2023 – Page 10

The Evolution of Off-Site Construction

Recent years have ushered in a remarkable shift in the construction industry, driven by the evolution of off-site construction. This innovative approach to building structures marks a paradigm change, involving the creation of individual components in a controlled factory environment before they are transported to the construction site for assembly. The surge in off-site construction presents a host of advantages compared to traditional building methods, including heightened efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and an enhanced focus on sustainability.

The Momentum Behind Off-Site Construction:

The increasing momentum behind off-site construction originates from its exceptional capacity to streamline the building process. By fabricating components away from the construction site, projects can be completed at a remarkably accelerated pace in comparison to conventional methods. The controlled factory environment ensures superior precision and quality control, leading to a reduction in errors and the need for rework. Moreover, the simultaneous fabrication of components and on-site preparation significantly shortens the overall construction timeline. This accelerated process not only saves time but also minimizes disruptions to the local environment and communities. As a result, off-site construction has gained considerable traction across various sectors, such as residential, commercial, and healthcare, fundamentally reshaping architectural and construction practices.

Defining Off-Site Construction:

Off-site construction, also known as prefabricated or factory-built construction, is a pioneering technique that involves crafting building components away from the construction site, within a controlled factory setting. These components are then transported to the site and meticulously assembled to create a unified structure. The components are designed to fit together seamlessly, ensuring a swift and cohesive assembly process.

A central characteristic of off-site construction lies in the standardization and replication of components. Each component is meticulously crafted following standardized processes, ensuring uniform quality and dimensions. This standardized approach bolsters the efficiency of the manufacturing process, enabling large-scale production of components that can be duplicated across different projects. The components are meticulously designed to adhere to specific dimensions and specifications, enabling adaptability within the broader architectural design.

The Advantages of Off-Site Construction:

Off-site construction offers an array of benefits that make it an enticing option for a multitude of construction projects. Above all, it provides unparalleled cost-effectiveness. By harnessing the efficiency of factory production, off-site construction reduces labor costs and minimizes material wastage. It is an enticing selection for engineering and construction Chicago. The standardized procedures and repetitive nature of component manufacturing allow for economies of scale, translating to reduced overall project costs. This financial advantage makes off-site construction particularly appealing to cost-conscious clients and developers, empowering them to achieve their construction objectives while optimizing their financial resources.

Moreover, off-site construction offers an exceptional level of flexibility and adaptability. The use of standardized components facilitates easy customization and modification, enabling clients to tailor the design and layout of structures to meet specific requirements. Whether for residential, commercial, or industrial projects, off-site construction allows for efficient scalability and future expansion. This adaptability is especially advantageous for engineering firms in Chicago, empowering them to effectively respond to evolving client needs and market dynamics, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and precision.

In summary, the manifold benefits of off-site construction, spanning cost-effectiveness and adaptability, position it as a compelling choice for engineering firms in Chicago and beyond. Its capacity to deliver efficient, sustainable, and tailored architectural solutions establishes off-site construction as a leading force within the construction industry, redefining how projects are envisioned, executed, and brought to fruition.

Prioritizing Sustainability:

In an era where environmental sustainability is of paramount importance, off-site construction emerges as a solution deeply aligned with green building practices. This construction approach boasts an array of sustainable advantages that collectively contribute to reducing the ecological footprint. The controlled factory environment where components are crafted fosters optimized resource management. Through precise material calculations and minimized waste generation, off-site construction conserves valuable resources, including materials, water, and energy.

Furthermore, off-site construction facilitates the integration of sustainable technologies and practices. The standardized design and manufacturing process enable the incorporation of energy-efficient systems, such as renewable energy sources, smart building technologies, and energy-saving insulation. Additionally, the prefabrication of components within a factory setting reduces on-site disruptions and minimizes construction-related pollution, including noise and air pollution. The diminished need for transportation during construction further reduces carbon emissions.

Enhancing Safety and Efficiency Through Off-Site Construction:

Off-site construction, also known as prefabricated or modular construction, has proven to be an effective means of enhancing safety and efficiency in the building industry. One of the primary advantages of off-site construction is the controlled environment in which components are manufactured. This controlled setting minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries by eliminating common on-site hazards, such as adverse weather conditions and worksite accidents. Workers can operate in a safer environment, adhering to strict safety protocols and standards.

Furthermore, the prefabrication process in off-site construction allows for increased efficiency throughout the entire construction project. The simultaneous manufacturing of components and on-site site preparation significantly reduces the overall construction timeline. The components can be manufactured in parallel with site work, ensuring a streamlined construction schedule. This optimized workflow minimizes downtime and enhances productivity, resulting in quicker project completion. Moreover, the precision and quality control achieved in the factory setting reduce errors and rework, further enhancing efficiency and minimizing delays.

In Conclusion:

The ascent of off-site construction, underscored by its potential to elevate safety, optimize efficiency, and provide adaptable solutions, positions it as an enticing choice for an array of projects. From residential structures to commercial complexes, engineering firms in Chicago and beyond have embraced the promise encapsulated in off-site construction, harnessing its potential to meet evolving client needs while delivering top-tier, sustainable structures.

As the construction industry continues to embrace innovation, off-site construction stands as a testament to the transformative power of alternative construction methods. Its positive impact on timelines, budgets, and environmental considerations paves the way for an approach to architectural design and construction that is more streamlined, sustainable, and forward-looking.

Source: INSC

August 12, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Technology

Robots-as-a-service for manufacturing industry – video

Building blocks: SAEKI emerges from stealth with $2.3M funding round for its Robots-as-a-service for manufacturing industry

Lupfig, Switzerland – 10th August 2023; The architecture, engineering and construction industry has undergone significant changes in recent years yet one major challenge they face is the slow and costly manufacture of large components as part of their installations. Enabling the industry to move faster and efficiently, SAEKI has today launched from stealth with a $2.3M seed funding round to create fully automated plants with industrial robots using 3D technology to create anything from wings for aircraft to construction site installations.

The funding round was led by Wingman Ventures including participation from Vento Ventures, Getty Capital and angel investors. Founded in 2021 by Andrea Perissinotto, Oliver Harley and Matthias Leschok, SAEKI works with the architectural design, engineering design and construction services industry to turn complex designs into reality, save concrete and CO2 having developed a new method to produce custom concrete formwork cost-effectively. They achieve this by combining 3D printing, milling, with large industrial robots that can print formwork up to many metres in length, very efficiently and when it comes to design complexity, the opportunity is unlimited.

Currently, to develop a lightweight carbon fibre element, or to build a topologically optimised concrete floor slab, buyers would have to wait months and spend vast sums of money to receive a first sample and only then build a prototype, let alone consider reiterating for any flaws. With SAEKI this bottleneck is removed, enabling buyers to rapidly innovate, grow their services and offerings in ways they have not been able to before. Indeed, for large scale items, this has not been previously possible.

SAEKI is building the flexible factories of the future leveraging digital manufacturing and robotics,

providing an end-to-end automation solution in 24 hours.

CLICK TO VIEW THE VIDEO

Andrea Perissinotto, Co-Founder of SAEKI, commented:
“From what we build underground, to what we build on earth, to what goes to space, from the construction to aerospace industries, there is a need for large, one-off (custom) components, that are mostly used once a couple of times at most, then scrapped. Manufacturing these parts, from the moulds to make concrete elements to the tooling required to build composite rockets, is labour intensive, has long lead times, and is very expensive. Moreover, these factors delay hardware iteration to get to the final product.”

“For vast swathes of industry it’s not practical to own and manage robots that can create what you need quickly. We are at the forefront of addressing this and democratising access to the best tools and creating productive, sustainable and effective outcomes for industry. Long lead times for large components will be a thing of the past and we can provide faster and cost effective iterations. Our comprehensive approach sets us apart – it’s not just about being faster or cheaper; it’s about providing a complete solution that caters to the entire spectrum of challenges, which is resonating well with our customers.”

SAEKI is focussed on building a partnership of trust, support, and mutual growth with its customers. The team currently works hand-in-hand with customers, understanding their unique challenges, and tailoring the microfactories to address their specific needs. This collaborative approach will help the business unleash its full potential.

SAEKI is building its first production hub, which will be the blueprint for further expansion.

In an industry bottlenecked by manual processes, the company takes on the difficult challenge of solving manufacturing problems, acting as a catalyst and enabler for radical growth and progress across industry.

The production hub will offer industrial robots built by SAEKI. The robots will combine multiple digital manufacturing methods, from 3D printing, milling, inspection to creating an all in one low waste production process and recyclable materials. The robots will act as microfactories; self-contained units able to do all the manufacturing steps, easily deployable for localised manufacturing. Additionally, SAEKI will offer a quoting platform tailored to the customers’ own business needs to remove the complex opaque approach currently in the market.

Edouard Treccani, Principal at Wingman Ventures commented: “We’re thrilled to join forces with SAEKI as lead investor of their pre-seed round. Their groundbreaking approach to distributed additive manufacturing has the power to revolutionize sectors from aerospace to construction through disruptive tech, local production and sustainable materials. We look forward to supporting them as they embark on their mission to create yet another deep-tech champion from Switzerland.”

SAEKI is building a platform that will allow our customers to transcend the limits of traditional manufacturing, where size, complexity, and efficiency are no longer obstacles but catalysts for progress. In doing so, SAEKI envisions a network of decentralised, robot operated production hubs around the world.

Matthias Leschok, Co-Founder at SAEKI added: “In 10 years from now SAEKI envisions lights-out factories filled with SAEKI microfactories autonomously producing complex, material and weight saving formwork for the construction industry, fixtures and tooling for super-sonic jets or composite moulds for the next generation formula one cars. SAEKI’s mission is to empower design freedom to be efficient and sustainable – irrespective of the final product.”

August 10, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Latest News

Riverside Development Reaches Key Milestone

THE FIRST of four new residential developments – part of a plan to build 1,000 new homes on Riverside Sunderland – has reached a key milestone.

Considered one of the UK’s most ambitious residential developments, Vaux’s new neighbourhood, which will comprise 135 new super-sustainable properties built using modern methods of construction, has reached its peak, with the tallest of the buildings – a seven-storey apartment building – now built to full height.

The structural frames, floor slabs, and external walls have been assembled by steel framing experts, Remagin, who are due to complete this element of the works, which is helping to define the new city skyline, in September.

The scheme represents the latest development on a fast-changing brownfield development site on the edge of the city centre. Vaux Housing is being delivered by Sunderland City Council and development-managed by igloo Regeneration, with the ambition that Riverside Sunderland will eventually provide city centre housing for up to 2,500 residents.

The development will comprise apartments, townhouses, and maisonettes, using modern methods of construction, renewable energy systems and smart technology to reduce the carbon footprint of the development.

Patrick Melia, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, said:

“Topping out on any scheme is significant, but it really is brilliant to see our first housing scheme on Riverside Sunderland progress. This – and the other new homes that we build in this part of the city – will bring more people into the heart of the city, spending money to support our retailers in the process, and of course, many of them will work in the offices that are currently under construction and those that already play host to a vibrant business community.”

Peter Connolly, chief executive of igloo Regeneration, said:

“This is a fantastic milestone for Riverside Sunderland – a project which is a best practice example of how new homes across the country should be constructed and delivered in the future.
“Working closely with all of the partners involved to create these high-quality homes, I’m proud of our collective unwavering commitment to delivering a people and planet positive scheme that will transform this part of the city.”

The majority of the homes will be built to 2025 Future Homes Standard with 21 built to PASSIVHAUS standard, delivering high levels of energy efficiency. Included in the scheme will be a cluster of award-winning homes, that were selected as the best in the national Homes of 2030 Design Competition – which explored how homes will look and function in the future.

The competition, managed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, encouraged the design of environmentally friendly homes that support people in leading independent, fulfilling lives.

+Home, designed by igloo Regeneration with Useful Projects, Expedition Engineers and Mawson Kerr and Connector Housing designed by Openstudio with Hoare Lea, LDA Design and Gardiner & Theobald were the joint winners of the competition, and it is their designs that will stand on the site.

All homes at Riverside Sunderland will provide a future living offer that will attract new and existing Sunderland residents to live in the vibrant city centre, with the properties sitting alongside the orchards and allotments of Kingsley Gardens and nearby Riverside Park, which is becoming an accessible and ecologically diverse parkland. The Vaux neighbourhood will be the site of the Expo Sunderland in 2025.

The first tranche of homes will be completed in early 2025.

“As a local business with manufacturing operations in Newton Aycliffe, the Vaux development, and Riverside Sunderland, is something which is obviously very close to our hearts at Remagin,” said Scott Bibby, Country Manager for Remagin in the UK and Ireland.
“We believe it provides an excellent showcase for what future living could offer, and the role modern methods of construction have to play in that – providing high quality, comfortable accommodation at an affordable cost in a way which can address both the chronic housing shortage in the country, and wider environmental challenges.”

Vaux housing is part of an ambitious and exciting new community at Riverside Sunderland that will include residential, commercial and leisure developments

Source: The Northern Echo

August 9, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Concrete

Concrete Company Invests in New R&D Laboratory

Yorkshire based construction products manufacturer Naylor Concrete has invested more than £155,000 in a new research laboratory at its manufacturing site in Barugh Green near Barnsley. The new facility will play a key role in the development of new low carbon concrete materials which will help Naylor and the construction industry deliver net zero.

The new R&D laboratory includes an area dedicated to the development of new concrete mixes as well as a product testing facility which will include bespoke testing equipment developed in partnership with Sheffield based engineering company, Tinsley Bridge Group.

The project is the latest of three significant investments made by Naylor Concrete at the site this year which also include a £220,000 investment in a new concrete curing system which is expected to reduced carbon emissions by 12.75 tonnes, and the creation of a dedicated on-site technical team and related offices.

It also follows the recruitment of a specialist Concrete Technologist who will play a key role in the development of low carbon concrete mixes.

Helen MacIntosh, technical and development director for Naylor Concrete, said:

“Naylor has a long-standing commitment to making significant investments in production facilities and R&D.
“As a CO2nstruct Zero Business Champion and a leading British manufacturer, our net zero strategy is a fundamental part of our overall business plan and this latest investment underlines our commitment to ensuring we become a Net Zero business by 2050 and to supporting the UK construction industry on its journey to Net Zero.”

August 9, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Article

Solar Batteries for Householders

Are solar batteries a viable alternative to exporting to the Grid? Not at the moment, but the technology
landscape is changing fast

By Steven Dale

Sometimes there are straws in the wind which can make you reassess the way the future of a particular technology or trend is likely to shape up. I have come across some of them recently in this corner of the North of Scotland.

Over the course of carrying out energy performance certification in my area, I have noted an increase – small, but significant – in the number of homeowners with solar PV panels who are buying and installing solar batteries rather than exporting their excess electricity production to the National Grid.

Now there are arguments both for and against this kind of considerable investment in the energy future and, at first glance, it just does not seem at the moment that solar batteries are worth the substantial financial outlay that they require.

But as electricity rates remain high – more than double what can be made by supplying to the Grid using the Smart Export Guarantee – does it make sense to store excess energy for later personal consumption? Are battery adopters simply future-proofing their homes?

For now, the numbers are on the side of those solar panel users who export their excess generation for a financial return of around 15p per kWh. More than 1.2 million UK households have panels on their roofs but the number using batteries is only around 10,000.

This is understandable, since the average cost of a battery is prohibitive for many at between £4,000 and £8,000, and most people will have to buy two over the lifespan of their system. In a typical home, it could take more than 20 years to break even.

But what the early adopters are perhaps seeing in advance of everyone else is that the cost of solar batteries is decreasing at the same time as energy prices rise, meaning that, in the foreseeable future, saving the electricity they generate may well become profitable.

A recent study by academics in Finland suggested that battery prices would need to drop to about one-third of their current levels for them to be a viable investment for residential power systems.

Looking to the future, this is perhaps not inconceivable. There is growing optimism not only for the UK battery manufacturing industry, but also for production world-wide.

By 2030, according to the Faraday Institution, around 100 GWh of supply will be needed in the UK to satisfy the demand for batteries for private cars, commercial vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, buses, micro-mobility and grid storage.

This demand is equivalent to five gigafactories, with each plant running at a capacity of 20 GWh per annum. By 2040, demand rises to nearly 200 GWh and the equivalent of ten gigafactories. As production gathers pace, prices will almost certainly fall.

Depending on circumstances, batteries could make sense for homeowners, and certainly in my part of the country increasing numbers of people are betting on them.

But, like all nascent technologies, solar advances are fast-moving and what may seem like the most attractive option now may be less so a few years down the line. Whatever develops, though, it’s pretty certain that green energy will be better than what went before.

Steven Dale is a Surveyor in the Peterhead office of DM Hall Chartered Surveyors.

August 9, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Latest News

TARMAC Celebrates Technical Centre Silver Jubilee

A nationally significant technical centre in Wolverhampton which created glow in the dark pavements and was the first in the UK to develop low carbon materials is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business, opened the technical centre and laboratory in Ettingshall in 1998 to develop innovative construction materials and to contribute to the evolution of standards in the UK construction industry.

Now as the centre celebrates its silver jubilee, its work remains focused on creating the next generation of innovative, green construction materials to support the transition to net zero and tackle climate change.

Located on the site of Tarmac’s former UK headquarters, the centre and laboratory was the first to pioneer warm mix asphalt, which reduces carbon emissions and can be laid quicker to reduce roadworks for the travelling public.

As well as developing road surfacing with used tyres, Tarmac’s team of seven in the technical centre, alongside 12 laboratory based technical experts, also created glow in the dark asphalt to improve visibility of footpaths and cycle trails.

The technical centre is a key component of Tarmac’s customer offer, with its work key in major projects such as the resurfacing of Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Heathrow and Glasgow airports, as well as developing test tracks for product testing at Jaguar Land Rover and at Catesby Tunnel.

Commemorating the quarter-century milestone, Brian Kent, national technical director at Tarmac, said:

“Innovative materials developed in the Ettingshall laboratory are being used all over the UK and continue to shape our national built environment. With many of our highly skilled team working at this site since 1998, it’s a real pleasure to lead what is one of the UK’s main centres of excellence for construction materials.

Commemorating the quarter-century milestone, Brian Kent, national technical director at Tarmac, said:

“Innovative materials developed in the Ettingshall laboratory are being used all over the UK and continue to shape our national built environment. With many of our highly skilled team working at this site since 1998, it’s a real pleasure to lead what is one of the UK’s main centres of excellence for construction materials.“Our innovations are invariably industry leading and our laboratory remains at the cutting edge of developing construction solutions that are ready for a net-zero world.”

The technical centre also continues to help train the next generation of materials experts, both customer and education based. Through a partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions eased, Tarmac’s technical team helped to train 10 civil engineering students about the latest materials for UK infrastructure – bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world applications.

Commenting on the importance of the facility and partnership with Tarmac, Dr Paul Hampton, Head of the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Wolverhampton, said:

“The technical centre in Ettingshall is a great example of the rich construction heritage of Wolverhampton.“Our partnership with the Tarmac technical team continues to provide a fantastic training opportunity for local students to learn through a variety of courses, including degree apprenticeships, about materials before they embark on careers in construction – with some of them securing professional and chartered accreditation status. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them and seeing what innovation comes from the centre in years to come.”

Source: Express & Star

August 8, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Latest News

Modular Homes on Brownfield Sites

Modular homes have been craned into place in Coventry as part of a pilot project. The scheme will see 24 homes built on eight garage sites across the city.

Housing association Citizen is working on the development with Modpods International and Coventry City Council. Ten of the homes – the last of the pilot properties – have now been installed at Wedon Close.

The remaining 16 have been installed at: Bradney Green, Coleman Street, Fletchamstead Highway, Attoxhall Road, Capmartin Road, Shepherd Close and Thimbler Road. The homes are a mix of bungalows and family houses.

Once the homes have been craned into place they are then connected to power supplies. They are due to be finished and ready for their new occupants early in the autumn.

Modular homes are two-thirds of the cost of building a traditional home, according to the firm behind the designs. The scheme is designed to tackle a shortage of housing in Coventry and make use of brownfield sites.

Director of development at Citizen Richard Whittaker said:

“Our modular homes have been craned into place at Wedon Close and it’s great to see them finished after watching them being built in the factory. We’re really pleased to have installed several homes on this single ex-garage site.
“There are so many benefits to modular homes. These will be A rated meaning higher energy efficiency and lower energy bills compared to a traditional home.
“At Citizen we have an ambitious development programme to meet the ever-increasing need for homes in the region, and we have a particular focus on building quality and affordable homes. We’re looking forward to welcoming our customers into the homes at Wedon Close when they have been completed.”

Managing director at ModPods International Andy Cornaby said:

“It’s great to be working with Citizen on this scheme to provide homes for people across Coventry. ModPods International offers comfortable and affordable homes at two thirds of the cost of traditionally built homes. They are built with robust steel frame structures, are insulated and compliant to meet building and fire regulations.
“We’re looking forward to finishing the site at Wedon so the Citizen customers can move in.”

Councillor David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities at Coventry City Council, added:
“We are providing more homes that are much needed in Coventry and it’s good to see 24 homes across garage sites in Coventry. We need larger family homes and homes for older people to downsize into.
“There is a massive need in Coventry. These modular buildings are among the most energy efficient in the country and leave very little waste in their manufacture. It means that when tenants move in their energy bills will be lower too.
“Modular homes are one approach and is an efficient way of bringing brownfield sites back into use.”

Source: Coventry Live

August 7, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Latest News

UNBLOCKING THE GRID

The renewables industry has welcomed UK Electricity Networks Commissioner Nick Winser’s report, saying halving the delivery times for transmission projects to seven years would be a “game changer”.

Findings of the nine-month review were presented to UK Energy Secretary Grant Shapps last week.

They set out a series of recommendations to streamline the delivery of new grid infrastructure and implement a more strategic approach to deployment to keep pace with the acceleration of renewable generation.

RWE UK country chair Tom Glover said:

“Nick Winser’s recommendations address a major national issue with an equal scale of ambition to halve the speed of grid connections from around 14 years to just seven.
“This would be a game changer for the industry and the country, but needs a step-change in attitude focused on planning more strategically and long-term, plus an invigorated sense of urgency to adopt and deliver proposals quickly.
“Grid is widely accepted as the single biggest blocker to the deployment of new, low carbon power, and risks delays to investment and net zero.
“Connection delays of up to six years are already impacting RWE’s development pipeline.
“As a leading provider of UK electricity and energy security, we can do our bit by speeding-up deployment, but need to be able to plug in faster to get that power to UK homes.”

Trade group Energy UK’s deputy director Adam Berman added cutting the time to plan and build network infrastructure is arguably the most pressing challenge facing the energy transition.

He said:

“Hitting our ambitious targets for the expansion of clean domestic energy that will cut bills and emissions while strengthening our energy security depends on being able to connect projects to the network much quicker than is currently the case for many of them. “So we welcome Nick Winser’s recommendations, particularly the focus on strategic network planning as well as supply chain development and skills, and encourage the government to respond to these recommendations with urgency and ambition. “Alongside the joint Ofgem and DESNZ Connections Action Plan anticipated later this year, the government’s response to this report must represent a transformative change to the way we develop net zero infrastructure.”

Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has said he will consider the report’s findings before setting out an action plan later this year.

RenewableUK added it was pleased to see the “timely” report put forward a series of constructive measures to speed up the pace at which the UK builds vital new grid infrastructure.

Chief executive Dan McGrail said:

“These recommendations will benefit billpayers across the country by ensuring that we maximise the vast quantities of cheap, clean power we’re generating from renewables, and that we can get it to British homes and businesses more efficiently.
“The UK has reached a turning point where delaying new grid is not in the best interests of consumers, as they need to be able to access electricity at the lowest cost more easily.
“This report shows that removing constraints and bottlenecks from the grid as a matter of urgency will provide the best value for money for billpayers.
“It sets out a range of proposals for a strategic long-term plan for network development which will be essential to meet our net zero goals.”

Octopus Energy Generation chief executive Zoisa North-Bond added:

“Power from renewables is currently cheaper than power from fossil fuels, but grid connection wait times remain a national scandal. It’s brilliant to see these recommendations to streamline the UK’s grid system and we hope they can be rolled out quickly.
“The UK is on the cusp of a massive decarbonisation opportunity, to build and connect more green energy and deliver cheaper, cleaner energy to people as a result. Timing is of the essence – the need to bring down bills and boost our energy security couldn’t be more urgent.”

Source: Renews.Biz

August 7, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Ventilation and Air Quality

Track the invisible and make Indoor Air Quality a priority

Track the invisible and make Indoor Air Quality a priority with the IAQ multi-sensor

The IAQ multi-sensor from Siemens Smart Infrastructure offers a key contribution to room automation with a simple insight into room conditions that helps to prioritise indoor air quality and create a healthy and productive environment.

The sensor tracks seven key environmental factors in a single wall-mounted unit: fine dust (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, relative humidity, temperature, light and noise (dBA). The IAQ offers the same level of accuracy as individual room sensors, with an intuitive colour indicator to identify air quality status. Transparency in air quality is further ensured through an easy-to-read LED display, with a simplistic design that offers clear and quick indication of air conditions. This simplicity is carried through to the touch-sensitive buttons which allow easy scrolling through the sensor’s parameters.

The unit assists building owners and operators in meeting a range of environmental building regulations and certification requirements including WELL, RESET, LBC, FITWEL and LEED.

In addition to monitoring the air quality, the noise sensor (no recording) can detect the number of people in a meeting room.

Studies have shown that poor ventilation can account for more than 50 percent of all sick leave with poor air quality also perceived to reduce work performance by over 9 percent. The IAQ is one of a range of products from Siemens designed to optimise indoor air quality which is some 2.5 times more polluted than typical outdoor air. This range also includes Connect Box, an open and easy-to-use IoT solution which manages small to medium-sized buildings and can be simply connected to operate with the IAQ via wireless or wired protocols (BACnet and LoRaWAN).

Ease of installation is ensured through the sensor being suitable for use with most commercially available recessed conduit boxes.

Working together, the IAQ multi-sensor and Connect Box offer a highly efficient monitoring solution to increase health and comfort in small to medium-sized buildings without the need of a BMS system.

CLICK HERE for further information on Siemens Building Products

CLICK HERE for further information on Siemens Smart Infrastructure

August 3, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Doors

Cambridge Science Park

When architects Scott Brownrigg were given a brief to create a new gateway to Cambridge Science Park they knew the building had to be impressive to attract the desired high tech and Research and Development companies.

The design features a colonnade sweeping across the front of the building echoing the curve of the spine road and a new public space. The column spacing guides occupants and visitors to the entrance – a GEZE Slimdrive SCR curved automatic sliding door.

The building has a BREEAM Excellent rating for its design so the Slimdrive SCR was the perfect complement. The circular entrance features two sets of automatic bi-parting curved glass sliding doors, creating a lobby that minimises heat loss or gain and so helps to contribute to the building’s environmental credentials

In addition the Slimdrive SCR automatic curved sliding door provides a light and airy all-glass lobby entrance which blends seamlessly into the façade and the large glass atrium, it combines high performance with unobtrusive operation.

Inside the operator’s deep canopy an integrated air curtain was installed to further minimise any heat loss and maintain the aesthetics of the building.

The Slimdrive SCR automatic operator also provides uninhibited access and so meets the demands of Part M, BS 8300 and EN 16005, whilst the access control system ensures security.

Recognising the outstanding design of the building, the Cambridge Science Park has been shortlisted for the 2023 British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards. The BCO’s primary objective is to define excellence in office space.

Ross Mcwatt, Associate Architect at Scott Brownrigg said

‘We have worked with GEZE several times, they have the same focus as we do in terms combining sustainability, accessibility and aesthetics.

Richard Richardson-Derry, National Specification Manager at GEZE UK added

‘This is an outstanding building, that meets many demands, we were delighted to play a part in creating an entrance and achieving the criteria of the brief.

CLICK HERE For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range

of automatic and manual door closers

OR call 01543 443000

August 3, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

The Evolution of Off-Site Construction