Construction Date for ‘Saltaire Riverside’ Homes Development Set for Early Summer
289 Homes, Commercial Space and ‘Sizeable’ Green Space to be Created Next to Famous Salt Mills World Heritage Site in Shipley. Construction of ‘Saltaire Riverside’ – a vibrant new residential neighbourhood composed of 289 sustainable homes, commercial space and a large riverside park on the edge of the Salts Mills World Heritage Site in Saltaire, Shipley – is on track to start in early summer. Urban regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate is currently progressing the homes-led transformation of the 11-acre site sandwiched between the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which was formerly home to an HMRC office complex that closed in October 2021. Demolition of the existing buildings on site – which mainly consist of two large five-storey hexagonal office blocks – is expected to be completed in the coming six weeks, followed by ground preparation works in advance of construction. Material from the demolition will be recycled and used to raise the levels of the site as part of major flood defence works, which will immediately follow the demolition programme. Welcoming the progress on site, James Bulmer, Managing Director for Leeds-based Artisan Real Estate England, said: “Our local contractor, Metropolitan, has been doing excellent work of taking down the existing buildings, and we will soon be moving to processing materials which will be crushed and recycled for re-use on site as part of the forthcoming construction project. We are now hosting regular design team meetings, working on the detailed technical drawing requirements needed to turn our ambitious vision into a reality. Our commercial teams will shortly be going out to tender to find suitable trade sub-contractors to partner with for the project.” Michael Hirst, Managing Director at Metropolitan added: “This has been a great project for Metropolitan. The former HMRC building was a substantial reinforced concrete structure, but our highly skilled teams have been effective, diligent and professional throughout. Artisan is an important client to us and we are working with them on multiple developments across England and Scotland. We look forward to a long lasting relationship.” Artisan’s plans for the new Saltaire Riverside development include the provision of 289 new homes, more than 5,000 sq. ft. of commercial office space designed for flexible working and a café facing on to a new ‘pocket’ park and piazza. A sizeable riverside park will seamlessly link the development to the River Aire, providing woodland, grasslands and lawns to act as a natural flood water storage area whilst pedestrian links will provide direct access to Saltaire Rail Station and the canal towpath. Looking forward to the forthcoming launch of the first new homes phase at Saltaire Riverside, Mr Bulmer confirmed that a new Saltaire Riverside home-sales website will be launched shortly, allowing potential purchasers of to register their interest. He added: “We are excited about starting our initial homes phase, which will deliver a mix of apartments and townhouses to create a much needed sustainable and low carbon residential community. “Our completed development will become a modern interpretation of the adjacent Saltaire Village, bringing much needed sustainable family housing in an accessible, well connected and environmentally responsible setting. It will spectacularly open up a large riverside area, bringing interest and investment to the area and providing a natural, contemporary extension to the existing Saltaire footprint. This is a genuinely groundbreaking homes-led project in an area that is regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK.” The neighbouring Saltaire Village is named after Sir Titus Salt who built a textile mill known as Salts Mill and the supporting village overlooking the River Aire in the second half of the 19th century. Designed by architects, Lockwood and Mawson, Saltaire has beautiful Italianate architecture and a rich history and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. The village was recently named as one of the 72 best places to live in the UK by the annual Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live Guide’ for 2024. The Sunday Times’ expert judges visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street. Describing Saltaire Village, the judges said: “It was a model village when it was built and two centuries later, Saltaire is a model address for 21st-century living. Now it’s all about artisan coffee hang-outs, cool cafés and restaurants in atmospheric surroundings, along with a snappy commute to the centres of Leeds and Bradford.” 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
Former Officer’s Houses in Devizes proving popular ahead of Good Friday launch
Easter weekend will mark the launch of a unique retrofit development in Devizes, Wiltshire. Designed to offer a more sustainable way of life, Marlborough Close by Annington will bring to the market just five four-bedroom homes, each having been carefully refurbished to become smarter and more efficient. Each home at Marlborough Close has been brought up to EPC A – a standard achieved by only the most energy efficient homes. Smart technology has been optimised to bring these homes up to 21st Century standards, meaning homeowners can enjoy lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Sustainable upgrades include an AI-powered Mixergy Smart Cylinder Tank to each property, alongside an air source heat pump, 14 photovoltaic panels, and brand-new double-glazed windows, thermal rendering, and energy-efficient appliances. The houses will go on the market on Good Friday (29th March) following exceptionally high demand, with nearly half of all pre-enquiries coming from local homebuyers living in the SN postcode. Proving to be particularly popular with movers seeking the countryside, Annington has seen interest from a balance of upsizers looking for room to grow, and downsizers pursuing sustainable living at an achievable price point. Marlborough Close combines traditional country living with an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, thanks to its setting on the outskirts of the historic market town of Devizes, overlooking the rolling fields nearby. The development itself comprises five spacious detached and link-detached four-bedroom homes, located within an exclusive private gated close. Each property offers an abundance of living space, thanks to an open plan kitchen/diner, a dual-aspect lounge, alongside four spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms. Stacy Whitehead, Marketing Manager at Annington, comments: “Homes like these simply aren’t available elsewhere – Marlborough Close is truly a unique offering in Devizes. Tucked away in an idyllic countryside setting, these homes are a peaceful retreat for buyers seeking a more sustainable way of life without compromising on modern comforts. These properties really must be seen to be appreciated, which is why we will be opening the doors to our thoughtfully-designed show home on the launch weekend. Visitors will be able to experience firsthand the lifestyle on offer at Marlborough Close. “With just five homes available to buy, demand is already incredibly high. To avoid disappointment, we strongly encourage anyone interested to book a viewing for the launch weekend on 29th March, so please get in touch!” Devizes is one of Wiltshire’s best kept secrets. The town has retained its market heritage, hosting a monthly farmers’ market, and a Food and Drink Festival in September. On the town’s bustling high street can be found a selection of independently-owned businesses, shops, and cafes, alongside their chain counterparts. Marlborough Close is located on the edge of Wiltshire’s famous rolling landscape, ideal for countryside walks and excursions. The Kennet and Avon Canal is just a short walk away, while the millennium Devizes White Horse chalk hill figure proves an exciting day out for experienced walkers. To find out more about Annington, visit www.annington.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cleaner, greener and more affordable homes delivered in Salford
Largest Passivhaus affordable housing scheme in the North West completes Greenhaus – the largest Passivhaus Classic Certified development in the North West – has completed, bringing 96 highly-sustainable, affordable homes to Chapel Street in Salford. The monthly cost of heating and hot water at Greenhaus is expected to be less than half that of a similar sized new-build home with a gas boiler. Built to Passivhaus Classic certified standard, the leading low-energy design standard, the nine-storey development provides homes which offer high thermal comfort and improved air quality, enabling a healthier living environment as well as lower bills. Bridging a gap in the housing sector for affordable, high specification living, Greenhaus has been delivered by ECF – a joint venture between three of the UK’s leading regeneration and investment organisations, Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – alongside Salford housing association, Salix Homes, and supported by Salford City Council. Greenhaus is part of ECF’s £1bn, 50-acre Salford Central transformation being delivered in partnership with Salford City Council and takes the overall percentage of affordable homes delivered by ECF to 25% across the Chapel Street area of the masterplan. Following Greenhaus’ success, work is soon to start on a second Passivhaus development on nearby Peru Street, which will deliver a further 100 affordable and highly sustainable apartments. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett was at the official launch of Greenhaus (on Monday 18 March) where he hailed the development as “the benchmark” for new-build, affordable, and sustainable homes and commented: “We continue to be immensely proud of the innovation and drive to deliver forward thinking, sustainable developments in Salford – testament to the culture our city fosters and shares with our broader region. The regeneration of Salford is burgeoning and our future looking brighter and greener with each and every milestone we reach. We also work to ensure that local people can benefit for the growth and development that is taking place here – creating new jobs and opportunities for all.” The first residents have begun moving into Greenhaus this week, including mature student Harriette Matthews. The 29-year-old, who is studying to be a counsellor, has been staying on her dad’s sofa in his one-bedroom flat for the past seven months, following a relationship breakdown. Harriette has autism and is a sufferer of scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine, and her difficult living conditions have been affecting both her physical and mental health. Allocated one of the 13 apartments available for affordable rent[1] at Greenhaus, Harriette says moving into Greenhaus will transform her life: “I just can’t put into words how much of a difference having my own home will make to my life. When I got the call from my housing officer at Salix Homes to say I had a place at Greenhaus, I just couldn’t believe it – I feel so lucky.” And the building’s eco-credentials are the icing on the cake for Harriette: “I know all about Passivhaus as I’d seen it on Grand Designs, and I always said to myself that when I get my own place, I want it to be Passivhaus, and now I’m living in one – it couldn’t be more perfect. I grew up around Manchester, but my dad is a born and bred Salfordian, so Salford has a special place in my heart.” Salix Homes secured funding from NatWest, along with grants from Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to help fund the multi-million-pound scheme, which supports the GMCA’s ambitions for more truly affordable net zero homes. Sue Sutton, Chief Executive at Salix Homes, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome the first residents to Greenhaus, and see our vision for high quality, affordable and sustainable housing brought to life. “With the rising cost of living, a shortage in the supply of affordable and social housing, and a need to address the challenges posed by the climate crisis, Greenhaus demonstrates what can be achieved through effective partnership working, and a shared desire to create cleaner, greener, and healthier homes that are fit for the future and won’t need retrofitting. “To help use the development’s green credentials effectively, Salix Homes will also be embarking on a careful education and monitoring process, supporting residents to get the most of out of their new homes. We’ll be monitoring the air quality and energy usage, so we can track the long-term benefits and identify lessons learned for future developments.” Commenting on the completion of this ground-breaking development, Simon Hourihan, Project Director at Muse, said: “It is a wonderful moment to see residents moving into Greenhaus; a development that shows what can be achieved through collaboration on a shared vision and a real desire to deliver something pioneering rather than simply maintaining the status quo. “Our learnings from Greenhaus can also be shared for future developments which will help to shape other sustainable schemes for the benefit of people and the environment. We’ve loved the challenge of delivering the largest Passivhaus scheme of its kind in the North West and can’t wait to see the positive impact this scheme has on its residents.” Danielle Gillespie, Director of Regeneration, Partnerships and Major Projects, Homes England, commented: “The completion of Greenhaus in Salford, delivered by the English Cities Fund, is a significant achievement. The creation of new affordable, sustainable, and high specification homes contributes to a wider ambition to create healthy living environments which serve the needs and desires of local communities.” Wes Erlam, Managing Director of Urban Regeneration, Legal & General Capital, added: “Social and environmental benefits don’t have to be add-ons to investments: it is possible to pursue and create opportunities that generate long-term, secure income streams whilst also tackling some of the major social, environmental and economic issues facing society. Both the Greenhaus development and ECF’s wider partnership with Salford City Council underscore the many benefits that come from collaboration between investors, developers, and the public sector, and we’re proud to be delivering positive place-based impacts for Salford now and for the long-term.”
McLaren Construction surpasses Net Zero Targets at Landmark Leeds Logistics Hub
A pivotal logistics warehouse scheme now completed in Leeds has met and surpassed its net zero carbon construction targets, delivered by McLaren Midlands and North. Successfully achieving an embodied carbon target to practical completion lower than first proposed, ensuring a more sustainable build and reducing the carbon offset payment, McLaren Construction Midlands and North completed works on Sherburn42 – a 660,000 sq. ft. logistics warehousing space located in Sherburn-in-Elmet at the end of November, appointed by commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust. The 37-acre Sherburn42 scheme sits adjacent to the Sherburn Enterprise Park in Leeds and comprises the construction of four Grade-A industrial units ranging from 57,750 to 280,000 sq. ft., with industrial warehouse and office space to support core building services. The design concentrated on helping occupiers reach operational sustainability targets and the project will be accredited net-zero carbon in construction by the UK Green Building Council. Set to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the logistical hub features EV charging, full PV coverage and LED office lighting, alongside 4MvApower. The Engineering Services Consultancy Ltd (ESC) was appointed by McLaren Construction Midlands and North to undertake a Whole Life Embodied Carbon assessment of the build at as-built RIBA Stage 5. The subsequent report showed that the contractor surpassed its project target of 550 kgCO2e/m2, achieving 458.32 kgCO2e/m2. Net Zero Carbon in construction is a term that refers to the energy used during the manufacturing of materials, combined with the emissions generated throughout the building’s construction, these are then offset through an internationally recognised carbon credit scheme. This was achieved following initial reductions in the embodied carbon, through a focus on material specification. At present, there is no mandatory requirement to report on Whole Life Carbon outside of London. However, the UK Government is committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands & North, said: “We’re proud to announce that our team has surpassed net zero carbon targets for this pivotal Leeds scheme. “Our project team worked hard to ensure the most sustainable materials were specified, liaising closely with our supply chain. While championing sustainability for the build through the reduction of embodied carbon in the project, we’ve also managed to ensure the offset payment is as low as possible for our client, Firethorn, of which we have a fantastic relationship. “Now complete, Sherburn42 will provide incredible opportunities for the region’s workforce, allowing occupiers of all sizes – from multi-national distributors to small and medium-sized enterprises, an attractive, fit-for-purpose, sustainable workspace, providing a head start on achieving their own net zero targets.” Rhiannon Butcher, Sustainability Manager of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “Firethorn was the first industrial and logistics project in McLaren Construction, to achieve net zero carbon in construction. We were able to reduce the embodied carbon in construction and meet the client’s target in part through a high use of cement replacement. “The project team worked hard to collate all of the data required for this assessment, and it has been a learning process for us. As-built assessments will become more commonplace, especially as McLaren Construction works towards its own net zero carbon in construction goals – of net zero carbon for Scopes 1 & 2 by 2025 and Scope 3 by 2045. “We are creating baseline carbon assessments in this sector to provide ourselves and our clients with more robust estimates of embodied carbon from the early RIBA stages.” Hugo Briars, Development Manager at Firethorn Trust, commented: “It has been a pleasure working in close collaboration with McLaren Construction, whose team clearly shares our passion for sustainability. Their knowledge, professionalism and commitment to quality and innovation has enabled us to exceed our environmental aspirations for Sherburn42, which we have developed on behalf of the site owner, Cain International.” James Sanders, Associate Director at Firethorn Trust, added: “We’re delighted to be bringing this state-of-the-art net-zero scheme into a market that continues to witness an erosion of committed development pipeline. “Sherburn42 benefits from an excellent road network alongside an immediate and plentiful supply of labour. Coupled with its ultra-modern specification, the scheme is ideally positioned for occupiers seeking to upgrade and expand their operations, whilst benefitting from significantly reduced running costs. We’re encouraged by recent levels of occupational demand and look forward to announcing new occupier relationships as we head into the new year!” Sherburn42’s close proximity to junction 42 A1 (M) provides direct connections to Leeds, the M1, M62 and coastal ports of Hull and Grimsby, as well as a number of regional rail stations and airports. For leasing enquiries, please contact the scheme agents, Colliers, Lambert Smith Hampton or Carter Towler. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kingspan reduces scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds in four years
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, today launches its fourth annual ‘Planet Passionate’ sustainability report and announces a 65% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2020.[4],[5] In 2023 alone, the company achieved a further 40% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since its base year, accelerated by the introduction of its business-wide internal carbon price in January 2023.[6] The report also shows that 49.6% of all wholly-owned Kingspan sites had solar PV systems installed by year-end, a marked boost to the company’s on-site renewable energy generation capacity. In addition to these operational achievements, in 2023 Kingspan made important headway in its innovation journey to reduce the embodied carbon of its product offering, introducing three lower embodied carbon products – QuadCore LEC insulated panels, RMG600+ raised access floor panels and the Tate Grid LEC structural ceiling solution – to some of its markets. The company also launched its bio-based HemKor range in November 2023, marking the first time a major insulation manufacturer has launched a product made largely of hemp. Other key developments highlighted in the report include: Kingspan’s 10-year Planet Passionate sustainability programme is the driving force behind its efforts to decarbonise its operations, product offering and supply chain, prioritising absolute emissions reductions. The company has committed to challenging science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) covering scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions, including achieving a 90% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within its operations and a 42% absolute reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions from its 2020 base year. These targets are aligned with the IPCC’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century. The programme also features measurable targets to harvest rainwater, eliminate waste to landfill and increase use of recycled PET as a raw material to help tackle three of today’s biggest global challenges: climate change, circularity and protection of the natural world. Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan Group, said: “We are acutely aware that as the climate crisis intensifies, our mission to help accelerate a net-zero emissions built environment has never been more important. To play our part in keeping global temperature rises within the 1.5°C limit, we committed to absolute emissions reductions and focused on making tangible progress in the short- to medium-term through our Planet Passionate programme. In a business like Kingspan, that is only possible with significant structural and time investment and an unwavering dedication to delivering real results. Our global team of more than 100 people has completed over 300 projects across our business since 2020 to help realise our targets. With the majority of Kingspan’s value chain emissions coming from our upstream supply chain, we are working closely with our key supply partners to reduce the carbon intensity of our key raw materials. This work has enabled us to bring new lower embodied carbon products to market in 2023. We still have a lot of work to do and must continue to refocus and respond as the business grows and evolves, but I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved in just four years and look forward to further progress towards our targets as Planet Passionate enters its fifth year.” The launch of Kingspan’s 2023 Planet Passionate report follows the recent announcement that the company was included on the globally-recognised CDP Climate Change A List, which recognises environmental leadership through transparency and meaningful climate action. Kingspan was one of just 346 companies to make the 2023 CDP Climate Change A List, of the 21,000 companies scored by CDP. In addition, CDP has also named Kingspan as a 2023 Supplier Engagement Leader in recognition of the company’s effectiveness in engaging with suppliers on climate change. Read the full report here: Kingspan Planet Passionate Report 2023 (ipaper.io) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals