Costain lands places on two London Gatwick frameworks
Long-term framework contracts will deliver new and upgraded infrastructure for UK’s second busiest airport. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a place on two framework contracts with London Gatwick. London Gatwick’s Civils Framework and Buildings Framework cover a range of capital projects to upgrade and modernise the airport’s infrastructure, support growing passenger demand, and enhance resilience. The frameworks will run for a four-year period, with an option to extend by a further two years. Costain will bring its experience in delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions to support London Gatwick’s programme of major capital investment projects to enhance the airport’s operational efficiency, resilience, capacity and sustainability. The frameworks will deliver multiple design and construction projects both airside and landside. Jonathan Willcock, Managing Director of Transportation at Costain, commented: “Increasing UK airports’ capacity and enhancing the passenger experience will unlock regional and national economic growth, boost trade, and secure the country’s position as a major international transport hub. We’re working closely with London Gatwick and our supply chain partners to deliver the essential infrastructure upgrades that will enhance the airport’s operations and thereby create a more prosperous UK.” The award builds on Costain’s growing position in the aviation sector, where it is delivering a range of asset renewal projects and infrastructure services for the UK’s three largest airport operators. In addition to the work with London Gatwick, Costain is delivering the new baggage systems infrastructure at Heathrow Terminal 2. Costain is also designing critical civils upgrades at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports for Manchester Airports Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Managing director of third-generation family electrical firm is elected President of Scotland’s largest construction trade association
Darren Crockett, boss of RAS Crockett and Partners in Dundee, says he is ‘excited and honoured’ to take over at campaigning industry body Scotland’s largest trade construction association, SELECT has elected the managing director of a third-generation Dundee electrical company as its 68th President. Darren Crockett is Managing Director of RAS Crockett and Partners, a family firm of electrical engineers which has been operating successfully in the city since 1964. The businessman was elected at the SELECT AGM in the DoubleTree by Hilton Queensferry last week (June 4) and replaces Mike Stark, who will become Immediate Past President after two years in the position. David Harris, MD of Glasgow-based DMH Electrical Services, was elected SELECT Vice President at the same event, with Mike Campbell, Apprenticeship Programme Manager at Inverness-based RSE, the association’s new Depute Vice President. Speaking in a new video to mark his election, Darren said: “I’m extremely honoured and excited to be taking over as the new President of SELECT and it’s a privilege to be representing the Members of this historic and well-respected association. “It’s a great honour to take up this role at a time when SELECT is campaigning on a number of vitally important issues for the electrotechnical industry and wider construction sector. “I’m now looking forward to raising awareness of regulation and promoting the importance of protection of title for the electrical industry, while at the same time helping to lobby the Scottish Government to secure more funding for apprenticeships.” As a nine-strong family business, RAS Crockett, has built a strong reputation in Dundee and won Best Small Contractor at the SELECT Awards in Glasgow in 2014. The thriving family business was founded by Darren’s grandfather, Bert – a Grade One football referee – who passed it to son Sinclair in 1974 when he retired. Sinclair’s son Darren joined the company when he left school in 1986 and served as Chair of the SELECT Tayside Branch in 2013 before becoming Depute Vice President of the association in 2020 and Vice President in June 2024. Darren, whose wife, Gill, sons Liam and Kieran and uncle Paul also work in the business, said: “It’s been a great privilege to work alongside outgoing President Mike Stark during my time as Vice President. “I’d like to thank him for the invaluable insights and knowledge that he’s passed on to me and which I hope to use to equally good effect throughout my Presidency.” RAS Crockett has been a member of SELECT for all 62 years of its existence and Darren says the association has provided invaluable technical, employment, health and safety and training support down the decades. He added: “Being a Member of SELECT means we have business credibility, guaranteed customer confidence and vital access to industry experts whenever we need it.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The World’s Best Casino Architecture and Design
Casino architecture has moved far beyond traditional gaming halls. Today, the most iconic casino resorts are global architectural landmarks that combine engineering innovation, luxury hospitality, and bold artistic identity. From futuristic skyscrapers to historically rich European palaces, these buildings shape skylines and define modern entertainment destinations. What Makes a Casino Design Stand Out? Today’s casino architecture goes beyond simple gaming halls. Leading resorts combine structural innovation, luxury interiors, and distinctive design to create spaces that draw attention even before guests enter. Key factors include: However, without visiting a casino in person, it can be harder to judge which resort is best for you. Another option is to use online resources. For example, https://www.slotozilla.com/uk/ provides reviews, casino comparisons, and information about games, bonuses, and resort features. Players can compare different options, learn what each casino offers, and narrow down their choices before making a decision. The Most Impressive Casino Designs in the World Below are some of the most architecturally significant casino resorts in the world, chosen for their design impact, innovation, and global recognition. Casino Location Style Signature Feature Marina Bay Sands Singapore Futuristic modernism SkyPark infinity pool The Venetian Macao China Themed Neo-Renaissance Indoor canals Bellagio USA Italian-inspired luxury Fountain show Wynn Las Vegas USA Organic modern luxury Curved glass façade Casino de Monte-Carlo Monaco Belle Époque Historic interiors Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) Marina Bay Sands consists of three hotel towers connected by the SkyPark, a rooftop structure that spans the tops of the buildings. The SkyPark includes an observation area and an infinity pool that offers views of Singapore. The resort combines a casino, hotel, shopping area, convention centre, restaurants, and entertainment venues in one location. Inside, the building has open spaces, natural light, and a layout that allows visitors to move between different areas efficiently. The Venetian Macao (Macao SAR, China) The Venetian Macao is one of the largest casino resorts in the world, covering around 980,000 square meters of floor space. It was built to reflect Venice, with canals, bridges, and plazas designed to guide visitors through the complex. Gondolas carry guests along the indoor waterways, and ceilings are painted to resemble the sky, creating a continuous themed environment. The resort combines a casino with over 3,000 slot machines and 870 gaming tables, a hotel with more than 3,000 rooms, shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Its size and layout allow it to function like a self-contained city, with all facilities accessible under one roof, making it a major destination for both gaming and leisure in Macao. Bellagio (Las Vegas, USA) Its design takes inspiration from the town of Bellagio on Lake Como, with a focus on lakeside architecture and open public spaces. The resort is built around an 8-acre artificial lake, which is home to the Fountains of Bellagio, one of the most visited attractions in Las Vegas. The fountain system uses more than 1,200 water nozzles and performs water shows throughout the day and evening. Inside, visitors can explore the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, seasonal floral displays, an art gallery, restaurants, shops, and the casino. Wynn Las Vegas (Las Vegas, USA) Wynn Las Vegas has two towers rising 614 feet, with more than 2,700 hotel rooms. The curved glass exterior reflects sunlight and gives the resort a distinctive presence on the Strip. Inside, the resort includes a casino with over 1,800 slot machines and 100 table games, multiple restaurants, a luxury shopping esplanade, theaters, and landscaped indoor gardens. Natural light and plant installations are used throughout, creating open spaces that connect the hotel, gaming, and entertainment areas efficiently. Casino de Monte-Carlo (Monaco) Casino de Monte-Carlo covers about 11,000 square meters and includes several gaming rooms, private lounges, and event spaces. It was designed by Charles Garnier, who also created the Paris Opera House, and remains one of the oldest and most famous casinos in the world. The interior features marble floors, frescoed ceilings, and gold accents throughout the main halls. The casino has more than 100 gaming tables and over 300 slot machines, making it both a historic landmark and a functioning gaming venue. Common Design Trends in Modern Casino Architecture Today’s casinos are more than just places to gamble. They combine hotels, restaurants, shops, and entertainment in one location. Despite differences in style or location, many modern resorts follow similar design approaches that make them easy to navigate, visually distinctive, and appealing to visitors. Luxury and Resort Integration Most large resorts combine hotels, restaurants, shops, spas, and entertainment venues in one location. This setup lets visitors spend more time at the property without needing to go elsewhere. In places like Las Vegas and Singapore, integrated resorts earn revenue from hotels, dining, shopping, and events as well as gaming. Because these resorts often include fine dining venues, bars, theaters, and VIP areas, it is important to know what to wear to a casino before visiting, as dress requirements can vary depending on the venue and time of day. Landmark Architecture and Visual Identity Casinos are often designed to stand out in a city’s skyline. Developers use large shapes, unique building forms, and lighting to make resorts easy to recognize. This helps the property become a landmark and gives the city a distinct visual identity. Modern resorts often focus on both how the building looks from a distance and how visitors experience it up close. Technology and Immersive Design Advanced lighting systems, digital displays, and interactive interfaces help guide visitors and highlight different areas of the resort. Smart spatial planning ensures that interiors flow smoothly, while dynamic lighting and multimedia features can change throughout the day to create different moods and experiences. These elements combine to make the environment feel more interactive and responsive to guests.
Crewe’s £1.3bn Super Hospital Takes Major Step Forward
Plans for the £1.3bn transformation of Leighton Hospital in Crewe have received planning approval, marking a significant milestone for one of the flagship projects within the Government’s New Hospital Programme. The approval paves the way for the delivery of a state-of-the-art healthcare facility that will replace much of the existing hospital estate and provide modern, purpose-built facilities designed to meet the evolving needs of patients, staff and the wider community for decades to come. Submitted by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the hybrid planning application proposes the creation of a 1.2 million sq ft hospital campus, with the majority of the new development situated to the north of the current Leighton Hospital site. The project has been accelerated following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) throughout significant areas of the existing hospital. Around 80% of the 1970s-built estate has been identified as being affected, increasing the urgency to replace ageing infrastructure with a more resilient and future-ready healthcare environment. The new development is expected to be delivered by the Integrated Health Projects (IHP) joint venture between Sir Robert McAlpine and VINCI Building. The partnership is poised to construct the six-storey main hospital building alongside a range of supporting healthcare facilities. These include a dedicated ambulatory cancer care centre, a central sterile services department, an energy centre, associated plant buildings and a 1,000-space multi-storey car park designed to support the needs of patients, visitors and staff. The project will now move into its next phase, with detailed design work and business case approvals progressing ahead of the procurement of major supply chain packages. A key aspect of the scheme is its adoption of the NHS’s standardised Hospital 2.0 approach. The model has been developed to improve efficiency across the New Hospital Programme by accelerating delivery, reducing costs and creating a more consistent approach to the design and construction of healthcare facilities nationwide. While the majority of the existing estate will eventually be replaced, several buildings located around the perimeter of the site are set to be retained and repurposed. Together providing approximately 96,840 sq ft of accommodation, these facilities include the current emergency department, audiology and ENT services, satellite outpatient facilities and the Ward 27 and Ward 28 buildings. The wider development strategy also incorporates substantial enabling and infrastructure works. Full planning permission has been granted for the demolition of the South Cheshire Building and its temporary conversion into a 283-space car park to support construction activities during the early phases of the project. In addition, outline approval has been secured for the demolition of most of the remaining hospital estate, the construction of new healthcare facilities, the creation of a dedicated emergency vehicle access route from Middlewich Road and a new servicing entrance from Flowers Lane. Extensive landscaping proposals also form part of the wider masterplan, helping to create a more accessible and welcoming environment for patients, staff and visitors. The project team assembled to deliver the ambitious scheme includes WSP and Ryder Architecture, supported by Gleeds, WT Partnership, Mott MacDonald, Greengage and PwC. Construction is currently expected to commence in 2027, with the new hospital scheduled to become operational by 2032. Once services have transferred into the new facilities, demolition of the remaining older buildings will begin, with the final phases of the redevelopment anticipated to conclude in 2034. As one of the first schemes within the Government’s New Hospital Programme to secure planning approval and move towards delivery, the Leighton Hospital redevelopment represents a major investment in the future of healthcare infrastructure. Beyond replacing outdated facilities, the project promises to provide a modern hospital environment designed around efficiency, patient care and long-term resilience, ensuring the people of Mid Cheshire have access to high-quality healthcare services for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Canmoor appoints Muir Group to deliver next stage of speculative 91,560 sq ft warehouse development at Westway
Work to commence this month on £15 million Westway Court scheme Canmoor has appointed Muir Group as the main contractor for the next phase of speculative development at Westway, adjacent to Glasgow Airport. The new £15 million development, known as Westway Court, will comprise of nine speculative warehouse / industrial units, ranging from 6,430 sq ft to 37,560 sq ft with the ability to combine up to 91,560 sq ft. The scheme will include three larger units and six smaller units, all featuring high-quality office accommodation, dedicated yards and car parking and access to a secure 24/7 managed estate. Construction is due to commence later this month, with completion targeted for Q3 2027. Gregor King, Canmoor’s Scotland Director at Westway said: “We have established a strong track record at Westway, having successfully completed more than 400,000 sq ft of top quality speculative development at the estate over the past few years, all of which has been let before practical completion. “Our continued commitment to speculative development reflects our confidence in Westway and the wider Glasgow market. Westway Court will provide much-needed best in class space and offer certainty to occupiers requiring relocation or expansion opportunities. “It will be a pleasure to be working with Muir Group once again on the delivery of this latest phase.” David Fairweather, Business Development Director of Muir Group added: “We are delighted to have been awarded another contract at Westway. We have extensive experience in delivering high-quality industrial developments and look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Canmoor.” Joint Leasing Agent, Iain Davidson, Director at Colliers, said: “With demand for prime located high quality industrial space remaining strong and availability limited, we anticipate strong demand from both local and national industrial and logistics occupiers across Scotland who are seeking modern, highly specified, sustainable industrial accommodation. “We would welcome early discussions with potential tenants, keen to secure new space to help drive operational efficiencies in their businesses” Designed with sustainability at its core, Westway Court is targeting EPC “A” and BREEAM “Excellent” ratings. Sustainability features will include electric vehicle charging points, provision for photovoltaic (PV) panels and air source heat pumps, complementing wider ESG initiatives across the Westway estate. The units will be constructed using a steel portal frame design and will provide clear internal heights of between eight and 10 metres. The accommodation will be suitable for a wide range of occupiers, including storage, manufacturing, distribution and service-based businesses. Westway Court will benefit from excellent connectivity, with quick and direct access to Junction 28 of the M8 via the Barnwell Street Bridge, as well as close proximity to Glasgow Airport and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). The development is expected to attract further inward investment and support additional employment opportunities within the area. Canmoor’s joint leasing agents are JLL and Colliers, with management by Knight Frank. For more information on Westway Court, please visit: HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Taylor Wimpey secures planning approval for 272 new homes at Alconbury Weald
Taylor Wimpey East Anglia has announced that it will bring 272 new homes to Alconbury Weald, just north of Huntingdon, after receiving planning approval. The new homes will be situated close to Alconbury Weald’s Runway Park, the former runway of RAF Alconbury, which will be a central part of the wider open space at Alconbury Weald. Taylor Wimpey’s new homes will provide a mix of one to five-bedroom homes including houses, apartments and townhouses. More than 12% of homes will be designated to affordable housing, including affordable rent and shared ownership. Taylor Wimpey’s planning application was approved by Huntingdonshire District Council in May 2026, with works due to commence in late summer 2026 and the first homes set to go on sale in March 2027. They will form part of the wider Alconbury Weald masterplan, which is set to deliver up to 6,500 homes, local employment, education and community facilities. Andrew Wright, Acting Technical and Planning Director at Taylor Wimpey East Anglia, said:“We’re pleased to have received planning approval for our new homes at Alconbury Weald. The development already has a thriving community of new homes, open green space and community facilities that we’re proud to become a part of. Not only will we be building 272 new homes at Alconbury Weald, but we will also be contributing to the 700 acres of open space with our own pocket park. “We look forward to work commencing shortly and seeing the Alconbury Weald community continue to grow.” Mike Jenner, Development Manager for Alconbury Weald master developer Urban&Civic, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Taylor Wimpey to Alconbury Weald. These will be their first homes here, further expanding the choice and diversity of homes available to those looking to join the Alconbury Weald community. Alongside new homes, Phase 3 will deliver a range of key amenities including a health centre, community centre and library, shops and services, a sports hub and the future Runway Park, supporting the continued growth of Alconbury Weald as a vibrant and well-connected place to live.” For further information and to register your interest in the new homes at Alconbury Weald, please visit: https://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/cambridgeshire or https://www.alconbury-weald.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals