Building Briefs – July 3

An impressive fly-through video has been unveiled to provide a glimpse of the prestigious new residential development that will form the missing piece at Park Circus, Glasgow.

Park Quadrant Residences will complete the original concentric ringed design of a 19th century masterplan for the area, envisioned by architect Charles Wilson in 1851.

The bird’s-eye view provides an elevated perspective from above, sweeping over the location to showcase the exclusive 98 apartments and penthouses.

The one, two and three bedroom apartments, duplex and penthouses will match the height and aesthetic of the original plans. They will remain respectful and sympathetic to the area’s rich heritage and historical high-quality architecture and landscaping, but will feature their own confident architectural language.

On the exterior, the homes will speak of the grandeur of the era in which they were imagined, while the interiors will offer classic and contemporary sophistication with every modern convenience.

Gordon Coster, director at Expresso Property Park Quadrant Limited, said: “We are very proud to be completing this missing piece in Glasgow’s history with Park Quadrant Residences. This high quality footage offers a look at how the development will complete the ‘crown’ which gives the overall masterplan its signature. These new homes will be some of the most luxurious in the country, combining traditional architecture with contemporary interiors.”

Visit www.pqresidences.com/film to watch the video.

Top students recognised by Clark Contracts

Four top performing students have won awards sponsored by construction company Clark Contracts.

The future leaders of Scotland’s building and construction sector were recognised at the Annual Prize Giving of the School of Engineering and Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) on Thursday 29th June 2017.

Stacey McCardle, won the Alan Calder Memorial Prize, a special award for quantity surveying students set up by Clark Contracts in 2008, in memory of a former colleague. The prize, including a cheque for £200, is awarded annually to the top final year Quantity Surveying Student (part time) at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Clark Contracts, which employs over 250 people with offices in the East and West of Scotland, also sponsors awards relating to Level 3 Construction Technology, a core module at GCU.

Dumfries student, Martin Moore was awarded the Best Level Three Technology Student prize for Building Surveying and the Overall Winner of the Best Level 3 Technology Award.

The other awards were the Best Level 3 Technology Student for Quantity Surveying, won by Laura Vandale, Lockerbie, and the Best Level 3 Technology Student for Construction Management, won by Gary Alexander, Clydebank.

David Cooper, Academy Manager, Clark Contracts said: “These awards recognise the dedication and hard work required by students to gain top marks in their studies. We are proud to continue to support Glasgow Caledonian University through these annual sponsorships and also by providing work placements for Quantity Surveying and Construction Management students.”

Bield builds better access in Duns

Work has begun on a £200,000 investment in better access at a Berwickshire retirement housing development.

Bield’s Turnbull Court in Duns is to have four state-of-the-art internal platform lifts installed as part of their ‘Step Free’ project.

The work will be undertaken by Glasgow-based Luddon Construction who will install the platforms over the next six weeks.

Ian Barclay, director at Luddon, said: “Having worked with Bield in the past we’re delighted to be re-establishing this relationship with the work in Duns.

“It is fantastic to be working with such a respected name in housing in helping to provide better access for all their tenants.”

This latest work in Duns seeks to further maximise the freedom of all Bield’s tenants, in line with their ‘Free to Be’ ethos, as they make improvements to provide the highest quality of housing for older people in Scotland.

Caryn Innes, head of development, said: “It is great to see work starting on such an exciting addition at Turnbull Court – one that could have a really positive effect for some of our tenants.

“Our Asset Management Strategy is to have a bespoke approach to improve access and demand and ensure that Bield developments across the country remain meet the needs, demand and aspirations of our existing and future customers.

First built in 1975 with 36 retirement flats, Turnbull Court includes communal facilities such as a residents lounge, communal heating system and laundry.

Bield operates at 152 developments across Scotland.

Investment will boost export ambitions for BASF on Lewis

A Hebridean life sciences business looks set for a healthy future following support from the region’s enterprise agency to create a new warehouse and car park extension.

BASF Pharma (Callanish) Ltd in Breasclete has carried out the development with funds from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) together with the company’s own financial support.

The company occupies a factory on the site, which is owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has invested £2.8m, and currently employs around 80 people.

As it expands its operations internationally, it is expected to create more jobs over the next few years.

The team of highly skilled experts based at the factory produces highly purified omega 3 rich fatty acids. Using patented processing technology and sustainable oil supplies, the products are used in pharmaceutical and dietary supplements, most of which are exported around the world.

The new warehouse will help service high market demand for products produced at Breasclete due to the current facility being at full capacity. Additional space in the car park will accommodate the increase in staff numbers.

The official opening of the new warehouse and car park was carried out by Angus MacNeil MP for h-Eileanan an Iar on Friday.

BASF Pharma (Callanish) Ltd has grown the facility significantly since it took over from the previous tenant, Equateq in 2012 which had been operating from the base since 2006, employing eight people at its inception.

The company is a subsidiary of the BASF Group which is the largest diversified chemical company in the world and has headquarters in Germany.

BASF Pharma (Callanish) Ltd was one of two companies from the region who were successful at this year’s Life Sciences Awards – winning the Export and International Trade category.

Chair of HIE Lorne Crerar was a guest speaker at today’s opening. He said: ”BASF has already achieved a great deal on Lewis, developing a highly successful scientific business providing well paid employment and trading internationally from an island location.

“HIE has supported the company’s growth over several years, and we are delighted to have played a role in enabling this latest investment to strengthen it further.”

Sensory garden for Dundee waterfront

Work is set to start on another of the popular pocket gardens at Dundee waterfront.

Scheduled to take a few weeks, the sensory garden’s design concept was created by pupils at the city’s Craigie High School inspired by enhanced provision at the school for people with visual impairment.

The idea was then developed with help from landscape architects working in collaboration with pupils and staff at Kingspark School to deliver an accessible garden with multi-sensory elements.

When it is complete the sensory garden will feature a range of containers to raise the planting above ground level and use plants to engage the senses of sight, hearing and touch.

Lynne Short convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “The pocket-sized sites that were planted last year at Slessor Gardens have proved really popular with visitors and locals taking time out to enjoy the waterfront.

“This new sensory space will create an area that anyone can enjoy and use to stimulate all of their senses.

Physical works are expected to be complete in time for Slessor Gardens to stage the third of this summer’s three outdoor gigs, the Olly Murs show on Thursday July 20. With planting occurring in July and August.

It will be officially opened later in the summer with a visit by pupils from the education unit at Kingspark.