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Work set to commence on Bristol Queen Square development

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Project development company Skanska is set to begin work on a new development for Bristol, which will see the construction of Grade A office space for 66 Queen Square.

The initiative is expected to be located in one of Bristol's top business areas, including 61,000 sq ft of space and set to incorporate a Grade II-listed Georgian terrace.

Skanska has said that the project will be on of the few developments set for Bristol this year, and will provide "efficient office space incorporating integrated sustainability features".

It is hoped that the energy-efficient building will help to reduce carbon emissions and cut energy bills for the tenants over the long-term, with solar shading and solar energy capture set to feature as part of the design.

Once completed, the facility is expected to reach the BREEAM 'Excellent' standard, with recycled materials and green construction methods also contributing to the project attaining near-zero environmental impact during the development.

Most sustainable building in the world is in Dubai

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

The award for the most sustainable building in the world has been given to Dubai. The Leed Platinum certification has been awarded to the Change Initiative by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Leed sustainability guidelines allow for a maximum of 110 points to be awarded; the Change Initiative obtained a total of 107 points for its energy-efficient building.

Points were awarded for materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, water efficiency, innovation and design, energy and atmosphere and regional priority.

Gundeep Singh, CEO and founder of The Change Initiative, said: "We are very pleased to announce that The Change Initiative has received the Leed Platinum certification, surpassing all previous records for sustainability; to take pole position as the most sustainable building in the world."

The building offers other companies the chance to see what new sustainable and energy efficient building techniques and materials are now available. Businesses have the chance to bring these techniques to the UK to create greener buildings and offer companies the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprints.

Emirates Stadium site set for three residential towers

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:58 GMT

Football fans could potentially move into residential property close to their beloved team, as a new luxury housing scheme is set to be delivered on the site of Arsenal Football Club's home ground, the Emirates Stadium, 24dash reports.

Set to comprise three residential towers, the completed scheme will see a range of 375 luxury apartments and penthouses located opposite the stadium at Queensland Road in Islington.

The £5.7 million development will have environmentally-friendly features as part of the design, including ventilation systems, in addition to soil and waste systems.

Work has now begun on the site, which Arsenal FC sold to Barratt London and social landlord London & Quadrant at a cost of £26 million in 2012. JS Wright, a building services provider, has now teamed up with both organisations to deliver the scheme.

Managing director of JS Wright Marcus Aniol told the new provider: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Barratt Homes for our biggest residential project in London. Arsenal fans moving into the new development can expect ‘premier league’ building services.”

Barnwood wins Oxfordshire office construction

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

A new 27,500 sq ft office building is set to be developed in Oxfordshire, with Barnwood Construction set to deliver the scheme.

The property will be located at the Milton Park business and science estate and will be an energy-efficient building once construction is completed.

Design of the commercial property will see it achieve the BREEAM rating of 'Excellent' following the addition of sensor-controlled lighting and underfloor air conditioning amongst other energy-efficient systems.

Milton Park is currently home to 250 companies ranging from bio-science to publishing. The site also features an onsite Post Office, bank, nursery and sports and leisure facilities.

Managing director of Barnwood Construction Simon Carey said: “We were very pleased to win this contract against some very stiff competition. It really gives us a chance to show just what we can do when given the challenge."

“These buildings are absolutely state-of-the-art and represent the only new speculatively built Grade A office property of this size in Oxfordshire over the last five recent years," he added.

Labour to set decarbonisation target

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Labour's shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex has confirmed that a decarbonisation target will be set in time for the next general election.

The party has pledged more support for carbon initiatives should they take office, with Labour promising to access more energy from green sources by 2030.

Mr Greatrex spoke at a conference in Manchester, stating that an energy efficiency target "absolutely crucial" in order to make sure that wind farms, solar allocations and other renewable technologies are introduced to reduce nationwide carbon emissions. The move would also give the energy sector "long-term certainty", he said.

The coalition has not set a target for the reduction of carbon emissions, despite the Liberal Democrats supporting such a move. The concern from senior Conservatives is that setting a target for green energy would push up the cost of bills for UK families.

However, the Labour party has said that a target would bring down energy bills for homes and businesses in the UK and cut down on the country's reliance on gas power.

Carbon-reducing primary school constructed in Chester

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:57 GMT

Chester Bluecoat Church of England Primary School has seen construction work completed, with the development now handed over to Chester Diocesan Board of Education.

As reported by Place, North West, the project was delivered at a cost of £5.7 million, and features ventilation systems, air source heat pumps and daylight sensing controls for internal lights.

Work saw a collaboration between architects Tweed Nuttall Warburton, landscape architects Ryder Landscape Consultants and Bardsley Construction.

The site has been constructed in order to accommodate students from both St Thomas's Primary and Victoria Infants school, as the two establishments have now merged to form one teaching facility.

Due to the buildings energy-efficient technology, it has managed to attain a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating, and has also fulfilled local authority requirements for 10 per cent of renewable energy.

Head teacher of the school Vince O'Brien said that the new school provides a "calm and purposeful atmosphere" for the young students.

Cambridge set for £1 billion in energy investment

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

A number of properties throughout Cambridge are in line for changes that would make them into more energy-efficient buildings.

The Cambridge Retrofit Project will see a huge £1 billion in investment, which is intended to cut carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2050.

Not only will the scheme help to reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the local area, but it will also assist aims set out in the UK's Climate Change Act which intends to reduce countrywide emissions by 80 per cent.

Some of the changes which have been suggested include loft and cavity wall insulation, enhanced window glazing, energy-efficient lighting and improved boilers.

Professor Douglas Crawford-Brown, director of the Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research, said that the retrofit scheme is "a huge challenge" but one that must be undertaken.

“Crucially, our plan is to ensure that the business of retrofitting Cambridge’s buildings is demand-driven. Other attempts at initiatives like this have tended to work on the assumption that if a programme to make large-scale changes like this is created, people will use it," he said.

Bradford Uni in top 10 for green credentials

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Bradford University's energy-efficient buildings have put the establishment in the top ten of the People & Planet Green League 2013 for higher education facilities.

One of the reason's for the university's entry into the upper echelons of the table was the utilisation of natural ventilation in the school library.

As part of the Green Library Environment and Education (GLEE) programme, a £1.5 million scheme was undertaken to improve the learning environment.

Funding was obtained from a combined effort between the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Salix and the university itself.

The project, which also aimed to reduce the carbon impact of the building's design and function, saw heating systems switching to burning local wood to warm the building, and added natural ventilation systems to replace some of the large, old fans.

Furthermore, the property has high levels of insulation to keep heat from escaping the facility. Increased daylight flooding into the building also reduces the need for artificial lighting and of course electricity.

"We have brought the outside into the study space with lots more fresh air and daylight. Light comes in through the central light wells and the new large windows facing the grassed Amphitheatre. Air is let in through breathing walls and out through the solar chimneys," the University told People & Planet.

Bradford University came joint-ninth in the league table, alongside the University of Central Lancashire, with a total score of 54 out of 70 in the People & Planet scorecard for policy and performance criteria.

Manchester Metropolitan University topped the table with a score of 59.5, followed by the University of Plymouth (59.0) and the University of Gloucestershire (58.0).

Vice chancellor of the university Mark Cleary said: “The university is dedicated to sustainability; it is built into our decision making process. We are proud to continue to set high standards with our Ecoversity programme.”

The league table scheme should help to encourage more universities to increase their commitment to energy-efficient building practices, with a high ranking league position potentially attracting climate change-conscious students.

Improving the chances of office take-up

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:00:56 GMT

The availability of top-grade commercial property is a valuable commodity for any city, as excellent facilities prove to be a huge attraction for businesses to enter into the local area.

Not only does this help to encourage the local economy, but a number of people in the surrounding areas could potentially benefit from new jobs.

In Glasgow, the outlook for the commercial property sector is becoming increasingly confident, with regional chairman at CBRE Bill Colville observing the potential for a turnaround in the local business and construction environment.

Mr Colville suggested that there is a shortage of Grade A office space in the city, but that upcoming developments will help to improve this.

Some 500,000 sq ft of Grade A office space will be created at Queen Street, West Regent Street and St Vincent Plaza.

"Normally you would expect development when the take-up of space has been quite significant, but the market in Glasgow has enjoyed very little take-up at the top end," Mr Colville told The Herald, Scotland.

"There are likely to be a couple of reasonable deals in the next few months that are significant, in so far as that will be the first evidence of Grade A take-up in the city for some time."

It is hoped that these developments will encourage further investment in the city. However, Mr Colville has predicted growth in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen too.

The completion of the tram system in Edinburgh and upgrades to the train station will prove to be attractive to businesses looking to move their operations to the area, he said.

Furthermore, Mr Colville suggested that Aberdeen was the second UK commercial property hotspot behind London.

However, one of the biggest draws to commercial office space has come from the introduction of BREEAM ratings to assess the environmental credentials of a property.

"As we continue to see modest [economic] growth coming through, it will put pressure on occupiers to either move at the end of a lease or break options to trade up. Even some buildings developed 10 years ago have gone beyond what is now acceptable in energy performance," he said.

Energy efficient buildings, in this case, could be the answer to achieve a higher take up of commercial property - an important factor to consider, whether you are a developer, architect or business planner.

BREEAM ratings can be achieved through a number of different technologies, such as natural ventilation systems, solar panels, efficient boilers, LED and sensor activated lighting and rainwater harvesting systems.

For businesses, energy efficient buildings prove to be an attractive option, as they not only help to keep in line with the UK government's targets for business premises to cut carbon emissions, but they assist in the reduction of yearly running costs through cheaper energy bills.

With London in the midst of an office construction boom, it is important for the rest of the UK to remain competitive when it comes to building and selling commercial property. By maximising the appeal of a premises, it will help to ensure the space if filled quickly, to the benefit of the developer.

Mansell expands healthcare construction portfolio

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Following a £23.6 million deal, Mansell will now begin work on the construction of a new hospital facility in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

The Mansell brand, under Balfour Beatty, was offered the deal via the Liftco Framework and will deliver the design, build and fit-out of the new hospital facility, including A&E, outpatient, diagnostic and therapy services.

It is one of the many healthcare facilities the group has delivered, or are in the process of constructing, in recent years. The construction of a cancer care centre in Newcastle has recently been completed, whilst work has also now begun on a community hospital facility in Bicester.

All of these developments from Mansell are expected to minimise any carbon emissions the buildings release. The energy-efficient buildings include features such as natural ventilation, solar panels, air source heat pumps, and green roofs.

The QEII facility in Hertfordshire is expected to reach a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent', whereas the recently completed Maggie's North East Cancer Care Centre has achieved the top BREEAM accreditation.

Covering an area of 8,542 sq m, the new QEII building will be constructed in close proximity to the existing QEII hospital, which is currently in operation. Work has already commenced on the building, which is expected to be ready for patients in the first half of 2015.

During the construction of the new facility, the existing hospital's operations will not be affected. Once completed, healthcare practices will be moved to the new facility, while the old property will be disposed of.

Managing director for Balfour Beatty's London New Build Business Andy Bowler said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Assemble to deliver this prestigious healthcare project.

"We are committed to applying our experience and ingenuity to create a space that is safe, modern and flexible, so that the local health services can be better tailored to meet an individual patient’s needs."

Could natural ventilation prevent classroom absences?

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

A new study from the US has suggested that natural ventilation systems could potentially reduce the amount of absences in schools.

As conducted by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), the study analysed ventilation rate data over a period of two years, with information collected from 150 classrooms in the state of California.

By increasing classroom ventilation rates to the state-mandated 7.1 litres per person, a 3.4 per cent reduction in absences was recorded.

The study might provide interesting reading for UK school organisations, which want to reduce absences and the spread of contagious illnesses within the learning environment.

Natural ventilation has a number of worthwhile applications, with increased quality of air just one aspect of this. A well regulated temperature within the building will also help to reduce the need of further heating or cooling - depending on the circumstance. In turn, this will assist with reducing carbon emissions.

Boris Johnson launches loans for energy-efficient schools

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 23:00:56 GMT

A new loan to help with the funding of energy-efficient changes in schools has been launched by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

According to the Mayor, schools could save as much as £32 million from accessing technology which cuts carbon emissions, such as insulation or efficient boilers.

In order to encourage the take up of such technologies, interest free loans have been offered to the schools for installing systems that will not only save the school money, but reduce their energy usage.

Loans will be repaid following savings made on bills, with schools expected to benefit in the long-term.

A number of old schools could be refitted as a result of the scheme, creating more energy-efficient buildings through the use of systems such as solar panels or natural ventilation.

Mr Johnson said: “Making London schools more energy efficient not only saves money and protects the environment it also boosts the economy and creates jobs - an A* grade idea in anyone’s book.”

UK witnessed steep fall in carbon emissions in 2011

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Figures have shown that the UK saw a fall in carbon emissions in 2011, with greenhouse gases dropping by seven per cent - the biggest fall in European Union.

The EU average, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA), was 3.3 per cent. Low emission levels in the UK have been attributed to the mild winter experienced in 2011-12, causing the demand for gas or electric heating to decrease.

Furthermore, the EEA claimed that there was more hydro-electricity production in the year and that previous problems with nuclear power experienced in 2010 were solved, bringing output back to the normal level.

Executive director of the EEA Jacqueline McGlade said: "The greenhouse gas emissions cut in 2011 is good news, however, it was largely due to a warmer winter. If Europe is to achieve the transition towards a low-carbon society, it will need sustained investment in technology and innovation."

Reducing carbon emissions is a worldwide concern as global warming remains an issue, in addition to mounting fears over the dwindling supplies of fossil fuels.

An energy-efficient building will not only help to cut down the need for power from the national grid, it will reduce carbon emissions, and help to slash the cost of running a property. This is particularly important for businesses looking to save money on energy bills in their premises, in order to maximise profit margins.

Sustainable technology such as natural ventilation, solar panels, high-quality insulation and efficient boilers are all ways in which to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gases.

For businesses looking to access these measures, funding is available via a number of government schemes, such as the Green Deal or the green investment bank. While these initiatives are certainly positive, environmental finance leader at Ernst & Young Ben Warren has said that more should be done to ensure that the UK competes in terms of renewable investment.

RHI set for tariff increases

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariffs have been proposed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

It is hoped that this will increase the take up of the scheme in regards to more non-domestic applications and promote the delivery of energy efficient buildings.

Allocations for biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal developments are to be encouraged with more support given for the uptake of these technologies.

For biomass installations able to generate 1MW of above, the current RHI rate of 1.0 could be increased to 2.0 if proposals are accepted. Ground source heat pumps of up to 100kW could be increased from 4.8 to 7.2-8.2, whereas the 3.5 rate for systems above this will remain the same.

Finally, solar thermal developments up to 200kW could benefit from an increase to 10-11.3 in the RHI, up from 9.2.

So far, some 1,300 installations have been accessed under the RHI to date. However, energy and climate change minister Greg Barker said that more needs to be done to encourage uptake.

“The Renewable Heat Incentive has been running for nearly eighteen months, so now is a timely moment to look again at the tariffs," he added.

“We need to make sure they are set at the right level to continue bringing forward investment and growth and at the same time keep costs to the taxpayer to a minimum. That’s what our proposals set out today are designed to do.”

The DECC has described the RHI as a world first scheme for energy efficient buildings and it is intended to revolutionise how homes and businesses are heated. Furthermore, the initiative is looking to reduce carbon emissions and help the UK reach ambitious targets for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

A degression system, similar to the feed-in tariff, has been implemented for the RHI, which sees new applicants to the scheme receiving a reduced tariff level based on current demand for the incentive.

YMCA hotel set for London

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:00:55 GMT

A new YMCA hotel facility has been approved for construction in Islington, London, with plans that will see the building developed to high standards of energy efficiency.

As reported by Building Design, the development will be delivered by Levitt Bernstein and will replace the existing 1980s building that has been home to the organisation for some 30 years.

Designs have suggested that the building will hold 146 rooms, with apartments able to hold one, two or five people. Furthermore, 16 rooms will be made available for those with disabilities.

The energy efficient building is aiming for an 'Excellent' rating, based on the BREEAM method of testing. Features set to be installed in order to achieve this include photovoltaic panels and a green roof.

While these are just some of the options to achieve high levels of sustainability with a large property, other installations such as natural ventilation and biomass boilers could also help to cut down carbon emissions.

Timber primary school given waterproofing membrane

Fri, 31 May 2013 23:00:57 GMT

A primary school has been transformed into an energy efficient building through the use of a rubber membrane just 1.2mm thick.

The egg-shaped primary school in Birmingham had the unique solution installed by AAC waterproofing, using its Prelasti prefabricated EPDM material.

The company accurately measured and prefabricated the challenging roof at timber-bearing Four Dwellings Primary School - a new build which was constructed as part of the Birmingham BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme.

A datum line was used for this project, with the company bonding individual sheets in stepped lengths.

The company has been designed “from the inside out” by project architects dRMM, and is laid out with classrooms surrounding a central hall, providing a link between internal communal areas and the landscaping outside.

AAC’s project manager Mike Grant said: “We are finding that timber-frame structures are being used more widely as an alternative to steel because of their environmental properties.

“EPDM is the ideal waterproofing membrane for timber structures such as Four Dwellings, as it is lightweight, environmentally sound, and involves no hot works or fires, as asphalt does.”

Olympic Stadium development approved

Fri, 31 May 2013 23:00:57 GMT

Redevelopment work on one of the iconic 2012 London Olympic venues is set to get underway, following approval from the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).

The stadium was home to the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, in addition to a number of memorable moments from the summer sporting event.

With West Ham United Football Club expected to move into the venue in August 2016, the stadium will be turned into a flexible 60,000-seater venue, which can be then be increased to a capacity of 80,000 for concerts.

Alterations to the sporting and entertainment facility include the introduction of a new lower tier of retractable seating, with a new extended roof design to be built in order to cover this.

The main purpose of the redevelopment is to make the venue ready for both sporting and entertainment events and to make the transition between the two as easy as possible.

Further work is expected to include two new support buildings, additional turnstiles and a two-storey concessionaire building. The whole project is also set to achieve the BREEAM 'Excellent' rating.

It has been predicted that changes will cost in the region of £429 million and that work will begin sometime this year, with the decision still requiring approval from mayor of London Boris Johnson.

In addition to hosting Premier League football games for West Ham United from 2016 onwards, it has also been confirmed that the venue will be used during the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

Chief Executive of the LLDC, Dennis Hone, described the confirmation of planning approval as an"important milestone" for the project.

"As we prepare for the phased reopening of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this summer, with the long-term future of all eight permanent venues on the Park now secure, we remain firmly on track to deliver a meaningful physical and social legacy for Londoners," he added.

Birmingham to get sustainable dogs home

Fri, 31 May 2013 23:00:56 GMT

Plans have been submitted for a new dog rescue centre on the outskirts of Solihull, with the development aiming for a Breeam rating of ‘Excellent’.

Associated Architects has come up with the design for Birmingham Dogs’ Home, which is set to accommodate around 150 lost and abandoned dogs.

New facilities are to include kennel and exercise areas, a behavioural suite and veterinary facilities. In addition, education rooms are to provide space for events that the local community will be invited to attend.

The single-storey building will feature sustainable materials, high levels of insulation and natural ventilation, indicating it will be a particularly energy efficient building. What’s more, it will also have a grass roof.

Construction is expected to kick off in early 2014, with the facility set to open in 2015.

The centre, which is currently based in a three-story building in Digbeth, was relocated due to a lack of external space.

Two 5-storey student housing blocks completed at Oxford

Fri, 31 May 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Bennetts Associates has finished work on two five-storey student housing blocks for St Antony’s College in Oxford.

The £11 million ‘gateway’ project includes a porters’ lodge and 54 en-suite study bedrooms, featuring meeting spaces and offices for College staff, which are situated within glazed rooftop pavilions.

It was after entering an invited competition in 2005 that the practice won the project.

The gateway buildings include a number of features used on energy efficient buildings. These boast sensible glazing rations, natural ventilation and planted roofs, as well as renewable systems like ground source heat pumps which are fed from pipework under the lawned quadrangle, and solar arrays to help with hot water production.

What’s more, the design is intended to fit in both within the St Antony’s estate and the North Oxford Conservation Area. The two buildings are also carefully positioned in relation to the neighbouring Grade II-listed buildings.

New sustainable office for Bath law firm

Thu, 30 May 2013 23:00:56 GMT

As the company looks to grow its business, law firm Withy King LLP has moved to a flagship development of offices in the city of Bath's new commercial quarter.

The Midland Bridge House is believed to be one of the most sustainable office buildings in the area, following an extensive refurbishment project.

As reported by the Bath Chronicle, the building now features increased insulation and energy-efficient heating and lighting systems.

Managing partner of Withy King, Graham Street, said that the move to the new energy-efficient building was "an important step" as the company looks to grow on its success.

"Finding high quality office premises of this size in close proximity to the city centre was never going to be easy, but we have been delighted to work with the owners of Midland Bridge House to transform this building into a first class client-meeting facility and a great working environment for our staff," he told the local news provider.

District 10 aims for BREEAM standard

Thu, 30 May 2013 23:00:56 GMT

A brand new development is set for Dundee's waterfront which will see a new building constructed to support the creative industries in Scotland.

The £1.7 million building will be known as District 10 and will provide some 950 m sq of office accommodation.

Furthermore, meeting and networking space will also feature as part of the project, with recycled shipping containers used as building material.

The containers will be lined with timber close panel factory linings and will also be fitted with a central steel self-supported stairwell and lift.

It is expected that the scheme will achieve a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent', utilising a photovoltaic array, and will keep within the Dundee waterfront 'BREEAM Sustainable Communities' bid.

Allan McQuade, Scottish Enterprise director of business infrastructure, said: "District 10 is an exciting new development that will stimulate economic growth both for Tayside and the wider Scottish economy by further enhancing Dundee Waterfront’s reputation as a first class location for business."

University of Hertfordshire set for new accommodation

Thu, 30 May 2013 23:00:55 GMT

In a deal worth £117 million, a consortium led by Bouygues construction will complete the design and development work on a brand new student accommodation facility for the University of Hertfordshire.

The Uliving consortium, of which Derwent Living is also a part, will help to deliver some 3,000 bedrooms for students.

Expected to cover 23 apartment blocks, the development is set to include social spaces and gym facilities.

The design is looking towards a set of energy efficient buildings that will be able to achieve the top BREEAM accreditation of 'Outstanding' with the site incorporating a heat and electricity generation facility. It is also hoped that a 'True' Zero Carbon rating will be reached.

Uliving will also carry out the financing and operation of the initiative. For Bouygues, the project will expand the company's experience in delivering student accommodation, with 5,000 rooms currently under construction.

Monmouthshire Council move to new offices

Thu, 30 May 2013 23:00:55 GMT

Monmouthshire County Council has moved its base of operations to a brand new energy efficient building.

The local authority will now benefit from a brand new multi-use facility, as delivered by Willmott Dixon. The building includes conference and meeting rooms, in addition to a debating chamber and an open plan office.

County Hall has been fitted with a number of carbon reducing features, including an energy-efficient biomass boiler, daylight sensors, lighting controls and a rainwater harvesting system.

Managing director of Willmott Dixon in Wales, Neal Stephens, said that the company has been working with the council for 13 years, adding that he is pleased to announce the latest contract was delivered on time and within budget.

"The new offices will provide the council with up-to-date facilities which are both practical and energy efficient. They have been built with the local environment at the forefront of our minds, with minimal disturbance to local species," he stated.

ISG to work on BBC World Service headquarters

Wed, 29 May 2013 23:00:57 GMT

ISG Construction is set to bring improvement works to the BBC World Service Building in London, including a number of energy efficient changes.

Kato Kagaku Co. Ltd, the Japanese owners of the former BBC property, have appointed ISG in a £52 million deal, with work set to see a number of commercial offices developed.

It is said to be one of the largest office refurbishment schemes in London to be awarded this year, bringing 300,000 sq ft of high specification Cat A offices set to be spread across four buildings and a central courtyard.

Of the four buildings, three are expected to reach the BREEAM 'Excellent' rating, with ISG bringing a number of sustainable enhancements through improved insulation and highly efficient services installation.

Chief executive of ISG David Lawther said: "We are witnessing growing improvement in activity across the London Fit Out market and this latest win reinforces our position as the sector’s lead contractor.”

Maida Vale tunes up for expansion

Wed, 29 May 2013 23:00:57 GMT

The BBC Maida Vale studios is set for an expansion project worth up to £40 million, bringing the facility to modern standards.

Not only will studio facilities be updated, the iconic venue will be made into residential properties, Construction News reports.

At present, the BBC uses the building for the broadcaster's Symphony Orchestra, the BBC singers, and the popular Radio 1 Live Lounge and "In Session" recordings.

Under the expansion project, it is hoped that the facility will gain a minimum BREEAM rating of 'Very Good', with the major aim to reach the environmental assessor's 'Excellent' accreditation.

The BBC is now looking for companies to put forward their potential interest in the scheme. Commercial property consultants Lambert Smith are on board to help find the best possible proposal for the site.

Since the 1930's, the BBC has owned the 0.54 hectare property for the purposes of broadcasting.