A new outdoor space for the students at Alsager School in Cheshire has been created with the installment of an innovative canopy. The £320,000 development involved the design, build and installation of a sleek new ETFE canopy to enclose what was previously an open courtyard. A lightweight steel space frame
Dulux has been named the UK’s most innovative brand by BrandZ, the largest global brand equity platform, in its second annual review. The 2018 BrandZ list places the paint brand ahead of names such as Dyson, Brewdog, Innocent and Sky, hailing its innovation in product development, its world leading colour
When we think of all the technology advancements that were introduced through the innovative and futuristic thinking of architects, engineers and surveyors, it’s perhaps ironic that the industry itself has been a slow adopter of strategic digitalisation. According to KPMG’s 2017 global survey, 72% of engineering and construction executives stated
Innovations are crucial in every industry for supporting business growth and success. Here Jake Sinna, vice president of international sales at surface preparation specialist National Flooring Equipment, explains why innovative technologies are important in surface preparation. When electrical engineer, George De Mestral and his dog returned from a hunting
The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has introduced a “radical new approach” to inspiring innovation in the built environment, after launching its first Innovation Lab that will offer workshops and collaborative opportunities to develop new solutions in the construction industry. Announced on Thursday (5 January), UK-GBC’s Innovation Lab brings in
Cardiff University has unveiled a new £300 million Innovation Campus which will look to support tech start-ups and research. The new space, which is due to start construction in early 2017, will be based at the university’s Maindy Park. It will be a hub for university students, researchers, businesses and
Introducing the World’s First Elevated Home: Is It the Answer to the UK’s Housing Issues? While some industries are constantly heralded as holding the keys to a bright and progressive future, others are derided as moribund and increasingly irrelevant in the modern age. Take manufacturing, for example, which despite accounting
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
A new outdoor space for the students at Alsager School in Cheshire has been created with the installment of an innovative canopy. The £320,000 development involved the design, build and installation of a sleek new ETFE canopy to enclose what was previously an open courtyard. A lightweight steel space frame – the first of its kind supporting an ETFE membrane in the UK – was delivered by Yorkshire-headquartered Access North Build to span the quad. The biggest challenge of the innovative project was the location and layout of the outdoor space, which was enclosed by existing buildings on all sides. Due to that, the superstructure, which is over 400 square feet in size, had to be assembled in the school car park before being carefully manoeuvred over the establishment and precisely into position on the pre-installed locating bolts. “This type of ETFE enclosure provides an extremely beneficial space for organisations within the education sector where student wellbeing is crucial. Additionally, the new ETFE canopy has a design life of 70 years providing it is regularly maintained, but if the time comes when it is no longer required, the ETFE membrane and steel space frame are recyclable, extending the environmental-friendliness of the build with the circular economy in mind,” said Access North Group managing director, Berenice Northcott. “We relished the challenges of this particular project. Craning a huge space frame over a school and courtyard – which was bordered on all sides – without damaging buildings or people, was a testament to the planning, organisation and attention to detail of the team. The new roof has transformed a previously under-utilised area into a light and airy multifunctional space, resulting in a positive impact on staff and pupils,” Berenice added.
Dulux has been named the UK’s most innovative brand by BrandZ, the largest global brand equity platform, in its second annual review. The 2018 BrandZ list places the paint brand ahead of names such as Dyson, Brewdog, Innocent and Sky, hailing its innovation in product development, its world leading colour expertise, its approach to sustainability and its commitment to new technology. Five specific developments were highlighter, including Dulux’s expertise in the art and science of colour, as represented by its annual Colour of the Year and ColourFutures™ 2019. The second was the brand’s pioneering stance on sustainability in moving appliers, specifiers and homeowners away from solvent-based paints by providing proactive education on the benefits of water-based formulas. The third development was Dulux’s commitment to technology to support homeowners, naming the Dulux Visualizer, specifically, for allowing any room to be ‘virtually’ decorated in any Dulux colour in an instant. Fourthly was the success of the Dulux Academy – launched in March 2017 and now in numerous locations UK-wide – in continuing to upskill the trade in new techniques such as spray and urban effects. Finally, the list also praised the brand’s dedication to quality, with the production of Dulux materials in the UK coming from the world’s most advanced and sustainable paint factory in Ashington, Northumberland, which opened in 2017. At the heart of the Dulux brand is our mission to add colour to people’s lives, because we know – when used effectively – it can be absolutely transformative,” said Kathryn Ledson, marketing director of Dulux. “Today’s accolade is testament to a UK-wide team of experts who work everyday to make a meaningful difference, ensuring we are continuously raising the bar when it comes the quality of our products, our leadership in colour and our commitment to cutting-edge consumer solutions. As a result of this tireless dedication to innovate, we ensure that – as a brand – our tools, services and expertise has the power to transform spaces and improve lives,” she added. All these innovations saw the brand value of Dulux, owned by Dutch paints and coatings company AkzoNobel, rise by almost a fifth (18%) year on year in the BrandZ list, which is run by advertising giant WPP, in association with market data group Kantar. This saw it place 50th overall in the list of the UK’s most valuable brands.
When we think of all the technology advancements that were introduced through the innovative and futuristic thinking of architects, engineers and surveyors, it’s perhaps ironic that the industry itself has been a slow adopter of strategic digitalisation. According to KPMG’s 2017 global survey, 72% of engineering and construction executives stated that technological innovation has a role in their vision. However, with less than half integrating a strategy, planning and the implementation of tech is certainly an area that needs more thought. While firms are undoubtedly optimistic about the potential of technology – with a greater push towards new approaches such as drones, 3-D printing and autonomous vehicles – some players in the industry are yet to make use of those tools which streamline or completely automate processes. This is something which I feel needs to be addressed in light of recent data from Mckinsey which revealed that large projects across sectors and asset classes are running behind schedule and up to 80% over budget. Tight and timely financial management may not be helped by the fact that many site offices rely on manual, paper-based procedures. Indeed, my conversations with clients suggests that a lack of information digitalisation can lead to inaccurate project cost forecasting with unaccounted contract labour fees arguably creating the greatest challenge. In fact, the KPMG survey revealed that out of all the technologies, project management information systems (PMIS) were considered to hold the greatest potential in delivering value, yet just one-fifth (20%) of firms have implemented a PMIS. So while high profile advanced technologies are taking centre stage – and admittedly serving their purpose – firms must also ensure that they are taking advantage of data analytics and implementing systems that can streamline processes, add value, and condense budgets. As Mckinsey’s research shows, a strong assortment of digital tools can reduce project costs by up to 45%. In particular, with the rapid rise of a contingent workforce on site, failing to ensure real-time visibility of project costs can have a significant impact on project performance that is only recognised after its conclusion. This all suggests that technology focussed construction firms can gain more immediate and substantive benefits from the digitalisation of project cost control before they look to the operational advantages of drones and robotics. By getting to grips with the key functionalities which harness a successful project from start to finish, rather than focusing solely on the latest advancements in high-tech machinery, companies will reap long-term rewards. As construction projects continue to grow in scale and inevitably become more complex, the need to integrate technology across the entire construction management remit is arguably more important than ever. Drey Francis is Director at VMS and Recruitment Agency Back Office supplier, Engage.
Innovations are crucial in every industry for supporting business growth and success. Here Jake Sinna, vice president of international sales at surface preparation specialist National Flooring Equipment, explains why innovative technologies are important in surface preparation. When electrical engineer, George De Mestral and his dog returned from a hunting trip in 1941, he noticed several spiny seeds stuck to his clothes and the dog’s fur. Close investigations of the seeds led to his invention of sticky strips, which were patented under the name Velcro in 1955. Although it took more than a decade, De Mestral’s innovative idea brought him huge success. Innovation is also important in the surface preparation industry. There are three main reasons why it’s important to maintain an awareness of the updates in the field and spot the innovations that will benefit your business. Competition The construction industry is highly competitive — the number of construction firms in Great Britain increased to a record high in 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics. In addition, due to improvements in transport links, communication platforms and economic developments in other countries, competition is emerging from further afield. The increase in competition is not a bad thing. It means that the industry standard is consistently being driven to improve. However, it does mean you must keep one eye on your competitors to ensure that you don’t fall behind. There’s more to innovation in surface preparation than using the most advanced, intelligent and powerful machines. It’s also important to consider the customer’s continually evolving needs. Customer fashions, expectations and economic pressures are never static and businesses can gain a competitive edge by adapting their equipment and processes to suit the current customer demands. In general, contractors can expect that by using the latest technology, the quality of their surface preparation work will be higher. Businesses can improve their reputation even further by demonstrating high productivity. Productivity For five decades before the recent economic downturn, the average output for each employee in the UK rose by approximately two per cent per year, according to the Office for National Statistics. This growth has now slowed to an average of 0.5 per cent per year, giving rise to an industry challenge commonly referred to as the productivity puzzle. To increase their productivity, surface preparation contractors must make sure they are using the best machines for the job. For example, National Flooring Equipment’s scrapers run with a greater torque than those of its competitors — almost double in some cases — which translates to greater productivity. In particular, the company’s 5700 battery ride-on scraper and 6280 Commander hydraulic walk-behind scraper demonstrate very high torque and therefore productivity. Many other industries, especially manufacturing, are looking to automated equipment to increase productivity. It’s possible that the surface preparation industry will follow suit in the future, which would allow National Flooring Equipment to further increase the productivity of its machines. Facing challenges There are some common challenges that surface preparation contractors face. For example, following the repair of a cracked concrete surface, contractors often find that the repair concrete de-bonds from the substrate. The reason for this is insufficient or ineffective surface preparation prior to making the repairs. Another challenge is that some flooring materials are notoriously difficult to remove, requiring extremely powerful machines. Scrapers with a greater weight make stronger contact with the floor and are ideal for these applications. Most of the practical difficulties that contractors face with surface preparation jobs can be overcome by using high quality, well maintained and modern machinery. National Flooring Equipment’s customers receive personalised face-to-face advice on how to overcome their individual challenges, as well as tips on getting the most out of their machinery. On top of the face-to-face service, the company’s YouTube channel provides video tutorials giving information about how to use its machines. What does innovation look like? Dual lift ride-on scrapers are one of the most recent innovative technologies in the surface preparation industry. The angle of the blade allows the machines to be much lighter and more productive than alternative scrapers, helping contractors to tackle the productivity puzzle. The 5700 battery powered ride-on scraper pairs dual-lift functionality with a high torque, giving extremely high productivity. National Flooring Equipment does not rely on Velcro for its success but is constantly introducing more recent innovations to its product portfolio. The company is currently working with some of its customers in the US to develop the next generation of surface preparation technology that will reset the market. The specifics of the new technology remain a well-kept secret for now, but contractors should certainly watch this space.
The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has introduced a “radical new approach” to inspiring innovation in the built environment, after launching its first Innovation Lab that will offer workshops and collaborative opportunities to develop new solutions in the construction industry. Announced on Thursday (5 January), UK-GBC’s Innovation Lab brings in Canary Wharf Group, Land Securities and Marks & Spencer (M&S) as lead partners in the initiative’s overall aim to foster innovative sustainability solutions and explore future trends of the built environment. UK-GBC’s head of leadership and innovation Cat Hirst said: “Research and Development levels across our industry are painfully low; the UK currently only spends £43m on construction R&D. The risks to a single company of investing in developing a solution for such a high-cost industry is often seen as prohibitive. But we desperately need to find ways of working together to achieve radical change if we are to challenge business as usual and transition to a sustainable way of working. “At UK-GBC we’re seeking to catalyse this change by using our unique position to convene our member organisations to work together to address the issues our industry faces. We want to ensure there is the time, space, and structure for open innovation to occur for the built environment.” The Innovation Lab officially began last month with a workshop aimed at identifying “breakthrough challenges” that will form the basis for the next nine-months of workshops and programmes; Thursday marks the official announcement from UK-GBC. The initial workshop highlighted the key challenges that the industry will face in regards to climate resilience, resource efficiency and technological advancements. The next workshop will be held on 1 February and the open format allows members to collaborate to share both risks and rewards. Land Securities head of sustainability Caroline Hill said: “The Innovation Lab will provide us with an exciting opportunity to work and collaborate with businesses in the property industry, to explore innovative sustainable solutions. Most importantly we want to see how sustainability can help to break through some of the challenges our sector is currently facing.” Read more here.
Cardiff University has unveiled a new £300 million Innovation Campus which will look to support tech start-ups and research. The new space, which is due to start construction in early 2017, will be based at the university’s Maindy Park. It will be a hub for university students, researchers, businesses and those from the public sector. It features two new 12,000 square metre buildings, which have been designed by architectural practices Hawkins Brown and Hok, alongside site masterplanner BDP and town planning consultancy DPP. Vice chancellor of the university Professor Colin Riordan says he hopes the new campus will “create opportunities for all”, and will be a place for “cutting-edge research, technology transfer, business development and student enterprise”. The campus will include facilities such as a research centre for compound semi-conductors, a facility to support research in chemical sciences, a research park dedicated to social design projects, and The Innovation Centre, a creative hub for start-up companies. There will also be an exhibition and events space in the Innovation Centre, and areas open to the public. The space will also feature lettable office and lab spaces available both to start-ups and big companies. Alongside the two buildings, a bridge has also been built which connects the Innovation Campus with Cardiff Business School. Oliver Milton, partner at Hawkins Brown, says: “In generating our design for the Innovation Central Building, we worked closely with Cardiff University to develop new models for space use…” “This resulted in a very clear design with interactive working spaces organised around a central ‘oculus’ that connects the seven storeys.” Shared facilities include a Ted-ex style event and talking space, and a fabrication lab to trial new manufacturing technologies. Adrian Gainer, regional leader at Hok’s Science and Technology group, says the semi-conductor and chemical sciences labs have been designed “to enable multidisciplinary research to flourish”.
Introducing the World’s First Elevated Home: Is It the Answer to the UK’s Housing Issues? While some industries are constantly heralded as holding the keys to a bright and progressive future, others are derided as moribund and increasingly irrelevant in the modern age. Take manufacturing, for example, which despite accounting for 52% of UK exports and generating 2.5 million jobs in the UK is still viewed as a declining entity. A similar gap between perception and reality is also evident in the construction sector, particularly as the demand for new homes has suffered in line with rising price points. Despite this and the challenges created by Brexit, however, the construction sector actually showcased impressive growth while the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index increased to a healthy 52.6. The World’s First Elevated Home, and What Will it Means for the UK? While supply, demand and determinism shape the robust nature of the construction sector, however, there is another important factor at play. This is innovation, which was in evidence recently as a UK developer applied for planning permission to construct an experimental property that can rise on jacks in the event of a flood. Although still at the planning and stage, the idea is the subject of both domestic and international patents and it has the potential to revolutionise the property market (particularly in the UK). The structure itself, which will be built in Spalding, Lincolnshire once planning permission has been granted, will sit on a steel ring beam instead of conventional foundations. It will also boast a modular, steel-frame design that can be easily disassembled at will, while the mechanical jacking system (which includes eight individual jacks) will be powered by a central metre and elevate the property by up to 1.5 metres. According to moderate estimates, this system can fully elevate the property within a period of five minutes, enabling home-owners to react to unexpected flooding and safeguard their home before seeking out temporary accommodation. Are There Any Potential Issues with the Build, and How Might it Influence the Marketplace? Aside from planning delays and potential construction issues, there are other issues that may prevent this innovative project from coming to fruition. To begin with, the cost of the build is likely to be high, particularly when you scale the idea and factor in features such as integrated, rooftop solar panels and complex pipe networks. Given the challenges that construction firms face when attempting to budget their working capital across large-scale projects, an inflated cost base could make the completion of multiple units unlikely in the near-term. With that being said, however, there is no doubt that this ground-breaking concept could have a seminal impact on the housing market in the UK. Not only could it increase the level of demand for property in coastal areas, for example, but it may even enable private sector firms to build on land that is currently inaccessible due to the risk of flooding. With demand currently outstripping supply in the housing market, elevating homes could correct this imbalance and lower price points accordingly. This is a long way off, of course, and there are many challenges to overcome before the first elevating house can even by built. If the concept is a commercial and theoretical success, however, it could open up more land to construction firms and help to re-establish a viable equilibrium in the property market.
