PSBJ September 2022 by Red Hut Media Ltd

What measures can local authorities take to achieve their net-zero goals?

How to tackle the gender pay gap in the construction industry

Where should you specify safety flooring in hospitaloccupied environments?

CONCRETE EXCELLENCE AT LEADING UNIVERSITY

September 2022 Issue 121 Public Sector Build Journal LeisureHousingEducationHealthcare psbjmagazine.com

BETOcare UK helps Birmingham University deliver outstanding architectural vision utilising exposed concrete

02 Structural Glazing Specialists 01708 374534 contracts@firmanglassprojects.com www.firmanglassprojects.com GLASS PROJECTS

Exposed visual concrete was at the centre of the architectural vision for The University of Birmingham’s new School of Engineering building. See page 16.

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Welcome to the September issue of PSBJ...

Hannah Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor's hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Red Hut Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement. Editor Hannah Woodger hannah@redhutmedia.com Rebecca Kemp rebecca@redhutmedia.com Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball sam@redhutmedia.com

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The month of September is synonymous with going back to school, so it seems fitting that PSBJ’s cover story and our Upfront focus profiles two exceptional examples of educational architecture at its finest.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on PSBJ’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com

For The University of Birmingham and Willmott Dixon, completion of the education institute’s new Edgbaston campus was in jeopardy when a concrete sub-contractor had failed to meet the required high finish on a fundamental element of the building – a concrete stair core in the basement. With concerns over the compromised aesthetics, it was vital that a solution was found. Housing some of the UK’s leading engineering talent for years to come, the building sought swift remedial action. Turn to page 16 to read how BETOcare UK’s exclusive solution brought the project back on track, with outstanding results.

Jim

Hannah Woodger • Editor • hannah@redhutmedia.com

Naturally, the grandeur of an education institute is a reflection and facilitator of academic excellence, but with such high aspirations, there is always a level of risk. When you find your project coming up against engineering challenges at an early stage, it can have disastrous consequences for both budget and timescales – the latter of which is so often dictated by the school calendar.

Meanwhile, on page 08, PSBJ takes a closer look at an impressive masterplan conceptualised for ArtsEd performing arts school in Chiswick, London. As part of a decade-long redevelopment, delivered in stages to avoid major disruptions to the everyday running of the school, the first phase has reached completion. The new building now includes exceptional school facilities, housing new and updated existing features. Head over to Upfront now to read how the improvements have enhanced both student and teacher spaces.

Elsewhere in this issue, law firm Capital Law discusses some of the ways the gender pay gap can be tackled in the construction industry, Altro considers one of the most common dilemmas for hospital estate managers – where to specify safety flooring, and EDF Energy discusses some of the ways local authorities can implement energy-saving measures to achieve their net-zero goals.

Mark Wilkins, Technologies and Training Director at Vaillant UK, discusses the unique challenges decarbonising heat has for the social housing sector.

22 Refurb & Retrofit

CONTENTS04

14 Legal & Business

Alex Christen, Employment Lawyer at Capital Law, takes a closer look at the gender pay gap in the construction industry and explores what companies can do to tackle it.

24 Leisure

Mark Hoskins, Specifications Consultant with Altro, considers some of the most common dilemmas faced by hospital estates managers and capital projects managers.

20 Housing

06 News

Is retrofit the way forward for sustainability? Wayne Oakes, Director at the sustainable engineering consultancy, Dice, believes it could be one solution.

12 Healthcare

Exposed visual concrete was at the centre of the architectural vision for a stateof-the-art, £46.5m, 12,000m2 university learning facility in Birmingham.

A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

16 Education

Willmott Dixon Interiors has enhanced its reputation for the delivery of complex heritage building projects with the completion of a new £21m cultural and learning centre in Kent.

08 Upfront

De Matos Ryan has completed the first phase of the redevelopment and masterplanning of ArtsEd performing arts school in Chiswick, London.

In 2018, Whitecroft Lighting began its journey into circularity with Cheshire Police Authority at its Winsford headquarters. Four years on, Whitecroft’s Tim Bowes reflects on the benefits.

18 Lighting

34 Show Previews

38 Product Showcase

By fully utilising and embedding the range of digital technologies in combination with MMC approaches, it is possible to standardise the industry’s approach, as Bluebeam explains.

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

PSBJ unveils the upcoming highlights of two important and influential shows in the construction industry – UK Construction Week, Birmingham, and The Flooring Show.

05 High Rise Commercial THE WIDEST RANGE OF INNOVATIVE AND STYLISH BALUSTRADE & HANDRAIL. WHATEVER THE APPLICATION, WE HAVE A COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION. Synergised™ Aluminium Decking, the ideal decking solution. Euroclass Classification of A1& A2fl-s1 fire rated. SAMPLESFREE 01708 39 80 www.fhbrundle.co.uksales@brundle.com22Requestyourstoday• No trade account required • Competitive prices • Order online 24/7 • FREE delivery on orders over £150 • Delivery from stock REQUEST A FREE SAMPLE CONTENTS 32 08

30 Technical Focus

With pressure mounting, Sharon Sage of EDF Energy takes a look at the measures public sector organisations can adopt in order to hit their net-zero goals.

28 MMC

32 Facades

Project risk can be avoided simply by getting the specification right. Adam Fox, of vibration isolation specialist Mason UK, offers three key principles for writing a good specification.

Matthew Allen at Sika Building Finishing looks into the importance of colour use in external facades and how choosing the right skin can impact a person’s perspective of a building.

26 Talking Point

championing sustainability with new hospital resource centreto conform to new public infrastructure planning deadline

In a bid to encourage even more people to enjoy the beautiful 230-acre Leybourne Lakes Country Park in Kent, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has enhanced the incumbent water sport provision through the development of a cafe, outdoor seating area, toilets and changing facilities. Procured, designed and developed by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure, the new facilities have been largely funded through the developer contributions paid to the council under Section 106 payments, leaving the council with just 10% of the £880,000 to invest. Working as lead development contractor, Alliance Leisure appointed Saunders Boston Architects to design an environmentally-sustainable building that complements its surroundings. Cutting-edge ‘green technology’ is being incorporated to drive energy efficiency, including the installation of a water-source heat pump using water from the lake and solar power to create a unique, environmentally-friendly development in this beautiful parkland setting.

Caerphilly innovative housing development shortlisted at prestigious UK awards

A project developed by Caerphilly County Borough Council to deliver 18 new one-bedroom apartments has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s prestigious Inside Housing Development Awards. The council has worked in partnership with construction expert Willmott Dixon, Ystrad Mynach-based manufacturer Caledan and architect firm Holder Mathias to develop innovative new homes on sites in Trecenydd and Trethomas. Homes on these developments are the first in Wales to be developed to Passivhaus standards using a steel primaframe design. The homes not only help lower carbon emissions but will ensure fuel costs are kept to a minimum for future tenants. The Caerphilly Innovative Housing Pilot has been shortlisted in the category for ‘Best Development’ and ‘Best Partnership’. Award winners will be announced at a celebratory event in London on 30th September. Councillor Shayne Cook, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “With over 250 entries submitted for these awards from housing developers and providers from across the UK, to receive two shortlists is an incredible honour.”

DPP, an independent national planning consultancy, is calling for local planning authorities (LPA) to have more awareness of the need to meet the Government’s ‘Project Speed’ planning targets for public service infrastructure. Project Speed, a national strategy to bolster and speed up the delivery of public service infrastructure in England in the wake of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, was introduced in September 2021. However, none of the eight applications handled by DPP have been determined within the new timescales. Oliver Corbett, Principal Planner at DPP, said: “LPAs need to act quicker on applications for public service infrastructure if England’s regeneration and infrastructure improvements are to come to fruition at the faster pace that the Government intended. These are delaying desperately-needed school places for children across the country, preventing the delivery of new hospitals and medical facilities and risking the economic growth and recovery of the country following the pandemic.” Mr Corbett also called for clarity on what action the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will take if a planning authority does not determine an application in the new timeframes.

Each

Works are underway at Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, as Morgan Sindall Construction transforms a disused modular structure into a new £5.8m resource centre. The scheme, which is being delivered for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, will see the conversion of the old modular building into a new-stateof-the-art, two-storey comprehensive resource centre, with a gym, cafe and offices, as well as space for dance, art, performance and leisure. By recycling the modular units, the team at Morgan Sindall Construction will be able to utilise the current steel structure of the building, cutting build time significantly. This method will also divert a significant amount of waste from landfill and cut CO2 emissions, making it a more sustainable alternative to manufacturing a new structure. Due to the nature of the live site, the team are refurbishing the units off site, allowing for minimal disruption to Fulbourn Hospital and its users. Jamie Shearman, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this incredibly important scheme for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. The resource centre will not only act as a gateway to the hospital, but it will also provide a much-needed activities and leisure hub, which is crucial to patients and carers.”

month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.

Kent Country Park opens new amenities to encourage active visitors

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Time

NEWS

Morgan Sindall Construction

Whitecroft Lighting wins healthcare efficiency award

HOK secures planning consent for 100% affordable neighbourhood in West London

Winckworth Sherwood’s Social Housing Finance team has advised Tower Hamlets Community Housing on both the finance and property aspects in securing a new funding facility with Santander. The new funding will enable Tower Hamlets Community Housing to carry out fire safety works to a number of its homes and provides a funding solution that offers flexibility moving forwards. Winckworth Sherwood’s Social Housing Finance team undertook the due diligence and negotiations required to secure a portfolio of stock, which included a large proportion of ex-Large Scale Voluntary Transfer properties (LSVT) and some tower blocks concentrated in the locality of Tower Hamlets. The finance side was led by Winckworth Sherwood Partner Patricia Umunna and the property security work by Head of Charging, Jill O’Reilly, with support from the wider charging team. Helen Neal, Director of Resources at Tower Hamlets Community Housing, said: “We are very happy to have worked with Jill and Patricia and their teams on this refinance and property security project. The service and advice they provide is of excellent quality. By securing this funding, we will be able to provide the required fire safety works with no costs to our residents. We take safety very seriously and see it is a key part of our purpose to create places people are proud to call home.”

NEWS

HOK’s London studio has secured detailed planning approval for a new neighbourhood of 92 homes in Northolt, 100% of which will be affordable, on behalf of Broadway Living, Ealing Council’s wholly-owned housing company. Northolt Grange, which was approved unanimously at committee, will sit on a one-acre site bordered by Rushdene Crescent, Hartfield Avenue and Down Way, and will provide a mix of apartments and family houses across a variety of housing tenures. The homes are set in a green and permeable neighbourhood that pedestrians can access from all sides, with the buildings set back 7m from the street to create green and active spaces, in line with the Healthy Streets approach adopted by the Greater London Authority. The landscape-led design will see the green streets connect to a new public park and creates a new entrance to the existing St Raphael’s primary school, allowing pupils and staff to enjoy the outdoor space. The neighbourhood also includes parking provision for 30 cars, accommodated away from view underneath a new 700m 2 children’s playdeck, which connects directly to each of the buildings at first-floor level. HOK’s design includes a modular approach to construction, with the homes consisting of a series of standardised stackable parts increasing quality, accelerating delivery and significantly reducing construction waste.

Commercial lighting manufacturer, Whitecroft Lighting, has scooped the Added Value & Contribution Award at the ProCure22 Framework Awards, in recognition for its work on the emergency COVID-19 Nightingale Centres. The award was gained in recognition of Whitecroft’s outstanding contribution to the NHS ProCure22 (P22) framework, in particular the speed and cost at which it supplied critical specialist healthcare lighting as part of the NHS’ rapid response to COVID-19. Whitecroft not only met the exceptionally short deadlines dictated by the potential rapid spread and impact of the virus, but did so within the framework’s usual capital and operational budgets. Whitecroft supplied lighting to eight of the 10 centres. A number of the venues selected to be Nightingale Centres were large, cavernous spaces never intended for clinical use, which created a new set of challenges for Whitecroft. But as a UK manufacturer, Whitecroft holds lighting inventory in stock, and was able to quickly review what was available, and draw on its long experience of lighting healthcare to select and adapt products accordingly.

Seddon completes £2m regeneration of Staffordshire’s Shire Hall

Winckworth Sherwood advises Tower Hamlets Community Housing on fire safety funding facility

Stafford’s 224-year-old Shire Hall has received a £2m regeneration, with Seddon turning the former library space into a new business enterprise centre. The new facilities offer a range of 97 to 323ft2 office spaces, a reception room and meeting areas to facilitate networking opportunities and knowledge sharing, with flexible hot desking and PO Box rental also on offer to local businesses. The new business centre will create accessible provisions to help support local small and start-up businesses with flexible tenancies and an onsite support team. During the 28-week project, a bespoke lath and plaster ornate ceiling, an original part of the building, was repaired and redecorated by a specialist. As Shire Hall is Grade II Listed, Seddon and its delivery partner, Entrust, worked to standards and expectations set by the Heritage Authority to uphold the integrity of the building, whilst optimising it for its new life as a business enterprise centre. Peter Jackson, Managing Director of Seddon, said: “The Shire Hall project has been an excellent project for us, modernising the interior of one of Stafford’s landmark buildings whilst still keeping its history and integrity in place. Regeneration projects like this are important to both Seddon and the communities we serve. The project is a testament to our relationship with Staffordshire County Council, which continues to go from strength to strength.”

De Matos Ryan has completed the first phase of the redevelopment and masterplanning of ArtsEd performing arts school in Chiswick, London. Located in a tight and landlocked block within a largely suburban site, the complex redevelopment of ArtsEd’s Cone Ripman House reorganises a previously-disparate and physically-separated educational campus into one cohesive whole.

AN ARTFUL MASTERPLAN

UPFRONT08

In addition to its educational programmes, ArtsEd has a strong community outreach and provision programme that draws in a wide array of the local community to share the school’s facilities and expert staff. The school initially looked at various development options, including relocation and new-build development, but settled on remaining and maintaining its close local ties.

Travelling between sites gave rise to safeguarding concerns and there was previously no outside recreational space for its day-school students. Restructuring and clearly defining safeguarding separation has helped to consolidate all the students and staff and secure ArtsEd’s position as a world-leading provider of musical theatre, dance and drama education for students from age 11 through to graduate level.

Established nearly 100 years ago, ArtsEd was founded by groundbreaking educational pioneers who believed passionately in the value of combining a general academic education with a specialised training in dance, drama, music and art. Originally purpose built for Chiswick Polytechnic in the 1950s, the existing building was in desperate need of extension and refurbishment. The site was unable to accommodate

all its students nor provide them with the physical and environmental quality of facilities that they deserve and that its teaching requires.

he project will be delivered in three phases over the next decade to minimise disruption to the everyday running of the school and adjoining properties. De Matos Ryan Director, Jose Esteves De Matos, says: “With space in London limited and at a premium, the masterplanning of this project within its existing footprint unlocks the site’s potential and creates muchneeded new studio, rehearsal and teaching spaces in the previouslyunused courtyard and rooftop areas.

 UPFRONT

“Our scheme maximises every millimetre of space available to ensure that ArtsEd’s four distinct schools can now all operate from their own stateof-the-art site. The school’s facilities will now match the exceptional quality of teaching to ensure that future generations continue to leave ArtsEd as outstandingly confident and creative young performers.”

The redevelopment will rejuvenate and revitalise the existing site, dramatically improve existing provisions and create much-needed additional spaces. The new and existing spaces are now environmentally comfortable, sustainable and support the overall wellbeing of its occupants physically, socially and creatively.

UPFRONT

The masterplan aims to enhance the existing cultural asset by modernising its facilities and securing its future financial viability and long-term use. De Matos Ryan has carefully considered the development proposals to ensure that they positively contribute to the school’s immediate neighbours, the wider conservation area and the community. The proposed development and refurbishment directly addresses the school’s core objectives whilst ensuring that ArtsEd continues to support the wider community.

The scheme’s design and ethos reflects the pioneering vision of Olive Ripman and Grace Cone who founded the school in 1944. The playful architectural narrative is inspired by the ideas of ‘natural movement’ and the concept of transformational education through the medium of dance. Underpinned by a new, state-of-the-art studio theatre at the eastern end of the site, the scheme unlocks the potential of the existing buildings whilst delivering an additional 2875m2 (GIA) of new facilities. The old gymnasium, which took up a third of the existing courtyard space, has been demolished to facilitate the new spaces.

to increase the building’s overall thermal performance. The specification of the new envelope exceeds the existing regulations to target for future higher standards.

volume set against the existing building that houses a series of shared rooms and breakout spaces connecting the old and new buildings, new classrooms and three 6m-high square dance studios with improved height requirements and sprung floors to prevent injuries.

The facade’s concept is reminiscent of the loops and arcs in musical notation and movement. Varying and dynamic arched openings are set within and against the simple, repetitive rhythm of the profiled anodized aluminium facade to reflect the dynamic activity housed within the school. The large openings provide clear and expansive views of the London skyline from within and open out onto a planted roof terrace and recreational area.

The exterior treatment of the new extensions uses an architectural language that brings renewed coherence and identity to the school. The facade uses economic industrial envelope material in a bespoke and playful manner to elevate its materiality. The new design cloaks as much of the existing thin and leaky facade as possible in order

With economic and environmental sustainability in mind, careful consideration has been given to the new building proposals which minimise alterations to the existing building and maximise the potential of those spaces through localised interventions. Reduced energy loss, energy use and operational costs with a new sustainable services strategy was implemented to improve wellbeing. Phase one has included creating a triple-layer

As part of the brief for the masterplan, a new circulation spine along the rear elevation of the main building has allowed the school to become fully accessible. Improved acoustic treatment, ventilation and heating design has been incorporated to minimise energy consumption and the impact of the noisy road on the school as well as the impact of the dance and acting studio noise on neighbouring properties. The existing practice rooms were poorly lit and ventilated with moisture visibly running down their walls. A hybrid natural ventilation strategy has been applied to meet the mix of ventilation demands. Rooftop turrets serve

offering unexpected opportunities for creative teams to experiment wider and discover more innovative creative landscapes. The volumetric identity of the studio theatre will remain present at all levels. It will be accessed by a shared social foyer that houses a cafeteria and links to the reception area as well as the main auditorium. A figurative arched entrance canopy and reorganised staff car park will provide enhanced identity and a streetscape that visually connects to the new rooftop volume housing state-of-the-art north-lit dance studios.

11  www.dematosryan.co.uk

the new circulation spine between the old and new spaces to maximise the impact of newly-installed plants. Rainwater runoff is controlled by using several approaches; a 200m2 blue roof collection zone that can hold 150mm-deep water, a sedum-planted roof area and below-ground attenuation crates in the front hard landscaping areas.

Careful phasing has eased funding and delivery pressures. Future phases will provide a new adaptable studio theatre, a voice teaching suite and a series of rooftop studios. The proposed new studio theatre, pivotally located at the heart of the block, will adapt to numerous actor-audience typologies,

UPFRONT

n which areas of a hospital should you specify slipresistant flooring? On the face of it, this should be a fairly straightforward problem to solve: areas with a high slip risk – showers, bathrooms, kitchens – definitely need slipresistant flooring. However, beyond that, the decisions are not so obvious to make. Ward areas, for example, are not usually wet but there are certainly opportunities for spillages. Cafe areas, again, could be an area of slip risk, some would argue for safety flooring, others would argue against. And corridors? Well, that depends where they are in the building and how they’re used.

HEALTHCARE12

Some trusts will always opt for a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach, yet others are more cautious in their use of safety floors. Perhaps unsurprisingly, where a trust has previously had incidents of slips and trips with the associated far-reaching consequences, we see a marked difference in their approach to specifying safety flooring, and we would always direct people to the useful Health and Safety Executive (HSE) hazard-spotting checklist for slips and trips.

Mark Hoskins, Specifications Consultant with Altro, considers some of the most common dilemmas faced by hospital estates managers and capital projects managers: where to specify safety flooring, and how to make that choice.

THE CONUNDRUMGREAT –WHERE TO SPECIFY SAFETY FLOORING

Safety flooring is specifically engineered to minimise slip risk by creating a surface to the flooring so that the foot and floor connect even when surface contaminants, such as liquids or grease, are present, and this slip resistance can be maintained throughout the life of the flooring.

HEALTHCARE  www.altro.com/uk

Improved cleanability has led to greater freedom for inclusion of a wider range of colours as seen in the far broader palettes and non-sparkle design options for safety flooring that we’ve seen in the past few years, including biophilic woodlook safety floors. This wider choice has also made it much easier to meet requirements for slip resistance whilst also meeting the Equality Act (2010) requirements around contrast, including the flexibility to choose lighter colours of flooring (every material has a Light Resistance Value [LRV] with rules around the difference in value needed between adjacent surfaces to reduce uncertainty).

As you would imagine, we spend a great deal of time and effort working on the cleanability of our safety

So, with cleanability of safety flooring vastly improved, and colour, contrast and design choices wider than ever, why are estates managers still facing a dilemma when it comes to where to specify safety flooring? The answer lies in how we clean. As a manufacturer, we continue to strive for new technologies and product developments to reduce the gap between the cleaning regimes for smooth and safety floors. As technologies evolve, we get closer than ever to that parity in cleaning regimes, which, when we get there, will truly remove the dilemmas estates managers face. Watch this space…

essential than ever over the past few years, with increased pressure on cleaning teams to deliver, which makes it extremely important that we have open and transparent conversations about cleaning, hygiene, safety and slipWeresistance.workhard to improve education around correct cleaning methods, teaming up over the last 10 years with Delia Cannings, the Association of Healthcare Cleaning Professionals’ (ACHP) Lead for Education and Training, as we’re likeminded about developing and sharing best practice. One of the most simple, but effective, changes we’ve made was to develop pictorial cleaning guides to make it as easy as possible to know what method should be used for which floor.

We do sometimes see situations where all floors in a hospital building are cleaned with the same method, regardless of the surface. This may be to save time and money, or perhaps cleaning teams are working overnight and might not be familiar with the different requirements of different areas. Infection control and cleaning has been more

When it comes to cleaning, due to the surface finish needed to provide minimise slip risk, safety floors need a different cleaning regime than a traditional smooth floor. The right cleaning methods are vital for maintaining the effectiveness of the slipresistance features.

floors. We have seen huge steps forward as advances led to ‘easyclean’ technologies delivering hugely-improved stain resistance, reduced dirt pick-up, and better scratch and abrasion resistance. In fact, Altro has maintained for some time now that a safety floor can be cleaned very effectively, but the process is different to a smooth floor.

So, for some specifiers, undoubtedly, concerns over cleaning and maintenance effort and cost are influencing their decisions on where to use safety flooring. For others, design and aesthetics may be a factor. Historically, there were restricted design choices for safety flooring – the institutional greys and blues of the 1980s and ‘90s, and, of course, the ‘tell-tale’ sparkle of the safety flooring aggregates. This has, in the past at least, been a major challenge when weighing up where and how to use safety flooring. Luckily, times have changed.

The HSE sets out the various methods for assessing the slip resistance of flooring, setting a standard for low slip potential at a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of ≥36. In terms of the protection this delivers, at Altro, we confidently state our safety floors reduce your chance of slipping to one in a million for the lifetime of the flooring.

Why is the gap so significant?

roles in the public sector. Both factors mean there is a lack of women in senior high-earning roles and, according to New Civil Engineer, 45% of women reported that the lack of female role models in higher positions has stunted their career paths.

With productivity over recent years being a concern, now is the tie to focus on female recruitment and retention, to both boost productivity and, in time, reduce the wage gap.

One of the ways the gender pay gap can be addressed is by the industry taking positive action and embracing the changes required to encourage more women into the industry.

A further contributing factor is that many construction roles are site based and involve early morning starts or night work reducing flexible working. This can cause a barrier for women who are statistically more likely to have childcare obligations to manage, as well as a career.

employers take on the back of the reports that will bring about change. Unless action is taken by employers to actively reduce the gap, it is unlikely that any progress will be made.

A way that employers can take an active role is by encouraging women to enter the industry at all grades. This can be done by creating cultures where women feel supported, welcomed and encouraged to progress, and ensuring women are provided with appropriate working conditions and safe spaces to speak out about any gender-based discrimination they may be facing.

Another way is by implementing flexible working practices. This will allow women to manage both their career and other responsibilities, such as their family, and can also help to retain employees for longer, giving them opportunities to progress.

Women also report a lack of

The reporting requirement brings attention to the gender pay gap and places it firmly on employers’ agendas but, ultimately, it is the actions that

14 he 2021-22 figures were no exception, with the industry reporting a gap of 23.7%, meaning that women only received 76p for every £1 their male colleagues received. Layered on top of this is the fact that pay gaps in the public sector are wider than the private sector.

The construction industry is predominantly male (in 2021, women made up 14.3% of the workforce) and women tend to occupy more of the lower-paid

Employers should also review their approach to equality and diversity, tackling any perceived unconscious bias through training, and updating and refreshing equality policies. They could also consider introducing gender-inclusive hiring practices, such as removing genders from CVs whilst hiring, to avoid any unconscious bias.

inclusivity and ‘lad behaviour’ as putting them off either joining or progressing in the industry.

 www.capitallaw.co.uk

TACKLING THE GENDER PAY GAP IN CONSTRUCTIONTHE INDUSTRY

Alex Christen is an Employment Lawyer at Capital Law. She advises businesses and individuals on all areas of employment law, as well as providing corporate immigration advice.

How can closecompaniesconstructionhelptothewagegap?

BUSINESS&LEGAL T

Since gender pay gap reporting was introduced for companies in the UK with over 250 employees, the construction industry has continually reported one of the widest gender pay gap figures across all sectors. Alex Christen, Employment Lawyer at Capital Law, takes a closer look.

Potential remedies

Sustainability is very much at the core of Willmott Dixon’s approach as a business (it has been a net-zero/carbon-neutral business since 2012) and has committed to all of its new buildings and major refurbishments being net-zero operational carbon by 2030.

“One of the key aims, and part of the educational vision, was to expose the building’s frame in as many areas as possible – columns, beams, atrium, stairs, bridge sections as well as specialist features – so it was critical that the look of the concrete was excellent. I think it’s fair to say that this was not the start that

BETOcare UK Director, James Lewis, says: “When we first visited the site, there was, understandably, considerable concern. The finish of the section was poor and there was a very visible undulating line all along one concrete section. However, such issues are common problems, and I immediately knew it was one that we could easily remedy.”

Jack Brooker adds: “There was an immediate sense of relief amongst the team. We’d found a solution that our client was not only happy, but delighted, with, but the BETOcare approach meant that we had negated the need to knock down a perfectly structurally-sound core. The environmental – as well as financial costs, delays and associated impacts – of doing so would have been significant.”

ETOcare UK was first approached by Willmott Dixon in relation to its project at The University of Birmingham in July 2019 when a concrete sub-contractor had struggled to deliver the required standard of finish on an early part of the project; a concrete stair core in the basement.

The initial consultation was followed by the BETOcare UK team undertaking a small test sample in situ to demonstrate what could be achieved, a process which took two days. No fewer than five Clerks of Work from the university reviewed the test sample, and together with the Willmott Dixon team, it was agreed that the BETOcare solution was the best way to resolve the issue.

As a result, Willmott Dixon decided to further explore some less common and more innovative alternatives to resolve the issue, and it was as a result of this work that BETOcare UK was consulted.

Understandably, it was a cause for concern among all those involved, not least Jack Brooker, Senior Building Manager at Willmott Dixon, who oversaw all of the exposed concrete features across the project. He explains: “Exposed visual concrete was a crucial part of the overall architectural vision, centred around a four-storey atrium at the heart of the building, and there were extremely high specification requirements for the concrete finishes throughout.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE EXCELLENCE AT LEADING UNIVERSITY

BETOcare UK arrives on site

Delays affecting the vehicles transporting the concrete to site, as well as poor compaction, caused a cold join to form within the core, which created a sub-standard aesthetic finish on the £50,000 section.

Exposed visual concrete was at the centre of the architectural vision for a state-of-the-art £46.5m, 12,000m2 learning facility on The University of Birmingham’s campus in Edgbaston.

EDUCATION B

anyone had hoped for, particularly given that the building was set to be the home of some of the UK’s leading engineering research talent for many years to come.”

Various options were considered to rectify the problem, and given the high standard of finish required, the drastic step of demolishing and re-casting the entire section – over 400m2 of concrete in total –was one However,considered.whilstthis solution offered the possibility of improving on the finish during the second attempt, it presented the issue of significant delays at the very start of a 12-month project, not to mention the major environmental consequences of doing so.

Once the BETOcare approach had been agreed, it was then a case of waiting until the later stages of the project when the building was watertight to bring the

The results

enable the work. If there had been delays in BETOcare finishing the work, it would have had a significant knock-on effect.

Willmott Dixon, which had also used blended concrete mixes to help achieve BREEAM credits.

“There is a real art to the work they undertake, and they were extremely adept, producing a very high-quality finish, but also knowing when to stop, which is vital as concrete finishes tend to be a very subjective area.”

 www.betocareuk.com EDUCATION

“Overall, I would say that we saved a sixfigure sum by using BETOcare to resolve the visual concrete issues we had, and that doesn’t include the financial costs that would have been associated with the considerable delays we would have seen with other, more traditional resolutions to the problem,” says Jack.

UK’s work on the project focused on using lime-based fillers and specialist colour-matching techniques combined with specialist craftsmanship and expertise. The approach was pioneered in Germany approximately 15 years ago and BETOcare UK is the only company to be licensed to use the approach and products in the UK, also undertaking work internationally.

Its growing reputation has led to its implementation in an increasing number of high-profile projects including Tate St Ives, award-winning Faylands House and the Investcorp Building at St Anthony’s College at The University of Oxford.

The environmental benefits to using BETOcare were also important to

BETOcare UK team in to work its magic. This also meant that all of the project’s visual concrete work could be assessed and any additional issues included in BETOcare’s corrective work, if needed. In the summer of 2020, work commenced on site.

Jack Brooker says: “The work with the BETOcare team was very collaborative and they were great to work with at a time when there was a lot of pressure to stick to schedule. For example, we had a very tight window to get the concrete work completed in the main atrium before the underfloor heating was installed, and only a few days’ use of the spider cherry picker required to

But, perhaps most important of all, for a company that prides itself on the longevity of its relationships with clients, Willmott Dixon was also very keen that the completed work met the client’s expectations. Jack concludes: “The finish of BETOcare’s work was outstanding, but, ultimately, as with any project, it is the client that decides what is and isn’t acceptable, and the university’s project manager was closely involved during every stage. He was very fair and reasonable, but his standards were high, and we knew that both the finish and the integrity of the work had to be high. Thankfully, he was delighted.”

The BETOcare approach enables the full range of common concrete imperfections to be corrected, from water damage and staining, to cold joints and faults, as well as post-construction damage or errors such as misplaced bolt holes. In addition to the original problem section of the basement core cold join, BETOcare addressed many of these common issues as part of its work on theBETOcareproject.

To keep cabling to a minimum, Whitecroft installed its Organic Response lighting controls, which introduced daylight dimming and real-time energy monitoring.

This approach also minimised the disruption to the working environment, an important factor for the CPA as it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Julia Messenger, Sustainability Advisor at BAM Construct UK, commented: “This project was a great success, and demonstrates the advantages of longterm, collaborative relationships with our supply chain to drive innovation.”

Making circularity a reality

to the CPA. While lighting controls, designed to dim the luminaire to the correct lighting level, helped create a comfortable and safe working environment.

very journey begins with a first step, and our first project that embraced the full principles of circularity was the refit of the Cheshire Police Authority’s (CPA)Whitecroftheadquarters.hadbeen exploring how to make circularity a reality in lighting for a while, so when the call came in from BAM (the CPA’s facilities manager), we were ready and keen to test the principles in a live project for the first time.

BAM also sought increased functionality, such as controls and diagnostics, energy efficiency and the creation of a healthier work environment.

Whitecroft then upgraded 120 of the Cirrus light fittings to LED and reused the luminaire body, louvre and flying leads. The new LED lights used 23W less energy per light, while reusing hardware saved the client £30 on each fitting.

Whitecroft Lighting today leads the way in the UK in the design and manufacture of lighting according to the circular principles. But in 2018, the company began its journey into circularity with Cheshire Police Authority at its Winsford headquarters. Four years on, Tim Bowes, Head of Lighting Application at Whitecroft Lighting, reflects on the benefits.

Enhanced control

Our first step was to deconstruct and evaluate three of the existing light fitting types at our Manchester laboratory in order to determine their potential for reuse.

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Saving energy and materials

MAKING CIRCULARITYLIGHTINGWORK

The new installation could also self-test and diagnose the emergency lighting system, automatically reporting any errors

LIGHTING18

www.whitecroftlighting.com

By following the principles of product circularity, 2000kgs of material was saved on this project, and the new system is designed for refurbishment rather than replacement, meaning that further material and cost savings will be made in the future.

The brief was to replace the headquarters’ obsolete lighting with a new energy-efficient system, using high-quality fittings and controls –but crucially, adhering to circularity, by minimising material use and waste by utilising as much of the existing hardware as possible.

Crucially, the CPA now has a lighting system that offers increased functionality, greater efficiency and provides a healthier work environment.

To minimise disruption in the building’s communal areas, Whitecroft upgraded all the obsolete florescent tubes to LED on site, and then provided 1300 bespoke bezel units to deliver efficient downlights in the existing ceiling, and modified 82 control modules to upgrade the corridor lighting.

As well as further reducing material use, Organic Response also gave the client the capability to collect real-time data to better understand patterns of consumption and occupancy via the luminaries.

Tim Bowes is Head of Lighting Application at Whitecroft Lighting

19 Firman offer a wide range of fire resistant glass options with varying levels of protection as required by your project. Contact our sales office for further information. www.firmanglass.com Fire Rated Sealed Units 01708 374534 sales@firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com • Attestation 1 Certified • Rated 30/0 to 60/60 • Certifire compliance • Impact resistance • Sound insulation • Thermal insulation • Integrity only – in stock • Internal / External use • Fire Doors • Partitions

Wales has a slightly different approach. In November 2021, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, announced an additional £150m of funding for the Optimised Retrofit Programme. The programme is open to projects located in Wales from registered social landlords (RSLs) and local housing authorities (LHAs). One of the aims of the programme’s second year, is to support the decarbonisation of Welsh social housing stock to reduce carbon emissions.

of EPC band C by 2035 3. This presents social housing providers with a significant challenge to decarbonise heating across existing housing stock using retrofit solutions.

HOUSING20

low-carbonUnderstandingsolutions

Performance targets

Wave 1 of the SHDF was announced in February 2022, with £179m allocated to 69 projects which will involve making energyefficiency upgrades to 20,000 social housing properties across England by March 2023.

In Scotland, the Government has committed to invest at least £200m into the Social Housing Net Zero Fund to support decarbonisation of social housing over the course of this parliamentary term. In the first year of the fund, grant support has been offered to 10 social housing zero emissions heat projects across Scotland.

he UK Government has made it clear that for the UK to achieve its climate goals, decarbonising heating in our homes and public buildings will be crucial. To support this, £3.9bn of new funding1 for decarbonising heat and buildings will be allocated over the next three years.

In England, the Government had previously committed £3.8bn to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)4, which would be allocated over a 10-year period to improve the energy performance of social-rented homes, on the pathway to Net Zero 2050. In 2021, it was announced that a further £800m would be invested into the SHDF between 2022 and 2025 to accelerate plans; allocated from the £3.9bn

Through the Clean Growth Strategy, the UK Government has set a target that all social homes reach a minimum standard

LOW-CARBON HEAT FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

Mark Wilkins, Technologies and Training Director at Vaillant UK, discusses the unique challenges decarbonising heat has for the social housing sector and the support available.

The good news is that these ambitions are being supported with several funding streams – however, they differ between England, Scotland and Wales. For contractors and developers, awareness of these will be crucial in preparing for future tender opportunities.

Knowing where to get support

of new funding that was announced as part of the UK’s Heat and Buildings Strategy.

According to the Office for National Statistics2, the median energy-efficiency score for social-rented flats in England, that had an EPC undertaken in financial year ending 2019, was within EPC band C. However, the majority of social houses were within band D.

The UK’s housing portfolio is incredibly diverse and there is no single ‘silver bullet’ solution. The technology chosen must suit the customers’ requirements and consider the property itself. It’s, therefore, important for social housing developers to

In the UK, homes are given an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between A and G, with A being the most efficient in terms of likely fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions.

and to provide future homes that are more energy efficient. It’s reassuring to see that this is being supported through Government funding, however, a deeper understanding of low-carbon heating systems will be the key to unlocking the future of decarbonised social housing.

As part of ongoing trials, Vaillant boilers have also been tested with

The £3.9bn of new funding for decarbonising heat and buildings from 2022 to 2025 will be broken down as follows:

The future of social housing

1Sources:Fromthe UK Government website:

e. £338m for the Heat Network Transformation Programme 2Office for National Statistics – Energy efficiency of housing in England and Wales: uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/https://www.ons.gov. energyefficiencyofhousinginenglandandwales/2020-09-23 3https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth4strategy decarbonisation-fundhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-housing5https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1011283/UK-Hydrogen6Strategy_web.pdf

21  www.vaillant.co.uk HOUSING

If local authorities choose this option for social housing stock, it will be important for developers to ensure there is a clear plan in place for helping tenants to understand how they work differently to a boiler. Heat pumps are well known and widely adopted in many other European countries and, if used properly, can maintain comfortable temperatures whilst significantly reducing carbon emissions. However, they do require the end user to have some knowledge of their operation to be able to work efficiently as possible.

networks-announceready-to-deliver-hydrogen-across-the-country-from-2023-energy-https://www.energynetworks.org/newsroom/britains-gas-grid-

ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to be able to carefully assess properties for low-carbon technologies, now and in the Whereasfuture.homeowners may be able to consider different options for decarbonising heat, local authorities are looking for solutions that help achieve efficiency gains in the shortest amount of time.

In some cases, this may be as simple as upgrading to a more energy-efficient boiler. The sustain range and ecoTEC exclusive from Vaillant are highefficiency boilers that can be used in conjunction with controls to ensure the boiler runs at optimal efficiency, which could also help to lower bills for tenants.

c. £800m for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund d. £450m for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

b. £950m for the Home Upgrade Grant scheme

It’s clear that social housing providers have a significant task on their hands to decarbonise heating across existing housing stock

There is also the option of heat pumps, which have existed for many years and are a proven solution that can help decarbonise homes today. The recent commitment from Government to bring them into the UK mainstream heating market is, therefore, encouraging.

up to 20% hydrogen blended with natural gas, making them ready for when hydrogen fuel becomes an option for heating in the UK.

a. £1.425bn through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme

Blending hydrogen into the gas grid is subject to a final decision by the UK Government which it will make next year, as set out in its Hydrogen Strategy5. In preparation, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Hydrogen Delivery Plan6 sets out how all five of the UK’s gas grid companies can start to deliver 20% hydrogen into the country’s gas network from late 2023.

Wayne Oakes, Director of Dice

One of the main challenges is client buy-in when it comes to sustainability. Developers must be afforded the time and budget to focus on finding a more environmentallyfriendly solution, so it’s something that we all must get on board with.

what happens to those sites where demolition means hundreds of former homes are knocked down and new ones built? And why aren’t developers and local councils working with the property stock they have and looking at ways to improve rather than clearing the site and starting again?

Developers will always consider whether the project is suitable as a retrofit, based on the state of the existing building and the needs of the finished one.

Theretime. is a massive need for houses at the moment and the demand for new homes can take precedence over making

improvements to existing ones. However, it’s something we all must focus on in a bid to improve sustainability.

It certainly isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Residential properties are all relatively similar in their intended use and what’s required of them so these are pretty standard. But when you consider non-residential buildings, which can span from offices to hospitals to restaurants

IS RETROFIT THE WAY FORWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY?

and everything in between, it’s a different story. They may require a more bespoke approach when considering retrofitting based on Retrofituse.can achieve as much as a 70% reduction in energy use, which has a massive impact on consumption. And the positives don’t stop there. It’s also important to note that when you compare a retrofit to a demolish-andrebuild project, you’re also saving on the embodied carbon that would be involved in the construction process.

There are multiple reasons to retrofit rather than demolish – sustainability being the major one – but there are barriers that need to be addressed before this is considered by planners and developers.

The one simple answer is time. A new home can be built in as little as six months but if a developer was to look at retrofitting existing properties on a site, it could take double or triple that amount of

RETROFIT&REFURB22

www.diceconsult.co.uk

The focus has very much been on building brand-new homes on brownfield or greenfield sites, and in most cases, this is the quickest way to get houses up and people

However,in.

Looking at how best to retrofit an existing property is one possible solution. It is a lot more sustainable and better for the environment to retrofit rather than to demolish and start again and it can also be a lot cheaper, depending on the project and the current state of the existingHowever,building.aretrofit project won’t be suitable for all buildings, especially where there are delicate environmental and biodiversity factors to consider.

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evelopers and local councils are under huge pressure to deliver the high numbers of housing the UK needs to solve its housing crisis.

With local councils and housebuilders under pressure to reach targets of 340,000 homes every year until 2031, there is the danger that sustainability will take a back seat. But just how can developers, particularly those working on older properties, step up and begin to make a differe nce? Wayne Oakes, Director at the sustainable engineering consultancy, Dice, believes retrofitting could be one solution.

23 • Fire Rated to A2-s1, d0 & A2fl-s1 • Aluminium construction to 6063 T6 grade • Slip-resistant and wear-resistant • 30-year manufacturer product warranty To find out more about the AliDeck System, call our team today! THE UK’S ORIGINAL FULLY COMPLIANT ALUMINIUM NON-COMBUSTIBLE BALCONY DECKING SOLUTION Call: 01622 534 077 Email: www.alideck.co.ukinfo@alideck.co.ukALIDECKBALCONYDRAINAGESYSTEMALIDECKJUNIORBALCONYBOARD This innovative drainage solution delivers positive drainage to balconies, with our Drainage Channel between the deck boards capturing and directing water to the Drainage Gutter for controlled evacuation to a specified outlet. The 20mm AliDeck Junior Board is our most popular decking board, available in ridged and flat specification. Spanning up to 600mm, the cost-effective Junior Board requires less underside support than traditional decking and is non-combustible. FORIDEALEWS1 Aluminium Decking TM GUTTERINGDRAINAGE DRAINAGECHANNEL STANDARDSCOMPLIANTSOLUTIONBALCONYBOARD HINGEDGUTTERACCESSLID

A unique set of construction challenges

“The buildings were of disparate age and origin,” explains Duncan Booth, Construction Manager at Willmott Dixon Interiors. “One opened in 1902 as an adult education centre and the other began life in 1938 as a bomb shelter, with basement walls over a metre thick.

Created a series of contemporary spaces for community activities and services as part of a new cultural and learning centre.

Preserved the character of the original structure of two buildings through a complex heritage Grade II Listed constructionReimaginedprojecttheirpurpose to suit the needs of the local demographic

“Both were constructed on ground that had been substantially disturbed by decades of work and contained floor levels that did not correspond, and more than 120 years of redundant services also needed to beTheinvestigated.”historicalsite was also of particular archaeological interest and attention was given to the possibility of unexploded World War Two bombs, dropped by the Luftwaffe on return flights from London.

challenge of making them fit for modern occupation while preserving their heritage.

Willmott Dixon Interiors has enhanced its reputation for the delivery of complex heritage building projects with the completion of a new £21m cultural and learning centre in Kent.

Open communication was a key facet of Willmott Dixon Interiors’ delivery of the project. Presentations were given to members of the public and respective council leaders on how the project would be delivered and the scheme was showcased to local business leaders, councillors, philanthropists and other dignitaries during its construction.

Moulding the buildings together as one homogenous space presented a series of complex problems, not least the technical

Built on relationships

A shared vision

LEISURE

The flagship regeneration project was first conceived around a decade ago by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and Kent County Council. They identified an opportunity to create an integrated and expanded cultural hub for the town that would bring generations of local people together for years to come.

The exciting plans would see two historic buildings – which offered several services and cultural attractions – combined into one single, integrated two-storey structure with a basement facility.

A contemporary space with historic character

CULTURALMULTI-MILLION-POUNDCOMPLEXOPENS

Now complete, The Amelia Scott houses a museum, art gallery, library, archives, TWBC’s Gateway, Kent County Council’s register office, the Tourist Information Centre and Kent Adult Education Centre, as well as a landscaped courtyard.

It also showcases rare paintings and artefacts, including a Gainsborough, as well as 10,000 books and 60,000 historical objects, twice as many that could be displayed in its forerunner.

amed after the famous local suffragist, The Amelia Scott is the result of an ambitious 70-week project to transform two Grade II Listed buildings in Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, into a new, 41,774ft2 multi-purpose community hub. It was officially opened in May 2022.

There is also a new ground-floor pottery studio, as well as textile and silversmithing facilities and a digital suite for the creation of short films, videos and other digital art.

The project has:

Funded jointly by both councils, the project was supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and through local sponsorship.

The building’s design has enabled the delivery of a modern, barrel-vaulted glass atrium that seamlessly connects the two structures and floods the new building with natural light.

The Amelia Scott cost circa £21m to complete, including construction and fit-out. In addition, Willmott Dixon Interiors saved the customer a significant amount of money through value engineering, while construction materials were often ordered upfront to ensure the best possible purchase price.

Building Lives Academy – three andisInteriorsratebyandenvironmentalWe’vesustainabilityproblems.seekandrearrangingbeen“WillmottWellsExecutivethepurposebuildingtheeffectiveyearspeoplebringexcitingpropertyhasandInteriors,DirectorthanactivitiespeoplefuturewillpoundcollaborationWillmottleavingvulnerableemployabilitydevelopmentwithwasconstructionindividualsfortrainingconstruction-basedacademieswereheldlocaleconomicallyinactiveaged18to64SevenOakscareersfair–careerguidancedeliveredinpartnershipTunbridgeWells’economicteamHMCookhamWood–sessionsforyoungoffendersprison,deliveredbyDixonInteriorsinwithNovus.TWBCestimatesthateveryspentonthebuildingreturnaround£4.00ofinvestment,whilemorewillundertakelearningatTheAmeliaScottanywhereelseinKent.GrahamShaw,ManagingofWillmottDixonsaid:“Thisisaboldimaginativeprojectthatrejuvenatedanoutdatedanddeliveredanfacilitythatwillgenerationsoflocaltogetherformanytocome.It’sareallywayofpreservingheritageofanexistingwhilstreimaginingitstosuittheneedsoflocaldemographic.”WilliamBenson,ChiefofTunbridgeBoroughCouncil,said:DixonInteriorshasverygoodatflexing,theprogrammeworkingwithustosolutionsratherthanThisbuildinghasatitscore.massivelyimproveditsperformanceI’vebeenreallyimpressedtheunbelievablerecyclingthatWillmottDixonhasachieved,whichsoimportanttothecouncilitsresidents.”

Open-plan design

As a heritage project, work was undertaken to protect many of the original features housed within the two buildings, including terrazzo flooring, stained-glass windows, display cabinets and Portico framework.

installations, including a new plant room and heating system, as well as new insulation and secondaryRainwaterglazing.harvesting has been enabled through the deployment of a 12,000l tank, providing attenuation against flooding in the town. The system is connected to an internet weather station and pumps out any water in the tank to enable space to harvest forecast rainfall.

All ventilation systems have been upgraded

Willmott Dixon Interiors hosted semiweekly visits during the summer of 2021, despite the issues posed by ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures, as well as time pressures regarding the delivery of the project.

Measuring 11m at one end and 8m at the other, it joins seven different floors of the former adult education centre with the former library in Civic Way, which has been extended to create new exhibition space.

The Amelia Scott is a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ (in progress) building, that meets several industryleading sustainability standards. It houses modern mechanical, electrical and plumbing

87 photovoltaic roof panels have been installed

The proactive attitude of all parties involved led to a positive, effective and collaborative partnership between TWBC and project team members, with a combination of informal updates and formal project meetings, as well as weekly customer site walks.

More than 99% of excavation material was recycled as part of the project’s waste removal plan.

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The atrium was delivered step by step on site, using traditional construction methods and involving close collaboration between experts across the broader project team. Some 37 tonnes of temporary propping was used, to allow the removal of supporting walls and create the openplan setting.

Toilets have been upgraded to low-capacity flush

In addition:

www.willmottdixoninteriors.co.uk

Strong environmental credentials

Sub-metering has been introduced to independently monitor each part of the building for energy consumption

LEISURE

Lasting community benefits

Willmott Dixon Interiors achieved a total social return on investment (SROI) of more than £6.9m through its delivery of the project, including circa £4.3m in local spend.

Other initiativesSROIincluded:

There are a whole host of factors that need to be included in a public sector sustainability strategy, but there are three big priorities

in place – helping you to justify budgets, demonstrate cost or carbon savings, and make future investmentImprovingcases.energy efficiency can be as simple as monitoring consumption more closely and cutting back, or can be a little more ambitious in installing new features to improve capabilities.

Organisations are under growing pressure from both peers and consumers alike to put in place robust sustainability strategies to ensure their operations are having as little impact as possible on the naturalDespiteworld.this, towards the end of last year, Veulio1 released some research revealing that less than a third of UK businesses and organisations actually had a net-zero strategy in place.

Utilising metering data

Rising bills and soaring inflation have forced the industry to prioritise keeping costs down, but organisations must now look at net zero as a priority. There is a real need for organisations to balance their environmental impact with the current financial challenges, which are certainly not mutually exclusive outcomes, with sustainable practices enabling both cost and carbon savings opportunities in the long term.

This is no less important for the public sector – a group that the public looks to as a leader in responsible, forward-thinking practices. If sustainability leads have not begun to put in place a strategy, now is the time to start.

ENERGY-SAVING STRATEGIES FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Sharon Sage has worked at EDF for 16 years. She now manages the team that look after the largest electricity contract in the UK. She is a member of the Woman’s Utility Network, and loves the way that it helps women to connect with other women, to share learnings, build confidence and develop passion for the fast-moving utilities space.

POINTTALKING

t’s no secret that the past few months have been a challenging time for the UK, from dealing with the energy crisis to the political uncertainty that is dominating the daily headlines. One facet that both of these – and many other aspects of our day-to-day lives – have in common, is that climate change is playing an ever-increasing role.

With pressure only mounting for businesses and the wider public sector to look at new strategies to make their day-to-day operations more sustainable, Sharon Sage of EDF Energy takes a look at the measures public sector organisations can adopt in order to hit their net-zero goals.

that not only make operations a lot greener, but can also save money; utilising metering data, investing in zero-carbon electricity and energy solutions.

The first and most important step in your journey is being able to access and understand your energy data. Like any project, decision makers need to know what they’re working with and where they’re starting from so they can understand where to make improvements. The more granularity in your data, the more you can do with it – such as understanding the busiest times of the day, where waste is happening and identify opportunities.

Not only that, you’ll have access to the data you need to measure the success or return on investment (ROI) of any efficiency measures you’ve put

Investing zero-carbonin electricity

This is one of the biggest ways that public sector organisations can make operations greener and reduce their carbonWhetherfootprint.assimple as selecting your energy contract to be backed by a renewable or zero-carbon nuclear energy source from the grid, saving 182g of CO2 per kWh (based on UK average fuel mix April 2020 to March 2021).

Or by introducing onsite renewable generation, allowing you to produce some of the energy required to run your operations. This was the case for SFRS, which worked with EDF to install solar PVs at its sites. So far, the solar PVs that have been installed are expected to save the SFRS around £90,000 per year and 150 tonnes of carbon.

Investing in energy solutions

POINTTALKING

For SFRS, EDF supported the business by aiding its transition to an EV fleet and installing charging stations across its network of sites. This allowed SFRS to make significant headway in achieving its long-term goal to transition 50% of its 755-strong ‘light fleet’ of cars and vans to EVs by 2025, increasing to all light vehicles by 2030.

them in a wider business strategy, public sector organisations will put themselves in a strong position to hit their sustainability goals and contribute to our collective efforts to achieve netThezero.public sector has the opportunity to lead from the front and set an example for others to follow. For suppliers, like EDF, it’s the hope that more and more businesses and organisations

begin looking for guidance on how to reduce their carbon footprints and play their part, no matter their size or journey to date. www.edfenergy.com 

In addition to improvements within facilities, such as insulation and lighting, there are a great number of energy solutions available that can reduce your organisation’s carbon impact.

By focusing on these three pillars and continually striving to embed

1Source: businesses-have-net-zero-strategyhttps://www.veolia.co.uk/insight/less-third-

he construction sector is one that is increasingly turning to technological innovation and digital tools to tackle the challenges the industry faces such as the drive to improve standards around quality, safety and performance, and the need to reduce carbon emissions in both construction and operation. There are two main routes to achieving this, which both rely on the adoption of technology: adapting traditional practices or developing and testing new approaches. Modern methods of construction (MMC) and offsite construction fall into the latter, with a focus on the use of manufacturing techniques and standardisation to achieve better project outcomes. It is here where digital tools can make a big impact.

Offsite directionalsotheProductTheandcollaboration,Playbookwithendorsedcommunitiesbuild,athousing,demandwillmanagementduringimprovedwaysrangeattechniquesmanufacturingneeddigitalpracticestheircore.Thiscancoveraofneeds,fromefficienttodesignandcollaborate,qualityassuranceproduction,andongoingofassets.Getthisright,andtheindustrybeabletomeettherisinginsectors,suchashealthcareandeducationscale,andimprovethewaywedeliveringgreatervalueforandthetaxpayer.AnoffsiteapproachisalreadybytheGovernment,theConstructioncallingforgreatercarbonreductiondigitalisationviathisroute.currentconsultationonthePlatformRulebook,viaConstructionInnovationHub,showsthatthisisthefutureoftravel.

MMC

T©Hamish Champ

It’s no secret that the events of the last two years have accelerated the rise of digitalisation like never before, with businesses pushed to discover new efficiencies and ways of working. As a result, many are realising the growing importance and potential of the digital world in keeping us all connected and running businesses more efficiently.

WHY HANDTOOLSANDCONSTRUCTIONMETHODSMODERNOFDIGITALGOINHAND

The adoption of MMC will significantly transform the industry, offering the potential for more efficient, safer and sustainable alternatives to traditional methods. With problems around skills shortages and the rising cost of materials, we could see a very different construction industry, with a more diverse workforce and an increase in product innovation.

A perfect match

An area where MMC goes hand in hand with software solutions is that designs can be tested digitally and optimised in virtual and pre-production environments before going to site. The repeatability and standardisation of a manufacturing-led approach makes it perfect for this approach.

The digital side to MMC

It also helps organisations to achieve a long-lasting ‘golden thread’ of information through fullytraceable digital records. This enables record keeping of what products and material specifications were used on projects, helping with ongoing maintenance, building a deeper understanding of performance, and allowing for greater risk management should any problems occur with products or if guidance or legislation changes.

A model for the future The construction sector needs to change the way it procures to support investment in MMC and digitalisation if it wants to tackle rising costs and supply chain disruption whilst increasing collaboration, value and sustainability.

It shows just how vital digital tools are when it comes to safeguarding the future of the built environment and its occupants, allowing construction professionals to meet the requirement for improved levels of asset information, as per the recent Building Safety Act.

This means that we should see more effective and precise resource planning to avoid material wastage, reducing both the need and cost for labour and equipment. This, in turn, reduces the carbon footprint of the construction process in tandem with the offset that can be achieved from an efficient offsite manufacturing process.

 www.bluebeam.com/uk MMC

By fully utilising and embedding the range of digital technologies in combination with MMC approaches, it is possible to standardise the industry’s approach to generating and classifying data, data security and dataWhilstexchange.technology doesn’t have all the answers, it is crucial that momentum continues to build on the uptake and investment of digital technology, strategies and skills to deliver rapid, high-quality, lowcarbon buildings that will stand the test of time.

Bringing people together

If data is accurately collected and collated during this process, it allows for greater measurement and validation when it comes to performance too, increasing our understanding of how built assets operate when comparing design and reality.

By utilising MMC in combination with software solutions, such as Bluebeam, project teams can communicate and collaborate in real-time across multiple locations and preserve important project data throughout the process from initial design through to the occupation and management of the finalThisbuilding.boosts transparency, encourages shared learning and provides an audit trail for every step of the project, helping from a compliance perspective. This makes it much more likely that potential risks and issues are identified and mitigated early on, avoiding costly delays or mistakes and resulting in better value and higher quality projects.

The consultant might have written the document setting out the correct solution, but their intention has been lost in the chain. How does this happen or, more importantly, how can you prevent this from happening when you write your specification?

Of course, you don’t want detail for its own sake. There is no point, for example, in specifying what colour paint should be used on an isolator, when the goal is to set out the correct engineering principles. However, that caveat aside, more detail is generally going to strengthen or tighten your specification.

This leads to the next important point. If you’ve read this far, it will come as no surprise that the next key ingredient in a good specification is the level of detail. It sounds so simple, but it’s worth dwelling on why this is so important. Remember that the purpose of all this is to limit the risk to your project and that the specification document needs to have a degree of finality about it. It cannot leave any questions unanswered, so you need sufficient detail.

For now, let’s begin with why this matters so much. Part of the reason a specification is such a crucial document is because of its finality. As an acoustic consultant, once you produce this document and hand it over to the contractor then that may well be the last you see of it.

However,it. in this example you are missing the third component in our definition. Specifically, how do you isolate it? You need to identify the right engineering principles and incorporate these into the criteria. For example, you might specify

An acoustic consultant is called in to identify a source of noise and vibration in an office building. They identify the culprit is a pump on the roof of the structure. The problem, therefore, is the pump and the solution is straightforward: you need to isolate

Let’s take an example to further illustrate why this is so important. Let’s say acoustic hangers are specified for a project. The specification might require spring hangers, which offer a natural frequency below 8Hz. There are many products on the market that could tick this box, but not all of them are designed correctly.

t its heart, a specification is a document that defines a problem, offers a solution and establishes a set of criteria whose satisfaction entails the successful implementation of that solution. This definition is a useful way of thinking about some common pitfalls that can emerge when writing a specification, so I’ll return to it shortly.

1) Make sure you answer the ‘how’ question

Specifications are passed down a lengthy chain. In the process of this journey, the intent behind the original specification can be lost, resulting in suboptimal solutions that entail a risk to a project. This risk can be avoided simply by getting the specification right. Here, Adam Fox, Director at vibration isolation specialist Mason UK, offers three key principles for writing a good specification.

Having been called upon to provide retrofits where things have sometimes gone wrong, I’ve often pondered whether a more tightly-written specification would have reduced the risks and, if so, what general principles might govern the writing of a document like that? It is a tricky one to pin down, but here are three key things I think might help lower the risk to your project:

Let’s return to the definition offered at the outset. The specification should define a problem and a solution, but here’s the important part: it needs to outline the criteria that determine whether that solution has been implemented correctly and in full. Take, for example, the following scenario.

the frequency and what other properties the isolator should have as a starting point. Now, you are not only offering a solution, but providing clear instructions as to how that solution is implemented.

2) The beauty is in the detail

WHEN SPECIFICATIONS DON’T SOLVE THE PROBLEM

If a sub-contractor further along the chain picks a suboptimal solution to save on cost or time to install correctly, or if an irresponsible supplier recommends a product that will not deliver the outcome, the acoustic consultant who wrote the specification may not know. There is a risk to the project and the end customer who will incur cost to resolve in the future.

FOCUSTECHNICAL

At this stage in the project, the consultant who originally wrote the specification may no longer be involved. So how do you prevent scenarios like the one described above? A good supplier should be able to willingly supply documentation that shows evidence that the specification has been complied with.

 www.mason-uk.co.uk FOCUSTECHNICAL

3) Place the onus on the supplier

In this instance, additional detail might include the misalignment capability of the hanger. For example, with minimal misalignment capability, the rod will make contact with the bracket, creating a transmission path and an acoustic breach. If the specification did not include details about the necessary misalignment capability, the contractor might simply pick the cheapest hanger that can meet the natural frequency requirement, without realising that this product will inevitably fail to isolate sources of vibration.

If you make sure you are addressing the ‘how’ question and doing so with the appropriate level of detail in your criteria, you will have a tight specification. If you go to the additional length of requiring the contractor or supplier to provide evidence that the specification has been met, you ensure that your original intention is not lost along the way. Although it might entail slightly higher upfront costs, the risk to your project will be reduced and the whole-life costs to the end user will likely be lower too.

The specification should include enough design features that the consultant can walk away and forget about it, knowing there is little risk to the project. However, there may be situations where if the supplier doesn’t request the right information, then there is the risk of the wrong type of product beingIdeally,specified.thespecification should be written so that the acoustic products will be fit for purpose and not all products are designed the same. For example, you would not specify the same size acoustic hanger for a small pipe versus a much larger pipe. The supplier should be proactive and ask questions about load requirements so that the specification can be met. Yet, if a supplier were to simply pick larger hangers without caring about the outcome, the contractor is unlikely to know or understand the risks this might introduce.

One only has to look at the multicoloured townhouses in London’s Notting Hill to see how the use of a wide array of both soft and bold pastel tones can radiate charm and be a striking and welcoming contrast to what many would say would be a dreary grey across many a home’s

Of course, it’s important to strike the right balance with different coloured renders within a scheme. There are certain colours that complement each other and it’s important to factor in the shade of the roof, doors and window frames as part of the overall exterior approach. A colour that contrasts with neighbouring homes and the local environment will also ensure it doesn’t clash or look unsightly.

many forms of art. In architecture, its importance should not be understated, and we cannot ignore the influence it has on people. On our homes, it is often the first thing to strike the eye and can be ingrained on our memory. The use of colour on the exterior of a home can shape our experience and we have learned to respond to certain colours in certain ways. From the purity and innocence of white, to the warmth and comfort across red colours in the spectrum, including orange and yellow, to the cool tones of blue, purple and green, colour can impact people in a number of different ways and can say a lot about ourselves.

olour is an integral element of our built environment, but it isn’t simply chosen for its decorative elements. Our sensory perception of colour means that when we look at the outer skin of buildings, it will influence us psychologically and thatColourphysiologically.isavisuallanguageisafundamentalelement

Matthew Allen, Head of Sales at Sika Building Finishing, looks into the importance of colour use in external facades and how choosing the right skin can impact a person’s perspective of a building, whilst creating a visually-appealing exterior.

FACADES32

facade in the capital city. First impressions clearly count and these Instagram-worthy facades have now become familiar the world-over. Isn’t it time then that we had more faith in colour?

Colour technology

The answer to this is, of course, yes. Colour technology has developed to the point where it is a sustainable, durable and plausible investment. There is an array of colours in the marketplace, with Sika offering an extensive range of options to suit everyone’s different tastes. As a strong advocate of colour technology, Sika has become a market leader for rendered facade, providing a high standard and quality that radiates across the render range, ensuring its customers can add creativity, comfort and style to the place we all call home.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RENDER IN COLOURING OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT

When specifying render and facade systems, colour and texture will vary depending on the type of finish or solution selected whilst the application method, such as a scraped-hand finishing or a machine-sprayed textured finish, can have a noticeable effect on the Furthermore,appearance.itis important to ensure when making that important decision to get samples in the colour and in the render finish you are interested in. Looking at samples in real life compared to looking online can make all the difference.

Two-tone Lake District homes

Stylish and energy efficient

An excellent example of the aesthetic and colourful appeal of render can be seen at an exclusive development of luxury homes close to the historic market town of Kendal. Situated in the southern gateway to the Lake District, Stonecross Meadows is a stylish development of three-, four- and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes. The developer, Jones Homes, required a weatherproof render in two contrasting colours, which offered ease of application and would successfully complement the homes’ natural stone facade. This led to the specification of Parex Monorex GM, a one-coat weather-resistant and breathable render.

Evans & Traves LLP

Throughout the installation, the Sika technical team provided technical support and full onsite visits every three to four weeks to ensure the project ran smoothly and to the client’s satisfaction.

Without doubt, colour expresses individuality and uniqueness without compromising performance. Whatever the substrate, there is a render to suit in a wide range of styles, finishes and colours to meet the design requirements. Rendered facades are a versatile, efficient and cost-effective system for any new or refurbished building regardless of the type or age of construction. They have potential to improve the outer skin of a building, update the aesthetics, adding limitless kerbside appeal and can be an important step in improving a building’s long-term thermal efficiency.

33  www.sika.co.uk/buildingfinishing FACADES

Architecture and contractor L G Building Poole, Sika provided a system build up comprising PAREXTHERM Siloxane applied to expanded polystyrene (EPS) on blockwork. In addition, Monoblanco was applied to blockwork on the garden perimeter walls.

Jones Homes specified Parex Monorex GM in Pale Yellow and Smokey Grey for the homes, garages and surrounding walls of the development. Parex Monorex GM was spray applied to the concrete blockwork and to provide additional reinforcement and crack resistance at stress locations around openings, Parex TV10 Mesh was embedded into the render during the application process.

Texture equals depth

A crisp, clean white exterior finish was the order of the day when it came to the design of a stunning new apartment building in the desirable Branksome Park area of Poole. The specification saw the application of an external wall insulation (EWI) system from Sika in order to bring both kerb appeal and thermal benefits to a new contemporary development featuring 10, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The architect and client not only wanted an EWI system that maximised the internal space but also assisted with the dramatic shape of the building which featured soft curves and no right Workingangles.with

For each elevation, Parex Maite was fully embedded with 355AVU mesh to provide added strength and crack resistance. This was then floated flat and, once the basecoat was dry, Revlane Regulateur was applied to increase the depth of colour prior to the application of the white top-coat finish of Revlane Siloxane.

Seminar highlights

Details of a packed programme of seminars, CPD talks and careers presentations have been announced for UK Construction Week Birmingham (UKCW Birmingham), one of the UK’s largest events for the built environment, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 4 to 6th October 2022.

UK CONSTRUCTION WEEK 4-6TH OCTOBER 2022

Day one

Day two

PREVIEWSHOW S C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

CPDSEMINARSPROGRAMMEANNOUNCESBIRMINGHAMPACKEDOFANDSESSIONS

Furthermore,projects.the

Officially opened by Architect and Channel 4 Presenter George Clarke, UKCW Birmingham is the must-attend construction event this autumn and is expecting around 25,000 attendees.

To register for UKCW Birmingham for free, go to ukcw-birmingham-2022.reg. buzz/pr.

UKCW

value through changes in the construction process. She will give her reflections on the launch of the value toolkit and what it can do for the sector.

careers centre will offer visitors an array of informative talks aimed at those interested in a career in construction, whether that be graduates, students in further education, or those looking at a career change.

Day three

UKCW Birmingham will see over 6000 products on display from over 300 exciting exhibitors including Bosch, Schneider Electric, Google, Graco Distribution, Wavin, Cemex, Hanson Plywood and many more. This year, the multi-award-winning show has also attracted an abundance of overseas exhibitors, including brands from as far afield as Australia, India, Norway, Turkey and the UAE.

34 eminars at UKCW will focus on a myriad of topics including skills, social value, business, innovation and regulation, major projects, procurement and housing – complemented by 20 dedicated CPD sessions across the three days, covering everything from supply chain resilience to the Building Safety Act.

Skills: UKCW Birmingham will look at the skills agenda, and the solutions that have been found by industry leaders, such as Rick Lee OBE, Chief People Person at Willmott Dixon, who was instrumental in securing the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark for the tier one contractor

Social value: Ann Bentley, Global Board Director at Rider Levett Bucknall and board member of the Construction Leadership Council, has led the way on bringing about behaviour change and unlocking social

www.ukconstructionweek.com

Economic outlook: What does the economic outlook for the sector look like? Top economists Professor Noble Francis, Economic Director at the Construction Products Association, and Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI, will offer crucial information for those planning the months ahead.

The 2022 show has an even stronger emphasis on future development in the industry. This year’s theme is Celebrating Culture Change in Construction and will be present throughout the show, backed by all the industry’s leading organisations, including AICO, Bosch, Hanson, Northgate and Quadrant Building.

Major projects, procurement and housing: Bringing together the solutions from the conference programme to the biggest challenges of the day. These include retrofitting the majority of UK housing stock, creating net infrastructure, and a look into the regional opportunities in the West Midlands region enabled by HS2 and its satellite

Business, innovation and regulation: Including the new Building Safety Act, the ongoing digital revolution, and the challenges facing the supply chain brought about by the pandemic and war in Ukraine

Visitors can expect to see new ranges from all exhibitors across all types of flooring including carpet, laminate, LVT, wood, vinyl, cork and grass for contract and retail markets. Alongside the returning brands, there will be plenty of new exhibitors, keen to meet with visitors and introduce them to their ranges. Confirmed names include Carpenters Limited, Kahrs, LX Hausys, Riviera Home UK, Tremco and Verhoek Europe, plus many more.

www.theflooringshow.com

60 incredible years

Across the three-day show, visitors will be able to meet with hundreds of brands including big names that people know and love, including Abingdon Carpets, Adam Carpets, Associated Weavers, Ball & Young, Berry Alloc, Bostik, Cavalier Carpets, Cormar Carpet Company, Furlong Flooring, Hanson Plywood, Interfloor, Kellars, Lano N.V, Likewise Floors, QA Flooring Solutions,

60 years does not come around too often and that is why this year The Flooring Show will be looking back at shows that have been and gone as well as the people that have made this event so special. The team are delighted to be able to bring the industry together for such a momentous occasion.

SHOW 18-20TH SEPTEMBER 2022

Opening hours: Sunday 9:30-17:30 | Monday 9:30-17:30 | Tuesday 9:30-15:00

SHOW ESSENTIALS:

Penthouse Carpets and Victoria Carpets & Design Floors, to name just a few.

Parking: Free parking at the venue (limited availability)

This year’s exhibitors will be showcasing new ranges and products that put innovation at the forefront and visitors will be able to see these in action at the Demo Zone. The Wool Trends Centre will be displaying the latest developments in the wool industry, whilst the NICF’s Fitter of the Year competition returns, with competitors putting their skills to the test.

Entry: The Flooring Show is a tradeonly event and is free for industry professionals. Register for your complimentary pass at theflooringshow.com today.

THE FORSHOWFLOORINGRETURNSMILESTONE YEAR

2022 exhibitor line up

ollowing a successful event in 2021, this year’s show is all about celebration. The sector’s resilience has been stalwart for the past two and a half years and The Flooring Show 2021 was all about bringing the industry back together under one roof,” says Event Director, Alex Butler. “Our 2022 event will be a celebratory affair, as we mark 60 years of The Flooring Show. It’s an extraordinary milestone that we look forward to celebrating with exhibitors and visitors from across the country for what promises to be three days of business and innovation.”

uncelebrated.THEFLOORING

Sustainability

There is no doubt that demand for sustainable solutions within the flooring industry has become a major focal point for today’s consumer. With plenty of new green and sustainable developments on offer from exhibitors, visitors will be able to make the right purchasing decisions for their end-consumer.

From 18 to 20th September, The Flooring Show will be returning to the Harrogate Convention Centre for what promises to be its biggest and best show yet. One of the UK’s largest events dedicated to the flooring industry will be marking its 60th birthday and the organising team are determined to ensure this milestone does not go

Dates: Sunday 18 to Tuesday 20th September 2022

Venue: Harrogate Convention Centre, King’s Road, Harrogate, HG1 5LA

PREVIEWSHOW F

What to expect for 2022 Innovation

37 Tel: 0115 941 1126 www.cfa.org.uk Email: info@cfa.org.uk Specifying a CFA member for your next flooring project could mean the difference between success — or a flooring failure. Most of the UK’s largest and best known Manufacturers, Distributors, Contractors and Consultants are CFA members — and for good reason. • CFA members promote high standards, knowledge and expertise • CFA members will maximize your investment and minimize costly flooring failures — which is good for your client, good for your reputation and also helps promote future business • All members have to pass a vetting process See the “Downloads” section at www.cfa.org.uk and download our leaflet TODAY Specify CFA Members_Sep 2021_HP_all sizes.indd 2 24/09/2021 16:25:00 ZEROplus VISIONCIRCULARSLIMPORTPANELS ZERO SEAL SYSTEMS LTD: 01785 282910 FIND OUT MORE AT: ZEROPLUS.CO.UK/SLIMPORT NEW - 60 minute clear fire resistant glass to BS EN 1634-1 Market leading fire resistance durations of 30 - 240 minutes Available in 4 sizes - 250, 350, 450, 550mm Manufactured from mild steel and stainless steel Various finishes available Concealed fixing one side Available as a full kit with glass andSlimportaccessories circular vision frames with their clean lines enhance the appearance of any door. NEW TESTING

A brand-new beautiful collection of powder-coated finishes has a rrived on the scene. Called ‘Satellite’, these are unique finishes developed by the i nnovative powder coating company, Powdertech Corby.

‘SATELLITE’ – POWDERTECH’S UNIQUE LUSTROUS FINISH WITH AN IRIDESCENT GLEAM

Satellite finishes are suitable for internal and external applications and can be applied to most metallic substrates. It is a range that stands alongside anodising, bronzes and golds as a high-quality, flexible, unique and economic finish with excellent durability and colour depthSatellitewillinattractedFreeformevenyoubyinofcollection,Freeformcompany’sandperformanceZestaddedenergeticrangecollectionsofanddevelopsdesignarchitecturalandto12collectionsseveralPowdertechstability.haslaunchedothernewoverthelastmonths.Bylisteningcustomers,forecastingfollowingtrendsintheandinteriormarkets,Powdertechshades,effectstexturesthatstayaheadthecurve.RecentnewincludeZest,aofmouth-wateringlyshades,bringingpizzazztoanyproject.offersthesamehigh-protectioncolourretentionastheotherfinishes.isanothernewlaunchedattheend2021.Thisrangeisuniquethatitisactuallydesignedeachindividualcustomer.Ifhaveadesignortext,oranimageinmind,thencanbringittolife.SatelliteitselfhasalreadysomuchinterestthatNovember2022,Powdertechbelaunchingevenmorefinisheswithgreatofcolourandsparkle.

Satellite ‘Porcupine’

www.powdertechcorby.co.uk01536400890pcl@powdertech.co.uk

design. Amron mentioned the frustrations of anodic coatings and the difficulty in finding a powder coating that offers a similar depth of colour and layered iridescent effect to Thatanodising.setthe Powdertech team thinking and the result was the Satellite range, launched in July. Amron is delighted with the range and used it, prelaunch, on the profiled sheet walls of the company’s stand at the Surface Design Show in February 2022. Using ‘Callisto’ from the Satellite range, the

FINISHES&COATINGS38

undulating surface of the profiled sheet was wonderfully enhanced as light bounced off the glittering finish.

Satellite ‘Scatha’

Development of the range arose from a casual conversation between Powdertech and Amron Architectural, one of the leading players in metal mesh for architecture and interior

Satellite ‘Callisto’ on Amron wellTec

The individual names are taken from the hundreds of manmade satellites that orbit the earth, so we have plenty of options as the range expands.”

The range is made exclusively for Powdertech to the company’s visual and technical requirements and conforms to BS EN 12206-1 standards and QualicoatSatellitespecifications.finisheshave a distinctive iridescent gleam with layered metallic and pearlescent effects, and a depth of colour unrivalled in a one-coat application. As Richard Besant, Director of Powdertech, explains: “The name ‘Satellite’ came once we saw the initial samples. The mid-sheen finish with vibrant

flashes of light, set in a rich colour, is so intense that it looked like a million satellites in the sky – the range name was obvious once we saw it.

39 KEMPEROL® Liquid Roofing & LongWaterproofingtermprotectionforflat roofs, buildings and critical structures

roofs, inverted roofs, green roofs, podium Whatever your requirements, we have a certified and proven solution to meet your needs. Contact us to discuss Kemperol Liquid WaterprooﬁngforTheKEMPEROL®firstchoiceliquidmembranes 95/3139 visit www.kemperol.co.uk To find out more about the KEMPEROL® range of products Tel: 01925 445532 Email: Whetherenquiries@kempersystem.co.ukit’saschool,hospital,hotel,carpark,balcony, the list is endless, KEMPEROL® has a range of cold applied products to suit every application. With over 60 years’ experience, there’s not many challenges we haven’t faced, confronted and overcome. 06/4388

Warm

Providing a faster alternative to made-to-order products, the new and easy-to-use online facility eliminates the longer lead times typical for stones imported from around the world, such as India, China and Europe, making Stone Stockyard the essential first port of call when time is of the essence. Once products have

Marshalls granite mix paving, Wellington Place, Leeds

Stone Stockyard, launched this month, is a new online sales hub from Marshalls that allows customers to view high-quality natural stone items currently in stock, pre-cut and ready to go.

Marshalls natural stone steps

Marshalls granite and Yorkstone paving, Christchurch Gardens, London

STONELAUNCHESMARSHALLSONLINESALESPORTAL

Stock levels and pricing are provided for ease and convenience, and with Marshalls’ dedicated sales team on hand, the ordering process is as simple as a short phone call.

Customers can visit Stone Stockyard at onadvisableproductsstockyard,marshalls.co.uk/commercial/stone-andwithstocklevelsandupdatedfrequently,it’sthatcustomerscheckwhat’sofferonaregularbasis.

LANDSCAPING&DRAINAGE40 www.marshalls.co.uk/commercial/stone-stockyard

With everything from paving and setts to kerbs and steps in Yorkstone, Sandstone, Granite and Porphyry and a range of colours, finishes and sizes on offer, customers are able to browse the stock available on the Marshalls website and conveniently locate the ideal offthe-shelf items for their scheme.

been ordered, they are available for fast delivery or collection.

During building design and specification, make sure to be emergency lighting compliant… ... with Tamlite Lighting. Check out our webinar on: Common Pitfalls with Emergency tamlite.co.uk/sectors/emergencyLighting.

Lighting for Emergency?

Liquid-applied waterproofing membranes are laid without the use of hot works, which, in an occupied hospital environment, minimises health and safety risks.

St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is an independent, charitable hospital. The new building, which is opening in planned stages throughout 2022, follows a recent £3.5m ward refurbishment.

RCI42

The solvent-free and odourless qualities, which some liquid manufacturers have, including Kemper System, result in work being able to continue without the need for evacuation or operational alsoCold-appliedstoppages.systemscantypicallybeinstalledas an overlay of the existing substrate to provide robust waterproofing protection with a long service life of up to a 25-year period.

Quick installation

Ben Ridgewell, Managing Director of Ridgewell Flat Roofing, said: “We have used Kemper System for many years, and the cold-applied solution was perfect for this prestigious project because it is so versatile. We could apply the system to each of the different roof and walkway areas with ease without having to switch roofing

“Kempermaterials.System, once again, delivered on such a complex project, which presented winter working challenges, specifically with high winds at times. Large expanses of sheeting material would have not have been practical or safe on site, so a roller-applied liquid waterproofing solution was the best for this project. We were extremely happy with the results, and so is the end client.”

The superior robustness and durability of cold-applied waterproofing compared to other systems makes lifecycle savings particularly attractive for those who may have a vested interest in the longterm performance of the roof system. This can be especially important to an NHS trust to ensure whole-life cost savings for the hospital.

KEMPER SYSTEM PRESCRIBED FOR HOSPITALMULTI-MILLION-POUNDROOF

Victoria Ramwell, Commercial Manager at Kemper System, explains the many advantages of cold-applied liquid waterproofing in a hospital-oc cupied environment.

Project focus: St John & St Elizabeth (HJE) Hospital, London

The £35m developmentnew-buildhascreated six hi-tech theatres and a day case suite, which is one of the most modern in the UK. The extension also includes a new admissions lounge, imaging department, consultant rooms and an expanded Urgent Care Clinic.

Because of the location of the new-build extension, adjacent to an occupied hospital building at HJE, the solvent-free and odourless qualities of the Kemperol system meant minimum disruption at the hospital throughout the application process. No hot works were required as part of the project, further reducing potential health and safety risks, and meaning no wait times were needed between applications of Onceresin.cured, the system forms a seamless, elastomeric waterproof membrane that cannot delaminate, is UV stable and creates a sturdy bond directly to the substrate. Additionally, the plant roof area had a number of complexities with many

ventilation outlets and airconditioning units, and because Kemper’s waterproofing system is roller-applied, operatives could easily install the resin underneath the units and around the complex roof structure.

enquiries@kempersystem.co.ukwww.kemperol.co.uk01925445532

A key example of liquid waterproofing fulfilling a hospital specification was that of Kemper System being specified for a multi-millionpound extension at St John & St Elizabeth (HJE) Hospital in the St John’s Wood area of London.

A total of 9060m2 of Kemper System’s Kemperol 2K-PUR solvent-free and odourless waterproofing membrane has been applied beneath the building’s green roof, onto a pedestrian trafficked walkway, the lower roof area and a plant roof area. The cold-applied solution was installed by Londonbased Ridgewell Flat Roofing.

Contractors had a strict timescale to adhere to, meaning a quick and easy application solution was required to complete the job.

RESTORATIONALPHAGRADEINTRODUCESROOFINGTREMCO

RCI

www.tremcoroofing.com info@tremcoroofing.com

01656 868490

www.rockwool.com/uk/nyrock technical.solutions@rockwool.co.uk

BRETT MARTIN TO CUT BUILDINGS’ CARBON FOOTPRINTS WITH ISCCCERTIFIED PRODUCT

EXTERNALINSULATIONNON-COMBUSTIBLELAMBDA,LOW-LAUNCHESROCKWOOLFORWALLS

As one of the UK’s largest producers of polycarbonate roofing and facades, Brett Martin supplies high-profile projects as diverse as London’s Royal College of Art or Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, as well as a wide range of commercial and industrial buildings. This new low-carbon alternative retains all the physical and

performance properties of the company’s other polycarbonate ranges and will be available to be specified in any Brett Martin’s Marlon polycarbonate multiwall, corrugated or flat sheets for use in roofs and walls.

Brett Martin is set to reduce the carbon footprints of buildings around the world with a remarkable new polycarbonate glazing product largely based on bio-circular-attributed material, such as used cooking oil, produced in an ISCC Plus-certified, mass-balanced approach.

Called Marlon BioPlus, the new sheet offers a major carbon footprint reduction by cutting the use of fossilbased material by 70%. This raw material delivers an 84% decrease in carbon emissions and, in addition, Brett Martin achieves further reductions in carbon by producing the sheet using 100% renewable energy, generated at its ownMarlonsite.

ROCKWOOL has launched NyRock Rainscreen 032 and Frame Slab 032, the first in a series of products that use NyRock technology, a patented production process that delivers the lowest lambda stone-wool insulation available in the UK. NyRock Rainscreen 032 is specifically developed for ventilated cladding systems and sealed structures such as curtain walling. It combines a low thermal conductivity of 0.032W/mK and a non-combustible Euroclass A1 rating along with independently-tested acoustic performance and the potential for thinner wall constructions. For optimum thermal performance in framed structures, NyRock Rainscreen Slab 032 should be combined with NyRock Frame Slab 032, a further new addition to the NyRock range, that is purpose designed for fitting between the studwork of external timber or light-gauge, steel-frame walls. Combined, NyRock Rainscreen 032 and Frame Slab 032 enable U-values to be met with a thinner wall construction versus standard stone-wool solutions.

43 commercial@brettmartin.comwww.brettmartin.com

SYSTEM

Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance has introduced the AlphaGrade Restoration System for gravel-surfaced built-up roofs (BUR). This unique, bio-based, liquid-applied system restores ageing, yet still functional, built-up roofs with multiple layers of waterproofing protection – eliminating the need for roof replacement, while saving building owners tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds. Josh Poole, Tremco Roofing’s Product Manager – Liquid Applied Systems, says: “Until now, your options to address these ageing roofs included roof replacement or retrofit – which can be very expensive, labour intensive, messy and disruptive – or restoration using ageing technologies that offer limited performance. The AlphaGrade Restoration System offers a better solution that brings these roofs back to life through a highperformance, waterproof covering that helps the environment and reduces stress for building occupants.” After an assessment and diagnostics, which determine that a roof can be restored, repairs are made and loose gravel and debris are removed. Three layers of bio-based waterproofing protection are then applied: AlphaGrade, a levelling coat that secures the remaining gravel in place; AlphaGrade Base Coat and highly-reflective and restorable AlphaGrade Top Coat.

BioPlus has already achieved International Sustainability & Carbon accreditation with ISCC Plus certification. ISCC Plus is a globally-recognised sustainability certification program for bio-based and bio-circular (recycled) raw materials with a focus on the traceability of raw materials within the supply chain. What makes Marlon BioPlus unique is the combination of this certification and Brett Martin’s 100% onsite renewable energy, which together represents a huge step towards a zero-carbon polycarbonate sheet.

SOLUTIONACCESSHISTORIC

uk.advancedco.com03458947000

Making the correct choice of dance floor is essential when designing a performance space. Whether it’s a world-renowned dance company, university, secondary school or local dance school, the dance studio is a dancer’s work environment and the floor is a fundamental tool for their work.

Continuing to offer the highest quality floors to the world’s performers, Harlequin’s Cascade vinyl performance floor now has added BioCote antimicrobial protection. BioCote antimicrobial technology is manufactured into the Harlequin Cascade vinyl creating a dance surface upon which microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, cannot survive. The result is a floor that is easier to keep hygienically clean, reducing the risk of cross contamination and infection by working constantly to reduce the presence

of microbes on the surface of the floor. BioCote is also proven to offer protection for the expected lifetime of the product – it will not wear out or wash off, ensuring long-term defence against harmful microbes.

There are some critical factors that distinguish the requirements of dancers from those of sports played on sports floors. Many sports require a firm floor, which allows balls to bounce predictably. Sports footwear is generally cushioned to protect against impact injuries and provides grip for the sportsperson. By contrast, dancers need more absorption or cushioning on landing from jumps. Their footwear varies according to dance style and doesn’t cushion landings. Dancers also need the right degree of traction from the dance surface.

The correct dance floor makes an important contribution to the safe performance of dancers without the risk of slips and falls or longer-term stress injuries. Floors developed for commercial or sports applications do not offer the key benefits dancers need.

enquiries@harlequinfloors.comwww.harlequinfloors.com01892514888

The Grade I Listed Newcastle Cathedral has recently undergone considerable renovation work after being awarded a £4.2m National Lottery Heritage grant. TORMAX was contracted by Historic Property Restoration to deliver an automatic entrance system for the main rear door that would be easily accessible for all visitors without compromising the heritage facade of the building. The elegant, bi-parting automatic glass sliding door features stylish manifestation, whilst the grey profile surround subtly blends with the period location. Enhancing pedestrian safety, the entrance benefits from two internal glass pocket screens behind which the door leaves recess. The entrance is also Secure RC2 rated, helping ensure the cathedral is not a target for criminal activity. The new TORMAX sliding doors provide a wide-open, welcoming entrance for visitors to the cathedral. Technologically advanced, yet aesthetically discreet, the door leaves are powered by the in-house-designed TORMAX 2302 operator. Requiring only low-energy operation, the 2302 drive is an environmentally-conscious solution, with options to adapt opening speed and hold-open times to match foot traffic and weather conditions.

www.tormax.co.uk 01932 238040 sales@tormax.co.uk

INNOVATION&FOCUS

FASTER, SAFER BUILDING EVACUATIONS WITH ADVANCED DYNAMIC SAFETY SIGNAGE

Fire and life safety systems manufacturer, Advanced, has extended its emergency lighting range with Dynamic Safety Signage (DSS) –proven to make building evacuations faster and safer. DSS uses green moving and pulsing LED arrows to clearly indicate safe exits and red LED crosses to boldly show no-go areas. This distinctive indication supports effective escape and avoids congestion at exits. For added safety, DSS is also compatible with Advanced’s LuxIntelligent emergency lighting test system, making it easy to prove compliance and identify any parts of the system requiring attention. Advanced offers a complete range of emergency lighting solutions, including LuxIntelligent, the automatic, addressable, emergency lighting test system, that shows all emergency lights are compliant and functioning, with no engineer involvement required. Each panel can automatically test and monitor nearly 1000 luminaires and is easily networked using existing wiring and lights, keeping installation costs to a minimum. The system also offers optional cloud monitoring and management via mobile and web apps.

WHY SPECIFYING THE RIGHT FLOOR FOR DANCE AND THE PERFORMING ARTS IS SO IMPORTANT

Harlequin works extensively with dance scientists and biomechanics experts to investigate the effects of the choice of dance floor on dancer performance and injury, and to research and develop floors that minimise these risks. That is why Harlequin is recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities on dance floors.

Better for you. Better for the planet.

For more information about using cork on your project, or to book a CPD, please contact our team: www.corksoluk.com | 01484 442420 | info@corksoluk.com

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thermal insulator reducing the dependence on heating systems, which also helps reduce condensation and black spot mould. It has sound dampening properties to improve acoustic comfort, whilst offering natural resistance to ﬁre and high temperatures. Added to this, as it is hypoallegenic it helps to improve air quality against airbourne particles.

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AKW AWARDED EMPLOYER EXCELLENCE MARK

INNOVATION&FOCUS

buildingrelationships@m-ar.co.ukwww.m-ar.co.uk01482635081

M-AR and Housing 21 have come together at a ceremony to mark reaching a major milestone on their latest project, which, when finished, will be the largest net-zero volumetric modular retirement living scheme in England. The ceremony marked the beginning of the second major phase of construction with the very first modules being craned into site at Patent House and Patent Walk in Doncaster. All 64 modules that make up the eight retirement living bungalows and three-storey retirement living apartment block have been constructed off site in M-AR’s factory in Hull. The modules are delivered to site completely finished, right down to the electrics, plumbing and interior paintwork, and the M-AR site team will then complete the project with external cladding and landscaping.

46 www.akw-ltd.co.uk 01905 823298 sales@akw-ltd.co.uk

AKW, a leading provider of bathroom accessibility solutions, is pleased to announce that its management team has been awarded the Bronze Excellence Mark by Skills Builder Partnership. This award is given to organisations that demonstrate best practice in embedding essential skills training within recruitment, staff development and/or outreach.

It also means that employees with the right skills are in a position to deliver an improved customer experience, whether that is in the customer services team, or designing a new product in the engineering and product management team.

Offsite specialist M-AR recently hosted its first factory open day, welcoming more than 50 visitors to its large manufacturing facility and head office in Hull for an indepth insight into what goes on behind the scenes. The visitors included architects, potential clients, suppliers, competitors and students. M-AR’s team was on hand throughout the day to answer all the questions raised by visitors interested to learn more. Touring M-AR’s 100,000ft2 factory, visitors were able to see a live project in progress from start to finish – from the arrival of the raw materials, through each stage on the production line as the modules took shape before being finished, wrapped and loaded ready to deliver to site.

DONCASTER’S LATEST RETIREMENT SCHEME REACHES NEW HEIGHTS FOR M-AR www.m-ar.co.uk 01482 635081 buildingrelationships@m-ar.co.uk

Charlotte Treverton-Jones, AKW’s HR Business Partner, comments: “Working with Skills Builder Partnership has brought clarity to our recruitment systems. Candidates understand the essential skill requirements to join our organisation and are given guidance in how to demonstrate this at interview. We would encourage other companies to undertake and achieve the Excellence Mark, as a way of demonstrating a fair, wellstructured and positive recruitment process for candidates.”

M-AR OPENS ITS DOORS TO COLLABORATIONINDUSTRY-WIDE

AKW’s managers undertook the training to enhance the company’s recruitment processes. The result is a much clearer understanding amongst interviewers of what essential skills – such as problemsolving, leadership and teamwork – they seek in interviewees. This provides an environment for improved recruitment processes, as more appropriately-skilled people join the organisation.

SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR HEALTHCARE VENTILATION

Research into the most effective, healthy way to ventilate in operating theatres has been published by Gilberts (Blackpool). It coincides with the publication of new guidance – Health Technical Memorandum 03-01 – from The NHS on specialised ventilation for healthcare premises and the ramping up of Government plans to build 40 new hospitals by 2030. The findings follow in-depth testing by the company. The research validates the most effective way to ventilate within operating theatres is to use laminar flow directly above the operating table. The optimal design is to position the panels in a line, to discharge clean, filtered air directly down over the patient, washing down over the operating table for extraction by lowlevel grilles.

www.gilbertsblackpool.com 01253 766911 info@gilbertsblackpool.co.uk

Specify Pilkington Suncool™ for your project through us at enquiries@pilkington.com, or arrange the supply via one of our trusted partners at www.pilkington.co.uk/suncoolpartners

Manufactured in the UK, the Pilkington Suncool™ Range offers high performance solar control, low-emissivity glazing for both commercial and residential applications. With varying levels of solar control, thermal insulation, and light transmittance, you can specify the most ideal glass for your projects, while `future-proofing’ for the new Approved Documents L and O.

CHOSENPERFORMTO

Pilkington Suncool™ Range Solar Control Glass

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PSBJ September 2022

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