After a long, hard day at work, all we want to do is unwind and kick back with a cold one, and man caves are the perfect place for that. There, you can have your friends over, play some games, and simply relax and enjoy. If your basement happens to
One of the most popular trends in interior design involves mixing different styles, especially when it comes to more traditional and modern design. Obviously, there are many ways to achieve this look and approaches to take. In that respect, you can go for a more eclectic vibe, vintage-inspired or even
The key to maintaining a healthy drainage system can be put into one word only – prevention. A draining system problem should be addressed before it’s noticeable to anyone but the plumber working on the pipes. This approach isn’t only a better way to go when it comes to making
Keeping your living room clean and organized is not just about the aesthetics. After all, it’s a room where you entertain most of your guests, where your family can bond, and where you’re most likely to spend a larger part of your day. With all that in mind, you want
People like to say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And you know what – they couldn’t be more right. No matter whether you want to have a social hub for your family, strive to increase the market value of your property or simply enjoy cooking, the
Even though moving to a new home can be an exciting experience, it doesn’t come without it’s stresses and hassles, especially when there are children involved. Whether it’s just a few blocks or to a whole new city, moving can be an overwhelming endeavor that can take a toll on
Modern technology reshapes every industry it comes in contact with, even the most traditional ones, such as real estate. When talking about the real estate industry, the first things that come to mind are newspaper ads, billboards and real estate agents who go door to door showing their clients all
As growth stagnated around the world in the latter part of this decade, India was often the country bucking the trend. With projected growth of 8% per year from 2016, the belief was that India would go from strength to strength, improving exponentially as its competitors hit the wall. Yet
Regeneration specialist Brookgate, regional contractor R G Carter and fund Aviva Investors today marked the start of construction at 30 Station Road with a commencement ceremony on site. On completion in July 2021, the building will be home to a leading global tech occupier to further reinforce CB1 as Cambridge’s
FIS is proud to announce that we have secured £14K funding for the delivery of the new Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship in collaboration with a host of industry partners. This flagship project has been a culmination of three years of work resulting in the development of a Level 2 Apprenticeship.
After a long, hard day at work, all we want to do is unwind and kick back with a cold one, and man caves are the perfect place for that. There, you can have your friends over, play some games, and simply relax and enjoy. If your basement happens to be under-utilized as it’s usually the case, it’s high time you gave it a purpose. Not really sure where to start? Take a look at our guide for designing the coolest man cave, step by step. Prepare the floors Preparing your floors is the first step towards setting up your man cave. Because basements are prone to moisture, you need to make sure to waterproof your floors before you lay laminate, tiles, or some other type of flooring onto your basement floors. The right underlayment will act as a moisture barrier for the basement and will slightly level the flooring and reduce the transmission of noise. You might want to consider having your basement floors carpeted, especially if you’re turning it into a home theater or a recording studio. The carpet will absorb the sound and, unlike the uncarpeted floors, won’t distort the sound. Seal and waterproof your walls and ceiling Your basement walls are another part of your future man cave that needs to be sealed and waterproofed, especially if there are cracks in the wall. This will help prevent water from seeping into the basement and eventually flooding it. Also, check the pipes that are running through the ceiling to ensure they’re not leaking. It’s recommended that you insulate the pipes as well as make sure the wiring is in good condition. You can use paint to hide all the plumbing pipes and wires and make them blend with the surroundings, or you can finish your basement ceiling by installing drop ceilings or drywall on your ceiling. Choose a theme After everything’s all set, you can move onto choosing the theme for your man cave. This is the part everybody loves because it allows them to express their creativity and design a room that reflects their interests. If you’re someone who’s interested in sports, displaying various sports memorabilia such as basketball jerseys is a great way to showcase your passion. Similarly, if you’re a passionate gamer and can play video games for hours on end, a big screen TV and your favorite consoles will turn your basement into a game zone. Choose a theme that captures your personality, and equip it with everything that will cater to your needs. Go with comfortable furnishings When it comes to choosing the furnishings for your basement man cave, the first thing to look for is the seating. This will be the place where you can hang with your buddies, watch movies, play games, and unwind after a long day of work. That means the furniture you select needs to be comfortable but also able to accommodate all of your guests. Depending on your man cave budget, you can go all out and invest in big, comfortable sofas and armchairs that appeal to the aesthetic of the room. On the other hand, you can head to a reclamation yard and use various online platforms to browse for some more affordable options. Make it fun When it comes to incorporating various sources of entertainment into your basement man cave design, the list of options is endless. A built-in bar fully equipped with bar stools and a refrigeration cabinet is a perfect way to create a cool hangout spot, while a central game table can easily become the star of the show in your man cave. A surround system will ensure the perfect atmosphere for entertaining your guests, while a dartboard and a pinball machine will just add to the vibe. Make it bright Most basements don’t have windows, and if they do, they’re usually small and don’t provide enough natural light, making the basement look dingy and drab. Also, they’re often equipped with insufficient artificial lighting because of their primary purpose as storage rooms. That’s why it’s important to introduce multiple sources of lighting – rely on the skills of a licensed electrician to install multiple lighting sockets and illuminate your man cave. Use LED bulbs for your ceiling or pendant lights, and include a floor lamp as well as sconces for accent lighting. Transforming your basement into a man cave does take some time, but think about it this way – you’ll spend the money anyway, so why not spend it on something you’ll actually enjoy? This guide will help you transform a humdrum to the ultimate getaway space for recharging batteries. So, roll up your sleeves, figure out what you want your man cave to look like, and start building!
One of the most popular trends in interior design involves mixing different styles, especially when it comes to more traditional and modern design. Obviously, there are many ways to achieve this look and approaches to take. In that respect, you can go for a more eclectic vibe, vintage-inspired or even shabby chic or minimal. The options are endless and it all depends on your personal taste and preferences. But if you need proper ideas to get you started or inspire you, keep on reading. Match the colors and materials A very popular way of mixing modern and traditional involves matching these different styles by color or material. Essentially, if you have an upholstered sofa, for instance, featuring rich and colourful patterns, you want to look into décor details, such as vases, curtains, rugs and/or cushions that feature at least one identical shade. Furthermore, you can also match the wooden or metal part of that sofa construction to a coffee table or a bookshelf made of the same material. Go with complete contrast Another interesting solution for mixing traditional and modern is on the completely opposite end of the spectrum compared to the previous one. Namely, you can disregard the matching aspect 100% and go with the absolute contrast instead. This particular way of mixing modern and traditional may seem easier at first but keep in mind that it can actually be rather tricky. After all, your goal here is to really focus on complete contrast, which means that the elements you introduce into your apartment should differ from one another greatly. This is the practice that will make the contrasting tactic ultimately successful. Don’t go overboard with furniture When you’re mixing different design styles in your apartment, and especially when you’re dealing with two rather different designs, it’s crucial that you stop yourself from filling up the space with furniture too much. A cluttered apartment without a functional layout will only look like a mess, especially with the mix of different styles. For instance, you can focus on mid century furniture, which is rather effective in its design in regards to matchups with other styles, and then introduce features and accent pieces of something more vintage-inspired through details, textures and décor. Play with accessories In case you find furniture combinations too overwhelming right from the start, the best way to go when mixing modern and traditional is concerned is to use accessories to the fullest. In that sense, you have even more creative freedom to achieve the look you want in your apartment. Curtains, cushions, rugs, tablecloths, throws, vases, bowls, figurines, picture frames, plant pots and so on are all interesting details that can effectively add a touch of personality and spruce up the vibe of your personal environment. Don’t forget about your walls Walls can be really important and sometimes even crucial for an effective and stylish mix of modern and traditional in one’s home. For starters, you can use your walls as the biggest feature of one particular design. Let’s say that you mostly have modern furniture pieces in your apartment; you can embellish your walls with traditional wallpaper patterns or darker, gothic-inspired paintwork to introduce a new style into your interior. In the same way, your elaborate, vintage-like furniture design would look even greater when surrounded by more minimal, modern wall paint in white or neutral shades. Obviously, you can always plan and visualize how you want your apartment to look beforehand and then continue with work accordingly. On the other hand, if you’re not one for planning, proceed with the design mix as you see fit, but always make it a point to take a step back, leave the area and then return to get the right feel of how everything looks. That way, you’ll know whether you should make some changes or not.
The key to maintaining a healthy drainage system can be put into one word only – prevention. A draining system problem should be addressed before it’s noticeable to anyone but the plumber working on the pipes. This approach isn’t only a better way to go when it comes to making sure your draining system works, it’s also a less costly one. Most of the maintenance work can be done by the homeowner, but it’s best to hire a plumber to help you out every once in a while, at least in the form of guidance. Installing drain guards Drain guards are small plastic or sometimes even metal instruments that are attached to drains to reduce the amount of waste that goes through them. It won’t eliminate the need for cleaning the drains but it will make it less frequent. These could be purchased at most plumbing equipment stores and you could install and replace them on your own. Have in mind that there are items that shouldn’t be washed down the drain even with a guard. These include cooking fat and coffee grounds. Drain cleaners It’s also useful to use drain cleaners every now and then. They can be used when you notice that the drains are clogged or just as a precaution, regardless of the state of the drains. The cleaners are poured down the drains and left to do their job. It’s important to choose the cleaners with special attention to their impact both on the environment and your own health. Healthy and natural cleaners will usually be more costly, but it’s a cost that you should bear as a homeowner since there’s no price you can put on your family’s safety. Inspections Large problems with the drains are usually not noticeable right away. They become an issue only when there’s a leak or a clogging problem. It’s best to hire experts from Super Drains, for example, to inspect your drainage system on a regular basis. This isn’t that costly, especially if they don’t find any major issue that would require a repair. If there are repairs to be paid they will be much less costly if they are caught early on. These inspections are best done seasonally since the pipes might be affected by the changes in weather. Water pressure One of the ways to pay attention to your pipes is to be mindful of the water pressure. Slow water pressure could be a problem with the water distribution system itself and then there’s nothing you can do about it. However, if the pressure is low only in your home or parts of it, then it means that it’s a drainage issue. The drains are blocked and that’s what’s causing the problems with the water flowing through them. There are instruments for measuring water pressure if you want to invest in one, but if the problem is noticeable without them, it means it’s time to address it. Sewer systems The homes that are attached to the sewer system have an additional set of pipes to worry about. This is mostly the case with remote and older homes and it will require additional care when it comes to the drains. It’s usually the roots and sprouts that cause problems with the sever system since they can lift the pipes of the ground or even grow right through them and make them burst. It will simply take patience to review these pipes and notice when there’s a leak or a large root near one. A drainage system is an important part of your property and it needs to be treated with care. This will save you a lot of time on repairs as well as quite a bit of money in the long run. For the most part, the goal is to notice the problem with the pipes before it becomes too expensive to fix. It’s useful to have a professional plumber on your side for this task. They will mostly review the state of the pipes and suggest when it’s time for large and more costly repairs.
Keeping your living room clean and organized is not just about the aesthetics. After all, it’s a room where you entertain most of your guests, where your family can bond, and where you’re most likely to spend a larger part of your day. With all that in mind, you want everybody to feel comfortable in it, and for that to happen, it has to be clean, functional, and easy on the eyes. So, to help you keep your living room organized and tidy, here are a few tips you should follow. Keep things off the flat surfaces Papers, magazines, remotes, pens, and other smaller items can easily make your flat surfaces messy. So, make sure everything in your home has its designated spot when not in use – and make it a habit to return everything to its spot when you’re done using it. So, for your papers and magazines, you should have files or magazine holders, and for your pens, you should add some pen holders or even mugs. You can easily find storage solutions that can serve as decoration as well, and it’s also something you can be creative with if you like DIY projects. Think about multifunctional items Speaking of having a designated spot for all your items, to have that, you need to actually have enough free spots. So, when choosing your furniture, opt for pieces that double as storage. For example, your coffee table should have some storage underneath for things like remotes, coasters, and other things you need around the table. You can also find armchairs and sofas with hidden storage underneath in case your living room is a bit smaller and you could use that extra space. Use the vertical space Another way to make use of all the available space is to install some vertical storage. This way, you would not be wasting any space, and you wouldn’t have to overcrowd the horizontal space with storage solutions either. Whether you use the top shelves for decorations, books, or plants, it’s bound to come in handy. Make it brighter and fresher Darker spaces naturally look less clean, so in order for your home to look cleaner, make sure it is well lit. Open your windows to let in as much natural light as you can, and layer your light sources so no corner is left in the dark. Additionally, if you happen to be a smoker, or if your guests often smoke in your living room, consider getting one of the quality air purifiers for smoke. By getting one, you’d remove any smoke particles from the air, and the room would actually feel much cleaner too. Plus, this kind of purifier can be especially useful in winter when it’s simply too cold to open the windows, so it really is a must. Add a wastebasket The living room is not where people usually have a trashcan. However, if you happen to have kids who like to snack in front of the TV, if there are paper scraps around for one reason or another, or if you have pets in the living room that can sometimes make a mess, consider adding a wastebasket. Moreover, you can find wastebaskets in different styles, so you can always pick one that looks modern and would not break the aesthetic flow of your living room. Tidy up in the morning Organization is a lot about your living room layout, but it’s also about your personal habits. If you are not used to cleaning your living room, no matter how much storage you have, the clutter will inevitably accumulate. So, make it a habit to spend 10-15 min every morning just cleaning up a bit, putting things where they should be, and maybe putting away those glasses that you forgot on the table last night. It’s a great way to avoid creating a mess, and it can be a great mood booster as well. Your living room is where you, your family, and your friends will probably spend most of your time together, so you really want it to leave a good impression. After all, your home is a representation of you, so you should keep it clean and organized. To do that, follow the listed suggestions, and you should never again have any trouble with clutter or dust.
People like to say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And you know what – they couldn’t be more right. No matter whether you want to have a social hub for your family, strive to increase the market value of your property or simply enjoy cooking, the kitchen is the room where your attention should be. Interestingly enough, all of the causes we’ve covered above could greatly benefit from a slight touch of affluence. Let us then take a look at practical ways to make your kitchen look more expensive that should be on the top of your next remodeling to-do list. Introduce marble elements In terms of interior design, marble stands for elegance and exclusivity. As you can probably guess, its price reflects these qualities. But there is a silver lining. If you want to make your kitchen look expensive, you don’t need to replace all the countertops with this material. Instead, you can just as well use pre-cut marble tiles to highlight some of the surfaces (countertop, walls or floors) and produce almost the same effect. The material works well with different color schemes. Let the matte loose If marble represents an expensive material that should be used sparingly, there is no good reason why you shouldn’t let loose and drown elements in dark matte colors. What are you going to get with this effort? Well, dark matte surfaces feature a certain streamlined look, heft and masculinity that lend them a modern, almost industrial look. This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a much more pleasing visual solution than the cheap-looking glossy surfaces you had before. Work on the details We are talking about all the small items you usually don’t give too much thought to but have a tremendous impact on the overall vibe of a room. If you, for example, replace your door handles with some stylish pieces, you will be able to underline the look you are pursuing, make the doors look far more expensive and even draw attention away from some minor imperfections. Layer the lighting This small intervention requires relatively little effort and produces extraordinary results. Instead of your tired, flat look, you will split your fixtures in two groups – dim, ambiance lighting that gives the kitchen a very moody vibe, and task lighting that draws attention on your countertops, isles, tables and display pieces. If you go one step further and use visually pleasing fixtures like Edison bulbs and pendant lighting, you will only make the setting more exciting and opulent. Bring in the mirrors Mirrors are probably not the first thing that crosses your mind when you imagine an average kitchen, but we are not dealing with the average here. Much like in any other room, kitchen mirrors will visually expand the space and reflect natural light, making the room brighter and lending the room a touch of a modern, streamlined look. Adding them to unexpected surfaces like cabinet doors and the backsplash will go beyond this simple, utilitarian purpose and turn the whole idea into a bold design statement. Play with patterns If repainting the walls is the easiest way to make some room look fresh, introducing different patterns lends the space a great deal of personality and makes it more lavish. If you are willing to try out this option, covering sections of the walls with patterned tiles definitely makes the most maintenance-conscious option. Still, you should not rule out accenting your efforts with a couple of bold and cleverly-placed wallpapers. Shock and awe with unexpected vignettes This is, by far, the oddest design choice on this list, but also the one that will probably create the strongest visual impression. So, who says that your countertop can’t serve as a perfectly good spot to showcase a massive bust of some historical figure? Or that you can’t fill one of your shelves with vintage 1950s radios? Kitchen walls are just as good for displaying modern art like any other. The less obvious your choices are, the stronger impression you will make. We hope these seven suggestions of how you can make your kitchen look far more expensive than it is in a fun and exciting manner without spending excessive amounts of money give you some ideas. Of course, you can also use the tips we presented to develop some ideas of your own. Just roll up your sleeves and give your kitchen that long-overdue makeover. No matter what your motifs may be, even you will be stunned with the results.
Even though moving to a new home can be an exciting experience, it doesn’t come without it’s stresses and hassles, especially when there are children involved. Whether it’s just a few blocks or to a whole new city, moving can be an overwhelming endeavor that can take a toll on the whole family. Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do before, during and after the move to lessen your children’s worries and ensure the moving process goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some guidelines for making your upcoming move simple and stress-free: Prepare your children in advance Moving can be a drastic change in your child’s life; not only will their room and living environment change completely, but the neighbourhood they’ve gotten used to and the friends they see every day are suddenly replaced by new ones. While it’s best to make sure your children are out of the way when the boxes and furniture is being moved, to ensure their safety, you should talk to them about the moving process, so they are aware of what’s going on. Tell them that their furniture and their favourite items aren’t going away forever, but that they are simply being stored away temporarily so that they can enjoy them in their new home. When you talk to your children and keep them in the loop, they’ll manage the moving process much more easily. Pack your items as early as possible The earlier you start packing, the less chaos and unexpected setbacks you will have to deal with as the moving day approaches. Start packing several weeks in advance, so that you only have a couple of quick and simple tasks to complete the night before the move. In order to avoid a radical change in your home that might affect your children negatively, pack up your least used rooms first, such as spare bedrooms, home offices and other rooms where children rarely spend time in, and always leave your children’s rooms until the very end, to make the move as comfortable as possible for them. Choose the best moving option Even though hiring a full-service moving company seems like a good idea, it might be best to opt for Budget truck rental when you’re moving house with children. This will give you more freedom to move at your own pace, since you won’t be constricted to a tight schedule and you won’t have to depend on other people. Not only will you be able to organize the move according to the needs of your family when you decide to rent a truck, but you might even save some money on moving and transport costs. What’s more, you will get the opportunity to turn the moving process into a fun bonding activity you can do as a family, helping your children feel more positively about the experience. Create a detailed moving day schedule To avoid the turmoil and confusion that often comes with moving and ensure a smooth and stress-free moving day, get organized and construct a detailed schedule, as well as a to-do list. If you can, start planning the move at least two or three months in advance. Make lists of everything you need to do, then divide those tasks up so that the list gets shorter every week. Even though there will always be some last minute changes and unexpected setbacks, having a detailed plan will help you tackle them more quickly and efficiently. Including your children in this plan is also a good idea, as it keeps them in the loop and helps them feel actively involved in the moving process. Get settled into your new home Get your kids’ rooms situated as quickly as you can by unpacking their boxes as soon as you arrive in your new home and making the space as familiar as possible with their favorite bedding and stuffed toys. It would be a good idea to include your children in the unpacking process to keep them occupied and help ease your own workload. Once you’re settled in, feel free to play lots of games, such as tag or hide and seek, which will encourage your children to explore their new home. As they deal with the stresses of moving, you might expect some tears and tantrums, which is why it’s always best to create a safe space for them where they can talk about their feelings. Lastly, give both your children and yourself plenty of time and space to settle in. Moving house can be a drastic change, and it can take a while for life to feel normal again.
Modern technology reshapes every industry it comes in contact with, even the most traditional ones, such as real estate. When talking about the real estate industry, the first things that come to mind are newspaper ads, billboards and real estate agents who go door to door showing their clients all sorts of properties. Although the real estate industry has retained most of its traditional ways of doing business, the industry itself is very much affected by modern technology. After all, technology is the logical step further and the industry would have a lot to lose by avoiding to embrace technological innovations. However, adopting new technologies is always a challenge at first because such innovations tend to be disruptive. Nevertheless, the real estate industry seems to be getting along just fine now that technology is front and center within the business. With that in mind, here are a few ways how modern technology is impacting the real estate industry. Virtual reality A technological innovation that’s been around for some time but only recently became available for commercial use, virtual reality (VR) has made a lot of headlines. Even though primarily designed for the gaming industry, VR has found its place within the real estate industry as well. As a matter of fact, VR has revolutionized property viewing. Nowadays, consumers can opt for virtual tours of the property from their real estate agent’s office or without ever leaving the comfort of their home. For real estate agents, virtual tours are the new way to showcase properties to multiple clients at once. They no longer have to schedule individual viewings and they certainly don’t have to hope for good weather conditions while doing so. Aside from that, VR technology is advanced enough to portray the property indoors in great detail. In addition, it can also accurately portray the outside view from the windows. Augmented reality AR (augmented reality) is another technological innovation that’s having a major impact on the real estate industry. As mentioned before, VR enables virtual tours and simulations, whereas AR provides clients with a mix of reality and digital. In other words, real estate agents can provide clients with an amazing new experience. In fact, clients can leverage AR to equip the property with furniture and decor of their choosing. The way it works is that AR simulates how a furniture piece would fit in the desired spot so that the client can visualize how the furniture they had in mind would actually look once placed within the property. This improves the decision-making process, since clients don’t have to think about whether they want to buy or not for too long. In essence, they can see everything they need with a bit of help from technology. New software solutions Traditional ways of doing business within the real estate industry are slowly being replaced by modern technological approaches. Marketing has taken a turn towards digital, communications have gone online and software solutions are being developed to help manage business operations. This is especially beneficial for property managers and landlords. As an example, property managers can now automate and streamline their daily tasks with the help of reliable body corporate management software. In addition, they can promote properties online and even make data-driven decisions to create new strategies. Property management software and digital solutions are now an integral part of every real estate business, as well as an essential tool in their arsenal. Internet of Thing (IoT) IoT devices have quickly become a popular trend worldwide. What’s more, they’ve also become quite popular within the real estate industry. The main reason is that these smart and connected devices can provide consumers with exceptional experience and real estate businesses decided to capitalize on this opportunity. Smart locks, thermostats, lighting and even appliances can provide tenants with a wholesome environment. Furthermore, smart devices can also vastly improve security around the property. However, the most interesting thing IoT devices have to offer is that they gather information about the property in real-time. This allows landowners or property managers to gain information about a property without relying on personal inspections. Moreover, data is stored in the cloud, which means no more heaps of paperwork. Although disruptive at first, technology can provide significant benefits and advantages to any industry it affects. The real estate industry has certainly transformed with the help of technology and is making the best use of its innovations.
As growth stagnated around the world in the latter part of this decade, India was often the country bucking the trend. With projected growth of 8% per year from 2016, the belief was that India would go from strength to strength, improving exponentially as its competitors hit the wall. Yet growth has slowed in the past two years, and currently rests at 6.8%. While this is by no means bad – the United States is considered to be doing well with 3.1% – it reflects a slight stagnation that ought to be addressed. The best candidate for what’s holding India back is infrastructure, and the myriad different ways in which it affects Indian society. The question is this: how much is being invested in infrastructure at the moment, and how much more money is needed? Investing in infrastructure The need to improve Indian infrastructure has not gone unnoticed, nor has it been unheralded. Infrastructure investment has been a pillar of Narendra Modi’s government, a policy most evident in the creation of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund in 2015. India’s first Sovereign Wealth Fund now manages almost ₹28,000 crore ($4 billion), which is continually reinvested in new green and brownfield infrastructure projects. However, the government’s substantial commitment to infrastructure investment is still not enough to satisfy demand. At present, the government invests between $100 million and $110 million annually; yet a recent economic survey by the Indian Parliament concluded that $200 million a year was required if India was going to hit its growth targets. This leaves an almost $100 million annual shortfall – one which can only be made up by the private sector. The problem with this is that India has not always been an attractive destination for private investment, both foreign and domestic. Past problems, such as the legal challenges to the 2016 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, have led many to believe that investing in India represents a substantial risk. With infrastructure investments, you also have the issue that investment is needed across the country – not just in the large cities that are attractive to investors. Foreign funding Manufacturing has provided much of India’s recent growth, and currently accounts for 16% of national GDP. Yet the government has set a goal of 25% of GDP through manufacturing, and growth has hit a brick wall. By building and improving transport links and strengthening the power grid, it’s hoped that people and goods can be transported more quickly, and that electricity shortages will be a thing of the past. This would allow factories to be built further out from major population centres, improving growth and boosting local economies. Another significant benefit of infrastructure investment is improving people’s quality of life. India’s population growth and internal migration have left many cities overcrowded, placing a strain on public transport and contributing to severe air pollution. This not only decreases productivity, but can also damage people’s health in the long term, placing an additional strain on healthcare providers. By expanding public transport through new metro lines and better bus networks, congestion can be reduced, saving people time and improving the quality of the air. Counter-intuitively, sourcing greater foreign investment for infrastructure could also make India more self-sufficient. At present, the large quantity of diesel train stock around the country means that India imports huge amounts of diesel oil to fuel them. By electrifying all broad-gauge routes around the country – a target for 2022 – India can not only avoid any geopolitical difficulties with oil, but could also reduce its energy consumption by as much as ₹13,000 crore per annum. Passengers will also benefit from newer train stock, with benefits to safety and speed of travel. Renovating railways also allows for new optical fibre cables to be laid, which can distribute high speed internet through the heart of the country. This will link stations together, allowing for up-to-date tracking of train delays, which could provide millions in efficiency savings. More broadly however, it could also deliver faster internet to the masses – providing all sorts of benefits to individuals and businesses around India. This is important to mobile internet too, as the next generation (5G) uses many smaller connected antennae instead of large towers. By installing high-speed cables, 5G can be rolled out more quickly, opening India up to technologies like driverless cars. Safety standards While the primary aim of attracting foreign investment is the money it offers, there are also some less heralded benefits. By working with international companies, the national and state governments can share expertise, and become more familiar with international standards and techniques. Our recent installation of Durasteel fire protection barriers in the Kolkata Metro Line 2 is one such example; by working closely with the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, we were able to share our knowledge of working on other metro projects in Europe and the Middle East, and produce a solution that helped to make passengers and staff even safer. Safety is an underappreciated but paramount concern when it comes to attracting investment. At present, Indian infrastructure suffers from a negative image abroad, where many people think of passengers clinging to unsafe trains, and city streets choked with traffic. By reaching out and working with foreign companies to install advanced safety equipment – some of which may exceed required standards – India can start to project a different, more safety-conscious image. This in turn will help to expedite the funding for infrastructure projects, as people will have more confidence in the commitment to producing effective infrastructure with positive outcomes. Fundamentally, foreign investment also attracts more foreign investment. Seeing other companies and funds investing in India will further increase confidence, and the results of this investment can have a snowball effect. By improving things like transport links and the power grid, you are improving the arteries that carry people and products around the country. With these links, more foreign businesses will be open to investing in the country, both through infrastructure and the opening of
Regeneration specialist Brookgate, regional contractor R G Carter and fund Aviva Investors today marked the start of construction at 30 Station Road with a commencement ceremony on site. On completion in July 2021, the building will be home to a leading global tech occupier to further reinforce CB1 as Cambridge’s central business district and the City’s AI hub. Once complete 30 Station Road will have the capacity to house up to 800 employees, as well as providing numerous jobs throughout the construction phase. R G Carter is an award-winning family-firm which has been providing high-quality construction services, for nearly a century, combining experience and specialist knowledge, with community engagement and a passion for innovation. 30 Station Road will join a host of high-quality buildings in the mixed-use CB1 development adjacent to Cambridge Station which has seen international companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Samsung and WeWork invest in Cambridge. The new building will be alongside 50/60 Station Road, which is now fully let, and sitting opposite 21 Station Road, currently home to Microsoft Research. The extension of the landscaped ‘linear park’ will improve the walking route for pedestrians along Station Road. Celebrating breaking ground on-site, Sven Topel, Chief Executive of Brookgate, said: “Standing on this site, opposite the first building developed in CB1, it is pleasing to see how the CB1 masterplan has been brought to life by the people now working and living here. The start of work on this site is another big step for CB1’s reputation as a sustainable central business district located around the transport hub at Cambridge Station’. Rob Carter, Director at RG Carter, said: “R G Carter is delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with Brookgate to redevelop this important area of the city and create much-needed office space for the business community. We look forward to delivering this project which will support economic and social growth in both Cambridge and the technology industry.”
FIS is proud to announce that we have secured £14K funding for the delivery of the new Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship in collaboration with a host of industry partners. This flagship project has been a culmination of three years of work resulting in the development of a Level 2 Apprenticeship. The Interior Systems occupations are both skilled and very diverse in their needs and hence it was very important to develop a model that is fit for purpose and simple for sector delivery. The end result is a Level 2 Apprenticeship that provides a core and two pathway options across a minimum of 18-month delivery. The working group, chaired by Helen Tapper from Tapper Interiors and vice president of FIS, comprised a broad group of representatives from the whole sector, including manufacturers, sub-contractors, colleges and training providers to ensure all stakeholder perspectives were covered. FIS co-ordinated the development with the Institute for Apprenticeships &Technical Education (IfATE). Helen Tapper, vice president of FIS said “this is the first time that a ‘Trailblazer’ Apprenticeship has been developed for our sector, following on from FIS becoming a consensus federation. This gives our sector the status and recognition that it so rightly deserves. It was an honour to chair a group who worked methodically and thoroughly to produce a standard, that is fit for the future of our sector. I am grateful to all group members who so readily gave their time to produce both the standard and the end point assessment” The working group agreed that a core and pathway options approach was the only way to provide the sector with the right skilled outcomes for each individual entering the industry. The core incorporates the standard skills and knowledge required of any interior systems installer and requires an end point assessment separate to a final one for their chosen specialist area. The options are -: – Drylining – methods to install different drylining systems that form the walls and rooms within a building, often used to hide wires and pipes whilst improving acoustics and create space for insulation. – Ceiling and partitions – incorporates different ceiling and partition systems within a building. used to provide different types of working environments, taking account of lighting and other fixtures. Training providers and FE colleges are now being invited to apply to deliver the standard in readiness for the new academic year. FIS have already got interest from employers in all regions interested in taking on new apprentices identified through the forward planning of FIS Skills Clinics we’ve run with our members. FIS have developed an excellent network of college and training provision that underpins all the training developed for the sector and are always keen to add more to this. Hopefully, now this standard is available for delivery and we can widen the network to enable more employers to access and encourage new entrants into the industry. Iain McIlwee, CEO at FIS said “this new standard will help raise awareness of the fantastic career opportunities and attract the 1500 new entrants needed in the finishes and interiors sector”