Built for the busiest six by four metres in retail
How SPECTRSOLUTIONS LTD uses HIMACS, specified through James Latham, to deliver premium retail kiosks inside Westfield, Battersea Power Station and other landmark UK shopping destinations. A shopping kiosk has nowhere to hide. Standing in the middle of the mall, surrounded on every side by sometimes frenetic footfall, it has to perform as architecture, signage, storage and customer counter, all inside a footprint that rarely exceeds six metres by four. For SPECTRSOLUTIONS LTD, which has spent 15 years designing, producing, installing and maintaining kiosks for some of the country’s busiest and high-profile retail destinations, that compact footprint hides a much bigger challenge. “It’s never easy,” says Oleg Kacs, Managing Director at SPECTRSOLUTIONS. “Every project has to answer to three different rulebooks at once. It has to meet British Standards, the shopping centre’s own design guidelines and align with the brand’s identity. And it still has to draw people in.” A material that earns its place Around half of SPECTRSOLUTIONS’ projects are designed in-house. The other half arrive from leading British design agencies. Either way, the team takes the concept through production, installation and aftercare, with materials sourced in the majority of cases from James Latham. HIMACS, the solid surface material distributed by James Latham, has become the team’s default for kiosk work. It now sits ahead of comparable solid surface options on the SPECTRSOLUTIONS specification list. The reasoning is as much practical as visual. Shopping centres in the UK and across Europe insist on materials that are fire-rated, durable and capable of standing up to constant interaction. A kiosk is touched, leant on, brushed past and bumped into all day. HIMACS, a solid acrylic surface, is scratch resistant, hard to damage and available in a wide colour palette. That breadth of colour choice helps the team meet brand guidelines without resorting to finishes that would fall foul of shopping centre rules. Westfield’s kiosk guidelines, for example, rule out anything that scratches to reveal another colour underneath. That veto extends to laminates, vinyl wraps and most sprayed finishes. Whereas solid surface sits firmly within the approved list. HIMACS works hard across décor, side panels, counters and countertop surfaces, often employed in a single project. How the projects come together A typical kiosk measures around six metres by four. A standard build uses roughly five sheets of HIMACS in the primary brand colour, with one or two further sheets in accent shades for smaller features. Each sheet measures 3.68 metres by 70 centimetres, which decides how panels are cut, jointed and finished. The programme of design to assembly and installation runs to roughly three months. One month covers design, approvals and the technical drawings required by the venue. The remaining eight weeks cover production and installation on site. Specifying materials through James Latham allows the planning phase to operate alongside the order, so stock is moving while drawings are still being signed off. Where the real work happens The briefing is the point where everything has to come together. Brand teams arrive with a colour palette and a portfolio that needs to translate into three dimensions. Shopping centre managers ask for a sculptural object that contributes visual appeal to the mall and gives shoppers a reason to stop. Underneath all of that, British Standards govern fire performance, accessibility and structural detail. “Every project starts and ends with the client’s vision,” Oleg explains. “Then we look at inspirations, what the client likes, and we combine all of that with the shopping centre’s design guideline. The brand is the last layer, but it is the most important one. People recognise it from the other end of the mall.” The tension Oleg sees most often sits between the brand’s operational needs and the centre’s appetite for impact. Counters, storage, stock movement, hand wash provision in food and beverage units, and concealed CCTV all have to fit inside the same small footprint that also has to look striking from any angle. HIMACS gives the team a way to fundamentally shape the structure rather than simply dressing it. The James Latham link For SPECTRSOLUTIONS, working with James Latham takes one of the bigger variables out of a tight, three-month programme. HIMACS material is available in the colours, sheet sizes and quantities the team needs, with the supply chain reliability to hold installation dates. Debbie Northall, Specification Manager, James Latham says, “Projects like these put HIMACS to work in some of the most demanding retail settings in the country, in front of millions of shoppers a year. With more kiosks already in the diary at Westfield, Battersea Power Station and other UK centres, the partnership keeps building, one six by four metre footprint at a time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Will Rudd powers Scottish Water HQ with major solar installation
Multi-award-winning civil and structural engineering consultancy Will Rudd has supported the delivery of a major solar car port installation at Scottish Water’s headquarters in Stepps, Glasgow. The project has seen more than 1 MW of solar PV installed across eight canopies, covering approximately 243 parking bays and incorporating around 2,250 solar panels. Once operational, the installation is expected to generate around 1 GWh of electricity each year, providing roughly one third of the site’s power and saving approximately 160 tonnes of carbon annually. Delivered within a live, high-traffic environment, the project presented a number of engineering challenges, including how to manage drainage across the existing car park while integrating the new structures with the site’s existing infrastructure. The initial proposal involved an underground drainage solution, but a detailed assessment of the existing site levels and surface water flows identified an opportunity to make greater use of the infrastructure already in place. Will Rudd developed a solution that incorporated the existing drainage network and sustainable drainage features, requiring just one new drainage connection to serve the proposed glass-reinforced polyester switch room. This reduced the need for extensive underground drainage works while providing an effective approach to surface water management, and reducing project costs. Will Rudd was appointed by OCS to provide civil and structural engineering services for the project, with its involvement beginning with a detailed review of existing information, site inspections and surveys of the proposed development area. The consultancy was responsible for the design of the foundations, substructures and drainage infrastructure, as well as swept path analysis to assess vehicle access and manoeuvrability around the new structures. Will Rudd also provided Structural Engineers Registration certification for the third-party canopy structures, prepared structural design submissions and supported the building warrant application process. Throughout construction, the team provided ongoing civil and structural engineering support, responding to site queries and resolving technical challenges to support delivery within the live site environment. Steven Williams, Assistant Engineer at Will Rudd, said: “Projects such as this demonstrate how engineering can help organisations make practical use of existing sites to support their transition towards more sustainable energy. “Working within an operational car park presented a number of challenges, particularly around drainage, access and the integration of the new structures with the existing site. By taking a detailed approach to the existing infrastructure, we were able to develop solutions that supported the installation while minimising disruption and unnecessary additional works. “It’s a great example of how careful civil and structural engineering can help deliver renewable energy infrastructure that works effectively within an existing environment.” The project forms part of Will Rudd’s growing work in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. The consultancy is currently working with OCS on a number of projects across the UK, including structural assessments of non-traditional housing stock in Scotland to support the installation of Tesla Powerwall energy storage systems, alongside surveys and feasibility assessments for solar PV installations across DWP buildings in England and Scotland. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Grainger Drives BTR Growth as 425-Home Cambridge North Scheme Moves Forward
Grainger has reported continued strong demand across its Build to Rent (BTR) portfolio as the UK’s largest listed residential landlord advances a development pipeline that includes its newly approved 425-home Cambridge North Residential Quarter. The FTSE 250 property company’s latest trading update, covering the 11 months to the end of August 2026, showed occupancy remaining above 96%, alongside like-for-like BTR rental growth of 3%. Grainger now owns and manages more than 11,000 rental homes across the UK and remains focused on expanding its purpose-built rental portfolio. A significant development milestone during the period was planning approval for Cambridge North Residential Quarter, which will become Grainger’s first investment in Cambridge. The 425-home scheme is being brought forward on railway land adjacent to Cambridge North station through blocwork, the joint venture between Network Rail property company Platform4 and developer bloc. Grainger is lined up to forward fund the development and, once completed, will operate and manage the new rental homes. The project will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a new residential neighbourhood designed to take advantage of its highly connected location. The wider proposals include linear parks, pocket gardens, tree-lined streets and active ground-floor uses, with walking, cycling and public transport forming an important part of the development strategy. Franklin Ellis Architects is involved in the design of the Cambridge North Residential Quarter, which forms part of the continuing transformation of land surrounding the station. The Cambridge investment reflects Grainger’s wider strategy of targeting well-connected UK cities where demand for professionally managed rental housing is supported by employment, transport infrastructure and constrained housing supply. Grainger is also progressing another partnership opportunity with Platform4 and blocwork in Nottingham, where a planning application has been submitted for a further 252 BTR homes. Alongside development activity, Grainger is targeting significant earnings growth from its committed BTR pipeline. Chief executive Helen Gordon said the company remains on track to grow earnings by 35% between FY25 and FY29, supported by new Build to Rent developments moving into operation. The company is simultaneously progressing an accelerated disposal programme covering approximately £850 million of non-core assets, while targeting a £300 million to £350 million reduction in net debt by the end of FY29. With high occupancy, continued rental growth and new developments advancing through planning, Grainger’s latest update highlights the growing maturity of the UK BTR sector. Cambridge North is particularly significant, combining institutional investment, residential development and transport-led regeneration to create a substantial new rental community in one of the UK’s strongest regional property markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Universal Floral achieves Carbon Neutral Certification, offsetting over 100% of generated carbon emissions
Biophilic design and plant maintenance specialists Universal Floral have achieved Carbon Neutral Certification in partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain™, demonstrating a genuine commitment to ESG principles and clear alignment with internal sustainability values. Universal Floral works with clients across the world to transform corporate spaces through plant displays, moss walls and scalable plant-rich living walls. Achieving carbon neutral status for their UK operations was therefore a significant milestone, embedding environmental and sustainability principles into the heart of the organisation by independently measuring carbon emissions and taking steps to reduce environmental impact. With UK businesses accounting for up to 85% of UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, corporate action is essential in helping to stop climate change. In line with international targets, GHG emissions must halve by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Between May 2025 and April 2026, Universal Floral offset 25.3 tonnes of CO₂e against 17.5 tonnes, their total carbon footprint. Marie Caffrey, CEO, Universal Floral said: “Partnering with Carbon Neutral Britain™ to measure and offset our carbon emissions in the UK marks an important step on our sustainability journey. “We have gained a clearer understanding of where our emissions come from and where we can make the biggest improvements. For example, it was identified that our main emissions came through indirect carbon emissions (Scope 3), and this for us, was business travel. “We are now taking action to reduce emissions in this area, such as encouraging the team to take public transport or arranging virtual meetings in place of short-haul, domestic flights.” Through the Carbon Neutral Britain™ Woodland Fund™, Universal Floral offset their total carbon emissions through internationally certified carbon offsetting projects chosen for their environmental, humanitarian and ethical impacts: Additionally, Universal Floral have contributed to several UK-based rewilding and restoration initiatives including Haymeadow Restoration and Rewilding, Sea Grass Recovery and Protection and Marston Vale Forest Creation. Caffrey added: “Achieving this certification is a proud milestone for the entire team, particularly as we have been able to offset well over 100% of our total carbon footprint. The national and international projects we are supporting are actively contributing to vital global climate mitigation efforts, from blue carbon restoration to community reforestation and endangered species protection. “Taking direct action to reduce our own emissions while supporting verified, world-class environmental initiatives reinforces our commitment to sustainability and our environmental values. “Moving forwards, we are working towards 2030 and 2050 aligned targets via the globally recognised net-emissions approach, focusing on key emissions hot spots to achieve meaningful reductions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Right to Manage activity hits record highs, new index reveals
The research reveals RTM formations hit record highs in 2025, with 2026 set to see even higher numbers Almost 1,000 groups of leaseholders became RTMs in 2025; a 79% increase in just six years Right to Manage (RTM) company formations have hit an all-time high, according to a new industry index. New research by property management firm Placekeeper Management has revealed there were 986 RTMs established in 2025; the highest ever recorded. The trend shows no sign of slowing down either, with 578 RTM companies already formed by the midpoint of 2026, putting the year on track to set yet another record. The findings show a huge disparity between RTM activity and the wider UK housing market, with resident-led management activity continuing to accelerate even as housebuilding and management company formations fall. To track this trend over time, the Altrincham-based property management firm has developed the Placekeeper RTM Index: a figure that compares RTM formation activity with housing completions against the long-term average. The Index rose from 69 in 2019 to 155 in 2025, meaning RTM activity relative to housing completions has more than doubled in six years and now stands 55% above its long-term average. The rise comes despite falls across the wider housing market, where completions fell from 214,290 in 2019 to 170,390 in 2025, representing a drop of around 20%. Management company formations also dropped from a peak of 2,180 in 2018 to 1,543 in 2025, the lowest level since 2013. RTM formations, by contrast, have continued to climb, suggesting that growth in resident-led management is increasingly being driven by factors within the existing housing stock. Trevor Adey, Director at Placekeeper Management, said: “The most striking finding isn’t simply that RTM formations have reached a record high, but that activity continues to accelerate at a time when housebuilding levels and management company formations have fallen. “The data suggests resident-led management is becoming a more significant feature of the UK’s existing housing stock, whether that reflects greater awareness of leaseholder rights, increased scrutiny of service charges, or wider changes in residential governance. “For managing agents, this should be a wake-up call. Standards of transparency, communication and value for money that might once have gone unquestioned are now being scrutinised more closely than ever. Agents who don’t adapt and improve services risk losing the buildings they manage to their own residents.” Placekeeper’s analysis draws on more than fifteen years of Companies House incorporation data and Office for National Statistics’ housing figures, covering RTM company formations, management company formations and UK housebuilding activity between 2010 and 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
KPE Receives green light for the refurbishment and modernisation of Grade A Soho office building
· Westminster Council has approved the refurbishment and modernisation of Kajima Properties Europe’s 27 Soho Square, a 31,000 sq ft Grade A office building in the heart of Central London. · The approved plans will revitalise the asset through a refurbishment of existing space, improvement of sustainability credentials, accessibility and façade, and introduction of a restaurant space on ground floor. · The scheme targets BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings and prioritises the re-use of existing building elements to minimise environmental impact. Kajima Properties Europe (KPE), the European development, investment and asset management arm of the Nikkei-listed Kajima Corporation, has secured planning consent from Westminster City Council for the refurbishment of 27 Soho Square, a 31,000 sq ft Grade A office building located on one of central London’s most famous and historic squares. Designed by Gibson Thornley, the approved plans will upgrade the existing office space, modernise building systems, design and sustainability infrastructure to target BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. New features will include outdoor private terraces on 4th and 5th floors, ground floor and part basement commercial space, improved façade and street-level aesthetic, and enhanced streetscape activation through lightwells, railings and planters. There will also be creation of new occupier amenities including showers, changing areas and bike storage. 27 Soho Square is situated within the Soho Conservation Area and benefits from unrivalled transport connectivity, including proximity to the Elizabeth Line at Tottenham Court Road station. The asset forms part of KPE’s value-add workspace strategy to invest into dynamic London sub-market opportunities supported by robust occupational demand drivers. The planning approval for 27 Soho Square builds on KPE’s growing London workspace portfolio. The firm is advancing design plans for its 1 St John’s Square workspace project in Farringdon, working alongside Carter Gregson Gray architects. Acquired in November 2025, the scheme is expected to be submitted planning later this year. KPE also recently strengthened its workspace development team with the appointment of Ian Patillo, who joins as Senior Development Manager from Landsec. Tim James, Investment Director, said: “As occupier demands intensify, the refurbishment of 27 Soho Square will reposition the building as a high quality, highly desirable workspace in one of Central London’s most sought-after locations. The refurbishment will significantly enhance the occupier experience, address the building’s limitations and strengthen its connection to the character and vitality of Soho. This announcement represents an important step delivering our London value-add workspace strategy and creating a best-in-class asset with enduring occupier appeal.” Project Team: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals