Refurb & Developer Update - July 2023

Visit CT1 at The Installer Show 27-29th June 2023

CT1 will be creating a sensation at The Installer Show, the UK’s number one destination for installers and specifiers of heat, water, air and energy technology. This year’s exhibition takes place on 27-29 June at the NEC, Birmingham. It is THEE place to see and try new product innovations, meet industry specialists, connect with the best manufacturers and gain trade insights that keep your business ahead of competitors

Meet the Industry Experts

CT1 is a long-standing favourite with crowds at The Installer Show and visitors will be flocking around the busy, bustling stand to see what solutions Britain’s number 1 sealant and adhesive experts are bringing to the table, and ultimately their own toolboxes. The UK’s leading social media personalities from plumbing, electricity and building trades will also be on the CT1 stand to offer expert advice and guidance. Ensure you visit Stand G120 to find the best solutions for all your projects!

CT1 is Officially Britain’s No.1 Sealant and Adhesive

CT1 is the Number 1 Sealant and Construction Adhesive of choice in the UK, as officially voted in an independent survey by Expert Trades (www. experttrades.com). Its unique TRIBRID® Technology is up to 3 times stronger with 250% more elongation than traditional hybrid adhesives.

CT1 is the Strongest Choice!

CT1 will securely adhere on virtually any material in most applications including concrete, brick, wood, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, metals (including lead), most stones without staining, uPVC, roofing felt and plastics (excluding PP, PE and PTFE). That’s why CT1 is the number 1 product of choice for trades in every sector of the construction industry including builders, roofing contractors, joiners, tilers, plumbers, window suppliers, kitchen fitters, bathroom installers and specialist fit out companies.

CT1 is Proudly Made in Britain

Proudly Made in Britain with British design and British technology CT1’s award winning TRIBRID® formulation provides unique adhesion and enhanced performance, even in the harshest outdoor applications. Furthermore, it contains no solvents nor isocyanates, is almost odourless and releases no vapours nor harmful toxins. It’s the healthiest choice for home, landscaping and commercial projects. It can even be applied under water without detrimentally impacting ecological biodiversity, aquatic plants, animals or fish life.

‘GRAB EXTREME’ National Grand Final

Are you stronger and more determined than your workmates?

The National Final of the ‘Grab Extreme’ Challenge, testing C-TEC’s revolutionary Power Grab ‘N’ Bond adhesive, will be hosted at The Installer Show.

There’s amazing Milwaukee Tools and CT1 Products to be won by contestants who ‘Hang in There’ longer than their workmates and industry peers.

Supporting our Industry Partners ‘Band of Builders’

CT1 is delighted to partner with Band of Builders and assist the fantastic work they do to complete practical projects and provide financial and wellbeing support for members of the UK construction industry who are battling illness or injury. Scan this QR Code and help us make a difference to so many construction industry colleagues faced with life changing or life limiting illnesses or injuries.

Register Now for The Installer Show.

Registration for The Installer Show is now open. Tickets and parking for visitors are free of charge. Join thousands of others already booked to attend from 27th to 29th June to find out more about the very latest products and solutions in the market, and why CT1 is leading the way in quality, service and new technological advancements in the construction industry.

Nicola Walsh: Celebrating an Influential Woman in the Construction Industry!

The entrepreneurial drive and ambition of Nicola Walsh, Sales and Marketing Director at CT1, has recently been recognised by the UK’s construction industry with a prestigious Influencer Award. Over 500 guests from across Britain and Ireland gathered at the famous Belfry Hotel and Resort on the 25th May to honour of the industry’s leading lights. It was a celebration of the UK’s most remarkable individuals standing out in their field of expertise and inspire so many others with their positive focus and energy.

On learning she’s being honoured by industry peers for her positive influence and impact in the construction sector Nicola said;

“I’m absolutely privileged to represent our fantastic team in CT1. This award brings a spotlight on the hard work they all do to provide an unparalleled package of sales and marketing support to our customers. They are a shining example of what a thriving business can achieve.”

Promoting Women in Construction

CT1 is a huge advocate for shining a spotlight on women in construction, who make up only 1% of employees within the industry. It’s undertaking initiatives empowering women in construction and the Influencer Award Nicola will be accepting helps highlight further the amazing women within the industry and the positive benefits of increased creativity, innovation and collaboration they bring to the entire sector. Under Nicola’s direction and guidance CT1’s range of unique TRIBRID® Sealants and Construction Adhesives is growing massively and exported internationally. In fact, CT1 has been officially voted, in an independent survey by Trade Experts, as the No.1 Sealant and Adhesive of Choice among trades people nationwide.

Committed to Being the Best

Making the Top 100 Influencer List is an amazing achievement. Currently there are almost 370,000 businesses employing 2.7m employees in the UK’s construction industry, so it’s a very competitive marketplace. To stand out you must excel at what you do, positively engage with those around you, share your knowledge, help others and have a commitment and desire to bring the best solutions to the industry as a whole.

CT1’s success embodies everything about Nicola’s character. It’s committed to helping others and creating solutions that enable Britain’s trades people do their work better and faster, with less waste and costs.

ecodan.me.uk/rduf4

As a market leader in low carbon heating systems, we help housing developers comply with the changes to Part L of the Building Regulations by specifying Ecodan Air Source Heat Pumps for new build homes.

Our dedicated website pages provide you with support at every one of the seven steps of the RIBA Plan of Work.

ecodan.me.uk/rdua

Panasonic Enhances Etherea Range with nanoe™ X Mark

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Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions is improving its Etherea range with the new Etherea ZKE. Designed to provide highlevel comfort and improved indoor air quality, the Etherea ZKE series sets a new standard in energy efficient, residential cooling solutions with Panasonic’s latest nanoe™ X Mark 3 technology built-in as standard.

Etherea boasts the highest energy rank of up to A+++ in heating and cooling and a super quiet operation noise of just 19dB(A), providing the greatest level of comfort for any home. The air-toair technology allows for a highly energy efficient solution with optimal performance year-round.

Panasonic’s innovative nanoe™ X Generator Mark 3 is the latest of the continuously evolving technology, producing the largest amount of hydroxyl radicals at 48 trillion per second. Hydroxyl radicals are abundant in nature and have the capacity to inhibit five types of pollutants and allergens, including certain viruses and bacteria as well as odours, to clean and deodorise hard surfaces and soft furnishings. nanoe™ X works independently from the heating and cooling operation when the unit is in fan mode, thus improving protection and the indoor environment, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The units also feature an inside cleaning operation which uses nanoe™ X technology on the filter, evaporator, and air outlet.

Panasonic strives to create a comfortable environment for homeowners, therefore its Etherea range features Aerowings 2.0. Panasonic’s Aerowings technology consists of two independent flexible vanes that concentrate airflow to heat or cool a room in the shortest time possible and helps distribute air evenly throughout a room.

Designed to blend seamlessly into the most stylish of homes, the units are available in graphite grey, silver and pure white matt finishes, allowing for a wide choice to suit any interior. The highquality wall mounted air conditioner has a timeless design with a compact, narrow chassis that fits neatly on the wall.

Additionally, the units also come with an easy-to-use remote controller with an ergonomic design and tapered rear housing for the most comfortable grip. The minimalist remote controller allows for an aesthetically pleasing design.

For the ultimate convenience, the units come with built-in Wi-Fi and features advanced smart control and voice control, compatible with leading voice assistants in the market, improving user experience. Etherea ZKE series is compatible with Panasonic Comfort Cloud app, which can easily be setup through the given QR code. The app is designed to easily manage all system functions via a smart device. It allows for increased energy efficiency and cost-savings thanks to the ability to remotely control air conditioners and monitor energy consumption.

The range is available in single and multi-split from 2.05kW to 7.10kW, and the graphite grey units has a new capacity of 4.2kW.  For more information, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.eu.

Where Sustainability and Architecture Unite!

Join us to Shape the Future of Sustainable Design

Are you an architect, designer, or developer dedicated to creating environmentally conscious structures?

If so, we invite you to join Greenworlder’s Sustainable Building Visionaries, an exclusive group of professionals who are revolutionizing the world of architecture through sustainable design.

As a member, you will gain access to a community of architects, developers, designers, real estate agents, researchers, and other professionals who share your passion for green architecture. You will benefit from the collective wisdom and expertise of our members, participate in upcoming contests, challenges, webinars, and workshops, and explore innovative solutions that push the boundaries of sustainable design.

Besides, by joining Greenworlder’s Sustainable Building Visionaries group you can also discover cutting-edge research, industry trends, groundbreaking technologies, materials, and construction practices that are revolutionizing the field of sustainable architecture.

Why join?

Greenworlder is the first sustainability-focused social media platform. With a specialized group for Sustainable Building Visionaries, Greenworlder allows you to connect with a diverse network of sustainability experts, renowned architects, and influential developers from around the world; and benefit from their invaluable insights, learn from their experiences, and forge meaningful connections that will propel your career to new heights.

On the Greenworlder platform, you can also find potential collaborators, partners, and clients who share your vision for sustainability. Together, we can amplify our efforts and accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable architecture. Join Greenworlder today and share your sustainable projects, and achievements within a supportive community that recognizes and celebrates your dedication to eco-conscious architecture. Inspire others, join Greenworlder and embark on a journey towards a greener, more sustainable future. app.greenworlder.com

Housebuilder Technology

Tapping into this potential is, of course, nothing new for housebuilders, but is there an opportunity for the sector to now think bigger? Bathroom manufacturer, Geberit, undertook a nationwide poll of UK homeowners to find out how they use technology in the home and their willingness to invest more in homes with smart solutions. In a new specialist report, Geberit has partnered with realtor Grant Bates to explore the findings in more detail and look at what the untapped potential of the bathroom space can offer housebuilders. Here, Sophie Weston at Geberit, explains.

The hotelisation of the home has had an enormous impact on the residential property market in recent times. The pandemic has, of course, played its part, with homes transformed into multi-functional spaces that are part gym, office and sanctuary. Indeed, we looked at the impact of this in our new report ‘Why Bathroom Technology is a Smart Choice for Housebuilders’ and what this means for the expectations of today’s homebuyers. Grant Bates, realtor at Hamptons International and contributor to our report, sums it up neatly thus: “Leaving home is a choice, not a necessity for occupants.”

The end result is a buyer whose main consideration is prioritising day-to-day enjoyment of life and one willing to pay a ‘convenience premium’. As Grant points out, “…the practicality and convenience of the home are as important as the interior design.”

Smart expectations

Developers are, naturally, responding to these growing expectations and ensuring that homes are “… using the latest technology to accommodate a new world with a focus on self care, hygiene and flexible space.”

Today’s consumers have lived through some of the biggest technological changes in the home since the Industrial Revolution, embracing the consolidation of electrical appliances and gadgets into fewer, smaller and connected devices.

There is no doubt that some spaces do lend themselves to smart innovations more obviously than others. Think Bluetooth enabled white goods, smart fridges and touchless taps in the kitchen, for instance. Likewise, as Grant points out, many home office spaces are increasingly “akin to a professional YouTuber or influencers. Lighting, backdrops and high performance web cams are all a necessary part of any work from home set up as remote meetings replace the commute to the board room.”

In fact, when we commissioned a YouGov poll of 1,200 UK homeowners to seek their views on technology and smart devices in the home, the most popular spaces to see such innovations featured were the living room (70%), followed by the kitchen (34%) and home office (29%). Trailing behind at just 2% was the bathroom.

It’s clear, then, that some areas of the home are advancing more rapidly than others when it comes to technology, and the bathroom has evolved at a relatively slow pace. Perhaps this reflects the fact that housebuilders do not typically offer the same range of specification options for the bathroom as they might do for, say, the kitchen.

Yet, we must not underestimate the significance of the bathroom in our lives. For instance, research by Geberit in 2018 found that nearly three quarters of us struggle to find time to relax and, in the quest for some respite, the bathroom was the most popular place of escape. Homeowners are increasingly looking for a sanctuary in their home. If a spa is the brief from your buyers, could technology hold the key to unlocking this? And are your buyers willing to pay more?

Convenient investment

We put this question to our respondents. More than a third (35%) told us that they would be willing to pay more for a new home with technology and four in ten of those polled believed that there could be more technology in new homes.

There is clearly, therefore, a desire to see more innovations in new build and a willingness to pay the so-called ‘convenience premium’.

But let’s return for a moment to the bathroom, where only 2% of homeowners rely on smart devices or technology. The sanctuary of the home. Are housebuilders missing a vital opportunity here? “Bathrooms are critical to selling a hew home,” Grant points out. “For housebuilders there is a clear opportunity to improved saleability through bathroom design, specification and technological integration.”

Solutions

The good news for housebuilders is that bathroom technologies are generally fuss free solutions. When we asked our respondents what bathroom technology they would expect to find in a new build, odour extraction (39%) topped the list, followed by orientation lighting (34%). More than one in four (28%) expect to see touch-free flush plates and one in five (22%) believe that shower toilets should be a common feature.

Of course, such innovations are nothing new for manufacturers. Geberit’s AquaClean Mera shower toilet incorporates a number of such smart features from odour extraction and built-in orientation lighting to a warm air dryer and user recognition. Infra-red taps, meanwhile, such as Geberit’s Brenta and Piave products remove touchpoints in the space for a premium hygienic finish.

Lighting, too, can provide a simple way for housebuilders to add perceived value across projects. Geberit’s Option Plus and Acanto mirror cabinets have integrated USB ports for charging devices and LED bathroom mirrors can create discreet (and flattering!) lighting. Indeed we can expect to see manufacturers continue to innovate with future designs likely to display the news and weather or stream a favourite television show.

It’s worth remembering, however, that technology in the bathroom doesn’t always have to mean connectivity and automation. With new builds getting smaller, housebuilders must meet the challenge of creating attractive and practical bathrooms. Wallhung toilets and sanitaryware create the illusion of space by lifting products from the floor and can open up greater design flexibility across projects.

developer-update.co.uk

Housebuilders

So what are housebuilders’ attitudes to this? We spoke to a number of individuals from across the sector to better understand their attitudes to technology. The results further highlight the appetite for continued growth in home technology solutions.

All our respondents agreed that UK new build homes could feature more technology and the vast majority intend to enhance their specification offer in the coming years. Drivers for doing so included differentiation from competitors, brand reputation and meeting buyer demand to help expediate sales. Most of the respondents do currently feature bathroom technologies and plan to install additional innovations in future projects, recognising the importance of technology in attracting buyers and adding value.

Conclusion

“Developers should be focusing on the wow factors, the principal suites, entertaining spaces and bathrooms,” advises Grant. “If any buyer is choosing between two similar schemes, they will opt for the product that makes their everyday life better and smart technology does just that.”

There is clearly a growing expectation from homeowners for more smart innovations in the home as personalisation and technology becoming more important to buyers. Perhaps the bathroom can provide the answer. It’s time for housebuilders to widen their scope to take advantage of buyer demand.

To download the report visit https://www.geberit.co.uk/technology

THE FUTURE LOOKS GREEN FOR THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are now playing a critical role in investment decisions, development projects, and ongoing operations in the real estate sector, according to a new global outlook published today from HLB and Multilaw. HLB, a global advisory and accounting network, and Multilaw, a global network of law firms, have joined forces and co-authored a report on how an increased focus on sustainability is shaping the real estate sector.

The report, which draws on the real estate expertise of both networks, finds that while the importance of adopting more sustainable practices in the sector is high, economic challenges, such as rising construction costs, have made it difficult for investors and developers to meet ESG expectations. However, although the economic climate is challenging, real estate opportunities are plentiful. From the growing subletting business to the rising importance of PropTech.

From a global perspective, ESG practices vary greatly across the world. Main findings include:

USA: The USA is not as united in its opinions regarding climate change compared to Europe.  Some of the country’s more prominent landlords are still sceptical that higher rates result from sustainability or ESG features, instead viewing their ‘newness’ as the cause.

Europe: Investors and lenders across Europe are increasingly analysing the credentials of their investments through an ESG lens. This is challenging investors and governments as they juggle ESG policy, economic growth, and asset growth.

LATAM and the Caribbean: ESG is starting to take more precedence in the region with many sustainability-linked bonds being issued by companies and governments in an effort to create ESG policies with genuine impact.

Middle East: The Middle East are viewing ESG as a top priority, particularly in light of the upcoming COP 28 summit in November 2023, which is being hosted by the UAE. While climate concerns have been a big consideration in the region for

several years, the impending climate change summit has spurred an even greater commitment to creating sustainable buildings.

Africa: Africa is seeing sustainability rise as a megatrend that is forcing change. It does, however, seem likely that the African region will need to craft its own unique approach to the creation of sustainable buildings which is more in line with its GDP per capita.

Asia: Asia is seeing a marked increase in traction for green leases, which constitute an agreement between tenant and landlord to improve the property’s environmental performance through cuts in energy and water usage and reducing waste.

Looking ahead, there is a continual rise in advances in the sector to pave the way for more sustainable practice. The capabilities of PropTech to drive sustainability in real estate are exciting and promising. By leveraging technology to monitor energy usage, using sustainable materials and practices, and adopting renewable energy sources, the real estate industry can make significant progress towards a more sustainable, greener future.

www.multilaw.com

www.hlb.global

The potential for a multidimensional garden in the woods was clear from the start on a three-plus-acre clearing in Great Falls, Virginia. The owners of a Colorado-inspired, stoneand-wood residence sought to enhance their property with a pool, vegetable garden and play space for children. The plan developed by landscape architect Jeff Plusen layered vegetation in organic curves and set stones as nature might have dropped them. He even integrated a faux stream by recycling pool water over a cascade of Delaware River pebbles.

“It’s a tremendous property carved out of the woods, so the connection to the environment was very important,” Plusen notes.

A wild spirit flourishes in the backyard. Stacked fieldstones support a pool sidewall. Irises and grasses sprout among irregular flagstones, a fire circle and pathways to an expansive lawn. For contrast, orderly travertine pavers surround the pool and gazebo.

Garden installation was undertaken by Planted Earth

WOODED WONDER

Landscaping. Starting in 2015, spaces for play equipment and a kitchen garden were established, and serviceberry trees, oakleaf hydrangeas and summer meadow bloomers planted. Close to 100 additional trees replenished the forest edge. “We went with nothing smaller than two-inch calipers,” says thenproject manager Justin Spittal.

An unusual cattle-crossing grate at the front entrance keeps deer out, while welcoming guests with an unobstructed and lush view. “This project was awesome,” says Spittal. “Other than the native forest, there wasn’t a single plant on site when we got started.”

Award: Distinction, Total Residential Contracting (Planted Earth). Landscape Architecture: Jeff Plusen, ASLA, RLA, Plusen Landscape Architects, Catonsville, Maryland. Landscape Contractor: Planted Earth Landscaping Inc., Sykesville, Maryland.

An expert team conjures a welcoming forest reverie in Great Falls

FROM COMICS TO COPINGS

Architectural and landscaping products from Welsh Slate feature on award-winning illustrator’s new home.

Award-winning British comic book artist and illustrator Charlie Adlard is enjoying a new lease of life in a new home featuring a building material that is seriously old!

Charlie has been a “veteran” of the comic industry for more than 25 years and recently finished a 15-year spell working on The Walking Dead series which was adapted for television by US network AMC in 2010. Charlie himself appeared in the pilot as a zombie extra!

Now free to pick and choose his own projects, including life drawing sessions and single illustrations for music, films and other media, Charlie is working from his new home on the banks of the River Severn in his hometown of Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The house, which was designed as one of a pair by AHR Architecture, uses Welsh Slate products on various aspects – as vertical cladding on elevational features including a “chimney” on the house, and for hard landscaping, as walling and copings to terraces and walls in the landscaped gardens.

The architectural and landscaping products manufactured by Welsh Slate at its main Penrhyn quarry near Bangor are produced from a material that is 500 million years old, but at Charlie’s three-storey, split-level house, it has been used to complement the contemporary aesthetics of the building.

The cladding is from Welsh Slate’s Penrhyn Heather range, in a Honed finish, while the pillared walling is from the same Penrhyn quarry with a textured finish and the same Honed finish also features on the copings.

Charlie said he specified the Welsh Slate products for a variety of reasons. One was sustainability (the garden features an extensive photovoltaic array), the other sentimentality!

“The house, as much as possible, is hopefully as environmentally friendly as we could make it, so a natural product like Welsh slate works with that remit. We also wanted to use as much locally sourced product as possible.”

He also explained that his family has a strong connection to North Wales. His wife is Welsh - her family come from Bangor and Anglesey - so to them it made sense to source local materials from that area to complement their house design. They had always known about Welsh Slate, having visited the area many times, and eventually having a holiday home in Beaumaris that virtually looks across the Menai Strait to the quarry.

Charlie added: “The use of the Welsh Slate products has been mainly decorative, and they have made a striking natural addition to the modern look of the building. It’s the first time we have used Welsh Slate and we love it!”

HOWDENS ACHIEVES FURTHER WHICH? BEST BUY FOR CABINETS

In addition to the Which? Best Buy award it has received for its rigid cabinets for the third year running, Howdens has also received the award for its handleless kitchen cabinets, after a thorough testing process that involved both a lab assessment and consumer feedback.

To secure the Best Buy endorsement, the products had to achieve an overall score of more than 75%, with less than 20% of kitchens tested scoring the required mark.

Made in the UK, Howdens’ durable cabinets are made using quality materials that are sourced from sustainably managed forests. As part of the Which? test, it was found that Howdens customers were least likely to have problems after installation.

Ady Heaton, Head of Design, Howdens said: “We are exceptionally proud to have received the Which? Best Buy accreditation for our rigid kitchen cabinets for the third year running, and to have received the endorsement for our handleless kitchen cabinets. This further strengthens our credentials while also giving tradespeople who recommend our kitchens peace of mind that they are choosing a quality brand.”

“As homeowners are increasingly looking to customise their kitchens to work within their busy lifestyles, our rigid cabinets are a great place to start. They offer the widest selection of colours and sizes making it easy to create a truly bespoke design that will fit any space and layout.

“Meanwhile our handless kitchens offer an ultracontemporary look, with onepiece construction displaying sleek visible lines and a minimalistic exterior. They are an excellent way to create pared-back schemes that are simple and free of visual clutter, allowing the units’ colour and finish to take centre.”

Factory-assembled by skilled craftspeople, Howdens rigid cabinets are ready-assembled, and are intended to save time during installation, making them a great choice for projects on a time crunch.

Available in a range of designs and colours, Howdens offer a 25-year guarantee on all of its cabinets, which are also treated with antibacterial surface protection on shelves, side and back panels to prevent bacteria from surviving and multiplying.

Which? said that the cabinets are solidly built and received an excellent rating for the strength of the drawers and hinges.

Howdens trade account holders receive access to thousands of products supplied from local stock, confidential trade pricing, flexible payment terms and a host of other services that help to save time, including online account management, anytime ordering, free design service and depot-todoor delivery.

To find out more about the benefits of opening a trade account with Howdens head to their website or visit a local depot for more information.

The UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, Howdens, has been awarded a second Which? Best Buy endorsement in the Which? May 2023 report into the best and worst kitchen brands.

BUILDING PRODUCTS SALES SUFFER FROM SLOWDOWN IN NEW STARTS

In 2023, so far, activities such as internal fit-out, refurbishment and maintenance have continued to do well but new-build project starts have struggled to get out of the ground. This is reflected in the Construction Products Association (CPA) latest state of trade survey, for the first quarter (Q1) of 2023 Q1.

For a third consecutive quarter a fall in sales for heavy side producers contrasted with an 11th consecutive quarter of growth for manufacturers on the light side. The performance of heavy product sales – bricks, concrete, aggregate etc – is also partly down to the rain seen in January and March, the CPA economists suggest.

In 2023 Q1, a balance of 7% of heavy side manufacturers reported that sales of construction products decreased. For light side manufacturers a balance of 44% reported that product sales rose, extending a run of growth that began in 2020 Q3.

Forward-looking sales expectations improved but the strength of demand in construction remains the key concern for sales over the next 12 months.

Both heavy and light side manufacturers anticipate an increase in sales over the next 12 months, although with consumer-focused sectors of construction expected to bear the brunt of an economic

slowdown, activity is likely to be concentrated in infrastructure, energy efficiency retrofit and commercial refurbishments.

CPA head of construction research Rebecca Larkin said: “Heavy side manufacturers recorded another quarter of falling sales as the slowing economy and high construction cost inflation continued to lead to reticence over new project starts. Heavy rain and bad weather in both January and March will also have slowed down the external and structural works that heavy side products flow into. By contrast, interior and fit-out work that focuses more on light side products was able to continue largely unhindered and demand remains strong in any case, underpinned by large offices and commercial refurbishment projects.

“In terms of the economy, there was greater stability in Q1 following the post-mini budget turmoil at the end of 2022, which has improved manufacturers’ views for the 12 months ahead. The split in fortunes across construction is likely to continue, however, with housing and other consumer-focused sectors set for a struggle against a backdrop of falling real incomes and interest rate rises, whereas larger-scale refurbishment activity continues to be driven by energy efficiency considerations and new models of hybrid home-office working.”

Nothing reveals what is going on in the construction industry quite as clear as the pattern of sales of building products.

Bouygues breaks ground on Southwark’s Tustin Estate renewal

Lead contractor Bouygues UK has started construction work on the renewal of the Tustin Estate in the London borough of Southwark.

The scheme includes 250 replacement council homes and shared equity properties, 220 additional council homes including keyworker homes, and 220 homes for private sale to fund the works.

The development will also see a central park, refurbishment of existing council homes and at least 1,800 sqm of commercial floorspace. In addition, the project will improve the public realm and landscaping across the estate, including new pedestrian, cycle and vehicular routes throughout, greenways, and improvements to Tustin Common.

Preparatory work started in autumn 2022 and the whole project is planned to complete in 2030.

Linkcity, the development arm of Bouygues UK, was selected by Southwark Council in 2021 to advise on phase one of the plans and was subsequently confirmed as development partner for all four phases in 2022. It is the first large-scale project procured through Pagabo’s Developer Led Framework.

The project is expected to achieve a 94%

reduction on carbon emissions when in use. A large part of this is due to the clean energy being supplied by the local waste-to-energy district heating network. Additional measures such as high-insulation building fabric, solar panels, sustainable drainage (SUDs), and air-source heat pumps for individual houses will also contribute to this. Most of the demolition materials will be reused.

Linkcity is currently working on the early design stages of phase two of the estate masterplan, with construction due to start after the completion of phase one in summer 2025.

Community engagement has been central to the project from the offset. Residents have been invited to influence aspects including design, construction strategy and social value.

At an official ground breaking ceremony on site, Linkcity managing director Phillippa Prongué said: “This is a really significant moment for our team and for Southwark Council, and the culmination of many months’ hard work. This project is not really about the physical buildings; it’s about the people who will live in them, that’s something that has been really clear to us from the first moment we got involved in this project.

“One of the things that we pride ourselves on at Linkcity is the close relationship with our construction partner, Bouygues UK, and nowhere is the strength of that relationship better demonstrated than when we move a project from the design stage to construction and start delivering on the commitments that we have made. We are so pleased how the site team has taken up the mantle of working closely with residents to make the construction process a smooth one.”

Caddick to build Wakefield head office

Caddick Construction Group has secured planning permission to build itself a new head office.

Caddick is going to redevelop Cape House at Wakefield 41 Business Park and make it the company’s new headquarters in 2024.

Building work is set to start imminently and will include refurbishment work to repurpose and modernise the vacant two-storey building, increasing its size from 11,000 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft.

Designed by DLA Architecture, the office will incorporate a new two-storey extension, a glazed front extension with a double height atrium reception and cafe space. The development will include open-plan office space, meeting rooms, and break-out areas.

The redevelopment plans will incorporate the existing building superstructure, which will be stripped back to its steel frame and updated with new building fabric, windows, and all new mechanical and electrical installations.

Once complete in early 2024, 130 Caddick staff will move into Cape House. Caddick Construction also plans to retain its current premises in Knottingley, which has acted as headquarters for its 500-strong team since its formation in 1979.

Paul Dodsworth, Caddick Construction Group managing director, said: “We are growing as a business; our team is expanding, we’re extending our

geographical presence and our project portfolio is growing in all of our core sectors. It’s the perfect time for us to invest in our new headquarters, which will give us a well-connected, modern and energised office from which we’ll continue to thrive. It’s also vitally important that we create a head office that will help attract and retain staff going forward.”

The project team includes Sheppard Planning, CSD (mechanical & electrical), Roscoe (civil & structural, Stroma (building control), Apex (acoustics) and Fore Consulting (transport assessments).

ALUPROF CELEBRATE SUCCESS AT ICE AWARDS

Aluprof have attended the ICE Awards held in Dublin for the second year running. A construction highlight of the year for the Emerald Isle. As Gold Sponsor for the Gala Event, Aluprof offered awards in the best ‘Education Project’ and best ’Healthcare Project’ categories.

The awards, founded by the Irish Building Magazine in 1993, are generally known as the ICE Awards and are the original and premier recognition of performance excellence for the contracting sector in Ireland. The Gala Night is always attended by Ireland’s elite construction professionals, where construction leaders, design and supply chain partners, and clients meet and celebrate construction excellence.

fabricator installers across the region when required to meet programme expectations. Coupled with a physical ‘on the ground’ presence from Aluprof UK & Ireland’s team of support technicians, quickly placed the company in the region as a major systems supplier.

Since Aluprof’s emergence onto the UK & Ireland market sixteen years ago offering a well established European portfolio of architectural aluminium systems, meeting and often exceeding the needs of specifiers, Ireland’s specifiers and major facade contractors have welcomed Aluprof as a major systems supplier. Aluprof’s logistics

provides weekly deliveries to Ireland from an extensive stock of aluminium systems and hardware located at their head office in Poland. Powder coating and thermal break facilities are all housed under the same roof allowing products to be finished to meet any specification. In addition, Aluprof also offers a fabrication service to support its network of

Members of TODD Architects, the region’s leading architectural practice, were in attendance at the awards ceremony as a guest of the Aluprof UK team. During the evening Aluprof UK awarded winners trophies to best ‘Education Project’ for Tyndall Institute of Technology UCC, Phase 1&3, constructed by Summerhill Construction, which was designed by Butler Cammoranesi architects and Scott Tallon Walker Architects respectively for each phase. Second category Aluprof UK presented the awards was for the best ‘Healthcare Project’ and University Hospital Galway Radiation Oncology Centre constructed by John Paul Construction and designed by MCA Architects was the winning project to receive the trophy.

One project winner on the evening in the ‘Commercial €10m to €60m’ category, the Cadenza project at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin, used Aluprof systems on the ground floor with its stunning façade fabricated and installed by GLF Facades. Architects on the project were Henry J Lyons Architects who designed the building for client Irish Life.

(LEFT TO RIGHT): OMER KANIPAK (MARKETING MANAGER, ALUPROF UK), JOHN O’BRIEN (PROJECT CONSULTANT, ALUPROF UK), PENNY LINTON (PRINCIPAL, DUBLIN, TODD ARCHITECTS), LAOISE MCGRATH (ARCHITECT, TODD ARCHITECTS), EMMA COONEY (PROJECT ARCHITECT, TODD ARCHITECTS), WOJCIECH BROZYNA (MANAGING DIRECTOR, ALUPROF UK), DAVID CONNOR (SENIOR ARCHITECT, TODD ARCHITECTS) (PHOTO: COURTESY OF ICE AWARDS)

Among the many other projects that have been completed in the Republic of Ireland, the headquarters of Microsoft, Twitter and Google, all play special roles as large-scale office buildings that demand high-quality specifications in building components. Aluprof UK also boasts of being a provider of the aluminium windows and doors of the recently completed six large scale commercial buildings in the Dublin Landings area.

Further information about systems and specification support is available through the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005

THE CADENZA PROJECT, EARLSFORT TERRACE, DUBLIN (PHOTO: KANIPAK PHOTOGRAPHY)