TDUK partners with Carrefour du Bois – Europe’s largest timber trade show
Timber Development UK (TDUK), the UK’s largest trade association for the timber supply chain, is partnering with Carrefour International du Bois, the largest timber trade show in Europe, to offer VIP networking opportunities. Under the terms of the partnership TDUK will be offering limited-edition VIP Tickets (free for TDUK members) to the conference, taking place from 28-30 May 2024 in Nantes, France. These VIP Tickets allow members to benefit from special networking opportunities, access to the VIP/Press Lounge with free coffee and soft drinks, and an invitation to the closing Gala Drinks Networking event. Speaking about the partnership, TDUK CEO David Hopkins, said: “We’re very pleased to be partnering with Carrefour International du Bois this year. Europe is the UK’s main source of supply for all timber products and Carrefour attracts the widest range of companies covering all product bases. “TDUK acts as a window into the UK market for overseas suppliers, so we are looking forward to the networking opportunities this brings to both sides. These relationships are crucial, and we look forward to seeing many members there.” David will be a key speaker at the Carrefour International du Bois session “Timber Architecture and Global Trends” on Tuesday 29 May alongside speakers from across France. During the session he will outline of the UK Government’s “Timber in Construction Roadmap” as well as a new publication from TDUK, Timber Policy, a comparative study of policies across Europe which aim to encourage a greater use of timber in construction. Carrefour du Bois is the largest timber trade show in Europe, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of international visitors over three days in Nantes, France from 28-30 May 2024. Tickets to join TDUK at Carrefour International du Bois as a VIP delegate are very limited, so book your place – for free – now if you wish to join. TDUK Members can apply for these limited-edition VIP Tickets here. To learn more about Carrefour du Bois click here: www.timbershow.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“Brick from a Stone” Installation at Clerkenwell Design Week 21-23rd May 2024
Championing an age-old, low-carbon material in a new form British stone suppliers Albion Stone and Hutton Stone have commissioned architecture practice Artefact to design a 3m tall stone brick installation called Brick from a Stone which will appear at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (21-23 May). The installation will showcase stone bricks which both companies are launching this year. These bricks have remarkable environmental credentials, with carbon intensity reductions of about 75% when compared to clay-fired bricks – they only have about a quarter of the carbon footprint of traditional bricks. Heritage Portland Stone Brick from Albion Stone Darney Heritage Natural Brick from Hutton Stone Both companies have invested in state-of-the-art machinery and technology to turn ‘unloved stone’ (blocks and slabs that do not readily conform to sanitized ranges that have become the norm for stone today) into a sustainable building material. These bricks meet the growing appetite for more environmentally friendly buildings and the aesthetic specifications of planners across the UK who often prefer new buildings to be constructed or clad with bricks to suit the local vernacular. Stone is increasingly recognised as a stronger, more durable, more recyclable, and lower-carbon alternative to the steel and concrete that has become synonymous with the built environment in the 20th and 21st centuries. The manufacture and transportation of steel and concrete involve enormous amounts of energy which largely comes from fossil fuels. Stone starts as zero carbon as it doesn’t need to be manufactured, although energy is needed to extract it from the ground, cut it into blocks and carve it if needed. The final product has a low factor of embodied carbon. When local stone is used for local construction projects, the carbon footprint associated with transportation is negligible. As we move towards electric machinery and transportation powered by renewable energy, the embodied carbon of natural stone will continue to reduce. Brick from a Stone Brick from a Stone will be installed between two iconic red London telephone boxes on Clerkenwell Green from 21-23 May. The installation will consist of a colonnade of six columns constructed from stone bricks in two rows with a roof to provide shelter. The plinths that support the three slender columns to the rear will reflect the production process from stone boulders at the base, to slabs, strips, blocks and finally bricks. The three more substantial columns at the front looking out over Clerkenwell Green will showcase the beauty and finishes of the bricks. Designs are being developed for a brick table or bench beside the colonnade to encourage dwell time and there are plans to incorporate a dog water bowl into one of the plinths to reference the historic water trough for horses next to the installation on Clerkenwell Green. “Our installation Brick from a Stone celebrates the variety of natural stone that lies in abundance beneath our feet, showcasing stone brick, a beautiful ‘new’ product that will help to decarbonise our buildings and provide an alternative to clay-fired brickwork. Our piece hints at the potential to create a new low-carbon vernacular for masonry buildings in the UK that marries the enduring qualities of natural stone with the hand-made qualities of brick,” said Daniel Marmot, Director of Artefact. “Situated in Clerkenwell Green, the installation picks up on the history of the site, referencing the nearby horse trough with a drinking bowl for local dog walkers, a roof for shelter, benches and a table to place drinks from the pub next door. While the front columns are smooth and finished, the rear columns emerge from a rough-edged boulder, celebrating the production process,” added fellow director Benedetta Rogers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siemens to host Transform 2024 in Manchester
More than 4,000 industry leaders, tech experts and policymakers will convene at Manchester Central this July for Siemens’ Transform 2024 to explore digital and sustainable transformation, including the contribution that fire protection systems and BMS (Building Management Systems) can make in this regard. The free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition, which will take place on July 17th and 18th, will support industry in tackling its most urgent challenges and provide a platform for delegates from a wide range of sectors to collaborate on potential solutions and share knowledge. The 2024 event follows the business’s inaugural Transform 2022 event at the same venue, which heard from leaders including world-renowned economist Lord Jim O’Neill, F1’s Red Bull Racing, engineering group Arup and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Speakers for this year’s event will be revealed in the coming months. Participants will get free consultation from Siemens’ experts to help address their transformation challenges, including how to fund new projects. Live hackathons will also solve real-world industry challenges in real-time. Carl Ennis, CEO at Siemens GB & Ireland, said: “Transform 2024 will host the community that is solving today’s most pressing challenges. Combining the real and digital worlds in new ways is at the heart of so many of the strategies that are making this possible. “Our aim is for delegates to leave with greater clarity and confidence to move forward with digital and sustainability transformation, and to help them discover tangible solutions for making their organisation more competitive, resilient, and sustainable. “As we know from Transform 2022, events like this create an environment that provides the means for industry to convene and collaborate – helping them to deploy groundbreaking technologies to strike at new opportunities. And it acts as a crucial forum to debate broader issues, from how we grow the UK’s STEM talent pool to how we can effectively champion UK industry on the global stage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
uvex to show visitors how to select #PPEthatfits at The Health & Safety Event 2024
uvex will be demonstrating how to ensure an optimal PPE fit at The Health & Safety Event (30 April-2 May 2024, NEC Birmingham) to promote the theme of WEARability. With growing awareness around the importance of #PPEthatfits, uvex (stand 4/F20) will show visitors how to identify the specifications they need when selecting products such as footwear, gloves, hearing protection and eyewear. Finding PPE that fits properly is essential to help avoid accidents, reduce discomfort, increase productivity and give wearers confidence. It must be selected based on factors including the individual’s size, shape and gender as well as compatibility with other items and workplace requirements. Achieving true WEARability requires a balance of proper fit and three other factors. The PPE must deliver all-day comfort and work with the body, which means it should be free of pressure points, lightweight and breathable. It should not cause any secondary issues or aggravate any underlying conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. Product performance is also key, with design, quality of materials, and technologies all influencing the user experience. Finally, stylish design is important to help increase compliance. uvex’s Marketing Manager Clair Weston comments: “The #PPEthatfits campaign is attracting more and more attention – and for very good reason. We know that the best PPE is the one that gets worn throughout the day. One size does not fit all when it comes to personal protective equipment and having the right products is vital to avoid putting workers at risk.” Comfort across categories Visitors to the uvex stand will be able to gain expert insights into how to find PPE that fits across different product categories. Properly fitting safety footwear can make a significant difference to comfort, concentration levels and fatigue. uvex offers insoles that allow wearers to achieve a customised wearing experience. In addition, its range includes styles produced using a ladies’ last to mimic the contours of a female foot. uvex personnel will be conducting footwear fit clinics on their stand so that visitors can find their perfect pair of safety footwear. uvex also provides education allowing wearers to strike the perfect balance between reliable protection, functionality, grip, comfortable and correct sizing. The company will be showcasing its latest uvex phynomic cut glove range manufactured in Germany using 3D hand ‘formas’ to perfectly mimic the contours of the hand. uvex Bamboo TwinFlex safety gloves, meanwhile, have been designed to mould precisely to the wearer’s hand contours within minutes to achieve a customised, comfortable fit. Both gloves have passed the independent OKEO-TEX ® 100 Standard, which checks for chemicals that could cause skin irritations and have been independently dermatologically tested and approved, by the proDERM Institute for Applied Dermatological Research giving wearers confidence that the gloves are hypoallergenic and suitable for the entire workforce including allergy sufferers or those with sensitive skin. Protective eyewear needs to be selected based on the wearer’s head and facial shape and should deliver a low-pressure, lightweight fit with even weight distribution. uvex offers a wide range of styles and designs and has devised a seven-point safety eyewear fit guide which it will be demonstrating at the show, to help visitors identify the ideal spectacle or goggle. The World Health Organisation states “Noise induced hearing loss is the most common, permanent and irreversible injury in the world and tinnitus is the third most serious non-fatal medical condition”. To support wearers of hearing protection, the team at uvex will be showcasing it’s latest innovation the uvex xact-fit test system. The device verifies that hearing protection is fitted correctly for maximum protection and provides documented evidence of adequate protection. As part of its educational programme, the uvex xact-fit test system supports discussions with wearers regarding differences in ear canal shape and size and the selection of the most effective protection for their workplace. If you would like to see first-hand how the test kit works, visit the team on the stand. Clair Weston adds: “With proper fit comes comfort and compliance. We’re excited to show Health & Safety Event attendees how our innovative range of PPE and fitting solutions can ensure true WEARability – helping workers stay safe, comfortable and focus on the task at hand.” Glasses giveaway Visitors to the stand will also get the chance to win a pair of sports glasses worn by the uvex-sponsored Circus-Wanty Tour De France team. uvex is inviting guests to answer five questions as part of a gameshow-style quiz on safety. The format was created to highlight the work of the uvex academy, which offers distribution partners and end-users qualified education and training relating to PPE and occupational safety. For more information, please visit Stand: 4/F20 at The Health & Safety Event or visit uvex-safety.com/en/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sika names as finalists for the prestigious NFRC UK Roofing Awards 2024
Sika’s Roofing Division is proud to announce its selection as finalists in two categories of the NFRC UK Roofing Awards 2024. The company has been recognised for its impressive contributions in the technology fields of Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid Waterproofing and Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing. Judges were impressed by two exemplary projects that showcase the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence in roofing solutions. In the Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid Waterproofing category, Sika has been shortlisted for its involvement on a project at Rhodes House, part of the University of Oxford and home to the scholarship team. As part of a large refurbishment plan, large subterranean spaces were excavated beneath the building to create lecture theatres and new pavilions were created. The project required large volumes of concrete to be waterproofed and installed at zero-degree falls. Roofing contractor, Fenland Flat Roofing successfully installed a high penetration primer, before the SikaShield® hot melt structural waterproofing system. Fenland Flat Roofing was able to overcome multiple challenges such as tight workspaces, close proximity to other trades and the aesthetic requirements needed to keep the building in line with its impressive history. For the Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing category, Sika submitted its large-scale residential project, Burnt Mills in Harlow, Essex. Once home to a series of garages and workshops, it has been redeveloped into 173 homes over 15 storeys, forming one of the tallest buildings in Harlow. Roofing contractors, Contour Roofing used Sikalastic 625N PU Liquid in Grey for the project. The product’s exceptional quality and ease of installation helped Contour Roofing overcome numerous obstacles, such as roof penetrations, to allow for services, and roof plant housing. Mark Gatrell, Business Unit Manager at Sika expressed their excitement at being shortlisted for the awards: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for two NFRC UK Roofing Awards. This acknowledgement reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and high-quality roofing solutions, and we are proud of our team’s dedication and expertise, working alongside high quality roofing contractors, which has directly contributed to us reaching this achievement.” Sika’s Roofing Division looks forward to the opportunity to showcase its projects and expertise at the finalists’ ceremony, taking place on Friday 10th May at InterContinental London – The O2. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Industry heavyweights come together for unique conference
FOUR of the planning and design industry’s most respected organisations have united to arrange a unique event to celebrate design delivery and best practice in the planning system. The Make it Happen conference – held at 1 The Island Quarter in Nottingham on Wednesday, 17 April – aims to throw a positive light on the great work going on within the planning and design industry. The first-of-its-kind national conference is jointly hosted by the eponymous partnership, which consists of the Urban Design Group, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Landscape Institute. The event pulls on the quartet’s significant reach in the industry, with presentations covering key topics, positive and effective community engagement, the role of pre-app and the use of technologies such as virtual reality in the planning process. Delegates will also hear from Vicky Payne of the Urban Design Network on spatial planning and design coding for housing, climate and levelling up, as well as an update on the Nottingham City Homes 2050 project from Studio Partington. Dr Laura Alvarez, who has been instrumental in organising the event, said: “The Make it Happen Partnership was formed with the expressed aim of celebrating successes and best practice. At a time when planning and regeneration is at the forefront of conversations and the role of the planning department is under increased scrutiny, this first national conference is a perfect opportunity to discuss the way forward. “We’ve got some excellent sessions on the agenda, and we believe Make it Happen will be a great opportunity to network with colleagues from across the UK and to get our heads together to debate viable, constructive avenues for positive change.” The event takes place in the RIBA award nominated building at 1 The Island Quarter, in a panel format that will encourage interactivity and conversation, as well as a variety of networking opportunities. Tickets can be ordered from the RTPI website. The event is sponsored by Urban Design Group, Landscape Institute, Nottingham City Council, Freeths, Sustrans, CPMG, Allan Joyce Architects, UDL, Arup, Leicester City Council, RIBA and Cartwright Communications. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals