New £2.5m deal signed to deliver early works for the onshore cable installation scope of the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone Early works will help provide greater certainty in construction and help deliver the project more efficiently Boost for local economy and supply chain businesses In a major step forward for
Construction now considered an ‘attractive’ career prospect by 56% of 18-29-year-olds Over 20% women now interested in construction role, even after being dissuaded by third-parties Engineers are back in demand, as second ‘most wanted job’ in UK after ‘healthcare professional’ Over a third (35%) of young people want to be
AFTER undergoing extensive roof and structural restoration assisted by a scaffolding structure weighing more than eight blue whales, the team behind the transformation of Derby’s iconic Market Hall has revealed that the first phase of work has now completed. The Grade II listed Victorian market hall, which has been trading
Commercial interiors specialists Paramount say they are “proud” to have been appointed to create an “inspiring workplace” at the heart of historic Bath’s flagship regeneration project. The Paramount Bristol-based team are masterminding the interior design of the prestigious new office space in the Bath Quays office building for leading local
The new partnership with Node will see the firm deliver 63 luxury apartments in Brixton, with premium views across London. Enrok Construction has commenced work with Node to deliver 63 one-and-two-bed luxury apartments in Brixton, London. The construction specialist has worked on the project since March 2022 and is now
You work hard at your business every single day. You have employees you are responsible for. If yours is a construction business, understanding the power of photography can be truly eye-opening. So how can it help your business? There are many aspects of it you need to understand before you
Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has further strengthened its portfolio in London and the South East, with the acquisition of two prime urban logistics estates in Park Royal and Watford. This transaction continues the company’s strategic focus on Greater London, following recent acquisitions in
Earn while you learn with LABC’s funded training scheme Local Authority Building Control (LABC), the membership organisation for 3,500 public service building surveyors in England and Wales, has launched a fully funded trainee scheme to attract new recruits into the profession. Following the landmark Building Safety Act 2022, LABC is
NIBE Energy Systems has launched a brand-new Photovoltaic-Thermal (PV-T) and Heat Pump solution which offers an innovative approach of transforming a NIBE “ground-source” heat pump product into a “multi-source” heat pump product. NIBE PV-T collector is an alternative, innovative, and silent heat source for use with NIBE ground source heat
Contractor Henry Brothers has handed over a new extension at Glossopdale School to Derbyshire County Council. The £4million extension is the second phase of the Council’s plan to increase capacity at the school, which can now take up to 1,440 pupils. The new space will provide an additional nine teaching
New £2.5m deal signed to deliver early works for the onshore cable installation scope of the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone Early works will help provide greater certainty in construction and help deliver the project more efficiently Boost for local economy and supply chain businesses In a major step forward for delivery of the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone, J. Murphy & Sons, the leading specialist engineering and construction company has been awarded a £2.5m contract with Vattenfall to deliver early works for the onshore cable installation scope of the project. J. Murphy & Sons is also preferred bidder for the future construction works contract. J. Murphy & Sons early works will include site investigations and design optimisation activities, for example topology surveys, boreholes and small trial pits along the cable route to further understand ground conditions. Design optimisation provides greater certainty in construction requirements to allow a more efficient delivery of the project, with a focus on sustainable design through the use of innovation and minimising materials and programme. This is the first phase of Vattenfall’s extensive works to turn East Anglia into a powerhouse of renewable energy and is essential to ensure that future work onshore progresses as efficiently as possible. Working with local businesses and communities is an essential part of delivering the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. Alongside Vattenfall’s drive to deliver their ambitious supply chain and skills and employment plans, J. Murphy & Sons will be engaging with local contractors and businesses during this period, seeking their support in delivering the works. They will also be working with local colleges to find young people who are keen and available to work in the sector, delivering one of the largest offshore wind zones in the world. Rob Anderson, Project Director of Vattenfall’s Norfolk Zone, said: “We’re taking the project into the next phase so we’re delighted to have J. Murphy & Sons on board, helping us to deliver the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. Their expertise will be invaluable, as will their focus on boosting the local economy by supporting jobs and growth in the region.” Andy Ingram, Operations Director for J. Murphy & Sons said: “The award of the early contractor involvement contract marks the next step of our journey with Vattenfall, the local supply chain and wider community in delivering this essential piece of green energy infrastructure. We are delighted to bring our expertise and experience to the project and play our part in developing sustainable and secure energy sources for the UK market”.
Construction now considered an ‘attractive’ career prospect by 56% of 18-29-year-olds Over 20% women now interested in construction role, even after being dissuaded by third-parties Engineers are back in demand, as second ‘most wanted job’ in UK after ‘healthcare professional’ Over a third (35%) of young people want to be a part of construction, as an industry ‘undergoing massive, positive change’ 31%of young people want to build a ‘better physical world’ through construction careers Teaching shortages loom as sector struggle to fill roles for essential construction courses New research from construction data platform NBS reveals that construction has now become a desirable career path for UK school leavers and young adults, with 56% now considering it an’ attractive’ profession with plenty of prospects.” NBS quizzed 2,000 18–29-year-olds across the UK regarding construction as a potential vocation, yielding surprising, but refreshingly positive results. This will come as welcome news to a sector that saw job vacancies hit an all-time high (49,000) earlier this year. Importantly, the survey indicates a distinct cultural shift in attitudes amongst younger generations, in part, helped by the growing number of digital opportunities available and extensive media attention around the sector’s use of industry-leading tech, dispelling the myth that construction is a dead-end career. Russell Haworth CEO of NBS, said: “It’s clear that perceptions around construction are changing. Young people now realise it’s not the dull, dangerous, and dirty job as mislabelled for years by educators and career advisors. It’s great to see such an uptick in interest following some very lean years recruitment-wise. The challenge for the sector now is to jump on this opportunity, we must not miss it as has previously been the case.” This Woman’s Work The poll included diversity-related questions and found marked improvement in a sector which has struggled to be inclusive for decades. Highlighting the fact that construction has been made to be more inclusive, 57% of females also stated that they consider construction to be a generally ‘diverse’ industry. Now over a fifth of women are ‘very interested’ in construction as a career, showing scope for an influx of female employees following A-level and university results day. However, a similar number are being actively dissuaded by peers and family to take a job in the industry. It shows whilst personal attitudes are changing, sector misconceptions persist, which must be overcome. Mirudhula Ponraj, 26, a Technical Trainee Assistant at Bellway Homes, said, “It’s interesting to hear that more women are interested in construction. Great strides are being made in terms of inclusion, but we know more work still needs to be done for the sector to represent 21st century Britain. With schemes such as Women into Construction, I’m optimistic that we’ll see more change in the next ten years. “There’s a misconception that construction is all about muddy boots and strong shoulders, today’s industry is so much more. I studied Building Information Modelling (BIM) at uni. The fifth of women mentioned in NBS’ study looking to enter the industry might be surprised to learn that roles can be incredibly diverse. The next generation now have the opportunity to work with technical programmes and computer systems, utilising brains over brawn.” Engineering Success Dismissing stereotypes that Millennials and Gen Z aren’t interested in highly skilled occupations, ‘Engineer’, particular structural and civils roles, ranked number two when it came to the list of most sought-after jobs. This was second only to ‘Healthcare Professional’ in popularity, ranking higher than ‘Legal Professional’ ‘Teacher’, ‘Designer’ or even ‘Social Media Influencer’. Drilling down, 8% were specifically interested an architectural career, potentially indicating why so many young people appear interested in making their mark in construction. Almost a third stated a passion for architecture and a similar number wanted to ‘create a better physical’ world, further supporting Gen Z’s growing reputation as the ‘sustainability generation’, regarding greener construction as a route to a lower carbon future An evolving industry Over a third flagged they were interested in construction because they see it as an industry ‘going through a massive, positive change’. This might reflect a growing public awareness over the past few years around the sector’s growing diversity, greater digital adoption and greener approaches to business. Emphasising the impact innovation is having on the industry, three quarters of respondents also recognised that ‘a lot’ or a ‘fair amount’ of technology is used in contemporary construction. Unsurprisingly, salary and earning potential were a main motivator. ‘Good pay’ ranked top of the incentive list, followed by a good home and work balance (2), a respectful working environment (3), interesting work (4) and working with nice people (5). Train Drain However, despite an uplift in interest from a younger generation looking to make their way in the industry, another recent study by the Association of Colleges (AoC) found skills shortages amongst staff looking to teach construction are stalling progress. Putting the problem into context, 85% of further education colleges have struggled to secure staff to teach the relevant subjects. It’s a problem that will need to be addressed should the indicative findings of NBS’s report be borne out in reality and an influx of interest in construction roles occurs over the next six months. Haworth concludes: “This study has proven to be a litmus test of where the industry is heading within the next twenty years – seeing more women and greater diversity entering the workforce will only continue its upward trajectory. With so much interest from young people our next challenge is turning interest into long and fruitful careers.” To see the full survey data, click here
AFTER undergoing extensive roof and structural restoration assisted by a scaffolding structure weighing more than eight blue whales, the team behind the transformation of Derby’s iconic Market Hall has revealed that the first phase of work has now completed. The Grade II listed Victorian market hall, which has been trading since 1866, will be transformed into a contemporary and vibrant cultural and retail destination. Wates Construction, which has an extensive track record of heritage restoration projects around the UK, has been leading an expert project team of local architects and engineers on the flagship project, comprising Latham Architects, Rogers Leask, and Clancy Consultants. The work completed includes masonry repairs to the building envelope, internal cleaning of the roof structure, and lead paint removal before the challenging and extensive heritage glazed roof replacement works. This included increasing ridge height to accommodate natural ventilation for the building, copper roof replacement, gutter and rainwater works, access equipment, localised electric works, lightening protection, and decoration. John Carlin, Regional Director at Wates Construction, said: “It has been a privilege to work on the restoration and transformation of such an iconic and unique building, maintaining its historic charm but also bringing it into the council’s overall modern vision for the revitalisation of the wider city centre. “Before this work on the roof was carried out, the Market Hall often had to close to customers for safety reasons if there was possibility of strong winds, snow, or heavy rain in case the glass windows came out of their frames. Along with the extensive restoration of the roof structure, all of these windows have now been replaced, meaning that closing the market and disrupting trade just for weather will no longer be necessary.” “Making sure that trading could continue while initial surveys and work on the roof took place was particularly important. To do this, we installed a scaffolding structure to give access to the roof without disrupting ground level activity. It was an impressive feat of engineering all by itself, which would have spanned more than 62 miles if placed end-to-end and weighed almost 900 tonnes, but it really was the key to making sure trade could continue despite our ongoing work, supporting the city’s traders post-pandemic.” Throughout the process, the project team supported traders and the council project team to a high level, offering tours and site visits, as well as engaging with local sixth-form college students and a range of industry professionals to involve the local community in the project. The team is now looking forward to commencing the second phase of the regeneration programme, which is set for later this year and will focus on internal and external configuration to transform the look and feel of the building. Raised concrete floor plinths that currently house individual market stalls will be removed to create a more airy, open and accessible space, with the ground level intended to provide space for up to 32 market stalls, which will be portable for flexibility. Meanwhile, the interior balcony area will provide an opportunity to accommodate a small business incubator, and to provide space for special themed markets, such as antiques or crafts. The entrances to the Market Hall are also set to be improved in the upcoming phase of work, allowing market activity to flow seamlessly into the surrounding streets and creating an attractive and flexible space in the adjacent Osnabruck Square. The Market Hall is located within Derby’s City Centre Conservation Area, which also contains Derby Cathedral, the Silk Mill, and the Guildhall Theatre, and was originally designed by Derbyshire engineer Rowland Mason Ordish. When completed, it will complement the emerging Cultural Hub, which aims to re-energise the day and night-time economies and drive stronger footfall in the Market Place and wider city centre Councillor Mick Barker, Cabinet Member for Governance and Deputy Leader of Derby City Council, said: “Derby Market Hall is one of the city’s most beautiful and prominent buildings, which connects key areas of our city centre. “As a Grade II listed building, it deserves tasteful and sympathetic attention to detail to its renovation. Quality takes time and we’re delighted to see that this striking copper roof has now been finished, which paves the way for the rest of the Market Hall’s transformation. “Soon we can move onto the internal renovation and give Derby a fantastic market, which is full of life and which will help draw people back into the heart of our city.” Wates Construction was appointed via SCAPE’s Major Works framework. The second phase of development is set to commence on site in Q4 2022, with an aim to complete in 2024. For more information, please visit https://www.wates.co.uk/
Commercial interiors specialists Paramount say they are “proud” to have been appointed to create an “inspiring workplace” at the heart of historic Bath’s flagship regeneration project. The Paramount Bristol-based team are masterminding the interior design of the prestigious new office space in the Bath Quays office building for leading local financial services consultancy and software provider, Altus. Paramount, whose headquarters are in Cardiff, were engaged by Altus to transform the 9,445 sq ft workspace on the top floor of the five-storey, energy-efficient office building, after Altus had signed a deal to move its headquarters to the city centre site. It confirmed Altus as one of the first tenants of No 1 Bath Quays – the first new office block to be built in Bath for a generation and a key part in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s ambitious regeneration programme and climate emergency priority. Paramount Client Lead Carly Willis said: “Paramount create places where people want to be; workspaces that inspire employees and embrace well-being. “We have relished working closely with Altus to create an inspirational, attractive, sustainable, and eco-friendly workplace for a company at the forefront of bold local authority plans to revitalise Bath as an economic hub. “Our objective for the new Altus office is to create an uplifting workplace that is both a showcase to clients and a joy for staff – high-end destination space that encourages positive interactions between staff and clients. “Bath is a stunning city, famously steeped in history. We are proud to play a part in ensuring it enjoys a vibrant commercial future, creating a workplace that will help Altus – and Bath as a whole – go from strength to strength.” In order to ensure that the new workplace met Altus requirements and post-pandemic hybrid working habits, Paramount conducted a company-wide staff survey and several stakeholder engagement sessions. Results showed an increased need for a variety of meeting places, easy access to video conferencing, privacy, enhanced acoustics and plenty of collaborative social space. Paramount Lead Designer Bethan Hellings said: “The words ‘collaborative’, ‘spacious’ and ‘fun’ came up time and again during our engagement sessions and they’ve coloured my work in more ways than one. “Finishes have been carefully selected to be soft and calming yet also happy and bright and we have been particularly mindful of enhancing light and space, avoiding dark colours and keeping the space as open as possible. A calming base palette is unobtrusive and minimises visual stress, but we have also added uplifting colour accents to add life to the space.” Timber finishes provide warmth and bring natural texture. Rounded corners provide soft transitions and easy movement between spaces and angles have been used throughout in desk positioning and floor finishes to create more interesting sightlines. Now the new office, which includes a terrace offering stunning views of the city, is in the final stages of development, with Altus staff expected to move in by mid-October. The move will represent a significant milestone for the Bath business, which was founded in 2005 by a small group of friends, but which now employs more than 100 people and prides itself on its strong roots in the local community. Altus Consulting Director Martyn Evans said: “Paramount are very much like Altus in size, culture, values, and their team just ‘got us’. They are very receptive to our ambition to provide an inspiring workplace for our staff while focusing on environmental consciousness. “Our new HQ will provide the next step in the growth of our business and will provide an inspiring place to work for current and future staff. We are delighted to be moving the business to No 1 Bath Quays and to be part of the city’s regeneration journey.” The 4.5-acre Bath Quays project incorporates a blend of historic buildings and contemporary architecture and will become a key strategic site for the city centre. Councillor Kevin Guy, Bath and North East Somerset Council leader, said: “We are delighted Altus has chosen No 1 Bath Quays for its new headquarters. This is an excellent endorsement of our commitment to delivering market-leading, next generation workspaces to help attract skills and talent to Bath.”
The new partnership with Node will see the firm deliver 63 luxury apartments in Brixton, with premium views across London. Enrok Construction has commenced work with Node to deliver 63 one-and-two-bed luxury apartments in Brixton, London. The construction specialist has worked on the project since March 2022 and is now able to announce the formal contract. In a short time Enrok has played a pivotal role, completing roof works, installing windows and commencing the cladding and internal fit out, and is now committed to the successful completion of the scheme. In its entirety, the project will see the conversion of a four-story building on Shakespeare Road with work to include the development of a fifth additional floor containing 6 additional luxury apartments. The penthouses will boast premium views across the capital city with a number of iconic buildings in sight, including The Shard, The City, Canary Wharf, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. Speaking on the project, Simon Bennett MCIOB, Enrok’s Operations Manager, commented: “We have been working closely with the team at Node for four months now, and it’s great to be able to shout about what will become our flagship project. “Building outwards is not always feasible in high-density areas, so developing upwards is an effective solution – and something that is becoming increasingly popular across London and other densely populated cities where space is at a premium. “Working in London does come with its own challenges, but our project planning and existing presence in London has enabled us to hit the ground running on the scheme and we are looking forward to delivering it successfully. “We hope that this marks the start of a strong working relationship with Node and very much look forward to the prospect of future collaborations.” Enrok Construction is a privately owned construction company, operating across the UK from its headquarters in Derbyshire. The firm provides developers and clients from the UK and beyond with an all-inclusive construction service. It has built a reputation across the Midlands for consistently designing, building and project managing the delivery of homes and commercial buildings that people aspire to live, work, socialise and visit and which benefit their communities.
You work hard at your business every single day. You have employees you are responsible for. If yours is a construction business, understanding the power of photography can be truly eye-opening. So how can it help your business? There are many aspects of it you need to understand before you make use of it. Build Your Brand Whether you have a construction company that is a newbie in the field or one that has been there for generations, you know how important it is to build a brand. High-quality photography can mean that for your business. With great photographs, you can build your brand so that you can do better. The thing you must understand here is that Robert Lowdon Photography can make your business look far more professional than it usually is. This will help it look more credible so that you can offer something more to your competition. Good photographs will tell your clients that you are a professional company and will help them arrive at a decision quicker. So don’t try saving money when you are looking for a photographer for your construction business because it can bring in more customers. Powerful Assets Think that a photo is just that, a photo? Well, the answer is no. Photos are a lot more than that. If used correctly, they can be assets. You can use them in powerful and versatile ways. You can use them on social media or you can use them on your offline marketing materials. They can be extremely useful in projecting the right image for your business. When you invest money in high-quality photography, you will be able to avoid stock photos and instead use your real business photos. High-Quality Portfolio A great reason why construction businesses can benefit greatly from photography is that they will be able to build you a good portfolio. Portfolios are everything because it is what potential clients are going to want to take a look at. You need to have things in your portfolio that you are proud of having done in the past. This is where good photographs come in. Clients always want to see what they are getting into and a good strong portfolio is just what you are going to need to woo them. Being Creative The construction business is a lot about creativity because you create an image in your mind first. This is then created on paper and pen and only after that, is the first stone cast. So being creative is the nature of the profession. A good photography professional will be able to do a lot in the creative department and your business will be thankful for this. Choosing the Right Photography Professional It is imperative to choose a photography professional who has the right background for your construction business. You want someone with the following qualities: Years of Experience: It is important to find someone who has loads of experience working with construction businesses. The firm should know how to best bring out the construction landscape so that clients want to book their appointments. It is said that a picture can say a thousand words. You need someone who can say a thousand words in favor of your business with a simple photograph. Drone Technology: You definitely need someone who has the right equipment and technology for drone photography. It is the latest thing in the photography industry and is something that can be used to capture absolutely amazing photographs and you don’t want to miss out on it. Architectural Photography Expertise: Construction businesses delve into architecture and all it brings to the table. So it is in your best interest if you can get a firm to do the photography that has enough expertise in architectural photography. This way you will get some amazing shots you can use any way you like. It is amazing how much photography can do to any business. But it can perhaps do the most when it is the construction businesses we are talking about. It is possible to take your construction business places by choosing good photography. Amazing photographs can attract the eyes of your potential clients and have them ask for more. Let them see dreams about the kind of construction you can make happen with just one photograph. Make sure you keep in mind all the things mentioned in this article before making a decision about a photography firm or professional and you will thank yourself later.
Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has further strengthened its portfolio in London and the South East, with the acquisition of two prime urban logistics estates in Park Royal and Watford. This transaction continues the company’s strategic focus on Greater London, following recent acquisitions in Croydon and Erith in July. Comprising more than 360,000 sq. ft. of prime last-mile logistics space, on a total of 17 acres, both estates offer a range of Grade A units and are 100% leased to customers operating in diverse industry sectors including distribution, construction, pharmaceutical and film and television. Located in two densely populated urban markets, Prologis Central Park (Park Royal) and Prologis Imperial Park (Watford) are strong additions to the UK portfolio, with both benefiting from excellent connectivity to London and beyond. Situated at the heart of Park Royal, the capital’s premier industrial and logistics estate, Central Park was built in 2014 to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification. Imperial Park was built in phases from 2000 and is well located less than 5 minutes from Junction 5, M1 in Watford, north west London’s principal commercial district. The purchase of both assets complements Prologis UK’s existing portfolio – expanding holdings at Park Royal and, in the case of Watford, increasing the company’s presence along the southern M1-London corridor. The Watford site in particular adds to a number of successful projects in Hemel Hempstead. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK: “The purchase of these prime urban logistics estates illustrates our confidence in and appetite to grow our last mile offering servicing London and the South East. We look forward to working with new customers across the two parks, all of whom are welcome additions to our business.” The assets were acquired from Schroders Capital who were advised by Gerald Eve.
Earn while you learn with LABC’s funded training scheme Local Authority Building Control (LABC), the membership organisation for 3,500 public service building surveyors in England and Wales, has launched a fully funded trainee scheme to attract new recruits into the profession. Following the landmark Building Safety Act 2022, LABC is boosting building control capacity in light of new responsibilities and support for the Building Safety Regulator. The regulator will be responsible for ensuring the safety of all new higher risk buildings and for the oversight of 12,000 existing occupied tall buildings. The capacity building programme will see more than 150 people recruited into the building control profession with a three year fully funded learning and development plan. LABC is looking for people who can demonstrate leadership skills, solve problems creatively and work under pressure. The programme is nationwide with a clear progression pathway. The funded scheme means learning and development will be fully subsidised, and recruits will be paid while they study and progress. The programme allows trainees to gain the skills, knowledge and experience to be able to competently deal with the full range of building work and other statutory functions undertaken by building control. Trainees’ specific development and learning will be supported while they undertake studies for the Level 4 and Level 5 Diplomas in Building Control followed by funded level 6 (degree level) learning once they are in permanent employment with a local authority. The educational programme provided by LABC is combined with experiential learning gained while being placed with a local authority building control team. Shadowing building control professionals gives recruits first hand opportunity to see how the knowledge they gain is applied practically to make sure buildings are safe. Once a trainee successfully completes each stage of learning and has gained sufficient experience, they can take the relevant validation assessment through the Building Safety Competence Foundation (BSCF). After the three-year programme trainees will be able to apply for roles within local authority building control teams – this could be as an assistant building control surveyor or higher, depending on how well they progress. Details of the scheme can be found here.
NIBE Energy Systems has launched a brand-new Photovoltaic-Thermal (PV-T) and Heat Pump solution which offers an innovative approach of transforming a NIBE “ground-source” heat pump product into a “multi-source” heat pump product. NIBE PV-T collector is an alternative, innovative, and silent heat source for use with NIBE ground source heat pumps, removing the requirement of a ground or bore hole collector array. The PV-T collectors produce electrical energy that can be used to operate a ground source heat pump. On a hot day, the circulating brine helps cool the PV-T panel, increasing PV-T generation efficiency. Following successful trials in homes and public sector buildings in the UK, NIBE is pleased to officially launch this new technology which produces two types of energy, thermal energy and electricity, by using a unique solar panel. The PV-T system builds on NIBE’s promise to continuously update its products, and to make it easy to be ‘smart.’ The system was recently successfully installed at the University of West London. The ground-breaking scheme is considered as one of the largest of its kind in the world and was made possible thanks to a £5 million Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund. The project involved the replacement of old gas boilers with ground source heat pumps alongside 580 solar PV-T panels. The site remained active throughout the build due to the use of prefabricated structures and the innovative PV-T design removing the need for extensive groundworks. Jonny Hancock, Product Manager at NIBE Energy Systems (UK) said: “The NIBE PV-T collector is an alternative, innovative and silent heat source for use with NIBE ground source heat pumps. The installation of a PV-T array can be utilised as a direct alternative or supplement to a traditional borehole or surface collector, while delivering the same levels of efficiency. It is also an excellent solution for when an air/water solution is not desirable. “PV-T panels are equipped with PV cells at the front that convert sunlight into electricity. The rear consists of a thermal heat exchanger that extracts aerothermal energy from the ambient air. The operation of the heat exchanger is therefore comparable to that of an air/water heat pump, without the requirement of a mechanical fan. A PV-T system therefore works 100% silently. Depending on the heating requirements, they can replace traditional boreholes or ground arrays, minimising disruption and removing the need for extensive ground works which can be impractical on some sites.” The PV-T collector is designed so that even on cloudy days and at night, the heat exchanger provides sufficient energy for the heat pump. In warmer months, the heat extracted by the collector helps cool the PV aperture surface, improving generation efficiency. The system has also been designed to provide additional comfort in the summer through passive cooling – increasing efficiencies and maximising carbon savings. It can also be used in new build properties to provide an efficient solution where noise is a concern and space is at a premium.
Contractor Henry Brothers has handed over a new extension at Glossopdale School to Derbyshire County Council. The £4million extension is the second phase of the Council’s plan to increase capacity at the school, which can now take up to 1,440 pupils. The new space will provide an additional nine teaching spaces comprising eight standard classrooms and a demonstration science lab. It will also provide flexible options for dining and social spaces and extra staff workrooms. Ian Taylor, Managing Director of Henry Brothers Midlands, said: “Having built the main Glossopdale School, which has proved so popular, Henry Brothers is delighted to have now delivered an extension to create additional space for a further 200 students. “We have partnered with Derbyshire County Council on several school projects over recent years, helping to enhance facilities, and it’s great to see the completion of this latest scheme. “Working alongside employers agent Concertus, DLA Architecture, civil and structural engineer Curtins and Couch Perry Wilkes for M & E services, Henry Brothers has helped to deliver a superb scheme, which will allow additional pupils to attend this popular school.” The addition, which was funded by the Council, is set into the hillside and also includes a new multi-use outdoor games area for play and PE. Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Alex Dale, said: “It’s great to see the handover of the new phase of the planned Glossopdale expansion, and we’re really pleased that it’s been delivered ahead of the original strategy to help us meet local demand. “We’re committed to ensuring young people in Derbyshire have the best possible start in life and access to a high-quality education is at the heart of that. I’m really pleased that the school will be welcoming pupils back into this new space from September.” Jess Etienne, Key Account Manager at Concertus Design & Property Consultants, said: “Considering the economic climate during the construction period, we are pleased to have been able to play our part in delivering these high-quality educational facilities and we are so thrilled with the outcome. The close and positive working relationship between Concertus, Derbyshire County Council, and Henry Brothers has played an instrumental part in the success of this project, and we are excited to see the students continue their journey in their new setting.” Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Midlands is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. Henry Brothers is on a carbon reduction journey and is committed to cutting its carbon emissions by 50% by the year 2030, and to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For more information, visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk
