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Low Carbon Buildings: G&T’s Observations
Based on our own observations there are an increasing number of alternatives to traditional cement and concrete. For example, blended cements and concretes that store carbon and are made from entirely different materials such as wood, hempcrete, straw bales and mycelium.
Mass Timber Commercial Developments – What do you need to know?
There has been a significant increase in interest for using mass timber within construction projects across the UK over the last few years. A combination of the UK Government’s net zero 2050 target, growing concern about the global climate crisis and people’s attitudes towards the spaces they live and work in has created a substantial shift in demand.
Key Design Considerations for Building with Mass Timber
After having heard from many core stakeholder disciplines in previous forums, the ninth and final session in G&T’s Mass Timber Forum was on the subject of architecture and design. The panel comprised six architects from various internationally-renowned architectural practices – all of which are well-informed and passionate about mass timber commercial office projects.
NextGen Spotlight: LREF Investment Summit
Through G&T's partnership with New London Architecture (NLA) and as part of the recent Investment Summit held in the build up to the 2021 London Real Estate Forum (LREF), we invited NextGen members to give their insights on key market trends discussed by industry leaders at the summit.
Optimism grows over future workloads: RIBA Future Trends Workload Index highest since May 2016
UK construction job vacancies are now 7.7% higher than they were one year a go thanks to rise in new project starts, "Evidence-based metrics" needed to measure progress on net zero carbon according to construction minister, NLA Tall Buildings Survey finds that planning applications for tall buildings in London fell by nearly one-third last year, CPA predicting output growth of 12.9% in 2021 but commercial activity is expected to be muted, City of London Corporation plans to convert vacant offices into new residential units under its five-year recovery strategy
Managing Low Carbon Design in Commercial Buildings
Over the last two years we have seen an increasing recognition of the climate crisis as a fundamental briefing issue for a number of clients who now identify the net zero/low carbon agenda as an opportunity to positively contribute to the identity of their building and provide a point of differentiation relative to other competing developments.
Reviewing the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) report: Building the Case for Net Zero
In order for the UK to meet its climate change targets by 2050, all new buildings must operate at net zero by 2030 which, according to the UKGBC means that all new buildings will have to be designed to meet the target of net zero operational energy by 2025. In the second in our series of articles on low carbon buildings, we look at the UKGBC’s “Building the Case for Net Zero” report and ask if net zero carbon really is obtainable in construction by 2050.
Leasing and Sales of Mass Timber Offices
The eighth session in G&T’s Mass Timber Forum was on the subject of sales and leasing. The panel was made up of four panellists including a mix of experienced commercial agents and representatives from large development organisations. Our panellists were able to provide their thoughts on emerging trends in terms of what tenants are looking for when considering commercial office space and what draws them to space that is partially or predominantly constructed from mass timber.
Super Deductions - Update
Since the announcement of Super Deductions (130% for main pool plant & machinery and 50% for special rate pool plant & machinery) in the Budget there has been some uncertainty regarding the extent to which these would be available to property investors.
January's resilient output figures indicate the sector's recovery is back on track and investor confidence is returning
BEIS launches two new sustainability-focused consultations for non-residential buildings, recovery, transformation and building trust: CLC sets core priorities for 2021 and beyond, MIPIM: speakers suggest overhaul in post-pandemic office requirements could yield opportunities for redeveloping and reimagining workplaces and urban spaces, New Building Safety Regulator begins recruitment drive for 700 staff to help oversee safety of tall residential buildings
Structure, MEP and Acoustics: What are the considerations when building with mass timber?
In the seventh panel discussion of the series, G&T discussed the considerations for engineering a mass timber office building and what impact using mass timber could have on the acoustics and MEP.
Are Net Zero Embodied Carbon Targets Really Attainable in Construction?
As the construction industry makes the transition towards net zero carbon emissions, there is a growing body of guidance and performance targets to help improve the sector’s collective understanding on how to design and deliver low carbon buildings. The industry is becoming increasingly aware of the level of building performance that will be required to achieve a net zero carbon outcome.