach to people and sustainability led design will set the tone for future developments within Temple. We are really excited about the buzz in Temple and the number of people living and working in the area continues to grow, supporting the fantastic bars, restaurants and other amenities, including our events space partnership with Chow Down.” Fox Lloyd Jones and Knight Frank are marketing the building on behalf of CEG. Nick Salkeld from Fox Lloyd Jones said: “We are beyond excited to have this ground-breaking scheme ready to show occupiers and the delivery work to date has already surpassed our expectations as to what a new generation workspace looks and feels like. Throughout the design process we really majored on the detail around the flexibility and quality of the space, making the most of its unique dual aspect with amazing natural light around the entire floorplate. The finished product will raise the bar as to what constitutes the best new office space in the city in a highly sustainable building and at the heart of an area steeped in history and character.” Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “We are on course to deliver next generation workspace, combining great design, strong ESG credentials and new technology. With great interest from existing Leeds businesses, as well as inward investing firms, its clear Globe Point will provide space that will appeal to staff and help to attract skills and talent in today’s competitive environment, as well as meeting a businesses’ sustainability targets.” Award-winning Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios is the architect for Globe Point. Amanda Whittington, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios said: “Alongside the wider masterplan, FCBStudios has designed two office buildings at the Temple site to provide 22,727m² of new Grade A office space. “On the historical east of the site, Globe Point office is an expressive flat iron building that marks the approach from key routes to the city centre. Brickwork panels form a dynamic façade with a contrasting aluminium profiled crown. “Designed to BREEAM excellent, the internal workspaces allow plenty of natural daylight to provide healthy flexible workspaces and cater for an ever changing office environment. Rooftop terraces on the top floors offer amenity space with commanding views. A co-working/café space on the ground floor has been developed with interior designers Ekho Studio to provide an exciting new destination for the area.”
Work on a new £20million community hub in Chryston has begun, with a turf-cutting event to mark the start of construction taking place on Monday 28 February. North Lanarkshire Council is working in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire on the project that will deliver a 21st-century learning environment along with state-of-the-art health and wellbeing facilities. The new community hub is being delivered by hub South West, the development partner of North Lanarkshire Council with construction partner Robertson Construction and will replace the existing Chryston Primary School as well as provide a new Community Health Clinic. Councillor Frank McNally, Convener of Education and Families, broke ground on the site by cutting the first turf. He said: “Today’s event is another clear example of the council’s vision for its local communities to provide first class learning environments for pupils and teaching staff and deliver excellent facilities for the wider community to benefit from. “The new facility will provide the children and residents of Chryston and surrounding areas with superb facilities. “Our integrated town hubs and the smaller community hubs are modernising the entire school estate and offer multiple services from the council and our partners. “We’re delivering significant investment across North Lanarkshire that will benefit people of all ages now and for generations to come.” Plans for the hub include high-quality outdoor and indoor sports facilities; an extensive landscaped playground for the school; healthcare gardens for clinic patients and staff; and community greenspaces and paths designed to enhance connections across the site and encourage active travel. The new learning facility will see up to 509 pupils learn in naturally lit, flexible spaces and be flexible to accommodate a wide range of learning requirements. One of the exciting features developed by Ryder is the landscape design which creates seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments with all class bases benefiting from direct access to the playground. And pupils will be able to take part in daily mile walks with a route which is indicated with footprints around the site. Outdoor play equipment also includes bug hotels, allotment beds, and a fire pit surrounded by log seating, all provide different teaching and learning opportunities for the school. Plans for the clinic include the provision of seven treatment/clinical rooms and a group room to support the delivery of local health services in state of the art health and wellbeing facilities including garden areas. The new community health clinic will provide a larger, more modern facility than the existing Muirhead Clinic, which only allows a small range of community health services to be provided locally due to its size and lack of any dedicated car parking. It will continue to operate its existing services while the new clinic is built. Maggs Thomson, Head of Health, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “This is a major milestone towards delivering a new state-of-the-art health clinic for Chryston and the surrounding area. “It will be a purpose-built clinic providing clinical services close to where people live and ensure local people no longer need to travel to Glasgow for certain services. “Through detailed engagement with local service users and stakeholders we will develop a modern facility meeting the needs of people in the area. “This partnership working also means services will continue to run at the existing health clinic during construction, and then transfer to the new facility once completed, meaning there should be minimal disruption for patients and service users.” Michael Ross, Chief Executive, hub South West, said: “It is fantastic to celebrate the start of this exciting project and continue our close working relationship with North Lanarkshire Council in delivering its programme of works. “Our unique partnering approach and focus on the benefits to both the local community and local economy, coupled with our focus on quality and continuous improvement, will ensure this facility is enjoyed for generations to come.” Andy McLinden, Robertson Construction Central West, said: “Our experience in the education and healthcare sectors will allow us to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that not only supports the Council’s vision but that the whole community can be proud of. “Chryston Community Hub is the first project we will deliver on behalf of hub South West since securing Tier 1 status last year and we look forward to engaging with the people of Chryston as the build progresses.” Children and young people, staff, parents and the local community all played a significant role in developing the design for the campus. We worked closely with them to ensure the design reflected our aspirations while taking into account the local community’s requirements and the area’s natural heritage and architecture. The new facility is expected to be operational by August 2023.
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the £12m scheme benefits from enviable views of the Malvern Hills. Supported by Homes England funding, the development comprises two, three and four-bedroom high-quality family homes and bungalows. The focal point for the expansive scheme is a large area of Public Open Space with a fully equipped children’s play area. To complement the open space, Stonewater and Living Space commissioned a local artist to create hand-carved wooden pixie stools to feature as public artworks. The development opened to the public in Autumn 2020 and all of the homes for sale were matched with buyers well ahead of the build schedule. Paul Breen, Managing Director of Living Space said: “Malvern Oaks is a shining example of how well mixed-tenure development can work. The proportion of the 51 homes which were purpose-designed for affordable rent, shared ownership and private sale is very equal. There has been very little new development in this traditional rural area of Herefordshire and so demand for each type of housing has been extremely high. From the outset, we worked alongside Stonewater to ensure this partnership scheme raised the bar in terms of quality – both for the newly built homes themselves and the landscaping and communal open space. “We have really enjoyed seeing the new residents move into their homes and are delighted to be able to mark the completion of this flagship development. We are now looking forward to several new partnership projects with Stonewater, which will have a strong eco focus.” Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West and South) at Stonewater said: “We’re pleased that we were able to work in partnership with Living Space and to provide over and beyond the number of affordable homes required at this flagship development. “We’re committed to giving everyone the opportunity to live in a home that they are proud of and we recognise that this is especially challenging in rural areas where wages are low, but property prices – in villages such as Cradley – are high. Whilst Covid-19 created some delays for this project, it’s great to hand over these high-quality affordable homes in this scenic part of Herefordshire to the people who need them most.”
TO CELEBRATE UNESCO’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, digital construction company Collida highlights strategic alliances with three major international companies, SWAPP, Epic Games and Target 3D, that are driving the company’s UK growth. Founded by construction giant Willmott Dixon, Collida aims to harness the very latest digital technology to provide access to a portfolio of in-house platforms that deliver construction projects that meet a variety of sustainable benchmarks including, in the case of new homes, Passivhaus. Tim Carey, chief product director at Collida, said: “World Engineering Day is a celebration of how international cooperation is essential for how we design and engineer spaces that meet the demands of people in the future. “Collida’s suite of digital platforms that deliver heightened levels of customisable design, procurement and AI-generated technology is only possible by working with the best companies. This network of international industry connections helps us give our customers and contractors access to the very best technologies from all over the world.” SWAPP – Design and planning you can rely on, delivered fast. Partnering with Tel Aviv-based SWAPP, which prides itself on ‘designing buildings with data driven speed’, provides the perfect mix of design, sustainability, and technology to offer an experience at efficiency levels unheard of within the industry. Collida says that together, they can create multiple options, undertake site and building-code analysis, and tailor the outputs – which include feasibility studies, construction documents and 3D renderings – to the customer’s needs. This can all happen with the click of a mouse – no specialist knowledge or additional software necessary. Eitan Tsfarti, CEO and co-founder of Swapp, said: “Swapp is excited to partner with Collida. We share a belief that technology can be harnessed to revolutionise how architecture is practiced in modern times. Swapp looks forward to helping Collida leverage AI and data to enable the automation and optimisation of processes across the architectural ecosystem.” Epic Games – Gaming industry levels of immersion coupled with architectural expertise. Collida wants to provide an experience that changes the way it communicates the complexities of a construction project – and how its customers view, review, customise, and approve choices. It says that this can only be achieved through industry leading real-time visualisations coupled with both the flexibility of an underlying engine coding and industry expertise. This is why it has collaborated with the US-based founder of popular game ‘Fortnite’, Epic Games, to use their Unreal Engine real-time 3D technology to create this new experience. Ken Pimentel, architecture industry manager at Epic Games, said: “Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible is something the Collida team has been eager to do. The idea that we can radically simplify the process of stakeholder and client engagement by delivering high-fidelity experiences to any browser or device pays dividends for everyone involved.” Target 3D – Research and development enabled through collaboration. Elsewhere, Collida has been exploring the potential of immersive virtual learning environments to support the industry and workplaces of the future. Working with Target3D at its Virtual Production Test Stage, Collida employees have taken part in a virtual Collida Living home to test design options at 1:1 scale to demonstrate the smart inner workings of its sustainable designs. Dan Munslow, immersive producer at Target3D, said: “Target3D is delighted to have worked with Willmott Dixon on the Collida project. At our Virtual Production Test Stage, we have tested multiple workflows with filmmakers using Virtual Production in a traditional sense but this project has pushed the boundaries further. Working with the Collida team and a model at a 1:1 scale we were able to composite engineers and trainers into the build in real time using games engine Virtual Production techniques. This research has led to creating a new approach to construction design presentation and training tools.” To find out more about how Collida is building back wiser, visit www.collida.com