SIKA HELPS MAXIMISE OFFSITE EFFICIENCIES

SIKA’S MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION DIVISION HELPS MAXIMISE OFFSITE EFFICIENCIES

The advantages of offsite construction to encourage greater efficiency, consistent quality, less waste and higher productivity will go some way to addressing the high demand for new buildings. As an alternative to traditional building techniques, offsite solutions are not new to the construction industry but are proving to be a cost efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods of construction and can help address skilled labour shortages. With its long track record of success as a complete system and problem solution provider, Sika’s modern methods of construction (MMC) division works with offsite manufacturing and assembly companies to look at how Sika products can be used as part of the process in this fast-growing sector.

Sika’s decision to create this team of experts in 2019 came at a time when offsite manufacturing was growing in popularity, as a result of its multiple benefits including improved quality control, reduced waste and speed of construction. Its extended team of offsite manufacturing specialists across Europe cover a breadth of skill and expertise. As a business, Sika has many products that can be used in offsite construction, both within production assembly lines and/or application upon delivery to site, for a variety of purposes.
Sika offers the industry’s widest product ranges for sealing and bonding, roofing, building finishing, passive fire protection, damping and reinforcing, concrete, flooring, waterproofing and wall finishes for interior and exterior applications, and bathroom pod waterproofing and tiling systems.
Sika has an extensive R&D capability and global reach. This means the company has a proven track record of working across international markets, many of which are on the pulse of offsite manufacturing’s innovations. Sika’s MMC division is utilising global experience to guide offsite manufacturing companies towards unlocking new potentials. The division offers a customised approach for modular manufacturers, especially where construction solutions need an industrial approach.

Offsite school project
One project where Sika products have played an important part in offsite construction is for an award-winning school project in Birmingham. Sika provided a technically advanced, high-performance, hybrid roofing membrane for the newly-constructed King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls in Birmingham, which was built using innovative offsite construction techniques.
To meet performance and programme goals for the building’s construction, a hybrid design was devised by offsite construction and modular specialists, Innovaré, which included integrated BBA-Certified i-SIP panels, hollow core concrete plank floors, and a lightweight timber cassette roofing system. This hybrid method of construction, which meant most of the new school structure was manufactured offsite, offered a radically quicker speed of build, reducing preliminary and overall costs. It also ensured the building’s performance and programme goals were met.
Sika’s 4mm elastomeric and plastomeric bituminous hybrid membrane, SikaBit Pro 940®, provided the watertight finish for the new building’s energy-efficient roofing system, which integrates timber cassettes with i-joists.
SIkaBit Pro 940® combines the advantages of APAO and SBS-modified bitumen, allowing two different compounds to work together. The upper layer comprises APA-modified bitumen, offering excellent heat resistance and durability. The under layer is SBS-modified bitumen, providing increased elongation, improving flexibility and excellent resistance to thermo-oxidative aging which will last longer than traditional membranes and reduce ongoing maintenance. SikaBit® has been developed to comply with the NFRC’s Safe2Torch Guidance to help specifiers prioritise safety at the design stage of roofing projects.
The specification of SikaBit Pro 940® as part of the school’s energy-efficient roofing system contributed to the building’s fabric achieving required levels of thermal, airtightness, acoustic and maintenance performance. In terms of the roof’s construction, Innovaré manufactured large-format structural timber roof cassettes, ensuring that the structural members and deck went into place quickly.

 

LW Roofing, one of Sika’s Certified Roofing Contractors, was responsible for the design and installation of the roofing system. In addition, RLW Roofing completed façade works, using Sika Parex Historic Mortar KL.
“We are proud that in collaboration with RLW Roofing, our products and expertise were used to successful effect in the delivery of this wonderful school, RLW’s skill and expertise were instrumental in delivering a technically robust solution” Simon Griffiths Head of Sales, Offsite Construction at Sika, said. “The hybrid method of construction implemented by Innovaré for this project aligns perfectly with Sika’s promotion of sustainable development within the construction industry.”

Offsite alliance
As part of its commitment to offsite manufacturing across the nation, Sika has recently joined Offsite Alliance, a membership organisation that increases the uptake and delivery of offsite technologies in the residential sector. Through a combination of action and collaboration, Sika will work with fellow like-minded organisations to promote best practice, share innovation and work together to create the high quality, sustainable homes of the future.
With extensive technical expertise and solid practical experience on every continent, in many climates and environments, Sika is a highly qualified, reliable partner for all manner of manufacturing and construction needs.

www.sika.com

 

 

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Modular homes – are we storing up problems for the future?

by Jim Edwards, Commercial Director of Global Warranties

 

The market for modular and prefabricated buildings continues to boom, but are we storing up problems for the future that may ultimately cost millions of pounds in repairs and heartache for home owners? According to Global, the country’s fastest growing supplier of insurance backed latent defect warranties, it is a real possibility.

Manufacturers from every part of the globe are now producing and developing more components offsite than ever before with industry estimates suggesting that some 15,000 new modular homes are being built every year in the UK alone – a figure that is rising rapidly.

Every new home requires a latent defects warranty to cover anything unforeseen that might happen between year two and year three. During the first 24 months the builder is responsible for correcting any issues.

It is a system that has traditionally worked well, with more conventional homes seeking a latent defects warranty, being inspected at every stage of the build process. Companies such as Global have a multi stage inspection guide from the moment footings are dug and concrete poured, right up to final delivery, to ensure that each home is fit for purpose.

“The problem is,” said Jim Edwards, commercial Director for Global Home Warranties, “how do you inspect modular components for latent defects? This would require sending our surveyors to every factory currently producing such systems, as far away as China in some cases.”

“This means that while we can inspect the way they are installed, we equally have to accept that offsite components are fit for purpose and have reached the highest possible standard. In most cases this is very much the case, but there is no way of knowing 100% and this is where the real problem lies – without independent inspection at the factories then it is not possible to determine whether we will have to address latent defects issues in the future.”

The market for modular buildings is expected to grow in excess of 6% year on year and there are estimates that the majority of contractors architects and engineers are now designing with or using modules built offsite.

The move to offsite construction has been driven by the need to meet Government targets to build up to 300,000 new homes every year which means that modular and prefabricated components are increasingly being used.

Companies in the UK specialising in offsite construction have an enviable track record in terms of quality and mostly produce components which have been ISO certified or meet all current building regulations and standards.

This means, according to Global, that it will more likely to be imported systems that ultimately fail, possibly because overseas manufacturers are not as familiar with or as aware of building practice within the UK and European construction sector, or simply because standards have been set lower to save money.

“As we know, price is very much a factor within all areas of construction and there is likely to be a temptation to import more and more low-cost building systems,” said Jim Edwards. “They may do exactly what it says on the tin but none of us yet know what is likely to happen two, five or even 10 years down the line and now is the time to ask ourselves – should we be more stringent by having independent inspection processes in every factory that produces such materials.”

There is growing evidence and other industry experts agree that we could be storing up problems. Recent reports suggest that the lack of detailed data on the durability of modular homes in the UK could be a considerable barrier for construction professionals concerned about the long-term viability of offsite components.

Financial service providers, including insurers, mortgage lenders and valuers need to have certainty that modular homes are safe and durable if they are to engage with them, which is why we are now seeing Global and other industry experts calling for the development of a digital database that records the design, processes and materials used in the construction of buildings.

Digital technology would make it possible to create a database that would store and track information about the built environment and would record the materials and processes used. It could also track repairs and alterations in larger housing developments and make sure that this information would be available to relevant stakeholders, including insurers and fire services.

“This will never be as good as a personal inspection process,” said Jim Edwards, “but it would certainly provide more confidence and peace of mind for the entire industry and ultimately for the insurance companies that have to back latent defects warranties – and the time to act is now.”

 

GLOBAL WARRANTIES WEBSITE

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CURING INNOVATION FOR CONCRETE

INNOVATION FROM ARAMCO – One of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, part of the global effort toward building a low carbon economy.

 

 

After water, concrete is the most widely used material on earth. Approximately 4 billion tons were produced in 2019, and that amount is set to rise over the coming years. However, creating the principle ingredient – cement – is also responsible for around 7% of annual global CO2 emissions.

While there is a clear desire to reduce CO2 emissions across the whole concrete industry, our focus has been on the usage rather than the production of cement. We are innovating the way concrete is manufactured to utilize CO2 as part of the curing process.

 

The basic building blocks

In its simplest form, cement is combined with sand, water, and aggregate to produce concrete. When the cement and water are mixed, it causes a chemical reaction called hydration, which starts to set and harden the overall mixture.

This process can be affected by a number of factors, from the outside temperature to the amount of cement in the mixture. What is crucial though, is that the concrete retains the right amount of moisture and is kept at the right temperature over a period of time (normally 28 days) to attain its full strength. If it dries out too quickly, the concrete will be significantly weakened – and that’s where curing comes in.

 

Curing is crucial

The curing process not only increases the strength of the concrete, it also makes it more durable, less permeable to water, and more resistant to cracking, freezing, and thawing.

There are many different curing methods available, from using steam or spraying the surface with a fog mist, through to covering it with moisture-retaining fabric or plastic sheets to prevent moisture loss. We saw the opportunity to innovate a new way of curing concrete using waste CO2.

A win-win scenario

Technologies like mobile carbon capture and carbon capture at industrial plants have proven successful at stopping emissions from reaching the atmosphere. But the question remains, what do you do with all the waste CO2 you’ve captured?Options include sequestering it deep underground, transforming it into new products through technologies such as Converge® , or, as in this case, developing a way to recycle it.Reusing waste CO2 is one of the four “Rs” (alongside reducing, removing, and recycling), contributing to the circular carbon economy. We believe this idea has the power to reduce global emissions while ensuring consistent economic growth. And our carbon curing innovation is a perfect example of this in action.

 

Precast was the way forward

The two most common methods of laying concrete are ready-mix and precast. They can both contain the same ingredients, but are produced in very different ways.

Ready-mix is manufactured in a plant and then transferred in cement mixers to the building sites where it can be poured into place. This can have a significant impact on the surrounding environment through increased dust, noise, and transport emissions.

We decided to focus on precast, which utilizes reusable molds to prepare, cast, and cure the concrete in a controlled environment — all in one location, all off-site. The finished products can then be transported to the construction site to be laid in place.

The use of molds reduces any potential errors, and makes it quicker and more efficient to produce large amounts of identical components, such as wall panels, staircases, pipes, and tunnels, which often sit alongside structural steel frames and concrete produced on site.

As well as being able to control the curing environment, precast concrete has several advantages, including lower labor and transport costs, and is a growing industry, valued at around $116 billion in 2019.

Stronger concrete. Produced faster

Following our successful lab test, we put our technology to work in a local precast concrete plant.

The most important test that our carbon-cured concrete had to pass was measuring its mechanical strength. The industry standard is 35 megapascals (MPa), and if a batch of concrete fails to reach it, it will be rejected completely.

We found that our technology not only exceeded the benchmark – it did it in a quarter of the time. Just 3 days instead of 28.

And what’s more, our concrete was also more durable than traditional concrete, showing lower water permeability and greater chlorine and sulfate resistance, all of which are crucial in construction offshore or in in places with high humidity.

 

Building for the future

Having achieved 20% CO2 uptake in a lab setting, the potential for our technology is huge once it is commercialized.

In fact, if the global precast concrete industry switched to our carbon curing innovation, we could recycle up to 246  million tons of CO2 a year – equivalent to removing emissions from 53 million cars.

Our next goal is to increase the amount of CO2 that can be absorbed into the concrete, as well as further reducing the time it takes to cure it. In addition, there is the opportunity to rethink where the waste CO2 is sourced from.

Imagine if we used the CO2 created by the cement production process itself? Then we would be able to reduce the environmental impact of the industry as a whole, and help it transition to a lower-carbon future.

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IG Masonry Support supplies Brick Slip Lintels on Bridges Family Practice development

Medical practices are at the heart of communities across the world. IG Masonry Support was proud to play an important part in the stunning redevelopment of the Bridges Family Practice, formerly known as Bryson Street Surgery.

 

The family practice has been a staple of Protestant and Catholic communities for more than a century, and its new moniker is a reflection of the bridging of these two groups. Thanks to significant funding from Landmark East, The Northern Ireland Executive’s Social Investment Fund, this vital community asset has been transformed into a state-of-the-art-facility that will continue to serve its people for years to come.

In its new glory, the practice boasts extensive amenities including interview and treatment rooms, children’s play and waiting area, facilities and access for wheelchair users and minor surgery capabilities.

 

The Challenge

East Belfast residents will recognise the new building has retained one feature – its unique, curved wall with a projecting soffit at its entrance. In order to maximise the visual impact of the wall, funding was secured through the Northern Ireland Executive’s Urban Villages Initiative to commission a piece of art for this iconic exterior.

IG Masonry Support, a company which continually meets customers’ high expectations in terms of quality, was tasked with crafting a bespoke Brick Slip Lintel that curved with this shape of the building’s entrance.

The Solution

IG Masonry Support’s teams utilised their skill, craft and expertise to create a Brick Slip Lintel that accentuated this architectural finish and fitted seamlessly with the constructed brickwork. IG Masonry Support also produced Brick Slip Lintels above each of the windows, which required a brick soffit.

IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Lintels can be used over small openings to eliminate the need for additional masonry support. Supplied in stainless steel or galvanised steel, IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Lintels have the same profile as a standard lintel and are delivered to site as a one-piece unit, complete with brick slips attached, eliminating the need for specialist installation onsite. These solutions are produced off-site in a factory-controlled environment which ensures that the bonding process occurs in optimum controlled conditions free from wet weather, extreme temperature variations and excessive dust.

With thousands of installations completed over the past decade, IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip system is a proven and reliable solution which provides maximum BBA-certified adhesion of the brick slips.

The utilisation of IG Masonry Support’s Brick Slip Lintels will ensure the iconic curved wall of the Bridges Family Practice’s entrance looks good and performs well into its bright future.

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT IG MASONRY SUPPORT

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CITIES – THE CARBON BATTLEFIELD

Digital Twins to play a key role in COP26 and the built environment through international and national programs

Experts and industry leaders want Digital Twin technology to be top of the agenda for this year’s pivotal COP26 event in the UK from October 31st until November 12th.

Digital Twins are being named as a potential aid towards preventing the world’s current climate crisis, and many want the technology to be discussed and accelerated when global leaders meet in Glasgow, UK at the end of the month.

COP26’s biggest challenge is to ensure the planet is net-zero by mid-century and to keep a global temperature of 1.5 degrees within reach. Leading nations have been asked to bring ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets to Scotland to align with these goals.

To reach net-zero, countries need to phase out the use of coal, curtail deforestation, speed up the electric vehicle switch, decarbonise our urban environments and increase investment in renewable energy. Progress is being made, but science shows that much more must be done.

Experts have already identified cities and urban areas as the key emissions battlefield; buildings within cities worldwide are currently responsible for 70% of world carbon emissions.

This combined with an acceleration of deforestation could be transformed using a global Digital Twin network or platform that measured, mapped, tracked, and rewarded sustainable actions.

Arnildo Schildt, former Brazilian ambassador and diplomat as well as a Harvard scholar, has been developing a new model for protecting the rainforests using carbon credits and offsets linked to an international Digital Twin platform.

Arnildo said: “We have been working tirelessly now for two years developing a model with governments, the UN, international banks, academics and industry partners as well as investors to harness the power of Digital Twin technology to simultaneously solve two massive challenges for our environment.

We have a delegation going to COP26 and will follow this with other partnership meetings in the UK, Canada and the US straight after the Glasgow event to make this a reality.”

According to a recent report from Ernst & Young, Digital Twins are forecast to reduce carbon emissions by 50-100% within buildings, reduce operating costs by 35% and boost productivity by 20%.

Due to this, some major cities are adopting Digital Twin technology. Chicago-based, with offices in the UK and India, Digital Twin provider Cityzenith recently launched a ‘Clean Cities – Clean Future’ international initiative, where it offers its SmartWorldOS Digital Twin platform to major polluting cities for free to track, manage, and reduce emissions.

New York and Las Vegas have recently signed up, with other major international cities expected to follow in the next few months.

“The use of Digital Twins to track, manage and reduce emissions within the built environment is unparalleled,” said Cityzenith CEO and founder Michael Jansen “And our ‘Clean Cities – Clean Future’ initiative will demonstrate how building owners and cities can dramatically reduce operating costs and emissions for little or no investment.”

“We have our Digital Twin platform so that it can work seamlessly with cities and building asset owners to drive down emissions and efficiencies as we build back better, but crucially we are able to link this to protecting our forestry and agriculture using carbon offsets or trades.”

Jansen is one of many that are pleased that Digital Twins will be a topic of conversation at this year’s COP26:

This event can play a huge role in bringing the climate crisis into the public spotlight – COP26 must give technologies such as Digital Twins the opportunity to make a difference in the fight to protect the planet.”

America’s climate envoy John Kerry, who earlier this year switched US government efforts back towards fighting Climate Change, believes COP26 is the last best hope for the world in protecting the planet:

“The truth is emissions are going up around the world, not down in enough countries, and key countries are pursuing policies that border on being very dangerous for everybody.”

Kerry also said that if greenhouse gas emissions were not reduced enough over the next nine years, there was no chance of meeting long-term targets.

Another Digital Twin program is being run at COP26 for a national Digital Twin program with the UK, which includes Anglian Water, BT, and UK Power Networks to foster better outcomes for the built environment.

The goal of this project is to deliver an Information Management Framework which can ensure secure, resilient data sharing and effective information management, while the program identifies a range of benefits to society, business, the environment, and the broader economy.

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PREMIER MODULAR EXPANDS TEAM OF OFFSITE SPECIALISTS IN SCOTLAND

Left Paul Kyle and right Steven Ballantyne

Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite construction specialists, has made two new appointments to increase its presence in Scotland.

 

Based in Renfrew, Paul Kyle has more than 30 years’ experience in the offsite sector gained from holding senior roles for a number of modular building specialists. He re-joins Premier to provide local support for offsite projects throughout Scotland, having worked for the business for more than eight years in the 1990s.

As Senior Business Development Manager for Scotland, Paul is now Premier’s contact for its bespoke offsite construction solutions for NHS trusts, local authorities, universities, social housing providers, developers, and contractors across Scotland.

Steven Ballantyne has been appointed Area Sales Manager for Premier’s Hire Division in Scotland and brings a decade of experience in the modular hire space to his new role.

Working from Dundee, Steven will be assisting clients with modular building projects for short and long-term hire in the construction, infrastructure, healthcare, and education sectors – from high quality project offices and welfare facilities to decant classrooms and temporary hospital facilities to meet surges in demand.

According to Dan Allison, Director of Premier Modular, “The demand for offsite construction continues to increase in every sector as more construction clients recognise the benefits of enhanced quality, shorter programme times, affordability, and significantly reduced impact on the environment. Our modular solutions are precision engineered for high levels of energy efficiency and are manufactured with zero waste to landfill. And we are very keen to bring those benefits to our growing customer base in Scotland for both temporary and permanent building projects.”

“Paul and Steven bring some tremendous experience in offsite construction to the business which will definitely add value to customers in Scotland who are considering a modular solution. They both have invaluable local knowledge so we can offer the highest level of service, meeting individual project requirements across Scotland with a flexible approach that is unparalleled in the offsite sector.”

Established in 1956, Premier Modular is one of the most financially robust businesses in the dynamic offsite sector. It provides both temporary and bespoke offsite building solutions across a diverse range of sectors including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and construction.

In the residential market, Premier specialises in apartments and studios for multi-occupancy buildings – from hotels and student accommodation to build-to-rent and social housing schemes.

 

For further information, visit www.premiermodular.co.uk, call 0800 316 0888 or email info@premiermodular.co.uk.

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Additional Measures Required to Support Heat and Buildings Strategy

Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU

The Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy is a welcome development in decarbonising the UK heating sector, but must be supported by further policy if net zero is to be achieved, according to polymer pipework specialist REHAU.

The long-awaited strategy was launched October 2021 by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with the £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme being the centrepiece of the development. From April 2022, homeowners will be eligible for £5 – 6K grants to install heat pumps, with the intention of driving down the cost of clean heat and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

However, REHAU has advised that greater scope will be necessary if climate targets are to be achieved. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU, said: “The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a really positive development for the uptake of cleaner technology. However, at £5 – 6K funding per heat pump, we’re only providing scope for a maximum of 90,000 installations. The UK is currently installing roughly 35,000 each year, so we need to be more ambitious if we are to reach the Prime Minister’s target of 600,000 heat pumps per annum by 2028.

“With increasing installations, the Government’s ambition is to reduce the cost of heat pumps by 25 – 50 % by 2025. However, the number of trained installers and manufacturing costs are likely to be a challenge here. The Government has signalled that they want to see more local manufacturing for low-carbon solutions, and REHAU has been manufacturing its pre-insulated RAUVITHERM pipe since 2012, which is used for both heat pumps and district heating.”

District heating networks also feature heavily in the strategy, with a £338 million investment in the Heat Network Transformation Programme set to take place between 2022 and 2025. Other measures such as the £150 million Home Upgrade Grant have been put in place to help off-gas grid homes achieve a reduction in their carbon emissions.

With the Future Homes Standard also set to ban gas boilers in new builds by 2025, heat pumps and district heating networks are expected to become the new standard for residential heating. Growing uptake of low-carbon heat sources has in turn lead to increased demand for energy-efficient heat distribution solutions, such as underfloor heating & cooling or Thermally Activated Building Structures (TABS), which makes use of a building’s natural structure to both heat and cool.

Steve concluded: “With the decision on hydrogen’s future being pushed back to 2026, there is a greater need than ever to evaluate our path to net zero. The launch of the Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy is a vital step in this journey, but cannot bear the load of this challenge alone. Only through the support of other initiatives will we achieve a net zero Britain.”

For more information on REHAU’s low carbon district heating solutions, CLICK HERE:

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World First for Electric Power

Junttan Oy Unveils World’s First Electric Pile Driving Rig
Junttan Oy is helping to ensure a sustainable future with the unveiling of the PMx2e, the world’s first fully battery-powered electric pile driving rig. The rig’s hydraulic system is controlled by a modern electric motor that generates power from a battery pack, which has replaced the counterweight.

 

The PMx2e has been designed to mimic the use of a diesel engine rig as closely as possible, even in challenging working conditions. Junttan was intentional in its quest to replicate the efficiency and power of a diesel rig. The PMx2e offers the same robust structure and usability as the PMx22, but consumes less energy per pile, reduces noise, and delivers more power and instant torque.

Junttan’s PMx2e is equipped with two detachable 396 kWh battery packs to allow for 8 to 13 hours of continuous pile driving.  An external quick charging unit allows the batteries to be fully charged overnight or during the day if needed.

This new, electric pile driving rig demonstrates Junttan’s commitment to helping our customers build a more sustainable future around the world, says Junttan Oy CEO Pasi Poranen. “After four years of research and development, we are bringing the future replacement of a diesel engine deep foundation machine to the market. PMx2e, will empower our clients by massively reducing their CO2 emissions and environmental footprint.”

The world’s first electric pile driving rig was commissioned in Sweden in late October 2021 by one of Europe’s premier contracting firms, Per Aarsleff, A/S and its Swedish subsidiary Aarsleff Ground Engineering AB.

Understanding the power of an alliance between manufacturer and end-user, Junttan and Aarsleff formed an alliance from day one known as “Junttan X Aarsleff.” Both had a shared vision of the future of driven piling.

For the first time ever in the history of driven piling, Junttan and Aarsleff saw an opportunity to write a new chapter in the playbook on sustainability. The companies’ combined their respective strengths and 119 years of combined expertise to improve sustainability without restrictions in performance or application.

Junttan’s introduction of the world’s first electric pile driving rig will support Aarsleff’s mission to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions that originate from fossil fuels. “The biggest challenge to finding alternatives to diesel-powered machines is the lack of large, powerful electric construction equipment, but machine manufacturers are working hard to solve this,” says Lars Dithmer, head of sustainability at Per Aarsleff A/S. “The future is beginning to look brighter for more environmentally friendly construction sites.”

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SIKA JOINS OFFSITE ALLIANCE

Gaynor Tennant – Co-Founder and Chair of the Offsite Alliance and Simon Griffiths – Head of Sales, Offsite Construction at Sika 

 

As part of its commitment to offsite manufacturing across the nation, Sika has joined the Offsite Alliance, a membership organisation that increases the uptake and delivery of offsite technologies in the residential sector.

With offsite’s benefits clear to see, Sika’s membership will further enhance offsite manufacturing’s adoption across the UK. Sika will draw on its world-leading status as a manufacturer and supplier of construction materials for a wide variety of applications, to drive the construction industry closer to the offsite manufacturing transformation it is calling out for.

Sika joins the Offsite Alliance at a time when it has a dedicated MMC Division that works with modular manufacturers to look at how Sika products can be used as part of the process in this fast-growing sector. Sika’s decision to be part of the Offsite Alliance signifies the company’s commitment to the offsite manufacturing effort. Through a combination of action and collaboration, Sika will work with fellow like-minded organisations to promote best practice, share innovation and work together to create the high quality, sustainable homes of the future.

Speaking of the news, Simon Griffiths – Head of Sales, Offsite Construction at Sika said: “We are delighted to have joined the Offsite Alliance. We see a perfect strategic fit. We have a great team at Sika, who in many cases, are already involved in driving forward industry and association agendas. We see this addition as a natural step forward to working collaboratively with the MMC industry, to raise the profile and standards, and to help deliver the aspirations of the industry.”

Founded in 2019, the Offsite Alliance works alongside leading organisations, industry bodies, government, local authorities, housing associations, and most importantly, its members, to cultivate adoption of offsite technologies across the residential sector.

Sika is an international market leader offering the industry’s widest product ranges for sealing and bonding, roofing, building finishing, passive fire protection, damping and reinforcing, concrete, flooring, waterproofing and wall finishes for interior and exterior applications, and bathroom pod waterproofing and tiling systems. Sika delivers construction solutions that not only meet the most demanding specifications of the building industry, they improve manufacturing efficiency and quality – making Sika a worthy addition to the Offsite Alliance.

 

For more information please call 01707 394444, or visit www.sika.co.uk

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STUNNING SMART WINDOWS

A derelict mill in a Cumbrian hamlet has been transformed over a three and a half year self-build project into a stunning four bedroom, four bathroom house, together with workshop and office space. Featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme, the project saw a new timber-framed, SIPS-construction house built within the footprint of the existing mill building, with many of the original materials, retained or reclaimed and reused.

The blacking mill, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, had lain empty and deteriorating for 60 years and required full restoration. Marlin Windows, one of Smart Architectural Aluminium’s key partners, worked closely with the architect and client to design, fabricate and install 40 windows and 7 doors as part of the project.

Adrian Martin, Marlin Windows’ Managing Director, said: “Our brief was to provide contemporary aluminium windows and doors with flat, square edged profiles that would not only echo the design style and architectural lines of the building, but would also maximise the natural light coming into it. We were also tasked with ensuring the colour and finish were sympathetic to the reclaimed stone and new timber facing materials, as well as the surrounding natural environment.”

For the main feature windows, the experienced Marlin team installed Smart’s EcoFutural system, with its slim profiles and outstanding thermal efficiency enabling the maximum glass area to be achieved. Smart’s Alitherm 800 casement windows were then used elsewhere to provide natural ventilation and fire exit options.

Two large Smart Visoglide Plus sliding doors were incorporated to enhance the open plan living space, flood the room with light and open up the panoramic views beyond. Featuring slim frames to maximise the glazed areas, Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs’ presenter, said of the seven metre wide sliding doors: “That vast window is panoramic, it’s like a super-wide cinema screen. It almost completely fills my field of vision.”

Providing a stunning main entrance to the property, a wide Sherbourne door style from Smart’s high-performance Designer Door range was installed, featuring a low threshold for easy access and matching glazed side light. The company’s Alitherm Plus door system was installed for access to the workshop, utility and roof garden areas.

The windows and doors were all painted in textured Vulcan Black from Smart’s sensations colour range, the colour selected to harmonise with the local environment and adjacent materials.

Smart’s Managing Director, Eddie Robinson, said “This is a fantastic project, with huge credit going to Adrian and the team at Marlin Windows for the quality of the fenestration work. The products not only look magnificent in this unique project, but their thermal performance will make a significant contribution to energy-efficiency.”

www.smartsystems.co.uk

 

External shots: “Images courtesy of Marlin Windows”

Internal shot: “Image courtesy of Grand Designs”

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