Local housebuilder Dandara has received quality excellence from Premier Guarantee for two of its developments in Buckinghamshire, The Muse and The Aces, and its development in Bedfordshire, Saxon Park. All three developments received a ‘Quality Recognition Award’ from the warranty provider after meeting top standards in site management, workmanship, health
Technical Director of Promat Nigel Morrey has been recognised with a lifetime award for his commitment to fire safety at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection Awards. Recognising over three decades of commitment to improving standards in passive fire protection and raising awareness of the importance of this in protecting
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show’s 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design. Established 26 years ago, the show
Competition fosters innovation in AI and technology development to solve common pain points and drive the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry forward Trimble® (Nasdaq: TRMB) announced the winners of the SketchUp® 0-60 Challenge, an initiative created by Trimble SketchUp and Trimble Ventures to foster innovation and discover the next big idea that will transform how
2024 has been a landmark year for Study Inn, with the company winning three prestigious awards across the student accommodation sector, cementing its reputation as a leader in the industry. At the Property Week Student Accommodation Awards held at Wembley, Study Inn won Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative Award. The
An innovative project using continuous data feeds from hundreds of trucks, excavators, and other earthmoving equipment to boost efficiency and cut carbon emissions has helped one of HS2’s biggest contractors win a top sustainability award. EKFB – a joint venture made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall
A Victorian building close to the Imperial War Museum in London which has been designed and renovated into an architects practice, has been highly commended at this year’s annual Secured by Design (SBD) awards. The historic nature of the building and its position within the West Square Conservation Area in
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have announced an exciting partnership for the 2025 UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). The event, scheduled for 20–22 May 2025 in Leeds, will spotlight the pivotal roles of planning and surveying in shaping
An iconic building in heart of Scotland’s capital city has been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the world by an international architectural and design prize, backed by the United Nations. Edinburgh Futures Institute has been honoured with the ‘Special Prize for an Interior’ in the Prix Versailles’ 2024
Bellway is celebrating after one of its site managers in Derbyshire scooped a top accolade in a prestigious national housebuilding awards competition. James Kilby, who is overseeing construction at Holbrook Park in Chellaston, was announced as the winner of the coveted Large Housebuilder Regional Award for the East region in
Local housebuilder Dandara has received quality excellence from Premier Guarantee for two of its developments in Buckinghamshire, The Muse and The Aces, and its development in Bedfordshire, Saxon Park. All three developments received a ‘Quality Recognition Award’ from the warranty provider after meeting top standards in site management, workmanship, health and safety, site tidiness and general cooperation. The Muse is now 80% sold and Saxon Park is 90% sold, whilst prospective buyers can purchase their new home from plan at The Acres. Gary Williams, Construction Director at Dandara Northern Home Counties comments: “It is fantastic that the teams have been recognised for their hard and consistent work across the site. The fact that three Dandara developments have received Premier Guarantee Awards just shows the high standards that the construction team maintain across all sites, which is reflected through the high-quality homes that are eventually built.” Rachel Lindop, Head of Sales at Dandara Northern Home Counties, added: “It is a great achievement to be awarded for our high standards across not one but three developments in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire! It really does reflect the hard working team that we have building new Dandara homes and their attitude to maintaining excellence on site.” Currently at The Acres, in Milton Keynes, Dandara is selling a selection of three, four and five bedroom homes from plan, with prices starting from £435,000. At The Muse, in Milton Keynes, there is one final three bedroom home remaining, priced from £378,000. Dandara is also selling a range of three, four and five bedroom homes at its Saxon Park development in Biddenham, with prices starting from £400,000 for a three bedroom home. At Saxon Park and The Acres, Dandara is currently offering six months free shopping with a £500 Waitrose or John Lewis voucher per month when buyers reserve select homes. For more information about the homes Dandara Northern Home Counties is currently selling, visit www.dandara.com/new-home-counties. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Technical Director of Promat Nigel Morrey has been recognised with a lifetime award for his commitment to fire safety at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection Awards. Recognising over three decades of commitment to improving standards in passive fire protection and raising awareness of the importance of this in protecting buildings and the occupants within, the ASFP presented Nigel with the Lifetime Contribution Award at the 2024 awards. As Technical Director at passive fire protection manufacturer Promat, Nigel has taken a leading role in the development and testing of passive fire protection systems over the past 22 years with Etex, including supporting the drive for improved standards in built-in fire safety. A passionate advocate for improved fire safety, Nigel has served as both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Association of Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), as well as being a member of their Council and Strategy Groups. He has also represented the organisation on Expert Panel D, Passive Fire Protection at the Loss Prevention Council Board (LPCB). Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, he was invited to chair the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) Fire Safety Group, and was a director of the Finishes and Interiors Sector for a number of crucial years in the industry. In his role at Promat, Nigel has led a drive to improve and demonstrate competency across all aspects of the company to highlight the importance of knowledge and experience in supporting accurate specification and installation of passive fire protection. This has included introducing training initiatives for all staff and ensuring all customer facing staff have passed, or are working towards, the IFE Level 3 qualification in passive fire protection. In presenting Nigel with the Lifetime Contribution Award, the ASFP highlighted his commitment to improving fire protection standards ASFP managing director Mike Ward said: “Innovation and promoting the highest standards in fire safety are integral to everything the ASFP stands for and Nigel Morrey truly embodies that. “He has shown commitment to both pushing for higher standards across the fire safety industry as a whole but also to raising awareness of fire safety – and building that into construction and the supply chain. This award is richly deserved for Nigel’s tireless commitment to keeping fire safety at the top of the agenda.” Nigel said: “Receiving this award is a real privilege in an industry, and an organisation, that works so hard to ensure that fire safety is a priority in all construction. “The ASFP does a fantastic job of promoting the work of the passive fire protection industry and it has been an honour to be able to work so closely with the organisation over the last two decades. “Amid great tragedy the industry has recently seen major change and it is vital that we continue to ensure that life-saving fire protection systems are subject to the tightest standards – and that the awareness is there of the need for passive fire protection and the correct specification and installation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show’s 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design. Established 26 years ago, the show will bring together around 200 top suppliers, showcasing the latest products and trends in the fast-moving field of surface design. It is a must-attend for architects, designers, developers, fabricators, specialist contractors, installers and KBB outlets. Running from 7-9 May at ExCeL, London, The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, supported by show partner Stone Federation Great Britain, will be three days of inspiration and innovation for the entire supply chain, engaging specifiers, designers, architects, stone masons, wholesalers, fabricators, installers, stone maintenance services, and beyond. Confirmed exhibitors include among others Stonegate, Mapei, Waters Stone, Marble & Granite Centre, Keope Ceramiche, Stone Cladding Systems (SCS), Gwrhyd Specialist Stone Quarry, Arcturus Stone, Stone Automation, EC1 Progetti, Dimpomar and ParCa. The show will feature expert-led seminars, recognise emerging industry talent, and showcase award-winning projects from the last 24 months. It will also shine a spotlight on the latest stone and hard surface design trends, finishes, fixing systems, and technology impacting the UK’s construction environment. Key highlights of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces include: Richard Bradbury, Managing Director of The QMJ Group, Organisers of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, commented: “Co-locating with UK Construction Week presents a fantastic opportunity for The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces to connect with a vast, high-quality audience of building professionals. It will allow exhibitors and visitors alike to benefit both from our specialist focus, and a wider construction event that delivers 300+ seminars, 20+ live demonstrations and 400 exhibitors’. UK Construction Week divisional director, Sam Patel, added: “The theme for this year’s UKCW London show is ‘growth’, so it’s fitting that we are expanding our offer by co-locating with such a prestigious event as The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces. Along with our other new features, it really is a one-stop shop for the whole industry, whatever your specialism.” The UK’s largest event for the built environment, UKCW London will also see the debut of Workwear & PPE Live by PCIAW®, a dedicated show for construction clothing, footwear, and accessories, in an exclusive partnership with the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®); Onsite On Hire, a hire industry showcase making its return to London after 16 years; and HVAC+R, a new showcase of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions. To register for The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces and UKCW London for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-2025/cab-pr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Competition fosters innovation in AI and technology development to solve common pain points and drive the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry forward Trimble® (Nasdaq: TRMB) announced the winners of the SketchUp® 0-60 Challenge, an initiative created by Trimble SketchUp and Trimble Ventures to foster innovation and discover the next big idea that will transform how architects, designers and project managers work. The 0-60 Challenge invited entrepreneurs, early-stage startups and developers to leverage SketchUp to develop transformative technology solutions that solve common industry pain points. Nine finalists selected from over 100 applicants were given an opportunity to collaborate with leading subject matter experts, innovators and technologists from within the global Trimble network to transform their ideas into reality. After a three-month development process, the finalists demoed their solutions for a live audience at 3D Basecamp at Dimensions, Trimble’s annual user conference. To learn more, visit: https://3dbasecamp.sketchup.com/en/SketchUp-0-60-Challenge-2024. “The ideas and solutions that came to light through the SketchUp 0-60 Challenge are nothing short of transformative,” said Christopher Cronin, VP & GM, architecture, design and education at Trimble SketchUp. “We created the challenge to stimulate creative problem solving, encourage collaboration and connection, and help turn ideas into solutions that will have a real-world impact on AEC workflows. Together with a talented third-party developer community, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and seeing how the integration of AI unlocks new levels of efficiency, interoperability and creative exploration for the SketchUp community.” The SketchUp 0-60 Challenge Winners are: First Place: ScaffPlan developed an extension that allows temporary works companies — builders of temporary structures required to enable the safe, efficient and permanent construction of a project — to create detailed drawings and documentation for scaffolding, formwork, propping and shoring projects in SketchUp. The solution solves the complex challenges temporary works companies face by optimizing material utilization and enabling precise delivery scheduling to reduce waste and delays. It also facilitates accurate on-site installation, compliance with stringent legal requirements, and thorough identification and mitigation of safety hazards. Second Place: To streamline the design to construction documentation workflow between SketchUp and Revit®, Skema‘s new integration addresses the need for greater interoperability between both solutions. The integration provides designers, developers, builders and owners a seamless way to leverage SketchUp’s early design capabilities to develop Building Information Models (BIM) more quickly for project delivery. This process reduces data loss and minimizes the need to re-model, allowing users to work more efficiently and confidently. Third Place: A plug-in from Spacely AI accelerates the process of creating high-quality renders of interiors by auto-populating 3D spaces with the appropriate entourage. The solution accelerates the time-consuming process of populating and rendering stylized 3D spaces, allowing interior designers to win more business, reduce costs and explore creativity. Amazon Web Services “Scaled Thought” Award: Extracting precise data from designs and manually labeling components is tedious and error-prone, often leading to incomplete or inaccurate data. Scene Intelligence, a SketchUp plugin created by Loci, uses state-of-the-art AI models to classify components in SketchUp to IFC 4 standard at the click of a button. Scene Intelligence makes it easy to filter and view critical elements such as furniture and structural components, and generate an accurate bill of materials in minutes, not hours. Judges selected the winners based on three product categories and against six different criteria to measure the efficacy of the proposals. First, second and third place winners received cash prizes and Loci will receive technical expertise in three complimentary workshops led by Solution Architects at Amazon Web Services. The innovation doesn’t end here — expect more from Trimble & SketchUp’s ongoing collaborations with the winners. All features are available to download and try on the SketchUp Extension Warehouse today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
2024 has been a landmark year for Study Inn, with the company winning three prestigious awards across the student accommodation sector, cementing its reputation as a leader in the industry. At the Property Week Student Accommodation Awards held at Wembley, Study Inn won Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative Award. The judges praised the company’s pioneering approach to student wellness, highlighting the introduction of wellness spas in its properties as a sector first. “Your innovative approach to prioritising student health and wellbeing is nothing short of groundbreaking. By creating spaces where students can relax, recharge, and focus on their overall wellbeing, you’re setting a new standard for the industry”, the judges noted. Earlier this year, Study Inn celebrated an notable achievement at the StudentCrowd Voice Awards, receiving ‘Best Student Accommodation’ accolades in every city it operates in—Bristol (1st), Leeds (1st), Loughborough (1st), Exeter (2nd), Leicester (2nd), and Nottingham (3rd). These awards are especially meaningful as they are based on direct feedback from resident students. Study Inn also secured Best Student Broadband Award at the Global Student Living Awards, another student-voted recognition award, that reflects over 100,000 student voices across the UK and Ireland. The company also celebrated its Gold Certified Operator status for the second consecutive year, a testament to its ongoing operational excellence with a net promoter score of +34, 2.6x the benchmark for private halls. Since its inception in 2009, the luxury student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, has been dedicated to putting student wellbeing first, offering an all-inclusive, hotel-like service that sets it apart. From housekeeping, concierge, and 24/7 on-site staff to superfast Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art amenities including wellness spas, yoga studios, bowling lanes, cinema rooms, and study areas, Study Inn delivers an unrivalled experience for its residents. Matt Shakespeare, Managing Director of Operations, commented: “Winning these awards is an endorsement of our product and level of service and reflects the hard work of our entire team. From day one, we’ve been committed to creating spaces where students feel supported, inspired, and cared for. It’s great to see our efforts recognised on such a prestigious scale, and we’re excited to continue raising the bar for student accommodation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An innovative project using continuous data feeds from hundreds of trucks, excavators, and other earthmoving equipment to boost efficiency and cut carbon emissions has helped one of HS2’s biggest contractors win a top sustainability award. EKFB – a joint venture made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall – which is delivering some of the largest cuttings and embankments on the new high-speed railway, has been awarded ‘Platinum’ status by the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS). Part funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and industry partners, the School was set up in 2012 to boost knowledge and collaboration in the built environment. The new status was awarded in recognition of EKFB’s commitment to sustainable practices, which include the use of the Digital Earthworks programme and improvements to supply chain management. The Digital Earthworks programme – known as DIGGER (DIGital Graphical Earthworks Reporting) – is a partnership between EKFB and construction equipment supplier Finning to streamline earthmoving. It has already led to a saving of more than £25m for the project by avoiding unnecessary vehicle movements and cutting fuel consumption. It makes extensive use of data from 700 earthmoving machines, which are fitted with electronic weight sensors to monitor the millions of cubic metres of rock and earth that needs to be moved across the line’s 80km central section and telemetry devices that monitor utilisation of machines on site. This includes graders, loading shovels, dozers and compactors used on site as well as trucks and excavators. Anti-idling is also a key priority, not only to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and boost productivity, but also as a protective measure to minimise workers’ exposure to black carbon, improving their working conditions and benefiting the local community. This is achieved through the use of telematic data and workforce training. Andrea Davidson, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Carbon & Climate Change said: “Platinum status is a fantastic achievement for EKFB and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved. Their new processes are already cutting unnecessary vehicle movements and helping to optimise our earthmoving programme as well as boosting our supply chain management. “Across the whole project, we continue to reduce our carbon footprint in construction and it’s great to see our contractors engaging with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to ensure best practice is actively being shared across the whole industry.” Craig Downs, EKFB’s Plant Manager said: ‘’This is a tremendous achievement for not just EKFB but for our entire supply chain. In just seven months we’ve elevated from gold to platinum status – an incredible testament to the unwavering dedication of everyone involved. “By not only adhering to the HS2 Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) process but surpassing the targets set, we’ve achieved significant reductions in hydrocarbons and tailpipe emissions, as well as marked improvements in engine stages. This milestone underscores our collective commitment to sustainability and excellence’’. Construction of the HS2 project – which will improve journeys between London and the West Midlands while freeing up space on the existing West Coast Main Line for more freight and local services – is now well underway. As part of its section of the project – from the Chilterns to south Warwickshire – EKFB must shift 60.5 million cubic metres of rock and earth and the Digital Earthworks processes play a significant role in the job by ensuring vehicle movements are as efficient as possible. As well as the DIGGER programme, the school also recognised EKFB’s progress on embedding best practice across their supply chain. This includes a commitment to meet the high standard of the charter, working collaboratively with all parties and the provision of e-learning to move towards a more sustainable approach to construction. Alan Silvester, EKFB’s Carbon Manager said: “The DIGGER system has been invaluable to EKFB, helping us monitor heavy plant vehicle performance, fuel usage, and inefficiencies. By using real-time data, we aim to reduce carbon emissions through improved operator training and eco-friendly practices. The system also supports data-driven decisions, such as load optimization and resolving site road issues, enhancing efficiency and lowering emissions.” The school established the Plant Charter in 2020 to support the UK’s ambition of Net Zero by 2050. Signatories are encouraged to take measures to lower emissions on construction sites, address and reduce tailpipe emissions, and train staff on why and how to reduce emissions. These measures result in improved air quality and more environmentally friendly working practices. To achieve the platinum standard, companies must meet standards set by the SCSS, be reassessed every 12 months, demonstrate increased competency in sustainable practices, attend multiple training events and be at the forefront of sharing best practice with other companies. James Cadman, Head of Consultancy & Climate, Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: “The Plant, Tools and Equipment Charter is a clear declaration that organisations are committed to taking tangible steps to reduce air quality impacts and carbon emissions. EKFB has reaffirmed its dedication to these goals by being amongst one of the first companies in the UK to achieve Platinum certification in the Charter. “The recent introduction of the Platinum level highlights the highest standard of excellence, and EKFB’s achievement acknowledges the outstanding efforts they’ve made—and continue to make—in minimising air quality impacts and reducing carbon emissions.” EKFB were the first HS2 contractor to be certified by the SCSS, being awarded Bronze status in 2022 and Gold status the following year alongside fellow main works contractor SCS, a joint venture made up of Skanska, Costain and STRABAG who are building the London tunnels. EKFB has now become the first HS2 contractor to be awarded the highest status – Platinum. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Victorian building close to the Imperial War Museum in London which has been designed and renovated into an architects practice, has been highly commended at this year’s annual Secured by Design (SBD) awards. The historic nature of the building and its position within the West Square Conservation Area in Southwark required a balanced approach to the implementation of SBD Commercial Developments guidance, with the building being renovated and developed to include office space, a communal reception area, staff meeting space and staff terraces at the rear. Pre-planning commenced in November 2019 with EPR architects and the developer working with the local police Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) to ensure that whilst the building was sympathetically renovated keeping as many original features as possible, appropriate security measures commensurate to the local crime risk were included in the building. The security features in the detached building, which had been unoccupied for some time, included new PAS 24:2016 certified sash windows; a new heritage style timber front door certified to PAS 24:2016 with a secondary door fitted internally on access control to allow for entry/exit during opening hours; access controlled doors leading from the reception areas to ensure that access into the building by visitors was controlled appropriately; a full range of CCTV cameras covering key positions, both internally and externally and monitored from reception; a monitored intruder alarm including glass sensors and door contacts; appropriate lighting to the front and back of the building; and the reintroduction of gates on the boundary of the building which had previously been removed. Receiving the award, Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime Officer Alan Denyer said: “It was a pleasure to work with EPR on the crime prevention and SBD recommendations for this development. The result is a secure development that provides reassurance to those working at the location whilst respecting the architectural significance of the building”. Edward Wood, Associate Director EPR Architects, said: “As a reinvention of an existing Victorian building, the transformation of All Saints has not only provided us with a beautiful new studio but has also significantly enhanced the building’s security measures. “Achieving a Secured by Design Development Award certificate, our design introduced a fully integrated alarm and surveillance system and access control measures, including bespoke gates to the side of the building. Due to its historic nature, the integration of physical security upgrades needed to be carefully considered from the outset to ensure their appearance complimented the detailing of the existing building. With all the new measures and upgrades seamlessly in place, we feel confident that All Saints is a safe and secure workspace for the EPR team”. Improved security Developers around the UK can achieve SBD awards for incorporating crime prevention measures and techniques into their developments in all kinds of building sectors, such as residential, education, health, transport, commercial, retail, sport and leisure. Indeed, SBD can be used as evidence to discharge third-party obligations under Part Q of Schedule 1 (Security) to the English Building Regulations, the Scottish Building Standard 4.13 (Security) and Welsh Building Regulations Part Q (Security – Dwellings). These awards are gained by working with police Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs), who advise architects, developers and local authority planners long before construction begins – and continue to provide advice and guidance until the development is complete. Academic and other research shows that improving standards of security in brand new and refurbished properties, helps deter and reduce crime. Reducing crime and the fear of crime has direct links to better physical and mental well-being, such as with regard to high volume crimes like domestic abuse. The built environment influences the behaviour of people who work, live, socialise or simply pass through. SBD seeks to create environments where the law-abiding feel safe and secure whilst at the same time causing the criminal or anti-social to feel vulnerable to detection and thereby influence behaviour in a positive way. This continues to be a key objective for SBD. Find out more about SBD Developers Awards here. SBD Design Guides SBD has produced a series of authoritative Design Guides to assist the building, design and construction industry to incorporate security into developments to comply with the Building Regulations in England, Scotland and Wales and meet the requirements of SBD. These Design Guides, available to download for free at the SBD website, have been updated over the years to keep pace with changing patterns of criminal behaviour and advances in building design and new technology. They are a valuable source of reference to architects, developers, self-builders, local authority planners and police officers and cover a range of building sectors, including residential, education, health, transport and commercial. Police Designing Out Crime Officers DOCOs provide specialist crime reduction advice to the public, businesses and colleagues about premises or property security. They also work with building developers, architects, and council planning departments regarding new developments and refurbishments, to ‘design out’ crimes like burglary and anti-social behaviour (ASB) by providing advice on street lighting, building and street layout, entrances and exits – as well as preferred standards and specifications for doors, windows, and locks, under the Secured by Design initiative. DOCOs are able to deliver site specific interventions required to help design out crime in areas that suffer disproportionately from acquisitive crime, based on local crime pattern analysis, police, local authority and community engagement and the collective knowledge and experience of how criminals behave. DOCOs are specialist problem solvers, working every day to make a positive difference, changing lives for the better and helping people to be safe and secure in their homes. Contact details for local DOCOs can be found here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have announced an exciting partnership for the 2025 UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). The event, scheduled for 20–22 May 2025 in Leeds, will spotlight the pivotal roles of planning and surveying in shaping the UK’s built environment. Elevating Industry Standards The RTPI, an international professional body representing over 27,000 town planners globally, continues its mission of shaping planning policy and accrediting world-class planning education. With a legacy spanning over a century, it remains the sole UK organisation conferring Chartered status to planners. RICS, renowned for driving professionalism across land, real estate, and infrastructure, brings its global influence to ensure consistency and excellence in the built and natural environments. Through certifications, training, and its respected standards, RICS fosters transformative industry practices. A Collaborative Hub at UKREiiF 2025 At the forum, RTPI and RICS will host a shared space dedicated to discussions, panels, and networking. This central hub will provide opportunities for stakeholders and industry leaders to engage on topics of sustainability, placemaking, and innovation in the built environment. Justin Young, Chief Executive of RICS, emphasised the importance of collaboration:“The UK government’s focus on the built environment aligns with our goals. Partnering with RTPI allows us to champion surveying’s impact on housing, energy-efficient commercial properties, and high-quality placemaking through our standards.” Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of RTPI, shared her enthusiasm:“This partnership highlights the vital role of planning and surveying in building sustainable and inclusive communities. It’s an opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore innovative solutions.” A Platform for Sustainable Growth Nathan Spencer, Managing Director of UKREiiF, welcomed the partnership:“The involvement of RTPI and RICS will elevate discussions at UKREiiF. Their expertise is instrumental in fostering sustainable and innovative solutions for infrastructure and investment in the UK.” As a flagship event, UKREiiF 2025 will attract investment, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainability and inclusivity in the property and construction sectors. Supported by leading UK companies, it continues to be a vital forum for shaping the future of the industry. For further details, visit the event website: UKREiiF 2025.
An iconic building in heart of Scotland’s capital city has been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the world by an international architectural and design prize, backed by the United Nations. Edinburgh Futures Institute has been honoured with the ‘Special Prize for an Interior’ in the Prix Versailles’ 2024 World Titles. The sympathetic yet innovative redevelopment of the category-A listed, baronial style former Royal Infirmary hospital into a state-of-the-art space for teaching, research and entrepreneurship has placed the University of Edinburgh building among an elite group to have been recognised in the prestigious awards. The Prix Versailles – an internationally recognised series of awards presented by the United Nations agency for education, sciences, and culture (UNESCO) – celebrates the best contemporary architecture and design projects across the world. The awards were announced at UNESCO Headquarters on Monday, 2 December with Edinburgh competing in the Campuses category alongside another five universities across the world. Occupying a pivotal position in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the building is well-known to residents of the Scottish capital – many of whom have visited, been a patient, or even worked there before it was decommissioned as a hospital in 2003. Built in 1879, it housed Edinburgh’s main hospital and was once described by The Illustrated London News as “the best planned hospital” in Britain. Its design was heavily influenced by the ‘pavilion’ model developed by nursing pioneer, Florence Nightingale. The 20,000 sqm development is now home to the Edinburgh Futures Institute, one of the largest institutes for interdisciplinary learning, research and innovation in Europe. The Institute brings together students, researchers, partners and civic society to focus on the responsible use of data to address global challenges including ethics of artificial intelligence, social inequality and climate change. The building officially reopened in June 2024, following a seven-year, multi-million-pound restoration. Working with a project design team led by Atkins Realis, including architects Bennetts Associates and construction partner Balfour Beatty, the University of Edinburgh carried out the extensive project to sensitively repair, redevelop and reimagine the way the building could be used. The design team has made use of the former hospital’s large, airy Nightingale wards and corridors with flexible teaching areas and workspaces. The restoration work also preserved much of the building’s historical architecture, which is now united with more than 6,000 sqm of modern construction. Ensuring it lives up to the inscription above the building’s entrance: ‘Patet Omnibus’, meaning ‘Open to All’, the building is open to the public with breakout spaces, a café, an outdoor square, and a new 400-seater purpose-built space to host public events. Since opening, the Institute has already hosted a range of high-profile events, including the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival in August. The Futures Institute is one of six innovation hubs supported by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation programme. Through the University of Edinburgh’s participation in the City Region Deal, the Institute has received £56m in capital funding from the UK Government and more than £2m from the Scottish Government. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Edinburgh, said: “From the beginning of this hugely ambitious project to transform the near-dilapidated Victorian hospital, our mission was to create an inspiring space that enables collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking to flourish. The painstaking work to ensure that we achieved this for our students, staff and wider community – while preserving the beauty of the historic building for the City – has surpassed all expectations, and it is incredibly gratifying to be recognised at an international level. Through its innovative and creative design, the Edinburgh Futures Institute will help nurture some of the world’s much-needed future pioneers via world-leading innovative programmes of interdisciplinary teaching and research directed at solving the great challenges facing the human race and the planet which we inhabit.” Rab Bennetts, Founder of Bennetts Associates, said: “We are thrilled alongside our client the University of Edinburgh to be presented with such a prestigious award by the Prix Versailles jury, which is vindication of a strategy based on creative design interventions and interpretation of an important historic building for the University and my home city of Edinburgh. The building had been empty for nearly 20 years and was in very poor condition before we started, so the effort put in over the past nine years by our practice and wider team of conservation architects, engineers, project managers, contractors and many others was truly exceptional. The award also shows that the re-use of an existing building is a highly stimulating way of achieving low carbon emissions, pointing the way to limiting climate change – the greatest challenge of our time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway is celebrating after one of its site managers in Derbyshire scooped a top accolade in a prestigious national housebuilding awards competition. James Kilby, who is overseeing construction at Holbrook Park in Chellaston, was announced as the winner of the coveted Large Housebuilder Regional Award for the East region in this year’s National House Building Council’s Pride in the Job Awards ceremony. He and his colleague Jamie Smith, who is site manager at Hatton Court in Hatton, were also presented with Seal of Excellence awards at the event. James was picked as the winner from 67 site managers across the region, who had all already been selected for Quality Awards in the first round of the competition for the exceptional standard of construction on their developments. James and Jamie are two of just 18 site managers in the East region to win a Seal of Excellence. James, from Rolleston on Dove, spent five years with Bellway earlier on in his career and rejoined Bellway East Midlands in 2022 as a Project Manager. He has worked on multiple sites across the Midlands. The 39-year-old said: “I am ecstatic to win such a prestigious award from the NHBC. To win a Seal of Excellence is exciting enough but to be chosen to receive a Regional Award is genuinely thrilling. I feel humbled. “It is great to know that all the hard work and dedication that I and my team have put in to make sure that we always put the customer first has been recognised. My ethos is that I want to build a home and a development that I would be happy and proud to live in myself and my team work effortlessly towards that target. Second best is just not good enough, so we strive to ensure we get it right first time.” Jamie, who works for Bellway’s West Midlands division after joining the company 10 years ago as an assistant site manager, has won a Quality Award and a Seal of Excellence Award for three years running at Hatton Court. The 36-year-old said: “Once again, I get to step up on stage and accept an award but I have to thank the whole team at Hatton Court who have been there for me every step of the way. It’s about the team as everyone here has given their all and bought into my desire to ensure that only the best will do in every facet of the job, every day on site. “I know I have given this job 100 per cent and, with the backing of a great team and supportive senior management, have been able to create a first-class environment on the site where homes of the highest quality are being delivered. It is a good feeling to get this recognition from the NHBC and is validation of all the blood, sweat and tears we have all put in.” Every site registered with the NHBC is judged against exacting criteria each year. Site managers are assessed on a wide range of aspects of their work including attention to detail, leadership, technical expertise and health and safety. Lee Wilkinson, Construction Director at Bellway East Midlands, said: “We are incredibly proud of James and his team at Holbrook Park, not just for the East Midlands division but for the whole of Bellway. Everyone in the industry knows just how difficult it is to achieve the Regional Award. “We’re also thrilled our colleague Jamie from the West Midlands division has been recognised with yet another highly deserved Seal of Excellence. The quality control, determination and team leadership skills which both James and Jamie have demonstrated are second to none. “We now look forward to the Supreme Awards in London in January and would like to wish James and his team the very best of luck for then – we know everyone at Bellway will be rooting for him to win.” For more information about Bellway’s new homes in Derbyshire and across the UK, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
