SPONSORED ARTICLE Some employees and businesses may look towards further automation with a certain level of uncertainty and concern; what would it mean for the workers and our business? The recent development of total automation in packaging and manufacturing should perhaps be considered as an opportunity rather than a threat?
SPONSORED ARTICLE When operating in a large-scale industrial environment, dust, gas and various particles can quickly accumulate if you do not have the right system to catch and process them. Industrial businesses will require a proper baghouse filter to effectively contain and eliminate unwelcome particles and harmful gases. But what
Commercial spaces have gone through different design transformations through the years. What used to be conventional office structures with cubicles and private rooms are now looking more modernized. For instance, open spaces and natural lighting are more opted by workers and business owners. Also, the cubicles have turned into working
Arden Cross, one of the country’s best-connected strategic locations and home to the HS2 Interchange Station, is seeking an investment and development partner to help bring forward its proposals to create a world leading economic hub at the centre of the UK. Global commercial real estate services company JLL has
LOVELL TOGETHER, the joint venture between leading national housebuilder Lovell Partnerships and Together Housing Group, is celebrating the beginning of its latest partnership site with ground broken at The Sycamores in the East Riding village of Kirk Ella, on the outskirts of Hull. When complete, The Sycamores will offer 224
Construction has begun to create the connection for the 35-acre strategic rail freight interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway. As part of the development SEGRO is investing £190 million into infrastructure, including the new SRFI and significant improvements to the surrounding road network. To coincide with this latest
A refurbishment project to deliver high-quality office space and environmental improvements at the headquarters of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, has reached a major new milestone. Fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors has completed work on the renovation of the third and fourth floors of Wellington House, a five-storey
More than three hundred Sheffield families now have the comfort of a brand new home as building work draws to a close on two major housing schemes in the city. Delivered by an award winning partnership – regeneration specialists ENGIE, Sigma and Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) – the duo of
Do you like the idea of relaxing on the couch at home and turning off the upstairs lights without having to move? The ever-expanding options of smart technology enable you to do just that. Controlled by a simple smartphone or computer, you have the power to control lights, air conditioning,
Building Better, the National Housing Federation-supported alliance of 29 housing associations and local authorities working together to increase the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), has appointed three manufacturers to deliver its first offsite homes framework. Procurement for Housing and Building Better have signed up Ilke Homes, Impact Modular
SPONSORED ARTICLE Some employees and businesses may look towards further automation with a certain level of uncertainty and concern; what would it mean for the workers and our business? The recent development of total automation in packaging and manufacturing should perhaps be considered as an opportunity rather than a threat? In this article, we will try to answer exactly that question. What is the current outlook for the future of automation? Is the rise of automated packaging systems a result of companies simply looking to get richer or are there other reasons for investing in this replacement of manual packaging processes? There are many opposing viewpoints on what the integration of fully automated systems would mean for their business operations and the future of manual labour. According to the British Chambers of Commerce, many British companies will have increased problems with finding enough labour with the right skills to operate key processes in manufacturing and packaging, among others. The latest innovation in automated systems provide companies with an ideal opportunity for combatting this growing issue. What should you consider when choosing a new packaging system? Before jumping to investing in a new and highly advanced automatic packaging system, you should as a business ask yourself a few key questions. Every business has unique needs and challenges; therefore, it is important to identify both. Perhaps you may find that a semi-automatic system is more suited for your products? Choosing the right packaging and bagging machine for your needs requires you to work closely with a supplier of packaging systems in finding the optimal solution. Packaging systems can be rather complex, and every little detail should be carefully accounted for when designing your new fully automated packaging setup. Furthermore, you should also find the right bagging machine that matches your unique product and its packaging requirements. What are the benefits of fully automated packaging systems? So, what are the exact benefits of integrating a fully automated packaging system into your operations? Here are a few of the possible benefits: ● Increase productivity and efficiency – Automation can both improve production speed and eliminate the risk of bottlenecks in the production line. The flow will be more constant, and the risk of human error will also be removed. ● Remove downtime – Automated packaging systems can practically work around the clock and the real-time feedback from the machines can help you better schedule your maintenance. ● Revamp manual tasks – The replacement of repetitious actions from packing and filling bags with human labour can also provide benefits for your employees. By letting the machine handle the repetitive task, the risk of strain injury will also decrease. In conclusion, automated packaging systems can not only help drive growth for your company but can also change your employees’ tasks and responsibilities where human input can be used to greater effect. Automated systems may both improve staff morale and your competitiveness to help drive a healthy business.
SPONSORED ARTICLE When operating in a large-scale industrial environment, dust, gas and various particles can quickly accumulate if you do not have the right system to catch and process them. Industrial businesses will require a proper baghouse filter to effectively contain and eliminate unwelcome particles and harmful gases. But what do you need to look out for to make sure that you get the most out of your baghouse filters? In this article, we’ll walk you through key elements of the filter system to ensure optimal performance. The checklist for troubleshooting potential issues The industrial-sized air pollution control devices are quite complex systems that require significant maintenance and supervision to ensure a safe and clean working environment. If you are having problems with your baghouse filters, it may be due to the overloading of dust or simply unreliable cleaning systems. To maintain a reliable industrial dust collector, you should pay special attention to: Airflow – If the level of cleaning for the filters do not match the dust loading, it may cause issues with the airflow. Some may install a longer bag or a new collector with an increased bag capacity, while others switch to pleated bags to enlarge the filter area. Cleaning air – A way for you to ensure better cleaning from the baghouse filter, is to ensure that the tanks are completely free of any moisture and debris, which can negatively affect the cleaning performance. Drop-out box – The larger the distance between the bottom of your filters and the hopper, which is called the drop-out box, the fewer larger particles reach the filter surface area which can negatively influence the airflow. you can optimise this by switching to smaller pleated bags or increasing the surface area. Emission – A change of your regular filter media may be required due to emission regulations. This provides an ideal opportunity for upgrading your filter to help reduce emissions. Filter media choice – Dust is not just dust. The size of the particles can vary a lot and each type has its own characteristics. Be sure to select a proper material that can filter the intended particles. Your choice may depend on the level of humidity and temperature as well as the requirement for resistance to dust particles and chemicals. Pulse sequence & frequency – The selected pulse sequence should prevent cross-contamination, where dust from dirty filters spread to clean filters. Your baghouse filter also should never have a pulsing frequency that is faster than the reservoir can handle without hurting performance. Reservoir – Too small and restrictive components can result in poor filter cleaning. Make sure that there are no restrictions from the compressor to the reservoir. Your tank size should also be able to handle your requirements for cleaning. Avoid underperforming baghouse filters If you do not respond to performance issues in a timely manner, you may increase the risk of causing bottlenecks and negatively impact your production costs. There are no complete guarantees, but you can help ensure a long service life for your baghouse filter with efficient troubleshooting.
Commercial spaces have gone through different design transformations through the years. What used to be conventional office structures with cubicles and private rooms are now looking more modernized. For instance, open spaces and natural lighting are more opted by workers and business owners. Also, the cubicles have turned into working pods that allow better collaboration and concentration while working. As contemporary as all these changes may be, there’s one essential component that could be affected as your office adopt a more non-traditional design—the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. So, whether you’re planning to renovate an existing office or build a new commercial space, make sure you consider how you can better strategize your heating and cooling system in a way that it would still efficiently function despite the changes you’re making. Heating And Cooling Design Tips Ideally, how you plan on heating, ventilating, and cooling the area should be taken into consideration in the early stages of building your commercial space. Such considerations could go a long way in cutting back your expenses down the road. Aside from purchasing bulk or refurbished air conditioning systems and accessories from online companies, such as PTAC4Less, you should also be open to trying other design tips that could maximize the heating and cooling system of your workspace. Here are some tips to note: 1. Choosing The Right Type Of Commercial HVAC Systems Commercial HVAC systems typically come in three types. The single split system is suitable for small commercial spaces as it gives you the flexibility to control the heating in each room. This is perfect if you plan to have server rooms or small offices in the building. Aside from being affordable, the single split system allows other units to remain functioning even when a single unit breaks. The multi-split system, on the other hand, is almost similar to the single split one but the difference is that you can connect up to nine indoor units to an outdoor unit, which clearly helps in preserving outdoor space. Additionally, this system is more aesthetically pleasing compared to the single split one. The last type is the variable refrigerant flow/variable refrigerant volume (VRF/VRV) system, which is ideal for medium to large commercial buildings. Under this HVAC system, you can choose from two different types. The first one is the Heat Pump System wherein you’ll need to choose if you prefer to heat or cool the space. The other system is the Heat Recovery System, which can provide both heating and cooling. This type is perfect for commercial buildings that are partitioned into smaller rooms. 2. Knowing What HVAC System Size To Choose As you design and plan your heating and cooling system, you also need to take into consideration the heating loads that the system will be taking in, depending on where you plan on installing it. To gather this information, you’ll have to determine the size of your commercial space, the number of workers or people who’ll be occupying it, and your purpose in installing the HVAC system. Keep in mind that the purpose will be of great help in potentially knowing the level of heating and cooling that your building will need. Take note that when it comes to choosing the size of an HVAC system, bigger isn’t always better. Air-conditioning equipment that’s bigger than the required load for your building will only provide poor comfort conditions. What’ll most likely happen is your system will constantly turn on and off. Moreover, it’s never going to run long enough to get rid of or even eliminate humidity. What you’ll get instead is a commercial space that’s perforated with cold and hot spot. 3. Ventilate For Better Indoor Air Quality A modern commercial space isn’t just about thermal comfort. It’s also important to maintain good indoor air quality or make it better. To do this, your mechanical ventilation system must be useful in controlling humidity, removing contaminants (viruses, bacteria, dust, and carbon dioxide), and eliminating odors. This function is particularly helpful in these trying times. That being said, your heating and cooling system design need to allow for sufficient intake and distribution of air that’s coming from the outside. Likewise, the conditioned air inside needs to be distributed well. Ensuring that the system works exactly this way should adequately ventilate the space. Final Words Designing and installing the right heating and cooling system for your commercial space is not an easy task. You need to acquire specific knowledge about the process so you can ensure that your office space will get the right HVAC system that it needs. If you’re not too confident that you can handle it on your own, you can leave the task at the hands of professionals. Whichever way you choose, make sure that you’re involved in the process so you’ll be at ease knowing that you’re not compromising the comfort and safety of your employees.
Arden Cross, one of the country’s best-connected strategic locations and home to the HS2 Interchange Station, is seeking an investment and development partner to help bring forward its proposals to create a world leading economic hub at the centre of the UK. Global commercial real estate services company JLL has been appointed to help promote the £3.2 billion mixed use scheme and bring an experienced, empathetic and creative key investment and development partner on board with strong placemaking credentials to build upon the investment to date and maximise the masterplan aspirations to create an exceptional new UK destination. Arden Cross extends to 346 acres to the east of the NEC campus and M42 motorway. It will deliver 6 million square feet of ultra-connected, commercial development space, up to 3,000 new homes and a network of sustainable new public realm and green spaces which retain and enhance the local historic landscape features. The scheme, which is centred around the principles of sustainability and connectivity, has the potential to boost the regional economy of the Midlands by over £1 billion a year and in turn create and support up to 27,000 new jobs. It will also help to fulfil the government’s national levelling up agenda and create an international co-location opportunity that will deliver commercial, academic, business and living uses side by side. With the HS2 Interchange Station acting as the catalyst to create unprecedented economic growth for the region, Arden Cross Limited has developed the masterplan in partnership with public sector stakeholders including the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Urban Growth Company and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to reflect a shared vision that unlocks the site’s full potential to deliver jobs, homes and public spaces for the region. Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said: ‘This opportunity is a unique proposition within the UK, creating a gateway location for Solihull, the West Midlands and the nation and a place where international organisations and businesses can interact and learn together. It will boost next generation R&D opportunities while complementing the strengths of the region’s existing sectors and unbeatable location, opportunity and lifestyle.’ Arden Cross Limited Project Director, Ben Gray, said: ‘Arden Cross will create a new economic powerhouse for the UK with significant international appeal. It is a once in a generation opportunity and the appointment of JLL is a significant step towards attracting a partner who will be able to capitalise on the masterplan principles to unlock the transformational Arden Cross vision and deliver a world class destination.’ Nick Brown, Chairman of the Urban Growth Company (UGC), which is leading infrastructure investment and development across the wider UK Central Hub, said: ‘Our vision for The Hub has Arden Cross and the HS2 Interchange Station at its heart, alongside our other world-class assets such as Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Jaguar Land Rover and Birmingham International Station. This significant milestone for Arden Cross really sends a message to the world that The Hub is going to be one of Europe’s best-connected destinations for business, leisure and living. This new investment and development partner is going to be working alongside ambitious and committed partners determined to make The Hub a globally-renowned destination contributing unprecedented economic, environmental and social benefits here in the West Midlands and beyond.’ Commenting on the appointment, Alistair Meadows, Head of Investor-Developer clients at JLL, said: ‘Arden Cross will appeal to international and domestic developers and investors encouraged by the transformational changes in the Midlands’ regional economy and the significant opportunity presented by this extensive, cohesive and connected mixed use scheme. It represents a key part of the Midlands Engine initiative to ambitiously grow our regional and national economy.’ At the very heart of the UK, Arden Cross sits alongside Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover, and is an integral part of the Urban Growth Company’s wider plans for UK Central. Linking the HS2 Interchange Station to the nearby NEC, Airport, Birmingham Business Park and Birmingham International station, Arden Cross will provide direct access to London and the regional centres across the UK.
LOVELL TOGETHER, the joint venture between leading national housebuilder Lovell Partnerships and Together Housing Group, is celebrating the beginning of its latest partnership site with ground broken at The Sycamores in the East Riding village of Kirk Ella, on the outskirts of Hull. When complete, The Sycamores will offer 224 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, 40 of which will be available to rent, 16 available for shared ownership and the remaining 168 will be for sale on the open market. Robert Adams, regional managing director at Lovell, said: “We are delighted to have begun construction at this brand-new development. The Sycamores will be a wonderful new community, offering property seekers a wide choice of house types and purchasing options. “The Sycamores is an important moment in the Lovell Together partnership and our combined goal of creating more high-quality homes for different types of buyers in the North of England.” Lovell Together aims to build 3,000 new homes across the north in the next five years to help tackle the housing crisis, with several other strategic opportunities currently in the pipeline. Kevin Ruth, Deputy Chief Executive for Together Housing Group, said: “A huge priority for Together Housing is increasing housing supply within our communities. We want to deliver quality, affordable homes to meet the growing and diverse housing needs of local people. “We have the skills, expertise and knowledge to deliver on our goals but often by creating partnerships with house builders such as Lovell, we are able to fund and deliver so much more, than if we pursued every opportunity on our own. The combination of Lovell’s technical expertise and construction delivery record with our experience in the management and provision of affordable homes makes Lovell Together a really unique offering. Such a large scale and innovative partnership means we can deliver essential developments at an accelerated pace.” The scheme, which will also include a play area, is due to be completed by summer 2026. The first set of homes will be ready to welcome residents in autumn 2021. For more information, please visit https://www.lovell.co.uk/developments/the-sycamores-kirk-ella/ .
Construction has begun to create the connection for the 35-acre strategic rail freight interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway. As part of the development SEGRO is investing £190 million into infrastructure, including the new SRFI and significant improvements to the surrounding road network. To coincide with this latest project milestone, new CGI images have been released showing for the first time how the development will look once complete. The 450-acre state-of-the-art multi-modal logistics development will be home to five million square feet of modern sustainable warehouse space and logistics facilities. Strategically located next to junction 15 on the M1 motorway, the first plots are expected to be available to build upon later this year. Over the coming weeks the construction activity will be largely focused on earthworks, including stripping the topsoil for the rail connection, freight terminal, building plateaus and estate roads. Andrew Pilsworth, Managing Director, National Logistics at SEGRO, said: “The World Economic Forum estimates that nearly a quarter of the UK’s population is expected to permanently change the way they shop following the pandemic and it is thought that e-commerce could rise from 19.2% to 53% by 2028. “It will only be possible for people to buy more goods online if they choose to and to have them delivered in a timely manner if we continue to develop high quality warehouse space in the right locations, such as SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway. At this site we will also have the added benefit of the rail freight terminal which will enable these goods to be transported around the country in a more sustainable way.” Work first started on site in January 2020, with enabling works to prepare the site for construction, including ecology, archaeology and ground investigations, taking place in May 2020. The infrastructure improvements are being delivered in partnership with Highways England, Network Rail and local authorities, and are anticipated to be complete by the end of 2023. The development of SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway is expected to create approximately 7,500 direct jobs, with around 120 created during the infrastructure construction phase. SEGRO is working alongside local council and community partners to deliver an employment and skills programme that will provide training and employment opportunities for members of the local community. The site will include over 80 acres of parkland and amenity grassland, 18km of footpaths, 20km of hedgerows and the planting of 60,000 new trees. Strategic rail freight interchanges are an essential part of the UK’s logistics network, contributing £1.7bn* to the economy. They also play a vital role in easing congestion, with each freight train removing up to 76** HGVs from Britain’s roads. Rail freight is also significantly cleaner and greener than road or air freight, with every tonne of freight transported by rail generating 76% fewer carbon emissions compared to road haulage**. SEGRO has incorporated a successful intermodal SRFI, operated my Maritime Transport, at SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway near Castle Donnington. It can accommodate up to 16 freight trains a day and provides direct access to the UK’s SRFI network, as well as major UK ports such as Southampton, Felixstowe, London Gateway and the Channel Tunnel.
A refurbishment project to deliver high-quality office space and environmental improvements at the headquarters of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, has reached a major new milestone. Fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors has completed work on the renovation of the third and fourth floors of Wellington House, a five-storey office building in Leeds city centre. The project is transforming 48,300 sq ft of office space into a flexible and collaborative working environment, with improved accessibility for employees and members of the public. The new space is being equipped with a reconfigured entrance lobby and internal layout, as well as larger conference rooms for public meetings. Externally the 1980s structure has been re-roofed and photovoltaic panels have been installed to provide much needed improvements to the building’s energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. The refurbishment contract was awarded to Willmott Dixon Interiors via Major Works England and Northern Ireland, part of the Scape National Construction framework. The project is expected to be completed by November 2021. Phil Crowther, regional director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We’re making excellent progress in the delivery of modern and fit for purpose office space at Wellington House. It’s especially pleasing to be able to handover these high-quality new facilities, given the huge challenge of ensuring the safety of our team throughout the pandemic. We’re looking forward to delivering the next phase of the project and continuing the positive relationships we have forged in the local community.” As part of its delivery, Willmott Dixon Interiors generated a social return on investment of more than £860,000, by investing time and resources in local projects centred on employability, people skills, career workshops and mentoring opportunities. These opportunities were created by partnership working with the Department for Work and Pensions on a Mentoring Circles programme; the Ministry of Justice on a programme in local prisons; and Barnsley College who Willmott Dixon Interiors have worked with to create two industry placements for students as part of their T-Level Qualification. Wellington House is the latest refurbishment project to be delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors in Yorkshire, following the transformation of Quarry House in central Leeds on behalf of a government body. For more information, visit: www.willmottdixoninteriors.co.uk
More than three hundred Sheffield families now have the comfort of a brand new home as building work draws to a close on two major housing schemes in the city. Delivered by an award winning partnership – regeneration specialists ENGIE, Sigma and Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) – the duo of developments at Prince’s Gardens in Manor and East Hill in Norfolk Park are part of a £43 million housing investment. The success of the developments contributed to the partnership achieving Public Private Collaboration of the year at the recent Insider Property Industry Awards. The £32 million scheme at Prince’s Gardens includes 163 three and four bedroomed homes for private rent under Sigma’s Simple Life brand, and a further 93 three and four bedroomed homes for open market sale, through Sheffield Housing Company. The development has a strong connection with nature with a large recreational open space area at Woodthorpe Ravine to the rear of the site where natural ponds which provide natural management of surface water have been encouraged to form and in which wild-flowers thrive. The 77 homes at East Hill, a project with a value of £10 million, are a combination of 19 three and four bedroomed homes for open market sale through Sheffield Housing Company and 58 three and four bedroomed homes for private rent through Sigma’s Simple Life brand. The new developments have recently been given the seal of approval by Sheffield City Council’s Deputy Lord Mayor and Manor Castle Ward Member, Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards, who visited Prince’s Gardens to see the new homes first hand and to hear more about the benefits the development has brought for the community. Councillor Paul Wood, Executive Member for Housing, Roads and Waste Management at Sheffield City Council, said: “Good quality, affordable homes are vital to meeting the growing need for housing in Sheffield and in ensuring that residents have access to comfortable places to live in well-designed neighbourhoods. We’re working with our partners across the city to create high quality communities such as Prince’s Gardens that are well-located, close to amenities and offer the ability to both rent and buy. I am pleased to see the completion of this project and wish everyone the best of luck in their new homes.” Nathan Brough, Regional Director at ENGIE, said: “It is a real pleasure to work alongside our partners to help breathe new life into the area surrounding these schemes. “I’m thrilled that we have inspired a new generation of construction workers and that we have been able to make a difference to those who are moving in and those who are a longstanding part of the community.” The Prince’s Gardens and East Hill developments contributed to creating seven apprenticeship posts. Throughout the course of the work, in the region of £25.1 million has been spent with local suppliers, boosting local employment and the economy. Lee Catterall, Senior Project Manager for Sigma on behalf of Simple Life Homes, commented: “We’re delighted with the quality and demand for the homes across these sites. The success of both developments has been testament to the different strengths and expertise that each party has brought to the table, from quality of build and specification, property management, regeneration and community building. “As a landlord, Simple Life will be present on these developments for many years to come and we’re committed to supporting the new local community to flourish well into the future.” Steve Birch, Interim Project Director with SHC, a partnership between Sheffield City Council, Keepmoat Homes and Great Places Housing Group, added: “It is fantastic to see the addition of more homes, of all tenures to the city’s housing stock. “We have many more similar projects in the pipeline which are not only improving the quality and choice of housing but providing job and training opportunities and work for Shefield regional businesses that supply materials and development services.” Additionally, funding from the Department of Education, ENGIE and Sheffield City Council has enabled local young people to get a taste of the world of construction through the Building Block project. Building Block is a four-week progamme where participants sit a Construction Skills Certification Scheme health and safety test before completing a site-based placement, where they gain hands-on experience in a working environment. Altogether, 400 candidates have been a part of the course and 200 have progressed to secure long term employment. Activities to engage residents near to Prince’s Gardens have included an £8,000 donation to local primary school, St Theresa’s, which has been used to build a new library and purchase new books for the children. The library has been transformed with a new sensory roof, reading pods, a den and mezzanine area. A further £5,000 was donated to the school to create a relaxation and sensory room for the children.
Do you like the idea of relaxing on the couch at home and turning off the upstairs lights without having to move? The ever-expanding options of smart technology enable you to do just that. Controlled by a simple smartphone or computer, you have the power to control lights, air conditioning, garage doors, deadbolts, security cameras and more. If this sounds like a dream come true, read on to learn all the benefits of installing smart technology in your home. Increase Your Home’s Resale Value Realtors and smart home builders around the nation are aware that a home that offers the latest in technology is a selling point for buyers. In fact, where repainting walls or updating carpets were suggested improvements before selling a home, now sellers are advised to install automated systems within their home before listing. Buyers see the convenience of having the equipment preinstalled and are more interested in a home that current owners have kept updated. Monitor Your House When You’re Not There A smart home provides peace of mind for the times you are away. Devices connect with a cell phone, computer, or tablet, which allows you to check on your home and its occupants. You can check to make sure you locked the front door, shut the garage door, and remembered to turn off the oven no matter where you are. Not only are appliances available with smart technology, but most security systems are also controlled remotely. This setup allows you to check on your home when you’re away, receive alerts if there’s motion around your home, and view security footage in real-time. These features provide a feeling of reassurance if you have children or elderly parents at home by themselves. Save Money By Saving Energy When your home has smart options, not only can you control appliances from a distance, most of these items are programmable. The thermostat can be programmed to run only when you’re at home, and some are smart enough to adjust the amount of air flowing in empty rooms. Do your children constantly forget to shut off the lights? Smart lights are programmed to sense when there’s no movement in a room and automatically shut off. These features are incredible ways to cut energy and save money. Answer the Front Door at Any Time Another benefit of having smart technology is seeing who is at the door without being by it. Doorbell security systems alert you when someone rings the bell or motion is detected by the front door. You can view who is there and speak directly with them through an app without opening the door. This means that your home and occupants are also safer without opening the door to strangers. What about when your parents stop by unannounced while you’re at the store? No worries, use the app to speak directly with them, then unlock the front door to let them in without making them wait for you to get home. Equipping your home with updated smart technology has numerous benefits. The only decision is choosing what to buy first.
Building Better, the National Housing Federation-supported alliance of 29 housing associations and local authorities working together to increase the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), has appointed three manufacturers to deliver its first offsite homes framework. Procurement for Housing and Building Better have signed up Ilke Homes, Impact Modular and TopHat to the volumetric framework which is worth up to £600m over five years. Social housing providers will be able to procure pre-manufactured 3D construction systems for both houses and apartments through the deal. Over 185,000 homes are managed by the 29 housing associations and local authorities that make up Building Better. Initially, they will build at least 800 new offsite homes via the framework with a further 4,500 properties to be produced using modern methods of construction before 2026. This pipeline will grow as more social housing providers join the alliance. Procurement for Housing and Building Better have appointed the three successful manufacturers to the framework on a direct award basis. This means that housing associations and local authorities won’t need to go through any additional tender process. It is estimated that this streamlined contracting approach will save each housing provider around £15,000 in procurement costs alone. All MMC homes procured under the Building Better framework will be able to meet the government’s ‘zero carbon ready’ Future Homes Standard, they will take a ‘fabric-first’ approach – prioritising insulation ahead of add-ons like solar panels, they will meet nationally described space standards and have the option to be wheelchair accessible. Offsite homes developed by Building Better members will also be certified by the Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme and be assessed and accepted by building warranty provider the National House Building Council (NHBC). Trina Chakravarti, Project Director of Building Better said: “In the past, housing associations, local authorities and manufacturers have often gone through the MMC process alone – there is no aggregation of knowledge or resources, and mistakes are repeated. We want to change this through early, honest partnership working between social housing providers, manufacturers and residents, sharing information and learning together to improve MMC and overcome traditional barriers.” Steve Malone, CEO at Procurement for Housing said: “By assessing the MMC market, narrowing the field and appointing just three manufacturers, our goal was to reduce much of the due diligence and procurement complexity that housing associations and local authorities often face around MMC. Ilke Homes, Impact Modular and TopHat all impressed us with their commitment to the collaborative ethos of this framework. For them, involving residents and working closely with housing providers is key to continually improving their MMC offer.” Last year, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said that he, chancellor Rishi Sunak and the chief secretary to the treasury Stephen Barclay were “hugely supportive” of using modern methods of construction to build homes. The government has made it a condition of their £11.5bn affordable homes programme that at least 25% of those homes should be manufactured through modern methods. For further information about Building Better’s MMC Category 1 Construction Systems framework visit: https://procurementforhousing.co.uk/mmc-category-1-framework/