Ibstock Brick has been announced as a winner in the category of Most Ethical / Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year at the 2019 at the Made in the Midlands Awards. The awards, coordinated by leading business publisher, INSIDER Media, took place in Birmingham on May 2nd 2019. They celebrate excellence
Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) has upgraded the environmental controls in various buildings at Arthur Mellows Village College, a sixth form secondary school located near Peterborough. As well as reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, the new controls have provided the school with greater ease of use and operational efficiencies.
The European construction industry is continuing to demonstrate encouraging growth, with Deloitte forecasting that the market is on track to grow at a steady rate of 2.5 per cent a year to 2022. With this continued growth, firms face increasing pressure to deliver against rising demand, but it’s widely recognised
NOTTINGHAM is on the cusp of creating “possibly the biggest regeneration scheme in the UK” as outline plans to transform the high-profile 40-acre former Boots Island site have been approved this week (17 April) by Nottingham City Council planning committee. Conygar Investment Company PLC intends to transform the site, which
As one of the most attractive destinations on the beautiful Costa Blanca it offers a chance at the Mediterranean lifestyle, with beautiful beaches and an inspiring artistic heritage and a relaxed marina where you can spend the hours at peace in the sunshine. It is hard not to fall
Electrospinning is quickly becoming the future in the production of nanomaterials now a vital part of the supply chain in production and the subject of very important research into future applications. More and more companies and research and development labs are investing in electrospinning equipment as the potential for this
Euroclad Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Aiveen Kearney as Managing Director. Aiveen will replace Simon Thomas who has elected to leave the company after 30 plus years. Paul O’Gorman commented ‘On behalf of the Kingspan Group, I want to thank Simon for his considerable input and leadership
Considering height safety system design from the very outset of a building project is vital to improving aesthetics, usability and most importantly, minimising risk, says Stuart Pierpoint, UK Sales Manager for HCL Safety. HCL Safety specialises in safety at height system design, installation, inspection, maintenance, fall protection training and product
The £373m project to upgrade the M1 in Northamptonshire to a smart motorway continues to make progress, with local contractor Mick George Ltd now appointed to complete verge enabling works in a £31m contract. Under the programme, the 23-mile section of M1 between junctions 13 and 16 will be upgraded
EXCEPT INTEGRATED SUSTAINABILITY launches a new, innovative blueprint for sustainable development in the built environment in their latest white paper titled Catalytic Buildings. By looking beyond the physical perimeter of the building itself, the Catalytic Building approach challenges the real estate industry to use construction projects to improve the sustainability of the surrounding urban environment. The term catalytic comes from chemistry, signifying a compound which is used to accelerate a chemical reaction, without itself being depleted. In the urban environment, a Catalytic Building is one that actively improves its surroundings and uplifts the sustainability of a whole neighborhood. Except’s Director Tom Bosschaert has developed the concept for over twenty years, having applied it to buildings in The Netherlands, United States, and China. “The industry is currently obsessed with circular and energy-neutral buildings, but to confront the challenges we face due to over-population, rapid urbanization and climate change, we need to start thinking about buildings that give back to society. “The majority of buildings that we will inhabit this century are already built. So, what is the added value of a new sustainable building, if it does not provide the conditions for its own and the neighborhood’s inhabitants to thrive? “By looking beyond energy and materials and incorporating systemic aspects such as biodiversity, culture, social connectivity, education, and neighborhood job-creation, you don’t need to rebuild an entire city to make substantial sustainability gains,” says Bosschaert. The Catalytic Buildings blueprint creates a new paradigm for sustainability in the construction industry, from design to development, and challenges existing certifications like LEED and BREEAM. “Our focus should not just be on creating sustainable individual buildings, but on converting the whole city to a sustainable state. This white paper, calls on forward-thinking real estate developers, policymakers, and built environment professionals to join us at the forefront of innovation in sustainable construction,” Bosschaert concludes. Click here to view the Catalytic Buildings White Paper ABOUT EXCEPT Except is an innovation, design, and sustainable development consultancy based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Since 1999, Except has combined systems thinking and integrated sustainability in over 600 projects worldwide. Our multi-disciplinary team of architects, industrial ecologists, and business strategists work at the forefront of sustainability consulting. We realize unique opportunities by embracing the complexity of integrated sustainability for our clients.
Ibstock Brick has been announced as a winner in the category of Most Ethical / Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year at the 2019 at the Made in the Midlands Awards. The awards, coordinated by leading business publisher, INSIDER Media, took place in Birmingham on May 2nd 2019. They celebrate excellence and achievement from businesses based in the Midlands region. Ibstock was recognised for its commitment – through its products and processes – to ‘forging a more sustainable future for the company and region’. The judges were impressed by Ibstock’s demonstration of its social and environmental concerns – and the way this has become part of its wider business strategy. As the UK’s leading brick manufacturer, Ibstock Brick is proud to be at forefront of responsible manufacturing – both in the Midlands region and elsewhere in the UK. Sustained investments in energy efficient plant, clean technologies and performance improvements are coupled strong commitment to skills-building and community engagement. The judges cited the company’s unique People First approach to sustainability – commenting that this methodology set Ibstock apart from the other shortlisted businesses. As winner of the Most Ethical / Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year category, the Ibstock team will take part in the INSIDER Media National Finals in June 2020. Commenting on the Made in the Midlands award win, Michael McGowan, said: “This is the latest in a long line of high-profile award wins that recognise the positive impacts we are making in terms of sustainability and we are absolutely delighted to receive it. Our win is very much testament to the hard work of our colleagues across the business. Sustainability is embedded within our business culture and we could not be prouder to lead the way both in the Midlands and further afield.” Ibstock Brick was also shortlisted in the category of Manufacturer of the Year (Over £25M).
Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) has upgraded the environmental controls in various buildings at Arthur Mellows Village College, a sixth form secondary school located near Peterborough. As well as reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, the new controls have provided the school with greater ease of use and operational efficiencies. Serving pupils aged from 11 to 18, Arthur Mellows Village College is a secondary school in Glinton, around 8km north of Peterborough. Although Olympic medal-winning gymnast Louis Smith and footballer Luke Steele (goalkeeper at Nottingham Forest) are among notable alumni, the school is an academy with a specialism in technology. As such, facilities like its Science Department require regular investment. The original project Arthur Mellows Village College relocated its Science Department to a new build in 2009, leaving its previous building to become disused and unfit for purpose. However, the school recently wanted to breathe new life into the old Science Department building and, with a combination of funds from DfE grants, The Wolfson Foundation and its own financial resources, Arthur Mellows Village College set about creating a vision that would be called the McLaren Building. The upgraded facility would house art, science and media studies classrooms. A major aspect of the refurbishment would focus on the upgrading of environmental controls, with Abtec appointed by the project consultant to undertake this work. “In the old science block we were tasked with providing integrated lighting controls, mechanical vents and a BMS plant room based on Tridium technology – totally replacing the old systems,” explains Phil Peer, Project Manager at Abtec. Upon completion of the work, it was clear to see that the McLaren Building, which opened in 2016, had been refurbished to a very high standard. Indeed, the facility exceeds current thermal insulation levels. Housed within the revamped building are five dedicated art classrooms, a kiln room, screen-printing room, two science laboratories, a science preparation room, two media rooms, a media studio, a computer room and two further classrooms. The total cost of refurbishment works and fit out was approximately £1.5 million. Further works Due to the success of the McLaren Building, Abtec has since completed several additional projects at Arthur Mellows Village College, including the introduction of: a BMS in the humanities block; lighting controls in the newly constructed site office block; and lighting controls and BMS in the sports hall. “We also performed BMS works in the main plant room, which was originally served by another system,” says Mr Peer. “Equipment has been installed that interfaces with other plant rooms – it’s all in one place. The college sublets spaces for events, so the BMS had to offer easy adjustment.” Another area that leveraged the expertise of Abtec was the refectory, where extra space was constructed on to the existing block. Abtec provided a solution for controlling the underfloor heating, CO2 mechanical vent, lighting control and plant room controls – all of which were fed from the main plant room. “Throughout the various projects we adopted an agnostic approach, using DALI, which is industry-recognised open technology,” says Mr Peer. “It was important to avoid reliance on any one manufacturer, so if something needs to be replaced, it can be.” The systems installed by Abtec also facilitate the automatic testing of emergency lighting on a monthly basis, a function that saves on labour costs and time – boosting operational efficiency in the process. A common head end sits on a virtual school server, so all data is aggregated back to one place. In addition, a single set of graphics is deployed across all plant rooms to provide the same look and feel. The results All of the newly introduced lighting is based on LED technology, which in combination with the Abtec control systems means a better learning environment for pupils. Furthermore, new heating plant is helping to drive energy efficiency and CO2 reductions in line with Part L of the Building Regulations. “The temperature and lighting is a lot easier to control now, whereas before it was difficult to say the least,” states Gary Wentworth, Site Manager at Arthur Mellows Village College. “We had to go down to the boiler room and locate the right switch, which was not necessarily obvious. Now it’s all centralised on one computer, so we can alter time zones and schedules, and respond to issues quickly; it only takes a couple of minutes. The lighting has daylight harvesting control, which is saving energy as well as ensuring the right light levels for students and staff.” image credit © Paul Bryan (cc-by-sa/2.0)’
The European construction industry is continuing to demonstrate encouraging growth, with Deloitte forecasting that the market is on track to grow at a steady rate of 2.5 per cent a year to 2022. With this continued growth, firms face increasing pressure to deliver against rising demand, but it’s widely recognised that the construction industry has a reputation for often delivering projects later than expected and significantly over-budget. Large scale projects in particular can typically take 20 per cent longer to complete than planned and can be up to 80 per cent over budget – so how can the industry adapt to fulfil these ever-expanding expectations when current efficiency levels often leave a lot to be desired? The adoption of new technology and smarter processes can deliver tangible benefits for construction firms, but there remains a fundamental stumbling block for those organisations looking to capitalise on new innovation – a frequent lack of high speed, portable and reliable Internet connectivity. It is therefore imperative that the industry addresses these key issues as a matter of urgency so that firms can gain access to the connectivity they need at new sites from day one. The construction site of the future With rapid advances in technology and the advent of cloud based solutions, the way we work and interact has drastically changed. Technology innovation has led industries to continually strive to be more efficient, productive and cost effective. Yet, when it comes to the world of construction, investment in IT has remained low in comparison to other industries. The market has been hampered by technical challenges relating to projects that can be large, complex and geographically dispersed. Combined with varying proficiency and maturity levels of smaller subcontractors, advancing at scale has been difficult and has subsequently led to the slow progress of the digitisation of the construction industry. Despite these challenges, the available technology in construction has advanced rapidly and we are now starting to see examples of how advents in digital technology can deliver efficiency and productivity opportunities at the start of all projects – truly revolutionising the construction sites of the past. Drones, robotics, 3D printing and augmented reality are no longer works of fiction but can be adopted by forward thinking firms looking to capitalise on the benefits that embracing innovation can bring to the construction site. Connectivity is essential Connectivity is a necessity for businesses in virtually every industry and construction is no exception. Crucially, this is still one fundamental hurdle that the industry must overcome if it is to create a solid foundation for all new innovation. Technology that is crucial for the industry to innovate and keep up with demand, cannot function without high speed, portable and reliable internet connection, but gaining access to connectivity can be a challenge for new sites, particularly those that are located in a Green or Brownfield location where there is typically no existing connection. Often, a fixed line is simply not an option and the reliability of 4G is still patchy, even as talk around the possibilities of 5G continue to dominate the headlines. Conclusion The construction industry cannot continue to utilise outdated processes and management methods but instead must embrace digital advances and adopt smarter processes and technology to stay competitive. But there is no way that the construction sites of the future will ever become a reality unless the industry can conquer the basics of connectivity. So, how can construction firms ensure that a strong and stable connection is established quickly at a new site to ensure lack of connectivity does not negatively impact on projects? By working with an ecosystem of experienced and trusted providers who can supply the connectivity and IoT services that sites require. The industry will then be able to continually benefit from the opportunities that the latest advances in innovation present. The potential rewards to firms that capitalise on digitisation will be instantaneous. – Nick Sacke, Head of IoT and Products, Comms365
NOTTINGHAM is on the cusp of creating “possibly the biggest regeneration scheme in the UK” as outline plans to transform the high-profile 40-acre former Boots Island site have been approved this week (17 April) by Nottingham City Council planning committee. Conygar Investment Company PLC intends to transform the site, which has laid derelict for many years, into new homes, grade A office space, creative market space, a five-star hotel, retail units, a ‘linear’ park and community space and student accommodation. The landmark decision, which was overwhelmingly supported, will see hundreds of jobs created, strengthening the local economy and helping to elevate Nottingham as one of the UK’s key regional cities for investors and employers. Christopher Ware of Conygar said this was a significant milestone in Nottingham’s story and one they were proud to be a part of. “I am really pleased that the outline plans have been approved by Nottingham City Council and I look forward to working with our partners to meet the requirements set out by the council to develop all aspects of the mixed-use scheme into a thriving community,” he said. “We are passionate about delivering a sustainable development where people aspire to live and work. This is a long-term phased project which is likely to take up to ten years to complete and will create hundreds of jobs in the region before and after the building work. “Nottingham is a vibrant and creative city where several exciting developments are taking place and our plans for the site are a key part of this regeneration. We believe this is a unique development which will help to elevate Nottingham’s position in the Midlands and the UK.” Councillor Chris Gibson, chair of the planning committee said the scheme was the biggest opportunity Nottingham had seen in years. He said: “This is Nottingham’s biggest regeneration scheme to happen in decades and currently the largest in the East Midlands and perhaps the UK.” Paul Seddon, director of planning and regeneration said this was the right time for the crucial site to redeveloped. “Now outline planning is in place we will continue to work very closely with Conygar to ensure the progress of this hugely important scheme for the city. It’s our priority to help make the Island Site a high quality and vibrant part of the city that Nottingham deserves.” Lorraine Baggs, head of investment for Invest in Nottingham said: “This is a landmark decision which marks a significant milestone for Nottingham. These plans will breathe new life into a site which has sat unloved for many years and I’m confident they will be the catalyst our city needs to help strengthen our economy – particularly with the additional grade A office space which many businesses are interested in.” Greg Millers-Cheevers from urban regeneration specialists Lavignac added: “This decision has been more than two years in the making. We have worked very closely with Nottingham City Council, existing site occupiers and stakeholders in the city to develop these plans. We have also taken the time to listen to the public which has shaped how we plan to integrate the development into the city and neighbouring communities.” Work is expected to start on site during 2019, with the first phase of office and homes intended to be complete by 2020.
As one of the most attractive destinations on the beautiful Costa Blanca it offers a chance at the Mediterranean lifestyle, with beautiful beaches and an inspiring artistic heritage and a relaxed marina where you can spend the hours at peace in the sunshine. It is hard not to fall in love with Denia the first time you see it. Denia is situated a little over an hour from Alicante airport, and is quickly becoming the place for tourists and those looking to make their stay much more permanent. So many choose to relocate here from within and outside Spain, and although tourists are also drawn here, somehow Denia has retained much of its charm and elegance, more so than close neighbour Benidorm. There are a wide range of houses for sale in Denia to suit all needs and preferences for those who would prefer a life in the sun. Denia has a lot to offer those looking for a better way of life Denia is a beautiful modern city, but it also has all the history and culture of a spanish coastal town. It is impossible to miss the fortress on top of the hill, the Castle of Denia. It plays host to many cultural events that you can enjoy, all while taking in the wonderful views. Heading into the town you will see a fascinating mix of old and new, with elegant buildings and whitewashed fisherman’s houses in the typical Spanish style. It is easy to imagine years gone by in the historic centre. And of course there are the wonderful beaches, the town is lucky enough to have almost 15km of rocky coves and long sandy beaches. There is plenty to do here, from snorkelling and watersports to simply relaxing and taking in the sun and sound of the ocean. The marina is also very active and what better way to spend an afternoon that to rent a boat and explore the coastline or do a little fishing. Of course being on the Mediterranean, the fresh seafood available here is amazing and if you aren’t keen on catching your own dinner you can always head to the fish market to pick up the day’s catch. There many fresh food markets here offering a chance to try the local gastronomy. There are plenty of other shopping opportunities too, with local craft shops and boutiques. There are also many local restaurants and cafes where you can sit out on the terrace and enjoy traditional local dishes in the sunshine with a well earned glass of wine or two. With so much to see and do, it is for good reason people fall in love with Denia. It also makes a great base for exploring more of the Costa Blanca or the stunning mountains and hills of the nearby countryside. Choose your perfect new home, or build one There are some stunning houses and apartments available to buy in Denia. Talking to the Peretó Group for Houses in Denia is a great start to the adventure. Denia is a cosmopolitan place, and it is well worth having an expert on hand who knows the city inside and out and how to find the right house, villa or apartment while making the most of the available budget. Navigating a house purchase in a new country in a new language can be daunting but with the right support, and with excellent English speakers available Peretó Group can make the whole process much easier. Of course the other option they can also help with is building your own dream home. From the purchase of the plot to development of plans and assistance with the construction process they are there to make sure it is the best possible experience ready for you to start your new life in the home of your dreams.
Electrospinning is quickly becoming the future in the production of nanomaterials now a vital part of the supply chain in production and the subject of very important research into future applications. More and more companies and research and development labs are investing in electrospinning equipment as the potential for this technology is becoming apparent and electrospinning equipment company Bioinicia, is rising to that challenge with their range of Fluidnatek products that meet a wide range of criteria. From benchtop lab machines to a pilot-scale plant, there is a machine, with potential to customize further. Here is a review of the key machines in the range. Fluidnatek LE-10 The first in the range is the Fluidnatek LE-10, a benchtop sized tool, prefect for proof of concept development and feasibility studies. It can fit easily into smaller lab spaces, and is great as an introductory research machine. Specification wise it is compact and lightweight, and solvent resistant for effective cleaning. It also benefits from the following: Touch control interface Coaxial electrospinning configuration Exchangeable rotating collectors with scanning motion emitter Extraction fan Safety interlock CE certified and UL compatible Fluidnatek LE-50 Similar to the LE-10, this is a benchtop machine, however it has a lot more oomph, as powerful as an advanced research station. It is designed to be adaptable, and to allow various configurations for when you want to go one further than proof of concept. It is also compatible with an AC to unit to allow for climate control. It is perfect for conducting precise research or development activities.Additional features include: Advanced electrospinning machine with hygienic design Touch control interface with data logging multi user-level access Coaxial electrospinning configuration Exchangeable rotating collectors with scanning motion emitter Optional second, independent spinning stage for processing two materials at the same time Compatible AC bench unit for temperature and humidity control Extraction fan to exhaust solvent vapours Safety interlock CE certified and UL compatible Machine Qualification package available to enable GMP or ISO13485 process validation Fluidnatek LE-100 This one is for serious research and advanced R & D . It will be able to cope with even the most complex electrospinning projects. It has a large experimental chamber and wide range of optional features. Like the LE-50 it is compatible with an AC, which makes it an ideal machine for conducting precise research, development, or small-scale production activities. Other features include: Ultimate control of all processing parameters Ultra-advanced electrospinning device with hygienic design Actively regulated exhaust system with pressure sensing Coaxial electrospinning configuration (or even tri-axial) Solvent resistant for effective cleaning and cleanroom compatibility Touch control interface with data logging multi user-level access Up to 20 emitters for increased productivity Programmable X, Y and Z axes motion for patterned deposition Exchangeable rotating collectors with scanning motion emitter Optional second spinning stage for processing two materials at the same time Safety interlock CE certified and UL compatible Machine Qualification package available to enable GMP or ISO13485 process validation Fluidnatek LE-500 The Fluidnatek LE-500 is intended to be a pilot-line production tool that provides all of the capability needed to develop a product from initial concept to pilot-scale manufacture. It can be run either in R&D mode or in manufacturing mode. This is a serious piece of kit. Other benefits include: Pilot-production plant with hygienic design Exchangeable rotating collectors and roll-to-roll with scanning motion emitters Multi-emitter spinning heads for high-throughput electrospinning or electrospraying Configuration for coaxial electrospinning (or even tri-axial) Large-volume solution feeding system for extended production batches (single-phase or coaxial) Solvent resistant for effective cleaning and cleanroom compatibility Touch control interface with data logging and multi user-level access Compatible AC unit for temperature and humidity control Electrospinning apparatus equipped with actively regulated exhaust system preventing the solvent vapours to escape even with the door opened Safety interlock CE certified and UL compatible Machine Qualification package available to enable GMP or ISO 13485 process validation
Euroclad Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Aiveen Kearney as Managing Director. Aiveen will replace Simon Thomas who has elected to leave the company after 30 plus years. Paul O’Gorman commented ‘On behalf of the Kingspan Group, I want to thank Simon for his considerable input and leadership into the business during the past 30 plus years and, in particular, since the acquisition by the Kingspan Group some 3 years ago. In addition, I want to wish Simon every success in his future career path over the coming years’ Aiveen will commence her role as Managing Director effective from 7th May, 2019. She joined the Joris Division some 15 months ago, prior to this worked in a range of senior roles for Holcim, a global building materials and aggregates company, in both Australia and USA. We would like to wish Aiveen every success in her new role. About Euroclad The Euroclad Group is a modern, market leading manufacturer of metal building solutions with an established reputation of innovation and quality. Founded in 1981 as Euroclad Ltd we have consistently invested in our people and technology to satisfy customer and market needs. The company has recently restructured to form the Euroclad Group and now offers the construction market a complete range of highly engineered building envelope products including roof and wall cladding systems, insulated composite panels and rainscreen facades. From our headquarters in Cardiff we export internationally and have proudly been specified on a broad range of major projects including airports, world cup stadia and data centres for global technology companies. www.eurocladgroup.com
Considering height safety system design from the very outset of a building project is vital to improving aesthetics, usability and most importantly, minimising risk, says Stuart Pierpoint, UK Sales Manager for HCL Safety. HCL Safety specialises in safety at height system design, installation, inspection, maintenance, fall protection training and product servicing. The importance of early consultation with architects When a new building is first conceived, its future upkeep and general maintenance should be closely considered, especially where access to a roof space (or an area where eliminating, reducing or controlling work at height risks is paramount) will likely be required. Ultimately, it’s about identifying the safest approach that remains fit for purpose and in-keeping with building design. Detailed consultation with a building designer at the outset of a project helps fall protection specialists (such as HCL Safety) better understand what the requirements will likely be and why access to the roof space is required. After all, no two systems tend to be the same. This isn’t something that can be ordered online and arrives ready to go out of the box. It’s crucial, for example, to understand the unique nuances of each building, the varying reasons for working at height, and the experience and competence of those that will be using the system. Armed with this knowledge, specialists design and install bespoke safety solutions tailored to each project’s unique requirements. For instance, a school caretaker who requires infrequent access to a roof space will need a significantly different solution to an experienced operative requiring daily access. Working together Work at height safety should never in any way be compromised for aesthetics, but where possible fall protection specialists will work with architects to ensure that the design of the system is in-keeping with the design of the building itself. For instance, if it’s safe to avoid the use of guardrails, then fall protection specialists may look at fall restraint or, as a last resort due to greater risk exposure, fall arrest solutions. If guardrails are unavoidable then they can be made to look more discreet with powder coating and colour alteration. It’s easier to make the solution more discreet the earlier discussions begin. Fixing systems to walls and roofs and non-penetrative options can be explored, but these options can become more limited the later in the process fall protection is considered. Key considerations – the earlier the better It pays to consider height safety at the earliest stage. Installing fall protection equipment retrospectively tends to be more expensive than simply incorporating it into the building’s initial design. It’s worth remembering that – more often than not – at some point in the future, someone is likely to need to gain access to the roof space. It just isn’t worth avoiding or delaying the installation of fall protection equipment. We encourage architects to insist as far as possible that the original quality height safety system and product design specification is upheld throughout the entire building design and construction process. It was, after all, likely specified for a reason first time round. Switching out a quality product specification for what can often be a less-expensive and inferior product can, for instance, lead to unnecessary risk. As a matter of course, we also always prefer to follow a job through to its conclusion, from design and installation through to end-user training, servicing and certification. Using competent and experienced specialists throughout a project provides full traceability of service and helps ensure consistency of quality. For more information, please visit www.hclsafety.com
The £373m project to upgrade the M1 in Northamptonshire to a smart motorway continues to make progress, with local contractor Mick George Ltd now appointed to complete verge enabling works in a £31m contract. Under the programme, the 23-mile section of M1 between junctions 13 and 16 will be upgraded to an all-lane running smart motorway, providing a continuous smart motorway from the M25 all the way through to junction 19 at Catthorpe. The scheme, operated by Costain / Galliford Try joint venture on behalf of Highways England is thought to be vital in easing congestion on this stretch of motorway, which passes through Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, connecting Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton. Consequently, this key arterial route in England will offer increased capacity and more reliable journey times for the hundreds-of-thousands of people that use the M1 every day. Forecast to be complete in March 2022, the initiative is thought to offer approximate benefits valued at £959m to the local economy, though boosting productivity and supporting future housing developments. The programme of works between junction 13 and junction 16 includes; the installation of a rigid concrete barrier to avert vehicle cross-overs from opposite sides of the carriageway, upgrading to four lanes running with no hard shoulder, as well as the fitting of 38 new emergency areas and emergency roadside telephones. Additional improvements include hardening of the central reserve and the formation of wide gantries to support variable speed limit and travel information. Michael George, Managing Director at Mick George Ltd commented: ‘’The award of this contract is an exciting one for the business as it represents the first opportunity for us to display our Earthworks services in a live highways environment.’’ George continued: ‘’We’re currently providing some of our other contracting provisions to another significant highways project on the A14 Huntingdon to Cambridge scheme, and the fact that we’ve been selected to contribute towards this project in tandem, is a testament to the qualities we’ve produced elsewhere.’’
EXCEPT INTEGRATED SUSTAINABILITY launches a new, innovative blueprint for sustainable development in the built environment in their latest white paper titled Catalytic Buildings. By looking beyond the physical perimeter of the building itself, the Catalytic Building approach challenges the real estate industry to use construction projects to improve the sustainability of the surrounding urban environment. The term catalytic comes from chemistry, signifying a compound which is used to accelerate a chemical reaction, without itself being depleted. In the urban environment, a Catalytic Building is one that actively improves its surroundings and uplifts the sustainability of a whole neighborhood. Except’s Director Tom Bosschaert has developed the concept for over twenty years, having applied it to buildings in The Netherlands, United States, and China. “The industry is currently obsessed with circular and energy-neutral buildings, but to confront the challenges we face due to over-population, rapid urbanization and climate change, we need to start thinking about buildings that give back to society. “The majority of buildings that we will inhabit this century are already built. So, what is the added value of a new sustainable building, if it does not provide the conditions for its own and the neighborhood’s inhabitants to thrive? “By looking beyond energy and materials and incorporating systemic aspects such as biodiversity, culture, social connectivity, education, and neighborhood job-creation, you don’t need to rebuild an entire city to make substantial sustainability gains,” says Bosschaert. The Catalytic Buildings blueprint creates a new paradigm for sustainability in the construction industry, from design to development, and challenges existing certifications like LEED and BREEAM. “Our focus should not just be on creating sustainable individual buildings, but on converting the whole city to a sustainable state. This white paper, calls on forward-thinking real estate developers, policymakers, and built environment professionals to join us at the forefront of innovation in sustainable construction,” Bosschaert concludes. Click here to view the Catalytic Buildings White Paper ABOUT EXCEPT Except is an innovation, design, and sustainable development consultancy based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Since 1999, Except has combined systems thinking and integrated sustainability in over 600 projects worldwide. Our multi-disciplinary team of architects, industrial ecologists, and business strategists work at the forefront of sustainability consulting. We realize unique opportunities by embracing the complexity of integrated sustainability for our clients.