Building Briefs – June 7th

University of Strathclyde students complete construction mentoring scheme

A group of engineering students at the University of Strathclyde received a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the institution’s new £31 million sports centre during a tour of the construction site.

The third-year students have completed a seven-month mentoring scheme supported by Graham Construction, the company building the state-of-the-art facility.

Students were given an introduction into different aspects of the construction process, shadowing surveyors in Graham’s Glasgow office and completing tours of active sites including the company’s 13-storey Bath Street Student Accommodation project.

The final session of the mentoring initiative offered participants the chance to see first-hand the building phases which are underway within Strathclyde Sport – learning about piling, foundations and sub-structures.

Located on a prominent junction within the university campus, and on a major arterial route into the centre of Glasgow, Strathclyde Sport will include two four-court sports halls, a 25-metre swimming pool, a 180-piece fitness suite, two squash courts, treatment rooms, teaching rooms with bleacher seating and office accommodation.

The investment is part of the university’s £600m transformation of its campus, and will support health and wellbeing for the entire university community, as well as enabling students and sports clubs to train and compete at the highest levels.

Work on the 85-week project began in November, with the centre expected to open in summer 2018.

Graham Construction, through its mentoring scheme, have been able to offer employment to graduates, including 24-year-old Daryn McCallum from Knightswood. Daryn completed a degree in Construction Management in May 2016 before undertaking a 4-week work placement in January. He was then offered a permanent contract as a trainee site manager for the company.

Aberdeen school expansion plans approved

Plans have been approved to expand St Peter’s School in Aberdeen.

The primary school is being altered to alleviate capacity pressures. Proposals include building alterations to free up additional space, converting and utilising the vacant janitor’s lodge and converting an additional room at nearby Old Aberdeen House into a classroom.

Over 26,000 starts recorded for Modern Apprenticeship in 2016/17

New figures have revealed more than 26,000 starts were recorded for Modern Apprenticeships in 2016/17.

Skills Development Scotland has unveiled a total of 26,262 starts were recorded throughout the year, 23% of which were in the construction industry.

The figure means the government is on course to reach its 30,000 Modern Apprenticeship starts target by 2020.

Life begins at 40 for Mast Architects

Mast Architects has marked the 40th anniversary of when practice was formed by unveiling a new logo and website.

Director Mark Johnstone said the changes are contained within a wider re-brand that has been undertaken across all mediums reinforcing the brand both internally and externally reflecting the firm’s growth and confidence moving forward.

He added: “The new logo seeks to represent our culture, vision and values reflecting an exciting future for the practice with staff numbers approaching 50 with us involved across a number of expanding project sectors which in addition to residential, include commercial, community and care projects.

“This managed and planned growth in size, project sectors and geographical spread has been achieved through the continued hard work and efforts of the MAST team with the directors looking forward to continued growth and future successes.”

Renovation begins at A-listed Kirriemuir church

Urgent work has started to conserve Kirriemuir’s only A-listed building, St Mary’s Episcopal Church.

Costing £250,000, the fabric repairs on the West Hillbank building have been made possible thanks to a joint grant of £191,200 by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.

There were several generous grants from trusts as well as a legacy from Alison Prain, a local teacher who was a lifelong supporter of the church.

The project will involve urgent roof and masonry repairs as well as internal work to restore the building to its former glory as intended by architect Sir Ninian Comper.

St Mary’s is an early example of the work of this renowned church architect who also worked on Westminster Abbey. St Mary’s is one of only four he built in Scotland.

The important building repairs include essential structural strengthening of the impressive West Tower.

During the project St Mary’s will take the opportunity to introduce local young people to traditional masonry skills. A brochure is also being designed to document the history of the church building.

It is hoped that the work will be completed by September, in time for a re-dedication and thanksgiving service at the Harvest Festival on October 15.

hub South West awards Best Presentation accolade at Building for Growth event

The founder and managing director of an East Kilbride-based electrical business has come out top after being awarded the accolade of ‘Best Presentation’ at the conclusion of a prestigious business development course organised by hub South West.

Steven Maclaren, who started Maclaren Electrical Services in 2006 and which now has annual sales in excess of £1 million, impressed the judges with his drive and ambition for the business as well as his determination to always do the right thing for his 21-strong workforce. All of the company’s employees, for example, enjoy private medical insurance cover.

A public-private partnership funded by Scotland’s business development agencies and a clutch of Tier One contractors including Morrison, Graham, Morgan Sindall and Kier, hub South West’s development programme is aimed at ambitious companies in construction and related sectors based in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

hub South West’s sixth Building for Growth programme got under way in March this year and ran over 8 half-day sessions (10-2) over a period of 12 weeks. It concluded at the Award Ceremony on Friday 2 June at 29 Private Members Club in Glasgow; 42 companies based in the south west region have now ‘graduated’ from the programme.

The programme is open to any business looking to grow in a sustainable manner by building the skills and internal capacity to take on increasing volumes of business. A golden rule is ‘no competitors’, leaving participants free to discuss any business issues, challenges and opportunities in a safe and supportive environment with a like-minded group of business people.

North Lanarkshire Council Building Standards team puts customers first

North Lanarkshire Council’s Building Standards Team has been commended for its customer focus at the 2017 Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS) Awards.

The annual awards recognise outstanding service and commitment, and value the excellent work of Building Standards Services across Scotland.

The team offers a range of services to householders and businesses, carrying out independent checks on building work, from design through construction to completion. Building warrants are approved before works start, and completion certificates are accepted before buildings are occupied. This ensures that homes, offices and public buildings meet all relevant building regulations.

LABSS is a not-for-profit membership organisation representing all local authority building standards verifiers in Scotland. It aims to protect the public interest delivered by public sector expertise to ensure buildings are safe, accessible, dry and warm.

Work to start on A78 bridge resurfacing scheme

Work is to begin on a £132,000 bridge resurfacing project in North Ayrshire.

The scheme will involve work to the waterproofing, drainage system and barriers on the bridge deck of the A78 at Warrix near Irvine. The four-week programme will start on June 12.

Features include stripping back the road surface to allow the project team to carry out repairs to the concrete infrastructure. A new environmentally friendly drainage system will remove excess water from the road structure, increasing the lifetime of the bridge. New barriers will also be installed.

Harbour plans aim to revitalise Fife village

St Monans Community Trust has submitted a planning application to transform the East Neuk harbour area, creating a new sea wall, boat storage and car parking.

Several years in the making, the plans are aimed at safeguarding the economic future of the community, improving access for tourists while also encouraging visiting sailors to the Fife coast.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application to Fife Council states that the plans could arrest a decline in the fortunes of the community.

As well as improving the harbour area, the community green and beach would also be upgraded as part of the work.

The trust has also signalled its intention to get new, purpose-built sports facilities in the town as part of wider regeneration plans in the future.

aBV continues work on £800,000 Edinburgh water upgrade scheme

A joint venture (JV) between Black & Veatch and Amey (aBV) is continuing work on an £800,000 water upgrade project in Edinburgh.

The scheme is part of a £6 million investment in the capital’s sewer network that will cover a number of areas across the city including Trinity and Haymarket.

Features of the three phase project include;

Top award for Ayrshire apprentice

Jaxon Russell of James Frew Ltd has been named ‘Best Apprentice Plumber’ at Ayrshire College by the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation.

The second year apprentice received the award at a presentation ceremony held at the college this week in recognition of his outstanding achievement for both his first and second year apprenticeship training.

Jaxon, who has consistently received the highest grades in all his assessments, received a certificate and a cheque for £100.

Jaxon, who lives in Saltcoats, was successful in his second attempt to join the James Frew Apprenticeship Programme which offers a four year Modern Apprentice course and involves on the job training as well as attending Ayrshire College two days a week.

On completion of his course, Jaxon will become a qualified Plumbing and Heating Engineer.

Shetland Islands road surface dressing continues

Road surface dressing work is continuing on the Shetland Islands.

The council is currently repairing roads in selected parts of Lerwick and Central Mainland, before moving to the North Isles and North Mainland next week.

Due to the possibility of further rain, a planned road closure on the A970 North Road for road surface dressing will now take place at a date later this summer, work schedules and weather permitting.