Building Briefs – July 6th

Springfield Properties developments’ go greener

Housebuilder Springfield Properties is helping its future homeowners cut their energy use by up to 35 per cent, compared to traditional heating systems, by installing new smart, energy efficient hybrid boilers.

The innovative system, which combines a gas boiler and a renewable energy heat pump, uses the latest smart technology to calculate the cheapest and most environmentally efficient way to produce energy. It tracks people’s behaviour and predicts when the heating will be needed.

For instance, it will heat water ahead of when homeowners normally take showers.

The compact, which has twice the expected lifespan of a normal boiler, also takes into account individual utility supplier’s tariffs and will adapt the way in which it produces heat to suit each individual home.

The first Springfield development which will have the environmentally friendly system installed is at the 100 home Hamilton Road site in Motherwell. The housebuilder also plans to install the revolutionary product in future Springfield Properties developments, including The Wisp in Edinburgh, Linkwood Steadings in Elgin and the new Bertha Park Village in Perth.

Due to its approach to sustainable developments, Springfield Properties has been recognised for environmental excellence by Homes for Scotland and the Scottish Home Awards.

Head of Architectural Design, Mark Hamilton, said: “Over the past few years, we have invested significant resources to make sure our homes are as energy-efficient and cost-effective to run as possible. The new hybrid system epitomises the future of home heating, giving our customers access to convenient and smart technology which is not only easy on the purse strings but has a beneficial impact on the environment.”

Major new investment for Fort William biomass company

Highland-based biomass heating specialist, HWEnergy, has announced that Aggregated Micro Power Holdings plc (AMP) (LON: AMPH) has become their majority shareholder following a significant investment into the company.

The partnership means that HWEnergy will be able to grow the breadth and depth of their offering to new customers, as well as increase their geographical spread, while remain as an independent and stand-alone business.

Operations in Scotland will continue as usual but the new investment will enable HWEnergy to offer finance for larger biomass installations via new Energy Services Company (ESCo) finance solutions in partnership with AMP.

Established in 2003, HWEnergy has a staff of 45 and has installed more than 300 commercial-sized biomass installations to date from Shetland to London.

The company is headquartered in Fort William, with an additional office in Bellshill, Glasgow, and services and maintains more than 350 sites across the UK.

Laying foundations for new careers and addressing construction skills gap

Scottish finance giant provides funds for prisoner construction charity

Scottish investment giant Aberdeen Asset Management has backs a charity that works with prisoners being trained in essential construction industry skills for life on the outside and to address a skills gap on housing sites.

The charity Bounce Back is addressing the construction industry’s staff shortage in part by tapping into the potential of people in prisons.

Bounce Back runs skills training programmes in prisons, creating a new wave of skilled workers, and helping contribute towards safer communities by reducing re-offending rates.

The charity, which has received £5000 from Aberdeen AM to support training at HMP Brixton in London, teaches prisoners dry lining, painting, decorating and scaffolding and against a national re-offending rate of 60 per cent, just 12 per cent of trainees reoffend.

The charity has worked with nearly 1,000 prisoners since its inception, providing trades training and guidance in employability and self-employment to ensure people have everything they need to earn money on leaving prison. Peer and case workers support people from prison through the gate and into employment, and support the employers too.

As well donating to the charity, staff from Aberdeen Asset Management’s London office have helped Bounce Back as volunteers, joining trainees to paint hoardings around Pop Fields in Pop Brixton to transform a community space.

Claire Drummond, head of charitable giving at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “Bounce Back’s trainees are gaining a range of useful work skills to serve them in good stead for meaningful work in the construction trade upon their release. We are pleased that through this donation, and staff volunteering time, to offer our support to Bounce Back.”

Lowood Bridge short-term closure for investigatory work

Investigatory work on Lowood Bridge in the Borders requires a five day closure of the Grade B listed structure.

The 250-year-old bridge, which sits between Galashiels and Melrose on the B6374 road, will be closed from Monday 17 to Friday 21 July from 9am to 4pm each day.

Diversions signs will be in place, with the alternative route via the A6091, A7 through Galashiels and B6374.

The closure is needed to ensure that the first phase of repair and strengthening works on the bridge – which is due to take place in late summer/early autumn 2017 – is carried out safely.

The overall £640,000 works to repair and strengthen Lowood Bridge are due to be completed in 2018/19.

The first phase of the Lowood Bridge works is part of a programme of bridge repairs in 2017/18 which includes Clackmae Bridge near Earlston, Bowanhill Bridge near Teviothead and Bowden Church Bridge.

Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, Councillor Gordon Edgar, said: “The Council has made an effort to minimise the impact of this essential closure of Lowood Bridge, by restricting it to the day-time and scheduling it to take place during school holidays when roads are quieter.

“The investment in Lowood Bridge, alongside a number of other bridges in the Borders, will ensure these vital structures can continue to be used for years to come.”

As a precautionary measure, Lowood Bridge currently has a 26 tonne weight limit imposed on it, affecting only the heaviest vehicles.

Aircon Scotland wins contract for new Chrysaor headquarters

Aberdeen-based Aircon Scotland have been awarded the contract for the mechanical services as part of the fitting out works for Chrysaor’s new North East headquarters at The Capitol in the centre of Aberdeen.

Last month Chrysaor Holdings announced their move to The Capitol building on Union Street.

By signing a lease on 48,000sq ft of office space including the art-deco Grand Room, which was formerly the theatres tea room and latterly Oscars bar the operator is now the buildings largest tenant.

The contract, estimated to be in the region of £400,000 includes air conditioning, ventilation, works to sprinkler systems, new showers, comms room supplies, gas suppression and commissioning.

Aircon Scotland carried out the install of The Capitol’s air conditioning and ventilation system during the £30 million redevelopment, which consisted of 365 indoor and 15 outdoor units as well as several hundred meters of ventilation ductwork.

Managing director of Aircon Scotland, Ian Nicol, said: “Aberdeen has had a challenging couple of years but there has been a positive change in the market within the last quarter, Chrysaor moving to The Capitol being one of them. We’re delighted to win the contract for the mechanical services as part of the main fit out and it’s great to be keeping this large scale project local.

Having conducted the main air conditioning works for The Capitol itself, we know the building’s system thus allowing us to efficiently and effectively carry out the mechanical works required for Chrysaor’s new office space, ensuring the company can move into their new accommodation as soon as required.”

Aircon Scotland use only the highest quality equipment in their projects. As a Daikin D1+ Platinum Partner the team are able to provide a 7 year warranty to Chrysaor and The Capitol ensuring all mechanical works are complete to the highest standard and adhere to regulations.

Aircon Scotland provides mechanical services to businesses in Aberdeen City and shire. Providing heating, plumbing, air-conditioning and ventilation Aircon are able to provide a full maintenance package to customers.