Read and learn the latest news on construction companies who are collaborating on large-scale building projects like HS2 and have been offered security guidance that has never been provided before by the private sector or the government. Meanwhile, the Ladder School and Walsall Studio School were both constructed by Tilbury Douglas, a well-known company in the United Kingdom that specialises in building, infrastructure, engineering, and fit-out. In addition, building a Martian House, a public art installation that was constructed with assistance from BAM, is now on show to the general public in Bristol. On top of that, Mace has been given the first two construction jobs in an expansion of Begbroke Science Park that will cost a total of £100 million and was developed by a joint venture between Oxford University and the investor L&G.

Cybersecurity specialists secure the UK’s largest building project

Original Source: Cyber security experts team up to help protect UK’s biggest construction project

The new Information Security Best Practice guide offers recommendations on how to safely handle data created, stored, and shared in joint venture initiatives.

The guide is a unique partnership between industry professionals, the NCSC, BEIS, and CPNI (CPNI).

It comprises organisations with experience in joint ventures, such as HS2 and Crossrail, where information security risks are relevant due to their scale, value, and complexity.

By following the guidelines, organisations can improve their physical, personnel, and cyber security, making them less attractive targets for bad actors while threats, including ransomware, remain a global problem.

Joint ventures in construction are responsible for some of the UK’s largest building projects, so the data they manage must be protected.

Failure to protect this information might threaten national security, so joint ventures must secure their sites, systems, and data.

Through the implementation of this new guidance, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between industry and government, construction businesses can better manage their risks.

The guidance is a partnership between government and industry members of an NCSC-convened trust group, with input from dozens of companies.

Data and digital technology are important to a productive, competitive, and sustainable construction business, Lord Callanan stated. This new technology introduces risks that organisations must guard against.

This new industry-government guidance will assist construction firms keep their information safe, ensuring projects are executed on schedule and securely.

The guide explains why joint ventures need information security and presents a recommended way to manage risks.

Establishing information security governance and accountability within the joint venture and ensuring board-level engagement Identifying staff to hold responsibility for assessing specific information security risks and developing a shared information security strategy. Understanding the specific risks and any regulatory requirements for the joint venture and deciding on a shared risk appetite Developing and agreeing on a shared information security strategy

Globally, internet attackers target the construction industry, putting firms of all kinds in danger.

Jon Ozanne, Balfour Beatty’s CIO, stated, “With cyberattacks becoming more intelligent, cyber security and protecting our own, employees’, supply chain, and customers’ data has never been more vital.”

The new Information Security Best Practice guide will help address operational risks across the sector by boosting standards and educating those on cyber security measures.

Andy Black, Chief Information Security Officer at Sir Robert McAlpine, said cross-industry collaboration is needed to improve construction information security. We’re glad for the chance to share our experience and collaborate with NCSC, BEIS, and CPNI on this guide.

This year, the NCSC and the Chartered Institute of Building have produced cyber security recommendations for SMEs.

The Board Toolkit facilitates talks between board members and technical specialists, while the Exercise in a Box toolkit helps organisations test their incident response strategies in a safe environment.

Tilbury Douglas finishes two Walsall education projects

Original Source: Tilbury Douglas successfully completes two education construction projects in Walsall

Tilbury Douglas, a renowned UK building, infrastructure, engineering, and fit-out company, built The Ladder School and Walsall Studio School.

Two independent schools will be run by The Mercian Trust, a multi-academy trust that brings together schools catering for a wide range of unique needs.

The Ladder School, designed by Race Cottam Architects, is a new campus providing alternative education for Walsall youth in danger of exclusion. The new two- and three-story structures offer up to 112 KS4 and post-16 pupils a high-quality learning environment.

At a neighbouring location, Tilbury Douglas has expanded Walsall Studio School. The school’s four-year programme prepares students for careers in the creative, digital, and health areas. The new building will provide a specialised area for this work.

During the project, Tilbury Douglas achieved almost £2.7m in social value (according to TOMs Framework metrics). The comprehensive social and sustainability plan focused on local SME supply chains, community work, and T-level student placements at Walsall College and Dudley College.

Simon Butler, Midlands Regional Managing Director of Building at Tilbury Douglas, said, “As an experienced education contractor, we’re happy to have executed two vital projects that will positively influence local kids.”

The Ladder School Principal Chris Bury said, “From the commencement of construction, Tilbury Douglas connected with us well, answered our queries, and invited us to site to observe the development.” The team has been helpful since moving in to guarantee the school opened on time. We were blown away by Tilbury Douglas’ endeavour to turn drawings and ideas into a school that will impact young people’s lives!

BAM aids Martian House’s art project

Original Source: BAM helps Martian House sustainability art project

The prototype house is meant to generate discussions on how to live more sustainably on Earth, taking into account Mars’ natural constraints.

The project is by Ella Good and Nicki Kent. The project also includes Pearce+ and Hugh Broughton Architects, who designed Halley VI.

However, the project has also inspired space scientists, architects, engineers, designers, and the public, including elementary school children, to think about better ways to live on Earth and Mars.

The SCF Construct Framework’s ‘Two Stage Open Book” procurement helped get the project started. London, the South East, and the South West are served by SCF.

Large-scale involvement

This project is near BAM’s M Shed museum. BAM was asked to join construction, design, engineering, lighting, and quantity surveying firms.

BAM project manager Tony Richards and assistant planner Natalie Aikman spent 225 hours on the Martian House project.

This includes pre-construction planning, procurement scheduling, meetings, and coordinating delivery and installation of two 20ft containers donated by BAM Plant.

BAM managed supply chain partners such as David Watson Transport, Metal Fabrications, and Wyse Base for foundation pads.

Public art that pops

“It was an honour to contribute to this intriguing and eye-catching piece of public art for Bristol,” stated Richards.

For me and Natalie, it was great to employ our construction project management abilities on a community initiative. And I want to thank all our supply chain partners that helped bring this house to life. “

Bristol’s M Shed Square will host the Martian House through October.

Mace receives £45m Oxford Science Park contract

Original Source: Mace wins £45m Oxford Uni science park job

The 135,000 sq ft of build projects are understood to be worth roughly £45m. One building will house the university’s academics and the other will be a commercial hub for companies wishing to grow and build academic partnerships.

Mace’s Managing Director, Construction (PREACH), Terry Spraggett, called Bedbroke Scientific Park one of the company’s most ambitious science and education projects.

“Working with Oxford and L&G to establish the UK’s latest science testing facilities in electronics, satellites, and medical research.”

Oxford University Property Development plans to open in early 2024.

OUPD is also working on plans to supply housing, more R&D facilities, and commercial space outside the Science Park’s existing limits.

2,000 affordable and subsidised dwellings will be included in future stages, said Mike Coplowe, Senior Development Manager at Legal & General.

These new facilities will help maintain talent in the city, drive inward investment, provide chances for world-leading innovation, and house vital personnel.

New schools, a park, and a nature reserve are part of the development project.

Summary of today’s construction news

In today’s construction news, the recently published Information Security Best Practices guide provides guidelines on how to safely handle data that is generated, kept, and shared through joint venture endeavours. The handbook was created through an innovative collaboration between members of the sector, the NCSC, BEIS, and CPNI (CPNI).

In addition, the Mercian Trust is a multi-academy trust that brings together schools that cater to a wide range of different individualised needs. This trust will be in charge of two independent schools.

In addition to that, with help from BAM, the public art project “Building a Martian House” is now on view in Bristol. The purpose of the model home is to inspire conversations about how to live more sustainably on Earth, taking into account the limitations imposed by Mars’ natural environment. The “Two Stage Open Book” procurement that the SCF Construct Framework offered was helpful in getting the project off the ground. SCF provides service to London in addition to the South East and South West regions.

Moreover, Oxford University Property Development is making preparations to launch their business sometime in the early years of 2024. OUPD is also working on proposals to provide housing, additional research and development facilities, and commercial space outside of the boundaries that are already in place for the Science Park.