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Kenneth Booth

Castleforge move into Hotel Investment with appointment of Marriott’s Matt Lederer

Kenneth Booth August 24, 2020

PROPERTY investment firm Castleforge Partners announced its entrance into the hospitality sector today (20th August) with the major new hire of Matt Lederer from Marriott International. Lederer joins Castleforge as the company’s Hotels Acquisitions Director, broadening the firm’s portfolio from investment in residential and office property to hotels. With Castleforge

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FORMER B&Q BOSS INVESTS IN SQUARE DRILL START-UP

Kenneth Booth August 24, 2020

Jim Hodkinson, former CEO of B&Q, has become a major investor and the first Chairman of London-based start-up Genius IP, maker of Quadsaw, the world’s first drill for square holes.  Hodkinson’s appointment follows the completion of the company’s latest ‘Angel’ funding round, which increases the multi-million pound investments in the

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Empowering our older generation to create their own future

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

Comment by Paula Broadbent, retirement solutions director at ENGIE. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Abraham Lincoln I have always found this quote inspirational, and it has particularly influenced my personal ambition to provide better choices for older people in the UK. LIFEstyle by

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LATEST CONSTRUCTION SECTOR FORECAST OFFERS REASON TO BE CHEERFUL

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

With the country on the receiving end of unrelenting bad news since the Coronavirus began to wreak global havoc in March, reports that the construction industry has seen a sharp upturn in business provides a much welcome shard of positivity. As reported in online trade magazine, Construction Enquirer, the index

Read More »

WHERE DOES THE BUILDING SAFETY BILL LEAVE PRODUCT TESTING?

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

The UK government has recently published a draft landmark bill which is designed to improve residents’ safety in their homes. The Building Safety Bill, which marks one of the biggest changes to building safety in 40 years, will introduce a new era of accountability, making it clear where the responsibility

Read More »

REVOLUTIONARY HOME STAGING APP LAUNCHED BY LEMON AND LIME INTERIORS

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

INDUSTRY-LEADING home staging company Lemon and Lime Interiors has announced the launch of its brand-new app – Stageflow – which offers estate agents, property developers and home stagers the ability to evidence the benefits and return on investment when using a home staging service.  The real-time data and reporting platform provides users

Read More »

3 Things to Consider When Buying Equipment for Your Business

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

Whether you’re working on large scale construction projects or a smaller project on the side, you want to be sure you’re buying the best equipment for your work. From air compressors and pumps to lifts and trailers, it’s important to know exactly what you need and exactly what you’ll be

Read More »

Best Metals for the Construction Industry

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

Architectures, designers, general contractors and builders need different types of metals in construction projects. To choose the best metal, they consider efficiency, maintenance and durability of metals for their projects. Metals offer striking beauty, versatility and clean looks than other materials. For a construction project, you have to consider economic

Read More »

Can you lead the charge for change in the world of construction?

Kenneth Booth August 20, 2020

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is today calling on students with a passion for innovation and disruption to help lead the charge for change in the construction sector. CSIC is looking to galvanise forward-thinking attitudes by launching its Built Environment Innovation MSc Fund 2020-21, calling on prospective students who want

Read More »

TRANSFORMATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PLANS APPROVED IN WEST SUFFOLK

Kenneth Booth August 20, 2020

PLANNING permission has been granted for a revolutionary multi-million-pound ‘public service development’ at Western Way, Bury St Edmunds – designed to unite public services with enterprising space. The 17-acre development will provide a nationally ground-breaking way to deliver integrated public services for its communities, as part of a network of

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Latest Issue
Issue 344 : Sep 2026

Kenneth Booth

Castleforge move into Hotel Investment with appointment of Marriott’s Matt Lederer

Kenneth Booth August 24, 2020

PROPERTY investment firm Castleforge Partners announced its entrance into the hospitality sector today (20th August) with the major new hire of Matt Lederer from Marriott International. Lederer joins Castleforge as the company’s Hotels Acquisitions Director, broadening the firm’s portfolio from investment in residential and office property to hotels. With Castleforge looking to invest in the hospitality sector in the next year, Lederer will form a key part of Castleforge’s decision making team on hotel acquisition across the UK and Europe. Lederer joins from Marriott International, the world’s biggest hotel operator, where he was UK Development Director responsible for the growth of the company’s select service brands including Moxy, Residence Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott. With 14 years of industry experience, including stints at commercial real estate firm JLL, Lederer brings with him an excellent hotel real estate network which he will draw on at Castleforge to evaluate the market and finalise deals. The firm has invested approximately £1 billion throughout the UK and Europe since its formation in 2010 and has gained a reputation for investing in cities outside London, including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield. Matt Lederer, Hotels Acquisitions Director at Castleforge Partners commented: “I was really impressed by the vision the Castleforge team have for investment into the hospitality sector.” “The company takes a long-term strategic view, and they can see that the hotel industry will rebound from its current setback.  The appetite for leisure travel, in particular, is already growing again and fast. Working together with Castleforge’s diligent research team, I look forward to some really exciting projects across the UK and Europe as we begin to invest significantly in the sector.” Brandon Hollihan, Founding Partner of Castleforge Partners said: “We are thrilled to have Matt join us. We are focusing on a sector we believe will become increasingly attractive, guided by an expert in the field who shares our values. Matt is the perfect person to help our firm execute this strategy and grow our expertise.”

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FORMER B&Q BOSS INVESTS IN SQUARE DRILL START-UP

Kenneth Booth August 24, 2020

Jim Hodkinson, former CEO of B&Q, has become a major investor and the first Chairman of London-based start-up Genius IP, maker of Quadsaw, the world’s first drill for square holes.  Hodkinson’s appointment follows the completion of the company’s latest ‘Angel’ funding round, which increases the multi-million pound investments in the start-up. The latest seven-figure round was helped by the UK government’s enhanced EIS scheme, which has encouraged individuals to invest funds at a level that was previously only reserved for Venture Capital firms. Manufactured in the UK, Quadsaw is a seamless attachment to a power drill that uses patented technology to convert rotary motion into linear motion in four planes at once, enabling users to cut square holes with minimal dust and absolute precision. Almost all construction projects require square holes for electrical sockets and other boxes but electricians currently create them with pencils, rulers and other tools that are not specifically designed for the task, which can be time consuming and inaccurate. Quadsaw solves this problem by enabling square holes to be cut in seconds rather than minutes, saving the construction industry millions of hours of labour annually. The appointment of Hodkinson as Chairman further strengthens the company as it aims to expand production globally.  Hodkinson will utilise his extensive business experience and international network to help accelerate this expansion. As well as his roles at B&Q and Kingfisher he was previously CEO of fashion chain New Look and Chairman of Wyevale Garden Centres. He is currently Chairman of Furniture Village.  Hodkinson said: “Quadsaw is the most exciting new product to arrive on the tools market for many years and it has the potential to be used worldwide. Wherever a square hole is needed Quadsaw will be there and I’m looking forward to helping the company achieve this global expansion.” Ean Brown, CEO of Genius IP, said: “We are delighted to have someone with Jim’s knowledge and experience to help steer the ship as we enter international waters. While 2020 started with sales momentum, when COVID-19 hit, the company was hurt much like most businesses in the world. But we used the time to recruit new engineers, invest in infrastructure for growth, including a design update of the Quadsaw and a bigger production facility. “We are glad to say that we’re now ready to meet global demand and the new design will be able to cut sockets to electrical standards in different markets that were not possible before.”  The new design enables the user more flexibility to change the position of the blades to account for different-sized square and rectangular holes. As such, the Quadsaw will be sold around the world, including in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Middle East, Italy, Brazil, Israel and more.

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Empowering our older generation to create their own future

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

Comment by Paula Broadbent, retirement solutions director at ENGIE. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Abraham Lincoln I have always found this quote inspirational, and it has particularly influenced my personal ambition to provide better choices for older people in the UK. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which launched in 2018, is a result of this ambition. It allows customers to have more control over their environment and their own futures in later life. To empower people, is to engage with them – so at LIFEstyle we have invested heavily in research and development through two-way communication. Our best advisors and advocates are our customers, and we have given people over 55, a voice right from the start of the LIFEstyle vision. We aim to ensure we understand what people aspire to in later life, and what the challenges are that they face – this is essential to creating a future that meets expectation, as well as need.  When Spring of 2020 brought unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a major impact was felt across the world; creating fear, dismay and devastation for many, especially the older generation. Our LIFEstyle customers have not been immune to the ravaging effects, however, the sense of community, safe environment and individualised support available on our development has made the world of difference. This along with carefully designed lifelong homes offering indoor and outdoor independent space has helped people to remain safe and independent. I am very proud of our business model, LIFEstyle is weathering the pandemic – a storm no one could predict. We’re lucky to be working with a model that has proved successful in some of the toughest conditions the UK has faced for generations. However, we are not sitting on our laurels as we review the lessons learnt by scientists in relation to the spread of the virus. We’re constantly looking to identify preventative measures that we can build into our products and services in readiness for a spike or repeat of such a pandemic. The demand for our first LIFEstyle development in Walton Wakefield has increased two-fold since the lockdown eased and customer comments give a clear indication the approach at LIFEstyle by ENGIE is the right way forward. This is only strengthened by our commitment to delivering zero carbon communities. Climate change is the pandemic we will not be able to develop a vaccine for, but we can slow it down and prevent it. The implications of doing nothing are far reaching and the devastation will not discriminate. My ambition is to build on the success of LIFEstyle, to create community based zero carbon solutions that decarbonise the environment and decentralise services. The impact of us doing something about climate change will be massive for future generations and can empower us all to create our own future. As a senior leader within ENGIE, I make no apologies for being ambitious in my drive to deliver a business model that will change the horizon for future generations of older people in the UK. I aim to drive a way forward for a healthy future, for an environment that allows older generations to have aspirations in later life and a vision to support people to age well and live well, whilst protecting our planet. We will connect communities, health, housing and social care across all tenure groups. I am proud to work for a business with a clear mission, to place the planet and its population at the heart of its thinking when it comes to creating place, shaping and delivering infrastructure and services, to meet the need for a sustainable future. And I remain determined, to give the older generation a voice through education and engagement with younger creators, to ensure they are rightfully empowered to create their own futures.  LIFEstyle by ENGIE is not simply about building suitable, lifelong homes to address short term aspirational needs of people over 55 or about providing a lovely home in a great location. LIFEstyle by ENGIE made a commitment to customers to provide long term sustainability and enable customers to influence, shape and control their own future; a future focused on remaining independent and well for longer. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, allows people to future proof their lives and not just their home – promoting better long-term outcomes in later life. A home is not simply about an energy efficient building in the right location, it’s the support network of friends, family and interaction within the community that all contribute towards creating the perfect lifelong home. We understand this, and are committed to creating communities that focus on essential infrastructure like; location, accessibility to essential services, efficient green energy infrastructure, digital network and community facilities. We want to enable people to engage with others in meaningful activities, bringing all generations closer together. The community hub is a key feature of all our LIFEstyle developments, along with cost effective pay as you go services and property adaptations when people need them. We ensure affordability of services and facilities which support wellbeing and make this all available on the doorstep. We are also working on innovations to compliment LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which we hope to launch later this year including; Electric Car share, ENGIE Digital Assistant and Modular Lifelong homes. Ultimately, when it comes to happiness at any age, there are three homes we must take care of. Our body, our mind and our planet. At LIFEstyle we ensure our flexible and dynamic offering takes care of all three without compromise.

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LATEST CONSTRUCTION SECTOR FORECAST OFFERS REASON TO BE CHEERFUL

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

With the country on the receiving end of unrelenting bad news since the Coronavirus began to wreak global havoc in March, reports that the construction industry has seen a sharp upturn in business provides a much welcome shard of positivity. As reported in online trade magazine, Construction Enquirer, the index which measures annual business expectations for the building sector climbed to its highest level since February. June figures recorded by the bellwether HIS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Total Activity Index showed 46% of its survey panel anticipated a rise in building trade business, compared to 28.9% in May. Residential work is said to have fuelled the majority of the building resurge, with commercial work and civil engineering activity also helping the return to growth. Tim Moore, Economics Director at IHS Markit, which complies the survey told Construction Enquirer that the building trade’s post-lockdown rebound gave ‘hope’ to other sectors which had suffered as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. “Looking ahead, construction firms are more confident than at any time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. Investment boost In other good news, the government this week announced UK industry would receive around £350m to reduce carbon emissions as part of its overall target for the country to become net-zero by 2050. It’s reported that the construction industry will receive a £26m slice of the funding to support ‘advanced new building techniques’ in order to cut the sector’s build costs and resulting pollution levels. Although the sum being pledged isn’t enormous in the grand scheme of things, it shows the government hasn’t lost sight of its environmental commitment despite the monumental challenge posed by COVID-19. As a company founded by the desire to innovate building products which facilitate healthy, sustainable living and work spaces, we at Baumit welcome this latest financial investment. Crucial phase As our politicians and health experts remind us daily: ‘we are not out of the woods yet’. The following months will be crucial, not only to determining whether we are to suffer a second wave of the virus, but whether the recession is likely to cut as deep as predicted. As with any financial downturn, it will fall to the construction industry to inspire recovery. Initial signs indicate that the sector has once again not been found wanting. Speaking of IHS Markit’s sunnier-looking business forecast, Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, told Construction Enquirer: “Builders were the stars of the UK economy in June.” We couldn’t agree more.

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WHERE DOES THE BUILDING SAFETY BILL LEAVE PRODUCT TESTING?

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

The UK government has recently published a draft landmark bill which is designed to improve residents’ safety in their homes. The Building Safety Bill, which marks one of the biggest changes to building safety in 40 years, will introduce a new era of accountability, making it clear where the responsibility for managing risks lies throughout the design, construction and occupation of buildings. Ambar Kelly welcomes the new set of rules, which will apply to buildings over 18m. Yet are there any loopholes? Whilst the bill provides a framework for accountability and safety, what does it say about risk? The Building Safety Bill gives residents greater agency when it comes to assuring their security. It will enable them to have access to safety information and give them the opportunity to develop safety proposals if they feel their security is being compromised.  As such, the bill will introduce tougher sanctions for building owners who fail to meet their obligations. Central to ensuring the regime is effective will be a powerful new Building Safety Regulator housed within the Health and Safety Executive. It will have responsibility for implementing and enforcing a more stringent regime for higher-risk buildings and will oversee the safety and performance of all buildings. What of product testing? Although the bill is an important framework which will hopefully provide greater accountability and safety when it comes to building design, there are some ambiguities. The first and foremost is in regards to testing. Under clause 92 of the Construction Products section of the draft bill, it highlights: “The bill provides powers so that all construction products marketed in the UK fall under a regulatory regime, allowing them to be withdrawn from the market if they present a risk.” Whilst this is important as it will ensure unfit products are not used on building schemes, there is little to no mention of the testing which is needed to ensure these products fit the bill. How are they going to determine which products are a potential risk? In the public inquiry for the fire which tore its way through King’s Cross underground station in 1987 it was stipulated that going forward, combustible and flammable materials cannot be used on a development. The inquiry came to this conclusion as the cause of the fire was said to be a discarded match which had caught on the wooden escalators that had been in use for over 76 years. We all know that wood is a highly flammable material, so it beggar’s belief how that was deemed appropriate for all those years. But risky materials are continually put into use when it comes to riser shaft design. GRP grating is regularly installed within riser shaft design, as it is a cheap product that is widely accepted as preventing falls from height. Its effectiveness is questionable, however. When installed in a riser’s chimney-style environment, GRP grating with an Iso resin is found to be extremely flammable. It is an oil-based product which readily burns. This makes the BS 476-7 classification unsuitable for its use within a riser shaft. With safety at stake, why is this material used in high-rise construction? Why aren’t Phenolic GRP (identifiable, as it is red/brown in colour) or steel modular riser flooring units used? In my opinion it is because the testing is not rigorous enough. Iso resin GRP grating is said to meet BS 476-7, the regulation relating to the measure of the surface spread of flame, but only in flat sheet form, tested vertically (so grating cannot meet that test). Although Iso resin meets these tests on paper, when installed in its real-time environment the reality is far different. The bill must therefore, place greater emphasis on improving product testing as the current framework contains too many loopholes which compromise safety. Ambar Kelly has undertaken evidence-based, independent fire tests in the environment in which our product, RiserSafe® will be employed. Our tests were carried out in the Building Research Establishment (BRE) fire hall in Watford. It was found that when RiserSafe® is used in combination with a fire compound, two hours of horizontal fire protection is achieved. We can make factory-based load tests of up to 2.5 kN/m2, to ensure that our product works as a barrier to the spread of smoke and flame. It must be said that the draft Building Safety Bill represents a monumental step-change for the construction industry in terms of safety. It will go some way to inciting change for the better. My main concern however, is in terms of product testing, an area which the bill has evaded. Testing is of primal importance to ensure construction products hit the mark on safety. If it isn’t made an essential consideration, where does that leave the industry?

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REVOLUTIONARY HOME STAGING APP LAUNCHED BY LEMON AND LIME INTERIORS

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

INDUSTRY-LEADING home staging company Lemon and Lime Interiors has announced the launch of its brand-new app – Stageflow – which offers estate agents, property developers and home stagers the ability to evidence the benefits and return on investment when using a home staging service.  The real-time data and reporting platform provides users with the ability to log and access home staging insights, enabling them to demonstrate the positive impact home staging has on property sales and ultimately encouraging sellers to use the service to speed up the sales process.  Estate agents, developers and home stagers can use the app to download real-time text and visual reports that are filtered by date, location, property type and sale price – these reports can then be used to inform marketing materials, sent to potential clients and shared on social media.  Elaine Penhaul, owner and director of Lemon and Lime Interiors and creator of Stageflow, said: “There has been a gap in the market for something like this for quite some time now. The benefits of home staging are often incredibly undervalued and without a tool to evidence the fantastic results home staging can achieve, the industry struggles to prove the return on investment of staging a property before sale. “With estate agents, property developers and other home staging companies experiencing the same challenges, we decided to create a data-driven platform to house the statistics and reports needed to show the benefits of staging to potential clientele, while also ensuring that the industry is supported by tangible data recording its success.”  The app offers two levels of subscription, both of which allow an unlimited number of users for each account.  The ‘insights’ subscription package, aimed at estate agents and developers, grants instant access to national property staging statistics and demonstrates the return on investment when using home staging services for just £10 a month. The more advanced ‘professional’ subscription package, designed with home staging businesses in mind and priced at £50 a month, allows access to all the ‘insight’ features, as well as the tools to manage staging projects, access stager level visual reporting and log resource hours and inventory.  The ‘professional’ subscription also provides home stagers with a platform to manage home staging projects digitally, allowing them to create unlimited property records, assign properties to consultants, update each project as it progresses, gain insights about their business along the way and use filters to source the information they need quickly and efficiently. Elaine continued: “Not only does Stageflow enable users to pull reports about the effectiveness of home staging, but it can also act as a project management tool for home staging businesses. By logging projects digitally, stagers can easily monitor the progress of each property and use the platform to maximise output by keeping track of activity within the business.” The app, which is available for use in desktop, tablet or mobile use,will be available to sign up from 10th August. For more information about Stageflow and to sign up for your subscription visit https://stageflow.io/.

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3 Things to Consider When Buying Equipment for Your Business

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

Whether you’re working on large scale construction projects or a smaller project on the side, you want to be sure you’re buying the best equipment for your work. From air compressors and pumps to lifts and trailers, it’s important to know exactly what you need and exactly what you’ll be getting. Some projects might need more specialized equipment, while others may require more tools for the number of hands you’ve got on deck. If you’re still browsing the many warehouses for equipment sales Columbus has to offer, here are a few things to keep in mind. Type of Projects You need to be sure you’re buying the right equipment for your project — if you’re in the business of building massive skyscrapers, you’ll likely need larger construction equipment for demolition, landscaping and laying the foundation. If your work has you in tall hangar bays, you may need to consider purchasing a lift to help your employees get to those hard-to-reach areas in the ceiling. Another thing to keep in mind is how long your projects will be; for those that will take an extended period of time, it’s probably a good idea to invest in larger, more powerful equipment that can withstand the wear. Number of Workers If you want to get the job done, each of your employees will need access to the right equipment at all times. If you’re working with an especially large team, be sure to purchase enough equipment for every worker to fulfill their job without having to wait on someone else to finish using a certain machine. On the other hand, make sure you’re not buying too much equipment for a smaller team. Heavy equipment is an expensive investment, and you don’t want to pay the extra money for tools that likely won’t be used. Specialized Fields Your project could involve all manner of specialized work, and you’ll need the right equipment to get it done — if you’re working with waterways, for example, there’s a very high chance you’ll need water pumps to keep your system moving. You may need to purchase electrical equipment or generators for additional power if you’ll be working in an area with minimal connectivity, or you might need heavy demolition machinery to tear down old buildings before you can get to work. If you’re hauling equipment, materials or debris from one area to another, you need to make sure you’ve got the right transport to get it done. No matter what kind of project you’re working on, having the right equipment is the only sure-fire way to get the task done safety and efficiently. Remember to buy exactly for your business’ needs, and try to stay ahead of potential projects in the future. If you don’t need an air compressor for this job but will for the next one, it may be a good idea to purchase an air compressor now instead of waiting. Lastly, be sure that any equipment you purchase is up to code and completely safe for yourself and any employees to operate.

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Best Metals for the Construction Industry

Kenneth Booth August 21, 2020

Architectures, designers, general contractors and builders need different types of metals in construction projects. To choose the best metal, they consider efficiency, maintenance and durability of metals for their projects. Metals offer striking beauty, versatility and clean looks than other materials. For a construction project, you have to consider economic benefits, versatility and sustainability of metals. Here are some widely used metals in the construction industry. Steel It is widely used and most recycled metal. Steel is frequently used in the construction industry because of its sustainable structure. If you want this metal for your construction project, you have to choose a reliable supplier for the best steel supplies in Melbourne. Steel structures are available at low costs. These may be available in coastal defenses, bridge deck plates, high-rise buildings, educational buildings, low-rise buildings, security fencing, stadiums, office buildings and hospital buildings. Aluminum Nowadays, the use of aluminum is increasing because of its physical properties. It is an ideal material for different construction projects. Aluminum is lightweight and strong. This metal is highly resistant to corrosion. The fluidity of this metal gives freedom to designers and architects. Aluminum is used in walls and ceilings, roof covers, window frames, HVAC systems and to construct bridges and stadiums. Remember, aluminum is malleable and highly conductive. It is resilient to the harsh climate. This metal is frequently used in wire, doors, and windows. Aluminum handles, walling roofs and HVAC ducts are frequently available in the building industry.  Iron Wrought and cast irons are two different products with specific objectives in construction. Cast iron is poured, molded and melted. Wrought iron can be rolled in the final stages of its production. It is used in different architectural projects. Remember, the dome of the United State Capitol is made of cast iron. Wrought iron is easy to rivet to make things, such as rafters, trusses and beams. Copper It is an old metal to add versatility to engineering projects. Copper is a versatile material with amazing physical properties. Remember, copper features strength, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and conductivity. In the construction industry, copper is an excellent metal. It is suitable for cladding, heating systems, gas and oil lines, electrical wiring, roofing, and rainwater systems. With the use of copper, you can add strength and versatility to your building. Copper tubing is available in two types and famous for pipes in constructions. Inflexible copper tubing can be used as cold and hot tap water pipes. Moreover, soft copper is suitable to make refrigerant lines in heat pumps and HVAC systems. Malleable metal and copper ductile is resilient to corrosion for soil and water.   Titanium Titanium is an extra-strength, lightweight metal famous in the construction industry. It is used for cooling and heating system because of its corrosion resistance. Titanium is famous for its use in roofing, security systems and pipes. Remember, plates of titanium offers additional reinforcement. Copper tubing, stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum are all strong, corrosion-resistant and durable metals. These are frequently applied in the building industry. Use of these metals is common in the construction of door frames, staircases and pipes. 

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Can you lead the charge for change in the world of construction?

Kenneth Booth August 20, 2020

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is today calling on students with a passion for innovation and disruption to help lead the charge for change in the construction sector. CSIC is looking to galvanise forward-thinking attitudes by launching its Built Environment Innovation MSc Fund 2020-21, calling on prospective students who want to play a part in tackling climate change, to take the lead on significant technical advancements in the construction world and to be involved in finding that one simple creative idea that can completely transform the way the sector operates.  From the rise of 3D printing, allowing companies to print out entire buildings, to virtual reality software being used in the planning stages of construction, the opportunities for creative and disruptive thinking students are endless and successful innovation enables businesses to punch above their weight. It saves time and money. It breeds new opportunities. And, ultimately, it can give companies a competitive edge when looking to grow. There are up to 20 places, each with £6,530 funding available, to help support candidates who are looking to carve a career and look to change the future of the built environment sector. The grant will encourage new talent into Scotland’s construction landscape and to apply, CSIC is asking that students have an interest in bringing a creative thinking solution to the built environment sector and that they can support and work on a research project during their programme of study that can be applied directly to the industry. Stephen Good, Chief Executive at CSIC, said: “Some of the most important solutions and innovative ideas come from those on the ground. Creating this opportunity for the future innovators of the construction world to develop their ideas is key to changing the sector. This is an exciting opportunity for students to be part of real transformational change together with industry, helping to set a new direction post lockdown as we build back better to create a built environment that works effectively for people, business and our economy. “Construction and the built environment are changing, and the skills needed are wide ranging, including digital, climate change logistics, engineering, design and robotics. The demand for skilled professionals in the industry sector remains high and the opportunities are countless.  The MSc funding offers people a real opportunity to create a career that positively impacts everyone through the physical spaces we inhabit.” Dale Johnstone, who benefited from CSIC’s MSc grant in 2016/17, said: “I would encourage anyone interested in developing their skills and prospects of a career in the built environment sector to apply for the MSc Grant on offer from CSIC. The access to industry experts within the sector was incredible. “I was partnered with the Scottish Borders Council as part of their Engineering and Design department and after the programme secured a full-time role at the Council. This new role allowed me to be a part of several civil engineering projects across the Borders, from the design stage right up to construction. I take great pride in being able to provide projects which have significant benefits to the local community and which continue to improve and shape the world we live in.” Students can apply with an industry partner already in mind or CSIC can help find a partner from the wide network of contacts the Innovation Centre already has. During the programme, students will work closely with their chosen industry partner and have access to a number of skilled mentors, workshops and the chance to connect with experts across the sector. To find out more, visit https://www.cs-ic.org/innovationcentre/future-skills/the-built-environment-innovation-msc-fund/

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TRANSFORMATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PLANS APPROVED IN WEST SUFFOLK

Kenneth Booth August 20, 2020

PLANNING permission has been granted for a revolutionary multi-million-pound ‘public service development’ at Western Way, Bury St Edmunds – designed to unite public services with enterprising space. The 17-acre development will provide a nationally ground-breaking way to deliver integrated public services for its communities, as part of a network of existing and planned ‘hub’ projects in West Suffolk. The development will offer a new, state-of-the-art leisure centre with an integrated health and social care hub, including large amounts of new employment space, council services, police, an advice centre, voluntary organisations, and community and education services, all located within one building, improving public access, service delivery and efficiency. As well as offering opportunities for multiple other partners to join the scheme under the auspices of the government’s One Public Estate programme, the project will repurpose a 10,000m2, 1960s depot building as part of its sustainability objectives, including significant infrastructure improvements and while further work will take place on a green travel plan with the emphasis being on reducing car travel. The plans were approved by West Suffolk Council at a committee meeting last week. A full range of services will be undertaken by built environment consultancy Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration, which works exclusively on Scape Group’s Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework – including architecture, building service, structural and civil engineering, quantity surveying, sustainability including BREEAM, BIM, highways engineering, interior design, and health and safety. Paul Darlow, regional lead for East Anglia at Perfect Circle, who is also regional director at Pick Everard, said: “We are really pleased to receive planning permission for the redevelopment of Western Way. This is set to be a significant project for the region and will form part of the long-term vision to create jobs and attract investment to the area.” The team has been working on the project since 2016, following their work on the original masterplan and delivery of phase one, West Suffolk House, in 2009; producing master planning options, project costs and supporting the business case, which were presented in 2019. Over this period, the team has been providing a large range of services to deliver this second phase, including architecture, building services, structural and civil engineering, quantity surveying, sustainability including BREEAM, BIM, highways engineering, interior design, landscape and health and safety. Victoria Brambini, managing director at Perfect Circle, said: “This latest step in the Western Way development has been a long time in the making, following several years of hard work alongside the council to bring this ambitious concept together and create detailed plans for the public service development.” Councillor John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “We are pleased that another important step has been taken along the way to deliver another ground-breaking initiative in West Suffolk. Not only will people be able to access health, leisure, education and public services on one site, but it shows that working together across the public sector in new ways can bring greater benefits to health and wellbeing. We are now looking forward to working with our partners to consider the next stages of delivering this long-term and exciting project, which if anything, recent events have shown is even more needed than ever”. Councillor Jo Rayner, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and community hubs, said: “Western Way is part of the way public sector partners in Suffolk are working across traditional boundaries to improve outcomes for our communities. Mildenhall Hub is another such project nearing completion which brings services together in one place so people can benefit from a more holistic approach to their needs, such as having complementary facilities and expert advice, such as health and leisure, together in one place.” Perfect Circle, comprising Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM, was appointed for the scheme via Scape Group’s National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework, which provides the broadest range of consultancy services available to be public sector. For more information about Perfect Circle, visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk.

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