Citation
Todd, S. (2012), "Internet review", Structural Survey, Vol. 30 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2012.11030eaa.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Internet review
Internet review
Article Type: Internet review From: Structural Survey, Volume 30, Issue 5.
The web site information included below includes two key and other informative sites. If there are any other interesting sites or sources of information that you have found useful, please e-mail me at s.todd@salford.ac.uk
Building research establishment
The main menu includes links to:
- •
Approvals and listings
- •
Consultancy
- •
Innovation and research
- •
Sustainability and BREEAM
- •
Certification
- •
Testing
- •
Events
- •
Training and accreditation.
The “News Headlines” section includes information on the first Greek commercial premises to be BREEAM certified:
- 1.
Strong green symbol in uncertain times: a retail building in Athens has bucked the trend of bad news from Greece by becoming the first Greek commercial premises to be successfully BREEAM certified. The “Greenstore Stamata” supermarket, which was recently BREEAM assessed at the post-construction stage and achieved a “very good” rating. The building was assessed by Athens-based BREEAM assessor company, Ecoveritas. Owned by the AB Vassilopoulos-Delhaize Group, the Greenstore Stamata building was assessed under the BREEAM Europe Commercial 2009: Retailscheme. The development scored well in the energy, health and well-being, water and management BREEAM categories, with a wide range of sustainability features – a small selection of which include:
- •
electrical vehicle recharging stations using energy provided by the building's wide ranging renewable energy systems;
- •
sun-pipes to enhance natural day-lighting, one of several initiatives to provide excellent internal environment conditions to retail and offices areas;
- •
online water metering and leak detection/prevention system, as well as rain water harvesting for use in WCs and external planting and landscaping irrigation system;
- •
life-cycle costing and building services analysis for managing the building's long-term impact and effective building operation;
- •
recycling of nine waste streams for staff and customers, along with a compactor for packaging waste and composting of organic waste; and
- •
pollution reduction with LED technology for external lighting to minimise night-time light pollution, noise attenuation measures and sensors for detecting refrigerant leaks in plants.
- •
- 2.
Driving Sustainable RefurbishmentBREEAM refurbishment for domestic buildings was launched today at the Housing 2012 Conference in Manchester, developed with industry and following extensive piloting across a wide range of buildings to ensure that an improved home can be achieved in a highly affordable way. The new BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment is available for use on projects ranging from home improvements such as replacing windows and fitting new insulation, through to developments ranging in size from multiple to single dwellings. To ensure that the new BREEAM standard drives real change, the process has been independently peer reviewed and extensively trialled in a pilot scheme involving more than 200 properties. The scheme has also been developed to align with the Government's Green Deal (due for launch in Autumn 2012) which will make grants available to householders to make energy efficiency improvement to their homes. One of the projects involved in the piloting of the scheme was the refurbishment of the Cornbrook Court care home in Manchester. The BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment technical manual is now available on the BREEAM web site (www.breeam.org/domrefurb), along with case studies from some of the pilot projects. The scheme went live for project registration on 2 July 2012. Other “News headlines” include:
- 3.
National Solar Centre proposed for CornwallThe BRE in partnership with Cornwall Council, has created an innovative proposal to establish a National Solar Centre in Cornwall that will drive the future development of the PV industry and give confidence to end users and generate economic growth in the region. This proposal reflects the commitment to solar PV demonstrated by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in particular the continuation of the feed in tariff and acknowledgement that solar has a role in our future energy mix. Working with the established solar industry, the centre will collect data and evidence from a range of MCS and FITs related PV installations from across the country. This new body of knowledge will be used to:
- •
optimise the long-term performance of PV technologies;
- •
create best quality assurance, design advice, product knowledge and technical standards;
- •
provide a code of practice for construction and solar industries;
- •
support building integrated PV market development; and
- •
create a hub of solar expertise that will enable the sector to perform to its highest potential.
- •
- 4.
Setting the Standard for GreenEight of the most sustainable new buildings in Wales received BREEAM Awards on 29 June at the 2012 Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff. The winning developments range from schools and research facilities to television studios, and are widely distributed throughout Wales. The eight BREEAM Awards Wales winning developments are:
- •
BREEAM Bespoke Award – Crownbridge School, Croesyceiliog Crownbridge School provides special educational needs teaching and learning for pupils with a range of physical and learning disabilities Client: Torfaen Council and Crownbridge SchoolArchitect: Powell Dobson ArchitectsContractor: Kier Western and Wales ConstructionBREEAM assessor: Michael Cox and Company Ltd.
- •
BREEAM Multi-Residential Award – Mountain Halls, University of GlamorganThe new Mountain Halls development on the Treforest campus provides 476, purpose built student residencesClient: University of GlamorganArchitect: Boyes Rees ArchitectsContractor: VINCI Construction UKBREEAM assessor: McCann & Partners: Legacy – McCann Sustainability.
- •
BREEAM Schools – Neyland CP School: this 356-pupil primary school incorporates an early year's unit, community areas and a community-donated multi-use games areaClient: Pembrokeshire Education DepartmentArchitect: Maria JonesContractor: Dawnus ConstructionBREEAM assessor: Pembrokeshire County Council.
- •
BREEAM Education: further education – CAM Extension, Coleg Menai. The CAM (Canolfan Arloesi Menai) Extension at the Anglesey campus, provides further education in the skills required for students to work in the energy sectorClient: Coleg MenaiArchitect: Lend Lease designContractor: Anwyl Construction Company LtdBREEAM assessor: RSK Group plc.
- •
BREEAM Education: Higher Education – Hadyn Ellis Building. Cardiff University's Hadyn Ellis Medical Research Facility will house state-of-the-art facilities in a highly sustainable buildingClient: Cardiff University EstatesArchitects: Nightingale AssociatesContractor: BAMBREEAM assessor: Morgan Sindall Professional Services Ltd.
- •
BREEAM Healthcare – Institute of Life Science, Phase 2, Swansea University. This five-storey clinical research and trials facility has been developed to deliver a sustainable building within the constraints of an environment suitable for clinical researchClient: Swansea UniversityArchitect: Powell Dobson ArchitectsContractor: Leadbitter GroupBREEAM assessor: AECOM.
- •
BREEAM Industrial – BBC Roath Lock, Porth Teigr. BBC Roath Lock houses the new BBC Wales production studios for programmes that include Dr Who, Casualty, Pobol y Cwm and Upstairs DownstairsClient: igloo Regeneration, the Welsh Government and the BBCArchitect: FAT Ltd and Holder Mathias ArchitectsContractor: VINCI Construction UKBREEAM assessor: Ove Arup and Partners.
- •
BREEAM Offices – Countryside Council for Wales Headquarters. The Countryside Council for Wales Headquarters building in Bangor reflects the sustainability ethos of the organisationClient: Planehouse LimitedArchitect: Watkin Jones GroupContractor: Watkin Jones GroupBREEAM assessor: Carpenter Davies Partnership Ltd.
- •
The royal institution of chartered surveyors
The structure of the main menu hasn’t changed since the last review. The “Newsroom” includes links to:
- •
Red Book (2012 Edition)This latest edition includes a number of changes to the existing standards to fully incorporate the new International Valuation Standards (IVS) and is effective from 30 March 2012. The new standards are mandatory for all RICS members who provide “Red Book” valuation services. The Red Book lists rules, best practice guidelines and related commentary for all RICS members undertaking asset valuations, and is a useful reference for valuation users and stakeholders.
- •
ModusThis RICS magazine brings you the latest news and views, expert advice and in-depth features from across the surveying profession.
- •
VRSThe RICS Valuer Registration Scheme is mandatory for UK Red Book Valuers. The scheme assures the quality of valuations.
- •
SustainabilityAt the global, national and local level RICS and its members are committed to creating and maintaining a healthy environment.
The “Related News” section includes:
- •
RICS welcomes landmark forestry reportRICS has responded following the publication of the Independent Panel on Forestry final report on the future of forestry in England. Given the importance of this thinking to England's future land use, RICS has been engaged with DEFRA, the Forestry Commission and the Independent Panel through each stage of this review. RICS welcomes the final report by the Independent Panel on Forestry and its twin focus on woodland creation and the greater management of existing and future forestry.
- •
High street landlords offer incentives to fill empty premisesThe RICS Commercial Market Survey Q2, 2012 reports that a growing number of retail landlords resorted to offering incentives in order to let their premises last quarter as demand continued to struggle, says the latest RICS UK Commercial Market Survey. With occupier demand now having fallen for the past 12 months, the number of landlords offering inducement packages, such as rent-free periods or financial incentives, on retail premises saw a notable increase. Last quarter a net balance of 24 per cent more respondents reported rises (from −1 per cent). With interest in retail floor space falling, unsurprisingly, surveyors’ expectations for future rents were suitably downbeat, as a net balance of 28 per cent more respondents predicted values to continue to fall over the coming three months. Nationally, overall demand for commercial property remained relatively subdued, with 7 per cent more surveyors seeing a fall rather than a rise in interest from potential occupiers. Uncertainty over the economic prospects for the UK in the light of the continuing turmoil in the euro area is clearly impacting on the appetite of businesses to take on more space. As a result, expectations for rents continued their slide for the 19th consecutive quarter. One segment of the market that is continuing to buck the trend is central London offices. Fresh demand for prime offices in the capital continues to run ahead of new supply which is underpinning rent levels. Significantly, 26 per cent more surveyors anticipate further rents increases over the next quarter. Turning to the investment market, the less negative trend in capital values seen last quarter across some parts of the country seems to have reversed. The Midlands, South and the North all reported negative readings, while London was the only area to see values increase, benefiting as it does from significant overseas investment.
The shard
The main menu of this web site is structured as:
- 1.
Shard The Shard designed by architect Renzo Piano and developed by Sellar Property to be “London's most dynamic building.” The Shard will be the tallest building in Western Europe, its crystalline façade transforming the London skyline with a mixed-use 310 m vertical city of high-quality offices, restaurants, the five-star Shangri-La hotel and residential apartments. Occupying the top four floors of the Shard, the public galleries will offer visitors the highest 360° views in the UK. With unobstructed 360° views stretching across London and beyond, visitors will feel that they are almost stepping into the sky. This will be a viewing experience like no other with views that will “literally take your breath away”
- 2.
Offices
- 3.
Restaurants
- 4.
Shangri-la hotel
- 5.
Residences
- 6.
The view
- 7.
Contact.
It also links to the sub-menu of:
- •
vertical city;
- •
inauguration;
- •
offices; and
- •
explore.
Stovax
Based at Exeter, England, Stovax Ltd was established in 1981 to design, manufacture and distribute wood burning stoves and fireside accessories. By 1988, a decision was made to diversify into the manufacture of gas-fired versions of Stovax stoves and a separate company, Gazco Ltd was formed to develop and produce them. Today, as sister companies, Stovax and Gazco continue to work very closely together. Each company has constantly developed its product range such that the combined businesses have grown to become one of Europe's leading manufacturers of stoves, fireplaces and fires, with exports to countries worldwide. In 2006, Stovax Ltd purchased Yeoman, a long established manufacturer of woodburning stoves which specialised in more rustic, rural styling. The company continues to produce a distinctive and separate range of wood burning, multi fuel, gas and electric stoves under the Yeoman brand. The main menu is structured as:
- •
stoves;
- •
built in and wall fires;
- •
hearth mounted fires;
- •
fireplaces;
- •
mantels;
- •
fire baskets; and
- •
accessories.
There is also a range of technical information which includes:
- •
Important Changes to Building Regulations for Wood and Solid Fuel Appliances (PM533).
- •
Instructions and Installation.
Department of energy & climate change
The main menu of this important web site is structured as:
- 1.
tackling climate change:
- •
explaining climate change;
- •
2050 pathways analysis;
- •
carbon plan;
- •
smart meters;
- •
green deal; The Energy Act 2011 includes provisions for the new “Green Deal”, which intends to reduce carbon emissions cost effectively by revolutionising the energy efficiency of British properties. The new innovative Green Deal financial mechanism eliminates the need to pay upfront for energy efficiency measures and instead provides reassurances that the cost of the measures should be covered by savings on the electricity bill. There is also ECO which is a new Energy Company Obligation will integrate with the Green Deal, allowing supplier subsidy and Green Deal Finance to come together into one seamless offer to the consumer. The web site gives guidance for customers, industry and stakeholders
- •
saving energy and CO2 in the UK;
- •
committee on climate Change (CCC); and
- •
our international work on climate change
- •
- 2.
cutting emissions;
- 3.
meeting energy demand;
- 4.
funding and support;
- 5.
policy and legislation;
- 6.
news;
- 7.
statistics;
- 8.
consultations; and
- 9.
blog.
Environment agency
The Environment agency is an executive non-departmental Public Body responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and a Welsh Government Sponsored Body responsible to the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development. Their principal aims are to protect and improve the environment, and to promote sustainable development. They play a central role in delivering the environmental priorities of central government and the Welsh Government through our functions and roles. The main menus of the web site include:
- 1.
at home and leisure:
- •
flood;
- •
river and sea levels; and
- •
septic tanks and sewage treatment plants.
- •
- 2.
business and industry.
- 3.
planning and research:
- •
public registers;
- •
flood risk standing advice;
- •
publications and reports;
- •
planning; and
- •
managing and improving the water environment.
- •
- 4.
media centre.
Stephen Todd