Equinix uncovers first-of-its-kind rooftop urban farm atop Parisian data centre

 

Reid Brewin Architects (RBA) has announced the completion of a ground-breaking project that uses waste energy from data centres to power a rooftop ‘urban farm’ on the outskirts of Paris.

RBA’s design for the Equinix PA10 data centre, located in Saint Denis, is the first of its kind in France. Central to the client’s sustainability commitment was the desire to reuse waste heat from the data centre, and to create a usable area that would promote health and wellbeing. 

The project comprises a 430m2 greenhouse surrounded by a further 570m2 of green space, with the rooftop structures powered using a heat recovery system with heat exchangers linked to the data centre’s water cooling system.

Each greenhouse is fitted with sensors to monitor humidity as well as internal and external temperatures – which can trigger heaters in cooler weather. Together with sunshades, automated irrigation, and ventilation systems, they deliver a controlled climate year-round within the greenhouses. 

The development means seasonal fruit and vegetables can be cultivated using a hydroponic system, in a bid to maximise space efficiency and minimise water usage, while the gardens are planted with vegetation chosen specifically to maximise the amount of rainwater consumption, while supporting the local insects and wildlife, with the installation of insect hotels.

All rooftop garden space is wheelchair accessible, and provides natural shade, cooling, and relaxation areas. Visitors and staff are invited to share the food grown on site, and to make the most of the dedicated seating and catering areas.

“It is of increasing importance that we increase our actions and mitigate the environmental impact of an increasingly digital world,” explained John Hutchinson, director at RBA.

“We’re extremely proud to support our clients with this shared goal, and PA10 heralds the start of an exciting new era, enabling us to apply learnings from this project across other projects. Sustainability and safeguarding the environment are at the heart of everything we do, and this opportunity has already inspired further initiatives across our client base.”

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Construction Giant Snaps up Innovaré

Belper-based construction heavyweight Bowmer + Kirkland has snapped up structural insulated panel manufacturer Innovaré Systems.

Innovaré, of Coventry, was part of the Osborne Construction Group. It develops “new materials, technologies and methods” for use in offsite building projects.

The company reported a turnover of £11.6m in its last available accounts.

Osborne Group chairman Andrew Osborne said the deal would

“ensure [Osborne’s] core business can be successful in the years ahead.”

“Everyone at Osborne is proud of Innovaré’s growth to date and I know the company will continue to thrive under its new ownership”, he added.

The deal follows a pair of lucrative Framework successes for Bowmer + Kirkland. The Derbyshire firm was awarded a place on the £10bn Crown Commercial Services Offsite Framework last month and revealed it had been appointed to the prestigious Ministry of Justice Constructor Services Framework earlier this week.

 

Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

 

Source: The Business Desk

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GROUND-BREAKING DEVELOPMENT RECEIVES FIRST FACTORY-BUILT HOMES

The first factory-built homes at a housing association’s ground-breaking development in Gloucestershire have been craned into place.

Bromford is building 28 new homes at Stockwells in Moreton-in-Marsh, all of which are being built in sections by leading modular housebuilder ilke Homes. Now the first modules have been transported from ilke’s Yorkshire factory to Gloucestershire and representatives from Bromford, ilke Homes and Cotswold District Council were in attendance to watch them arrive and be craned into place. A total of 10 homes have been delivered to the site so far, with the remaining 18 due to arrive in the month ahead.

Millie Nicholls, regeneration project manager at Bromford said:

“It’s been so exciting to see the first of these modular homes being lowered into place here in Moreton-in-Marsh.

“With high energy prices continuing to fuel the cost-of-living crisis, it’s never been more important to build energy efficient affordable housing. Not only will customers benefit from living in A-rated homes which require less energy to run, it is another step for us to making sure all of our homes have at least a C Energy Performance Certificate rating by 2028.

“This is the first development of its kind for us in the Cotswolds and our first project with ilke Homes. We can’t wait to see the rest of the homes arrive on site in the weeks ahead so we can put the finishing touches to them and make them ready for customers to move in. We hope to work with them on further sites in the next few years to deliver more affordable, energy efficient homes for our customers.”

Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, added:

“This site milestone demonstrates offsite manufacturing’s ability to speed up the delivery of highly energy-efficient, affordable homes,

“ilke Homes is increasingly becoming a partner of choice for housing associations looking to scale up the delivery of much-needed housing. Much like many councils and housing associations across the country, Bromford and Cotswold District Council understand the role modular housing has to play in enhancing the build quality of homes and their ability to speed up construction programmes.

“We look forward to working closely with all delivery partners to bring this scheme forward.”

Thanks to £550,000 of funding from Cotswold District Council, the finished homes will also boast additional sustainable features such as solar panels, battery storage and air source heat pumps, making them some of the most energy efficient homes in the country.

Leader of Cotswold District Council, Cllr Joe Harris, said:

“It was great to watch this development take shape. This is an innovative zero-carbon housing scheme and the first modular build of its kind anywhere in the Cotswolds.

“Our housing teams have worked incredibly hard to build a strong relationship with Bromford and I would like to thank them for all their efforts in bringing about this fantastic scheme for the Cotswolds.

“This is the standard we expect of affordable housing here in the Cotswolds. Not only do we want housing to be zero carbon, we want it to be genuinely affordable. This development is set to make Stockwells of the best parts of Moreton and we’re confident these exemplar modern homes will do just that.”

The new homes Bromford is building at Stockwells replace a street of 24 non-traditional properties that had been built as a quick-build solution to the housing shortage in the 1950s. But over the years their condition had deteriorated and they were experiencing issues with damp and draughts. The former properties were demolished in the summer of 2022 and the groundwork prepared for the arrival of the new homes. The finished two- and three- bedroom homes will all be available at social rents to let when completed later this year.

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First Step towards Using Fossil-Free Steel

Swegon takes its first step towards using fossil-free steel

This week, Swegon presented its first product made from carbon dioxide-reduced steel – a GOLD RX – at the ISH trade fair in Frankfurt. The manufacture of steel consumes large amounts of both resources and energy. As ventilation units are primarily made of steel, there is considerable potential to reduce the carbon footprint of embodied carbon in production, by replacing traditional steel with steel that has a lower climate footprint.

In January, the first delivery of XCarb® RRP (recycled and renewably produced) Magnelis from thesteel manufacturer ArcelorMittal was received at Swegon’s Kvänum factory, where the companymanufactures ventilation units. According to ArcelorMittal, XCarb® RRP Magnelis has anapproximately 70% lower CO2 footprint than traditionally manufactured steel. XCarb® RRP ismainly produced from recycled steel and uses 100% renewable energy in the manufacturing process.

The first concept air handling unit has now been produced, and the plan is to gradually introducecarbon dioxide-reduced steel into ongoing production, starting during the second quarter of this year.

“We are delighted to now be phasing in carbon dioxide-reduced steel in our large ventilation units.We all have to contribute and reduce our climate footprint, and this transition is enabling us toreduce not only our own, but also our customers’ footprint,” says Robert Siverby, Supply ChainDirector at Swegon Group.

Swegon has, for a long time, focused on sustainability and on reducing the climate footprint in theproduction as well as the use phase of its products. Swegon was among the first in the industry todevelop EPDs (Environmental Product Declaration) for its products, and has a significant amount ofEPDs in its portfolio.

Based on the existing EPD for GOLD RX, size 12, the total Global Warming Potential (GWP) isexpected to be reduced by approximately 20% with the transition to XCarb® RRP Magnelis steel,given that all the steel is replaced. The introduction of XCarb® RRP is a first step in the company’sjourney towards fossil-free steel.

www.swegon.com/UK

 

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PLANNING NEEDS TO CONSIDER CLIMATE CHANGE

Planning overhaul needed for climate change ‘resilience’, think tank says

Successfully adapting to climate change will need an overhaul of the planning system to create measurable local targets, according to researchers.

The think-tank Localis is calling for a nationally accepted definition of ‘resilience’ to enable local authorities to defend their communities from climate change.

Analysis of 88 English local plans by Localis found that more than half of local plans emphasise ‘water stress’ including flooding as a potential pressure.

Its report, entitled Climate resilience in Local Plans, says two in every five of the plans surveyed consider the use of building regulations as potential solutions to climate change.

Localis head of research Joe Fyans said:

‘Given what we know from Met Office climate projection about best case scenarios for the probable damage likely to be wrought by increased flooding and the impact of heatwaves, what is worrying here is that current legislation comes nowhere close enough to covering the risk impact.

‘Where rules are not in place, appropriate measures are not provided by all local plans.

‘On the ground, this means there is a great deal of variability in local government preparations for climate change.

‘Suitable resilience is needed for all areas, and a place-based approach that accounts for levels of vulnerability will be the appropriate remedy for many of the country’s upcoming climate problems.’

Source: LocalGov

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TIMBER GIANT REVEALS PLANS

Hundreds of jobs on the way as timber frame giant reveals plans for £45m HQ

 

One of the UK’s largest timber frame manufacturers has chosen Derby as the location for its new headquarters.

Oregon Timber Frame will relocate from its current HQ in Burton to a recently-completed 186,000 sq ft facility at Infinity Park Derby this summer, with the move expected to create around 200 jobs.

Housebuilding giant Barratt Developments, which owns the company, is understood to have invested £45m in the new site.

The facility is located off Junction 3 of the A50 and boasts a BREEAM “Very Good” rating and an EPC rating of “A.” It was built by Bowmer + Kirkland.

Barratt acquired Oregon Timber Frame in 2019 to support its off-site production operations.

Peter Wade, joint managing director of Oregon, said:

“Infinity Park Derby will ultimately become our new base to support Barratt’s move to modern methods of construction, and so it was imperative that the building’s sustainable credentials were in line with those of our business. This new state-of-the-art facility will support our long-term goals to increase our use of modern methods of construction off-site and reduce our carbon footprint.”

 

Source: Buisness Desk

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Asbestos: The Ongoing Danger

Young tradespeople need to know the risk

Millennials, gen Z workers and other younger people who work as plumbers, electricians, and in other trades need to take the risk of asbestos much more seriously.

That’s the message from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The workplace regulator has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with the dangerous substance.

The campaign, called Asbestos and You, will target all tradespeople with a focus on younger workers in trades such as plastering and joinery. HSE wants to reach construction workers who started their careers after the use of asbestos was banned in 1999.

The regulator is concerned the length of time it takes for symptoms to develop after asbestos exposure could lead to a perception among today’s younger workers that it is something that only impacts older people who were working before the ban.

Five thousand people a year still die from asbestos related illnesses and asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000.

Asbestos containing materials were used extensively in the construction and maintenance of buildings in Great Britain from the 1950s until the ban. That means construction workers of all ages could still be exposed to asbestos fibres today.

HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Asbestos exposure in Great Britain is still the single greatest cause of work-related deaths.  We are committed to protecting people in the workplace and reducing future work-related ill health.

“Everyone working in construction today, of any age, must take the risk from asbestos seriously.

“Asbestos is dangerous when not maintained in a safe condition or if physically disturbed without the right measures in place to avoid fibres being released into the air.”

If asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening. Construction tradespeople of any age are at significant risk if they disturb materials containing asbestos during repairs and refurbishment.

HSE’s head of health and work policy Mike Calcutt said: “These diseases often take a long time to develop, and it can take 20 to 30 years for symptoms to appear.

“It is crucial that all workers know how to recognise the dangers and take the right actions to protect themselves and those around them from being exposed to asbestos fibres.”

 

Find out more about the Asbestos and You campaign, and visit HSE’s website for further guidance on asbestos.

 

 

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Off-site brings Old Properties Back to Life

A Hull housing charity has joined forces with a digital manufacturing firm to explore new ways of bringing run-down properties back to life using ‘Lego-like’ blocks.

The joint pilot project between Giroscope and Blokbuild will see the construction and installation of a modular extension to two adjoining houses currently being renovated by the charity. The two properties off Hessle Road have been empty for nearly 20 years.

Under the initiative, the new kitchen extensions are being built using BlokBuild’s cutting-edge off-site construction system, where parts are created on a digital model, cut with pin-point accuracy using automated technology and then assembled at the company’s factory in Hedon Road. The BlokBuild system is manufactured entirely from timber and insulated off-site, making it a higher quality and more sustainable alternative to traditional construction.

During the project, Giroscope volunteers will receive training in the construction technology being used in the process. They will also work as a team to assemble the modules at the factory on before installing the Lego-like blocks on-site.

Following on form the pilot, both Blokbuild and Giroscope are hoping to collaborate on a much larger project to build new affordable social housing from scratch on a small site in the city of Hull.

Giroscope’s co-ordinator Martin Newman said:

 

“We are really excited for the opportunity to work with Blokbuild who are a really innovative Hull company. We hope we can develop this partnership to a point where we can begin to deliver much-needed affordable and very energy efficient housing together.”

 

He said volunteers taking part in the project would gain valuable gain work experience on their journey into employment or training. When completed, the two houses will be brought back into use as social housing for people in housing need.

Tom Sander, communications and engagement lead for BlokBuild, said:

 

“This is a unique project that combines Giroscope’s pioneering work in self-help housing with BlokBuild’s innovative approach to off-site construction. While we are still a relatively small company, our timber building system is one the most advanced in Europe.

Source: Hull Live
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How frameworks can offer shelter from recession for MMC specialists

Clive Feeney, LHC Group Director

More than 6,000 construction insolvencies are expected in 2023 and construction output is forecast to fall by 3.9%, prompting sector-wide concern around project pipelines and profit margins.

Predictions across the board paint a bleak picture, but more so in the private sector with an expected 38% drop in new housing starts over the next two years.  In the public sector there is demand for new social housing and requirement to retrofit existing ‘fuel poor’ social homes to an EPC band C by 2030. However, monetary support was not forthcoming in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement in November last year. There was no mention of funding to improve the UK’s energy-inefficient housing stock – loft insulation and boiler replacement aside – nor reassurance for new social housing provision.

Nonetheless, public sector construction frameworks are offering some shelter from the risks wrought by recession.

As a construction framework provider for the public sector, 2023 will be a busy year for LHC, with five new frameworks set for launch: Asset Safety and Compliance, Refurbishment and Associated Retrofit Works, Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation, Fire Safety and Supply, and Installation of Aluminium Windows and Doors. The assessment process for the £1.2bn NH3 (Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) of New Homes) framework is also underway, with appointed companies announced in spring.
This makes the prospect of public sector building a more secure prospect of work for this year into 2024.

Why social housing must continue

Our housing stock is ageing; 26 million require retrofit – 4.5 million of which are in social housing.

Building and retrofit must continue in social housing, both to move towards the static 2050 net zero target and protect vulnerable tenants from the rising cost of living.  Doing this cost-effectively will be even more important in the coming 12 months. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt placed a 7% cap on the amount social landlords can increase rents for tenants as part of the Autumn Statement. This offers a tough compromise: while providing some relief for residents at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis owing to a benefit cap lift and local housing allowance (LHA) freeze, it means housing associations will feel a tighter squeeze.

On the new social housing front, recent Regulator of Social Housing statistics also show just 31,000 social homes were built from March 2021 to 2022. This is almost five times short of the National Housing Federation’s (NHF)145,000 estimated annual requirement in the next decade to meet the population’s needs.

Many housing associations and local authorities LHC works with are using construction frameworks because the benefits, especially in turbulent times, are clear. By working in this way, they find they are able to build stronger, longer working relationships and contacts, have better supply chain engagement, and more pipeline security.

Framework benefits in tough times

The following factors could also be vital in helping MMC contractors – especially SMEs – weather the impending economic storm.

1. Partnering for shared benefits
The collaborative nature of frameworks allows each company to benefit from one another’s insight and expertise. This in turn develops strong contacts and increases the opportunity of appointment to future projects.
2. Pipeline of work 
The pipeline of work that can come from using a procurement framework creates greater certainty and helps protect jobs for contractors who may be worried about the future. Traditionally operating on four-year cycles, they offer a more predictable calendar of work.
3. Operational efficiency
SMEs are often too stretched to apply for individual construction projects, while larger contractor bid teams can find they are at the beck and call of new tender applications. Being appointed to a framework creates more consistent work opportunities and reduces the frequency of repeat, lengthy procurements.
4. Long-term pricing and cost aggregation
Frameworks enable all parties to explore a project in detail and more accurately consider costs to reach an agreement up front. While there may be negotiation further down the line at each individual project stage, the long-term nature of frameworks and pricing facilitates improved cost aggregation by providing full visibility from day one. This lessens the financial blow of reduced contractor margins in the case of price rises.
5. Better economies of scale
Having awareness of the client’s longer-term pipeline provides opportunities for contractors to plan work more efficiently, improving their resource planning and identifying cost efficiencies – while driving economies of scale.
6. Shared risk
Using a procurement framework also allows contractors to explore potential risks – including rising costs – and agree how the impacts might be managed between them and the client. Without involving contractors before putting out a tender, clients miss the opportunity for potential risks to be identified, scoped and properly priced into a contract, using projections into the four-year framework lifespan.

 

To speak to a local contact about our public sector construction frameworks

CLICK HERE

 

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Italian Energy Efficiency Scheme ‘Out of Control’

An Italian scheme to make homes more energy efficient has been wildly popular, but the government is seeking to rein in its “out of control” costs amid fears it could send the deficit soaring.

The “superbonus” scheme, which can be used for anything from insulation to solar panels, new boilers and windows, was introduced in May 2020 to boost the economy after the coronavirus lockdown.

Environmentalists were sceptical about its benefits but Italians rushed to take advantage of the programme, in which the state paid 110 percent of the cost of making homes greener, with the subsidy delivered via a tax credit or tax reduction.

As intended, it boosted the construction sector — but it has so far cost the state 61.2 billion euros ($64.8 billion), according to the finance ministry.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose coalition government took office in October, said last weekend the situation was “out of control”.

She said the scheme had led to fraud worth nine billion euros, while the tradeable nature of the tax credits had “generated a sort of parallel currency, and that parallel currency risks having a devastating impact on the budget”.

Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti went further, describing it as a “wicked policy”.

Lorenzo Codogno, a former chief economist at the Treasury, told AFP that attempts now to quantify the impact of the scheme on Italy’s strained public finances could be “a wake-up moment for financial markets”.

He warned Italy’s deficit could be revised up substantially, while both the construction sector and the government “could have liquidity problems”.

Italy’s deficit was an estimated 5.6 percent of GDP last year and set to fall to 4.5 percent in 2023, but revised figures potentially incorporating the superbonus scheme are due out on March 1.

 

Source: Yahoo

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