Northwest contractor Winrow Building Services has recently completed the installation of a new high-performance system for heating and hot water production at a 111-bedroom hotel in Birmingham City Centre. The hotel is part of one of the world’s biggest chains and the system has been augmented with SPF calculations and complete system integration for maximum operational efficiencies. The new system consists of two 27kW R290 heat pumps, optimised with a bespoke 800-litre pr

Alex Brock, Senior Pre-Construction Manager at B&K Hybrid Solutions, explores timber’s growing use in leisure facilities and explores the Cozenton Park Sports Centre project. In the ever-evolving landscape of leisure, the use of engineered timber has emerged as a key material. Sustainable, efficient, and visually striking, timber has become the material of choice for forward-thinking developments across the UK. Few projects demonstrate this better than the newly completed Co

The world’s first Passivhaus-certified leisure centre needed a highly efficient external air barrier to meet the required standards. St Sidwell’s Point in Exeter is the world’s first Passivhaus-certified, multi-zoned leisure centre. Developed on a brownfield site, it comprises a 25m main pool and 20m learner pool, a confidence water pool, and a 100-seat spectator area. There is also a cafe, soft play area, gym, health suites, and spa. The £44 million, world-leading project in

Jo Foulkes, Commercial Operations Manager from Kingfisher Louvres, explains how its practical solutions have been used in three different hotel refurbishments. When it comes to hotel design, external louvres need to perfectly balance performance attributes such as weather protection, ventilation and acoustic attenuation without detracting from the exterior aesthetic. From boutique city centre venues to luxury countryside resorts, hotels need extensive plant equipment and, wi

GE Door Manufacturing has announced the launch of the GE Hygrothermal Doorset - the only UK-manufactured doorset independently tested and certified to meet EN 12219 for hygrothermal performance. The new product provides verified compliance with the Department for Education’s (DfE) requirements for school doorsets, helping architects, contractors and facilities managers meet official performance standards with confidence. The DfE recommends that certain school doorsets must

Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has scooped the ‘Domestic Ventilation Product of the Year’ award at the prestigious H&V News Awards. The Sussex-based company secured the accolade for its Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq range of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). The win demonstrates Vent-Axia’s design leadership, providing a range of effective whole-house ventilation solutions to help overcome the challenges the New-Build Residential sector faces.

Andrews Water Heaters supplied a new system to a hotel in Cirencester as part of a replacement project. Specify & Build reports. The Kings Head Hotel, a boutique 64-bedroom Cotswold Inn in the heart of Cirencester, is well known for the consistently high-quality service it offers its guests. As with all hotel buildings, ensuring a reliable and efficient hot water supply is a priority for the hotel owners, Brakspear Group, for the comfort and safety of its guests. So, when th

EJOT UK has provided fixing solutions for the building envelope of a new $1 billion LEGO factory. The EJOT Group collaboration, led by EJOT Asia, has provided a complete building envelope fastening solution for the construction of the US $1bn factory at the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park III in Binh Duong near Ho Chi Minh City. The project involved EJOT UK manufacturing and supplying more than 750,000 EJOT HTK 2G 50 tube-washers for use in combination with EJOT TKR faste

SkillBuild 2025 concluded last week with a final held at the Arena Milton Keynes from the 18 th to 20 th November. Eight worthy roofing finalists were set a task and given just 18 hours to slate and tile a roof. SIG Roofing is proud to be a sponsor of the event, donating quality materials for the future generation of roofers to demonstrate their skills. Photo Caption: Ready, Set, Go – finalist Roofers at Skill Build 2025 The annual SkillBuild event and construction showc

Rekha Thawrani, OBE and Global Director of NEC Contracts, explains why the industry is moving towards collaborative contracts that can deliver better outcomes for everyone involved. The construction industry faces a perfect storm of challenges. Designing and building against a volatile economic backdrop while racing towards net zero targets demands innovation, sustainability and efficiency like never before. Many in the sector already understand the value of trusted supply ch

Zentia explores why noise pollution is now a key consideration of modern office design. Office spaces are undergoing a transformation. The traditional office is being increasingly replaced by flexible working environments, smaller workspaces, and collaborative co-working hubs. As businesses adapt to changing work dynamics, the demand for workspaces that prioritise both productivity and comfort has led to an increased focus on sustainable design. Noise pollution management and

Onduline reveals how its ISOLINE LOW LINE sub-roof system is supporting Aldi’s nationwide re-roofing programme. When Aldi decided to centralise its approach to roof refurbishments, it marked a significant change in the way the supermarket chain manages its growing property estate. Previously, re-roofing had been handled on a store-by-store basis, resulting in mixed materials, varying specifications and inconsistent performance across the UK. So Aldi sought a standardised spec

As global temperatures rise, so does the need for cooling. Rinnai’s Managing Director Tony Gittings looks at the reasons behind these accelerated increases in demand. Can our electricity grids handle the heat – and can governments accommodate growing demand without infringing upon net zero ambitions? A requirement for properties to be cooled during summer months is becoming ever more sought after by both international and UK customers. Global temperatures are rising, largely

The new DEVIcell Low Carbon insulation plate system offers faster heat, lower energy use and a smaller carbon footprint. Developed by European underfloor heating manufacturer DEVI, the system is made using 75% recycled aluminium and delivers up to 33% faster heat-up times and impressive energy savings. Suitable for both dry installations beneath wood, laminate, or parquet floors, and wet screed installations beneath tiles, DEVIcell Low Carbon can be used under almost any floo

Recent additions to Rinnai’s extensive list of industry relevant CPDs include SPF – Seasonal Performance Factors and Heat Pump Design; Introduction to Water Neutrality; and Retrofitting Heat Pumps into the Leisure Sector through CCA and SPF Analysis. All the CPDs provide updated insights into significant issues concerning contractors, consultants, specifiers, system designers, and installers operating in the UK HVAC market. The CPD on Seasonal Performance Factors (SPF) discus