Building materials

The Government has committed to establish a national regulator for construction products as part of wider reforms to address the systemic failings identified by the Hackitt Review.

The 2020 show saw a record 1,600 graduation projects submitted by students in 270 universities – a 30% increase on the previous year – and 100 shortlisted. Of those, funding to take the solutions to market was announced on two innovations. One of these is a reflective thermochromic paint from SpectrumLab that changes its colour based on temperature.

The Project Management Institute’s survey data, compiled by HIS Markit, showed a rebound in UK construction activity during December. The sector’s recovery has been boosted by a return to projects that had been delayed at the start of the pandemic, primarily house building (which saw a sharp rise during December) alongside new business wins and improving client demand.

ONS data shows research and development spending in the UK construction industry jumped 11.5% annually to a new record high says Catax. Total construction sector spending on R&D rose to £417m in 2019, an increase of £43m from the £374m recorded a year earlier.

With a renewed focus on sector transformation and recovery, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has established a new Digital Network as a key part of the CLC Task Force Group.

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) says significant time and money can be saved on building projects by adapting technical drawings to include specific instructions for Building Energy Management System (BEMS) companies.

Architecture students participating in EASA 2020 (the European Architecture Student Assembly’s two-week summer workshop) were challenged to create a concept for a wooden multi-storey building using the elements and module designs available on opensourcewood.com.

Winner Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Devon and Cornwall Police for Exeter Police Station showed outstanding design, delivery and performance in use, as well as exceptional health and safety standards.

Mats W Lundberg, Sustainable Business Manager at Sandvik Materials Technology, discusses the recycling potential of steel

The government has issued guidance for placing construction products on the GB market (England, Wales and Scotland) from 1 January 2021 because of the end of recognition of the CE mark following the departure from Europe.

The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin has had extensive refurbishment and modernisation of its historic wings on Merrion Square at a cost of €30m.

Andy Swift, Sales and Operations Manager UK & ROI for ISO-Chemie, says changes to building regulations will impact the energy efficiency of windows and doors.

What are the best techniques for concrete profiling? Claude Besson, Manager for France at National Flooring Equipment, explains.

MPA Group explores how modular construction is helping to solve the UK housing crisis.

Kevin Bohea, Managing Director of Stormking, discusses best practice for off-site building.

Off-site construction methods can bring huge benefits to a build, as demonstrated by the use of Polybutylene pipework in this 65-apartment conversion project in Glasgow.

Alignment washers can provide a cost-effective fixing solution for curtain wall applications, says Steve Parkes of TFC.

The question of construction operations or non-construction operations is discussed by Partner and London Dispute Resolution Co-head Rebecca Williams and Senior Associate Alexander Creswick of Watson Farley & Williams.

In response to ONS data showing that construction output dropped by 5.9%, driven by a 5.1% decrease in repair and maintenance, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:

The Construction Industry Council Low Value Disputes Model Adjudication Procedure (CIC LVD MAP) launched via a webinar during lockdown.