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SEPTEMBER 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 For members of the CIOB constructionmanagermagazine.com | WWW.CONSTRUCTIONMANAGERMAGAZINE.COM
MANUFACTURING OFFSITE AND COVID-19 THE RECOVERY COULD COVID LAUNCH AN OFFSITE REVOLUTION?
LAING O’ROURKE ROBOTICS PLAN | EXOSKELETONS | DEMENTIA AND CONSTRUCTION
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09/20 Contents
News 04 News in pictures 06 Laing O’Rourke’s factory target 08 Data: insolvency threat in 2021 Opinion 10 Trudi Sully on the role of DfMA 11 Caroline Gumble on retaining talent 12 Tricia O’Neill on older workers 14 Feedback: Readers’ views Profile 16 New CIOB president Mark Beard Analysis 20 Building awareness of dementia How can construction adapt? Technical 22 BAM’s GICU in Southampton Building with care amid covid Offsite Manufacturing 28 Covid-19 and offsite take-up Is there a move to factory processes? 34 A new approach to procurement 28 Manufacturer agnostic design CPD 36 Introduction to PAS 2035 Working with retrofitting BIM & Digital 42 Exoskeletons and construction What wearable robotics will change 44 Daylight simulation tools Velux’s Daylight Visualizer Legal 46 Combustible cladding cover-up Ruling in post-Grenfell case 47 Q&A: Reverse VAT 20 16 42 How the new charge will work Community Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7490 5595 Or write to us at the address below: Construction Manager is published 48 Toronto team win Global Challenge Editor: Will Mann, 020 3865 1032 Construction Manager monthly by Atom Media Partners. 49 CMYA 2020 finalists announced [email protected] Published for the Chartered Institute The contents of this magazine are 50 Cardinal celebrates becoming CBC Associate editor: of Building by Atom Media Partners, copyright. Reproduction in part or in 51 Novus virtual walking challenge Neil Gerrard, 020 3865 1031 3 Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, full is forbidden without permission of 54 We are Ease achieves CBC status [email protected] London EC1N 2SW the editor. The opinions expressed by Production editor: Sarah Cutforth Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 5595 writers of signed articles (even with 55 Virtual site visit to HS2 bridge Art editor: Heather Rugeley pseudonyms) and letters appearing 56 Scots Church project in Dublin Community editor: Nicky Roger [email protected] in the magazine are those of their 57 Climate change and innovation Advertising manager: respective authors, and neither Dave Smith 020 3865 1029 Editorial advisory board the CIOB, Atom Media Partners nor Training & Recruitment Key account manager: Mark Beard FCIOB, Ann Bentley, Construction Manager is responsible 58 Marketing and communications Tom Peardon 020 3865 1030 Peter Caplehorn, Ian Eggers, for these opinions or statements. Company values in a pandemic Credit control: Eva Rugeley Harvey Francis, Professor Jacqui Glass The editor will give careful Managing director: Stephen Quirke FCIOB, Shelagh Grant, Paul Morrell, consideration to material submitted Circulation: Net average 30,887 James Pellatt, Richard Saxon, Phil Wade – articles, photographs, drawings Audit period: July 2019 to June 2020 and so on – but does not undertake Subscriptions: To subscribe or responsibility for damage or their safe for enquiries, please contact: return. Printed by Precision Colour Subscription team: Printing. All rights in the magazine, Tel: 01293 312160 Or go online at: including copyright, content and http://construction manager. design, are owned by CIOB and/or Atom
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News story for CM? News Email [email protected]
Skanska O’Rourke and Murphy install adopts digital modular bridge over M42 tech to connect A joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and five Norwegian J Murphy & Sons has installed a 65m modular islands bridge spanning the width of the M42 in just two days. The 2,750 tonne bridge near what will Skanska has adopted become HS2’s Interchange station near Solihull digital technology to was carried along the motorway on a 448-wheel help manage one of self-propelled modular transporter. Norway’s biggest projects, connecting five islands in Ålesund Municipality to Debut for decorator robot the mainland in Møre og Construction tech start-up Okibo has demonstrated Romsdal county, through what it claims is the world’s first autonomous a network of tunnels and plastering and painting robot. The robot is designed bridges. Skanska won the to autonomously traverse the potentially rough bid in autumn 2018 after terrain of a typical construction site with “high using Topcon’s Magnet precision, while maintaining human and equipment software to assess the safety”. Using 3D scanning, the robot maps its magnitude of the work environment without any prior information, enabling in the bidding process, progress monitoring, BIM comparison and “reliable as well as to optimise its understanding” of the plastering requirements. entire digital workflow.
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Construction Manager’s circulation, following our latest ABC audit, remains the highest among construction sector 30,887 magazines at 30,887 copies
Mace to project manage innovative rooftop solar PV scheme Mace will manage the design, supply, installation and commissioning of solar panels to six rooftop locations across West Berkshire, in an innovative pilot project. The project, for West Berkshire Council, is expected to generate around 600,000kWh of energy and reduce carbon emissions by 270 tonnes a year.
Willmott Dixon resumes restoration Giant Thames Tideway of historic Civic Halls TBM arrives by boat Willmott Dixon has restarted work on the restoration of Wolverhampton’s A huge tunnel boring machine (TBM), which will iconic Civic Halls after an enforced break due to the covid-19 be used to create the final 5.5km stretch of the pandemic. City of Wolverhampton Council has now officially entered Thames Tideway super sewer towards Abbey into the main contract with delivery partner Willmott Dixon Interiors, Mills Pumping Station, has arrived in London after which since October 2019 had been progressing works under a being transported 800km over the water from pre-construction service delivery agreement. Following the covid-19 Germany. The TBM, named Selina, was delivered interruption, the newly refurbished 82-year-old Civic Halls are to Chambers Wharf from Kehl on a giant vessel expected to reopen to the public in early 2022. called the Skylift 3000.
Fully electric skid steer loader launched Plant firm Kovaco Electric has launched what it claims is the world’s first fully electric skid steer loader. The machine is capable of operating for up to eight hours on a single charge. Depending on the size of the battery the machine uses, the Elise 900 has a loading capacity of up to 1,400kg (with a 400Ah battery). Charging takes 3.5 hours for machines with smart batteries or 5.3 hours for
CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COUNCIL OF WOLVERHAMPTON CITY machines with standard batteries.
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Will covid-19 accelerate offsite take-up? See p28
Laing O’Rourke wants projects 90% factory-built by 2025 “Getting digital embedded right from tender is key so we CHAIRMAN RAY O’ROURKE RAISES TARGET AS can build the project virtually MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT CONTINUES. BY WILL MANN before we reach site”
(see p28-32), said several work packages could become more ‘factory-friendly’. “Structures is one,” he said. “We enter projects later than we would like, which can make it harder to change structural elements. Cladding is not consistent across industry. Finishes tend to be done quite traditionally. “Getting digital embedded right from tender is key so we can build the project virtually before we reach site.” McGeeney said he sensed a “marked shift” in attitudes to offsite, with factory environments making it easier to implement social distancing and clients Laing O’Rourke’s Centre of Excellence seeing it as a way of de-risking projects. for Modern “We have to plan for any second Construction wave of covid so our projects are not in Steetley, impacted,” he said. “We have more offsite Nottinghamshire enquiries coming in. Some clients have Laing O’Rourke is aiming to deliver “We’re now driving towards 80% of asked us about redesigning a project to 90% of construction work on projects our work being factory manufactured,” suit DfMA or to prefabricate elements inside its factories by 2025. said head of infrastructure Declan like the structure, the lift shaft, the MEP. Currently, the group’s goal is to manu- McGeeney. “The Grange hospital in “Even our competitors are asking our facture 70% of a project’s components Gwent was in the high 70s. Ray [O’Rourke, businesses about how to embed offsite offsite, part of its ‘70:60:30’ strategy, group CEO] wants 90% to 95% by 2025.” within their business. Some 50% of which also targets 60% productivity McGeeney, who revealed that Laing turnover at [subsidiary companies] gains and 30% programme improve- O’Rourke’s manufacturing facilities Crown House and Expanded is outside ments through use of design for have been able to operate at full Laing O’Rourke, so we have a chance to manufacture and assembly (DfMA). capacity for most of the covid lockdown shift opinion in the market.” ●
Robotics to play key role in O’Rourke’s next factory Laing O’Rourke’s planned “The facility will use robotics Excellence for Modern Construction “We need to deliver faster, and Advanced Manufacturing for 90% of the precision process in Steetley, Nottinghamshire with fewer people,” he added. Facility, to support its residential work,” he said. “We are working with (formerly Explore Industrial Park), “Already we use robotics for business, will feature extensive ABB and the University of Sheffield will aim to manufacture 10,000 cutting pipework at our Crown use of robotics, head of to develop the technology.” homes a year. It is currently at House factory in Oldbury and at our infrastructure Declan McGeeney The plant, which will be located “business case stage”, GRC plant near Doncaster we use has told CM. next to the group’s Centre of McGeeney said. 3D printing for mould production.”
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#DCS2020
Digital Construction Summit CIOB voices quality fears 2020 to be virtual event over planning white paper SEPTEMBER EVENT WILL FEATURE CIOB ISSUES QUALITY WARNING AS GOVERNMENT UNVEILS INDUSTRY-LEADING SPEAKERS AND WIDE-RANGING CHANGES TO PLANNING SYSTEM. BY NEIL GERRARD TOPICAL WEBINAR SESSIONS
Section 106 agreements or Community This year’s Digital digital impact director at Infrastructure Levy contributions Construction Summit will the Construction Innovation to offset the costs associated with be a virtual event across Hub and global BIM/MIC 29/30 September. consultancy director at provision of community infrastructure, Originally scheduled Aecom; Neil Thompson, local authorities are further financially for 3 June in the City of digital construction director burdened. London, the event has at Atkins; and Andrew The CIOB also voiced fears that PDRs been rearranged because Gamblen, digital manager of the restrictions of the at Willmott Dixon. risked jeopardising the public’s trust by covid-19 pandemic. Event partners are creating poor-quality accommodation The virtual summit the Centre for Digital Eddie Tuttle CIOB xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx as standard, in spite of all the work will comprise a series of Built Britain, the Chartered the construction industry has done to webinar sessions, with Institute of Building, Housing secretary Robert Jenrick launched reform post-Grenfell. topics including: the Egnyte, i3PT, Atvero and the white paper Building Safety Bill and its PlanRadar. Construction Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, digital implications; the Manager and BIMplus are The CIOB has voiced fears that the research and public affairs at the CIOB, role of digital in the built media partners. government’s ‘landmark’ planning said: “The white paper published today environment’s post-covid The summit will feature reforms detailed in the white paper highlights the need for reform of the recovery; the power of presentations from data and its potential for industry-leading digital Planning for the Future could harm the planning system in order to build the construction; common professionals, panel quality of new housing developments. homes we desperately need. data environments and discussions, Q&As and The CIOB warned that there are “clear “But we are concerned the gov- interoperability; and digital audience interaction. impacts” on the quality of residential ernment’s focus on extending permitted tools to connect site teams. Over 1,000 professionals conversions created through permitted development rights, including the Speakers include: Mark from across the built Enzer, head of the National environment with development rights (PDRs), with ability to demolish and rebuild Digital Twin Programme and responsibility for driving many failing to meet national space commercial and residential buildings chief technology officer at BIM and digital innovation standards, lacking amenity space and on existing sites without a full planning Mott MacDonald; David Philp, are expected to attend. suffering from low quality design and – if implemented without significant For further information contact: [email protected]. poor locations. safeguards – will lock in more www.digitalconstructionsummit.uk It added that high volumes of unacceptable standard development, PDRs have wide-ranging impacts on the consequences of which we will live transport, community facilities, play with for generations or must rectify space and green space, and without later at greater expense.” ●
Industry has moral obligation over safety, says Hackitt
The construction industry has a report on the progress of culture change “moral obligation” to step up to a in the construction sector. different approach on building Hackitt, who chairs the ISSG, said she safety in the wake of the Grenfell was pleased to “real progress” from Tower disaster. some parts of the industry but that it That’s according to Dame Judith was “equally frustrating” to see others Hackitt, as she presented the Industry waiting to see what the new regulatory Safety Steering Group’s (ISSG) second regime will look like before taking action.
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Proportion of construction businesses reporting cash reserves that would last three months or less in Data 35% July, according to ONS
Why insolvency rises may Total new company insolvencies in construction be postponed till 2021 Quarter on year percentage change (%) 30 The unprecedented fiscal stimulus led to a fall in insolvencies in Q2 – but the full picture may not 20
emerge till next year, says Kris Hudson 10
With confirmation up, legacy contracts became untenable 0 that the UK is in the and rising interest rates started to bite. -10 grips of a technical This was not the case during the recession, should the 2008 crash, when insolvencies in fact -20 construction sector be peaked during the recession, and -30 bracing for mass insolvencies? not afterwards. Increased creditor As a significant indicator of cashflow forbearance, historically low interest -40 concerns and potential insolvencies, rates and a raft of government the latest data on profit warnings measures helped stem the tide of -50 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 makes for stark reading. EY data shows belated insolvencies. that more FTSE-listed construction Fast forward to 2020 and we’ve and materials companies have issued now seen insolvencies fall following Total new company insolvencies, England & Wales, non seasonally adjusted profit warnings in the first half of 2020 unprecedented fiscal stimulus. Anualised quarterly data than over the whole of 2008, when the But the risk is that the furlough global financial crisis struck. scheme, which will begin to taper Number of company insolvencies n Recession Insolvencies Construction also holds the off this autumn, could be keeping unenviable title of the industry most companies afloat that might not 30,000 affected by insolvencies over the otherwise survive. This means we’re past year, with 2,778 new company unlikely to see the full picture emerge 25,000 insolvencies filed in four quarters until next year, with insolvency rises to 2020 Q2. Yet insolvencies within still probable thereafter.
construction in the second quarter of To ensure a healthy recovery, and 20,000 2020 have in fact decreased by 38.4% prevent a domino effect of insolvency, compared to last year. It is a welcome it is imperative that the industry comes relief and shows that the unprecedented together to support a new approach to 15,000 packages of government support the ‘new normal’. This means staying aimed at tackling the coronavirus crisis alert to margin erosion and the capital are having a positive impact. constraints of suppliers, and ultimately 10,000 moving closer to delivery models and Historic insolvency trends commercial strategies that prioritise Before the 2008 financial crash, the the value drivers of a project rather than 5,000 trend was that following an economic piling more pressure on the supply chain. crisis, insolvencies historically Collaboration will therefore be key increased in line with improved both during and in the aftermath of 0 economic growth, peaking after the this covid-19 recession. 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 recession had ended. As growth Kris Hudson is an economist and SOURCE: THE INSOLVENCY SERVICE resumed, prices and overheads picked associate director at Turner & Townsend. News in numbers
375Number of jobs being cut at 220kThe fall in UK employment from 35%Contraction in the construction £14mInterim loss at Balfour Beatty, brickmaker Ibstock, after the firm May to July, reported by the ONS sector in Q2 2020, as ONS reports the UK’s biggest contractor, due to reported a £52m pre-tax loss in – the largest drop in employment UK GDP overall shrank by 20.4% the covid impact. It reported a the first half of 2020 for over a decade during the quarter £72m profit a year ago
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08.CMSept20data_scW.indd 8 18/08/2020 08:45 THIS AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. Claim by 13th November 2020 with top-brand partners including: Argos M&S TESCO � EST.1884 II■
VELUX® velux.co.uk/rewardsTerms and conditions apply. I Rewards *Excludes VELUX white painted burglary-resistant roof windows (GGL 70Q) OPINION constructionmanagermagazine.com
Breaking down the barriers to Opinion offsite procurement, p34
Back in April we all watched with a mix of platform programme, we’re also developing shock and admiration as the London ExCel interface standards that support the design Trudi Sully Centre was skilfully converted into the of integrated, manufactured components Construction country’s first NHS Nightingale Hospital. Innovation Hub and sub-assemblies, and a ‘rulebook’ to Necessity is the mother of invention, and I provide guidance on application, enable can’t think of a more fitting slogan to describe wider adoption and support development the situation our sector has found itself in over Why DfMA of future platforms. these recent months. It is clear to see that the future construction is key to The key role of government industry will need to look very different to that As the country’s largest construction client, of the pre-covid era. The growing momentum construction’s government can play a vital role in ensuring to achieve a fundamental transformation, the adoption at scale of a platform approach. rather than just a return to business as reinvention As highlighted in the hub’s recent report, usual, has the support of both government Driving Transformation, Delivering Value, and the major voices in the sector, amplified TRUDI SULLY EXPLAINS WHY KITS OF industry and government must work together through the Construction Leadership Council PARTS WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE to create the conditions for construction supply (CLC). We have a unique opportunity to lay CHANGING FACE OF CONSTRUCTION chains to thrive. The report presents nine key the foundations for lasting change in how recommendations – spanning business models we build. But how do we grasp these pivotal and payment practices to skills and regulation opportunities and maximise impact for all – to support this endeavour. of society? Building on this, we are working closely Early in the crisis, the Construction with key Whitehall departments like Justice, Innovation Hub shifted up a gear and began Education and Health to inform our platform to accelerate critical projects to provide designs and to support how they look to industry with the tools and processes to make procure and deliver our future infrastructure transformation a reality. We believe the core needs. It is hoped that interface standards ingredients for a transformed construction and the rulebook produced by the hub will sector are digitally enabled manufacturing form part of the future procurement options, solutions and processes. The most effective and as such we are liaising with other way we can deliver these at scale is through active R&D projects to ensure that no-one a platform approach. misses out on these future opportunities. Through our flagship Platform Design It’s crucial that we support the commercial Programme, the hub is seeking to streamline and competitive opportunities afforded to construction by developing a standardised ‘kit everyone working in this space. of parts’ that can be deployed across multiple Collectively as a sector, we have faced building types and sectors, reaping significant numerous challenges over recent months and benefits in terms of quality, cost, delivery time I am in no doubt we have more to come. Yet I and whole-life value. In line with the prime truly believe that with the growing appetite minister’s ambition, platforms will ultimately Construction can learn from the challenges of covid for collaboration and innovation, significant enable us to “build faster and build greener”, long-term support from government, and the in turn delivering the robust and sustainable new approaches that are being developed, now infrastructure our society is crying out for. “In line with the prime minister’s is the time for construction to not just survive To help us get there, our 40-plus industry ambition, platforms will ultimately these obstacles, but to use them as impetus partner companies are leading the charge in enable us to ‘build faster and build to reinvent our sector and thrive. Platform the development, prototyping, testing and greener’ in turn delivering the robust systems will play a key role in changing the demonstration of a platform construction and sustainable infrastructure face of construction. ● system that will be able to deliver a range our society is crying out for” Trudi Sully is impact director for of building types, with the initial focus manufacturing at the Construction on social infrastructure. As part of the Innovation Hub.
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Schools delivery knowledge gap looms Greater knowledge-sharing would boost the delivery of SEND schools, says Peter Whitmore
Some 15% of the pupil population – around 1.3 million school-age students Caroline Gumble in England – is classed as CIOB having a special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) requirement, and the number is forecast to rise. In 2019, the government announced an additional Retaining skills is investment of £700m into special needs education to ensure that children and young vital to construction people are provided with the buildings and facilities that are right for them. THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSTRUCTION However, despite the improved TALENT RETENTION SCHEME IS investment, councils continue to face KEY TO KEEPING MUCH-NEEDED immense pressures in providing care and TALENT WITHIN THE SECTOR, support and educational provision for children and young people with special EXPLAINS CAROLINE GUMBLE needs and disabilities. The Building Better Futures report by Morgan Sindall Construction has set out a new roadmap for the procurement, design and delivery of SEND schools. We wanted to explore what makes a great SEND school, so we brought together experts, partners, clients, collaborators, For a few years now the CIOB has been raising The scheme is being run by the Construction and influencers from the public and private awareness of an impending skills shortage Leadership Council which, as many of you sectors to look at the factors that make in our industry. We’ve raised it with will know, is made up of trade and business up a truly outstanding SEND school and parliamentarians, we’ve supported industry associations from across the sector, including examine how the delivery pathway could initiatives to attract new talent, we’ve even the CIOB. be enhanced. As a main contractor which has recently tried to introduce the benefits of a career The TRS is not just an online portal but is also delivered six SEND schools in the east in the built environment to children via our intended to support the redeployment of staff of England alone, this is a topic we are Minecraft game. at risk of redundancy and enable temporary passionate about. One of the consequences of the pandemic employee loans between businesses. It also A key research finding is the presence of a looming knowledge gap within the is that, with project slow-downs and offers businesses a platform to find the skills sector around the delivery of SEND cancellations and many companies being they need, for free, and now allows individuals schools, with no platforms available for forced to make cuts, we face the prospect to list their skills and experience and, hopefully, head teachers or those commissioning of losing skills, experience and expertise we find the right role and stay in our sector. schools to collaborate or share their already have in our industry at a time when At the time of writing, hundreds of companies learnings and experience. The report calls for the formation of a we can least afford it. have expressed an interest in using the scheme collaborative knowledge-sharing platform, Therefore, news of the Construction Talent and there are over 350 vacancies listed, all of where headteachers and organisations Retention Scheme is very welcome. them direct from employers in our industry. looking to commission new school buildings Launched by the Minister for Business and The TRS not-for-profit programme has can share their experiences – creating an effective method of benchmarking, where Industry, Nadhim Zahawi, at the end of July, funding secured until the end of April 2021. It’s examples of innovation and best practice the Construction Talent Retention Scheme my hope that the bounce-back in construction can be explored and communicated (TRS) is a potentially important partnership will be as strong as some are predicting and that within the SEND community. between the industry and government to try come April next year we will be back to attracting Our objective for this research is to start and keep talent in our sector. At the online new talent into sector – which we do still need – fruitful conversations which enable the ● sector to work collaboratively to enhance launch, he said: “This scheme will help to and not still focused on an exodus of expertise. the pathway for SEND school design and retain vital knowledge within the construction Employers and individuals looking delivery so that it improves the lives of the industry, enabling businesses to rapidly for a new role can go to: young people, teachers, carers and families. recruit talented individuals and reduce skills www.trs-system.co.uk/construction. Peter Whitmore is managing director construction east at Morgan Sindall. shortages at this pivotal time in the nation’s Caroline Gumble is chief executive of the economic recovery.” Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
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Four ways to build back stronger
Matt Brooker looks at how Tricia O’Neill How construction is helping to construction can make itself the Skanska build awareness of dementia, p21 springboard for economic recovery
To advance with the government’s ‘build, Why older workers build, build’ strategy and let construction drive should be valued an economic recovery, the sector needs to continue to show it CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE GETTING can be collaborative in its approach, be OLDER BUT THEY STILL HAVE PLENTY TO innovative in its thinking and rise to the challenge to build for the future. OFFER, ARGUES TRICIA O’NEILL Here are four areas where construction can improve. Construction’s workforce is ageing. The l Design out health risks, particularly when 1 Procurement: We all know this needs typical worker in the industry is now aged it comes to manual handling tasks, given to be simplified. The recently launched Project Speed by the Cabinet Office, which 45 or older, with the 60+ age group increasing that musculoskeletal power and endurance aims to overhaul the procurement process more than any other over the past decade. reduce as we age. by September, should support much of this But age is just another dimension and should change. Add to this the lessons learned from not be a barrier to their continued contribution Matching job activities to individual PPN 01/20, the updated Procurement Policy Note that was revised to help speed up to the sector. As construction employers, we capability the emergency procurement in March, and need to understand how age affects our bodies l Adopt a physical demands analysis approach. we have taken big steps to addressing the in terms of capacity and capability and ensure By understanding the work activity require- procurement puzzle. that we have the organisational infrastructure ments, you can match this with individuals’ 2 Payment terms: Projects need to commit in place to adapt to a workforce with different functional capabilities. to either a traditional or modern method of construction (MMC) approach at the start of l needs. Indeed, this is a legal requirement under Where there are concerns about employees’ the process, so that resources spent at design both the Equality (Disability) Act 2010 and the capability to undertake their usual work, and tender stage are not squandered by a late Age Discrimination Act 2006. introduce functional capacity assessments to switch. The Chartered Institute of Housing’s Chronological age is not an accurate establish functional ability rather than being (CIH) Value Toolkit will help with this, providing free software to help value model indicator of physical condition or capability, led by a diagnosis or age. the process, as will the commercial/delivery many of which can be affected by lifestyle model that the Association for Consultancy choices. Nonetheless, we still need to Welfare and Engineering (ACE) is working on. And the recognise the health and safety implications l Offer an age-specific health assessment government is already removing the blockers of these changes. focused on key areas of physiological changes – of cash distribution, often tied up in tier 1 and 2 contractors, with the PPN 02/20, also There are three aspects of ageing that have eyesight, musculoskeletal, hearing, cognition. implemented in March this year. health, safety and wellbeing implications: Give people the opportunity to discuss their 3 Productivity and capability: physical work capacity changes; mental concerns. We know there is a shortage of skilled health and wellbeing; work hours and sleep l With a peripatetic workforce, consider ways resources in some local authorities, especially at planning and procurement level, pattern changes. for them to access GP care such as technology- hindering the consent pathway to proceed at But with attention to just three areas of enabled services like Push Doctor. pace. The industry Talent Retention Scheme organisational and job design, we can make l Good diet and nutrition are key to could be used to boost local authority a difference to people’s workday, health, performance and productivity, so ensure any resources in the short term to help with this. 4 wellbeing and workability: catering contract you have in place provides Confidence and incentivisation: Confidence in the market, particularly in the right balance of nutrients to increase the private sector, needs to be instilled Age management approach performance. again. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has promised l Build line managers’ awareness around the Work is good for people, industry and the a Comprehensive Spending Review in impact of age on work capability. UK economy – but unless we actively rethink the autumn this year, stating it is “our l opportunity to deliver on the third phase of Consider how contractual hours/shifts our approach to our ageing workforce we run our recovery plan”. Hopefully this will be the can be changed by offering part-time work the risk of easing out valuable people from marker for not only reframing the strategy or shortened hours. business and society. ● but rallying our industry to collectively l Ensure your fatigue policy limits the Tricia O’Neill is Skanska’s UK head build, build, build for the future. working week – research tells us that people of occupational health, wellbeing Matt Brooker is national head of commercial UK at Rider Levett Bucknall. are no more productive working if they work and health and safety education 55 hours+ a week. and competence.
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sites clarity guidance
help testing pandemic THEFeedback FACE normality support OF INTELLIGENT finances lockdown advice close redundancy BUILDING Word cloud showing consistent the most common A selection of readers’ comments about keywords in CM’s leadership news and issues in the industry from coronavirus survey, cashflow furlough www.constructionmanagermagazine.com sized by frequency
balance with the day to day redressing by a safer built CM 1/07 At the heart of the keep business and in A good read Grenfell disaster appears to turn livelihoods afloat. lives of their staff who have environment. be a wholesale abdication We in turn have had cope with, health concerns, The Health and Safety Professor John Bale of responsibility for the equal pressure from some children and commuting in Executive (HSE) also needs I’ve just finished reading dissemination of design of our clients and this has uncertain times. to get its house in order as the July/August issue of information and risk criteria disappointingly been passed it is under-resourced and Construction Manager and, and how specification down the line in some cases. CM 20/07 its enforcement leaves a rather than just thinking it, changes were then managed Some clients, however, have Draft Building Safety Bill lot to be desired. I wanted to congratulate through the contractor chain. been very supportive. everyone concerned on a I understand the need You don’t appear to Peter Hyde CM 04/08 first class piece of work. for an inquiry, but the have acknowledged this Three years after the Grenfell Green Homes Grant The range of articles, CDM regs are pretty clear and it has been, and fire and major concerns addresses their attractiveness and about how things should continues to be, a huge have been expressed about ‘cowboy’ fears the depth of content are work and who has to do challenge for us all. both external cladding and hugely impressive – as what and when. It will be the fire safety management Wayne Francis are the ways in which the interesting to see what CM 04/08 systems. Furthermore The scheme only runs for magazine supports and comes out the back of this Construction’s return we have major concerns five months! Plenty of time reflects the work of CIOB inquiry and whether we will ‘quicker than expected’ over buildings with floors for the cowboys to get in members and showcases get lumbered with additional under 18m as highlighted and fill their boots and cease that work to others. legislation or if the CDM regs Paul Fitzpatrick in the Bolton students’ trading before TrustMark’s will stay as they are. Some good news across the accommodation fire. annual audit comes around. We as an industry need to CM 30/07 board, but the commercial Grenfell Inquiry CM22/05 fit out sector will take time re-examine the management R Wilson CM Coronavirus survey to recover whilst clients and control systems at The ‘weed out the cowboys’ John Groom embrace the new normal. design, construction and FM is a bit of a ruse. The real As a member of the timber Tim Chell The style and nature stage – as well as how fire problem is weeding out frame sector, which may I couldn’t help notice of central London office risk assessment is carried the council staff and the potentially pay a price for the comment in the article space will be questioned out and implemented. so-called inspectors and this debacle if the 11m from a specialist contractor over the coming months I’ve been in building assessors who do not want height ban comes into that read: “We have been while clients determine control and construction in to check the work, who force, I can’t help but disappointed with a what works for them with both the private and public do not understand what’s wonder how a failure to number of main contractors homeworking, further covid sectors for 40 years and real involved, and within weeks discharge the most basic enforcing contract law to try restrictions. lives matter – you cannot we will have the situation duties under CDM regs to get workers to site.” Businesses will need bring people back from of firms not being paid and managed to permeate It has been very difficult to determine how this the dead and the physical payment taking months. through every level of for main contractors trying impacts their ability to be and mental effects of the Are we excited about this this project. to do the right thing and productive as well find Grenfell and other fires need scheme? No we are not.
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Profile ‘A JOURNEY TO A BETTER TOMORROW’ DESPITE THE PRESSURES OF COVID-19, THE GRENFELL INQUIRY AND BREXIT, NEW CIOB PRESIDENT MARK BEARD URGES MEMBERS AND THE INDUSTRY TO THINK POSITIVELY AND EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD. BY WILL MANN
Like everyone else in construction, the thoughts of Mark Beard have been dominated by covid-19 since March. The chairman of Beard Construction and new CIOB president remains deeply concerned about the pandemic’s impact on the institute’s members and everyone employed in the construction industry – but is hoping to take some positives from a difficult situation. “For CIOB members and anyone in construction who has been laid off, furloughed or taken a pay cut – it has been a very difficult time and I empathise with what they are going through,” says Beard. “These are uncertain times for everyone working in the industry; the ongoing Grenfell inquiry is not painting us in a good light. “Conversely, the covid-19 crisis has shown that construction can step up to the mark when required. Working in unison, through the Construction Leadership Council and with government support, we found a way to keep sites going and delivered the new Nightingale hospitals incredibly quickly. “We have to look at the positives and find a way forward; we must raise the bar on quality and put professional pride into the industry. Things are not easy at present for many people in construction, but I strongly believe we are on a journey to a better tomorrow.” Quality is top of Beard’s agenda in his presidential year, along with changing the industry’s image among younger generations and supporting CIOB
CEO Caroline Gumble’s international / FOTOHAUS DIANE AUCKLAND
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Beard now heads up the eponymous £160m-a-year turnover property and £160m construction business
work. Quality has been a watchword need to go beyond the bare minimum around the institute since the and seek out the highest possible Edinburgh Schools collapse of 2016, quality. That is what it means to be a and the work of its quality commission, professional and why we should all take led by past president, Paul Nash, pride in our work. In an age of fantastic accelerated after Grenfell. Beard is technological development, the industry keen to build on this work. is capable of much, much more. “Getting things right first time is “Quality needs to be a topic that is well worth the investment,” he says. talked about at all levels of a construction “It saves on snagging, which is costly business – from site to boardroom.” for contractors, demotivating for Mark Beard: The motivation to address quality Beard on the covid-19 impact staff and frustrating for customers. CV stems from Beard’s own industry “We’ve noticed a change in Getting things right first time raises experience. Beard worked for two l how our people deliver over the productivity, profitability and raises Chairman / significant UK contractors in the early chief executive of past four or five months, since our reputation with the wide public Beard since 1999 1980s, followed by a short spell working the pandemic struck. We’ve – also making the industry a more l Fellow of the for Rider Hunt in Sydney, Australia. had fewer people on site, but attractive place to work.” Chartered Institute He became MCIOB in 1988. given more attention to their of Building The CIOB’s Code of Quality wellbeing, leading to a calmer Management has set out what is l Chartered High customer satisfaction Environmentalist atmosphere, higher individual required of construction, Beard Beard now heads up the eponymous l Oxfordshire productivity and higher quality, believes. “We have done the research, Businessman of the £160m-a-year turnover property and albeit overall output is slightly looked at the best globally within our Year in 2004 construction business. Projects range down. There are lessons to be own industry, explored how other l Member of from heritage projects for Oxford learnt there.” industries manage quality – and put Construction University to schools, healthcare, offices together the tools,” he says. “Now it is Manager Magazine and leisure facilities. The group has Editorial Advisory Beard on offsite and quality up to the industry to embrace them.” Board offices in Oxford, Guildford, Swindon “Offsite construction has This will require a culture change, l Member of Henley and Bristol and was named West of the potential to enhance Beard acknowledges, which he is happy Business School England Business of the Year in 2014. quality control, but it’s not the to drive forward. “I go back to the 2002 Advisory Board The firm’s approach to quality whole answer. We can now safety conference chaired by John l Patron of includes its own individual ‘Prompt manufacture much higher Alexander Devine Prescott,” he recalls. “That proved a Hospice and Faultless Delivery’ ethos that has quality buildings compared to real step change in attitudes towards l Founder of run for over 10 years, with strict targets the 1950s, with architectural health and safety and made industry Beard Charitable of on-time delivery, zero defects and features that make these bosses accept that any fatality was one Foundation high customer satisfaction. Beard buildings difficult to too many. I want the same to happen l High Sheriff has also placed high emphasis on differentiate from traditionally with quality.” in Nomination staff development and supply chain for Oxfordshire built buildings. Many jobs today Beard worries that some projects are for Shrieval year management. will be hybrids, with elements perceived as “low cost and therefore commencing “Quality is not just about the end of offsite and traditional.” low quality”. April 2022 product; quality is about a way of “Whether delivering a high-profile l Keen real tennis working,” Beard believes. “Having a safe player and a playing project for a prestigious client or a member of the MCC and well-organised site is also closely new classroom block for a school, all for the last 30 years linked to delivering good quality. We projects should be delivered to the look after our staff and make sure our same underlying quality standards,” supply chain is similarly well looked he says. “The building’s watertightness, after and paid on time.” the services, the finishes and much more Beard thinks quality is linked closely all need to be right, first time. to his secondary theme, which is “taking “The buildings we deliver affect the a hard look at how we are seen and lives of everyone who uses them. So, we heard by the younger generation”.
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“People join an industry because of “Videoconferencing has actually what the industry does,” he observes. helped these hubs engage virtually with “And every day, what we do reflects on the their fellow members more than they reputation of construction. But too many previously did,” he notes. young people never join the industry Beard sees the CIOB’s international after taking built environment related network as having a two-way benefit. courses. People want to join industries “On the one hand, the UK is strong in that look after its own employees and areas such as BIM, quality and safety, produces excellent products – and we and we can spread this good practice can be one of these industries. abroad,” he explains. “But in many “We need to create an atmosphere, a areas of the world, they are ahead of look and feel that draws in the younger us and we can learn from them. generation. The baby boom generation “Hong Kong has built the fastest will not be around forever and we as an high-rise project on record by using industry, and as an institute, we are in a modern approaches to construction, fight for the next generation.” but they can learn from our quality management approaches. Australia Compelling vision leads the world in approaches to As part of his presidency, Beard launched social procurement and in its health at this year’s virtual CIOB Members’ and safety standards. China is going Forum an initiative called the CIOB 2030 through transformation with new Beard on BIM and younger Mark Beard: Visionary Project, which aims to change digital tools and offsite construction. generations “People join an industry how construction is perceived – and is The CIOB can both learn and influence “At Beard, we have put in place because of what urging members to take part. the Chinese construction industry.” a pretty robust IT infrastructure; the industry does” “The CIOB must challenge Beard believes the “pressures and we find the younger people who preconceived ideas, set a compelling opportunities” facing the industry are join the business bring energy vision for our industry that considers greater now than they have been for and ideas to help develop new skills, new processes and several decades. our digital processes. Career develop strategies around emerging “The outcome from the Grenfell development used to be about technologies,” he says. “This will ensure inquiry and the related quality issues older people passing on skills the CIOB stays at the vanguard of will be horrible, and there is the and knowledge, now it’s two way. construction in a future that reflects the Building Safety Bill shortly going Younger people have a key role global needs of the next wave of talent. through parliament,” he says. “There to play in shaping the industry.” “Through this vision we will will be a diminishing flow of immigrant Beard on ethics identify future scenarios in our built labour, other Brexit-related issues, and “The CIOB has high ethical environment, understand their impact the challenges posed by the covid-19 standards; It is important to show and pursue changes in the CIOB that pandemic. that you can run a business and mean younger people will find the “But against that, the prime minister make a profit while upholding institute more inclusive and attractive.” is saying ‘build, build, build’, there is high ethical standards – ethics The other theme of Beard’s presidency a healthy long-term work pipeline, and profitability go together.” will be global. He is “desperately sad” growing adoption of digital and offsite that covid-19 has prevented him from construction processes. Beard on CIOB’s international reach visiting international hubs, though he “So, do we embrace these challenges “CIOB membership is an hopes travel restrictions may ease by the in a positive mindset, or do we go back internationally recognised second half of his term. In the meantime, to a ‘race to the bottom’, delivering qualification and that is still Beard has attended virtual meetings poor quality work? The people and incredibly important to people with the South Africa, Ghana, Singapore companies that do not may fall by the who want to have a global career, and Oceania hubs, with others planned wayside, but many will embrace new not restricted to just one country.” for the coming months. ways of working and thrive.” ●
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Analysis
“There could be a kitemark certification scheme, like BREEAM, so that people buying a home know it has been adapted or futureproofed for dementia sufferers” David Kelly, BRE
be raising awareness of the condition on 21 September, World Alzheimer’s Day. It is also involved with several built environment initiatives. The CIOB recently became one of the society’s ‘Dementia Friends’ and is working with the organisation to help the construction sector become more dementia-friendly. Meanwhile, dementia design principles are being developed by the BRE, through demonstration houses, and by Skanska and Ikea in Sweden. “We want to see an increased number of people with dementia able to live longer in their own homes,” says Alice Billin, partnerships officer at the Alzheimer’s Society. “This can only be achieved by improving the homes people live in and the public buildings they visit. Across the built environment sector, organisations can make a valuable BUILDING AWARENESS contribution to support people with dementia facing these challenges. OF DEMENTIA “Dementia causes memory loss which leads to issues navigating around the THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT SECTOR HAS AN IMPORTANT community and the home. People can ROLE TO PLAY IN TACKLING DEMENTIA’S GROWING have difficulty recognising familiar IMPACT ON SOCIETY. WILL MANN EXPLAINS places or objects. Dementia can also cause issues with vision and perception. There are forecast to be more than designs and constructs are rarely For example, a welcome mat by a front one million people in the UK living with suited to dementia sufferers – 93% of door can look like a black hole, meaning dementia by next year. As the country’s homes lack basic accessibility features. people with dementia may feel unable demographic gets older, the condition Secondly, with an ageing workforce, to go in and out of their own home.” is becoming an increasing strain on many in construction may be affected Two years ago, the BRE Innovation society, with care costs around £40,000 by dementia before they retire. Park near Watford opened its dementia a year per person. The Alzheimer’s Society is one of demonstration home. This involved Dementia is particularly relevant to the leading dementia charities – an refurbishing an existing Victorian the built environment, for two reasons. estimated 60%-80% of dementia cases terraced house with accessibility Firstly, the buildings the industry are caused by Alzheimer’s – and will features for dementia sufferers.
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93% of homes lack basic accessibility 93% features Partners include architect Halsall Lloyd Then there are behavioural sensors, and Loughborough University. installed at the dementia house on “We picked a refurbishment for the Scotland’s BRE park, at Ravenscraig. demonstrator as there is mounting “These sensors track movement, clinical evidence of the harmful such as when someone has gone to the effects caused to dementia sufferers bathroom, or how long they have been sat by moving house,” says BRE group on a chair,” Kelly explains. “We’re looking director David Kelly. at identifying patterns of behaviour and Interest has come from across the flagging up any concerns so carers can built environment and care sector, respond appropriately. There are legal Kelly says. The BRE has subsequently issues to consider but we do see more developed 12 parameters to provide a and more of this technology being used.” Top: The Swedish SilviaBo dementia- consistent and measurable approach Beyond adapting existing properties, friendly housing to home and building adaptation, Kelly is also looking at new housing concept by BoKlok covering areas such as decoration, and is considering a new-build Right: The colours and textures, line of sight and demonstrator home. BRE dementia views to green. “Can we introduce subtle changes demonstration house has an open- The house features smart technology. to the designs of new homes that plan interior with “These include sensors monitoring futureproof them so that elderly people clear lines of sight indoor air quality, automatically or dementia sufferers can continue lighting control systems, windows living in them?” he says. “For example, which open automatically at a certain including provision for wet rooms like this to be mandated in building temperature, connected to the building downstairs, demountable partitions, regulations and planning requirements.” management system (BMS),” says Kelly. views to green. Kelly has been promoting the “There is other technology that could “There could be a kitemark idea to the Dementia and Housing be deployed, such as biometric sensors certification scheme, like BREEAM, Working Group, a body which includes worn against the skin, linked to the so that people buying a home know it government departments, the NHS, BMS. As a person’s body temperature has been adapted or futureproofed for Homes England, the Alzheimer’s Society changes, the heating system adjusts.” dementia sufferers. Ideally, we would and various industry bodies, and says “the response has been positive”. Abroad, Sweden is also pioneering Is dementia a concern in the construction workforce? housing designs that accommodate Dementia onset is most common among “What is important,” says Billin, dementia sufferers. SilviaBo is a the over-65s, but the risks increase with “is creating a dementia-friendly and housing concept launched by BoKlok, age and the condition can begin as early supportive work environment where the prefabricated timber homes joint as the mid-30s. That should be a worry people know they can disclose a venture between Skanska and Ikea, for the built environment industry, with dementia diagnosis and know that one in every five UK-born construction their managers will be supportive of in partnership with Queen Silvia of workers aged over 55. them to help them adapt if they need Sweden and her foundation. “With construction having an ageing to. Organisations can also set up BoKlok stresses that SilviaBo is a workforce, the industry is definitely likely to carers’ forums and safe spaces to talk ‘home for all’, designed to allow elderly be affected by dementia,” says Alice Billin about these issues.” people to continue living there as they of the Alzheimer’s Society. “There will also The CIOB Academy’s course, be a lot of people who are carers or family Dementia Friends and the Built get older or develop dementia. Many members of people living with dementia Environment, aims to provide design principles are similar to those in who will need support emotionally and industry professionals with a better the BRE demonstration home, including to help them continue working.” understanding of dementia and its clear wayfinding and signage and high- There is no specific guidance for relevance to the built environment. organisations on screening workers contrast colours for fittings such as for dementia nor is it their responsibility Further details: www.ciobacademy.org/ toilet seats and shower railings. to do so, she says. course/dementia-awareness. The first six apartments were com- pleted outside Stockholm last year. ●
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Technical BAM’S COVID CHALLENGE ON INTENSIVE CARE BUILD BUILDING A NEW INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT SOUTHAMPTON GENERAL HOSPITAL, BAM HAD TO RE-ROUTE EXPLOSIVE ‘QUENCH PIPES’, AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH SENSITIVE MRI IMAGING EQUIPMENT, AND EVEN ALTER EMERGENCY HELICOPTER FLIGHT PATHS. AND THEN THE CORONAVIRUS ARRIVED... STEPHEN COUSINS REPORTS
BAM was just a couple of months extension and refurbishment project The block is Workers soon returned – the into construction of a new intensive lost around 80% of its workforce. “It squeezed in tightly project was classified as an ‘essential between the care unit for Southampton General was horrific, our supply chain just curved (in plan) NHS project’ and letters were issued Hospital when covid hit the UK and all crumbled,” says Matt Crookes, project Cardiac North Wing by the trust to subcontractors and hope of delivering a straightforward manager at the main contractor. “I extension and a supply chain – but the site’s proximity job evaporated. spent the next week continuously on main entrance to the main hospital building and building The day after prime minister Boris the phone trying to encourage people connection to the existing ICU, where Johnson delivered his infamous “Stay at back, explaining the stringent new NHS staff struggled with the dramatic home” speech at the end of March, the safety measures we had put in place.” influx of patients, have made the
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The new General ICU is located on the first floor of a five-storey block being built by BAM under a Technical story for CM? £21m £21m ProCure 22 Framework project Email [email protected] From top: Progress of the “At the height of the pandemic installation of the when 1,000 people a day were concrete floor slab dying in Britain, I had to use all my interpersonal skills to motivate people, reassure them and keep momentum going” Matt Crookes, BAM Construct UK
human cost of the virus apparent to Clinical need Project team everyone involved. Southampton General Hospital is one Client: University “The human side of things on site of only two locations in the south of Hospital Southampton NHS was really challenging: at the height of England to offer adults and children Foundation Trust the pandemic when 1,000 people a day full onsite major trauma care provision, Main contractor: were dying in Britain, I had to use all my but the existing GICU accommodation BAM interpersonal skills to motivate people, had become extremely dated. When Architect: Stride Treglown reassure them and keep momentum assessed against future activity Engineer: going,” says Crookes. projections and current design White Structures The new General ICU (GICU) is located recommendations, the layout was M&E design: on the first floor of a five-storey block inadequate in terms of capacity, bed Hulley & Kirkwood Client cost advisor: being built by BAM under a £21m bay sizes and functionality. Faithful+Gould ProCure 22 Framework project, the Jeff Belk, head of estates and Specialist remaining floors will remain empty capital projects at University Hospital contractors: for the time being, subject to separate Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Mechanical: business case/cost plans. told CM: “Visitors are frequently ARB Mechanical Electrical: The job includes the fit out of the new amazed that such positive clinical Reavey Electrical GICU ready for occupation by staff and outcomes are achieved in this RC frame: patients, at which point it will inherit environment. With the added demands MJ Gallagher the existing unit to carry out a full of the coronavirus pandemic, the Steel frame: Stephens and refurbishment. The new build element is importance of this new development Stuarts The arrival of the pandemic did not due to handover at the end of September, was brought into sharp focus.” Drylining: AT Jones trigger a redesign, mainly because of followed by the refurb in March 2021. Intensive care design has moved Lifts: Orona the drive to bring new capacity and bed Coronavirus aside, the project must forward in recent years, with an Groundworks: space on stream as soon as possible. contend with a complex array of technical increasing awareness of the impact Goldmax Simon Boundy, divisional director and challenges that threaten to derail a tight that an internal environment can have architect at Stride Treglown, says: “The programme. Steel frame construction on patients to improve wellbeing and GICU already incorporates a proportion over a live MRI department had to avoid promote faster recovery. of isolation and side rooms, which are key interference with sensitive imaging to the control of the current pandemic equipment, while close proximity to Rehabilitation space in the short and medium term.” adjacent blocks required a rethink of Architect Stride Treglown worked The project is of particular the construction sequence and cladding. with the clinical team to understand significance for BAM, whose legacy It has been a logistical juggling act patient needs and incorporate features company Higgs & Hill built some of to manage the 12,000 people who walk such as abundant daylight, hoists to the original hospital buildings back in past the project into the main hospital aid staff and encourage mobility and 1973. Crookes’ first job working as an entrance every day, share site access central rehabilitation space. A specially assistant site manager was on the North with ambulances, and divert emergency designed end-of-life room provides a Wing cardiac extension, completed in aircraft landing on a helipad just a few therapeutic environment for patients 2006 and located just 5m away from metres away. and their relatives. the new building.
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Higgs & Hill on the original hospital site in the 1970s
“I’ve really come full circle, I know the Highly qualified security staff manage The new build is mostly reinforced hospital quite well, I know the people, the public 24-7 and watch out for local concrete, but a lighter steel frame was how they operate and what they expect daredevils known to break into sites and erected, by contractor Stephens and from a main contractor, which is a big climb tower cranes. Stuarts, over an existing single-storey advantage,” he says. Emergency flights to a helipad next block containing a live MRI suite. Construction projects are logistically to the site would have come in directly The suite contains two cylindrical CT complex places, but few have to contend over the project, so Crookes liaised scanners fitted with super-conducting with such a varied mix of human, with the Civil Aviation Authority and magnets that are sensitive to the vehicular and airborne traffic. Southampton Airport to move flight presence of nearby metal. BAM had The site shares access with emergency paths to prevent potential collisions to coordinate closely with Siemens, the blue light routes around the hospital, with the tower crane. company that maintains CT equipment and a no-waiting zone means articulated for the hospital, to ensure the steel lorries can only deliver at night by Gas and magnets frame would not distort image quality, reversing into a special entrance. Existing hospital departments and either in its permanent state or when The main hospital entrance has to functions remained operational, so beams and columns were manoeuvred remain open at all times, so a robust With no room for the building had to be designed with into position during installation. logistics and site compound plan scaffolding, an careful consideration to the placement If the CT scanners ever go down due alternative cladding was developed to create segregation design was of structure, access for construction to a fault, helium gas used to cool the between visitors and site activities. developed and fire escapes. magnets is rapidly expelled through quench pipes that project up from the roof. At an early stage of the project, the scanners had to be turned off (an extremely rare occurrence) and the pipes extended and diverted to make way for the new build, a process that required months of forward planning with the hospital. The extension is located adjacent to two levels of operating theatres, which makes noise and vibration a source of concern where operatives had to break through into the existing building.
Patients first Despite weekly coordination meetings and forward planning, some stoppages were necessary when urgent cardiac or paediatric surgery was taking place, says Belk: “This has been frustrating but everyone involved recognises the importance of the trust’s first value of ‘Patients first’. To accelerate the programme and enable BAM to get in quickly to fit out on the first floor, a top-down method of construction was devised with columns and slabs for the upper floors erected in advance of the ground floor slab.
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22_26 CMSept.technicalBam_scW.indd 24 18/08/2020 11:36 The Future of the Construction Manager
The lives of construction managers are rapidly changing as technology transforms how buildings and infrastructure are designed and built. We call this the Era of Connection. Find out how the trends will affect you in a new video made in conjunction with CIOB, and discover how you can stay ahead of the curve.
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Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or a liates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifi cations and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2016 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
fy17-aec-era-of-connection-print-ad-208x255-isocoated-en-uk.indd 1 08.11.19 15:25 TECHNICAL constructionmanagermagazine.com
“On the elevation facing the BIM and asset data main entrance building we didn’t have the working room for proper The client challenged BAM scaffolding so we developed an to maximise its BIM output alternative cladding design using composite panels” Matt Crookes, BAM Construct UK
“Figuring out a way to clad the building when you’re that tight was difficult,” says Crookes. “On the elevation facing the main entrance building we didn’t have the working room for proper scaffolding so we developed an alternative cladding design, using composite panels instead of full rainscreen cladding.” These were dropped in by tower crane and fixed into position from the BAM used Matterport to roll out weekly virtual walkthroughs floorplate. BIM has become a priority The interactive for University Hospital Reality check panoramas cover every Southampton NHS corner of the project and When covid entered the picture and Foundation Trust as it are navigated Google normal site routines were thrown into strives to maintain a large Street View-style using a disarray, BAM swiftly reformatted and complex estate with mouse. “It has been great the work space to meet with social multiple projects each year. for illustrating the project CGI of the unit exterior (top) and view BAM Construct UK was to our stakeholders, charity of the interior of the ICU (above) distancing guidelines and ordered challenged by the client fundraisers and other non-frontline staff, such as design to achieve a level of BIM interested parties,” The block is squeezed in tightly managers, planners and QSs to work output that was “probably says Belk. between the curved (in plan) from home. more comprehensive The system is now Cardiac North Wing extension and “We picked ourselves up quickly and than any of their recent being exploited for more projects”, says Jeff Belk, project-specific tasks, a main entrance building, with just managed to get the supply chain back head of estates and capital such as importing the 3D 300-400mm clearance at the closest one by one,” says Crookes. projects at the trust. data into Revit to produce point. An intricate strategy for access, Remarkably, time lost during the first The scope of asset data as-built drawings, which material deliveries and cladding wave was clawed back and the project and asset labelling was removes the need to designed to mesh BIM with physically send people installation was required to keep is currently reporting on budget and the client’s computer aided onto site to take things flowing. on programme. It is also encouraging facilities management measurements. It will A wide lift shaft, able to accommodate that the number of infected patients systems and required provide the trust’s lift cars big enough to hold patients in the existing ICU has come down significant fine-tuning. maintenance team with a in beds plus medical equipment and into single figures. When covid struck and full photographic 3D record non-essential visits to the of service installations staff, was fitted with a goods hoist “You talk to the clinical staff, and project were suspended, the before they are covered by during construction to distribute it’s just so motivating, there are such decision was made to roll suspended ceilings. materials onto the floorplates. This amazing resilient people here, we out weekly virtual project “It has been a game avoided the need to erect a hoist or want to make sure we give them walkthroughs showing changer for us and the works as they progress, client loves it,” says Matt scaffolding on the elevations and these new beds because it could be created using the 3D Crookes, project manager meant the facade could be left open so important for the months ahead,” scanning system Matterport. at BAM Construct UK. for temporary access. Crookes concludes. ●
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22_26 CMSept.technicalBam_scW.indd 26 18/08/2020 11:36 BIM Product of the Year
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Irina Viner-Usmanova Rhythmic Gymnastics Center in the Luzhniki Complex, Moscow, Russia - CPU PRIDE www.prideproject.pro OFFSITE MANUFACTURING constructionmanagermagazine.com
Offsite Manufacturing
When covid-19 struck in March, it was fortnight of lockdown but its DfMA WILL COVID-19 only a temporary setback for Laing capability has allowed the contractor O’Rourke’s design for manufacture to keep projects on schedule. ACCELERATE and assembly (DfMA) plants. “On our Soho Place commercial “Our factories were running at 75% scheme, for instance, we increased OFFSITE TAKE-UP? to 80% operational capacity during the the number of MEP components first two weeks of lockdown, but after manufactured offsite,” explains OFFSITE MANUFACTURING PLANTS that, returned to pre-covid productivity McGeeney. “Horizontal risers are not CONTINUED OPERATING FOR MUCH OF levels, once we’d worked out the rules commonly prefabricated – unlike vertical THE COVID LOCKDOWN. WITH FEARS OF A on social distancing,” says Declan risers – because project teams feel SECOND WAVE, WILL MORE CONSTRUCTION McGeeney, Laing O’Rourke head of there’s not enough volume to justify it. PROJECTS CHOOSE TO EMBRACE FACTORY infrastructure. However, we do prefabricate horizontal [USE PICTURES IN FINALS FOLDER] PROCESSES? WILL MANN ASKS SOME OF “We actually think they have been even risers in hospitals, and we introduced THE SECTOR’S KEY PLAYERS, STARTING productive than before lockdown, which that approach on Soho Place because of Body copy of about 950 words + 4x boxes of about 350 words each WITH LAING O’ROURKE may be due to fewer distractions from the lockdown restrictions, so we could project teams visiting – the factories keep the critical path moving along.” 3x Laing O’Rourke photos to go with main copy + head shot to go with pull quote have been left to get on with their work.” Laing O’Rourke’s positive experience Productivity across Laing O’Rourke is shared by many across the offsite Image to go with each each of the 4 boxes sites dropped 50% during that first sector (see boxes). The controlled
2 boxes also have head shots to go with pull quotes NEIL WEBB NEIL
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“We have to John Lewis Managing plan for any director modular, Aecom second wave Aecom’s modular business is three years of covid so our old. The company acts as a principal contractor and offers a turnkey service, projects are working with Rogers Stirk Harbour not impacted” on design, and uses hybrid modules Declan McGeeney, featuring steel structural elements Laing O’Rourke and glulam for the interiors. Its Tuxford manufacturing facility in Nottinghamshire (top) operated throughout the lockdown, says working conditions of the factory John Lewis, managing director of have made it easier to implement social Aecom’s modular business. distancing protocols, while key project “We have 30 people normally on elements can continue to progress even the production line which we reduced when work on site is restricted. With by half initially, then it went back up,” he says. “The great thing about fears of a second covid wave, there is a production line compared to a anecdotal evidence of projects being construction site is there are very set redesigned for offsite to speed up processes – we have nine stages with delivery and remove uncertainty. clear instructions – about what has to be delivered and when. Critically, you Could this be a watershed moment don’t have different trades working for offsite take-up? assembling pipe work for plant rooms Laing O’Rourke’s around each other. Rewind to the uncertain days at our Crown House facility. For this Centre of Excellence “So it is much easier to analyse of March. Like all construction work, we do a full risk assessment and for Modern work process and work out where Construction businesses, Laing O’Rourke examined use special PPE including FFP3 masks. the risk points are. For example, (photo taken before assembling cassettes involves taking the guidance coming from the “Workers receive drawings digitally so social distancing panels of sheet material and fixing Construction Leadership Council (CLC) they are not handling paper. Clocking in was introduced) them to a frame, which requires two to understand how they could operate. is done through mobiles to avoid people people working within 2m of each Sites were challenging, says McGeeney, touching the keypad. Operatives work in other. We got round that by creating a bubble – those people only worked but it was more straightforward at the the same cells and take breaks together together and didn’t do other tasks.” group’s five manufacturing centres: – we split up the canteens to allow this.” Aecom’s modular business is the Centre of Excellence for Modern During lockdown, Laing O’Rourke currently delivering one of its first Construction in Steetley (formerly manufactured and then – last month projects, a block of 39 single living Explore Industrial Park), Crown House in – delivered on site the first HS2 homes for homeless people in Romford for the YMCA, using modules Oldbury, GRC near Doncaster, Smartwall permanent structure, a bridge over manufactured in Tuxford. in Worksop and Select’s accommodation the M42 near Birmingham. “It was a “We had delivery concerns because business in Wincham, Cheshire. completely digital build, which would the site foundation works were closed “The factory teams have been working have taken eight weeks traditionally, but for two to three weeks,” says Lewis. “But by creating a social bubble, together for years and know each other we put it up in five days,” says McGeeney. the foundation team of six workers well – whereas there are regular changes “With these projects, we are learning “On a production were able to work together and not of operatives on sites – so we could get what other processes we can move into line, compared interface with other operatives.” the change of culture embedded in our the factory,” he continues. to a site, there Lewis says Aecom’s modular facilities quickly,” explains McGeeney. Famously, Laing O’Rourke has business has “had enquiries from clients are very set who are trying to make back time lost “We moved the factory teams to a a ‘70:60:30 target’ – where 70% of processes – during lockdown” but thinks the market day shift (7 till 3) and back shift (3 till construction work is delivered in the critically, you is turning towards offsite in any case. 10) – we could do that because we didn’t factory (the pre-manufactured value don’t have “Build quality and sustainability are have to worry about noise affecting or PMV), achieving 60% productivity different trades key factors,” he says. “These are highly engineered modules, with low running neighbours, unlike on site. gains, and 30% programme savings. working around costs due to their thermal performance. “Some tasks require workers to “We’re now driving towards 80% of our each other.” Net zero during operation is achievable be within 2m of each other, such as work being factory-manufactured,” John Lewis, Aecom for our modular projects.”
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2020 | 29
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Paul Ruddick Chief executive, Reds10 “AI will large areas to set down materials, people drive further can drive to work and know who they will be next to every day.” efficiencies One of Reds10’s current projects is an in the design, office block for the Imperial War Museum churning in London. Other recent orders include out the most CT scanner buildings and maternity wards in healthcare and it is on the Department efficient for Education’s offsite framework. specification.” says McGeeney. “The Grange hospital Ruddick believes the product will Paul Ruddick, chief executive, Reds10 become more competitive. “Our PMV is in Gwent was in the high 70s. Ray 85% for a project like an open plan office [O’Rourke, group CEO] wants 90% to Modular specialist Reds10 has its factory building,” he says, “though the CT scanner 95% by 2025.” in Driffield, 20 miles north of Hull. CEO buildings were near enough 100%. What other work packages could Paul Ruddick says demand has barely “AI will drive further efficiencies in the slowed – if anything increased – since design, churning out the most efficient become more factory-friendly? “Struc- the covid-19 pandemic struck in March. specification, and our suppliers will then tures is one area,” answers McGeeney. “Our plant went down to 50% feed into the model, providing the most “We enter projects later than we would operational capacity for six weeks but efficient, low carbon solution.” like which can make it harder to change was back up to 100% after that,” he says. structural elements. Cladding is not “We followed the guidance from the CLC, who did the best they could in a Reds10 is working on an office block for consistent across industry. Finishes tend tricky situation and did at least give us a the Imperial War Museum, London to be done quite traditionally. licence to operate. “We must deliver the right archi- “We have 90 operatives working in tecture. But we need to move more two factories side by side at the site and we keep the two apart and also have towards standard components and get two separate canteens. Teams work in them into BIM libraries, not reinvent ‘pods’ of roughly 10 workers and have no the wheel every time. The government interaction with others. Obviously some is backing that. tasks require two or more people, so for Workers at Laing “The build is high risk with offsite. these, face guards and other PPE have to O’Rourke’s Steetley be worn, with a break after 15 minutes, Laing O’Rourke can self-deliver and manufacturing centre in line with the guidelines.” Reds10’s facility is in East Yorkshire, arguably the ‘heartland’ of the offsite sector, and Ruddick says other factories in the area are currently “flat out, scrambling for skills”. “That’s an indicator of how high demand is,” he says. “Offsite does help de-risk projects, so that’s a consideration if there is another wave and lockdown. Our teams can keep working, we’ve got
manage out that risk. But others get for 90% of the precision process work”, put off quite quickly. Getting digital McGeeney reveals. The plant, which embedded right from tender is key so will be located next to the Centre of we can build the project virtually before Excellence, will aim to manufacture we reach site. 10,000 homes a year. It is at “business “We need to deliver faster, and case stage”, McGeeney says. with fewer people,” he continues. “Already we use robotics for cutting The company’s planned Advanced pipework at our Crown House factory Manufacturing Facility, to support its and at our GRC plant we use 3D printing residential business, “will use robotics for mould production,” he adds.
30 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2020
28_32 CMSept20offsitecovid_scW.indd 30 18/08/2020 13:47 Running out of building space?
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James Stephens Managing director, Offsite Solutions
Offsite Solutions is a specialist “We generally have one person bathroom pod manufacturer, with working on a pod at any one time four factories in Somerset, which although it is possible to fit out the total 200,000 sq ft (18,600 sq m). inside of a bathroom while another Facilities include GRP (glass member of our team is installing reinforced plastic) and steel-framed plumbing or electrics externally and pod manufacturing, steel base frame still maintain 2m social distancing. fabrication and a unit for fitting out, This would not be possible on site testing and despatch. where work on bathrooms is much “All factories remained open more confined.” throughout lockdown at slightly On site, Stephens says it McGeeney senses a “marked shift” in reduced capacity,” says James is relatively easy to maintain attitudes to offsite since covid-19 arrived. Stephens, managing director. social distancing requirements “We have to plan for any second “The key change to operating for pod installation as only two wave of covid so our projects are not procedures created more space operatives are needed. between pods. This means fewer “Some of our clients found it impacted,” he says. “At Laing O’Rourke, units on each production line and only productive to accelerate their pod we have more enquiries coming in. one person permitted to work in a pod deliveries during the lockdown,” he Some clients have asked us about at a time. The exception to that is the adds. “With reduced numbers of trades redesigning a project to suit offsite fitting of cabinets or shower screens. on site at this time, this allowed pods or to prefabricate elements like the This work requires two people, so they to be sited much more quickly.” are required to wear PPE.” Stephens says that Offsite structure, the lift shaft, the MEP. Above right: Stephens continues: “We Solutions fulfilled all its customer “Even our competitors are asking Installation of installed hand wash stations to all requirements for bathroom pods our businesses about how to embed Offsite Solutions the main points of entry to each during the lockdown period, supplying offsite within their business. Some bathroom pods on factory and appointed staff to monitor hotels, student accommodation, hand washing to ensure hygiene build-to-rent schemes and a care 50% of turnover at Crown House and a Berkeley Homes development processes were adhered to. We also home project. Expanded is outside Laing O’Rourke, put hand sanitising units on every “We also achieved a record level Below: Premier production line and increased the so we have a chance to shift opinion Modular extended of enquiries and quotations in April,” in the market – we know we can’t do it working hours at its cleaning regime. he adds. all ourselves.” ● Yorkshire factories
David Harris Premier Modular, also based in Driffield, has out by different trades in the same five factories spanning 12,000 sq m at its area at the same time.” Managing director, Premier Modular site in East Yorkshire. Premier’s PMV is around 80% and “All our factories remained at capacity Harris says installation work on site is throughout the lockdown and continue done by small crews so social distancing to do so,” says managing director David requirements had minimal impact. Harris. “During the peak, we had a range of The company worked with BAM building types going through the factory at Nightingale Exeter, designing and for permanent and interim projects, installing five single storey modular including defence, school buildings and buildings totalling 1,700 sq m in just site accommodation.” four weeks. “We extended working hours to create “Looking forward, we are anticipating more space in the factory while minimising increased demand for education projects the impact on productivity and output. which were delayed by the pandemic,” Work was separated out in the factory Harris says. “The pressure to deliver by having teams working in specific cells. these buildings in a shorter time to Extra signage gave clarity on new ways of meet the demand for school places is working along with daily meetings likely to result in wider use of offsite and toolbox talks. construction. With the government “Our buildings move through the presumption in favour of offsite, even in factory in a sequential process, so it is a smaller economy, we are expecting the relatively easy to avoid work being carried number of offsite projects to increase.”
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How the use of exoskeletons will change construction, p42
as the works progress on site. This is HOW TO BREAK different for offsite projects as a sig- nificant amount of investment in time DOWN OFFSITE’S and cost is needed before anything turns up on the site. This can mean significant PROCUREMENT BARRIER financial and time risk, where clients have a building pre-sold or pre-let only weeks UPTAKE COULD BE ACCELERATED WITH MANUFACTURER AGNOSTIC before commissioning and handover – DESIGNS, ARGUE GIORGIO BIANCHI AND MARK BOYLE yet the majority of the building is not on site nor tested for fit-up accuracy. Designers can play a major role in resolving these challenges. The choice of the right offsite technology for a specific project is key. Designers should take full responsibility for this choice and the design associated with it up to tender stage, identifying opportunities for collaboration with multiple offsite manufacturers, thereby reducing reliance on a single supplier. This does require designers to develop advanced offsite capabilities and an in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing processes available. This can be called ‘manufacturer agnostic design’ (MAD). MAD combines Each independent manufacturer has detailed design with knowledge of offsite its own method of systems, BIM, advanced visualisation construction and techniques, manufacturing and site assembly logistics. For designers to be successful Offsite manufacturing has recently been dimensional arrangements of walls and in offering this service, engagement enjoying a renewed surge in popularity, floors, materials and finishes. However, “Manufacturer from the supply chain and know-how helped by government support, it locks the project into a single supplier agnostic sharing are essential. innovative clients, environmental and means the final cost is often design allows MAD allows a project to be designed drivers, a dearth of skilled labour and negotiated rather than tendered. a project to be to suit multiple offsite systems, and the ongoing housing shortage. But there Also, as the offsite industry comprises designed to competitively tendered from a range are still many barriers to wider uptake. many independent manufacturers, each suit multiple of suppliers. This gives the client the One barrier clients face is the conflict relying on its own specific method of offsite advantages of an offsite approach on between achieving project security construction and assembly – usually systems, and the project while still allowing open by engaging offsite suppliers early in protected by intellectual property rights, competitively tender procurement. the design process and maintaining which do not allow interchangeability tendered from Potentially this would not only drive commercial competitiveness in the of products, this increases the risk for a range of the offsite industry towards more procurement process. On the other side clients and investors. suppliers” uniformity and standardisation, but of the fence, offsite suppliers want to So how should clients decide when also shift attitudes among developers invest in production improvements but to select an offsite supplier, and be and contractors, helping move struggle without an advance order book confident that it has the know-how and construction towards more innovative or high-volume market demand. capacity to deliver, while still being and industrialised working methods. ● Early engagement is important with commercially competitive? Giorgio Bianchi is a director and offsite, allowing the design to capitalise In traditional build projects, progress Mark Boyle is director of engineering on the supplier’s system, including and quality can be monitored directly and technology at Robert Bird Group.
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CPD
CPD: AN INTRODUCTION TO PAS 2035 AS THE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES ITS GREEN HOMES GRANT, THIS CPD, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KINGSPAN, EXPLAINS HOW THE PAS 2035 STANDARD FOR RETROFITTING HOMES OPERATES, AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CONTRACTORS TO WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARD
The Green Homes Grant, which is due homes as part of a commitment to reach The Green Homes It is recommended that contractors to launch in England in September, net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Grant will help to be certified under the 2019 version of will provide grants of up to £5,000 per In delivering it, it is critical that the introduce energy PAS 2030 and carry out the work in efficiency measures household (or £10,000 for those on low industry learn the lessons highlighted in to housing stock accordance with PAS 2035. These public income) towards the introduction of the Each Home Counts report, overseen specifications establish a clear process energy efficiency measures (EEMs) in by former BRE chief executive Peter for assessing properties, selecting and the country’s ageing housing stock. The Bonfield, ensuring that solutions are installing EEMs and monitoring their scheme represents a welcome first step suitable for the particular building and performance – creating a comprehensive in addressing the carbon footprint of UK form part of a holistic long-term package. Retrofit Standards Framework.
36 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2020
36_40.CMSept 20.cpd kingspan_scW.indd 36 18/08/2020 14:50 constructionmanagermagazine.com CPD
In association with
State of housing stock Grant, will need to be a TrustMark- It is well known that Britain has among registered business. the oldest and most draughty housing Registered businesses can currently be “It is expected that any firm stocks in Europe. With the sector certified under the 2017 version of PAS wishing to carry out work under accounting for around 14% of total 2030. From 30 June next year, however, it any future government funding UK greenhouse gas emissions, the will become compulsory for all registered schemes, including the Green performance of existing homes needs businesses to achieve certification under Homes Grant, will need to be a to be addressed urgently. Central to the 2019 version of PAS 2030 and to be TrustMark-registered business” this is the commitment to raise the able to evidence that work complies Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) with the processes within PAS 2035. of all homes to a C (where “practical, ensuring all processes are conducted affordable and cost effective”) by 2035 in New process and roles in line with PAS 2030 and 2035. This England and Wales and 2040 in Scotland. The Retrofit Standards Framework process is broken down into clear stages: This will represent a major challenge, also identifies a number of distinct The property owners meet with with over two-thirds of UK homes roles, each with specific vocational a retrofit advisor to discuss options currently failing to reach this target. or professional qualification require- for improving their home’s energy At the same time, concerns have been ments. These new positions are performance, including both EEMs and raised about the quality of workmanship designed to raise both competency and changes to occupant behaviour. on energy retrofits completed under accountability throughout the retrofit If they are happy to move forward, previous schemes such as the Green process. It is possible for a suitably the retrofit coordinator then carries Deal. This contributed to a performance qualified individual to fulfil multiple out the risk assessment, drawing from gap between the expected and actual roles within this process, providing EPCs, occupant interviews and site energy savings in homes and in some any conflicts of interest are highlighted. visits/surveys. The property is given a cases has also led to property damage. To ensure consumer protection, a risk path grading from C (high risk) to To address these concerns, a review was retrofit coordinator is appointed on A (low risk). This grading determines formed back in 2015, culminating in the each project – either by the homeowner Where external wall how subsequent steps are approached Each Home Counts report. or contractor. They are responsible for insulation cannot and must be repeated after each EEM be used, internal oversight of all work, including the solutions may be is implemented. Each Home Counts commissioning and monitoring of EEMs, introduced The retrofit assessor then conducts a The report identified 27 key recomm- whole-dwelling assessment requiring endations for raising standards and an appraisal of factors such as the delivering value for money with energy dwelling’s construction, age, condition, retrofits. Together, these were designed suitability for improvements and to provide a robust framework for the any planning constraints. Further end-to-end delivery of retrofit EEMS assessments must be carried out supported with clear oversight and on projects on risk paths B or C, codes of conduct. including analysis of ventilation and Core to the new framework was air permeability. An assessment of the a quality mark for operatives. The significance of the building may also government board tasked with be required following the guidance in implementing these recommendations BS 7913: 2013 Guide to the Conservation has formalised this by expanding of Historic Buildings. the existing TrustMark scheme to Based on the findings in the whole- cover the repair, maintenance and dwelling assessment, a retrofit improvement (RMI), retrofits and designer then creates the package of energy efficiency sectors. It is expected EEMs, paying attention to construction that any firm wishing to carry out work details and how the different measures under any future government funding will interact. An improvement option schemes, including the Green Homes evaluation is also required for
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2020 | 37
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PAS 2035 The assessment of properties, specification of energy efficiency measures and long-term monitoring It is recommended processes all come under the specification that contractors carry out the work in accordance with PAS 2035 PAS 2035 acts as the over-arching occupant health and wellbeing is the first dwellings on Risk Paths B or C, outlining document within the new Retrofit priority during these assessments and the payback period and carbon cost- Standards Framework, covering must take precedence over any energy effectiveness of the measures. how properties are assessed, the efficiency improvements. The retrofit coordinator then specification of EEMs and long-term A 20-30 year plan is then created, sequences the measures within a 20-30 monitoring. The 2019 version of PAS 2030 identifying the level of performance has been condensed, with several which can be achieved and the selection year medium-term improvement plan sections included within the 2017 version of EEMs needed to reach this. The plan is and communicates this to the client, now moved across into PAS 2035. For this stored, and updated, within the TrustMark outlining any statutory approvals that “The retrofit reason, once firms achieve certification data warehouse. This online portal allows may be required and obtaining their under PAS 2030: 2019, the TrustMark all parties involved with the retrofit coordinator scheme requires them to also comply process to log their own work in a single sign-off for any work. They also brief the sequences with PAS 2035. location. A Property Hub (also described retrofit installers on the design intent the measures Before any measures are introduced as a property passport) is also set to be and sequencing – including an overview within a under the new framework, each property made available to homeowners so they must be thoroughly assessed to create a can view relevant information such as of any new technologies. 20-30 year The relevant EEMs are then package of EEMs which is suitable to its guarantees on EEMs already introduced medium-term particular characteristics. and potential funding for future measures. fitted, tested and commissioned by improvement PAS 2035 sets out the processes for Under PAS 2035, occupant the installers in accordance with plan and the risk and whole-dwelling assessments engagement is required at several PAS 2030: 2019 (Note: it is the installer’s communicates which consider various aspects of a points within the retrofit process as a responsibility to ensure compliance and property’s design, construction and use way of raising consumer confidence and it to the client” which may impact the effectiveness ensuring occupants understand how to to evidence this to the coordinator). of any EEMs. It is also made clear that get the most from the new measures. The retrofit coordinator then arranges handover with the owner and occupant (if separate individuals), including a physical assessment and guidance on operation and maintenance. All paperwork, such as EEM guarantees, manuals and commissioning records, is retained by the coordinator with copies made available to the owner. They will recommend a new EPC is commissioned and carry this out where agreed. To ensure expected performance improvements are achieved, all projects are also subject to evaluation and potential evaluation. A retrofit evaluator first conducts a basic evaluation within the first three months after commissioning, requiring the homeowner to fill out a tailored questionnaire and to raise any
38 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SEPTEMBER 2020
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“Once fabric improvements are achieved, measures can then be identified to meet the remaining heat and energy demand as efficiently as possible”
concerns. If the owner, evaluator The fabric measures or coordinator feels there are any implemented will be significant issues then intermediate or guided by the risk and whole-dwelling advanced evaluations are carried out. assessments
Fabric first When it comes to identifying EEMs, PAS 2035 states clearly that designers and coordinators should look to prioritise improvements to the building fabric, for example through better insulation, before spending resources underperforming. It is also important on other measures. that any improvements to the thermal CPD Questions The particular fabric measures which performance or airtightness of the 1: What percent- certification can be implemented on the property envelope are matched with similar age of the UK’s under the 2019 will then be guided by the risk and improvements to ventilation. Once greenhouse gas version of PAS emissions does 2030? whole-dwelling assessments. For fabric improvements are achieved, its housing stock a) 30 September example, uninsulated solid walls are measures can then be identified to meet contribute? 2020 often a key source of heat loss, however the remaining heat and energy demand a) 4% b) 1 May 2021 use of external wall insulation may not as efficiently as possible, including the b) 14% c) 31 January c) 41% 2022 be possible on solid walled properties use of renewable technologies. d) 0.4% d) 30 June 2021 which are listed or located within a conservation zone. In these cases, it Starting right 2: How many key 4: When it comes may be necessary to consider internal The Green Homes Grant alone will not recommenda- to identifying wall insulation solutions. be enough to deliver the major changes tions for raising energy efficiency standards did measures (EEMs), The thermal conductivity (lambda needed in UK housing to hit the net-zero the Each Home what does value) of insulation materials should target as a more holistic approach will Counts report PAS 2035 state be carefully considered when specifying be required to achieve this. In addition, identify? that designers envelope improvements. The lower this its short funding deadline will also a) 2 and coordinators b) 12 prioritise? value, the more effective the material is at make it difficult to fully implement the c) 27 a) Improvements preventing heat loss through conduction. processes within PAS 2035. d) 64 to the building This means a slimmer thickness can be Nevertheless, where possible, it fabric used to reach the target U-value. is important that the industry look 3: When will b) Solar PV panels Close attention to detailing is essential to begin to implement the Retrofit it become c) Ground source compulsory for heat pumps when carrying out improvements To test yourself on Standards Framework within these all TrustMark- d) Installation to the fabric. Each Home Counts the CPD questions schemes, proving to consumers that registered of a new, more highlighted that inaccurate detailing to the right, visit these measures can be implemented businesses energy-efficient www.construction to achieve boiler or poor workmanship around junctions managermagazine effectively and deliver lasting reductions often contributed to properties com/cpd-articles in carbon emissions and energy bills. ●
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The UK's best read digital construction resource.
Exclusive news, views, interviews, debate and case studies on all the latest digital technologies from 3D printing and robotics to off-site manufacturing and virtual reality. How digital technologies are creating efficiencies and productivity for firms across the supply chain from designers to contractors and product manufacturers.
A site for anyone working in digital construction from beginners through to experienced practitioners. Every part of the BIM journey provided by industry experts, software developers and industry bodies. Project stories and case studies to guide you through BIM adoption.
www.bimplus.co.uk
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BIM & Digital
“The uptake of exoskeletons by the industry will be intertwined with fundamental changes to the way construction operates”
operatives to undertake tasks in a more productive and safe manner, reducing fatigue or injury, and are being trialled in the UK by companies such as Willmott Dixon. Our understanding of how wearable robotics may impact and shape the sector is still in its infancy. Exoskeletons have been depicted as futuristic sci-fi that is years away. But their uptake by the industry will be intertwined with fundamental changes to the way construction operates.
Are exoskeletons equipment or PPE? Policy makers and regulators, the sector leaders, companies trialling the technology and the early users wearing exoskeletons will play a part in this process. But at present, there is no discussion, guidance, codes or standards around how wearable HOW WILL EXOSKELETONS robotics will be defined or used – and there are some important questions CHANGE CONSTRUCTION? to be asked. Does a user ‘operate’ an exoskeleton, FROM PRODUCTIVITY TO SAFETY, WEARABLE ROBOTICS WILL HAVE like site plant? Or ‘use’ it, like a A HUGE IMPACT ON CONSTRUCTION – BUT DOES THE INDUSTRY power tool? Or ‘wear’ it, like PPE? UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS? BY DR GRAEME LARSEN If wearable robotics are defined as site plant they could come under The adoption of robotics by the ‘exoskeleton’, they assist the movement Willmott Dixon has similar regulations and restrictions construction sector has been slow, and weight-bearing capacity of an been trialling an to those for a mobile crane or tele- partly because of the cost and partly operative’s limbs, often powered by EksoVest supplied handler. Suitable testing procedures by Ekso Bionics because of the nature of sites. a battery pack. would need to be developed and Wearable robotics were initially The uptake of exoskeletons is resourced, tests and certificates issued developed for medical and military happening across the automotive with an established expiry date, applications, for use by humans to aid sector, while some construction method statements for use drawn physical performance. Best understood enterprises are already using them. up, and specialised operators with a as a mechanical suit, termed an Wearable robotics can be used by valid licence would need to be trained.
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Hilti’s EXO-O1 device claims to reduce peak load on the muscles Digital story for CM or BIMplus? and shoulders by Email [email protected] 47% up to 47% This could lead to the need for The uncomfortable scenario of robotics is not sci-fi. It is amazing specialist insurance, maintenance an exoskeleton malfunctioning and technology and the sector needs to schedules being established, para- injuring the user or other operatives learn how to use it. ● meters for use defined – wind, will also have to be addressed. Dr Graeme Larsen FCIOB is temperature, rain, space, weight and The construction sector needs associate professor of construction debris – along with overloading alarm strategic leadership for the uptake of management and innovation at the warnings and storage provision. wearable robotics and CIOB members School of the Built Environment, However, if wearable robotics are must play a role here. Wearable University of Reading. defined as an operative’s own tool, then the responsibility, accountability and financing shift significantly. Construction companies trialling exoskeletons The implications change again if the technology is defined as a piece of PPE, becoming mandatory for certain tasks. Then, the responsibility for provision potentially falls to the main contractor’s safety management team, or even to smaller subcontractors under health and safety regulations. From left: Hilti’s EXO-O1; Colas and RB3D’s Exopush; Amey’s EksoVest; Morrison Utility Services’ EksoVest Amey and the kit through Independent studies according to Colas. It can Operational questions Transport Scotland Eureka, the company’s and Ottobock research push or pull up to 50kg The level of investment in wearable Amey is one of several central research and claim that the device and Colas has claimed robotics is significant. The lifespan companies trialling development fund. can reduce peak load it reduces repetitive a robotic vest for The contractor’s on the muscles and movement up to fivefold is perhaps limited by technological construction workers operatives reported shoulders by up to 47%. for the user. advances, with strict maintenance supplied by Ekso Bionics. positive feedback from Hilti said it expected schedules meaning that service-led The EksoVest is designed using the bionic vest, the device to be Morrison Utility procurement may be the preferred to elevate and support particularly for tasks particularly useful for Services Morrison Utility Services choice. Large firms or projects may arms during manual, above the head, such as overhead work, reducing chest-high-to-overhead lifting plasterboard and fatigue and increasing is also trialling the be most suited to adoption of wearable handling tasks. screwing into soffits. productivity. The EXO-O1 EksoVest. Workers on robotics, providing the right scale for The 4.3kg vest, which The company hopes will be introduced to the the company’s Yorkshire financial commitment and rewards. costs approximately the EksoVest technology UK this autumn. Water contract team are Repetitious rather than ad-hoc tasks £5,650, is an external will lead to workers on exploring the potential metal frame that mirrors site feeling less exerted, Colas health, safety, wellbeing may suit exoskeletons better. elements of the human with improved wellbeing Colas has introduced and productivity benefits Both the technological and comm- skeletal structure. It is and productivity. a new exoskeleton of the exoskeletons. ercial case must be made if wearable powered by a series of designed to give power The trial programme robotics are to become commonplace. springs and provides Skanska assistance to operatives includes lifting and Skanska’s Swedish But most disciplines in the construction between 2.2kg to 6.8kg working on levelling with handling activities in the of lift assistance per arm. business is trialling a rake during roadworks. company’s Normanton sector will be affected by the technology, Transport Scotland, an exoskeleton from The Exopush has been stores depot and around regardless of how it eventually becomes in partnership with Hilti, which teamed up developed by Colas with hoppers used by site defined. It will impact on procurement Amey, has purchased with German prosthetics French-based firm RB3D. clearance support teams. (buy, hire or lease), constructability, an EksoVest suit to firm Ottobock SE to Two of the tools were It is also being used be trialled in its Forth develop the technology trialled last autumn and to support reinstate- pricing of work, how to let subcontractor Bridges unit. for the construction deployed on UK sites in ment teams using the work packages, payment systems and industry. January this year. company’s purpose- safe working practices. Willmott Dixon The passive The kit weighs 8.2kg, built Roadmender If wearable robotics lead to some site Willmott Dixon has been exoskeleton transfers with a runtime of five to asphalt unit and operations being done more quickly, trialling the EksoVest the weight of the arms seven hours from two supporting backfill on its Cardiff West to the hips via the electric batteries. The teams loading and then construction’s productivity and Community High School forearm supports using carrying kit takes under unloading rammers onto logistical benchmarks will need to be project, after purchasing mechanical cables. two minutes to get ready, the sides of vehicles. re-evaluated.
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HOW TO SIMULATE DAYLIGHT IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS GOOD DAYLIGHT AND AIR QUALITY ARE CRUCIAL IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. IN ASSOCIATION WITH VELUX COMMERCIAL, CM EXAMINES HOW USING DAYLIGHT SIMULATION TOOLS CAN SUPPORT A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AND ITS USERS’ NEEDS THROUGH DAYLIGHT DESIGN
The importance of daylight and air We all understand the importance quality within commercial buildings of light in terms of being able to see cannot be overstated. Not only can and being able to use buildings and natural light reduce the need for spaces for what they are intended. We electric lighting during the daytime, also understand that artificial light – and lower the energy use of the however well designed it is – is less building, it can also influence both able to meet these needs than daylight. heating and cooling loads, which makes When we allow natural light to enter it an important parameter of an energy our buildings, we are also maintaining efficient design. Additionally, recent a view out and a connection with our research has proved that adequate wider environment – something that daylight provides an array of health and artificial light cannot do. comfort benefits that make it essential Light impacts our mood as well – for the wellbeing of building occupants. a concept that is not easy to measure Daylight simulation tools can support through mathematics and physics. The a commercial building’s compliance and proliferation of technology, and the its users’ needs by providing critical amount of time we spend staring at overviews of building performance screens, is beginning to raise awareness prior to construction. These tools make of the types of light we expose ourselves it possible to evaluate the quantity and to and the effect it has on sleep and the distribution of daylight in a room, whilst body’s natural rhythms. We need that considering key influential parameters same increased awareness when it such as window placement, building comes to buildings. geometry, external obstruction, interior Beyond the provision of daylight divisions and material properties. for people to be comfortable and able to undertake tasks, there is also Supporting the implementation the balance between energy use and of EN 17037 daylight provision to think about. EN 17037, the new European Standard Daylight simulation tools can support for daylighting in buildings, is helping a commercial building’s compliance change the focus of commercial building with EN 17037 and ensure that from the design, and the role of glazing in those early stages of design and specification designs, to improve occupant comfort commercial buildings will perform and and overall energy efficiency. The need adhere to the required standards. to provide glazed openings and well distributed daylight to interior spaces, Velux Daylight Visualizer whilst reducing artificial lighting use, Where high levels of daylight are must be considered with the balance intended in a public, industrial or between heat loss and solar gains. commercial building, the daylight design
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In EN 17037 two daylight factor targets need to be achieved over 50% and 95% of 95% the work plane area In association with building – in relation to the amount of diffuse light available outside the “This free-to-use simulation building under unobstructed overcast tool helps to predict and sky conditions. document daylight levels l Evaluate requirements for daylight as well as the appearance of provisions in the new European a space prior to realisation of Standard for Daylight in Buildings the building design” (EN 17037): Daylight factor simulations can be used to evaluate requirements for daylight provisions in EN 17037, should be assessed at an early stage where two specific daylight factor when it is easiest to make changes. targets need to be achieved over 50% If daylight design is undertaken from and 95% of the work plane area. The the early stages of a project, it means daylight factor targets were defined roof glazing products can be specified based on recorded climatic data in in the right size and quantity from the each country and relate to a desired outset. The project therefore benefits illuminance level for the space. from greater certainty, and the glazing l Create or import 3D models: The can be priced with confidence. Daylight Visualizer can import detailed Nicolas Roy, architect, is part of the 3D models of buildings from a wide The Daylight Visualizer applies false colour Daylight, Energy and Indoor Climate range of CAD/BIM software – including mapping to highlight daylight distribution team at the Velux Group and specialises Opposite: Velux Revit, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD and in the field of building performance modular skylights SketchUp – with one of the supported with a focus on daylighting. Over the in the atrium of the file formats DWG, DXF, SKP and OBJ. International Commission on past 15 years with the Velux Group, Genmab research l Perform luminance and illum- Illumination (CIE) sky conditions facility in Utrecht Roy’s extensive knowledge of building inance simulations: With the and apply false colour mapping to Below: Availability design, 3D modelling and lighting has of light impacts on Daylight Visualizer you can run visualise the quantity and distribution helped to shape the development of occupants’ mood these simulations under different of daylight in the space. one of Velux Commercial’s most useful Instead of using rules of thumb or daylighting tools – the Velux Daylight gut feeling to set out the initial number Visualizer. and size of roof glazing solutions, This free-to-use simulation tool helps daylight simulation tools help to to predict and document daylight levels eliminate uncertainty. as well as the appearance of a space The building design proposal is prior to realisation of the building then passed to the M&E consultant design. The Daylight Visualizer goes for compliance verification but, with above and beyond the more commonly the bulk of the assessment already used 3D visualisation programs by done, and with greater certainty accurately simulating and quantifying that the proposed design is already daylight levels in interiors. adequate, the whole process is made The Daylight Visualizer can: much quicker – and with less risk of l Calculate daylight factor levels: further design work to accommodate You can use the Daylight Visualizer changes. ● to simulate the daylight factor (DF), a Learn more about the Velux commonly used performance indicator Daylight Visualizer and how Velux for the evaluation of daylight provisions Commercial provides daylight in buildings. The daylight factor is a expertise to help you design measure of the amount of diffuse light compliant roof glazing solutions by available at different points inside the visiting veluxcommercial.co.uk.
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Legal
RG Securities purchased the freehold of the Analysis tower, built in the 1960s, in 2015. Previously, The case provides important guidance on how the property was refurbished by the third the clock is effectively reset for limitation defendant R Maskell between 2006 and purposes where information material for 2009. During these works, the tower was bringing a claim has been concealed. clad with a Trespa cladding system, largely It is also interesting in the context of the using polyisocyanurate insulation underneath. ongoing scandal of buildings constructed There were also some aluminium composite with combustible cladding systems that do material sections. not satisfy health and safety requirements. The claimant alleged that the cladding While the UK government has made funding system used on St Francis Tower was even available to progress remedial works, this is more combustible than that used on Grenfell, contingent on building owners committing and raised other concerns about the internal to pursue responsible third parties. In many fire compartmentation and safety of the cases, the cladding systems now known to be windows. It said that the refurbishment was combustible will have been installed years not compliant and did not have a Building ago and full details of their safety may not Regulations completion certificate. have been known or made available until fairly recently. ANDREW HILL, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS ANDREW HILL, St Francis Tower in Ipswich The claim A report from the National Audit Office RG Securities brought a claim that the works highlighted the failure of that fund to progress were not carried out in a workmanlike or remedial works. The government subsequently Barry Hembling professional manner, or with proper materials, acknowledged that only in a minority of cases Watson, Farley causing the tower to be unfit for habitation would it be financially justifiable for building & Williams and in breach of section 1(1) of the Defective owners to bring legal action to recover money Premises Act (DPA) 1972. and in a significant number of cases some Maskell argued the claim was statute barred claims could be time-barred. Combustible under the Limitation Act 1980. This meant any For those able to pursue claims, the decision claims based on breaches of contract, or breach in RG Securities v Allianz should be welcome. cladding case of duty under the DPA 1972, that occurred The case confirms that the limitation period prior to 16 December 2013 – six years before within which cases must be brought is turns on cover-up the date the claim form was issued – were extended where relevant information has time-barred. Maskell therefore applied for been concealed. The extension applies even A RECENT JUDGEMENT IN THE summary judgement. where the primary limitation period had TECHNOLOGY AND CONSTRUCTION In response, RG Securities asserted that expired and not merely after the cause of COURT SHOULD BE WELCOME NEWS Maskell concealed the fact that Building action had accrued. FOR BUILDING OWNERS WORRIED Regulations approval had not been obtained at Barry Hembling is a partner at Watson, THEIR POST-GRENFELL CLADDING the time of the sale in 2015 and as a result, time Farley & Williams. CLAIMS MAY BE TIME-BARRED. did not start running – under the terms of the BARRY HEMBLING EXPLAINS Limitation Act (see box) – until it discovered the concealment in 2018. Under the Limitation Act 1980: Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy of June 2017, The Technology and Construction Court l An action to recover any sum recoverable by there have been numerous legal claims after found that RG Securities had an arguable case virtue of any enactment shall not be brought landlords discovered their buildings were also and dismissed Maskell’s application. after the expiration of six years from the date clad with combustible materials. Mr Justice Fraser said “the court can take on which the cause of action accrued; and l One of these cases centred around into account that further relevant evidence on Where any fact relevant to the plaintiff’s right of action has been deliberately concealed by the St Francis Tower in Ipswich: RG Securities this issue may become available upon the more defendant, the period of limitation shall not begin (No 2) Ltd v Allianz Global Corporate and full investigations of the facts that will take to run until the plaintiff has discovered the conceal- Specialty CE, Building Lifeplans Ltd and place at the trial” and the “state of evidence ment or could have with reasonable diligence. R Maskell Ltd. on concealment is still not at its final stage”.
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Liam Tumulty COINS
Why is the domestic reverse VAT charge Q&A: being introduced? HMRC has been experiencing substantial Reverse VAT levels of fraud from criminals who have taken control of subcontractors within the AFTER SEVERAL DELAYS, THE construction industry. They have been VAT “There will be a cash flow DOMESTIC REVERSE VAT CHARGE registered, so charging VAT on their invoices impact which will adversely WILL FINALLY COME IN NEXT to contractors, but have then disappeared affect subcontractors and MARCH. LIAM TUMULTY without paying this VAT over to HMRC. This is could cause financial difficulties” EXPLAINS WHAT TO EXPECT a type of ‘missing trader’ fraud which has cost the UK government many millions of pounds. The ‘reverse charge’ system is designed to Secondly, there will be a cash flow impact combat this. which will adversely affect subcontractors and could cause financial difficulties. Under the How will the VAT charge work? current rules the subcontractor has the cash From 1 March 2021, subcontractors in the flow benefit of receiving VAT from customers UK construction industry will no longer add which may not need to be paid over to HMRC for VAT to their invoices when working for other around three months, but from 1 March 2021, contractors. Instead they will just indicate on the subcontractor loses this benefit. This will the invoice that the VAT needs to be dealt with be a particular problem in the first few months by their customer – the main contractor – under following the change. the ‘reverse charge’ system. Their customer will enter the VAT amount on their VAT return Will there be penalties for not applying the as if they had raised the sales invoice, as well as reverse VAT charge? entering it on their VAT return in the normal way. Yes, HMRC will be able to impose penalties if construction businesses do not apply the Why has HMRC not zero-rated construction reverse charge rules or apply construction services for VAT? them incorrectly. However, according to the If HMRC had zero-rated construction services, published guidance: “HMRC understands it would have lost a significant amount of VAT. the difficulties businesses may have in imple- Although it may appear that the VAT cash flows menting the domestic reverse charge and will for the reverse VAT charge are the same as if apply a light touch in dealing with related zero rating had been applied, this is not always errors that occur in the first six months after the case. introduction, where businesses are trying to comply with the new legislation.” How will this impact the industry? Liam Tumulty is a financial consultant Firstly, this is a huge administrative change with COINS. for the UK construction industry. The industry is very diverse and comprises a very large number of small subcontractors in addition How construction firms should to medium and large contractors. Those plan for the reverse VAT charge without specialist tax, accounting and IT l Understand the rules and how they apply expertise will find it hard to understand to your business. the changes. There is likely to be confusion l Put in place appropriate business and misunderstanding, which will result in processes for the reverse charge. l Identify subcontractors and customers errors on invoices, payments and VAT returns. impacted by the change (subcontractors will These, in turn, may cause disputes between need to be notified in advance). contractors and subcontractors on whether l Implement and test software changes. the reverse charge should apply.
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CIOB Community
a unique mentoring programme, with industry leaders offering advice and guidance to support their professional development. More than 50 international teams entered this year’s competition before the top six best performing competitors were chosen to go through to the final. The other finalists were:· l CIOBNB – Chongqing University l Base Build – RMIT University l Skywalker Construction – Hong Kong Polytechnic University l S ang Nenggala – Universitas Indonesia l Glasgow Construction Corp – Glasgow Caledonian University. Mark Beard, president of the CIOB, said the challenge will set up the students for the world of work. “This Winners is a challenge not for the faint hearted. All the teams showed their ability DGC Toronto team wins CIOB’s and potential by reaching the finals. As students they now have a greater seventh Global Student Challenge sense of what it is like to work in a construction company making high- FOUR FINAL-YEAR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STUDENTS FROM level decisions. I have no doubt that GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE COLLECT 2020 AWARD VIRTUALLY all of our finalists will be able to reach that level when they leave university.” George Brown A team from Toronto has been Brown College, a university which also The CIOB’s annual Global Student College in Toronto is announced as the winner of the seventh made it to the 2019 finals. Challenge, which is open to full-time home to this year’s annual Chartered Institute of Building The award was collected virtually students, is a real test of construction winners as well as finalists in 2019 (CIOB) Global Student Challenge due to the worldwide covid-19 industry know-how, taking place competition, after facing a fiercely pandemic. However, this did not impact in stages over a number of months. competitive international field. the incredible efforts made by each The competition provides a realistic The winners are DGC Toronto, a team team, the standard of which has been simulation where teams, made up of of four final-year students studying for just as strong as previous years. three or four people, act as a board of the Honours Bachelor of Technology The winning team receives £2,000 directors running their own company. (Construction Management) at George in prize money, along with access to Teams from universities all over the world entered the 2020 competition, and normally the six teams scoring Visit Earlier this summer, Keir Starmer made his first visit as Labour leader to see the most in the early stages would be Labour leader the work being done to transform invited to the finals, held as part of the Stevenage’s town centre. ASHE CIOB’s annual Members’ Forum, which visits CBC site Construction, a CIOB Chartered Building was a virtual event this year. ● Company is creating Park Place – a Entry for the 2021 challenge will mixed-use regeneration scheme in the KEIR STARMER DROPS IN ON heart of the town that is set to kickstart open later this year. Find out ASHE’S STEVENAGE SCHEME wider urban renewal in the area. more about the Global Student Challenge at gsc.ciob.org.
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Covid-19 CIOB strengthens financial support
Story for Community? Email Nicky Roger MEMBERS’ FEES FROZEN [email protected] AND NEW FUND SET UP
Skills The CIOB has confirmed that there will be no increase in subscription Construction Manager of the fees for individual or company members for 2021. Year finalists revealed The prices for annual membership will be frozen at 2020 levels. The FINALISTS ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF GLITTERING institute has also confirmed the set- CEREMONY AT THE JW MARRIOTT GROSVENOR up of a ‘covid-19 support fund’ for HOUSE HOTEL IN LONDON ON 25 NOVEMBER members facing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic. Since the pandemic started to The shortlist for the Chartered Institute impact the industry across, the CIOB of Building (CIOB) Construction has been trying to offer, on a case- by-case basis, financial support for Manager of the Year Awards (CMYAs) members in need, primarily via the 2020 has been revealed. A total of 60 of organisation’s Benevolent Fund. the best construction managers in the The new covid-19 support fund is UK have been named in the shortlists now formalising the support available for nine categories. to members with a concession on the 2021 subscriptions available to The finalists will be whittled down those who have been furloughed, on to one winner in each category, with reduced pay or facing redundancy. the overall Construction Manager of Other membership costs, such as the Year winner chosen from the admission and Professional Review fees, will also be held at 2020 prices. category winners. The covid-19 support fund is available Further details can be found at to the following grades of membership: www.cmya.co.uk. MCIOB, FCIOB, ACIOB, ICIOB. The CIOB Benevolent Fund is also available to support all members The CMYA 2019 and past members with financial winner was Sir advice and support and mental Robert McAlpine’s health and wellbeing support: retail refurbishment www.ciobbenevolentfund.org.uk. at The Plaza, Oxford Street, London
The finalists are: Residential under Caroline Heraghty Michael Pyatt Higher education Lee Wayper Paul Epton Russ Parks 10 storeys Ardmore Morgan Sindall Neil Adams Sir Robert McAlpine Robertson Willmott Dixon Tony Gallagher Construction Stephen Sear Willmott Dixon Richard White Construction Construction Durkan Terry Kirby Morgan Sindall Interiors ISG Construction Central East John Stedman Matt Hamilton Berkeley Homes East Construction David Clarke Leisure Richard Kirkpatrick Morgan Sindall Skanska Construction and SEACON Thames Thomas Prince Wates Construction Jamie Beard Alistair MacPartlin Willmott Dixon Frank Connolly Willmott Dixon Daniel Miller Infrastructure Dominic Jankowski Wates Construction Simon Whittingham Hill Group JJ Rhatigan Building Construction Mace Construction Contractors Ian Rowe Willmott Dixon Paul Jeal Massimiliano Crea Anthony Cooper Theresa McErlean Anthony Mitchell Interserve Heron Bros Oakmont Construction St George West MID Group ISG Construction Construction Healthcare London Schools Danni Oliveira Patrick Phillips Karl Crisp WRW Construction Craig Stokes Matt Gavin Tomasz Magiera John Blundell Durkan Willmott Dixon Laing O’Rourke Kier Construction WRW Construction TJ Evers Jonathan Roberts Gerald Ward Construction VINCI Construction UK Public and Tom Millard Michael Saunders Andrew Miles Bennett Glyn Jones infrastructure Willmott Dixon Lovell Partnerships Kier Construction Nick Stoyles Construction Willmott Dixon Willmott Dixon Kevin Alden Construction Mark Woollen Daniel Morrish Sir Robert McAlpine Primary education Morgan Sindall Lee Mullett Construction Lewis Blake Willmott Dixon Willmott Dixon Kristian Cartwright Laura Allison Mark Prince Paul Turner Willmott Dixon Residential over Construction Willmott Dixon Morgan Sindall Eric Wright VINCI Construction UK Interiors 10 storeys (Midlands) Paul Clarke Mike Castle Construction Offices Robert Palmer Brendan Conway Adam Price Beard Willmott Dixon Knights Brown Graham Thompson Kevin English Kier Regional McAleer and Rushe Brian Hanlon Mark McElwee Willmott Dixon Ian Rainbow Lendlease Building London BAM Construct UK Willmott Dixon and South East Morgan Sindall Construction
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Chartered status CBC marks dream come true for Yorkshire fit-out specialist BRADFORD-BASED CARDINAL TAKES UP CHARTERED STATUS AS FIRM TURNS 30
Cardinal Project Management is an incredible accolade which we will celebrating becoming a CIOB Chartered uphold. This is a massive milestone in Building Company. the Cardinal journey and one that we A family-owned company based in will look back on for years to come as Yorkshire, Cardinal invests heavily game-changing moment.” through employee engagement, David Newlove MCIOB, contracts apprenticeship schemes and significant director, agreed. “Achieving CBC status social value in the wider community. The is something I have aspired to achieve accolade comes as it turns 30 years old. ever since myself and Michael Brearey Michael Brearey FCIOB, construction first met back in 2009 and started on director at Cardinal, is delighted with our journey to becoming chartered A Cardinal fit out Yorkshire Property Industry Awards the new status. “This has been a number members of the CIOB.” in Leicester (awaiting final decision); Green Apple University’s of years in the making and is something The CBC status continues a run of Lasdun Hall Award winner, Green World Ambassador that we all, not just the directors but success for Cardinal this year. The firm and put forward into the Green World stakeholders at all levels, are extremely has won or is waiting to hear on a number Awards (awaiting final decisions). proud to have been awarded as it is a of awards including: winner of RoSPA It has been shortlisted in the Serving massive achievement. Silver Award; finalist in six different the Community Category for the Intern- “Being recognised as a company categories for NBCA awards (awaiting ational CSR Excellence Awards and its that is able to uphold the integrity final decisions); finalist in Best Use HSQE manager was shortlisted for a and professionalism of the CIOB is of Technology in Construction at the Construction Role Model Award. ●
Research Two of the CIOB’s trailblazing Constructors and the University The application process: scholarships are open for College of Estate Management, the l The candidate must send their Scholarships applications this month. scholarship is awarded annually. CV and a brief summary (200 words The Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship, For both scholarships the maximum) of their chosen research open for named after the head of Willmott scholar will continue to work full topic, confirming if the project is Dixon and past CIOB president, time during the scholarship year, new or will build on existing work. applications is designed to provide an carrying out a research project l A member of the selection opportunity for companies to which will benefit the scholar, their committee will then arrange a time CIOB OFFERS BACKING develop the potential of their staff company and the industry. to discuss the proposal in more FOR TWO PROJECTS through a research programme. They will discuss progress detail over the phone. Applications Also open to applications is the with their company and mentors should be made via email to either Sustainability Scholarship. from the Worshipful Company of dixonscholar@constructorscompany. Whether you are interested in Constructors every few months, org.uk or sustainabilityscholar@ the advent of carbon accounting producing an end-of-project constructorscompany.org.uk. on projects or the importance of summary to be made available on The closing date for applications water conservation in the future, the Worshipful Company website at is Friday, 30 October 2020. Winners the Sustainability Scholarship the end of the 12-month period. will be notified by 27 November. Sir Ian Dixon, encourages a company to carry out Scholars will give a presentation To view past work visit http:// head of Willmott research using one of its employees. at an event hosted by their company constructorscompany.org.uk/ Dixon and past Established in 2007 jointly and on successful completion of the what-we-do/scholarship-awards/ CIOB president with the Worshipful Company of project will receive a £3,000 award. scholarship.
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Novus members in Manchester and Liverpool set out to walk five miles on 19 July
Fundraising had an unexpected social element with Novus members put Novus members from across the globe Opinion getting to know one another through in the miles for CIOB online chats and sharing pictures. Viral change Benevolent Fund Manchester and Liverpool Novus IAIN THOMAS SHARES HIS VIEWS went further – organising a socially ON HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS WALK WITH NOVUS IN YOUR distanced walk. AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFORM LOCAL AREA TO BOOST MENTAL “For the past two years, the THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HEALTH AND RAISE MONEY Manchester and Liverpool Novus Hub have put on their walking boots offices for staff that would Throughout July, Novus members and and walked up a mountain in aid of like, or need, to return – their friends headed outside, walking charity. This year we didn’t want albeit the general message as many miles as they could on a virtual to miss out,” said Nicola Hodson, remains “If you can stay at walking challenge. Manchester Novus chair. home, then please do so.” The business uses The original challenge was to walk “Most of us took part in the Global Microsoft Teams, which the distance from Land’s End to John Novus walking challenge in July but we has seen the continuation o’Groats as a group. With dedication wanted to dedicate a day just for our of business effortlessly. and effort from the walkers, they Novus hub so we set a date, 19 July, and Digital modelling and reached this target by the middle of a target to do five miles each member. file-sharing collaborative I am a programme manager processes have minimised July. But they haven’t stopped there We achieved a combined total of 28 leading the project delivery any potential impact on – virtually hopping across the pond, miles in one day, almost the distance of numerous multi-million- performance. An added they are now walking from Toronto between Manchester and Liverpool. pound schemes in the rail, benefit is the significant to Quebec. “It was lovely at the end of the day highways and energy sectors. reduction in photocopying I work for a global leading and printing. This can only The aim of this challenge has been to see such wonderful photos of where engineering consultancy be a longer-term benefit to get members exercising outside to everyone went, all with the Novus (SYSTRA). We entered for the wider environment. improve their mental and physical logo. We are proud to be part of such the lockdown phase, as I feel that this is the health as well as raising awareness a supportive professional network and many others did, with no chance to make a seismic and donations for the CIOB Benevolent to raise awareness and money for the real understanding of the shift in working patterns, implications or effect the the like of which we won’t Fund cause. However, the event has CIOB Benevolent Fund.” ● pandemic would have on see again in our lifetimes. the business. This is an opportunity for The figures to date paint those that can work from Chartered Building Consultancy a picture that the impact home to do so. A once- FR Consultants is so proud of its encountered has had a in-a-lifetime opportunity ‘stamp of approval’ that it has put the negligible negative effect to drag the image of the CBC logo on its vans. on the utilisation of our staff construction industry “We believe so strongly in the throughout the pandemic from being a last resort CIOB’s mission to promote the science – in fact the opposite has for the young, to show the and practice of building and construction been seen trending, in that world that you can have for the benefit of society,” says Jessica utilisation figures have a real work/life balance, Green from the firm. increased. spending quality time with “Our goal is to make Britain’s buildings This led the proactive your family and loved ones. safe and mortgageable by providing senior management team Now is the time to be expert consultancy on facade safety. The to issue a general ‘stay strong as an industry, CBC Chartered Building Consultancy status is a at home’ directive, which change our approach recognised and trusted ‘stamp of approval’ has been extremely well and ensure we don’t fall Driving the that shows our customers at a glance received by the staff. back into historic working that we are qualified, professionally run The business has been practices which challenge message home and committed to upholding the highest providing regular updates the work/life balance on a business and ethical practices. to all members of staff, daily, weekly, monthly basis. “Our vans take our consultants explaining the situation, Iain Thomas FCIOB is CONSULTANCY PUTS nationwide, so putting the CBC logo on and the forward plans. We programme manager CBC LOGO ON ITS VANS them is a quick and effective way to are currently preparing (Energy) for TSP Projects. TO SPREAD THE WORD spread the word.”
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Professional development “It means our professional construction management South-west construction approach to project delivery firm Eases into CBC status is more widely recognised and gives clients greater confidence in our ability” HARD-WON GAIN IS JUST ONE OF MANY FOR AN Andy Cook, We are Ease UP-AND-COMING DEVON CONSTRUCTION FIRM
We are Ease team. It means that our professional delivered an £800k project in 15 weeks construction management approach for the Eden Project to project delivery is more widely recognised and only serves to give our clients greater confidence in our ability to deliver their projects.” The next step for the firm is to get their staff onto the various different professional development routes offered by the CIOB, so that their employees can become chartered members themselves. With several younger employees in various stages of university education, a number of senior staff began going through the professional review process to achieve MCIOB accreditation. Quantity surveyor Jason Parfey was the first to pass his professional We Are Ease, a construction and Directors Andy Cook (MCIOB) and review in early April and is also an project management firm in the south Dafydd Hollyman (C Eng) wanted to active member of the Exeter Novus west has gained its Chartered Building elevate the professional accreditation committee. “I am very proud to have Company status. for the company and its staff, which led achieved full MCIOB status,” he said. The company is only four years old but to the CBC achievement and support for “I hope that by continuing to be an already has a great track record – one staff on their journey to MCIOB. active member of Novus I am able to project in 2018 won the LABC Building Achieving CBC status was a massive show both my colleagues and young Excellence awards and another scooped achievement, said Cook. “It is the people looking into construction careers the RIBA South West Awards 2018. product of a lot of hard work from our the benefits of being a CIOB member.” ●
Events Members from all over the north of members at the session chaired Further sessions are planned England came together for a virtual by CIOB Trustees Paul Young, Tim through autumn with the next event Northern Region catch-up in the summer, sharing Barrett and European Region Hub on Wednesday 23 September with stories about their time in lockdown chair Derek Humphreys. Manchester Novus chair Nicola catch up at virtual and discussing their hopes for the “It was great to put faces to Hodson leading the session. Hub in the Pub future of CIOB. names and offer help and support If you are MCIOB or FCIOB, either Hub Committee members from to new members and for them to living or working in the region, this the seven regional hubs were joined get to know their local hub and will also be an opportunity to find MEMBERS SHARE THEIR by Novus representatives, local Novus members from all over the out more about standing for your STORIES ABOUT LOCKDOWN members and some newer student north of England,” said Young local hub committee.
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Trevor Drury FCIOB Meet a member The first bridge to be installed on the HS2 TREVOR DRURY IS MD OF MORECRAFT DRURY route spans the M42 AND CHAIR OF THE CIOB’S BRISTOL HUB
Events to be installed across the HS2 route barrister at 12 Old Square Chambers since 2017. So, See HS2 bridge on – built using an innovative SPMT I now have two jobs. (self-propelled modular transporter) I am not sure what a virtual site visit method. It will be followed by a live else I would have done Q&A session with the senior project careerwise. I do recall, like MIDLANDS AND EASTERN many a teenager, at one point manager and members of the team. wanting to be a rock guitarist, REGION OFFER LIVE VIRTUAL In October Willmott Dixon will host a but on assessing my talent VISITS AMONG AUTUMN EVENTS virtual site visit, including walk through and earnings potential, I and drone footage, of the University decided to go for a sensible of Warwick Gibbet Hill Campus professional job that my Was law a calling? What else parents would approve of! The Midlands and Eastern Region is development. The new building might you have done? organising a number of live virtual site will house a £36m Interdisciplinary In my youth I did not consider Why are you actively visits for this autumn, starting with Biomedical Research Centre and is a a career in law. At school involved with CIOB? HS2: DFMA Bridge Construction hosted great example of offsite manufacture. I went to a careers event I enjoy being involved, and one of the professions organising events and using by Laing O’Rourke and Murphy. Other live webinar topics will represented was surveying. some of my knowledge The session will include drone include green roofing, delivering I decided at that relatively to hopefully serve the footage of the construction phases net zero carbon, business continuity young age that was what I membership for the better, and of the DFMA precast bridge across planning, ground works drainage and wanted to do. My first job was in a small way help develop the M42 – the first permanent bridge quality and Building Regs. ● as a trainee quantity surveyor the industry, which I have now for a national contractor and been in for 38 years. It feels worked my way up the career good to give something back. ladder, working for a number of I am currently the CIOB Awards to working within the construction well-known main contractors. Bristol Hub chair, and I have industry: communication, teamwork, It was dealing with contractual also served on the CIOB Bradford students issues on projects that Innovation and Research having a positive attitude and achieve recognition got me interested in Panel for many years, plus maintaining high standards.” construction claims, dispute a number of other CIOB panels for outstanding The recipients were: resolution and law. and boards. I have also been James Boyes, Level 6, BSc I then moved into expert involved in working groups achievement witness services, working Construction Management, which have generated a couple for a large firm of surveyors of codes of practice/guides. CIOB HOLDS VIRTUAL CEREMONY for outstanding achievement, in London and then, after a teamwork, leadership and resilience; return to contracting, became What do you love about Martin Mortimer, Level 5, HND in an executive director of an your job? Construction, for outstanding and international consultancy I like the intellectual specialising in construction challenge of finding solutions positive attitude; dispute resolution. to problems and the variety of Hussein Sanglay, Level 5, Civil Seventeen years ago I work. In this industry you also Engineering, for excellent set up my own consultancy, get to meet all sorts of people communication and teamwork skills; Morecraft Drury, specialising and some great characters. in quantity surveying and Adam Stockdill, Level 4, With my background, I can Clockwise from top left: Dibaj, Stockdill, project management talk my clients’ language and Noor and Boyes at the Teams presentation Construction Management, for expert witness services, I can relate to their problems, outstanding achievement and adjudication, procurement as I have been there myself. The CIOB has given special awards maintaining high standards while and commercial management to four hardworking Bradford overcoming difficulties. of projects, plus management What do you do in your consultancy, troubleshooting spare time? College students on construction and Tooba Noor, senior academic team distressed projects. I am an avid follower of engineering courses. leader for construction and engineering Given the work I was doing, Formula 1 and occasionally Sam Dibaj, chair of the CIOB Leeds at the college, said she was “very proud”. I decided to undertake legal get to a Grand Prix, plus Hub Committee, presented certificates “It’s thanks to the hard work of the qualifications and was called I love football, these days and prizes in a virtual award ceremony students and the support of the CIOB to the Bar in 2011. I managed mainly from the comfort of to secure a pupillage (training my armchair. I still have the held via Microsoft Teams. He told the that we have been able to produce award- in a chambers) in 2016 electric guitar and amplifier winners: “You’ve all been recognised for winning students who will go on to play and have been a practising in the loft! the skills that you have, that are pivotal important roles in the industry.” ●
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Me and my project
Church and state “Fully integrating both the church buildings into ALAN BARNES WON IRELAND’S CONSTRUCTION the overall envelope was a MANAGER OF THE YEAR IN 2019 FOR HIS WORK ON demanding challenge” A COMPLEX CONSERVATION AND REFURBISHMENT Alan Barnes, PROJECT ON SCOTS CHURCH IN DUBLIN. HERE HE Collen Construction TELLS US ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE OF THE BUILD
provided the structure and envelope. This created a building that provided innovative office space, communal breakout/meeting areas, innovation hub space and a contemporary energetic workspace for the VHI staff. In my experience, organising the logistics of any city-centre project, including access to work in restricted spaces, is a complex challenge. The site was enclosed on three sides with train tracks along the northern boundary, the Irish National Theatre to the immediate west and the client’s offices bordered the eastern boundary. This extremely restricted footprint meant the building had to be constructed with a single tower crane – erecting 500 tonnes of steel, 220 facade panels and DONAL MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY MURPHY DONAL seven floors of in-situ concrete. It was Collen Construction was awarded the church, while meeting the client’s crucial that I communicated clearly the tender to build the new corporate specific requirements. Fully integrating to all the stakeholders to ensure the headquarters for VHI Healthcare in both the church buildings into the overall coordination of major tasks. Dublin. I embraced the role of project envelope was a demanding challenge. Every aspect of the project created manager. The project scope included the Once completed, the newly expanded challenges: planning and executing city expansion of the existing VHI Healthcare office fully integrated the existing office centre demolitions; piling next door to offices and the restoration and adaptive space, enabling the new structure to the National Theatre; respecting the reuse of a 150-year-old Presbyterian seamlessly connect with the original interests of businesses and residents; church ‘Scots Church’ on Abbey Street buildings. The design created a glazed Top: The building and honouring the conservation and in Dublin’s busy city centre. ground floor link between the main occupies a tight, restoration of a 150-year-old church. The project planned to incorporate church building and existing office city-centre site As project manager, I am proud the existing church hall within the belly which lies adjacent to the new reception Above: Collen’s to have led a skilled and dedicated of a new innovative and contemporary entrance for ease of circulation project manager team through these challenges, and Alan Barnes diagrid exoskeleton office block with a throughout new and existing buildings. personally and professionally it has unitised curtain wall envelope. Scots In-situ concrete floor plates were been enormously satisfying to deliver Church was a protected structure and suspended above the existing church a high quality, unique project that has the primary challenge for me was to hall, internalised within the triangular exceeded the client’s expectations. ● respect and preserve all the significant diagrid steel framework and unitised Alan Barnes is project manager at historical and architectural heritage of curtain walling systems which together Collen Construction.
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Partnership
ways to transport them and reducing Building efficiency and the waste they generate. The resulting buildings are becoming more efficient the future of construction to put together and power – and less expensive to live or work in. Along the way, we’re learning to do more with our THE DEADLINES SET BY CLIMATE CHANGE ARE DRIVING existing resources and manpower, while A REVOLUTION IN SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION technologies from machine learning to INNOVATION, SAYS R&D TAX CREDIT EXPERT RIFT augmented reality are expanding what it actually means to work in construction. Older processes and techniques are falling away, while workers are building new skill sets to adapt and progress. As the world drags itself out of a pandemic-induced lockdown, it’s essential that we continue leaning into sustainable, energy-efficient construction to avoid an explosion in carbon output that takes the 2030 carbon reduction target permanently off the table. Innovation, through the forward- thinking nature and determination of upcoming construction managers, is the force driving these changes – whether that means new forms of glass that filter harmful solar radiation while harvesting energy or using modular and offsite construction techniques to reduce construction times and increase cost-effectiveness. As an aggressively With 2030 presenting a hard deadline increasingly high priority throughout “With pressure innovative industry, construction for mitigating the worst, most the construction sector, and rightly mounting, managers have a key role to play in the irreversible effects of global climate so. Innovation has always been a there’s never global ‘green recovery’ that we need to change, the clock is most definitely crucial factor in energy efficiency and been a more meet our 2030 commitments. ticking. Within the next decade, sustainable ‘green’ construction, and critical moment Climate change is a threat according to a report from the UN with pressure mounting and the world to push back that’s arguably more pressing and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate paying attention, there’s never been the boundaries all-encompassing than anything else Change, we need to drop our carbon a more critical moment to push back of what we can we’ve faced, and the green revolution emissions by half on a planetary scale. the boundaries of what we can accomplish” taking place within construction is right In fact, in real terms, the cliff edge accomplish in the sector. at the cutting edge of our attempts to we’re approaching may be a lot closer Sustainable construction techniques tackle it. That’s why innovation matters – than we realise. tick all the boxes for bringing carbon and why RIFT continues to fight to bring Given that the UK’s built environment emissions down and improving energy its full benefits to UK businesses. ● is responsible for an estimated 45% of efficiency. We’re talking about more the country’s total carbon emissions than just good insulation and the To find out how you can make on its own, it makes sense to focus occasional solar panel here, of course. the most of the R&D scheme, a significant amount of attention, Across the entire industry, innovative visit RIFTcredits.com or contact investment and innovation there. businesses are switching to more Julie Barry on 07908 542441 or by Building efficiency is becoming an sustainable materials, finding better email at [email protected].
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Get with the tech
Gareth Randle examines a roadmap to innovation in Training & Recruitment post-covid UK construction
Has your role become more challenging Construction was one of the first industries Job spotlight during the covid crisis. If so, how? Melissa Barber that returned to work At times of crisis, most people long for some Head of marketing and during the covid-19 communications, Beard certainty – but that’s difficult to give when the pandemic. The key world has been turned on its head. We need to to the sector bouncing back to full strength will be adaptations, not just to keep people motivated and engaged, while also personal protective equipment (PPE) managing expectations. and health and safety, but to improved SPREADING We have needed to communicate some ways of working too. tough messages, and it was hard not to be able Modern construction technologies THE WORD to do that face to face. can help in the short term with improved productivity and, in the long MELISSA BARBER EXPLAINS As offices begin to open up again, many term, encourage more young people to HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS businesses will have to deal with the risk of the sector to address its skills gap. Lockdown has swiftly revolutionised CHANGED HER JOB a more fragmented workforce. We are used to having to communicate across our four how we work; it has exposed the vitally important role that technology plays regional offices, and of course multiple sites, across all industries – including but this presents a new set of challenges. construction. The trick is to stay true to your values. While the sector was one In Beard’s case, that means helping people of the first to get back to work out of feel they are part of something bigger. necessity, more construction firms than ever before have found new, agile and innovative ways for their workforce to be Is construction trickier to ‘market’ than able to plan, design, build and deliver. other industries? Construction firms which had invested As we emerge from the pandemic, the priority in technology before the pandemic are likely to be far more financially robust will be winning work. Beard is fortunate that a and resilient today than those still lot of our work is repeat business. We’re over using outdated construction methods 100 years old, so reputation and relationships and techniques. play a key part. However, many construction firms Some clients may hold back on placing often don’t feel ready to revolutionise the workplace, as they’re already working orders due to the wider economic uncertainty. to tight budgets and margins. The response to that needs to be a collective And yet, if they can innovate now, and and collaborative one, with the industry as a invest in the right skillsets, then they can What does a typical day in your job entail? whole working with government and other futureproof themselves even as economic stormclouds gather. I was just two months into my new role as partners. Even now, the government’s research head of marketing and communications Increasingly we are faced with marketing and development (R&D) tax incentives with Beard when covid-19 struck. Every day ourselves in a digital world. We need to be able can provide construction firms with the since has been dominated by dealing with to set ourselves apart when we can’t be in the funding needed to embrace cutting-edge that: keeping the show on the road as far as same room. That will be a challenge but I think technologies – like machine learning and automation, which will see many possible on site, and the transition to remote an exciting one: a learning curve for me, for repetitive low-skill jobs on site replaced, working for our office-based teams. the firm and for the industry as a whole.● and existing job roles adapted to become We set ourselves the task of keeping more fluid, efficient and dynamic. colleagues fully informed about government The construction industry therefore needs to recruit from a broader talent announcements, how Beard was responding pool which should include tech-savvy to the situation, and what that might mean problem-solvers. for them. That will reposition the sector as The key has been collaboration – with a desirable career to attract the right colleagues at every level of the business. The talent by highlighting the changing face of the industry. construction industry tends to be focused on Hundreds of the best jobs in construction. Gareth Randle is a specialist at R&D bricks and mortar but communications and Recruitment news and insight. tax credit consultancy ForrestBrown. marketing are all about people. www.constructionmanagerjobs.co.uk
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www.constructionmanagerjobs.co.uk
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