NATIONAL contractor The Input Group has started work on site at St Edmunds Catholic Academy with an extensive multi-million-pound expansion of three school buildings. Located in Compton Park Road, adjacent to the Wolves Academy and training ground in Wolverhampton, The Input Group was appointed by the academy to carry out
As the hotel sector thrives amid the UK ‘staycation’ boom, a report has revealed opportunities for hotel design to include further wellbeing and comfort measures to meet changing expectations from prospective guests. This comes as research from a survey of 130 M&E contractors and architects working in hotel construction revealed
Pupils in south east Edinburgh have started the new term in the new Frogston Primary School following the completion of works by Will Rudd Davidson (Edinburgh), consulting engineers. The new two-story building, designed by architect Holmes Miller, also offers great outdoor spaces to promote outdoor learning and a love of
Family-run construction firm Beard has completed one of the biggest contracts in its history with a major redevelopment at St Hilda’s College, in the University of Oxford. The city’s famous skyline and its dreaming spires, have another architectural gem added to them with the completion at St Hilda’s, and the
Innovative construction and infrastructure-focused partnership hub South West has appointed Robertson Construction Central West as the preferred Tier 1 Contractor for a new £12.5 million primary school in Irvine, Ayrshire. The new school, for North Ayrshire Council (NAC), will support the continued expansion of new housing within this area of the coastal town. Taking in the
Leading construction and fit out company, Gilbert-Ash, has handed over another ground-breaking project which has been part-inspired by a murmuration of starlings over Brighton’s iconic pier at University of Brighton Business School. Construction comprised concrete piled foundations, an insitu fair faced concrete frame including soffit walls and columns, a polished
Artists across the region are being given a boost thanks to a new digital event space that will showcase their talent to the city – Trinity Leeds will transform the former Topshop storefront on Briggate into ‘Trinity Stage’, complete with an impressive 6m wide digital screen. With the arts having
Contractor Henry Brothers has broken ground and started work to build a new £4million extension at Glossopdale School, funded by Derbyshire County Council. The new block will provide an additional nine teaching spaces comprising eight standard classrooms and a demonstration science lab. It will also provide flexible options for dining
The initial stage of a £19.95m project to construct a Newmains and St Brigid’s Community Hub and Family Learning Centre involving North Lanarkshire Council (NLC), BAM Construction and hub SouthWest, the public-private partnership of local authorities, and leading Tier 1 building contractors, was marked last week (Tuesday 6 July 2021)
The Supply Chain Sustainability School, a multi-award-winning initiative which represents a common approach to addressing sustainability within supply chains, has today released its Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) Annual Culture Survey Report. The School surveyed over 800 of its members across the country, to get their thoughts on the FIR
NATIONAL contractor The Input Group has started work on site at St Edmunds Catholic Academy with an extensive multi-million-pound expansion of three school buildings. Located in Compton Park Road, adjacent to the Wolves Academy and training ground in Wolverhampton, The Input Group was appointed by the academy to carry out vast double and single storey extension and refurbishment works to existing structures across the campus. This includes doubling the size of the dining area with a single storey extension and refurbishment, alteration works to the sports hall, creating a two-storey additional classroom space, the refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing areas to form supplementary science labs, a staff room, and lecture theatre as well as all associated external works. Chris Monk, managing director at The Input Group, said: “We really enjoy working on education projects and supporting the learning environment of the next generation, so this is a really exciting, flagship scheme for The Input Group team and we’re very pleased to have commenced works on site. “The project spans the entire campus, with extensive expansion works giving the school much needed additional space, especially when it comes to teaching areas – which is certainly required post Covid.” Project manager, Paul Greaves added: “Logistically, the site will present some challenges as it shares an access road with neighbouring homes and the training ground. However, since we started on site last week everyone has been incredibly friendly and accommodating, which has created a really nice working environment. We’re therefore looking forward to cracking on with construction and reaching the next milestone.” The Input Group has also designed and provided all the safety signage for the site to ensure there is clear wayfinding for the campus and surrounding area, especially when the students arrive back at school in September. The design team, alongside The Input Group, includes architecture firm CBP Architects, principal designer GNA Surveyors, M&E consultant I.E.B.S, and structural engineers Moran Structural Consultants. The works are due to be completed by March 2022. To find out more about The Input Group, please visit www.inputgroup.co.uk or contact marketing@inputgroup.co.uk.
As the hotel sector thrives amid the UK ‘staycation’ boom, a report has revealed opportunities for hotel design to include further wellbeing and comfort measures to meet changing expectations from prospective guests. This comes as research from a survey of 130 M&E contractors and architects working in hotel construction revealed that over half (52%) of respondents believe wellbeing is ‘value engineered’ out of projects later on in the build. As research suggests occupant wellbeing may have to be compromised for cost saving during the project, Designing Healthy Hotels, the latest report from REHAU, has been released to demonstrate the role of designing guest wellbeing and comfort in attracting more custom. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical – Building Solutions at REHAU, explains: “Guest expectations of comfort, silence and premium finish arguably exceed that of their own home, so pressure falls on consultants and contractors to deliver building services meeting these requirements. Juggling the competing design priorities to deliver suitable hotels is a challenge that we aim to unpack with this report, while demonstrating the opportunities that healthy design can provide during the hospitality recovery.” With around 700 hotel projects currently in planning and bookings being up 300% this summer compared with 2019, it is clear there is high demand from consumers in the UK for hotels. However, according to hotel technology provider Avvio, inner city hotel books are down 30-40%, underlining the gaps where hospitality recovery in urban areas is still in progress. Therefore, attracting guests with high quality design represents an opportunity for professionals in the sector to harness this boom as tourism returns to cities. “Hotels being soundproofed and sealed to drown out the city noise while increasing energy efficiency makes acoustic performance of building services more of a priority than ever,” says Steve. “Hotel rooms being so close together in this environment means there is more potential for noise to travel and disturb guests, particularly from running water and flushing toilets. “Increasingly eco-conscious guests expect hotels to become more sustainable in line with society’s shifting attitudes on environmental issues, while tech-savvy customers will come to expect the latest smart technology for controlling temperature in their rooms. Hotel guests will also not appreciate the sound of running water, lack of adequate temperature control ability nor the lack of action when it comes to improving sustainability. With the risk of negative reviews worsening the already precarious situation hotels find themselves in, consultants and contractors could support in the delivery of positive guest experience right from the design stage. “To help hotels contractors and consultants meet these design challenges, our guide outlines potential solutions for new build and renovations hotel developments in all applications. As a supplier to many sectors, it is our responsibility to make sure we understand pain points in each one and demonstrate ways in which we can support construction professionals to overcome them.” For more information on designing wellbeing into hotels and to download the report, Designing Healthy Hotels, visit: www.rehau.uk/designinghealthy
Pupils in south east Edinburgh have started the new term in the new Frogston Primary School following the completion of works by Will Rudd Davidson (Edinburgh), consulting engineers. The new two-story building, designed by architect Holmes Miller, also offers great outdoor spaces to promote outdoor learning and a love of nature. To meet the architectural vision for the design, the Will Rudd Davidson team delivered complex engineering solutions to ensure no steel columns were present in the circulation spaces. The roof design also presented some challenges. William Taylor, Project Engineer, Will Rudd Davidson (Edinburgh), said: “The prominent roof arrangement makes a great feature with multiple peaks and troughs to replicate the Pentland Hills. To deliver the structure a series of inventive steel connections were adopted and we worked closely with the architect and construction team to ensure they did not compromise the architectural vision. We are really pleased with the finished result and the project is a great example of the complex engineering solutions we can deliver.” Situated on a greenfield site, Frogston Primary School is one of three schools that Will Rudd Davidson is currently working on for the City of Edinburgh Council, and will cater for a growing population in the south east of the city, accommodating pupils from new housing sites in the surrounding area.
Family-run construction firm Beard has completed one of the biggest contracts in its history with a major redevelopment at St Hilda’s College, in the University of Oxford. The city’s famous skyline and its dreaming spires, have another architectural gem added to them with the completion at St Hilda’s, and the crowning of its tower in gold foliage. The £20m Front of College project also represents the largest redevelopment of the college in its history, having been completed to mark its 125th anniversary. Described as ‘architecturally stunning’ by the College, key aspects of the estate have been altered as part of the project, including the entrance, the street-view and the riverside frontage. The brief was to provide student accommodation (54 bedrooms), and to bring together key College administration functions into one place. The specifics of the work include: New main entrance to the college New accommodation for students New Boundary Building to house the Middle Common Room, Chapel and Porter’s Lodge New high-quality teaching and office space New riverside pavilion for entertaining Crowning of the tower using aluminium gold leaves mounted around a steel frame, painted by hand with bespoke St Hilda’s Gold. The new accommodation is a key element in the redevelopment as it relieves both the financial pressure for students of finding accommodation in the private rental market, and also eases some demand for accommodation in the city. Dean Averies, director at Oxford-based Beard, said the construction firm was successful in its bid for the work due to its track record in the education sector and especially with the University of Oxford. He said: “St Hilda’s has been a fantastic project for Beard to work on, especially as it marks a special anniversary for the College. “We understood the constraints of the College from the start, so the two-stage procurement route gave us time to work through issues before we got to site. “There were some challenges along the way as we had identified a number of significant gaps in the design information, which we had to fill to enable the project to progress. Of course, we subsequently had the ongoing restrictions due to coronavirus, which we were able to absorb and work around. “However, we were able to hand over on schedule and delivered on the original vision to create an inspiring place to live, work and study, for the next 125 years.” Neil Hyatt, Head of Buildings, St Hilda’s College added: “Beard has worked tirelessly with the novated design team and subcontractors, to ensure that the best possible outcome was achieved for St Hilda’s College. “Despite the challenges due to Coronavirus, as promised, our study rooms were ready on time for the start of the academic year. This was a collaborative project and the successful outcome was driven by contracts manager Steve Lambourne and his team. “Everyone is stunned by the architecture, the quality of finish and above all Beard’s commitment, to meeting client expectations.”
Innovative construction and infrastructure-focused partnership hub South West has appointed Robertson Construction Central West as the preferred Tier 1 Contractor for a new £12.5 million primary school in Irvine, Ayrshire. The new school, for North Ayrshire Council (NAC), will support the continued expansion of new housing within this area of the coastal town. Taking in the catchment areas of Montgomerie Park and Knadgerhill to the east of the bustling community, the new facility will be non-denominational and will run to 12 classes. It will also have early learning and childcare classes, with 32 spaces for three- to five-year-olds and 15 spaces for two-year-olds. It is funded as part of the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme, which focuses on delivering high quality, sustainable, low carbon and digitally-enabled learning environments that support sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Shaun Sands, Project Director for hub South West, said: “We are pleased to be working once again with Robertson Construction, whose experience and expertise will create a truly first-class facility for North Ayrshire Council. “The school is due to open in August 2023 and, in line with the Scottish Government’s targets of achieving net zero carbon by 2030, will aim to achieve a yearly figure of 67 kwh per square metre.” Andrew McClelland, Head of Service (Education) North Ayrshire Council commented: “Importantly, the new school will ensure that there is sufficient primary and early years capacity to meet future demand in this growing area of Irvine. The new facility will be at the heart of the community which it serves and will be well placed to be at the forefront of promoting health and wellbeing with fantastic outdoor learning space on site and access to the local Country Park, which is on their doorstep. “This offers exciting opportunities for the children to experience outdoor adventures beyond those possible within the school grounds. The space and sheltered learning and teaching facilities required to maximise the outdoor experience for children, will be a key priority for this exciting project. This will provide positive outcomes not only for the children and young people who will attend the school, but also for the wider community in the area.” The building will be designed by JM Architects, one of the UK’s foremost architectural practices, with PassivHaus design contributed by Glasgow-based ECD Architects. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing and sustainability work is being delivered by environmental design consultants Atelier Ten and civil and structural work by consulting engineers Blyth & Blyth. Stewart Preston, interim Managing Director, Robertson Construction Central West, said: “Our continuing relationship with hub South West will see the delivery of a sustainable new school for Irvine, which will enhance the learning experience of pupils and conserve and save energy during its operations. “Over the coming months we will be working closely with our appointed design team to ensure that the building meets the needs of Scotland’s Learning Estate Investment Programme funding. This high-quality learning environment will introduce exciting outdoor learning spaces; integrate with the local community; create an environment to enhance wellbeing and promote inclusivity which will benefit both attainment and the environment while supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”
Leading construction and fit out company, Gilbert-Ash, has handed over another ground-breaking project which has been part-inspired by a murmuration of starlings over Brighton’s iconic pier at University of Brighton Business School. Construction comprised concrete piled foundations, an insitu fair faced concrete frame including soffit walls and columns, a polished concrete living stair with Spanish steps and bespoke ceramic veil cladding. The building also incorporated exposed services and baffled ceilings, an extensive CAT B fit out with bespoke joinery, wall and ceiling panelling, as well as complex service installation including combined smoke extraction and natural ventilation. The new six-storey Business School at University of Brighton provides event space, creative breakout within a triple-storey atrium, workplace and teaching spaces, meeting rooms, offices and consultation rooms, a café, kitchenettes and plant space. Extensive public realm works are also included to provide an enhanced external experience. The works form the centrepiece of a major redevelopment project taking place across the University. One of the most striking features of the new Business School is the bespoke terracotta tiled ceramic veil façade with six different tile types and three different degrees of gloss finish. A first of its kind in façade design, it takes its inspiration from starling murmurations seen over Brighton pier on winter evenings. Gilbert-Ash Contracts Manager, Chris Fletcher, described the new Business School as one of the most impressive buildings he has ever worked on. “It really is an outstanding building. With large rooms and lots of open spaces it is an enhanced space going above and beyond being fit for purpose.” “This was a highly complex project, full of challenging details, finishes and build techniques, none of which were straightforward, but there was little in 2020 that went exactly to plan as the pandemic struck. Despite the many challenges, through working collaboratively with the Client team, Gilbert-Ash handed over another first-class project on budget and on time. We would highlight that without a very supportive and collaborative Client team the success of this project would have been much more challenging.” Chris also paid tribute to the Gilbert-Ash team who came together ‘as one’ to face down the challenges of the pandemic. “The teamwork was amazing, both from the people on the site, and those back at headquarters, who were working tirelessly to make sure we had the materials we needed as the global shortage took hold. I was proud to see how everyone at Gilbert-Ash and our Supply Chain Partners rolled their sleeves up with the goal of overcoming any issues to deliver a first-class project for our Client.” The new Business School will now help the University remain competitive on both the national and international stage. Gilbert-Ash attributes its continued success to its ‘As One’ approach and its unique working culture and family environment as an employee-owned company. It continues to complete a broad portfolio of successful construction projects across sectors including arts and culture, workplace, hotels and leisure, education, science and technology, retail, residential and student accommodation.
Artists across the region are being given a boost thanks to a new digital event space that will showcase their talent to the city – Trinity Leeds will transform the former Topshop storefront on Briggate into ‘Trinity Stage’, complete with an impressive 6m wide digital screen. With the arts having been hit particularly hard over the past 16 months, Trinity Leeds is doing its bit to shine a spotlight on the region’s artists and performers, where they will be given the chance to showcase videos of their work to a walk-by audience of around 30,000 people per day. It is hoped that the eye-catching Trinity Stage screen will publicise the work of hundreds of artists, from emerging talent through to established regional organisations during the summer. The centre is calling for artists, performers or organisations across the city to send videos of their work so it can be broadcast, free of charge, on Trinity Stage. For the opening day, content will include: ‘Aquaplane’, a short contemporary dance video featuring Max Revell that was created by Declan Creffield who is a videographer and photographer based in Leeds ‘Lockdown, Dance Up’ an online children’s dance project created using lockdown video calls by Leeds-based Union of Dance and supported by Arts Council England ‘Petite Boheme’ a 30-minute animated section of La Boheme created by Opera North during lockdown “We are thrilled to launch Trinity Stage and we hope to promote the incredible talents that the city of Leeds has to offer. Showcasing our region’s artists and performers is our way of supporting the arts, which is a sector that’s been hit so hard this last year and a half. Be it emerging artists starting out, or established performers and groups, we want Trinity Stage to be a celebration of the arts and a vehicle to help promote their work to a wider audience,” commented David Maddison, Trinity Leeds Centre Director.
Contractor Henry Brothers has broken ground and started work to build a new £4million extension at Glossopdale School, funded by Derbyshire County Council. The new block will provide an additional nine teaching spaces comprising eight standard classrooms and a demonstration science lab. It will also provide flexible options for dining and social spaces and extra staff workrooms. Once finished, there will be room for a further 200 students aged 11 to 16, and 40 additional sixth form places. Construction director of Henry Brothers Midlands, Justin Hicklin, said: “We are excited to have started work on this site to build an extension for Glossopdale School. Henry Brothers built the main school complex, which has proved popular with students, and we are delighted to have strengthened our relationship with the school by being appointed to create this new block as well. “Henry Brothers has partnered with Derbyshire County Council and a number of Derbyshire schools on a variety of projects in recent years, helping them to enhance their facilities, and we are looking forward to building this extension at Glossopdale School to create extra spaces for pupils.” A small ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start on site by Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Midlands. Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Alex Dale said: “It’s great news that work has started. “We’ve worked hard to provide the extra places needed and this is a major step forward towards the much-needed expansion of this school.” Headteacher, Debbie McGloin said: “We are really pleased to see this extension move forward and are excited to be able to offer more places for the children in our community.” It is expected that the new block will be completed in spring 2022, allowing more children to attend from September 2022. Other members of the team involved in building the extension at the school in Hadfield are employers agent Concertus, DLA Architecture, civil and structural engineer Curtins and Couch Perry Wilkes for M & E services. Associate director at Concertus Andy Bates said: “We are thrilled to be working for Derbyshire County Council and Henry Brothers to deliver the expansion of Glossopdale Community College. We have extensive experience in providing high-quality educational facilities across the region and are excited to be able to celebrate the early stages of this new facility.” As well as having built the main Glossopdale School facility, which opened in 2018, Henry Brothers is currently building the new £13.2 million Alfreton Park Community Special School, having previously delivered a hydrotherapy pool for the school. The company also completed phase 1 and phase 2 of the Aldercar High School project for Derbyshire County Council, totalling £8.7m in value. Based at Beeston near Nottingham, Henry Brothers Midlands is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. In partnership with clients, it has a proven track record in education, defence, accommodation, commercial, industrial, transport and healthcare sectors. For more information, visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk
The initial stage of a £19.95m project to construct a Newmains and St Brigid’s Community Hub and Family Learning Centre involving North Lanarkshire Council (NLC), BAM Construction and hub SouthWest, the public-private partnership of local authorities, and leading Tier 1 building contractors, was marked last week (Tuesday 6 July 2021) with a formal sod-cutting ceremony. The project, the first of three North Lanarkshire Council initiatives with a cumulative value of £60m, will create a comfortable and stimulating school environment, purpose built for a shared campus serving both denominational and non-denominational primary, and early years education. It is designed to be conducive to learning for 484 pupils, 88 three-to five-year-olds and 15 two-year-olds. Councillor Frank McNally, Convener of Education & Families, said: “This exciting new project will soon be a brand-new home for Newmains and St Brigid’s Primary schools and also the Newmains Family Learning Centre. “Our focus on health and wellbeing and the outdoor facilities will provide enhanced leisure and recreational facilities for all members of the community to enjoy. Children and young people, staff, parents and the local community have all played a considerable role in developing the design for the new community hub, which takes into account both the requirements of the local community and the natural heritage and architecture of the area. “It’s a shining example of our drive to make North Lanarkshire the place to Live, Learn, Work, Invest and Visit providing children and residents with the benefits of first-class learning environments which will meet the needs of the community for generations to come.” Michael Ross, project director with hub South West, said: “Good design during the procurement and construction process reflects the high value North Lanarkshire Council places on learning, communities and the environment, as well as representing a sound investment in the future. “hub South West has worked closely with the council over the years to develop the robust processes which have permitted the commencement of this and other exciting educational initiatives. “We also welcome this, our first contractual relationship with BAM Construction since it joined our supply chain last year and note with pleasure our shared commitment both to this project and our long-term relationship with North Lanarkshire Council. “Our model of development and delivery prioritises People, Place and Planet and is aimed at creating well-designed places that instil a sense of pride in the community, tackle energy poverty and drive sustainability”. Jim Ward, Regional Director of BAM Ltd added: “We are delighted following the 18-month pre-construction period to be commencing construction works on Newmains and St Brigid’s Community Hub. We have been so impressed with the commitment from the design team, hub South West and in particular North Lanarkshire Councils’ drive to make this project happen. “We are totally committed to delivering a quality facility along with delivering meaningful social value to the local community and leaving a lasting legacy that the community will be proud of while inspiring the next generation of young learners.”
The Supply Chain Sustainability School, a multi-award-winning initiative which represents a common approach to addressing sustainability within supply chains, has today released its Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) Annual Culture Survey Report. The School surveyed over 800 of its members across the country, to get their thoughts on the FIR Programme and how the FIR agenda is progressing within the built environment. Mark Lomas, Head of EDI at HS2 Ltd, said: “It’s great to see organisations responding to the FIR survey, giving great insight into EDI across the sector.” The report offered insights into how the School has continued to positively impact organisations and supply chains, reinforcing the School’s mission to be the world-class collaboration enabling a sustainable and fair built environment. With over fifty thousand registered users, the School provides free practical learning and support for the UK built environment, through sustainability training, networking, e-learning modules, tailored assessments, and online resources. The FIR resources are becoming increasingly popular as FIR sits higher on the agenda for many organisations in the industry. Members of the School anonymously stated that the FIR Programme offered “huge benefits for [their] business and life in general” and enabled companies to easily introduce initiatives such as “inclusion moments […] largely due to the influence of FIR ambassadors within the company pushing the initiative.” COVID-19 forced the Supply Chain Sustainability School to move all learning online, resulting in the FIR Programme seeing an increase of 66% of members completing e-learning modules over the past year, and many members accessing FIR online workshops and webinars. Organisations are becoming more conscious of FIR and its benefits to people, profit and enabling a sustainable business model. The School has been identified as a powerful tool to help organisations embed sustainability into their business practices. The FIR survey showed that 55% of businesses felt the FIR Programme helped them win new business, and 58% believe it enabled an improvement in productivity. Furthermore, 62% of respondents feel that the FIR Programme supported their business to retain talent, and 73% felt FIR helps to improve stakeholder engagement. Lucie Wright, Careers Strategy Manager at CITB, said:“More and more construction employers are seeing the benefits in productivity and winning new business that the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect training brings. A workplace that works for everyone will also help retain employees into the future, particularly important during a period of labour shortage, and I would encourage employers to visit the Supply Chain School website to see what free training is available.” The quality of training provided by the FIR Programme has been higher than ever this year. An average of 96% of respondents rated the workshops and materials as “excellent” or “good”, compared with last year’s figure of 91%. There was also a strong impact on individuals, as exhibited by the 89% of respondents who felt they were empowered to deal with FIR issues more effectively as a result of the FIR Programme. A massive 82% of members also felt they had the confidence to challenge poor behaviors in the workplace. Paul Aldridge, Director at WJ Group, said:“This year’s survey demonstrates how people want, need even, to work for organisations with good Fairness, Inclusion and Respect credentials. It shows areas we need to improve and that to be high performing organisations, we need to nurture all our people and allow them to thrive in a psychologically safe, inclusive space. By doing so, we can harvest the business benefits FIR will accrue; improved productivity, safety and collaboration, new business, better staff retention, stakeholder and community engagement.” The School is part-funded by CITB and industry Partners, with the direction of the School being led by over 125 Partners – working in collaboration, they share knowledge and free resources to inspire the UK built environment to drive positive change. The full report can be found on the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s website here.
