Image source

The project has been designed to make both aesthetic, practical and energy-efficiency improvements to the 38-year old building, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust confirmed. It has selected Balfour Beatty to carry out the refurbishment, in which draughty windows will be replaced and concrete deterioration fixed.

Earmarked for a sleek new look

Image source

The tower is divided into two sections, one which houses back office functions and stairwells, while the other contains hospital wards. Architects have planned for the office side to receive new cladding, while balconies on the ward side will be cleaned. New glazing will help the building achieve the trust’s energy-efficiency aims.

Metal cladding is extremely fashionable at the moment

Image source

Anyone looking around London would notice that metal cladding is extremely fashionable at the moment, thus it’s little wonder Guy’s tower, which has been branded as an eyesore, would be earmarked for a sleek new look.

While some, according to londonist.com, claim a ‘fondness’ for the concrete tower as an example of ’1970s brutalism’, the trust asserts that the revamp will smarten the building in a way that is respectful of the original architecture.

Deliver a sustainable landmark

Steve McGuire, director of the trust’s facilities and estates department said:

“We aim to transform the tower’s external appearance, to deliver a sustainable landmark design that benefits the trust as a whole and with an impact reaching beyond the hospital site into the London Bridge Quarters and beyond.”

Scotland’s 32 councils will receive the cash as party of the government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme, which hopes to create jobs and boost the economy.

Energy-efficient homes throughout Scotland

The investment will be used to create energy-efficient homes throughout the country – even in rural areas, which ‘experience higher development costs’ according to stv.tv.

In order to increase the energy efficiency of Scottish homes, councils could turn to areas such as solar power, internal wall cladding and loft insulation in order to deliver the investment’s aims.

Keith Brown, housing minister, commented on the funding, saying:

“This Government has successfully championed innovation in house building, which means that we can now deliver more houses for the money we spend.”

“Against that background, we are also encouraging the construction of greener, more energy efficient homes. And we also recognise the particular challenge for housing in remote and rural areas and will provide greater government subsidy for housing developments in those areas,” he added.

Investment to increase the supply of green, affordable housing

As a result of the announcement, the total investment in the Affordable Housing Supply Programme has reached £710 million.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Federation of Master Builders, the Heritage Alliance and fourteen other organisations have all lamented plans to increase VAT on building alterations, as it could pose a threat to the ‘future’ of the UK’s historic buildings.

Refurbishments important to both community and home-owner

Making alterations to buildings – such as converting old farms in homes or installing cladding panels – is important to both the community and the home-owner, which is why the coalition of building organisations is so adamant to get the VAT dropped.

In a letter to the Chancellor, the group outlines that the move is ‘entirely at odds’ with the government’s commitment to promote the re-use of historic buildings to support economic growth.

Strongly opposed to the Government’s decision

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, commented on the letter:

“All of our organisations feel strongly opposed to the Government’s decision to remove the zero rate of VAT on approved alterations to listed building because it makes it so much harder to give them a sustainable future.”

“Sympathetic alterations are often needed to ensure our historic buildings can continue to be of social, cultural and economic value,” he added.

Under EU law, once the zero rate of VAT has been removed it cannot be reinstated.

That’s according to former energy secretary Chris Huhne, cited by greenwisebusiness.co.uk, who suggests that the UK has little option but to go green due to commodity price rises having the potential to stall ‘resource-hungry’ growth.

We must go green?

Whereas some critics imply that the UK can either choose between growth or going green, Huhne argues that the UK actually has the choice between green growth and no growth at all.

“There is a facile view that our green commitments are an obstacle growth,”

claims Huhne, cited by guardian.co.uk.

“The message of the commodity markets is surely different. Resource-hungry growth could rapidly stall due to commodity price rises, simply because so many of us want it. If we want sustainable growth, we do not have a choice. We must go green.”

Energy efficiency: Helping to save homes and businesses on costs

Much of green growth is down to the potential of energy-saving services, like metal cladding for example; helping to save home-owners and businesses on costs, suspects Huhne.

“Energy saving is the win-win: it has the potential for job creation (for example, in household improvements) and it supports growth by cutting bills and boosting spendable income,” he said.

Huhne’s comments come amid concern regarding George Osborne’s cuts in public spending, which critics say are not helping growth.

That’s according to a survey by E.ON, which suggests that £990 million could be going to waste if renters ignore energy saving schemes, reports energychoices.co.uk.

The need to make homes more energy-conscious

According to the energy firm’s research, a mere two in 10 rental tenants have made an attempt to make their home more energy-conscious, whereas 78 per cent of actual home-owners have made some changes to their property.

Improving the energy efficiency of properties

Interestingly, Londoners were found to be the least energy-savvy, as only 24 per cent admitted to being aware of being able to save money through double-glazing and loft/wall insulation. However, an impressive nine of 10 of those surveyed from Scotland were aware that they could be saving on costs through these schemes.

Encouraging landlords to take advantage of the Green Deal

Richard Lambert, chief executive officer at the National Landlords Association (NLA), commented on the survey. Speaking to build.co.uk, he said:

“It’s important that tenants and landlords both realise that there are ways of improving the energy efficiency of properties.”

“The NLA encourages landlords to take advantage of the government’s Green Deal, available later this year, which will enable landlords to make significant energy improvements to their properties with no upfront cost.”

Situated in the east end of Glasgow, near Celtic Park, the new building will replace the existing station in Swanston Street and is being built on Dalmarnock Road. The new entrance will open out directly opposite the new Commonwealth Arena, itself a work in progress.

Cladding to be used to create a modern, sleek appearance.

Funds will be spent on the construction of a pedestrian footbridge and providing updated customer information/ communication systems. The new facility will feature improved platform resurfacing and new cladding. Wall cladding can not only insulate a building but it can also create a modern, sleek appearance.

Additionally, plans for the transport hub include the provision of disabled parking spaces and a new lift to both platforms. Currently wheelchair passengers are unable to easily use the station as there is no step-free access.

Restoration and refurbishment work

In order that the construction work can be carried out as efficiently as possible, the existing station will be closed to the public from 3 June. Services will resume on 25 November, but until such time, commuters and those visiting Celtic Park for football matches can use Bridgeton station, situated less than one mile away.

David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, is pleased with work carried out so far, which included site clearance and the restoration of overhead encased steel beams. He told breakingtravelnews.com:

“The project is progressing to time and on-budget and once complete, the new Dalmarnock station will provide visitors with a first-class welcome to the local area.”

Proposals for the historic Edgbaston campus include more student accommodation, a new sports centre, a 50-metre swimming pool and a brand new library, to be built on a brownfield site to the south east of the existing campus.

Image source

One of the UK’s leading sports universities

It is hoped that the additional facilities will not only benefit university students and personnel, but will also enhance Birmingham’s reputation as one of the country’s leading sports universities.

Naturally, among all of these ambitious plans, environmental issues have not been forgotten. The university hopes that by extending the amount of student accommodation on campus and providing a greater number of staff parking spaces, it will “relieve pressure on Selly Oak”, thus reducing its carbon footprint.

Reducing its carbon footprint

Others looking to reduce their carbon footprint in a smaller, cheaper way might like to consider implementing some eco-friendly measures at home or work. These include the installation of insulating wall cladding, affixing roof top solar panels to harness natural energy or using rainwater harvesting to generate a recycled water resource, great in times of hose pipe bans.

Commenting on the plans, Ian Barker, director of estates, told constructionenquirer.com:

“These are significant and exciting projects that will benefit students, staff and the local area. The University was founded to be an asset for the city and these plans have that aim in mind.”

The expansion, which will be carried out over the next five years if approved, will be funded by alumni donations and by the university itself.

Network Rail is suggesting an expansion to the station concourse, which would allow for greater services and accommodate the 44 per cent increase in demand which has been forecast over the next ten years. Currently, a study is being undertaken into the feasibility of the proposals.

Image source

Image source

Iconic station

If permission is granted, the iconic station will receive two new platforms, new underground walkways and a new entrance to the eastern side. Work is also planned for surrounding infrastructure, including improvements to a nearby junction and increasing line speed.

Image source

The artist’s impression of the new station suggests that internal cladding is to be used on the new structure, allowing for natural light to filter into the building. Although details have not been confirmed, using internal wall cladding is a great way to modernise a building; providing a sleek and clean appearance – especially if using steel cladding.

Vital to the success of the city’s new enterprise zone

Speaking to building.co.uk, Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail’s route managing director, said: “

Growing Bristol’s railway is vital to the success of the city’s new enterprise zone. A robust rail infrastructure is vital to a thriving economy and the rail industry is poised to support Bristol with an integrated rail strategy.”

Should Network Rail get the go ahead, work is expected to commence in spring 2014 and complete in 2018 – to coincide with the launch of the high speed Bristol to London service.

The Hub will not only be constructed using the most sustainable methods available – including recycled tyres – but will also serve as a lab for testing out new eco-friendly materials and building techniques.

To become the ‘exemplar sustainable building’

Those involved in the scheme hope to make the hub as energy efficient as possible, too, perhaps making use of rainwater harvesting, wall cladding or solar panels.

Claire May of the Trust told thisiscornwall.co.uk that the aim of the Hub is to capitalise on Cornwall’s expertise in order to find even more sustainable construction tools through trials and experiments.

Site identified at the Eden Project

Image source

A site for the Hub has been identified at the Eden Project and should planning permission be granted, the developers want to start work immediately.

Image source

Improving the sustainability of construction

What’s more, Trust CEO Paul Bright said that the Hub would also provide training, raise awareness and share best practice.

“This project is really exciting for the team,” Mr Bright said. “The Green Build Hub is being designed and built as an exemplar sustainable building that will demonstrate tangibly what can and is being done in Cornwall to improve the sustainability of construction.”

Detailed plans will go on show to the public at the Eden Project from May 17th.

The unique exterior of the Niekee School for Education is the design of Haag architects LIAG. Inspired by many different colours, the challenge was to bring their colourful creation to life, yet whilst still ensuring the necessary durability and sustainability of the building for students and local businesses to enjoy in years to come.

This school goes straight to the top of the class

To make this sweet dream a reality, all 27 colours of the range of pre-finished steel were used. Not only does the range have the required rainbow of shades, thanks to a revolutionary coating system each sheet offers outstanding colour stability and gloss retention, ensuring it stays as vibrant and true as the day it was manufactured.

This building really stands out

And because of the unrivalled corrosive resistance of the Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® range, the exterior will remain vibrant for longer, all backed up by Colorcoat’s unique 40-year Confidex® guarantee. There’s also the reassurance of environmental impact. The exterior of the school may be a spectrum of colour but green is at its heart – the entire Colorcoat® range has BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing Certification.

Dazzling display of colour

The result is a facility where learning is fun. The exciting, vibrant exterior merely hints at the modern facilities inside, which are all designed around the users. You won’t find the usual boring classrooms here – how about studying in a ‘floating’ room, hovering above a grand, multi-functional atrium?

The school’s core philosophy of open learning is cleverly translated into the design of the building itself. From the main open atrium, there is a view of all the different work zones, ensuring the necessary natural interaction between the students and local organisations that use the facility – making Niekee the hub of the Roermond community.

Uniquely-bright design

The uniquely-bright design even caught the eye of the Dutch Ministry of Education, who singled it out for a School Construction Prize thanks to its sustainability, flexibility and physical durability.

But the Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® range isn’t just cool for school…

All Colorcoat® products are suitable for roof and wall cladding systems in a variety of buildings including stadiums, commercial, residential and industrial.

And there’s now even more colours to choose from. With the Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® extended now to over 40 different shades.