Steel Structure Complete at £4bn Somerset Gigafactory
A major construction milestone has been reached at the £4 billion Agratas gigafactory in Bridgwater, Somerset, with the completion of the primary steel frame for the landmark facility. Agratas, the global battery business of Tata Group, began construction on the multi-billion-pound development in 2024. Once operational, it will be the largest battery manufacturing facility of its kind in the UK, producing battery cells for automotive applications and energy storage systems, and playing a central role in advancing clean technology. The vast steel structure for Building One, the first phase of the project, spans 525 metres in length, 167 metres in width and rises to 34 metres at its highest point. In total, 23,000 tonnes of steel have been used across the main building and associated ancillary structures — a volume comparable to that used in the construction of Wembley Stadium. More than 500 people were involved in delivering the complex steel operation, with all structural steel sourced from within the UK. Completion of the frame enables the project team to move into the next stages of development, including external cladding, roofing works and internal fit-out. The steel package has been delivered by construction partner Sir Robert McAlpine, working alongside steel specialist Severfield and the integrated design and engineering team at Stantec. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in creating large-scale battery manufacturing capacity in Britain. Recruitment for the site is continuing, with around 1,600 roles to be filled over the coming year across operations, maintenance, engineering, logistics and quality functions. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to support around 4,000 jobs and generate more than £700 million in annual economic value for the South West. In parallel, Costain has been appointed to design and construct a new junction on the M5 motorway, providing critical infrastructure access to the expanding Agratas site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Skyline Shift: £286m Cambridge Halls Redevelopment Set to Transform Manchester’s Student Living
Contractor Graham has secured the £286 million contract to redevelop the Cambridge Halls student campus for Manchester Metropolitan University, marking a major step forward in the transformation of the city’s student accommodation offer. The scheme, which will deliver more than 2,300 new student bedrooms, is being brought forward through a joint venture between the University and Unite Students. It represents one of the most significant higher education residential developments currently planned in Manchester. The project will involve the demolition of the existing 1990s-era accommodation to make way for two new multi-storey buildings rising to 30 storeys. Delivered across two phases, the development will provide a mix of cluster apartments and self-contained studios, alongside a range of internal and external amenity spaces designed to enhance student wellbeing and foster a strong sense of community. In addition to residential provision, the scheme will incorporate ground-floor commercial units and a new community health centre fronting Cambridge Street. This element is intended to strengthen connections between the campus and the surrounding neighbourhood, creating a more integrated and accessible urban environment. Designed by Cartwright Pickard, the development is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, reflecting a strong emphasis on sustainability and long-term environmental performance. The buildings will feature a highly thermally efficient fabric, supported by a comprehensive suite of low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies. Air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and low-energy heat recovery ventilation systems will be integrated with advanced intelligent building management systems. Together, these measures are expected to significantly reduce operational energy demand and carbon emissions over the lifecycle of the development. Stephen Van den Hoek, Regional Director at Graham, confirmed that construction is scheduled to commence later this year. Phase one is due for completion in 2029, with phase two following in 2030, reshaping this key gateway site and setting a new benchmark for sustainable student accommodation in Manchester. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Italian Materials Giant Secures Approval for Major Derbyshire Manufacturing Hub
Plans for a substantial new plaster and renders factory in Derbyshire have been approved, paving the way for a significant industrial investment near Ilkeston. Erewash Borough Council has granted planning permission for Italian building materials specialist Fassa Bortolo to establish its new UK headquarters at the former Stanton Ironworks site. The development will form part of the wider New Stanton Park regeneration scheme. Fassa Bortolo, known for its pre-mix renders and plasters, will construct a 170,000 sq ft manufacturing facility on the business estate. The project represents a major step in the transformation of the historic ironworks site, which is being redeveloped across 220 acres into a modern employment park. Councillor James Dawson, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, said the approval marks an important milestone for the area. He noted that the scheme is about more than new construction, highlighting its role in giving renewed purpose to a landmark industrial site while supporting the local economy and long-term prosperity of residents. New Stanton Park is expected to support up to 4,000 jobs once fully developed, reinforcing its status as a key employment destination within the East Midlands. Fassa Bortolo’s President, Bortolo Fassa, described the decision to locate the company’s UK headquarters at New Stanton Park as a strategic move. He said the business is pleased to confirm its investment in the region as part of wider international expansion plans. Headquartered in Treviso, Italy, the company traces its roots back to 1710, when a family ancestor began working with lime. Today, the firm is investing £350 million to expand its global footprint, with Derbyshire set to play a central role in its future UK operations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work commences on new cutting-edge laboratory and research space at University of Warwick
MULTI-disciplinary consultancy Pulse Consult is working closely with the University of Warwick Science Park to refurbish its Vanguard Centre, a building that dates back to the 1970s, enhancing existing facilities to better support research and innovation within the Life Sciences sector. Working under direct award, the £6m project will deliver approx. 13,600 sq ft of dedicated premium lab space and 8,000 sq ft of office space. The ground floor will be converted into 13 individual premium accessible R&D laboratory spaces with flexibility to be connected to support growth. The first floor will house eight offices, a collection of modern meeting rooms, inspiring collaborative workspaces and a social and events area. This will provide university research partners and commercial tenants with additional space to conduct pioneering research. Jason Fretter, director at Pulse Consult, said: “We recognise the vital role that well-designed, functional facilities play in driving innovation and research. That’s why we are particularly pleased to have been appointed to deliver this project, building on our strong existing relationship with the University of Warwick and supporting the successful refurbishment of the Vanguard Centre. “By creating premium accessible R&D laboratories and flexible office spaces tailored to the evolving needs of researchers and commercial partners, we hope this project will not only enhance the campus but also attract top talent and pioneering activity to the region. We are excited to collaborate with the University of Warwick Science Park to bring this innovative space to life and support the cutting-edge research that will shape the future.” The refurbishment incorporates a range of sustainability measures including new windows, added insulation to external walls and infill panels on both floors using CLT timber. Electric heating has been installed with plans for future PV panels, all contributing to an improved EPC rating. Pulse Consult is providing project management, quantity surveying and employer’s agent services, drawing on its longstanding relationships with university contacts to ensure the project runs smoothly. Completion is scheduled for Autumn 2026. Emma Turner, business development manager at the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “The transformation of the Vanguard Centre will put the Science Park at the forefront of conversations across the industry with incoming companies benefiting from high-quality, flexible working spaces, collaborative and coworking opportunities and benefiting from links with a top-ranked university. “Availablity of lab space within the region is a challenge for many businesses needing to find suitable premises and is at a significant premium due to lack of supply in areas of high demand. “The Vanguard Centre will relieve some of this pressure, and the space will be priced competitively without compromising on quality. “We’re confident the Vanguard Centre would make the perfect base for companies in need of modern R&D space with competitive pricing and attention to detail being given at every stage of this project.” For more information, visit www.pulseconsult.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Exchange Communications Completes One of the UK’s Largest In-Building Connectivity Projects at London’s Chelsea Barracks
Exchange Communications has completed a landmark connectivity project at Chelsea Barracks, delivering one of the UK’s largest and most technically advanced 4G in-building installations at the luxury London development. Setting a new benchmark for digital infrastructure in prime residential real estate, the phase two installation brings the total number of antennas across the project to an extraordinary 755, all engineered and integrated by Exchange Communications, the UK’s leading provider of smart, in-building cellular solutions. A showcase of world-class architecture and design, Chelsea Barracks is renowned for its exceptional apartments, penthouses and townhouses, crafted by globally acclaimed designers. The development’s commitment to excellence extends far beyond aesthetics. By incorporating 4G infrastructure at the construction stage, rather than retrofitting it later, Exchange Communications ensured that every piece of equipment blends seamlessly into the building’s fabric, maintaining the integrity of the design while delivering best-in-class performance. Tom Sime, CEO of Exchange Communications, said: “This project ensures residents benefit from fast, consistent and reliable mobile connectivity across all major networks. Installing 384 antennas as part of the second phase, 755 in total, positions Chelsea Barracks as one of the most comprehensively connected residential developments in the UK. “We’re proud to help bring to life a collection of homes defined by exceptional quality and uncompromising attention to detail.” He added: “When connectivity is embedded into a development from the earliest planning stages, the results are not only more efficient, but also more integral to the funcitonality of the building. This approach enables us to deliver a seamless, future-ready solution that enhances every aspect of the resident experience.” Exchange Communications continues to lead the UK market in smart-building and 5G technology. The company has created some of the most connected public environments in the country, including major shopping centres, hospitals, sports arenas, football stadiums, hotels and key national transport hubs. The completion of Chelsea Barracks’ phase two connectivity programme further cements Exchange Communications’ reputation as the partner of choice for ambitious developments demanding world-class digital infrastructure. For more information visit www.exchangecommunications.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pollini at Ladbroke Hall: A Refined Interior Reimagined Through Craft, Retrofitting and Contemporary Design
Pollini at Ladbroke Hall enters a new chapter defined not by what is on the plate, but by the evolution of its physical space — a considered reworking of interior architecture, materiality and atmosphere within one of West London’s most distinctive heritage buildings. Set inside Ladbroke Hall’s Grade II-listed Beaux Arts structure in Notting Hill, the restaurant forms part of a wider 43,000 sq ft adaptive reuse project that has transformed the former 1903 Clément-Talbot car factory into a multi-layered cultural destination. The building’s grand portico, heraldic crest and vast arched window remain defining architectural features, anchoring the contemporary interventions within a historic framework. Originally conceived by Linda Boronkay, Founder and Creative Director of Boronkay Studio, the restaurant’s latest evolution reflects a careful process of refinement rather than wholesale redesign. Working within architecture shaped by Vincenzo De Cotiis Architects, the updated scheme enhances the dialogue between historic fabric and modern craftsmanship, demonstrating how retrofit-led hospitality design can deliver both intimacy and theatricality within a landmark setting. What began as a raw shell has progressively matured into a layered, textural environment. The recent interior works have focused on deepening warmth and improving spatial flow. Reconfigured banquette seating reshapes the dining layout, creating softer sightlines and more flexible group arrangements. New upholstery and textile treatments introduce richer tactility, absorbing sound and improving acoustic comfort within the high-ceilinged volume. Lighting has been embedded and recalibrated to create zones of intimacy beneath the grand proportions of the hall. Rather than relying solely on statement fixtures, the scheme now incorporates concealed and low-level illumination to enhance depth and shadow, drawing attention to surfaces and materials rather than spectacle alone. Curtaining has been introduced to envelope the dining area, forming a subtle architectural threshold between the restaurant and the adjoining gallery spaces. This intervention strengthens the sense of enclosure without compromising the openness of the original structure — a key consideration in retrofitting heritage buildings for contemporary hospitality use. Greenery and internal planting have also been amplified, softening the architectural lines and introducing a biophilic layer that complements the building’s historic grandeur. The addition of an outdoor bamboo garden patio further extends the spatial experience, offering a seamless transition between interior and exterior environments while maintaining the cohesive design language established indoors. Art and collectible design remain integral to the interior identity. Four large-scale, site-specific works by Sir Christopher Le Brun PPRA continue to anchor the space visually, alongside a sculptural chandelier by Nacho Carbonell and bespoke furniture pieces curated through Carpenters Workshop Gallery. These elements reinforce Ladbroke Hall’s ‘living gallery’ ethos, where art, design and hospitality intersect. Boronkay describes the project as an exercise in creating a retreat within the city — intimate yet expressive, layered with shadow, texture and warmth. The intention has been to craft an environment that feels instinctively welcoming while quietly sophisticated, allowing materials, proportion and craftsmanship to speak first. The refinement of Pollini reflects a broader movement in London’s hospitality sector towards thoughtful retrofitting and adaptive reuse rather than ground-up development. By working sensitively within a historic envelope, the project demonstrates how heritage assets can be reactivated through careful spatial planning, material layering and contemporary detailing. At its core, Pollini remains inseparable from Ladbroke Hall’s wider vision: a place where architecture, art, performance and social gathering coexist. With this latest evolution, the restaurant strengthens its identity not simply as a dining destination, but as a carefully constructed interior environment shaped by restoration, design intelligence and respect for its architectural past. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals