Thrive Homes was highly commended in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category as part of the Housebuilder Awards 2020. Held by Housebuilder magazine, the Home Builders Federation and in partnership with the National House Building Council, the Housebuilder Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the development
From business and manufacturing industries to the new wave in home improvement, the growth in markets that are exploring interior decoration is at an all-time high. Interior design is a multi-faced sector that seeks to elevate an interior environment to the specifications of the clients. Trends in home decor are
Awards ranks Britain 100 private companies with the fastest growing sales over the last three years with Glencar the first main UK contractor to receive the accolade representing a real first for the industry. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors has
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is calling on construction companies to encourage eligible EU workers to apply for ‘settled status’ to ensure they can continue to work legally in the UK once the Brexit transition period is complete. The British government has indicated that anyone settled in the
New images have been released of Cole Waterhouse’s plans for a £260m mixed-use scheme at Upper Trinity Street (UTS) in Digbeth. The development will see the existing industrial land transformed into a cultural, commercial and residential scheme with 943 new homes, some with live-work space and roof gardens, a 133-bedroom
Countryside, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, and Places for People, the largest UK affordable homes led placemaker, today announces a national framework agreement to accelerate live and future projects through the delivery of mixed-tenure developments. Under the agreement, Countryside and Places for People will work together to combine expertise in
From real-time 3D modelling to GPS tracking equipment and tools, construction sites are often hotbeds of the latest in cutting edge technology. Getting devices to talk to one another, on the other hand, can be a challenge. After all, plugging a laptop into a wall is tough when the wall
The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan represents a significant statement of intent, and while we welcome the commitments and ambitions, these will need to be backed up with detailed policy and further investment if the plan is to be fully realised. In the short term, the plan has also raised
Verdion has been chosen by bicycle manufacturer Derby Cycle as the developer for its new 32,230 sq m headquarters and plant which will expand the company’s presence in northern Germany. The new facility will be funded and developed under a venture between Verdion and Canadian pension fund Healthcare of Ontario
Islington Council has appointed Diamond Build PLC to construct 24 new council homes on the Harvist Estate in Holloway, near Arsenal’s football stadium. The £10m project will see Diamond Build PLC construct a mix of one and two-bedroom flats as well as two, three and four-bedroom houses. The properties will
Thrive Homes was highly commended in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category as part of the Housebuilder Awards 2020. Held by Housebuilder magazine, the Home Builders Federation and in partnership with the National House Building Council, the Housebuilder Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the development industry. Commenting on the achievement, Jack Burnham, Thrive’s Development Director said: “We are thrilled to have been highly commended in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category. Thrive has worked hard to become an industry leader in sustainability, and we will continue to innovate and build on our green commitments to ensure we are creating quality homes and communities that residents are proud of.” As part of its commitment to creating quality homes where people enjoy living, Thrive Homes continues to develop ambitious plans to put sustainability at its core, with progressive strategies such as tree planting, carbon offsetting and all-electric developments being brought forward. In 2019 Thrive was the first UK Housebuilder or Housing Association to be awarded The Planet Mark certification and in 2019/20 worked with a certified carbon offsetting provider to become carbon neutral. Thrive also committed to a tree planting programme alongside its development plans with hundreds of trees planted in 2020. The developer and professional landlord will continue to lead the sector by increasing its green initiative year on year to ensure its carbon footprint is as low as possible. Thrive Homes was also a finalist in the Small Housebuilder of the Year category. The Housebuilder Awards 2020 winners were announced on 3 December.
From business and manufacturing industries to the new wave in home improvement, the growth in markets that are exploring interior decoration is at an all-time high. Interior design is a multi-faced sector that seeks to elevate an interior environment to the specifications of the clients. Trends in home decor are constantly changing and 2020 is no different. Whether it’s for residential or commercial use, the changes in design call for experts to be more innovative, personal and dynamic than ever before. Home decor is the most effective way of expressing the lifestyle that a consumer believes in. Europe plays a paramount role in the global design and decor industry which include various items such as furniture, home textiles, lighting fixtures,artifacts, floor coverings just to name a few. The furniture sector has undergone significant changes with more focus on quality and design. This has made the industry grow exponentially, evident not only in terms of production but also in the market and international trade values. The market is projected to continue growing due to increased expenditure for furniture goods among the millennials in 2020. Below are some opportunities that lie ahead of the furniture industry; ACCESS TO NEW MARKETS The European furniture market is without a doubt recognised worldwide for its high-quality products and spectacular designs. This has created an opportunity for this sector to further seize other market niches, in particular the luxurious high-end markets. An interior designer looking to instal a modern and functional kitchen can simply source for these merchandise from a variety of European furniture brands. FURTHER RESEARCH Technology has allowed the furniture industry to attract expertise from the younger generations who have helped rejuvenate this sector while keeping it highly competitive. Development in the real estate sector is expected to supplement the growth of the home decor market. Consumer preferences have fueled the demand for fancy products to decorate homes. Additionally, the consumer is more aware of the impact of his or her choice on the environment. Homes are inclined to adopt Biophilic designs to feel more connected with nature. Others opt for more eco-friendly products that are sustainably sourced and put less stress on the environment. INVESTMENT The Europe furniture industry continues to increase investment to enhance creativity, innovation and skills which result in the production of new products to suit the ever-changing population and lifestyles. The growth of the home decor industry has paved the way to premium products that provide superb experience to the users. Growing this preference for finer things after a certain time boosts the availability of different products. Technology has greatly revolutionized the furniture industry making it easier for any type of furniture to be available in all corners of the globe. Key furniture brands have come up with interesting trends to offer their products such as affordable DIY furniture that has greatly influenced sales. This sector, however, has been hit severally with challenges and crisis that are briefly highlighted below; CLIMATE CHANGES Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing modern society. Global warming due to the depletion of the ozone layer is a serious environmental concern. The consequences of this warming trend are dire. Furniture companies are increasingly focussing on the environmental impact of their operations and have adopted eco-friendly manufacturing and design principles to preserve the earth for future generations. INNOVATION The 21st century called for heavy reliance on technology that consequently caused an increase in global trade and digitalisation. The penetration of e-commerce and smart devices such as mobile phones and computers has provided for easy distribution and payment options of products. This has tremendously progressed the market growth with different home decor products. Manufacturers are integrating the latest technologies to assist consumers to choose the best home decor products for their homes. For example, consumers now have easy access to Apps that allow them to enter the dimensions of their rooms and have add ons to their space and have a feel of how it would be before purchase. The challenge when it comes to technology is the infringement of intellectual property rights exposed to companies. Moreover, boosting research requires finance that is often a huge challenge to medium and small furniture businesses. COMPETITION The home decor market is quite fragmented due to the presence of multiple manufacturers both regional and internationally. Globalization has opened up more markets for consumers which have made it easier for accessibility of a variety of products from different corners of the world. The Europe furniture sector has witnessed significant growth over the years and is expected to grow at a steady pace even after 2020 although it’s often in constant competition with other countries across the globe that offer low production costs. China, for instance, is rapidly growing and is reported to be now the largest exporter of furniture to the European region.
Awards ranks Britain 100 private companies with the fastest growing sales over the last three years with Glencar the first main UK contractor to receive the accolade representing a real first for the industry. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors has today announced that it has been awarded the top spot in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic FAST TRACK 100 league table, which ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing sales and is published today. Glencar has grown sales by an impressive 441% a year over three years to an annualised £96.5m in the year to September, a record for the table over the entirety of its 24-year history. Speaking about the award Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy said: “To be recognised among Britain’s top performing private companies is a fantastic accolade and we are delighted to have topped the table for 2020 amongst some good company. We are operating in a sector that is growing rapidly but it’s our customer-centric delivery model which has really given us a competitive advantage and allowed us to keep building on our success. I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the entire team at Glencar and the role they have all played in enabling us to reaching this incredible milestone” The Fast Track 100 is sponsored by Virgin Atlantic, BDO, DHL Express and N+1 Singer, and is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm and published in The Sunday Times each December, with an awards event the following September, and alumni dinners during the year. Companies were ranked by the compound annual growth rate in their sales over their latest three financial years. Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Group, which has supported Fast Track 100 for all 24 years, said: “While we are living in extremely uncertain and challenging times, there is one thing I am certain of: entrepreneurs are the dreamers, the doers, and the innovators that have the power to have a positive impact on society. There are so many inspiring examples of this on the Fast Track 100 league table showing this is just as true, if not more so, in 2020 as it ever has been.” The full article can be viewed here https://glencar.com/glencar-debuts-at-number-one-in-fast-track-100/
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is calling on construction companies to encourage eligible EU workers to apply for ‘settled status’ to ensure they can continue to work legally in the UK once the Brexit transition period is complete. The British government has indicated that anyone settled in the UK for more than five years as of exit day (31, January, 2020) – will likely to be able to gain ‘settled status’ which will grant them the same rights as British citizens. Those who do not meet the five year criteria may still be able to gain pre-settled status which will allow them a grant of limited leave to remain for five years. Eligible EU nationals have until 30 June 2021 to submit an application – after which if they haven’t done so and they continue to work in the UK they will be doing so illegally. However there are concerns that language barriers and a lack of awareness of the requirement may prevent some workers from completing the application potentially driving them into the illegitimate labour market. Employers can help by spreading awareness of the need to apply for ‘settled status’ and offering assistance where required – such as access to computers to complete the application. It is free to apply and a step-by-step application guide is available in 26 European languages. The application can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status Employers may also wish to consider whether as an employer they are eligible to become a sponsor which could help them to recruit from the EU in the future. https://migrate-uk.com/sponsor-licence-applications-uk-2021/
New images have been released of Cole Waterhouse’s plans for a £260m mixed-use scheme at Upper Trinity Street (UTS) in Digbeth. The development will see the existing industrial land transformed into a cultural, commercial and residential scheme with 943 new homes, some with live-work space and roof gardens, a 133-bedroom hotel, 60,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space, car parking and large areas of public realm including a new public park and a network of landscaped yards, squares and hidden spaces. Over the summer the team has been working closely with Birmingham City Council and other stakeholders following a far-reaching public consultation programme and the submission of a full planning application which was made in April. Updated plans have now been submitted which include design enhancements to some residential blocks to create a more distinctive character which is influenced by the current and past industrial uses of the site. Additional landscaping and the inclusion of a new ‘parklet’ have been included to create more outdoor space. The scheme’s ground floor, live-work units will have street facades of large opening glazed doors recessed behind sliding perforated metal shutters and entry doors which will offer glimpses into the work spaces beyond. In addition, the artwork to the hotel will now be a permanent installation as opposed to a continually changing design. The team is continuing to explore options to work with a public artist on the final art design for the hotel and public art will also be featured throughout the 2.07 hectare site. The re-development of the historic site, which borders Adderley Street and the proposed Skypark on Duddeston Viaduct, will retain the lock keepers cottage, pump house and canal and the development team is working closely with the Canal and Rivers Trust to enhance and protect the site’s unique Victorian engineering history. Cole Waterhouse’s vision for UTS is a response to the High Speed 2 (HS2) and emerging Digbeth Masterplans which form part of the wider evolution of Digbeth and will complement other development proposals in the area. Commenting on the updated design Damian Flood, chief executive of Cole Waterhouse said: “We listened carefully to the feedback from the consultation programme and have subsequently made some enhancements to the scheme design which we wanted to show with these new images. “We have been in close contact with the existing businesses in the area to accommodate their requirements in the new scheme and their feedback and support has been overwhelmingly positive.” He continued: “With close proximity to Birmingham city centre and planned improvements to transport infrastructure, including the new West Midlands Metro line and HS2 Curzon Street station, Upper Trinity Street will create a great community for hundreds to live and work and we are committed to protecting the area’s unique ‘Digbethness’ which is further reflected in our design amends.”
Countryside, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, and Places for People, the largest UK affordable homes led placemaker, today announces a national framework agreement to accelerate live and future projects through the delivery of mixed-tenure developments. Under the agreement, Countryside and Places for People will work together to combine expertise in creating high quality homes and places that give opportunities for communities to thrive. It is envisaged that up to 10,000 mixed tenure homes will be developed through the framework over a ten-year period across the UK. Countryside continues to see attractive opportunities for growth to deliver a mix of private for sale, PRS and affordable homes and this framework agreement will allow the homebuilder to develop large sites more quickly. Operating nationwide, Places for People’s strategy to deliver more homes and more choice has seen the company work with a number of partners including Homes England, and develop new delivery models. Working with Countryside and utilising the strengths of both parties will help to continue to boost its capacity and aid Places for People’s strategic aim of increasing the delivery of affordable housing and mixed-tenure communities. Iain McPherson, Group Chief Executive, Countryside, said: “We are delighted to have formed a strategic relationship with Places for People, to deliver much-needed mixed-tenure housing. Our business has a proven track record and, together with our clear strategy for growth, we look forward to continuing to work with our partners as we focus on the delivery of high quality and sustainable mixed-tenure communities.” David Cowans, Group Chief Executive, Places for People, said: “For our future housing market to be successful, we need to provide more housing choice, improve quality and increase efficiency. Working with Countryside, a business that shares our commitment to creating well designed, sustainable communities, will help us deliver quality homes that provide choice and meet people’s needs and aspirations.”
From real-time 3D modelling to GPS tracking equipment and tools, construction sites are often hotbeds of the latest in cutting edge technology. Getting devices to talk to one another, on the other hand, can be a challenge. After all, plugging a laptop into a wall is tough when the wall hasn’t been built yet. This presents a clear use case for wireless as the primary method of network connectivity in the industry, an area which is proving just as transformational as the physical devices it connects. From gigabit speeds over LTE to the millisecond latency of 5G, the power of the wireless WAN (WWAN) is allowing sites to achieve an ethernet-like quality of connection but without the need to lay a single cable. How 5G is powering the construction site of tomorrow 5G is expected to provide 10 to 100 times faster speeds. It could also unlock 10 to 100 times more capacity than current long-term evolution (LTE) networks. This will give those working in construction almost instantaneous access to data-intensive edge and cloud applications, enabling multiple users to interact with each other in real-time, from anywhere in the world. Given that construction sites are complex and constantly-evolving environments, this will be a huge step forward. With a higher data crunching capacity combined with more efficient connectivity channels through network slicing, 5G is also key to unlocking the power of massive machine-type communications in the construction industry. This technology will provide highly scalable and broad geographical coverage to help with complex construction and infrastructural projects such as smart cities, where the number of nodes will be considerably higher than on a normal project. Looking further ahead, 5G will also prove key in accelerating the industry toward autonomous and remote operations – in other words, completing projects completely by machine alone, without the need of having people on site. Even though remote-control technology exists at present, 5G’s ultra low latency eliminates any delay in connectivity and ensure work is completed with adequate speed and precision. This could also unlock the capabilities of self-driving machines, which will be able to accurately map areas, recognise signals and communicate with other machines more efficiently. Taylor Construction: a real-world example of 5G being put to the test in the construction industry[DR1] A demonstration of the power of 5G in the transformation of the construction industry was recently brought to light in Australia, where one of the first real-world deployment of 5G connectivity was rolled out by visionary company Taylor Construction. Driven by a need for more advanced and agile software platforms to power everything from blueprint design to site security, Taylor Construction noted that such applications require real-time data, which is only possible with immense bandwidth, low latency and constant uptime at the edge of the network with 5G. Using an enterprise-grade WWAN edge solution provided by Cradlepoint, the company has successfully deployed a number of new onsite innovations powered by 5G: Holographic building visualisation – comprising mixed-reality smart glasses that Taylor’s employees and customers can wear on-site to render a virtual model of the building or elements of the construction process, such as holographic structural steel, framing, or electrical schematics. 360-degree 8K streaming and QR code scanning from wireless video cameras – enabling site workers to deploy digital induction tracking, which is said to improve risk management by automating the process of ensuring every person on-site has completed safety training. Internet of things (IoT) structural sensing – using smart sensors fixed to rebar and embedded in concrete aggregate to send data to the cloud where it can be subject to rapid and in-depth analysis. As a result, Taylor Construction can determine whether concrete is poured correctly and track any shifting of concrete over time. Real-time design displays – allowing staff on site to make changes to digital blueprints in real time on tablets and display on large monitors in trailers. This case study shows that the future of enterprise-grade 5G has officially landed, both in the construction industry and beyond. With the connection quality and speed of fibre broadband, and the mobility and agility of wireless connectivity, it’s clear that the transformative power of 5G is already becoming a reality. A platform for innovation While 5G is making technological leaps forward at an accelerated rate, the construction industry is still only scratching at the surface of its full potential. Like the innovations which were helped along by the power of 4G LTE, we won’t know how 5G will manifest in exciting new use cases in the future. But what we do know, is that this future is bright. It’s clear that 5G will improve productivity, safety and compliance for construction and engineering. But this is by no means the end-goal. Instead, 5G will be a catalyst of continuous improvement and innovation, helping to accelerate firms in the construction industry and beyond toward the use cases of tomorrow. Taylor Construction’s 5G implementation: Link: https://youtu.be/l8b-67pHKhE
The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan represents a significant statement of intent, and while we welcome the commitments and ambitions, these will need to be backed up with detailed policy and further investment if the plan is to be fully realised. In the short term, the plan has also raised a few immediate questions and discussion points. The heating industry has been carefully monitoring net-zero policy for some time now, and encouragingly a lot of what the plan covers builds upon established topics. For the new build residential market, this includes the Future Homes Standard, which intends to mandate low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency. When unveiled, the plan highlighted that the Future Homes Standard may be enacted in 2023, sooner than the 2025 deadline originally intended. The 2023 date was subsequently removed from official supporting documents, although it is expected that the ambition is still to bring this forward, subject to further industry consultation. It is worth noting that the 2023 date should not be confused with existing buildings policy and gas boilers will not be “ripped out” of existing homes as claimed in some recent media coverage. There are still of course the planned interim changes to Approved Documents L & F of the Building Regulations which could be enacted next year, in turn bringing SAP 10 into play. We can expect to learn more about these developments following the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) consultation response, which is due imminently. For existing homes, the plan reaffirms how a mix of technologies, including heat pumps and hydrogen, will be needed for mass decarbonisation of the UK’s current housing stock. Baxi Heating welcomes this commitment to hydrogen, including a target of 5GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030. The plan details how several trial projects dealing with hydrogen use in homes will be supported to this end, starting with a hydrogen neighbourhood, and scaling up to a hydrogen town with tens of thousands of properties by end of the decade. The plan further details an ambitious target to grow the heat pump market to 600,000 installations per year by 2028. Baxi Heating recognises that this will require significant support schemes over and above those existing today in order to achieve this. It should also be acknowledged that as it is likely the 600,000 target will comprise predominantly new-build and off-gas grid homes, which leaves open the choice as to whether to pursue hydrogen, electric or a mixture of both for those properties reliant upon natural gas today. Time will tell exactly what this future mix of technology could look like. Other commitments worth noting, include a one-year extension to the Green Homes Grant Scheme, which could become a success with some revisions around eligible measures and removing any barriers preventing uptake. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is also extended to 2026 giving a route for eligible households to access energy efficiency upgrades. In terms of what is next, there are several important publications expected in the near future, which should help to further shape how the UK will set out to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. For the heating industry in particular, this includes the imminent Energy Whitepaper, BEIS Heat and Buildings Strategy and a UK Hydrogen Strategy. Baxi Heating is committed to supporting the Government on this journey, and will continue to monitor developments with interest. With a number of ongoing projects in relation to hydrogen trials and investment, as well as our own company pledge to be carbon neutral in all our operations by 2030, and a commitment to ensure every product we make from 2025 will work with low carbon energy, Baxi Heating is committed to delivering low carbon solutions to homes and businesses. For more information please visit www.baxiheating.co.uk/sustainability
Verdion has been chosen by bicycle manufacturer Derby Cycle as the developer for its new 32,230 sq m headquarters and plant which will expand the company’s presence in northern Germany. The new facility will be funded and developed under a venture between Verdion and Canadian pension fund Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). It will be located on a 63,000 sq m plot in the Ecopark Emstek industrial estate and open its doors in 2022, offering state-of-the-art production facilities as well as an inspiring work environment with open offices and working spaces. Another highlight will be the new Kalkhoff brand world, where Germany’s leading e-bike brand will showcase new models directly at the factory with advice, test drives on a dedicated test track on site and information about the brand and history. The new building will provide 26,500 sq m of production and storage, 5,730 sq.m. of office and communal accommodation and 510 parking spaces. Verdion is targeting a DGNB Gold sustainability certification for the building on completion. It will link to Derby Cycle’s existing 25,000 sq.m. logistics facility on the adjacent plot, which Verdion completed in 2015. Work has recently started on site. André Banschus, Executive Director of Verdion, adds: “Even before COVID-19, bicycle manufacturers were looking for more ways to respond to demand. The global sustainability movement has accelerated green city infrastructure projects and sales have significantly increased in recent years. “We are pleased to be delivering a second project for Derby Cycle, not only demonstrating our development expertise in complex manufacturing, but working closely with our partners to put in place the funding and lease structures needed to help Derby Cycle exploit this opportunity for growth.” Ecopark Emstek is located directly on the A1 motorway linking the Baltic Sea to the French border near Saarbrücken via several North Sea ports as well as the Rhine Ruhr metropolitan area. The municipality of Emstek borders Cloppenburg, the county capital with over 35,000 inhabitants. It is located 60 kilometres south-west of the Hanseatic city of Bremen. Verdion and HOOPP regularly partner on the financing, development and management of specialist logistics and production facilities across Europe, with a portfolio of over €1.2 billion GAV created over the last seven years. On completion of the building, Verdion will continue to work with Derby Cycle as HOOPP’s asset manager. List Bau is the general contractor, Phase 5 the project architect.
Islington Council has appointed Diamond Build PLC to construct 24 new council homes on the Harvist Estate in Holloway, near Arsenal’s football stadium. The £10m project will see Diamond Build PLC construct a mix of one and two-bedroom flats as well as two, three and four-bedroom houses. The properties will be located on Citizen Road, which will also be reconfigured as part of the work. The site, which is situated between a Victorian railway viaduct and existing housing, presents a number of challenges for the contractor. Before construction can begin, Japanese knotweed will need to be removed and measures put in place to minimise disruption for nearby residents. The team will also need to liaise closely with National Rail to agree logistics and timings for certain aspects of the work such as craning. As a specialist contractor for large public sector projects, Diamond Build PLC has a long-standing relationship with Islington Council and has recently completed the refurbishment of offices located at 49 -59 Old Street on behalf of the London Borough of Islington. Paul Hoskins, Managing Director of Diamond Build PLC, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Islington Council on another major development and to be playing a key role in delivering new homes for local people. “This is a logistically challenging scheme located in the heart of a housing estate. Our team has extensive experience of operating in occupied sites, so will be working closely with the council to minimise the impact of any construction work on surrounding residents.” Fiona Monkman, Design Team Leader at Islington Council, added: “This contract follows the success of Diamond Build’s work at Old Street and its proven track record of working in challenging sites. “Over the last 10 years, the team has demonstrated that it has the specialist skills and experience to deliver a wide range of public sector projects and we’re looking forward to working with them to bring forward much needed new homes.” Diamond Build PLC is scheduled to start on site in November 2020 and complete the development in 2022. The project team includes Bailey Garner, Calford Seaden, Ingletonwood and Conisbee.