Glow-in-the-dark concrete used on first commercial scheme

A glow in the dark paving system that absorbs ultraviolet rays during the day and radiates light at night has been used for the first time on a major commercial development in Derbyshire.

Tarmac worked with developer Blue Deer Ltd and main contractor Cara Construction to install its decorative Toptint Glow concrete on the main walkways and first-floor balconies around its new Glass Yard development in Chesterfield.

Toptint Glow uses light-sensitive chippings that glow and help illuminate areas such as footpaths, cycleways and pedestrian areas.

The system works by incorporating the recycled composite luminescent chippings into a matching coloured concrete mix, providing an end result which picks up and emits light at night after dark as well as delivering a long-lasting and durable surface.

Glanville Norman, product development manager at Tarmac, said: “New developments such as the Glass Yard or other existing high-profile sites often require something visually distinctive that will set them apart, and we’re always looking to develop new and exciting materials that can complement bold design.

“This is the first time that Toptint Glow has been used on a major commercial development and we were delighted to be able to propose a solution that not only has high aesthetic and environmental quality but also helped to improve safety and visibility.”

Tim Turner, managing director of Blue Deer Ltd, said: “One of the key principles of our design at the Glass Yard was to introduce a new kind of working environment that is exciting, safe and sustainable and one that people enjoy travelling to and working within.”

“We challenged Tarmac to come up with something that was a bit different for the central walkways and were impressed by Toptint Glow, as it gave us something that was durable but also serves as a design feature that puts a smile on people’s faces.”

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Big five modular builders form trade body

The UK’s big five MMC builders have teamed up to form a new trade body to accelerate the growth of the modular sector.

Trade body Make Modular brings together leading modular housing manufacturers: TopHat, Urban Splash, Ilke Homes, Laing O’Rourke, Legal and General Modular.

It is being supported by the wider manufacturers body Make UK.

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, said:“Modular housing could certainly play a significant part in helping local authorities deliver the challenging home building targets set for them by Government.

“But to make real significant progress, modular housing needs to have equal access to land for construction with many sites still favouring traditional modes of construction.

“Modular also needs to have the weight of Government procurement behind it using a joined-up approach including education, defence and housing to build much-needed scale the UK’s modular industry.”

Together the member firms claim to have created more than 2,000 new jobs during the last three years.

They aim by moving people off-site and into clean, safe, modern working conditions volumetric to rebuild the construction workforce bringing up to 50,000 new younger people into the industry.

Make Modular members are planning to help solve the country’s housing crisis by delivering 75,000 affordable homes before the end of the decade, with a combined capacity to produce a new home every two hours from their factories.

Modular housing manufacturers are also keen to accelerate the development of building regulations to match a new, more ambitious new normal when it comes to quality and energy across construction as a whole, driving forward the world’s biggest challenge of climate change.

Dave Sheridan, Chair of Make UK Modular said: “Modular housing has grown rapidly in the last few years. The establishment of our own trade body is the crucial next step in this process.

“As a natural partner to Government to solve the housing crisis, deliver the levelling up agenda, and combat climate change Make Modular will accelerate and advance the MMC agenda through one strong voice rather than a series of disparate ones.”

 

 

Tolent to start £50m Brett Wharf site in Gateshead

Gateshead-based contractor Tolent is preparing to start the first phase of works on the £50m Brett Wharf development.

The prominent site on Gateshead’s quayside will create 269 one and two-bed apartments for rent, as well as commercial space, flexible offices, coffee shops and restaurants.

Specialist remediation works began last month to clean up the former oil storage depot site, which is expected to continue until spring 2022.

Following these works, Tolent will then begin the main construction work on behalf of client Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management (REIM).

This scheme also marks the latest collaboration between Tolent and Newcastle-based DPP Planning.  Having secured planning permission for the original development, DPP has been retained by REIM and Tolent to manage post-decision planning requirements, which includes the details on managing the groundworks and areas such as decisions over the final materials and signage.

Steve Church, contracts manager for Tolent, said: “This is a hugely significant project for the city and we’re delighted to be a part of the ongoing regeneration of Gateshead’s quayside.”

 

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.thegraduatemag.com/?p=1686