Scrap materials website offers an alternative to landfill
BuilderScrap is a new initiative for housebuilders and others in the construction industry. Designed by builders for builders, the online business offers an alternative to landfill for the millions of tonnes of unused new supplies and good quality second hand materials, which are thrown away each year.It is completely free and allows users to upload materials to the site, either from a computer or from site via MMS from a mobile phone. These items are then available to other users at a cost or free. Users also have access to a wealth of information regarding environmental and industrial issues.
The initiative seeks to introduce a culture of efficient waste management on site, by promoting segregation of different wastes at source, and encouraging re-use and recycling of product rather than disposal.
A purpose-built web based business it allows housebuilders to communicate with nearby construction companies, to use up each others’ surplus, and thus reduce the amount of goods sent to landfill.
The general overview of the business is that users register (for free) and can then upload any surplus goods or materials they have which will appear on the site. Any users searching for products can then contact the seller and complete the transaction. Some goods will be sold at a cost; others will be given away for nothing simply as a way of preventing them from going to landfill (which has a cost due to landfill tax, skip hire, labour cost and so on).
It works simply but efficiently, offering three options of item upload to users. The first option, one we believe will be popular with builders on site, uses a mobile phone camera to upload MMS messages to the website. It is also possible to upload items by email, and directly through the website. Both of these options are free of charge to users. Users can then search for desired items online, and register for email and text alerts for regular search items. The website will also provide information to users regarding environmental and waste management within the construction industry.
BuilderScrap.com is currently undergoing in-house trials, to be followed shortly by local trials in parallel with the formation of the first social enterprise reclamation site in Moreton
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More information: www.builderscrap.com
Rainwater harvesting helps reach Code level 6
November 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under Site works
With building regulations changing, and new legislation regarding sustainability for new homes, WPL is supporting developers with new, innovative and cost effective solutions to support the increasing demands made by customers and the government.
In preparation for all new homes to be zero carbon rated by 2016, WPL’s range of rainwater harvesting solutions automatically rates a new home at the highest level for water efficiency, code level 6, as set by the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Apparently house builders and developers are assured of achieving the highest levels in this category with products from the company’s domestic rainwater harvesting range, RainRetain. Top quality pumps, filters and tanks ensure performance, together with simple installation and excellent value.
For smaller developments, the WPL Diamond domestic sewage treatment plant can cope with population equivalents from 1-55 and benefits from having no internal moving parts. This offers the end user significant savings on maintenance and has up to 3 year de-sludge intervals.
More information: http://www.wpl.co.uk.
Unique Nottingham development bucks low sales trend
November 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under Completions
Homes developer Trent Park Developments is bucking the current trend for slow sales with their award winning £50m River Crescent development, in Nottingham. In the three months since marketing of the development began, 15 apartments were sold and, it is said, that buyers are now offering over the asking price to try and secure themselves prime plots.Overlooking the River Trent, this atttactive development comprises 146 apartments in a exceptional location with extraordinary facilities and elegantly designed luxury apartments, many of them featuring balconies or terraces, and boasting spectacular riverside views.
An on-site business suite, concierge service, health club and doctors’ surgery are some of the key facilities which have been incorporated into River Crescent.
Prices start from around £295,000 for a two bedroom apartment to over £1m for the larger penthouse-style apartments. This is the first time that an apartment in Nottingham has reached a sale price of £1m.
Exclusive to River Crescent, the interior design of each show home apartment has been inspired by the world famous fashion houses, ‘Chanel’, ‘Fendi’, ‘Armani’ and ‘Paul Smith’, and created by NDA Private Clients. Purchasers of River Crescent apartments have the option to appoint NDA Private Clients, to create individual interiors to their own brief.
River Crescent won several categories and was the overall winner in the Nottingham’s Evening Post New Homes Awards. The Reader Vote – Best Apartment award was won for the show home ‘Fendi’ apartment.
More information: www.trentpark.co.uk
Pioneering pods to provide affordable housing solution
Pioneering pod company, Elements Europe, is soon-to-launch, timber frame affordable housing solution, Ty UnnosTM a new type of technology, taking off across the care home, student accommodation and hotel sectors. It’s also linked with RoompodTM.So-called because of its Welsh timber frame superstructure and the speed of its construction, Ty UnnosTM – the newly developed affordable housing solution from Elements Europe – literally translates from Welsh as ‘House Overnight’.
Made from low-density timber, usually used for non-structural applications such as pallets, packaging and fencing, the technology is very light weight and yet exceptionally strong. A unique laminating process and clever beam, column and joist arrangements result in a sturdy, load-bearing structure that can be constructed as a three-storey build.
Chief operating officer for Elements Europe, Darren Richards, says. “The type of timber used makes this product inherently ‘green’. Using advanced insulation methods, Ty UnnosTM is proven to perform to passive house standards and also offers exceptional air-tightness to meet The Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, but can be easily upgraded to meet Code Level 5 in-line with project requirements.”
RoompodTM is said to be the only fully functional, load-bearing ‘whole room’ pod product currently on the market.
A ‘stackable’ light steel framed solution it is delivered to site fully-kitted out with all fixtures, fittings and utilities already in-situ. Simply craned into place, without the need for adjoining walls, floors and ceilings, the product allows the building of 12 units per day (up to six storey’s high), reducing a typical construction programme by up to 75%. Also it provides significant savings in the cost of the actual superstructure and it’s these hard-hitting tangibles that are already seeing it snapped up by some of the biggest budget hotel operators.
Ideal too for student and residential care accommodation, RoompodTM is quickly making its mark across these growing sectors, aided by Element’s unique provision of a full scale prototype pod as part of its design process.
Further information: www.elements-europe.com
Timber cladding helps regenerate Maidstone flats
November 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under Completions
To help regenerate the Parkwood Estate in Maidstone, Kent, turning it into one of the most sustainable developments in the county Kier Construction has used Thermowood cladding from John Brash & Company.The two phase regeneration project, started in 2006 and managed by the Maidstone Housing Trust, will see the initial regeneration of 122 housing association properties and the construction of a further 42 affordable homes, before the end of 2008.
Over 11,000 linear metres of cladding was specified for the project and was used on all external aspects of the new and regenerated buildings to help meet the requirements of EcoHomes. As work started on the development, the properties had to meet EcoHomes ‘Very Good’ rating, which approximately equates to a three star rating on the Code for Sustainable Homes.
On this project, Thermowood cladding was able to improve the sustainability because timber cladding is a good natural insulator, with a typical thermal conductivity of 0.1067 W/mK. Being lightweight also enabled savings on the foundations and masonry-based materials on the new build properties, all of which have high embodied energy contents.
Timber itself has low embodied energy, meaning that harvesting and production has minimal impact on the environment. Timber is also the only truly renewable natural resource being sourced from certified sustainable forests.
Another benefit of Thermowood is that it boast fine aesthetics with the ability to retain its original appearance for years. In addition to this, a specialist heat treatment process ensures it maintains high durability, stability and a lengthy service life
The £18m project aims to encourage diversity and provide a better quality of life for people being reintroduced to the area. Some twenty-two families have moved into their new homes on the Parkwood Estate, with a further 60 due to move in before the end of the year.
John Brash and Company is a specialist timber importer and a UK leading manufacturer of timber cladding. The company also specialises in the supply of roofing battens and scaffold boards, cedar shingles and cedar shakes and anti-slip timber decking.
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Prefabricated bathroom pods that 100% recyclable
The use of PETG Thermoplastic by Aquadream means that the basic shell of a bathroom pod – the walls, ceiling and floor – is capable of being 100% recycled when no longer required for its original purpose.Many housebuilders are looking for products that are made from materials which are environmentally friendly and that offer a greater degree of sustainability than has hitherto been available. Because of their recyclable nature, construction companies choosing to install Aquadream products have the possibility of achieving an improved BREEAM rating on their buildings.
All Aquadream products are available as a single unit or as a kit made up of either 5 or 8 parts depending on the style of pod chosen. This means that the company’s products can be installed directly into new builds or during the renovation of older properties.
PETG Thermoplastic pods offer a cost effective alternative to pods produced using traditional production methods. Lower prices stem from the way in which the pods are produced. The manufacturing process is far less labour intensive than regular methods.
The walls ceiling and floor are machine made with the result that hundreds of PETG panel sets can be made by one machine operator in the time that it would take many manual operators to produce a significantly lower number of traditional pod panel sets.
All Aquadream pods are lightweight, durable, reliable, cost effective, and are provided with a non slip surface to the floor. With a solid PETG / polyurethane base in place of the usual metal frame and metal feet, sound transmission through the concrete slab on which the pod sits is eliminated. Levelling is carried out by using neoprene shims of varying thickness.
There are currently three pod designs, the AquaCooL, the AquaZeen and the AquaComfort, with additional designs currently in planning. All pods come to site fully equipped with all the usual items of sanitary ware and are piped up on the outside for hot and cold supplies in HEP 2 O or similar, and plastic for all waste outlets – ready for connection to services within the building.
More information: www.aquadream-sdb.com
Voltage management cuts electricity bills
November 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under Innovation
Visitors to Interbuild 2008 last month (October) were said to be the first in the world to witness the VPhase VX1 Smart Voltage Management unit. This is a brand new technology that is set to cut electricity bills by 10% by reducing the electricity consumption of homes and SMEs.It device works in conjunction with the consumer unit (fuse box), reducing and regulating the voltage on selected circuits that are most likely to deliver greatest savings. Not only does the smart voltage management technology make significant reductions to electricity costs, it also reduces energy wasting as well as carbon emissions from generation sources.
The UK electricity distribution network operates at a nominal 230V, although in practice average voltages are more likely to range between 240V and 245V. The VPhase VX1 manages voltage to a stable level of 220V, regardless of the incoming supply voltage.
Dr Lee Juby, says: “Our research demonstrates that higher voltage levels do not necessarily enhance performance. For example a fridge does not get colder with a higher voltage supply.
“In fact, high voltage levels can be known to shorten the operating life of a product, such as light bulbs. They can also produce surplus energy, which is wasted in the form of heat. Using the low cost VPhase VX1 to manage the voltage to a pre-determined level towards the lower parameter means that the energy consumption of many household appliances can be reduced by anything between 5% and 18%.”
Devices that exhibit energy savings when voltages are reduced include refrigeration appliances, washing machines, dish washers, tumble dryers, vacuum cleaners, other devices using motors, air-conditioning units, central heating pumps and lighting (including energy saving lightbulbs).
Heating devices such as ovens and electric showers wouldn’t show any savings but these high current appliances are usually connected through other stand alone circuits.
More information: www.vphase.com
Solar roofing panels meet Code and planning requirements
November 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under 2nd fix, Renewables
A new addition to Solar Century’s award winning family of solar roofing materials is the C21e slate, which makes sustainable building even easier and better looking. The C21e Slate delivers the same high power output as the award winning tile format, it has a sleek aluminium frame to fit with a range of natural, fibre cement and reconstituted roof slates.The slate product follows demand for a solar roofing material compatible with slate roofs not only in the UK but across Europe, and is already in use on more than a dozen roofs in the UK helping house builders meet planning requirements and the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Since its launch in 2005, C21 solar electric and solar thermal roof tiles have been installed on over a thousand roofs by house builders such as Barratt, Fairview, St James and Croudace. Feedback from initial C21e Slate installation has been positive.
Simon Gerrard, Solarcentury’s residential sales manager, says: “An increasing number of developers are choosing photovoltaics as part of the solution to help them meet The Code for Sustainable Homes at level three and beyond. This is because photovoltaics are easy to specify in SAP, easy to install, have a proven performance in the UK and are comparable in price to other renewable options.”
Solarcentury also has ‘Orbit’, the new solar energy display system for homes with C21 roof tiles. It is the only consumer friendly display on the market to show both energy consumption and production in a clear graphical format.
The simple wall mounted wireless device follows consumer demand for a clear graphical display to encourage energy saving at the same time as demonstrating home energy generation, and is an innovative addition to the Solarcentury product family.
More information: www.solarcentury.com
Housebuilders scoop four major 2008 brick awards
November 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under Completions, Developments
Housebuilders were amongst the winners in the 2008 Brick Awards run by the Brick Development Association. Apparently competition in four categories was especially fierce. Yet four clear winners emerged: Best Private Housing – the Barge Arm Development, Gloucester; Best Public Housing – Broad Road, Sale; Volume Housebuilding – David Wilson Homes; and Best Craftsmanship – new house at Hayes, BerkshireThe entries were judged by a panel of experts chaired by Edward (Ted) Cullinan, this year’s Royal Gold Medallist for Architecture.
Barge Arm is a new build mixed-use regeneration scheme for Crest Nicholson in Gloucester Docks, on a site formerly occupied by car parks and sheds. It’s made up of two buildings, together providing 84 apartments, around an internal courtyard.
Edward Cullinan Architects designed the development. The brickwork contractors were Cowlin Construction, and Ibstock Brick supplied its Birtley Olde English bricks.
The judges were impressed with development’s ‘empathy with surrounding buildings.’ They added: ‘This new building acknowledges its context by taking clues from the existing warehouses without slavishly copying them.
‘Whilst there are a number of materials used externally, the brickwork provides a unifying theme that is fundamental to the success of the composition. The buildings create a number of external spaces that enhance the experience of living in well designed apartments.’
Broad Road used white brick to reflect light into common areas of this housing development – and that really caught the judges’ eye. It’s a difficult brick to lay but contractor Richardson Projects pulled it off, using Platinum Smooth White brick from Wienerberger to great effect.
Architect MBLA designed the development in an L-shape, forming an open courtyard facing south. It puts some distance between the living rooms and the street and ensures noise from a nearby tramline is minimised.
According to the judges, ‘this building makes the best of what initially appears to be an uncompromising site. The brickwork is exceptionally well laid. Difficult features are skilfully executed, contributing to the striking appearance of this elegant building.’
David Wilson Homes scored a hat-trick with three developments in Hampshire. It designed and built all three, and made exceptional use of brick’s incredible variety.
Heron’s landing in Fareham is made up of 16 contemporary-style two, three and four bedroom waterside homes. It used Ibstock’s Cheddar Red, Cheddar Golden and Audley Red Mixture Stock.
Eton Court, also in Fareham, represented a different challenge. It’s very much in keeping with the former building, and David Wilson Homes went out of its way to provide a new build that closely emulates the surrounds. Again, it chose Ibstock – Parham Red Stock and Berkshire Orange Stock.
And the developer opted for Ibstock again for The Hermitage, in Emsworth. The size of the buildings, the materials, detailing and windows are all in keeping with the look and character of Emsworth. Ibstock provided its Surrey Orange and Surrey Cream Multi bricks.
‘These three schemes demonstrated the developer’s sensitivity to the potential of different sites and a determination to produce high quality homes whatever the location,’ the judges said. They were also impressed by the ‘consistently high level of finish and variety.’
The Hayes House is in a class of its own. ‘If you’re going to use past styles, this is how to do it,’ the judges said. The house – designed by Robert Adam Architects – is in the tradition of those designed by Andrea Palladio around Venice during the 16th century.
The project involved knocking down an existing house and barn, to make way for the new home and garages. The plainness of the elevations meant the choice of brick and the detailing was critically important. Contractor RJ Smith built 12 sample brick panels. In the end, they opted for HG Matthew’s multi-red facing brick, laid in lime mortar.
‘The craftsmanship displayed on this Palladian house is awe-inspiring,’ the judges said.
Everyone concerned with the project – from client to architect to contractor – has demonstrated a determination to produce only the best.
‘The immaculate brickwork with penny-jointed mortar and elegant arches will long stand as a testament to the skill of the bricklayers.’
The Brick Awards are open to anyone, whether they’re architects/designers, owners, developers, housebuilders, specialist brickwork contractors or brick manufacturers. The only stipulation is that for all the awards – aside from the worldwide category – the project must feature clay bricks and pavers made by BDA members.
More information: www.brick.org.uk/awards/2008
£90K salary for staffs head of housing renewal
The North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership is seeking a Head of Programmes. This £90K position will involve implementing RENEW, the housing market renewal programme across North Staffordshire. The right person will have a background in housing or finance.
More information: www.nsrpjobs.co.uk