Using one or more of the following tips can make it much easier to get rid of bed bugs and other pests, and there are many reasons for doing so. Let’s take a look at them and find out how they can work for you. Getting rid of these pests
Developer Salboy and its contracting arm Domis, have started construction of a new 500 home urban village on the edge of Manchester. The £120million development is on a swoop of land bounded by the River Irwell that was once the site of Manchester Racecourse and more latterly the University of
Manchester-based Hollins Homes is celebrating after presenting the keys to its 100th purchaser, following continued business growth and an increased demand for homes due to the stamp duty holiday. House builder Hollins Homes builds with traditional values and a common sense approach and since it was formed in 2015, it
IMI Truflo Marine – a world-leading manufacturer of critical flow control solutions – has today revealed plans to create a multi-million-pound centre of engineering excellence in the West Midlands. A state-of-the-art manufacturing and design facility will be developed at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) in a deal with Barberry Industrial. IMI
FOLLOWING a highly successful period of growth, national framework provider Pagabo has announced a number of additions to its team, including the appointment of Charley Wainwright as its ‘The Future of Construction Lead’. The role has been created to lead on the organisation’s The Future of Construction initiative, which aims
As local authorities come under increasing scrutiny around how they invest their pension funds, some innovative financiers in the renewables sector are developing ground-breaking solutions. The trick is to meet the needs of investors and customers who want access to green energy: pension funds need stable returns, minimal risks and,
A video showing the robot at work and interviews with the people behind the innovation is available here: https://youtu.be/xruGsFPV4Gw HS2 today unveiled the use of an innovative onboard robot that will improve safety and efficiency on the high speed rail project’s first two giant tunnelling machines, set to launch early
Building hoardings are a non-permanent form of signage commonly seen around construction sites. These panels are typically made of metal or wood and are put into place to keep the public and site workers safe. This façade also shields unsightly construction work from sight, with pleasant graphics available to keep
Grounded in the UN’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development, the WorldGBC’s Health & Wellbeing Framework drives healthy and equitable buildings in harmony with nature After a multi-year global consultation, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) launches the Health & Wellbeing Framework — a comprehensive educational tool for a healthy and
LEADING independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has unveiled its new-look head office following an extensive refurbishment led by its recently established in-house interior design team. The firm has restated its commitment to its Leicester city centre location with this extensive refurbishment to its Halford House office, updating the
Using one or more of the following tips can make it much easier to get rid of bed bugs and other pests, and there are many reasons for doing so. Let’s take a look at them and find out how they can work for you. Getting rid of these pests doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. One of the top 5 DIY pest control methods is using an organic approach. You need to make sure you do everything correctly and use the right type of product to get the job done properly. If you don’t want to invest a lot of money in these products then it’s worth looking at some online resources to see what else is available. Natural pest control The other option that you have is to use a natural pest control method. There is a wide range of home remedies that are very effective at killing bugs and keeping them from breeding and causing problems in your home. Some of the most effective include: There are also several natural ingredients that you can include in your kitchen to ensure that you don’t have to deal with the problems associated with using pest control methods. One of the most popular ingredients for bug extermination is lemon juice. If you have an infestation of mosquitoes or cockroaches, then, applying a squeeze of lemon onto the affected area or a jar of yogurt is often enough to kill the bugs without having to resort to any chemicals. If you need further information on any of the top 5 DIY pest control methods, then you can find plenty of information about these methods on the Internet. You must find one that suits your particular needs so that you can ensure that you don’t have to make any long term or expensive mistakes when using them. Use of Baits & Sprays The most popular pest control method in terms of home and property issues is using baits or sprays that are designed to target the bugs and stop them from breeding. You can find a wide range of different types of baits and sprays from reputable sources, including online retailers. 2. Sealing cracks and crevices Another one of the top 5 DIY pest control methods is simply sealing cracks and crevices where bugs have previously been able to travel freely to lay their eggs. This can help stop the bugs from laying their eggs in your home or property and will also ensure that they don’t come back. You must seal up all possible entrances to the home as they will eventually spread through your property. 3. Use of Mesh Use a screwdriver to stuff in copper mesh into various gaps. This will help to keep the pests away Use of acrylic latex caulk You can also fill various cracks with acrylic latex caulk. Always keep a dry napkin to clean extra caulks. 4. Spider solution Use a dehumidifier in your basement. Maintain the temperature at 40 percent. Clean the cobwebs regularly. The spiders will decrease significantly in a week Several other pest control methods involve using chemicals and pesticides. Although it is best to avoid these products if you can, they can certainly help to stop the spread of a problem. As you can see, there are several different pest control methods used by various Pest removal companies out there. Depending on the problem that you have, there are several different ways that you can treat it. Hopefully, this article has helped you to identify which of the top 5 DIY pest control methods will work best for you. With the various pest control methods available on the market, you need to make sure that you research the ones that are right for your particular situation before making a final decision. The more time that you spend researching the options available, the easier it will be to select the correct one for your needs. One of the most popular DIY pest control methods is using chemicals and pesticides on a small scale, to kill pests. If you do use chemicals and pesticides on a large scale, then you need to make sure that you follow the instructions for using the product completely and that you keep away from any products that may be harmful to you and your family and pets. You also need to research the different pest control methods available before deciding on the method that is right for your needs. For example, there are pest control products that are effective at killing cockroaches, but not so good at killing mosquitoes. So take a look at the product reviews and ensure that you find one that will get the job done properly. You can also hire a pest control services to get rid of pests smoothly and safely.
Developer Salboy and its contracting arm Domis, have started construction of a new 500 home urban village on the edge of Manchester. The £120million development is on a swoop of land bounded by the River Irwell that was once the site of Manchester Racecourse and more latterly the University of Salford student village. It is a legacy development for Salboy co-founder Fred Done, who worked at the Racecourse in its heyday and who went on to found BetFred, the most successful independent bookmakers in the UK. Designed by Calderpeel Architects the contemporary housing will be arranged in neighbourly courtyards with a central village green providing more than three acres of landscaped open space for residents including toddler and junior play areas. The emphasis will be on walking and cycling rather than cars with Manchester city centre a 15-minute bike ride away and easily accessed by public transport. The first phase of development will bring 157 family homes, offering 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms with prices starting from £199,500. The Government’s Help to Buy scheme is available to help people make the step into home ownership and the first homes are scheduled to be complete by next spring. Simon Ismail, who co-founded Salboy with Fred, said: “This is a location with huge personal history to us both and we want to create a very special place to live. “It will be a place for people who work in the city but want a home to own with more space to enjoy and nature on the doorstep. “It is exciting to be releasing the first homes for sale and being able to share the vision of Castle Irwell and for people to be able to be part of the next stage of its history.” Castle Irwell sits just 15 minutes from Manchester city centre on the edge of Kersal Vale Country Park and wetlands offering nature within reach of the city. The site’s only remaining building – the locally listed Turnstile Building on Cromwell Road – is being restored and converted to create a spacious marketing suite and buyers will be allocated personal appointments to view the site plan and many different house options while learning more about the history of the site. The first reservations are now being taken with 20 properties reserved within the first week of the on-line launch. Simon added: “Few people realise that there is the natural diversity and wildlife of the urban wetlands and the woods of Kersal Vale so close to the economic centres of Salford and Manchester. “Castle Irwell will be a contemporary new village, well designed, high quality housing where as much thought has been given to the surroundings and how people want to live now as the house design, with flexible space inside and lots of green space outside. “This type of housing so close to the city centre will allow young professionals to move out a little bit and put down roots and start a family in lovely surroundings without having to compromise with a massive commute.” More details: https://salboy.co.uk/development/castle-irwell-homes/
Manchester-based Hollins Homes is celebrating after presenting the keys to its 100th purchaser, following continued business growth and an increased demand for homes due to the stamp duty holiday. House builder Hollins Homes builds with traditional values and a common sense approach and since it was formed in 2015, it has delivered 100 homes across four developments in Lancashire and Shropshire. The company, and its land and planning focused sister company, Hollins Strategic Land, works closely with chartered landscape architect and environmental planner, Influence, and credits the firm for enabling its success with its specialist expertise on planning applications, planning appeals and landscape and visuals matters. With Hollins Homes now active on three further sites across the North West of England , and further schemes in the pipeline for 2021 and beyond, it is planning to expand its site teams with at least two new hires per site going forward. The 100th completion took place on its Whitchurch development – ‘The Orchards’ – in Shropshire and was the final home to sell on the 50-home scheme. From the outset, Hollins Homes has been bold in its approach and successful in offering a quality product for home owners. Its first scheme in 2015 was in Fulwood, Lancashire, and at 24 homes was a significant development for a new house builder. Based on King Street in Manchester, Hollins Homes has an active pipeline of schemes and ambitious delivery targets of 55 homes delivered by April 2021, 100 in April 2022 and 150 by April 2023. Managing director Mark Chadwick, said: “Reaching this milestone is a real joy and testament to the whole team’s dedication to crafting quality homes, that are centred around our customers and the surrounding environment. “When we started Hollins Homes just five years ago, it was very much based on a desire to create homes that buyers were proud of, and our focus on personalisation of properties to the customer and carefully creating welcoming new communities is what has enabled the company to thrive. “Myself and the team are proud of what we have achieved and to hand over our 100th home to a delighted customer was wonderful. “We have a number of exciting developments in various stages across the country and it has been great to engage with the team at Influence on these projects. We have worked with them from the outset and its landscape and planning expertise and sound counsel are invaluable to us, and they are a key partner of Hollins Homes. “We are looking forward to the next chapter; delivering desirable and well-placed homes and welcoming new members to our team.” Hollins Homes has experienced good sales throughout but has seen numbers rise due to the additional desire to move during the current stamp duty holiday. The company now has active developments in Shropshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire and is continuing to assess new modern methods of construction, to deliver homes more efficiently and sustainably. Managing director of landscape architecture firm Influence, Sara Boland, said: “Hollins Homes has quickly become a leader in creating sought-after homes and what it has achieved in five years is impressive. “Our work for Hollins Strategic Land and Hollins Homes is an all-round service and encompasses the full suite of our services; from outline planning applications, landscape and visual matters, planning appeals through to discharging the landscape reserve matters and conditions. “In particular, the projects in Lancashire have cemented the wider relationship between us and Hollins Strategic Land, as we originally acted to support the planning applications – which ultimately led to the success on the detail of the schemes. “Our work complements that of Hollins Homes and enables it to deliver good levels of public open space, new wildlife corridors and good connectivity that enhances the communities they create. We are pleased to be on this journey with Hollins Homes and to be working together on projects for years to come.” Influence operate across the UK from offices in London and Nottinghamshire and provide specialist landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness services.
IMI Truflo Marine – a world-leading manufacturer of critical flow control solutions – has today revealed plans to create a multi-million-pound centre of engineering excellence in the West Midlands. A state-of-the-art manufacturing and design facility will be developed at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) in a deal with Barberry Industrial. IMI Truflo Marine will relocate to the manufacturing hub in Witton from its existing facility nearby. It has agreed a 15-year lease on the new headquarters. The move not only safeguards the jobs of its existing skilled workforce but creates new employment opportunities. IMI Truflo Marine is part of IMI Critical Engineering – a world-leading provider of critical flow control solutions that enable vital energy and process industries to operate safely, cleanly, reliably and more efficiently. Managing director Steve Robins said: “This new facility is a major commitment to the sector and will provide a world class capability for our global customers. It will also greatly enhance the work environment and experience for our employees. It was important to us that we found a solution that was right for the business but also our employees who are critical to our growth plans. “We are very pleased with the location and have huge confidence in Barberry and their ability to deliver. We have a long history in the region and we look forward to building on that history in this new and exciting facility.” Barberry Industrial, a West Midlands-based property investor and developer, has been selected to purchase the site from Birmingham City Council and Homes England to deliver a 57,000 sq ft state-of-the-art headquarters building. Barberry Industrial development director and shareholder Jon Robinson said: “This is fantastic news for Birmingham and the Advanced Manufacturing Hub and represents another excellent piece of business between IMI Truflo Marine, Birmingham City Council, the HCA and Barberry. “IMI has a long and successful history in the city and the skills and talents of local people has helped the company develop and grow into a global business employing circa 11,000 people. IMI Truflo Marine was keen to cement its future here in Birmingham’s manufacturing hub and we’re delighted to have concluded a deal which will allow us to create a global centre of engineering excellence on our Grade A site located off Junction 6 of the M6.” He added: “The new headquarters we are developing on their behalf will be a state-of-the-art facility which will match their global ambitions and align with the expectations of their customers around the world.” An application for detailed planning consent has been approved by Birmingham City Council. Construction could start on site before the end of the year, with practical completion expected in Q3 2021. Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, commented: “IMI is a Birmingham institution, so we’re absolutely delighted to welcome the company to the Advanced Manufacturing Hub. This investment is a significant vote of confidence in Birmingham’s economic recovery and means jobs and investment at a time when they are sorely needed. “The Advanced Manufacturing Hub continues to be a huge success story, with major occupiers already creating over 1,500 jobs and now, together with IMI and Barberry, we’re building on that success.” Will Arnold, Cushman & Wakefield “We have been delighted to act on behalf of IMI Truflo Marine and it has been a pleasure to transact with Barberry who have been integral in bringing the IMI Truflo Marine vision to life. We are very much looking forward to seeing the completed Global Centre of Excellence next year.” Last year, Barberry developed a 65,000 sq ft unit at the AMH for occupier Mayflex, which agreed a 10-year lease on the unit. It has been a busy year for Barberry. It recently announced it is developing a £40 million state-of-the-art aerospace manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in aerospace engine and flight controls systems in Gloucestershire. The 184,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment will be built on a 10-acre site at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury. It is believed to be one of the biggest deals of the year in the manufacturing sector. Barberry has a 3.3 million sq ft industrial/logistics development portfolio with a Gross Development Value of more than £398 million. In June, Barberry announced a £40 million state-of-the-art aerospace manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in aerospace engine and flight controls systems will be developed in Gloucestershire. The 184,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment will be built at Tewkesbury. As part of IMI plc, IMI Critical Engineering operates a global service network, with manufacturing facilities in 16 countries. It employs over 3,000 talented professionals across a range of disciplines. These include over 300 engineers, 150 project managers and over 200 dedicated aftermarket specialists – all committed to providing excellent service to our customers.
FOLLOWING a highly successful period of growth, national framework provider Pagabo has announced a number of additions to its team, including the appointment of Charley Wainwright as its ‘The Future of Construction Lead’. The role has been created to lead on the organisation’s The Future of Construction initiative, which aims to shape the future of the construction sector through industry-wide collaboration. It will see former geo-environmental engineer Charley – who has spent ten years working for Ramboll, WSP and JNP Group – focusing on new ways of working, and how to implement them for the betterment of the whole sector. Charley is an expert in implementing environmental solutions that benefit a range of stakeholders, as well as driving wellbeing change within the workplace, which are just two of the areas that The Future of Construction initiative aims to drive positive change in. He said: “I’m thrilled to have joined Pagabo at a really exciting time for the business. It has been great to see that the rest of the team share my passion for finding better ways of doing things within construction – both from an environmental and wellbeing perspective. “Everything the team has been working on – particularly since the launch of the Future of Construction initiative earlier this year – is completely aligned with my passions and experiences. For example, the work being done with Moodbeam in regard to tackling the stigma and issues around mental wellbeing within construction is an area that I am very excited to be working closely on moving forwards. “Another area we’ll be examining is how we can adapt and bring industry qualifications to make them future-ready. We know that a great deal of technology is changing how things are done within construction, and as such the necessary skills required across the board are also changing. “I am determined to spearhead collaborative working among industry leaders in the hope of creating a better, more cooperative future for our industry. I think the industry is heading to some great places, but the only way we will truly drive permanent positive change is through industry-wide effort, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and making a real difference.” Also joining the Pagabo ranks is Sam Schofield, who joins in a new position as procurement administrator and will be responsible for the day-to-day support of all Pagabo’s frameworks and the daily operations of the business. Originally from an accounting background, Sam holds an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) level 3 qualification, as well as previous experience working in B2B sales within the e-commerce industry. Sam said: “I’m really pleased to have joined Pagabo as I applied for the procurement administrator vacancy as soon as it became available. It’s testament to the great work the business is doing that it’s enjoying a successful period of growth, even with everything that’s happening with COVID. I’m really looking forward to challenging myself in a new area and working with and getting to know their clients.” Simon Toplass, chief executive officer at Pagabo, said: “With the rapid changes going on in the world in terms of technology-driven practices and changing attitudes to work-life balance, it’s really important that our industry keeps up. The workforce of tomorrow needs to see construction not just as a job, but an enticing career option, which is why we embarked on The Future of Construction initiative and created Charley’s new role. “Creating a better future for the construction industry is at the heart of everything that we do and with his vast experience, we’re confident that Charley and Sam will help us make the necessary connections across the sector to lead the way on the changes needed to make the future of construction happen now.” Charley and Sam are joined by two new members of Pagabo’s marketing team. Rachel Jessop has joined as the company’s marketing assistant, and Charlotte Andrews, a University of Hull student, will be undertaking her placement year, continuing the organisation’s close relationship with the university. For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/
As local authorities come under increasing scrutiny around how they invest their pension funds, some innovative financiers in the renewables sector are developing ground-breaking solutions. The trick is to meet the needs of investors and customers who want access to green energy: pension funds need stable returns, minimal risks and, ideally, investments that stand up to scrutiny against ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards. Meanwhile, customers want access to cheaper renewable energy, but they might not have the funds available to purchase the equipment. One innovative asset-backed deal appears to have neatly ticked all these boxes. Engenera Renewables Group has established a bond programme that provides it with the funds to install a wide range of renewable technology projects at no outlay to the customer and which provides long-term (c 25 years) stable cash flows as the investment return. Working directly with an experienced renewable business, Convexity Capital Partners, the arranger of the £100 million Engenera Green Bonds notes programme, issued by Engenera Green Bonds Plc, has already signed up local authority pension funds as investors and is in due diligence with several more. Launched in late 2019 to little fanfare, the first series of bonds were issued from the programme in November 2019. The initial series of bonds offer investors a 5-year senior secured, asset-backed bond, which is listed on Euronext Dublin (GEM) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, paying 7.00% interest. Proceeds from the initial series (and future series) will allow renewable energy specialist Engenera Renewables Group to install a range of renewable technologies, with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic and renewable heat, to its customers, which are typically companies and public sector bodies with a lot of roof or ground space. Proceeds from Engenera’s bond programme can be used to install rooftop solar panels free-of-charge for clients who then enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA), which typically lasts for 20-25 years. The costs of the electricity under the PPA is usually around 20-25% less than charged by the incumbent energy provider, but importantly it includes the cost of the equipment, the installation and the maintenance during the term of the PPA. At the end of the PPA, the ownership of the equipment is transferred to the customer. Since solar panels can last for up to 40 years, this could give clients a further two decades of nearly free energy. Engenera is an established operator. Since 2017, it has completed nearly 200 installations. Having initially started out by selling, installing and maintaining systems for its customers, Engenera diversified its offer to include projects installed under PPAs with the backing of a small number of investors. Engenera’s bond programme now enables the company to fund projects itself, and this has increased the number of installations it is able to achieve while also speeding up the decision-making process. The key benefits for customers are that the generated electricity is often 25%-30% cheaper and that it comes from a sustainable source – enabling the customer to cut its carbon emissions. This is achieved at no capital outlay to the customer since the funding for the project is provided by the proceeds from Engenera’s bond programme. There is a growing momentum towards companies seeking to manage their carbon footprints. A recent survey carried out by Professional Engineering, in association with Engenera Renewables Group, found that 38% of businesses are looking to reduce their carbon footprints within the next year, while 36% are targeting reductions in the next three years. Engenera’s bond programme provides the capital that enable the company to offer the no capital outlay solution to its customers. Bondholders receive a 7.00% fixed rate of interest on their bonds with the cash to pay the coupon coming from the PPA cashflows that Engenera puts in place with its customers. Furthermore, the deal is asset-backed to include with underlying PPAs. Therefore, once all proceeds have been successfully deployed, investors’ security is a pool of long term, index-linked cash flows. Once the full £100m has been issued and successfully deployed, Engenera expects that the portfolio will contain as many as 400 PPAs diversified by size, demographics and sectors. Over time as the bond programme establishes itself, Engenera intends to establish a number of portfolios, each dedicated to a specific sector. The purpose of this is that each portfolio could be sold to a long-term investor willing to hold them for the duration of the long-term PPAs. The initial series of notes have a 5 year-term, which means that at maturity (or before) the projects funded by the bond proceeds will have a further c. 20 years of inflation-linked cash-flows remaining. Based on current demand for long-term, stable cash flows from long-term investors, Engenera believes that these cash flows will be attractive to investors and a key source of refinancing. Engenera’s bond programme ticks a lot of boxes from an ESG standpoint. But it also has an additional attraction, specific to local authorities; Engenera is also willing to agree that the proceeds of any specific investment be spent within the boundaries of that local authority, meaning that businesses and public sector entities in their immediate area will benefit directly. Therefore, if a local authority’s pension fund invests an amount of £5 million in the programme, that investment will be used to fund free rooftop solar installations in that local authority area. The investor might designate public buildings such as libraries, leisure centres and council buildings for installation and/or stipulate the scheme be offered to private businesses. This means the benefits of an investment for a local authority can be fourfold: in addition to the 7.00% return, it can make an investment in renewable energy, boosting its ESG credentials, utilise local labour through Engenera’s installation network, and provide cheaper energy for local businesses and public bodies. Engenera’s funding solution for green energy is an important development and innovation. While a number of large renewable energy companies can self-fund large installations, this is believed to be the first time a company has raised money specifically to self-fund installations
A video showing the robot at work and interviews with the people behind the innovation is available here: https://youtu.be/xruGsFPV4Gw HS2 today unveiled the use of an innovative onboard robot that will improve safety and efficiency on the high speed rail project’s first two giant tunnelling machines, set to launch early next year. Pioneered by HS2’s main works contractor, Align, the Krokodyl robot is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and will be installed in the two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will be used to bore the 10 mile (16km) long Chiltern tunnels. The Krokodyl robot, working in a similar manner to the robotic arms used in a car factory production line, will carry out simple repetitive tasks – removing wooden spacers between tunnel segments and inserting connection dowels – that people would normally do. Each of the segments weighs up to eight tonnes and are delivered to the TBM with wooden spacers between them which are generally removed by hand. By fully automating this process, the Krokodyl removes the need for people to work in this potentially hazardous area and helps with the installation of the 112,000 tunnel segments. The tunnel segments are erected – as the TBM moves forward – in order to form a structural water tight ring designed to support the ground loads. A second feature of the robot, known as the Dobydo, then places the dowels into position ready for the segment to be slotted into place. Again, by automating this process, the robot reduces risk to people and improve safety and efficiency. The Align joint venture – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – built on their experience of delivering major tunnelling project across the world to develop the Krokodyl. Eddie Woods, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Tunnelling said: “Safety is a key priority for HS2 and the introduction of these innovations that essentially remove personnel from harm’s way, is an excellent example of the sort of initiatives we are pleased to see implemented on the project. It is one of the ways that ‘safe at heart’ can be achieved by minimising exposure in high risk locations.” Didier Jacques, Align’s Underground Construction Director said: “Safety is a key value that is shared by everyone working on HS2, including the client, Align itself and our supply chain partners. A lot of work has been undertaken by all concerned that has enabled us to develop and introduce this robot, thereby reducing the risk to our personnel, operating in our state of the art TBMs. We are very proud of these innovations which we would be happy to share with tunnelling teams working on other projects across the world, to help reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries.” The two 2,000 tonne TBMs – named ‘Florence’ and ‘Cecilia’ – are due to be launched early next year from a site close to the M25. Both 170m long machines are specifically designed for the mix of chalk and flint they will encounter under the Chilterns. Operating a pioneering ‘continuous boring’ technique, they are expected to take around 3 years to excavate the 9.1m metre diameter tunnels which will be lined with a concrete ring made of seven separate segments as they go. The TBMs will convert the spoil into slurry which will be pumped back to the Align main site where it will be treated before being used for landscaping on-site, removing the need for additional HGVs on local roads.
Building hoardings are a non-permanent form of signage commonly seen around construction sites. These panels are typically made of metal or wood and are put into place to keep the public and site workers safe. This façade also shields unsightly construction work from sight, with pleasant graphics available to keep disruption of the local ambience to a minimum. As well as being a mandatory feature to meet health and safety regulations, there are an array of benefits of using building hoardings. There’s a ton of creative ways to take this compulsory site feature and use it to your advantage. However you choose to implement building wraps, they come with an equally high amount of positive features. Here, we’ll take a look at the top 5 benefits of using building hoardings. Project Security Construction sites are a common target for opportunistic thieves. Packed with expensive tools and equipment, unsecure sites are sitting ducks to burglary. In fact, a survey has found that 92% of sites have been affected by petty crime in one way or another, with 21% of construction sites falling victim to theft on a weekly basis. Correctly implemented building hoardings are known to lower the likelihood of your site joining the statistics. For contractors, deterring intruders is a necessity. Installing site hoardings around the perimeter of your works keeps it hidden away and adds an extra layer of security. Regulations state that you must secure the outside of your construction site prior to works commencing. Building hoardings are arguable the most effective way of creating a solid barrier to keep unauthorised persons out of the site, creating a checkpoint where ID’s can be checked, and site managers can keep tabs on who is on site. Safety First Not only do hoardings help to protect your equipment, they also protect the public. Construction sites can be dangerous places, particularly if you’re not wearing protective gear. From falling objects to on-site vehicles, there are a number of safety hazards which could pose a risk to the general public. Building hoardings create a protective barrier which separates the site from the street. Acting as a visible barrier, these durable panels can be made as tall as necessary. While the minimum height is around 2 metres, in places of heavy public footfall, higher panels may be favoured. Similarly, the magnitude and design of hoardings make it very clear that public access is prohibited. This ensures that nobody can just stumble upon the building site as the area is very clearly defined. Advertisement And Marketing Not only great for protection and safety, building site hoarding opens up a whole world of advertising opportunities. Simply put, they provide a blank canvas to broadcast your message to a captive audience. Particularly if the site is located in a busy central area, adding marketing messages to your hoarding can capture more eyes on a daily basis than other forms of advertising. Leaving your hoardings blank is a real missed opportunity. This is prime advertising space located perfectly to embed your brand identity into the public’s minds. What’s more, hoardings are legally obliged to be there. This is a superb way to increase your customer base and revenue all while your building is being built. It’s a no brainer. Graphics can typically be made to bespoke specifications, allowing you to get as creative as you like. This puts the power in your hands when it comes to how your brand is perceived by the public. Site hoardings are an effective way of reinforcing your brand identity and visual marketing strategy, with the ability to utilise company colours, typeface etc in your design. Drumming Up Public Interest And Engagement It’s not uncommon that building projects in highly populated areas come under some scrutiny. For many locals, having building works on their doorstep is nothing more than an eye sore. Gathering intrigue and utilising this space to promote local interest is a sure-fire way of extending an olive branch. There are many ways to achieve this desired result with graphic building hoardings. A concern of many locals may be that the project will be detrimental to the area. While you may want to keep the finer points of your new building under wraps, giving a sneak peak with a graphic depiction of what they can expect the space to look like on completion can set minds at ease and create a talking point for locals. Similarly, engagement can be promoted by encouraging local figures to get involved with the hoarding design. Whether that’s through broadcasting some symbols and logos of familiarity, or getting local contributors involved in the design, creating a non-homogenised, inclusive solution is sure to stoke the flames of public interest. This is easily achieved with building hoardings. Keeps Your Design Under Wraps Site hoarding is also incredibly beneficial as it keeps a bit of mystique around your project prior to completion. You may not want your design to be revealed until it’s ready or prefer that the public didn’t see a half-finished version of your vision. Building hoarding is a cost-effective way to prevent your design becoming exposed while heightening the overall privacy of the works as they go on. And who doesn’t love a grand reveal? With quality site hoarding in place, the design won’t be seen until it’s been perfected. This also limits outside pressures and prying eyes, allowing the work to go on uninterrupted. As hoardings are a temporary measure, they’re easy to remove once the project is complete. There are many reasons that you may only want to send your project out into the world when it’s in all its glory, and site hoarding allows you to work incognito until it’s ready for reveal. Also, by choosing a quality hoarding graphic, your work can seamlessly blend in with its surroundings, allowing the construction stage to be as unassuming as possible. In summary, building hoardings are the best way to improve the safety, security, and overall aesthetics of your temporary works. These
Grounded in the UN’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development, the WorldGBC’s Health & Wellbeing Framework drives healthy and equitable buildings in harmony with nature After a multi-year global consultation, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) launches the Health & Wellbeing Framework — a comprehensive educational tool for a healthy and equitable built environment. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing the link between the built environment and human health into focus, the Framework’s six principles span indoor air quality, human rights in the supply chain, climate change resilience and more. The Framework launches today in a global, online summit and regional launches take place through November: MENA — 5 November Asia Pacific — 10 November Africa launch — 17 November Americas — 24 November Europe — 26 November Convening expertise across the built environment, health and human rights, the Framework is published as an executive report and live digital tool. An innovation of this work is a cross-sectoral analysis across the entire building and construction lifestyle — redefining the scope of health for all people and their buildings, cities and communities. First look: BBC Storyworks Documentary Series — Building A Better Future The 4 November event is hosted by Simon Shelley, Global Director of Programmes Partnerships, BBC Global News. During the event, he will also presents teaser footage from the upcoming sustainable buildings documentary series, Building A Better Future, to be released on 11 November. Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) “Grounded in the UN’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development, our bold, new Framework redefines the scope of health and wellbeing in the built environment. In the past, we only considered the health and wellbeing of the occupiers — or ‘end users’ — of buildings. But this is only part of the picture. We must consider the impacts across the entire value chain. Today, our network of Green Building Councils, businesses and collaborators come together to drive this change. Truly sustainable buildings work for everyone, everywhere.” Kellie Ballew, Vice President, Global Sustainability, Shaw Industries Group, Inc. “The spaces where people live, learn, heal, work, and create have a significant impact on wellbeing. That’s why we’re focused on designing products for people and the planet — to create a Smarter Impact. We are honoured to be part of the WorldGBC’s Health & Wellbeing Framework that underscores the growing global demand to put people at the heart of sustainable buildings and provides international guidelines for developing Better Places for People.” John Morrison, Chief Executive, Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) “The buildings and shelters we develop exist at their fundamental level to provide protection, comfort, and consistency for us. Understanding how environments that offer protection can also impact our human health and wellbeing is something we don’t fully understand. UL is proud to have helped develop the WorldGBC Health & Wellbeing Framework, which can now be utilised as international guidelines for healthy, sustainable built environments for multiple sectors across the world.” Josh Jacobs, Director of Environmental Codes & Standards, UL “The buildings and shelters we develop exist at their fundamental level to provide protection, comfort, and consistency for us. Understanding how environments that offer protection can also impact our human health and wellbeing is something we don’t fully understand. UL is proud to have helped develop the WorldGBC Health & Wellbeing Framework, which can now be utilised as international guidelines for healthy, sustainable built environments for multiple sectors across the world.” Read the Framework on WorldGBC’s website.
LEADING independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has unveiled its new-look head office following an extensive refurbishment led by its recently established in-house interior design team. The firm has restated its commitment to its Leicester city centre location with this extensive refurbishment to its Halford House office, updating the interior of a building it had originally designed in the 1950s. Through the use of careful space planning, the refurbishment has transformed Halford House into an engaging open-plan office environment, which now accommodates a range of new and agile working spaces, including formal working areas, an executive space, collaborative and informal meeting zones, breakout areas, presentation space and a number of attractive meeting rooms. Bespoke furniture designs offer unique solutions for fixed seating, privacy screens and storage for users. Associate Anna Bly heads up Pick Everard’s in-house interior design team, which between them have more than 20 years’ experience in commercial interior design. The creative team works closely with clients to ensures that their designs truly deliver what is needed. In the case of office design, this means making sure that the new space personifies the brand, reflects its core values, enriches company culture and drives performance in the organisation – all in an attractive manner that fosters positive wellbeing for users. Anna said: “Halford House is definitely a project that has been close to our hearts. It’s been a really interesting process, consulting with a focus group through a series of engagement meetings and workshops that examined our firm’s culture, space and processes in great detail. This helped form a bespoke workplace strategy that fed into the creation of the design brief – which was ultimately to create an interior that reflects how we work, our brand and our future vision, as well as being a welcoming environment for staff and guests alike.” Through remodelling the existing space, the design team have been able to introduce more light, an improved air quality system, along with a rationalised desk layout and larger, more accessible amenities for the multi-storey building. Feature lighting, a well-considered ceiling design and careful coordination with the in-house M&E services team has helped to achieve exposed services throughout the design, which serve to create an industrial and raw aesthetic. Anna continued: “A timeless neutral colour and materials palette has been maintained throughout the whole design concept, with colour being introduced through furniture and planting. These elements of biophilic design, combined with a contemporary planting scheme and enhanced natural lighting schemes all work towards promoting positive wellbeing for all users. “Working on our own space meant that we have been able to showcase the best of our services, incorporating bespoke joinery, lighting and metalwork combine with the clean studio design to create the modern finish. We have also introduced the new breakout spaces and a large, open tea point area, which make the space easier to use. This encourages spontaneous collaboration – something that’s really important in a multi-disciplinary practice – as well as social integration within the teams.” David Shaw, national design director at Pick Everard, said: “We are so happy to be revealing our new look head office thanks to excellent work from the integrated team behind the design and delivery. The design and aesthetic created by the team will serve to really boost staff wellbeing and promote collaboration across our teams. “As a multi-disciplinary practice, we are able to carry out a full range of services for clients, but the interior design experts we have in-house allow us to add a huge amount of value to architecture and design projects over the last year. Anna, Cristina, David and Larissa bring a huge wealth of interiors knowledge to Pick Everard, strengthening our overall design offering as a business. “Of course, COVID-19 did come to the foreground during the delivery of the refurbishment of Halford House, but everyone involved worked with expert professionalism to ensure that safety and social distancing measures were put in place on-site and clear communication continued between all parties to ensure that work could be safely delivered.” Duncan Green, managing partner at Pick Everard, said: “Everyone involved with the refurbishment of our Leicester office has been carrying out incredible work, especially with having COVID-19 and a localised lockdown in Leicester to contend with during delivery. The interior design team have not left a single thing in our new space without consideration and have created an attractive aesthetic that is both beautiful and practical.” Pick Everard employs more than 500 staff across its 13 offices, providing a range of project, cost and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk