Conway Point development highly commended at property and business awards
One Vision Housing celebrates success as Conway Point development in Birkenhead receives high commendation at the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards. Located just a two-minute walk from Birkenhead town centre, the development is home to 46 Rent to Buy apartments that have created opportunities for local people to get onto the property ladder. The YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards’ judging panel said: “We are pleased to recognise Conway Point as highly commended in the Best Affordable Housing Scheme category.” “One Vision Housing’s commitment to a fabric-first approach with this development displays a progressive strategy which prioritises sustainability and energy efficiency. The scheme also helps to address a very pressing need for affordable housing solutions in the local area, offering residents an opportunity to secure a place in the community they call home.” they added. One Vision Housing provides over 13.6k homes across the North West and as part of The Sovini Group, is delivering over 1,000 high quality affordable homes across the next five years through its integrated supply chain. Built on brownfield land by Sovini Construction, Conway Point was designed with modern living in mind by Condy Lofthouse Architects and was constructed using a ‘fabric first’ approach that focuses on the reduction of energy consumption, through thermal efficiency and running costs. Apartments all feature environmentally efficient specifications, supplied by local independent building merchant, Sovini Trade Supplies, including toilets, taps, showers, and light fittings, contributing towards the Group’s net-zero carbon commitment. Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing at The Sovini Group said: “Our Conway Point development has delivered our [The Sovini] Group’s vision of a better future, as we created opportunities and changed lives by helping local people take their first step into home ownership. We are grateful to the judges for recognising this impact and look forward to seeing our customers thrive in their homes for years to come.” In addition to delivering 46 new affordable homes, The Conway Point development generated £2.3m in social value, £1.2m in economic value and £70k in environmental value. James Flannery, Director of Construction and Land said: “We are thrilled that our Conway Point development has been highly commended at the YM Liverpool Property and Business Awards for its energy efficient design, as we continue to embrace renewable technologies with an environmentally friendly approach to construction.” “Building a better future for One Vision Housing’s customers by creating sustainable social impact and transforming local communities has and will continue to be central to all our operations.” he added. To learn more about The Sovini Group’s integrated supply chain, please visit sovini.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Railpen appoints construction partners on first two Cambridge developments
Railpen, manager of around £34 billion of assets on behalf of the railways pension schemes, has named Skanska and Morgan Sindall as main contractors for the first two of its major developments in Cambridge, Botanic Place, a 540,000 sq ft sustainable office scheme, and Devonshire Gardens, a 120,000 sq ft mixed-use development. Both projects are being developed by Socius on behalf of Railpen. Skanska, one of the UK’s leading contractors, has secured the £200 million contract to build Botanic Place, which is set to be the most sustainable speculative office scheme outside of London. Architect AHMM has designed the buildings to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, WELL and Wired Scored ‘Platinum’ ratings. The workspaces will prioritise energy efficiency to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer while using 70% less energy than traditional office buildings, and will be powered using renewable energy sources. Inspired by the nearby Cambridge University Botanic Garden, which can be viewed from the offices, the buildings’ quality and specification will be market defining. The project will also involve preserving the historic public house, The Flying Pig, which is located on the development site, and the creation of 15,000 sq ft of internal amenities, events, and F&B space, alongside 40,000 sq ft of terraces on multiple levels for both private and communal uses. Elsewhere in Cambridge, Railpen has also appointed Morgan Sindall, the British construction and regeneration group, to construct Devonshire Gardens, in a £77 million contract. Devonshire Gardens will comprise a new community connected by a landscaped park, supporting Railpen’s vision to create a majority car-free neighbourhood. Located in the heart of Mill Road, Morgan Sindall will deliver up to 150,000 sq ft of commercial space, 70 apartments, 8,500 sq ft of F&B space, and 1.55 acres of public open spaces. Richard Van Lente, Senior Asset and Development Manager at Railpen, said: “The appointment of both Skanska and Morgan Sindall marks a significant moment within our Cambridge portfolio as we work to deliver best-in-class assets and generate strong long-term returns for our members. We look forward to witnessing these projects come to fruition and continuing our long-lasting commitment to Cambridge with support from the council and key local stakeholders.” Doug Higgins, Development Director at Socius, also commented: “Botanic Place and Devonshire Gardens will be fantastic additions to the community of Cambridge, with Skanska and Morgan Sindall driving forward our shared vision with Railpen to deliver inspiring, sustainable and valuable assets for the city. With their expertise and proficiency, we are on track to provide a new benchmark for other developers and investors to follow, paving the way for an enhanced future within Cambridge and the wider area.” Morgan Sindall is set to begin works on Devonshire Gardens in April, and Skanska is due to start on-site at Botanic Place in July, with estimated completion dates of April 2026 and March 2027 respectively. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Energy efficient heating for sustainable living in Sheffield
Taconova installs 229 Heat Interface Units in new residential development A new £37m residential development in Sheffield is benefiting from sustainable and efficient heating, courtesy of Taconova’s market-leading Heat Interface Units (HIUs). The Ironworks: Redefining Urban Living Situated on Scotland Street, the Ironworks has been developed by Rise Homes and brings much-needed quality rented accommodation to Sheffield. Building work began in January 2021 on the site of the former Queens Hotel, and in September 2023, Rise Homes and Taconova were joined by the Mayor of Sheffield to open the new 12-storey Ironworks building. Inside The Ironworks This development encompasses 229 furnished apartments, comprising 144 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom, and 5 two-bedroom duplex units. A focus on sustainability is evident, with each unit connected to the building’s communal biomass boiler-powered heating system. The Heating System Water heated by the basement biomass boiler circulates through the building’s risers and into the Heat Interface Unit (HIU) in each of the 229 apartments. The HIUs ensure efficient and consistent heating and domestic hot water provision, maintaining optimal temperature and flow for the residents. TacoTherm H 3000E: The Core of Heating Each flat features a TacoTherm H 3000E Heat Interface Unit. This HIU is an electronically controlled, compact, and connection-ready all-in-one unit that offers indirect heat transfer for heating and domestic hot water. The 229 HIUs had to be supplied, installed, and commissioned within a three-month window. Taconova delivered 50 HIUs per week, and the contractor installed them in the utility cupboard of each apartment. The TacoTherm H 3000E has been designed specifically for multi-storey residential buildings and provides an operating pressure of 6 bar. It has an operating temperature of 90°C and generates hot water temperatures of up to 60°C. The TacoTherm H 3000E is highly efficient and has an overall Volume Weighted Average Return Temperature (VWART) figure of 26, making it a market leader – as independently tested by BESA (Building Engineering Services Association). More Than Just Hardware One of the standout benefits of opting for an electronically controlled HIU is the availability of data. The initial specification for this project was for Heat Interface Units only. However, the TacoTherm H 3000E offers much more than just hardware. The HIU has a smart meter which enables remote monitoring and analysis of heat consumption. The meter gathers information from across the network, from the plant room to the HIU. With this data, the system’s efficiency can be tracked, and improvements may be made based on the information. Likewise, if there are any inefficiencies or faults, these can be identified, pinpointed, and rectified quickly. The Ironworks management chose to also install the suggested smart heating controls and offer the controls to the residents through a smartphone or tablet app. These controls mean heating can be switched on or off remotely, potentially saving energy. Rigorous Quality Assurance Acceptance Test: Good Performance Before the project was completed, Taconova conducted testing on each HIU. This service formed part of the Taconova’s commitment to ensuring the HIUs function to the correct specification. The testing analysed the operating pressure, temperature, and hot water temperatures in each apartment and measured the overall efficiency of the heating system during a 48-hour period. The results were then measured against set parameters. After Taconova’s engineers had completed the adjustments and remedial work, the tests were conducted again. Improvements were evident and the scheme was performing according to the set design parameters and achieved overall network compliance. On-going Monitoring for Sustainable Living As part of its commitment to customer service and sustainability, Taconova will continue to monitor and improve the heating system for the lifetime of the scheme. It is well documented that the efficiency of a newly built property drops substantially after the first 12-month operation, so it’s important to monitor the efficiency of the whole heating system beyond the initial year. The ongoing monitoring provides complete oversight of the whole system, not just the HIUs. Therefore, it is possible to recommend improvements to ensure that the network remains at the optimum efficiency level. For example, adjusting the plant room temperature during the summer and winter can optimise the system and improve efficiency. As well as providing constant monitoring and improvement suggestions, Taconova will also support Ironworks with annual servicing of the HIUs, as part of the service level agreement. A Greener Future Exciting plans for the future reveal that things could get even greener if the Ironworks development can join the Sheffield City District Heating Network. This district heating network is one of the largest city heat networks in the UK and currently supplies 2,800 homes and 140 commercial buildings, saving 21,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The focal point of the network is the city’s incinerator which burns 120,000 tonnes of municipal waste each year, producing up to 60MW of thermal energy. With an expansion and improvement to the network, it is hoped that the Ironworks will be able to benefit from the waste heat generated from Sheffield’s incinerator. Joining the network will mean the Ironworks can replace the biomass boiler and utilise waste heat from the network, further enhancing the building’s green credentials. The indirect TacoTherm H 3000E HIU is future-ready and will seamlessly transition to the heat network and deliver efficient heating to the residents in the building. Thanks to the HIU’s pre-fitted heat meter, the residents’ heat consumption will be calculated based on what they use. Switching to the heat network will mean a lower heating tariff compared to the biomass boiler, so residents’ energy bills will also be lower. Innovative heating solutions like Taconova’s indirect TacoTherm H 3000E HIUs are part of the company’s mission to offer reliable, low-maintenance, and highly efficient heating solutions that save customers time, effort, and money. To find out more, please visit: www.taconova.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Baxi to Showcase Heat Network Solutions at Futurebuild
Baxi is set to unveil its district heating and thermal solutions portfolio that will help support the anticipated growth of UK heat networks at Futurebuild 2024. The exhibition, which takes place from 5-7 March at ExCeL London, is one of the built environment sector’s biggest events. The exhibition aims to highlight the advancements in technologies and applications that can drive improved sustainability and heat decarbonisation. With no one-size-fits-all solution to decarbonising homes and buildings, heat networks have been identified as an essential part of the UK’s pathway towards its 2050 net zero commitment. On Stand K19, in Futurebuild’s Heat Network Zone, Baxi will showcase its thermal substations that can be provided along with pre-engineered low carbon packaged energy centres by its specialist prefabrication business, Baxi Packaged Solutions. Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to discuss the full breadth of Baxi heating and hot water solutions that can be tailored to meet customer requirements to support the transition to low carbon heat. Stephen Hart, Baxi’s Sales Director – Integrated Thermal Solutions, will also take part in Futurebuild’s panel discussion on Innovations in the District Energy Sector for 2024 on Wednesday 6th March. An established champion of district heating, Stephen has 24 years’ experience in promoting energy efficient hydronic heating and cooling systems across 40 countries, including market leading control valve technology from Denmark and heat interface hardware and software from the Netherlands. He now heads Baxi’s Integrated Thermal Solutions business which combines Baxi’s wide portfolio of low carbon heating and hot water brands, its extensive service and maintenance capability and offsite manufacturing experience from its Baxi Packaged Solution division. Stephen said: “Futurebuild is a huge event within the building services calendar. It’s a fantastic chance for industry experts to discuss the latest innovations and advances as well as explore ways of partnering with companies like Baxi to accelerate the growth of heat networks. We look forward to lively discussions on the best ways of driving the energy transition and making heat decarbonisation a reality. See you on Stand K19!” To register to attend, visit Futurebuild.co.uk and to find out more on Baxi Packaged Solutions, see Baxi.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bankfoot APAM appoints Beard Construction as Main Contractor for One Friary Redevelopment in Bristol
Specialist UK Development Manager, Bankfoot APAM, has appointed Beard Construction as the Main Contractor for the transformative £24.5M redevelopment of Bristol’s One Friary building. This flagship project is being delivered on behalf of Britannia Invest A/S and is set to commence in April 2024. Once complete, it will provide 80,000 sq. ft. of best-in-class office accommodation in the heart of Temple Quay. One Friary, a well-established office building situated opposite Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station, will undergo a comprehensive redevelopment, adding three new floors on top of the existing structure and introducing a new high-performance GRC façade. Beard Construction, who are a leading regional contractor, have been appointed as Main Contractor to deliver the project. Chris Moore, Managing Director of Bankfoot APAM, emphasised the company’s commitment to modern, flexible and sustainable workspace, stating, “One Friary is a prime example of our dedication to delivering sustainable workplaces, with One Friary in Bristol being one of a number of highly sustainable development schemes being delivered across the UK. We are hugely excited about the project and we believe it will be one of the best buildings to work in Bristol once finished.” Matt Cooper, Beard’s Bristol Director, said “This exciting flagship project puts sustainability front and centre – the carbon savings through the reuse of the building’s existing structural frame will be significant. Drawing upon our extensive track record in sustainable redevelopment and our modern construction management skills, we are perfectly placed to deliver this project with Bankfoot APAM.” The redevelopment focuses on maximising sustainability by reusing 99.5 per cent of One Friary’s existing structural frame, supporting Bankfoot APAM’s ethos of delivering sustainable, forward-thinking real estate solutions for the next generation of working environments. Patrick Vincent, Senior Development Manager for Bankfoot APAM, outlined their methodology, “We aim to reuse as much of these existing buildings as allows, future-proofing the underlying asset while aligning them to a forward-facing investment strategy. This work happens at every stage of the project and is a key factor when it comes to creating long-term successful outcomes. Once redeveloped, One Friary will offer grade-A office space and premium amenities, including a roof terrace and high-quality end-of-journey facilities.” The project is set to achieve BREEAM Excellence, as well as NABERS and WELL certification evidencing Bankfoot APAM’s commitment to creating environmentally conscious and occupant-friendly spaces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Devizes retrofit employs innovative heating solutions to help homeowners save on their energy bills
The typical annual household energy bill rose in January 2024 to a high of £1,928. However, for those on a standard energy tariff, innovative heating systems can help to bring energy costs back down. Annington is helping to tackle the rising costs of heating by undertaking a substantialretrofit project on five former Officer’s houses on Marlborough Close in Devizes. The wider retrofit is designed to bring these substantial homes to EPC A rating, and each property will include an air source heat pump, solar panels and an innovative AI-powered Mixergy hot water cylinder. The Mixergy tank will provide heating and hot water, powered by free, clean energy harnessed by the solar panels. By monitoring how much energy the house uses compared how much is produced by the solar panels, the Mixergy tank can divert any excess energy to the immersion heater instead of sending it back to the grid. The Mixergy tank’s AI-powered system will track how much energy is used in the home and when, so that it can anticipate demand and supply heating and hot water exactly when it is needed. The tank monitors energy prices 24 hours a day, and when excess energy beyond what is provided by the solar panels is required, it will purchase energy at a cheaper rate (usually overnight) to heat up the hot water cylinder in preparation for heating the property. Jane Harsham, Sustainability Manager at Annington, comments: “The wider retrofit at Devizes has delivered homes refurbished to an EPC A rating, the highest energy performance possible, and one which many new builds fail to achieve. Incorporating smart energy designed to optimise the heating process, greatly improved internal and external insulation and a host of other energy efficiency improvements means that for purchasers, energy consumption is more efficient and has the potential to deliver overall lower utility bills, greater occupier comfort and a more sustainable lifestyle.” Annington’s newest sustainable development of just five four-bedroom homes is close to the historic market town of Devizes, described as the West Country’s “best kept secret” by The London Economic.* Just ten minutes’ walk from the Kennet and Avon Canal, the homes on Marlborough Close benefit from direct bus links to Swindon and Pewsey Station, providing access to London Paddington Station in just over a hour, is less than ten miles away. Annington’s newest sustainable development of just five four-bedroom homes is set to launch in Spring 2024, with prices starting from £565,000. To find out more and register your interest please visit www.marlboroughclose.co.uk To find out more about Annington, visit www.annington.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals