By Cécile Fages, Chief Sustainability & Communications Officer at Xella International GmbH The desire to live in a comfortable home or work in an inspiring office environment is an old one – but it’s been given new impetus since the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not to mention the mas- sive increase in the popularity of home office and new trends like the concept of “workation”. Workplaces can no longer rely on the “9-to-5” to get their employees into the office. Instead, they must adjust to the “new normal”. Rising energy prices caused by recent geopolitical challenges have also prompted people to think more critically about the sustainability of their homes, the efficiency of their heating systems and their own mobility. At the same time the need to reduce the CO2 footprint has never been higher. The UN Climate Change Conference has called to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 °C (Paris Agreement), and climate change is increasingly prominent in political and media debates. The ideal, it seems, is obvious: the demand for sustainable but affordable buildings in cities, where citizens, productivity, community, environment, nature and culture can all come together equitably. But how we do get there? At Xella, we work hard to make sure that the dream of comfortable, sustainable places to live and work can come true for as many people as possible. However, our ambition goes even further. Indeed, our vision states that “We are building a SUSTAINABLE world”. The political framework for a more sustainable world is already set. The European Commission presented its European Green Deal (EGD) for the European Union (EU) and its citizens in December 2019. The goal is to transform the EU into a prosperous society with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net greenhouse gas emissions from 2050 onwards and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. Over three years later, the urgency of acting on the climate crisis has not decreased. Our industry, the construction sector, can and must play a key role in achieving these goals. Now is the time to act. The current global economic context is already impacting the construction industry. Sales are decreasing, stockpiles are increasing, and almost all companies in the construction industry are reporting a slowdown of activity across Europe. Interest rates and inflation are very high, private households and professional investors become more cautious to invest in new housing or commercial buildings. This poses an additional challenge for the construction industry. According to the European Commission, greenhouse gas emissions from material extraction, manufacturing of construction products, as well as construction and renovation of buildings are estimated at 5-12 percent of total national greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, the construction industry must become more sustainable if it wants to continue as a viable industry. Companies who take the strategic decision to invest in high-quality and durable products based on mineral raw materials will have a competitive advantage in the long term, as they make an important contribution to sustainable construction. An increasing number of customers already today, and for sure even more so in the future, are asking for building material that is sustainable, efficient and affordable. The same is true for investors: they are becoming more eager to identify opportunities to invest in green projects and companies that can lead the way to more sustainability in our sector. Especially, as it has recently been criticized by the World Economic Forum in being “a latecomer*” with regards to decarbonization. Those investors will value companies who demonstrate their responsibility and commit themselves to science-based CO2 emissions reduction targets as part of their sustainability reports. Both developments will have a positive impact on the profits of those companies that have set the right course early on. How can the construction industry reduce its CO2 footprint? return material from production, and ultimately introduce waste coming from demolition on their products’ recipes. I am confident that we can find the right solutions together. But I am also certain that companies who have not seen the writing on the wall and are not acting now will sooner or later disappear from the market. Sources: https://www.handelsblatt.com/downloads/28946720/1/hb-business-briefing-investments_02_23.pdf https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/sustainability/buildings-and-construction_en#:~:text=Greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20from%20material,save%2080%25%20of%20those%20emissions

Queensberry was a shortlisted entrant for the prestigious Developer of the Year Award at this year’s UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). Never has its corporate mission to make the world a better place to live in, been more relevant.  Founder, Paul Sargent shares his insights from the week’s events and reflects on how UKREiiF has renewed his commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community transformation. Paul commented: “Our core philosophy revolves around the belief that intelligent design has enormous impact on community well-being. “We are deeply passionate about improving the quality of life in the towns and cities we work in by driving their physical and economic transformation. Our mission is driven by a genuine love for what we do and a vision for a brighter future. “I knew that UKREiiF was always going to be thought-provoking, and it proved just that. There were three key themes of the role of tech to achieve net zero; social value and equality, diversity, and inclusion; and the future of real estate. “At Queensberry, we are dedicated to incorporating environmentally friendly practices into our projects, ensuring a more sustainable future for the communities we serve. Take the recent development of Elshaw House in Sheffield as an example. We have delivered one of the first NABORS 5 standard, net-zero-ready office buildings outside of London. “The future of real estate does not have to focus purely on new buildings either. We strongly promote the restoration and rejuvenation of historic buildings. Our expertise in repurposing heritage assets at Heart of the City, Sheffield; George Hotel, Huddersfield; and Borough Yards, London has been the catalyst for significant neighbourhood regeneration and has involved meticulously preserving original buildings during the redevelopment process. “We have adopted forward-thinking approaches towards projects like Borough Yards in London. We transformed disused railway arches into retail, restaurant, and leisure spaces to meet the needs of the local community and visitors. “As developers, it is important to measure and evaluate the social value of our work and we must ensure that the social impact of development or investment proposals is proactively accounted for at every stage in the lifecycle of a regeneration scheme. “Our industry must adapt and thrive amidst the ever-changing urban landscape and UKREiiF has served as a powerful reminder that the best development partners anticipate and embrace emerging trends, technological advancements, and societal shifts. As such a partner, Queensberry remains committed to staying at the forefront of these changes to create spaces that are resilient, relevant, and valuable in the long term.”

As a country that experiences some extreme weather, Australia’s architects are heavily invested in finding cladding solutions that are durable, affordable and stunning. There are thousands of architectural cladding options on the market, but the same categories remain popular for their beauty and longevity. We’re going to discuss some of the most common cladding solutions and how they’re being put to use in Australia’s modern architecture scene. 1. Bricks and Brick Veneer Bricks have long been one of Australia’s most popular cladding options. Affordable, attractive and highly durable, bricks make for some of the best exterior finishes on the market. These days bricks come in thousands of different shapes, sizes and formats, making them the perfect solution for architects that want to make their projects stand out. As an added bonus, bricks also offer natural thermal efficiency, making them ideal for Australia’s harsh climates. But bricks aren’t always the correct solution, and brick veneer may be more appropriate in some settings. Brick veneer is designed to look and feel just like real brick. In reality, brick veneer is an imitation product that’s made up of thin slivers of bricks and mortar. These types of veneers have all the warmth and durability of real brick, but they’re a fraction of the cost and much lower weight, making them suitable for decoration, high rise buildings or budget-conscious projects. 2. Weatherboard Cladding Weatherboard cladding is an ever-popular solution, known for its affordability and durability. Weatherboards are available in a huge range of sizes, styles and materials, making them perfect for any aesthetic. Traditional weatherboard products were made from timber. These days, weatherboards are made of all types of timber, vinyl and fibre cement. This allows them to be moulded and shaped into a variety of formats and profiles. These can then be used to create stunning, textured exteriors that boast all the beauty of the natural timbers that inspired the trend. 3. Timber Cladding Timber is an all-time favourite cladding material all over the world. Originally used as simple weatherboards, timber cladding products have come a long way in recent years, and the stunning natural material is now the perfect architectural choice. The major benefit of timber is that it’s a living material. It changes over time, allowing your home to blend into its surroundings. This effect is highly prized in natural settings where homes sit among Australia’s iconic bushland. If you need more convincing, timber remains a popular solution thanks to the sheer amount of choice available. Timber cladding manufacturers supply panels in a huge array of colours, sizes, shapes and profiles. These panels can be used to lend an unparalleled sense of texture and depth to your project. 4. Fibre Cement Cladding Fibre cement is often viewed as a budget option, and it arguably doesn’t lend as much character or variety to a home as the alternatives. But fibre cement is one of the most environmentally friendly materials on this list, and it’s available in a huge range of colours and finishes, so it can be used to achieve anything you have in mind. 5. Stone Cladding Stone remains one of the most characterful cladding options on the market today. Australia’s natural stone deposits mean we have fantastic access to cladding systems that include granite, limestone and quartzite. These natural stones not only look fantastic, they’re highly weather-resistant and an attractive option for all internal and external spaces. Natural stone cladding typically requires very little upkeep. Like brick, it’s capable of withstanding Australia’s harsh sun and weather without the need for coating or repainting. It’s also highly thermal efficient, making it ideal for our hotter climates. 6. Metal Cladding Metal cladding products such as Colorbond have always been considered a budget alternative to alternatives like timber. But metalworking has evolved, and steel cladding options are now more versatile than ever. From flat-panel products that provide a sleek and minimal aesthetic, to textured and ribbed panels that offer unrivalled depth, metal cladding can achieve it all. The majority of metal cladding systems are produced in either steel, aluminium or a combination of the two. This provides the most design flexibility and allows cladding styles to be mixed and matched for maximum visual impact. 7. Aerated Concrete Cladding Finally, aerated concrete cladding has been gaining popularity for its affordability and industrial aesthetic. While aerated concrete sheets were once exclusively used for commercial and industrial buildings, the material has become increasingly common in residential projects. The sharp lines of concrete lends itself to brutalistic and minimalistic design languages, and it also pairs perfectly with natural materials like timber.

In the wake of a sector-wide initiative, Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) is advocating for better collaboration within the construction industry. The organisation has joined the Construction Industry Collaboration Initiative (CICI), which is made up of like-minded bodies that have identified collaboration as a challenge across multiple sectors, including construction. Despite previous attempts to encourage collaboration within the building industry, progress has been patchy, according to CICI, however, as the industry continues to face issues such as labour shortages and supply chain problems, the time is ripe for collaboration to improve contract delivery. CESW is leading the effort to improve the construction industry in the South West, with a goal of enhancing industry performance and creating a better built environment. It forms part of Constructing Excellence a national platform for industry improvement that delivers excellence through collaborative working with clients, industry, and users. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of effective collaboration, change negative attitudes, and share knowledge, learning, and experiences. The primary focus currently is on value-for-money training in the key behavioural aspects of effective collaborative working, delivered through a five-hour online training course held over five weeks, as well as a one-day, face-to-face session for people to learn and develop collaborative skills. Alison Nicholl, Head of Constructing Excellence, stated: “Collaboration is fundamental to Constructing Excellence. This initiative led by the South West is an excellent mechanism to upskill and train those at all levels in the sector on how to effectively collaborate.” Kevin Harris, CEO of CESW, added: “We are confident that the Construction Industry Collaboration Initiative will help to address the challenges that have persistently hindered the construction sector, and we look forward to working with our members to drive positive change in the industry.” For more information about this new collaboration initiative and how to get more involved visit: https://hub.leadersmeets.com/cici