Construction buyers see happier times ahead

Optimism levels among construction buyers have hit their highest levels in two years.

Results from the bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index in January showed a strong improvement in business activity expectations as the main index registered 48.8 – up from 46.8 in December and the highest reading since August 2023.

But the index remained below the crucial 50.0 no-change threshold for the fifth month running and signalled a moderate decline in total industry activity.

Around 51% of the survey panel forecast a rise in business activity during the year ahead, while only 12% predict a decline – the highest level of business optimism since January 2022.

Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “UK construction companies seem increasingly optimistic that the worst could be behind them soon as recession risks fade and interest rate cuts appear close on the horizon.

“The prospect of looser financial conditions and an improving economic backdrop meant that business activity expectations strengthened to the highest for two years in January.

“Moreover, there were again signs that customer demand is close to turning a corner as total new orders fell to the smallest extent for six months.

“Relatively subdued pipelines of new work nonetheless resulted in lower levels of construction output for a fifth successive month in January. House building remained by far the weakest-performing category, despite the rate of decline easing to its slowest since March 2023.

“Meanwhile, higher prices paid for imported items contributed to a rise in overall cost burdens for the first time since last September. However, there were still signs of space capacity across the construction supply chain as vendor delivery times shortened again at the start of 2024 and subcontractor availability increased at a robust pace.”

Student and flats jobs shoring up regional city workloads

Residential and purpose-built student housing-led projects are supporting construction activity across the UK’s four major regional cities.

According to the Deloitte Regional Crane Surveys, flats and student room projects are helping to offset the project slowdown in the central areas of Belfast, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester.

Development activity remained strong in 2023 with the four cities collectively recording 63 new construction starts, although this was still down from 74 in 2022.

John Cooper, partner in real assets advisory at Deloitte, said: “Residential development is currently leading the way with 87 residential schemes recorded as under construction, 28 of which broke ground in 2023.

“While Manchester has been a trailblazer for city centre residential development in recent years, all regional cities are now following this trend.

“Belfast City Centre, for example, has seen a ten-fold increase in activity with over 950 homes now under construction in the city centre, a real step forward. Birmingham also had a very strong year recording a 36% increase in city centre residential under construction.”

Jennifer Chatfield, senior planner in the real estate team at Deloitte, added student schemes were also on the rise.

She said: “In total we recorded 8,193 purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces under construction – a 40% increase from our last survey. The growth was particularly evident in Birmingham, with a 15-fold increase in student bed spaces under construction from around 100 in 2022, to over 1,500 in 2023.

“Similarly in Manchester, three new student residential schemes started last year, representing 2,153 bed spaces – the highest number in this survey’s 24-year history.”

Meanwhile, across the four cities 3.4m sq. ft. of office floorspace was under construction last year. Manchester reported the largest share of space under construction with 2.2m sq. ft while Leeds saw the highest volume of floorspace delivered to market – hitting an all-time high with nearly 700,000 sq. ft. of office floorspace across three schemes.

New Year cheer as confidence ticks up

Confidence among UK construction firms improved in January with the latest monthly S&P Global/CIPS UK Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) showing that business optimism has reached its highest level for two years.

The headline construction PMI rating ticked up to 48.8 in January compared to 46.8 in December 2023, with survey compiler S&P Global stating that companies envisage “more favourable underlying economic prospects”. However, the overall rating is still below the neutral 50.0 mark, which indicates the industry is still declining, albeit at a slower pace.

Civil engineering was the best-performing segment with a PMI score of 49.8, ahead of commercial construction (49.1). The housebuilding PMI rose from 41.4 in December to 44.2 in January, although S&P Global noted there were “subdued demand conditions and a lack of work to replace completed projects”.

Overall data for January indicated a reduction in new work for the sixth consecutive month, but S&P stated that “the pace of decline was only marginal and the weakest seen over this period”.

Despite subdued order books, the latest data signals an upturn in business confidence, with expected lower borrowing costs and higher consumer confidence likely to boost construction activity this year.

As a result, the January 2024 index provided “the highest level of business optimism since January 2022”, S&P Global said.

RSM UK national head of construction Kelly Boorman said there were “reasons for cautious optimism”, although overall sector activity remained subdued. “Further upticks in housing activity are likely in the coming months, especially now that interest rates have reached their peak. Commercial market activity may also see an uplift this year, as more and more businesses focus on returning to the office, making a case for increased demand.”

She added that the government decision last week to invest £775bn in infrastructure projects over the next 10 years “will enable construction businesses to consider long-term planning and investment for the first time in several years”.

Aecom head of cost management and commercial Brian Smith warned that even if confidence continued to grow, high inflation and tight credit conditions will affect construction’s recovery as firms contemplate reducing the size of their workforce.

“Construction output has continued to struggle throughout the winter, with five months of contraction. Some of the recent fall in activity can be partially attributed to wet weather, but the greater concern is the high inflation and tight credit conditions that continue to hamper housebuilding and are beginning to be felt in commercial development,” he noted.

“These latest figures will hopefully provide greater ambition when it comes to the sector’s long-term approach to resourcing, which represents a growing risk. Reducing workforce capacity in response to broader economic headwinds will ultimately impact future planning and projects at a time when competition for contracts is increasing.”

Boorman reflected this concern, saying: “The industry could be facing a real skills and productivity issue”, amid a 6 per cent drop in apprenticeship starts and 500,000 UK construction workers set to retire in the next 10 years.

Max Jones, a director in Lloyds Bank’s infrastructure and construction team, noted that his clients are seeing their margins on fixed-price contracts eroded by broader issues affecting the sector, but they are also eyeing certain specialisms as areas for growth. “Those with niche specialisms, particularly in the infrastructure space, could be among the best-performing in the coming months.

“It’s an area that we are increasingly seeing businesses investing more in, including in water infrastructure, data centres and solar and wind power facilities. Together with investment in skills and diversification, it has all the elements of a more prosperous year ahead.”

Workspace Design Show reveals a raft of thought-provoking features for 2024 UK edition

This year's edition of the Workspace Design Show (27-28 February 2024, Business Design Centre, London), presents an impressive array of features. These bring together some of the industry’s leading designers, architects and built environment partners and range from an immersive forest stage to an interactive lighting installation. Altogether, 2024’s features represent an incredible spectacle for attendees of the Show, which has become a must-visit event for office interiors professionals since its inception in 2021.

Design Talks Lounge by Gensler 

Curated by Gensler, the design concept for the Design Talks Lounge at the Workspace Design Show 2024 delves into the overarching theme, ‘Bloom – Exploring the Thriving Ecosystem of Work Life’. This engaging experience aims to shed light on and draw inspiration from nature, encouraging a positive perspective on the evolving worlds of work and life. Established and independent furniture consultants, Hunters, have partnered with sustainably-focussed firms to help bring this feature to life. Office plant suppliers Exubia plays a central role with eye-capturing biophilic design, seamlessly merging live planting with innovative moss elements. This is complemented by a 66-metre custom printed fabric backdrop provided by Kvadrat, featuring a forest design and crafted by the incredibly skilled seamstresses at Waverley. The flooring, supplied by Material Hangout and Mogu, known for its bio-based solutions, reinforces the Design Talks Lounge’s environmental ethos, with the furniture carefully selected from Andreu World, a firm renowned for its commitment to sustainability, with products made from biodegradable and compostable properties. To extend the life cycle and impact of the design of the feature, post-event will see the redistribution of the plants and furniture featured, while the fabric finds a second life in charity projects, ensuring a sustainable and waste-free approach. 

Entrance by tp bennett 

Architectural, design and planning practice tp bennett is responsible for the design of the feature at the entrance to Workspace Design Show 2024. A series of elegant columns is arranged in a conceptual maze, serving as a symbolic representation of the intricate ecosystem of work life. Each column embodies the essence of ‘Bloom’ – another nod to the event’s theme. They stand tall and varied, representing the diversity of experiences and challenges often experienced in life and at the same time, the structures symbolize the growth, development and resilience of trees in a garden. As you navigate through the varied paths, you encounter different sculptural pieces created by Aectual, each one illustrating a delicate bloom, composed of recycled sustainable materials and textured 3D printed surfaces with accompanying organic biophilia provided by Vantage Spaces and Planteria, both experts in biophilic design & office planting. Vantage Spaces are using preserved foliage, which is harvested sustainably using natural dyes to preserve the stems and ensure they are VOC free, 100% natural & biodegradable. Overall, this conceptual maze invites contemplation on the organic nature of career progression, encouraging individuals to appreciate the beauty and resilience inherent in their professional journey. The feature is finished with a captivating modular, linear lighting system, subtly integrated by iGuzzini with contemporary textiles from Kvadrat and specialist plant lighting from Soltech.

Insights Lounge by BDP 

Both the Occupiers Forum and the Sustainability Works sessions will be held in the Insights Lounge, designed exclusively by Lisa Pasi, graduate interior designer with international architects practice BDP. Also addressing the theme of, ‘Bloom’, Pasi’s concept will focus on the symbiotic relationship between man and nature. Hunters once again play a key role in terms of sourcing sustainable partners. Pasi’s vision promotes the purpose and validity of using natural materials within the workplace environment. To this end, wood and stone are not only aesthetically pleasing and foster a sense of warmth but also positively influence mood and well-being. Says Lisa Pasi, “Despite being constantly reminded of our connection to nature through our senses, this association tends to diminish when we find ourselves indoors, surrounded by artificial light and synthetic materials. Therefore, by adhering to biophilic design principles, the inclusion of natural materials will establish a connection to nature, bolstering concentration, creativity, and job satisfaction.” The sustainable credentials of flooring firms Mogu, Material Hangout and Ege carpets also underpin the concept. Overall, visitors to the Insights Lounge can enjoy a tactile experience and encounter the customisable options and unique qualities of natural materials, which are sure to enrich the overall comfort and engagement of individuals in the workplace.

Living Workplace lighting installation

Jason Bruges Studio presents two interactive lighting prototypes on the theme of ‘Living Workplace’. Each prototype is a 1:1 section of an existing, full-scale permanent artwork. The first prototype, called Energy Dynamics, originally developed for the Ukrainian energy company DTEK, uses technology for storytelling. The second prototype entitled The Experience Tunnel, was created for trading firm XTX Markets and introduces interaction to foster human connection and collaboration. 

Recharge Lounge

M Moser Associates has crafted a captivating oasis featuring the exquisite Pebble Rubble modular seating range from Italian furniture manufacturer Moroso that transports us to a serene forestscape, with plants incorporated by Oasis plants. Amidst the lively atmosphere of the Workspace Design Show, visitors will have the opportunity to be immersed in nature-inspired surroundings, where tranquillity and rejuvenation seamlessly converge. As the name suggests, the Recharge Lounge offers an opportunity to reset, refuel, recharge with Electrosonic also partnering to provide an experience where architecture, storytelling and technology connect in this enchanting retreat. 

Collectively, these features will form a key part of Workspace Design Show 2024 and promote meaningful discussions around the future of workplace, particularly in terms of best practice in sustainability.

Workspace Design Show 2024, 27-28 February 2024, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London N1 0QH 

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Go-ahead for Lendlease £700m ITV Studios rebuild

Communities secretary Michael Gove has approved called-in plans to build a major new office and culture complex at the former ITV Studio site on London’s South Bank.

The controversial project, which is set to be delivered by Lendlease, is being planned by Mitsubishi Estate and London development manager CO—RE.

Designed by Make Architects, Project Vista will consist of a 26-storey staggered office building, connected to two buildings of 14 and 6 storeys.

Alongside 900,000 sq ft of offices, the complex would also offer cafes and restaurants, cultural venues and green spaces.

The 72 Upper Ground development will transform 40% of the site into public realm, opening up a currently closed-off site on the popular South Bank and adding two new public squares, an active ground floor and several public walkways.

A complex demolition plan for the site was drawn up by specialist contractor McGee and must be followed according to conditions set out in the approval decision.

A joint-statement by Shinichi Kagitomi, CEO of Mitsubishi Estate London and Stephen Black, Director at CO—RE, said: “72 Upper Ground represents a £700m investment in the UK, creating over 4,000 new jobs, and vital new workspace that prioritises sustainability and wellbeing.”

“We understand and respect the responsibilities that come with building a major new development in this prominent part of central London.

“We are looking forward to working with our cultural neighbours and the wider community to deliver an outstanding building that makes a significant positive contribution to its place.”

Weston Homes pulls £300m Norwich centre scheme

Weston Homes has axed a £300m plan to regenerate the centre of Norwich blaming the failure of the Government to support house building.

Chairman Bob Weston said he was “gutted” to have to axe the 1,100 homes Anglia Square scheme after eight years of fighting and bending over backwards to bring the regeneration project to fruition.

He blamed planning delays caused by central Government intervention, costly changes to rules and regulations, and build cost inflation for making the project no longer viable.

Now the house builder has had to write off £7.5m against the cost of progressing the scheme over eight years.

Weston said: “I am personally gutted to have to write-off millions of pounds of company investment and not have a new scheme to show at the end of the venture.

“There are sadly no winners with this outcome. The city and people of Norwich, Weston Homes and Anglia Square are all victims of this deeply unfortunate situation.

“This was a development calculated to create around 2,211 direct construction jobs, another 288 jobs in the completed retail and commercial premises, with the residents of the new housing calculated to spend up to £36m per annum in the local Norwich economy. None of this will now happen.

He added: “The core contributor to a lot of the issues in this saga is the Conservative government, which seems to have no understanding of the importance of supporting the house building industry, regional cities and local communities in the UK.”

He said that a multitude of issues had impacted on the viability of the 11.5 acre Anglia Square scheme and made funding extremely difficult.

“The Ending Stagnation Report: A New Economic Strategy for Britain, recently published by the Resolution Foundation & Centre for Economic Performance, LSE provided a damning criticism of the Conservative Government and Anglia Square is a textbook case study that could be added to the report.”

1.Planning delays and extra costs due to government intervention

In 2018, housing minister Robert Jenrick called in and overturned both local planning consent and the inspector’s recommendation to approve. The minister’s intervention forced Weston Homes back to the drawing board to revise its plans. This required a further 12 months of local consultation before the current project gained a resolution to grant in April 2023.

2. Covid costs

During these planning delays, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, with a major impact on the viability of the proposed office and retail space, as the rise in homeworking and digital retailing reduced forecast demand

3. Nutrient Neutrality delays and cost

In March 2022, the Nutrient Neutrality directive blocked the building of new homes across Norfolk as it was believed house building could dangerously increase nutrient levels in local wetland. In August 2023, then housing minister Michael Gove said he would rewrite the rules on nutrient neutrality, making Natural England’s rules guidance rather than directives. But Gove backtracked meaning Natural England’s directives still stand.

Weston Homes now has to pay a £4m levy to Norwich City Council as an offset fee to the increased nutrient levels that are calculated to be generated by the Anglia Square development.

4. Grant funding impacted by delays

The financial viability of the redevelopment was always challenging from the outset, recognised in the form of £15m of Marginal Viability Funding from Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. Due to the planning delays, the funding rules meant that Weston Homes would now only be able to draw down £7m of the original funding first allocated.

5. build cost inflation

Build cost inflation impacted on the calculated construction costs making the scheme’s viability even more marginal over the last 18 months.

6. Community infrastructure levy

While Weston Homes welcomed a Labour-led Norwich City Council cabinet community infrastructure levy waver worth £2.3m on the first two phases, there was still a remaining tax levy on the final two phases, amounting to £5.4m tax bill for scheme.

7. Building Safety Act

The design guidelines in the Government’s Building Safety Act (2022) would result in the loss of another 100 homes within the proposed scheme, due to the required redesign of the various buildings.

This slashed millions of pounds from the projected revenue.

Humanscale showcases its global partnership with Kvadrat at the Stockholm Furniture Fair

New products on display, including an exclusive international preview of Freedom Ocean upholstered in Kvadrat Sport.

Humanscale, the leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic furniture products, will be exhibiting at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2024. As its headline, Humanscale will be previewing Freedom Ocean, the fourth in its collection of Ocean chairs, and the latest addition to its continued commitment to making a planet positive impact. Aligning to Humanscale's values, Freedom Ocean will be shown upholstered in Kvadrat Sport which uses 100% ocean bound plastic and the collaboration will fittingly be previewed in Stockholm. In addition to Freedom Ocean, Humanscale will showcase several other products from its range of ergonomic work solutions which demonstrate the company’s continued excellence in terms of sustainability and workplace wellbeing. The stand will demonstrate this via different zones including active, collaborative seating, pro-grade workstations, and work lounge along with the Freedom Ocean zone.

Stockholm Furniture Fair takes place between 6-10 February 2024, and has firmly established itself as a global design destination showing the best in both Scandinavian and International Design.

Designed by Niels Diffrient, the Freedom chair is described by The New York Times as the ‘gold standard in office seating’ and was the first task chair launch from Humanscale. It revolutionised task seating by eliminating levers, dials, and other mechanisms to provide physics-driven, ergonomic support. Now Freedom joins Humanscale’s Ocean collection by further utilising recycled materials, which includes reclaimed fishing nets, used plastic bottles, and post-industrial material.

Humanscale was the first manufacturer to launch a task chair made with reclaimed fishing nets – widely regarded as the most harmful type of ocean plastic -- when it introduced the Smart Ocean chair in 2018. Following that success, Humanscale introduced the Liberty Ocean chair and most recently Path which was launched globally last year.  In this way, Humanscale directly supports clean oceans by using abandoned, lost and discarded fishing nets that damage delicate ecosystems and marine life that inhabit them. 

Following on from Kvadrat’s global partnership which began in 2023, the Freedom Ocean chairs previewed at Stockholm will be upholstered using Kvadrat Sport, designed by Patricia Urquiola. Sport exemplifies Kvadrat’s commitment to conscious design principles as it is the world’s first recycled upholstery polyester textile made of 100% ocean-bound plastic waste. Sport offers a highly sustainable profile compared to other ocean-bound polyester textiles. These often incorporate plastic recovered much further from the sea – up to 50km away – and typically integrate virgin polyester or non-ocean-bound recycled post post-consumer polyester.

Humanscale will also use the fair to tell the story of its performance centric designs through the zones on the stand. Visitors to the stand will discover how Humanscale’s award-winning designs have intuitive features and fewer manual controls, making them easier to use with a timeless design aesthetic.

This will include an active zone, which features the Float Mini table which is a compact solution for sit/stand working, encouraging natural movement with a work surface that glides to a range of heights. Also within this zone is Active Pony, which allows healthy motion and targets a wide variety of core muscles via the stool’s base. This helps minimise fatigue and build strength.

Humanscale’s collaborative seating collection will feature a stunning range of award-winning task and meeting chairs. Within this zone, visitors can see and experience Freedom, Liberty, Smart, World and Path chairs, showcased in Kvadrat textiles as part of their global partnership.

The pro-grade workstation zone focuses on workstations and will comprise of the optimal work setup, featuring the Float table, Liberty Ocean chair, M2 & M8 monitor arms, NeatCharge, Float keyboard tray and Nova task light.

The final zone is the work lounge, which features the Float Gather table, a round version of the original Float highlighting its sit/stand properties, along with Trea Lite Task chairs designed by Todd Bracher.

Across its product portfolio, Humanscale is committed to designing with the health of both consumers and the planet in mind. Humanscale takes a Planet Positive approach to manufacturing to reverse the damage done to the environment through manufacturing. They believe simply reducing your footprint, or aiming for net zero, isn’t enough. 70% of the products they sell are certified net positive. This means any time these products are made the planet is measurably better off.

In addition to using recycling materials and eliminating Red List chemicals from the coatings, finishes and additives used in the manufacturing of its products, Humanscale also publishes Declare labels for its products. Described as a ‘nutritional label for products,’ this gives complete transparency of materials and ingredients in each product, keeping consumers informed and reassured about the purchases they are making.

Humanscale’s showcase at Stockholm reinforces its position as a leader in creating sustainable products that work harmoniously together, driving wellbeing and productivity at work.

Humanscale, Stand A07:29, Stockholmsmässan, Mässväagen ,1 Alvsjo

Surface Design Show 2024 Unveils Speakers Programme

Choose from Over 20 talks that delve into sustainability, trend predictions and the careers of some Industry Legends

It is less than a week to go to until Surface Design Show opens its doors at the Business Design Centre. Surface Design Show, the leading event for architects and designers showcasing innovative surface materials, is thrilled to announce its stellar speaker's program for the upcoming edition. Featuring a diverse range of topics and industry experts, the 2024 speakers program promises to engage and inspire attendees.

The programme will be held on the Main Stage sponsored by Smile Plastics and consists of an exciting line-up of 20 presentations from 61 speakers, including architects, designers, manufacturers, and journalists. For the first time the main stage will be featured on the gallery level and will feature furniture supplied by Nowystyl creating a casual, stylish and welcoming atmosphere. This year's Surface Design Show theme, Mindful Living plays a pivotal role in the topic areas for the discussions and is reflected throughout the show.

Also on the gallery level will be the Designers Hub where guests can enjoy refreshments and relax before the talks in a beautifully curated space designed by Interior Design studio Kibre using furniture from luxe Italian company Arper with lighting from Zena Holloway whose bio designed lights Roots are also shortlisted for a Surface Design Show Award.

Kicking off the Speakers Programme will be the Opening Night Debate, sponsored by Mastercharge from 18.30 - 19:30, on Human Capital, Risk, and Retention. Renowned freelance writer, editor, and speaker Louis Wustemann will lead a discussion joined by esteemed panellists: Mark Shayler - Owner at Ape, Gill Parker - Non-Exec Chair at Informare, Nicola Osborn - Creative Director at Basha-Franklin, and Dr. Petrina Carmody - Chief Change Officer at Great Place To Work.

 Following on from the Opening Night Debate will be , Stone and Beyond - How This Ancient Material Remains Relevant Today Matt Robb, Marketing and Media Manager for Stone Federation Great Britain, will explore the attributes of stone from various parts of the world alongside Panellists including  Mr. Gokhan Karakus - co-founding curator of Adorno.design, Stefano Ghirardi - Chairman & CEO of Marmi Ghirardi S.R.L, and David Richardson - Chair of the Stone Federation Technical and Sustainability Committees. The discussion will set stone within the context of other materials and its continued relevance.

Legends live returns for its third year, this year hosted by Alys Bryan, Managing Editor of Design Insider, with three talks spread across two days, Wednesday, 7 February, and Thursday 8 February. This year’s legends consist of insightful conversations with design legends Tom Lloyd, Gurvinder Khurana and Matthew Hilton. These not to be missed conversations will draw from Alys' individual experiences and will delve into her guests' design philosophies, portfolios, and future aspirations.

The ever-popular trend predictions by Colour hive are back again and will be taking place with two talks across the Wednesday and Thursday. Featuring exclusive future insights from Colour Hive membership including MIX Magazine, Colour, Material and Finish Directions and Global Colours alongside an edit of one-of-a-kind inspirational objects and materials inspired by their 2025 design direction Hack.

The programme on Wednesday, 7 February, the day will commence at 10:45am - 11:15am, with this Surface Design Shows Charity Partner, Furnishing Futures - The Importance of Design for Mental Health/Living in the Right Environment. Furnishing Futures founder Emily Wheeler will delve into the amazing work that the charity does, and how it helps those escaping domestic abuse that have been rehomed into empty social housing. Emily will be joined by Reeba Simon, co-author of ’Scandi Rustic: Creating a Cozy and Happy Home,’ columnist for Simple Scandi Magazine, an interior and lifestyle influencer and collaborator of the Main Company. Through their individual and personal knowledge, Emily and Reena will discuss the importance of design for mental health and wellbeing, and the effects/need of living in the right environment.

Following on from this, is the talk How to Manage Sustainable Global Brands. Mark Faithfull, retail journalist, will lead a discussion with panellists; Lee Roberts - Creative Director at Zebra, James White - Practice lead at Accenture Song, and Hani Hatami - Head of Member Community at Material Bank Europe. The Thinking Green in Award Winning Design talk from 12:15 - 12:45, will be hosted by BIID President May Fawzy who joins award-winning designers Sophie Pringle - Director at Pringle&Pringle Designs, Staffan Tollgard - Creative Director & Founder of Tollgard Design Group and Anna Barber - Founder of House of Kin, to discuss challenges and opportunities in green thinking.

Another unmissable presentation is Words and Wood, scheduled from 16:00 to 16:30. Chaired by Grant Gibson, Founder of the award-winning pod cast Material Matters, the session features an insightful interview with Andrew Waugh, focusing on the intricacies of designing tall buildings in timber.

Unlock the secrets to sustainable design at the upcoming workshop, "Specifying Sustainably: A Workshop by the Sustainable Design Collective" presented by the Sustainable Design Collective (SDC). Join Harsha Kotek, Founder of WOD (Women in Office Design) & The Sustainable Design Collective, and a panel of experts including Joanna Knight – Sustainable Design Collective, Lydia Randall – BDG architecture + design, Deborah Allen – Douglas Jane Studio, Mathew Freeman – Freeman Studio, and Alex Webb – The Furniture Practice. This engaging event kicks off with a panel discussion focusing on specifying healthy materials that prioritize user well-being. Following the discussion, immerse yourself in a hands-on workshop led by SDC members. Explore samples of fabrics, paints, and furniture finishes, and gain valuable insights into identifying VOCs and healthy materials.

 The exceptional line-up of speakers on Wednesday 7 February includes Kaye Preston - Design Editor, who will be hosting a talk looking at Designing for a Sustainable Future panellist include Rosey Treheane Pollock -Founder of Rosey Treherne Pollock Interiors, Cat Hoad -founder of Absolute Project Management, Jecks Stone - Founder of Persona Abode Interiors and Ana Rita Martins -Sustainability Lead for MC. Jennifer Castoldi - CEO/Chief Creative Director of Trendease who will be talking about the Design Trends and secrets hidden in New Talent, Justine Fox - Colour Design Expert Looking at How we mobilise conscious colour intelligence with panellists Richard Roberts -Managing Director at Jason Bruges Studio, Maeve Dolan - Associate at New Practice, Helena Howard -Architect at Hawkins Brown.

On the final day of the Surface Design Show, Thursday, 8 February, brace yourself for another action-packed schedule featuring an exceptional lineup of speakers. Kicking off at 10:40 - 11:00 Noam Noveh, CEO and Co-Founder of Stylib, delves into Rethinking Material Search: AI at the Service of Specifiers, exploring how technology disrupts traditional specification workflows.

Continuing the day's engaging discussions, from 12:30 - 13:00, Helen Parton, Editorial and Content Consultant, sheds light on Bringing Urban Landscapes to Life with Light, exploring the transformative role of light in urban environments with panellists John Lenehan -Global Projects Director at Acrylicize, Andy Clark - CEO of Bright Green Technology, Rebecca Cove - Business Development and Marketing Associate at Jason Bruges Studio.

The exceptional line-up of further speakers on Thursday 8 February includes the panel of lighting experts looking at Circularity in Lighting Nigel Harvey - Chief Executive at Recolight, David Clements -Chief Executive at FUTURE Design), Gary Thornton - Director at Nulty, Colin Ball - Lighting Director at BDP, Arianna Ghezzi - Associate at Lighting Design International. Mr. Gokhan Karakus - Designer, curator, business strategist, historian, architecture critic, theorist and co-founding curator of Adorno.design who will be looking at Natural Stone from Turkey, Jess Miles -Deputy Editor at Space Magazine who will be exploring the Symbios of hotel and fashion design, with panellists  David Harte - Co-Head of Interiors at Studio Moren, Wren Loucks - CEO & Creative Director at BE-Kin, Nicholas Oakwell - Founder of NO Uniform.

To read the full Surface Design Show Speakers Program please visit: https://www.surfacedesignshow.com/main-stage

Do not miss this opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and influencers at the Surface Design Show. For more information and to register for free, visit:  https://www.surfacedesignshow.com/register-interest

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Skills gap ‘getting worse or not improving’ say 3 in 10 construction project managers – APM survey

Around 30% of project managers who work in construction think the skills gap in their sector is either getting worse or not improving, a new survey by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, has found.

Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (February 5-11), APM surveyed over 1,000 project management professionals in several UK sectors including construction in the poll carried out by national research company Censuswide. 

When asked if they thought the skills gap was getting better or worse in their sector, 29% of the construction project managers said it was either staying the same (25%) or getting worse (4%). Another 66% said it was getting better and 5% said there wasn’t a skills gap in their sector.

The skills gap is generally defined as the disparity between the skills that employers need or find desirable, and the skills possessed by employees or prospective workers, to meet job role demands. The term was coined in the late 1990s and multiple sectors have long raised concerns over the issue, exacerbated by globalisation, the pace of technological change, and specialised skillsets required.

Respondents who thought the skills gap was getting worse said long-term solutions to bridging the problem were through apprenticeship programmes and recruiting from other professions or sectors (selected by 40%). This was followed by on-the-job training, as well as additional training at college, university or apprenticeship level (both 34%), while 10% said ‘I don't see the skills gap being bridged’. 

Case studies: Lydia Lewis and Callum Barber, degree apprentices at Mott MacDonald

Lydia Lewis and Callum Barber are studying towards project management degree apprenticeships at Mott MacDonald, an APM corporate partner and global engineering, management, and development consulting firm. Their four-year qualifications are supported by Northumbria University which they attend once per week. They spend the other four days at Mott MacDonald in the workplace and on site. They started in 2022 and 2021 and are due to graduate in summer 2026 and 2025 respectively, with full-time positions available at Mott MacDonald upon successful qualification completion.

Degree apprenticeships were launched as a flagship policy as part of a package of reforms to the apprenticeships system in England in 2015. Apprentices study at university and work part-time at an employer relevant to their qualification without paying tuition fees.

Lydia, 20, said: “I believe apprenticeships can help bridge the skills gap as they allow you to practically expand the skills you learn at university. The most I’ve personally learnt about project management has been through practically working on a project with other project professionals at Mott MacDonald who are able to advise, share their knowledge and expertise, and give feedback.

“University helps me to understand the theory of why we do certain processes and how they can be improved. But I think the on-the-job training is something that typical university routes miss out on, meaning students may not always be equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge for their profession. On-the-job training makes apprentices more work-ready when they graduate.”

Lydia, who is working on large-scale transport and healthcare infrastructure projects, said young people would benefit from greater awareness of practical qualifications in schools and colleges.

“I believe 100% there needs to be more talk around apprenticeships in school. We had lots of support sessions around university but there were no sessions on apprenticeships and how to apply for them,” she said. “I also think a lot of people still hold the belief that apprenticeships are for more labour-intensive jobs and university is the only route for other careers.”

She said greater awareness of project management as a career choice is also needed, saying: “Before finding the project management apprenticeship at Mott MacDonald, I wasn’t aware it was in such big demand, especially at my age. It wasn’t a career path that was ever mentioned to me in school. This led me to believe it was a job for people more experienced in certain industries.

“Due to project management being very people-based, every day is different. I think it is a very attractive career path if people were more aware of it and what it entails.”

Callum, 20, who works on light rail projects at Mott MacDonald, added: “I chose a degree apprenticeship instead of going to university because I wanted to have the opportunity to ‘earn while I learn’ and stay debt free. The experience of learning on the job has been invaluable.

Callum also agreed there needs to be greater awareness of degree apprenticeships in schools and colleges, saying: “At sixth form, there was a huge push to get every student to go to university and very few discussions about instead studying towards an apprenticeship. I had to do my own research and decide that apprenticeships were right for me.”

Meanwhile, the APM survey also found that one in six (16%) construction project managers said their organisation doesn’t run an apprenticeship programme for project professionals.  

Professor Adam Boddison OBE, Chief Executive of APM, said: “For decades, the UK has been beset with skills shortages caused by many entrenched and complex reasons, from digital transformation to post-Covid effects, and it is alarming that around three in 10 project management professionals in the construction sector think the problem is either getting worse or staying the same in 2024, despite all the well-publicised and well-intended initiatives in recent years.

“This year’s theme for National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Skills for Life’ and construction employers should embrace a culture of constant upskilling and retraining, with artificial intelligence, e-commerce and automation transforming how we live and work at a rapidly increasing rate.

“And while it is positive to see many organisations investing in skills by offering apprenticeships, there is a sizeable minority who aren’t doing so currently. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to help plug the skills gap since they blend a professional qualification with supported learning and development while in a full-time role. As the chartered body for the profession, APM champions greater professionalism in projects and driving a better understanding of the importance of the use of expert project professionals in project delivery.”

The survey also found that one in seven (14%) construction project managers believe there was not enough skilled project professionals to deliver projects successfully in their sector and region. Adaptability/Flexibility (63%) was the highest-rated option when respondents were asked to pick which skills are most needed, followed by organisation and risk management (both 38%).

To learn more about APM qualifications and training, apprenticeships and degree courses in project management, visit https://www.apm.org.uk/qualifications-and-training

Government wasted millions on failed MMC housing push

The Government has wasted millions of pounds of taxpayers money backing volumetric offsite firms to produce traditional low-rise housing.

An investigation by the House of Lords built environment committee said that the Government approach to modern methods of construction had been left in disarray after the high-profile failure of three major industry players.

The committee warned that while Category 1 (modular MMC) had clear benefits in the multi-rise market, it was still unclear whether it was more cost-effective than traditional building methods for typical two and three-storey homes.

The damning report said millions of pounds of public money has been invested, but the money has not been backed by a coherent strategy and set of measurable objectives.

The committee said it was concerned that the Government’s MMC Taskforce, which was allocated £10m and was expected to take forward work on data and standards, had never met.

It said the time had come for Government to step back and acquire a better understanding of how MMC works and develop a coherent strategy.

The inquiry on the future of modern methods of construction was established following the collapse and closure of several Category 1 MMC companies during 2022 and 2023. These included Ilke Homes, L&G Modular and Homes by Urban Splash.

Lord Moylan, chair of the Built Environment Committee, warned there were still real barriers to MMC, such as risk aversion on the part of warranty providers, insurance companies and insufficient clarity for building regulations.

However, the Government appeared to have made limited effort to understand and address these challenges, he said.

“Moderns methods of construction are successfully used to construct homes abroad and build high-rise and non-residential buildings in the UK, but this success has thus far eluded the building of MMC homes in meaningful numbers.

“In the context of an ageing skilled workforce and the need for greater building sustainability, MMC has shown some promise. We heard evidence that the Government couldn’t achieve its house building targets without a sizeable contribution from the MMC sector.

“Our inquiry found that the Government has not set out clear objectives for the funding it provided the MMC sector. Homes England has not given any clear metrics as to how success is to be measured and over what timescale.

“The Government needs to change tack. Simply throwing money at the sector hasn’t worked. If it wants to encourage MMC it must acquire a much deeper understanding of how it works, develop a clear strategy, and demonstrate leadership.”