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MARCH/APRIL 2025

VOL 22 NO 02

A Sustainable Initiative?

Why decarbonising the built environment

should be a top governmental priority

Data Centre Construction

The growth of the UK data centre

market poses construction challenges

Celebrating Ten Years of DCW

Register now for Digital Construction Week 2025

Lean and Green

An education in meeting Low

Carbon Pathfinder requirements

@CCMagAndAwards

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CONTENTS

MARCH/APRIL 2025

CONTENTS

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 14

David Chadwick argues that the trend towards

sustainability in interior design could be seen

as the latest incarnation of feng shui, as he

expands on a recent article by Vectorworks'

Luc Ledebvre

DATA CENTRE CONSTRUCTION 16

Access COINS offer a guide to the unique set

of construction challenges posed by the

growth of the data centre market in the UK

LEAN AND GREEN 20

Graphisoft's Archicad has been used, together

with Solibri, Twinmotion and BIMx, to satisfy the

DfE's Low Carbon Pathfinder requirements on

the Merstham Park School project

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON EARTH 30

Mark Wells, Esri UK CTO, highlights how

rapid growth in drone, satellite and other

imagery is helping to support data-driven

information strategies

NEWS................................................INDUSTRY NEWS........................................................................................................6

• NEW EVERTON STADIUM GETS MATCH FIT • FREE NBS GUIDE TO SPECIFICATION WRITING

INDUSTRY COMMENT......................PAYAPPS...........................................................................................................10

• WHY PAYAPPS IS THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR MONEY-CONSCIOUS CONTRACTORS

INDUSTRY FOCUS............................BRIDGING THE GAP.........................................................................................12

• CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CHARITY CRASH DISCUSS THEIR VITAL WORK WITH DAVID CHADWICK

INDUSTRY COMMENT......................A SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE...............................................................................18

• WHY DECARBONISING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE A TOP GOVERNMENTAL PRIORITY

CASE STUDY.....................................PARAMETRIC DESIGN DELIVERS ON BARKSTON ASH RAIL BRIDGE.............22

• FACILITATING TIME SAVINGS AND AUTOMATED EFFICIENCIES ON THE TRANSPENNINE ROUTE UPGRADE

EVENT PREVIEW...............................CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK....................24

• VISITOR REGISTRATION HAS NOW OPENED FOR DCW 2025

CASE STUDY.....................................WASTE NOT......................................................................................................26

• HOW PROCIERE DELIVERED A MODERN NUCLEAR WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY FOR THE SRP PROJECT

CASE STUDY.....................................SMOOTH OPERATOR.......................................................................................28

• NEMETSCHEK GROUP’S DTWIN IS BOOSTING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY FOR PORT OPERATOR, UMEX

TRAINING MAP..................................AUTODESK TRAINING........................................................................................32

• YOUR GUIDE TO AUTODESK TRAINING

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS.....................KEEPING CONSTRUCTION CONNECTED...........................................................34

• HOW 5G-POWERED ROUTERS CAN ENABLE CONSTRUCTION CONNECTIVITY ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

March/April 2025 3

COMMENT

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Comment

An Organic Entity

by David Chadwick

We're getting there! We are finally

beginning to realise that we're

not able to just extract whatever

resources we need and manipulate the

environment to suit our own purposes

without consequence, and that the

planet, and everything on it is linked in an

organic whole - that every action we take,

every road we make, every building we

construct, every bit of oil and mineral ore

that we extract and tree that we chop

down has ramifications.

The development of digital twins has

advanced our understanding of the

relationship between different elements

of a building or a city. They provide a

digital model of a physical project or

building which can be analysed, probed,

tested and plotted, enabling them to run

at optimum levels of sustainability, cost

or efficiency. They are however

dependent on large amounts of data

input from a wide variety of sources, the

means to collect that data and the

software to relate it to physical structures

- and some nifty visualisations to

illustrate the results!

I am delighted, therefore, to be able to

include two points of view in this issue

from two industry leaders in this area -

Don McLean, CEO and founder of IES

and Mark Wells, Chief Technical Officer

of Esri UK, who write about their

respective company's involvement in

collecting this data.

In his article Don gives us his reaction

to the various initiatives that the UK

Government has been taking with regard

to Net Zero. Whilst I was fascinated by

Don's early experiences of the

shortcomings of an inconsistent energy

supply - which ultimately contributed to

his choice of career - I was struck by the

imbalance between an intelligent industry

response to sustainability and the

approach currently being pursued by the

Secretary of State for Energy Security

and Net Zero, Ed Miliband.

Esri UK are specialists in the gathering

of data and the creation of huge - aiming

for nationwide or global - models that can

be used for planning projects. These can

be used to analyse the impact of small or

large-scale projects over time, as well to

measure the impact of global climactic

events. Their cityscape analyses, for

instance, provide insights into the density

of buildings in a large US city, as well as

the percentage of green spaces that we

have in London.

Supported by the array of technologies

that we now use to collect information

from the Earth and its burgeoning urban

landscape, Mark's article provides a

comprehensive breakdown of where

each of these can be best used.

Both companies have immeasurably

improved our understanding of the

environment, our place in it, the harm we

have committed to it - and the steps we

need to take to mitigate its effect. Too bad it

also has to contend with the stupidity of

mankind, and there are no convenient

technological devices or sensors to plumb

the depths of that (although social media

comes pretty close).

That is eclipsed, though, by the climate

catastrophe set to unfold under the new

Trump administration, which is intent on

reversing the battle against climate

change and, in the face of overwhelming

evidence from events in their own

country, is already in the process of

dismantling and defunding the bodies set

up to monitor and ameliorate the effects

of global warming. A political rant?

Perhaps, but the events now unfolding in

the US are already harming us all.

4 March/April 2025

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INDUSTRY news

GRAPHISOFT PLAN FOR SOLO PRACTITIONERS

Graphisoft has launched

Archicad Studio, a subscription

plan for solo practitioners

working independently

or with local teams. "With AEC

technology evolving at such a

rapid pace, we want solo practitioners

to have access to cutting-edge

BIM software innovations

as soon as they hit the

market," said Gábor Kovács-

Palkó, Senior Director of Product

Portfolio Strategy at

Graphisoft. "Archicad Studio

achieves exactly that - affordable

access to Archicad’s powerful

BIM workflow at a competitive

price point scaled to

the solo practitioner's needs."

The Archicad Studio

The Nemetschek Group has

reported strong financial

growth for the financial year

2024, achieved despite a continued

challenging market environment

in Europe as well as

the ongoing transition of the

business model to subscription

and SaaS offerings.

The Group is also optimistic

for the current financial year,

and expects to continue its

profitable growth course in

2025 with a strong double-digit

revenue growth of 17% to 19%.

"2024 was another very successful

year for the Nemetschek

subscription plan includes:

Archicad desktop applica

tion on macOS and

Windows

Local Teamwork with BIM

cloud Basic - Cloud-based

features are available with

a paid BIMcloud subscrip

tion Graphisoft's cloudbased

AI Visualizer

BIMx mobile app for iOS

and Android BIMx Pro

features

Archicad extensions, like

Python API, PARAM-O,

Maxon Redshift, Library

Part Maker, and additional

Surface Catalog Training,

support, and services.

https://graphisoft.com

A STRONG 2024 FOR THE NEMETSCHEK GROUP

Group thanks to our resilient

business model with a high

share of recurring revenues,

our broad global presence and

our innovative solutions," said

CEO Yves Padrines.

"We have also made significant

progress with our strategic

initiatives, including the

well-advanced transition of

our business model to subscription

and SaaS, new features

in the area of AI and the

acquisition of GoCanvas - the

largest acquisition in the company's

history."

www.nemetschek.com

MARCHING ON IN SUPPORT OF CRASH

CRASH, the construction

industry charity featured

in an article this issue, are

running their BIG March 2025

event throughout the month in

support of vital construction

projects across the UK for

homelessness charities and

hospices. All you need to do

is get walking and aim to

complete 10,000 steps every

day between 1st - 31st March.

Entrants are asked to donate

their week's commute, £1 for

every day marched or

Everton has successfully

completed its second test

event at their new stadium,

marking a significant milestone

in the Club's journey to its new

home. Everton Under-21s beat

Bolton Wanderers B 1-0 at the

test event, which was designed

to assess various operational

aspects of the stadium and

saw more than 25,000 fans

experience the matchday facilities,

ticketing, stewarding, and

service operations, with fan

engagement activity also held

in the expansive Plaza.

A key part of the event was

the successful testing of the

stadium's evacuation procedures,

with Evertonians playing

an important role in ensuring

the process ran smoothly. Colin

Chong, Everton's Interim Chief

Executive Officer, said: "This

fundraise by asking for sponsorship

from friends, family,

and colleagues. There is no

registration fee required for

this event, and very step and

each donation will help people

who are homeless, and

children and adults who need

hospice care by constructing

and refurbishing the buildings

and spaces they need.

For more information on how

to take part visit the CRASH

website, below.

www.crash.org.uk

NEW EVERTON STADIUM GETS MATCH FIT

was a hugely important step in

our transition to Everton Stadium,

and we are delighted with

how the stadium and our protocols

handled the increase in

capacity. Following the first test

event we received a lot of positive

feedback on the matchday

experience elements and the

food offer, while we also took

on board some learnings from

an operational perspective. We

will continue to engage with

local authorities, city stakeholders

and fan groups about the

long-term travel plan, through

the Transport Working Group."

The successful test event

keeps Everton on track for the

final phases of preparation

ahead of the stadium's official

opening in advance of the

2025/26 season.

www.evertonfc.com

6

March/April 2025

INNOVATION IN THE

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Register to

attend DCW

Join innovators from across AECO to debate,

discuss and share ideas to help build a more

digitally enabled industry.

DISCOVER

the latest technology

to help you on the

journey towards

digitalisation

NETWORK

with your peers to

share ideas and

experiences

LEARN

from expert speakers

and improve the way

you work

Digital Construction Week

digitalconstructionweek

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INDUSTRY news

FIRST NRC TAKES SHAPE IN LOUGHBOROUGH

The grand feature staircase,

modern ensuite bathrooms

and solar panels on the roof

are now all in place at the first

NHS National Rehabilitation

Centre (NRC), as plans which

have been in the pipeline for a

decade continue to come to

life. The 70-bed purpose-built

rehabilitation centre near

Loughborough will be staffed

and run by Nottingham University

Hospitals NHS Trust and

aims to transform rehabilitation

in the UK. The £105 million

NRC programme is part of the

New Hospital Programme.

As 2025 progresses and the

NRC prepares to begin accepting

its first patients in the summer,

construction efforts at the

site near Loughborough continue

to gather pace, with more

than 200 tradespeople working

on the build each day.

Inside the building, the statement

staircase has been

installed in the main atrium

where patients will first enter the

centre, and bedrooms continue

to take shape as bedheads are

installed and the en-suite bathrooms

fitted. Elsewhere, flooring

is being laid and miles of

wiring installed.

The latest drone footage

shows the solar panels in

place which will help to power

the building alongside air

source heat pumps, as well as

the metal framework progressing,

ready for the final rainscreen

cladding.

Ryan McCormack, Head of

Commercial and Construction,

NRC, said: "It's been a pleasure

to see this incredible building

emerge from the ground up,

and these next few months are

where it will all suddenly come

to life as more and more of the

fixtures and fittings are installed

and finishes are complete,

ready for our first patients."

The construction is being carried

out by IHP, a joint venture

between VINCI Building and Sir

Robert McAlpine. The Stanford

Hall Rehabilitation Estate near

Loughborough, already home

to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation

Centre which opened

in 2018, was selected as the

site for the NRC to bring

together these two centres of

excellence and drive rehabilitation

standards.

The NRC design uses modern

methods of construction and

will be highly energy efficient,

with plans for the building to

support the NHS ambition to be

Carbon Net Zero by 2045. Work

continues to integrate the

Smart Hospital design to make

the NRC as digitally advanced

as possible, with the capability

to incorporate additional cutting-edge

tech in the future.

https://shorturl.at/NVtmR

IFS SHARES INDUSTRY PRODUCTIVITY INSIGHTS

New research from IFS has

revealed that productivity

issues not only impact the bottom

line but hold construction

and engineering businesses

back from true digital transformation.

The study, surveying

825 global construction and

engineering leaders, shows

that almost half (41%) of all

construction and engineering

projects overrun on both budgets

and target completion

dates. With most (54%) projects

also failing to meet anticipated

margins.

When asked how many software

systems they use to manage

their business and projects,

respondents on average

use nine separate software systems,

hinting that unnecessarily

complicated tech stacks are a

critical fault in project and business

efficiency. When asked

what they were looking for with

their next enterprise resource

planning (ERP) system, respondents

praised flexibility over all

other choices, stating that they

were looking to adopt software

solutions that enable them to

add and remove capabilities as

their business evolves.

Most respondents (63%) were

also looking to upgrade their

solution within the next two

years. The most common reason

given for reevaluating their

current system is the need for

improved agility to better grow

and diversify their business

(25%). This aligns directly with

respondents' long- and shortterm

initiatives, 39% see business

growth and market value

as the most important longterm

priority. A further 30% rate

improving digital maturity and

leveraging data more effectively

as immediate priorities for

their business.

"The construction and engineering

sector is in a unique

position. As an industry, it's historically

been very resistant to

change. Now that this inexorability

impacts the bottom line,

the writing is on the wall for

legacy tools and processes,"

said Kenny Ingram, Vice President,

Construction & Engineering

at IFS.

https://shorturl.at/sEOGJ

FREE NBS GUIDE TO SPECIFICATION WRITING

NBS has launched The Best

Practice Guide to Specification

Writing, a free, comprehensive

framework designed to

standardise and improve specification

writing across the sector.

Developed in collaboration

with leading industry professionals,

the guide addresses

common pain points, with the

aim to improve consistency

and quality in specifications

across practices and on contractor-led

projects.

Drawing on over 50 years of

expertise, the guide distils best

practice into an accessible,

structured resource for architects,

engineers, design managers,

contractors, professional

clients, and students. It provides

a clear methodology for writing

precise, well-structured specifications

- reducing project

delays, cost overruns, and compliance

risks. Industry informed

and built for practical use

The development of the

guide was shaped by industry

focus groups where experts

highlighted widespread inconsistencies

in specification writing

and the need for clearer

classification and change

management processes.

The guide is available as a

free download here:

https://shorturl.at/zUSTm

8

March/April 2025

Sometimes you need a different

approach to make the most impact.

CRASH harnesses the construction industry’s professional expertise and products

to offer practical support, helping homelessness charities and hospices with their

vital building projects.

Together, we construct places that care for people.

It’s your construction products we need.

Kitchens, roofing tiles, glazing products, building products, radiators, lighting, and more...

Scan the QR code today & take the first step

to supporting your industry charity.

CRASH is a registered charity in England & Wales | No. 1054107 | T: 020 8742 0717 | info@crash.org.uk

INDUSTRYcomment

Why Payapps is the perfect solution for

money-conscious contractors

With the construction industry witnessing a rise in insolvencies - the result of growing financial

pressures and challenges - identifying ways in which time and money can be saved, and cashflow

better forecasted, is imperative for any contractor. Barney McKeown from Payapps, an Autodesk

Company, details the multitude of benefits derived from utilising the very latest innovations in

technology and underlines how automated application for payment software can streamline the

process to reduce the administrative burden and uncertainty associated with subcontractor payments

The construction industry is in a

state of flux, with conflicting

needs and challenges adding

increased pressure on business

owners and contractors. While reports

suggest the UK will require more than

251,500 additional construction

workers by 2028 to meet demand, the

number of companies becoming

insolvent has increased in recent years,

with more than 4,000 companies going

out of business in 2024 - more than any

other sector.

With the cost-of-living crisis and

increases to the national minimum wage

and employers' national insurance

payments tightening the screw on many

UK businesses, contractors across the

construction industry are therefore

seeking ways of improving working

practices, cutting wasted time on

administration, and reducing the

chances of delayed payments.

For many years, the manual inputting of

data into spreadsheets has been the

most common application for payment

method used by contractors and

subcontractors. However, this is often

very time-consuming and can increase

the likelihood of inaccuracies - leading to

payment delays and disputes.

The advancements in technology and

introduction of automated application for

payment software, such as Payapps,

offer contractors a much more efficient

and effective solution - cutting out

inaccuracies, reducing administration

time and ensuring an easy-to-follow

audit trail for accurate record-keeping.

ACCURATE PAYMENT

CALCULATIONS

With stakeholders regularly adding more

data, spreadsheets inevitably get larger

and the number of formats and formulas

increase. As spreadsheets are rarely

subject to meticulous checks, it is then very

easy for them to contain errors or

inaccuracies and even easier for these to

be missed. It's also worth noting that

payments and valuations can often be very

easy to get wrong, leading to over, or

under-spending, disputes or project delays.

Automated application for payment

software will enable standardised and

automated calculations, not only saving

time but also increasing accuracy and

reducing risk. For instance, having one set

of numbers approved and time-stamped,

for both contractors and subcontractors,

will make it quicker to authorise. The

reduced risk of disputes additionally means

projects will likely be completed to budget

and on time.

FASTER ACCESS LEADING TO

REDUCED ADMINISTRATION TIME

Many hours can be wasted hunting for

inconsistently named spreadsheets that

are lost in email inboxes and multiple filing

systems. This time can be better spent on

core business activities. Similarly,

applications for payment can often sit in a

quantity surveyor's inbox until they make

the assessment, meaning nobody else

knows what has come in.

As a result of not being able to access the

required information in a timely manner,

payment notice deadlines can be missed -

10

March/April 2025

INDUSTRYcomment

leaving the relevant party non-compliant.

Making it quick and easy to track and

monitor payments, automated software,

such as Payapps, offers real-time visibility

as soon as a subcontractor has submitted

an application for payment. Being

completely Cloud-based, it enables secure

access to relevant information and data

from any device. The additional

functionality of built-in reminders ensures all

involved are able to keep on top of

deadlines and remain compliant with the

UK Construction Act.

STANDARDISED PAYMENT

APPLICATION FORMATS

The application for payment process can

often see many subcontractors preparing

and submitting applications in different

formats. This can result in errors or

differences between previously certified

retention calculations, leading to

overpayments, underpayments or disputed

figures - costing money, time, and hassle.


software enables subcontractors to submit

applications in the agreed standardised

format, meaning teams will know what to

expect. As a result, administrative tasks are

expedited. Furthermore, with previously

certified payment applications reconciled,

there will be much clearer governance of

how variations are categorised and less risk

of discrepancies.

ACCURATE AND SIMPLE STATUS

REPORTS

Often, spreadsheets can contain so much

data that it's difficult for contractors and

subcontractors to make sense of it all -

leading to a lack of meaningful analysis.

Utilising application for payment software,

such as Payapps, will enable all involved

to view colour-coded, at-a-glance updates

on project progress and the application

for payment status. Consequently, more

accurate and faster decision-making can

be achieved.

By having easy-to-share and centralised

information, subcontractors and

contractors are able to quickly see with

whom the application is sitting and then

track payment notice deadlines

accordingly. It also provides a common

understanding of the real-time status of

payments, crucial for accurate cashflow

reporting and projected final accounts.

AUDIT TRAILS ARE EASY TO

FOLLOW

Often, spreadsheet-based applications for

payment will feature sporadic and manual

updates, making it difficult to track

changes. For example, it can be hard to

monitor who made the last change, what

that was, which is the latest version of the

application, and who owns it.

Utilising automated software, such as

Payapps, can enable the detailed

action history of individual applications

for payment, with timestamps of when

an application was created, submitted,

and assessed. Consequently,

decisions can be made more

confidently and all supporting

documentation, including commentary

exchanged between the contractor and

subcontractor, is easily accessible.

SAVED TIME AND HASSLE

When applications for payment are

undertaken in spreadsheets, the process

of updating, consolidating, modifying, and

correcting data can often take more time

than it should. Additionally, it can be

difficult to share the spreadsheet data

internally or with a supply chain, meaning

contractors have to spend vital time

responding to enquiries about the

application for payment status.

The automated calculations provided by

market-leading software, such as Payapps,

can not only ensure accuracy but also save

crucial time and reduce risk. In fact, the

ability to send automated reminders of

applications due to subcontractors means

commercial staff won't need to do this

themselves and can spend more time

undertaking other important tasks.

INCREASED SECURITY AND PEACE

OF MIND

Spreadsheets are often likely to be passed

through multiple emails and people for sign

off and able to be sent to anyone. This

increases the risk of security and potential

data breaches.


software will provide a safe and secure

environment, as well as much-needed

peace of mind. Payapps' market-leading

software has achieved ISO 27001

certification, with all information stored

securely in AWS data centres and

backed up - ideal for retrieving

information as evidence during dispute

negotiation and audits.

With finances at the forefront of

contractors' minds during the current costof-living

crisis, identifying ways in which

crucial time and money can be saved

during the application for payment process

is absolutely imperative. Offering flexibility,

visibility, and improved security while

increasing cost and time savings, Payapps

gives contractors full control over their

project payment processing.

Able to reduce time taken to assess

applications for payment by up to 50%,

Payapps' automated application for

payment software helps most contractors

achieve a fast return on investment within

just six months of going live.

www.payapps.com

March/April 2025 11

INDUSTRYfocus

Bridging the Gap

David Chadwick sat down with CRASH, the construction industry's charity, to explore the vital work they

do in supporting homelessness and hospice charities

CRASH Chief Executive, Trisha Pickersgill

Through the generosity and expertise

of the construction sector, CRASH

delivers life-changing building

solutions that enhance the living spaces

of those in need, "creating places that

care for people". Led by Chief Executive

Trisha Pickersgill, CRASH operates with a

dedicated team of 7 employees that

connects charities with the right

construction expertise and resources.

With the support of 32 patron

companies, the charity facilitates pro

bono professional expertise, material

donations, and a small number of

financial grants to ensure projects are

completed to the highest standards.

THE WORK CRASH DOES AND

HOW IT'S ACHIEVED

CRASH acts as a bridge between

homelessness and hospice charities

seeking construction expertise and the

professionals within the industry who can

help. When a charity requires

refurbishment or new construction, they

can apply to CRASH for help with their

project, this includes gaining access to

materials, professional expertise and in

some cases funding.

The approach includes:

Expert Matching: Connecting

charities with architects, quantity

surveyors, project managers, and

other construction specialists who

provide their expertise pro bono or at

a reduced cost

Material Donations: Many patron

companies donate essential building

materials, from paint and sanitary

ware to insulation and heating

systems

Grant Giving: Although financial

grants are limited and not the

charity's area of primary support

Project Support: From initial planning

and design to execution, CRASH

ensures projects are well-managed

and efficiently delivered.

Currently, 42 projects are at various

stages of completion, demonstrating a

significant rise in demand. Some require

minor refurbishments, while others

involve large-scale reconfigurations, such

as converting dormitory-style homeless

shelters into individual living spaces to

provide greater privacy and dignity for

residents. Another example would be

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March/April 2025

INDUSTRYfocus

where a hospice approaches CRASH to

support with the refurbishment of their

inpatient unit, to create a warm,

welcoming atmosphere for patients.

THE CHALLENGES FACED AND

HOW COMPANIES CAN GET

INVOLVED

One of the biggest challenges CRASH

faces is ensuring the right expertise is

available at the right time. Project

management support is a growing area

of need. The majority of projects require

just a few hours of expertise per week to

push projects forward, which would be

ideal training for graduates or

apprentices mentored by a senior

project manager. By offering their time

and skills, industry professionals can

make a tangible difference in the lives of

vulnerable individuals.

Architectural advice is another critical

need, as charities often require detailed

plans before they can even begin

fundraising. Many homeless centres and

hospices struggle to secure the

necessary funds for their various

projects without accurate costings.

There are several ways companies can

support CRASH:

Become a Patron: Joining the

network of patrons allows

companies to provide professional

expertise, materials, or financial

donations

Offer Pro Bono Services: Architects,

project managers, cost consultants,

and engineers can contribute their

skills to help bring charitable

projects to life

Donate Materials: Construction

suppliers can support projects by

donating essential building products

Fundraise for CRASH: Financial

contributions help bridge funding

gaps, enabling CRASH to extend its

reach and impact.

WHY INDUSTRY SUPPORT

MATTERS

Partnering with CRASH offers a unique

opportunity for construction companies

to give back to society and to make a

tangible difference using their

professional expertise and access to

resources. Many patron companies

report that involvement with CRASH has

deepened their understanding of

homelessness and hospice care,

reinforcing the importance of safe,

dignified spaces for those in need.

Long gone are the days of volunteering

activities that simply involve painting a

shed or picking up litter. Instead,

CRASH provides an important outlet for

professionals to donate their expertise

on their volunteering days, ensuring their

skills make a tangible and lasting impact

on charitable projects. By contributing

their knowledge and experience,

construction professionals play a key

role in transforming lives through betterbuilt

environments.

The impact of CRASH is clear, and with

the continued support of the

construction industry, more projects can

be delivered to provide hope, dignity,

and a better quality of life for homeless

individuals and hospice patients alike.

www.crash.org.uk

March/April 2025 13

INDUSTRYfocus

Whatever Happened to Feng Shui?

David Chadwick argues that the trend towards sustainability in interior design could be seen as the

latest incarnation of feng shui, as he expands on Vectorworks Product Marketing Manager Luc

Lefebvre's recent article on interior design trends for 2025

For those over a certain age, they

will remember feng shui as an

interior design fad that

encouraged people to fashion their

homes according to health and wellbeing

practices and designs. (It actually

stemmed from the 3000-year-old

practice in China of transforming burial

site selection). The original version

involved complex assessments and

geographical alignments, but these

have been somewhat simplified and are

now used and made more accessible to

govern DIY and furnishing schemes.

The latest sustainability and wellness

trends using modern technologies and

online resources have transformed the

ideology and could be considered a

reincarnation of the ideology.

The key word, now, is sustainability, as

Luc Lefebvre recently explored in his

recent article on interior design, where

he described how the latest design tools

from Vectorworks are being used to

enhance current 'quality of life'

aspirations. It has become a

fundamental priority in interior design.

With growing awareness of

environmental challenges, there's a

tremendous opportunity for designers to

create spaces that address the planet's

and people's needs. Luc cited a

Vectorworks-conducted survey of 520

AEC professionals, 40% of whom

indicated that they had already adopted

sustainable design analysis into their

practice. And of the remaining

respondents who had not yet adopted

sustainable design analysis, 45.6%

percent planned to do so within five years.

I remember the feng shui trend, but I

was not familiar with the term Biophilic

design which Luc mentioned, so I

looked it up. It offers a powerful

approach to sustainability and wellbeing.

According to Wikipedia, it is a

concept used within the building

industry to increase occupant

connectivity to the natural environment

through the use of direct nature, indirect

nature, and space and place conditions.

It offers health, environmental, and

economic benefits for building

occupants and urban environments,

with few drawbacks, and it has been a

feature in architecture from as far back

as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The design philosophy fosters a

connection with nature by incorporating

natural light, indoor plants, and organic

patterns, says Luc, reducing stress and

cultivating healthier living environments.

REUSE AND RECYCLE

Another sustainability goal, which I am

sure feng shui devotees would

heartily agree with, is to

consider the lifecycle of a

project's materials,

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March/April 2025

INDUSTRYfocus

balancing beauty, functionality, and

ecological responsibility. Besides

reusing or recycling materials reduces

waste - which happens to be at the latter

end of their carbon emission cycle -

natural materials like wood and stone

are favored for their durability and

timeless aesthetic, making them ideal

for crafting enduring, charming interiors.

COLOUR CHOICES

Aimed more at people's mental

equilibrium, the choice of colour in

interior design helps to bring the

outdoors inside. For example, Pantone's

Colour of the Year 2025, Mocha Mousse,

says Luc, evokes rich, earthy tones that

create a calming atmosphere. If you use

low-VOC paints of such colours, you're

one step closer to meeting your

sustainability targets.

High-quality, natural materials will give

designs a sense of understated

elegance, aligning with the "quiet luxury"

trend. This concept emphasises

elevating daily life, not through loud

extravagancies, but timeless and

effortlessly stylish choices. Elements like

natural wood and neutral hues, for

instance, can create a chic space,

combining functionality with simplicity.

Designing with sustainability and wellbeing

in mind allows you to create

beautiful and impactful interiors.

Thoughtful choices, like natural

materials and biophilic elements, can

nurture the planet while improving your

clients' daily lives.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF

TECHNOLOGY

The last few years have seen an

explosion in the use of technology. It

now shapes every stage of design, from

conceptualisation to client

presentations, introducing tools and

connectivity advancements that will help

interior designers create smarter, more

adaptive environments.

For example, the Internet of Things

(IoT) for commercial interiors heightens

people's experiences within their

environment, encouraging

responsiveness to its ambience by

integrating the latest technologies,

such as interconnected lights, climate

control systems, ventilation and more,

all of which can be adapted to an

occupant's needs.

Like biophilic design and quiet luxury,

the use of IoT cultivates health,

wellness, and functionality. Augmented

Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are

also becoming more common in the

design process, Luc explains, as

technologies that can be used to

immerse clients in their projects and let

them visualise spaces. Being able to

wrap yourself in your chosen

environment helps designers and their

clients make better quality and informed

decisions, whether in a residential or

commercial project.

To facilitate this, Vectorworks offers

powerful AR and VR tools which

designers can use to explore these

emerging technologies. The Vectorworks

Odyssey VR app, compatible with Meta

Quest 2 headsets and beyond, provides

immersive experiences with bird's-eye

views and walkthrough modes so

clients can engage with models, view

designs, sample various options and

provide feedback with greater context

and clarity.

Another tool, The Room Plan, a feature

in the Vectorworks Nomad app,

leverages LiDAR technology in Apple

iOS products to simplify creating 3D

conceptual models. With just a few taps

on an iPhone or iPad, a designer can

scan entire rooms effortlessly,

eliminating the need for tape measures

or expensive laser equipment. These

tools aid renovation projects by

delivering precise spatial data and

facilitating visual planning.

For the ultimate experience, the

cutting-edge technology, AI Visualizer,

which we featured in the last issue, and

which is now an integral part of

Vectorworks Architect, further

transforms the development of

innovative design ideas by using AI

tools to present clients with an unlimited

variety of design options following

simple on-screen prompts.

As designers, Luc concludes, we can

continue adopting new technologies

and practices to create better spaces

and conditions for occupants and the

planet alike. Let's push boundaries,

reimagine possibilities, and design

without limits.

www.vectorworks.net

March/April 2025 15

INDUSTRYfocus

A Guide to Data Centre Construction

The growth of the UK data centre market poses a unique set of construction challenges

The demand for data centres has

surged in recent years, driven by

the rapid growth of cloud

computing, AI, and an increasing

reliance on digital infrastructure. In the

UK, recent analysis by Mckinsey

shows that the data centre market is

expected to grow by 13% annually

between 2025 and 2030.

This expansion is fuelled by robust

digital infrastructure development and

the widespread adoption of cloud

services.

Building a data centre is a highly

specialised process requiring careful

planning, precise execution and

adherence to strict operational and

security standards. Unlike traditional

commercial buildings, data centres

must be designed for maximum

uptime, energy efficiency, and

scalability, bringing unique challenges

to their construction.

WHAT MAKES DATA CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION UNIQUE?

Data centre construction differs

significantly from other commercial or

industrial projects. These facilities are

designed to house and protect vast

amounts of critical digital information,

requiring highly specialised

infrastructure, extreme reliability, and

significant energy capacity. Below are the

key factors that make data centre

construction unique:

HIGH ENERGY DEMANDS

Data centres consume enormous

amounts of power to keep servers

running 24/7. Unlike typical commercial

buildings, which primarily use energy for

lighting, HVAC, and office equipment,

data centres require constant power for

high-performance computing and

cooling systems. Some modern projects

even necessitate the construction of

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March/April 2025

INDUSTRYfocus

dedicated electrical substations.

To mitigate environmental impact and

operational costs, many operators are

investing in renewable energy sources

and advanced cooling technologies.

DESIGNED FOR MACHINES, NOT

PEOPLE

Unlike office buildings or warehouses,

data centres are built primarily for

servers and IT infrastructure rather than

human occupants. While maintenance

teams require access, the facility

prioritises optimised space for server

racks, power distribution and networking

equipment, alongside efficient airflow

and cooling systems.

MAXIMUM UPTIME AND

REDUNDANCY

Downtime can result in catastrophic

financial and reputational losses for

businesses. To prevent outages, data

centres incorporate redundant power

supplies, backup generators, and

uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

systems. Multiple internet connections

and fibre-optic redundancies ensure

continuous data flow, even in the event of

a network failure.

SECURITY AND RISK MITIGATION

Security is paramount due to the

sensitive digital information stored within

data centres. Facilities incorporate

physical security measures, such as

biometric access controls, surveillance

systems, and reinforced structures.

Fire suppression systems and

advanced cooling technologies are

also essential to protect equipment

from damage.

COOLING AND CLIMATE CONTROL

Servers generate significant heat,

requiring efficient cooling solutions to

prevent overheating. Data centres utilise

liquid cooling, evaporative cooling, or AIpowered

climate control to maintain

optimal conditions.

The design of these facilities includes

raised floors, hot aisle/cold aisle

configurations, and precision air

conditioning for effective airflow

management.

SCALABILITY AND FUTURE-

PROOFING

Given the rapid evolution of technology,

data centres must be designed for

scalability. Whether expanding server

capacity, integrating new cooling

technologies, or adapting to emerging AI

and cloud computing demands, modern

data centres must be flexible enough to

accommodate future advancements.

This has led to various data centre

designs, such as modular and hyperscale

facilities, which allow for rapid deployment

and cost-effective expansion.

CHALLENGES IN DATA CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION

Data centre construction presents

various challenges that must be carefully

managed to ensure a successful build.

There are multiple types of data centres

-such as hyperscale, modular, and

enterprise facilities - each with its own set

of risks and complexities. Hyperscale

data centres require massive power

infrastructure and redundancy, while

modular solutions demand precision in

prefabrication and site integration.

Despite these differences, most data

centres share common construction

challenges. Below is a general overview

of key obstacles that apply across nearly

all data centre projects.

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES

Energy Efficiency: Data centres consume

vast amounts of power. Reducing energy

usage through renewable sources (such as

solar or wind) and energy-efficient cooling

technologies is critical, albeit costly.

Cooling Systems: Traditional air

cooling is often insufficient, leading to

the adoption of advanced solutions like

liquid or immersion cooling, which

require significant investment.

Cybersecurity: Protecting sensitive data

is a top priority. Data centres must

implement both physical security (e.g.,

biometric access) and digital security

(e.g., encryption, firewalls) to defend

against cyber threats.

LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES

Site Selection: Choosing the right

location is crucial, and must consider

factors such as proximity to power

sources, internet exchange points, and

climate conditions for cooling. The site

must also meet zoning regulations and

allow for future expansion.

Supply Chain Issues: Data centres rely

on specialised equipment and materials.

Supply chain disruptions can cause

delays and increase costs, making

flexible procurement strategies essential.

REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE

CHALLENGES

Data centres must comply with stringent

regulations, such as the Uptime Institute's

Tier standards and ISO 27001, ensuring

performance, reliability, and data protection.

These standards add complexity and cost

to the construction process.

Given the significant power and water

consumption of data centres,

environmental impact assessments

(EIAs) are essential. Sustainable building

practices and energy-efficient systems

help minimise these impacts but often

require additional investment.

NAVIGATING DATA CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION WITH ACCESS

COINS

Data centre construction involves high

levels of complexity, from managing

energy efficiency to ensuring compliance

and mitigating supply chain risks.

Managing such large-scale project, and

the high levels of risk that they bring,

requires precise tracking of costs,

resources, and schedules.

ERP systems such as Access Coins are

deployed to help streamline data centre

construction by providing real-time

visibility into project finances,

procurement, and compliance tracking.

These systems help contractors

manage costs, optimise supply chain

logistics, and ensure projects are

delivered on time and within budget.

With digital transformation shaping the

future of construction, adopting an

advanced ERP system like Access Coins

can make a significant difference in

navigating the challenges of data centre

construction successfully.

Visit the Access Coins website or

search 'Access Coins' to learn more.

March/April 2025 17

INDUSTRYfocus

A Sustainable Initiative?

Don McLean, CEO of global climate tech firm, IES, comments on the UK's updated Nationally

Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the

recent decisions taken by the UK Energy Secretary

While the UK's pledge to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions by

81% by 2035 demonstrates

ambition on paper, it means very little if

we fail to drive down atmospheric CO2

levels in reality. At the moment, CO2

concentrations are still climbing. These

targets, in essence, become another

flag-moving exercise and simply won't

be met without real, coherent

collaboration between governments,

industry, and technology providers.

Ultimately, despite years of targets and

pledges, we are still fighting a losing

battle against climate change.

Governments are not treating the

climate emergency with the urgency it

demands. As it stands, the proof will lie

in how we take action - particularly in

high-emission sectors, such as the built

environment, which still has a long way

to go on its decarbonisation journey.

Our recent report, 30 Years of Climate

Hurt, underlined that nearly threequarters

(73.4%) of built environment

professionals believe achieving a net

zero built environment by 2050 is

possible. But to turn possibility into

progress, and truly make good on our

commitments, industry and policy

leaders must step up. In the built

environment sector, this means

embracing a whole-life building

performance approach, transforming the

way we design, build, and operate

estates. Intelligent technologies can go

a long way in supporting such shifts.

However, to put this into practice at

scale, decarbonising the built

environment must become a top

governmental priority. While net zero has

featured prominently in political

discourse, the escalating number of

competing issues poses a real risk that

these vital efforts will be sidelined. In fact,

recent reports highlighting potential

challenges to UK Energy Secretary Ed

Miliband's position, alongside talk of cuts

to GB Energy, suggest a waning focus on

green initiatives - despite the urgency of

the crisis.

At the same time, the government

appears to be pursuing long-term

strategic plans aimed at balancing

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March/April 2025

INDUSTRYfocus

economic growth with carbon reduction,

reindustrialising Britain, and fostering

the green energy sector. While this

signals some commitment to net zero,

the immediate benefits remain unclear.

For instance, although the proposed

£1.5m Project Willow at Grangemouth

holds promise for creating a low-carbon

energy hub, it will take years for any real

economic or employment benefits to be

fully realised, leaving many workers

behind in the interim.

The same goes for emerging

technologies like carbon capture, which,

despite their potential, are still in the

early stages and unlikely to yield the

rapid decarbonisation required to meet

our immediate targets.

Given these uncertainties, we must

urgently seize the opportunities that

exist right now to reduce emissions. The

built environment, in particular, can

deliver swift gains if we deploy existing

intelligent technologies and operational

strategies effectively, without waiting for

large-scale infrastructure or entirely new

technologies to come online.

By prioritising decarbonisation in this

sector, we can drive meaningful progress

and visibly reduce emissions in the near

term - thereby laying a firm foundation for

achieving net zero in the longer term.

Transforming how we design, construct,

and operate buildings is a powerful,

immediate lever for kick-starting the wider

strategy to reach net zero.

In this context, placing decarbonisation

at the core of every decision not only

underlines our genuine commitment to

climate action but also unlocks

significant environmental and economic

benefits. Ultimately, an integrated

strategy - combining bold policy action,

genuine collaboration, and innovative

technology deployment - offers a clear

path to a more sustainable, low-carbon

future. Without it, our targets will remain

little more than numbers on a page.

ABOUT DON MCLEAN

Don formed IES back in 1994 with the

ambition to improve the energy

efficiency of buildings. Since then, IES's

work has become increasingly

important, given that buildings are

responsible for almost two-fifths of

global energy-related carbon emissions

and the climate emergency is only

gaining pace.

But Don's story and the inspiration

behind IES goes all the way back to the

miner strikes of the 1970s, at a time

when Don lived in a 13th-floor flat with

his parents. When the power went out

and the lift was a no-go, Don's mum

volunteered him to go get shopping for

neighbours who could not get out,

resulting in countless trips up and

down the stairs as he headed to the

shop. This lived experience was what

first made Don understand that energy

was vulnerable.

Throughout the years that followed, as

the global population continued to

expand and initiatives like the three-day

week were introduced, Don was

troubled by the growing concern that the

planet could run out of fossil fuels,

changing the way we live entirely.

Choosing to focus his education on the

environment, Don gained a BSc in

Environmental Engineering from the

University of Strathclyde and spent nine

years in the ABACUS unit in the

Department of Architecture, undertaking

a PhD and Post-Doctoral research. An

innovator and problem-solver by nature,

in 1979, Don began his PhD work in the

detailed computer simulation of

renewable energy devices, setting out

on a mission to create a set of

commercially viable simulation tools that

could design buildings to be more

energy efficient and conserve fossil

fuels. This commercial proposition went

on to become what it is now IES.

IES' guiding 'North Star' remains a

drive to decarbonise the built

environment. But as technology

becomes increasingly sophisticated,

Don aspires to grow from decarbonising

individual buildings to improving

campuses, cities, counties, countries,

continents, and, ultimately, bringing

about holistic change on a global scale.

IES is a leading innovator in

sustainable performance analytics for

the built environment, offering building

simulation technology and consulting

services across 13 countries. The

company has the largest building

physics analytics team in the world and

has helped to improve over 1.5 million

buildings across the globe, including the

likes of Heathrow's Terminal 5 and the

Dubai Opera House.

www.iesve.com

March/April 2025 19

CASEstudy

Lean and Green

Graphisoft's Archicad has been used, together with Solibri, Twinmotion and BIMx, to satisfy the

Department for Education's Low Carbon Pathfinder requirements on the Merstham Park School project

Designed and built by McAvoy,

the brand new Merstham Park

School in Surrey had a remit to

significantly reduce the operational

carbon of the building. The use of

Archicad aided the manufacturing

process, as well as maximising energy

efficiency and minimising the building's

energy loss.

SHAPING THE EVOLUTION OF

EDUCATION BUILDING DESIGN

The new Merstham Park School

provides 900 pupils aged 11-16 years

with high-quality classrooms, play

space, a dance studio, and an allweather

sports pitch.

With a remit to significantly reduce the

operational carbon of the 6,850m2

building, McAvoy followed the 'Be Lean,

Be Clean, Be Green' energy hierarchy

for the Department for Education's

(DfE) Low Carbon Pathfinder project.

This approach starts with passive

design and a fabric-first approach,

reducing energy demand at source

through passive measures before

implementing efficient systems and

renewable technologies.

BESPOKE DESIGN FOR OFFSITE

CONSTRUCTION

Designed using Archicad, McAvoy was

able to easily compare different

iterations for the modular building.

Carlo Angelone, Design Manager at

McAvoy, explained. "The flexible and

intuitive nature of Archicad meant

that we were able to easily

create and compare

different design solutions. This was

particularly useful during early

discussions with planning, where we

easily prepared comparative options for

cladding, signage and landscaping.

"This enabled us to submit the final

planning proposals with a greater

degree of confidence. Archicad's

flexibility supports the requirements of

offsite construction architectural design,

which has specific nuances compared

to traditional construction methods."

Carlo continued, "For example, the

View Settings and Graphic Override

features meant we could produce

drawings specifically tailored to

different parties, such as

subcontractors, suppliers and factory

operatives. These drawings, by

excluding non-relevant details were not

needed, enabled better communication

with different members of the team.

"In addition, the 3D modelling

software allowed the team to

simultaneously create all drawings from

a single source of truth, which greatly

sped up the design process on such a

large project."

A SMOOTH MANUFACTURING

AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

Prior to manufacturing the

modules, the team created

a fully federated 3D

model which

ensured the identification and

resolution of several design clashes. By

federating architectural, structural steel,

mechanical and electrical (M&E), and

wall-panel models using Solibri Office,

McAvoy could easily relay required

modifications to the designs of these

elements, to minimise potentially costly

rework on the factory floor, via the

supply chain, or on site.

Once the designers were 100%

confident in the model, the school was

manufactured offsite at McAvoy's

purpose-built manufacturing facility in

Northern Ireland.

Made from 178 modules, the school

was transported to site and craned into

place in just six weeks. This kept noise

and disruption to the pupils attending

the temporary school on the same site

to a minimum - and ensured a fast

delivery. Only the sports hall was built

on-site, due to its size.

STRAIGHTFORWARD

VISUALISATION AIDS

COMMUNICATION

In the early stages of the project, the

team created realistic renders in

Twinmotion to aid

communication with the

local planning

authority to obtain

approval. The

direct

integration

with

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March/April 2025

CASEstudy

Archicad meant this was

straightforward and easy to do.

Carlo explained further: "The

Datasmith Direct Link plugin for

Archicad meant that modifications to

the design model in Archicad were

instantly updated in the Twinmotion

model. Twinmotion further assisted by

enabling simple and project-wide

adjustments to materials, lighting and

entourage in the presentation images."

The team also relied on Graphisoft

BIMx to aid communication with the

client. The easy-to-use BIMx files

meant the client, GLF Schools, could

access the 3D model on their own

devices and virtually 'walk' around the

building, without the need for any

additional software. By including

hotlinks to the 2D views within the 3D

model, it made it very clear which

elevations drawings referred to.

DATA AT THE CENTRE

A key aspect of the design of

Merstham Park School was the use of

data in the model for estimating energy

use and calculating outputs for

different design options. Archicad gave

the team the flexibility to input specific

data into the model and use additional

plugin software to run a simulation of

the building. This generated predictive

results which could be analysed to

identify the optimal M&E strategy for

the project.

Data within the model also supported

other functions of the project such as

scheduling quantities and supporting

model coordination and validation

using separate software. This was

achieved using Solibri Office for clash

detection (which has an automated

plugin with Archicad) and exporting

COBie data as part of the client's

requirements.

REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS

McAvoy's design team worked closely

with the DfE's professional team to

maximise energy efficiency and

minimise energy loss throughout the

build and beyond.

A combination of digital technology

and modern methods of construction

enabled the reduction of the school's

water demand by more than 30%;

operational energy consumption by

more than 73%; and carbon emissions

by almost 60% of the predicted

regulated energy use. Low or zerocarbon

technologies also provide up to

44% of peak energy demand of the

school.

Overall energy consumption was

reduced using a wide range of

approaches and tools. These included

high specification glazing, photovoltaic

panels, daylight linked lighting control,

hybrid ventilation, heat recovery and air

recirculation, rainwater harvesting /

water saving systems, and a thermally

optimised building fabric. Using

products with lower embodied carbon,

flexible, reusable and recyclable

modules, and reduced transportation

to site also contributed to the 'Be Lean,

Be Clean, Be Green' directive.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN

The designers adopted a biophilic

approach with the aim of enhancing

the students' sensory connection with

the natural environment, improving

psychological health and wellbeing,

increasing levels of relaxation,

concentration and cognitive

performance, as well as social

activation and motivation to learn.

Landscaping is used to enhance the

environment and provide natural

shading of hardstanding areas. Trees

have been carefully positioned around

sun boundaries to create a pleasant

environment and assist with cooling.

In addition, a central, tree-filled

courtyard offers pupils a welcoming,

comfortable space for dining and

social interaction.

BUILDING DESIGN FEATURES

A range of attractive design features

limit the visual impact of the school,

including high-specification chameleon

cladding on the sports hall, which

changes colour and blends seamlessly

into its natural environment.

Other steps taken to minimise visual

impact included creating the

impression of a step back in the

fenestration and wrapping the top floor

in cladding that reflects the sky. The

building façade was also stepped out

to facilitate increased insulation,

providing both an interesting design

feature and improved insulation

benefits.

www.graphisoft.com

March/April 2025 21

CASEstudy

Parametric design delivers on

Barkston Ash Rail Bridge

When detailing Barkston Ash Rail Bridge as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, Double Check

Digital Engineering took advantage of Network Rail's standardised designs and the Grasshopper-Tekla

Structures live link, facilitating significant time savings and automated efficiencies

In preparation for the rail line's

electrification, the Transpennine

Route Upgrade is underway, with the

initiative designed to transform

journeys across the North of England.

Better connecting towns and cities

between York, Leeds and Manchester,

the initiative will enable more frequent,

faster and heavier passenger trains

and freight trains to run.

The Barkston Ash Rail Bridge, which

carries the rail network over the A162

London Road in North Yorkshire, is one

of many new bridges being

constructed as part of the upgrade. In

collaboration with Harrisons

Engineering, who undertook the

fabrication work, Double Check Digital

Engineering detailed the U-Type rail

bridge structure in strict accordance

with Network Rail Standard Designs,

ensuring compliance within the existing

22

March/April 2025

CASEstudy

railway infrastructure.

This marked the second U-Type

bridge detailed by Double Check

Digital Engineering, with the first

modelled conventionally using Tekla

Structures. For the Barkston Ash

bridge, the team chose to introduce

parametric modelling techniques,

taking advantage of the direct link

between Tekla Structures and

Grasshopper.

PARAMETRIC DESIGN

Speaking about the discovery of

parametric design, Glyn Holland,

Managing Director at Double Check

Digital Engineering, said: "I've always

had an open mind to new modelling

tools and thinking 'is there an easier

way of doing this?' I remember when

the Grasshopper-Tekla Structures live

link was first launched; I became really

interested in the capabilities and

advantages it offered, fuelled by a

Trimble webinar I had attended. After

investigating further and taking an e-

learning course, I tried applying the

learnings on a project at my previous

company, to great success.

"Fast forward to starting Double

Check Digital Engineering in 2022 and I

knew it was a workflow and approach I

wanted to continue to build upon. After

hiring a second engineer, Canaan

Thomas, who came from a coding

background, this really advanced our

design skills."

By taking the Network Rail Standard

design information and creating a

bespoke script in Grasshopper, the

team could apply basic parameters to

the algorithm to resize and adjust the

output design accordingly. The script

was then automatically written out to

Rhino 3D, which produced a wire

framed model, before being imported

to Tekla Structures. Here, attributes

were applied, including grades,

profiles, thicknesses and numbering

information, providing a completed and

accurate model for fabrication.

STREAMLINING THE DESIGN

PROCESS

Glyn continued: "The benefits of this

workflow are numerous but perhaps the

key one is time savings. We spent a

month modelling the first U-Type bridge

conventionally using Tekla Structures.

While the initial development of the

Grasshopper script took roughly the

same time, running the script on future

U-Type bridge projects will take only

around twenty minutes, cutting the

design process down to 0.05% of the

time it would have taken

conventionally!

"Repeatability is really where

Grasshopper shines, especially when

dealing with standardised designs. By

developing this script for the Barkston

Ash bridge, we can easily change the

position and heights of the bearing

locations to suit any new and similar

projects that fall under the same

Network Rail standard drawing

framework."

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE

"Ultimately, our goal is to revolutionise

BIM workflow methodologies by

extending the script's capabilities to

output to various discipline-specific

software platforms, as well as build up

a library of standard structures and

scripts. A host of components within

the rail sector, such as footbridges,

staircases, wheelchair ramps and lift

access, all follow standard design

processes - perfect for parametric

design. Likewise, the highways sector

is a similar case, where parametric

principles can be easily applied.

"If this was to be adopted across the

industry, the advantages would be

numerous. For example, we could

create a script and send it to the

structural engineer for analysis, before

being written out to the fabrication

software. With an authentic data-rich

source, all models would be

connected via a coded script and set

parameters, resulting in a more

coordinated output."

The Barkson Ash rail bridge was

installed in Summer 2024, taking just

eight days to remove the old bridge,

replace the deck with the new stronger

metal structure using a 700-tonne

crane and renew the railway tracks.

www.tekla.com/uk

March/April 2025 23

EVENTpreview

Many Happy Returns for Digital

Construction Week

Digital Construction Week, the UK's leading event for innovation and technology in the built

environment, has opened visitor registration for 2025

For 10 years, Digital Construction

Week has been at the heart of

innovation in the built

environment. From its launch in 2015,

DCW has grown into the UK's leading

event dedicated to digital construction,

uniting forward-thinkers, pioneering

brands, and industry experts who are

shaping the future of AECO.

As DCW celebrate this milestone, the

2025 event promises to be the biggest

and most exciting edition yet. Taking

place on 4-5 June 2025 at ExCeL

London, this special anniversary event

will bring together thousands of

professionals to explore the cuttingedge

technologies, digital strategies,

and transformative ideas driving the

industry forward.

Event Director Karolina Orecchini shares,

"Reaching our 10th edition is a huge

achievement. Over the past decade, DCW

has evolved alongside the industry,

providing a platform for collaboration,

knowledge-sharing, and real change. This

year, more than ever, we're focused on the

future - helping businesses harness

innovation to drive efficiency, sustainability,

and smarter ways of working."

DISCOVER THE INNOVATIONS

TRANSFORMING THE BUILT

ENVIRONMENT

The latest solutions from 150+ leading

built environment brands will be

showcased at the event. DCW acts as a

one-stop shop for visitors to learn how to

use new technology to improve projects,

assets, teams and business directly from

the companies driving AECO forward.

The disruptive technologies and

solutions set to be on display include

digital twins, augmented reality,

information management, automation

and AI, drones, robotics and much

more. Visitors will discover how these

solutions can help them be more

efficient, collaborative, connected,

sustainable and profitable.

An array of inspiring brands have

been confirmed to exhibit at the 10th

edition of DCW. These include Atkins

Réalis Autodesk, Bentley Systems,

Bluebeam, Causeway Technologies,

Chime Software, Dassault Systemes,

Elecosoft UK, Glider, Global eTraining,

IFS UK, Mission Room, MSite,

Nemetschek SE, OpenSpace,

Paperless Construction, Procore,

Symetri, Twinit and many more.

LEARN AND GET INSPIRED IN THE

EDUCATION PROGRAMME

It's not just in the central exhibition

where the latest industry innovation will

be in the spotlight. The event also

boasts 11 theatres of free-to-attend

talks, informative panels discussion,

interactive workshops and more. Hear

from 300+ industry experts and get up

to speed on the latest ideas shaping

architecture and design, engineering,

construction and operations.

DCW's carefully curated content

programme is designed to spark

discussion, share knowledge, and

provide practical takeaways. Each theatre

is tailored to a critical aspect of digital

transformation in the built environment:

Main Stage

Home to unmissable content delivered

by high profile thought leaders working

at the forefront of the built environment.

Expect an exclusive programme of

noteworthy speakers and panel

discussions, covering the most

pressing issues in digital architecture

and design, engineering, construction

and operations.

The Digital Operations Stage -

Sponsored by Glider Technology

Explore how digital technologies are

revolutionising asset management and

facility operations. From IoT and

predictive maintenance to sustainabilitydriven

innovations, this stage showcases

strategies for optimising asset

performance and resilience.

Information Management Stage &

Exchange - Stage sponsored by

Egnyte, Exchange sponsored by Global

eTraining

Delve into the world of digital

information management, from best

practices to real-world case studies.

The IMS offers interactive sessions and

workshops designed to foster learning,

discussion, and problem-solving.

Innovation Stage - Sponsored by Sir

Robert McAlpine

Get inspired by breakthrough

technologies that are pushing the

boundaries of the built environment.

Expect sessions on AI, automation,

robotics, cloud computing,

cybersecurity, and more.

Tech Stage - Sponsored by Bentley

Systems

24

March/April 2025

EVENTpreview

Enjoy live demos of the very latest

technologies and innovations changing

the way you design, build, and operate

your built assets. These are quick-fire

sessions delivered by DCW exhibitors

and sponsors. Get insight into the

practical application of the concepts and

processes you've learned about across

the rest of our seminar programme.

Inspire Stage - Sponsored by Autodesk

A platform for fresh ideas and crossindustry

insights. This stage will host

thought leaders exploring digital

transformation, change management,

and the adoption of cutting-edge

technology beyond construction.

People and Change Theatre

Focused on the human side of digital

transformation, this theatre will highlight

topics such as behavioural change,

workplace wellbeing, diversity and

inclusion, and strategies for building

more collaborative cultures.

Transformation Hub - Sponsored by Twinit

A deep dive into business transformation,

with practical insights into digital

strategies, cultural shifts, innovation

management, and engaging

stakeholders in technological change.

Net Zero Stage

In partnership with ZERO, this stage will

explore the role of digital construction in

achieving sustainability goals. Topics

include material selection, carbon

measurement, energy efficiency, and netzero

construction methods.

Table Talks

Interactive, expert-led roundtable

discussions designed to facilitate deep

conversations on innovation and

technology in the built environment. A

space to share perspectives, ask

questions, and collaborate on industry

challenges. You can expect to be

inspired and informed by high profile

presenters and curated panel

discussions covering the industry's most

pressing issues, exploring new ideas and

actionable insights. The full programme

will be announced in the spring.

MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

DCW isn't just about learning and

technology - it's about making

connections that matter. Throughout the

event, you can take advantage of

dedicated networking areas, drinks

receptions, and social events designed

to bring the digital construction

community together. Whether you're

looking to catch up with industry peers,

forge new business relationships, or

simply enjoy a relaxed conversation after

a day of learning, DCW provides plenty of

opportunities to do so.

One of the highlights is the DCW Happy

Hour, which takes place on the exhibition

floor, giving attendees the chance to

connect with speakers and fellow visitors.

It's a great way to break the ice, spark

new collaborations, and celebrate the

10th anniversary of DCW in style!

"BY FAR THE BEST EVENT THERE IS

IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY"

The 2024 instalment of DCW saw a 7%

increase in attendee numbers compared to

the previous year. The packed-out event

provided a platform for exchanging

knowledge, fostering valuable connections,

and delving into the latest emerging trends.

Priyanka Lengure, Information Manager

at Buro Happold, said: "Attended Digital

Construction Week for the first time, and

what a fantastic learning experience it

turned out to be. The standout moments

were the engaging panel discussions,

where industry experts shared valuable

insights. I'm taking away a wealth of

knowledge from this event."

"It's incredibly inspiring to see the

advancements and exciting future

possibilities in the industry! Looking

forward to implementing these insights to

help shape a smarter, more efficient, and

sustainable future," said Miguel Espinosa

Cancino, Graduate Digital Construction

Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction

& Infrastructure.

"By far the best event there is in the

construction industry, and it was great to

see all the innovation and passion for

digital," commented Nicoleta Bocaneala,

Senior Team Leader - Digital Estates (BIM)

at ONE Creative Environments (ONE).

"Compared to other events I have

attended this year, it was by far the best,"

said Emma Hooper, Head of Information

Management Strategy at RLB Digital,

Vice Chair of nima and buildingSMART

UK&I. "If we could bottle up the passion,

innovation and magic in the room and

spread it to the rest of the industry we

could actually change for the better."

REGISTER NOW FOR DCW 2025

Digital Construction Week takes place

at ExCeL London from 4-5 June 2025.

To register for a free ticket, please visit:

https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/DigitalConst

ructionWeek25.aspx?TrackingCode=DC

W300

March/April 2025 25

CASE study

Waste Not

Marion Bouillin, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Bentley Systems explains how Proicere delivered

a modern nuclear waste treatment facility to house the world's largest civil stockpile of plutonium

Marion Bouillin leads product

marketing efforts for SYNCHRO,

Bentley's digital

construction delivery solution

The United Kingdom's Nuclear

Decommissioning Authority (NDA)

is responsible for cleaning up and

decommissioning the country's earliest

nuclear sites, which includes about 140

tons of civil separated plutonium. Due to

the radioactive and fissile nature of the

material, plutonium handling and storage

requires specialised facilities and

effective management arrangements.

The NDA was tasked with transferring

the plutonium into more modern

facilities. One of these facilities is the

Sellafield Retreatment Plant (SRP),

located along the Irish Sea coast in

England, which will repackage and

retreat plutonium packages. The facility

is designed to safely store the material

for 100 years.

The NDA chose Proicere Digital to

deliver this project, as the consultancy

is an expert in this field. "Within SRP,

Proicere adopted responsibility for

enhancing project controls and digital

delivery methodologies," said Daniel

Ashton, technical director at Proicere.

Their mission is to combine modern

delivery methods with project

controls and make the complex

simple. This goal was key, as

the organisation was

subject to complex

regulatory requirements and stringent

safety standards on this vast project.

OVERCOMING INCREDIBLE ODDS

In addition to the complexity and

regulations surrounding the project,

Proicere also needed to develop a

new commercial model and reestablish

supply chains for items not

manufactured in over a decade. The

organisation was also dealing with

pandemic lockdowns that led to

additional complexities and

scheduling pressures.

Proicere realised that they needed a

collaborative digital solution that would

allow for optimal planning, execution,

and monitoring of the project.

Additionally, the solution needed a

high level of collaboration so that the

team could proactively address

emerging issues quickly and efficiently.

To this end, they sought a 4D

construction planning solution and

digital twin technology.

IMPLEMENTING CONSTRUCTION

DIGITAL TWINS FOR IMPROVED

EFFICIENCY

After considering their options, Proicere

chose SYNCHRO's 4D planning and

scheduling technology, empowering the

26

March/April 2025

CASEstudy

Images courtesy of Proicere Digital.

team to digitally visualise, plan, and

execute the complex site works. "Due to

the project's unique complexities and

the need for specialised tools tailored to

nuclear decommissioning and waste

management processes, we turned to

Bentley's SYNCHRO for its unparalleled

capabilities in 4D planning, which

proved instrumental in overcoming

project challenges," said Ashton.

The applications allowed the team to

digitally rehearse high-risk activities,

both on and off site. By using

SYNCHRO, the team was able to

conduct comprehensive risk analysis

to identify and mitigate potential

project risks, including adaptive fire

escape routes and crane collapse

landing radii. They were also able to

facilitate better and smoother

collaboration and communication

among project stakeholders.

The team used SYNCHRO's integrated

planning model in the office, which

allowed for seven individual users to

access the same file and work on it at

the same time. The application also

stored animation outputs and shared

model files, ensuring a single source of

truth. Meanwhile, SYNCHRO Field was

used in the field to model the site and

access files, allowing everyone to have

access to the information wherever they

were. They could also collect site data

and share updates with the team back

in the office, about 150 miles away,

in real time.

"Bentley's SYNCHRO has become a key delivery tool

for the SRP project, not only changing the way we

functionally plan on the project, but also improving

project integration and collaboration and aiding the

safe operation of the site. The construction plan is

now more visible and accessible than ever and this

has only improved project and stakeholder

communications."

Daniel Ashton, Technical Director, Proicere Digital

SAVING SIGNIFICANT TIME AND

COSTS WITH DIGITAL TWINS

By using SYNCHRO to create 4D

models, combined with Bentley's iTwin

Platform, the team established a digital

twin to perform construction

simulations, streamlining workflows, as

well as identifying and mitigating over

160 potential risks. The Bentley

applications enhanced overall efficiency

by optimising all project processes.

"The construction plan is now more

visible and accessible than ever, and

this has only improved project and

stakeholder communications," said

Ashton. SYNCHRO helped avoid

potential clashes, saving potential

rework on site.

The digital solution has already saved

GBP 73.2 million in costs, avoided over

500 days of rework, and saved the

project 3,375 days total. Using

SYNCHRO has provided GBP 8 million

of schedule-related benefit on a project

valued at GBP 1.3 billion.

In addition to these substantial

qualitative savings, the project itself

plays a vital role in safeguarding public

health, protecting the environment,

and advancing scientific knowledge.

The plant provides many job

opportunities and stimulates economic

growth in the area, fostering a positive

impact on the community.

By maximising handprint and

minimising footprint, the project sets a

benchmark for sustainable infrastructure

development in the industry.

"Bentley's SYNCHRO has become a

key delivery tool for the SRP project, not

only changing the way we functionally

plan on the project, but also improving

project integration and collaboration

and aiding the safe operation of the

site," said Ashton.

www.bentley.com

March/April 2025 27

CASEstudy

Smooth Operator

Nemetschek Group's dTwin is boosting operational efficiency for port operator, UMEX

With the internet providing easy

access to the global marketplace

and customers expecting next day

delivery for some items, it's no wonder that

port traffic is increasing. It's not only being

fuelled by our desire for consumer goods

but, at a broader level, by an everexpanding

population, which is accelerating

the pace at which we consume goods and

products from across the continents and

seas. Perhaps it is unsuprising then that a

recent table published by PortEconomics

showed that in the first six months of 2024,

there was double-digit growth in seven of

the top 15 ports.

Given that ports are at the heart of this

global trade, they're under increasing

pressure to boost the speed and efficiency

at which they operate. Slow processing

impacts the cost of shipping goods, and

has a bearing on overall economic

competitiveness. Any inefficiencies can

result in bottlenecks and congestion, drive

up shipping costs, and introduce

disruptions to the supply chain. Therefore,

ports must strive to reduce delays, cut

storage costs and accelerate the

movement of cargo. Achieving those goals

benefits businesses and consumers,

wherever they are.

Romanian port operator UMEX is acutely

aware of this challenge. An important part

of the Constanta Port community, UMEX

strives to introduce new solutions to ensure

it is delivering increased competitiveness

for its customers through efficient and

modern services related to the handling

and storage of the operated goods.

Bringing it into the modern era - and to

ensure smooth port operations - today

UMEX relies on a digital twin of its port

infrastructure in Constanta. Using the

Nemetschek Group's cloud-based digital

twin platform dTwin, a digital image of the

berths, storage areas and warehouses was

created and linked with key figures on

productivity, warehouse utilisation,

operating volume and loading efficiency as

well as real-time information on building

structure and energy consumption. Not

only does this enable the entire ship

unloading process to be comprehensively

monitored, but energy efficiency and

productivity are increased sustainably,

much to the benefit of its customers.

SET UP TO SUCCEED

Large volumes of goods from neighboring

countries are handled via Constanta,

situated on the Romanian Black Sea coast.

It's there that UMEX operates five berths for

bulk and liquid goods, as well as bagged

cargoes and general cargoes like steel

products, timber or project cargo. With its

open spaces, warehouses and a

specialised infrastructure, UMEX ensures

that it has all of the physical assets required

to cover all of its customers' freight needs,

both swiftly and cost effectively.

FROM BIM MODEL TO DIGITAL TWIN

In line with the boom in global trade, the

constantly growing freight volumes - in

conjunction with the many essential and

complex activities running in parallel -

required UMEX to optimise its loading and

unloading operations and make them more

efficient. With an eye to the future, UMEX

additionally sought to offer innovative

solutions that could not be found in a

traditional port terminal.

To ensure that it had a clear overview of

data-driven metrics - such as handling

volumes, productivity, warehouse utilisation

and loading efficiency, as well as

personnel, equipment and energy costs -

the UMEX team were already using stateof-the-art

technologies such as monitoring

platforms. Although it had already created

BIM models of its warehouses, some of the

heterogeneous data was only available on

site or via various online platforms.

A "SINGLE SOURCE OF TRUTH"

UMEX was searching for a solution that

would integrate all visualisations of the

28

March/April 2025

CASEstudy

complex - from BIM models to panoramic

images - as well as data from different

platforms, in a single digital twin. To this

end Nemetschek Group's partner

ALLBIM.NET presented UMEX with the

cloud-based SaaS platform dTwin,

developed by Nemetschek, which enabled

port buildings and infrastructure, such as

cranes, to be visualised precisely in 3D,

and all in the context of the port

environment. The real-time data from IoT

sensors was also integrated. This created a

central digital twin for visual analyses,

simulations and optimisations.

However, it is only by combining building

and system information with real-time

data from building operations that digital

twins can unlock their full potential. As a

trusted "single source of truth", dTwin

brings this information together clearly on

a central platform, while also enabling a

360-degree view of the port facility's

buildings and infrastructure.

The dTwin platform provides management

with a clear picture of the entire operating

process at all times in order to improve

energy efficiency and productivity.

Anomalies and deviations are visualised ata-glance,

using heat maps. UMEX is

already feeling the benefits, as Cristian

Taranu, General Manager of UMEX,

explains: "With dTwin, we can analyse

running costs almost in real time. This

makes it possible to optimise solutions and

tariffs for our customers, so that they can

optimally discharge or load their cargo."

ACHIEVING INTEGRATION IN A WEEK

Thanks to the plant's existing BIM model

and IoT systems, an operational digital twin

was quickly created for UMEX in just one

week. The adjustments and fine-tuning of

the platform took another two months,

ensuring it was optimised to the port's

specific requirements.

"The development of the strategy, the

setup and the fine-tuning of the platform to

our needs were carried out in close

cooperation with the dTwin team and went

smoothly," explained Daniel Nistorescu,

Project and Investment Manager at UMEX,

praising the support provided by the dTwin

team. This was echoed by Dr. Jimmy

Abualdenien, Head of Digital Twin Product

at the Nemetschek Group, who stated.

"Together with the UMEX team, we were

able to develop tailor-made solutions in

dTwin that directly address the specific

challenges of our customer."

Much like activity at the port, UMEX is not

standing still where plans for digital twins

are concerned. It is currently working on

integrating state-of-the-art port cranes and

scaling up to other terminals. The platform

can be easily adapted and expanded to

include additional sensors and systems,

while management and departments

benefit from comprehensive real-time

information on the productivity of depots

and facilities, increasing both efficiency and

helping to optimise processes.

This not only makes the dTwin a real

gamechanger in the port, but also means

they are better prepared than ever to

respond to rapidly evolving distribution

needs as driven by the increasing

demands of consumers and business alike.

www.nemetschek.com

March/April 2025 29

TECHNOLOGYfocus

Looking at the Earth with Fresh Eyes

Mark Wells, Esri UK CTO, highlights how rapid growth in drone, satellite and other imagery is helping to

support data-driven information strategies

Major developments in drones,

satellites, mobile mapping

and other data sources have

transformed the imagery and earth

observation industry, compared to

how it was just a few years ago. These

new data collection methods are

fuelling the growth in creating highly

accurate digital representations of the

physical world. What this gives the

construction community is another

critical part of a data-driven,

information management strategy.

From site monitoring to change

detection, identifying spatial patterns or

object detection, this rapidly growing

sector is helping users perform

analysis, create new insights and make

better decisions. Esri UK is

experiencing a 20% growth year-onyear

in the amount of analytics being

performed on imagery data.

Historically, imagery was always a

standalone discipline. But today, a

modern Geographic Information

System (GIS) gives users all the tools

they need to manage, analyse and

share these rapidly growing

information sources. GIS is shifting to

become the glue that integrates all

types of imagery with other data,

including IoT, big data, unstructured,

vector, multi-dimensional, tabular,

graph analysis, terrain, 3D and BIM.

DRONE-IN-A-BOX

Commissioning satellite imagery or

drone flights was previously

expensive, while mobile scanning did

not even exist until recently. Today, it's

possible to task a satellite to capture

imagery of your chosen area and

receive images in just over an hour.

While for more detailed data, fleets of

drone-in-a-box solutions can be

instructed to automatically fly to a site

anywhere in the UK and send hi-res

images even more rapidly. Obtaining

imagery data this quickly into a GIS

means near real-time monitoring of

places is now possible.

For large-scale projects, AI is creating

more timely and accurate land cover

maps of the entire planet, which help

organisations understand and track

land use and better manage resources.

Advances in processing power are

making 3D models of whole cities or

even countries possible, by fusing

together terabytes of imagery data to

make photo-realistic scenes. These

provide the foundations for building

digital twins.

OBJECT DETECTION

Tools to analyse imagery are making

insights faster to achieve, including

using AI models to spot patterns,

trends or automate object detection.

Pretrained models give users an easy

route to most types of recognition

tasks. This might involve identifying

suitable roofs for solar panels or

spotting storm damage. Automated

workflows are also available for

quantifying change in 3D imagery,

which makes it easier to identify

variations over time. This is being used

for managing aggregate stockpiles as

just one example.

What we are seeing overall is the

democratisation of imagery data. The

barriers of cost and accessibility of

imagery are coming down, while the

30

March/April 2025

TECHNOLOGYfocus

resolution and frequency keeps going up.

DIGITAL TWINS AT COUNTRY

SCALE

Digital twins are becoming a critical tool.

To be effective, they rely on highly

accurate and current 3D models, derived

from different types of imagery. Esri's

new ArcGIS Reality provides the reality

capture or 'reality mapping' software

needed to deliver these models.

Modelling construction sites, cities

and even whole countries traditionally

needs a lot of technical skill, specialist

software and a huge amount of data

editing, manipulation and integration.

The arrival of Esri's ArcGIS Reality

means that aerial, drone or satellite

imagery can now be quickly

transformed into valuable content,

including highly accurate 3D models of

facilities, cities and even whole

countries. These stunning images or

3D maps are then layered with

geospatial data to enrich reality with

greater context.

High-end cloud processing of multiple

terabytes of imagery data is what

makes this possible. This innovation

dramatically changes things as it

automates much of the work involved in

handling the images, achieving reality

mapping more quickly and at lower

cost. ArcGIS Reality has advanced

traditional GIS into the 3D space, at

any scale and any extent.

This is opening up new possibilities

for how and where these large-scale

digital models can be used, in both the

public and private sectors. In oil and

gas, for example, long distance

pipelines which might span countries

can be easily mapped and modelled in

3D, while in smart cities and urban

planning, users can accelerate the

adoption of digital twins to gain a

deeper understanding of their physical

assets. The market for reality mapping

is only going to keep growing because

digital twins need highly accurate 3D

models as their foundation.

KEEPING TRACK OF PLANET EARTH

Developments elsewhere include large

scale datasets covering the surface of

the whole planet. Using AI, the Earth's

land use is being classified using

satellite imagery far quicker than

previously possible - the whole globe

can be completed in days, not weeks.

These more timely land cover maps

help users in many industries and

developing nations understand and

track land use and how to better

manage resources.

Esri's global land cover map shows

the planet according to land cover

type, revealing urban areas, grass,

trees and crops, among others. This

improves understanding of important

challenges such as land use planning,

surface water and resource

management. In addition, national

government resource agencies use

land use/land cover as a basis for

understanding trends in a country's

natural capital, which helps define land

planning priorities and is the basis of

budget allocations.

A snapshot of this data reveals that

Los Angeles is one of the cities with

the highest percentage of built area in

the world with 88%, while London is

one of the world's cities with most

grass cover at 11%.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Simplifying access to imagery and the

tools to analyse it is helping a wide

range of AEC organisations propel their

understanding of the world around

them. Supporting data-driven decisionmaking,

GIS allows users to analyse

imagery data in context and share the

outputs more easily than ever before -

the days of imagery being a standalone

discipline are long gone.

The future of this rapidly evolving

technology is bright and the examples

above are just the beginning. The next

wave of applications will include

immersive experiences where AR and VR

allow users to interact with 3D models,

while AI will be put to work processing

more imagery on a global scale.

Esri UK is at the forefront of

harnessing the power of imagery to

give an unprecedented view of the

world. And with the barriers to adoption

being constantly lowered, soon many

more organisations are set to benefit

from looking at the planet in new ways.

www.esriuk.com/en-gb/arcgis/imageryremote-sensing/overview

March/April 2025 31

YOUR GUIDE TO

5

7

3

1

2

21

22

23

24 20 25 26

27

29

SCOTLAND

FIFE 1

GlenCo Development

Solutions

Contact: Jack Meldrum

Tel: 01592 223330

Fax: 01592 223301

jackm@glenco.org

www.glenco.org

ACMK

ABERDEENSHIRE* 2

Symetri Ltd.

Tel: 0345 370 1500

info@symetri.co.uk

www.symetri.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

Larbert 3

30 28

19

15 11/16

6

13

17

9/10

18

12/14

*Location guide

not 100% accurate

TMS CADCentre

7 Central Park Avenue

Central Park

Larbert

FK5 4RX

Tel: 01324 550 760

info@tms-scotland.com

www.tms-scotland.com/autodesk

ACELHNO

IRELAND

DUBLIN 5

Paradigm Technology Ltd

Contact: Des McGrane

Tel: +353-1-2960155

Fax: +353-1-2960080

dmcgrane@paradigm.ie

www.paradign.it

ACMGKL

SOUTHWEST

NEWBURY 6

RWTC Ltd

Contact: Richard Willis

Tel: 01488 689005

Fax: 01635 32718

richard@rwtc.co.uk

www.rwtc.co.uk

A M

N.I

BELFAST 7

Pentagon Solutions Ltd

Contact: Tony Dalton - Training

Services Manager

Tel: +44 (0) 2890 455 355

Fax: +44 (0) 2890 456 355

tony@pentagonsolutions.com

www.pentagonsolutions.com

ACDEGKL

TRAINING COURSES OFFERED KEY:

AUTOCAD AND LT:

AUTOCAD P&ID TRAINING:

AEC/BUILDING SOLUTIONS:

3D MODELLING $ ANIMATION

AUTOCAD ARCHITECTURE:

FM DESKTOP:

GIS/MAPPING:

REVIT:

VAULT FUNDAMENTALS

AUTODESK VAULT FOR INVENTOR USERS

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

VISUALISATION:

AUTIDESK CIVIL:

INVENTOR SERIES/MECHANICAL:

NAVISWORKS TRAINING:

PRODUCT UPDATE COURSES:

INVENTOR PUBLISHER:

GOOGLE SKETCHUP:

CHARACTER ANIMATION:

AUTODESK SIMULATION:

FACTORY DESIGN SUITE:

AUTOCAD ELECTRICAL:

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

X

For further information about authorised CAD training or to advertise on these pages please contact:

Josh Boulton on 01689 616 000 or email: josh.boulton@btc.co.uk

SOUTH/EAST

HERTFORDSHIRE 9

Computer Aided

Business Systems Ltd

Contact: Gillian Haynes

Tel: 01707 258 338

Fax: 01707 258 339

training@cabs-cad.com

A C D E K H

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 10

Causeway

Technologies Ltd

Contact: Sue Farnfield

Tel: +44 (0)1628 552134

Sue.Farnfield@causeway.com

www.causeway.com

A C D E K

BERKSHIRE 11

Cadpoint

Contact: Clare Keston

Tel: 01344 751300

Fax: 01344 779700

sales@cadpoint.co.uk

www.cadpoint.co.uk

A C D E K

ENFIELD* 12

TRAINING

BERKSHIRE 16

Mass Systems Ltd

Contact: Luke Bolt

Tel: 01344 304 000

Fax: 01344 304 010

info@mass-plc.com

www.mass-plc.com

A E F

HAMPSHIRE 17

Universal CAD Ltd

Contact: Nick Lambden

Tel: [44] 01256 352700

Fax: [44] 01256 352927

sales@universalcad.co.uk

www.universalcad.co.uk

A C M E K H

MILTON KEYNES 18

Graitec - Milton Keynes

Contact: David Huke

Tel: 01908 410026

david.huke@graitec.co.uk

www.graitec.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

CAMBRIDGE 19

THE NORTH

MANCHESTER* 20

Symetri Ltd.

Tel: 0345 370 1500

info@symetri.co.uk

www.symetri.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

NEWCASTLE* 21

Symetri Ltd.

Tel: 0345 370 1500

info@symetri.co.uk

www.symetri.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

YORKSHIRE 22

Graitec Bradford

Contact: Isobel Gillon

Tel: 01274 532919

training@graitec.co.uk

www.graitec.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

NORTH EAST 23

Graitec - Durham


Tel: 0191 374 2020


www.graitec.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

LANCASHIRE 24

QUADRA SOLUTIONS

Contact: Simon Dobson

Tel: 01254 301 888

Fax: 01254 301 323

training@quadrasol.co.uk

www.quadrasol.co.uk

A C M K

YORKSHIRE* 25

Symetri Ltd.

Tel: 0345 370 1500

info@symetri.co.uk

www.symetri.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

SOUTH YORKSHIRE 26

THE JUICE GROUP LTD

Contact: Sarah Thorpe

Tel: 0800 018 1501

Fax: 0114 275 5888

training@thejuice.co.uk

www.thejuicetraining.com

A C D E K R

Symetri Ltd.

Tel: 0345 370 1500

info@symetri.co.uk

www.symetri.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

Symetri Ltd.

Tel: 0345 370 1500

info@symetri.co.uk

www.symetri.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

SOUTHHAMPTON 13

Riverside House, Brunel Road

Southampton, Hants. SO40 3WX


Tel: 02380 868 947


www.graitec.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

CONTRAL LONDON* 14

Symetri Ltd.

Tel: 0345 370 1500

info@symetri.co.uk

www.symetri.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

OXFORDSHIRE 15

MIDLANDS

NOTTINGHAM 27

MicroCAD - Nottingham


Tel: 0115 969 1114


www.graitec.co.uk

ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 28

AIT Spatial Ltd

Contact: Philip Madeley

Tel: 01933 303034

Fax: 01933 303001

training@aitspatial.co.uk

www.aitspatial.co.uk

A C D E F G K L

BIRMINGHAM 29

CHESHIRE 30

Excelat CAD Ltd

Contact: Vaughn Markey

Tel: 0161 926 3609

Fax: 0870 051 1537

Vaughn.markey@ExcelatCAD.com

www.ExcelatCAD.com

B N

Man and Machine

Contact: Robert Kenny

Tel: 01844 263700

Fax: 01844 216761

training@manandmachine.co.uk

www.manandmachine.co.uk

A D I J M N O P Q X

Armada Autodesk

Training Centre

Contact: Steven Smith

Tel: 01527 834783

Fax: 01527 834785

training@armadaonline.co.uk

www.armadaonline.co.uk

A D E M K H

TECHNOLOGYfocus

Keeping construction connected

Kristian Torode, director and co-founder of business IT provider Crystaline, explains how

5G-powered routers can enable construction connectivity anywhere, anytime

Whether it's viewing architectural

plans or enabling Internet of

Things (IoT) devices, access to a

reliable, high-speed internet connection is

increasingly becoming a priority on

construction sites. But with scope and

timescales often varying so much

between projects, is there such a thing as

a one-size-fits-all for internet connectivity?

Construction workers are increasingly

finding themselves in need of a faster,

more reliable internet connection.

Whether it's accessing architectural plans

or 3D CAD diagrams, the ability to share,

edit and download large files is

becoming more and more essential to

the daily operation of sites. This need is

exacerbated further in larger

developments, where multiple teams

across the site need to be able to

communicate with one another.

Internet access can also facilitate the

implementation of IoT technologies, such

as Building Information Modeling (BIM).

BIM uses a host of cameras and sensors

on-site to create a digital model of the

project as construction work goes on,

allowing for architects and engineers to

validate the structure's integrity

throughout. As a result, minor errors or

faults can be spotted much more quickly,

preventing long project delays. Security

is another area that can benefit, with

remote CCTV monitoring and the ability

to set up more sophisticated locking

systems at gates and barriers.

USING PERSONAL DEVICES

But how can construction sites get online?

The first, and perhaps easiest option, is to

rely on workers to use their own personal

devices to access the internet. For quick

access to one or two individual files, such

an approach might be sufficient - but

problems can quickly arise as soon as

there's a need to do more.

Workers may not have sufficient data

plans to access everything they need, for

example. This can be alleviated in part by

using devices to 'tether' to one another and

sharing data that way, but it often results in

slow speeds for the user and is unlikely to

be able to support more than one or two

devices at a time. And for businesses who

are paying for company plans, it might be

that the cost of multiple unlimited data

plans quickly starts to add up.

FIXED BROADBAND

So, what about installing a broadband

line? For long-term projects lasting

several years, in areas already with

access to ultrafast broadband, this might

be the most appropriate solution.

But often, projects must work on a

shorter timeframe. With most broadband

contracts locking customers in for 12 or

24-month periods, it often isn't

financially viable for workers who may

only be on-site for half that time, for

example. And with the time it takes to

lay a new fixed line varying from weeks

to months, particularly in remote areas

or those with more challenging terrain, it

could result in a significant and crucial

part of the project not having the

connectivity required.

With the PSTN stop sell having already

taken place, setting up new connections

on these old lines will no longer be

possible, presenting an additional

challenge to construction companies

looking to get their sites online.

ROLLING OUT 5G ROUTERS

Rather than relying on personal device

usage or long-term broadband plans, a

5G router could provide the ideal

solution. 5G routers provide connectivity

via mobile network connections rather

than on fixed broadband lines, meaning

they can be plugged in anywhere to

provide connectivity within minutes.

With 5G being up to ten times faster

than 4G with just a fraction of the latency,

a 5G router offers enough speed and

bandwidth for multiple workers to access

any file they might need, or hold video

meetings with other colleagues.

Crystaline offers TCL's LinkHub 5G

HH515 router which can support up to

256 connections alone. Capable of

delivering speeds up to 4.67 Gpbs, it's on

par with most fibre connections, without

the long setup.

Other benefits include the ease of

setting up 'Guest Wi-Fi', which can help

improve cybersecurity by separating

visitor connections from employees.

Many routers, including the LinkHub, will

also come with an app for additional

functionalities, allowing for any changes

and upgrades to be carried out remotely.

With the size and scale of construction

sites varying so much between projects,

finding the right solution to fit can be a

challenge. But with the flexibility of a

router, combined with the UK's ongoing

5G rollout, it could be the answer to

providing businesses with high-speed,

reliable internet, wherever the job next

takes you.

https://crystaline.uk/

34

March/April 2025

Sponsored by:

SAVE THE DATE

AWARDS CEREMONY

6TH NOVEMBER 2025

CENTRAL LONDON

www.constructioncomputingawards.co.uk

@CCMagAndAwards

ANNA-SEILER-HAUS, INSELSPITAL

MAIN BUILDING, BERN UNIVERSITY

HOSPITAL, SWITZERLAND

ASTOC ARCHITECTS AND

PLANNERS, GWJ ARCHITEKTUR,

IAAG ARCHITEKTEN

ASTOC.DE / GWJ.CH / IAAG.CH

PHOTO: © HGESCH

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