Contemporary house design often focuses on the use of space and light especially if the design is bespoke. Clients that can afford it often want homes that are more integrated than they once were. Gone are separate rooms for kitchens and dining areas. These spaces are merely separated by space.
Tens of thousands of hard working British tradespeople are not being paid for the work they have done, according to a new national campaign which is gathering pace. Backed by safety workwear and footwear designers Scruffs, a petition has been launched as part of the #PayWhatYouOwe campaign, in order to
DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) has announced the creation of a new Commercial Department, established to support the organisation’s on-going growth, and in particular, its training offering. Marketing Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, has been promoted to the post of Commercial Manager, and will oversee the new department’s development, with an emphasis
It’s been the best ever start to a year for East Midlands demolition firm AR Demolition, with record turnover and profits in the first half of 2018. In the six month period to July the company saw turnover rise by 54% compared to the same period in 2017, with year-on-year
A mix of metal and mineral systems from Armstrong Ceilings has helped to transform a tired office block opposite Victoria station in London into a stunning mixed-use building. First-time Armstrong specifiers MAX architects specified them to differentiate from the more traditional Category A fit-outs elsewhere in the Victoria regeneration area,
With the awards ceremony fast approaching, 67 BALI members of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) have now been informed they have won a BALI National Landscape Award, with some members successful in more than one category. This year’s Awards, which are now run in-house by the BALI team
In the first phase of improvements to Watford Woodside Leisure Centre in Hertfordshire, one of two state-of-the-art facilities in the town managed by Everyone Active, high performance weberfloor 4310 fibre flow by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified by main contractor Bosun Design & Construction Limited (BDC), Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. Everyone
BALI, through its nationwide GoLandscape initiative, has supported BALI Training Provider member Capel Manor College in developing and launching a brand new Advanced Diploma in Landscape Construction (Level 3). Endorsed by employers within the industry, a crucial element of this new Diploma, the course offers a unique opportunity for students
Rhodar has won the demolition project of three 18 storey tower blocks that have stood empty for over 10 years. Appointed by Together Housing Group as part of plans to regenerate a key area of Halifax in Calderdale, Rhodar will help clear the Beech Hill estate site, which is currently
Brewster Bros’ new state-of-the-art facility in Scotland’s central belt is now fully operational. Brewster Bros, a family-run business in Livingston, is officially launching the largest recycling plant in the UK. The plant, featuring a CDE state-of-the-art wet processing system, will provide waste management services and recycled aggregates to builders, construction
Contemporary house design often focuses on the use of space and light especially if the design is bespoke. Clients that can afford it often want homes that are more integrated than they once were. Gone are separate rooms for kitchens and dining areas. These spaces are merely separated by space. The same can be said of other features such as staircases. One look at contemporary staircases online and it is clear that spiral staircases are the new normal. Not only do they allow access to the upper levels but are very much a design feature. With this in mind, let us take a look at how to design a house with a big garden. Bringing the Garden into the Home When the garden is large and spacious it becomes a design feature. Unlike smaller homes where the garden is defined, a house can be created to give panoramic and 360-degree views of the garden. This calls for big windows letting the outside colours and light come into the home. Landscaping It is important that the feel of the garden matches the architectural style of the house. For example, the house might be of a traditional, stately home design. As such hedges, clipped lawns, and statues may fit well in the garden. Should the house be more modern a more modern approach to the garden will be needed. As with all things balance and a blend is required to avoid the space looking disjointed. Features As the garden gives more room to work and be creative, you can utilise this to allow for better features for the house. Consider using features such as balconies and glass to maximise views. Good use of living space can really bring the house alive. Adding features such as outdoor stair kits can make the garden accessible from different places and the house accessible from the garden. Consider using them to utilise the space and add features. Think about what can be seen in the garden from the house. You might want a water feature to be visible or the view beyond the garden might be breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Both of these things add value to a home. Also, good design can hide views which are less savoury. Split level gardens are a good way to partition off different areas without putting up obtrusive fences and other physical barriers. This allows you to make a social, kids, and other areas clear which is heaven sent for most families. Lighting Lighting is important on a number of levels when the garden is a large space. You want the main living areas to be positioned to get the most light and any design should incorporate this. You also want to ensure that the position of the house does not block out light to parts of the garden that need it, such as flowerbeds and vegetable patches. With good design houses and gardens can merge together to make amazing living spaces. A little thought, a little creativity can work wonders to produce the best homes on both an aesthetic and practical level.
Tens of thousands of hard working British tradespeople are not being paid for the work they have done, according to a new national campaign which is gathering pace. Backed by safety workwear and footwear designers Scruffs, a petition has been launched as part of the #PayWhatYouOwe campaign, in order to highlight the crippling consequences of unpaid invoices in the construction industry. A spokesperson at Scruffs said: “Tradespeople are now increasingly at risk of severe financial burdens and pressure on their businesses, as invoices are delayed or disputed by customers. Imagine if your workplace refused to pay your salary. How would you pay your household bills, the mortgage and your general cost of living? “Our construction professionals work incredibly hard, through rain or shine, building our roads, fixing our homes and making our towns and cities nicer places to live – they deserve better than this.” The petition, which at the time of writing has 183 signatures and is growing, acknowledges the severity of the issue, reminding supporters of the industry’s worth, which equates to nearly £164bn in the UK alone. To enforce change, the petition seeks to provide tradespeople – particularly those who are self-employed – with more robust support. This could include establishing more rights for tradespeople, when it comes to chasing invoices long beyond their due date, and introducing enforceable fines for unpaid bills to deter any unnecessary late payments. The petition goes on to acknowledge that over the past 20 years the media has been flooded with stories of cowboy builders not completing work and letting people down. However, delve a little deeper and in the majority of cases the reality for tradespeople is completely the opposite. The spokesperson continued: “Our #PayWhatYouOwe campaign, which kicked off with a campaign video on Facebook, has already reached more than 800,000 people [21 September 2018]. It is about more than encouraging quicker payments. It’s about respect.” If you want to support the petition and help to give our tradespeople more rights, visit https://www.change.org/p/government-tradespeople-aren-t-being-paid-more-rights-as-they-appeal-to-people-to-paywhatyouowe. For more information about Scruffs and the #paywhatyouowe campaign, visit www.scruffs.com.
DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) has announced the creation of a new Commercial Department, established to support the organisation’s on-going growth, and in particular, its training offering. Marketing Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, has been promoted to the post of Commercial Manager, and will oversee the new department’s development, with an emphasis on streamlining training course booking processes and delivering the very best service and value to its members. With responsibility for overseeing both marketing and training functions, Patricia, who has worked at DHF for three years, will be tasked with taking the trade association’s training department ‘to the next level’, including offering online booking facilities for all training courses and ensuring that new entrants into the industry are presented with the opportunity to become proficient with the necessary accreditations, qualifications, such as NVQ, and CSCS cards. DHF, established in 1897 and committed to raising standards, is renowned industry-wide as the ‘go to’ place for technical advice and training. Regarded as a ‘centre of excellence’ with an expert team of professionals that can provide help and support across all sectors, DHF’s distinguished training programmes provide delegates with a deeper understanding of legislation affecting supply, installation, maintenance and repair. To date, more than 2300 delegates have successfully completed one of its four training courses and earlier this month, DHF moved its head office premises to ‘The Barn’ at ‘Shuttington Fields Farm’, a larger office space with a state-of-the-art Training Academy, demonstrating its continued commitment to training. “Training remains one of DHF’s biggest growth areas,” says Patricia. “The creation of a new Commercial Department will enable us to co-ordinate and restructure our training offering to ensure our programmes continue to provide both members and non-members with the support, technical expertise, information and knowledge they need to operate in their chosen sector, successfully and compliantly. Currently, DHF has four training courses on offer: the well-established two-day Diploma courses for Automated Gates and Industrial & Garage Doors, the one-day Industrial & Garage Door Certificate course, and now the recently-launched one-day Automated Gate Safety certificate course. Additionally, DHF will continue to work with BRE on the Fire Door Inspection training courses. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to develop this department and look forward to a new and exciting chapter in DHF’s continuing expansion.” “Patricia has more than proved her value as a key member of DHF’s senior management team; she was therefore the logical choice for taking the association’s training provision forward,” said DHF’s CEO, Bob Perry. “In a year that has seen tremendous growth and a move to improved office facilities, we look forward to the next stage for DHF and congratulate Patricia on her new position.” For further information about DHF’s training provision, please visit: https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/training.htm
It’s been the best ever start to a year for East Midlands demolition firm AR Demolition, with record turnover and profits in the first half of 2018. In the six month period to July the company saw turnover rise by 54% compared to the same period in 2017, with year-on-year gross profit increasing by 18%. The figures follow significant investment in new plant and machinery, including £1.5m spent on three new cutting-edge high reach Kiesel machines last year after previous investment of £1m in 2016. Following a period of restructuring and stabilisation, AR Demolition’s managing director Richard Dolman said he was happy with the direction in which the company, based in Carlton near Nuneaton, is now moving. “We didn’t perform as well as I’d have liked in 2017,” he said, “so we’ve worked hard to improve all areas of the business. I’m delighted with how quickly we’ve noticed such a dramatic improvement in financial performance. “Earlier this year we appointed a new board, including a financial director and a commercial director, and we’re currently looking for an operations director to join the team. “We’re introducing some new processes and procedures across all our departments, including some cutting-edge improvements in communications and reporting, as well as strong governance and controls. “It’s all had a dramatic impact on our bottom line. We have seen record turnover and profit for the first half of this year and in turn we have seen strong growth in our forward order book, with much of the custom being repeat business.” In May, AR Demolition was named in the prestigious ‘1000 Companies To Inspire Britain’ report, released annually by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The report celebrates the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). To qualify, company’s revenue between £6 million and £250 million, be operating for at least three years and be among the fastest-growing in their industry sector. Mr Dolman said that he and the leadership team at AR Demolition were keen to develop the company into a new type of demolition contractor, one where quality, safety and innovation – particularly in terms of sustainability and recruitment – were placed at the forefront. He said: “This improved financial performance opens up many opportunities for growth in terms of diversification, new customers, and the continued implementation of innovative techniques. “By helping to advise on and implement better methods of recycling, our industry can make dramatic improvements in the construction sector’s reduction of its carbon footprint. “We’re pioneering the first ever master’s degree in demolition at the University of Wolverhampton and we’re working closely with local schools and colleges to offer work experience and placements so we can find and retain the best talent out there. “And by investing in the Kiesel machines, which provides our clients with the benefits of massive operational efficiencies, as well as helping with carbon reduction, we are implementing innovative technology which showcases the future of AR Demolition and the industry as a whole.”
A mix of metal and mineral systems from Armstrong Ceilings has helped to transform a tired office block opposite Victoria station in London into a stunning mixed-use building. First-time Armstrong specifiers MAX architects specified them to differentiate from the more traditional Category A fit-outs elsewhere in the Victoria regeneration area, as well as for their high quality and flexibility. Armstrong’s perforated metal D-Clip island or floating ceilings in RAL 9022 (pearl light grey), a modern and modular absorber solution for exposed concrete ceilings, feature on all six office floors (11,000m2), while white mineral Ultima+ 600mm x 600mm boards in an exposed 24mm grid were used in the back-of-house areas. The redevelopment of 25 Wilton Road for client Royal London Asset Management has raised the bar by delivering a refurbishment project that performs both commercially and functionally in the same way as a prime commercial new-build. At the same time as retaining the post-tensioned concrete frame of the structure, the project incorporates three new lightweight steel floors of 14 high-quality rental apartments (4,000m2) into a building previously used exclusively for commercial purposes, leading to social and environmental benefits for the area. What was then Parnell House was completed in 1995 but while structurally sound it was underperforming at £35/ft2 and with leases coming up, MAX were asked to take a look at the building. Once fully let it will have increased in capital value threefold or by 271% once the £38 million project costs have been taken into account. While the existing concrete structure has been retained, bold new articulated facades transform the building’s relationship with its strategic location. It appears to subtly transform as one moves around it, revealing a depth of facade through striking cobalt-blue folds. The ‘fanned’ bays, along with the infill of the six floors of existing atria, considerably increase the lettable area and the light levels within a new set of highly-flexible and efficient office floor plates. Ground-level retail, café and lobby spaces enliven the streetscape. MAX architect Ashley Gilbert said: “The scheme set out to provide prime grade flexible office space designed to appeal to a wide range of user profiles. The idea was to differentiate the space from the more traditional Category A fit-outs being delivered elsewhere within the wider Victoria regeneration area. The high quality and flexibility of the Armstrong metal D-Clip island ceiling allowed us to accomplish this. “The office floorplates employ an innovative hybrid system, running conventional services around a perimeter racetrack of perforated aluminium suspended ceiling tiles. At the same time, the approach carefully reveals a select palette of visible services in areas of exposed ceiling, where the original post-tensioned slabs are exposed and used to provide 3.3m floor-to-ceiling heights.” The Armstrong ceilings were installed for main contractor Kier, who replaced all of the M&E systems in the building, by specialist sub-contractor Roskel Contracts who had a team of up to 20 operatives on site for 11 months. The Ultima+ board tiles are Cradle to Cradle™ certified and perform to Sound Absorption Class A with 87% light reflectance. The Armstrong galvanised metal D-Clip system, which features sound absorption levels of up to 0.45αw through an acoustic fleece inlay, was a new one to them. Armstrong solution design manager Nick Harper explained: “The original design intent from the architect was to create multiple metal rafts which would span across the whole ceiling within the office spaces to help cover up the exposed soffit and any M&E services. “Numerous discussions and design proposals had been put forward with the ceiling options swaying towards either F-H 600 panels, D-H 700 hook-on metal rafts or D-Clip clip-in metal rafts. Due to the number of services behind the rafts, which required regular access, it was decided that the D-Clip system would be best suited for this application. This was due to the fact that the panels can swing down on the grid without having to fully remove the panels and bring them down to the ground. “Another advantage to this system is that the grid is almost completely hidden behind the ceiling panels. The only visible grid would be the threaded rods to the soffit” Roskel Contracts’ managing director Tony Partridge said: “It was easy to construct once you understood the system. The tiles were very durable considering the amount of times they were removed for the M&E works. 95% of them had to be removed immediately after fixing and reinstalled some months later, then approximately 25% were taken out again and reinstalled.” Ashley Gilbert added: “The design team was initially tasked with creating initiatives to add value to the building through improvements to the landlord areas. Accordingly, the project started out as a circa £5 million light-touch refurbishment. However, we soon recognised the potential for increasing the volume and height of the building and adding a new residential use. “The value created by introducing three floors of rental apartments on top of the existing structure fundamentally changed the development appraisal and enabled a comprehensive cut-and-carve of the existing office and commercial areas. The brief therefore evolved to include the creation of a prime office development and high-end apartments, as well as mixed-use space at street level, all to be delivered in a highly sustainable way. Leveraging a shift in attitudes to holding residential assets for the longer term, we created a horizontally-layered mixed-use building with residential above office and retail.” Matt Bird of Royal London Asset Management said: “Our vision and collaborative approach with our architect, consultants and contractors has enabled us to deliver considerable added value and excellent returns on investment for our customers from a tired office building on a tight central London site. 25 Wilton Road adds another strong asset to RLAM’s growing property portfolio. “By re-using the existing structure, adding a new mix of uses and taking a creative architectural approach we have created a unique product in a thriving area of London, giving the building a new lease of life. At the same time, we have demonstrated our
With the awards ceremony fast approaching, 67 BALI members of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) have now been informed they have won a BALI National Landscape Award, with some members successful in more than one category. This year’s Awards, which are now run in-house by the BALI team at Landscape House, sees 101 National Awards made by the adjudication panel, which is chaired by landscape consultant and former senior lecturer in landscape studies at Writtle College, Greg Allen. Following a summer of visiting every entry, Greg and his team of judges – John Melmoe, Richard Barnard, Jason Lock, Robin Templar Williams, Steve Roberts, Andrew Legg and Mick Callahan – met at BALI Landscape House in late August for the adjudication process that selects the award-winning schemes. Judges Madge Moore, Peter Jennins OBE and Nick Coslett also put forward their recommendations for the Affiliate Exceptional Service awards and the Employer Excellence awards, which were subsequently considered by the wider panel. Deliberations over the 127 entries took three days, at the end of which the list of winners was confirmed. Reflecting on this year’s process, Greg said: “What a difference this year’s magnificent summer has made to the judges’ task of visiting the BALI Awards entries, albeit a real challenge for BALI members faced with drought conditions in many parts of the country. Keeping their schemes looking at their best for judging has certainly called on every ounce of their horticultural expertise! “We have been delighted with the achievements of BALI contractors and designers this year and, as always, the hardest task has been to stick to our stringent criteria and only reward real excellence across the board. In previous years this approach has inevitably resulted in disappointment for a percentage of members who, although justly proud of their schemes, had yet to achieve the exemplary standard required by the BALI Awards. This year, however, 77 per cent of entries receive an award, which speaks volumes for the incredibly high standards BALI members are now achieving. We offer our very sincere congratulations to those who have attained that level and are on our list of winners, and would encourage those who have not been successful this year to strive again next year to make the list and experience the thrill and satisfaction of winning a BALI National Landscape Award.” BALI’s Chief Executive, Wayne Grills, added: “The standard of entries this year has been really spectacular, indicating that private, commercial and public clients are prepared to invest in quality to achieve the schemes they want. Our members have delivered on a grand scale. They have used the latest techniques, technology and materials to push the boundaries in terms of solving the design, construction and maintenance challenges presented by budget constraints and climatic conditions. “The Awards also give us the opportunity to recognise both BALI Affiliate members who constantly deliver outstanding customer service, and companies from across the BALI membership who are exemplars in terms of their responsibilities as employers. I am always in awe of our members’ achievements and offer my very sincere congratulations to every one of this year’s winners.” BBC Breakfast anchor and sports journalist Dan Walker will host the ceremony at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, on Friday, 7 December when the winners of the Principal and Special Awards, and the coveted Grand Award, will be announced. Full details of the winning entries can be found at baliawards.co.uk along with booking details for the Awards Ceremony. The 2018 National Award winners are: Domestic Garden Construction – cost under £30k – sponsored by Derbyshire Aggregates Sandstone Design Solutions for Uplands Cottage Graduate Gardeners for Private Residence in Cheltenham Langlea Garden Design & Construction for Victorian Flavour Domestic Garden Construction – cost between £30k–£60k – sponsored by Gabriel Ash The Landscaping Consultants for Rose Bank PWP Landscape for Farm House Land Design Partnership for Elm Park Gardens Domestic Garden Construction – cost between £60k–£100k – sponsored by Johnsons of Whixley HG Landscapes for Private Residence in Kensington Graduate Gardeners for Yorkstone Terrace Land Design Partnership for Private Residence in Greenwich Graduate Gardeners for An Entertaining Courtyard Langlea Garden Design & Construction for Private Residence in Washington Domestic Garden Construction – cost between £100k–£250k – sponsored by Van den Berk Nurseries Tony Benger Landscaping for St Michael’s Mount Northumbrian Landscaping for For Your Eyes Only Landscaping Solutions for Private Residence in Barnet Graduate Gardeners for Private Residence in Painswick PC Landscapes for Private Residence in Ashstead PC Landscapes for Private Residence in Winchester Domestic Garden Construction – cost over £250k – sponsored by Europlants UK Landform Consultants for Private Residence in Leeds Buckland Landscapes for From Pit to Picture Gavin Jones for Private Residence in Kensington Esse Landscapes for Tickerage Mill Clifton Nurseries for Little Frankley Bowles & Wyer for Private Residence in Tring Landscape Associates for Private Residence in London Soft Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic) – cost under £300k – sponsored by Adtrak Grace Landscapes for National Memorial Arboretum – Heroes’ Square and The Boyes Garden Goddards (Landscape Contractors) for Lillie Square Phase 1-1A Frosts Landscape Construction for London Wall Place Goddards (Landscape Contractors) for Olympic Way Zone A Tree Planting Soft Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic) – cost between £300k-£1.5m – sponsored by Todds Nursery Alfie Bines Gardens for Buxmead Kingston Landscape Group for Colindale Gardens Kingston Landscape Group for Streatham Hill Frosts Landscape Construction for Holland Park Villas Hard Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic) – cost under £300k – sponsored by Vander Moortel NV Blakedown Landscapes (SE) for The Royal Ballet School Brambledown Landscape Services for Segendunum Roman Fort Hard Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic) – cost between £300k–£1.5m – sponsored by CWS Group idverde for Theatre Square, Royal National Theatre Hard Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic) – cost over £1.5 million sponsored by Bourne Amenity Endrick Landscapes for Structural Landscape Works Blakedown Landscapes (SE) for Natural History Museum Maylim for Rathbone Square Blakedown Landscapes (SE) for Queen’s Square Frosts Landscape Construction for London Wall Place Horticon for Knowsley
In the first phase of improvements to Watford Woodside Leisure Centre in Hertfordshire, one of two state-of-the-art facilities in the town managed by Everyone Active, high performance weberfloor 4310 fibre flow by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified by main contractor Bosun Design & Construction Limited (BDC), Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. Everyone Active is the trading name for Sports & Leisure Management Limited (SLM), the UK’s longest-established leisure contractor. It manages more than 170 leisure and cultural facilities around the country in partnership with 49 different local authorities and trusts, and is currently carrying out a £1.8million improvement project across its Watford Woodside and Watford Central leisure centres. “Working alongside Watford Borough Council, we are supporting local people of all ages and abilities to improve their health by offering them access to top-class leisure services and facilities,” said Gary Foley, Everyone Active’s contract manger in Watford. “This project to update both locations will make a huge difference to our members, providing them with a new fitness studio to cater for the growing demand in group exercise, refurbished changing facilities and a significantly improved fitness suite that will offer the latest state-of-the-art equipment.” “We undertake contracts for Everyone Active at numerous sites in the south east,” comments James May, director at BDC, which is carrying out the work in Watford. “Multiple contracts are on-going at any one time. The process of selection is via tender direct to Everyone Active, which then works with the local authority. It is at this stage a preferred contractor is proposed.” Included in the current phase of the works is the creation of a new mezzanine floor. It has been installed in the space above a former dance studio and adjacent squash court, and has enabled a brand new fitness studio to be created. The current studio has also been extended. The second phase of development is due to begin at both Watford sites shortly, for completion in early 2019. BDC is actively involved in both projects. Subcontractor C E C Plastering, of Southampton, undertook the application of weberfloor 4310 fibre flow screed. Director Chris Crosby says: “Together with Bosun Design & Construction we specified this fibre reinforced self-smoothing compound which we pump-applied at various thicknesses from 35-50mm. It was quick and easy to install, very versatile, and has produced an excellent finish. We’re fans of this product and have used it before but, even so, we benefited from Weber’s technical support.” weberfloor 4310 fibre flow screed was applied to a steel framed block and beam floor construction which overcame the concerns around loading issues that might have arisen with the application of a traditional concrete screed. The new floor was initially primed with weberfloor 4716, a water-based primer designed for use with all cementitious and hemi-hydrate floor screeds. It regulates the porosity of the substrate, improves the adhesion of flooring products while reducing the formation of pinholes in the levelling layer. It should be diluted with clean water and can be spray applied on large areas. weberfloor 4310 fibre flow screed is designed for application at thicknesses between 5 – 50mm and formulated from special cements, aggregates, supplementary binders and chemical admixtures. It is supplied as a blended dry powder and designed specifically for renovation of existing floors and floating floor construction in domestic and commercial applications. weberfloor 4310 fibre flow can receive foot traffic after just 2 – 4 hours and can be tiled after 12 – 24 hours, dependent on ambient temperature following installation. The fibre reinforcement aids durability and allows it to be used in conjunction with under floor heating systems and floating floors. weberfloor 4310 fibre flow has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics. It has low alkalinity and low emissions during drying and is casein free. Almost 500 bags of weberfloor 4310 fibre flow were required to finish the 190m² mezzanine floor in preparation for a final wood sprung floor suitable for dance and other physical education where shock absorption is essential to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. weberfloor 4310 fibre flow is featured in Weber’s one hour long RIBA-Assessed ‘Introduction into Flowing Floor Screeds’ CPD which can be presented by Weber’s Specification Team at your premises or at a Saint-Gobain facility or Training Academy anywhere in the UK. It is free of charge and available on request. This comprehensive CPD presentation covers many subjects from why and where to use floor systems; the attributes of commercial floors; design considerations; the demands of the finished floor that will have an influence on specification, through to renovation, fast-track construction and drying times. The CPD includes an application video showing the attributes of weberfloor 4310 fibre flow smoothing compound which is of specific interest to both designers and applicators. Weber’s floor screeds and tile fixing products are manufactured in sustainable, modern manufacturing facilities in Bedfordshire, Shropshire and Ireland, ensuring product quality, conformity and availability, with reduced transportation costs and CO₂ emissions. Weber has a team of experienced technical advisors who are available to provide advice both at the specification stage and during application. Detailed specifications can be provided for specific projects while site visits and on-site support can be arranged. For more information about the Flooring CPD, to make a booking, or for technical support including award winning training courses, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.uk.weber . CPD bookings can be made by email: mail@netweber.co.uk. A free download of the Weber App for iPhone and iPad users is also available from the App Store and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
BALI, through its nationwide GoLandscape initiative, has supported BALI Training Provider member Capel Manor College in developing and launching a brand new Advanced Diploma in Landscape Construction (Level 3). Endorsed by employers within the industry, a crucial element of this new Diploma, the course offers a unique opportunity for students to develop both technical and business skills. Capel Manor College developed the course based on the recent GoLandscape skills survey that was circulated to all BALI members earlier this year. The course has been designed based on that feedback, with input directly from landscape businesses, many of whom are BALI members. The course will also incorporate the BALI Chalk Fund sponsored additional tickets. Modules on the course will include living walls, water management/SUDS, surveying and construction drawings, business practice and project management, paving, timber and brickwork, water features and the use of plants in landscaping schemes and show garden builds. A block of work experience, which forms part of the course, is also being supported by BALI members who have agreed to provide placements. BALI’s Technical Officer (Quality Assurance) Richard Gardiner said ”It’s great to see a land-based college continually thinking about how they can improve their offering to students and the industry they serve. Hard landscaping, in particular, seems to have been overlooked by colleges for some time and I am delighted that Capel Manor College has developed this qualification in response to industry feedback.” BALI’s Education Officer, Stephen Ensell, who is responsible for delivering GoLandscape, said ”The fact that Capel Manor College has taken the lead and approached the industry to support them in developing a hard landscape qualification is a great encouragement. It means that students now have an entry point to gain the very best, most up-to-date skills and experience to help them enter the landscaping industry.” The Diploma will be taught at Capel Manor College’s Enfield campus and can be studied on a full or part-time basis with an optional unit selection. Successful completion of this course will enable students to begin a career in landscape construction or progress to a degree level course. Sarah Seery, Head of School for Horticulture and Landscaping at Capel Manor College, says “We’re incredibly excited to have partnered with BALI in the creation of our new Advanced Diploma in Landscape Construction. As London’s leading land-based college, renowned for our exceptional courses in horticulture and landscaping, the unique opportunity to create a course in collaboration with a leading trade association has been warmly welcomed by the college community and endorsed by employers. Details on the course can be found on Capel’s website here. The first course starts w/c 10 September but Capel Manor College have confirmed that they will still accept entries at this stage.
Rhodar has won the demolition project of three 18 storey tower blocks that have stood empty for over 10 years. Appointed by Together Housing Group as part of plans to regenerate a key area of Halifax in Calderdale, Rhodar will help clear the Beech Hill estate site, which is currently occupied by Cobden Court, Blenheim Court and Westbrook Court. Scheduled to work on the internal strip out and subsequent top down deconstruction of the tower blocks are up to 80 Rhodar operatives, along with a 65-metre super high reach excavator, of which only a handful exist in the UK. The excavator will remove approximately 10 storeys from each block, allowing further high reach kit to demolish the remaining structures. “This is an important milestone for our business as it will be the first major enabling works package we have undertaken since our corporate rebrand last month, and it’s extremely rewarding for our teams to be working on such a prestigious and high-profile regeneration scheme,” said Jason Davy, managing director at Rhodar. On hand to process site materials will be four excavators ranging from 21 to 40 tonnes. The existing concrete and rubble will be recycled on site into a specific engineered fill material that will then be used to create a development platform for the next level of regeneration. This will contribute to a significantly reduced carbon footprint for the project by minimising vehicle movements in and around the project area. The regeneration of Beech Hill is part of the Calderdale Together Investment Partnership, a partnership between Together Housing and Calderdale Council, which aims to deliver 500 affordable homes over the next five years, including new homes at the Beech Hill site, as well at other sites across Calderdale. “I, like many people in Halifax, will be delighted to see new, affordable homes replace these outdated tower blocks. This is part of our commitment to address the housing crisis in West Yorkshire where the average home is now seven times the average salary,” commented George Paterson, group director of Property Services at Together Housing Group. The site clearance is expected to take 64 weeks, with main demolition work starting in January 2019.
Brewster Bros’ new state-of-the-art facility in Scotland’s central belt is now fully operational. Brewster Bros, a family-run business in Livingston, is officially launching the largest recycling plant in the UK. The plant, featuring a CDE state-of-the-art wet processing system, will provide waste management services and recycled aggregates to builders, construction companies, concrete product producers, ground workers, civil contractors and utility contractors from its new high-tech facility in Scotland’s central belt. Investment in the £3.8m recycling centre includes a £2.1m spend on high efficiency CDE equipment, with a capacity to recycle 400,000 tonnes of construction, demolition and excavation waste per year. This new facility supports the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Strategy ‘Making Things Last’, which aims to secure 70% recycling of construction and demolition waste by 2020. The plant can process and recycle soils and rubble collected by Brewster Bros’ fleet of tipper lorries from construction sites into high value sand and gravel – reducing waste disposal costs for Brewster Bros’ customers while maximising waste recovery. The wet processing system was specifically designed to process difficult construction and demolition waste materials and optimise material recovery. Due to its Quality Management Systems, Brewster Bros is an accredited supplier of Zero Waste Scotland’s Aggregate Quality Protocol Directory. The company takes over from an established family-run recycling business, Henry Gillies. Thanks to increased investment, Brewster Bros forecasts an annual turnover of £3m at the plant, which will boost the local economy and provide further job opportunities on top of all 20 job roles retained from the previous owner. Scott Brewster, Director at Brewster Bros, said: “It’s an exciting day as we officially launch the UK’s largest recycling facility of this type. Our number one aim is to treat and recycle construction and demolition waste as a resource, ensuring zero waste to landfill. “Through significant investment into state-of-the-art recycling techniques provided by the plant supplier CDE, we are looking forward to shaping the future of the recycling industry across Scotland and beyond. This new plant should act as a game-changer for the construction industry, by saving money for our customers and ensuring they can dispose of their construction and demolition waste in a cost-effective and sustainable way.” David Kinloch, CDE Regional Manager UK & Ireland, said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Brewster Bros to create a construction, demolition and excavation waste recycling plant bespoke, to their site and production requirements. This large-scale facility incorporates the latest CDE technology and will be a flagship project in Scotland. We wish Brewster Bros every success as they champion the move towards zero waste and embrace the circular economy and look forward to a continued strong partnership in the years to come.” Stephen Boyle, Strategic Programme Manager for Construction, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “In Scotland the construction sector is responsible for producing nearly half of the country’s waste, and recycling construction and demolition material has a key role to play in minimising that. “By recycling, we can keep materials out of landfill and in high-value use for longer, reducing the need to quarry finite virgin material and helping the environment. But what the launch of the Brewster Bros recycling plant shows is that by recycling effectively we can also generate investment and create new jobs, which is great news for Scotland.” Linda Scott, Chair of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Brewster Bros is focussed on being the industry leader in terms of how construction waste recycling looks, not only now but also in the future. This plant is the largest of its type in the UK and it is a great indicator of their commitment. “It’s fantastic to hear about the future economic benefits this plant will bring to the local area and we are delighted that Henry Gillies is being taken over by another family-oriented organisation that will not only save jobs for local residents, but also create future employment opportunities.” Derek Carmichael, Transport Manager at Brewster Bros, who worked under the previous ownership said: “It’s exciting to be a part of this new chapter and it is great news for the local area and the workforce to see this new plant open and carry on supporting the construction industry in the central belt with sustainable and forward-thinking recycling. “We’re focussed on making giant strides when it comes to the future of waste recycling for the construction and we are thrilled to be a major part of this journey.” All recycled materials from the plant will come with a UKAS accredited quality certification and conform to the requirements for the BREEAM Sustainability Assessment Method for Construction.
