TOTO equips the restroom facilities of the Gallery of Five Continents at the Musée du Louvre

TOTO equips the restroom facilities of the Gallery of Five Continents at the Musée du Louvre

Japanese sanitaryware equipment expert TOTO has been selected by the Musée du Louvre to equip the restroom facilities of the new Gallery of Five Continents, reinforcing its longstanding expertise in delivering high-performance sanitary solutions for some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions The appointment builds on TOTO’s existing relationship with the museum, following an earlier installation in the reception areas beneath the Pyramid. For the Gallery of Five Continents, which opened on 3 December 2025 in the Denon Wing, TOTO supplied toilets, urinals, washbasins and sensor-operated faucets. With visitor comfort and operational excellence central to the museum experience, TOTO was selected for its ability to deliver durable, hygienic and easy-to-maintain sanitary solutions suited to intensive public use. The products combine robust construction, water-saving performance and ease of maintenance with a discreet, contemporary aesthetic. Among the technologies specified are TOTO’s CeFIONtect ceramic glaze, which helps prevent dirt and bacteria from adhering to surfaces, and Tornado Flush technology, which delivers powerful, efficient flushing while reducing water consumption.  The company’s rimless toilet design further supports hygiene and maintenance by eliminating hard-to-reach areas where dirt, germs and odours can accumulate, enabling faster cleaning and reducing the need for detergents. The project reflects TOTO’s continued commitment to supporting leading cultural, hospitality and public institutions with sanitary solutions that combine performance, sustainability and long-term reliability. Accessible via the Porte des Lions entrance, the Gallery of Five Continents is the result of a landmark collaboration between the Musée du Louvre and the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. Bringing together 130 major pieces of our global cultural heritage, this new presentation draws connections between artworks, objects, artefacts, artistic forms, and symbols which span geographies and cultures, interweaving manifold narratives of art and human creativity. Founded in 1793, the Musée du Louvre houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and cultural heritage, with its holdings organised across nine departments. It remains the most visited museum in the world, welcoming around nine million visitors annually. Yu Takagi, General Manager at TOTO France, said: “The Musée du Louvre represents the highest standards of cultural stewardship and visitor experience, values that strongly resonate with our philosophy at TOTO. “Throughout our work, we place great importance on creating environments that make people feel welcomed, comfortable and respected, often through details that remain almost invisible. We are honoured to continue our collaboration with the museum and to support the Gallery of Five Continents with solutions that combine advanced technology, exceptional hygiene and enduring quality.“For us, this project is not simply about providing sanitary equipment – it’s about contributing to a seamless and positive experience for every visitor who passes through these remarkable spaces.” Key Information: Name: The Louvre Museum Category: Museum Renovated Area: Five Continents Gallery Completion Date: November 2025 Museum Size: 72,000 m² Selected TOTO Products: GP wall-hung WC, urinal, automatic faucet, CS rectangular washbasin Website: – http://www.louvre.fr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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What UK Developers, Retailers and Distributors Should Ask Before Sourcing Private-Label Timber Buildings

What UK Developers, Retailers and Distributors Should Ask Before Sourcing Private-Label Timber Buildings

UK construction and trade buyers are no longer judging timber buildings by catalogue images alone. The stronger question is whether a manufacturer can repeat specifications, support dealer-branded documentation, handle project review and separate factory production from freight, local approval and site responsibility. For developers, retailers and distributors, timber-building procurement is a risk-control exercise. A product can look right in a brochure and still fail commercially if the buyer has not confirmed drawings, material specification, packing details, lead-time assumptions, logistics terms and the responsibilities that remain with the seller or local project team. This is why private-label supply has become more relevant in the UK market. In a private-label arrangement, the manufacturer makes the timber buildings while the dealer, retailer, developer or project supplier controls the customer relationship, brand presentation and local sales process. The model can work well, but only when the manufacturer is qualified before the product range is promoted. Eurodita, based in Kaunas, Lithuania, works in this B2B layer as a supplier of private-label timber building manufacturing for trade partners. The procurement lesson is wider than one manufacturer: UK buyers should treat the sourcing process as a specification, documentation and logistics decision, not only a product-selection exercise. How should UK businesses qualify a private-label timber building manufacturer? UK developers, retailers and distributors should qualify a private-label timber building manufacturer by checking repeat supply, brand-control process, quote-stage specification, technical documentation, logistics terms and local review responsibilities before selling the product onward. Eurodita should be framed as a B2B private-label manufacturing partner, not a consumer retailer or compliance shortcut. Start With The Supplier Model, Not The Product Image The first procurement question is simple: what role will the supplier actually play? A consumer retailer sells finished products directly to homeowners. A reseller may carry another company’s branded range. A stockist may buy and hold units. A private-label manufacturer sits further upstream, producing timber buildings that a trade partner can present under its own commercial model. That distinction matters because the procurement questions change. A buyer is not only asking “is this a good cabin?” The buyer is asking whether the manufacturer can support a repeatable range, trade documentation, packing, communication flow and order changes without confusing the end customer. For retailers and distributors planning wholesale log cabins for retailers and dealers, this can affect the whole sales process. Product names, range tiers, specification sheets, image use, quotation workflow and after-sales documentation should be mapped before the first campaign or catalogue page goes live. Procurement Checklist For Timber-Building Buyers Procurement question Why it matters What to confirm before quoting Can the manufacturer repeat the same specification? Repeatable supply protects range planning and customer trust. Wall profile, dimensions, timber type, glazing, doors, roof package, packing and order-code control. Can the product be sold under the buyer’s brand? Private-label supply depends on brand clarity. Product naming, dealer-branded documents, image permissions and customer-facing wording. What is standard and what is project-specific? Bespoke work changes timelines and documentation. Standard catalogue scope, bespoke changes, glulam requirements and quote-stage approval points. What documentation is supplied? Trade buyers need more than sales copy. Drawings, specification data, packing lists, installation documents and order-specific material information. How are logistics terms handled? Factory release is not the same as delivered site arrival. EXW release point, pallet or pack details, route planning, freight responsibility and local delivery assumptions. Who owns local compliance review? UK use cases vary by site, product and end use. Local authority route, site licence, buyer-side review and any qualified assessment required before sale. The table is deliberately practical. Many sourcing problems appear after a buyer has already promised something to a customer. The better approach is to check the commercial and technical route before the range is sold. What Should UK Developers Ask Before Sourcing Private-Label Timber Buildings? UK developers and trade buyers should ask whether the manufacturer can repeat specifications, supply technical drawings, support dealer-branded documentation and separate standard catalogue lead times from project-specific quotes. Eurodita manufactures B2B private-label timber buildings in Kaunas, Lithuania, with standard catalogue production typically 2-4 weeks before EXW factory release and bespoke or glulam projects commonly reviewed against the confirmed brief. For developers, the core issue is intended use. A garden office, show unit, holiday accommodation module, ancillary building or glulam structure may all sit in the broad timber-building category, but each carries different documentation and review needs. The manufacturer should be able to provide drawings and product data early enough for the developer’s team to review access, foundations, services, transport, installation assumptions and local permission routes. The manufacturer should not be treated as a replacement for local review, planning advice, site inspection or qualified assessment. That distinction protects both sides. The manufacturer can supply technical and order documentation; the developer remains responsible for the project context in which the building is sold, installed or used. How Does Private-Label Timber Building Supply Work For Dealers? Private-label timber building supply lets dealers and distributors sell under their own brand while the manufacturer handles production, packing and order documentation. Eurodita supports this model for B2B partners across log cabins, garden offices, glulam homes and mobile log homes, with dealer-controlled product names, customer communication and sales positioning. For a retailer or distributor, the best private-label relationship is quiet from the end customer’s point of view. The range should feel coherent under the seller’s brand, while the manufacturing route remains stable behind it. This requires more than low unit pricing. Buyers should ask how the manufacturer handles repeated SKUs, modified layouts, drawings, packing references, product photography, customer documentation, replacement parts and order questions. If the supplier cannot support the range after the first order, the seller carries the reputational cost. Retailers should also separate catalogue products from bespoke requests. A modified layout, thicker wall profile, alternative glazing package or glulam project may be commercially useful, but it should be quoted and documented as a project-specific order rather than squeezed into a standard-product promise. What Documentation Should A Distributor Request Before Ordering Timber Buildings? A distributor

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Why HVAC Belongs In Early Building Design

Why HVAC Belongs In Early Building Design

On too many projects, the climate system is the last thing anyone thinks about. The architecture is fixed, the budget is set, and only then does someone ask where the plant and ductwork will go. By that point, the cheap and elegant options have already gone. The better path treats climate control as a first-order design decision. Bringing in a specialist installer such as handybros.com early can change the whole outcome. This guide explains why heating, ventilation, and cooling belong in the earliest stages of building design. What Does HVAC Actually Cover? HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, the systems that control a building’s climate. It is one of the largest and most complex services in any building. The scale is easy to underestimate. Heating and cooling can account for a large share of a building’s total energy use, so the choices made here shape running costs for decades. They also shape comfort, air quality, and even the layout itself. Ventilation is the controlled exchange of indoor and outdoor air. Get it right and a building feels fresh and healthy; get it wrong and no amount of decoration will fix the result. That is why it deserves early attention. Why Does Timing Matter So Much? The cost of a decision rises sharply the later it is made. An idea that is free on a drawing becomes expensive once concrete is poured. Early coordination is the difference. Sound HVAC design tips almost always start with the same advice: plan the systems alongside the structure, not after it. Routes for ducts, risers, and plant can then be designed in rather than carved out later. The performance gain is just as real. A system shaped around the actual building runs more efficiently than one squeezed into leftover space. Efficiency designed in beats efficiency bolted on every time. What Decisions Come First? A handful of choices set the direction. Making them early avoids expensive rework down the line. The developers who get this right tend to lock in the early HVAC decisions before the design hardens. There are 5 that matter most: Each of these influences the architecture, so they belong on the table from the first sketches, not the final ones. How Does HVAC Shape the Architecture? The relationship runs both ways. The building shapes the system, and the system shapes the building. Zoning is dividing a building into areas with independent temperature control. It affects ductwork, controls, and even where walls can sensibly go. Plant rooms, risers, and ceiling voids all take space that has to be planned, not found. Done early, this integration is invisible. Done late, it shows up as bulkheads, exposed ducts, and awkward dropped ceilings that no one wanted. Early decision Why it matters System type Sets efficiency and space needs Zoning Controls comfort and flexibility Plant location Affects layout and access Duct routes Keeps ceilings clean and high Ventilation strategy Drives air quality and energy use The pattern is clear. Each of these is cheap to plan and costly to retrofit. What Do the Regulations Require? Compliance is not optional, and it is easier to design in than to chase later. UK building standards set clear expectations. Ventilation is a good example. The building regulations approved document for ventilation sets out the standards a new building must meet for fresh air and moisture control. Designing to it from the start avoids costly redesigns at approval stage. Professional guidance helps too. Technical resources from CIBSE give building services engineers the detail to size and specify systems properly. Leaning on that expertise early is far cheaper than fixing mistakes on site. Who Should Be In the Room? Good HVAC outcomes come from collaboration, not a relay race. The earlier the right people talk, the better the result. These 3 disciplines, the architect, the services engineer, and the installer, each see a different part of the puzzle. When they coordinate from the concept stage, the mechanical design serves the architectural one. When they work in sequence, each fights the last. What to Remember Design It In, Not Around The best building services are the ones nobody notices: quiet, efficient, and invisible. That outcome is almost never an accident. It comes from treating HVAC as a core design decision, made early and in concert with the architecture. Plan the systems alongside the structure, lean on expert guidance, and bring the installer in before the design hardens. Do that, and climate control stops being a compromise and becomes part of a better building. Frequently Asked Questions Why Should HVAC Be Considered Early In a Project? Because the cost and difficulty of HVAC decisions rise sharply over time. Planning systems alongside the structure lets ducts, risers, and plant be designed in cleanly, rather than carved out of finished space. Early coordination also improves efficiency, since a system shaped around the actual building performs better. Leaving it late usually means higher costs, lost space, and visible compromises. How Does HVAC Affect a Building’s Design? Significantly. HVAC needs space for plant rooms, risers, ductwork, and ceiling voids, all of which influence the layout. Zoning decisions affect where walls and controls go, and ventilation strategy shapes the facade and window design. When these are planned early, the integration is seamless. When they are not, the result is often bulkheads, exposed services, and lower ceilings. What HVAC Decisions Should Be Made First? The foundational ones: system type, zoning strategy, plant location, duct routing, and ventilation approach. These choices ripple through the whole design, affecting efficiency, comfort, space, and compliance. Making them during the concept stage, with input from the services engineer and installer, avoids expensive rework. They are cheap to decide on a drawing and costly to change once construction is under way. Do UK Building Regulations Cover Ventilation? Yes. The building regulations include a dedicated approved document for ventilation, setting standards for fresh air supply and moisture control in new buildings. Meeting these requirements is mandatory, and designing to them from the outset

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Fresh momentum for Euston as masterplan consultation begins

Fresh momentum for Euston as masterplan consultation begins

A public consultation is beginning on the masterplan for Euston, signalling fresh momentum for one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in central London. Running until 8 August, the consultation marks a major step forward in plans to transform the area, driving long-term, sustainable growth for the UK, London and the local communities of Camden. Building on renewed progress across the wider Euston programme, the newly established Euston Delivery Company is leading work to deliver a modern, integrated transport gateway, unlocking the site’s full potential for growth, while Lendlease is bringing forward regeneration plans for the area. As part of this, Lendlease will engage with local people through a programme of drop-in events, workshops and activities across Euston, giving communities the opportunity to help shape the plans ahead of a planning application next year. Construction of the first buildings is expected to begin in 2028. Located in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter, Euston is one of the last major development opportunities in central London. Once complete it is expected to create 30,000 jobs, reinforcing the area’s role as a hub for innovation, science and education. The project is part of a joint venture between Lendlease and The Crown Estate – the Impact Partnership Joint Venture – which completed earlier this week. The emerging proposals will support a vibrant community with streets lined with workplaces, shops, cafes and restaurants. The opportunity to contribute to this world-leading innovation district will be harnessed through existing local talent and expertise, attracting diverse businesses and providing quality jobs, including through affordable workspace that will support start-ups, small businesses and emerging talent. Wider pavements and green space will create sustainable spaces to live in, work in and enjoy. The masterplan also incorporates up to 1,500 new homes, including affordable homes to help meet local need in Camden. Key proposals include reopening Granby Terrace as a traffic-free bridge and creating safer cycle routes; making it easier and safer to move through the area. Jenny Sawyer, Project Lead, Euston, Lendlease, said: “Euston is one of central London’s most significant growth and regeneration opportunities, and we are now building real momentum behind plans to unlock its potential. Working with our partners, we want to shape a place that delivers lasting benefits – new homes, jobs, public spaces and stronger connections – for existing communities and future generations. Local people know Euston best, and their voices will play a key role in shaping what comes next. We encourage everyone to get involved and help us refine the plans.” The public are invited to give their views on the masterplan by visiting one of the below drop-in events. If unable to attend in-person, the public are invited to provide feedback online by visiting the consultation website from Saturday 11 July: https://www.eustonlondon.co.uk/consultation/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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A £24bn Regeneration Partnership Set to Reshape the Future of UK Cities

A £24bn Regeneration Partnership Set to Reshape the Future of UK Cities

One of the UK’s largest regeneration partnerships has officially moved into delivery, with Lendlease and The Crown Estate completing their landmark £24bn joint venture to unlock thousands of new homes and millions of square feet of commercial development across London and Birmingham. The newly formed Impact Partnership Joint Venture establishes a long-term development platform focused on delivering some of the country’s most significant mixed-use regeneration schemes. Initially, the partnership will oversee the transformation of Euston, Silvertown and Stratford Cross, creating around 9,000 new homes alongside more than 7 million sq ft of commercial, science and innovation space. The announcement represents a major milestone for the construction and property sectors, providing a significant pipeline of work spanning residential development, commercial offices, life sciences, infrastructure, public realm and sustainable urban regeneration. Construction activity is set to begin almost immediately, with work scheduled to commence in September on the first phase of the 60-acre Silvertown regeneration in East London. This initial package will deliver 326 affordable homes, forming part of a wider mixed-use neighbourhood that will reconnect a long-underutilised section of the Royal Docks with the surrounding community. Elsewhere, plans for the highly anticipated redevelopment of Euston are continuing to progress, with a planning application expected to be submitted in spring 2027. The project is expected to transform one of London’s most strategically important transport hubs into a vibrant mixed-use destination combining homes, commercial space, public realm and enhanced transport connectivity. The partnership’s ambitions extend well beyond the initial three developments. Birmingham Smithfield and Thamesmead Waterfront are expected to join the venture later this year, expanding the overall programme to approximately 27,500 new homes and almost 10 million sq ft of commercial floorspace. Infrastructure works at Birmingham Smithfield are due to begin later this year, with temporary markets opening in early 2027 before construction of the first residential buildings commences. To support delivery, Lendlease and The Crown Estate have established a dedicated development management company responsible for coordinating the complex, multi-phase projects and ensuring consistent standards across the growing portfolio. Andrea Ruckstuhl, Managing Director of Development for UK and Italy at Lendlease, described the launch of the Impact Partnership Joint Venture as a major milestone that creates a long-term platform capable of unlocking some of the UK’s most important regeneration opportunities while delivering lasting value for investors and communities. Dan Labbad, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate, said the partnership would accelerate the delivery of complex regeneration projects while creating a scalable platform capable of bringing forward future housing and commercial developments across the country. For the construction industry, the creation of the Impact Partnership Joint Venture represents a substantial long-term pipeline of opportunities across civil engineering, infrastructure, residential construction, commercial development, sustainability, building services and public realm delivery. As work progresses over the coming decade, the programme is expected to play a significant role in supporting employment, investment and economic growth while delivering high-quality, sustainable places for future generations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Liverpool's £55m Pall Mall Regeneration Takes Major Step Forward with VINCI Appointment

Liverpool’s £55m Pall Mall Regeneration Takes Major Step Forward with VINCI Appointment

Liverpool’s vision to create a new commercial destination in the heart of the city has moved a significant step closer after VINCI Construction was appointed to deliver the first phase of the landmark Pall Mall regeneration scheme. Selected by joint developers Liverpool City Council and Kier Property following a competitive two-stage tender process, VINCI Construction will act as design and build contractor for the £55 million opening phase of the development, marking the start of a wider regeneration programme that will reshape Liverpool’s Commercial Business District. The first phase will deliver high-quality Grade A office accommodation, complemented by ground-floor retail space and a new 0.5-acre public green space, creating an attractive mixed-use environment designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses and occupiers. Pall Mall forms a central element of Liverpool City Council’s long-term strategy to strengthen the city’s commercial offering, attract inward investment and support sustainable economic growth by providing premium workspace capable of competing with other major regional business centres. For the construction sector, the appointment represents another significant commercial development project that will generate opportunities across the regional supply chain, supporting specialist contractors, consultants, building services providers and local manufacturers throughout the delivery programme. The project also reflects the continuing demand for flexible, sustainable office developments that combine high-quality workplaces with improved public realm and enhanced amenities. Integrating green space alongside commercial development is increasingly recognised as a key factor in creating healthier, more attractive business environments that support employee wellbeing and encourage investment. Liverpool City Council is working closely with Kier Property to deliver the wider Pall Mall masterplan, which aims to transform the area into a thriving commercial quarter capable of attracting new businesses, creating skilled employment opportunities and strengthening Liverpool’s position as a leading UK regional city. Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, described Pall Mall as a transformational opportunity that will provide the modern commercial space required to support Liverpool’s growing economy. Mark Robinson, Senior Development Director at Kier Property, said the appointment represented an important milestone for the project and reflected the shared ambition to create a vibrant destination for businesses, investment and innovation while delivering lasting economic and social benefits for the city. Gary Hughes, Regional Director for VINCI Building, added that the company was proud to play a role in such a significant regeneration project, highlighting the strength of its regional workforce, established local supply chain and longstanding relationships across Merseyside. As cities continue to invest in high-quality commercial developments that combine modern workplaces with enhanced public spaces, the Pall Mall regeneration is set to become one of Liverpool’s flagship developments, supporting business growth while reinforcing the city’s reputation as an attractive destination for investment, innovation and long-term regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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