Topland and development partner Beltane Asset Management have started construction of Verdant, a comprehensive extension and redevelopment of 150 Aldersgate Street and 3-4 Bartholomew Place. The Farringdon office building is being redeveloped to meet changing occupier requirements. The scheme, that will see the two sites connected through a new extension, will
Sodexo has won a contract to provide facilities management services at a new Covid-19 laboratory in Leamington Spa, including a contactless “micro market”. The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory in Royal Leamington Spa, which is owned and run by the Department of Health and Social Care, is part of the NHS Test
The main purpose of any casino is to attract people’s attention. Architects and designers venture to non-standard solutions. They are ready to go the extra mile to create a vibe of the eternal holiday. Their goal is to kindle the desire to enter the temple of entertainment Today, absolutely everyone
Comment from Warwick estates… COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “Whilst we welcome the government’s about turn on deeming 800,000 affected flats now safe, one wonders why it took four years for this to be ascertained. Meantime over £190billion worth of UK property assets has been held in limbo,
UK PROPERTY MARKET BOOMS, BUT EXPERTS CONSIDER AFTERMATH OF GOVERNMENT STIMULUS ENDING… Property prices in the UK have soared to reach record breaking highs with the average house price standing at £261,743 and the annual house price growth rate hitting a seven year high of 9.5%, according to the latest
As part of Klober’s ongoing sales team investment, Ben Edge has been appointed as Divisional Sales Manager (North UK and Ireland). With 38% of architectural practices expecting workloads to grow in Q3 according to RIBA Future Trends Workload Index, this timely appointment bodes well amid construction industry growth. Joining the
St Modwen, an expert in housebuilding and residential development, is sponsoring the WorldSkills UK Bricklaying Competition for 2021, which sees young people compete to become the UK’s best bricklayer. The competition assesses an individual’s technical, personal and employability skills against set criteria in a competitive timed environment. Run in partnership
Developer Sellar and architecture and interiors practice Universal Design Studio have unveiled designs for a 15,000 sq ft concept space, The Exchange at Paddington Square – the new district in the heart of London’s Paddington, being delivered by the team behind The Shard. Envisioned as a members’ club for occupiers
Latest annual planning performance statistics for 2020/21 showing a 17 week increase in the average decision time for major housing development to 54 weeks are unacceptable, according to home building body Homes for Scotland (HFS). The figure represents a +40 per cent rise on the previous year and is more
Yesterday, during the second-reading of the Government’s Building Safety Bill, Conservative MP Paul Maynard called for an amendment in support of RoSPA’s safer stairs campaign, which will save countless lives if it is brought into law. RoSPA is campaigning for the most up to date British Safety Standard for stairs
Topland and development partner Beltane Asset Management have started construction of Verdant, a comprehensive extension and redevelopment of 150 Aldersgate Street and 3-4 Bartholomew Place. The Farringdon office building is being redeveloped to meet changing occupier requirements. The scheme, that will see the two sites connected through a new extension, will create 135,000 sq ft of new office accommodation. The building will benefit from dual entrances to both Aldersgate Street and Bartholomew Place. It is located within the heart of the Cultural Mile and within two minutes’ walk of the Farringdon Elizabeth line underground entrance at Long Lane. Biophilic Design and Natural Ventilation Verdant has a low embodied carbon footprint achieved by reusing approximately 80 per cent of the existing structure, natural ventilation throughout and a bespoke biophilic design integrated into the architecture. In addition, there are green roofs, terraces on all floors, hard and soft landscaping and the creation of external courtyards. Communal facilities will be incorporated, including a ground floor café and co-working area and further investment in sustainable travel is included, with the introduction of more than 250 cycle spaces. Once complete, the building will comprise 135,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, with floorplates ranging from 2,000 sq ft to 17,000 sq ft, suitable for a range of office users. The building is scheduled to complete in Q2 2023 and Cushman & Wakefield and BH2 have been appointed as leasing agents. Mark Kingston, ms of Topland, said: “Our decision to build speculatively demonstrates not only our confidence in the London office market, but also our confidence in the scheme itself. Verdant provides truly sustainable next generation office space that we believe will appeal to a wide range of occupiers”. Jonathan Chenery, Founding Partner at Beltane Asset Management added: “We are delighted to get going on the redevelopment of Verdant. The building will provide occupiers with a sustainable workplace of the highest quality, aimed at fostering wellbeing and productivity, in arguably one of London’s most attractive sub-markets. Farringdon, Clerkenwell and Smithfields are experiencing record-levels of demand from a range of sectors that are attracted by the transport connections at Farringdon and all that the area has to offer.”
Sodexo has won a contract to provide facilities management services at a new Covid-19 laboratory in Leamington Spa, including a contactless “micro market”. The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory in Royal Leamington Spa, which is owned and run by the Department of Health and Social Care, is part of the NHS Test and Trace network, which will increase Covid-19 testing capacity by hundreds of thousands a day in the coming months. The facilities management contract will employ 90 people from the local area to provide services including communal area cleaning, security, grounds maintenance, waste management, logistics, maintenance and 24/7 catering services. The catering services will include a contactless “micro market”, where staff can buy a range of drinks, snacks, sandwiches, salads and hot meals using self-service tills at any time of day. “I am extremely proud that we continue to play our part in the fight against this pandemic, supporting NHS Test and Trace, to increase the UK’s Covid-19 testing capacity,” said Stuart Winters, chief executive of healthcare for Sodexo UK & Ireland. “We know that working in close partnership with our client, being agile and responsive to their needs, is absolutely vital and I am delighted that we have been recognised for our ability to do this for NHS Test and Trace.
The main purpose of any casino is to attract people’s attention. Architects and designers venture to non-standard solutions. They are ready to go the extra mile to create a vibe of the eternal holiday. Their goal is to kindle the desire to enter the temple of entertainment Today, absolutely everyone can plunge into the atmosphere of world casinos without leaving the house. All you need is a BetChan casino login to dive into the full-fledged excitement and endless holiday vibe. But if it’s so convenient to play online, why do people still fly thousands of miles to visit a land-based casino? We believe that the answer is that ground-based casinos attract people with unique and unrepeatable architectural esthetics and fanciness. Typically, architects choose the thematic direction in which the building will be designed. They often draw inspiration from the architecture of other countries, cultures, historical periods to recreate a unique look. Luxurious and eye-catching casinos are profitable not only to the owners but also to the city and all its residents. Glamorous casinos attract tourists. Tourists bring money to various sectors of city life and enrich the economy of the state. Each new gambling venue in the world is more expensive and more luxurious than the previous ones. Casino owners compete in luxury and scale. They try to impress the world with masterpieces of architectural and design art. We’ve prepared 7 stunning examples of architectural ideas fulfilled in land-based casinos designs. 1.Caesar’s Palace Caesar’s Palace is one of the world well-known gambling dens in Las Vegas. It locates in the heart of Sin City. The ancient Roman style decorations explain its name. Monuments, fountains, chariots and even the ship of Cleopatra are open to your eyes. All this is spiced with the vibe of elite antiquity and ardour. This has made this casino a highly revered destination. 2.The Baden-Baden Casino The Baden-Baden Casino in Germany is a classic of gambling houses. It is one of the oldest and admirable casinos in the world. It is a much more sophisticated and classy place. Instead of neon lights, you will see sparkling chandeliers. The design of the casino was influenced by the Palace of Versailles. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Its tables remember many members of the royalties. Back in the day, only gold and silver chips were used on the tables. The elegant halls of the casino are filled with vibrant excitement. 3. The Venetian Macau Casino The Venetian Macao Casino is Venice Charm in lovely Macau. The amusement centre was constructed in 2007. On its territory are channels, along which gondolas with gondoliers float. The casino vestibules are decorated in an iconic Venetian style. The resort covers a territory of over fifty thousand square meters. It is the seventh-largest building on the globe by floor area. 4. Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island Atlantis Resort (Bahamas) is the biggest casino in the Caribbean. It is located on the world’s most beautiful Paradise Island. City-complex is connecting two districts built on a 28 thousand metres lagoon. Rooflights and massive windows bringing outdoor beauty inside. This is a novelty in casino design. It contains everything to enjoy an exciting gambling spirit. Great place for an excellent vacation on the beautiful beaches of the Bahamas. 5.Sun City Casino Sun City Casino (South Africa) is located in a top-level entertainment centre. It is built in an extinct volcano crater. Sun City is named “African Las Vegas”. The constructional style is extraordinary. It combines ruthless African motifs with the opulence of Ottoman royal residences and modernism. Thousands of tourists travel to experience all the greatness of casino premises. Sun City is a beloved destination for the elite of the gambling community and many world celebrities. 6.Casino de Monte Carlo Casino Monte Carlo, located in Monaco, undoubtedly deserves worldwide recognition. Its exterior is inspired by Renaissance architecture. Inside you will find ornate portraits dating back to the founding of the United States. Deluxe marble facade, a plethora of columns and all the possible benefits for the pleasure of guests. Everything there creates an elite atmosphere for laid-back gambling sessions. 7.Marina Bay Sands Casino Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) is a knockdown casino with a futuristic look. It is located on the seashore of Marina Bay. Three 200 meters high towers with a tropical oasis that soars on top. There is a massive panoramic pool placed on their rooftops. This casino is a true work of art of modern engineering. Even before you enter the casino, you will already be overwhelmed by the stunning views. If you’ve always wondered where to search for magnificent architecture and unique designs, now you know.
Comment from Warwick estates… COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “Whilst we welcome the government’s about turn on deeming 800,000 affected flats now safe, one wonders why it took four years for this to be ascertained. Meantime over £190billion worth of UK property assets has been held in limbo, trapping owners into a seemingly unnecessary and protracted state of anxiety. Notwithstanding the relief of hundreds of thousands of leaseholders, hundreds of freehold apartment owners including asset managers and property investment houses can also now restore these assets to full value on their balance sheets Wiping out one-fifth of a trillion pounds in property value is equal to around 9.7% of GDP and was likely to be somewhat missed economically.”
UK PROPERTY MARKET BOOMS, BUT EXPERTS CONSIDER AFTERMATH OF GOVERNMENT STIMULUS ENDING… Property prices in the UK have soared to reach record breaking highs with the average house price standing at £261,743 and the annual house price growth rate hitting a seven year high of 9.5%, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index figures. As the property market continues to boom, economists and property experts consider the long-term implications of the measures implemented by the government to help stimulate the UK housing market. ‘Indubitably, the extended stamp duty holiday and the mortgage guarantee scheme have greatly contributed to the creation of this emergent house price bubble’, says Simon Das, founder of specialist property finance brokerage 978 Finance, ‘it will be most interesting to see how the UK property market responds in the aftermath of such measures ultimately being rescinded’. Martin Lewis, a long-standing critic and opponent of the government’s measures has argued that the measures have prioritised a short-term benefit to the housing market over the future longer-term needs of the nation’s homeowners. Similarly, other industry real estate experts have voiced their concerns that the government measures have artificially propped up the housing market which will inevitably contribute to an eventual market crash. Matthew Cooper, Managing Director of Yes Homebuyers has reportedly stated, ‘the government’s insistence on artificially fuelling house prices, not only with a stamp duty holiday extension but now in the form of 95% mortgages and a rehash of the Help to Buy scheme, is irresponsible, to say the least. Enjoy the boom while it lasts because if history has taught us anything, a bust is likely to follow’, Equally supporting the proposition that the UK housing market is facing a near future crash is visionary economist and author Fred Harrison. Harrison successfully predicted the housing market crashes of 2008 and 1990, and again predicts that UK house prices will crash in 2026, followed by an even worse economic depression than the financial crisis of 2008. Harrison’s woeful prediction is based on his own economic model and does not factor in the government’s stimulus measures, nevertheless, Harrison’s warning of a UK property crash being only five years away should perhaps serve as a warning against market complacency for homeowners and industry professional alike. Contrasting Harrisons predictions of impending doom are those industry experts who view the current property boom as a necessary boost to the nation’s economic recovery. Russell Galley, Managing Director of Halifax has stated, ‘As lockdown restrictions continue to ease and confidence in a rapid economic recovery continues, house prices will likely continue to be supported for some time to come, particularly given the shortage of properties for sale’. In agreement, Simon Das, Managing Director of 978 Finance added, ‘we must remain vigilant of course, yet current indications suggest the UK property market remains strong, versatile and able to offer excellent property opportunities at affordable levels of investment’.
As part of Klober’s ongoing sales team investment, Ben Edge has been appointed as Divisional Sales Manager (North UK and Ireland). With 38% of architectural practices expecting workloads to grow in Q3 according to RIBA Future Trends Workload Index, this timely appointment bodes well amid construction industry growth. Joining the Klober team from Unilever, Ben will draw on his sales and account management experience to help merchants access a wealth of industry knowledge and support with sales enquiries across the region. Alongside this, Ben has over three years’ experience in the property development market as a private investor, which has helped him to establish relationships with contractors and other building professionals. Ben commented: “As a market leader in roofing components and accessories, the Klober brand is well respected and renowned for offering quality. My role in the sales team will be to work with others across the business to carry on this legacy of raising the roofing standard, and to support merchant customers fulfil orders on time and to specification. I hope to bring a fresh perspective and will use my experience in the FMCG sector to this end. I also look forward to applying my experience as a self-employed property developer and investor to add further value and customer understanding when dealing with sales enquiries.” This appointment comes at a time of expansion and change for the Klober sales team, following on from the hiring of Chris Nicholl as Commercial Director in early 2021. Over the last six months, Chris has reshaped the team improve Klober’s sales proposition, including the promotion of Richard Pitman to Divisional Sales Manager for the South. Chris added: “We’ve taken a new approach to the structure of the Klober team so we can provide more support for our customers right across the UK and Ireland. As part of this, Ben will become an important contact for our key account customers, helping to maximise opportunities for new Klober products while keeping our existing portfolio front of mind. I am confident that Ben will offer new ideas and a different perspective that will be invaluable to ensuring the continued success of Klober. As a team we are excited to see what Ben can do and wish him all the best as he settles into his new role.” For more information about Klober, please visit www.klober.co.uk. Also follow Klober on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
St Modwen, an expert in housebuilding and residential development, is sponsoring the WorldSkills UK Bricklaying Competition for 2021, which sees young people compete to become the UK’s best bricklayer. The competition assesses an individual’s technical, personal and employability skills against set criteria in a competitive timed environment. Run in partnership with SkillBuild, part of CITB, WorldSkills UK Competition-based training programmes are designed by industry experts to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education. Apprentices and students who excel in the WorldSkills UK National Qualifiers in Bricklaying will be invited to take part in the National Finals, which will take place in November. The winner of the National Final will be crowned the UK’s best Bricklayer at a national celebration event. WorldSkills UK’s Head of National Competitions and Careers, Dee Aylett-Smith, said: “St. Modwen’s commitment to helping young people starting in the construction industry to develop the skills needed for today’s rapidly changing workplace requirements is a perfect match with our Bricklaying competition. We believe that by working together we can help more young people in the construction industry achieve excellence at work.” Dee added: “It’s not just the technical skills the training programme and competition addresses, it’s also about developing the employability skills such as reliability, teamwork, time management and communications that employers value so highly.” Individuals who excel at the WorldSkills UK National Finals can be selected to join the WorldSkills UK International Training and Development programme with the possibility of being selected for Team UK and the chance to represent their country on the global stage at WorldSkills also known as the ‘skills olympics’, where they will compete with rivals from over 80 countries. Speaking for St. Modwen, Dave Smith, Managing Director of St. Modwen Homes, commented: “As a business we strive for excellence in everything we do and have a strong track record of promoting skills during people’s early careers. That’s why we are proud to be supporting this important competition, getting the message out there to apprenticeships and students across the UK that our industry celebrates brilliance and offers great opportunities.” About WorldSkills UK: WorldSkills UK is an independent charity and a partnership between employers, education and governments. Together, we are using international best practice to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education so more young people and employers succeed. www.worldskillsuk.org
Developer Sellar and architecture and interiors practice Universal Design Studio have unveiled designs for a 15,000 sq ft concept space, The Exchange at Paddington Square – the new district in the heart of London’s Paddington, being delivered by the team behind The Shard. Envisioned as a members’ club for occupiers and set within the entrance of an 18-storey, light-filled building designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, The Exchange addresses how the culture of work has radically shifted, offering a blend of productive office environment and work-from-home comfort and convenience. It will provide occupiers with a dedicated concierge, all-day and evening bar, event spaces, a yoga suite, meeting rooms, multimedia suites and an outdoor terrace which overlooks a new 1.35-acre public piazza, a new entrance to the London Underground and a series of specially commissioned public artworks. Paddington Square is set to open in spring 2022. The concept behind The Exchange reflects its name; inverting the traditional use of the lobby or foyer, and its denotation as a transient thoroughfare, to instead become a highly social and inclusive communal space for the exchange of ideas and sparking of collaboration. The space will be an example of what the office can be – not just a place to meet deadlines and attend meetings, but somewhere to inspire ideas, new connections and boost physical and mental wellbeing. Occupiers will have access to an app that will serve as a digital concierge for the building, enabling the booking of shared amenities, meeting rooms, services and events within the space. A curated programme of group and individual classes, workshops and events will be rolled out for occupiers to enjoy as part of their work life that facilitates knowledge sharing, personal development and networking opportunities between fellow occupiers of the building. The building app will also act as a security key for frictionless entry and exit to the building and provide occupiers with a curated stream of news, hyperlocal travel updates and stories from the community. Working to Sellar’s vision for the space and taking cues from the world of hospitality, Universal Design Studio’s design marries functionality with craft and warm materiality, whilst prioritising the wellbeing of occupiers. Bright, light-filled spaces are to be set with beautifully crafted furniture and natural materials like oak timber and terrazzo selected in contrast to softer materials in the seating areas. The collaboration with Renzo Piano Building Workshop on the building’s architecture carries through to a number of the interior design choices, including the incorporation of planting as biophilic ‘material’ to enhance both mental wellbeing and air quality. Through carefully planned zoning and the placement of design elements that are suggestive but never didactic, open working areas and breakaway spaces are integrated throughout with quiet corners for reflection. To ensure the space remains active at all times of the day, a series of meeting rooms, working and flexible spaces adapt to event and entertainment uses in the evening, alongside an all-day bar and terrace, adding theatre and encouraging regular transitions between working, meeting and socialising. An acknowledgement of different working styles, timings, the role of individuality and requirement for flexibility has driven the concept approach for The Exchange, providing occupiers with choice and ultimately promoting social interaction, productivity and collaboration. Paddington Square is the centrepiece development to Paddington’s regeneration, due to complete in spring 2022. Featuring a crystalline building designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Paddington Square will present 14 floors of bright, beautifully designed and flexible workspace, four floors of shopping, bars, and cafes, a new Bakerloo line station entrance, west London’s highest rooftop dining experience and a 1.35-acre public piazza.
Latest annual planning performance statistics for 2020/21 showing a 17 week increase in the average decision time for major housing development to 54 weeks are unacceptable, according to home building body Homes for Scotland (HFS). The figure represents a +40 per cent rise on the previous year and is more than three times the statutory requirement of 16 weeks. Decision times were quickest for “business and industry” at 22.4 weeks. HFS Director of Planning Tammy Swift-Adams said: “It was to be expected that the processing of planning applications would be affected by Covid-19 but the scale of change in relation to major housing applications is difficult to understand, particularly given the +40 per cent drop in the actual number of applications in the corresponding period and the fact that figures for business and industry have improved. “In light of the economic lifeline that has been delivered by construction over the last year or so, and with demand for new homes of all tenures remaining high, why should this crucial sector take more than double the length of time to determine when compared to applications for business and industry? Such delays only exacerbate existing supply problems and do not bode well for new affordable housing targets. “Regardless, it is unacceptable that any applications take more than a year. Only last week, the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals reported that it had avoided accumulating any backlog in case work despite the pandemic. It is disappointing local authorities were not able to adjust business practices as quickly or effectively and highlights the need for planning services to be better resourced.”
Yesterday, during the second-reading of the Government’s Building Safety Bill, Conservative MP Paul Maynard called for an amendment in support of RoSPA’s safer stairs campaign, which will save countless lives if it is brought into law. RoSPA is campaigning for the most up to date British Safety Standard for stairs (BS 5395-1) to be mandated for new build homes. The campaign is being backed by private and social builders, as well as housing industry organisations, a cross party coalition of MPs and members of the House of Lords. The momentum behind this campaign reflects the seriousness of the issue. Every year, 700 people die from falling on the stairs, and for every one hospital admission caused by a burn there are 235 caused by a fall. Stairs built to the British Standard reduce falls by an incredible 60%, meaning the majority of these falls could be avoided. With the safety of stairs clearly a priority, RoSPA is asking for an amendment to the Building Safety Bill which would enshrine BS 5395-1 in law from 2024. The British Standard 5395-1 considers the dimensions of the stairs; their slip resistance and the provision of handrails, and has been a recommended building regulation since 2010. It is based on 15 years of research conducted by the Building Research Establishment. The standard looks at the key safety factors that should be taken into account during the structural design of stairs, including the step dimensions. Speaking in the House of Commons, Paul Maynard MP, (Blackpool North and Cleveleys), said: “For every one hospital admission due to a burn, there are 235 caused by falls. The impact of these falls is felt disproportionately by older people, and even when a fall is not fatal, it is often the first stage of a persistent decline. “Falls create fear, they impact on confidence and wellbeing, and lead to people being moved out of their homes and into care homes, in many cases never to return. “There is an existing industry standard – British Standard 5395-1 – regarding how stairs should be constructed, including rules on the dimensions of stairs and handrails. I have written to the Building Safety Minister asking for the Building Safety Bill to include a mandate for the British Standard to be applied in all new-build homes.” RoSPA’s campaign to enshrine BS 5395-1 into law as a prerequisite for any homes built after 2024, has attracted support from across the political spectrum with representatives of the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour Parties backing the move. The campaign has also received support from house builders in the private and social sectors. The law would only apply to new build properties and therefore would not require costly retrofitting in existing homes. The BS 5395-1 standard could be ‘baked in’ at the design stage at no extra cost to the developer but would help reduce falls in the home. Errol Taylor, Chief Executive of RoSPA said: “Falling on the stairs is a hidden killer, but improving the safety standards for stair design will significantly reduce the number of people needlessly dying and getting hurt. Compliance to BS 5395-1 by 2024 is commercially viable, evidence-based, and straightforward to implement. “It is estimated that stairs built to the British Standard in new build homes result in 60% fewer falls and would therefore help reduce the £4.4billion annual cost to the NHS of falls in the home. “RoSPA welcomes the growing support from the housing industry and politicians of all stripes for this low-cost, high-impact measure to make the homes of the future safer”.