What does historic building refurbishment involve?

Generally speaking, when restoring a historic building, most alterations are internal to allow for a new layout, improved thermal efficiency, and more efficient use of space, to name a few. However, depending on the level of legal protection the building has, i.e. whether or not it is listed or it is within a designated conservation area, external alterations are also possible. From tasteful extensions to alterations to the exterior finish, a building’s refurbishment does not have to be hidden inside four walls.

Benefits of repurposing historic buildings

Local authorities, especially in historic parts of the country such as London, look favourably on the re-use and adaptation of historic buildings. Retaining historic buildings means you could face fewer planning hurdles, getting your project through the planning process more quickly. The re-use of historic buildings is also an inherently sustainable approach, offering an eco-friendly solution to new builds. From a financial point of view, there is a clear saving on high-quality materials which have stood the test of time. Not only that, but the overall aesthetic and charm of a historic property cannot be reproduced in modern new-builds. Such quirky and historic features can often put your newly-refurbished building at the top of people’s lists, not to mention able to command a hefty premium.

Inherent constraints

Oftentimes, it is sometimes considered cheaper to demolish an existing historic building and start anew. As mentioned above, there are several reasons why re-purposing it might be a better choice, but it is not without its own issues. Any construction company seeking to repurpose historic buildings needs to be aware of the various constraints of working with an older building. From planning constraints when working with listed buildings to the complexities of having to balance the preservation of its historic character with things like thermal efficiency, there are several potential issues to work through. We, as a fit-out company, must stay up-to-date with the latest policies and guidance on the conversion of historic buildings to ensure the most significant aspects of the historic character are preserved whilst also making them fit for purpose.

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Read on to discover the 2019 highlights of the construction industry, and what these can mean for the year ahead.

AI became more commonplace

Just as the subheading says, in 2019 AI became much more commonly used in the construction industry. This is a huge highlight of the year as it improves production and construction time, reduces human liability and fault, and overall increases on the seamlessness of each project to ensure optimal working conditions and outcomes.

Robotics pushed the eco-trend

Similarly to AI, the use of robotics in the construction industry became nearly commonplace. This was incredibly positive for 2019, majorly because of how much it aided towards environmentally friendly practices throughout the business. Using robotics allows for optimised accuracy and production rates, leading to less waste – in an era that has dedicated itself to becoming greener, this is a welcomed change beyond the industry itself but into the world as a whole.

Increased success stories with drones

The construction industry, throughout 2019, has pushed itself massively in producing innovative and fresh solutions to age-old problems. One of the most prominent solutions is the use of drones. Contractors and builders are more readily taking advantage of drones in order to visualise the layout of their project from above. Not only does this produce more accurate results and thus results in fewer mistakes, but it also lends itself to provide more jobs within the industry itself, as people start to become specialised in drone flying.

The industry moved into digilatisation

Obviously, the construction industry will never wholly move into digital territories – it’ll always need that humane flair that computers can’t bring! But, one of the huge highlights of 2019 has been that the construction industry – more specifically, the management and planning sides – has incorporated software and digital programming more than ever before. More specifically, cloud-based software has seen an incremental rise, meaning that the construction industry is more precise and even better. This also aids in the previous target of becoming more economically friendly, as it either reduces or eliminates paper waste.

Overall, 2019 has been an incredible year for the construction industry and construction companies. It’s seen workers and projects alike expand into new heights and territories, and all of these trends set to boost the industry above and beyond in 2020.

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Well, not quite.

London lives on

What’s surprising is that all these predictions couldn’t be farther from the truth. London still retains the world’s financial muscle and, with it, the continued thriving of its building and construction industry. Even the refurbishment of smaller businesses sector, which was forecast to die out under Brexit, is alive and well.

This has been possible because of the powerful resilience and the uniqueness of London. The city has continued to attract an increased number of real estate investments from across its borders. It has gone ahead to overtake New York, making it more dominant in the trillions transacted in the foreign exchange market on a daily basis.

There has additionally been continued growth in the UK’s construction industry. More demands for places of residence have been on the rise – mostly in areas that are already densely populated. This has made the government create heavy targets, promising to deliver roughly 300,000 homes in a year, lasting until mid-2022.

Commercial centres

More commercial centres and office spaces have also been in high demand. Many, such as the Hinkley Point C, are already under construction, proving that Brexit isn’t instilling as much fear as initially thought. Other proposed projects include the Dingman Forcemain, phase 2 of Egerton Street, phase 2 of Cavendish, the Dundas Street East, and the Wilton Grove Road.

London has therefore extended its reputation as a global banking centre in the face of adversity, surprising many who had predicted its downfall. The city’s standing has made the UK maintain its power and retain the ranking of number one in global politics.

What does this mean? It means that the strong EU enterprises must come to London if they want to continue to trade with the global powerhouses that reside there – ensuring that for the building and construction industries, there is a life after Brexit.

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A survey of the young generation starting out in the construction sector by Building.co.uk revealed some of the things about the industry they want to change.

Work-life balance

Of the 500 young people in the industry that took part in the survey, nine out of every ten were happy with their jobs, but an area that they see room for improvement in is work-life balance. 16 per cent cited this as something they want to see change. They argued that the drive to complete projects – whether it is a fit-out, refurbishment or any other kind of building job – as quickly as possible means long working hours that can be costly to home lives.

Gender balance

The same survey revealed that gender equality within the industry remains a problem, with the lack of women in senior roles being an issue cited by some young women who took part. 45 per cent of young male respondents said that entering the building industry had been recommended to them at school, while only 23 per cent of young women said the same. This continued lack of gender parity might be a contributory factor in the long hours expected of workers carrying out construction jobs, as a recent piece in Image found that the desire to spend more time with children is still seen by many bosses as one that affects women more than men.

How is the next generation going to change things?

Clearly this is an issue that the next generation entering the working world takes seriously and with the building industry facing a skills shortage, it is vital that more young people are attracted to construction. To achieve this, the industry is working to get more young women engaged using visits to building sites, placements and building work taster sessions. As more young men and women enter, we are likely to see a much greater emphasis on balancing the completion of projects with the demands of family life, even if it means longer deadlines.

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In a recent survey conducted by Construction News, they found that nearly a quarter of the construction workers they surveyed had considered taking their own lives. Up to 30% of them had taken time off work due to mental health issues, yet 63% of these did not discuss this with their employers.

So, what can be done to tackle mental health in the construction industry? We take a look at how your company can encourage workers to speak up if they’re struggling.

Mental health training

While your business and employees may be busy working on projects, it’s essential to make time to train your employees in areas such as health and safety. With this in mind, it’s equally as important to provide them with mental health training resources such as e-learning, pamphlets and in-house sessions. Demonstrate to workers what they should do if they are struggling with mental health and similarly, the actions they should take if they notice someone else struggling. Your workers should be able to recognise the signs of this, so they can help.

Dedicated first-aiders

More and more businesses are training dedicated first-aiders to act as a confidential resource for people to speak to. This demonstrates that your construction business is giving precedence to both physical and mental illness while removing the stigma. Your mental health first-aiders will be specifically trained to spot the signs of a construction worker contending with their mental health and understand the best way to intervene and provide support.

Create a safe environment

The best way to encourage people to talk about mental health is to normalise it. For years, many have tried to hide their struggles, even though at least 1 in 4 people have struggled with a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Provide a safe space for your workers to talk through their issues, giving them the tools and support they require.

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Calculating the size of a new office

The best way to accurately estimate how much office space you need is to allocate 100 square feet to each employee, with half of this being desk space and the other half distributed to communal spaces such as kitchens and meeting rooms. If your business is moving to high rent areas like Central London, you may opt for 70 to 80 sq.ft. per staff member while the opposite can apply in areas outside major cities. It is also important to approximate the amount of space needed for board rooms, conference rooms, managers’ offices, and directors’ offices, again following the 100 sq.ft. per person rule. Although estimations can be used as a general guide, more accurate office space approximations and layouts can be achieved if you use a space calculator.

How important is it to get the right space and the right size working environment?

Getting the right space and working environment is a vital part of inspiring your workforce. Cramped, tight spaces negatively impact the culture of the company, your ability to attract and retain employees, and the level of creativity and innovativeness. Additionally, the right space shapes communication among employees and makes both interaction and collaboration effective and efficient. This, in turn, increases the productivity levels of your employees and also boosts morale.

The importance of the right office space and environment cannot be underestimated. It encourages professional development among employees, positively impacts branding, and minimises time wastage. Choosing the right space could positively affect the success of your business.

To find out more about the Virtus space calculator, contact a member of our team today on 020 7234 8600.

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There are different compelling reasons why you may prefer to have exposed services for your premises. One of the obvious advantages of exposed services is reduced costs of construction which makes it an economical option. Compared to tightly attached and enclosed structures, exposed services use fewer materials. Additionally, repair and maintenance work are easier should need be since the facilities are more accessible. Adjustments to the building can also be made without necessarily demolishing some parts.

With proper design and installation, exposed services can offer extra attractiveness. Your building can be turned into an architectural masterpiece with exposed components that have a pleasing aesthetic effect. Another advantage of exposed services is the open thermal mass of the structure. The exposure makes it possible to install additional features including air conditioning and ventilation system. Some premises, such as retail spaces can add some components such as open lattice for dramatic visual effects. The inexpensive elements can conceal some parts of the exposed services while still allowing free flow of air. Other vital additions in exposed services can include CCTV cameras, motion sensors, and smoke detectors.

While exposed services add a new dimension to your premise, it is crucial to watch out for some of the drawbacks of adopting the style. A poor installation affects not only appearance but also ventilation and distribution of air within the building. Some exposed services occupy larger spaces and are more susceptible to damages compared to enclosed structures. Depending on the material of the exposed parts, the acoustics of the room may be affected. Some materials such as fibre have low noise reduction coefficient (NRC), thus offer less acoustic privacy compared to gypsum and plaster. Despite these drawbacks, expect exposed services to remain a key trend in the construction industry.

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Public space in a building could be a courtyard, hallway, lobby or even lawns and gardens around its perimeter. Let’s look at some of the benefits of having these public spaces to both the building owner and the residents.

1) Increases the value of a building

A public space, especially one with unique or functional features, is seen as an amenity. An attractive open space improves the overall tenant satisfaction, drawing in new tenants and retaining them. Building owners can use a public space for marketing their property and increasing its value.

2) Provides security

Public places usually feel safe and welcoming. There is a unique and immeasurable sense of reassurance that comes from an openly accessible and populated public space. They add the same level of security to buildings. Despite having conventional security measures in place, tenants feel more relaxed and safe in a building that also has a public space.

3) Source of revenue

Exterior and interior public spaces can be used to generate revenue. Building owners often rent out spaces to vendors and other businesses such as food trucks and entertainers. In such a case, the public space is a source of income for the enterprises and the building owner. Large enough public spaces can also be rented out to host events and parties.

4) Aesthetic and social value

Beautifully landscaped public places such as courtyards and lawns are aesthetic features that complement the building’s image. They are also a great place to put up contemporary art pieces such as sculptures, monuments and water features.

Many public spaces are sites where tenants and even members of the public gather to socialise, rest, and pass some time. This encourages social growth among the building’s occupants as well as the larger community.

It’s about time that you turned any unused space in your new building into a public space and started ripping the benefits. Get in touch with us today and get the help you need in improving your building and workplace.

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There are specific words and abbreviations that workers and contractors will slip into everyday conversation, often without realising that, to those outside the industry, it can seem like they’re speaking a different language.

In this series, we will be identifying common jargon used by construction companies and explain what they mean in understandable terms.

BIM

BIM stands for Building Information Modelling. It’s a process that uses detailed design software to streamline the construction process. The BIM software used during a project can be accessed by everyone working on it, from the architects to the people working on site.

CAD

Computer Aided Design – commonly referred to as CAD – refers to any sort of computer software used during the construction process. For example, architects will use CAD to create 3D models of their designs.

Coworking space

A term used to describe a shared workspace. If you’re planning an office refurbishment, the architect may use the term coworking space when referring to an area where there’s an open-plan meeting place or hotdesking facilities.

In situ

It’s actually a Latin term, which means ‘in position’. However, in the construction industry, it’s usually used when something is on-site or in place. A contractor may, for instance, say that concrete beams are in situ once they have been cast.

Elevation

An elevation refers to one specific side of a building. Usually, an architect will create detailed drawings of each elevation to show how the building will look from every angle.

Party wall

Any wall that joins two separate properties together is called a party wall because ownership is shared by both parties.

Parapet

A low wall that usually projects from the top of a roof. Office blocks often have parapets incorporated into the design to act as a barrier rail, or to help prevent the spread of fire.

Surveying

The term survey refers to any detailed evaluation that takes place during the construction process. Surveying will take place when the existing condition of a site needs to be assessed.

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Increased productivity and efficiency: The evolution of modern office in the digital age of robots and artificial intelligence will undoubtedly increase productivity. Companies will be able to grow in terms of productivity and subsequently create more employment opportunities. The expectation is contrary to the common notion that automation usually results in loss of jobs.

Improved integration of office functions: In the current age of cutthroat competition among businesses in almost every sector, adopting new automation technologies could make a big difference in terms of proper integration of operations. Innovations such as Amazon’s Alexa  could soon find its way in offices having already proved successful in many home operations.

Streamlined communication: Sending and receiving information remains one of the crucial processes in the workplace. Office automation from a software perspective could be what your organisation needs to streamline the flow of messages. Advanced automatic systems are currently available for offices, which have seen improved communication beyond the level that was provided with traditional conventional methods. The innovations are expected to not only improve the speed of transmission but also reduce time costs further.

Measurement and optimization: Office automation could be the solution your company needs to track strategies and performance. In reality, it is difficult to have enough data to formulate accurate insights needed for efficient office administration. Employing an automated system in the office will certainly change this with its ability to record and analyse every action. Your business teams can then use the information to understand and enhance the effective parts of the strategies. Additionally, ineffective components of strategies can be determined and used in implementing effective changes. Office automation will be critical in smoothing out workflows by eliminating friction-causing elements in the workplace.

With much talk surrounding office automation, expect more construction companies and businesses to embrace various technologies. The future ability of workers in terms of productivity in offices has never looked brighter with the expected increase of the role played by automation in how people work.

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