Urban living often presents the challenge of optimizing limited space in homes and apartments. Sliding door kits offer a versatile solution, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in compact environments. This article explores how sliding door kits can transform urban living areas into more flexible and efficient spaces. Living in a city often means dealing with limited space, which can be a significant hurdle for many. As urban areas become more crowded, the need for efficient space utilization becomes essential. One effective way to address this issue is through the use of Sliding Door Kits. By replacing traditional doors with sliding mechanisms, you can maximize floor space and introduce a new level of flexibility to your home layout. Sliding door kits blend seamlessly into various design styles, providing a modern and practical approach to managing space effectively. Enhancing home layouts with sliding door kits Efficient space utilization is crucial in urban homes where every square foot counts. Sliding door kits play a vital role in enhancing living areas by allowing more adaptable room layouts. Unlike conventional doors that require ample swing space, sliding doors slide along tracks, making them ideal for tight spaces. This not only frees up room for furniture but also allows for creative interior design possibilities, making your home feel more open and inviting. Sliding door kits provide an elegant solution to privacy concerns in shared spaces without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. They can be used to divide open-plan areas into functional zones, such as creating separate living and dining areas or partitioning off a workspace within a larger room. The ability to open or close off spaces as needed offers unparalleled flexibility, catering to different occasions and moods. By embracing sliding doors, you can effortlessly transition between open and intimate settings in your home. Moreover, sliding doors contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic appeal of your living space. Available in a range of materials, from glass to wood, they can complement any interior style. Glass sliding doors allow light to flow freely between rooms, enhancing the sense of openness and creating a bright, airy atmosphere. Wood or frosted glass options provide additional privacy while maintaining an elegant look. Maximizing available space with sliding door kits Sliding door kits offer numerous benefits that are particularly valuable in urban settings where maximizing available space is key. They help create a more open and adaptable environment by eliminating the need for traditional hinged doors that consume unnecessary floor area. This makes them an ideal choice for small apartments or homes where every inch matters. One significant advantage of sliding doors is their ability to merge indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. When installed between a living room and balcony or terrace, they create an uninterrupted visual flow that extends your living area beyond its physical boundaries. This is especially beneficial during warmer months when you wish to enjoy fresh air and natural light without compromising on indoor comfort. Sliding doors also enhance accessibility within your home by providing wider openings that accommodate movement with ease. This feature is particularly useful for individuals with mobility challenges or families with young children who require more space to maneuver safely. Practical applications of sliding door kits in urban homes Sliding door kits can be employed in various practical applications throughout urban homes to divide spaces effectively while adding aesthetic appeal and functionality. For instance, they are perfect for creating temporary partitions between bedrooms and bathrooms or transforming large rooms into separate sleeping quarters for guests or family members. The aesthetic versatility of sliding door kits makes them suitable for modern urban homes seeking both style and practicality. Whether used as closet doors or pantry enclosures in kitchens, these systems offer streamlined solutions that enhance organizational efficiency without compromising on design integrity. Their sleek profiles allow them to blend harmoniously into contemporary interiors while offering customizable options such as mirrored panels or decorative patterns tailored to individual preferences.

The Octagon, Birmingham’s tallest building and world’s first pure octagonal residential skyscraper, has marked its practical completion, bringing to an end the three-year construction programme which has seen the building come to dominate the city’s skyline. The £110 million Built to Rent building is backed by global real estate investor, City Developments Ltd of Singapore (CDL), and developed by MEPC, the specialist development management arm of Federated Hermes, working with main contractor and high-rise specialist Midgard, part of the JRL Group, to deliver the building. Managed by Allsop, the 49-storey, 155 metre tower, features 370 spacious new homes with incredible views across the city – and beyond – and will welcome its first residents from early September. An elegant and true landmark on the city’s skyline, The Octagon has been sustainably designed by Birmingham-based award-winning architect practice Howells and has been built to the same ethos, drawing heavily on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and lean production methods throughout the build. The building is an integral part of the city’s £1.2 billion Paradise estate which has been developed by MEPC, the specialist development arm of Federated Hermes on behalf of its clients. As a mixed-use destination with contemporary new restaurants and leisure amenities as well as unrivalled connectivity, Paradise has become an essential destination for the city and region. The Octagon’s 360-degree design ethos openly addresses each part of the city and offers a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes, all of which enjoy spectacular views through the 10.5m wide windows on each elevation. The dedicated residents-only amenities of the lower and upper ground floors include features designed to enrich everyday life, including a stylish resident’s lounge, a private dining area, co-working spaces and a fully equipped gym, together with concierge services and a retail unit. Neil McGinty, director at CDL, said: “Today is another key chapter in the story of The Octagon. Our original investment was recognised as one of the largest Foreign Direct Investments made in the UK regions in recent years, and that investment has now come to fruition as we prepare to welcome our first residents. This moment underlines our commitment to Birmingham as a world-class, international destination with a strong regional economy and an exceptional future. “The Octagon is moving Birmingham into a new era of city centre homes in terms of both quality and location. We’re offering some of the finest city centre homes ever seen in the UK and establishing a powerful narrative for the city. With a world-first design and highly sustainable ethos, The Octagon is already an important part of the city’s skyline.” The original Paradise masterplan always envisaged a tall building at the northern apex of the site, which The Octagon fulfils with flair. Ross Fittall, Commercial Development Director at MEPC, said: “The practical completion of The Octagon marks another milestone moment not just for this building, but for the wider Paradise estate. Welcoming new residents to Paradise is a key achievement for all of us dedicated to creating a true mixed-use destination in the heart of the city. “After more than three years of hard work, led by main contractor Midgard with a long list of local sub-contractors as well as a specialist supply-chain and professional team, including project managers Quantem, we can all now see how impactful The Octagon is to the city. “Providing much-needed high-quality city centre homes and offering a range of spacious residences from one bed to three beds, The Octagon has wide appeal. Visible from many miles away due to its location on the Birmingham Ridge, it is and will remain an icon for the city, as well as a great place to live.” The construction of The Octagon has involved hundreds of specialist workers achieving class-leading quality and finish to the final product. Kevin Keegan, director of main contractor Midgard, said: “Everyone who has worked on The Octagon is proud to have delivered this iconic landmark for the city. From utilising Modern Methods of Construction, supporting the local supply chain and working extensively with apprentices and trainees, this project has been a great example of collaborative working across the design, delivery and construction teams.” With the input of Howells as both Paradise masterplanners and designers of The Octagon, the estate is benefiting from both the practice’s wealth of expertise and its local background. Dav Bansal, partner at architects Howells, said: “This milestone moment for The Octagon underscores the building’s journey from just a bold idea that challenged the norm to becoming a superlative new home for hundreds of people in the civic heart of Birmingham. We are incredibly proud of the meticulous work we have put into this building and every innovation that has gone into delivering it. Paradise is about adding to the life and vitality of the city centre, and by providing 370 new healthy and spacious homes, we’re making the most of what the city has to offer.” The Octagon apartments are available to rent for a minimum of twelve months with rents starting at £1,400 per month for a one bed, £1,995 per month for a two bed/two bathroom and £4,925 per month for a three bed/three bathroom penthouse. For further information on the apartment rentals, contact the lettings team on 0330 236 9810 visit https://www.theoctagonbirmingham.co.uk/ or email info@theoctagonbirmingham.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Gateway 2 is a mandatory checkpoint for higher-risk buildings to comply with the Building Safety Act. While it came into force a while ago, with the timescales involved in planning, many developers and M&Es are only now facing the challenges it brings. Here the experts in providing utilities connections for high-rise and complex projects, Power On, provide an insight into how best to approach the new process.    Stringent rules for high-rise residential buildings, care homes and hospitals  The Building Safety Act introduces a more stringent regulatory framework in design and construction specifically for new high-rise residential buildings, care homes and hospitals, which are 18 metres or more in height, or at least seven storeys. Crucially, it requires developers to submit detailed plans, including fire safety and structural integrity assessments, before any construction work can begin.   Proving compliance prior to construction  Gateway 2 requires a full technical design submission, which includes detailed and dimensioned substation layouts, diagrams of high- and low-voltage networks, cable route and riser layouts. The utilities design team plays a critical role in preparing the technical information and can also assist architects, builders and developers in ensuring they are providing the right initial information to ensure the smooth running and timeliness of the whole process.   Non-compliance risks  The risks of non-compliance with Gateway 2 include delays, refusal of permission to construct or occupy the building and, ultimately, enforcement action. Failure to obtain approval at Gateway 2 can bring a costly halt to construction.   Neil Fitzsimons, Managing Director, Power On, says: “Many M&Es are still sketchy on the precise needs of Gateway 2 when it comes to high-rise buildings. This is not surprising as many are only now going through this process for the first time. Taking expert advice on the requirements from a utilities point of view can enable the process to progress smoothly and efficiently.”  Gateway 2 Enabling Service  Power On works directly with developers and M&Es to ensure they have the required design aspects for fire safety fully in place and is now providing a Gateway 2 Enabling Service to assist developers and M&Es in the process. This includes a system for navigating the deliverables to ensure that all parties are aligned and that timelines will be met.   Ensuring the right information is delivered to the utilities company in the first place, in order to get the right outputs, can prove problematic and may hold up the whole process. Power On’s Gateway 2 Enabling Service ensures the correct input and, therefore, the correct outputs. Depending on required timescales, Power On can at the Gateway 2 stage supply the entire design pack or, the individual parts of the design that are vital to the particular project to enable a fast turnaround on the essential elements.   Neil Fitzsimons concludes: “Put simply, we know what we need from the developer and M&E to enable us to efficiently provide the details to pass Gateway 2. We can make the complex simple.”   For more information on Power On’s Gateway 2 Enabling Service, please enquiries@poweron-uk.co.uk.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Simon Shaw, Head of Property and Construction, Duncan & Toplis Cash flow issues can present themselves in any industry, but few are as exposed as the construction sector with every project juggling multiple costs. Here, tight deadlines, long supply chains and vast project timelines can cause stumbling blocks for businesses and developers. For example, delays in receiving payments from clients can lead to reduced reserves, which in turn can lead to a lack of funds to buy materials, pay employees and cope with unexpected issues like soil problems or hidden utilities. And the chances of this having a knock on effect on the overall delivery of the project are high. Construction businesses are frequently tasked with fronting a lot of the project cost before an invoice has even been sent to the customer. As a result, effective cash flow management is a critical element of running a successful project in the sector. Failure to do your due diligence when it comes to cash flow can be catastrophic – not just for the project you are working on, but for your business future as a whole. Late payments can reduce the opportunity to secure future contracts, and it also threatens project completion. Ensuring that all relevant parties are paid on time should be an absolute priority for construction businesses – but it is important to understand why. Why is cash flow important in construction? In construction, cash flow takes on a particular importance, with multiple areas of funding required to balance a project smoothly. These costs include paying for labour, subcontractors, material deliveries and permits, and all of these overheads can be due at different stages of the development process, so need to be allocated and managed as part of the project plan early on. Most construction projects rely on finances from external sources such as lenders or investors, and over the last few years there have been consistent concerns around inflation spikes that drive the price of projects up. This makes costing a development even more difficult, and can result in problems if late payments are made to disrupt your cash flow. Lenders can impose penalties if they don’t see returns on their investment in suitable time, and interest costs can soon see your final bill skyrocket beyond initial expectations, putting the overall project in jeopardy. Monitoring cash flow also enables you to flag any potential risks that could arise in upcoming projects, prepare for smoother outcomes in the future and ultimately grow your business. Common cash flow issues in construction Problems around cash flow can be rife in construction if you are not savvy early on, and they can take on many different forms. High upfront costs is an early hurdle to overcome when mapping out a construction project, as contractors and developers are often asked to provide significant payments towards labour and equipment before a spade has even entered the ground. This can set you on the wrong foot immediately if not handled correctly and promptly, and create further issues down the road. Some of these issues can be out of your control, such as delayed payments from clients. This is why it is important to ensure your cash flow management includes reserves to anticipate and prepare for delayed income. Late payments can affect project timelines, but can also affect the funding of your project on a day-to-day basis, with subcontractors to pay, equipment to buy and hire, and deliveries to order. How you can improve cash flow For every obstacle to overcome with cash flow, there are solutions you can adopt to mitigate and minimise the risk. It is important that all parties to the contract understand and acknowledge the agreed payment terms, as well as details around approval and appeals processes, and terms outlining when final payment will be made. Another administrative change that proves effective is setting up a clear schedule for invoicing, so paperwork does not delay your positive cash flow. Don’t be afraid to charge for late payments; as this can easily derail your project. Effective cash flow management is the cornerstone of any successful business regardless of industry. While the construction of a building is your responsibility in this industry, it cannot be achieved without strategic planning around cash flow and the management of funds coming in and out of the business’ pot. Put simply, if there are cash flow problems within your construction business, it will inevitably impact your ability to complete the project, pay your employees and operate as a successful, profitable company in the sector. Duncan & Toplis provides accounting and business services to property and construction companies across the UK. To learn more about how we can help with cash flow management, and many other business challenges, visit www.duncantoplis.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals