This is UK Concrete

With the second stage of restoration now complete, the iconic Park Hill Estate in Sheffield has been given a new lease of life. One of the most famous examples of the UK’s post-war ‘streets in the sky’ housing developments, the extensive regeneration is an incredible example of what can be achieved when designers work to preserve and enhance existing structures to the highest quality.. Phase two of the project has received widespread recognition, winning the RIBA Yorkshire Award, RIBA Project Architect Award and RIBA National Award, as well as being shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize. Read more in our latest case study: https://lnkd.in/eh46Vzdw #concrete #architecture #restoration #regeneration

The construction of HS2, one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure developments has needed to consider how to design with materials that can withstand increasing climate pressures whilst also providing low-carbon benefits. Precast concrete has been used throughout the construction of critical HS2 components such as bridges, tunnels and track supports. The material’s durability provides assurances that it will withstand extreme weather and provide a reliable and durable long service life. Read more here in this piece by @MPA Precast https://lnkd.in/eKxYDPzN #concrete #precast #HS2 #resilience #durability

As the most significant new infrastructure project at Emmanuel College Cambridge for over a century, Stanton Williams Young’s Court student accommodation development needed to be designed to withstand the test of time. With additional ambitious low-carbon targets for the project, the choice to use a reinforced concrete frame was a result of rigorous testing and analysis of different structural solutions which analysed both embodied and operational carbon. To further drive down the carbon content, the mixture for the structural concrete was made up of 50% GGBS. When accounting for future climate scenarios, a concrete structure offered the advantage of being able to accommodate rising temperatures without the need for additional mechanical cooling. Read more about the project here in the latest edition of Concrete Quarterly: https://lnkd.in/eTFzn5A2 #concrete #materials #innovation

♻️ Transitioning to a circular economy will be a critical to achieving net zero and delivering a low carbon future. One industry leading example of materials circularity in practice has seen Canary Wharf Group and Aggregate Industries UK, Holcim working together on an innovative project at Wood Wharf. Recycled concrete from a nearby 100-year old decommissioned quay has been broken down into its constituent parts and reused in the concrete being poured for new residential buildings. Hear from Canary Wharf Group’s Director of ESG Sophie Goddard and Director of Structures Jonathan Ly in our latest video as they explain the circularity benefits of using concrete in the construction of new buildings to create more sustainable, resilient cities. #CanaryWharf #circulareconomy #sustainability #concrete

HMP Millsike: A Model for Modern Sustainable Construction 🏗️ Built with PCE’s Secure Prison HybriDfMA system, HMP Millsike exemplifies the benefits of a platform-DfMA approach, delivering on the Government Construction Playbook’s commitment to better, faster, and greener outcomes. Using 16,500+ precast components and digital twin technology, the project streamlined installation, reduced waste, and enhanced safety, achieving 200,000 RIDDOR-free hours. Lessons from HMP Five Wells, also built using PCE’s Secure Prison system, drove advancements including 84.2% Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) and a 24% reduction in embodied carbon against the baseline 🌱 Through local job creation, upskilling, and opportunities for ex-offenders, HMP Millsike sets a benchmark for sustainable, efficient, and socially impactful construction, paving the way for future innovations. https://lnkd.in/eHk6Ex8q https://lnkd.in/eMWjE65g This is UK Concrete #DfMA #Offsite #Construction #Precast #Sustainability #Collaboration #A4NP #Innovation

Canary Wharf Group is trialling CEM VI concrete to help lower embodied carbon in its on-site construction. The trials were made possible due to the latest revision to the BS 8500 standard for concrete, which allows multi-component cements to be used in concrete mixtures. This work reflects the construction industry’s ongoing efforts to explore low-carbon alternatives to traditional cement and is expected to be adopted across more large-scale projects. Read more about the trial here: https://lnkd.in/e6yjj-sr #concrete #canarywharf #sustainability #lowcarbon #BS8500

Revamping a residential estate is no small task, but Farrimond House in Barking is a fantastic example of sustainable regeneration. Previously a tired estate with deteriorating infrastructure, this project has delivered 1,400 highly energy efficient and affordable new homes. The new housing blocks on the estate have been constructed from hybrid concrete structure, featuring both in-situ reinforced concrete floor slabs with precast columns and precast core walls. For housing projects like this, concrete is a cost-effective structural solution which provides durable homes with the highest levels of safety, giving residents peace of mind that their property is inherently resistance to fire. Read more about the development in the latest Autumn edition of Concrete Quarterly: https://lnkd.in/d6FvUdRV #concrete #regeneration #architecture

Innovative construction opportunities available with concrete continue to evolve. United Utilities and Scottish Water have begun to trial 3D printing techniques to create infrastructure, using funding from Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge. Since its Printfrastructure project launched in 2023, Ofwat has been funding studies into the use of concrete and polymer 3D printing to produce infrastructure such as sewer overflow chambers. These will be rolled out for us on water sites in the future. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gyWZheKU #concrete #infrastructure

HS2 has reached another crucial milestone with more than a million cubic metres of concrete now constructed for the West Midlands stretch of HS2. Concrete has been used along the route for the large structural elements such as viaducts and bridges as well as for the railway’s deep foundations and tunnel linings. To reduce carbon, high proportions of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) have been used in all of the concrete mixes, reducing the cement content while maintaining concrete’s inherent strength and durability for long lasting rail infrastructure. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBPbuSt4 #concrete #HS2 #infrastructure

As our climate changes and we see increasing flood and overheating events, how can our built environment become more resilient?   This is just one of the questions that was discussed today with an expert panel from across the industry at our climate resilience roundtable.   With representatives from developers, planners, insurers, architects and more, we delved into a range of important topics from planning, policy and regulatory change, along with data and education on materials.   Keep an eye out for our upcoming report on the event !   #climateresilience #concrete Eva Aftab Richard Ellis Alex Fell Sophie Goddard Bevan Jones Piers Nickalls Kartikeya Rajput Morgan Taylor Elaine Toogood Freya Turtle Bob Ward Lucy Wood Clare Woodcock Davide Zampini