Part L is being amended and is due to come into force on 6th October 2010. Many of the changes aim to more clearly distinguish “Requirements” from “Guidance”.

There are also a number of changes, the main ones being:
Design Submissions to be a requirement (in the Regulations) as well as As Built Submissions
No change to the methodology for calculating the TER beyond the 25% reduction in the target.
The guidance proposes a “strategic sequence” for meeting the TER target
Builders to be able to get lower DERs if they adopt procedures that provide more quality assurance e.g. Air Permeability (more pressure testing), Thermal Bridges.
Design Limits for Building Fabric – no changes.
Design Limits for Building Services - expanded to cover micro-generation of heat and electricity.
Clearer rules for air permeability assessment at the As Built stage, involving more pressure testing.
Thermal bridging – 25% to be added on to calculated values if accredited details not used
Party Walls – no longer assumed to have a U value of 0.0 W/m2K; value depends upon construction.
Conservatories – exemption for conservatories of less than 30 m2 to be removed.

We’ll get some seminars organised when they are available.

Chris Sneesby, some of us know of him through work, has set up a company making ‘Archipods’. The pods can be used for a variety of functions such as home office, leisure or play spaces. The archipod web site has more information and details www.archipod.co.uk

Those of you working in the healthcare sector will no doubt be aware that the acoustic design of healthcare buildings was re-thought with the introduction of HTM 08-01, in particular the method of selecting appropriate acoustic partitions was seriously overhauled. While the changes took the guesswork out of selecting the required laboratory sound insulation value for partitions, the maths involved in working out the requirements gave me a headache and it took a very long time to work out all of the partition requirements for the first project I carried out under this HTM.

As a result I set up a spreadsheet to take the pain out of the calculations and speed the whole process up, and you can now find this sheet on the intranet should you wish to use it, oddly enough, under the title “HTM 08-01 Calculator”. There are some explanatory notes on the first tab.

A word of warning though, the spreadsheet does a lot for you but you still need to have a basic understanding of the HTM and be aware that the HTM recommends that an acoustic consultant be employed to ensure an holistic approach to acoustic design on all projects.

http://www.safetyindesign.org/

Just a reminder of this valuable information site for designers

SiD - Safety in Design Ltd is a not for profit company that exists to support designers in the built environment. It is by industry and for industry.

The following is posted on their web site:

“ FEEDBACK - All the speakers at the recent CIRIA  “Designers Dilemmas” workshop on the 8th October spoke against numerical design risk assessments and HSE confirmation of this was also provided. Want to know more? Sign up for the newsletter now! Want to comment? Do so on the Discussion Forum.”

I have signed up for their newsletter and will pass this round to all.

The CIRIA workshop confirms what we have all suspected for some time. I will be suggesting we review our own procedures in order to try to make them simpler, however, risk does need to be assessed & evaluated for hazards identified in order for appropriate responses to be made.

In the meantime, everybody’s views welcome.

Last night colleagues from Leeds and Stokesley got together at the end of the 25th year in Practice to hear the year end results and celebrate the milestone. Once again, and in spite of the current challenging economic climate, P+HS has demonstrated real growth both commercially and professionally. Chris Potter thanked staff for their commitment and hardwork through the year and went on to unveil the Practice’s plans for the future, the most exciting of which was the opening of the London office in January 2010. Watch this space!

PS. Thanks to Chris Lawes for designing the cake, to Chris’s Uncle for making it, and to Ben for eating most of it.

Having established that the Regional Agricultural Centre is a much loved development within local circles, it seems that national experts agree. The building has won an EG Green Award for sustainability: declared a joint winner alongside Cabot Circus (a £500m development from Land Securities and Hammerson), the Centre was highly praised by the judges for its ‘thoughtful design’. Not bad for a ’small’ development!

It looks like the endorsement of Adrian Taylor is more than enough to convince the shoppers of Harrogate - nearly all the stocks of Treacle Stout sold out at Fodder following Adrian’s recommendation. Rumours are circulating that the Taylor seal of approval will be rolling out across other product ranges shortly.

Washington Primary Healthcare Centre has scooped the LABC National award for Best Healthcare Building.  Developed for Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust with Laing O’Rourke, the Washington building is also shortlisted for the Building Better Healthcare Awards next month.  Congratulations to the team!

P+HS is delighted with two new appointments to its management team.

Joining the Board of Directors is Phil Bentley based in Leeds, whilst in the Stokesley office, Adrian Evans is appointed as an Associate.

The announcement comes as P+HS celebrates its 25th successful year in business, and indicates its commitment to maintaining the stability and growth of the company.  Congratulations and good luck to both Phil and Adrian in their new roles.

Stokesley fought back bravely scoring three goals in the final ten minutes only to lose 6-4 to a talented Leeds team in this fiercely contested football match. The home advantage paid off with the Stokesley players appearing rattled in front of a partisan crowd as Leeds’ new boys Shoaib Mahmood and James Park scored a flurry of early goals.

In this physical encounter frustrations started to show as the home side took an imposing 6-1 lead. It looked like a whitewash was in the offing as, with ten minutes to go, Leeds peppered the Stokesley goal looking for double figures. But as they pushed forward huge gaps opened in defense allowing Stokesley to take advantage and with ruthless efficiency they closed the deficit to two goals setting up an exciting final few minutes.

Although disappointed with the result the self-proclaimed ‘Farmer Boys’ have vowed to redress the balance and regain the title in the eagerly awaited rematch to be played early next year.

The Good Employer Guide 2009 is out and P+HS is the only company to be in the top five for all categories – Social Responsibility, Working Smarter, Feel Good Factor, Inspiration, Leadership, Ability to Contribute, and Current Market Conditions.

 

Editor David Rogers commented: ’Congratulations are owed to architect P+HS…this company made it into every top five for which it was eligible, the first firm to do so..the (architect) profession comes top of the feel good factor and also the smarter working index.   This may be explained in part by the fact that they have also come top of the new market condition index (a new rating, which measures how well employees believe their company is dealing with the recession).

 

Geraldine Pinder and Diana Cole were in London yesterday for this year’s Good Employer Guide announcements:  Geraldine commented:  ‘we are immensely proud of our staff and achieving this accolade from the industry is a mark of what can be achieved, despite difficult times within the construction sector, by sticking with an open, inclusive and team approach.’

 

Thanks to all staff who took time to complete the survey: the survey company tell us that they had a superb response from you and we are very grateful that you took part: results like this send out a clear, positive message to the industry about the strength of P+HS.

 

The guide is published with this month’s copy of Building and extra copies of the supplement are on order for both Leeds and Stokesley offices. A digital copy can be viewed here.

 

 

Barnsley LIFT has received Planning Approval! P+HS are currently working towards financial close on two LIFT projects in Barnsley - Hoyland and Athersley, New Lodge. Hoyland will provide excellent Healthcare and Council facilities including space for GP, PCT, library and Social services. Athersley, New Lodge will provide GP and PCT services. Both schemes will achieve a BREEAM excellent rating and form part of a wider regeneration for each locality.

P+HS were well represented at a recent conference from the Health Service Journal entitled:
‘Developing Primary & Community Healthcare Estates’. Chris Potter addressed the high profile audience on the subject of increasing the lifespan of buildings through flexible and responsive design. You can download all of the speakers’ presentations by clicking HERE

Recent success on the golf course has given me a free round of golf for 4 at Chester le Street. We have to give a few days notice, and it needs to be on a weekday to avoid competitions, but if anyone is interested please give me a shout. The voucher is valid until this time next year, so plenty of time! 

Names in a hat please…