Exploring offsite build, BigData big profits & austerity design

BLOG from Howard Chapman, Editor of Buildingtalk

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Exploring Offsite

Offsite building is the solution of choice in many sectors. You can get the latest update about the impact on house building with a special Buildingtalk offer on delegate tickets to EXPLORE OFFSITE – the key one day conference & exhibition exploring the latest offsite construction solutions in the housing sector.

And take a look at our Video of the Week that shows how offsite modular build is meeting the demand for new school places.

BigData big profits

Check out the feature article about how Big Data could add £216 billion to the UK economy over 5 years. The construction sector is waking up to the potential for big sustainability, innovation and profitability gains. Huge amounts of data generated from concept to construction and throughout the complete building life-cycle can be combined with other data sets to take Smart Cities to another level. Embedded knowledge in infrastructure are also providing useful feedback on projects including heat monitoring and security information. And as IoT (the Internet of Everything) gains pace, productivity and innovation through collaboration will grow.

Austerity design

As Greece turns its back on austerity to embrace the consequences of bankruptcy, we ask if austerity in the UK is a good time for better public building design. Public sector expenditure makes up some 40% of the annual £110 billion spent of UK construction and, it is argued, better civic architecture design means better long term value.

Why build a Passive House?

Passive Houses are becoming increasingly popular but what does it really mean to own one? Michelle Sharp, from Zehnder Group UK, explores the benefits of the Passive House standard and explains why you should consider building one.

Economic news

• Average construction disputes worldwide up by £12M last year to £32M but UK construction disputes down £600k
• UK construction growth up (7.1% 2014 + 5.7% forecast for 2015) now 2nd largest output in Europe
• JCB wins biggest ever single order (£50m) as confidence in UK construction market grows

Whats new in building

Includes why build a Passive house, life size Noahs Ark, is it terminal for Heathrow, and DECC money for heat network projects.

• Nine UK innovative heat network projects get share of £6m DECC awards
• Touch screen controlled fire panels from C-TEC protecting hotels
• Radiant heating from SAS integrated into suspended ceilings
• Award-winning easy-heat underfloor heating system from REHAU
• Interesting new insulation breather membrane from Thermic Technology
• Stroma Tracker workflow management for energy and compliance sector
• How Decra roof tiles and underlays from Icopal are setting industry standards

Project sories

• Johnson & Starley warm air heating and ventilation solution for historic apartment renovation
• Knauf acoustic partial access flooring installed in Knightsbridge apartment
• Assa-Abloy electro-mechanical door closers specified for University of Edinburgh
• Air source outdoor unit from Space Air provides energy efficient heating for luxury Surrey home

Best of Buildingtalk on Twitter

• Someone is building a life-size Noahs Ark – pets welcome
• Great article on construction industry apprenticeships & skills shortage
• Skills shortage – campaign to get ex-military into Construction jobs
• Oxford University spin-off plans £143m 30MW tidal fence in Severn Estuary

And finallyÉ

London Heathrow Airport said goodbye to Terminal 1 yesterday as it has come to the end of its life. A bit worrying as I was working at Terminal 1 as a young man back in the 60s – and where when I met my wife Carole. However, Heathrow may get the go-ahead for a new runway tomorrow, so perhaps a new lease of life for us all and maybe Ill find time for the honeymoon too.

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COMMENTS

Rocketing demand increases strain on construction industry, says KPMG

2^nd July 2015

Richard Threlfall, head of infrastructure, building and construction at KPMG UK, comments on todays CIPS/Markit Construction PMI data.

ÒTodays figures confirm the acceleration in demand for UK construction. The industry will soon be running white hot, as housing, commercial and infrastructure demand are rising together.

ÒWhat we are seeing is very unusual. Private demand is rocketing in response to an improving economy and much stronger business confidence. And public demand is surging too, following the Governments post-election re-commitment to a huge infrastructure investment programme.

ÒThe critical question is, can the industry deliver? I am concerned it cannot. The industry is about to be engulfed in a tidal wave of work but its struggling already with a huge skills shortage, weak Tier 1 balance sheets, and a lack of investment in capacity. I expect a lot more industry trauma as this story plays out.Ó