Known for their durability, versatility and timeless beauty, quartz worktops offer a range of benefits that make them a top choice for any residential development. While the initial investment may be higher than some alternative materials, the long-term benefits and the value added to any property make quartz worktops a
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which
Beard Construction has been named as the chosen contractor by Gloucestershire College for its £5 million sustainable construction centre in Cheltenham. The project, which is set to begin this month, will see the construction of the 14,000 square-foot facility and will feature 10 plumbing bays, 12 electrical bays and 20
GMI Construction has scooped contract with Olympian Homes to build a £50 million student accommodation scheme on the site of a former cinema and Bingo Hall in York. Located to the south east of the city centre, in the Fulford area, the 80,000 sq foot site will feature a four
Beard has started construction work on the state-of-the-art STEM centre for Richmond upon Thames College. The Guildford office of award-winning contractor Beard has begun work on a state-of-the-art STEM centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at Richmond upon Thames College. Awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the £10 million project
Caddick Construction Group has been awarded the contract to build a new manufacturing plant in East Yorkshire on behalf of Yara. Caddick’s appointment to the flagship development will see the Yorkshire-based contractor deliver a £28m contract, including the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, warehouses, distribution facilities and offices. The
Contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new 964-space Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) at North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH). The firm has delivered £36.5 million of enabling works ahead of the wider rebuilding of the estate, including temporary car parking, asbestos removal, demolition and the new-build MSCP and Cycle Hub.
Plans to develop a multi-level last-mile logistics scheme on Mandela Way in Southwark have been given the green light. This is the latest scheme in British Land’s 2.9m sq ft pipeline. The site sits close to the junction of New Kent Road, Old Kent Road and Tower Bridge Road and
A total of £1.67 million is to be invested to refurbish platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly Station. Network Rail teams will start to overhaul the lounge above the station’s busiest platforms which see up to 40,000 passengers every day. The investment will bring: During the upgrade work the
Trafford Council has given the green light to the new design for Therme Manchester. The updated scheme features a pavilion-style concept immersed and enveloped in a natural landscape. The decision coincides with the appointment of Professor David Russell as the first UK-based CEO of Therme UK and demonstrates a shift
Known for their durability, versatility and timeless beauty, quartz worktops offer a range of benefits that make them a top choice for any residential development. While the initial investment may be higher than some alternative materials, the long-term benefits and the value added to any property make quartz worktops a rewarding choice for house building professionals. Roann Limited, based in Wakefield, is a trusted supplier to some of the UK’s leading house builders and developers, including Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes. The company collaborates with various worktop providers across Europe to offer a range of products and finishes. As specialists in high-volume projects, Roann Limited has transformed the way house builders acquire worktops, by partnering with them to achieve substantial cost reductions on their development and project expenses. Scott Wharton, Operations Director, tells us more about the benefits of using quartz worktops in residential developments. Durability For house building professionals, durability is non-negotiable when selecting materials for new developments. Quartz worktops, which are engineered using a combination of natural quartz crystal and resin, exhibit remarkable resilience. This quality ensures that they can withstand the rigours of daily use, resisting stains, scratches and chips. Over the years, Caesarstone has grown to become a worldwide leader in kitchen worktops with an impressive range of products. Its quartz surfaces are made with up to 90% quartz minerals to give advantages that surpass those in marble, granite and other natural stones. Caesarstone is one of our most popular brands for good reason. It’s available in virtually any colour or pattern, and is incredibly easy to cut, so it can be customised to fit any shape or size – no matter how complicated! We recently completed a new development project in West London, where we installed 202 units of Caesarstone worktop. The end result is a modern, sleek aesthetic, tailored for contemporary living. Easy maintenance Unlike natural stones, quartz worktops are non-porous. This means that they do not absorb liquid or stains, and are resistant to bacteria or other microorganisms from spills. This makes quartz the obvious choice for busy and active households. Generally speaking, soap and water or a mild detergent are all that’s necessary to keep a quartz worktop sparkling clean. Another bonus of installing a quartz worktop is that there is no need for time-consuming and often expensive sealing that some natural stone worktops require. This allows house builders to complete projects efficiently and within budget, which is always a bonus! Aesthetically pleasing Quartz worktops are available in an extensive range of designs, colours and finishes. As the material is manmade, the design can be tailored to suit any interior. The consistency in colour and pattern across the entire surface will ensure a uniform and cohesive look. With the appearance and feel of natural quartz, Compac is a technological quartz that has high heat resistance and remarkable quality. It’s available in an extensive range of colours, designs, sizes, thickness and ornamentations. It’s ideal for kitchen worktops that are subject to extensive use. Sustainability House builders committed to sustainability may choose to install a quartz worktop as many of these surfaces are produced using recycled materials. This aligns with corporate social responsibility practices and contributes to a reduced carbon footprint. Manufactured with exclusive and innovative HybriQ technology, Silestone is a more sustainable approach to architectural surfaces. The products contain a minimum of 20% recycled materials, such as glass, along with premium natural materials that provide depth of colour and high performance. Since its creation, Silestone has set major trends in the market, transforming the world of kitchen worktops. Silestone is one of our bestsellers, and was selected as the worktop of choice for our biggest project to date earlier this year, a residential development in Finsbury Park, London. Worth over £676,000, the Woodberry Down project is a sustainable development which features over 5,500 new homes. “We’re extremely happy with Roann Limited’s performance. I’m getting good feedback from the site team and have had a look at some of the worktops myself, and they look great,” said James Riley, Senior Site Manager, Berkeley Group PLC. It’s a project dedicated to the natural environment and is focused on creating a sustainable community, an initiative we are keen to support through our own endeavours. We recently replaced all of our kitchen worktop packaging from single use plastic, to fully recyclable packaging, preventing 140kg of single use plastic going to landfill in 2023, through just one average project, and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint even further in the coming years. Silestone was also chosen as the upgraded worktop option by David Wilson Homes, part of the renowned brand Barratt Homes, on its Penning Ridge development based in Sheffield. “We are excited to be working with Roann Limited for our beautiful development, across our division at Barratt DWH Sheffield. The quality of the workmanship and service levels so far have been incredible,” added Simone Roberts, Sales Manager at David Wilson Homes Adding value The long-term benefits of quartz worktops include adding value to a home, as they are designed to stand the test of time. Using this superior material can enhance the marketability and resale value of homes, a crucial selling point for potential house buyers or investors. If budget is an issue, house builders may consider Fugen, which offers a more cost-effective surface than some of the premium brands – without compromising on quality or style. While there is only a limited range of colours and designs available, Fugen worktops boast all the benefits of other quartz worktops, including durability and easy maintenance. Warranty Many producers also provide warranty with their worktops, including Silestone which provides a 25 year warranty. This assurance of quality and longevity can provide peace of mind to house builders and potential house buyers. Whether house builders are renovating an existing property or developing a new one, quartz should be considered as the surface material of choice due to its attractive and superior qualities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which was designed by Lungfish Architects and led by land regeneration company, Harworth Group. The primary school in Swinfen Vale is due to open in September 2024 for the new school year and is the county’s first forest school, a model which endeavors to nurture creativity in line with play and activity to promote education. Lauren Allsop, senior project manager at Bentley spoke on construction starting on site, said: “The groundbreaking ceremony that recently took place was a significant step forward in what is an incredibly exciting project for us at Bentley. This project acts as a change of trajectory for education in the region and we’re proud to be able to use our expertise to see it come to life.” The construction of the school will consist of a series of pavilions, designed to offer a range of flexible teaching spaces including shared and outside areas. These classroom spaces have been designed to ensure optimal lighting and ventilation throughout. Tom Sewell, Regional Director at Stepnell, said: “The creative and sustainable design of the project aligns well with our complete construction offering at Stepnell. We’re proud of our ability to continuously create quality developments in the education sector and this project will be no exception. “As we continue to grow our strong regional reputation in the East Midlands, we’re excited to be working with Bentley Project Management and partners on what is an incredible project to expand the school offerings for the people of Coalville and the surrounding region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard Construction has been named as the chosen contractor by Gloucestershire College for its £5 million sustainable construction centre in Cheltenham. The project, which is set to begin this month, will see the construction of the 14,000 square-foot facility and will feature 10 plumbing bays, 12 electrical bays and 20 bays for carpentry, as well as four classrooms. With sustainability at its core, the training provision will be based on nationally set pathways and will embrace low-carbon energy and associated skills. In total, the construction centre will provide hands-on experience, expert training and key green skills to 164 learners every week. The new construction training centre forms part of the college’s vision to prepare the workforce of the future. It aims to help address the increasing demand for skilled construction workers in the region, which is projected to reach 6,400 annually by 2025. The facility also coincides with the shift towards net-zero carbon technologies in construction. Beard is working closely with the college and all partners to keep both staff and students safe and to minimise disruption. The project is being delivered through Beard’s Swindon office, with the contractor working alongside architects Roberts Limbrick, project managers Ridge and Partners LLP, quantity surveyors Ward Williams Associates and structural engineers Simpson Associates. Jamie Harwood, director at Beard, said: “Gloucestershire College has an exciting vision to not only increase routes into the industry, but to ensure new recruits are skilled to meet the challenges and opportunities of sustainability. These principles are key drivers for us at Beard and we are delighted to be working with the college as its chosen contractor. “For more than 130 years, Beard has built an established reputation in the education sector, whether it’s in primary, secondary, SEND provision or further education. We will utilise this expertise to help Gloucestershire College deliver a cutting-edge teaching and learning space for construction.” Matthew Burgess, principal at Gloucestershire College, added: “Our selection of Beard Construction is rooted in its exceptional reputation and demonstrated commitment to sustainable and high-quality builds. We sought a partner who shares our vision of preparing the talent of tomorrow for the evolving construction landscape. Beard’s proven expertise, coupled with its focus on minimising disruption and maximising collaboration, aligns with our objectives and we look forward to working with them over the coming year.” Across its offices in Swindon, Bristol, Oxford and Guildford, Beard has completed a number of projects within the education sector. In addition to extensive work in further education – including for Oxford University and its colleges, Beard has completed projects in primary, secondary and special education. The training centre marks a return to Cheltenham for Beard following the successful completion of The Quadrangle, a £12 million office refurbishment and extension project in the town centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction has scooped contract with Olympian Homes to build a £50 million student accommodation scheme on the site of a former cinema and Bingo Hall in York. Located to the south east of the city centre, in the Fulford area, the 80,000 sq foot site will feature a four storey building comprising of 275 beds and facilities including a gym yoga studio, games room, co-working and group dining areas. In recognition of the location’s history the scheme will feature a cinema. Other facilities will include integrated cycle parking and landscaped courtyards. This is the latest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development to be delivered by Olympian Homes, which is also active in hotel, Build to Rent, co-living and affordable housing sectors. This project is being delivered in partnership with funder Cain International. GMI has worked closely with Olympian Homes and its professional team throughout the Pre-Construction Services Agreement period to develop a buildable, cost-effective and sustainable design. Construction is due to begin in the coming weeks, following the completion of archaeological works. The site is located within an area of archaeological importance and adjacent to the Centra Core Historic Conservation Area. An open day displaying any finds will be held at the site once the archaeological works are complete. Olympian Homes’ scheme will be named Rialto House, recognising the famous cinema that once stood on the site. Opened in 1913 and demolished in 2003, the cinema played host to many famous performances, including The Beatles who performed there four times in 1963. GMI, which will utilise a predominantly local supply chain on the project, is highly active in the PBSA market, with this new development brining the number of student beds it is building in York to almost 600. This includes 303-beds at a scheme in James Street on behalf of York-based S Harrison Developments, which is currently under construction. Andrew Hurcomb, GMI Construction’s Regional Director for Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have secured this contract with Olympian Homes, which is allowing us to continue to contribute to the creation of much needed purpose-built student accommodation in York. Rialto House is a great location, close to the city centre and the university campuses and will support the city in attracting students who want to study in this beautiful and historic city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard has started construction work on the state-of-the-art STEM centre for Richmond upon Thames College. The Guildford office of award-winning contractor Beard has begun work on a state-of-the-art STEM centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at Richmond upon Thames College. Awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the £10 million project will see the construction of the new three-storey building, combining specialist classrooms and training spaces for science, engineering and construction, forensic sciences, computing and robotics. It will also consist of cutting-edge workshops, laboratories and even a laboratory for crime scene science. Each floor of the steel-frame building will be 1,300 square metres and will be fitted with an external cladding system to complement the existing college campus. To support biodiversity, the STEM centre will feature a wildflower roof and photovoltaic solar panels. Beard, along with architect 3BM and structural engineers HDR, have started work at the college’s brownfield site, following demolition of the existing building. Despite work taking place during term time, the active site is independent from the rest of the campus. Nonetheless, Beard has worked closely with the college to minimise disruption and ensure safety, implementing designated walkways and hoardings, as well as utilising traffic marshals and multiple entrances. The project, which is set to complete in the summer of 2024, is part of a wider whole site redevelopment of the college. The STEM centre marks phase two of works and follows the merger of Harrow, Richmond upon Thames and Uxbridge colleges (HRUC). Tom Jenkinson, director for Guildford, said: “Beard is well known within the education sector for building outstanding spaces for teaching and learning. We are delighted to be chosen by the college to deliver this modern addition to its campus. We have been working closely with the college and all our partners to ensure that the centre truly is state-of-the-art and provides the necessary spaces to meet the bespoke needs of each subject and specialist discipline. “With work now underway, we look forward to showcasing our expertise in the sector and delivering a sophisticated facility that will support today’s STEM learners and future cohorts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction Group has been awarded the contract to build a new manufacturing plant in East Yorkshire on behalf of Yara. Caddick’s appointment to the flagship development will see the Yorkshire-based contractor deliver a £28m contract, including the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, warehouses, distribution facilities and offices. The new 295,669 sq ft development will enable Yara to double production of its YaraVita speciality crop nutrition products and biostimulants, which are vital for future food security and mitigating climate change. Caddick’s construction of the new plant is expected to reach completion next summer followed by a period of fit-out works with the new facility expected to be operational by the end of 2025. Throughout construction, Caddick Construction will work closely with Yara International and project partners, Horncastle Group, to ensure the development complements the surrounding logistics hub at Ozone Business Park. This includes landscaping to the boundaries of the site with native trees and shrubs planted to enhance biodiversity, contributing to the development’s target BREEAM Very Good rating. Paul Dodsworth, Caddick Construction Group Managing Director, commented: “Yara’s new manufacturing plant is not only important for the partners involved, ourselves included, but it is also vital to the region’s manufacturing industry and we’re very proud to be leading the delivery of a development that will boost the region’s industry, job market and economy. “Understanding our client’s ambitions, their investments in research and development, and their production processes all underpin our appointment to the project, and we look forward to applying our manufacturing expertise to this truly exciting project on behalf of Yara International.” David Tomkinson, Operations Director of Yara UK and son of John Tomkinson, the founder of Phosyn, said: “What began in Yorkshire in 1967 as Phosyn, is set to stay in Yorkshire for the next exciting leg of the Yara journey.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new 964-space Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) at North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH). The firm has delivered £36.5 million of enabling works ahead of the wider rebuilding of the estate, including temporary car parking, asbestos removal, demolition and the new-build MSCP and Cycle Hub. The MSCP is now open to NMGH staff and will be fully open to the public in the coming months following Morgan Sindall’s completion of further external hard landscaping, including the installation of 36 electric vehicle charging points. NMGH – located in Crumpsall, 3.5 miles outside Manchester city centre – is one of the hospitals to receive funding through the Government’s New Hospital Programme, backed by an initial £3.7bn to deliver 40 new hospitals across the country by 2030. NMGH is at the heart of an exciting vision to improve health and wellbeing for local people over the next 10 to 15 years. Alongside health and care services fit for the 21st century, the redevelopment will provide the employment, housing and economic opportunities that are key to generating long term growth and prosperity for North Manchester. The project, led by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust with Manchester City Council and the GM Integrated Care Board, will not only provide essential redevelopment to an estate in critical need of investment, but also serve as a catalyst for the wider economic regeneration of North Manchester. In delivering this project, Morgan Sindall deployed its Intelligent Solutions approach to ensure minimal disruption to the hospital estate, ensuring departments could provide continuity in vital healthcare services for all patients and staff within the live hospital environment. Morgan Sindall also delivered a comprehensive social value plan that has provided a significant return on investment into the local community. The plan, as well as addressing the specific local requirements of North Manchester communities, has also supported the Greater Manchester Living with Covid Resilience Plan. This included the creation of a Knowledge Quad on site – a multi-purpose training and learning facility located within a live construction environment. It delivers value by undertaking activities focusing on the four key areas of skills, education, employment, and discovery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to develop a multi-level last-mile logistics scheme on Mandela Way in Southwark have been given the green light. This is the latest scheme in British Land’s 2.9m sq ft pipeline. The site sits close to the junction of New Kent Road, Old Kent Road and Tower Bridge Road and will deliver a last mile logistics hub for Southwark and central London. The former Southwark Council car pound will be redeveloped to feature four floors of flexible, high-quality, sustainable logistics space with exceptional access to local consumers and central London making it suitable for a range of prospective occupiers. The asset’s ground floor logistics space provides access for a variety of distribution vehicles including HGVs and cargo bikes, while upper floors will be served by lifts. In line with British Land’s ‘Greener Spaces’ pillar of its 2030 sustainability strategy, the scheme will target a BREEAM Excellent rating and implement low-carbon materials, and a circular economy strategy to lower embodied and operational carbon emissions. British Land’s pipeline of urban logistics projects in Greater London has a gross development value of £1.3 billion. It includes, alongside Mandela Way, an additional project adjacent to the Old Kent Road on Verney Road, the Finsbury Square Car Park and The Box at Paddington Central, which received planning consent earlier this year. Additionally, British Land received approval in July to deliver 455,000 sq ft of multi-level logistics space at Heritage House, Enfield, located near Junction 25 of the M25. Mike Best, Head of Logistics at British Land, said: “Mandela Way is the latest scheme in our London urban logistics pipeline to receive planning consent following approvals at both Paddington Central and Enfield earlier this year, enabling us to bring forward another high quality logistics project and continue to address the acute undersupply of sustainable, modern warehousing in Greater London.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A total of £1.67 million is to be invested to refurbish platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly Station. Network Rail teams will start to overhaul the lounge above the station’s busiest platforms which see up to 40,000 passengers every day. The investment will bring: During the upgrade work the toilets and seating areas will stay open, but it will see some changes for passengers – including the closure of the existing Costa coffee shop. Kyla Thomas, Network Rail station manager for Manchester Piccadilly, said: “The waiting area above platforms 13 and 14 is crucial to how we manage passengers getting safely on and off their trains, so it’s really important for us to make this investment so we can make it even better for customers. “While trains won’t be disrupted during the work, some of the facilities will be out of action while we build two new retail units and carry out a phased upgrade of the seating area and toilet facilities. I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience while we improve this well-used part of Piccadilly station for the tens of thousands of passengers who use it every day.” The waiting lounge revamp for passengers will begin on October 4 and will be complete in early 2024. It follows the recently completed investment to resurface platforms 13 and 14, paint new safety markings and install tactile studs along their lengths to improve accessibility for people with visual impairments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Trafford Council has given the green light to the new design for Therme Manchester. The updated scheme features a pavilion-style concept immersed and enveloped in a natural landscape. The decision coincides with the appointment of Professor David Russell as the first UK-based CEO of Therme UK and demonstrates a shift in Therme’s focus from design and planning to delivery. With 30 years of experience in delivering large-scale projects, Professor Russell has been involved in major ventures around the world including the London 2012 Summer Olympics, The Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019 and the $8 billion Expo 2020 in Dubai. Russell takes up the role after a successful three-year tenure as CEO of a joint venture between Russell Partnership Collection, the UK’s largest food, nutrition, and technology consultancy, and Therme Group. Russell will be supported by Richard Land, Chief Development Officer of Therme UK, who has successfully spearheaded the planning process, and James Mark who has been a leading part of Therme UK’s senior team since the project began. Mr Mark now takes up the role of Chief Strategy Officer for Therme UK, with a focus on developing further city-based wellbeing resorts across the UK. Attractions include large family and adults-only zones with swimming pools, slides, warm water lagoons and multi-sensorial saunas. Alongside this, elements such as water-based fitness classes, evidence-based wellness therapies, botanical gardens, immersive art, urban farms and educational activities create an integrated wellbeing concept for all ages. The resort is forecast to contribute over £4.5 billion to the UK economy, according to an independent PwC study, with most of the positive impact in the Greater Manchester area. James Whittaker, Executive Director – Development at Peel L&P said: “After five years working in partnership with Therme, we are delighted to hear planning permission has been approved for this incredible, high-quality health and wellbeing resort in TraffordCity. We’re looking forward to working closely with the whole of the Therme team to deliver something truly unique and iconic in the UK, that is not only world-leading for health and wellbeing, but will also create a significant number of new jobs and have a huge positive economic impact for North West England.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
