Search Results for: construction

Commercial sector bucks downward UK construction trend

by • News, Property, Public Sector

Construction figsConstruction business activity fell by the third month running in January, with new orders at slowest pace since October 2012 according to the latest Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). There were some reports that snowfall had contributed to reduced output volumes, but the majority of respondents cited weak underlying client demand and a lack of new projects.  However commercial activity was the only sub-sector to buck the wider downward trend in output during January with the latest data indicating unchanged volumes of commercial activity, ending five months of contraction. (more…)

Gulf construction and fit-out continues to boom, claims report

by • Architecture, Furniture, Knowledge, News, Property

Abu DhabiThe total value of building projects in Gulf Cooperation Council states will exceed $80 billion this year according to a new report from dmg::events* in conjunction with consultancy Ventures Middle East. The survey concludes that this year will see a near one fifth increase in the overall value of projects up from nearly $69 billion in 2012 to $81.6 billion in 2013. Meanwhile the interlinked market for interior contracting and fit-out in 2012 was valued by the report at $7.86bn – a 56 per centincrease on 2011. The UAE continues as the the region with the largest interiors spend ($2.83bn), followed by Saudi Arabia ($2.6bn) and Qatar ($1.49bn). (more…)

Changes to Construction and Design Regs delayed

by • News, Property, Workplace, Workplace design

Proposed changes to the Construction and Design Management Regulations (CDM) 2007 have been delayed. The draft changes will now only be presented to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Board for consideration in March 2013 at the very earliest. The CDM regulations, apply to all construction work in the UK, comprising construction, alteration, fitting-out, commissioning, renovation, repair, upkeep, redecoration or other maintenance, decommissioning, demolition or dismantling, underwent a review last year, with industry practice found to have a significant influence on how the regulations are implemented. (more…)

CPA: UK construction activity will fall in 2013

by • Knowledge, News, Property, Public Sector

The UK’s Construction Products Association (CPA) has today reported that it expects overall construction activity in the UK to fall by around 2 per cent this year, with most of the decline attributed to a greater than 5 per cent drop in commercial projects. Particularly concerning is the fact that the Government’s austerity measures with regard to public sector investment have not been offset by an increase in private sector activity. However these figures still represent an improvement on the 9 per cent fall of 2011.  (more…)

UK construction set for growth, say surveyors

by • News, Property

Following the recent news that the UK’s construction sector had suffered a significant fall in the final quarter of 2012, better news emerges from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors with a report indicating that the UK construction market is expected to turn a corner this year as the government’s focus on infrastructure starts to generate returns. Chartered surveyors are predicting that output is set to increase in 2013 according to the latest RICS construction market survey. (more…)

UK construction hits new low as service sector shrinks

by • Knowledge, News, Property

Graph Down ArrowThe three little words nobody wanted to hear at the start of 2013 are triple dip recession. Yet even as the US managed to avoid its own fiscal cliff at the turn of the year, two reports raised fresh fears that the UK’s recovery would be postponed for a while yet. According to the Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index, UK construction hit a six-month low as the sector dropped from an index of 49.3 in November to 48.7 in December. This is well below the index of 50 which indicates a contraction in activity. Meanwhile another report from Markit/CIPS reported an unexpected fall in the UK’s service sector. (more…)

Global office fit-out costs rise as geopolitical pressure and AI reshape workplaces

Global office fit-out costs rise as geopolitical pressure and AI reshape workplaces

by • AI, News, Workplace design

The cost of fitting out office space around the world has risen by up to 6 percent over the past year, as geopolitical instability and growing technological demands combine to reshape corporate real estate strategies, according to new research from JLL. The firm’s 2026 Global Office Fit-Out Cost Guide, which analyses 68 cities, identifies a complex mix of factors behind the increase, including higher energy prices, supply chain disruption and ongoing shortages of skilled labour. (more…)

London BCO Awards winners highlight shift towards reuse and long term workplace design

London BCO Awards winners highlight shift towards reuse and long term workplace design

by • Environment, News, Property, Workplace design

The winners of the British Council for Offices London Awards 2026 have been announced, recognising a series of workplace projects that reflect changing priorities in design, sustainability and social value across the capital. Six schemes were selected as regional winners. Deutsche Bank’s headquarters at 21 Moorfields (main image) was named best corporate workplace, while Stonecutter at 1 Stonecutter Street took the award for best commercial workplace. The best refurbished or recycled workplace award went to 76 Southbank, and Rabobank at 60 London Wall was recognised for best fit out of a workplace. The award for projects up to 2,500 square metres was given to 170 Piccadilly, while TBC.London at 224 to 226 Tower Bridge Road received the ESG award. (more…)

Applying a bit of know-how to the issue of sustainable office design

Applying a bit of know-how to the issue of sustainable office design

by • Comment, Environment, Workplace design

Sustainable office design is a constantly evolving, complex, and, at times, contested subject and the perfect subject for a get togetherSustainable office design is a constantly evolving, complex, and, at times, contested subject. It has shifted from a narrow focus to a broader, holistic framework embracing environmental, social, and economic issues – and now further to include governance. Collaboration is critically important – combining knowledge can ensure that environmental goals align with social metrics leading to more comprehensive, high-performance, and adaptable, human-centric spaces. Now in its fourth year, the Sustainable Design Forum returns on 23 April at Crypt on the Green in Clerkenwell, London. Hosted by the SDC – the Sustainable Design Collective, the day is not a trade show or conference. It is specifically focussed on collaboration and knowledge sharing to provide an opportunity for all members of the workplace and hospitality design community to build connections and understanding. (more…)

Government sets £7.4 billion procurement target with small businesses

Government sets £7.4 billion procurement target with small businesses

by • Business, News

For the first time, individual government departments have been given specific targets for the proportion of spending that should go directly to small businessesSmall businesses across the UK are expected to receive more than £7.4 billion a year in direct government spending by 2028 under new procurement targets published by ministers. For the first time, individual government departments have been given specific targets for the proportion of spending that should go directly to small and medium sized enterprises. Departments will also be required to publish annual progress updates, with those falling short expected to outline how they will improve performance. (more…)

Government confirms Manchester digital campus as part of civil service relocation strategy

Government confirms Manchester digital campus as part of civil service relocation strategy

by • News, Property

The government has confirmed plans for a major new digital campus in Manchester, marking a significant step in efforts to relocate civil service roles and strengthen regional technology capabilityThe government has confirmed plans for a major new digital campus in Manchester, marking a significant step in efforts to relocate civil service roles and strengthen regional technology capability. The Manchester Digital Campus received Treasury approval for its outline business case on 19 March, allowing the project to move forward as a central element of the government’s digital and data strategy. (more…)

Refurbishment dominates UK cities office development pipeline

Refurbishment dominates UK cities office development pipeline

by • News, Property

Refurbishment projects account for the largest share of the office development pipeline across the UK’s major regional citiesRefurbishment projects account for the largest share of the office development pipeline across the UK’s major regional cities, as new build activity remains subdued and occupiers continue to favour high quality, sustainable space. According to new figures from Avison Young, refurbishment schemes now represent the majority of space under construction in the Big Nine regional office markets. The volume of refurbishment space in the pipeline has risen by 12 percent year on year, reflecting a sustained shift towards upgrading existing stock rather than delivering entirely new buildings. (more…)

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