The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published a new policy paper recommending the creation of a post-Brexit immigration system that ensures the UK job market remains open to skilled professionals from around the world.

RIBA’s Global by Design report (February 2017) highlighted that of their members identified access of skilled talent from across the world as vital to the future success of UK architecture. 40% of non-UK EU respondents said that they had ‘considered leaving the UK with earnest intent’ following the EU referendum result.

The RIBA Building a post-Brexit immigration system that works for UK architecture paper includes eight key post-Brexit recommendations to Government:

  1. Come to an agreement with the EU over the rights of EU citizens currently living in the UK, and UK citizens living in Europe, that includes continued recognition of professional qualifications, at the earliest opportunity
  2. Review the minimum appropriate salary requirements for Tier 2 visas and reduce these requirements for recent graduates or those working for small businesses
  3. Reduce the cost and administration burden on businesses seeking to become a visa sponsor for employees
  4. Re-introduce post-study work visas to allow international architecture students to develop their professional experience between Part 1 and Part 2 study
  5. Secure a transitional relationship with the EU that extends the freedom to study and work in the UK beyond the UK’s exit from the EU in 2019
  6. Include work visa quotas in new trade agreements
  7. Extend mutual recognition of professional qualifications via new trade agreements with priority countries including the USA, Australia and Canada
  8. Implement a system of priority access for business travellers to support architectural practices to do business in overseas markets

RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said “Our members are clear that Britain’s exit from the EU must not imperil our pre-eminent position as a magnet for the very finest talent from around the world. UK architecture has benefitted enormously from the contribution of European and non-European colleagues, who have enriched architectural practice in this country.

“The RIBA’s proposed immigration system aims to ensure that the UK can continue to embrace and attract people to live and work in the country. We are pressing the Government particularly on the urgent need for certainty for our European colleagues currently living in country. Many of our valued colleagues are drifting away, and there will be an exodus, no doubt, if we impose unreasonable burdens on those who are fully aware of the positive contribution they have been making to our pre-eminent position.

“The RIBA will continue to make the case for a Brexit that works for our profession and our built environment, from securing access to the talent and investment we need to survive to opening up the new trade opportunities that will support architects to thrive.”

The previously shelved public consultation on the planned third runway at Heathrow has been reopened due to new evidence, according to the Department of Transport (DoT). It will seek to gauge public support for the plans in light of the new findings.

DoT has published a series of new reports relating to the environmental and human cost of expanding an already-bustling airport in a heavily populated area.

The government’s sustainability appraisal expects the plans to have a negative effect on air quality, noise and biodiversity. It also says that the Gatwick second runway scheme would cause less damage than either potential scheme at Heathrow. The plans will have to mitigate against any significant deterioration in air quality or the whole scheme could be thrown into jeopardy.

To build or not to build…

London’s airports are forecast to be full by the mid-2030s with Heathrow already operating at capacity and Gatwick at capacity during peak times.

This has left the government with the dilemma of either being framed as anti-business if it does not act to address capacity, or anti-environment if it goes ahead with expansion. It is worth noting that should they go ahead with construction, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% on 1990 levels by 2050, as legislated by the Climate Change Act, will be seriously undermined.

A Heathrow spokesperson said “Expansion will support our plan to make Heathrow a great place to live and work, doubling the number of apprenticeships at Heathrow to 10,000, with fewer people impacted by noise than today, and an ambition for carbon-neutral growth.”

Attracting Controversy

A third runway at Heathrow would result in an extra 700 planes a day would pass through it. This equates to an extra 260,000 flights each year, increasing flights by 54% to 740,000 a year.

Paul Mcguiness, Chair of the ‘No 3rd Runway Coalition’ said “We are horrified that the government has even considered succumbing to the shameless, no-expense-spared browbeating of Heathrow, as the airport pursues its own narrow, financial self-interest.”

Friends of the Earth London campaigner Sophie Neuburg said “Airport expansion will bring more noise, pollution and misery to local communities.

“Bold and urgent measures are needed to head off the looming threat of catastrophic climate change. It’s simply pie in the sky to think we can build a third runway at Heathrow while keeping UK targets for slashing emissions.

“These short-sighted plans will also add to London’s pollution crisis. The courts have already warned the government to clean up London’s illegally dirty air as soon as possible – we need action now, not more empty promises tomorrow.”

After a rigorous evaluation and selection process, Alumasc was the highest-placed flat roofing supplier appointed by LHC to the FR2 Framework Agreement. The framework, available for local authorities, social landlords and other public-sector bodies, is used to procure social housing and public building construction, refurbishment and maintenance works, products and services.

Alumasc was the first-ranked, of five, flat roofing suppliers appointed to this framework because of its high scores for product quality, cost-effectiveness and reliability. Alumasc was ranked the top manufacturer for price, quality and value for money for Local Authorities, social landlords and other public sector organisations throughout England and Scotland, and the top supplier for price and value for money for Wales.

LHC Technical Manager Richard Wilby said: “Congratulations to Alumasc on being the top-ranked flat roofing supplier for England, Wales and Scotland following our rigorous framework tender exercise. The weighting of our Flat Roofing Framework (FR2) encompassed a tough ‘Quality’ criteria, including emphasis on ‘Social Standing’ and ‘Price’, to which Alumasc completed a very competitive and well thought out tender return.”

Alumasc also had to provide strong evidence of its social responsibility, sustainability, legislation compliance, quality management, equal opportunities and diversity, health and safety and financial stability, backed by case studies covering all geographic regions.

Why public sector organisations should use the LHC Procurement Framework:

  • Rapid identification of fully-compliant LHC-approved flat roof suppliers
  • Access to annual project rebate facility
  • Competitive market prices
  • Quick and efficient procurement
  • Instant access to project data
  • Delivery period and service level guarantees
  • Advice on design and regulatory compliance
  • High quality standards
  • Quick project starts

Further information about the benefits of the LHC Framework is available from Alumasc Roofing Systems quoting ‘LHC Framework’ on 01744 646 400 or email contact@alumasc-exteriors.co.uk.

To request a free Alumasc Roofing Systems flat roof refurbishment seminar at your premises, visit www.alumascroofing.co.uk or call 03335 771 500.

Cembrit has expanded its growing portfolio of roofing accessories with the Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation, a practical fibre cement product that provides ridge capping for pitched roofs.

Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation is specifically designed to provide a high level of ridgeline ventilation. Colour matched for use with Cembrit fibre cement slates, the ridge is suitable for monopitch roofs ranging from 20° to 40°. The range includes start and end caps for a neat finish. Weighing 4kg, the product is lightweight, making it easy to transport and carry up to roof level. At 530mm in length, it is possible to carry two linear metres of ridge at a time.

“Monopitch ridges are regularly requested and we are pleased to offer a ventilated option that allows designers and building owners to comply with roof ventilation standards,” says Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager of Cembrit. “The slate mono ridge ventilation provides a visually appealing and weathertight roof. With its quick and easy installation, we are confident the product will tick all the boxes for our customers.”

Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation is a fibre cement product that complements the smooth, flush look of the fibre cement slates. The ridges are lighter in weight than concrete alternatives, making them easier to install for a roofer working at height. The ridges do not require electric power for cutting, or any dust suppression equipment, equalling a much easier and quicker fitting process. They can be dry fixed with readily available colour matched “sela” type screws and installation is not dependent on getting the correct mortar mix, or having to wait for dry weather.

Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation has an air capacity of 5,000 mm2 per linear metre. The ridge meets the requirements of British Standard BS5250 ‘Control of Condensation in Buildings’ when fitted to the requirements of BS5534 ‘Code of Practice of Slating and Tiling’.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 (0) 208 320 1184.

Evinox Energy are delighted to be working with Canary Wharf Group plc on the Southbank Place development. This outstanding scheme features a district heating system that incorporates a highly efficient energy centre, which will reduce the carbon footprint of the site. The District network will supply residents with thermal energy for heating, cooling and the production of domestic hot water.

Southbank Place is being developed by Braeburn Estates, a joint venture between Canary Wharf Group plc and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. When complete it will feature seven new buildings including residential space, state-of-the-art offices and a diverse mix of retail. This 5.25-acre development also features the iconic Shell building and offers some of the best views in London including the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Whitehall and exceptional vistas of the river.

Heating & Cooling Interface Units

Evinox Energy have supplied ModuSat® heating and cooling interface units, including twin plate units for instantaneous heating and hot water, single plate units for cooling and models that feature an integrated hot water storage tank. The Canary Wharf Group plc decided this was the ideal solution as many apartments require both heating and cooling throughout the home.

Smart Connected Control

The Interface units at Southbank Place feature our SmartTalk® two-way communication technology, which operates using the same hard-wired network as the metering data collection without additional costs. This enables all dwellings to be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested, and enables operation and maintenance routines to be run remotely including the diagnosis of faults. The system picks up a range of alarms such as faulty components, faulty meters, high /low system pressure.
By using our two-way communication system, any HIU performance check can also be carried out remotely, significantly reducing inconvenience, maintenance time and cost.

Credit towards Code for Sustainable Homes

Each home also features an Evinox ViewSmart ENE3 controller, which can display all of the information required to gain credits for the Code for Sustainable Homes. This includes historical consumption data in a graphical format to enable residents to view information about their usage and compare different periods. This removes the requirement to install a separate energy display device to gain credits towards the Code for Sustainable Homes.

For further information about our integrated communal & district heating solutions, please contact us by emailing info@evinoxenergy.co.uk or visit www.evinoxenergy.co.uk

Marmoleum Solid is the contemporary new linoleum collection from Forbo Flooring Systems. Authentic in nature, its five individual ranges provide the foundation for creating pure, distinctive and modern spaces.

Created from 97% natural, raw materials (including linseed oil and wood flour), 72% of which are rapidly renewable, and with a 43% recycled content, Marmoleum already has exemplary sustainability credentials. The introduction of the new Marmoleum Cocoa range goes one step further by adding a seventh natural ingredient, upcycled cocoa shells from a Dutch chocolate producer.

An innovation in construction and aesthetics, the result is a rich organic scattering that introduces a completely new tactility for Marmoleum. This has led the range to win the 2017 IF Design Award for product design – adding to the many accolades and Ecolabels Marmoleum already holds, such as Nature Plus, Blue Angel and the Nordic Swan.

Adding an entirely innovative dimension in embossing is the new Marmoleum Slate range. It features a naturally inspired texture that exudes sophistication, offering the timeless aesthetic of stone, with the warmth and purity of linoleum.

Completing the collection are Marmoleum Concrete, now featuring a flash of colour shimmer, and a variety of plain to semi-plain aesthetics that run across the remaining Walton and refreshed Piano ranges.

Julie Dempster, Marketing Manager at Forbo Flooring Systems explains: “Marmoleum Solid is a contemporary collection that sits perfectly with today’s desire for more solid visuals and raw tactility. The concept of which is designed to combine beautifully with other building materials such as wood, glass and metal.

“Marmoleum Solid shows that linoleum flooring has the capacity to move beyond the classic marbled structures, and will encourage designers to consider using it in spaces such as retail, leisure and hospitality and offices, where other finishes are often more predominant.”

The Marmoleum collection is a prime example of Forbo’s ‘Committed to the Health of One’ programme, which strives to create better indoor environments. It is naturally bacteriostatic, does not harbour allergens and holds the Allergy UK Seal of Approval. Marmoleum has extremely low VOCs contributing to positive indoor air quality and has high LRV’s which help create positive environments in which to work, live and play. It is also protected by the unique water-based ‘Topshield 2’ finish, which ensures no hiding place for dirt or bacteria. By including a seventh natural ingredient from another industry into the Marmoleum Cocoa range, Forbo is continuing in its efforts to reduce waste and improve recycling.

For more information please call 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/marmoleumsolid and www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/CHO

Demand for industrial property space in Wales is significantly outstripping supply, according to the RICS Commercial Market Survey, Wales, Q3 2017.

Chartered surveyor respondents are reporting increases in occupier demand for industrial space and falling availability. They are also pointing to strong rises in interest from investors to purchase industrial property assets.

As a result, both rents and capital values in the sector are expected to keep rising in the three months ahead.

This is contrast to the retail sector, where occupier demand is reported to have been falling, and investor interest flat. As a result, short-term rent and capital value expectations in the retail sector have declined, according to the balance of surveyors.

Whilst there is variation between sectors, overall the commercial property sector in Wales remains stronger than in other UK regions, according to the survey. Like the industrial sector, office continues to perform well, with occupier demand and investor interest rising and expectations for rent and capital values in the three-months ahead still positive.

Chris Sutton, RICS Commercial Property Spokesperson said “With a growth in ‘last-mile’ logistics and steady demand from trade counter operators, the industrial sector has been very buoyant. This has mirrored activity in the capital markets with multi-let industrial investments in demand. In terms of the office sector, the announcement of the 266,000 sq ft public sector hub for HMRC in Central Square, Cardiff is the largest office pre-let ever agreed in Wales and this has given a further boost to the Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone.”

One of the UK’s leading windows and doors systems company, Deceuninck, recently hosted an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of their innovative manufacturing plant and warehouse for Editors of the industry’s trade and commercial media. Buildingspecifier was there (golden ticket in hand!) and we caught up with Managing Director Rob McGlennon shortly after the tour:

What lead Deceuninck to host this event?

“We’ve worked with the industry’s magazines for a long time now, but many of them haven’t visited Deceuninck. We know from experience that it’s one thing to read about people or companies, or come across them at industry events for example, but it’s quite another to visit their premises and meet the people that work there, in all areas of the business. It shows people who you really are. I’m proud to say that visitors to Deceuninck have always said they’ve found us to be a friendly, down to earth, approachable team of people and are impressed by the size and scale of our operation. From the feedback we had from our press day, the Editors of our industry magazines seemed to agree.

What do you think visitors took away with them as a lasting impression?

“We gave our visitors insight into what’s important to Deceuninck, including building long standing relationships and developing new products for the good of the market, as well as giving both sectors of the market an overview of the complete Deceuninck picture. The commercial press we work with for example weren’t aware of the over and above support we offer our trade fabricators, just as the trade media weren’t aware of the comprehensive list of commercial case studies we have worked on with our commercial fabricators, including Hinkley Point, Fairview Homes. Abbey Road and Kennedy Gardens.

“Without giving anything away, we also gave the Editors a sneak preview of some of the new products they can expect to hear about in 2018, in addition to the Heritage Window Collection and more recently Grey Substrate product launches of this year.

Let’s talk a little bit about colour – with an impressive range colourways and such a large warehouse for stock, do you think that Deceuninck can reduce downtime for end contractors by lowering lead times?

“Absolutely. Minimising downtime for specifiers is of the utmost priority for us, as it leads to real time tangible savings for our customers. We achieve this through innovation of our product range and honing the overall delivery process to make it efficient as possible.

“Our visitors were shown our impressive warehouse that allows us to deliver our 26 colourways from stock, for both profile and ancillaries. We performed a fun exercise before we started the tour whereby one of our visitors chose a specific product and a specific colour combination, which we then challenged ourselves to find quickly and easily in our warehouse. Considering our warehouse has been likened to Amazon or T5, you can imagine how much of a challenge this could be without the right systems in place. Thanks to our advanced set-up however, we were able to demonstrate precisely how efficient an operation it is.

“On the topic of colour, we also announced that we have now hit the 50% colour milestone – in fact 51% of our products are now supplied in colour, because we can do it so easily. Two of our largest customers are also now doing 50% colour. The demand is there, as an industry we just need to meet it, which means delivering quality colour products, without extended delivery times.”

Can we come back again?

“Yes! At Deceuninck, we are always keen for people to come and visit us in Calne, customers and prospects alike, but it was nice to take a day out to build further on the relationships we have with the industry’s press, for our benefit and of course the benefit of our customers.”

Contact Deceuninck today for more information on 01249 816 969 or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk

Industry must rise to meet UK economy growth

The UK’s economy had higher than expected growth in the three months to September, reveals the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics released today.

According to the ONS, gross domestic product (GDP) for the quarter rose by 0.4%, compared with 0.3% in each of 2017’s first two quarters.

Services and manufacturing industries grew during the period. Industrial production rose in July and August but construction output fell.

The financial markets are now indicating an 84% probability that rates will rise from their current record low of 0.25% when the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets on 2 November.

Construction is crucial

Construction output in the UK is currently more than £110 billion per annum and contributes 7% of GDP. Approximately 60% of construction output is new build, whilst 40% is refurbishment and maintenance.

The industry accounts for approximately 3 million jobs, 10% of total UK employment and includes both manufacturing and services.

Construction is a high cost, high risk, long-term activity, and so it’s performance is a good indicator of the health of the wider economy. When the economy falters, construction investment often grinds to a halt. However, today’s announcement suggests that our economy is beginning to recover after a tumultuous time post-Brexit. It is imperative that the construction industry recieves the support it needs from government to help continue this upward momentum.

What do you think the industry needs from Government? Let us know in the comments section below, or reach out to us on twitter @BuildSpecifier

EDF have handed a £99m construction deal which includes design, supply and installation of transmission facilities to Swiss-based firm ABB. The overall project is expected to cost a total of £18bn.

ABB will be responsible for the construction of the substations that will feed 3,200 MW of power to the grid, the installation of six Megavolt transformers, and transmission feeds to transfer power from the plant to the grid.

The deal takes the value of Hinkley contracts let by client EDF so far to £9bn.

Major deals to date include the £2bn civils contract for BYLOR, a joint venture between Bouygues TP and Laing O’Rourke, and the £208m earthworks deal won by a Kier and Bam Nuttall joint venture.

First concrete at the plant was poured in March this year as part of the construction of 7 km of gallery tunnels that carry the plant’s cables and pipes.

However, last week it was revealed that parts of these tunnels had to be demolished and replaced after issues were found with the concrete that had been laid.

Commenting on the infrastructure deal, Hinkley Point C managing director Stuart Crooks said “This major contract marks another significant step forward for the project.

“Hinkley Point C is bringing together companies and expertise from the UK, France and the world. Construction is fully under way and we remain firmly focused on what we need to deliver in the year ahead and beyond.”

From the beginning, Hinkley has been marred in controversy. According to leading protest group Stop Hinkley discharges from the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear Power station could cause around 200 deaths across the globe over its 60-year lifetime.

The radioactivity of spent fuel from Hinkley Point C would amount to around 80% of the radioactivity of waste already produced in the UK.

Also, with the delivery cost being so high, questions have been raised regarding the true value of Hinkley for Britain. Studies suggest that energy efficient improvements could reduce the energy consumed in UK households each year the equivalent to the output of six nuclear power stations the size of Hinkley Point C.