Read and understand the latest updates here. Two directors at Balfour Beatty UK Construction Services are leaving the company to take on new positions elsewhere in the construction industry. Meanwhile, As a result of inflation reaching a level not seen in forty years, clients are delaying new construction projects, according to builders. Furthermore, the most recent episode of Grand Designs, which originally aired yesterday night on Channel 4, included an episode focused primarily on modular construction (7 September). In addition to providing a public area along the banks of the River Wensum, the Duke Street Riverside development features adaptable classrooms as well as student housing.

Two UK Construction directors leave Balfour Beatty

Original Source: Two Balfour Beatty UK Construction directors exit

Neil Dixon is departing after six years to join Aggregate Industries. He will join former Balfour Beatty MD Tom Edgcumbe, who moved six months ago to manage the Asphalt and Contracting businesses.

Dixon may quit Balfour next week to join Aggregate Industries.

At Balfour, Dixon oversaw £800 million in annual building and civil engineering projects in England and Wales.

Dixon has previously worked for Forrest and Kier.

Ken Erskine, another UK Construction director, just left Balfour Beatty to join Carey’s as head of submissions and bid management.

Erskine was bid director at the UK construction services business, coming seven years ago from John Sisk.

As a recession looms, UK construction drops

Original Source: UK construction industry shrinks as recession looms

Building businesses’ activity declined for a second month in a row in August as new orders hit their lowest level since 2020. This is the latest indicator that a UK recession is imminent.

With inflation at a 40-year high, construction companies said customers put new work on hold, preventing them from buying materials and employing workers.

The S&P Global construction sector index fell sharply in July and August. August’s Cips UK construction purchasing managers’ index was 49.2, up from 48.9 in July. A number below 50 means the sector has shrunk.

S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Andrew Harker said the sector “seems destined for a tough spell.”

Civil engineering was the worst hit over the two months, and commercial building also slowed down. Only homebuilding grew in August, but not enough to boost the rest of the industry.

Harker said despite August’s improvement in activity, house building is stagnant and the single bright spot is robust employment.

Gareth Belsham, director of Naismiths, said building is a “canary in the coalmine” for the economy.

As the crisis closes in on the UK economy, the building industry will be hit hardest and fastest, he said.

Andrew Wishart, senior property economist at Capital Economics, said a reduction in leisure and hospitality demand for new work as the cost of living issue spilled over to gyms and hotels was substantial.

According to the poll, construction production will fall from 4.1% in the year to June to 0% by the end of the year.

Max Jones, director of Lloyds Bank’s infrastructure and construction unit, said some firms are thriving during the uncertainty.

“Despite output staying in decline, many larger contractors are more confident,� he continued.

Recent financial statements from top corporations showed robust balance sheets and excellent pipelines. Others priced jobs at a peak and are buying materials as prices drop. As during the pandemic, wise balance sheet management is vital.

Grand Designs’ modular construction

Original Source: Modular construction features on Grand Designs

The episode highlighted a couple who replaced their draughty 1940s prefab house in Tunbridge Wells with a modern modular home.

The original home had a wood frame and asbestos siding. Its three-bedroom modular replacement was made using six cuboid modules in Sussex by Boutique Modern.

The substantially insulated building is designed to be built in two days. Every module spent 12 days on the line.

The total cost for demolition, groundwork, and construction was £350,000. Social housing expert Boutique Modern charged a flat price for the project.

However, transportation and logistics were a problem.

The broadcast also featured Mark Farmer, author of Modernise or Die, who told host Kevin McCloud why the UK needs more modular homes.

Hudson Architects finishes NUA’s city-centre building

Original Source: Hudson Architects completes city-centre building for Norwich University of the Arts

The structure is set back from the riverside on the site of a 1970s student housing block and parking lot.

The main entrance, in an arcade, helps animate Duke Street, a major downtown street. The new public park along the River Wensum includes seating and an outdoor teaching/performance space.

The structure is seven stories high on Duke Street and five elsewhere.

A metal-clad ground-floor plinth incorporates engraved river and ironworks designs. Above this, red brick evokes the site’s industrial heritage with irregularly positioned windows, protruding metal reveals, and inset louvres for shading.

Inside, a double-height foyer offers an informal auditorium for public events. The wooden auditorium and arcades contrast with steel mesh walls and ceilings. Other spaces include a 300-seat lecture theatre, flexible teaching rooms, student lounges, and staff offices.

Duke Street Riverside’s top floors have 100 en suite student suites with shared kitchens and lounges.

All bathroom pods were built off site; a wall climbing scaffold system was employed for masonry; and a light gauge steel superstructure enabled an accurate and speedy build. The lobby and classrooms are naturally ventilated, while the student housing has MVHR.

Summary of today’s construction news

In today’s construction news, after six years with the company, Neil Dixon has decided to leave and join Aggregate Industries. Tom Edgcumbe, the former managing director of Balfour Beatty, moved to handle the asphalt and contracting companies around six months ago. He will join Tom Edgcumbe in this role. Another UK construction director, Ken Erskine, has recently departed Balfour Beatty to take a position at Carey’s in which he would be in charge of submissions and bid management.

In addition, in August, the activity of building enterprises fell for the second month in a row. This was due to new orders reaching their lowest level since the year 2020. This is the most recent sign that a recession in the UK is just around the corner.

In addition to that, the segment focused on a couple who moved out of a draughty prefab house from the 1940s and into a contemporary modular home in the town of Tunbridge Wells. The cost of building, groundwork, and demolition came to a total of 350 thousand pounds. Boutique Modern, a company that specialises in social housing, charged a flat rate for the project.

On top of that, the upper floors of Duke Street Riverside feature one hundred student suites, each with a private bathroom and a shared kitchen and living area.