Empowering new architects

However talented, enthusiastic and determined new architects are, they still need to be empowered to realise their full potential and fulfil their dreams. Despite a long training, architecture is a profession where ongoing learning is essential, but this continuing professional development (CPD) may not always meet expectations. This is sad and worrying because architecture has a direct and often profound impact on our lives.

We all inhabit buildings and, on average, spend eighty to ninety per cent of our time indoors*. Even when out and about, much of our life is spent in some form of built environment, often created by architects. Good architecture has never been more important: professional competence is being scrutinised as never before and we are seeing the introduction of new legislation in the areas of building safety and sustainability.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is changing its CPD system to help meet these challenges and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) has gained powers to check architects‘ competence. Methods of CPD learning are as diverse as the topics covered but the teaching needs to be interesting to be successful. When it comes from manufacturers, it must not simply be a case of them trying to tick all the boxes with their product. It is also vital that it is not boring, repetitive and unnecessarily time-consuming. There is a real danger that new architects who are already under stress at work can find the burden of learning harmful to mental health, especially if it is shoehorned into lunchtimes and other free periods.

Resourcing and empowering new architects is not just about teaching; it also involves encouragement, mentorship, a supportive work environment and generating fresh opportunities for creativity and innovation. Above all, it is about investing in the next generation of architects and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to produce the best and most sustainable architecture.

To find out more about West Fraser’s support for architects and to access useful downloads

CLICK HERE to visit the architects’ page

 

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Drones Deployed at Dagenham Blaze

image Dezeen

All people have been “accounted for” after a fire engulfed a multi-storey building in Dagenham, east London, with “known” safety issues, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

More than 80 people were evacuated and two were taken to hospital after the fire broke out in the building that is used for residential and commercial purposes, the fire service said.

The LFB said it was called to the blaze in Freshwater Road at 2.44am on Monday where 20 people were rescued following a “significant search-and-rescue operation” as 45 engines and around 225 firefighters responded to the incident.

The fire service said the blaze engulfed the whole building, including scaffolding surrounding the property and the roof.

According to the LFB, the London Ambulance Service treated four people at the scene.

The property was undergoing “remedial” work to remove and replace “non-compliant cladding” on the fifth and sixth floors containing flats, according to a planning application document.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have said the incident exposed the “‘national scandal’ of flammable cladding and deregulation in the building industry”.

The FBU highlighted that the fire at the tower block comes a week before the publication of the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

An investigation into the fire has begun, during which questions around the role of cladding will “form part” of the probe, the LFB’s Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said.

When asked by reporters at the scene “how big a part did cladding play” in the fire, and how close the incident was to a “bigger disaster”, Mr Goulbourne said: “What I wouldn’t want to do is pre-empt an investigation.

“This was a very, very dynamic incident, and clearly it’s going to require a very complex investigation, not only to get to its cause, but to get to an understanding of the fire spread – so it’s it’s too early at this time to be able to give any detail on that, but that will form part of our investigation in the coming days.”

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “The building has a number of fire safety issues known to London Fire Brigade.

“A full simultaneous evacuation of the building was immediately carried out and a significant search and rescue operation took place.

“I am pleased to confirm that everyone has been accounted for.

A resident of the building said the incident felt like “a nightmare” and that she felt “frightened to be on the street starting from zero”.

Irina Vasile, 46, a healthcare assistant who lived on the second floor, said she was woken by her partner around 3am telling her there was smoke.

Speaking outside the Becontree Heath Leisure Centre where the residents have been relocated, she told reporters: “(There was) such a dense smoke all over the apartment. When we wanted to open the window, another smoke hit our face, on the throat and the eyes.”

Ms Vasile said she was spotted by firefighters after shouting for help and calling 999.

The resident said she did not hear a fire alarm go off during the evacuation.

In a statement about the fire on Monday, Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, criticised MPs for putting the “interests of big business above human life” by repeatedly ignoring warnings related to “deregulation in the building sector” and building cladding.

He said: “Hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in buildings like it, with various failings in fire safety. This is a national scandal.

“For decades, the FBU has warned of the risks of deregulation in the building sector.

“Politicians have put the interests of big business above human life.

“As we saw at Grenfell Tower, this can have horrific and tragic consequences.

“Time and time again, these warnings have been ignored by public authorities and by central government.”

New drones were deployed to tackle the blaze, along with 210ft (64m) and 105ft (32m) turntable ladders that were used as vantage points to assess the scene and to douse the flames with water from above, he added. A major incident was declared by the LFB which was stood down at 11.03am

 

Source: Radio News Hub

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Ancient Fortress Restored with Modern Methods

Seddülbahir Castle, built in 1656, was heavily damaged during the Battle of Çanakkale. After a restoration process lasting more than 25 years, the castle was opened to visitors on March 18, 2023.

Seddulbahir Fortress, which was built in 1656 under the patronage of Hatice Turhan Sultan, the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV, was heavily damaged during the Battle of Çanakkale. It remained in a state of disrepair and was used as a military area until recently. After a restoration process lasting more than 25 years, the castle was opened to visitors on March 18, 2023.

The extensive academic research project, initiated in 1997 in partnership with Koç University and Istanbul Technical University, evolved into a conservation and repair project with a focus on academic studies, including detailed documentation and projects within the same institutions between 2005 and 2009. The project was recognized as a pioneering effort by ÇATAB (Çanakkale Wars Gallipoli Historical Site Presidency). The restoration and reuse practices, initiated in 2015 with the participation of the Scientific Advisory Board, were completed in 2023.

Academic Research and Restoration Project

The restoration applications, initiated in 2015, are based on three main criteria. These include reinforcing sections at risk and those showing signs of previous demolitions (such as the West and South Towers), prioritizing archaeological conservation over reconstruction to protect archaeological layers and different periods (e.g., Military Barracks), and partially reconstructing certain areas using new materials to accommodate the structure’s new use (e.g. northwest wall).

Throughout the restoration process, new information and construction techniques have come to light, leading to intervention proposals based on on-site observations and examination of archive documents. Additionally, a project developed in collaboration with KOOP Architecture and Museum Exhibition Works was selected to re-purpose the castle through an invited competition in 2016. The project aligns with the predetermined criteria set by the Scientific Advisory Board. The Seddülbahir Castle Re-use Project’s main objectives are to restore the destroyed Bab-ı Kebir and create a new museum building. Historical documents and archaeological excavations at the castle’s entrance revealed the architectural remains of the main gate, Bab-ı Kebir, which suffered heavy damage during World War I and no longer exists today.

Design Goals and Architectural Decisions

The design goals were to preserve and showcase the surviving ruins of the castle, revive the original main entrance, and reflect the grandeur of Bab-ı Kebir. Instead of rebuilding the missing mass with the same materials, a decision was made to create a natural and lightweight silhouette that would mirror a part of Bab-ı Kebir’s shape and the main wall line on which it stands. A wooden design was chosen for this purpose, distinguishing it from the original parts and allowing for easy dismantling. This transformation restored Bab-ı Kebir to its monumental entrance status.

The architectural language with wooden elements was used to create a band indicating the upper level of the destroyed dendans in the East Tower and in completing the dome in the domed structure. To bridge the height difference between Bab-ı Kebir and the castle courtyard, to offer a panoramic view at the entrance, and to incorporate contemporary functions, a new museum building was designed in the location of former military buildings. The outer shell of the new building was made with large blocks of limestone, the same material used in the castle’s construction, to minimize its impact on the silhouette. Additionally, a different interpretation of the original wooden beam-pistuvan system used in the castle walls was employed.

Source: Parametric Architecture
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PROTECTING HOMES FROM WILDFIRES

Researchers at Stanford University in America have engineered a revolutionary water-enhanced gel that could significantly improve how homes and critical infrastructure can be protected from wildfires, according to a feature by Interesting Engineering (8-23-24). Their findings suggest that this new gel far surpasses existing commercial solutions in both longevity and effectiveness.

Explaining the limitations of existing gels, Eric Appel, an associate professor of materials science and engineering at Stanford and the senior author of the study, stated,

“Under typical wildfire conditions, current water-enhancing gels dry out in 45 minutes. We’ve developed a gel that would have a broader application window—you can spray it further in advance of the fire and still get the benefit of the protection—and it will work better when the fire comes.”

The Stanford team’s breakthrough gel is designed to be more versatile and longer-lasting. Unlike traditional gels, which rely solely on water to create a protective barrier, this new formulation introduces a multi-layered defense mechanism. The gel is composed of a cellulose-based polymer combined with silica particles. When subjected to the intense heat of a wildfire, the water in the gel evaporates, and the cellulose burns away. What remains is a silica-based aerogel—a lightweight, porous material known for its excellent insulation properties.

Highlighting the significance of this discovery, Changxin “Lyla” Dong, the lead author of the study, said in the press release,

“We have discovered a unique phenomenon where a soft, squishy hydrogel seamlessly transitions into a robust aerogel shield under heat, offering enhanced and long-lasting wildfire protection. This environmentally conscious breakthrough surpasses current commercial solutions, offering a superior and scalable defense against wildfires.”

“They’re safe for both people and the environment,” Appel said. “There may need to be additional optimization, but my hope is that we can do pilot-scale application and evaluation of these gels so we can use them to help protect critical infrastructure when a fire comes through.”

Source: FEA

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‘Over the Moon’ as Tom Wins Quality of Work Award

‘OVER the moon’ – a Rugby building site manager has beaten thousands of others across the UK to win a prestigious award for the quality of his work.

Tom Keane, 51, has won a Quality Award in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) annual Pride in the Job competition – one of just 449 UK site managers out of over 8,000 nominated to receive the accolade.

He was recognised for his work at Bellway’s Barleywoods development in Oakham.

Tom has been automatically entered into the next stage of the competition – the NHBC’s Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards, which will be handed out later this year.

Tom said: “When Dean Takkou, my Construction Manager, gave me a call to say I had won the Pride in the Job award, I didn’t believe him. It was only when my wife Googled it and showed me – I was then over the moon!

“It is great to have won this award and been recognised for my hard work so early, as I only joined Bellway last ye

“I wouldn’t have been able to win the Pride in the Job award without the incredible efforts of our team; all the different trades really came together, and we’ve produced a high standard of work at Barleywoods.

“It has been great to have the freedom to run this site the way I want to. My next goal is to win the Seal of Excellence award or a Regional Award.”

Tom has been working in the construction industry for 33 years and he joined Bellway as a site manager in 2023.

Tom added: “I was around 18 when I started working as a labourer. It was there that a site manager I met recognised my potential. He said to me, ‘You are more than just a labourer.’

“It is incredible that years later, I have progressed to become a site manager myself and have even won this prestigious award.”

The NHBC judges site managers on criteria including attention to detail, leadership, technical expertise and health and safety.

Dean Takkou, Construction Director for Bellway Eastern Counties, said: “The awards are rightly held in high regard nationally as everyone in the industry knows just how hard it is to win this accolade. The judging is incredibly rigorous.

“I would like to congratulate Tom and every member of his fabulous site team for their achievement and wish them all the best for the next stage of the competition in the autumn.”

Source: Rugby Observer

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New look Heat Network Exchange launched

The Heat Network Exchange helps heat network companies connect with potential suppliers and partners. It aims to help and bring together the organisations that design, build, operate, and maintain heat networks in one easy to find place.

It is free to use and post and is hosted by the Heat Networks Industry Council.

What is the Heat Network Exchange?

The Heat Network Exchange was originally launched during the Coronavirus pandemic to connect suppliers to help meet urgent needs for help. It has now been re-purposed to be a single place to find the main suppliers and opportunities in the market.

It has two key areas:

The Supplier Directory is an open directory to bring all heat network services together in one handy place, increase cooperation, and unlock new opportunities across the sector.

If your company was listed as a supplier on the previous version of the site, please check your password and update your profile as needed.

The Noticeboard offers businesses the opportunity to post a request for services, equipment, collaboration, or innovation. Businesses who have signed up for alerts will automatically receive these requests to their inbox. You may wish to post on the noticeboard for a wide range of reasons.

  • Are you looking for solutions? e.g ‘We need universal HIU replacements, have you had to standardise your components? – please get in touch.’
  • Are you looking to develop partnerships? e.g ‘We are looking for a partner to help us lay pipes under a railway line. If you have experience or suitable technology please get in touch.’
  • Are you looking to share innovations? e.g ‘We have delivered a heat network with 25% cost savings and 40% time savings. If you want to know how, sign up for our webinar.’
  • Are you looking for specific skills? e.g ‘We are looking for a qualified project manager for our project in the South West.’

We hope that the Exchange is a success and are grateful to members of the Heat Networks Industry Council for developing it and hosting it on their website.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE HEAT NETWORK EXCHANGE

 

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Encouraging post A level and GCSE students to consider careers in construction

Northern regional specification manager Amaret Chahal, who has co-written some of Actis’ CPD training material,

recently spoke to students at Barnsley College about the joy of construction

 

Actis encourages post A level and GCSE students to consider careers in construction

Students digesting their A level and GCSE results this summer are being encouraged to consider pursuing a career in construction by insulation specialist Actis.

With the new government committing to delivering 1.5 million new homes during the current parliament, the industry needs more people to work in areas such as architecture, planning, quantity surveying, land acquisition, infrastructure and legal work, as well as practical skills like bricklaying and carpentry.

The Skills England Bill announced last month is aimed at addressing a severe labour shortage in the construction industry and, along with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, will pave the way towards creating the homes the government plans to deliver over the coming five years.

Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper says a key element in achieving this aim is to ramp up training opportunities for young people within the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) says a quarter of a million new workers will be required between now and 2028 to achieve this target and the NHBC adds that current build volumes must more than double to hit the government’s goal.

The desire to work in construction is there, at least in younger childhood, according to a recent survey of 100,000 young people by the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC), which found that it is one of the preferred career paths for students by the time they reach 11 years old.

And the CITB has seen almost one million visits to its Go Construct website so far this year, with a third of users under 18 and 33% identifying as female, all of which shows enthusiasm which needs to be matched with opportunity.

Actis is one of the many organisations within the industry encouraging more people to embrace a career in the sector through its school and college outreach initiatives.

Women in Construction ambassador and Actis northern regional sales director Jemma Harris has been involved in a CITB careers event and addressed students at a school in Yorkshire, with the aim of inspiring young women to follow a career in a male-dominated profession.

Northern regional specification manager Amaret Chahal, who has co-written some of Actis’ CPD training material, recently spoke to students at Barnsley College about the joy of construction.

And South-West area sales manager Tom Hendzel has helped out with lectures to construction trainees at Cornwall’s Truro and Penwith College.

The government’s pincer movement – of speeding up new homes delivery through its Planning and Infrastructure Bill and training more people to have the skills to enable this to happen – will also need to involve an increase in Modern Methods of Construction, explained Mark.

Creating more modular, offsite homes, which can be built up to 30% more quickly than traditional brick and block, will not only enable the homes to be delivered more quickly, but will also ensure a consistent quality and more effective thermal efficiency.

 

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MCDONALD’S TO INVEST £1 BILLION IN THE UK

MCDONALD’S TO INVEST £1 BILLION AND CREATE OVER 24, 000 JOBS ACROSS THE UK IN NEXT FOUR YEARS

 

As it celebrates 50 years in the UK, McDonald’s has announced plans to open over 200 new restaurants in the next four years[1], that will create more than 24,000[2] new jobs, signaling a £1bn investment from McDonald’s and its franchisees in the UK and Ireland.

 

These ambitions have been revealed as part of the new report “McDonald’s at 50”, prepared by planning and development consultancy Lichfields, which explores the business’s positive impact on its communities across the country, since its doors first opened on Woolwich high street in 1974.

 

The new restaurants are part of ongoing investment that McDonald’s will make to ensure the business continues to meet evolving customer expectations. The roll out will include testing new restaurant formats, with ‘Drive to’ restaurants recently launched, and additional smaller formats being trialed this year – ensuring every new restaurant meets the needs of the community in which it operates.

 

The plans will also see a renewed focus on opening high street restaurants, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to supporting successful high streets across the country as town and city centers continue to evolve and respond to a variety of challenges.

 

Alongside new restaurants, the business will continue to upgrade and reimage more than 1,500 existing restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

 

The “McDonald’s at 50” report tells the story of the massive contribution McDonald’s makes to the UK economy. In 2023 alone, it details the more than £2bn spent by McDonald’s with UK-based suppliers and farmers, and the 209,475 jobs that were supported by McDonald’s across the UK.

 

Looking back over the last five years, the report outlines the £618 million invested by McDonald’s in delivering new restaurants and upgrades that provide the best possible customer experience, alongside almost £1.37 billion spent by McDonald’s’ UK based suppliers, investing in improving their production and distribution, in the same period.

 

Accumulatively over the 50 years McDonald’s has been operating in the UK, the report also reveals the huge £94.45 billion figure the business has contributed to the UK economy since first opening its doors (further details below).

 

The report also highlights that:

  • 209,475 jobs were supported by McDonald’s across the UK in 2023, including 171,415 people employed by McDonald’s and its franchisees directly.
  • £618 million was invested by McDonald’s in delivering new restaurants and upgrades to provide the best possible customer experience, between 2018-2023
  • 41 new restaurants were opened by McDonald’s in 2023, the highest number in two decades
  • £14.8 million was raised for charity by McDonald’s, its customers and franchisees, in 2023, including £10.3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, and £4.5 million for local charities, donated by franchisees
  • Over £4 million has been raised for BBC Children in Need since 2021. McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need have also worked together to launch Makin’ It: a nationwide initiative that partners McDonald’s restaurants with local youth projects and youth workers to provide young people with genuine opportunity in the areas they live in
  • Over £51.56 billion has been spent by McDonald’s with UK-based suppliers and farmers since 1974
  • Over £2bn was spent by McDonald’s with UK-based suppliers and farmers in 2023 alone.
  • £94.45 billion (Gross Value Added, approx.) has been contributed to the UK economy since McDonald’s opened its doors 50 years ago. This includes the impact of McDonald’s restaurants, as well as the additional activity across its supply chain and the wider economy.
  • During 2023 our UK based suppliers invested over £100 million improving their production and distribution, and this figure rises to almost £1.37 billion, over the past 5 years, representing a significant level of capital investment.

 

Alistair Macrow, CEO, McDonald’s UK&I, said:

“We have come a long way since we first opened our doors in Woolwich 50 years ago. We have become an important part of communities across the UK, and I’m delighted that in this milestone year we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to growth, and announce the creation of new jobs across the country as we plan to open over 200 new restaurants over the next four years.

“It’s a moment to celebrate, and also to look ahead to what’s next. Whether that’s continuing to provide the best value for our customers, investing in our restaurants, supporting our suppliers across the UK or launching new initiatives for young people where our communities need them most.

“We’re proud of what we have delivered in the last 50 years and are committed to investing in new opportunities and supporting growth across the UK.”

 

 

2023 Regional Breakdown

LocationEconomic Output (GVA)JobsSupply Chain Expenditure
Scotland£457.2m15,425£42.9m
Northern Ireland£332.0m6,625£183.9m
North West£767.1m25,100£113.7m
North East£252.4m8,600£9.8m
Yorkshire & Humber£974.2m17,670£557.2m
East Midlands£435.5m16,625£112.1m

 

East of England£819.9m22,625£338.9m
London£832.6m24,945£87.6m
South East£801.4m26,675£204.2m
South West£394.6m14,090£24.6m
West Midlands£811.7m19,310£302.6m
Wales£369.5m11,195£112.1m
Other (Isle of Man, Channel Island and Homeworkers)£10.9m595£670,000

 

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The Electric Air Taxi Industry

Skyports Infrastructure has been given the green light from planning authorities to build the UK’s first permanent vertiport testbed for the electric air taxi industry. 

Alongside partners Bicester Motion and OEM Vertical Aerospace, the 444-acre future mobility site will be located in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

“This facility will become a hub for testing our ground operations, proprietary technology stack, and integration with flight operations,” Addison Ferrell, Director of Skyports Infrastructure, told Zag Daily.

“The UK has a strong aviation history, which will continue to prosper as we and our industry partners develop the next generation of quiet, electric, vertical flight. As we transition into the build phase and progress through testing and development, the insights we gain will be crucial in defining the future of the UK’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry.”

New images have been released today showing the vertiport adjacent to Bicester Motion’s existing generational aviation grass runways, where it will continue the airfield’s long history of aerospace innovation. The vertiport will include a 160 square metre passenger terminal.

Vertical Aerospace’s latest VX4 prototype will be the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to fly at the vertiport. This is designed to be piloted, carry four passengers and has a range of up to 100 miles. The company successfully completed its first tethered piloted flight in July and is now progressing through its piloted test flight programme.

Source: Zag Daily

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Proposed Reservoir Seeks Major Earthworks Companies

Companies interested in delivering the major earthworks programme for Thames Water’s proposed new reservoir in Oxfordshire are invited to take part in a supplier engagement exercise.

The reservoir, known as SESRO (South East Strategic Reservoir Option), is a nationally significant infrastructure project that would guarantee the water supply of 15 million people across the South East, serving Thames Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water customers.

Ground investigations, embankment trials and environmental surveys are already underway, under carefully controlled conditions, at the proposed site for the reservoir near Abingdon. The fieldwork programme will help to inform an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate in 2026.

Indicative designs and an interim master plan for the new reservoir, which has a capacity of up to150 million cubic metres (150 Mm3) and a surface area of approximately seven square kilometres (7km2), are currently subject to a 12-week public consultation which will close on 28th August 2024.

If Development Consent is granted in 2028, construction is expected to start in 2029.

Thames Water’s supply chain and procurement team is now beginning the process of engaging interested businesses to outline the broad range of contract opportunities that will stem from the proposed construction programme.

For the critical excavation element, the scale of opportunity for companies that specialise in earthworks and heavy plant machinery is significant. It is estimated that around 45 million cubic metres (45 Mm3) of material will be excavated and moved to build the reservoir’s embankment structures, which range in height between approximately 15 and 25 metres. The majority of the earthworks are expected to be carried out across six main summer working seasons (March to October).

Mohit Farmah, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain at Thames Water said:

“It’s vital that we start talking to businesses now about the opportunities that could be coming their way. Early engagement will ensure we have a pipeline of interested companies in place and ready to bid for contracts as soon as they are released.

“If SESRO is approved for construction, it will generate hundreds of new contract opportunities for businesses to capitalise on.”

As an initial step, companies with an interest in delivering the proposed earthworks programme are invited to complete a short market sounding questionnaire. A market brief, which provides further information on the SESRO earthworks programme, and the accompanying questionnaire can be found here or at:

Thames Water is seeking responses by the 30 August 2024.

Thames Water is also conducting future market engagement for SESRO and its wider portfolio of major infrastructure projects. To find out more, and to register your company’s details, click or visit:

 

Source: Thames Water
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