Month: August 2021

Construction Services

Plan for major Leeds high-rise student and events scheme

Gerri Nielson

Developer Downing will submit ambitious plans in the autumn for a major student accommodation and events scheme in Leeds city centre, adjacent to the Leeds First Direct Arena.

It will seek detailed planning consent for purpose-built student accommodation across two separate but adjacent plots, and outline planning to develop a multi-purpose events space, which would be taken forward at a future date by Leeds City Council.

A 38-storey purpose-built student tower is planned for Merrion Way featuring 728 student bedrooms in a mix of six-bedroom and 296 studios.


High-rise building proposed for site fronting Clay Pit Lane, Merrion Way and Brunswick Terrace, with nearby events centre plan still at outline stage

Meanwhile, the existing Yorkshire Bank office building would be demolished to make way for the second phase, comprising a stepped building rising to 18 storeys, featuring 543 student bedrooms in a mix of five and six-bedroom clusters and 216 studios.


Second student accommodation building proposal for site located between Clay Pit Lane and Elmwood Close

If approved, the plans will pave the way for 1,200 flats and the creation of a 110,000 sq ft facility including an 800-900 capacity auditorium at the centre of the Leeds Arena Quarter, designed to attract additional corporate, cultural and live events.

The sustainable development will incorporate photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps.

Each element of the plan promises to regenerate unused space in part of the city that will benefit economically from additional footfall. The proposals also have the potential to create approximately 390 jobs in the construction phase.

George Tyson, projects director at Downing, said: “It has long been recognised that Leeds is in need of an additional, flexible events space capable of hosting corporate banqueting, awards ceremonies and live entertainment. With 2,000 square metre flat floor space, this scheme has the potential to host conferences and exhibitions which can’t be facilitated at the Arena or other venues in the city centre, allowing Leeds to secure business that may otherwise be lost to other cities and regions.”

He added: “Attracting and retaining graduate talent is vital to the health of the regional economy and this relies on being able to offer attractive student accommodation. Our proposals will provide students with brand new, first-class living space in a dynamic part of the city, with fast access to university buildings and facilities.”

 

 

 

Construction Services

18 firms win £220m Yorkshire civils framework

Gerri Nielson

Eighteen regional contractors have secured places on a civil engineering framework for the seven councils forming the Yorkshire Highways Alliance including North Yorkshire County Council

The works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work will predominantly take place on bridges and the highway network.

Potential works include: resurfacing, reconstruction, slurry sealing, drainage and kerbing, repairs to bridges, retaining walls and culverts.

Civil Engineering Contractors Framework 2021

Projects £2m+ in North Yorkshire, York, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds & Wakefield.

C.R. Reynolds; Eric Wright Civil Engineering; Fox (Owmby); Jackson Civil Engineering Group; PBS Construction (North East); Rainton Construction

Projects £500k – £2m in North Yorkshire, York, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds & Wakefield.

C.R. Reynolds; Colas; Dyer & Butler; Fox (Owmby); Galliford Try Construction; I & H Brown; PBS Construction (North East); Rainton Construction

Projects: up to £500k – Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds & Wakefield

A E Yates; C.R. Reynolds; Cheetham Hill Construction; Hinko Construction; JN Bentley; PBS Construction (North East); Rainton Construction; Seymour Civil Engineering Contractors; Thomas Armstrong (Construction); Thomas Bow;

Projects: up to £500k – North Yorkshire & York

A E Yates; C.R. Reynolds; Cheetham Hill Construction; Hinko Construction; Howard Civil Engineering; JN Bentley; PBS Construction (North East); Rainton Construction; Seymour Civil Engineering Contractors; Thomas Armstrong (Construction)

 

Construction Management

Gaining Better Insights and Creating Greater Predictability on Projects Across Europe With Mercury Engineering

Gerri Nielson

Mercury is a European contractor that builds and manages complex engineering projects that reimagine how people work and live in the built environment. Their determination and sharp focus enable project teams to deliver leading edge construction solutions across a range of key sectors, taking their clients to new territories including enterprise and hyperscale data centres, advanced technology, fire protection, technical support services, data centre facility management, healthcare and building services.

Mercury employs 6,500 staff, including subcontractors, currently working across over ten locations in Europe. With an overall turnover of £1 billion in 2020, Mercury invests heavily in learning and development for all employees. The company is focused on applying the best standards of health, safety, and governance throughout the organisation to support colleagues.

The team at Mercury focuses on delivering their clients vision through leading edge construction solutions. Pushing to go beyond their duty means Mercury turns clients into partners and builds strong relationships that thrive. Their digital construction journey began two years ago with the data centre sector of the business. As the company had grown, the team adopted lots of different technology solutions for their projects and they lacked a standardised approach to implement a connected construction journey. “Our company grew very quickly and added a number of projects to our portfolio. This meant that we began using several different platforms and methodologies across different projects and regions. It soon became obvious to us that a more standardised approach could improve our efficiencies and give us greater results,” reflects Aisling Goff, Business Unit Quality Manager for Mercury’s data centre business unit.

The business unit decided they would adopt one solution for all of their projects moving forward. The objective was to create a more unified and standardised approach to delivering projects for all of their clients. In the first instance, the team surveyed their employee groups to get an understanding of how technology could help them deliver better outcomes in their role. “We ran a series of surveys with our staff to get their feedback on all the different software they were currently using – asking them for the pros and cons in each case. We received input from colleagues in a range of roles, from engineers to document controllers,” says Aisling.

The road to standardisation

To further develop their technology roadmap, the data centre business unit team reviewed their project pipeline to evaluate incoming work and cost out their technology requirements accordingly. Ronnie Christie, Business Unit Manager, knew that using technology in a smarter way could better support the team to create continuity. Ronnie says: “We recognised that different sites within a division were reporting differently to the directors and their clients so a big ask of the technology solution we chose was something that could help us standardise our reporting mechanisms.

When it came to choosing a technology solution, Mercury used Autodesk Construction Cloud’s BIM 360 platform for the first time four years ago on one of their data centre projects. The team initially used the solution for document control and generating snag lists on the project.

Aisling reflects: “When we used BIM 360 for the first time, we had to make sure the client was happy with the software and realised the benefit of using it.” After initially using the solution on one data centre project, Mercury then decided to use it on a new build project that spanned the entire construction phase. The team made use of more of the functionality available – such as workflows for daily reporting, commissioning, permits, check sheets as well as tracking labour and site numbers too. “When we used BIM 360 on our second data centre project, we were impressed with the additional functionality. It allowed us to create clearer workflows for RFIs and submittals alongside a whole range of project activities,” says Aisling.

Mandating for consistency

It was during this project that the Mercury team decided to mandate using BIM 360 on all projects in the future. “We knew that we’d need to approach our BIM 360 rollout to the business in a slow and structured way,” states Aisling. “We got the basics working really well on our first project, and it was only after this that we introduced more functionality to the team on the next project to ensure a smooth transition to the wider team

When it came to implementing the technology, the team ensured that employees were thoroughly supported through a comprehensive learning and development strategy. They ran training sessions for teams and individual employees and also created peer mentoring sessions for individuals to learn from each other, with the help of technology champions for the platform. The company also created standard operating procedures for using BIM 360, user guides and shared best practice through their internal skills hub.

Jobsite of Mercury Engineering project

Our colleagues responded really well to the training and learning opportunities made available to them during the rollout stage,” says Ronnie. “For us, peer-to-peer training was key. Our business has expanded dramatically in the last few years due to growth across the unit and we have a really talented bunch of people with great expertise in using digital construction solutionsThey were instrumental in strengthening the team’s understanding and use of BIM 360

Getting the most from the data to improve communication and collaboration

For Mercury, when it comes to integrating technology into their business, the team have focused on using the data they capture on projects in a richer way to develop better project insights. Aisling says: “We’ve integrated BIM 360 with Power BI to export data on quality, health and safety. We were unable to get this visibility before. Now we can draw greater insights from our projects to better manage risk, cost and quality

Better insights captured from project data can not only improve the construction process, but it can support the health of a business and improve the employee experience. “When new colleagues join and work with existing teams on different projects, they understand fully what processes they need to follow and what information we capture to measure our performance,” says Ronnie.

Collaborating across the supply chain happens within Autodesk Construction Cloud’s BIM 360 platform. “We now use BIM 360 to communicate formally with all of our project stakeholders,” says Aisling. “It’s where all project communication takes place and acts as a central source of truth for Mercury. Everyone uses BIM 360 – from a Quality Assurance team member or a Document Controller in the office to a supervisor using daily reports on site or a Project Manager overseeing daily activity

For me, the transparency [from BIM 360] has been transformative. Everything is real and things are no longer open for interpretation as project data is visible for everyone.—Aisling Goff, Mercury

Using one central source of truth in the form of a common data environment has enabled Mercury to empower their teams with full visibility of the status of all their projects. “All submittals and RFIs go through BIM 360 and our supply chain partners use the solution in the field to report on health, safety and quality. We also use the solution to manage our client teams; that can range from resolving questions that need clarification, verification, and design workflows. It works really well for us as we use the solution to manage up and down as well as across teams,” remarks Aisling. This has improved communication and collaboration between project stakeholders resulting in a dramatic reduction in the amount of miscommunication and lost documentation.

Setting the business up to succeed

For Aisling and Ronnie, the benefits of working more digitally are twofold – not only do their teams deliver a better client experience, but they are also able to ensure they are set up for success from the very beginning of a project. Ronnie says: “All of our projects are structured in the same way now using BIM 360. This means our colleagues can move between projects easily; they know what to expect when they join a new project team, and the business knows how to set itself up for success.”

Both Aisling and Ronnie agree that their favourite features enable them to use their data in a more meaningful way. Aisling remarks: “If I had to pull out my favourite thing about BIM 360, it would definitely be that it enables us to use the same parameters when it comes to analysing our data. This means we have a standardised way of reporting to use the data better.” For Ronnie, being able to benchmark across teams and see how they are progressing when audit reporting supports him in his role. Ronnie says: “I’m able to gauge how jobs are running in parallel with each other which has been really useful

Monitoring adoption has helped Mercury to establish where they need to put more focus. “As a company, we monitor what functionality each project is using in BIM 360 to make sure we’re getting the most out of the technology,” says Aisling. “Our data centre business unit has reached an average 90% KPI score for adoption. We’ve found that the last 10% of adoption in terms of maximising all the functionality usually involves brining all project stakeholders along and making sure they’re bought into the technology.” This also means Mercury can work collaboratively across their individual business units with their teams to share best practice, learnings and break down siloes.

We now have much greater predictability and insights on our projects,” says Ronnie. Mercury has also fostered greater collaboration across their business units and wider company whilst standardising the data sets and data types they capture. “For me, the transparency has been transformative. Everything is real and things are no longer open for interpretation as project data is visible for everyone,” affirms Aisling.

Looking to the future, Mercury plans on ensuring all their teams across the entire company are getting the most from BIM 360 using the functionality available. In addition to this, working in collaboration with their clients, they are promoting the benefits of implementing standardisation and digital workflows within the AEC industry.

This year, Mercury is going through the process of gaining their ISO 19650 accreditation which highlights their ambition to fully utilise the international standards for managing information over the whole life cycle of a built asset using building information modelling (BIM). As a company, they are wholly committed to driving the digital agenda to create a more productive and efficient industry with better insights to deliver improved outcomes for clients and end users alike.

The post Gaining Better Insights and Creating Greater Predictability on Projects Across Europe With Mercury Engineering appeared first on Digital Builder.

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solar
Construction Services

Solar Power Services – What You Can Expect From Them

Sandra Carlson

solarSolar power systems at Solar Group are becoming more popular now, and it’s no surprise why, as they have several benefits. One of the most apparent benefits is that you can save money. However, there are other benefits such as reducing your energy bills, you will be contributing to a cleaner environment, and at the same time, you will be saving money on your energy bills, which can be used elsewhere.

Now that we have covered some of the main reasons people get solar power services let’s talk about how solar energy panel systems work. The basic working principle is that the sun’s light is converted into electricity using photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells are made from silicon, which is why solar panels have become so popular over the last few years.

As we said, one of the big benefits of solar power services is that you can reduce your energy bill by installing solar arrays to your home. In addition to this, you may also get other benefits such as lowering your carbon footprint or even being able to make some tax credits. For instance, the statehas a program called the credits program, and it aims to help families with solar arrays to get off the grid in the most effective way possible. 

In the end, solar power services allow us to benefit from lower energy bills, helping to protect the environment and contribute to our health. But there are many other ways to make savings when using solar energy. Some people turn their lights off at night and only keep them lit for daylight hours. This can help you save a lot of money in your electric bill each month.

Solar power services can also help you reduce your usage of electricity and help to keep carbon dioxide out of the air. We all know how dangerous carbon dioxide is for our environment. However, using solar energy means that we can reduce our use of electricity generated through fossil fuels and this can help keep our environment clean. The carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuel burning power plants is the largest cause of air pollution, and this is definitely something we should all be concerned about.

With solar power systems installed, you can also save money. For example, there are now many solar powered outdoor lighting that you can buy and install on your property. These can significantly improve your home’s appearance, while also helping you save money and cut your usage. There are many different types of solar powered outdoor lighting available, and it’s up to you to shop around in order to find the right one for you.

When you take solar power services, you are also taking responsibility for reducing your carbon footprint and helping to preserve our planet for our children. One of the things that we have all learned in recent years is that the Earth’s temperature is increasing. We have witnessed ice melting at both poles and extreme weather events that have affected weather around the globe. This increase in heat and cold is due to the increase in levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. By choosing solar energy, you can be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.

There are many different types of solar power systems available. It’s important that you research each type so that you choose the right one for your home. There are many things that you need to consider, such as costs, installation costs, reliability, etc. Make sure that you do your research and spend time finding the right system for you and your family.

Asphalt

How To Find The Best Asphalt Repair Equipment Patch Mix

Jonathan Garza

Professional asphalt contractors always look for new equipment like rollers, heaters, and other tools and equipment that make their work easier and faster. One such tool is an asphalt repair machine. There are many kinds of asphalt repair machines that are available in the market today. You can Visit Website before choosing the right equipment to identify the purpose of buying them.asphalt repair equipment

An asphalt repair machine is usually used to repair damaged asphalt pavements, cracks in the pavement, and drainage problems in driveways, walkways, and parking lots. They are used primarily for commercial and industrial applications but they are also used by residential asphalt maintenance contractors for pothole repairs. By using an asphalt rectifier, you could easily re-use an existing asphalt pavement and save on expenses by using only a small fraction of brand new asphalt hot mix. The asphalt repair equipment includes repair trucks, machines, and repair material.

Some of the most common asphalt repair equipment used today are the hot boxes or heaters. Hot boxes or heaters work by applying pressure to the repaired area of the pavement by using heated water. This hot water then expands into the damaged area, which fuses with the natural molecules present in the asphalt. As a result, the repaired portion becomes smoother and more durable. Hot boxes or heaters can be operated with propane, natural gas, and propane. They are more expensive than other types of repair equipment because of the initial investment and fuel consumption.

Another important tool in the asphalt repair equipment arsenal is the asphalt hot box trailer. It is a lightweight, collapsible trailer equipped with a pressurized tank that carries asphalt hot box solution. This solution, composed of asphalt slurry and water, is spread over the repaired area by the trailer’s pump. After spreading, the hot box solution is allowed to cool, which hardens the asphalt mixture. The resulting slurry then feeds into the damaged area and compacting it while it is still soft, which gives it strength.

When it comes to concrete repair and concrete crack sealing applications, an essential piece of equipment is the oil jacket melting machine. This machine can quickly and easily melt thick layers of concrete without damaging the surface underneath. A special high-pressure nozzle attached to the machine blows compressed air through the melted mastic, which seeps into the cracks and cures into the concrete. An example of an oil jacket melting machine is a Robosson Pumper, which is available at many home improvement centers.

Some examples of other types of asphalt repair equipment include air guns, stud finders, and punchers. Air guns are used to detect weak areas of concrete or the ground, and apply air blasts that bond with the problematic area. Meanwhile, a stud finder works by pointing straight up at the spot needing repair, and allowing the user to punch holes into the structure. Punching tools such as these can be a little more expensive than air jackets and oil jackets, but they do not require as much labor because they do not require spraying either.

An important piece of equipment for asphalt repairs is the infrared asphalt repair system. Infrared technology heats asphalt below its normal freezing point, which thins it out and forms a thick, even layer of asphalt. The infrared system heats asphalt by applying heat to it from below, which breaks down chemically bound hydrocarbon molecules in the asphalt layer. As the asphalt layer thins out, it becomes stronger, which allows the repair job to stretch further. Unlike traditional methods, an infrared asphalt repair system leaves a warm, translucent coating on the damaged area that penetrates further into the asphalt and forms a strong seal.

When looking for asphalt repair equipment patch mix, be sure to look for one containing all-weather performance, which means it can handle rain, sleet, and snow in the same way. This will save workers’ valuable time and money in the long run, since potholes caused by ice and snow are more difficult to fix with cold patch material than with asphalt that has already been damaged. It can also prevent additional damage to cars, trucks, and other property by repairing deep potholes before they become problematic. If you are going to invest in this equipment, choose from one of the best products available to ensure the best results for your business.

Construction Services

Top Career Tips from Last Year’s 40 Under 40 Winners

Gerri Nielson

What does it take to have a successful career in construction?

While everyone’s professional journey is different, it helps to learn from those with well-established careers, so you can discover the lessons that brought them to the top of their game.

That’s exactly what we’re doing here. We asked last year’s 40 Under 40 winners, a.k.a. Champions of Construction, to share their best career advice, along with the most important lessons they’ve learned from 2020, and what excites them about the construction industry.

As some of the most passionate and forward-thinking people in construction, the group shares hard-earned learnings that you can put into action in your own career right away.

Have a look at what they have to say below. It’s an inspiring read.

If you know anyone in construction that is an absolute AEC allstar, and belongs on this year’s 40 Under 40: Champions of Construction list, nominate them today! Nominations are open August 17 through September 17.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

1. What is the best career advice you’ve ever been given?

In many cases, the best career nuggets are intangible. Instead of a quick tip, the most insightful advice often serves as a north star that guides your career decisions and ensures that you don’t stray too far from your values.

Do what you love and what’s best for you

Many of 2020’s Champions of Constructions agree that succeeding in your field starts with knowing what you love and what’s best for you. 

As Ivana Tudja, Senior BIM Manager at Mace Group puts it, “Remember one thing, you’re the only person who knows what the right thing for you is.”

In line with this, it’s important to know what you’re passionate about, so you can develop your career around that. 

“Do something that you love,” says Kristy Hogg, Technical BIM Lead at Cundall. “Because if you enjoy it, you’re going to be interested in it.”

Learn to collaborate well with others

Teamwork and collaboration are essential to construction success. If you want to go far in your AEC career, it’s important to be open to other people’s ideas and constantly learn from each other.

“A huge part of continual creativity and dedication on-site is understanding that everyone has a voice and input worth hearing; it’s not just the construction manager reigning down orders,” says Geoffrey Bean, Virtual Construction Coordinator at W.M. Jordan Company

He continues, “When it comes to ideas, there is no such thing as a bad one. It’s about letting suggestions be heard. It’s about letting every single person on every single one of our job sites know that they matter and that we care.”

Carolina Alvarez, President of J&S Building Maintenance, Inc., offers similar advice and says that working closely with the team is a must to succeed at work. “The first thing is recognizing that we’re a team and communicating with each other,” she says. 

“What do we need to do? What ideas do you have? What’s going to make you feel safe to start with? You need to ask those questions. Talk to your staff, see where they’re at, and accommodate their needs if necessary,” adds Carolina. 

2. What are the top lessons you learned from 2020?

The most powerful lessons are the ones that you earn not just by reading, but actually living through them. 2020 was a difficult period, but it was a massive year for career growth, particularly for construction professionals who kept their heads up and persevered. 

“Patience and hope were my biggest takeaways [in 2020],” says Hritik Kothari, Project Engineering Intern at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He adds that he’ll proudly take these values further in the years to come. 

Focus on things you can control

If there’s one thing the pandemic taught us, it’s that there are many factors outside of our control. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t do anything. 

Lazar Vilimonovic, Electrical Design Engineer at Tesla said it best: “The biggest thing is that you can’t dwell on a lot of the things you can’t control.”

So much can change in a short amount of time, and the number one thing you can do is to continuously show up. “I know I need to keep moving forward, do the things I need to do, and go from there,” adds Lazar.

lways have a plan

The events of last year caught many people off guard, and 2020 taught us the importance of having “a more thorough emergency plan,” remarks Carolina. 

“Your emergency plan shouldn’t just be ‘Oh what if the internet went out.’ That may have worked pre-2020, but if a pandemic or something similar happens again, you need to be prepared. Your business plan needs to expand to other types of emergencies and what to do in case of that, because who knows what will happen again?”

3. What excites you the most about the future of construction?

The future of the construction industry is bright, and now is one of the most exciting times to build a career in AEC. 

Groundbreaking developments in technology

Technologies like AI, machine learning, robotics, and others are transforming various industries, and construction is no exception. Because of this, construction professionals are able to streamline cumbersome processes and focus on bigger and more exciting things. 

That being said, successfully implementing technology starts with investing in the right tools. As Samiha Shakil, Senior VDC Engineer at Skanska points out, “When you invest in the right tech, you’re also investing in the people you employ.” 

She continues, “There are many people with tons of potential, and we need to make sure they’re equipped with tools that improve their work processes, help deliver quality projects and empower them to be better professionals all around.”

Integrating different technologies is also something that construction professionals should focus on. “Taking advantage of what 2020 has taught us — construction professionals and firms, should invest more in R&D of integration of new technologies,” says Ruhi Thakur, Assistant Project Manager at Webcor

Younger people are entering the industry

It’s not just about technology though. Construction continues to be a people-driven field, and the next generation of professionals entering the workforce will brighten up the industry even more. 

Jessica Bowlin, Building Construction Instructor at Auburn High School, says that the “up and coming workforce — the Gen Zs” is what she finds most exciting about construction. 

She says, “They’re going to take us so much further than we ever thought possible.”

These are just a few nuggets of wisdom shared by Autodesk’s 40 Under 40 Champions of Construction. To see last year’s full list of 40 Under 40 winners, click here

Know someone perfect for 2021’s 40 Under 40 List?

Nominations open: August 17, 2021 to September 17, 2021

Autodesk’s 40 Under 40 will be a list of shining (and rising) stars in the industry. It will recognize construction professionals under the age of 40 who are making waves in the AEC field for their creativity, forward-thinking, and dedication, particularly over the last few months. 

Nominees must meet the following criteria:

Someone who has made a big impact in their role in 2021. A professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership. An industry pioneer who has implemented or managed technology with a major impact on a project and their company. 

Have someone in mind? Be sure to hit the nominate button on or before the 17th of September!

NOMINATE NOW

 

The post Top Career Tips from Last Year’s 40 Under 40 Winners appeared first on Digital Builder.

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Construction Blogs

Seven win £14bn next-generation Scape frameworks

Gerri Nielson

Scape has named its seven favoured contractors to deliver up to £14bn of projects through its next-generation suite of construction frameworks.

Graham, Kier, McLaughlin & Harvey, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Sisk and Willmott Dixon have been appointed to deliver the Scape Construction framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, worth up to £12bn.

In addition, Morgan Sindall, Kier and McLaughlin & Harvey will also deliver the £2bn Scotland Construction framework. Each partner will be supported by an extensive local supply chain.

The overhaul of Scape frameworks sees previous incumbents Lendlease, Robertson and Wates drop out, making way for new commers Mace, Sisk and Graham

Scape frameworks – total spend £14bn

England, Wales & Northern Ireland – Project value £75m+

Mace, John Sisk

England & Wales – Project value: £7.5m – £75m

Morgan Sindall, Willmott Dixon

England & Wales – Project value: up to £7.5m

Kier, Morgan Sindall

Northern Ireland  – Project value: £7.5m – £75m

McLaughlin & Harvey

Northern Ireland  – Project value: up to £7.5m

Graham

Scotland – Project value £7.5m-plus

McLaughlin & Harvey, Morgan Sindall

Scotland – Project value up to £7.5m

Kier, Morgan Sindall

The four-year net zero-ready public works frameworks will accelerate the delivery of new-build and refurbishment projects of all values from September 2021 and 2025.

With close alignment to the government’s Construction Playbook and a focus on climate action response via the built environment, the suite of frameworks is intended to offer a better way to build and refurbish the public estate, whilst stimulating local economic activity.

The frameworks have been carefully designed to enable clients to benefit from industry transformation, with consideration towards digital construction, platform design and modern methods of construction.

Clients to benefit from several innovative features

A unique parallel lotting structure, offering a choice of two contractors while retaining the free early engagement and direct award.A new lifecycle contract form, supporting clients with energy conservation and the operational efficiency and performance of their assets beyond the construction phase for up to five years. The new feature, which completes the frameworks’ ‘net zero ready’ offer, will help to build and validate a client’s business case for low carbon buildings, and address the historic performance gap between design and in-use building performance.A new commercial model that includes a standard pricing template for greater transparency. Contractors will also commit to 19-day (or better) payment terms for their supply chain partners.Enhanced tailoring of project KPIs and success criteria for every project, leveraging the Construction Innovation Hub’s Value Toolkit to define success for the client.Support from SCAPE’s dedicated framework management team, with performance in delivery measured against market-leading benchmarks for environmental performance, sustainability, social value and the use of local supply chains.

Did you miss our previous article…
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Construction Management

£40m Preston leisure scheme funding deal

Gerri Nielson

Long-awaited plans to revamp Preston city centre with a £40m cinema and leisure complex will finally move to construction after councillors agreed a funding package for the project.

The new development, called ‘Animate’, will be located on the site of the former indoor market and will feature an eight-screen cinema and bowling alley along with five new restaurants and bars, a street-food hub, a car park, and new public square.

The scheme is being developed in partnership with Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group.

Negotiations with anchor operators for the cinema and bowling alley are at an advance stage, alongside strong interest for the restaurant units.

Subject to planning permission being granted, it is anticipated construction work on the project could begin in 2022 with the complex opening in spring 2024.

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council, said: “This is a really positive step forward in our plans to bring this exciting development to Preston. The new development will breathe life into the city centre and reinforce the Harris Quarter as a premier cultural and leisure destination in Lancashire.”

Andrew Dewhurst, director of Maple Grove Developments, said: “We look forward to taking the development to the next stage and submitting a planning application this autumn.”

The development is one of six major projects planned under Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, for which the city was awarded £20.9m from the government’s national Towns Fund initiative in March.

 

 

Construction Management

Cost of skilled site labour jumps 3.6% in one month

Gerri Nielson

The cost of skilled labour on site increased by 3.6% last month as inflationary pressures cranked-up in the construction supply chain.

New payroll data from Hudson Contract show average weekly earnings for self-employed tradespeople rose to £904 during July, handing them an extra £124 over the month.

In the East Midlands labour costs hit an all-time weekly high of £1,014 with demand driven by new regeneration, housing and infrastructure projects.

Ian Anfield, Hudson managing director, said: “The housing market is booming with the price of the average UK home increasing by nearly £25,000 over the last year.

“We expect strong demand for new housing and renovation schemes to continue for the foreseeable future. The government is committed to big infrastructure investments as part of its ‘levelling up’ agenda, which is adding to confidence in the sector.

“The challenge for construction firms will be in managing rising costs caused by shortages in building materials and skilled labour.

“We encourage ministers to consider how the industry can increase access to skilled freelancers from Europe under the new immigration system. Self-employed subcontractors make up the most productive and flexible pool of resource in the industry and Britain needs them to deliver these projects on budget and on time.”

Hudson Contract is the UK’s largest provider of tax status and employment contract services to the construction industry and supplies more than 2,500 companies across England and Wales.

 

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Construction Services

Digital Builder Ep 18: 3 Key Takeaways on Prefabrication in Construction

Gerri Nielson

There’s a common misconception around prefabrication—that it amounts to bland, cookie-cutter boxes rolling off an assembly line. But the truth is that prefabrication techniques can allow design teams to produce beautiful, innovative designs that meet the distinct needs of individual clients. 

Plus, prefab elements can often be produced more quickly with minimal resources and waste, making it a favorable option for builders and owners alike. 

Joining us this week to talk about all things prefab are Nick Coubray, CEO at Howick Ltd., and Amr Raafat, VP of VDC & Technology at Windover Construction. Both guests have extensive experience with prefabrication, and in this episode, we had an interesting discussion on:

The benefits behind prefabrication technology The common myths associated with prefab Some successful real-world examples And how to get started with prefabrication

“Prefabrication combined with other technologies, such as mixed reality, can really enhance the quality of our production in the factory.” — Amr Raafat

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3 Takeaways on Prefabrication for Production in Construction

Before diving into the benefits and best practices around prefab, let’s first get clear on what it actually is. Prefabrication refers to the technique of prefabricating assemblies—from whole buildings or entire rooms to much smaller elements and components—in a controlled factory setting. The elements of a building are constructed off-site and then transported to the job site, where they would be assembled.

If you’re curious about prefab and are interested in implementing the practice in your projects, I encourage you to read on. Nick and Amr share their expert takes on prefabrication benefits, myths, and best practices. 

1. Debunking common myths about prefabrication

Myth #1: Prefabrication is only impactful for large components or building features

This isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, prefab can also be used to improve the production of a single repeatable feature or very small building elements.

As Amr puts it, “It doesn’t have to be a whole building or a whole room. Prefabrication can be applied to something as small as simple trusses or smaller elements.”

“It doesn’t have to be a whole building or a whole room. Prefabrication can be applied to something as small as simple trusses or smaller elements.” —Amr Raafat

Nick agrees and adds that “Everyone always jumps to volumetric boxes. But like what Amr said, prefab can be applied to something as small as a single component. It doesn’t have to be a fully-finished building and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. It can actually be quite simple, but it’s really about being design-led, rather than actually just making something in a factory.”

Myth #2: Prefabrication only creates unattractive boxes

This is another persistent myth, but untrue. Just because something is made in a factory doesn’t mean it has to be bland or boring. 

With the right practices and technologies, you can prefabricate beautifully designed buildings in an efficient and cost-effective way. 

“With our prefabrication techniques and our focus on data and technology, we can really produce beautiful designs that could be flexible and respond to client needs,” shares Amr. 

He adds, “Our design teams can actually innovate and be more creative in terms of functionality.”

The takeaway? Don’t let old myths and misconceptions stop you from exploring prefabrication. There are a lot of advancements in the realm of prefab that give construction pros more flexibility to design great-looking buildings. 

2. Prefabrication unlocks serious production potential

Prefabrication can benefit the entire project and team in a number of ways. Here are the key advantages discussed in the episode. 

It saves money. Since prefabrication happens in a factory or manufacturing site, you have more control over your environment, schedule, and timeline. Having a handle on all these things helps minimize unexpected costs. 

In addition, prefab enables automation in a factory setting, resulting in fewer errors and labor-hours, so you can keep your costs in check. 

No weather delays. Prefab allows projects to be weather-independent. Building something in a controlled environment helps you avoid weather-related and other external disruptions, so projects can be completed faster. 

Environmentally friendly. Prefabrication leads to fewer errors and delays, which also means lower energy consumption and less waste — particularly when used with other technologies. 

“Prefabrication combined with other technology, such as mixed reality, can really enhance our production in the factory with great quality. What I love about the machinery and the prefab concept is that this machine produces almost zero waste,” says Amr.

Increased quality. Prefab technology and automation guarantees that materials are produced with consistent quality. “Prefab allows you to better control quality. All the BIM data in Revit is carried over into manufacturing, so what you created is exactly what was modeled and approved by the design team,” adds Amr.

Improved safety. Working in a controlled environment means strict safety procedures can be enforced. This is especially important when there are social distancing measures in place. And since the work happens inside a factory site, employees encounter fewer job site-related hazards and unexpected events. 

More flexibility. Because components are prefabricated off-site, it’s easier to transport, assemble, and disassemble different elements. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to implementing design changes or relocating materials from one location to another. 

3. Start small, but with real projects

Thinking of getting started with prefab? Nick and Amr recommend starting small—but doing it with real projects, so you can learn and improve as you go. 

“What I would suggest to people is to start small. Start a single component, like a 2D panel. Then it’s easy to transport to the job site,” says Nick. 

He continues, “[with prefab,] the first thing people jump straight to this massive volumetric plant — something like a car factory and a hundred thousand square feet. In reality, what we see is most people begin with a small factory — like a 3,000 square feet facility with a single machine in it.”

“Everyone always jumps to volumetric boxes — or fully furnished units — whereas it can be as small as a single component.” —Nick Coubray

When you’re starting out, you need to ensure that “you have the right data and model,” according to Amr. “You can translate and unify it with manufacturing technologies and techniques.” This is an important consideration as these things will be the foundation of your unified building approach.

Implementing prefabrication successfully requires strong skills and knowledge around BIM and coordination, so it’s recommended to hire team members accordingly. You need the best people who can ensure that all your prefab elements will fit perfectly on-site. 

Catch the Full Episode of Digital Builder

Amr and Nick go even further into the ins and outs of prefabrication and how you can implement it successfully. Tune in to the latest episode and discover the best practices and technologies you can use to make prefab work in your business. 

Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcastsor wherever you listen to podcasts

The post Digital Builder Ep 18: 3 Key Takeaways on Prefabrication in Construction appeared first on Digital Builder.

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