The launch of a Climate Action Roadmap from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) which aims to bring the retail industry and its supply chains to Net Zero by 2040 has been welcomed by Priva UK. However, to achieve these goals, greater levels of investment in smart building technologies will be
Housing association Network Homes has transformed part of a Lambeth estate into 177 new homes with landscaped communal spaces as well as a community room and resource centre facilities for the benefit of local residents. There are 41 homes for affordable rent and 40 rented apartments for Active Elderly residents
Half of tradespeople say social media gets them more work, but most don’t know how to maximise its potential A quarter say that Facebook and Google reviews help get them more customers Builders get the most work from social media, plasterers the least Experts reveal how to get the most
AFTER dominating the domestic EPDM rubber flat roofing market for the past two decades, Permaroof – the UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover – is expanding into the commercial sector. Building on its past experience of supplying rubber membranes to its customer base working on commercial projects and its expansion into modular projects during the UK-wide lockdown this
We’ve all spent more time in our homes this year. And whether you’ve enjoyed it or not, it’s opened up doors in a few surprising industries. In the UK, 76% of people spent money on homebuilding and renovations with the main reason being to make their space more comfortable. Search
A survey is an important part of any property transaction. This building survey will tell buyers and sellers if there is anything important that needs fixing either before a sale, or that may affect the market value of the property. Building surveys carried out in advance of a sale being
Proposals would deliver a quarter of a million sq ft of industrial development Network Space has submitted a planning application to Rotherham Borough Council for a £24million industrial development at Vector 31 at Waleswood, close to Junction 31 of the M1. The outline planning submission sets out proposals for up
Euramax provides sustainable solution to modular manufacturer Three million new homes must be built in England over the next 20 years to solve its housing crisis, a report by housing charity Shelter says. Companies manufacturing new-builds in factories possess the ability to speed up the delivery of high-quality, sustainable new
The University of Hull has achieved the first ever Gold SKA Rating in the region for the fit-out of its academic hub in the new Energy and Environment Institute. Achieving the highest rating in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) environmental assessment scheme, the hub boasts 84% of the
Heat delivered by heat networks will require a ten-fold increase in volume if the sector is to fulfil its potential in contributing to the UK’s net zero commitment by 2050. Development of this scale cannot be afforded purely from public funding and up to £22bn of private capital will be
The launch of a Climate Action Roadmap from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) which aims to bring the retail industry and its supply chains to Net Zero by 2040 has been welcomed by Priva UK. However, to achieve these goals, greater levels of investment in smart building technologies will be needed, says the controls manufacturer. With over 60 leading retailers committing resources to delivering the new Roadmap, the BRC’s initiative is proof of the retail industry’s determination to decarbonise stores by 2030, deliveries by 2035 and products by 2040. The Climate Action Roadmap sets out five areas of action: Putting decarbonisation at the core of all business decision making Reducing carbon emissions from shops and distribution centres Moving to net zero logistics operations Increasing sustainably sourced products Helping customers and employees to live low carbon lifestyles Working with several of Britain’s biggest retail brands – including two major supermarket chains – building controls manufacturer Priva UK says it stands ready to support its retail customers in meeting their energy efficiency ambitions. “We are delighted to see such energy and determination from within the retail industry in the fight against climate change,” says Gavin Holvey, General Manager UK & Ireland at Priva UK. “It’s fair to say the opportunities to reduce carbon emissions in retail are huge. However, for this vision to be realised, the retail industry will need to work with its suppliers – like Priva UK – to accelerate the adoption of smart building technologies which have the potential for energy savings (within buildings) of up to 40%. For any retailer yet to invest or implement such technologies, we stand ready to help them start this journey.” Commenting on the launch of the Roadmap,Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium said: “Never before has an entire industry been so ambitious in tackling climate change. Retail is the critical gateway between vast international supply chains and every one of us as citizens. We have a fantastic opportunity to make a real global difference if we can all work collectively.” BRC Climate Action Roadmap Executive Summary found here BRC Climate Action Roadmap found here
Housing association Network Homes has transformed part of a Lambeth estate into 177 new homes with landscaped communal spaces as well as a community room and resource centre facilities for the benefit of local residents. There are 41 homes for affordable rent and 40 rented apartments for Active Elderly residents being moved from Wynter House, an old sheltered block on the estate. Of the remaining homes, twenty are for shared ownership and 76 apartments for private sale. At up to 20 stories high, the £70million development provides a new landmark for Stockwell Park and includes three large commercial units. It has been built on the site of Thrayle House, an unmodernised former council owned block built in the 1970s. The old deck access building was in a poor state of repair with empty shops and a dark disused undercroft car park. The scheme, which received over £4.2 million of funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA), marks the final stages of the wider £200 million regeneration of the Stockwell Park Estate. This investment has gone towards building new homes, refurbishing and improving existing homes and upgrading community spaces on the estate. Active Elderly resident, Washington Hylton, moved over to the new development from Wynter House. He said: “I’m so grateful as my new home is a 100% improvement on my old place which didn’t suit my needs. My flat has more space and the presentation of the accommodation is nice and clean with better facilities.” David Gooch, Network Homes Executive Director for Development, commented: “I am very proud of our new development at Thrayle House which provides much needed high-quality modern homes. The positive feedback from the residents who have transferred from Wynter House, and some of the original tenants of the original Thrayle House who have moved back, has been great to hear and I wish them all well in their new homes.” Delroy Rankin, Executive Director at SW9 Community Housing, said: “The new development on Stockwell Road, Thrayle House, was transferred into the management of SW9 in July. Those residents that have lived on Stockwell Park for many years know that the estate has had its difficult and challenging times, and on occasion people did not want to live here. It is now a place of choice. The regeneration of the estate is an example of how to merge the new with the old whilst retaining the heart of the community. We are proud to be welcoming new people to the area as well as supplying wonderful new homes to our existing residents.”
Half of tradespeople say social media gets them more work, but most don’t know how to maximise its potential A quarter say that Facebook and Google reviews help get them more customers Builders get the most work from social media, plasterers the least Experts reveal how to get the most out of your social media trade platforms Social media has transformed businesses in all industries, but despite helping many tradespeople get more work, a staggering 85% say they don’t know how to use it effectively. New research[1] by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has explored how trade businesses currently use social media and how many are currently missing out on its benefits. Almost half (47%) of tradespeople say that having a social media presence helps them get more work, with Facebook being the main platform (22%). This is for several reasons, including the ability to build stronger client relationships (15%), get ahead of competitors (15%) and interact with community groups (22%). Such is the power of social media, one in six (16%) tradespeople believe it is now just as important, if not more, than traditional word of mouth. Because of this, 45% now actively advertise on at least one social platform and more than one in ten (12%) use social media as their only form of marketing. However, despite recognising its importance, the vast majority of tradespeople say they are not using social media effectively. Nearly nine in ten (85%) don’t know how to get the most out of it, with plumbers the least likely to maximise its potential (90%). Joiners are the most social savvy of all the trades, yet 79% still don’t know how best to use their channels to help their business. While social media helps all trades bring in more work, builders are the most likely to attract new customers with it. Two thirds (66%) of builders say their social channels help bring in business, followed by bricklayers (53%) and landscapers (51%). Plasterers are the least likely to see an increase in work (25%). The trades most likely to get more work by using social media are: 1) Builders – 66% 2) Bricklayers – 53% 3) Landscapers – 51% 4) Painter / Decorators – 46% 5) Electricians – 45% 6)Plumbers – 45% 7) Building Surveyors – 37% 8) Carpenters – 33% 9) Joiners – 33% 10) Plasterers – 25% One business that has directly seen the benefits of social media is The Brighton Loft Co, a loft conversion company in East Sussex. Gilles Buxton, Director, said: “When the pandemic hit this year, we started sharing our projects on social media and since we’ve started doing that, we’ve seen an increase in business and enquiries. “In 2019, we had 40 enquiries, but we’ve already had 72 this year – so we are already up 80% year-on-year, which is fantastic news.” On average, female tradespeople dedicate the most time to social media promotion, with over half (51%) pursuing leads online, compared to just 41% of men. They are also more likely to ask customers to leave reviews online (28% vs 23%) and such digital feedback is growing in significance. Over 20 million business reviews are posted on Google every day[2] and they can have a huge impact on a company’s performance. A recent study found that businesses with positive scores on review sites can earn up to 58% more revenue[3]. Overall, a quarter (25%) of trade businesses ask for reviews and a similar amount (26%) believe that positive comments can directly lead to more custom. However, more than a fifth (21%) of tradespeople worry about receiving negative reviews and the impact that might have. Charlie Carlton, Head of Digital at IronmongeryDirect, said: “Whether you’re a start-up looking to increase brand awareness, or a larger firm trying to expand, most trade businesses can benefit from being on social media, so it’s definitely worth creating accounts if you don’t already have some. “For those who already have social channels, our research has shown that the majority aren’t currently getting the most out of them. However, it doesn’t take that much time or effort to create a basic profile that can start to pick up work.” For expert advice on how to get the most out of social media for your trade business, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/six-tips-for-boosting-your-trade-business-using-social
AFTER dominating the domestic EPDM rubber flat roofing market for the past two decades, Permaroof – the UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover – is expanding into the commercial sector. Building on its past experience of supplying rubber membranes to its customer base working on commercial projects and its expansion into modular projects during the UK-wide lockdown this year, the business – which was set up in 1999 and is based in Derbyshire –now offers design, specification and installation on commercial projects using the proven and durable rubber membrane Firestone RubberGard EPDM. Adrian Buttress, managing director of Permaroof and the wider PermaGroup, said: “During our time specialising in domestic flat roofing projects, we’ve proven ourselves in the residential sector and gained unrivalled expertise of the industry. “After hitting our 20-year-old company milestone and with a record year in 2020, we were ready to expand our offering. The next logical step was to use our knowledge and move into the commercial sector – further increasing our portfolio of providing permanent solutions to age-old problems. Our vision is to become a leading commercial flat roofing supplier within just two years.” As part of the firm’s strategy to increase the delivery of large-scale installations, Permaroof has hired experienced national commercial manager Sunny Lotay to lead its new commercial flat roofing division. Adrian said: “While we’re not new to EPDM, having specialised in Firestone membranes for the past 17 years, residential rubber roofing and commercial flat roofing are two very different animals. Because of this, we’ve recruited an experienced national commercial sales manager, who will lead our new commercial flat roofing division and work with the Firestone technical team to ensure its global reputation is maintained. “Permaroof will be following Firestone’s proven business model, which has led to some very prestigious jobs around the world, totalling millions of square metres. “Through our national contractor stockist network, we have extensive access to commercial projects, which will enable us to organically tap into this source. We know we will be able to make a substantial difference in the number of projects we can bring flat roofing solutions to and we are thrilled to now be offering design, specification and installation to the commercial sector.” Sunny – who has more than 14 years’ experience under his belt – started his career at SIG Roofing where he spent almost seven years as a business development manager, followed by one year as a specification manager at SIG Design & Technology. He then moved to Saint-Gobain/Jewson as head of flat roofing. A five-year stint was followed by almost two years as a regional specification manager at Flex-R. He said: “The launch of the commercial flat roofing division in partnership with Firestone is part of Permaroof’s continued success story, which is steeped in providing waterproofing systems and solutions to its customers. “Because of the number of waterproofing solutions available for commercial flat roofing, building owners and project managers need to think in the long term and research the economics of their decisions, and this is where we can help. Our industry knowledge and experience combine to make us perfectly placed to support customers in finding the best commercial roofing system for their premises. “I’m incredibly excited to start working closely with customers to help them get the most value from their roofing system investment. From the initial design right through to the end user walking into the building, we’re on hand throughout the entire lifecycle of a built environment project, providing an excellent waterproofing solution with full technical assistance, and a warranty to back it up – providing peace of mind.” Firestone RubberGard is a high performing synthetic flat roof membrane that has an expected lifespan of more than 50 years. The system offers a unique combination of features, including superior weatherability and durability, low lifecycle cost, and high flexibility and elongation. The material is available in standard grade at 1.14mm and premium grade at 1.52mm for heavy duty installations and can be custom cut to size. Adrian added: “Since their introduction, Firestone EPDM membranes – which are backed by more than a century of Firestone experience in rubber technology – have dominated the single-ply roofing market through their proven performance, durability and flexibility over a wide range of building types. “EPDM – which has a low lifecycle cost, requiring little to no maintenance once installed correctly on a well-prepared substate – is proving to be the leading flat roof material for the future, particularly due to its environmental properties. “If you are an architect, specifier or building owner, please do get in touch with our team of experts, who can fully explain how Firestone RubberGard can benefit your commercial project.” Permaroof offers products and services that provide permanent solutions to age-old problems. It offers this through a variety of products – its central offering of Firestone RubberCover EPDM roofing, as well as artificial grass through its Permalawn brand and maintenance-free fencing via Permafence. This is in addition to Permatile promenade tiles, skylights and rooflights through The Skylight Company and, most recently, steel-framed buildings. In 2020, Permaroof celebrated its most successful year in its 20-year history, after maximising the lockdown effect on the DIY market as well as quickly diversifying in the face of the pandemic. Its positive end to the year follows several record months including a 26% increase in sales in May 2020 compared to 2019 and a staggering 86% increase when comparing June 2019 to 2020. For more information on Permaroof UK, please visit www.permaroof.co.uk or call 01773 608839.
We’ve all spent more time in our homes this year. And whether you’ve enjoyed it or not, it’s opened up doors in a few surprising industries. In the UK, 76% of people spent money on homebuilding and renovations with the main reason being to make their space more comfortable. Search interest for outdoor heating increased by 300%. The 2020 Renovation Nation Report, conducted by money.co.uk, shows more of us are spending money on renovations. Just over a fifth admitted this was due to having more disposable income since the start of the pandemic, likely caused by working from home. In the future, more employers are planning to offer flexible working arrangements. Although working from home has been steadily growing over the last decade, this year has forced many businesses to consider a strategy moving forward. Why does this matter to you? Because if people continue to work from home, they will continue to use their disposable income to invest in home renovations. As a home improvement retailer, your business will continue to boom. What is the Homebuilding & Renovating Show? The Homebuilding & Renovating Show brings together over 500 exhibitors to showcase a range of home improvement products and services. Each year, eight venues across the UK host the trade show to make sure as many businesses and visitors can attend as possible. In 2018, The Homebuilding & Renovating Show attracted over 100,000 visitors. On average, each visitor was ready to spend £125k. Because over three-quarters of attendees are currently working on a live project, it is a fantastic opportunity for you to place your brand in front of a highly-targeted audience. Homebuilding & Renovating Show: Line-up 2021 As you know, 2020 has been a write off when it comes to live events. While we’re all looking forward to getting back into the venues next year, it is worth highlighting the success that many businesses have had from exhibiting at virtual events. To kick-start 2021, The Homebuilding & Renovating Show will run a virtual winter show in January. This will be a fantastic opportunity to connect with your colleagues and find out what’s been going on in your industry over the past year. From May onwards, the events are scheduled and the planning is underway. The Homebuilding & Renovating Show will take place in: Glasgow Date: 22 – 23 May 2021 Venue: SEC Surrey Date: 26 – 27 June 2021 Venue: Sandown Park Birmingham Date: 8 – 11 July 2021 Venue: NEC London Date: 24 – 26 September 2021 Venue: ExCel Edinburgh Date: 16 – 17 October 2021 Venue: RHC Harrogate Date: 5 – 7 November 2021 Venue: Harrogate Convention Centre Somerset Date: 20 – 21 November 2021 Venue: Bath & West Showground Farnborough Date: 15 – 16 January 2022 Venue: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre The largest of the eight events take place at Birmingham’s NEC and ExCel London. But that doesn’t mean you should write off the small shows. Each Homebuilding & Renovating Show attracts a different audience, all keen to find new products or suppliers. You can choose one show to exhibit at, or book a floor space at all of them for maximum exposure. Make sure you invest in reusable pop up displays to reduce the cost per show. The other benefit of this is that it gives smaller, local businesses a chance to reach the right people. Tradesmen can only travel so far for a job so it’s a good opportunity to highlight your business in a relevant location. Why Should You Exhibit at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show? Exhibiting at any trade show is a great way to grow your business. You get the opportunity to meet hundreds of leads, increase brand awareness and build strong relationships with new and existing customers. If you had the opportunity to gather your target audience in one room, would you do it? Of course you would. That’s exactly what an exhibition does for you. The Homebuilding & Renovating Show gathers individuals intending to make a home improvement purchase under one roof. If your business operates in the home improvement market, The Homebuilding & Renovating Show is not one to miss. As well as all of the fantastic benefits you get from exhibiting, this trade show also allows you to: Generate Sales People who visit the Homebuilding & Renovating Show do so to find a new product or supplier. More than ¾ of them spend money with an exhibitor, with over half of them having a budget exceeding £50k. Forget chasing leads, this show will help you close deals. Dedicated Marketing Support Pre-show marketing is crucial if you want to generate a buzz and attract many people to your stand. The organisers of The Homebuilding & Renovating Show offer dedicated support with your pre-show marketing to anyone who books a space. Furthermore, after the event, they can provide you with post-event data so you have all the information you need to successfully follow up. Face-to-face Communication Home improvement’s take time and money. Often, customers want to see and feel the product before making a purchase. The Homebuilding & Renovating Show makes that possible. You can display your products on an exhibition stand and give demonstrations and talks about the benefits and uses. Face-to-face communication helps establish a relationship. Your customers are more likely to trust you; therefore, they’re more likely to return. Just make sure you have a few literature stands to hold your catalogues and brochures so those leads don’t walk away empty-handed. What are Visitors Looking for in 2021? This year has thrown things up in the air. While some businesses decided to close, others had more enquiries than they knew what to do with. Home improvement, as you already know, was one of the industries that saw significant growth. But which rooms in particular are people keen to renovate? Surprisingly, home offices didn’t top the list. Flexible working means people have more time to manage a healthy work-life balance. Garden studios, greenhouses, home
A survey is an important part of any property transaction. This building survey will tell buyers and sellers if there is anything important that needs fixing either before a sale, or that may affect the market value of the property. Building surveys carried out in advance of a sale being completed are generally designed to help buyers to make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed, to assess whether or not the purchase price is reasonable, and to determine if any action needs taking before contracts are exchanged. There are a range of different building surveys that can be carried out including the RICS Condition Report, RICS HomeBuyer Report and RICS Building Survey. The Building Survey is the most in depth report and is recommended for listed properties, buildings more than 30 years old, properties with an unusual construction, properties that you plan to renovate, or properties that have already undergone extensive renovations. What Will The Surveyor Check? 1 – General Condition One of the most important aspects of a building survey is a report on the general condition of the property. This will involve all aspects of the property, and often gives information based on a traffic light system. 2 – Damp Proofing A building survey should include a detailed description of the results of damp tests, and a report on the condition of existing damp proofing within a property. If issues are found here via a damp survey, the report may include recommendations on the actions that should be taken to rectify the issues. 3 – Major Faults All building surveyors should check for and report on any major faults within the property. These are faults that either need dealing with urgently, or may affect the property’s market value. 4 – Urgent Problems The building surveyor will give detailed information on any urgent problems that should be inspected by a specialist before contracts are signed. This could include any structural damage, electrical faults and other serious problems. 5 – Timber Condition Building surveyors should always check for any damage to any timber in the property. This will include checking for woodworm or rot, amongst other things. 6 – Technical Information The surveyor should investigate the technical specifications of the property’s structure and the materials used. This helps to identify any properties that are of non-standard construction that may cause issues from a mortgage perspective. 7 – Energy Some modern building surveys will include an investigation into the energy efficiency of the property. If this is included, it will include an Energy Performance Certificate. How Much Will a Survey Cost? The cost of a survey will vary depending on where in the United Kingdom you are, and what kind of survey you require. The value and size of the property may also have an affect on the price that you pay for the survey. As a guide: Condition Reports should start at around £250 HomeBuyer Reports start at around £350, with an additional £100 or so for a valuation Building Surveys start at £500, however this can vary greatly depending on the age, size and unique features of the property Home Condition Surveys generally start from £400
Proposals would deliver a quarter of a million sq ft of industrial development Network Space has submitted a planning application to Rotherham Borough Council for a £24million industrial development at Vector 31 at Waleswood, close to Junction 31 of the M1. The outline planning submission sets out proposals for up to 254,000 sq ft of E, B2 and B8 employment space on an 8.8 hectare site. Indicative plans submitted with the application show between seven and nine self-contained, detached units ranging from 12,500 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, with design and build opportunities also available. The development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed. Simon Eaton, Development Manager at Network Space, explains: “Vector 31 West can provide a wide range of industrial accommodation which will appeal to smaller workspace occupiers through to distribution centre requirements. Given the strong location and market demand, we intend to commence with a first phase of speculative units as soon as possible, whilst maintaining our ability to deliver larger units on a design and build basis. “The success of our earlier development at Vector 31 demonstrates that this is one of the Yorkshire region’s most sought after locations, offering a strategic central distribution route close to the M1 as well as easy access to Rotherham and Sheffield. The development will therefore serve to meet regional market requirements as well as national occupier needs.” Rebecca Schofield, Partner at Knight Frank, added: “We are continuing to see strong interest for industrial and warehouse space across the South Yorkshire region, the quality of accommodation which Network Space will offer to the market will no doubt prove popular to satisfy demand.’’ Network Space has a long history with this former colliery site having delivered more than 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at the adjacent Vector 31 development. The first phase was fully occupied within a year of completion in 2008 and is currently occupied by a range of national and international businesses, including parcel delivery giant Hermes. The Vector 31 Networkcentre was sold in 2018 in a £91million deal to InfraRed Capital Partners Limited as part of a 1 million sq ft portfolio of 25 industrial sites and two development sites. Architects for the scheme is Harris Partnership. Knight Frank is appointed as agent and NSM will provide asset management services.
Euramax provides sustainable solution to modular manufacturer Three million new homes must be built in England over the next 20 years to solve its housing crisis, a report by housing charity Shelter says. Companies manufacturing new-builds in factories possess the ability to speed up the delivery of high-quality, sustainable new housing across the UK. ilke Homes, who creates up to 2,000 new factory-built homes a year, turned to leading window and door manufacturer Euramax to provide energy-efficient windows and doors for its housing schemes. Modular construction is the method of manufacturing parts of a building, also known as modules, offsite in a controlled, factory environment. The modules are then transported to the construction site where they are assembled to form the final build. Based in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, ilke Homes manufactures up to 2,000 modular homes every year for local authorities, housing associations, developers and private investors. Since 2017, the company has won multiple awards for its design and manufacturing technologies and can produce a home in just fifteen days, with four modules coming off the production line each day. ilke Homes’ goal is to deliver beautiful, precision-engineered homes with minimal environmental impact. The manufacturer has developed its own unique production process, which cuts waste by 90 per cent and saves residents up to 50 per cent in energy, with homes costing just £1-a-day to heat. To increase output while maintaining its energy-efficient status, ilke Homes needed to collaborate with like-minded suppliers. When searching for a windows and doors supplier that could deliver quality while improving the energy efficiency of its homes, it turned to Euramax. Modular benefits Modular methods of construction (MMC) offer many benefits when compared to traditional building methods. Modular builds can be completed up to 50 per cent faster, are 30 per cent cheaper to build, and produce 90 per cent less waste. The factory-controlled production environment eliminates factors that can often impede construction projects, such as disruption from weather conditions. Control also improves quality, and ilke Homes’ modules undergo stringent quality checks at various stages along the production line to ensure the completed components reach their assembly site without defects. To produce its homes to the highest quality and without delays, ilke Homes needed to work with a reliable window and door manufacturer that could seamlessly integrate into the production line. “We needed a partner that could understand our manufacturing processes and had the capacity to meet our production demands,” said Rachel Kaye, procurement manager at ilke Homes. “We were eager to source a local supplier to help keep our carbon footprint low. That’s when we discovered Euramax, which already supplied its windows and doors to offsite construction projects.” Tailor made In addition to delivering zero carbon homes, ilke Homes’ modular builds are fully customisable — right down to each fixture and fitting. “Euramax supplies unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVCu) windows and patio doors to seven of the nine house models we manufacture,” said Kaye. “While the window profiles are all similar, the final product we install always depends on customer requirements and house type. For instance, some of our schemes need acoustic or light reflecting glazing, whereas others require bespoke coloured window frames. “We pride ourselves on creating modern homes that merge effortlessly into local communities, so the windows and doors we install need to reflect this. As part of our ongoing partnership, Euramax supplies us with stylish products in classic white and Anthracite grey. They even sourced a specific grey frame colour for us, called Moondust.” The windows and doors do not only need to look good; they must also meet stringent safety and quality measures. “In our first year of working with ilke Homes, Euramax has supplied windows and doors for twelve of its housing schemes — each with different requirements,” said Richard Banks, commercial director at Euramax. “Safety is a critical factor, and our technical team works to meet the safety requirements for modular homes, which include ensuring each habitable room has a fire escape. We also make certain that all window sizes and apertures, whether a top hung or drop window, remain the same.” Euramax products are certified by the official national police security initiative, Secured by Design (SBD). The initiative tests and certifies products to a set of security, design and manufacturing standards to make sure the windows and doors installed into ilke Homes’ builds are safe and secure. Time to deliver In addition to supplying safe, customisable and quality products, Euramax also ensures its delivery process reflects ilke Homes’ requirements for quality control and carbon reduction. “Euramax delivers all its products in stillages, which has numerous advantages for ilke Homes,” explained Kaye. “Firstly, the stillages protect the products during transportation, minimising the risk of damage. The stillages also eliminate unnecessary plastic waste, reducing our environmental impact.” As the deliveries come in one large order, transportation can be kept to a minimum — further reducing the carbon footprint of the production process. Maintaining a low carbon footprint isn’t only important for ilke Homes, it’s also a priority for those that will be living in the finished homes, and for the wider construction industry. Currently, the construction industry is responsible for 40 percent of the UK’s total carbon emissions, according to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). Furthermore, the Committee on Climate Change estimates that home heating systems are responsible for 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK — a problem that has been created due to poorly-designed windows and doors that allow heat to escape. Euramax manufactures double glazed windows and doors that are rated ‘A’ for high energy efficiency by The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC). The BFRC rates the efficiency of fenestration products on a scale of A to G, with A identified as the most energy efficient. “Installing certified energy efficient products is vital for ilke Homes as it allows us to produce homes that contribute to the reduction of emissions the built environment produces,” added Kaye. “While modular construction has a lower
The University of Hull has achieved the first ever Gold SKA Rating in the region for the fit-out of its academic hub in the new Energy and Environment Institute. Achieving the highest rating in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) environmental assessment scheme, the hub boasts 84% of the 86 strong criteria set up as part of the SKA assessment – making it officially one of the greenest educational hubs in the UK. The SKA rating is an environmental assessment scheme that measures fit-out projects against a set of sustainability ‘good practice’ criteria. ‘Good practice’ measures cover everything from responsible sourcing of materials, reducing waste and diverting materials from landfill, to CO2 emissions, lighting design, energy efficient hand dryers and biodiversity. The announcement also marks the first SKA Rating for Chameleon Business Interiors, which designed the hub and completed the fit-out. The project was managed by Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK). The RLB team also provided building surveying and sustainability services, as well as acting as SKA assessor; this latest project is the 12th SKA Gold rating RLB has helped clients achieve. Shaun Watts, Chairman of Chameleon Business Interiors, commented: “We are delighted with the Gold SKA Rating achieved for the new Energy and Environment Institute. At Chameleon, we work with sustainability front of mind on every project. It was particularly important during this project, given the nature of the hub, to showcase the building as a leader in global environmental resilience and energy sustainability. “Day-to-day, we paid careful consideration to of all the materials used and constant monitoring of onsite activities from an environmental and sustainability perspective. It was a pleasure to be part of a larger team, all of whom were dedicated to delivering a world-class, planet-friendly project.” Amongst the environmental design elements in the project, 80% of carpet and soft floor finishes were reused/recycled, 50% of vinyl finishes were recycled through a closed-loop scheme, and 80% of the timber flooring was reused – with the remaining percentage diverted from landfill. Paul Batchelor, Partner at RLB, said: “Delivering the SKA Gold Rated academic hub for the pioneering Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Hull was a fantastic project for the team at RLB to lead. Sustainability was at the very core of this project and the collaboration of the entire team was key to its success, achieving the first SKA Gold in the region is a brilliant credit to everyone involved.” Professor Dan Parsons, Director at the Energy and Environment Institute, added: “When we secured funding to bring our multi-disciplinary team of experts under one roof on the University campus, we wanted to create a space which was both modern and stylish, but which also showcased excellence in sustainability. “It’s only right that an Institution centred on tackling the global climate crisis be based in a building which is environmentally fit for purpose. “With the support of our Estates team at the University and the contractors Chameleon Business Interiors – who deserve an enormous amount of credit for this project – we have created a space which truly practices what it preaches. “This SKA Gold award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the refurbishment.” The Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Hull brings together the skills and capabilities of leading researchers to tackle global challenges related to climate change and a low carbon transition, and their consequences for society and livelihoods. Now home to over 100 staff and PhD researchers, the Institute is leading research in some of the areas of the world most at-risk from climate change, including flood prone areas such as Vietnam’s Mekong and Red River deltas, the Congo River in Africa, as well as locations much closer to home. For more information on Hull University’s Energy and Environment Institute visit: www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/institutes/energy-and-environment-institute
Heat delivered by heat networks will require a ten-fold increase in volume if the sector is to fulfil its potential in contributing to the UK’s net zero commitment by 2050. Development of this scale cannot be afforded purely from public funding and up to £22bn of private capital will be needed to if this target is to be achieved. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management – their delivery partner for the £320m Heat Network Investment Project (HNIP) – has announced a new Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for heat networks today. The BEIS Heat Investment Vehicle (BHIVE) will allow Public Bodies, including NHS Bodies and Local Authorities, to access funds and funding-related services for heat network projects from a portfolio of potential funders. BHIVE is open to all Public Bodies looking to finance a heat network including, financing the expansion of a new or existing network or facilitating the sale of part, or all, of an investment in a mature heat network. The role of private capital in unlocking the potential of heat networks To meet the UK’s legally binding commitment to net zero by 2050 in the most cost-effective manner, heat networks will need to provide 17-24% of the UK’s heat (currently just 2%)[1]. Achieving this objective requires the development of a self-sustaining market with a sufficient volume of strategic, low carbon heat networks which are economically attractive without direct Government subsidy. Development at this scale cannot be afforded by public funds alone. The Institute for Public Policy Research has estimated that up to £22 billion of private investment capital needs to be levered in if the sector is to fulfil its potential[2]. At the same time, institutional investors are seeking high class infrastructure assets with good quality counterparties and predictable long-term revenues underpinned by strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. Prior to BHIVE’s launch, investors and investees had come together too infrequently and only on an ad-hoc basis. Funding Providers can apply to join BHIVE at any time by expressing their interest in funding heat networks; demonstrating their access to funds and their capability to deliver the associated services to execute funding. Finance options available will include equity finance and asset finance. HNIP was launched in 2019 to kick-start the market and has to date awarded £125 million to successful schemes across England and Wales. BHIVE will further support the work that has already been achieved by HNIP in ensuring a sustainable market which is not only economically attractive to investors but supports job creation and environmental benefits. Richard Turner, Amberside Advisors, part of Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management said: “BHIVE has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the heat networks market, which is essential to meeting the net zero emissions target while sustaining green jobs and delivering economic benefits. It will make for a more efficient and effective fundraising process from the perspective of Funding Providers looking for funding good quality opportunities in a high-growth sector, and Public Bodies looking for value for money.” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy https://www.ippr.org/files/publications/pdf/piping- hot_summary_Mar2017.pdf