Counterbalance XYZ

Next Young Architects & Developers Alliance (YADA) Event on the 7th of November 6 pm Hawkins\Brown. Tickets Below:

Yesterday I was involved in a panel at UK Construction Week in Birmingham about the new labour government pledges/policy 100 days into power with Alice Maughan Georgina Louise Hammond and Albena Atanassova-Price. Interesting discussing housing with SME developers who want to build more but find the systems in place holding them back or at least slowing them down. We need major reform in our planning process and building control to build more homes but in the wider systems in place of CDM, party wall, fire safety, land registry, utility searches, build-over agreements, Flood risk and more. It is all very disconnected from one another slowing the process down. Investment is needed by the government but also a reorganisation of systems is critical to increase the number of homes being built. More information on my views on this topic via my Project 500 blog here: https://lnkd.in/dYgfz9ys I also got to play around with a JCB. Win-Win.

I am looking forward to being part of a panel next week at UK Construction Week in Birmingham about young perspectives on future policy from our new government 100 days in. We will be talking about planning, building control, sustainability, new carbon-zero homes, affordable housing, skills and recruitment of young people. If you are attending the show next week, join the talk and contribute to the discussion! Details: 03 Oct 2024 - 15:15 - 16:00 - Culture Change Hub - NEC Birmingham

The Building Portal Platform - Check out our new Project 500 article. Could you imagine if there was one central body/online platform to guide clients and professionals through the process of constructing buildings? Rather than adding more pages of legislation which most likely is not being read by all parties and putting the responsibility on others, the government needs to take control of the process. Read the full article and let us know what you think!

Ground Floor Build-ups – All Types of Construction We have been reviewing our typical Ground Floor build-ups for the projects in our studio. We typically uplift fabric insulation on floors beyond building regulations standards to work towards zero carbon homes. Where possible we look to reduce the embodied carbon within the products we specify. We have compared our floor types by thickness and cost per m2. It is interesting to see the cost difference between construction types, with timber being a lot cheaper than concrete and block & beam construction methods. Timber does have the benefit of less embodied carbon energy compared to concrete-based products. More information on our website. https://lnkd.in/dw49bvUk #counterbalance #xyz #research #construction #timber #concrete #floors #insulation

What a great day on Friday at the Royal Greenwich Trust School talking about the construction & engineering industry and potential job roles within it to students in year 10. Thank you to everyone who attended. Albena Atanassova Ben Harford Lucie Woollams Vanessa Agyemang Detail SD Paul Daramola Olumide Ogunbiyi Olusola Ogunbiyi Mark Bryan Scott Crease Jacobs Environment Agency Introba Meinhardt Group Design Delivery Unit Scott Brownrigg Copper Dust MCS Berkeley Group Plc Counterbalance XYZ

External Wall Build-ups - Timber Frame Construction We have been reviewing our typical external timber frame wall build-ups for the projects in our studio. We typically meet the building regulations u-values for new elements in existing properties and extensions but on new build projects we uplift fabric insulation standards to work towards zero carbon homes. Where possible we look to reduce the embodied carbon within the products we specific. We have compared our wall types by thickness and cost per m2 showing the additional costs of using more sustainable materials. It is interesting to see the cost difference between construction types and u-values 0.18 W/m2/K to 0.13 W/m2/K walls which is about 23% which would be less than £5,500 increase for a 3 bedroom 100m2 home. More information on our website. https://lnkd.in/dhrcVwBJ #counterbalance #xyz #research #construction #timber #cladding #externalwalls #walls #insulation

External Wall Build-ups - Brick & Block Construction We have been reviewing our typical external brick & block wall build-ups for the projects in our studio. We typically meet the building regulations u-values for new elements in existing properties and extensions but on new build projects we uplift fabric insulation standards to work towards zero carbon homes. Where possible we look to reduce the embodied carbon within the products we specific. We have compared our wall types by thickness and cost per m2 showing the additional costs of using more sustainable materials. It is interesting to see the cost difference between construction types and u-values 0.18 W/m2/K to 0.13 W/m2/K walls which is about 25% which would be less than £5,500 increase for a 3 bedroom 100m2 home. More information on our website. https://lnkd.in/dhrcVwBJ #counterbalance #xyz #research #construction #brick #block #externalwalls #walls #insulation

With the coming general election, our voices can shape future government policy in our country. That's why this year Young Architects & Developers Alliance (YADA) has joined forces with UK Construction Week hosting a panel discussion to raise the issues that are most important to young people and share ideas on how to provide solutions to the problems we all face. To inform this discussion we have put together a survey to understand what matters to you! See link below.

During the last week at Counterbalance XYZ we have been busy starting new projects along with a new role with Local London. Project Work Detail design work has continued (stage 4) on our house extension project in Woking which gained planning permission this week. The facades are going to be charred timber with clay tiles and galvanised guttering/downpipes more information on this project new week. I visited our project in Hackney which is nearing completion as the internal decoration work has begun. We have been meeting new clients as we prepare to start several new projects next month. CPD I have recently started a new role as a Enterprise Adviser for a local school in Greenwich via Local London. I attended a Local London enterprise adviser event in Stratford this week, where I meet lots of other EA’s to discuss how everyone is working with their schools and how everyone can improve. An inspiring event giving me lots of ideas on how I can help my local school. More information about the role can be found here: https://lnkd.in/d4PvjeFr If you are interested in getting involved with a school near you, let me know and I can put you in contact with the amazing people at Local London. It has been a great week of making and meeting lots of new people, have a good Sunday everyone!!