Designed by London-based architects WilsonOwensOwens (WOO), two new iconic entrances to Twickenham Stadium, the Home of England Rugby, will welcome spectators and visitors to the grounds from this month. Formed from standing seam zinc, the gateways frame the main entrances to the Stadium from Whitton Road – creating a true
A Swansea-based housing association has received £4.8 million in grant funding from the Welsh Government to deliver three new innovative housing projects across south west Wales. As part of its Innovative Housing Programme, the Welsh Government is to distribute a total of £43 million of housing funding among 26[1] projects
THE MOST transformational office development scheme to happen in the East Midlands in more than a decade has been submitted to Nottingham City Council, creating thousands of jobs – and setting a ‘cornerstone’ for the city’s Southern Gateway. Developers Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have lodged a planning application to
Designed by leading UK architecture firm PRP on behalf of Trafford Housing Trust (THT), Limelight is a pioneering community health and wellbeing hub in the heart of Old Trafford. Creating one of the first of its kind, PRP designed a scheme which successfully integrates housing for older people with primary
New construction equipment is costly and, at times, completely unnecessary. The used equipment market can be a gold mine at times, full of well-maintained and cared-for gems waiting to be put to good use in your business. But finding these gems is a time-consuming process. It pays to be diligent
Keeping young people safe at work was top of the agenda at the latest Industry Skills Forum hosted by Develop Training Limited (DTL). The event attracted senior apprenticeship and HR managers from major construction, infrastructure and utilities companies. Safeguarding to prevent abuse and harm is a hot topic, as large
An innovative scheme designed to attract new talent into the built environment industry has secured the backing of three high-profile firms that have won work across the globe. Black & White Engineering (B&W), s h e d and James Christopher Consulting are the latest companies to become sponsors of PlanBEE
Coming back from the summer break with recharged batteries and a suitcase full of souvenirs and good intentions, September always seems to do its best to challenge this with a tsunami of shows. For myself and my colleagues at Quarterre, a transport and product design studio based in London, this
Is google your go-to source for construction industry knowledge, or do you find the answers you need on your company’s in-house knowledge management system? Are you frustrated by documents that are too long to read, or baffled by complex technical language? Do you give up when you’re faced with a
Excitement is mounting as the highest performing Considerate Constructors Scheme registered construction companies and suppliers get ready for the 2018 National Company and Supplier Awards. The Awards will take place on 15-16 November at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) prestigious landmark headquarters in central London. Every company and
Designed by London-based architects WilsonOwensOwens (WOO), two new iconic entrances to Twickenham Stadium, the Home of England Rugby, will welcome spectators and visitors to the grounds from this month. Formed from standing seam zinc, the gateways frame the main entrances to the Stadium from Whitton Road – creating a true sense of arrival to the venue. The gates will be in use for the first time at the forthcoming autumn international matches at the stadium. The entrances are framed by simple singular folded zinc portal canopies and designed to create a heroic sense of arrival at the venue, providing an inspiring ‘first glimpse’ of the stadium. Based on a temporary structure initially created by WOO for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the new design complements the existing Poppy and Rose Gates in look and feel. Each entrance provides new state of the art turnstile and access systems, plus weather protection of for staff and spectators alike during security checks. The main entrance canopy is capped by free standing zinc lettering announcing TWICKENHAM. The lettering is edge lit with subtle LED lighting, giving an understated and timeless classic feel to the spectacular new entrance. LED screens will be installed within the canopy to provide dynamic information and wayfinding information for visitors and fans on event and match days. Lighting will also be used on non-match days to provide a recognisable ‘moment’ for the many visitors to the stadium. Either side of the main structures are two 3-metre-high decorative gates; each carrying a verse of the hymn ‘Jerusalem’. The graphic design and concept developed by WOO’s in-house team forms a singular text surface laser cut from treated sheet steel. The project was led by WOO partner and co-founder Kevin Owens who said, “Our work at Twickenham as lead architects for the 2015 Rugby World Cup demonstrated that the West Fan Zone of the stadium could be reinvigorated and transformed by a realigned perimeter and new entrances. We wanted to deliver a true and recognisable entrance for the real fans. A destination and arrival worthy of the Home of English Rugby.” In addition to the main entrances along Whitton Road, WOO has also looked at the broader masterplan with a rationalised western perimeter to the West Fan Park, delivering new high quality flexible spaces for event and temporary activations, and an improved entrance canopy and access from the neighbouring Cardinal Vaughn School site for match days. Twickenham is the world’s largest dedicated rugby venue in the world and the second largest stadium in the UK. It staged its first rugby match in 1909 and is also home to other events including major concert events.
A Swansea-based housing association has received £4.8 million in grant funding from the Welsh Government to deliver three new innovative housing projects across south west Wales. As part of its Innovative Housing Programme, the Welsh Government is to distribute a total of £43 million of housing funding among 26[1] projects across Wales this year, including three projects put forward by Coastal Housing, a housing association which operates across Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot. Each of the successful applicants had to demonstrate how they would use innovation in a bid to improve the quality of housing in Wales. The first Coastal project – a collaboration with Gower-based social enterprise, Down to Earth (DTE) – will provide six new homes as part of a larger site in Pennard. The homes will be built using timber frame, clad using traditional methods, and will generate over half of their heat passively, from the sun and their design, ensuring that residents’ utility bills cost just £15 per month. The £2m project’s most innovative feature, however, is the people who will be building the homes. DTE provides the opportunity for some of south Wales’ most vulnerable groups – including adults with brain injuries and young people at risk of psychosis, as well as asylum seekers and veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – to reduce their depression and anxiety levels and improve their skills by working on these construction projects. The project will bring together the previously siloed areas of construction and healthcare by providing vital rehabilitation for local people who are suffering from a variety of mental health issues. A second £500,000 grant will allow Coastal to build 12 homes planned at Killan Road in Dunvant to energy-positive standards, which means they will produce more energy than they use. The homes will be built using the Homes as Power Stations (HAPS) model, with a focus on reducing energy consumption and addressing fuel poverty through reduced reliance on fossil fuels. This new street of innovative, energy positive homes will use solar PV, electric battery storage and borehole ground source heat pumps (GSHP) to generate up to 80% of their energy required for heat and power. The remaining 20% will be provided by the electricity grid, of which a small percentage will come directly from a community owned local solar farm, administered by Gower Power. Coastal Housing will also provide an electric vehicle for communal use as part of the project. The third project to receive grant funding will be Innovation Park in Neath Port Talbot. This £2.2m development will comprise of 8 new homes, all constructed off-site, to showcase the best modular designs from Wales and Japan. As modular housing is still an emerging construction technique in Wales, Costal hopes that the project will provide an opportunity to learn from other countries where it is more advanced. Gareth Davies, director of development at Coastal Housing, said that without the grants, it would not have been possible to progress these three important projects. “At Coastal, we pride ourselves on demonstrating innovation in all we do, from how we deal with people to how we manage our finances, from how we build our homes to how we develop communities, so we are thrilled to have three of our most innovative housing projects selected for funding. “All three developments are very different but equally exciting. Each one will seek to deliver affordable and environmentally-friendly homes, using modern and innovative, energy-efficient construction methods, but will also help the wider community by helping to reduce fuel poverty and providing much-needed job and skills development opportunities. “By providing this vital support, the Welsh Government has shown its commitment to backing the cutting edge work that is going on in housing innovation across Wales, which can only have a positive influence on the Welsh built environment of the future.”
THE MOST transformational office development scheme to happen in the East Midlands in more than a decade has been submitted to Nottingham City Council, creating thousands of jobs – and setting a ‘cornerstone’ for the city’s Southern Gateway. Developers Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have lodged a planning application to bring 62,022 sq m of Grade A office space to Unity Square, the 1.14 hectare site in Queensbridge Road, opposite Nottingham Train Station. The eagerly anticipated scheme will advance the £250 million Southern Gateway regeneration project – creating a new business district within an area of the city desperately in need of redevelopment. The planning application encompasses two office buildings – the first being ten storeys and the second being 13 storeys high. The build will be in two phases with landscaping and an attractive urban space connecting Unity Square and the station, creating a stunning entrance to this part of the city. The height and scale of the office buildings, along with urban spaces is set to create a brand new city landscape. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates purchased Unity Square in 2015 and demolished the derelict car park buildings last year. Unity Square is seen as a crucial area of redevelopment with huge potential – and a cornerstone of Nottingham City Council’s vision for the city’s Southern Gateway, said Ralph Jones, MD of Peveril Securities. Today’s planning application hails the next step of the Unity Square story – and development is likely to commence early in 2019. The contractor is Bowmer & Kirkland. Jones said: “There is significant long-term investment in this area of the city. Nottingham Train Station was the catalyst and coming up is intu Broadmarsh’s forthcoming redevelopment along with other significant schemes expected over the next couple of years. “It is an exciting time for Nottingham with many significant schemes on the horizon and cranes expected on the Unity Square site in the next 12 months. “Looking ahead, the occupiers of Unity Square will be at the heart of this regenerated area of Nottingham, allowing them to take advantage of the multitude of local facilities and excellent transport links.” “The city council has been proactive in supporting the scheme which has generated strong interest from a number of office occupiers. Now that the existing buildings on site have been demolished, it is possible to see the huge potential for not just this site, but for the city as a whole,” said Nick Sladen, Sladen Estates’ chief executive “Unity Square is a major piece in the Southern Gateway jigsaw. “Unfortunately, Nottingham has struggled to provide Grade A office space over the last few years. Unity Square will help to bridge that gap. “With hundreds of people working in offices in Unity Square, we see ourselves as helping bring forward an entirely new business community – breathing new life into the southern gateway – and boosting the Nottingham economy. “There will be significant job creation up to and during the build programme, and once complete local eateries and shops will benefit from the hundreds of people working there. “Unity Square will benefit from Nottingham’s superb transport links – bus, train and tram -and it will create a magnificent backdrop for commuters arriving from Nottingham Station – providing the sort of dynamic surroundings you’d expect to see as you step from the train in one of the UK’s Core Cities. “We have strong occupier interest in the site, which is why we’ve submitted a planning application. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have an in-depth knowledge of the local market and national development, along with contracting expertise, and has the scale, expertise and resources to bring this scheme to fruition,” Sladen added. Lorraine Baggs, head of investment at Invest in Nottingham, said: “Unity Square is a prominent high quality development in this significant part of Nottingham – already seeing a massive resurgence in attracting multi-million pound regeneration. “The scheme indicates the growing confidence in Nottingham as a city which is ripe for both occupiers and developers and we anticipate other substantial interest over the months to come. 2019 is gearing up to be a momentous year not just for Nottingham’s regeneration plans as a whole, but for this area of the city to considerably advance its landscape.” Based in the East Midlands, and headquartered in Derbyshire, Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have an established background in the regional commercial property market. They have a track record of delivering large-scale developments across the UK. Over the last 20 years, they have jointly completed projects worth more than £500 million in sectors including office, industrial, leisure and student accommodation. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have a portfolio with a development end value of around £750 million. Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates bought the Unity Square site from Peel Land and Property Group in 2015 for an undisclosed sum. The site came with planning approval for a mixed use scheme of office, hotel, retail and leisure. This new planning submission will supersede the previous application.
Designed by leading UK architecture firm PRP on behalf of Trafford Housing Trust (THT), Limelight is a pioneering community health and wellbeing hub in the heart of Old Trafford. Creating one of the first of its kind, PRP designed a scheme which successfully integrates housing for older people with primary care and council services, whilst also providing a range of intergenerational facilities for the wider community. Limelight forms part of THT’s vision to regenerate Old Trafford. The development integrates 81 extracare apartments into a single building containing a GP surgery and associated health facilities; space for the delivery of council services, as well as a library, social enterprise space, a community café, flexible event spaces, a 40 place children’s nursery, and sports and recreational facilities alongside the relocation of St Brides Church. Limelight is one of the first integrated hubs to be delivered in the UK and is a model for future age friendly developments, placing older people at the very heart of their community. The concept of a multi-use building started in 2007 when THT commissioned a masterplan for Old Trafford to evaluate existing housing stock and integrate new built forms into established neighbourhoods. The report highlighted the need for community facilities as the central focus of nine projects and the site on Shrewsbury Street was selected for its accessibility and the diversity of the neighbourhoods which surround it. Graham Locke, Director at PRP, said: “THT and PRP were keen to engage with the community from the outset, seeking their views on what they thought was needed and using these to inform the emerging designs which we showcased in a series of consultation events. This enabled the community to be involved throughout each stage of the design development and helped to deliver a building which reflected their aspirations. We consulted local schools, colleges and local residents to discuss the proposals. Where possible, we took their feedback on board and incorporated it into the evolving design right up to the planning submission. The local community’s sense of ownership of the facilities is evident through the number of centre volunteers who help meet the user’s wishes and suggestions and maintain the now thriving hub.” When designing the scheme, PRP and THT were acutely aware, that for Limelight to become an enduring asset for the area, the building needed to be strongly influenced by the local community, existing service providers and key local stakeholders, both in its initial design and also the way in which it could be used and adapted to ensure that it met the community’s ever-changing aspirations.. This commitment to ensuring the development met its various stakeholder and user requirements, resulted in THT employing a number of community champions who lived locally, and who they continued to engage with beyond planning approval. The champions had direct influence on areas such as the detailed landscaping proposals, interior design, public art, as well as the building’s daily management, with many now sitting on a board of trustees for the development to provide a direct link between the community and THT. PRP designed the scheme to integrate with the surrounding neighbourhood with the built form retaining the existing historic Victorian street pattern where it remained and re-establishing it in places where post-war development had caused it, in part, to be lost. The built form and landscaping approach helped redefine the strong urban grain based on the creation of three new streets; a residential street which responds to the local vernacular; a community street (including a new public square) and a third ‘wellbeing’ street which links to the wider recreational playing fields. The architectural character of each built form changes to reflect its specific context and use; Shrewsbury Street has adopted an architectural rhythm which responds to the traditional terraced housing opposite, while St Brides Way presents a civic quality that reflects the new public building opposite and creates a distinctive new gateway into the area. This approach has successfully enhanced the wider neighbourhood and while it is a much larger building than its neighbours, attention to scale, form, proportion, detailing and use of materials allows it to sit comfortably within its primarily residential context. There are a number of amenity areas around the development; a hard-landscaped civic space between Limelight and the new Church which serves as a piazza during the summer allowing the café and church to open out onto the street. There is also a landscaped buffer around the building which includes a children’s play area and community gardens creating a different setting to each of the building frontages and a landscaped courtyard located at the heart of the development at first floor podium level which provides the principal amenity space for extra-care residents. Formally opened in December 2017, Limelight has already made a positive impact within the local community, hosting a range of events and activities, ranging from children’s readings to drawing classes and open mike nights. The community have vested ownership of Limelight and Trafford Housing Trust are rising to the challenges and opportunities that this creates.
New construction equipment is costly and, at times, completely unnecessary. The used equipment market can be a gold mine at times, full of well-maintained and cared-for gems waiting to be put to good use in your business. But finding these gems is a time-consuming process. It pays to be diligent in your search. The more you inspect and probe before you part with your cash, the more likely your purchase will be a good one and you won’t regret your decision. So, where to start looking for used construction equipment? One of the best places to pick up quality used construction equipment is at auction. www.EquifyAuctions.com is one such auction with an extensive inventory of used equipment. Before you dive right in, here at five tips to finding the best used construction equipment for your business. Get the Exact Specifications Before you even start looking at inventories, make sure you have the precise specifications. So many business owners start looking, even getting as far as negotiating a price before they realise that the equipment they need comes in several sizes or has a number of different attachments. Go into the search informed with the precise requirements and specifications so that you don’t waste any time. Inspect the Machine’s History The dents and scuffs on a machine tell its personal story, but you might want a bit more information before you hand over the cheddar and take the machine home. First, you need to ensure the equipment isn’t stolen. The best way to do this is by writing down the equipment’s serial number and checking it with the police or through the National Equipment Register. Also, check the name on the title and ensure everything adds up. If the name on the title is a financial institution or bank, I would recommend proceeding with caution. This likely means that the equipment has not been paid for in full. If the previous seller doesn’t complete the payments, the machine may be seized by the financial institution, causing you all sorts of headaches later on. Check the Fluid Levels This might sound strange, because after all, you can top up the engine oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid once you get it to your site, but checking the equipment’s fluid level can offer an insight into its maintenance history. If the fluids are low or exceptionally dirty, it could be an indicator that the equipment has not been well looked after. If the previous owners have not maintained a rigorous upkeep schedule, there may be underlying mechanical problems lurking beneath the surface. Check the Operating Hours You should be able to check the machine’s operating hours. You don’t want to buy equipment that was worked ragged by its previous owner (even if you do, you might be able to get the seller to accept a lower price after seeing the equipment’s operating hours). Run the Engine If the equipment has an engine, it is best to test it. Pay extra close attention to how the machine runs when the engine is cold. This will tell you a lot about its maintenance. A poorly-maintained machine will sound a little off or produce a smoke that is exceptionally black or white in colour.
Keeping young people safe at work was top of the agenda at the latest Industry Skills Forum hosted by Develop Training Limited (DTL). The event attracted senior apprenticeship and HR managers from major construction, infrastructure and utilities companies. Safeguarding to prevent abuse and harm is a hot topic, as large firms look to take on more young apprentices under the government’s levy scheme. The round table event also highlighted Prevent, the government’s initiative to avoid radicalisation of young people. Tanya Parkin, DTL’s HR Manager and safeguarding lead, outlined how the company is tackling the safeguarding issue as an approved apprenticeship provider. The presentation, co-hosted by Andy Holmes, DTL’s Head of Audit and Quality, raised key discussion points around the shared responsibilities of the training provider and its corporate customers. Describing DTL’s journey since becoming an approved apprenticeship provider under the levy, Tanya said: “We have implemented a safeguarding and prevent strategy in the business. Our board of directors is really engaged with the subject, which has allowed us to roll out the strategy in our processes and training documentation.” “Safeguarding in the workplace is focused on under 18s but not confined to that age group,” she explained. DTL relies on the government’s document Safeguarding: Keeping Children Safe in Education for its policies on keeping apprentices safe. The guidelines outline processes for recruitment and training of teaching staff and others working with young people, as well as the duties of designated responsible persons. A second presentation by an expert in extremism outlined the risks posed by radicalisation and how the Prevent initiative operates to combat the threat. Providers such as DTL have a duty to refer young people who appear to be at risk of radicalisation to a specialist panel as well as to incorporate British values into the learning process. To find out more about DTL and to download a range of useful resources visit www.developtraining.co.uk/safeguarding www.developtraining.co.uk
An innovative scheme designed to attract new talent into the built environment industry has secured the backing of three high-profile firms that have won work across the globe. Black & White Engineering (B&W), s h e d and James Christopher Consulting are the latest companies to become sponsors of PlanBEE (Built Environment Education), a unique, flexible training programme designed to attract and retain the brightest new talent in the region, plug skills gaps and create a more flexible workforce capable of working across various construction disciplines. The scheme was launched in 2016 when Gateshead College and Ryder Architecture formed a powerful alliance with a network of architects, designers, contractors and engineering specialists. Rather than follow a traditional training model where students complete their qualifications while working in one company, PlanBEE gives trainees the chance to work across several companies and therefore gain a more rounded understanding of the built environment industry. Students will now benefit from a wider range of expertise with B&W, Shed and James Christopher Consulting on board. Launched in the United Arab Emirates in 2007, B&W is a pioneering mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design consultancy with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Baku, Manila, London and Newcastle. The company offers design and consultancy services to the construction industry worldwide and has worked on numerous large-scale iconic projects including high-rise towers, data centres, hotels, shopping malls and airports. Steven Horn, director, in B&W’s Newcastle office said: “We need to see more young people coming into our industry with knowledge of different areas of the built environment. The way PlanBEE is structured allows us to achieve this. The programme is ideal preparation for how we want to develop our staff, which is to give them opportunities to experience different ways of working on various projects around the world.” Newcastle-based s h e d is a structural and civil engineering design consultancy that specialises in complex engineering design and Building Information Modelling (BIM), an approach that helps firms risk-assess projects at an early stage by generating intelligent 3D models of buildings before construction takes place. Marc Horn of s h e d said: “Our expertise in BIM requires us to recruit staff with a rounded understanding of the built environment sector. PlanBEE enables us to achieve this because it moves away from traditional off-the-shelf training schemes that shoehorn professionals into narrowly defined roles in a single company.” James Christopher Consulting, an established engineering practice in Gateshead, offers design services to the built environment sector and works on a wide range of projects, from small-scale specialist structures to large-scale commercial developments including land reclamation and drainage works. Technical director Craig Higgins said: “We were delighted to get involved with PlanBEE and were impressed with this novel approach to recruiting, training and developing staff. There’s a strong emphasis on the application of digital technologies to different types of construction projects and we want our workforce to be at the forefront of this revolution.” Working with Gateshead College, the PlanBEE group has created a bespoke higher-level skills programme that provides budding professionals with study and off-the-job training at the college’s construction facility on Team Valley, along with a job working with some of the region’s leading companies. It has been tailored specifically for and by the North East construction sector, providing students with a starting salary of £10,700 per year, a professional qualification and a guaranteed job opportunity on graduation. Established by Ryder Architecture, the scheme has already attracted some high-profile names, including Brims Construction, NBS, Desco (Design & Consultancy), BIM Academy, Sir Robert McAlpine, Xsite Architecture, Robertson, 3e Consulting, Cundall, Arup, FaulknerBrowns, Sadler Brown Architecture and Tolent. Chris Toon, deputy principal at Gateshead College, said: “It’s great to have three additional sponsors on board. The industry has called for employees to be skilled in a greater range of disciplines, such as surveying, landscaping, architecture and planning, and PlanBEE addresses this fundamental need. “We proud to be at the forefront of an industry-led initiative that’s becoming a national exemplar for the recruitment and development of construction employees.” Mark Thompson, managing partner at Ryder Architecture, added: It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the programme is making on the students and sponsoring businesses, and we’re delighted to be welcoming the new sponsors to our third cohort.” For more information about the programme, or to get involved, visit http://www.gateshead.ac.uk/planbee/ or contact Helen Craddock at Ryder on 0191 269 5454.
Coming back from the summer break with recharged batteries and a suitcase full of souvenirs and good intentions, September always seems to do its best to challenge this with a tsunami of shows. For myself and my colleagues at Quarterre, a transport and product design studio based in London, this has centred around two things this year: The London Design Festival, when the world and its soft furnishings comes to our doorstep and the Paris Motor Show, a veritable Grande Dame of the automotive industry whose glory days might be behind her now but who still knows how to put on a class act. These two great events, much like their host cities, are, at first glance, quite different. However, in a reflection of the times we live in perhaps, these superficial differences mask important themes and knowledge that, when shared, can benefit all. The London Design Festival often seems to contain a bustling multitude of ideas both laudable and laughable and this year was no different. Amidst the colours, curves and visual puns were thought-provoking investigations into positive uses of personal data in urban planning (Zaha Hadid), sustainable structures from responsibly sourced materials (MultiPly by Waugh Thistleton Architects) and the innovative use of waste materials in product design (Ilse Crawford, as part of the Viaduct Common Senses show), proof that creativity will be key in solving these recurring questions of cities, sustainability and circular economics. At the end of the month, the Paris motor show, was a noticeably sparser affair than in previous years, a sign that motor shows in metal sheds are rapidly losing their attraction. The two stars of the show – the Renault EZ-Ultimo and Peugeot e-Legend illustrate the quandary the automotive industry faces, step into an uneasy new world where driving pleasure is an irrelevance and even luxury cars are something to be shared and not owned, or embrace the comforting glow of nostalgia? Despite this, what wasn’t up for discussion, was the future of the internal combustion engine. Even the – really rather attractive – retro Peugeot was an electric car. Ironically, as car companies themselves fight for relevance, the technology that they have at their disposal looks increasingly useful for many fields of design and manufacture. For instance, prefab buildings look to be one of the best ways to solve housing shortages and techniques that were last seriously investigated by Richard Rogers and Norman Foster in their youth, are being investigated again by a new generation of architects and developers. Boxes made in factories that are safe, comfortable and full of technology. So, who do we know that might be able to help with that? A year or so ago, Renault showed the Symbioz, a concept that integrated a car into a house – the former giving up the unused charge in its battery when it returned home to power services in the house – a ‘D to X’ configuration in the parlance of providers of charging points. This is an intelligent use of resources and something that is, pleasingly, already on the horizon as a feature of many houses in the near future. Beyond this though, the Renault house and car shared only a broad-brush aesthetic relationship. A shame, as a fully-integrated house and car from the company that brought you the first European mpv – the Espace in 1984 – could have been quite a statement. Other car companies have opted to simply lend their names to new buildings. Aston Martin has dipped its toes in the world of property development – at the top end, naturally – designing a luxury flat complex in Florida. Porsche Design – Ferdinand Porsche’s independent industrial design studio, set up when he withdrew from the car company in the 70s and subsequently re-absorbed into the group just over a decade ago – has also thrown its hat into the ring with a neighbouring tower in Miami and a planned building in Frankfurt. These properties function more as general expressions of modern luxury residential architecture than as the concrete-and-steel embodiment of a car brand. The commercial realities behind their creation mean that their aesthetic has been tempered to attract a more mainstream audience. But they do at least show an awareness on the part of Porsche Design and Aston Martin of the type of lifestyle that their products are a part of. As more car brands look to offer mobility as a service and seek to present themselves as clubs to be joined just as much as manufacturers of automotive hardware, this trend for embodying the automotive in architecture will surely continue. Travelling in the other direction, there is a notable tradition of architects trying their hand at car design. Amongst others, Le Corbusier and Zaha Hadid both created designs for vehicles, although Hadid’s Z-Car showed that a feeling for sculptural form in one field does not necessarily translate seamlessly to another. Le Corbusier’s car – the Voiture Minimum – was as geometrically brutal as much of his architecture, his eschewing of the architecture and ‘technical sculpture’ typical of mainstream car styling leading to a utilitarian and functional design that has aged remarkably well. Le Corbusier of course, was famed for describing a house as a ‘machine for living in’. Surely car companies are ideally placed to expand upon this concept? From lightweight, modular structures to integrated sensors and smart energy saving, there are many examples of intelligent engineering and convenient, enabling technology that could usefully cross-fertilise with architecture and house building. Come to that, when cars become completely autonomous, where will they end and our houses begin? Will we begin the commute to work whilst still in bed and step from breakfast in the kitchen straight into the office? Mobile architecture is uncharted territory at the moment and as smart homes and shared mobility evolve, it could quite easily become the next frontier for innovative thinkers. http://www.quarterre.com
Is google your go-to source for construction industry knowledge, or do you find the answers you need on your company’s in-house knowledge management system? Are you frustrated by documents that are too long to read, or baffled by complex technical language? Do you give up when you’re faced with a sign-up form? The Construction Knowledge Task Group (CKTG) wants to know what you think about the state of industry knowledge, and is asking people from across the industry to fill in a quick online survey which will generate invaluable insights and help guide the knowledge of the future. Construction knowledge is a vital industry asset that helps spread best practice, promote research and innovation and prevent mistakes. But a recent poll suggested three quarters of practitioners don’t have easy access to the knowledge they need to do their job. This may be because they are unaware of what is available, it is inaccessible, it is in an unhelpful format, or it is difficult to understand and apply. As a result, knowledge has less impact on the ground than it should, the industry does not perform as well as it could, and avoidable mistakes are made. 93% of practitioners believe that improving knowledge is very important or extremely important for the industry. The Construction Knowledge Task Group is calling for your input so it can take the right steps to make knowledge better. This important survey will build a picture of the knowledge practitioners need, where they go to find it, and what stands in their way. Architect, Dr Gregor Harvie, convenor of the task group said; “A lot of knowledge is still produced as if we’re in the 19th century and it’s destined to sit on a shelf. We need to modernise our knowledge in the same way that BIM has modernised data and information. The feedback we get from this survey will help us take the first steps in the right direction.” Please take a little time out of your day to make the industry better, and complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/constructionknowledge The survey will close on Friday 30 November. Notes The Construction Knowledge Task Group (CKTG) was established in 2018 to make it as easy as possible for practitioners and other industry stakeholders to find, access and apply the right knowledge at the right time. It was convened following research carried out in 2017 that suggested there was a significant difference between the knowledge practitioners need and the knowledge the industry produces. Its members include representatives from; the Construction Leadership Council, CIOB, ICE, RIBA, RICS, i3P, BSRIA, CIAT, CIBSE, UKGBC, BRE, Arup, Rider Levett Bucknall, University of Dundee, Polypipe, The Get It Right Initiative, Cundall and Storma. You can find out more about the Construction Knowledge Task Group at https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Construction_knowledge_task_group Or you can email Dr Gregor Harvie at gregor.harvie@designingbuildings.co.uk.
Excitement is mounting as the highest performing Considerate Constructors Scheme registered construction companies and suppliers get ready for the 2018 National Company and Supplier Awards. The Awards will take place on 15-16 November at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) prestigious landmark headquarters in central London. Every company and supplier registered with the Scheme had their performance against the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice assessed between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2018. Only the very highest performing have now been selected to be eligible to win this year’s prestigious awards. Industry leaders, Brian Berry (Chief Executive at the Federation of Master Builders) and Shaun McCarthy OBE (Chair of the Supply Chain Sustainability School) will be announcing whether each winning company or supplier has received a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award for their achievements. Runners-up and the winners of the highly acclaimed ‘Most Considerate Company’ and ‘Most Considerate Supplier’ Awards will also be announced at the ceremonies. Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive Edward Hardy comments: “Scheme-registered companies and suppliers play a crucial role in promoting a positive image of our industry, with the standards of best practice and general consideration shown within these organisations increasing significantly year on year. “The commitment and a sustained effort to continuously improve by top performing companies and suppliers are truly incredible. “On behalf of the Scheme, I would like to offer my congratulations to every registered company and supplier winning an award, as competition gets tougher each year with more organisations registering and performing to ever higher standards. “We look forward to recognising and celebrating the success of every 2018 award-winning company and supplier at our National Company and Supplier Awards in November.” All the latest on the awards will be available via Twitter @CCScheme #ccsawards #loveconstruction. Photo caption: 2017 National Company and Supplier Award winners.