September 22nd sees people from around the world taking part in ‘World Car Free Day[1]’ as a reminder that we don’t have to accept a car-dominated society. For many this has already become a way of life, as savvy citizens have removed the costly expense of running a car and
The primary reason for running a renovation project is usually to add value. Whether that’s by rectifying a problem, updating your offering or optimising the space, renovation can improve both the function and aesthetics of a business. Here Connie Johnson, vice president of marketing at surface preparation expert National Flooring
Airdrie family business, Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, one of the most innovative players in the Scottish construction sector, has recently acquired a state-of-the-art stonecrushing rig which can radically reduce the environmental impact of resurfacing and ground stabilisation works. It is the only machine of its kind in use in
Architecture and construction consultancy YMD Boon has announced that it has completed improvement works on more than 200 school projects in the Midlands area through the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). CIF, an annual bidding round to which academies and sixth-form colleges can apply for funding to keep school buildings in
Independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) has announced the strengthening of its healthcare expertise with the appointment of three senior healthcare appointments. Stewart Binns joins RLB UK as a Partner from Turner & Townsend where he spent the last 14 years as a Director in
Canadian hydraulic skidding equipment manufacturer Hydra-Slide, represented in the UK and Europe by international partner Rapid Response Solutions (RRS), has received an award from equipment rental company A-Plant, which staged a week of innovation earlier this summer, including a series of workshops and discussions for supply chain partners. Representatives from
The timber industry is invited to take on the health and wellbeing agenda this autumn at the Wood for Good Marketing Summit. Aimed at timber marketing and communications professionals, the event ‘Marketing Timber for the Health and Wellbeing Agenda’ will take place on Thursday 20 September at Headspace in Farringdon,
Scotland’s largest flooring contractor, Veitchi Flooring, will supply 28,500 sq m of soft floor finishes to two large scale construction projects taking place in the north of Scotland. The Cambuslang-based firm, part of the Veitchi Group, say they are one of very few flooring contractors in the UK who could
There has been a lot of discussion about the STEM skills shortage that is being seen throughout the UK. The Telegraph has reported on research by the UK Commission for Employment & Skills, for instance, which suggests that 43 per cent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths vacancies were hard
Concrete is just about everywhere in city infrastructure, from the paving slabs at our feet to the skyscrapers that tower above us. The trouble is, this overuse means that concrete is rarely appreciated for its many benefits as a building material. In fact, thanks to its association with certain architectural
September 22nd sees people from around the world taking part in ‘World Car Free Day[1]’ as a reminder that we don’t have to accept a car-dominated society. For many this has already become a way of life, as savvy citizens have removed the costly expense of running a car and joined a car club. At Marconi Evolution, Bellway’s development set in the heart of Chelmsford, residents can make the positive decision to live car free. Based at Marconi, residents can join Co-wheels car club, with its easy online booking system where members only pay for what they use and insurance in included. Co-wheels takes its environmental responsibility seriously and only provides low emission, hybrid and electric cars. For members, the only costs are a one off joining fee of £25 and then a pay as you use cost, removing the expensive annual charges involved in car ownership such as road tax, insurance, and servicing, not to mention funding the vehicle. Marconi is located just a four-minute walk to the nearest supermarket, the train station and indeed the heart of Chelmsford’s city centre, removing any need for a car, that according to statistics is likely to remain stationary for 95% of time. At Marconi the final phase of contemporary apartments is already 50% sold out. The homes offer prospective buyers the perfect opportunity to purchase a new home in an enviable location in Chelmsford. Each is finished to a high specification with the added advantage of an on-site residents’ gym and a concierge service. Paul Timson, Sales Manager at Bellway Essex, comments: “Many of the buyers at Marconi have been first time buyers, taking advantage of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme. Generally, there isn’t a pot of money left over for running a car so the car club has been immensely popular with residents and we envisage that as people get more used to this way of life we envisage that the fleet size could increase on site . “Chelmsford city centre is so close to the development that popping out to buy a pint of milk would take longer in a car than by foot.” Chelmsford city centre has a wealth of activities, retailers and restaurants on offer. Bond Street shopping centre has transformed the city, with sought-after brands and wide pedestrianised walk ways, including Essex’s first John Lewis, 25 luxury shops and seven riverside restaurants. In addition to the on-site residents’ gym, active residents are only a short distance from several leisure centres and private health clubs – and with football, rugby and tennis facilities available in the local area, there is ample opportunity to take up a number of sports and fitness activities. Central Park and Admirals Park are only a short distance from the development, with Hylands Park accessible too, providing ample green space within the vicinity of Marconi Evolution. These new homes in Chelmsford are ideally situated for commuting into the capital with rail journeys into London Liverpool Street taking around 35 minutes from Chelmsford train station, which is less than five minutes’ walk from the development. The last remaining homes at Marconi Evolution are priced from £255,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and £299,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information please visit www.bellway.co.uk or call the sales team on 01245 269208.
The primary reason for running a renovation project is usually to add value. Whether that’s by rectifying a problem, updating your offering or optimising the space, renovation can improve both the function and aesthetics of a business. Here Connie Johnson, vice president of marketing at surface preparation expert National Flooring Equipment, explains how technology can help improve a renovation project’s return on investment. The starting point for a renovation project is to establish what the end goal is for the organisation. In most cases, the project is not just to replace the floor, but actually to meet a business objective. The objective could be something as critical as to bring in more customers or improve a building’s efficiency. For example, in a café or restaurant, it is important to install flooring that feels and looks good under a customer’s feet, is easy to clean if a drink is spilt and is slip resistant for safety. In a casino, a busy carpet may encourage visitors to look up, resulting in an increase in spending – helping the business to increase its profits. A patterned carpet will also conceal any spills, making the carpet cheaper and easier to maintain. A floor covering can even impact the energy efficiency of a business. In large warehouses or supermarkets, a reflective polished concrete floor can cut energy bills. For a project to have any real return on investment, it must be clear what problem the renovation is trying to solve and what environment the business is trying to create. Once the goals and objectives of the project are defined, there are several ways that a business can maximise the return on investment of their floor. The first stage is during the renovation itself. On the job When renovating a business, it’s critical that the work does not disrupt day-to-day activities. Many companies remain open during renovation or refurbishments, which means business owners must be conscious of noise, dust and debris. The contractor can choose a battery or electric powered machine, use dust collection equipment and regularly remove any debris or rubble to help keep the business in operation during the project. Technology can help a contractor to perform the renovation more quickly. A commonly overlooked factor is ergonomics – the more comfortable the contractor is, the more quickly the job can be performed. For this reason, surface preparation equipment that can be adjusted can help improve the speed of renovation is ideal. Versatile equipment on the job site will also improve ROI. For example, with the right tooling, National Flooring Equipment’s Helix grinder can grind, polish, edge grind and scarify a surface – offering four capabilities in one machine. Whether you own equipment or hire a contractor, the use of one machine can improve the speed and ease of which a renovation can be completed. Advances in coating technology can impact the floor’s return on investment, both in terms of meeting a business objective and in the floor’s lifespan. Consider this example, your business is flooded your floor is mouldy and ruined. Do you want to lay the same covering again and risk a repeat occurrence? Of course not. The best option is to address the issue underneath the floor by laying a moisture barrier and safeguarding the floor against future water damage. Renovation return on investment is about more than the cost of the project. True ROI is achieved by a project that helps a company to meet a business objective, either saving energy costs or increasing customer spend. Ensuring the floor will last the test of time so the business can continue to reap the rewards of the renovated floor is another important factor. Surface preparation is critical for improving lifespan, keep this at the forefront of your mind when you next consider adding value to your business. For more information visit https://www.nationalequipment.com/.
Airdrie family business, Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, one of the most innovative players in the Scottish construction sector, has recently acquired a state-of-the-art stonecrushing rig which can radically reduce the environmental impact of resurfacing and ground stabilisation works. It is the only machine of its kind in use in the UK and it is the latest acquisition in an investment spree totalling nearly £400,000 which maintains Arvill’s extensive hire fleet at the cutting edge of sustainable, eco-sensitive and safe construction methods. The stonecrusher, which cost £30,000, is designed and built for a new skid steer tracked unit which cost an additional £46,000. Its size makes it ideal for dirt and gravel roads, bike and horse trails, landscaping and difficult terrain. It has already been tried and tested on several projects and involved in a programme of upgrading towpaths along the canal network throughout Scotland. Hayley Shevill, Commercial Director at Arvill Plant and Tool Hire said: “The stonecrusher is ideal for challenging terrains such as the canal and cycle paths, which are narrow and can have fragile banks. The unit also helped reduce disruption to pedestrians and the paths remained open throughout operations.” The kit can work in conjunction with ground stabilisation materials, creating a strong load-bearing layer with a suitably flat surface. Ms Shevill said: “This solution meets a number of environmental criteria. It means no energy intensive excavation is needed in a quarry to provide material and it reduces pollution, time and costs on site. We are confident that our acquisition of this machine will open up new markets for us.” As part of their ongoing expansion strategy, Arvill Plant and Tool Hire has also added 10-tonne cab dumpers and six-tonne cab dumpers to their fleet of dumpers, diggers, rollers, compaction equipment, telehandlers and self-propelled access platforms up to 46ft. The larger dumpers are fitted with front and rear integrated cameras and the smaller with front cameras which will address many of the safety concerns around front tipping vehicles in which the skip obscures the driver’s vision. Moving forward Arvill Plant hire aim to help eliminate many of the major risks to health and safety by investing in dumpers that are fitted with rotational cabs to allow for maximum visibility whilst the machine is in use. For further information, contact Hayley Shevill, Arvill Plant & Tool Hire, 48-60 Flowerhill Street, Flowerhill Industrial Estate, Airdrie ML6 6BH. T: 01236 760070. E: hayley.shevill@arvill.co.uk. W: www.arvillplantandtoolhire.co.uk
Architecture and construction consultancy YMD Boon has announced that it has completed improvement works on more than 200 school projects in the Midlands area through the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). CIF, an annual bidding round to which academies and sixth-form colleges can apply for funding to keep school buildings in safe and good working order, funds projects that address issues such as water tightness, boiler failure, fire safety, safeguarding and mobile classroom replacement. In the latest bidding round (2018/19), more than 50% of all successful bids in both Derbyshire and Leicestershire were awarded to schools that had engaged YMD Boon to prepare and deliver their bids. The company has undertaken works on CIF projects ranging from window replacements and reroofing to extensions and major refurbishments over the course of the last five years. Notable projects this year include three new school halls, six new production kitchens, a half form entry expansion of an “outstanding school” and numerous boiler replacements, reroofing, window replacements, fire safety improvements works and safeguarding projects. Director at YMD Boon, Jonathan Warren, said: “Our continued success over the last few years through CIF bids demonstrates both YMD Boon’s knowledge and its commitment to the education sector. Delivering more than 200 projects through CIF is a fantastic milestone to celebrate and we are very proud of our team. “We have delivered both small scale projects ranging from £25k to large-scale refurbishment and expansion works in excess of a £1m. It’s great to see our work directly improve so many local schools and we very much look forward to delivering even more projects over the coming years through CIF.” YMD Boon, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, works on high-profile schemes throughout the Midlands, with specialist services including architecture, quantity surveying, building surveying, project management, employers’ agent, property management and maintenance, health and safety advisors and clerk of works.
Independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) has announced the strengthening of its healthcare expertise with the appointment of three senior healthcare appointments. Stewart Binns joins RLB UK as a Partner from Turner & Townsend where he spent the last 14 years as a Director in the Project Management team and was the National Health and Higher Education lead. Stewart had a major portfolio of projects across the public sector including clients such as the University of Leeds, University of Huddersfield, York NHS Trust and the Yorkshire & York PCT. He is nationally known for his work in risk management and structuring effective procurement solutions. Georgie Whitham joins RLB’s London team from Capita and brings an analytical skillset which includes activity modelling, simulation and strategic data mapping. Georgie has worked with a variety of healthcare organisations including commissioners, providers, regulators and social enterprises. Her expertise has been applied to a wide range of schemes from new build multi-speciality facilities to Trust-wide transformation strategies, new digital-based models of care and CCG strategic estates plans. Paul Dutton joins the Project Management team in Birmingham and has worked on a range of health and education projects. These include hospitals and specialist centres like The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, St George’s Hospital and Royal Berkshire Hospital amongst others. He has a background in IT & medical equipment bringing a new element to RLB client services in addition to his project management skillset. These appointments come at a time of phenomenal growth for the RLB healthcare team who brought healthcare management consultant Conor Ellis to the helm of the division in 2017. The sector has doubled in turnover in the past 12 months, is shortlisted for national awards and now has clients in every area of the NHS from acute & research to primary, mental health and community care. Conor Ellis, Partner and National Head of Healthcare at RLB comments, “RLB welcomes three more senior professionals to the RLB healthcare team. They bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the fold with outstanding track records within their healthcare field.” Andrew Reynolds, UK and Global Board Director for RLB UK continues, “It is an exciting time for the UK business. We are seeing opportunities open with the healthcare division as the needs change both of the NHS and within the private healthcare sector. Our high profile projects are enabling us to attract the best talent which in turn means we can offer a strategic, consultative approach to serve the market even better.”
Canadian hydraulic skidding equipment manufacturer Hydra-Slide, represented in the UK and Europe by international partner Rapid Response Solutions (RRS), has received an award from equipment rental company A-Plant, which staged a week of innovation earlier this summer, including a series of workshops and discussions for supply chain partners. Representatives from A-Plant’s 16 specialist divisions joined leading plant, tool, and equipment suppliers for the five-day event, with manufacturers invited to present their latest innovative products, services, and software. Throughout the week almost 40 suppliers were invited to showcase their new kit to a panel of A-Plant colleagues, supply chain partners, and major customers. Only five companies were awarded, included Hydra-Slide / RRS. Janine Smith, vice president at Hydra-Slide, said: “It is truly an honour to be recognised by the industry we aim to serve—and it was unexpected, which makes it even better. We are thrilled to accept this award and will do our absolute best to merit the recognition.” Paul Barber, managing director at RRS, said that raising the profile of Hydra-Slide equipment is crucial to increasing usage. He explained: “Through exhibiting at trade shows such as LiftEx and Breakbulk Europe we are starting to get the range of available equipment known. The products sell themselves once the customer is introduced to them. We are close to concluding some big sales in the UK and next year looks even better. Having the backing and support of a hire company like A-Plant can only help.” Smith concurs: “Because there are so many industries that would benefit from skidding systems and related rigging equipment, raising market awareness remains a top priority.” RRS supports A-Plant by supplying Hydra-Slide products for its hire fleet – a more desirable approach for A Plant than acquiring its own inventory. “A-Plant wants to offer a complete service to customers and part of that involves knowing how and where to access specialist services. I have on several occasions attended customer meetings to offer such product knowledge and potential solutions” he added. Jacking load shoes The winning entry centred on the 250-ton capacity JLS250 jacking load shoes, a complementary product to the Hydra-Slide HT300 and HT500 Heavy Track skidding systems. Each shoe includes a 250-ton capacity double-acting lift cylinder that can be connected hydraulically with any number of other shoes increasing the overall system capacity while maintaining equal load support and weight distribution. As the judging panel heard, using four shoes will increase the HT500 system capacity to 1,000 tons (900 tonnes); using eight shoes will give the system a load capacity of 2,000 tons (1,800 tonnes). This is accomplished while maintaining a low working height; the safety of the high friction coefficient of the system; as well as the added advantage of compensation for poor or uneven ground support through a three-point suspension hydraulic connection between the shoes. Janine Smith pointed to further applications of the jacking load shoes, not only for moving large transformers, vessels and reactors but also great potential in the Tunnel Boring sector. She added: “Our goal is to be able to outfit an entire rigging department with all the equipment they need to complete a slide project, including custom-built components when a unique challenge arises. Our product development is powered by client feedback and new challenges. We see a trend towards implementing the most compact, efficient and versatile equipment possible.” Dave Harris, business development director at A-Plant said: “Not only is innovation essential to ensure we have a steady stream of new products or services to bring into to the UK rental market, but also to allow us to contribute to some of society’s bigger challenges relating to safety, sustainability, and productivity. All of the companies awarded have presented truly innovative products.” www.hydra-slide.com
The timber industry is invited to take on the health and wellbeing agenda this autumn at the Wood for Good Marketing Summit. Aimed at timber marketing and communications professionals, the event ‘Marketing Timber for the Health and Wellbeing Agenda’ will take place on Thursday 20 September at Headspace in Farringdon, London. Health and wellbeing, indoor air quality and the use of healthy building materials are becoming increasingly important in construction and the marketing summit will assess the market potential, demand and drivers for healthy building products. The event will cover innovative approaches and best practice in marketing for the health and wellbeing agenda. An interview style panel debate with speakers including Harry Knibb, principal consultant and healthy buildings expert at WSP, and Olga Turner, director and co-founder of Ekkist. This will be followed by an open audience discussion allowing for speakers and delegates to establish requirements for healthy building products and how to meet them. Christiane Lellig, Wood for Good campaign manager, said: “We’ve had discussions with organisations such as the Construction Products Association, Savills and Legal and General and they’ve all shared that there is currently no particular focus or research on health and wellbeing trends in residential buildings. “To date the focus has been on office buildings with the intention to increase employee retention and performance, but we want to know what the key challenges are for timber marketing and communications professionals catering for the wider health and wellbeing agenda. “For example, how does everyone describe a healthy building material? This is an opportunity for us to come together and unite in our messaging and gain a better understanding of healthy building standards and material databases, so we can communicate this effectively and accurately.” The marketing summit, taking place the day before the Timber Trade Journal Awards, is an essential opportunity for anyone responsible for communicating about timber products and allows for networking with like-minded professionals. The final session on the day will be exclusively for Wood for Good supporters to discuss the main focus for 2019, receive a brief update on 2018 performance, and learn about the new funding strategy. Tickets are free to Wood for Good supporters and a 25% discount is available for British Woodworking Federation and Timber Trade Federation members. Numbers are limited so register for tickets now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wood-for-good-marketing-summit-autumn-2018-tickets-48237635065 Subscribe for the latest e-news on timber in design and construction here: www.woodforgood.com/info/sign-up
Scotland’s largest flooring contractor, Veitchi Flooring, will supply 28,500 sq m of soft floor finishes to two large scale construction projects taking place in the north of Scotland. The Cambuslang-based firm, part of the Veitchi Group, say they are one of very few flooring contractors in the UK who could fund and resource such large scale contracts. They were brought on board by the Major Projects team of Robertson Construction who are the main contractor at both the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) and NHS Orkney Hospital. With a combined contract value in the order of £1.85 million Veitchi will provide 15,500 sq m and 13,000 sq m of flooring respectively to the fitting out which started on site in June. The types of soft flooring involved are wide and varied ranging from carpet tiles, vinyl and matting required around 30 fitters, many sourced from local labour pools, to complete the contracts. “Our ability to take on the big, the difficult is what we believe sets us apart from other companies,” says Veitchi Flooring’s managing director, Gordon Crawford. “These are large scale contracts which require a financial capability from the sub-contractor to resource the materials and labour in advance in order to properly service them.” At a contract value of £333 million the construction project is the largest ever undertaken by the Robertson Group. Spanning three buildings – the AECC, a 200-bed Hilton Hotel and 150-bed Aloft Hotel – it forms part of the 130 acre former Rowett Research Institute south of Aberdeen airport. The new NHS facility near Kirkwall in Orkney, meanwhile, will include a general hospital, primary care and community facilities, dental and clinical support services. “Last year we delivered a similar intergrated flooring solution at the new NHS Dumfries and Galloway hospital,” added Mr Crawford “Geography is really no barrier to us. We have flooring teams active all over Scotland often in remote locations and, indeed, the wider UK.”
There has been a lot of discussion about the STEM skills shortage that is being seen throughout the UK. The Telegraph has reported on research by the UK Commission for Employment & Skills, for instance, which suggests that 43 per cent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths vacancies were hard to fill as of the latter months of 2016. What’s more, the publication also revealed that just 15,000 students in the UK sat a computing or ICT A-Level in the summer of 2016, which represents less than two per cent of the entire number of exams sat during that period. Further Education establishments across the UK also have a challenge in STEM provision that they must address — providing well-equipped environments that can cater for hands-on teaching methods but with small budgets available to them. One possible solution to overcoming this challenge is intelligent construction. For example, one of the leading construction companies in the North of England, Central and Southern Scotland, Esh Group, uses value engineering to assess the design, materials and systems of a building project to establish where efficiencies can be achieved. This methodology may result in the firm being able to find an alternative wall finishing that can save the project several thousand pounds, or identify specialist glazing materials which can retain heat and thus save energy costs in the long run. Why dedicated STEM centres are proving appealing Another way that Esh Group has attempted to engage the workforce of tomorrow and enhance the skills sets needed to help those looking to get into a career related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects is through the development of a set of Get into STEM kits. The construction company goes beyond just education when looking into factors related to STEM, however. Many colleges have chosen to build dedicated STEM centres to meet the demands of employers, and the Government’s Industrial Strategy, with Esh Group building STEM centres at Middlesbrough College and Northumberland College’s Ashington Campus alone. Taking note that these buildings — like any other site in the educational sector — should be a focal point for communities is a factor Esh Group makes sure to remember when making these structures. Another consideration for the firm is that they are designed in a way that provides a safe, stimulating and sustainable environment for all. As such, they always consult closely with clients, pupils, teachers and the community to shape the vision of the new environment and meet the needs of future generations. Steps to take when designing a STEM centre and then building it Adaptable spaces for teaching facilities and workshops is usually a requirement from education providers when STEM centres are being constructed. For Northumberland College’s STEM centre in Ashington, for example, Esh Group installed a galvanised steel trench in the workshop area. This allows the college to adapt the room layout, move equipment and store power and data cables securely. The also fitted a moveable wall within the building, which can be opened up to create double-height workshop areas. Bear in mind too that a busy college campus will likely be based very close to a STEM centre and within a prominent spot. As such, it’s important not to disrupt the smooth working of the institution. On recent builds, Esh Group considered this point and separated the site using Heras fencing and ensured clear signage is in place. If shared road access will be leading up to the site where the STEM cente is being built, then a traffic flow system should be set up in the early stages of the construction project. Site vehicles should drive fully onto site, with materials being delivered on a ‘just in time’ basis and stored in a dedicated lay down area. Will a STEM centre be built with two storeys or more? If so, working at height must be factored in as well. Fortunately, the Health and Safety Executive has a raft of handy advice about this topic in this guide. Toolbox talks should be provided to every individual on site too, not to mention thorough risk assessments and method statements created to ensure everybody is safe and secure throughout the entire development. Those carrying out the construction work of a STEM centre should also be factoring specialist equipment into their build. After all, the aim of the facility will be to provide world-class sector-based education to pupils once it’s complete and open. A real-life lean manufacturing facility — complete with a robotic-controlled production line — was set up by Esh Group when they were building a STEM centre within Middlesbrough College, for instance. The centre now replicates typical industrial environments and includes fully-functional chemical and oil processes, which are monitored and operated from a high-tech control room. The construction company also installed specialist science and technology workshops, including dedicated ‘fab labs’ where budding product designers and entrepreneurs can access the latest in digital fabrication equipment for prototyping.
Concrete is just about everywhere in city infrastructure, from the paving slabs at our feet to the skyscrapers that tower above us. The trouble is, this overuse means that concrete is rarely appreciated for its many benefits as a building material. In fact, thanks to its association with certain architectural styles (Brutalism, we’re looking at you), concrete is often downright hated. This is a shame because concrete is cheap, durable, environmentally friendly and readily available – everything you need in a perfect building material. Even when a concrete building gets demolished or a concrete barrier is dismantled, its component parts can easily be reused and recycled into something new. Here are just five ways in which concrete constructions can be given a new, imaginative lease on life. Flexible traffic control Traffic management might seem like one of the most obvious uses for concrete barriers, but have you ever seen it used like this? Thanks to the innovative “Barrier-Transfer” machine, the concrete road-blocks that are typically considered a permanent fixture can be moved between lanes to accommodate for heavier traffic travelling in one direction. Perhaps it’s not the most creative use for the blocks themselves, but it’s certainly a refreshing way to update a very conventional scenario! Cinder blocks as shelving Eponymous with industrial interior design, cinder blocks can be used in a number of DIY furniture projects for a quirky, edgy and practical result. If you’re in need of a new bookcase, try balancing a plank of wood across two blocks, then stacking another two blocks and a plank on top of that. Just be careful about stacking them too high in case they fall – try to keep the top of your shelves below waist-height. Cinder blocks are often used in a similar way for other pieces of furniture, such as bed frames, coffee tables and seating arrangements. A quick online search will give you plenty of ideas. Concrete pipes as micro homes At the beginning of this year, an architecture firm in Hong Kong revealed its prototype design for stackable micro-homes made from giant sections of pipe. These “O Pods” were thought up as a solution to the limited space and high-demand within the city’s housing market, and offer a low-cost, temporary housing option for young people. It might sound extreme, but these cosy little tunnels actually look quite attractive inside and would make an ideal space for commuters, tourists or minimalism enthusiasts! “Lego” blocks for underground bunkers The robust nature of concrete as a construction material hasn’t just been noticed by housebuilders, with concrete blocks also being a popular choice for people creating storm shelters and underground bunkers. These aren’t just survivalists and Doomsday Preppers, but for households that live in high-risk areas for hurricanes and tornados. Pre-fabricated concrete “lego” blocks are extremely durable and lock together to create a secure barrier that can be used as a defence against landslides, flooding and extreme weather. Whether you use them to build a surface-level shelter or lower them into a dug-out hole in the garden is up to you. Jersey blocks as an obstacle course Capable of withstanding extreme force and all-weather conditions, concrete can be used indoors and outdoors to create a challenging terrain for vehicles and people. Jersey blocks are particularly ideal for creating rugged hurdles or flat-topped ledges to skate along, while poured concrete is typically used to form into smooth ramps and bowls. In fact, just about every type of concrete block can be inexpensively re-worked into a sturdy support or obstacle. The durability and versatility of concrete means that, the next time you need something for jumping over, scrambling up or dragging a certain distance, it’s your perfect material. For more information on the typical uses of blocks and barriers see quality barriers suppliers, Maltaward. The fact is, although concrete may be ugly and uninspiring at a first glance, it’s a cheap, environmentally-friendly and robust material that can be used in countless applications. If you’ve got a construction or engineering problem, why not see if you can get creative with concrete blocks to solve it?