Unique is Santa’s little helper

 

With the festive season rapidly approaching, the team at Unique Window Systems has entered into the true spirit of Christmas.

 

Staff from across the business have lent their support to Operation Christmas Child – a charity campaign which aims to ensure children disadvantaged by circumstances outside of their control, such as conflict and poverty, still have presents to open on the big day.

Developed and managed by international relief organisation, Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child has been held annually since 1990.

It invites people to fill up special shoe box sized gift boxes which are then distributed to children in need around the world.

Those supporting the campaign can choose whether to donate to a boy or girl from three different age groups – 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 9 years old and 10 to 14 years old.

People are encouraged to donate items such as toys, games, craft materials, educational resources and musical instruments. They can also include a personalised note or Christmas greeting to the eventual recipient.

This is the first time the Unique team has lent its support to Operation Christmas Child and in total 15 separate gift boxes were collated.

 

CLICK HERE  TO VISIT THE UNIQUE WEBSITE

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Reviving Britain’s High Streets

Photo Credit: Lichfields

High Street Auctions’ Initiative Launches to Revive Britain’s Town Centres

 

Today, the UK Government rolls out its highly anticipated ‘High Street Auctions’ scheme, a flagship measure of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This initiative grants local authorities the power to take control of long-vacant high street properties, marking a significant shift in how high street vacancies are tackled.

 

With high street vacancy rates reaching 17.6% in Q3 2024 and shopping centres recording 14%, the legislation aims to reverse the decline of town centres by enabling new uses for idle spaces.

 

Under the Act, local authorities can lease properties vacant for over one year or 366 days within two years, bypassing landlord consent. Premises must meet a ‘Local Benefit Condition,’ demonstrating economic, social or environmental benefits to the area. Auctions will follow a strict 11-week timeline, including a six-week marketing period to secure tenants. Furthermore, a new temporary Permitted Development right allows certain properties to change use without planning permission, reverting to their original use after the lease ends.

 

The legislation applies broadly to high street premises, including shops, offices, restaurants, community halls and light industrial spaces.

 

Ian Anderson, Senior Director at Lichfields, said:

“This is a bold and untested approach to tackling high street vacancies. While it gives local authorities new powers, we question whether they have the resources to implement such an ambitious scheme effectively. Furthermore, the potential for friction between landlords and councils could undermine collaborative efforts critical to revitalising our town centres.”

 

Although the initiative has sparked interest, concerns have been raised about its feasibility and long-term impact. For example, property owners may lease to unsuitable tenants to avoid auctions, undermining local planning goals. Cash-strapped councils may struggle to resource auction processes, limiting their effectiveness. In regions with declining footfall and consumer spending, filling vacant units may remain difficult despite the auctions.

 

Anderson continues:

“If it were as simple as finding tenants, vacancies wouldn’t persist. This initiative tackles landlord inaction but does little to address deeper issues like declining demand and changing consumer habits. Whether this delivers meaningful change remains to be seen.”

 

As local authorities prepare to implement the scheme, attention will turn to how effectively this pioneering approach addresses the complex challenges of high street vacancies.

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JAMES HARDIE APPOINTS NEW CHANNEL SALES MANAGER

 

James Hardie, a world leader in the manufacture of high-performance fibre cement and fibre gypsum building solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabriela Carp as their new Channel Sales Manager for the Midlands.  This strategic move reinforces James Hardie’s commitment to optimising channel performance, and strengthening their presence in the region.

 

Gabriela brings over 8 years of experience to James Hardie. with a proven track record in sales management and a clear understanding of the construction industry.  In her new role, she will identify new business opportunities, nurture existing client relationships, and implement strategic initiatives to grow the business within the region’s channel sales network.

 

Gabriela will be responsible for the promotion of the Hardie® Plank and Hardie® VL Plank range, working closely with contractors and channel partners, to deliver product training and demonstrate the benefits of Hardie® Plank as an alternative to timber and uPVC.

Commenting on her appointment Gabriela said:

“Cladding is a crucial part of construction both aesthetically and structurally, and it’s an honour to be working for the UK industry leader.

“James Hardie is a fast-growing company on a mission to deliver high-quality solutions and a superior service, and I’m excited to be a part of their future.  I look forward to building strong relationships with our channel partners and helping to grow the Hardie® Plank market share.”

 

Lee Bucknall, UK Country Manager at James Hardie added:

“We are thrilled to welcome Gabriela to our team – her appointment underscores our commitment to attracting top talent to drive sustainable growth. Her expertise in nurturing client relationships will be instrumental in enhancing customer satisfaction across the Midlands.”

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE JAMES HARDIE WEBSITE

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Architects: Post Grenfell Recommendations

Leading architecture firms, including Foster + Partners, have come together to endorse the Grenfell inquiry’s final report and put forward an action plan in response

The Architectural Technical Leads Group (ATLG), which includes more than 330 individuals from 190 practices, said this week (25 November) that it welcomed the findings, published in September, and has listed a set of ‘immediate priorities’ for industry-wide change.

It is thought this is the first time practices have collectively endorsed the findings of the years-long inquiry into the deaths of 72 people at Grenfell in June 2017.

The inquiry’s final report set out recommendations for the construction industry, architecture and government to avoid another disaster of this scale. These included further progress on changes to architectural education, a review of existing regulations, and a new building safety regulator.

The group, which includes members of AJ100 practices such as AHMM, Allies and Morrison and PRP, said it was working on detailed recommendations as part of the RIBA and other bodies’ commitments to responding to the disaster.

It added: ‘Since the publication of the report the key bodies of the architectural design community, ARB, RIBA and CIAT, have made commitments to revise the codes of conduct to which we all work, and to improve training processes and the competence of designers.

‘The ATLG supports these proposals. The ATLG is gathering evidence and will work to release detailed recommendations in cooperation with other industry bodies in support of the report. In the short term, we have identified a series of immediate priorities.’

A timeframe for implementing the recommendations has yet to be set out. However, the ALTG unveiled its draft recommendations and is welcoming feedback on five key recommendations for the government and the profession (outlined below).

The ATLG was set up earlier this year in response to the 2023 Building Regulations, which introduced a second-staircase rule for tall buildings in the wake of Grenfell.

The RIBA has previously said it will ‘take time’ to look at the Grenfell inquiry’s findings, with board chair Jack Pringle saying in September:

‘As the inquiry also notes, RIBA has taken steps since June 2017 to improve education and training in our profession. With the benefit of these comprehensive findings, and as recommended, we will review the measures already introduced.

‘Many of the report’s insights and recommendations, particularly on the role and responsibilities of an architect, have great relevance for our members. We will take time to study them in detail, update our members, and continue to play an active role in the creation of a safer built environment.’

ATLG draft post-Grenfell suggested priorities

Strengthened guidance for clients

There continues to be evidence of clients unaware of their duties and those of the Building Regulations principal designer (BRPD), and failing to allow sufficient time, expertise and resources to projects. This contributes to unrealistic and fragmented design programmes and processes.

We call for enhanced plain English guidance detailing clients’ and teams’ statutory duties at each step to allocate sufficient time and to enable adequate resource throughout all design stages to facilitate compliant designs that are safe, sustainable and accessible.

Clear gateway guidance and provision of adequate resources for the Building Safety Regulator

The group has identified that the current guidance and messaging on the gateway requirements is inconsistent and incomplete, resulting in excessive detail being thrown into submissions and slowing approvals. We call for clear guidance on the extent of detail required for gateways 2 and 3, including any processes needed for post-gateway 2 design development, and to communicate real processing times to allow clients and contractors to allocate appropriate programmes. We ask that sufficient resources are provided for the Building Safety Regulator to perform its regulatory functions effectively.

Transparency and lower-cost availability of safety standards

The group sees the high cost of the safety-critical standards documents referenced in the Approved Documents as a key barrier to compliance. We call for the standards required to achieve safe buildings to be made available at low or no cost, making this critical information fully accessible to all stakeholders.

Update and extend the Approved Documents and manual

The group feels the structure and arrangement of the Approved Documents remains inconsistent and difficult to cross-reference and to track amendments. We call for an overhaul of the Approved Documents and manual in consultation with the industry to provide comprehensive technical guidance documents with clear recognised routes to Building Regulations compliance.

Construction products information and guidance

The group needs accurate, timely, and complete product and system information from suppliers and manufacturers, including the information needed to support commonly used interfaces. We call for manufacturers and suppliers to provide comprehensive information through mechanisms such as material passports, that all test information be made public, and that they commit to provide standardised test data to support commonly used interfaces.

We ask that the government implement a duty to warn if manufacturers know their products are being used in non-compliant arrangements.

Source: Architects Journal

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US CONSTRUCTION RACES TO BEAT TRUMP’S TARIFFS

 

Trump’s proposed tariffs – up to 20% on all imports and 60% on Chinese goods – have spurred urgency among contractors. “I suspect among many contractors, there is a rush to buy critical materials and equipment before tariffs might have any impact on prices,” Anirban Basu, chief economist of the Associated Builders and Contractors, said to the Boston Business Journal, noting the surge in demand could ironically drive up near-term prices.

 

The stakes are especially high for materials sourced from China, which supplies about 18% of U.S. imports, including essential building materials like drywall. Unlike Trump’s first term, when targeted tariffs on steel and aluminum were offset by low interest rates, today’s higher financing costs leave less room for absorbing price increases.

 

Labor availability presents another critical concern. The Boston Business Journal noted, citing data from the National Immigration Forum, that immigrants comprise roughly 30% of the U.S. construction workforce, reaching 40% in states like California and Texas.

 

Construction industry leaders are moving quickly to secure materials and labor ahead of potential policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump that could impact project costs and workforce availability.

 

Source: Yahoo

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Looking on the Brightside – or maybe not!

Residents of a flats development in Kent have been left bemused after a new balcony was built around a lamppost.

Construction began on the four-storey block of flats in Gillingham, in 2022 and developers have recently added balconies to the homes.

But workers failed to remove an in the way lamppost before building started – meaning one unlucky resident could have a lamppost sprouting through their balcony.

The bizarre construction has left locals baffled, with some joking that the oddity will at least mean the future flat owner won’t have to pay to keep his balcony lit.

Others chuckled that whoever inhabits the flat in the future will have an easy escape-route in the case of a fire.

Gillingham resident Barry Knight said: “It’s funny but it shouldn’t be. I wouldn’t want to live there.”

Afaad Ltd, the site’s developer, has defended the balcony though, saying that constructing it around the lamppost was the only way it could meet deadlines.

A spokesman said:

“It’s a work in progress, we are still doing the installation. We’ve still got a few months to go so this is not the complete product.

“It was never intended to be like that but because it’s council property and you have to wait for permission. So we can’t touch it.”

The developer plans to remove the lamppost in the future and is in the process of liaising with the council to do so.

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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Data innovation and improved insights to deliver sustainable places

A new publication (the PlaceTech Innovation Lab Report) that demonstrates the innovative use of data to support improved place-making, has been published today (27 November 2024) by infrastructure body, the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) in partnership with Scottish Government and infrastructure consultancy Ramboll, with support from Architecture and Design Scotland.

The ‘PlaceTech Innovation Lab’ initiative aims to provide expertise and leadership in the innovative use of data such as geographic information systems, 3D visualisation techniques, digital twins and artificial intelligence to answer place-based infrastructure challenges.

Over the past 12 months, the PlaceTech Innovation Lab was implemented across three public sector pilot projects looking at how decisions within planning and place-making can be improved, specifically looking at:

  • Improving Glasgow City Council’s City Centre Strategy through digital tools.
  • Enhancing Perth & Kinross Council’s Cultural Quarter with digital solutions, and
  • Developing a digital model to assess the impact of infrastructure investments for Comhairle nan Eilan Siar (Western Isles Council).

 

The outputs from using the technology included:

  • A digital twin of Glasgow was built to better understand future population growth in the city centre and its impact on social infrastructure capacities to help with improved place-making;
  • Perth & Kinross Council used the insights from various data sources to develop a strategic town centre investment plan in response to increased visitors to the newly opened Perth Museum to influence future public transport and active travel improvements, and
  • Western Isles used existing construction pipeline data to support its management of existing infrastructure that will support the delivery of offshore renewables, onshore renewables and port improvements.

 

Paul Dodd, Senior Associate Director at the Scottish Future Trust and who heads up SFT’s Infrastructure Technology workstream said:

“In the current environment of increasing budgetary pressures, the decisions we make today will be crucial to achieving of our net zero targets. The ability to use data in innovative ways will provide increased capability and enhanced insights to improve how we plan, deliver and invest in our places.”

 

Amanda Chan, Digital Urbanism Lead from the Regenerative Cities team at Ramboll said

“Climate change and better place-making is not a data problem, it is a decision making and financial problem. Our cities and places work as a cohesive holistic system, yet data are often treated in silos. As demonstrated from the pilot projects, technologies allow users to efficiently draw insights from data, testing future scenarios and making more informed decisions in planning and place-making.”

 

Ian Gilzean, Head of Innovation and Digital Place at Architecture and Design Scotland, said:

“The innovative use of data analytics and digital technology was an important feature of the PlaceTech pilot projects which we can learn from. The pilot projects also demonstrate the benefits of taking a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to address complex challenges, focusing on place-making and design.”

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Research reveals areas of England most vulnerable to extreme weather

New research by AXA UK highlights the areas of England most vulnerable to climate risks posed by extreme weather, with more than half of those polled admitting they would be ill-equipped to deal with flooding or heat damage to their homes.

The in-depth study, combining publicly available information with claims data from AXA UK’s home and business premises insurance businesses, is a comprehensive piece of research undertaken to address the growing concern of the effects of climate change on properties across the country.

These findings reveal the climate risks which may pose challenges to the Labour Government’s ambitious target of building 1.5m homes before the next Parliament.

The report identifies the areas of England where homes are most vulnerable to risks from extreme weather, with London coming top of the table for both flooding and heat. Sheffield residents are at high risk for flooding but not heat and Bristol and Birmingham homes are vulnerable to heat but not flooding.

AXA UK’s research also offers critical analysis and actionable recommendations for the UK Government to achieve its housebuilding targets by identifying the areas most and least at risk of extreme weather.

The ‘Extreme weather risks: An analysis of England’s vulnerability to flooding and heat’ report was produced in partnership with research consultancy Public First and provides a climate risk index of areas most vulnerable to the combined risks of flooding and extreme heat. The index takes into account socioeconomic vulnerabilities that make some places better placed to prepare, respond and recover to extreme weather than others.

Economic modelling estimates the national and regional costs of flooding for the most at-risk properties in England while a poll* examines the public’s key concerns and perception of the issues.

“We know that behind every headline about extreme weather is a human story, and at AXA UK we want to protect our customers from the impact of climate change and help them prepare for the future.

“This report maps out areas in England most at risk from flooding and extreme heat and calculates the associated costs, enabling decision makers to identify where future resources should be targeted and where urgent investment is needed.

“We support the Government’s ambitious housebuilding target but believe we must ensure existing homes are resilient and future-proofed, and new properties are not built in flood-prone areas. This is crucial to protect our future for generations to come.” Tara Foley, CEO of AXA UK & Ireland

The key findings of the report are:

  • Flooding is perceived to be the greatest risk in the next 10 years by 55% of those polled, followed by severe storms (48%) and rising sea levels (47%).
  • London is most vulnerable to combined climate risks of flooding and extreme
  • Coastal areas of the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as areas in the Southeast and London, are most vulnerable to flood risks.
  • Homes and businesses in England with the highest chance of flooding face at least £818m in financial costs by 2055.
  • Despite admitting having concerns about climate-related property damage, more than half (52%) of those polled said they would be unprepared to deal with the impacts of flooding or extreme heat on their property.
  • Nearly half (48%) of those polled said they had never checked if their home insurance covered them for the effects of extreme heat, which can cause cracking and subsidence.

 

Following publication of the report, AXA UK is making several recommendations to the UK Government, including calling for the appointment of a Minister for Resilience to focus on these critical issues. Other key recommendations are avoiding building homes in high flood risk areas and encouraging and supporting home and business owners to protect their properties against flooding and heat damage.

261124_AXA Climate Risk Report

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Zoo Hardware Celebrates 15 Years of Growth and Innovation

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Leading hardware brand Zoo brought staff together in November to celebrate15 years of growth and innovation, while looking ahead to 2025 and beyond.

 

The brand, which has grown from a small operation in Carlisle with just three employees in a porta-cabin to become part of the global Quanex family, has built a strong reputation as a leading designer and supplier of architectural hardware, thanks to its innovative products and commitment to quality and service.

 

2024 has seen Zoo Hardware launch a number of new products including the industry-first ZHSSFH-243 flush hinges, which can be installed up to three times faster than traditional butt hinges.

 

It has also built a partnership with Secured by Design, the official police security initiative working to improve the security of buildings, while welcoming new members to the team, such as Sales Manager Hayley Cotterill and Procurement Director Steven Holt.

 

The Zoo Hardware team came together at its Cumbria base to mark the brand’s 15 year anniversary, with Angela Griffin, Head of Marketing, reflecting on the brand’s growth and future.

 

They said:

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the loyalty of our customers, and the strong partnerships we’ve built over the years.

 

“Zoo is a dynamic, resilient and growing business which architectural ironmongers and specifiers can rely on to deliver a seamless experience, whether its specification guidance from our GAI qualified team or effective aftersales support.

 

“We pride ourselves on bringing product innovations to market that are built on extensive technical expertise and challenge the norm when it comes to aesthetics, functionality and performance.

 

“There is more to come in 2025, with new products, initiatives and faces coming on board to help set the tone for many more incredible years of Zoo.”

CLICK HERE for more information on Zoo Hardware and its portfolio of architectural door hardware
or call 01228 672900

 

 

 

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CAN AI CHANGE THE STIGMA AROUND CONSTRUCTION CAREERS?

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(Image credit: Mikhail Nilov, Pexels.com)

 

AI is revolutionising most if not all work industries, and construction is no exception. Advanced technologies, including machine learning and computer vision, are being implemented into various facets of the sector to improve efficiency in areas such as planning, safety, quality control and overall productivity.

Although AI has the potential to revolutionise construction processes, what about areas of construction that remain beyond the reach of automation?

One long-existing challenge in the industry is a shortage of skilled human labour on job sites. With an ageing workforce and declining uptake of young people in construction-based roles, the UK sector, according to the CITB, is said to need an extra 250,000 workers over the next 4 years to meet the UK’s building output demand.

The following article from Watts discovers if the modernisation and diversification brought by AI, could help bridge this workforce gap in construction.

 

The current workforce gap 

Although the construction industry holds many benefits such as diverse daily tasks, competitive pay, and options for progression, the industry has faced challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining a sufficient workforce.

As it stands, in the first quarter of 2024, 2.1 million people were employed in the the construction industry, however, according to industry body CITB, construction will need to see an extra 250,000 workers over the next 4 years to meet the UK’s output demand which is currently resulting in a decline in project starts, and contract awards across the country.

Construction has long struggled with an ageing workforce, with the average construction worker said to be around 50 years old. According to the 2021 census, 33% of workers were aged 35–45, 31% were 50–64, and only 9% were aged 16–24, demonstrating the decline we are seeing in young people entering the sector compared to previous years.

 

A lack of uptake 

As part of a broader initiative, industry bodies have been advocating for years that one way to address a declining workforce is by attracting more young people into the construction sector.

Like many industries, as construction recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, industry bodies have emphasised the importance of attracting a wide range of talent from early on including recent graduates, early-career professionals, career changers, and those newly entering the workforce.

However, to this day, apprenticeships – a primary entry point to the sector – remain low.

According to UCAS, in 2024, while over half a million students will enter full-time undergraduate programs, fewer than 5,000 young people will start apprenticeships at Level 4 and above. Meaning that apprenticeships will often be left to individual employers and organisations to manage, impacting sectors like construction that rely heavily on apprentices to sustain their workforce.

Across the UK, job vacancies in construction remain high, yet many working-age people struggle to find employment that fits their needs and aspirations. In response, there are efforts to reshape the way careers in construction are perceived and experienced by young people.

 

Changing perceptions 

A major factor contributing to the low uptake in the construction sector, as reported by the CITB, is the stigma around construction careers. So much so that they are recognising the importance of changing perceptions, and prioritising messages that resonate with younger audiences when reaching them.

Although there is an interest in construction careers, young people are still reportedly viewing the majority of careers in construction as outdated, labour-intensive, and mostly male-dominated, meaning that the sector faces challenges in turning initial interest into action and attracting and retaining a sufficient workforce.

Considering that many young people are entering the workforce just as AI begins to transform it and traditional industries evolve, recent findings from a report conducted by Currys reveal that over 30% of student respondents stated that the emergence of AI influenced their chosen field of study, while 63% believe that AI has improved their chances of career success. When these findings are compared with the recruitment challenges facing the construction industry it becomes clear that integrating AI is essential for construction to attract top talent and be seen as a first-choice career path.

 

Evolving job roles

Given the vast potential of AI in construction, AI will not only change the way the industry is perceived, but how tasks are performed too. The 2023 World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report found that 23% of today’s jobs will change, and that 44% of workers’ core skills are expected to change from 2023-2027.

Construction roles will also adapt to technological developments. They will shift from being hands-on labour into supervisory roles, where, instead of performing traditional manual tasks, workers will focus on checking and validating AI-driven work and processes. These new roles will require a certain level of digital skill, creating future workforces that are capable of managing advanced technologies in real-world settings.

 

Envisioning the future 

Like many other industries before it, as construction onboards more and more AI processes, the way the industry is perceived by young people will be challenged. The introduction of cutting-edge technologies will not only make it more appealing to tech-forward individuals, but offer more openings for AI-related fields in the construction industry.

As construction roles become more dynamic and technology-driven, the industry has the potential to attract a younger demographic interested in working on the front lines of innovation and digital transformation, helping to change the narrative from a more traditional career choice, to one that is evolving and adapting to our ever-changing world and societies.

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