Business : Awards, Trade Shows & Events News

BCIA President to join sustainability debate at this year’s UK Construction Week

BCIA President to join sustainability debate at this year’s UK Construction Week

BCIA President Stacey Lucas will be joining the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) thought-provoking panel at UK Construction Week 2024 to further discussion on the sustainability challenges facing the built environment. Offering an incredible opportunity to discuss the construction industry’s sustainability practices and the UK’s journey towards net zero in 2050,

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Northern Flexi Job Apprenticeship agency swoops double win at East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards

Northern Flexi Job Apprenticeship agency swoops double win at East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 

CELEBRATIONS are in full swing as northern flexi-job apprenticeship agency EN:Able Futures secures two prestigious accolades at East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards.   Part of Efficiency North Holdings, EN:Able Futures has grown into a leading flexi-job apprenticeship agency over the past decade, unlocking opportunities for young people across the north of

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“Activate the Senses” announced as the theme for Workspace Design Show

“Activate the Senses” announced as the theme for Workspace Design Show

Workspace Design Show announces the theme of its 2025 edition: ‘Activate the Senses’; which will explore how multi-sensory, immersive environments aid wellbeing, productivity and engagement in the workplace. Workspace Design Show returns to the Business Design Centre from 26 – 27 February 2025 and it is a welcomed addition to

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New Net Zero Trail at UKCW puts sustainability at heart of the show

New Net Zero Trail at UKCW puts sustainability at heart of the show

With a strong focus on sustainability at this year’s UK Construction Week Birmingham show (NEC, October 1st to 3rd), the organisers has announced a brand new Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry towards a net zero future, which visitors can

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Liverpool City Region’s sustainable property conference returns for second year as a bigger event

Liverpool City Region’s sustainable property conference returns for second year as a bigger event

Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and professionals across the property and construction sectors, the Liverpool City Region Sustainable Property Group is hosting the second-annual conference to debate the sustainability challenges facing the built environment on 26th September.  The event is bigger and better for its second year, and with over

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UKCW announces National Retrofit Hub takeover of Net Zero stage

UKCW announces National Retrofit Hub takeover of Net Zero stage

With retrofitting buildings, a key part of the construction industry’s journey to a greener future, UK Construction Week Birmingham has announced a one-day takeover of its Net Zero talks by the National Retrofit Hub (NRH). The sessions are a must for architects, contractors and anyone who works in local authorities,

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Housing association and developer win leading property awards

Housing association and developer win leading property awards

One of the Midlands largest housing associations in partnership with one of the UK’s top house builders have been crowned winners in a leading awards scheme.  Platform Housing Group and Keepmoat have been awarded the Property Deal of the Year category in this year’s East Midlands Property Dinner organised by

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Latest Issue

BDC 321 : Oct 2024

Business : Awards, Trade Shows & Events News

BCIA President to join sustainability debate at this year’s UK Construction Week

BCIA President to join sustainability debate at this year’s UK Construction Week

BCIA President Stacey Lucas will be joining the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) thought-provoking panel at UK Construction Week 2024 to further discussion on the sustainability challenges facing the built environment. Offering an incredible opportunity to discuss the construction industry’s sustainability practices and the UK’s journey towards net zero in 2050, the panel will launch the eighth version of the CLC’s CZ Performance Framework. Developed to provide the CLC with a sector-level dashboard on the progress towards net zero and motivate businesses to enhance their sustainability strategies, the Performance Framework is closely aligned with Government policy and focuses heavily on carbon measurement and assessment. As an association that has sustainability at the forefront of everything it does, the BCIA is keen to work with other industry leaders and policy makers to further knowledge and understanding on the importance of decarbonisation and the vital role building automation can play. BCIA President Stacey Lucas underlined the need for the construction industry to come together to improve sustainability practices and reduce carbon emissions with the 2050 net zero target in mind. She said: “Sustainability is such an important focus of the built environment and it’s great that the framework is shining a spotlight on it. The construction industry is still one of the biggest causes of carbon emissions, so it’s vital that the industry works together to reduce energy consumption. “It’s an honour to be a part of this panel and it’s a brilliant opportunity to highlight the important role that building automation can play in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings across the UK. The panel discussion kicks off the first day of the three-day event, taking place between Tuesday 1st and Thursday 3rd October 2024 at NEC Birmingham. Expected to receive more than 20,000 visitors, and featuring more than 300 exhibitors, the industry’s leading exhibition is set to be the biggest and best yet. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Competence and Compliance: Key takeaways from the NBS Construction Leaders’ Summit

Competence and Compliance: Key takeaways from the NBS Construction Leaders’ Summit

Yesterday, senior leaders and professionals from across the construction industry gathered at the 2024 Construction Leaders’ Summit, bringing together some of the most important voices in building safety and sustainability. Hosted by construction data experts, NBS, in collaboration with data analysts Glenigan, at the Royal College of Physicians, London, the event kicked off with a deep dive into the issue of safety in construction and the role construction product testing has to play. Speaking at the event, Paul Morrell OBE, former Chief Construction Adviser to the UK Government, said: “There can be no question about the objective: we need buildings that are designed, constructed, and operated to be safe, incorporating products manufactured and marketed with the same end in mind.” He stressed that the industry must not wait around for Government direction, saying “This change involves the entire supply chain, creating a chain of connected duties. The industry needs to decide what competence looks like in accordance with guidance and standards, and we must all take reasonable steps to ensure that these are upheld.” Talks throughout the day also focused on sustainable construction and in particular, the sustainable practices that are moving the needle on delivering net-zero emission targets and how the role of digital adoption will continue to be a key driver in delivering higher standards of safety and efficiency across the board. The event included other insightful talks. Chris Hines MBE, owner of A Grain of Sand & former Director of Sustainability for The Eden Project, gave an informative speech on the collaborative mindset needed to deliver a step change in sustainable and regenerative development. He said: “Large-scale infrastructure projects are drivers of change, by example and by practice. Construction has a key role to play in the race toward Net Zero, through leadership, expertise, innovation and collaboration. We need to work together, using every tool we have available.” With a focus on the entire construction supply chain, the afternoon session also examined how safety and sustainability considerations have impacted building product manufacturers as well as designers, particularly in the way building information is used and managed by the industry. The day ended with a discussion on digital and AI in construction alongside some of the leading voices in applied construction technology, including Fyma CEO Karen Burns and BDP-Pattern Associate Director Nick Tyrer. Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS, concluded the event by saying: “The Hackitt Review, Building Safety Act and its secondary legislation have laid out clear duties for designers, contractors, and those who own and operate buildings. Now, the industry is figuring out how to organise itself to live up to these duties. “It’s a complicated but essential task, and that’s why the summit is a great opportunity for professionals across the sector to share best practice and receive take-away advice that they can implement in their day-to-day decisions.” If you missed out on this year’s event, sign up to access presentations and content from the day and watch the on-demand webinar here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Northern Flexi Job Apprenticeship agency swoops double win at East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards

Northern Flexi Job Apprenticeship agency swoops double win at East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 

CELEBRATIONS are in full swing as northern flexi-job apprenticeship agency EN:Able Futures secures two prestigious accolades at East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards.   Part of Efficiency North Holdings, EN:Able Futures has grown into a leading flexi-job apprenticeship agency over the past decade, unlocking opportunities for young people across the north of England in the construction and built environment sector through high-quality apprenticeships.   To date, the agency has empowered more than 500 apprentices to become career-ready, providing first-class support and training, and helping to address the skills gap in the industry. Last week (Thursday, 19 September), the agency was named SME Employer of the Year, while apprentice Liam Mansbridge, hosted by Termrim Construction Ltd, won Higher Apprentice of the Year.   Another EN:Able Futures apprentice, Harvey Dobson, hosted by Alan Wood & Partners, was also a finalist in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category, further showcasing the talent fostered by the service.   Julie Deeley, director of operations at EN:Able Futures, said: “This double win is an incredible achievement for EN:Able Futures and a testament to the dedication and passion of our team, apprentices, and host partners alike.   “Liam’s success as Higher Apprentice of the Year and our recognition as SME Employer of the Year highlight the transformative work we’re doing to deliver life-changing opportunities to the young people of the region. Our apprentices, like Liam and Harvey, are at the heart of what we do, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see their efforts recognised on such a prestigious stage. “At EN:Able Futures, we strive to shape the future of the construction industry by investing in people, talent, and potential. These awards validate the positive impact of our work and reaffirm our commitment to providing valuable pathways to ensure young professionals are equipped to succeed.”   To find out more about EN:Able Futures, please visit: https://www.efficiencynorth.org/futures/find-an-apprenticeship Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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“Activate the Senses” announced as the theme for Workspace Design Show

“Activate the Senses” announced as the theme for Workspace Design Show

Workspace Design Show announces the theme of its 2025 edition: ‘Activate the Senses’; which will explore how multi-sensory, immersive environments aid wellbeing, productivity and engagement in the workplace. Workspace Design Show returns to the Business Design Centre from 26 – 27 February 2025 and it is a welcomed addition to London’s design calendar, attended by the top architects, designers, occupiers, developers, consultants, coworking and fit-out companies. It is the event to explore workspace innovation, unveil the latest products, ignite your creative spark through thought-provoking talks and immersive programs. “Activate the Senses” invites attendees to embark on a journey of immersive experiences that stimulate all five senses. Guests will step into a space which showcases how each ‘sense’ has a profound impact on the mind, contributing to wellbeing, engagement and productivity. Comfort factors such as light, sound and temperature play a hugely important role in the design of the working environment. The same factors can also be divisive, if not careful considered throughout the design process, with every individual having different levels of tolerance, sensitivity and needs. From acoustics to lighting to aromas and textures, each element plays a central role in creating a multi-sensory workspace to enhance employee focus and wellbeing. As we embrace technological advancements and invest in new design approaches, the understanding of how external influences affect everyone becomes increasingly more apparent. ‘Activate the Senses’ explores what this means for the future of workplaces and the people working within. “With the industry being at such a pivotal point of change we are looking to gain a deeper understanding of how, through research and knowledge, technological innovations can benefit the workplace environment. We are all becoming increasingly more in tune with our personal needs and how they differ from one person to the next. Through talks, exhibitors and connections Workspace Design Show will bring this to life.” – Esha Bark-Jones, Co-Founder of Workspace Design Show. Workspace Design Show, 26 – 27 February 2025, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London N1 0QH workspaceshow.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New Net Zero Trail at UKCW puts sustainability at heart of the show

New Net Zero Trail at UKCW puts sustainability at heart of the show

With a strong focus on sustainability at this year’s UK Construction Week Birmingham show (NEC, October 1st to 3rd), the organisers has announced a brand new Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry towards a net zero future, which visitors can seek out across the UKCW show floor. The new trail will guide visitors through the show to exhibitors including JCB, Niftylift, Celsa Steel UK, Fischer Future Heat and Makita, who are championing cutting-edge technologies, materials and solutions that are paving the way for the construction industry’s transition to net zero emissions.  Also making its first appearance at the show is the Net Zero Hub. Sponsored by Reconomy, the new show area will be partnering with National Retrofit Hub, a non-profit collaborative organisation working with the industry to enable the delivery of housing retrofit across the UK, which has curated the entire seminar programme on Day Two (Wednesday October 2nd).  Talks at the Net Zero Hub include: Jamie Roberts, Divisional Director for Construction, Housing and Infrastructure at Reconomy Commented – “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Net Zero Hub this year and bring a fantastic range of content to the show. It’s been a challenging year for the construction and housebuilding sector, but it’s encouraging to have so many businesses approaching us and looking for ways to operate more sustainably. That’s why the Net Zero Hub is so crucial to this year’s show.”  “Visitors can expect to gain valuable insights from the likes of Balfour Beatty on how they’re driving a more circular construction sector, and also hear from Reconomy’s Head of External Affairs on upcoming legislation that will impact all of us.”  After being officially opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter, George Clarke, the show will open up to opportunities to meet with innovative exhibitors, attend expert-led seminars, experience live demonstrations and get involved in interactive learnings across the show’s other main hubs, which include:  Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “Our new Net Zero Trail will highlight the steps that the UK construction industry is taking to contribute towards a greener future – essential to not only conform to government legislation and targets, but also to be competitive with their international counterparts.” UKCW has also announced a newly launched VIP ticket for the Birmingham show, which gives visitors not only VIP parking close to the show halls, but entry into the VIP Lounge and complimentary refreshments – ideal for one-to-one networking and meetings away from the busy show floor. The one-day passes are available for a limited time price of £99.  With this year’s theme of ‘Growth’, UKCW Birmingham will examine a wide range of topics over three days of insight, innovation and inspiration across its number of hubs and areas.  To find out more about the Net Zero Trail, visit https://www.ukconstructionweek.com/ukcw-net-zero-trail  To find out more and register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://ukcw-birmingham-2024.reg.buzz/cabpr  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Liverpool City Region’s sustainable property conference returns for second year as a bigger event

Liverpool City Region’s sustainable property conference returns for second year as a bigger event

Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and professionals across the property and construction sectors, the Liverpool City Region Sustainable Property Group is hosting the second-annual conference to debate the sustainability challenges facing the built environment on 26th September.  The event is bigger and better for its second year, and with over 280 registered attendees to date. The group was created by leading North West property company, The Momentum Group, following the successful delivery of the first ‘Building Sustainable City Beyond 2030’ last year, which The Momentum Group organised in partnership with 2030hub. Taking place in Liverpool’s landmark St Georges Hall, ‘Building Sustainable Cities Beyond 2030’ aims to ignite crucial discussions on embedding sustainability in the city region’s property sector, ensuring it plays a central role in driving positive change. The group aims to create a mutually supportive forum where property, construction and facilities management companies can understand their carbon footprint and design out fossil fuel related impacts to mitigate climate emergency and meet City decarbonisation targets.  Confirmed speakers include: This year’s conference will feature four panel discussions: The conference is included in the UN’s calendar of events as world leaders gather in New York at the United Nations General Assembly, and, is part of Global Goals Week: Liverpool and Liverpool Climate Week, two locally adapted campaigns of debate, events, launches and action, coordinated by 2030hub as a UN partner, to support the only agreed blueprint for the planet – the Sustainable Development Goals (also called the Global Goals) – #GlobalGoalsLiverpool Karl Clawley, The Momentum Group’s Associate Director, said: “A key objective of last year’s conference, organised by Momentum and 2030hub, was to commit to tangible and ongoing action on sustainability in the Liverpool City Region’s property and construction sectors.  We are proud to be a part of the Sustainable Property Group taskforce and to be helpting to create an even bigger and better conference this year.  We look forward to robust discussions, knowledge exchange and actionable outcomes.” Simon Mansfield, Liverpool City Council’s Sustainability Manager, said: “To ignite change and make a positive sustainable impact, businesses must take ownership of their negative emissions and start actioning change from the ground up.  It is brilliant to see such a large proportion of Liverpool’s property and construction sector come together like this. The Momentum Group continue to show leadership in this crucial area within the Liverpool City Region, and its creation of the Sustainable Property Group is a huge asset to our city.” Headline Sponsors of the conference include; The Momentum Group, Morgan Sindall Construction, CIR,  The Consortia Group, Fleeetsolve, Steven A Hunt & Associates, Liverpool City Council and 2030hub. Register to join this event here. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today for an inspiring day of learning and collaboration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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PCIAW® & UK Construction Week launch Workwear & PPE Live in May 2025 at Excel London

PCIAW® & UK Construction Week launch Workwear & PPE Live in May 2025 at Excel London

UK Construction Week will be launching Workwear & PPE Live by PCIAW® at London ExCel on 7-9th May 2025, offering a dedicated show for construction clothing, footwear, and accessories for the first time.  This strategic and exclusive partnership with the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) comes at a time of growth for UK Construction Week with the co-location of the Natural Stone & Hard Surfaces event announced earlier this year.   PCIAW® is the world’s only non-profit, member-driven trade association for the uniform, workwear and PPE supply chains – from the manufacturers to end-user buyers. The association connects the professional clothing industry to offer a collective voice across the value chain, facilitating collaborative education and support on shared market challenges.  Workwear & PPE Live 2025 will cover topics such as inclusive PPE design, female fit, development of sustainable materials and the latest regulations and legislation affecting workwear manufacturers and buyers. This inaugural event will feature seminar sessions and a catwalk show, showcasing solutions to the biggest issues in workwear procurement.  Workwear & PPE Live is part of UK Construction Week, the largest event for the built environment market and covers areas dedicated to infrastructure, industrialisation, digital construction, build, net zero and onsite on hire.  Sam Patel, UK Construction Week, Divisional Director, confirmed: “We are delighted to partner with PCIAW® to deliver the UK’s premier dedicated workwear and PPE exhibition. This event represents an opportunity not just for the construction sector and our existing visitor community but for any industry that buys and specifies workwear to see the latest developments in fabrics and designs from market leaders across the globe.” Yvette Ashby, CEO & Founder of PCIAW®, commented: “This partnership with UK Construction Week and the launch of Workwear and PPE Live comes at a pivotal moment for the professional clothing industry as our association works to ensure that lifesaving equipment is made, purchased, and used responsibly. There is incoming legislation and social pressures for buyers to incorporate sustainability and responsible design in their workwear, and to meet these requirements it is essential to find trustworthy suppliers through an event such as this.  “In a recent study by Frost & Sullivan the global industrial workwear and PPE industry was valued at $100b, so with an industry as large and essential as ours it is high time the UK had a dedicated event to this key market.”  For enquiries and to find out more about Workwear & PPE Live, please contact harry@pciaw.org & workwearppe@ukconstructionweek.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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UKCW announces National Retrofit Hub takeover of Net Zero stage

UKCW announces National Retrofit Hub takeover of Net Zero stage

With retrofitting buildings, a key part of the construction industry’s journey to a greener future, UK Construction Week Birmingham has announced a one-day takeover of its Net Zero talks by the National Retrofit Hub (NRH). The sessions are a must for architects, contractors and anyone who works in local authorities, housing associations or government. The NRH, a non-profit organisation that brings together the entire retrofit community to share knowledge, collaborate on solutions, and turn ideas into action, will curate all the Net Zero Hub content on Wednesday 2nd October. The programme of talks covers a range of topics, from leveraging data to retrofitting heritage buildings, and will feature contributions from a wealth of experts in the retrofit sphere: Sara Edmonds, National Retrofit Hub Co-Director, commented: “Retrofitting isn’t just about upgrading buildings; it’s about enhancing the quality of life for the people who live and work in them. We’ve put together sessions at UK Construction Week that are packed with practical insights and real-world examples, crucial for anyone involved in the built environment. Whether you’re looking to get up to speed on EPC reform or learn how to tackle retrofitting heritage buildings, we’re here to share the knowledge and tools you need to drive meaningful change.” Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “The topic of retrofit is front and centre in the Net Zero debate for the construction industry, so it made perfect sense for us to handover the second day content to the team at the National Retrofit Hub; there promises to be some invaluable insight and thought-provoking debate throughout the day.” Officially opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter, George Clarke, the show will be home to a plethora of educational, insightful, and interactive areas including the Main Stage, Digital Construction Hub, Live Demo Theatre, Skills & Training Hub, and Culture Change Hub; all highlighting the most pressing topics across the sector.  With this year’s theme of ‘Growth’, UKCW Birmingham will examine a wide range of topics over three days of insight, innovation, and inspiration across its number of hubs and areas.  To find out more and register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://ukcw-birmingham-2024.reg.buzz/cabpr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Housing association and developer win leading property awards

Housing association and developer win leading property awards

One of the Midlands largest housing associations in partnership with one of the UK’s top house builders have been crowned winners in a leading awards scheme.  Platform Housing Group and Keepmoat have been awarded the Property Deal of the Year category in this year’s East Midlands Property Dinner organised by Insider Media.  The awards aim to recognise and champion the very best real estate, construction and design in the East Midlands.  The joint entry focussed on the sale of a site of 604 residential dwellings by Boots Properties Limited to Keepmoat and the simultaneous subsale of land for 319 homes to Platform Housing Group for construction by Keepmoat of affordable housing alongside homes for sale.  The transaction comprises a significant part of the 286 acre Nottingham Enterprise Zone and Walgreen Boots Alliance campus, which formed part of the health and pharmacy chains operational headquarters where it developed and manufactured ibuprofen painkillers during the 1960s.  The deal is a true Nottingham born success story, linking a historical industrial site from Nottingham’s largest employer with the local offices of one of the country’s most successful housebuilders and one of the Midlands largest housing associations.  The legal teams were exclusively drawn from Nottingham based law firms, Geldards LLP, acting for Boots; Freeths LLP, acting for Keepmoat and Browne Jacobson LLP, acting for Platform.  Boots were represented by well known Nottingham agent Tim Garratt from Black Star Advisory.  The large scale regeneration project will see Keepmoat deliver more than 600 high quality, multi tenure new homes over a period of six years, with construction due to complete in 2029.  The winners were unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday 5 September at the East Midlands Conference Centre, one of the Midlands prime conference venues in Nottingham.  Kate Ellison, Director of Land, Partnerships and Business Development at Platform Housing Group said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award.  Due to the insolvency of the previous developer, the transaction had to be completed from a standing start in only a little over eight weeks and required a herculean collaborative effort from all parties involved.  With challenging planning, environmental and legal issues to overcome, the transaction was only possible as a result of the passion and drive of the highly skilled and dedicated teams within each of the parties involved to make the scheme a reality.”  Boots has occupied the site for almost 100 years and the development supports its’ desire for a positive legacy for the former industrial site, and Keepmoat and Platform’s ongoing commitments to sustainability with high quality, energy efficient homes that have innovative solar electricity tech panels and air source heat pumps installed with a further aspiration for a number of homes to benefit from ‘zero bills.’  Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair at Keepmoat said: “The whole team at Keepmoat are extremely proud to be part of this transformative project, which not only delivers high quality, energy efficient homes but also preserves the legacy of the site’s historical past.  This award is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of both Keepmoat and Platform Housing Group, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this development will have on the local community and the region.”  Gabor Taller, Partner at Browne Jacobson said: “I am so pleased that the Platform and Keepmoat teams are getting the recognition they richly deserve for pulling together this landmark deal for the region.  Like Platform, Browne Jacobson is on a mission to drive positive change and is committed to help tackle society’s biggest challenges in a meaningful way; is therefore genuinely rewarding to be involved in this strategic project which will deliver sustainable, quality, affordable homes with a unique design and leave a legacy for the site’s historical past.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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MATERIAL MATTERS 2024 presents 'Housing Salinas' - a 3D printed housing solution for displaced communities

MATERIAL MATTERS 2024 presents ‘Housing Salinas’ – a 3D printed housing solution for displaced communities

For Everyday.Life (FE.L) presents its award winning design ‘Housing Salinas’ during London Design Week at the Material Matters Fair for the first time since it was presented at SXSW in March 2024. ‘Housing Salinas‘ is one of the winners of Initiative 99, a global architecture competition to design affordable housing for under $99,000, launched by ICON the pioneering construction technology company based in Austin, Texas. Initiative 99 represents a pivotal moment for the future of housing, combining ICON’s 3D-printing technology with CarbonX, a new mortar based concrete developed in partnership with MIT to reduce the carbon impact of traditional concrete.  When paired with ICON’s wall system and robotic construction methods, ICON’s CarbonX formula is the lowest carbon residential building system ready to be used at scale. The ‘Housing Salinas’ project by FE.L is more than architecture, designed in response to community displacement in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria, it is the creation of a long-term solution that strives towards a future where residents can live, work, and flourish in an environment that embodies the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. FE.L has already won in the Open Category of Phase 1 of the competition, and is now entered in Phase 2 to see the final concept built, as well as being featured in ICON’s CODEX, a new digital catalogue of ready-to-print home architecture that will allow builders, developers and home buyers to build with ICON quickly and affordably using world-class architecture. At Material Matters FE.L will showcase its submission which for context,  is based on the widespread displacement experienced during Hurricane Maria in 2017, affecting around 135,000 people in Puerto Rico, particularly the economically disadvantages areas of Salinas. It is located on the site of a decommissioned coal power plant, which provides an opportunity to address long-term regenerative solutions to outdated infrastructure and better support local communities. FE.L’s solution is designed to adapt over time as requirements shift and communities change. Integrating with the landscape through texture, colour, and natural rewilding, each unit is positioned to create a variety of courtyard spaces, physically connected through use but independent when needed for privacy. Large windows at high level allow deep penetration of daylight without direct overlooking from adjacent units; creating a light, open, voluminous space far removed from the temporary nature of many post natural disaster housing schemes. Commenting on winning the prize, Colin Macgadie, Co-Founder of FEL said: “For Everyday Life is an emerging design studio and creative consultancy with a mission to “Shape what’s next”. Our ambitions could not be more aligned with Initiative 99 and ICON.” Jorge Mendez-Caceres, Co-Founder at FEL said:“The Housing Salinas project highlights our commitment to creating a vibrant and sustainable solution that could be measured against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The ambition is to provide more than just houses; there is an aspiration to cultivate a harmonious living environment that prioritises social inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and economic prosperity.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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