
Innovative solutions for maximizing urban living spaces
Urban living often presents the challenge of optimizing limited space in homes and apartments. Sliding door kits offer a versatile solution, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in compact environments. This article explores how sliding door kits can transform urban living areas into more flexible and efficient spaces. Living in a city often means dealing with limited space, which can be a significant hurdle for many. As urban areas become more crowded, the need for efficient space utilization becomes essential. One effective way to address this issue is through the use of Sliding Door Kits. By replacing traditional doors with sliding mechanisms, you can maximize floor space and introduce a new level of flexibility to your home layout. Sliding door kits blend seamlessly into various design styles, providing a modern and practical approach to managing space effectively. Enhancing home layouts with sliding door kits Efficient space utilization is crucial in urban homes where every square foot counts. Sliding door kits play a vital role in enhancing living areas by allowing more adaptable room layouts. Unlike conventional doors that require ample swing space, sliding doors slide along tracks, making them ideal for tight spaces. This not only frees up room for furniture but also allows for creative interior design possibilities, making your home feel more open and inviting. Sliding door kits provide an elegant solution to privacy concerns in shared spaces without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. They can be used to divide open-plan areas into functional zones, such as creating separate living and dining areas or partitioning off a workspace within a larger room. The ability to open or close off spaces as needed offers unparalleled flexibility, catering to different occasions and moods. By embracing sliding doors, you can effortlessly transition between open and intimate settings in your home. Moreover, sliding doors contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic appeal of your living space. Available in a range of materials, from glass to wood, they can complement any interior style. Glass sliding doors allow light to flow freely between rooms, enhancing the sense of openness and creating a bright, airy atmosphere. Wood or frosted glass options provide additional privacy while maintaining an elegant look. Maximizing available space with sliding door kits Sliding door kits offer numerous benefits that are particularly valuable in urban settings where maximizing available space is key. They help create a more open and adaptable environment by eliminating the need for traditional hinged doors that consume unnecessary floor area. This makes them an ideal choice for small apartments or homes where every inch matters. One significant advantage of sliding doors is their ability to merge indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. When installed between a living room and balcony or terrace, they create an uninterrupted visual flow that extends your living area beyond its physical boundaries. This is especially beneficial during warmer months when you wish to enjoy fresh air and natural light without compromising on indoor comfort. Sliding doors also enhance accessibility within your home by providing wider openings that accommodate movement with ease. This feature is particularly useful for individuals with mobility challenges or families with young children who require more space to maneuver safely. Practical applications of sliding door kits in urban homes Sliding door kits can be employed in various practical applications throughout urban homes to divide spaces effectively while adding aesthetic appeal and functionality. For instance, they are perfect for creating temporary partitions between bedrooms and bathrooms or transforming large rooms into separate sleeping quarters for guests or family members. The aesthetic versatility of sliding door kits makes them suitable for modern urban homes seeking both style and practicality. Whether used as closet doors or pantry enclosures in kitchens, these systems offer streamlined solutions that enhance organizational efficiency without compromising on design integrity. Their sleek profiles allow them to blend harmoniously into contemporary interiors while offering customizable options such as mirrored panels or decorative patterns tailored to individual preferences.

Savills boosts BPC London project management team with data centre sector specialist
Savills has continued to grow its London project management team, part of building & project consultancy (BPC), with the appointment of data centre specialist Alex Thomas who joins as an associate director at the firm’s Margaret Street head office in London. Alex has over 15 years’ experience across the construction industry, delivering complex data centre projects throughout EMEA for clients including AWS and Microsoft. He joins from Rider Levett Bucknall, having previously worked at CBRE Global Workplace Solutions after starting his career as a structural engineer. At Savills, Alex will join the data centre project management team working alongside Marc Edmondson who joined the firm earlier this year. Together, they will work with the company’s wider data centre experts in the UK and EMEA, ranging from planning to capital advisory. Alex Thomas comments: “I am delighted to join Savills data centre project management team, strengthening the firm’s capability to help satisfy increasing demand from both cloud providers and AI businesses. This remains an exciting area of expansion and I look forward to working with Savills strong existing network of data centre experts across the UK and EMEA.” Simon Collett, Executive Director and head of BPC at Savills adds: “We are very pleased to welcome Alex to Savills. This is a significant growth area for the business and his experience and expertise will no doubt bolster our ability to offer our clients a first-class service.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Unanimous approval for Orchard Wharf project with 1,365 student beds, 208 affordable homes and working wharf revival
A major riverside regeneration project at Orchard Wharf in Tower Hamlets has been given the green light, after Regal secured unanimous planning consent for a scheme that combines affordable housing, student accommodation, public open space, and a revitalised working wharf. The development will deliver 208 affordable homes, meeting the London Plan’s 35 per cent target and providing much-needed high-quality housing in the borough. Alongside this, 1,365 purpose-built student rooms will help ease demand in London’s rental market and support the capital’s position as a global centre for education. A key feature of the scheme is the revitalisation of the safeguarded wharf, unlocking 7,524 square metres of logistics floorspace for use by Thames Clippers Logistics. This will create a low-carbon river freight hub, reducing reliance on road transport and strengthening the role of the Thames as a vital transport artery. The proposals, shaped in collaboration with Montagu Evans, include more than 7,400 square metres of landscaped open space. Features will include gardens, children’s play areas and community facilities accessible to residents and visitors. Designs by Howells incorporate an elevated riverside garden and careful integration with the surrounding neighbourhood, ensuring the scheme contributes positively to the wider Leamouth area. Steve Harrington, Planning Director at Regal, commented:“We are delighted that Orchard Wharf has secured Planning Committee approval. This is an important step towards delivering new affordable homes and high-quality student accommodation in Tower Hamlets while ensuring the long-term future of the wharf as a sustainable logistics hub. Orchard Wharf exemplifies our commitment to creating places that balance housing need, economic opportunity and community benefit.” William Poole, Partner at Howells, added:“The committee’s decision marks a step change in London’s evolution towards more climate-resilient infrastructure solutions. The scheme enables the delivery of more than 1,500 homes in this riverside location, prioritising affordable housing alongside rooftop residents’ gardens that will be difficult to match elsewhere in the capital. We are proud to have reached this stage as part of a talented and determined team.” Construction is expected to start in early 2026, following detailed design and delivery work. Once complete, Orchard Wharf will stand as a benchmark for co-location in London, demonstrating how housing, employment and high-quality public realm can be integrated within one development. It will also reinforce Tower Hamlets’ role at the forefront of London’s regeneration, setting a precedent for unlocking underused riverside land for long-term benefit. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Salix supports GMCA’s £28m Public Building Retrofit fund helping decarbonise Greater Manchester’s public estate
Salix Finance is proud to be working in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on an initiative to help decarbonise public sector buildings across the region. The new Public Building Retrofit fund (PBRf), launched and administered by GMCA, will provide grant funding to public sector organisations to support the installation of low-carbon heating systems and energy efficiency measures in their buildings. Salix will play a key role in the delivery of the fund by undertaking the technical assessment of funding applications. With up to £28 million of capital funding available between 2025/26 and 2027/28, the scheme will support Greater Manchester’s ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reach net zero by 2038. This is 12 years ahead of the UK’s national target. This funding for GMCA has been delivered as part of the government’s devolution policy, providing mayoral authorities the tools to shape the future of their local areas, while improving accountability and building capacity across the local government sector. Salix chief executive Kevin Holland said: “We have built up extensive skill at Salix in delivering innovative, large scale and impactful decarbonisation projects across the public sector on behalf of government. “Our knowledge is valued across the sector, and we’re delighted to work with Greater Manchester Combined Authority on this new fund. “Our work on the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme equips us well to support GMCA through effective and impactful technical assessments, enabling the successful delivery of retrofit projects.” The fund will be delivered through a competitive application process, with several funding windows opening over the course of the programme. The first application window is set to open this summer, with additional dates to be announced later in the year by GMCA. The initiative aligns closely with national policy priorities, targeting the 9% of UK emissions that come from heating buildings. By supporting the replacement of fossil fuel-based systems and improving building efficiency, The Public Building Retrofit fund is expected to contribute directly to reducing energy consumption and improving comfort in public buildings. Kevin added: “Our partnership with GMCA shows our stakeholders the breadth of Salix’s capabilities and the value of our trusted expertise. “We look forward to building on this relationship and continuing to expand our impact across the public sector and beyond. “We’re on a mission at Salix and we’re committed to help the UK meet its ambitious 2050 net zero targets.” For more about Salix visit our website https://www.salixfinance.co.uk/ For full details about the Public Building Retrofit fund, visit the Public Building Retrofit fund – Greater Manchester Combined Authority Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Clowes Developments Secure Planning Consent for Over 500,000 sq ft of Commercial Space at Harrier Park, Hucknall
Clowes Developments has received reserved matters planning consent from Ashfield District Council to deliver over 500,000 sq ft of new commercial and industrial space at Harrier Park, Hucknall. The milestone approval paves the way for the development of six high-quality commercial/industrial units ranging in size from 60,000 sq ft (5,574 sq m) to 206,000 sq ft (19,138 sq m). The units will be delivered across two plots within the 31-acre site, which is currently undergoing remediation and preparatory works to ready the former brownfield land for its transformative redevelopment. The planning consent follows Clowes’ successful acquisition of the historic Harrier Park site in 2024 and the recent launch of the comprehensive, multi-million-pound enabling groundworks programme. Located on the former Rolls-Royce aerospace site, Harrier Park represents one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in Nottinghamshire. The new development will support local economic growth and job creation, bringing prime industrial and logistics space to a high-demand regional market. Clowes Developments is now well-positioned to commence delivery of the newly approved units at Harrier Park. The development is designed to accommodate a diverse range of occupiers, including those in the manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sectors. Kevin Webster, Associate Director at Clowes Developments, commented:“ Securing planning permission is a significant step forward for Harrier Park. We’re transforming a landmark site into a vibrant commercial hub that will deliver lasting economic benefits to Hucknall and the wider Ashfield area. With enabling works already underway, we are committed to progressing the scheme at pace and attracting top-tier occupiers to the development.” Harrier Park is strategically located with excellent connectivity to the M1 and East Midlands Airport. It lies outside the Nottingham Workplace Parking Levy zone and benefits from an established tram network, with a terminus located close by. These advantages make Harrier Park an ideal location for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations in the Midlands. Uniquely, Clowes Developments has also secured a total of 8.1 MVA of power for the site. This substantial capacity will be allocated based on end user requirements, offering a significant power supply for occupiers with high energy demands. Clowes Developments will continue to work closely with Ashfield District Council and other stakeholders as the scheme progresses, with further announcements expected in the coming months. Clowes Developments are working in partnership with FHP Property Consultants and Fisher German to market the site with units available from 60,000 to 206,000sq ft. Opportunities are available on both a freehold and leasehold design-and-build basis. For enquiries, please contact Tim Gilbertson on tim@fhp.co.uk or Rob Champion on rob.champion@fishergerman.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

First images of 2000 Discovery Drive emerge as Prologis drives Cambridge Biomedical Campus expansion
The expansion of Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of the world’s leading centres of life sciences research, medical innovation, and healthcare provision, continues with construction of 2000 Discovery Drive underway. Designed by Scott Brownrigg for campus developer Prologis, two new speculative life science buildings, 2000 and 3000 Discovery Drive, will provide a further 215,300 sq ft NIA of state-of-the-art laboratory and office space to support growth of the world-class life sciences and biotech ecosystem at Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The designs complement the recently complete 1000 Discovery Drive, creating a family of contemporary buildings visually united by their sleek appearance and striking architectural details which include an exposed structural steel entrance and vertical accent fins. A rich materials palette will reinforce the relationship between the buildings and their setting, while providing each with a unique identity. Providing a resilient and future-proofed environment for research and development, both buildings are flexible by design with the ability to accommodate multiple tenants and a 60:40 laboratory to office split. A host of amenities, including a new “Grab & Go” café workspace will activate a landscaped area around the newly revealed buildings, whilst visible laboratory space at ground level will help to inspire the next generation of researchers by putting science on show. The placemaking strategy promotes the creation of high quality, accessible and inclusive public realm for the benefit of those on campus and the wider community alike. Placing people and their wellbeing at the heart of the landscape design, a series of diverse spaces will provide opportunities for recreation, working and socialising within a calming outdoor environment. As part of a campus-wide strategy, designs will integrate with existing pedestrian and cycle routes to support wellbeing and promote sustainable travel. A new CycleParc will sit at the heart of the landscaping, providing an innovative subterranean solution to house over 450 cycle parking spaces within an elegant arching structure. In addition, over 130 electric vehicle and bike spaces will also be provided within a new multistorey car park as part of the expansion. 2000 and 3000 Discovery Drive will target a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, following a “fabric-first” approach with key features including aluminium louvres to help optimise building solar performance, and green roofs and high-quality landscaped spaces to increase biodiversity. Rooftop solar panels will generate electricity to power communal building services, feeding into a wider all-electric energy strategy that avoids the use of fossil fuels. Building upon the success of the recently complete and fully let 1000 Discovery Drive, the latest developments will play a key role in helping to meet high demand for life science space and attract new businesses to the area enabling a vibrant and well-connected life sciences community to drive improved health outcomes to benefit people locally, regionally and globally. Construction has started on 2000 Discovery Drive and is expected to complete in Autumn 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals